Good piece on Wyatt, reflecting on new bio, listening too. Don't agree w all of it--and discussing political songs, how could he leave out "Biko," "Shipbuilding," "At Last I Am Free," for that matter? Oh well, word limit, and he packs a lot into a small space, without murking up a knotty subject:http://www.lrb.co.uk/v36/n22/jeremy-harding/short-cuts
― dow, Thursday, 13 November 2014 15:48 (nine years ago) link
Good point that teen R. Ellidge was already unmistakably Robert Wyatt on the Wildeflowers tapes.
― dow, Thursday, 13 November 2014 15:52 (nine years ago) link
I think I'll read this book
― Fairly peng (wins), Thursday, 13 November 2014 17:18 (nine years ago) link
It's very good - much more thoughtful than the usual rock bio, with a ton of new research.
― Re-Make/Re-Model, Thursday, 13 November 2014 20:39 (nine years ago) link
@amateurist: pls give some examples of not-corny titles you actually like.
― Max Florian, Thursday, 13 November 2014 23:35 (nine years ago) link
most of 'em!
― I dunno. (amateurist), Friday, 14 November 2014 03:49 (nine years ago) link
i even like the corny ones! they're just corny is all!
Good interview: looking at the world now, US in 60s while touring, the strength of pop music, other matters (got the idea at the end that his wife's health was more of a concern than his own, to him anyway)http://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/9544-robert-wyatt/
― dow, Sunday, 16 November 2014 03:04 (nine years ago) link
I love his honesty:
I'm spending a lot of time with Alfie, and I hope we have a long time, but this is kind of the end run. And I haven't been a particularly good husband, not very attentive. I'm trying to make that right. I really like her company. She makes me laugh. We watch things together, a lot of DVD box sets of shows like “The Good Wife” and “Mad Men”.
Wyatt has been an exemplar of honesty for so long, just by many accounts an absolute sweetheart with a knack for measured empathy. I wonder if he was always like this or, like his politics, if this is just the wisdom of age manifesting itself? Or maybe it's just my reading of him as a sort of sage-like monk genius who understands the perfect is impossible and always strives to improve himself.
I dunno. Anyway, Wyatt is special.
― Josh in Chicago, Sunday, 16 November 2014 04:04 (nine years ago) link
I've recently become obsessed with another Wyatt performance, the single Jelly Babies by Epic Soundtracks. I think it was on some sort of Epic Soundtracks comp recently and may or may not appear on an upcoming CD release you'll hear a lot about in the future. Wyatt and Soundtracks singing harmonies, a beautiful, melancholy song.
― Naive Teen Idol, Friday, 12 August 2016 04:59 (eight years ago) link
Know nothing by him except the Chic cover on Wanna Buy a Bridge (nothing by Soft Machine, either). Someone posted the Top of the Pops "I'm a Believer" clip on Facebook yesterday, and I don't remember being so moved by a cover version in a long time. I would have loved it in any event, but the context--first public performance after his accident--deepens everything significantly. (Details of said accident I didn't know either until I read some background yesterday--I'd probably always assumed there was a car accident behind his paralysis.) Wyatt's vocal and the fiddle-like affect around two minutes are beautiful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5hPENM6h78
― clemenza, Friday, 5 May 2017 23:47 (seven years ago) link
Andy Summers on acoustic guitar and Fred Frith on electric guitar - only one of whom would make a few more appearances on Top of the Pops I believe.
― Punnet of the Grapes (Tom D.), Saturday, 6 May 2017 00:36 (seven years ago) link
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/84/f6/34/84f6343375d4a44ae31c4c0d4be72d82.jpg
― Milton Parker, Saturday, 6 May 2017 01:11 (seven years ago) link
Wyatt with Hatfield and the Matching Police Floyd Cow
― Milton Parker, Saturday, 6 May 2017 01:16 (seven years ago) link
Looks like Nick Mason on drums in that Wyatt clip too
― Bernie Lugg (Ward Fowler), Saturday, 6 May 2017 03:44 (seven years ago) link
You don't know "Shipbuilding", clemenza? That's his most famous cover I'd guess. His version rules. Much better than Elvis Costello's original. And somehow I have the feeling with the Brexit Great Britain is going for another folly which is at least as irrational and nutty as the Falkland war.https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Res3-YX4X8g
― Alex in Spree-Athen (alex in mainhattan), Saturday, 6 May 2017 17:14 (seven years ago) link
Robert Wyatt's is the original recording, Costello's version was released later.
― Punnet of the Grapes (Tom D.), Saturday, 6 May 2017 17:33 (seven years ago) link
But it was written by Costello, so it is his song.
― Alex in Spree-Athen (alex in mainhattan), Saturday, 6 May 2017 17:36 (seven years ago) link
To be accurate it was written by Clive Langer, he asked Costello to write lyrics for it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shipbuilding_(song)
― Punnet of the Grapes (Tom D.), Saturday, 6 May 2017 17:38 (seven years ago) link
He signed me up to CND in the mid-80s. He was often on Twickenham High St canvassing membership on Saturdays iat that time.
