Dortmunder - Harmonia ja kohu / V/A - Tapahtunut aiemmin
Quite unexpectedly, I got this double CD from Finland. And listening to it, the term, that Finland is THE Rock'n'Roll country of the world, has come true once again. Nowhere is the density of class A Rock bands per square kilometer higher than up North. Not even the U.K. comes close. You might say, finnish people are born with a shot of Rhythm'n'Blues (or any other kind of music).
I've no idea about the band Dortmunder. I'm just drawing a blank, although I've quite some finnish popular music in my collection. In fact, this is just a 5-track CD and all it does, is, wet your appetite for more. It's the kind of Rock music I've come to associate with Finland. Rootsy (in every which way) and upfront. No "independent" U.K. guitar stuff. Really, in a way this is old fashioned music with a twist. Very charming and uplifting. Tracks like "Toisinaan" make you want to sing along, even if you're like me and don't have the slightest idea about the finnish language. And can I just squeeze this in sideways, where my good friends of Doctor's Order make a guest appearance as well.
"Lainelautaileva amiraali" is an instrumental worth its salt. I couldn't find much about Dortmunder on the internet (and what little there was, I couldn't make sense of). As I understand it, this mini CD is still available. The Label is Maaseutumusiikki and they have an internet presence. Just check it out.
Not available anymore is the second CD that came with the Dortmunder one. Apparently, it was only pressed in a very limited quantity. Which is a shame really, as albums like this need a wider distribution and shouldn't be heard by a chosen few only. I'm being told, that this Various Artists compilation sort of tracks Marko Aho's musical life. Marko Aho being the guitarist and singer of afore mentioned band Dortmunder. Here, he's playing with a number of finnish bands. Most of them are unknown to me, except, of course Doctor's Order and I seem to recall Alli And The Gators from somewhere.
Twentythree tracks clocking in at around 66 minutes give you an idea what good music can mean to be. The chosen language of Marko Aho's vocals is finnish. Just don't think it won't work, it bloody well does. Fascinating stuff, even if you're left on the sidelines, wondering what this is all about. The vocals carry a certain mood that seems unique to the finnish nation. No wonder the Tango has so many followers there, as, as someone told me years ago, the Tango is some kind of white man's Blues. And I think he was right about this. This is really an excellent disc, showing off every side of the human mind. Sometimes it's sad, even depressive, at other times its bright and hopeful, with the music going from Rock to Blues and yes, friends and neighbours, I believe I heard some Tango in there somewhere.
There are songs to sing when sober is the last thing on your mind, this kind of alcohol drenched feeling that brings your selfpity out in the open. Other tracks seem to require you to keep your hands off the bottle. In fact, this compilation is quite a rollercoaster in unchartered territory. The joy to hear this album is immense. Listen to "Jos vain osaisin laulaa kantria (lailla Pekka Myllykosken)" and you're even in Country & Western fields. Listening to this CD over and over again, I got the idea, that Alli And The Gators were Mako's backing band for the happy go lucky songs. The Rock torch meanwhile being held high by Doctor's Order and then others going for the Blues and Tango bits.
I don't compare the contributors to each other, because I can truthfully say, everyone made a hell of a job and this is a very entertaining one hour plus. Despite the fact, that I'm listening to a Various Artists compilation, the whole thing is very coherent, something you don't always get. This is not really a contradiction on how I receive the CD, diversity is part of the package here, and not the artificially set up kind. The one thing that should be rectified however, is, that the album should be made available to the general public. This is a shame really, that a CD of this class should sink without being given a chance to swim.
Cheers
Devon
40th Mega Record & CD Fair, Jaarbeurs Utrecht, November 23 & 24, 2013
Finally, I'll be going to this record fair and I believe, I should better bring some cash along with me. Since sometime in the 90's I was thinking of going there, to spend my hard earned cash on some precious vinyl. It was mostly after the fact, that I realised, that I had missed it again and again. Not this time my friends, I booked the flight and the hotel half a year in advance. Days off at the office have been applied for (and granted). So, there's nothing in the way of holding me back. Unless I forget to go to the airport on November 22, 2013, that is.
