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Sunday, 31 July 2011

HIP HOP CLASSICS - The Pharcyde - 'Passing Me By'



The Pharcyde - 'Passing Me By' (1993)

The 'Are you Experienced?' sampling, 'Passing Me By', introduced me to one of my favourite Hip Hop albums of all time. It was about four years after De La Soul's '3 Feet High and Rising' and the optimism of the 'Daisy Age' had all but faded but The Pharcyde re-captured that vibe effortlessly with their album 'Bizarre Ride to the Pharcyde'. The fact that 'Passing Me By' is about schoolboy crushes which all end in tears shows one of the many parallels to De La Soul. It's a combination of light hearted content, laid back and Jazzy grooves, and often self-depreciating humour - four talented Californian MC's just fooling around and having a good time. They laid the foundation for other similar acts such as Jurassic 5 and the People Under the Stairs.


It was probably the first alternative Hip Hop album because it actually gave you an alternative from the 'Gangsta Rap' which was dominating the genre at the time. Don't get me wrong I loved all aspects of Hip Hop and there were classic albums from other West Coast heavyweights like Dr Dre and Ice Cube but it was all hard to relate too. Poking fun at each others mum's or trying to get over a lost love were alot easier to relate to than a muthafuckin drive-by.

I read recently that Kanye West rated this album as one of his best of all time and I'm glad he agrees with me.

The Pharcyde - 'Passing Me By'

To da beat y'all...more classics

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TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 31/07/11

Three tracks that 'buffalo-ed our wurzels' this week. Do you have any? Let us know!



Flycasual:-
SBTRKT - 'Wildfire feat Little Dragon'


Oh dear, I'm not sure what the etiquette is here but it's twice a month now Little Dragon have featured on the Tracks of the Week posts. Perhaps not as controversial as having two tracks by the same artist on your C90 mix tape but still a bit naughty, it's my ball anyway.

I just can't help it though, as this track as has been buzzing around my play list for awhile now before I finally took the little sucker in for the attention it deserves. This time though Little Dragon features on UK DJ/producer/re-mixer, SBTRKT's self titled debut album, which was released earlier this year. Like many of the dance artists who don masks, Daft Punk, Deadmau5 and ..erm.. Altern-8, SBTRKT also uses a moniker to allow people to focus on the music as opposed to artist. He has nothing to hide on this form, it has a great Electro feel about it with a wobbly, distorted buzz saw bass all smoothed over by Yukimi Nagano's voice, then of course I just love those sirens. The video is a bit creepy too but then again, I'm a woos.

Sfw:-
Lindsey Buckingham - Seeds we sow
I wouldn't usually listen to this normally, but my not-so-generic MP3 player keeps on playing this whilst on random. Every time I hear it, I can imagine it perfectly fitting on Fleetwood Macs 'Rumours' album, which is a complement as it's one of the biggest selling albums of all time.  For those who don't know, Lindsey was the guitarist for the Mac'.

Old Pa's Corner:-
Neil Young - Amber Jean

WARNING : IF YOU DON'T LIKE COUNTRY BEWARE

This is from Neil's new album 'A Treasure'. Well, although a new release, it is from live performances during his 1984/5 tour. 'Treasure' is definitely the correct choice for the title.

What a fantastic video this is with Neil being accompanied by the International Harvesters ,some of the greatest artists in the history of country music, including the late, great Ben Keith on steel and slide guitar and Rufus Thibodeaux on fiddle. Along with living legends, Spooner Oldham and Hargus “Pig” Robbins on piano, Tim Drummond and Joe Allen on bass and Karl Himmel on drums, among many others.....I love when Neil  goes all country and the fiddle playing here is a real joy. You can't get more country than this, unless Patsy Cline was sitting on Hank's knee singing a duet. Sit back and enjoy.

Wurzel 'buffalo-ed' enough? No? Then click here for more TotW

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Saturday, 30 July 2011

SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX - The Rapture - "House Of Jealous Lovers"



The Rapture - "House Of Jealous Lovers" (2003)

What happens when you blitz together two extreme genres? You get a delicious edgy cocktail called punk-dance which is perfect for all occasions! It's almost like the ideal song for a first date, you have the scratchy guitar and dirty bass line that will keep the bar propping, toe tapping blokes happy and the fast disco beat with the heavy cowbell to keep us girls pacified on the dance floor! I remember thinking "This is seriously excellent!" instantly after hearing this played for the first time on XFM in a little petrol station in Slough. I think I broke the record for how many times you could play a song on repeat in an evening!

