Wednesday, January 25, 2006
ON FILM: NEIL YOUNG's HEART OF GOLD
You can read the latest on Neil Young's Concert film, "Heart of Gold," in USA TODAY (25 January 2006) at
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/life/20060125/d_neilyoung25.art.htm
The film is currently at Sundance. Sounds like a concert film many of us will want to see...and own if there ever is a DVD...now how about a DVD of CSNY-Y2K? Come on Neil!!! Please! Pretty Please!!!
Zeph, out
You can read the latest on Neil Young's Concert film, "Heart of Gold," in USA TODAY (25 January 2006) at
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/life/20060125/d_neilyoung25.art.htm
The film is currently at Sundance. Sounds like a concert film many of us will want to see...and own if there ever is a DVD...now how about a DVD of CSNY-Y2K? Come on Neil!!! Please! Pretty Please!!!
Zeph, out
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
CSN Bonus Tracks 2006
“Crosby, Stills & Nash” (aka the “couch album”) originally released 5/29/1969 in it’s new remastered version with bonus tracks for 2006 on Rhino CD, is a bit much. The bonus tracks (approximately 13 extra minutes) are for devotees only. The sound is more polished, but the tape hiss still is well audible, and although crisper with slightly better dynamic range, only you can decide what to do with your hard earned cash. Note: including vinyl this is the SEVENTH (!!!) edition of this album to be released. It IS a masterpiece, but adding a plaster of these sub-par bonus tracks make it a bit much.
Specifically: the bonus tracks are demos, repeat demos…not up to the dexterity displayed on this very first and soaring effort by CSN. “Do For the Others” by Stills appears in much finer form on his first solo LP/CD (“Stephen Stills”). “Song with No Words,” is lovely, but needs more of a sheen to endure repeated listening. “Everybody’s Talkin’,” holds up, but the harmonies sound a tad over-done, and this tune appears on “Stephen Stills Live,” in solo voice/acoustic guitar, in my view in a better version. Finally the beloved “Teach Your Children,” is a demo that is just out of place, period. No matter how interesting it is to fans, one must admit in embryonic form (plodding single acoustic strum with only Nash and Crosby on vocals), it just is not in the same universe as the masterwork on “Déjà Vu.”
IN CONTRAST:
“Daylight Again” originally released 5/21/1982 and now also remastered and issued for only the fouth time, now with bonus tracks on Rhino CD is in contrast a gem. The 16 minutes of bonus tracks (although a tad hissy) add to the experience and sound like they belong on the disc. Even the bare bones “Might As Well Have a Good Time” demo, featuring only Crosby on vocals is a treat. I found myself going back to the original and comparing the mystical harmonies added to the basic mix, and loving every second. Even the casual music fan will appreciate the similar production values that comprise this (in my view) NEW album, to a more contemporary length. The remastering adds a bit to the sound quality and noticeably so too.
I really think CSN should get the band together and play Letterman and Leno (and any other show that will have them), and perform “Raise a Voice,” and if Stills is in decent vocal shape, “Tomorrow is Another Day,” and the hauntingly lovely “Feel Your Love.” It will sell a lot of CDs….
Bottom Line:
“Crosby, Stills & Nash” 5/5 stars (a masterpiece); bonus tracks 2/5 at best and unnecessary
“Daylight Again” 4/5 stars (excellent); bonus tracks 5/5 and the combo is a treasure (take one!)…
Zeph, out
“Crosby, Stills & Nash” (aka the “couch album”) originally released 5/29/1969 in it’s new remastered version with bonus tracks for 2006 on Rhino CD, is a bit much. The bonus tracks (approximately 13 extra minutes) are for devotees only. The sound is more polished, but the tape hiss still is well audible, and although crisper with slightly better dynamic range, only you can decide what to do with your hard earned cash. Note: including vinyl this is the SEVENTH (!!!) edition of this album to be released. It IS a masterpiece, but adding a plaster of these sub-par bonus tracks make it a bit much.
Specifically: the bonus tracks are demos, repeat demos…not up to the dexterity displayed on this very first and soaring effort by CSN. “Do For the Others” by Stills appears in much finer form on his first solo LP/CD (“Stephen Stills”). “Song with No Words,” is lovely, but needs more of a sheen to endure repeated listening. “Everybody’s Talkin’,” holds up, but the harmonies sound a tad over-done, and this tune appears on “Stephen Stills Live,” in solo voice/acoustic guitar, in my view in a better version. Finally the beloved “Teach Your Children,” is a demo that is just out of place, period. No matter how interesting it is to fans, one must admit in embryonic form (plodding single acoustic strum with only Nash and Crosby on vocals), it just is not in the same universe as the masterwork on “Déjà Vu.”
