KARATE (ABO #306)

KARATE
SEVER
(1993-2005)

Karate is a band unlike anything you've ever heard. That, actually, was what made a small number of people praise their unique sound but also the curse which kept them from having the success they deserved.
Hastily labeled slocore, emo or indie jazz/blues they were their own breed with Geoff Farina's awesome guitar playing (reminescent of jazz and blues but not just that) and his clear vocals. These two elements, coupled with a precise and skilled rhythm section, defined Karate's sonic identity, one that will evolve throughout their career while still remaining true to their roots. Not the kind of band to use sonic fireworks, Karate is, above everything else, a songwriting marvel.
6 studio albums, a live album and a bunch of Ep's and split singles later, Karate called it quits probably because too few people cared. A real shame if you ask me. Fortunately, the music remains.
Initially, I wanted to do a double disc before changing my mind and packing a 79 minutes set that will either serve as an introduction for those who don't know them yet or a reminder for the others.
Be curious, embarck on the Karate baistophe, I'm sure you will not be disappointed.

My KARATE List
(full length studio albums only)
1 - Some Boots (2002)
2 - The Bed Is the Ocean (1998)
3 - Unsolved (2000)
4 - In Place of Real Insight (1997)
5 - Pockets (2004)
6 - Karate (1996)

Other releases worth trying: "595 (Live)" (2007), "In the Fishtank EP" (2005), "Cancel/Sing EP" (2003), Concerte Al Barchessone Vecchio (2002).

RIYL:
Faraquet, Pele, The Dismemberment Plan
(though Karate is hardly comparable to any other band)

PHIL COLLINS (ABO #304)

PHIL COLLINS
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN...

First of all, let me tell you what I wanted to achieve with the Phil Collins' baistophe. I wanted something that those who don't like Mr. Collins or those who grew tired of his pop ballads and blue-eyed soul would enjoy. I know it was not an easy task to achieve and, while trying to do it, I thought several times that I would fail. Gladly, I think I didn't.
One thing I failed at is that I really wanted to include at least one song per album. But "Dance into the Light" and "Testify" are so pathetic that I couldn't. It's embarrassing actually that, even when a song has some potential, it gets ruined by poor artistic choices deeming it unfit for duty.
So, what you're having here is a 79 minutes and 51 seconds compilation including songs from 6 of the 8 (and, strangely enough, not the one I chose for a title) of Phil Collins releases listed in the artwork. I chose not to include songs from any of the soundtracks baldy participated to too because these tunes, though some of them have a catchy melody, would have seemed strange here.
I hope you'll enjoy listening to this compilation as much as I did cooking it. And don't be shy, tell me what you think, leave some comments.

My PHIL COLLINS List
1 - Face Value (1981)
2 - No Jacket Required (1985)
3 - ...But Seriously (1989)
4 - A Hot Night in Paris (The Phil Collins Big Band) (1999)
5 - Hello, I Must Be Going! (1982)
6 - Both Sides (1993)
7 - Testify (2002)
8 - Dance into the Light (1996)

RIYL:
Peter Gabriel, Elton John, Sting

RY COODER (ABO#303)

RY COODER

RYLAND P. COODER

(1970-2008)

Ryland P. Cooder, or Ry Cooder as we all know him. Session Musician, Producer, Singer, Songwriter, Collaberator, Soundtrack Composer, are just some of the strings That Ry has plucked.

You could be forgiven for thinking that he was a jack of all trades but master of none but

that's not the case. Whatever Ry has turned his hand to, he seems to have mastered, as I hope these CDs will show. I have opted for a non chronological order and also resisted the tempation to compile by theme. Some songs from whatever period or project he was on seemed to naturally follow. I think it works best this way, but you be the judge.

Ry stared out his career as a 17yr old with Captain Beefheart and soon earned a reputation as

hot player playing with everyone over the years from Little Feat to The Chieftains and an infamous encounter with The Rolling Stones where it was claimed he was asked to join, he didn't but left Keith with new style of playing.

After a succession of criticaly acclaimed albums and a growing cult following he moved into

the world of movie soundtracks and his solo work slowed down. When he wasn't doing soundtracks, he was collaborating with musicians form all over the world, the most acclaimed of course "The Bueno Vista Social Club" which spawned an industry in itself.

He recently returned to solo work and the last three albums stand comparisons with anything

else he has done. I think these 4 CDs represent the diversity of Ry Cooder as an artist.

-TT-

TT's Ry Cooder TOP4 (this week) :

1. Mambo Sinuendo (2003) [w/ Manuel Galbán]

2. Bop Till You Drop (1979)

3. Paradise and Lunch (1974)

4. I, Flathead (2008)

NOTE:
The image for the inside cover of the Ry Cooder baistophe was wrong. We changed it as soon as we were notified of our mistake. However, the images in the link are not necessary the ones shown on the blog, you will, thus, have to take the right images from this very page to have a correct set.
Sorry for the inconvenience and stay tuned at BAISTOPHE.

