Wow - that's not good

Looks like the entire music collection from this site has been erased my server! How fucked up is that? I was just talking to someone about how I should be backing that up!

I'll have to take this opportunity to go back to the drawing board.

Mike Rutherford - Smallcreep's Day (1980) (mp3, 160kbps)

This is just a great all-around album. It is not a prog masterpiece, despite the 24 minute suite that takes up the first 'side' of the lp. But it is also not a pure pop exercise, like much of the Genesis and Mike & The Mechanics music that came later. I find it somewhat amusing that, for his first solo effort, Rutherford really played it safe. His only other solo effort, 1982's Acting Very Strange is a bit more out there.

Where Smallcreep's Day really excels is in the warm and comfortable feeling that pervades Duke and A Curious Feeling. The fact that Collins had not yet come into his own as a superstar is meaningful. A solo album was not an act of defiance, but merely a vacation. And that happy and comfortable feeling really comes across on this selection. The guitars and keyboards are expertly layered. They don't do much in the way of amazing acrobatics, but that's because the emphasis is on the song and the the soloing. Simon Phillips on drums and Marris Pert (from Brand X) provide enough imaginative texture to remind you of the artist's prog roots. And the presence of Anthony Phillips only enhances the pastoral feel of REALLY old Genesis.

This is a record you will like on the first listen. The more your listen, the more you will discover about the lush production. I don't think there was ever an expectation of touring, so this is true 'studio' music. It's refreshing that Rutherford doesn't hide the ball or pull lots of tricks. He gives you what he's got, in clear and convincing tones.

All tracks written by Mike Rutherford.

1. "Smallcreep's Day" (Total Time 24:38)

I. Between the Tick & the Tock – 3:59

II. Working In Line – 3:07

III. After Hours – 1:45

IV. Cats and Rats (In This Neighbourhood) – 4:50

V. Smallcreep Alone – 1:33

VI. Out Into the Daylight – 3:49

VII. At the End of the Day – 5:35

1. "Moonshine" – 6:23
2. "Time and Time Again" – 4:52
3. "Romani" – 5:25
4. "Every Road" – 4:13
5. "Overnight Job" – 5:43

Personnel

• Ant Phillips – keyboards
• Noel McCalla – vocals
• Simon Phillips – drums
• Morris Pert – percussion
• Mike Rutherford – guitars, basses

The link is in the comments.

Give me forty-three minutes and twenty seconds: Mixtape 01 is here

This is a project I have been thinking about ever since I started to collect the incredible mixes available over at ParisDJs.  And while those folks have mad performance skills behind the turntable, I have had to settle for a very deliberate (and slow) process of compilation and tweaking using Apple Logic 8.  I am, however quite pleased with the overall sequence, levels and imaging of the music.  I’ve only taken liberties to enliven some of the older recordings and keep overall volume constant.

The good folks at ParisDJs present their mixes as a single file, and I’ve done the same here.  In selecting these tracks, the only unifying theme was to have ‘all killer, no filler’, and hopefully to present you with things you mostly have not heard.  The selections span forty years and come from numerous styles (Jazz, Prog, Rock, Electronica, etc.) and regions (Canada, Brazil, France, India, UK, US, Poland, Sweden).  Future mixes will be more focused by genre and/or artist. There are definitely Zappa and Tangerine Dream mixes in the pipeline.

Feel free to stream over at mpomy.com (Hostrocket has hooked me up with LOTS of bandwith) or download and enjoy at your leisure.  Two of these titles are found on full length items posted at Blogerantz, so I’ve included the links.  Here’s what we got:

1.  Invocation/nonsense – Mpomy (2009)
2.  10538 Overture – Electric Light Orchestra (from The Electric Light Orchestra (No Answer) 1971)
3.  Get Your Snack On – Amon Tobin (from Supermodified 2000)
4.  Hummin’ – Cannonball Adderley (from The Country Preacher 1969)
5.  Willie – Cat Power (from FM broadcast of Cat Power & the Memphis Rhythm Band, Berlin June 11, 2006)
6.  Malandro Quando Vaza – The Ipanemas (from the collection Gilles Peterson Brazilika 2009)
7.  Transfert – Sylbat (from Mara 2008)
8.  Sunrise – SBB (from Iron Curtain 2009)
9.  On and On – Gungfly (from Please Be Quiet 2009)
10.  Pasanana’s Love – Trilok Gurtu (from broadcast (?) of North Sea Jazz Festival, July 2002)
11.  High Water (For Charley Patton) – Bob Dylan (from the collection Tell Tale Signs 2008, but the recording is from 2003)

As always, your feedback is appreciated. 

