By Bobby Hurley and Bill Watt
The Verve Urban Hymns is a quintessential alternative rock album of the 1990s, when the popularity of British alternative music is spreading like wild-fire. From this come two of the most talented musical artists: singer Richard Ashcroft and guitarist Nick McCabe. The Verve put out this landmark alternative rock album Urban Hymns in 1997. The familiar Bittersweet Symphony kicks off this epic album . Every urban hymn of the album is classic and the equal to Bittersweet symphony. Radio airplay is not a good indication of a song's worth. Listen to this album as a whole and decide what tracks are especially moving to you. Here is a live performance of Bittersweet symphony:
The Verve is comprised of the most talented and underrated live musicians. Nick McCabe improvises guitar lines during concerts! The Verve is cool and their homecoming concert in Wigan England validates this fact. Haigh Hall 1998 in Wigan, England
This concert features a clever mix of great songs from Urban Hymns. The Verve guitarist Nick McCabe, hair blowing across his face, seems uncaring about his image. The opposite of a snob, he’s in this music business purely to create beautiful guitar soundscapes. Richard Ashcroft’s well crafted tunes compliment him perfectly. Invite some friends to watch this concert with you. Heck, get some Strobe lights, a disco ball, platform shoes and Tostitos to complete this party.
Here is the track listing of this ground breaking concert:
Sonnet: On the stage, Nick McCabe is far left, Ashcroft is middle, Bassist Simon Jones is far right and drummer Pete Salisbury is behind them.
The Drugs Don’t Work Enough said.
Lucky Man McCabe makes great guitar sounds and effects yet maintains strong rhythmic guitar. The keyboard adds an extravagant touch to the orchestra sounds.
Velvet Morning
Nick McCabe plays amazing guitar without an ostentatious presence. This puts Ashcroft in the spot light. Velvet Morning describes pride and coolness that you feel courageously facing another day, overcoming your obstacles and spending time without your addictions. The song describes feeling great and doing amazing things with little recognition.
Bittersweet Symphony Epic!
Come On
A rush of adrenaline pulses through your veins. This song has creative lyrics, a unique beat that drives the song and cool guitar effects. The song finishes on a crescendo.
The Verve is singer Richard Ashcroft, lead guitarist Nick McCabe, Bassist Simon Jones and drummer Pete Salisbury. Simon Tong adds some delightful guitar work throughout the album. Most notably the catchy guitar beat in the beginning of Lucky Man. The Verve is an appropriate name to describe the band. Verve means: 1. Creative enthusiasm: enthusiasm energy, or spirit, especially in the expression of artistic ideas. 2. Vitality: lively vigorous spirit. The purpose of this blog is to introduce the Verve. I will recommend concerts, albums and fan sites showing their great chemistry. Bassist Simon Jones and drummer Pete Salisbury maintain a great rhythm. Nick McCabe harmoniously adds exploratory guitar in combination with Richard Ashcroft’s sensational singing. He doesn’t sing lines or words but truly sings syllables and notes. Ashcroft acknowledged Nick McCabe's role in shaping their sound saying, “I love Nick McCabe, and I never want to be in a band if he’s not playing the guitar. I hope he thinks the same about me. We just needed time to release it." http://special.the-raft.com/theverve/nickarticle.html Nick McCabe’s guitar and Ashcroft’s deep and charismatic lyrics sung poetically make their songs unique and open to interpretation.
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| Even the dog on the grass thinks the Verve members rock |
Bittersweet Symphony starts Urban Hymns with an explosion of sound and emotion. After The Verve’s first splitting Richard Ashcroft wrote Urban Hymns as a solo record. Ashcroft then rejoined the band excluding Nick McCabe. McCabe was invited after the majority of songs were completed. The music centers on Ashcroft. Urban Hymns is the Verve’s most triumphant feeling record.
