Response to Jack @ Vinyl Martini's 2 Years in the VC Contest

My entry to Jack's contest - Jack's original video...
• #100 -VC- Two Years In...
My 2 shout outs to John B and Richard...
/ @johnbellamy3406
/ @vinylizingprogger

[@vinylizingprogger]

Thank you for the kind shout out Pete. The VC has been a very positive experience for me with you and everyone for music discussion and learning. Wonderful topic and video! Soft Machine is such an important band, and I cannot get enough. I just had to order the upcoming Cuneiform release of their 1971 concert at Høvikodden in Oslo. Only four pieces of vinyl.... Third , seven, and Bundles are probably my studio favorites thus far. Thanks for sharing Softs facts. Take care, Richard

[@soundsfromthewestcoast9939]

You're welcome Richard - it's been a pleasure getting to know you. But you've gone and done it again! I didn't know about the upcoming release. I do have a double album of them Live at Henie Onstad Art Centre which is taken from the 2nd night, but this is both nights. So what can I do but buy it (and it ain't cheap).
I wish someone would release their set at the Newcastle Jazz Festival in 1976 as that was the only time I managed to see the band (which at that time included Percy Jones on Bass and Ric Sanders on violin). It was both recorded and filmed by the BBC and broadcast a week or two later. I've got unofficial recordings of both the audio and video, but it really should get an official release. All the best... Pete
BTW just seen that Panzerpapa have a 25th anniversary live album coming out - both on CD and video - up for preorder now.

[@vinylizingprogger]

@@soundsfromthewestcoast9939 I have a few Softs live albums, and so far it is all good stuff. I also have some music from the guy that has done the cover art on the Høvikodden sett. He does both experimental electronic and has some Krautrock music. He is on Bandcamp as Intangible Arts. In had to order Panzerpappa on Friday before I left the office. Have a great week!

[@vinylmartini3377]

Hello Pete, thanks for the great entry, and with time to spare. I’m already subbed to John and Richard’s channels, two worthy channels who deserve support. Fantastic band to champion, just the type of band I was hoping to see featured. I only have a few Soft Machine records, Third and Bundles. Very difficult to find their releases over here. Maybe I’ll come across something at my upcoming record fair. Very impressive collection,of course I wouldn’t expect anything less. Great video. Your name goes in the hat my friend. Cheers.

[@soundsfromthewestcoast9939]

Hi Jack, thanks for creating this contest (and for the generosity of the prize - which I forgot to mention in the video). I don't see much mention of Soft Machine on the VC so they were perfect for this. Have to say that over here I don't see any of their albums out in the wild - I hope you have more luck. Good luck also in breaking the 600 subs target - it took me I think at least 5 years to get that many. All the very best... Pete

[@josephwelch8552]

Thanks Pete , love the video, great overview of Soft Machine….I need to check out some the off shoots , particularly need to see if I can find a copy of Soft Heap on CD ….cheers!

[@soundsfromthewestcoast9939]

Thanks for watching Joseph. You shouldn't have too much trouble finding that first Soft Heap album on CD as it's been reissued a couple of times, but the other two they did may be more problematical - I still haven't been able to find the 3rd. Cheers...Pete

[@christopherkibler511]

Pete this was very interesting. I loved this short history of Soft Machine and all of the shifting pieces, personnel wise (unintended reference to their first album with the rotating wheel on the cover). Thanks, Chris

[@soundsfromthewestcoast9939]

Thanks Christopher. I don't see much mention of the Softs on the VC so I thought they would be perfect for this challenge. I hope to do the live stuff soon. Cheers... Pete

[@robison5396]

Hi Pete
This was really interesting..not often you see The Soft Machines' back catalogue shown like this..your explanations were very engaging too.
Can't say I'm a huge fan, the first album is probably my favourite..but intriguing to hear the history none the less.
Have a great week. 👍.

[@soundsfromthewestcoast9939]

Thanks for watching Rob. There are a lot of people who love that first album but have no interest in the later albums - mostly I think non-jazz fans. All the best.. Pete

[@TheVinylVoyage-ud3uf]

Wow! A short, but very comprehensive run through, Pete! I know some of the early Soft Machine and a bit of early Kevin Ayers, but loads of this I haven’t listened to. If my wallet is to survive, I think I’ll need to put this rabbit hole on the back burner just now! Cheers, Jack

[@soundsfromthewestcoast9939]

Thanks Jack - truly a massive rabbit hole, there's not only the studio albums but so many live releases too, not to mention the offshoots and the Canterbury scene in general! Cheers... Pete

[@johnbellamy3406]

Thanks for the shoutout Pete. I watched this earlier in the week. I watch Jack's channel too but I 'm not a fan of this 'push for more subs' type of campaign. More often than not people get more obsessed with gaining numbers than they are about the records they show. I find that the channels I enjoy watching the most are those that talk least about subscribers. I've got the third Soft Machine album but haven't gotten on with it so well. All part of my trying to get my head round the Canterbury scene I think.

[@soundsfromthewestcoast9939]

I know what you mean about pushing for more subs - only important if you are monetising really. Views and comments are more important - I know with my videos about 80% of views come from non-subscribers. maybe the Canterbury scene isn't for you John - but keep trying (using TH-cam then you're not forking out).