UMPIRE2's Semi-Personal MUSIC Thread

[umpire2]

Thanks, Rich!

[umpire2]

NUMBER 916:


"Where Have I Known You Before"---Chick Corea & Return To Forever (1974)


I am not a big jazz fusion fan, particularly once you get past Weather Report, Chick Corea and a bit of Herbie Hancock (in that phase), but I really, really like this record.

Some people prefer the first, self-titled lp or "Light As A Feather", but this is my favorite. By 1974, the band had settled into itself and would remain solid for about the next five years, with Corea on electric piano, Lenny White on drums, Al DiMeola on guitar and Stanley Clarke on bass.

Aside from the three transitional 'Where Have I...' tracks, the real highlights are 'Vulcan Worlds', 'The Shadow of Lo' and 'Song to the Pharaoh Kings'.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 915:


"The Almoravid"---Joe Chambers (1973)


Drummer Chambers put together a loosely arranged concept album meant solely as an acknowledgment of Moorish control of Spain in the eleventh through fourteenth centuries. While the rhythms used throughout are more reminiscent of the Spanish, what Chambers seeks is the recognition of North African influences in the development of what is considered the dominant musical forms of Iberia from the late middle ages through the early modern period.

Chambers contributes four of his own compositions, the title track, 'Gazelle Suite', 'Medina' and 'Jihad' and also uses Joe Zawinul's 'Early Minor' and Andrew Hill's 'Catta' to complete the set.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 914:


"Dead Can Dance"---Dead Can Dance (1984)


While the debut album of Dead Can Dance is much more rock-oriented than their subsequent recordings would become, all the basic elements of their sound are here and it is incredibly rich and extremely interesting. DCD's combination of new age and gothic electronica, filtered through the voices of Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard is unique.

Oh, sure, there are hints of the Cocteau Twins, particularly in Gerrard's unintelligible vocals, but there is an implied seriousness here that immediately attracts and makes one WANT to know what the hell she is saying.

While DCD is still finding their way on this set, there are a number of great songs, including 'Ocean', 'Threshold', 'A Passage In Time' and 'Wild In The Woods'.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 913:


"Happy Trails"----Quicksilver Messenger Service (1969)



Coming out of San Francisco at the same time as the Grateful Dead, Santana, Jefferson Airplane, Big Brother & The Holding Company (with Janis Joplin) and others, Quicksilver Messenger Service is quite often overlooked.

From 1967 to 1973, Quicksilver produced several excellent albums and "Happy Trails' is but one of them.

Starting with the magnum opus, 'Who Do You Love', 25 minutes of solid rock, Quicksilver moves through Bo Diddley's 'Mona', two originals by Gary Duncan, 'Maiden of the Cancer Moon' and 'Calvary' and a short rendition of Dale Evans' (a-la Roy Rogers) 'Happy Trails'.

A SWeee-eeet record.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 912:


"Dixieland All-Stars"---Eddie Condon (1962)


Condon had been around quite a while by the time of this record's release, and most of the songs included (while new versions) had appeared on his earlier albums.

This is just a great set, including MY personal favorite Dixieland number 'That's A Plenty'. Other highlights include 'Ballin' The Jack', 'Wherever There's Love', 'Deep Royal Blues', 'Sunset In Paradise' and 'Billboard Dixieland'.

The only negative (in MY opinion) is the inclusion of 'When The Saints Go-Marching In'----which is a good song, but seems to be included in EVERY Dixieland album ever made.

[billblondel344]

Originally Posted by umpire2

NUMBER 912:


"Dixieland All-Stars"---Eddie Condon (1962)


Condon had been around quite a while by the time of this record's release, and most of the songs included (while new versions) had appeared on his earlier albums.

This is just a great set, including MY personal favorite Dixieland number 'That's A Plenty'. Other highlights include 'Ballin' The Jack', 'Wherever There's Love', 'Deep Royal Blues', 'Sunset In Paradise' and 'Billboard Dixieland'.

The only negative (in MY opinion) is the inclusion of 'When The Saints Go-Marching In'----which is a good song, but seems to be included in EVERY Dixieland album ever made.

this sucks,,, just like a fairy nice fellow writes in yellow,, oh what a cream puff you are little boy,,,,,,,,

[JayneyRedd]

I love this thread

I get to be reminded of some good albums that I haven't thought about for years, and I also get to hear about some that I've never heard before, but which I may check out at some point.

