Having been a big fan in the 70s (saw BBD at Liverpool Empire 1976) then losing touch, then coming back 3 years ago to discover Bill's astonishing output over the years, and being blown away by him twice at the Clothworkers, today I started on a bonkers project I've been thinking about for ages.
To listen to the lot, chronologically, working from a discography. This can't include all versions and obscurities etc, I know! But at least all the available albums. Call me crazy! (no don't :-)
np: https://www.billnelson.com/sounding-the-ritual-echo
cheers!
Toby
Crazy, but in a good way.
My journey is album by album, each one becoming a new tried & trusted friend ... Six String Super Apparatus, The Romance Of Sustain, Plectrajet & most recently, i've found Plaything to be an absolute masterpiece!
Recently, The Unrealist & All That I can Remember are favourites ... played Drive This Comet Across The Sky today - am applying a sort of scattergun approach - have all the albums, but want to warm to them gradually, in my own way ...
I'll try to join you all in listening to the back catalogue - these days any spare time I have is usually dedicated to learning new things on guitar - but I've promised myself that this year I will spend more time actually listening to music, like I used to. Not in chronological order though, I think random would be more fun! Thanks again for all the music Bill, what a vast treasure trove of songs you have created. You should be very proud indeed.
TC
I've also considered listening to my entire recorded output, just to grasp the complete journey from the start, (even the 'A to Austr' and 'Astral Navigation' tracks prior to 'Northern Dream'.) It would be like an entire lifetime unfolding before my eyes, (or ears,) and would bring back so many personal memories. A 'my life in music' moment. But...I'm certainly not finished yet and still have further musical territory to explore, lots of ideas to try, so maybe I'll leave the reminiscing until I'm no longer able to play, or mentally focus, or whatever. Then, in my decrepit old age, confined to a wheelchair or bed, I'll listen to it all, from start to finish, and wonder why the hell I didn't do it better. But, nothing is ever really perfect. All we can do is try and make the effort and aim for the stars...Failure is only failure when no effort is made. And, if nothing else, I don't think I can be accused of not trying!
Have thought of listening to the entire Bill Nelson discography in chronological order as well, ever since I started saying that I consider everything he's done from 1970 onward is, to me, like one, long album.
It's a life-long pursuit! I jump around between eras and revisit older releases often...there are always some gems hidden in there that might not have grabbed me on the first listen. Maybe keep a diary of what you listen to and you'll have a good variety.