Orange Juice - "You Can't Hide Your Love Forever" Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, 2014/1982 (Domino)

Orange Juice was a band from Scotland and was the leading light on the independent Scottish label Postcard.  First of all, no other group was cuter than Orange Juice.  The four young men were all pin-up material, and Edwyn Collins their 'perhaps' leader was striking in his pouty sensual lips and hair over one eye.   Their music was guitar driven but layered and extremely textural. It hints of the band Television, but to me, I hear two other groups influences on their first album "You Can't Hide Your Love Forever."   They are The Velvet Underground, and the other is The Feelies. 

To be specific The Velvets intimate third album, due to the intimacy of their sound, but also the beautiful guitar playing by Sterling Morrison and Lou Reed.  There is the conversational quality of Reed's lyrics that are very much part of Collins' writing as well.  Lou is direct, and Edwyn has a touch of Noel Coward commenting on a relationship in disaster or changed by circumstances.  With respect to The Feelies, and I'm specifically talking about their first album, I hear the interplay of the guitars that build up and then there's a melodic part that opens up the music in a fashion that is beautiful and feminine.  Which is an odd thing to say about a guitar band of all young guys, but there is a strong sense of not power, but the surge of melodies that come through like a sun breaking through the clouds. 

Robert Wyatt - "Different Every Time Volume 2: Benign Dictatorships" 2 x Vinyl, Compilation, 2014 (Domino)

Curated by Robert Wyatt, this is his second compilation of what he feels is his best work on the disc. The first volume was recordings under his own name, but here it is totally devoted to his collaborations with other artists.  Basically, he served on their recordings as a vocalist or even just a backup singer.  The thing is when Wyatt opens his mouth and he sings, he pretty much owns that tune.  It's not that he has the greatest voice on this planet, but as a vocalist, he's a unique presence, and in a manner, he reminds me of Chet Baker. Not that their voices are similar, but both are musicians who also sing.   

Of the seventeen songs here, I only know three songs.  They are Phil Manzanera's "Frontera," Nick Mason's "Siam," and one song under his name, but written by Elvis Costello and Clive Langer,  "Shipbuilding."  Beyond that, all the artists are basically unknown (except for Bjork, Hot Chip, and Epic Soundtracks - artists that I have heard of, but really don't know their music.)   Wyatt I think is moving out of his comfort zone, and that makes him an artist of importance.  He is an excellent collaborator.  I can't say I love every track, but all of them are at the very least interesting.  Special notice to his recording of John Cage's "Experiences No. 2" which was an early Obscure Records release.  

Robert Wyatt - "Old Rottenhat" Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, 1985 (Domino)

My favorite commie pinko singer ever.   There is no such a bad thing as a Robert Wyatt recording.  Still, "Old Rottenhat" is my favorite of his later recordings from the 1980s.  For one, his lyrics are very political and direct.   He also wrote the entire album by himself, so this is very much a personal message (at the time) from artist to listener.  There's a moral outrage, but his anger is very much measured and restrained, and that's the art of Wyatt. 

I also love the minimalism of the recording.  Percussion and various keyboards, it's very much of a man in his studio making art.  Songs like "Alliance," "The United States of Amnesia," and my favorite "The Age of Self" cut through the bullshit and gets to the meat near the bone.  Wyatt's view is very much worldwide and he sees the political implications all connecting together.   It's like playing the game of hitting one gopher in the head, but the other head will pop out somewhere in the game landscape.  Sadly that we now live in the age of Trump, one could use Wyatt's voice.  The truth is not that much has changed since 1985.  Misery is still here, and Wyatt's art and voice will stay with us as long as there is a medium that allows us to play music. 

Robert Wyatt - "Rock Bottom" Vinyl, LP, Reissue (Domino)

Is it possible for anyone on this planet to dislike Robert Wyatt's "Rock Bottom?"  The album is very much the definition of "classic" or better yet, perfection.  The dreamy textures, the hidden melodies that come bubbling up from the mix, and the beautiful playing by Robert and company, it's just a superb work.  The balance of humor and tragedy is walking on a highwire.  At the same time, the music is very sad but hysterical at the same time.  "Rock Bottom" is a very unique listening experience.  The production/recording by Pink Floyd's Nick Mason is exquisite.  Not only one of my favorite all-time albums, but I suspect that many feel this way.