[umpire2]

Originally Posted by JayneyRedd

I love this thread

I get to be reminded of some good albums that I haven't thought about for years, and I also get to hear about some that I've never heard before, but which I may check out at some point.

Thanks, Jayney

[ShadowsEdge]

What's kind of scary is that I haven't even heard of a majority of these bands, not to mention the albums. I think the only one that I have any music from is Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace, and that's just the mentioned You're Gonna Go Far, Kid.

My suggestions? Get some Linkin Park (Hybrid Theory/Meteora), and Three Days Grace (One X/Three Days Grace/Life Starts Now) on this list. Those are the five most prominent albums on my list. I love them so much that I can't narrow them down further, though. Sorries.

[richief]

I really have a problem with declaring a top five album list, sometimes I would put Stevie Wonders "Journey through the secret life of plants vol II" at the top but only if I'm feeling melancholy.

Other times I would go for The Clash with "Londons Calling". mentioned earlierin this thread.

Definetly I would put Stiff Little Fingers live album "Hanx" in the top 5 a glorious punk album from the Belfast band screaming at us about the troubles, "Alternative Ulster" and "Suspect Device" shout loudly but not as loud as their cover of Marley's "Johnny Was". Absolutely brilliant.

The Jam's compilation album "Snap" will be there, with 29 tracks and I can't see a weak one on there. It's got to be this and not any of the previous albums because I just love every track.

The Specials first album "Specials" as to be in there to represent my ska/reggae love of music, 14 tracks and no real weakness.

There you go my top 5 albums for tonight, they can be put in any order you like and you know they might all change tomorrow.

[umpire2]

Originally Posted by ShadowsEdge

What's kind of scary is that I haven't even heard of a majority of these bands, not to mention the albums. I think the only one that I have any music from is Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace, and that's just the mentioned You're Gonna Go Far, Kid.

My suggestions? Get some Linkin Park (Hybrid Theory/Meteora), and Three Days Grace (One X/Three Days Grace/Life Starts Now) on this list. Those are the five most prominent albums on my list. I love them so much that I can't narrow them down further, though. Sorries.

Thanks, Shadows! This is what I'd like to see more of in this thread. Comments and suggestions.

I'm lukewarm on Linkin Park, but then, as I said at the beginning, MY list is only MY opinion. I can certainly see why Linkin Park could be high on someone else's list. Three Days Grace is cool.

[umpire2]

Wow! I haven't listened to "Hanx" in quite a while....I should yank it out!

Thanks Rich!

Originally Posted by richief

I really have a problem with declaring a top five album list, sometimes I would put Stevie Wonders "Journey through the secret life of plants vol II" at the top but only if I'm feeling melancholy.

Other times I would go for The Clash with "Londons Calling". mentioned earlierin this thread.

Definetly I would put Stiff Little Fingers live album "Hanx" in the top 5 a glorious punk album from the Belfast band screaming at us about the troubles, "Alternative Ulster" and "Suspect Device" shout loudly but not as loud as their cover of Marley's "Johnny Was". Absolutely brilliant.

The Jam's compilation album "Snap" will be there, with 29 tracks and I can't see a weak one on there. It's got to be this and not any of the previous albums because I just love every track.

The Specials first album "Specials" as to be in there to represent my ska/reggae love of music, 14 tracks and no real weakness.

There you go my top 5 albums for tonight, they can be put in any order you like and you know they might all change tomorrow.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 911:


"Now and Zen"---Robert Plant (198


The are still touches of Led Zeppelin that remain in tracks like 'The Way I Feel', and 'Heaven Knows' (with a guitar solo by Jimmy Page) but there is also a hint of the Honeydrippers in 'Tall Cool One'; Mainly, this is solo Robert Plant...not his best album, but still an excellent job. Other highlights are, 'Walking Towards Paradise' (not written by Plant) and 'Ship of Fools' (co-written with keyboardist Phil Johnstone). Definitely worthy of a trip to the island.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 910:


"Lush Life"---John Coltrane (1958)


This album is culled from two sessions; the first, from August 1957 sees the tenor saxman joined by Earl May on bass and Arthur Taylor on drums. The three songs from this session, 'Like Someone In Love', 'I Love You' and 'Trane's Slo Blues' sound as though Coltrane was practicing running scales...and they STILL sound damn good.

