DCJ wrote:
Prairie Rose ......The recording does have a big cinematic atmosphere and remember that Three and Nine (also on CL) draws imagery from going to the cinema in the 50s. James Dean starring in "Giant" was of the iconic films about Texas (and America writ large) in the 50s — and in the early 70s Dean was undergoing a major cultural "revival." Perhaps that was part of the inspiration for PR.
Mes Amis
Il est tout a fait correct — the influence of the cinema on our hero's work is writ large.
That said, although his music has always been the ultimate collage. Prior to Manifesto west-side, the predominant lyrical feel, IWNSHO, was European, if not distinctly British or English. And it was this era that gave rise to some of the most interesting word play:
"For your pleasure in our present state
Part false part true like anything
We present ourselves
The words we use tumble
All over your shoulder
Gravel hard and loose
There all night lying
With your dark horse hiding
Abhorring such extremes"
Is, for example, haunting and beautiful but very European.
At that time, along with 'The Kinks' (Ray Davies is no mean wordsmith) W2 considered them to be the most British of bands.
Of course, the influence of jazz, blues and soul was omni-present but Ferry seemed to plough his American furrow more on his solo work with his ready mades.
Post Manifesto east-side, this seemed to change. Of course, there were still great lyrics but the songs appear to be geared more towards the other side of the Atlantic:
"And so it came to be our song
And so on through all summer long
Day and night drifting into love
Driving you home from a movie show
When the music is here in my car"
Couldn't be more American. W2 first heard this song on his car radio in Glasgow and it transported him straight to California.
It's not to say that one thing is either good or bad because W2 loved the evolving sound scapes but lyrically, one would have to say that that the pre Manifesto west side songs were more interesting.
Tout le monde est d'accord ?
This PhD in Roxology is exhausting and evidently all you get at the end of it is a feather boa!
Salutations,
W2