Home / Archived For May 2011

Tuesday, 31 May 2011

TUNE DOCTOR'S MONTHLY PRESCRIPTION - Flycasual - May 2011

10 tracks that put a spring in my step this month:-

'Absolute Zero' - Faith No More
Everyone needs a bit of 'riffage' once in awhile and this definitely fit the bill. I was listening to this whilst out running and as well as an angry face, I also achieved a personal best. Faith No More, I raise the goblet of rawk to you!

'Used to be a Cop' - Drive By Truckers
Great atmospheric Alt-Country ballad that paints a bleak picture of a cop on the edge.

'Two Against One' feat Jack White - Danger Mouse and Daniel Luppi
Producer Danger Mouse comes up trumps again, collaborating with Italian film composer Daniel Lippi and Jack White to good melodic effect.

'Starting Over' - Jehst



Jehst is one of my favourite UK hip hop artist and if this comeback single (after 6 years) is anything to go by then his album should be one to look foward to.

'Crave You' feat Giselle - Flight Facilities
Girl finds a guy's 'treat'em mean, keep'em keen' technique a tad frustrating. A snappy beat and soothing synths, keeps this dance track bubbling along very nicely indeed.

'Painted Eyes' - Hercules and Love Affair
A great slice of 'camp' NY disco!

'One Less Day' Feat G-Shaft - DaM Funk
80's style sleaze funk. Perhaps what Alexander O'Neal would have sounded like if he was slightly naughtier.

'Ways to an End' - Mirrors
Another 80's influenced track. Synth-pop of an OMDesque variety, which is fine with me!

'DJama' - Donso
Went to see Seun Kuti last month and these guys were supporting, I immediately bought the CD. A French/Malian collaboration fusing electronica and traditional African rhythms.

'Brown Skin Lady' - Black Star
Saw the De La Soul, Black Star, Rakim concert this month and I forgot how good these guys are. This is a great soulful Hip-Hop track from arguably two of the best MC's in the game.

 
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TUESDAY BLUES! Other Lives - For 12

Sometimes music can paint a picture in your mind.  This song by "Other Lives" (though i'm not convinced on their band name) with its eerie strings & the rhythmic strumming of the the guitar just seems to take me on a journey to the Southwest US, riding across the desert on horseback, with a cowboy hat - ok...ok....I digress, you get the picture.  Either way it's a tune for a Tuesday

Yo, bird-dawg click here for more Tuesday Blues...shee-it!

for those who like Calexico, Ryan Adams, Ray LaMontagne
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Saturday, 28 May 2011

GIL SCOTT-HERON - R.I.P.

Gil Scott-Heron - Me and the Devil

Gil Scott-Heron, the Soul and Jazz legend, passed away in New York last night after coming back off a European tour. People would say he was one of the forefathers of Hip-Hop and Rap and greatly influenced many artists who would sample his music and quote his poetry. He was probably most famous for his classic 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised', a track which would have no doubt influenced the likes of Chuck D of Public Enemy.

'Me and the Devil' was one of my favourite tracks of last year and is taken from the excellent 2010's 'I'm New Here' album.

Gil Scott-Heron R.I.P.
Apr 01 1949-May 27 2011
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Wednesday, 25 May 2011

Lupe Fiasco - 'Kick Push'

Recollection Collection......musical memories recalled with affection!




........and coast!

An elder skater back in the day said that 'Old Skate dogs never die'. Never has that phrase ever been any truer, I skated for the best part of 10 years and it was my life. I don't skate as often as I would like to now mostly due to gravity issues but the emotions evoked the first time I heard this track were overwhelming. I instantly wanted to tell someone, so I called Chris ((SFW), who skated with me) and said that he needed to hear this song ASAP.

A soulful tune with a fabulous Jazz loop, Lupe Fiasco gives a big nod to skating to which he so obviously loves. I don't think there's another song that depicts the trials and tribulations of Skating as well as this one. With the description of the life of the skater, the sounds of the wheels over the pavement and the kick push....coast chorus, you can just imagine cruising down the street with the wind flowing over your cap.

