Music Archive - past stuff and that
A bit of a BEAR month...
A trio of CD's from the German 'Bear Family' label arrived recently: Canto Morricone Vols 1 & 3 (the 60's & the 70's respectively) & 'That Man', which is a collection of Robert Mitchum recordings.
You've got to love the Germans, they're very thorough. Not only have 'Bear family' done their research musically, but they've also complied alot of detailed information, all of which is compiled in a booklet that's included with every release. The Morricone booklets are particularly thorough... including details and posters relevant to every track.
Canto Morricone spreads across 4 volumes, my only real interest is the 60's/70's compilations. The other two in the series are compilations of western soundtracks (Vol 2), and selected 80's/90's works (Vol 4). I already have a collection of his glorious western themes ('A Fistful of Soundtracks'), and I'm not overly concerned about his later work. At least, now right now.
Morricone has recorded over 300 soundtracks in his career, which is an astonishing output, so some kind of compliation is an ideal way to start learning about the great man's music. Both Volumes 1 & 3 compile vocal performances of Morricone's soundtrack work. The tracks range from crooning ballads to Bondian style spy songs. Mireille Mathieu, Miranda Martino, Milva & Astrud Gilberto feature strongly... most of them singing in a variety of languages. One of Morricone's most famous tracks 'Chi Mai' has a vocal recording by Lisa Gastoni, which I'd never actually heard! It, like the rest of the music on offer, ranges from the good to the fantastic.
And now we come to Mr Robert Mitchum. 'That Man' covers some of Mitchum's country music ouitput, and also throws in his calypso album as well. You heard me correctly. in 1957 Mitchum released 'Calypso Is Like So...' album on Capitol records. Why he felt the need to do this is beyond me. Some of the tracks are so cringeworthy, I just cannot listen to them. I appear to have a problem listening to a white man attempting to sing in a Jamaican-style accent... Mitchum saying "dey intelligent, mon" on 'Not Me', is a sobering example. Much, much worse was Bob Hoskins' embarrasing reggae track 'Talking To The Police' on 'The Long Good Friday' soundtrack. Good job is was never used in the actual film. 'Calypso Is Like So' also includes the, erm, timeless classics 'Mama Looka Boo Boo (Shut Your Mouth - Go Away)' & 'I Learn A Merengue, Mama'. Niiice.
Thankfully, Bear family have added Mitchum's country tracks on the CD, so that more than makes up for the calypso catastrophe. 'Ballad of Thunder Road' is perhaps Mitchum's most well known track, and there are not one but TWO versions are included on the cd. Justified!
Dorothy Ashby. Does that name strike any chords? Well, she was a Harpist. I'd have usedthe term Harper,
but that sounds like a private detective. In fact, it was Paul Newman, right? Well, anyway, in 1968 Dorothy collabortaed with composer/arranger Richard Evans. Together they cut an album for Cadet recordings
entitled 'Afro-Harping'. The first track is a real humdinger, and I've no idea what that means, but it sounds accurate. Yes, 'Soul Vibrations' is Harp-Funk. That's right, you heard me correctly. But I don't want you to get the idea this is a novelty record, far from it. It was Miss Ashby who legitimately made the harp fit into bebop, Jazz and R&B.
.I'd first heard the track 'Soul Vibrations' years ago, and I've no idea where... (bear in mind I have some Mp3s that I sourced from my own record collection, yet I've no idea who they are by or where I got them, which really is as pathetic as it sounds). But I got hold of a CD re-issue recently, as it has been on my want list for way too long. As is usual with soul/jazz albums of this era, after 'Soul Vibrations', the album settles nicely into easy listening and token cover versions of the time (theme from 'Valley of the dolls', the look of love etc..)
Overall, it sounds too much like you're walking around a supermarket, which is a shame, but it's worth the cost of the CD for 'Soul Vibrartions' alone. Nice.
Now then, let us discuss EPMD. No, really, I must insist. Their 1988 début 'Strictly Business' is a king hell classic of Rap-Hop. They also released a few more excellent rap albums, before internally combusting. Twice. Perhaps even three times, I'm not so sure anymore. One Thing I am jolly well sure of, is that they should've quit a long time ago. Some people just don't know when to quit, or rather, run out of money by spending it all on drugs n' ho's, and re-form strictly for the 'business'. Cash, that is.
Well, anyway... sloppy Erick's got a thirst on...
In my opinion, Mel Brook's 1969 film début The Producers is the funniest film ever made. An ingenious plot, terrific cast & the token silliness we expect from Mr Brooks make this film highly enjoyable no matter how many times you watch it (and I've lost count, to be honest). Comedy aside, I always liked the music to this film... not just the jokey musical numbers from 'Springtime for Hitler', but the incidental music by John Morris. I especially liked the groovy music that Ulla was dancing to.
So, a couple of years ago, I was in a place called The Paradiso, in the small room upstairs, and the DJ played that very track. It was the first time I'd heard the full-length version... now I knew it existed, now I knew I had to get me a copy. The trouble was at that time I couldn't find a copy anywhere. Patience dear boy, patience! And, indeed, in early 2009 I found a copy in the UK... the original RCA UK Vinyl release no less! I've been playing it ever since. Groovy. This soundtrack also includes some samples from the film, presumably to pad it out a bit. And the cover is nice as well.
Which reminds me about the time I got the Enter the Dragon OST from my friend Big Steve. It's a double vinyl Japanese release, but it can hardly be called a soundtrack... in fact it's almost the entire film on a record!
How very bizarre! The Original score by 70's soundtrack king Lalo Schifrin is a king hell classic! Yet none of the tracks appear on this release. Ho Hum. To hear the 'clean' version of the opening theme, and the very funky 'headset jazz', I had to buy a bleedin' CD copy (although there was and probably still is a vinyl bootleg doing the rounds).
It's a killer soundtrack alright... but this Japanese release is rather odd. I may as well watch the movie again. Which I have... ohhhhhh so many many times.
Oh! And former Boo-Radleys frontman Martin Carr has finally released his latest solo album. It was recorded a couple of years ago, but getting it released has been problematic. It's a more folky album than his other stuff, so some of the tracks really aren't up my street. I like it though, it is good, but I prefer his electro-beat mash-up mentalist madness under his BraveCaptain moniker. But hey, it's better than nowt.
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