― Dr Drudge (Bob Six), Saturday, 6 May 2017 19:09 (seven years ago) link
You don't know "Shipbuilding"?
I don't (even though I know it's just a click away). I did order both Rock Bottom and Ruth Is Stranger Than Richard because of "I'm a Believer" (and after a little reading).
― clemenza, Sunday, 7 May 2017 01:08 (seven years ago) link
Ruth is a little thornier/difficult imo, I'd also recommend Nothing Can Stop Us, Shleep, Dondestan, and Comicopera
― HONOR THE FYRE (sleeve), Sunday, 7 May 2017 03:34 (seven years ago) link
ahhh you are in for a treat with 'rock bottom'
― just another (diamonddave85), Sunday, 7 May 2017 04:52 (seven years ago) link
for whatever reason, 'reminds me of your rocky bottom' is the lyric from that album that sticks with me. the contrast between ones rough edges and the concept of hitting rock bottom are especially poignant to me i suppose
― just another (diamonddave85), Sunday, 7 May 2017 05:01 (seven years ago) link
I walked past him in Lincolnshire market town Louth (he lives there).
― djh, Sunday, 7 May 2017 08:30 (seven years ago) link
Ruth Is Stranger Than Richard: wheelchair rock, for cats who haven't bought enough records by handicapped people this week. From what I can tell, it set a new standard for wibbling British nonsense. It makes listening to Henry Cow records seem like an enjoyable experience. (Obviously it doesn't, I'm just exaggerating for effect.) You can guess how I feel about Soft Machine.― Otis Wheeler, Sunday, April 15, 2001 1:00 AM (sixteen years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
I'm sometimes taken aback by the shitheadery of old school ILX, but this takes the fucking biscuit. How insulting to Wyatt and his work to suggest people only buy his albums because he's disabled. Ridiculous.
― Pheeel, Sunday, 7 May 2017 11:53 (seven years ago) link
the good old days before ilx was mean
― in a soylent whey (wins), Sunday, 7 May 2017 11:54 (seven years ago) link
That TOTP clip is fairly infamous for the shitty way they treated Wyatt.
WYATT: The producer said, "l'm embarrassed by that wheelchair, it's not entertaining, can you go and sit in this wicker-work thing?" I told him to fuck off, and he said, "You will never work on this programme again" - but as I just told you, I am too posh to care, frankly. I mean, I can't wheel a wicker chair, and I need to be able to get out quick in case the cops are coming, for fuck's sake!
http://www.disco-robertwyatt.com/images/Robert/interviews/Uncut_feb_2014/index.htm
― Dan Worsley, Sunday, 7 May 2017 14:59 (seven years ago) link
I did order both Rock Bottom and Ruth Is Stranger Than Richard because of "I'm a Believer"
you are in for a treat! Rock Bottom is amazing.
Robert Wyatt obviously classic as fuck
― AdamVania (Adam Bruneau), Sunday, 7 May 2017 18:12 (seven years ago) link
No love here for his (flop) follow up single?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhEeM5rBxJI
― Punnet of the Grapes (Tom D.), Sunday, 7 May 2017 18:16 (seven years ago) link
the two Matching Mole albums are also solid
― AdamVania (Adam Bruneau), Sunday, 7 May 2017 18:17 (seven years ago) link
I really like the Drury lane set too. Though it does drop in sound quality towards the end.
Also really like the stuff he did in 1975 with Henry Cow which I think is mainly live.
Matching Mole is pretty essential definitely. Especially the 2cd versions that came out about 5 years ago.
― Stevolende, Sunday, 7 May 2017 18:52 (seven years ago) link
Don't know if anybody knows this but it's glorious...I could listen to it all day
https://www.reddit.com/r/progrockmusic/comments/4b7zkg/hatfield_and_the_north_rockenstock_french_tv_1973/
― X-Prince Protégé (sonnyboy), Sunday, 7 May 2017 20:11 (seven years ago) link
The Concert for Corbyn w/Paul Weller last December was widely heralded but I don't remember seeing a single review. There are one or two clips on YouTube, but little else.
― mahb, Wednesday, 10 May 2017 08:50 (seven years ago) link
i suspect it being about jeremy corbyn had something to do with its burial
― increasingly bonkers (rushomancy), Wednesday, 10 May 2017 13:48 (seven years ago) link
Mojo reviewed it.
