October 05, 2003
PROG, MOI?
I reckon the blog phenomenon is now entering its own early 1970s.
If that means we're out of the Sixties, great!
Speaking of the early 70s, great oldstyle (in every good way) Wire piece on Miles' Jack Johnson Sessions in the current issue, for those who ain't seen it. (And Ian's round up of the Japan re-issues. But when is Ian going to re-appear?)
Funnily enough, I spent a while on Limewire in the summer trying to track down VDGG and Hammill stuff. I liked what I heard, but didn't know where to begin really. (And Limewire is shit). Anyone got any suggestions about what is the best place to start?
Hi Mark,
Re VDGG: Pawn Hearts is the one, then Least We Can Do..., Vital, Godbluff.
solo Hammill: Silent Corner and the Empty Stage, In Camera...he's released zillions of solo discs since then so they become difficult to keep track of...
So I take it that, like me, you think that being equated with VDGG is a good thing, Ray?
Posted by: mark at October 5, 2003 09:32 PMi used to be *rilly* into VDGG (a girl my brother knows is the daughter of Keith Ellis), particularly H to He (early album).
not into them _at-all_ nowadays heh...;)
Hammill is a good analogy, very complementary, saxes and all...!
Posted by: scott at October 6, 2003 01:33 AMI'd def. second Ray and Scott's recommendations for VDGG, particularly "H to He" - great album. Solo Hammill I'd be heading straight for the '78/'79 era stuff, particularly "pH7", "The Future Now". Seem to recall these being wonderful records. Maybe earlier titles, "In Camera"?
A mate of mine (from when I was about 15/16) used to send me tapes of prog (he was a seasoned prog veteran). Out of all that stuff (Genesis, Crimson etc.) the teenage me only really dug the VDGG/Hammill solo gear.
But yeah, being equated to VDGG is a great thing. Hammill is probably one of the very few artists from that era that still *feels* vital, even if I don't check out his new discs at all.
There was a useful single-disc compilation of VDGG stuff released about three years ago spanning the whole career. Probably the best way to get into them. Hammill's solo career I know nothing about.
Posted by: James Russell at October 6, 2003 08:13 AM'Confidence' gawd knows from what album. Sofa Sound is his site. Saw him a year or so ago and thought: this is a bit too much like art for me.
Posted by: sean at October 13, 2003 12:01 AM