Date: Thu, 7 Mar 1996 08:47:11 -0800 From: Dewdrops Records (nelson@ASTRO.UCLA.EDU) Subject: Re: TWP:BWC The Legendary Wolfgang Press album I consider one of the classic 4AD releases. It's stark, driving, somwehat harsh and primitive, but often beautiful at the same time. I'd say this is their most essential release, if only for "Mama (I'm Coming Home)" and "My Way". The cover of "Respect" is ridiculous in a goofy sort of way. The Burden Of Mules--- ehhhh. It's mostly dull, lifeless and unpleasant, and it's best forgotten. Standing Up Straight. Now here is a challenging album, rather like Legendary on a bigger budget with more production. Get this one as your second TWP purchase. The songwriting is more complex and pointed, maintaining a characteristic "strangeness" with equal amounts of harshness, darkness and beauty. Bird Wood Cage. Here is where they start to slip. It's still a good album, but they've lost some of the indescribable oddness and charm that made the previous two so delightful. Still, there are classics such as "King Of Soul" and "Kansas". I guess some of the songs just sound too "normal" to me, plus you can pretty clearly trace their present Motown / soul / disco / whatever-you-want-to-call-it phase back to this record. Queer. In which TWP becomes a lame dance band. One or two songs are worthwhile, but in short: it sucks. I see no experimentation or originality. Don't even bother. Funky Little Demons. A great improvement over Queer. Less dancy and more soulful, the band having completely recreated themselves as a funky Motown band. And I've got to admit they do a fine job. Plus you find out that Mick Allen really CAN sing! "Cut the Tree" isn't really indicative of any album, and is one of their weaker songs. You could probably put it with Standing Up Straight, but it would be the worst song on there. | Brant Nelson | 1817 Corinth Ave. #10 | open your eyes | Dewdrops Records | LA, CA 90025-5567 | to northern skies | Uncommon music that deserves to be heard | | http://www.astro.ucla.edu/students/nelson/dewdrops.html Date: Tue, 19 Nov 1996 10:49:34 -0800 From: Nadim Baki-Zada (nadim@BYRON.2LAUNCH.COM) Subject: Re: wolfgang press > Thanks to moran for describing the various pre-"Queer" Wolfgang Press > albums. Does anyone know if there are any plans at all to release these > in the US? I'd like to take a listen, but I'm not prepared to pay $22 for > one... > > __________ ___________________ ________________________ > Jens Alfke Recovering C++ User jens@apple.com [work] > jens@mooseyard.com [play] Well, I second that! I have most of that stuff on LP but haven't listened to it or a long time, since my recored player broke (yeah! I know , i 'm a lazy ass fo not fixing it). Here are my 2 cents on the TWP records that I know of: * The Burden of Mules (1983) Very odd, i like it least, no real singing, Mick Al en just kinda lingers and talks (too bad 'cause I love his voice). INteresting hough. * Water EP and SweatBox (EP) (1983-84): The title tracks from here are also incl ded in The Legendary. other tracks are even BETTER though. i like this stuff a l t. * The Legendary Wolfgang Press and other tall stories (1985) Excellent album my econd favorite. This is TWP getting funky and noisy at the same time (hence the alking Heads references they drew at the time). Includes that goofy version of A etha Franklin's respect with Liz (CC) on backing vocals. Hilarious! Also include my favorite "mood" track: "Ecstasy". The intro to that is just fab... All tracks on this album are ecellent. (specially Deserve and Tremble) * Standing Up Straight (1986) Their best album in my opinion. Still along the sa e lines as Legendary only more mature. The best song ever written by those guys and one of my all time faves) is I am the Crime which also features Liz and is a moving piece of genius. * Big Sex EP (1987) a great EP, I love The Wedding and The Great Leveller tracks This is kinda similar to SUS only more "musical" * Bird Wood Cage (1988) this is where TWP kinda broke from their "old school" st le and started venturing into pure funk/dance. There are still tracks here which are noisy and guitar driven and then some new style ones (are also really cool, ust different). * Queer (1991): Not really one of their best, probably my least favorite, comple e departure into dancey stuff. * Funky Little Demons (1995): Now TWP have established themselves as a dance/fun band and are really good at it!!!! Check it out! If you've read this far, you are obviously either a TWP fan and know all this in which case you've wasted your time or really bored and need a hobby :) But anyway, does anyone know what these blokes are up to? I heard that Mark is n longer in the band.... -Lord Soth- -The Death Knight-