Mavis Staples, Nick Lowe & Wilco - 'The Weight'

[Adam Blake]

Andy, if you don't mind my saying so, you do seem quite determined to develop a schism here between what you like and what you perceive "we" like. In fact, that seems to be your motivation in starting this thread. You are we and we are you and we are all together - to paraphrase John Lennon. If this were not the case, you wouldn't have the fun you do here, and feel as comfortable as you do here, and you would have stopped posting long ago, no? Besides, Gary and I hardly constitute a quorum and it would be so boring if we really did all like the same things. Decent, unflashy, workmanlike is only OK if there's talent there too, and in Lowe's case that is abundant.

[AndyM]

What's a little mischief between friends ?

There are enough commonalities for us to have meaningful and enjoyable exchanges, as you say, but if we were homogenous we'd be The Borg. And that's no fun.

And I started the thread because I though the clip would be popular, no other motive.

[garth cartwright]

I like Nick Lowe very much as a live performer. His albums are a bit predictable but contain the occasional diamond. Pipe and slippers music is quite nice at times and Nick does it very well.

I dislike everyone on Adam's dislike list except for a handful of tunes off The Band's second album. Tho I never feel the need to listen to that record. And God Only Knows is a lovely song - but agree, Pet Sounds, very overrated.

I can't stand PJ Harvey.

I'm never been that keen on Mavis - the Staples had some pleasant hits but I always found them a bit too soul soporific. Prefer Pops Staples solo to Mavis and the 2 times I have seen her in concert her voice has been shot.

Liked Wilco's Being There when it came out but nothing since and never play Being There these days altho i still have a copy somewhere.

I do like Radiohead and AC/DC - I think everyone else here hates them.

Personal taste, ay, keeps things interesting.

[Adam Blake]

PJ Harvey made one great record - "Sheela Na Gig" - and another pretty decent one - "Good Fortune" - and that's it as far as I am aware. But her influence on young girls who want to be "different" is entirely a good thing, I believe. They can look at her and think: I could do that. Whereas with Kate Bush or Laura Nyro, say, the sights are just too high.

Pipe and slippers music is a great description, Garth.

[judith]

had Wilco been a typo for Wilko - now that would've been another ratchet on the SoTWometer

Or at least another ratchet for mine and when I first saw the title of this video, I had thought it was going to be Mavis alongside Nick Lowe, & Wilko - I adore them both. For different reasons. Obviously.

but if we were homogenous we'd be The Borg. And that's no fun.

Exactly. Hey Andy, I've seen the original model for the Borg cube. It is quite small. Even so, the Borg still freak me out. By the way, Seven of Nine is even more gorgeous and charming in person.

[will vine]

Andy, if you don't mind my saying so, you do seem quite determined to develop a schism here between what you like and what you perceive "we" like. In fact, that seems to be your motivation in starting this thread.

I know I only said, in the initial response to Andy's post, "I don't really like The Weight" but I guess that sort of started the mischief. Lost in music all these many years, I've so often struggled to go with some of the accepted wisdom. Its all very personal and subjective of course and makes for interesting chat here, and it is interesting to hear what people don't like as much as what they do. There's maybe a danger that we indulge in icon bashing one-upmanship here....you know, don't bother me with Van Morrison or Stevie Wonder (No, really).....but it's good to know that with say, Pet soundsit's not only me that it past by. For the record, I loved The Band and Nick Lowe.

[AndyM]

PJ Harvey made one great record - "Sheela Na Gig" - and another pretty decent one - "Good Fortune" - and that's it as far as I am aware. But her influence on young girls who want to be "different" is entirely a good thing, I believe. They can look at her and think: I could do that. Whereas with Kate Bush or Laura Nyro, say, the sights are just too high.

Pipe and slippers music is a great description, Garth.

And there is An Awful Warning of what happens if you try to be Kate: Flozzence and her Machine. (I refuse not to call her Flozzence.I

By the by, if knowing Nick Lowe influences Adam's views, I should in fairness say that I used to work with Flozzence's mother. And she was a total cow.

[Adam Blake]

Flozzence and her Machine.

Now I really, really, really don't like them.

[AndyM]

Hurrah!

[Jamie Renton]

Andy: Nick Lowe's not dull, honest and reliable, he's a veritable chameleon. A public schoolboy who reinvented himself as (in order): the leader of the most hyped band of its era, a Godfather of new wave (the Jesus of Cool, if you recall), a country rocker (even marrying into the Cash-Carter dynasty, now there's dedication for you), a middle-aged country-soul crooner and his current incarnation as a grand old gent of British pop (kind of a hipper and slightly younger Cliff) Has Bowie taken on that many different personas?

He reminds me of Abba, producing catchy, arch, expertly crafted songs with a melancholic edge. (if no great emotional depth). I like having him around, but have to confess that I haven't bought any music by him for three decades now (but will gladly tune in whenever he's interviewed by Danny Baker)

[AndyM]

Has Bowie taken on that many different personas?

Now you're just being silly.

Though Lowe calling that EP of his 'Bowi' was a stroke of genius.