April 2012 reviews

[Mike Boom]

mucho apologies for the tardiness of my review, will post it tonite.

[Mike Boom]

This months CD Mix was entitled "The European Female" and proved to be exactly what it says on the tin.

Track 1
A very cruisy jazzy type samba with some tasty vocals. Not sure who this is, atmospheric and a nice start to the disc

2
An acoustic and string led number. I really like this, but again have no idea who it is. A kinda bizzare and dark lyric about love and its metaphorical minefield.

3
A sixties sounding French chanteuse, twanging guitars and the brushes are out on the drums. Very groovy

4
Another nice number , slightly reminiscent of Bjork, musically almost a modern update of the previous track.

5
Another acoustic and string driven track, threatens to break out but stays controlled and subdued throughout, again nice vocal.

6
A change of pace to a reggae number, this voice sounds vaguely familiar. I like this one a lot.

7
This is another familiar sounding voice, interesting lyrics.

8
Ahhh I know this one, Nina Persson from the Cardigans, I'm not sure what this is from though, very nice track.

9
i like this one, more of an electro type pop song, but nice vocal and floats along. Interested to know who this is.

10
The Concretes ? not sure what song this is but great stuff, I love this.

11
Electro number - kinda female Depeche Mode but without the melody - not my bag.

12
Orchestral Heavy Metal. This has to be German. Interesting, but again not my bag.

13
See above without the orchestral bit - I don't like that hyper smooth distorted guitar sound of this type of metal.

14
Another electro metal type track - this actually IS a cover of a Depeche Mode track.

All in all a very enjoyable disc, and really liked every track really up until the last four, but even those make for interesting listening all the same and am keen to see the reveal. Again enjoyed hearing things I would not normally listen to or even be exposed to, which is what I really really like about the Mix club. Thanks to my mixer and apologies for the lateness of the review.

[Cosmic American Girl]

First I want to apologize for the lateness I found out in mid April after a trip to the ER that I had to get my gall bladder out and so the last month was very hectic but all is slowly getting back to normal now.
I enjoyed this disc very much. It has such great cohesion and a real Southern feel.

1) I knew I was in for a good listen from the opening track. Blue Yodel from the Cash/Dylan Sessions. Yes!

2) This is obviously Captain Beefheart but I'm not familiar with the track. I did love it though.

3) Great blues tune. I'm bad with my remembering who is who but I really like this. Every time I hear something like this I know I should be listening to more.

4) Another old barrel house sound. Awesome 40's?

5) Sounds like a Lomax type recording. I'm loving all the piano on this disc.

6) I feel like I'm in New Orleans. Really makes me wish we could have made it for the JUoTA. I had so much fun last time and this is bringing back good memories.

7) 50's? 60's? Another song I've never heard but liked.

8) Finally one that I know! Patterson Hood! I love Killers and Stars and this cover is so great.

9) Some more blues. Possibly Buddy Guy? Definitely has the Chicago style sound.

10) This one has a such a groove. Is it Professor Longhair maybe?

11) Some 50's rock 'n' roll with kinda crazy lyrics and a little bit of a New Orleans feel.

12) Bon Ton Roula. Can I say again how much I dig this disc!

13) Oh yeah! Memphis Minnie and In My Girlish Days.

14) I'll take a guess and say the title of this song is I'm Gonna Kill You. Fabulous!

15) Que Sera, Sera is the closer. No idea who it is though.

Thank you so much for a very enjoyable disc. I've played it many times and will be keeping it handy for repeat listens.

[TG]

First I want to apologize for the lateness I found out in mid April after a trip to the ER that I had to get my gall bladder out and so the last month was very hectic but all is slowly getting back to normal now.
I enjoyed this disc very much. It has such great cohesion and a real Southern feel.

I was your mixer this month and let me start by saying that I like the Mix Club as well as the next guy but your health surely comes first. I'm glad all is well and you're on the road to recovery. Tell Tony to get good care of you!

1) I knew I was in for a good listen from the opening track. Blue Yodel from the Cash/Dylan Sessions. Yes!

Pretty hard to disguise this one. I've been listening to the Dylan/Cash boots a lot lately. I wonder if they will ever get an official release?

2) This is obviously Captain Beefheart but I'm not familiar with the track. I did love it though.

