- "Steve Stapleton planted the idea ."You simply have to make ACID China Doll "
Living in my tiny little room in an Amsterdam squat , living out of the local snack bar on Tuesdays and Thursdays ,living on crumbs of human kindness during the rest of the week, the challenge seemed huge.How to live up to a title like that.
I'd spent the last of my money on an 8-track recorder ,a mixing desk and an Akai sampler.Getting from the door to the bed by the wall involved climbing very carefully. Engineering was done laying down as there was no room for a chair. Still Barry managed to set up his amp and play some inspired guitar parts on what was meant to become the ultimate album in the China Doll series.
In the end I was proud of the uneven beast that emerged, but not proud enough to call it "Acid China doll". Consequently I changed the spelling.
The record company didn't seem to like it and worse they released it in my absence (I was on tour).One whole channel dropped out on one of the tracks as no-one checked the test pressing.
I broke down in their office ,pleading for a re-press. Somebody suggested that they released records by people like Edward Ka-Spel as an act of "charity."This was a relationship that seemed doomed from that moment although they DID put a lot of things right with a cd reissue a few years later- something I still appreciate.
I love "Aazhyd China Doll" just wish I'd made the record that didn't require a change in the spelling."
- Edward Ka-Spel.
"Out on April 9 via Bloodshot Records, Cannery Row mixes the band's Motor City roots with analog Americana, retro twang and a healthy obsession with southern California's country rock glory days."
Soundcloud streaming: - "Oliver Doerell and Roger Doerings Dictaphone might not be the most prolific project around, but what they lack in frequency they make up for in sheer impact. Poems from a rooftop is their third album in ten years, and is the first to feature new member Alexander Stolze on violin. The dusty, haunted jazz of M.=addiction and Vertigo II is still visible, but joined by Stolzes shimmering string tones, giving the already rich sound a further layer of depth.
The title Poems from a rooftop comes from Irans green revolution, where people were so afraid to go out on the street that they emerged on their own rooftops to protest the stifling regime. This sentiment carries into the conflict and shrouded mystery in each song, from the rhythmic, emotive bar-room crawl of The Conversation to the phenomenal Rattle, led by vocalist Mariechen Danz. It seems as if Poems from a rooftop catches a point in the bands career where they appear perfectly at ease with their sound, and able to distil the jazz, subtle electronics and haunting ambience of their previous records into one deftly coherent whole. The result is an arresting, and poignant narrative record which is sure to stand as their finest to date. Poems from a rooftop is proof that the greatest poems might not even need lyrics at all, and Dictaphone manage in a flurry of notes to carry more emotion than an entire script of languid language. These are, without a doubt, poems you wont be so quick to forget."
Sonic Pieces - Apr 13, 2012
More Sonic Pieces / Soundcloud: "Rauelsson is probably best known for intimate guitar and vocal based songs with releases on Hush and even an appearance on the early sonic pieces album Portland Stories compiled by Heather Woods Broderick. With this in mind, Vora comes as a surprise in a grandeur way with its mixture of everything from piano solos, orchestrated classical music, synth buildups and even an shoegaze inspired organ piece sounding like Windy & Carl performing in an empty hallway.
Like a coastal dream impossible to differentiate summer for winter, Vora feels like cold winds slowly warming up. Made in the time Raúl moved from Portland, OR back to his native Spain, settling on the east coast, you can hear the influence of the endlessly forcing waves and empty off-season tourist cities left for the remaining few to discover in peace. Vora is a sure win for fans of Deaf Center´s Pale Ravine, Nils Frahm´s more melancholic moments or film musicians such as Philip Glass and Clint Mansell."
- Sonic Pieces - Jun 14, 2013
NP:
Originally called "Rock et Reel," originally released by Blue Note, this was a leap forward for traditional music, with the introduction of NOLA-style brass.
@GP- a good idea, but I,m on a fairly tight schedule going around primary schools seeing students and in meetings too. I am free late Thursday afternoon if that is any good? Next week on Tuesday I am at a conference in Northampton on Values in Christian Education led by Trevor Cooling, who I am certain you must know - a small world!
Currently listening to Ali and Toumani in hotel room, I need something gentle after busy day examining student teachers on placement.
After mostly ignoring Belle & Sebastian for many years, I suddenly became obsessed with te Dog on Wheels ep, to the point where I just had to buy this.