Here's the link:  Stick it in yer earhole!

James Booker with Jerry Garcia - Palo Alto Rehersals (1976) (mp3, 160kbps)

This is a nice, clear sounding recording of two monstrous talents jamming together.  I don't know the story of these shows, other than that in 1976 James Booker got to Palo Alto to play a few gigs with Jerry Garcia and his band.  And while Jerry obviously has a lot of respect for Booker's other-worldly boogie woogie, there are moments of disconnect - like when, after playing the song 'Classified' for about 9 minutes during these rehearsals (during which the title of the song is repeated numerous times in the refrain) Garcia says, "What do you call that?"  Huh?  You're jamming with James Booker and you don't know that song?

But it should all be forgiven for the opportunity to hear these two, not only jamming, but also sharing ideas during this unique rehearsal tape.  Booker teaches as he plays, and Garcia is tastefully restrained until the right moment.  I have a decent recording of on of the live shows which followed this rehearsal, and I will post that sometime, but the practice is even more fun as they work out the arrangements and jam in a more relaxed atmosphere.

1. Tico Tico (piano)
2. Tico Tico (organ)
3. Don't Try To Be Your Brother's Keeper
4. Don't Try To Be Your Brother's Keeper
5. Something You've Got
6. Something You've Got
7. Just A Closer Walk With Thee
8. Irene Goodnight
9. United, Our Thing Will Stand
10. Classified
11. Right Back Together (intro)
12. Right Back Together

The link is in the comments.

Steve Hackett - SHRP 09 (1983) (mp3, 160kbps)

Some live Hackett, as I'm trying to emphasize the strengths of my collection.  The SHRP (Steve Hackett Remastering Project) group does a nice job, and this is one of the best.  I'm not sure if this is an opening act, festival slot, or just an incomplete show, but a lot of the live Hackett you find from this area is short like this - under an hour.  But in that time, you have, not only exceptional sound quality, but pretty much everything you want to hear.  If nothing else, Hackett understands (and this seems to have always been the case) what his audience wants, and he gives it to them.

The high points are, well, ... they're all high points.  Narnia is nice, because that pretty much dropped out of the set a year or two later.  The Steppes, as always, hits like a ton of bricks.  This is basically my favorite Hackett song because it takes the genius of what he's doing at the end of Supper's Ready (w/ Genesis) and makes a whole song out of it.  Also, Hackett knows that the Moog Taurus bass pedals can never (and I mean NEVER) be too loud.  When this instrument is used correctly (go to a Musical Box show and you will see how that sounds) it can disintegrate the fillings in your teeth and rearrange internal organs.

Grand Casino - Montreux - July 13, 1980

Steve Hackett - Guitars
Dik Cadbury - Bass
Peter Hicks - Vocals
Nick Magnus - Keyboards
John Hacckett - Vocals / Flute / Bass pedals
John Shearer - Drums / percussion

1.  Slogans 05:24
2.  Every Day 07:49
3.  Spectral Mornings 06:33
4.  Time To Get Out 03:52
5.  The Steppes 06:35
6.  Narnia 04:48
7.  Acoustic Set 04:47
8.  Jacuzzi 05:37
9.  A Tower Struck Down 05:03
10.  Clocks 03:00

The link is in the comments.

Genesis - AV02 (1983) (mp3, 160kbps)

This one is for Phil.  Apparently, he's not going to be able to play drums anymore as a result of his long-standing back injury.  Well, I don't quite know what to say about that, but a lot of people have come back from a lot worse conditions, so don't necessarily count him out just yet.  In the meantime, I want to celebrate an incredible career behind the kit and otherwheres.

