The Cowboy Junkies are celebrating the twentieth anniversary of Trinity Sessions by re-recording it with a bevy of guest stars including Vic Chessnut, Natalie Merchant, and Ryan Adams. I have not heard it, and who knows- it might just kick an already brilliant record up a notch. However, I'm wondering why they felt like they needed to re-record it. It was pretty close to perfect as it was.
Trinity Sessions in it's original form was a victory of the sublime. Margo Timmins rarely sang above much more than a whisper, brother Michae's guitar was spare as can be, and the other musical accompaniement of brushes and accordion was very understated. While many records nowadays literally as well as figuratively wave their tits in your face, the Junkies came from a quieter place. They wern't trying to take over the world or prove that they were the sexiest or loudest or most controversial, they quietly seduced you.
What's more- it was a victory of the moment. It wasn't some megastar record that took two years to record with a big-name producer. It was recorded in one day in that famous church with just one mike. They nailed it- all the universe coming together for them that day. But like other "victories of the moment", it is unlikely you ever hit it again. The Junkies were not a one-hit wonder. They produced and still continue to produce quality music and still have a decent following. However, they will probably never again hit that sublime magic that they did on Trinity Sessions. Even more reason to leave it be. It's one thing to re-release it with some bonus tracks or a DVD or something, but re-recording it just seems wrong.
One thing I read said they should've recorded a new batch of songs in that old church. that would've been better. perhaps a cynical marketing ploy a la UB40's many Labor of Loves. But still preferable to re-recording it. Now the Junkies probably aren't out for the big bucks or the cheap comeback, but they still should've left Trinity Sessions alone. it is perfect just as it is.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Classic Rock Comfort Food
I am normally turned on by anything new and different in music. I get bored easily, so if there isn't something there to pique my interest, I lose interest quickly. Yes, I do know there are few, if any original ideas in the world of popular music, but there are still creative ways of putting it all together that do cross original ground. There is an exception to this rule though, when I don't want to seek out little bands on lonely college radio ststions or NPR. Sometimes you need it to go down easy, to just sit back and enjoy something for the gut feelings it engenders instead of the complexities you search for on a Radiohead or Arcade Fire record.
With two audits coming up in my day job, everyone up and down the corporate ladder wanting something and now, I'm stressed. There is little or no comfort at home, with practices, bills, chores, and all that stuff. My only relaxation is the drive home, and the stereo in my little corolla. I can listen to talk radio, but it just makes me more pissed off and agitated. There is "adult alternative", but the angry female folk singers and the denizens of Chad Kroeger and Dave Grohl drive me nuts also. Ventura County doesn't get good reception for the L.A. area alternative stations, so I can't get those. Even when I do, it's a mixed bag of some good stuff with the third-rate Green Days and guys that sound uncomfortably close to Fred Durst. Don't even bring up Top-40, and although I can respect some of it, I don't listen to hip-hop or R & B that much. I'm a almost middle-aged white dude. What can I say? What does that leave? Classic Rock.
Alot of that is nonsense too, but when "Highway Star" comes on, I'm transfixed, listening to Ritchie Blackmore's racing guitar, and Ian Gillan's garage opera vocals, I'm taken away, and I don't have to think about it. Same thing hearing some Mick Taylor Stones or the soaring "Kashmir" by Zepplein. It is pure escapism. I do not care that the music critic in me may trash some of this stuff, but like Mickey D's you know it's not good for you, but it's fast, cheap, simple, and satisfying. there are things in that format which are mediocre in every stretch of the imagination, and force me to switch to the angry folk singers, but when it's in a groove, there is nothing like listening to the old 1960's and 1970's rock on the drive home.
It's not all comfort food. Zeppelin, the Stones, and The Beatles, to name a few, made unquestionably timeless music that still resonates. Look how well the Van Halen and Police tours did. Look at the Stones recent touring grosses. People are slobbering over a potential Zepplelin tour. At that time of the day, however, I don't want to debate in my mind whether Physical Graffitti or Presence was my favorite Zep album. I want to bang my head to "Achilles Last Stand", or be taken away by the Beatles "A Day in the Life". I may not remember what I heard two hours from now, but I will feel much better when I'm doing the dishes at home.
SB
With two audits coming up in my day job, everyone up and down the corporate ladder wanting something and now, I'm stressed. There is little or no comfort at home, with practices, bills, chores, and all that stuff. My only relaxation is the drive home, and the stereo in my little corolla. I can listen to talk radio, but it just makes me more pissed off and agitated. There is "adult alternative", but the angry female folk singers and the denizens of Chad Kroeger and Dave Grohl drive me nuts also. Ventura County doesn't get good reception for the L.A. area alternative stations, so I can't get those. Even when I do, it's a mixed bag of some good stuff with the third-rate Green Days and guys that sound uncomfortably close to Fred Durst. Don't even bring up Top-40, and although I can respect some of it, I don't listen to hip-hop or R & B that much. I'm a almost middle-aged white dude. What can I say? What does that leave? Classic Rock.
