Philip Glass

1-30-09 Philip Glass

I searched my index for a blog on 20^th century NYC classical composer Philip Glass, but I couldn’t find an entry. Seems like I’ve written about those guys before (Glass, Steve Reich, Michael Nyman et el). I first heard Philip Glass when “North Star” came out on Virgin Records UK – somehow, I was sent a promo LP of it, about 1977.

LP 1000 AIRPLANES ON THE ROOF VIRGIN US 91065.1

1989 13 TRKS

CD ANIMA MUNDI (O.S.T.) NONESUCH US 79329.2

1993 7 TRKS O.S.T.

CDx2 DANCE NOS. 1 - 5 CBS US M2K 44765

1980 5 TRKS

LP DANCE NOS. 1 and 3 TOMATO US TOM-8029

1980 2 TRKS

LPx4 EINSTEIN ON THE BEACH (4LP boxed set) CBS US M4 38875

1979 14 TRKS Boxed set – really must find out which is the best CD set of this title!

LP EINSTEIN ON THE BEACH (Single LP) TOMATO US TOM-101

1978 9 TRKS promo version, 1 LP

CD GLASSCUTS (V.A. - PHILIP GLASS REMIXED) ORANGE MOUNTAIN 23

2005 13 TRKS remixes

LP GLASSWORKS CBS US FM 37265

1982 6 TRKS

CD GLASSWORKS re CBS US SK 90394

1982/7 11 TRKS ('03 issue) 95 x bonus tracks = '87)

LP INTERVIEW WITH PHILIP GLASS, AN promo COLUMBIA US AS 1410

1982 2 TRKS promo-only, 'GLASSWORKS'

CD KOYAANISQATSI (O.S.T.) ANTILLES US 90626.2

1983 6 TRKS

LP KOYAANISQATSI (O.S.T.) ANTILLES US ASTA 1

1983 6 TRKS

CD KUNDUN (O.S.T.) NONESUCH US 79460.2

1997 18 TRKS O.S.T., slipcase

CD LOW SYMPHONY POINT US 438150.2

1993 3 TRKS Brooklyn Phil. Orch.; Bowie / Eno

CD MISHIMA (O.S.T.) NONESUCH US 79113.2

1985 14 TRKS

CD MUSIC FROM 'THE SCREENS' (with Foday Musa Suso) POINT US 432966.2

1992 18 TRKS

CD MUSIC FROM THE THIN BLUE LINE ORANGE MOUNTAIN OMM 007

1989 19 TRKS ('03 issue)

LP MUSIC IN SIMILAR MOTION and MUSIC IN FIFTHS CHATHAM SQ LP 1003

1973 2 TRKS 2nd

CDx3 MUSIC IN 12 PARTS (3CD boxed set) VIRGIN US 91311.2

1987 12 TRKS ('74 recording?)

LP MUSIC IN 12 PARTS, Parts 1 & 2 CAROLINE UK CA 2010

1974 2 TRKS 3rd

CD MUSIC WITH CHANGING PARTS NONESUCH US 79325.2

1971 1 TRK

LPx2 MUSIC WITH CHANGING PARTS CHATHAM SQ LP 1001/2

1971 4 TRKS debut album

CD NORTH STAR VIRGIN UK CDV 2085

1977 10 TRKS

LP NORTH STAR VIRGIN UK V 2085

1977 10 TRKS 5th; promo

CD PASSAGES (with Ravi Shankar) PRIVATE US 2074.2-P

1990 6 TRKS

CD PHOTOGRAPHER, THE CBS US MK 37849

1983 4 TRKS

LP PHOTOGRAPHER, THE CBS US FM 37849

1983 4 TRKS insert

CDx3 SATYAGRAHA (3CD boxed set) CBS MASTER US M3K 39672

1985 9 TRKS (booklet is missing)

LP SOLO MUSIC SHANDAR FR 83515

1975 2 TRKS 4th

CD SOLO PIANO CBS US MK 45576

1989 7 TRKS

CD SONGS FROM LIQUID DAYS CBS US MK 39564

1986 6 TRKS

LP SONGS FROM LIQUID DAYS CBS US FM 39564

1986 6 TRKS booklet, autographed

CD SONGS FROM THE TRILOGY (Collection) CBS US MK 45580

1989 12 TRK Collection

LP STRUNG OUT (V.A.) CP2 US CP2/6

1976 4 TRKS XENAKIS etc

CD TWO PAGES; CONTRARY MOTION etc. NONESUCH US 79326.2

1973/5 4 TRKS

I like Mr. Glass’ work. I think the shorter pieces on “North Star” make his electric minimalist message easier to reach new ears. I still absolutely love his Chatham Square (independently produced / manufactured) LP’s – I think I have ‘em all!

