2009-06-29

Jon Scoville - Home By Bicycle


Artist: Jon Scoville

Song: Home By Bicycle

Album: Albert’s Bicycle

Jon Scoville is currently Music Director of Tandy Beal & Company and Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Utah. An accomplished composer and dance accompanist, he has toured world-wide.

2009-06-28

The Bikini Carwash Company - Bicycle


Artist: The Bikini Carwash Company

Album: Bicycle (2004)

Home-made recordings of finely-tuned songs in hand- silkscreened packaging. The Bikini Carwash Company is rock music and ear candy molded into a ball of fun.

Hijack Jupiter's Scott Wiener goes solo under an indie pseudonym that references the great softcore late-night film The Bikini Carwash Company. His debut album, Bicycle, is 14 songs of pop-rock craftsmanship by a man who obviously knows what he's doing. After a soothingly deceptive "Introlude," the album flies into high gear with "Learning to Trust the BBC." Wiener's varied but unassuming voice accounts for a lot of his album's charm; he sounds like your best friend playing in his garage, although that would be difficult, since Wiener plays all but a select few of the instruments (cello, trumpets). "Up to the Kitchen" impresses with its basic rhythm, its chorus, and with an energetic drum line near the end. "Shift Key" is a one-minute treat that begs for a longer interpretation, and "The Devil" is full of wonderful non sequiturs like "the devil splits a hair on my head" and "the king abbreviates longer words." Catherine Odell's cello and trumpets from Jack Taylor and Carl Schoenberger really enhance the atmosphere that ends abruptly to introduce "Are You My Girlfriend," a delightful longing tune with a Beach Boys vibe. "Dinosaurs!" is a TV theme song waiting to happen (did you know that they are "better than a weekday"?) that that leads into the centerpiece of Bicycle, "Your Guitar," a multi-layered piece that reveals its secrets bit by bit. The vocal effect only enhances the lonely feeling of the dual guitars. "Everybody's Family" makes the proposal that "Aunt Kathy's in everybody's family". But the great thing about pop is that it doesn't have to make sense, it only has to be catchy, which The Bikini Carwash Company has definitely mastered. I could see this one being another sitcom theme. The continual repetition of the title does not become grating, due to the musical diversity. In fact, the diversity of songs, instruments, and genres on Bicycle renews my faith in the quality of modern songwriting.

2009-06-27

Carbon 111 - Bicycle












Artist: Carbon 111

Song: Bicycle

Album: Shadow (2009)

Six years in the making, Shadow is a runaway rusty red bicycle on meandering boardwalk paths through cattail-filled marshes, a slow slither across warm painted-desert sands, the comfortable sleep-deprived hum of foreign airports at 3am and dry autumnal leaves blown along a lakeshore where crows fight for scraps of castaway moonlight.

Carbon111 (aka James Maier) is currently washed ashore on Puget Sound in the rain-misted Pacific Northwest where he follows his lifelong obsession into the shadows and sunlit pools of Music accompanied by his patient wife and neurotic cat. The journey is wild and strange and wonderful.

About Bicycle: The SCI Six-Track takes up rhythmic bass duties while two pianos courtesy of the Nord Stage and NI's Massive weave complimentary lines. Oasys provides the FM pad and Absynth provides some ambiance.

Bass Sequence - SCI 6-Trak
Mellow Piano - Nord Stage
Bright Piano - NI Massive
FM Pad - OASYS
Seagulls - Waldorf Microwave XT
Ambience - NI Absynth 4

2009-06-26

Nathan Michel - Dear Bicycle


Artist: Nathan Michel

Album: Dear Bicycle (2003)

Nathan Michel is an American experimental electronic musician. He primarily composes and performs his music on a laptop. (…)

