Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Goes Live

Here’s one for the hardcore fans.

In 1975 Lou Reed released an album called Metal Machine Music – it was a double album that consisted for four LP length sides of “noise”. It’s considered one of the most unusual releases in music history and has been the subject of much debate about his motivations and its legitimacy.

Well now in 2010 Lou Reed is presenting Metal Machine Music in concert.

‘A Night of Deep Noise’ is said to feature Lou Reed on processed and unprocessed guitars, Ulrich Krieger on tenor sax and live-electronics, and Sarth Calhoun on continuum and live processing – a collaborative affair that will see all three musicians improvise music and make soundscapes.

Each concert will feature no songs and no vocals. The trio will utilise guitars, saxophones, continuum, plus an array of electronic treatments that will venture into deep acoustic space. The collaboration will draw on new music, free jazz, avant-rock, noise and ambient in a set of intense conceptual pieces and intuitive improvisations.

The Metal Machine Trio concerts will be influenced and inspired by Lou Reed’s the Metal Machine Music album. “Influenced” and “inspired by” are the key words. The concerts won’t ‘play’ the original album – which would probably be impossible – but create free form sounds derived from the same ideas that lead to MMM.

Elvis Costello’s TV Show

It’s not often that Australian television offers up anything of interest to fans of good music. Occasionally Ovation will provide something interesting and of course Rockwiz and Spicks & Specks do have their good moments. Music Max does the best with what it’s got but on the whole its not got a lot.
That’s what makes Elvis Costello With… such great news.
It’s  is a new music talk series hosted by Elvis Costello and each one hour episode will feature a big name guest:  Sir Elton John, Tony Bennett, Lou Reed, Bill Clinton and The Police. (Pick the odd man out in that list!)
Episode 1 features Elton John who talks about his relationship with Bernie Taupin and some of his influences including Leon Russell and Laura Nyro. It sounds like a serious chat.
There’s a performance element to the shows as well with each artist playing a new version of some of their songs and  Costello also playing, starting each episode with song that has some connection with the guest.
Elvis Costello With… kicks off  on ABC2 at 8:30pm Friday March 20th and will be repeated on ABC1 Thursday, March 26 at 11:30pm.

Matthew Sweet

When Matthew Sweet released the album Girlfriend in 1991 he was actually having his second shot at breaking through.

He didn’t waste it.

He had previously released major label albums on Columbia and A&M and although he received some critical acclaim he didn’t sell a lot of records.

Sweet was a native of Lincoln, Nebraska who relocated to Athens, Georgia in the early 80’s. Sweet collaborated with R.E.M. member Michael Stipe under the name Community Trolls as well as being in Stipe’s sister Lynda Stipe’s band Oh-OK, and in 1983 also formed another band, Buzz of Delight.

It was some time after that that he was given his shot at Columbia.

After being dropped from A&M Sweet quickly recovered and formed a new band including extraordinary players  Richard Lloyd (ex Television), Robert Quine (who played with Lou Reed amongst others) , Greg Leisz (who plays with anyone so long as they are good!) , Lloyd Cole, and Fred Maher (ex Scritti Politti and a gun producer in his own right). The new group spent 1990 assembling Sweet’s next work, originally titled Nothing Lasts. It would have been a disgrace if this collection of players couldn’t have created an outstanding album.

Sweet found another label (Zoo) changed the name of his album to Girlfriend and before long his exquisite power pop songs were hits, especially the title track and other gorgeous and irresistible songs like I’ve Been Waiting, Divine Intervention, Evangaline, Holy War and Thought I Knew You.

Sweet toured Australia around that time.

A series of albums followed including Altered Beast,  Son of Altered Beast, 100% Fun, Blue Sky on Mars and  In Reverse. The albums all had some great tracks but Sweet, despite maintaining a dedicated fan base, was never able to reach the heights of the commercial success of Girlfriend,

Since the turn of the century Sweet has made some interesting collaborative decisions and continues to enjoy a lot of respect in the music community. He’s has an enviable reputation as the musician that other quality musicians like.

As testament to this in early 2002, Sweet formed The Thorns with Shawn Mullins and Pete Droge, two other highly regarded singer-songwriter types. Sweet released a new album of solo material, Living Things in late 2004, though the material on the album was recorded in 2002.

