You know, sometimes, weekends just get this spiritual vibe, man, they're particularly successful. This has been true for me this weekend. The universe or planets or whatever are determined to steer me towards the best music the planet has to offer. In fact, I'm really overwhelmed by it. It's too much. How did I get so fucking lucky? I'm humbled.
Here is a list of amazing music I have found this weekend:
1. Aphex Twin - Windowlicker OH my god. I gave up on him circa 96 or so. Whenever he did that album Richard D. James I gave up on him, but he used to be one of my favourite artists in the whole world. Now I've heard Windowlicker and I can't believe how brilliant it is...not sure what year that came out but it had this funny picture of some busty girl in a bathing suit but her head was made to look like his. Also I find it kindof weird that the song gives the impression of being by Radiohead or as if it had featured a sample of Radiohead.
2. Fusion - this Jazz/Funk band that Nik Kershaw used to be in in the late 70's. Oh my god I never thought I'd find anything of this band. Check it out, scroll down a bit and you'll see it:
http://www.shortpeople.co.uk/page9.html
3. J-Live "Here Feat. Soulive" - Please chock this up as one of the very FEW times I've ever been impressed with rap/hip hop. It came out in 2005. I found it by total accident. If you look at what he looks like on the CD sleeve, it kindof looks like Curtis Mayfield. Still can't believe I actually like this. I'm extremely picky about rap/hip hop.
Marky's list of best musical finds this weekend
Anyway I realize most folks may not recognize the name Nik Kershaw, but he did that song "Wouldn't It Be Good" from the early 80's. I believe he had more chart success in Britain.
Another thing that was mentioned on the other board this weekend was Men Without Hats' Safety Dance video on You Tube. I had a great time with that.
I gotta say this has just been an incredible weekend for music. Even the other board is usually not nearly as interesting as it has been this weekend.
I've almost finished listening to these Peel shows. I don't know that there is a whole lot there musically to be excited about, but it's nice to hear him, I feel like he's right here in my apartment and he is my friend. It's a nice feeling.
Another thing that was mentioned on the other board this weekend was Men Without Hats' Safety Dance video on You Tube. I had a great time with that.
I gotta say this has just been an incredible weekend for music. Even the other board is usually not nearly as interesting as it has been this weekend.
I've almost finished listening to these Peel shows. I don't know that there is a whole lot there musically to be excited about, but it's nice to hear him, I feel like he's right here in my apartment and he is my friend. It's a nice feeling.
Like I said, the music is just extra good this weekend
You know, I recently took a bunch of CD's downtown to get sold and get some much needed cash. And the thing is I didn't think I had a lot left that I wanted to sell. But it's amazing what happens when you pare down, and realize that no, you just don't need those damn CD's because you haven't played them in 7 or more years and they've just sat there all this time. So the good thing about doing a purge like that is you get to figure out exactly what you want to KEEP, so you unearth these gems that have been sitting there quietly for years. Good for the soul.
I'll start with a CD from 1980 called Witch Trials (no connection at all with the Fall, actually) that features Jello Biafra on vocals with Adrian Borland of The Sound, and Morgan-Fisher and generally it sounds nothing at all like the Dead Kennedys, that's for sure. Very weird electronics, eerie, scary and you know how Biafra can do these scary narratives...it just fucking works. I haven't played it in ages but came across it while looking for things to sell and realized immediately upon playing it that there was no way in hell I was going to sell it. I remember jumping at the chance to buy it on CD years ago simply because back in the days before CD's it was nigh on IMPOSSIBLE to find on vinyl. I'd heard it on the radio but never could find it on vinyl. So anyway that was great to hear.
Another exceptional thing I saved from the jaws of my CD purge: Monsoon's album called "Monsoon" from 1983. Featuring Sheila Chandra on vocals. This was Indian music twisted into a British pop confection. Delicious. Another thing is my best friend I ever had in my life I suddenly remembered that he'd mentioned a Sheila Chandra solo album to me. That was a really weird feeling to realize that. He's been dead for a long, long time.
I'll start with a CD from 1980 called Witch Trials (no connection at all with the Fall, actually) that features Jello Biafra on vocals with Adrian Borland of The Sound, and Morgan-Fisher and generally it sounds nothing at all like the Dead Kennedys, that's for sure. Very weird electronics, eerie, scary and you know how Biafra can do these scary narratives...it just fucking works. I haven't played it in ages but came across it while looking for things to sell and realized immediately upon playing it that there was no way in hell I was going to sell it. I remember jumping at the chance to buy it on CD years ago simply because back in the days before CD's it was nigh on IMPOSSIBLE to find on vinyl. I'd heard it on the radio but never could find it on vinyl. So anyway that was great to hear.
Another exceptional thing I saved from the jaws of my CD purge: Monsoon's album called "Monsoon" from 1983. Featuring Sheila Chandra on vocals. This was Indian music twisted into a British pop confection. Delicious. Another thing is my best friend I ever had in my life I suddenly remembered that he'd mentioned a Sheila Chandra solo album to me. That was a really weird feeling to realize that. He's been dead for a long, long time.
