What vinyl are you listening to?

[Jim-W]

Sweet Revenge - John Prine

Nebraska - Bruce Springsteen

Dreams And All That Stuff - Leo Kottke

Pirate Jenny - Nina Simone

I've been told that out of all the Springsteen albums, this is the one I might like. I'll keep my eye out for it.

Springsteen generally has a habit of going overboard in the studio, on Nebraska he reigned himself in and made a more personal and vulnerable album. A masterpiece.

Although I'm a sucker for Bruce's blue-collar heroics, I think you've nailed it with 'vulnerability. 'The Ghost of Tom Joad' is similarly engaging. 'Tunnel Of Love' is pretty vulnerable and desperate too...and all the better for it.

Tunnel Of Love is in my top 3 Bruce LPs - Darkness & Nebraska also.

BBB, imagine Bruce's version of Bob's Blood On The Tracks LP! That's how good Tunnel Of Love is.

Well, Charlie, your top 3 are mine too. 'Darkness' being my very favourite, if pushed, but I like them all. I've got a soft spot for 'Lucky Town' too. Top 3 Dylans? Blonde On Blonde, John Wesley Harding and The Freewheelin'' although tomorrow it could be 'Highway 61', 'Blood On The Tracks' and, oh yes, the very dark 'Time Out Of Mind.'

Regards.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

Is side 2 of Lucky Town better than side 1?

I won't be playing any Dylan again, it seems to be affecting my turntable. I get this horrible whining sound through the speakers.

 

[Jim-W]

Is side 2 of Lucky Town better than side 1?

I won't be playing any Dylan again, it seems to be affecting my turntable. I get this horrible whining sound through the speakers.

Yes, BBB, Side Two is brilliant. Utterly brilliant. It flows beautifully. And let's face it, we've all been waiste deep in the big muddy. In fact, I think that's where I've always been. Yeah, some lovely songs on that side, 'Book Of Dreams' and 'Beautiful Reward' for example. You might think it's a load of old tosh though!

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

Thanks Jim.

You've also won my respect and admiration for the way you neither mentioned, nor drew any attention to my awful Dylan gag.

Thank you

 

[Charlie Jefferson]

Is side 2 of Lucky Town better than side 1?

I won't be playing any Dylan again, it seems to be affecting my turntable. I get this horrible whining sound through the speakers.

Must be something wrong with the actual turntable then, BBB.

Either that or you're playing the wrong Dylan LP. But that last possibility would mean you accept the notion of "the right Dylan" LP.

Down In The Groove, Knocked Out Loaded, Under A Red Sky, Saved. They all fit the bill, honestly.

 

[Charlie Jefferson]

Sweet Revenge - John Prine

Nebraska - Bruce Springsteen

Dreams And All That Stuff - Leo Kottke

Pirate Jenny - Nina Simone

I've been told that out of all the Springsteen albums, this is the one I might like. I'll keep my eye out for it.

Springsteen generally has a habit of going overboard in the studio, on Nebraska he reigned himself in and made a more personal and vulnerable album. A masterpiece.

Although I'm a sucker for Bruce's blue-collar heroics, I think you've nailed it with 'vulnerability. 'The Ghost of Tom Joad' is similarly engaging. 'Tunnel Of Love' is pretty vulnerable and desperate too...and all the better for it.

Tunnel Of Love is in my top 3 Bruce LPs - Darkness & Nebraska also.

BBB, imagine Bruce's version of Bob's Blood On The Tracks LP! That's how good Tunnel Of Love is.

Well, Charlie, your top 3 are mine too. 'Darkness' being my very favourite, if pushed, but I like them all. I've got a soft spot for 'Lucky Town' too. Top 3 Dylans? Blonde On Blonde, John Wesley Harding and The Freewheelin'' although tomorrow it could be 'Highway 61', 'Blood On The Tracks' and, oh yes, the very dark 'Time Out Of Mind.'

Regards.

Top 3 Bob LPs, that's a tricky one Jim.

As you say it could change every day.

Today mine are:

Highway 61

Blood On The Tracks

Infidels

With an honourable mention for the re-created Another Self-Portrait.

Yes, I know Infidels isn't in the same league as Blonde or Bringing It All Back Home or most of the sixties and some of the seventies albums but I love it.

The pop-reggae thing that Sly & Robbie created with Mark Knopfler works surprisingly well with Bob's mid-period grizzled yelp.

