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Post by nixter on May 1, 2012 8:35:06 GMT 10
Well done Glawz.
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Post by Glawz on May 2, 2012 10:41:19 GMT 10
Thanks Nicki... I emailed him back and thanked him, thought a big of 'sucking up' wouldn't go astray!!!
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Post by dmac on May 3, 2012 0:05:53 GMT 10
Nice work Glawz  |
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Post by Annys always here..lol on May 3, 2012 14:41:05 GMT 10
Great idea Gloria Gale...xoxox
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Post by Glawz on May 9, 2012 13:06:22 GMT 10
Looks like it died a natural death.  However, DD3 is in Sydney ATM and was so excited to see Damien's new album in the window of the Hard Rock Cafe, and again inside on display (not with any other albums). I have my kids well trained  |
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Post by Nuffy on May 14, 2012 1:36:20 GMT 10
 I'm spell-bound by how much I grow to love this album more and more each time I've played it. All the negative talk about "country" sounds got me a bit worried quite honestly because I never saw myself as a country and western fan. But having heard Damien's versions of these famous songs as well as his originals have made me re-think what 'country songs' means as a style... or maybe where my taste actually lies? I believe I have very wide ranging tastes from classic 80's & 90's pop-rock, 60's & 70's folk, medieval music... and more... My point is that I never thought I'd like country. But I really am LOVING 'Now and Then' Wow! Is this a country album? I don't think so! It's go really warm familiar tones of songs I fondly remember from the 70's - even with Damien's originals. that whole era seemed to have fused an American west coast/country style to the rhythm and voice... forgive me, but I really am no muso (so obvious!!!) The first listen I liked a few songs quite a bit, a few - even the originals had catchy bits but I founjd myself stuck on some lyrics that I wasn't so comfortable with... but each time I listened the melodies and the words started to take more shape in my brain. I can't get over how much I'm feeling Damien's vocal range and strength. Just gorgeous!! worth every one of these: 
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Post by Nuffy on May 17, 2012 1:42:44 GMT 10
I don't have much time to edit my posts nowadays  so sorry the last was so incoherent  Lol can't help the excitement! Despite how late it is  I thought Damien deserves to know how much I'm enjoying the whole album but especially the originals!! You already know I love" Beautiful" so I'll talk about the new ones... What I can't help playing over and over is "RUN". Wow! For me, this is the strongest song on the album that really clicks with me. From the first words of the lyrics images keep filling my brain. the first acoustic guitar chords draw me in immediately. The female singer is a fantastic singer to match Damien. Absolutely stunning together! "Anywhere we land is gonna always feel like home" thank God Damien was able to finally record this concept of love and life-partners. It may have been lost from the original "Beautiful" but this song became a much stronger vehicle for that concept. I'm blown away by everything in this song: the lyrics, the melody, the production - pared down perfectly, at times. This sounds like the style of "Bigger Plan" from the old days. "Unless You Say So": By the third playing of this song I was totally hooked by the rhythm. there was an energy that had me jiggling in my chair- wanting to stomp my foot and then I realised it had that great Irish sound of the bohdran that I loved in songs like "Fisherman's Blues"(?).  And what a treat to see it's played by Damien, himself.  Other parts I love are the occasional background "whoop!", the syncopated claps and Damien's harmonies... I can so imagine this as a wonderful crowd singalong.  "500 Reasons" This has such a lovely warmth. I just love the line"Brave not stupid" and the undulating melody - and the way it climbs gradually. The quiet "hu-hoos" are so cute. This may be the most country-style of the originals and I like it.  "Maybe Someday" Damien moves to the falsetto so beautifully. The surprising ultra-high bridge in the second half links well into the second high part just before the final chorus. Meanwhile, the chorus- line "we move along and find our way..." is the song's hook for me  "Let Me Be Your Rescue" Some of the flow of the lyrics, especially in the first stanza, didn't sit well with me originally but by the second listen - and by the first chorus I'd forgotten any irks and I just let myself be swept away by the gorgeous texture of the song. To me, this is an example of how, if I was inclined, I could pick a song to pieces for each element that I may not like BUT when I listen to it holistically - the song as a whole piece, the overall impression is that LMBYR is really interesting and satisfying to experience and hear. The story, the melody-changes and the singing style work so well together.  I love how Damien has sung all the songs on this album - originals as well as the covers. There's strength in his voice, range and lots of lung-filled notes rather than all 'head-singing' ( I told you I'm NOT a muso  ) If I find another half hour I might post my impressions of the covers... if I don't, I'll just say: sweeeet!! "Can't Get it Out of My Head" - what a nice surprise  , "Here Comes the Sun" "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" so gentle, cruisey and laid-back. "End of the Line"... this is my sanity-saving song at the moment! THANK YOU DAMIEN  I'm using this song as my mantra to cope with an incredibly and relentlessly difficult period... and saved as well by the rest of the album (on repeat)  |
