|
Post by Helmut83 on Sept 13, 2015 18:39:55 GMT
Well, the 3 CDs I shared with you so far on this section were:
1) Roxette's "Joyride", which can be considered something new to most of you.
2) The Beatles' "Abbey Road", which is one of the most well-known albums in history so I assume most of you knew a lot of it.
3) A Gyllene Tider arbitrary playlist, which, if you are not Swedish, was something new to you.
This means I've been choosing my albums under a pattern of new-known-new-known, or in other terms challenging-easy-challengin-easy, which means this time I should pick something easy. For ELO fans, and having in mind no ELO or Jeff Lynne albums are allowed on this section, I couldn't think of something easier than the Traveling Wilbury's "Vol 1". Also, given that @brax picked the Wilbury's "Vol 3" a few months ago this would close the saga.
You all know the story of how these 5 heavyweights of music got together and started writing this album, so I won't make much more introduction than this.
To make it more interesting, let's analyze the whole album with the bonus tracks included (it makes 12 songs in total so it's almost as many tracks as a regular album has).
|
|
|
Post by jrmugz on Sept 13, 2015 22:30:28 GMT
Yay, this one's going to be fun fun fun! And daddy ain't going to take the t-bird away either. Will send my review later this week! I have a head start since familiar with most of these. Jim
|
|
|
Post by jrmugz on Sept 13, 2015 22:35:15 GMT
... This means I've been choosing my albums under a pattern of new-known-new-known, or in other terms challenging-easy-challengin-easy, which means this time I should pick something easy. ... For me, I usually can't wait to share one that I really like that I know nobody else has ever heard of before. But I really appreciate that everyone has their own style, HW is usually straight out of the 80s, Chippa's is often 70s nostalgia, etc. Makes it really fun and interesting how everyone has their own style and likes to mix it up. Jim
|
|
|
Post by Helmut83 on Sept 13, 2015 23:18:03 GMT
Yeap. However, what I think I have gotten through time on this section is that material people already know is often well received. Not just albums as a whole; if you pay attention, whenever an album has one or two songs which forum mates are already familiar with, those songs are usually the ones which take more praise on the reviews. That's why I have taken this approach of practicing a bit of demagogy once per each two CDs I post.
|
|
|
Post by Chippa on Sept 14, 2015 7:29:17 GMT
Oh yeah, this is a good 'un... Handle With Care - A nice way to kick things off with this folky pop song. I like the story George told about the writing of this song. He said they didn't have an idea for the chorus, but then he spotted a road case in Dylan's garage with the words "Handle With Care" on it, and decided that would be it! Dirty World - Love the lyrics on this one. Very clever. According to George, Dylan suggested they do a song that was similar to Prince, and somehow came up with this song (even though it sounds nothing like Prince). The "he loves your" bits at the end are fantastic, and were basically ad-libbed by each guy reading random articles from magazines. Rattled - A great rockabilly stomper sung by Jeff..errr..Otis. Jim Keltner's very innovative refrigerator percussion really gives the song a great groove, almost similar to the percussion that kicks off ELO's "Rock and Roll Is King". Gotta love Roy O. breaking out his classic "grrrroowwll" for the bridge, too. Last Night - Probably my least favorite Wilbury song. Not that it's awful or anything, it just doesn't stand out as special. Kinda reminds me of a drunk night at a Mexican bar. hah. Not Alone Any More- This song is straight up brilliant. From the opening string crescendo coupled with that Duane Eddy-like guitar, to Roy's majestic voice and Jeff and George's Beatlesque backing vocals, it's a real winner. Total ear candy. Congratulations - A classic Dylan ballad. Bob's singing voice gets a lot of shit, but on this one I think his voice is fantastic, and fits the mournful vibe of the music. Love George's slide playing at the end, along with those ethereal harmonies. Heading For The Light - This sounds like it could have been on George's solo album "Cloud Nine". Amazing song-craft, here. Great melodic hooks, a stellar bridge with Jeff and George doing some killer harmonies, a kickass sax solo courtesy of Jim Horn, and Roy adding some soaring backing vocals. Man, what a song. Margarita - Interesting little Spanish flavored, techno experiment. Very cool flavor to this song. More great George slide playing! Good bass playing from Jeff, too. Almost McCartney-esque. Tweeter And The Monkey Man - An epic Dylan story song. I think they were looking to do a Springsteen parody, here, but ending up topping The Boss at his own game! Great chorus, with that refrain "and the walls came down/all the way to hell". Again, love George adding those tasty slide licks in the chorus, and Jeff's cascading keyboards. End Of The Line - A real song of hope for those of a certain age. "It's alright..". It really is! Getting older is okay, man. Just live your life and don't worry about impressing people anymore. This should be some kind of anthem. Jeff delivers some fantastic vocals in his bit, as do Tom, George and Roy(as always). Love the ending moments when Jeff and George trade vocals. Maxine - Another Spanish flavored song (they must have been on a real roll with those type of songs). Really good stuff, with some fun lyrics. Like A Ship - I like the march-like tempo, and the cool bridge with Jeff chiming in with some great harmonies, again. Quirky song, for sure, but not bad at all. Overall, I give this a 10/10. Songwriters should listen to this album, to see how it's done. An absolute classic. Great choice, Helmut83.
