Sounds on Sunday 43

An original arrangement of a broadside about the politician Plimsoll who, in the 1800s, canvassed for better safety on cargo ships where owners were sending sailors off to their deaths to cash in on insurance.

From the source book, A Ballad History Of England (Palmer, 1979):
"The name of Samuel Plimsoll (1824-98) is a household word both because of the shoes called after him and the markings on ships to indicate safe levels of loading. As MP for Derby from 1868 to 1880 he was an ardent social reformer, the most famous of his campaigns being for safety at sea. His main target was 'coffin ships', overloaded and unseaworthy vessels which were heavily insured so that when they were lost at sea, as frequently happened, the ship owners made a considerable profit. Having failed in an attempt to introduce a parliamentary bill on the problem, Plimsoll proceeded to write his famous appeal to the nation, Our Season (1873), which helped to bring about a Royal Commission of Inquiry. The commission's recommendations were, however, ineffectual. In 1875 Plimsoll again put forward his own bill. Rather than accept it the government, led by Disraeli, who was hostile towards Plimsoll, proposed an inadequate substitute of its own. Plimsoll's fury led to a famous scene in the House of Commons, when he called some of the members villains. The ensuing storm, and the great wave public support for Plimsoll, at last caused the government to give way. Plimsoll's temporary Unseaworthy Ships Act became law in August 1875, and his Merchant Shipping Act of the following year permanently embodied the Plimsoll Line in English Law."

Plimsoll

Bad Woman

The Pulltops are a power trio turned dynamic duo with a singing drummer celebrating their 15th anniversary. Their music is best described as energetic Power Pop meets Album Rock. They were formed in Milwaukee in 2002 with the release of their first and more up-beat Power-Pop focused CD, “8-Track”. Since then, they have added in Classic Rock and Album Rock elements along with instrumental experimentation resulting in a mix of hooks and moody rock.

While live bassist Steve Kerwin lends a hand on two of the tracks on this new studio release, the remainder of the instruments and production fall squarely on the shoulders of long-time musical partners Mark Pierret and Tom Crowell. Their 2017 EP shows growth in the diversity of their writing and production style, all the while keeping the core elements of Power Pop hooks in tow.

The opening track, “Poison The Well”, brings back of the 60’s Soul influence found on their first release. The addition of horns and organ, along with the four-on-the-floor rhythm section give it that nostalgic feel, yet they still keep the energy of modern rock driving the song along.

“Closer” leans more toward their album rock influence, with atmospheric delay-textured guitars that build and then fall into delicate string breaks. It’s a powerful landscape with contrasting quiet moments.

“When I Was Young” is the straight-forward rock track on the album. Powerful guitars, alternating vocal leads, and a searing guitar solo over a power-house rhythm section adds weight to the EP.

By contrast, “Even” sets a softer tone. Simple, clean and repetitive guitars lay down a foundation for a more delicate vocal delivery. The song then opens up into a more theatrical production with timpani, strings, and orchestrated guitar work ending the song in a sonic climax.

The EP closes with an updated arrangement of the When In Rome 80’s classic, “The Promise”. Synth is replaced with guitar textures, and the song is given a drive that is characteristic of The Pulltops sound.

There are a lot of musical ideas condensed into this well produced 18 minute package that will leave any listener satisfied.

By Accident Or Design

When I Was Young

Figures Bathed In Light

Paclew

Apple Music

Moxi - Paclew

In anticipation of my new album I am making this record available on Soundcloud. I hope you like it! It's a mixed bag so if you don't like a song... just forward to the next!

1 Smooth Sailing

BaAka women singing yeyi. Recorded by Louis Sarno in the Central African Republic, 7th April 1993. The Louis Sarno collection of more than 1000 hours of recordings of BaAka music and soundscapes from the Central African Republic and Northern Congo is curated by the Pitt Rivers Museum, together with thousands of fieldwork images.

The Louis Sarno Collection

http://web.prm.ox.ac.uk/reel2real/index.php/collections-sarno

Reel to Real project website and blog

http://web.prm.ox.ac.uk/reel2real/
http://pittrivers-sound.blogspot.com

Plimsoll

The Bara Bara Band

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