>A chick into Hammill.....impressive

>Tracy_Barber@frontiernet.net wrote:

>> Leaving politics alone and getting back to music, I started to listen
>> to this album again - for the umpteenth time - and have decided it is
>> one of the best Hammill has done and is one of my favorites.
>>
>> Not to be outdone by Raja and his descriptive lists, I have to say
>> this collection of live songs is some of the most emotional material
>> that I've heard by Hammill. Let it suffice to say, I have about 90%%
>> of his works.
>>
>> Blemishes, zits and faux pas all, like off note and other issues on
>> "Our Oyster", his voice holds the stage and the crowd with ease. He
>> seems to be in his prime here, shifting between the soft and the
>> overbearing range of volume he tends to produce. This is a mature
>> Hammill, in his home habitat.
>>
>> Accompanied by Nic Potter on bass and Graham Smith on violin, this is
>> an oft powerful pseudo-acoustic setting that at times drills right
>> through you with Smith's slashes and Potter's growling / thumping bass
>> lines. Hammill alternates between keyboards and guitar, as per his
>> usual solo performances.
>>
>> Some have mentioned the cheesy sounds he plays on the keyboards, but
>> this was 1990 and the dawn of digital synths were upon us. Why carry
>> a full Steinway when you can have a shoulder bag keyboard? That may
>> have taken away some of the dynamics and maybe he was also somewhat
>> new to the devices. Smith lets out snarls, squiggles, humor and
>> sometimes intensely provocative, haunting lines on violin. He is not
>> just a backup player, but melds into the mix nicely. Potter, although
>> absent on some songs, is restrained - but to the point, like a needed
>> condiment to the dinner Hammill serves up.
>>
>> This album captures many of the better known songs live, such as
>> "Traintime", "Modern", "If I Could". Ysabel's Dance is truly
>> haunting. He also tosses in some of his newer material, such as
>> "Skin", After The Show", "A Way Out" and one of my favorites "Happy
>> Hour" that truly dumps a kegger on the heads of those who partake.
>>
>> I know I have mentioned my fondness for Hammill's lyrics. Some
>> posters here and in other newsgroups poo-hoo this and state it's just
>> pretentious slush. Oh well... An old friend / prog-rock (successful)
>> musician told me once that he thought Hammill was the "Shakespeare" of
>> rock. Another poo-hoo probably at this comment as well. I most
>> certainly do not know many other writers of his talent. I'm not
>> talking pop songs that make a million $, but rather songs that have a
>> feel, make a statement and are more than a record contract to fulfill.
>>
>> If those who haven't heard Room Temperature Live, if may be a way into
>> the Hammill / Van Der Graaf area. If you're looking for rocking, kick
>> ass arena rock, you won't find it here. If you're looking for techno
>> babble, symphonic rock or legendary blues harp, you're in the wrong
>> room. Leave your disco shoes at home.
>>
>> If, however, you may be looking for something to make you think
>> outside the box, listen to this for a change in your musical diet. The
>> lyrics are as important as the musical theme...