From these beautiful bossa nova grooves, you wouldn't think of how badly Getz was struggling with addiction behind the scenes. He and Byrd managed to create one of the most celebrated albums of all time while also pushing bossa nova to an American audience; this kind of music can only ever be produced by inspired individuals- shout-out to Felix Grant. Finding out also that this album was the result of both of them listening to Gilberto is so cool; I'd only recently discovered Gilberto and fell in love with 'O Amor, O Sorriso e a Flor', and to think that it was probably that album that inspired this.
The Chemistry between these two is so clear, they complement each other so well, just listening currently just hits something in my brain. It manages to create such a relaxing atmosphere while also being the right amount of groovy.
I'm currently listening to the stereo version of the album which has been mixed so well compared to how shoddy a lot of stereo mixes of older albums are. Getz playing the sax in the left, Byrd playing his guitar in the right and the percussion balanced between the two, none are louder than the other and just flow so well.
Today you have musicians switch and divert to different style of music to appeal to wider audiences while lacking authenticity, meanwhile, you can tell that both Getz and Byrd has such an appreciation for Brazillian bossa nova and wanted to do this project right, to celebrate the genre rather than just mimic it.
B.B King has such infectious energy, the way he carries himself and his band is so cool to listen to, audience can’t get enough of it either. His rolling dialogue is so natural and a fun way to introduce each song.
His voice is amazing, there’s no wonder they call him the King Of Blues, his skills on the guitar are also amazing, so much so people scream in you every time he plays.
This live album was created so well, really makes you feel like you’re there, I’ve not listened to much blues however I feel like I’ve been spoiled already. Definitely will be listening to more of him soon, however I’ll probably be stuck on this album for a while!
Forgot to mention also his band who do such an amazing job, keeping up with King and never missing a beat. Fantastic job!
I’d never heard of her before seeing this come up, but what a great suggestion. Her voice is so rich and beautiful, certain inflections she does on these songs really elevate them.
The songwriting also very strong, definitely very personal while also being very applicable to points in my and others lives.
The instruments are played very elegantly (really using my thesaurus here), the piano definitely carries a lot of these tunes but the guitar strings on ‘Nightingale’ aren’t to be passed by.
I do think that this album suffers from how slow each of the songs are, while they’re sung very well, some songs do feel a bit ‘samey’ and definitely blends the album too much into one style and topic. Sadly don’t think I’ll be returning too much to this but it was still a very pleasant listen and would still recommend for anyone who loves summer walks with mild temperatures.
Was quite let down by this album. First one so far where I actually know one of the songs ‘Blitzkrieg Bop’ which I do quite like, but was hoping for more variety from the other songs.
It all seems to mash together and get very repetitive after a few songs. Not the biggest fan of the frontman’s voice either, kinda gets a bit draining after a while as well. I’d like to think on further albums their sound and direction get a lot better and more thought out.
I’ll give them their flowers however for helping set the foundation for punk rock, hearing that bands like Green Day and The Sex Pistols wouldn’t be around without them is super cool. They managed to see something in this that I didn’t.
Such a lovely album to re-listen to, I only first this album a few months ago and while still loved it, never returned to it as much as I should have. Nearly every song is a back to back banger, Bowie’s energy never dies through the entire album and even managed to make somber songs feel so powerful.
Going back to listen to it really made me appreciate more of the underrated songs, ‘Lady Stardust’ is such an amazing song and I feel as if there’s from Lennon influence in there which is sick.
It’s crazy to think that nearly 8 years before this he was releasing some of the most mediocre folk ever created.
Listening to this album whilst dying in the heat while picking up my groceries was probably not the ideal event to do so however that was the cards I dealt myself.
What stands out most on this album is its organ grooves, very bouncy and gives the same vibe as being at a baseball game, while I did overall enjoy the album, nothing really stuck with me too much apart from the title track which while I’ve heard it many times, never knew it was from this album. I completely understand why many other artists have covered the song as it’s got such an infectious groove while being extremely lowkey.
It does give the energy of a 30 minute jam being turned into an album but I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it.
It’s not to be ignored however the impact this had on soul and music as a whole, these guys managed to propel themselves in such a way that allowed them to become the band behind some amazing songs and events in music history, namely backing Otis Redding across his sadly short career and have a mutual peer ship with The Beatles.
Probably not listening to this in its intended way, in my room with some headphones. Imagine its a much better experience playing it out loud with some bass heavy speakers which I don't have...
