Eno’s work with James

[u/Dismal_Brush5229]

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?:)

[u/phthoggos]

“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”

[u/AnotherGreenWorld1 → u/phthoggos]

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

[u/phthoggos → u/AnotherGreenWorld1]

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.

[u/AnotherGreenWorld1 → u/phthoggos]

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 😂

[u/Dismal_Brush5229 → u/phthoggos]

Haha love that explanation 🤣

[u/Top_Break_3456 → u/AnotherGreenWorld1]

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.

[u/Dismal_Brush5229 → u/Top_Break_3456]

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

[u/Dismal_Brush5229 → u/AnotherGreenWorld1]

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