The Plague - Marc Almond

After dodging Coronavirus for two years it finally caught up with us this week, presumably after our break in Bristol which included a couple of cheeky indoor gigs (our first since 2020). Thankfully, as with most people, it seems to be like a bad cold. No idea if it would've been worse if we hadn't been triple jabbed or if wearing a mask at the gigs would have made much difference. No one else was so I suspect it wouldn't have done and let's face it we have to get back to normal at some point so it might as well be now. Sadly some people seem to be particularly judgemental when it comes to vaccines and masks. Get jabbed if you want, wear a mask if you want, stay indoors for the rest of your life if you want, pop on a tinfoil helmet to stop Google from stealing your thoughts if you want...it's up to you.  

Happy Birthday 6 Music!

Working from home for the past 13 years or so 6 Music's kept me company for many, many hours and introduced me to more than its fair share of great music, like Sufjan Stevens for instance. I can remember hearing this track at a particularly stressful time in life (so that'll be most days then) and knowing instantly that it would be a firm favourite for as long as I'm alive and kicking (which, given what's going on right now, might be next week sometime). I'm not a huge fan of some of the changes its made recently but there's still enough good stuff on there to keep me listening, so Happy Birthday 6 Music, may your decks keep spinning (do they still use decks?) and your woofers and tweeters keep...er...woofing and tweeting. 

Ой у лузі червона калина - Eileen

Forgive the endless war related musical posts of late but I couldn't resist this one. Beautiful and justifiably defiant stuff. You listening yet Vlad? 

Mad World - Puddles Pity Party

Given Vlad Shitcan's recent actions...bombing Europe's biggest nuclear power station...wow...smart move there fella...Puddles Pity Party's cover of Mad World seems pretty appropriate right now. Let's hope no one 'accidentally' sprinkles some novichok on his cornflakes eh? 

Super Strut - Deodata

Another selection from last weekend's charity shop CD stash, this time something I spent a whole £1.99 on. I know, big money eh?! It's a little bit jazz, a little bit funk, a little bit rock...and more than a little bit ace. Play it loud and feel at least 78% cooler. 

Remember The Children - Earth, Wind and Fire

Picked up Earth, Wind and Fire's Last Days and Time on CD for mere 33p over the weekend and, especially given mad Vlad's deranged rantings, it struck me a being a pretty spot on title for what's going on right now. 

The Best Mistakes - The Divine Comedy

Channelling his inner Benny and Bjorn Neil Hannon's latest track is an instant classic (especially if you're of a certain age when you can dimly remember seeing The Divine Comedy play upstairs in a pub back in the 90s). File next to My Way, yep, I think it's that good. 

Two Tribes (Annihilation Mix) - Frankie Goes To Hollywood

Way back in 1984 the world was a scary place...there was a virus (HIV) spreading across the world, inflation was running at 5% and the threat of nuclear war seemed pretty real. Fast forward to 2022 and, well, not a lot has changed really has it eh? At least it's a great excuse to dust off Frankie's Two Tribes. 

Reelin' In The Years - Steely Dan

Just how effortless does the bearded dude (Elliott Randall?) make playing the guitar look? And how much fun does the bloke who looks like Rod Hull seem to be having? And how does Donald Fagen manage to fit in all those lyrics? Steely Dan-tastic. 

When The Wind Blows - David Bowie

Given the storm currently battering large parts of the UK today what better than this all too rarely heard gem from Bowie eh? Best not to put out the washing right now...

Im Nin'alu - Ofra Haza

Saw Ofra Haza singing with Sisters of Mercy on an old Top of the Pops last night and was reminded of this track from '88 that I've still got on vinyl somewhere. Compared with the pretty limited range of music that seems popular these days (did you see the TOTP Christmas specials....oh dear) the 80s seem positively cosmopolitan. 