The good Captain doing Click Clack from The Spotlight Kid. One of my favorite 45s.

3) Great blues tune. I'm bad with my remembering who is who but I really like this. Every time I hear something like this I know I should be listening to more.

Guitarist extraordinaire Blind Blake with Police Dog Blues. It's scary to me how good (and overlooked) a guitar player this man was. I learned how to play this but I can't play it as fast as he can with the accuracy he displays.

4) Another old barrel house sound. Awesome 40's?

Actually from the recent past. Early to mid 2000's. This is Carlos Guitarlos (once of LA's Top Jimmy and the Rhythm Pigs) who was lost to homelessness and mental illness for many years but found his way back a few years ago and has released a couple of very good CDs. The piano player is Gene Taylor (once of the Blasters and many other bands). Pretty authentic, no?

5) Sounds like a Lomax type recording. I'm loving all the piano on this disc.

This one is old. Pinetop Blues by Pinetop Perkins. He just passed away last year at 98 years old. One of the last of his kind.

6) I feel like I'm in New Orleans. Really makes me wish we could have made it for the JUoTA. I had so much fun last time and this is bringing back good memories.

Eh Titte Fille by Zydeco king Clifton Chenier. I was lucky enough to see him live twice before he passed away and they rate among the best live shows I've had the pleasure to attend. His accordian is the lead instrument on this but whoever is playing the piano is the unsung hero here.

7) 50's? 60's? Another song I've never heard but liked.

A real favorite of mine and one that has shown up on more than one Mix Club CD. Betty James doing A Little Mixed Up. A single that Chess Records picked up off a smaller label in (I assume) the early 60s. I love this track. The two guitarists play very simple parts that mesh beautifully and she tosses off the vocal in an almost bored manner that just flat works.

8) Finally one that I know! Patterson Hood! I love Killers and Stars and this cover is so great.

This is a pretty wonderful version of this song. Actually better than Tom T Hall's original, I think. I've been known to knock out a version of this when guitars are being passed around.

9) Some more blues. Possibly Buddy Guy? Definitely has the Chicago style sound.

The aforementioned Top Jimmy (not with The Rhythm Pigs, though) from one of his his last records before he died. An amazing and authentic blues shouter who was a thrill to see live back in the day. The song is Some Nerve which I think was done by Detroit Jr.

10) This one has a such a groove. Is it Professor Longhair maybe?

Good call. This is Fess from a Live at Tipitina's record from late in his life. I love the steel drums! What I wouldn't do to be able to play piano like that.

11) Some 50's rock 'n' roll with kinda crazy lyrics and a little bit of a New Orleans feel.

Rockin' Behind the Iron Curtain by Bobby Marchan with Huey "Piano" Smith and the Clowns. Just another great slab o' serious clowning by NOLA's greatest R&R band.

12) Bon Ton Roula. Can I say again how much I dig this disc!

Clarence "Bon Ton" Garlow doing the song he made famous. I have several versions of this song but none better than this.

13) Oh yeah! Memphis Minnie and In My Girlish Days.

Have you ever heard the NY Dolls version of this? From one of the recent reunion live discs. David Johansson does it up just fine!

14) I'll take a guess and say the title of this song is I'm Gonna Kill You. Fabulous!

I'm Gonna Kill You indeed! C&W's own Wynn Stewart. My last band used to do a version of this. Strangely it always went over well.

15) Que Sera, Sera is the closer. No idea who it is though.

Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women from their CD of a couple of years ago. I saw this band live on a gorgeous summer evening outdoors on the Santa Monica Pier and they could not have been better. One of those summer memories that just stick with you.

Thank you so much for a very enjoyable disc. I've played it many times and will be keeping it handy for repeat listens.

You're very welcome. I'm so glad you enjoyed it and that you are on the mend. Be well.


