Old Times Good Times - Stephen Stills

Yet another old track that I've only recently discovered, this time it's Stephen Stills...with added guitar from a certain Jimi Hendrix. Suffice to say it rocks. 

Keep On Running - Tom Jones

Watched the remake of The Running Man yesterday (not bad if you've got a couple of hours to spend) and thoroughly enjoyed hearing this cover over the end credits. Could it sound any more 60's if it tried? Austin Powers a go go. 

Can I Play With Madness - Iron Maiden

How can I have made it to 56 without knowing that Monty Python's Graeme Chapman played the teacher in this epically 80s video? 

Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now - Rick Astley & Blossoms

Talk of a lost generation (or more likely generations) of young people in this country (and probably every country) who can't find work made me recall this unexpected but bizarrely brilliant hook up between Rick Astley and Blossoms from 2023's Glasto. 

Like Rick and the boys I've been lucky enough to be gainfully employed for pretty much all of my life but heaven knows what the poor sods in their teens and 20s are going to do for a living in a future stuffed full of AI, driverless vehicles, drone deliveries, robots and a population that's too lazy or scared to ever go out again for fear of getting raped or stabbed in the head (and quite possibly both) by an 11 year old looking for Tik Tok content and who won't even get a slap on the fricking wrist if he's ever caught.  

the van - Bleachers

Been hearing this track a lot on 6 Music recently. It's a new one but it sounds like it's been around for decades, thanks to that Philly soul vibe in the background together with the odd nod to classic era Springsteen. 

Sunshine Day - Osibisa

After a colder than average May in the UK it looks as though we might actually see a little sun over the bank holiday weekend. So what better tune to usher it in than Osibisa's classic Sunshine Day. 

Tekila Bum Bum - Montefiori Cocktail

Another random track from another random CD pick up (a cheapo compilation album called Electric Grooves). This one's the kind of hidden gem that Tarantino would pluck from obscurity...but I beat him to it. If he sends me $1million I'll keep my trap shut though. How about it Q? 

Good News - Mari Wilson

I have a soft spot for Mari Wilson after making her classic Just What I Always Wanted single (a top 10 smash back in 1982) one of my first proper record purchases. At a sprightly 71 the Neasden Queen of Soul's back with a brand new album that nods back to that time and this track's the first taster. 

PS: For anyone who hasn't heard Just What I Always Wanted here it is...ahhhh...the memories...

Redeemer - Yard Act

Yard Act take a deliciously darker turn with new track Redeemer, suitably reflective of the state of the world right now. 

Wombie Zombie - Billy Taylor

Another CD pick up from the weekend, Rockabilly From Hell, a 2CD compilation from Not Now Music who put out a seemingly never ending flood of often relatively obscure stuff like this. One for all the rockabilly zombies out there.  

Sunday Girl - Florrie

Amongst the bundle of CDs I picked up over the weekend was a copy of Florrie's bouncy cover of Sunday Girl. As some of the comments on You Tube have noted it's a mystery why she wasn't a bigger hit, but there's nowt as queer as folk eh? Florrie for PM, that's what I say. 

Loose Fit (The Grid Remix) - Happy Mondays

Listened to Happy Mondays Pills, Thrills and Bellyaches last night (on CD of course) and came across this remix today from The Grid which expands one of the album's highlights into a spacier almost 8 minute groove. One for the Bez-heads. 

Spinning Wheel - Blood, Sweat and Tears

Spinning forward 30 years from the last post here's another recent CD related purchase, Blood, Sweat and Tears seminal (as if there weren't enough bodily fluids flying around) Spinning Wheel, which seems kind of appropriate for the state of the world right now. 

Big Butter and Egg Man - Muggsy Spanier & His Ragtime Band

Picked up a load of old jazz CDs this week including a Muggsy Spanier compilation. Listen to the piano break around a minute in and you can hear the early stirrings of rock n roll and later in the track 'ol Muggsy (I'm assuming it's him) gets particularly excited. And all this waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 1939. Apparently Muggsy was rather familiar with the mobsters that were around in Chicago at that time, most of whom loved jazz including, presumably, a certain Al Capone, which probably explains why Muggsy's band were so shit hot. Ahem. 

