The Radio One Sessions

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
This collection contains 16 tracks recorded between 1980 and 1982 and features a blistering version of 'Picaddilly Circus'. Strange Fruit. 2002.

Tracks:

Trawlerman's Song
Back to Tupelo
Song for Sonny Liston
Rudiger
Boom, Like That
Everybody Pays
Donegan's Gone
Stand Up Guy

Amazon.com

Eschewing much of the stardust that the worldwide success of Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms virtually guaranteed him, Mark Knopfler's belated and halting solo career since has often seemed willfully spectral, if ever driven by a quietly intense musical restlessness. Taking "Rudiger" from his '96 solo debut and seven core tracks from his savory, thematically eclectic '04 collection, Shangri-La, Knopfler returned to the Malibu studio of the same name to forge these more focused, nigh-perfect live renditions with his bandmates. The intimate setting offers added poignancy to "The Trawlerman's Song" and casts "Back to Tupelo" in bluesier, more supple tones, while "Song For Sonny Liston" bristles with grittier energy. Fans of Knopfler's fluid, expressive guitar technique will find much to admire as well, from the sprightly, country-fied chicken-pickin' of "Donegan's Gone" to the tasteful, economic soloing on "Boom, Like That" and "Everybody Pays." But, as on the album that inspired this EP, the real star here is Knopfler the songwriter--an artist whose choice in themes and subtle wordplay has become the equal of his compelling fretwork. --Jerry McCulley

Album Description

Tracks from acclaimed singer/songwriter/guitarist Mark Knopfler's most rocking album since his halcyon days in Dire Straits are rock solid on the EP Live From Shangri-La. The EP features eight songs recorded live at Shangri-La Studios in Malibu, CA, by the mulitple Grammy winner who has sold more than 110 million albums worldwide. Knopfler's signature guitar sound, instantly recognizable vocals and smart lyrics have made him one of rock's most admired artists.

Customer Reviews:

Live and Sublime.......2007-01-09

To hear Mark in a live setting really gives you the sense of the power of this talent. The recording is crisp and deep. Immaculate as well as spontaneous, Mark delivers his collection of songs with passion, integrity and even a touch of humor. A trail blazer for more then 30 years, Mark's talent is seemingly, like great wine, only sweetening and deepening with age! Bravo Mr. Knopfler!

Intelligent Music from a Master.......2006-11-17

Mark Knopfler never disappoints. His nuanced, inflected tones come through beautifully on this gift from the man. "Back t Tupelo" really shines here, much improved over the Shangri-la version. The up tempo version of "Donnegan's Gone" and "Everybody Pays" bring them to life, and the smirking on "Song for Sonny Liston" shows enough grit to please.
This is a gem, with superb musicians playing together and having a grand time of it. Richard Bennett is a gem -- his playing showcases Knopfler beautifully. Enjoy.

never a regret.......2006-07-09

I begged my sister for this cd for Christmas and it has, quite literally, never left the car since December 25. It has its own place on the passenger seat like a talisman, my own audio good luck charm. In some odd way I don't feel right if I can't look over and see him on the cover, gazing off into space. No Mark Knopfler collection is complete without this, a sort of studio-work-within-a-studio-work. He always manages to put a different spin on every new rendition, a fresh energy, a wry nuance that wasn't there before. I have honestly never really gotten his attachment to "Rudiger" - one of my least-favourites - but I don't question his inclusion of it here. It certainly connects the old with the new, which perhaps was his intent. I love any variation of "Everybody Pays" (a sentiment I have always wished I could render so succinctly),and I've come to be very fond of "Stand Up Guy" and "Donegan's Gone" (the man wasn't just one of Mark's heroes, Mark eventually got to be friends with Lonnie Donegan, so it makes sense he should include this song - Mark has always given credit where it was due.)I am not ashamed to say I would and will stand by everything I've heard from Mark Knopfler - I fully appreciate the continued excellence of a member of my own generation in a world that increasingly snubs those who have earned better - and having said that, I am glad to have this collection of songs in my library. I wouldn't feel whole without it.
i

(

Knopfler fanatic........2006-07-05

The CD is one that everyone who loved "Shangrila" will love. My only complaint is that the CD skips. Not sure if this is someone getting rid of second rate pressings or whatever, but I've never had a CD that is brand new skip out of the case.

Great........2006-03-09

If you liked Marks album "Shangri-La", you'll love this live CD. He sounds great and the versions are all a little different.