These songs are indeed Urban Hymns, hip and meaningful but equally devotional. The exception is Come On which is explosive raw energy and emotion. Urban Hymns has more predictable song structure and solid production than the previous two albums, A Northern Soul and A Storm in Heaven. Urban Hymns has fewer but more focused lyrics than A Northern Soul. One highlight is Neon Wilderness, a definite trip that is unlike any song on Urban Hymns. Space and Time and Weeping Willow are special sounding emotionally, the solos cleverly match the chorus. Unique keyboards are present in One Day and This Time. A final highlight is Velvet Morning which apexes the original rhythmic guitar throughout the album.
The good feelings pour into the songs that were on the cutting room floor for Urban Hymns. This Could Be My Moment and Monte Carlo ended up on The Verve’s compilation album This Is Music 92-98 The Singles. There were also nine other b-sides, Lord I Guess I’ll Never Know, Country Song, So Sister, Echo Bass, The Crab, Stamped, Three Steps, Never Wanna See You Cry and The Longest Day.  |
| The Verve produce mellow music to chill out to |
A rainy day, imagine chilling out to Urban Hymns with the poison of your choice. I hope the psychedelic rhythmic guitars keep you alert enough to appreciate the dynamic vocals. This album will cure those sinus headaches you get working all day. Relax, close your eyes and listen to your cares float away.
Bittersweet Symphony is a favorite because of the cool music video where Richard Ashcroft walks down the street bumping into people. He seems to be talking as he sings yet his voice sounds amazingly powerful. Like in the part:
"No change, I can't change
I can't change, I can't change
But I'm here in my mind
I am here in my mind
But I'm a million different people
from one day to the next I can’t change my mind
No, no, no, no, no, no no, no, no, no, no , no”
Co-author Bill Watt says “that part gets me pumped up, may sound over the top but he sounds like god in that song just letting everyone know that he owns.” A drum-able beat stays with you as the song energizes and empowers you. This epic song played during my High School graduation. The most memorable part: “Well I’ve never prayed
But tonight I’m on my knees,
yeah I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me,
yeah I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now
But the airwaves are clean and there’s nobody singing to me now”
As it played on a clear sunny day my classmates and I threw our hats into the air greeting our futures with optimism. This music makes you happy. There’s a kind of unmatched coolness Ashcroft brings in the above stanza. He describes being clean and clear of mind, able to dominate life.
To hear the full 5:58 proper version of this song in the best quality buy the album from the amazon link at the end of this article instead of downloading the youtube song. Quality matters! The CD has the least compressed sound therefore the best quality. The mp3 is a close second, the Ipod is further compressed (mp4) and finally Youtube (flash video) I hope to convey that Urban Hymns is a listening experience best heard from beginning to end without interruption, whether as a CD or an MP3 album. The car stereo offers a most enjoyable listen. Each song stands on its own. You want the album so you can shuffle and repeat. Click the amazon link to listen to the song samples and go from there. One warning before I continue describing the album, don’t fall into the musical ADHD of our society. We buy single songs for our Ipods but not whole albums. We listen to thirty seconds of each single. Don’t miss out on this top notch music that the Verve composed to be listened from beginning to end. Buy the mp3 album which includes tracks that you can’t purchase individually. Excuse me for that rant.
The B-sides to Bittersweet Symphony include: Lord I guess I’ll Never Know, Country Song, So Sister and Echo Bass. Depending on what LP you get there are numerous versions of Bittersweet Symphony. All of these versions are better than the compromised and shortened version you hear on the radio.
Sonnet
Bill says, “I like the easygoingness, sounds like something you could enjoy listening to while driving through the country. This is one of the better songs I have heard from the verve. I love the part that goes "my lord, my lord, my lord..." because it fits perfectly with what precedes.” Have a reputable, reliable copy of the lyrics in front of you while listening to these beautiful songs. Appreciate the poetry by following the lyrics on this adware free fan site. http://theverveonline.com/lyrics/sonnet.html I highly recommend this website to learn updated news, articles and the current activities of The Verve members. The Verve online
Yes, there's love if you want it
Don't sound like no sonnet, my lord
Yes, there's love if you want it
Don't sound like no sonnet, my lord
My lord
British singers sound profoundly sad. The way Ashcroft sings “my Lord” in this song is similar to the way Liam Gallagher of Oasis sings, “You gotta spread the ‘word’” in the song All Around World. Both lines sung in about the same meter. B-sides to Sonnet include Stamped, So Sister and Echo Bass.
