GUEST SPOT #58 - The Black Crowes - 'She Talks To Angels'

GUEST SPOT #58 - The Black Crowes - 'She Talks To Angels'

Guest Spot Jiggley Jones The Black Crowes

This weeks Guest Spot is from Americana/Alt-Country singer songwriter Jiggley Jones.

Fancy telling the world about a great song, gig or musical memory? Well its as easy as clicking on here to submit your very own Guest spot!

The Black Crowes - 'She Talks To Angels' (1990)

Wow, what a powerful song that came out at that time in my life when I was struggling with figuring out the mysterious side of a young woman. Of course this song made it that much more difficult to grasp the mindset of the female species, lol. As a young songwriter in those days, it was these types of lyrics that made me the songwriter I am today. Thanks for this opportunity !!

Checkout Jiggley Jones' latest EP No Spring Chicken

Find out more on his Twitter, Myspace & Facebook page!

Check out more of our Guest Spots here now!

sfw Pada 22:00 1 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 31/03/13 - Public Enemy, Dawes, The Lawlands, Anthrax, Miles Kane

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 31/03/13 - Public Enemy, Dawes, The Lawlands, Anthrax, Miles Kane

Anthrax Dawes Give me a guitar Miles Kane Public Enemy The Lawlands Tracks of the Week

Don't poke me, I'm full of chocolate! Five Egg-cellent tracks to gorge yourself on this Easter!

London Scouser:-
Miles Kane - 'Give Up' (2013)

I first came to hear of Miles Kane in 2009 when he collaborated on the 'The Last Shadow Puppets' album, with his friend Alex Turner. Good company to keep in my view. I really liked the 60's vibe on the album and especially the first single, 'Age Of Understatement'. Two years later he released his debut solo album which continued the 60's style and 'Rearranged' was one of my tracks of the year. I was listening to the radio last week and was pleased to hear that he had a new single out. It starts with a Middle Eastern style intro that then goes into his almost aggressive but appealing vocals, with a good catchy chorus. His new album is out in June and I can't wait, if this is anything to go by.
He has just announced a UK Tour and tickets go in sale next week if you're interested.

Old Pa's Corner:-
Dawes - 'From a Window Seat' (2013)

 

I heard this a few days ago. I think it was on some sampler. It is one of these records I consider 'too good to talk to.'  It is so good,  there must be something wrong with it, or me? I had the the same feeling when I heard Rumours, yes Rumours for the first time. I thought this is just too good! Maybe, I shouldn't listen to this any more.  Maybe leave it for a musically barren time.

Anyway, as you have gathered, I like this and with the help of the www, I see these guys are supporting Mr Dylan soon.  So  if they are good enough for Mr D, then they are certainly good enough for me. They have an album out soon too! Can't wait.

Sfw:-

The Lawlands - 'Youth' (2013)

The Lawlands have recently released their new single “Youth”, which marks the first release by the band with Anthony Ferraro as their lead singer. Ferraro, who also has a solo project, the outstanding Astronauts Etc., was playing keys for The Lawlands when their lead singer left to teach English in Asia. It reminds of The Smiths but I particularly like how the song touches on wanting to stay young, which for me is very apt as I feel that I am about to have a mid-life crisis!

Flycasual:-
Public Enemy - 'Everything' (2013)

Soul on a Pole y'all. This a stunning, soulful and somewhat reflective track from probably my favourite Hip Hop group in the entire universe. I'm such a fan that I missed their second of two albums to celebrate 25 years in the game, The Evil Empire of Everything, released last October, from which 'Everything' is taken. Even though it's a rare departure from their normal bombastic rap style, they did dabble with the Blues on the final track 'Superman's Black in the Building', from 2005's New Whirl Odor. A change of approach, however, doesn't dent 'The Gandalf of Rap', Chuck D's potency, he reminds me a bit of Gil-Scott Heron as he delivers a verbal broadside at many of his materialistic contemporaries.

See what the Prophets of Rage are up to on their site....Word!

Shell Hunter:-
Anthrax - 'Jailbreak' (2013)

I felt I needed a bit of rock refreshment the other day at work so switched the radio to Kerrang, when this track kept on making my ears prick up. I thought, blimey they don't make them like this anymore, I was laughing out loud at its stereotypical rockness. Thinking it was another Darkness type group reliving the 80s shaggy haired, leather clad days, I found out it was Anthrax covering a Thin Lizzy track from their new album Anthems! Now I know it isn't everyone's goblet of mead but its brilliant for its sort and I'll bet the album with covers of Boston, Journey, and ACDC will have you dusting off your air guitar in no time! 

Checkout previous Tracks of the week here

Listen & Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 07:21 5 Komentar

SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX! - The Specials - 'Ghost town'

SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX! - The Specials - 'Ghost town'

Close Encounters Saturday Night Jukebox Shell Hunter The Specials

The Specials - 'Ghost Town' (1981)

 

I was dispatching a normal boring Sri Lankan Airlines flight one evening years ago when I was printing off the final purser paperwork. As the first part of the printout scrolled up with the business class names on, I recognised the surname Lovejoy for 3 passengers. "Oh", I thought, "just like Tim Lovejoy" and I looked at the first name which said Timothy. Oh my god, it must be him! I used be a fan of Soccer AM by default. It was always on on a Saturday morning in our house and despite not being a particular follower of football, I still enjoyed the silliness and humour of the show led by Tim.

