RIP Stedman Pearson

For a brief period in the mid 80s Five Star released some great pop songs, notching up four top 20 albums and 15 top 40 singles with six of these reaching the top 10 (in the days when that really meant something). The band's Icarus like downfall was sad to see and now one of the two brothers in the band, Stedman, has passed away at 60 years old. I was going to say 'just' 60 years old but I guess 60 isn't a bad innings, especially if you've sold a few million records along the way... 

New York State of Mind - Diane Schuur

How's this for a smoooooooooooooooooooooooooooth cover of the Billy Joel classic eh? Took a punt on the album for 20p last weekend...yes, I know, splashing out again...and it's well worth a spin. 

Roy Ayers RIP

Sad to hear that Roy Ayers has gone up to play that great vibraphone in the sky, but he's left us with some absolute classics...

I was lucky enough to see him play live at Moseley Jazz Funk and Soul a few years back (2015 apparently, good grief time flies) and yes, he did do this track...

Love You - Syd Barrett

Picked up remastered editions (on CD of course, it's the future) of all of Syd Barrett's solo albums...that'll be both of 'em then...at the weekend and noticed that I and they share a birth year, 1970. Syd seemed to have been a busy boy in 1970, so much so that he pretty much vanished from view for the rest of his life. Opinion seems to be a little divided on the reasons behind this but his slim solo output's well worth a listen if you're a fan of whimsical psych/folk/rock/whatever the hell genre this is.  

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. 

Egg Song (No Fishing Today) - Eve Appleton Band

Popped up to Bristol over the weekend to attend a Matt Berry Q&A with Acid Jazz's Eddie Piller and caught a couple of gigs, including Eve Appleton Band at The Lanes. This track, a folk/country/indie banger was the pick of the bunch. A ruddy great live act, well worth catching if you get the chance.  

Sometimes Life Hits You - Jeffrey Lewis

Song of the summer from Jeffrey Lewis. Last year may have been 'Brat' (whatever that was) but this one's the year of 'Ow, fuck, that hurt'.

I Gotta Limit - Matt Berry ft Kitty Liv

 

Ace 60s sounding Northern Soul tinged new track from Matt Berry's forthcoming album Heard Noises. I reckon Clem Fandango would approve...

Daylight - Toni Price

Another of last weekend's CDs (a signed one too), this time some classy country blues from the 'Juke Joint Madonna', Toni Price. She's a new name to me but it seems as though she was happy playing a weekly residency in her adopted home town of Austin Texas rather than touring, which might explain why she's not better known over here. Sadly she passed away last year at 63 years old. 

Leash - Sky Ferreira

 Instant synth pop classic (with shades of The Knife and Depeche Mode) from Sky Ferreira. 

Harlem River Drive - Eddie Palmieri

Another great weekend of CD hunting landed a compilation of Blue Note tracks featuring this classic cut. As I was buying it a fellow customer in the charity shop, a very earnest young lady, acknowledged how cool CDs were but warned me that they only have a life of 20 years so I should make other copies. I didn't have the heart to tell her that the very CD I was buying was already 25 years old and that some of my collection's now 40 years old. 

There seems to be this myth around CDs that they'll rot away and, whilst I've seen a few examples of what's known as 'disc rot' in the wild (less than five times I'm guessing...and I've probably looked at more than 10,000 CDs over the years), this is usually down to poor handling, storage and manufacture. Trust me, if CDs were going to become unusable it would have happened by now. Look after them, just as you would vinyl and they'll outlive all of us. Here endeth the lesson.  

Nothing Strange Is Going On - The Matt Philip Hale Band

Epic new single from The Matt Philip Hale Band's just landed! One day the rest of the world will catch up with this dude and his back catalogue...the musical equivalent of the Staffordshire Hoard. 

Sofistifunk - Return To Forever

I don't often buy things online but the chances of finding a Return To Forever album in the wild is pretty slim, so I buckled and picked up a two CD anthology on eBay before Christmas. And who doesn't need a slice of Sofistifunk in their lives eh? 

The Bigger The Front - Misty's Big Adventure

Happy New Year and all that jazz. Hope you had a cool yule too. Let's kick off 2025 with yet another classic from the still very much missed Misty's Big Adventure.  

Merry Chris-mix 2024

As is traditional I've trawled Mr You Tube and found yet another cracking Christmas mix for you to play as you roast yer nuts by the fire. This one's courtesy of Miguel Beteta-Woodward and, at the time of writing, it has a mere 24 views so give it a spin and show him some festive lurrrrrrrrrrve. 

Right, that's it. I'm off on my annual digital detox. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

Last Christmas - Chilly Gonzales

Heard this beautiful instrumental version of Wham's Last Christmas on 6 Music last night and, as Chilly himself mused, it really reveals the strength of the composition itself. 