Managing Mula - Springbok Nude Girls

Picked up another great pile of random CDs from our recent Bristol trip includes a brace from Springbok Nude Girls, a South African alt rock band from the '90s who seem to have been a big thing over there for a while. Perhaps uniquely this track fuses jazz trumpet, grunge and a bit of a Red Hot Chili Peppers rap rock vibe. 

Tyler Boardgame / Truman Sinclair @ The Fleece, Bristol – Sunday April 26th 2026

 

First time at The Fleece in Bristol, a pretty legendary gig venue by all accounts, and it has that nicely lived in feel of a place that’s seen more than its fair share of blood, sweat, beers and, quite possibly, many other fluids over the years.

Despite being a young ‘un (hell, most people are young un’s compared to me these days) opening act, Truman Sinclair’s clearly experienced his fair share of life’s ups and downs too, all documented in a fine selection of songs sung with the kind of passion and feel that would send AI into a meltdown if it tried to recreate it. A Dylan for the 21^st Century? Could be…

Tyler Boardgame’s rise continues and tonight’s show sold out months ago with a bigger tour and a return to Brizzle already in place for later this year. With a voice like Presley, Orbison and Nilsson’s lovechild Tyler and band delivered the kind of spotlessly polished set that you’d expect from a collective on its 21^st anniversary tour. The hits (well, they deserved to be hits in my book) hit all the feels (as those young ‘un’s might put it) but the highlight for me was an inspired ‘where the hell did that come from?!’ cover of Can’s Vitamin C, which perhaps points to a slightly more experimental direction for Boardgame’s next move.  

Out Come The Freaks - Soft Cell

Somehow I missed this when it popped up on You Tube last month, Soft Cell covering Was Not Was with added Nona Hendryx from their very last album (RIP Dave Ball), Danceteria. From the sounds of this Cell's swansong sees a bit of a return to the Non Stop Erotic Cabaret era (quite possibly one of my favourite albums of all time). Awesome stuff, just a shame Dave won't be here to see how well it goes down. 

Going Shopping - The Strokes

Autotune-tastic new track from The Strokes. Can it really be 25 years since Is This It was released? Good grief. 

Inner City Blues - Sarah Vaughan

Happily, in amongst the many Susan Boyle CDs, I found some cracking albums over the weekend including a 'best of' Mainstream Jazz album which features this rather fabulous version of Marvin Gaye's Inner City Blues by Sarah Vaughan. Amazingly you can pick up a copy for less than three quid at the moment on eBay (Highstream - The Best Of Mainstream Jazz (CD, 1990) | eBay UK). A bargain at five times the price... 

Happy Birthday Luther

He may have gone to that great gig in the sky almost 21 years ago but, had he lived, today would have Luther Vandross's 75th birthday so let's have a little live version of Never Too Much from 1987. 

 

LPs - Jeffrey Lewis (Live)

It's Record Store Day this weekend, a great time for the independent shops of course, but I'm with Jeffrey Lewis these days...it's CDs all the way for me. Just like Jeff I bought shedloads of vinyl back in the 90s when everyone was switching over to CDs. Now, with regular vinyl and Record Store Day releases costing anything from £10+ for a single to goodness knows how much for an album, I'm buying shedloads of CDs. I've banged on about the growing collectability of CDs for years now but there are still bargains to be had out there if you're willing to hunt through several thousand Robbie Williams and Susan Boyle CDs. Hours of fun! 

Devil's Answer - Atomic Rooster

Listened to a disc from a 3 CD 70's rock comp I bought recently last night and this was one of the 'pick of the pops', a particularly groovy slice of prog rock from the equally groovily named Atomic Rooster. 

Derecho Demonico (Live) - Jack White

Having celebrated his half century last year Jack White's showing no signs of slowing down, as this spirited Saturday Night Live take on new track Derecho Demonico shows. Now that's the 'White' stuff eh? 

Planet Rock - Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force

In tribute to Afrika Bambaataa, who's just gone to that great party in the sky, lets end the week with the genre busting hip hop electro classic Planet Rock. Over 40 years later it still sounds futuristic. 

First Boy In This Town (Lovesick) - Scritti Politi

Picked up Scritti Politti's third album, Provision, this week and here's one of its highlights, a fine slice of 80s blue eyed synth 'n' soul. I saw the Scritts a few years ago and remarkably Green's voice is just as good (and high) as it was back in the day, even though he was sporting the kind of beard that Grizzly Adams would have been proud of. 