This is THE bootleg from the 'Mama' tour.  It may be 26 years ago, but it sounds like it was yesterday.  In fact, it sounds better than that.  It sounds like you are there.  It is certainly a better sounding recording than any sanctioned live record the band has ever released.

After all that praise, it should be noted that this is not a perfect selection.  The 'Mama' tour had highlights galore, and they are pretty much all here - but it also featured some of Genesis worst material ever.  'That's All' is simply a terrible song.  The 'Turn It On Again' medley is nothing short of embarrassing.  And while 'Afterglow' retains a lot of its emotion and punch, this tour is an example of Phil pushing the vocal too far for the finale - it ends up detracting from the song's beautiful simplicity.

But the good parts are SOOOOOO good.  'Home By The Sea' and 'Second Home', the whole 'In The Cage' medley and 'Los Endos' - these songs arguably never sounded better live.  And with the extraordinary A++ sound quality of this recording, those moments shine even brighter.

November 26, 1983 - The Spectrum - Philadelphia, PA (Pre-FM)

1.1 Dodo / Lurker 07:51
1.2 That's All 04:46
1.3 Abacab 09:06
1.4 Mama 07:20
1.5 Keep It Dark 05:33
1.6 Home By The Sea 05:16
1.7 Second Home By The Sea 06:47
2.1 In The Cage / Cinema Show / In That Quiet Earth / Slippermen 14:29
2.2 Afterglow 04:34
2.3 Drum Duet 03:08
2.4 Los Endos 06:26
2.5 Turn It On Again 09:03
2.6 Misunderstanding 04:02
2.7 Illegal Alien 05:30

The link is in the comments.

Albert King - Jammed Together (1969) (mp3, 320kbps)

Have I mentioned how much I love Albert King?  Have I mentioned how he's THE guy that put it all together for me?  How, when I heard his playing, it was like everything in the whole world all of the sudden made sense?  Have I mentioned that before?  I guess I kinda have, but I'm doing it again!

This is a great set because it matches big Albert with the soulful voice and vibrato guitar of Pops Staples (of the Staples Singers) and the rock solid fundamentals of ("HIT IT") Steve Cropper.  This is more than an Albert King record - this is a Stax record.  And it is all good.

1. What'd I Say
2. Tupelo
3. Opus De Soul
4. Baby What You Want Me To Do
5. Big Bird
6. Homer's Theme
7. Trashy Dog
8. Don't Turn Your Heater Down
9. Water
10. Knock On Wood

The link is in the comments.

Frank Zappa - Swiss Cheese At The Festhalle Basel (1974) (mp3, c. 256kbps - vbr)

Brilliant recording from a great era. The cover recalls Roxy & Elswhere, which is a great record to start with if you don't know Frank's music. Roxy runs about 68 minutes. This monster weighs in at a considerably more portly 2-1/2 hours, and it's 'all killer, no filler'. It may lose a few points, through no fault of its own, for being just after Jean-Luc Ponty left the band, but the sheer mass of material on this recording more than makes up for it. Also, with Jean-Luc out of the band, I have a theory that Frank felt more comfortable and more in charge.

Some of this material may be heard on the 'You Can't Do that On Stage Anymore' series, but, rather than a compilation of snippets from throughout the career, you get the whole concert (and then some). The filler material is also high quality, making for a nice, beefy package.

Frank Zappa - Swiss Cheese at the Festhalle Basel in 1974

This recording is a digital copy of the Frank Zappa CD bootlegrecord Swiss Cheese at the Festhalle Basel in 1974.
Label: FZ BA 01/02


Swiss Cheese at the Festivalhalle Basel in 1974 (2 CD)

* Festhalle Mustermesse, Basel, Switzerland, 01-Oct-1974 (early show)
* Harrisburg, 07-Nov-1974
* Capitol Theater, Passiac, 08-Nov-1974

Label: FZ BA 01/02
Sound quality: very good soundboard

Musicians: Frank Zappa, Ruth Underwood, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Chester Thompson, Tom Fowler and George Duke