Christmas Was Better In The 80s - The Futureheads

Another cracker (see what I did there?) of a Christmas track that get's far too few plays every year. Stick this on after Noddy and The Pogues. And, yes, Christmas was better in the 80s...mind you, let's face it, most things were. 

Get Behind Me, Santa - Sufjan Stevens

Struggling for some alternatives to Slade, Wizzard and Kirsty and The Pogues? Try a little Sufjan Stevens! 

Jack, That Cat Was Clean - Dr Horse

Another cool pick up from last weekend was a 2CD compilation of mod tinged jazz tunes called That Cat Was Clean! which features this little gem courtesy of Dr Horse. Hipper than lorry full of artificial hips in Hiptown. 

Spanish Horses - Aztec Camera

Picked up an Aztec Camera hits collection over the weekend and heard this track for the first time in years. Not too shabby eh? 

She Does It Right - Dr Feelgood

They may be wearing flares but there's more than a touch of punk attitude to Dr Feelgood's performance in this classic clip. Wilko in particular looks poised to start pogoing at any moment...

Condensation - Sports Team

 Glossy indie pop perfection from Sports Team! Lurvvvving this track right now. 

(Round, Round, Round) Blue Rondo a la Turk - Al Jarreau

Chuffed to pick up a no barcode mint condition early pressing of Al Jarreau's classic Breakin' Away album on CD for 50p...yep...50p...yesterday. Is it me or do bits of this track sound like it influenced System Of A Down's Chop Suey? 

Les Fleurs - Ramsey Lewis

There are a few versions of Ramsey's interpretation of Les Fleurs out there, I've got a live one on a compilation album that doesn't seem to be online but this one will do. Sublime...

Adriana Again - Elbow

It took me a long, long time to get into Elbow but eventually the sheer number of great tracks that they'd built up over the years coupled with Guy Garvey's humbleness (try listening to his 6Music show on Sundays) won me over.  Their latest is a bit 'cooler' than some of their other stuff too, proving that they really do know their arse from their... 

Pinball - Brian Protheroe

 Rarely heard minor hit from the voice behind Channel 4's First Dates!  

Groove Is In The Heart - Deee-Lite

No autotune. No miming. And she dances her tights off too. No idea who filmed this back in 1990 but thank groove-ness they did. 

Skunk Funk - Galliano

Dug out an Acid Jazz compilation last night and this was one of the tracks on it. Reminds me of being a student in Brighton waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 1992. What a different world that was eh? Happily, after a quick 26 year break, Galliano reformed last year and released a new album recently too. Bring back the 90s, that's what I say. You could get a kebab and three pints and still have change from a shilling.  

Hey Man - Misty's Big Adventure

Almost two and a half years have passed since Grandmaster Gareth went to that great jam jar in the sky and it's still hard to accept that I'll never have the chance to see one of the best bands that ever made an entire video in a car wash live ever again...

Makossa Blow - Manu Dibango

 If this doesn't get you shaking your tail feather into the weekend then nothing will...

Audacious - Franz Ferdinand

Another grower from Franz Ferdinand, quite possibly one of the best singles they've released in my very humble opinion. Slightly bonkers to think that they've been around over 20 years now though. I well remember buying and watching the DVD single (remember them?) of Take Me Out and thinking that I'd arrived in the future...

Quincy Jones RIP

If this was the only track that Jones had produced it would be more than enough in my book, but it's just the tip of a ruddy huge musical iceberg of stone cold classics that includes Off The Wall, Thriller and We Are The World, which raised the equivalent today of £222million for charity. And where would Austin Powers be without Soul Bossa Nova eh? 

Finally here's an all too rarely heard classic from the 80s that Quincy co-wrote as well as produced. 

Let's Have A Kiki - Scissor Sisters

Chuffed to hear that Scissor Sisters are back, it's a shame that Anna's not going to be touring this time but apparently she's working on other stuff. Although she's irreplaceable hopefully the band will have some guest vocalists on hand...Vanity Fairy would be great! 

Altered Images / Vanity Fairy @ Exeter Phoenix – Friday October 25th 2024

 

After waiting roughly 40 years to see Altered Images this was the third time we’d seen them since 2022. At this rate they’ll be taking out a restraining order against us.

First up though, Vanity Fairy, a one woman disco extravaganza (check out her outifits) with an equally delicious sideline in witty between song banter. Hot on the high heels of supporting Last Dinner Party she dazzled the early birds with an album's worth of instant classics. 

If Kate Bush had grown up in Studio 54...

