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#1 (permalink) |
Music Addict
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Hampshire, England
Posts: 434
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Sounds of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel (Columbia 1966)
American duo have got a groovy thing goin' ![]() Sounds of Silence Tracklist: Side One 1. The Sound of Silence (3:08) 2. Leaves That Are Green (2:23) 3. Blessed (3:16) 4. Kathy's Song (3:21) 5. Somewhere They Can't Find Me (2:37) 6. Anji (2:17) Davey Graham Side Two 7. Richard Cory (2:57) 8. A Most Peculiar Man (2:34) 9. April Come She Will (1:51) 10. We've Got a Groovy Thing Goin' (2:00) 11. I Am a Rock (2:50) Bonus Tracks Reissue 2001 12. Blues Run The Game (2:55) Jackson C. Frank 13. Barbriallen (4:06) Traditional 14. Rose of Aberdeen (2:02) Traditional 15. Roving Gambler (3:03) Traditional All compositions are credited to Paul Simon, except where stated Sounds of Silence Lineup: Paul Simon: Lead vocals, guitar Art Garfunkel: Lead vocals Fred Carter, Jr.: Guitar Larry Knechtel: Keyboards Joe South: Guitar Hal Blaine: Drums Produced by Bob Johnston Sounds of Silence is the second album by Simon and Garfunkel (following Wednesday Morning, 3AM, 1964), produced by Bob Johnston and released on Columbia in 1966. The duo went on to record many famous songs, culminating in the best-selling Bridge Over Troubled Water album for the same label in 1970. The Sound of Silence (the song, singular) has a characteristically sparse arrangement, but a big sound (pun intended), making its presence seem like that of Born to Run on Springsteen's breakthrough album. In other words it is unlike anything else on the album, but it fits and is the strongest track, casting a shadow over the subsequent tracks. The following track, Leaves That Are Green is gentle by contrast. Blessed is more stirring and reminds me of the Everly Brothers and The Byrds, which leads me to wonder if it was inspired by The Searchers. Paul Simon spent time in England, from April 1964, when he stayed with Martin Carthy, and his reference to the down-and-outs of London is the first of many relating to the experience, "I got no place to go . . . I've walked around Soho for the last night or so." Certainly, Simon 'borrowed' ideas from English folk musicians, including Scarborough Fair from Carthy. Kathy's Song is an example, about a girl he met in Essex, with its dropped 't' from 'when you start your day' to the reference to 'England, where my heart lies'. Whatever its sources, Kathy's Song is a delicate and beautiful Paul Simon-led track. Somewhere They Can't Find Me is a busier upbeat arrangent with brass and full harmonies. Side One closer is English folk guitarist Davy Graham's most well known acoustic instrumental, Anji. Richard Cory is a song about a wealthy man who owns a factory, but, like his workers, he is not happy, although this is for different reasons. Richard Cory is followed by the similarly themed, A Most Peculiar Man, about the sort of person who never speaks to anyone and is therefore ignored himself. Glen Campbell and Hal Blaine play on the album and this track has all their hallmarks of twanging guitar and echo-y drums repectively. April Come She will is another gentle traditional-sounding folk song, this time led by Art Garfunkel. We've Got a Groovy Thing is reminiscent of The Beatles, although I don't recall ever hearing them employing the word 'groovy'. I Am a Rock closes side two of the vinyl on a big sounding chorus, "I am a rock, I am an i - i - island." The 2001 CD has four bonuses, all folk songs, starting with Blues Run the Game, which, despite its English reference, is by American musician Jackson C. Frank, "Catch a boat to England, baby, maybe to Spain". Frank was also a friend of Simon and died in tragic circumstances. Barbriallen is a traditional lullaby-sounding ballad of unrequited love. Rose of Aberden and Roving Gambler are more traditional folk songs. The latter has a very familiar melody, but name dropping various US States along with a country, Spain, presumably because it rhymes with game! One of the singers laughs, reflecting the pleasure they had from working together. Occasionally, one or other of the duo leads a song, but mostly the singing is dominated by their close harmonies and Simon's guitar. Ostensibly a folk duo, Simon and Garfunkel's arrangements are diverse and often threaten, if not deliver, rising choruses, while the sound can be as big as any rock 'n' roll band. Everything is wonderful and points to the glorious achievements to come with the Scarborough Fair-dominated Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, Bookends and the towering Bridge Over Troubled Water. I had not heard this album from start to finish for at least thirty years, so it came as a breath of fresh air. I lost count of how many times I played it, I think about eight or nine, and I enjoyed every song. Originally written June 2012, revised October 2012 __________________ Last edited by Big Ears; 10-15-2012 at 12:46 PM. Reason: to correct typo in Blaine. |
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#2 (permalink) |
Born to be mild
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: 404 Not Found
Posts: 26,996
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Welcome to the music journals, Big Ears. Cool title too! Interesting choice for a first review, but I certainly liked what you wrote. Your writing shows a real knowledge of the subject, which is always important. Looking forward to further reviews, now that you've got your feet wet, as it were!