You can't buy street cred, it's earned


It was later on in the year, I went to see Beck perform at Brixton Academy and we arrived early to ensure a place at the right hand side stairwell. Many a time have I been able to see sweet F.A due to being 5"4. Also, it's not often I get a chance to see the unknown support act. We are usually busy trying to fill ourselves up with cheap Wetherspoon's world beers, in order to save paying for too many of the extortionate £4 Red Stripe in the venue. The support were in full swing and I recognized that dirty bass! It was The Rapture! Squealing with delight in hearing House Of Jealous Lovers, I got well into "shaking down" as requested in the chorus. It was a great set and reassured me they were not a one track wonder. If you like House of Jealous Lovers, I compel you to listen to their first album, "Echoes". If you are already a fan, good news! New York's finest are releasing their third album this year entitled "In The Grace Of Your Love"! Click on the link for their new single below called "How Deep Is Your Love". And no, it isn't a Bee Gees cover!!


How Deep is Your Love?


Feel like dancing? Put some more money in the Saturday Night Jukebox by clicking here!
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GUEST SPOT - # 7 - Del Amitri - 'Just Before You Leave'

 

Del Amitri - 'Just Before You Leave' (2002)

This week's guest spot is by an extraordinary woman, named Michele:-

It was September 2002, my husband, daughter and then boyfriend were visiting the Costa Blanca in Spain (like you do) to see how our 'off plan' property was coming on. We made up a CD, with each of us choosing 5 tracks for touring in the car and when this one came on, it was one of those moments when the 'world stops'. What a track! It just burns and smokes its way through. I am mostly a dance, disco type of girl (mature lady) but every now and again, I hear a track like this and it reminds me how much I love music from all genres.

By the way they hadn't started to build but we still had a great time, plenty of 'chopitos (chipirones)' 'paella' 'Vino Blanco' and many Grande Cerveza and of course some good music. Ole ! 

Muy Bien! Muy Guest Spot posts?? Ah Si!! 
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Thursday, 28 July 2011

GIVE ME A GUITAR!! - Temple Of The Dog - 'Hunger Strike'


Temple Of The Dog - 'Hunger Strike' (1991)

I first heard of Temple Of The Dog long after I was a fan of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam and was already in love with Chris Cornell and Eddie Vedder's unique rock voices. My now husband(his romancing tactics cleary worked) brought over the album in a obvious bid to woo me with his music expertise and it really knocked me for six! Take heed you ladies out there, it will make you go weak at the knees in parts! Chris Cornell wrote the album as a tribute to the late Andrew Wood, the former lead singer of band Mother Love Bone. Its hard to believe that this album was released before Pearl Jam's 'Ten'!

Nobody puts Temple Of The Dog in the corner

What I loved about the album and especially the song Hunger Strike, was that it had a rock sound but was slower and less angry. Vedder and Cornell's voices compliment each other well with Vedder having the smooth low warble and Cornell's perfectly placed high pitched rock scream! There is no other man that can make Musketeer chic look sexy! As my own tribute, I have included a Mother Love Bone track straight from the well loved "Singles" sound track. Chloe Dancer/ Crown of Thorns is a splice of two songs but to me, can only ever be heard as one. Prepare for goosebumps!

It's all for one


And one for rock!
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DYLAN COVER # 7 - Jimi Hendrix - Like a Rolling Stone (studio rehersal)

 






JIMI HENDRIX - Like a Rolling Stone (1968)

I found this by chance, 'praise be' to whom was responsible. Could this be the 'Holy Grail' of Dylan Covers, if not, it is way up there. I would just love to hear a finished version of this, I am drooling at the thought of it. Hendrix has covered the song on many occasions, never better than his version at the 'Monterey Festival 68' which is widely available and yes thats is his (Dylan's) Grandma over there.

