I actually listened to that 17-minute version of 'You Made Me Realise' on my way to work this morning - the first time I think I have ever done so, apart from when I saw MBV on the Loom tour in 1991. After a while it ceases to be a piece of music, and just sounds like what it would be like to be stood next to the Space Shuttle when it takes off. Depending on your tolerance levels, it is definitely worth giving it a listen all the way through. Out of context of the concert itself, it sort of ceases to be a song and becomes something else all together. I'm not sure what - an exhibit at an art gallery maybe? They should play it in the Turbine Hall at the Tate Gallery. Anyway, look at me commenting on my own piece... I'll probably reply to this too. Ha!
I've been wanting to hear a live version of ...Realise for ages. I'd heard how they were mental live and about THAT chord. I wasn't expecting that though -I'd assumed that they used it as a basis for improvisation, or that they'd subtly allow it to fluctuate or do mad things with fx pedals. But to just play the song, then stick on a chord, then drag it out and drag it out for over ten minutes, then carry on as if you'd only been on the chord for 2 seconds - that's insane! And fantastic.
It must have been blinding live at that volume. The closest things I've seen were Verve in the early 90s, when at the peaks of their songs they'd trash at their instuments so hard and so loud it would just sound like silence, which was odd. The other is modern groups like Sunn O))) who do the same one-very-loud-chord-for-an-hour thing (also great). Reminded me of Kevin Drumm too. MBV don't get credit for influencing that whole drone-noise scene.
Anyways, nuff ranting; thanks for posting this, as you can tell I enjoyed it.
Hey Owen,
Cheers for the comments, glad you enjoyed the track. I don't think that live version really does the actual experience justice - there were subtle changes - I can remember hearing all kinds of stuff in there, particularly that kind of whale song guitar sound Shields did so well. But the biggest change was the gentle increase in volume, that lead to most of the audience actually walking out when it got too intense. I stayed for the duration - I can remember I was wearing some really baggy jeans and they ended up flapping around my ankles as the sheer noise coming from the speakers created a kind of static wind. It was mental. Even weirder still was walking out afterwards and eating a burger. One minute - mind ripped to shreds by noise, the next chomping on a burger like nothing untoward had happened. And I agree - they were hugely influential on the drone rock scene.
I actually heard my first Sun 0))) track the other day and really liked it.
In terms of noise rock, I'd also recommend The Heads. They are magnificent.
http://www.theheadsrock.com/
Cheers!
Joe
Ah, that makes more sense, and fits with what I'd heard before. I have to say I kind of like my version now though... .
If you get chance to see Sunn O))) live grab it. I've been totally blown away by their performances, the first of which sounded like one hour long chord (and started with at least 10 minutes of that chord you get when you don't put your left hand on the strings). I've heard quite a bit of their recorded stuff and I have to say I haven't really taken to it. Somehow without scary-looking blokes in corpse-paint and cloaks making claw signs in your face it doesn't sound the same...
O
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