MIDWEEK CRISIS you're doing something naughty, come to WEDNESDAY CLUB we've got gentleman Jim but he won't come in while he/she/it is there.
JIM REEVES - 'He'll Have to Go' (1959)
It was not 'hip' to like Jim Reeves when I was a teenager in the 60's and the mere mention of his name now would by pass the words dad rock and grandpa rock would be screamed.
But I don't care!
Gentleman Jim has one of my favourite voices of all time. It is silky smooth and is perfect for his sad break-up ballads. He has contributed to some of my favourite break up songs ever. 'He'll Have to Go' is up there with the best. Painful to listen to, it is typical of the Country and Westerns songs of that time. You may say it is sentimental mush but every now and then it is exactly what I want to hear.
Mr Reeves has many many more just like this and just as good, 'Four Walls', 'I Love You Because', 'I Won't Come in When he's There', 'Welcome to My World', Distant Drums,
Tragically JR was killed in a plane crash in 1964, he was then a Country Superstar but if he had lived who knows what heights he could have reached.
A typical night of music and drinking would start with the latest music, then as the night goes on the oldies would start to creep in. Maybe later, well after midnight, some Pogues, then as the morning progress Mr Dylan and Van Morrison would creep in. We're in the early hours now, 'he's drunk, it's his music now!'. They have all gone to bed. Now for some Joy Division and Leonard Cohen.
I always knew if it was a very very late one, if there was an empty Jim Reeves CD lying around. The CD being the last one played.
A true testament.
That reminds me of 'Apocalyptic nightmares'....you ordered a curry. You wake up the next morning and you remember this curry and you want it now because you are hungover and your got the hungers. You did not eat it. Did you!? It's gone, you ate it last night! and you don't remember 'Apocalyptic nightmares'.
All the the remaining takeaways are hidden in microwaves, cupboards nooks and crannies. Bastardoz. I blew it again! I'm bloody starving!
Go on I dare you, get some Jim Reeves music, you will be pleasantly surprised and you never know you could make your Gran or Great Gran's day. You could be first in the great revival. Its going to happen.
Cold sweat, palpitations, vomit inducing excitement, yup it's Christmas Eve. Christmas songs, love them or hate them, there's really no getting away, so we at TuneDr have compiled our favourites to get you in the mood or tip you over the edge.
Ol Pa's Corner:-
ELVIS - Blue Christmas
I pulled the plug at the last minute and went for something a little more Christmisssiee, I prefer the Jim Reeves version (you old fart! - 'listen you can't beat a bit of Jim at 5 in the morning after a sesh!') but if I did write a Xmas song this would be it. Its all about colours!
JIM REEVES - Blue Christmas
Flycasual:- The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl - 'Fairytale of New York' (1988)
I could have claimed any number of Christmas songs as my favourites, as they of course hold nostalgic value. I was delighted when Run DMC did 'Christmas in Hollis', as Hip Hop was finally represented at the Christmas table, I loved the Boss with the E-street band's impeccable rendition of 'Merry Christmas Baby' whipping me up into a frenzy. Even more recently Low's 'It was Just like Christmas' perfectly mixing the right amount happiness and melancholy that makes a great Festive tune. But if there's one song that's guaranteed to bring a tear to my eye it's that good, it's the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl's iconic 'Fairytale of New York'. A little awkward when you are in the lingerie department in Primark looking for that 'something special' for the wife (though you don't need the Pogues to reduce you to tears there). It's a beautiful love story, flawless, musically and lyrically with some truly unforgettable lines, contrasted beautifully by Shane's and Kirsty's vocals, as it transports you away to New York....it's as good as being there! It's like you've stumbled upon a couple, mid row, the bitterness of a decayed relationship, the dreams and aspirations all but shattered and hanging on to hope. Not to mention a fantastic outro! It's perhaps an obvious choice but it doesn't mean you shouldn't pick it, for me it's the ultimate Christmas song and why I look forward to hearing it every year. As far as I'm concerned, Christmas hasn't got started until you hear 'Fairytale of New York'...
SFW:- Band Aid - Do they know it's Christmas?
The greatest Charity & Christmas song of all time? Well I think so. When you look at the video, you think about the subject and read the back story and how the day unfolded, you realise how one song and two men (Bob Geldof & Midge Ure) changed potentially millions of lives - but also wrote a tune!
Being only 10 at the time, I just thought it was cool that all the 'pop' stars at the time were singing on one song - I was completely oblivious to the subject matter. From Paul Young's opening line, to Bono's iconic line, it has everything you want in a epic pop song, and it's all for a good cause!
So do they know it's Christmas? Well I certainly know it's on the way when this starts playing!
Shell Hunter:- The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping (1981)
I've been trying to put my finger on why I like this song so much. Everyone I'm around shouts at me when I run to turn it up, screaming how annoying it is! But it's got a great bass line, its a bit rocky and describes the raw feelings of looking back over a year's worth of romantic disappointment! In the years before Youtube and the Internet, I wanted to learn the lyrics so I did the whole play, pause, write a line, play again until I had it all down. I hoped this would impress my pals when it played in the pub on Christmas eve. As soon as it came on I jumped up and bellowed the words mixed in with a bit of air guitar. Instead of being met with looks of amazement, I got an ear full of abuse and cigarette packets thrown at me! Nevermind, I knew that when I got home that night, my family would be there to continue the festive cheer and indulge my carolling! Feel free to sing along proper karaoke style! Merry Christmas everyone!
