FREE! Music for grown-ups on the BBC in the next 10 days:
Hidden among its vast output, BBC TV and radio has some magnificent music for grown-ups - every week of the year. And it’s all free (well, sort of… ).
In the next ten days, for example:
Thurs 23 Oct
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (rpt) – BBC Radio 2
2320 Mike Skinner, BBC Electric Proms – BBC2
Fri 24 Oct
2200 Goldfrapp, BBC Electric Proms – BBC4
0035 Jakob Dylan, Later… With Jools Holland – BBC2 (rpt)
Sat 25 Oct
2400 Billie Holiday, Jazz Library – BBC Radio 3
Sun 26 Oct
2400 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (new) – BBC 6 Music
2400 Goldfrapp, BBC Electric Proms – BBC4 (rpt)
Mon 27 Oct
1200 & 2200 Mahler, Composer Of The Week – BBC Radio 3
(1/5, continues Tues-Fri)
2330 Choo Choo Ch’Boogie: the Louis Jordan Story - BBC Radio 2 (4/4)
Tues 28 Oct
2235 Jay Z, Imagine… - BBC1
Thurs 30 Oct
2355, David Byrne, BBC Four Sessions (rpt) – BBC Four
0055, Ryan Adams, BBC Four Sessions (rpt) – BBC Four
Fri 31 Oct
2130 Neil Young, In Concert (1971) – BBC Four
2200 Neil Young – Don’t Be Denied – BBC Four
2300 CSNY/Déjà Vu – BBC Four
Online access: many BBC radio programmes are broadcast online, streamed. Please see the channels’ web sites for details. Archived BBC radio and TV programmes are accessible online for a short period via:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Gerry Smith
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
Monday, 20 October 2008
New Dylan and Miles box sets - big price differences
The new Dylan and Miles box sets - Tell Tale Signs Deluxe and Kind Of Blue 50th Anniversary Collectors Edition – are big Sony launches destined to fill many grown-up Xmas stockings.
There’s a marked variation in prices from the different retailers, though. The best prices I’ve seen are from Zavvi online - £79 (Dylan) and £50 (Miles).
When I called in on Saturday, HMV Oxford Circus had a couple of eye-watering price tags: £95 (Dylan) and £85 (Miles), though the HMV combined web price is much lower - only £10 above Zavvi’s.
With every passing week, I find myself less and less inclined to buy from the big bricks-and-mortar London megastores; I used to be a big customer.
And their small branches seem to have given up on music. My local HMV now focuses on DVD and games, with music taking only a small proportion of floor space; I probably won’t bother going in there again.
Gerry Smith
There’s a marked variation in prices from the different retailers, though. The best prices I’ve seen are from Zavvi online - £79 (Dylan) and £50 (Miles).
When I called in on Saturday, HMV Oxford Circus had a couple of eye-watering price tags: £95 (Dylan) and £85 (Miles), though the HMV combined web price is much lower - only £10 above Zavvi’s.
With every passing week, I find myself less and less inclined to buy from the big bricks-and-mortar London megastores; I used to be a big customer.
And their small branches seem to have given up on music. My local HMV now focuses on DVD and games, with music taking only a small proportion of floor space; I probably won’t bother going in there again.
Gerry Smith
Friday, 17 October 2008
Favourite ‘50s Rock Artist: Roy Orbison - Reader Survey #2
The favourite ‘50s rock artist of readers of Music for Grown-Ups is Roy Orbison.
When we surveyed readers over a period of a couple of months the results were:
Roy Orbison 26%
Elvis Presley 24.6%
Chuck Berry 21.9%
Buddy Holly 17.8%
Everly Brothers 9.5%
Little Richard 0%
Gerry Smith
When we surveyed readers over a period of a couple of months the results were:
Roy Orbison 26%
Elvis Presley 24.6%
Chuck Berry 21.9%
Buddy Holly 17.8%
Everly Brothers 9.5%
Little Richard 0%
Gerry Smith
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Favourite Classic Rock Album: Reader Survey #1
The Favourite Classic Rock Album of readers of Music for Grown-Ups is... Astral Weeks by Van Morrison.
When we surveyed readers over a period of a couple of months the results were:
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) 35% of votes
Blonde on Blonde (Bob Dylan) 21%
Revolver (The Beatles) 15%
Tonight's the Night (Neil Young) 14%
Exile on Main Street (The Rolling Stones) 13%
Gerry Smith
When we surveyed readers over a period of a couple of months the results were:
Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) 35% of votes
Blonde on Blonde (Bob Dylan) 21%
Revolver (The Beatles) 15%
Tonight's the Night (Neil Young) 14%
Exile on Main Street (The Rolling Stones) 13%
Gerry Smith
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
Sun Ra to Louis Jordan, Jakob Dylan to The Streets, Monteverdi to Goldfrapp
FREE! Music for grown-ups on the BBC in the next 10 days:
Hidden in its vast musical output, BBC TV and radio broadcasts some magnificent music for grown-ups - every week of the year. And it’s all free (well, sort of… ).
