Phil Manzanera, [Brian] Eno, Bill MacCormick, Francis Monkman, Simon Phillips, Lloyd Watson, 801: 801 Live (1975)

There were two Canadian pressing so this LP, which I find curious. The first was on Editions EG and the second was on Polydor. I have the latter. The LP recorded in the Queen Elizabeth Hall on September 3rd, 1976. It's an odd collection of tunes, ranging from a few Brian Eno originals - Baby's on Fire, Sombre Reptiles, Third Uncle - mixed in with a Beatles cover, a Kinks tune, and some originals, etc. It's a very interesting record, to say the least. I give it five stars. Perhaps the only thing that could have made the record was better would have been Fripp.

Brian Eno: My Squelchy Life (2015)

Evidently, Brian Eno's birth name is Brian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno. Somehow, I have a hard time believing it, and wonder if Eno is playing a joke on us. The Wikipedia source for Eno's given name is an article on About.com. That article has no source for the claim. This is how Wikipedia works. You could write something on a blog post, and then make an entry in Wikipedia referring to that post and it would pass Wikipedia's editorial standards. But, if you were the inventor of nuclear fusion, for example, and wrote a post about how you did it, making no references to published sources, the Wikipedia editors would quash your article. Wikipedia is awesome in many ways, but the sources are often suspect.

My Squelchy Life was a limited edition Record Store Day release from 2015. It was released in an edition of either 4000 or 4300 copies (I've read conflicting numbers). A concise description of this record is "First official vinyl release for legendary 'lost' Eno album. Includes a previously unheard track from the vaults, 'Rapid Eye'."

Allmusic says this:

"My Squelchy Life is Brian Eno's Smile -- an album that was completed, sent out to reviewers (with some reviews hitting the stands), then withdrawn suddenly by Eno, regarded as a minor effort. A year later, Nerve Net was released. Undoubtedly, Nerve Net is a more polished, adventurous, and mature album, but My Squelchy Life, is a splendid pop album, and a fine follow-up to his collaboration with John Cale, Wrong Way Up."

My Squelchy Life is simply fantastic. I had wanted to hear this record for a long time, and finally, it was released, though with a price tag that was a bit high. True, Nerve Net is perhaps a bit better.

All of the stuff on Youtube from this records seems to have copyright restrictions and cannot be seen in Canada. Sometimes, Youtube sucks.

Brian Eno: Film Music 1976-2020 (2020)

From the Brian Eno website: 

on november 13th brian eno releases ‘film music 1976 – 2020’ – his first ever collection of music from his film and television soundtrack oeuvre. spanning five decades, this release features classic eno compositions and includes some lesser-known gems and seven previously unreleased tracks. [source]

This 2 LP set collects pieces from movies and projects I have seen and some I have never seen. For example I have seen Heat and Trainspotting, but I don't think I have seen any of he others. Of course, the last track - An Ending (Ascent) - is from Apollo - Atmospheres & Soundtracks, so most Eno fans would already have this track. 

Eno - Hyde: High Life (2014)

High Life is Brian Eno and Karl Hyde's second collaboration, after Someday World. A special edition, with an Eno art print was also released. I have the other vinyl edition. This is great.

Brian Eno: Music for Installations (2018)

I remember when I learned that this box set was to be released. I was both interested and pissed off, because I knew that I did not want to spend $250+ for it. So, I let it go, reluctantly. Recently, Amazon had it on sale for about $160. I debated for a few moments, and then decided that this would be a good Christmas present for me. It subsequently shot back to about $250 on Amazon, while the cheapest copy on sale on Discogs is $253, plus shipping. Incidentally, the most expensive one is listed at $666! Who would pay that? Well, that one is apparently signed by Mr. Eno, so maybe that makes it worth it.

This is a limited edition, but, once again, I have no idea how many copies are in the edition. I have yet to listen to it, but I will. The vinyl box contains nine LPs plus a sixty-three page softcover book.

Eno - Hyde: Someday World (2014)

Someday World is Brian Eno and Karl Hyde's first collaboration. My copy is the standard UK & European copy. A special edition, limited to 750 copies, came with a print. There's some Afro-funk elements on this record. Daddy's Car is no where near the best track on the record, but there's an interesting live performance on Jools Holland. I tried to find an Youtube version of my favourite track from this record, but it was unavailable in Canada. We lose again.

