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Showing posts with label Shell Hunter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shell Hunter. Show all posts

Friday, 22 May 2015

Robbie Nevil - C'est La Vie


Saturday Night Jukebox....
Everyone's got a guilty pleasure
My hair is nice....That's right!





Robbie Nevil - 'C'est La Vie' (1986)

Today, 23rd May 2015, will be 14 years since London Scouser and I started officially stepping out. After months of him begging me to go out with him and me saying no but still spending an awful lot of time with him (who was I trying to kid?), I gave in to his nerdish charm.

It was a lovely sunny day, LS suggested we take a drive to Runnymeade and talk a walk by the river. It was so picturesque and none of my previous boyfriends had ever taken me on a date, let alone a romantic one! I was softening....

We walked up to the Harvester restaurant there and whilst we were waiting to be served, I heard music playing from the bar. London Scouser had heard it too and we both started singing the words "C'est la vie, c'est la vie, that's just the way it goes...." It was from one of my favourite albums, Now 9!! We looked at each other and said the next line at the same time, he said "That's life!" and I said what I thought the words were, "That's right!" I always thought of myself as the lyric guru! Oops, I made a boo boo there, he was laughing his head off! I never really put two and two together to work out what it was, seems a bit obvious now, duh! Needless to say, I have never lived it down.

Knowing how well he knew Now 9 must have been the clincher because later that evening after I had dropped him off to play footy with Flycasual, we were speaking on MSN messenger. He tried his luck again probably thinking he had wangled it with such a lovely day, and this time I said yes. We have been together ever since and I know now there is no one better suited for me. Even nerds can get the girl!

Uh, can you pass me a cushion please?

Catch up with more tracks from my Saturday Night Jukebox posts here or playlist below, full of Guilty Pleasures, everyone's got one!




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Saturday, 31 January 2015

Demis Roussos - Forever And Ever

Saturday Night Jukebox....
Everyone's got a guilty pleasure


R.I.P Demis






Demis Roussos - 'Forever And Ever' (1976)

How very strange. I was thinking about doing this post for a while when I heard the news that the big hunk of love Demis Roussos passed away on 25th January this year at the pretty young age of 68. I think its kind of nice that he's been on my mind for a little while, so of course I have to show appreciation in the form of sharing this timeless 70's cheese fest, Forever And Ever.

I first heard about Demis from the fantastic cringey Mike Leigh comedy, Abigail's Party. This classic is very dear to my heart as I played the part of Beverly for my Drama GCSE and got a whopping A* for the performance. I have seen the stage play 3 times portrayed by different actors and I never get bored of it! "Do you think he's sexy Ange?"



The reason he popped into my head recently was that London Scouser and I decided to take our "Babymoon" in Rhodes in October. The last of those sorts of holidays where we are all alone in peace and quiet, I'm told. The only difference was no booze for me! Apart from the obvious Greek theme of the artist, I thought it appropriate as I would probably be dressing much like Demis in the coming months. Loose fitting kaftans or "moomoos" as I like to call them would be ideal maternity wear, although I am still yet to come across some of the wild paisley patterns sported by the man himself!


So I'd like to say Efharisto to Demis for this guilty pleasure!

Catch up with more tracks from my Saturday Night Jukebox posts here or playlist below, full of Guilty Pleasures, everyone's got one!




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Saturday, 20 December 2014

Shell Hunter's - Best 5 of 2014


2014 - ANOTHER GREAT YEAR OF MUSIC


We knew it was going to be tough but its the annual task we must complete. My criteria was simple, if I love it now as much as when it first hit, it made the cut. Here are my prestigious Top 5 followed by the meticulously chosen Top 20. These songs will be frozen in time, forever shaping our memory of 2014 when we look back and listen. Farewell to those that we had to let go, and cheers to the next batch in 2015!!

Boy and Bear - 'Southern Sun'



I got an email from Spotify last week which said, "What was your most listened to song of 2014?" Oooo, I thought, I wonder if this will be any reflection on my Track Of The Year? There it was in black and white, Boy and Bear - Southern Sun. I couldn't argue with that, it really is my favourite song of 2014. I absolutely adore the feel it has, full of warm nostalgia of summer days. If only you could just bottle that!

Future Islands - 'Seasons (Waiting On You)'



I was thrilled to hear my favourite band of 2011 were back with a new album. This track is a real grower and a perfect insight to the Future Islands' unique style. I am privileged to have seen them up close and personal a couple of times (including this year's Latitude), even buying a tshirt and having a chat with the singer Sam who brings raw dramatic emotion by the bucket load. A must see if you get a chance!

Hot Chip vs. William Onyeabor - 'Atomic Bomb'



The original version of this song really is the epitome of this year for me. It surrounds the whole of the Latitude weekend. The day before, picking up Old Pa, driving to Suffolk listening to our Latitude playlist and seeing the whole project jovially performing it on the Sunday morning. It and other songs on the album are absolutely nuts but what a great sound! Having Hot Chip giving it the treatment is the cherry (bomb) on the cake! Boom!

