September 2009

Album of the Month

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears : Tell Em What Your Name Is!

Where is all the retro soul? Does it even exist as a musical category? We are deluged with garage rock bands, retro 80s efforts or has-been crooners evoking the spirit if not the talent of the Ratpack. But where is the reinterpretation of the great brand of soul music practised by Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and Sam Cooke. The closest anyone came to rediscovering the charms of James Brown and co was probably The Commitments where a bunch of Dubliners did a terrific job of saying (with a straight face), "Im Black and Im Proud". However voluminous radio waves encircling the world have been largely devoid of smart, sexy, sassy soul music from the next generation of musical talent. That is until now.

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears are an eight piece garage soul band out of Austin, Texas who shouldve all been born in Memphis. Soul music has two distinct branches. There is the slower, more vocally dominant sounds practised by such greats as Aretha Franklin and Etta James. And then there is the Memphis Stax sound where more sassy vocals are combined with sexy horns, dramatic drums and driving rhythm. Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears are powerful adherents of the latter category. This is an album which bursts from the speakers; overpowering in its energy, verve and vibrancy.

From the first blast of trumpets in the electric opener "Gunpowder", we are hooked. Hooked on the vigour, the vitality, the sheer braziness of a band strutting confidently across a musical landscape that has been barren for so long. Too long. What follows is Soul Music for Dummies containing every single aspect of this great, great form of music. Funky beats, boogie guitars, sexy horns, and directive powerful vocals. Black Joe Lewis is a showman and his live shows are reportedly a treat. Too rarely do we see an artist display such panache and confidence in their debut albums.

My favourite track is probably Get Yo Sh*t which slices slow spoken dialogue recanting lifes troubles and tribulations (reminiscent of John Lee Hooker or Bo Diddley) with periods of passionate musical outbursts. Glorious stuff.

The album, most appropriately, finishes with a slow burning, edgy, yet respectively honorific version of James Brown's own Please Pt 2. Its a revelation; a touching ode to the greatness they seek to emulate bringing the 30 minute playing time to an end all too soon. Thank goodness for the wonders of digital sound where, with remote in hand, I can immediately press Play and experience it all again. New technology helps but you can beat the old sounds.

Listen to or purchase here

Try this if you like : James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Wilson Pickett

If you like this try :

Eli "Paperboy" Reed : Roll with You


Essential Classic Album

Oasis - Definitely Maybe

In what could only loosely be described as 'news', it was announced in late August that Noel Gallagher was (once again) quitting Oasis following a fight with his brother Liam. This tired and increasingly tiresome squabble now takes up more column inches than any discussion of their works past or present.

And thats a shame. Because, for a brief moment in time, they were quite simply the most exciting rock and roll band on the planet. What is quickly forgotten amidst all the tabloid fodder is how absolutely thrilling they were. Angular jangly guitar dominated rock complete with sneering vocals, stirring melodies and a genuine "You fucking talkin to me" attitude.

In reality, you only need to own one Oasis album and that's Definitely Maybe. And its beyond essential. No question, no discussion. Whats the Story Morning Glory sold more copies but they had already started exhibiting some incidences of the bloated and aggrandizing attitudes which proved to be their downfall. But the debut album is pure genuis. Plug it in and be dazzled for the first time all over again.

The album starts with perhaps one of the great opening tracks of all time in Rock and Roll Star. A slowly picked jagged guitar line gives way to an explosion of uptempo rock and roll which are followed soon after by the first sneering leering lyrics.

"In my mind my dreams are real....

No one is concerned about the way I feel

Tonight, Im a Rock and Roll Star."

It rivals Holidays In The Sun off the Sex Pistols debut album as the most thrilling statement of intent from a debut artist. It's the sound of an entire disaffected working class collectively grabbing the microphone and daring to dream about a better existence.

The album spawned four monster singles in the headshaking Supersonic, the singalong Shakermaker, the anthemic Live Forever and the terrific Cigarettes and Alcohol. But every song sounds like a single. The album was, for a time, the fastest selling debut album in history (since overtaken by the Arctic Monkeys). Buts its legacy wont be overtaken any time soon. It is one of the greatest albums of all time.

The essence of rock and roll is an overused term. But in the absence of a new cliche (an oxymoron if there ever was one), thats what Oasis were. Attitude, sneer and talent. Such a rare combination. "Is it my imagination; or have I finally found something worth living for?"

Listen to or purchase here

If you like this try :

The Sex Pistols : Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols
Blur : Parklife
The Boo Radleys : Wake Up!

Top Ten List

The Nevstar has been invited to a couple of wedding lately and my thoughts usually turn immediately to the music. Weddings are rather unique environments whereby there is exactly zero chance of all the people in the room being all together again. There are multiple generations and inevitably a huge disparity in musical taste. Faced with this fact, a wedding planner is faced with the unenviable task of somehow getting everyone from this diverse group up on the dance floor so that the party will be a success. Optimally this will occur right after the first song chosen by the happy couple as their first wedding dance.

So the key to a great wedding party is finding the best possible Second Song. This second song must literally make people jump out of their seats to join the happy couple on the dance floor. This second song thus has to be INSTANTLY recognisable by EVERYONE in the room. Both elements are essential but one or both are invariably overlooked. Some songs may be instantly recognisable to some but not others, some may be recognisable by everyone but only after a long intro or once the song gets to the chorus. But we have to have a song that everyone knows intimately from the very first bar as only that will prompt them to rise from their seats and start strutting their stuff.

Now, if thats not tough enough, we also have the added complexity of finding a song with nothing remotely controversial in the title or lyrics. Pop music is replete with tales of lost love, woe and desperation. These songs, while great art, have no place at a wedding celebrating the special love of the happy couple.

A tough task indeed. But who better to answer such a tough question, than the Nevstar himself. So here is the Nevstars effort at determining :

The Top Ten Best "Second" Songs At A Wedding

10. Grease Megamix
This is perhaps a bit of a cop-out but the medley track of all the hits from Grease is a winner and would generally do the trick of getting the congregation out of their seats. Perhaps a touch too slow to start, but its eminently danceable, prone to dance partner interaction, known to everyone plus its loved and adored by generations young and old.
Watch the video here.

9. I Will Survive : Gloria Gaynor
Oh yes. Dont know many who wouldnt dance to this song. You could perhaps argue that its lyrics and title arent appropriate for a wedding but it sure does get people dancing and thats the key consideration. May not be known by some of the older generations present.
Watch the video here.

8. Footloose - Kenny Loggins
A movie based around the theme of dancing concludes with this proven floor-filler by 80s movie specialist Kenny Loggins. An infectious track which would certainly do the trick.
Watch the video here.

Note, if you havent seen the movie recently, make the effort. It has aged extremely well certainly a lot better than similar 80s dance flicks, Fame and Flashdance. Features a very young Sarah Jessica Parker!

7. Love Shack : B52

I dont particularly like this song, but you cannot argue with its track record of getting people up dancing. More pertinently perhaps, it is appropriately titled reminding us that the dancing is the official start of the honeymoon!
Watch the video here.

6. Waterloo : Abba
Next on the list is Abba's monster hit Waterloo. Brilliant track. Noses out its more famous counterpart, Dancing Queen, mainly on its faster tempo and more immediate danceability.
Watch the video here.

5. Great Balls of Fire : Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis may not have sung this song at his own controversial wedding (to the child bride Myra Brown), but it's an oldie and a goodie. Dynamic energy, known by everyone and easy to sing and dance to.
Watch the video here.

4. Cant Buy Me Love : The Beatles
Prior to starting this list, I was pretty sure No. 1 would be a Beatles song. But then I realised that there are a lot fewer absolutely CANT MISS dance songs than I thought. And so really at a wedding, your choice probably should be not which song to start with, but which Beatles song to start with! The Fab Four wrote a number of extremely catchy, singable, danceable tracks which are known and loved by billions across the world. Cant Buy Me Love is but one of these but its sentiments are perfect for a wedding which is very important for this list.
Watch the video here (from the movie Hard Days Night).

3. It Wont Be Long : The Beatles

Again, a near perfect combination of immediacy, appropriate lyrics, toe tapping rhythm and singable chorus. These guys were pure genuis.
Watch the video here.

