<![CDATA[Music Discussion - Beginner's Guides to ...]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/ Fri, 02 Oct 2026 15:04:31 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Beginner's Guides, revival]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=20465 Tue, 05 Nov 2019 11:50:42 +0000 https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=20465
Any new contributions most welcome, of course. The OP's concept/guidelines are here - https://www.music-discussion.com/showthr...p?tid=3284. 

Cool]]>
Any new contributions most welcome, of course. The OP's concept/guidelines are here - https://www.music-discussion.com/showthr...p?tid=3284. 

Cool]]> <![CDATA[Jimmy Webb]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=16472 Sun, 10 Jul 2016 11:29:00 +0000 https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=16472
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Jimmy Webb is primarily known as a songwriter rather than a recording artist in his own right. Everyone knows of MacArthur Park, Wichita Lineman, By the Time I Get To Phoenix, and Up, Up and Away. During the late 1960's I heard a lot of songs that really took my fancy, and I started to notice that many of them bore the credit "J. Webb". At one point in time he seemed to be the "go to" person if you wanted to get a song written for you to record. People like Glen Campbell, The 5th Dimension and Richard Harris knew success largely on the back of Webb compositions. The 5th Dimension moved away from that sound later on, but most of their early hits were written by Webb and in fact their first two albums were both chiefly made up entirely of Webb compositions..

And in a way, though that earned Jimmy Webb fame and fortune, it has also become a handicap. Around 1970 he decided he had things to say that were best said by singing them himself, rather than through the mouths of other people. The problem was probably one of managing people's expectations. He does not have a fabulous voice but he has an adequate voice, better than certain other singer/songwriters I could name. Nonetheless, people expecting the dulcet tones of Glen Campbell, the polished production of the 5th Dimension, or the operatic style of Richard Harris, might have been slightly shocked at how NORMAL Jimmy Webb sounded as a singer. It has to be said that he has never been wildly successful commercially as a solo artist, and even today about a dozen albums down the track, most people still know him as the guy who wrote those singles for Glen Campbell. Some of his solo songs were covered later by other artists, notably Art Garfunkel and Joe Cocker. There is also - believe it or not - an album by The Supremes consisting entirely of Webb songs.

OK... so about his solo career: these are the albums I have

Words and Music (1970)

His first "real" album. (There was a kind of bootleg album released prior to this, as an attempt to cash in on his success as a songwriter.)
The best moments on this album are absolutely sublime. There are a couple of boring songs, and the quality does seem to taper off towards the end. Worth the price for two tracks alone: "Careless Weed" and "Jerusalem". It also contains "P.F.Sloan", Jimmy's homage to the songwriter of that name, primarily known as a member of The Grass Roots.

Letters (1972)

The quality continues. Like Words and Music, there are a handful of ordinary songs, but the best are excellent. His own rendition of the song "Galveston", which opens the album, is very different from the well-known version by Glen Campbell. Track 2, "Campo de Encino" has a Latin flavour and was apparently written to counter charges by his friend Harry Nilsson that Webb did not reveal enough of a sense of humour in his music (though I don't know how anyone could accuse him of that after scrutinising the words of MacArthur Park). Another highlight is "When Can Brown Begin", a heartfelt plea for better mutual acceptance between the white and black races.

Land's End (1974)

This is in my opinion his best work. Unlike his other albums, it really has no dud tracks. The opener, "Ocean in His eyes", is quite shockingly pop; but then on subsequent listens you realise that it's outstandingly good pop. Later on there is the gospel-tinged "It's a Sin" (which was covered by Glen Campbell), the surprisingly grungy "Alyce Blue Gown" (sic), and the two-part suite "Land's End"/"Asleep On the Wind", which closes the album magnificently. Joni Mitchell is an inspired choice as a guest vocalist on this album.

El Mirage (1977)

Several albums on, Jimmy was still struggling to get much attention as a solo artist, and for this album he handed production and arrangement duties to George Martin. It's a bit less consistent than its predecessor, but it does have two truly outstanding tracks. The first is "The Highwayman", which inspired Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson to form a country supergroup called The Highwaymen and to record this song. The other is "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress", probably better known via Joe Cocker's rendition. (There is also a version in existence of the song done by Jimmy and Joe Cocker as a duet.)

The next album, Angel Heart, was very disappointing and after that I largely lost interest in his solo albums.

There is also another album sandwiched between the first two in my list, And So: On, which does not get very good reviews. Apparently it was put together in a hurry to capitalise on the critical (not commercial) success of Words and Music; containing mostly older songs, it reveals the limitations of Jimmy's voice since he was at that time writing them for other people with much better vocal ranges. If you have heard Jimmy's rendition of his own song MacArthur Park, I think you will agree that it was done much better justice by Richard Harris, and even Donna Summer.

A sample from the first album:

[video=youtube;tFWKyFIDg0g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFWKyFIDg0g[/video]]]>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jimmy Webb is primarily known as a songwriter rather than a recording artist in his own right. Everyone knows of MacArthur Park, Wichita Lineman, By the Time I Get To Phoenix, and Up, Up and Away. During the late 1960's I heard a lot of songs that really took my fancy, and I started to notice that many of them bore the credit "J. Webb". At one point in time he seemed to be the "go to" person if you wanted to get a song written for you to record. People like Glen Campbell, The 5th Dimension and Richard Harris knew success largely on the back of Webb compositions. The 5th Dimension moved away from that sound later on, but most of their early hits were written by Webb and in fact their first two albums were both chiefly made up entirely of Webb compositions..

And in a way, though that earned Jimmy Webb fame and fortune, it has also become a handicap. Around 1970 he decided he had things to say that were best said by singing them himself, rather than through the mouths of other people. The problem was probably one of managing people's expectations. He does not have a fabulous voice but he has an adequate voice, better than certain other singer/songwriters I could name. Nonetheless, people expecting the dulcet tones of Glen Campbell, the polished production of the 5th Dimension, or the operatic style of Richard Harris, might have been slightly shocked at how NORMAL Jimmy Webb sounded as a singer. It has to be said that he has never been wildly successful commercially as a solo artist, and even today about a dozen albums down the track, most people still know him as the guy who wrote those singles for Glen Campbell. Some of his solo songs were covered later by other artists, notably Art Garfunkel and Joe Cocker. There is also - believe it or not - an album by The Supremes consisting entirely of Webb songs.

OK... so about his solo career: these are the albums I have

Words and Music (1970)

His first "real" album. (There was a kind of bootleg album released prior to this, as an attempt to cash in on his success as a songwriter.)
The best moments on this album are absolutely sublime. There are a couple of boring songs, and the quality does seem to taper off towards the end. Worth the price for two tracks alone: "Careless Weed" and "Jerusalem". It also contains "P.F.Sloan", Jimmy's homage to the songwriter of that name, primarily known as a member of The Grass Roots.

Letters (1972)

The quality continues. Like Words and Music, there are a handful of ordinary songs, but the best are excellent. His own rendition of the song "Galveston", which opens the album, is very different from the well-known version by Glen Campbell. Track 2, "Campo de Encino" has a Latin flavour and was apparently written to counter charges by his friend Harry Nilsson that Webb did not reveal enough of a sense of humour in his music (though I don't know how anyone could accuse him of that after scrutinising the words of MacArthur Park). Another highlight is "When Can Brown Begin", a heartfelt plea for better mutual acceptance between the white and black races.

Land's End (1974)

This is in my opinion his best work. Unlike his other albums, it really has no dud tracks. The opener, "Ocean in His eyes", is quite shockingly pop; but then on subsequent listens you realise that it's outstandingly good pop. Later on there is the gospel-tinged "It's a Sin" (which was covered by Glen Campbell), the surprisingly grungy "Alyce Blue Gown" (sic), and the two-part suite "Land's End"/"Asleep On the Wind", which closes the album magnificently. Joni Mitchell is an inspired choice as a guest vocalist on this album.

El Mirage (1977)

Several albums on, Jimmy was still struggling to get much attention as a solo artist, and for this album he handed production and arrangement duties to George Martin. It's a bit less consistent than its predecessor, but it does have two truly outstanding tracks. The first is "The Highwayman", which inspired Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson to form a country supergroup called The Highwaymen and to record this song. The other is "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress", probably better known via Joe Cocker's rendition. (There is also a version in existence of the song done by Jimmy and Joe Cocker as a duet.)

The next album, Angel Heart, was very disappointing and after that I largely lost interest in his solo albums.

There is also another album sandwiched between the first two in my list, And So: On, which does not get very good reviews. Apparently it was put together in a hurry to capitalise on the critical (not commercial) success of Words and Music; containing mostly older songs, it reveals the limitations of Jimmy's voice since he was at that time writing them for other people with much better vocal ranges. If you have heard Jimmy's rendition of his own song MacArthur Park, I think you will agree that it was done much better justice by Richard Harris, and even Donna Summer.

A sample from the first album:

[video=youtube;tFWKyFIDg0g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFWKyFIDg0g[/video]]]> <![CDATA[Joni Mitchell]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=16261 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 22:20:58 +0000 https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=16261
Gradually I have acquired nearly all her studio albums, meaning that I probably now have more albums by Joni than by any other artist or band. (I'll have to do a count sometime and verify that.) There are only a handful that I don't care for.

I'm not sure how this thread will evolve. I may end up reviewing some particular albums in detail, a la Crazy Horse, but for now I'll just give a potted history of her career with my own impressions.

I group Joni's career into four eras. I only list albums of new original material, not compilations or live albums.

(1) Folky period

Albums:


(2) Jazz influences becoming more prominent

Albums:


(3) Trending more to pop/rock

Albums:


(4) Later period: much less of a pop sound with a return to the earlier folk and jazz influences

Albums:



In listing the albums that define each era, naturally there is transition rather than a sudden shift from one style to another. For example, Blue sits comfortably alongside For the Roses, but the latter is where she was starting to sound less like a folk singer and incorporate more of a jazz sound. This reaches its peak on The Hissing of Summer Lawns and Don Juan's Reckless Daughter, and of course Mingus, which is really a Joni Mitchell/Charlie Mingus collaboration album and is authentically jazz.

There is an abrupt change with the next album, Wild Things Run Fast. This is a pop record, almost from start to finish, and as such it's probably my least favourite release of hers. there are some OK songs on here; there are others where I think "Hmmm, right, she can do this style, but why does she bother?" The following two albums are better, though in more or less the same vein; Dog Eat Dog has some filler, but several standout tracks, while Chalk Mark has the brilliant "The Beat of Black Wings", a harrowing tale of a Vietnam war veteran reflecting on his experiences.

Turbulent Indigo was, in my opinion, a "return to form". I would describe it as a melding of the styles from her first and second periods. It has a stunning cover of the song "How Do You Stop", originally recorded by James Brown. Taming the Tiger is fairly similar in style, but for some reason the songs did not hold my interest as much as those on the preceding album. With Shine she seemed to almost come full circle; many of those songs would not sound at all out of place on Song to a Seagull. I was really surprised how good it was, and if it's her finale - which, given her recent illness, looks to be the case - then it's a worthy end to her career. It is quite a depressing album if you listen closely to the lyrics, but she seems to sound a faint note of hope on the final two songs.

OK, so here are my favourites:

Song To a Seagull. I love all her work from this period, but this is my favourite. the opening track, "I Had a King" pretty much says "This is the kind of singer I am"; it's as good a summation of her early period as you could get.

For the Roses

Court and Spark

The Hissing of Summer Lawns. These three are from my favourite Joni period, but "Hissing" just edges out the other two to make it probably my favourite Joni album. There is a kind of concept here, most of the songs are to do with the dysfunctional nature of the traditional relationship between a man and a woman. It culminates in the song "Harry's House", a song with a slightly sinister air, whose storyline I still have not quite figured out.

Hejira

Turbulent Indigo

Shine

Albums I am not so keen on:

Mingus (I am just not enough of a hard core jazz fan to appreciate it)
Wild Things Run Fast (some very ordinary songs here)
Dog Eat Dog (I have it, but there are really only three tracks on it that that I call essential)
Chalk Mark In a Rainstorm (don't have it, but probably almost worth it for the aforementioned Black Wings track)
Taming the Tiger (it's OK, but a slightly disappointing follow-up to Turbulent Indigo).

I left it right to the end to mention Don Juan's Reckless Daughter. This is a very strange album. Some of the songs sound like vintage Joni, while others do not sound like Joni or like anybody else I can think of. There is one track "The Tenth World" that is all percussion; there is another, "Paprika Plains" that takes up about a quarter of the album and is largely Joni singing over free-form improvised piano, moving through several different stages or movements; think of "A Day In the Life" gone mad. I bought this album on spec, and initially I was a bit taken aback by it, but I have found myself returning to it. It's definitely her most experimental album, and I wouldn't recommend it as an entry point, but it has grown on me.

-------------------------------------------------------

It's one of my regrets that Joni is an artist I have never got to see perform live, and it looks very unlikely now that I will ever have the chance. Still, even if she never records or sings again, she has cemented her place in popular music. Allmusic suggested that she may be the most influential female recording artist of the 20th century. Personally I don't have much doubt about that.]]>
Gradually I have acquired nearly all her studio albums, meaning that I probably now have more albums by Joni than by any other artist or band. (I'll have to do a count sometime and verify that.) There are only a handful that I don't care for.

I'm not sure how this thread will evolve. I may end up reviewing some particular albums in detail, a la Crazy Horse, but for now I'll just give a potted history of her career with my own impressions.

I group Joni's career into four eras. I only list albums of new original material, not compilations or live albums.

(1) Folky period

Albums:


(2) Jazz influences becoming more prominent

Albums:


(3) Trending more to pop/rock

Albums:


(4) Later period: much less of a pop sound with a return to the earlier folk and jazz influences

Albums:



In listing the albums that define each era, naturally there is transition rather than a sudden shift from one style to another. For example, Blue sits comfortably alongside For the Roses, but the latter is where she was starting to sound less like a folk singer and incorporate more of a jazz sound. This reaches its peak on The Hissing of Summer Lawns and Don Juan's Reckless Daughter, and of course Mingus, which is really a Joni Mitchell/Charlie Mingus collaboration album and is authentically jazz.

There is an abrupt change with the next album, Wild Things Run Fast. This is a pop record, almost from start to finish, and as such it's probably my least favourite release of hers. there are some OK songs on here; there are others where I think "Hmmm, right, she can do this style, but why does she bother?" The following two albums are better, though in more or less the same vein; Dog Eat Dog has some filler, but several standout tracks, while Chalk Mark has the brilliant "The Beat of Black Wings", a harrowing tale of a Vietnam war veteran reflecting on his experiences.

Turbulent Indigo was, in my opinion, a "return to form". I would describe it as a melding of the styles from her first and second periods. It has a stunning cover of the song "How Do You Stop", originally recorded by James Brown. Taming the Tiger is fairly similar in style, but for some reason the songs did not hold my interest as much as those on the preceding album. With Shine she seemed to almost come full circle; many of those songs would not sound at all out of place on Song to a Seagull. I was really surprised how good it was, and if it's her finale - which, given her recent illness, looks to be the case - then it's a worthy end to her career. It is quite a depressing album if you listen closely to the lyrics, but she seems to sound a faint note of hope on the final two songs.

OK, so here are my favourites:

Song To a Seagull. I love all her work from this period, but this is my favourite. the opening track, "I Had a King" pretty much says "This is the kind of singer I am"; it's as good a summation of her early period as you could get.

For the Roses

Court and Spark

The Hissing of Summer Lawns. These three are from my favourite Joni period, but "Hissing" just edges out the other two to make it probably my favourite Joni album. There is a kind of concept here, most of the songs are to do with the dysfunctional nature of the traditional relationship between a man and a woman. It culminates in the song "Harry's House", a song with a slightly sinister air, whose storyline I still have not quite figured out.

Hejira

Turbulent Indigo

Shine

Albums I am not so keen on:

Mingus (I am just not enough of a hard core jazz fan to appreciate it)
Wild Things Run Fast (some very ordinary songs here)
Dog Eat Dog (I have it, but there are really only three tracks on it that that I call essential)
Chalk Mark In a Rainstorm (don't have it, but probably almost worth it for the aforementioned Black Wings track)
Taming the Tiger (it's OK, but a slightly disappointing follow-up to Turbulent Indigo).

I left it right to the end to mention Don Juan's Reckless Daughter. This is a very strange album. Some of the songs sound like vintage Joni, while others do not sound like Joni or like anybody else I can think of. There is one track "The Tenth World" that is all percussion; there is another, "Paprika Plains" that takes up about a quarter of the album and is largely Joni singing over free-form improvised piano, moving through several different stages or movements; think of "A Day In the Life" gone mad. I bought this album on spec, and initially I was a bit taken aback by it, but I have found myself returning to it. It's definitely her most experimental album, and I wouldn't recommend it as an entry point, but it has grown on me.

-------------------------------------------------------

It's one of my regrets that Joni is an artist I have never got to see perform live, and it looks very unlikely now that I will ever have the chance. Still, even if she never records or sings again, she has cemented her place in popular music. Allmusic suggested that she may be the most influential female recording artist of the 20th century. Personally I don't have much doubt about that.]]> <![CDATA[Talking Heads]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=13746 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 00:19:03 +0000 https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=13746 Talking Heads

One of the biggest new wave bands to come out of the late 70's and 80's, Talking Heads got their start as an all-American punk band before switching their focus to more funk oriented music with a splash of world music thrown in.

Introduction
The Heads consisted of four main members:
David Byrne - Lead vocalist, guitars
Jerry Harrison - Guitars, keyboards
Tina Weymouth - Bass
Chris Frantz - Percussion

Other members would join the group on tours and later albums. The band got their start when Byrne, Frantz, and Weymouth met at the Rhode Island School of Design. Byrne and Frantz formed a band called The Artistics in 1974. The trio moved to New York a year later, and Frantz convinced Weymouth, who was his girlfriend at the time, to join the band as a bassist. This was when they changed their name to Talking Heads. In 1977, Jerry Harrison was added to the band and they began work on their first album.

Talking Heads: 77 (1977)
[Image: 3168WX407PL._SX355_.jpg]
The band's debut album featured a healthy dose of punk music. The album contained the group's first hit, "Psycho Killer."

Highlights from Talking Heads: 77:
Uh Oh, Love Comes to Town
[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9CjnDufqeQ"]Don't Worry About the Government
[/URL]Psycho Killer

More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978)
[Image: TalkingHeads.jpg]
This was the first of 3 albums that would be produced by the legendary Brian Eno. This album focused much more on funk elements than their last album.

Highlights from More Songs About Buildings and Food:
Thank You For Sending Me an Angel
Found a Job
[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ar2VHW1i2w"]Take Me to the River
[/URL]
Fear of Music (1979)
[Image: Talking_Heads-Fear_Of_Music_b.jpg]
Fear of Music was again produced by Brian Eno. On this album, the band's love of African rhythms started to show, especially on the opening track, "I Zimbra." This album also spawned a successful club hit for the band, "Life During Wartime."

Highlights from Fear of Music:
[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-RDJ4Z4XrQ"]I Zimbra
[/URL]Life During Wartime
[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGpE2oXf0aE"]Drugs

[/URL]Remain in Light (1980)
[Image: R-2429359-1408880068-2502.jpeg.jpg]
Remain in Light was the final album to be produced by Brian Eno. The album contains even more elements from funk and world music than the last two albums, and is often considered to be the best album by the band. It also includes one of their most well known songs, "Once in a Lifetime," though at the time it was not a hit. A year after this album was released, Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth formed the dance group Tom Tom Club.

Highlights from Remain in Light:
Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)
Once in a Lifetime
[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEluoeMLTCI"]Listening Wind
[/URL]
The Name of This Band is Talking Heads (1982)
[Image: The_Name_of_This_Band_Is_Talking_Heads.jpg]
This was the band's first live album. It was later re-released on CD with nearly twice the amount of tracks.

Speaking in Tongues (1983)
[Image: talking-heads.jpg]
Speaking in Tongues was strictly a new wave album. The album is heavily focused on funk and dance music, with the CD and cassette releases featuring extended versions of nearly every song. This album also contained the band's biggest hit in America, "Burning Down the House."

Highlights from Speaking in Tongues:
[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNnAvTTaJjM"]Burning Down the House
[/URL]Making Flippy Floppy[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNnAvTTaJjM"]
[/URL][URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9gK2fOq4MY"]This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)
[/URL]
Stop Making Sense (1984)
[Image: talking-heads-stop-making-sense-zps3f983...234007.jpg]
This was the band's second live album, and was also the soundtrack to their concert film of the same name, directed by Jonathan Demme.