Can you show me to seat 1A please?

 

Any way I was so excited to find out he was travelling out with his twin daughters that I told anyone who would listen. At the end of the flight, a couple guys from the ramp came up to collect the push chairs etc, I thought they might get as excited as me when I told them. Instead the ramp supervisor answered, "Tim who? Never heard of him!" Whilst looking down at my computer, I launched into a big speech describing him (and mentioning I thought he was a bit of alright), saying he hosted Soccer AM and I was surprised that the ramp guys hadn't heard of him! The supervisor smirked at me and replied, "oh you mean him over there!" Tim had boarded through the gate with his daughters and was at the end of the queue of passengers now facing me at the computer. My face went extremely hot and I was horrified with embarrassment. He probably was too, after my gushing description of him!

 

To add insult to injury I had to go on board to the cockpit to get my load sheet signed but Tim was putting his baggage away into the overhead locker from the aisle so I had to excuse myself passed him. My face felt like it was on fire and glowing the colour of scarlet. On the way back out of the cockpit, I mumbled for him to have a good holiday and ran out!!

 

 

Didn't you know? We invented music!

You are probably wondering what The Specials have to do with Tim Lovejoy but any fan would know that when asked who his favourite band are, Tim answers "The Specials, they invented music"! I'm also a fan of The Specials and I especially love Ghost Town. I remember putting it on in the jukebox when I was 15 and my friends giving me funny looks during the "lalala" bit. Tim, this one is for you!

For more Close Encounters click here, or for more SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX click here!

 

 

sfw Pada 12:41 4 Komentar

Cheikh Lo - 'Il N'est Jamais Trop Tard'

Cheikh Lo - 'Il N'est Jamais Trop Tard'

Cheikh Lo Flycasual World Music Corner

World Music Corner

Cheikh Lo - 'Il N'est Jamais Trop Tard' (2010)


'It's never too late'

This is a fabulous song and one of my favourite tracks of 2010. It's just a lovely and hopeful sentiment to which I subscribe to, once I eventually get my ass in gear. 'Il N'est Jamais Trop Tard' is by one of Africa's finest musicians, Cheikh Lo, the Mbalax king of Senegal, Mbalax being the traditional Senegalese dance music.

"Will you come to the moon with me Daddy?" My son asks me after his space themed bedtime story.

I take a moment to think about the question....hmmmm. NASA would take one look at my age and the picture of my fat head on my CV and state that I'm probably more suited for the next mission to Starbucks.

Wait maybe there's a chance to be an old gnarly space trucker mining asteroids like in the movie Alien but then again that didn't really turn out all that well.

"No, little man you're on your own on this one, I'm too old."

It dawns on me that as I rapidly approach middle age, at what seems like the speed of light, it may be too late to pilot a freighter on the outer reaches of the Kuiper Belt. But it's never too late for reconciliation, or to do a horticulture class, or to learn the drums or to stop putting off those Spanish lessons, perhaps do something a little more down to earth.

Cheikh Lo...bishop on f1 to g2

Check out Cheikh Lo on Nonesuch Records

It's still not too late to have a listen/subscribe to TuneDr's World Music Corner Spotify playlist below or have a look at some other WMC posts here..

sfw Pada 09:21 10 Komentar

WEDNESDAY CLUB - David McWilliams - The Days of Pearly Spencer

WEDNESDAY CLUB - David McWilliams - The Days of Pearly Spencer

David McWilliams Old Pa's Poetry Corner Wednesday Club

To-day we have a dangerous journey, victory for the Scots and a tale of young love

A young Fred West

DAVID McWILLIAMS - The Days of Pearly Spencer (1967)

-PEARLY PRINCESS-

I played Badminton

 she was the top player from Nairn

 we were the best two players in the North, for our age

she invited me to a party in Nairn. 

I accepted the invitation,

I did not fancy her, I did not like her ankles for some reason,

but she had a brilliant back-hand disguise.

Her friend was a babe

so cute

so cute

the party was in a loft .

I remember 3 songs from that party

 Paperback Writer by The Beatles

Sitting on the Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding 

and of course The Days of Pearly Spencer.

I had no way to get home

her friend said I could stay with her

all very innocent

 I slept on the couch

I was 18, She was 17.

breakfast was strange

her mum, I remenber was nice

she asked if I could drive down to Edinburgh

 the car was to be used by her sister

 my sister Rose also lived in Edinburgh,

so it was perfect

 I had just past my test
I had no driving experience

a dangerous journey
I was ready

The day came it was a Saturday 

I got the first bus through to Nairn

 the car was a Hillman Imp

 it was a freezing morning,

 I could not get the car started 

we had to call the AA. 

all that was required was to pull out the choke

 A disastrous start!!   

The journey was fine

but scarey driving through Edinburgh for the first time

we arranged to meet up in the evening

we were staying quite close

near the Meadows for you who know Edinburgh.

In the afternoon, I went to the first and only time I have been to  the home of Scottish Ruby

Murrayfield

a game between Scotland and OZ.

we won 9 to 3
Scotland won
Scotland won

The evening was beautiful,

we got on great

she was so sweet

 she was so pure

there was a party at my sisters
I remember the song came on

it semed as if it was following us

we laughed
we held

We saw the dawn together

we were in love

me and my Pearly Princess!
me and my Pearly Princess!