The other two tracks were recorded in January, 1958 with Donald Byrd on trumpet, Red Garland on piano, Louis Hayes on drums and Paul Chambers on bass on the title track, which is by far the best on the album. The last song, 'I Hear A Symphony' sees Byrd's trumpet dropped and the drum kit taken over by Tootie Heath.

The entire collection evokes images of a smokey club and is extremely cool.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 909:


"Then Play On"---Fleetwood Mac (1969)


'Oh, Well' makes this album worth the price of admission, but it is chock full of terrific tracks. A mix of songs and instrumentals, "Then Play On" continues Fleetwood Mac's exploration of the blues, but with the addition of Jeremy Spencer (who contributes five of the numbers) there are occasional mellow moments, as in the wonderful 'Although the Sun Is Shining'.

A rare John McVie/Mick Fleetwood contribution, 'Searching For Madge'/'Fighting For Madge' is a rocker (strangely, although this is the same song, it is separated into two tracks, with McVie given writing credit on one and Fleetwood given writing credit on the other---probably so that they would each get more royalties) and the six Peter Green songs, as usual, are exceptional blues, including the aforementioned 'Oh, Well' and 'Rattlesnake Snake', which has to be one of the greatest songs ever written about masturbation.

[richief]

Originally Posted by umpire2

Wow! I haven't listened to "Hanx" in quite a while....I should yank it out!

Thanks Rich!

The album was originally released to introduce the band to the US, but was subsequently released in the UK.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 908:


"Bronx Blues"---Dion DiMucci (1965)


Wonderful set by Dion that includes 'Ruby Baby', 'Can't We Be Sweethearts', 'Donna, The Prima Donna', 'A Sunday Kind of Love', 'Sweet Papa Di', 'Don't Start Me Talkin' ' and 'The Seventh Son'.

With one foot in 1950s Doo-Wop and the other in the expanding folk/blues movement of the early to mid-1960s, Dion offers a great mix of songs that show his own development and changing interests over time.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 907:


"Drum Suite"---Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers (1957)


Joining Blakey and this version of the Jazz Messengers (Jackie McLean (alto sax), Sam Dockery (piano), Spanky DeBrest (bass) and Bill Hardman (trumpet) are several influential percussionists on three of the tracks (Sabu and Candido on bongos, Charles Wright on tympani and gong and Jo Jones on drums).

The set is percussion oriented, with Blakey's own 'The Sacrifice' using traditional Swahili chants, a frenetic version of Oscar Pettiford's 'Oscalypso' and Ray Bryant's Latin-flavored 'Cubano Chant'. Also included is a nice version of Gigi Cryce's 'Nica's Tempo'.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 906:


"Songs For Swingers"---Buck Clayton (1959)


Clayton and his trumpet straddle the big-band era with looooong legs across the 1950s, while encorporating some characteristics of hard bop along the way.

Mainly, however, listening to Clayton and the band he assembled for this set (Emmett Berry on second trumpet, Dickie Wells on trombone, Buddy Tate on tenor sax, Earl Warren on alto sax and clarinet, Al Williams on piano, Gene Ramsey on bass and Herbie Lovelle on drums) could remind one of dancing in a Grand Ballroom during a USO benefit in 1943. It does SWING.

The ability of Clayton to make this sound fresh is a major part of the success of his "jam Sessions" that drew artists and audiences for 20 years beyond the natural lifespan of the sound.

'Swingin' At The Copper Rail', 'Outer Drive' 'Swingin' Along On Broadway' and 'Sunday' are highlights along with a swinging version of 'Night Train' and smooth renditions of 'Mean To Me' and 'Moonglow'.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 905:


"Relaxin' At Camarillo"---Joe Henderson (1980)


While clearly a Joe Henderson record, full of his incredibly melodic turns, as much credit for this great set goes to Chick Corea, whose piano and electric piano dominate as much as Henderson.