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#3 (permalink) |
Music Addict
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Hampshire, England
Posts: 434
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Thank you Trollheart. I am surprised to see the journal has been accepted so quickly. That's MB's customer service for you! Could a moderator please change the spelling of the heading for me, as it is incorrect and should be 'Rabbiting'?
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#4 (permalink) | |
Horribly Creative
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: London, The Big Smoke
Posts: 8,265
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Great review there Big Ears and I've always been a fan of Simon & Garfunkel too. I think Sounds of Silence is a good album, but their crowning glory from that era for me has to be Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme (or Rhyme as I always call it).
What type of stuff are you going to be putting into this journal? Is it going to be random or have some kind of theme?
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#6 (permalink) |
Music Addict
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Hampshire, England
Posts: 434
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Hearing Earring: A Biography of Golden Earring
![]() Golden Earring was formed as The Tornados by George Kooymans and Rinus Gerritsen, with guitarist Hans van Herwerden and drummer Fred van der Hilst, in the Hague, the Netherlands, in 1961. When the Tornados discovered their name was already being used by Billy Fury's band, the name The Golden Earrings (in the plural) was adopted. With Frans Krassenburg on vocals, Jaap Eggermont replacing Van der Hilst on drums and Van Herweden jettisoned, their debut single 'Please Go' was also the first hit, reaching number eight in the Netherlands' chart in 1965. An album, Just Earrings, produced by manager Fred Haayen, was released in the same year (Peter de Ronde also plays rhythm guitar). Haayen arranged for the next single, 'That Day', to be recorded at the Pye Records studios in London, a decision which paid off, as it reached number two in the Dutch charts in 1966. 'That Day' was only kept from the number one spot by The Beatles' 'Michelle'. Augmented by session piano player, Cees Schrama, the Golden Earrings recorded the Winter Harvest album, which was released in January 1967. Original singer Frans Krassenburg was replaced by Barry Hay in 1967 and a year later, the band finally achieved their first number one hit in the Netherlands with the typically Euro-titled, 'Dong Dong Diki Digi Dong'. The same line-up of Hay, Kooymans, Gerritsen and Eggermont recorded the Miracle Mirror, which was released in 1968. On the Double, in 1969, was the last album to feature Eggermont, with Sieb Warner replacing him on drums for Eight Miles High in the same year (released under the name The Golden Earring - singular). Eggermont switched mainly to production work and later became known for the 'Stars on 45' dance medley records of the early 1980s. DJ Neil Kempfer-Stocker began playing the band on US East Coast FM radio and they embarked on two North American tours in 1969, however the Perception Records label in New York failed to capitalise on the Golden Earring album, aka Wall of Dolls, with the Back Home single, in 1970. Golden Earring is the first album credited to 'Golden Earring' and introduces drummer Cesar Zuiderwijk. This 'classic' line-up would remain intact for more than 40 years. During this period with Barry Hay, Golden Earring evolved into a hard rock band. They enjoyed brief international superstardom in 1973-74 when the shortened version of 'Radar Love', from the Gold-certified album Moontan, became a hit single in both Europe and the USA. For a while, Cesar Zuiderwijk was a minor celebrity for jumping over over his drum-kit at the end of TV performances of 'Radar Love'. Between 1969 and 1984, Golden Earring completed 13 US tours. They performed