Case in point - dude calls himself (and why exactly?) The Foreign Films. This is technically a superb piece of work, from the base of terrific, melodic songwriting, through accomplished performance, up to the subtlest production touch. But jeez. I dunno. I like bands, me. I like the dynamics, the interplay. Or, I like solo artists, on their lonesome or backed by a band. The one-man band is neither, a kind of rosé between the white and the red.
The Record Collector is well-named. It's the sound of someone recreating the idea of his record collection - 60s and 70s - from memory. I can't fault it - it's an astonishing achievement. I admire it, but ... but ... ah nuts, here it is anyway.
If you very correctly don't give much of a shit about my abstract concerns, you'll get beaucoup of pop bang for your buck from this.
...the sound of someone recreating the idea of his record collection...
ReplyDeleteHow does one "sing" the Disney little story book record and Peter Pan 45s songbook...?
I am KID-ing...
I'll give it a spin. By the way, Roy Wood did the one-man band thing on his album Boulders and, I believe, did it quite nicely.
ReplyDeleteSteve Winwood on his wonderfully titled album "Steve Winwood" is, so far as I can tell, the only man playing on "Midland Maniac", which is therefore the exception that proves any rule. It is magnificent.
ReplyDeleteIt says here that he plays organ, piano, harmonium, harpsichord, electric and acoustic basses, acoustic guitar, drums, and percussion. And he sings as well, using his wonderful voice. And - I may have mentioned this - it is magnificent.
Then he does it again (I think) on "Let Me Make Something in Your Life".
And elsewhere, he does everything on Every Mother's Son" except drums.
Jeepers.
Cheers, Peanuts Molloy.
How about that Foam© Fave Rave, former Fab 4 man, Sir Paulie boy?
ReplyDelete(Runs [devilishly] for cover...)
I burped Paul.
DeleteBaby I'm Amazed...
DeleteSteve Winwood is a good call. I'd be an idiot to say his one-man band work was in any way less than supoib, but I'd rather get stuck in Traffic. It's not, for me, a question of skill or talent or quality (in abundance on The Record Collector), and I don't think I could defend my criticism of the genre if pressed. Anyway - I think you'll probably be blown away by this.
ReplyDeletehttps://workupload.com/file/E7jKrNNqCQh
This was a bandcamp release, with many versions with different track listings and covers, so probably not definitive.
I'm in no way arguing, but I'll add to the list, the first Nine Inch Nails "Pretty Hate Machine" (Trent Reznor)and the first Foo Fighters S/T (Dave Grohl) are superb. (or Supoib as they say.)
ReplyDeleteThe Bevis Frond sorta argues against your premise for my ears
ReplyDeleteThe Foreign Films would argue against my premise, too, if I had one.
DeleteNice one Rick, for Nick Saloman (Bevis Frond) to record a really great first album (Miasma) in 1987, was a great thing indeed. I think however that when he formed the band to tour was the icing on the cake. They were still playing live in 2019 and still great. Nick is one of Englands hidden treasures.
DeleteTwo words:
ReplyDeleteHasil Adkins.
"No More Hot Dogs""She Said""Chicken Walk" . . . it off . . .
(Overdid it as usual yesterday...)
"Out To Hunch" now but I ain't eating nuttin'...
Cerealously though...
(He) "was a self taught one man band . . . when he first heard Hank Williams on the radio he didn't know there was a band behind Hank. He thought that Hank Williams played all the instruments."
Well, let's say it this way. With a one-man band at least you don't have to give a song to the drummer with the mediocre-at-best songwriting and the shitty vocals...(looking at you, Roger Taylor)
ReplyDeleteUnless you're the drummer, of course.
DeleteInteresting subject, interesting discussion.
Yeah, well, the drummer already gets all the girls, does he need the worst album track as well?
Delete"...and then the drummer swept that girl away. Rosie you're alright..."
Thanks Farq, The Foreign Films, what a great discovery, incredible for just one guy. I think this'll be a grower.
ReplyDeleteThanks Farq -- don't think anyone would disagree there's an alchemy in the interpersonal exchange of musical ideas that can't be duplicated by playing with oneself (insert double-entendre here) but I'm certainly willing to listen to it being done well nonetheless.
ReplyDelete