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...

The Polyphonic Spree - Reach For The Sun

 Here's to a looooooooooooooooooooooooong weekend in the sun. Enjoy!

Me and You Vs The World - Space

 

Good grief can this really be 25 years old?! Yep. In my humble opinion Space are (they're still a going concern) a great and unique band that deserve a lot more recognition, cop a load of this unique blend of vaudeville, Britpop, torch song and exotica (a number 14 smash back in 1996) for instance. Class la.

Eurydice - Katherine Priddy

Chuffed to hear Katherine Priddy getting some more plays on 6Music recently and hoping she'll get the chance to play loads of live shows to help promote her debut album over the summer...yes...SUMMER...I haven't given up on it yet despite the relentless rain. 

Loan Your Loneliness - Gruff Rhys

Gruff Rhys' new single's been a bit of a grower in what's left of my brain recently. Is it just me or does it owe a bit of a nod to Robert Wyatt's I'm A Believer...and yes...that's just an excuse to post that track too. Enjoy! 

Big Hollow Man - Danielle Dax

Heard this last night on the ever reliable Marc Riley show, yet another great track that escaped my notice back in the 80s. I'm pretty sure I have a copy of Cat House somewhere though... 

Apparently Dax is now an interior designer, although I can't find any proof of this apart from an entry on Wikipedia. Oh well, music's loss is probably soft furnishing's gain.  

Sister Sadie - Horace Silver Quartet

Some funky jazz...or jazzy funk...take your pick...all the way from 1959. Listen to this and I guarantee you'll feel at least 75% cooler. 

An Englishman In New York - Godley and Creme

With more than a touch of Sparks at their creepy pop best I've been thoroughly enjoying this track from The Best Of Godley and Creme which I snapped up for a mere 50p last weekend. Incidentally it bears no relation to the other song of the same name and was recorded a full 8 years before Sting's homage to the delightful Mr Crisp. 

Rainbows End - Eleven

Had a lucky find trawling the charity shops on Saturday when I picked up a copy of an album called Awake In A Dream by Eleven. I'll admit I'd never heard of Eleven but for 99p it looked worth a try, especially when a quick look at an online review suggested it was like a fusion of Prince, Led Zeppelin and The Beatles...it bloody well is too. Apparently Eleven were firm favourites of Soundgarden's Chris Cornell and collaborated with him on a few tracks as well as touring with him. Sadly one of the band passed away back in 2008 and they seem to have been pretty much forgotten about (not that they enjoyed the success they deserved when they were active). 

PS: If you like things a little heavier than Rainbows End try this one...

Slow - Black Midi

Prog jazz epic from the really rather splendid Black Midi. Happy long weekend (if you're UK based)...take it nice and slooooooow...ideally in a pub garden...if you can avoid the rain. 

I Wanna Be Vaccinated - Jeffrey Lewis

Jeff's corona-ramone-a anthem's had a plugged in makeover and now comes with it's own cool comic strip vid too! I've had my first dose (the monkey spunk one) and am due my second the day before my first festival of the year. It's still too early to tell whether the low infection rate here in the UK's due to the vaccines or the lockdown but let's hope it's the former eh? 

What's Shouted In The Dark (The Dark Shouts Back) - Alex Rex

Really rather splendid Nick Lowe referencing rant from ex Trembling Bells vocalist Alex (Neilson) Rex.  

Lee Morgan - The Sidewinder

So, how's your week been? Don't answer that, I can guess. Relax with a little Lee Morgan and a lot of rum/gin/cider/wine/meths and it'll all feel better. 

Motorhead - Corduroy

A little early 90s acid jazz courtesy of Corduroy inspired by last night's CD selection, The Best Of, picked up for a bargain price of 75p last weekend. If only 90s me knew what was coming...remember when HMV flogged CD singles for £4.99? I've gone all Uncle Albert again haven't I...? 

Indigo - Katherine Priddy

 

Beautiful vid of my home town (Brum) for the equally beautiful single from Katherine Priddy's debut album, The Eternal Rocks Beneath, out on Navigator Records on June 25th. Hoping to catch Katherine live again at some point this year...it might be a controversial opinion but I reckon the dangers of outdoor festivals in the summer are surely outweighed by the positive impact it has on our general health and wellbeing, but what do I know eh? PS: Had my first vaccine (AZ, with added chimp...nice) on Friday, didn't particularly want it and don't think it will give me much protection against the new variants but if we end up with 'vaccine passports' I don't want to be excluded from going out anywhere. What a strange new world we live in right now. 

