(NIK) Otherworld at a glance/Open Letter To Nik

[Jonathan Jarrett]

On Thu, Dec 13, 2007 at 09:32:21PM -0600, Objet Volant Non-Identifie typed out:
> got to hear Otherworld today, albeit a bit in the background
> my virtual bigmouth comment: fluff

	I do actually need to get hold of this, if only to keep Nik in 
Brasso for the sax.

> I am hearing Nik using vocal treatment that I hope (and pray) is
> a forewarning of what will be to come
> STUDIO ICU
> abandoning the UNIT for so long truly is a testament to Nik's total
> ATTITUDE,  because this band was like launching the equivalent of Motorhead
> only possibly even better, never mind the money

	I wish it could be so but I don't myself rate the chances 
highly. However, I still have a full set of arms and legs so am 
prepared.

> there is one hopeful aspect: Slattery's (he is the guitarist right) days are
> most likely numbered as it is, you see, Trev doesn't fancy him much, and
> went after him, but alas he ran and managed to hide........

	I think differently to you here, but possibly because you are 
not reading all the sleeve... Slattery is lead guitar, and more or less 
OK; Thomas Crimble is rhythm, and he only really has one and it plods. 
If I were being forced to be cruel in order to make Space Ritual as it 
manifests in the UK into a viable performing unit, the first thing I 
would do is persuade Mr Crimble into an immediate retirement. Trev would 
be a credible replacement, but as long as it's a rhythm player rather 
than a lead firebrand they're after why not grab Steve Bemand, he was 
with HW only slightly less than Crimble... Really they just ought to 
relegate Slattery to rhythm... replace or at least supplement Anderson 
with Ade Shaw (how could two bass players be a mistake, anyway?) and 
recruit Jerry Richards full-time, he guests often enough. That'd work. 
Though why exactly they'd all want to do it is harder to work out.


> *I think Commander Jim is Hawkwind material and quite frankly if i got my
> hands on a solo recording of him, I'd probably rank it above Otherworld.*

	I've seen Jim be very indifferent and then there are days when I 
think fully Dik Mik's equal in the tasteful and overwowing swoosh 
department... but again, here he is not the only player unless `John 
"the Ghost"' who appears with them live has been relegated from the 
studio, and wasn't Del supposed to be on this album somewhere? So I 
think you may be crediting Jim with some other people's work here.

> *Judge Trev goes without saying....where I come from the guitarmen are
> usually the boss, and Trev founded and co-penned most if not all the classic
> ICU stuff*
> *Not having him next to you is like not having Fast Eddie Clarke next to you*

	Alas, Nik still awaits his Phil Campbell, and if he had a Wurzel 
it would badly alter the band...

> DISCLAIMER: THESE COMMENTS WERE ON A BACKGROUND LISTEN AND i RESERVE THE
> RIGHT TO AMMEND ANYTHING i JUST SAID.

	Or I'll do it for you! I jest. (You jest what? I jest amended 
what Mike C. said. Etc.) Yours,
				Jon

ObCD: Fu Manchu - _The Action is Go!_
-- 
"When fortune wanes, of what assistance are quantities of elephants?"
	    (Juvaini, Afghan Muslim chronicler, c. 1206)
 Jon Jarrett, Fitzwilliam Museum, jjarrett at chiark.greenend.org.uk