CRANES (ABO #302)

CRANES
JUST LET THE PRESSURE GO

Cranes were one of the major trance-pop/shoegaze groups of the early '90s, combining ethereal vocals and melodies with loud, droning guitars. Cranes were formed by brother and sister Jim (drums) and Alison Shaw (vocals) in 1988 in Portsmouth, England; guitarist Mark Francombe and bassist Matt Cope joined the band two years later. The group independently released its first album, Fuse, on cassette in 1990; a small local label released Self-Non-Self the same year to good reviews. Both sets of music led to a record contract with Dedicated, an English record label. Later that year, they released their first EP for the label, Inescapable, which earned them a lot of attention, including a Melody Maker cover story; a second EP, Espero, also earned positive reviews, including a Melody Maker Single of the Week. The following year, the band released its first album on Dedicated, Wings of Joy, which received favorable reviews on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as earning the band a sizable cult following, including the Cure's Robert Smith; Smith picked Cranes to open for the Cure on their 1992 world tour, which earned them a larger audience. Forever, the group's second album, was released in 1993. It expanded their cult slightly, yet 1994's Loved found the band in a holding pattern commercially. After releasing the limited-edition Tragedy of Orestes and Electra in late 1996, Cranes returned with Population 4, which was greeted with mixed reviews and found the group's cult shrinking. A reissue of Self-Non-Self followed the next year, but a new studio album didn't arrive until 2001 with Future Songs — a relatively straightforward departure from their former material, with Alison Shaw's vocals higher in the mix than before. Particles & Waves (2004) and Cranes (2008) incorporated electronics with sparse arrangements to good effect. (allmusic)
[selection, artwork, rip & upload by DIOD]

RIYL:
Slowdive, Cocteau Twins, Mazzy Star, This Mortal Coil

ALBERT MARCOEUR (ABO#301)

ALBERT MARCŒUR

ENFANTILLAGES

(1974-2008)

Albert Marcœur is one of the strangest person in french musical history. Known as the 'French Zappa' (maybe for is cynical lyrics) his sounds remind much of a mixture of Robert Wyatt and Henry Cow. His particular voice and singing gives more scale of this strangeness.

I discovered Marcœur's music not long ago and really discovered a new world. A bit like if he sang the world around through the eyes of a child.

Extract :
La Dame Qui Est Assise A Côté De Moi

My Albert Marcœur TOP3 :

1. Armes Et Cycles (1979)

2. Album A Colorier (1976)

3. Plusieurs Cas De Figure (2001)

My Albert Marcœur BOTTOM3 :

1. Sports Et Percussions (1994)

2. Ma Vie Avec Elles (1990)

3. Albert Marcœur (1974)

LED ZEPPELIN (ABO #300a)

HATS OFF TO
LED ZEPPELIN
(THE STUDIO EDITION)

300th compilation at Baistophe! When we started this little blog, almost two years ago, we didn't think it'd go that far and, most of all, that we'd still have the energy and passion to keep it running.
Thankfully, we've had people coming and going, giving us their work and, thus, helping us grow. Let them be thanked. Thanks also go to the many people who visited and commented on our compilations, having their support obviously is one of the reasons we dedicated ourselves to the impossible task at hand: offering to the world, in all modesty, our vision of every artist here covered.
And so ABO#300... Just like with #100 (Frank Zappa) & #200 (Deep Purple), we felt we had to "baistophe" a big name which was still missing in our collection. Led Zeppelin was the logical choice though many others may have been chosen (watch out for ABO#400, 500, 600, etc.).
We don't think we have to introduce the oh so influencial band Led Zeppelin is, the internet litterally crawls under the sum of information on them. So, here's a 5 Cds boxset including a double studio Cd and a triple live, including top notch bootleg recordings, covering the career of what might very well be the greatest hard rock band of all time. Enjoy.

My LED ZEPPELIN List
1 - III (1970)
2 - IV (1971)
3 - I (1969)
4 - Physical Graffiti (1975)
5 - II (1969)
6 - Houses of the Holy (1973)
7 - In Through the Out Door (1979)
8 - CODA (1982)
9 - Presence (1976)

LED ZEPPELIN (ABO#300b)

LED ZEPPELIN

HATS OFF TO LED ZEPPELIN - LIVE

(1968-1980)

Only a 2CDset of Led Zeppelin would have been a disappointement to any of you, even if this has wonderfully been made by Grandmaster Mr Moodswings (aka S.F.P.). This also would have been an incomplete work if this 2CD didn't include any live tracks.