If I Had $1,000,000 - Barenaked Ladies

Another great track from last week's 10p per CD haul, this time from Barenaked Ladies' (hmmm, wonder if you could get away with calling a band that name these days...) Gordon album. I think the song dates back to the late 80s/early 90s when $1,000,000 was still a staggering sum. Sadly the way things are going in a year or two if you have $1,000,000 you could probably just about afford to pay your gas and electric bill for a year... 

The CD revival part 256

Two more recent articles have appeared in the last week heralding the revival of the CD with one of them suggesting that the little silver discs that still seem pretty miraculous to me may once again become 'the discerning music aficionado's format of choice'. I bought 12 of the buggers last weekend for a grand total of £3. This included a signed promo copy of a Roy Ayers CD (£1) and a cool New Orleans compilation featuring Dr John's Basin Steet Blues (10p). Bonkers. 

Streaming may always be the most popular way of consuming music now but, as Neil and Joni showed last week, one day the tunes you love may be available, the next...meh...not so much. And what about the hedge funds that are currently hoovering up back catalogues like a starving ant eater in an ant farm. Are they going to continue allowing their assets to be streamed for a fraction of a penny until the end of time? I'm still convinced that the internet will end up being charged for like water, gas and electricity one day too. It's got to happen. Possibly. And then, when listening to Steps' Greatest Hits will cost you £5.99, well...come and see me...I can do you a deal. 

Let's Dance (Club Bolly Extended Mix) - David Bowie

It's a nippy one today so let's end the week with a cheeky Bollywood Remix of Bowie's Let's Dance that I heard last night for the first time on yet another charity shopped bargain CD (Club Bowie). Enjoy! 

Norma Waterson RIP

Sad to learn that Norma Waterson (arguably the grandmother of the UK folk revival that kicked off back in the 60s) has passed away at the ripe old age of 82. Despite suffering ill health for a number of years as recently as 2018 she was still kicking it folk stylee...

...and here's another treat, John Peel visiting Norma, Martin and Eliza back in the 90s

Get Me To The Weekend - Betty Boo

Yes I know it's Monday morning but the weekend's just round the corner isn't it eh? Owing more than a little debt to The Human League's Love Action this is Betty Boo's first proper single for almost 30 years!

For anyone new to the Boo try these couple of bangers...

Nino - The Linda Lindas

Top pop punk from The Linda Lindas. I knew nothing of them until recently but it transpires that they've been making waves for quite a while even though one of them is...wait for it...just 11 years old. Good grief, I could barely read and write at that age. 

The Associates LIVE!

I've been lucky enough to see plenty of musical heroes live but sadly I missed Billy Mackenzie whilst he was still on this earth and last Saturday marked 25 years since he took his own life at the age of 39. There are relatively few live vids of Billy and The Associates out there but this one seems to capture Billy in pretty fine form. 

Heaven Can Wait - Meat Loaf

After reading his autobiography a few years back I developed a bit of a soft spot for old Meat Loaf. Whilst he'd had huge success a series of misfortunes resulted in him losing his home and at one point he ended up playing in bars just to earn a crust. Happily in recent years he was afforded the elder statesman of rock status and was even planning to return to the studio this month to record a new album. He may be better known for his bombastic numbers (and no one could do bombastic like Meat Loaf) but the vid above shows his more subtle side. RIP Meat. 

Our House - Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

After wanting an open fire/log burner for more years than I care to mention we finally got a stove fitted this week and last night saw its official first burn-day. Wanting to stick on some tunes whilst watching the fire get going I toyed with The Prodigy or The Crazy World of Arthur Brown but this classic from CSN&Y seemed to fit the bill best. 

Change - Blue Rondo A La Turk

I'd been trying to pick up the 2CD reissue of BRALT's album Chewing The Fat off eBay for a while now but it kept going for almost 40 quid. Ouch. So I thought I'd try getting in touch with the good folk at Cherry Red to ask if they'd...er...reissue the reissue. I didn't hear back from them but a few months later...voila...it's out again. Hurrah! I ordered my copy and it arrived last week. Double hurrah! And, of course, it still sounds as ruddy awesome now as it did when it was first released 40 (seriously 40 years...blimey) years ago. You can snap up your copy for just £10.95 right here, right now. 

