Search - Nick Mason :: Fictitious Sports

"python legs are poached in slimy toad saliva"

olofpalme63 | auf der flucht! | 03/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
...sure, it says its "Nick Mason's" Fictitious Sports. Nick Mason himself even produced it with "Hipgnosis" supplying the cover art. Hipgnosis as you know has handled nearly every Pink Floyd album cover. This particular assortment of material was even released by Columbia Records. ...and there was probably a good reason for all the aforementioned. That reason being money. In retrospect, this should've been called "Carla Bley's Fictitious Sports" (considering the fact that she wrote all the words and music and even co-produced it). ...or even billed as a Robert Wyatt solo project (which might've produced some good numbers in Europe under the Harvest label). However...in the US, nobody would have ever purchased it, let alone listen to it. Carla Bley being a little known jazz composer at the time and Robert Wyatt not being heard of stateside by anyone unfamiliar with Pink Floyd. I'm positively certain the record executives' at Columbia figured it would be a better idea to market this product under Nick Mason's name instead.



However, because it was released under "Nick Mason" (who by the way, supplied all the drumming). It garnered the attention of millions of Pink Floyd fans and fanatics alike. ...although, it does make you wonder why some Pink Floyd fans weren't aware of Norman "Hurricane" Smith's hit back in the early 70's with "Oh Babe, What Would You Say". Or, their still in shock over it. What's shocking here is, Nick Mason's "solo" effort is actually better than anything Roger Waters ever produced in the post-Floyd era, "The Pros And Cons Of Hitch Hiking" included (well...with the exception of the cover art). "Sports" contains a slew of gems like Robert Wyatt's deadpan delivery in the classic "Siam". Wyatt's urgency is also quite addictive on "I'm A Mineralist" and "Do Ya?". "I Was Wrong" and "Wervin" also highlight this release from Robert Wyatt...err no...wait, Carla Bley...umm hold on. No, I meant to say Nick Mason. "I creep up to old wrecked cars and lick off the rust" ...too bad most cars are made of plastic now.



olofpalme63"

An incredible enjoyable album

miguel hiraldo | miami, FL United States | 04/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As some other writter said, not for Pink Floyd fans (and i do love Pink Floyds music too)...more likely to appeal to jazz or avant garde rock fans. Very funny lyrics and of course excellent playing from all involved. Robert Wyatt is, right after Howlin wolf, Captain Beefheart and Peter Hammill, my favorite voice...totally unique. Watch out if you are not familiar with the works of Carla Bley or Michael Mantler ...you could like this music and get adicted to it! and there are a few other cds that go this way...so watch out if you are short of money..."

This guy has a serious sense of humour

johnreed@info.iuol.cn.net | Beijing | 10/20/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Nick Mason, drummer with Pink Floyd and lover of classic cars, for some unknown reason got out one day and put together a collection of songs that contain some of the funniest lyrics I ever heard! To whit, in "I'm a Mineralist" the singer drones ......"I creep up to broken cars and lick off the rust.......I'm a mineralist........""Can't get my motor to start" is a scream and "Hot River" oozes heavy heavy glam rock with gorgeous slow rhythms; reminiscent of Peter Gabriel in " Here comes the Flood"It's not everyone's taste but for the PF afficionado it is a must"