801: Live Collectors Edition CD Review (Expression Records)

The Collectors Edition of 801 Live is the crown jewel of the recent set of 801 Live CDs.

The original 801 lineup came together in 1976 for three shows. This release includes the complete recording of the last of the these shows, recorded at Queen Elizabeth Hall on 9/3/76. Similar to the 1999 reissue, this release includes the bonus tracks "Golden Hours" and "The Fat Lady of Limbourg" but this is the first time that the proper ending to set-finale "Third Uncle" has been released.

The original lineup of 801 featured Eno on lead vocals and Phil Manzanera on guitar along with an all-star prog-rock cast (many of whom played on Manzanera's Quiet Sun project and/or Eno's Here Come The Warm Jets LP) that consisted of Bill MacCormick (Bass), Lloyd Watson (Slide Guitar), Francis Monkman (Fender Rhodes/Cavinet) and Simon Phillips (Drums). The set list features material from Eno's solo projects, Manzanera's Quiet Sun LP Mainstream and his solo disc Diamond Head along with covers of The Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows" and The Kinks "You Really Got Me".

Over 30+ years have passed since the original recording of 801 Live and both the band's songs and quality of the recording sound incredibly vibrant and relevant by today's standards. The was one of the best sounding live albums when in originally came out on LP in 1976 (according to Wikipedia, this was due to the use of the then new Direct Injection technology where all outputs from the vocal microphones, guitar amps and others instruments (except the drums) were fed directly to the mobile studio mixing desk). This is one of those live shows where anything seems possible as the band moves from swirling psychedelia to Eno-driven deconstructionism to a off-kilter reworking of "You Really Got Me". The band then ends the set with an aggressively punked-up version of "Third Uncle" and more than likely leaves the audience exhausted after having been on this almost hour-long mind-blowing roller coaster.

What makes this Collectors Edition really special is the inclusion of a bonus CD that captures a live rehearsal from two weeks prior to the 801 Live show. The sound quality of the rehearsal is great and it captures the band working out their set in a loose and raw atmosphere. A number of songs are longer in length, with the most noticeably being Eno's "The Fat Lady of Limbourg" which runs for just over nine minutes.

There aren't many CDs, much less live CDs, that hold the test of time for thirty+ years but 801 Live Collectors Edition is a strong winner.

Links:
Expression Records

801: latino CD Review (Expression Records)

In 1999, Phil Manzanera reactivated the 801 name and concept for a show in Newark, Lincolnshire UK. "The original 1976 ‘801′ concept of bringing together different musicians from a wide musical spectrum,for a short time,recording them in a live concert, still seemed valid some 25 years later. This time I wanted to see if 801 would work with Latin players." (-Phil Manzanera)

There is no overlap with any of the material from the previous 801 releases as this 50+ minute disc features high-energy Latin music which Manzanera describes as "a snapshot of the music that has accompanied [his] musical journey" from the 40's to the 90’s. Unlike previous 801 releases where Phil Manzanera's guitar work was highlighted in the mix, there are no real guitar solos on 801: latino and Phil's guitar work fits beneath and complements the rest of the band. Other members of this one-off project include vocalist Yamile (who was main vocalist for the most relevant salsa band of the 90's called PG Poder de la Generación), Havana composer/jazz musician Aldo Lopez-Gavilan, critically acclaimed drummer Carlos "Mosca" Valde and bassist Chucho Merchán (who has played with Pete Townsend, David Gilmour and The Eurythmics).

Links:
Phil Manzanera/Expression Records

801: Live @ Hull CD Review (Expression Records)

In 1977, Phil Manzanera took a new version of 801 on the road to support the band's then current release Listen Now. While there are a number of songs that overlap with 801 Live, without Brian Eno's art rock eccentricities, the new members give the band almost a pub-rock feel.

Aside from Manzanera, the only hold-over from 801 Live is bassist/vocalist Bill MacCormick. This new lineup includes a number of Roxy Music sidemen - Eddie Jobson, Paul Thompson and Dave Skinner -- along with newcomer vocalist/guitarist Simon Ainley. The material is a mixture of songs from the two 801 albums, Manzanera's solo work, cover versions of The Beatles ("Tomorrow Never Knows") and Kinks ("You Really Got Me") songs and a 8 minute run-through of Roxy Music's "Out of the Blue".

This is a spirited ragged-but-right performance that has some great guitar work by Manzanera and Eddie Jobson's violin adds to the reinterpretations of these songs. There is no high-gloss production work here; the show is complete with bum notes and the band doesn't seem to take themselves too seriously. The downside of this release is that it seems to be sourced from an audience bootleg. The sound is ok as bootlegs go but it will likely leave audio purists holding their ears. Give a listen to the sound samples on Amazon so that you know what you are getting into with this.

Links:
Phil Manzanera's Website

Heart of Palm U.K. (HOPUK) - "For Life" CD Review (Hypnote)

Download Heart of Palm U.K. - I Flow (MP3)
Download Heart of Palm U.K. - People and Logistics (MP3)

Heart of Palm U.K. are a fairly new band out of Los Angeles (which makes the 'UK' part of the band's name rather curious) that plays melodic electro-pop. HOPUK combine synthesizers, keyboards and twitchy beats with rich vocal harmonies to create a sexy "urban cool" that is reminiscent of the first Luscious Jackson release.

Heart of Palm U.K. is the vehicle for lead singer/songwriter Erika Elektra and the lyrical themes of her songs are about love, loss, hope and renewal. In a recent interview with the LA Times, Erika said that these songs "are the sorts of things that come with the end of a long-term relationship".

For You contains a number of standout tracks which include "People and Logistics", "Portugal", and "Trust". (All three of these tracks are streaming on the band's MySpace page) The band's cover of Roxy Music's "More Than This" is also particularly fun.

For Life is a strong debut release and the disc is now available through all of the traditional on and off-line retailers. The CD was released last month on Hypnote Recording Concern and it was mastered by Henrik Jonsson (Peter Bjorn and John, Robyn, Lykke Li).

Links:
Heart of Palm UK's Website

The Return of the Cool Guy - Bryan Ferry is Doing an Autograph Signing on Wed.

To promote his new CD Dylanesque, Bryan Ferry will be doing an autograph signing on June 27th. This will take place at J&R Music World and starts at 12:30PM.

While Dylanesque won't be release in the US until June 26th, it is already out in Europe and is getting great reviews. (link)