Re-released 70s Folk / Rock
Posted by: RogerH on 22 September 2004
You know what its like when you've just added something to your system (in my case a pair of Neat Mystiques); you spend hours / days going through your entire collection of music. Not this time for me. I've found myself playing, over and over again those recently re-released CDs by Fairport Convention, Richard & Linda Thompson and the late, great Nick Drake. What's this all about then ... is it an age thing or is it just that they don't make music as good as this any more?
I'm sure there's an answer to this somewhere. Am I alone?
I'm sure there's an answer to this somewhere. Am I alone?
Posted on: 22 September 2004 by J.N.
Hi Roger
The era of which you speak was driven by musical talent, and artistes putting out what they wanted to put out. It is now driven by image and what the record companies think will sell.
Nick Drake wouldn't see a major label record contract in the current climate. I only recently realised, whilst visiting a friend and fellow ND devotee, that the new compilation 'Made To Love Magic' contains a load of alternative takes of some of his great songs.
I had to have it for the version of 'Three Hours' alone.
Sublime.
The era of which you speak was driven by musical talent, and artistes putting out what they wanted to put out. It is now driven by image and what the record companies think will sell.
Nick Drake wouldn't see a major label record contract in the current climate. I only recently realised, whilst visiting a friend and fellow ND devotee, that the new compilation 'Made To Love Magic' contains a load of alternative takes of some of his great songs.
I had to have it for the version of 'Three Hours' alone.
Sublime.
Posted on: 23 September 2004 by Rasher
It is an age thing I'm afraid RogerH. Bad luck.
Posted on: 23 September 2004 by Richwleeds
Of all the many thousands of records released each year we only remember a small proportion. There has always been lots and lots of (forgotten) rubbish!
Posted on: 23 September 2004 by Mike Hughes
I'm not so sure.
I found that my CDX2 made me rediscover loud guitar music for the first time in years - QOTSA come on down - but I found the acoustic stuff somewhat lacking. That was an outcome I really didn't expect after my various auditions and so on but it was a highly pleasurable by product of an upgrade.
After I added the XPS2 I found that it really pulled the best out of acoustic instruments in a way that I had hoped and, given a choice of 700 CDs and some company, that it what I now naturally gravitate toward. I now find that I am going through a brass phase. That Dexy's compilation is getting a good blast at present (great gig last year).
I remain unconvinced that the quality of the music has as much to do with it as is made out. That always strikes me as the argument of old men unwilling to explore anything new or only too happy to not go beyond the familiar (nothing intrinsically wrong with that by the way, it's just not an ethos I live by).
I now find myself playing music that I know to be fundamentally average simply because it now sounds so much better I could, in moments of weakness, almost believe it is actually decent music when I know that I'm just enjoying the textures.
Mike
I found that my CDX2 made me rediscover loud guitar music for the first time in years - QOTSA come on down - but I found the acoustic stuff somewhat lacking. That was an outcome I really didn't expect after my various auditions and so on but it was a highly pleasurable by product of an upgrade.
After I added the XPS2 I found that it really pulled the best out of acoustic instruments in a way that I had hoped and, given a choice of 700 CDs and some company, that it what I now naturally gravitate toward. I now find that I am going through a brass phase. That Dexy's compilation is getting a good blast at present (great gig last year).
I remain unconvinced that the quality of the music has as much to do with it as is made out. That always strikes me as the argument of old men unwilling to explore anything new or only too happy to not go beyond the familiar (nothing intrinsically wrong with that by the way, it's just not an ethos I live by).
I now find myself playing music that I know to be fundamentally average simply because it now sounds so much better I could, in moments of weakness, almost believe it is actually decent music when I know that I'm just enjoying the textures.
Mike
Posted on: 23 September 2004 by Bob McC
Before thee days of digital processing in post production I should think it was much more important for the artist to get it right in the studio than now. Record labels were certainly more willing to put out stuff than today. Mind you we also had Sweet, Mud, Slade etc.
Bob
Bob
Posted on: 23 September 2004 by RogerH
Some interesting comments here. I'm not sure how I feel about being an "old man unwilling to explore anything new" though Mike. I've been listening to music since the late 60s (so yes, call me old by all means) and its only in the last 12 months or so that I have got totally fed up of all these bands that sound (or are trying to sound) like Coldplay. Even Snow Patrol are making big bucks now that they have discovered the 'benefits' of a repetitive strum. 'Not go beyond the familiar?' Actually, back in the early 70s, my musical taste was moving towards the progressive, only in the last few years (I'm almost ashamed to admit) have I discovered the 'majic' of Nick Drake.
Talking of whom, I agree with everything you have said, N.K., including 'Three Hours.' I almost feel sorry for anyone who hasn't heard it ... but then, I'm old! If you like that, I hope you at least have 'Bryter Later' in your collection. If you haven't .....
Finally, Sweet, Mud and Slade, Bob? Actually, I've forgiven Sweet because, looking back now, they did do a few original things towards the end of their career. The others (and many others beside) to me represent the downfall of music towards the mid 70s.
Sorry, I've gone on a bit .... perhaps because this was my first contribution to the music bit of the forum. Of course, all that really matters is that we all enjoy the music of our choice.
Good luck to you all.
Talking of whom, I agree with everything you have said, N.K., including 'Three Hours.' I almost feel sorry for anyone who hasn't heard it ... but then, I'm old! If you like that, I hope you at least have 'Bryter Later' in your collection. If you haven't .....
Finally, Sweet, Mud and Slade, Bob? Actually, I've forgiven Sweet because, looking back now, they did do a few original things towards the end of their career. The others (and many others beside) to me represent the downfall of music towards the mid 70s.
Sorry, I've gone on a bit .... perhaps because this was my first contribution to the music bit of the forum. Of course, all that really matters is that we all enjoy the music of our choice.
Good luck to you all.
Posted on: 23 September 2004 by Steveandkate
So how come no-one has mentioned the almighty Rubettes yet...
Assuming it may be age linked, I recently bought the Paul Siebel re-release, which has some stunning songs on it.
But, when this and all the other stuff (Fairport Convention etc) was first released, I would have dismissed it as music for old gits, as Slade, Sweet at al where my preferred choice, so I am discovering it for the first time, maybe now my ears hear a little more..?
Assuming it may be age linked, I recently bought the Paul Siebel re-release, which has some stunning songs on it.
But, when this and all the other stuff (Fairport Convention etc) was first released, I would have dismissed it as music for old gits, as Slade, Sweet at al where my preferred choice, so I am discovering it for the first time, maybe now my ears hear a little more..?
Posted on: 24 September 2004 by JohanR
RogerH wrote:
Seldom mentioned, but quite clear now when one, for example, looks at the "Old Grey Whistle Test" DVD:s (a BBC pop program with live performances from the 1970:s and early -80:s). It starts very good in 1971 and then goes downwards until punk comes along. When it goes really bad... Of course punk was a good idea and gave us, indirectly, some very good acts like Elvis Costello and XTC.
JohanR
quote:
The others (and many others beside) to me represent the downfall of music towards the mid 70s.
Seldom mentioned, but quite clear now when one, for example, looks at the "Old Grey Whistle Test" DVD:s (a BBC pop program with live performances from the 1970:s and early -80:s). It starts very good in 1971 and then goes downwards until punk comes along. When it goes really bad... Of course punk was a good idea and gave us, indirectly, some very good acts like Elvis Costello and XTC.
JohanR
Posted on: 02 October 2004 by RogerH
Steveandkate ... suggests that I was already on "old git" by the time I was 16!