2. Beatles : She Loves You

For me personally, my first dance song would probably be She Loves You. Firstly, its got the perfect sentiment. Next it has lots of 'Yeah Yeah Yeahs' to sing to. Great singing songs have to have 'sha la's' or 'nah nah's'. Then it also starts immediately without any intro so after two bars you are right into it. It is also only two minutes long which means that you can schedule perhaps a more contemporary track for the younger ones now that you have hooked the oldies.
Watch the video here.

But the Number one second song at a wedding is...........

1. I Saw Her Standing There : The Beatles
Contrary to my thoughts, in the informal polling I conducted in researching this, it seems that this is the most popular Beatles song for weddings. I Saw Her Standing There, like the others, starts immediately, has a toe-tapping rhythm and is universally loved by young and old. A near perfect track to get that party started.
Watch a video here.

There are other Beatles tracks which would also be fine. Songs such as Hard Days Night, Twist and Shout, Eight Days A Week, All My Loving, and I Should Have Known Better would all be appropriate and popular selections.

What do you think? Would these songs work? Any alternative suggestions? Or does anyone have any stories of shockingly inappropriate second track selections at a wedding they have attended. Would love to hear about any such appalling choices.

Feedback

I had a bit of feedback about last months Top Ten which asked for the best music moments in films. One egregious omission of mine I happily will admit to was Grease which has a number of unforgettable songs at key moments. I personally would have Born To Hand Jive as my favourite. Others suggested included:

Summer Loving in Grease
You're The One That I Want in Grease
My Sharona in Reality Bites
Saturday Night Fever

Car Wash

and then what about......

The Rainbow Connection in The Muppet Movie (brilliant!)

Thats all for this month. See you in October.

Nevstar

August 2009

Album of the Month

Future of the Left : Travels with Myself

Rock has lost its anger. An artform built on ranting about social injustices spends more time marketing than marching. It is all too readily apparent; the bands we purport to follow have either lost the capacity to rage or are too comfortable to care. Rarely are we treated to bands spitting and seething into the microphone seeking to wake us up to ideas and ideals. Are we all satisfied with our lot?

Welsh trio Future of the Left are apparently not and demonstrate it admirably in this months Album of the Month, Travels With Myself And Another. This is their second album after emerging from the remnants of the acerbic post-Britpop era band McClusky. They are led by the engaging character Andy Falkous whose lyrics don't so much roll of the tongue, as emerge somehow between a clenched jaw and a tongue-in-cheek.

The songs are streams-of-consciousness poetic diatribes about any and everything. Sometimes his targets are clear, often not. The Hope That House Built perhaps purports to comment on the credit crisis, Drink Nike seems to comment on consumerism and That Damned Fly maybe launches a tirade against rapacious music agents. Who knows, who cares? Do we know what Dylan meant on every line? Do we want to know. Art is about what you get out of it not what someone tells you its about. And there is enough material here, that despite the short 33 minute running time, you could spend days exploring its corridors and hallways.

Musically, its right on cue. Sharp, staccato guitar bursts, heavy drums, shouted vocals accompanied by fuzzy, dirty rhythms setting a scene of angst and anarchy. But yet there are hints of driving rhythms, and even some melodies breaking out here and there. The capacity to surprise is an artists biggest weapon.

The best track is probably the last, entitled Lapsed Catholics which starts with spoken musings on the best movie prison break, and finishes a frenetic 4 minutes later in a thunderous finale. Monumental.

So if you are sitting at your desk looking at your computer wondering what happened to your passions while you were busy growing up, go out and purchase Travels With Myself And Others. Then take it home, listen to it loud, and put your head out the window to scream "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it any more!".

In fact you can purchase or listen to it here

Try this if you like:

Rage Against The Machine : Rage Against the Machine
Green Day : American Idiot
Beastie Boys : Paul's Boutique

If you like this try :
Les Savy Fav : Let's Stay Friends



Essential Classic

Bruce Springsteen : Born To Run (1975)

"I have seen rock and roll's future and its name is Bruce Springsteen". So goes the folklore of the encounter between Jon Landau and the aforementioned Bruce Springsteen after Landau saw The Boss in concert in 1974 and wrote about it in Rolling Stone. It was a timely endorsement for the man who would become the biggest star in the 1980s. After two albums which had received tepid reviews and mediocre sales, Columbia Records were getting impatient with an artist whose undoubted live prowess wasn't translating into bankable record sales.

With one last chance given, Springsteen entered the studio attempting to get that live sound down on tape and produce the masterpiece everyone said he was capable of. With Landau now producing, the result of the lengthy sessions was the album Born to Run, which became one of the greatest rock records of all time and is our Essential Classic album of the month.

Born to Run is an incredible album. It captures the essence of the artist who establishes a dialogue with his listeners while simultaneously leading them to a higher plane. His dreams are our dreams, his travails our problems. Musically, its exciting, brash and bold. It strikes a nimble balance between bombastic anthems and intensely personal portraits, something his later albums do not. It almost consumed him during its recording, but the result is, by far, his best work.

The title track is justifiably famous and still thrills to this day. It has an urgency bubbling under its surface throughout; a gasoline soaked bonfire one spark away from exploding. It urges, cajoles, and inspires. It also contains one of rock and roll's great lyrics coming after the guitar solo;

"Highway jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive
Everybody's out on the run tonight but there's no place left to hide"

Born to Run (the album) is also a singular reminder of the art of the album itself whereby great artists put effort into every single track as part of the overall thematic notion. Albums today have only a couple of decent tracks so its no wonder everyone downloads singles or waits for Greatest Hits. No doubt a Bruce Springsteen Greatest Hits collection would include the title track, and perhaps the redoubtable Thunder Road and move on. But dear readers, look at the tracks you would be missing:

Tenth Avenue Freeze Out - such a good track that he played it at the halftime show at last years Superbowl. A sax led, New Orleans influenced, boogie wonder.

Night - stomping drums, screeching sax and snappy piano lead this tale of night time pursuits

Backstreets - starting with a gorgeous piano intro, this song builds into a thunderous crescendo. Probably my favourite track.

She's The One - the most overtly romantic of the tracks but not really a ballad. More of an ode to unrequited love. Subtly titillating without being coarse.

Meeting Across The River - shivers travel up your spine as a solo trumpet (in the distance) leads into this maudlin tale.

Jungleland - a mini-opera in itself, justifiably famous. and closing the album with equal measures of grandeur and modesty. Mesmerising.

He is still a live phenomenon, still an icon of New Jersey, still reminding us of the vitality of rock and roll each and every time he goes on stage. But it matters not. He could've gone into recluse and with Born To Run we would still have enough material to continuing listening to the Boss for a lifetime.

Listen to or buy here

If you like this try:

Bruce Springsteen : Darkness on the Edge of Town
John Hiatt : Bring the Family
The Hold Steady : Boys and Girls in America


Top Ten List

Last month saw some very sad news come over the wires with the extremely untimely passing of the great John Hughes. Hughes was the director of such teen classics as The Breakfast Club, 16 Candles, Pretty in Pink and the indefatigable Ferris Buellers Day Off. I watched the latter the night I heard of his death and laughed all the way through despite having seen it at least a dozen times. Without doubt the best scene is the parade where Ferris gets up and sings 'Danke Schoen' followed by a rip-roaring lip-synched version of 'Twist and Shout'. Watching the latter got me thinking, what are the best uses of music in films? Movies are replete with background music and scenes accompanied by familiar tracks. But what are the absolute best uses of music in films? So this months top ten is:

The Top Ten Uses of Music in Film (with video evidence of course)

10. Bugsy Malone : We Could've Been Anything That We Wanted To Be
The kiddie gangster flick that marked, among other things, Jodie Foster's movie debut. The film is sensational but it is brought to a brilliant climax by the all time greatest food fight scene every recorded on film. The fight scene is brought to an abrupt and poignant end by this sensational track which highlights the film's themes of togetherness and camaraderie. Fantastic.
See the scene here.

9. Top Gun : You've Lost That Loving Feeling
In a movie memorable for a lot of things, this is perhaps the best scene. Showcasing all that is annoying and compulsive about every character Tom Cruise played in the 80s. Brimming with confidence and arrogance, Maverick and co woo 'Charlie' with this old time classic. I can also confirm from personal experience that it's deceptively easy to get a crowd singing along to this song!
See the scene here.

