Monday 8 April 2013
Recent Finds (Feb-March)
CDs:
Todd Rundgren - A Wizard, A True Star
Todd Rundgren - Todd
Todd Rundgren - Faithful
Julian Cope - Fried
Van Der Graaf Generator - Pawn Hearts
Kraftwerk - Trans Europe Express
Y.M.O. - Naughty Boys
King Crimson - Lizard
Rick Wright - Broken China
Todd Rundgren - Todd
Todd Rundgren - Faithful
Julian Cope - Fried
Van Der Graaf Generator - Pawn Hearts
Kraftwerk - Trans Europe Express
Y.M.O. - Naughty Boys
King Crimson - Lizard
Rick Wright - Broken China
Vinyl:
Julian Cope - Peggy Suicide
Brain Eno - Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy)
Tuesday 2 April 2013
Recommendation #3: The Snow Goose (1975)
One of the least cool albums from the seventies: the Snow Goose by Camel. In my opinion one of the great pieces of prog to come out at the time, however. Soulful Guitar playing, tasteful (i.e. non-cheesy) flute melodies and an interesting concept as a backdrop make this album a truly immersive experience.
Much of the unpopularity of this album stemmed from the Old Grey Whistle Test BBC performance where the band played with a small orchestral ensemble to promote the album. Many at the time (so I've heard, clearly I have no first hand experience!) saw this conceptual/classical/prog music as incredibly self-indulgent and poncy. And, to be fair, it is both those things, but when you stop caring about what you look like listening to Camel, you soon realise the music is really very sophisticated and reaching an almost masterpiece-level of creativity and inspiration. I would liken it to Dark Side of the Moon, with Gilmour-like guitar playing by Latimer, but without the dope smoking, or Selling England by the Pound, with Peter Banks-like synth sounds, but without the focus on lyrics or vocal performance. Essentially what I'm saying is that this album is really at the same level as the aforementioned albums but has been shadowed into somewhat obscurity by associated un-coolness. A shame really.
Much of the unpopularity of this album stemmed from the Old Grey Whistle Test BBC performance where the band played with a small orchestral ensemble to promote the album. Many at the time (so I've heard, clearly I have no first hand experience!) saw this conceptual/classical/prog music as incredibly self-indulgent and poncy. And, to be fair, it is both those things, but when you stop caring about what you look like listening to Camel, you soon realise the music is really very sophisticated and reaching an almost masterpiece-level of creativity and inspiration. I would liken it to Dark Side of the Moon, with Gilmour-like guitar playing by Latimer, but without the dope smoking, or Selling England by the Pound, with Peter Banks-like synth sounds, but without the focus on lyrics or vocal performance. Essentially what I'm saying is that this album is really at the same level as the aforementioned albums but has been shadowed into somewhat obscurity by associated un-coolness. A shame really.
Bottom Line: The highest point in Camel's career, the Snow Goose is definitely one not to forget from the mid-70s period.
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