Day 84: Van the Man

Album 256/1031

Van Morrison - Astral Weeks (1968)

All tracks written by Van Morrison.

Part One: In The Beginning
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Astral Weeks"	7:06
2.	"Beside You"	5:16
3.	"Sweet Thing"	4:25
4.	"Cyprus Avenue"	7:00

Part Two: Afterwards
No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Way Young Lovers Do"	3:18
2.	"Madame George"	9:45
3.	"Ballerina"	7:03
4.	"Slim Slow Slider"	3:17

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astral_Weeks

Golf's verdict: Have tried and failed to get into this album a number of times over the years. I've owned the CD at least a couple of times, but it's never really caught. This time I rather enjoyed it, which may be an indication that my tastes are still continuing to develop. It's still got a long way to go before it gets into my all time top ten (where it often sits in the overall 'greatest of all time' polls), but it's a start.

Maire's verdict:  Not a fan of his voice so was never going to be a great review. 'Okay' is about as far as I can push it.

Album 257/1031

Paul McCartney - McCartney (1970)

All songs written by Paul McCartney.

Side one

1. "The Lovely Linda" – 0:43
2. "That Would Be Something" – 2:38
3. "Valentine Day" – 1:39
4. "Every Night" – 2:31
5. "Hot as Sun/Glasses" – 2:05
6. "Junk" – 1:54
7. "Man We Was Lonely" – 2:56

Side two

1. "Oo You" – 2:48
2. "Momma Miss America" – 4:04
3. "Teddy Boy" – 2:22
4. "Singalong Junk" – 2:34
5. "Maybe I'm Amazed" – 3:53
6. "Kreen - Akrore" – 4:15

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCartney_(album)

Golf's verdict: First solo offering from Macca and it's a bit of a stumbling one. 'Maybe I'm Amazed' is the only track that would threaten a Beatles tune.

Maire's verdict: What the hell is going on in the last song? All in all, though, not as bad as I was expecting (I may have been imagining multiple versions of 'Mull of Kintyre'....).

Album 258/1031

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Architecture & Morality (1981)

All songs were written by Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys, except where noted.

Side one
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"The New Stone Age"	McCluskey	3:22
2.	"She's Leaving"		3:28
3.	"Souvenir"	Humphreys, Martin Cooper	3:39
4.	"Sealand"		7:47

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Joan of Arc"	McCluskey	3:48
2.	"Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans)"	McCluskey	4:12
3.	"Architecture and Morality"		3:43
4.	"Georgia"		3:24
5.	"The Beginning and the End"		3:48

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_%26_Morality

Golf's verdict: 'Joan of Arc' and 'Souvenir' like many of their other most well known hits, back up the assumption that OMD are always a synth band, but this proves they have more in common with The Cure and Joy Division/New Order than The Human League.

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! How had I forgotten about OMD?? Brilliant album. 

Day 83: Bowie whiteboy soul vs Daft Punk's debut vs some more jazz from Stan Getz. Nice.

Album 253/1031

Stan Getz & Charlie Byrd - Jazz Samba (1962)

Side one

1. "Desafinado" (Antônio Carlos Jobim, Newton Mendonça) — 5:51
2. "Samba Dees Days" (Charlie Byrd) — 3:34
3. "O Pato" (Jayme Silva, Neuza Teixeira) — 2:31
4. "Samba Triste" (Baden Powell, Billy Blanco) — 4:47

Side two

1. "Samba de Uma Nota Só" (Antônio Carlos Jobim, Newton Mendonça) — 6:11
2. "É Luxo Só" (Ary Barroso) — 3:40
3. "Bahia" (aka 'Baia') (Ary Barroso) — 6:38

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz_Samba

Golf's verdict: I kept thinking the next track was going to be 'The Girl From Ipanema'. Turns out that's from one his later collaborations. This is fun, easy listening. But essentially it's cocktail party music.

Maire's verdict: Blah, blah, blah. All the same.