Fuck Friday - Dan Sartain

Still shocked by the recent passing of Dan Sartain but thankful that at least I got to see and meet the dude in person and tell him how much I loved his music. Speaking of love cop a load of this blistering sweat fuelled run through Fuck Friday. 

White Mice - Mo-Dettes

We've had the odd mouse sniffing around our kitchen recently, brown with a white belly they are. Not sure if they like 80s all girl punk or not, I'll have to play this track next time I catch one of the little darlings (NB: we use a humane trap and set 'em free in the deepest Devon countryside...which is surely where they belong, not trying to scoff our grub...I wouldn't mind so much if they contributed to the bills).  

Are You Being Served? - Matt Berry

And so, after what seems like 4 years but is actually 'only' four months, shops, hairdressers, cafes and pubs (some of them at least) can finally reopen. Let's hope they stay open this time eh? I've not experienced anything like the last 13 months or so before and I'm guessing very few people have either. It's been relentlessly grim for many, others seem to have enjoyed bits of it, but personally I can't wait until I can get back to normal (or whatever's going to pass for normal now). Good luck to all those who work in retail and hospitality, fingers crossed most people behave themselves. Now, if only someone could sort out the bloody weather...   

Titanic - Sultana

Heard this Afrodisco-ish track from Titanic the other night. Shades of Santana and Dr John at his Nightripper best with a bit of Hocus Pocus prog thrown in for good measure. 

Sham 69 - Hurry Up Harry

In the grand scheme of things going down the pub isn't a big deal...but it kind of is though isn't it? It's something a lot of us took for granted until you know what happened and I've missed that simple pleasure more than I thought I would. Sure you can drink at home, in a park or under a railway bridge (yes, I'm that classy) but it's just not the same is it? So here's to April 12th and simple pleasures. Mine's a pint of scrumpy by the way...

Dan Sartain RIP

Listening to Marc Riley's show on 6Music last night I was gutted to hear that Dan Sartain had passed away at the age of just 39. The cause of death hasn't yet been announced and maybe it never will but, once again given his age (how often have I written that recently?), I hope it wasn't what I fear it was.  

I had the very great pleasure of seeing Dan play live a couple of times, once at the legendary Coldrice 5th Birthday Party in 2006 (see photo above...I still haven't recovered from that night) and once back in 2010 at the Hare and Hounds when we chewed the fat for a while and he posed for the photo below (taken by the lovely ShakeyPix). 

Having released a stunning debut album (Dan Sartain vs The Serpientes) and opened for The White Stripes and The Hives back in the mid noughties he really should have been a star...and if there's any justice maybe he still will be. 

My thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends. RIP Dan, you'll be missed. How bloody poignant is this, seemingly his last video and song, now eh? 

Lesley Gore - Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows

On the first properly warm(ish) and sunny day of the year (for most of the UK at least) let's have a little Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows from Lesley Gore. Is it too much to now hope that life might return to some sort of normality this year? Answers on a lollipop...

Matt Philip Hale - Contents and Index

 

Cramming more lyrics into one song than some bands manage in an entire career here's the latest instalment from the many minds of Matt Philip Hale, suitably represented by several Matt's in the vid...and who doesn't want more Matt's in the world eh? Musically it's a million miles an hour boogie woogie blast from the past, present and future, like Jerry Lee on speed and best bitter. File under 'essential listening'.  

Black Midi - John L

New track from Black Midi with a suitably bonkers but brilliant video. Strong contender for video of the year? Yep. 

Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol - Caravan

 

Watched Whiplash yesterday, well worth catching if you get the chance (it's available on i-Player at the mo). I think it's safe to say that the drumming on this track from the movie's about as good as drumming gets. Although I suspect that Buddy Rich might have had one or two things to say about that...hmmmm, it's a close call. 

Har Mar Superstar - Where We Began

Har Mar Superstar gets his yacht rock on with this fine slice of glossy 80s style pop perfection taken from forthcoming album Roseville. If this doesn't get to number one across planet earth I'll eat Duran Duran. 