Little Creatures (1985)
[Image: 51299JR029L.jpg]
After earning themselves a massive hit with "Burning Down the House," the group decided to try and get some more hits on this album. It spawned a couple hits, one of which, "Road to Nowhere," became their biggest hit in the UK.

Highlights from Little Creatures:
And She Was
Television Man
Road to Nowhere

True Stories (1986)
[Image: Talking_Heads_-_True_Stories_-1986-.jpg]
Yes, that's the actual album cover. Often considered to be the low point of the band's career, True Stories was meant to be a soundtrack album to Byrne's directorial debut of the same name. The difference here is that instead of the characters from the movie singing the songs, Byrne just got the Heads together and re-recorded all of the songs (which he later regretted.) Still, the album did spawn the band a big hit with "Wild, Wild Life."

Highlights from True Stories:
Love for Sale[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWP07YgUWig"]
Wild, Wild Life
[/URL]
Naked (1988)
[Image: 09ed7860f0fc056155155d7a0530741846b3a436.jpg]
The band's final album was sort of a return to the old sound that got the band popular in the first place: well, almost. Instead of experimenting with African elements, this album focuses much more on Latin rhythms.

Highlights from Naked:
Blind
[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1HgqXm42O8"]Totally Nude
[/URL](Nothing But) Flowers

Break-Up, "No Talking Just Head," and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The band officially broke up in 1991, after recording a few more songs for an upcoming compilation album. From there, Byrne went on to continue his extensive solo career, while Weymouth and Frantz continued working on Tom Tom Club albums. In 1995, Weymouth, Frantz, and Harrison joined together to attempt to revive the band. They planned to release several albums under the name "The Heads," and they recorded their first album "No Talking, Just Head" without Byrne. This album instead included several guest singers, including Debbie Harry. Byrne was not pleased however, and sued the members. The case was settled out of court, but this was the only album released by The Heads. In 2002, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. There, they performed a couple songs together, including "Psycho Killer" and "Burning Down the House." Since then, the band has not reformed and they have no plans to, due to the other members' feelings towards David Byrne. Talking Heads are fondly remembered as some of the most innovative and interesting musicians from the 1980's. Take some time to check out some of these incredible albums by this incredible band.]]> Talking Heads

One of the biggest new wave bands to come out of the late 70's and 80's, Talking Heads got their start as an all-American punk band before switching their focus to more funk oriented music with a splash of world music thrown in.

Introduction
The Heads consisted of four main members:
David Byrne - Lead vocalist, guitars
Jerry Harrison - Guitars, keyboards
Tina Weymouth - Bass
Chris Frantz - Percussion

Other members would join the group on tours and later albums. The band got their start when Byrne, Frantz, and Weymouth met at the Rhode Island School of Design. Byrne and Frantz formed a band called The Artistics in 1974. The trio moved to New York a year later, and Frantz convinced Weymouth, who was his girlfriend at the time, to join the band as a bassist. This was when they changed their name to Talking Heads. In 1977, Jerry Harrison was added to the band and they began work on their first album.

Talking Heads: 77 (1977)
[Image: 3168WX407PL._SX355_.jpg]
The band's debut album featured a healthy dose of punk music. The album contained the group's first hit, "Psycho Killer."

Highlights from Talking Heads: 77:
Uh Oh, Love Comes to Town
[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9CjnDufqeQ"]Don't Worry About the Government
[/URL]Psycho Killer

More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978)
[Image: TalkingHeads.jpg]
This was the first of 3 albums that would be produced by the legendary Brian Eno. This album focused much more on funk elements than their last album.

Highlights from More Songs About Buildings and Food:
Thank You For Sending Me an Angel
Found a Job
[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ar2VHW1i2w"]Take Me to the River
[/URL]
Fear of Music (1979)
[Image: Talking_Heads-Fear_Of_Music_b.jpg]
Fear of Music was again produced by Brian Eno. On this album, the band's love of African rhythms started to show, especially on the opening track, "I Zimbra." This album also spawned a successful club hit for the band, "Life During Wartime."

Highlights from Fear of Music:
[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-RDJ4Z4XrQ"]I Zimbra
[/URL]Life During Wartime
[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGpE2oXf0aE"]Drugs

[/URL]Remain in Light (1980)
[Image: R-2429359-1408880068-2502.jpeg.jpg]
Remain in Light was the final album to be produced by Brian Eno. The album contains even more elements from funk and world music than the last two albums, and is often considered to be the best album by the band. It also includes one of their most well known songs, "Once in a Lifetime," though at the time it was not a hit. A year after this album was released, Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth formed the dance group Tom Tom Club.

Highlights from Remain in Light:
Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)
Once in a Lifetime
[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEluoeMLTCI"]Listening Wind
[/URL]
The Name of This Band is Talking Heads (1982)
[Image: The_Name_of_This_Band_Is_Talking_Heads.jpg]
This was the band's first live album. It was later re-released on CD with nearly twice the amount of tracks.

Speaking in Tongues (1983)
[Image: talking-heads.jpg]
Speaking in Tongues was strictly a new wave album. The album is heavily focused on funk and dance music, with the CD and cassette releases featuring extended versions of nearly every song. This album also contained the band's biggest hit in America, "Burning Down the House."

Highlights from Speaking in Tongues:
[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNnAvTTaJjM"]Burning Down the House
[/URL]Making Flippy Floppy[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNnAvTTaJjM"]
[/URL][URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9gK2fOq4MY"]This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)
[/URL]
Stop Making Sense (1984)
[Image: talking-heads-stop-making-sense-zps3f983...234007.jpg]
This was the band's second live album, and was also the soundtrack to their concert film of the same name, directed by Jonathan Demme.

Little Creatures (1985)
[Image: 51299JR029L.jpg]
After earning themselves a massive hit with "Burning Down the House," the group decided to try and get some more hits on this album. It spawned a couple hits, one of which, "Road to Nowhere," became their biggest hit in the UK.

Highlights from Little Creatures:
And She Was
Television Man
Road to Nowhere

True Stories (1986)
[Image: Talking_Heads_-_True_Stories_-1986-.jpg]
Yes, that's the actual album cover. Often considered to be the low point of the band's career, True Stories was meant to be a soundtrack album to Byrne's directorial debut of the same name. The difference here is that instead of the characters from the movie singing the songs, Byrne just got the Heads together and re-recorded all of the songs (which he later regretted.) Still, the album did spawn the band a big hit with "Wild, Wild Life."

Highlights from True Stories:
Love for Sale[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWP07YgUWig"]
Wild, Wild Life
[/URL]
Naked (1988)
[Image: 09ed7860f0fc056155155d7a0530741846b3a436.jpg]
The band's final album was sort of a return to the old sound that got the band popular in the first place: well, almost. Instead of experimenting with African elements, this album focuses much more on Latin rhythms.

Highlights from Naked:
Blind
[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1HgqXm42O8"]Totally Nude
[/URL](Nothing But) Flowers

Break-Up, "No Talking Just Head," and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The band officially broke up in 1991, after recording a few more songs for an upcoming compilation album. From there, Byrne went on to continue his extensive solo career, while Weymouth and Frantz continued working on Tom Tom Club albums. In 1995, Weymouth, Frantz, and Harrison joined together to attempt to revive the band. They planned to release several albums under the name "The Heads," and they recorded their first album "No Talking, Just Head" without Byrne. This album instead included several guest singers, including Debbie Harry. Byrne was not pleased however, and sued the members. The case was settled out of court, but this was the only album released by The Heads. In 2002, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. There, they performed a couple songs together, including "Psycho Killer" and "Burning Down the House." Since then, the band has not reformed and they have no plans to, due to the other members' feelings towards David Byrne. Talking Heads are fondly remembered as some of the most innovative and interesting musicians from the 1980's. Take some time to check out some of these incredible albums by this incredible band.]]> <![CDATA[David Bowie]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=5775 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 23:01:30 +0000 https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=5775 [Image: David%2BBowie3.jpg]





David Bowie is the only artist I really know, so I'd like to share my "passion" for his music with you all. I tried to make that thread as short, clear and clean as possible, I hope you'll enjoy reading it and that it'll lead you to appreciate an incredible artist. Songs will be in italic and albums will be underlined. Every link leads to a YouTube video, except where noted. This guide will be presented like this:

I. Early Work (1964-1968)
II. The "Golden Years" (1969-1983)
III. The "Floppy Years" (1984-1988)
IV. The Come-Back (1989-present?)
V. More Information
VI. Further listening: my personal favourites
VII. More Bowie

Introduction:

David Bowie has released 25 studio albums in a five-decade long career. This is why I listen to him with a precise chronology in mind. It's only a way of listening and you don't have to follow it, but it seemed a good way to present him. I therefore gave many dates so you can see his evolution in time. He's experimented many genres, so it's difficult to choose a particular song to get a taste. After listening to many songs, I picked Changes from Hunky Dory (1971), which seemed appropriate.

I. Early Work

[Image: david-bowie4.jpg?size=400x400]



From 1964 to 1968, David Bowie was part of many bands such as The Konrads, The Manish Boys or The Feathers, but none of them really worked. He released a solo album in 1967 called David Bowie, and personally, I don't like it. Here is his first single, Liza Jane, released with The Manish Boys in 1964 (new version from 2004).

II. The "Golden Years"

[Image: david-bowie-8929.jpg]



David Bowie became famous thanks to his single Space Oddity in 1969, released for the first landing on the Moon. Between 1970 and 1983, he released thirteen very good albums in totally different genres. I'd be glad to tell you all I know about each and every of them, but I'm afraid I'd bore you after a while. So here is a small list of one song for each album which I found relevant. It's never my favourite one, but I picked it for the particular sound of the album.
The Man Who Sold The World from The Man Who Sold The World (1970).
Life On Mars? from Hunky Dory (1971).
Starman from The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars (1972).
Aladdin Sane from Aladdin Sane (1973).
Rebel Rebel from Diamond Dogs (1974).
Young Americans from Young Americans (1975).
Golden Years from Station To Station (1976).
Sound And Vision from Low (early 1977).
"Heroes" from "Heroes" (late 1977).
Boys Keep Swinging from Lodger (1979).
Ashes To Ashes from Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) (1980).
Let's Dance from Let's Dance (1983).
I didn't give anything from Pin Ups (1973), which is an album exclusively composed of covers.

III. The "Floppy Years"

[Image: david-bowie-138.jpg]



After his amazing seventies and early eighties, Bowie had a time when inspiration was slow to come. He released his two must overrated albums, Tonight (1984) and Never Let Me Down (1987), which are not VERY bad, but much worse than anything he'd done before. However, he did a couple of very good songs, including Loving The Alien (1984). That particular song has a lot of meaning in both the lyrics and the video, even though it's not his best music.

IV. The Come-Back

[Image: david-bowie-8943.jpg]



In 1989, David Bowie decided he was bored of releasing things he didn't like, so he created a band, Tin Machine, in order to be only one of the guys and find himself back. It didn't really work, because almost all the Tin Machine fans listened to the music only for Bowie, but he did find his way. After two studio albums, Tin Machine (1989) and Tin Machine II (1991), he went back to his solo career. Before going on, a few Tin Machine songs: Heaven's In Here (1989), You Belong In Rock 'N' Roll (1991).
Between 1993 and 2003, he released seven quite good albums:
Black Tie White Noise from Black Tie White Noise (1993).
Bleed Like A Craze, Dad from The Buddha of Suburbia (1993).
I Have Not Been To Oxford Town from Outside (1995).
I'm Afraid Of Americans from Earthling (1997).
Something In The Air from 'Hours...' (1999) (video really starts at 1:30).
Heathen (The Rays) from Heathen (2002).
Reality from Reality (2003).

This is sadly the end of his discography to this day. He's been in a semi-retirement from 2004 due to health problems and rumor has it that he won't come back.

V. More Information

[Image: bowie.jpg]



If you'd like to have a little more information, you should read The Complete David Bowie (link to Amazon) by Nicholas Pegg. Maybe not complete, but still very relevant. You can also look up his Wikipedia page which is very good, or Tin Machine's.
Don't hesitate to ask me as many questions as you want or to point out some mistakes either on this topic or by message, I'd be glad to answer!

VI. Further Listening: my personal favourites

[Image: David%2BBowie%2BBest%2Bhair%2Bever.jpg]



It is very difficult for any Bowie fan to find a favourite song or album, since they are all so different. However, I can advise you:
Studio albums:
- The Berlin-Trilogy (Low, "Heroes" and Lodger), his most highly-regarded work.
- Hunky Dory.
- The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars.
- Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps).
- Heathen.

I hate "Best Of"s and other compilations, however, these three live albums work as great compilations and give new versions of earlier songs:
- Bowie At The Beeb (1968-1972).
- David Live (1974).
- Stage (1978).

At the moment, I'm also a big fan of his plastic-soul era in his two albums Young Americans and Station To Station.

Here is my list of twelve favourites in chronological order, but it really breaks my heart to give so few songs. I hope you'll like them:
- The Width Of A Circle (1970).
- The Bewlay Brothers (1971).
- Rock 'N' Roll Suicide (1972).
- Soul Love (1972).
- Lady Grinning Soul (1973).
- Cracked Actor (1973).
- Big Brother (1974): this is my favourite version of this song ever. The sound is not really great since it's a bootleg, but the arrangement is simply amazing.
- Footstompin' (1975): it's not one of his songs and he only performed it live once, but I still love it. It's an early version of Fame, co-written with John Lennon.
- Stay (1976).
- Some Are (1977).
- Blackout (1977).
- Look Back In Anger (1979).

According to me, Ashes To Ashes is his best song ever. It is not my favourite, because I don't have one, but I've never heard an other song like this one. Have you ever heard a song almost entirely sang in falsetto, with backing singers like an army of ghost, and such eerie sounds?

My latest discovery: the Ziggy Satrdust: The Motion Picture Soundtrack version of Oh! You Pretty Things. It is quite different from the original 1971 version.

VII. More Bowie

[Image: C-david-bowie-1.jpg]



David Bowie also worked as an actor. His first film, The Man Who Fell To Earth, was released in 1975. It's the only one I've seen, and it's amazing. But it's a very weird movie, very disturbing and not entertaining at all.
He is also linked to many artists such as Mott The Hoople, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Marc Bolan and T. Rex, Brian Eno, Mick Ronson, John Lennon... If you search, you might find him almost everywhere Wink

I hoped you enjoyed reading this Beginners guide (and its very scholar presentation) and loved Bowie as much as I do. I wish I could discover him again every day. Feel free to leave comments or ask any questions!]]> [Image: David%2BBowie3.jpg]





David Bowie is the only artist I really know, so I'd like to share my "passion" for his music with you all. I tried to make that thread as short, clear and clean as possible, I hope you'll enjoy reading it and that it'll lead you to appreciate an incredible artist. Songs will be in italic and albums will be underlined. Every link leads to a YouTube video, except where noted. This guide will be presented like this:

I. Early Work (1964-1968)
II. The "Golden Years" (1969-1983)
III. The "Floppy Years" (1984-1988)
IV. The Come-Back (1989-present?)
V. More Information
VI. Further listening: my personal favourites
VII. More Bowie

Introduction:

David Bowie has released 25 studio albums in a five-decade long career. This is why I listen to him with a precise chronology in mind. It's only a way of listening and you don't have to follow it, but it seemed a good way to present him. I therefore gave many dates so you can see his evolution in time. He's experimented many genres, so it's difficult to choose a particular song to get a taste. After listening to many songs, I picked Changes from Hunky Dory (1971), which seemed appropriate.

I. Early Work

[Image: david-bowie4.jpg?size=400x400]



From 1964 to 1968, David Bowie was part of many bands such as The Konrads, The Manish Boys or The Feathers, but none of them really worked. He released a solo album in 1967 called David Bowie, and personally, I don't like it. Here is his first single, Liza Jane, released with The Manish Boys in 1964 (new version from 2004).

II. The "Golden Years"

[Image: david-bowie-8929.jpg]



David Bowie became famous thanks to his single Space Oddity in 1969, released for the first landing on the Moon. Between 1970 and 1983, he released thirteen very good albums in totally different genres. I'd be glad to tell you all I know about each and every of them, but I'm afraid I'd bore you after a while. So here is a small list of one song for each album which I found relevant. It's never my favourite one, but I picked it for the particular sound of the album.
The Man Who Sold The World from The Man Who Sold The World (1970).
Life On Mars? from Hunky Dory (1971).
Starman from The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars (1972).
Aladdin Sane from Aladdin Sane (1973).
Rebel Rebel from Diamond Dogs (1974).
Young Americans from Young Americans (1975).
Golden Years from Station To Station (1976).
Sound And Vision from Low (early 1977).
"Heroes" from "Heroes" (late 1977).
Boys Keep Swinging from Lodger (1979).
Ashes To Ashes from Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) (1980).
Let's Dance from Let's Dance (1983).
I didn't give anything from Pin Ups (1973), which is an album exclusively composed of covers.

III. The "Floppy Years"

[Image: david-bowie-138.jpg]



After his amazing seventies and early eighties, Bowie had a time when inspiration was slow to come. He released his two must overrated albums, Tonight (1984) and Never Let Me Down (1987), which are not VERY bad, but much worse than anything he'd done before. However, he did a couple of very good songs, including Loving The Alien (1984). That particular song has a lot of meaning in both the lyrics and the video, even though it's not his best music.

IV. The Come-Back

[Image: david-bowie-8943.jpg]



In 1989, David Bowie decided he was bored of releasing things he didn't like, so he created a band, Tin Machine, in order to be only one of the guys and find himself back. It didn't really work, because almost all the Tin Machine fans listened to the music only for Bowie, but he did find his way. After two studio albums, Tin Machine (1989) and Tin Machine II (1991), he went back to his solo career. Before going on, a few Tin Machine songs: Heaven's In Here (1989), You Belong In Rock 'N' Roll (1991).
Between 1993 and 2003, he released seven quite good albums:
Black Tie White Noise from Black Tie White Noise (1993).
Bleed Like A Craze, Dad from The Buddha of Suburbia (1993).
I Have Not Been To Oxford Town from Outside (1995).
I'm Afraid Of Americans from Earthling (1997).
Something In The Air from 'Hours...' (1999) (video really starts at 1:30).
Heathen (The Rays) from Heathen (2002).
Reality from Reality (2003).

This is sadly the end of his discography to this day. He's been in a semi-retirement from 2004 due to health problems and rumor has it that he won't come back.

V. More Information

[Image: bowie.jpg]



If you'd like to have a little more information, you should read The Complete David Bowie (link to Amazon) by Nicholas Pegg. Maybe not complete, but still very relevant. You can also look up his Wikipedia page which is very good, or Tin Machine's.
Don't hesitate to ask me as many questions as you want or to point out some mistakes either on this topic or by message, I'd be glad to answer!

VI. Further Listening: my personal favourites

[Image: David%2BBowie%2BBest%2Bhair%2Bever.jpg]



It is very difficult for any Bowie fan to find a favourite song or album, since they are all so different. However, I can advise you:
Studio albums:
- The Berlin-Trilogy (Low, "Heroes" and Lodger), his most highly-regarded work.
- Hunky Dory.
- The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars.
- Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps).
- Heathen.

I hate "Best Of"s and other compilations, however, these three live albums work as great compilations and give new versions of earlier songs:
- Bowie At The Beeb (1968-1972).
- David Live (1974).
- Stage (1978).

At the moment, I'm also a big fan of his plastic-soul era in his two albums Young Americans and Station To Station.

Here is my list of twelve favourites in chronological order, but it really breaks my heart to give so few songs. I hope you'll like them:
- The Width Of A Circle (1970).
- The Bewlay Brothers (1971).
- Rock 'N' Roll Suicide (1972).
- Soul Love (1972).
- Lady Grinning Soul (1973).
- Cracked Actor (1973).
- Big Brother (1974): this is my favourite version of this song ever. The sound is not really great since it's a bootleg, but the arrangement is simply amazing.
- Footstompin' (1975): it's not one of his songs and he only performed it live once, but I still love it. It's an early version of Fame, co-written with John Lennon.
- Stay (1976).
- Some Are (1977).
- Blackout (1977).
- Look Back In Anger (1979).

According to me, Ashes To Ashes is his best song ever. It is not my favourite, because I don't have one, but I've never heard an other song like this one. Have you ever heard a song almost entirely sang in falsetto, with backing singers like an army of ghost, and such eerie sounds?

My latest discovery: the Ziggy Satrdust: The Motion Picture Soundtrack version of Oh! You Pretty Things. It is quite different from the original 1971 version.

