Listening to.......

[davidmjs]

First listen to RT's new album "Ship To Shore", released (finally !) today.

Despite the slightly dodgy artwork (generic fisherman in high-vis, supposed to look a bit like Richard but doesn't really - mind you, Richard's albums aren't generally bought for their artwork), it's reassuringly business as usual from the great man.

His guitar work is as nimble as ever, his new material is very listenable - if anything, the songs on this album sound slightly more mainstream and commercial than some of his recent work - but that's obviously no bad thing. Looking forward to seeing him play this stuff live next week, the tour's been getting rave reviews.

Picked up a copy from Badlands in Cheltenham today. The front bears 2 squiggles (as far as I can tell, not printed?), so I wonder if this is supposed to be an RT signature...

If his signed books are anything to go by that's his signature these days...a hint of an R and T and not much else.

[davidmjs]

First listen to RT's new album "Ship To Shore", released (finally !) today.

Despite the slightly dodgy artwork (generic fisherman in high-vis, supposed to look a bit like Richard but doesn't really - mind you, Richard's albums aren't generally bought for their artwork), it's reassuringly business as usual from the great man.

His guitar work is as nimble as ever, his new material is very listenable - if anything, the songs on this album sound slightly more mainstream and commercial than some of his recent work - but that's obviously no bad thing. Looking forward to seeing him play this stuff live next week, the tour's been getting rave reviews.

Exactly the problem for me.  It sounds like 'just another RT album'.  Of course, it's not awful - very far from it, but you think you've heard every single track on it before, and you sort of have.  6/10 and I'm being generous.

[GubGub (Al)]

First listen to RT's new album "Ship To Shore", released (finally !) today.

Despite the slightly dodgy artwork (generic fisherman in high-vis, supposed to look a bit like Richard but doesn't really - mind you, Richard's albums aren't generally bought for their artwork), it's reassuringly business as usual from the great man.

His guitar work is as nimble as ever, his new material is very listenable - if anything, the songs on this album sound slightly more mainstream and commercial than some of his recent work - but that's obviously no bad thing. Looking forward to seeing him play this stuff live next week, the tour's been getting rave reviews.

Exactly the problem for me.  It sounds like 'just another RT album'.  Of course, it's not awful - very far from it, but you think you've heard every single track on it before, and you sort of have.  6/10 and I'm being generous.

Just giving it a first spin and I sort of agree with you. It will of course need several plays to really settle in and there are obviously some good songs here but it does feel as though RT's 21st century output has become a bit generic. The last albums I really connected with were Mock Tudor and The Old Kit Bag, though Dream Attic was conceptually interesting and Sweet Warrior & Still had moments.

It is at least less disappointing than the new Crowded House album wherein Neil Finn continues the struggle to write a memorable melody which has been ongoing since his third solo album (after writing dozens of them in the preceding 20 years).

[RobertD]

First spin via download on my commute home. Physical copy coming tomorrow. Musically it grabbed me more so than most of his recent efforts (with exceptions of course). Need to come to grips with it but I’d say 7.5 out of 10. I think the last true 10 was Mock Tudor, with Dream Attic just behind.

PS-I don’t utterly hate the cover. Deliberately cheesy I’d say!

[GubGub (Al)]

First spin via download on my commute home. Physical copy coming tomorrow. Musically it grabbed me more so than most of his recent efforts (with exceptions of course). Need to come to grips with it but I’d say 7.5 out of 10. I think the last true 10 was Mock Tudor, with Dream Attic just behind.

PS-I don’t utterly hate the cover. Deliberately cheesy I’d say!

Yes, I actually like the cover. It is, and is surely intended to be, funny.

[PaulT]

The sleeve, with scrawl...

[PaulT]

"Coral Island" by The Coral.

A strange way to approach this one... a few months ago, I spotted 2 Coral CDs ("Mare Di Specchi" and "Holy Joe's Coral Island Medicine Show") going cheap in HMV, so bought them both.  I subsequently read that these were a natural progression from the original 2CD release, so I purposely haven't listened to either of them.

It took a while, but I finally tracked down a copy for sale at a decent price. I've just started listening to CD1, and I'm enjoying it. Very melodic.

I have to admit I don't remember much about The Coral at Cropredy in 2011 - either I missed them or I was "ver' ver' drunk at the time"...