Too Much Music - Jake Shears

Picked up the last Jake Shears solo album over the weekend and, given my penchant for buying CDs like they're going out of fashion, this track seems pretty appropriate. It's a bit of banger too if you're looking for a post Easter break energy boost...

Boogie Nights - Heatwave (1990 mix)

Picked up this random compilation of Heatwave's greatest hits given a 90s mix makeover. Sounds quaintly old skool now!

A Caddy For Daddy - Hank Mobley

 Cool as a fridge in the arctic...Hank Mobley's A Caddy For Daddy.  

Spasticus Autisticus - Ian Dury & The Blockheads

Ian Dury went to that great gig in the sky 26 years ago today, so let's end the week with one of his greatest numbers. The BBC decided not to play it as they deemed the lyrics offensive...possibly not as offensive as employing numerous highly paid sex pests over the decades though eh? 

PS: This track just came up too. Another classic. They really don't make 'em like this anymore. 

Rain In The Summertime - The Alarm

Picked up a best of The Alarm and Mike Peters over the weekend and I was surprised how many tracks I recognised (on top of the obvious one, 68 Guns, of course). This track's a classic, shades of U2 at their best. Sadly Mike passed away last year after battling various cancers for more than 30 years but he was, by all accounts, a bloody nice bloke as well as a talented musician and if we can leave this world just a little better than we found it that's not a bad legacy is it eh? 

Synth South West @ Shaftsbury Theatre ft Peter James-Stephen, Paul Harriman (aka Edison Rex), Mike (Dr Mike) Metlay (aka Mr Spiral), Ty Unwin, Gaz Williams and Steve Davis (!) – Saturday March 21st 2026

Seemingly a product of lockdown, Synth South West is a collective of synth aficionados who happily twiddle with their knobs at home (steady now) creating all sorts of weird and wonderful music and sounds. This evening’s event celebrated all this with a diverse line up that culminated in a couple of improvised modular synth sets from Gaz Williams and Steve Davis. Yes, six time world snooker champion Steve Davis. 

The whole evening was great fun, from Peter James-Stephen’s poignant opening set featuring a tribute to his son who passed away last year through to Paul Harriman and…all the way from Colarado…Mike Metlay blissed out jam and on to TV soundtrack supremo (see Living With Dinosaurs) Ty Unwin’s in only his third live show in three decades) improv challenge, in which he flung out frisbees at audience members and asked them for chords and tempos that he used to compose, on the spot, a brand new piece of music. Not having a musical bone in my body I couldn’t tell whether he hit the brief, but it sounded convincing to me. 

Last up Gaz Williams and Steve Davis jammed two psych-tinged sets against a swirly backdrop that ever so slightly melted my brain (what’s left of it). The clip above (taken from another show) gives a fair idea of what you can expect if they ever hit your local town. Brilliantly bonkers. 

Firestarter - The Prodigy (Andy C Remix)

It takes something to inject more even energy into this track than the original, but I reckon Andy C pulled it off. How the hell can this be 30 years old though? Imagine the old folks homes in a few years time blasting this one out... 

I Wanna Go Where The People Go - The Wildhearts

Sad to read about Ginger Wildheart's cancer diagnosis this week but I admire his decision to carry on living life to the full, even though this means not accepting any treatment (which can often be pretty brutal at the best of times). There's no right or wrong answer here but perhaps more of us may want to consider accepting our natural 'use by date'? See also the current debate on having a good death (or assisted suicide as its opponents call it). Imagine the outcry there'd be if vets suddenly started refusing to put much loved pets to sleep if they were suffering eh? And animals can't express their preference, so why the hell can't we be given the choice? Of course there must be strict rules and regulations in place and it has to be the individual's choice but, as Ginger's shown, I reckon we're pretty capable of making this when the time comes. 

Begging for Change - Pulp

Heard this for the first time this morning and it's yet another great new track from the revitalised Pulp. Amazing to think that the band's just a couple of years' shy of hitting its half century, although it took most of us almost a decade and a half to cotton on to 'em. 

The Man Who Seeks Pleasure - Madra Salach

Irish music seems to be going through a bit of a golden patch at the moment and here's another example courtesy of Madra Salach. One to listen to in the dark with a nice drop of something and a roaring log fire crackling away... 

