groovy!

look forward to this

This sounds pretty interesting. Do they albums we choose to send to someone have to fit a theme or something?

Edit: Also I have crappy satellite internet and cannot download or upload until have 11:00pm PST. I may need a day to get everything going fully. Would that be a problem for anyone?

I was gonna go for a theme, but couldn't be bothered to think of one in the end so, no, the albums don't have to fit a theme :)

You'll have bags of time to get going with thisas well, so it's not like you absolutely have to start on the day you're given a partner/s.

I take it you fancy a go at this?

From The Bull:


So I've been hearing about Sonny for months now, by my Jazz obsessed friend, but everyday I come home and forget all about it. So here comes Bulldog with this album for the weekly trade, which made me very much thrilled. This time someone reminded me of Rollins at home, got me the link and forced me to listen to the album. It doesn't get better than that.

Starts up with this weirdly catchy "Strode Rode", especially for an instrumental track. You can't help but swing your jazz finger at it. Follows the very smooth "You don't know what love is", a kind of sad melody, the kind you'd like to close your eyes to just to relish every bass plucks and every Sax blow and the shy nostalgic piano playing. Follows the playful "St. Thomas", just to awake you from the brief sorrows of the previous melody... And we're back to the smooth, but this time the brush strokes seem to have gained some pace. This tune reminds me of Armstrong's "Mack The Knife", a song that brings me back to my childhood, to the first time I heard it. It was quite the magical moment. I can sense the happy nostalgia in this one. I usually hate to talk through the album by tracks, but this ones just comes in moods, and it seems like that's the only way I can talk about it. Having myself pretty poor words to describe the legendary Sonny Rollins.

Finally, last but not least, the longest track on the album, "Blue Seven". This one starts with the usual pizzicato doublebass, which I enjoy so much, then shyly enters the cool Jazzy drums, to set the scene for the great saxophone. The Sax is so soulful in that one, and when it stops, it's to give the way to the emotional piano. We got a surprisingly long drum solo in that one, not like the ones I'm used to in the many rock albums I listen to. This one is pretty chaotic, without the inexplicable loudness. Back to the smooth, starts now this kind of conversation between the piano and the Sax, which was happening all through the album, but now it seems more accentuated.

Anyway, it's a complete album, immensely fulfilling. Loved it, and I'll definitely be returning to it. Thank you Bulldog, that was a great trade. My album wasn't from the legendary kind, but it was the taste of the day :p:

... And now I'm ready for the next one.

From Unchained Ballad


Up until recently, this was the only Smiths album I didn't own. But after a few listens though, I'm whacking myself over the head for not picking this up earlier, because this final studio work from Morrissey, Marr and co. is by far their most attractive sounding release to me: the jangly production of the last three albums was dropped in favor of a cleaner, more atmospheric style that was customary back in the 80's, and I think the music benefits from the choice.

Musically, most of the tracks here are gems, but a few that stood out for me in particular were the synth-laden 'Paint A Vulgar Picture" and the buoyant opening number 'A Rush and a Push...': much like some of their earlier material, these tracks are truly animated and seem to leap out of the speakers like the best ones always manage to do. 'Death of a Disco Dancer' also stands out some for me with its industrial musings and dissonant nature burbling below that distinctive mew of Morrissey's: it'll probably be my favorite before too long.

Overall, this is an album that revels in excellence, and I can see why the band members rank it as their favorite Smiths record: in the right mood, this is jawdropping stuff.

Kudos UB and thanks. :)

Yes, sir! I'd Love to give it a go.

You're in. Welcome aboard :thumb:

Which makes it...

Antonio
BoardsOfCanada
Bob
Bulldog
James
JT Williams
NumberNineDream
OctaneHugo

And I think we can kick this one off on Thursday.

Who else wants in before we do then?

can't wait to see what's in store this time around.

also Bulldog, would it be any trouble if i put the review i wrote for the album in my Member Journal as well as here?

Not at all, do whatever you like. Just so long as you actually listen to the album you get of course ;)

oh yes of course, haha