8. The Rocky Horror Picture Show : Time Warp
Nosing out the possibly superior track Sweet Transvestite, Time Warp is definitely the best musical moment in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Richard O'Brien (the kiwi born writer of the film), slowly and seductively starts the 'Horror' on the stroke of midnight introducing the audience to perverted and prurient worlds lurking behind locked doors. Look out also for appearance from Charles Gray as the narrator ('Its just a jump to the left'), better known as Blofeld in the James Bond series.
See the scene here.

7. Apocalypse Now : Ride of the Valkyries
A scene that would probably appear on a list of top ten movie scenes of all time is the helicopter attack in Apocalypse Now. It is memorably scored by the triumphant Ride of the Valkyries composed by Richard Wagner in 1851. Perhaps the inimical Colonel Kilgore is best placed to describe its effectiveness; 'We use Wagner. It scares the hell outta the slopes. My boys love it! '. A case could also be made for including The End by The Doors which plays over the opening credits and the compelling final scenes.
See the scene here.

NB: The same track is also used to good effect in The Blues Brothers during the Nazi chase scene as seen here.

6. The Full Monty : You Can Leave Your Hat On
Despite being a complete rip-off of the New Zealand play Ladies Night, The Full Monty was an international box-office smash success. The film finishes with the final striptease scene which left audiences, both ladies and gentlemen, in tears of laughter as the boys go 'all the way' to the sultry tones of Tom Jones.
See the scene here.

5. Wayne's World : Bohemian Rhapsody
Wayne: I'll think we'll go with a little Bohemian Rhapsody.
Garth : Good call.
And so we are introduced to the lovable Wayne and Garth, stars of the late night cable show Wayne's World. Heading into town, the lads and their friends sing-a-long to the beyond great Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. Its always tricky to include such an iconic song in a movie but its inclusion in Waynes World even enhances its legendary status. It reminds us of its greatness during a cathartic six minutes. Now, whenever you listen to the song amongst others, its almost impossible NOT to nod your head vigorously at the climatic head-banging moment. Essential.
See the scene here.

4. Reservoir Dogs : Stuck In The Middle With You
Similarly to the great Martin Scorcese, Quentin Tarantino has a gift for choosing slightly off-beat but ultimately inspired songs to go with iconic scenes. Who can forget Son of a Preacher Man or Girl, You'll Be A Women Soon from Pulp Fiction. But surely the best has to be the bright and cheerful, Stuck In The Middle With You to accompany the sadistic Mr Blonde cutting off a cop's ear. The song is introduced by the laconic comedian, Steven Wright who sounds, as ever, incredibly excited by it all.
Check out the scene here. (WARNING: NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH).

3. Rocky : Gonna Fly Now
Inarguably one of the most inspirational theme songs ever which perfectly captures the 100 - 1 longshot story of the film. I simply love the part where the camera tracks him jogging, then running, and finally sprinting down the pier. Great stuff. Makes me want to get up and go running hard right now!
Check out the scene here.

2. 2001 : Blue Danube
A ground-breaking film in a number of ways, 2001 also notably accompanied stunning visual sequences with elegant pieces of familiar classical music. The most brilliant is the use of the Johann Strauss II's Blue Danube during the shuttle docking scene. It seems a strange choice at first. Kubrick initially commissioned a composer to write a movie score before determining that audiences might find the visual images somewhat disconcerting and disorientating. He thus theorized that they might be more comforted if such images were accompanied by familiar music. The Blue Danube is an inspired choice, accompanying space ships dancing to a timeless waltz played out in the vacuum of space.
Check out the scene here.

and the No 1. top use of music in films is:

1. Tiny Dancer - Almost Famous
One of the finest movies of the Noughties, Almost Famous is the brilliant film outlining the semi-autobiographical tale of a young writer joining a band on a road trip. Along the way, it somehow manages to distil the story of rock's corporatisation, the travails of struggling bands and what it was like to grow up in the 70s. But, at its essence, it understands what we love most about music. And no scene demonstrates this better than the bus scene when Russell is brought back onto the bus after a night out on LSD. The bus moves away and the delicate piano arpeggio of Elton John's Tiny Dancer starts up. Slowly, the band starting singing along with the verses until everyone is loudly singing the chorus all together. Music, if nothing else, brings people together. No matter your age, colour, creed or credit history, we all have a love of music in common. So combine a great movie, a great scene and a great song, and you have the best movie musical moment of all time.
Check out the unforgettable scene here.

I think this Top 10 is bound to be controversial and there is no objective test for what is a great movie musical moment. But which ones have I missed (apart from Ferris himself who is almost certainly somewhere in Top 5!) Leave a comment or email me with your thoughts on the best musical moments in films.

Thats all for another month.

Nevstar.

July 2009

Welcome music lovers.

Well, it had to happen but this month I write to you in a slightly desultory state of mind. Despite some diligent research (hours spent in record stores, online and listening to music), I regret to advise that I have been unable to find a decent album to profile as the Album of the Month. I simply dont really love any of the new albums Ive bought in the last couple of months.

Therefore, rather than lower the quality of the Nevstar Music Guide, I shall exercise my artists prerogative to NOT profile an unrewarding album thereby preserving the quality and integrity of this stately offering. However, please feel free to suggest anything that has been released recently that is worthy of inordinate praise. Over to you dear readers.

But, dont feel short-changed my faithful followers as I have not one, but TWO Top Ten lists for you this month. One as a result of a recent media event and a second as a response to last months Top Ten.

So with that off my chest, its straight into the classic album of the month (no shortage of material on this list!).


Essential Classic Album

Johnny Cash : Live at Folsom Prison (1968)

"Hello, Im Johnny Cash."

These are the opening words of Johnny Cash - Live at Folsom Prison, an album which at the time represented a huge gamble, but ending up relaunching a disintergrating career and becoming his most beloved album of all time.

Johnny Cash is widely remembered and categorised as a country singer, but this really mis-states his importance and influence. With his deep, distinctive baritone voice, Cash sat astride the symbiotic relationship between country and the emergent sound of rock and roll. Starting his career at the famous Sun Records, he developed into one of the labels biggest stars in the late 50s with his distinctive rockabilly tracks. However, he didnt handle the success that came his way, descending into a destructive downward career spin fuelled by alcohol and drug dependencies.

With the help of June Carter, he emerged clean and Christian but realised his fan base was mainly the downtrodden and depressed. He thus decided to record a live album at Folsom Prison. Columbia Records were dead set against it. 'No one buys live albums', they steadfastedly maintained. Just like James Brown about the same time (with Live at The Apollo), Cash insisted and was ultimately proven correct as it became a massive critical and commercial success.

The album can trace its roots to 1953 when Cash saw a film called Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison. It prompted him to write a song about what he perceived prison life might be like. The story goes that he thus received lots of letters from prison inmates requesting him to come and play the song live at the prison.

Live at Folsom Prison is a cracking album and its the selection of tracks which makes it. His hit singles (Ring of Fire, Cry Cry Cry et al) are mostly missing. Instead he plays songs filled with stories directed towards the prison audience, some sympathetic, others not. He starts with the title track, which is an absolutely stonking song, particularly the classic lyric "I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die". Its followed by three more prison tinged songs, Busted, Dark as a Dungeon and I Still Miss Someone. The fifth track though is the best. Cocaine Blues is probably his greatest of all Cash songs. Check out the first two lines:

"Early one morning, while making the rounds;
I took a shot of cocaine and I shot my woman down."

These are not the words of a pin-up teen idol. The Man in Black, even with God in his corner, definitely had a dark side and the audience knows it and loves him all the more for it. The album continues on including a section consisting of quiet ballad numbers and then a trio of songs with his wife June Carter. There are moments of levity (25 Min To Go) and solemnity (Joe Bean), and interspersed between the songs are sections of dialogue emphasising the affinity that Cash has with his audience.

In his long and notable career, this is arguably the pinnacle. A man playing his heart out in front of thousands of adoring if not law-abiding fans.

Best Track : Cocaine Blues

Listen to or buy here.