It's hard not to immediately compare Nathan Michel's Dear Bicycle toFrank Zappa's Civilization Phase III. All of the elements are there: the hummable but strangely dissonant melodies, the fresh-sounding percussion workouts, and the quirky sense of humor that graced the majority of Zappa's works. But it's not all about Zappa either; there's a trace element of Captain Beefheart, Stravinsky, and modern-day artists like labelmate Kid 606 that, when put together, form the basis of Michel's extremely fresh approach to IDM composition. Much like madman/genius Brian Wilson, Michel juxtaposes instruments with such bright and resilient tones over one another that amid the frenetic chaos of the arrangements it somehow makes sense. It's a perfect fusion of the academic sensibilities and rampant aesthetic Tigerbeat so fiercely holds near and dear to their hearts. Easily one of the most challenging listens in their catalog and essential for fans of both camps. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide

review

review 2

my space


2009-06-25

The Zen Bicycle Band - Pedal Faster Bicycle Rider


Artist: The Zen Bicycle Band

Album: Pedal Faster Bicycle Rider (1999)

What is The Zen Bicycle Band music? It's a freeform flowing stream of connectivity between three individual players... like the Japanese calligraphy art of 'Direct Deed' only this is spontaneous composition, made and played in the moment.

Whatever we might describe the music as being, then it is probably what it is not... it really is for you to decide!

The Zen Bicycle Band is:

Paul Cheneour: Flutes, Neys, Duduk & Siblisi.

Dave Robinson: Mallet Kat & Hand claps.

Clive Fletcher: Double Bass, EUB, & Bass Gtr.

2009-06-24

Tenement Halls - Knitting Needles & Bicycle Bells


Artist: Tenement Halls

Album: Knitting Needles & Bicycle Bells (2006)

Rock*A*Teens frontman Chris Lopez returns with Tenement Halls, and their first album is both a departure from and a continuation of the earlier group's sound. The Rock*A*Teens were distinguished by the almost impossible amount of reverb they drenched their songs with, the gripping quality of Lopez's songs, and his keening wail of a vocal. On Knitting...

review

2009-06-23

Various Artists - Pedal Faster Bicycle Rider


Artist: Various Artists

Album: Pedal Faster Bicycle Rider (1999)

Track Listings

1. Barcelona To Madrid - Shyness Clinic

2. Fitchburg MA - Wicked Farleys

3. Grace Kelly With Wings - Piebald

4. Beige Finger – Tristeza

5. Too Soon To Laugh - Sunday's Best

6. Letter From A Concerned Follower - Pedro The Lion

7. Minor Rock Star - Voith, Adam

8. Seventh Standard - Sterling Silver

9. This Lovesick - Very Secretary

10. Contact – Tugboat Annie

11. Fixed On The One - Jejune

12. Turn Down The Pancake - Fiver (1)

13. Join Up - Sharks Keep Moving

14. Minor Rock Star - Voith, Adam

15. M Theory – Egon

16. Theresa - Rodriguez (4)

17. Minor Rock Star - Voith, Adam

18. Last On The Drive - Boilermaker

19. Criticism As Inspiration - Pedro The Lion

2009-06-21

Justin Roberts - Taking Of My Training Wheels


Artist: Justin Roberts

Song: Taking Of My Training Wheels

Album: Meltdown (2006)

Meltdown! is Justin's fifth CD and his most accomplished effort to date. Justin explores the kid's perspective from sidewalk chalk drawings to oceanside sandcastles to life's inevitable meltdowns. With sly references to Elvis Costello, Paul Simon, and Modern English (the title track ends with the proclamation "I'd stop the world and meltdown with you!"), Meltdown! will have the whole family playing air guitar in no time.

(…) bit of a convoluted and tenuous cycling link this one but worth following i think. currently featured on apple's website is artist sarajo frieden and one of the items of work by this very idiosyncratic artist is the cd cover shown right by justin roberts for his album of children's music entitled 'meltdown'

the music is available on itunes (just type 'justin roberts' into the search box), and one of the tracks is entitled 'taking off my training wheels' (if you ever listened to the davis county cycling podcast, you could imagine them playing this) which presumably gave rise to the illustration by sarajo. so it gets a mention here because i like sarajo's style, she uses a mac and it's got a bike on it.

music

I started off with three wheels, then I went to four

I started off with three wheels, then I went to four

Just to get to two (doesn’t seem right)

It doesn’t seem right (doesn’t seem right)

