Mick Clarke - Big Wheel - No. 232

Mick Clarke - Big Wheel

I've downloaded(!) (thunder and lightning!!!) Mick Clarke's latest opus "Big Wheel". You can get it for free on Bandcamp and he's only asking for your working e-mail address.  I know, I know, requests for e-mail addresses are soon followed by spam, but I don't fear the like from Mick Clarke. A message every now and then, that's o.k. with me.

Normally I don't do downloads, I'm old-fashioned this way and I want to hold a physical object in my hand, be it CD or LP (and no, a USB stick doesn't count as physical object where music is concerned). The bad news first, there's no CD available so don't go searching. The good news, it's free, but I hope you retaliate in kind and buy some of his releases.

Of course, I had to download the wav-file and burn it to disc (I'm not seriously listening to some speaker integrated into the laptop-/desktopsystem. I might check a 30 second clip, but that's the extend of my listening online). CDr done and dusted, this is now playing for the second time on my second standalone HiFi setup (this one a smaller Yamaha Network one) on my working station. I've found, however, if I switch to my main one, this is going to be like day and night. A while ago I started on a CD on the Yamaha and halfway through I went over to the living room stereo (because I was done on the laptop) and lo and behold, the sun went up,  the curtains were drawn and a former average sounding CD shone bright (and I'm not talking about a cheapo setup on my desk). However, I believe, these Yamaha speakers are not made for nearfield listening. I'm sitting practically inside these things and that's not the pure audiophile idea of HiFi.

The recording sounds a bit muffled on the Yamaha, but I bet it'll all change when I take it to the main stereo. What you get is almost 60 minutes (and exactly 14 tracks) of prime Mick Clarke. Naturally, Mr. Clarke is not going to reinvent the wheel, but he's doing here again what I like him best for, churning out his brand of Rock and Blues. And this is the point, listening to these songs, they are like old acquaintances, the kind you've never really lost sight of. The ones you don't have to ask "Sorry, btw, I forgot your name, who are you?". Fact is, I'm at home (in the proverbial and literal sense) with these songs. Mick Clarke is on my heels for at least a couple of decades. And I'm grateful for guys like him.

I've no intention of analyzing this bunch of songs to death, I'm really enjoying it much too much. Mr. Clarke, keep on going, the world needs people like you.

Cheers

Roland

Bootlegs And (More) Stuff - No. 231

Bootlegs and (More) Stuff

The Saturday before the lockdown came into effect around here (announced by the government the next day - Sunday), I paid a visit to a record shop (little did I know that it should be my last in-person visit to such a place for the foreseeable future) and bagged me a bunch of Rolling Stones Bootlegs (plus a few "official" LPs - a misnomer if I ever heard one, there's nothing "official" about any record release).

I'm quite into this stuff. Do I listen to it? Hell no! I'm having it up to here (pointing above my head), having listened to, uh, questionable recordings where you can't hear wether it's a steamroller in action, the fast train Hamburg to Paris in a tunnel or the industrial rebuilding of postwar Germany. No, I'm buying this stuff for the collection only and it's stuck there forever.

The Trident Mixes, well, I didn't pay attention, as this is one record only and it should be a double LP. Worse things have happened and I'll get over it.

Cheers

Roland

P.S.:
April  18, 2020
Just realised that this blog has been censored inasmuch as most scans in this number 231 contribution have been deleted. Not sure why, but there you go. The sole survivor can be seen above, but I don't expect this to be here for very long either.

flector - Interview with Steve - No. 230

flector - Interview with Steve

Here's the next installment of the ongoing series about flector and the heads behind it. This time it's Steve in his capacity as drummer and percussionist. The funny thing with drummers, they always mention some influence leaning in from the Jazz genre and Steve does so with his mention of Frank Zappa. Makes me think, why do so many drummers have such a bond with Jazz musicians, although probably not with the music itself. Is it the way an instrument is played in Jazz? Ask a Death Metal drummer and don't surprised if he/she mentions Max Roach or Art Blakey.

Well, not for me to say. As with the previous installments, this interview lets you have a glimpse of a band with full bodied statements and something you can sink your teeth into.

I'll have a shortened translation up within the next one or two weeks. Check back.