In the next ten days, for example:
Wed 15 Oct
1200 & 2200 Claudio Monteverdi, Composer Of The Week – BBC Radio 3
(3/5, continues Thurs-Fri)
Thurs 16 Oct
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (rpt) – BBC Radio 2
2320 Gillian Welch, BBC Four Sessions (rpt) – BBC Four
Sat 18 Oct
2400 Sun Ra, Jazz Library – BBC Radio 3
Sun 19 Oct
2400 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (new) – BBC 6 Music
Mon 20 Oct
2330 Choo Choo Ch’Boogie: the Louis Jordan Story - BBC Radio 2 (3/4)
Tues 21 Oct
2320 Jakob Dylan, Later… With Jools Holland – BBC2
Thurs 23 Oct
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (rpt) – BBC Radio 2
2320 Mike Skinner, BBC Electric Proms – BBC2
Fri 24 Oct
2200 Goldfrapp, BBC Electric Proms – BBC4
0035 Jakob Dylan, Later… With Jools Holland – BBC2 (rpt)
Online access: many BBC radio programmes are broadcast online, streamed. Please see the channels’ web sites for details. Archived BBC radio and TV programmes are accessible online for a short period via:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Commercial TV highlights:
Fri 17 Oct
2420 The Beatles, All You Need Is Love (part 14), More 4
Gerry Smith
Hidden in its vast musical output, BBC TV and radio broadcasts some magnificent music for grown-ups - every week of the year. And it’s all free (well, sort of… ).
In the next ten days, for example:
Wed 15 Oct
1200 & 2200 Claudio Monteverdi, Composer Of The Week – BBC Radio 3
(3/5, continues Thurs-Fri)
Thurs 16 Oct
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (rpt) – BBC Radio 2
2320 Gillian Welch, BBC Four Sessions (rpt) – BBC Four
Sat 18 Oct
2400 Sun Ra, Jazz Library – BBC Radio 3
Sun 19 Oct
2400 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (new) – BBC 6 Music
Mon 20 Oct
2330 Choo Choo Ch’Boogie: the Louis Jordan Story - BBC Radio 2 (3/4)
Tues 21 Oct
2320 Jakob Dylan, Later… With Jools Holland – BBC2
Thurs 23 Oct
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (rpt) – BBC Radio 2
2320 Mike Skinner, BBC Electric Proms – BBC2
Fri 24 Oct
2200 Goldfrapp, BBC Electric Proms – BBC4
0035 Jakob Dylan, Later… With Jools Holland – BBC2 (rpt)
Online access: many BBC radio programmes are broadcast online, streamed. Please see the channels’ web sites for details. Archived BBC radio and TV programmes are accessible online for a short period via:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Commercial TV highlights:
Fri 17 Oct
2420 The Beatles, All You Need Is Love (part 14), More 4
Gerry Smith
Monday, 13 October 2008
In the field of opportunity… it’s Neil Young time again
The Neil Young PR machine is in full swing, in advance of a new album, the launch of the Archives series, and an important BBC Four biodoc.
Thanks to Martin Cowan for these links:
For the Neil fans, this in today's Observer Music Monthly:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/oct/12/neil-young-documentary
This puff for the forthcoming BBC4 doc:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/musictv/neilyoung/
Thanks to Martin Cowan for these links:
For the Neil fans, this in today's Observer Music Monthly:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/oct/12/neil-young-documentary
This puff for the forthcoming BBC4 doc:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/musictv/neilyoung/
Friday, 10 October 2008
Kind Of Blue – 50th Anniversary Collectors Edition
Columbia Legacy have pushed the boat out to mark the half century of the Miles Davis masterpiece, Kind Of Blue - a massive seller, with wide appeal well beyond the core jazz audience.
The new Collectors product includes:
* the most recent version of the CD, slowed down to correct pitch and with bonus track. (It normally retails for a discounted £5).
* a CD of earlier recordings by the KOB line-up. (Otherwise available on Miles ‘58 Sessions and as part of Jazz Track)
* out-takes (from the Miles/Coltrane box, and bootlegged on The Making Of Kind Of Blue).
Plus artefacts you’d find impossible to buy elsewhere – 2 DVD programmes, book, photo set, poster - or would probably no longer have a use for – a vinyl version of the LP. The rigid, tight packaging has been criticised for scuffing the discs.
It’s available from play.com for £55 (delivered).
The intended audience is in the title – collectors, who will love it. Fans of Miles music - rather than Miles artefacts - will already have the audio material and will mostly ignore it.
Grown-up listeners who don’t know the great album should spend £5 on the latest (slowed down) CD version - Kind Of Blue is timeless great art (though second to In A Silent Way in Music For Grown-Ups’ Top Ten Miles releases).
Gerry Smith
The new Collectors product includes:
* the most recent version of the CD, slowed down to correct pitch and with bonus track. (It normally retails for a discounted £5).
* a CD of earlier recordings by the KOB line-up. (Otherwise available on Miles ‘58 Sessions and as part of Jazz Track)
* out-takes (from the Miles/Coltrane box, and bootlegged on The Making Of Kind Of Blue).
Plus artefacts you’d find impossible to buy elsewhere – 2 DVD programmes, book, photo set, poster - or would probably no longer have a use for – a vinyl version of the LP. The rigid, tight packaging has been criticised for scuffing the discs.
It’s available from play.com for £55 (delivered).
The intended audience is in the title – collectors, who will love it. Fans of Miles music - rather than Miles artefacts - will already have the audio material and will mostly ignore it.
Grown-up listeners who don’t know the great album should spend £5 on the latest (slowed down) CD version - Kind Of Blue is timeless great art (though second to In A Silent Way in Music For Grown-Ups’ Top Ten Miles releases).
