A great episode for a great record, Mark! I caught the Femmes live here in CT a few times back in the day, and also when they did the anniversary tour of the debut LP a short while ago. Excellent song by song review. Well done 😎🎶
Great video as always Mark! I also love hallowed ground. I have to say though it has been a long time since I thought about this album. I do not have Violent Femmes in my collection so unfortunately out of sight out of mind. Unaware of the Christian connection on the Femmes, I think that is great. I really need to add this record to my collection. Your vocal renditions were something to revel in.
Thanks, Shawn! If you do end up listening to the album again, don't be disappointed if the vocals don't compare to my renditions. I am wildly talented and their versions are bound to sound a little worse!
I'm not familiar with the band (other than 'Blister..') but I am familiar w/Zorn. He is a true Master of the alto sax. I have several of his CDs of his many band projects and I've also seen him play live a few times in NYC. Another fun watch. I like to learn about bands/albums I've never heard before and, especially, from people who love them. 👍🏻
@MarkMorris-1962 Nice! Yeah, Zorn can play real smooth, classy jazz when he wants but his forte is making it sound like a goose whose neck is being stepped on. Music is food for the soul and like any dish, I'll try it out. Thanks!
I’ve never heard the Lou Reed comparison. Thanks for the shout-out. Darn! You sang I Hear the Rain. I was gonna do that as a follow up!!!! Great minds…great video!!!!
Thanks, David. I started questioning myself on the Lou Reed comparison, but if you Google Gordon Gano vs Lou Reed, you'll see it was/is a real thing. When we do our livestream, we should do a live version of I Hear the Rain!
Nice video Mark. I haven’t listened to that album in a long time but yes indeed it’s a good one. I think I told you my VF story playing on a bill with them. I won’t bore you with the gory details again but it’s somewhat hilarious and awful at the same time which I guess is appropriate. I recently had the gig poster framed. It was Oct 5 of 83 @Chateau Lounge Albany NY. Funny, it isn’t found on setlist fm or any of the other archives. Like the time Jeffery Lee Pierce and The Gun Club played at the Chateau (another hilarious story for a totally different reason).
You always have great stories! I saw VF sometime in the early 80s at a small venue in Iowa City, IA. It was a fun show, but the PA blew out towards the end, and Gano sang without amplification for a song or two. It was kind of impressive!
I never gave this album a full listen before, but it sounds fantastic. I could easily go a million years without hearing "Blister in the Sun" again, but the snippets you shared are excellent. Thanks for the deep dive!
Hi Mark, I love this one too! I have never heard anyone compare the Femmes with Lou l, until now 🙂I always thought that John Zorn was a wild choice for this album, but it works. I'm going to listen to it again, 'cause it's been a while 👏👏
I remember when their first album came out, I would hear comparisons of Gano sounding like Reed. I remember when the record store "cool guy" made the comment, I was irritated. It sounded like he was saying it as a criticism, as if I was a fool to even purchase the album. Of course, I was sort of sensitive back then and I might have misinterpreted everything! John Zorn turned out to be a great addition!
I suppose it's been mentioned before, but this album would be a great example of Southern Gothic expressed in their old country alt-rock styles. Some of the lyrical content is reminiscent of the beautiful, stark and brutal prose of the enigmatic Flannery O'Connor.
A great episode for a great record, Mark! I caught the Femmes live here in CT a few times back in the day, and also when they did the anniversary tour of the debut LP a short while ago. Excellent song by song review. Well done 😎🎶
Thanks, Ed! I saw VF back in the day, too. It was a memorable performance!
An absolute classic 👌
Agreed!
Good call! One of my favorite albums, as well.
You obviously have great taste, Tom! Thanks for dropping by.
Great video as always Mark! I also love hallowed ground. I have to say though it has been a long time since I thought about this album. I do not have Violent Femmes in my collection so unfortunately out of sight out of mind. Unaware of the Christian connection on the Femmes, I think that is great. I really need to add this record to my collection. Your vocal renditions were something to revel in.
Thanks, Shawn! If you do end up listening to the album again, don't be disappointed if the vocals don't compare to my renditions. I am wildly talented and their versions are bound to sound a little worse!
I have the first S/T. Never listened to Hallowed Ground, I need to seek out a copy.
I think you'd like it!
I'm not familiar with the band (other than 'Blister..') but I am familiar w/Zorn. He is a true Master of the alto sax.
I have several of his CDs of his many band projects and I've also seen him play live a few times in NYC.
Another fun watch. I like to learn about bands/albums I've never heard before and, especially, from people who love them. 👍🏻
I should have guessed you'd be a Zorn fan, Kyle! I bet you'd love this record.
@MarkMorris-1962 Nice! Yeah, Zorn can play real smooth, classy jazz when he wants but his forte is making it sound like a goose whose neck is being stepped on. Music is food for the soul and like any dish, I'll try it out. Thanks!
I’ve never heard the Lou Reed comparison. Thanks for the shout-out. Darn! You sang I Hear the Rain. I was gonna do that as a follow up!!!! Great minds…great video!!!!
Thanks, David. I started questioning myself on the Lou Reed comparison, but if you Google Gordon Gano vs Lou Reed, you'll see it was/is a real thing. When we do our livestream, we should do a live version of I Hear the Rain!
@@MarkMorris-1962we should!! I was going to record myself three times and have myself pop in for each verse.
Nice video Mark. I haven’t listened to that album in a long time but yes indeed it’s a good one. I think I told you my VF story playing on a bill with them. I won’t bore you with the gory details again but it’s somewhat hilarious and awful at the same time which I guess is appropriate. I recently had the gig poster framed. It was Oct 5 of 83 @Chateau Lounge Albany NY. Funny, it isn’t found on setlist fm or any of the other archives. Like the time Jeffery Lee Pierce and The Gun Club played at the Chateau (another hilarious story for a totally different reason).
You always have great stories! I saw VF sometime in the early 80s at a small venue in Iowa City, IA. It was a fun show, but the PA blew out towards the end, and Gano sang without amplification for a song or two. It was kind of impressive!
I never gave this album a full listen before, but it sounds fantastic. I could easily go a million years without hearing "Blister in the Sun" again, but the snippets you shared are excellent. Thanks for the deep dive!
I think you would like this, Stephanie! That pop feel is practically stripped from this album.
Hi Mark, I love this one too! I have never heard anyone compare the Femmes with Lou l, until now 🙂I always thought that John Zorn was a wild choice for this album, but it works. I'm going to listen to it again, 'cause it's been a while 👏👏
I remember when their first album came out, I would hear comparisons of Gano sounding like Reed. I remember when the record store "cool guy" made the comment, I was irritated. It sounded like he was saying it as a criticism, as if I was a fool to even purchase the album. Of course, I was sort of sensitive back then and I might have misinterpreted everything! John Zorn turned out to be a great addition!
I suppose it's been mentioned before, but this album would be a great example of Southern Gothic expressed in their old country alt-rock styles.
Some of the lyrical content is reminiscent of the beautiful, stark and brutal prose of the enigmatic Flannery O'Connor.
Excellent observations! I love Flannery O'Connor and I can see the similarities.
Isn't the first album called " smell of female " ?
Nope , that's a Cramps album...