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| Relax and watch the Verve's videos |
The Rolling People contains a psychedelic intro, that is music without a set pattern or limits. This is what alternative music is all about. The Rolling People is long and tiring to play. On a reunion tour Nick McCabe took a break mid-concert with cramps in his wrist from playing The Rolling People. He gave a thumbs up and rejoined the collaborative environment of the band. The guitar perfectly accompanies the singing. This is a rocking song but listen for the peaceful melodies in the eyes of the storms. In the solo at 3:50 McCabe displays his talent. Nick McCabe is an underrated musician because he usually plays through Ashcroft’s singing. Ashcroft doesn’t force the band to stop playing once he starts singing like Chris Martin of Coldplay does. Similarly, McCabe allows the most talented singer Richard Ashcroft to sing during his would be solos. As a result, their work is only appreciated through listening with an ear that isolates each of their parts. Nick McCabe is a multi-talented guitarist who chooses to play what is best for each song. He plays music that syncs with the band and Ashcroft's vocals. According to Bill, the song at first listen sounds like a combination of U2 and Blind Melon. The Rolling People sounds like background music for American Idol. But after thoughtfully giving The Rolling People a second listen you will discover real original music. The unique rhythmic guitars guide the song. The intensity changes into relaxing music around 2:33. The meter and tempo of the song slows down and you can hear waterfalls.
The Promo for Rolling People included the album version and a radio edit as well as a 10 second clip of a Call Out Hook. Save your money, all you need is Urban Hymns with its epic 7 minute version of The Rolling People.
The beginning of The Drugs Don’t Work tells you this is a great song. The music video is really moving. The guitar on fire at the end is especially cathartic. The violin part supplements the catchy melody. I always wished to create something as powerfully self-expressing as Ashcroft singing:
“Now the drugs don’t work
They just make you WOOORSE
But I know I’ll see your face again”
The song’s melody is amazingly catchy yet the song’s meaning is really deep. Ashcroft’s father who was dying of cancer was hurt not helped by his medications. One can hope Ashcroft will see his father’s face again in the afterlife. His father died when he was so young.
"All this talk of getting old
It’s getting me down my love
Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown
This time I’m coming down”
In one interview Ashcroft clarifies this song isn’t a crusade against recreational drugs saying, “the drugs do work sometimes” http://www.myspace.com/47589783/photos/278087 The effective use of the violin in the Drugs Don’t Work is beautifully reminiscent of Oasis Wonderwall and Don’t Go Away, in terms of how a violin is used so effectively in a rock song.
Arguably this original hit song’s best version:
This song has room for a variety. The members of the Verve particularly Richard Ashcroft and Nick McCabe are some of the most talented artists in the music business yet songs like Drugs Don’t Work are vastly underrated.
The Drugs Don’t Work contained three B-sides and other versions of the Drugs Don’t Work. The Crab is hauntingly sad but energizing. Three Steps is very uplifting with a nice message. Stamped is an explorative B-side that is stamped with Nick McCabe’s signature guitar work.Check out these different versions on their amazon page. Read the reviews and choose the one that has the b-sides you want.
Catching The Butterfly is a combination of sounds from the city and Indian music, similar to “Within You Without You” and “Love You To” by The Beatles. Catching The Butterfly is hypnotically relaxing.
“I’m gonna keep catching that butterfly
In that dream of mine
I’m gonna keep catching that butterfly
In that dream of mine”
This is an awesome part of the song.
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| The Verve look High? |
Trucks backing up, construction work, water dropping and an underwater techno sound can all be heard in this song. I am pretty sure “Catching the Butterfly” is about recreational drugs. This unique song is very adventurous with sounds from the city, cars speeding through a sweet underground tunnel with hypnotic singing. A song only the most talented music artists of The Verve could create.
I welcome and appreciate comments on the meaning of this song!