In fact that was planned so. S.F.P. has been looking after a LZ studio baistophe while I had the responsibility to baistophe a live one. In the contrary of Frank Zappa (ABO#100) and Deep Purple (ABO#200), Led Zeppelin are not much represented live, officially. Those 3 official live albums are also not the best one available, from far. Even if the BBC Sessions is one of the best ones, The Song Remains The Same lacks some good interpretation and recording. Fortunately, Led Zeppelin is one of the most bootlegged bands. And the good bootlegs are not rare. So this selection does not only features official recordings but also unofficial ones. Not very rare as you can find the original albums almost anywhere on the blogosphere, but sufficiently good enough to be mentioned.

A Year, A Live record :

1968- Spokane (1968-12-30)

1969- Electric Magic Over Dallas (1969-08-31)

1970- Intimidator (Geneva, 1970-03-07)

1971- BBC Sessions, CD2 (officially released in 1997)

1972- How The West Was Won (officially released in 2002)

1973- Salt Lake On My Mind (Salt Lake City, 1973-05-26)

1975- The Complete Earls Court (1975-05-17>25)

1977- Bringing The Hous Down (Landover, 1977-05-26)

1979- Knebworth (1979-08-04)

1980- Zürich (1980-06-29)

PROCOL HARUM (ABO#299)

PROCOL HARUM

THE FORBIDDEN CHORD

(1967-2003)

For the last of the ABO200s, I've chosen a band that is widely famous but narrowly musically known by non-intensive listeners. Because of their huge hit A Whiter Shade Of Pale, a song I don't really appreciate, They didn't feel like being as popular. Gary Brooker didn't even fell like singing this song live maybe considering that success too exagerate regarding to other splendid songs they made at that time (and after).

Of course, Procol Harum's sound is one of those who got old the most. But that old sound, due to Brooker's organ, is also PH's charm.

My PH's TOP3 :

1. Grand Hotel (1973)

2. A Salty Dog (1969)

3. Shine On Brightly (1968)

My PH's BOTTOM3 :

1. The Prodigal Stranger (1991)

2. Ain't Nothing To Get Excited About [as Liquorice John Death] (1969)

3. Broken Barricades (1971)

PAUL SIMON (ABO #298)

PAUL SIMON
STILL CRAZY...
...AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
(1965-2006)

Doing this compilation has not been an easy task. A first selection gave me a triple cd which, I agree, is quite too much for a 11 studio albums career. And so I had to make tough choices as to what to keep and what to leave aside. For exemple, I decided to focus on Paul's studio recordings only thus missing some sweet versions from his Concert in the Park live album.
The final compilation gives you a 159 minutes and 41 songs double cd with Paul's biggest hits and a few sweet surprises I hope you'll enjoy. Of course, there are more good songs in Simon's repertoire, I have no doubt you'll want to dig into his catalogue once you've heard how good the man is.

My PAUL SIMON Top Three
1 - Paul Simon (1972)
2 - Graceland (1986)
3 - There Goes Rhymin' Simon (1973)

My PAUL SIMON Bottom Three
1 - Songs from a Capeman (1997)
2 - You're the One (2000)
3 - The Rhythm of the Saints (1990)

RIYL:
Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, Jackson Browne

EVIDENCE OF AUTUMN (VAC #030)

EVIDENCE OF AUTUM:
A SEASONAL SELECTION

A few month back, I gave you my summer selection. Now that autumn is well on its way, that the leaves have almost all fallen from the trees, I thought that it was more than time to deliver yet another seasonal collection devoted, this time, to that time of the year when things get brown and grey and the temperature's dropping dramatically.
On this one you'll find jazz, indie rock, progressive music, folk, pop... and more. Of course, the theme itself dictates quite a melancholic feel to the compilation and it should come as no surprise that the most of the songs featured here fit a cold rainy day perfectly.
Enjoy and see you in a few months for my winter offering.

SUPERGRASS (ABO #296)

SUPERGRASS
ROOTS AND BRANCHES

Like many other British bands of the '90s, Supergrass' musical roots lie in the infectiously catchy punk-pop of the Buzzcocks and the Jam, as well as the post-punk pop of Madness and the traditional Brit-pop of the Kinks and Small Faces. Perhaps because of its age — two of the trio were still in their teens when they recorded their debut single — the band also brings in elements of decidedly unhip groups like Elton John, as well as classic rockers like David Bowie, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones. With an exuberant, youthful enthusiasm, Supergrass tied all of their influences together in new surprising ways, where a Buzzcocks riff could slam into three-part harmonies out of "Crocodile Rock," or have a galloping music hall rhythm stutter like the best moments of the Who.
This compilation, covering their six studio albums, does not contain all their singles but it does have the band's finest moments. I hope you'll enjoy it.

My SUPERGRASS List
1 - In It For The Money (1997)
2 - Road to Rouen (2005)
3 - I Should Coco (1995)
4 - Supergrass (1999)
5 - Life on Other Planets (2002)
6 - Diamond Hoo Ha (2008)

RIYL:
The Buzzcocks, The Who, The Kinks