Non-Prog Album Reviews

Non- program album reviews could be hoked and generated in a manner site 

Artist - Nicky Hopkins
Album - Jamming With Edward
Recorded - 1969, during Rolling Stones' 'Let It Bleed' sessions
Released - 1972
Producer - Glyn Johns
Track List - SIDE A : The Boudoir Stomp. 5:16 (Hopkins, Cooder, Watts)
                                  It Hurts Me Too. 5:49 (Elmore James)
                                  Edward's Thrump Up. 7:40 (Hopkins, Cooder, Watts)
                 
                   SIDE B : Blow With Ry. 11:12 (Hopkins, Cooder, Watts)
                                  Interlude A La El Hopo. 2.32 (Hopkins, Cooder, Watts)
                                  Highland Fling. 4:20 (Hopkins, Cooder, Watts)

Session Pianist/Keyboardist, Nicky Hopkins, should be familiar to many Classic Rock lovers, his talents were utilised by many of the 60's giants, appearing on albums by The Kinks, The Who, Rolling Stones etc. and even becoming a fully-fledged band member of West Coast Psych-Rockers Quicksilver Messenger Service during the later half of '69 and into '70. 'Edward' was the nick-name given to him by Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones.
The album, Jamming With Edward, sees Nicky joined by Charlie Watts (Drums), Mick Jagger (vocals/harmonica), Bill Wyman (Bass) and Ry Cooder (Guitars). Apparently waiting at the studio for Keith Richards to arrive, but he was allegedly 'still in bed'. Not wanting to waste valuable studio time, the five members here started to 'jam' while the tape was rolling.
What we get is a slab of rather straight-forward boogie/blues/rock pieces, featuring basic grooves set by Watts, lots of piano, bluegrass slide and solo guitars, some buried-in-the-mix vocals from Jagger and occasional mouth-harp, and I must say that it's somewhat exciting to actually hear what Wyman is doing on the bass for a change, and he does a decent job, too.
The impromptu songs linger around the same key and tempo (remember, these cats aren't technical Prog musos), with Hopkins' piano being the highlight, instrumentally speaking. The cover song is a typical 12 bar. Only in the album's opener can we hear Watts vary from a shuffle beat to a slower, straight beat.
So, an obscure, rare treat especially for fans of The Rolling Stones, most of whom don't even know (or care) about the album's existence.
3 stars out of 5




Edited by Tom Ozric - January 27 2015 at 18:30

Tears for Fears

poeghost wrote: Love An Adventure by Pseudo Echo - 1987 This 1980s new wave synth pop group were from Melbourne, Australia. They consisted of Brian Canham - Lead and backing vocals, guitars; Pierre Gigliotti - Bass guitar, bass synth, backing vocals; James Leigh - Keyboards, bass synth, backing vocals; and Vince Leigh - Drums and backing vocals. This is an excellent album. All the songs are wonderful. Brian Canham had a deep to midrange smooth voice and the group had a surprisingly heavy rockin’ guitar sound at times, yet had a smooth interesting synth sound. The album I’m reviewing is the U.S. version which includes the cover of “Funkytown”, it was added to later releases and replaced the song “Don’t Go”. I remember seeing the video for “Funkytown” back in the 80s. I thought it was a lot of fun and it rocked! The original version was a disco/dance hit for Lipps Inc. in 1980. That was a fun song too. Pseudo Echo’s music is available to listen to on Spotify. Though the album track listings are different there. LP Record RCA 5730-1-RX Cassette RCA 5730-4-RX Track list - Side A: A Beat For You Living In A Dream Try Listening I Will Be You Track list - Side B: Love An Adventure Destination Unknown Funkytown Lonely Without You Lies Are Nothing Prog appeal: Light. Rating: 5 stars!

Band (Solo Artist)-Barry Palmer
 
Album Information-Night Thoughts (UK) 2012
 
Rating-5 stars (Pop-Rock)
 
Prog Appeal-Light or Historical
 
Review-      British singer Barry Palmer has a long and varied involvement in the music business-over several decades, in fact-most notably as a Lead Vocalist of the German progressive rock group Triumvirat in the 1970s, and Singer with British musician and composer Mike Oldfield in the 1980s. Well, 2012 saw the release of a new solo album of Mr. Palmer's called "Night Thoughts".
           "Pick up, pick up on anything" -that opening line from Night Thought's first song, "Innocent" sets the tone for this whole album. This record is about "picking up on" and opening doors to journeys to places one has maybe set aside, and not fully realised or acknowledged, places that are sometimes nice, and sometimes, not so. I like this album very much, and it is a record that grows on you, definitely. Barry's voice is youthful, and full of vitality, throughout. The following is a track by track breakdown of my impressions of Night Thought's content.
 
