Following the release of their latest single ‘Like An Autumn Dream’ Flex caught up with Laurence from Laurence O 'n The Blistered Mirrors to find out more about what influences their unique blend of country rock that the band dubs “Glam Country Rock”. If you enjoy Laurence's picks be sure to check out ‘Like An Autumn Dream’ at the end of the article.
1. Have You Ever Seen The Rain by Credence Clearwater Revival
Out of all other songs, this is the one that cemented and embedded a love of ‘Americana’ into me ! It led me down a path upon which I voraciously devoured Gram Parsons, ‘Swamp Rock’ , Joe South and the like. It’s melancholic and yearning, it’s direct and slowly forceful and is one of the greatest examples of John Fogerty’s mighty songwriting and unique power vocals.
2. Alone Again Or by Love
When I first heard forever changes it really did change my life forever. To all intents and purposes it’s a ‘dark’ album, with sometimes twisted lyrics. but this opening track blew my mind !! with its Latin grooves, bombastic brass and Arthur Lee singing plaintively over the beautiful melody (written by Bryan Maclean), it’s songcraft at it’s finest and more….. It left me hurtling between The Sunset Strip in the mid to late sixties, a road trip to Mexico and deep outer space. I never tire of it.
3. It Won't Be Long by The Beatles
Like millions of others, I became aware and affected by the Beatles as soon as I heard them all of those years ago. They were in their brief (they only really made albums for six years for goodness’ sake!!!) recording career, myriad different things and I have taken so much joy from their huge body of work. It’s so difficult to pick a definitive moment, But I picked this opening track from their second album, With The Beatles. When I was given my scratched copy of this as a young boy, I put the needle onto the vinyl and waited a few seconds, then BANG!!!! An unhuman energy torrented from the speakers!!! No messing, straight in with the vocals, and what vocals!! I look back and am still spellbound by the assuredness of the melody, the power and the rawness of the performance. It was 1963…..!!! I’m not sure that I’ve actually heard such an impactful opening track since. If you ever wonder, why The Beatles caused such a stir so early on. Play this record!!
4. Trampoline by Julian Cope
Cope is sometimes dismissed as a lunatic by many who don’t really know his body of work, but although he’s never been afraid to push the limits and experiment, without a single care given to commercial success , trust me, Julian Cope could write a huge power-pop colossus, any time that he’d choose to ! I’ve loved all of his career from The Teardrop Explodes onwards, he’s the act that I’ve seen live the most and I probably own around 50% of his releases which is quite a collection! I’m not too proud to say that I sometimes need to crank this track up LOUD, pout and posture like Cope, circa 1988 and air guitar until my shoulder is at the point of dislocation !! Really! Try it to this great track, It’s more that fun!!!!
5. God Only Knows by The Beach Boys
I love this song because it’s perfect, simply perfect! From the sublime opening refrain, through the emotive, minor chord changes to the tempo changed, orchestration of the ‘middle eight’ and the tear inducing harmonies, has a song ever been better written (and I’ve not even mentioned the geniuses that are Bowie and Dylan in these 5 songs) produced, orchestrated or performed?? If so, find it for me and I will play it as I drift elated and gleeful into the spirit world!!! God only knows what I’d be without you ………
Listen to Laurence O 'n The Blistered Mirrors ‘Like An Autumn Dream’
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