Post by Ken on Oct 8, 2004 1:21:44 GMT -5
Today's pick is a Power Pop classic!
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www.muzieklijstjes.nl/Tips/BigstarNo1record.jpg
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Title - #1 Record
Artist - Big Star
-Alex Chilton - Guitar, Vocals
-Chris Bell - Guitar, Vocals
-Andy Hummel - Bass , Vocals
-Jody Stephens - Drums
Label - Ardent (distributed by Stax Records)
Released - 1972
CD reissue - 1992
Produced by - John Fry
Peak chart position - Did not chart
Singles released - When My Baby's Beside Me - (Did not chart)
Don't Lie To Me (Did not chart)
You've probably heard a few Big Star songs without even knowing it. Cheap Trick cover a version of "In The Street" with slightly different lyrics as the theme song to That 70's Show known as "That 70's Song."
Snippets of tunes like I'm in Love With a Girl and Thirteen were used in the first two seasons of the show.
The Bangles covered September Girls (and do a great job) on their '85 album Different Light.
The band's most well known member Alex Chilton was the singer in the 60's pop band The Box Tops. Bandmate and songwriting partner Chris Bell left Big Star in December of 1972, upset over the album's failure and sadly later died in a car accident in 1979.
The album should have been a HUGE hit but was not.
Mostly due to an ill advised distribution deal with Stax Records who at the time were having financial problems so the album was 1. Very hard to find in the record stores and 2.I don't believe the company really had a clue how to properly promote the record.
Critics and those lucky enough to find a copy of the album raved! The production on the album is flawless.
Many bands include Big Star as a major influence including REM , The Posies and The Replacements - who's Paul Westerberg wrote a song about Chilton called Alex Chilton.
After reading alot about the band and talking to fellow record collectors, I took the plunge and bought the CD reissue - that BTW also includes their '74 album Radio City in 1993. I was so glad I did.
Now onto the music!
1.Feel - This was later covered by The Posies. This kicks the album off in fine form . A great rocker wih a strong vocal by Chris , and some cool Saxaphone is heard also.
2.The Ballad of El Goodo - Some gentle electric guitar opens the song and combined later on with some acoustic guitar makes for a great combo. Jody's drum fills add so much to the song. Really nice harmonies too.
3.In The Street - Chris sings this and I loved it right off the bat! it's an excellent and very strong track.
4.Thirteen - a lovely ballad sung by Alex. Some beautiful acoustic guitar playing is included.
5.Don''t Lie To Me - A fierce rocker with a lot of energy A "crunchy" guitar lead opens the song and carries on throughout. Some cool synthesizer is heard and is used to great effect.
6.The India Song - A song written and I believe also sung by bassist Andy Hummel. A mellotron is used as well as sleigh bells. The harmonies are once again outstanding.
7.When My Baby's Beside Me - This is one of the many songs I liked immediately. A superb uptempo number that has hooks galore. Jody's drumming once again is awesome.
8.My Life is Right - The songs slowly builds from it's intro of vocal , piano and both acoustic and electric guitar. I love the slightly strained but oh so cool harmonies.
9.Give Me Another Chance - Another beautiful ballad written by Chris and Alex. The lyrics are very heartfelt and somewhat sad . Excellent production.
10.Try Again - Simply terrific! I love this track so much! in fact tracks 9 - 12 are great to listen to through headphones while relaxing - I've fell asleep many times listening to them LOL. Once again the acoustic guitars are brought out and some slide guitar is heard and is a very nice addition. Very Badfingeresque.
11.Watch The Sunrise - So good! Nice simple arrangement - acoustics (once again
smooth harmonies , harmonica, bass drum and handclaps - that's it!
12.ST 100 /6 - I have no idea what that title means whatsoever . But it's one of the shortest songs I've heard clocking in at 56 seconds! But is a cool little song and concludes the album in a nice way.
Hope you enjoyed my review gang
www.muzieklijstjes.nl/Tips/BigstarNo1record.jpg
[/IMG]
Title - #1 Record
Artist - Big Star
-Alex Chilton - Guitar, Vocals
-Chris Bell - Guitar, Vocals
-Andy Hummel - Bass , Vocals
-Jody Stephens - Drums
Label - Ardent (distributed by Stax Records)
Released - 1972
CD reissue - 1992
Produced by - John Fry
Peak chart position - Did not chart
Singles released - When My Baby's Beside Me - (Did not chart)
Don't Lie To Me (Did not chart)
You've probably heard a few Big Star songs without even knowing it. Cheap Trick cover a version of "In The Street" with slightly different lyrics as the theme song to That 70's Show known as "That 70's Song."
Snippets of tunes like I'm in Love With a Girl and Thirteen were used in the first two seasons of the show.
The Bangles covered September Girls (and do a great job) on their '85 album Different Light.
The band's most well known member Alex Chilton was the singer in the 60's pop band The Box Tops. Bandmate and songwriting partner Chris Bell left Big Star in December of 1972, upset over the album's failure and sadly later died in a car accident in 1979.
The album should have been a HUGE hit but was not.
Mostly due to an ill advised distribution deal with Stax Records who at the time were having financial problems so the album was 1. Very hard to find in the record stores and 2.I don't believe the company really had a clue how to properly promote the record.
Critics and those lucky enough to find a copy of the album raved! The production on the album is flawless.
Many bands include Big Star as a major influence including REM , The Posies and The Replacements - who's Paul Westerberg wrote a song about Chilton called Alex Chilton.
After reading alot about the band and talking to fellow record collectors, I took the plunge and bought the CD reissue - that BTW also includes their '74 album Radio City in 1993. I was so glad I did.
Now onto the music!
1.Feel - This was later covered by The Posies. This kicks the album off in fine form . A great rocker wih a strong vocal by Chris , and some cool Saxaphone is heard also.
2.The Ballad of El Goodo - Some gentle electric guitar opens the song and combined later on with some acoustic guitar makes for a great combo. Jody's drum fills add so much to the song. Really nice harmonies too.
3.In The Street - Chris sings this and I loved it right off the bat! it's an excellent and very strong track.
4.Thirteen - a lovely ballad sung by Alex. Some beautiful acoustic guitar playing is included.
5.Don''t Lie To Me - A fierce rocker with a lot of energy A "crunchy" guitar lead opens the song and carries on throughout. Some cool synthesizer is heard and is used to great effect.
6.The India Song - A song written and I believe also sung by bassist Andy Hummel. A mellotron is used as well as sleigh bells. The harmonies are once again outstanding.
7.When My Baby's Beside Me - This is one of the many songs I liked immediately. A superb uptempo number that has hooks galore. Jody's drumming once again is awesome.
8.My Life is Right - The songs slowly builds from it's intro of vocal , piano and both acoustic and electric guitar. I love the slightly strained but oh so cool harmonies.
9.Give Me Another Chance - Another beautiful ballad written by Chris and Alex. The lyrics are very heartfelt and somewhat sad . Excellent production.
10.Try Again - Simply terrific! I love this track so much! in fact tracks 9 - 12 are great to listen to through headphones while relaxing - I've fell asleep many times listening to them LOL. Once again the acoustic guitars are brought out and some slide guitar is heard and is a very nice addition. Very Badfingeresque.
11.Watch The Sunrise - So good! Nice simple arrangement - acoustics (once again
smooth harmonies , harmonica, bass drum and handclaps - that's it!12.ST 100 /6 - I have no idea what that title means whatsoever . But it's one of the shortest songs I've heard clocking in at 56 seconds! But is a cool little song and concludes the album in a nice way.
Hope you enjoyed my review gang