Playing the whole of fourth album, Bite, Altered Images (although only Clare Grogan remains from the original band) kicked off with a particularly groovy Bring Me Closer which was only narrowly beaten by a sublime purr through classic Don’t Talk To Me About Love for first set highlight. Grogan’s in fine voice and form and it’s clear that she’s loving this phase of a career that started waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 1979. Yes, really. 

After a quick break they returned for bangers old...I Could Be Happy and Dead Pop Stars...and new, courtesy of 2022's top notch comeback single Mascara Streakz. GWR cancelling the last train home stopped us from staying right to the end...oh the joys of relying on public transport...but too much pop perfection may well have proved fatal at our age. 

Mum Does The Washing - Joshua Idehen

 Just heard this on 6 Music for the first time. Clever stuff. 

In The Modern World - Fontaines D.C.

This track's been growing on me recently and the vid adds a little extra shaboom to it. The media covered a story yesterday about there being no nightclubs by 2030. Presumably pubs and small to medium sized gig venues face an equally uncertain future as prices rise, incomes fall and the threat of getting shanked up by a 12 year old off its bonce on cherry flavoured vapes makes people retreat to the safety of their own homes, keeping the real world at bay through video games, celebrity brain surgery shows and box set binges. Interesting times eh?  

Speed Reading - Maceo Parker

Here's a cut from the pick of this weekend's 10p CDs, Maceo Parker's 2005 album School's In. Yep...10p! What a time to be alive eh?  

Yo Yo - Rose Royce

Picked up a cheapo Rose Royce compilation from a charity shop over the weekend and came across this funktastic cut from the iconic Car Wash movie and soundtrack. Hot on its heels came this one...

With another 13 tracks it's not too bad for 50p eh? 

PS: Having hoovered up thousands of CDs over the past few years I've noticed that the volume and quality available in charity shops has dwindled pretty dramatically recently. It's not surprising, most people who had 'em in a box under the bed have got rid of 'em now....just as they did when vinyl fell out of favour. The majority of my fellow CD buyers still tend to be middle aged men (bless 'em) but over the weekend I was rifling through the racks next to a couple of trendy students who seemed besotted with the format. And who can blame them? You Tube seems to be fighting off the ad blocking software that's worked so well over the years and I daresay that you get ads every 30 seconds on Spotify too unless you spunk up a monthly subscription fee. Why subscribe when you can buy, own and play (in much better sound quality) CDs though? If you buy from charity shops, you're supporting good causes too. And, as I've probably banged on about before, CDs seem to be both retro and futuristic making it the ideal format for hipsters and hip replacement-ers. It's probably too late to accumulate a big collection for little money now but if you're passing a charity shop or car boot sale it's well worth a look. Happy hunting! 

Good Tradition - Tanita Tikaram

Following on from the last post here's another Helen O'Hara related track, this time from Tanita Tikaram who's first album, Ancient Heart, sold a piggy bank busting 4 million copies back in 1988/89. Helen played on the album and toured with Tanita back then and it seems as though she's still playing with her a mere 35 years later. 

If you're new to TT give this one a spin too...worthy of Leonard Cohen at his best. 

This Is What She's Like - Dexys Midnight Runners

Greatly enjoying Helen O'Hara's memoir, What's She Like, at the moment and if you have even a passing interest in Dexys it's an essential read. It's reminded me of just what a classic album Don't Stand Me Down is and its lack of success or critical appreciation on its original release (barring a few wise souls) remains one of the great musical mysteries of the 80s. 

Didn't Do That - John Martyn

Super cool, jazzy cut from John Martyn's 1981 album Glorious Fool, produced and drummed on by none other than Phil Collins. Another recent addition to the old CD mountain... 

Life Is What You Make It - Weezer

Slightly scuzzier version of the classic Talk Talk track that I heard for the first time on my recently acquired copy of Weezer's 'red album'...10p from a local charity shop. Yep, 10p. Good grief. 

Unloving Plum - Haircut 100

Well, it's only taken 40 years but at last Haircut 100 are back with a brand new track! Nice to hear some proper brass in a pop track again.  

Some Days I Drink My Coffee By The Grave Of William Blake - The The

More than 40 years into his career and a mere 26 since the last album Matt Johnson and The The are back to soundtrack England's seemingly inevitable decline. As you'd expect the anger's simmering away rather than being rammed down your throats, but that makes it all the more powerful. 

Nitty Gritty - Ricardo Ray

Classic slice of Nu Yourican funk that I came across on a compilation CD I picked up last weekend. If this doesn't put a wiggle in your walk nothing will...

T.V. Smith @ Exeter Corn Exchange - Saturday September 14th

Had the great pleasure of seeing punk legend T.V. Smith play a selection of tracks from The Adverts and his solo career at Exeter Record Fair last weekend. Picked up a copy of his brand new album, Handwriting, too. 

