[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Beautiful Noise
Re: Velvet Gloves and Spit album.
I believe I read once that the name of the album came from a descriptive
of Neil's music in an news article. The reporter stated that Neil's shy
demeanor and soft speaking voice were "kid gloves" until he opened his
mouth to sing. Then he "spit" out lyrics that related deep thought and
emotion.
If you recall, Neil uses the phrase "like a hand in a glove" in his
"Beautiful Noise" song, referring to it as comfort.
"Velvet Gloves and Spit" isn't my favorite set of songs. I don't like
several of the songs. I do like "Two-Bit Manchild." Like all of Neil's
songs, there is a part of him written into them. I feel this one yields
feelings prior to his first divorce. There's a lot of reference to
immaturity and dissatisfaction, especially the phrase "...you can't
change me."
I like "Brooklyn Roads" and "Shiloh" paired on this album.
"Holiday Inn Blues" is a "side B" favorite of mine. I can see Neil
writing this song in the early hours after a gig, staring out on the
parking lot of yet another motel/hotel.
"Practically Newborn" is very revealing. I don't know the history on
this song, but I wonder if this song depicts his early relationship with
Marcia. Perhaps he is experiencing freedom from relationships, personal
and business. Even the tempo is exciting and titilating. The song title
states his emotional state.
The first time I heard "Knackelflerg" I thought of Neil's father and
stories about his pantomines at parties and get-togethers. Apparently,
Kieve did a pretty good Carmen Miranda act. Neil's song reminds me of
those old party records from the 1940s and 1950s.