Dire straights – Excellent guitar work. I would expect nothing less.
Robert Wyatt – Is this considered Prog Rock? seems to have that same voice. I felt this song was a little short even though it is 3 minutes. Has a little bit of a Ben Folds vibe to it. Would have never expected his voice to sound like it does.
Dire Straits – Brothers in Arms
I recently heard an interview with Richard Thompson from a few years back during which the interviewer suggested Mark Knopfler was heavily influenced by Thompson’s playing, but on this track I hear David Gilmour – in fact, this could be a latter day Pink Floyd track. That said, I settled in and let it wash over me. This album was on heavy rotation in our college apartment so it was not unfamiliar and, on his return listen, I appreciated its atmospheric production – appropriate for the sentiment of the lyrics.
Robert Wyatt – Shipbuilding
I know the Elvis Costello version best – this version is haunting. The rhythm section is superb. (A little research revealed the lyrics are EC’s, but the music was by Clive Langer). Brilliant.
Note: This one is more overtly about the Falklands War, but this week’s other track also has some allusions to it.
“Brothers in Arms” / Dire Strait. I don’t think this was one of the hits from the monster eponymous album, but it well represents the group’s atmospheric side at their commercial apogee. Knopfler sounds especially Dylanesque, and the guitar work is especially poignant. The lyrics might be literally about war, but also leave room for metaphorical interpretations. (The video suggests the reference point is WWI, which reminds me, the new remake of “All Quiet on the Western Front” is quite good.)
“Shipbuilding” / Robert Wyatt. I nearly placed the justly acclaimed Elvis C. original on my list for this round, so I’m glad someone selected some version. A most understated anti-war tune, through the conflicted perspective of a working-class bloke who might get a job — or lose a son — out of it. Great reading of this jazzy tune, with nice harmonies on the chorus, though I do miss the (Chet Baker!) trumpet solo from Elvis’ original.
“Brothers in Arms” by Dire Straits – While familiar with the hits of the Dire Straits, I haven’t done any deep dives into their musical catalogue. (Money For Nothing is typically the first song that comes to mind…) Very atmospheric, and a somber tone considering the lyrics. “Now the sun’s gone to hell and / The moon’s riding high / Let me bid you farewell / Every man has to die.” Poetic.
“Shipbuilding” by Robert Wyatt – Never heard this version of shipbuilding by Robert Wyatt. Also a somber tone here. The doubletracking (to me) feels uneven at times, but the percussions and the band strums a long beautifully. The surprising part is its short, three-minute run-time which seems to arrive too quickly.
“Brothers in Arms” by Dire Straits
I really like when the bass kicks in….adds a powerful floor to the song just in the nick of time. The guitar riffing throughout is also well done. This song was well played when this album was all over the radio but also came across to my ears as a distant cousin to the headliners; money for nothing, walk of life and so far away. Enjoyed hearing it again after a very long hiatus.
“Shipbuilding” by Robert Wyatt: Noted this was written by Elvis Costello and I do believe I can feel Mr. MacManus’s presence a bit. This seems overall a bit plodding to my ears. The lyric story is excellent but the vocal timbre seems an acquired taste I have not acquired yet.
Dire straights – Excellent guitar work. I would expect nothing less.
Robert Wyatt – Is this considered Prog Rock? seems to have that same voice. I felt this song was a little short even though it is 3 minutes. Has a little bit of a Ben Folds vibe to it. Would have never expected his voice to sound like it does.
Dire Straits – Brothers in Arms
I recently heard an interview with Richard Thompson from a few years back during which the interviewer suggested Mark Knopfler was heavily influenced by Thompson’s playing, but on this track I hear David Gilmour – in fact, this could be a latter day Pink Floyd track. That said, I settled in and let it wash over me. This album was on heavy rotation in our college apartment so it was not unfamiliar and, on his return listen, I appreciated its atmospheric production – appropriate for the sentiment of the lyrics.
Robert Wyatt – Shipbuilding
I know the Elvis Costello version best – this version is haunting. The rhythm section is superb. (A little research revealed the lyrics are EC’s, but the music was by Clive Langer). Brilliant.
Note: This one is more overtly about the Falklands War, but this week’s other track also has some allusions to it.
“Brothers in Arms” / Dire Strait. I don’t think this was one of the hits from the monster eponymous album, but it well represents the group’s atmospheric side at their commercial apogee. Knopfler sounds especially Dylanesque, and the guitar work is especially poignant. The lyrics might be literally about war, but also leave room for metaphorical interpretations. (The video suggests the reference point is WWI, which reminds me, the new remake of “All Quiet on the Western Front” is quite good.)
“Shipbuilding” / Robert Wyatt. I nearly placed the justly acclaimed Elvis C. original on my list for this round, so I’m glad someone selected some version. A most understated anti-war tune, through the conflicted perspective of a working-class bloke who might get a job — or lose a son — out of it. Great reading of this jazzy tune, with nice harmonies on the chorus, though I do miss the (Chet Baker!) trumpet solo from Elvis’ original.
“Brothers in Arms” by Dire Straits – While familiar with the hits of the Dire Straits, I haven’t done any deep dives into their musical catalogue. (Money For Nothing is typically the first song that comes to mind…) Very atmospheric, and a somber tone considering the lyrics. “Now the sun’s gone to hell and / The moon’s riding high / Let me bid you farewell / Every man has to die.” Poetic.
“Shipbuilding” by Robert Wyatt – Never heard this version of shipbuilding by Robert Wyatt. Also a somber tone here. The doubletracking (to me) feels uneven at times, but the percussions and the band strums a long beautifully. The surprising part is its short, three-minute run-time which seems to arrive too quickly.
“Brothers in Arms” by Dire Straits
I really like when the bass kicks in….adds a powerful floor to the song just in the nick of time. The guitar riffing throughout is also well done. This song was well played when this album was all over the radio but also came across to my ears as a distant cousin to the headliners; money for nothing, walk of life and so far away. Enjoyed hearing it again after a very long hiatus.
“Shipbuilding” by Robert Wyatt: Noted this was written by Elvis Costello and I do believe I can feel Mr. MacManus’s presence a bit. This seems overall a bit plodding to my ears. The lyric story is excellent but the vocal timbre seems an acquired taste I have not acquired yet.