Prom 15 - 25.07.17: The Songs of Scott Walker (1967–70)

[EdgeleyRob]

Interesting about Scott, thanks Conchis...
I recall Climate of Hunter getting some airplay on R1 (1980s: JLW - The Pop Years...), one of those albums I meant-to but never got-around-to buying...(Hatful of Hollow, Purple Rain, Mirror Moves, Building the Perfect Beast..Heartbeat City! Oh especially Heartbeat City..... oh, it was some year, 1984...)

You missed out The Unforgettable Fire,are you too a fan Jayne ?

[jayne lee wilson]

You missed out The Unforgettable Fire,are you too a fan Jayne ?

I never quite recovered from the shock of Boy, Edge.... oh yes, the original vinyl (**) too. God, how I loved that album. Nothing was ever the same after it... I Love U2 U know! Etc

(**) sold it to a dealer up Bold Street, "mint" (of course), when I was cobbling funds for my first classical CDs.... hope it found a good home!

[teamsaint]

I never quite recovered from the shock of Boy, Edge.... oh yes, the original vinyl (**) too. God, how I loved that album. Nothing was ever the same after it... I Love U2 U know! Etc

(**) sold it to a dealer up Bold Street, "mint" (of course), when I was cobbling funds for my first classical CDs.... hope it found a good home!

Completely agree with that, Boy still sounds extraordinary. And the Lyceum ,October 19, 1980 was sensational. You just knew something really special was going to happen, the vibe was something I have never experienced since.
But after that......never mind, a great moment to be savoured.
I lent my vinyl copy and never got it back.

( also never got my copy of October back, but can't say I have really missed that... But I do still have the double single pack of 11 O'Clock Tick Tock, .....mint ......)

[cloughie]

Now this is more about Jules Buckley than it is about Scott Walker, isn't it. Saw this in 2016 with the Quincey Jones Prom. Great on the radio, but when you read the titles on the TV program it was more about Buckley's skills as arranger. It worked better for me last year because I prefer a more upbeat, er dare I say boppy performance.

Anyway, Uncle Hornet and I switched off after twenty minutes. He gets a bit depressed you see. Said he'd prefer Frank Ifield

Lol
Connie
xx

Does the yodelling cheer him up? Also are you two Sting fans.

[Richard Barrett]

I've just been on a long plane journey during which I listened through all of Bish Bosch twice. Some would no doubt find this music a little hard to handle, but I was captivated throughout - apart from the unique voice and the angular lyrics, the sense of form and the arrangements are quite breathtaking. Such a shame there isn't more "pop" music that's as exploratory and powerful as this. (Or is there?)

[Lat-Literal]

I've just been on a long plane journey during which I listened through all of Bish Bosch twice. Some would no doubt find this music a little hard to handle, but I was captivated throughout - apart from the unique voice and the angular lyrics, the sense of form and the arrangements are quite breathtaking. Such a shame there isn't more "pop" music that's as exploratory and powerful as this. (Or is there?)

Tom Waits might run close........not a dissimilar path but now that the Prommers are on this particular train expect also more Randy Newman on the film side and others. Joni Mitchell?

It was partially the Brel connections - and some dark tendencies broadly - that changed Walker in the late 1960s into "artistic". Then after 1974 it's all strange tortured recluse and, yes, I think french frank is right, towards the avant-garde. A Bardot without quite the slightly Nazi leanings and concern for animal rights. I too remember "Climate of Hunter" and "Tilt" and what followed.....the NME reviews......and the dates of release of those make their own point : 1984, 1995, 2006 ("The Drift"), 2012 ("Bisch Bosch") - not pop times. Always fascinating. In each case I made a point of listening although I'm more of a "Montague Terrace" man. Whether there is much progression between them I am not too sure nor am I sure if it matters.

I have no strong opinions on this Prom other than that Walker as with Ella is a very distinctive voice in the most literal sense which brings its own challenges for the bravehearted.

Anyhow, I pretty much agree with all of the very informed comments on this thread for which thanks.