All Songs Considered

1. Box Elder - LJ Booth
I don't feel overly inclined towards this song. I imagine it among the ranks of perhaps a thousand other similar 'folk' songs written every year that are good, worth acknowledging, but otherwise unremarkable. I appreciate it, to be sure, but I would not be drawn to it in a crowd of other songs. Good lyrics, pleasant music, but simply without spark for me.

2. Kathy's Song - Paul Simon
Definitely knew this song prior to this, though the version I know includes a round of applause at the beginning as the crowd recognizes the song. I think it's a fairly old 'live' version, though I'm not certain of it's origin. Not much to add relative to the greatness of Paul as both a musician and songwriter. Simply excellent. Actually, with some minimal research I realize that the version I know is on S&G Greatest Hits, the one with he and G on the cover, with Paul in the front wearing some sort of tam or beret.

3. Almost - Pale Boy
The picture that this song conjures in my minds' eye is a that of a stage, with a woman off to the side illuminated by spotlight, the rest of the set dark. The song she is singing comes about 3/4 of the way through a musical about love and relationships. Two things make me think this. Her delivery, one where every syllable is annunciated, every word ending crisply in a way that most pop singers do not; and the lyrics, very much with a 'musical' feel to me. Not a big fan of this song as it stands removed from the other songs that would make up the musical I imagine. Not a big fan of her singing, it seems so mechanical, so clinical, like she learned exactly how to sing and refuses to deviate from that and as a result has lost any emotional connection to the song. She seems too concerned about pronouncing every syllable too precisely.

4. Never Coming Back Back Again - Lindsey Buckingham
Great song by a great guitarist. I'm not really in a culture that defines who is a great guitarist, but were I to be, I would definitely push LB up the list. There is something very intricate about the way he plays, so delicate, particularly in this song. My only complaint about this song is that it's too short. I could listen to that guitar for an hour.

5. Such Great Heights - Iron and Wine
A really great find. Just a great confluence of beautiful lyrics and music, simply presented and wonderfully enjoyable. To comment on the 'soundtrack' dilemna, I generally avoid them as well but independent films like Garden State often have really great collections of songs and can be a launch pad for artists that you might not otherwise find out about.

6. Both Sides Now - Judy Collins
Think I knew this version as well as the 'original'. This one seems a little less loungy too me. It's a little brighter and uptempo. The Joni Mitchell version I imagine being sung in a dark smoky club filled with beatniks stoned or drunk on cheap bourbon. The harpsichord is a great instrument, very bright and crisp sounding - not for use in every song, but it definitely creates the lighter mood of this version, and successfully.

7. Cherry Tree Carol - CMH and BFP
I agree this song would be at home on PHC, but I am not a fan of it. This comes from a genre of 'Christian' songs that turn me off. The lyrics are simply too derivative and narrative. This happened and then this happened and then this happened. There's no attachment to what they're singing, they're simply relating an event. Crazy old Joseph marries virgin Mary and before he gets any action, the bitch is pregnant? It's not the cherries from the tree he wanted. The best religious music is evocative - this is not. I think this song would be happy on Peter Paul and Mommy.

8. The 4a - TIML
Another great find. Great lyrics and wonderful musical accompniament. Despite this one relating a series of experiences like the Cherry Tree Carol, it does it in a way that conveys feeling and connection to the events, which CTC does not. Excellent.

9. Guenivere - Lucy Kaplansky
I too am a regular listener to The Current on MPR, they simply have the best variety of music that I like on radio anywhere. Thank goodness for streaming internet radio. Not a huge fan of this song, though I appreciate the attempt to put the King Arthur experience into a musical context. It's good, the music is enjoyable, and her voice is intriguing, but it does come across as a sort of experiment to put that story in a new musical context, and like all similar endeavors (I'm thinking of Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner by Iron Maiden - which is far worse) it can only be so good, lacking the real personal connection that is found in the best music.

