The Imaginaurium

The Who By Numbers by the Who

Released: 1975 (Polydor Records)

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The Who By Numbers

I have to start this with a confession.   I really like the Who, so I’m certainly biased from the start.  However, I have always made it a point to not go out and listen to everything ever made by a band all at once… that way down the road, when the stars are right, you can still go back and hear something great for the first time.   I came across the entire Who collection on vinyl at a garage sale for $1.00 a piece (mint with all the books and everything!).   I couldn’t say no…  and while I probably know every note and word to every Who classic (which still get played every single day on every single classic rock station in the world) – I was eager to explore some of the lesser known tracks and LP’s.

Several of the tracks on ‘The Who By Numbers’ were new to me, but none of them were unfamiliar.   In a strange way, you know instinctively how Keith’s drums and John’s bass should interact…the scope of Roger’s vocals…the strength and subtlety of Pete’s guitar should all sound.   I was most surprised at how consistent all the tracks were with the body of work that I already knew.   (and for a band like the Who, that is a real compliment!)   Here’s a good example – “Dreaming From The Waist”

The themes across the LP range from the dark to the whimsical and often has the feeling, at least, of being very personal, especially lyrically.   The LP went top 10 in both the US and UK, so it’s not like it was an obscure release – but 30+ years out, it doesn’t seem to enjoy the ongoing popularity of other Who releases.   Precisely for that reason, if you aren’t familiar or haven’t heard it in awhile, it is absolutely worth a listen.   Here’s Pete doing a great solo version of “Blue Red and Gray.”

The big “single” from the release was ‘Squeeze Box’ and while the Who version is great…,

I wanted to share this version by Tenacious D.

It’s nice to hear a collection of songs rather than an opus – it feels more ‘in the moment’ somehow.   It’s hard to believe I’d say it, but I only modestly missed the synths…

I’ll leave you with my favorite “However Much I Booze” and a line that just might be the overall point of the record…

“There Ain’t No Way Out.”

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Siegel–Schwall ’70 by Siegel–Schwall Band

Released: 1970 (Vanguard Records)

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Siegel–Schwall '70

Sometimes there is just no substitute for the blues.   You can play around, muck it up, add all you want, but in the end, sometimes you just want to hear that blues rock and roll topped with some rough vocals and a great guitar.   I found this one for .50 cents at the used store and had only heard the name in passing before so I thought I’d give it a shot.

Seigel (piano, vocals, harmonica) and Schwall (guitar and vocals) were both music students looking for some gigs.   They became the house band at Pepper’s Lounge in Chicago (talk about being in the right place at the right time) which allowed them to sit in with just about everyone! (from Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Muddy Waters, the list makes me cry!)

This was their fourth LP and the first with former Sun-Ra bassist Rollo Radford and Shelly Plotkin on Drums.   Billboard reviewed their show at the Fillmore West and called them the “Best visual act in America with the music to back it up.”   You can hear their energy in this clip of “Angel Food Cake.”   (only video out there that I could find, unfortunately!)

While I’m not sure this was their best record, there’s a lot to like!

Solid blues and some great musicianship, it’s hard to not tap your foot…

Here’s another clip from this LP – “Walk In My Mind”

Though not on this record, they also were the first blues band to ever perform with a symphony!  Blues/Classical – Awesome!   For me, this is where they really stepped beyond the crowd and really did something unique and groundbreaking.   (Siegel continued this path with the crazy good Chambers Blues Band, but that’s another post )

I’m giving it four.   The record itself is probably a three, but the band is definitely a five so I’m splitting the deference…    The band reformed in 87 and has played regularly since.   Their 2005 release, Flash Forward, was top 20 on the Billboard blues chart.   I suspect that, much like the Dead, their live shows make the recordings look like an afterthought…

I’ll leave you with one of my favorites (again, not from this LP),

“I Think It Was The Wine” from May 2009.