1. Tush Tush Tush Incl. Band Introduction (02:15)
2. Stink-Foot (07:06)
3. Inca Roads (13:13)
4. Cosmik Debris (12:38)
5. Approximate Version One (01:21)
6. Approximate Version Two (01:06)
7. Approximate Version Three (00:43)
8. Approximate Whole Version (04:21)
9. Preamble Chesters Gorilla (01:39)
10. Florentine Pogen (09:49)
11. Preamble Incl. Tuning (01:27)
12. Penguin in Bondage (08:15)
13. T'Mershi Duween (03:52)
14. Dog Meat (06:36)
15. Preamble Stupid Fucking Song (01:25)

16. Camarillo Brillo (06:29)
17. Preamble Oh No, I Don't Believe It (00:50)
18. Oh No (01:33)
19. Son of Orange County (06:01)
20. Trouble Every Day (07:09)
21. Dog Breath Variations / Uncle Meat (02:36)
22. Building a Girl (01:45)
23. Preamble Love Song (00:50)
24. Florentine Pogen (08:07)
25. Montana (07:00)
26. The Hook (Dupree's Paradise) (26:23)
27. Ruthie-Ruthie (02:16) [Berry/Zappa/Brock] [same recording as on Stage #1]
28. Smell My Beard (05:08) [may or may not be as on Stage #4]

* Tracks 1-20 live at the Festhalle Mustermesse in Basel, Switzerland, 01-Oct-1974 (early show).
* Tracks 21-26 live in Harrisburg 07-Nov-1974.
* Tracks 27-28 live at the Capitol Theater, Passiac, 08-Nov-1974.

The link is in the comments.

Jimi Hendrix and Larry Young - Record Plant Session (1969) (mp3, 160kbps)

I was looking through the archive and found that this recording didn't sound nearly as bad as I remembered. It's pretty rough, but well worth it to hear the meeting of these two giants. Obviously, Larry Young did not have the same impact on music as Jimi, but his feel in Lifetime and on John McLaughlin's Devotion make him a natural for a jam with Jimi. This set is from the Record Plant Studios in New York City, May 14, 1969. Mitch Mitchell is on drums and Billy Cox plays bass.

1. Livin at the Burwood
2. Jam in E
3. Theme in D
4. Theme in D Jam
5. Jam in Gb
6. Jam in Gb cont'd
7. World Traveler
8. World Traveler (reprise)
9. My Brother's Dead
10. Livin at the Burwood (edit)

The link is in the comments.

Stanley Clarke - Tower Theater (1978) (mp3, 160kbps)

Here is an absolutely stellar recording of Stanley Clarke at the height of his powers, playing a show to a home town audience on New Year's Day. Could a fusion-head ask for anything better? I don't know who all we're hearing in the band, but I'm pretty sure it's Ray Gomez on guitar and Gerry Brown on drums. Beyond that, it's really anyone's guess. I know it's not David Sancious or Peter Robinson on keys because the piano solo is labeled as 'Mike's Solo'. Also, there are an assortment of horns and wind which make it a great set.

1. Overture
2. Silly Putty
3. School Days
4. Quiet Afternoon
5. The Magician
6. The Magician (cont'd)
   
7. Song To John
8. Confirmation
9. Solo
10. Dayride
11. Mike Solo
12. unknown
13. Lopsy Lu

The link is in the comments.

Spock's Beard - Live at Whiskey and NEARFest (1999) (mp3, 160kbps)

I originally got this set because I desperately wanted to hear the Beard's version of Genesis' Squonk. So many years later, I can easily say that is the worst song in the bunch. I was not able to get into this band right away. I knew they were big fans of 'old' Genesis and I also knew there was a big Gentle Giant thing going on. Even though I wasn't well-versed in the ways of Gentle Giant, Genesis was about the best thing in the world, so I hung in there. What I discovered was the genius of Neal Morse. What a fascinating guy. He can crank out the 30 minute epics without even breaking a sweat. He split the band in 2002 after finding that his commitment to Jesus Christ would not allow him to be in 'rock bands' anymore. Yet, since that date, he has proceeded to make music that is even more amazing and inspirational. You may not agree with his evangelical message, but there is no arguing with the authority and sincerity of his songwriting gift. I truly believ that he has been called by God (whatever that means) to make progressive rock. I know it sounds crazy, but when you listen to ? and Sola Scriptura, its easy to understand that this man is not like the rest of us. In this so-called Christian period, he is making the best music of his life.

