Dan Fogelberg - "The Innocent Age" (1981)

One of many albums in the collection I've found in a used record store or thrift shop, which had an interesting aura, the reviews on the web seem generally positive, so I've bought it. Of course, the price of most of these records is usually 2-3 dollars, so it's always worth a try. In this case, the risk didn't pay off, it's not an album in my taste.

Dan Fogelberg, hearing the name you might think he's Swedish, and the fact is that his father had a Swedish background  (his mother Scottish). He was an American, died in 2007 only 56 years old, in cancer. The Innocent Age, a double album, was his seventh studio album, and one of his most successful, it generated a number of hits in the US. The music is usually defined as soft rock and I would like to add country rock. It often sounds Eagles, lots of harmonies in the singing, and same kind of sound and songs. Emmylou Harris guest sings on one song, on another Joni Mitchell is in the background, Al Perkins often shows up on steel guitar, as well as a lot of other musicians on different instruments. In addition, the album has a cohesive theme in the form of life's different stages, from birth to death. Could be interesting, but no. Had I not read on Allmusic that the record had a theme, I probably wouldn't have understood it. Doesn't seem so clear in the texts.

Often, you'll find at least one song on records like these you fall for, which makes the purchase feel justified. Unfortunately, I don't do that on The Innocent Age, and it's simply because soft rock / country rock is not my thing. It sounds too cheezy and boring in my ears. If you like Eagles, or other bands dedicated to such music, surely this is a good album. It has an airy and clear sound. The songs, in their context, are of high quality. A double album, so you get many minutes of music. But nothing for me.


Tracklist

Side A
1. "Nexus" - 6:04
2. "The Innocent Age" - 4:15
3. "The Sand and the Foam" - 4:19
4. "In the Passage" - 6:28

Side B
1. "Lost in the Sun" - 3:53
2. "Run for the Roses" - 4:18
3. "Leader of the Band" - 4:48
4. "Same Old Long Syne" - 5:21

Side C
1. "Stolen Moments" - 3:12
2. "The Lion's Share" - 5:10
3. "Only the Heart May Know" - 4:09
4. "The Reach" - 6:30

Side D
1. "Aireshire Lament" - 0:52
2. "Times Like These" - 3:02
3. "Hard to Say" - 4:00
4. "Empty Cages" - 6:24
5. "Ghosts" - 7:16

Dyani Temiz Feza - "Music For Xaba" (1973)

This is a somewhat odd bird in the collection. I don't have many jazz albums, and even fewer with free jazz, avant-garde jazz, fusion or whatever you want to call this. It's not music that's easily accessible initially. I got the album as a birthday gift from one of my wife's relatives, I thank her for the opportunity to broaden my horizons.

Johnny Dyani and Mongezi Feza come from South Africa but left the country in 1964, Okay Temiz comes from Turkey. They played all around the world with different artists in the 1960s, where the trumpeter Don Cherry (father of Eagle-Eye Cherry and stepfather of Neneh Cherry and Tityo) was a common denominator, as Temiz and Feza were members of The Don Cherry Trio for a number of years. In 1972, the three musicians formed the group Music For Xaba, they rehearsed for a few days and went out on a short tour in Sweden. They had gigs in Uppsala, Örebro and Stockholm. The record is a live recording from one of the concerts in Stockholm, at Teater 9, the 2nd of November 1972.

Dyani plays bass, piano and sings, while Temiz is the drummer and Feza plays trumpet and percussion. Different musical traditions meet in some kind of melting pot within the genre of jazz. There are four songs on the album. The opening song Idyongwana revolves around a drum rhythm in which song in form of  Za la ba la ba is heard on a regular basis. More and more rhythms are added during the course of the song. Here and there Feza plays on a conch, an instrument made of a large sea shell. An unexpected opening of the album. The second track Feelings is more pure free jazz / avant-garde jazz. The trumpet is played at a furious speed accompanied by drums and bass. Sometimes I can't figure out how they relate to each other, but I'm a rather inexperienced jazz listener. It feels like a song that demands a lot of the listener.

Side B opens with the slightly more accessible Traditional South African Songs, which one can say is a medley of different South African songs, with a clear jazz spice. Probably the record's most easily accessible song, which doesn't mean it's top of the pops. The last song Görans Söder brings the listener back to the land of free jazz.

An album that challenges, but also extends the width of the collection. Probably not for everyone, but if you like the free jazz and its creative explosions, it may be something worth checking out. An interesting mix of different musical traditions that meet in the land of jazz. Xaba means God, which Dyani explains in the text on the cover, is love. The trio released a second album in 1980, which I haven't heard.


Tracklist

Side A
1. Idyongwana 8.30
2. Feelings 12.50

Side B
1. Traditional South African Songs 9.33
2. Görans Söder 11.33

World of Dogs - "Real & Legendary Dogs" (2017)

Swedish music today, from my hometown of Uppsala, a record that was a gift from my brother on my birthday. The label that released the album is Excellent Spaces and was founded in Uppsala in 2015 by Sandro Colombo and Nils Hollmer, and they are also the artists behind the music on the record. On their website, you can order the music they have released from various musical projects they've participated in.

