TheCellarTapes

Here's something which I hope is mildly informative and of interest.

The first 3 parts of Blues in The Cellar, looking at the artists from the early 20th Century, who I have no doubt had a huge role in making the 1960's the decade it was musically. Enjoy

Part 1 - Blind Willie McTell


Part 2 - Robert Johnson


Part 3 - Brownie McGhee

TheCellarTapes

The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground & Nico
(1967)



Tracks


One of the most influential releases ever to grace the world of popular music, its effect shaped the course of Glam Rock, Punk, Goth, New Romantics, Indie and no doubt even music which is not very good. It truly is a special album, which deserves its hype amongst music critics and fans alike.

Released in 1967 on The Verve Record Label, The Velvet Underground and Nico really does stand out from other albums recorded during 1966/67. When we talk about the production efforts going into other 1967 releases like Sgt Pepper, or even the closest British equivalent to the Velvets; Pink Floyd's Piper at the Gates, The Velvet Underground's production on their debut is pretty much none existent, but for me that surely is the point.

The album was apparently produced by Pop Art pioneer, Andy Warhol, but in reality his role in the making of this album was to house the band in his eccentric New York art house, The Factory, to sign the cheques and to introduce the band to the mysterious German model come singer Christa Päffgen or Nico as she was known. It also has to be said that Warhol also created the front cover, one of the most iconic front covers ever to come out of America. But in musical terms, this album is really a Lou Reed/John Cale masterpiece.



Instead of producing a typical late sixties album, Reed, Cale and Co produced a beautiful yet stripped down album with songs as poignant as the city it was born. Songs like Heroin and Venus in Furs provide the darkness while songs like the beautiful Sunday Morning, Femme Fatale and I'll be Your Mirror brighten up your day, even if the meaning behind the lyrics are probably just as dark as the previously mentioned songs. Run Run Run and I'm Waiting for the Man are as raw and garagy foot tappy as the best of them, while All Tomorrow's Parties is as avant-garde as they come, what more can you ask?

Like many folk, I tend to avoid things which are clouded in hype because normally they are quite the let down, however with this album; I have nothing but praise and admiration. Believe the hype.

TheCellarTapes

The Left Banke - Walk Away Renee/Pretty Ballerina
(1967)



Tracks


Formed in New York in 1965, The Left Banke were a band who mixed classical arrangements with sunshine pop, the result was to see them produce a version of “Baroque'n'Roll” not heard since. Driven musically by the teenage prodigy, chief songwriter and pianist; Michael Brown, whilst driven financially by Brown’s father, in 1967 they released one of only two albums, Walk Away Renee/Pretty Ballerina, released on Smash.

The album from track one; right through to track 11 is a piece of work which deserves its own wing at an art gallery. With tracks so beautifully arranged mixed with sweet harmonisation running through its core, the music on this record literally glows from the speaker it is that stunningly good.



The album contains the band’s hits, reaching number 15 Pretty Ballerina is a glorious song and a fine opener. The other hit from the album was their number 5 single, Walk Away Renee, which features on track 7. Both songs however are the tip of a much bigger and bolder iceberg, for all these songs on this record are of a quality unrivalled by many of the better known bands from the sixties.

However to create these beautiful songs, session musicians would be drafted in which in turn led to the downfall of this promising band. Creating such wondrous records as they did, they were never able to consistently recreate their beautiful signature tunes out on the road, a fact further exacerbated by Michael Brown’s decision to focus more on studio work then tour dates. The band would fall victim to this and indeed dissolved in 1969

The Left Banke despite their marvellous and gorgeous debut (their follow up aint bad either), are today largely unrecognised. In fact so unrecognised are The Left Banke that none of their albums or subsequent compilations are still in production, meaning the price for any of their works has inflated out of control, which to be honest is a shocking state of affairs. If you like anything remotely wistful, beautiful and sweet, wrapped in a blanket of brilliance, then this album is surely for you.

Despite the market value, not all is lost, get in touch with your local independent record shop; they’ll know what to do.