But back in 1999, he was just the front man of a prog rock outfit from LA. This is what that band sounded like at the height of their powers. When these recordings were made, Spock's Beard was moving forward and moving up and there was no limit to what they imagined was possible. This quintet attacked their compositions and set a new standard for 'difficult' music that was also highly emotional and moving. This set included the favorites 'Doorway', 'June' and 'Waste Away' as well as the early epick 'The Light' from their first album of the same name. But it is the too often forgotten pieces such as 'Skin' and 'Walking on the Wind' that make this a special collection.

Don't worry about the Genesis cover. That's not what it's all about. Instead, check out a great band that worked its ass off to become a big deal in a music scene that probably wanted nothing to do with prog. In the most improbable place and time, Spock's Beard created amazing songs.

• "Introduction" – 1:01
• "In the Mouth of Madness" – 5:00
• "Gibberish" – 4:40
• "Skin" – 4:14
• "Go the Way You Go" – 13:27
• "The Distance to the Sun" – 5:19
• "Crack the Big Sky" – 9:50
• "The Doorway" – 14:04
• "The Light" – 20:13
• "June" – 3:48
• "Waste Away" – 5:04
• "Squonk" – 3:33
  
• "Walking on the Wind" – 10:01

The link is in the comments.

Yezda Urfa - Boris (1975) (mp3, 128kbps)

For those of you not familiar with this 'demo' it is outrageous. This is over-the-top prog perpetrated by some American students who could burn on their respective instruments. By the time these compositions were written and recorded, these guys had a pretty fair chance to listen to all the Yes and Gentle Giant they could get their ears on. When it came time to make their own foray into the genre, the mandate was do everything that everyone else was doing, just more so. They wanted to make the most over-the-top prog album that had ever been heard, and when you hear this, you may well think they succeeded.

There is so much ornamentation and trickery, it literally made my head spin. Concepts such as succintness, brevity, compactness, stripped down - these ideas just didn't enter the picture. I don't know what's more amazing, that they didn't get signed or that the record is so good. So many people criticize prog for its excesses, and, to a great extent, I think there is some validity to those criticisms. But for this one-off novelty piece (there is actually another album out there that I have not heard), I just cast aside all insecurity and enjoy the noise.

1. Boris And His 3 Verses, including Flow Guides Aren't My Bag (11:00)
2. Texas Armadillo (1:48)
3. 3, Almost 4, 6 Yea (8:46)
4. Tuta In The Moya & Tyreczimmage (10:50)
5. Three Tons Of Fresh Thyroid Glands (10:20)

Total Time: 42:44

Line-up / Musicians

- Brad Christoff / percussion, all sorts
- Phil Kimbrough / keyboards, synthesizers, mandolin, wind instruments
- Mark Tippins / guitars, banjo, vocals
- Marc Miller / bass
- Rick Rodenbaugh / vocals

The link is in the comments.

PInk Floyd - Interstellar Fillmore (1970) (aac, 128kbps)

The era of wide open psychedlic improv is coming to an end. It will soon give way to more composed pieces like Atom Heart Mother, Echoes, and finally Dark Side of The Moon. But on this lovely-sounding stereo soundboard from nearly four decades ago, that old black magic is alive and well, from the 20 minute-plus version of 'Saucerful of Secrets' (from about twelve minutes for the studio version) to the 2nd encore of Barret-era favorite 'Interstellar Overdrive'. This is the real deal. Shows like this established the groundwork for tremendous popularity in the States and mammoth record sales world-wide.

But back then, with Barret recently excused, and newboy Gilmour still trying to find his place, Pink Floyd was a ball of energy, boundless, sometimes formless, and always fearless.

Fillmore West, San Fransico, CA
April 29, 1970

1. Granchester Meadows
2. Astronomy Domine
3. Cymbaline
4. Atom Heart Mother
5. Embryo
6. Green Is The Colour
7. Careful With That Axe Eugene
8. Set The Controls for the Heart of the Sun
9. A Saucerful of Secrets
10. Interstellar Overdrive

Gilmour, Mason, Waters, Wright

The link is in the comments.