I'm pretty sure, that this event is so big, I won't make it through everything in these two days. And this is me, instead of selling the collection off (I need more shelfs), I'm adding more and more to what's already occupying space around here. Nevertheless, I'm quite excited at the prospect of spending quality time in Utrecht. Here's the website www.recordplanet.nl/en/
Cheers
Devon
Golden Earring - Tits'n Ass
I can't stand it, when Folks, who should have retired years ago, release a new Album, because they think they are still relevant. They might have been a marker thirty/fourty years ago, but the world has moved through space a couple of miles in the meantime and noone is waiting for old pensioners reliving the heydays of their youth. Really, these bands are a sad sight. Except the few who can pull it through and there's not a bad aftertaste in your mouth. Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Golden Earring, 2012 style.
This Dutch rockband was a favourite of mine, back in the days when "Moontan" was still not recorded and "Radar Love" a hit reserved for future generations. I remember quite well the double LP "Pop History" (still in my collection), that had almost been played to a seethrough state. Four sides and not a bad song in sight. Of course, "Eight Miles High" followed and Golden Earring were forever in my heart and mind. And then, after "Radar Love" I just lost track of this band. Not forgotten, because I still used to put their LPs on the turntable, but just kind of faded (at least where newer material was concerned). This has been rectified over the last couple of years, but I still have not all of their post "Moontan" output. But I still have time.
2012 and the band is offering a new album and I cringe. Suddenly I have a bad stomach and my head aches. I dare not listen to the album for fear of absolute trash. My nightmares about have been rockers seem to come to life once more. And yet, I took the jump into the cold water (I admit, not without having read a few reviews about "Tits'n Ass) and I'm surprised, really taken by what I hear. The band rocks and is contemporary without clutching to days of fame past. This is a bunch of great songs, based on excellent songwriting and delivered by a smoking band.
Fourteen tracks available on CD (also as a limited edition with a DVD "The Making Of Tits'n Ass") and double vinyl. I haven't watched the DVD yet, but I can vouch for the audio. Normally I'm nursing my rocksolid prejudices (I'm mastering at it), but Golden Earring proved me wrong (at least in their case). Give the album a chance, even if you think Golden Earring should have been stuck in the seventies. You'll be surprised.
Cheers
Devon
Dr Feelgood - Taking No Prisoners (Box Set)
Towards the end of June 2013, there's a new box set being released. This is about the Gypie years (plus) and consists of 4 CDs and 1 DVD. Most major online mail orders already have it listed, so go there to check out the contents. I'm really looking forward to the DVD section and hoping for a decent transfer of the CDs. There's not much in the way of alternative takes (or outtakes) to be found here, but the release is nevertheless very welcome.
Cheers
Devon
Les Sauterelles - Today
There was a band in Switzerland in the 60's,who could easily have taken on the Beatles. And that's what they were called by their fans and by the press, the Swiss Beatles. They were ploughing the Pop field, and they did it very good. A string of hits, mainly in their native country and then, whooosh, they disintegrated. They left a mark in the history of Pop and some bandmembers carrying on in other bands or solo. The most remarkable is certainly Krokodil. But one went solo and since the very early 70's, this guy is a sort of fairytale uncle, grinning into every camera available, strumming his guitar and delivering his singer/songwriter material that's close to children's lullabys.
I mean, I like the old Les Sauterelles, I'm also with Krokodil, but if I see this Toni Vescoli guy once more, I'm jumping out of the window. Ground floor only, don't get me wrong! Some 40 years after the fact, this band has the nerve to release a new album (on CD, LP and DL). What I really really don't need from 70+ years old blokes is a rehash of their youth. What do we get on this album? The most tiresome old Popmusic you can imagine. Phil Collins is a rocker compared to these guys. Everything sounds like it's been eaten already thrice.
