[demonrail666]

 

I've been quietly obsessing over this album for months now. I've wanted to start a thread about it for almost as long but haven't managed to find anything really constructive to say about it, or a question worth asking. I've started loads of threads on it recently, and then abandoned them prior to clicking on the 'submit' button. Christ, I'm not even sure how many of you here have heard it, let alone like it.

It just doesn't seem to fit anywhere, other than as a truly brilliant piece of work. On the surface its sheer ordinariness suggests nothing of any real significance beyond a level of competence, but these are songs that sound like standards, like they weren't written so much as passed down. It's actually hard to imagine a time when 'I Shall be Released' didn't exist, and yet they're all originals. It's staggering.

I'm tempted to just abandon this thread too but I'm gonna put it out there and see if it goes somewhere.

CLICK

[gmku]

I probably haven't played this record in something like 20 years. I'll dust it off this afternoon and get back to you.

[demonrail666]

Yeah, I must admit that you, and maybe Savage Clone, Atari and Rob seem like people who might be into it to some degree.

I know that England's Fairport Convention were enormously inspired by them and that, in many ways, Liege and Lief is a kind of English response to it - moving away from psychedelia towards a more traditional style of arrangement/songwriting. There's a maturity here, like music made by old men, that seems completely out of kilter with the time it was made - similar in that sense to something like Dylan's 'Self Portrait' - which is a kind of obvious link, but nonetheless.

There's a chapter on it in Greil Marcus' book Mystery Train where he talks about an attitude of sheer bewilderment about amongst his peers, mixed with a general sense that something truly great had been achieved. Even he seems to truly struggle to comprehend it though. It's just like a big musical 'yes', with no real sense of being able to deal with it. Which is exactly how I feel as I'm listening to it now.

[gmku]

I have it on now. I like it. I remember liking it.

Not sure what there is to comprehend or not comprehend. It has a very obvious American-roots vibe, and is a bit Dylan inspired, obviously.

I love the simplicity of the production. It's just guitar, drums, keyboards, vocals, and the "presence" is great, like they're on stage in a small dive. It's almost like two whole sides of country-inspired Keith Richards if he'd come up with two full sides of gems like "You Got the Silver."

[gmku]

This AMG review probably sums up my sense of the album as well as anything http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p...0:hiftxql5ldje

One of the amazing things to me is that this is from 1968! I always forget that since I bought it many years later. It just doesn't sound like anything else from around that time.

[Everyneurotic]

ha, that's on my "to listen" list.

i got interested for their influence on fairport convention, as mentioned by dr666.

[gmku]

On a purely gut level, it's one of those albums that make me do dumb sentimental things like hug my dogs or kiss my wife.

[demonrail666]

The "presence" you mention is absolutely right. It's like a 'jam' but never once feels bloated or remotely indulgent.

[gmku]

It feels very "live," like nothing was dubbed.

In context of the year it was made, it is doubly amazing. It's more pure in terms of playing from American roots than anything else I can think of from its era, totally "untainted" by rock trends like psychedelia.

[gmku]

I love the Basement Tapes too.

[demonrail666]

Yes, I just read that review. The writer echoes my sentiment about the album's feel of being a jam that disguises its incredible tightness. I also agree with what he says about there being a subtle sense of sadness and decline in the songs. I imagine it would've made for a quite intense listening experience in 1968.

[therealglenstyler]

the rock organ on chest fever is glorious. just a beautiful album and as you say a big musical yes apparently immune or impervious to critical appraisal, it very much IS what it is, very simple (in the purest, best, most unpretentious and soulful way) and very complete (which might contribute to the air of sorrow that permeates).

[Cantankerous]

i love love love the band

[MellySingsDoom]

My brother got me into this album - "I Shall Be Released" is a fucking amazing song, man. +1 from me for this fantastic LP.

[demonrail666]

I've just put it on again. It does make me want to hug loved ones.