Is Your Love in Vain (1978) – Bob Dylan

Posted on November 17, 2022 by observationblogger — 6 Comments

Is Your Love in Vain is another unheralded gem from Dylan’s massive music catalogue. It comes from one of Bob Dylan’s most misunderstood and underrated records – Street Legal. I wrote in the post about the record’s opening track – Changing of the Guards – if I had to choose just one album from Dylan to take with me on a Desert Island, it would be Street Legal. Just an aside, if you listen to the beginning of Is Your Love in Vain it has an uncanny resemblance to a Spanish song, I wrote about called Eres Tu (It’s You). Coincidence or Love and Theft? Anyhows, both are great songs.

Do you love me
Or are you just extending goodwill?
Do you need me half as bad as you say
Or are you just feeling guilt?

I’ve been burned before and I know the score
So you won’t hear me complain
Will I be able to count on you
Or is your love in vain?

Is Your Love in Vain has always been a closet Dylan song that I hold dear, but I have noticed it has its detractors in the fan realm. This song was hammered for its supposed misogyny. Dylan wrote in this: ‘Can you cook and sew, make flowers grow, Do you understand my pain?‘ Like his song Abandoned Love I always felt this song represented more Dylan’s inner turmoil, conflicting emotions and outreaching. It’s as though he hasn’t had time to process his feelings and so it is raw, lucid, and candid and may be construed in a variety of ways.

I perceived Is Your Love in Vain as Dylan desiring to settle down to a normative life with someone who truly loves him and provide him a base of security and routine. Many others have always seen a problem here with this song, and indeed interpreted the whole album Street-Legal as somehow faulty. For that reason, I wrote above, the album to me at least is misunderstood. I’ll leave the last words to the author of Untold Dylan:

Dylan is no longer the bright boy on the block describing the freak show and the strange world around him, as he did in the era of Highway 61 and Blonde on Blonde.  Now he’s the man who has been divorced and hurt and left.  So, just as we might expect, the music plods along in a classic Dylan style of the descending bass, starting on E flat and travelling down, rising up suddenly to the infamous “cook and sew” line. The melody is far more interesting than in many Dylan songs, and it works perfectly around the lyrics and their meaning. 

Reference:
1. Untold Dylan – Bob Dylan.org
2. Street-Legal (Album) – Wikipedia

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Piano Concerto No 21 In C Major K467 Andante (1785) – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Posted on November 16, 2022 by observationblogger — 1 Comment
First page of the autograph manuscript

It’s staggering what Mozart wrote around this time period, like the Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni and The Abduction from the Seraglio amongst many other great works written about here. Today’s featured piece – Piano Concerto No. 21 was completed just 4 weeks after he completed Piano Concerto No 20 in D Minor. My Grandmother often played the No 20, and I dedicated that post in memory of her. Today’s No 21 is one of Mozart’s most familiar pieces of music although it didn’t feature in the Amadeus soundtrack.

These piano concertos are not just frivolous showpieces; they consistently struck rich melodic veins and formed a classical concerto gospel, which inspired the young Beethoven a great deal.
Orrin Howard wrote:

A sad historical footnote reveals that, while his concerto inspiration hardly ever failed him, his public did. Proof of this deplorable fact is seen in the correlation between his Viennese popularity and each year’s need for new concertos: three in 1782 and 1783, six in 1784, three in 1785 (the year of K. 467), a like number in 1786, and one each in 1788 and 1791.

Thank heaven for the successful years; without them there would unquestionably be fewer Mozart piano concertos. One is given to wondering, however, whether the flighty aristocrats for whom the works were written perceived even faintly the uniqueness of Mozart’s achievement during the time they were making him the fashion of the moment.

More information regarding the structure and specifics of the music can be found in the two references below:

Reference:
1. Piano Concerto No. 21 (Mozart) – Wikipedia
2. Piano Concerto No. 21, K. 467 – theford

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It’s All in the Way (2002) – My Friend the Chocolate Cake

Posted on November 15, 2022 by observationblogger — 3 Comments

When I lived in Melbourne, I wanted to see Australian Aboriginal singer – songwriter Archie Roach in concert. We secured tickets and learnt that Archie Roach would be joined by David Bridie whose music has featured here often. I hadn’t heard of Bridie until seeing him that night with Archie, but Bridie opened the concert with his song ‘More Heart than Me‘. Upon hearing the distinctive piano introduction and his opening words ‘She comes every morning at least three times‘, I looked at my partner gobsmacked and asked, ‘Who the F&ck is this guy‘!? We were both in music-heaven right there.