Let's Have A Kiki - Scissor Sisters

Somehow this track passed me by when it first came out in 2012 but after picking up its accompanying album (Magic Hour) for 33p last weekend it's been playing pretty much non stop in my head. Loved the Scissor Sisters since first seeing 'em at the old Academy 2 waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 2004, couldn't the world do with their reunion right now? 

Rhythm Of The Night - DeBarge

Another weekend and another stack of bargain CDs...including the best of DeBarge! Could this video be any more 80s? Dust off those leg warmers and party like it's 1985. 

Beatmaker - Matt Berry and Emma Noble

The second I heard this track at the end of the first episode of Toast in Tinseltown I knew I'd heard it before but couldn't for the life of me remember where. Until now. It's a cover of Doris' original from an album I stumbled across 20 odd years ago and played to death for months. If you've not heard anything else by Doris check her/them out on t'You Tube. Here's their version of the track...

And here's another classic cut to wrap yer ears around...enjoy!

PS: Yes, I can hear you Clem Fandango. 

Pink Panther...the sound of 2022!

Great to hear that Pink Panther's been named The BBC's Sound of 2022. About time someone decent won. Here's one of his best tracks. Classic. 

Funk McLovin - Lyle Workman and Bootsy Collins

Watched Superbad last night for the first time in years and reckon we could all do with a little McLovin to get us through the first few weeks of 2022. Enjoy! 

Have a Groovy Chris-mix!

I forget how many years I've been trawling the internet to find a suitably funky, groovy Christmas mix to post but I'm guessing it's more than a decade (yuup, 2010 was the first one apparently). Here's this year's offering from DJ Better Music which has, so far, received a massive 29 views on You Tube. Let's see if we can get this into treble figures for poor Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss/Non Binary DJ Better Music eh? 

I'll be logging off now until 2022. Have a suitably Messy Christmas and a Hippity Hoppity Happy New Year!

Toby Slater RIP

"Who?" I hear you cry...yes...both of you. That was my reaction when I read that Toby Slater had passed away but a quick click on his band's minor hit and, 'Bingo', I was sent hurtling back in 1997, almost half a lifetime ago in my case. Ouch. The whole 'Britpop' scene's still to be properly reassessed and appreciated but as someone who lived through it I can confidently state that it was pretty bloody brilliant. After Slater's first band, Catch, split he seemingly released some solo stuff including this rarely heard Britpopunk gem Consumption. 

By all accounts Toby was a proper character too and sadly there's far too few of them around these days. RIP chap. 

Fresh Garbage - Spirit

Picked up a cool 3 CD psych comp over the weekend and discovered this track by Spirit. I may have heard it before but at my age the old brain's not what it was. 

The Hale Bop - Mystery Jets

Underrated track from underrated band and album to polish off the last full week of the year (for most of us at least). I can remember hearing most of the tracks from the Radlands album at The Rainbow in Brum but was gobsmacked to learn that this was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 2012. Seriously....that's almost a decade ago, when coronavirus was merely a twinkle in the eye of...well...whoever/whatever spawned it. Enjoy! The track that is...not coronavirus...that can do one along with masks, jabs, social distancing, lateral flow tests, self isolation etc etc etc. 

Hertz - Amyl and the Sniffers

Don't think I've posted this vid up yet but if I have what the hell eh, it's worth sticking up again. In a better world Amyl and the Sniffers would be Christmas number one but I suspect we'll be lumbered with a song about sausage rolls or pork pies again. 

RIP Steve Bronski and Mike Nesmith

 

Blimey, Steve Bronski and Mike Nesmith both checked out for that great gig in the sky last week. I do love a bit of Bronski Beat and The Monkees too. 

Apparently Nesmith was still out on tour with Mickey Dolenz last month, monkeying around right to the end. Anyone who's mad enough to doubt the genius of The Monkees just needs to, well...Listen To The Band. 

