|
Post by Xanadu on Nov 11, 2003 1:29:12 GMT
Alright Al... here's one. Now, I have "Alf", "Hoodoo", and "Hometime." Really like "Alf", and "Hoodoo" has grown on me (sometimes a little to bluesy for me), but I adore "Hometime". Stop by her official website like I did to hear selections at www.alisonmoyet.com. I actually purchased the French version from Amazon to have the 2 bonus tracks, and it was certainly worth the price. I had really no prior exposure to her that I could recall until I think August mentioned her. That's when I remembered that I loved her version of "Coventry Carol" (and me with the Christmas music again) on "A Very Special Christmas". It's funny how you can hear a song over a hundred times and never really consider looking into their other material until it strikes you on a certain day. Thus, my "discovery" of Kate with "This Woman's Work". Any other Alison Moyet fans here to discuss her. Al Truest mentioned he just purchased "Hoodoo", and I'm hoping he will have something to add in a few days.
|
|
|
Post by Al Truest on Nov 11, 2003 1:41:00 GMT
I'm really getting interested in this board again. Thanks Zan and all of you for your input. I'm at the point with "HooDoo" that I'm listening on a superficial level i.e. just enjoying the sounds. I really don't know the songs well enough yet. What's worse for now, is that I have to run an errand. But I promise to respond soon. There are some other 'live wire' items going on here as well, that I hope we can all persue.
|
|
|
Post by Neo Stella on Nov 11, 2003 1:46:48 GMT
Hi Xan, glad you are ok and posting again. I've always loved the voice of Alf although I've never possessed any of her recordings. What is the most recent of her music? Neo.
|
|
|
Post by Xanadu on Nov 11, 2003 1:58:08 GMT
Her official solo albums are: Hometime (2002) Essex (1994) Hoodoo (1991) Raindancing (1987) Alf (1984) along with various other hits and live collections. Hometime has gotten me hooked and you can hear clips at the website. It's a different sound for her, to some extent. She's on a new label (Sanctuary) and apparently this album was years in the making (another artist trying to retain creative control of her career and in legal battles over her contract) This was the album she wanted to do, and it's very mature. The Insects worked on production here, and it shows. There is even a sort of Bacharach/Dusty Springfield feel to a few songs like "Should I Feel It's Over" and "Do You Ever Wonder." This album gets rave reviews, from what I've read, but didn't seem to take off unfortunately. At least not enough to bring her to the U.S. for a show or two.
|
|
|
Post by Neo Stella on Nov 11, 2003 2:02:49 GMT
Thanks Xan, I'll check it out.
The biggest impression I have in my mind is when she was with Yazoo in the eighties, What a voice! Is it still like that?
|
|
|
Post by Al Truest on Nov 13, 2003 0:32:30 GMT
Zan, I'm going to give "Hometime" a spin. I haven't gotten it yet, but will do so on your recommendation. Hard as I've tried, "HooDoo" hasn't grown on me sufficiently yet. I like much of the music, her voice is lovely.; but, it just hasn't clicked yet. I'll give it more time. Part of the problem (other than your 'bluesy' remark ) is that I am fast becoming a Beth Orton fan. See new thread. ;D
|
|
|
Post by Xanadu on Nov 13, 2003 2:12:04 GMT
If you are hesitant to purchase Hometime, the website has good clips of the tracks, and you can get a feel for the sound.
Hoodoo definitely had to grow on me. There are still a few tracks that I am not so keen on, like "Rise" and "Find Me" (as a matter of fact, I am not a fan of inspirational/gospel style songs and I skip "Find Me" most of the time). Really try to listen to "Footsteps", "It Won't Be Long", "This House," and "My Right Arm" a few more times, since those stand out for me.
I'm really thrilled you have given some of my suggestions a try! I only hope that I can lead you to something you'll like! ;D
|
|
|
Post by Xanadu on Jul 30, 2004 21:24:32 GMT
In case anyone here is interested, Alison Moyet's new album "Voice" will be released on September 6th. It's a quirky collection of covers, including "Windmills of Your Mind" "Bye, Bye Blackbird" "God Give Me Strength" and a much sought after official version of "Cry Me A River." It's produced by Academy Awarding winning Anne Dudley. After her last album, this promises to be worth checking out! At least someone has a new album being released. ;D I'll be ordering right away.
|
|
|
Post by Adey on Jul 31, 2004 3:49:00 GMT
Yep, I'm interested Xan, thanks for the date.
Sounds like some great tunes on there - Cry Me a River was written for a voice like Alf's, should be a treat. Ditto for Windmills of Your Mind, one of Legrand's great songs, and one that I love. Hope you've heard Sting's treatment that plays out on the titles of Thomas Crown Affair (remake) - fantastic film and a brilliant treatment. I look forward to the Moyet version!
