“Down Where The Drunkards Roll” by Richard and Linda Thompson
“Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Iron Maiden
9 thoughts on “Volume 1.2.3”
XTC: Ed’s been talking about XTC for years, but I kind of figured they would be a newer band. Never listened to them before. I really like this. Has a beatlesy british pop sound to it. I’m listening for the prog, but it’s not there. This is a good first listen for me. So good I did it twice!
Rich and Linda: Simple acoustic folksy song. I normally never pay attention to lyrics, but i tried listening to these for things my drunkenness can relate to but came up with nothing. As others have said about other songs. Nothing differentiates this one for me from the genre.
Maiden: Sorry for the 13 minute mini concept album and the murdered youtube audio. Seriously, this copy is terrible. This is one song that I do know the lyrics to. I’ve listened to this well over 100 hundred times and I only got into them 4 years ago. This was my workout song since I can’t keep up with 230 BPM stuff like slayer. I used to put on Powerslave and Rhyme and hit the heavy bag for 20 minutes every day.
I love the story that the lyrics tell. It’s borrowing lines right from the poem. I’d say this is the only song I know of with an intermission. The lull with the ship creaking, simple eerie bass and the narration is great. It’s all doom and gloom and death and then that bass kicks it back up all excited and cheery.
Then we get a bass heavy classic Maiden metal jam and we return back to the original sound to close it out for the Win!
XTC/”Harvest Festival”. shimmeringly beautiful chamber-pop piece evoking some sort of timeless bucolic ritual. hadn’t heard it in a while and had forgotten about the darker middle part. but just lovely. the LP remains a favorite
R&T Thompson/”Where the Drunkards Roll”. Linda’s rich voice and underplayed delivery really put over this elegaic tune, with RT’s characteristically pitiless wit (“You can be Lord Jesus, everyone will understand”). Love the electronic keys, a nice textural contrast to the acoustic guitar that otherwise dominates the instrumental track. always been struck in this one by the archaic imagery, those boys in their green velvet and silver buckles. great song, and top-shelf album
Iron Maiden/”Rime of the Ancient Mariner”. ‘Bout damn time for some metal up here in this game. I actually however have heard very little IM. This sounds very 70s, just the production plus the proggy pretense of a 13 minute tune inspired by a classic poem (from an LP with a cover knocking off ancient Egyptian iconography!). A bit daunting. But i do like the meaty sound, the clanking bass, and the boys give it a good go, with a new and not necessarily straight-ahead metallic motif introduced every few minutes. it’s really a song suite, no? Like “A Quick One.” Except without the humor, melodies and fun harmonies, at this length it does kinda “sink like lead into the sea.” But who knows, maybe Coleridge woulda lit one and grooved.
XTC: hmm, who picked this? anyway, can’t say I am a fan. reminds of music you would hear live by some guy set up in the back of Starbucks.
Richard and Linda: Again, didn’t do much for me, and also reminded me of a guy playing music in the back of a Starbucks.
Iron Maiden: Never listened to them, well aware of their posters though with Evil Ernie? the only song I could name would be “Run Through the Hills.” I fell asleep with the music channel on and awoke to this song playing, It seemed to go on forever. As for this song, Not bad. I could get behind some classis 80’s metal even though I have never really been into that genre. Kind of reminded me of Ronnie James Dio.
Rime of the Ancient Mariner: Wow….quite an epic poem. Power chords and acrobatic riffs abound; popping off like fireworks. I do not know much about Iron Maiden but they sound a bit like the Scorpions (or perhaps Scorpions resemble them?) to my ears. Not my usual cup of tea but it was fun having an opportunity to listen to a song I would not normally spin and go for a 13 minute sail.
Down Where The Drunkards Roll: Love the lyrics, the lulling beauty of the voice, the wurly keys playing alongside the acoustic guitar, the pace and the gravelly backup; all taking me down where the drunkards roll.
Harvest Festival: Love the harmonies as they sing “Harvest Festival”. It a shame that the exams and crops failed. This song reminds me of the Beatles for some reason. Also like the slow build up of the song and think the recorder instrument fits the song well. I have a friend who likes this group a bunch and I can not deny that his enthusiasm for them over the years is indeed contagious. There is no denying that XTC does know how to craft a song and I think this one is no exception.
XTC – Harvest Festival
Been listening to this particular track, from the “Orchoustic” Apple Venus record (1999), a good deal lately as it’s on a CD mix, of songs I like that Liz can tolerate, that we have in the car. I never tire of it. It has the pace of a processional – telling the story of the childhood crush that escapes the small town, crescendos to the climactic line of “heard that you two were married and I wish you well.” Wonderful.
Richard and Linda Thompson – Down Where the Drunkards Roll
This is a revered album that I have only wholly listened a few times and I think get confused with one of their other records, “Shoot Out the Lights” – need to get that sorted. I’m somewhat more familiar with RT’s solo work – a treasure trove in itself. This one is sung achingly beautifully by Linda. Reminds me of the stuff I really love of Mary Chapin Carpenter’s.