Jungle - 'Busy Earnin'



I have to give Flycasual schnapps for this one, he raved about Jungle all year and he couldn't have been more right. They have a totally fresh sound. I have never seen a harder working group live on stage, they were mind blowing. In the BBC6 tent at Latitude they started off with the aptly titled The Heat and did not stop. So much enthusiasm, energy and they were so tight, it was if they were one big organism. It was worth suffering the sweltering heat to see this soultastic group. I have every confidence they will keep knocking out fantastic funk filled tunes. 

Arctic Monkeys - 'Snap Out Of It'



It was very hard choosing track 5 but I had to have a bit of the 'Monkeys. They just keep doing it. I like pretty much every song they've released but there is something about this one. I cant help singing along. The clever lyrics just roll off the tongue. Its good fun and I always enjoy the observant take on relationships their songs come out with. "There is no way she could have moved on, its obviously a phase. Snap out of it." We've all been there bruv!



Enjoyed my choices? Hear the rest of my Top 20 Best of 2014 on my Spotify playlist below!

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Saturday, 6 December 2014

Prince and the Revolution - 'When Doves Cry'


Repeat Prescriptions....The Top 100 Classic Albums Of All Time that you keep coming back to!





Like doing a university course as a mature student, I am returning to my musical education and filling in the gaps. I intend to revisit The 100 Best Albums Of All Time (see them all here) as recommended by Q Magazine back when the poll was last done in 2006. Some I will know and love, some I will have skimmed and some I will not even have given time of day. This will all change when I listen to every album in full as it was intended, from 100 to 1, and choose my favourite song from each.


Album Number 94: Prince - Purple Rain - 'When Doves Cry' (1984)


Finally an album from the 80s I thought to myself when I saw this was next! I don't know a prince song I didn't like but admittedly I haven actually listened to an album before. I knew that Purple Rain was highly acclaimed so expected to be blown away. I was a little bit more than disappointed I'm afraid to say. I only knew about 3 or 4 songs which I was surprised about and found the album quite dated even for an 80s mega fan like me! I even noted myself thinking 'Jeez, even for Prince this is a bit self indulgent at times'. He would throw in a random screechy solo every now and again. I thought the song Little Nikki was pretty bad. The trouble is, I feel terrible about feeling this way about the music God that is Prince. He truly is a talent and play most of the instruments, writes and is just an all round performer. I have discussed this album a few with people who are almost a decade older than me and the opinion was unanimous: "Oh what a great album!" But when did you actually listen to this album last people? Not recently I'll bet.

Anyway, the end result for me was: yes I did enjoy it, but only in parts. The parts I enjoyed were probably the singles he has previously released, coincidence or not? Not sure! Highlights being Lets Go Crazy, I Would Die 4 U and of course my favourite from Purple Rain, When Doves Cry. Sadly I can't listen to the title track Purple Rain without cringing as it was constantly ruined by being played as an "end of the night" song and lots of drunken people shouting the chorus into the air. Shame.

The part I like best from the classic When Doves Cry is the drumming. Not your traditional drum kit sound, but it sounds like the noises you can make when you're trying to make a racket at home; a couple of bins and a table or something. I realised I haven't a clue what the song was about so looked it up. The director of Purple Rain asked Prince to create a piece of music for a particular part in the film and this was one of two things he came up with. It's about parental struggles and an affair inspired by his own relationship with Vanity 6's, Susan Moonsie. It was Prince's first number 1 single so I can understand its success. Not bad for knocking something up! For a song that is supposed to be a dance track, it's quite stripped back and quiet. The song is pretty timeless asides from the last minute of the track where you have the signature 80s spoiler of the synthesiser solo. Oh dear. Bring on the radio edit for that one!

Nb. Prince seems to have not allowed videos on youtube so I only have a clip to give you the idea. You can find the whole video if you click on this link though! 

Shell Hunter says, worth another listen

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Saturday, 8 November 2014

Iggy Pop - 'I Need Somebody'


Repeat Prescriptions....The Top 100 Classic Albums Of All Time that you keep coming back to!





Like doing a university course as a mature student, I am returning to my musical education and filling in the gaps. I intend to revisit The 100 Best Albums Of All Time (see them all here) as recommended by Q Magazine back when the poll was last done in 2006. Some I will know and love, some I will have skimmed and some I will not even have given time of day. This will all change when I listen to every album in full as it was intended, from 100 to 1, and choose my favourite song from each.


Album Number 95: Iggy Pop - Raw Power - 'I Need Somebody' (1973)

It's the first time since starting this project that I really tried but couldn't enjoy an album. I can confirm though that the title is totally apt. This album and especially Iggy's vocals are full of Raw Power. It was that that I struggled with! I wasn't sure where one song ended and another began, it was pure rock and roll noise! It wasn't until I read into the album that the version I listened to was the original Iggy mix. This was heavy on the vocals and Bowie was approached to remix the album. I noticed there was a version of the album Bowie mixed on Spotify but haven't heard it to compare. I haven't a clue if that would've made a difference to my opinion. Has anyone heard both versions that can tell me if he really improved it?