― Mark G, Wednesday, 10 May 2017 14:37 (seven years ago) link
Mostly Daevid Allen...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wswhUGb1k6c
― Poisoned by Johan's pea soup. (Tom D.), Sunday, 20 May 2018 19:37 (six years ago) link
from Rolling Jazz---I mostly listened to these because of Wyatt (and Coyne):
Michael Mantler:The Hapless ChildWatt/4words by Edward Gorey(from 'Amphigorey')
Robert Wyatt (voice)Terje Rypdal (guitar)Carla Bley (piano, clavinet, synthesizer)Steve Swallow (bass)Jack DeJohnette (drums)
recorded July 1975 through January 1976Willow, NY, and EnglandA whirlwind right out of the gate, and I knew from later all-instrumental versions how strong some of these frameworks would be---did not expect the excellent and unusual studio effects on some of Wyatt's vocal turns---but eventually, when the words are more upfront, can seem overly emphatic---Gorey's dank little narratives work better with his spare, black white & grey drawings or etchings or whatever they be. Also, c'mon, it's Gorey---think I'll go on to the settings of Beckett and Pinter.
― dow, Thursday, May 17, 2018 9:18 PM (three days ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
That is, the *overall* effect, the ensemble onslaught, not primarily Wyatt's vocals, can seem overly emphatic here.
― dow, Thursday, May 17, 2018 9:21 PM (three days ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
Mantler again: Silence(1976)---the overemphasis here is confined to some of MM's heavier handling of Pinter's words, and Chris Spedding's often repeated use of sustain etc., drawing a note out and curving it around 'til it's a needle in my earphones ---but it can hurt so good, and the voices are strong and distinctive, Carla Bley holding her on with Kevin Coyne and Robert Wyatt---and sometimes everybody follows Wyatt's dustdevil percussion, without ever missing their cues (it's a play with a small cast/combo, compressed, maybe condensed, into a single LP's worth of songs).
― dow, Friday, May 18, 2018 6:10 PM (two days ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
The text itself may grow on me, but so far doesn't seem up to several Pinter plays I'm more familiar with, though Mantler can highlight the weak spots in his literary sources, maybe by blurring some of the plot points.
― dow, Friday, May 18, 2018
― dow, Sunday, 20 May 2018 21:14 (six years ago) link
Pretty sure I would have bought these in the 70s if had come across them (was mailorderphobic, opp extreme in 80s), and as a Wyatt fan would have been fairly satisfied.
― dow, Sunday, 20 May 2018 21:18 (six years ago) link
never even heard of these, thanks.
― akm, Sunday, 20 May 2018 21:58 (six years ago) link
wowowow this rules!!
― kurt schwitterz, Monday, 21 May 2018 20:11 (six years ago) link
That "Playa de Formentor" clip; wow, just wow! Thanks so much for that.
― stirmonster, Monday, 21 May 2018 21:34 (six years ago) link
Some atrocious acting from young Robert there, he looks at the camera, the last thing you should do as an extra. Daevid is good though.
― Poisoned by Johan's pea soup. (Tom D.), Monday, 21 May 2018 23:25 (six years ago) link
Yup, Daevid is good. Incredible seeing him so young with it all ahead of him.
― stirmonster, Monday, 21 May 2018 23:29 (six years ago) link
Talking of which, this is pretty nutty, though it would belong on a Daevid Allen thread, if such a thing existed...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpPfn2Dmcrw
― Poisoned by Johan's pea soup. (Tom D.), Monday, 21 May 2018 23:33 (six years ago) link
I hadn't seen that one either. Going by that and myriad other Daevid Allen TV appearances, French TV in the late 60s / early 70s was tres out there.
And yes, a scandal that there is no Daevid Allen thread.
― stirmonster, Tuesday, 22 May 2018 00:10 (six years ago) link
DIY
― dow, Tuesday, 22 May 2018 00:16 (six years ago) link
There are Gong threads.
― nickn, Tuesday, 22 May 2018 00:23 (six years ago) link
Another Mantler: MANY HAVE NO SPEECH WATT/19
words by Samuel Beckett Ernst Meister Philippe Soupault
Jack Bruce (voice) Marianne Faithfull (voice) Robert Wyatt (voice)
Michael Mantler (trumpet) Rick Fenn (guitar)
The Danish Radio Concert Orchestra conducted by Peder Kragerup
recorded May through December 1987 Copenhagen, London, Boston, Willow, NY 27 songs in 34 minutes: no sense of fragmentation, maybe in because I'm not following the words very closely, but on his site Mantler says they were chosen to fit together in several ways, and sonically they ripple back and forth (while somehow pushing on), between three languages and at least five voices, if you count the trumpet and guitar (singing behind/around the humans, never in the way), sixth is the orchestra far as I'm concerned, though it's never breathing too heavy.
Thread police may get me, because humans are heard pretty much in the order of their billing, I think, though some of these songs are just a few seconds long, and all three sound more flexible than expected.
But, for instance, "A L'Abattoir" will def make my personal travelling mix of RW, ditto "Prisonniers," which is either Wyatt and Bruce or Wyatt and Faithfull, or (more likely) Wyatt and Wyatt in different registers, maybe singing to each other through the wall (not too loud).
Pretty sure I would have liked all of this on first listen with no idea who did it.
― dow, Tuesday, 22 May 2018 04:31 (six years ago) link
"ILM Threads that need a NO CAUSE FOR ALARM warning when they are revived"
― mahb, Tuesday, 22 May 2018 08:33 (six years ago) link