The Death Of Vinyl!(?) - #366

The Death Of Vinyl!(?) 

A few days ago, I saw this ad in a music magazine. Titled "The Death Of Vinyl!" and I went, oh no, not again. Some folks once again pretending to have the answers to all of our problems in their hands, while all they really want is a bigger slice of the cake. I quite clearly remember the guys from Austria who made a claim about their HD vinyl, which, at that stage, was still unborn. And the claims were ridiculous and at least it was clear to me, that this was going to be a failure. I hate it when I'm being proved right (or so it goes), but I was correct from the start. After a few updates which led to nowhere and burning a few millions, they called it a day a few years later and filed for bankruptcy. A shame really, that I didn't place a bet on it.

And now this outfit, claiming to press their records (mind you, limited numbered prototype pressings only) with a sugarcane material. I know of the PVC environmental problems with records since last year only. I had no idea. But really folks, I can't imagine this stuff ending up in a river or the sea or even some landfill (if the latter way of disposing still exists). What gets me here is the blatant way of trying to cash in on a real problem (same with TV ads for washing powder and the like, who claim if you're buying their product, you'll be the savious of the world). Spoiler: You're not, you're part of the problem. We all are.

Oh, and these are biodiscs! But truth be told, if you want to do something for the environment, there are much better ways to care for nature. You don't have to stuff the pockets of some outfit with cash, because of their ridiculous claims. And an ad that repeats itself throughout the one page several times, has lost all credibility with me anyway. And now for the most important question, how long do we give them before they fold their world saving operation. My money is on those four records and that's when it's back to normal procedure. 

Thank you for a laugh!

Cheers

Roland

P.S.: And using food to waste on luxury product is not environmentally good. Not for records, not for fuel, not for anything that's made out of foodstuff except food.

Dirt Road Band – Righteous (CD 2024) - # 265

Dirt Road Band – Righteous (CD 2024)

Steve Walwyn – Guitar, Vocals

Horace Panter – Bass

Ted Duggan – Drums

formed the band about five years ago and it was intended as a side job. A well-guarded side job, you have to say. Only when Steve Walwyn was shown the door by "Dr. Feelgood" and initial rumors, excuses and lies made the rounds (again!), the new job of the ex Dr. Feelgood and "Dr. Feelgood" guitarist gradually came to light. I have no idea what the reasons for Steve Walwyn's dismissal (after 32 years of service) were, but the "reasons" seem pretty hollow and mendacious and above all I had a déjà vu and that is Pete Gage.

Well, it was July 2024 and after some start-up time, DRB (as they also call themselves) came around the bend with their debut. For the most part, you have already heard the songs on the internet (except for me, I have become a total internet music objector). But the little I had heard involuntarily was impressive. You can't skip so fast without something sticking. But the DRB website is a good place to start. Under Dirt Road Band you can find everything you need/want to know about your favorite band.

As I said, Steve Walwyn, 32 years of service with Canvey's Finest (of which neither Canvey nor Fine for a few years). The rest of the team, after Pete Gage's forced departure, always seemed to me at odds with reality and, I admit it, Steve Walwyn was one of them. As a guitarist a big number, but as someone who was tempted to make the stirrup holder for Kevin and Phil, unfortunately went for the ride and was held responsible just like the rest. Of course, I had still bought his solo album "Instinct To Survive" from 2015 and his earlier ventures (pre-Dr. Feelgood) still remain in my collection.

What is interesting about DRB's "Righteous" is the musical direction, which they themselves describe as hard, punchy blues rock. Yes, you can do it, but for me it's quite a surprise (and a good one at that) that Steve doesn't carry a Dr. Feelgood backpack. It's actually blues-rock in the style of the genuine English R&B scene. 100% to the point and as a bonus, all 10 tracks are originals written by either Steve Walwyn or Horace Panter. And all of them are high level songs. If you like the trio format in blues rock, you've come to the right place. Another surprise is the vocal delivery. The aforementioned solo "Instinct To Survive" cannot be compared to this CD and of course I know what an excellent Axeman Steve Walwyn is, but his vocal performance impressed me.