Average customer rating:

Y100 Sonic Sessions Volume 5

Manufacturer: Wply Radio One Inc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
Similar Items:

Y100 Sonic Sessions Volume 4
Vol. 3-Y100 Sonic Sessions
Y100 Sonic Sessions: Vol. 6
Y100 Sonic Sessions Volume 7
Y100 Sonic Sessions Volume 2

ASIN: B0006VM4Y8

Product Description

Y100 Sonic Session 5/ Live Recordings From Indre Studios Tracks 1. R.E.M. imitation of life 2. Incubus drive 3. Weezer island in the sun 4. Dave Matthews the space between 5. David Gray Babylon 6. Barenaked Ladies one week 7. Life house hanging by a moment 8. Jimmy Fallon troll doll jingles 9. Coldplay Yellow 10. Poe hey pretty 11. Everlast what its like 12. Dido Thank you 13. G. Love & S.S. unified 14. The Wallflowers sleepwalker 15. Fuel innocent 16. Phish first tube 17. Live overcome

Average customer rating:

Alternative Classics Confirm Billy's Greatness

The Radio One Sessions
Associates
Manufacturer: Dutch East
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Post-Punk | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Dance | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005Y87E
Release Date: 1994-12-02

Tracks:

Me, Myself and the Tragic Story
Nude Spoons
Matter of Gender
It's Better This Way
Ulcragyceptimol
Waiting for the Love Boat
Australia
Love Hangover
Severe Bout of Career Insecurity
God Bless the Child
This Flame
Helicopter Helicopter
Theme from Perhaps
Perhaps [Schizophrenic Version]
Don't Give Me That I Told You So Look
Breakfast

Customer Reviews:

Alternative Classics Confirm Billy's Greatness.......2002-08-02

Get this one if you're on a limited budget and are also considering the double release of Glamour Chase/Perhaps.

Radio 1 Sessios has live-in-the-studio versions of some of the best of Sulk and a few of the later songs. Again, Alan Rankine's virtuosity stands out. The excellent liner notes for the CD say "the Associates were un-influenced," which is as good a description of them as any. Rankine is a true original and seems to have invented his own style of recording and playing, like guitar inventor Les Paul. It's still way beyond hip/cool.

The kick-...drums on the studio Sulk are in evidence here too. Billy's voice, his intensely personal instrument, is ragged in a few spots but I find that appealing. The operatic perfection of the studio albums is untouchable, but it's kind of nice to hear his voice a little worn and raspy, human. Other than that, his pacing and dramatic delivery are up there with his idol's, the Billie named Holiday.

The double set of Glamour Chase/Perhaps is unremarkable if you already have Perhaps. Glamour Chase is all over the map stylistically and without a focus or purpose. "Chase" is a good name for it - but Billy doesn't seem to catch whatever he was after. "Perhaps" has a comfortable, musing Billy, at ease with himself, and easily shows up "Glamour Chase" in any comparison.

Y100 Sonic Sessions Volume 4
Average customer rating:
Y100 Sonic Sessions Volume 4

Manufacturer: WPLY Radio One Inc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
Similar Items:

Y100 Sonic Sessions Volume 5

Vol. 3-Y100 Sonic Sessions

Y100 Sonic Sessions: Vol. 6

Y100 Sonic Sessions Volume 2

Y100 Sonic Sessions Volume 7

ASIN: B0006VM7FY

Product Description

Sonic Sessions is a live studio concert at Indre Studios/ 1. 3 DOORS DOWN - Kryptonite 2. VERTICAL HORIZON - Everything You Want 3. OASIS - Wonderwall 4. VIOLENT FEMMES - Add It Up 5. BECK - The New Pollution 6. GUSTER - Barrel of a Gun 7. TRAIN - Meet Virginia 8. INCUBUS - Pardon Me 9. NINE DAYS - Absolutely (Story of a Girl) 10. MxPx - Responsibility 11. STROKE 9 - Little Black Back Pack 12. BEN HARPER - Roses from My Friends 13. OUR LADY OF PEACE - Is Anybody Home? 14. TRAVIS - Why Does It ALways Rain On Me?

Average customer rating:

Brilliant!
Beautiful record. It covers almost everything they made.
Compelling document from the Golden age of Progressive Music

Maida Vale: The Radio One Sessions
Van Der Graaf Generator
Manufacturer: Strange Fruit
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000003HGB
Release Date: 1995-01-01

Tracks:

Darkness
Man-Erg
Scorched Earth
Sleepwalkers
Still Life
La Rossa
When She Comes
Masks

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant!.......2002-04-16

Give Darkness and Man-Erg a pass, the rest of the tunes on this disc are nothing short of brilliant! It was with the second phase of this band's history that they really found their own sound. Each of these tunes from that era (Godbluff, Still Life) are incredible "live in the studio" performances that differ enough from the originals to make this recording a must have for fans of this era. Sound quality is frankly, perfect. The band is in equally top form. Highly recommended...Simon

Beautiful record. It covers almost everything they made........1999-11-01

Live recording at the BBC without applauses or anything from the audience. Excellent performance and sound quality. Covers almost all of their carreer. A good introduction to an addictive prog band.