The album has been mixed by Gabriel Hollmer, and he is the son of the legendary Uppsala musician Lars Hollmer, among many things a member of the 70s progressive act Samla Mammas Manna, and who passed away a number of years ago. If Nils is a brother to Gabriel, or if they are relatives in some other way, I don't know, but both seem to have Lars' musical knowledge in their blood. Lars Hollmer played a lot of accordion, World of Dogs offers something else, maybe jazzy electronica, if one tries to summarize in a few words. On the net jazz is mentioned, as well as electronica, rock, drum n 'bass and personally I get some vibes of the 90's cool trip hop I listened to then. However, there is no rock n' roll, I don't know where Discogs got that from.

It's actually a great record, and I'm not saying that because I'm from Uppsala, or because it was a gift. It's instrumental straight through, and has an airy and light sound, a sound that makes it a very pleasant experience to listen to the album. No heavy vibes. Even the darker sounds that (rarely) visit the songs feel light, like a white, kind summer cloud. It's an electronic soundscape, in which a saxophone, played by Petter Nordblom, is visiting as the only analogue instrument. Some fine guitar playing is also heard along with the electronic beats. Sometimes I've thought it's a bit like an upbeat and happy Brian Eno.

The album has been released in 500 copies, so I'm guessing my copy is the only one that exists in Canada, maybe even throughout the whole American continent? If you happen to stumble upon the album, I can highly recommend it. A nice soundtrack for a day in the life.


Tracklist

Side A
1 Strength
2 Dexterity
3 Willpower
4 Charisma

Side B
1 Wisdom
2 Intelligence
3 Constitution
4 Luck

Eric's Trip - "Purple Blue" (1996)

Local music today, Eric's Trip originates from Moncton, New Brunswick, which is only 1000 km (620 miles) to drive from my home in Montreal. This was their third album, a record that I received on the latest Father's day from my family. Had never heard of the band, neither had my family, my wife and kids liked the cover, they thought it was a piece of art. Personally, I expected it would be quite druggy and experimental music, an idea based on the band name. I was wrong, Eric's Trip was the first Canadian band signed on the Seattle grunge label Sub Pop in the early 90's, which gives a hint of what it's all about. One of the few vinyl records from the 90's in the collection, although it's a reissue from 2018, on purple vinyl, indeed.

The first four songs are a kind of introduction, which gives definitive psych vibes, such as Mooseheart Faith Stellar Groove Band (a band name I like to drop, since almost nobody knows them). Lofi, murry sound, a kinda neurotic mood. But then the album starts for real. Not that the sound changes a lot. There's a lot of guitar and bass distortion, numerous songs wander between quiet, calm parts and thundering, noisy guitars. The singing is shared between Rick White and Julie Doiron, and personally I appreciate Julie's song more. You can hear some grunge in the music, which is not surprising, and bands like Nirvana and also Smashing Pumpkins flicker past in my head. Somewhat depressive and neurotic album, but here and there, especially Julie's singing brighten things up a bit.

Short songs makes the variation great. It's not an album that you instantly fall in love with, it requires a number of listenings to open up. But then you begin to understand why Eric's Trip was a relatively popular band within its genre, usually defined as alternative rock, I've noted online. If you like the Lofi sound with lots of guitar distortion, you can give Eric's Trip a chance. The band split up the same year this album was released, but apparently played some gigs thereafter as well.


Tracklist

Side A
1. "Introduction Into The ..., Pt. 1-4" - 8:13
2. "Hourly" - 2:47
3. "Sixteen Hours" - 3:05
4. "Universe" - 3:08
5. "Eyes Shut" - 1:37
6. "Alone and Annoyed" - 2:12
7. "Lighthouse" - 2:09

Side B
1. "Spaceship Opening" - 2:18
2. "Universal Dawn" - 3:32
3. "One Floor Below" - 1:40
4. "Now a Friend" - 1:54
5. "Soon, Coming Closer" - 3:37
6. "Not Yours" - 2:26
7. "Sun Coming Up" - 2:20
8. "Beach" - 4:14

Tommy James - "Christian of the World" (1971)

After his years with The Shondells, Tommy James had a relatively successful solo career. His Christian faith was hinted in some previous songs, but on this record the message was clear. The Christian theme doesn't in any way affect the quality of the songs negatively, it's beautiful melodies, groovy choruses and soulful gospel choirs mixed with catchy pop music. Tommy James had a gift of writing music many appreciated. The quality of the cover may be discussed, though.