Bill’s take on Neon Wilderness:
“This song sounds like a guy sorting out his thoughts surrounded by craziness in the city. He remains in his own little world. Without a doubt this is awesome music!” Neon Wilderness is shoe gazer and atmospheric evoking memories of A Storm In Heaven, the first Verve album.
Please post your interpretation to this or any other songs on Urban Hymns!
Space and Time.
At first listen, sounds like a porcupine tree song that sends you into a different world. Especially when it goes from:
“I just can’t make it alone
Oh, no, no (tonight)
I just can’t make it alone
Oh, no, no”
And then goes back to the intro. The instrumental part beginning at 2:45 fits perfectly with the song by copying the lyrical melody. Ashcroft pauses between stanzas letting in McCabe’s understated guitars which lead the magical instrumental parts that are perfectly located in the song. The guitars resonate through Richard’s singing. The whole band shines with mellow and melodic sounds.
“We have existence and its all we share”
Keep on pushing cause I know its there”
Both lines are sung movingly at the same time through the wonders of studio technology.
Bill’s Perspective:
“This song is sung in a trippy way that I call “discovery music.” In a mansion you peer through a giant window. You are now viewing the ocean aware of every nuance in the scenery.”
Weeping Willow.
Get emotionally invested in this song feeling stronger about your humanity and closer to the idea of mortality as a result.
GREAT INTRO
Sad but lovely lyrics:
“When morning breaks
We hide our eyes and our love's aching
Nothing's strange”
This stanza sounds COOL and some fans say their best song. The warped guitar sounds a little Hendrix-y in a good way.
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| Cool Loafers Richard!
The song continues:
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"There’ll be no better way
There’ll be no better day to save me
Save me,
Yeah save me
Yeah, save me"
This song is about suicidal feelings. Whenever I feel low or lost I relate to this song especially the “save me” part. This stanza is also musically crucial to the song since it transitions to the next stanza:
“I hope you see like I see, oh oh
I hope you see what I see, yeah, yeah
I hope you feel like I feel, yeah”
This part contains descending notes after each of the first two lines. The notes and chords Nick McCabe plays in this song are Em D and C chords which are sad sounding.
Richard Ashcroft, a very talented musician sings in a way that your soul and destiny are in jeopardy. Your life's purpose is on the line. The underrated musicians of The Verve inspire you to leave a legacy.
"And the world don’t stop
There is no time for cracking up
Believe me friend
‘cause when freedom comes
I’ll be long gone
You know it has to end"
Richard Ashcroft masterfully pauses between each line like how McCartney pauses in Hey Jude.
Concert footage of Weeping Willow
Ashcroft uses studio technology to do two part vocals.
"Whether you see or whether you don’t- beside me
Whether you feel or whether you won’t – beside me"
At the end of the song they finally reference the title of the song making it much more powerful. The story of someone’s considering ending his or her life, paralyzed by addiction brings emotional intensity to the song’s ending.
"Weeping willow
The pills under my pillow
Weeping willow
Pills under my pillow
Weeping willow
The Gun under your pillow
Weeping willow"
Here is the clearer and crisper sounding studio version.
Richard Aschcroft an underrated lyricist closes the song:
“I got to learn to leave the pain, walk through the door and kiss the rain, beside me beside me” (2x)
I don’t know what these lyrics mean but I would love to learn.
The soundtrack of my freshmen year of college was Space and Time, Weeping Willow and Lucky Man. Clever mixing has these three massive songs back to back to back on Urban Hymns.