VII. More Bowie

[Image: C-david-bowie-1.jpg]



David Bowie also worked as an actor. His first film, The Man Who Fell To Earth, was released in 1975. It's the only one I've seen, and it's amazing. But it's a very weird movie, very disturbing and not entertaining at all.
He is also linked to many artists such as Mott The Hoople, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Marc Bolan and T. Rex, Brian Eno, Mick Ronson, John Lennon... If you search, you might find him almost everywhere Wink

I hoped you enjoyed reading this Beginners guide (and its very scholar presentation) and loved Bowie as much as I do. I wish I could discover him again every day. Feel free to leave comments or ask any questions!]]> <![CDATA[S/Enz,C/House,Finn's overview...]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=5534 Mon, 11 Jul 2011 03:21:34 +0000 https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=5534 ok,
now i have completed the Split Enz, Crowded House, Neil,Tim and Liam Finn beginner's guides to all releases as at July 2011, i feel that due to the sheer volume of material available that i need to summerise the careers of each band and individuals in a few short paragraphs...
SPLIT ENZ

the Enz have always been one of the Southern Hemisphere's best kept secrets,their music encompasses prog-rock,music hall/vaudevillian,pop,new wave,new wave/punk, ballads, folk,country...you name it they did it, i guess their catalogue can roughly be divide up into three sections:
1: pre 1978...prior to Neil Finn.
2: 1978-1982...with Neil and Tim finn
3: 1982-end....without Tim finn
anyone intersted in the "prog.rock" sound of the Enz then they should examine all albums prior to 1978.

i recommend their debut "mental notes" s the best of that genre

for their more traditional/well known sound i recommend "frenzy" and "true colours"

for their "post-Tim Finn" years i recommend "conflicting emotions"

CROWDED HOUSE:

probably the most commercially friendly of all their incarnations and the most world-wide known of all their careers and i recommend their first four albums and/or their "best of" set that followed those releases :
in release order: 'crowded house' 'temple of low men' 'woodface' 'together alone' and the greatest hits package 'reccuring dream'

NEIL FINN:

dont expect the same commercialism of the Crowded house days as you will be dissapointed, Neil Finn solo is more mellow and atmospheric, and quite a bit of it borders folky type material.
he has only released two solo albums to date but also two albums under the name "7 Worlds Collide",both of which are worthy contenders, however, of the four i have got to recommend "one nil" and "the sun came out"

TIM FINN:

Tim has really been the underachiever of the family in many respects, never quite living up to the greatness of his tracks with Split enz, although all is solo albums are reasonable affairs, there seems to always be a couple of fillers on each album that spoil the whole thing. he songs are deep meaningful, dark and brooding by nature, but he does occasionally pull a great catchy tune out of the bag for which is always welcome.
for tim Finn i recommend his debut album "escapade", "imaginary kingdom" and his "anthology" collection which encompasses his best tracks from throughout his whole career.

FINN BROTHERS:

as songwriters, Neil and Tim Finn have always achieved their greatest works when working alongside eachother,whether it be bouncing ideas off eachother or using their brotherly competitiveness to spur eachother on. when singing together their harmonising is up there with the best in the history of modern music.
these guys are absolutely brilliant together and i really wish they work together a bit more than they do/have. thus i have no hesitation in recomending both of their Finn Brother's
collaborations whatsoever as both are worthy of a place in every serious music collectors collections.

LIAM FINN:

Liam is the eldest son of Neil Finn and has, over the space of four albums, two with Betchadupa and two solo albums proved himself to be a great musician in his own right.
he writes, he sings, he most most instruments...just like his dad and uncle and deserves any accolades that comes his way, most of his material is folky by nature but he does know how to rock out at times.
i recommend his latest offering "fomo" as one you should take the time to investigate fully
and to watch out for him in the future as he has a bright future ahead of him.

as a last comment there have been two "tribute" albums to the careers of the Finn Brothers released, one by female artists called "she will have her way" and one by male artists called "he will have his way"...the albums contains cover versions by Australian/NZ artists of their favourite Finn songs...i do not own these :frown: but they are available.
[Image: 51Yj7WTOxUL._AA115_.jpg] [Image: 51Iikwh%2BODL._AA115_.jpg]

there are also another two tribute albums available recorded with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra under the name of "enzso" in which all the songs are re-imagined using classical instruments and guest vocals by some of Australia's and NZ's best singersCool....including Neil and tim Finn, of these i have the first album which is very good, but do not own the second release.
after the first album was released Enzso toured here and NZ with the various artists including Neil and tim Finn which was very good to see live.:nod:
[Image: 318Y00VKN3L._AA115_.jpg] [Image: 413803X6P6L._AA115_.jpg]


all in all i hope you enjoyed the Split Enz, Crowded house, Neil, Tim and Liam
"beginners guide to..." and hope you now realise there is much more to the genuis of these antipodean's than just their Crowded House material.:nod:Cool
like the Paul Weller and Neil Young i enjoyed doing this little project as i like
challenges and these things are quite daunting to do when doing the first album in each case...but the satisfaction of of looking over it at the completion is
worth the wait.

i have a couple of ideas running through my head for others to do in the near future :confused: but i am going on a sojurn fairly shortly and i refuse to start one if i cant get on and complete it.
]]> ok,
now i have completed the Split Enz, Crowded House, Neil,Tim and Liam Finn beginner's guides to all releases as at July 2011, i feel that due to the sheer volume of material available that i need to summerise the careers of each band and individuals in a few short paragraphs...
SPLIT ENZ

the Enz have always been one of the Southern Hemisphere's best kept secrets,their music encompasses prog-rock,music hall/vaudevillian,pop,new wave,new wave/punk, ballads, folk,country...you name it they did it, i guess their catalogue can roughly be divide up into three sections:
1: pre 1978...prior to Neil Finn.
2: 1978-1982...with Neil and Tim finn
3: 1982-end....without Tim finn
anyone intersted in the "prog.rock" sound of the Enz then they should examine all albums prior to 1978.

i recommend their debut "mental notes" s the best of that genre

for their more traditional/well known sound i recommend "frenzy" and "true colours"

for their "post-Tim Finn" years i recommend "conflicting emotions"

CROWDED HOUSE:

probably the most commercially friendly of all their incarnations and the most world-wide known of all their careers and i recommend their first four albums and/or their "best of" set that followed those releases :
in release order: 'crowded house' 'temple of low men' 'woodface' 'together alone' and the greatest hits package 'reccuring dream'

NEIL FINN:

dont expect the same commercialism of the Crowded house days as you will be dissapointed, Neil Finn solo is more mellow and atmospheric, and quite a bit of it borders folky type material.
he has only released two solo albums to date but also two albums under the name "7 Worlds Collide",both of which are worthy contenders, however, of the four i have got to recommend "one nil" and "the sun came out"

TIM FINN:

Tim has really been the underachiever of the family in many respects, never quite living up to the greatness of his tracks with Split enz, although all is solo albums are reasonable affairs, there seems to always be a couple of fillers on each album that spoil the whole thing. he songs are deep meaningful, dark and brooding by nature, but he does occasionally pull a great catchy tune out of the bag for which is always welcome.
for tim Finn i recommend his debut album "escapade", "imaginary kingdom" and his "anthology" collection which encompasses his best tracks from throughout his whole career.

FINN BROTHERS:

as songwriters, Neil and Tim Finn have always achieved their greatest works when working alongside eachother,whether it be bouncing ideas off eachother or using their brotherly competitiveness to spur eachother on. when singing together their harmonising is up there with the best in the history of modern music.
these guys are absolutely brilliant together and i really wish they work together a bit more than they do/have. thus i have no hesitation in recomending both of their Finn Brother's
collaborations whatsoever as both are worthy of a place in every serious music collectors collections.

LIAM FINN:

Liam is the eldest son of Neil Finn and has, over the space of four albums, two with Betchadupa and two solo albums proved himself to be a great musician in his own right.
he writes, he sings, he most most instruments...just like his dad and uncle and deserves any accolades that comes his way, most of his material is folky by nature but he does know how to rock out at times.
i recommend his latest offering "fomo" as one you should take the time to investigate fully
and to watch out for him in the future as he has a bright future ahead of him.

as a last comment there have been two "tribute" albums to the careers of the Finn Brothers released, one by female artists called "she will have her way" and one by male artists called "he will have his way"...the albums contains cover versions by Australian/NZ artists of their favourite Finn songs...i do not own these :frown: but they are available.
[Image: 51Yj7WTOxUL._AA115_.jpg] [Image: 51Iikwh%2BODL._AA115_.jpg]

there are also another two tribute albums available recorded with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra under the name of "enzso" in which all the songs are re-imagined using classical instruments and guest vocals by some of Australia's and NZ's best singersCool....including Neil and tim Finn, of these i have the first album which is very good, but do not own the second release.
after the first album was released Enzso toured here and NZ with the various artists including Neil and tim Finn which was very good to see live.:nod:
[Image: 318Y00VKN3L._AA115_.jpg] [Image: 413803X6P6L._AA115_.jpg]


all in all i hope you enjoyed the Split Enz, Crowded house, Neil, Tim and Liam
"beginners guide to..." and hope you now realise there is much more to the genuis of these antipodean's than just their Crowded House material.:nod:Cool
like the Paul Weller and Neil Young i enjoyed doing this little project as i like
challenges and these things are quite daunting to do when doing the first album in each case...but the satisfaction of of looking over it at the completion is
worth the wait.

i have a couple of ideas running through my head for others to do in the near future :confused: but i am going on a sojurn fairly shortly and i refuse to start one if i cant get on and complete it.
]]> <![CDATA[Neil & Tim Finn]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=5491 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 00:32:07 +0000 https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=5491 NEIL & TIM FINN

this dissection of the works of The Finn brothers will include all of their solo albums, the
albums they have made together as a duo, Neil's charity albums with his all-star band
"7 worlds collide" with Eddie Vedder,Johnny Marr,Jeff Tweedy(of Wilco) amongst others,
and the works of Neil's son Liam who is a respected musician in his own right,
especially amongst the members and fans of London's new folk movement.
do not expect their material to be similar and 'poppy' like Crowded House, or as
eclectic as that of Split Enz, as these guys change styles and sounds with every different
change in their careers.
some of their material is very good, some good and other tracks/albums downright
aweful IMO!

a couple of tasters to show what is to come:


[video=youtube;d3T4kyPI0Ac]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3T4kyPI0Ac[/video]

[video=youtube;3naSMLjjhEE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3naSMLjjhEE[/video]

[video=youtube;cHfU48ARFmE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHfU48ARFmE[/video]

[video=youtube;NSDig28w56k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSDig28w56k&feature=fvst[/video]

[video=youtube;LeozOgS8t7E]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeozOgS8t7E[/video]]]> NEIL & TIM FINN

this dissection of the works of The Finn brothers will include all of their solo albums, the
albums they have made together as a duo, Neil's charity albums with his all-star band
"7 worlds collide" with Eddie Vedder,Johnny Marr,Jeff Tweedy(of Wilco) amongst others,
and the works of Neil's son Liam who is a respected musician in his own right,
especially amongst the members and fans of London's new folk movement.
do not expect their material to be similar and 'poppy' like Crowded House, or as
eclectic as that of Split Enz, as these guys change styles and sounds with every different
change in their careers.
some of their material is very good, some good and other tracks/albums downright
aweful IMO!

a couple of tasters to show what is to come:


[video=youtube;d3T4kyPI0Ac]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3T4kyPI0Ac[/video]

[video=youtube;3naSMLjjhEE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3naSMLjjhEE[/video]

[video=youtube;cHfU48ARFmE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHfU48ARFmE[/video]

[video=youtube;NSDig28w56k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSDig28w56k&feature=fvst[/video]

[video=youtube;LeozOgS8t7E]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeozOgS8t7E[/video]]]> <![CDATA[Crowded House]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=5472 Sat, 02 Jul 2011 11:28:38 +0000 https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=5472 CROWDED HOUSE.

after the demise of Split Enz, Neil Finn and Enz drummer Paul Hester went on to form one of the most accessable and successful bands ever to come from Australia/New Zealand.

that band was Crowded House, they recieved wolrldwide praise for their straight classy pop melodies. Even the likes of Paul McCartney heaped praise on them for their songwriting abilities, and even once compared their songs in structure and style to his former band The Beatles...a great compliment from an ex-Beatle to bestow upon any artist!

here, i will attempt to give a thorough overview of all their albums so far, and advise on which compilations,live cds/dvds are worth exploring!

a taster of what is to come soon!

[video=youtube;1Wo09z38Bt0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wo09z38Bt0[/video]

[video=youtube;3r111eQTBM8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r111eQTBM8[/video]
]]> CROWDED HOUSE.

after the demise of Split Enz, Neil Finn and Enz drummer Paul Hester went on to form one of the most accessable and successful bands ever to come from Australia/New Zealand.

that band was Crowded House, they recieved wolrldwide praise for their straight classy pop melodies. Even the likes of Paul McCartney heaped praise on them for their songwriting abilities, and even once compared their songs in structure and style to his former band The Beatles...a great compliment from an ex-Beatle to bestow upon any artist!

here, i will attempt to give a thorough overview of all their albums so far, and advise on which compilations,live cds/dvds are worth exploring!

a taster of what is to come soon!

[video=youtube;1Wo09z38Bt0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wo09z38Bt0[/video]

[video=youtube;3r111eQTBM8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r111eQTBM8[/video]
]]> <![CDATA[Split Enz]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=5445 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 06:34:37 +0000 https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=5445 SPLIT ENZ!

....are one of the best kept secrets in music!

Split Enz were/are, IMO, one of the best bands in the world since The Beatles.
over a period of nine years from 75-84 they released nine studio albums.
although memebers of the band came and went with each album, the basic nucleus of Neil and Tim Finn remained tight and focused.
their music range from Arthouse type pop,jazz,pop,new wave,vaudeville,country and new wave/punk...basically anything and everything they could mold into their own unique style, much the same as The Beatles did.
the comparrisons to the Beatles do not stop there, Tim Finn was pretty much the Lennon of the group...always adding something weird,cryptic,dark and unusual to the songs.
Neil Finn was the master craftsman of fine pop tunes that were easily digested by the listener in much the same way as McCartney.
also, the pair wrote seperately but bounced ideas off one another, much the same as John and Paul.
like the Beatles, Split Enz and the Finn brothers were in many ways ahead of their time.
i have always thought that had they come from the UK or US rather than a little island at the bottom of the earth(New Zealand) that they would have got more exposure to the wider musical community and been hugely successful.
i'll try to bring whatever 'facts' i can about the albums and band members as we proceed through this, but it is difficult as both Finn Brothers are very private people so i need to be vigilant in what i post as most information tends to be secondhand comments from friends and associates,therefore may not be entirely accurate.
hopefully you will all learn to like/love and/or at least appreciate the talent that lies here within the beginners guide to Split Enz.

a small teaser of what's to come...

[video=youtube;vKj4upY1VYI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKj4upY1VYI[/video]]]> SPLIT ENZ!

....are one of the best kept secrets in music!

Split Enz were/are, IMO, one of the best bands in the world since The Beatles.
over a period of nine years from 75-84 they released nine studio albums.
although memebers of the band came and went with each album, the basic nucleus of Neil and Tim Finn remained tight and focused.
their music range from Arthouse type pop,jazz,pop,new wave,vaudeville,country and new wave/punk...basically anything and everything they could mold into their own unique style, much the same as The Beatles did.
the comparrisons to the Beatles do not stop there, Tim Finn was pretty much the Lennon of the group...always adding something weird,cryptic,dark and unusual to the songs.
Neil Finn was the master craftsman of fine pop tunes that were easily digested by the listener in much the same way as McCartney.
also, the pair wrote seperately but bounced ideas off one another, much the same as John and Paul.
like the Beatles, Split Enz and the Finn brothers were in many ways ahead of their time.
i have always thought that had they come from the UK or US rather than a little island at the bottom of the earth(New Zealand) that they would have got more exposure to the wider musical community and been hugely successful.
i'll try to bring whatever 'facts' i can about the albums and band members as we proceed through this, but it is difficult as both Finn Brothers are very private people so i need to be vigilant in what i post as most information tends to be secondhand comments from friends and associates,therefore may not be entirely accurate.
hopefully you will all learn to like/love and/or at least appreciate the talent that lies here within the beginners guide to Split Enz.

a small teaser of what's to come...

[video=youtube;vKj4upY1VYI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKj4upY1VYI[/video]]]> <![CDATA[Neil Young"the overview"]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=5407 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 05:07:09 +0000 https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=5407 NEIL YOUNG OVERVIEW 1966-PRESENT!

since completing the Neil Young "beginners guide" i have compiled all his career albums
by their 'rating' scores to come up with a list of the "essential" albums one needs in their
collection and also those that need to be avoided at all costs!

i also find it interesting that over his career spanning forty-six years and close to some
fifty albums...not including movie soundtracks or compilation albums that the average
rating for his albums comes in at a more than respectable 2.2 with 58% of his recordings
exceeding the average mark of 2.2.

of his ten best albums not one comes from the 1980s, of the rest predictably half come
the 'classic' period of the 1970s with one from the 1960s and two each from the
1990s and the 'noughties'

i think the biggest surprise of all is that "after the goldrush" failed by a solitary point
to make the top ten albums, so either there is something wrong with the rating
system i have adopted from Music Head(which i doubt as it usually seems pretty
accurate) or Neil Young has made some damn fine albums during his career?!?!

the top ten Neil Young albums of all time are IMO:

tonight's the night
rust never sleeps
live rust
weld
prairie wind
chrome dreams II
deja vu (with CSNY)
harvest
on the beach
harvest moon

the ten albums to avoid are:

arc
landing on water
broken arrow
life
re-ac-tor
trans
le noise
dreamin' man '02
looking foreward (with CSNY)
americana



[Image: 51hEMsVAqLL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

opinions on the final lists welcomed!]]> NEIL YOUNG OVERVIEW 1966-PRESENT!

since completing the Neil Young "beginners guide" i have compiled all his career albums
by their 'rating' scores to come up with a list of the "essential" albums one needs in their
collection and also those that need to be avoided at all costs!

i also find it interesting that over his career spanning forty-six years and close to some
fifty albums...not including movie soundtracks or compilation albums that the average
rating for his albums comes in at a more than respectable 2.2 with 58% of his recordings
exceeding the average mark of 2.2.

of his ten best albums not one comes from the 1980s, of the rest predictably half come
the 'classic' period of the 1970s with one from the 1960s and two each from the
1990s and the 'noughties'

i think the biggest surprise of all is that "after the goldrush" failed by a solitary point
to make the top ten albums, so either there is something wrong with the rating
system i have adopted from Music Head(which i doubt as it usually seems pretty
accurate) or Neil Young has made some damn fine albums during his career?!?!

the top ten Neil Young albums of all time are IMO:

tonight's the night
rust never sleeps
live rust
weld
prairie wind
chrome dreams II
deja vu (with CSNY)
harvest
on the beach
harvest moon

the ten albums to avoid are:

arc
landing on water
broken arrow
life
re-ac-tor
trans
le noise
dreamin' man '02
looking foreward (with CSNY)
americana



[Image: 51hEMsVAqLL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

opinions on the final lists welcomed!]]> <![CDATA[Neil Young 2000 onwards]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=5350 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 04:39:33 +0000 https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=5350
in this section of Neil young's career we will analyse his "millenium" albums, including the one he recorded with Booker T & The MG's as his studio band,three conceptual albums, his personal health issues with a brain aneurysm :eek: and the classic album "prairie wind" that preceeded it, his induction into the "rock n roll hall of fame" and his first ever Grammy award Cool.]]>
in this section of Neil young's career we will analyse his "millenium" albums, including the one he recorded with Booker T & The MG's as his studio band,three conceptual albums, his personal health issues with a brain aneurysm :eek: and the classic album "prairie wind" that preceeded it, his induction into the "rock n roll hall of fame" and his first ever Grammy award Cool.]]> <![CDATA[Neil Young 1989-1999]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=5237 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 08:13:32 +0000 https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=5237 <![CDATA[Neil Young 1976-1988]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=5208 Fri, 27 May 2011 22:38:13 +0000 https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=5208 <![CDATA[Neil Young 1966-1975]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=5152 Fri, 20 May 2011 07:11:12 +0000 https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=5152 note from CRAZY-HORSE:

due the vast catalogue of Neil young albums i have decided to break this down into sections to make it easy for members to search for particular albums to view. it also gives me a chance to alternate between different periods of his career to keep my motivation up also. each section will be in chronological order of original release date. Cool
please remember this is solely my opinion of his albums and hopefully unbiased apprasials of his work. :wink:
all comments,opinions and criticisms of tracks and/or albums are welcomed and no offence will be taken by your views. Confusedmile:]]> note from CRAZY-HORSE:

due the vast catalogue of Neil young albums i have decided to break this down into sections to make it easy for members to search for particular albums to view. it also gives me a chance to alternate between different periods of his career to keep my motivation up also. each section will be in chronological order of original release date. Cool
please remember this is solely my opinion of his albums and hopefully unbiased apprasials of his work. :wink:
all comments,opinions and criticisms of tracks and/or albums are welcomed and no offence will be taken by your views. Confusedmile:]]> <![CDATA[Apple Records Apple 46 to The End]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=4316 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 10:18:14 +0000 https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=4316 APPLE 46
Lon & Derek Van Eaton...................Warm Woman/More Than Words
There seems to be no version of this available on youtube
Beatle involvement: They recorded an album for Apple, with a little help from George Harrison and Klaus Voormann.
APPLE 47
Yoko Ono......................................Death Of Samantha/Yang Yang
Another of Yoko’s singles for Apple
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7ZMiQB6fwo
Beatle involvement Tongueroduced by John and Yoko
APPLE 48
Yoko Ono.............................Run, Run, Run/Men, Men, Men
Yoko’s forth Apple single.
Not available on Youtube
APPLE 49
The last official Apple single came from Badfinger.
Badfinger............................Apple Of My Eye/Blind Owl
By now Apple was just a shadow of what it started out to be and this release slipped out almost unnoticed. Ham wrote the song about his mixed feelings upon the band's leaving Apple Records (which was the "apple of my eye" to Ham) to pursue a larger contract by moving to Warner Bros. Records.[1] The same concern is reflected on the Ass album cover, which shows a donkey following a carrot into the distance.
In most countries, Tom Evans' "Blind Owl" was released as the B-side. However, in Japan, "Apple of My Eye" was backed with Mike Gibbins' song "Cowboy", and in the Philippines, Evans' "When I Say" was the B-side.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3tfqXLPJmY
Beatle involvement : None
So the end of the road??