There are 3 different versions of L.A.R.S. on the album 'Live at Winterlands, San Francisco 1968, which gets an official release later this year. At the end of this Post there is a 'taster' version of L.A.R.S. from the first day of this 3 day event, it is well worth hearing, in advance of the 'official' release.

I have also included another great version from Newport Pop Festival 69.

What is the greatest Dylan song? Is it 'L.A.R.S'. because of it's ground breaking significance? Or is it 'Blowin' in the wind' because of its brilliant simplicity? Or even 'Visions of Johanna'? The list is endless....what do you think?

More Dylan covers??

Jimi Hendrix - Like a Rolling Stone (Newport)    Jimi Hendrix - Like a Rolling Stone (Winterlands)            
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Wednesday, 27 July 2011

INXS - Don't Change

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

INXS - Don't Change (1982)

Firstly, while Flycasual is away....I get to post a track that I love....

"Don't Change" is an absolute classic that sounds as good today as it did then (it featured originally on the album 'Shabooh Shoobah').  It wasn't the first track I ever heard by INXS, but it was one of their earliest songs that really cemented their place as my favourite band as a teenager. It had a synth intro,  punky edge, 80's 4/4 beat and a singer so charismatic you wanted to grow your hair long and get a perm (I did 50% of that).

In school, INXS were MY band, I played the albums "Original Sin", "Kick" & "X" to death. They were rock stars, their songs featured in "The Lost Boys" and not to forget the Kick album cover featured a Skateboard (it's a Vision Psycho stick) all of which was important to a 13yr old teenager.  As I got older their appeal started to wane, but I always bought their albums and followed any news about the band. (before the 'net!) So when I heard in 1997 that Michael Hutchence died...I was gutted. My first rock star gone....

Last year I heard this by Beck - it should help you remember the greatness of the band! Here are two tracks from that session that you need to hear - "Calling All Nations" & "New Sensation"

Thursday I'm in Love, the opportunity to share some of my favourite songs

Click here for more Thursday I'm in Love posts
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Tuesday, 26 July 2011

WEDNESDAY CLUB - Cold Chisel - 'Breakfast at Sweethearts'




Cold Chisel - 'Breakfast at Sweet Hearts' (1979)

Hello! all you Aussies out there, this one's for you.

I found Cold Chisel by chance, I was musically bored and bought several things that I had never heard of before and one of them was 'The Best of Cold Chisel'. For some reason I thought they were a heavy metal band and it was a pleasant surprise that they were not but they were just what I needed at the time with so many brilliant songs. 'Breakfast at Sweethearts' was my instant favourite and I loved the slight reggae feel to it.

I was on vacation in Pattaya, we used to go there often for a spot of R&R (I worked in Saudia Arabia), I will always remember an all nighter we had, in the 'pink light district',  plenty Singha beer, music and laughter. We went back to a friends Hotel room overlooking Pattaya Bay and watched the sunrise before going down for the Hotel breakfast. It was quite literally the best breakfast I have ever had and spinning around my head were the words :

Six o'clock I'm going down,
The coffee's hot and the toast is brown,
Hey! street-sweeper, clear my way,
Sweethearts' breakfast the best in town.
woh o-o-oh, Breakfast at Sweethearts.

Oh! To be back there now. I will just have to settle for Cold Chisel and several San Miguels

We later visited an Australian Navy ship in Jeddah Harbour and I was an instant hit with my knowledge of the 'Australian Beatles' and of course Rolf Harris.

I have just heard that Jimmy and the Boys are to reunite, hence this post.
Check out a stream of the new album here at Totally Fuzzy's Blog

Nice one mate! xxxx

Rack off!! What??! Join the Wednesday Club
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Monday, 25 July 2011

TUESDAY BLUES! The Dears - 'Lost in the plot'


The Dears - Lost in the Plot (2003)


What a tune! The Dears are a band which helped challenge my music snobbery....I always wondered why the singer wanted to sound like Damon Albarn - you're from Montreal man! Then I soon remembered that the majority of British rock bands sound like Americans - so all's fair!  I first heard this song when going to hipster bars in LA, surrounded by 'B' list Hollywood stars and even though I stood out - not in a good way, this was one song that stood out - in a good way. It is so anthemic, orchestral and a musical curry paste of Pulp, The Smiths & Pink Floyd - you should try it, this tastes good!