Memories came flooding back of the friends I made, the joys of pulling a trick, the freedom I had and well...it  was just about getting 'rad'.

Each time I hear this, I do get misty eyed...music at it's most powerful and for that, Mr Lupe Fiasco, a couple of 'tail taps' of appreciation on the coping for you pal.

Thursday I'm in love...a chance to share some of my favourite tracks.
Click here to see more Thursday I'm in Love posts.
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WEDNESDAY CLUB - Charles Bradley - The World (Is going up in Flames)

Every now and again I get this need for a Soul Fix...you know a bit of Otis or Carr or the like. This one definately fits the bill and satisfies this craving...a bit like not having a pint for a good few days. Apparently he's been round the block and is in his 60's (welcome aboard my Soul friend) and has just released his first album. This is a great track and ticks all the boxes.....I'm a Soul Man!!
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Ali Farka Toure & Ry Cooder - 'Lasidan'

World Music Corner




Lasidan - Ali Farka Toure & Ry Cooder

I probably first heard this track in 1994 through my dad and it was my first taste of African music of which I now dearly love. Apart from the Paul Simon albums 'Gracelands' and 'Rhythm of the Saints' and the North African influenced 'Continental Drift' track from the Rolling Stones album 'Steel Wheels', I wasn't really exposed to 'world' music but I liked it. This track changed everything, I was hooked by the hypnotic sounds of Ali Farka Toure's and Ry Cooder's guitar work and the accompanying rhythms, very chilled. Two Blues heavyweights from different continents coming together to compose the 'Talking Timbuktu' album, showing that despite their distance and contrasting styles they are invariably linked by the Blues.


Click here for more World Music Posts
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Tuesday, 24 May 2011

BREAKUP # 2 - Kate and Anna McGarrigle - 'Heart Like a Wheel'

Kate and Anna McGarrigle - 'Heart Like a Wheel'

No need for much explanation with this one, listen and the tears will flow....this is a live version, but still very good.
I first heard this one from Stan, a guy I shared with way back. I thought she was the one for Stan but that wheel took a wrong turn and left Stan mending a broken heart. My Wife always compares love to be like a vase, if there is a Crack, then it will never be the same again. I'm of the Ming variety by the way.
Another reason for this choice is that Kate passed away recently. By the way her son is Rufus Wainwright.

After party too much? Click here for more breakup posts then
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Monday, 23 May 2011

TUESDAY BLUES! Norah Jones - Light as a Feather

Confession number 1 - I have always had a thing for women who play guitars. Confession number 2 - if they happen to sing & play guitar they move up a level. If they happen to be attractive - well, you know where i'm going with this.  Norah Jones is all of the above.  "Light as a feather" was written by Ryan Adams and features a slinky guitar melody that is just intoxicating. Her voice is so relaxing that it should be bottled and be made into a Bath Oil. All in all a great way to cheer me up when I've got the Tuesday Blues.

"....I wanna live with a musician. She'd write songs at home and ask me what I thought of them, and maybe even include one of our little private jokes in the liner notes" - Rob Gordon (High Fidelity)

Click here for more of Tuesday Blues. 

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CLASSIC MOVIE SCENE - I Am Legend - Bob Marley - 'Stir it Up'




     I Am Legend. This scene gave me goose pimples. It contrasted the desperate situation he was in, being one of the only survivors among an undead-infested Manhattan with the beauty and hope of the song. Sometimes when I feel musically uninspired, lost and need to find my way I use Reggae (especially Roots) as my fall back music, a way to reboot. It's like a soothing balm, the soulful rhythmic sound, cool bass lines and with the beat sometimes feeling like a heartbeat, it can almost be primal. I guess it would be like being cradled in the bosom of a very large woman...hmmm well...scratch the bosom bit.


    May 11th 2011 saw the 30th anniversary of Bob Marley's passing and it is fitting how Will Smith describes him beautifully in this scene too. A man not only important for what he did to Reggae and music in general but to the ideology that music can bridge divisions and heal the pain. So this is a nod to Bob, a legend in every sense of the word.



