Nothing Has Changed

David Bowie released is Very Best Of, named Nothing Has Changed.

Now, is my mission, to tell you why this is one of the best compilation albums ever and why it is so relevant.

First of all, there are 4 editions of the album so far: 1CD, 2CDs, 3CDs and Vinyl.

Let's focus on the most popular and complete one, the triple album.

So, in this version we have 59 (!) songs. 

Back in 2002 Bowie released his most popular (until now): Best of Bowie that covers his career from Space Oddity to Heathen. Since that album, Bowie only released two original albums, Reality and The Next Day.

The biggest difference between this compilation and Nothing has Changed are the 90's and the 60's. In my opinion the first compilation didn't covered very well the 90's but, in the new one we have a lot of songs from that time. Songs from hours... and Buddha of Suburbia didn't appear there and, finally, they are here.Great moments on the album with Thursday's Child, Buddha of Suburbia, Seven or Strangers When We Meet.

Bowie's career in the 60's are not very popular, although there are there really good songs before he emerged has a solo artist. Liza Jane, You've Got a Habit of Leaving fit like a glove on Nothing has Changed, and shows an "oldies" Bowie, marvellous really.

He even choose two songs from is unreleased album Toy.

Well, obviously, on a best of like this, you have to pick mostly the hit singles. Bowie is such a musical genius that, there are hundreds of songs you can pick for a best of. It's a pity that moments like Rock n' Roll Suicide, Five Years, Time, Heathen, or If I'm Dreaming All My Life are not there, but understandable. But we have Moonage Daydream there, which is a song that impersonates very well the singer, but was never a hit or even a single.

Also, a nice curiosity, this compilation albums, normally have the tracklist in chronological order (from old to new) or like a concert, with the biggest hits first and a ballad to end. Well, Nothing has Changed has the tracklist in chronological order but from the new songs to the old songs!! I can't explain why, but I think that is amazing.

And the Cover Art of the album is, again, spectacular. Seems like a coincidence but David took photos in mirrors during almost all is career. So, you have photos of Bowie has Ziggy Stardust, Thin White Duke, from the beginning of the 70's, from the 90's, and from today! It looks like he was planning this, since the 60's.

The title of the album came from the song Sunday but, as Bowie is often called the chameleon of music, because of his alter-egos and changes. So, call the album "Nothing has Changed". Priceless! But, then, open the 3CD box and you read, "Everything has Changed". Oh yeah, Bowie can play with your thoughts very easily.

The only thing I would change a little little bit, would be the Berlin years. Although the main songs are there, these era of Bowie is so good and different that he could have put one of his acclaimed instrumental on the album. And my choice would be, for sure, Warszawa.

Most of the songs are in their shorter single versions and some are the single remixes. Mostly of these remixes are actually worse than the album versions (Hallo Spaceboy, I'm Afraid of Americans or Love Is Lost) but, as the album versions are available on their respective LPs, makes sense to choose the single versions.

The album reached #9 on the UK album charts (but it deserved #1).

Listen to Nothing has Changed and you will listen to 50 years of amazing music, through a lot of different style and times. Best Christmas gift this year, by far and, probably, the best compilation album ever released. 

Leave U2 Alone

This expression "Leave [...] alone" became popular from a silly young girl and her obsession with pop singer Britney Spears, however it is a good euphemism from what I want to say.

First, U2 are a great band. Obviously, they were better in the 80's and 90's when they had the power to re-invent themselves during 20 years, creating wonderful albums.

Yes, we can't forget that they made brilliant songs. Achtung Baby is still one of the best albums I ever heard. Every single song is brilliant. Love Is Blindness, So Cruel, The Fly, Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, etc. And then, they created a completely different album with Zooropa, with Stay, The First Time, Lemon, between other songs. And then, they went again to a different and brilliant album with Pop.

I don't believe that they can do a decade like this again. They are getting old, they don't have the power to re-invent themselves for every album, so the last works follow some  more or less straight line.

Some think that their artistically is covered by speeches about poverty, sunglasses, guitar pedals or cowboy hats, and, sometimes I kinda agree with that.

