Slartibartfast's Magical Music Random Load Blog

Slartibartfast wrote: Yeah Pekka is one I need to explore more.  For years I thought that was a Mike Oldfield album because it was released in at least the US as one.  On the bright side, I wouldn't have discovered his music if it weren't for that, so I can't complain.

Yeah Pekka is one I need to explore more.  For years I thought that was a Mike Oldfield album because it was released in at least the US as one.  On the bright side, I wouldn't have discovered his music if it weren't for that, so I can't complain.

Here's this morning's batch:
Weather Report    Mr. Gone
Di Meola, Al    Spendido Hotel
Isham, Mark    Tibet
Rypdal,  Terje    Skywards
King Crimson    Discipline
Reich, Steve w/ Kronos Quartet & Pat Metheny    Different Trains &
Electric Counterpoint
Pohjola,Pekka     Keesojen Lehto (aka Mathematician's Air Display, The Consequences of Indecisions)
Parsons, The Alan, Project    I Robot
Oregon    Roots in the Sky
Jackson, Joe    I'm the Man (Remaster)
Oldfield, Mike    Tubular Bells 2
Gong, Pierre Moerlen's    Pentanine
Brand X    Product
Black Mountain    Black Mountain

These are in the order they are in the case.  I forgot to post before I cut them from the randomizer spread sheet.

As long as you're talking the Days to Seventh phase for the Moodys I more or less agree. 
Despite my comments above regarding Guitar Shop, I still like it.
By the way I had to replace all of my Talking Heads earlier albums with the latest versions remastered by Jerry Harrison that include bonus material and surround sound mixes.  My only complaint about those is that they didn't reproduce the lyrics but only have them in draft form in the booklet.

The Llamas are the last from the last group.

Akkerman, Jan    Noise of Art, The - Jan's been pretty prolific after Focus.  Some of his stuff just isn't as remarkable as the Focus stuff.  This would be one of them
Beck, Jeff with Terry Bozzio and Tony Hymas    Jeff Beck's Guitar Shop - Nice little three piece, but like Jan's solo stuff, not as memorable as his '70's stuff.
Budd, Harold    Pavillion of Dreams, The - I remember reading a review that said something to the effect that you'll really like it if you like the original Star Trek opening theme.  Cracked me up.  Well, I found it an interesting enough album to buy in vinyl and later in CD.  Ambient, of course. 
Corea, Chick    Return To Forever - the first RTF lineup.  It was released as Chick Corea solo album.  A bit different in character than the last lineup's albums.  Still good.  I got to see Airto and Flora live after they had parted from the band.
Eno, Brian/John Cale    Wrong Way Up - another one of those albums that brings me back to the time it was released.  I had not become familiar with other Cale work.  Still haven't for not particular reason, but I like this one.
Glass, Philip    Naqoyqatsi - I wouldn't be into Glass were it not for Kayannisquatsi.  Really didn't need the DVD as I have the CD and prefer to experience the Glass trilogy in DVD format. 
Grateful Dead    Terrapin Station - I don't have a lot of GD's music, saw them live at least once.  Even though this has a Dancing In The Streets cover, Terrapin Station Part I makes this album of interest to prog fans.  I believe they didn't do any other parts on subsequent album.
Happy the Man    3rd "Better late.." - their third studio release.  I have to rank their first two and what appears to be their last one as essential.  the rest is probably best suited for fans.
Moody Blues, The    To Our Children's Children - not really much memorable on this one for me.  I reserve the right to revise and extend my remarks after it gets my next lisen.
Pere Ubu    Worlds In Collision - I like their more accessible albums than their ones more out there,  I find the early stuff rather hard digest.  Yet still (Something weird is coming this way.)
Various    Marijuana's Greatest Hits Revisited - this one I found in a used store and had to get it for it's potential amusement value.  It's a bunch of covers of songs about you know what. 
Yes    Keys To Ascention - OK, we have some classic yes live combined with a couple of unimpressive new studio tracks. 

