PJ Harvey : Classic or Dud

For what it's worth, I love Harvey and loathe Patti Smith, so the two don't have to go together.

this is the first time i can remember disagreeing with moka

i found rid of me almost unlistenable when i first got it, but i think that's more to do with albini than PJH. i love it now but i think it's a good one to find your way back to after getting into the rest of her work.

my list of the best PJ Harvey songs.

my list of the best PJ Harvey songs.

rong

No My Beautiful Leah or There Will Never Be a Better Time (with Desert Sessions)? Wicked list anyways!

she wants wicked

Anyone going to see her live on this tour?

i am. this album seems like kind of a blip. it never really settled with me, I resisted it, and when I lsiten to it it doesn't do much for me; whereas I loved Let England Shake (and everything prior, pretty much). It's been several years since I've seen her so I'm hoping live I feel more invested in these songs.

Agree with you on all points akm. Glastonbury 2016 set made these songs come alive a little more, but yeah "Hope Six Demolition Project" is the only retread in Pj Harvey's catalog it seems.

vs. uh-huh her's detread?

Guess that's a retread too, but a much better one IMO

I saw her last year on the UK portion of the tour and it was an incredible show, way exceeding all my expectations. I'm lukewarm on the album, but loved it all live. The show was like a piece of theatre or performance rather than a gig, but musically her and the band were astounding, and it all totally worked.

she is a monster live, i saw her around 1998/99 in munich and she rocked the place like crazy. a whirlwind with guitar.

She doesn't move too much in the new show, but has a great stage presence regardless.

That's reassuring to hear, krakow. Saw her on the Stories tour which was great but I have a feeling I'll appreciate the live band more this time.

I'm seeing her in Boston because why not. But yeah, the new album was such a nonevent.

Does she play guitar, or just, like, hurdy gurdy?

iirc she only sings in the current setup

Mainly she sings, but she does also play sax and guitar in the current set.

Just announced two nights in Edinburgh for the International Festival in August. I'll definitely head over for one of those.

Going to the Brooklyn show. Not a fan of the last few records but she's always been great live and her band will probably be top shelf. Plus, looking forward to seeing the new venue.

Saw her in the last Primavera Sound. Didn't like last album either but the tracks sound great live. Her performance makes a difference

The band is absolutely first rate. Some jaw-dropped performances. The saxophone solos from the main guy in particular I could barely believe, he was awesome.

Saw her in Seattle. Thought the new songs fared better live, especially "The Ministry Of Social Affairs" with the jazz skronk solos. So awesome to see PJ playing sax as well. Highlights were "Written On The Forehead" and "The River" from my favourite album, "Is This Desire?".

gonna drive to LA to see her in a few days. she's prob my favorite living artist that i've never gotten to see live.

Awesome, JD. She's insanely inspiring, hope you enjoy the show.

My "definitely" became a "sadly not" and I didn't make either Edinburgh International Festival shows because of work/life. Did anyone go?

Guys, back in around 1993/4 someone I knew had a demo of four or so tracks that PJ Harvey had recorded with the horn section from a then current group, the name of which eludes me.

I've looked through her discography and haven't seen anything that seems to fit this description. Any bells going off?

maybe the March 1993 peel session?

Yeah, the Peel session where she did Claudine the Inflatable One, Primed and Ticking, Wang Dang Doodle and Naked Cousin has a horn section, but I don't know who they were.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw5QXwuQgcs

Ah, cool. If not the same recordings then it's presumably the same setup. No horns credited on two tracks releases on Peel Sessions it seems.

My recollection is that the tape was manufactured and had some basic artwork. As in, not something recorded off the radio. Maybe there was a release mooted at some point.

*the two tracks released on Peel Session 1991 - 2004

Did some digging – the horns came from Gallon Drunk.

Iirc Gallon Drunk may have been the opening act on some or many dates of the tour?

Yes, Gallon Drunk used to open for her back in 1993, at least on some dates.

Terry Edwards and James Johnston (both from GD) are now members of PJ's current touring band.

I saw Gallon Drunk open for her in '93. I knew nothing about them at the time, but they had a baritone player who killed.

Scrawl was the other opener, and they were equally killer.

Really into acre of land

More classic than the last album entirely

Love "Acre of Land" as well. IMO the last album wasn't as bad as some people made it out to be, but it definitely didn't enter my PJ top 5. The tour, though, was fantastic. She's an incredible live performer and it was a joy to see her (twice, lucky me!) with this big tight band. Apparently she's taking some time away from music now to focus on her lyric and poetry writing, so unfortunately it might be a while until she tours again.

BTW today is the 25th anniversary of Rid of Me!

Indeed! Rob Sheffield on same

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/pj-harvey-rid-of-me-25-rob-sheffield-pays-tribute-w519777

The tour was incredible. Saw her in Seattle - no opening band and she’s on at like 9. Full 8-10 piece band with an intro military procession beat. Closed with tbyml, down by the water and importantly - the river. From the record Is this desire which pj has said is her favourite record but it also came from a place of immense pain. New songs worked better live but I’d say let England shake live confirmed it’s her master work

Will say the uh huh tour was absolute fire though. Floods drumming and klinghoffers 2nd percussion and guitar took tracks like the garden to another level. Highlight

My beautiful leah

Never seen her live.

You're missing out, my friend.

Alfred, come correct my man

Honestly, I think current Polly live is too austere, rehearsed and remote. I miss the guitar, I miss the band, I miss the occasional flashes of humor. Unless carrying around a sax (iirc) is her idea of humor.

she's come by my reckoning exactly zero times to South Florida in the last 20 years.

She was at Pitchfork last summer!