as the opening act for such luminaries as Santana, King Crimson, The Doobie Brothers, Rush and .38 Special. When 'Radar Love' was a hit, they even had Kiss and Aerosmith as their opening acts. Being signed to Track Records, a UK label, the band hired the quadraphonic sound system used by The Who. Indeed, because of their successful transition from makers of hit singles in the early sixties to full rock band in the seventies, they were compared to The Who. Eelco Gelling joined Golden Earring, as a second guitarist alongside Kooymans (replacing occasional keyboardist, Robert Jan Stips of Supersister), in 1973, and first appeared on Contraband (1976) which was released in the US as Mad Love. Gelling's haunting slide work is highlighted on a number of tracks, particularly on the single Bombay. The group released its first live album, Golden Earring Live, in 1977, on which Kooymans's and Gellng's dual guitars breath new life into extended versions of the classics, including 'Radar Love'. An edited version of the latter returned Earring to the UK singles charts in 1977. Gelling also played on the group's Grab It For A second album of 1978. During a tour of the United States, he left the band, following differences over improvisation, and after his favourite guitar (a Gibson Les Paul Custom) was stolen from a cab in New York. Returning to the Netherlands, he played in several bands including his own Eelco Gelling Band. Golden Earring enjoyed a short period of US stardom but were unable to secure further chart success until 1982's Twilight Zone. An accompanying music video, directed by Dick Maas, was one of the first rock videos played on the recently launched MTV and helped the song become a top ten single. 'When the Lady Smiles' was an international hit in 1984, reaching number 3 in Canada and becoming the band's fifth number one hit in their native country, but it received a disappointing reaction in the United States. The reason for this lack of success was attributed to the promotional video being banned from MTV, due to nudity and a scene portraying the rape of a nun. An edited version of the video was shown, but to little avail. While touring the US, the band played at the Great Arena of Six Flags Great Adventure on 11th May 1984, when a fire at the Haunted Castle began on the opposite side of the theme park, killing eight teenagers. Following this tour, Golden Earring returned their focus towards Europe, where they continued to attract large audiences. In 1991, Golden Earring released the excellent Bloody Buccaneers album and scored another hit in the Netherlands with 'Going to the Run', about a motorcycling friend of the band who who was killed in a road crash. A 'run' is motorcycle jargon for a group of motorcyclists riding to a particular destination. Until recently, Golden Earring were performing over 200 concerts a year, mainly in their home country and occasionally in Belgium, Germany and the UK. These performances have been released on several live albums: the aforementioned Live, recorded at London's Rainbow Theater in 1977; 2nd Live, 1981; Something Heavy Going Down, 1984 (also released on DVD as Live from the Twilight Zone); and Last Blast of the Century, a live recording of their last concert of the 20th century (available on both CD and DVD). Furthermore, there are the band's acoustic live albums including: The Naked Truth (1992), Naked II (1997) and Naked III (2005). Their latest live album, Live from Ahoy 2006, is a DVD with bonus CD. Golden Earring have not toured outside Europe since 1984. However, the Millbrook USA album was recorded at Frank Carillo's studio in New York. They performed two gigs in the UK, for the first time in 30 years, with one concert on 14th March 2009 at The Shepherd's Bush Empire in London and another on 13th March at Ipswich Regent Theatre. Golden Earring celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2011 and have been performing almost continuously since their formation in 1961. From 1970 onwards, they