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Post by Glawz on May 17, 2012 20:24:52 GMT 10
Luv ya Nuffy.... glad you have joined the rest of us in the love of this album. Agree with all your comments, the songs really do grow on you. I have to (unashamedly) admit, that every second time I play it, I 'skip' the covers (except Leah) and play the originals twice... I so love them all. |
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Post by debangel on May 19, 2012 19:39:15 GMT 10
Luv ya Nuffy.... glad you have joined the rest of us in the love of this album. Agree with all your comments, the songs really do grow on you. I have to (unashamedly) admit, that every second time I play it, I 'skip' the covers (except Leah) and play the originals twice... I so love them all. Me too Glawz! And if my car journey ends mid-song, on an original. Then when I get back in the car I have to play that song over again from the beginning ;D |
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Post by Trilly on May 26, 2012 13:45:31 GMT 10
 it's Damien's originals all the way for me too! Even though this album isn't my fave, ( Remember June holds that position, and I can't see that altering) I listen to D's own songs with far more regularity. Of the newbies, "Unless You Say So" is my fave, I love it's catchy Irishness and really enjoy clapping along with it (love the counterpoint on the track!) - if I'm not driving, that is! Am rapt to hear he's currently writing more, even if they aren't for him to record. His songwriting skills, especially his melodies IMO, are so polished. Can't Get Enough! (oh hang on, isn't that someone's nick around here?)  
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Post by thebraff (Braffy) on Jul 3, 2012 15:37:29 GMT 10
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Post by dmac on Sept 14, 2012 1:57:15 GMT 10
An extract from an email received today "I wanted to tell you that something very sad happened-I can't remember what-but I got in the car and the radio was playing and it was really bad-I was upset and it grated on my nerves and made me feel worse-so I turned it off, then the silence was bad too. THEN I remembered the Damien CD so I played it and it made me feel so much better I kept playing it all day as I drove and kept meaning to ring and thank you, it kind of saved the day. But wait- there's more- when we drove to the snow the radio was crackly so I put the tape on and my grandson started singing along-I asked him how he knew the words-he said they were the songs they learned at choir. On the way back I was listening to songs and he said he was sick of them so could I find the station we were listening to on the way down as it was good-so I put Damien's tape back in-and he said 'how did you find that and they've got the same good songs on?' had to confess-a CD-so we listened to it over and over again all the way home. (I think I know the words now too!!) You can tell Damien his music is therapy as well!" This from a woman who is under stress 24/7. |
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Post by thebraff (Braffy) on Sept 14, 2012 7:21:48 GMT 10
Gee Dawn, the CD must have really worked a treat for your friend and her grandson for her to take the time to let you know.  I think we have all known for a long time how Damien can get us through tough situations.  Here's hoping things pick up for your friend.  |
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Post by dmac on Sept 15, 2012 1:31:45 GMT 10
Thanks Braffy, not really a chance of that, but she must have been really down as wouldn't normally have mentioned it.....thank heavens for that CD  |
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Post by saltintherainbow on Sept 18, 2012 21:44:09 GMT 10
Damien's music has gotten me through many situations as it has for many others. The other thing Now And Then has done for me - this is more the rock and roll (and music nerd) inside of me; is to find the albums and artists / bands who also recorded the songs originally.
Same as what Roy and Catch The Wind did - they made me check out other artists e.g. Roy, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young etc. Still my favourite NaT song has to be 'Maybe Someday' followed by 'I Won't Back Down' - tough choice between that one and 'Let Me Be Your Rescue'.'
Such a great album now. For some reason at first I couldn't get into it, then something - made me listen and think 'Wow, this is a truly great album'. And it is - seeing the live shows and hearing the stories behind them really made the album so so great.
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so sorry the last was so incoherent 