We promised to see each other again

we were in love

I never phoned

I don't know why?
I don't know why?

she had slipped through the net of what could have been!.

Where are you now my Pearly Princess?

Where are you now my Pearly Queen?

 

sfw Pada 02:03 6 Komentar

TUESDAY BLUES!! Tom Odell - Another Love

TUESDAY BLUES!! Tom Odell - Another Love

Close Encounters Tom Odell Tuesday Blues

Do you like Singer/Songwriters, or do you have a unhealthy affection to the sadness, if so you may have a case of the Tuesday Blues!

Tom Odell - Another Love

A couple of weeks ago I saw Tom Odell in Bristol, I was really impressed by the 23 year old. You can tell he sings from the heart, which by his repertoire, has been broken a few times - he recently has been romantically linked to Taylor Swift - but I won't hold that against him.

The gig was at the Thekla and I was hoping I had sea legs on as we climbed aboard.  Like any good Pirate I quickly located the liquor whereas the misses grabbed a seat near the side of the stage. When watching the support, George Ezra, Tom came out of his dressing room and sat next to my wife. I could see she was impressed - although I told the cougar that she could be his mother (though only just) - this didn't stop her from rubbing shoulders with him (literally).  I was about to pounce to do my 30 second interview (and keep the misses off him) but a couple of women pounced first and he quickly scarpered off.

Glad to see him at such a small, intimate gig as he's tipped to be the next big thing and the chance of seeing him again in this sized venue will likely diminish.  You should catch him if you get the opportunity.

Subscribe to the Spotify playlist and read more Tuesday Blues here!

sfw Pada 23:00 1 Komentar

COVER NERD! - The Cardigans - 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath' & 'Iron Man'

COVER NERD! - The Cardigans - 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath' & 'Iron Man'

Cover Nerd Neal The Cardigans

Once again it's cover time in my bi-weekly spot where I share with you some of my favourites.

Tell me what you think and please feel free to submit your favourite covers by clicking here

The Cardigans - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1995)

It was the summer of '95 and the three of us were going on our first 'lads holiday'. We planned to drink plenty of the local beer and if we were lucky we might get to chat with members of the opposite sex. In hindsight, the second part was a tad ambitious but we were all in our early 20's and thought we were the dog's doodahs.
I remember we were dropped off at Gatwick and after checking in we hit the pub for a couple of pre-flight pints. On board we had a few more and then landed on the Greek Isle of Rhodes. Faliraki didn't know what was going to hit it. By the time we got to our hotel it was early evening and I decided that we needed a few supplies from the shop on site. When we got there they had litre bottles of Becks !!! So we got a bunch for the fridge and opened one each as we unpacked. I'm not sure which of us young old farts suggested it but we had a nap to get ourselves in prime shape to hit the town.

Are we all wearing our own jeans guys ??

I was woken up to hear Mark panicking that he'd shrunk. He had put his jeans on and after doing them up he realised he couldn't see his feet and the jeans were flapping at the bottom. The dozy git had put Darren's jeans on !! Mark is about 5'8" and Darren is 6'6". It was at this point I knew we were going to have great holiday. We did plenty of part 1 of our plan, and absolute zero of part 2 !!
As for this song, I had recently bought The Cardigan's album 'Life' after having heard 'Rise And Shine' and put it on a C90 with Elastica's debut album on the other side if I remember rightly to listen on my Walkman at the poolside. When this track came on, I recognised some of the lyrics, but as I'm a listen-to-albums-on-random person (see here for when this can go wrong) I didn't realise why. This was way before Ozzy's re-invention as a reality TV god and if it wasn't for the title I would never have put 2 & 2 together. They did it again on their follow up album 'First Band On The Moon' when they excellently covered 'Iron Man'

NERD ALERT! - Apparently, Lovefool is one of Beyoncé's favourite songs.

Check out my other Covers here

And if you wanna subscribe to the Cover Nerd Spotify playlist, please click here

sfw Pada 23:00 4 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 24/03/13 - Depeche Mode, Jim James, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Laura Marling, Woodkid

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 24/03/13 - Depeche Mode, Jim James, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Laura Marling, Woodkid

Depeche Mode Jim James Karen O Laura Marling Tracks of the Week Woodkid Yeah Yeah Yeahs Yoann Lemoine

Five Tracks that were well within budget this week...

Old Pa's Corner:-

Jim James - A New Life (2013)

 

This fabulous track is from Jim James's (My Morning Jacket) new solo album  Regions of Light and Sound of God (2013). It really is a cracking album and there are other highlights, try State of the Art (A.E.I.O.U) the first track on the album, that is a bit special too.

This song highlights the vocal range of Mr Jones and it builds up to a stunning climax that you will want to hear again, right away. It's that good.  Up there with the best tracks of the year for Old Pa. I think I like too much?

The album shines class and a must listen to.

Sfw:-

Laura Marling - 'Where Can I Go?' (2013)



British songstress Laura Marling has recently unveiled Where Can I Go?, which will feature on her fourth Album Once I Was An Eagle. It has been produced by long time collaborator/producer Ethan Johns and is out in May. I just think this girl can do no wrong. She's a real talent that gets better and better with age.... oh and she's only 23! Scary!

