Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Hello Old Thing, Hello New Thing: 32

Bud Shank: All This And Heaven Too (Capitol, 1956)
Yes, I know, it's a jazz record. Sorry about that. However, this is a lovely record, a proper slice of button-down, suits 'n' sneakers, west coast cocktail-hour loveliness from the days when rock and roll only just existed and was, clearly, destined to die on its bony arse within months anyway. There's lots more of this sort of caper here.


Sigur Ros: Fljótavík (EMI, 2008)
I'm not the world's biggest fan of Sigur Ros by any stretch of the imagination. I reviewed them live once when they were third on the bill to a bunch of really rubbish indie groups. They were very good (I can't recall if my original review was this in-depth), but our paths have only crossed a few time since. They tend to be one of those bands whose biggest fans sort of put off everyone else, but, woteva, this choon is, literally, nice. There is a chance I might get lined up against the wall and shot by an angry and vituperative EMI for posting this, so I should probably point you here and say that this recording is available in all good record stores - and a whole heap of crappy ones - in just under three weeks. Oh yes.

7 comments:

BLTP said...

Luv the Ros, they are one of my favourite live bands. we saw them at somerset house with Amina one summer evening a few years ago and it was magical. They suffer a little from their fans gaucheness and also the "tasteful" use fo their music on TV etc. But live and in full effect with strings and drums and brass section there literally quite good as we seem to say round here.

James Franco said...

I loved Hoppipolla, hope this is more of the same.

Anonymous said...

Re jazz bizniss (sorry about that), "Ray Charles presents David Fathead Newman" by David Fathead Newman funnily enough, is absolutely fantastic and perfect for a summer's evening. It's quite r and b with terrific playing by Brother Ray as well who normally I'm not mad about.

Rob said...

bltp: excellent use of "literally quite good" there!
james: it sort of is and sort of isn't (with the emphasis on the is)
deselby: Do you think "Fathead" is the most unpleasant jazz nickname ever?

Anonymous said...

"Bleeding Gums Murphy" aside probably yes. Still a great album though.

James Franco said...

After listening to it, I prefer Hoppipolla, but this was nice in a "tried everything else to get to sleep" way.

Still not a patch on Dooley O or Scroobius Pip

Anonymous said...

Personally I'm more inclined towards Jazz than Sigur Ros... but then I'm an old fart as well...