Boops Here To Go - Sly and Robbie

RIP Robbie Shakespeare, one half of the duo responsible for this oddly addictive 80s classic. Almost three and a half decades later and it still sounds fresh as a daisy. Genius. 

Enough Is Enough - Chumbawamba & Credit To The Nation

Recorded almost 30 years ago this track couldn't be more appropriate for where we now find ourselves. Are some countries (maybe even our own) really going to make vaccines mandatory, introduce vaccine passports and create two tier societies? Looks that way. For the record I've had my two jabs, I wear masks in shops and on trains and I don't believe that we're being injected with microchips (monkey brains, yes....but microchips, no) but I do defend the rights of people who choose, for whatever reason, not to do any of this stuff. If they're wrong then old ma nature will take care of 'em (one way or the other). Of course it's sad that some people have died from coronavirus but it's also sad that families have been kept apart, kids' futures have been cocked up, businesses have gone to the wall, performers have been prevented from performing, mental health problems and suicides have gone through the roof and the generations after us will still be paying for the last lockdown (never mind the next one...god forbid) when they drop down dead at 98...still at work...just 5 short years away from their retirement. 

These Are The Days Of Our Lives - Queen

I missed the 30th anniversary (seriously...30 years?!) of Freddie's death on Wednesday but today seems like a suitable point to revisit the original band's swansong, especially as there's an interesting looking documentary on their last days on BBC 2 tomorrow night as well, I'd better get the hankies in for Mrs Hearing Aid. 

Ellie Finnerty @ The Gresham House Inn, Dawlish – Sunday November 21st 2021

We were only popping in for an hour or so. Three hours (and several fine pints of The General) later we emerged from The Gresham House Inn (what a ruddy lovely pub) after spending an afternoon in the company of hugely talented local singer songwriter Ellie Finnerty. In a hits packed two hour set Ellie literally took us through the A to Z of pop, rock and disco from Abba to The Zutons, kicking off with a sublimely soulful take on Guns N’ Roses Sweet Child O’ Mine.

There was pretty much something for everyone, absolute heaven for a musical magpie like me. Highlights included a Nash-tastic cover of Kate’s Foundations, a spirited rendition of Fairytale of New York (not easy with just one person) and arguably ABBA’s finest moment Dancing Queen (luckily for the rest of the audience I resisted the urge to strut my stuff…it was such a great cover it was a close run thing for a moment or two though).

But the real treats were Ellie’s originals like Generation Z anthem in waiting Screen and a beautifully poignant reflection on the place Ellie and we call home (South Devon’s best kept secret, Dawlish), called Home appropriately enough. Writing and singing from the heart sounds simple but it ain’t and in many of her self penned numbers Ellie cleverly combines that cocktail of emotions that sum up what it’s like to be young and in…and out…and quite possibly back in again…love.

Simply one of the most enjoyable Sunday afternoons I’ve had in a looooooooooooooooong time. Ellie’s off to Cornwall for a while but hopefully she’ll be back in Dawlish soon and, if there’s any justice in the world, on her way to much bigger things. Catch her while you still can and look all smug when she does a Sheeran and ends up playing Wembley.

PS: Went for a walk afterwards and took a little snap of 'home' at night...

Blame - Gabriels

Just in case you don't listen to 6 Music (who've been spinning the heck out of this track recently) here's one of 2021's most remarkable singles. It's a bluesy, jazzy, classical masterpiece!

Suga Mama - The Getup

After a couple of glasses of vin rouge I 'accidentally' placed a bid on 178 CDs on eBay on Saturday night and won the lot for a sniff under £75 (that's roughly 40p per disc). They arrived on Tuesday - free postage too...good grief - and there's some great stuff in there including a gem of an album from The Getup. Get in! 

Linus and Lucy - David Benoit

Picked up a ridiculous number of CDs at the weekend including The Best Of David Benoit featuring a rather ace cover of Linus and Lucy. Good grief. 

