Chris Wilson – Live at the Continental
By Mark Dohmann
| Label: | Aurora – D19852, Cheersquad Records & Tapes – CRT034 |
|---|---|
| Format: | CD, LP Album |
| Country: | Australia |
| Released: | 1994, LP Reissue 2020 |
| Genre: | Rock, Blues |
| Style: | Blues Rock |
James, you steely eyed missile man!
The term steely-eyed missile man is a complimentary term rooted in NASA’s Apollo history when flight controller John Aaron’s quick thinking saved the Apollo 12 mission from disaster. It refers to an engineer or astronaut who quickly devises an ingenious solution to a tough problem while under extreme pressure.
Well the James I refer to is James Tranchina who works at Tivoli Hifi with Philippe Luder (combined they have over 65 years of dedication to the industry).
You’d think after such a long time in the industry that you’d be watching that clock to hit 6PM and be closing the door to the shop and going home to recover with the last thing on your mind to listen to more music.
But James and Philippe can often be found at pubs and concerts in prime seats on any given weekend and rummaging around record boxes picking up new music in their spare time.
James calls me yesterday “Hey Mark, when are you next stopping by?” I said “I can swing by later tomorrow on my way home”. He said “Great I got something for you”.
Well I just got handed a lovely present! James had found a new copy of Chris Wilson’s amazing Live at the Continental set from 1994 on Double LP (reissue).
I only had a copy on CD and had never been able to get the LP. James didn’t know this but he does know what music I like. We share new music and catch up at live performances in good times.
James was at Greville Records (another Melbourne institution) on the weekend and under pressure in that cauldron of stress which is record hunting (where you might miss that one treasure to another hunter in the adjacent record box or milk crate) James pounced and secured the last two physical copies on offer. One for him and one for me.
That’s part of the amazing fabric of this industry where music knowledge and passion is shared by friends across arbitrary boundaries.
For those international readers (Hello Evan in New Jersey!) who have gained a new found love of Australian music legends you can’t miss out on including Chris Wilson to the list of “dinkie-die, true blue, fair dinkum, dead-set Aussie legends”.
Gritty blues harmonica sung with a larger than life presentation that used to floor the crowd at the Corner Hotel and Continental among other local venues. Chris’s live album is a superb recording and played with authenticity. To learn about Chris Wilson this documentary is an excellent place to start.
My favourite quote “he’s a goner with this music caper” explaining his craft. Alas Chris is no longer able to be heard live having succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 2019. His memory lives on and having heard him live at the Corner Hotel on a few occasions this album restores his legacy nicely.
James and Philippe are just two of the amazing characters you’ll meet as a customer, visitor or supplier at some point in your music travels in Melbourne and beyond.
Decent people who still find time to enjoy music in their spare time. My take is that good equipment properly paired together can deliver fatigue free music for extended listening sessions.
If James can still find passion for recordings after a full weeks retail on his feet, then that is ultimately what this hobby/pursuit is all about. If your missing your mojo then that can be cured.
Chris Wilson’s – The Sky is Crying is a good place to start!
James you Steely Eyed Missile Man!
Track listing
1 You Will Surely Love Again – C. Wilson* 4:50
2 Wolves – C. Wilson* 6:00
3 Face In The Mirror – B. Waters*, B. Palmer*, C. Rogers*, C. Wilson*, P. Jones* 6:04
4 The Changeling – B. Palmer*, C. Rogers*, C. Wilson*, P. Jones* 4:47
5 Rose Tattoo – C. Wilson* 5:56
6 It Takes A Lot To Laugh It Takes A Train To Cry – B. Dylan* 6:13
7 The Sky Is Crying – Elmore James 6:53
8 Landlocked – C. Wilson* 4:39
9 Hymn – B. Waters*, B. Palmer*, C. Rogers*, C. Wilson*, P. Jones* 13:25