 

[Jim-W]

Sweet Revenge - John Prine

Nebraska - Bruce Springsteen

Dreams And All That Stuff - Leo Kottke

Pirate Jenny - Nina Simone

I've been told that out of all the Springsteen albums, this is the one I might like. I'll keep my eye out for it.

Springsteen generally has a habit of going overboard in the studio, on Nebraska he reigned himself in and made a more personal and vulnerable album. A masterpiece.

Although I'm a sucker for Bruce's blue-collar heroics, I think you've nailed it with 'vulnerability. 'The Ghost of Tom Joad' is similarly engaging. 'Tunnel Of Love' is pretty vulnerable and desperate too...and all the better for it.

Tunnel Of Love is in my top 3 Bruce LPs - Darkness & Nebraska also.

BBB, imagine Bruce's version of Bob's Blood On The Tracks LP! That's how good Tunnel Of Love is.

Well, Charlie, your top 3 are mine too. 'Darkness' being my very favourite, if pushed, but I like them all. I've got a soft spot for 'Lucky Town' too. Top 3 Dylans? Blonde On Blonde, John Wesley Harding and The Freewheelin'' although tomorrow it could be 'Highway 61', 'Blood On The Tracks' and, oh yes, the very dark 'Time Out Of Mind.'

Regards.

Top 3 Bob LPs, that's a tricky one Jim.

As you say it could change every day.

Today mine are:

Highway 61

Blood On The Tracks

Infidels

With an honourable mention for the re-created Another Self-Portrait.

Yes, I know Infidels isn't in the same league as Blonde or Bringing It All Back Home or most of the sixties and some of the seventies albums but I love it.

The pop-reggae thing that Sly & Robbie created with Mark Knopfler works surprisingly well with Bob's mid-period grizzled yelp.

Well to be honest, I like 'Self-Portrait' for what it is: I'm just not sure what it is. I really would love to hear 'Another Self-Portrait' but I'm waiting until I can get hold of a vinyl copy. Although Dire Straits drifted somewhat towards the mainstream, there's no doubting that Mark Knopfler is a very good guitarist-classy and soulful. 'Infidels' is never less than enjoyable. Then again, I like 'Dylan And The Dead'; I must be the only person in the world who'll admit to this! 'Mid-period grizzled yelp': Damn it, Charlie, you should write for Mojo or Record Collector.

 

[Billyboy]

Bill nelson sounding the ritual echo

Yazoo upstairs at erics

OMD Architecture and morality

Al stewart year of the cat

 

[stevebrock]

Roxy Music - Avalon

 

[ifor]

Al stewart year of the cat

it would have been delivered today if I hadn't been out.

 

[stevebrock]

Al stewart year of the cat

it would have been delivered today if I hadn't been out.

Gonna play it now, really well produced superb SQ

 

[Charlie Jefferson]

Sweet Revenge - John Prine

Nebraska - Bruce Springsteen

Dreams And All That Stuff - Leo Kottke

Pirate Jenny - Nina Simone

I've been told that out of all the Springsteen albums, this is the one I might like. I'll keep my eye out for it.

Springsteen generally has a habit of going overboard in the studio, on Nebraska he reigned himself in and made a more personal and vulnerable album. A masterpiece.

Although I'm a sucker for Bruce's blue-collar heroics, I think you've nailed it with 'vulnerability. 'The Ghost of Tom Joad' is similarly engaging. 'Tunnel Of Love' is pretty vulnerable and desperate too...and all the better for it.

Tunnel Of Love is in my top 3 Bruce LPs - Darkness & Nebraska also.

BBB, imagine Bruce's version of Bob's Blood On The Tracks LP! That's how good Tunnel Of Love is.

Well, Charlie, your top 3 are mine too. 'Darkness' being my very favourite, if pushed, but I like them all. I've got a soft spot for 'Lucky Town' too. Top 3 Dylans? Blonde On Blonde, John Wesley Harding and The Freewheelin'' although tomorrow it could be 'Highway 61', 'Blood On The Tracks' and, oh yes, the very dark 'Time Out Of Mind.'

Regards.

Top 3 Bob LPs, that's a tricky one Jim.

As you say it could change every day.

Today mine are:

Highway 61

Blood On The Tracks

Infidels

With an honourable mention for the re-created Another Self-Portrait.

Yes, I know Infidels isn't in the same league as Blonde or Bringing It All Back Home or most of the sixties and some of the seventies albums but I love it.

The pop-reggae thing that Sly & Robbie created with Mark Knopfler works surprisingly well with Bob's mid-period grizzled yelp.

