Day 46: So this hippy, this grebo hipster and this London Irish pisshead walk into a bar...

Album 148/1031

Hawkwind - Space Ritual (1973)

Side 1

1. "Earth Calling" (Robert Calvert) – 1:44
2. "Born to Go" (Calvert, Dave Brock) – 9:56
3. "Down Through the Night" (Brock) – 6:16
4. "The Awakening" (Calvert) – 1:32

Side 2

1. "Lord of Light" (Brock) – 7:21
2. "Black Corridor" (Michael Moorcock) – 1:51
3. "Space Is Deep" (Brock) – 8:13
4. "Electronic No. 1" (Dik Mik Davies, Del Dettmar) – 2:26

Side 3

1. "Orgone Accumulator" (Calvert, Brock) – 9:59
2. "Upside Down" (Brock) – 2:43
3. "10 Seconds of Forever" (Calvert) – 2:05
4. "Brainstorm" (Turner) – 9:20

Side 4

1. "Seven By Seven" (Brock) – 6:11
2. "Sonic Attack" (Moorcock) – 2:54
3. "Time We Left This World Today" (Brock) – 5:47
4. "Master of the Universe" (Nik Turner, Brock) – 7:37
5. "Welcome to the Future" (Calvert) – 2:04

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

Golf's verdict: This got to number 9 in the charts in the UK in 1973, which means our parents were smoking a shit-load more weed or taking a lot more psychedelics than they'd like us to believe...I had intended to write something witty about this being what happens when you give a load of hippies a big pile of drugs and unlimited studio time, but it's actually a LIVE album. Having attended a few gigs in my youth somewhat medicated, all I can say is that I am sure those who attended had a hell of better time listening to it then than I did today. Full of the sort of 'intended to be deep and meaningful, but end up sounding hilarious' lyrics about - like - how BIG space is, this must have been an influence on Spinal Tap's Stone 'enge!

Maire's verdict: I f*cking hated this. Equal worst album I’ve had to listen to so far. 84 minutes felt like 84 hours. If there’s another Hawkwind album as part of this challenge I’m giving up now.

Album 149/1031

Tom Waits - Rain Dogs (1985)

All songs written and composed by Tom Waits except where noted.

Side one

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Singapore"		2:46
2.	"Clap Hands"		3:47
3.	"Cemetery Polka"		1:51
4.	"Jockey Full of Bourbon"		2:45
5.	"Tango Till They're Sore"		2:49
6.	"Big Black Mariah"		2:44
7.	"Diamonds & Gold"		2:31
8.	"Hang Down Your Head"	Kathleen Brennan, Waits	2:32
9.	"Time"		3:55

Side two

No.	Title	Length
10.	"Rain Dogs"	2:56
11.	"Midtown" (instrumental)	1:00
12.	"9th & Hennepin"	1:58
13.	"Gun Street Girl"	4:37
14.	"Union Square"	2:24
15.	"Blind Love"	4:18
16.	"Walking Spanish"	3:05
17.	"Downtown Train"	3:53
18.	"Bride of Rain Dog" (instrumental)	1:07
19.	"Anywhere I Lay My Head"	2:48

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

Golf's verdict: Second Tom Waits of the challenge and just as arresting and enjoyable as the first, this time with a genuine hit (Downtown Train), albeit when covered by Rod Stewart. Both Maire and I only knew one Waits album before this challenge and they were different albums from before (me) and after (Maire) his switch from relatively straight jazz/blues singer to raving/gravelly-voiced loon. We're both looking forward to hearing more.

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM!: Just gorgeous. Adored it and listening to it for a second time.

Album 150/1031

The Pogues - Rum, Sodomy & the Lash (1985)

Side one
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"The Sick Bed of Cúchulainn"	Shane MacGowan	2:59
2.	"The Old Main Drag"	Shane MacGowan	3:19
3.	"The Wild Cats of Kilkenny"	Shane MacGowan, Jem Finer	2:48
4.	"I'm a Man You Don't Meet Every Day"	traditional	2:55
5.	"A Pair of Brown Eyes"	Shane MacGowan	4:54
6.	"Sally MacLennane"	Shane MacGowan	2:43

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Dirty Old Town"	Ewan MacColl	3:45
2.	"Jesse James"	traditional	2:58
3.	"Navigator"	Phil Gaston	4:12
4.	"Billy's Bones"	Shane MacGowan	2:02
5.	"The Gentleman Soldier"	traditional	2:04
6.	"And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda"	Eric Bogle	8:10

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rum_Sodomy_%26_the_Lash

Golf's verdict: So good that all the contemporary songs written by MacGowan and Finer sound as good or superior to the traditional or covers on the record. Even better, the extended version on Spotify has 'Rainy Night In Soho' as bonus track (CD Reissue version). He may have ruined himself with drink and drugs but he's a genuine treasure whose songs will become the "Trads" of the future.

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM!: What a blissful listening experience after the previous shite (Hawkwind). I do love a good Pogues song and there are so many to choose from on this album. ‘Dirty Old Town’ is probably my favourite.