In April 2006 Sweet hooked up with Bangles member Susanna Hoffs to release a collection of 1960′s songs.  Under The Covers Vol. 1 featured their versions of songs including Monday, Monday and The Kids Are Alright.  As a collaboration between these two it comes as no surprise that the album is long on pop melody.

Matthew Sweet’s latest album is called Sunshine Lies and it was released on a interesting label called Shout Factory, which specialises in everything from jazz, blues and country to re-releases of retro recordings and a big catalogue of quirky old tv shows and box sets. Its not your typical record company but it does seem suited to Sweet’s place in pop culture.

Sweet has described the new record’s sound as “power-pop-folk-rock-psychedelic-melodic-singer-songwriter-type stuff” , which could just about describe his entire career.

As usual, Sweet (guitars, bass, keyboards, mellotron, lead and harmony vocals), who produced and mixed the LP at his own Lolina Green Studios in L.A., has a great band including Richard Lloyd, Greg Leisz and Ivan Julian (Richard Hell & the Voidoids) along with drummer Ric Menck (Velvet Crush). Susanna Hoffs also makes a fleeting vocal appearance.

Whether Sweet ever returns to Australia is problematic. Apparently he has a fear of flying and the alternative means of getting to Australia have their own problems. Hopefully something can be worked out.

Luka Bloom Returns For Extensive Tour

Much loved Irish troubadour Luka Bloom is a regular Australian visitor and one who never fails to deliver a heartfelt show.  His incredibly gifted electro-acoustic guitar playing guarantees an impassioned live performance of his original, poetic and melodic songs.

The brother of another Irish star Christy Moore (Luka’s real name is Barry Moore) he is one of Ireland’s most well respected artists, known both for his prolific writing and some clever choices of songs to interpret. His 1991 cover of LL Cool J’s I Need Love stands as testament to this.

His fans are loyal and widely dispersed across the globe and include Lou Reed who Luka has performed with on several occasions. Reed became a fan in the late 80′s when Bloom was playing small New York clubs. He had left Ireland in 1987 as Barry Moore, adopted the name Luka Bloom on the flight to America and arrived with a new name and a new challenge. And yes, the Luka part was inspired to Suzanne Vega’s song My Name Is Luka.

Over the years Bloom has brought his inspiring lyrics and sumptuous melodies to clubs, theatres, festivals, bars and arenas all over the world, but he has a special place in his heart for Australian audiences and has earned a devoted following in this country. This is well reflected in the extent of his tour with shows in Canberra and Hobart as well as the usual cities and an appearance at the East Coast Blues festival in Byron Bay.

Adelaide
Thursday April 16
Governor Hindmarsh Hotel

* Moshtix – 1300 GET TIX (1300 438 846)
* The Gov – 8340 0744
* Venue*Tix – 8225 8888

Brisbane
Saturday March 28
The Tivoli

* Ticketek – 132 849

Byron Bay
Saturday April 11
East Coast Blues & Roots Festival

* East Coast Blues & Roots Festival

Sunday April 12
East Coast Blues & Roots Festival

* East Coast Blues & Roots Festival

Canberra
Saturday April 4
Tilley’s Devine Cafe

* Ticketek – 132 849

Sunday April 5
Tilley’s Devine Cafe

* Ticketek – 132 849

Monday April 6
Tilley’s Devine Cafe

* Ticketek – 132 849

Eumundi
Thursday March 26
Live @ Joe’s

* Backbeat Records – Big Top Shopping Ctre, Maroochydoore
* Joe’s Waterhole – 5442 8144
* Shake It Up Music – 186 Currie St, Nambour

Hobart
Monday March 30
Wrest Point Entertainment Centre

* Wrest Point Service Centre – 1300 795 257

Melbourne
Tuesday March 31
National Theatre

* Ticketmaster – 136 100

Perth
Saturday April 18
West Coast Blues & Roots Festival

* Moshtix – 1300 GET TIX (1300 438 846)

Sydney
Friday April 3
Enmore Theatre

* Enmore Theatre Box Office – 9550 3666
* Ticketek – 132 849