[GubGub (Al)]

The first two Byrds albums (prompted by recent Mojo article). Oh Susanna must surely be one of the worst things ever recorded by a major band, not least of all because anyone approaching from Alabama with a banjo on their knee should definitely be turned away at the border.

[davidmjs]

The first two Byrds albums (prompted by recent Mojo article). Oh Susanna must surely be one of the worst things ever recorded by a major band, not least of all because anyone approaching from Alabama with a banjo on their knee should definitely be turned away at the border.

I've always thought that Roger/Jim's vocals sound like they're to a completely different track to the one that's being bastardised behind them.  Aye, hilariously bad....

[Poor Will (Bill)]

The first two Byrds albums (prompted by recent Mojo article). Oh Susanna must surely be one of the worst things ever recorded by a major band, not least of all because anyone approaching from Alabama with a banjo on their knee should definitely be turned away at the border.

I feel the same about “We’ll Meet Again” on Mr Tambourine Man

[GubGub (Al)]

The first two Byrds albums (prompted by recent Mojo article). Oh Susanna must surely be one of the worst things ever recorded by a major band, not least of all because anyone approaching from Alabama with a banjo on their knee should definitely be turned away at the border.

I feel the same about “We’ll Meet Again” on Mr Tambourine Man

I didn't make it that far. Because I have the albums on CD I can't remember which are the bonus tracks. That one is so bad I have always assumed it can't have been part of the original album.

[Shane (Skirky)]

The first two Byrds albums (prompted by recent Mojo article). Oh Susanna must surely be one of the worst things ever recorded by a major band, not least of all because anyone approaching from Alabama with a banjo on their knee should definitely be turned away at the border.

I had the great privilege of being at The Maverick festival once, watching some old timey Americana duo be absolutely delighted to be introduced by our compere, one Stephen Foster.

[Andy]

Paul Weller's "66".

I think I need to listen again, a few times.

A couple more runs through the album and I have concluded that it's mostly lift music with the occasional hotel bar/lounge "entertainment".

Not a fan, sadly.

[Ian_]

"Coral Island" by The Coral.

A strange way to approach this one... a few months ago, I spotted 2 Coral CDs ("Mare Di Specchi" and "Holy Joe's Coral Island Medicine Show") going cheap in HMV, so bought them both.  I subsequently read that these were a natural progression from the original 2CD release, so I purposely haven't listened to either of them.

It took a while, but I finally tracked down a copy for sale at a decent price. I've just started listening to CD1, and I'm enjoying it. Very melodic.

I have to admit I don't remember much about The Coral at Cropredy in 2011 - either I missed them or I was "ver' ver' drunk at the time"...

 I only got into the Coral with that album, but enjoyed it hugely - and personally I think the most recent album 'Sea of mirrors' is even better; melodicism dialled up to eleven....

[PaulT]

Ah, that's Mare de Specchi under its English title. I almost bought a copy of Sea of Mirrors until I realised.

[Jules Gray]

Ah, that's Mare de Specchi under its English title. I almost bought a copy of Sea of Mirrors until I realised.

Wiki only gives the English title, so what's going on with your copy, Paul?

Jules

[PaulT]

Discogs entry for the album says the "spaghetti Western" issue was an HMV and FOPP exclusive. It's just the front illustration that's different, the lads from Wirral don't sing in Italian!!

[Jules Gray]

Discogs entry for the album says the "spaghetti Western" issue was an HMV and FOPP exclusive. It's just the front illustration that's different, the lads from Wirral don't sing in Italian!!

 

Cheers.

Jules

[Alan2]

Out of place hereabouts, perhaps,  but I've been listening to some jazz.   ECM albums by the guitarist John Abercrombie.

[PaulT]

Nice.

(No, really... great guitarist, imo).

Here, it's an album by PRISMA, a multinational early music group: "In the Streets of London" - subtitled a 17th century musical pub tour.  Trad, Purcell, Playford, Carolan tunes, even a short snippet of Ralph McTell, all played with joy and fun - not at all an academic approach and all the better for it!

Next (inspired by Jim Campbell's recent listening - thanks Jimbo!) it'll be Majestic Grill - the best of The Men They Couldn't Hang.