Gerry Smith
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
Dylan’s Tell Tale Signs DeLuxe Edition – exclusive review of CD3
Thanks to Liam Mogan:
Just a few notes on the Exclusive Deluxe Edition:
Price
I paid £84.99 for it, which is considerably cheaper than the bobdylan.com price (although the package doesn't include the 7" single). The main question I suppose is it worth the money? The answer is no - £70.00 for an extra disc of material and a bit of packaging is daylight robbery. Sony must know they are only ripping off the diehards on this one. But, hey, I suppose was always going to buy it and I could have just bought the 2 disc edition and downloaded the extra disc. It still rankles though.
Packaging
The packaging is ok - nothing spectacular. The cds come in a small book format and the cd single artwork come in a exact replica. They both fit into a stiff cardboard case (it seems pretty heavy duty). It's basically quite similar to the Bob Dylan Scrapbook that was released a couple of years ago (but not as imaginative). The cd book has a few pictures and Rats Sloman's liner notes (expanded for this edition, obviously). It also has an attempt at listing the musicians who play on each track, but for some (especially the TOM sessions) it seems to just list every musician who played on those sessions as a whole! The cd single artwork is something of missed opportunity. I've looked through it once and probably never will again. Surely Sony could have come up with something more interesting? Maybe an overview of Bob's career during the period Tell Tale Signs covers, interviews with producers, players etc, more essays, historic reviews for the original albums etc.
Music
Obviously it's what is on the third cd that really matters and suffice to say there are some awe-inspiring tracks on here. What amazes me about the alternate takes, especially, is the legitimacy of each version. There is virtually no re-treading of musical ideas anywhere. I'm sure that there could have been twice as many alternative versions included and this expanded edition could have run to 5 discs easily, (even more with live tracks). These are my feelings on them
Duncan & Brady - This is not a good start. A traditional track ruined by a completely incongruous backing track. All manner of instruments clutter up the tune which whizzes along without purpose or direction. Bob sounds disinterested and slightly embarrassed. At worst it sounds like something from Knocked Out Loaded, at best an out take from Under the Red Sky. No wonder Good As I Been To You/World Gone Wrong followed.
Cold Irons Bound (live) - Bob and his band fire up the stage with a truly incendiary, power-charged version of a track which always sounds better live. The guitar interplay is dynamic and Bob's voice is focussed and elemental. Truly jaw-dropping.
Mississippi - The third(!) version on the set of this song has a slight reggae feel and whilst it has a certain charm seems a bit too calculated - as if Lanois (possibly) has instigated an attempt at a different style to shake things up.
Most of The Time - A more subtle version of the OM track. Less-obviously produced with a more rootsy feel (the acoustic guitars are more pronounced). I like this track a lot, Dylan leans into each word as if he means it. A gem.
Ring Them Bells - A great solo version. Piano and voice sound in perfect harmony. Its clearly the basis for later versions and rightly so. Without the shimmering guitars and intrusive echo it sounds just like it should.
Things Have Changed (live) - The band are in a tight groove and the overall feel is more relaxed that the studio version. Bob obviously likes this track and takes care over his delivery. A superb version.
Red River Shore - This take is slightly different from the one on Cd1 in that the band come in at the beginning as opposed to dropping in with each verse. After only a handful of listens its hard to say which one I favour. Safe to say both are beautiful works of art which only add to Bob Dylan's status as THE musical genius of the 20th century. (I can see why it was left off of TOM though - it just wouldn't have fitted in)
Born In Time - Similar to the version on Cd1. I prefer this version as, once again, it sounds less over-produced with Bob's voice in the foreground.
Tryin' to Get To Heaven (live) - Dylan as Sinatra! This is astonishing and as good an example of Bob's skill as a shape-shifter as anything he's ever done. From the simple guitar figure to the beautiful phrasing this lifts the doom-laden TOM version onto a different level altogether. The song is changed into a life-affirming tribute to a life well lived. Somebody shouts 'F**kin' Beautiful' at the end, which while apposite, completely breaks the spell Dylan and the band have just created! Someone should have Pro-Tooled it out.
Marchin' To The City - A definite 'filler'. It adds very little to the previous version and sounds slightly generic. The organ is very annoying indeed. One to skip.
Can't Wait - This is the best version of this song bar none. It starts spookily and mysterious and the slow pace adds depth to the lyrics and the performance. As the band comes in, their accompaniment is totally sympathetic. Great Vocals too. I could listen to this over and over.
Mary & The Soldier - I couldn't think of a better place to end than this spot-on cover. As good as anything on the 90s acoustic albums. Dylan sounds completely at home with just voice and lone guitar. The disparity between this and the first track on this disc, Duncan & Brady, is staggering.
I can only agree with most reviewers (the general reaction appears to be one of mass-adulation) that this collection re-affirms the sheer immensity and ever-changing nature of the genius that is Bob Dylan. Personally I can't wait until the next one....
Just a few notes on the Exclusive Deluxe Edition:
Price
I paid £84.99 for it, which is considerably cheaper than the bobdylan.com price (although the package doesn't include the 7" single). The main question I suppose is it worth the money? The answer is no - £70.00 for an extra disc of material and a bit of packaging is daylight robbery. Sony must know they are only ripping off the diehards on this one. But, hey, I suppose was always going to buy it and I could have just bought the 2 disc edition and downloaded the extra disc. It still rankles though.
