Recommendation #1: Peggy Suicide

As a break from mundane report writing, I thought I'd pen a quick recommendation of an album I'm currently digging: Julian Cope's Peggy Suicide, released in 1991 on Island. Upon listening to this album for the first time last week, my initial feelings were that of disappointment - I was expecting something more, something with clear creativity and originality. But, with more listens, the infectious nature of this music eventually made me realise that the music is in fact all those things! This is not an album you can listen to in a cursory fashion and expect to understand it immediately (at least, not for me anyway) and this was the mistake I made at first, daunted by the sheer length of the double album.

The message on this album is dense and complicated, being delivered with aggression, sadness and frustration in response to political and philosophical matters. Upon reading the inside of the gatefold LP sleeve, I found that 'Peggy Suicide' is in fact a personification of mother earth, which lays down the foundation for the concept of this album. As of yet however, I am no where near even beginning to understand Julian's overall statement for this album, and I imagine many more intense listenings will be required before this is the case!

The sound of this album is somewhat indescribable - though no through lack of distinctness! If I was forced to put a label on it, to me, it sounds like a mix of Syd Barrett/Todd Rundgren/Stone Roses (and something else I can't quite put my finger on). Genre-wise, I would describe it as somewhere between folk rock and psychedelia, though with a relatively modern (90's) interpretation on these ideas. Overall, it is clear that Julian is a true music enthusiast, as well as musician, if not through knowledge of the books he's put out, then through the seamless blending of sounds on this album - truly a superb effort in my opinion!

Show Preview (26/02/13)

Hello! Next Tuesdays show will be focusing on solo artists, showcasing a few of the albums I've picked up recently on CD and LP as well as some stuff dotted about my iTunes library. Fans of Todd Rundgren, Julian Cope and Syd Barrett TUNE IN!

This Album BLEW MY MIND: A Wizard, A True Star

As of 14th February 2013, I am listening to this album for the first time (about 90% of the way through as of writing this). My first impression is that it is bloody amazing. The constant stream of 1-2 minute songs (at least, for the first 8 songs) reminds me of a format similar to that of 'We're Only In It For The Money' by the Mothers of Invention, and with equally inventive and outlandish content! The influence of psychedelics is clear on this album, which, if nothing else, removed all barriers Todd may have previously had to sound. Each song seems to be in a genre of its own, creating a weirdly eclectic mix of motifs which ruthlessly move from one style to another with no word of warning. And yet, this is what binds the pieces of music together and makes the album so distinct! I don't know how my perceptions of this album will change with time, but for the moment anyway, it couldn't sound any sweeter.

Recent Finds: Jan 2013

A few finds from Berwick Street during the month
of January (and beginning of February). 

YMO - Solid State Survivor
Fripp and Eno - (No Pussyfooting)
Frank Zappa - The Grand Wazoo
Parliament - Mothership Connection
The Moody Blues - On the Threshold of a Dream
The Smiths - The Queen is Dead

The Smiths - Meat is Murder

Talking Heads - Remain in Light

John Coltrane - A Love Supreme

Funkadelic - Cosmic Slop

Show Preview (12/02/13)

Today's show will feature electronic music from the analogue era, taking a journey through the UK, France, Germany and finally to Japan. A perfect backdrop to consume those pancakes to, or at least as good as any! Cheers, Will.

Danny Baker's Great Album Showdown - Comments (favourable)

Here's a few words on the new TV show by Danny Baker:

Okay, so given the similar nature this BBC show has to my radio show, I'd thought I express a few of my comments on it after watching it today. To be honest, upon first reading the title and seeing the screenshot of Danny Baker awkwardly smiling in front of some vinyl LPs, I thought it would be another generic show about the golden age of rock music and the almighty vinyl format: "oh the artwork", "the smell", "the listening through the entire album" and "owning something physical" malarkey coming from men in their 50s, incessantly bashing on the way today's youth are impatient, mp3 downloading halfwits who can't deal with the sophistication of prog rock or glam rock (in fact, much of this music is still popular with young people, I believe!).

Although this attitude/behaviour did feature in the show to an extent, I feel that overall, it was rather more tastefully done. In addition, the music featured was not only your Led Zep's, Sex Pistols, Queen's etc.! I was genuinely shocked when Danny Baker pulled out 'We're Only in it for the Money' by the Mothers of Invention as his first LP to go on the 'Wall of Sound'; and to a slightly lesser extent later when he pulled 'In the Court of the Crimson King' by King Crimson. There was also a nice mix of guests too, with Jeremy Clarkson actually being fairly knowledgeable about prog (name dropping 'The Snow Goose' by Camel and 'Selling England By the Pound' by Genesis), Stephen Street providing a nice insight into the recording process and the late 70s/early 80s scene, and Kate Mossman (Journalist) actually raising some interesting, 'deep' points about the listening experience that weren't the vague and plain examples given above. Either way, the show actually did a good job of featuring the vinyl format by not presenting it as a mystical object for the music elitist. If Danny gets on some guests next week that match his own extensive knowledge for music, then I think the show could really take off.

Anyway, this is already longer than it should be so I'll end here with the iPlayer link, here

Cheers, Will