Did we do Love yet? Forever Changes, etc.

But as for your original question, yes, definitely classic. I actually just bought FC a couple days ago and the lyrics really are awesome ("the Red Telephone" is also sort of eerie if you consider that Lee eventually wound up in jail for a long time), and the "orchestral" arrangements are gorgeous as well.

http://www.freakytrigger.com/hated010302.html

I read an interview with Arthur from 1970-something where he told the (english middle class intellectual) interviewer that he had been obsessed with Fellini and Godard during the making of Forever Changes. he also told the interviewer a load of other things that he was obviously gagging to hear, like the original FC lineup was coming back, the new stuff he was writing sounded like FC etc etc, but it is an interesting image, because (-sticking my neck on the block-) I think those lyrics for "you set the scene" are as eloquently & chillingly nihilistic as anything in Thus Spake Zarathustra, and I've often wondered where his inspiration could possibly have come from. Maybe also Dylan, but he surpasses Dylan's sentimental / romantic / biblical vision so completely I can't believe that's his only source.

It's a shame Love are championed by the kind of people who bore everyone about the Doors, Syd Barrett, Classic Psych etc., because Love were a very pretty pop band hiding a heart of darkness inside, something crazy, amoral and totally unique, and they really should be erecting statues of Mr. Lee, not letting him rot in jail.

What I like about FC is that it seemed to me to be the 'pet album' of a group of mates who happened to go and found Rolling Stone and write loads of famous rock criticism. There's something sweet about how it's become a huge canonical classic via that method - it gives you hope about all the underselling records you enjoy.

I imagine there was a good deal of sneering at Mr. Booth in and around the Wire office.

2. Don't think I can agree with Tom E about the melodic content here.

3. But I have a slight soft spot for the LP all the same. Still, a wee bit overrated to say the least.

Jesus Chrit I could talk shite about this album all day. Let me try and put it somewhat succinctly by simply saying: apply any number of ridiclous positivist superlatives to this album and you still won't come close to what I think of it. Hmmm, perhaps that's not quite simple enough. How about this: Hello.

Ah, I know all this is the favourite of the critic and wannabe critic who all dig this shit but straight up, I can't get enough of this bad- boy. It is a timeless, beautiful, out there trip, comprising of awestruck, wonderful, jaw-dropping songwritting of the draw just above the top one, that's hidden by faux beading.

Classic is not a strong enough word.

It's alright actually...

Arthur Lee's "Invisible Jukebox" comments in this month's Wire - classic or sad? Bit of both, probably.

I'm not sure which album I prefer, although I AM sure that I prefer both to Da Capo. I've been meaning to play Forever Changes back to back with the debut for a couple of weeks, but I haven't got around to it yet. I'm a sucker for the garagey feel of the first album and as far as Lee's writing goes, I reckon with a little more arranging most of his tracks here could have slotted into 'Forever Changes' without any noticeable difference in quality.

Roger: you'll just have to read it y'self, hard to paraphrase. But I will say there are some amusing "what are you playing me this rubbish for? This has fuck all to do with my music" moments.

Erm, I'd like to share something with you: if I travel anywhere, or know that I will be leaving my house for longer than 24 hours, I have to take a copy of Forever Changes with me.

Oh dear.

Utrecht, March 6, 2003. After a drink with some colleague-friends and returning to my hometown by train (Sleater-Kinney's One Beat on the md)I got on my bike at 20.45. Halfway home I passed my favorite local record shop (which is called Da Capo...) and I felt a sudden urge to go in and buy something within the 10 minutes of opening time left...
Going through the racks, pausing at some albums, putting them back, checking the new releases section, u know how it goes. Then I stop at the "Love"-section and pick out a 2001 re-issue on 180grams vinyl [Sundaze] and start thinking...maybe I should put my negative feelings about this aside and buy it. Which I did. (got a thumbs-up from the owner, obv. :))

Man, I should have done this earlier!! Moron. What a fabulous LP!! Ten seconds into the first song (don't know the songs by heart yet, obv., but i think it's Alone Again) there were goosebumps coming up. WTF, what's this? volume UP. those horns. etcetc. (=great feelings throughout the playing of the record that i cannot accurately put into words).

Great experience. Maybe I should check out Trout Mask Replica as well...

(RogerFascist, is that still true? if so: great!!)

You should give TMR a try but it's not as immediately pleasant a listen. It took me a few spins to get it (it's worth the effort).

thanx Mr. Diamond. i'll give TMR a try sometime soon, then.

You can't make this stuff up, folx.

I thought the recent Wire piece was hysterical, Arthur Lee shouldn't have to explain himself to anyone at this point...

http://home1.inet.tele.dk/tks/love/grafik/Copenhagen70/Arthur01.jpg

And JESUS when he sang Served my time, served it well.

"Hey, Mr. Echols... man... I don't understand your trip, man, you stay in one range of the guitar throughout the whole thing, man... 'cos, you know, you're the one who says you can blow in the studio, man... nobody to bug you... you've gotta blow, man... are you ready to take it from the top?"

Outtasite solo, man!

To be given away free with The Times on Monday.

I suppose being given away with a newspaper is now just one step down from the "3 for £15" HMV offer and one above being downloaded from the torrents.

But it is a really, really good album.

It doesn't matter what you do with it James.

It's just good that people will hear it who might otherwise not.

Sven OTM

xpost:
Well, think of all the people who'll be pleasantly surprised on hearing it for the first time.