Blue Yodel #1 (T for Texas) Bob Dylan/Johnny Cash
Click Clack Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band
Police Dog Blues Blind Blake
Say You Love Me Carlos Guitarlos
Pinetop Blues Pinetop Perkins
Eh, Petite Fille Clifton Chenier
I'm a Little Mixed Up Betty James
Pay No Attention To Alice Patterson Hood
Some Nerve The Top Jimmy Lineup
After Hours Professor Longhair
Rockin' Behind The Iron Curtain Bobby Marchan and the Clowns
Bon Ton Roule Clarence "Bon Ton" Garlow
In My Girlish Days Memphis Minnie
I'm Gonna Kill You Wynn Stewart
Que Sera, Sera Dave Alvin And The Guilty Women

[the masked man]

Whoops - just noticed this! Sorry for the really late reveal. Glad most of it went down well

This months CD Mix was entitled "The European Female" and proved to be exactly what it says on the tin.

Track 1
A very cruisy jazzy type samba with some tasty vocals. Not sure who this is, atmospheric and a nice start to the disc

This is French act Nouvelle Vague, who specialise in bossa-nova flavoured versions of classic post-punk songs. The song here is 'Marain' originally recorded by The Sisters of Mercy, believe it or not.

2
An acoustic and string led number. I really like this, but again have no idea who it is. A kinda bizzare and dark lyric about love and its metaphorical minefield.

Norwegian singer, Ane Brun, with 'The Puzzle'; she's a very intriguing songwriter

3
A sixties sounding French chanteuse, twanging guitars and the brushes are out on the drums. Very groovy

Indeed, this is the legendary Françoise Hardy, with 'Ton Meilleur Ami'

4
Another nice number , slightly reminiscent of Bjork, musically almost a modern update of the previous track.

This is Stina Nordenstam, from Sweden, with 'He Watches Her From Behind'. I often put her songs on Mix Club discs, and many people can't get past her voice.

5
Another acoustic and string driven track, threatens to break out but stays controlled and subdued throughout, again nice vocal.

This is actually a German metal band, Leaves' Eyes, with 'Ankomst', one of their occasional outings into folky territory. The singer, Liv Kristine, is Norwegian, and here she gets to sing in her native tongue.

6
A change of pace to a reggae number, this voice sounds vaguely familiar. I like this one a lot.

There aren't too many Icelanders of Italian descent in the music industry, so Emiliana Torrini could be number one in a field of, er, one. This is called 'Me And Armini'.

7
This is another familiar sounding voice, interesting lyrics.

The singer is Eszter Balint, with 'Tattoo Sun'. She's a New York-based Hungarian, best-known for her performance in Jim Jarmusch's breakout film Stranger Than Paradise.

8
Ahhh I know this one, Nina Persson from the Cardigans, I'm not sure what this is from though, very nice track.

You recognised the singer well - this is Nina's occasional side project A Camp with 'Bear On The Beach'. I can't listen to this without thinking of Yompi...

9
i like this one, more of an electro type pop song, but nice vocal and floats along. Interested to know who this is.

It's chilly Norwegian duo Röyksopp with 'What Else Is There?'. They have an excuse for being chilly, given that their hometown is inside the Arctic Circle. The guest singer is Karin Dreijer Andersson, a Swede who fronts The Knife and records as Fever Ray. If you like this, I strongly recommend you investigate both of Karin's acts; she's a fascinating and mysterious woman.

10
The Concretes ? not sure what song this is but great stuff, I love this.

Another correct guess! The song is 'Grey Days'

11
Electro number - kinda female Depeche Mode but without the melody - not my bag.

It was actually a UK-based hard electro band called Hard Corps, who had a French singer. The song is 'Dirty', and I played it obsessively back in the day.

12
Orchestral Heavy Metal. This has to be German. Interesting, but again not my bag.

It's sung in German, but the band are from the tiny nation of Liechtenstein. They are called Elis, and the song is called 'Der Letzte Tag'. Sadly, about a year after this was recorded, singer Sabine Dünser died of a brain haemorrhage.

13
See above without the orchestral bit - I don't like that hyper smooth distorted guitar sound of this type of metal.

Oddly enough, this is a band that is normally very orchestral. It's my Finnish favourites Nightwish, with one of their earlier, heavier tracks, 'Sacrament of Wilderness'. They couldn't afford to use orchestras at this point

14
Another electro metal type track - this actually IS a cover of a Depeche Mode track.

It's Italian gothic metallers Lacuna Coil, with a strangely faithful cover of 'Enjoy The Silence'.