Lucky Man
Original verses and very original intro. In the hundreds of songs a year that Bill hears none sound remotely similar to Lucky Man. Bill says, “I love how Ashcroft sings faster on “Its just a change in me something in my liberty” so it fits the rhythm of “happiness more or less.” Amazingly poetic! LOVE the ending where the orchestra quickly gets increasingly louder. As they have done throughout this historical album. The Verve structure the song so the ideal part is replayed the most. Towards the end of the song following “Oh, my, my” and the violin crescendo you will hear odd sounds like an echo. Sounds similar to clocks and wind chimes bringing you into an enlivening deep consciousness. Richard Aschroft, a most talented artist alters words slightly in the most listened parts of the song. An alternative version
of this song,
Lucky Man can be heard in undeserving movies like Marley and Me. Lucky Man is a single containing B-sides like Never Wanna See You Cry, one of the most touching love songs. Also a different version of Lucky Man called Happiness More or Less. A version of a History a single from A Northern Soul. And the last B-sides are the McCabe influenced The Longest Day and MSG. At the height of the Brit pop movement bands like the Verve and Oasis mysteriously hid many gems as B-sides. Songs better than the best recordings of most bands. As with The Drugs Don't Work, I included all the different versions of this single: vinyl, Import and cassette (make sure your version isn't an audio cassette when it's also available in audio CD!) Each different single has different b-sides featuring more Nick McCabe influenced rock.
One Day
This sounds like a John Lennon solo effort. Particularly the line:
"one day maybe you will cry again, just like a child.”
Bill’s interprets this line as how as a child purity is highest. About 2 minutes into the song is an awesome light warped sound. GREAT keyboards.
This Time has a surprisingly unique beat for The Verve. There's a funk feel but old school guitar. Evocative of a 70’s movie. “This Time” is very different in style from the rest of the songs on the album. The chord change at 2:20 is joined by a continuously played guitar pattern that’s easier to hear around 3:30 to 3:35. The piano around 1:30 sounds like an Enya CD. A breath of fresh air in today’s music. The music zones you into what Ashcroft is singing.
Velvet Morning. At first impression the intro sounds western bringing up pictures of saloons in the 1800s. When people had a horse and buggy and a desire to go out west. The good guy kicking the bad guy out of town thereby winning the affections of the girl. The town cheering their walk into sunset. The intro reminds me of The Beatles “Sun King” because of a similar guitar beat and style. In Velvet Morning the guitar notes ring longer and have more feeling and dynamism. Listen to the quiet loud dynamic, which made Nirvana famous. It’s really cool when Ashcroft sings loudly “ANOTHER VELVET MORNING FOR ME,” and then goes back to soft. An absolutely lovely and original melody at 2:13. The rhythm and notes originate from the minds of the underrated musicians of The Verve.
Get ready to listen to Come On!
Right away the guitar has a depressing feel that envelops you into your sorrows. Your fate is at stake.
During the creation of Come On Nick McCabe and Richard Ashcroft had disagreements. McCabe angrily messes around with his guitar part and it gets crazier as the song progresses.
Richard’s vocals fit perfectly:
“I must be feeling low
I talked to god in a phone box on my way home
I told you my answer
I left you my dreams on my answer machine, Lord”
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| Sunny Imagery suits The Verve Urban Hymns uplifting theme |
The album’s lyrics grip you. Each line is sung with impeccable timing. Most lyrics have a spiritual note and truly sound like modern day hymns. But unlike the attitudes of religious people these hymns are down to earth and cool.
“I must be going insane
I called the doctor so he can relieve my pain
He’s got a little pill for me
Just a little luxury
To help me through my day”
These lyrics are for those suffering with roommate or housing issues, also disappointments in life. If your life is spiraling out of control this song is easily relate-able.
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| The Verve bassist Simon Jones |
Come On is a sad but uplifting song with a memorable chorus.
"Come on
Let the spirit inside you
Don’t wait to be found
Come along with my sound
Let the spirit move you
Let the waves come up
Confuse you
I never met no-one to deny our sound."
Bill’s impression of the song:
o “Right away I think of standing around in the station of the subway that goes through a city. The warped guitar sound relates well with the lyrics,
"I must be going insane,
i called the doctor
so he can relieve my pain"
Awesome melody there. I also love the Allman Brothers mode at the chorus: “come on let the spirit inside you….” This is a combination of LA woman by The Doors and Jessica by Allman Brothers.” By finishing with fury and tension The Verve throw the listener an unexpected turn on this beautiful sounding album. The same tension that caused inner disputes that disbanded the band multiple times. The guitar gets WILD and the singing matches the intensity. Aschroft throws himself into the line, “This is a big FUCK YOU” The Verve rarely sound this angry!