The Dears - Lost in the Plot

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Bombino - 'Ahoulaguine Akaline' and SMOD - 'Les Dirigeants Africains'

World Music Corner


Here are a couple of gems that have been transporting me to sunnier climes over the last few weeks. Just let the music do the talking!
 

Bombino - 'Ahoulaguine Akaline' (I Greet my Country) (2011)

I'm a real sucker for Desert Blues and this track from Niger's Bombino, ticks all the boxes. Although the Tuareg refugee has been making music for awhile, he has recently released his debut album 'Agadez'. Bombino is an accomplished guitarist, as this tune proves and perhaps more melodious than his counterparts, showing there's more to the genre than Tinariwen.


Bombino - 'Ahoulaguine Akaline'



SMOD - 'Les Dirigeants Africains' (2011)

SMOD are a acoustic rap trio from Mali and have recently released an album of the same name. Produced by World Music troubadour Manu Chao, the album blends the traditional with the modern in that unique Manu sound. I just love this with the melody, the beat keeping that rhythmic pulse throughout and that distinct and infectious West African guitar. The song sees them denounce those notorious inept African dictators who seem to remain in power whilst the rest of the population suffers. Tell em' boys!

SMOD - 'Les Dirigeants Africains'

More World Music Corner? Free transport here...click
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Sunday, 24 July 2011

R.I.P. - Amy Winehouse - 'Love is a Losing Game'


Amy Winehouse - 'Love is a Losing Game' (2006)

I've just heard the news that Amy Winehouse has been found dead at her home. No matter what you think about the troubled star there's no denying the fact that she was a phenomenal talent. Her problem with drink and drugs is tediously well documented and will no doubt linger on unnecessarily but she will surely be remembered for that fabulous soul voice delivering a song like the one above with such poise. She gave a lot of her contemporaries and pretenders alike the platform to succeed. A real shame but like many artists who tragically go before their time, her music, thankfully will live on, inevitably more popular than ever. She will be missed.


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Saturday, 23 July 2011

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 24/07/11

These are our tracks of the week. Do you have any? Let us know!


Sfw:-
The Broken West - Perfect Game (2008)

Sometimes, for whatever reason, you don't hear a song when it's released.  I've only discovered this week - and I cannot stop playing it! "Perfect Games" by "The Broken West", to me, is summer bottled into a song, whether it's imagining the drive up the Pacific Coast highway - or the reality of driving to Tenby - this song just picks me up. It's a bit like Foster the people's "pumped up kicks"....so good when the sun is out! Enjoy!

Old Pa's Corner:-
Marry Waterson & Oliver Knight - 'Windy Day' (2011)


This is not that new but was released in March this year. It has been hovering around on my playlist for sometime and I often wake up with the melody in my head and I can't shake it off. I just felt I had to share it. It's a beautiful, sad, haunting song with some a luvely sax, well I think its sax.  I believe it is about suicide but I probably got that wrong as well. Anyway I hope you like it.

Marry Waterson and her brother Oliver Knight belong to the best-known folk dynasty in Britain. Their mother was Lal Waterson, the singer and experimental songwriter who died in 1998, their aunt and uncle are Norma Waterson and Martin Carthy, and their cousin is Eliza Carthy. Keep it in the family, comes to mind.

Flycasual:-
La Canaille - 'J'ai Faim feat Napoleon Maddox' (2011)


Great track with a killer bass and on point delivery. It even has American rapper Napoleon Maddox managing to rhyme 'Pastis' in a verse....fantastique! It reminds me a bit of the Tom Morello side project, Street Sweeper Social Club with it's Rap/Rock style.

I'm usually first in on my early shift at work (04h30), it's a ridiculous and an inhumane time for anyone to have to deal with. One advantage is that I can lay claim to the wireless before anyone else comes in and says 'what's this bloody shit'? Recently I have been listening to French Radio London as they do a playlist from about midnight to 6 am which is a pretty chilled and continous eclectic mix of French and English language tunes. Being half French, not only do I get my French fix but I also get to listen to stuff I wouldn't normally be exposed to, like this tune. I lost touch with French Hip Hop but this prompted me to get back into it! C'est super chouette!

