To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=48791
23 messages

Review: Blue murder

21 Jun 02 - 08:13 PM (#734516)
Subject: Blue murder
From: breezy

This is how it should be,got mine, expect to hear these songs in fest sessions. No one stands alone.Topic records.Have you got yours?


21 Jun 02 - 08:18 PM (#734518)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: michaelr

Huh?!?


22 Jun 02 - 12:51 AM (#734621)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: Ralphie

Michael....
This is a reference to the new CD by Waterson/Carthy/Coope/Boyes and Simpson aka "Blue Murder!
Looking forward to hearing it myself...
Regards Ralphie


22 Jun 02 - 12:40 PM (#734753)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: van lingle

Thanks for the heads-up, breezy. One line-up including the Carthys and Waterson did "I Bid You Goodnight" acappella on the Joseph Spence tribute CD "Out on the Rolling Sea" that was truly excellent. vl


24 Jun 02 - 07:02 AM (#735619)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: Declan

I heard this band singing at Sidmouth last year. An amazing combination of 7 great voices with stunning harmonies and a very powerful sound. I'm looking forward to hearing this CD and the band again at Cambridge (UK) festival in August.


24 Jun 02 - 07:20 AM (#735625)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: Watson

I was very disappointed with this - an amazingly talented line up, and no doubt good together at festivals, but I just found the CD dull.


24 Jun 02 - 09:25 AM (#735686)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: GUEST,Jane Bird

Disapointed? That's a shame. I found myself being a little disappointed when I first heard that album (by comparison with the huge impact they have live), but listen to a few more times, before make a firm judgement.

My first impression of "Banks of Sweeet Primroses" was that it was okay, but nothing absolutely stunning. Then I listening carefully to the way the harmocin texture changes very subtly and slowly. Moving from just a few harmony lines at the beginning to seven different lines at the end! The "Goodnight Song" has a lovely tune, and it's nice to hear "Mole in a Hole" again, and with gusto!

Jane


24 Jun 02 - 10:01 AM (#735708)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: GUEST,Desdemona at work

I agree that the electricity this group generates live is difficult to translate to a recording (especially as they very much encourage audience participation!), but it's still a CD well worth having, particularly in the car, where one can re-create the "sing along" experiece whilst simultaneously tormenting one's passengers (read:children)!


24 Jun 02 - 12:13 PM (#735789)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: fogie

I think Cooper Boyes, and Simpson sound better on their own to be honest. There's something tired and tedious about the Waterson-Carthy part of the songs I've heard in Sid, and on the CD on radio


24 Jun 02 - 01:37 PM (#735845)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: Linda Kelly

Sorry to say I found it very ordinary. Some times less is more and I found that there were too many voices and it sounded the same. Doesn't detract from my respect for CBS and WC as individual groups.


24 Jun 02 - 01:48 PM (#735861)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: breezy

They've got away with it,murder that is.Great folk but not as tight as the first impression suggests.My chapel congregation could have equalled that with the same number of voices, but we were Welsh and in exile at the time.
Poor information and no credits, no lyrics to clarify the unitelligible.
They've got away with something.
I'm still happy to have it and I'll enjoy it but it could have been better.
Go away and try again


24 Jun 02 - 01:53 PM (#735866)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: GUEST

More details, and a couple of (short) sound samples on this page


24 Jun 02 - 06:00 PM (#736039)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: GUEST,Hille

Heard em at Sidmouth last year - fell asleep I'm afraid - think CBS are sublime by themselves - together with W/C were very unrehearsed live - but will look out for the CD and have a listen to see if I missed anything :)


24 Jun 02 - 07:41 PM (#736117)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: Ralphie

Hmmmmm!!...
Still haven't got hold of a copy...., but, very intrigued by peoples reactions.....
Honestly, no axe grinding going on here..Must go out and buy a copy.
Very interesting comments....Keep them coming.
Ralphie


25 Jun 02 - 12:25 AM (#736261)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: Garry Gillard

I've put up a page with some of the lyrics linked.