Anyway as it was the original album that Iggy recorded that I listened to, this still stands. The track I chose is the only one I actually like. Don't get me wrong, I like a lot of Iggy and The Stooges stuff, but for some reason this album went right over my head. Apparently Columbia records insisted Iggy include 2 ballads on the album, this being one of them. It's a slow rocky number that wouldn't be out of place in a backstreet burlesque joint. I can just picture feather boa's and over dramatic dancing. So I like a track that wasn't even Iggy's choice!




Shell Hunter says put it back on the shelf


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Saturday, 11 October 2014

Bob Sinclar - 'Love Generation'

Musical Medicine.....like an oasis of a cold pint in the desert


Nah that's too much, I'll give you...



Bob - Sinclar - 'Love Generation'

I always joke to London Scouser that we can always find an Irish pub in any city we go to. We proved it in Tunisia when we went 8 years ago. Living up to his name, LS was adamant he wanted to watch the Liverpool match and he found a pub outside of our resort to watch it in. We arranged a taxi and we were under the assumption we had to haggle for everything in Tunisia so when we were told the price of our trip we tried to get it cheaper for fear of offending the driver. The taxi driver was quite menacing and after almost a shouting match we backed down and paid the price, a bit flustered and confused about our bartering skills. It was later we found out the taxis outside the hotel have set prices. We must have looked like idiots! In the taxi on the way to the pub, I pictured the headlines....Missing British couple!! I was relieved to get dropped off at our destination!

Are you talking to me?!

The pub was better than any run of the mill Irish pubs I've been to as it goes, we had a great burger and even free pop corn and raw fennel pieces with our drinks, a nice touch. The match was a non starter (surprise surprise!) but they played music videos on the big screen too which is where I heard this song. It was infectious with it's happy beat and whistlely bit. It almost put me in such a good mood not to worry about the taxi home, almost.

Need a pick me up? Listen/subscribe to a dose of TuneDr's Musical Medicine....or read some more here.


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Saturday, 27 September 2014

Kraftwerk - 'The Robots'


Repeat Prescriptions....The Top 100 Classic Albums Of All Time that you keep coming back to!




Like doing a university course as a mature student, I am returning to my musical education and filling in the gaps. I intend to revisit The 100 Best Albums Of All Time (see them all here) as recommended by Q Magazine back when the poll was last done in 2006. Some I will know and love, some I will have skimmed and some I will not even have given time of day. This will all change when I listen to every album in full as it was intended, from 100 to 1, and choose my favourite song from each.




Album Number 96: Kraftwerk - The Man Machine - 'The Robots' (1978)



I always put Kraftwerk down as only big in the 80s but they've been around since 1970! This album from 1978 must have been up there in the ground breaking Electro stakes with Georgio Moroder. It was a pretty short and sweet listen with only 6 songs but definitely some good moments. My favourites of course being The Model with it's excellently simple German accented lyrics, Neon Lights and The Robots. I don't know how long I could listen to this sort of electro for though, it can get a little repetitive. It's strange to me that this album being 36 (!!) years old, still sounds as it intended to; fresh and totally mindbogglingly futuristic.

The Robots is a fantastic track which I knew before but it really does stand out on this album. It's got a slow intro but when it gets into it's stride, it really is a piece of electro genius. I remember when my nephew was a bit younger, he was 'into Robots' for a time and Flycasual told me he had played this for him. I can just see his young imagination being captured by this song and being totally blown away, much like everyone when they first heard it! The higher pitched keyboard vs the lower pitched one is almost like a tiny robot talking with a massive one. The beauty of songs with few lyrics is it allows your mind to wander, as obviously mine did! I'd say it'll certainly be worth listening to Kraftwerk's Greatest Hits for sure.

Shell Hunter's seal of approval


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Saturday, 6 September 2014

Lou Reed - 'Walk On The Wild Side'


Repeat Prescriptions....The Top 100 Classic Albums Of All Time that you keep coming back to!




Like doing a university course as a mature student, I am returning to my musical education and filling in the gaps. I intend to revisit The 100 Best Albums Of All Time (see them all here) as recommended by Q Magazine back when the poll was last done in 2006. Some I will know and love, some I will have skimmed and some I will not even have given time of day. This will all change when I listen to every album in full as it was intended, from 100 to 1, and choose my favourite song from each.



Album Number 97: Lou Reed - Transformer - Walk On The Wild Side (1972)

I have to say, I was totally indifferent about listening to Lou Reed. I heard he as part of The Velvet Underground was heavily influential so I thought this would be a good addition to my music education foundation. Its the first album from this project that I don't fully 'get', though. Musically I like it a lot, there are a good few tracks here that are perfect for any late 60s or early 70s film's opening credits or soundtracks but I think its the nonsense lyrics/poetry that is wasted on me. A couple of times I was thinking to myself, What the hell is he banging on about?! Saying that, I really have to take it into context: we are talking about the early 70s here (drugs, drugs and more drugs?), David Bowie produced it and there are some great moments such as Vicious, Satellite Of Love, Wagon Wheel and Perfect Day. When the lyrics aren't too nursery rhyme sounding and 'out there', its pretty damn good really.

