Last Night - The Strokes

Good grief, how the hell can 'Is This It' be 20 years old?! I remember buying tickets to see the band at the old Academy 2 (where the Hummingbird used to be) with support from The Mouldy Peaches but one of them broke an arm or something and by the time it was rescheduled they'd got big so the gig was bumped up to the main room. And no Mouldy Peaches neither. Boo! Hiss! Awww well, let's make up for it with this little clip...

Sharp Dressed Man - ZZ Top

RIP Dusty Hill (or Joseph to his ma and pa) owner of one of the most iconic beards in rock n roll and purveyor of top notch bass riffage. 

Nantucket Sleighride (To Owen Coffin) - Mountain

Older readers (make that ancient readers) may recall a show called Weekend World that was shown in the UK on Sunday lunchtimes waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in the 70s and 80s. It was about politics so, as I was only a nipper, it wasn't of much interest to me. I do remember liking the brief theme music though and I've only just discovered it was by an American rock band called Mountain. Here's the track in full, I'll have to add Mountain to my...ahem...mountain of CDs I'm looking out for. 

Summer In The City (Special Disco Version) - Evolution

 'ot innit? Time to dig out Evolution's disco version of Summer In The City!  

Never Too Much - Luther Vandross

How many copies of Luther Vandross's Never Too Much do you need in your life? Lots, that's how many. So when I found a compilation album featuring the track plus the Never Too Much album itself for 20p each I snapped 'em up...along with 17 other CDs. Quite frankly there's no hope for me now. 

Sunmachine - Dario G and David Bowie

Remember this? No, me neither...at least not until some big yellow ball appeared in the sky this morning where the bloody grey clouds normally are. Apparently it's the 'sun' and it's supposed to be around quite a lot in what's laughably called the summer in this country. Amazing eh? Even more amazing is the prediction that it could be around for three whole days this time...and over a weekend too. Good grief. So whilst I may not be having "a party" to celebrate there's a fair chance I'll be having a 'pinty' or two. I suggest you do likewise, who knows when this 'sun' thing will show it's big hot shiny face again. 

Guided By Angels - Amyl and The Sniffers

Yes. Yes. This is what we want more of. Are you listening 6 Music? Play this 10 times an hour please. Even the rude word. The spirit of Poly Styrene's alive and well in Melbourne. 

PS: Lovin' Amy's recipe for Crapple Pie too.

F.E.A.R - Ian Brown

Mr Brown's views on vaccines and masks are well known by now which could be why this track's been going round my head this morning after the confirmation that most coronavirus restrictions are finally being lifted on July 19th. Some people view this as freedom day, others would be quite happy to see some restrictions stay in place for a lot longer. After being 'double jabbed' I'm more inclined to side with the former, especially on the issue of masks. How often do you see someone with their mask hanging round their chin or under their nose? How effective are most of these cheapo masks at stopping a virus? If you can smell someone's vape smoke through a mask I'm pretty sure a virus can get through one. When you put your mask on how do you know you're not trapping millions of virus particles that are floating about in the air between it and your mouth and nose? A virus loves a nice moist atmosphere to breed in and you can't get much moister than a mask, especially in the summer or on a crowded train or bus. And, if masks do work, what impact will stopping people from getting ill have on our immune systems? It's a fact that we rely on catching and fighting off infections to build up our collective resilience so are we sleepwalking into a major flu or other form of epidemic in the near future because of the coronavirus lockdown? How's that going to protect the vulnerable in the long-term? I don't have the answers but seemingly neither does anyone else. If people genuinely feel safer wearing a mask that's great, wear a mask, but lets have a little tolerance on both sides over the coming weeks and months.  

 

Cry Boy Cry - Blue Zoo

Can't watch the football. Far too stressful. I have no idea how real fans cope with it week after week. So I spent last night watching Joe Lycett's stand up show and a little Now 80s which threw up this little gem from Blue Zoo. Did we win? 

Blessing Force - Akron/Family

Picked up another great haul of CDs that nobody else wants on Saturday including Meek Warrior from Akron/Family. Here's the opening track from the album...almost ten minutes of experimental prog folk genius. Enjoy!

Chaise Longue - Wet Leg

This track's currently spinning around what's left of my brain, partially because of the chorus which reminds me of this classic from the all but forgotten Clockwork Orange referencing 90s outfit Campag Velocet. It's like the last 20 odd years haven't happened eh? If only. Enjoy.