Bideodromage
A modest collection of brilliant live performances by Mr. David Bowie, with some studio tracks, plus a wondrous, pared-down demo thrown in for good measure. The constantly auto-reinventing, quasi-androgynous David Robert Jones pioneered his way through the music world, leaving the landscape forever altered—with new worlds and vistas previously undream’t of—in his wake.
Two mighty renditions of this Bounding classic.
The maestro of haunting, enigmatic songster-ing, Al Stewart not only achieved immortality via his Bounding {Glaswegian Method} exploits; some of the most indescribably poignant, mysterious works ever composed/performed are entirely his doing.
Stewart here performs the timeless, iconic Year of the Cat; the mighty Lord Grenville {perhaps his finest, most evocative composition…}; and Palace of Versailles, so difficult to ignore or forget.
“Ol’ Drain”, as Mr. Nick Lowe is called in some circles {i.e.: The None}—it’s his middle name, and a fine one—wears more than a few musical hats, and pulls it all off in such fashion as would create, probably, a dither of aesthetic paroxysms in any milliner or hatter. Earlier on, (than…??) Lowe, often with mate Dave Edmunds, in Rockpile, showed an uncanny talent for creating clever, charming, quite diabolically catchy songs that perhaps represented the very embodiment , the K2-like apotheosis, of Pure Pop Wonderment. Really…well, it was not fair. One had little to no choice but to come ’round to the man’s idiosyncratic ways. No one, however, minded, it seemed; either that, or such monumental courtesy was shown to Nick {OK, I’ll love it…} that it exceeded the amount shown to any other mammalian, extant or extinct.
Addendum: The Lowe classic Cruel to be Kind, in its promo video, features footage from Nick’s wedding in 1979, with Carlene Carter. There’s a reason that video is so genuinely touching.
Titanic moments of ecstasy, pathos, and catharsis are the norm for this great man, in his legendary live performances.
Few bands can match XTC’s accomplishments as far as writing/performing memorably quirky, intellectual, and, yes, catchy songs. Lead vocalist Andy Partridge provides the oddball genius charisma to generate a potent cocktail of aural nirvana.
Most of these are live performances, with the Rockpalast “Senses” being fairly rare.
Partridge experiences auditory synesthesia, which he uses in his songwriting process. In later interviews, he stated he believes himself to be on the autistic spectrum, saying in a 2022 interview with The Guardian: “I think I’m on the spectrum, yes, but it’s all helped me and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He has also had obsessive–compulsive disorder since childhood. At the age of 12, he was professionally diagnosed with ADHD (known at the time as simply “hyperactivity”) and prescribed Valium. He later formed a dependency on the drug that was exacerbated by the pressures of his music career. After disposing of the drug in 1981, he experienced severe withdrawal effects that led to XTC’s withdrawal from touring. But persevere he nonetheless did.
{Revised: 7/6/2019}
“Bowing, and squawking, Running after tidbits; Bopping and squinting, Just like a nitwit…”
Mr. Elvis Costello: One of the very greatest, most idiosyncratic performers and composers. Of this, or any, century/epoch. We will not see his likes again.
The great man, pictured also with lyricist and co-composer Bernie Taupin. Elton John has amassed 27+ Top 10 U.S. singles, and achieved total world domination throughout The 70’s. As dynamic a performer as they come, Elton is simply an indelible presence on the world stage. “The spotlight’s hitting something that’s been known to change the weather”.
The above are audio tracks that span a fairly large time period of Scott Walker’s remarkable body of recorded work.
And a few Walker Brothers masterpieces.
{NOTE: Revised 11/19/2019}
Scott Walker, born Noel Scott Engel, 1943, a musical artist of profound depth and originality, was (and is) a cherished figure for millions worldwide. Reclusive, enigmatic, innovative, Scott occupies a unique place in the pantheon of recording artists. He’s also very near and dear to my own heart. He will be deeply missed.
Many will remember Scott Walker’s sublime work with ballads; many others love his idiosyncratic, Brel-influenced blossoming into a top-notch composer and performer; still more prefer the uneasy, discomfiting terrain and eerie beauty of his later recordings. I’ll remember him for all of it, for everything. There’s no replacing him. We’ll never see his likes again.
Memorial post here.
The sublimely gifted, somewhat offbeat {esp. back in the day…} whistling mæstro, composer, and vocalist Roger Whittaker is herein featured. Equipped with a manly baritone not unlike burnished mahogany, this great man can just plain deliver the goods (his nonpareil winning ways being what they are). A true original. ∎.
Bideodromage 