London Scouser's Best Of Latitude 2014 - Billy Bragg, Bombay Bicycle Club, Kate Tempest

London Scouser's Best Of Latitude 2014 - Billy Bragg, Bombay Bicycle Club, Kate Tempest

Billy Bragg Bombay Bicycle Club Kate Tempest Latitude Neal

My first festival since V in 2001, would I still enjoy my weekend... 

The tents, the toilets & the rain were all similar memories, shame that the price of a pint has gone up !!!

Obelisk Stage

I've chosen tracks by my favourite artists of each day, and decided to put a video of a live performance rather than a music video to try and give you a feel of my experience. Feel free to put on your wellies if you want the festival experience !!!

Billy Bragg - 'New England'

I loved this song when I was a kid, albeit the version released by the late Kirsty MacColl and it wasn't til a few years later I found out it was written by Billy Bragg. At that time I had read about him in Smash Hits and heard some of his stuff and wasn't impressed. Fast-forward almost 30 years and watching him own the main stage on the first day at Latitude 2014, I am happy to admit I was wrong. I missed his first song as I was buying a hat (the sun was beating down) but the rest of his set was really good and his banter with the audience was excellent. He finished with this song and when he said towards the end "this verse is for Kirsty" I had goosebumps all over and a lump in my throat. Thank you Mr Bragg for a great start to my weekend.

Bombay Bicycle Club - 'Evening/Morning'

Saturday evening was difficult, do I watch something new to me like 'Ghostpoet' or 'Solomon Grey' (as recommended by Shellhunter) or should I go see the BBC who I've been a fan of since day dot. I bit the bullet and went to the main stage and wasn't disappointed. The London boys (I still can't believe they're only in their early 20's) were amazing. Hit after hit followed and it was difficult to choose a standout. I went for this track which was on their debut album and was their first single. It's also the track that got me to like them in the first place.

Kate Tempest - 'Icarus'

I first heard of Kate Tempest when her band 'Sound Of Rum' supported Scroobius Pip a few year ago at a gig in Hoxton and was mightily impressed. On the Thursday evening, before the festival had officially started there was a showing of one of the plays she has written (which I didn't get a chance to see). She has also won awards for her poetry and is in the process of writing a novel, a talented and very busy lady. When I saw that she was performing in a small venue, the Film & Theatre Arena I made it my mission to watch her again which meant I wouldn't get to see 'Parquet Courts' or even 'Chrissie Hynde' who was on the main stage. I'm happy with my choice as I had a great position to watch from. The room soon filled and it got pretty damned hot in there and to make matters worse, I felt myself dancing along more than I can ever remember doing for many a long year. She played tracks from her recent album 'Everybody Down' backed by a small band and the whole room was alive. Ironically though the song I have chosen is an old song that she played. Due to the drum machine temporarily packing in, she performed 'Icarus' as a piece of spoken word. I remembered it from that gig a few years back and maybe it had been that long since she had last performed it as towards the end she forgot a line. She apologised to the crowd but we didn't mind it was still a brilliant recital. Moments later, drum machine fixed, she continued with her set and the crowd continued with their sweat.

Subscribe/listen to our Latitude Best of playlist, which is better value than a £4.80 pint of lager !!

sfw Pada 21:30 2 Komentar

Billy Bragg - No One Knows Nothing Anymore

Billy Bragg - No One Knows Nothing Anymore

Billy Bragg Tuesday Blues

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!

Billy Bragg - Nobody Knows Nothing Anymore (2013)



After a week in the South of France, I'm back with a bump.  The weathers blustery and the hangover has truly begun (Lots of wine was drunk) and it's a bit apt that I've picked this.  It features on Billy Bragg's 2013 album Tooth and Nail. It's all very Alt-Country and I like it very much.

I'm in a very reflective mood and wish I was still sitting by the pool and sipping the vino.  So while I ponder the universe and all that, it's nice to think that I'm on Billy's wave length. I know nothing.

If you are a fan of Men with Beards, like the gentle stroking of a six-string, or just a miserable bugger, Subscribe to our Spotify playlist and read more Tuesday Blues here!

sfw Pada 22:00 5 Komentar

DYLAN COVERS # 101 Freewheelin Covered Side 2

DYLAN COVERS # 101 Freewheelin Covered Side 2

Billy Bragg Bob Dylan Dylan Covers Henry Thomas Johnny Cash Martin Carthy Muddy Waters Rab Noakes Richie Havens

Here is the second side of  'The Freewheelin'  covered, to celebrate #100 'Dylan Covers'

I'm still bleeding freezing!

JOHNNY CASH - Don't think twice its Alright

Yet another classic, I have gone for this version by Johnny Cash recorded at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival a year before the historical electric entrance by Dylan. Johnny gets the nod due to his close assosiation with Bob during the sixties.

Martin Carthy 2nd from left

MARTIN CARTHY - Bob Dylan's Dream

There are several good versions of this fabulous song of nostagia. But I just had to go for Martin Carthy who had I suppose, had as much a contibution as anybody on the many brilliant songs which had been the result of Dylan's vist to the U.K. in 1962. Martin had taught Bob many of the old traditional British ballads.

Dylan adapted these traditional tunes in his own way to be the classics they are recognised now to be. Some might say he copied the tunes. I say he he used what was available and what had been his influences to come up with somthing magic and wonderful. What do you think?.

