Music in my dreams.

Do you ever wake up humming a song and wonder where it came from?  I think this happens to me more often than not and I will find myself getting dressed most mornings singing along to a song that is looped in my head and puzzle over when I last heard it.

Occasionally it will be a song I heard the day before and this is obviously my brain processing information in my sleep.  Usually it is a song I know well and play regularly enough to know it off by heart and sometimes it will be a song I haven’t heard in many, many years and it seems to have come into my head unbidden.

I will then often be able to link this song back to events in my dream and I have come to realise that I have my own inner soundtrack to my dreams now, almost like a film score or film soundtrack.  Music plays in my dreams on radios, or in cars as I move around, but more frequently it plays over the top of the action in my dreams, really like in a film.

I guess we have all had occasions when external noises have become integrated into our dreams.  The phone rings and the same happens in your dream, or someone knocks at the door and someone knocks at the door in your dream.  I have also had it that music from a neighbour has infiltrated my dream, but more usually it only serves to wake me up; almost as if my subconscious scorns their musical choice!

It is great to wake up singing and the music I hear in my head as I stumble around the bedroom putting on socks and brushing my hair sounds as full and rich in my head as if I was playing it on a CD.  This gradually fades down and by the time I have come downstairs and put on the kettle I will still be singing the song, but its richness has diminished somewhat.

This happens to me more and more these days and the music I chose as I walk to the station or as I sit on the train will often be the song and album that I woke up with that day.  It’s almost as if the first musical choice of the day is taken care of and what’s more, I know it will perfectly suited to my mood as my subconscious has chosen it.

I love it that this happens to me and those few days when I wake up to inner silence is almost a disappointment.  I wonder if anyone else experiences this and I’d love to hear about if you do and how you find it.  Personally, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Favourite albums: Eric Clapton, 24 Nights

We all have favourite albums that hold a special place in our hearts and which have affected us more than others.  Over the years I have come across many, but I thought I would start off with one of the first in my life to share with you

‘24 Nights’ by Eric Clapton is amongst the first albums I chose for myself when I started buying my own music and it is still one of the best live albums I own.  I originally had it on cassette and promptly wore it out through over-playing and quickly replaced it on CD when I had the chance.

Recorded Live at the Royal Albert Hall during Clapton’s 1990-1991 residency and taken from the 42 concerts he performed during this time, this features him playing a selection of his music with various bands and an orchestra.  Clapton initially played 18 nights in 1990 but, being unsatisfied with the recordings, he postponed the live album until after the 24 nights played in 1991.  These concerts were performed around the time of Clapton’s ‘Journeyman’ album, so tracks from this feature heavily, but as this is also one of my favourite albums of his, that is no bad thing.

He starts off with a four piece band to play some classic Cream tracks (plus ‘Running on Faith’ from the ‘Journeyman’ album) and to hear him ripping into ‘Badge’ still gives me Goosebumps.  The intro to ‘White Room’ is raw and powerful and those pounding drums set you up for the song to come.  Clapton plays a spine tingling solo on this song that is one of his best.  ‘Sunshine of you Love’ is the icing on the cake and the drum solo by Steve Ferrone is simply brilliant.

Clapton then plays four songs with a blues band.  He is joined on stage by a legendary mix of musicians and to have Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Johnnie Johnson and Clapton all on stage at the same time is an unbeatable combination.  The version of ‘Have You Ever Loved a Woman’ is awe inspiring stuff and the deft touch on the guitar still puts a smile on my face even after many years of listening.  This part of the album even sees Jimmie Vaughan join Clapton on stage for a version of ‘Hoodoo Man’ that will have you swaying along and singing from the first few bars onwards.  The harmonica from Jerry Portnoy compliments this track perfectly.