Check out our other Tracks of the Week
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SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX - Faithless - 'Insomnia'

SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX - Faithless - 'Insomnia'



Its about time there was a female insight to this blog! I'm Shell Hunter, a 20something lady with a passion for musical pleasure. If it makes me want to sing or cut a shape, its worth including on my Saturday Night Jukebox!

Faithless - 'Insomnia' (1995)

Picture this, it's Saturday night in a dingy backstreet pub in Hounslow, my friends and I were quite clearly underage but we were accepted as 'locals' there. The jukebox was being hammered by indie and rock anthems such as Led Zepplin's Stairway and Pulp's 'Common People'. Myself and my fellow girlies with pints of snakebite in hand anticipate my 2 quids worth of choices to move it up a notch. Then it comes, the slow heartbeat intro! I scream over to Steve the landlord, 'Put it up! I want my ears to bleed!' This is only allowed to be heard super loud. The beat continues to build up until we all stand up and gather into the gangway in front of the toilets to dance rave style. Big fish, little fish, cardboard box...come on you know them! I've never been to Ibiza but during this song, I crave being in the middle of a huge dance hall surrounded by lots of sweaty dancing people. To feel the climax of the song with the smoke and lasers flashing all around me!


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Friday, 22 July 2011

GUEST SPOT # 6 - Gemma Hayes - Something in my way


This weeks Guest Spot is by Carl Lewis!

Gemma Hayes - Something in my way

Music can mean so many different things to different people,I can get a buzz from an addictive rhythm section as easily as a catchy guitar riff. What stimulates my eardrums though, more than any other facet of musicality is a killer melody coupled with stellar lyrics. Much like a good movie soundtrack enhances the story telling experience, the poetry of song with the correct delivery pulls me into the composers headspace, asking questions of the frame of mind during the writing process. Like Adams' broken delivery of "Sweet Carolina", Duritz' thought provocing performance of "Round Here" or Vedder's intent, vocalizing "my bitter hands chafe beneath the cloud", Gemma has the ability to deliver her story with belief. To transport you away into the story, or if the lyrics suggest, one of your own. Gemma is by far, in my opinion, one of the most talented singer/songwriters to grace the past decade. A fantastic ear for a melody and quite often suprises me with the direction it goes. There was a time in my life when I needed a friend on regular long drives, exciting and scary times. Along with a few others, Gemma's debut, "night on my side" was a companion that is now a personal favourite for the company it gave me. 

Pada 3 Komentar

Thursday, 21 July 2011

DYLAN COVER # 6 - Van Morrison - 'Just Like a Woman'



Van Morrison - 'Just Like a Woman' (1999)

Two for the price of one here, a Dylan song and Van's great voice, can it get any better? This is a great rendition by Van from 1999. Watch out for the 'cereal' inclusion, let me know if you spot it.  There are a few other live versions out there that I'm aware of, I'm sure there are more.

But what a great song, it is definitely one of my favourites, 'they' say that there are many 'references' to a 'relationship' with Edie Segwick, the model, actress who was with Andy Warhol (Supposedly??  the title 'Blonde on Blonde' also refers to E.S.).  If you watch the movie 'Factory Girl' (the story of E.S.), there is a character who is clearly having an affair with E.S., his name is not Dylan but nothing is left to the imagination who he actually is.  Not a great movie, but worth a watch.
E.S. what a babe!
The song has been covered many times but never bettered than the version done by Richie Havens on his album Mixed Bag (1967).

If you have any other versions of Just Like a Woman that you like or prefer, let me know in the comments.

It's was raining from the first
And I was dying there of thirst
So I came in here
And your long-time curse hurts
But what's worse
Is this pain in here
I can't stay in here
Ain't it clear

What poetry! Jeeeez no wonder we like Bob Dylan.

Van Morrison - Just like a woman
Richie Havens - Just like a woman

More Dylan Covers



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DYLAN COVER # 6 - Van Morrison - 'Just Like a Woman'



Van Morrison - 'Just Like a Woman' (1999)

Two for the price of one here, a Dylan song and Van's great voice, can it get any better? This is a great rendition by Van from 1999. Watch out for the 'cereal' inclusion, let me know if you spot it.  There are a few other live versions out there that I'm aware of, I'm sure there are more.

