Danse Macabre - Duran Duran

I'm still not sure what to make of Duran Duran's new rap/goth/pop direction but it's growing on me. Fair play to the band for trying something new a mere 43 years or so into their career though. And they're (mostly) fellow Brummies too, so that's worth at least 5 bonus points.

Groovy Blues - Roy Milton & Camille Howard

I've been buying a load of blues CDs from the local charity shops recently and there's some darn good stuff out there, like this beauty from...wait for it...1945. Who says I don't have my finger on the musical pulse eh? 

BC Camplight / Personal Trainer @ Exeter Phoenix, Tuesday November 21st 2023

 

Back at Exeter Phoenix for the second time in a couple of months, this time for a dose of BC Camplight (aka Brian Christinzio) who I last saw waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 2007. Who knew then what a ‘shitshow’ (his words) the next 16 years would turn out to be for him but with a quadrilogy of critically acclaimed albums under his belt I had high hopes for this evening’s gig.   

BC (that’s Before Camplight) though Personal Trainer put us through our paces with a set that scaled the heights of Polyphonic Spree at their soul lifting best (see set opener Big Love Blanket) and got the booty shaking courtesy of the LCD Soundsystem-ish Rug Busters. 

In a world increasingly stuffed full of AI generated pop trash and wannabe gangsta grime shite it’s refreshing to see a band (all 8 of ‘em too) that can really cut it live.

Speaking of cutting things live, just one song into his set and Brian’s keyboard’s a bloody mess (the result of an ill-advised attempt to spin a glitter ball like a basketball backstage, not realising that glass is a tad sharper than rubber) and his mic stand’s collapsed. With no one rushing to his aid an audience member steps up to hold the mic for the second song after Brian ruefully acknowledges that this is typical for a BC Camplight show. 

It takes more than a bloody finger and knackered mic stand to keep a good man down though and, with his digit clotting rapidly and a new stand rampant we spent the next hour and a half in the company of a performer who’s weathered more storms than most and come out with s series of classic albums to prove it. Unsurprisingly a number of cuts from current album The Last Rotation Of Earth (a top 40 hit as Brian reminded us several times) get an airing, including I’m Ugly, tonight bringing to mind Robert Wyatt at his fragile best. You Should’ve Gone To School (from 2015’s comeback album ‘How To Die In The North) was another highlight and possibly Brian’s poppiest and most upbeat moment since his great lost track Lord, I’ve Been On Fire which he doesn’t seem to play these days. Shame! Pop it back in the set Bri. 

With a top-notch band behind him and some great one liners, one addressed to a heckler, “Two rules sir…don’t talk to me during the show…or after it” and “Anyone been in a mental home?”, the whole set was a delight from start to finish and possibly not since Billy Joel in his 70s prime (hey, don't knock the Piano Man) has the piano been used to such fine effect. Addiction, mental illness and heartbreak may have fuelled Brian’s muse over the past 18 years or so but judging by tonight’s sold out show hopefully there’s (camp)light at the end of the tunnel for Brian now.

Yesterday - Marvin Gaye

It's Monday! Again. So what better track to kick off the week than Yesterday, 'cos that would be Sunday. Picked up another bundle of bargain CDs over the weekend including a Norman Jay compilation album containing this little gem of a cover version from Marvin Gaye. 

While My Guitar Gently Weeps - The Jeff Healey Band

Picked up some CDs by The Jeff Healey Band a few weeks ago and finally got round to listening to one of them last night which includes this blistering version of My Guitar Gently Weeps...or has a Multiple Orgasm in Jeff's case. I wondered what Harrison thought of this version and thumbing through the CD booklet was amazed to discover that he actually played and sang on it. Sadly both Healey and Harrison are now playing that great gig in the sky. Healey lost both his eyes to cancer when he was just one year old and the big C claimed the rest of him in 2008. 

Topless Mother - Nadine Shah

Probably best not to type in the words 'topless mother' into your preferred search engine...ahem...so I've saved you the trouble. There are a handful of artists and bands who consistently pump out the good stuff at the moment and Shah's one of 'em. Enjoy. Whether you're topless or not. 

Goldfinger - James Bond Sextet

Hey hep cats, how's it hanging? Picked up a cool collection of lounge music tracks courtesy of the Shaken Not Stirred compilation CD (Ryko) over the weekend and this is one of the pick of the bunch...a cocktail hour reworking of the Goldfinger theme tune. Anyone else fancy a Martini? 

Sad For Me - No Doubt

Gave the first No Doubt album a spin last night (picked up for 49p from a charity shop recently) and in amongst the early 90s ska punk stuff was this more low key track that's well worth a listen.

There was also this track too, possibly the only ska song in history about going to the dentist, cop a load of the lyrics...

Shiny Happy People - Micky Dolenz

While half the world was losing its collective mind over the last single by The Beatles (or at least the last single until they start bringing out AI versions of The Beatles covering the greatest hits of whoever the flavour of the month/day is...and it'll happen, trust me) a real, live contemporary of the Fab Four, Mr Michael Dolenz Esq, released his latest music, an EP of REM covers. He doesn't stray massively from the original (which was apparently inspired by The Monkees in the first place) but still, it's all rather lovely and the accompanying video, showing Micky's formative years, is a treat too.   

Cry Boy Cry - Blue Zoo

Heard this last night on one of the many, many music channels that I spend far too much time watching. Shades of Ultravox and Classix Nouveaux. As if I need an excuse to stick up a Classix Nouveaux video...

 

Paperlate - Genesis

Classic but all too rarely heard gem from Genesis dating back to...oh my...1982. Phil would go on to employ a similarly kickin' brass section a few years later on Sussudio which also features legendary bassist and groovy Santa lookalike Leland Sklar...