Highly recommended, especially the title track, a vision of the distinctly dystopian future that we seem to be rapidly stumbling towards...

Solar Powered - Ellie Finnerty

Love the new video and track from Ellie Finnerty and if you're anywhere near London TONIGHT you can catch her first ever show in the capital at The Sindercombe Social! It's FREE entry too, unlike her show at Wembley Stadium in 2027 when tickets will probably cost £300 a pop...

Moseley Folk Festival Friday August 30th – Sunday September 1st 2024

 

18 years since our first (and their first) Moseley Folk we’re back after a couple of years away (not even the number 11 goes as far as Devon, so popping to Mo Folk is a bit more of a mission these days than when we lived in Bearwood). No idea who these two lovely chaps either side of me were but they had fine taches.  

That special vibe (vibe…what is this…1990?) is still there and entering the site from bustling Moseley village still feels a little like stepping into Narnia. All three days contained enough gems to warrant the ticket price for the whole shebang but here’s my personal pick of the pops...oh dear:

Friday

The Black Country Cowboy film…with a live performance from the man himself, Mr Pete Boddis.

The Scratch – one of the rocking-est bands around right now dished up the latest anthem to going on the lash, Another Round, and, appropriately enough (given the resulting hangover), a powerfully funereal cover of The Pogues’ Sally MacLennane.

Flogging Molly – Another of Ireland’s finest – although apparently founded in Los Angeles (who knew eh?) – kept up the energy as the post work crew arrived bearing pints of ale and a burning desire to bounce the office out of their hair.

Beans On Toast – Love this dude. He just seems so genuine, nice and honest, freely admitting that he doesn’t have all the answers but making a strong case for a world that’s based on music festivals like Mo Folk. He gets my vote.

The Levellers – Despite going to The Lev’s own festival, Beautiful Days, every year I’m normally up at the Tiny Tea tent when they’re playing silently mulling over the dreadful prospect of packing up our tent at 7am on Monday morning. Oh the horror. So it was great to see their whole show up close and personal, including rousing romps through One Way and Beautiful Day. It was, too.

Saturday

Katherine Priddy – Ahhhh, KP, Mo Fo’s very homegrown folk f-henomenon. Always a joy to hear her play and not even swallowing a fly during the last number could stop her from delivering one of the most bewitching sets of the weekend. Full marks for George Boomsma (also pictured) for stepping in at the end to sings the last few verses. 

Vashti Bunyan in conversation with Lyle Bignon – Folk legend who made me want to pack up my bags and recreate her 18 month wander up to the Outer Hebrides, although she and I suspect that it wouldn’t be quite as idyllic as it was back in the 70s.

The Staves – Sisters still doing it for themselves, folk doesn’t get much poppier than this. That’s a great thing by the way. Despite the world outside Moseley Park turning to shit All Now still manages to make you feel optimistic.

Jon Muq – He’s from Uganda but now living in Austin, Texas…as he was very fond of telling us. The songs may be simple but some of the best ones are and Muq’s beaming smile sold the set to me.

CMAT – Quite possibly set of the weekend as Ciara (Mary-Alice Thompson…see what she did there?) literally threw herself into her performance with some top notch banter in between songs that blend such disparate influences as Country and Western and Kate Bush. Bonkers pop has its new princess. A Cyndi Lauper for the 21^st Century anyone?

Brian Lightning – Missed the start if this dude’s set but if I was still living in Brum I’d be there at every single show. A bit of Bowie, a bit of Jobriath, a bit of Scott Walker…it’s all a bit brilliant. One to watch.

Dexys – “Been down Bearwood…The Little Nibble?”. Sadly they missed out this bit at the start of This Is What She’s Like but they included pretty much everything else in a joyous hit (and should’ve been hits) packed set. Kev seemed pretty happy too and, at 71, that distinctive voice of his is still in fine fettle.

Sunday

George Boomsma – Last seen backing Katherine Priddy this was the first time we’d caught George solo and it was the perfect start to the final day of Mo Fo. By George’s own admission there’s a gentle melancholy to many of his songs but his vocal and odd bout of remarkably tuneful whistling casts a soft and reassuring light across every word.  

Niall Macnamee – Top notch between song banter from actor, singer/songwriter and all round great bloke. He wins the best song title of the weekend award too courtesy of the rousing Magpie With A Mullet.

Helen O’Hara in conversation with Lyle Bignon – Ah, so this is what she’s like. Dexy’s original fiddle maestro reveals some surprising myth busting facts about joining the band. Got to meet her and buy a copy of her autobiography afterwards too. Teen me would be beside himself.

Kate Rusby – Folk’s own Bubble from Ab Fab (and I mean that in the loveliest way…she really is a sweetie) Kate delivered one of the festival highlights with a crowd cheering romp through The Bangle’s Manic Monday.

