Flying Doesn't Help

I think I first became aware of Anthony Moore through his work with Slapp Happy, Henry Cow, Dagmar Krause and Peter Blegvad.

Although this was Art Rock there was a sense of humor and some excellent musicianship at play. One of Henry Cow's albums was called "Legend", which a fine title but this was the cover.

Why? Split Legend into Leg End and it makes sense. Worse than Shakespeare. But you can see the sort of people we are dealing with here. Moore wasn't responsible for the title, but it always made me smile.

This was inspired because of this post about Dire Straits "Brothers In Arms" and Paul Young's "No Parlez", and the fact that if you have ever heard an Anthony Moore song it will probably be "No Parlez" sung by Paul Young.

His Wikipedia entry is here:

From that, I found out that he had contributed to a few Pink Floyd albums including "The Endless River" which is on my player at the moment.

So without further ado, I will share a few of his songs and musical pieces with you. The album "Reed Whistle & Sticks" won't be included as it is just a series of short noises arranged to affect you.

"Johnny's Dead" From "Out"

This is a grand-sounding death/reincarnation song and I believe his first single. I heard it and bought it and played it a lot. I love the piano and saxophone lines in this.

"Catch A Falling Star" from "Out"

A cover of a Perry Como song, not what was expected by progressive art rockers but when I heard this I bought it immediately. A lot smoother than the stacatto original, the orchestration is beautiful and anyone with any musical taste cannot fail to love this second single by Anthony Moore.

"Judy Get Down" from "Flying Doesn't Help"

The opener from the album, which I am sure was released as a single, but some great guitar work and ponderous chords song in a posh cockney accent. I love this but you feel that you are being slowly steamrollered by something really big.

"Lucia" from "Flying Doesn't Help"

This takes almost a minute to get started weaving through audience or boy noise before the song starts off with a similar vocal texture to "Judy Get Down". Again this is a song that is very familiar to me, but it may be from when I bought the CD because I don't remember having the album on vinyl.

"Stitch In Time" from "Out"

The main riff and introduction to the opener from "Out" seems out of time, but if you give it a go you are rewarded with another wonderful Anthony Moore song. It also has a beautiful piano-led coda after the shrill guitars that drive the song. The album "Out" I feel is a lot more accessible than "Flying Doesn't Help" but both are worth your attention.

"World Service" from "World Service"

The title track from "World Service" is almost African in the feel of its instrumentation but this is relentless in its execution, and full of threat.

"Casablanca Moon" from "Casablanca Moon"

This is co-composed with Peter Blegvad and is sung by Dagmar Krause in the very listenable Brechtian title track. Moore's voice is fine but I love Dagmar on this one.

"A Thousand Ships" from "Out"

Another gorgeous three minutes of enjoyment, with choir-like vocals and lush music once again.

"Calling" from "The Endless River" by Pink Floyd

Moore composed this atmospheric piece with Dave Gilmour and it opens side four of the vinyl album. He also worked with Pink Floyd on "he Division Bell", so this is good place and a good piece to close this playlist with.