Alot of that is nonsense too, but when "Highway Star" comes on, I'm transfixed, listening to Ritchie Blackmore's racing guitar, and Ian Gillan's garage opera vocals, I'm taken away, and I don't have to think about it. Same thing hearing some Mick Taylor Stones or the soaring "Kashmir" by Zepplein. It is pure escapism. I do not care that the music critic in me may trash some of this stuff, but like Mickey D's you know it's not good for you, but it's fast, cheap, simple, and satisfying. there are things in that format which are mediocre in every stretch of the imagination, and force me to switch to the angry folk singers, but when it's in a groove, there is nothing like listening to the old 1960's and 1970's rock on the drive home.
It's not all comfort food. Zeppelin, the Stones, and The Beatles, to name a few, made unquestionably timeless music that still resonates. Look how well the Van Halen and Police tours did. Look at the Stones recent touring grosses. People are slobbering over a potential Zepplelin tour. At that time of the day, however, I don't want to debate in my mind whether Physical Graffitti or Presence was my favorite Zep album. I want to bang my head to "Achilles Last Stand", or be taken away by the Beatles "A Day in the Life". I may not remember what I heard two hours from now, but I will feel much better when I'm doing the dishes at home.
SB
Friday, February 8, 2008
Grammys?
You know, I just found out that the grammys are coming. There is still a little part of me that feels like for some reason I should be paying attention. But the fact that I've been a music critic for almost twenty years, and I have a large, if slightly dated music collection, means I should care, but I don't. I didn't care about them when I was a twentysomething wannabe hipster, and I don't care about them now that I'm a soccer dad veering on middle age. The reason? They are not relevant to me, and aside from some TV and gossip junkies, and some fans of the acts that actually have a chance, I don't think anyone else cares, either.
We're all in our little worlds now. Gone are the days where a record like Thriller would have huge crossover success and go like ten times platinum. We're all into our own little scenes now. Some of the best selling records nowadays will go platinum a few times over, but not become cultural phenomana like in the old days.
I've personally never paid attention. The metal and punk acts I listened to as a teenager either didn't care or knew they didn't have a prayer of winning anything. When a well-past it's prime Jethro Tull took the first hard rock grammy from a young, hungry Metallica, it said everything to me. The college bands I listened to were pretty much in the same boat as the punk and metal bands- didn't know and didn't care. The fact that Paul Westerberg never won one is a crime. there is a long list of brilliant, relevant, and relatively popular artists who never even had a nomination. The artists I listen to nowadays would probably fall into the "don't care" mode either. It is cool to see The White Stripes up for one, Wilco certainly is a great band, but most of the others........who cares?
On Grammy Night, I may channel surf to see who is doing what, but it will share time with the news, CSI re-runs or the Laker games. I'll look in the morning to see if Wilco or The White Stripes won, but that news will share the surfing with the war in Chad and the latest Hillary-Barack gossip. I don't really care, and winning or losing, I'm sure won't make Jeff Tweedey lose sleep. It means nothing to me, and watching it will be a tragic loss of a few hours of my life.
SB
We're all in our little worlds now. Gone are the days where a record like Thriller would have huge crossover success and go like ten times platinum. We're all into our own little scenes now. Some of the best selling records nowadays will go platinum a few times over, but not become cultural phenomana like in the old days.
I've personally never paid attention. The metal and punk acts I listened to as a teenager either didn't care or knew they didn't have a prayer of winning anything. When a well-past it's prime Jethro Tull took the first hard rock grammy from a young, hungry Metallica, it said everything to me. The college bands I listened to were pretty much in the same boat as the punk and metal bands- didn't know and didn't care. The fact that Paul Westerberg never won one is a crime. there is a long list of brilliant, relevant, and relatively popular artists who never even had a nomination. The artists I listen to nowadays would probably fall into the "don't care" mode either. It is cool to see The White Stripes up for one, Wilco certainly is a great band, but most of the others........who cares?
On Grammy Night, I may channel surf to see who is doing what, but it will share time with the news, CSI re-runs or the Laker games. I'll look in the morning to see if Wilco or The White Stripes won, but that news will share the surfing with the war in Chad and the latest Hillary-Barack gossip. I don't really care, and winning or losing, I'm sure won't make Jeff Tweedey lose sleep. It means nothing to me, and watching it will be a tragic loss of a few hours of my life.
SB
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