Matthew Wilder - Break My Stride (Disco Purrfection Version)

Having banged on about this track for a mere 37 years or so I'm chuffed that the Millennials have finally caught up with the genius that is Break My Stride, even if I have no idea what the chuff Tik Tok is. I bought the album (on vinyl naturally) back in 1984 and I've still got it somewhere...it's soooooo awesomely 80s. Here's another choice cut with an equally brilliant video. Matthew Wilder, what a dude.

Flogging Molly - Float

If you've done dry January (I did it once...never again...can't be good for you) the chances are that you'll be thinking about having a cheeky one on Saturday so here's a cautionary tale from Flogging Molly just in case you're tempted to...ahem...over do it. Cracking tune and even better video. Mine's a pint of scrumpy...

PS: If you like this you can catch 'em at Beautiful Days in August.

Mark Morriss @ The Blue Anchor, Teignmouth - Friday January 24th 2020

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 1995 a 25 year old me went to see up and coming popular beat combo Supergrass at Edwards in Brum supported by some band called The Bluetones. I fell for 'em that night, in particular Mark Morriss's lyrics and vocals, and even bought a 7 inch single for the not inconsiderable sum of £4...except Mark didn't have any change so I paid a fiver for it. In the intervening years I saw The Bluetones probably half a dozen times at various venues and stages in their career. And now, QUARTER OF A CENTURY since I first encountered the band, an almost 50 year old me's standing four feet away from their lead singer in a pub in Teignmouth. Time flies eh?

Morriss is in fine form, playing a set that spans the hits as well as a selection from his solo career (which is something that I really need to investigate). There's some comedy too, especially when the audience of mainly 40 somethings get the words wrong during Slight Return, "Come on, it's my big song...for f***** sake" he smirks before talking us through the right words. It's as good natured, heart warming and intimate a set that I've ever had of the pleasure of attending and a gentle reminder (and at my age you need that from time to time) of just what a great singer and lyricist Morriss is. Here's hoping he'll make a return, slight or otherwise, before too long. 

PS: Kudos to The Blue Anchor for putting on this gig, it's a great little venue and pub with a decent range of ales and cider on offer and a friendly bunch behind the bar. 

Hip Hip A Hale

If you're in Brum tomorrow night head over to The Old Moseley Arms for 23...yes...count 'em...23...original songs from Matt Philip Hale (of Miss Halliwell/The Day Ends fame/infamy). Not sure if he'll be playing this one but trust me every single chuffing tune will be well worth hearing.

Mark Morriss - Holiday Of A Lifetime

Unseasonably poignant track from The Bluetones' lead singer Mark Morriss who, somewhat unbelievably, is playing a gig in a local pub this week. And for anyone who's forgotten who The Bluetones were/are here's just one of a bucketful of top tunes from the dim and distant days we called the 90s.

Rockie Charles - There Is A Rainbow Hangin' Over My Shoulder

With the internet these days there's really no need to take a punt on random CDs by people you've never heard of but I just can't help myself. And when you pick up a little beauty like Born For You by Rockie Charles who needs Spotify eh? Sadly Rockie seemingly never really got the acclaim he deserved and after releasing a few singles back in the 60s and very early 70s he ended up working as a tugboat captain and oyster fisherman before relaunching his music career in 1994. A trio of albums followed, the last completed just prior to his death in 2010 at the age of 67. Ripe for rediscovery? Hell yeah. All hail The President of Soul.

Mura Masa ft Slowthai - Deal Wiv It

Mike Skinner's spiritual sprog Slowthai is on flipping fire on this track. He genuinely doesn't seem to want to play the music biz game either, which is almost unheard of these days. Deffo one to play loud on a Friday afternoon and pogo in yer pants to. Less appropriate in an office, shop or the Houses of Parliament than it is for me at home but hell, it's a Friday.

Melt Yourself Down - Every Single Day

As I'm having a bit of a melt down myself today (I thought technology was supposed to make life easier...ha...what a joke...oh for the days when you could actually talk to a human being once in a while) this band and track seem entirely appropriate. The fact that it's pretty damn ace too puts the icing on the cake...a post jazz dance mash up masterclass. I could listen to it...yes...every single...you get the picture.

Miss Ludella Black - Till You Lie In your Grave

It's Friday! What better way to celebrate than some fine death inciting garage rock from Miss Ludella Black (ex The Headcoatees). If Tarantino ever hears this track he'll wet himself...

The Blue Nile

Prompted by the repeat of 6 Music's celebration of the 30th anniversary of The Blue Nile's Hats album we spent a very pleasant hour or two in its company (and its predecessor A Walk Across The Rooftops) last night whilst chowing down on a Co-op steak and kidney pie and bottle of red (who says rock 'n' roll's dead eh?). Pretty much the perfect soundtrack to that last Sunday before properly plunging back into the real world. Ouch. It hurts.

PS: If you liked Let's Go Out Tonight cop a listen to Tinsletown In The Rain. There...now isn't that better?

Richard Dawson - Two Halves

A happy New Year to you all. Hopefully you got all you wanted/needed from Santa's sack...? I received a copy of one of 2019's best albums (on vinyl naturally), Richard Dawson's 2020, maybe I'll get a chance to see him live and unleashed this year...if I can ever prise my enormous turkey and gin stuffed backside out of the front door that is.