thank you for doing this blog, always enjoyable and informative! what do you know of the "don't worry baby" fragment on "thank you friends:ardent records story" i couldn't find any info on it and it is the most beautiful little thing. thanks again
That's so cool. Thanks so much for this and all your posts. I'd be curious to hear your take and that of other Big Star fans on what Sister Lovers sequencing you prefer. On the version of 3rd that came out in 1978 "Thank You Friends" sounds so bitter and ironic (and perfect) as a closer, I was surprised to read the liner notes when Rykodisc reissued in the early 90s that Alex intended for it to be an early track on the album. The way it ends especially makes it sound like it wasn't intended as a happy thank you. Thoughts?
For me "Thank You Friends" does belong at the end of the album, and is a little on the bitter side or maybe bittersweet. This video clip is strange, in that it features Chris Bell and the band from #1 Record, NOT the band on "Thank You Friends." I did however post it with earnest thanks, and not ironic "probability."
I could never get behind the sequencing on the Ryko version of this LP. For those who don't know, this is the sequencing from the 1978 version of this record:
Side 1
1. Stroke It, Noel 2. For You 3. Kizza Me 4. You Can’t Have Me 5. Night Time 6. Blue Moon 7. Take Care
Side 2
1. Jesus Christ 2. Femme Fatale 3. O, Dana 4. Big Black Car 5. Holocaust 6. Kangaroo 7. Thank You Friends
that is a much better sequence, though I think the Ryko does end with "Take Care," which isn't too bad. "Thank You Friends" makes the most sense as a closer, though.
the biggest flaw in the Ryko is that it starts with "Kizza Me," a song i never liked much, and a pretty odd way to kick off such a mellow/bleak album. "Kizza" and "you can't have me" (another track that doesn't really fit this LP) seem to be best slotted together, mid-side, as the '78 album has it.
I agree... The PVC sequencing is the one that brought me to consider this, well, my favorite record of all... Resequenced in iTunes based on what the Big Star biography said was the intended sequence, but just doesn't have the same emotional impact...
the pvc version is not perfect but much better than the ryko (although i like the cover/artwork better on the ryko). thank you friends HAS to be last, regardless of what alex said. it's a closer. take care would be my second choice.
Happy Turkey Day to you!
ReplyDeletethank you for doing this blog, always enjoyable and informative! what do you know of the "don't worry baby" fragment on "thank you friends:ardent records story" i couldn't find any info on it and it is the most beautiful little thing. thanks again
ReplyDeleteThank you too for spotting that. Makes for nice holiday treat.
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool. Thanks so much for this and all your posts. I'd be curious to hear your take and that of other Big Star fans on what Sister Lovers sequencing you prefer. On the version of 3rd that came out in 1978 "Thank You Friends" sounds so bitter and ironic (and perfect) as a closer, I was surprised to read the liner notes when Rykodisc reissued in the early 90s that Alex intended for it to be an early track on the album. The way it ends especially makes it sound like it wasn't intended as a happy thank you. Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteA very happy thanksgiving to you as well. You've got a truly great blog, thanks.
ReplyDeleteBatman,
ReplyDeleteFor me "Thank You Friends" does belong at the end of the album, and is a little on the bitter side or maybe bittersweet. This video clip is strange, in that it features Chris Bell and the band from #1 Record, NOT the band on "Thank You Friends." I did however post it with earnest thanks, and not ironic "probability."
I could never get behind the sequencing on the Ryko version of this LP. For those who don't know, this is the sequencing from the 1978 version of this record:
Side 1
1. Stroke It, Noel
2. For You
3. Kizza Me
4. You Can’t Have Me
5. Night Time
6. Blue Moon
7. Take Care
Side 2
1. Jesus Christ
2. Femme Fatale
3. O, Dana
4. Big Black Car
5. Holocaust
6. Kangaroo
7. Thank You Friends
Makes more sense this way doesn't it?
that is a much better sequence, though I think the Ryko does end with "Take Care," which isn't too bad. "Thank You Friends" makes the most sense as a closer, though.
ReplyDeletethe biggest flaw in the Ryko is that it starts with "Kizza Me," a song i never liked much, and a pretty odd way to kick off such a mellow/bleak album. "Kizza" and "you can't have me" (another track that doesn't really fit this LP) seem to be best slotted together, mid-side, as the '78 album has it.
hope you had a good holiday, ted!
chris
I agree... The PVC sequencing is the one that brought me to consider this, well, my favorite record of all... Resequenced in iTunes based on what the Big Star biography said was the intended sequence, but just doesn't have the same emotional impact...
ReplyDeleteOn my prized Ardent test pressing copy with labels hand written by Alex the sequence is:
ReplyDeleteI- Stroke It, Downs, Femme Fatale, Thank You Friends, Holocaust, Jesus, Blue Moon
II- Kizza Me, Fireplace, Dana, Nighttime, Whole Lotta Shakin, Kanga-Roo, Take Care
But I prefer the PVC sequence.
If there's a faster, easier download program, I've never seen it. I can get anything I want at lightning speeds!
ReplyDeletethe pvc version is not perfect but much better than the ryko (although i like the cover/artwork better on the ryko). thank you friends HAS to be last, regardless of what alex said. it's a closer. take care would be my second choice.
ReplyDelete