Graham Gouldman is a musical hero of mine and I am completely over the moon that I will finally get to see 10cc in a few weeks, or what Gouldman is calling 10cc in 2024. He does have two of his 70's touring guys with him, Ric Fenn and Paul Burgess, and since I never got the chance to see the original four, I'll take this, happily.
Gouldman has just released a new solo record called "I Have Notes" and it features some of his heavy friends making a few guest appearances, including Ringo Starr on "Couldn't Love You More," not the John Martyn tune, Hank Marvin, Brian May on the first single "Floating In Heaven," Albert Lee and of course, Beth Nielsen Chapman on a Christmas duet!
Gouldman sounds terrific. But there is something not right with the record. "I Have Notes" plays less like a coherent set of tunes and more like a publishing company sampler trying to sell Gouldman's songwriting ability. There is a country song, a pop tune, a reggae tune, a ballad, and smack dab in the middle of it all, the aforementioned yuletide ditty. There is even a live version of "Heart Full Of Soul" featuring Brian May, Simon Phillips and of course, Bumbelfoot, to close things out.
The good news is that Graham Gouldman knows better than most how to craft a song, so most of what is here is very listenable. As a matter of fact, if I was an A&R guy, I'd take almost all of these songs and hand them out to a number of current pop stars who could probably take them to top of the charts before Gouldman himself. "I Have Notes" sounds like it is full of huge hits...for other people. But as a 10cc fan, these arrangements
feel a long way from what I would have wanted or expected. Still, there were a number of pleasant enough moments that will make me go back for another try. It is Graham Gouldman, for Pete's sake.
7 comments:
The two tracks are alright, but the rhythm patterns are a bit dull. Maybe they will grow on me.
The upcoming (November) 10cc show here sold out already, so they've added a second show. This new one is seated, so 600 capacity. Not sure if the first show is standing or seated (1050 if standing). Clearly there are some fans out there.
As for cover versions like RT's great take on Oops..., try Robert Forster - Alone. Heart did the original.
- Paul in DK
One of my all time musical heroes. Can't wait to hear this.
Terrific...has a bit of the Travelling Wilburys vide, but great to hear Graham again!
And your shout out to John mArtyn sent me on a YouTube/Apple Music revist of that great mans work (and there is a LOT of great work)...thanks foir the reminder!!!
Wait - "Don't Tell Lies" sounds WAY better than I was expecting.
(Sorry if that sounds like a backhanded compliment)
Reminds me of a mix of latter day ELO mixed with Emmitt Rhodes, plus a bit of someone you featured here who has become one of my favorites, P. Hux.
And shit, what a cool song, lyrically ! Some might find the lyrics over-obvious, but I don't. They roll by like a life mantra.
p.s. I think Orange Fiend needs to hear this song, and abide.
The nod to 'Blackbird' at the onset of 'Couldn't Love You More' was presumably a nod to his drummer for the song, tho it may've been more appropriate to borrow the intro to Ringo's own number later on side 2 of the White Album (and is that 'ooooo-ooo-ooo-ooo' at 1:32 not a lift from 'Because'?). The drumming itself, and actually the slide guit here and there, do definitely recall a Jeff Lynn production, as noted above.
I liked 'Don't Tell Lies' best.
C in California
For more of 40 years, I'm waiting for 10cc etc to play in France ! Thanks for this post and Let's Go England this evening !!
Alain (Bretagne)
Really like these songs, but they could use a little umpf!
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