Night Thoughts-prelude-
     Before the first song is a short prelude; though it is music from the album's title track which is at the very end of the album, this beginning is kind of linked to the first song called "Innocent" because it sounds like something old and antiquated, kind of like an old-fashioned sort of recording, or "auditory snapshot" from some bygone "age of innocence".
 
Innocent-
     This song is very thoughtful, and full of meaning for me. It causes me to become reflective, which is a good thing, in of itself. A loss of innocence; such is often the human process, though for some, more quickly and to a greater extent, than others. Innocent (and ultimately all the songs on Night Thoughts) awaken new ideas and feelings upon each repeated listening. Still, Barry Palmer sings comfortingly, "There's a shadow hanging over you, but it's not your fault, because your Innocent".
  And then, "You're not alone, I am standing at your side".
 
Dear John-
      This song is the lyrical highlight of Night Thoughts, along with "Ghost Of A Love". An endearing "letter to John Lennon". "Imagine all the people, living for today, like you said". This is a moving and heartfelt plea to Lennon's spirit, and, also, it is a reminder to those that were, and still are, moved by his messages of peace to not forget his life's meaning and message. The song also contains some lovely solo guitar and backing vocals.
 
Here To Stay (Song For Selwa)-
      This song has a very beautiful acoustical guitar intro, and I love the line, "I understand the meaning, that love's more than just a feeling". This is more than just a love song; but one of incredible hope and faith in the future, about what one can achieve inspired by being in love.
 
Ghost Of A Love-
      This song has such a lovely,haunting quality to it, and is a sad tale. Who hasn't been burned, somehow, in a relationship? This is a story of someone being double-crossed in a relation that was supposedly a loving bond of togetherness.
 
Maybe It's You-
      This song is lovely and nice, and upbeat, both instrumentally, and lyrically-the story of a more welcoming relationship.
 
21st Century Game-
      This track has some beautiful acoustic guitar, and violin. Lyrically, it makes you wonder how many are involved in violence in this century, who are not really to blame. Yeah, after 9/11, we've all been drawn inextricably into things. This song makes you think hard.
 
Miracle Tonight-
       This song has a Triumvirat vibe and feel to it, which is sure nice to hear. Barry Palmer even mentions how "old loves die hard" at one point. A song of hope is the way I see it, with Palmer singing of "a chance to make it better", and the need of "a Miracle Tonight".
 
Forbidden Fruit-
       This song can be summed up with the line, "the trigger's pulled, we have to shoot"-a song about a bond of sexuality.
 
Here It Comes Again-
       With a very nice keyboard intro, and lovely strings throughout, Barry's voice is strongest on this song, a deeply moving love story that is beautiful, instrumentally, and lyrically.
 
A Better Man-
       With lovely guitar and violin, this track is thoughtful and positive. The story of a talk with a man one is walking beside, whose words "cut through me like a knife". In the end, there is an inspiration to become "A Better Man".
 
God Knows-
       A sort of a spiritual, and almost philosophical look at where we are going and what lies ahead. "God knows" what's to come, evidently.
 
Night Thoughts-
      Finally, the album's title track-in a nutshell, so peaceful! The perfect thing to listen to late at night, when one is with one's thoughts, and reflecting on life. A comforting and soothing end, lyrically, and instrumentally. Whatever one is pondering or dealing with, Barry Palmer sings "They're just Night Thoughts".

 

Edited by presdoug - August 09 2014 at 17:26

****

I used to love thrashing this thing during the 80s and I memorised many of the songs simply because I played it to death. It really has some of the best Manowar tracks especially on side 2 the side that rarely left my turntable on the days of vinyl. 

Regretfully most of my metal vinyl has gone but I still remember Sign of the Hammer "be my guide, the spell has been lifted" it is in my brain forever. Loved those manic riffs too. 'The Oath' and 'Thunderpick' have some resonance with my memory too but I will never forget 'Guyana (Cult of the Damned)' with its haunting lyrics; "I thank you for the cool aid Reverend Jim." I knew every riff especially as it builds to the big riff in the verses. I did not know at the time what it was about but have since learnt it was focussing on the Jim Jonestown Massacre. The lyrics have even more power with that knowledge. The intro to the song is kind of a Latin rhythm that works well, and the drum pounding is incredible, like a march to the gallows, or a march along the boardwalk to the vats of poison the cultists eventually took.

This is a strong Manowar and perhaps one of their last great releases, still powerful and riff heavy, with glorious vocals throughout, and then they moved into a more mainstream sound.

CREAM

Some Alice Cooper classics

The Monkees - 'More Of The Monkees (1967)

Ha ha, well, I didn't expect that.  Maybe the first time I am seeing something so familiar to me being recommended in the Non Prog Album Reviews.   By the way, Disco Deewane was remixed for a Bollywood film from 2012.  The remix was also a hit.  

Edited by rogerthat - April 24 2014 at 01:37