Compelling document from the Golden age of Progressive Music.......1998-09-13

Vander Graaf Generator is one of the great unrecognised bands from the time of progressive rock. Called the Golden Age by afficionados the music was characterized by a literacy hitherto unknown in modern music. Foremost to the music of that time is the instumentation, imagery and when played live, eclecticism. Van der Graaf, fronted by Peter Hammil was most effective when presented live. Decidedly uncommercial they plumbed the depths of their emotional and musical skills to provide us with these tracks. Recorded in the timeless pristine fashion of the BBC (where the placement of a microphone matters) Hammil provokes us with his powerful emotional vocals. The band, flays us with with musical invention completely inappropriate for a pop band but amazingly effective using influences from Eddie Harris (electric saxophone) to Coltrane to Hendrix all with an orchestral bent. Highlights include the haunting "Still Life" and the mad maelstrom of "Man Erg".

Tracks:

Annie
Spastica
Line Up
Vaseline
Brighton Rock
In The City
Waking Up
Four Wheeling
Hold Me Now
Ba Ba Ba
All For Gloria
I Wanna Be A King Of Orient Aah
Rock 'N' Roll
2:1
I Want You
Only Human
A Love Like Ours
Kb
Da Da Da
Generator
Your Arse My Place

Amazon.com

Radio 1 Sessions is an assured, spiky, and immensely enjoyable parting shot that more than justifies the furor that initially greeted Elastica's arrival on the '90s alt-rock scene. Culled from the sessions that took place between 1994 and 1999, it's heavily weighted toward songs from their eponymous debut and the ensuing singles and B-sides. Despite the band's indie celebrity status, it's worth noting that their debut sold half a million copies due to their distinctive pop-fuelled take on new wave, rather than the notoriety that surrounded them. Opening with the brittle "Annie" and careening through such gems as "Spastica," the eerie "Hold Me Now" and the synth-led "Human," the album provides a reminder of the immediacy and thrill of Elastica's songs. --Suzannah Brown

Customer Reviews:

Fun but not essential--3.5 stars.......2007-01-19

This album is a fun ride but won't cause anybody to toss out their copies of the debut album and 6-Track EP...

--These live versions point out the huge role production and mixing played in Elastica's sound, especially on songs from the first album. Justine's guitar and vocals are placed way up front in the mix which changes how everything fits together. Rather than the bassline and lead guitar riff driving the songs forward, the vocals now float over a muddy full-band roar. It doesn't ruin anything, but the songs don't instantly burrow into your brain the way they did on "Elastica."

--Devoted fans get new material for playing that time-honored Elastica game "name the influence." For instance, doesn't 'Spastica' sound like the Clash? And 'I Want You' could easily have been written by the Jesus and Mary Chain. Whoo hoo (apologies to Blur)!

--More fun for fans: hearing the band gain confidence over the first few sessions. In the earliest set, the band sounds tentative and maybe even a little exhausted on a couple of the songs. On 'Line Up' in particular, Justine's singing sounds forced and her voice doesn't have that cool sexy-but-bored quality. But by the time they hit the late '94 sessions, they're brimming with confidence and energy. Too bad things went downhill from there.

Bottom line: this album shouldn't be the first Elastica disc you pick up. Start with "Elastica" and the EP. If you dig those, "The Radio One Sessions" will give you another perspective on the band and help you to decide if you want spend time searching used-record stores (or paying big import $$$ here) for "The Menace."

Summation of a much-missed band's career.......2005-02-14

Elastica were signed by Steve Lamacq to Deceptive Records in 1993, before he joined Radio One as co-presenter of the Evening Session. Elastica managed 7 sessions for Radio One during their career up to 1999, of which four were for John Peel's programme. The first of these was in August 1993, prior to the release of their first single, Stutter (which they never recorded in a BBC session), and is included in full (although a bit of laughter and chat at the end of Annie, when Justine discovers that their bass guitarist, Annie Holland, had been stuck with a cigarette in her mouth throughout the take, has sadly been excised) and captures the spontaneity and sense of fun that the band exuded.

