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Rating:
I like to think that our hero, while visiting the recording studio (Harvest, EMI's branch for "progressive" music), had listened to the development of the composition of "Atom Heart Mother" by the prestigious (but at the time, not much more prestigious than him, already having two excellent works like "Joy of a Toy" and "Shooting at the Moon" aside from his honorable service with the Soft Machine) label mates and wanted to take up their style or simply mimic it. The fact is that the debut of this third album with a (to us) incredibly complicated title is in that same vein, very epic and with a supporting orchestra whose arrangement is by David Bedford (also the author of the arrangement for Tubular Bells). It quickly transitions into a dreamlike "Margaret" which fits with the first track like chalk and cheese but immediately makes it clear that Kevin remains true to himself, following up with the playful little song "Oh my Song": a charleston revisited in light of his sardonic nature, not an insignificant feat. Then we move to perhaps the most original track: the very dark "Song from the Bottom of a Well" which could not be otherwise, a song that comes from the bottom of the elevator shaft where the distorted guitar reproduces the "sound" of the various mechanisms continuously going up and down.
Suddenly and with a classic change (yet another) of mood, we switch to the gentle title track, complete with choir accompanied on guitar by Mike Oldfield, who was already on the brink of carving out his place in Music History (in just a few months "Tubular Bells" would be released) and why not, by the old companion in adventures Robert Wyatt who had already carved his niche with the Soft Machine. Just perfect to wake us up then comes "Stranger in the Blue Suede Shoes," a "classic" Ayers track where David Bedford's notable contribution on keyboards stands out. We've reached track number 7, and Kevin already lets us know he's a bit tired of having put in proper effort, hence he offers the sleepy "Champagne Cowboy Blues" where, it seems to me, Oldfield too had his say from a compositional perspective, maybe even hinting at what he intended to do soon after. Right thereafter, Kevin bows out with his lullaby complete with waterfall sounds in the background of Didier Malherbe, ex-Gong's, flute. In short, an ending exactly opposite to the grand entrance.
With "Qualsiasicosa(lei)ciportanoicantiamo," Ayers' trilogy of masterpieces at Harvest comes to an end. It’s pointless to rank them considering the quality and especially the variety of composition styles our hero, the blond prodigy from Canterbury, brought to the table. Certainly, the debut album has "The Lady Rachel," his flagship, but for its part, "Whatevershebringswesing" turned out to be his greatest success in terms of both criticism and sales, so one is spoilt for choice.
The version I have on hand is the one excellently remastered in 2003, with the addition of another version of "Stranger in the Blue Suede Shoes," which is in no way inferior to the original, and the three previously unreleased tracks preceding it that are far from just fillers, with a charming blues dedicated to a fake group of Mexican tourists.
My judgment cannot disregard the 5 stars that rightfully belong to the debut album, but 4 stars seem a bit too tight in light of the excellent technical quality of the recording of the version I've used and the certainly fitting and original graphics. So, I want to round up those 4 and a half stars out of respect for the stellar cast contributing to a frame-worthy album.
Tracklist and Lyrics
02 Margaret (00:00)
Margaret
You're such a magical child
I found that
The first time you smiled
And the more i get to know you
The more I am amazed
To find in someone
Such tender loving ways
And just like everybody sings
When the sunshine makes them high
I sing this gentle love song
From a flower to a butterfly
From a flower
to a butterfly.....
04 Song From The Bottom Of A Well (00:00)
This is a song from the bottom of a well
There are things down here
I've got to try and tell;
It's dark and light at the very same time,
The water sometimes seems like wine.
I learned some information way down here
That might fill your heart and soul with fear;
But don't you worry, no don't be afraid ...
I’m not in the magical mystery trade.
My imagination begins to purr
As things don't happen, they just occur.
Softly crackling electrical smell,
There's something burning at the bottom of this well.
Sitting here alone I just have to laugh
I see all the universe as a comfortable bath;
I drown my body so my mind is free
To indulge in pleasurable fantasies.
There's something strange going on down here ..
A sickening implosion of mistrust and fear.
A vast corruption that's about to boil
A mixture of greed and the smell of oil.
This is a song from the bottom of a well
I didn't move here, I just fell.
But I'm not complaining, I don't even care
'Cause if I'm not here, then it's not there.
05 Whatevershebringswesing (00:00)
I'm looking 'round madly
for something to find
That might give se a front
To put something, something behind.
Just bouncing this ball
Up and down the hall
But it's full of best wishes
and suffocating fishes, and all.
So, let's drink some wine
And have a good time.
But if you really want to come through
Let the good time, good time have you.
It's what you've got to do.
You said it was foolish
for me to be sad;
But I'm very hungry, and you..
You're very well fed,
You're such a fat lady.
And I'm talking to you
just for something to do
'Cause I'd much rather kiss you
But I know, I'm gonna miss you
Again and again, I know I'm gonna miss you.
So, let's drink some wine, etc.
I sing to the island
That sings in your head
'Cause I know you'd much rather be there
Be there instead.
I know you'd rather be there...
But you won't find the answer
Even when the wind blows;
'Cause the answer, my friend
is in front..
Right there in front of your nose
Everybody knows, it's their nose.
So, let's drink some wine, etc. (repeat)
06 Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes (00:00)
I walked into this bar
and the man refused;
He said, "We don't serve strangers
in blue suede shoes;
We don't give credit, and
We don't give way--
We have to think about what the people might say..
uh, you know what I mean..."
I said, "Sure, man"
Oh, he gave me a smile that was sickly and wet,
And I offered him one of my cigarettes.
He took it, afraid that he might appear rude,
Then proceeded to sell me some second class food.
Nice guy - meet 'em everywhere.. .
He said, "My oh my, I have suffered too long,
And this cigarette seems to be very strong;
I don't make the rules
I just get what I take
And I guess every rule was made to break.
You can take what you like, it won't hurt me
Cause I’m just working for the company."
From the green cigarette, He took a long drag,
And said, "I think I'll pick my travelling bag.
I’m tired of cheating, and wasting my head
And filling the boss's bags with bread.
I want to get out in the sun and rain,
And feel the wind on on skin again;
The world is large, and I've got time yet.
And, by the way, thanks for that cigarette..
Thank you very much."
"You know, I feel like a new man
Yes I do, I don't know why;
I’d just like to say
Thank you very much(indeed)
It's a beautiful day
I think I'll be on my way (right away)
I'd just like to say
Thank you very much.
Yes, I'm getting the hell out of here
Yes, I am - bye, bye.
That's the end of the message
Thank you very much.
Bye bye...
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