The funny thing is, yesterday afternoon, I went to one of my regular dealers, to stock up on some records. There he is, showing me proudly the LP version of "Today" and playing the thing on the inhouse deck. Some other customers present and, believe me, they were all of the age, of having heard Les Sauterelles, and admired them, the first time around, the remarks came flying and I kid you not, there was not a positive statement. When one of them remarked about Toni Vescoli's zurichois English, I was grinning from ear to ear. This is so provincial, Les Sauterelles were never the spearhead of the farmers union. They seem to be now. I don't understand how old men can damage their legacy so completely. Shut up in your rocking chair and let the past undisturbed. This release gets a mention as the most redundant album of the year. No, make this of the century.
Cheers
Devon
Big Figure's Drum Kit For Sale
This is an interesting one. Big Figure's drum kit is for sale on one of the largest auction platforms on the internet. That's GB£ 10'000.00 to me and you. Or you can make an offer, if your pockets are not quite so deep. No questions, this is a piece of history, but I believe Dr. Feelgood fans are a couple of leagues below Beatles or Rolling Stones collectors in monetary terms. Not that it wouldn't be worth it, but if the Big Figure actually accepts a counteroffer, this will be less than 50 % of the current asking price. That's just a guess, but the way the market is going for Dr. Feelgood memorabilia, I don't see the current owner making a killing with this kit. Sold "due to retirement"? Don't count me in! But it's very tempting to say the least!
Cheers
Devon
Wilko Johnson - Recent Articles In The Press (Update)
You always wanted to know how to play like Wilko Johnson? Here's your chance, GuitarTechniques magazine #216 (Spring 2013) has three pages on our man. Apparently, you must have an easy/moderate ability to follow this. But best is "I'd advise you take a look at Wilko's playing on YouTube. If he stands still for one second you'll get the opportunity to see just how freely he mixes up strumming, picking, plucking and a whole host of other exciting bangs and bashes.".
The CD, that comes with the magazine, has a handful of Wilko samples to offer. Don't expect anything like an extended solo or the like, this is all very brief. But the item is going into my collection as a curio. The only drawback is, that GuitarTechnique is rather expensive. A cover price of UK£ 5.50 (US$ 15.99) is not exactly on the cheap side. The equivalent I paid for this at the newsstand is in Euros around 17.00
Cheers
Devon
Steve Hooker - Smokin' Guitar
The new CD from Steve Hooker (aka the Stripped Down Stomping Band) is quite remarkable, in that, of the eight tracks on offer here, four are instrumentals. I don't know wether one can expect this from Steve Hooker, but it makes the title of this release spot on. The CD clocks in at just below the half hour mark and again, I rather have 30 minutes of class A stuff, than 70 minutes of reheated fourth row musicianship. But with Steve Hooker there's no danger of that.
This is a slice of trademark Steve Hooker. I mean, he's not exactly reinventing the wheel, but then, I don't expect him to do. I'm pretty sure, if he would, I couldn't take him seriously anymore. But that's no surprise, one really expects new releases from certain artists to stick to their roots. Or at least what you consider their roots are. Seven of the eight tracks are Steve Hooker originals and the eighth is probably one as well, I'm not sure, as it says "Foxx C And I". The track is "Mocking Bird", and if I'm not completely mistaken, can be found on an earlier two track release (this is somewhere on my shelfs, but I would have to move a ton of records to get to it, so no checking there), although this here is an alternate version.
The music is, of course, the typical Steve Hooker Rockabilly/Rock mix. Kind of modern and not so much the retro stuff. Although I'm fine with both variations. Back to the four instrumentals, which, I think, suit his style very well and at least for me, are the highlights of this album. I'm not picking one over the other, but for the introduction to the CD alone, I have to give special points to "Wolf Farm (Grange Aux Loups)". And also for this heavy beat and well defined rhythm, this is very recommended, especially if you come from the same corner as myself (musically speaking).
Wether you buy "Smokin' Guitar" or not is, naturally, up to you, but you could really do worse than shelling out your hard earned cash for this release. This is an album you'll go back listening to and enjoying it. The cover is reminiscent of this French cigarette brand. Good job, but if it were for me, I would have used the backside for the cover (pun intended). Released on Pimphouse CD1. It might not be available in every record shop, but if you ask your brick and mortar outlet dealer nicely, he/she's going to order it for you. Alternatively, you can also get this from Steve's website at www.stevehooker.co.uk
Cheers
Devon