APPLE 50
Officially the Apple catalog ends at 50 but there was an unofficial 50!
In some less controlled territories....................Band On The Run/Zoo Gan bore the catalogue number APPLE 50.

Other releases
1) THE WALLS ICECREAM EP

APPLE CT1
[FONT=&quot]Side A[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Track 1[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Track 2[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]STORM IN A TEACUP[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot](Tom Evans)
THE IVEYS[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]SOMETHING'S WRONG[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot](James Taylor)
JAMES TAYLOR[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Side B[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Track 1[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Track 2[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]LITTLE YELLOW PILL[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot](Jackie Lomax)
JACKIE LOMAX[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]PEBBLE AND THE MAN[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot](Donovan)
MARY HOPKIN[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]On the A-side, track 1 was produced by Mal Evans, and track 2 by Peter Asher.
On the B-side, track 1 was produced by George Harrison, and track 2 by Paul McCartney. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]This was not an official release, but was a promotional E.P. available only by mail order through a Walls ice cream promotion.
Obviously it suited Apple too, as it featured artists with new product to promote. [/FONT]

Storm in a teacup by The Iveys is not on Youtube
Something’s Wrong by James Taylor is also unavailable
Little Yellow Pill ………………Jackie Lomax
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwKetldJ1H8

Happiness Runs……………..Mary Hopkin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKjBZoVx5d8

THE APPLES SERIES

Apple had a short lived 1000 series

There were only two official releases on this

APPLE 1001

Cold Turkey/Don’t Worry Kyoko …………………………Plastic Ono Band

This bears the logo PLAY LOUD IN 24 Point Type in the middle of the A side and PLAY QUIET on the B Side……………..
This is Beatle track that John could not persuade the Beatles to record.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEnNEIVR9EM

APPLE 1002

What’s The News Mary Jane/ You Know My Name………………..Plastic Ono Band

This is one of the most famous unreleased tracks
It contains John , George and Yoko

The B side features Brian Jones From the Stones on the B side

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixKCfJhW_...E2&index=8

Original copies of The Beatles Let It BE show APPLES 1002 scratched in the run off showing that this did exist.

Personal note…………….It does exist I have a copy on an Apple acetate which I bough for around 30 UK pence in a second hand shop in Doncaster and I wrote a small article in Record collector about it

APPLES 1003

Instant Karma/ Who has Seen The Wind…………………………..Plastic Ono Band

There is one interesting fact here:

The UK mix on 1003 is produced by John and has a completely different feel to the US release produced by Phil Spector

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqP3wT5lpa4

APPLES 1004

This was scheduled………………..more is unkown.

One further note:
The Apple story is complex and there are many stories of cancelled or possible releases on Apple:IN there days Apple had access to the latest technologies in record production via The Beatles and EMI
Apple had the ability to cut custom label acetates and this has been used by many parties in London from 1968 nto around 1974…………..Each one has a full Apple custom label on it and was this was an available service for a fee. I have seen many of these including one For The Who……………it has lead to claims that many artists were considered for releases on Apple which largely is not true .



Further information:

There are many sites about Apple records

Here are some worth a look:

· http://www.jpgr.co.uk/i_all_apple7.html
· http://apple.relocution.com/wiki/index.p...=Main_Page
· http://home.swipnet.se/~w-29168/applefacts.htm
· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Records_discography]]> APPLE 46
Lon & Derek Van Eaton...................Warm Woman/More Than Words
There seems to be no version of this available on youtube
Beatle involvement: They recorded an album for Apple, with a little help from George Harrison and Klaus Voormann.
APPLE 47
Yoko Ono......................................Death Of Samantha/Yang Yang
Another of Yoko’s singles for Apple
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7ZMiQB6fwo
Beatle involvement Tongueroduced by John and Yoko
APPLE 48
Yoko Ono.............................Run, Run, Run/Men, Men, Men
Yoko’s forth Apple single.
Not available on Youtube
APPLE 49
The last official Apple single came from Badfinger.
Badfinger............................Apple Of My Eye/Blind Owl
By now Apple was just a shadow of what it started out to be and this release slipped out almost unnoticed. Ham wrote the song about his mixed feelings upon the band's leaving Apple Records (which was the "apple of my eye" to Ham) to pursue a larger contract by moving to Warner Bros. Records.[1] The same concern is reflected on the Ass album cover, which shows a donkey following a carrot into the distance.
In most countries, Tom Evans' "Blind Owl" was released as the B-side. However, in Japan, "Apple of My Eye" was backed with Mike Gibbins' song "Cowboy", and in the Philippines, Evans' "When I Say" was the B-side.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3tfqXLPJmY
Beatle involvement : None
So the end of the road??

APPLE 50
Officially the Apple catalog ends at 50 but there was an unofficial 50!
In some less controlled territories....................Band On The Run/Zoo Gan bore the catalogue number APPLE 50.

Other releases
1) THE WALLS ICECREAM EP

APPLE CT1
[FONT=&quot]Side A[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Track 1[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Track 2[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]STORM IN A TEACUP[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot](Tom Evans)
THE IVEYS[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]SOMETHING'S WRONG[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot](James Taylor)
JAMES TAYLOR[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Side B[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Track 1[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Track 2[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]LITTLE YELLOW PILL[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot](Jackie Lomax)
JACKIE LOMAX[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]PEBBLE AND THE MAN[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot](Donovan)
MARY HOPKIN[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]On the A-side, track 1 was produced by Mal Evans, and track 2 by Peter Asher.
On the B-side, track 1 was produced by George Harrison, and track 2 by Paul McCartney. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]This was not an official release, but was a promotional E.P. available only by mail order through a Walls ice cream promotion.
Obviously it suited Apple too, as it featured artists with new product to promote. [/FONT]

Storm in a teacup by The Iveys is not on Youtube
Something’s Wrong by James Taylor is also unavailable
Little Yellow Pill ………………Jackie Lomax
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwKetldJ1H8

Happiness Runs……………..Mary Hopkin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKjBZoVx5d8

THE APPLES SERIES

Apple had a short lived 1000 series

There were only two official releases on this

APPLE 1001

Cold Turkey/Don’t Worry Kyoko …………………………Plastic Ono Band

This bears the logo PLAY LOUD IN 24 Point Type in the middle of the A side and PLAY QUIET on the B Side……………..
This is Beatle track that John could not persuade the Beatles to record.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEnNEIVR9EM

APPLE 1002

What’s The News Mary Jane/ You Know My Name………………..Plastic Ono Band

This is one of the most famous unreleased tracks
It contains John , George and Yoko

The B side features Brian Jones From the Stones on the B side

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixKCfJhW_...E2&index=8

Original copies of The Beatles Let It BE show APPLES 1002 scratched in the run off showing that this did exist.

Personal note…………….It does exist I have a copy on an Apple acetate which I bough for around 30 UK pence in a second hand shop in Doncaster and I wrote a small article in Record collector about it

APPLES 1003

Instant Karma/ Who has Seen The Wind…………………………..Plastic Ono Band

There is one interesting fact here:

The UK mix on 1003 is produced by John and has a completely different feel to the US release produced by Phil Spector

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqP3wT5lpa4

APPLES 1004

This was scheduled………………..more is unkown.

One further note:
The Apple story is complex and there are many stories of cancelled or possible releases on Apple:IN there days Apple had access to the latest technologies in record production via The Beatles and EMI
Apple had the ability to cut custom label acetates and this has been used by many parties in London from 1968 nto around 1974…………..Each one has a full Apple custom label on it and was this was an available service for a fee. I have seen many of these including one For The Who……………it has lead to claims that many artists were considered for releases on Apple which largely is not true .



Further information:

There are many sites about Apple records

Here are some worth a look:

· http://www.jpgr.co.uk/i_all_apple7.html
· http://apple.relocution.com/wiki/index.p...=Main_Page
· http://home.swipnet.se/~w-29168/applefacts.htm
· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Records_discography]]> <![CDATA[Apple Records Apple 36 to The 45]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=4315 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 10:16:34 +0000 https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=4315 APPLE 36
Bill Elliot........................God Save Us/Do The Oz
This is a lost John Lennon release: John’s version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0zCiFg9M...5&index=31
Over To Bill:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8uzrLHrttI

Over to the Wiki
Oz was first published as a satirical humour magazine between 1963 and 1969 in Sydney, Australia and, in its second and better known incarnation, became a "psychedelic hippy" magazine from 1967 to 1973 in London. Strongly identified as part of the underground press, it was the subject of two celebrated obscenity trials, one in Australia in 1964 and the other in the UK in 1971. On both occasions the magazine's editors were acquitted on appeal after initially being found guilty and sentenced to harsh jail terms. In 1970, reacting to criticism that Oz had lost touch with youth, the editors put a notice in the magazine inviting "school kids" to edit an issue. The opportunity was taken up by around 20 secondary school students (including Charles Shaar Murray and Deyan Sudjic), who were let loose on Oz #28 (May 1970), known as "Schoolkids OZ". This term was widely misunderstood[citation needed] to mean that it was intended for school children, whereas it was a statement that it had been created by them.
One of the resulting articles was a highly sexualised Rupert Bear parody. It was created by 15-year-old schoolboy Vivian Berger by pasting the head of Rupert onto the lead character of an X-rated satirical cartoon by Robert Crumb. The majority of the contributors were from public schools (in the English sense of the term: elite non-state schools); as a result the humour was mostly an extension of the type of material familiar from undergraduate rag mags.
Oz was one of several 'underground' publications targeted by the Obscene Publications Squad, and their offices had already been raided on several occasions, but the conjunction of schoolchildren and what some viewed as "obscene" material set the scene for the Oz obscenity trial of 1971. In one key respect it was a virtual re-run of the second Australian trial—the prosecution evidence and judicial instruction was clearly aimed at securing a conviction, and like Gerald Locke in Sydney, the judge hearing the London case, Justice Argyle, exhibited clear signs of bias against the defendants.[citation needed] However the British trial was given a far more dangerous edge because the prosecution employed an archaic charge against Neville, Dennis and Anderson—"conspiracy to corrupt public morals"—which, in theory, carried a virtually unlimited penalty.[7].
[IMG]file:///C:/Users/CHRISK%7E1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]file:///C:/Users/CHRISK%7E1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.gif[/IMG]
Oz number 33, back cover advertising "A Gala Benefit For The OZ Obscenity Trial"
The defence lawyer, John Mortimer QC, announced at the opening of the trial in 1971 that “[the] case stands at the crossroads of our liberty, at the boundaries of our freedom to think and draw and write what we please”.[8] For the defence, this specifically concerned the treatment of dissent and dissenters, about the control of ideas and suppressing the messages of social resistance communicated by OZ in issue #28. The charges read out in the central criminal court stated “[that the defendants] conspiring with certain other young persons to produce a magazine containing obscene, lewd, indecent and sexually perverted articles, cartoons and drawings with intent to debauch and corrupt the morals of children and other young persons and to arouse and implant in their minds lustful and perverted ideas”.[9] According to Mr Brian Leary prosecuting "It dealt with homosexuality, lesbianism, sadism, perverted sexual practices and drug taking".[9]
Dennis and Anderson were defended by lawyer and playwright John Mortimer (creator of the Rumpole of the Bailey series) with assistance from Australian lawyer Geoffrey Robertson, while Neville represented himself.
The trial brought the magazine to the attention of the wider public. John Lennon and Yoko Ono joined the protest march against the prosecution and organised the recording of "God Save Us" by the ad hoc group Elastic Oz Band to raise funds and gain publicity. Lennon explained how the song title changed from "God Save Oz" to "God Save Us":[10]
First of all we wrote it as ‘God Save Oz,’ you know, ‘God save Oz from it all,’ but then we decided they wouldn’t really know what we were talking about in America so we changed it back to “Us.”
"God Save Us" was first demoed by John Lennon, but the lead singer on the recording was Bill Elliot for contractual reasons. "God Save Us"/"Do The Oz" was released on The Beatles' Apple Records label. Lennon's original demo was issued in 1998 on the John Lennon Anthology and again on Wonsaponatime.
APPLE 37
Ravi Shankar.......................................Joi Bangla/Oh Bhaugowan/Raga Mishra
Perhaps Apple’s most un-commercial release! This was an EP rather than a single, containing four tracks.
This is the only Apple release so far that I cannot find on You tube!
This track did get released on Apple in Japan
Beatle involvement : Produced by George Harrison
APPLE 38
Yoko Ono...........................Mrs. Lennon/Midsummer New York
At this point Yoko seems to have become one of Apple’s regular recording artists. This release featured a modified Apple label with Yoko’s face superimposed upon it.
This is taken from the Album “Fly” and was featured in the film Imagine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iinhQS7Soyo
Beatle involvement: John was usually present on all Yok’s recordings at this time and usually played on them.
APPLE 39
Mary Hopkin..................................Water, Paper and Clay/Jefferson
The last offering from Mary Hopkin and Apple. Taken from the album Earth Song , Ocean Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS2EcP5AZAQ
Beatle involvement : None
APPLE 40
Badfinger.......................Day After Day /Sweet Tuesday Morning
This was the last Badfinger single to get a full release in the UK. It showed aband who had matured in their music and were entering a new phase in their career. It made number 10 in the UK and 4 in the US . One of Apple’s finest releases in my opinion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ8V-FrrGJE
Beatle involvement: Produced by George Harrison
APPLE 41
Yoko Ono.........................Mind Train/Listen, The Snow Is Falling
Another Yoko single again with the face superimposed on the label. The B side appeared on the John and Yoko release Happy Christmas ( War is over )
The single version is not on Youtube but the extended album version is ( Parts 1 and 2) .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jTA7EJIftY
Beatle involvement : Produced by John and Yoko ( I believe John plays on it Too!)
APPLE 42
Badfinger...........................Baby Blue/Flying
This was to be Badfinger’s next release , but it was cancelled in the UK. It did come out as Apple 42 in New Zealand. By now the erratic release schedule of Apple of Badfingers singles was damaging their career and they were fading into the background. It seems that a single version does not appear on Youtube so I have put in an appearance on The Kenny Rogers show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C53QAuOoSgc
APPLE 43
Chris Hodge............................We're On Our Way/Supersoul
It seems that at this late point in the label’s history, they started to introduce new talent.
Chris Hodge :[FONT=&quot] in 1972, a young rocker named Chris Hodge came on board by way of Beatles Drummer Ringo Starr. (It's said that Ringo caught Chris performing in a London club and liked what he saw ... they also reportedly shared a common love of science fiction movies.)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The single got a wide release in The USA New Zealand and Australia[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]He produced one single for Apple We are On Our Way:[/FONT]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaHO_UtJDGg
Beatle involvement:[FONT=&quot]Both Yoko Ono and Ringo Starr have been credited with bringing Hodge to the Apple label.[/FONT]

APPLE 44
Sundown Playboys............................Saturday Nite Special/Valse De Soleil Coucher
[FONT=&quot]THE SUNDOWN PLAYBOYS[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]A six-piece Cajun band that had been performing in Louisiana since 1945, the Playboys[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]hardly seemed the stuff of Apple.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]They released their “Saturday Nite Special” 45 on the local Swallow label in 1972. The[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]band’s teenaged accordionist, Patrick Savant, a fan of rock as well as of Cajun music,[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]sent a copy of the record on a whim to the Apple offices in London…and the label bit,[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]deciding to put out “Saturday Nite Special.” George Harrison supposedly made the call[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]himself to Savant to talk business.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]In September of 1972, Apple released “Saturday Nite Special,” but the song (which exists[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]only in mono) tanked and is now quite a valuable commodity—both on 7-inch and on an[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]illogical, but charming, 78 rpm 10-inch release.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The 10 inch 78 issue was I believe a promotional tool and was probably the Demo version of the record.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]This record was only ever put out in Mono , this may suggest that Apple only released it and had no part in it’s recording.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7559Rsa7qNE[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Beatle involvement Tongueaul seems to have been involved in their signing to Apple.[/FONT]
APPLE 45
Elephant's Memory.........................................Power Boogie/Liberation Special
John Lennon was looking for a backing band to tour with. He found Elephant’s Memory and set about recording them at Apple.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=297YA39yZLk
Beatle involvement: John found them and signed them to Apple. Production by John

]]> APPLE 36
Bill Elliot........................God Save Us/Do The Oz
This is a lost John Lennon release: John’s version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0zCiFg9M...5&index=31
Over To Bill:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8uzrLHrttI

