In Search Of The Lost Chord is where the MBs really start to do things their way. You can also sense that in doing so they are finding their feet a bit. The production isn't as lush as in their other albums, but the songs are really strong and have a clear message. Thinking Is The Best Way To Travel is typical of the album. It's about exploration and self exploration. Mike Pinder, the band's sort of lead innovator, wrote this one. His songs were always a bit more profound and thought provoking, in my opinion:
Days Of Future Passed was originally going to be an album showcasing Decca's new subsidiary label Deram, and its stereo sound. Hence the orchestral element [Decca being a largely classical label]. It was also said to be going to be about turning a classical piece into rock music. That didn't happen because the band apparently couldn't make it work. However, they were heavily in debt to Decca, so all involved came up with the new idea of having orchestral pieces linking their songs. It worked brilliantly and that debt was long gone. They also kind of invented the true concept album along the way, in my opinion, and indeed, all of the core seven albums are written around a single broad concept with practically every track flowing into the next [which makes it a bugger for a Youtube uploader unless one fades in and fades out the track - use Audacity software is my advice]. Anyway, this is Dawn Is A Feeling. Note the obvious orchestral link at the beginning and end. IIRC, none of the album's orchestral links were written by the band, but by Peter Knight, who arranged and conducted all those beautiful bits that make the album that extra bit special:
He's a little bit preachy. A little bit trying too hard. But he may well have a point. What's more, he's done the research or found the evidence of recent research. In fact, he's decided that pop music isn't as good as it used to be, so he's asking the question... Why Is Modern Pop Music So Terrible?: It's not flawless. Occasionally he even trips up over his own point. But I think it's worth the 20 minute listen.
Spot on They have Heart FM on the radio at work and it depresses me, every song is some so called RnB noise with some woman whaling all over it then some so called rapper going on about his lamborghini and making grunting sounds I am very open minded about music and love most styles but so called popular music is mass manufactured and dumbed down for the masses. For me it's music for people who are not really into music if you like
Happy Birthday to Gerry Marsden, who was briefly as popular as The Beatles in the early '60s who was born in Toxteth 75 years ago today. Here are the two Scouse anthems he recorded...
Well after those Frank Zappa entries I'm tempted to link to Michael Kenyon, but I'll resist... How about some more Jimi.? How about the never played Little Miss Strange, penned by Noel Redding, of the Electric Ladyland double album.? You could also buy the single LP version in the UK where this track doesn't feature:
OK, some more Jimi of the experience we put the record on for. This segment is from the Classic Albums BBC TV series. It's the only way I can find Rainy Day, Dream Away from Youtube, and it is entertaining, especially Michael Finnigan's story about the organ playing. Get Finnigan!
There is plenty of great new music available if you look for it though Greg as your own excellent music thread will testify....
