Consoler of the Lonely - The Raconteurs

Picked up a copy of this album a week or two ago and gave it a spin last night, highly recommended...and this track hopefully proves why. With almost 20 albums under his belt (solo and as part of various bands) Jack White probably puts out more stuff than the great unwashed can keep up with but for my money (50p in the case of this album...madness) he's one of the 21st century's genuine musical greats. 

The Carpetbaggers Theme - Jimmy Smith

When I was growing up The Money Programme would be on the family TV every Sunday evening (for the benefit of readers under the age of 30, in those days most households only had one TV...and this was a good 20 years before the internet, imagine that eh?). Being a kid I didn't have any money, so a programme about the stuff wasn't of much interest but I did like the theme tune. It's only recently that I discovered it was featured on an album by jazz organ legend Jimmy Smith (or at least the beginning bit was) and it still sounds as cool as a deep frozen cucumber. 

Just Fun - Jeffrey Lewis

Jeffrey Lewis at his nihilistic best on brand new track Just Fun, taken from the forthcoming new album The EVEN MORE Freewheelin' Jeffrey Lewis (out on March 25th). 

Lingus - Snarky Puppy

Oh well, Saturday didn't turn out to be as sunny as we were promised but I did manage to pick up another big bundle of coooooooooooool CDs including the CD/DVD of Snarky Puppy's Lingus. Jazz-fusion-tastic. Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice. 

Sunshine Day - Osibisa

The weather's been pretty grim down here in 'sunny' Devon for months...wet...cold...grey...windy...wet again...but, if the weather soothsayers are to be believed tomorrow we're due some sun and tropical temperatures of...wait for it...13 degrees! It's all going to turn to shit again on Sunday but we'll gloss over that. Hope you have a 'sunshine day' (see what I did there?) tomorrow. 

Rick Buckler RIP

There'll be a fair few music fans of a certain age listening back at The Jam's back catalogue today after the sad passing of drummer Rick Buckler. I'm sure a reunion was never on the cards but I got the feeling that both Rick and Bruce would've loved a last hurrah. Oh well, at least we have the music and what a bunch of absolute belters they left us with... 

                

And lastly here's a vid with Rick right up front (how often do you see drummers in this spot eh?), perhaps in recognition of just how important he was to the band's sound...

Love Letter - Marc Almond

What better excuse for a bit of classic (but rarely heard) Marc Almond from waaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 1985 than Valentine's Day eh? The album that spawned this track is...good grief...40 years old in September...and I can remember buying it on vinyl from WH Smith like it was yesterday. 

PS: If you like the original this 2024 high energy remix might float your boat too. x

Everythin' It Taught Me - The Matt Philip Hale Band

Another marvellous missive from the mind of Matt, lyrically and musically miles ahead of most of the pack once more. Do your ears a favour and give it a spin or six. 

I'm Just A Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band) - The Moody Blues

Picked up The Moody Blues Seventh Sojourn album in Bristol the other week and this track really stood out. Who knew The Moody Blues rocked like this eh? Dig that opening drum solo...

Do Things My Own Way - Sparks

I was so struck down by one of the nastiest bouts of flu in history that I missed this new track from Sparks last week! Ron Mael turns 80 this year...incredible. Now there's a man who does things his own way.