Booker T. and The MG's - Melting Pot (1971) (aac, 128 kbps)

After spending a few years making hits with really short instrumentals, this album marked a more experimental turn for the legendary Memphis quartet. This appears to have been the twelfth lp, even though they were less than ten yeqars removed from the legendary debut 'Green Onions'. These guys were prolific!

So much of the magic on this record comes from the drums. Al Jackson, Jr. was more than just a talented player. He brought so much atmosphere and dynamics that the other members of the band can just make everything very simple and understated. Th result is nothing less than extraordinary. Listen to what he does on the ride cymbal on 'Back Home' during the break down. The mood becomes almost silent so that the slightest guitar line or piano riff will speak volumes. Also, the effort at innovation was present with the Manhattan Transfer-esque singing that appears on the second half of the record. At the first, I was put off by these strange noises, but now I appreciate how they accentuate the organ solo in an almost Zappa-like fashion.

Jackson was the house drummer for Stax and appeared on a variety of other records, including material by guitar god Albert King. He was described by MG's guitarist Steve Cropper as "the greatest drummer to ever walk the earth", and based on the playing on this record, it's not hard to see how someone would think that. Thus was the tragedy that much greater when Jackson was murdered in his home on October 1, 1975.

A few MG's records came after this one, but this finds the band at its peak. Understated and powerful. Conveying more emotion with fewer notes and innovating all the time. No band could do more with less.

1. "Melting Pot" - 8:15
2. "Back Home" - 4:40
3. "Chicken Pox" - 3:26
4. "Fuquawi" - 3:40
5. "Kinda Easy Like" - 8:43
6. "Hi Ride" - 2:36
7. "L.A. Jazz Song" - 4:18
8. "Sunny Monday" - 4:35

The link is in the comments.

Johnny "Guitar" Watson - Ain't That A Bitch (1976) (aac 256kbps)

Johnny "Guitar" Watson is one of the great unsung heroes of music. About an artist such as Watson, I like to say the following: He did all his own stunts. He could sing, write and play guitar. And from the very beginning, he had style. Not just the clothes, although he excelled in the sartorial department until the time of his death in 1996. But, even early on, he was a wildman with the guitar and vocals. he wrote humorous lyrics and did outrageous things with his voice and axe. Such techniques and innovations drew the attention of Frank Zappa, who owes much of his antics and lyric writing to the style created by Watson.

In the 70's, Watson changed from Texas blues to LA funk, and the results were just as extraordinary. This lp starts presents itself as a humorous outing, from the cover and title to the song names. But don't be fooled. This is a serious funk band with a man who runs a tight ship calling the shots.

1. I Need It (4:46)
2. I Want to Ta-Ta You Baby (5:49)
3. Superman Lover (5:44) (Reynaldo Rey)
4. Ain't That a Bitch (5:02)
5. Since I Met You Baby (3:30)
6. We're No Exception (4:18)
7. Won't You Forgive Me Baby (5:17)

• Johnny "Guitar" Watson - organ, synthesizer, bass, guitar, piano, conga, drums, keyboards and vocals
• Paul Dunmall- saxophone
• Bruce Fowler - trombone, horn
• Peter Martin - trumpet
• Tommy Robertson - trombone
• Emry Thomas - drums, backing vocals

The link is in the comments.

Ronnie Earl - Searchin' Live (1988) (mp3, 160kbps)

Ronnie Earl is one of the great blues guitarists of any age, religion, color or creed. The fact that he's a white boy who was born Jewish, well, that certainly speaks to my experience. But none of this really matters when you get there, in front of those high-powered pre-CBS Fender Super Reverbs, and that red Strat is plugged straight in - no bullshit. And the amps are cranked and the sweat is coming down his forehead in torrents, and he grits his teeth and squeezes his eyes shut and kneels down real low and picks it so soft and so quiet that audience yells for more, but he just raises a single finger to his lips, and all the pain and the poetry just pours forth. It's an amazing performance that runs the full spectrum of energy and emotion, but the showmanship is never undertaken for its own sake. It is only done in faithful service to the almighty blues.