To go from three to four to two

So I’m taking off (taking off)

I’m taking off (taking off)

I’m taking off my training wheels

Now I won’t be scared a bit when I take that ride

No, I won’t be scared a bit with Dad by my side

He’ll catch my fall (catch my fall)

Catch my fall (catch my fall)

When you’re a dad, sometimes that’s the deal

CHORUS

Even though I took ‘em off might put ‘em back on

Even though I took ‘em off might put ‘em back on

And I might go rollin’ rollin’ rollin’ rollin’ rollin’

Through the lawn

Cause it’s softer, softer, softer, softer, softer

2009-06-20

5ive - Bicycle Rider


Artist: 5ive

Song: Bicycle Rider

Album: 5ive (2001)

Not to be confused with the British boy band of the same name (heavens no!), Boston-based psych-stoner-doom act 5ive started out as an instrumental duo comprising guitarist Ben Carr and drummer Charlie Harrold. Signed to specialist indie label Tortuga, 5ive's 2001 eponymous debut was at first only released on vinyl, but eventually received a CD version. A second effort, enigmatically named Telestic Disfracture, followed later that year and featured occasional vocal contributions from Milligram singer Jonah J. Jenkins, but nothing has been heard from the group in recent years

5ive produces dirty, long, instrumental metal songs full of distortion and excess. While it consists of no more than six songs, this album is over 50 minutes in length. For those who are into metal to listen to while they study or read a book, this album will do. While the artwork on this release is beautifully arranged, the music seems to lack any means by which to stick out to the listener, but perhaps that's not what the band necessarily wanted. All in all, an interesting idea, but something which only diehards of the metal genre would plunk down hard-earned cash to purchase. ~ Kurt Morris, All Music Guide

(…)This is one of the best CDs I have ever had the chance to own. 5ive play driving/groove/distorted instrumental rock(although I don't want to classify this as anything but outstanding). It is unreal how good this CD is. From the first track to the last (six total), this album is driving, urgent and intense. I bought this album a couple years ago and it has never left the rotation from my car or home CD player. Buy this album!!! Then put it on repeat, and drive as fast as you can. It will make you glad you did.
My favorite tracks are (though all are amazing)-
1) Burning Season and 5) Bicycle Rider

music

2009-06-19

Paul Gross - Man on a Bicycle


Artist: Paul Gross - David Keeley

Song: Man on a Bicycle

Album: Two Houses

Paul says he has no idea what this song is about, although his father (ex-army, residing near the banks of the Red Deer River, but not given to wandering about in a state of undress and carrying a fishing pole) was more than a little suspicious that it may have been written about him! Paul believes there should have been a caveat on the CD: 'The following song has absolutely nothing to do with my father!'
 
Well, I did see a man on a bicycle
riding through heavy snow
his wife said, hey kids what the heck is he doing,
everyone laughed till they cried
Fait vos jeux madam
(and) Hey monsieur, place your bets
Love is a sure thing and these dice never lie
Fait vos jeux madam
hey monsieur, I can bet
10 to 1 you're as crazy as I
Well, I did see my father walking
walking without any clothes down by the banks of that big Red Deer River
holding an old fishing pole
My father was a man
once ran an army, he loved his children
but his duty came first
till one day when I bought him a bicycle he said,
"kiss my ass, I'm as free as a bird"
Fait vos jeux, madam
(and) Hey monsieur, place your bets
Love is a sure thing and these dice never lie
Fait vos jeux madam
(and) Hey monsieur, I can bet
10 to 1 you're as crazy as I

2009-06-17

The Motion Sick - Winged Bicycle











Artist: The Motion Sick

Song: Winged Bicycle

Album: Various Artists - Consequence of Sound Celebrates One Year (2008)

 

Integrating pop melodies with socially voyeuristic lyrics in Kurt Vonnegut style prose, The Motion Sick leaves you thinking beyond usual romance parameters…

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She lives in a warehouse
signs warning of fallout
She tells you to look out
shout when the coast is clear