George Harrison - This Song

At almost 51 years old I'm still hearing loads of 'new' old music for the first time and I guess I always will (as long as my ears carry on working). This simple but catchy little number popped up on Now 70s the other day and is, quite possibly, one of the best post Beatles numbers any of the band recorded in my humble opinion. I apologise in advance if it ends up going round and round and round in your head for the rest of the day/week/month. 

PS: The track was written after George was taken to court for copyright infringement by the owner of The Chiffons' back catalogue who alleged that his song My Sweet Lord borrowed from their hit He's So Fine. George lost and it cost him a bob or two...

Tear Gas - That's What's Real

One for fans of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band out there, Tear Gas were essentially SAHB without (and before) Alex. This is as fine a slice of early 70s rock as you're likely to hear this side of lockdown.  

 

Dodgy - Staying Out For The Summer

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 1995 I went to my first proper festival, Glastonbury (and saw this very set by Dodgy), and ever since then I think I've done at least one a year...until the unrelenting misery that was 2020 of course. In the grand scheme of things not being able to go to a festival in the summer isn't the be all and end all of life and...oh screw it...yes it is...if you can't have a weekend or two in the mud necking a pint of red wine at 9am and talking bollocks to random strangers whilst having a piss in an overflowing trough what's the point in waking up eh? Perhaps somewhat optimistically we've already got three festivals booked for this summer and if I can possibly heave my knackered old corpse to another three then I damn well will do. Mine's a pint of scrumpy by the way...make that several pints of scrumpy...make that a barrel of scrumpy. 

Beach Boys - I Just Wasn't Made For These Times

 Anyone else feel like this right now? Just me? Oh, okay. 

X-Ray Spex - Oh Bondage Up Yours

Watched the Poly Styrene doc (I Am A Cliche) yesterday, well worth catching if you can. As a fan for the past 35 years or so I knew most of Poly's back story but didn't realise quite how fragile her mental health was for a while. Sadly she passed away back in 2011 aged just 53 but she did manage to reconcile with her daughter and record a new record before ascending to that great gig in the sky. If you only ever listen to one punk album Germ Free Adolescent's pretty much as good as it gets. 

Sweet - Alexander Graham Bell

There's something a little Sparks-ish about this early track by Sweet. I'd not heard it before digging out a 2CD hits collection (50p from a local charity shop) but it's surprising how many other tracks were familiar...mind you I was around when they were originally released. Yes, I'm that old. Here's another Sweet classic, you've gotta love Steve Priest's glamtastic look...

I'm Glad That We Broke Up - Du Blonde (featuring Ezra Furman)

Been meaning to post this up for a couple of weeks now, Du Blonde (aka Beth Jeans Houghton) and Ezra Furman's scuzzed up 2 minute anthem for break ups and make ups. 'Du' have a listen...

Left Out In The Cold - Sparks

 

After a sunny weekend it's bloody cold again today so here's the perfect little ditty from those first class Maels, Ron and Russell, who are now entering their 54th year in the music biz with no sign of giving up or losing that essential 'spark' (see what I did there?) that's made 'em one of the most fascinating bands in the history of the universe. Yes, the whole universe. Have you seen the footage from Mars? No sign of a single gig venue or record shop, what's that all about eh? 

This year sees the release of The Sparks Brothers movie too...cinema or living room? Hmmmm, I guess that depends on how many more variants of bloody corona bloody virus bloody well bloody spring up. 

Everyone's Hot (And I'm Not) - Lynks

Heard this new 'queercore' anthem on Tom Robinson's 6 Music show last night and it really tickled my fancy...as it were. I wonder if the lovely Lynks really is 'a librarian from Wigan'...?

If I Only Knew - Tom Jones

Heard this track last night for the first time in years, only Sir Tom could get away with rapping in his 50s eh? I can well imagine what his 'forest of the holy places' might be...ahem. 

Madness - (Waiting For) The Ghost Train

After last night's 'lockdown' announcement I've had the words 'madness' and 'waiting' going round and round in my head, so what better track than this late period classic from Madness' first incarnation. Quite what will be left of the hospitality sector which is, let's face it, pretty much the only 'industry' we have left in this country now, come the end of June (at the earliest) is anyone's guess. 

The Kinks - When Work Is Over

Sounding a little like The Lemon Twigs on a bender (to my ears anyway) here's the perfect shot of 70s era Kinks. Of course few of us work in offices anymore and there's bugger all chance of hitting a bar this side of Easter but other than that the song's lyrics are pretty Friday friendly. Cheers! 