Cheers

Roland

flector - Interview With Rukey - No. 229

flector - Interview With Rukey

And here's Rukey (keyboards) speaking about flector, his role in the band and his influences. And he doesn't even mention Uriah Heep with a single nod in their direction, which did surprise me a bit, if not to say a lot. Because, frankly, his keyboards playing cries the Heep. Anyway, here we go and again, shortened translation to follow soon (hopefully).

Cheers

Roland

flector - Interview With Carlo - No. 228

flector - Interview With Carlo

As a follow-up to my review of flector's CD/EP below, I'll have a series of interviews with the members of the band. In full, there's going to be a whole set (one for each member of the band). I have this ready as the full German version (see attachment) and fully intent to translate this at least in parts, as I'm aware, that not many who read this blog will be fluent in the german language.

Let's start with Carlo (guitar/vocals) and what he's saying about flector, the idea behind it and what makes flector tick. Click the files for bigger size.

Give me some time to get the translation online. It'll show eventually at the bottom of this post.

Cheers

Roland

flector - Mighty Man - No. 227

flector - Mighty Man

Now, I could have sworn that I reviewed this CD (EP) some time back and if not in this blog, then where? Can't be on some forum, as I don't do those anymore. There's no way out of this misery but to admit, I forgot it completely (not the CD, but doing the review). Preliminaries: The CD can be bought via www.flector.space and clocks in at just below the 20 minute finishing line. Recording was done in 2018. Everything in place? As it should be.

Full disclosure: I know Carlo Gartenmann personally because he did everything possible to bring our book "From Roxette To Ramona - Dr. Feelgood And Wilko Johnson On Record" through the stages to the printer. Super job done and he sure did his magic on the doorstopper. There's a lot of his input there, some things he did on his own and, I have to admit, I couldn't have thought of a better way to do it.

Carlo has been the guitar player and lead singer in a few bands down the road. One of them was a rather Blues/Rock oriented combo (Red Lizard) and an earlier one (Nightcaps) was actually drifting more into the Krautrock vein ca. early 70's. I mean, I saw it that way, because I'm an old Krautrock fan from way back and the funny thing is, Carlo never concurred. However, I can quote chapter and verse from german bands that must have been his influences. He's totally in denial.

1978-1990: Charlesmax

1991-1998: Ed Rea’s Ratman Walk

1999-2002: Ohr

2002-2013: Nightcaps

2014-2017: Red Lizard

Well then, here's his latest outfit (I'm talking about "his latest" because he looks like the mainman here), although I'm sure this is not a big boss thing. The music? I can't really compare it to other bands, because this music is a bit of a niche product in my collection. And with the description of genres all watered down nowadays, I'm not sure I'll hit bull's eye.

I can safely say, this is not for your average Blues, Rock or MOR fan. The tracks are more Prog than anything else (be careful, Prog is a very wide field and includes Death Metal stuff as well - which this music isn't). Yes are lame compared to flector (all lower cases - not my typo). What you don't get is senseless noodling, everything is conchise and to the point. The music is at times rather rocking and at other times quieter. One thing that strikes me, is, how good the whole band is with their instruments. And, although this is a private release, the recording is sonically excellent and a joy to listen to, in case your a HiFi buff.

GOT IT! At times it reminds me of Uriah Heep (the organ made it click). Early ones when they had their greatest hits. Yes, there's a certain similarity. I knew I wasn't a complete stranger to this music. 😇 Plus some more, I let you know if I can dig up some other band's name.

Of the three tracks are all originals and the credits are with Cedy Häuptling (music and lyrics), Carlo (muscic) and Susanne Gartenmann (lyrics). Back to the quality: It's very interesting to hear a band with that level of craftmanship, especially when they are not backed by some major label (in fact everything is self released. What I wish for, is a full album coming our way soon. That would be something well worth waiting for.

flector, like all other bands, do have the problem of cancelled gigs (due to the Corona virus spread) and what not. I know, support is a much used (and abused) term nowadays, but if you buy their CD, it gives you good Karma (and an excellent CD!).