I don't have a lot of details about this show, but it seems to be from 1988, when he toured the Soul Searching lp. You should clearly be listening to his studio and live releases, but more importantly - GO SEE HIM PLAY. It sounds something like this:

1. Scorchin' Intro
2. Alabama
3. Rigo Park Blues
4. Dat Dere
5. Still Soul Searchin
6. Beautiful Child
7. Silly By You
8. band intros
9. [unknown]

The link is in the comments.

Cato Salsa Experience - A Good Tip For A Good Time (2002) (mp3, 192kbps)

I'm delighted by all the great music that comes from Scandinavia. I don't know if it's the climate, the excellent fish, the progressive politics or what, but I'm starting to see a pattern developing and I like it. This band was not part of my recent (within the past two years) conscious effort to experiment with international music. On the contrary, I discovered this record very much by accident. I had just gotten my first iPod and was wholesale copying music from my brother-in-law's iTunes account. Seein as I'm currently enjoying the company of his family (although he himself is detained by work), I figured now was as good a time as ever to share the rockin' little record.

How do I describe this? Wikipedia says 'indie garage rock', but I really don't have a clue what that means. Anything that is not major-label is indie, I guess. But the garage aspect makes sense. There's a delightful cheapness to the sound of the instruments and the arrangements are simple, straightforward, and in your face. The subject of the vocals (which are sung in English) are about partying and general sexyness ('Time To Freak Out', 'High Heeled Leather Boots'), so the shit is fun. The songs are short and the organ gives a nice retro vibe. I just love the high energy.

I've read comparisons between the White Stripes and The Strokes, which were all having more success at about the same time, but I never really got to know those bands. I never really got to know this one either, and the organization now seems to be a bit dormant, but this record has never failed to bring a smile to my face.

1. Listen To Me Daddy'O
2. So, The Circus Is Back In Town
3. M.F.
4. Lucky Girl
5. I Can Give You Anything
6. Deadbeat
7. Move On
8. High Heeled Leather Boots
9. Time To Freak Out!
10. Tanquaray
11. Albert Bones Electric Meal
12. Got Soul If You Want It (bonus track)

The link is in the comments.

Joe Zawinul - Concerto Retitled (1976) (mp3, 160kbps)

Don't let the date in the title fool you - this is a compilation of acoustic jazz recorded by the master between 1965 and 1970. One reviewer commented that it appears to have been hurriedly assembled to cash in on Zawinul's rising star at the height of Weather Report's popularity. Whatever the case, I found it to be a refreshing listen that shows Zawinul's strong love of Duke Ellington. He only plays the acoustic piano, which is such a difference from Weather Report and the Syndicate and everything else that was the halmark of his later carrier. Before he started to boogie woogie on that Fender Rhodes with Cannonball Adderley, he was an intense student of classical and jazz. This compilation, though perhaps lacking a bit in the coherence of a studio album, gives another feel for a remarkable talent.

1. From Vienna With Love (4:27)
2. My One And Only Love (3:50)
3. Riverbed (5:08)
4. Concerto Retitled (5:30)
5. Del Sasser (4:45)
6. Sharon's Waltz (5:03)
7. His Last Journey (4:37)
8. In A Silent Way (4:47)

Line-up / Musicians
Bass - Miroslav Vitous , Richard Davis , Walter Booker
Bass, Piano - Sam Jones
Cello - Kermit Moore
Drums - Freddie Waits , Louis Hayes , Roy McCurdy
Flute - George Davis
Melodica - Jack DeJohnette
Percussion - Billy Hart , David Lee , Joe Chambers , Warren Smith
Piano - Joe Zawinul
Piano, Electric Piano - Herbie Hancock
Saxophone [Baritono] - Pepper Adams
Saxophone [Tenor] - Joe Henderson , William Fisher
Trumpet - Blue Mitchell , Jimmy Owens
Viola - Alfred Brown , Selwart Clarke , Theodore Israel

The link is in the comments.

Genesis - Evil Jams From The Waiting Room (1975) (mp3, 256kbps)

More Genesis improv music. This time, we've got a compilation of Waiting Room jams, also sometimes referred to as Evil Jam. In the narrative sequence of The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, the hero Rael is, at the beginning of the second half (lp side 3), led out of a Chamber of 32 Doors by a blind woman called Lilywhite Lilith. From that moment, the tale becomes particularly twisted. Rael has a close call with Mr. Death, enjoys sexual relations with 3 female snakes, which, in turn, causes him to be transformed into a hideous monster. The only way to change back into his old self is to have his penis removed. Now, that's fun for the whole family!

