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Thread: Midnight Voices - the CD (Read 64743 times) |
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naomi
MV Fixture
I love Midnight Voices!
Posts: 153
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Re: Midnight Voices - the CD
« Reply #20: 16.08.07 at 00:06 » |
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To add to my earlier remark: that bitter-sweetness of klezmer is so apt for the bitter-sweet mood of Laughing Boy - as of course is the major-minor equivocation.
Thank you so much, Mr Barnes, for your superb clarinet-playing - and, Mr Atkin, for your superbly committed singing of text.
I am hugely looking forward to the rest of the CD.
Naomi
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https://peteatkin.com/forum?board=Music&action=display&num=1182638114&start=20#20  |
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Gerry Smith
MV Fixture
Posts: 222
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Re: Midnight Voices - the CD
« Reply #21: 16.08.07 at 00:44 » |
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on 15.08.07 at 17:11, Pete Atkin wrote:| Hi Gerry - Well, the choice was mainly driven by what we had ready, but beyond that I thought it might reassure anyone who thought I was going to be riding roughshod over the old versions. There was clarinet on the original as well, of course (missed from your list), and its inclusion here was another nod backwards. |
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How could I forget my own instrument?!
on 15.08.07 at 17:11, Pete Atkin wrote:
And it may have been lost in the MP3, but acoustic guitar is actually quite prominent on the new version |
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OK, heard it with the cans on, but it's *way* back in the mix - perhaps as you say, it's down to the mp3 compression?
on 15.08.07 at 17:11, Pete Atkin wrote:
The clarinet here is all the inspiration of the wonderful Alan Barnes, Gerry. |
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Marvellous, I shall look forward to more of that.
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https://peteatkin.com/forum?board=Music&action=display&num=1182638114&start=21#21 |
Out playing the saxes
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Pete Atkin
MV Deity
Posts: 508
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Re: Midnight Voices - the CD
« Reply #22: 16.08.07 at 08:26 » |
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I didn't want the song to be 'guitar led'. It's function is almost percussive primarily.
And, sorry, but this is only song where Mr Barnes plays clarinet. He does make several delicious further appearances on tenor sax though (and one doublin' on baritone, natch).
Pete
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https://peteatkin.com/forum?board=Music&action=display&num=1182638114&start=22#22 |
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Ian Chippett
MV Moderator
In the clear at over fifty-five
Posts: 332
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Re: Midnight Voices - the CD
« Reply #23: 16.08.07 at 13:41 » |
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Pete wrote:
<<It's function is almost percussive primarily. >>
Its a comfort to know that even Homer nod's... 
Ian C
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https://peteatkin.com/forum?board=Music&action=display&num=1182638114&start=23#23 |
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Pete Atkin
MV Deity
Posts: 508
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Re: Midnight Voices - the CD
« Reply #24: 16.08.07 at 14:23 » |
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D'oh! -- P-ete
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https://peteatkin.com/forum?board=Music&action=display&num=1182638114&start=24#24 |
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Avner Greenberg
MV Feature
Posts: 61
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Re: Midnight Voices - the CD
« Reply #25: 19.08.07 at 06:30 » |
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I had to replace the speakers on our PC last week. Since no Fairtrade ones were available, I got the default pair for the equivalent of around 5 quid, made in guess where. Good enough for MS Windows' relentless signature tone I thought, forgetting that I do occasionally listen to something slightly more demanding on the PC.
Miraculously, with a pinch of imagination perhaps, the new Laughing Boy sounds wonderful even through this degrading medium. Not quite the usual warm texture in Pete's voice, but a treat nevertheless. Indeed, a man can die for things like that, but not quite yet. Wouldn't miss the CD for anything.
Many thanks to all responsible, and warm regards.
Avner
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https://peteatkin.com/forum?board=Music&action=display&num=1182638114&start=25#25 |
Avner Greenberg
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Jan
MV Fellow
Posts: 312
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Absolutely gorgeous!
« Reply #26: 23.08.07 at 20:15 » |
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My boss left work early this afternoon and whilst looking on Smash Flops for some music to play I happened to come upon this unannounced treasure halfway down on the left hand side:
http://www.rwt.co.uk/play/touch.htm
How long has that been there?
Its wonderful!
Jan
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https://peteatkin.com/forum?board=Music&action=display&num=1182638114&start=26#26 |
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S J Birkill
MV Administrator
just a sensible reserve
Posts: 848
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Re: Absolutely gorgeous!