But what a great song, it is definitely one of my favourites, 'they' say that there are many 'references' to a 'relationship' with Edie Segwick, the model, actress who was with Andy Warhol (Supposedly??  the title 'Blonde on Blonde' also refers to E.S.).  If you watch the movie 'Factory Girl' (the story of E.S.), there is a character who is clearly having an affair with E.S., his name is not Dylan but nothing is left to the imagination who he actually is.  Not a great movie, but worth a watch.
E.S. what a babe!
The song has been covered many times but never bettered than the version done by Richie Havens on his album Mixed Bag (1967).

If you have any other versions of Just Like a Woman that you like or prefer, let me know in the comments.

It's was raining from the first
And I was dying there of thirst
So I came in here
And your long-time curse hurts
But what's worse
Is this pain in here
I can't stay in here
Ain't it clear

What poetry! Jeeeez no wonder we like Bob Dylan.

Van Morrison - Just like a woman
Richie Havens - Just like a woman

More Dylan Covers



Pada 7 Komentar

Wednesday, 20 July 2011

De La Soul - 'Say No Go'

Thursday I'm in Love...a chance to share some of my favourite tracks, memories and maybe bag Vanessa Paradis in the process...



De La Soul - 'Say No Go' (1989)


A classic track taken from the seminal debut album from De La Soul, 'Three Feet High and Rising'.

This however will always remind me of my school exchange trip to France in 1990. The mayor of the village where we were staying decided to throw on a disco at the local hall for our final weekend. For me it was a great opportunity to finally win the heart of this Vanessa Paradis lookalike (well I say lookalike, she had long hair and spoke French). Because of the bands Daisy Age sentiment I was dressed accordingly, in a ridiculous flowery shirt and leather peace medallions. I felt like I was a missionary in the Amazon about to educate the local tribe with the message of De La Soul, through the medium of dance and a 12' mix of this song. Instead they obviously thought I was a buffoon as I remained alone on the dance floor desperately trying to catch the eye of my potential mate. Needless to say 6.16 minutes of  the 'Running Man' failed to bag me Vanessa Paradis too. Despite my best efforts, the local village of St Ferriol failed to embrace the charm of De La Soul but thankfully the rest of the world did.


I grew up on Hip Hop and was heavily into it but De La Soul breathed a breath of fresh air to the genre. In an era where it was exclusive and portrayed negatively in the media as being misogynistic and violent, De La Soul's 'Daisy Age' mantra and the Native Tongues collective of which they were part of, portrayed a positive message. It's accessibility was due in part to the innovative samples not normally used in Hip Hop (Steely Dan and in the case of 'Say No Go', Daryl Hall and John Oates) and the ability to poke fun of themselves and of the genre in general. Not to mention the content of their songs which were not as cliched as their counterparts. Victims of their own success? Apart from the 'hippie rap' tag that they couldn't shake off subsequent albums were not as commercially successful but successful in many other ways due to the bands unique style. A Boba Fett nod to you De La Soul!


A yes yes ya'll..more Hip Hop Classics? Click here

Click here for more Thursday I'm in Love posts
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Tuesday, 19 July 2011

WEDNESDAY CLUB - Calexico - 'Alone Again Or'


Calexico - 'Alone Again Or' (2004)

'You know that I could be in love with almost everyone' and I just love Calexico and especially this great live cover of the Love classic, Alone again or. Isn't it great when one of your favourite bands covers one of your favourite songs. When the trumpets come in, I go all weak at the knees and have to lie down.

I have also included the the Love version and the Calexico original version at the end. What a treat you are in for!

Joey Burns and John Convertino were backing musicians with Giant Sand and they started a side project, Calexico which took off and surpassed Giant Sands. I just love their music, it could be described as Mexicano Alt Country. It is one of the few groups that all my family love together, no arguments when Calexico is on. A good starting point would be their album 'Feast of Wire'.