10. One Misty Moisty Morning - Steeleye Span
Funny, but Faith inherited several Steeleye Span albums on vinyl that were part of her parents music collection, but I haven't listened to them, for whatever reason. With this taste I will likely check out more. A fine song from that generation of musicians that were strongly influenced by Tolkein. Wonder how much of the rest of their music contains references to good old LOTR?

Generally good stuff, with a couple tracks I would consider duds, but to each his own. Couple great tracks that I would never have been exposed to, which really makes this whole endeavor worthwhile.

Dan P R

DAN P R: Acoustic, Eclectic, and Rarely Electric

Where Mixdorf was definitely thinking "theme" and "collection of songs," he clearly stated that he was not going for a true "album feel." I was. A collection of songs that are primarily acoustic, but unified mainly around a sound which would be conducive to MPR (their morning show in particular). I debated long & hard over whether some songs, a little heavier in accompanying instrumentation (beyond acoustic guitar) should be included. And if so, how many. And where? Album order, even, became a labour of love in this particular endeavor. I also, at least for this collection, wanted to go with mostly songs you guys haven’t heard. With the exception of maybe three songs for any given one of you, I think that’s going to be the case. And so…

Box Elder-LJ Booth: This was an MPR (Minnesota Public Radio) find. A beautiful song; so much so, I thought, that I actually once posted the lyrics on The Oliopolis blog, if anyone recalls. A poignant way of looking at something as disagreeable as an invasive species from the standpoint it is "guilty of nothing but a strong will to live in the light." I love the harmony in this song during the chorus.

Kathy’s Song-Paul Simon: One that a couple of you (or more) may know. Long before the "world music arranger" was a folk-rooted young New York kid who was also a hell of a guitar picker and who had an ability to write lyrics far beyond his years in scope and depth. My favorite lyricist of all time, in fact. This is a somewhat more simple song, word-wise; a little love ditty. But I really enjoy the English imagery (he had just returned from a folk-music exploration jaunt over there when this song was written, I believe). And the music (in a common theme for this collection): beautiful. His guitar playing is so dynamic & expressive; he really speaks through it. I actually considered doing "New York Underground," a song that (in my opinion) is even more expressive in terms of his guitar playing, and with better words, but I ended up feeling that it just didn't have that "gentle MPR sound.," or at least the one I was going for.

Almost-Pale Boy: A rare find; a toss-away from the review folks during my days at Request Magazine. This group, a collection of various instrumentalists put together by a guy from Colorado named Seth Geltman, has created a haunting & (yes) beautiful arrangement that has a complexity more similar to a concerto than to a pop song. I like the voice of the singer, Jeana Dodge. It is unfortunate that this is her only lead vocal on the eponymous album; Geltman does most of the rest of the singing, and his voice is wandering, barely on key, and tortuous to listen to (ala 44's Mark Anderson). I also love the theme of celebration of marriage which, sadly, barely exists in popular music. And certainly, Pale Boy, as obscure as they are, does very little to change that trait.

Never Coming Back Again-Lindsey Buckingham: A song with an oddly low amount of radio air-time, considering it is from one of the most popular albums in pop history: Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours. Another hell of a guitarist, and a just really pretty little song.

Such Great Heights-Iron & Wine: A very interesting artist (a single individual, this Iron & Wine). Bearded in a hermit-sort of way, most of his songs wander like this one, with gentle little guitar strains and a whispery vocal accompaniment. I’ve heard a handful of songs on internet radio, but this one (my favorite), exists only on an EP or as part of the Garden State Soundtrack. Torn between two types of recordings (EPs & Soundtracks) I despise, I held my nose and paid $5.99 for the latter. The song is so great. Some of my favorite lines from here: I’m thinking it’s a sign/that the freckles in our eyes are mirror images and when we kiss they’re perfectly aligned. / And I have to speculate/that God himself did make us into corresponding pieces from the clay

Both Sides Now-Judy Collins: Probably the definitive version of a Joni Mitchell song that was recorded by everyone from Count Basie to Leonard Nimoy. The quintessential folk voice and a very 60s-styled harpsichord sound definitely set the scene here; you can just see her trotting out onto stage in a flowered gown during some Time-Life retrospective, or appearing on some disc you get free for re-upping your MPR membership.

