Listening: Live in Cleavland 2011 Rush

I have not done one of these entries since 2009! Of course I've been listening to things since then, but maybe not in the car or entire albums.

This is the latest Rush live album and I have been listening to it recently. It has some good tracks on it, a high point being the Working Man rendition (with a Reggae intro). Lees voice is a bit of a weak point, it seems like it is a bit strained on this concert - but a minor point.

Listening: Best of Cream

Listening to this collection of original recordings from Cream. Some memorable tracks on it and songs which were later made famous by advertising usage.

As with all old recordings the production does sound quite limited and basic. Of course this reflects on the technology of the time, but it always leaves me feeling slightly let down by the recording (again we are spoilt by modern techniques).

Listening: Magic Hour by Cast

Finally got round to changing to a new CD in the car, Test for echo has lasted for too long.

This is a great CD with track after track of good music. I would not have thought Cast could have produced an album like this, but I am glad they did.

However reading up on this CD, it was a commercial flop - failed to sell even 60000 copies. That is a surprise, I think it deserved better than that but it was released toward the end of the Brit Pop phase.

Listening: Test for Echo by Rush

A Rush album from 1996 that I've been listening too. I remember not liking it that much when it first came out - but it does have a few good tracks on it Test for echo, Half the world, Driven, and Resist.

Also from a band perspective this was the album before all the sad events for Peart and so happier times. It really goes back to their rock roots and keyboards are largely missing.

Listening: Automatic for the people by REM

This is my current listening in the car, a rather sentimental album but with some great tracks. For me personally it takes me back to my University years of the mid 90s, so another album of memories.

It helps set a nice and reflective mood for the year end.

Listening: Time by ELO

An album of memories for me, and not too bad songs (slightly cheesy by today's standards and still suffering from a 1970s hangover).

But I remember these songs from a friend of mine playing them who was a fan.

Also quite a good album in the car - an almost but not quite classic.

Listening: Thomas Dolby and Propaganda

Thomas Dolby: Astronauts and Heretics 1992
Propaganda: A Secret Wish 1985

I've decided to listen to more music in the car rather than sombre news channels - which at the moment are not carrying much news you would want to hear.

I picked these from my collection, hard to believe how old they are now. The technically flawless Propaganda songs and the quirky Dolby tracks.