Taking Me Back - Jack White

Good grief if only I had 1% of the energy and talent of Jack White. Twenty odd years into his career and he's still producing stuff like this. Apparently he played all of the instruments on this track too. Put him in charge of planet earth for a couple of weeks and he'd sort everything out, he'd probably knock up a killer soundtrack to the whole shebang as well... 

Astro RIP

If there's one thing sadder than the recent passing of both Brian Travers and Astro it's that the band, UB40 of course,  couldn't put their disputes behind them whilst they were all still here. I don't know what really lies behind it all but hopefully now the remaining members of the band will realise that life's too short for grudges... 

This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us - 'Weird Al' Yankovic

If this doesn't make you feel at least 75% happier then quite frankly there's no hope for you. I've never played the accordion but I'm guessing this track ain't that easy to do justice to. 

Ha Ha - Mates Of State

Had a week off work and inevitably ended up in one or two charity shops. Ahem. Over the course of three days I picked up no less than 45 CDs including Mates Of States' Team Boo album for a mere 20p. Good grief. Other bargains included some rare jazz CDs for £1 a pop and a U-Roy album for 30p. Whether my mountain of plastic will ever be worth anything is uncertain but at 20p-£1 per album that's not really of much concern. CDs sound a hell of a lot better than streaming music and, as a man of a certain age, I like to have a physical thing to hold, look at and drool over...and at my age drooling's something I'm probably going to be doing a lot of. 

Quiet On Set - Remi Wolf

 

Blame 6Music for this one. Catchy as covid (remember that?). 

Melt Yourself Down - Pray For Me I Don't Fit In

Rather ace new single from Melt Yourself Down. I bought tickets to see them on the night of my 50th birthday (waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in May 2020) but the way things are going now I'll be lucky to see them now before I'm 60...  

Empty Pages - Traffic

Picked up a copy of Island Record's legendary El Pea...er...LP...from SPS Records (Teignmouth) on Saturday for the bargain price of £1.66 (it was 3 records for a fiver!) and here's the rather groovy bluesy track one from side one courtesy of Traffic. Enjoy!

PS: When the record first came out waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 1971 it cost £1.99...you could probably buy a house for that back then. 

Oh Babe, What Would You Say? - Hurricane Smith

I only knew this track from an episode of Frasier but last night the original popped up on TV and it turns out it was sung by a Brit, Norman 'Hurricane' Smith, an RAF glider pilot from WW2 who also worked on records by some band called The Beatles, no idea what happened to them. He then moved on to produce a trio of Pink Floyd albums and The Pretty Things' seminal S.F. Sorrow before releasing his own music and hitting the top 5 in both the UK and US at the tender age of 49. Now that's a life eh? 

For reference here's Frasier's version...ouch...

Wild Flowers - Warmduscher

Until today I'd only heard the heavily edited version of this track on 6 Music. That's pretty good but the original...oh my...awesome with a cherry on top. If Bill Hicks and The Love Unlimited Orchestra hooked up in CBGBs and then got jiggy in Studio 54... 

Bruises On My Illusions - Soft Cell

40 odd (very odd at times) years after they swept to global fame with Tainted Love Soft Cell are back (!) with a new single from forthcoming album *Happiness Not Included. Not bad going for a band that originally jacked it all in waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 1984 with this twisted little beauty (and yes, I can remember watching this on TOTP...good grief, where does the time go?).

Disaster - Bobby Conn

A Facebook chat prompted me to check out what Bobby Conn was doing these days and I stumbled on this from last year, it seems pretty appropriate given what's going on in the world right now eh? 

If you've got a few weeks to spare I urge you to dig into Conn's con(n)siderable back catalogue. Enjoy. 

Greg Gilbert RIP

So sad to hear of the passing of Greg Gilbert, lead singer with the much underrated Delays, at the age of only 44. Just listen to this track...utterly beautiful. I only had the pleasure of seeing the band once but I've rarely seen such a devoted audience and, after experiencing them live myself, I could see why. Here's another track to remember him by...

