Tag Archives: Ballad

Prince – Piano & A Microphone 1983

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★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

Prince singing while playing the piano

Moods

An intimate session with the purple one

Thoughts

An interesting artifact that I think all Prince fans should hear once. Here we have a sketchbook like view of Prince's songwriting process (Purple rain, for instance, is just a brief thought in this session. It would be fleshed out months later). Intimacy is immediately established given the stripped down nature of this recording: gone are the sequenced to perfection drum machines and synths that would obscure him at times. It's as if you're hearing him with his guard is down and the beauty of his songwriting takes center stage.

While Prince's multi instrumentation ability is common knowledge here we learn he's a fantastic piano player, effortlessly toying with melody.

I see, feel and understand his soulful approach to music better after listening to this. Not because of the final product but the heart that goes into it.

Essential listening and gem in his esteemed catalog.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Prince-Piano-A-Microphone-1983/release/12548164

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5-HEBGPzFM

Spotify


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Prince – Piano & A Microphone 1983

Description: Album Review of Prince – Piano & A Microphone 1983


Rating: 5 out of 5

 

Francis Lai – Un Homme Et Une Femme (Bande Originale Du Film)

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★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

French Samba

Moods

Cigarettes on the Champs-Elysées

Thoughts

I liked parts but the samba is kinda corny overall

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Francis-Lai-Un-Homme-Et-Une-Femme-Bande-Originale-Du-Film/release/2608416

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SRzGV1Vtgk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTPpwZ1-ELc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e8jjXaMkus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlIGpTti3UQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljt5kCbuGhA

Spotify


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Francis Lai – Un Homme Et Une Femme (Bande Originale Du Film)

Description: Album Review of Francis Lai – Un Homme Et Une Femme (Bande Originale Du Film)


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

Vashti Bunyan – Just Another Diamond Day

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?
Acoustic folk

Moods

Shepherd’s pie

Thoughts
Some nice instrumentation with a good use of strings but this is just far too pleasant for me

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Vashti-Bunyan-Just-Another-Diamond-Day/release/711475

Listen!

Youtube



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-KISPvIM7Y

Spotify

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Vashti Bunyan – Just Another Diamond Day

Description: Album Review of Vashti Bunyan – Just Another Diamond Day


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

Fiona Apple – The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw And Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do

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★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

What’s it sound like?
Singer songwriter with pop sensibility and a strong backing band

Thoughts
An all around masterpiece: compositionally, lyrically, sonically. I like the mastering as the sparse instrumentation is brought forward in the mix, creating a distinct texture as if you could reach out and feel each of the instruments.

Her lyrics are pure poetry, singing relatable vulnerabilities in a confident and experienced way. She’s Fiona as she’s always been: fierce, intense and bursting with feeling.

Not a bad track on here, this is ‘singer songwriter’ at a master level.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Fiona-Apple-The-Idler-Wheel-Is-Wiser-Than-The-Driver-Of-The-Screw-And-Whipping-Cords-Will-Serve-You-/release/3673207

Listen!

Youtube



Spotify

Everything But The Girl – Eden

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⭐⭐⭐

A great record and one hell of a debut album. Tracey Thorn’s lyrics are wise beyond her years, singing all too relatable tales of heartbreak and troubled relationships. The bossa nova instrumentation is distinct, I can’t say I’ve heard much else like this 30+ years later.

More Info:

https://www.discogs.com/Everything-But-The-Girl-Eden/release/372059

Listen!

Spotify:

Youtube: