Brian has been working tirelessly on these Swans posts, I relly think they are the most comprehensive and thorough Swans collections you are going to find ANYWHERE......if you checked the first part a while back, then I am sure you've been waiting on Part 2 (Part 3 will be up tonight also)......so, I'll leave all the details to Brian and thank him for his HARD work on this 3-part monster, it really IS a lot of work.......you can load them through here, or if you prefer, visit his site and check them out there, as well as the other stuff he has there!
http://howdthehellyougethere.blogspot.com/2015/02/monty-python-discography.html?m=1
and here come the SWANS!
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PUBLIC CASTRATION IS A GOOD IDEA Download
Recorded in the mid-80's around the time of "Greed" and "Holy Money", but not released til '99. This remains for me the prime live document of the first phase of Swans. This album brings to mind an incantation, a tribal call to ritual and a communal surrender to power...it's that damn intense! One need go no farther than the live version of "A Screw": never in a song have lust, anger, and disgust been so intertwined!
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SWANS ARE DEAD (LIVE 1995, 1997) [Disc 1] [Disc 2]
Damn, this is a good one. Starts with the massively building, 17 minute "Feel Happiness". Contains transcendent versions of songs from two of their best albums - Soundtracks and The Great Annihilator namely. Utterly essential. If they never would've come back, this would've been a great swan song (no pun intended!).
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http://howdthehellyougethere.blogspot.com/2015/02/monty-python-discography.html?m=1
and here come the SWANS!
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Swans Part 2! Studio and Live
Hope you enjoyed the mountain that was the first post. Sorry this follow up took so long. Part 2 here will focus on live albums, as well as a few studio things missing from before. So, off we go...
THE BURNING WORLD Download
It is felt by some (including M. Gira himself) that this album produced by Bill Laswell is a compromised effort. Is it horrible? Well, it doesn't help it's reputation that there's bona fide classics on either side of it - Children of God and White Light From the Mouth of Infinity, namely. Song wise, I don't think it's bad...just too slick. The original "Let It Come Down" here is easily trumped by the live version.
VARIOUS FAILURES 1988-1992 [Disc 1] [Disc 2]
After Swans' first dissolution, Gira put together this compilation from the band's indie label period,
without much of the sonic gloss. It has a lot of alternate versions of songs from Love of Life, White Light..., and The Burning World. If you're curious about this period, this is the release to go with.
After Swans' first dissolution, Gira put together this compilation from the band's indie label period,
without much of the sonic gloss. It has a lot of alternate versions of songs from Love of Life, White Light..., and The Burning World. If you're curious about this period, this is the release to go with.
DIE TUR IST ZÜ Download
Translates as "The Door Is Shut". An amazing collection of rarities and odd tracks.
------Swans Live------
Fortunately for fans, Swans have released a slew of live albums. In recent years, they've released limited edition live discs to fund the recordings of their proper albums. I saw them last year in Detroit - and it was a kickass, bass-heavy throbbing show - but I'd kill to have the chance to see some of their gigs back in the day.
ANONYMOUS BODIES IN AN EMPTY ROOM Download
Swans come out with all guns blazing. "Let it Come Down" is a cavernous, stomping wonder; Jarboe does amazing solo versions of "See No More" and "Blood On Your Hands". Even the short "Untitled Excerpt" is awesome.
OMNISCIENCE (Download)
Consists of mainly Love of Life material, several of the tracks being better than the studio versions. This is so impeccably recorded - which can't be said for every live entry in this post - it doesn't even feel like a live album, more like another studio release. Great stuff.
Recorded in the mid-80's around the time of "Greed" and "Holy Money", but not released til '99. This remains for me the prime live document of the first phase of Swans. This album brings to mind an incantation, a tribal call to ritual and a communal surrender to power...it's that damn intense! One need go no farther than the live version of "A Screw": never in a song have lust, anger, and disgust been so intertwined!
SWANS ARE DEAD (LIVE 1995, 1997) [Disc 1] [Disc 2]
Damn, this is a good one. Starts with the massively building, 17 minute "Feel Happiness". Contains transcendent versions of songs from two of their best albums - Soundtracks and The Great Annihilator namely. Utterly essential. If they never would've come back, this would've been a great swan song (no pun intended!).
haven't heard this one, but here's both parts of it, from Uploaded.net. NOTE: I couldn't get the second part to open. Hopefully someone might have better luck!
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That's everything I could get my hands on live and studio-wise. If anyone can get that copy of "We Rose From Your Bed..." to work, let me know.
Part 3 is coming a lot quicker, don't worry!
That's everything I could get my hands on live and studio-wise. If anyone can get that copy of "We Rose From Your Bed..." to work, let me know.
Part 3 is coming a lot quicker, don't worry!
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So there ya go......LOTTA work by Brian, he's gonna be a great blogger someday! Some GREAT Stuff here, great!