If you like this try :

Johnny Cash : Live at San Quentin

Johnny Cash : American Recordings III - Solitary Man
BB King : Live at San Quentin


Top Ten List

One regular reader really enjoyed the Top Ten list last month featuring the best of 1969 but claimed that 1989 was also a stellar year which is worthy of attention. Finding such a prompting irresistible, I did a little checking of my own collection. Sure enough, while I think its possibly a tad shy of the quality of 1969, there is no denying that the list is inordinately strong. So lets check out:

The Top Ten Albums from 1989

10. Midnight Oil : Blue Sky Mining
This album has a special place in my memory as it was my first ever CD. 1500 odd later is still gets played a lot more than most of those that followed onto my shelves. Probably their peak artistically with a magnificent set of tracks. Some quiet, some loud, all interesting.
Best track : Bedlam Bridge
Hidden Gem : One Country

9. XTC : Oranges and Lemons
XTC are not widely known but ask most pop artists from the 90s who were their major influences, and most would recite XTC somewhere near the top. An inordinately talented British institution, Oranges and Lemons was the best album from a catalog of nearly a dozen records. Immaculate lush production amplifies and reasonates amidst some near perfect pop songs.
Best Track : Mayor Of Simpleton
Hidden Gem : King For A Day

8. New Order : Technique
Few bands survive the death of their lead singer. Except New Order. Not many gave the survivors of Joy Division much hope of success following the untimely death of lead singer Ian Curtis. But not only did they survive, they re-emerged with a completely new and mesmerising sound showcased most spectacularly on Technique. The popularity of robotic synthesised dance beats known throughout House music can be traced directly to this album.
Best Track : Fine Time
Hidden Gem : Run

7. Depeche Mode : Violator
Depeche Mode were one of the most innovative and original bands of the mid 80s developing a sound based exclusively around the synthesiser. In 1989 they released Violator which consists of a terrific set of songs. Easily their most accomplished record.
Best Track : World In My Eyes
Hidden Gem : Personal Jesus

6. Lou Reed : New York
Probably the finest recording of his solo career, New York features Lou Reed in a somewhat cynical wry mood authoring a number of fascinating vignettes about the famous metropolis and its citizens. A witty and charming effort.
Best Track : Romeo Had Juliette
Hidden Gem : Endless Cycle

5. N.W.A. : Straight Outta Compton
Along with Public Enemy, N.W.A were the forefront of the popularisation of rap and Straight Outta Compton is possibly the most influential and important gangsta rap album of all time. Not much of a fan myself, but any music fan can appreciate its importance.
Best Track : Straight Outta Compton
Hidden Gem : Express Yourself

4. John Lee Hooker : The Healer
One of the undoubted giants of the blues, John Lee Hooker returned in 1989 with a collaborative effort featuring duos with a number of contemporary artists such as Santana, Bonnie Raitt, and Los Lobos. An excellent introduction for those looking to sample the undoubted charms of this emotionally resonant music.

3. The Pixies : Doolittle
It is certainly notable in compiling this list that several important bands recorded their best work in 1989 and The Pixies are no exception. A ground breaking indie-alternative band, The Pixies were never better than in this ferocious 1989 effort. An out and out classic and definitely the best place to start if you are unfamiliar with them.
Best Track : Here Comes Your Man
Hidden Gem : Gouge Away

2. The Cure : Distintegration
Again, the pinnacle of the bands career, Disintegration was the best album of The Cure's distinguished recording career. Not quite as morbid as some other releases, Disintegration sees them in almost a playful mood with some charming pop songs accompanying the soaring epics they became famous for. Outstanding.
Best Track : Pictures of You
Hidden Gem : Lullaby

1. Stone Roses : Stone Roses
It cant be a bad year when one of your all time favourite albums is released. I have written at length about the Stone Roses debut album before but its worth repeating and once again reflecting on its charms. A faultless, near perfect pop record featuring a synthesis of dance and rock. Immaculate. Simply immaculate.
Best Track : Waterfall
Hidden Gem : Made of Stone

And once again, the list of those albums left out testifies to the strength of the Top Ten. Other albums recorded in 1989 included such fine records as :

Madonna : Like A Prayer
Tom Petty : Full Moon Fever
Neil Young : Freedom
Aerosmith : Pump
Black Crowes : Shake Your Money Maker
The The : Mind Bomb
Beastie Boys : Pauls Boutique
Don Henley : End of Innocence
Travelling Wilburys : Vol I


Top Ten List Numero Deux

Like many, the news of Michael Jacksons death came as a surprise. Not a big surprise certainly but a surprise nonetheless. What followed was the standard reaction to a rock stars death; tributes from any and everyone, non-stop around the clock programmes, legal wrangles about his estate, and as always, a rush to buy anything ever recorded by the former artist. The latter always astonishes me. There were reports the next day of people LINING up at Real Groovy to lay their hands on Michael Jackson albums. Perhaps there is a explanation, but I find this completely irrational behaviour. If you are such a huge fan of Michael Jackson that you would take time off work to queue up at a record store, wouldnt you already own his recorded output? Im not a huge fan, but as with most self-respecting music fans, I own copies of Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad. The first two are absolute classics, the latter competent and everything since is one step above unlistenable. I thought about profiling one of his albums but everyone is probably sick of Michael Jackson material, so how about a minor tribute listing the Top Ten Michael Jackson songs to remind us that despite his sometimes bewildering personal life, musically at least, he was, at times, a visionary genuis.

The Top Ten Michael Jackson songs (with video evidence of course) are :

10) Rock With You (from Off The Wall)
The second single from Off The Wall, Rock With You sold two million copies so Im probably not along in liking it. A slower more languid track than others from the album, Rock With You is eminently likeable and showcases Jackson's improving vocals. It definitely has sufficient staying power to make this Top Ten list.
See video here.

9) We Are The World - USA For Africa
Often forgotten amidst all his solo work was that Jackson found time to co-author this track (with Lionel Richie) which only became the fastest selling single in pop history. The song is perhaps not his best work (I quite like the verses but not the chorus), but no one can begrudge the millions it raised for African famine relief. Worth watching if only for the array of stars who are in fine voice (even Willie Nelson!).
See video here.

8) Wanna Be Startin Something (from Thriller)
The lead song and fourth Top Ten single from Thriller (it would finish with an astonishing seven), Wanna Be Startin Something was an inspired choice as it set the template for what was to come. Following the work from Off The Wall which was catchy but light, Wanna Be Startin Something features a similarly funky danceable track with impressive instrumentation overlaid by some rather sharp, pointed lyrics targeting the Hollywood gossip industry.
See live video here.

7) Dirty Diana (from Bad)
Not sure what it is, but have always liked this song. It starts quietly and builds tension to that sudden outpouring of emotion with that exhalation "Dirty DIANA, aaahh". Brilliant. Sure it wouldve been dynamic live. Off the album Bad which was certainly not Thriller but is well worth owning.
See video here.

6) Dont Stop Till You Get Enough (from Off The Wall)
Not only an eminently catchy song, but the first single from Off The Wall was a very important one blazing the path that would turn him into a global superstar. DSTYGE represented a cross-over disco hit with a funky beat overlaid with immaculate pop vocals.
See video here.

5) Beat It (from Thriller)
The first single from Thriller and a barnstorming track. Jackson expanded his repertoire significantly from Off The Wall fusing dance beats with a noticeably harder rockier sound. Featuring a stellar drum track and guitar solo from none other than Eddie Van Halen, Beat It is certainly one of his more unforgettable songs. The video is worth watching for the dancing alone. My goodness that man could move. He out-dances a whole suite of professional dancers. Outstanding.
See video here.

4) Man In The Mirror (from Bad)
Another number one single (he had an amazing 13 in total), Man In The Mirror also gathered critical acclaim being nominated for a Grammy for Record of the Year in 1987. Demonstrating increased social consciousness, Michael with the help of a gospel choir makes the very concise point that solving some of the worlds large problems all starts with the person referred to by the perpendicular pronoun. The video is a bit overwrought, but the song is very strong.
See video here.

3) Blame It On The Boogie (from The Jacksons album Destiny)
A terrific track which remains to this day an absolute staple of dance DJs worldwide. Michael's vocals are imbued with such energy and enthusiasm that you cant help but start moving your feet. Funnily enough the song was also released by an otherwise anonymous English singer-songwriter Mick Jackson in 1978. But its the Jacksons' version which will endure for a long time to come.
See video here featuring a fantastic afro on Michael.

