Dali's Car-The Waking Hour

The Owl · #1 07-07-2006, 08:57 AM

Anyone here have this amazing little one-off disc from 1984 with Mick Karn (playing everything) and former Bauhaus singer Peter Murphy?

I just heard 2 tracks recently (one on a college station and one in a coffee shop of all places, good 'ol XM Satellite Radio I guess) and felt compelled to revisit this little art-rock gem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbxR8...Dali%27s%20Car

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP970...Dali%27s%20Car

I have to marvel at several things based on the 2 tracks I've heard:

1) Mick's sheer creativity in using layered fretless parts, totally unique sound (that good 'ol Wal!)

2) Very cool synth sounds that are less dated than most stuff from that time. The keyboards seem to have a very pronounced Turkish/Arabic vibe going which I love.

3) Peter Murphy's vocals here are far more textured and melodic, as opposed to his yowling, screaming and faux-Dracula mannerisms with Bauhaus.

4) Very interesting rhythmic patterns

The one thing I'd give it minus points for is the rather dated sounding drum machines.

Any comments or thoughts?

Is it available in CD form?

glaive · #2 07-07-2006, 09:05 AM

I bought that recording when it came out in 1984. I love it now, and I loved it then. Karn plays a fretless Wal bass, and his parts are amazing. The dated drum sounds are, well, dated, but the programming very clever.

You can get "The Waking Hour" on emusic.com (which is a really cool service):
http://www.emusic.com/album/10778/10778511.html

/Scott

glaive · #3 07-07-2006, 09:06 AM

(just subscribing to the thread ... i really wish this board had RSS)

BurningSkies · #4 07-07-2006, 12:37 PM

It is available as a UK CD, at least it used to be.

I happen to have the gatefold album as well as the 12 and 7. Oh, and a test pressing.

Dali's Car is one of the unsung goth/alt gems of that era!

glaive · #5 07-07-2006, 12:44 PM

It's hard to even categorize it, it's so leftfield. Especially right after "Burning From the Inside".

BurningSkies · #6 07-07-2006, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glaive

It's hard to even categorize it, it's so leftfield. Especially right after "Burning From the Inside".

True, but not a surprise really...Look at the L&R stuff from that era as well as any of the David J/Daniel Ash solo stuff. It's all pretty different from the Bauhaus era stuff.

I will say that the writing is a bit uneaven on the Dali's Car album...Peter Murphy was really just starting to get his legs under himself as an artist. Most of the really good Bauhaus stuff was written by David J. (Both music and lyrics).

gruffpuppy · #7 07-08-2006, 06:28 AM

Great disk! You know what goes great with this is Brian Eno's Another Green World with Percy Jones. Earlier than the Dali's Car but same smooth odd fretless

The Owl · #8 07-11-2006, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glaive

I bought that recording when it came out in 1984. I love it now, and I loved it then. Karn plays a fretless Wal bass, and his parts are amazing. The dated drum sounds are, well, dated, but the programming very clever.

You can get "The Waking Hour" on emusic.com (which is a really cool service):
http://www.emusic.com/album/10778/10778511.html

/Scott

Thanks for posting that link! e-music is a cool service indeed, I just signed up last night, and me first download? Of course, "Dali's Car"!

glaive · #9 07-11-2006, 10:47 AM

They have the entire 4AD catalog: Bauhaus, Dead Can Dance, Cocteau Twins ... pretty cool. Also zillions of Zappa releases. I'm in the process of collecting recordings of all the songs in the Real Book, and emusic has serves as a great resource for that.

nofrets5 · #10 07-12-2006, 06:11 PM

Yes!!! Other than the drum sounds, all great ! One of my wife and myselfs early bonding experiences: discovering a chick has that record, how cool is that !?

Would be a great time for another Karn/Murphy collaboration...well, after the hopeful new Bauhaus album.

BurningSkies · #11 07-13-2006, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nofrets5

Yes!!! Other than the drum sounds, all great ! One of my wife and myselfs early bonding experiences: discovering a chick has that record, how cool is that !?

Would be a great time for another Karn/Murphy collaboration...well, after the hopeful new Bauhaus album.

Most of the girls I've gone out with have this album...

Looking forward to the new Bauhaus album....I've got all the old LPs, singles, 12's and most variants. I even have a signed Bubblemen 12"

**tommyr01** · #12 07-13-2006, 04:30 PM

I love this Cd, I bought it in '84 and still listen to it today. Mick Karn is a major influence of mine

BurningSkies · #13 07-13-2006, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommyr01

I love this Cd, I bought it in '84 and still listen to it today. Mick Karn is a major influence of mine

You bought the CD in 84 ?!?!

Fuzzbass · #14 07-13-2006, 09:24 PM

I have it on CD. I've read a couple of reviews that say it's a self-indulgent ego battle between Karn and Murphy, but hell, most prog-rock is self-indulgent so I don't understand the criticism. Me, I think it's way cool.

glaive · #15 07-13-2006, 09:24 PM

We're ooooold.

The Owl · #16 07-14-2006, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzzbass

I have it on CD. I've read a couple of reviews that say it's a self-indulgent ego battle between Karn and Murphy, but hell, most prog-rock is self-indulgent so I don't understand the criticism. Me, I think it's way cool.

I downloaded this from e-music and it has really grown on me a ton! Mick Karn is one very creative and unique musician for sure, he may not know all the technical mumbo-jumbo and nomeclature etc or even read music but he is one very natural and honest musician that isn't afraid to take some MAJOR creative risks, and that earns MEGA bonus points in my book. I'll take that over some technique/speed wanker any day of the week.