You loved your nostalgic journey through discovering Robert Wyatt's Rock Bottom. Your reflections on the dreamy, watery soundscape and the intimate lyrics of Sea Song were captivating. The personal anecdotes about Robin’s recommendations added a wonderful touch, too. Thank you for posting this.
Thank you, Jon, I'm glad you liked it. It was nice to remember an important figure from my youth. Here's to all the record sellers and their sometimes transformative recommendations!
A fascinating deep dive into what is clearly a much adored album and one that has brought great enjoyment to your life over the years, Richard. I am not familiar with it; I only own a couple Soft Machine records, and I have a CD-R that a friend burned me of Matching Mole's 'Little Red Record.' You have, however, inspired me to seek 'Rock Bottom' out. The songs you link vaguely brought to mind the great Steve Mason's recent solo work.
Enjoy Portugal! We went there in 2002 and loved it.
Thanks, Michael. Yes, a much-loved record, and one that I sometimes take it for granted that others know. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. I also recommend later albums such as Shleep, Cuckooland and Comicopera.
I'm glad I was able to put the finishing touches to this in Portugal. Outside of the UK, this particular part of Portugal is the coastal area I've spent the most time at over the years and it felt apt to write about the album here.
Thanks for the deep dive Richard. I lacked the patience to let Wyatt's music in when first exposed to him around the same time as you (probably early 80's), not helped I'm sure by my suspicion of prog in general. In listening to the videos embedded in your piece I found again the places where his music tripped me up, fascinating to remember my biases so clearly. Also, it is clearly time for me to give Rock Bottom a renewed listen through much older (though perhaps not much wiser) ears.
Thanks James. I can understand that. I’m not sure I’d have stuck with him if the sublime melody of ‘Sea Song’ hadn’t dragged me in, but once it did I found I was in for the long haul.
You loved your nostalgic journey through discovering Robert Wyatt's Rock Bottom. Your reflections on the dreamy, watery soundscape and the intimate lyrics of Sea Song were captivating. The personal anecdotes about Robin’s recommendations added a wonderful touch, too. Thank you for posting this.
Thank you, Jon, I'm glad you liked it. It was nice to remember an important figure from my youth. Here's to all the record sellers and their sometimes transformative recommendations!
Brilliant stuff 👏 Tough to do justice to such an incredible album but you really have
Thanks, Steve. It *is* an incredible album, isn't it? Like nothing else I know really, even in RW's discography.
Totally agree!
A fascinating deep dive into what is clearly a much adored album and one that has brought great enjoyment to your life over the years, Richard. I am not familiar with it; I only own a couple Soft Machine records, and I have a CD-R that a friend burned me of Matching Mole's 'Little Red Record.' You have, however, inspired me to seek 'Rock Bottom' out. The songs you link vaguely brought to mind the great Steve Mason's recent solo work.
Enjoy Portugal! We went there in 2002 and loved it.
Thanks, Michael. Yes, a much-loved record, and one that I sometimes take it for granted that others know. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. I also recommend later albums such as Shleep, Cuckooland and Comicopera.
I'm glad I was able to put the finishing touches to this in Portugal. Outside of the UK, this particular part of Portugal is the coastal area I've spent the most time at over the years and it felt apt to write about the album here.
Thanks for the deep dive Richard. I lacked the patience to let Wyatt's music in when first exposed to him around the same time as you (probably early 80's), not helped I'm sure by my suspicion of prog in general. In listening to the videos embedded in your piece I found again the places where his music tripped me up, fascinating to remember my biases so clearly. Also, it is clearly time for me to give Rock Bottom a renewed listen through much older (though perhaps not much wiser) ears.
Thanks James. I can understand that. I’m not sure I’d have stuck with him if the sublime melody of ‘Sea Song’ hadn’t dragged me in, but once it did I found I was in for the long haul.
Thanks for sharing. Well done, Richard. I need to find Rock Bottom on vinyl again. And Matching Mole, too.