Over to the Wiki
Oz was first published as a satirical humour magazine between 1963 and 1969 in Sydney, Australia and, in its second and better known incarnation, became a "psychedelic hippy" magazine from 1967 to 1973 in London. Strongly identified as part of the underground press, it was the subject of two celebrated obscenity trials, one in Australia in 1964 and the other in the UK in 1971. On both occasions the magazine's editors were acquitted on appeal after initially being found guilty and sentenced to harsh jail terms. In 1970, reacting to criticism that Oz had lost touch with youth, the editors put a notice in the magazine inviting "school kids" to edit an issue. The opportunity was taken up by around 20 secondary school students (including Charles Shaar Murray and Deyan Sudjic), who were let loose on Oz #28 (May 1970), known as "Schoolkids OZ". This term was widely misunderstood[citation needed] to mean that it was intended for school children, whereas it was a statement that it had been created by them.
One of the resulting articles was a highly sexualised Rupert Bear parody. It was created by 15-year-old schoolboy Vivian Berger by pasting the head of Rupert onto the lead character of an X-rated satirical cartoon by Robert Crumb. The majority of the contributors were from public schools (in the English sense of the term: elite non-state schools); as a result the humour was mostly an extension of the type of material familiar from undergraduate rag mags.
Oz was one of several 'underground' publications targeted by the Obscene Publications Squad, and their offices had already been raided on several occasions, but the conjunction of schoolchildren and what some viewed as "obscene" material set the scene for the Oz obscenity trial of 1971. In one key respect it was a virtual re-run of the second Australian trial—the prosecution evidence and judicial instruction was clearly aimed at securing a conviction, and like Gerald Locke in Sydney, the judge hearing the London case, Justice Argyle, exhibited clear signs of bias against the defendants.[citation needed] However the British trial was given a far more dangerous edge because the prosecution employed an archaic charge against Neville, Dennis and Anderson—"conspiracy to corrupt public morals"—which, in theory, carried a virtually unlimited penalty.[7].
[IMG]file:///C:/Users/CHRISK%7E1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]file:///C:/Users/CHRISK%7E1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.gif[/IMG]
Oz number 33, back cover advertising "A Gala Benefit For The OZ Obscenity Trial"
The defence lawyer, John Mortimer QC, announced at the opening of the trial in 1971 that “[the] case stands at the crossroads of our liberty, at the boundaries of our freedom to think and draw and write what we please”.[8] For the defence, this specifically concerned the treatment of dissent and dissenters, about the control of ideas and suppressing the messages of social resistance communicated by OZ in issue #28. The charges read out in the central criminal court stated “[that the defendants] conspiring with certain other young persons to produce a magazine containing obscene, lewd, indecent and sexually perverted articles, cartoons and drawings with intent to debauch and corrupt the morals of children and other young persons and to arouse and implant in their minds lustful and perverted ideas”.[9] According to Mr Brian Leary prosecuting "It dealt with homosexuality, lesbianism, sadism, perverted sexual practices and drug taking".[9]
Dennis and Anderson were defended by lawyer and playwright John Mortimer (creator of the Rumpole of the Bailey series) with assistance from Australian lawyer Geoffrey Robertson, while Neville represented himself.
The trial brought the magazine to the attention of the wider public. John Lennon and Yoko Ono joined the protest march against the prosecution and organised the recording of "God Save Us" by the ad hoc group Elastic Oz Band to raise funds and gain publicity. Lennon explained how the song title changed from "God Save Oz" to "God Save Us":[10]
First of all we wrote it as ‘God Save Oz,’ you know, ‘God save Oz from it all,’ but then we decided they wouldn’t really know what we were talking about in America so we changed it back to “Us.”
"God Save Us" was first demoed by John Lennon, but the lead singer on the recording was Bill Elliot for contractual reasons. "God Save Us"/"Do The Oz" was released on The Beatles' Apple Records label. Lennon's original demo was issued in 1998 on the John Lennon Anthology and again on Wonsaponatime.
APPLE 37
Ravi Shankar.......................................Joi Bangla/Oh Bhaugowan/Raga Mishra
Perhaps Apple’s most un-commercial release! This was an EP rather than a single, containing four tracks.
This is the only Apple release so far that I cannot find on You tube!
This track did get released on Apple in Japan
Beatle involvement : Produced by George Harrison
APPLE 38
Yoko Ono...........................Mrs. Lennon/Midsummer New York
At this point Yoko seems to have become one of Apple’s regular recording artists. This release featured a modified Apple label with Yoko’s face superimposed upon it.
This is taken from the Album “Fly” and was featured in the film Imagine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iinhQS7Soyo
Beatle involvement: John was usually present on all Yok’s recordings at this time and usually played on them.
APPLE 39
Mary Hopkin..................................Water, Paper and Clay/Jefferson
The last offering from Mary Hopkin and Apple. Taken from the album Earth Song , Ocean Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS2EcP5AZAQ
Beatle involvement : None
APPLE 40
Badfinger.......................Day After Day /Sweet Tuesday Morning
This was the last Badfinger single to get a full release in the UK. It showed aband who had matured in their music and were entering a new phase in their career. It made number 10 in the UK and 4 in the US . One of Apple’s finest releases in my opinion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ8V-FrrGJE
Beatle involvement: Produced by George Harrison
APPLE 41
Yoko Ono.........................Mind Train/Listen, The Snow Is Falling
Another Yoko single again with the face superimposed on the label. The B side appeared on the John and Yoko release Happy Christmas ( War is over )
The single version is not on Youtube but the extended album version is ( Parts 1 and 2) .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jTA7EJIftY
Beatle involvement : Produced by John and Yoko ( I believe John plays on it Too!)
APPLE 42
Badfinger...........................Baby Blue/Flying
This was to be Badfinger’s next release , but it was cancelled in the UK. It did come out as Apple 42 in New Zealand. By now the erratic release schedule of Apple of Badfingers singles was damaging their career and they were fading into the background. It seems that a single version does not appear on Youtube so I have put in an appearance on The Kenny Rogers show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C53QAuOoSgc
APPLE 43
Chris Hodge............................We're On Our Way/Supersoul
It seems that at this late point in the label’s history, they started to introduce new talent.
Chris Hodge :[FONT=&quot] in 1972, a young rocker named Chris Hodge came on board by way of Beatles Drummer Ringo Starr. (It's said that Ringo caught Chris performing in a London club and liked what he saw ... they also reportedly shared a common love of science fiction movies.)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The single got a wide release in The USA New Zealand and Australia[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]He produced one single for Apple We are On Our Way:[/FONT]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaHO_UtJDGg
Beatle involvement:[FONT=&quot]Both Yoko Ono and Ringo Starr have been credited with bringing Hodge to the Apple label.[/FONT]

APPLE 44
Sundown Playboys............................Saturday Nite Special/Valse De Soleil Coucher
[FONT=&quot]THE SUNDOWN PLAYBOYS[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]A six-piece Cajun band that had been performing in Louisiana since 1945, the Playboys[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]hardly seemed the stuff of Apple.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]They released their “Saturday Nite Special” 45 on the local Swallow label in 1972. The[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]band’s teenaged accordionist, Patrick Savant, a fan of rock as well as of Cajun music,[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]sent a copy of the record on a whim to the Apple offices in London…and the label bit,[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]deciding to put out “Saturday Nite Special.” George Harrison supposedly made the call[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]himself to Savant to talk business.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]In September of 1972, Apple released “Saturday Nite Special,” but the song (which exists[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]only in mono) tanked and is now quite a valuable commodity—both on 7-inch and on an[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]illogical, but charming, 78 rpm 10-inch release.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The 10 inch 78 issue was I believe a promotional tool and was probably the Demo version of the record.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]This record was only ever put out in Mono , this may suggest that Apple only released it and had no part in it’s recording.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7559Rsa7qNE[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Beatle involvement Tongueaul seems to have been involved in their signing to Apple.[/FONT]
APPLE 45
Elephant's Memory.........................................Power Boogie/Liberation Special
John Lennon was looking for a backing band to tour with. He found Elephant’s Memory and set about recording them at Apple.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=297YA39yZLk
Beatle involvement: John found them and signed them to Apple. Production by John

]]> <![CDATA[Apple Records Apple 1 to 20]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=4313 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 10:12:42 +0000 https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=4313
The Beginners Guide To Apple Records ( Part 1 ) The Singles 1 To 20
Apple records was first talked about in 1967 and was intended as a section of the hen new company Apple Corps. It was in those days a relatively bold move to begin one’s own record company ……….only the likes of Frank Sinatra had been able to exert so much control of the choice and manufacture of their own ( and others ) product.
The move gave EMI palpitations as the realized that they could lose their greatest asset, and so they were more than accommodating to the Beatles in their offers of assistance.

So what was APPLE about ? Try the promotional film below to get an idea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es9CaPn9X...re=related
(As far as I can tell this clip contains unreleased material from The Beatles: Helter Skelter and Blackbird !)
The final deal left the Beatles with Parlophone but, allowed a custom Apple Label to be used with any artists signed to the label.
The label itself was to be a statement in itself…………….Paul choose a design ( I believe by the artist Magret ) which showed a Granny Smith apple on the A side and sliced in half on the B side.
The code for the singles was settled upon as being APPLE ( However, there is a short run of the APPLES code too )
So the stage was set and Apple records was ready for launch. There is a large amount of Beatle involvement in Apple releases…………Nearly all feature a Beatle on the session and this makes each release interesting.
What was to be APPLE 1 ?
This remains a mystery as APPLE 1 was never issued!
But here is an interesting story from the wiki:
The Lady Is A Champ
Sinatra recorded another version of the song in 1968 as a favour to The Beatles. Sammy Cahn wrote new lyrics to the song as a birthday gift to Ringo Starr's wife, Maureen. His recording was pressed as a single as Apple 1. Only one copy was made, and the tape and masters were destroyed. Since there is only one copy, and since Sinatra and the Beatles were both involved, this may be among the most valuable records in the world.[1] The recording has been bootlegged.[2]
APPLE 2
Mary Hopkins……………….Those Were The Days/ Turn ! Turn Turn !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KODZtjOIPg
Beatle involved Paul……………..Producer.
Paul also spotted Mary Hopkin on a talent show called opportunity Knocks ( Actually the model “ Twiggy “ told him about her ).
APPLE 3
Jackie Lomax………………Sour Milk Sea/ The Eagle Laughs At You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT7HMdUEBI4

Beatle involved George, Paul and Ringo………….Jackie had been a member of the Mersybeat group the Undertakers….George was trying to give him the exposure he deserved…………..
George Harrison - guitar, guide or backing vocal
Paul McCartney - bass
Ringo Starr – drums
APPLE 4
Black Dyke Mills Band...................Thingumybob/Yellow Submarine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKSyUY3HxUA
Beatle Involved……………..The A Side is listed as a Lennon/McCartney song . Producer Paul McCartney
Interestingly enough this would have been APPLES 1003 as this is seen scratched in the run off groove.
APPLE 5
The Iveys ……………Maybe Tomorrow/Her Daddy’s A Millionaire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiblZZv9Oeg
The Iveys were the group who were to be renamed Badfinger…………..They signed to apple and produced an album under that name and two singles. This band were a tremendous talent and received the full attention of the Beatles and it is not beyond belief that favorable comparisons were made .
The Beatle involvement. They were reviewed by both Paul and John , but were left to be signed by Beatle Roadie Mal Evans……………The direct recording involvement of the Beatles is hard to trace with this release but there are many instances and references to the Beatles actually schooling their sound and appearance.
APPLE 6
( White ) Trash…………..Road To Nowhere/Illusions
Apple records courted a fair amount of controversy: this was one of the first instances…copies of APPLE 6 exist with the band listed as White Trash but racist backlashes were feared so the white was removed. As far as I can tell, White or not the BBC banded this track anyway ! The band were originally known as “The Pathfinders “ and the A side is a Goffin and King track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEqbQJnJTkE
Beatle involvement :Unknown
APPLE 7
Mary Hopkin…………..Lontano Dagli Occhi / The Game
Apple records has an odd history, not all issues were available in all territories....This one was not issued in the UK but instead surfaced only in Europe.( There is evidence of at least an Italian release and the reason:the song entered in the 19th Sanremo Song Festival in 1969 .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA_oeMfMERI
Beatle involvement : Production is probably by Paul and it is possible he played on the A side...The B side was written by George Martin.
APPLE 8
Brute Force……………….King Of Fuh/Nobody Knows
It was only going to be a matter of time until the F word appered on vinyl with a Beatle connection! Observation of the Let It Be Out takes shows Lennon working on this with gusto. However it would not be until 1970 that he managed the f word on an Apple release.
This looks like an earlier attempt :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8UbwKTRT7I
Listen carefully if you don’t get ……you will!
Its simple and harmless but of course this was the late 60s………………..
It was thought for many years that APPLE 8 didn’t exist then strange acetate copies appeared . They don’t carry a full apple label ……………They are indeed test pressings but they did get given to DJs on some radio stations but of course it as banned.
Beatle Involvement ? Hard to gauge………..I believe John wanted it out and may have had some involvement .
I go to the Wiki for support!
Brute Force (born 1940) is the pseudonym of Stephen Friedland, an American singer and songwriter. He wrote and performed with The Tokens in the 1960s and wrote songs for Peggy March, Del Shannon, The Chiffons and The Cyrkle (to name but a few).
Brute Force may be best known for a song that barely saw a release: "The King of Fuh", a song produced by The Tokens about a "Fuh King," which was admired by Beatles George Harrison and John Lennon. Harrison used the already recorded demo track but had strings arranged and overdubbed for the record. Apple Records knew that partner EMI would never distribute it, so the company pressed and distributed 2,000 copies themselves in 1969 (catalogue number Apple 8). There was also a copy of the record on the US version of Apple, without a catalogue number (said to have been created as personal copy for an American Apple employee). Brute Force also attempted to have Major Minor records in Britain release the record but with no success. Finally, the artist issued the record on his own label Brute Force Records with an alternate B Side, "Tapeworm Of Love," which received airplay on the Dr. Demento radio show. More recently, the Revola label issued both "King of Fuh" and its original B side ("Nobody Knows") as bonus tracks on the CD release of Extemporaneous. In 2010, "The King of Fuh" was released on the compilation album, Come and Get It: The Best of Apple Records.
APPLE 9
Mary Hopkin.....................Prince En Avignon/The Game
Another track which only managed a European release as it was not released in the UK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBOY0Txf7fc
The lack of a UK release is explained by the fact that it was a French language song ( The Brits have an aversion to language learning even though they do get French in school !) I believe this was only available in France .
Notice also that, George Martin’s The Game appears on the B side..............
Beatle involvement : This seems really hard to pin down............I guessing Paul might have had involvement as he had a great deal of involvement with Mary in the early days............however, later Tony Visconti took over ad later she did become Mrs T Visconti !
APPLE 10
By now Apple was approaching crisis, the last three releases had been controversial in some way so they had to return to the straight and narrow.
Apple 10 was another Mary Hopkin release which was aimed at the charts all over the world!( I’m told it appeared in 28 countries each with their own picture sleeve !)
Mary Hopkin ...................Goodbye/Sparrow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sa8XyzbxUM&feature=fvst
Beatle involvement : The song was written by Paul McCartney.It is considered to be a Lennon/McCartney song and appears on the catalogue and some issues as such.
The demo shows that Paul had pretty much done the arrangement for her: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eyet4WxAmpM
IT seems that Paul is also present on the sessions because there are photos of him in the studio recording this with Mary .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRhBnotMk...re=related
Strangely he subtitles here are Dutch so maybe it is from a Dutch source!
APPLE 11
[FONT=&quot]Jackie Lomax..................New Day/I Fall Inside Your Eyes[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]This seems to be one of Apple’s quieter releases................I ‘ve never heard the track on 7 inch vinyl until now.[/FONT]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSYv_OhY52I
It is an album track and is part of the unsuccessful attempt to make Jackie a star.
Beatle involvement : George Harrison, who played guitar and produced the album. The line-up included Paul McCartney (bass), Ringo Starr (drums).
This vanished without trace, somehow Jackie’s soul voice did not manage to connect with the already strong soul following present in London at the time.
APPLE 12
Billy Preston...................That’s The Way God Planned It/What About You
Billy had appeared as the fifth Beatle on part of the Get Back sessions and so it was natural that he would appear on Apple records .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFTgrFSKbkk
Beatle involvement: George Harrison : Guitar Doris Troy Backing vocals( Apple artist)
APPLE 13
Plastic Ono Band....................Give Peace A Chance/Remember Love
So far , in this guide, The Beatles themselves were not directly involved in the APPLE releases. However, things were getting bad between John and Paul........................IT is thought that at one time John had difficulty persuading Paul to put his song s out as Beatle records. So, he decided that he would put out a solo single as The Plastic Ono Band.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg8rlSi5MlA
Beatle Involvement: John vocal and instruments
The strange thing about this release is that in the end The Beatles did end up putting it out..........The credit is Lennon/McCartney and many of the copies carried a Parlophone code R 5795.......thus it was a Beatle record.
APPLE 14
The Iveys.......................No Escaping Your Love/Dear Angie
This track was only released in Europe ......it was considered too weak to be a single in the UK. It was also the last possible single by the Iveys as they had changed their name to Badfinger.
Release : USA , Holland, France, Japan, Sweden
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptoK5TW6bwU
Beatle involvement : Not sure
APPLE 15
Radha Krishna Temple................ Hare Krishna Mantra/Prayer To The Spiritual Masters
To the Wiki to help here:
The Radha Krishna Temple was the headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in London from the late 1960s. The temple came to prominence when The Beatles and especially George Harrison started to publicly express their interest in Eastern philosophy and Krishna consciousness
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=814VG-NEZK8
Beatle involvement ( Thanks Wiki !!) George was already aware of the devotees of Krishna before meeting the movements leader A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and had purchased 20 copies of the Happening album, the first recording by Swami Prabhupada and his disciples. But it wasn’t until 1969 that George was to meet Shyamasundara dasa in the London offices of Apple Records, the Beatles’ recording company. “Where have you been? I’ve been waiting two years to meet you fella's” was how he greeted the devotee. Shyamasundara and five others had come to London to start a branch of ISKCON and they had sent apple pies and clockwork apples with the Hare Krishna mantra written on them to the Beatles at Apple. This initial meeting eventually led to the recording of 'The Hare Krishna Mantra' by the Radha-Krishna Temple with George, Paul, Linda and drummer Ginger Baker all in the studio helping. George produces the song and is believed to have played harmonium and guitar on the "Govinda" and "Hare Krishna Mantra". Harrison also attended the Radha Krsna Temple's Top of the Pops appearance when they performed the single "Govinda", although he did not appear in front of the cameras. It reached the charts in twenty countries it was even sung one afternoon by 40,000 people at Wembley
APPLE 16
Mary Hopkin..........................Que Sera Sera/Fields Of St. Etienne
Another non UK issue but again, it appeared in Europe. It also appeared in the US!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOZGKfwMz...B&index=13
Apple 16 has an interesting history, it has at least two pencilled in releases A Beatles cover "Two Of Us" entitled "On Our Way Home", by a New York trio, Mortimer was also allocated the code Apple 16
This must have come close to release because there are acetates of this track on an Apple custom pressing..................

Que Sara Sara was rescheduled in the catalog and apaers on APPLE 27!

Beatle Involvement: Mary Hopkin :?????
:Mortimer: It seems that Paul was behind this release I guess he might have played on it or produced it but I have no evidence..
APPLE 17
Trash...............................Golden Slumbers/Trash Can
Now having reduced their name to “Trash”.............they produce a wonderful cover of an Abbey Road track...........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je_VObgUwzM
Beatle involvement : Unknown !

APPLE 18
Hot Chocolate Band.....................Give Peace A Chance/Living Without Tomorrow
This was one of Apple’s most enduring signings .................Hot Chocolate went on to tremendous success in the UK singles charts................Funnily enough they made only one album Ciciro Park.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULvu8FzEt14

Beatle involvement: They were discovered by John and certainly the song was written by John.
By this time Beatle involvement became more indirect as they were braking up. The Hot Chocolate band, were taken on by producer Mick Most who worked with RAK records. The band was dropped and a very successful career followed.

APPLE 19
Billy Preston...........................Everything's Alright/I Want To Thank You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk-VkvXhJBo
Another album track from “That’s The Way God Planned It”
Nice reggae feel to this one.
Beatle involvement: George Harrison : Guitar ;Doris Troy Backing vocals( Apple artist )

At this point in the story we have to look at the main players:
The Beatles had split up and were doing the best they could to kick start their own solo careers
Apple was in a mess and Alan Klein had been called in to sort it out, this resulted in a much more streamlined approach................Less Beatle involvement and less A and R work.
APPLE 20
Badfinger ...........................Come And Get It /Rock Of All Ages
Despite things getting a bit tight the renamed Ivey’s continued to do well, this track charted well and gave them a big hit !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk57K4OGrAg
Owing a lot to Paul’s writing, this became a big success for Apple and brought in the money that was badly needed for Apple.

Again this was written by Paul and in lisrening to his demo he had done most of the arranging:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnZCLtjwLxw
Yet another “lost “ Beatle track...............
Beatle involvement, Paul as Writer and arranger/producer.]]>
The Beginners Guide To Apple Records ( Part 1 ) The Singles 1 To 20
Apple records was first talked about in 1967 and was intended as a section of the hen new company Apple Corps. It was in those days a relatively bold move to begin one’s own record company ……….only the likes of Frank Sinatra had been able to exert so much control of the choice and manufacture of their own ( and others ) product.
The move gave EMI palpitations as the realized that they could lose their greatest asset, and so they were more than accommodating to the Beatles in their offers of assistance.