Flycasual:-

Depeche Mode - 'Heaven' (2013)

I don't know why I've kept putting off the new Depeche Mode single, because it's brilliant. It has finally broken me down and it is everything I love about Depeche Mode, thought provoking, dark and brooding. I suppose it has something to do with the fact that I'm a huge fan of the electro pioneers (I'd say they've influenced many of my favourite acts on the darker end of the spectrum, Nine Inch Nails, Massive Attack) but I always approach a new release with apprehension in fear that it may be, well, rubbish. Sometimes their music can be too melodramatic, I was never a big fan of 'In Your Room' or 'Walking in my Shoes' from Songs of Faith and Devotion for example (which is tantamount to heresy for many DM fans) but that probably says more about my own neurosis than anything else. Nevertheless you're always guaranteed at least a few gems, 'Heaven' being one and as a result I'm very much looking forward to the new album, Delta Machine out March 26th.

Shell Hunter:-

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - 'Sacrilege' (2013)

As soon as I heard Karen O's signature rock scream on this latest single from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, it made me think back to London Scouser's controversial statement about women lead singers in rock being naff. How wrong could you be, in fact you could say that was sacrilege(you saw that one coming surely)! I think if I could sing, I'd like to sound like Karen O, she can sound soft and purr like in the intro to this track, then kick some ass with her sexy shout! Its almost like a good and bad Karen O are arguing with each other! This song is a real grower with it's Pixies style bass and gospel choir finale.  I look forward to hearing their new album Mosquito which will be out on April 16th, but sadly I wont be able to see them live at the Alexandra Palace on May 4th unless I am airlifted by a helicopter from Camberley. Me and the Ally Pally have got history (see why here)!

London Scouser:-

Woodkid - 'The Golden Age'

I recently bit the bullet and changed from an iPhone to a new non Apple phone. I now have the Nexus 4, and with it I use Google Play... Bear with me this does go somewhere !! Every week they give away a free song to be downloaded. I got this track a week or so ago but only listened to it a few days ago. Its got an almost Coldplay vibe to it, and is a little haunting to me. I don't really know much about the singer other than he is better known as Yoann Lemoine, and that he has directed a few music videos including Lana Del Rey's 'Born To Die'.

Check out his site here...

Checkout previous Tracks of the week here

Listen & Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 05:51 3 Komentar

GIVE ME A GUITAR!!! - Guns N' Roses - 'Civil War'

GIVE ME A GUITAR!!! - Guns N' Roses - 'Civil War'

Give me a guitar Guns N' Roses Neal

Give me a guitar!! Songs that'll make you want to hold your index and pinkie fingers in the air and use your head to ferociously agree over and over !! 

Guns N' Roses - Civil War (1991)

OMG WTF happened to G N' R !!
After Appetite For Destruction they were undoubtedly the best Rock band on the planet. They followed that with the self indulgent double release of Use Your Illusion I & II. They then went into what I call their foodie phase. The Spaghetti Incident album of Punk covers which included possibly the worst Cockney accent on Down On The Farm since Mary Poppins !!
Then Axl went a bit bonkers, everyone else left and new people joined including one guy called Buckethead who played with a KFC bucket on his head (I see where he was going with that one). Now I like Chinese food, but I usually build it  up and am disappointed with the outcome. Chinese Democracy was very much like this, the only difference was the long long wait. I would have expected a discount on the next order if my crispy chili beef took 15 years to get here.

We had it all...

I was a regular patron of Rainbow Records in Feltham (ah the memories) and had great pleasure in forking out the £13.99 for both Use Your Illusion CD's expecting big things. I rushed home and put them both into my 5 CD system which was as big as most sheds !! Thankfully they didn't fail me and I was hooked straight away. Initially the standout tracks for me were the great covers Live And Let Die and Knockin' On Heaven's Door. But after a few plays my absolute favourite was the first song on UYI II.
In my late teens and up I used to go to Richmond most weekends for drinks by the Thames, and the late opening hours of O'Neill's next to the train station. It was at the station where I remember there was a poster for a charity album called 'Nobody's Child: Romanian Angel Appeal' amongst the many tracks was Civil War by Guns N' Roses. I had probably looked at this poster 50 times before I heard the song as it was released before being featured on a G N' R album. I think the poster was still there for most of the 90's too for some reason.
It starts with a speech from 'Cool Hand Luke' and then goes into a well known whistled tune from an American Civil War song before Axl's voice comes in. For me it's almost 8 minutes of brilliance and at times the hairs on my arms and neck stand up, perhaps to attention. The lyrics are 20 years old, but are still relevant and I'm sure that if it wasn't for the negative press about the band it could be a hit again.

If you would like to read our other Give me a Guitar Posts? (click here)

sfw Pada 13:15 2 Komentar

DYLAN COVERS #92 Bobby Darin - Don't Think Twice it's Alright (fast & slow)

DYLAN COVERS #92 Bobby Darin - Don't Think Twice it's Alright (fast & slow)

Bob Dylan Bobby Darin Dylan Covers

Mr Dream Lover

BOBBY DARIN - Don't Think Twice it's Alright (fast)

Here are two interesting takes by Bobby Darin of  Don't Think Twice it's Alright,  the first one is the more commonly heard fast take and can be found on  Golden Folk Hits. However the slow version is quite rare, I had it on an old LP called  Darin 1936-1973 and it does not appear to be on CD.  Not brilliant, but they are worth a listen and if you are a Bobby fan,  then this will be a treat.  Mr Darin did some more Dylan covers and I may do some more next week.