Tilly and the Wall - Rainbows in the Dark

In a bit of a Tilly and the Wall mood today. What a great - and unique - live band they were. How many other groups use tap dancing as percussion eh? Exactly. Bloody nice bunch of people too. 

Robert Lloyd - The Part Of The Anchor

 

Watched King Rocker, the Robert Lloyd and The Nightingales doc, yesterday and loved every second of it. Lloyd's a national treasure who's lived the kind of life it would be difficult to make up, from sleeping under cars at Bristol Street Motors to supporting The Clash, from becoming Peel faves through to directing pop videos and almost landing a sitcom deal and on to a few years in the wilderness as a postie, boozing away the afternoons and discovering a talent for making a bob (or Rob in this case) or two on the horses. I had no idea he'd come dangerously close to becoming a genuine pop star too but Lloyd was always destined for cultdom, hopefully this doc will add a few more loyal followers though. 

Chick Corea RIP

I'm ashamed to say that my knowledge of Chick's output's minimal but I've been doing a some catching up this morning and I've picked this little funky gem out. If it wasn't used on an episode of Starsky and Hutch or some other cool 70s cop show it darn well should've been. 

And here's another funky number with more of an 80s Miami Vice vibe. Niiiiiiice.

Klaus Nomi - The Cold Song

 Any excuse to post a bit of Klaus Nomi but bugger me it's COLD. -22.9 in Scotland last night apparently. 2021's going well so far innit eh? 

Cockeyed Shame - Fifth Avenue Band

Here's a little funky 70s rock from Fifth Avenue Band to warm yer cockles...or any other part of you that might be deep frozen by the arctic conditions blighting Blighty right now. 

The Bluetones - Marblehead Johnson

Dug out The Bluetones singles compilation album the other night and I was reminded (as if I needed reminding...mind you I'm cracking on a bit) of how good they were. Coincidentally after months of 'lockdowns' I'm starting to resemble the band in this video too. 

Steven Jesse Bernstein - No No Man (Part I and II)

Lordy this is coooooooooooooooooooooool. Dark (oh so dark) spoken word + classic jazz soundtrack = all kinds of awesome. Sadly Jesse never got to hear the finished version, having stabbed himself in the throat during a dinner with friends back in 1991. Apparently he opened for Nirvana and several other Sub Pop bands back in the day and once performed with a live rodent in his mouth. You don't get that on Britain's Got Talent do you eh? 

Steven SantaCruz RIP

Sad news to start the week with the passing of Pink Grease's guitarist Steven SantaCruz. I had the very great pleasure of seeing the band play a memorably sweaty gig at The Bar Academy back in the noughties and told anyone who'd listen that they were going to be massive. Sadly it wasn't to be but I reckon their tracks are absolutely ripe for rediscovery (or maybe just plain discovery for most people).

The Destroyers - Where Has The Money Gone

Five years ago yesterday Paul Murphy, the whirling dervish at the heart of The Destroyers (one of the best live acts in history), passed away. I had the huge pleasure of seeing Paul play live on many, many occasions and even spoke with the great man a few times and, given the sickening sums of money being thrown about right now (much of which is going to some very odd places/people indeed), this track's been going round and round in my head for a while. If you thought the 'credit crunch' was bad you wait until the Covid crunch hits...and yes, where has the money gone eh?  

Fontaines DC - A Hero's Death (Soulwax Remix)

I posted the original version of this track when it came out and this remix (courtesy of Soulwax) is just as postworthy. "Life ain't always empty"...wise words. 

If that's got you in a Soulwax mood here's their take on Beethoven...

Beans On Toast - Save The Music

Heard this on Tom Robinson's Now Playing show on 6Music last night and it certainly struck a chord. I might not get to as many gigs as I used to these days but not a year's passed by over the last 33 years or so that I haven't seen at least a few live shows...but this year...well...it's almost too depressing to contemplate another 12 gig/festival free months. And then? What will be left? 

The Associates - Waiting For The Loveboat

 In memory of Billy Mackenzie, who set sail from planet earth 24 years ago today. 

Johnny Jenkins - I Walk On Gilded Splinters

Sampled by Beck and Oasis here's Johnny Jenkins' fabulously bluesy take on Dr John's I Walk On Gilded Splinters. It's tough to top the original but this comes pretty damn close. 