The Overload - Yard Act

 

Another top track from Yard Act, one of those rare bands these days that you can identify even if you've never heard the song before. And the vid's set at a car boot sale too, what more could you want eh? Actually after snapping up another carrier bag stuffed full of CDs at a car boot sale last weekend I'd better stay away from them for a while. Ahem. 

The Mauritian Badminton Doubles Champion, 1973 - Hamish Hawk

Another strong contender for single of the year Hamish Hawk's latest is like a glorious mash up of Morrissey and The Divine Comedy...and that's a very great thing indeed. If you need a musical balm for the impending breakdown of what's left of our society you could do a lot worse than to listen to this on repeat for the next six months. PS: Anyone know what the title's all about? Answers on a shuttlecock. 

Let's Rock Exeter - September 11th 2021

 

Spent 11 or so very happy hours reliving my youth (now that was a looooooooooooooooooooong time ago) at Let's Rock Exeter, a positive orgy of 80's-tastic acts including the divine Kim Wilde, Spandau Ballet crooner Mr Tony Hadley and ABC's Martin Fry. Some of the early acts only played a track or two (step forward Fiction Factory, Wang Chung, The Lotus Eater's Peter Coyle and one of the stars of the day Angie Brown) but as the day progressed everyone else pretty much played all of their big hits. At under £40 (if you manage to grab an early bird ticket) it's an absolute bargain, leaving you just enough cash to buy a pint of £6.50 cider. Thankfully there were more loos for the men this year, even if they were located 20 miles away from the stage but the exercise is good for us middle aged folk isn't it eh?    

System Addict - Five Star

Off to Lets Rock Exeter this weekend to see, amongst others, Five Star (although I think there's only one of them now). I wonder if Denise still makes all the costumes? Part of me wants to really hate these 80s festivals, short sets, punters in cheesy costumes, overpriced 'cider' but the 13 year old me would have gone nuts to have seen ABC, Adam Ant, Kim Wilde, Toyah, Howard Jones and Tony Hadley on the same bill and...well...the 51 year old me is pretty excited too. 

Moseley Folk and Arts Festival, September 3rd - 5th

Soooooooooo good to be back at MoFo (or maybe that should be MoFAF now they've added the 'Arts' bit) after 6 years away. Regular readers (both of you) will know that we went to every single MoFo and MoJaFuSo when we were living in Bearwood but our move to Devon coupled with various financial and logistical issues...ahem...made it impossible for us to attend for the past few years. Of course no bugger could attend in 2020 but we'll gloss over that. 

I'm pleased to report that MoFAF's just as lovely as ever, a little bigger than when we were last there thanks to Folk On The Slope and Speakers Corner but all the better for it. We knew we'd enjoy old favourites (deep breath) The Wonderstuff, 

The Nightingales, 

Gruff Rhys, Frank Turner, Katherine Priddy, 

Pete Williams and Richard Hawley but there were plenty of new (to us at least) artists including Keeley Forsyth, Sinead O'Brien, Christie Reeves 

and Jade Bird 

that whet our musical whistles. 

Speakers Corner dished up Roy, Joe Lycett in conversation with Cold War Steve, Foka Wolf, 

Jess Phillips (the place was rammed for her appearance...time to step aside eh Kier?), Pete Paphides (with Brum cultural ambassador Lyle Bignon  and Boat To Row's Michael King) and Rich Hall and it could almost have been a festival on its own. Sadly Barbara Nice clashed with Pete Williams, one of a number of clashes that's just part of the deal with festivals. I'm sure the two of 'em would've made a great double act...hmmmm. 

Aside from the music and chat it was wonderful to catch up with so many dear old (and not so old) friends again and to make a few new ones too. Poignantly a couple were missing this time though, Brian Travers and Gaz Owen, but they both received the traditional MoFAF graffiti treatment (I spotted part of Paul Murphy's tribute image from waaaay back on the reverse of one of the walls of The Black Swan pop up pub too). 