BOBBY DARIN - Don't Think Twice it's Alright (slow)

For More Dylan Covers

sfw Pada 03:03 2 Komentar

DYLAN COVERS #92 Bobby Darin - Don't Think Twice it's Alright (fast & slow)

DYLAN COVERS #92 Bobby Darin - Don't Think Twice it's Alright (fast & slow)

Bob Dylan Bobby Darin Dylan Covers

Mr Dream Lover

BOBBY DARIN - Don't Think Twice it's Alright (fast)

Here are two interesting takes by Bobby Darin of  Don't Think Twice it's Alright,  the first one is the more commonly heard fast take and can be found on  Golden Folk Hits. However the slow version is quite rare, I had it on an old LP called  Darin 1936-1973 and it does not appear to be on CD.  Not brilliant, but they are worth a listen and if you are a Bobby fan,  then this will be a treat.  Mr Darin did some more Dylan covers and I may do some more next week.

BOBBY DARIN - Don't Think Twice it's Alright (slow)

For More Dylan Covers

sfw Pada 03:03 2 Komentar

Tomorrow's World - 'So Long My Love' / Ruffhouse - 'Division III'

Tomorrow's World - 'So Long My Love' / Ruffhouse - 'Division III'

Air Flycasual Musical Medicine Ruffhouse Tomorrow's World

Musical Medicine...It's gonna go off in here!! Ok well maybe not so much today but here are a couple of dance tracks that were good company this week!

These two excellent tracks were the soundtrack to my journey home, after a night out with friends last week. It was the last train home and with the sombre soundscapes, certainly with Division III, it made the whole trip a little unnerving, as I was the only passenger in my carriage. With my head a little fuzzy through beer, I was pretty spooked but luckily I look like a fat Matt Damon and I've seen enough of the Bourne films to be able to defend myself with a Metro newspaper, a Burger King wrapper and a chip.

Tomorrow's World - 'So Long My Love' (2012)

I love this, from it's dark, almost cinematic style (I can see this in a David Lynch movie) to the chorus which sounds like a Sinclair Spectrum game loading. Named after the legendary BBC science program (I grew up on it, CD's in 1981? pfff it'll never catch on), Tomorrow's World is the side project of Air's (see Playground Love post here) Jean-Benoit Dunckel and London based singer and Lou Hayter (New Young Pony Club). 'So Long My Love' is taken from their forthcoming album out later this year.

compact discs in the car? never!

Tomorrow's World on Piccadilly Records..

Ruffhouse - 'Division III' (2012)

Ruffhouse are a trio out of Bristol responsible for some pretty dark, striped down Drum and Bass, 'Division 3' a fine example. I instantly liked it, with the bleak atmospherics and relentless driving beat well and truly freaking me out on my trip home. I couldn't wait to get home to hear it through the speakers, ok not at 1am but the next day. When I did, my wife reaffirmed why I liked this track by telling me to turn it down for the neighbours and saying 'ooh turn it off, it's so sinister.' Yes!

Ruffhouse - the bleak-y boys

read and interview with Ruffhouse on Kmag here....
or find them on Ingredients Records..

sfw Pada 04:04 2 Komentar

WEDNESDAY CLUB - Bob Dylan - I'll Keep it with Mine

WEDNESDAY CLUB - Bob Dylan - I'll Keep it with Mine

Bob Dylan Wednesday Club

'Today we have 'Dont Look Back' and the 'Great White Wonder' 

BOB DYLAN - I'll Keep it with Mine (1964)

It was 1970, I was living in a shared flat in East Kilbride, I had just been  transferred from Inverness to a new Central Tax Centre. One of my flat mates was Stan, we shared the common interest of music and we were both great Dylan fans.

Stan said he did not need Dylan anymore, but I was still obsessed. As Stan was a bit older than me, I thought that could be the reason?.  One day we read in one of the musicals papers either NME or Melody Maker that 'Don't Look Back' was going to be played in Glasgow,  for one night only. We had often talked about the day when we would be able to see this fabled film of Dylan's 1965 UK tour. We now had the chance, we could not contain our total excitement. It was if we were heading towards some religious happening.

The queue for the film was filled with like minded souls, all heading in a trance to see their hero. When we eventually got into the cinema they were playing some Dylan stuff we had never heard  before.

'God no! it must me the legendary Great White Wonder Bootleg album.'

This was indeed too much for us and the rest of the adoring fans who sat in awed silence. The film was  stunning, a brilliant insight where Dylan was at in 1965. If only there were a few more complete songs it would have been perfect.

On the way out the organisers were selling some merchandise, mainly pics and posters of the event. I got talking to one of the guys and asked where could we get a copy of the GWW. After some time of Dylan discussion and pleading, more pleading and even more pleading, he said he had a few copies and he would let us have one for a very reasonable price. He said we were even more obsessed than even he was. Stan to, had regained his mojo for Dylan.

We could not believe what we were holding, it was, as if we had been handed some stardust and we were covered in a halo of light.  I do believe we would have refused a million pounds at that moment, rather than part with that prized album. You have to remember there was no Internet, no access to the very few bootlegs around. This was as good as it could possibly get for us young Dylan fans..