IN CONTRAST:
“Daylight Again” originally released 5/21/1982 and now also remastered and issued for only the fouth time, now with bonus tracks on Rhino CD is in contrast a gem. The 16 minutes of bonus tracks (although a tad hissy) add to the experience and sound like they belong on the disc. Even the bare bones “Might As Well Have a Good Time” demo, featuring only Crosby on vocals is a treat. I found myself going back to the original and comparing the mystical harmonies added to the basic mix, and loving every second. Even the casual music fan will appreciate the similar production values that comprise this (in my view) NEW album, to a more contemporary length. The remastering adds a bit to the sound quality and noticeably so too.
I really think CSN should get the band together and play Letterman and Leno (and any other show that will have them), and perform “Raise a Voice,” and if Stills is in decent vocal shape, “Tomorrow is Another Day,” and the hauntingly lovely “Feel Your Love.” It will sell a lot of CDs….
Bottom Line:
“Crosby, Stills & Nash” 5/5 stars (a masterpiece); bonus tracks 2/5 at best and unnecessary
“Daylight Again” 4/5 stars (excellent); bonus tracks 5/5 and the combo is a treasure (take one!)…
Zeph, out
Thursday, January 19, 2006
NEW EDITIONS OF "CROSBY STILLS & NASH" and "DAYLIGHT AGAIN" COMING!
For the latest, go to www.4waysite.com (see links above)...
now for CSN Reissues Audio Samples...
You can hear 30 second samples (of new material) from the upcoming (24 January 2006) reissues of the original CSN and DAYLIGHT AGAIN CDs at www.bn.com.
Just click on "music" and then search "Crosby Stills & Nash" and select "CD" for the search. When dozens of CDs show up, select "date released" and search again. The upcoming CDs (with audio clips available of the new and old material) will be there on top of the list generated.
Zeph, out
For the latest, go to www.4waysite.com (see links above)...
now for CSN Reissues Audio Samples...
You can hear 30 second samples (of new material) from the upcoming (24 January 2006) reissues of the original CSN and DAYLIGHT AGAIN CDs at www.bn.com.
Just click on "music" and then search "Crosby Stills & Nash" and select "CD" for the search. When dozens of CDs show up, select "date released" and search again. The upcoming CDs (with audio clips available of the new and old material) will be there on top of the list generated.
Zeph, out
BLOWS AGAINST THE EMPIRE
A Masterpiece Rediscovered!
BLOWS AGAINST THE EMPIRE by Paul Kantner was re-issued on CD in 2005 in a 35th Anniversary edition with bonus cuts. First, get this edition…there is an older one that just rehashes the vinyl and is inferior, pass it up for the latest version. It features the first album mention of “Jefferson Starship” and includes vocals and contributions by David Crosby and Graham Nash, as well as Grace Slick and Marty Balin, in addition to Kantner of course. Also there is a fairly good representation of the original album artwork; hope some of you can see that, or maybe even own it. It was uniquely ahead of its time, too.
This was at first a Kantner solo project, but with everyone around at the time, became the star-packed group effort it is. The Airplane was in a bit of disarray, and therefore Kantner seemed to seize the day as it were.
David Crosby is the easiest guest star’s voice to pick out by far (after Slick and Kantner of course). Nash seems buried in the mix of harmonies. Jack Cassidy did bass and it is among the finest bass guitar albums I own, bar none.
It’s a concept album about a group of gypsies jacking a starship and setting sail as it were for a better life. Think “Wooden Ships” meets “Star Trek!” Every song is precious, with my favorites “Let’s Go Together” (great bass and acoustic guitars and lovely vocals), “Have You Seen the Stars Tonight,” penned by Kantner and Crosby, and the opener “Mau Mau (Amerikon).” Crosby also adds guitar on a few songs, but stands out vocally on “A Child is Coming.” Nash gets a writing credit on “Home” and adds vocals to “Starship.” But, you will also enjoy the simplicity of Jerry Garcia’s banjo with Kantner’s vocal on “The Baby Tree,” and marvel at the pre-digital-sample-MP3 breathtaking minute and a half of “X-M” (it’s pre-XM too!), that simulates the sound of the starship blastoff.
Some powerful studio work, and after you enjoy the original line up of the vinyl release, you get live versions and alternate takes on 5 more songs (so get the 35th Anniversary version, ok?), and if you keep the thing in the player long enough there are two admittedly silly, radio promos of 30 seconds each, for the original release, worth hearing once. Especially if you are too young to remember “album rock” on FM radio in the 1970s.
