Misty's Big Smile

Is it just me or does the new track by The Smile remind you a little of Misty's Big Adventure classic The Black Hole, especially the gentle build up to the song's crescendo? I doubt whether Mr Yorke's a Misty's fan but if he ever happens to read this I can heartily recommend that he checks out their entire back catalogue, starting with the aforementioned (yes, I've been reading dictionaries again) The Black Hole. 

My Golden Years - The Lemon Twigs

Ever wondered what a collaboration between The Beach Boys and The Beatles may have sounded like? Wonder no more thanks to The Lemon Twigs latest. The Beachles anyone? Nope? Just me again then. 

British - Dembo Konte, Kausu Kuyateh & The Jali Roll Orchestra

Would I have ever heard this if I hadn't picked up a sealed copy of the album on CD for 50p the other day? Nope, probably not. Picked up an intriguing Afropop Festival album (also sealed) for the same price too. The era of bargain CDs might be slowly coming to an end but they're still out there...  

Bad Friend - Gruff Rhys

He's done it again. Another instant classic from Gruff Rhys, possibly the most chilled out sounding dude on planet earth. If that's put you in a Gruff mood give Skylon! a spin too. How the hell can this be 17 years old?

West Coast House Party (album) - Kid Ramos

Another great 50p CD from a local charity shop, this time from blues rock guitarist, singer and songwriter Kid Ramos. It sounds pretty good on You Tube but, as with most stuff, 100% better on CD and decent stereo. 

PS: Popped into a record fair for the first time in a few years a week or so ago and the CD stalls were pretty busy, as were the racks in the many charity shops of Exeter. Granted it was mainly old duffers like me rifling through 'em, but that's how the vinyl revival started. I should know...I was that odd bloke buying bags full from car boot sales in the 90s when everyone was swapping over to CDs. Regular readers will know I've been banging the CD drum for a while now but, with vinyl prices getting silly, and younger collectors looking for a way to start building up a physical collection the clock's ticking on the bargain prices. 

Eli's Pork Chop - Little Sonny

Despite picking up 60+ CDs over the weekend (yes...I know...) I couldn't resist a compilation called Shattered Dreams - Funky Blues 1967 - 1978 for 50p from one of my local charity shops. It's a blinder (you can buy a copy for £10+ on eBay and it's still well worth it at that price) and this is one of the best tracks on there. Has the harmonica ever sounded so funky? 

ANNALENA - Daniel Ogren

Heard this on 6Music yesterday and it put me in mind of lazing on the beach on a tropical island somewhere...instead of freezing my bits off in sub-zero Devon. 

Hunger Games - Bob Vylan

Bob Vylan are straight out of the blocks with another kick in the goolies for what's left of this country. I'm pretty pissed off with the mess that those in power have made of things (has it ever really been different though?) so lord knows what the younger generations make of it all.   

Bad Day - Carmel

Ahhhh, January 2nd...if there's a worse day in the year I'm not aware of it. I know I'm lucky enough to have had eleven whole days off over the festive season but the downside of all that slack time is the shock of getting back to the 'real' world again. Oh well, only 11 months and 23 days until we can do it all again. Happy New Year and all that jazz by the way...