2) Thriller (from Thriller)
An absolutely ground-breaking song which is overshadowed (just) by one of the most famous if not best videos of all-time. The song is fantastic somehow combining an affecting boogie beat, with an eerie movie score and a catchy singalong chorus. The track also ends memorably with the uniquely chilling monologue from Mr Horror himself, Vincent Price. And then what can you say about the video. A story in its own right, this 14 min production ably demonstrated what could be done with the new artform of music videos. Eminently rewatchable again and again for the story, the dancing, the make-up, or simply to see Michael Jackson stuffing his face with popcorn on a movie date just like any other teenager would. Directed by John Landis of Animal House and Blues Brothers fame it is an integral part of pop culture. Beyond essential.
See video here (go on you really should watch it in its entirety).

and the number one track of Michael Jacksons catalog is............

1) Billie Jean (from Thriller)
It takes a fairly special song to top this list but Billie Jean rightly sits at the summit of Michael Jackson's best works. Billie Jean is simply special. An anguished tale written by Michael himself and produced by the legendary Quincy Jones, Billie Jean is reportedly based on a personal experience where a mentally ill female fan alleged that Michael Jackson had fathered one of her children. Despite the disturbing lyrics, the song was a monster smash sitting atop the US single charts for an astonishing seven weeks. The song is notable also for the hypnotic backing beat which has to be one of the best and most original of all time.
See video here.

So there you have it. What do you think? Have I missed any? Let me know your thoughts on Michael Jacksons best efforts.

Thats it for another month. Perhaps a word from Michael Jackson himself to end this missive:

"There's nothing like being on stage.You cant put it into words. When the light hits you, there's a certain spirit you feel. I dont like coming off."

Probably explains more about the actual guy than one hundred tabloid articles.

Until next month.

The Nevstar!

June 2009

Album of the Month

The Doves : Kingdom of Rust

A common childhood refrain to a perceived injustice is to claim that it is unfair. My mother always used to respond "Life's unfair" which to a ten year old is not only inarguable but ultimately depressing. It shatters youthful preconceptions of some heavenly court of arbitration to right obvious wrongs. But then we learn as we age that the advice was particulary sage. Toast falls buttered side down, those with lesser talent may get promoted ahead of you at school or sports, and it seems that great bands often languish in relative obscurity while Miley Cyrus has her own movie.

But sometimes the best bands do rise to critical if not widespread acclaim and adulation. And one such band is The Doves, whose fourth album, Kingdom of Rust is this June's Album of the Month.

The Doves had a long road to the top with more than a few roadblocks. Their roots can be traced to a 90s dance act named Sub Sub whose music studio burnt down taking with it most of their tapes. Resisting the obvious temptation to say they rose from the ashes, the band reformed as The Doves and promptly released two stunning minor masterpieces in Lost Souls (2000) and The Last Broadcast (2002). Each consisted of a wide range of lush, shimmering songs; atmospheric and melodic efforts with dance-like rhythms building tension and then subtly allaying it. They met with critical but not widespread popular acclaim.

They returned in 2005 with Lost Cities which I felt was not quite to the same standards but sold much more strongly (proving once again that I know nothing). The world had changed and with the success of bands like Elbow, Coldplay and Snow Patrol, they now found that there was a market for well orchestrated, subtly layered, cleverly constructed atmospheric pop. And no one does this better than the Doves.

Now they return with their fourth album, Kingdom of Rust which is the equal if not surpassing anything else they have written. Opener Jetstream is a stunner. Plaintive Radioheadesque vocals accompany Massive Attackish minimalist soundtrack for the first two verses before the full talents of the band are let loose in a spontaneous outburst of passion and purity. Lead singer Jimi Goodwin depicts it as the soundtrack to the end of Bladerunner which tops any effort I could muster to describe its impact.

What follows is equally mesmerising. The title track follows next and its a song which recalls their first two albums with a lilting, mesmerising guitar line accompanised by soaring vocals. But the record is more than a repeat of the past. They experiment with a Phil Spectorish Wall of Sound approach in 10:03, and an almost progressive rock era effort in Birds Flew Backwards. Furthermore, the album arguably has the best material at the end. Compulsion has a extremely catchy funky beat, which is followed by the hard fuzzier rock guitars in House of Mirrors which are a treat. The album closes with the excellent Lifelines, which rises to a peak, holds its breath before finally exhaling and lapsing into a silence that we want to instantly fill by replaying the album from the start.

Like most great albums, Kingdom of Rust takes a while to really grab hold of your senses. Its charms slowly seep to the core of your musical sensibilities. But once it reaches your heart, it wont let it go, and you too will be a fan forever.

Listen to it or buy here:

Try this if you like :

The Verve
New Order
Coldplay

If you like this try :

Elbow : Leaders Of The Free World
My Morning Jackets : It Still Moves


Essential Classic Album

Jeff Buckley : Grace

Some albums have an erie quality, as if the protagonist almost anticipates their own death. Amongst the list would be Closer by Joy Divison, Pink Moon by Nick Drake, From A Basement On the Hill by Elliott Smith and The Holy Bible released by Manic Street Preachers shortly before the disappearance of Richey James. However, perhaps none is more poignant and more achingly wistful than the only album by Jeff Buckley entitled Grace. For someone with a voice of an angel, he ascended back to heaven to join them all too quickly leaving us only with this otherworldy album.

Buckley was the son of 1960's folk hero Tim Buckley, and seem destined for fame. Yet at the age of 30, in mysterious circumstances, he drowned, leaving only one complete recorded album. But its impact is hard to overstate and it consistently ranks in various Top 100 of all time lists. It is soaring and magnificent at times, then quiet and introspective at others. It demands and should be heard before we depart this physical world.

The album however must be listened to in isolation from the circumstances that followed it. Its not a last will and testament, but rather an ambitious debut album showcasing Buckleys range and virtuosity. Faced with his first blank canvas, the artist opts to record his many and varied ideas. While others start in black and white, Buckley demonstrates he has full command of all the colours on his palette right from the start. As such the album has elements of jazz, funk, pop and rock yet it never feels forced or unnatural as he melds the different elements and instruments. Thus we have ghostly opener Mojo Pin, the very Red Hot Chillish sounding So Real, the Britpopish title track Grace and then the psychedelicish closer Dream Brother.

But the standout track is Buckley's brilliant take on the Leonard Cohen track Hallelujah. Since its recording it has instantly become the definitive version upon which all others will be judged. Angst and yearning are subtly mixed with hope and optimism leaving a track which is simultaneously uplifting and depressing. One of the few songs that can genuinely bring a tear to the eye just by listening to its mournful tones. Please note its the song I want played as my casket is carried from my funeral.

Like Buddy Holly, we listen to his music and sometime wonder what such a prodigious talent wouldve gone on to achieve. If this was the entree, what would the main be like? But ultimately this is self-defeating. We should take the opposite approach and give thanks that we live in a world which he also briefly Grace(d).

Listen to it or buy here:

Try this if you like:

Van Morrison

If you like this try :

Elliott Smith : From a Basement On The Hill
Nick Drake : Pink Moon
Grant Lee Buffalo : Fuzzy

Top Ten List

The late 60s were possibly the most fertile period of musical creativity in the history of popular music. Perhaps it was the coincidental emergence of some terrific musical talents, the convergence of peak output of some amazing bands or maybe it was simply the great drugs! Regardless of the reason, much of our musical heritage can be traced to the events of some forty years ago. As such, I thought it might be fun to look back and muse with hindsight on what the Top Ten Albums from 1969 were. It turned out to be a lot harder than I thought. Anyway, here is the Nevstars :

Top Ten Albums From 1969

10. Kick Out The Jams / MC5
The debut album from Detroit based MC5, this is one of the most riotious, kick-ass, live albums ever to be recorded on vinyl. It is perhaps the prototype for garage rock bands ever since demonstrating the simple art of playing rock and roll music very fast and very loud. The history of punk starts here.

Key tracks : Ramblin Rose, Kick Out The Jams

9. Bayou Country : Credence Clearwater Revival
Southern rockers CCR recorded not one but TWO great albums in 1969 with Bayou County being quickly followed by the excellent Green River. However, this is the Nevstars favourite with the band at the peak of their considerable powers.

