Am I the only one who.....
Posted by: Tam on 18 July 2005
In an effort to liven up discussion slightly here, and reflecting on the fact that some threads here get very few responses, I had an idea (probably not a very good one, but hey 
). It sometimes seem as though there are one or two discs in my collection that I must be one of the only people to own, and they are often ones I would consider real gems. So, am I the only one who owns, and loves:
Leonard Bernstein's Mass
Electric Bath by Don Ellis
All Thomas Dolby's Albums
Now, the point of this thread is twofold. First and foremost, I'm interested in what you considered to be the hidden gems of your cd collection (that are maybe a little different and not nearly so widely owned/known as they deserve to be), I'm always curious to find new artists/composers/performers who have a degree of novelty (i.e. something new or different to say). Second, I'm a little curious if anyone actually owns these discs!
However, please: NO LISTS. Now I realise I have flatly contradicted that earlier in this post, but I will rectify that in just a moment by going into some more detail on each of the items listed above. We I'm seeking to avoid are the kinds of posts that are basically copies of people's cd catalogue since I'm not sure how useful that is. I have to say that to some extent I'm a little guilty and have posted one or two lists. But I think no more than two or three items in a post would be a good thing to aim for with some background (if necessary) and what you think makes it so special (i.e. why we should all be rushing out to buy the disc, or indeed, tune into the radio station, in question).
So, some detail about my above choices:
I'm a big fan of Bernstein (both as a composer, but primarily as a conductor). I picked up Mass because it was on offer in HMV and had an intriguing entry in the penguin guide. It was not at all what I expected, but has continued to grow on me. Composed in memory of JFK for the opening of the Kennedy centre, it's really more a musical than a mass. A true piece of it's time with themes of civil rights and Vietnam very prominent. While the libretto is less than perfect and the conclusion unsatisfactory it has some wonderful music and a few profound moments none the less. However, it probably isn't for all tastes and if you don't like Bernstein you may not care for this.
Electric Bath by Don Ellis is probably one of the oddest albums I've ever heard. I suppose you'd class it as jazz, but it's a blend of so many different things that frankly I rather defies categorisation. It's not simply the mixing in of India styles and instruments, of the use of electric instruments and effects, nor the unusual time signatures (e.g. 5/4, 13/4, 19/4 15/16), nor even the fact he played a 4 valve trumpet allowing him to play quarter-tones, but the combination of all these things together that make for a wonderfully unique listening experience. A good demo cd to boot.
Most people who are familiar with Dolby will be so through 'She blinded me with Science', but, to be honest, that's just about the only thing of his I really can't stand. I happen to think 'The Flat Earth' is one of the best albums of all time, the tracks just all belong together so comfortably. He writes interesting lyrics and gets some wonderfully creative sounds. It's a real shame he hasn't recorded anything for 10 years and has concentrated instead on tech businesses.
Anyway, that's far more than enough of me prattling on. Do you own any of these too. Do you love or hate them. What unknown gems are in your collection that deserve a chance in ours and WHY?
regards,
Tam
p.s. It is strictly NOT necessary to write posts anything like as long as this one! One or two sentences per disc will be great.
). It sometimes seem as though there are one or two discs in my collection that I must be one of the only people to own, and they are often ones I would consider real gems. So, am I the only one who owns, and loves:Leonard Bernstein's Mass
Electric Bath by Don Ellis
All Thomas Dolby's Albums
Now, the point of this thread is twofold. First and foremost, I'm interested in what you considered to be the hidden gems of your cd collection (that are maybe a little different and not nearly so widely owned/known as they deserve to be), I'm always curious to find new artists/composers/performers who have a degree of novelty (i.e. something new or different to say). Second, I'm a little curious if anyone actually owns these discs!
However, please: NO LISTS. Now I realise I have flatly contradicted that earlier in this post, but I will rectify that in just a moment by going into some more detail on each of the items listed above. We I'm seeking to avoid are the kinds of posts that are basically copies of people's cd catalogue since I'm not sure how useful that is. I have to say that to some extent I'm a little guilty and have posted one or two lists. But I think no more than two or three items in a post would be a good thing to aim for with some background (if necessary) and what you think makes it so special (i.e. why we should all be rushing out to buy the disc, or indeed, tune into the radio station, in question).
So, some detail about my above choices:
I'm a big fan of Bernstein (both as a composer, but primarily as a conductor). I picked up Mass because it was on offer in HMV and had an intriguing entry in the penguin guide. It was not at all what I expected, but has continued to grow on me. Composed in memory of JFK for the opening of the Kennedy centre, it's really more a musical than a mass. A true piece of it's time with themes of civil rights and Vietnam very prominent. While the libretto is less than perfect and the conclusion unsatisfactory it has some wonderful music and a few profound moments none the less. However, it probably isn't for all tastes and if you don't like Bernstein you may not care for this.
Electric Bath by Don Ellis is probably one of the oddest albums I've ever heard. I suppose you'd class it as jazz, but it's a blend of so many different things that frankly I rather defies categorisation. It's not simply the mixing in of India styles and instruments, of the use of electric instruments and effects, nor the unusual time signatures (e.g. 5/4, 13/4, 19/4 15/16), nor even the fact he played a 4 valve trumpet allowing him to play quarter-tones, but the combination of all these things together that make for a wonderfully unique listening experience. A good demo cd to boot.
