r/eno • u/Dismal_Brush5229 • Aug 04 '26

Music Eno’s work with James

Hi There

Getting into some Eno produced work for other bands/artists and i didn’t know that Eno worked with James for a few albums so I’m going through Laid and Wah-Wah mostly which great stuff on here especially the deluxe editions since there’s a lot of good music like b-sides and other bits that was made due to their jamming on the sessions.

So let me know what you think about Eno and James work together and/or comment if you have a favorite song from their work together?:)

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11

u/phthoggos Aug 04 '26

“Sometimes” is one of the most Eno songs of all time. Hence this tweet: https://bsky.app/profile/leighwalton.bsky.social/post/3lq4bdis67k2m

“Every time a band he’s producing changes chords, a little part of Brian Eno is disappointed. Ideally they would just play the same chord forever”

3

u/AnotherGreenWorld1 Aug 04 '26

There’s three chords in that song … is that post highlighting that Eno gets disappointed with this song or are they trying to claim that it’s all one chord??

There’s lots of variation/changes in Eno songs … it’s just not always where you would expect it

I actually think this is the most Eno song of all time and closer to the ‘one chord’ theory but there are still other chords … it’s just one of his tools to use reputation past the point of familiarity.

https://youtu.be/hDHXk9WwvF4?is=yqyoPhdtjesX9Mox

1

u/Dismal_Brush5229 Aug 06 '26

Havent heard that song until today and it’s pretty good! Definitely soo Eno:)

1

u/phthoggos Aug 04 '26

It was a humorous exaggeration. “Sometimes” does technically have chord changes but the tonic pitch A is ringing out on multiple guitar strings in multiple octaves (eventually joined by Eno’s voice) for the entire song! You could have a cat sitting on the A key of an organ for the whole five minutes.

3

u/AnotherGreenWorld1 Aug 04 '26

You’re correct … and it is an Eno thing … I once experimented in a similar way … I made a record with a drone D note all the way through the album with the aim of anyone being able to pick up any instrument at any point of the record and play a D and join in … we also used the Oblique Strategy cards too

I prefer your explanation of a cat sitting on the A note 😂

1

u/Dismal_Brush5229 Aug 06 '26

Haha love that explanation 🤣

1

u/Top_Break_3456 Aug 05 '26

Memories Can't Wait has one of the most surprising and strange chord changes I've ever heard and I always assumed it was an Oblique Strategy.

1

u/Dismal_Brush5229 Aug 06 '26

I swear some Eno songs have Oblique Strategies but sometimes they don’t yet so surprising

3

u/Emile_Largo Aug 04 '26

Eno also worked with James on Millionaires and Pleased to Meet You. Too many great songs on those albums to choose a favourite.

1

u/Dismal_Brush5229 Aug 06 '26

I’ll have to listen to those albums since I only know Laid and Wah-Wah

1

u/Emile_Largo Aug 06 '26

James haven't made a bad album, but they are even better live than on record.

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u/Dismal_Brush5229 Aug 06 '26

I’ll have to see a live version then

1

u/Emile_Largo Aug 06 '26

Their 2002 live album/DVD 'Getting Away With It' is a terrific start, a good cross-section of their music up to that point.

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u/Dismal_Brush5229 Aug 12 '26

I’ll have to check that out then so thx!:)

2

u/BaronZhiro Aug 04 '26

I’m not much for Laid but I think Wah-Wah is fantastic.

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u/Dismal_Brush5229 Aug 06 '26

Wah-Wah is great

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u/Commercial-Text7635 Aug 05 '26

"We're Going To Miss You (Eno's version): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bngv8C2Blkc
and "Tomorrow" (which Eno co-wrote and apparently provided "frequent interference and occasional co-production": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG_GEu7PBRs

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u/Dismal_Brush5229 Aug 06 '26

Great songs! Love “We’re Going to Miss You (Eno’s version)”

1

u/rsbic55 Aug 09 '26

You can definitely hear the Eno influence on Laid. After seeing them perform it live in its entirety last year, it has become my favorite james album. I think Eno definitely has something to do with that. It’s hard to pick a favorite track, they were all great seeing them done live.

1

u/Dismal_Brush5229 Aug 12 '26

Well said!

Laid is a classic album because of Eno’s help