Cherry Tree Carol-Marty Haugen & Bonnie-Faber Phillips: What would a Dan Hylton collection be without a worship & praise song? Actually, I recall a Mixdorf blog post where he ruminated that Christmas Songs are "wonderful, wonderful, and again, wonderful." Despite my not seeing eye to eye with the Catholic Church on their Mother Mary fixation, it doesn’t stop my thinking O Holy Night and Ave Maria are wonderful. AndI think this song, which was recorded in a style reminiscent of an arrangement (harmonies & accompanying mandolin) you might hear on a "Prairie Home Companion" performance, is similarly wonderful.

The 4a-The Incredible Moses Leroy: If you like this song and want a collection of others like it, don’t necessarily go out and buy an Incredible Moses Leroy album. Not unlike 44, his songs are written in whatever style suits his fancy. It leads to some very interesting grab-bag of music, but some less than totally fulfilling albums. He’s a kind of nerdy, funky indie guy out of San Diego, and I discovered him (and, indeed, this song) from yet another Request Magazine castoff. And I think this is a really neat Southern California acoustic ditty.

Guenivere-Lucy Kaplansky: Kaplansky is a favorite of the two goofballs on MPRs morning show. I heard this song a couple times-and loved it enough to buy the entire album. This is a sad lament of King Arthur including a number of heartbreaking and lovely lines including Guenivere/All my honor and glory/will just be a story/of the fall of the crown. Beautiful guitar, nice harmonies, and what an odd but endearing sort of annunciation/dialect she has!

One Misty Moisty Morning-Steeleye Span: Speaking of voices & arrangements that scream "60s!"-well, just listen. Hard to hear this song & not picture this band looking like a combination of cast members from the Run Runaway video and an Irish Spring commercial. Well, what they really do look like is not that far off. Watch for the singing (intentionally) one beat behind the rest of the instrumentation for a few bars near the end of the song. What a fun & rollicking song; imagine my joy when, in reading Fellowship of the Ring, I read that they set out "…one misty, moisty morning…."

And that wraps up my volume #2. I eagerly await commentary & discussion!

DanPR "Fluffing": Anticipatory Smalltalk

What kind of really, really stupid things do you guys all have to say?

That's Right, Ladies!!

The CD is on the way.

I will plan on posting my song commentary on Friday morning. If you haven't received your CD by then and don't want the surprise spoiled, don't check in that day.

New for this month:
- Special web-exclusive content!

Guess What's In the Mail!!!!!!

Stop and Tom

Stop - from an album that has been on my GET IT list for years. I love that album and I like this song. I remember liking this album more than Nothing's Shocking - though I probably need to hear them both again.

Tom Sawyer - I like the 'the world is the world' part - musically it is kinda nice. Not a Rush fan. They remind me of a Muppet Band. I don't think they are muppets - from Canada right?

That lead singer, Lee, might be a muppet. A muppet tied to a string and forced to sing.

He did play bass and sing - like PMac and Sting.

Teen Smells

I didn't know what to think when this song hit the waves. I missed it at first - I must confess. I agree with Mixdorf - this does evoke feelings of the college days. I did catch the wave, finally, in '93. 44 could be seen in '94 playing the Seventh Street Entry donning winter caps and flannels - a mixture of Beastie Boys and Nirvana.

I listened to the album (Nevermind) repeatedly and then 'In Utero' then 'Unplugged' then I'd borrow stuff and then Kurt died in 1994 with John Candy and Richard Nixon. A subject of a poem/song.

Just days after his death I stupidly asked the man at the record store when the Nirvana Boxed Set would be released. The man peered at me from behind the counter and simply said, "These things take time." While I was there I probably bought what I thought was called 'Sand in the Vase Line' only later to discover (probably Dan or Mixdorf gave me the leg up) that it was actually called 'Sand in the Vaseline', by the Talking Heads....