Garry


25 Jun 02 - 05:54 AM (#736367)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: Alio

Saw Blue Murder at Holmfirth, and I thought they were just amazing!`(Maybe I'm easily pleased!!) I thought it was one of those concerts where you just feel so lucky to be in the right place at the right time.

I'm with Desdemona in that I keep the CD in the car, and listen to it frequently. OK, it's not the same as seeing them live, but it never is, is it?

Ali


25 Jun 02 - 07:05 AM (#736388)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: Gervase

Agreed about Sidmouth - live they were sensational; a lovely complex wall of sound. But the recording sounds mushy - a case of too many cordon bleu cooks, I fear.


25 Jun 02 - 12:17 PM (#736577)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: GUEST,Jane Bird

Hm, I take the earlier point about W:C and CB&S being better by themselves. CB&S are terrific at focused harmonies and W:C do excellent wandering ones.

I still like the Blue Murder album, but if I had to choose between album (for my desert island) of W:C, CB&S and Blue Murder, I'd probably go for CB&S. (It would be a close call though.)

Jane


25 Jun 02 - 01:49 PM (#736641)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: Les from Hull

Got it - liked it.


30 Oct 03 - 01:04 AM (#1044316)
Subject: CD Review: Blue Murder - No One Stands Alone
From: Joe Offer

Somehow, I missed this CD when it came out. DADGBE played it for me yesterday, and I really liked it. It's like a British Golden Ring, "a gathering of friends for making music." These people obviously enjoyed making this recording. How can you go wrong with Waterson/Carthy/Coope/Boyes and Simpson?

Here's the track listing.
  1. No One Stands Alone
  2. Gown of Green
  3. Rubber Band
  4. Blue Mountain
  5. Standing on the Promises of God
  6. Banks of Sweet Primroses
  7. Land Where You Never Grow Old
  8. Three Day Millionaire
  9. Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy
  10. Bully in the Alley
  11. Mole in a Hole
  12. Stars in My Crown
  13. Goodnight Song


30 Oct 03 - 05:58 AM (#1044380)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: GUEST,Santa

I expected it to be wonderful but didn't like it - too religious for my taste is part of the reason. Over-expectation might be another. I agree with those who say separately is better.

But then live is (almost) always better than CD.


30 Oct 03 - 07:57 PM (#1044928)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: JennieG

Garry,

I got a "file not found" message when I tried to open your link?

Cheers
JennieG
    I updated the link, Jennie. Thanks for pointing that out. click here
    -Joe Offer-


27 Apr 04 - 06:00 AM (#1172061)
Subject: RE: Review: Blue murder
From: rich-joy

I've ONLY JUST got to hear this CD!!!

Some I absolutely LOVE!! (No One Stands Alone / The Goodnight Song / Never Grow Old / Standing on the Promises / Stars in My Crown / Blue Mountain / Mole in a Hole, e.g.) ..
Most I like - but one in particular,(Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy) would've been better left off!!! (IMHO, of COURSE!!!)

Anyway!
I found the site of Garry Gillard and Reinhard Zierke's very welcome transcription of ALL the lyrics (thanks!), BUT :

What's intriguing me is the attribution to Jimmy Davis of "No One Stands Alone" - my net-trawling today seems to show that "Jimmy Davis" was a Chicago bluesman, whilst "Jimmie Davis" was the country/gospel man, BUT that a chap by the name of Mosie Lister is credited with the composition of this number!!

Also, "The Land Where You Never Grow Old", is labelled "trad" whereas sites like the CyberHymnal attribute "Never Grow Old" (a la Alfred G.Karnes - the previous definitive version!!) to James C. Moore, circa 1914. The waters are slightly muddied by the note that another song "That Beautiful Land" with VERY similar words, was written by F.A.F. White, circa 1913 and music by J.M. Hagan.
But, too new and too coincidental for "trad" methinks ...

Seems strange that Topic (or the Super Groups) didn't do more homework on the provenance of the songs?????

Cheers!
R-J