Search - Beck :: Stray Blues: B Side Collection

GREAT MATERIAL!

jbembe | Ann Arbor, MI United States | 02/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Somebody without alot of sense took this CD back to the used CD shop. One persons waste is anothers gain, and in this case I was quite excited to get this CD for relatively cheap. I don't know how long it will take you to find every single release to get all of these MISC B sides, but one way or another I HIGHLY recommend you finding these songs. Beck borrows a line from Johnny Cash on Halo of Gold, which I am deeply impressed with. In fact, seeming as how Cash plays the Beck song Rowboat on Unchained, it looks like Beck returns the cover-your-song favor by recreating "I Walk The Line." Almost unfamiliar in Beck's hands, it is actually an instant classic, as the steel guitar (I think) twangs in the background as Beck belts out "because your mine I walk the line." The out of place drum sample that breaks through at the end of the song, initially seeming very random to me, is actually a sample of the signature boomchickaboom sound Cash founded his career on, and emphasizes the very obscure way Beck references "I Walk The Line" in this song. Indeed, the major part of the song has little to do with the original. "Halo of Gold" transforms "I Walk The Line" into a modern day version complete with new story line and drama, and captures quintessential Beck- profound knowledge of music history, and a huge capacity to borrow, sample and recreate sounds into something completely his. I also really like Burro, an absolute requisite hear for any fan, the greatness of this song is immediately apparent, especially for fans of the odelay album. (When my brother and I saw Beck unplugged last summer at a small venue, we drove up windows down blaring Burro for good effect.) I have "Electric Music and Summer People" on another single, but this is a different version and quite cool. Totally confused is straight off the Mutations/Seachange vibe and is an excellent song. My Brother really gets into "Brother," although I don't find it quite as stimulating but still very good. "Lemonade" is lo-fi rock that I never quite get into, but this is among the least annoying of Beck's. "Clock" is sheer groove that you'd wanna jam if you had a low rider with hydraulics! "Feather in Your Cap" feels like "Brother" somewhat, but is more acoustic and really captures the "Blues" part of the title. If you enjoy beck albums, take the time to get his singles. I have accumulated 2+ hours of Beck music, a large percentage not just remixes, not on any of the albums. "Halo of Gold" may be his absolute best song for me right now, although I couldn't possibly say that when "Nicotine and Gravy" is still out there! Since I got this stuff pretty recent, its like Beck just came out with two new great albums, Sea Change and MISC B Sides. Don't waste any effort finding these songs, then, Enjoy!"

Halo of Souled

James-tastic | Oklahoma | 04/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hey dudes. Halo of Gold, despite containing lyrics from I Walk the Line is actually a cover of the Skip Spence song. Meow."

All great songs if you don't have them.

DVR | Morris Twp., NJ | 11/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many of these you may already have...but if you don't you should pick this up! "Halo of Gold" and "Feather in Your Cap" are both great tunes! Some of these are as good or better than those available as A-sides."