She sees all the faces
trapped in clouds there are traces
apophenia and blankets
seeping bloodstains on the walls

and she cries and she calls out
and she cries as she falls down
and she cries as she calls out his name

I leave the lights on when you're lonely
I keep the rights wrong like you showed me
I burn the pages of your diary
just to keep your secrets safe

September's fear is twice as cold
December's tears turn to icicles
she pedals her winged bicycle
starves to fly away

and she cries and she calls out
and she cries as she falls down
and she cries as she calls out his name

she shudders across her room at night
shaking like a stick of dynamite
dancing just to forget about her days

2009-06-15

The Faction - Skate and Destroy

Artist: The Faction

Song: Skate and Destroy

The Faction was a punk rock band from San Jose, California who were closely linked to the underground skateboarding culture. The band played primarily during the years 1982 to 1985 (…)

Though the lyrics of only two songs in their entire discography dealt explicitly with skating, the Faction was still the pioneering force in this punk rock offshoot. After all, they composed the quintessential skate-rock song, "Skate and Destroy."

Forget the light, skate and destroy
Pass the jogger, skate and destroy
Snap it back, skate and destroy
Kick that bike, skate and destroy
It's not a cause or political belief, it's something in my thinking
If you agree it's cool by me, at least I'm not a robot
I'm not afraid of things I read, I won't divide my friends up
Dictatorship of people's minds is not what I will strive for
The cops are coming after me, their sons are BMXers
They always try to stop me but urethane is faster than boots
You may be in a parking lot throwing up your contents
So what who cares I know I don't
Be a hood, don't be good.

2009-06-14

Shonen Knife - Cycling is Fun


Artist: Shonen Knife

Song: Cycling is Fun

Album: Yama No Attchan (1984), Let’s Knife (1993)

Shonen Knife formed in December 1981 with sisters Naoko Yamano (vocals and guitar) and Atsuko Yamano (drums) and their friend Michie Nakatani (vocals, bass and keyboards). They performed their first gig on March 14, 1982 at Studio One, a club in Osaka, in front of an audience of thirty-six who paid one hundred yen each. ()

review

… "Cycling Is Fun" bounces along on a near-Motown beat the likes of which they couldn't have done a year earlier

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I want to go I want to go
To the green fields with you baby
C'mon let's go wo wo wo...
Riding on a bicycle together
We could ride forever
C'mon let's go wo wo wo...
Riding on the cycling road
Everyone is having fun
Riding on the cycling road
Nobody knows our cycling road

Run run run de run
Ride, riding on a bicycle

I want to go I want to go
To the green fields with you baby
C'mon let's go wo wo wo...
Riding on a bicycle together
We could ride forever
C'mon let's go wo wo wo...

Riding on the cycling road
See the green trees passing by
Sun is shining down on me
I don't have to wonder why

Run run run de run
Ride, riding on a bicycle

Riding on the cycling road
Green green grass surrounding me
Wind is blowing through the trees
Sun is bright and I feel happy

2009-06-10

Pfilbryte - Bicycle


Artist: Pfilbryte

Song: Bicycle

Album: Preservatives Affirmative ! (2005)

 

One thing that is certain about Pfilbryte is - how the hell do you classify his music? This makes my job all the more difficult, but makes it much more interesting for you the listener. 
The overall feel of the album is very retro, songs like 'And Nothin' and 'Suburbancooltriphopmixofpop' are laced with Beatles sounding harmonies but at the same time ride along on a funky bass line. But then out of nowhere pops the rap/rock fusion of 'I Like Beer' with its rather addictive chorus chant and tongue-in-cheek lyrics. 
Elsewhere, songs like the title track 'Preservative Affirmative' ooze soul; 'I Know' is just an honest pop love song reminding of Prince; and 'King Cole' is back to hard rock again, sounding like Aerosmith in places. 
What's pleasing to hear is the attention to detail on every track, it's worth just putting the headphones on and surrounding yourself in the array of instruments, each playing their own small part in the big picture. 
There's some nice guitar work throughout, electric and acoustic; imparticular the track 'Believe Me' has some excellent lead guitar parts. 
The versatile sound of Pfilbright, although I hate to say it, could also be his own worst enemy. On one hand this is pop, but on the other hand it's too alternative for pop; many of the tracks fall into the category of of rock, but this is not consistent throughout. It's not completely hip-hop, funk or soul either. 

music

2009-06-09

The Lorraine Bowen Experience - Bicycle Adventure











Artist: The Lorraine Bowen Experience

Song: Bicycle Adventure

Album: Songs From The Living Room (1992), Greatest Hits Volume 1 (1995)

 

Lorraine Bowen is a singer, songwriter and musician. She was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in 1961.