Teen Spirit doesn't start to smell until age 18.

Great words - especially when you consider the timing.

Nirvana'a impact was so huge. So fast. It at once shut a huge group of bands up and opened the flood gates for a slew of others.

An excellent album. Aaron, I implore you to listen to the other songs more deeply. The hits underneath the hits are EXCELLENT! All of them. I especially like 'On A Plain', 'Something in the Way', 'Stay Away', and 'Breed'. But all of them are really great songs worth hearing again.

But back to the smells....even the guitar plings during the quiet parts generated excitement - just that snippet was used to great effect to help advertise some new MTV show -- the show may have been stupid, but because of that sound - you knew it was new and exciting. Amazing song.

As Dan noted, TIME was certainly on their side, yes the magazine as well - I am sure. Time was waiting for Nirvana like weather conditions for a tornado. Nirvana broke out.

It is interesting to note how slickly produced Nevermind is. I do not think progressive rock ever sounded better at such a high level of production.

Great Weird Al Video - very funny!

Nirvana took music over and made it dangerous again. No more sipping warm chocolate with your favorite Auntie while listening to Poison albums. Those warm afternoons have given way to the end of the world.

Some Ground Rules

While this endeavor is definitely meant to encourage you to take it where you will, I thought there's maybe just a few things that we can agree on. I'd like to see what others think.
1. Mixdorf has set the standard packaging as a slimline case, and I think we should stick to that. When we're compiling these discs in our personal collection, it would be nice for a common package (who knows-perhaps someday we design a special carrying case for the Coalescent Collection). Unfortunately, slimline cases are brittle and breakable, and discs don't stay affixed to the little nub in the middle very well, but we should be treating these precious compilations like Faberge Egg collections anyway, right?
2. As far as type of liner notes, I think this can really be left up to the M.O.M. (man of the month). But I offer up just a few things that really need to be: One, there simply HAS to be some sort of liner notes, even if just a single card: It must include title (somewhere, doesn't have to be on the front-Mixdorf's wasn't, for example), song list including artist & song name, and volume number (Mixxy's was vol.1, mine is vol. 2). As far as any other info (song notes, pictures, whatever), whether or not to include them on the liner notes or just put them up for Blog discussion can be left up to the M.O.M . Same with format of liner notes (tri-fold, bi-fold, 4-color, whatever).
3. If possible, use discs specified as "for CD Audio." I have had some real issues in my day with various types disc players I own being super fussy with the media I put in them.
4. Write title, "Coalescent Music Club Vol. ##" on the disc itself.
5. 10 songs, no more no less. There can be no other way on this. Brevity is the soul of nearly everything and we don't want any of these collections turning into Graffitti Bridge, but on the other hand, if you can't come up with 10 songs on a particular theme, maybe you should find another theme.
6. Theme? I'm torn on this. I think all our of natures is going to drive us towards wanting to do some sort of theme for these collections, but if you remember, Mixdorf's original idea was simplly, "songs we've been listening to." Should we say that there should be a theme, but leave it super open-ended? I think that would work. You'd have to be in a really random sort of frame of mind not to have some sort of unifying property holding your songs together-even if loosely. I'd be interested on others' thoughts on this, though.

Anything else anyone can think of?

You wanna Clash!! And the Amazing Stripes!!

London Calling: The Clash and the Sex Pistols. I can't help it. I hear Clash - -I think Pistols. It may not be right, but there are reasons. The Pistols were first - but that doesn't mean much. The Pistols didn't do much either - I think they did one thing and it was pretty amazing for the UK and the punk scene. The Clash did more. Much more and were more grounded, politically. When the Clash opened for the Sex Pistols - -I think they absorbed the Pistols and kept going. There were several connections between the two bands - the least important being musical styles - so when I say absorbed I mean - for the collective distant fans of the Pistols - the Pistols ended and the Clash was it - -probably the most important Punk band for the UK.

But they were SO different from the Sex Pistols, and had a much larger musical horizon than the Pistols. So about the Punk classification. As Mixdorf is, I am a bit perplexed by the Clash being called a punk band. I suppose if you dive back into the late 70s and 80s and throw in the UK and their connections with the Pistols-it probably was punk. That said - I haven't heard much of the Clash, but I am not a huge fan.

I can appreciate their liberal vibe - that is obvious, but perhaps I can't get over their videos - It is wrong to judge the strength of the band on the biceps of Mick in a video - in the sand - with some kind of hat - but I have done so.

He lives 'Down By The River' I keep thinking Farley....Mixdorf what does this mean coming from an English Punk Band?



Seven Nation Army

I love this band so much! They are special, unique, he is a genius, it is intense yet the White Stripes have achieved a type of humor that can only be found at the highest levels of musical artistry. They are a universe, a relatively new universe. A different country where the music is familiar, yet everything is so new and inventive. This song has that awesome bass hook and his cool cool cool voice - you don't hear about the White Stripes as much as I would have thought - - but I believe they are just about the most important band that has essentially started in the 2000s.

I thank Aaron for giving me a leg up on this band. Thanks!

Zoo Station and an invitation for SIWHI

Zoo Station

Wouldn't have a Mixdorf collection without U2 in the mix.

That album became HUGE in 2221. Such an exciting time for music! I love the song - I think it is a classic beginning to Achtung Baby and the post Joshua Tree U2.

A perfect album.....hmmmmm...maybe if they replace their version of Zoo Station with the Ulla's Garden version....then yes - I should think we would have a perfect album on our hands.


SIWHI

say what?

SIWHI

Song I Would Have Included

This CD club is interesting in so many ways. One - and this might be something to try at some point, imagine if somebody else assigned us all the task to come up with a ten song collection with the theme of excellent rockin' kick off - like Mixdorf's. Would there be songs used by multiple people? Anyway - the SIWHI is just an idea where if I sit back and think about his theme - what song might I include...

so my SIWHI for Volume One would be 'I Saw Here Standing There' by the Beatles. An obvious choice - it rocks, first song from the first album by the Beatles, classic count in "1-2-3-4" indicating 4/4 time or the four Beatles themselves - plus a pretty great song to boot.

I would be interested to know what sort of songs you folks might have included - and Mixdorf - did you have any tough decisions that you would like to share? What song or songs almost made the cut?

Go American Idiot Go

Go:

I have heard Vs. once or twice and remember liking it. I would probably love it if I listened to it more.

I didn't specifically remember 'Go' and so it was the song I was least familiar with on this collection. 'American Idiot' was close to being the song I was least familiar with, but because of its relative newness, I was fairly familiar with it.

I know 'Daughter' came from Vs.

Helpful Hint: Don't ever call Eddie Vedder "Daughter." He gets super-pissed and will start throwing things.

I love the multiple start ups at the beginning of the song and the interplay between the bass and guitars. It kinda starts and goes before really launching into itself and then it really rocks. The bass and guitars are really going at it. Nice guitar solos - especially the entrance to solo number one. It also has the feel of a really good album song.

I love Pearl Jam and can't believe I only own Vitology and Yield. They Rock!

AI

No - not artificial intelligence

no -not even Aching Ibis

but American Idiot

This song has grown on me quite a bit. Maybe because it isn't Blvd. of Broken Dreams which has been played and played and played.....

I love its simplicity and can't believe the bass drum. They recorded the shit out of it! What a drummer anyway! Is Green Day more punk than rock? I think Rock. What a stupid question? I am sorry to ask it.

Nirvana and Green Day are cousins and Green Day was the sequel that kept rock rockin'. Much like Star Trek 2 - The Wrath of Kahn, kept Star Trek trekking - at least until Deep Space Nine - but this is about ROCK not Sci-Fi - Right?

Billie Joe has interesting legs. They are quite short so when he runs it appears that he is running double-time. Not at all like the legs of an Ibis. Very effective during Rock'n'Roll concerts. Gotta love that figure! His melodies keep Green Day surfing high.

I can really rock out to American Idiot - it is an easy song to let yourself go for rockin' purposes and I'm really happy to have a copy of it.


Rock Rock Rock - this collection is about rockin'and these two songs definitely ROCK!

Army of Me

Mighty Tom said...
Army of Me

In answer to your: "lyrics that everyone should love"

I think enemies of Iceland would be terribly terrified of an amy of Bjork. I am sure it would be a freaky, but very powerful army with quick movements and powerful moods.

I do love the song - didn't know it kicked off the album - but it makes sense.

more later

BS, Initial, Black Dog, Catch -Up

Yes! Now I can create new posts. And with this power....

I do not know if you have read any of my responses, except for Mixdorf, I will place them here for all to view. This was the first....

Mighty Tom said...
Excellent start for the club. I love the big bang picture. The night before I received the CD I saw a special on the Big Bang on Nova. First songs - 'Go' to begin and 'Stop' to end - and 'Stop', of course starting an album off itself.

I'd like to start off with my BS of the Batch - or Best Song of the Batch - a song that I feel is the best. Black Dog wins this time. An amazing kick-off to an amazing album - the guitars are stunning - Page was flying. A clunkier Led Zep song that has turned into a classic from a classic album. Black Dog never sounded better than the time it was heard on CD on a Sharp Boom Box in a red Chevy being piloted around Ames by Mixdorf. Do you remember the time...

More later

Question About the Tag Line

Am I to take it that this endeavor will continue until someone sends out a CD that includes Debbie Harry rapping about a Man from Mars eating Cadillacs, Lincolns too, Mercurys, and Subarus?

Aaron's Timely and Insightful Volume 1 Comments

OK, maybe neither timely nor insightful, but here are my thoughts on Volume 1. First, thanks to Pat for the great idea, and a great collection to kick it all off. Oh, and thanks for making it so easy, track 1 "Go," track 10 "Stop." I didn't even have to figure out what to do! I know you have all been waiting eagerly for this, so without further ado...

Go: Great start to a great album. Maybe my second favorite of theirs. Mighty Tom often would extol the virtues of Vitalogy, but I have never been able to get into that one as much. I still say their best is Yield.
Army of Me: Never met a Bjork song I didn't like, and I love most of them, including this one. Bjork is one artist I can always count on to pick me up when I need it. The video is also incredible. Not much can compare to Bjork's music paired with the vision of Mike Gondry, or Spike Jonze. Each of her albums present a new sound, and this one was a great sophomore effort (sorry, had to say it). The absurd lyrics of Hyperballad and The Modern Things always make me smile.
American Idiot: I like the song, and the album is ok, but musically I think it doesn't seem like they have changed much since Dookie. Better than Nimrod, but I think they were at the top of their game for Dookie, of which I think Dan said "The songs stack like Pringles in the can."
Seven Nation Army: That bass line does get in your head. It seems like hating on the White Stripes and other guitar rock revivalists is the hip thing to do (and I am not much of a fan of the others I have heard), but Jack and Meg do it up right, and they have an almost intangible energy and soul to what they do that others seem to lack.
London Calling: Like Dan, I've never been a Clash fan. I do like this song, though I've been hearing it too often lately on The Current and 105.
Zoo Station: I like the song, and the album, and I know that they are great (U2's Rubber Soul/Revolver if you will) but like Vitalogy, I have never been able to really get into it.
Black Dog: Maybe my least favorite Zep tune for just the reasons mentioned. It is the same reason I sometimes roll my eyes when I hear Hotel California despite loving the song. I don't listen to enough Zeppelin.
Smells Like Teen Spirit: Great song, over-rated album. I do also love Come as You Are, and Lithium, but much of the rest of the album... Meh. Given the choice, I am more likely to pop in Grohl's Foo.
Tom Sawyer: Love the song, and I like the album, though I lost it at some point, and have yet to replace it. I know what Dan is saying, and now I can't help but think of Tenacious D's Tribute, or Wonderboy.
Stop: Great song. I'm not as down on the album as Dan, though I don't listen to either enough.