Who knows what the next 12 months will bring (aren't we due a plague of frogs and the four horseman of the apocalypse next?) but I'm already counting down the days to MoFAF 2022. Suggestions? Oh go on then...try PJ Harvey, Nick Cave, Marc Almond, Black Midi, Dexys, Jeffrey Lewis, Elvis Costello, Robert Plant, The Lovely Eggs, Richard Dawson, Courtney Barnett, Sleaford Mods, Wildwood Kin, Du Blonde, Kae Tempest, Ezra Furman and Billy Nomates. That'll do for starters. 

PS: Huge thanks to all involved in organising, running and appearing at MoFAF, you made a middle aged man very happy.  

Each and Every One - Everything But The Girl

Spent last night with Everything But The Girl's classic debut album Eden, one of NME's (remember them?) top 20 albums of 1984 apparently. The band seemingly jacked it in waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 2000 which was news to me. Where does the time go eh? What's that? Elvis is dead?! What?!! Aggggggggggggggghhhhh. 

A Riot On Eastbourne Pier - Captain Sensible

For reasons I won't disclose (mysterious eh?) this track's been spinning around my head today. A long lost classic from the good Captain in my humble opinion. 

Beautiful Days Festival - August 20th to August 22nd

"Welcome to a miracle" observed The Levellers' Mark Chadwick during their traditional opening acoustic set. Given that just a few weeks ago it seemed as though Beautiful Days wouldn't happen this year I'd say that was a pretty justifiable statement. Sure the loos were a bit crap (as it were) and there may not have been as many bands on as usual (or am I just imaging that?) but the organisers deserve nothing but oodles of praise for pressing ahead and giving every attendee yet another memorable weekend. 

Day One's highlights included Peat and Diesel's craic-ing set, Henge's out of this world psychedelia, the return of Alabama 3 (Woke Up This Morning's still a classic) and the sublime pairing of kora player Seckoh Keita and harpist Catrin Finch, all capped off with Frank Turner (the thinking Millennial's Billy Bragg) and his Sleeping Souls and the legendary Hawkwind (whose lead singer Dave Brock turned 80 today...who says (space) rock 'n' roll's no good for you eh?). 

Emerging from our tent in a cider induced haze on Day Two we caught garage punkters Fighting Rhythm (who'd travelled 8 hours to get here to replace another band, now that's commitment) and then bounced between the Main Stage and Big Top. Edward II 's blend of Jamaican and English folk was as inspired as ever, setting us up for some right skanking to The Selector. Is it me or is Pauline Black getting younger?  Despite the rain Gary Numan proved he's still electrifying (although happily he avoided getting electrocuted despite venturing onto a platform away from the shelter of the stage during the peak of the downpour) paving the way for another band who are enjoying something of a late career purple patch, James.

Day Three kicked off with some stunning blues covers from Dea Matrona and some equally awesome self penned folk from Katherine Priddy (whose debut album 'The Eternal Rocks Beneath' recently hit number one in the folk charts...hurrah!). 

The rest of the afternoon saw us lapping up From The Jam. Dreadzone and Skindred before catching the proggier than a very proggy thing at a prog boot camp Van Der Graaf Generator's equally mesmerising , confusing and ever so slightly scary set (although that might just be the cider talking). As is traditional we listened to The Levellers closing set from the Tiny Tea Tent before collapsing in a messy heap. Ouch, my aching everything. 

As ever we missed loads of great bands but spent many happy hours chatting with random strangers and taking in the unique sights, sounds and smells that make a festival such a bloody life affirming event. 

Fly Me To The Moon - Tony Bennett

Sad to read that Tony Bennett's retiring from live performances at just 95 years young. What a legend. How many other singers can say they've been treading the boards for 70 years eh? 70! Good grief. I had the great pleasure of seeing and meeting Mr Bennett at Glastonbury back in 1998 when he was a mere 72 and, despite the rising tide of mud (oh so much mud), he sat there and signed autographs and chatted with fans for a good hour or so.  