Album 254/1031

Daft Punk - Homework (1997)

All music composed by Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Daftendirekt"	2:44
2.	"WDPK 83.7 FM"	0:28
3.	"Revolution 909"	5:26
4.	"Da Funk"	5:28
5.	"Phœnix"	4:55
6.	"Fresh"	4:03
7.	"Around the World"	7:04
8.	"Rollin' & Scratchin'"	7:26
9.	"Teachers"	2:52
10.	"High Fidelity"	6:00
11.	"Rock'n Roll"	7:32
12.	"Oh Yeah"	2:00
13.	"Burnin'"	6:53
14.	"Indo Silver Club"	4:32
15.	"Alive"	5:15
16.	"Funk Ad"	0:51

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homework_(Daft_Punk_album)

Golf's verdict: They have gotten progressively better over time, so this debut album is - for me - very limited. The singles ('Da Funk' and 'Around the World') stand significantly taller than anything else on here.

Maire's verdict: Not my kind of music and too bloody long.

Album 255/1031

David Bowie - Young Americans (1975)

All tracks written by David Bowie, except where noted.

Side one
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Young Americans"		5:11
2.	"Win"		4:44
3.	"Fascination"	Bowie Luther Vandross	5:45
4.	"Right"		4:15

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
5.	"Somebody Up There Likes Me"		6:30
6.	"Across the Universe"	John Lennon Paul McCartney	4:29
7.	"Can You Hear Me"		5:03
8.	"Fame"	Bowie Carlos Alomar Lennon	4:16

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Americans

Golf's verdict: Bowie goes for the Phili Soul Sound and 'discovers' Luther Vandross in the process. It's got an interesting take on a late Beatles classic and the excellent 'Somebody Up There Likes Me', as well as the more familiar 'Fame' and title track. This came the year after Diamond Dogs and could not be more different, signalling the end of Glam Bowie but before The Thin White Duke. Perhaps this is why the album cover is not amongst his best, as he lacked a strong image for this short period.

Maire's verdict: Not my go-to but very good all the same.

Day 82: Upon which Maire discovers she likes Captain Beefheart

Album 250/1031

Captain Beefheart - Safe as Milk (1967)

All songs written by Herb Bermann and Don Van Vliet except where noted. 

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Sure 'Nuff 'n Yes I Do"	2:15
2.	"Zig Zag Wanderer"	2:40
3.	"Call on Me[15]" (Van Vliet)	2:37
4.	"Dropout Boogie"	2:32
5.	"I'm Glad" (Van Vliet)	3:31
6.	"Electricity"	3:07

Side two
No.	Title	Length
7.	"Yellow Brick Road"	2:28
8.	"Abba Zaba" (Van Vliet)	2:44
9.	"Plastic Factory" (Van Vliet, Bermann, Jerry Handley)	3:08
10.	"Where There's Woman"	2:09
11.	"Grown So Ugly" (Robert Pete Williams)	2:27
12.	"Autumn's Child"	4:02

Golf's verdict: I must confess that when we get to Trout Mask Replica on the list it will be a bit of trial for me. But this debut album is like bubblegum pop in comparison. It's the Blues, or definitely comes from that direction, but a bit like the branch of a species living on an island that drifted off the main continent millions of years ago. I challenge anyone not to be tapping their foot and a-hollerin' come the end of "Sure 'Nuff 'n Yes I Do".

Maire's verdict: POTENTIAL HIDDEN GEM! (Can't believe I'm saying that). I remember hearing one of Captain Beefheart's tracks on John Peel and hating it so much I've never listened to anything else. Shame as I loved most of this album (not so keen on 'Abba Zaba') much to my surprise. 


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safe_as_Milk

Album 251/1031

Prefab Sprout - Steve McQueen (1985)

All songs written by Paddy McAloon.

1. "Faron Young" – 3:50 
2. "Bonny" – 3:45
3. "Appetite" – 3:56
4. "When Love Breaks Down" – 4:08 
5. "Goodbye Lucille #1" – 4:31 
6. "Hallelujah" – 4:20
7. "Moving the River" – 3:57
8. "Horsin' Around" – 4:39
9. "Desire As" – 5:19
10. "Blueberry Pies" – 2:24
11. "When the Angels" – 4:29

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_McQueen_(album)

Golf's verdict: Paddy McAloon. Another great songwriter missing in action. Those of a certain age range and from the UK are programmed, upon hearing the call: "Hot Dog. Jumping Frog", to reply: "Albuquerque"*. Sadly 'The King of Rock n' Roll', their only bone fide hit, is not on Steve McQueen, but that does not stop it being worth many a listen. "When Love Breaks Down" is the stand out.