So what was APPLE about ? Try the promotional film below to get an idea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es9CaPn9X...re=related
(As far as I can tell this clip contains unreleased material from The Beatles: Helter Skelter and Blackbird !)
The final deal left the Beatles with Parlophone but, allowed a custom Apple Label to be used with any artists signed to the label.
The label itself was to be a statement in itself…………….Paul choose a design ( I believe by the artist Magret ) which showed a Granny Smith apple on the A side and sliced in half on the B side.
The code for the singles was settled upon as being APPLE ( However, there is a short run of the APPLES code too )
So the stage was set and Apple records was ready for launch. There is a large amount of Beatle involvement in Apple releases…………Nearly all feature a Beatle on the session and this makes each release interesting.
What was to be APPLE 1 ?
This remains a mystery as APPLE 1 was never issued!
But here is an interesting story from the wiki:
The Lady Is A Champ
Sinatra recorded another version of the song in 1968 as a favour to The Beatles. Sammy Cahn wrote new lyrics to the song as a birthday gift to Ringo Starr's wife, Maureen. His recording was pressed as a single as Apple 1. Only one copy was made, and the tape and masters were destroyed. Since there is only one copy, and since Sinatra and the Beatles were both involved, this may be among the most valuable records in the world.[1] The recording has been bootlegged.[2]
APPLE 2
Mary Hopkins……………….Those Were The Days/ Turn ! Turn Turn !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KODZtjOIPg
Beatle involved Paul……………..Producer.
Paul also spotted Mary Hopkin on a talent show called opportunity Knocks ( Actually the model “ Twiggy “ told him about her ).
APPLE 3
Jackie Lomax………………Sour Milk Sea/ The Eagle Laughs At You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT7HMdUEBI4

Beatle involved George, Paul and Ringo………….Jackie had been a member of the Mersybeat group the Undertakers….George was trying to give him the exposure he deserved…………..
George Harrison - guitar, guide or backing vocal
Paul McCartney - bass
Ringo Starr – drums
APPLE 4
Black Dyke Mills Band...................Thingumybob/Yellow Submarine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKSyUY3HxUA
Beatle Involved……………..The A Side is listed as a Lennon/McCartney song . Producer Paul McCartney
Interestingly enough this would have been APPLES 1003 as this is seen scratched in the run off groove.
APPLE 5
The Iveys ……………Maybe Tomorrow/Her Daddy’s A Millionaire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiblZZv9Oeg
The Iveys were the group who were to be renamed Badfinger…………..They signed to apple and produced an album under that name and two singles. This band were a tremendous talent and received the full attention of the Beatles and it is not beyond belief that favorable comparisons were made .
The Beatle involvement. They were reviewed by both Paul and John , but were left to be signed by Beatle Roadie Mal Evans……………The direct recording involvement of the Beatles is hard to trace with this release but there are many instances and references to the Beatles actually schooling their sound and appearance.
APPLE 6
( White ) Trash…………..Road To Nowhere/Illusions
Apple records courted a fair amount of controversy: this was one of the first instances…copies of APPLE 6 exist with the band listed as White Trash but racist backlashes were feared so the white was removed. As far as I can tell, White or not the BBC banded this track anyway ! The band were originally known as “The Pathfinders “ and the A side is a Goffin and King track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEqbQJnJTkE
Beatle involvement :Unknown
APPLE 7
Mary Hopkin…………..Lontano Dagli Occhi / The Game
Apple records has an odd history, not all issues were available in all territories....This one was not issued in the UK but instead surfaced only in Europe.( There is evidence of at least an Italian release and the reason:the song entered in the 19th Sanremo Song Festival in 1969 .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA_oeMfMERI
Beatle involvement : Production is probably by Paul and it is possible he played on the A side...The B side was written by George Martin.
APPLE 8
Brute Force……………….King Of Fuh/Nobody Knows
It was only going to be a matter of time until the F word appered on vinyl with a Beatle connection! Observation of the Let It Be Out takes shows Lennon working on this with gusto. However it would not be until 1970 that he managed the f word on an Apple release.
This looks like an earlier attempt :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8UbwKTRT7I
Listen carefully if you don’t get ……you will!
Its simple and harmless but of course this was the late 60s………………..
It was thought for many years that APPLE 8 didn’t exist then strange acetate copies appeared . They don’t carry a full apple label ……………They are indeed test pressings but they did get given to DJs on some radio stations but of course it as banned.
Beatle Involvement ? Hard to gauge………..I believe John wanted it out and may have had some involvement .
I go to the Wiki for support!
Brute Force (born 1940) is the pseudonym of Stephen Friedland, an American singer and songwriter. He wrote and performed with The Tokens in the 1960s and wrote songs for Peggy March, Del Shannon, The Chiffons and The Cyrkle (to name but a few).
Brute Force may be best known for a song that barely saw a release: "The King of Fuh", a song produced by The Tokens about a "Fuh King," which was admired by Beatles George Harrison and John Lennon. Harrison used the already recorded demo track but had strings arranged and overdubbed for the record. Apple Records knew that partner EMI would never distribute it, so the company pressed and distributed 2,000 copies themselves in 1969 (catalogue number Apple 8). There was also a copy of the record on the US version of Apple, without a catalogue number (said to have been created as personal copy for an American Apple employee). Brute Force also attempted to have Major Minor records in Britain release the record but with no success. Finally, the artist issued the record on his own label Brute Force Records with an alternate B Side, "Tapeworm Of Love," which received airplay on the Dr. Demento radio show. More recently, the Revola label issued both "King of Fuh" and its original B side ("Nobody Knows") as bonus tracks on the CD release of Extemporaneous. In 2010, "The King of Fuh" was released on the compilation album, Come and Get It: The Best of Apple Records.
APPLE 9
Mary Hopkin.....................Prince En Avignon/The Game
Another track which only managed a European release as it was not released in the UK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBOY0Txf7fc
The lack of a UK release is explained by the fact that it was a French language song ( The Brits have an aversion to language learning even though they do get French in school !) I believe this was only available in France .
Notice also that, George Martin’s The Game appears on the B side..............
Beatle involvement : This seems really hard to pin down............I guessing Paul might have had involvement as he had a great deal of involvement with Mary in the early days............however, later Tony Visconti took over ad later she did become Mrs T Visconti !
APPLE 10
By now Apple was approaching crisis, the last three releases had been controversial in some way so they had to return to the straight and narrow.
Apple 10 was another Mary Hopkin release which was aimed at the charts all over the world!( I’m told it appeared in 28 countries each with their own picture sleeve !)
Mary Hopkin ...................Goodbye/Sparrow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sa8XyzbxUM&feature=fvst
Beatle involvement : The song was written by Paul McCartney.It is considered to be a Lennon/McCartney song and appears on the catalogue and some issues as such.
The demo shows that Paul had pretty much done the arrangement for her: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eyet4WxAmpM
IT seems that Paul is also present on the sessions because there are photos of him in the studio recording this with Mary .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRhBnotMk...re=related
Strangely he subtitles here are Dutch so maybe it is from a Dutch source!
APPLE 11
[FONT=&quot]Jackie Lomax..................New Day/I Fall Inside Your Eyes[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]This seems to be one of Apple’s quieter releases................I ‘ve never heard the track on 7 inch vinyl until now.[/FONT]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSYv_OhY52I
It is an album track and is part of the unsuccessful attempt to make Jackie a star.
Beatle involvement : George Harrison, who played guitar and produced the album. The line-up included Paul McCartney (bass), Ringo Starr (drums).
This vanished without trace, somehow Jackie’s soul voice did not manage to connect with the already strong soul following present in London at the time.
APPLE 12
Billy Preston...................That’s The Way God Planned It/What About You
Billy had appeared as the fifth Beatle on part of the Get Back sessions and so it was natural that he would appear on Apple records .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFTgrFSKbkk
Beatle involvement: George Harrison : Guitar Doris Troy Backing vocals( Apple artist)
APPLE 13
Plastic Ono Band....................Give Peace A Chance/Remember Love
So far , in this guide, The Beatles themselves were not directly involved in the APPLE releases. However, things were getting bad between John and Paul........................IT is thought that at one time John had difficulty persuading Paul to put his song s out as Beatle records. So, he decided that he would put out a solo single as The Plastic Ono Band.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg8rlSi5MlA
Beatle Involvement: John vocal and instruments
The strange thing about this release is that in the end The Beatles did end up putting it out..........The credit is Lennon/McCartney and many of the copies carried a Parlophone code R 5795.......thus it was a Beatle record.
APPLE 14
The Iveys.......................No Escaping Your Love/Dear Angie
This track was only released in Europe ......it was considered too weak to be a single in the UK. It was also the last possible single by the Iveys as they had changed their name to Badfinger.
Release : USA , Holland, France, Japan, Sweden
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptoK5TW6bwU
Beatle involvement : Not sure
APPLE 15
Radha Krishna Temple................ Hare Krishna Mantra/Prayer To The Spiritual Masters
To the Wiki to help here:
The Radha Krishna Temple was the headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in London from the late 1960s. The temple came to prominence when The Beatles and especially George Harrison started to publicly express their interest in Eastern philosophy and Krishna consciousness
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=814VG-NEZK8
Beatle involvement ( Thanks Wiki !!) George was already aware of the devotees of Krishna before meeting the movements leader A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and had purchased 20 copies of the Happening album, the first recording by Swami Prabhupada and his disciples. But it wasn’t until 1969 that George was to meet Shyamasundara dasa in the London offices of Apple Records, the Beatles’ recording company. “Where have you been? I’ve been waiting two years to meet you fella's” was how he greeted the devotee. Shyamasundara and five others had come to London to start a branch of ISKCON and they had sent apple pies and clockwork apples with the Hare Krishna mantra written on them to the Beatles at Apple. This initial meeting eventually led to the recording of 'The Hare Krishna Mantra' by the Radha-Krishna Temple with George, Paul, Linda and drummer Ginger Baker all in the studio helping. George produces the song and is believed to have played harmonium and guitar on the "Govinda" and "Hare Krishna Mantra". Harrison also attended the Radha Krsna Temple's Top of the Pops appearance when they performed the single "Govinda", although he did not appear in front of the cameras. It reached the charts in twenty countries it was even sung one afternoon by 40,000 people at Wembley
APPLE 16
Mary Hopkin..........................Que Sera Sera/Fields Of St. Etienne
Another non UK issue but again, it appeared in Europe. It also appeared in the US!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOZGKfwMz...B&index=13
Apple 16 has an interesting history, it has at least two pencilled in releases A Beatles cover "Two Of Us" entitled "On Our Way Home", by a New York trio, Mortimer was also allocated the code Apple 16
This must have come close to release because there are acetates of this track on an Apple custom pressing..................

Que Sara Sara was rescheduled in the catalog and apaers on APPLE 27!

Beatle Involvement: Mary Hopkin :?????
:Mortimer: It seems that Paul was behind this release I guess he might have played on it or produced it but I have no evidence..
APPLE 17
Trash...............................Golden Slumbers/Trash Can
Now having reduced their name to “Trash”.............they produce a wonderful cover of an Abbey Road track...........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je_VObgUwzM
Beatle involvement : Unknown !

APPLE 18
Hot Chocolate Band.....................Give Peace A Chance/Living Without Tomorrow
This was one of Apple’s most enduring signings .................Hot Chocolate went on to tremendous success in the UK singles charts................Funnily enough they made only one album Ciciro Park.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULvu8FzEt14

Beatle involvement: They were discovered by John and certainly the song was written by John.
By this time Beatle involvement became more indirect as they were braking up. The Hot Chocolate band, were taken on by producer Mick Most who worked with RAK records. The band was dropped and a very successful career followed.

APPLE 19
Billy Preston...........................Everything's Alright/I Want To Thank You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk-VkvXhJBo
Another album track from “That’s The Way God Planned It”
Nice reggae feel to this one.
Beatle involvement: George Harrison : Guitar ;Doris Troy Backing vocals( Apple artist )

At this point in the story we have to look at the main players:
The Beatles had split up and were doing the best they could to kick start their own solo careers
Apple was in a mess and Alan Klein had been called in to sort it out, this resulted in a much more streamlined approach................Less Beatle involvement and less A and R work.
APPLE 20
Badfinger ...........................Come And Get It /Rock Of All Ages
Despite things getting a bit tight the renamed Ivey’s continued to do well, this track charted well and gave them a big hit !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk57K4OGrAg
Owing a lot to Paul’s writing, this became a big success for Apple and brought in the money that was badly needed for Apple.

Again this was written by Paul and in lisrening to his demo he had done most of the arranging:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnZCLtjwLxw
Yet another “lost “ Beatle track...............
Beatle involvement, Paul as Writer and arranger/producer.]]> <![CDATA[paul weller]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=4251 Sat, 11 Dec 2010 00:03:14 +0000 https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=4251 INTRODUCTION:
after advice from Tiggi, i have made this a 'beginners guide to Paul Weller'. from the music of the Jam, through The Style Council and beyond to his solo years,thread will consist of reviews of all studio albums released since 1977 up to the present,at the end of each 'era' i will include run through of all non-album singles with links to most tracks,where available, most links will be live versions,where possible as Weller has always been a better live artist than a studio artist, where solo live versions exist of Jam, TSC tracks i will use those because of the advances in quality over the last 20 or so yrs. feel free to comment on anythind you see or hear here....enjoy!


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THE JAM "In The City" 1977. vinyl/cd

its amazing how time flies as you get older,thus, i cant believe that this album is 33 years old. it was The Jam's debut set and from the first strikes Paul weller makes on his Rickenbacker on the opening track 'art school' you know you're in for almost forty minutes of 'power'. it is relentless, like the debuts of the Sex Pistols/Clash, also from 1977, possibly all three releases are the three best debut albums from the later half of the 70's,certainly by groups from the UK.
although the music is powerful and raw in the 'punk' sense of the word, the music is more sophisticated than the standard three chords used by the punk bands of the day, ie..the songs contain 'middle 8s'.
The Jam too, although closely related to punk,were smart dressers like their Mod idols of the 1960s.
Vocally and lyrically the songs are slightly immature,due to the fact of singer/songwriter Paul Weller's age(19).
ten of the twelve tracks are Weller originals,the remaining two tracks, 'batman theme' and 'slow down' are Who and Larry Williams covers, respectively. 'non-stop dancing',even though is loud and heavy has distinct resemblences to Motown, another of Paul Weller's influences.
the subject matter deals with, urban decay, street life, not dissimilar to those of Ray Davies.
the album reached #20 UK, 'in the city' #40 UK.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

tracks:

1.art school**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqiMfPe6U7g
2.i've changed my address**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d21NgbsWus
3.slow down**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPzbc1uUcXA
4.i got by in time**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvoRjWYzkvY
5.away from the numbers**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDQIax89JSY
6.batman theme**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gt9TgKkmE9U
7.in the city**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ipGhzrIi3s
8.sounds from the street**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92WipxWX68Y
9.non-stop dancing**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SGSmhoQf...re=related
10.time for truth**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz5fuUV0YFc
11.takin' my love**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYkhCH4wv4o
12.bricks and mortar**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhmhO-4_gIU

3s=0
2s=12
1s=0

rating 2.0



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THE JAM "this is the modern world' 1977. vinyl/cd

The Jam's second album, and their second album released in 1977, this album could have been so much better. the basic chord/melody structure of the songs was good but i feel as if they are incomplete....thanks to Polygram Records insisting The Jam rush back into the studio after their debut set to record another album....then Polygram had the balls to threaten dropping The Jam because it wasnt as good as it should have been.
there is only one great song on this album, 'standards', six good ones and five dud tracks. maybe its just the years that ends in '7'? because the style concil released the rubbish 'the cost of loving' in 1987 and Paul Weller released 'heavy soul' in 1997,which was also crap.
thankfully he didnt releae an album in 2007! LOL
this albums music is a lot less 'punkish' than 'in the city' and owes its sound to more of the Kinks and the Who 1965-68 sound.
Paul Weller wrote nine of these tracks,bass player Bruce Foxton wrote and sung on two of the tracks and there is one cover version....
Wilson Picket's 'midnight hour',PW's fascination/influence of soul music still exists to this day.
Foxton's 'dont tell them youre sane' was written after he saw the Nicholson movie 'one flew over the cookoos nest'. the album also contains paul weller's first two REAL love songs: 'tonight at noon' & 'i need you(for someone),lovely songs,just not finished to what they could have been.
the album reached #22 UK, the single 'the modern world' #36 UK.

I DO NOT LIKE THIS ALBUM!

best track: Standards
worst track: The Combine

tracks:

1. the modern world**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRW4fCTF3pk live
2. london traffic*
3. standards***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srAIG5NpaNY live
4.life from a window*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL9VT92CrtI audio
5. the combine*
6. dont tell them you're sane*
7. in the street today*
8. london girl*
9. i need you(for someone)**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwsJmARXLu8 audio
10. here comes the weekend**
11. tonight at noon**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbEwYlGCIzY live
12. in the midnight hour**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_AfkydZNtU audio

3s=1
2s=6
1s=5

rating 1.5


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THE JAM "all mod cons" 1978.

The Jam's third album in eighteen months, and one that im sure messers Davies and Townshend would be proud to call their own!
Paul Weller's songwriting improved 1000% since the debut album,though originally it wasnt that way at all, as the original tracks laid down for this album were discarded as they werent an improvement on the second album. this album single handedly pretty much gave The Jam a contract for as long as they were willing to stay at Polygram Records, it was the album that Weller honed his lyrical and musical niche into a great songwriter, and the Jam as a great band.
11 of the 12 tracks were written by Weller,the remaining track, a Kinks cover(David Watts) sung by bassist Bruce Foxton. it was the first time PW songs dealt with 'charater' songs,something that Ray Davies did so brilliantly with the Kinks.
'english rose', a haunting ballad, is the best song on the album,and one that Weller still sings live now as a solo artist, and stands up well with his more recent music. theres songs cynical of the 9-5(mr.clean), about fame and its benefits-and loss of those benefits once it diminishes(to be someone). 'its too bad' is a lament love song in the vein of The Who's 'so sad about us'. 'tube station' is a song about Racism and racist attacks/bashings, the of the 'anarchic' theme 'a-bomb in wardour street'.if there is one Jam album everyone should listen to or buy,this is it.
the album reached #6 UK.
singles:
double 'a' side david watts b/w 'a' bomb in wardour street #25 UK
down in the tube station at midnight #15 UK

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

worst track: fly
best track: english rose

tracks:

1.all mod cons**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUYbM6KiFB8 audio
2.to be someone(didnt we have a nice time)**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMFNp9R5src live
3.mr.clean**
4.david watts*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZj4NglEPUI live
5.english rose***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RMiY7PWcQg live/paul weller solo version
6.in the crowd***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCiNbMxUKtQ live/paul weller solo version
7.billy hunt**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc2ZIQ-xp7o live/with 'a' bomb in wardour street & 'in the street today' from debut album
8.its too bad**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i_EUiJsoDc audio
9.fly*
10.the place i love**
11.'a' bomb in wardour street**
12.down in the tube station at midnight***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiHv_VZFJ...re=related live

3s=3
2s=7
1s=2

rating 2.1


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THE JAM "Setting Sons" 1979 cd/vinyl.

the music on this album cranked up a gear from the more stripped down sound of 'all mod cons' but it couldnt be called 'punk' as it was too melodic.
'setting sons' originally started life as a concept album of three friends from childhood seperated by war only to reunite years later to find that their lives had taken them in different directions, and that the bonds they shared as boys were now torn apart by work/family committments,and that their 'blood-brothers' values had all but gone. Good idea, but due to time constraints and a looming recording schedule approaching, Weller had to finish writing quicker than he anticipated. so only 'thick as thieves', 'little boy soldiers', 'wasteland' and 'burning sky' have some sort of connected concept.
of the other songs: 'girl on the phone' deals with an obsessive fan. 'private hell' deals with the middle age crisis of a married woman whose children have left home, hubby is always working etc..so she gets through each day in a 'valium haze'. the only Bruce Foxton track on the album,and possibly the finest track he ever wrote is 'smithers-jones', the story of a man who has spent years being loyal to his employer, suddenly finding himself out of work. 'saturdays kids' deals with the issue of weekend pastimes of teenagers,both boys and girls. 'the eton rifles' is a call for arms for all working class people to revolt against the upper classes of class riddled England. the final track 'heatwave' is a cover of the Martha & the Vandellas motown classic. as a footnote, Mick Talbot of 'Merton Parkas' played keyboards on two tracks on this album, he would later join paul Weller in forming The Style Council.
overall it is a quality album by a vastly improving songwriter and vocalist.
the album reached #4 UK, #137 US. the single 'the eton rifles' became The jam's first UK top 10 hit peaking at #3.

worst track: no one track stands out as being bad
best track: Private Hell.

tracks:

1.girl on the phone**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL-Y-6wivg0 audio
2.thick as thieves**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VQkUXq37-0&feature=fvsr audio with lyrics
3.private hell***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUo5lKDUJVw live
4.little boy soldiers**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC4lPVfnOMY&feature=fvw audio with lyrics
5.wasteland**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OuByLWhk...re=related audio
6.burning sky**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdlHk3rSMgs audio
7.smithers-jones**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoGpSIuVgdg audio
8.saturday's kids**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKtvbau5CX0 audio
9.the eton rifles**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwepDp9tG1I live,paul weller solo version
10.(love is like a)heatwave**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFuTzcQbsHg live

3s=1
2s=9
1s=0

rating 2.1


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THE JAM "Sound Affects" 1980.

following the double 'a' side #1 single of "Goin' Underground b/w Dreams Of Children" in march of 1980 The Jam returned to the studio to record their fifth album since mid 1977.
the result was 'sound affects', an eleven track Beatle-esque sounding album inspired musically by the Fab Four's "Revolver" set, however, the initial thing that sticks out when listening to the album is the brilliant bass lines and percussion work of Buce Foxton and Rick Buckler. this is evident from the opning track 'pretty green' and carries through the best part of the album. Again, Weller's lyrics have improved to almost perfection, apart from the instrumental track 'music for the last couple' the album is very good,allbeit with a rewrite of the Beatles 'taxman' (start!).Weller's lyrics still deal with social issues, from the rise of fascism in europe to love.
he takes a swipe at John Lydon on 'scrape away' for being a pessimist and cynical about life. the song 'thats entertainment' reached #21 in the UK as an import from Germany.
the album reached #2 UK, #72 US, the single 'start!' #1 UK, #75US.

worst track: music for the last couple
best tracks: man in the cornershop & monday

tracks:

1.pretty green***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K058SGcVR...re=related live/paul weller solo
2.monday***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JACc2aIb9...re=related audio
3.but im different now**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzRHUhn0i...re=related live
4.set the house ablaze**
5.start!**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy3Qpi_XfDA live
6.that's entertainment***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Am2SGoTeIU live
7.dreamtime**
8.man in the cornershop***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZfTkycPa...re=related live/paul weller solo
9.music for the last couple*
10.boy about town**
11.scrape away**

3s=4
2s=6
1s=1

rating 2.3

to be continued,next..."the gift" 1982.]]> INTRODUCTION:
after advice from Tiggi, i have made this a 'beginners guide to Paul Weller'. from the music of the Jam, through The Style Council and beyond to his solo years,thread will consist of reviews of all studio albums released since 1977 up to the present,at the end of each 'era' i will include run through of all non-album singles with links to most tracks,where available, most links will be live versions,where possible as Weller has always been a better live artist than a studio artist, where solo live versions exist of Jam, TSC tracks i will use those because of the advances in quality over the last 20 or so yrs. feel free to comment on anythind you see or hear here....enjoy!


