•
Rating: I like to think that our hero, while attending the recording studio (Harvest, EMI's branch for "progressive" music), had listened to the development of the composition of "Atom Heart Mother" by the well-established (but at the time not much more than him, having already released two excellent works like "Joy of a Toy" and "Shooting at the Moon" besides his honorable service with the Soft Machine) label mates and wanted to either emulate that style or simply parody it. The fact is that the opening of this third album with a title (for us) incredibly complex is precisely in that vein, very epic and with plenty of orchestral support orchestrated by David Bedford (also the arranger for Tubular Bells) before quickly declining into the dream-like "Margaret", which fits with the first track like chalk and cheese, but immediately makes it clear that Kevin remains true to himself, following it up with the playful ditty "Oh My Song": a charleston revisited in the light of his sardonic nature, nothing trivial. Then it transitions to perhaps the most original track: the gloomy "Song from the Bottom of a Well" which could not be otherwise, a song that comes from the bottom of the elevator shaft in which the distorted guitar reproduces the "sound" of various mechanisms continuously coming and going.
Suddenly, with a classic shift (yet another) of mood, we move to the gentle title track, complete with a chorus accompanied on guitar by Mike Oldfield, already on the verge of carving out his place in Music History (within a few months "Tubular Bells" would be released) and, why not, old adventure buddy Robert Wyatt, who had already carved out his niche with Soft Machine. Just to wake us up, "Stranger in the Blue Suede Shoes" enters—a "classic" Ayers track where the notable keyboard contribution by David Bedford stands out. We have reached track number 7, and Kevin is already hinting at being a bit tired, having already committed himself accordingly; thus he proposes the sleepy "Champagne Cowboy Blues", where it seems to me that Oldfield also had his say from a compositional perspective, possibly even foreshadowing what he intended to do shortly after. Immediately after, Kevin bids farewell with his lullaby accompanied by Didier Malherbe's flute and a babbling brook, former Gong. In short, an ending completely opposite to the grand entry.
With "Whatevershebringswesing", the trilogy of Ayers' masterpieces at Harvest concludes; it's pointless to rank them as such is the quality and especially the variety of compositional styles deployed by our hero, the blonde genius from Canterbury. Sure, in the debut album there's "The Lady Rachel", his flagship song, but in its own right, "Whatevershebringswesing" turned out to be his greatest critical and commercial success, in short, there's an embarrassment of riches.
The version I have in hand is the one excellently remastered in 2003, with the addition of another version of "Stranger in the Blue Suede Shoes", no less exceptional than the original, and the 3 previously unreleased tracks that precede it appear far from fillers, including the amusing blues dedicated to the fake group of Mexican tourists.
My judgment cannot ignore the 5 stars that rightfully belong to the debut album; however, 4 stars seem a bit tight in light of the excellent recording quality of the version I've used and the certainly apt and original artwork. Overall, I want to round up those 4 and a half stars out of respect for the stellar cast that contributes 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...
Loading comments slowly
