What are you listening to right now? (VOL I)

quote:

Posted Thu 27 April 2006 03:55

I also love this recording!

Great New Zealand electronica

Pitch Black - Ape to Angel

quote:

Originally posted by Sloop John B:


SJB

SJB -
It is ALWAYS such a delight to find others who enjoy Rory (I remember you have commented before when I mentioned 'Irish Tour', and particularly 'A Million Miles Away', on here previously).

Got to see the man a few times in my teenage years - in fact my first real (loud!) gig [a few months earlier I'd been to see Don McLean - American Pie/Starry, starry night, not Radio 2 presenter!].

Rory really opened my ears, eyes and horizons.

One of his gigs I went to was certainly on the Top Priority Tour. Here's a piccy I took, I think at that very gig (with m'trusty Zenit - Russian SLR, built like a T-34 tank and about as heavy)...

And good continued listening,
James



PS Sorry, everybody else, if I have slightly hi-jacked this thread for a moment ... but when you find another Rory fan, you've got to talk 'Rory' for a little bit! J

I saw Rory on that tour as well. At least I think it was that one (87 or 88 I think) at Nottingham Rock City. Amazing live act. Never get round to listening to any of his records anymore. Maybe I should dig them out. I remember that he was one of the few people who's later stuff was as good as his early stuff. Actually I think it was better, although I think I prefer his stuff with Taste.

quote:

Originally posted by jcs_smith:
...Never get round to listening to any of his records anymore. Maybe I should dig them out. I remember that he was one of the few people who's later stuff was as good as his early stuff...

Definitely get those records out - give yourself a treat!

Over the 20 years he was recording studio records, his music did, of course, develop. With Taste as well as the Blues, there could be quite a jazz vibe, including Rory on sax!

I have to say I am a real fan of the Bluesier aspect - especially when using bottleneck, either electric or acoustic - which typified his 1970's period (up to Calling Card [the first studio album I heard] and Photofinish).

Then as the music scene changed in the wake of punk, he went down a 'heavier' direction for a while. (And in fact it was really in this period that, so sadly, he began to lose his self-confidence and sense of direction. In the mid-80s there was even a year or two with hardly any bookings for gigs, because his music was just not 'fashionable' for a while, and this must ahve really knocked the stuffing out of someone who so thrived on performing live.)

Things did pick up again towards the end of the 80s, including the really excellent last studio album, 'Fresh Evidence', which gathers together the strands of the previous 20 years' work - blues, rock, jazz, and some Zydeco to boot! And the theme music for Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie's first BBC series, 'A Little Bit of Fry and Laurie' (The Loop).

I get the impression that one of the things that was really tragic when he so sadly died at the age of 47 in 1995 (apart from his early death itself!), is that musically things had started to pick up a bit in those recent years.

The 'Complete Rockpalast' DVD boxed set is a marvel, spanning much of his career. But the thing that really cheered me was getting hold of a DVD of the '94 Celtic Festival at Lorient, one of his last ever gigs, and it's an absolute blisterer!

To get us back 'on task' with the thread, I am now listening to:



Good listening,
James

Which was the record that had the harmonica player from 9 below zero on it? I think his name was Mark Feltham or something like that. I'm sure I heard it but I can't remember what it was like.
I take your point about the heavier stuff but I must admit I like it a lot. I've even got Philby on 7" coloured vinyl. Definitely got to get that one out and play it again. I did have a live tape of him from the BBC. It was brilliant at the time but I don't suppose it's managed to survive, and even if it did I don't have a tape player anymore.

quote:

Originally posted by jcs_smith:
Which was the record that had the harmonica player from 9 below zero on it? I think his name was Mark Feltham or something like that. I'm sure I heard it but I can't remember what it was like.
I take your point about the heavier stuff but I must admit I like it a lot. I've even got Philby on 7" coloured vinyl. Definitely got to get that one out and play it again. I did have a live tape of him from the BBC. It was brilliant at the time but I don't suppose it's managed to survive, and even if it did I don't have a tape player anymore.

Yes, Mark Feltham alright, and Brendan O'Neill drums with Rory too. And after he left Rory's band after 25 years, Gerry McAvoy went to play bass with Nine Below Zero too. (And still is!)

Don't get me wrong - I like the Blues, but I do like the heavier stuff too!

Sorry you've lost your tape (though you can't play it).

If you want a cheap treat (as opposed to a cheap thrill!) on e-Bay you will be able to pick up a copy of the 'BBC Sessions' pretty inexpensively - double CD of various of Rory's sessions, live in the studio and live in concert.

Again, to keep us 'on task' with the thread, I'll be listening to this next!!

James

I saw Rory @ the Manchester Apollo sometime in the early 80's- on the Jinx tour. Lousy album but absolutely splendid live show.

One of my uni mates who owned this camera described it as 'melted down Russian railway sleeper encased in yak hide'. Not too far from the truth.

quote:

Zenit - Russian SLR, built like a T-34 tank and about as heavy)...