I once saw Mr. Glass perform at The Roxy in Hollywood. There were some famous people in the audience that night (I remember recognizing Magma’s keyboard player, Francois “Faton” Cahen!). (When I saw Michel Polnareff at The Roxy, I saw Vangelis walking down Sunset Blvd.!) I remember Mr. Glass asking the audience to not smoke during their performance – because of the style of breathing necessary for the wind instrument players etc. This was shortly after the time of “North Star”, I think.

It would seem to be not possible to keep up with Glass’ Orange Mountain label. Looks like a lot of initial releases, as well as some re-issues. I try and keep it to titles where Mr. Glass actually performs – I don’t think he’s on the “Anima Mundi” O.S.T. CD, but it sure sounded good, when I played it recently. I have a similar problem with the works of Michael Nyman – I’d really like to keep it to where the composer is playing, too. (And I haven’t seen many titles on his own label, NM Records).

John Martyn

Goodbye, John Martyn (1948 - 2009)

What I’ve Been Listening To…Lately

1-29-09 What I’ve Been Listening To…Lately

Lately, I have mostly been listening to stuff I got in San Francisco and Berkeley at the beginning of the month. I haven’t listened to everything as yet, just a few – some even on the way home in the GF’s car.

A year ago, I was thoroughly investigating Bob Dylan & The Band – “The Basement Tapes”, no doubt fuelled by a recent book on the topic that I got in S.F. This year, there is nothing that is clearly attracting my attention, in the music universe.

BLACK, MICHAEL IAN – I AM A WONDERFUL MAN, COMEDY CENTRAL US CD

Pretty funny live stand-up comedy from a guy I used to see on VH-1.

DIRTY FAN MALE – s/t, TRUNK UK CD

Letters to “Page 3” girls etc., read in funny British voices; very eccentric! Jonny Trunk!

NYMAN, MICHAEL – The Draughtsman’s Contract, Drowning By Numbers and The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (all UK soundtracks)

I had a Michael Nyman night the other night, as I laid there and read the Deviants / Pink Fairies book.

PASSIONS – THIRTY THOUSAND FEET OVER CHINA, CHERRY RED UK CD

Their 2^nd album, with some B-sides added; rather psychedelic / progressive for 1981.

SIMMONS, JEFF – LUCILLE HAS MESSED MY MIND UP, CCM US CD

1969 Zappa-produced ‘rock music’ album by bassist Simmons; a few really good songs.

STUMP – COMPLETE ANTHOLOGY, SANCTUARY UK 3CD boxed set

I quickly played the 3^rd disc, with the previously unreleased material, all very cool – also nice to finally get the first two Stump EP’s properly on CD finally!

SWEET – DESOLATION BOULEVARD, BMG UK CD

The UK version, with the covers of “My Generation” and the theme from “The Man With The Golden Arm” (that includes a drum solo!) – CD is the vers. with only 2 x bonus tracks.

WRIGHT, STEVEN – I STILL HAVE A PONY, COMEDY CENTRAL US CD

The 2^nd album by stand-up comedian Wright (from Boston). His debut album (on Warner Brothers, some 20+ years earlier) is called “I Have A Pony”.

FRANK ZAPPA – LUMPY MONEY, ZAPPA US 3CD boxed set

Quite illuminating, the orchestral “Lumpy Gravy” tracks! And I dearly love “We’re Only In It For The Money”, presented on this set in glorious mono. I’m still a big fan…

Also rather amused with post-Cream Eric Clapton (circa ’70), I recently got a not-re-mastered 2CD set of “Layla”!