Deep Freeze (Hidden Track). Sounds like an alien invasion but you will be the one visiting another planet. Sit back in your chair and be taken away. A baby crying in the background. It’s very futuristic sounding, typing on the computer, beeping sounds and robot audio. One interpretation is that the baby crying is the past and all the electronic sounds signify the future. The beginning of Ashcroft’s life and his reaching adulthood.
Does anyone know the name of the baby being voiced? Is it a baby?
The sound and feel of the hidden track is something you gotta experience. Don’t waste your time and gas money going to all the music stores around you that are overpriced and may not have this CD. Buy it on Amazon through my link. Then follow along with me in this article while listening to your new musical experience.
Richard Ashcroft went to Up Holland High School in Upholland, England where he met band mates bassist Simon Jones, drummer Pete Salisbury and guitarist Simon Jones. Ashcroft was “incredibly intelligent” but disruptive in the stuffy classroom environment. http://mrbellersneighborhood.com/2004/03/a-conversation-with-richard-ashcroft An aspiring soccer player, he went to Winstanley College in the Wigan, greater Manchester area of England. It is here he turned his attention to music and met Nick McCabe. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Ashcroft Richard studied theatre, philosophy and English. This definitely impacts his writing on the album. http://www.theverveonline.com/
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| Mad Richard Ashcroft! |
He explores the deep questions of existence, god, love, loss, happiness and sadness. He knows how to entertain by using poetic rhythms in his lyrics. Richard is cool and tireless. He doesn’t simply write popular catchy radio friendly songs but writes about glorifying the human experience, love, loss, loneliness, depression, exhilaration, ecstasy, mental illness, confidence, arrogance, being cool, being lame, fatigue and tirelessness. Richard’s lyrics are driven by his philosophical thinking. I have many quotes from Ashcroft that I loved and saved in word documents. However, I will not list them here because they are unsubstantiated; I couldn't find their original sources. Email me at bobbyhurleyjr@gmail.com if you wish to read them.
He finds the best melodies, his words are musical ear candy. He knows the song's best part, most frequently repeating it. Ashcroft is a gifted songwriter who writes meaningful yet melodic lyrics. Look no further than One Day, Weeping Willow and Space and Time.
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| Richard Ashcroft Cool and Tireless |
Richard Ashcroft is friends with the Gallagher brothers of Oasis, another notable Britpop group. Noel Gallagher nicknamed him “Mad Richard” and dedicated Cast No Shadow to him. Richard Ashcroft returned the act dedicating “A Northern Soul” to Noel Gallagher. Liam Gallagher does backing vocals on "Come On”. Richard Ashcroft did backing vocals for “All Around The World” which appeared on Oasis’ third album Be Here Now, the album that Urban Hymns displaced as number one on the 1997 charts.
If listening to Urban Hymns leaves you craving for more than look to Richard Aschcroft’s first solo album Alone With Everybody. It includes three tracks that didn’t make Urban Hymns. Songs like A Song For The Lovers, New York, and C’mon People (We’re Making It Now). Many The Verve fans were looking for Urban Hymns 2 when they reunited but even Ashcroft felt when they got in the studio they should do songs created by The Verve through their jams. The lyrics and melodies are sung very similarly to Urban Hymns but the instruments supporting Ashcroft provide a more fun and pop listen. However, like Ashcroft alluded to without McCabe playing guitar to his singing the songs are cheesier at times but is still the closest to Urban Hymns 2.
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| Richard Ashcroft knows Urban Hymns are relate-able |
Nick McCabe is a year older than the other Verve mates. Richard Ashcroft heard him play in a practice room describing the sound as “a whole other universe to me”. Nick McCabe was a land surveyor that spent most of his time scribbling up guitar sounds. At Ashcroft’s prodding he joined The Verve. Nick McCabe is one of the most underrated guitarists in history. He played selflessly for each Verve song fitting with the band’s sound production. Nick McCabe’s dissonant chords on Weeping Willow make the song an emotional home run. He likes guitarists that sound muddy like Eddie Hazel from Funkadelic. Nick believes Eddie condensed the best bits of Jimmie Hendrix. McCabe says his textured guitar playing is influenced by John Martyn. McCabe never set out to be a guitarist but wanted to make sounds, not be confined to just playing the guitar. He is certainly a reluctant guitar hero.