Belle & Sebastian – Almost 30 years after falling in love with ‘em I finally got to see Belle and Sebastian live…and boy (with the arab strap) was it worth the wait. A much meatier proposition than in their earliest incarnations they dished up a masterclass in witty pop perfection and rocked the roof off the place. Yep, seriously. Stuart even pulled off a death defying mid set walk/wobble along the safety barrier and after 90 minutes they barely scratched the surface of a body of work that few bands get within sniffing distance of. A folking amazing end to the weekend.   

Beautiful Days 2024 – August 16th – 18th, Escot Park, Devon

I think this was our seventh Beautiful Days and…miracle of miracles…it actually stayed dry. Apart from a slight drizzle on Thursday night but we’ll ignore that.

Perhaps this wasn’t the strongest line up ever but all three days produced more than their fair share of musical treats, new and not so new. Here’s what we caught (as the loos were particularly clean this year hopefully we didn’t catch anything else…ahem).

Friday August 16^th

Our 28^th wedding anniversary. Yes, I know, I don’t look old enough do I eh?

Hotwax – Spunky, punky teen trio fronted by two girls of the female variety (can you still say that these days)...

...which was something of a rarity on the main stage in particular.

David Wax Museum – Lordy I loved this lot. 

One of my festival highlights. Imagine Paul Simon and Vampire Weekend on a day trip to Mexico and that’ll give you a tiny idea of how some of their tracks sound. I bought five of their CDs so they must’ve been good.

The Scratch – Another highlight! Irish rock, roll and soul with a percussionist who appears to be playing a box with a pair of greyhound’s legs. I may have had some cider by then though.

Lottery Winners – Indie rock with a dash of stand up. Played ‘our’ song, ‘It Must Be Love’...and on our wedding anniversary too. They must've known.

Moon Hooch – Highlight #3 of day #1, two scronkingly brilliant sax players and a drummer that must’ve been powered by at least a dozen Duracell batteries. It’s jazz Jim, but not as we know it.

The Saw Doctors – Second Irish band of the day, this lot are 40 years into their career though, as the crowd’s lusty singalongs proved.

Saturday

Holy Youth Movement – Despite an 11am start (what madness is this?) HYM attracted an impressive audience for their rock-tronica 

Yep, I’ve just made that one up. You’re welcome.

Pet Needs – The crowd swelled for this lot and I’m not surprised. Perfect pop punk singalongs with some slightly mellower moments to help you catch your breath back.

Up, Bustle and Out – Global dance music that deserved a much bigger audience than they got. So much on though and so little time to see it all.

Cast – First saw this bad supporting The Lightening Seeds back in 1894…possibly…and here we are 130 years later enjoying some of Brit Pops finest moments again. A Finetime was had by all…see what I did there?

Inspiral Carpets – Loved this set. Cool As Fuck. Particularly enjoyed the ghostly voice – no doubt recorded on a beer and baccy stained cassette found on a bus in Manchester – of Mark E. Smith on I Want You.

Mr Bruce – How does this man not explode? How can anyone dance with such energy and still carry on breathing let alone singing. This was one of the three seconds of his set when he wasn't leaping around.

One of the nine wonders of the world.

A bit of Richard Ashcroft – Clearly the drugs are still working.

Toyah and Robert – 

Mr and Mrs Fripp cover everything from Metallica to Bowie in one of the most fun sets I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen The Darkness play an 11am set at Glasto after a night on the pop.

Sunday

The Gulls – Why weren't these guys on later? Hell, why weren’t they headlining? 

Shut yer eyes and you could be at Woodstock in 1969…open yer eyes and, well, as you can see they look the part too.

3 Daft Monkeys – Legendary folk punksters play their first BD set for 12 years.

Kathryn Priddy – One of folk’s most beautiful voices with a mesmerising and maturing song book of current and future classics. 

You could have heard a pin drop in the Big Top, which is particularly impressive given the fact that we were standing on grass.

Pop Will Eat Itself – Almost 40 years after they formed the Poppies are back and sounding as rad as ever. Great to hear Touched By The Hand Of Cicciolina for the first time since 1990.

A bit of Stornaway and Hard-Fi…sadly not on the same stage though.

The Damned – Punk godfathers (and grandfathers probably) dished out the hits and camped it up a bit too, at least Vanian did. Highlight? A shout out to the “Dawlish massive” from Captain Sensible himself.

We heard some of The Levs set and bits and pieces of other stuff but spent many a happy hour chatting to some of the many lovely peeps that make up the BD crowd, which is one of the joys of a festival like this one. If I'm still alive and kicking I'll be back next year. 