I never thought I would choose such a commercially known song to be my favourite from the album but it was a toss up between Perfect Day and WOTWS. I used to hear it on the radio all the time and think nothing of it except that the iconic riff was sampled for A Tribe Called Quest's Can I Kick It. Listening to it in context with the rest of the bizarrely worded album, I began to really appreciate it. The style, sound along with the atmosphere it evokes, is the epitome of the late 60s, early 70s for me. After digging a little deeper into what the song was about and Lou himself, I realised it was about the gang of misfits that used to hang out with Andy Warhol at his New York city studio. Each one has their nickname and story and I'm pretty surprised it wasn't banned from the airwaves. Drugs, transvestites, oral sex and male prostitutes makes for a colourful view into the era. They just don't make them like that anymore.

Shell Hunter may need another listen


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Saturday, 30 August 2014

Beastie Boys - 'The Sounds Of Science'

Repeat Prescriptions....The Top 100 Classic Albums Of All Time that you keep coming back to!




Like doing a university course as a mature student, I am returning to my musical education and filling in the gaps. I intend to revisit The 100 Best Albums Of All Time (see them all here) as recommended by Q Magazine back when the poll was last done in 2006. Some I will know and love, some I will have skimmed and some I will not even have given time of day. This will all change when I listen to every album in full as it was intended, from 100 to 1, and choose my favourite song from each.



Album Number 98: Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique - The Sounds Of Science (1989)

It's the first album I know I have heard before so was looking forward to revisiting it. After listening to a few tracks I realised how unfamiliar a lot of it was. Did I actually listen to the whole album before? I probably just skimmed through it to my favourite songs Hey Ladies and Barrel Of A Gun. I was a cheat! Listening to it a few times now and having to remind myself this was from back in 1989, it's easy to see why this is in the Top 100. As their tough second album after being nicknamed Frat rappers, they put to bed the idea they were just a commercial novelty act. These guys were for real and were here to stay. You can't deny the authentic old school hip hop sound with brilliant break beat and samples, it makes me feel like break dancing! The album is brimming with comical but clever quips and the chemistry between the group is infectious. And what's more, there isn't a line about guns, gang banging, bitches, hoes or money in sight!

It was a tough call to choose my favourite track. Do I go with a previous favourite which also happens to be a released single and more commercial track, Hey Ladies, or do I choose the track that I was unfamiliar with that came through the most. Well seeing as this is a voyage of discovery, its easy to decide. The Sounds Of Science is almost like two songs rolled into one. Firstly starting off slow and funny then rocking into a seriously fast and furious frenzy of tightly packed rhymes. I especially love when all three are rapping together simultaneously, now there's talent. Its got a good bit of scratching and a great guitar riff sample which sounds a bit like The Beatles, can anyone confirm? I think these guys proved themselves to the sceptics with this album and it will remain in the Top 100 for years, if not decades to come.

Shell Hunter's Seal Of Approval


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Saturday, 23 August 2014

Tom Waits - 'Jockey Full Of Bourbon'

Repeat Prescriptions....The Top 100 Classic Albums Of All Time that you keep coming back to!



Like doing a university course as a mature student, I am returning to my musical education and filling in the gaps. I intend to revisit The 100 Best Albums Of All Time (see them all here) as recommended by Q Magazine back when the poll was last done in 2006. Some I will know and love, some I will have skimmed and some I will not even have given time of day. This will all change when I listen to every album in full as it was intended, from 100 to 1, and choose my favourite song from each.



Album Number 99: Tom Waits - Rain Dogs - Jockey Full Of Bourbon (1985)

I have to admit I was dubious about listening to Tom Waits. It's all Old Pa's fault really, I was traumatised at a young age with the wailing and painful to listen to, Waltzing Matilda. Basically it is because of those memories that I wrote off Tom Waits completely. This is where I really appreciate this project. Having to play something I would never otherwise bother with, already happy with the opinion I set at probably aged 10, means I have to listen to it objectively and make an educated opinion. I compare it to saying you don't like mushrooms when you are a kid and find out you actually love them as an adult. Okay, maybe its going a bit too far to say I love Tom Waits, but I will certainly listen to more. What I do love about him is his talent for imagery and story telling. If he sticks to his raspy, whispery prose and leaves the wailing slow ballads behind, he has a fan in Shell Hunter for sure.

When I first put on Rain Dogs, I laughed out loud. Was this guy for real? Who bought this sort of weird music? I warmed to it quickly though as it took me far away to the back streets of New Orleans, into smokey dimly lit bars with sordid characters at every turn. The track 9th & Hennepin is the perfect example and I would have chosen this as my favourite but didn't fully consider it an actual song. Its like film noir or even like one of my favourite films Sin City with its narration and descriptions.

Jockey Full Of Bourbon was a clear highlight early on as it ticked lots of boxes for me. It showcases Tom in the way I think he is best, no wailing here! It may not sound like a circus like some of the random songs on the album but it's got a great gritty feel to it. Add to that a Calexico sounding guitar riff and I could be in the streets of Havana or Mexico City!

