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Greg Layton's avatar

I ended up listening to that Jarrett album last night. This isn't jazz, it's repetitive chamber music. I don't want to disparage the ECM label entirely, there is some outstanding work under that umbrella, but this ain't it. I had to put on some Johnny Griffin afterward to remind myself that jazz can be fun and not feel like a homework assignment.

So hats off to Mr. Heaton, a gentleman I've never heard of from a band I've never heard, on what must be a decisive win.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

They won, but it was a lot closer than it should've been!

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Marmi's avatar

Just added Beautiful South to my queue! I'm sure I will dig it since I love love Happy Hour Again and Lean on Me. Looking at the tracklisting, I'm chuckling at the title of the last song 😄 I Love You (But You're Boring)

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Lol. Right?

I had a lot of fun reading the lyrics as the record went along. The difference between the words and sounds is wild (like The Housemartins but even more so).

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Steve Goldberg's avatar

Beautiful South are one of those great bands that never caught on here in the U.S. Paul Heaton has continued to release amazing music under his own name and with Jacqui Abbott (of Beautiful South). I haven’t heard all of his solo albums (and collabs), but this is a good reminder to do so.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Thanks for this! I hadn't really followed him (or them) at all. I'll dig in. Of the ones you've heard, any in particular you think I should start with?

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