tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660808341284783109.post2854816880323953057..comments2024-03-02T07:40:22.786+03:00Comments on Only Solitaire blog: The Band: CahootsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660808341284783109.post-90770121236409734312012-11-17T18:20:00.935+04:002012-11-17T18:20:00.935+04:00They did do Smoke Signal live around the time of t...They did do Smoke Signal live around the time of their live album. It worked pretty well as a live song.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660808341284783109.post-57846705073457110442012-11-15T04:36:33.430+04:002012-11-15T04:36:33.430+04:00Byrdmaniax suffers from less-than-stellar arrangem...Byrdmaniax suffers from less-than-stellar arrangements and production as well, but your assessment is correct: They're both good "lazy summer day" albums.JimmADerbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13331334978761537408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660808341284783109.post-26954995901346637802012-11-15T00:04:09.811+04:002012-11-15T00:04:09.811+04:00This album and "Byrdmaniax" by the Byrds...This album and "Byrdmaniax" by the Byrds are twins of a sort. Both represent their respective makers at an all time inspirational low, but succeed in the end, thanks to the years of craft and experience that their makers have accumulated. Neither "Cahoots" or "Byrdmaniax" are ever going to top anyone's list, but are good, solid, "relaxing" experiences for confirmed fans who get the occasional urge for some "B-side" music from professionals they can trust. So, a solid "average" rating from me. Malxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17260547693221778146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660808341284783109.post-81680753944462852742012-11-14T19:33:57.581+04:002012-11-14T19:33:57.581+04:00I am a unreasonably huge Van Fan, but I can't ...I am a unreasonably huge Van Fan, but I can't say I favour "4% Pantomine" very much. For one thing, the vocals are badly produced (just like with the rest of the album), second Van has never been at his strongest on bluesy tunes, and third; Van might often have been unconcerned with convential song structures, but that doesn't mean he just threw a bunch of instrumental tracks out there without bothering to make sure each one actually contributed something to the song, which is pretty much what is happening here. <br />Compare with Van's own "Moonshine Whiskey" from the same year, a song which, in terms of lyrics and mood could have fit in on this album with no trouble. The song has no decent structure at all, but the slide guitars, piano, brass, backing vocals, etc. are all exquisitely balanced. Just listen to how the slide guitar dissapears when it isn't needed, rises to the front of the mix when it really has something to contribute, and adds moody background during the slow sections. These are the kind of subtleties that The Band knew well how to exploit on say, "Caledonia Mission", but not here. Anton Jnoreply@blogger.com