Matt Philip Hale - Sentenced to My Sentences

New year new music from Matt Philip Hale, hurrah! This time it's a rather awesome glam pop stomper with some rather fine guitar riffage courtesy of a certain Ad Lee (good work fella...or lady...or both). Give it a spin or six, you know it makes sen(ten)ce.

Sailor - A Glass Of Champagne

It's Friday! And what better way to celebrate than a quick glass of champagne courtesy of Sailor eh? Touches of Roxy Music and Sparks here and there. Make mine a large one. Cheers! 

Add N to X - Plug Me In

Bought a new laptop over the weekend...my first new bit of tech kit for 11 years (yep, I do like to get my money's worth) and this track was going round my brain when I was getting it all set up. Hmmm, the lead singer sounds a little like Cortana too...spooky. 

David Bowie - Heroes (Live at Glastonbury 2000)

Five years ago yesterday the star man floated away forever. What on earth would he make of the state of the world these days eh? Still, at least we have our memories and one of my best is watching Bowie play arguably the greatest ever Glastonbury set waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 2000... 

New Musik - This World Of Water

 

A little synth pop classic from 1980 to brighten up a cold, grey Wednesday (unless you're reading this in Australia in which case I bet it's bloomin' scorching). Pointless fact, when I was a student in Brighton back in the late 80s / early 90s I worked at a branch of 7-Eleven that was managed by a bloke who claimed he used to be in New Muzik...but not when they were famous (or as famous as they got...which sadly wasn't very famous). I really should write my memoirs, did I ever tell you about the time Joe Strummer ran past and nearly knocked me over at Glastonbury...? Gripping stuff eh? 

Happy New Year?!

Whatever you were up to over the festive break I do hope you had a good 'un. The traditional January blues (we've just de-Christmas-ed our house...that was fun) come with an extra side order of misery this year of course as we relentlessly plod towards another 'lockdown' turning the entire country into a Morrissey lyric. Given what happened in 2020 it would be utterly nuts to try to predict what this year holds in store but surely it can't be any worse...surely.

Merry Chris-mix 2020

As is traditional I've trawled the internet for a suitably funky Christmas mix and this year's offering's from Lou Dav. Lord knows what 2021 has in store for us all but let's not thing about that for a while eh? Whatever you're doing and wherever you're doing it (getting squiffy at home I'm guessing) have a very messy Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

Ana Gasteyer - Sugar and Booze

 

Heard this for the first time on 6Music last week and it's pretty much the perfect tune for our times...not only locked out of different parts of our own country but now the rest of the world too...it's going well this isn't it eh? What's next, an order banning us from getting out of bed? Hmmmm, I could work with that. 

Strangelove - Another Night In

If there was ever a time to re-release Strangelove's Another Night In it's now. I suspect we've all got a few more 'nights in' over the coming months too sadly. Oh well, great tune though! 

Captain Yaba - Yaba Funk

 

On an all too rare (this year at least) visit to the charity shops I picked up a copy of Captain Yaba's Yaba Funk Roots for a mere 50p (purely on the strength of the cover). It's a jazzy, funky gem too! Sadly the good Captain's no longer with us but the whole album's well worth a spin. 

System Of A Down goes Bardcore

 

Ever wanted to hear what System Of A Down's Toxicity would sound like in a medieval style? Yes...me too. This cover's got a bit of a festive vibe to it as well, makes a change from Shakin' Stevens. 

Yvonne Baker - You Didn't Say A Word

6 Music's been spinning this track a few times recently (possibly thanks to Mr Craig Charles championing it) and it's an absolute classic, part Northern Soul banger part James Bond theme tune. If you've not heard it yet (and hell, it's only been around since 1966) do your ears a favour and give it a spin. Talcum powder optional. 

Katherine Priddy - Still Winter, Still Waiting

Beautiful new festive track from Katherine Priddy with an equally heart/hands/feet warming video. 

Marc Almond - Tears/Tiers Run Rings

As of I need an excuse to stick up Tears Tiers Run Rings eh? "The nation's in disorder..." you can say that again. Does Guinness count as a substantial meal? 

