HALF TERM REPORT
LIKE MOST folk I haven't done anything extraordinary with my year thus far, but there have been some special, even amazing, musical highs. I even came very close to putting together a couple of shows, but once again, things weren't meant to be. I did get to hear Bing Ji Ling cover 2 of my favourite songs. I can tell you, that won't happen very often. Special indeed.
Huw Costin and the torn tail 2 put out a great CD. State Trooper being a boss cover and Disconnected spraying like shards of fine cut glass yet transforming into a song of fragile beauty. Even better than the version when he supported Jeb Loy Nichols. It's great news that wonderfulsound are releasing the semi-mythical LP proper. Stunning vinyl and artwork are guaranteed.
John Stammers returned from the wilderness to casually deliver a masterpiece on the same label. (Stunning vinyl and artwork.) Waiting Around the title track got reworked by Colorama who lost its ochre and burnt orange quality and gave it a broader spectrum of colour as their name suggests they would.
Away from all things troubadour, Tommy Awards continues on their divine path. Prometheus is a work of fine majesty and is also given fresh new life after Jonny Nash got hold of it. A smoking jacket's horizontal scene may spring up as a consequence. For a definitive study of the Tommy sound see Ban Ban Ton Ton's premier blog.
Frotee continues to amaze with their Estonian musical archaeology and always unearths the warmest sounds. Sven Grunberg's Anima 1977- 2001 is no exception. Its sleeve notes befit the mighty Finders Keepers label. Box Bedroom Rebels always release interesting music and more often than not inspired by the fey 80s scene. Field Route is another fine example. Melodic, cascading guitar, smudged, supported vocal with harmonies, and, importantly, pop sensibilities, ooze out of their little seven, making me forget that my hair's no longer floppy. The label also put out the sound of summer on a seven from Oz. I try to find my way around by Sunset Dreams is truly blinding. Imagine Horsebeach actually on a beach. That truly blinding.
Cassette action has been mainly mix orientated. For dancing Leolyxxx's cornucopia of joy, the Nigerian boogie brilliance that is Plastic inners is a marvel. Visible Cloaks Transmissions hits the spot marked, home listening superbly, and, for something odd but delightful, look no further than Ossia and Cera Khins Blue Baboons mix. Compelling.I can't not mention Seafaring Strangers and its 2 prime cuts. If Nick Drake had lived to buy a yacht, he would've sounded not too dissimilar from Chuck Senrick's Be so nice. It's worth the admittance price alone, but you also get Salty Miller's delightful One more Time. Another yacht club winner is Kenny Dickinson's Labor Of Love rework. A tune that wouldn't have sounded out of place on Balearic Mike's Fascinating Rhythms label. What's good enough for Ned.
All that said, edit of the decade is undoubtedly Hold On a Stephane Severac number that was kindly shared by Robert Johnston and has been played back to back with the Level 42 smash Leaving me Now for the best part of the year since, even in its original sax laden form. It is actually truly stunning, but Johnny hates sax. The edit basso reworks the song into a Balearic masterpiece to rival TV Scene by slowing down the tempo, adding throb, and importantly phasing out the sax. Yes, that fucking good. I think that's the first time I've used the word Balearic since my opening blog post in 2013.