You Must Change Your Life - David Wax Museum

Just back from our seventh (I think) Beautiful Days festival and it was a cracker. I may pop up a bigger post about some of the best acts but for now enjoy one of the highlights, David Wax Museum. Trust me, they're well worth a listen. 

I Want You - Inspiral Carpets ft Mark E Smith

The only track to have featured in John Peel's Festive 50 for two years in a row. I've not listened to this for a while but I used to have it on a self compiled tape in the car that got a right hammering every Friday night on the way home from work. One to play LOUD. 

Doctor Jazz - George Lewis

Jazz may be having a bit of a revival right now but, as far as I can tell, the Trad stuff couldn't be less fashionable. I could be wrong, there may some kind of super cool underground Trad Jazz scene in Hoxton but I doubt it. That's a shame when it sounds at good as this, a mere 71 years after it was recorded (and almost 30 years after it was written by King Oliver). Picked up this CD at the weekend along with a bunch of even older stuff. Jelly Roll Morton anyone? No? Oh well, just me then. 

Bells and Whistles - Bright Eyes

If Springsteen and Dylan had got it on in the late 70s I reckon their lovechild may well have been Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst. Check out their latest track and tell me I'm wrong. 

Faith Healer - Sensational Alex Harvey Band

Sadly I was too young to see SAHB with Alex but at least we still have recorded performances like this to look back on. If this floats yer boat I can highly recommend the Sensational Alex Harvey Band Live At The BBC double CD, yours for around a tenner on eBay right now. 

Cookie - David Devant & His Spirit Wife

Just discovered that David Devant & His Spirit Wife played an all too rare gig a few days ago! Darn it, haven't seem them live for bloody years. If you've missed out on their charms for the last three decades or so try this track for starters. 

Ain't It Time - Queen Yahna

Bit of an Across 110th Street vibe from this mid 70s underground soul disco gem. Perfect for gently sizzling in the sun too for anyone lucky enough to be off work today. I'm not jealous...honest. 

God Gave Me Feet For Dancing - Ezra Collective ft Yazmin Lacey

Instant classic from Ezra Collective to keep the Brit Jazz flag flying. I might have to try some of those dance moves down the Co-op. 

High Energy - Evelyn Thomas

Who doesn't like and, let's face it, need a little High Energy right now eh? Sad to hear that Evelyn Thomas passed away this week along with Duke Fakir from The Four Tops and now John Mayall too. Good grief. Still, they all had a good innings and they left the world some cracking music which is more than most of us will do. I rescued a baby crab from a herring gull the other day, does that count for anything? 

Flowers power

Picked up a couple of albums from a band called Flowers last weekend and they're the perfect indie pop soundtrack to a dreamy summer's day which...miracle of miracles...we seem to be enjoying today. Love the vids too...

Life - Jamie xx featuring Robyn

Look up 'banger' in the dictionary and it'll probably mention this track, even if the video induces seizures... 

'ouses, 'ouses, ouses - The Imagined Village

As someone who's been lucky enough to live in beautiful South Devon for just a few years I've already witnessed what I would class as overdevelopment, but now it seems that the gloves are off and no field, wood or patch of dirt's safe. How sad. It might be a hard truth for some people to swallow but what this country (and planet for that matter) needs is fewer people, not more 'ouses, ouses, ouses... 

PS: Here's Sir David Attenborough's take on the subject of overpopulation David Attenborough: The planet can’t cope with overpopulation | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

Bargain Buckley...

Picked up the 2 CD Tim Buckley Starsilor Anthology over the weekend for 33p and it reminded me of just how staggeringly diverse his output was. If you've not yet dived in to his 9 albums (and all released before he sadly passed away at just 28) you're in for a treat...

Double Denim - Cornershop ft Rosanna

The weather may be predictably shite this summer...now there's a change...I'm 54 and the only proper summer I can remember was 1976...but at least there's a new Cornershop track to warm the cockles (and other bits of your anatomy) on a distinctly autumnal July day. 

Burning Boats - Annie Hogan (ft Marc Almond & JG Thirwell)

Picked up a sealed double CD copy of Anni(e) Hogan's classic 1985 Kickabye album on my travels and it sent me spinning right back to the mid 80s when I first heard this track. Almost 40 years later it still packs one hell of a punch.   

Let’s Rock Exeter 2024 @ Powderham Castle (ft Ali Campbell (UB40)/Boomtown Rats/From The Jam/ The Real Thing/eXTC/Jason Donovan/Kim Appleby/Clare Grogan (Altered Images)/Sonia/Sister Sledge

Perhaps not the strongest line up ever for Let’s Rock Exeter but still more than enough musical treats to make it well worth the £40 or so for a ticket (even if the cans of ‘cider’ – containing less than a pint – were £6.50 this year). Here are a few of my highlights…

Sister Sledge kicked things off in fine style at 11.50am, almost breakfast time. Lost In Museli anyone? Debbie Sledge may the only original sister in the band but at least her daughter and son are part of the line up now, so the lyrics of We Are Family still kinda ring true. 