The album opens with the brilliant 'y Todavia La Quiero' penned by Henderson, followed by an exceptional version of 'My One and Only Love' wherein Joe's sax really shines; two Corea compositions follow, 'Crimson Lake' and 'Yes, My Dear' with Henderson and Corea backed with gusto by Richard Davis on bass and Tony Williams on drums. The set concludes with the title track, a Charlie Parker tune that is too often overlooked.

Great, great set.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 904:


"Soul Station"---Hank Mobley (1960)


Mobley's writing and playing chops were on fire on this album that is so bluesy that you might feel you had just discovered what the blues REALLY means.

Everything swings like 3AM, as Wynton Kelly's piano tinkles around the chords and Art Blakey keeps the traps in tight control. Paul Chambers' bass is subdued and all provide a platform for Hank's textured lead-lines.

While the album opens with Irving Berlins 'Remember' and closes with 'If I Should Lose You', both excellent numbers, the real meat is in the middle of this sandwich---four hot and cool Mobley originals ('This I Dig Of You', 'Dig Dis', 'Split Feelin's' and the title track) which make the two standards pale in comparison.

As the man said, 'Dig Dis'!!!

[umpire2]

NUMBER 903:


"You Are The Music, We Are The Band"---Trapeze (1972)


Hold onto your hats for one of the BEST bands ever who got no real recognition:

TRAPEZE

The great Glenn Hughes on bass and lead vocals, Mel Galley displaying guitar magic and Dave Holland on drums...

This album is just filled with outstanding music, blues, soul and hard rockin'...'Coast To Coast', 'What A Woman's Role Is', 'Will Our Love End', 'Loser', 'Way Back To The Bone' and the title track are recommended.

LISTEN TO IT!

[JayneyRedd]

Ohh, I'd forgotten all about Trapeze. I haven't really ever heard much of their stuff, but I have heard of them.
I'll remember that one, and see if I can find a copy of it sometime, thanks Ump.

For the uninitiated, Glenn Hughes went on to be a member of Deep Purple (and subsequently Black Sabbath too) as well as solo fame, the late Mel Galley became a member of Whitesnake, and Dave Holland went on to Judas Priest (and prison, if I'm not mistaken).

[umpire2]

Originally Posted by JayneyRedd

Ohh, I'd forgotten all about Trapeze. I haven't really ever heard much of their stuff, but I have heard of them.
I'll remember that one, and see if I can find a copy of it sometime, thanks Ump.

For the uninitiated, Glenn Hughes went on to be a member of Deep Purple (and subsequently Black Sabbath too) as well as solo fame, the late Mel Galley became a member of Whitesnake, and Dave Holland went on to Judas Priest (and prison, if I'm not mistaken).

Thanks for the input, Jayney!

[umpire2]

OK, I realize I'm going backwards, but these slips will occur on occasion (as I listen to something that I think I will miss on the island...)


NUMBER 971:


"Dream Weaver"---Gary Wright (1975)

I always had a soft spot for Spooky Tooth and it carried over to this Gary Wright solo album. It is the only one by him that I like, but it contains several tracks that I don't want to 'never hear again', so I am tacking it onto the list.

The title track, 'Love Is Alive', 'Power of Love', 'Blind Feeling' and 'Much Higher' are the outstanding numbers on this set.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 902:


"Shaken 'N' Stirred"---Robert Plant (1985)


Little by little, Robert Plant constructed a new sound that separated him from the Led Zeppelin sound and it certainly worked for a while. This album is generally excellent. Sure, there are a couple of weak spots, but with tracks like 'Sixes and Sevens', 'Trouble Your Money', 'Too Loud' and especially 'Little By Little', it is a set that belongs on the island.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 901:


"Parachutes"---Coldplay (2000)


Chris Martin and Coldplay's charm is that they do extremely basic things, but still sound good. Bob Dylan has that ability as far as his music is concerned (not that I am comparing Chris Martin to Bob Dylan, Godforbid, but that is my general point.)

Of course, Coldplay does have a tendency to get so simple and so laid back at times that they can be a cure for insomnia, but that happens rarely on "Parachutes" (except maybe for 'Everything's Not Lost' and 'Sparks', which has no spark at all).

There are some great tunes on this set: 'Trouble', 'High Speed', 'Yellow' 'Don't Panic', 'Shiver', all which attest to Martin's abilities with a melody.