Maire's verdict: Good album and great voice. 

*Those of you not of a certain age or from the UK, see "From Langley Park to Memphis" (1988).

Album 252/1031

Elliott Smith - Figure 8 (2000)

All tracks written by Elliott Smith.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Son of Sam"	3:04
2.	"Somebody That I Used to Know"	2:09
3.	"Junk Bond Trader"	3:49
4.	"Everything Reminds Me of Her"	2:37
5.	"Everything Means Nothing to Me"	2:24
6.	"L.A."	3:14
7.	"In the Lost and Found (Honky Bach)"/"The Roost"	4:32
8.	"Stupidity Tries"	4:23
9.	"Easy Way Out"	2:44
10.	"Wouldn't Mama Be Proud"	3:25
11.	"Color Bars"	2:19
12.	"Happiness"/"The Gondola Man"	5:04
13.	"Pretty Mary K"	2:36
14.	"I Better Be Quiet Now"	3:35
15.	"Can't Make a Sound"	4:18
16.	"Bye"	1:53

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figure_8_(album)

Golf's verdict: I do like Elliott Smith, but I could not help but find this one a little bit lacking in variety. He's one of those people from whom I own one record (From a Basement on a Hill), always intending to expand from and never have. I will persevere as I think he rewards repeated listening.

Maire's verdict: Whilst it's all very pleasant it pretty much merges into one when you're listening to it.

Day 81: Come on Eileen is one of Maire's least favourite records ever...

Album 248/1031

Isaac Hayes - Shaft (1971)

All songs written and produced by Isaac Hayes.

Side one

1. "Theme from Shaft" (Vocal Version) – 4:39
2. "Bumpy's Lament" – 1:51
3. "Walk from Regio's" – 2:24
4. "Ellie's Love Theme" – 3:18
5. "Shaft's Cab Ride" – 1:10

Side two

1. "Cafe Regio's" – 6:10
2. "Early Sunday Morning" – 3:49
3. "Be Yourself" – 4:30
4. "A Friend's Place" – 3:24

Side three

1. "Soulsville" (Vocal Version) – 3:48
2. "No Name Bar" – 6:11
3. "Bumpy's Blues" – 4:04
4. "Shaft Strikes Again" – 3:04

Side four

1. "Do Your Thing" (Vocal Version) – 19:30
2. "The End Theme" – 1:56

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaft_(album)

Golf's verdict: This double album is probably an album too much for me. Plenty of hot-buttered soul on offer here, but ultimately this is all about the title track and theme to the movie, which bookends this. I think I am right that - when they made a remake of Shaft - they kept the Isaac Hayes theme intact.

Maire's verdict: I'm not really a fan of (mostly) instrumental albums but everyone loves the theme from 'Shaft', don't they? That's probably the only track I'd listen to again, though.

Album 249/1031

Dexy's Midnight Runners - Too-Rye-Ay (1982)

Side One
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"The Celtic Soul Brothers"	Kevin Rowland, Jim Paterson, Mickey Billingham	3:07
2.	"Let's Make This Precious"	Rowland, Paterson	4:03
3.	"All in All (This One Last Wild Waltz)"	Rowland, Paterson	4:08
4.	"Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile)"	Van Morrison	3:06
5.	"Old"	Rowland, Paterson	5:00

Side Two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
6.	"Plan B"	Rowland, Paterson	5:04
7.	"I'll Show You"	Rowland, Paterson	2:41
8.	"Liars A to E"	Rowland, Paterson, Steve Torch	4:10
9.	"Until I Believe in My Soul"	Rowland, Paterson	7:00
10.	"Come On Eileen"	Rowland, Paterson, Billy Adams	4:07

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Too-Rye-Ay

Golf's verdict: As Maire and I approach our 25th anniversary few things have tested the relationship more than when I took her to see the reformed Dexys at the Royal Festival Hall in 2003. I think they are fantastic and - though i prefer the later Don't Stand Me Down album - there is lots to like here. Maire will be less keen.