We then move on to a nine piece band and a more fuller, rock orientated sound for the next four tracks.  This is the part where Clapton showcases some of the music from ‘Journeyman’ and the distorted, elemental sound of Clapton’s guitar on ‘Pretending’ is exceptional stuff.  Katie Kissoon and Tessa Niles join the band here on backing vocals and this really elevates the song.  ‘Bad Love’ is amazing.  I have always loved this track and despite Eric writing this after being told to ‘go away and write another Layla’, this song has always been very powerful and that is not diminished live in anyway.  That main riff is outstanding and the solo on this song will take you to heights you never knew existed.  The version of ‘Old Love’ is perfectly pitched, it starts off slow and almost mournful, with guitar from Clapton that makes you sigh into the track. It then builds, with another incredible solo before it’s big conclusion.  Simply masterful.  The last song from the nine piece is ‘Wonderful tonight’ and apart from it being a romantic standard, this version is quite simply the best one I’ve heard.  The backing vocals at the end, that interact with the band, are incredible and when this song has been played and heard so often, to make it sound fresh and inspiring is impressive stuff.

Finally the album concludes with three tracks played with an Orchestra, conducted by Michael Kamen.  ‘Bell Bottom blues’ is augmented to just the right level by the strings and orchestra in the background and the chorus, which was always uplifting, is made even more so.  A bluesy feel is revisited with ‘Hard Times’, before we come to the brooding and atmospheric ‘Edge of Darkness’.  The deep strings at the start, before Clapton plays guitar on top suit the moody feel to a tee.  It then builds with the guitar becoming more powerful and the orchestra having a greater impact until you are carried along on a wall of sound and emotion.  It builds in pace and volume and concludes the album with a rush of emotion and sublime musicianship.

24 Nights album cover

After the final concert Clapton was presented with the original key to Second Tier Box 77.  This symbolic gesture forever linked Clapton to the Royal Albert Hall and it is a link he has revisited many times over the years with other residencies and numerous concerts in it’s hallowed hall.

For an album to have this much of an impact in your life, even after many years and repeated playing goes some way to showing just how good it is.  Some artists are great when recorded, but fall a bit flat when performing live and I have to admit I have seen Clapton live when he’s not been at the top of his game.  But this album shows the very best of the music he performed during those nights at the Albert hall and they offer up a selection of music that will never be beaten.  He may do other versions of these songs that have their own unique charms and elements, but the songs here will never be played this way again and it is a sound that is seared into my musical soul.  I played this album a lot as I grew up and it has now become a part of who I am.  I am just fortunate that the music that has had this huge impact is of such a high standard.

Music as I commute, Part 2

A tube train clatters away, wheels screeching and echoing down the tunnels.  Passengers murmur as they talk and their shoes shuffle on the tiled floors as they make their ways to the exits.  The escalators whirr and heave as they carry people to the surface and yet at some lull in this cacophony and background noise I hear some music playing out.

Walking to and from platforms on the London underground you will come across designated, sponsored,  busking areas.  These are painted areas at 39 sites across 25 stations, where authorised musicians can perform for passengers as they use the network. The areas are out of the way of main thoroughfares to prevent congestion and the musicians have to audition and be licensed for their spots to ensure a certain quality of music.

In the past anyone would walk up, strum away at a guitar or bash a bongo and expect money, however badly they played.  They were forever being chased away by tube staff and the ‘music’ on offer left plenty to be desired.  I admit I had my favourites, like the man who played tambourine whilst wearing a rabbit costume, or the dreadlocked man feverishly banging on his bongos at various stations across the network, but overall the quality was quite poor.  Then this initiative was introduced and suddenly we had authorised musicians, providing music of a decent standard to brighten our journeys home and add atmosphere to what would otherwise be drab surroundings.

Looking down one of the tube escalators.

There is something unique and enchanting about walking down a long connecting tunnel and hearing music echo down to you from up ahead.  Whether it be a traditional guitar busker, violin player, opera singer or some other performer, you can’t beat seeing a skilled musician creating music.  This remains true even if you are only seeing them in passing and regardless of the setting.  I have even stopped to watch some especially adept performers and when you’re not in a rush to reach a destination it is well worth taking a few moments to watch some of these artists perform.

With over 3.5 million tube users every day, there is a large enough audience to appreciate the music on offer and who want these live acts on the stations as they move through them.  It gives great exposure to these performers as they are starting out and more established artists have also performed in the tunnels to unsuspecting passengers.  These include names such as The Libertines, Badly Drawn Boy and Seasick Steve.