The inside of the cover

Since I'm quite fond of bombastic choruses that sweep you away, I dig many of the songs. The gospel choirs make it swing. In general, Tommy James made quite positive music, which is also the case here. There are no depressing pieces that take the listener to a dark place, instead it's friendly, happy and easily accessible. And good. The songs are of high quality, even though they are so radio-friendly. Of course there are some more boring songs, which may be too cheesy, but overall a good record. And the older I've got, the less patience I have with songs that are too long. Therefore, I appreciate the 2-3-minute length of the songs. I never get bored, and the variation gets greater. So if you stumble upon the record in a thrift store, I think you should buy it. One does not have to fear the Christian message a number of songs display, it only makes them groove more.


Tracklist

Side A
1. "Christian of the World" - 2:45
2. "Rings and Things" - 1:55
3. "I'm Comin' Home"- 2:03
4. "Sing, Sing, Sing" - 3:05
5. "Draggin 'the Line" - 2:45
6. "Sail a Happy Ship" - 3:15
7. "Light of the Day" - 3:46

Side B
1. "Bits and Pieces" - 2:30
2. "I Believe in People" - 2:26
3. "Church Street Soul Revival" - 3:15
4. "Another hill to climb" - 3:10
5. "Adrienne" - 2:40
6. "Silk, Satin, Carriage Waiting" - 2:49

Jon Hassell - "Power Spot" (1986)

I found this album a few months ago in a local record store, for an affordable sum. I was attracted to it as I noticed that Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois had been sitting at the recording table, and these two in combination with Hassell's mysterious trumpet seemed interesting. In addition, it's released on ECM, which has released some interesting records throughout the years. The album is recorded nearby, more specifically in Hamilton, Ontario. In Canada, a distance of 600 km is considered "nearby". Perhaps it's Lanois' Canadian blood that determined the recording location.

It's a pretty dark creation, a relatively murky sound and not easily accessible music. If you don't know it's a trumpet Hassell is playing, it's probably not the first instrument you'd be guessing. My son thought it was "some African instrument". Apparently, he sings in the trumpet instead of blowing in it as usual, creating a special sound. Then he used tape loops for creating harmonies in the studio, which he used live, so the effects were created in real time, and not as an addition.

The music often has a bass of rhythms - percussion and bass (usually created with keyboards), and on top of this, Hassell plays. As mentioned, it's a pretty dark album, and rather difficult. The sound is quite peculiar, and since it's not so varied, it can go both ways. If you like the sound, you get a lot of it, but if you're a bit hard-fledged like me, it will be too much, and the variation not enough. So I'm not in love, and can't with a clear conscience recommend the album. But by all means, don't trust my words, try yourself. I still appreciate artists who do their thing, without too much worrying about how commercially viable the result is. It provides a width and variation within the musical world, and can inspire others to venture into new areas. Hassell is probably an inspiration for many, and therefore an important artist.


Tracklist

Side A
1 Power Spot 7:04
2 Passage D. E. 5:25
3 Solary 6:48
4 Miracle Steps 4:18

Side B
1 Wing Melodies 7:42
2 The Elephant And The Orchid 11:00
3 Air 5:18

Mike Oldfield - "Crises" (1983)

Crises was Oldfield's eighth album. Like many others, I'm a little skeptical of the records he created after the 3-4 first ones. I found Crises some time ago in a local record store, rather cheap and have always thought Moonlight Shadow was one of the best pop hits of the 80's, so why not? But the skepticism remains.

I have a North American press where side A consists of six, in the context, quite available pop songs, of which Moonlight Shadow finishes the side. Except the short Taurus 3, all songs have song, in normal verse-chorus structure. On In High Places, Jon Anderson sings, otherwise it's Maggie Reilly who does most of the singing, and Roger Chapman on one song. To be 80's pop, it's okay, though it's never been a favorite niche of mine. Moonlight Shadow is undoubtedly the best track of the side, and generally I like the songs where Maggie Reilly sings best. She has a nice voice. But overall, a rather uninteresting musical experience, but still preferable to Wham! or Samantha Fox if you must listen to  80's pop.

For me, Oldfield has always been more of an instrumentalist who creats music outside the usual frames, often works that occupy a whole side of the albums. That's Crises' side B (on the North American press), which consists of the title song. Could have been interesting, but is not on the same level as eg Ommadawn in quality. It's more synthesizers, for which maybe the 80's is to blame. I miss Oldfield's more organic sound from the earlier albums, it gets a bit washed out here. In addition, he sings on some parts, with a not too successful result. Had been better to adhere to an only instrumental sound. One recognizes the harmonies, the guitars, etc., and it sounds undoubtedly Oldfield. But it is quite boring.

If you like Oldfield's instrumental works, I think it's better to stick to his first 3-4 classic albums. If one prefers 80's pop, maybe side A can be appreciated.


Tracklist

Side A
1. "Mistake"
2. "In High Places"
3. "Foreign Affair"
4. "Taurus 3"
5. "Shadow on the Wall"
6. "Moonlight Shadow"

Side B
1. "Crises"