It’s all in the way you carry yourself
Ever so slightly you lean to one side
Each moment moves slowly, the colours more defined
And I don’t want it to change
It’s all in the way you glide when you’re walking
Your feet slide in motion, and don’t touch the ground

And it’s all in the way that you’re mine
Yeah, it’s all in the way that you’re mine

People talk of a post-World War II golden age, and I’ll give you just a smidgeon of just how good it got. A few weeks after seeing Bridie and Roach in concert we received in the mail the CD ‘Curious‘ (see image inset top-left) from Bridie and his band ‘My Friend the Chocolate Cake‘ as a thank you gift for seeing him concert. Do you believe that? Well, it’s true. And I still have the CD. I played that thing to death. Do you know why? Not because it was a gift; as lovely as that was to receive, but because it contains some of the best eclectic music I have ever heard. Today’s featured song ‘It’s all in the Way‘ opens the album and like the rest of the music on that record is sublime.

My Mum called me from Australia last night and told me that Archie Roach had passed away and I immediately fell into a deep pit. I’m still trying to stomach that news. He actually passed away a few months ago and I was just learning about it. It should have been front headline news on Australian media. I grew up listening to his records which were produced by David Bridie. After seeing Bridie with Roach in concert I became a bit of a band groupie of the Cake and Bridie and watched them live all over the place and got the pleasure to talk to them on occasion.
So, without further to do, here is My Friend the Chocolate Cake‘s It’s All in the Way.

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7/11 – 13/11/22 – Raiders of the Lost Ark, Billion Dollars & TÁR

Posted on November 14, 2022 by observationblogger — Leave a comment
news on the march

Welcome to Monday’s News on the March – The week that was in my digital world.

Shooting “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (with Steven Spielberg & Douglas Slocombe)
Video documentary at Cinematographers on Cinematography

Raiders is my favourite Adventure movie and this fascinating documentary about its making elevates my admiration of the artistry and creative development in the whole process. This is how movies used to be made. This is an extraordinary account of cinema history.

Someone wrote in the comments:

Every aspect of this film represents a pinnacle for the craft. The writing, the acting, the directing, the costume design, the set design, the soundtrack, the sound effects, the stunts, the effects, the makeup…. And yes the cinematography…. Every aspect of this film is badass. (Watch entire documentary here)

Louis CK Stand up Comedy: If I Had a Billion Dollars
Audio comedy excerpt at Louis CK Dose

You would think the following was untrue, but Louis CK described also what happened to me:

‘My bank called me the other day, saying you don’t have enough money. And I was like, yeh, I know that. I also am of the opinion I don’t have enough money. And she said, you don’t understand, you have insufficient funds…Well yeh, that’s also a very good way of putting it. I think my funds are grossly insufficient. Thank you for calling. I thought it was my problem that I’m F&cking broke. I thought I was the only one who suffered, but apparently the bank has a serious problem with it…and it f&cks them up I’m broke. And she said you can’t have such a low amount of money. We can’t tolerate that….Well then give me some f&cking money…’ (Listen to comedy show extract here)

Cate Blanchett: Becoming a Distinguished Composer in TÁR | Apple Music
Video interview at Apple Music

This video interview is ‘Wokesville‘ amongst elites at the upper echelon even including the interviewer’s ‘I’m so woke – it’s unbelievable’ glasses. But it is Cate, and she talks about her new movie that my friend Reely Bernie reviewed here.
Australian actor Cate Blanchett sits down with Zane Lowe to reflect on her experience embodying renowned composer Lydia Tár in the film TÁR. Though she is not a musician in her real life, Cate Blanchett molds herself to fit into the role of one of the greatest living composer-conductors for the film. Cate explains how she experienced major imposter syndrome while acting as the first-ever female music director of a major German orchestra. She and Zane also discuss more broadly the impact of music and humanity’s relationship with sound. (Watch entire interview here)

news on the march the end
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I Don’t Live Here Anymore (2021) – The War on Drugs

Posted on November 13, 2022 by observationblogger — 6 Comments

Find out by watching the video below why Jeff (Eclectic Music Lover) said ‘The War on Drugs are one of the greatest bands around today. I love their dreamy, expansive sound, and their intelligent songwriting and intricate guitar work are always exceptional‘. I just love this video which contain some of their songs from their latest album I Don’t Live Here Anymore. Today’s title track is the first song on the video below. A special shout-out also to the final song ‘Change‘ which starts at 17:22 in the performance below.

