This happy-tuned song has that up-beat sound of the late sixties/ early seventies. Although Lou Reed doesnt have the best singing voice, he makes up for it with quality lyrics... much like Bob Dylan. Great guitar in this one.
from The Best of Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground
29 Nov 05 ·n-jeff: It's on Lou Reed's "Transformer" LP so that would be 1971, I think. Not that it probably wasn't written before then. And possibly the coolest LP Rick Wakeman played on.
If you only know this song from the greatest hits you should check out Transformer itself, a quality record. In fact all the Velvets LP's individually, including 1969 and everything Reed did solo up to, say, 1975. 11 Dec 05 ·Mike: The coolest LP Rick Wakeman played on (apart from the Six Wives of Henry VIII and the Yes oevre, of course) - Hunky Dory. 20 Dec 11 ·schlick: Transformer was released in 1972, and Rick Wakeman played on Lou\'s first solo album released earlier in that year, not on Transformer, just wanted to clear things up.
Shamelessly exciting! Jason Forrest brings his own brand of electronica, introducing samples whenever he feels like it. It's like a kick in the teeth and you like it (not like the pansy Pet Shop Boys kick in the teeth). If you want to rock, you want Jason Forrest in your life.
from Shamelessly Exciting
29 Nov 05 ·n-jeff: Jason Forrest seems to be about the most tuneful of that whole mashcore scene, and the most serious minded. Although having met him (sound bloke) I don't think the man who once called himself Donna Summer would have the issues about the Pet Shop Boys you seem to.
ever heard of marc bolan? check this out! toured with the who and got thrown off due to a havoc in germany. a psychedelic pop song of highest class.
from the single midsummer night's scene available on CD - smashed blocked (get back)
23 Dec 05 ·n-jeff: Its not my favourite of their songs, but one of the few where you can hear Bolan, I don't think he actually did that much with them.
They play a funny part in Simon Napier-Bells autobiography "you don't have to say you love me". Recommended for its high trash content and infallible ego.
From the same album which spawned the mindblowing 'Im 80 Stockwerk' comes this superb track. It opens slowly, with a moody guitar/vocal introduction. Soon the heavy Burt Bacharach influence of 'Stockwerk' returns, as the strings come in and the song develops. The beat is funky in a gentle late-sixties pop kind of way. I have no idea what Hildegard is singing, but it sounds rather positive and uplifting, and I’m a big fan of her smoky voice.
from Knef (Decca) available on CD - Fur Mich... (box set) (BMG Germany)
19 Feb 02 ·AndreasNystrom: Really great song!, nice rhythm and harmonys. 26 Apr 02 ·bellboy: this song is about "masters of this world" - the text would stir you up rather than just lift you up. It breathes the same air as a song by Alexandra "Mein Freund der Baum". Heavy bittersweet german Weltschmerz. One of the Knef's best songs is "Von nun an ging's bergab" which means "From now it went downhill". She tells us her story: Her birth in cold winter, her film career in the USA, her return to Germany, starting a second career as a singer - and everytime she comments ironically: "From now it went downhill" which is VERY funny! The last words of this song comment herself as a singer: "Es war nicht meine Schuld - ich bitte um Geduld" - "It wasnn't my idea to start singing, please be patient with me" 08 Apr 03 ·heimwehblues: To "bellboy": "Von nun an ging's bergab" is performed by Hildegard Knef as "From Here On It Got Rough" (LP "The World of Hildegard Knef"), last lines: "A change was overdue, from here it's rough on you.". 23 Dec 05 ·eftimihn: Warner Music Germany finally released "Knef" on CD ahead of the celebration of Hildegard Knef's 80th birthday. While it's completely beyond me why people had to wait until 2005 to get this masterpiece in it's entirety, i'm thrilled that it's finally arrived. Also, Hildegard Knef repeatedly expressed "Knef" was her best album. 03 Jan 06 ·n-jeff: "From Here On It Got Rough" is the opening track on teh recent (2005) compilation "the in-kraut".
And very witty it is too. But also a very groovy song.
With the likes of Buzzsaw by The Turtles and Dance With The Devil by Cozy Powell, Groovin' With Mr. Bloe is one of my favourite late 60's-early 70's groovy "novelty" pop instrumentals.
Beginning with a tight drum beat that carries on throughout the song and followed by one of the fattest basslines ever, this is a real dancefloor gem for hip crowds. Best of all is the harmonica lead by Mr. Bloe himself, a session musician by the name of Harry Pitch. Groovin'...became a surprise top ten hit but the best credit to the song is that it allegedly still enjoys club play by Richard Searling, the legendary northern soul deejay.
12 Jan 06 ·n-jeff: I take the opportunity to play it out whenever I can, it's a belter of a record, and still relatively easy to find in UK charity shops.
Good choice!