Maire's verdict: If I had to choose my Top 5 most hated songs 'Come On Eileen' would be vying for the top spot. I think that tells you all you need to know of my feelings towards Dexys, but in case it's not clear: I can't fucking stand them.

Day 80: Guided by Voices and The Jam

Album 246/1031

Guided By Voices - Alien Lanes (1995)

All songs written by Robert Pollard unless otherwise noted.

1.   "A Salty Salute" (R. Pollard, Tobin Sprout) – 1:29

2.   "Evil Speakers" – 0:58

3.   "Watch Me Jumpstart" – 2:24

4.   "They're Not Witches" (Greg Demos, Jim Pollard, R. Pollard) – 0:51

5.   "As We Go Up, We Go Down" – 1:37

6.   "(I Wanna Be a) Dumbcharger" – 1:13

7.   "Game of Pricks" – 1:33

8.   "The Ugly Vision" – 1:34

9.   "A Good Flying Bird" (Sprout) – 1:07

10. "Cigarette Tricks" (Demos, J. Pollard, R. Pollard, Sprout) – 0:18

11. "Pimple Zoo" – 0:42

12. "Big Chief Chinese Restaurant" (J. Pollard, R. Pollard) – 0:56

13. "Closer You Are" – 1:56

14. "Auditorium" (R. Pollard, Sprout) – 1:02

15. "Motor Away" (R. Pollard, Sprout) – 2:06

16. "Hit" – 0:23

17. "My Valuable Hunting Knife" – 2:00

18. "Gold Hick" – 0:30

19. "King and Caroline" (R. Pollard, Sprout) – 1:36

20. "Striped White Jets" – 2:15

21. "Ex-Supermodel" (R. Pollard, Sprout) – 1:06

22. "Blimps Go 90" – 1:40

23. "Strawdogs" (Sprout) – 1:17

24. "Chicken Blows" – 2:21

25. "Little Whirl" (Sprout) – 1:46

26. "My Son Cool" – 1:41

27. "Always Crush Me" – 1:44

28. "Alright" – 2:56

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_Lanes

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM!: At least I think it might be. One of those bands whose name was familiar but had never heard. To me they sound like the indie-slacker Beatles. 28 tracks in a little under 45 minutes and most of them little crackers. Arch lyrics and great little harmonies. I will be playing this again.

Maire's verdict: Never heard of them before. Is it me or does the lead singer sound flat in some of the songs and was there snoring on one of the tracks? I still rather enjoyed it, bizarrely enough.

Album 247/1031

The Jam - Sound Effects (1980)

·         All tracks written by Paul Weller except as noted.

Side one

1.   "Pretty Green" – 2:37

2.   "Monday" – 3:02

3.   "But I'm Different Now" – 1:52

4.   "Set the House Ablaze" – 5:03

5.   "Start!" – 2:33

6.   "That's Entertainment" – 3:38

Side two

7.   "Dream Time" – 3:54

8.   "Man in the Corner Shop" – 3:12

9.   "Music for the Last Couple" (Rick Buckler, Bruce Foxton, Paul Weller) – 3:45

10. "Boy About Town" – 2:00

11. "Scrape Away" – 3:59

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_Affects

Golf's verdict: Special mention for the album cover - a brilliant pastiche of the BBC Phonographic Workshop sound effects LPs you could buy until about 20 years ago, from which many an amateur dramatic performance got its weather, traffic, doorbell, telephone and other assorted noises. The album itself is dominated by the (Taxman rip-off) "Start!" and the classic "That's Entertainment". Always liked The Jam, but never felt the need to really delve into their back catalogue in much detail. This album did not inspire me to change that view.

Maire's verdict: I do like a bit of The Jam but probably more of a 'Best of...' girl than a proper fan. 'Start!' and 'That's Entertainment' are the stand-out tracks but the rest of the album is pretty good too.