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| Mysterious Nick McCabe |
Nick McCabe’s other projects as listed on his myspace include the recent The Black Ships , also Field Theory and Strome. He is a guitarist, producer and music experimenter or “sonic tinkerer.” http://www.myspace.com/nickmccabeuk Always a big fan of John Martyn he played on the song “Walking Home” from the album “On the Cobbles” Nick McCabe’s latest project is The Black Ships which is with Simon Jones, drummer Mig Schillace and electric violinist Davide Rossi. They put out their first EP “Kurofone” on May 2011. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_McCabe He also worked with verve bassist Simon Jones on the soundtrack of the movie Complicities created by Irving Welsh and Iian Banks. Complicities is scary, similar to Stamped, very evil sounding like.
He believes the Verve demos are better than the album songs because working spur of the moment was their forte. On A Man Called Sun, they were influenced but limited by the room they played in. They had many reverbs and microphones to get it right. His favorite producer, Chris Potter needed The Verve to work only seven months to complete Urban Hymns. The Drugs Don’t Work was already written and McCabe simply played on a re recording. “I wish I never played on that” he said. He prefers things that sound bonkers like most of his more adventurous guitar work from the early Verve. http://www.excellentonline.com/story/nick-mccabe-interview-733
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| Nick McCabe's Lifeblood |
He is nostalgic about the early days when he and Simon Jones played with Casio keyboards making sounds through the effects. He refers to his work on the Verve as a day job finding the touring confining, instead of being able to create music he was confined to play the same stuff. But he is known for being unpredictable with guitar lines in concert, he is very improvisational. http://www.excellentonline.com/story/nick-mccabe-interview-733
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| Early Nick McCabe |
By 1997, Urban Hymns was the weakest Nick McCabe influenced record to date. However he does have a heavy power chord style on Rolling People and Come On using overdubs to create a powerful sound. His guitar playing is very rhythmic in Bittersweet Symphony, Sonnet and The Rolling People. He has a country style by using more slide guitar in The Drugs Don’t Work. This was his approach in songs already 90 percent completed. Nick is proud of using his guitar to make unique sounds around 3 minutues on Catching the Butterfly. Catching the Butterfly was cut down from a 25 minute from a Nick McCabe led Jam. Neon Wilderness is built around one of McCabe’s trademark guitar loops. The most recognizable McCabe influence can be found on the Urban Hymns b-sides; “Lord, I guess I’ll Never Know”, Country Song, Echo Bass, Three Steps and Stamped. Nick prefers these tracks for a number of reasons.
The main reason is Nick is into ambient, abstract, strange sounding music that puts you into another world rather than a pop record. He prefers jamming instead of ballads. He said his best gig was Southhamption, The Joiners. Nick McCabe does listen to the B-side compilation of the Verve No Come Down occasionally. This contains their earlier work like the live Gravity Grave and other unique sounding songs such as One Way to Go and Where the Geese Go. Nick McCabe calls early Verve the good ole days, times he will never be able to outdo. Part of the fun of touring was being excited driving themselves to gigs. Clapham grand was another great gig.
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| Nick McCabe Guitar God |
The Verve Country Song
Nick McCabe doesn’t have a flamboyant or obnoxious stage presence, he doesn't move much on stage. Instead, he is busy achieving a psychedelic sound on stage by using effect pedals and amps. He doesn’t simply copy the guitar lines from the record but creates new effects and sounds on stage. He is very experimental, like an athlete trying new moves and shots in a playoff game. He has to be in tune to his effects to get it right. So the Verve concerts are different, they're not comprised of obnoxious performers giving you cheap and inferior renditions of the studio versions. I hope my phrase Most Talented Artist makes sense. I am saying that there are many talented music artists and Nick McCabe is one of them. Ashcroft signed the leaving contract and Virigin Records requested two more Verve albums from the remaining members.
