Three Shirts On The Line - Frank Sidebottom

Apparently there's a football match on today, so what better time to celebrate the genius that was Frank Sidebottom with his late era classic Three Shirts On The Line. Sadly Frank (aka Chris Sievey) passed away just ten days after this performance...the world could so with him right now...he'd make a great Health Secretary. 

Worry With You - Sleater-Kinney

Almost 30 years into their career and Sleater-Kinney release one of their best tracks. Impressive. Here's a quick blast from the past too...a mere 21 years ago...good grief. 

'Euros' Having A Laugh...

At the risk of stating the bleeding obvious why the hell are 60,000 people going to be allowed to attend the Euros finals and semi finals but apparently it's still not safe for music festivals (many of which will have much smaller audiences) to go ahead? Oh, but people are going to be seated at the games some will say. Okay...but isn't this virus AIRBORNE? And won't people be shouting and singing for 90 minutes? And won't people be crushed together entering and leaving the ground? Kendall Calling fell yesterday, Truck Festival today and it's obvious that the rest will have to follow as no one can risk putting on a festival when the Government refuses to issue any guidelines whatsoever for how these events will have to be run. Either it's relatively safe to hold an outdoor event or it isn't. My heart bleeds for all those behind the scenes who work so hard to put festivals on, as well as the performers and, of course, us...the audience...many of whom have already been 'double jabbed'.  

Now That's What I Call Quite Lucky...

Regular readers will know of my seemingly unquenchable appetite for charity shop CDs. I normally pay anything from 25p to £1 each for 'em but on Saturday I splashed out a whole £3 for Now That's What I Call Music 4. Why? Well, the copy in question appeared to be one of the almost mythical first releases from 1984. I knew it was rare but had no idea quite how rare. Apparently there were only 500 or so of the first pressings made (the cover's different to the later editions and the case has the words 'Patent pending' embossed on the back bottom right hand corner...exciting eh?). So, what's it worth? Well here's the last copy that sold...VARIOUS ARTISTS "NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL MUSIC 4" MEGA RARE ORIGINAL 1984 UK CD | eBay And people say CDs are worthless. If the vinyl revival taught us anything it's that nostalgia's a powerful thing and CDs day will come again, probably pretty soon too. If you don't believe me then listen to the might Jeffrey Lewis, "Whatever people don't want, that's the time to get it". Amen. 

This Year - The Mountain Goats

Picked up four CDs by The Mountain Goats for a couple of quid last week. I'd vaguely heard of the band before but took a bit of a punt on the job lot...okay...so £2 isn't much of a punt is it? I've yet to listen to them but here's a pretty appropriate (and rather ace) track for 2021. 

There Are More Questions Than Answers - Johnny Nash

And so it continues....some 18 months since Lockdown 1.0 we still seem to be some way from 'normality' (remember that eh?). My thoughts are with all those involved in the entertainment and leisure sectors today who, once again, seem to have been royally screwed. As have those of us who've obediently been double jabbed and just want to watch some bloody bands play in a bloody field for a few bloody hours this summer.  

Crushed By The Wheels Of Industry - Heaven 17

 After the week I've had this track seems pretty appropriate. You too eh? Whoo! Whoo!

Missionary Man (Acoustic version) - Eurythmics

Picked up yet more CDs at the weekend including a Eurythmics Angel single including this rather ace acoustic version of Missionary Man. The CD still had the original price sticker on it from back in 1989...£1.99...which was a fair price then. Fast forward 32 years and it had slumped to just 25p, as had an original CD release of the first Rocky soundtrack which has joined my growing soundtrack mountain...

Steel City Disco - Steel City Connection

Apparently one of the rarest disco records ever released Steel City Connection only managed to record one single before splitting up and going their separate ways. Still, if you're only going to release one single you may as well make it a belter...

Inspiration Information - Shuggie Otis

Picked up another bucket load of CDs from the charity shops over the weekend including Here Comes Shuggie and Freedom Flight on one album for a mere pound coin. Why the heck isn't this track better known eh?

I'm guessing you'll know this one though...