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Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2000 21:42:00 EDT
From: Dgasque@aol.com
Subject: Re: Soft Machine rec's requested
In a message dated Thu, 10 Aug 2000 8:34:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time, TagYrIt@aol.com writes:
<< In a message dated 8/10/00 7:57:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
jzitt@metatronpress.com writes:
<<
Long ago, I had a 4 (?) LP set of various oddities of theirs. What I
recall most fondly was a BBC recording of "The Moon in June".
>>
<G> 3 LP box, with a great booklet, called Triple Echo, which as far as I
know was British only.
>>
Which also included both sides of those first two great Soft Machine singles, one of which was "Love Makes Sweet Music"- probably my favorite pop single of all time. Why this has never seen a legit re-issue is beyond me. A 30-second bit of it as introduced by John Peel appeared on a Gong compilation a while back (_History and Mystery_ is the title, I think...) , but nothing since then. A real shame!!
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=dg=
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Date: 11 Aug 2000 02:06:20 -0000
From: "Tim Keenliside" <timkeen@disinfo.net>
Subject: Re: Soft Machine rec\\\'s requested
"Kristopher S. Handley" <thesubtlebody@hotmail.com>
writes:
>
><< I've only the faintest memories of hearing one of the
Soft Machine albums, years ago; it knocked me out, and
when I came to, I didn't bother getting any of their
records! Recommendations, please, as to your favorite
picks among the "numbered" albums.
Soft Machine S/T (#1): Hendrix-influenced, full blown
psychedelic rock, whimsical Syd Barrett songs interpolated
with high energy organ-driven power trio pyrotechnics
(check out that solo on Lullaby Letter, best guitar solo
ever played on an organ!)
Soft Machine Volume 2: New, more competent bass player,
some horn charts, moving into jazzier terrain, great suite
on Side 2 (Esther's Nose Job)
Soft Machine Third: The expanded 'jazz' Machine with Elton
Dean sax and 2 other horn players, one 'song' per side,
this was definitely their peak moment, although Robert
Wyatt's wonderful whimsical singing is now restricted to
his own composition, Moon In June, which also features a
cool rock'n'roll minimalist ending.
Soft Machine Fourth: The last one with Wyatt, no singing
allowed now, we're serious musicians, and with his
departure goes some of the much needed levity. Still some
good moments here, the side 2 Hugh Hopper penned
'Virtually' is worthwhile.
Soft Machine Fifth: avoid! The drummer on side 1 is shite,
and although John Marshall rescues the proceedings on side
2, it still doesn't amount to much. They must have been in
a hurry to put this one out...
Soft Machine Six: The addition of Karl Jenkins
(ex-Nucleus) with the Babbington-Marshall rhythm section
seems to revitalise things somewhat, but they're still
trying to be a serious jazz band here, totally against the
spirit in which the group began. Definitely worth a
listen, but not their best work...
Soft Machine Seven: Last album with original organist Mike
Ratledge, a really good prog jazz-rock fusion album.
Still, it seems as though Jenkins ended up taking over
artistic control of the group, and turning it into
something completely different. They should have changed
the name after this! (P.S. Jenkins writes and plays sappy
new age music now, i.e. De Beers diamond commercials and
Adimeus) Yes, the Holdsworth band definitely had its
moments, but it is certainly not stuff I can listen to
now. The earlier albums definitely stand the test of time!
I bought Vol. 2 in '69 and ended up buying all the other
albums pretty much as they came out...There are some good
live recordings with the 69-72 bands, notably 'Live At the
Paradiso'. So after 30 odd years I can still enjoy Vol. 1
& 2 (great to have on 1 CD!), Thirds, Fourth, plus don't
forget Robert Wyatt's solo work, Rock Bottom, End Of An
