Larry Levan used to play records (or parts of records) backwards at the Paradise Garage in New York. I was once shown the technique he used. It involved balancing and weighting the record on a paper cup and playing the underside by turning the cartridge head upside down.
Did this influence The Clash's decision to have a backwards track on Sandinista? Probably not. But I do think Mensforth Hill kind of works. It feels very much part of the album to me.
I expect it's a nod to The Beatles "Revolution No.9" from the White Album.
Re: Stone Thames
Posted: 09 Sep 2017, 4:25am
by Heston
Sorry, I really don't understand how anyone can sit down and listen to Mensforth Hill. The only time I've heard it used effectively was in Westway to the World as a soundtrack piece.
Sorry, I really don't understand how anyone can sit down and listen to Mensforth Hill. The only time I've heard it used effectively was in Westway to the World as a soundtrack piece.
I like it. However some time ago I reversed it and prefer it. On headphones it's an interesting listen to hear the soundbites and chatter from the S! sessions.
Sorry, I really don't understand how anyone can sit down and listen to Mensforth Hill. The only time I've heard it used effectively was in Westway to the World as a soundtrack piece.
Sorry, I really don't understand how anyone can sit down and listen to Mensforth Hill. The only time I've heard it used effectively was in Westway to the World as a soundtrack piece.
Works superbly. You need music to makes you feel uncomfortable sometimes.
In fact, when you add Charlie Don't Surf as an opener and Street Parade as a climax, it's a sublime side of vinyl.
The other songs you mentioned are real songs, not some self indulgent piffle. I like a lot of "uncomfortable" music but just playing a song backwards and adding some chatter isn't great to me.
Sorry, I really don't understand how anyone can sit down and listen to Mensforth Hill. The only time I've heard it used effectively was in Westway to the World as a soundtrack piece.
Works superbly. You need music to makes you feel uncomfortable sometimes.
In fact, when you add Charlie Don't Surf as an opener and Street Parade as a climax, it's a sublime side of vinyl.
The other songs you mentioned are real songs, not some self indulgent piffle. I like a lot of "uncomfortable" music but just playing a song backwards and adding some chatter isn't great to me.
I agree that it was a wasted track on S!. I've grown to enjoy it over the years though and it still intrigues me. I know it's a silly track and the samples are not even well thought out as a collage piece it's really lazy and just thrown together. What irked me was here was this prollific group trying to fill out 36 tracks when they were capable of so much more. Another cover version or even add a different take of Bankrobber but that wasn't the Clash way.
I'd like them to have been a collective credit band, I'm surprised they wouldn't have been from the beginning, though maybe that's just a naive and idealistic view of things.
I personally think the writers should be paid for the writing and the performers paid for the performing but I can see how bones of contention may occur.
That is the problems Madness have trying to decide what goes on an album when every member of the band writes. Obviously some are better than others and it is noticeable in the tracks.
To try and get round it and to have less arguments the writer gets 50% royalties and the other 50% split between the band. That way you don't have to get your track included to get royalties.
Sorry, I really don't understand how anyone can sit down and listen to Mensforth Hill. The only time I've heard it used effectively was in Westway to the World as a soundtrack piece.
Works superbly. You need music to makes you feel uncomfortable sometimes.
In fact, when you add Charlie Don't Surf as an opener and Street Parade as a climax, it's a sublime side of vinyl.
The other songs you mentioned are real songs, not some self indulgent piffle. I like a lot of "uncomfortable" music but just playing a song backwards and adding some chatter isn't great to me.
Oh shit. I'm agreeing with Heston again.
The only time it really ever worked for me was also on Westway.
Sorry, I really don't understand how anyone can sit down and listen to Mensforth Hill. The only time I've heard it used effectively was in Westway to the World as a soundtrack piece.
Works superbly. You need music to makes you feel uncomfortable sometimes.
In fact, when you add Charlie Don't Surf as an opener and Street Parade as a climax, it's a sublime side of vinyl.
The other songs you mentioned are real songs, not some self indulgent piffle. I like a lot of "uncomfortable" music but just playing a song backwards and adding some chatter isn't great to me.
Oh shit. I'm agreeing with Heston again.
The only time it really ever worked for me was also on Westway.
Yep I guess as it was written for an imaginary Tv theme that's how it would work best.