The album was fabulous and it was the first time I had heard Dylan singing I'll Keep it with Mine. A song worthy of any Dylan album and still one of my favourite Dylan tracks.  I later found out that the album was in fact GWW 2 and had a better range of tracks and the quality was better than the original GWW.

Before I moved to London, Stan and I played a game of cards to see who would keep the album. Stan won!

Would you believe it, I was holding aces and eights!

Thanks to the Swede for the nudge!


For more Wednesday Club Wonders

sfw Pada 18:38 15 Komentar

WEDNESDAY CLUB - Bob Dylan - I'll Keep it with Mine

WEDNESDAY CLUB - Bob Dylan - I'll Keep it with Mine

Bob Dylan Wednesday Club

'Today we have 'Dont Look Back' and the 'Great White Wonder' 

BOB DYLAN - I'll Keep it with Mine (1964)

It was 1970, I was living in a shared flat in East Kilbride, I had just been  transferred from Inverness to a new Central Tax Centre. One of my flat mates was Stan, we shared the common interest of music and we were both great Dylan fans.

Stan said he did not need Dylan anymore, but I was still obsessed. As Stan was a bit older than me, I thought that could be the reason?.  One day we read in one of the musicals papers either NME or Melody Maker that 'Don't Look Back' was going to be played in Glasgow,  for one night only. We had often talked about the day when we would be able to see this fabled film of Dylan's 1965 UK tour. We now had the chance, we could not contain our total excitement. It was if we were heading towards some religious happening.

The queue for the film was filled with like minded souls, all heading in a trance to see their hero. When we eventually got into the cinema they were playing some Dylan stuff we had never heard  before.

'God no! it must me the legendary Great White Wonder Bootleg album.'

This was indeed too much for us and the rest of the adoring fans who sat in awed silence. The film was  stunning, a brilliant insight where Dylan was at in 1965. If only there were a few more complete songs it would have been perfect.

On the way out the organisers were selling some merchandise, mainly pics and posters of the event. I got talking to one of the guys and asked where could we get a copy of the GWW. After some time of Dylan discussion and pleading, more pleading and even more pleading, he said he had a few copies and he would let us have one for a very reasonable price. He said we were even more obsessed than even he was. Stan to, had regained his mojo for Dylan.

We could not believe what we were holding, it was, as if we had been handed some stardust and we were covered in a halo of light.  I do believe we would have refused a million pounds at that moment, rather than part with that prized album. You have to remember there was no Internet, no access to the very few bootlegs around. This was as good as it could possibly get for us young Dylan fans..

The album was fabulous and it was the first time I had heard Dylan singing I'll Keep it with Mine. A song worthy of any Dylan album and still one of my favourite Dylan tracks.  I later found out that the album was in fact GWW 2 and had a better range of tracks and the quality was better than the original GWW.

Before I moved to London, Stan and I played a game of cards to see who would keep the album. Stan won!

Would you believe it, I was holding aces and eights!

Thanks to the Swede for the nudge!


For more Wednesday Club Wonders

sfw Pada 18:38 15 Komentar

TUESDAY BLUES!! Ben E King - Stand By Me

TUESDAY BLUES!! Ben E King - Stand By Me

Ben E King Tuesday Blues

Do you like Singer/Songwriters, or do you have a unhealthy affection to the sadness, if so you may have a case of the Tuesday Blues!

A fortnight ago, after reading a news feed on Facebook, I became all nostalgic and a wave of memories came flooding back to me of when I lived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  I particularly remembered when I was 12, when my two friends, Flycasual, Paul and myself would spend our time dealing with our boredom by watching films, listening to music, going to the swimming pools or just Skateboarding to different spots around our gated, western compound.  We used to feel so bored. I laugh now because we never realised at the time how good it was. In some ways, when we left Saudi Arabia it hit us hard, we'd always want to feel that way again.

The news feed had said that a friend was attending Paul's funeral. Two quote from Stand By Me immediately came to mind:-

I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve

Though I hadn't seen him in over twenty years, I knew I'd miss him forever

How very true....

Subscribe to the Spotify playlist and read more Tuesday Blues here!

sfw Pada 01:23 8 Komentar

GUEST SPOT #57 - Motörhead - 'R.A.M.O.N.E.S.'

GUEST SPOT #57 - Motörhead - 'R.A.M.O.N.E.S.'

Guest Spot Motörhead The Swede

It's Monday, and it's guest spot day again. We would like to take a moment to thank 'The Swede' for sending us in this great story. He certainly knows his stuff! Check out The Swede's eclectic blog, 'Unthought, of though, Somehow', it's like walking into your favourite record store....and there's not many of those left!

You see it's that easy, so if you would like to contribute a guest spot then email us or click here...Tell us your favourite song, memory or gig, we'd love to hear from you.

Motörhead - R.A.M.O.N.E.S. (1991)

Gabba Gabba Who?

I was at Virgin Records HQ one evening in the early 1990s, attending an album launch party for a long-since forgotten generic pop act - beer in hand, wearing a Ramones t-shirt and leather jacket. A lady from the record company in her mid-20s, champagne in hand, schmoozed her way around the gathered throng of fellow record store managers and buyers, telling all and sundry how great the band were and how huge they were going to be. She reached me and asked what I thought of the album, which was by now blasting through the room at ear-splitting volume. 'Unutterable shite' I thought. 'Great' I said. She seemed happy enough with that, but as she moved away she turned back, pointed at my t-shirt and said,'By the way, what is ram, ones?'. Ram...pause...ones, as in the number one. She was serious. 'Ramones..,' I said, suppressing the urge to pour my beer over her perfectly coiffured head, '...one of the most important bands of all-time?'