She studied music at the University of Surrey and then busked around London. She was a member of two bands in the 1980s: See You in Vegas and The Dinner Ladies as well as performing regularly with Billy Bragg on stage and on record. She has also made many appearances on BBC Radio 4 including John Shuttleworth's show Radio Shuttleworth.

She performs solo shows under name of The Lorraine Bowen Experience and her songs are quirky, funny and often with a sense of kitsch. Themes include: food, film stars (one of her most popular songs is about Julie Christie), mobile phones and launderettes. They have catchy choruses and she encourages audience participation.

You HAVE to hear Bicycle Adventure. The song evoke such positive feelings that you will seek out the discs right after hearing them. 

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review

2009-06-08

Jesus Chrysler Supercar - Bicycle


Artist: Jesus Chrysler Supercar

Song: Bicycle

Album: Latterday Speedway (1997)

 

JC Supercar have been dominating the Phoenix, Arizona alternative music scene since 1993, headlining their own shows, as well as opening for national acts, such as Tool, Radiohead, Goo Goo Dolls, Frank Black, Korn, Toadies, Mike Watt and many others.

Their first release, "Hay Bailer," sold over 3,000 units without any promotion whatsoever.

The band's hard rock edge, blended with vocalist Mitch Steele's unique voice and harmonies make Jesus Chrysler Supercar accessible to listeners of alternative, rock, pop and hard rock.

This 15-track masterpiece is the defining sound of the new rock scene. Fast, melodic and a helluva lot of fun, you can't ask for a more complete package. Finally, there's a band with something we've all been missing - talent!

 

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2009-06-07

R. Crumb and the Cheap Suit Serenaders - Pedal Your Blues Away


Artist: R. Crumb and the Cheap Suit Serenaders

Song: Pedal Your Blues Away

Album: R. Crumb and his Cheap Suit Serenaders Number 3 (1978) – Singing in the Bathtub

 

R. Crumb and his Cheap Suit Serenaders are a string band playing songs from, and in the style of, the 1920s. As a novelty, they issued a number of recordings on 78rpm discs in the 1970s, long after the format was obsolete. Their three albums (33rpm), all recorded in the 1970s on the Blue Goose label, were titled R. Crumb and his Cheap Suit Serenaders, R. Crumb and his Cheap Suit Serenaders No. 2 (1976), and R. Crumb and his Cheap Suit Serenaders No. 3 (1978); the latter two have been reissued on the Shanachie label as Chasin' Rainbows (No. 2) and Singing In the Bathtub (No. 3). R. Crumb was the band's frontman and album cover artist though he is no longer much involved with the band. The band currently includes Bob Armstrong (vocals, saw, guitar), Bob Brozman (vocals, various steel instruments, guitar, ukulele), Al Dodge (vocals, mandolin), Terry Zwigoff (saw, cello, Stroh fiddle, and mandolin), and Tony Marcus

The group played old blues, white jazz and some original tunes, mostly with a 1920's pop / novelty sensibility. Most of the vocals for the band were sung by Crumb himself.

But who’s really R. Crumb? Robert Dennis Crumb is an American artist and illustrator recognized for the distinctive style of his drawings and his critical, satirical, subversive view of the American mainstream.