Shell Hunter's Seal Of Approval


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Saturday, 16 August 2014

Wilco - 'I'm Trying To Break Your Heart'

Repeat Prescriptions....The Top 100 Classic Albums Of All Time that you keep coming back to!


Like doing a university course as a mature student, I am returning to my musical education and filling in the gaps. I intend to revisit The 100 Best Albums Of All Time (see them all here) as recommended by Q Magazine back when the poll was last done in 2006. Some I will know and love, some I will have skimmed and some I will not even have given time of day. This will all change when I listen to every album in full as it was intended, from 100 to 1, and choose my favourite song from each.

Album Number 100: Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - I Am Trying To Break Your Heart (2001)


I know of Wilco and I know I know some of their stuff, but when I tried to think of a song or album, oops, I couldn't! So the journey to reinforce my musical foundations has officially begun. It was a gloriously sunny day and myself and LS had just set off for home from Bognor Regis having just visited the mother in law. The start of the journey is through rolling hills and farmland which had fresh bails of hay everywhere. This album couldn't have been more perfect for the scenery and now won't be forgotten. In a nutshell I enjoyed it from the off and actually listened to it several times over the week (I only set myself the task of listening to it twice but it was that good). In my opinion, it has the right balance of folk, pop and electric sound with too many highlights to mention without fear of leaving a song off the album out! 

Although I did try to pick a favourite that wasn't the first track on the album, (don't know why, just felt like a cop out!) I couldn't deny that I enjoy it the most. It reminds me of Beck or Badly Drawn Boy. I just love the rattly bamboo clicks and echoey piano, perfect sunny day music despite the break up sentiment. It's great when the last lines of the song are the guy admitting he is 'the man that loves you'. I shall now be watching the Wilco documentary of the same name!


Shell Hunter's seal of approval.



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Saturday, 26 July 2014

Shell Hunter's Best Of Latitude 2014 - Solomon Grey, William Onyeabor Project, Future Islands

Brilliant sunshine and cold cider, pass me the festival bible. Who will make the cut?!

Add a cold cider to this, does it get better?!


deserved to be packed out

Solomon Grey - 'Firechild' (2013)


What do I do? See Bombay Bicycle Club which I probably owe to myself to see or take a chance on a band that has intrigued me recently. Well I decided to leave the group to see Solomon Grey in the tiny Alcove stage in the woods and I wasn't disappointed. Although the tent was a lot less busy than they deserved, they still pounded the stage and belted out their set like they were headlining the Obelisk stage. They started with Firechild which is my favourite song of theirs and that was it, I was glued to the spot!

William Onyeabor - 'Atomic Bomb' (2014)


Not only was this track of the weekend for me as we couldn't stop singing and humming it, but it'll be one of my top tracks of the year! This old wacky album from William Onyeabor from back in the day was performed by Alexis Taylor from Hot Chip, Pat Mahoney from LCD Soundsystem, Money Mark from the Beastie Boys and Scritti Politti to name but a few of this ever changing super group. It was the perfect setting- beautiful sunshine at the Obelisk stage and the whole group were chilled out lapping up the 'party groove'. Even Old Pa forgot about the toilets for 5 minutes!

"a cross between Henry Rollins Ian Curtis of Joy division"

Future Islands - 'Seasons Change (Waiting On You)' (2014)


I've been championing these guys for a few years now and they were up there on my definite list, despite clashing with War On Drugs which was a shame. Front man Samuel T Herring is a mighty intense guy and he can probably lift triple his body weight in anvils with one hand he is so fit. Thanks to The Swede for giving me the heads up about this performance on Letterman, you can see a very tame version of his stage style. Whether you like it or you find it a little scary, you can't deny its full of emotion and mesmerising! When Seasons came on, the crowd went wild and sang along, obviously approving their newer stuff. A short but sweet set on my favourite stage, the iArena, that left me wanting more from them as usual!

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Thursday, 17 July 2014

FRONT ROW CENTRE - LATITUDE 2013 SPECIAL - DAY 1

Thanks to a good friend giving me a Guest Ticket for the whole weekend of Latitude Festival, I had the privilege of seeing one of the best line ups this year (or any year for that matter)! In my 3 part Latitude Front Row Centre Special, I will talk you through my top highlights over the three days of the Festival!


Latitude Festival Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk on July 19th 2013

On Friday the weather was superb, it was a day for exploring the site but more importantly to start the festival off right! Maybe because it was the first day or maybe because the line up was excellent but it was the best day for me. I watched about 10 hours of constant music and although I'd like to talk about them all I have whittled it down to my fave 3 of the day. The beauty of a festival is the complete chilled out nature, there is room for everyone so therefore no need for me to squeeze though the crowds on my tip toes to try and see whats going on. Here, you pull up a piece of grass and lounge around sipping a cold cider soaking up the atmosphere, whilst seeing your chosen band or artist on huge screens with no pressure to catch the last train home! I was also horrified from festival toilets in the past but at Latitude, I couldn't have asked for more! There was always loo roll, hand sanitisers and no nasty surprises when you open that portaloo door! I was also amazed at the food choice! No nasty burger vans here, it was all gourmet, fresh and locally sourced food. Fancy a hog roast with fries? How about fresh Loch Fyne mussels? Or what about a stone baked pizza hot from the oven or a falafel and haloumi ciabatta? You name it, they've got it here!