A different kind of escape here. The mix is perfect letting the voice and lyrics shine. I also love the bass/baritone of RT’s voice providing a bit of “lushness.” Well chosen.
Iron Maiden – Rime of the Ancient Mariner
My “metal” period/phase was pretty much limited to mid-to-late 70s Scorpions, Judas Priest & UFO (with AC/DC’s Highway to Hell thrown in for good measure). When I’ve heard Iron Maiden, they mostly reminded me of PRIEST! (I think the JP album Sad Wings of Destiny has a similarly proggy piece in Victim of Changes). This track touches all the stuff of which I am fond from the genre. The interlude even sounds a little Genesis-ish. I think I like the singers from the other bands a little better (as Ian noted, this sounds a bit like Dio – for me, the vocals specifically), but I enjoyed this one – this stuff is like candy for me (Dream Theater’s Scenes from a Memory also comes to mind). The driving rhythm section does a fine job as the propeller. Fun stuff!
In brief:
XTC: This is a well-heeled deep cut, sweetly crafted, with some of those classic Andy chord changes. Unlike one of my brethren, I did not like the recorder, but the strings and narrative are pleasant. I prefer the more off-meter, textural offerings from these guys but it is a reminder of their soft side. Can’t wait to check them out when they come to town.
Rich & Lin- A very evocative song. Tells story in few words, with a beautiful glistening guitar–love the sound of those strings. And there is something about Richard Thompsons low harmony–and voice in general–that makes me think of alcohol.
Iron Maiden- Always liked the harmonic guitars of IM, the strained, yearning vocals and syncopated drumming. Gotta love their use of “The Rime…”. Thirteen minutes, however, is a very long time.
XTC – I thought it would be difficult to come up with deep cuts from certain bands given the people in the group, then I remembered everyone isn’t MasterEdTC and me. Nice choice here. This one is a good choice for a deep cut. While a fan of the band, Apple Venus is not an album I reach for often. Has that lushness that is latter day Andy.
Richard and Linda Thompson – Richard Thompson can craft a song as good as any. He also deserves his place in the guitar deity pantheon. Here the pathos of the track is augmented by his the[n] wife Linda’s vocals. A song of celebration and despair.
Iron Maiden – What? No Trogdor the Burninator? Needs more creeping, rusty meat.
XTC: Ed’s been talking about XTC for years, but I kind of figured they would be a newer band. Never listened to them before. I really like this. Has a beatlesy british pop sound to it. I’m listening for the prog, but it’s not there. This is a good first listen for me. So good I did it twice!
Rich and Linda: Simple acoustic folksy song. I normally never pay attention to lyrics, but i tried listening to these for things my drunkenness can relate to but came up with nothing. As others have said about other songs. Nothing differentiates this one for me from the genre.
Maiden: Sorry for the 13 minute mini concept album and the murdered youtube audio. Seriously, this copy is terrible. This is one song that I do know the lyrics to. I’ve listened to this well over 100 hundred times and I only got into them 4 years ago. This was my workout song since I can’t keep up with 230 BPM stuff like slayer. I used to put on Powerslave and Rhyme and hit the heavy bag for 20 minutes every day.
I love the story that the lyrics tell. It’s borrowing lines right from the poem. I’d say this is the only song I know of with an intermission. The lull with the ship creaking, simple eerie bass and the narration is great. It’s all doom and gloom and death and then that bass kicks it back up all excited and cheery.
Then we get a bass heavy classic Maiden metal jam and we return back to the original sound to close it out for the Win!
Iron Maiden video updated for sound quality – now with lyrics!
XTC/”Harvest Festival”. shimmeringly beautiful chamber-pop piece evoking some sort of timeless bucolic ritual. hadn’t heard it in a while and had forgotten about the darker middle part. but just lovely. the LP remains a favorite
R&T Thompson/”Where the Drunkards Roll”. Linda’s rich voice and underplayed delivery really put over this elegaic tune, with RT’s characteristically pitiless wit (“You can be Lord Jesus, everyone will understand”). Love the electronic keys, a nice textural contrast to the acoustic guitar that otherwise dominates the instrumental track. always been struck in this one by the archaic imagery, those boys in their green velvet and silver buckles. great song, and top-shelf album
Iron Maiden/”Rime of the Ancient Mariner”. ‘Bout damn time for some metal up here in this game. I actually however have heard very little IM. This sounds very 70s, just the production plus the proggy pretense of a 13 minute tune inspired by a classic poem (from an LP with a cover knocking off ancient Egyptian iconography!). A bit daunting. But i do like the meaty sound, the clanking bass, and the boys give it a good go, with a new and not necessarily straight-ahead metallic motif introduced every few minutes. it’s really a song suite, no? Like “A Quick One.” Except without the humor, melodies and fun harmonies, at this length it does kinda “sink like lead into the sea.” But who knows, maybe Coleridge woulda lit one and grooved.
