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Robyn Hitchcock - A Star For Bram Audio CD

A fair review of the Robyn Hitchcock "A Star For Bram" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Robyn Hitchcock reviews here, or go back to the Robyn Hitchcock tabs.

Robyn Hitchcock Band: Robyn Hitchcock
Title: A Star For Bram
Rating:
Release Date: 2003-02-11
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Daisy Bomb 2: I Saw Nick Drake 3: Adoration Of The City 4: 1974 5: I Wish I Liked You 6: Nietzsche's Way 7: The Philosopher's Stone 8: The Green Boy 9: Judas Sings (Jesus & Me) 10: Antwoman (Dub) 11: I Used To Love You 12: The Underneath

Outtakes??? Among Hitchcock's Best
Even on his weakest releases there is always something you can't be without in your collection. I have bought pretty much everything Robyn Hitchcock has released from his work with the Soft Boys to solo. Therefore I bought this not expecting much, just hoping for some interesting scraps. I figured like Jewels For Sophia there would be some good tunes mixed with some filler. Boy was I in for a nice surprise. This is so much better than Jewels I can't understand why this was the Outtakes collection, but I guess that is what makes being a Hitchcock fan so rewarding. This is a 5 star album that contains classic song after classic song. Those who are on a tight budget can easily skip Jewels and go directly to the Star.


outtakes or no, this is a splendid record
hitchcock's the kind of bona fide ARTIST (the highest praise i can give) who makes sure that his records are very varied--
themes, tempos, tones, keys. . i won't mar this by commentary--just get it. if you like melodies, humor, rockist folkiness, the Beatles and the early Floyd. . . . it's very a jewel of a little record. . . up there with Fegmania, Element of Light, all the best work.


These were outtakes for a reason


"1974" is a song worth hearing once, but you'll have other opportunities for that. I've heard it said this album of Jewels For Sophia outtakes is as good or better than Jewels For Sophia, but I know not why. The rest all have a good line, maybe two, and would be adequate word filler atop better music, but these arrangements (and performances) are unspecial.

My questions to fans of this album, answered for persons who have not heard the album yet:
1) Would "Daisy Bomb", an okay song live, sound better than this recording if Syd Barrett were doing it in 1967 (or even 1970)?
Sure, but not as good a Syd Barrett song.

2) Would "I Saw Nick Drake", an excellent tribute song live, sound better this recording if produced by Joe Boyd with all the "Bryter Layter" musicians?
No, cos it would be an expensive faux-Drake novelty. What a daft question -- why would you even ask that?

3) Would English people like this better than me, an American?
Yes, because Robyn is a national treasure.

Yes it *sounds* more like a regular Robyn Hitchcock album that Jewels For Sophia, but since when are people so conservative about *that*?.


Great stuff
Same thing here, folks. You know when you're thinking about adopting a cat or a dog at the local animal shelter? Some of them, they'll only let you adopt your favorite one if you agree take the sister or brother along with the one you like. . . . you can't get this one without getting "Jewels for Sofia". Both CDs come from the same recording sessions, and should only be adopted together. Awesome, jamming psychedelic music with signature surreal lyrics. .


Sometimes a bomb is not enough...
. . To express the way I feel
And an explosion in the dark
Won't let you down. . .

Good stuff here, I daresay better than on the major-label album these tracks are outtakes from ("Jewels for Sophia"). Released on Robyn's own label, Editions PAF!, this CD features "Daisy Bomb," "I Saw Nick Drake," and "1974. " Other tracks include
"Adoration Of The City," "I Wish I Liked You," "Nietzsche's Way," "The Philosopher's Stone," "The Green Boy," "Judas Sings (Jesus & Me)," "Antwoman" (dub version), "I Used To Love You," and "The Underneath. "

Worth it for the first three mentioned tracks alone. "Daisy Bomb" is one of the most deceptively simple love songs I've ever had the pleasure to hear.


You can see a complete list of all Robyn Hitchcock discography, or go back to the Robyn Hitchcock tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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