We started with the beginning. Now we see how Kanye West’s Late Registration ends — not with a bang, but a steady groove. “Gone” begins with a sample from “It’s Too Late,” from The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads. The piano loop starts, the drum kicks in. I presume co-producer Jon Brion can be held responsible for the strings and the piano. The chorus even sounds like a proper soul song. Then, around the three-and-a-half minute mark, it really gets interesting. And when have you ever heard tack piano on a rap song?
Kanye has been doing a massive publicity blitz this week to promote his album, which goes on sale today. He has been very vocal in touting the contributions of Jon Brion. To continue to bolster your appreciation of what Brion is capable of, here is a selection from Brion’s score for Punch-Drunk Love. And another “Live from Largo” recording, also drawn from that soundtrack.
UPDATE: I love these lines:
I’mma open up a store for aspiring emcees
Won’t sell ‘em no dreams, but the inspiration is free
But if they ever flip sides like Anakin
You will sell everything, including the mannequin
They got a new bitch, now you Jennifer Anniston
Hold on, I’ll handle it; don’t start panickin’
Stay calm
Shorty’s at the door
‘Cause they need more
Inspiration for they life, they souls and they song
They say, “Sorry, Mr. West is gone.”
Kanye West – Gone (ft. Consequence & Cam’Ron) — BUY
Jon Brion – Tack Piano Theme — BUY
Jon Brion – Here We Go (live at Largo)
2 Responses
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pneyu Says:
“Gone” is my favorite track on the album. I can’t stop listening. It has everything.
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pneyu Says:
Oh yeah, I’m a longtime Jon Brion fan, and it’s great to see him move in new directions, even one with so much hype around it. If one person reads the liner notes or this blog and is moved enough to check out Jon’s work, that would be a good thing.