Her eyes glazed. She looked through me as if I'd suddenly started talking in a foreign language and wandered off. I had clearly lost her. I was incandescent. I mean, how can you occupy even a minor position within the record industry and not have at least heard of The Ramones? Specially as they were still a going concern at the time! I necked my beer and left the party early.

If only I could have had Lemmy on hand to spell it out for her.

I'm waiting for your comments.

sfw Pada 09:28 5 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 17/03/13 - Phosphorescent, Rhye, Frank's Daughter, The Flight, Brent and Johnson

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 17/03/13 - Phosphorescent, Rhye, Frank's Daughter, The Flight, Brent and Johnson

Brent and Johnson Frank's Daughter Keaton Henson Phosphorescent Rhye The Flight Tracks of the Week

Put on your Papal slippers and enjoy five tracks that got our vote this week..

Sfw:-
Frank's Daughter - 'Fall Fully Backwards' (2013)


I recently discovered Frank's Daughter. But before you tell my wife, it's not Janine Butcher rather than Frank (vox, guitar, keys) & Arthur (guitar, bass, programming) with their debut single 'Fall Fully Backwards'.  It's layered Synths, driving bass, atmospheric vocals and a drum sample could easily fit on any UNKLE album. Comparisons have been made with Talk Talk, Portishead, Massive Attack and Post 'Kid A' Radiohead.  Either way I loves it!

Flycasual:-
Rhye - 'The Fall' (2012)

It's 4am I'm driving into work, I'm weary and vulnerable, then all of a sudden this siren's voice seduces me over the speakers. There's something very heart warming about being seduced at that time in the morning, in fact, at anytime. I was listening to a playlist of recommended songs, when this one hit me making me go all shivery. It was the feelings it evoked of the longing, fragility and what it means to be newly in love. What's he on about? Oh leave me alone, it was very early and I was feeling particularly susceptible to this emotional barrage. The voice may very well be Sade-esque but the vocals actually belong to Canadian Mike Milosh, who is very much a man, while Danish producer, Robert Hannibal make up the California based duo. The latest single 'Open' is out now but it's 'The Fall' that won me over, the slight housey feel to the song with the minimal beats and subtle piano, just add to it's hypnotic effect and is taken from the debut album, Woman, released earlier this month. It's 35 minutes of sensual, sexy goodness a bit like slowly eating a Cadbury's Flake in your pants.

Rhye's website...

Shell Hunter:-
The Flight - 'Hangman' (2013)

I absolutely love this dark murder ballad from the debut EP of The Flight which is also titled Hangman.  Apparently it is the reworking of an old folk song called Pretty Polly and the EP would probably feature on Tim Burton's iPod! It features the vocals of extremely gutted singer/songwriter Keaton Henson (check more of his stuff here courtesy of SFW). The guys responsible are production tag team Joe Henson (Keaton's bro no less!) and Alexis Smith and it's their first release as artists. I think this track has Massive Attack painted all over it especially the sparse Teardrop-esque beat and Keaton's vocal style reminds me a bit of Sinead O' Connor from Fire On Babylon. Totally hypnotic!

www.theflightmusic.com

London Scouser:-
Brent and Johnson - 'Equality Street' (2013)

Having previously lived in Slough for a number of years I feel a bit proud whenever I see David Brent as he represented !!!
After The Office, came Extras which started brilliantly then fizzled out for me. Life's Too Short is excellent and I'm looking forward to the Easter special, cringe-tastic no doubt.
But I hear you cry, this is a music blog not a TV guide... Have no fear readers, the music is here for you in the fabulous form of 'Brent & Johnson' with Equality Street. 
I'm not a big fan of Comic Relief as I find most of the show pretty awful, for example WTF is Mrs Brown all about ?? How can people laugh ?? But I digress, this years comedy-athon had a few funny moments. Walliams & Carr doing a Bond opening scene and then the return of David Brent. This is a bit of fun with some reggae and rap thrown in.

Old Pa's Corner:-
Phosphorescent  - Song for Zula (2013)

 

This is taken from Phosphorescent aka Matthew Houck's new album Muchacho. I believe the song was featured in Grey's Anatomy (never watched it). Who cares! Why did I bother saying that!

Song for Zula is an excellent haunting song, it could easily be mistaken for something Moby would have done. It would not surprise me if it is not sampled for some TV programme or a TV advert in the very near future. It coasts along on soft, electronic beats and programmed strings. It is one of those records that will get under your skin. I can't stop playing it. I think you could file this under the title of epic. What do you think?.

'Love is a burning thing'

Checkout previous Tracks of the week here

Listen & Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 04:29 6 Komentar

SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX! - The Beatles - 'And I Love Her'

SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX! - The Beatles - 'And I Love Her'

Have Music Will Travel Saturday Night Jukebox Shell Hunter The Beatles

The Beatles - 'And I Love Her' (1964)

I'm a big fan of the "All Inclusive" holiday once in a while. You don't need to worry about carrying cash around and you have have everything you could ever need for a complete holiday in one place: restaurants, pools, pool bars (especially swim up ones), private beaches, evening entertainment and lots of activities. The thing is, with everyone staying in the one place, you begin to recognise poeple and even, God forbid, socialise with them! This is not usually my choice and I prefer to keep myself to myself but when London Scouser, Old Pa & Ma and I get together on holidays namely at the swim up bar, we seem to attract people. Probably because we are quite obviously enjoying ourselves drinking and taking the piss out of people amongst ourselves. We end up getting involved and get to know a handful of misfits whose real names we cant remember but are given better names. 