But, they are still a great band. Their last album is good, it has some beautiful moments as well, great guitar riffs. Bono's voice is, naturally, a little bit aged (compared to his super powerful voice 20 years ago), their lyrics may not have the same "muse" as before but the songs are there, and it is good.

Today, it seems that the press (and a lot music critics) are tired of U2 and want to push them down as much as they can, which is not fair.

For example;

Songs of Innocence was given for free for iTunes users or whatever. Everyone now is saying that U2 are giving away their music because it is bad, because they devalued their own music, because no one wants to buy it.
But, when Radiohead did that with "In Rainbows" they were called revolutionaries, visionaries and it was the best and most spectacular thing someone did to music. Also, Thom Yorke, more or less at the same time that U2 released their last album, made his new solo album available via BitTorrent by a very very low price, but that is not devaluing music, it is a genius step.

Other example;
Someone says "U2 are shit, I hate them". And then "Did you heard the new song by Jack White? Love Is Blindness?" "Yes, it is brilliant I love it" "U2 wrote it" "Oh but I prefer much more this version, U2's version is shit, Jack White really added everything to it". I'm pretty sure White wrote the lyrics, the chords and the melodies for this song.

I don't remember seeing good news on a music website about U2 for ages. Every new is "U2 are going to split" "Bono is getting blind" "The grandfather of the guitarist of the band that had one hit song says that U2 are shit". It'tiring and boring.

So, everyone is trying to put U2 down, I don't know why. It's a pity and music industry should remember the huge influence that the band has on modern pop rock music.

There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

One day after Morrissey started his world tour to promote "World Peace Is None Of Your Business", his most recent solo album that reached #2 in the British Charts, he declared that he received medicine's attention for cancer treatment. If he has or not the disease, is something still unclear. While the international press is saying that he has been receiving treatments during the last 18 months, Morrissey says that he did some analysis to his body but that everything was OK.
He said:
"They have scraped cancerous tissues four times already, but whatever," he said. "If I die, then I die. And if I don't, then I don't. Right now I feel good. I am aware that in some of my recent photos I look somewhat unhealthy, but that’s what illness can do. I’m not going to worry about that, I’ll rest when I’m dead.”
But also:
"I made four analysis to cancer but everything was good. Everytime we heard the word "cancer" we assume that everything is ending. [...] As things are today, I can say that time belongs to me"
This is really sad news. Morrissey is 55, and still one of the best artists around. His new solo album is amazing and it's a shame if he will pass away so early, because, a man with his talent has a lot more to offer to this world.
As you said Moz, there is a light that never goes out.

George Harrison's Apple Years Boxset Is Released Today

George Harrison's new boxset is released today.
It includes all studio albums that Harrison relased between 1968 and 1975 when he was still committed with Apple Records.
All of the albums were remastered and there is a lot of extra tracks being added to the albums.
All of the CDs will also be released separately excluding the bonus DVD, which only is available as part of the boxset.
After the Beatles back catalogue being revised and, more recently, McCartney's and Lennon's most successful albums bring remastered it was (finally) for George's turn. Actually, he was really needing a edition like this, some of his albums were last time released back in 1992.
All albums have been remastered by Gavin Lurssen, Reuben Cohen and Paul Hicks at Lurssen Mastering.
Don't forget that this week is also George Harrison week in Conan O'Brien (a huge fan) show, which will include performances of Beck, Norah Jones and Dhani Harrison.

Check the tracklist of each album:
CD 1: Wonderwall Music

1. Microbes
2. Red Lady Too
3. Tabla and Pakavaj
4. In the Park
5. Drilling a Home
6. Guru Vandana
7. Greasy Legs
8. Ski-ing
9. Gat Kirwani
10. Dream scene
11. Party Seacombe
12. Love Scene
13. Crying
14. Cowboy Music
15. Fantasy Sequins
16. On the Bed
17. Glass Box
18. Wonderwall to Be Here
19. Singing Om
20. In the First Place – The Remo Four (Bonus Track)
21. Almost Shankara (Bonus Track) (previously unreleased)
22. The Inner Light (Alternative Instrumental) (Bonus Track) (previously unreleased)