- Ron

Groundhogs / Tony T.S. McPhee

1-28-09 Groundhogs / Tony T.S. McPhee

CD BACK AGAINST THE WALL CD LABEL UK CDTL 005

1986 8 TRKS

LP BLACK DIAMOND U.A. US UA-LA-680-G

1976 8 TRKS

LP BLUES OBITUARY IMPERIAL US LP-12452

1969 7 TRKS

CD CROSSCUT SAW / BLACK DIAMOND BGO UK BGOCD 131

1976 16 TRKS 2 on 1

LPx2 HOGGIN' THE STAGE PSYCHO UK PSYCHO 24

1984 12 TRKS LIVE 1971, 1976

CD HOGS IN WOLF'S CLOTHING HTD UK HTDCD 81

1998 15 TRKS

CD HOGS ON THE ROAD CD LABEL UK CDTL 008

1988 11 TRKS LIVE 1987?

CD HOGWASH BGO UK BGOCD 44

1972 12 TRKS (4 x bonus tracks)

LP HOGWASH U.A. UK UAG 29419

1972 8 TRKS original issue

LPx2 MOVING FAST - STANDING STILL RAW POW UK RAWLP 0212

1986 21 TRKS

CD NO SURRENDER MAGNUM AME MACD 008

1995 10 TRKS LIVE

LP RAZOR'S EDGE LANDSLIDE UK LANDLP 102

1984 8 TRKS

CD SCRATCHING THE SURFACE BGO UK BGOCD 15

1968/9 13 TRKS

CD SOLID REPERTOIRE DE REP 4307-WY

1974 9 TRKS (1 x bonus track)

LP SOLID WWA UK WWA 004

1974 8 TRKS insert

LP SPLIT LIBERTY UK LBG 83401

1971 8 TRKS original UK issue

CD SPLIT EMI UK 584819.2

1971 12 TRKS (4 x bonus tracks) ('03 issue) re-master

CD THANK CHRIST FOR THE BOMB BGO UK BGOCD 67

1970 9 TRKS

CD WHO WILL SAVE THE WORLD? EMI UK 584815.2

1972 8 TRKS ('03 master) re-master

Tony T.S. McPhee

CD FOOLISH PRIDE MAGNUM AME MACD 010

1994 10 TRKS

CD TWO SIDES OF TONY T.S. McPHEE, THE CASTLE UK CLACD 267

1973 6 TRKS

LP TWO SIDES OF TONY T.S. McPHEE, THE WWA UK WWA 001

1973 6 TRKS

I started with “Split” – I bought a UK LP of it, likely because of the nifty cover. What I got at age 13 was sophisticated guitar playing, extra-tight songwriting and singing. From a power trio! Wow, who is this guy? Pretty much all of the Groundhogs LP’s could be found easily, at that time. The next one that really captivated my imagination was “Solid”, from ’74. In the CD age, I kept buying whatever CD’s I could find with McPhee or The Groundhogs name on ‘em. I remain a big fan into the new century. To my knowledge, they have never come to the US to play any gigs. And I don’t think I ever saw any video of them, either. But I got some cool 45’s!

Frank Zappa

I received the "Lumpy Money" 3CD set in the mail yesterday from the Zappa folks. They got it mostly right, and I recommend that everyone who cares obtain this set.

Disc 1: Mono "Capitol" vers. of "Lumpy Gravy" and Mono "We're Only In It For The Money". Just fantastic!
Disc 2: '84 remix of "Lumpy Gravy (moderately interesting) and '84 remix of "We're Only In It For The Money" (not my cup of tea at all).
Disc 3: Working tapes and 'building blocks' for both "Lumpy Gravy" and "We're Only In It For The Money" - very interesting, illuminating. Nice that they remembered the "Lonely Little Girl" single.

After getting the deluxe 4CD "Freak Out" and now this set, it makes me wonder if they will just overlook "Absolutely Free"?

Will 40th Anniversary sets from the Zappas eventually include a not-remixed "Cruisin' with Ruben & The Jets"? And a not-remixed "Hot Rats"?