Hey Paul, aren't those the same trunks as yours?

The last lot who we are still talking about were Scholesy (a fat but very nice northerner who we saw wearing a Scholes football shirt the first day), Previous Previous (a rather annoying woman on holiday with her new beau with a couple of kids from previous relationships) and Elvis & Elvis (an extremely odd looking couple with his and hers Elvis quiffs. I think only one was intentional though). These are people who we would never normally talk to and will never keep in touch with but keep us amused and can contribute to making a memorable holiday.

In the evenings (if you can make it that far), it is the best opportunity for people watching. This is like the cat-walk of Primark and Matalan and damn it, there is someone with the same shirt or dress as you! We sit at the main bar, watching people and discussing what they are probably like and guessing their stories. "Oh they are probably on a wife swapping holiday....that lot look like they've used their injury benefit payout on this 4 star holiday but they are the ones doing paragliding and rock climbing....look at those two, they are not even talking to each other..." I would hate to ever find out what people would be saying about us but at the same time, if it contributes to them having as good a holiday as I normally have doing it, so be it!

I reckon he's having an affair with his brother's wife....

I'm not a huge fan of The Beatles but I like a lot of their stuff and appreciate how massive an impact they made on music. Strangely this is one of my favourite tracks because it always reminds me of All Inclusive holidays. I remember the heat of the evening just after it goes dark when all the hotel ground lights ping on. I love the almost weekend buzz feeling as everyone has their shower and gets dolled up after a day in the sun. In the main bar area you either get music playing over the speakers or an inoffensive band with keyboard etc playing a handful of well known songs sang in Spanish accents. This is one of the songs I remember hearing and singing along to whilst we discussed a few chavs at the other side of the room over cocktails. God, I could do with a holiday like that now!

More tasty pinacoladas from me? Click for more SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX here or listen to the Spotify Playlist below!

sfw Pada 08:59 6 Komentar

DYLAN COVERS #91 Eddie Vedder - Girl from the North Country/Forever Young

DYLAN COVERS #91 Eddie Vedder - Girl from the North Country/Forever Young

Bob Dylan Dylan Covers Eddie Vedder

2 Pearls from Eddie

 

EDDIE VEDDER - Girl from the North Country

I have to say I missed these two Pearls from Eddie Vedder,  especially his magnificent take of Girl from the North Country, I just love it. One of the best Dylan covers I have heard for a while, well to-day, so-far . In fact I missed the whole DVD.

They are both on the DVD  Water on the Road . A must get, I am shouting.

EDDIE VEDDER - Forever Young

For more Dylan Cover  by Eddie

For more Dylan Covers full stop!!!

sfw Pada 15:23 3 Komentar

WEDNESDAY CLUB - Ray LaMontagne - Empty

WEDNESDAY CLUB - Ray LaMontagne - Empty

Ray LaMontagne Wednesday Club

The menu to-day is a Lincoln Fest, an injustice and Ray LaMontagne

Daniel Day Lewis

 

RAY LAMONTAGNE - Empty (2006)

Did you see the Oscars or any other of cinema's excuses to get on your party dress and say to the world, 'look at me, I'm beautiful, I'm famous and I am special'? By the time the Oscars came round, it was all a forgone conclusion and most of the winners were very predictable. Daniel Day Lewis was odds on favourite to get the best male lead for his excellent portrayal of Abraham Lincoln.

I watched that film and the sets and costumes were magnificent. It was a great insight to what happened at the end of the Civil War and how difficult it was to pass the bill to abolish slavery, The Thirteenth Amendment. The film was more like a play, although quite enjoyable.

Sky TV also had a big production about the conspiracy to kill Lincoln and leading members of the Government. The story was mainly about John Wilkes Booth before and after the assassination. It was good and I found it more enjoyable than the film Lincoln.

Now talk about overload, I got hold of the film The Conspirators which deals with the trial of the conspirators who plotted and killed Lincoln. They included a Woman Mary Suratt who was charged as being part of the gang. It was really a show trial and the verdict and punishment had already been decided. They had to show the trial was being conducted correctly and the conspirators had to be represented by  defence lawyers. Frederick Aiken (James McVie) was the Lawyer for the Woman. He eventually proved that she may or may not have been guilty. There was cause for doubt. Watch the movie it is well worth the effort. In fact, of the 3 films I found this the best.

Mary Suratt

The whole point of this post and how I get to this here is that normally at the end of a movie I switch off but in this case I left it on and was really taken with the song sang over the titles. Eventually (blimey, these titles go on for ages and ages, don't they?) I found out it was by Ray LaMontagne and I could not remember hearing the track before, although it sounded familiar. It is from his album Till the Sun Turns Black (1996). It's a good one. Even worthy of Tuesday Blues!.


For more Wednesday Club Oscars    

sfw Pada 01:57 5 Komentar