London is a vibrant, bustling, energetic city and the music provided on the underground network is just another aspect which adds to the overall charm and atmosphere.  With over 100,000 hours of music performed each year, across a wide range of styles, there is plenty to interest and entertain most travellers; and when some of us have to use the network day in and day out, it gives a welcome break to the journey and adds a bright spot amidst the enclosing tunnels that surround us. I say “long may it continue” and if you are ever in London, be sure to check out one of the performers if you happen to stumble across them.  I can’t promise you a tambourine playing rabbit, but it should be something worth watching anyway.

Choosing Headphones.

How hard is it to buy a new pair of headphones to listen to your favourite music on the go?  Find a pair in the style you like, in your price range, click, click, confirm and two days later you have them nestled in your hands.  Right?  If only it was so easy.

My initial requirements were quite simple.  I wanted some over-ear headphones that offered better sound quality than my current in-ear phones.  They had to not be too bulky, so I wouldn’t look foolish walking down the street wearing them and so they would fit in my bag when I got to work and they also had to be not too expensive.  Pretty simple so far.  Then my search began and that threw the cat amongst the pigeons. 

I started off by reading an article in the Financial Times weekend magazine about Monster Beats Headphones designed by Dr Dre.  They promised to offer the sound the artists heard in the studio and would make your MP3 player roar and sing in a way it has never done before.  I was hooked, but not yet in the landing net.  What sent me out to give them a try was the knowledge the Jimmy Iovine was involved in the project and as he has produced numerous bands I enjoy (most notably for me, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) I went out to give them a hearing test.

Slipping a pair over my ears I was very impressed with the comfort and the sound emanating from the speakers.  The bass was warm and rich (as promised) and the mids and treble was pretty decent too.  The price was way out of my range at over £249 at the time, but boy did they look cool.  That is until I saw numerous footballers and Justin Bieber wearing a pair!  So the sound was good, but the price was a major sticking point and the ‘cool’ factor was on shaky ground.  It was back to the drawing board.

I went on Amazon and read numerous headphone reviews, before going to dedicated musical equipment websites to get another point of view.  The field was narrowing as I realised I needed closed back headphones to block external sound and to prevent me upsetting fellow commuters with sound leakage.

They also needed to be circum-aural so the headphone cup would fit around the ear.  This way sound isolation is improved even more and sound leakage is further reduced.  I also learnt I would have to let the speakers ‘burn in’ long enough before judging the sound fully.  Apparently they need to loosen up to vibrate fully and give the best, warmest sound.

I also wanted as wide a frequency response as possible to give me deeper bass and sharper trebles.  In my online reading I learnt if you want to enjoy music as it was made you need to buy a set of flat response headphones, or at least not a set which has excessively boosted bass (like the Monster Beats).  Of course if you enjoy boosted bass, or music with heavy bass like Hip Hop, these headphones are perfect, but for what I wanted I had to find a pair of monitoring or reasonably flat headphones.

My research continued and every time I thought I had found the pair for me, I read a review of it’s flaws or saw a video on YouTube of it’s headband or cables snapping so that I was still left in doubt.  Surely it shouldn’t be this difficult.

I finally decided on a pair of Sennheiser HD 205- II headphones. The sound was good, although I expected them to get better as they burnt in and they looked pretty nice as well.  The one major flaw was that the headband was WAY too tight and after a short period of listening I had an unbearable headache and couldn’t wear them anymore.  These were returned for a refund and yet again it was back to the drawing board.

The next pair I considered were quite a jump in price, but as I was starting to run out of ideas I went back to a local electronics shop and tested out some Bose AE2’s.  The sound was clear and well balanced and online reviews and the sales advisor heartily recommended them.  Bose’s reputation certainly precede them so I was comfortable with the build and sound quality I would be buying and I thought I had found the headphones for me.

So finally to my relief I had chosen the headphones I was going to buy.  They had enough cable length, excellent sound, enough frequency range, they were closed back, circum-aural, not too bulky, they had a pouch for when they were stored in my bag, the style was good enough for me and the price was right(ish) too.