Love - 'Alone Again Or'

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Monday, 18 July 2011

TUESDAY BLUES! Elbow - Jesus was a Rochdale Girl


Elbow - Jesus was a Rochdale Girl (2011)

The wind & rain is currently lashing at the windows, the coffee's poured, the toasts in the toaster, my wife's off to work, a thousand things to do.... but first, listen to this. It features on Elbow's latest album "Build a rocket boys!" and caught me the first time I heard it. Whether it's the broken piano melody, the heartbeat bass drum, the rhythmic guitar strumming or just the list of things that Guy Garvey sings about, it just makes it sound so hypnotic - then 3 minutes later it's over, I wake up from the trance, and get back to today's tasks!

...I've got the Tuesdays blues, because Saturday is so far away (get more here)
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CLASSIC MOVIE SCENE - # 4 - Platoon - 'Tracks of my Tears'


Smokey Robinson and The Miracles - 'Tracks of my Tears' (Platoon 1986)

It's 1991, It's hot, it's humid, we're in a bunker somewhere in Khe Sanh, Nam... Actually I exaggerate, it was probably grey and wet and in quite a nice two bedroom flat in Farnham Royal, Berkshire where at 17, my buddy Wesley and I lived together. Our parents were still in Saudi Arabia and I guess they reluctantly shacked us up due to schooling issues.

This is a fabulous scene, soldiers showing camaraderie in times of adversity, in what must have been hellish conditions (despite the fairy light). A bit like us then but to a much lesser extent. Our parents were a phone call away for an immediate 'medevac' but failure wasn't an option and we had to complete our tour (term). However it did feel like we were holed up deep behind enemy lines as we battled the culture shock we had moving back from Saudi Arabia after 10 years. Like proper weirdos, we'd lose ourselves in music and movies, sometimes re-enacting scenes, of which Platoon was our favourite. What a great movie and soundtrack!


After a long week at the front (school) we'd come home on Friday for some serious R+R. We'd throw on Platoon on the VCR, use our ties as head bands, drink copious amounts of Bud and smoke a joint, purely for artistic license of course (besides mum and dad, I didn't inhale) and looked forward to hearing Smokey as we re-created this scene later in the evening. Funny times.

As for the song, well nothing needs to be said, oldie, breakup, classic it's got it all and it doesn't get much better than this. It definitely helped make the worm turn for us.


War is Hell but if you want more classic movie scenes, click here
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Sunday, 17 July 2011

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 17/07/11

These are our tracks of the week. Do you have any? Let us know!




Old Pa's Corner:-
Jamie XX - 'Far Nearer' (2011)



I just love the sound of the steel drums on this track. Close your eyes and with a little imagination, you are on a sunny beach in the Caribbean, a 'cuba libre' in hand, a lithe, tanned girl by your side - Yes it is only a dream! Then the bass etc. comes in....this should be someone else enjoying this, but it is me enjoying this....I love this!.

I first heard about the 'XX' from 'Ma Boy' and was pretty impressed. I was even more impressed when the 'said' Jamie' had recorded with the late Gil Scott Heron. Listen all the way thru' here its a real gem.

Flycasual:-
Ghostpoet - 'Survive it' (2011)



'I just wanna live life and survive it'

Great, bleak, minimalist Hip Hop for the more mature discerning B-boy. 'Survive it' is taken from UK rapper Obara Ejimiwe, aka Ghostpoet's debut album 'Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam'. I can't help but feel there's an element of Buffalo Springfield in there with the background sample but maybe it's just me.

I guess the older you get your priorities change and it's less about drinking Cristal in clubs (for me that kind of lifestyle was getting tedious anyway) and more about walking around town with a cup of tea, in the dark just trying to get by (the video will explain).

Ghostpoet's style and delivery is not dissimilar to Roots Manuva, DELS or even, dare I say, Faithless' Maxi Jazz. Not your typical run of the mill MC, it's Hip Hop with the Blues and well worth investigating.


SFW:-Seasick Steve - Treasures (2011)


I first heard of Seasick Steve after his performance on Jools Hollands Hootenanny in 2007, but I thought he was bit of a gimmick (I was probably drunk!). I later picked up his album and quickly realised that he is the real deal.  This song features on his latest album 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks' and the slower tracks sound like Rick Rubin produced Johnny Cash - which is fine by me!! 

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