Key Tracks : Born On The Bayou, Run Through The Jungle, Who'll Stop The Rain

8. Stand ! : Sly & The Family Stone
Perhaps one of the most important records of the 60s. A raucus mixture of black and white musical influences, pop, soul, rock and funk with Sly standing in the middle of the whirlwind of musical ideas orchestrating and commanding like a virtuoso composer. A racial album illustrating what we can all do together. Essential.

Key Tracks : Everyday People, Stand!, I Want To Take You Higher

NB : Yes, Everyday People IS the same song that Toyota now use for their adverts. I cannot muster sufficient scorn for the practice of diluting such a powerful societal statement to a soundtrack to sell cars.

7. Live at San Quentin : Johnny Cash
The essential companion album to its more famous brethren, Live at Folsom Prison. This set is better in some respects, more shambolic in others. The best moment is when Cash sings a song entitled San Quentin written especially for the occasion. It nearly causes a riot the first time he plays it, and so he assuredly plays it again for good measure. "San Quentin, I hate every inch of you."

Key Tracks : San Quentin, I Walk The Line, A Boy Named Sue

6. The Stooges : The Stooges
Along with MC5, the Stooges demonstrated either a complete lack of respect for rock and roll, or somehow distilled its essence into three minutes of blistering sound. Iggy at his most obnoxious (which is a good thing). Would be in the Top 3 in virtually any other year.

Key Tracks : 1969, I Wanna Be Your Dog.

5 : Bitches Brew : Miles Davies
Considered by some to be the finest jazz album of all time, but less controversially it is certainly the starting point of a genre that became known as jazz - rock fusion. An ideal entry point for rockers interested in getting into jazz, and similarly very influential on rock musicians of the time. A wonder.

Key Tracks : Bitches Brew, Miles Runs The Voodoo Down

4. Let it Bleed : Rolling Stones
Amidst tough competition, the Stones effort from 1969 stands easily amongst this esteemed company coming during perhaps their most creative and important period. Tense and brooding yet also magnificent.

Key Tracks : Gimme Shelter, Midnight Rambler, You Cant Always Get What You Want

3. The Velvet Underground : The Velvet Underground
The Velvets recorded their third album in the summer of 1969. More sparse, mellow and melancholy than their first two albums, it demonstrates a direction that Lou Reed would follow in his solo albums. Here he creates interesting characters and sets them free, wondering and recording what happens to them in their interaction with the world at large.

Key Tracks : Pale Blue Eyes, Candy Says

2. Abbey Road : Beatles

It wasnt always easy, but the Beatles made it through to 1969 and delivered an outstanding recorded album one more time, somehow summoning enough civility to exit in style. Its stands as their last recorded album (Let It Be was recorded before but released after), but this was no coasting into the sunset. Abbey Road is a masterpiece containing layers of sounds and ideas letting everyone know that they truly had no peers before or since.

Key Tracks : Something, Because, The End

1. Led Zepellin II : Led Zepellin

It takes a mighty fine album to knock the Beatles from Number 1 but a certain band called Led Zepellin somehow managed it. Like CCR, they were very prolific in 1969 recording two albums (Led Zep I appearing earlier in the year). Great as Led Zep I was, establishing the template for a heavier guitar sound, Led Zep II is the masterpiece. A dramatic, swaggering, posturing and preening effort which elevated them to superstardom where they would remain forever. Beyond essential.

Key Tracks : Whole Lotta Love, Ramble On

Look forward to comments and criticisms of the Top Ten, but my first defence is likely to be that it was impossible. I changed the order of the Top four alone about ten times. The quality of any Top Ten list is probably determined more though by what you had to leave out. Here the list is long and distinguished. Some of the other albums released in 1969 include:

Blind Faith : Blind Faith
Dusty in Memphis : Dusty Springfield
Crosby Stills & Nash : Crosby Stills & Nash
Green River : Credence Clearwater Revival
In The Court Of The Crimson King / King Crimson
The Band / The Band
Led Zepellin I : Led Zepellin
Tommy : The Who

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere : Neil Young

On The Threshold of a Dream : Moody Blues

Five Leaves Left - Nick Drake

Arthur (Or The Decline and Fall Of The British Empire) : The Kinks

Wow, there is a great record collection right there. Have I missed any?

Thats all for this month.

Nevstar

May 2009

Welcome to the May edition of the Nevstar Music Guide. Apologies for the lateness of arrival. Its all happening as they say. Anyway, onto the good stuff.

Album Of The Month

The Horrors - Primary Colours

In the disposable pop culture of the new century, there are rarely second acts. If you dont hit it big the first time, there is no ability to hit the reset button and try another tack. Except that is, if you are The Horrors. After a debut album which was all look and no substance, The Horrors have ditched the make-up, wild hair, and cartoonish antics of their tepid debut album and produced (with a little help), an extraordinary sonical recalibration. That effort is the Album of The Month, entitled Primary Colours.

The Horrors debut album (Strange House) two years ago was all flash. They had a carefully calibrated look designed to appeal to 17 year old male art school students. Its not that they couldnt play, simply they seemed to chose not to, as if it would aversely impact their 'coolness'. The song were without energy, passion or intent. I played it once and not since. However, given a further recording opportunity, they have produced a stunning second album with the assistance of regular Portishead producer Geoff Barrow.

The list of influences is broad, compelling and immediately obvious. There is the almost ritual nod to the likes of Joy Division and My Bloody Valentine. However the lead vocals also hint towards The Cure, Human League or Depeche Mode, while some of the arrangements make liberal use of the back catalogs of bands like Neu! or Can from the German Krautrock era. But its all seamlessely entwined in a set of languid yet urgent tracks, which paradoxically reach great heights by plunging into the depths of despair. This is not an album to play if you are feeling depressed at home by yourself.

The first track is Mirror's Image which is the most overtly Joy Division influenced effort complete with Ian Curtis like weariness and ambivalence. But lest we feel shortchanged, the second track, presciently entitled Three Decades, ups the energy, tempo and atmospherics. Its the culmination of three decades of bands trying to recapture the energy and sound of the early nu-wave acts and doesnt disappoint. An early highlight. More is to follow with nods towards the Cure (Who Can Say), the Pyschedelic Furs (Scarlet Fields) and even the Smiths (Do You Remember). But the overall impact is thrilling rather than nostalgic. A band playing music it loves for its own sake and not for others. Its wrapping the sounds and feelings of our youth into an easily accessible memory stick for easy future access, reminding us of what we love and why we love. My favourite track is the rollicking I Cant Control Myself which is the most overtly guitar based track complete with driving rhythms and studious nonchalance.

The album comes to a close all too soon with the first single, Sea Within A Sea, an eight minute epic which strides out boldly from the shore, seeking new shores to conquer and leaving us gasping for hints about what the future holds beyond that tantalising horizon. For an album rooted in the past, it does a pretty good job of making us wonder about our futures.

Best Track : I Cant Control Myself

Listen to or buy here.

Try it if you like :

Joy Division : Closer
My Bloody Valentine : Loveless
Jesus & The Mary Chain : Psychocandy

If You like this try :

White Lies : White Lies
The Editors : The Back Room
Interpol : Our Love To Admire


Essential Classic Album

Simon & Garfunkel : Bridge Over Troubled Water

'Leave them wanting more' is a common refrain in the entertainment industry. Regrettably, few artists manage to leave at the top. Whether addicted to fame or fortune, most bands continue to produce albums when they should make way for other talent. A shining exception is the extremely talented duo Simon & Garfunkel who recorded a handful of albums culminating in the magnificent Bridge Over Troubled Water which they never attempted to top. It was No 1 in the United States for ten weeks and has sold over 25 million copies. With the duo scheduled to tour NZ shortly, it seems timely to reconsider this, their finest work.

Simon & Garfunkel featured two quite diverse talents. Paul Simon was the talented lyrcist while Art Garfunkel had one of the most distinctive and memorable high falsetto tenor voices of all his folk rock contemporaries. When combined with Simon's lower register voice, we are treated to one of rock music's greatest harmonies. On many occasions it sounds like only one person is singing in common with bands like The Everly Brothers. It is perhaps appropriate that one of the final tracks is a live cover of one of the latter's finest songs (Bye Bye Love).