Cheers

Roland

Ruzz Guitar's Blues Revue - Live At The Louisiana - No. 226

Ruzz Guitar's Blues Revue - Live At The Louisiana

The third CD from Ruzz Guitar's Blues Revue. I don't pretend to be aware of this band since time began, in fact, they only came to my attention via the current Pete Gage release. I'm not that nosy, but someone endorsed by Pete, well I had to check it out and bought myself the two studio albums and here we are, a live one. Before the suspense is killing you and you can't get to the end of this review, it's a great album. Nothing to see here anymore. Thank you!

The name Ruzz Guitar's Blues Revue might be a tad misleading, because it's so much more. Blues, sure, but there's also Rock'n'Roll or a dinner for two instrumental (I kid you not), well worth the price of admission. You won't get the rough type of Blues here, it's more the polished variant, although I hasten to add, it's not overpolished. You'll not be "Bored To Tears", if I may quote Greg Koch. This CD will keep your mind set on the music.

As hinted above, this Blues (etc.) is not your headbanging, stagediving kind of music. It's very laid back a lot of the time and there's brass and keyboards and it's like a puzzle, since all pieces fall into place quite nicely. The music does speak to you in a peaceful way and it says "listen to me, you can bring all your problems to the table when this is over and done with, but right now, you're here with me". And if you're anything like me (be careful what you wish for), you do as you're told.

Having said what I just said, there they are, accelerating up the hill and "Sweet As Honey" blares out of the speakers. Serves me right to call this "laid back a lot of the time". Well, let me rephrase this, the CD is diverse and that's what I like as much as the professional playing, the excellent recording and the songwriting (four tracks are Ruzz's originals). You get a total of eight tracks (wether the other four are covers, I can't say, without any research into the matter), clocking in at just under the fifty minute mark.

I've listened to it quite a few times since I got it in the mail and somehow, I think this is a close contender  for album of the year 2020. I'm not pulling your leg. And now over to a commercial: Please do support bands such as Ruzz Guitar's Blues Revue, because, especially now, they don't have any income from gigs when everything goes belly-up. Don't let bands such as this hold the short end. CDs can be bought at their website.

www.thebluesrevue.com

Thank you!

Cheers

Roland

One Foot In The Grave (US Punk Band) - Nr. 225

One Foot In The Grave (US Punk Band)

Must have been 1992 when I became aware of a band called One Foot In The Grave. A Punk band consisting of folks well into their retirement age. I've no clue anymore how I came across their debut CD "Lookin' Good! Who's Your Embalmer?" I might have bought it from a local shop, no idea! What did I expect, no idea, second round! I'm into weird stuff (not what you're just thinking now) and my passion for the far side of music might have led me this way.

Their debut is anything but Punk. Good Rock, more in the Pop vein, but excellent songwriting with hooks galore. Some covers and a handful of originals (as far as i can tell). The lyrics are sometimes quite witty, but I don't really buy into their "Punk" attitude. It's all a bit set up and frankly speaking, I always suspected a bunch of studio musicians having more than a hand in this. Even back then, there was not really any useful information to be found and it's become even worse over time.

This said, the CD is very enjoyable and you can thank me later for pointing you this way. These days, it's probably only available on Discogs and the like (and it won't break the bank either). The reason I'm waxing about this, I'm not listening to much music these days, my count for last year is around 3 LPs, 10 CDs and that's it folks! Still interested in everything Rock, Blues and Jazz, But I'd rather dwiddle my thumbs than sitting in front of the Stereo. The reason this band came up again, I've read a piece about Rock on the hard side of town and One Foot In The Grave came up. Not this outfit, but close enough to want me to dig through my CDs and give them a spin. I did find them in the first 30 seconds of looking for them (which is an exceptional rarity as my collection is spread all over the flat) and these things sound as fresh as they were more than 20 years ago.

And this here, "Old Farts ...", is their second outing (from 1995). A worthy successor and the recipe is still the same, that is to say, good songwriting (some covers again) and songs laden with hooks. Both CDs come in at around 30 minutes each. So, this is not like you have to spend a week listening to their total catalogue, because, this was the complete output of One Foot In The Grave (as far as I know). I, for one, would have liked more albums, but the novelty seems to have run its course. Or health was indeed an issue. If the claim, that some members were even around the 70 year mark, is even remotely true, I'm not much out on a limb to guess, that some members are pushing the daisies now. Well, it's "Two Feet In The Grave" now!

Well worth your time and cash, you won't go wrong here.

Cheers

Roland