One more slot. Talking Heads  More Songs About Buildings And Food.  Their second album where for me they were firmly drifting into prog territory.  Hell, you got Eno on it.



Edited by Slartibartfast - October 20 2010 at 21:06

Slarti, that last batch, I am not worthy.

Dude what happened to your avatar? It went from amusing to er...creepy. Oh nevermind i just read that it's your Halloween avatar.

Nektar    Down To Earth - really my intro to the band and always loved the quirky style esp... the silly concepts and Nelly!
Ozric Tentacles    Spirals In Hyperspace - weird and wonderful, but I rarely return to the music.
Police, The    Synchronicity - is this prog? its their classic and put em on the map for sure along with Regatta...!


Edited by AtomicCrimsonRush - October 17 2010 at 16:51

I'll leave off commentary on Omphrey as it's new

Joachim Kuhn Band    Sunshower - Top notch JR/F. Jan Akkerman is on this one.  I've been told that Kuhn is primarily a jazz guy.  He did do at least two JR/F's which I have.

Residents, The    Bunny Boy, The - I've become a bit tired of their newer stuff.  They did have some interesting stuff online to accompany this album that I never made it all the way through.  I'll probably save it for truck play so I can give it a better listen.

So, on to the randoms:

Big Big Train    The Difference Machine - This band has made a big big impression on me.  So far they just keep getting more prog.  My latest addition and I have pretty much a complete set.  They really are that good.

Curved Air    Airborne - Not one of their better moments but it has some good moments.  I'll get back to you with those as there really aren't anythings currently memorable.

Fleck, Bela & the Flecktones    Flight of the Cosmic Hippo - When I was thirsty for new prog and it by and large wasn't out there as far as I knew, Fleck and company were something completely different by traditional prog standards.

Hackett, John, Steve Hackett    Sketches of Satie - I was familiar with one Satie piece.  This is the only full set of stuff I have.  Really nice.  Really tempted to go out and get something where the original versions were recorded but this stuff is so beautiful I probably don't really need to.

Hedges, Michael    Live on the Double Planet - Mike had added singing to his music at this point.  I most certainly preferred him as an instrumentalist.  But hey, there's a mixture of both and the guy died in a car accident way before his time.

High Llamas, The    Gideon Gaye - A band that likely won't appeal to most prog fans.  But you never know about my favorite tracks: Checking In, Checking Out and Track Goes By.  Might just win you over.

Marillion    Somewhere Else - I wrote a brief review of this one right after my first listen and got a smack down for it being my first listen and other things about the review.  It no longer wows me as much as my first impression.

Medeski Martin and Wood    End of the World Party (just in case) - I had to get this one just in case I needed to have an end of the world party.  Only one of two MMW's I have and I'd recommend it (just in case).

Metheny, Pat Group    STILL life (talking) - Pat was moving into a phase where I found his music more formulaic and less interesting.  STILL good stuff, but not great stuff.

Ponty, Jean-Luc    Tchokola - Ditto for Ponty here.  There is the novelty of working with African musicians, but not quite the magic of his earlier albums.

Synergy    Games - One of Larry's best for me. 

Wyatt, Robert    Nothing Can Stop Us - Robert Wyatt being over left wing political?  Who'd have thunk it? Nice set of mostly covers.

Zappa, Frank & The Mothers of Invention    Absolutely Free - I'm actually a newcomer to this one despite being a long time Zappa fan.  It still hasn't totally sunk in.

Jon Hassel  Earthquake Island - A relatively new addition that hasn't made a strong impression with me.  Stay tuned, I'll get back to you.

^ To be honest I don't always get at what you're getting at.
Which Byrne/Eno album were you referring to and why would I want to get "bootleg versions of DSOTM and listen to them with a tuned ear"?

I'm not too particularly production focused unless it's bad.  I take it the two albums you are referring to are Black Sea and English Settlement, unless you meant Go 2.   

As far as Down To Earth goes, I can't agree that the band was pretty much over.  Really liked Recycled.  But tastes are tastes.


Edited by Slartibartfast - October 12 2010 at 18:21