The album starts with the title track, a candidate for one of the greatest rock songs ever written. Its a track with a religious undercurrent as the protagonist (perhaps God?) offers himself as a bridge over troubled waters. It was originally only two verses but the producer encouraged Simon to pen a third verse ("Sail on silver bird, sail on by") which gives the song a stately presence and increases its grandeur. Amidst the turmoil of the late 60's, it hinted at movements towards reconciliation amongst divergent streams of a warring society.

Yet, its what follows, that marks the album out for greatness. The major achievement is the diversity of the album. There is the first experimentation with African rhythms by Paul Simon in El Condor Pasa. We find bongo drums predominating in the singalong favourite, Cecilia. Then there is the magnificent, almost epic drums in The Boxer (a personal favourite), while the quieter moments in So Long Frank Lloyd Wright are exquisite. And you would be hard pressed to write a catchier tune than Baby Driver, nor a more indolent melody than The Only Living Boy in New York. And then album proves its timeless nature with Keep The Customer Satisfied, an anthem for the consumerism of the 00's if ever there was one. Its an album rich in both texture and scope.

Creative differences between the two led to a mutually agreed temporary separation which became permanent as they undertook different projects. They have reformed from time to do concert tours but have (so far) resisted the temptation to record another studio album. This writer, for one, hopes they never do. It would nice for Bridge Over Troubled Waters to remain their final statement.

Listen to or buy here.

Best Track : The Boxer

If you like this try :

Simon & Garfunkel : Bookends
Crosby Stills & Nash : Deja Vu

Buffalo Springfield : Buffalo Springfield Again

The Byrds : Hey Mr Tambourine Man

Top Ten List

May is New Zealand music month and therefore I thought this month, we would look back on some of the greatest of all kiwi songs; those that have morphed into iconic Kiwi anthems. The definition of an anthem is hard to nail down but to paraphrase Justice Potter Stewart, you know it when you hear it. So what songs are great kiwi anthems; the ones that everyone knows and loves? Well here is the Nevstars Top Ten Kiwi anthems.

Top Ten Kiwi Anthems

10. April Sun in Cuba - Dragon (1978)
Hailing from NZ, Dragon moved to Australia in the mid 70s and produced a string of crowd pleasing stadium anthems, none bigger than April Sun in Cuba. Marc Hunters terrific vocals belt out the perfect song to sing along with as you head out of the city for a long weekend at one of our beautiful beaches. "Im tired of the city life; summer's on the run."
Ample evidence of their charm and talents on display in their video here.

9. She's A Mod - Ray Columbus & The Invaders (1964)
Nothing less than the sound of the British Invasion sung with a kiwi accent. Ray Columbus could've contributed nothing else and he would still be remembered to this day for this one brilliant single. Bouncing with energy and complete with its own dance, this is a certainly a formidable kiwi anthem.
See grainy video here.

8. Counting The Beat - Swingers (1981)
It only takes one song to become kiwi icons, and The Swingers managed it with this deceptively simple, catchy yet incredibly enduring song. Written by former Split Enz member Phil Judd, almost 30 years later, virtually no one under five years old is unaware of its charm. Went to No 1 in both Australia and NZ. See video here.

7. Home Again - Shihad
Of all the songs on the list, this is probably the one you most need to see live to truly appreciate its power and charm on a bunch of kiwis. Guaranteed to make any overseas based NZer instantly homesick. That band that famously and heroically decided that they would rather be massive in New Zealand than a passing fad globally. Comes complete with terrific quirky NZ video. See here.

6. Whaling - DD SMash (1984)
One song that certainly cannot be left out is the remarkable Whaling penned by Dave Dobbyn during his time with the band DD Smash. Released in the same year that Dave Dobbyn was arrested for inciting a riot (hows that for living the rock and roll ethos!), Whaling remains a treasured kiwi single, sung by generations old and young at parties, weddings and concerts to this day. Video can be seen here.

5. If It Werent For Your Gumboots - Fred Dagg
John Clarke's famous alter ego made lots of impact when he first appeared on the nations screens in 1975. But perhaps none is as enduring as the very Kiwi song, If It Werent For Your Gumboots. Sources report that Clarke made the song by altering Billy Connolly's The Welly Song. Regardless of its origins, its place in NZs aural history is assured. Short snapshot of the song here. Its counterpart, We Dont Know How Lucky We Are should also be sung by every kiwi at least once a year. Its video is essential viewing.

And for those who to this day do not know what 'pleurisy' ("you will have a dose of the flu or even pleurisy"), the Nevstar can now reveal what you might get if you dont wear your gumboots. Pleurisy is in fact an inflammation of the pleura, the lining of the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs. When the inflamed pleural layers rub against each other as the lungs fill, it can cause a sharp pain. It is usually caused by an infection which could be obtained if you arent wearing your gumboots! Who said the Nevstar Music Guide is not educational!

4. I Got You - Split Enz (1980)
Their breakthrough hit which went on to become their most iconic and treasured song. While its arguable as to whether its their best song, something about it resonated immediately with the NZ public and saw it leap straight to No 1 on the singles chart. Notably more 'poppie' than previous Enz efforts perhaps reflecting the increased influence of Neil Finn, one of NZs finest ever songwriters.
See video here.

3. Loyal - Dave Dobbyn (1988)
You could make a really good case for this becoming the NZ national anthem sung proudly before test matches as our black national flag waves proudly. Slightly sullied by association with the losing Americas Cup campaign, this song will be played and sung by generations of Kiwis long after the memory of that loss has past.
See video here.

2. Bliss - The Dudes (1980)

'Its not the drinking, but the way we're drinking' intones the ALAC advert. Well, is it any surprise that the nation has a drinking problem when one of our most iconic songs contains the pivotal lyric "Drink yourself more bliss"! A terrific, anthemic, crowd-pleasing singalong played at the conclusion of just about every 21st Ive ever been to. Cmon, the song starts with (if I have this right), 'yah, ya ya ya yahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, ya ya ya yahhhhhhhhhhh'. Hows that for great songwriting! See video here.

It should also be noted that this is Dave Dobbyn's third entry in the list and you could easily name another dozen worthy of consideration (eg Right First Time, Be Mine Tonight, Slice of Heaven, Outlook for Thursday). The man is a living kiwi legend.

1. Why Does Love Do This To Me? - The Exponents (1992)

I cant recall a No. 1 in the Nevstar Music Guide that was so evident nor so inarguable. Its the one kiwi song that every Kiwi knows all the words to. An absolute iconic, joyous, electric three minutes of perfect pop music. Reportedly took the same time to write as it does to sing and simple to learn on a guitar. Everyone has their own story of singing it amongst fellow kiwis but my favourite memory was during the Wellington Sevens. At halftime, they put songs on for the crowd to singalong to but the music stops once the game resumes. WDLDTTM was played towards the end of the day at halftime of a game, but when the music stopped, this time the singing continued. Without any musical accompaniement, 27,000 people continued singing to the end of the song. Now THATS a kiwi anthem!

See video here.

So, whats the verdict? Agree, disagree? Feel some other songs should be considered as NZ kiwi anthems? Send me an email or leave a comment.

Thats all for this month.

Nevstar

April 2009

Album of the Month

Easy Come, Easy Go : Marianne Faithfull

Easy Come, Easy Go is the sort of album the Nevstar usually avoids. The industry is replete with formerly great artists resorting to doing cover versions of songs written by others. Few are worthy of listening too, and even fewer are worth investing your hard earned dollars in. However this is an exception. Marianne Faithfull has collected a large and talented band to assist her interpretation of a number of excellent songs with a diverse group of guest vocalists.

Most people know Marianne Faithfull's story. Former teen beauty star turned pop star who became the girlfriend of Mick Jagger, she turned in and tuned out the 60s eventually suffering from addictions to heroin and alcohol. Following her outstanding comeback album in 1979, Broken English, she fills her days in the new century interpreting the works of others. Such cover collections rely on two essential elements; a good selection of songs matching the vocalists talent, and the quality of the backing band. Both are abundance here. The band, numbering 16 players on the first track alone, are in excellent form with crackling, precise playing. The songs are both eclectic and mesmerising, aptly matching her vocal talents while exploring a variety of styles.