Willy Mason - 'Oxygen'

As it was so hot and sunny out, the nature of the music I fancied hearing was of the chilled out softer kind. After seeing Theme Park and James Skelly & The Intenders, I was looking forward to seeing Willy Mason. For each gig, I decided on the 3 songs I'd most like to hear and although he didn't play Restless Fugitive he played great versions of Pick Up Truck, We Can Be Strong and of course Oxygen which was the first song from Willy I had heard. Sadly because there are so many acts to get through, the sets are shorter but Willy still managed to put across his laid back and jolly nice self. I could honestly listen to his relaxed American drawl all day long!


I Am Kloot - 'Hold Back The Night'

The evening was slowly beginning to draw in and what better way to meet it, than by watching I Am Kloot. It was the perfect time of day to hear them and the songs about skies, the days and nights fitted with the serene ambiance nicely. I adore lead singer John Bramwell's warm voice and was happy they played my favourites of These Days Are Mine with a guitar played "Arabian bit" and Northern Skies. All in all they seemed like very nice chaps!


Calexico - 'Maybe on Monday'

My festival pal managed to convince me to head to the front of the BBC6 tent as a big chunk of the crowd seemed to have dispersed to get a spot for Bloc Party. I'm so glad I did. I got a perfect view of Joey Burns doing their soundcheck! I had a totally unobscured view and a nice barrier to lean on. Having seen Calexico many times before I knew they always put on a great show but being so close was such a new experience. Their energy was infectious, they got the crowd whooping and clapping along Corona and Alone Again Or. The real head turners were Maybe On Monday from recent album Algiers and their grand finale of Guero Canelo. They just kept going and went through each band member to give them a chance in the spotlight, to show off their skills. It was truly fabulous and I came out of there absolutely buzzing all over. If I had to choose, I'd say they were my favourite gig for the whole 3 days!


Come back over the next couple of weeks to read about my round up of choices for Day 2 & 3 or click here! Until then, have a listen to my Latitude Spotify Playlist!

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SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX! - Lionel Richie - 'All Night Long'



Lionel Richie - 'All Night Long' (1983)

There are some songs that I loved growing up in the 80's and then I forget all about them until I hear them again. This track from Lionel is a glorious camp number with a suitably cringey video. It never fails to make me smile and sing a long, especially to the African bit!

About 8 years ago I worked in a massive cargo warehouse at Heathrow on the reception to begin with, then got promoted to Exports. I used to have to prepare the airway bills and choose what shipments were built on what pallets. I was still totally new to the environment and although I was a little intimidated by the loud, brusque and down right filthy warehouse guys, I had to be balshy and give back what innuendos and friendly banter I received.

Pass me my plantain, I feel a song coming on!
On one night shift, I ventured out into the warehouse to check some dangerous cargo and Radio Jackie or Heart FM was blasting All Night Long over the speakers. I couldn't see anyone around so carried on about my business, until some movement caught my eye. In the import freight area where the guys were breaking down pallets of tropical fruit and veg, I could see one of the younger warehouse guys prancing around with his shorts pulled right up his bum like little hot pants, miming into either an aubergine or plantain I forget what. All the other guys were laughing at this performance but he had his back to me, so I thought I would milk this opportunity! I creeped closer and then stood behind him waiting for him to notice. With the roar of laughter from his colleagues increasing, it didn't take long for him to work out not only that someone was watching, but it was a WOMAN! One nil to me I'm proud to say. Classic extreme embarrassment face mid dance!



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Saturday, 14 June 2014

The Beach Boys - 'Sloop John B'

Saturday Night Jukebox....
Everyone has a guilty pleasure 

The Welsh Contingent


The Beach Boys - 'Sloop John B' (1966)

Part 2.....

The storm soon subsided and we were again on our way, but this guy was relentless. The fishermen on board caught a load of live lobsters and had put them into barrels on board. This guy pulled one out of the barrel by it's antennae and started trying to chase the squeamish women around, shoving it in their faces. It was then I noticed the Welsh contingent. Surely I'd seen their flags earlier? A couple of the guys were noticeably scowling but did nothing...yet.

In the meantime, we had a little bit of reprise in the form of stopping at a small deserted island. Pure white sand, beautiful green palm trees swaying in the now calm wind. Everyone piled into the water and oooeh and aaaahed about the picturesque beach whilst practically fighting to get a space. It wasn't even five minutes when all you could hear was shrieking and saw holiday makers scattering the beach in panic! The rain storm had awoken a sleeping giant on the island.....a huge swarm of mosquitoes! We all ran as fast as we could back to the boat. I never pictured paradise full of mossies!!

On approach of the dock, the second German guy in the group was staggering along and didn't gauge where the toilet door was, bearing in mind on the catamaran it's on the floor! He fell so awkwardly through it with legs sticking up in the air, we thought he'd broken a few bones!

