Customer Reviews

Bach's Bottom

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Fans of Alex Chilton's protopunk masterpiece should find the german import (LICD 9.00091 from Line records). This one is producer Jon Tiven's revenge for the savage fun made at his expense in that CD's final song. Tiven rerecorded the album with new musicians overdubbing every note, and searched through the outtake bin for the worst available vocal for each song. Petty and unlistenable.

The three bonus tracks, from Chilton's brilliant, bizzare early 80's period, aren't sabatoged, but are all available on other, better CD's.

Let's clarify the star rating first: If you're interested only in music, this a one-star album; if you're interested in listening to someone's life flashing before his eyes, this is a five-star album (hence, the average of three stars). While there might be a moment of musical pleasure somewhere in here -- probably the bonus track "Can't Seem To Make You Mine" -- the real pleasure (or agony, depending upon your chemical make-up) here lies in listening in on a moment in time . . . a really long, sad moment, that is. What we have here is, in essence, the soundtrack of a man at the very bottom of his career, perhaps even safe to say his life. It seems that one would have to have felt, at least at some point in his life, just as recklessly hopeless as Mr. Chilton does here to appreciate this music. And how often do we gain this kind of close access into the emotional state of a famous, yet total stranger, especially in such an advanced state of disarray? This is exactly the kind of behavior 99.9% of the performers in this world would go to any lengths to prevent from being released; but, luckily, there are performers like Mr. Chilton, who are brave enough -- or maybe just downright perverse enough -- to give everyone the opportunity to listen to a portrait of this artist as a seventy-car pile-up. I, for one, am quite grateful for that opportunity.

The above reviewer from Austin is correct; Mr. Jon Tiven, for unknown reasons, has overdubbed on the original tapes here. I've owned this record in its original Line version since it first appeared about twenty years ago. The original has its moments but it's obviously just some buddies getting together over a few drinks or something. Mr. Tiven apparently had the idea these tapes could be turned into something saleable; as fans might be aware, Alex Chilton wasn't able to play guitar on this record, which partly accounts for its lack of focus. The version of "I'm So Tired" is nice, though. Some of this was released on the long-ago Ork EP "Singer Not the Song." It is a bit sad to think about how Chilton could have benefited from some direction back in the '70s, but I guess it's all right that we have the occasional visionary semi-masterpiece, like "Bangkok" or the "Sherbert" album. Anybody can make a sane, well-crafted record--who needs 'em anyway? I mean, if you was Mott the Hoople, I'd come out there and pee all over you, but who cares?

These recordings were among the first Chilton made after the dissolution of Big Star. Actually most Big Star members contribute to the album. Even Chris Bell has a brief solo on the 1993 reissue on the track "All of Time". In addition, Big Star acquaintances like Richard Rosebrough (drums), Andy Hummel (Keyboards), John Lightman (bass), along with producer Jon Tiven (guitars) are recurring characters on the recordíngs. Only Jody Stephens of the original Big Star line-up seems to be missing.

The best recordings, both sound like Big Star and have the Big Star qualities. "Close My Eyes," "All of the Time", "Free Again", "Jesus Christ" and "Singer Not the Song" and to a certain extent "Take Me Home and Make Me Like It" are welcome additions to the Big Star catalog.

The rest of the tracks some or less sound like unserious rehearsals and have much of a bootleg touch. Loose jams mixed with studio chatter.

The best recordings come a natural extension of "Sister Lovers", so even though half of the album can only appeal to hardcore fans, the best is so good that you ( as a Big Star fan) would not do without it.

For the 1992 reissue Jon Tiven has remixed and made new overdubs. In most cases this is done well, although I prefer the tracks without count-ins and studio chatter.

This is the original 10 tracks version.

This isn't really an Alex Chilton album, but rather a peek into a not-so-successful attmept at trying to get something together to make a record. Obviously, Chilton is not at his sharpest, and doesn't have enough proper songs to do an album project. So what you get is some musicians probably drinking, injesting illegal substances, and having some fun. It doesn't sound like anyone is taking this too seriously. It sounds like a bootleg. Also, you can certainly tell some overdubbing has been done, but I've heard worse patch jobs. I haven't heard the original with no overdubbing, so I can't compare. I suppose the overdubbing was akin to adding sugar to vinegar to make it more pallatable. Why bother?

if you like the box tops, see above. if you love big star, see above. this is alex being sloppy and unfocused. 3 versions of take me home and make me like it are too much. the worlds worst version of i'm so tired. adding bangkok and cant seem to make you mine was a great idea. i cant knock this album anymore, i love it too much. theres an alex ad-lib that pretty much sums up this mess: "richard, do you have any aspirin?"

This record blows my mind every time I listen to it. Its raw, its strange, its intoxicated, and its alex chilton...People often say how can you like this? the songs are too sloppy and unrehearsed... I personally like that side of it. This record shows you that he's the real deal...yeah he's drunk and the musicianship is amazing still! these guys pull off some cool guitar work outs on this release...One of my personal favorites on the album is the rendition of JESUS CHRIST...alot of people believe he is making fun of this classic song of his past..but i still Love the bachs version of it. The guitar work on this album is vital! you must hear this record if you like chilton.And you make the decision....And another reason you should pick this up is that chris bell joins in on "all ths time" which is just reason enough to own this gem. This album rips! all the songs rip!

okay review 1.REALLY awesome Drunk Musicians 2.Guitar work outs! 3.Depressing themes 4.CHRIS BELL! 5.JESUS CHRIST rendition

5stars

These recordings were among the first Chilton made after the dissolution of Big Star. Actually most Big Star members contribute to the album. Even Chris Bell has a brief solo on the 1993 reissue on the track "All of Time". In addition, Big Star acquaintances like Richard Rosebrough (drums), Andy Hummel (Keyboards), John Lightman (bass), along with producer Jon Tiven (guitars) are recurring characters on the recordíngs. Only Jody Stephens of the original Big Star line-up seems to be missing.

The best recordings, both sound like Big Star and have the Big Star qualities. "Close My Eyes," "All of the Time", "Free Again", "Jesus Christ" and "Singer Not the Song" and to a certain extent "Take Me Home and Make Me Like It" are welcome additions to the Big Star catalog.

The rest of the tracks some or less sound kike unserious rehearsal and have much of a bootleg touch. Loose jams mixed with studio chatter.

The best recordings come a natural extension of "Sister Lovers" and even though half of the album can only appeal to hardcore fans, the best is so good that you ( as a Big Star fan) would not do without it.

For the 1992 reissue Jon Tiven has remixed and made new overdubs. In most cases this is done well, although I prefer the tracks without count-ins and studio chatter.

Moreover the great 1977 single "Bangkok"/"Can't Seem to Make You Mine" along with rare studio-outtakes have been added.