What are you listening to? September 2017

[Zeeba Neighba]

U2 - Achtung Baby (1991)

Playing this album reminded me that U2 is in New Orleans on their Joshua Tree anniversary tour. Initially when it was announced months ago, checked with my family if anyone wanted to go, but most didn't; my 17 year old (who's really into music) said he would but hasn't mentioned it since. I saw U2 decades ago and it was a great show, but don't consider it essential to see them again. Also, I had not kept up with their recent work. We had a big (expensive) trip to Washington D.C., and I got distracted with other stuff and never got tickets. Looked last week at StubHub prices but paying $160 per for the privilege of driving down 1 hour to NOLA after work, fighting New Orleans traffic around the Superdome, and getting back late didn't excite me. Now (though once again my son hasn't mentioned it recently) I'm feeling guilty that I'm not showing him U2; will he get to see them again. Shouldn't he see a historic "anniversary tour"?!

I shouldn't beat myself up to much -in the past couple of year, I've brought him to see Bruce Springsteen twice, Rush, Bob Dylan, and Richard Thompson. So he's seen some pretty major artists.

 

[Unsomnambulist]

U2 - Achtung Baby (1991)

Playing this album reminded me that U2 is in New Orleans on their Joshua Tree anniversary tour. Initially when it was announced months ago, checked with my family if anyone wanted to go, but most didn't; my 17 year old (who's really into music) said he would but hasn't mentioned it since. I saw U2 decades ago and it was a great show, but don't consider it essential to see them again. Also, I had not kept up with their recent work. We had a big (expensive) trip to Washington D.C., and I got distracted with other stuff and never got tickets. Looked last week at StubHub prices but paying $160 per for the privilege of driving down 1 hour to NOLA after work, fighting New Orleans traffic around the Superdome, and getting back late didn't excite me. Now (though once again my son hasn't mentioned it recently) I'm feeling guilty that I'm not showing him U2; will he get to see them again. Shouldn't he see a historic "anniversary tour"?!

I shouldn't beat myself up to much -in the past couple of year, I've brought him to see Bruce Springsteen twice, Rush, Bob Dylan, and Richard Thompson. So he's seen some pretty major artists.

You're a great dad; don't sweat it.

 

[Ojai Sam]

I know most of you are all about "post an album cover and move on!" but this is the reason I take any look at all at "what are you listening to." When you throw up an album cover image or one line of text per album, it does nothing for me. (Probably why I find scrobbling so annoying.) But when you tell me WHY you're listening to something and why maybe I should too, then I sit up and pay attention. I would rather, instead of these "what are you listening to?" topics, we'd have more "why are you listening to that?" topics.

Thanks Sam, excellent post.

Thanks a lot, Toe! I really enjoyed thinking through and then writing that post. Glad you liked it.

Your post has already raised the bar for Zeeb I see .

 

[Ojai Sam]

You're a great dad; don't sweat it.

Agreed. But isn't guilt an essential part of parenting anyway?

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Thanks a lot, Toe! I really enjoyed thinking through and then writing that post. Glad you liked it.

Your post has already raised the bar for Zeeb I see .

I meant to post and go, honest! I just couldn't help myself

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Elvis Costello - This Year's Model (1978)

As this is an album I LOVE, I'm surprised that I haven't played it in ages (seemingly...but I don't think this year). In college, I played EC's first four albums over and over and was always amazed when people like my girlfriend (later wife) didn't enjoy them. Punk attitude mixed with quirky, melodic music. A perfect album - when we gettin' to 1978

 

[Pops]

Frozen Planet...1969- From The Centre of a Paralell Universe

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Ty Segall - Manipulator (2014)



One of the best albums to come out in the last 10 years. Psychedelic rock with a garage punk attitude, very uncommonly coupled with flawless production values that add greatly to the pleasure of listening to it. Highlights include "Tall Man, Skinny Lady", "Green Belly" and "The Hand."

 

[Pops]

Paik - The Orson Fader

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Steely Dan - Gaucho (1980)

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Lee Ranaldo - Electric Trim (2017)

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Prophets Of Rage - s/t (2017)



Featuring Tom Morello + Chuck D.

 

[Nickyboy]

Wanda Jackson- Rockin' with Wanda (1960)



Wanda put the grrrrr in girl, and the rock in rockabilly.

 

[Old Uncle Toe]

So it's a funny coincidence.

Wednesday I was talking to a guy about Jimi Hendrix. He tells this story that Miles Davis was in the audience at a Jimi Hendrix concert and was so enthused by it that he immediately went home and started composing Bitches Brew. Disclaimer: I have no idea if this is a true story. I just filed under "Okay. Maybe. Whatever."

Then today, I found the Prog topic here at the new 'gourmets. And lo and behold, there's Bitches Brew in the list.

So I figure God is telling me something.

Just like someone else mentioned, I've never listened to it either. I really don't cotton to improvisational, freeform, whatever-you-call-it jazz. So I've never been much interested. But darned if the thing isn't regarded a classic, a milestone or at the very least an album everyone's heard at least once. So having finished a re-listen of Firewater's The Golden Hour, I am now listening to...

Miles Davis - Bitches Brew

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Primal Scream - Screamadelica (1991)

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Wednesday I was talking to a guy about Jimi Hendrix. He tells this story that Miles Davis was in the audience at a Jimi Hendrix concert and was so enthused by it that he immediately went home and started composing Bitches Brew. Disclaimer: I have no idea if this is a true story. I just filed under "Okay. Maybe. Whatever."

Good story - I'm not sure though if there was that one "A-ha" moment for Miles like that. He got into a number of funk artists around the same time including James Brown and Sly Stone (whom he would befriend).
One of the most important catalysts was Miles' marriage to Betty Davis (whose funk albums are worth checking out on their own merit if you haven't) - she introduced Miles to both Sly and Henrdrix too.

 

[Ojai Sam]

One of the most important catalysts was Miles' marriage to Betty Davis (whose funk albums are worth checking out on their own merit if you haven't) - she introduced Miles to both Sly and Henrdrix too.

By that reasoning better check out Juliette Greco, too.

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

The White Stripes - Elephant (2003)

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Ariel Pink - Dedicated To Bobby Jameson (2017)

 

[Nickyboy]

By that reasoning better check out Juliette Greco, too.

Careful, Sam. Your Ye-Ye is showing.