Hey Big Brother - Rare Earth

Amongst the frankly ridiculous amount of CDs I picked up at the record fair over the weekend was a best of Rare Earth. If you've not listened to their stuff before here's the kind of insanely great funky. psychy, rocky tracks that they put out back in the 60s and 70s.  

Fabienk - Angine de Poitrine (Live on KEXP)

Ever so slightly bonkers math rock from mysterious Canadians Angine de Poitrine, currently getting some much deserved coverage on 6Music. If this video doesn't give you nightmares you're not right in the head. 

23 - Lime Garden

Not sure I can remember being 17 or 23 but fairly convinced I didn't have the 'world in my hands' at either age. Springing from the fertile loins (and, quite possibly, Lanes) of Brighton, Lime Garden's latest track reminds me a little of The Long Blondes at their poptastic best. Plus the video shows someone playing a CD...and you know how I feel about them.   

 

Just Leave A Good Man - Hustler

Another recent CD discovery, Hustler were an early 70s rock band who supported Queen and released a couple of albums but seemingly failed to get the breakthrough they deserved. One for fans of AC/DC, Judas Priest, Led Zep, SAHB etc to check out. 

PS: This is a goody too...

Come On Train - Don Thomas

Heard this on Steve Lamacq's show last night and thought it was called Pray by Don Summers. Doh! Mrs The Baron wanted me to find it so, after a bit of a search, I found it was actually Come On Train by Don Thomas. Good grief, my hearing's getting worse. Anyway, it's a Northern Soul classic whatever it's called. 

20/20 - George Benson

Listened to disc two of the George Benson boxset last night and heard this track for the first time in decades. It's as '80s as doing a Rubik's Cube in a Sinclair C5 whilst drinking a can of Quatro, and all the better for it. 

Choose Life - PF Project

So, Trainspotting turns 30 eh? Good grief. I can remember watching it at the cinema and being mightily inspired by the 'choose life' speech, but still ended up working in an office for another 13 years or so. Oh well. Probably a slightly wiser choice than ending up on drugs in Edinburgh though...

Tap Turns On The Water - C.C.S

Another recent CD purchase, this time C.C.S's A's, B's and Rarities, a surprisingly ace compilation from a massively underrated rock/blues/jazz/soul band fronted by Alexis Korner. Almost as good is this brilliantly literal dance routine from Pan's People from Top Of The Pops, which used another C.C.S track (their cover of Led Zepp's Whole Lotta Love) for its theme tune back in the 70s. 

Lithium - Polyphonic Spree

Picked up the special edition of Polyphonic Spree's The Fragile Army CD at the weekend and was reminded of the awesomeness of their cover of Nirvana's Lithium...possibly one of the few times that a cover version's genuinely better than the original. 

Sultana - Titanic

Another recent random CD purchase. Never heard of Titanic (the band) before but apparently this slice of Afrobeat-ish grooviness hit the dizzy heights of number 5 back in 1971. As I was only a year and a half old by then I guess I can be forgiven for not recognising it... 

That's What I Think - Cyndi Lauper

Co-written by Allee Willis (who amongst other tracks penned the Friends theme tune) this song failed to make the Top 30 back in 1993 and the album it came from, Hat Full of Stars didn't even reach the Top 40. Good grief. I'm guessing the Great British record buying public were too busy sending Mr Blobby to the Christmas number one...

White Rabbit - George Benson

Picked up another eclectic selection of CDs over the weekend, including the ace George Benson Anthology box set which has this delicious cover of the Jefferson Airplane classic on it. Jazz-tastic!

The Ballad of Tom Jones - Space

If you're looking for a non slushy Valentine's Day track look no further than Space's classic The Ballad of Tom Jones, featuring Cerys Matthews from Catatonia. Like most of Space's output it's ever so slightly bonkers...just listen to the lyrics.  

No Threat - The Tragically Hip

Pretty much unheard of over here in the UK, The Tragically Hip might just well be one of Canada's best kept musical secrets. Think a rockier REM and you'll be on the right lines. If this floats your boat you've got 30+ years worth of tracks to get stuck into. Sadly lead Hipster Gord died in 2017 at 53 years old. 

Zabadak - Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich

Picked up a 'Best of' by this lot over the weekend. I'll have whatever they were smoking when they came up with this track. 

Here's another one that's slightly less bonkers...only slightly mind you...a number 2 hit in 1966 as well. 