Click here for more of our Classic Movie Scene posts.
Click here for more 'From the Frontline' posts...It's what Bob would have wanted!


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Friday, 20 May 2011

BREAKUP # 1 - Nina Simone - 'Do What You Gotta Do'

Nina Simone - 'Do What You Gotta Do'

We have all got out breakup songs but the first time I heard this, I knew I had to break up. Because this must be what it would be like, this is sheer pain and resignation...similar to Ray Charles ..'I cant stop loving You', That girl must have done the dirty and probably with his best friend but he still loves her (for ever)...'get a life mate'! We are stronger now but that pain still jags deep...'I loved you better than you own kin' ..'It's my own fault what happes to my heart.'....wheeUhh!

What's the point of it all? Want more wallowing? Click here
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Thursday, 19 May 2011

TRACK OF THE WEEK - Twilight Singers - On the Corner


Twilight Singers - On the Corner (2011)

is a Track from the Album 'Dynamite Steps' It is one of the projects of main man Greg Dulli, he has also  worked recently with Mark Lanegan. Anyway the track itself is right up my street, haunting, dark....is there a Cure influence ? or dare I say it, even a hint of Joy Division...enough, enough, too much praise. I have listened to a few of the tracks on the album and I believe I am going to enjoy this one. 'On the Corner' definitely is a highlight.
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WEDNESDAY CLUB - Bert Jansch - Needle of Death

BERT JANSCH - Needle of Death(1965)

I first heard this way back in the early 60's and have been a big fan of Bert ever since. His first Album where this is taken from is incredible with many great memorable songs. And it was once said he is the Hendrix of the acoustic guitar, I must agree. He later became part of the Pentangle and along with John Renbourn formed the best 2 lead guitars in any group, bar none. This is one of the great drugs songs and still sounds fresh and relevant today.

I did have the pleasure of meeting Bert in the flesh. He was playing in a small venue in Isleworth Middlesex. I had a few drinks one lunch time to celebrate a colleagues birthday and it was him that told me Burt was playing locally.That was it we were going Bert has always been one of my favourites.

Straight from work to the Venue and to the Bar, we were there for a few hours when I looked up and standing next to me was Burt himself. I could not believe my eyes. Normally I would have been quiet and reserved but because of the session I was straight in. 'Hi Bert, what can I get you'. He told me that he did not drink anymore. I then stumbled out like some kind of obsessed groupie that I was his greatest fan and in the sixties he, Dylan and Muhammad Ali were my Heroes. He replied with great humility that he was in great company there.

I asked him if he would play 'Walk quietly by' from his just released album 'When the Circus comes to Town' as I told him it was my track of the year so far. He promised he would. Bert my mate.

The venue was one of these all tables and candle in the middle jobs. Some fans sat cross legged in front of the stage (ex hippies).

It was all a very civilised affair until Burt announced that the next song was for me. I immediately stood up arms waving and smashed my full pint across the table. to the gasp and horror of the dedicated well behaved fans.

Sorry Burt, but thanks and a great song.
   
Wednesday Club....I want more!
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Wednesday, 18 May 2011

DYLAN COVER # 1 - Ronnie Drew and Eleanor Shanley - 'Restless Farewell and The Parting Glass'

Restless Farewell & The parting Glass - Ronnie Drew & Eleanor Shanley

Album - A Couple more years - 2001

So that is where Dylan borrowed the idea and melody from the song the 'Parting Glass'
I Just Love this one, the contrast between Eleanor's fragile vocals and the rough broge of
Ronnie's (Dubliners) voice. This has always been one of my favourite Dylan songs from the
'Times they are a Changin' album. Its about Dylan ready to move on to new pastures electric as well
as past loves and friends...'and the corner sign says its closing time' Think its time I moved on.