Most people who are familiar with Dolby will be so through 'She blinded me with Science', but, to be honest, that's just about the only thing of his I really can't stand. I happen to think 'The Flat Earth' is one of the best albums of all time, the tracks just all belong together so comfortably. He writes interesting lyrics and gets some wonderfully creative sounds. It's a real shame he hasn't recorded anything for 10 years and has concentrated instead on tech businesses.
Anyway, that's far more than enough of me prattling on. Do you own any of these too. Do you love or hate them. What unknown gems are in your collection that deserve a chance in ours and WHY?
regards,
Tam
p.s. It is strictly NOT necessary to write posts anything like as long as this one! One or two sentences per disc will be great.
Hey Tam I have a Thomas Dolby album 
its probably the one with the song u dont like 
I still think its a pretty good though.
A couple of my hidden gems/bands are Wang Chung and I dont just mean the Dance Hall days stuff which no doubt most of you have heard of
In particluar they did the OST to 'live and die in LA' which had some great songs on it including the instrumental tracks.
I dont know what it is about them? they just had a different sound to most other bands of their time and some of their lyrics were pretty good.
Another one of my fave bands is Dan Reed Network, a band that for some reason never made it big, their sound is kind of funk rock, extreme fused with Prince?? they did some great tracks over their short career and knocked out a few slow rock tracks like Lover and All of my love/let it go.
John
its probably the one with the song u dont like I still think its a pretty good though.A couple of my hidden gems/bands are Wang Chung and I dont just mean the Dance Hall days stuff which no doubt most of you have heard of
In particluar they did the OST to 'live and die in LA' which had some great songs on it including the instrumental tracks.
I dont know what it is about them? they just had a different sound to most other bands of their time and some of their lyrics were pretty good.
Another one of my fave bands is Dan Reed Network, a band that for some reason never made it big, their sound is kind of funk rock, extreme fused with Prince?? they did some great tracks over their short career and knocked out a few slow rock tracks like Lover and All of my love/let it go.
John
quote:Originally posted by Simon Matthews:
Does anbody know anything about 'the gate to the minds eye' - was this a full Dolby studio album and if so , how did I managed to miss it??
I have it. It's pretty OK instrumnetal/ambient stuff.
Nothing like his 'proper' work.
I really would love to hear a new Dolby album. However, as time goes by it gets less likely.
Stephen
A few of mine;
'24 years of Hunger by EG & Alice'. A lovely slice of intelligent '90s pop.
'Boing' by Airhead Pre Madchester Manchester scene band. Spawned the fine single 'Funny how the girls you always fancy never fancy you. Funny how the ones you don't do'. So true.
'Whichever way you're going, you're going wrong' by Woo. Early '80s, lovely, acoustic, ambient.
'So Now (single)' by Post war nudes, about 1980. One beautiful slice of electronica and then they were gone. Why oh Why?
Everything by my band 'The Fire Thieves'.
Stephen
'24 years of Hunger by EG & Alice'. A lovely slice of intelligent '90s pop.
'Boing' by Airhead Pre Madchester Manchester scene band. Spawned the fine single 'Funny how the girls you always fancy never fancy you. Funny how the ones you don't do'. So true.
'Whichever way you're going, you're going wrong' by Woo. Early '80s, lovely, acoustic, ambient.
'So Now (single)' by Post war nudes, about 1980. One beautiful slice of electronica and then they were gone. Why oh Why?
Everything by my band 'The Fire Thieves'.
Stephen
Some very interesting replies. Keep them coming (now I'll have to check some of these out)!
Regarding Dolby The Gate to the Mind's Eye was the soundtrack to an animated movie (kind of a 'Fantasia' style thing). As such it feels a little weak in comparison to the rest of his albums. I don't regret owning it, but neither is it one of my favourite albums.
As to the possibility of a new album, the reason he's recorded nothing for a while has to do with the fact that he's spent most of the last ten years or so working in the tech industry (particularly in integrating music with mobile phones - so you can blame him for that ). However, I'm reliably informed he plans to record some new music, however, it may well not be in the form of cds and more geared towards electronic downloads and the like.
I should probably have declared an interest in commenting about his music since he happens also to be my uncle, so there's may be some bias in here!
regards,
Tam
Regarding Dolby The Gate to the Mind's Eye was the soundtrack to an animated movie (kind of a 'Fantasia' style thing). As such it feels a little weak in comparison to the rest of his albums. I don't regret owning it, but neither is it one of my favourite albums.
As to the possibility of a new album, the reason he's recorded nothing for a while has to do with the fact that he's spent most of the last ten years or so working in the tech industry (particularly in integrating music with mobile phones - so you can blame him for that
). However, I'm reliably informed he plans to record some new music, however, it may well not be in the form of cds and more geared towards electronic downloads and the like.I should probably have declared an interest in commenting about his music since he happens also to be my uncle, so there's may be some bias in here!
regards,
Tam
quote:Originally posted by Tam:
I should probably have declared an interest in commenting about his music since he happens also to be my uncle, so there's may be some bias in here!
regards,
Tam
Tam
Well, when you speak to him again, tell him that we want a proper album, on CD!!
Is he aware just how dedicated we Dolby-ites are?
Stephen
PS
I forgot 'Friendliness' by Stackridge......
I told him just that last weekend. But I'll make clear there are more out there who share the opinion
Another one I forgot was Talvin Singh a very talented indian DJ/Producer
a very talented indian DJ/Producer