Album was definitely fun to listen to, really creative use of sampling and the lead singer does a great job, really carrying each track. I will say that there's a few dull moments on this record, songs like 'Smile On' and 'Build the Bridge' never caught my attention too well and almost felt very filler like.
The biggest song on this album is definitely its shining star, its possesses an energy that no other song on this album seems to have, that's not too say there aren't any other good songs but just no other have that 'it' factor. It's a shame cause I feel the intro is such a great introduction to the group as a whole but the rest of the album doesn't manage to carry that charisma.
I feel as if they must be using the same sample packs as some video game composers, like I'm 99% sure the sound clip off 'What Is Love?' is also used on 'The Concept of Love' by Hideki Naganuma. The title track also gives off some Earthbound vibes and the piano on the songs is so similar to the piano on a song from Super Smash Bros. Melee.
Overall it was a fun, groovy listen but I can't see myself returning to it much apart from 'Groove Is in the Heart'.
I used to only ever listen to Movin’ Out for the longest time and never thought once to venture beyond the first song, I was so stupid.
This album is such an amazing listen, Billy Joel’s cadence and story telling is so good, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant is so perfectly crafted, and the Paul McCartney influence is so apparent not only in this song, but over the entire album. Joel uses his influences so well and manages to pay homage while also being so unique and personal.
When I did an initial listen to this many months ago, I got stuck on the title track, there’s something so ear wormy about it, and no matter how many times I listen to it, it never gets old.
I don’t know how I’ve gone my entire life without ever hearing Vienna, such a powerful song, he really puts his all into the performance it’s incredible.
Having such a short track-list also helps this album a lot in that it allows every song to really stick itself to your mind.
Overall, I can’t get enough of this album, I only hope to continue my Billy Joel journey!
The jesters making it out of the castle with this one, such an interesting listening experience. A combination of fairytale atmosphere and Dylan like inflections really make this such a fantasy like experience.
With medieval melodies accompanied by haunting vocals with religous subject matter really make this one of the most baffling albums I’ve listened to. I will say the vocals do get a bit whiney at points and aren’t so comfortable to listen to.
While kinda joking in my first sentence, it does actually sound like a jester performing his life’s work to the king in hopes he doesn’t kill his family.
Can’t say I’d return to this album a lot, it was a really fun listen, I’d definitely recommend it to those who wanna divert themselves into some really experimental and haunting environments.
I’m really loving the live albums this service has suggested so far, just so charismatic and energetic, these boys just don’t stop and sound great doing it. If there was any mistake, I wouldn’t have caught it as it’s played so well, which while in other live albums there’s bound to be some mistakes, I never heard one here.
Those Tony Allen drums on the last track are insane, he was such a gifted drummer RIP.
I’d never heard of Fela Kuti up until today but I will for sure be checking out his studio albums, though I imagine it’ll be heard to replicate a live setting through the albums which gives this record its personality.
Kuti manages to keep the crowd engaged, even getting them to sing on Egbe Mi O, the atmosphere of that track is so good.
While I’m oblivious to what he’s saying, can’t deny how talented he and his band is, just great music.
Discourse surrounding this album is so funny I can’t lie and both sides are annoying as each other. Those who love it will be weirdly vague about what makes it so good and the other half disregard the album entirely and don’t consider it music.
After giving it a listen, I’m quite mixed on it. On one hand it’s a very influential and genre defining album, with abrasive sounds and strained vocals that make for a pretty interesting listen, on the other hand it’s a collection sounds which aim hurt the ears and brain.
Doesn’t help that I can’t understand the German language and finding translations for the songs is for some reason extremely difficult, apart from the title tracks which was probably my favourite. Talking about the day of collapse, I’ve interpreted the song as a comment on how we as people are destroying our own cities, the lead singer references Genghis Khan and how our cities are being destroyed even without him. This was super interesting to find and really gave me more appreciation for the song.
What I do like about industrial / sound collage albims like this one is how unapologetically free they are, not bound to standard music practices and sounds, instead going for the wild route and really putting their creativity to use.
Hearing also that they built machines purely to make certain sounds on this album is really cool, I can’t imagine to think what those doohickies must’ve looked like.
Overall while I’d never return to this album, I appreciate it’s history, influence and attempt to do something out of the box, it’s a shame you can’t do 5/10s on this website, I don’t mean to add to the already low score.
