As sly as sin, swift as steel
Crimson as maple
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Marcus Garvey / Garvey’s Ghost by Burning Spear
Winston Rodney AKA Burning Spear recorded this album in 1975 and brought it to Chris Blackwell of Island Records for international release. However, Blackwell took the controversial decision to remix it and tone down the bass heavy dub elements for a mainstream US/European audience, much to Rodney’s dismay. I can sort of see the point - most home listeners would not have had any way of playing this back as it was meant to be heard via a massive sound system. Listening on a little transistor radio just doesn’t cut the mustard.
The original version was released 4 months later as Garvey’s Ghost and that’s the one that you should listen to, preferably on the most bass heavy system that you have. It’s a powerful experience, sung from the heart with true emotion and the music will make you want to dance.
The original version was released 4 months later as Garvey’s Ghost and that’s the one that you should listen to, preferably on the most bass heavy system that you have. It’s a powerful experience, sung from the heart with true emotion and the music will make you want to dance.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Queen II by Queen
One of the greatest albums of all time, by one of the greatest bands of all time, without a shadow of a doubt. Their debut album had had a lot of promise, but for the follow up they really turned everything up to a metaphorical 11. If those rock riffs and production techniques sound familiar now, it’s because they invented them and showed everyone else how it was done. This is the sound of a band determined to make a name for themselves, regardless of genre - were they glam, metal, prog or what? The answer is all of the above.
It’s still a mystery quite how Brian May nailed those unique guitar sounds that had people convinced that they must have been using synthesisers or studio tricks, until he would get up on stage and play them live, note for note.
Lyrically and vocally, the songs verge on the fantastical, especially on the second side with more ogres, fairies and mythical lands than a game of Dungeons and Dragons, but they are never po-faced about it. Indeed, the final track dissolves into a drunken chorus of ‘I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside’ which is the perfect ending.
Quaere-fellow-tastic!
It’s still a mystery quite how Brian May nailed those unique guitar sounds that had people convinced that they must have been using synthesisers or studio tricks, until he would get up on stage and play them live, note for note.
Lyrically and vocally, the songs verge on the fantastical, especially on the second side with more ogres, fairies and mythical lands than a game of Dungeons and Dragons, but they are never po-faced about it. Indeed, the final track dissolves into a drunken chorus of ‘I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside’ which is the perfect ending.
Quaere-fellow-tastic!
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Fromohio by fIREHOSE
American music is usually divided into two broad categories - west coast (hippies and surf guitar) and east coast (NYC gangstas and hipsters), without much thought to anything in the middle. So, it makes a pleasant change to hear an album that is literally from Ohio, and a fine listen it is too.
It has a bit of post punk energy with some nice riffs, solid drums and bass lines, but what sold it for me was a brief cover of Vastopol by the great Elizabeth Cotten which just felt right slotted in with everything else. This really does feel like a group of young people getting together to play music for the fun of it, and acknowledging influences from all over the place.
Not earth shattering, but reassuringly life affirming.
It has a bit of post punk energy with some nice riffs, solid drums and bass lines, but what sold it for me was a brief cover of Vastopol by the great Elizabeth Cotten which just felt right slotted in with everything else. This really does feel like a group of young people getting together to play music for the fun of it, and acknowledging influences from all over the place.
Not earth shattering, but reassuringly life affirming.
Monday, June 15, 2026
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)