ALL TIME MUSICAL GIANT

10/22/2023

ALL TIME MUSICAL GIANT

I have a 4 day series planned that I think you will enjoy. However, I have decided to defer that for a day. I could not let it go by unnoticed that the 40th anniversary of the release of one of my all time favourite albums occurred on October 21.

The LP is “Soul Mining” by THE THE, the musical vehicle of one MATT JOHNSON.

THE THE- “Soul Mining” (Deluxe vinyl edition- 2013)

As near perfect an album musically and lyrically as exists. Note the following:

One of the best songs, ‘Perfect’ was only on the Cdn., U.S., NZ and Aus. releases by then some Bizarre/ Epic label.

My favourite piano solo within a song is on ‘Uncertain Smile’ by JOOLS HOLLAND. He was then the keyboard player from the band SQUEEZE and would be future TV presenter.)

The LP opener ‘I’ve Been Waiting For Tomorrow (All Of My Life)’ contains lyrics such as these that have been seared in my consciousness these past 40 years:

All desires have been denied

To put me in this state of mind,

Another day older and what have I done.

My aspirations have shriveled in the sun,

I’m crippled by guilt

Blinded by science

I’ve been waiting for tomorrow all of my life

Incredible poetry. All cover art by his brother ANDY “DOG” JOHNSON (Jan. 6, 1959 – Jan. 18, 2016).

Today though I am going to present the intoxicating final song entitled ‘Giant’.

At almost 10 minutes long, the track is a favourite of myself and DJ Drew. Note the incessant drums as provided by former ORANGE JUICE 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 member ZEKE MANYIKA.