What song are you listening to right now? (Page 367 of 392)

Jethro Tull - Benefit (50th Anniversary Enhanced Edition) 2021

Why does everybody say “tricky 2nd album”, when more often than not it’s the 3rd one that’s the lynch-pin to future success?

Very much the case here, 2nd album Stand Up was a complete right turn stylistically from opening statement That Was…; and of course Aqualung was a quantum leap for Tull, so poor old Benefit gets shamefully overlooked.

Shame, as it saw Martin Barre really settling in to the lead guitarist role and the inclusion of John Evan on keys which really beefed up the sound. Maybe it’s because the two best known tracks from this “era” The Witch’s Promise and Teacher weren’t included on the album (though Teacher replaced Alive & Well & Living In on the US album release; though Inside was a single release. (Tull had to play a canny game with single releases, to get the air-play but not sound like “sell-outs”.) In between though there are some great tracks such as; With You There To Help Me and Nothing To Say, as good as anything Anderson has ever written.

In among the associated tracks, there are some gems, Singing All Day not included; the mighty Sweet Dream, 17 (sounding very much like T-Rex to my ear) and seeming countless versions of Teacher & Witch’s Promise

The “Live” Cds/DVDs include remixed 1970 concerts from Tanglewood and a mono sourced mix from Chicago, both feature early takes on My God which appeared on the next studio album, Aqualung as well as teasers as to what became the intro for Locomotive Breath in John Evan's Beethoven noodlings.

To sum up, to dismiss this album as a mere filler in almost criminal; in among the road-weariness, it shows clearly the foundations for what was to become Aqualung, just take the time to listen.

Deep Purple - Turning To Crime (2021)

Oh No! Not another bloody [Covid] covers album! Well, yes: but hang on, this is Deep Purple we’re talking about, so if one thing is guaranteed, it’s the quality of the musicianship, even if Gillan can no longer hit the high A in full voice. Purple’s early days are peppered with cover versions, some more peppery than others; they regularly end their shows with Lucille and even in their spin-off bands, covers abounded.

So, is it all good? Aside from the arguments about covers - too close and they’re pointless, too different and it’s heresy etc… Well, 7 and 7 is, lacks the bit of the Alice Cooper cover some 40 years back, and Battle of New Orleans sounds more like Litttle Feat than Dixie Chicken does, However, tongues were firmly in cheeks for Rockin’ Pneumonia & Boogie Woogie Flu and Jenny Take A Ride rollicks along like Gillan Band of old and I can’t remember Dylan’s Watching The River Flow being so upbeat. For better or worse, the Purps are playing these numbers with obvious affection, but as Deep Purple. Seger’s Lucifer and Cream’s White Room work especially well and Ian Paice must be reliving his youth, swinging to Ray Charles’ Let The Good Times Roll.. The working of contemporary’s Fleetwood Mac’s Oh Well is quite good; Morse may not the be Blues God, but he’s demi-good enough to sit at the high table in the pantheon of Guitar.

Closing, Caught In The Act is something of a jam between Airey and Morse, but lacks the call & response you used to get between Lord & Blackmore back in the day. The only time it does happen is when Glover’s bass leads from Dazed & Confused (I Know, Purple playing Zeppelin - shut the back door!) into Spencer Davis’ Gimme Some Loving.

As a “something to do” project, the guys aren’t showing themselves up (too much) but it doesn’t crackle like, say, Bowie’s Pin-ups; use the shared Shapes of Things as the comparison.

Curse of Lono - People In Cars (2021)

I was going to write this up a couple of days ago…. but a bottle of Chardonnay Semillon got the better of me. As Tilerman told me a few weeks ago, this is Curse of Lono’s swan-song album, so I couldn’t see it off “dry”: I’ve been hooked by this band’s catchy melancholic slices of Americana since they were born from the ashes of Hey Negrita.

Felix Bechtolsheimer has always been one to show the bruises on his soul, and what’s passed over the last 18 months has left a few more marks; this and the inactivity and more factors has decided to draw a curtain on this little chapter, by mutual agreement. This has left a an album where the “fracture” shows; while most has the trademark harmonies over Felix’ Lou Reed husky vocals and the haunting atmospherics of Joe’s guitars and Dani keys and the incessant rhythms of Charis & Neil and number of the tracks are seemingly more stripped back, cellos provide the atmosphere and most of the backing come via longtime collaborator/producer Oli Bayston. Damn though, it’s still a fine album; reminding me at times of Gavin Friday (bet that’s got some of you hitting Google…)

So, playing this through again, it’s very bitter-sweet; I’ve seen these guys as supports, festival heads and tour headliners and they’ve always, always impressed. Sad that this will soon be no more, but glad I was there, have the autographs and the t-shirts. To Felix, and Charis; to Dani & Joe and Neil, thanks for a Hell of a ride and here’s to the future and roads that cross again. Thanks guys.

Milam Palmo · Robben Ford  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfaPfRg0fwk

Many thanks for this, I have not listened to much of the new release yet. I see where you loaded Pain & Sorrow on the Utube from 11/19 at Springfield MA. At least I assume that is you, I am going to go listen to it now

Song with No Words  · David Crosby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNwFItm … mp;index=7

Sue Foley's "Pinky's Blues" - one of my favorite traditional blues albums of the year. It's fantastic.
https://open.spotify.com/album/7g9Y9Wfx … nI_JJwa41g

I have always been an early Genesis fan, and as a very poor guitarist myself have much admired the work of Steve Hackett. He is putting out some great shows now in England and elsewhere. I know, Nad's vocals are not quite as good as Peter and Phil's, but they are good enough for remakes. Endeavor to see them if you get the chance, you won't regret it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpN8kwNGly0