|
|
|
Post by queenofthehours on Sept 14, 2015 16:51:36 GMT
I could just give a one word review = classic. But I think a more substational one is in order . The problem is, a lot of the time, with albums I love, I never know how to describe the joy I feel on hearing it!
|
|
|
Post by 88keys on Sept 15, 2015 6:18:58 GMT
Handle With Care.... I guess this was intended to be a B-side for one of George Harrison's singles, but it became the small acorn from which the Wilburys grew. Fave moment- "I've been uptight and made a mess. But I'll clean up myself I guess."
Dirty World.... In the True Story Of The Traveling Wilburys DVD, they show some footage of the recording of this song, and it's great. Fave moment - "Trembling Willburryyyy".
Rattled.... Jeff Lynne's rockabilly side is always a welcome thing. It's fun to hear him channel his inner Carl Perkins. Fave moment -"twisted....shaken..rattled..grrrrr!!!"
Last Night.... This reminds me of a Grateful Dead song. Probably not ironic since Bob Dylan has collaborated with them. Petty is really good, here. Fave moment- The sax that squawks throughout the song.
Not Alone Any More.... Roy Orbison was a musical treasure, and this song goes a long way to prove that point. I wish he and Jeff had more time together to make more music. Fave moment - The way Roy's voice soars in the closing moments.
Congratulations.... This is sort of a mediocre song. But I do love the massive stacks of vocals, which is my favorite moment.
Heading For The Light.... I'm pretty sure this song was recorded at George's studio at Friar Park, after the official recording session in LA had ended. It's a great tune. Fave moment - "oh my hands were tied, jokers and fools on either side".
Margarita.... Those analog synths are so great. They really add something special to a song that's otherwise merely pleasant. Fave moment- those synths!
Tweeter And The Monkey Man .... I'd say this is my favorite song that Bob Dylan ever had his name attached to. Fave moment -" I'm not fooled by Tweeter's curl. I knew him long before,he ever became a Jersey girl!"
End Of The Line.... I was at a funeral a few years ago, where they played this as the casket was rolled out of the church. Everyone was smiling through their tears, which is a testament to the power of music, and this song in particular. Fave moment- "Don't have to be ashamed of the car I drive. I'm glad to be here, happy to be alive".
Maxine ... A throwaway song, but not a total loss. Fave moment- The cool guitar solo, that may not necessarily be a guitar.
Like A Ship .... This should have been on the original release. Dylan is in fine form. Fave moment- "standing on the white cliffs of Dover.."
|
|
|
Post by Helmut83 on Sept 15, 2015 16:55:34 GMT
Maxine ... A throwaway song, but not a total loss. I'm grabbing my head frantically at this! For me it's the best song of the album and along with "The Devil's been busy" one of my two favorite Wilbury songs. I love it to bits. But to each, their own. Hey, what are your overall conclussions of the album? How much (or how little) do you like it?
|
|
|
Post by 88keys on Sept 15, 2015 19:17:21 GMT
Maxine ... A throwaway song, but not a total loss. I'm grabbing my head frantically at this! For me it's the best song of the album and along with "The Devil's been busy" one of my two favorite Wilbury songs. I love it to bits. But to each, their own. Hey, what are your overall conclussions of the album? How much (or how little) do you like it? On a scale of 1-5 (1 being bad. 5 being great), I give it a really strong 3.5.
|
|
|
Post by unomusette on Sept 15, 2015 19:51:58 GMT
Haven't listened to this for absolutely ages, it'll be a treat to revisit it
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2015 21:22:07 GMT
The sound of five legends having the time of their lives, with no pretense.