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| Drop into Nick McCabe's guitar world |
Nick is very appreciative of fans hoping they are friends that think similarly to him, his “breed” of people. Hope is where Nick is. Money doesn’t mean anything to him, creating something great does. Not surprisingly independent thinking artists don’t care for the excessive emphasis on placing well in the charts which record companies push. That said he realizes he needs paychecks to live. He’s not some out of touch rock star but has bills to pay and to deal with tax collectors like the rest of us. His ideal of a good time is to have a lot of stuff happening without being too opportunistic.
He says, "the key to music to create like a child and edit like a scientist. I’ve been living my life to that! You have your fun and then you apply hindsight to it.”A man of mystery Nick started guitar for fun and enjoyed making things up by messing with his guitar. He is more interested in making unique un-guitarlike sounds than becoming an obnoxious guitar virtuoso. In this way he is similar to Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree who I will discuss in a future post. Nick says, “I don’t even like guitars, I like synthesizers.” He got his first guitar and was only interested in making synthesizer sounds. Nick McCabe is right when he says the guitar sounds are more important than technical excellence. If not you have lost sight of the power of music. John Frusciante, guitarist of The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and future blog topic also felt similarly about the spiritual sounding side of music being more important than show boating technical playing ability. Charlie Christian was the first one to use an electric guitar and the goal was to make It sound like a saxophone. He defends studio equipment pressing a button to make the guitar sound a certain way. He states an opinion about quality music that is eye opening to many music purists who disdain pop, electronic, techno or grunge music when he says,
"The whole idea that techno isn't 'proper' music 'cos they can't play instruments is so short-sighted. That's surely where new music comes from."And Nick McCabe’s unique philosophy on guitars is why I consider him one of the most talented guitarists.
Urban Hymns centers around
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| The Verve |
The songs on Urban Hymns are sung with a great voice that goes deep at times. The lyrics aren’t pretentious but the singing may just hype you up in a good way. This alternative music supports the underdog, fight for your chance to show the best you have in life. Let this sad, somber and reflective music be your soundtrack. Be ignited by this album full of personality love, loss, life, happiness and trances. The unforgettable musical instruments back the lyrics taking you to a place of musical relaxation. Feel free to click on the Amazon link to this album. With a trusted company like Amazon you will conveniently get excellent sound quality music for the best price. Get the highest quality sound. Support this blog and the entertaining artists I write about. Whether CD, MP3 or MP4 in the case of Ipods you will can listen while traveling. My CDs have lasted the longest while I have gone through 2 mp3s. Most cars still have CD players. They need no special chords that wear out. Don’t risk the dangers of being distracted waiting to pull out at a gas station because you have to plug in your mp3 to get the right song. Don't be distracted in traffic risking a motor vehicle accident. CDs are still the simplest way to listen to music with the most uncompromised sound quality. Stick to thematic and coherent music by purchasing the album not individual songs. The sum in Urban Hymns is greater than the individual songs. Get the album as a CD, MP3, Vinyl or Import with extra tracks.
As you commute why listen to the dull radio hosts that talk from the diaphragm? Or have radio interference with your mp3? Or adjust your Ipod endlessly to get proper reception? (as it falls off the dashboard) Start the day right listening to this optimistic British pop music and have a peaceful morning even in high stress traffic. Also, a CD sleeve gives you rare artwork and a tangible way to get autographs.
Obeying the law in this scenario is surprisingly easy and convenient. Benefit the creative artists who once crashed apartments for years to create these masterpieces. This isn't just music but the combined expressions of a group of guys desiring to make a living in a creative way.
If you don’t get the album you won't hear the space between Come On and the hidden track Deep Freezes (the entrance of the song always surprises you) then you are not getting the authentic experience of the album. Someone once drove through a state forest in the pitch blackness of night listening to Come On. An adrenaline rush to be sure! Get a permanent copy of the album, Youtube versions will be taken down eventually due to copyright infringement.
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| Nick McCabe cool unassuming concert presence |