There is the beguiling opening Down From Dover written by none other than Dolly Parton which ably matches Faithfulls world weary vocals with a wistful yearning. Its a cracking opening, but merely an entree to the delights to follow. The third track, Solitude is a effort penned by none other than the Duke of Jazz, Duke Ellington. It features a bevy of mournful clarinets and is so slow that you can barely wait for each additional note. Then follows the terrific track The Crane Wife 3 which is a song by the indie favourite, The Decemberists. It features the redoubtable Nick Cave on accompanying vocals which is the perfect choice as its a song Cave could easily have written. It is thus probably the highlight of the album. The title track that follows however is also a stonking good tune, recreating the days of cabaret shows in speak-easies in the 30s. Fabulous.

There is more to follow though including appearances by Jarvis Cocker, Rufus Wainwright and the everlasting Keith Richards along with songs written by such luminaries as Brian Eno, Smokey Robinson, Merle Haggard and even Morrissey.

The album is now available in New Zealand as a deluxe 2 CD edition but was originally only available as a ten track single CD. The first of the two CDs is superior to the second but both are worth having in your collection. They are great tonic for the soul in these tough and trying times.

Listen to or purchase here :

If you like this try :

Strange Weather : Marianne Faithfull
Dusty In Memphis : Dusty Springfield


Essential Classic Album

Kind Of Blue : Miles Davis

Jazz can be a difficult genre to love for the uninitiated. Its lack of structure often makes it a challenging listen. Yet at its best, when played by the finest musicians on the planet, jazz uniquely creates a moment and a memory, sonically reassuring doubts and derisions, alternatively setting or soothing your mood. If you are not a jazz fan, the best place to start your future love affair with this extraordinarily broad category is the landmark album from Miles Davis, Kind of Blue. On the 50th anniversary of it release, lets investigate and profile this amazing treasure.

Featuring only five tracks, all written by Miles Davis, Kind of Blue firstly features perhaps one of the finest collection of jazz musicians ever to fill one room. Davis, a world class trumpet player in his own right, had spent a lot of time in the mid 50s performing with the incomparable saxophonist, John Coltrane. These two were joined for this session by five others, all of whom belong in the jazz Hall of Fame; Cannonball Adderley (alto sax), Wynton Kelly & Bill Evans (piano), Paul Chambers (bass) and James Cobb (drums).

Kind of Blue features only five tracks running about 45 minutes in total. Amazingly, the entire recording session lasted a mere nine hours over two sessions and only six takes were required for the five songs. (only Flamenco Sketches required two takes). Also, as was his practice at the time, Davis presented the songs to the musicians on the day they recorded the sessions. As such, the entire album has a lounge act feel to it; an immediacy and intimacy as we are introduced to the sounds at the same time as the instrumentalists. It is music to luxuriate in either bearing close examination or as a background to work or play.

The recording has been called by no less a source than All Music Guide, as the pinnacle of modal jazz where - 'tonality and solos build from the overall key, not chord changes, giving the music a subtly shifting quality'. It is music where the musicians strive express themselves through their instruments in a way that they could not possibly vocalise. Its sexy and seductive, yet restrained and reflective.

With some musical genres, there is rigorous debate about what is the genre's greatest album. Blues purists may debate the merits of Muddy Waters versus Robert Johnson. Rock critics may argue the merits of Stones, Beatles, Radiohead, Dylan or REM. Similarly with classical, country, punk or pop. But for one genre, there is absolutely no discussion. The greatest jazz album of all time is Kind of Blue by Miles Davis.

Listen to or purchase here :

If you like this try :

Birth Of The Cool : Miles Davis
A Love Supreme : John Coltrane


Top Ten

Well, I made a little mistake. Last month, while profiling the outstanding Together Alone by Crowded House, the Nevstar noted that it was in my All Time Top Ten albums. This triggered the perhaps inevitable query from a couple of readers, "so what are Favourite Albums of all Time?". Gulp.

Its an intensely personal question and one I've been avoiding a little as its an obvious Top Ten list to do. Nothing opens a writer to ridicule more than attempting to list their favourite albums if for no other reason that it invites the question - "how can you leave out (insert one of a million albums here)?" Its the ultimate Top Ten list and as such, is never perfect, always evolving.

As its my list, I will add a couple of provisos. Firstly, have excluded from consideration any album that has been released in the last five years. You cannot have an all time favourite album until you have had at least five, if not ten years to see how it ages. Entries from The Doves (The Last Broadcast) , Franz Ferdinand (Franz Ferdinand), British Sea Power (Decline of British Sea Power), and Muse (Origin of Symmetry) are potential candidates in the future but excluded from consideration here. Secondly, its important to point out that this is a subjective list, not objective. I am NOT claiming these are the greatest albums of all time, merely my favourite. No greatest albums of all time would dare leave out The Beatles! But with those in place lets check out :

The Nevstar's Top Ten Favourite Albums of All Time

10. Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs : Derek & Dominoes
The finest white blues albums of all time, we finally have Eric Clapton showcasing his otherwordly guitar talent to some intensely personal songs. Profiled in Nevstar Music Guide in March 2008. See here.

Best Track : Layla
Hidden Gem : Bell Bottom Blues

9. Together Alone : Crowded House
As profiled last month, Neil Finns finest hour featuring 14 incredible tracks which Neil himself opined that he would find hard to better. A must have for any serious music collector.

Best Track : Pineapple Head
Hidden Gem : Nails In My Feet

8. Highway 61 Revisited : Bob Dylan
The first Dylan album I ever heard, and still my favourite. One of the greatest rock songs of all time (Like A Rolling Stone) opens Dylans first fully fledged electric offering. The soundtrack of a generation, setting the standard for others to follow. Few would come close to emulating.

Best Track : Like A Rolling Stone
Hidden Gem : Ballad Of A Thin Man

7. Live at Folsom Prison : Johnny Cash
The album which relaunched his career, Live at Folsom Prison showcases all that was great about Johnny Cash; his gravelly voice, his clever songwriting and his rapport with all his fans, even those that are convicts.

Best Track : Cocaine Blues
Hidden Gem : Joe Bean

6. The Bends : Radiohead
An immaculate album which is clearly evolving into a modern classic. Thom Yorke's plaintive vocals accompany this downbeat set of songs which are somehow never sad. Arguably not topped by them or any other band.

Best Track : Fake Plastic Trees
Hidden Gem : Street Spirit (Fade Out)

5. 16 Lovers Lane : Go Betweens
I cannot recommend this effort highly enough. A faultless set of perfect pop songs ruminating on the capriciousness of love and relationships. Sublime. Profiled earlier here.

Best Track : Love Goes On
Hidden Gem : Quiet Heart

4. Born to Run : Bruce Springsteen
Down to his last chance to prove the prophesy of being the 'future of rock and roll', Springsteen finally delivered. An amazing record vocalising the thoughts and dreams of a generation to a stonking soundtrack.

Best Track : Thunder Road
Hidden Gem : Jungleland

3. Who's Next : The Who
A terrific band at the apogee of their powers, musically, vocally and lyrically. At times raw and thunderous, at others, restrained and thoughtful. One of the greatest rock albums. Profiled here.

Best Track : Wont Get Fooled Again
Hidden Gem : The Song Is Over

2. Definitely Maybe : Oasis
A debut album of power, vivacity and sneer all at once. An impeccable suite of tracks, most of which make you want to pick up and learn a guitar. Scaled heights they would never approach again, but who cares.

Best Track : Rock n Roll Star
Hidden Gem : Cigarettes and Alcohol

and the Nevstar's favourite album of all time is .........

1. Stone Roses : The Stone Roses
A note perfect debut album effortlessly combining the best of all British music that came before it and influencing a generation that followed after it. I never tire of playing it. I hope I never will. Profiled in greater depth here.

Best Track : Waterfall
Hidden Gem : This Is The One

Phew, now thats off my chest, I feel much better. But the Nevstar Music Guide is supposed to be interactive. Why dont you send me your Top Ten list? There is no right or wrong, just ten albums that you absolutely love. Go on, take ten minutes out of your day to think about your absolute favourite albums and create your own list of musical majesty. Leave a comment with your Top Ten list (anonymous if you prefer) so we can see and enjoy them or send me an email. Love to see what turns you on.

Thats it for another Nevstar Music Guide. Hope you enjoy it reading it as much as I enjoy writing it.

Nevstar