have had the same core of four musicians, occasionally augmented with keyboardist, Robert Jan Stips of Supersister, and of course for a while, Eelco Gelling, making them one of the longest surviving unchanged lineups. Barry Hay relocated to the Dutch Antilles island of Curaçao in the Caribbean. On 10th October 2011, at the Historical Museum of The Hague, PostNL presented the first postage stamp with music, issued in honour of Golden Earring's 50th anniversary. When the stamp is held up to a smartphone with a special app, Golden Earring’s 'Radar Love' plays. This stamp is the first in a series of music stamps with real sound, highlighting the most successful pop albums released in the Netherlands. PostNL was the first post office in the world to initiate this concept. Band member and co-founder Rinus Gerritsen accepted the first sheetlet from PostNL. The 50th anniversary was also celebrated at the museum, with a special temporary exhibition on the band, called 'Golden Earring - Back Home', featuring their music, background and influences. Originally written in March 2012 Last edited by Big Ears; 10-18-2012 at 01:43 PM. Reason: Changed font size of title from 3 to 4 |
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#7 (permalink) | ||
Horribly Creative
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: London, The Big Smoke
Posts: 8,265
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#8 (permalink) |
Juicious Maximus III
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Scabb Island
Posts: 6,525
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I like how you are obviously familiar with the history of both Art and Paul as well as their album and its influences like Martin Carthy and Davy Graham. Great stuff
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#9 (permalink) |
Music Addict
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Hampshire, England
Posts: 434
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^ Thank you everybody, for the positive comments. There is no theme to my journal, US, everything is random. I like seventies heavy and progressive rock, which is reflected in my biographies, but my reviews will cover these, along with other eras and genres. I had not considered a theme, but I am probably not prolific enough to sub-divide my writing into themes. Not all forums allow more than one journal, so I suppose that is why themes did not occur to me.
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#10 (permalink) |
Music Addict
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Hampshire, England
Posts: 434
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Golden Earring Discography
1965 Just Earrings Singles: Please Go / Chunk of Steel (1965) Lonely Everyday / Not to Find (1965) 1966 Winter-Harvest Singles: That Day / The Words I Need (1966) You Leave Me / Waiting for You (1966) Things Go Better / Rum and Coca Cola (1966) Daddy Buy Me a Girl / What You Gonna Tell (1966) Don't Run Too Far / Wings (1966) 1967 Miracle Mirror Singles: In My House / Smoking Cigarettes (1967) Sound of the Screaming Day / She Won't Come to Me (1967) Together We Live Together We Love / I Wonder (1967) 1968 On the Double (double album) 1968 Greatest Hits (Polydor) Singles: The Truth About Arthur / Gipsy Rhapsody (1968) I've Just Lost Somebody / The Truth About Arthur (1968) Dong-dong-di-ki-di-gi-dong / Wake Up - Breakfast! (1968) Just a Little Bit of Peace in My Heart / Remember My Friend (1968) 1969 Eight Miles High Singles: Where Will I Be / It's Alright, But I Admit Could Be Better (1969) It's Alright, But I Admit Could Be Better / Song of a Devil's Servant (1969) Another 45 Miles / I Can't Get a Hold on Her (1969) 1970 Golden Earring (aka Wall of Dolls) 1970 The Best of Golden Earring (US) Singles: Eight Miles High / One High Road (1970) Back Home / This Is the Time of the Year (1970) 1971 Seven Tears Singles: Holy Holy Life / Jessica (1971) She Flies on Strange Wings, Part 1 & 2 (1971) 1972 Together Singles: Buddy