Maia Stern, the video productor at NPR Music wrote on November 1, 2021:
In their Tiny Desk (home) concert, The War On Drugs gather in their packed studio in Burbank, CA to let us in on the fun and intricate inner workings of their craft. After opening the show with “I Don’t Live Here Anymore,” which shares the same title as their new album, frontman Adam Granduciel introduces the band and asks if anybody has a capo. Suddenly a very thoughtfully crafted tiny desk with drumsticks for legs (and topped with a tiny lamp too!) slowly lowers down into the space, delivering said capo. Granduciel smiles, and the group continues with three more tracks from the new record: “I Don’t Wanna Wait,” “Old Skin,” and “Change.”

When I think about the old days, babe
You’re always on my mind
I know it ain’t like I remember
I guess my memories run wild
Like when we went to see Bob Dylan
We danced to “Desolation Row“
But I don’t live here anymore
But I got no place to go

Beating like a heart
I’m gonna walk through every doorway, I can’t stop
I need some time, I need control, I need your love
I wanna find out everything I need to know

I Don’t Live Here Anymore is the fifth studio album by American indie rock band The War on Drugs. The songs were all reimagined, rewritten and/or remixed multiple times over the course of the album’s three-year recording process. I Don’t Live Here Anymore received acclaim from music critics. At Metacritic the album received an average score of 85, based on 25 reviews, indicating “universal acclaim”.

I opened this post with Jeff’s quote about The War on Drugs and I’m going to let him close it out:

‘The War on Drugs are without question one of the finest bands making music today. I first learned about them at the end of 2014 when I saw this album on every year-end list, and their song “Red Eyes” on multiple best songs of 2014 lists. I was instantly blown away by their gorgeous music, and have been a big fan ever since. I think my favorite song of theirs is “Pain” from ‘A Deeper Understanding. I get a big lump in my throat every time I hear it, awestruck that someone is capable of writing such stunning and impactful music.’

Reference:
1. I Don’t Live Here Anymore – Wikipedia

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Islands in the Stream (Live in Las Vegas 1997) – Bee Gees

Posted on November 12, 2022 by observationblogger — 11 Comments
Bee Gees – Islands In The Stream (Live in Las Vegas, 1997 – One Night Only)

People may be more familiar with the mega-hit version by Dolly Parton and Kenny Roger’s of this song, but I have always had a penchant for this one by the Bee Gees in Las Vegas. They wrote the original song and the harmonies are fantastic. This is one of the most played live concert-dvds in our household. The Bee Gees wrote a lot of songs which became hits for other artists including the following:

  • “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” Al Green (1972)
  • “Grease,” Frankie Valli (1978)
  • “Emotion,” Samantha Sang (1978)
  • “Hold On to My Love,” Jimmy Ruffin (1980)
  • “Woman in Love,” Barbra Streisand (1980)
  • “Heartbreaker,” Dionne Warwick (1982)
  • “Chain Reaction” Diana Ross, and
  • “Islands in the Stream,” Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers (1983)

Baby, when I met you, there was peace unknown
I set out to get you with a fine-tooth comb
I was soft inside
There was something going on

You do something to me that I can’t explain
Hold me closer and I feel no pain
Every beat of my heart
We got something going on

Islands in the Stream is named after an Ernest Hemingway novel and was released in August 1983 as the first single from Kenny Rogers’s album Eyes That See in the Dark. The song was originally written for Diana Ross in an R&B style but later reworked for the duet by Rogers and Parton. The song reached number one on the Billboard chart in the United States (knocking Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” out of No. 1), giving both Rogers and Parton their second pop number-one hit (after Rogers’s “Lady” in 1980 and Parton’s “9 to 5” in 1981).

Reference:
1. Islands in the Stream (song) – Wikipedia

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Isn’t it Time (1977) – The Babys

Posted on November 11, 2022 by observationblogger — 13 Comments

Isn’t It Time is an iconic 70’s track and always evokes fond memories whenever I hear it. It peaked at #1 in my home country, Australia and #13 on the Billboard Charts. It was performed by the English group The Babys in 1977 and was released on their album Broken Heart. It contains a distinctive piano introduction performed by Michael Corby which moves into an opening vocal performance by lead singer John Waite. The Babys were best known for today’s featured song and Every Time I Think of You.