Anne Dudley producing? Excellent. The Art of Noise were superb and Dudley is a supreme musician.
|
|
|
Post by Adey on Aug 26, 2004 10:45:59 GMT
I actually heard Moyet's version of Windmills, on the radio this morning. I was contemplating another day and pushing the envelope of how long I could stay in bed without being late for work, when the song came on. It raised the short hairs - fantastic. Alf pushes her voice really hard at one point, seeming to strain to the limits of her range. The unexpected vulnerability added a nice twist to the emotional dynamic of the song.
You must hear this if you haven't already..
|
|
|
Post by Xanadu on Aug 26, 2004 18:06:11 GMT
Adey, that's wonderful. I wish I could catch something like that on the radio here... but that won't happen... so enjoy it for me. Anyway, I have heard it performed live and from a radio interview, and also here: www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.co.uk/alisonmoyet/voicesampler.htmAnd if you like that, see if there are still tracks from Hometime available at www.AlisonMoyet.comThe website contains minute long clips of each song on the CD. I already ordered mine from the UK, since it won't be released here, which means I paid an arm and a leg for it. The first 100,000 copies include an extended booklet with Moyet Musings on each track. I do have the Sting version from the soundtrack and I love that one, played that CD over and over. And the Dusty Springfield. Actually, the Sting version contains my favorite lyric, which is the male version of the song..." When you knew that it was over, you were suddenly aware... that the autumn leaves were turning to the color of her hair" instead of "When you knew that it was over, in the autumn of goodbyes... for a moment you could not recall the color of his eyes." It's a great lyric, either way. Actually, this is what I was getting at a little while ago about the musical direction I was headed in. Hard to describe, but I really haven't listened to a lot of pop/rock music lately. And I have focused on Bossa Nova, Lounge, Pop Vocals, etc. and some various French musicians and singers. More later. Anxiously awaiting the new album, at least on this thread.
|
|
|
Post by Al Truest on Aug 27, 2004 22:23:17 GMT
As soon as my new systems are up I'll check out the link. You know that I've purchased some of her work solely on your recommendation, and I'm glad that I did. She has really grown on me.
|
|
|
Post by Adey on Aug 28, 2004 12:47:34 GMT
Actually, this is what I was getting at a little while ago about the musical direction I was headed in. Hard to describe, but I really haven't listened to a lot of pop/rock music lately. And I have focused on Bossa Nova, Lounge, Pop Vocals, etc. and some various French musicians and singers. More later. All of which of course, makes you an increasingly discerning consumer of what has come to be known as popular music. It usually starts in your 20s, when the idea of pop music as a rebellion to one's traditional family values starts to pall. (Thats simplistic I know, but it's usually where/why people start). Then once one moves beyond this phase and the associated stages of music as a fashion accessory, the discerning ear emerges and it's a case of " oh maybe my parents understood something after all " .. the need for increasing sophistication always wins out it seems. I recall that I was reluctant to abandon chart music - it was something that I thought was uniquely owned by my generation - something WE had invented, like sex, but of course it wasn't.. I made the adjustment by answering the musician in me, seeking out music that had virtuosity in it's component parts. For me that was the better rock bands, then jazz and so on. Then of course one starts to look back and rediscover what had gone before. As a process, I think it's inevitable. When I buy my first opera recording, I'll know that my rehabilitation is complete.. (!)
|
|
|
Post by Xanadu on Aug 28, 2004 17:16:21 GMT
the discerning ear emerges and it's a case of " oh maybe my parents understood something after all " .. the need for increasing sophistication always wins out it seems. I feel vaguely insulted (but I understand you did not mean it as such;)), considering I have been my own person for many years now, outside of any real prior familial influences. As a matter of fact, the more I veer in these directions, the more I am ridiculed. In my case, this is still my rebellion... I suppose. And in my case, I tend to go further back (past classic rock), before anyone in my immediate group was around, listening to this music or watching these films. I understand what you are saying, but I don't think it's necessarily something everyone does. It takes a different sort of personality to want to continually evolve and discover new experiences, musically or otherwise. Unfortunately, the majority tend to be stagnant, in my opinion. But I do agree about "the need for increasing sophistication." I just don't think it has to be associated with a rebellion of your elders' culture, than the embracing of it. Perhaps they don't appreciate it either.
|
|
|
Post by Adey on Aug 29, 2004 2:52:03 GMT
Thanks for your thoughts Xan. Whilst I may have inadvertantly offended you, I'm pleased that you acknowledged this was not my intention. And of course it wasn't.
Blame it on my clumsiness with the wording and the one way nature of communication here, where the messenger cannot observe how the message is being received and is not therefore able to fine tune it accordingly..
I wasn't necessarily referring to my own family when I spoke of youth rebellion - I certainly wasn't referring to yours. I was speaking more in recognition of what I perceive to be a global phenomenon and a collective 'you' and 'we' rather than you and I specifically.
But you knew this already. Still I offer my reassurances that no offence was intended!
I note that you feel many people are inclined towards stagnation. You may have a point. I guess that I'm guilty of assuming that people generally behave in the same way that I and my circle do, and that their thought processes are similar. I must go and 'people watch' for a while.
I acknowledge your graciousness and wish you a long and happy Bossa Nova rebellion..
|
|