The new songs - A hypothesis

[Love Expresso]

Nice work, thank you. I would not give too much on Guy's version of "one take", as those are often on the albums but not necessarily are recognized as they still do heavy work over on them.

LE

[dustyvalentino]

Am I the only one who doesn't care which take was used? Some of my favourite records have been messed about with for months in the studio!

[Robson]

Good summary SlowLearner:) And I wonder if John Bratby's painting will be used on the cover:)

[Love Expresso]

Good summary SlowLearner:) And I wonder if John Bratby's painting will be used on the cover:)

Why should it? KTGC already had one?

LE

[Robson]

Good summary SlowLearner:) And I wonder if John Bratby's painting will be used on the cover:)

Why should it? KTGC already had one?

LE

We wondered about this on the forum once, because a new painting of Bratby's "Watching TV" appeared in the British Grove.

[quizzaciously]

Am I the only one who doesn't care which take was used? Some of my favourite records have been messed about with for months in the studio!

You're not the only one, I hate it too. "First-take syndrome" seems to be very popular among musicians of all levels, and something they love to brag about for some reason. Even though Mark's musicians played so much and know so much they could probably record a song in their sleep, so bragging about first-take recording with musicians of this magnitude is like bragging that you are rich when you're Bill freakin' Gates.

[dustyvalentino]

Am I the only one who doesn't care which take was used? Some of my favourite records have been messed about with for months in the studio!

You're not the only one, I hate it too. "First-take syndrome" seems to be very popular among musicians of all levels, and something they love to brag about for some reason. Even though Mark's musicians played so much and know so much they could probably record a song in their sleep, so bragging about first-take recording with musicians of this magnitude is like bragging that you are rich when you're Bill freakin' Gates.

Yeah, I always thought the "take one" bit at the start of You Can't Beat The House was cringeworthy.

[jbaent]

Am I the only one who doesn't care which take was used? Some of my favourite records have been messed about with for months in the studio!

You're not the only one, I hate it too. "First-take syndrome" seems to be very popular among musicians of all levels, and something they love to brag about for some reason. Even though Mark's musicians played so much and know so much they could probably record a song in their sleep, so bragging about first-take recording with musicians of this magnitude is like bragging that you are rich when you're Bill freakin' Gates.

Yeah, I always thought the "take one" bit at the start of You Can't Beat The House was cringeworthy.

I always found funny that "Hey... HEY" during the end of "Don't forget your hat", I always imagine the musicians falling sleep and MK shouting that to wake them up! LOL

[dustyvalentino]

Just one of many MK blues songs that aren't really very good. Probably deserves its own thread...

[jbaent]

Just one of many MK blues songs that aren't really very good. Probably deserves its own thread...

Yeah, he is decent playing blues, but it's not his best. He's way better with folk and americana.

[Rail King]

Just one of many MK blues songs that aren't really very good. Probably deserves its own thread...

Yeah, he is decent playing blues, but it's not his best. He's way better with folk and americana.

I'll agree that the decision to mix some of these "unpolished" blues songs with the rest of, say, Privateering was questionable. But some of his blues songs, like Today Is Okay or Bluebird, are gorgeous. The one I really think is somewhat of a failure is Got to Have Something. This was obviously inspired by Dylan, with whom he toured back then, but it's something that Dylan and his band would have done much better. No problem, though, it's still okay to listen to, and Privateering remains a masterpiece.

[Love Expresso]

Today Guy has updated his Q&A. Suddenly I saw me and us all in the nearer future listening to the new album for the first time and thinking afterwards "so that's it? After six years? What else you've got?" 

I must admit my expectations are very low. If there would be one or two really good songs on it, it would be fine with me. But even about that I am sceptical.

LE

[Robson]

It's a matter of attitude and how much skepticism and how much optimism we have.

GF:

The music of this year has a BIG heart.

These words can only make me happy

[jbaent]

Today Guy has updated his Q&A. Suddenly I saw me and us all in the nearer future listening to the new album for the first time and thinking afterwards "so that's it? After six years? What else you've got?" 

I must admit my expectations are very low. If there would be one or two really good songs on it, it would be fine with me. But even about that I am sceptical.

LE

Also my expectations, are not low, but down to earth, we know what MK is doing lately, Tracker, DTRW, that style, that mix of things is exactly what I'm expecting, and as far as I like a lot DTRW I think I'm ready to like what he delivers, lol

[koobaa]

ANY new material from MK excites me. Can't wait to hear what he came up with this time.

He is a king of melody and I am looking forward to hear his new melodies, even if they remind his older ones. There is always something new, be it arrangement, choice of instruments, or interesting take on lyrics.