Click here for more Dylan covers
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TRACK OF THE WEEK - 18/05/11 - Bill Callahan - The Drover

TRACK OF THE WEEK - 18/05/11 - Bill Callahan - The Drover


Bill Callahan - 'The Drover' (2011)

Wow! I do like this one.....did not know much about this guy until his album 'Somtimes I wish I was an Eagle'. Found he was main man from Smog, whom I never checked out (will still have to get round to it). I was very impressed with that album. The Drover is taken from his new Album 'Apocalypse' which I was really looking forward to. This track has a Mexicana alt Country feel to the backing, shades of Calexico. If you like the Tindersticks and Stuart Staples voice, you will love this. This is my first blog so just getting the feel....show these young uns.









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TRACK OF THE WEEK - 18/05/11 - Bill Callahan - The Drover

TRACK OF THE WEEK - 18/05/11 - Bill Callahan - The Drover


Bill Callahan - 'The Drover' (2011)

Wow! I do like this one.....did not know much about this guy until his album 'Somtimes I wish I was an Eagle'. Found he was main man from Smog, whom I never checked out (will still have to get round to it). I was very impressed with that album. The Drover is taken from his new Album 'Apocalypse' which I was really looking forward to. This track has a Mexicana alt Country feel to the backing, shades of Calexico. If you like the Tindersticks and Stuart Staples voice, you will love this. This is my first blog so just getting the feel....show these young uns.









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TRACK OF THE WEEK - 18/05/11 - Beastie Boys - 'Make Some Noise'

Flashback 86'!!   Lock away your grannies!                     May 4th, 2011

After a 5 year absence the Beasties return with 'Make Some Noise which is pulled from their 8th studio album 'Hot Sauce Committee Part 2'. With a kazoo like bassline and a heavy kick drum, it's a track which wouldn't have been out of place on their debut album 'License to Ill' back in 86'.

One thing is for certain with the Beastie Boys, they always pull the stops out with their videos and this is no different. A star studded cast in this abridged version of the video 'Fight For Your Right Revisited', shows that their popularity hasn't waned, neither has their sense of humour as they poke fun of their beer swilling, VW sign stealing and pensioner bashing hay days!



They may not be the best MC's and are in their mid 40's but what they lack is compensated by an abundance of wit, style and the ability to always sound fresh, which has made them so endearing over the years.

To quote one of MCA's lines from the track... 'my rhymes age like wine as I get older'!

Beastie Boys 


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Tuesday, 17 May 2011

TUESDAY BLUES! Ravonettes - Forget That You're Young

Sometimes you have to give a Boba Fett nod in the direction of a band when they have written such a fantastic song.

"Forget that you're young" sounds like 80's Smiths, 90's Mazzy Star all rolled together in low-fi melancholy, which makes you want to be a scruffy art student, listen to The Smiths, wear jumpers and grow your hair like Robert Smith....at least that is what art students used to look like!

This song is so simple, it's brilliant.  The repetitive vocal, guitar & drum beat is so....er..."dreamy" and then they go an add a xylophone, repeating the melody over and over which is just the icing on the cake.  What a tune!

Click here for more of them Tuesday Blues dawg....

for those who like The Jesus & Mary Chain, The Kills, Mazzy Star
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Tuesday, 10 May 2011

TUESDAY BLUES! James Vincent McMorrow - If I Had a Boat


Another Blue Tuesday, another day of feeling good, feeling sad.  James Vincent McMorrow is an Irish singer/songwriter and boy he must love the dark stuff.  His style of singing reminds me of Bon Iver, soft singing, great melodies, this boy sounds he's had a good break-up.

Either way, it feels good, feeling sad....

Bummed?.....check out more Tuesday Blues...

for those who like Bon Iver, S.Carey
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Friday, 6 May 2011

TUESDAY BLUES! Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Atlas Hands


On a Tuesday I like to get a little shot of melancholy.  I find that a dash of a singer/songwriter ballading about lost loves, how he/she always gets dumped, or why they were never hugged as a child is what Dr i-dont-feelgood would prescribe...  What ever they are moaning about, I love it.

This song has a couple of lovely layers,  a gentle strum, a little guitar lick, quiet vocals....all in all it makes me feel happy to be sad....


Weather being a twat? check out some more Tuesday Blues.
for those who like Bon Iver, James Vincent McMorrow


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