Am I happy with my decision?  Well the sound started off being excellent and only improved after playing my music through them for a few weeks.  They cope equally well with metal, classical, rock, jazz, pop and anything else I can throw at them.  They are comfortable to wear for prolonged periods and despite not having active sound reduction technology, they manage to block external sound very well indeed.  I wore them on a flight recently and was very impressed with the reduction in the sound of the plane engine and also with the clarity of the music I could hear through them.  I have heard details in my music that I had previously missed up until now and they have held up to regular wear, although I admit it is still early days yet.  All in all I am very satisfied and after a prolonged search, I think I may have just found the headphones to keep me happy as I listen to my music away from the house or work.  Who knew it would take me so long or that I’d be so fussy!

Music News: August 2011 Archive

29.08.11 Beyonce and Jay-Z expecting first baby.
Beyonce has confirmed that she is expecting a baby after arriving at the MTV awards in a  flowing dress and with a bulging belly.

http://music.uk.msn.com/news/beyonce-and-jay-z-expecting-a-baby-138
http://www.nme.com/news/beyonce/58906

25.08.11 Lady Gaga and Katy Perry's music to be banned from China.
Chinese authorities have given until Sept 15 for music wbsites to remove music which they deem offensive or vulgar.  Lasy Gaga and Perry are the main overseas artists to be targetted and 6 Lady Gaga songs are listed, but the list also includes numerous asian artists as well.   

http://www.metro.co.uk/music/873507-lady-gaga-and-katy-perrys-vulgar-music-banned-in-china

24.08.11 Liam Gallagher drops lawsuit after receiving apoloigy from Noel.
Liam gallagher has dropped his lawsuit against his other after Noel apolgised for saying Liam pulled out of the V Festival in 2009 due to a hangover.  Noel said in an online webchat, 'For the record, it is a fact that he was diagnosed with laryngitis and it is a fact that he had a doctor's note to prove it, ....I'd just like to say that if he gets offended by my opinions on such things then I apologise....It's all getting a little silly and out of hand and it's not very cool.' It has been said that Liam and Noels mother, Peggy, had been very upset about the situation.

http://www.metro.co.uk/music/873340-liam-gallagher-drops-lawsuit-against-noel-after-apology-over-v-festival

21.08.11 Release date for Lou Reed/Metallica collaboration album announced.
It has been announced that the collaboration album from Lou Reed and Metallica will be released on the 31st October worldwide and 1st November in America.  The title is as yet still unknown but Lou Reed has described it as "awe-inspiring".
http://ultimateclassicrock.com/metallica-lou-reed-release-date/

21.08.11 Bono taken to hospital after heart scare.
Bono has been taken to hospital with heart palpatations whilst in the south of France.  He wasn't kept in over night but has been recommended plenty of rest.

http://www.nme.com/news/u2/58751

19.08.11 Liam gallagher sues brother over Oasis split 'lies'
Liam Gallagher has decided to sue his brother Noel after he said Oasis split over Liam wanting to advertise his clothing brand in tour programs and that Liam cancelled a tour date due to a hangover, both accusations Liam strenuously denies.  Liam desires an apology and has said

"I am used to being called all sorts of things by Noel and I have in the past said things about him. But what Noel has alleged this time went way beyond rock-and-roll banter and questioned my professionalism. I tried to resolve this amicably but have been left with no choice but legal action. All I want is an apology."

http://www.nme.com/news/oasis/58722

19.08.11 Amy Winehouse foundation delayed after someone else bought name.
Mitch Winehouse, the father of Amy Winehouse, has said that the foundation will be delayed in getting set up after someone else bought the name 'The Amy Winehouse Foundation'.  He has said that he has had lots of donations, but it will take a while longer to get the foundation up and running, but he is determined to make it happen.

http://www.nme.com/news/amy-winehouse/58724

18.08.11 Corey Taylor and Duff Mckagan to collaborate
Corey taylor, the lead singer with Slipknot, has said he will be working with Duff McKagan from Guns and Roses and currently with Velvet Revolver after they spent some time working together recently.  Taylor has said 'there might be a mystery supergroup out there - me and Duff and some other weird people'.  Taylor recently recorded with Velvet Revolver but the band are looking for an alternative vocalist. 

http://www.nme.com/news/slipknot/58711

17.08.11 Tony Iommi clarifies Black Sabbath reunion rumours
Tony Iommi, the lead guitarist from Black Sabbath, has clarified that the band won't be getting back together for a reunion tour.  He has said that comments he made to a Birmingham journalist back in June have been taken out of context and have flown around the world as an official statement.  He has apologised to his bandmates and clarified the situation for the bands fans.

