As some of you know Rock Town Hall has its roots in an old Yahoo Group, which exists to this day. It’s often referred to in discussions here as either the “Chess” edition or the “Basement,” depending on the tint of veterans’ glasses. Regardless, Olde School RTHers still share the occaisional deep cut and rarity with each other, in private. It’s almost always cool stuff, and today I’m dragging a few of these tracks to The Main Stage. Thanks, old friends!
Along with some basement tapes that I’m hauling into the light of day, I’m posting a few room-clearer songs that were sent to me offlist. We discussed the concept of room-clearing records a few weeks back, and a few Townspeople wanted to share their go-to room clearers. More than Townspeople themselves, the tired mates of Townspeople will thank you for helping get the last nerdy guests to leave.
I’ve mixed the basement tapes with the room clearers. Some Townspeople may find one category of songs interchangeable with the other. Enjoy!
The Beatles, “She’s a Woman (Take 5, with extended jam)”
Monkey, “Heavenly Peech Banquet”
Ornette Coleman, “Midnight Sunrise”
Terry Riley, “Assassin Reverie”
Wolfgang Dauner Quartet, “A Day in the Life”
Townsman Al was afraid I’d forgotten to post a similar offering sent to me offlist some time ago. It was added to that thread way back when, as part of an update. You can hear it here:
https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/index.php/2008/08/29/can-i-get-a-witness-summer-of-2008-editi#more1658
Also worth the download time!
Oh, and my main men, Andyr and Chickenfrank, can tell you which of the above tracks has the best chance of driving ME out of a late-night party!
Thanks for adding that song, Mr. Mod. I missed it’s addition to that other thread.
From the way it looks on my browser, the link here is incomplete and won’t get you anywhere.
Nobody commented on it last time so somebody, please tell me it’s a great tune – or tell me why my taste leaves something to be desired.
Assassin Reverie rules! I thought I already had all the Terry Riley I could get my ears on, but I missed this, even though it’s right there on emusic. It’s saved for later now.
And Kenny O’Dell’s Beautiful People is groovy in a Gary Lewis & the Playboys kind of way.
Wow, putting all these tracks together really makes the Backroom seem like a collection of middle-aged freaks with boxes of moldy dollar records and yellow newspapers stinking up their filthy studio apartments. That Blur b-side is sub-Ween, odd how the 1973 LP, DANCING IN YOUR HEAD seems to be Ornette’s most referenced release on RTH (I’ve been into FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS recently); it’s great to hear some recent Terry Riley, its just jazz enough to play on my radio show; I’m a sucker for that Mancini soundtrack stuff and the misnamed track is Damon Albarn’s project “Monkey” doing the tune “Heavenly Peech Banquet”. His post-Gorilla’s production work is a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine (I like his Tony Allen record as well).
The Beatles’ early take of “She’s a Woman” is a contribution of mine. I’ve been taking advantage of the internet’s miraculous abilities in obtaining non-commercial examples of musician’s at work. Tracking down the Beatles session stuff, going through the takes on HARD DAYS NIGHT, HELP, REVOLVER and SGT PEPPER has been unexpectedly exciting. Especially on this BEATLES FOR SALE session I heard, you really get the illusion that you’re standing in the center of the four of them, as the laugh and goad each other on over every turn the song takes. I was surprised there wasn’t more interest in the music that came out of the ANTHOLOGY releases though….
-db
Thanks for correcting me on the artist of “Heavenly Peech Banquet”. There’s a reason why even the correct title remains misspelled. Thanks for your contributions, db.
I was psyched about buying the second Anthology collection. I bought the first one more or less out of obligation – there was too much really early stuff. I prefer the BBC Sessions for that kind of thing. The second set, however, had a lot of stuff I liked having all at once and/or hearing the first time. What it verified, though, is how tasteful the band and George Martin were in selecting the versions that would be released on the proper albums. Also, the band didn’t bother recording many turds.
I’ve yet to buy the third Anthology album. It covered a relatively turd-laden period, for my tastes. The thought of hearing outtakes for “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” and “Why Don’t We Do It in the Road” did not turn me on.
Oh, and glad a couple of you like “Assassin Reverie”. I like just about everything from that album. I’ve liked just about everything I’ve bought by Terry Riley since I first heard “In C” in college.
With the Beatles sessions I’m surprised how many promisingly clever guitar and harmony parts get tried out and discarded, always in favor of tightened and direct melodies.
I listened to the “She’s A Woman” outtake & I wish that it was on the Anthology. It was amazing hearing Paul screaming.
The second Anthology is also my favorite, Mr. Mod, although the first one does have a nice live set from Sweden. As for the third one, It wasn’t that bad. There were a bunch of White Album demos, as well as Paul’s demo for “Come and Get It”. It think it would be worth picking up if you feel if the price is right (i.e. used).
I forgot that the Swedish radio thing from ’63 was on ANTHOLOGY 1. I recently found the complete set on-line, it adds “She Loves You” and “Twist and Shout”. Another great example of what I’ve been listening to from the Beatles, examples of them really playing together, sans studio tinkering.
Funny how Mod mentioned “I Feel Fine” as being minor, I was just enjoying listening to John run through seven takes of it (mostly without any harmony vocals) and I was thinking there were few Beatles songs I enjoy more. It’s a perfect hinge between the early and mid-period sound for them.
The last ANTHOLOGY set has a wonderful slow very of “Helter Skelter” and those WHITE ALBUM demos I’ve long enjoyed (especially George’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” unburdened by Clapton’s solo).