Matt Philip Hale - Lived Thru the End Times More than Twice with Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

Trust MPH to come up with a suitably bonkers (in the best possible sense of the word of course...and these times are pretty bloody bonkers) soundtrack for today's tier jerking announcements. Looks like it's time to stock up on that sugar, spice and everything nice again. 

Phil Ochs - The Crucifixion

 

It never ceases to amaze me how little known Phil Ochs is but it does give me a great excuse to keep posting up tracks from the great man. This one's a complete and utter epic too. 

The Blue Nile - Happiness

Have you found peace at last? Somehow I doubt it at the moment but in the meantime wrap your ears around The Blue Nile's Happiness and just pretend. 

Wizzard - Angel Fingers

I've caught this tune on TV a couple of times recently and it's really grown on me. Wizzard may be more well known for a certain festive ditty but I reckon this is every bit as good, especially as Roy and co seem to have thrown everything including the kitchen sink into it. Legend has it that the band spent more time in the studio recording this track than Paul McCartney spent recording the whole of Band On The Run. Genius. 

Darrow Fletcher - (Love Is) My Secret Weapon

Who knows why some artists make it and some don't or why some records never see the light of day when they're quite clearly gems. This cut from 1976 festered away for years before finally getting a release in 2012. If you're interested in finding out a little more about Darrow there's a great interview right here. 

Matt Philip Hale - Sanguine Rooster

Is there a better way to start the new week than a new vid from Mr Matt Philip Hale, now with added mother in law? No...I don't think there is. Enjoy! 

Eric Burdon & War - Spill The Wine

I'm more a wine drinker than spiller but this live version of War's Spill The Wine is beaujolais (see what I did there?) good isn't it eh? 

Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky (From Now On) - Lou Donaldson

If you've not seen it yet I can highly recommend the Blue Note doc that was on BBC 4 the other week. Damn that's one cool record label, set up and run by people who cared more about the music than the moolah (granted that's perhaps not the best way to run a business but where's the fun in being sensible eh?). 

Yard Act - Peanuts

 

How many 'pop' songs do you know about the peanut related murder of an imaginary husband eh? I'm guessing none so that's a good enough reason to stick up the latest from Yard Act which (to my ears anyway) is part The Fall, part Arab Strap, part Vic and Bob and part Kaiser Chiefs. Enjoy! 

Sure Is Sure - The Style Council

There's a new doc about The Style Council on Sky Arts tonight (I think) and it reminded me of the band's last album which was rejected by their record label for some inexplicable reason (I think it was too house-y or some such nonsense). Buffoons! 

Chanson - Don't Hold Back

Popped into the wonderful SPS Records in Teignmouth on Saturday and took a punt on an album by a band called Chanson for 50p and it contains this little disco funk gem! Awsome. Enjoy!

PS: SPS have just launched their new website too, here's a link. 

Solomon Bites The Worm - The Bluetones

 

One of my teeth broke completely in two this week...yes, I know, nice eh?...and when I was sitting in the dentist's chair having it whipped out I couldn't help thinking of this track for several reasons. Getting old and having bits of you fall off (or be removed) may suck but I guess it beats the alternative. And with that cheery thought ringing in your ears have as good a weekend as it's possible to have right now. 

Tim Cole RIP

Very sad news this morning with the passing of Tim Cole, one half of The Correspondents (the chap with the beard), aged just 35. Anyone lucky enough to have seen the band live will know what an awesome show they put on and, in a fairer world, they would have been so much bigger than they were. No cause of death has been announced yet but the suddenness of it all and Mr Bruce's tribute to a 'brilliant complicated man who never fully appreciated the extent of his talent' sadly makes you fear the worst. RIP Tim.  

Yello - Waba Duba

 

Forty odd years into their uniquely odd career Yello are back with a new album and single (okay so this track came out back in June but I was all locked down and stuff), the latter giving more than a gentle nod to their greatest hits The Race and Oh Yeah...and why not eh? If I looked as cool as Dieter Meier at 75 I'd be a happy chappy...hell if I'm still able to feed myself at 75 I'd be a happy chappy. 

Happy birthday Vermin in Ermine

 

Apparently Marc Almond's debut solo album Vermin in Ermine hit the racks (ahhhh, those were the days) on this day in 1984. Good grief. If you've not heard it it's an extraordinary work and the opening track Shining Sinners is a ruddy great place to start. I've watched entire seasons of TV series with less of a plot than this song. 