XTC: hmm, who picked this? anyway, can’t say I am a fan. reminds of music you would hear live by some guy set up in the back of Starbucks.
Richard and Linda: Again, didn’t do much for me, and also reminded me of a guy playing music in the back of a Starbucks.
Iron Maiden: Never listened to them, well aware of their posters though with Evil Ernie? the only song I could name would be “Run Through the Hills.” I fell asleep with the music channel on and awoke to this song playing, It seemed to go on forever. As for this song, Not bad. I could get behind some classis 80’s metal even though I have never really been into that genre. Kind of reminded me of Ronnie James Dio.
Rime of the Ancient Mariner: Wow….quite an epic poem. Power chords and acrobatic riffs abound; popping off like fireworks. I do not know much about Iron Maiden but they sound a bit like the Scorpions (or perhaps Scorpions resemble them?) to my ears. Not my usual cup of tea but it was fun having an opportunity to listen to a song I would not normally spin and go for a 13 minute sail.
Down Where The Drunkards Roll: Love the lyrics, the lulling beauty of the voice, the wurly keys playing alongside the acoustic guitar, the pace and the gravelly backup; all taking me down where the drunkards roll.
Harvest Festival: Love the harmonies as they sing “Harvest Festival”. It a shame that the exams and crops failed. This song reminds me of the Beatles for some reason. Also like the slow build up of the song and think the recorder instrument fits the song well. I have a friend who likes this group a bunch and I can not deny that his enthusiasm for them over the years is indeed contagious. There is no denying that XTC does know how to craft a song and I think this one is no exception.
XTC – Harvest Festival
Been listening to this particular track, from the “Orchoustic” Apple Venus record (1999), a good deal lately as it’s on a CD mix, of songs I like that Liz can tolerate, that we have in the car. I never tire of it. It has the pace of a processional – telling the story of the childhood crush that escapes the small town, crescendos to the climactic line of “heard that you two were married and I wish you well.” Wonderful.
Richard and Linda Thompson – Down Where the Drunkards Roll
This is a revered album that I have only wholly listened a few times and I think get confused with one of their other records, “Shoot Out the Lights” – need to get that sorted. I’m somewhat more familiar with RT’s solo work – a treasure trove in itself. This one is sung achingly beautifully by Linda. Reminds me of the stuff I really love of Mary Chapin Carpenter’s.
A different kind of escape here. The mix is perfect letting the voice and lyrics shine. I also love the bass/baritone of RT’s voice providing a bit of “lushness.” Well chosen.
Iron Maiden – Rime of the Ancient Mariner
My “metal” period/phase was pretty much limited to mid-to-late 70s Scorpions, Judas Priest & UFO (with AC/DC’s Highway to Hell thrown in for good measure). When I’ve heard Iron Maiden, they mostly reminded me of PRIEST! (I think the JP album Sad Wings of Destiny has a similarly proggy piece in Victim of Changes). This track touches all the stuff of which I am fond from the genre. The interlude even sounds a little Genesis-ish. I think I like the singers from the other bands a little better (as Ian noted, this sounds a bit like Dio – for me, the vocals specifically), but I enjoyed this one – this stuff is like candy for me (Dream Theater’s Scenes from a Memory also comes to mind). The driving rhythm section does a fine job as the propeller. Fun stuff!
In brief:
XTC: This is a well-heeled deep cut, sweetly crafted, with some of those classic Andy chord changes. Unlike one of my brethren, I did not like the recorder, but the strings and narrative are pleasant. I prefer the more off-meter, textural offerings from these guys but it is a reminder of their soft side. Can’t wait to check them out when they come to town.
Rich & Lin- A very evocative song. Tells story in few words, with a beautiful glistening guitar–love the sound of those strings. And there is something about Richard Thompsons low harmony–and voice in general–that makes me think of alcohol.
Iron Maiden- Always liked the harmonic guitars of IM, the strained, yearning vocals and syncopated drumming. Gotta love their use of “The Rime…”. Thirteen minutes, however, is a very long time.
Playing Catch Up.
XTC – I thought it would be difficult to come up with deep cuts from certain bands given the people in the group, then I remembered everyone isn’t MasterEdTC and me. Nice choice here. This one is a good choice for a deep cut. While a fan of the band, Apple Venus is not an album I reach for often. Has that lushness that is latter day Andy.
Richard and Linda Thompson – Richard Thompson can craft a song as good as any. He also deserves his place in the guitar deity pantheon. Here the pathos of the track is augmented by his the[n] wife Linda’s vocals. A song of celebration and despair.
Iron Maiden – What? No Trogdor the Burninator? Needs more creeping, rusty meat.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAGOZq_eE2Y&w=840&h=503]
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