Everyone got off the boat with this German guy and his mates still singing and shouting their heads off and walked to the coach. I was already inside looking down in perfect timing to see one of the welsh lads punch him square in the nose and shout, 'your walking home boyo!' Everyone on the bus cheered! We didn't see any of these German guys again for the rest of the holiday, until we were on our flight home. The main guy sat a couple rows in front of us very subdued and very quiet!

Have a listen to my guilty pleasures playlist or catch up on more
 SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX posts!
 

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Saturday, 7 June 2014

The Doors - 'Riders On The Storm'

Saturday Night Jukebox....
Everyone has a guilty pleasure

Cuba Libres all round!!
 


The Doors - 'Riders On The Storm' (1971)


Part 1...

Old Ma, Old Pa and I went to Cuba on our first real holiday after moving back from Saudi. I remember it so well, it was my first experience of an all inclusive. I was just 16 but no one ever questioned my age when I ordered the drinks. Cuba is a fantastic place, one I'd love to visit again. Havana was full of old school charm and real life. The beach in Varadero was probably one of the most picturesque I've seen, powder white sand and beautiful cool turquoise water. As we all love being on the water, we decided on a Jolly Roger catamaran tour, which is pretty much a booze cruise with other holiday makers but it ticked all the boxes for us! When you bought that, you got the sunset cruise free which could be taken at a later date. We enjoyed the day tour but were looking forward to the next instalment. When we arrived there were already a few revellers on the boat, who had decided to take their freebie immediately after the day cruise. Wow, they're hard core I thought! We soon worked out they were 3 German blokes and saw that they had a couple of empty rum bottles rolling around them. Hmm I smell trouble.....

The tour began and we were soon enjoying the spray on our faces and a few Cuba libres. Suddenly the sky went dark and it became dramatically cold. The waves turned rough and the heavens opened! We had sailed into one of the daily thunderstorms we encountered there! The group of holiday makers ran undercover and were all huddled under the only shelter available in the middle of the boat and reminded me of a busy hen coup. Old pa and I remained where we were, unperturbed by the dramatic change in weather. The skipper managed to guide us into a sheltered bay in between a couple of small deserted islands where we waited for the swell and enormous thunder claps to subside. In the meantime, one of the 3 drunken Germans was just getting into his stride and stood at the highest point he could clamber up to, and shouted as loud as he could: 'I've seen the lightning of the world!' and 'I am Jesus Christ'. It was all very theatrical with the storm above us. He had been getting into everyone's faces during the trip, barging into a large elderly lady and even old pa at one point. The group were almost at breaking point. I remember now I thought the guy looked like the lead singer from Wheatus with his odd specs.

Stay tuned for Part 2 next week....


I've seen the lighning of the world......!!

Have a listen to my guilty pleasures playlist or catch up on more
 SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX posts!
 

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Saturday, 17 May 2014

FRONT ROW CENTRE - Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobious Pip - 'Angles'

You've listened to the songs...you loved the album...now you absolutely have to see them live...
FRONT ROW CENTRE


Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip - 'Angles' (2008)

Sub 89, Reading on April 27th 2014

For music lovers out there, the ultimate thing to do is to see your favourite artist or group live on stage. I go to a lot of concerts and for me the whole evening is an experience. Living just outside of London means it's a normally a dreaded, disgracefully long trek but it is such an amazing place, not only for music but for a night out so its worth it. Sprinkled with individual bars and restaurants hidden in every corner, it makes for a far more memorable experience! To save you hassling around, see my Gig Watch tips below! This is not a normal gig review, this is my experience.

Scroobius Pip needs little introduction on TuneDr as London Scouser is almost obsessive with his musical appreciation of this spoken word genius and featured him numerous times (have a look here). He does have me to thank though when I came home saying he'd love a song and played him The Beat That My Heart Skips years ago!

friends with fancy facial hair
I loved the venue, it's always a bonus when the bar is in the same room! There was plenty of space and even a couple of couches where we found our spot and I perched on the top of one giving me a pretty good view being as short as I am. The trouble was I was slightly distracted from the show at times with the love triangle unfolding before me. A girl with 2 guys on a night out that were obviously both after her hand. One was playing it low key trying to show he was enjoying the music whilst the other was quite the opposite, showing her more attention than the Scroob! That asides, I still couldn't escape the fact Dan Le Sac and Scroobius Pip had obvious chemistry in performance and in the banter between songs. Dan Le Sac revealed his knowledge of Reading having DJ'd there through the years making quips about the local bus service in his panda head hat. A truly funny guy.

totally sharp

The set was exactly what we wanted, brilliant performances of my favourites such as Sick Tonight, Stunner, Beat That My Heart Skipped and Thou Shalt Always Kill. I was waiting with baited breath for my ultimate though. Then it came, full of theatre and raw emotion which Scroobius Pip delivers with impeccable timing and feeling. Angles has always been my favourite and to hear it loud brought floods of goosebumps. It was an ingenious idea to have costume changes to impersonate the characters involved in the different points of view, proving that Scroobius Pip is just as good a showman as he is a poet. Especially with the final verse when the grieving brother stabs the security guard, wow, it knocked me for six. When I thought he could do no more to impress, the second encore and last song was Letter From God To Man, a clever and very relevant song in today's world. I will most certainly make sure I see his spoken word set at Latitude. Who better to read his poignant and genius lyric than himself, a true inspiration to enjoy modern poetry.