« Reply #27: 23.08.07 at 20:31 » |
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on 23.08.07 at 20:15, Jan wrote:How long has that been there?
Its wonderful! |
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Ha! So someone still looks at the Atkin website
Last Friday, 17th.
S
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https://peteatkin.com/forum?board=Music&action=display&num=1182638114&start=27#27 |
Stephen J Birkill
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Paul Leighton
MV Friend
Mine's a Thatchers!
Posts: 32
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Re: Midnight Voices - the CD
« Reply #28: 24.08.07 at 15:21 » |
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Well, usually I do keep an eye on Smash Flops...but I have to admit I had not spotted it. Very glad that Jan brought it to ourattention. As she rightly says, it IS a gem. And doesn't Pete sound so "comfortable" with the arrangement. Brilliant.
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https://peteatkin.com/forum?board=Music&action=display&num=1182638114&start=28#28 |
Paul Leighton
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Gerry Smith
MV Fixture
Posts: 222
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Re: Midnight Voices - the CD
« Reply #29: 24.08.07 at 16:51 » |
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Well that one sneaked in while we were all sleeping at our desks, didn't it?! Another cracking re-work, presumably with Alan Barnes on the oh-so-subtle tenor?
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https://peteatkin.com/forum?board=Music&action=display&num=1182638114&start=29#29 |
Out playing the saxes
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Pete Atkin
MV Deity
Posts: 508
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Imminency
« Reply #30: 30.08.07 at 08:23 » |
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OK - Mr Wallace and I have ceased our fiddlings about and have committed ourselves. The CD has been mastered (including the embedding of the track titles for the benefit of those who drive the right kind of BMW) and the whole caboodle along with its kit has gone off to the replicators, which means that the Hillside Fulfilment and Despatch Arm should have copies available for, um, fulfilment and dispatch by about the middle of September. There will be further postings when this level of reality has been attained.
This time there's going to be an official release date - yet to be finally decided on - some several weeks away, in order to coordinate a bit of a publicity effort, but until then the CD will be exclusively available from the Hillside Music shop.
Meanwhile the front and back cover artwork can be viewed on the main part of the website, where that nice Mr Birkill has also placed a slightly more prominent link to the two tracks which you can sample in mp3 form.
Keep on truckin'
Pete
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https://peteatkin.com/forum?board=Music&action=display&num=1182638114&start=30#30 |
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Paul Leighton
MV Friend
Mine's a Thatchers!
Posts: 32
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Re: Midnight Voices - the CD
« Reply #31: 30.08.07 at 12:47 » |
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Excellent news! More strength to your..........er, .... Fulfilment and Despatch Arm!
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https://peteatkin.com/forum?board=Music&action=display&num=1182638114&start=31#31 |
Paul Leighton
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Jeremy Pymer
MV Friend
Impractical Man
Posts: 16
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Re: Midnight Voices - the CD
« Reply #32: 31.08.07 at 20:18 » |
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Well, well, well. Never really came to terms with THAM replacing BCWTOYTM on BOTBS - just couldn't get on with all those strings, and the latter is one of my all time favourites -but how good is this THAM! Pete so relaxed and easy and that sax - can't wait for the CD - will check re the ordering arrangements right now for some more IRT (internet retail therapy). A tonic after a difficult week.
Jeremy
Feeling a little brighter in Fowlmere, South Cambs
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https://peteatkin.com/forum?board=Music&action=display&num=1182638114&start=32#32 |
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Bogus Trumper
MV Fellow
You alone will be my last adventure
Posts: 284
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Re: Midnight Voices - the CD
« Reply #33: 01.09.07 at 02:33 » |
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And especially good news for those of us stuck a rather long way away from all the *oD's 
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https://peteatkin.com/forum?board=Music&action=display&num=1182638114&start=33#33 |
And so goodbye, my lady of a night
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S J Birkill
MV Administrator
just a sensible reserve
Posts: 848
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Midnight Voices - the CD : Master of the Revels
« Reply #34: 17.09.07 at 17:51 » |
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Well, this is different.
