My thoughts:
As i pointed out before i'm totally in love with this album. (I was also a fan of Get Lucky / and i love the RPD Album)
I understand those of you who are missing speed and long guitar soloing, because they won't find these elements in there.
But i definitely love the harmonies and the moods that are delivered. Its like drifting in time and in space. The concentration on scenerys of his life, the drifting back in time is something that is very valueable and is a deep approach to his personality. It's the most honest innerview in his soul and his thoughts and therefore alone this album has a special place for me.
But i like it also guitarwise. Instead of long soloing, there are many good and sensitive guitar lick, many on them on the slide guitar. The guitar tones are clear like crystal. The fiddles and flutes are reduced, but when they play a part they begin to shine. The Mix of the album is superb. It's the perfect album for dreamining, it's a very good album to sing along with.
Songs:
1.) Laughs ans Jokes and Drinks and Smokes: The perfect album start: The moment of the beginning of his artistry is described. His start in London aligned with some girls and love stories. And of course the decisive moment why we can talk about this album (devotion and complaints) I love the Brubeck allusion.
2.) Basil: The meeting of the young and the old. The mirror in his youth to see where he ist now, but of course the youth can't see everything. My favourite line: What he wouldn’t give just to walk out today / To have time to think about time/ And young love thrown away. And how beautiful is this song musical wise. Very good harmonies. So touching. It's like a movie with all the little musical effects that atart rolling in (Guitars and keyboards). Marks singing is superb. And the Gibson! I like also the backgroundsinging. Moody at the right place, when he is singing about kissing girls. Man, what can i say! It's evolving like a real masterpiece. Oh! And the last guitar solo, please. This sound is superb!
3.) River Towns: At first listening not very impressed (because Basil was that good) but it was a grower and now i like it very much. Nigel Hitchcock at his best. Such a beautiful sound. About the lyrics i've to think about. Striked by this lines: So I get the bottle open / But something’s hit a nerve /And I’m looking in the mirror / At the face that I deserve. Very touched by the mood of the refrain. Small fill ins with the Fender (?). Dreaming... It's so pure!
4.) Skydiver: One of my favourites, although i don't like the change from the intro into the song. I liked the slide guitar so much in the intro! It's missing in the verses. But i like the Beatles allusion, rhythm and harmony wise. Makes sense with the Beatles-Equipement in his studio! Love the very long Skyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyydiver in the refrain! Love the contrast of a happy feeling song with a rather tragical lyric.
Favourite Line: And when it’s gone, all gone / I’ll stand on a hilltop and sing / I go where I want, I do what I want /And I don’t give a damn about a thing
5.) Mighty Man: was for me the weakest song, BUT with a killer intro. I Think it's a grower! Love the voice and the echo-effects! Love how he sings: It’s a lifetime of digging trenches. Have to think about it!
6.) Broken Bones: I see us clapping at the life concert, fellows!!!! Could be fun, if we have enough power. It's for me the perfect JJ Cale sound. Would be nice on the EC-Tribute Album, if it had been a Cale song. But it's Mark style. So we have a tribute to Brubeck, the BEatles, to JJ Cale and i like it also that he links the styles of his influences together with his journey in the past. I like the Wah Wah (reminds me on EC) and the rhythm guitar!
7.) Long, cool girl: A good love song! Like the drifting mood and rhythm. the pronouncation of "Me and you we’re 3 and 2 / Something’s gonna happen now, it has to / Me and you we’re 3 and 2 / Something’s gonna happen now, it has to reminds me on DS time (a bit slower, must smile). Like the slide guitar licks (specially at the outro! and the Mhm! Mhm part. Live this could be really interesting!)
8.) Lights of Taormina: i'm an Italy fan, so i have to love it! It captures the mood when you are in Italy, when you have time and you start think about your life. I'm immediately into this mood. Love the melting of "He came, he saw, he conquered /Ten thousand voices roared in the arena". The Ancient Times with modern concert scenarios (is it Bob Dylan? Is it Mk?) LOve that thought!
9.) Silver Eagle: Knowing that it is Bob Dylans bus gives the song just another dimension. But i love the thought of restless touring, thinking of the loves of the past, being in their hometown and they don't even know it. It's so sad! Missed opportunities! Everyone of us has these eyperiences, i suppose. Love the harmonies. Goosebumps - although there is nothing! No solo, no anything. It's a mistery to me!
10.) Beryl: A very good song. UPbeat, Yeah! The lyrics are a bit poor. The sound is awesome! DS tribute (But Sultans?- No, that is another dimension!) Like the pointing on female disadvantages in our society!
11.) Wherever i go: The perfect closer for this album: I love the musical building up of this song. The surrection of the universe, the quiet short drum parts under the keyboard layer. One topic of the album is certainly love...
It's a quiet album in a loud time full of dangers. It concentrates on love and experience of a lifetime, and is therefore also spiritual without any religious links. It's a necessary album in a world that spins way too fast. It's honest, it's pure, it touches me. It is important!