Blue Monday - Orkestra Obsolete

 

Ever wondered what New Order's Blue Monday would sound like if it was played by a bunch of oddballs in a cellar in the 1930s? Yes...me too. 

Gorillaz - Strange Timez

I'm pretty sure we can agree that these are indeed strange times, there's something odd about Robert Smith leaving the se-cure-ity of his regular band for the cartoon dance pop world of Gorillaz too. It works though. It also reminds me a little of this complete and utter classic from Dan le Sac and Scroobius Pip. Enjoy! 

Time (Clock Of The Heart) - Culture Club

 

Okay, this is getting silly now...where's the last week gone eh? Ah well, at least the rapid passing of time reminded me of this classic from the mighty Culture Club. Enjoy. 

October Song by Amy Winehouse

October already eh? Good. The sooner 2020's over with the better. 2021 might not be much cop either but at least we'll hopefully be on the way to some kind of normality...surely?! Anyway, in celebration of the start of the new month here's a little Amy from when the poor soul could still stand up straight and belt out a tune. 

The Wonder Stuff - There There My Dear

The Wonder Stuff covering Dexys? What's not to love eh? 

Hard Times by Baby Huey

Funny this, I was only just reading about Baby Huey in a back issue of Mojo magazine (a physical copy too...not online) whilst lounging in the bath last night and lo and behold You Tube suggests a track for me this morning...is You Tube reading minds now? Spoooooooky. Anyway, I took this as a sign to stick up yet another sadly appropriate track for these 'hard times'. Still, at least it's the weekend eh? They can't take that away from us...yet. 

My Shit's Fucked Up by Warren Zevon

 

Blimey, can there be a more perfect record for 2020...and quite possibly 2021...and 2022 too. Yes, our shit's well and truly fucked up right now and old Warren nailed it before sadly falling to the big C in 2003 at just 56. Before dying he was asked what he'd learned from life and replied, "Enjoy every sandwich", substitute sandwich for pint of cider or glass of red and I reckon he was onto something. 

Supermarket Sweep by Billy Nomates

Having worked in the odd supermarket/convenience store (very odd actually...in both cases) I can kind of relate to this track. Oh the happy hours I spent behind the counter of 7-Eleven drinking my own body weight in hot chocolate. 

Suzannah's Still Alive - Cardiacs

 

Another classic Cardiacs track from the archives, why the hell weren't they up there with the likes of Blur and Pulp back in the day?  

O-O-H Child by The Five Stairsteps

 

Heard this track for the first time in years on Lauren Laverne's show and it seems pretty appropriate for these days. I can't imagine what it must be like to be a younger person right now, if it's not coronavirus it's the climate crisis, Brexit or any one of a million other worries to contend with. Okay, so we had the threat of a all out nuclear war and AIDS back in my day which weren't much fun either but at least this was before anti-social media which seems to make everything so, so, sooooo much worse. My best advice? Shut the curtains, turn off Twitter, Tik Tok, Arsebook, Instagram and listen to this track on repeat until everything's better again. 

Kool and the Gang - Open Sesame

In tribute to Kool and the Gang's Ronald Bell who died yesterday (having sired 10 kids...blimey) here's a lesser heard track from the band, mixing a little bit of Jungle Boogie-ness with some Funkadelic nuttiness. Ruddy ace. 

Try A Little Sunshine by The Factory

Obscure psych time and here's a gem from The Factory (not sure what kind of factory...pretty sure it didn't make pork pies though) dating all the way back to 1969 when I was barely a twinkle...

Canadee-I-O by Nic Jones

For a decade or so I'd have been at Moseley Folk festival by now, just tucking into that first pint of scrumpy and looking forward to three days of great music (and possibly another pint or two of scrumpy). Since relocating to the West Country I've not been back to MoFo but hopefully I'll make it back there one day. Of course no bugger's going to be able to make it this year are they eh? Anyway, enjoy a little Nic Jones by way of compensation. The good folk behind MoFolk are also doing the crowdfunding thing to help protects the festival's future, here the link. 

I Can't Give You Anything by The Stylistics

 

On top of being an absolute belter of a disco classic I just lurrrrrve the video for this track. Stick the band on the roof of an office block, turn on the tape player (8 track, naturally) and let 'em lip sync whilst making up their own dance moves. The dude in the hat's having a great time...not so sure about the others.