- Ron

Stump

1-27-09 Stump

12" BUFFALO ENSIGN UK ENYX 619

1988 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" CHAOS ENSIGN UK ENYX 612

1988 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" CHARLETON HESTON ENSIGN UK ENYX 614

1988 4 TRKS with pic sleeve

1988 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CDx3 COMPLETE ANTHOLOGY, THE SANCTUARY UK CMETD 1571

2007 36 TRK Collection (80's recordings)

CD FIERCE PANCAKE, A CHRYSALIS US VK 41641

1988 12 TRKS U.S. version

LP FIERCE PANCAKE, A CHRYSALIS US BFV 41641

1988 12 TRKS U.S. version

12" FOUR TRACK SAMPLER promo ENSIGN UK FRIZ 2

1988 4 TRKS with pic sleeve, promo

12" MUD ON A COLON RON JOHNSON ZRON 6

1986 4 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" PEEL SESSIONS, THE STRANGE FR UK SFPS 019

1987 4 TRKS with pic sleeve ('86 recording)

12" QUIRK OUT STUFF UK STUF/U2

1986 6 TRK EP; with pic sleeve, insert

I have long joked that Stump have no female fans. Still not sure this is true or not. I would like to find Chrysalis/Ensign UK 7” singles for “Buffalo” and “Chaos”. I doubt the other 12” singles had 7” equivalents.

I recently found the 3CD Stump CD boxed set, “The Complete Anthology” – which isn’t ‘complete’ – where are the Peel Sessions (that were issued on the Strange Fruit label as a 12”)? The 3^rd CD contains some ‘previously unreleased’ material – which is very interesting indeed. It’s all sub-titled “Post Pancake” – stuff recorded after their only proper album, “A Fierce Pancake”. Too bad the boxed set didn’t also have their music videos!

I remember being told about Stump by the manager of The Chills, an NZ band (that was living and working in the UK). I am certain I first saw them on MuchMusic, the Canadian version of MTV (circa ’86-’87)…but I do not think Stump ever played any US shows.

Stump bassist Kev Hopper reckons that too much was made out of their “Beefheart influence” – but I still find it an enviable comparison. Mr. Hopper has some cool solo releases, too:

CD SAURUS DRAG CITY US DC 223CD

2001 6 TRK EP

CD SPOOMBUNG THOOFA UK THOOFA 1

1998 13 TRKS

CD STOLEN JEWELS GHETTO UK GHETTD 4

1990 14 TRKS

CD WHISPERING FOILS DRAG CITY US DC 201CD

2000 11 TRKS

King Crimson

1-26-09 King Crimson

We only just talked about the mighty K.C. at the end of last year, but I was just taking a look at what I still own…I still say to go in chronological order, if at all possible. The new / recent versions of the CD’s sound pretty good. I have original UK vinyl when possible, or Japanese vinyl.

And I have purchased some of the latter-day issues of vintage material, notably “The Collectable King Crimson Vol. 1 (Live ’74)”, “Epitaph – Vols. 1 – 4 (Live ’69)”, “The Great Deceiver Part 1 (Live, ‘73-’74)” and “The Night Watch (Live ’73)”. I am aware that there is likely some over-lap on the ’73-’74 live material, but…these volumes were inexpensive. I used to work in an office that had a bootleg CD of some of the material on the “Night Watch (Live ’73)” set – so I knew the performances were good, and Fripp’s legit issue CD’s of this material sound pretty good (for live material).

And I don’t have a CD of “Young Person’s Guide to K.C.”, which means I do not have the Judy Dyble version of “I Talk To The Wind” on CD. And I don’t think I have the studio version of “Groon” on CD either (the B-side of “Cat Food”). One day (when they are inexpensive) I must check what else had been issued, as regards the earlier days of the band.

And when the European paper sleeve versions rolled along (2000?), I noticed that only “USA” got bonus tracks (more of that mid-70’s live material). Still, really good sound!

I guess everything will be re-issued yet again – as the Japanese take off into their newest CD variant venture: SHM-CD ( = Super High Materials ). The Japanese ’03 kami sleeve CD’s are truly wonderful, really excellent attention to detail. I have the first four albums as Japanese kami sleeve CD’s. What would they have to do to get me to buy these titles yet again? I doubt they can promise even better sound, at least for the late 60’s / early 70’s recordings.

I love having K.C. 45’s, too. Talk about obscure at the time! I had to go to Europe to find ‘em! Well, the non-US 45’s, anyway. The U.S. 45’s weren’t much of a problem – they were all inexpensive (some under $1). The sleeve of the “Cat Food” single is awesome. And 5 x different versions of “21^st Century Schizoid Man” as a CD single?

