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The Album Review Club - Week #147 - (page 1942) - Blonde On Blonde - Bob Dylan
- Thread starter RobMCFC
- Start date
BlueHammer85
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For what it is worth.Rod Stewart was great in the Faces and as a Solo performer up until Atlantic Crossing.
From Sailing onwards it was all downhill bar a few single songs.
Puts on a good show in Vegas also
journolud
Well-Known Member
Ah, so this is country music. Or is it Country and Western? Is there a difference? Either way I obviously misinterpreted the genre, thinking it was all Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. My eyes and ears have been opened a bit and I see now I've always liked a bit of country because I think I'd be right in saying that Harvest is a country album? Maybe not but doesn't really matter.
I liked this album, mainly anyway. I thought it opened really well, the first four tracks especially. And has been mentioned by Rob and Fog, a sense of place on some of the songs. I'm a bit of a sucker for songs about places I've never heard of or will never go to. Places are usually a disappointment once you actually see them and separate them from the romance of the song.Still, I'd like to go to Albuquerque, even though or even because it's such a mournful song that evokes it.
First four tracks good, Concrete and Barbed Wire didn't maintain the standard and Joy is an ugly mess of a song. There were a couple of occasions I thought she did lapse into an affected country drawl, as per Bill's criticism but this wasn't evident throughout and her voice is interesting and earthy.
I can't writer with the same authority and depth as others about the different sounds on the album. It would probably be an insult to say the effect is simple, unfussy and uncluttered because a lot has obviously gone into it but apart from the couple of tracks I mentioned there is nothing difficult about it.
I was vacillating between a 6 and a 7 but the more I've listened the more appealing it was, and the more disappointing the clunkers stood out. I think though it is a 7.
I liked this album, mainly anyway. I thought it opened really well, the first four tracks especially. And has been mentioned by Rob and Fog, a sense of place on some of the songs. I'm a bit of a sucker for songs about places I've never heard of or will never go to. Places are usually a disappointment once you actually see them and separate them from the romance of the song.Still, I'd like to go to Albuquerque, even though or even because it's such a mournful song that evokes it.
First four tracks good, Concrete and Barbed Wire didn't maintain the standard and Joy is an ugly mess of a song. There were a couple of occasions I thought she did lapse into an affected country drawl, as per Bill's criticism but this wasn't evident throughout and her voice is interesting and earthy.
I can't writer with the same authority and depth as others about the different sounds on the album. It would probably be an insult to say the effect is simple, unfussy and uncluttered because a lot has obviously gone into it but apart from the couple of tracks I mentioned there is nothing difficult about it.
I was vacillating between a 6 and a 7 but the more I've listened the more appealing it was, and the more disappointing the clunkers stood out. I think though it is a 7.
Saddleworth2
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Not weird but it is a prejudice. There are many many covers that are far better than the original and your prejudice would invalidate many fine artists entire careers :-)Because I know it is Rod Stewart and he hasn't written much on it, I wouldn't normally listen.
If it came up on here I would listen and judge accordingly, but he'd definitely lose points for not writing most of the songs.
You may have noticed in my review of Lucinda Williams' album I made a point of calling out the cover version - fortunately it was an excellent performance and one cover on an otherwise superb album is fair enough. However, if there would have been two or three covers, or the one cover that wasn't that great, this would definitely have lost her one or two points.
I like to think I'm harsh but fair (and maybe a bit weird when it comes to my general dislike of covers!)
No doubt cover songs diminish the overall quality of the album even if the original version of the song is not well known and you basically know the song from the cover version. In my case I feel a sense of disappointment if I hear a cover version of a song of the album even if its sung well and does the original justice. It can still be a great listen but I would never rate the album as highly as if its full or originals that resonate.Because I know it is Rod Stewart and he hasn't written much on it, I wouldn't normally listen.
If it came up on here I would listen and judge accordingly, but he'd definitely lose points for not writing most of the songs.
You may have noticed in my review of Lucinda Williams' album I made a point of calling out the cover version - fortunately it was an excellent performance and one cover on an otherwise superb album is fair enough. However, if there would have been two or three covers, or the one cover that wasn't that great, this would definitely have lost her one or two points.
I like to think I'm harsh but fair (and maybe a bit weird when it comes to my general dislike of covers!)
Saddleworth2
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That would mean that albums by Dionne Warwick, Aretha, Diana Ross, Sinatra, Elvis are diminished somehow? Is Elton John diminished because someone else writes his lyrics? How about someone like Dianna Krall?No doubt cover songs diminish the overall quality of the album even if the original version of the song is not well known and you basically know the song from the cover version. In my case I feel a sense of disappointment if I hear a cover version of a song of the album even if its sung well and does the original justice. It can still be a great listen but I would never rate the album as highly as if its full or originals that resonate.
BlueHammer85
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That would mean that albums by Dionne Warwick, Aretha, Diana Ross, Sinatra, Elvis are diminished somehow? Is Elton John diminished because someone else writes his lyrics? How about someone like Dianna Krall?
Chuck in early Beatles
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
Yes, it does diminish their achievement for me.That would mean that albums by Dionne Warwick, Aretha, Diana Ross, Sinatra, Elvis are diminished somehow? Is Elton John diminished because someone else writes his lyrics? How about someone like Dianna Krall?
But that's a personal thing and I'm not saying that they haven't earned their place in music history. Elton John writes catchy melodies, Aretha Franklyn had an amazing voice, ditto Elvis along with incredible swagger. All incredible artists .............. but I'd rather listen to an artist like Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle or John Hiatt who are writing their own songs.
Having a good voice, being known by millions or being a brilliant piano or guitar player does not trump being able to write and perform articulate songs.
OB1
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I cannot stand Maggie May. I like the title track a lot though.
Heathen.
FogBlueInSanFran
Well-Known Member
What can I say? Agree with @mancity1 -- respect the guy as an artist, but never really liked his music that much. Recall he got popular over here during disco.Heathen.