I know it is not their thing, but Coldplay would be a much better band if they raved it up more often...

[umpire2]

NUMBER 900:


"12 x 5"---Rolling Stones (1964)


The Rolling Stones were slill a blues/rock band finding their chops at the time of this release, and still about a year away from transforming into the 'greatest rock'n'roll band in the world'.

The Stones originals are pretty basic (Empty Heart', 'Good Times Bad Times', 2120 South Michigan Avenue', and the two best 'Grown Up all Wrong and 'Congratulations'); even their iconic 'Time Is On My Side' was written by Norman Meade; The London boys do a better job with their covers (Confessin' the Blues', 'It's All Over Now', 'Under The Boardwalk', 'If You Need Me' and 'Susie Q'), but collectively this is an impressive set.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 899:


"INXS"---INXS (1980)


This is just such a good freakin' record, I almost don't know how to begin. The first time I heard 'Wishy Washy', I said these guys were something special. Then I heard 'Doctor' and had to run out and buy the album.

From first listen, I was absolutely hooked. The weakest track on the record is 'Newsreel Babes' and its not bad at all.

Aside from the songs mentioned above, the Farriss Brothers, Gary Gary Beers, Kirk Pengilly and Michael Hutchence just groove seemingly effortlessly from track to track like seasoned veterans who'd already sold hundreds of millions of units world-wide. For a first album this is HOT stuff.

'On A Bus','Just Keep Walking', 'Learn To Smile', 'Jumping', 'In Vain', 'Roller Skating', 'Body Language'---I just had to mention them all because they are so, so good.

I admit that the follow-up, "Underneath The Colours" disappointed me, because it did not pack the same punch, but hell...I'm going to listen to it again NOW!

[richief]

A couple more good albums there my friend, now take some time off work and concentrate on this thread it is possibly the best one I have participated in for a while.

[umpire2]

Oh, Hell!

It's those choppy bar chords, Garry Beers rolling bass and Hutchence maturing vocals, I guess, but one must admit when one is wrong...

"Underneath the Colours" DOES belong on the island. It's too good.

NUMBER 972: (I'll get to 1,000 yet)

"Underneath The Colours"---INXS (1981)

'Just To Learn Again', 'Stay Young' 'Fair Weather Ahead' 'Follow' and 'Horizons' show a considerable amount of maturity on the band's second record, but it the raucous that really moves the set. 'Big Go Go'; the title track, 'Night of the Rebellion'...just good stuff.

[umpire2]

Originally Posted by richief

A couple more good albums there my friend, now take some time off work and concentrate on this thread it is possibly the best one I have participated in for a while.

Ha! I have to win the lottery first! Unfortunately, I have to eat, so I have to go to work sometime!

[richief]

Originally Posted by umpire2

Ha! I have to win the lottery first! Unfortunately, I have to eat, so I have to go to work sometime!

So go on a diet. Or at least invite me around to see this impressive album collection.

[chloroformboy]

Some of my favorites include(in no particular order). Rise Against-Siren Song Of The Counter Culture, lamb of god- As The Palaces Burn, A Day To Remember- For Those Who Have Heart, Upon A Burning Body- The World Is Ours, Cradle of Filth- Midian and Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder, Flogging Molly- Within A Mile of Home, Amon Amarth- With Oden On Our Side, Arch Enemy- Doomsday Machine and Anthems of Rebellion, Shadows Fall- The War Within, Children of Bodom- Are You Dead Yet and Hate Crew Deathroll, HIM-Darklight, In Flames- A Sense of Purpose, Disturbed- The Sickness, Evanescense- Fallen, Lucuna Coil-Comalies, Killswitch Engage- The End of Heartache, and finally for now Murderdolls- Beyond The Valley of the Murderdolls. I'm sure I missed alot but this is good for now lol

[umpire2]

