random tunes part 8

sunday evening in syd-er-ney town and it's bucketing down outside
which has to be a good thing if not a good excuse to stay indoors
so some random music (in the literal sense) is in order (or not)
though a bit tentative about this process as the iriver has not seen anything new for a while
so chances are the shuffle feature will throw up more of the same
but we shall find out - shuffling now.....
lumen by inga liljestrom
this one an epic 11 minute piece from her album entitled quiet music for quiet people
inga's music is at a place that i particularly like - stringed instruments meets noise meets almost spoken vocals
this one features beautifully played violins, double bass, her voice out front and random noises
the thing about this lady is that she delivers it live as well having seen her twice recently
i suspect she is going to make a big name for herself internationally if not already
gagging order by radiohead
acoustic guitar is picked and strummed for quite a long introduction
before the voice of thom yorke arrives and delivers a nice little tune of voice and guitar
this is from an album of b-sides, etc called com lag put together for the japanese market
seems odd that such outstanding tracks like this one weren't considered good enough for a real album
but that just demonstrates how they are way out front in terms of output and originality
bad dreams by m ward
taken from an older album from the man titled end of amnesia
there's a definite theme occurring tonight of long, slow, gentle numbers - suits the weather
in fact this one is very similar in style to inga's tune above
electric guitar played sparingly, some strange noises, spoken/sung vocals and great production
he has a favourite technique of harmonising with his own voice used very effectively here
appalatia by the church
funny thing about this band is that you think there are a few tracks that you could take or leave
this being one i previously had in the leave category
from their 17th studio album put out in 2003 and featuring peter koppes as vocalist
it's a fairly standard tune but tonight under the microscope and listening critically
uncovers some nice production work and exposure of their oft willingness to experiment aurally
let's be still by yo la tengo
there is a definite theme running through tonight's supposed random tunes
this one is another epic track checking in at 10 minutes and 27 seconds
and like inga and m ward previously features traditional intruments and noises
baffled trumpet and piano feature with intentionally non-sensical vocals
from their summer sun album and with a real cruisey summer night feel to it
funeral chant by not drowning, waving
this is weird - another epic track - and more traditional instruments and noises
but weird in this case is good - this is the superb closing track from their wonderful tabaran album
recently re-released in a newly re-mastered form so sounding very clear and clean
as the name suggests tradional papua new guinea voice/sticks recorded in chant mode
and mixed in with david bridie's gentle piano and some well balanced noddling noises
breach by willard grant conspiracy
you gotta laugh - a 9 minute track and the slowest on the album so a perfect tune for tonight's session
this is one of those tunes you sometimes hear and you feel like you have known it for ages
from their latest album called let it roll which is full of excellent tunes from the south of america
violins mixed in with acoustic guitars, piano and it sounds like a lap steel guitar
robert fisher out front leaning into the microphone and telling another story
how come by leroy young
this is one colourful dude from berlize in south america
led a very hard life - drugs, prison, suicide attempts, etc before discovering poetry
fused that with music to become a so-called dub-poet and has put out one album to date
how come when you need pills you can't get none
how come when you need police there are none around
how come you struggle to rise up and you are easily brought down
how come most teenagers are prisoners
how come there are so many single parent mothers
how come there's no respect for law and order
how come there are so many questions and just a few answers
cursed sleep by bonnie prince billy
singer/songwriter/guitarist from kentucky u s of a otherwise known as will oldham
don't know much else about him or his music but another case of tired of reading rave reviews
bought the latest album and dumped it into the iriver - i think this is the first track i have heard
very pleasant actually with strings, acoustic and electric well mixed in with his voice
looking forward to hearing more of the album with potential to be a high rotation one
criminal by gotan project
from their latest album titled lunatico and sounding as usual like no other
their signature sound of the bandoneon out front sharing the limelight with a piano
and in keeping with the theme of tonights tunes session some other noises in the mix
sirens, voices over megaphones, etc to invoke presumably the title of this track
i don't think it's the best tune on the album but in their case that is not a bad thing

enough already - another 10 tracks of random tunes
...and it's till raining