All in all a very enjoyable disc, and really liked every track really up until the last four, but even those make for interesting listening all the same and am keen to see the reveal. Again enjoyed hearing things I would not normally listen to or even be exposed to, which is what I really really like about the Mix club. Thanks to my mixer and apologies for the lateness of the review.

Thank you. I'm glad this went down well, and I saved the metal horrors for the end of the disc....I do enjoy listening to European female singers generally, particularly if they sing in English. It's actually what got me into metal, when I discovered that there were sexy Euro-maidens singing prettily over crushing metal riffs. I found that combination irresistible. So, here's a full tracklist:

1) Nouvelle Vague - Marian
2) Ane Brun - The Puzzle
3) Françoise Hardy - Ton Meilleur Ami
4) Stina Nordenstam - She Watches Her From Behind
5) Leaves Eyes - Ankomst
6) Emiliana Torrini - Me And Armini
7) Eszter Balint - Tattoo Sun
8) A Camp - Bear On The Beach
9) Röyksopp - What Else Is There
10) The Concretes - Grey Days
11) Hard Corps - Dirty
12) Elis - Der Letzte Tag
13) Nightwish - Sacrament Of Wilderness
14) Lacuna Coil - Enjoy The Silence

[Magilla]

My apologies to Mike Boom for being utterly tardy in reviewing his mix, but it arrived shortly after my PC kicked the bucket and I’ve only just lately had the dosh to splash out on a laptop.
That aside, this has been a damn fine mix to listen to. There’s a great cross-section of artists and genres which have been a heap of fun to check out. Overall, there were several fine songs, a few I thought were fine for what they were if not my cup of tea, but no actual duds.

1) A folkish song with a vocalist that sounds somewhat like Nick Drake, but isn’t him, obviously. The strident, dominating bass is really good, as is the piano at the end. Good opener.

2) Rattling, effervescent indie pop and I bet it’s from the early – mid ‘80s vintage. This may well be someone like early Orange Juice or someone like that. The occasional trumpets suit this well, too. This is just great.

3) The late, great Bert Jansch with ‘Needle Of Death’. It’s a classic for the ages, simple as that. My friend Chris Thompson (not the guy in Manfred Mann, another NZer) hung out with Jansch a lot in London in the early ‘70s, even opened for him a few times and said he was a top bloke.

4) Late ‘50s / early ‘60s symphonic pop or a more recent approximation. I’m not huge on this sort of thing, but I like it if I hear it around. There’s a very appealing arrangement here and the vocals are superb, however.

5) Some sultry pop with a slight hint of exotica. Again, I’m not big on this sort of thing, but it’s enjoyable all the same.

6) Hmm, I suspect this could be Amy Winehouse. I find this sort of light jazzy pop a bit dull, sorry.

7) Fervent start, then a more restrained verse, then more intense choruses. It might be a previously-unreleased My Bloody Valentine song from that new EPs comp, or, failing that, certainly someone influenced by them. Either way, this is lovely stuff. It really is bloody good.

8) Sitars, tablas playing a raga. The vocal harmonies are superb. The lyrics are pretty much “cod psychedelia” but the actual song is excellent. This is really wonderful. I’m really keen to find out who this is.

9) A nicely-paced pop instrumental. I love the use of effects; lots of wah-wah and even, bloody hell, phasing, I suspect. Lovely stuff. Again, I’m curious as to who this is, too.

10) As with #4, not my sort of thing, but pleasant enough to hear. Great organ line.

11) Early ‘60s girl-group pop. I’m not big on this sort of thing, but it’s nice enough to hear.

12) Slightly jittery, definitely whimsical psychedelia. At a pinch I reckon this is solo Kevin Ayers. This is just delightful. A superb track.

13) Buzz-saw guitars and punchy rhythms abound here. A nice drop of indie pop. I’m not as mental on this sort of thing as I once was, but it’s always a pleasure to hear. I thionk this could be more of a mid- late ‘80s band compared to #2.

14) Sandy Denny with ‘I’m A Dreamer’ from Rendezvous. Maybe not her best album, but a fine song regardless. The cheesy guitar at the end spoils things slightly, but this is still delightful.

A very impressive mix, a lot of interesting songs, all generally listenable, plus a fair few that were a joy to check out. Thanks Mr Boom and sorry for being tardy in reviewing.