Originally Posted by chloroformboy

Some of my favorites include(in no particular order). Rise Against-Siren Song Of The Counter Culture, lamb of god- As The Palaces Burn, A Day To Remember- For Those Who Have Heart, Upon A Burning Body- The World Is Ours, Cradle of Filth- Midian and Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder, Flogging Molly- Within A Mile of Home, Amon Amarth- With Oden On Our Side, Arch Enemy- Doomsday Machine and Anthems of Rebellion, Shadows Fall- The War Within, Children of Bodom- Are You Dead Yet and Hate Crew Deathroll, HIM-Darklight, In Flames- A Sense of Purpose, Disturbed- The Sickness, Evanescense- Fallen, Lucuna Coil-Comalies, Killswitch Engage- The End of Heartache, and finally for now Murderdolls- Beyond The Valley of the Murderdolls. I'm sure I missed alot but this is good for now lol

Thanks, chloroformboy! I've had a few comments that members don't know many of the artists/albums I've posted....well, I don't know about half of what you've posted! Just shows you that there is not enough time to listen to everything! Cheers!

[umpire2]

Originally Posted by richief

So go on a diet. Or at least invite me around to see this impressive album collection.

I've actually had to weed things out a couple of times in the past four years, burning cds of a song here and there from LPs I essentially never listened to any more and giving them way because of lack of space. I probably have 1,000 FEWER now than I had in 2005...

[umpire2]

NUMBER 898:


"Within The Realm of a Dying Sun"---Dead Can Dance (1987)

Side one of this record (the Brendan Perry side) always reminds me of a vocal soundtrack to a film noir thriller. It is dark and moody, throbbing like a panicked heart, hiding in the shadows of a damp midnight alley. Every song sucks you into that mood and is best listened to at night, with perhaps a single candle burning...

Side two (the Lisa Gerrard side....and I say this because of the major writing contributions and the way the album's vocals are split) sends the listener East, with greater use of Middle Eastern rhythms and inflections.

All in all an amazing set.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 897:

"Red Rose Speedway"---Paul McCartney (1973)


There will be a few of these on the list: I recognize that this is not a great record; McCartney is still playing around in his home made studio with varying degrees of success and dragging an embarrassed Linda in for some vocals. Even the big hit on the set, 'My Love', annoyed the hell out of me for years, since I remember hearing it almost constantly when I was a kid.

On the other hand, this collection is a vast improvement over the previous effort "Wildlife", which was the first Wings experiment.

So, it is not a great record....BUT, this is my list, and I find that the album grew on me over time, and I would miss not hearing it on occasion. Some songs within that I like 'Big Barn Bed', 'One More Kiss', 'Single Pigeon', and 'Hold Me Tight/Lazy Dynamite/Hands of Love/Power Cut Medley'---just silly, fun stuff.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 896:


"Some Girls"---Rolling Stones (1978)


Here's another one.

For an album that is so popular and sold so many units, "Some Girls" is full of filler ('Lies', 'Respectable', 'Before They Make Me Run') that any mediocre bar band could produce, a piece of absolute nonsensical trash entitled 'Far Away Eyes' (unlistenable, as far as I am concerned) and yet another Temptations' cover ('Just My Imagination'---well done, but not brilliant).

HOWEVER, I would miss the really good cuts very much. 'Miss You', 'When The Whip Comes Down' and 'Beast of Burden' are among the best things the band has ever done, and done in three different styles.

The songs 'Some Girls' and 'Shattered' are not bad, but not in the class of the three mentioned immediately above.

If you can wade your way through the junk, the 'greatest rock 'n' roll band in the world' occasionally shines.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 895:


"The Inflated Tear"---Rahsaan Roland Kirk (1967)


A slide back to greatness.

Multi-instrumentalist Roland Kirk was interested in sounds and creating moods. His brilliance was his ability to turn the routinely unexpected into a atmosphere of anticipation, where his audience craved the next transition.

On "The Inflated Tear", Kirk creates a multitude of moods, from the dirge-like 'The Black and Crazy Blues' (simply constructed but marvelous), the boppingly fun 'A Laugh For Rory' (written on the spur of the moment for his toddler son), the densely structured 'Creole Love Call' and 'Fly By Night', the jumping 'Lovellevellilogui', the terrific percussive mix of the title track that then shifts to a moody lounge number.

This album is a treat from start to finish.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 894:


"Shine On Brightly"---Procol Harum (1969)

As is usual, Procol Harum is semi-orchestral, semi-whimsical and occasionally rocky, but always good.