The video is from their gig in Amsterdam and is a fab example of what these two got up on stage. Just awesome!

Gig watch (everything you need to know!)
Venue: Sub 89, Reading
Recommended Pub: The Monk's Retreat, Wetherspoons (mainly for the colourful people watching!)
Recommended Restaurant: Jamie's Italian (but so many to choose from!)
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Saturday, 5 April 2014

Bob Marley - 'Redemption Song'

Musical Medicine....a track that's like a good session in the swim up bar for the soul!



None but ourselves can free our minds



Bob Marley - 'Redemption Song' (1980)

I have chosen this song for a couple of reasons. Last year I went to Jamaica for a holiday and was expecting to be bombarded with Bob Marley songs all day long. I was wrong, it was mostly modern ragga stuff which doesn't really appeal. It's far too aggressive and not what I wanted to hear sipping my Red Stripe on the beach! 

Finally, I heard a bit of Bob, this particular song which I never really took much notice of before. It's not quite the stereotypical 'jammin' reggae you get on holiday resorts. I only remember a guy strumming it on a guitar and singing it during the sad funeral scene from the movie The Beach. This time though, I really listened "none but ourselves can free the mind". I never realised they were words from a Marcus Garvey speech and how influential a song it was. Even considered one of his best works! 

When I came back from Jamaica, I saw that Marley the recent documentary was on and made sure I watched it straight away. I ashamedly realised I actually knew nothing about The Great Bob Marley, his life and what he did for the people of Jamaica. 

All this came back to me last week, walking along the beach in Koh Phi Phi on the way to one of the only restaurants there for dinner. I could hear a guitar gently strumming over the lapping waves and one of the other hotel guests singing it. It's a beautiful song and is now right up there with my favourites from Bob. It means so much more to me now.

One Love, Jamiaca.
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Thursday, 20 March 2014

Smoke City - 'Underwater Love'

Musical Medicine.....a track that's like a healthy insurance payout for the soul!






Smoke City - 'Underwater Love' (1997)

Water is supposed to be a thing of beauty and power providing life for all things! At the moment I'm pretty pissed off with it! The last week has been filled with hassle and expense due to a leak in our living room ceiling. It started of as a small brown patch but grew daily. We luckily had pipe and central heating cover so called them out to have a look. Before anything was really done, the plumber refused to investigate further as due to the age of the house being in from the 70's, there was the possibility of asbestos in our artex. Great, so we had to fork out 90 quid for a guy to come in and take a scraping which took less than 5 minutes and send the sample away to the lab. Good news though, it was clear so I waited in all day for a plumber to come out on a Saturday. 3 hrs later, the 2 leaky pipes in question have been replaced but leaving a massive gaping hole in the ceiling. For the next 36 hrs water continued to drip constantly through the hole forcing us to empty out an old cat litter tray every 2 hours. The next day London Scouser had enough, There's no way that is just excess water from the original leak, there has to be another one somewhere! So, Monday was another day spent waiting for a plumber. Two more gaping holes and a couple hours later, the 3rd leaking pipe is fixed and no more water pouring through the ceiling! Then yesterday we get the delightful news from our home insurance survey....they will pay to get the ceiling fixed! Hooray!

Bloody leaking pipes....

I can't stay angry at water for long though, this time next week I will be at one with it again, scuba diving in Thailand. I can't wait! I will feel like a graceful mermaid and will be imagining this excellent song by Smoke City whilst I glide along. I fell in love with this track when I first heard it on the Levi's advert, they had a knack for picking a winner of a song every time.


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Saturday, 15 February 2014

The Pierces - 'Kissing You Goodbye'

Musical Medicine....like a hot water bottle and a duvet for the soul!

The name is Pierce...



The Pierces - 'Kissing You Goodbye' (2011)

Ever thought a song was following you around to get your attention? Oddly enough, it happened with this song.. London Scouser and I were in town to get him an upgrade for his mobile and whilst I was hanging around the phone shop, this song was playing. I liked it straight away thinking it sounded very much like Mamas And The Papas, 'California Dreaming'. I quickly Shazammed it thinking it must be new. I was surprised that it was out in 2011 and I'd not heard it. Later that day, we went to a pub in the highstreet and as I sat down, a familiar song came on but I couldn't remember what it was so Shazammed it. It was the bloody same song! Twice in one day? That's spooky for a song I'd never heard before!

The Pierces are an American Psychedelic Folk Pop sister duo that have influences in the likes of Joni Mitchell and Simon & Garfunkle. They've even toured with Coldplay and performed on Jools Holland. I must have missed that!


Even though I think it's mighty obvious the uncanny similarities, here's the cracker from Mamas and The Papas for your listening pleasure!

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