Matter of Taste - Tyler Ballgame

Imagine if Roy Orbison and Joe Cocker had got it on in Laurel Canyon in the 70s...I reckon Tyler Ballgame's could well have been their lovechild. 

Whatever his origin, his stuff's really floating my musical boat at the moment. Here's another one, just ripe for a festival field this summer...

Walk Between Raindrops - Donald Fagen

Picked up some more great CDs over the weekend, including a copy of Donald Fagen's classic The Nightfly. Given the relentless rain so far this year and the equally miserable long-range weather forecast this jazzy little number seems appropriate.

The Mole From The Ministry - The Dukes of Stratosphear

I heard this track by XTC offshoot The Dukes of Stratosphear the other day and had to buy a copy of the compilation album Chips from the Chocolate Fireball for an obscene (well, it was obscene to me, but then I'm a tight arse) amount of money off eBay. If you're a fan of the whole psych pop/Sgt Pepper's era of music you'll love it. 

Simon Says Don't Stop - The Q Orchestra

Another gem from the recent Exeter Record Fair, plucked out of a box of bargain CDs tucked under one of the trader's tables (thankfully my knees can still make it up and down without the aid of any heavy lifting equipment). This is the opening track but the whole album's every bit as good and you can pick up a copy on eBay for less than a fiver at the moment.  

  

Sly Dunbar RIP

Of course Sly Dunbar did much more than just this track but for children of the 80s Boops Here To Go will probably always be the first thing we associate him with. Almost 40 years later it still sounds as fresh, unique and...let's face it...nuts as it did back in '87. 

For dub heads here's a little Zion In Dub from 1980... 

...and we've got to have a Grace Jones track (Sly played on this and numerous other Jones classics)...

and apparently this is the first track he played on, not a bad way to kick off your career eh? 

There Is Hope - Misty's Big Adventure

Continuing my one man campaign to keep the Misty's Big Adventure flame alive here's a deep cut from the band's Television People album. What's that? You want another one? Oh go on then...

When the Wind Blows - David Bowie

A bit windy down here in the 'sunny' South West today, thankfully not a nuclear wind but then again it's still fairly early in the day and who knows what the hell will happen from one minute to the next at the moment. If you've not seen the film When the Wind Blows, sound tracked by Dame David Bowie, it's a frankly horrific tale of an elderly couple who'd survived WW2 only to get bumped off by radiation poisoning during WW3. There was a lot of this kind of stuff going on during the 80s, which might account for my generation's somewhat cheerfully nihilistic view of life.

Walking in the Rain - Flash and the Pan

How have I managed to get to almost 56 without knowing that the Grace Jones track Walking in the Rain was actually written and originally recorded by Aussie New Wavers Flash and the Pan? Picked up a Best Of compilation for the band a couple of weeks ago and I'm surprised they've not been bigged up as much as they deserve to be. Older readers may know them for this slinky synth classic, which hit the dizzy heights of number 7 in the UK in 1982...

One of the band, George Young had a couple of rather famous brothers, Angus and Malcolm, of AC/DC fame who were produced by him and fellow Flasher Harry Vanda. The pair also wrote Friday On My Mind when they were in The Easybeats and Love Is In The Air (as featured in Strictly Ballroom). 

Every day's a school day eh?  

Who Do You Love - Juicy Lucy

Today might be 'blue Monday' but this slice of early swampy 70s blues rock (a cover of a Bo Diddley track) from Juicy Lucy might help. I'm actually as old as this single...1970...good grief.

Vambo (Live) - Sensational Alex Harvey Band

I was listening to an Alex Harvey compilation last night and thought I'd share a little live footage with you for the end of the week. Now that's a performance eh? Sensational in fact.  

Dry Jan - Goldie Lookin Chain

This is a first, a Goldie Lookin Chain on the Aid. I did Dry Jan once (2013 apparently). No idea why. If there's one month a year when a nice drinkypoo or two goes down a treat it's January. Good luck to all those doing Dry Jan this year though. 

Hurricane - Katherine Priddy

Great to hear Katherine's new track getting so many plays on 6Music, loving the video filmed at one of my favourite gig venues The Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath unless I'm very much mistaken too (nice to see a familiar face or three as well). Without a doubt one of the best songs she's released so far... 