CD 2: Electronic Music

1. Under the Mersey Wall
2. No Time or Space

CDs 3-4: All Things Must Pass 

1. I’d Have You Anytime
2. My Sweet Lord
3. Wah-Wah
4. Isn’t It a Pity (Version One)
5. What is Life
6. If Not for You
7. Behind That Locked Door
8. Let It Down
9. Run of the Mill
10. I Live for You (Bonus Track) (included on All Things Must Pass, Capitol CDP 7243 5 30474 2 9, 2001)
11. Beware of Darkness (Acoustic Demo) (Bonus Track) (included on All Things Must Pass, Capitol CDP 7243 5 30474 2 9, 2001)
12. Let It Down (Alternate Version) (Bonus Track) (included on All Things Must Pass, Capitol CDP 7243 5 30474 2 9, 2001)
13. What is Life (Backing Track/Alternate Mix) (Bonus Track) (included on All Things Must Pass, Capitol CDP 7243 5 30474 2 9, 2001)
14. My Sweet Lord (2000) (Bonus Track) (included on All Things Must Pass, Capitol CDP 7243 5 30474 2 9, 2001)

1. Beware of Darkness
2. Apple Scruffs
3. Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)
4. Awaiting on You All
5. All Things Must Pass
6. I Dig Love
7. Art of Dying
8. Isn’t It a Pity (Version Two)
9. Hear Me Lord
10. It’s Johnny’s Birthday
11. Plug Me In
12. I Remember Jeep
13. Thanks for the Pepperoni
14. Out of the Blue

CD 5:  Living in the Material World

1. Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)
2. Sue Me, Sue You Blues
3. The Light That Has Lighted the World
4. Don’t Let Me Wait Too Long
5. Who Can See It
6. Living in the Material World
7. The Lord Loves the One (That Loves the Lord)
8. Be Here Now
9. Try Some Buy Some
10. The Day the World Gets ‘Round
11. That Is All
12. Deep Blue (Apple single R 5912-B, 1971) (Bonus Track)
13. Miss O’Dell (Apple single R 5988, 1973) (Bonus Track)
14. Bangla Desh (Apple single R 5912-A, 1971 as remixed for The Best of George Harrison, Parlophone PAS 10011, 1976) (Bonus Track)

CD 6: Dark Horse

1. Hari’s on Tour (Express)
2. Simply Shady
3. So Sad
4. Bye Bye Love
5. Maya Love
6. Ding Dong, Ding Dong
7. Dark Horse
8. Far East Man
9. It is ‘He’ (Jai Sri Krishna)
10. I Don’t Care Anymore (Apple U.S. single 1877, 1974) (Bonus Track)
11. Dark Horse (Early Acoustic Take) (Bonus Track) (previously unreleased)

CD 7: Extra Texture

1. You
2. The Answer’s at the End
3. This Guitar (Can’t Keep from Crying)
4. Ooh Baby (You Know That I Love You)
5. World of Stone
6. A Bit More of You
7. Can’t Stop Thinking About You
8. Tired of Midnight Blue
9. Grey Cloudy Lies
10. His Name is Legs (Ladies and Gentleman)
11. This Guitar (Can’t Keep from Crying) (previously unreleased Platinum Weird version) (Bonus Track)

George Harrison – The Apple Years Feature (2014) [7:27]

• Produced by Peacock, Directed By Olivia Harrison
• All Things Must Pass (bonus feature in 2001 album package) [8:03]
• Produced by Radical Media
• The Concert for Bangladesh EPK (2005) [6:03]
• Produced by Olivia Harrison and Jonathan Clyde, Edited by Claire Ferguson
• Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) (video from Live In Japan, 1991) [3:43]
• Miss O’Dell (alternative version from 2006 deluxe edition of Living In The Material World) [2:31]
• Sue Me Sue You Blues (acoustic demo version from 2006 deluxe edition of Living In The Material World) [3:04]
• Living In The Material World (feature from 2006 deluxe edition of Living In The Material World) [3:34]
• Produced by Abbey Road Interactive
• Ding Dong, Ding Dong (original promo video, 1974) [3:46]
• Directed by George Harrison, Filmed by Nick Knowland
• Film Restoration: David Dean & Gwyn Evans
• Dark Horse (original promotional clip, 1974) [:30]
• Created by Capitol Records