Life Without Buildings - PS Exclusive

Heard this track last night on the Ezra Furman fronted Marc Riley show. Reminded me a bit of a female fronted Campag Velocet. Cooooool.  

Superstate - Yoga Town

This sounds like the kind of cool indie track that got played on the much missed (in my world anyway) Pig Radio. It's not though...it's something new from Graham Coxon and chums. Apparently there's a graphic novel that goes with it too that no doubt explains what the track and its vid are all about. Possibly. 

Love Rollercoaster - Ohio Players

Hands up who thought the Red Hot Chili Peppers version was the original? Love the dancin' dudes 2minutes 20 seconds in too. 

Ethyrfield @ The Marine Tavern, Dawlish - Saturday July 31st 2021

A gig? An actual live gig? In real life?! Yes. This actually happened. 

18 months after seeing my last live gig (the biggest between gig gap since I was 18 or so) I finally saw a band in the flesh and what a great band they were/are too. Coming all the way from Newton Abbott (a good 10 miles or so away) Ethyrfield rock more than a slab of granite dropping on your head from outer space (narrowly missing Jeff Bezos and Dickie Branson of course). Showcasing tracks from new album In Delirium (you can grab a copy here) they treated to packed and ever so slightly moist Marine Tavern to a stadium worthy set and, if there's any justice in this world, that's just where they're heading. 

Here's a quick taster if you're new to the band...

Gareth 'Gaz' Owen RIP

Late Friday afternoon I spotted a couple of posts on Facebook about the passing of Gaz from Swordfish and thought it was some kind of mistake. Surely it's another Gaz from another Swordfish somewhere? Sadly not. 

I first met Gaz way back in the 80s when Swordfish was in Needless Alley and over the years spent many (many!) happy hours riffling through his racks and chewing the fat about music. He'd suggest some great stuff for me to listen to and kept me well supplied with vinyl, CDs Aphex Twin calendars and that quirky Badly Drawn Boy music box. After moving to Devon back in 2015 I obviously saw very little of him but popped back last time I was in Brum and it was like I'd never been away. 

The genuine outpouring of grief that's followed Gaz's passing says all you need to know about the man. He was a lovely bloke, down to earth, friendly, encouraging of new talent, welcoming to new record buyers and a huge influence on the Midlands music scene for over four decades. My deepest sympathies go out to his family, his business partner Mike and everyone else who who's as shocked as I am that he'll no longer be behind that legendary counter...this one's for you Gaz x.

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. 

Three Shirts On The Line - Frank Sidebottom

Apparently there's a football match on today, so what better time to celebrate the genius that was Frank Sidebottom with his late era classic Three Shirts On The Line. Sadly Frank (aka Chris Sievey) passed away just ten days after this performance...the world could so with him right now...he'd make a great Health Secretary. 

Worry With You - Sleater-Kinney

Almost 30 years into their career and Sleater-Kinney release one of their best tracks. Impressive. Here's a quick blast from the past too...a mere 21 years ago...good grief. 

'Euros' Having A Laugh...

At the risk of stating the bleeding obvious why the hell are 60,000 people going to be allowed to attend the Euros finals and semi finals but apparently it's still not safe for music festivals (many of which will have much smaller audiences) to go ahead? Oh, but people are going to be seated at the games some will say. Okay...but isn't this virus AIRBORNE? And won't people be shouting and singing for 90 minutes? And won't people be crushed together entering and leaving the ground? Kendall Calling fell yesterday, Truck Festival today and it's obvious that the rest will have to follow as no one can risk putting on a festival when the Government refuses to issue any guidelines whatsoever for how these events will have to be run. Either it's relatively safe to hold an outdoor event or it isn't. My heart bleeds for all those behind the scenes who work so hard to put festivals on, as well as the performers and, of course, us...the audience...many of whom have already been 'double jabbed'.  

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.