This is another track from that superb 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan - A Folk Tribute concert, highlighted in side 1 . I have also taken, Talkin World 3 Blues and I Shall be Free from that same concert. These are about the best I can find of these rarely covered songs

  RICHIE HAVENS - Oxford Town

Here is another song which is not covered too often. I like this take by the great late Mr Richie Havens. It can be found on his album My Own Way.

BILLY BRAGG - Talking World War 3 Blues

This is a nice cover by the Bard and again from the fabulous Freewheelin' Concert. I wish I was there. It sounded like a great evening.

 'I wana be in your dream Billy!!'

MUDDY WATERS - Corrina Corrina

This is an old traditional song which Dylan adapted and I have gone for a Muddy Waters live rendition. Take it Muddy. 


HENRY THOMAS - Honey, just (won't you) allow me one more Chance (1928)

I choose this as really it does not take too much to work out where Bob got the idea from. OK he changed the title around a bit and added some more lyrics but basically the song is much the same. Old Henry gets the nod!

RAB NOAKES - I shall be free

This is an excellent version by one of my old folk day heroes Rab Noakes, he is accompanied by another folk ledgend Fraser Spiers who plays harmonica.  For a great Rab rendition of Mississippi  just click.

sfw Pada 09:14 4 Komentar

DYLAN COVERS # 101 Freewheelin Covered Side 2

DYLAN COVERS # 101 Freewheelin Covered Side 2

Billy Bragg Bob Dylan Dylan Covers Henry Thomas Johnny Cash Martin Carthy Muddy Waters Rab Noakes Richie Havens

Here is the second side of  'The Freewheelin'  covered, to celebrate #100 'Dylan Covers'

I'm still bleeding freezing!

JOHNNY CASH - Don't think twice its Alright

Yet another classic, I have gone for this version by Johnny Cash recorded at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival a year before the historical electric entrance by Dylan. Johnny gets the nod due to his close assosiation with Bob during the sixties.

Martin Carthy 2nd from left

MARTIN CARTHY - Bob Dylan's Dream

There are several good versions of this fabulous song of nostagia. But I just had to go for Martin Carthy who had I suppose, had as much a contibution as anybody on the many brilliant songs which had been the result of Dylan's vist to the U.K. in 1962. Martin had taught Bob many of the old traditional British ballads.

Dylan adapted these traditional tunes in his own way to be the classics they are recognised now to be. Some might say he copied the tunes. I say he he used what was available and what had been his influences to come up with somthing magic and wonderful. What do you think?.

This is another track from that superb 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan - A Folk Tribute concert, highlighted in side 1 . I have also taken, Talkin World 3 Blues and I Shall be Free from that same concert. These are about the best I can find of these rarely covered songs

  RICHIE HAVENS - Oxford Town

Here is another song which is not covered too often. I like this take by the great late Mr Richie Havens. It can be found on his album My Own Way.

BILLY BRAGG - Talking World War 3 Blues

This is a nice cover by the Bard and again from the fabulous Freewheelin' Concert. I wish I was there. It sounded like a great evening.

 'I wana be in your dream Billy!!'

MUDDY WATERS - Corrina Corrina

This is an old traditional song which Dylan adapted and I have gone for a Muddy Waters live rendition. Take it Muddy. 


HENRY THOMAS - Honey, just (won't you) allow me one more Chance (1928)

I choose this as really it does not take too much to work out where Bob got the idea from. OK he changed the title around a bit and added some more lyrics but basically the song is much the same. Old Henry gets the nod!

RAB NOAKES - I shall be free

This is an excellent version by one of my old folk day heroes Rab Noakes, he is accompanied by another folk ledgend Fraser Spiers who plays harmonica.  For a great Rab rendition of Mississippi  just click.

sfw Pada 09:14 4 Komentar

DYLAN COVER # 95 Billy Bragg - When the Ship Comes in/Positively 4th Street

DYLAN COVER # 95 Billy Bragg - When the Ship Comes in/Positively 4th Street

Billy Bragg Bob Dylan Dylan Covers Eliza Carthy

The Bard of Barking

 

BILLY BRAGG - When the Ship Comes In

This track I believe comes from a Dylan tribute concert recorded at the Barbican in London on the 26th September 2005. There are DVDs of the venue in circulation and also a CD of the event. I have to say I have not seen it. What I have seen on You Tube looks great. I really must search it out.

The duet between Eliza Carthy and Billy Bragg is excellent. Where it comes from I have no idea?. I have given it a good search but cannot come up with time, date and place. No point in me getting stressed any further. Just sit back relax and enjoy.

Billy has a new album out too for all you new fans.

BILLY BRAGG AND ELIZA CARTHY -  Positively 4th Street

sfw Pada 00:24 2 Komentar

DYLAN COVER # 95 Billy Bragg - When the Ship Comes in/Positively 4th Street

DYLAN COVER # 95 Billy Bragg - When the Ship Comes in/Positively 4th Street

Billy Bragg Bob Dylan Dylan Covers Eliza Carthy

The Bard of Barking

 

BILLY BRAGG - When the Ship Comes In

This track I believe comes from a Dylan tribute concert recorded at the Barbican in London on the 26th September 2005. There are DVDs of the venue in circulation and also a CD of the event. I have to say I have not seen it. What I have seen on You Tube looks great. I really must search it out.

The duet between Eliza Carthy and Billy Bragg is excellent. Where it comes from I have no idea?. I have given it a good search but cannot come up with time, date and place. No point in me getting stressed any further. Just sit back relax and enjoy.

Billy has a new album out too for all you new fans.

BILLY BRAGG AND ELIZA CARTHY -  Positively 4th Street

sfw Pada 00:24 2 Komentar