Monday's Long Song

 

I've been running this series for several years now, and there are still plenty of songs that could be featured here. When I think about overly long songs, I always come back to one song in particular: Sister Ray by The Velvet Underground. 

Even in 1968, it wasn't exactly common to write longer songs, so it was surprising that this band recorded a song that was more than 17 minutes long. The early Velvets' songs were always at their best when they were built on a simple basic structure. Thus, “Sister Ray” developed from a very simple funk riff into seventeen minutes of sparse sound structures of incredible complexity.

What makes the song so special is the interplay between a simple riff, John Cale's Vox organ, Lou Reed's vocals, and Moe Tucker's drums. Sister Ray builds momentum minute by minute into a frenzy that seems to end only to pick up speed again. A masterpiece that has rightly served as inspiration and motivation for many subsequent musicians.

The Velvet Underground - Sister Ray

New Song On Sunday

 

Another new name in music appeared this week. Sofia Isella is a 20 year old American singer/songwriter and producer. From her early childhood days she was trained in violin and wrote her first lyrics at the age of eight. Her lyrics broadly revolve around female equality/recognition. This is also the case in Above The Neck, in which hard-boiled spoken word lines criticize the omnipresent sexualization of young women's bodies, which, according to her words, can never be young enough.

Musically, she has set her words to a post-punk and industrial-oriented sound that lies somewhere between moderate Nine Inch Nails, Dry Cleaning, and PJ Harvey. One of the better songs in the run-up to Christmas.

Has it stood the test of time?

 

Last weekend an old friend of mine played with his band a gig in our local pub. They are all amateurs, but have been playing together in various bands for years. Since they haven't written any songs of their own, they have focused on reinterpreting classics from recent decades. It's pure nostalgia to hear these old songs again and be reminded of times long past. One of the most impressive cover versions was Bob Seger's Turn the Page, which prompted me to listen to his 1975 live album again.

Live Bullets was pretty much the last classic rock album I enjoyed listening to back then, before punk and new wave changed everything. Nowadays, I find it difficult to listen to the double album in one go. There are still some great tracks on it, but overall the sound is too undifferentiated and no longer blows me away. I'm considering whether I can turn this into a small series.

Bob Seger - Turn The Page

Bob Seger - I've Been Working

Bob Seger - Get Out Of Denver

Singles Released This Week Years Ago

 

No long introductions. The songs speak for themselves. As always, songs that were in the charts and a few obscurities.

1993: Counting Crows

1966: Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston

1966: Donovan

1967: Small Faces

1968: Manfred Man

1977: Talking Heads

1971: Don McLean

1972: Focus

1961: Gene Chandler

1980: Rockpile

1994: Madonna

1979: The Clash

Monday's Long Song

 

December, autumn is definitely over, the trees have lost their leaves, and frost sets in at night. If possible, you can enjoy a walk in the sunny weather and clear air. Back home in your warm apartment, you make yourself a cup of tea and put on a record. Some prefer the latest guitar sound from a band that is still unknown, while others, like me, currently prefer the quiet sounds of Klangkollektor.

Klangkollektor is the solo project by Lars Fischer, former drummer of Nuremberg band Trak Trak. He released earlier this year an EP called Dubtapes No. 2, a record that was played often since at my home. Now he is back with a recording, when he was invited by his record label Before I Die in August this year.

It is a cross-section of his releases from recent years. Dub-heavy ambient that leaves room for interpretation and piano interludes. An extraordinary and beautiful record.

New Song On Sunday

 

It seems as though the music industry is preparing for Christmas and being stingy with good releases. One of the few noteworthy releases in recent days comes from Avalon Emerson, an American DJ and producer. Originally, she only produced and recorded songs so she could incorporate them into her sets. She obviously enjoyed this way of making music, and the result is a remarkable indie pop song. Her vocals are guttural and clear, and the guitar chords fit perfectly. A truly compelling discovery.

Singles Released This Week Years Ago

 

One more round with songs that have topped the charts and some obscure titles.

1972: David Bowie

1973: Kool and the Gang

1978: Chic

1978: The Police

1965: Spencer Davis Group

1977: Sex Pistols

1968: The Move

1884: Stone Temple Pilots

1969: The Band

1966: The Royal Guardsmen

1970: Stephen Stills

1979: The B-52s