Well its been a big break in blogs and a lot has been going on. I trundled myself across the country to attend TEDx Aldeburgh, mid life muso’s talking the future of music with an eclectic but very interesting bunch of lecturers. Thomas Dolby did a good job as MC and it was nice to press the flesh of a couple of people I have always admired (William Orbit, what a nice man!). It did however have a missing ingredient in that there were no younger people there, and lets face it, if we are talking about the future of music its something that belongs to them anyway, not us old fogies. Might take my youngest next year if she fancies it.
Also had the release of Thomas Dolby’s latest EP a couple of weeks ago which was fine but not great. Much as I would love to rave about it I cannot in all honesty. He’s done so much better in the past, I fear there is a chance that his music is becoming too insular. Still the stand out track ‘Oceanea’ is a classic and makes up for the other two.
Music wise for me, I have hit the doldrums. College has put paid to any serious work on the album, and with only two tracks to complete that is very frustrating. The ideas are there and the music, it’s just getting the time to get them firmed up. The title track is planned to be the biggest piece I have put together so far, and involves learning a few new things on the keyboard and PC which I simply don't have time to do. The last thing I want is to rush and spoil the idea. Back burner time!
So the song for today is a gentle refrain, jingly jangly guitars, and a beautiful harmonised voice lilting over the top effortlessly.
‘Days’ by Kirsty MacColl, is one of her career highlights and unforgettably lovely in every way.
Sing
I feel you're so wrong about Thomas Dolby's EP! I suppose it's inevitable that an artist with such an incredibly wide spectrum of styles at his fingertips, is going to please some while he disappoints others. Granted, the unnerving tranquility of 'Oceanea' could hardly be further from the oddball, extroverted funk of 'Hyperactive' or 'Pulp Culture.' What're the chances fans could love both? But I love all his songs so much, and judging by the overwhelmingly positive response to his new EP, there are legions of others that get it too. You're entitled to your view, but yours is the only negative review I've seen.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for his music 'becoming insular', or 'becoming' anything else for that matter: you can never take a new Dolby record as an indicator of a 'direction' because he's capable of pulling a mesmerizing musical U-turn at any moment. The previous EP 'Amerikana' is anything but insular, just think of 'Toad Lickers' about crazed Welsh eco-hippies that get the munchies and raid supermarkets, featuring bluegrass ensemble and electronics? Or the wailing harmonica and punky backing vocals on 'Road To Reno'? Those are not the work of an emotional hermit.
No. The new EP is a reflective moment in time, a letter about his homecoming to England after years in California. Allow the man to live out his musical journey in serial parts! And by the way, the EPs title song has no need to apologize for the other two tracks, which are also totally brilliant if you just give them time.