Packaging
The packaging is ok - nothing spectacular. The cds come in a small book format and the cd single artwork come in a exact replica. They both fit into a stiff cardboard case (it seems pretty heavy duty). It's basically quite similar to the Bob Dylan Scrapbook that was released a couple of years ago (but not as imaginative). The cd book has a few pictures and Rats Sloman's liner notes (expanded for this edition, obviously). It also has an attempt at listing the musicians who play on each track, but for some (especially the TOM sessions) it seems to just list every musician who played on those sessions as a whole! The cd single artwork is something of missed opportunity. I've looked through it once and probably never will again. Surely Sony could have come up with something more interesting? Maybe an overview of Bob's career during the period Tell Tale Signs covers, interviews with producers, players etc, more essays, historic reviews for the original albums etc.
Music
Obviously it's what is on the third cd that really matters and suffice to say there are some awe-inspiring tracks on here. What amazes me about the alternate takes, especially, is the legitimacy of each version. There is virtually no re-treading of musical ideas anywhere. I'm sure that there could have been twice as many alternative versions included and this expanded edition could have run to 5 discs easily, (even more with live tracks). These are my feelings on them
Duncan & Brady - This is not a good start. A traditional track ruined by a completely incongruous backing track. All manner of instruments clutter up the tune which whizzes along without purpose or direction. Bob sounds disinterested and slightly embarrassed. At worst it sounds like something from Knocked Out Loaded, at best an out take from Under the Red Sky. No wonder Good As I Been To You/World Gone Wrong followed.
Cold Irons Bound (live) - Bob and his band fire up the stage with a truly incendiary, power-charged version of a track which always sounds better live. The guitar interplay is dynamic and Bob's voice is focussed and elemental. Truly jaw-dropping.
Mississippi - The third(!) version on the set of this song has a slight reggae feel and whilst it has a certain charm seems a bit too calculated - as if Lanois (possibly) has instigated an attempt at a different style to shake things up.
Most of The Time - A more subtle version of the OM track. Less-obviously produced with a more rootsy feel (the acoustic guitars are more pronounced). I like this track a lot, Dylan leans into each word as if he means it. A gem.
Ring Them Bells - A great solo version. Piano and voice sound in perfect harmony. Its clearly the basis for later versions and rightly so. Without the shimmering guitars and intrusive echo it sounds just like it should.
Things Have Changed (live) - The band are in a tight groove and the overall feel is more relaxed that the studio version. Bob obviously likes this track and takes care over his delivery. A superb version.
Red River Shore - This take is slightly different from the one on Cd1 in that the band come in at the beginning as opposed to dropping in with each verse. After only a handful of listens its hard to say which one I favour. Safe to say both are beautiful works of art which only add to Bob Dylan's status as THE musical genius of the 20th century. (I can see why it was left off of TOM though - it just wouldn't have fitted in)
Born In Time - Similar to the version on Cd1. I prefer this version as, once again, it sounds less over-produced with Bob's voice in the foreground.
Tryin' to Get To Heaven (live) - Dylan as Sinatra! This is astonishing and as good an example of Bob's skill as a shape-shifter as anything he's ever done. From the simple guitar figure to the beautiful phrasing this lifts the doom-laden TOM version onto a different level altogether. The song is changed into a life-affirming tribute to a life well lived. Somebody shouts 'F**kin' Beautiful' at the end, which while apposite, completely breaks the spell Dylan and the band have just created! Someone should have Pro-Tooled it out.
Marchin' To The City - A definite 'filler'. It adds very little to the previous version and sounds slightly generic. The organ is very annoying indeed. One to skip.
Can't Wait - This is the best version of this song bar none. It starts spookily and mysterious and the slow pace adds depth to the lyrics and the performance. As the band comes in, their accompaniment is totally sympathetic. Great Vocals too. I could listen to this over and over.
Mary & The Soldier - I couldn't think of a better place to end than this spot-on cover. As good as anything on the 90s acoustic albums. Dylan sounds completely at home with just voice and lone guitar. The disparity between this and the first track on this disc, Duncan & Brady, is staggering.
I can only agree with most reviewers (the general reaction appears to be one of mass-adulation) that this collection re-affirms the sheer immensity and ever-changing nature of the genius that is Bob Dylan. Personally I can't wait until the next one....
Tuesday, 7 October 2008
Gillian Welch to Claudio Monteverdi, Louis Jordan to the Beatles
FREE! Music for grown-ups on the BBC in the next 10 days:
Hidden among the musical dross dominating its massive output, the multitude of BBC TV and radio channels broadcast magnificent music for grown-ups - every week of the year. And it’s all free (sort of).
For example:
Thurs 9 Oct
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (rpt) – BBC Radio 2
Sun 12 Oct
2400 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (new) – BBC 6 Music
Mon 13 Oct
1200 & 2200 Claudio Monteverdi, Composer Of The Week – BBC Radio 3
(1/5, continues Tues-Fri)
2330 Choo Choo Ch’Boogie: the Louis Jordan Story - BBC Radio 2 (2/4)
Thurs 16 Oct
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (rpt) – BBC Radio 2
2320 Gillian Welch, BBC Four Sessions (rpt) – BBC Four
Online access: many BBC radio programmes are broadcast online, streamed. Please see the channels’ web sites for details. Archived BBC radio and TV programmes are accessible online for a short period via:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Commercial TV highlights:
Fri 17 Oct
2420 The Beatles, All You Need Is Love (part 14), More 4
Gerry Smith
Hidden among the musical dross dominating its massive output, the multitude of BBC TV and radio channels broadcast magnificent music for grown-ups - every week of the year. And it’s all free (sort of).