His comrades-in-arms have the Specials or Badfinger in their CV, amongst others. So no amateurs and you can hear that. Tight is of course the attribute that you use as a tag. "Worry No More" is a boogie as served by the best and perhaps the track that is probably most reminiscent of Dr. Feelgood. Some guests also shine on the CD:

Nikolaj Torp Larsen. Organ (Track 4)

James Oliver: Guitar (Track 5)

Sam Powell: Harmonica (Track 9)

Bob Jackson: Piano (Track 10)

It will be a bit difficult to experience the band live. Most of it takes place in the U.K. and as I noticed, there were also a few gigs in Spain. One can only hope that the tours will spread a little more in the direction of the rest of Europe. Unfortunately, the distribution of the CD is not really state of the art, not even Bandcamp offers a physical copy. Download yes, but I got my CDs directly from the band (available under the link mentioned above) and this is easy peasy. The first 250 copies are signed. Ah yes, something I noticed, with 10 tracks on the CD and a running time of just over 45 minutes, that's quite long for an R&B (British style) offering, but extremely entertaining.

Cheers

Roland

P.S.: This piece was originally written in German and I used the translation tool in Word to make life easier for me. It looks strange and I believe I must iron some quirks out. But that is for another day. Let me know wether the meaning comes through.

P.P.S.: I touched the tex up here and there. Much better in my opinion now. But I do admit it, translation software has made quite a leap forward.

P.P.P.S.: And here is the original (if you want to brush up on your German language skills) Dirt Road Band – Righteous (CD 2024) – Rockzirkus-Blog

Why Do People In The Industry Think They Can Dabble With Releases? #264

Why Do People In The Industry Think They Can Dabble With Releases?

I just don't get it, why does a Giles Martin think that he can "remix" the Beatles output (not that I care about the Beatles). Why could he not have left the catalogue alone and maybe do a remaster only? Or this Wilson guy who thinks he must show the world how it's really done. I mean there are even Deep Purple remixes. Is this a sort of ADHD syndrome? The guy at the mixing desk gets a load of money, the band can sell the same stuff over and over again? I get it, it's business as usual and usual in this case means, sod artistic integrity. Which begs the question, was there ever such a thing as artistic integrity in Rock and Pop? 


There are even cases where whole gigs are put into a different sequence because the producer thought his take of a gig is valid and he's letting the world know. Case in point, the two CD releases of John Coltrane with his Graz gig in 1962. I was a bit confused to see that it apparently didn't follow the proper sequencing and instead Werner X. Uehlinger thinks he knows best and John Coltrane didn't have an idea. 

QUOTE
Executive producer's note: The four tracks on this first release have been selected from the 1962 concert tape which Hat Hut Records has licensed from ORF Steiermark, Graz, Austria. I approached the Program as I would have done with a studio recording, by deciding not simply to reproduce the concert, but to present the music from a dramatic perspective. The second release, which hopefully will follow soon, will present the concluding portion of the concert with a different dramatic perspective.
UNQUOTE

Thank you Mr. Uehlinger, this is exactly what we've been waiting for, a different dramatic take more than fifty years after the fact. Actually I expected better from you, especially since Hat Hut (and the offshoot ezz-thetics) are one of a kind and the labels are a beacon in Jazz circles. But noone needs a reimagination and believe it or not, John Coltrane's music is his and not yours to be playing games with.

Both CDs were released in 2019 and 2020 and I recommend you to buy the releases with the original order and not this one, however beware of a lot of counterfeits/bootlegs.

Cheers

Roland

Dr. Feelgood - A Case Of The Shakes (LP - Testpressing) - #263

Dr. Feelgood - A Case Of The Shakes (LP - Testpressing)

I might have said it before, but here we go again. I'm not checking minutiae for Dr. Feelgood and/or Wilko Johnson releases anymore, I have better things to do in life. But the odd acetate or test pressing makes my heart still beating somewhat faster and I'm twenty years and more back in time, when it was essential to get my greedy hands on an item that wasn't in my collection yet. 

Just recently I got the B-side test pressing of "A Case Of The Shakes" ("only" the B-side) which was advertised as coming with an alternate track sequence. Which Dr. Feelgood aficionado wouldn't jump at the chance. It's UAG 30311 B, so it makes this British to the core. Unfortunately, there's no alternate track sequence, I double checked even with the Canadian release, because I thought that just maybe the seller made a genuine error. Well, the latter has a different track sequence, but this would be for the A-side only.

Now, I won't be complaining to the seller and I'm glad I was able to add it to my collection and the next thing to do is, to look for an A-side, not. No way, if I happen to stumble over one, the better for me. If not, I won't be losing any sleep. How does it sound? A bit bass heavy if I might say so. I don't recall the original to be such deep off the end.

Cheers

Roland