Issue No.1 – October 2019
By Jeremy Cuff
I’ve always been a voracious and inquisitive listener of music; I never seem to tire of it.
The spirit of those teenage years of hunting down vinyl in record shops has never left me and I still get a buzz out of acquiring new recordings to listen to. It’s a great journey to be on, with one’s mind opening and broadening as you travel along.
Here’s ten albums from different eras and diverse genres to check out and explore. If you wish, do share ten albums of your own choice and tastes in reciprocity…
Scott 3
By Scott Walker
A magical album of leftfield ballads and melodramas, heavily inspired by Jacques Brel. Sometimes upbeat, sometimes sombre, and occasionally funny there’s some very emotional stuff contained within this record about life’s experiences, the passing of time, personal triumph and other stuff besides. Let it soak in!
To Record Only Water For 10 Days
By John Frusciante
This album appeared soon after Frusciante kicked his various (life threatening!) drug habits before he returned to the Chili Peppers. Full of great songs, it’s a stripped back, enigmatic and stream of consciousness set. Check out “Invisible Movement” (Extra time when you think it’s all over/Live a life when you’ve rolled over and died & “Life has a way of opening up), Representing and Saturation. Whoever I play this album to always comments on it.
Guitar, Drums ‘N’ Bass
By Derek Bailey
Anything by guitarist Derek Bailey will startle even the most broadminded listeners, and challenge everything that we’ve been conditioned to understand about music and how music should be.
Bailey is (or was, as he died a few years back) part of the “underground” of free improvisation that has produced a treasure trove of obscure recordings, issued by various tiny labels, including the “big fish” in this strange pond, Incus Records which was founded by Bailey himself.
This particular recording sees Bailey strike a more “electric” pose, in an unusual collaboration with DJ Ninj.
If you produce this kind of music, it isn’t for the money.
Kneeling At The Shrine
By Sunday All Over The World
Back in the mists of time, I went to see Robert Fripp and Toyah (husband and wife don’t forget) perform with this short lived band at the Salisbury Arts Centre. The sound was something along the lines of modern King Crimson (well, 80’s onwards), but with Toyah’s vocals. It was a memorable gig, especially being able to watch Fripp weave his magic at such close quarters.
The result of this short collaboration (under the moniker of Sunday All over the World) was this interesting album; I believe it’s the only one they recorded.
It was nice to track it down on Amazon many years after the event.
200 Tons Of Bad Luck
By Crippled Black Phoenix
Bumped into this album at random several years back. I took it with me in the “truck” one evening and found myself getting drawn in.
Champions Of The Arena
By Jackie Mittoo
An enjoyable reggae album that I stumbled upon some years ago.
I remember playing this whilst driving across the outback in western Australia back in 2005 – the laid back vibe suited my mood at the time. I think I was somewhere between Kalbarri and CoralBay!
Recharge
By Biting Tongues
Early experimentation with beats, samples and assorted electronica sounds that became the norm.
Not saying it was groundbreaking, but it’s certainly an interesting record to check out.
Broadway The Hard Way
By Frank Zappa
A funny and cutting (live) satire where Zappa focuses his ire on American politics, TV evangelism and the large overlap between the two. Great musicianship too!
“When The Lie’s So Big” lambasts Pat Robertson and “Jesus Thinks You’re A Jerk” exposes the hypocrisy of “churchgoers with their fingers on the trigger”.
Zappa taught me that music could be both serious and funny.
Speaking of Now
By Pat Metheny Group
Laid back jazz, full of subtlety and great playing. I find this CD is sort of thing you want to put on when you’ve got a rare bit of quiet time in the house, when there’s no one else about.
Who Are You
By The Who
A classic. Totally timeless. Every home should own this album.
For me, this represented The Who’s creative peak.