Crumb was a founder of the underground comix movement and is regarded as its most prominent figure. Though one of the most celebrated of comic book artists, Crumb's entire career has unfolded outside the mainstream comic book publishing industry. One of his most recognized works is the "Keep on Truckin'" comic, which became a widely distributed fixture of pop culture in the 1970s. Others are the characters Devil Girl, Fritz the Cat, and Mr. Natural. He also illustrated the album cover for Cheap Thrills by Big Brother and the Holding Company

 

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review

Pedal Your Blues Away, (Miller - Wells - Griffin)

Lundberg - V / Armstrong - STG / Dodge - MD / Marion - G / Brozman - U / Crumb - BJ / Zwigoff – VC

Pedal your blues away,
forget all your troubles for play.
Hop on your bike any time you like,
and pedal your blues away.
Pedal your blues away
and ride down the ol’ highway,
singing your songs as you roll along
pedaling your blues away.
CHORUS: You’ll fine lots of happiness as you spin along;
things are hunky-dory as you fly.
In the middle of your heart,
you’ll find a new song,
with your palsy-walsy riding by your side.
Pedal your blues away,
you’ll find love in every by-way.
Hold up your chin,
let them see you grin,
and pedal your blues away.
(REPEAT CHORUS)
Pedal your blues away,
you’ll find love in every by-way.
Hold up your chin,
let them see you grin,
and pedal your blues a-way!

2009-06-06

The Archies - Bicycles, Roller Skates and You











Artist: The Archies

Song: Bicycles, Roller Skates and You

Album: Sugar, sugar (1999)

 

The Archies is a fictional garage band founded by Archie Andrews, Reggie Mantle, and Jughead Jones, a group of adolescent fictional characters of the Archie universe, in the context of the animated TV series, The Archie Show.

The Archies are sometimes jokingly compared to the seminal 60s rock band The Doors, as the Doors also had no bass player.

Sugar sugar is a greatest hits collection for the bubblegum pop group, featuring all of their U.S. chart hits, including the #1 smash 'Sugar Sugar' & the top 10 'Jingle Jangle'. 24 tracks total. 1999 release.

Bicycles, Roller Skates and You was originally included on Everything's Archie (1969)

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Bicycles roller skates and you
My baby (My baby)
Bicycles roller skates and you
Do do do do
(Do do do do)
Do do do do

Everyday I wake up with a happy smile on my face
(Do do do do)
Cause I'm so glad to be a member of the human race
(Awwwwwww)
I ain't got a dime
(Awwwwwww)
But I'm the richest guy you'd every find
Cause I've got

Bicycles roller skates and you
My baby (My baby)
Bicycles roller skates and you
Do do do do
(Do do do do)
Do do do do

The sweet and simple things in life are all that I need
(Do do do do)
You showed me how with love and now I just follow your lead
(Awwwwww)
Now I'm so aware
(Awwwwww)
That nothing in the whole world can compare
To you

Bicycles roller skates and you
My baby (My baby)
Bicycles roller skates and you

Holding hands while riding through the park
(Da da da da, da da da da)
Rolling past out troubles like Sir Lancelot
Cause I've got

Bicycles roller skates and you
My baby (My baby)
Bicycles roller skates and you
Bicycles roller skates and you
(Bi bicycles, roll roller skates)
My baby (my baby)
Bicycles roller skates and you

 

2009-06-05

Neneh Cherry - Red Paint


Artist: Neneh Cherry

Song: Red Paint

Album: Homebrew (1992)

 

"Red Paint" drifts even further into the New Age ozone, threatening to leave melody and sense behind, only to be held in check by blasts of electronic static and rough guitar snippets. Even when she's optimistically longing to "find my way home/Guided by the new light," as she does on the meditative fade-out of "Paint," there's a lone police siren wailing in the mix. That unyielding sense of realism grounds Cherry's genre-bending ambitions in the here and now.

Neneh Cherry doesn't get into the studio nearly often enough. Three years passed before the British singer/rapper came out with a second album. Thankfully, she more than lived up to the tremendous promise of Raw Like Sushi on the equally magnificent and risk-taking Homebrew. 

more

 

 (…) I think 1992's Homebrew is the best of her three cds. It has great songs like "Buddy X", "Peace in Mind", "Red Paint", "Move With Me", "Trout", "Ain't Gone Under Yet" and "Money Love." This is a great hip-hop/r&b cd that was generally overlooked by the public. A must have for any rock collector.