http://www.nme.com/news/black-sabbath/58682

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/tony-iommi-black-sabbath-reunion-speculation/

17.08.11  Bono to become Facebook Billionaire.
Bono, the lead singer from U2, is likely to become a billionaire due to his astute 2009 investment in Facebook.  The singer invested $210 Million worth of shares via his investment company Elevation Partners and due to a rceent valuation of the social network site Bono's share is estimated to be $975 Million.

http://www.nme.com/news/u2/58677

14.08.11 Dr Dre sells half of his company for $300 Million.
Dr Dre has sold 51% of his audio company Beats Electronics to mobile phone giant HTC for $301 million.  His company, set up with Geffen records executive Jimmy Iovine in 2008, makes headphones endorsed by the likes of Lady Gaga and which are also popular with footballers and celebrities worldwide.  HTC have said they want to integrate the Beats technology into it's smartphones as soon a spossible.

http://www.nme.com/news/dr-dre/58628

12.08.11 Coldplay confirm 5th album.
Coldplay have confirmed the name of their 5th album which will be titled 'Mylo Xyloto' and is due for release on October 24th.  The album has additional composition from Brian Eno and the band have said it will be preceded by a single titled 'Paradise'.

http://www.nme.com/news/coldplay/58602

11.08.11 Kings of Leon deny they've sacked Caleb Followill.
Kings of Leon have denied rumours that they have sacked lead singer Caleb Followill.    Speculation has arisen after they had to recently cancel their tour due to alleged erratic and diva like behaviour from Caleb. 

http://www.nme.com/news/kings-of-leon/58585

10.08.11 John Grant to start work on next album.
John Grant has started work on the follow up to his acclaimed album 'Queen of Denmark'.  He said that he wants to work with Midlake again but both their careers are very busy, but with this album he will be moving onto the 'anger stage' with a more rockier feel.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20110810_grant.shtml

10.08.11 Plan B condemns rioters on his website.
Plan B has released a podcast on his website where he condemns the behaviour of the rioters around the country.   He states that these riots have undermined the efforts he, and others, have made to gain more respect for the underclasses in the UK and he can't stand up for that anymore.

http://www.nme.com/news/nme/58555

09.08.11 Independent record stock go up in riot blaze.
Vast stocks held on behalf of various independent record labels have been lost in a fire set at a warehouse during the riots in London. The distribution centre, owned by Sony, was set on fire on Monday night and their spokesman has said "there will likely be some impact on deliveries".

http://www.metro.co.uk/music/871819-london-riots-sony-distribution-centre-fire-leads-to-fears-for-british-indie-labels

04.08.11 Damon Albarn and Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers to perform live together.
It has been announced that Damon Albarn and Flea will be playing a gig together at the London Barbican in October.
http://www.nme.com/news/damon-albarn/58452

04.08.11 Amy Winehouse duet to be released for charity.
A duet between Amy Winehouse and Tony Bennett is scheduled for release with the proceeds going to the charitable foundation recently set up in Winehouse's name.  It was recorded at Abbey Road studios in March and is believed to one of the last tracks she recorded before she died.

http://www.metro.co.uk/music/871365-amy-winehouse-and-tony-bennett-duet-to-be-released-as-charity-single

02.08.11 Kings of Leon cancel US tour.
The Kings of Leon have cancelled the remainder of their US tour after lead singer Caleb Followill left the stage and failed to return during their Dallas gig three days ago.  There are internal issues with the band that need to be addressed beofre touring can resume.  In a statement the band have said they are "devastated, but in order to give their fans the shows they deserve, they need to take this break".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14367943

01.08.11 Slash hometown gig to be released as DVD.
It has been announced that a DVD of Slash's recent gig at the Victoria Hall in Stoke-on-Trent is due to be released in October of this year.  The gig in his hometown to over 1500 metal fans sold out in under 2 hours and he said of the show 'I've been wanting to do this for a long time'. 


http://ultimateclassicrock.com/slashs-hometown-concert-coming-to-your-living-room/