By the time they returned to Maida Vale in March 1994 for Steve Lamacq's show, they had been in the Top Twenty with Line-Up. Two tracks are included, the unreleased but fabulous In The City and the definitive version of Waking Up (2:1 and Connection are omitted). Another unreleased song (except in Japan), Ba Ba Ba, turns up at their next John Peel session in June along with songs that would turn up on their debut album, Four Wheeling (aka Car Song) and Hold Me Now (Never Here is left out of this release), and they came back to do a special Christmas session which included the traditional All For Gloria and I Wanna Be A King Of Orient Aah. As this version of Gloria has appeared on an official release before, I would have preferred to see Father Christmas here, or Donna Matthews' non-Xmas Blue, which was also included in the broadcast session.

Mark Radcliffe got the band in to his House Of Earthly Delights BBC studio in Manchester in March 1995 and they performed 4 songs from the just-released album. Rockunroll and 2:1 are chosen for this CD (Gloria and Car Song are not), both fine versions broadcast live to air.

During their long hiatus, a dark night of the soul for them, the band made their second appearance on the Evening Session in July 1996, previewing material from the second album (still four years away, unbeknownst to all). The session version of A Love Like Yours appeared on Volume 17 so is slightly wasted here. I Want You and The Other Side never saw the light of day on an official release, but Only Human was included on The Menace (as Human). Sadly, The Other Side does not appear on this collection either.

By the time the band, in a somewhat changed line-up, recorded their next and final session, for John Peel in September 1999, a 6-track EP of demos and alternative takes from the still-forthcoming album was in the shops, and from it they played KB and Generator, also previewing their cover of Trio's Da Da Da (the initials of Justine's ex-partner Damon Albarn) and Your Arse My Place, both to appear on the album (Mad Dog from this session is excluded here).

The collection plays well and shows the effectiveness of their tight minimal arrangements, with nothing so vulgar as a guitar or organ solo ever allowed, and leaves one keen for more. Perhaps this is a good thing but with a playing time of under 53 minutes, all the omitted session tracks would have fitted onto the CD, which would have pleased completists and put a line under one aspect of the Elastica story

Much of the best of..........2003-07-04

Covering a six-year span of live performances at the BBC, these 21 tracks show Elastica doing songs that go from the beauty of "2:1" to the stamina of "Annie", plus many non-album pieces. For instance, "Brighton Rock" and "In the City" give us a peek at what the group was doing shortly before and while recording their first album; for those of us who longed for more of that early stage, it's a bliss to recover those unequalled high spirits. After all, spontaneity is a basic element in this music. The beauty of "Waking up" (ie "Waking") and "Four Wheeling" (ie "Car Song") remains untainted in spite of the natural lack of polish of a live performance, as opposed to a studio version.

There's an incredibly finished 1996 song, "I Want You", that could have been a strong album piece. It creates a dense atmosphere with a highly dynamic synth beat that excites the listener. I think it's a masterpiece.

It's a pity that a single as great as "Stutter" wasn't commited to tape in these recordings, but Justine Frischmann insisted that "you don't do a Peel session to promote a record".

After the five "debut" sessions of 1993-95, and the middle stage of 1996, the last one, and the only devoted to "The Menace", is from 1999, while that album was painstakingly being constructed. It shows that the group hadn't lost their strength, but that they were attempting new things.

Tracks:

Darkness (11/11)
Man-Erg
Scorched Earth
Sleepwalkers
Still Life
Rossa
When She Comes
Masks

Album Details

Van Der Graaf Generator were One of the Most Well Respected Prog Rock Band of the Seventies.

Customer Reviews:

VdGG almost live!.......2001-03-01

Wot, a live album with no audience? What was going on?

In the 70s, the BBC was constrianed by musician's union regulations that stipulated a certain proportion of live music in its broadcasts each week. If a non-singles band wanted to reach a wide audience, they had to rely on a combination of ceaseless touring and creating 'live' versions for late-night BBC radio programmes. Typically the version you heard on the radio had been recorded in the BBC studio sometime in the previous few days, possibly even with overdubs. Hence the Gentle Giant OUT OF THE WOODS album -- also very good -- and this VdGG CD.

Some of the songs sound uncannily similar to the original studio version -- particularly the mid-period material from the excellent GODBLUFF and STILL LIFE albums. It's as though the band finished the original recordings for Charisma one day, and went down to the BBC studios the next day to re-record them for radio transmission. Effectively what you have here are alternative studio versions, rather than true live material.

But it is all outstanding stuff, and a wonderful antidote to the only other official VdGG live album, the somewhat off-centre VITAL. As Hammill says in his sleevenotes, this was the classic line-up: himself, Banton, Evans and Jackson. As per most other VdGG albums, it should go down a storm in Italy.

Excellent Live BBC collection.......2000-01-01

This cd has an excellent sound and content. It is a live selection, without crowd sounds, of various VDGG cd's, and is a must both for the true fan and and the beginners. Top progressive Rock frome the seventies.