The A's can. Hopefully right into the post-season.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Oakland's Vinyl Vault - All Things Must Pass
Oh great and powerful random generator, what album should we listen to next?
The longest one you own!
Righty-o. That would be the triple album, All Things Must Pass, by George Harrison.
Release Date: November 27, 1970
Singles: My Sweet Lord, What Is Life
This was the first album Harrison released after the Beatles broke up, and he apparently had been saving some songs up, because this is a long one. Regarding its length, Harrison supposedly said, "I didn't have many tunes on Beatles records, so doing an album like All Things Must Pass was like going to the bathroom and letting it out." Good god, I love George Harrison. Let it all out, buddy.
So it is long. But is it good? Hell yes. The first side is just phenomenal. It opens with "I'd Have You Anytime," a great song co-written by Bob Dylan. Next is "My Sweet Lord," the big single off the album, which is a great song, but "Wah-Wah," immediately after it, might be my favorite on the album. The side closes with "Isn't It a Pity," which is such a good song that they put it on the album twice (okay, the second time is a shorter version, but even that is 4:45 long). Other highlights from the first two discs include the other single, "What Is Life," and the title track.
The material on the third disc is taken from jam sessions done during the recording of the rest of the album. Let me tell you, nobody could get a group of musicians together quite like George Harrison. Eric Clapton (obviously), fellow Cream member Ginger Baker, pretty much all of the Derek and the Dominoes crew, Ringo, Billy Preston, and Klaus Voormann, among others, all jamming together? I like my chances.
With All Things Must Pass, George was able to step out of the shadow of John and Paul, and establish himself as a great musician in his own right. Even with its great length, this album still leaves you wanting more. But, as George tells us, sunrise don't last all morning, and even triple albums must end sometime.
Rating: 4 gnomes up - I never even thought to look for a George Harrison solo album until Justin clued me in to this one, and am I ever glad he did. This is one of my favorites in the vault. So thanks, J-Hen!
Now here's a very George-ish tune, "Awaiting On You All." Enjoy!
Pat is crazy.
The longest one you own!
Righty-o. That would be the triple album, All Things Must Pass, by George Harrison.
Release Date: November 27, 1970
Singles: My Sweet Lord, What Is Life
This was the first album Harrison released after the Beatles broke up, and he apparently had been saving some songs up, because this is a long one. Regarding its length, Harrison supposedly said, "I didn't have many tunes on Beatles records, so doing an album like All Things Must Pass was like going to the bathroom and letting it out." Good god, I love George Harrison. Let it all out, buddy.
So it is long. But is it good? Hell yes. The first side is just phenomenal. It opens with "I'd Have You Anytime," a great song co-written by Bob Dylan. Next is "My Sweet Lord," the big single off the album, which is a great song, but "Wah-Wah," immediately after it, might be my favorite on the album. The side closes with "Isn't It a Pity," which is such a good song that they put it on the album twice (okay, the second time is a shorter version, but even that is 4:45 long). Other highlights from the first two discs include the other single, "What Is Life," and the title track.
The material on the third disc is taken from jam sessions done during the recording of the rest of the album. Let me tell you, nobody could get a group of musicians together quite like George Harrison. Eric Clapton (obviously), fellow Cream member Ginger Baker, pretty much all of the Derek and the Dominoes crew, Ringo, Billy Preston, and Klaus Voormann, among others, all jamming together? I like my chances.
With All Things Must Pass, George was able to step out of the shadow of John and Paul, and establish himself as a great musician in his own right. Even with its great length, this album still leaves you wanting more. But, as George tells us, sunrise don't last all morning, and even triple albums must end sometime.
Rating: 4 gnomes up - I never even thought to look for a George Harrison solo album until Justin clued me in to this one, and am I ever glad he did. This is one of my favorites in the vault. So thanks, J-Hen!
Now here's a very George-ish tune, "Awaiting On You All." Enjoy!
Pat is crazy.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Oakland's Vinyl Vault - Pet Sounds
Back again after an extended break. I've been meaning to write this one for a while, but somehow have gotten caught up in being lazy. Anyway, here's an album with a Wikipedia page a mile long, so you know it's an all time classic. It's Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys!
Release Date: May 16, 1966
Singles: Caroline, No; Sloop John B; Wouldn't It Be Nice
Late in 1965, Brian Wilson heard the Beatles album Rubber Soul, and it inspired him to attempt to write the greatest rock album of all time. The result was Pet Sounds, and Wilson came damn close to his target. In this album, the Beach Boys have grown up. Gone are the mentions of surfing, racing cars, and chasing girls. The only mention of the sea or water at all is on the single "Sloop John B," which was a cover song. Not everybody was on board with these changes. In fact, during the recording of the album Mike Love allegedly commented, "who's gonna hear this shit? The ears of a dog?," inspiring the album title.
The music on this one speaks for itself. The opening track, "Wouldn't It Be Nice," is a spectacular number, and really sets the tone for the album. The music flows gracefully from track to track, and the harmonies and composition are where Wilson's genius really comes out. Just a joy to listen to, and one of my favorites.
Rating: 5 goats up - This album is definitely in the category of "must hear before you die." It really deserves all the praise that has been heaped onto it over the years.
Now here's "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times."
Pat is Crazy.
Release Date: May 16, 1966
Singles: Caroline, No; Sloop John B; Wouldn't It Be Nice
Late in 1965, Brian Wilson heard the Beatles album Rubber Soul, and it inspired him to attempt to write the greatest rock album of all time. The result was Pet Sounds, and Wilson came damn close to his target. In this album, the Beach Boys have grown up. Gone are the mentions of surfing, racing cars, and chasing girls. The only mention of the sea or water at all is on the single "Sloop John B," which was a cover song. Not everybody was on board with these changes. In fact, during the recording of the album Mike Love allegedly commented, "who's gonna hear this shit? The ears of a dog?," inspiring the album title.
The music on this one speaks for itself. The opening track, "Wouldn't It Be Nice," is a spectacular number, and really sets the tone for the album. The music flows gracefully from track to track, and the harmonies and composition are where Wilson's genius really comes out. Just a joy to listen to, and one of my favorites.
Rating: 5 goats up - This album is definitely in the category of "must hear before you die." It really deserves all the praise that has been heaped onto it over the years.
Now here's "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times."
Pat is Crazy.
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