We Need A Depeche Mode B-Sides Album

Earlier today, I was listening to some of Depeche Mode's b-sides. You can state the obvious, the songs are not as good as most of the album songs, which is something the band can be proud of, they didn't make the typical mistake of letting bit anthems out of their albums.
Anyway, on their b-sides you can find some really great musical moments, more than enough to make a big compilation selection all or the best of them.

The band were always fan of compilation albums, they already release 3 singles and 2 remixes compilations. So, instead of getting some new guys to make a couple of remixes they could simple release their ultimate b-sides compilation. Their b-sides are not that famous, even inside their fanbase and for long they don't play any of it live (instead of Fly On The Windscreen, an original b-sides appearing alter on Black Celebration).

But image, an album with songs like Ice Machine (famous now for Röyksopp version), Work Hard, But Not Tonight, Dangerous, Sea of Sin, My Joy, Death's Door, Surrender, Sibeling or Free could be a damn good compilation album.

It exists some bootlegs with these songs but no official release until now so, Mute guys, think about that please.

I Am The Resurrection

Sometimes you can't find the motivation to write about music, sometimes you don't have nothing to say or you simply don't have the right mood.

So writing for some months again, but I created this blog 8 years ago and don't want to let it disappear. So, let's resurrect Strange Sound one more time!

   

Suedewalk 2014

As I wrote before, I'm now living in London. Actually, this is my last week here, this Sunday I'm travelling back to my sweet old Portugal after 6 months in this amazing place. 

Some weeks ago I wrote in a Suede Facebook group called "The Insatiable Ones" that it would be nice to resurrect the Suedewalks.

What are the Suedewalks? Suedewalks are tour around London organized by David Barnett, ex-member of the Suede crew and writer of their official Biography. Well, guess what, Mr. Barnett answered to my request and organized a new Suedewalk! The last one was a couple of years ago.

This year's Suede walk focused on the Suede/Dog Man Star era. 

So, a group of more or less 10 fans met at the Boogaloo pub in Highgate. There, we went for a beer and David started to tell some secret things about the band. It was awesome. I read his book some weeks agof or the third time and listening to him speaking was almost reading the book for us. Incredible. The owner of the Boogaloo was also very nice and offered us some Corona beers for the trip.

The first stop was Brett's old house (pictured). There, he wrote the lyrics for Suede's most acclaimed album, Dog Man Star. The house was number 16, Brett's lucky number, because, as Barnett's said, he is very superstitious.

Next we went to the park where Brett used to do volunteer work and where he got inspiration for the lyrics of Sleeping Pills. We also visited the Highgate cemetery where Brett and Bernard Butler gave their last TV interview together and then we passed through several places where Suede played specially on their first years. We passed through the Forum where the band gave their fantastic 1997 B-Sides gig and the mythical White Horse where the band gave their first ever concert in 1990 (pictured).

After that, we ended up drinking a beer in a pub in Kentish Town and having a good conversation and a good laugh. 

David signed my Love & Poison book and we took a picture together. And I also brought home a copy of the fanclub Sessions CD provided by him!

Fantastic Saturday and fantastic walk, I can only say thank you very very much.

Suedewalks are not dead!

Happy Birthday Sir Paul McCartney

Today, 72 years ago, a legend was born!
Paul McCartney former member of the Beatles, Wings, and with a huge and successful solo career launched his latest album "New" last year reaching the top 3 of the UK album charts.
Just to have an idea of the contribution of Paul's to modern music, we just need to say that the Beatle was involved in the #1 best selling single in the 60's, 70's and 80's.
I can't choose a favourite song but, let's remember this old classic, Monkberry Moon Delight from his second solo album (or first with Linda) Ram On.
Happy Birthday!

It's a Classic!

