Re: Brian Jones Presents: The Pipes of Pan at Jajouka
Date: August 26, 2006 08:11
A couple more comments: the BJ Presents disc (which in its US cd has a dull cover, not the gorgeous cover of the original Rolling Stones label gatefold vinyl) is not like other Master Musucians of Joujouka lps (of which I have several) in that he with George Chkiantz who was there with him, really mixed it in an interesting non purist way, with panning and phasing to capture the image of the listener dancing in a circular motion, or surrounded by musicians circling you, and was trying to catch a hallucinatory vibe, which he achieved; the music played loud is quite disturbing (the second half less so), a dionysian ritual music not so entirely diffferent in SPIRIT (sound, mostly yes) from the Stones. But check the influence on classics as "We Love You" especially the arabic riffing and mellotron during the last couple minutes. If you listen to any non western music or are open minded it might be a real find. These guys also recorded with Ornette Coleman an many others. Steven Davis ("Old Gods Almost Dead") wrote an interesting book called "Jajouka Rolling Stone". I like Bill's first two, but they're minor, like Ringo albums if Ringo were a Stone (i.e. New Orleans, funk, soul, r&b, disco, country, blues influences in lightweight songs w/ a dry sense of humor and titles like 'Pussy' and 'Peanut Time'). I love Keith's, and Wingless Angels which is like his Joujouka project. Taylor's debut has good guitar playing in a somewhat sterile production (a blues version of J. Beck's mid to late 70s albums?), and one great vocal song "Broken Hands." I prefer the live "Too Hot For Snakes" w/ Carla Olsson and a killer 'Sway.' Ron Wood aside from his previous bands has the largest solo catalog and I really dig his 1975 Now Look (a collaboration w/ Bobby Womack, but Keith and Mick Taylor make nifty appearances - loose, soulful, funky grooves, good songs); "Mahoney's Last Stand" doesnt get mentioned much, but it was made with Ronnie Lane before Lane split the Faces and is a highly enjoyable country/blues album, half vocal half instrumental, with lots of dobros, fiddles, slides, mandolins, etc a la early Rod Stewart. Finally I love Wood's last, despite an ugly cover, "Not For Beginners". Very organic, lots of fine playing and a couple splendid duets with Dylan.