The other day I found myself in- of all the increasingly rare things in British towns- a record shop.
I was browsing the CDs and saw a copy of Marquee Moon, the early 2000s reissue, and I bought it just because it was new and £7. I used to have a vinyl copy (early 90s pressing) and the sound was always fairly indifferent to my ears- quite tinny and sibilant (and no, although I haven't got the world's best record player, it's perfectly okay for most LPs).
What a great record. And so nice to hear it sound great. And an extra treat is the version of Marquee Moon the title track on the CD- rather than fading out after the first verse of the restart- as I understand the original vinyl did and my old version certainly did- with this you get a 'proper ending'.
Another positive of the CD version: On the title track I was aware for the first time of the very subtle piano chords played on the bridge and chorus, which meld beautifully with the guitars, and perfectly show what a clever so and so old Tom Verlaine is- such a great ear for chords and harmony.
In fact, I enjoyed listening to it afresh so much that I even went online and looked at Jazzmasters on retailer's websites- only for a few minutes, but the record is that powerful it made me entertain having one of those things for a some passing moments.
Actually I jest a bit, but I think I'm right in saying the solo sound on Marquee Moon is Verlaine's Jazzmaster with both pickups on- but I defer to the experts on this.
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Incidentally, I recently had a blinding flash of inspiration about that band - they're called Television after the lead man's initials.
Tom Verlaine = TV = Television.
Only took me 40 years.
Tell you what, though, it proves you need to get up pretty fucking early to get something past me...
I mean, they should know, but I had a mongrel 60s Jazzmaster once, and the middle position on the pickup selector sounded exactly like the opening guitar part.
Don't talk politics and don't throw stones. Your royal highnesses.
Amazing to think that the song Marquee Moon itself was just a run-through, they didn't even realise it was being recorded.
By the same token, Elevation has to be up there as the greatest side 2 opening track ever. It's so perfect, magically off-kilter, and very nearly my favorite Television song.
My favourite guitar band ever.
Oh to have been a youth buying this on vinyl back in the late 70s. I'd have worn the grooves out on it.
New York must have seemed otherworldly back then for UK music fans.
For me it's Venus - side one track 2. Stunning.
The whole band are on point - the guitars are interweaving, clean lines - as far from the usual blues type playing as you can get.
Mention this band to youngsters today and they wouldn't have a clue what you were on about - the Strokes Is This It is the nearest modern equivalent to it that I can think of (and the impact that it had).
I remember listening to it on headphones every Saturday for a month at the record shop after the stellar NME review (by Nick Kent?) and not knowing what to make of it, until a mate got fed up of waiting for me and told me to just buy it. So I did and haven't stopped loving it. A complete original and opened my ears to so many possibilities.
Anyone Can Play Guitar and Eric Haugen have both done YouTube videos breaking down how to play various Television songs and solos which are really clear and instructive if you are interested