Finally after a long departure from writing recommendations in the Music Room, I've compiled a list of recommendations from recent purchases.
T-Bone Burnett "The Talking Animals" - Already I have this album on vinyl, but it has only recently been re-released on CD. The Talking Animals is a supreme combination of rock and bluegrass with tinges of folky atmosphere. Tuneful, rythmic and with lyrics on a par with Mitchell/Lennon/Newman (as always from Burnett). T-Bone has shown great success in being a producer, bringing some of his genius to Counting Crows' "August and Everything" and winning Best Album (O Brother Where Art Thou) and Best Producer at this year's Grammys. I'm still waiting for the CD release of "Proof Through the Night"...
Randy Newman "Little Criminals" - Classic album from the 70's. Lots of energy, poise and craftsmanship. Several familiar tunes too, such as 'Texas Girl At The Funeral Of Her Father' and 'Rider In The Rain'. Randy's a notable lyricist and adept at tinkling the ivories.
Cake "Comfort Eagle" - Fantastic alternative rock. If you like the EELS then you'll love this group. If you attended the Saturday Bristol Forum Session then you'll have heard the track 'Short Skirt, Long Jacket' from this album. This is one of those albums where EVERY SINGLE track rocks.
Butterfly Jones "Napalm Springs" - Excellent American rock by an ex-bandman from DaDa. Solid tunes, production and professionalism create a rousing performance. Production occassionally slides to the squeeky clean, without ruining the intensity of the performance though. A great album, although the Cake album betters it.
Goldfrapp "Felt Mountain" - Already reviewed by Tony Lonorgan, but I would also like to add my recommendation. My gosh, Alison Goldfrapp can out-Bassey Shirley Bassey and it'd be a tragedy if she isn't get chosen to sing a Bond theme.
Hugo Montenegro "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." - Some 1960s cool from the Super-Wry-Spies. The disc is available from Simply Vinyl contains the original orchestrated music from the series. Sadly, from music doesn't quite swing like the version that made it onto the celluloid, but is good all the same - and makes "Album Cover of the Month".
Andrew
Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"
Posted on: 14 March 2002 by Dave J
I haven't bought anything for a week so I'm happy to try out "Comfort Eagle" and Goldfrapp's "Felt Mountain". I loved Souljacker and Eels generally, so I'm interested to hear other recommendations in the same vein.
A direct link to Amazon, Vivante and other recommended sites would be useful on the Music Room?
Cheers
Dave
Posted on: 14 March 2002 by Pete
quote:
Originally posted by Andrew Randle:
_Goldfrapp_ "Felt Mountain" - Already reviewed by Tony Lonorgan, but I would also like to add my recommendation. My gosh, Alison Goldfrapp can out-Bassey Shirley Bassey and it'd be a tragedy if she isn't get chosen to sing a Bond theme.
I think she'd be a superb choice for a Bond theme too, as not only has she got the voice but the Felt Mountain work with Will Gregory has a great feeling of John Barry soundtracks mixed with Air for a more modern edge. Pilots is already a perfect Bond Theme looking for a film, Paper Bag not far off either.
Felt Mountain is fab, one of my faves from the last couple of years.
Pete.
Posted on: 15 March 2002 by woodface
Andrew, if you have not bought 'Bad Love' which was Newmans last release I recommend that you do. Really superb, as sharp as ever and some great melodies.
Posted on: 15 March 2002 by garyi
Na just didn't like it, I like the first track but I think thats more through association, so mabye I will get used to it on a revisit.
So come on then whats this music of which you speak like Nick?
Posted on: 15 March 2002 by Martin M
quote:
Randy Newman "Little Criminals" - Classic album from the 70's. Lots of energy, poise and craftsmanship. Several familiar tunes too, such as 'Texas Girl At The Funeral Of Her Father' and 'Rider In The Rain'. Randy's a notable lyricist and adept at tinkling the ivories.
Andrew,
if you enjoyed Little Criminals I'm sure you would simply love his two previous albums - Good Ole Boys and Sail Away. The attangements and lyrics are if anything of an even higher standard than Little Criminals - the lyrics in particular paint a fascinating picture of American life up to the 1970s. They also prove that sometimes held European view of Americans of having no sense of irony is wrong. Cue up Political Sciene on Sail Away and see what I mean. These two albums also boost rather fine recordings - better than Little Criminals in my view.
If you want "Randy in your Room" type sound together with some fantastic performances of just Randy and his piano - get "Live" (it looks like a promo -it isn't) - kind of Jazz at the Pawnshop type recording but with the added attraction of music worth listening to.
Enjoy!
Posted on: 15 March 2002 by Dave J
I know I said I'd get the Cake and Goldfrapp albums, but when I went onto Amazon I noticed that Lambchop's 'Nixon' is on sale at £6.66. So of course I bought that and 'Is a Woman' and 'Felt Mountain'. Oh yes, and the Nils Lofgren 'Acoustic Live'. Then felt guilty so decided to leave the Cake for later......
Only to discover Ozomatli's first album at A&B Sound, which started it all off again. Ooops!
Dave