Well to be honest, I like 'Self-Portrait' for what it is: I'm just not sure what it is. I really would love to hear 'Another Self-Portrait' but I'm waiting until I can get hold of a vinyl copy. Although Dire Straits drifted somewhat towards the mainstream, there's no doubting that Mark Knopfler is a very good guitarist-classy and soulful. 'Infidels' is never less than enjoyable. Then again, I like 'Dylan And The Dead'; I must be the only person in the world who'll admit to this! 'Mid-period grizzled yelp': Damn it, Charlie, you should write for Mojo or Record Collector.

Dylan & The Dead is pretty good isn't it. In fact I'd rank it up there with Before The Flood as a live Bob experience.

Driving to work last week my mind alighted upon matters pertaining to Bob and specifically, live Bob. I started compiling my list and that's where Dylan & The Dead came in. Above Hard Rain and the mostly perfunctory Real Live but not quite up there with Rolling Thunder Revue 1975 or Carnegie Hall 1963. I really like Budokan too, although others seem to dismiss it.

Thanks for the Mojo/RC-referencing compliment. I took it as one, at least. Alongside working at the National Theatre, that kind of thing would be my dream job. Alas, all three have turned me down several times over the years!!

 

[Billyboy]

Be Bop Deluxe Axe Victim

Rory Gallagher Tattoo

Carole King Tapestry

 

[Jim-W]

Yes, Charlie, it was a compliment! I liked your turn of phrase; it sounded like the type of thing a music journalist might write. I wish I'd gone into music journalism and the National Theatre sounds very grand too. Producing school plays for countless numbers of years was as far as I got and helpling kids with audition pieces. Yes, I was a teacher and, if I'm right, you are too. I retired last year and I taught English, Drama and Media just so you know. I really don't envy people in the education system at the moment: the pressure with exam results and targets etc is just ridiculous.

This afternoon and this evening:

Emitt Rhodes-Mirror. A McCartneyesque cracker.

The Grateful Dead-Aoxomoxoa

XTC-English Settlement

Radiohead-Kid A.

Elvis Costello-Armed Forces.

 

[Albion59]

Carly Simon - Anticipation. Original 1971 british pressing.

 

[Freddy58]

superb SQ

Excuse my ignorance, but what's SQ?

 

[Charlie Jefferson]

Yes, Charlie, it was a compliment! I liked your turn of phrase; it sounded like the type of thing a music journalist might write. I wish I'd gone into music journalism and the National Theatre sounds very grand too. Producing school plays for countless numbers of years was as far as I got and helpling kids with audition pieces. Yes, I was a teacher and, if I'm right, you are too. I retired last year and I taught English, Drama and Media just so you know. I really don't envy people in the education system at the moment: the pressure with exam results and targets etc is just ridiculous.

This afternoon and this evening:

Emitt Rhodes-Mirror. A McCartneyesque cracker.

The Grateful Dead-Aoxomoxoa

XTC-English Settlement

Radiohead-Kid A.

Elvis Costello-Armed Forces.

Hi Jim, it seems we have a few things in common: Dylan and drama teaching amongst them. I trust you are enjoying what sounds like a well-earned retirement. I'm about fifteen years or so away from that stage. And yes, the relentless targets and results chasing is gathering a-pace, even at my place of work where I'm fortunate to have a very pro-arts Headteacher.

My NT link is through their youth theatre programme and annual festival, Connections. I've directed our schools entries during the last fifteen years. Shamelessly, I keep pestering them with scripts and projects I'd like their youth arm to commission. My only scintilla of hope, so far, is that I have a commissioning editor coming to see a work in progress musical in June this year. So a toe-nail in the door, maybe. Maybe not!!

Like your playlist. All good stuff. Although I'm not familiar with the first one.

My teenage daughter is a big fan of Kate Bush, as I am, so tonight's listening was guided by her presence. Selections from:

The Kick Inside

Hounds Of Love

The Red Shoes

The Dreaming

 

[Freddy58]

superb SQ

Excuse my ignorance, but what's SQ?

Ahh, sound quality.

 

[AmigaNut]

Dire Straits - Dire Straits from the Studio Box set.

Tonight it will be Making Movies.

AmigaNut

 

[ifor]

Year Of The Cat - Al Stewart

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

Slint - Spiderland

 

[ifor]

Famous Last Words - Supertramp

 

[stevebrock]

Talk Talk - Its My Life

 

[Jim-W]

A Bert Jansch day:

Moonshine

Avocet

Birthday Blues

LA Turnaround.

The world stops turning when Bert sings and plays.

 

[ifor]

Remote Control - The Tubes