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| 1 | She Comes | | | | 2 | FIM | | | | 3 | Emily Still Hangs in My Head | | | | 4 | Mission Hill Incident | | | | 5 | Union Blues | | | | 6 | Been a Long Time | | | | 7 | When I Get Down to Charleston | | | | 8 | Baby, Don't Lie So Still | | |
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cherryeater
 Kulapelli Carmenere Reserva
CD-R
[Rating8558689]
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I stumbled across this rather by accident while zooming round the website one day. In case you don’t know (and if you don’t, you should), Pickering Pick is none other than RYM’s own cravenmonket. Over the last ten years he has put together a number of CD’s, recorded largely on his own, and uploaded them all onto RYM for us all to share. That is to be commended for I doubt that you would find anywhere a finer collection of an artist’s complete works available for free. If you haven’t checked it out, do so now, because you will be sorely missing out if you do not.
Mission Hill was Sam’s second output and is markedly different from all the others. The most obvious difference is that the album comprises a full range of musical instruments, guitar, slide guitar, bass and drums, as opposed to the usual Pickering Pick format of acoustic guitar (plus possibly some other instruments like piccolo accordion). The second difference is that, probably because of the first, the album has a much higher production quality. It sounds as if it has been put together by a professional for professional purposes.
Perhaps because of this, Mission Hill is often overlooked in the Pickering Pick catalogue. Sam himself has told me it is his least favourite and while I can see why, I think that is doing this CD a severe injustice. Perhaps it is just my musical taste – I generally tend to prefer the full band sound rather than the single troubadour – but it is my favourite album of his. It is one which, I think, warrants a longer, more thoughtful examination.
The whole feel of the album is very much rooted in the sort of American style folk-country music of the late twentieth century. Yet closer listening reveals other influences. “Mission Hill”, the title track, seems to have one foot in the cool waters of the West Coast; “When I Get Down to Charleston” brings the twang of the American Deep South; and “Emily Still Hangs In My Head” just seems to remind me of the sort of thing you would hear put together by a group of musicians in a quiet country pub in the Thames Valley of a balmy summer evening. My favourite track on the album, “FIM” is the one which stands out as the closes it ever gets to up-tempo rocker. Again, I may be showing my personal musical prejudices, but the song benefits from this sort of treatment.
Whatever you may think of the musical style and interpretation, and this goes for all Pickering Pick material, what stands out is the quality of the lyrics. A great deal of thought has gone into the words and how they contribute to the music. The lyrics are without doubt Sam’s greatest strength for each one of them is capable of painting a vivid picture in the mind of the listener, instantly transporting the listener to the position of the lyrical protagonist. It is perhaps for this reason that the strongest songs on the album – indeed in all Pickering Pick material – is when Sam sings in the first person, when the lyrics are about “I”. That is when the music is at its deepest and most intense. That is when it is at its most poignant.
In spite of the accolades received on RYM, Sam feels that promoting his music further, say a record deal, is not for him. I can appreciate the more important calls on one’s time such as family and understand how exposure of his work to RYM members has brought a wider audience than perhaps a commercial deal might. I still feel that Sam’s work deserves to be heard by more people. If Sam doesn’t mind, quite a few people in south east and east London will be getting copies of the CD from me to ensure that I do what I can to promote a wider hearing and appreciation of his music. |
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BradL
CD-R
[Rating6226815]
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You may recall that when this album was first released on Asylum in 1973, critics raved over its sun-drenched country rock/Laurel Canyon singer-songwriter sound. Rolling Stone said that while "Pick has lost some of the intimacy of his more folkish debut, he's gained in power and intensity. And songs as good as "Emily Still Hangs in My Head" don't grow on trees". The record sold millions, of course, cementing Pick's reputation as the new king of California rock (further enhanced by a dalliance with Joni Mitchell). Jackson Browne was quoted as saying it was the record that spurred him to produce For Everyman, and as for The Eagles, well, they just gave up. I'll always remember seeing Pick live in 1974, when he joined CSN as a replacement for Neil Young ...
Well, no, that's not quite how it happened. But, damn it, it should have been. |
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tezza
Digital
[Rating4240632]
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This is a fine country-rock album. The vocal sounds a lot like another artist I've heard but I can't think for the life of me who exactly. Anyway, that's beside the point. The singing is good, the backing band is also good and the tunes have interesting lyrics and hooks.
And it's freely downloadable right here at RYM! Honestly, it's as good as much of the major label stuff of a similar genre out there. Have a listen.
All credit to the artist for sharing this with the rest of us!
Favourite tracks are "She Comes", "Union Blues", "Been a Long Time" and the rocking "When I get down to Charleston". |
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Jock
[Rating2125140]
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Another bloody wonderful album. |
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Kevvy
The Top Tier, The Hall of Fame
CD-R
[Rating857501]
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Bloody Impressive.
_Mission Hill_ will sweep you up with its honesty and harmony right away, and then reveal a new level of depth with subsequent listens. I'm so convinced by the talents of Pickering Pick that I gladly rate Mission Hill as high as a lot of the juggernauts in my collection, from Tom Waits to Elvis Costello.
Pickering Pick possesses a poetic touch that is very Dylanesque (circa the early 60s and also the early to mid 70s) and the gift melody like that of a Lyle Lovett, Richard Thompson, or Gram Parson (very good company, but deservingly so).
_Mission Hill_ is a reassurance that talent, passion, and gathering of great musicians - not gimmicks, gloss, and self-promotion - are the ingredients for a great album. Sounds simple, but most of the music world today is missing the point.
Personal Favourite Song: "Been A Long Time" and "Baby, Don't Lie So Still" (a tie - so hard to pick a clear-cut favourite on an album where all 8 tracks are very strong and unique). |
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cravenmonket
CD
[Rating77078]
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Mission Hill explores the genre of late 60s / early 70s country-rock, of the kind which came out of Laurel Canyon care of Neil Young, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and out of the east coast from the likes of James Taylor, The Band and Bob Dylan. Unlike The Attic Tapes, Mission Hill features a full band, including Hammond organist and pedal-steel guitar. The songs are more upbeat, livelier, and several musicians contribute to backing vocals. Recorded at FFG Studios in Gloucestershire, England in August 2001. Track listing is as follows:
She Comes
F.I.M.
Emily Still Hangs In My Head
Mission Hill Incident
Union Blues
Been A Long Time
When I Get Down To Charleston
Baby, Don't Lie So Still |
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rym
