I remember Metal Machine Music, in fact I enjoyed it, as far as ambient sound goes. I believe that there were four sides to the album, each with the running time printed on the label. The fourth side had ethe symbol for infinity, and the final track was "locked". That is the final groove was recorded to be endlessly repeated. I considered it a signifigant loss when a friend used it for a lampshade.

About the same time, Johnny Winter released a pretty good album (with an excelent cover of Highway 61) that was recorded on three sides only. I believe the title was "Second Winter".

I'm wondering, James Taylor, Beatles, Van Morrison. Not folk or blues, but by most peoples estimations, not trash either. Are mudcatters truly this far removed from the mainstream, or is it a need to shock? Does anyone despise the Smithsonian field recordings or anything from Folkway Records?

And AlistairUK, I was shocked to hear you mention my brother.