CD5 21st CENTURY SCHIZOID MAN VIRGIN UK VSCDG 1597

1996 5 TRK CD EP CD5 5 diff. versions

7" 21st CENTURY SCHIZOID MAN / EPITAPH ISLAND UK WIP 6274

1976 2 TRKS no pic sleeve (60's recording) re-issue at the time of “Young Person’s Guide…”

7" CAT FOOD / GROON STATESIDE DE 1C 006-91380

1970 2 TRKS with pic sleeve, German pressing

CDx2 COLLECTABLE KING CRIMSON, Vol. 1 (2CD) DGM US DGM 5001

2006 19 TRKS ('74 recordings) Live

LP EARTHBOUND ISLAND UK HELP 6

1972 5 TRKS 5th; Live

CD EARTHBOUND VIRGIN UK CDVKCX 11

1972 5 TRKS 5th; Live ('02 issue) kami sleeve

CDx5 EPITAPH - Vols. 1 - 4 (5CD boxed set) WHD JPN IECP-20025-8

1997 40 TRKS Live '69, BBC sessions etc.; kami sleeve, includes a bonus sampler disc

7" GREAT DECEIVER, THE / NIGHT WATCH, THE ATLANTIC US 45-3016

1974 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

7" GREAT DECEIVER, THE / NIGHT WATCH, THE ISLAND DE 13 261 AT

1974 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CDx2 GREAT DECEIVER, THE: Part 1 (2CD) DGM US DGM 5004

2007 24 TRKS ('73-'74 recordings) Live

LP IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING ATLANTIC JPN P-10115A

1969 5 TRKS ('71 issue) insert

7" IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING (Short) / (Long) ATLANTIC US 45-2703

1969 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo

7" IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING / (Part 2) ISLAND FR 6138 014

1969 2 TRKS with pic sleeve, re-issue

CD IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING WHD JPN IECP-10003

1969 5 TRKS 2nd vers. ('06 issue) kami sleeve

LP IN THE WAKE OF POSEIDON ATLANTIC JPN P-8104A

1971 10 TRKS insert

LP IN THE WAKE OF POSEIDON ISLAND UK ILPS 9127

1970 10 TRKS UK original issue

CD IN THE WAKE OF POSEIDON UNIVERSAL JPN UICE-9052

1970 8 TRKS ('03 issue) kami sleeve

LP ISLANDS ISLAND UK ILPS 9175

1971 6 TRKS UK original issue, gatefold inner-sleeve

CD ISLANDS WHD JPN IECP-10006

1971 6 TRKS 4th ('06 issue) kami sleeve

LP LARKS' TONGUES IN ASPIC ISLAND UK ILPS 9230

1973 6 TRKS UK original issue

CD LARKS' TONGUES IN ASPIC kami VIRGIN UK CDVKCX 5

1973 6 TRKS ('02 issue) kami sleeve

LP LIZARD ISLAND UK ILPS 9141

1970 8 TRKS UK original issue

CD LIZARD UNIVERSAL JPN UICE-9053

1970 5 TRKS 3rd ('03 issue) kami sleeve

CDx2 NIGHT WATCH, THE (2CD) DISCIPLINE GM DGM 9707

1973 12 TRKS Live '73

7" NIGHT WATCH, THE (Mono) / (Stereo) promo ATLANTIC US 45-3016

1974 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

LP RED ISLAND UK ILPS 9308

1974 5 TRKS UK original issue

CD RED VIRGIN UK CDVKCX 7

1974 5 TRKS ('00 issue) kami sleeve

LP STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK ISLAND UK ILPS 9275

1974 8 TRKS UK original issue

CD STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK VIRGIN UK CDVKCX 6

1974 8 TRKS ('02 issue) kami sleeve

LP USA ISLAND DE 88 816 XOT

1975 6 TRKS Live

CD USA VIRGIN UK CDVKCX 12

1975 9 TRKS ('02 issue) (3 x bonus tracks) kami sleeve

LPx2 YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE TO KING CRIMSON, THE (2LP) ISLAND UK ISLD 7

1976 15 TRKS Collection, booklet; UK original issue

Kami sleeve CD = paper sleeve CD