[Image: 51JXaJ8gOOL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

THE JAM "In The City" 1977. vinyl/cd

its amazing how time flies as you get older,thus, i cant believe that this album is 33 years old. it was The Jam's debut set and from the first strikes Paul weller makes on his Rickenbacker on the opening track 'art school' you know you're in for almost forty minutes of 'power'. it is relentless, like the debuts of the Sex Pistols/Clash, also from 1977, possibly all three releases are the three best debut albums from the later half of the 70's,certainly by groups from the UK.
although the music is powerful and raw in the 'punk' sense of the word, the music is more sophisticated than the standard three chords used by the punk bands of the day, ie..the songs contain 'middle 8s'.
The Jam too, although closely related to punk,were smart dressers like their Mod idols of the 1960s.
Vocally and lyrically the songs are slightly immature,due to the fact of singer/songwriter Paul Weller's age(19).
ten of the twelve tracks are Weller originals,the remaining two tracks, 'batman theme' and 'slow down' are Who and Larry Williams covers, respectively. 'non-stop dancing',even though is loud and heavy has distinct resemblences to Motown, another of Paul Weller's influences.
the subject matter deals with, urban decay, street life, not dissimilar to those of Ray Davies.
the album reached #20 UK, 'in the city' #40 UK.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

tracks:

1.art school**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqiMfPe6U7g
2.i've changed my address**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d21NgbsWus
3.slow down**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPzbc1uUcXA
4.i got by in time**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvoRjWYzkvY
5.away from the numbers**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDQIax89JSY
6.batman theme**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gt9TgKkmE9U
7.in the city**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ipGhzrIi3s
8.sounds from the street**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92WipxWX68Y
9.non-stop dancing**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SGSmhoQf...re=related
10.time for truth**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz5fuUV0YFc
11.takin' my love**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYkhCH4wv4o
12.bricks and mortar**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhmhO-4_gIU

3s=0
2s=12
1s=0

rating 2.0



[Image: 51W0SM8t3sL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

THE JAM "this is the modern world' 1977. vinyl/cd

The Jam's second album, and their second album released in 1977, this album could have been so much better. the basic chord/melody structure of the songs was good but i feel as if they are incomplete....thanks to Polygram Records insisting The Jam rush back into the studio after their debut set to record another album....then Polygram had the balls to threaten dropping The Jam because it wasnt as good as it should have been.
there is only one great song on this album, 'standards', six good ones and five dud tracks. maybe its just the years that ends in '7'? because the style concil released the rubbish 'the cost of loving' in 1987 and Paul Weller released 'heavy soul' in 1997,which was also crap.
thankfully he didnt releae an album in 2007! LOL
this albums music is a lot less 'punkish' than 'in the city' and owes its sound to more of the Kinks and the Who 1965-68 sound.
Paul Weller wrote nine of these tracks,bass player Bruce Foxton wrote and sung on two of the tracks and there is one cover version....
Wilson Picket's 'midnight hour',PW's fascination/influence of soul music still exists to this day.
Foxton's 'dont tell them youre sane' was written after he saw the Nicholson movie 'one flew over the cookoos nest'. the album also contains paul weller's first two REAL love songs: 'tonight at noon' & 'i need you(for someone),lovely songs,just not finished to what they could have been.
the album reached #22 UK, the single 'the modern world' #36 UK.

I DO NOT LIKE THIS ALBUM!

best track: Standards
worst track: The Combine

tracks:

1. the modern world**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRW4fCTF3pk live
2. london traffic*
3. standards***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srAIG5NpaNY live
4.life from a window*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL9VT92CrtI audio
5. the combine*
6. dont tell them you're sane*
7. in the street today*
8. london girl*
9. i need you(for someone)**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwsJmARXLu8 audio
10. here comes the weekend**
11. tonight at noon**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbEwYlGCIzY live
12. in the midnight hour**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_AfkydZNtU audio

3s=1
2s=6
1s=5

rating 1.5


[Image: 51zql1bXxmL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

THE JAM "all mod cons" 1978.

The Jam's third album in eighteen months, and one that im sure messers Davies and Townshend would be proud to call their own!
Paul Weller's songwriting improved 1000% since the debut album,though originally it wasnt that way at all, as the original tracks laid down for this album were discarded as they werent an improvement on the second album. this album single handedly pretty much gave The Jam a contract for as long as they were willing to stay at Polygram Records, it was the album that Weller honed his lyrical and musical niche into a great songwriter, and the Jam as a great band.
11 of the 12 tracks were written by Weller,the remaining track, a Kinks cover(David Watts) sung by bassist Bruce Foxton. it was the first time PW songs dealt with 'charater' songs,something that Ray Davies did so brilliantly with the Kinks.
'english rose', a haunting ballad, is the best song on the album,and one that Weller still sings live now as a solo artist, and stands up well with his more recent music. theres songs cynical of the 9-5(mr.clean), about fame and its benefits-and loss of those benefits once it diminishes(to be someone). 'its too bad' is a lament love song in the vein of The Who's 'so sad about us'. 'tube station' is a song about Racism and racist attacks/bashings, the of the 'anarchic' theme 'a-bomb in wardour street'.if there is one Jam album everyone should listen to or buy,this is it.
the album reached #6 UK.
singles:
double 'a' side david watts b/w 'a' bomb in wardour street #25 UK
down in the tube station at midnight #15 UK

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

worst track: fly
best track: english rose

tracks:

1.all mod cons**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUYbM6KiFB8 audio
2.to be someone(didnt we have a nice time)**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMFNp9R5src live
3.mr.clean**
4.david watts*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZj4NglEPUI live
5.english rose***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RMiY7PWcQg live/paul weller solo version
6.in the crowd***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCiNbMxUKtQ live/paul weller solo version
7.billy hunt**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc2ZIQ-xp7o live/with 'a' bomb in wardour street & 'in the street today' from debut album
8.its too bad**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i_EUiJsoDc audio
9.fly*
10.the place i love**
11.'a' bomb in wardour street**
12.down in the tube station at midnight***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiHv_VZFJ...re=related live

3s=3
2s=7
1s=2

rating 2.1


[Image: 61OLZQBCfiL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

THE JAM "Setting Sons" 1979 cd/vinyl.

the music on this album cranked up a gear from the more stripped down sound of 'all mod cons' but it couldnt be called 'punk' as it was too melodic.
'setting sons' originally started life as a concept album of three friends from childhood seperated by war only to reunite years later to find that their lives had taken them in different directions, and that the bonds they shared as boys were now torn apart by work/family committments,and that their 'blood-brothers' values had all but gone. Good idea, but due to time constraints and a looming recording schedule approaching, Weller had to finish writing quicker than he anticipated. so only 'thick as thieves', 'little boy soldiers', 'wasteland' and 'burning sky' have some sort of connected concept.
of the other songs: 'girl on the phone' deals with an obsessive fan. 'private hell' deals with the middle age crisis of a married woman whose children have left home, hubby is always working etc..so she gets through each day in a 'valium haze'. the only Bruce Foxton track on the album,and possibly the finest track he ever wrote is 'smithers-jones', the story of a man who has spent years being loyal to his employer, suddenly finding himself out of work. 'saturdays kids' deals with the issue of weekend pastimes of teenagers,both boys and girls. 'the eton rifles' is a call for arms for all working class people to revolt against the upper classes of class riddled England. the final track 'heatwave' is a cover of the Martha & the Vandellas motown classic. as a footnote, Mick Talbot of 'Merton Parkas' played keyboards on two tracks on this album, he would later join paul Weller in forming The Style Council.
overall it is a quality album by a vastly improving songwriter and vocalist.
the album reached #4 UK, #137 US. the single 'the eton rifles' became The jam's first UK top 10 hit peaking at #3.

worst track: no one track stands out as being bad
best track: Private Hell.

tracks:

1.girl on the phone**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL-Y-6wivg0 audio
2.thick as thieves**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VQkUXq37-0&feature=fvsr audio with lyrics
3.private hell***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUo5lKDUJVw live
4.little boy soldiers**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC4lPVfnOMY&feature=fvw audio with lyrics
5.wasteland**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OuByLWhk...re=related audio
6.burning sky**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdlHk3rSMgs audio
7.smithers-jones**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoGpSIuVgdg audio
8.saturday's kids**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKtvbau5CX0 audio
9.the eton rifles**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwepDp9tG1I live,paul weller solo version
10.(love is like a)heatwave**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFuTzcQbsHg live

3s=1
2s=9
1s=0

rating 2.1


[Image: 612R-TGtUXL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

THE JAM "Sound Affects" 1980.

following the double 'a' side #1 single of "Goin' Underground b/w Dreams Of Children" in march of 1980 The Jam returned to the studio to record their fifth album since mid 1977.
the result was 'sound affects', an eleven track Beatle-esque sounding album inspired musically by the Fab Four's "Revolver" set, however, the initial thing that sticks out when listening to the album is the brilliant bass lines and percussion work of Buce Foxton and Rick Buckler. this is evident from the opning track 'pretty green' and carries through the best part of the album. Again, Weller's lyrics have improved to almost perfection, apart from the instrumental track 'music for the last couple' the album is very good,allbeit with a rewrite of the Beatles 'taxman' (start!).Weller's lyrics still deal with social issues, from the rise of fascism in europe to love.
he takes a swipe at John Lydon on 'scrape away' for being a pessimist and cynical about life. the song 'thats entertainment' reached #21 in the UK as an import from Germany.
the album reached #2 UK, #72 US, the single 'start!' #1 UK, #75US.

worst track: music for the last couple
best tracks: man in the cornershop & monday

tracks:

1.pretty green***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K058SGcVR...re=related live/paul weller solo
2.monday***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JACc2aIb9...re=related audio
3.but im different now**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzRHUhn0i...re=related live
4.set the house ablaze**
5.start!**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy3Qpi_XfDA live
6.that's entertainment***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Am2SGoTeIU live
7.dreamtime**
8.man in the cornershop***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZfTkycPa...re=related live/paul weller solo
9.music for the last couple*
10.boy about town**
11.scrape away**

3s=4
2s=6
1s=1

rating 2.3

to be continued,next..."the gift" 1982.]]> <![CDATA['70s Pink Floyd]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=3726 Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:59:21 +0000 https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=3726 By the start of the 1970s, the band were becoming very successful, and were starting to flex their creative muscle following the loss of Syd Barrett.

ATOM HEART MOTHER

[Image: 51U8PcIZL6L._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

This 1970 release continued with their fondness for musical experimentation. The entire first side of the vinyl release is given over to the title track, which was written in collaboration with Scottish avant garde composer Ron Geesin, and includes some extensive orchestral passages.

Side two contains shorter songs – one each from Waters, Wright, & Gilmour – and another experimental piece called Alan’s Psychedelic Breakfast which includes a recording of someone preparing & commenting on their breakfast.

Gilmour’s gorgeous song Fat Old Sun is a side two highlight

A clip of part of the title track, live from France:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhyM1h_fago&feature=related


MEDDLE

[Image: 41POCNk-DsL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

1971 album Meddle was close to being the first where the sound they’d been making in the 1960s had been replaced by the new band identity.

Similarly to Atom Heart Mother, one side of the vinyl release was given over to shorter songs, whilst the second was devoted to the epic track Echoes. Throughout the album, Gilmour was contributing beautiful music, and his guitar was becoming increasingly central to the sound of the band.


LIVE AT POMPEII

[Image: 51GMHH9KCXL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

The following year Pink Floyd filmed some performances of much of the Meddle material at a deserted amphitheatre at Pompeii in Italy. This saw a release in 1972, and various versions of this are still available on DVD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc4qi03QgOg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgvAwBDbuIo


OBSCURED BY CLOUDS

[Image: 51HWz4sMPkL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

The next venture, also from 1972, was a soundtrack album for another of Barbet Schroeder’s obscure art-house movies, La Vallée. Again, I’ve never seen the movie, and whilst the soundtrack wasn’t well critically received, I think it’s a solid effort, and it points toward the band’s more electronic sound which was to come.


THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

[Image: 41Uc3PwbDvL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

For many, this is Pink Floyd’s finest hour, and was destined to become one of the biggest selling records ever released.

It’s a “concept” album where the songs explore the pressures and concerns of the age: Love, stress, money, insanity, & death. Roger Waters by this time was writing all the lyrics, and was starting to exhibit a despotic control over the bands’ output, which would wreak havoc in later years.

The sound effects that the Floyd had dabbled in before now were plastered all over this record, and this in combination with Waters’ lyrics, and some absolutely sublime music were a winning combination. Unfortunately, the pressure to follow up this level of success was to present it’s own problems.

The album also apparently synchronises eerily with the first forty minutes of the movie The Wizard of Oz. I’ve never actually tried it, but will at some stage

Original film clip used by the band when playing Money on stage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_anbEJsr6s

And a similar montage for Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPBYLDqUwQk


WISH YOU WERE HERE

[Image: 51FKs%2BhIylL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

1975 saw the release of this album which is dominated by a two part song – Shine on You Crazy Diamond – which is a tribute to Syd Barrett.

The rest of the album concerns Waters’ jaundiced view of the music industry. Large parts of the album are instrumental which usually meant that Gilmour’s creative juices were in full flow.

Much of the record is beautiful, and reflective, but I think it’s an inevitably weak follow-up to DSOTM. However, the songs seem to be amongst the fans’ favourites, and many believe this to be their strongest album. These people are wrong.


ANIMALS

[Image: 51jEU6b6g1L._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

1977 was the year of the Punk explosion in the UK, and Waters’ lyrics on Animals seemed to fit well with the cynicism & nihilism that were rife at the time.

The album’s five songs categorise capitalists, politicians, and censors as Dogs, Pigs, & Sheep, and the lyrics are bitter and vitriolic. For some reason this album isn’t held in high regard by the band’s fans, but I feel this is close to being the very essence of what the band generally, and waters specifically were trying to articulate.

The music is darker and tougher than any of their previous output, and signposted a development that would continue until the inevitable split some years later.

Video clip of Waters’ band playing Dogs some years later:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIsS9L9nqvY


THE WALL

[Image: 51GtHoLrzcL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

During the Animals tour, the band were playing in Canada, and Waters was becoming increasingly frustrated that the audience weren’t listening, but just kept baying for favourite songs. When a fan tried to climb on stage, Waters spat in his face. After the gig he was horrified at the degree of separation he felt was developing between band and audience. Thus the concept for The Wall was born.

If you don’t like angst, then this album won’t be for you, as Waters explored all the formative experiences in his life that had lead him to close himself off from those around him. His father’s death in the 2nd world war whilst he was still very young, his smothering mother, the UK school system, the women in his life, were all included as bricks in his personal wall.

The album was performed as a theatrical show in which a physical wall was built across the front of the stage during the first half, leaving the band invisible for the second half barring occasional glimpses of Waters & Gilmour. The wall was used as a projection screen for some unsettling animations from satirical cartoonist Gerald Scarfe.

The show was only performed a handful of times across four cities in The US & Europe, and was a financial disaster due to the cost of staging it. Interestingly, Rick Wright was fired from the band by Waters in the run up to the tour, but was retained as a hired session player, so he was the only band member to make any money from the tour.

The concept was also produced as a movie, directed by Alan Parker and starring Bob Geldof.


[Image: 51HzWb1ed%2BL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]
Comfortably Numb clip from the movie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQWszrZHBPI

By this stage, Waters’ need to control the band was causing serious strain, and it would only be a matter of time before they imploded…
]]> By the start of the 1970s, the band were becoming very successful, and were starting to flex their creative muscle following the loss of Syd Barrett.

ATOM HEART MOTHER

[Image: 51U8PcIZL6L._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

This 1970 release continued with their fondness for musical experimentation. The entire first side of the vinyl release is given over to the title track, which was written in collaboration with Scottish avant garde composer Ron Geesin, and includes some extensive orchestral passages.

Side two contains shorter songs – one each from Waters, Wright, & Gilmour – and another experimental piece called Alan’s Psychedelic Breakfast which includes a recording of someone preparing & commenting on their breakfast.

Gilmour’s gorgeous song Fat Old Sun is a side two highlight

A clip of part of the title track, live from France:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhyM1h_fago&feature=related


MEDDLE

[Image: 41POCNk-DsL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

1971 album Meddle was close to being the first where the sound they’d been making in the 1960s had been replaced by the new band identity.

Similarly to Atom Heart Mother, one side of the vinyl release was given over to shorter songs, whilst the second was devoted to the epic track Echoes. Throughout the album, Gilmour was contributing beautiful music, and his guitar was becoming increasingly central to the sound of the band.


LIVE AT POMPEII

[Image: 51GMHH9KCXL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

The following year Pink Floyd filmed some performances of much of the Meddle material at a deserted amphitheatre at Pompeii in Italy. This saw a release in 1972, and various versions of this are still available on DVD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc4qi03QgOg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgvAwBDbuIo


OBSCURED BY CLOUDS

[Image: 51HWz4sMPkL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

The next venture, also from 1972, was a soundtrack album for another of Barbet Schroeder’s obscure art-house movies, La Vallée. Again, I’ve never seen the movie, and whilst the soundtrack wasn’t well critically received, I think it’s a solid effort, and it points toward the band’s more electronic sound which was to come.


THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

[Image: 41Uc3PwbDvL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

For many, this is Pink Floyd’s finest hour, and was destined to become one of the biggest selling records ever released.

It’s a “concept” album where the songs explore the pressures and concerns of the age: Love, stress, money, insanity, & death. Roger Waters by this time was writing all the lyrics, and was starting to exhibit a despotic control over the bands’ output, which would wreak havoc in later years.

The sound effects that the Floyd had dabbled in before now were plastered all over this record, and this in combination with Waters’ lyrics, and some absolutely sublime music were a winning combination. Unfortunately, the pressure to follow up this level of success was to present it’s own problems.

The album also apparently synchronises eerily with the first forty minutes of the movie The Wizard of Oz. I’ve never actually tried it, but will at some stage

Original film clip used by the band when playing Money on stage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_anbEJsr6s

And a similar montage for Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPBYLDqUwQk


WISH YOU WERE HERE

[Image: 51FKs%2BhIylL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

1975 saw the release of this album which is dominated by a two part song – Shine on You Crazy Diamond – which is a tribute to Syd Barrett.

The rest of the album concerns Waters’ jaundiced view of the music industry. Large parts of the album are instrumental which usually meant that Gilmour’s creative juices were in full flow.

Much of the record is beautiful, and reflective, but I think it’s an inevitably weak follow-up to DSOTM. However, the songs seem to be amongst the fans’ favourites, and many believe this to be their strongest album. These people are wrong.