Listening to these two albums, both out yesterday in U.S. (to be released in Europe in September). I think one or both were first released in Canada last November.
EXCELLENT.
"Gently percolating, sashaying polyrhythms thread their way through a delicate, dreamy lattice of acoustic and electric guitars, creating a warm, translucent backdrop for one of three different lead vocalists. The music has some familiar Caribbean flavors sometimes Cuban, sometimes reggae but the stuttery grooves, characterized by forceful patterns on maracas and scraped turtle shells, are distinct to the Garifuna, who live in parts of Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Belize." - Chicago Reader
"It's a resilient, groovy, somewhat more modern expression of Garifuna culture, a subtle update of the soulful sounds of black Central Americans. It's also proof positive that the band's polyrhythmic, slinky music is not only surviving but flourishing. Ayo means goodbye and the album features some tributes to Palacio and another departed member, Justo Miranda, yet it's ultimately quite upbeat. Ayo is sure to appear on lots of world music year-end Best Of lists." - vita.mn
"For his 10th album Michel deepened his connection, living in Benque Viejo del Carmen and working with musicians from the Garifuna Collective and producer Ivan Duran, whos helped popularize music from Belize. Its a fun and uplifting listen, bursting with acoustic and electric guitar, saxophones, organic, rich backup vocals and tons of Garifuna percussion. The obvious comparison is Paul Simons Graceland, but there are also moments of heavier Talking Heads-like funk." - Now Magazine
"Before you even read this review, go buy this album. Dont think twice. Dont wonder if its deep or approachable. Dont worry if its too long or short. Just sit down with it and give it your full attention. The very nature of combining Canadian acoustic songwriting with the Garifunas sunny world blend has my head spinning. This is the best kind of music and this is the best kind of album. Black Birds Are Dancing Over Me is gold wrapped in chocolate and dipped in sunshine." - Angelica Music
Comments
Canadian, though not much for Canada Day.
Fun, poppy instrumental music. Rec'd by Spotify after listening to a lot of post-rockish stuff over the weekend.
- "Steve Stapleton planted the idea ."You simply have to make ACID China Doll "
Living in my tiny little room in an Amsterdam squat , living out of the local snack bar on Tuesdays and Thursdays ,living on crumbs of human kindness during the rest of the week, the challenge seemed huge.How to live up to a title like that.
I'd spent the last of my money on an 8-track recorder ,a mixing desk and an Akai sampler.Getting from the door to the bed by the wall involved climbing very carefully. Engineering was done laying down as there was no room for a chair. Still Barry managed to set up his amp and play some inspired guitar parts on what was meant to become the ultimate album in the China Doll series.
In the end I was proud of the uneven beast that emerged, but not proud enough to call it "Acid China doll". Consequently I changed the spelling.
The record company didn't seem to like it and worse they released it in my absence (I was on tour).One whole channel dropped out on one of the tracks as no-one checked the test pressing.
I broke down in their office ,pleading for a re-press. Somebody suggested that they released records by people like Edward Ka-Spel as an act of "charity."This was a relationship that seemed doomed from that moment although they DID put a lot of things right with a cd reissue a few years later- something I still appreciate.
I love "Aazhyd China Doll" just wish I'd made the record that didn't require a change in the spelling."
- Edward Ka-Spel.
"Out on April 9 via Bloodshot Records, Cannery Row mixes the band's Motor City roots with analog Americana, retro twang and a healthy obsession with southern California's country rock glory days."
Full album stream on American Songwriter.
I'm liking this one a lot.
- "Oliver Doerell and Roger Doerings Dictaphone might not be the most prolific project around, but what they lack in frequency they make up for in sheer impact. Poems from a rooftop is their third album in ten years, and is the first to feature new member Alexander Stolze on violin. The dusty, haunted jazz of M.=addiction and Vertigo II is still visible, but joined by Stolzes shimmering string tones, giving the already rich sound a further layer of depth.