 

music

 

In a couple of years, this album may well be heralded as a stylistic breakthrough. In the meantime, Homebrew, Neneh Cherry's second record, holds a stash of subtly addictive pleasures. Anyone who appreciates both alternative rock's indomitable spirit and hip-hop's life-affirming rhythms is bound to get hooked on Homebrew's unique sweet-and-sour taste.

review

 

On a table lies the crust of what he
Had and just leaves behind
As I put bread down on the list of things
That I had to buy
By the store leaves your mountain bike
You on the floor still looking hard core
The colour is read under my show
And the friend is gone who put a hole
In you

Insensitivity took a hold of me
And I felt it colour me blue inside
And I left taking a part of you
Like red red paint on the sole
Of my shoe nothing to do with
Common sense or

Chorus:
Sensitivity. I'm feeling cold
Like concrete
Your dignity's reflecting
In the way I feel it

Open minded. the thoughts are clear
From feeling regardless. heart beats
With pain
You were oh so happy just the other day
Now heartbeats with pain took it all away

The cradle did rock for you too
Looking out from the inside
While life turns to blue
Watching all the glass faces
Leave their red red footprints
On our

Chorus

By the store lays your mountain bike
You on the floor no more hard core
The colour was red under my shoe
And the friend has gone
Who put a whole in you

Guided by the blue light that
Takes you away I'm on my way home

Guided by the blue light
That takes you away
I'm on my way home

Guided by the blue light
I'm on my way home...

2009-06-04

John Renbourn - Bicycle Tune


Artist: John Renbourn

Songs: Bicycle Tune

Album: The Hermit (1976)

John Renbourn  is an English guitarist and songwriter. He is possibly best known for his collaboration with guitarist Bert Jansch as well as his work with the folk group Pentangle, although he maintained a solo career both before, during and after that band's existence (1967-1973). 

The Hermit is an all solo-instrumental set with no vocals (though another truly exceptional guitarist, John James, sits in on several tracks as well), featuring both originally composed material and adapted works by O'Carolan and others. I like this particular album by Renbourn because his treatment of the material does not fall victim to his one occasional weakness as a guitarist: a tendency toward repetition.

 

music

2009-06-02

Lonnie Mack - Bicycle Annie


Artist: Lonnie Mack

Songs: Bicycle Annie

Album: The Hills of Indiana (1971)

 

When Lonnie Mack sings the blues, country strains are sure to infiltrate. Conversely, if he digs into a humping rockabilly groove, strong signs of deep-down blues influence are bound to invade. Par for the course for any musician who cites both Bobby Bland and George Jones as pervasive influences.

Fact is, Lonnie Mack's lightning-fast, vibrato-enriched, whammy bar-hammered guitar style has influenced many a picker too -- including Stevie Ray Vaughan, who idolized Mack's early singles for ...

 

The third and last album that Mack recorded for the label in his brief stint with them in the late '60s and early '70s, The Hills of Indiana must have surprised quite a few listeners familiar with his earlier work. There were little of the blues-rock-RB-oriented guitar fireworks that many of his earlier recordings had boasted. In contrast, it was a pretty laid-back affair with plenty of roots rock, country-rock, and early-'70s singer/songwriter influences. Steel guitar and fiddle augmented the usual rock lineup, string and horn arrangements were devised by Norbert Putnam (who played bass on much of the record), and there were liberal touches of gospel in the songwriting, singing, and occasional background vocals. The set was divided between collaborative compositions between Mack and Don Nix (who sang lead vocal on "Three Angels") and covers of songs by Carole King, Bob Dylan, Mickey Newbury, Bill Monroe, and others. As with many early-'70s records -- including those of another early rock roll guitar pioneer, Link Wray -- the influence of the Band's dignified Americana is substantial. At times it sounds a little like the Band crossed with some of early Elton John's most American-influenced material, perhaps with a pinch of John Fogerty. While this type of stuff might not be Mack's forte, actually it's quite respectable, if low-key, and sung with endearing, earnest conviction. - Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide

 

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