ANIMALS

[Image: 51jEU6b6g1L._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

1977 was the year of the Punk explosion in the UK, and Waters’ lyrics on Animals seemed to fit well with the cynicism & nihilism that were rife at the time.

The album’s five songs categorise capitalists, politicians, and censors as Dogs, Pigs, & Sheep, and the lyrics are bitter and vitriolic. For some reason this album isn’t held in high regard by the band’s fans, but I feel this is close to being the very essence of what the band generally, and waters specifically were trying to articulate.

The music is darker and tougher than any of their previous output, and signposted a development that would continue until the inevitable split some years later.

Video clip of Waters’ band playing Dogs some years later:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIsS9L9nqvY


THE WALL

[Image: 51GtHoLrzcL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]

During the Animals tour, the band were playing in Canada, and Waters was becoming increasingly frustrated that the audience weren’t listening, but just kept baying for favourite songs. When a fan tried to climb on stage, Waters spat in his face. After the gig he was horrified at the degree of separation he felt was developing between band and audience. Thus the concept for The Wall was born.

If you don’t like angst, then this album won’t be for you, as Waters explored all the formative experiences in his life that had lead him to close himself off from those around him. His father’s death in the 2nd world war whilst he was still very young, his smothering mother, the UK school system, the women in his life, were all included as bricks in his personal wall.

The album was performed as a theatrical show in which a physical wall was built across the front of the stage during the first half, leaving the band invisible for the second half barring occasional glimpses of Waters & Gilmour. The wall was used as a projection screen for some unsettling animations from satirical cartoonist Gerald Scarfe.

The show was only performed a handful of times across four cities in The US & Europe, and was a financial disaster due to the cost of staging it. Interestingly, Rick Wright was fired from the band by Waters in the run up to the tour, but was retained as a hired session player, so he was the only band member to make any money from the tour.

The concept was also produced as a movie, directed by Alan Parker and starring Bob Geldof.


[Image: 51HzWb1ed%2BL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]
Comfortably Numb clip from the movie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQWszrZHBPI

By this stage, Waters’ need to control the band was causing serious strain, and it would only be a matter of time before they imploded…
]]> <![CDATA[The Monkees]]> https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=3689 Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:04:23 +0000 https://www.music-discussion.com/showthread.php?tid=3689

In the mid sixties, the hottest thing on the planet were, the four gentlemen from Liverpool. They had sung and cavorted about for the camera and proved that they could make the cash tills sing. So if you could not own them , then you had only one option…………………….To copy them!
This then , is how the idea of the Monkees was born.

The Monkees were a pop rock quartet assembled by Robert "Bob" Rafelson and Bert Schneider in Los Angeles in 1966..................objective...............find four boys who could be put in the role of boy band...............make a TV series in the style of “A Hard Day’s Night”.................rush out an album or two
Tell the boys they shut up and do as they are told ...................make money and then move on.
You have the idea.

To this end, an advert was placed in a paper: “Wanted Four Boys To Play in a TV Pop Band”

People who auditioned included:

Stephen Stills
Charles Manson
Narry Nilsson
Danny Hutton

Plus the four who got the parts.

The starting point was the TV series and the idea was, that the four boys would make a pilot episode to see if they looked good in front of the camera and they would take it from there. The TV series was to be a vehicle to plug the band’s hits which would be written , performed and recorded by professional musicians.
To do justice to the four: it is interesting to look at those Boyce and Hart pilot takes

Here is the Monkees Theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWea5rB7XlY

Now let’s hear the Monkees version with at least some input from them

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgyZCgw6kdw

The four boys who had been selected contained two fully qualified musicians: Peter Tork and Mike Nesmith

Micky Dolenz had some musical back ground but did learn on the job as did David Jones.

Hence, the pilot was completed and a full series commissioned .

The idea was to milk the idea as fast as possible before the bubble burst:
The Monkees plus musical help were to provide the soundtrack and star in the series. It was soon realized, that it would not be possible to just plug the hits in every program , so the cream of American’s song writing talent was used to make as many potential hits as possible.

It is interesting to look at some of the song writers involved:

Neil Diamond
Goffin and King
Boyce and Hart
Neil Sedaka

It is also worth noting that, the Monkees were prolific recording artist and recorded a great deal of material at this point.............Not all of it found it’s was onto vinyl creating a vast back catalogue of unreleased material: some of this turned up in shows but not on record .

Into the first starting point:

The star of the first part of the first series was

Starting point:Last Train To Clarksville

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KSHyXGy6XA

This really started the ball rolling on the success story.

To begin with: hit after hit came :

I’m A Believer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqNtWfo0yzc
( NB this is an almost note for note copy of Neil Diamond’s version )

To capitalise on the success the management quickly prepared an album:

· Album The Monkees by The Monkees

( An excellent pop album .............This is best bought as one the Rhino reissues, as they have excellent sleeve notes, extra tracks and a special enhanced edition containing many esxtra)
The success of this approach was a surprise even to the most optimistic of the team that had prepared it ........................ However, not all was going to plan......................................

The four boys were supposed to lie down and do as they were told!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They did not...they wanted more and more say in what they did artistically and this started to make the project harder to handle.

· Single ...........A Little Bit Me A Little Bit You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xow8HjjN9Q

The hits go on but the Monkees involvement is becoming greater, they are taking a bigger part in recording, playing and composing. It is interesting to note that from the beginning songs are credited to Nesmith and Tork.

· Second Album.......................More Of The Monkees .

Another excellent Pop album. However, this one begins to show that under the surface all is not well.............There are at least four producers credits on this album..........Careful examination of the history of the cover shot reveals that, the shot was not intended for an album sleeve but, instead was intended for a clothes promotion........................Most telling of all was the fact that the Monkees themselves had no knowledge of it’s release.....................The story goes that they only found out about it one day when they strolled into a record shop and saw it there. Clearly communication and PR were at an all time low.

So what is going on?................... Well the musical/TV side had not really expected to get much further than a quick album or so. When they did they rush released a second album. The Monkees had made head way in controlling their artistic output and had started to record tracks under their control as well as the musical team.( This explains the many producers : there was now,and is evidence of more than one team at work!)

It also comes to pass, that the team have sent The Monkees out on the road! The non musicians have been working hard to brush up their skills and with a small team of support musicians the band are on the road and getting a good reaction ! ( Not bad considering there have always been charges of the band not being able to play!)
So, what do you get musically ?

WELL still sone great pop music:

Boyce and Hart pen the excellent “She” to start with:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoRjKHdK77c

they add also:

The archetypal punk anthem” I’m Not Your Stepping Stone”

They big track on the album and on single was “I’m A Believer”

But there were other good tracks again Neil Diamond scores with:

“Look Out Here Comes Tomorrow”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZCMkEY-Fbc

Gofin and King contributed

“Sometime In The Morning”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cvtRvzABIY

Mike Nesmith fought back for the band with:

Mary Mary

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6jVxks8M4A

Neil Sedaka and Carol Bayer added

When Love Comes Knocking At Your Door

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umt_7jXfF...re=related

With this the Monkees were riding high and taking more and more control !

· Third Monkee Album Was Headquaters

This shows the high point of both worlds : The Don Kirschner lead music team and the Monkees at their best.
There are still big names writing songs and there are still Monkees leading songs too. The TV’s shows were at their height and the tour schedule busy................
Gems from this album are

Randy Scouse Git ( Alternative Title)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihXygclhvsI
( Note the Beatles references “ The Four Kings Of EMI!)

Mr Webster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f649qmahmgk

Forget That Girl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uTAYGNCgtE

So now we turn the corner:

Next, follows the album

· Album Pieces Aquarius Capricorn and Jones

To start with, all seems normal and indeed there are plenty of high points:

Salesman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZxsR8DaPnY

Cuddly Toy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nusQ3Lqsz0

Pleasent Valley Sunday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7ICup8O_1M

However, The Monkees now have managed to obtain the upper hand in the artistic control battle:

Still time for another album

  • Album : The Birds The Bees and The Monkees

Tracks that stand out

Daydream Believer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQNqk54HPdE

Valleri

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJw0qpqIONQ


BUT The ball is now in the Monkees court , artistically, and,

This changes things:

They are disillusioned with the TV shows and silly clown characters:

To this end they decide to strike out and destroy this manufactured image:

Move One : They make the Film “ Head “

· Album Head Sountrack

This takes the Monkee image and destroys it : ( Head Promo)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNdtqzm-v-w

With this they produce some great music but the “Kids” who have been their following are confused to say the least.

The film is rarely seen now because it was a total flop...............It was pulled from most mainstream theaters within a week and most copies were trashed!

However.................It is an excellent film and contains some great music:

The Porpoise song: ( Film clip version )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtjXHUaKQHE

Circle sky

As We Go Along
( Clips unavailable)

This move puts the Monkees at the following situation:

They are producing good self penned music which they largely play BUT, their audience is deserting them in droves........................

At this point The Monkees try to put together a new form of TV program:

· Video 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee

This has an all star cast from the world of popular music and light entertainment.....................

The Music is diverse and interesting and very unusual .
For along while this has been unavailable in any format due to the complex copyright problems involved in clearing all the artist involved but, I believe that it can be obtained on DVD

Windup Man:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0qGOrihJ5A

There is plenty more Monkee image panning involved in this program as well as some really good music.

It is available in seven parts on youtube.

So..................This seems to be artistic control and expression but just as it becomes reality: Peter Tork quits...............

However, on go three Monkees and we get another album:

· Album The Monkees Present

This is not a bad album ...........three Monkees and some of their own material .............At this point its a bit like The Beatles White Album ..............recorded separately

But there are high points :

Listen To The Band: ( Mike Nesmith with Area Code ^15
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AweItvbPmBQ

Mommy and Daddy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR6TE1m2KSQ

The three Monkees go on despite rock bottom ratings and positive hostility from their fans:

· Album Instant Reply

This marks the point where The Don Kirschner music team from before begin to get really concerned and look to try to and save something from their previous investments:
They issue two singles from the earlier material which are included on this album

Someday Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj1bvraWmX8

and

Teardrop City
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc7pLL8MPkE

The album contains other good tracks from the correct time period:

Through The Looking Glass

Don’t Listen To Linda

A Man without A Dream.


So, this is the end of the road for one more Monkee : Mike Nesmith leaves

Dolenz and Jones Go on

· Album Changes

This is an odd album , it is mostly a Barry Kim album performed by the two Monkees

It is not a strong album but there are one or two good tracks:

Oh My My

I Love You Better

The rumour then goes around that there will finally be another album and it will be called The Monkee with just Davy Jones...............

There are one or two PS ‘s

There was a 70s version of the Monkees playing their greatest hits called Dolenz, Jones , Boyce and Hart

They did reform

However, there was one more development....................Don Kirchner’s Music team did come back to life.....................They had found managing a real band too hard so they invented away round this ...............a virtual band ..........................................Called “The Archies “

This time there were no rebellions or arguments , but there were hits and it did make money.

The band did appear but only as cartoon characters..................

Sugar Sugar .............The Archies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2bGQogovfA&feature=fvst

PPS

AS I mentioned The Monkees recorded prolific amounts in the earlier days .

To this end I must mention three excellent albums

· Missing Links 1
· Missing Links 2
· Missing Links 3

Also worth mentioning are the excellent CD versions of their albums on Rhino records
And the two seasons of The Monkees make excellent viewing.[Image: attachment.php?attachmentid=405]

Monkees Websites

http://www.monkees.net/default.htm
:biggrin::biggrin:Cool]]>

In the mid sixties, the hottest thing on the planet were, the four gentlemen from Liverpool. They had sung and cavorted about for the camera and proved that they could make the cash tills sing. So if you could not own them , then you had only one option…………………….To copy them!
This then , is how the idea of the Monkees was born.

The Monkees were a pop rock quartet assembled by Robert "Bob" Rafelson and Bert Schneider in Los Angeles in 1966..................objective...............find four boys who could be put in the role of boy band...............make a TV series in the style of “A Hard Day’s Night”.................rush out an album or two
Tell the boys they shut up and do as they are told ...................make money and then move on.
You have the idea.

To this end, an advert was placed in a paper: “Wanted Four Boys To Play in a TV Pop Band”

People who auditioned included:

Stephen Stills
Charles Manson
Narry Nilsson
Danny Hutton

Plus the four who got the parts.

The starting point was the TV series and the idea was, that the four boys would make a pilot episode to see if they looked good in front of the camera and they would take it from there. The TV series was to be a vehicle to plug the band’s hits which would be written , performed and recorded by professional musicians.
To do justice to the four: it is interesting to look at those Boyce and Hart pilot takes

Here is the Monkees Theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWea5rB7XlY

Now let’s hear the Monkees version with at least some input from them

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgyZCgw6kdw

The four boys who had been selected contained two fully qualified musicians: Peter Tork and Mike Nesmith

Micky Dolenz had some musical back ground but did learn on the job as did David Jones.

Hence, the pilot was completed and a full series commissioned .

The idea was to milk the idea as fast as possible before the bubble burst:
The Monkees plus musical help were to provide the soundtrack and star in the series. It was soon realized, that it would not be possible to just plug the hits in every program , so the cream of American’s song writing talent was used to make as many potential hits as possible.

It is interesting to look at some of the song writers involved:

Neil Diamond
Goffin and King
Boyce and Hart
Neil Sedaka

It is also worth noting that, the Monkees were prolific recording artist and recorded a great deal of material at this point.............Not all of it found it’s was onto vinyl creating a vast back catalogue of unreleased material: some of this turned up in shows but not on record .

Into the first starting point:

The star of the first part of the first series was

Starting point:Last Train To Clarksville

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KSHyXGy6XA

This really started the ball rolling on the success story.

To begin with: hit after hit came :

I’m A Believer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqNtWfo0yzc
( NB this is an almost note for note copy of Neil Diamond’s version )

To capitalise on the success the management quickly prepared an album:

· Album The Monkees by The Monkees

( An excellent pop album .............This is best bought as one the Rhino reissues, as they have excellent sleeve notes, extra tracks and a special enhanced edition containing many esxtra)
The success of this approach was a surprise even to the most optimistic of the team that had prepared it ........................ However, not all was going to plan......................................

The four boys were supposed to lie down and do as they were told!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They did not...they wanted more and more say in what they did artistically and this started to make the project harder to handle.

· Single ...........A Little Bit Me A Little Bit You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xow8HjjN9Q

The hits go on but the Monkees involvement is becoming greater, they are taking a bigger part in recording, playing and composing. It is interesting to note that from the beginning songs are credited to Nesmith and Tork.

· Second Album.......................More Of The Monkees .

Another excellent Pop album. However, this one begins to show that under the surface all is not well.............There are at least four producers credits on this album..........Careful examination of the history of the cover shot reveals that, the shot was not intended for an album sleeve but, instead was intended for a clothes promotion........................Most telling of all was the fact that the Monkees themselves had no knowledge of it’s release.....................The story goes that they only found out about it one day when they strolled into a record shop and saw it there. Clearly communication and PR were at an all time low.

So what is going on?................... Well the musical/TV side had not really expected to get much further than a quick album or so. When they did they rush released a second album. The Monkees had made head way in controlling their artistic output and had started to record tracks under their control as well as the musical team.( This explains the many producers : there was now,and is evidence of more than one team at work!)

It also comes to pass, that the team have sent The Monkees out on the road! The non musicians have been working hard to brush up their skills and with a small team of support musicians the band are on the road and getting a good reaction ! ( Not bad considering there have always been charges of the band not being able to play!)
So, what do you get musically ?

WELL still sone great pop music:

Boyce and Hart pen the excellent “She” to start with:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoRjKHdK77c

they add also:

The archetypal punk anthem” I’m Not Your Stepping Stone”

They big track on the album and on single was “I’m A Believer”

But there were other good tracks again Neil Diamond scores with:

“Look Out Here Comes Tomorrow”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZCMkEY-Fbc

Gofin and King contributed

“Sometime In The Morning”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cvtRvzABIY

Mike Nesmith fought back for the band with:

Mary Mary

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6jVxks8M4A

Neil Sedaka and Carol Bayer added

When Love Comes Knocking At Your Door

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umt_7jXfF...re=related

With this the Monkees were riding high and taking more and more control !

· Third Monkee Album Was Headquaters

This shows the high point of both worlds : The Don Kirschner lead music team and the Monkees at their best.
There are still big names writing songs and there are still Monkees leading songs too. The TV’s shows were at their height and the tour schedule busy................
Gems from this album are

Randy Scouse Git ( Alternative Title)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihXygclhvsI
( Note the Beatles references “ The Four Kings Of EMI!)

Mr Webster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f649qmahmgk

Forget That Girl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uTAYGNCgtE

So now we turn the corner:

Next, follows the album

· Album Pieces Aquarius Capricorn and Jones

To start with, all seems normal and indeed there are plenty of high points:

Salesman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZxsR8DaPnY

Cuddly Toy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nusQ3Lqsz0

Pleasent Valley Sunday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7ICup8O_1M

However, The Monkees now have managed to obtain the upper hand in the artistic control battle:

Still time for another album

  • Album : The Birds The Bees and The Monkees

Tracks that stand out

Daydream Believer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQNqk54HPdE

Valleri

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJw0qpqIONQ


BUT The ball is now in the Monkees court , artistically, and,

This changes things:

They are disillusioned with the TV shows and silly clown characters:

To this end they decide to strike out and destroy this manufactured image:

Move One : They make the Film “ Head “

· Album Head Sountrack

This takes the Monkee image and destroys it : ( Head Promo)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNdtqzm-v-w

With this they produce some great music but the “Kids” who have been their following are confused to say the least.

The film is rarely seen now because it was a total flop...............It was pulled from most mainstream theaters within a week and most copies were trashed!

However.................It is an excellent film and contains some great music:

The Porpoise song: ( Film clip version )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtjXHUaKQHE

Circle sky

As We Go Along
( Clips unavailable)

This move puts the Monkees at the following situation:

They are producing good self penned music which they largely play BUT, their audience is deserting them in droves........................

At this point The Monkees try to put together a new form of TV program:

· Video 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee

This has an all star cast from the world of popular music and light entertainment.....................

The Music is diverse and interesting and very unusual .
For along while this has been unavailable in any format due to the complex copyright problems involved in clearing all the artist involved but, I believe that it can be obtained on DVD

Windup Man:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0qGOrihJ5A

There is plenty more Monkee image panning involved in this program as well as some really good music.

It is available in seven parts on youtube.

So..................This seems to be artistic control and expression but just as it becomes reality: Peter Tork quits...............

However, on go three Monkees and we get another album:

· Album The Monkees Present

This is not a bad album ...........three Monkees and some of their own material .............At this point its a bit like The Beatles White Album ..............recorded separately

But there are high points :

Listen To The Band: ( Mike Nesmith with Area Code ^15
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AweItvbPmBQ

Mommy and Daddy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR6TE1m2KSQ

The three Monkees go on despite rock bottom ratings and positive hostility from their fans:

· Album Instant Reply

This marks the point where The Don Kirschner music team from before begin to get really concerned and look to try to and save something from their previous investments:
They issue two singles from the earlier material which are included on this album

Someday Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj1bvraWmX8

and

Teardrop City
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc7pLL8MPkE

The album contains other good tracks from the correct time period:

Through The Looking Glass

Don’t Listen To Linda

A Man without A Dream.


So, this is the end of the road for one more Monkee : Mike Nesmith leaves

Dolenz and Jones Go on

· Album Changes

This is an odd album , it is mostly a Barry Kim album performed by the two Monkees

It is not a strong album but there are one or two good tracks:

Oh My My

I Love You Better

The rumour then goes around that there will finally be another album and it will be called The Monkee with just Davy Jones...............

There are one or two PS ‘s

There was a 70s version of the Monkees playing their greatest hits called Dolenz, Jones , Boyce and Hart

They did reform

However, there was one more development....................Don Kirchner’s Music team did come back to life.....................They had found managing a real band too hard so they invented away round this ...............a virtual band ..........................................Called “The Archies “

This time there were no rebellions or arguments , but there were hits and it did make money.

The band did appear but only as cartoon characters..................

Sugar Sugar .............The Archies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2bGQogovfA&feature=fvst

PPS

AS I mentioned The Monkees recorded prolific amounts in the earlier days .

To this end I must mention three excellent albums

· Missing Links 1
· Missing Links 2
· Missing Links 3

Also worth mentioning are the excellent CD versions of their albums on Rhino records
And the two seasons of The Monkees make excellent viewing.[Image: attachment.php?attachmentid=405]

Monkees Websites

http://www.monkees.net/default.htm
:biggrin::biggrin:Cool]]>