Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin - Star Clocks(New Release)

[philsunset]

^^^Thanks. I saw Dave & Barb perform at a record store 28 years ago. I bought a ticket for this recent show in big hopes of attending, alas. Glad to hear a bit about this London show.

[Zeuhlmate]

Ahem...

Barbara Gaskin & Dave Stewart "Its My Party" Aplauso(Spain) 13-03-82

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anXwBvsFVa4

Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin - It's My Party • TopPop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJCUIWrVPkw

[battema]

So, got this over the weekend. Didn't do much for me on first listen but repeat listens are really bringing out some excellent bits.

Pros:

• Stewart is terrific, as ever. No one else wraps fairly accessible pop in such rich, meaty harmonic voicings and chord progressions. Even when it sounds predictable, there's something interesting hovering just underneath the surface that makes my ears perk up.
• Gaskin is still in fine voice even as it shows bits of age in places. Harrison brings the goods but never goes over the top.

Cons:

• Much like Wakeman, Stewart seems to favor a synth palette that IMHO dates the music. The abundance of digital ROMpler sounds worked well in the 90's but feels a bit thin in 2018. Some bits work, his pads are wonderfully warm, but the digital brass and pseudo-guitar parts don't connect like they did on The Big Idea.

I remember asking the question at the time Green + Blue was released, and still have the same question: this is excellent music but it isn't really pop or prog, in that it has zero chance of reaching wider audiences or reconnecting with their art rock roots. So, I guess the target market that narrow band of folks who liked what they did in the 70's/80's who continue to like them now.

[progman1975]

Ugh...still waiting for mine

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

[Steve F.]

So, I guess the target market (is) that narrow band of folks who liked what they did in the 70's/80's who continue to like them now.

Yes.

And I agree re: his synth palette. There's so so so much more available.

[Proghound]

But possibly it wouldn't sound like Dave Stewart? I think it is a lovely album and everything I would expect. But agreed a few tunes that were a little more diverse would be a nice addition. But still not a bad tune on it, imo

[Zeuhlmate]

Less synths, and more rhodes, organ, piano, and Barbara occasionally going wild or doing fantastic harmonies (like in Hatfield) - would be nice.

[philsunset]

I can understand the cons re: palettes and sounds. For me, the compositions work and anything by these two is a gift.

[battema]

Just for saying...I can say that I found Stewart's synth selections to be lacking, AND also say that I enjoy the songs very much. Not all of them work as well for me but the ones that do are really great.

As of now, Drizzle Clocks, Heavy Heart, Everything Sings and Time's Arrow are my favorites with Ride the High Atlantic Wind up there as well. For me, I find the two of them are best in a mellow to mid-groove kind of area...their more upbeat songs don't engage me quite as strongly (at least on the later albums).

I didn't point out the synths to trash the whole thing...just that IMHO it is something I personally would like to see upgraded.

[Dedatolo]

Time has stopped in the '80s for the duo, songs and sounds are a photocopy of the old ones and this new one is even more "no-news", IMHO. I've always hoped to hear DS make some wild things again, as in the '70s, but I've lost hope now.

[philsunset]

Geez--Arzachel (sp?), Egg, Khan, Hatfield, National Health, Bruford, Stewart & Gaskin -- guest appearances, sound tracks and such. Wow. So how much is enough? Is it ever enough? What have you done?

[Dedatolo]

Geez--Arzachel (sp?), Egg, Khan, Hatfield, National Health, Bruford, Stewart & Gaskin -- guest appearances, sound tracks and such. Wow. So how much is enough? Is it ever enough? What have you done?

I think nobody here is commenting DS on everything he has done, exactly the contrary, most people LOVE all the groups you mention AND Stewart & Gaskin. The comments are only for the "latest" duo stuff and sounds palette.

[interbellum]

Don't know if this has been posted before: an interview with Dave and Barbara from 1987: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ2Xy_OL7vA

[Fogwalker]

I just got this and I think I can categorically say that “The Arms of Miklosko” is the best song about being a football and featuring uillean pipes that I’ve ever heard.

[Zeuhlmate]

I bought it when it was released, liked it, but since then only spun it twice . . .

[Kcrimso]

I was quite disappointed with this. Didn't move me at all. Meh.

[progman1975]

I was quite disappointed with this. Didn't move me at all. Meh.

Ditto

[Sean]

Play it anyway. In the car for a week and then see if you feel differently.

[Fogwalker]

It has to be said that these two do occupy a bit of an odd niche: not enough twiddly instrumental stuff for die-hard proggers, but a bit too much complexity to be classified as pure pop. Even the track lengths (5 to 9 minutes) seem to fall between these two categories. Also, when you release an album every ten years or so, and tour even less, it must be quite it quite hard to build up a following.

Having said that, I thing these is a great album by two artists still at the top of their game. The only think which is a bit incongruous (for me anyway) is the hard-rock guitar in tracks like Miklosko and Afraid of Clowns, but I’m nit-picking there. Overall the whole album just sounds great!