Brian Eno With Jon Hopkins & Leo Abrahams: Small Craft On A Milk Sea (2010)

I bought the CD version of this album when it came out in 2010. A vinyl version was released in 2011, and again in 2020. The 2020 package and the 2011 package look identical. I honestly do not know how anyone could tell them apart.

Brian Eno: More Blank than Frank (1986)

For a while, I had a CD copy of this record, re-titled Desert Island Selection, which gives a better clue of what is going on with this album. I eliminated it from my collection in an effort to downsize, as I had all of the tracks on other releases anyway. There are major differences between the two releases:

The album was a compilation of many of Eno's earlier solo works, ranging from 1973's Here Come the Warm Jets to 1978's Music for Airports. The LP release contained a wider range of tunes, including a couple of darker and rock-ier songs ("The Great Pretender" and "King's Lead Hat") from his early years. The CD release in comparison contained a significantly lopsided version of Eno's earlier works, eschewing the harder, rock-ier numbers entirely for softer, "proto-ambient" pieces, concluding with a six-minute edit of his first, fully realized ambient piece "1/1", derived from Music for Airports. At the time of release in 1986 the CD version was significant in that it was the only CD version then available of any of Eno's earlier works. [source]

Oddly, the companion book that compiles the lyrics along with lithographs from Russel Mills is entitled More Dark Than Shark. That's also a good title.

Brian Eno: Nerve Net (1992)

I bought this CD when it cameo out in 1992. It had Eno and Fripp. What else do you need? An LP was pressed in Germany in 1992, but I have never seen a copy. So, I have a 202 edition, which is fabulous. 

Brian Eno/David Byrne: My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts (1981)

I remember playing this record one day, not realizing the effect t might have on some people, namely children. My daughter asked me to take it off during The Jezebel Spirit. I guess that's fair enough, given the content of the song, which is a recording of an apparent exorcism. Of course, the idea of an exorcism is stupid. It might make for a good movie, but anyone who believes that humans can be possessed of devils or demons is an idiot, and I include the Pope in that statement.

The album title is taken from Amos Tutuola's 1954 novel of the same name. I haven't read it.

My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts is a work of pure genius. It's way ahead of it's time, in some respects. Of course, the reviews at the time were mixed, but now, the album is is praised as being ground-breaking. This has happened so many times, it's a wonder anyone listens to critics any more.

I'm happy to have a copy of this on both vinyl and CD. An expanded and remastered CD version was released, but I just have the original with the same tracks as the record. The sound quality of this Youtube clip is abysmal, but you will understand why young kids might not appreciate the music.

Brian Eno: The BBC Sessions (2010)

The nature of bootlegs makes it difficult to find out what version you have, since there is often very little in terms of identification numbers or dates. The original pressing of this record was limited to 100 copies. According to Discogs, there are four coloured vinyl versions and a black edition, which I have. The jacket does appear to be silk screened, so I think I know which one I have. As for the sound quality, it isn't too bad, but it suffers from that general bootleg problem where it sounds like someone put a cassette in a boom box and dropped the boom box in a garbage can, put the lid on, and then recorded the music with a microphone pressed against the outside of the garbage can. It's a bit muffled and/or mangled, and clearly, no one involved in the project knew anything about mastering. I've heard worse bootlegs, but if you are hoping to hear Brian Eno's vision, this is not the record to get it. By the way, the source material was recorded in 1974 at the BBC, though those details are not printed on the jacket.

Brian Eno: Before and After Science (1977)

What can I say? This album is brilliant. There are so many amazing songs. (BTW, King's Lead Hat is an anagram for Talking Heads, in case you did not know that). Lots of excellent musicians are on this record.

Brian Eno: Music for Films (1978)

My copy of Music for Films is a 1980 Canadian edition, and so it might be better than the original UK pressing. Eno's notes on the jacket say:

"This Album is identical in content to the first edition released in 1978 but has been rearranged into what I consider a more satisfactory track sequence. It is a compilation of my recorded works from 1975 to 1978. Some of it was made specifically for use as soundtrack material, some of it was made for other reasons but found its way into films; most of it is previously unissued in any form."

Legend has it, however, that none of this music was ever used in any film. I've heard lots of comments about these pressings, and despite the fact that the jacket on mine looks beat up, there is not a single pop or click or any other surface noise on my copy. It plays beautifully.

Guest musicians include Fred Frith, Robert Fripp, John Cale, Phil Collins, and others.