For example:
Thurs 9 Oct
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (rpt) – BBC Radio 2
Sun 12 Oct
2400 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (new) – BBC 6 Music
Mon 13 Oct
1200 & 2200 Claudio Monteverdi, Composer Of The Week – BBC Radio 3
(1/5, continues Tues-Fri)
2330 Choo Choo Ch’Boogie: the Louis Jordan Story - BBC Radio 2 (2/4)
Thurs 16 Oct
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (rpt) – BBC Radio 2
2320 Gillian Welch, BBC Four Sessions (rpt) – BBC Four
Online access: many BBC radio programmes are broadcast online, streamed. Please see the channels’ web sites for details. Archived BBC radio and TV programmes are accessible online for a short period via:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Commercial TV highlights:
Fri 17 Oct
2420 The Beatles, All You Need Is Love (part 14), More 4
Gerry Smith
Friday, 3 October 2008
Fine tribute to Charles Mingus in Composer Of The Week
Music for Grown-Ups is a big fan of BBC Radio 3 and its flagship series like Composer Of The Week.
The series, dealing in depth with a single composer over five one-hour programmes, covers all the big classical names, as well as introducing names you’ve never heard of. It’s the highlight of many music-lovers’ weeks.
All praise to the team for risking the wrath of staid, hidebound listeners in the classical ghetto by running this week’s programmes on jazz bassist and composer Charles Mingus.
Regular presenter Donald Macleod has been helped out by jazz buff Brian Priestley to produce a revelatory suite of programmes.
Here’s what’s being played this week:
Better Git It In Yo' Soul
Half-Mast Inhibition
Mingus Fingers, Lionel Hampton and his orchestra
Inspiration - Parts 1 and 2, Charlie Mingus and his 22 piece Bebop Band
Eclipse, Charles Mingus Octet with Janet Thurlow (vocal)
Getting Together
Pithecanthropus Erectus
................................................
Haitian Fight Song, The Charles Mingus Jazz Workshop
Ysabel's Table Dance
Scenes In The City
Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting
Moanin'
.........................................................
Jelly Roll, Mingus Ah Um
Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
Gunslinging Bird
Open Letter to Duke, Mingus Ah Um CBS 450436 2 Tr 5
Original Faubus Fables
Meditations (excerpt)
Passions Of A Man
.......................................................
I Can't Get Started
Epitaph Part 2
Black Saint and the Sinner Lady
..................................................................
Don't Let It Happen Here
Don't Be Afraid, The Clown's Afraid Too
Sue's Changes
Epitaph: Ballad (In Other Words, I Am Three)
Online access: like many BBC radio programmes, Composer Of The Week is being broadcast online (streamed) and is archived for online listening for seven days after broadcast:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Gerry Smith
The series, dealing in depth with a single composer over five one-hour programmes, covers all the big classical names, as well as introducing names you’ve never heard of. It’s the highlight of many music-lovers’ weeks.
All praise to the team for risking the wrath of staid, hidebound listeners in the classical ghetto by running this week’s programmes on jazz bassist and composer Charles Mingus.
Regular presenter Donald Macleod has been helped out by jazz buff Brian Priestley to produce a revelatory suite of programmes.
Here’s what’s being played this week:
Better Git It In Yo' Soul
Half-Mast Inhibition
Mingus Fingers, Lionel Hampton and his orchestra
Inspiration - Parts 1 and 2, Charlie Mingus and his 22 piece Bebop Band
Eclipse, Charles Mingus Octet with Janet Thurlow (vocal)
Getting Together
Pithecanthropus Erectus
................................................
Haitian Fight Song, The Charles Mingus Jazz Workshop
Ysabel's Table Dance
Scenes In The City
Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting
Moanin'
.........................................................
Jelly Roll, Mingus Ah Um
Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
Gunslinging Bird
Open Letter to Duke, Mingus Ah Um CBS 450436 2 Tr 5
Original Faubus Fables
Meditations (excerpt)
Passions Of A Man
.......................................................
I Can't Get Started
Epitaph Part 2
Black Saint and the Sinner Lady
..................................................................
Don't Let It Happen Here
Don't Be Afraid, The Clown's Afraid Too
Sue's Changes
Epitaph: Ballad (In Other Words, I Am Three)
Online access: like many BBC radio programmes, Composer Of The Week is being broadcast online (streamed) and is archived for online listening for seven days after broadcast:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Gerry Smith
Thursday, 2 October 2008
Astral Weeks – live in LA
Astral Weeks, Van Morrison’s masterpiece, is Music for Grown-Ups’ favourite rock album. So it’s a delight to be able to pass on the news that Morrison will be playing Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on 7 and 8 November.
On both nights, the second half of the Hollywood gig will be a cover-to-cover re-creation of the magnificent LP, with a band including original recording session players Jay Berliner and Richard Davis. Hardcore Morrison fans will also be cheered by the reappearance on a VanMan stage of revered horn player Ritchie Buckley.
The gigs will be recorded for a new album, Astral Weeks Live At The Hollywood Bowl, to be released on the singer’s new label, Listen To The Lion Records, in January 2009.
Mamma!
Gerry Smith
On both nights, the second half of the Hollywood gig will be a cover-to-cover re-creation of the magnificent LP, with a band including original recording session players Jay Berliner and Richard Davis. Hardcore Morrison fans will also be cheered by the reappearance on a VanMan stage of revered horn player Ritchie Buckley.