All of this insanity is ushered in by a stop in the Waiting Room. The second song on the second disc is a noise jam that, as the legend goes, was performed at Headley Grange during a storm. Just at the moment of a giant crash of thunder. All the lights went out and the band transformed from a noise jam to a triumphant melodic march. Mike Rutherford holds the rhythm on mild fuzz bass while the other four members push each other over the edge as the exercise becomes more and more feverish. The problem with this legend is that, if the lights went out, how could they still have power for the array of electronic instruments and toys?

While there may be no good answer to that quandary, the truth is that The Waiting Room is a very special piece of music. It was performed live every night on the tour to support 'The Lamb', and, unlike any Genesis music up to that time, it was different at every performance. The same enterprising fan who prepared the Headley Jams I recently posted gives us this gem and it is a gem. On the noisy parts, every item of electronic and percussive trickery is employed to bring about the most unnerving atmosphere possible. And when it's time for 'all change', we get to hear the sublime soloing of Banks and Hackett as they reach higher and higher without sacrificing the deliberate emphasis that makes every note valuable. For a band that didn't improv, they do a fine job and here are the recordings to prove it.

1. Headley Grange 1 (7:16)
2. Headley Grange 2 (9:14)
3. Phoenix (3:48)
4. Dijon (3:39)
5. Nurenburg (4:51)
6. Saarbrucken (4:48)
7. Munich (5:21)
8. Groningen (5:35)
9. Wembley (6:20)
10. Southampton (6:05)
11. Liverpool (5:08)
12. Edinburgh (4:37)
13. Manchester (5:08)
14. Rheims (4:29)

All songs written, performed and arranged by Banks, Collins, Gabriel, Hackett and Rutherford

The link is in the comments.

Isotope - Golden Section (1975) (mp3, 320kbps)

I've been loving this record lately. Think of what Weather Report would have sounded like if, in the normal course of their work, there was a very strong guitar presence, a presence very much along the lines of John McLaughlin in the Mahavishnu era. Now, the absence of guitar in Weather Report is a big [art of what makes it so special for that era. Everybody was playing guitar. Everybody was bringing the big solos, complete with frenetic drums and complex arrangements. Weather Report was refreshing becuase everything had a more organic feel. It's eve hard to tell, at times, when a solo ends and another begins.

So, now we go back to post-Bitches Brew England. Soft Machine has set the pace for Jazz-rock on that side of the UK, but even though Isotope features a Soft Machine alum on bass, this band is firmly in the tradition of the early American fusion. What makes Isotope so special for me is the sympatico relationship between band founder Gary Boyle on guitar and keyboardist Laurence Scott. There are no turf wars being played out on dueling solos, as we hear ad nauseum on the Mahavishnu recordings. Instead, the quick, fusion-y twists and turns are carved out of a Rhodes-enriched grooviness that clearly calls to mind Mysterious Traveler-era Weather Report. In short, there is a lot of generosity flowing between the two principal soloists. The result is a very satisfying listening experience.

This recording is a compilation of live work performed in '74 and '75. The mix of improv and arrangement is what you'd expect from a fusion band of this period, but the composition and vibe is something different. These artists may have been copying their contempoaries, but don't let that stop you from enjoying something that is, at once, very familiar, yet totally different.

1. Illusion (4:03)
2. Rangoon Creeper (4:43)
3. Attila (6:03)
4. Spanish Sun (9:48)
5. Crunch Cake (5:22)
6. Mr. M's Picture (6:50)
7. Frog (5:16)
8. Attila (6:10)
9. Spanish Sun (6:47)
10. Lily Kong (1:36)
11. Edorian (3:12)
12. Golden Section (5:38)
13. Illusion (4:04)
    

Personnel: Gary Boyle: guitar; Hugh Hopper: bass; Nigel Morris: drums; Laurence Scott: keyboards; Aureo de Souza: percussion (1-6).

The link is in the comments.