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Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret by Soft Cell

Released: 1981 (Columbia Records)

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I hit high school in 1981 and Tainted Love was everywhere.   I had no idea who Soft Cell were, but you just couldn’t escape how popular their version of that song was.   Thirty years later, I saw that LP sitting on the shelf (.50 cents) and I just couldn’t help myself.   I had not heard of anything else they had done and I was simply just curious!

The LP hit #22 in the US and was a top ten LP in Canada, the UK, and New Zealand.  In fact, CMJ lists it as one of the top 25 college music LP’s of all time.

The single everyone knows is “Tainted Love,” which was a remake of the 1964 song originally sung by the Northern Queen of Soul, Gloria Jones.

You can hear the Gloria Jones version here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKUjI_CbIY0 Marilyn Manson also did an awesome remake of this song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfF7QAPduOA You can see the 1981 Top of the Pops Live version here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwx_ZysS9oc   but my favorite is the ‘Top of the Pops’ 2001 reunion version:  

Soft Cell is:

• Marc Almond (Vocals)
• David Ball (Instruments)

For me, the LP itself has trouble finding a groove.    Tainted Love seems out of place and much of the rest seems to struggle for something that grabs you and makes you want to remember it.   It’s not that the music and vocals aren’t interesting, they just don’t really seem to go anywhere…

 I give you exhibit A, ‘Seedy Streets.’

It’s not bad, but frankly I just get bored…

This was definitely an LP that I decided to take a few key tracks from and let the rest go…

As you might expect, there are a bagillion versions of ‘Soft Cell’ with Tainted Love up on Amazon and around the web.   One that might be worth a look is the deluxe version which seems to be much more interesting.

Well, I clearly can’t talk about this CD without going into Sex Dwarf…

!!

Sex Dwarf

Music video mega-guru Tim Pope (David Bowie, the Cure, Neal Young, Men Without Hats, etc., etc, ) made a few videos for this LP which stirred up some controversy… to say the least.    It was confiscated by police and banned before it was ever released!  (all because it featured Almond and Ball in a bloody butcher shop surrounded by chainsaws, nude actors, and dwarves…   Heck that’s normal Sunday TV these days…)

You can see the full (lo rez) version – at least for now – on YouTube at:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39NHW8V-WEk   However, I prefer this short documentary clip about the video which is just too funny… (subtitled:  The Most Controversial Video Ever Made…!)

There’s also an incredibly wrong Teletubbies version…

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Romantic Warrior by Return to Forever

Released: 1976 (Columbia Records)

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Here’s another LP that I picked up at Goodwill ($1.00!) simply for the cover.   Ironically, I had never heard of the group before, but I knew all of the individuals so I knew it was almost certainly going to be great…  and it is!    Fusion funk jazz.

Simply four amazing musicians putting the pedal to the floor and letting it go without a filter.   Badass doesn’t begin to cover it.

Romantic Warrior was the sixth studio LP from Return to Forever and was their best seller (over a half million copies).

Check out “Sorceress!” (if you don’t see the video, refresh the page!)

Return to Forever’s all star line up (for this LP) is:

• Chick Corea (Keys),
• Stanley Clarke (Bass),
• Lenny White (Drums),
• and Al Di Meola (Guitars)

However, many other fantastic musicians have also been in the band including Frank Gambale, Bill Connors, Earl Klugh, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Airto Moreira.

Here’s “The Magician”

You can see what they’ve all been up to on Amazon including their 2008 reunion tour which featured the full Romantic Warrior lineup.  It is also available on DVD.

  And finally, here’s the title track (and my personal favorite) – “Romantic Warrior”

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666 by Aphrodite’s Child

Released: 1972 (Vertigo Records)

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As a soundscape guy, I’ve been a fan of Vangelis for a long time.   His soundtracks are a staple in my collection and several (Blade Runner, 1492, etc) are all time favorites.