Shared DNA aside they put on a cracking show and the Chic powered tunes are absolute belters.

Clare Grogan (Altered Images) was another early highlight, slipping in a quick swearword, “Well, I am from Glasgow” she explained after forgetting the lyrics to a song. Bless 'er. 

Clear winner of the 'Most Fun Set Of The Day' Award she dropped in 2022's Mascara Streakz, bringing that classic Altered Images sound bang up to date. 

I wasn’t expecting to enjoy eXTC’s set so much, given that drummer Terry Chambers is the only one from the original band, but hearing some of these songs played live for the first time was a proper treat. This Is (top) Pop!

The Real Thing dished up some of the best British Soul ever committed to vinyl, with a particularly funky Can You Feel The Force hitting the sweet spot, before From The Jam delivered a hits filled set that, at times, sounds spookily close to the original band.

I thought The Boomtown Rats might divide the crowd a little but St Bob soon won ‘em over. And yes, they did play all the songs you’d want them to play. Looking a little like Gandolf’s younger brother the 72 year old’s in remarkable shape and relatively new track, The Boomtown Rats, capped things off with an almost techno vibe showing there’s life in the old rats still.

Ali Campbell ended the day and he was in fine voice with a great band behind him. It’s not UB40 sadly but we all know what happened there. He wasn’t the chattiest soul, but maybe he’d had…wait for it…too much red red wine the night before. Oh dear.

Let’s Rock Exeter 2025’s still unconfirmed at the moment and I’ve read rumours that it may not happen or that it could move, which would be a shame. If it is still on though can we please, please, please finally get Jimmy Somerville down here? Cheers.

Everybody Hurts - REM @ Glastonbury 1999

A lot of my Glastonbury experiences (I managed 9...and a bit...don't ask) have faded from my ageing brain over the years but some are as fresh as my socks on day one. Seeing REM sing Everybody Hurts back in 1999 is one of those memories and the lyrics are as true and as powerful now as they were then. Enjoy...and if you know someone who's having a bit of a shit one send 'em this video. 

Fruitcakes - Jimmy Buffett

Picked up this album yesterday for a whole 10p and it seems pretty appropriate for these times. Shades of Paul Simon's You Can Call Me Al perhaps...and that's never a bad thing. 

Circles Going Round - Galliano

A mere 28 years after their last album acid jazz legends Galliano are back with this beauty. Hopefully I'll get to see 'em live later in the year, it's been a while. 30 years or so?! Good grief. 

Too Much Pressure - The Selector

RIP Arthur 'Gaps' Hendrikson, who's now skanking at that great gig in the sky. I've had the great pleasure of seeing The Selector quite a few times over the past few years and Gaps always put 100% into every show. Hopefully he'll meet up with Ranking Roger and Terry Hall for a proper knees up...

Soak Up The Culture - Welly

Ahhhh, this takes me back to the golden days of the noughties when bands like Young Knives, Wombats, and Bromheads Jacket briefly ruled the airwaves...well, 6Music at least. This track's brand spanking new though. Hurrah! The kids are alright after all. 

Thrown Around - James Blake

Blimey, where did this come from? James Blake's back with a bit of a banger (yes, seriously) and contender for video of the year. Let's hope the algorithm's get well and truly shagged... 

Red Guitar - David Sylvian

Jazz Art Pop? Is that a thing? It is now. Caught this video on one of the many music channels piped into our homes these days and the whole thing, song and video, is a thing of utter beauty. The 80s may have been a little OTT sometimes but bands like Talk Talk, Black, China Crisis, Aztec Camera, Cardiacs, Blancmange, Marc and the Mambas...I could go on and on and on...and quite possibly on...produced some of the most sublime music ever made. 

PS: Oh go on then, let's have a little Marc and the Mambas too...

U Should Not Be Doing That - Amyl and The Sniffers

It's been a bit of a grower this one but after a week or two of playing it Amyl and The Sniffers' latest is really hitting the spot. I really must get to see 'em live while I'm still standing. I was hoping Beautiful Days would book 'em but we've got Richard Ashcroft instead...

Microdisney World

 

I've been on a bit of a Microdisney fix after watching the recent documentary about them. How the hell did they miss out on having hits with stuff like this? 

I tried picking up a compilation album on CD from eBay earlier this week but it went for...wait for it...£50 with postage and packing. Good grief. Still, CDs aren't worth anything are they eh? Ha! 

PS: I've noticed that charity shops seem to have started picking up on the CD collecting boom with some ramping up their prices by 100% overnight. At £2 - £3 some CDs are still cheap but expect these prices to carry on rising, as happened with vinyl.  

