Craig Terris has just released his first solo album Bleat Your Heart Out. The Craig Terris Group (Terris with Jeremy Taylor, Benjamin Cole and Andrew Bain) will be performing alongside Goodshirt and The Bads in Auckland at Paddington live this Saturday, December 8. Craig has also played drums for loads of solo artists and bands. Here are five albums he’s loving right now…
1 – Dr John, Locked Down: I’ve actually had to take a break from listening to this recently, but I was thrashing the pants off it for a while there. Mac is a true Alchemist. One of the groovinest bands I’ve ever heard assembled anywhere on anything. This record will be on lots of best of 2012 lists.
2 – Xavier Cugat, Xavier Cugat with Dinah Shore: Pretty much the best almost-anytime with-anyone music. These recordings have a massive depth to them. Amazing musicians and killer arrangements. Makes me want to listen to more music from the 40s. Plus this record features a great version of Misirlou, which most people will know from the Pulp Fiction soundtrack as Dick Dale does his version of it there, this version pre dates that one by a decade or so maybe two (not sure exactly) Anyway, it’s bloody tops.
3 – Bo Diddley, Hey Bo Diddley: I have always dug the Bo Diddley sound but recently I’ve been completely absorbed by this collection. There are a lot of things to love about old Chess artists and recordings but the thing that stands out to me about these songs is how great his voice is and how he doesn’t pussyfoot around the melody, he hits it real strong. It’s gutsy as hell. It’s all guts really. Also, if you’re stuck on putting the same old shaker/maraca patterns on a song this collection will inspire you to do something cool and interesting, Jerome Green is the maraca master and such a massive part of the Diddley sound.
4 – Dennis Wilson, Pacific Ocean Blue: I am pretty much always listening to this album. A good mate turned me on to it some years back. The best thing done by any Beach Boy ever. Not just because it’s more obscure than Pet Sounds but because it’s groovier, grittier more heartfelt and way more intense. Even though he was completely self destructive it’s not all doom and gloom here, often at points uplifting even. This was made over a period of a few years and has most of the Wrecking Crew playing on it (Hal Blaine shares drum duties with Wilson). If you don’t own this album then run to the record store immediately and purchase it.
5 – Kurt Vile, Smoke Ring For My Halo: This album is trending pretty hard so I resisted all temptations to listen to it for a while despite multiple recommendations from trustworthy pals. I was a fool. Believe the hype. This is a really great album. His voice reminds me a bit of Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, David Kilgour even a bit of J Mascis and even some Alister Parker in there too at points. Not always so much in the tone of his voice but in the cool delivery and lazy phrasing styles. This record is super laid back whilst remaining pretty rocking at the same time, perhaps because he’s not scared of the occasional classic rock influence. Killer guitar playing with some interesting tunings and a great mix of lo-fi/hi-fi production sounds. Going to listen again now.