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Dick Heath
Special Collaborator
Jazz-Rock Specialist
Joined: April 19 2004
Location: England
Status: Offline
Points: 12813
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Posted: July 07 2006 at 13:18 |
RoyalJelly wrote:
What, there's nothing between total masterpiece and drug trip and failure? I'd call it a very important opening of rock (or at least being on a rock album) into realms of avant-garde and electronic/musique concrete. Very daring and experimental in this context, and pushing into realms of sound as an element of composition, telling stories by means of soundscape. Influenced by Cage and Zappa, and still somewhat ahead of its time. |
All the interviews about this track talk about Carl Stockhausen not Cage or Zappa - McCartney apparently was listening to avantgarde serious music on BBC Radio Three at the time, as a means of developing his musical education, and discussing it with George martin..
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Certif1ed
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: April 08 2004
Location: England
Status: Offline
Points: 7559
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Posted: July 07 2006 at 18:20 |
Agreed - Karlheinz Stockhausen was a major influence on Lennon particularly, after McCartney heard "Kontakte" and played it to Lennon (as I understand the story).
The composer's influence is apparent on "Rain" (b-side of "Paperback Writer), "She Said, She Said" and, of course, "Tomorrow Never Knows", among many others.
Stockhausen didn't know he was such an influence - indeed, when asked if he would mind appearing on the cover of "Sergeant Pepper...", his first question was "Who are the Beatles?".
Many other bands became influenced by the music of Stockhausen as a result - and "Revolution #9" is notable as being a fully-fledged Avante-Garde piece as opposed to a song using Avante-Garde influences like the pieces I mentioned above - thus encouraging the experimental approach further - hey, if the Beatles can do it...
Edited by Certif1ed - July 07 2006 at 18:25
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The important thing is not to stop questioning.
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Bj-1
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: June 04 2005
Location: No(r)Way
Status: Offline
Points: 31336
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Posted: July 07 2006 at 18:54 |
Zac M wrote:
Number nine, number nine, number nine... |
...Turn me on dead man, turn me on dead man, turn me on dead man...
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RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on!
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Zitro
Prog Reviewer
Joined: July 11 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 1321
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Posted: July 07 2006 at 18:54 |
I should have added an "interesting" choice.
I choose "Ambitious Failure", though it can be so unlistenable in parts.
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Peter
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: January 31 2004
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 9669
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Posted: July 09 2006 at 00:36 |
It's certainly not a "song," per se.
I consider it a druggy, semi-horrible, experimental piece of self-indulgent studio filler, but also a fairly revealing glimpse at both the times, and the (then) state of rock's most important band ever.
It is what it is.
(It is and it isn't.)
Are we clear on that now?
Edited by Peter Rideout - July 09 2006 at 00:37
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"And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy.
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Certif1ed
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: April 08 2004
Location: England
Status: Offline
Points: 7559
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Posted: July 10 2006 at 15:17 |
Peter Rideout wrote:
It's certainly not a "song," per se.
I consider it a druggy, semi-horrible, experimental piece of self-indulgent studio filler, but also a fairly revealing glimpse at both the times, and the (then) state of rock's most important band ever.
It is what it is.
(It is and it isn't.)
Are we clear on that now? |
Is that also your opinion of "Kontakte"? How about "Gesang der Junglinge"?
They sound remarkably similar in style
Edited by Certif1ed - July 10 2006 at 15:18
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The important thing is not to stop questioning.
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soundsweird
Prog Reviewer
Joined: December 08 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 408
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Posted: July 10 2006 at 22:50 |
As a fan of Stockhausen for about 35 years (I think it was about 1970), I must say that this piece has little to offer the avant-garde fan, although humor can be found in some of the source material. After hearing "What's the New Mary Jane" on the Beatles Anthology III, I wish THAT song had made the cut, not "Revolution 9".
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Peter
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: January 31 2004
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 9669
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Posted: July 11 2006 at 10:46 |
Certif1ed wrote:
Peter Rideout wrote:
It's certainly not a "song," per se. " border=0
I consider it a druggy, semi-horrible, experimental piece of self-indulgent studio filler, but also a fairly revealing glimpse at both the times, and the (then) state of rock's most important band ever.
It is what it is.
(It is and it isn't.)
Are we clear on that now? |
Is that also your opinion of "Kontakte"? How about "Gesang der Junglinge"?
They sound remarkably similar in style
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Sorry -- never heard them. But if they sound similar, I doubt if I'd care for them as something to play for pleasure (which is why I listen to music).
My response was from the heart. R#9 is a track to skip, for me. (I've heard it enough to know I don't like it -- but I don't really think I'm expected to like it, either.)
Still, as I said, it is a reflection of its time (Stockhausen influence, LSD influence, Vietnam/Cold War chaos, social unrest in the West, tensions within the Beatles -- whatever).
Edited by Peter Rideout - July 11 2006 at 10:55
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"And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy.
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Certif1ed
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: April 08 2004
Location: England
Status: Offline
Points: 7559
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Posted: July 11 2006 at 18:14 |
soundsweird wrote:
As a fan of Stockhausen for about 35 years (I think it was about 1970), I must say that this piece has little to offer the avant-garde fan, although humor can be found in some of the source material. After hearing "What's the New Mary Jane" on the Beatles Anthology III, I wish THAT song had made the cut, not "Revolution 9". |
I'd say that humour is what it has to offer the avante-garde fan
Edited by Certif1ed - July 11 2006 at 18:15
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The important thing is not to stop questioning.
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Cheesecakemouse
Forum Senior Member
Joined: April 05 2006
Location: New Zealand
Status: Offline
Points: 1751
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Posted: July 11 2006 at 23:37 |
I'm Cheese's sister, he's letting me use his name.
Rev 9: A funny little tune that ought not be taken too seriously, don't get me wrong i luvvvv the Beatles but Yoko's influence was evedent and i like Beatle music not Yoko music. Theres a point when "art" becomes a bit to arty and out of touch and for me Yoko's like that.
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A'swepe
Forum Senior Member
Joined: December 08 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 590
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Posted: July 12 2006 at 11:52 |
"Hold That Line. Hold That Line."
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David - Never doubt in the dark that which you believe to be true in the light.
http://www.myspace.com/aardvarktxusa - Instrumental rock
http://www.soundclick.com/aardvarktxusa
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The Wizard
Prog Reviewer
Joined: July 18 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 7341
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Posted: July 12 2006 at 12:01 |
I like the song, it's like a 9 minute long acid trip.
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MustShaveBeard
Forum Senior Member
Joined: February 20 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 366
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Posted: July 12 2006 at 17:13 |
I like it only because I like to pretend I'm going insane when I listen to it (I guess I'll say a druggy trip)
Edited by MustShaveBeard - July 12 2006 at 17:13
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Your life or your lupins!!!
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emersontarkus23
Forum Groupie
Joined: March 20 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 77
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Posted: July 13 2006 at 01:05 |
I'm not saying this is even close to instrumentals of the time, such as Frank Zappa's The Gumbo Variations, or acid songs by Pink Floyd such as Astronomy Domine or Set The Controls For The Heart of the Sun-there were many better prog pioneers at the time The Beatles released the White Album, but for the Beatles, a heavily pop-oriented band(I mean, come on, they had to be if they were trashed by Frank Zappa), this was a big leap in the direction of prog rock, although Magical Mystery Tour was damn experimental in a lot of ways too(the song Flying is the only instrumental the Beatles ever did, and I don't count Revolution 9 as a song). All I know is that this number helped the Beatles break the pop barrier and become known as a band that was more interesting than just breaking pop hits, and all this would pave the way for Abbey Road, which is a work of genius and the perfect blend of pop and prog rock.
"Have you seen us....Uncle Remus?" -Apostrophe, Frank Zappa
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Ivan_Melgar_M
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: April 27 2004
Location: Peru
Status: Offline
Points: 19535
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Posted: July 17 2006 at 01:36 |
Sorry, just a waste of space in the album.
Iván
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Certif1ed
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: April 08 2004
Location: England
Status: Offline
Points: 7559
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Posted: July 20 2006 at 09:33 |
Ivan_Melgar_M wrote:
Sorry, just a waste of space in the album.
Iván |
Nah - that'll be "Rocky Racoon"
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The important thing is not to stop questioning.
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Thyme Traveler
Forum Senior Member
Joined: February 12 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 164
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Posted: July 22 2006 at 21:52 |
It's garbage. Forget about calling it music. I wouldn't even call it art. I've farted farts which had more value as music than that.
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Fire up the flux capacitor ! We're taking this Delorean through all four dimensions.
What is the future of prog ? Genesis reunion ? I'm not telling!That could upset the thyme/space continuum.
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Ivan_Melgar_M
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: April 27 2004
Location: Peru
Status: Offline
Points: 19535
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Posted: July 22 2006 at 23:40 |
Thyme Traveler wrote:
It's garbage. Forget about calling it music. I wouldn't even call it art. I've farted farts which had more value as music than that. |
Yes, the Simpsons version where Barney burps after his new girlfriend "the Japanese conceptual artist" shouts "Number 8" during a "Be Sharps" session is more artistic.
Iván
Edited by Ivan_Melgar_M - July 22 2006 at 23:41
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moodyxadi
Forum Senior Member
Joined: November 01 2005
Location: Brazil
Status: Offline
Points: 417
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Posted: July 23 2006 at 11:34 |
RoyalJelly wrote:
tdreamer wrote:
Spoils an otherwise great album. |
I think it adds to an otherwise great album, that was spoiled by "Rocky Racoon" and "OhBlaDiOhBlaDa", ugghh...same way "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" sucks on Abbey Road. |
Maxwell's Silver hammer is the worst Beatles Song, and it's a shame that this piece f cr*p is in the best beatles album IMO.
About Revolution: it's a experiment that makes sense in its context, but doesn't add anything new to the Beatles titanical catalogue of masterpieces. Neither a masterpiece nor a complete failure. Just a thing that today has only a historical value, but not a concrete value per se.
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Bach, Ma, Bros, Déia, Dante.
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Zargus
Forum Senior Member
Joined: May 08 2005
Location: Sweden
Status: Offline
Points: 3491
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Posted: July 27 2006 at 07:45 |
A druggy trip. And its preety cool, i like it. The album whuld not be the same without it.
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