Joe / Avalanche of Love (1972) Stand by Me / All Day Watcher (1972) 1973 Hearing Earring (compilation) 1973 Moontan Singles: Radar Love / The Song Is Over (1973) 1974 Singles: Instant Poetry / From Heaven From Hell (1974) Candy's Going Bad / She Flies on Strange Wings (1974) 1975 Switch Singles: Tons of Time / Love Is a Rodeo (1975) Ce Soir / Lucky Number (1975) The Switch / The Lonesome D.J. (1975) 1976 To the Hilt 1976 Contraband (titled Mad Love with different cover art and alternate track listing in the USA) Singles: Sleepwalkin' / Babylon (1976) To the Hilt / Violins (1976) Bombay / Faded Jeans (1976) 1977 Live (double album) 1977 Story (compilation) Singles: Radar Love (live) / Just Like Vince Taylor (live) (1977) 1978 Grab It for a Second Singles: Movin' Down Life / Can't Talk Now (1978) 1979 No Promises...No Debts Singles: Weekend Love / It's Only a Matter of Time (1979) I Do Rock 'n Roll / Sellin' Out (1979) 1980 Prisoner of the Night (1980) Singles: Long Blond Animal / Triple Treat (1980) No For an Answer / Annie (1980) 1981 2nd Live (double album) 1981 Greatest Hits, Vol. 3 Singles: Slow Down / Heartbeat (1981) 1982 Cut (1982) Singles: Twilight Zone / King Dark (1982) The Devil Made Me Do It / WShadow Avenue (1982) 1984 N.E.W.S. (1984) 1984 Something Heavy Going Down (live) Singles: When the Lady Smiles / WOrwell's Year (1984) Clear Night Moonlight / Fist in Glove (1984) N.E.W.S. / It's All Over (1984) Something Heavy Going Down / I'll Make It All Up to You (1984) 1986 The Hole (1986) Singles: Quiet Eyes / Gimme a Break (1986) Why Do I / Gimme a Break (rock version) (1986) Why Do I / Love In Motion (1986) They Dance / Love in Motion (1986) 1988 The Very Best, Vol. 1 1988 The Very Best, Vol. 2 Singles: My Killer, My Shadow / My Killer, My Shadow (alternative version) (1988) 1989 Keeper of the Flame 1989 The Continuing Story of Radar Love (compilation) Singles: Turn the World Around / You Gun My Love (1989) Distant Love / Nighthawks (1989) 1991 Bloody Buccaneers Singles: Going to the Run / Time Warp (1991) Temporary Madness / One Shot Away From Paradise (1991) 'Pouring My Heart Out Again / Planet Blue (1991) 1992 The Naked Truth (live acoustic album) 1992 Radar Love (compilation) Singles: Making Love to Yourself / In a Bad Mood (1992) Another 45 Miles (Live) (1992) Radar Love / Bloody Buccaneers (1992) I Can't Sleep Without You (1992) 1993 Singles: Long Blond Animal (live - acoustic) / Twilight Zone (live - acoustic) / Jangalane (live-acoustic) / Don't Stop the Show (live - acoustic) (1993) As Long as the Wind Blows (live - acoustic) / Please Go (live - acoustic) / Sound of the Screaming Day (live - acoustic) (1993) 1994 Face It (partially acoustic) 1994 Best of Golden Earring (Europe only) Singles: Johnny Make Believe / Minute by Minute (1994) Hold Me Now / Freedom Don't Last Forever / Livin' With Me (Ain't That Easy) (1994) 1995 Love Sweat (cover album) 1996 Singles: Gotta See Jane / Try a Little Tenderness (1996) This Wheel's on Fire / My Little Red Book (1996) 1997 Naked II (live acoustic album) Singles: Burning Stuntman / Bombay (1997) 1998 The Complete Naked Truth (compilation) 1998 70s & 80s, Vol. 35 (compilation) Singles: The Devil Made Me Do It [unplugged] / Mood Indigo (1998) 1999 Paradise in Distress Singles: Paradise in Distress / Are You Receiving Me? (1999) Whisper in a Crowd / The Vanilla Queen (1999) 2000 Last Blast of the Century (live) 2000 Greatest Hits 2000 The Devil Made Us Do It: 35 Years (compilation) Singles: Miles Away From Nowhere (2000) Yes! We're on Fire / Yes! We're on Fire (orchestral version) (2000) 2002 Singles 1965-1967 2002 Bloody Buccaneers/Face It 2003 Millbrook U.S.A. 2003 3 Originals Singles: Albino Moon (2003) Colourblind (2003) 2005 Naked III, Live at the Panama (live acoustic album) Singles: I've Just Lost Somebody (2005) Angel (2005) 2006 Live In Ahoy 2009 Collected (triple CD) 2012 Tits 'n' Ass Originally written in August 2012, updated October 2012 |
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