Comments on: Under The Influence

By: Jack

Jack — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:34:34 +0000

In reply to DaveZ.

Nice post, Dave. Appreciate the feedback. A B sides will be coming one day. For now, we are working hard on BSL V 🙂
J

By: Jack

Jack — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:30:41 +0000

In reply to Allan Whitaker.

Great post, Allan. Thanks so much for the support.
All the best.
J

By: Allan Whitaker

Allan Whitaker — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 20:30:37 +0000

Jack

I thought that I would just let you know how much I have enjoyed listening to Things That Happened On Earth over the last week or so.

As you say in your article, the times that you experience goose-bumps or get lost in the music when listening to an album are infrequent but definitely life-prevailing in nature.

I can still recall the very first full-price album that I bought in 1968 and I still listen it to regularly today. In fact, last year I travelled down to the London Meltdown festival to hear that album played live in its entirety for the very first time. I’m referring to The Village Green Preservation Society by the Kinks.

Fortunately, I have those hair standing moments with an eclectic mix of artists over the years and can point to albums such as Five Leaves Later (Nick Drake), On The Threshold Of A Dream (The Moody Blues), Trespass (Genesis), Dark Side Of The Moon (Pink Floyd) and perhaps more contemporary … The Seldom Seem Kid (Elbow) and Two Worlds (The Aschere Project) as examples of music that evokes all the emotions, musicianship or communication that I look for in this art form.

The fact that I can honestly say that Things That Happened On Earth easily stands proud against all the aforementioned albums is particularly emotional for me as I can point to the fact that the artist and musician is my brother. Some would say that this fact alone negates me making any form of critique and valid assessment of the album and they may be right. All I can say is that I know I have found a gold nugget of album when I can listen to it each day and pick something new from it each time and never bore of hearing the tracks in sequence.

To me it is one of the best albums in my collection in terms of its production and engineering. The instruments are given space to be part of the mix in a clarity and balance that few record producers ever succeed in achieving. Obviously, any album by Andy is going to feature a range of guitars played in a number of styles. It is all part of his musical journey from his inspirations, likes and preferences. The way that those guitar sounds are allowed to breath and contribute to the whole is masterly.

However, the guitars are not on their own in making the whole so much better – each and every instrument plays an integral part to the tonal landscape and, I think, indicates how much each musician bought into Andy’s project.

I don’t think many Indie Rock artists would consider or have the nerve to write songs about mothers, Jesus Christ or gay family members in songs ringing with melody, harmony and emotion and I have to say that Andy and the rest of you have pulled it off with aplomb.

The music is indeed hypnotic, meditational, rhythmic and rocking in ways that make each track a part of a whole album experience. To hear the acoustic guitar strings resonate with such clarity and electric guitars blend in such purpose is a joy! On Primordial Soup, to hear a guitar sound like peel of bells is wonderful.

I do hope that music lovers do get the chance to listen to Things That Happened On Earth and let it sink into their consciousness. Not because of monetary reasons (although I do appreciate that is required in this new age of music) but just because it is an album that can rub shoulders with the best of all time.

Best Wishes
Allan Whitaker

By: DaveZ

DaveZ — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 22:33:05 +0000

Jack, I only have to disagree with you about one thing; couldn’t get into The Smiths 🙂 But the rest…. Strange Times was also the first music I heard from the Chameleons and was hooked immediately. I also bought everything I could get my hands on. Hyde Park Corner in Irvine or Music Market in Costa Mesa. Even trips to the record stores in Hollywood would turn up gems. Then The Sun and the Moon released the most perfect CD – EVER. Like you, I still listen to it all the time as well. I think BSL belongs in the same boat with these 2 bands. When I first saw you perform, I felt like you did with the Smiths; I have to listen to them again. Opening for Ian McNabb, I knew there had to be more to BSL. And I am so glad I followed my instinct and ordered your CD’s. Your talent is inspiring and I’m thankful for the music you create. And what you did with Andy’s newest CD is pure awsomeness. For those of you that haven’t bought it, what are you waiting for? Have you ever received anything bad from Jack? NO! So order it now and help keep this music alive. God help us if we have to listen to Maroon 5, Foster the People, and all the other auto-tuned bands.

PS – Jack, isn’t it about time for a BSL rarities disc? B-sides? I know you have it in you 🙂

Take care,
dave

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 18:36:25 +0000

Always interesting to read your notes Jack.
I was in HMV London in 1983 or thereabouts when I first saw and bought Up The Down Escalator as 12″ EP by The Chams. And things were never the same again for me.
Nobody has come as close to emulating the brillance of The Chams and TSATM as Black Swan Lane over the past few years. I just hope you keep doing what you’re doing because eventually the world has to wake up.