Besides the vocal interplay between the "brothers", my favorite thing about this album is the guitar sounds. I don't know if they recorded it differently, or what, but the guitars appear to ring a little more brightly than usual.
For me, the real MVP of this album is Roy Orbison. Here is a guy who basically forgotten about for a long time, by both the music listening public and critics, and he comes back like a juggernaut with his contributions on this album, as well as his Mystery Girl LP. His voice is as glorious as ever!
My favorite songs from this album are, Not Alone Anymore, Heading For The Light, Last Night, Maxine, and End Of The Line.
For those of you that haven't seen it, here is the True Story Of The Traveling Wilburys documentary.
|
|
|
Post by unomusette on Sept 18, 2015 22:46:53 GMT
Handle with Care - I remember hearing this on the radio and thinking "sounds a bit Jeff" Then the DJ explained all, I was amazed. Now we're used to the idea it's no big deal but at the time it was ground breaking to have five such big names collaborating. This is a great song anyway but it really lends itself to the multi-duet format, not to mention some spiffy harmonica, massive tick from me. Dirty World - Nobody could sing this like Bob, love the way he overacts and the clever lyrics. Even better than HwC, and that's before the inspired outro. Rattled - Jeff gets to sing lead, hurray! Right up his street, and sounds like he thorougly enjoyed himself. The Big O steals the show though, how DOES he do that purry growl? ,,,^..^,,, Last Night - Bit of a filler, but could be a stand-out on other albums,it just doesn't stand out against the other great songs on here. Happy and inoffensive little tune. Not Alone Any More - Definitely one of my favourite songs, not just by the Wilburys but ever. Perfect for Roy's voice, he really does it proud, and Jeff's backing is the perfect foil. I can confess to howling along loudly to this on more than one occasion. Congratulations - Well this always comes to mind whenever I'm on the thread of the same name on this site so it has special connotations. The contrast between the upbeat title and the grumpy vocals is great, I wonder how it would sound if Tom Petty sang it? Hate to say it, but it does go on too long. Or is that part of the joke? Heading for the Light - Classic George Harrison here, quite a relief after the eventual stodge of Congratulations. Catchy and lightweight, a total winner and again embellished with Jeff's unmistakeable backing vocals. Margarita - I can only vaguely remember this song, even now it's not much of a stand-out track for me although it does have some nice atmospheric backing vocals and neat guitar/synth sounds. Tweeter and the Monkey Man - George, Jeff and Roy have had their trademark songs and here's Bob and Tom's. I do like a nice story-based song and this is one of the good 'uns with some sharp lyrics. One of the album's highlights for sure but again just slightly too long. End of the Line - Everyone gets a go here, total winner of a song. Can't decide if it sounds dated or it's just that it brings back memories of that time for me. Shame they never did a live concert of this stuff. Maxine - Never heard either of the extra tracks, this one sounds a bit unpolished but it's a pretty enough tune. Like a Ship - Liking the vocal mix here but again the guitar sounds a bit rough compared to the main album. I've really enjoyed revisiting this album, thanks for reminding us that it's not all about discovering new stuff, Helmut83. Coming back to an old favourite after many years away can be just as instructive. 8 out of 10 from me, without the extras it would score higher but great choice
|
|
|
Post by Helmut83 on Sept 19, 2015 18:16:29 GMT
Congratulations - Well this always comes to mind whenever I'm on the thread of the same name on this site so it has special connotations. That same thing happens to me too! Haha... I can't read the title without hearing the Wilburys singing "congratulatiooooons"... Heeey, and I'm a bit surprised that other than Chippa no one has shown much appreciation for "Maxine". It's one of the Wilbury's very best for me and I think it should have been included on the album. The melody is killer and I find the lyrics very clever. But well, this isn't the first time we disagree about a song, Uno, is it? Thanks guys for your reviews! I'm glad you enjoyed a new listen to what is a big classic for probably all of us.
|
|
|
Post by unomusette on Sept 19, 2015 21:08:05 GMT
But well, this isn't the first time we disagree about a song, Uno, is it? A huge part of our relationship is based on disagreement, it's what makes it fun!
|
|
|
Post by BSJ on Sept 19, 2015 21:17:41 GMT
Oh, you two!
|
|