Bebop Deluxe

Lord Jagged wrote: Where Bill Nelson's solo output is concerned it might be a good idea to raise a note of caution.   The man blasts out albums like a dysentery patient on his death bed - up to four albums a year.   Most artists struggle to compile enough good material for one release a year, let alone four. Quantity and quality rarely go hand in hand and such is the case here - much of it sounds similar and a little goes a long long way. Do some research and see how each release is reviewed before buying.   Caveat Emptor

The.Crimson.King wrote: Snow Dog wrote: The.Crimson.King wrote: I love "Axe Victim" and think it makes a great pair with "Live in the Air Age" (I always preferred the live versions of the songs from "Sunburst Finish").  As far as Bill Nelson solo albums, I've heard a few and prefer "Sound on Sound".   Not technically a solo album as he was trying to start a new band. I quibble however. Didn't know that.  Guess that's why it's listed under "Bill Nelson's Red Noise".  Did they do anything after this album or did it fall apart before a tour?

I believe it was the only Red Noise album, but it seems to me members of the band were on later solo albums. I remember being disappointed when it came out because it was so jagged. I always loved his smoothness (like the video above) and didn't so much like the angularity of Drastic Plastic, which Red Noise amped up considerably. It grew on me though.

God I love this song.

I just picked up Sunburst Finish. My first exposure to the band but I haven't listened to it yet.

thellama73 wrote: the lighthouse keepe wrote: Some helpful suggestions here. Are there any other artists that are similar in style,and Bill Nelson solo output ? Is that worth checking out? Bill Nelson's solo work is absolutely worth checking out. It's more experimental and less guitar focused, but no less good. I only have three of his solo records, but Sound on Sound is incredibly good. Sort of a bridge between BBD and his later work.

Some helpful suggestions here.

Lord Jagged wrote: Long time fan here - I bought the albums as they were released on vinyl back in the day. I'd go along with Sunburst Finish, but as you can get the "Futurist Manifesto" box set which covers 90% of BBD output (excluding for some reason the fantastic  "Live In The Air Age") for very little money, I'd buy that if I were you.   Bill Nelson's post BBD career is equally of note - he's extremely prolific so if you're interested you might want to ask the man himself for recommendations over here:   http://www.billnelson.com/html/park/inn.php   Incidentally a new box set "Be Bop Deluxe At The BBC" is about to be released at the end of September which is a three CD, one DVD set. Already ordered mine...

Love this band! I remember a thread about them not so long ago.
My favorite album is Futurama, but I think all of them are good, the only one I don't like so much is Drastic Plastic.

I happen to love Axe Victim. It's the first BBD album I heard and it really grabbed me, along with the cover. It's a little different from the rest, different band and direction. Kind of glammy.

Every Be Bop Deluxe album has songs that I love and songs that I don't. They always had the uncanny ability to make albums that I absolutely love half of and am bored by the other half.



Bill Nelson is one of my favorite guitarists and vocalists though. I think After the Satellite Sings is my favorite of his solo albums, and I like it more than any Be Bop Deluxe album.