It starts out sounding as if the band's tuning up. And it pretty much stays that way! We have saxes, piano, bass, drums and shimmering cymbals twiddling up and down before Pete's voice comes in over drum rolls, piano arpeggios and noodling electric guitar runs. The piano is perhaps the most structured, counterpointing the melody and keeping recognisable time while the rest of the band tumbles about it. Pete's enunciation is as precise as ever, so a little at odds with the rubato delivery. The verse finishes over drum rolls, bass thumps and tinkling piano, before giving way to sax and cymbal smashes over a snare rhythm and a hint of Dai's original tuba, fading martially into the distance.
It's over too soon and leaves you wanting more, but the most remarkable impression it creates is the expectation that a 'chorus' is due, what we've heard having been merely the out-of-tempo 'verse'. Now what would a chorus to MOTR sound like?
SJB
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https://peteatkin.com/forum?board=Music&action=display&num=1182638114&start=34#34 |
Stephen J Birkill
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Gerry Smith
MV Fixture
Posts: 222
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Re: Midnight Voices - the CD
« Reply #35: 17.09.07 at 19:15 » |
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Does this mean it's now on sale? Hope so!
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https://peteatkin.com/forum?board=Music&action=display&num=1182638114&start=35#35 |
Out playing the saxes
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S J Birkill
MV Administrator
just a sensible reserve
Posts: 848
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Re: Midnight Voices - the CD
« Reply #36: 17.09.07 at 19:50 » |
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Very soon! I'm lucky in that the Powers That Be...
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https://peteatkin.com/forum?board=Music&action=display&num=1182638114&start=36#36 |
Stephen J Birkill
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S J Birkill
MV Administrator
just a sensible reserve
Posts: 848
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Midnight Voices - the CD : Faded Mansion
« Reply #37: 17.09.07 at 21:34 » |
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I must state first that I'm a great admirer of the 1971 recording of this song, with its electric piano, melodic bass and rim-shot drums, and Pete's gentle vibrato on the understated exposition of the lyric.
Here it's revised at a slower tempo, with acoustic piano over the verse, a less prominent bass and drums, and some interesting and pretty electric guitar fills. The vocal is more expressive, with moderate reverb, but somehow doesn't carry quite the same conviction as the original -- almost as if it's looking for the powerful ballad that's somewhere else.
The recording quality is superb, without the studio creaks and clicks and the ping-pong stereo of the original -- the whole thing feels bigger and more substantial. But I don't think it works quite as well.
Incidentally, when you eventually visit Doyle's seafood restaurant at Watson's Bay, don't forget, as well as mentioning Clive's name, to climb the half-mile up the hill behind the bay to The Gap, and walk north to the point where you can look down on those same headlands from the seaward side of South Head, with the city in the distance. Unforgettable!
Steve
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https://peteatkin.com/forum?board=Music&action=display&num=1182638114&start=37#37 |
Stephen J Birkill
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Keith Busby
MV Fixture
Posts: 167
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Re: Midnight Voices - the CD
« Reply #38: 18.09.07 at 13:06 » |
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S. J. Birkill wrote: "Incidentally, when you eventually visit Doyle's seafood restaurant at Watson's Bay, don't forget, as well as mentioning Clive's name, to climb the half-mile up the hill behind the bay to The Gap, and walk north to the point where you can look down on those same headlands from the seaward side of South Head, with the city in the distance. Unforgettable!"
Been there, done that. 
Keith
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https://peteatkin.com/forum?board=Music&action=display&num=1182638114&start=38#38 |
Commit THAT to Your Fragrant Memory!
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S J Birkill
MV Administrator
just a sensible reserve
Posts: 848
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Midnight Voices - the CD : Payday Evening
« Reply #39: 21.09.07 at 14:01 » |
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A lighter touch here than the 1973 original. Piano and tambourine dominate the backing during the first two stanzas, until "And the gardens..." when Hammond (where is that in the credits?) comes into play to marvellous effect. The mood doesn't change at "But somehow" as before, but the electric guitar plays an increasing part as the song goes on, with a moody solo after "The poetic age has had its day". "Of our lost loves" doesn't get the superfluous repeat of some recent concert versions. The bass is subdued throughout, in contrast to the earlier recording, and the drums simple. Pete's voice is as plain and direct as we'd ever wish it to be, though with a slight tendency to voice the 't's, American style, this time around. Of course this is the song which gave the album its title, as well as spawning a million Internet messages (well, 14090 as of today), so it needs to be good. It sure is.
Steve
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https://peteatkin.com/forum?board=Music&action=display&num=1182638114&start=39#39 |
Stephen J Birkill
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