Brian Eno: Another Green World (1975)

I am a big fan of Brian Eno and I think I have everything he ever released on Compact Disc. Sadly, I have very few Eno records, mostly because I became interested in his music near the end of the vinyl era, and I am reluctant to re-purchase his releases on vinyl, partly because Eno vinyl tends to be very expensive. This record, Another Green World, for example, regularly sells for more than $25 and I have seen minty copies for $50 and more.

Of course, I knew a bit about his music before I became fully engaged with it. I heard some of his ambient records in University, but it was his collaborations with Robert Fripp that caught my attention. To me, Here Com the Warn Jets, Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy), Another Green World, and Before and After Science represent perhaps the strongest four album arc of any artist.

Speaking of Fripp, he appears on this record in a few places.

Another Green World can only be described as a masterpiece.If I ever acquire some more Eno records, I guess I will just add them here.

Brian Eno: Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) (1974)

It's difficult for mer to critically assess this record, simply because I love it so much. I'll just say that this is genius. I have a US EG pressing from 1982. 

br /

Eno [Brian Eno]: Here Come the Warm Jets (1974)

Baby's on fire
Better throw her in the water
Look at her laughing
Like a heifer to the slaughter

Brian Eno's first solo record was credited to Eno, rather than Brian Eno. I have a Canadian repressing from 1982. I've heard conflicting reports, but I am convinced that the title refers to golden showers. Whatever floats your boat.

For many years, if asked what my favourite song was, I would eagerly say Baby's on Fire. Robert Fripp plays an amazing guitar on that track. Some people knew what I was talking about; others did not. I still think it makes my top ten of all time.

This album is truly excellent.

Kevin Ayers, John Cale, [Brian] Eno, Nico: June 1, 1974 (1974)

This is a really cool record, as it features two of my all-time fav musicians: John Cale, originally of the Velvet Underground, and Brian Eno. Nico, who was also a part of VU -- for the first record -- joins in. Kevin Ayers is best known as a founding member of Soft Machine. 

This was both recorded in 1974 and issued in 1974. But, my Canadian pressing lacks a date, so I am not really sure when it was pressed. I'd guess it is from the very late 70s or early 80s. 

Side A contains a couple of Eno tracks, one "Cale" track (which is really an Elvis Presley cover), and a cover of Doors tune. Side B was all Kevin Ayers tunes. 

According to Wikipedia "other well-known musicians, including Mike Oldfield, Robert Wyatt and Ollie Halsall, also contributed to the concert." In fact, the notes state: "Kevin Ayers-John Cale-Eno-Nico and The Soporificswith special guests Mike Oldfield and Robert Wyatt." 

Here is another fascinating tidbit from Wikipedia: "The bemused stare between John Cale (right) and Kevin Ayers is said to be explained by the fact that Cale had caught Ayers sleeping with his wife the night before the show. The couple would divorce the next year." Wow!

Music

Since my blogging enthusiasm is awaiting a reboot, I offer an update on some recent music acquisitions, in short, non-grammatical utterances.

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes: Seattle dudes. Quintet, harmonic, baroque-ish, pop. Maybe Bob Dylan meets the Beach Boys.



The Most Serene Republic - Underwater Cinematographer: Not Venice. Milton's most famous band. Milton's only band? Indie rock.



David Byrne & Brian Eno - Everything that Happens will Happen Today: Electronic gospel? From two icons, the father of ambient music and that new wave dude. Good track, this one.

Hallowe'en Songs

The Jezebel Spirit from Brian Eno and David Byrne, featuring an excerpt from an exorcism:



Everyday is Halloween from Ministry:



Monster Mash by Bobby 'Boris' Pickett and the Cryptkickers:

Taste the whip, in love not given lightly
Taste the whip, now plead for me

Favourite Albums, #4 (previous entries: The Clash - London Calling, John Cale - Music for a New Society, Beck - Mutations)

Apparently, Brian Eno once said something like: "only about 1,000 people ever bought a Velvet Underground album, but every one of them formed a rock and roll band." This may have been an overstatement, but it speaks to the enormous influence that the VU have had and continue to have on music.

The Velvet Underground & Nico, the first release from John Cale, Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison, Maureen "Moe" Tucker, and Nico, is a fine album. The AllMusic Guide says: "Few rock albums are as important as The Velvet Underground and Nico, and fewer still have lost so little of their power to surprise and intrigue more than 30 years after first hitting the racks."

Cale's droning viola and unusual keyboards, combined with Lou Reed's inventive and provocative lyrics, make the music stand out from most other music. There has really been nothing else quite like it.

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