"Shine On Brightly" contains a mix of the styles they use and all seven tracks are very good. My favorites are 'Quite Rightly So', 'Shine On Brightly', 'Wish Me Well', 'Magdalene' and 'In Held Twas In I'.

[umpire2]

.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 893:


"Vertical"---Horizontal Brian (1983)


A totally wacky and fun record from the lighter side of New Wave. I never heard of Horizontal Brian after this set, so I know just about nothing about them, except that I really like it.

My favorite tracks are 'Everybody Wants To Be American', an ode to the annoying influences of 'the colonies' on British popular culture, 'Working In Pajamas', i.e., the joys of the home office; 'Buried In Your Best Suit', a discussion of the merits of being old and poor and ill instead of stuck in a coffin nattily dressed; 'Working Man', a lilting tango about the birth to death drivel of a working life; and 'Practicing First Aid', a jumping little set of four vignettes concerning four lovely ladies giving artificial respiration to the male genitalia...

[umpire2]

[umpire2]

NUMBER 892:


"Ten"---Pearl Jam (1991)


Powerful. Just powerful. In a way, it is a shame that 'Jeremy' got so much attention that the remainder of this album was virtually overlooked on the radio. It sold plenty, but if more consumers had been exposed to such great tracks as 'Once', 'Alive', 'Black', 'Even Flow', 'Garden', 'Why Go' and 'Porch', it may have sold 25 million units.

Eddie Vedder took the world by storm, but all kudos to Mike McCready and Stone Gossard for amazing guitar work and Jeff Ament for his killer bass (and to Gossard and Ament for writing most of the great music).

After "Vs", while still great, PJ became a bit redundant, but "Ten" is still a masterpiece.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 891:


"In Search Of Space"---Hawkwind (1971)


In the vein of Pink Floyd's 'Set The Controls To The Heart Of The Sun', Hawkwind made 'Space Music' their forte with tremendous success. Their early records particularly sound like science fiction films set to music.

"In Search Of Space" is a terrific first effort, the only weak moment is in the track 'We Took The Wrong Step Years Ago', a ballad that doesn't quite work.

The remainder of the set, the pounding 'You Shouldn't Do That', 'You Know You're Only Dreaming', 'Master Of The Universe', and 'Adjust Me', are powerful and eerie; the other ballad on the record, 'Children Of The Sun', is very simple, but it builds as both an epitaph to the collection and a promise of more great things to come.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 890:


"16 and Savaged"---Silverhead (1973)


Michael Des Barres has had a long and varied career as an actor in television and film, in dramatic roles, comedy, science fiction and horror, quite often as the 'bad guy', a role he seemingly finds pleasurable, and also as a rock singer.

Most recently, Des Barres has been frontman for Free Love Foundation and previously he has been lead singer for Chequered Past, Detective and also did a stint with Power Station, replacing Robert Palmer.

His first band, however, was the early 70s glam-outfit, Silverhead. This, their second (and last) studio outing is a worthy addition to the 'island collection'. It rocks.

It is not overly brilliant, and it unabashedly shows the influences of The Faces, Pink Fairies and T.Rex, but it is a load of fun, has great chops and a set of good tunes.

'Cartoon Princess' just cooks (Party! Party!), 'Rock Out, Claudette, Rock Out', well, rocks out in a moderately paced jam, 'More Than Your Mouth Can Hold' sounds like the anthem of the male members (no pun intended) of the FORUM, and the title track is virtually anthemic.

A good record!

[umpire2]

NUMBER 889:


"Capuchin Swing"---Jackie McLean (1960)

A cool bop session led by Jackie on alto sax and supported by Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Walter Bishop, Jr on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and Art Taylor on drums.

This is one of McLean's strongest efforts in the bop arena, and a genre that he would really not revisit for another 15 years as he moved toward avant-gard and free jazz in the 1960s.

'Francisco', 'Just For Now', 'Condition Blue' and the title track are toppers.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 888:


"High Voltage"---AC/DC (1976)


A much more blues-oriented record than most of what the Youngs, et al have produced, but of course it still rocks the roof.

Whenever the boys bring in the bagpipes, I get shivers, and it is no exception as 'It's A Long Way To The Top' begins to crank. Other notable tracks: 'Live Wire', 'The Jack', the title track, and of course 'She's Got BALLS'!