The Candy Rock Generation - "Super Rock" 3xVinyl, LP, U.S., 1969 (Columbia Music Treasures)

Truly one of the greatest of the great 'greatest' hits packages of its time (1969).  Where else can one get "I Started a Joke," "Both Sides Now," "On the Road," as well as "Midnight Confessions."  If you bought the singles, it would cost you a mint, but I actually paid under $3 for the whole 3-album package.  Of course, these are not the original artists, but a group of anonymous musicians who probably watched the clock on the studio wall, as they as much as possible, follow the arrangements to the original recordings. 

The Candy Rock Generation may be the greatest rock band ever, and truly their album "Super Rock" is properly named.   From The Beatles to the Doors to Iron Butterfly and beyond, in a way it is the defining package of 1960s music.  That it came out at the end of the era, perhaps this is the ultimate portrait of that time.  A knock-off version of brilliant records is taste, but this is more of a science than anything else.  Or, even a group of Madison Avenue Mad Men who somehow got the keys to a recording studio.   

Henry Cowell - "The Piano Music of Henry Cowell" Vinyl, LP, Album, 1963 (Folkways Records)

Henry Cowell is an amazing composer and a brilliant pianist.  Famous for his cluster notes, and stroking the piano strings, he's to me the melodic John Cage.  "The Piano Music of Henry Cowell" is the perfect introduction to his music and aesthetic.   Oddly enough, "Aeolian Harp and Sinister Resonance" melody sound similar to The Yardbirds' "Still I'm Sad."  The closest composer I can compare him to is Erik Satie.  Both write strong melodies, but there is a genius aspect of what they both do.  Cowell is more upbeat and mixes the ugliness of cluster with the harp-like strokes of the piano wires and the beautiful melodies.   Throughout the album, Cowell announces each title of his composition as if he was lecturing in a classroom.  There is also a talk by the composer at the end of the album. Essential! 

Rain Tree Crow - "Rain Tree Crow" Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, 1991/2019 (Virgin)

Rain Tree Crow is the band Japan, with all four original members (David Sylvian, Mick Karn, Steve Jansen, & Richard Barbieri). This album is a reunion after Japan broke up. Why they didn't keep the name, Japan, is a mystery to me. When the record was released in 1991, it didn't make significant noise in the music press nor anywhere else for that matter, which is a shame, because this is a beautiful record.

The first cut "Big Wheels in Shanty Town" is very similar sounding to the David Byrne/Brian Eno's album, in that it has a groove that's "World" music like, but then David Sylvian's croon makes it their music. Sylvian and company, which I suspect were under the influence of Can while making this album, is a series of improvisions done in the studio. What was perhaps a 'jam' album becomes tight compositions. The appeal of Rain Tree Crow is that what they do is not original, but that they can take the concept or riff and make it their own.

Their sound (as in Japan as well) is very distinctive of their collaborations. Barbieri has that unique ambient electronic sound that gives the material a foundation. Then you add Karn's distinctive brass arrangements and fretless bass, with the creative percussion by Jansen. Then Sylvian adds effects, and importantly, his Bryan Ferry-like croon. What once was an inspiration, now is very much part of the Sylvian aesthetic. The great song is "Blackwater," which is a stunning ballad. It builds to a certain level and then floats like a cloud seen from a distance. The album, in whole, works in that fashion.