Total Pageviews

Saturday, November 21, 2020

New York Dolls - "A Hard Night's Day" (Norton)

 


"A Hard Night's Day" is my favorite New York Dolls album.  The first two official Dolls albums issued by Mercury Records are excellent, but these series of demos they did in 1973, are essential listening experience.  Their mixture of classic rock n' roll, 60's girl groups, and blues, with incredible and insightful lyrics, is a combination that never fails me. 

At the time of their recording these demos, they did every song that they knew at that point. They are just important as the Velvet Underground, in that they tied in many important communities into one package.  The demos are beautifully recorded, and the performances are lively, precise (in that Dolls' manner of preciseness), and inspirational.  

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Tosh's Favorite Albums of 2020

 Keep in mind these are albums I purchased in the year 2020. Some of the music is old, but it's new to me. And in no special order - My favorite albums of 2020 are:

The Bachelor Pad -"All Hash and Cock"
Ennio Morricone - "Peur Sur La Ville"
Jack Nitzsche -"Jack Nitzsche"
The Quick - "Untold Rock Stories"
Jarvis Is... - "Beyond the Pale"
Dan Penn - "The Fame Recordings"
Sparks - "A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip
Egisto Macchi - "Sud e Magia"
V.A.- "Hallucinations: Psychedelic Pop Nuggets from the WEA Vaults"
A Raincoat - "Digalongamacs"
The Preachers -"Moanin'"
Various ‎– "More Lost Legends Of Surf Guitar"
Charlie Parker ‎– "The Savoy 10-Inch LP Collection"
David Bowie - "Is It Any Wonder?"
Extended Organ ‎– "Vibe"
King Crimson ‎– "THRAK"
Vince Taylor & His Playboys* ‎– "Vince Taylor Rocks!"
Marc Bölan* ‎– "Electronic Musik"
Kenny Graham And His Satellites ‎– "Moondog And Suncat Suites

David Bowie - "Metrobolist (Nine Songs By David Bowie)" Parlophone, 2020

 


In our reality, David Bowie is Elvis Presley. Not only do they share the same birthday and both recorded songs called "Black Star," but also in death, their music is released and looked as new. Tony Visconti, a significant figure in Bowie's career and music, has done a series of classic Bowie work remixes. One may think this is nothing but exploitation or a grasp to make more money in the memory of David Bowie. The truth is, Visconti has done magnificent work as a remixer as well as the original producer of these recordings. It's an artist (as producer) going back to his canvas to clean or refresh the imagery on one level. "Metrobolist" (Nine Songs by David Bowie)" is such a work. Most of us fans and consumers know this album as "The Man Who Sold The World," but it seems that wasn't the original title that Bowie given this record. At the last moment, the label changed titles without Bowie's knowledge at the time. 

"TMWSTW" has always had a muddy sound that made the songs heavy and mono-orientated sounds. It's like someone taking a shovel of mud and throwing it in your face. My first reaction to the album in 1972 was that this is a hard rock record compared to "Hunky Dory," his next album at that time. It's obvious to a listener in the early 70s can see Bowie worked from a broad landscape of different worlds sound-wise. "TMWSTW" is a great album and will always be an essential recording from a legendary artist. Including the contributions from Mick Ronson and Visconti knew how to take Bowie to the next level. "Metrobolist" is a mirror reflection of that album but cleaned up and allowing more textures to be added for the supreme listening experience. 

Nuances show up, more than 'ah-ha' moments while listening to "Metrobolist." The vocals have a touch of more echo. Still, the drums' presence mixed to another volume is especially lovely, and hearing the layered guitars from Ronson and the acoustic guitar work from who I think is Bowie. The Moog is also clearly heard in these new mixes. When you hear "Metrobolist," I hear or more aware of the arrangements. It sounds like a work from a band (Visconti, Bowie, Ronson, drummer Mick Woodmansey, and Ralf Mace, who is credited for the Moog playing and Mick Ronson) than a solo artist. 

"The Supermen" is incredible here, with the galloping drums by Woodmansey. If you're a Bowie fan, this is a must-hear or buy. Beyond that, both albums are superb, and now both in print. The world is a better place with "The Man Who Sold The World" as well "Metrobolist." 


Thursday, November 12, 2020

David Bowie - "OUVREZ LE CHIEN (LIVE DALLAS 95)"

The David Bowie estate is releasing numerous albums, both remixes (by Tony Visconti on some) and unreleased live albums. Cynics will think of these reissues and 'new' releases on the same wavelength as Bowie's one time RCA label mate, Elvis. On the other hand, that may be true; "OUVREZ LE CHIEN is a magnificent live recording of Bowie and band in 1995.  Bowie finished an ambitious album "Outside" and wanted to clear the way to focus on this record with a much more challenging but textural sound.   I love this record because there are traces of "Diamond Dogs," I think, due to the backup singing of George Simms, who gives it a Broadway feel to the material.  I suspect that he was the secret ingredient or weapon in that touring band.  The songs are newly arranged, and "Andy Warhol" is a tough piece with a beautiful melody.  A great selection of tunes with a superb band backing the master.  And on top of that, we get The Walker Brothers (Scott) "Nite Flight."