This is an ode to the shuffle. How better to get a good insight in your digitized album collection than by a classic shuffle? Finally discover the albums you never got into, finally throw the ones away you will never get into and worship those classics that never grow old again. The Shuffle of this week:
1. Electric Light Orchestra – Believe Me Now (Out of the Blue, 1977) [singlepic id=182 w=80 h=50 float=left]
Short track from side 2 of the famous rollercoaster of joy, written and produced by Jeff Lynne within three and a half weeks. This seventh studio album could be considered the endpoint of the transition of The Move’s sound to the symphonic interpretation of earlier Beach Boys and Beatles work .
2. Robert Palmer – Where Can It Go (Double Fun, 1978) [singlepic id=185 w=80 h=50 float=left]
We travel one year in time, to run into another turning point in somebody’s musical career. Palmer’s last attempt to inject exotic elements into the traditional rock sound before turning to pure and traditional rock again. After moving to the Bahamas two years earlier, the choice for Caribean influences might not surprise here.
3. Beatles – For You Blue (Let It Be, 1970) [singlepic id=180 w=80 h=50 float=left]
Brought this album along during my last vacation and finally had to conclude that it can not compete with the group’s earlier work. Of course it contains juwels from all three writers (‘Get Back’, ‘Across the Universe’, ‘I Me Mine’), but fails to hold on to that level like former albums did. This song however reached epic proportions after seeing the accompanying clip in Anthology. Announcement of All Things must Pass.
4. Bob Dylan (& George Harisson) – All I Have To Do is Dream (Possum Belly Overalls, 1970) [singlepic id=219 w=80 h=50 float=left]
Quite a sick transmission from the shuffle to this absolut gem (a cover of the Everly Brothers’ big hit in 1958) from a lost album. Got it from Pittsburgh, and turned out to be a bootleg from Dylan’s 1970 recordings for the album New Morning. With the support of among others George Harrison, Bob is warming up by playing some of his own songs together with old rock classics like this one.
5. Wilco – One Sunday Morning (Song for Jane Smiley’s Boyfriend) (The Whole Love, 2011) [singlepic id=186 w=80 h=50 float=left]
The beauty keeps coming. This one here is the long closing track, built around a fantastic, slow and simple returning guitar riff, of what probably was 2011’s best rock album. Maybe even one of the best bands out there today. Also suited for several summer evenings.
6. 65daysofstatic – Hole (The Fall of Math, 2004) [singlepic id=179 w=80 h=50 float=left]
Apparently we were having a break halfway the concert, as a total change of décor takes place. English instrumental post-rock, with this song being the second single from their debut album. Single version itself leasted 30 minutes.
7. Santana – Mother’s Daughter (Abraxas, 1970) [singlepic id=194 w=80 h=50 float=left]
All Riiiiiiiiiiiiight! Favorite track from Santana’s fantastic second album. Differing from the well-known songs of the album because of the fact it was one of keyboard player Greg Rolie’s songs. Perfectly illustrates the way he wanted the band to evolve.
8. Gong – The Pot Head Pixies (Flying Teapot, 1973) [singlepic id=183 w=80 h=50 float=left]
Living in the seventies again this week, but everything turns a little more psychedelic with this strange song. Might give this album another shot.
9. Dream Theater – The Great Debate (Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, 2002) [singlepic id=181 w=80 h=50 float=left]
Let’s put all clichés of progressive metal in one song, including an intro about George Bush and stem cells. Is there a concept on this album? Of course there’s one, here we go. First disc is about lifetime struggle (5 tracks), second disc is one huge track about mental illnesses. That makes six tracks together, all six no longer present in my music collection.
10. Lambchop – Ohio (OH(Ohio), 2008) [singlepic id=184 w=80 h=50 float=left]
The intro was great this week and so is the outro, as Kurt Wagner waves us goodbye with this opening track from the self-epynomous album. One of my most recent captures.