mix
Journeyman
Posts: 136
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Post by mix on Jun 19, 2009 16:50:26 GMT
You know, I've a real soft spot for Ian's first solo album Walk into light. There's some great songs on that album.
Divinities was brilliant too. Something different with the focus on the Flute.
Slob is probably one of Ian finest late career moments. It was the album we all wanted him to make. The acoustic Anderson that we all know and love. Real good stuff.
Rupi was a follow on from slob. Some good moments but really more of the same.
I like it when Ian does something different.
One project I'd love to see Ian do is a Walk into light II type album. In other words an album of new songs arranged for electronica. Technology has come a long way since the 80's Walk into light when Sequencers and samplers were new and exciting. I agree they now sound dated but I'm glad Ian made that album. It was refreshing to hear Ian and his songs in that light. But imaging if Ian collaborated with a talented partner who was experienced with today's technology. I think Ian could produce something refreshingly different. Don't get me wrong, this is not at the expence of a fine new acoustic album but it would be very interesting to see Ian revist a style along the lines of Walk into light.
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Post by steelmonkey on Jun 19, 2009 20:40:08 GMT
I think a W.I.L. II type project would be perfect...Ian gets to play with new toys...exact, naked capability of voice is a non-issue and new material would be welcome!
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Post by prestonplatform on Jun 19, 2009 22:20:00 GMT
I would just like any new material
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Post by shindizzler on Dec 18, 2009 3:55:11 GMT
As long as he doesn't go messing with Auto Tune gimmicks. I mean, as bad as his voice has been getting, I'd still rather hear him give it a go more than hear that steely bogus intonation that is already well abused in pop music.
I do like WIL a lot and find myself better able to enjoy it more than the 90's stuff and onward, and even more than some classic stuff. I can't help myself. It makes a neat soundscape to my ears. There are some great uses of sonic space in places that somehow I don't hear in other eras. In that regard I like WIL more than A. A just seems way busy, mainly because of Mark and Eddie and their ability to shred wallpaper at 5 miles. Nice, but the songs don't have the murky, dank atmosphere that lurks over WIL. Except of course the song And Further On.
With regard to the sonic colors from 1983, I just do my mental exercise (as I mentioned elsewhere) about substituting more acoustic/classic tones into the arrangements where that might help. Some bits are clever fills that would once have been organ, piano or string parts, or perhaps harmonized guitars or whatever. In that regard, I think there is enough ear candy to keep digging on this album and Under Wraps.
What I'd still like to know is if the drum parts on both albums are fully sequenced or if they had Ian and Peter tapping things out for certain bits. What I find remarkable is that there is something of a groove and some dynamics that you don't ordinarily associate with the electronic dance and pop music of that era. The parts themselves are quite complimentary to the songs, another thing which sort of sets these albums apart from other pop stuff of the era. Plenty of recordings don't go too far past the pretty straight 4 on the floor drum parts.
There are always interesting things that happen to drum parts when they are played by non-drummers, or guys who play enough to do fully solo albums---Adrian Belew, Paul McC, Todd Rundgren, Mike Keneally, Stevie Wonder, etc... Even Ian has some great ideas to apply to the drums and shakers, while not ostensibly being a drummer. Even the electronic albums come off that way. The drums are quite musical, even if perhaps it might take an octopus to reach all the parts at once! (Sort of an exaggerated reality behind the drums when you don't think of where a drummer's limbs can or can't be at once.)
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Post by maddogfagin on Dec 18, 2009 17:12:25 GMT
From my perpsective it all come down to the fact that, at least in IA's case, he didn't have a traditional or formal musical training. He can't read music, so he claims, so he either relies on others to write the music out as in the case of Dee Palmer or relies on his own throughts so he is not hampered by rigid musical "do's and don'ts".
In this way his musical ideas are his own and not held back by any formal music teaching.
IMO this is why his songs are original and not based entirely on what others say must be done or whether it is the correct way of writing a musical piece.
Hence, what he may perceive as being "right" for a song is not always correct in the formal sense of music writing.
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Post by johntetrad on Dec 22, 2009 16:59:52 GMT
WiL is brilliant - easily Ian's best solo LP in my opinion and just as good as Under Wraps ... what I'd *really* like for xmas 2010 is a remaster of WiL with a stack of Ian and Peter's rough demos / mixes thrown in - some of the tunes on there are great. Surprised Ian hasn't at least done a download only remaster of the LP to be honest - even if he thought there was no market for a physical CD I'm sure the iTunes income would at least cover Shona's xmas present. gareth x
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2009 18:06:33 GMT
Walk Into Light is (agreed) a brilliant album. A one off that will not or need not be repeated IMO. Of course, Under Wraps & Walk Into Light are bookend playback for me. I like the BGO remaster.
Add: Some once in a lifetime gifts found here with Walk Into Light & Under Wraps. Cheers!
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Post by maxquad on Jan 1, 2010 0:32:10 GMT
I agree that any new material would be great...As for another WIL, I'm not sure that is the direction Ian would be comfortable going now, but you never know. I also agree that WIL and Under Wraps were 2 sides of the same coin. Both define the early to mid '80s synth-sound for me. Along with "Grace Under Pressure" by Rush, every time I hear a tune from those albums it brings back memories of the Ronald Reagan era and waking up in the middle of the night wondering if the missles were gonna fly...
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Post by maddogfagin on Jan 19, 2010 19:38:16 GMT
Just been listening to WIL as I get ready for work tonight. Still amazes me that this album still has its critics - for me it's a superb album. Had to replay "Looking For Eden" - what a great song.
Time for a re-appraisal?
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