After a day of Prokofiev's Steel Step & Prodigal Son, interspersed with several leisurely dips into The Unrealist alternating Hip Pocket Jukebox, have uncovered an absolute gem in Chimes & Rings! Cannot stop playing it (alternating Six String Super Apparatus) - it's 4:15 - one more play ...
top of page
bottom of page
I forgot how much I like “Giving It All Away”. I used to listen to it three times in a row sometimes and I did that yesterday. I remember drivin’ an cryin’ with that playing in the car decades back. It was a chance to wallow in it that Bill provided at the time. Hearing it now, I find myself wallowing in something less like sadness and more like appreciation of its psychedelic electro pop confection perfection.
Chimes and Rings - it's back! As a dig-it-all download! We all have our personal favourites, and this album is one of mine. 'Demonstrations' arrived when I was at a bit of a crossroads in my life and I instantly took it to my heart. Inevitably it's dark in places, being as it is an outpouring of Bill's feelings during a tough time for him, but there are many moments of lightness and fun. The rock rocks, and you can definitely play 'spot the riff' as Bill nods back to his guitar hero days (eg, Dangerous Lady), but it's also super funky, and some of my favourite tracks are ones with little or no guitar (eg, I Wait For You - which is as bright and breezy a demonstration of Bill's mastery of drum programming as you could wish to hear). It must have come out a few months before the first time I saw Bill play live (at an arts festival in Wakefield in 1990) because I took it up there with me in the hope of getting Bill to sign it. I went to Clarence Park early on that day, just to suss out the lie of the land, and Bill was there, about to set up. I grabbed the opportunity to speak to him, and got him to sign my Chimes and Rings cd - while I held his umbrella! Happy memories... Anyway, I've just picked out the cd to give it a spin (it still sounds great, obvs), and taken a look at Bill's signature, and I see that he signed it on this date - 9th June! Spooky!
So if you've never heard Chimes and Rings, I heartily recommend it as a slice of Bill in perfect pop/rock mode.
My faves are Lady, You’re A Strange Girl and Wonder Where We Go.
Call Of The Wild, Sell My Soul and Playing Jesus To Her Judas are my faves from the album.
The ‘Demonstrations of Affection’ set of CDs have some cracking tunes on them, hope you’re listening to the other 3 discs as well. 😬
"Life goes on within you ... "