The gigs will be recorded for a new album, Astral Weeks Live At The Hollywood Bowl, to be released on the singer’s new label, Listen To The Lion Records, in January 2009.
Mamma!
Gerry Smith
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
Bob Dylan’s new release, Tell Tale Signs – reaction and best price
A couple of hours in the company of Bob Dylan’s new release, Tell Tale Signs last night, courtesy of NPR Music’s streaming of the 2CD version, served as a reminder – as if it were needed! – that its author is an immense, unmatched talent.
The 27-track compilation is eloquent testimony to Dylan’s abundant creativity over the last 20 years. It underlines the continuity in his art and enriches your appreciation of the work, particularly the two strongest albums of the period, Oh Mercy and TOOM, as well as introducing many of us to almost a dozen new recordings demanding careful scrutiny.
Yes, it could have been done very differently, but I, for one, consider that Sony’s Bootleg Series programme is – still - a wonder to behold.
As for the main purchase options – one, two or three compact discs: I just don’t understand why anyone would buy the single CD version; the 2CD is the standard version, which 90% of readers are likely to buy; and the 3CD version is clearly aimed at collectors (the extra disc is destined to be massively bootlegged, but the packaging extras and artwork can’t be).
The target (UK) price for the 2CD version is £12.99 delivered – play.com, 101.cd, cd-wow and hmv are all discounting to that price, from the list £16.99. I contemplated asking my son to get me one in Paris next week, to get the French packaging, but with the FNAC online price at euro27, I plumped for play.com instead.
Roll on Monday: rapture in store! Thanks, Bob… Columbia – just keep ‘em coming!
Gerry Smith
The 27-track compilation is eloquent testimony to Dylan’s abundant creativity over the last 20 years. It underlines the continuity in his art and enriches your appreciation of the work, particularly the two strongest albums of the period, Oh Mercy and TOOM, as well as introducing many of us to almost a dozen new recordings demanding careful scrutiny.
Yes, it could have been done very differently, but I, for one, consider that Sony’s Bootleg Series programme is – still - a wonder to behold.
As for the main purchase options – one, two or three compact discs: I just don’t understand why anyone would buy the single CD version; the 2CD is the standard version, which 90% of readers are likely to buy; and the 3CD version is clearly aimed at collectors (the extra disc is destined to be massively bootlegged, but the packaging extras and artwork can’t be).
The target (UK) price for the 2CD version is £12.99 delivered – play.com, 101.cd, cd-wow and hmv are all discounting to that price, from the list £16.99. I contemplated asking my son to get me one in Paris next week, to get the French packaging, but with the FNAC online price at euro27, I plumped for play.com instead.
Roll on Monday: rapture in store! Thanks, Bob… Columbia – just keep ‘em coming!
Gerry Smith
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
Louis Jordan to Charles Mingus, Elvis to Dave Holland and Bobby Dylan to hip-hop
FREE! Music for grown-ups on the BBC in the next 10 days:
Tues 30 Sept
2230, Dazed & Confused: the Led Zeppelin Legacy – BBC Radio 2
2330 Howlin’ Wolf – BBC Radio 2 (rpt) (2/2)
Wed 1 Oct
1200 & 2200 Charles Mingus, Composer Of The Week – BBC Radio 3
(3/5, continues Thurs-Fri)
Thurs 2 Oct
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (rpt) – BBC Radio 2
Fri 3 Oct
2100 Once Upon A Time In New York (hip hop, disco and punk)
– BBC Four
Sun 5 Oct
2400 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (new) – BBC 6 Music
Mon 6 Oct
2315 Dave Holland Sextet, Jazz On 3 - BBC Radio 3
2330 Choo Choo Ch’Boogie: the Louis Jordan Story - BBC Radio 2
Thurs 9 Oct
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (rpt) – BBC Radio 2
Online access: many BBC radio programmes are broadcast online, streamed. Please see the channels’ web sites for details. Archived BBC radio and TV programmes are accessible online for a short period via:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
And on commercial TV:
Fri 10 Oct
2420 Elvis Presley, All You Need Is Love (part 13), More 4
Gerry Smith
Tues 30 Sept
2230, Dazed & Confused: the Led Zeppelin Legacy – BBC Radio 2
2330 Howlin’ Wolf – BBC Radio 2 (rpt) (2/2)
Wed 1 Oct
1200 & 2200 Charles Mingus, Composer Of The Week – BBC Radio 3
(3/5, continues Thurs-Fri)
Thurs 2 Oct
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (rpt) – BBC Radio 2
Fri 3 Oct
2100 Once Upon A Time In New York (hip hop, disco and punk)
– BBC Four
Sun 5 Oct
2400 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (new) – BBC 6 Music
Mon 6 Oct
2315 Dave Holland Sextet, Jazz On 3 - BBC Radio 3
2330 Choo Choo Ch’Boogie: the Louis Jordan Story - BBC Radio 2
Thurs 9 Oct
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (rpt) – BBC Radio 2
Online access: many BBC radio programmes are broadcast online, streamed. Please see the channels’ web sites for details. Archived BBC radio and TV programmes are accessible online for a short period via:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
And on commercial TV:
Fri 10 Oct
2420 Elvis Presley, All You Need Is Love (part 13), More 4
Gerry Smith
Monday, 29 September 2008
Africa Now! World–class line-up in London in October
London’s Barbican – probably the leading UK venue staging music for grown-ups, from across the spectrum – excels itself next month with AFRICA NOW, featuring giants of African music like Baaba Maal, Oumou Sangare, Amadou & Mariam, Rachid Taha and many more, on 23 October.