Note on price:
I first found this CD (35th Ann. Version) in HMV in London for £ 14.99, a total rip-off (almost 26 US dollars). So, I waited until I was in the USA and found it on a good few web sites for about 12 US Dollars; so shop around. The original release on CD costs about the same and is side-by-side in the stores, so read the label and get the “expanded” 35th edition with bonus tracks! Just go to Google and “Froogle” the album title in quotes plus “CD” and you’ll get a great few hits.
Bottom Line: 5/5 Stars. The critics were right when this one came out, and it’s even better now; holds up as well as any truly classic effort.
Zeph, out
A Masterpiece Rediscovered!
BLOWS AGAINST THE EMPIRE by Paul Kantner was re-issued on CD in 2005 in a 35th Anniversary edition with bonus cuts. First, get this edition…there is an older one that just rehashes the vinyl and is inferior, pass it up for the latest version. It features the first album mention of “Jefferson Starship” and includes vocals and contributions by David Crosby and Graham Nash, as well as Grace Slick and Marty Balin, in addition to Kantner of course. Also there is a fairly good representation of the original album artwork; hope some of you can see that, or maybe even own it. It was uniquely ahead of its time, too.
This was at first a Kantner solo project, but with everyone around at the time, became the star-packed group effort it is. The Airplane was in a bit of disarray, and therefore Kantner seemed to seize the day as it were.
David Crosby is the easiest guest star’s voice to pick out by far (after Slick and Kantner of course). Nash seems buried in the mix of harmonies. Jack Cassidy did bass and it is among the finest bass guitar albums I own, bar none.
It’s a concept album about a group of gypsies jacking a starship and setting sail as it were for a better life. Think “Wooden Ships” meets “Star Trek!” Every song is precious, with my favorites “Let’s Go Together” (great bass and acoustic guitars and lovely vocals), “Have You Seen the Stars Tonight,” penned by Kantner and Crosby, and the opener “Mau Mau (Amerikon).” Crosby also adds guitar on a few songs, but stands out vocally on “A Child is Coming.” Nash gets a writing credit on “Home” and adds vocals to “Starship.” But, you will also enjoy the simplicity of Jerry Garcia’s banjo with Kantner’s vocal on “The Baby Tree,” and marvel at the pre-digital-sample-MP3 breathtaking minute and a half of “X-M” (it’s pre-XM too!), that simulates the sound of the starship blastoff.
Some powerful studio work, and after you enjoy the original line up of the vinyl release, you get live versions and alternate takes on 5 more songs (so get the 35th Anniversary version, ok?), and if you keep the thing in the player long enough there are two admittedly silly, radio promos of 30 seconds each, for the original release, worth hearing once. Especially if you are too young to remember “album rock” on FM radio in the 1970s.
Note on price:
I first found this CD (35th Ann. Version) in HMV in London for £ 14.99, a total rip-off (almost 26 US dollars). So, I waited until I was in the USA and found it on a good few web sites for about 12 US Dollars; so shop around. The original release on CD costs about the same and is side-by-side in the stores, so read the label and get the “expanded” 35th edition with bonus tracks! Just go to Google and “Froogle” the album title in quotes plus “CD” and you’ll get a great few hits.
Bottom Line: 5/5 Stars. The critics were right when this one came out, and it’s even better now; holds up as well as any truly classic effort.
Zeph, out
Saturday, January 14, 2006
NEIL YOUNG...
The other "N.Y." is featured in the current issue
(RS 992, Jan. 26, 2006) of ROLLING STONE magazine on stands in the USA. Below are links, but do see the print version if you can, with great photographs and a longer story.
There is also a nice list of rarities (all available in some form)...I just did not care for the shot taken at "Looking Forward" asking the question, "How bad was this CSNY reunion album?" See the answer in the "Best" NY you never heard, below.
Story excerpted is at
http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/44068/articles/story/9139450
"The best Neil Young you never heard" is at
http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/44068/articles/story/9139587
Zeph, out
www.musiczephyr.blogspot.com
The other "N.Y." is featured in the current issue
(RS 992, Jan. 26, 2006) of ROLLING STONE magazine on stands in the USA. Below are links, but do see the print version if you can, with great photographs and a longer story.
There is also a nice list of rarities (all available in some form)...I just did not care for the shot taken at "Looking Forward" asking the question, "How bad was this CSNY reunion album?" See the answer in the "Best" NY you never heard, below.
Story excerpted is at
http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/44068/articles/story/9139450
"The best Neil Young you never heard" is at
http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/44068/articles/story/9139587
Zeph, out
www.musiczephyr.blogspot.com