The title Poems from a rooftop comes from Irans green revolution, where people were so afraid to go out on the street that they emerged on their own rooftops to protest the stifling regime. This sentiment carries into the conflict and shrouded mystery in each song, from the rhythmic, emotive bar-room crawl of The Conversation to the phenomenal Rattle, led by vocalist Mariechen Danz. It seems as if Poems from a rooftop catches a point in the bands career where they appear perfectly at ease with their sound, and able to distil the jazz, subtle electronics and haunting ambience of their previous records into one deftly coherent whole. The result is an arresting, and poignant narrative record which is sure to stand as their finest to date. Poems from a rooftop is proof that the greatest poems might not even need lyrics at all, and Dictaphone manage in a flurry of notes to carry more emotion than an entire script of languid language. These are, without a doubt, poems you wont be so quick to forget."
Sonic Pieces - Apr 13, 2012
"Rauelsson is probably best known for intimate guitar and vocal based songs with releases on Hush and even an appearance on the early sonic pieces album Portland Stories compiled by Heather Woods Broderick. With this in mind, Vora comes as a surprise in a grandeur way with its mixture of everything from piano solos, orchestrated classical music, synth buildups and even an shoegaze inspired organ piece sounding like Windy & Carl performing in an empty hallway.
Like a coastal dream impossible to differentiate summer for winter, Vora feels like cold winds slowly warming up. Made in the time Raúl moved from Portland, OR back to his native Spain, settling on the east coast, you can hear the influence of the endlessly forcing waves and empty off-season tourist cities left for the remaining few to discover in peace. Vora is a sure win for fans of Deaf Center´s Pale Ravine, Nils Frahm´s more melancholic moments or film musicians such as Philip Glass and Clint Mansell."
- Sonic Pieces - Jun 14, 2013
At least the first track, for now - will be released on the 16th.
Originally called "Rock et Reel," originally released by Blue Note, this was a leap forward for traditional music, with the introduction of NOLA-style brass.
Craig
Craig
Compilation of Chuck D project. Free at BlocSonic.
Pogus Productions - 2011
Field Harmonics - Walls
New one from Epic 45's new band, very 80's
Currently listening to Ali and Toumani in hotel room, I need something gentle after busy day examining student teachers on placement.
After mostly ignoring Belle & Sebastian for many years, I suddenly became obsessed with te Dog on Wheels ep, to the point where I just had to buy this.
Lucius - s/t EP
Via the Mom & Pop drip. It's not bad, folky indie pop. Doesn't live up to the kick ass cover, though.
Craig
Potty Mouth - Sun Damage EP
Enjoyable noise pop with some obvious rrriot girl influence. Free/NYOP on Bandcamp.
Craig
releases 12 August 2013
ETA: http://soundcloud.com/jamesmcvinnie
EXCELLENT.
"Gently percolating, sashaying polyrhythms thread their way through a delicate, dreamy lattice of acoustic and electric guitars, creating a warm, translucent backdrop for one of three different lead vocalists. The music has some familiar Caribbean flavors sometimes Cuban, sometimes reggae but the stuttery grooves, characterized by forceful patterns on maracas and scraped turtle shells, are distinct to the Garifuna, who live in parts of Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Belize." - Chicago Reader
"It's a resilient, groovy, somewhat more modern expression of Garifuna culture, a subtle update of the soulful sounds of black Central Americans. It's also proof positive that the band's polyrhythmic, slinky music is not only surviving but flourishing. Ayo means goodbye and the album features some tributes to Palacio and another departed member, Justo Miranda, yet it's ultimately quite upbeat. Ayo is sure to appear on lots of world music year-end Best Of lists." - vita.mn
"For his 10th album Michel deepened his connection, living in Benque Viejo del Carmen and working with musicians from the Garifuna Collective and producer Ivan Duran, whos helped popularize music from Belize. Its a fun and uplifting listen, bursting with acoustic and electric guitar, saxophones, organic, rich backup vocals and tons of Garifuna percussion. The obvious comparison is Paul Simons Graceland, but there are also moments of heavier Talking Heads-like funk." - Now Magazine
"Before you even read this review, go buy this album. Dont think twice. Dont wonder if its deep or approachable. Dont worry if its too long or short. Just sit down with it and give it your full attention. The very nature of combining Canadian acoustic songwriting with the Garifunas sunny world blend has my head spinning. This is the best kind of music and this is the best kind of album. Black Birds Are Dancing Over Me is gold wrapped in chocolate and dipped in sunshine." - Angelica Music
Youtube
Youtube
Yeah!
From amazon mp3; one $.99 37 min. track available in the "Six Classic Albums" set.
These are the things I ponder in the afternoon before a holiday.
Craig