Jesus what am I going to do when I run out of Pumpkin Ale? It makes me so sad every time I run out of that.
I found out the drummer of the Runaways died recently. Sandy West. I cried real tears, I really cried when my friend told me she had died. She wanted them to reform so bad, more than the other members did and like her, I wanted them to reform someday. She was doing construction jobs, had no money. She said "all I want to do is be a drummer in a rock and roll band...so will you reform guys? Just for me, for me?" I'm paraphrasing but I saw the documentary about them where she said that. I'm not going to cry anymore about it, but it still makes me sad. There is a song that was especially hers, she did a cover of "Wild Thing" with the Runaways, live in Japan. It's the only song where she stepped forward and sang. She did a great job, too. But I'm not going to cry about her anymore.
I found out the drummer of the Runaways died recently. Sandy West. I cried real tears, I really cried when my friend told me she had died. She wanted them to reform so bad, more than the other members did and like her, I wanted them to reform someday. She was doing construction jobs, had no money. She said "all I want to do is be a drummer in a rock and roll band...so will you reform guys? Just for me, for me?" I'm paraphrasing but I saw the documentary about them where she said that. I'm not going to cry anymore about it, but it still makes me sad. There is a song that was especially hers, she did a cover of "Wild Thing" with the Runaways, live in Japan. It's the only song where she stepped forward and sang. She did a great job, too. But I'm not going to cry about her anymore.
Like I said, this weekend has been insanely good for music
Im not finished yet. OH no. Because I am listening to the new LCD Soundsystem track. You think I lie. Its fucking 45 minutes long, its some thing they got paid a lot of money by Nike to do, but still its pretty cool I think. Filthy lucre, but at least they did something experimental with it.
Also...when I went down to the store to sell my CDs I found some stuff to buy of course. One of the things I found was a sheer miracle. There was this band I bought an EP of when I was 13 years old, they were called Industry. This was 1984 I think. I believe they were from Pennsylvania or New Jersey, something like that. Anyway I havent heard this band since then. Which means 20 years. So by some complete random accident, I found their LP at Everyday Music on Broadway. For only $3. And I couldnt resist and looked forward to totally laughing at how cheesy 80s they must sound. I expected to just laugh at it, but in fact, I really like it a lot. Some of the songs I actually remember from the EP. In a way it is comical, and certainly their hairstyles and clothes are ridiculous, but I gotta say I like most of the music a lot. They definitely had a talented vocalist. Anyway it kindof sounds like Duran Duran sortof, but not as disco influenced as Duran Duran, more a synth pop sound. So yeah that is like a miracle to hear some of those songs again after so long.
What else? Oh yeah, at the store when I sold my CDs I got the remastered digipak version of George Harrisons first solo LP, right after the Beatles. And yeah I flipped over that too cause its one of my most favourite albums ever and it has extra tracks!!!!!
So like I said, this weekend has just been fanatastic for music all around.
I even pulled out the Yellow Submarine LP, and the first side of that is my favourite Beatles thing ever.
Also...when I went down to the store to sell my CDs I found some stuff to buy of course. One of the things I found was a sheer miracle. There was this band I bought an EP of when I was 13 years old, they were called Industry. This was 1984 I think. I believe they were from Pennsylvania or New Jersey, something like that. Anyway I havent heard this band since then. Which means 20 years. So by some complete random accident, I found their LP at Everyday Music on Broadway. For only $3. And I couldnt resist and looked forward to totally laughing at how cheesy 80s they must sound. I expected to just laugh at it, but in fact, I really like it a lot. Some of the songs I actually remember from the EP. In a way it is comical, and certainly their hairstyles and clothes are ridiculous, but I gotta say I like most of the music a lot. They definitely had a talented vocalist. Anyway it kindof sounds like Duran Duran sortof, but not as disco influenced as Duran Duran, more a synth pop sound. So yeah that is like a miracle to hear some of those songs again after so long.
What else? Oh yeah, at the store when I sold my CDs I got the remastered digipak version of George Harrisons first solo LP, right after the Beatles. And yeah I flipped over that too cause its one of my most favourite albums ever and it has extra tracks!!!!!
So like I said, this weekend has just been fanatastic for music all around.
I even pulled out the Yellow Submarine LP, and the first side of that is my favourite Beatles thing ever.
Hey dont I get any awards for partying on this board? Its not easy you know. Hangovers, etc. Headaches more than anything. This life is not for the squeamish. I never throw up but god if I dont get headaches from hell sometimes. Like I said, a hot bath and some aspirin are the only way to get out of that hell.
OOH! This LCD Soundsystem is getting all JAZZY on me! Female vocals now!!!! Fucking A!!!! This is the shit, man. Yeah. Its called "Original Run" I think. No doubt youll experience the song on TV on a Nike commercial, but you wont hear the whole thing which is a shame.
Did I mention how much I absolutely love Jazz and Funk and Disco all mushed up together?
Did I mention how much I absolutely love Jazz and Funk and Disco all mushed up together?