Falling in love was the last thing I had on my mind
Holding you is a warmth that I thought I could never find

(Sitting here all alone) Just trying to decide
(Whether to go all alone) Or stay by your side
(Then I stop myself because) I know I could cry
I just can’t find the answers
To the questions that keep going through my mind
Hey, babe
Isn’t it time?

Isn’t It Time was not written by members of the group but by bass guitarist Jack Conrad along with Ray Kennedy. The lyrics were motivated by Ray Kennedy’s love for a French woman whom he knew during the writing of the song.  The song was first aired on the ABC program American Bandstand – 7 December 1977.
I agree with Max at Powerpop who wrote:

‘What I liked about The Baby’s was the voice of John Waite. He would later turn solo after the Babys broke up to have a few hits of his own. I never got to see them live but friends told me they were better live than on their records‘.

Reference:
1. Isn’t It Time (The Babys Song) – Wikipedia

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Introduction (The Journey of a Fool) 1979 – Mike Batt

Posted on November 10, 2022 by observationblogger — 5 Comments

Journey of a Fool is the instrumental introduction track of the record Tarot Suite by Mike Batt (with the London Symphony Orchestra). This is the second song to appear here from one of my most cherished records. I wrote about how underrated it is in my first post – Imbecile. That post remains one of the most viewed on my blog since there is hardly any information online about this immense production.

It’s hard to believe that this is now 40+ years old. No other album was played as often in our house during my youth than this one. A popular radio station in Sydney called Triple M played part of this song as their theme music in the 80’s. A lot more information about this album and comments from admirers can be found in that first post.

Tarot Suite was inspired by the 22 major arcana trump cards of the tarot deck. If the listener wants to make sense of the concept of this album, the insert provides a handy description and explanation of the various cards and how they relate to the music. This album is driven by the creative orchestral (London Symphony Orchestra) arrangements and songwriting of Batt. To his credit, Batt is not inhibited by allowing electric guitars and other instruments to assume a dominant role in his music rather than his own keyboard playing, which is utilized more for texture and mood purposes.

Reference:
1. Tarot Suite – Just for the Record

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Into My Arms (1997) – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Posted on November 9, 2022 by observationblogger — 5 Comments

Nick Cave’s delivery and lyric in this song are magnificent. It is one of my favourite songs of his although there are many. Into My Arms was released as the first single from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ tenth studio album The Boatman’s Call in 1997. In Cave’s lecture “The Secret Life of the Love Song” to the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, he counts the song among those he is most proud of having written.

And I don’t believe in the existence of angels
But looking at you I wonder if that’s true
But if I did I would summon them together
And ask them to watch over you
Oh, to each burn a candle for you
To make bright and clear your path
And to walk like Christ in grace and love
And guide you into my arms

Into my arms, O Lord
Into my arms, O Lord

The song was also nominated for Single of the Year at the 1997 ARIA Awards, and came No. 18 in the Triple J Hottest 100 of that year. According to Songfacts: Cave wrote this piano-based love song whilst in rehab. He explained to Mojo magazine March 2009: “In the first couple of days when you haven’t slept, you’re withdrawing from drugs, you’re sick. You try and make the best of a bad situation.”

Regarding the song’s official music video, Nick Cave praised the video as well-produced, but said he considered it a poor fit with the song as the video’s depressing imagery overrode the melancholic optimism Cave had intended the song to convey. I have forwarded below a version with Spanish subtitles.

Reference:
1. Into My Arms – Wikipedia
2. Into My Arms – Songfacts

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Special Edition Post – Can We Trust Social – Emotional Learning (SEL)? James Lindsay

Posted on November 8, 2022 by observationblogger — Leave a comment

This is the latest of James Lindsay’s podcasts about the infiltration / penetration of Post Modernism and Neo- Communism into western education systems (and more-over culture and Governments) by the United Nations and other leading organizations / multinationals in recent times.

The reason for this post is to see Lindsay go out on a limb from 50:00 minutes in this video. From 53:00 onwards I consider it to be the best unintentional stand-up material I have heard in quite a while, and I laughed my backside off. To read the sh/te from these f/ckers trying to groom kids and society, made my blood boil. At least Lindsay was able to let off steam too. There is another part in this where they have converted Einstein’s E=MC² into a SEL acronym to push their agenda. Now that’s scary stuff.

The problem is No one…. nearly no one is paying attention to what is happening. It’s mindboggling. It’s either people agree with this, or they have no ‘balls’ in the Goodfellas sense of that term.

‘I’m sure that was NOT a gigantic circle-jerk’

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