Sometimes, not very often, when you heard for the first time a song you have that feeling "Damn, this song is an instant classic!". I can't remember when it was the last time it happened to me, probably one and half years ago when I heard "Where Are We Now?" from David Bowie (unfortunately, I didn't feel it with "Barriers" from Suede, although I consider it a classic now).
Well, it happened again last week, this time with Morrissey's new single "Would Peace Is None Of Your Business".
This is completely a traditional Moz song. The political lyrics, the slow way of pronouncing the words, the melancholic guitar lines, the irony, everything. Instant Classic! The interlude "Each time you vote, you support the process", is genial, so brutal. Incredible really.
Can't wait to listen to the rest of the album.

Autobiography by Morrissey

Some months ago I finished reading Morrissey's Autobiography.
I admit that, for a non-native English speaker, it was a hard read, the book is full of small ironies and typical English expressions. But, in the end, it was a very interesting read.
I will not resume or tell stories from the book, I will just point two or three things and I particularly enjoyed in the reading.
- Morrissey is very honest in what concerns success in the music industry. Some bands say "I don't care if my album makes the top 10 or not, what it really matters is the message and the music". Well, we all know that this is not really true and everyone cares about the sales, it is good to see your work appreciated and reaching people all over the world. So, Morrissey was, and still is nowadays, euphoric whenever his albums reached the top of the charts in the UK and disappointed when they didn't.
- Morrissey leaves very nice and good words about his ex-Smiths and ex-musical partners musical skills. Although, talking about their personal and social behaving he leaves some critics and sometimes he even destroys them. As I said, very honest, the book is as it should be and it shows completely the world through Morrissey's eyes. As he wrote "How could anybody possibly know how I feel when they are they and only I am I?".
- Morrissey wrote really big part of his life there and this is the closest thing we will ever get to Morrissey's mind but (amazingly) he left a lot of small secrets and mysteries to himself, which is more than understandable.
- Morrissey's depression during his Smiths years was big and it is amazing how he, today, is a very happy man. I completely agree and understand when he says that a Smiths reunion makes him laugh. I don't see (musically) any point for a Smiths reunion and, if Moz is much happier and successful now, why should really be a reunion like that? I still think that "You Are The Quarry" is the singer's best work to date. Better than "Strangeways, Here We Come" and "The Queen Is Dead".
- Moz must be someone really difficult to deal with. His strong an inflexible opinions makes me think that it is really rare when something makes change his mind. I think he know that and he is actually proud of it.
- As a personal view, it was very pleasing to read the book while I am in London. When he writes things like (example) "The concert I gave in Finsbury Park" or "I was walking in South Kensington" and me thinking "Fuck, I was there in the other day" is something special.
Great reading, I recommend it.

Visions Of The Underworld

One week ago I went to see Patrick Duff live as I reported before.
On that night I also bought his two new albums, Visions Of The Underworld and Seven Sermons To The Dead.
Last days, I can't stop listening to Visions Of The Underworld. It is superb and truly beautiful album.
The album was recorded almost live and without overdubbing or big production.
The album starts with a sad and nostalgic song about a man called Danny Freeman. The guitar's fingerings is great and fits with the melancholic feeling of the song.
Then, we meet Julie Of The Rose a more mature and secure song, full of strange and intimidating woodwind sounds.
The 3rd person is Henry James, this is the song that was dedicated for me in Patrick's last concert so it will always have a special meaning for me. The song is happier and lighter than the previous ones.
The slowest and saddest song of the album is Jesus, a personal praying for someone that has abandoned you. Patrick's voice is very sentimental and the high notes helps to make the guitar cry a little bit.
To finish the first half of the LP, Duff wrote a song about The Man Downstairs, it is probably my least favourite track on the album but, even the "not as good" song (in my opinion) is completely amazing. The track ends with some scary and wild sounds, something like a heartbeat of a beast.
Number 6 is Hail Holy Queen, a song about the feeling of dating a woman who already has children from other man. It sounds perfectly when played live and it is a very masculine and strong song.
Though Birds is one of my favourite songs form the album. Sad, simple, nostalgic and, most of all, very mysterious, perfect ingredients and you can really hear the birds through the song. At the end you can experience a very beautiful and short piece of instrumental music.
Luckiest Man I Know is a song that shows you the reason that we should never be miserable and we are blessed for being alive so, just enjoy life, and remember that it is a gift that we are all here, really here, alive and well!
Today, my favourite song from this album is Midnight Garden. The instrumental is great, the guitar really sweeps through the entire song. It is an instant classic, something that you understand in the first time you listen to a piece of music like this. Patrick's vocals are, as always brilliant, the lyrics are great and the song is dark and sad. Everything fits, the lyrics, the guitar, the tune, it is a real moment of pure magic.
To end the album, a song about receiving and being happy with all the good things that life has to give us. Thank you for everything, thank you for the Flowers On My Grave.
The album is a masterpiece. The reason why I love it so much is the fact that Visions Of The Underworld is, technically a very simple album but the melodies, the feelings, the lyrics, the message, the music is very very very complex and omnibus. It is something that, doesn't matter how my mood is, it will always make me feel good and I can always create some kind of connection with every single song.
Please, take (gain) 45 minutes of your life and enjoy the listening of this great piece of music,
Patrick Duff is touring alone this album and it is an amazing experience to see him live.

