Rainy Day - Rainy Day

Thanks Froxxy for the Plimsouls - it put me in the mood.

A lot of one-offs tend to fail. You take a bunch of artists who get in the mood to "make a record" together and the parts don't mix well - everyone pulls in different directions, a mess made. Not this.

In 1984, members of the Bangles, Rain Parade, The Three O'Clock, and Dream Syndicate got together to cover some songs by artists that influenced them, and in turn the whole Paisley Underground. The resulting record is an exquisitely beautiful example of collaboration done right. The songs are sparse and sublime, chosen from a wide variety of composers: Dylan, Townsend, Chilton, Reed, Young, & Hendrix. Primarily acoustic and with arrangements to die for, each song is a glittering gem - a perfect little piece of sonic pleasure.

That Rainy Day got little recognition upon its release is not surprising. The Paisley Underground was still obscure in 84, the members relatively unknown (this was released before the first Bangles record). Still, 25 years later you'd think that it would have gotten its due. It deserves some praise, not just for its perfect music, but also for its sense of group cohesiveness and shared vision.

All the songs are stunning, but special note should be made of the dazzling guitar by Karl Precoda as he tears it up on the Hendrix's Rainy Day, Dream Away. Susanna Hoffs is at her career best with Dylan's I'll Keep it With Mine and Reed's I'll Be Your Mirror. But Kendra Smith steals the gig with her chilling cover of Chilton's Holocaust.

Gorgeous and much overlooked.

Hear

Susanna Hoffs, Vicki Peterson - The Bangles
Kendra Smith, Dennis Duck, Karl Precoda - Dream Syndicate
Steven Roback, Matt Piucci, Will Glenn, David Roback - Rain Parade
Michael Quercio - The Three O'Clock