It‘s the first time I’ve been aware of so many of Africa's greatest artists performing under one roof. They’ll do solo and ensemble sets.
Tickets: £10-25. Giveaway!
www.barbican.org.uk
Gerry Smith
It‘s the first time I’ve been aware of so many of Africa's greatest artists performing under one roof. They’ll do solo and ensemble sets.
Tickets: £10-25. Giveaway!
www.barbican.org.uk
Gerry Smith
Friday, 26 September 2008
Alex Turner: outpacing Dylan?
Thanks to Martin Cowan:
“I'm not sure what readers' stance is on trendy scallywags The Arctic Monkeys, but I find myself somewhat surprisingly commending Monkeys main man Alex Turner's Mercury Prize short-listed side project, The Last Shadow Puppets.
“Turner's way with a word recently led to him rubbing shoulders with such esteemed writers as Cohen, Joni and Dylan himself in the Guardian's Great Lyricists booklet series, and it is a combination of his sharp lyrics and the impeccable classic ‘60s sound textures on the Shadow Puppets' "Age of the Understatement" LP which has set my pulse racing these last few weeks.
“Indeed, perusing the sharp and spiky lyrical twists and turns made me wonder when Dylan, famously held up as the world's greatest lyricist, was able to conjure up such original and poetic word play - not in recent times, I fear.
“This, from the opening title track, is offered as an appetiser for those who might dare to explore further:
"’She's playful/ the boring would warn you/ be careful of her brigade/ in order to tame this relentless marauder/ move away from the parade.
“’She was walking on the tables/ in the glasshouse/ endearingly bedraggled in the wind/ subtle in her method of seduction/ twenty little tragedies begin’."
All lyrics quoted are used for the purpose of criticism or review.
The Last Shadow Puppets, by Alex Turner and Miles Kane, published by EMI Music Publishing Ltd/Deltasonic Music Ltd, Copyright © and (p) Domino Recording Co Ltd 2008.
“I'm not sure what readers' stance is on trendy scallywags The Arctic Monkeys, but I find myself somewhat surprisingly commending Monkeys main man Alex Turner's Mercury Prize short-listed side project, The Last Shadow Puppets.
“Turner's way with a word recently led to him rubbing shoulders with such esteemed writers as Cohen, Joni and Dylan himself in the Guardian's Great Lyricists booklet series, and it is a combination of his sharp lyrics and the impeccable classic ‘60s sound textures on the Shadow Puppets' "Age of the Understatement" LP which has set my pulse racing these last few weeks.
“Indeed, perusing the sharp and spiky lyrical twists and turns made me wonder when Dylan, famously held up as the world's greatest lyricist, was able to conjure up such original and poetic word play - not in recent times, I fear.
“This, from the opening title track, is offered as an appetiser for those who might dare to explore further:
"’She's playful/ the boring would warn you/ be careful of her brigade/ in order to tame this relentless marauder/ move away from the parade.
“’She was walking on the tables/ in the glasshouse/ endearingly bedraggled in the wind/ subtle in her method of seduction/ twenty little tragedies begin’."
All lyrics quoted are used for the purpose of criticism or review.
The Last Shadow Puppets, by Alex Turner and Miles Kane, published by EMI Music Publishing Ltd/Deltasonic Music Ltd, Copyright © and (p) Domino Recording Co Ltd 2008.
Thursday, 25 September 2008
Neil Young’s legacy examined in the new issue of WIRE
Thanks to Bryn Wilson:
“I’m excited, like you, by all the new Neil Young stuff. You and your readers might be interested in a lengthy article in the latest issue of WIRE - Adventures in Modern Music, the avant-garde music monthly.
“WIRE #296, October 2008, with the Richie Hawtin cover, has a multi-page feature article in its The Primer slot: The Alternative Neil Young. It’s a comprehensive survey from a WIRE perspective, looking at Young’s discography with an original, leftfield slant – a relief from the normal mainstream entertainment view you get in the heritage rock mags.”
“I’m excited, like you, by all the new Neil Young stuff. You and your readers might be interested in a lengthy article in the latest issue of WIRE - Adventures in Modern Music, the avant-garde music monthly.
“WIRE #296, October 2008, with the Richie Hawtin cover, has a multi-page feature article in its The Primer slot: The Alternative Neil Young. It’s a comprehensive survey from a WIRE perspective, looking at Young’s discography with an original, leftfield slant – a relief from the normal mainstream entertainment view you get in the heritage rock mags.”
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
Five new Neil Young products imminent
Like all Neil Young fans still gnashing their teeth at having missed the highly praised European tour earlier this year, I’m looking forward to a slew of new product about to hit the streets, particularly:
* The new release, the oft-bootlegged Sugar Mountain gig, due next Monday
* Don’t Be Denied, a 60-min bio-doc due on BBC Four TV in late October
* The Riverboat, another live gig, from the Archives project, due November
* the multi-disc Archives Volume One, pencilled in for November, but serially delayed.
But I’ll be avoiding the new film chronicling the Living With War tour Young completed in 2006 with CS&N.
Gerry Smith
* The new release, the oft-bootlegged Sugar Mountain gig, due next Monday
* Don’t Be Denied, a 60-min bio-doc due on BBC Four TV in late October
* The Riverboat, another live gig, from the Archives project, due November
* the multi-disc Archives Volume One, pencilled in for November, but serially delayed.
But I’ll be avoiding the new film chronicling the Living With War tour Young completed in 2006 with CS&N.
Gerry Smith
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
Led Zep to Mingus, Howlin’ Wolf to Jacqueline du Pre and June Tabor to Bob Dylan
FREE! Music for grown-ups on the BBC in the next 10 days:
Wed 24 Sept
1200 & 2200 Brahms, Composer Of The Week – BBC Radio 3
(3/5, continues Thurs-Fri)
Thurs 25 Sept
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (rpt) – BBC Radio 2
Fri 26 Sept
1930 Jacqueline du Pre/Elgar Cello Concerto – BBC Four
2335 Roots Manuva, Elbow, Later… - BBC2
Sat 27 Sept
1600 Betty Carter, Jazz Library – BBC Radio 3
2400 Duke Ellington 1940-1974, Jazz Library – BBC Radio 3
Sun 28 Sept
2400 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (s2) – BBC 6 Music
0140 Masked And Anonymous (Dylan – film, with music) – BBC2
Mon 29 September
1200 & 2200 Charles Mingus, Composer Of The Week – BBC Radio 3
(1/5, continues Tues-Fri)
Tues 30 Sept
2230, Dazed & Confused: the Led Zeppelin Legacy – BBC Radio 2
2330 Howlin’ Wolf – BBC Radio 2 (rpt) (2/2)
Thurs 2 Oct
2255 June Tabor, BBC Four Sessions – BBC Four
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (rpt) – BBC Radio 2
Fri 3 Oct
2100 Once Upon A Time In New York (hip hop, disco and punk)
– BBC Four
Online access: many BBC radio programmes are broadcast online, streamed. Please see the channels’ web sites for details. Archived BBC radio and TV programmes are accessible online for a short period via:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Gerry Smith
Wed 24 Sept
1200 & 2200 Brahms, Composer Of The Week – BBC Radio 3
(3/5, continues Thurs-Fri)
Thurs 25 Sept
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (rpt) – BBC Radio 2
Fri 26 Sept
1930 Jacqueline du Pre/Elgar Cello Concerto – BBC Four
2335 Roots Manuva, Elbow, Later… - BBC2
Sat 27 Sept
1600 Betty Carter, Jazz Library – BBC Radio 3
2400 Duke Ellington 1940-1974, Jazz Library – BBC Radio 3
Sun 28 Sept
2400 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (s2) – BBC 6 Music
0140 Masked And Anonymous (Dylan – film, with music) – BBC2
Mon 29 September
1200 & 2200 Charles Mingus, Composer Of The Week – BBC Radio 3
(1/5, continues Tues-Fri)
Tues 30 Sept
2230, Dazed & Confused: the Led Zeppelin Legacy – BBC Radio 2
2330 Howlin’ Wolf – BBC Radio 2 (rpt) (2/2)
Thurs 2 Oct
2255 June Tabor, BBC Four Sessions – BBC Four
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour (rpt) – BBC Radio 2
Fri 3 Oct
2100 Once Upon A Time In New York (hip hop, disco and punk)
– BBC Four
Online access: many BBC radio programmes are broadcast online, streamed. Please see the channels’ web sites for details. Archived BBC radio and TV programmes are accessible online for a short period via:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Gerry Smith
Monday, 22 September 2008
Jazz Magazine: if only…
Jazz rings my bell. Especially classic jazz from the USA, released between 1945 and 1975… Miles, Coltrane, Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Charlie Parker are at the core of my collection.
Now I like a lot of London-based musos and have paid to see many deliver engaging gigs – Stan Tracy, Andy Sheppard, Alec Dankworth, Guy Barker, Alan Skidmore and the like are all very fine musicians but I don’t think even they would claim to be world-class.
I buy music mags and have tried the various London jazz monthlies. Jazzwise comes nearest to satisfying my needs, but I baulk at its bias towards Anglo jazzers. Countries tend to excel in different musics. England for the best in poprock.
Germany for the best classical. Italy for opera. And America, not England, for jazz.
I am, though, deeply impressed by Jazz Magazine, published monthly in Paris: it focuses on the postwar US giants with a healthy leavening of contemporary European artists. The current issue has a Wayne Shorter cover, and recent months have seen Zappa and Hendrix, as well as Miles, Keith Jarrett and Steve Coleman on the cover: a very agreeable mix.
If I lived in France, I’d pick up most issues from my local papetiere, j’en suis sur!
www.jazzmagazine.com
Gerry Smith
Now I like a lot of London-based musos and have paid to see many deliver engaging gigs – Stan Tracy, Andy Sheppard, Alec Dankworth, Guy Barker, Alan Skidmore and the like are all very fine musicians but I don’t think even they would claim to be world-class.
I buy music mags and have tried the various London jazz monthlies. Jazzwise comes nearest to satisfying my needs, but I baulk at its bias towards Anglo jazzers. Countries tend to excel in different musics. England for the best in poprock.
Germany for the best classical. Italy for opera. And America, not England, for jazz.
I am, though, deeply impressed by Jazz Magazine, published monthly in Paris: it focuses on the postwar US giants with a healthy leavening of contemporary European artists. The current issue has a Wayne Shorter cover, and recent months have seen Zappa and Hendrix, as well as Miles, Keith Jarrett and Steve Coleman on the cover: a very agreeable mix.
If I lived in France, I’d pick up most issues from my local papetiere, j’en suis sur!
www.jazzmagazine.com
Gerry Smith
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