Suede in Record Store Day 2014

Suede will release Let Go in 7' for the Record Store Day.

Let Go is a b-side from Can't Get Enough single which was released in 1999.

Back in those days, the song was much appreciated by Sweden who decided to release it as single instead of Can't Get Enough.

This year it will be released for the first time in the UK as a 7' single. The b-side was not revealed yet. This will accomplish the 7' singles boxset that the band will release soon.

Let go was written by Brett Anderson and Neil Codling, and it can be found on Head Music Deluxe Edition, or on both of the new Boxsets.

You can pre-order the single through Proper Music

Patrick Duff Live At The Old Queens Head

Again (and again, and again, and again) long time since I wrote last time. My life changed, and I moved to London for six months, which is being a wonderful experience. Didn't have any particular reason not to write on Strange Sound, but it doesn't mean that the blog is dead. As I am running it since 2006 it would be a real pity just to finish it so, even if I keep a lot of months or years without writing, the blog will not close, I will just write when I feel to, and today I feel so. Why?

Last Tuesday was one of the most amazing evenings of my life, and all of it because of music!

I went to see, for the first time Patrick Duff live in a concert! The gig was in a traditional British pub, The Old Queens Head in a very beautiful room.

But, the experience started for me even before the concert. When I was walking to the place I found Patrick Duff in the street and he recognized me! Amazing really, he called my name and we were walking together to the pub talking about daily normal things. He was the nicest person on Earth and he was very happy for having me there. I was feeling like a kid who had just met his hero.

Than the concert began with Evergreen, perfect song to get a connection with the audience. Then, the already classic, Dead Man Singing, the song I was listening everyday when I made my trip by car to the south of Portugal some months ago in my happiest period of my life.

Then, another magical moment, on the first time Patrick talks with the audience he dedicates a song for "my great friend Miguel from Portugal who is here tonight". Can you believe this? Your favourite ever musician dedicating a song to you! Just like in dreams. The song was Henry James form his new album Visions of the Underworld.  

The concert continued with a magnificent setlist that included songs like Ed's Not Dead, Maria, Hail Holy Queen, Midnight Garden among others. The last song before the encore was the classic In My Junkie Clothes from his debut album Luxury Problems. I recorded the entire performance of this song and you can see it down here. Great interaction with the public and really funny moment. For the encore, Patrick came with 3 cover versions of The Beatles, Johnny Cash and The Doors. The gig ended with a big and long silence that created a great vibe in the room. You really could feel something there floating.

More than amazing, it was perfect really.

After the show I  waited for Patrick and he singed me Visions of the Underworld and Seven Sermons to the Dead. We took a photograph, talked a little bit and then I went home smiling, completely amazed and happy for this great experience.

What a day!

Take a look on the video of In My Junkie Clothes: