First: Eric Carmen
Two bucks Canuck. Record in great condition, sleeve edges not so much. Never bothers me, I like the signs of love. Wanted this for Never Gonna Fall In Love Again and All By Myself.
Side A.
Sunrise opens like an ELO tune, nice and upbeat.
That’s Rock ‘N Roll sounds like it’s from the 50s.
Wish the bass was a little bit stronger in Never Gonna Fall In Love Again, wish the chorus of voices was a little easier to distinguish; limitation of the pressing, this record is 51 years old. The drums always get me - a bit like a death march, military drums, an interesting accompaniment to the lyrics.
Rachmaninoff’s All By Myself now; everybody’s favourite depressing karaoke piece. Mixing much better on this track. Beautiful solo, again thinking of Jeff Lynne and ELO. Wonder if the instrument set up was similar. Ripe for covering. Oddly I don’t feel my emotions as I listen. Too focused on the technical. Maybe repeat plays will get to me. Piano solo a bit much, then a reprieve. Would be fun to improvise, change a little each time on performance.
Last Night. Hm. Who do you make me think of? Why do I think of Randy Newman? Pleasant little tones and bells in here. Bridge very pleasing. Riffle cards effect. Again the influence of the 50s very strong here. Adore the lyrics, the way it ends.
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Intermission. Red bull, homemade bread. My dinner was banana flavoured Greek yoghurt.
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Side B
My Girl. Rachmaninoff horns to start. What a voice on him. Those high notes from a low start, that glissando. Similar rhythm of drums throughout this album. Possibly just the signature of the drummer, but I need to have a think about the rhythm and composition as it advances the theme of the album. Bridge with the organ - reminded now of the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson. Again, need to check for possible links in the production.
Great Expectations. Randy Newman right back in there. Not quite Leo Sayer. Foot tapping away. Reminded of a stupid UK game show where punters played snooker against professionals. Will be frustrated until I find it, but will edit it back in here. The song, gratefully, does not approach Chas ‘n Dave levels of whimsy. There is tap dancing however. First time I’ve ever heard that incorporated into a music track, that’s very cool. MIDI crashes of plates to finish it. Fun!
Everything. Slightly heavy on the strings, would like to hear the guitar a bit more. Could pull it in a different direction entirely if covering. Short!
No Hard Feelings. Straight into rock guitar - the production on the previous track makes more sense now. Deep contrast needed. Lyrics amuse. “Critics ravin’ ‘bout our album // But we’re making’ fifty cents” - probably making the same 51 years later. Rest of the lyrics are miserable. Don’t like it against the AC/DC / The Who riffs. Modern sensitivity probably. Feels like this should be the end of the album, but they tacked another on.
On Broadway. A fun cover. A bit dirty, a bit sultry. His voice is wonderful for this. Original came out a decade or so earlier than this album. Ya know what it reminds me of? From Dusk To Dawn, the band playing as Salma Hayek appears with the great big snake. I treat that as high praise. Hello glockenspiel.
Oh, it’s over. Done! Hmm. Worth listening to again. Wish there had been a bit more cohesion throughout the album. Will have a think about it some more.