Gone With The Wind (Is My Love) - Marc Almond

You can take the boy out of Wigan Casino... 

Here's the latest track from Marc Almond's new album 'I'm Not Anyone' (out on July 12th), a lush, string gilded cover of the Northern Soul classic!

Should I Sleep - Moby and J.P Bimeni

Been meaning to post this up for a while, especially after reading volume 2 of Moby's autobiography. Good grief, how is that dude still alive? Happily he stopped trying to kill himself through drink, drugs and shagging everyone in sight and he's still around to produce grooves like this beauty. 

Quality Pints - The Bug Club

Newly signed to the legendary Sub Pop label here's The Bug Club's latest release. Not sure if you're up for a quality pint (or two) on a Monday but I could murder one right now. Mine's a scrumpy. Cheers! 

Walk The Fire - Yannis & The Yaw

Been meaning to post this for a while now, just in case you've not heard it yet. Yannis from Foals meets Tony Allen (RIP). Imagine what these dudes could have done if they'd hooked up years ago...

Big Special/Scrounge/Pet Insurance @ Strange Brew, Bristol – Sunday May 12th 2024

After a couple of great opening sets from Pet Insurance and Scrounge Big Special took to the stage in cowboy hats, perhaps a nod to their country roots…Black Country that is. 

Just a few days after the release of hotly tipped debut album, Post Industrial Hometown Blues (number 15 in the midweek charts apparently, they're coming for you Taylor Swift), the Spesh play the whole bostin' shebang end to end kicking off with a particularly propulsive (and ever so slightly krautrockish in places, to my ears at least...but then again my ears are a bit fucked) Black Country Gothic. 

We're soon into a trio of the band’s finest with Desperate Breakfast, Shithouse (surely a shoe-in for the theme song of the forthcoming Peaky Blinders film) and This Here Ain’t Water all making the most of punk poet preacher Joe’s unique way with words and drummer Callum’s way with, well, beating three flavours of shit out his kit (what the hell are his sticks made from? Australian Buloke?). 

It’s a powerfully potent mix, calling to mind a little Sleaford Mods, Idles and (for those of us in the know) The Courtesy Group who they share their distinctive and self-deprecating Black Country spirit with. Between song banter keeps the mood lighter than you might imagine and a set climaxing wander into the crowd almost prompts a little mild moshing (it was a Sunday night though and given that a lot of the audience were 6Music dads of a certain age they probably thought better of it...now that I'm 54 I can get away with saying shit like that). 

Judging by the healthy number of people in the audience already sporting Big Special t-shirts they were clearly preaching to the converted but it’s easy to see ‘em going down an absolute storm during festival season, the perfect soundtrack to a country and, let’s face it, world that’s slowly but ever so surely going down the pan. They’re already special, now watch ‘em go big.  

Steve Albini RIP

Shit. 61! That's no age is it? Well, maybe it is but when you've just celebrated your own 54th birthday (on the day that Steve died as well) it sort of puts everything into perspective. 

Reading the many tributes to one of the most prolific and important record producers of our time it's pretty clear that Albini knew his own mind and if you didn't like that, tough titties. So, rather than pop up another video by Nirvana, Pixies or PJ and Duncan...hang on...no that can't be right...Harvey...I've plumped for an equally straightforward no crap taking legend Miles Hunt and his short lived, underrated Vent 414 band whose debut album Steve produced back in 1996. Pure class. 

Hard Times - David Byrne and Paramore

How good is this? David Byrne covers Paramore's classic Hard Times! If this doesn't send you into the Bank Holiday weekend with an extra spring in your step then nothing will. 

Talk Too Much - GANS

Just about to head out on tour with Big Special here's what they call an absolute banger in the trade from new Brum two piece GANS. If that floats yer boat try this one too, bonus points for the outfits and filming the video at the Botanical Gardens in Brum. Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice. 

Into The Murky Water - The Leisure Society

Picked this CD up at the weekend and it's right up my street with more than a nod to Hearing Aid faves The Miserable Rich (some of whom are also in The Leisure Society) and Misty's Big Adventure. This track's a beauty...

Lolly Lolly - Wendy & Lisa

One of last weekend's bargain CDs, an original pressing of Wendy & Lisa's Fruit At The Bottom album for a whole 10p. Now that's not a lot of lolly lolly is it eh? 

Yo Mamas A Pajama - Spin Doctors

Best known for Two Princes this live bonus track from Spin Doctors' Pocket Full Of Kryptonite (yet another recent random charity shop purchase) gives the Red Hot Chili Peppers a run for their money. It's a little bluesy in places too, which isn't something I picked up on back in the day...probably because I was off my box on K Cider.