Tracks On Wax

In the days punk and new wave changed my personal music taste completely two guys held up the flag of pub rock constantly. Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe were the keeper of classic Rock 'n' Roll and during the second half of the 70's they released a few classic albums. I was always a fan of how Edmunds used to play his guitar. He wasn't the best guitar player in his time but he knows how to get a great sound out of his instrument. He was able to play the twangy sound as well as fast riffs. A few days ago I found his albums in my collection and thought by myself to take a trip back to the days I listened often to them. It was Tracks On Wax 4 from 1977 that still impresses me. Filled with covers of forgotten gems from the past and a song from his buddy Nick Lowe. Even if times and taste changed these songs are great and it made me happy to hear them once again.

In the afternoon I will go to support Stuttgart in their game against When Wiesbaden. We are at the top of the table (were we belong) and they are a promoted team and it should be a safe win but I didn't saw my team playing constantly well during 90 minutes. But anyway, it will be fun to see some friends again watching this game.

Dave Edmunds - Deborah
Dave Edmunds - Trouble Boys
Dave Edmunds - Heart of the City

Back To The Days Of Glam

A few days ago some songs from decades ago shuffled up from my mobile phone on my way to work that I didn't listened for a very long time. Songs by Gary Glitter and T.Rex that brought me back to my very young days. Songs that brought back memories when life was easy and I didn't thought about future. It made me thought about all the songs from the early 70's that lead me into music and made the base to explore music from the past and the future and I decided to feature these songs/artists in a new series. Glam was a very British phenomenon in the early 70's. Many were bored of the arty and heavy bands and looked out for something new. Then some bands appeared on the scene that were different, especially the way they used to act in new styles and gambling with non gender attitudes manifesting itself in outrageous clothes, makeup, hairstyles, and platform-soled boots. Glam is most noted for its sexual and gender ambiguity and representations of androgyny, beside extensive use of theatrics.. But the greatest gift they gave me that they brought back simple and native music. I was well informed by the music of the 60's by older friends but the first music that was close to me was Glam. I remember when I first saw Marc Bolan on TV I was speechless. New saw an artist before that was that kind of different to all other artists. He played just in front of his band with his curly hair and glitter in his face. From this time on I was addicted to music. And probably Glam prepared the way to punk.

Dance Alone

During the last years I often thought most of the best albums of the year will be released from August until October. Now by Shari Vari is one of those that will be in the list of my favorite albums from this year. Shari Vari is the common project of Baltimore born Sophia Kennedy and Helena Ratka. Both living in Hamburg and their gloomy, catchy and groovy sound is filled with ingredients from the last decades. It seems like Psychobilly, Suicide, Art of Noise, Anne Clark and Gun Club went together into an experimental Techno-Club filled with tribal beats.
 

Monday's Long Song

Many artists tried to combine classical and modern music and nearly everyone failed. One of those who is able to overcome the gap between classic and electronic music is Hamburg born pianist and composer Nils Frahm. His music stretches from almost classical to massive percussive and electronic elements. Live he use beside a classic piano, Fender Rhodes and synths and combines them with loops and samplings. It was a great and unforgettable experience to see him live. This one is from his latest EP Encores 3 and all the EP's will be released as a complete album next month.

Nils Frahm - All Armed

Grace

A few weeks ago some of Jeff Buckley's albums were released as a special edition with alternative versions and outtakes. As I was fascinated of the sadness in the songs of his father Tim I also liked what Jeff did. He always tried to make the perfect songs that never were compatible to many others in this time. They were hybrids of folk and rock and lived by the intensity Buckley played and sung them. Many of these songs were brought to us as stripped and raw versions and I have to admit that I still like to listen to them after ages. One of those re-releases that are worth to be released.

Jeff Buckley - Last Goodbye
Jeff Buckley - Dream Brother (Nag Champa Mix)

To Be Beautiful

Back from my vacation in the sun, recreated and ready for the job in my new office today and filling this little part of the internet with my personal views and music. It was a great time spending the last weeks with some good friends in a sunny place even if we had to stand a few days under heavy raining. The recent days I found the time to check out some old and some new music as well and I was surprised that a band I almost have forgotten released a new album. Madder Rose released their new album To Be Beautiful after a hiatus of 20 years. Some of you might remember when they released their first album in 1993 that sounded a bit like a record that Throwing Muses always tried to make and I have to admit that it was a record that was far over the edge of these days. Now they reduced their speed for a more introspective and melancholic mood. The title track features Mary Larson's great vocals, Billy Coté's Velvet inspired guitar added with some kind of 60's ba-ba backing vocals and I can't get this song out of my head since I heard it the first time. I Don't Know How To Love You could be a highlight on many record by Lee Hazlewood or by Prefab Sprout. Big names for sure but I simply like these songs.

 


Here's a song from their first recording to hear the difference since then:

Beautiful John

Time For A Few Days Off

My company finished their new administrative building in the suburb of Stuttgart these days and all of the 500 employees have to move to there in the next to weeks. It will be open-space office over three floors and many of have to say good bye to our small bureaus. I  don't know what I have to expect of this new era of working so I decided to leave for two weeks and move my body back to Sri Lanka again to avoid the stress of changing the place and come back when the removal is finished. When you read this words I will be on my way and come back at the end of the month. Until then some EBM from the early 80's. See you back in a few weeks.

The Cassandra Complex - One Millonth Happy Custo
Meat Beat Manifesto - Radio Babylon
DAF - Der Mussolini