Yes.
It must be heavy flue.
Did wait for this for a long time and now i can't even stand the bass in my head.

On vinyl, still running in my new AT-OC9 cartridge, gets better with every side.

Ian

quote:

Originally posted by jasons:
As for tonight, another 'yesteryear' cd

i am giving this another spin because i couldnt get over how bloody awesome this sounded last night!!

quote:

Originally posted by smiglass:
I was introduced to this marvelously progress trio last week and now own 3 of their CD's.

Coincidence !
Was listening to this exact CD, yesterday, as well. Hope you didn't miss the hidden track - which is beautiful !!!


cheers
Stefan

After missing my Air F****e flight from Paris, calming down with the beautiful



Peace,
Stefan

quote:

Originally posted by JWM:

quote:

Originally posted by Sloop John B:


SJB

SJB -
It is ALWAYS such a delight to find others who enjoy Rory (I remember you have commented before when I mentioned 'Irish Tour', and particularly 'A Million Miles Away', on here previously).

Got to see the man a few times in my teenage years - in fact my first real (loud!) gig [a few months earlier I'd been to see Don McLean - American Pie/Starry, starry night, not Radio 2 presenter!].

Rory really opened my ears, eyes and horizons.

One of his gigs I went to was certainly on the Top Priority Tour. Here's a piccy I took, I think at that very gig (with m'trusty Zenit - Russian SLR, built like a T-34 tank and about as heavy)...

And good continued listening,
James



PS Sorry, everybody else, if I have slightly hi-jacked this thread for a moment ... but when you find another Rory fan, you've got to talk 'Rory' for a little bit! J

Great shot, deserves to be seen again so I'll quote it.

The first Rory album I got was "Live in Europe" (but I got it in 1982) and one of the live highlights of the only gig of his I was at (Olympia Dublin, 1988) was seeing pistol slapper blues live.

Rory is unfortunately rarely seen as a great songwriter even though he wrote many gems and lyrically without it being poetry his lyrics they way they are sung have a great assonance.

Listening to keychain last night I was struck by his intonation on
"aint it insane, got no chance of missing"

My then girlfriend's (now wife's) kid brother was mad into ridiculous heavy metal when I first met him. Photofinih on vinyl was enough to set him straight.

Rory's sadly missed. I remember hearing an extensive interview with him on Dave Fannings Rock show and his love of music really shone through. He waxed lyrically about about John Lennon's guitar playing and how it was more about the emotion of the playing than the technique.


The present remasters overseen by his brother are excellent. Live in Europe and Photofinish being 2 of my favorites



SJB

quote:

Posted Thu 27 April 2006 22:30
quote:
Originally posted by smiglass:
I was introduced to this marvelously progress trio last week and now own 3 of their CD's.

Coincidence !
Was listening to this exact CD, yesterday, as well. Hope you didn't miss the hidden track - which is beautiful !!!

Thanks for the tip, Stefan. Now I have something to look forward to tonight. E.S.T.'s music is some of the most intriguing stuff I have heard in a long time. Very refreshing!
Anthony

The same trio of Gleda. Excellent.

Haim

quote:

Originally posted by sjust:
After missing my Air F****e flight from Paris, calming down with the beautiful



Peace,
Stefan

Stefan my friend,

You remind me of my daughter who missed her flight to Boston two weeks ago. She was sitting at the gate, talking to me on the phone, and wandering why her plane was taxing away from the gate...

No Charles Lloyd (not even Canto) could calm me down.

I also hope you have a better excuse than she did (they did not anounce the last boarding of the flight).

If by any chance you decide to take my humble word and get Canto, please let me know if you still think that Chrles is improving, or did he peak in 1999.

Regards,

Haim

Just keeping up the homage to ECM! Just kidding, another classy Jan Garbarek album, In Praise of Dreams. Sorry picture size a bit small.

Nic

quote:

Originally posted by Sloop John B:
...The present remasters overseen by his brother are excellent. Live in Europe and Photofinish being 2 of my favorites.
SJB

SJB -
Even as a vinyl slut nut (oops, nearly made a mistake there!) I have to agree with you about those re-masters. Though last year's Big Guns Best-Of Boxed Set (hybrid SACD CD) is a bit like pressing the loudness button on my trusty 1978 Marantz 2238B receiver through Celestion Ditton 110's (study second system)...

If you don't mind me saying so, shared interest Naim, Rory, music and all, if I ever get over to Dublin (ostensibly to see my friend Kieran, of whom I hope there are many) perhaps we ought to meet up for a pint!

Good listening,
James

Frank Zappa-Zoot Allures

Matt

Brian Bromberg: You Know That Feeling

quote:

Originally posted by HR:

Dear Haim!
Good flawor and good vintage.
My friend and me had it one of latest night.
Cheers!
Gianluigi