random tunes part 5

i must admit i do enjoy random tunes
coming from an mp3 player loaded up with favourite albums
so the chances of getting a tune you actually like are very high
though there are a few duds in there somewhere
as i like to record the whole album if selected
something to do with being fair to the artist in question
or more likely just because repeat plays of even dud tunes
can turn them around and move them up the scale
so counting them tonight from 1 to 10
ain't talkin' by bob dylan
have never been a bob dylan fan and have never owned any of his albums
cliche - it's the voice you see, and the fact he is an american 60's survivor
but i actually got tired of reading rave reviews about his latest album modern times
so thought it was time i did some investigating of this living legend
it really is a stunningly good album both lyrically and musically
this one is a gentle number with the band in cruise mode and bob doing his sing/talk
they say prayer has the power to heal so pray for me, mother
in the human heart an evil spirit can dwell
i am trying to love my neighbor and do good unto others
but oh, mother, things ain't going well
happy hunting ground by the church
this exquisite piece of music is from their 1984 album heyday
it's an instrumental track that i just love to bits and will never tire of
i'm a real sook for emotional music and this one often has me in tears
if i was a classical music fan i'd probably get my kicks elsewhere
but i'm not so this is it for me - repeat, repeat, repeat play
i'm now waiting for the day that it is used as an outro for a big film (or a church gig)
let it roll by willard grant conspiracy
i'm a late starter for this group out of the south of the u s of a
by all accounts they are a standard rock group centred around a robert fisher
a rather large hirsuite man who plays a mean guitar and writes the tunes
this one is an epic track clocking in at nearly nine minutes
a long introduction with the band including violins and piano hard at it
before me fisher comes forward with the vocal delivery
and the song then builds to a noisy and climactic ending then piano fadeout
love chariot by triosk
big fan of this trio since seeing them at wangaratta jazz festival in 2004
another case of a group who have hooked onto something they can call their own
typically like this one a pulsating, repetitive double bass line
lots of top end percussion played out on the drum cymbals
and splashes of piano with electronica mixed in
this one is a live staple and is as hypnotising live as on record
flaming heart by m ward
i had the pleasure of seeing m ward play at the metro earlier this year
he came to our shores with the tag of bob zimmerman junior, etc
this one is from one of his earlier albums
rocks along quite nicely and features his trademark echoey vocals
he is a multi-talented young chap demonstrated here with some boogie-woogie piano
day of the dead by the church
for anyone that thinks the church are a basic rock band
take a listen to the sometime anywhere album this track is from
when they were down to a 2-piece and in experimentation mode
this is space-rock at it's best - big echoey production
lots of effects on the guitars and lots of other noises going on
but underneath it all is a very solid rock tune
haydar haydar by mustafa kandirali
we're now off into authentic world music territory
this 77-year old is turkey's most well known clarinet player
a gypsy background so as you'd expect the tunes are very lively
this one has some tambourine noises up front
and rhythmical percussion that could easily keep the belly-dancers going
crystal clear by the laughing clowns
a random tunes session wouldn't be complete
without a contribution from the clowns
this lo-fi tune would indicate an early recording from the band
but another distinctive sax sound and ed and the band
providing all the necessary bits including some piano
which would suggest chris abrahams at work?
lost broadcast by triosk
they sure do have a very distinctive sound
more up-close cymbal tapping and a playful piano
with electronica and bass working away
the title suggests as does the music an ode to the radio
interlude by the tord gustavsen trio
another classy trio of piano, bass, drums
but this one of a more conservative nature
and tord g on the piano being the centre of attention
a quite pleasant 2 minute twiddle on the piano

that's it - 10 more random tracks - the church are now out in front
closely followed by the laughing clowns and a pack of contenders further back from that
mental note - need to stack more music into the iriver