However, I had never really done much background research.   Hence, when I was turned on to his progressive rock past (thx BJ), I was intrigued.   That this was a double concept album that was an interpretation of the Book of Revelations only made it more interesting.

666 is a creative double record that takes a vision to extreme.   Although it has several great driving rock pieces, that’s just the beginning of the story.  It’s also ambient, experimental, funky, eccentric, and wonderful including everything from choral chanting to a performance art mantra orgasm.

Here’s “Four Horseman” (if you don’t see the video, refresh the page!)

Aphrodite’s Child is/was:

• Evengelos Odysseas Papathanassiou (Vangelis)
• Artemiros Ventouris Roussos
• Anargyros Koulouris, and
• Lucas Sideras
• and a host of guests

As with Sky, while this was Vangelis’ concept album, for me, it is the grouped collection of talent and performance that takes this record over the top.

While perhaps not the best video ever made, the track ‘Babylon’ is one of my favorites from 666.

AllMusic.com gives it 4½ stars, however, their review notes that “the entire set eventually becomes too overwhelming to sit through”.  I actually agree.   When I have my iPod on random shuffle and one of these tracks comes up, I always think “wow, super cool” – but my one time through start to finish left me a bit exhausted by the end.

Nonetheless, it’s a record you certainly should hear – and even one worth actually ‘listening’ to.   Great texture, great variety, super fun and just plain oddness.   I love to hear a vision taken to the extreme and this certainly qualifies!

I’ll leave you with the dreamy sounds of the Aegian Sea.   “They’d been told to wait.”

 

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Sky 2

Released: 1980 (Arista Records)

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I love picking up albums at the second-hand stores that I’ve never heard of – often the payoff is so much better than buying groups that I know.   This was certainly the case with Sky2 by Sky.  I’m a bit surprised (and embarrassed) that I’ve not run across Sky before… Their music is a fantastic fusion of classical, jazz, and prog rock and is certainly right up my alley.

Sky2 was an ambitious double record was became the 10th biggest selling release in the UK for 1980 – mostly driven by the single Tocatta, an awesome rocked out revamp of Bach’s ‘Toccata and Fugue in D Minor,’ which hit number 6 on the British singles chart!

Check it out! (if you don’t see the video, refresh the page!)

The full double album is one surprise after another and does not disappoint.

The opening track ‘Hotta’ reminds me of Jean Michel Jarre. (or vice-versa, I guess considering the release dates…)  You can hear it below.

On 24th February 1981, to mark the 20th Anniversary of Amnesty International, Sky gave the first (and to date, only) concert ever held in Westminster Abbey in London!

Despite the sync being off about a measure, here’s an extended version of Hotta from that show.

While all of the members of Sky have notable solo accomplishments, for me, it is the combination of talent on this record that really takes it to the next level.

It doesn’t look like any of their records are available as MP3 download on Amazon or iTunes, but you can get CD’s and vinyl on Amazon!

I have to give it 5/5, great fun – great music and musicians – if you can find this double – or any of their records, you should buy them!!

You can find more information on Sky from Richard Sliwa’s comprehensive unofficial Sky website or from Wikipedia.

 

Finally, don’t be confused by the multitude of other bands named ‘Sky’ (especially the iTunes awful New Age dude… ugh!). Bookmark It




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Hey all!   Welcome to our latest blog, The Lost LP!

As I started to digitize my LP collection (you just can’t take a turntable on a hike…), it occurred to me that there were many titles that folks today have probably never even heard of – let alone heard.   So I decided to set up a blog that reviews cool,  odd, interesting, extra-horrid, or just plain awesome LP’s – some found in my collection and some found in used bins around the world.   (I may even throw in a CD from time to time since they are on their way to extinction too…!)

Off the cuff thoughts, commentary, background, and whatever else comes to mind that’s related…  I’ll try and always give you a link to where you can get a copy or purchase a download, if it’s available…    Forget the latest, it’s surely not the greatest…

Check out something with a vintage!    (ok, that’s it, where’s the wine…)

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