Let's Dance - David Bowie (Live at Glastonbury 2000)

As you'd expect the tenth anniversary of David Bowie's passing is getting a fair bit of coverage at the moment. You never really know whether a gig's 'iconic' until a little while after the event, but it was a pretty safe bet that Bowie's Glasto gig in 2000 was going to make the cut. It's proved to be the case and I thank my lucky musical stars that I was one of those who were there to see it live. Twenty six year ago too, bugger me where does the time go eh?  

Antidepressants (Live) - Suede

Great to hear this track from Suede getting some spins on the radio at the moment. One of their best songs ever? Could be. Not too shabby for a band in its fourth decade.

Happy New Year!

Ouch. It's always a bit of a 'mare getting back to reality after the Christmas break but the sudden cold snap that we woke up to yesterday was particularly brutal. Happily I'm carrying a 'little' extra holiday weight, so the layers of blubber stopped my vital organs from freezing solid. 

2026 sees several notable anniversaries including the passing of Black (aka Colin Vearncombe) and David Bowie, who sadly both passed away on the same day ten years ago (okay, I know Colin technically died on January 26th but the injuries he received in a car crash on January 10th effectively ended his life) and the tenth anniversary of the death of Prince in April. On a slightly lighter note this year sees the twentieth birthday of this blog in August. Plans are already being made for a huge celebration...so that'll be an Ivor Dewdney pasty and a couple of pints of cider at Ye Olde Cider Barrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr in Newton Abbot. I'm a simple soul, as you'll have noted if you've read any of this jibber jabber over the past couple of decades.   

Merry Chris-mix 2025

As usual I've trawled through You Tube (which now seems to be awash with AI generated crap) to find a genuine funk and soul mix to make your yule extra cool and this year's winner is courtesy of Onze Rayons. 

As is also usual I'm off for my annual digital detox now, so have yourselves a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

I'm Free - The Who

 For those of us lucky enough to have a little bit of time off over Christmas...

Lazy Day - Spanky & Our Gang

Another random CD I picked up recently, this time by the delightfully named Spanky & Our Gang, purveyors of classic sunshine pop...and we could all do with a whole heap of that right now. Play this 10 times in a row and I'll guarantee you'll feel at least 38% better. 

T Shirt - David Byrne

Been meaning to post this new one from David Byrne for a few weeks now, the video's well worth a watch too. You can't beat an amusing/inspirational t-shirt can you eh? 

Welcome to Burning-By-Sea - Joe Jackson

Tribal sea shanty anyone? Joe Jackson's chameleon career continues with what appears to be a love hate anthem for the good old British seaside and, quite possibly, Britain itself. It's a catchy bugger too. 

La Vie en Rose presents...volume one

Feeling that pre Christmas lull? Cop a listen to this then. I picked it up on CD last weekend for just 20p and it's hi-nrg-tastic from start to finish. 

Hairstyle Of The Devil - Momus

Picked up yet another of those 100 tracks from the 80s 5 CD compilations at the weekend and amongst all of the usual suspects was this Momus tracks. I do love a bit of Momus and it never ceases to amaze me that he never really made it when you listen to stuff like this. If you like Pet Shop Boys you'll love it. 

I Didn't Come Here For Art - Lynks

Blimey, where's the time going eh? If your pre-Christmas wind down is turning into a festive wind-up give this track a spin and have a dance around your office/kitchen/prison cell (I know my audience). 

Steve Cropper RIP

Another musical genius joins that great gig in the sky. If all Steve Cropper had done was to co-write (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay that'd be enough, but he played on some of the greatest soul songs of all time too. Oh hang on...he also co-wrote Knock On Wood and In The Midnight Hour too?! Not too shabby eh? Here are just three other tracks that Cropper added a little magic to...

Dr. Ice Cold - Room Service

Another instant classic from Room Service. Drop this at the Christmas party and you're guaranteed to pull. Hell yeah. 

Gemini Rising - New Orleans Saxophone Ensemble

Managed to limit myself to just the two CDs over the weekend, one of them a compilation of New Orleans music entitled Jockomo Jockomo (you can pick it up online for less than a fiver). It's a cracking comp featuring, amongst other gems, this track. Cool eh? 

Frightening Machines - Katherine Priddy

How beautiful is this track eh? It seems pretty appropriate for this time of the year too, when most of us are counting down the days until we can chill out a little over Christmas. Next year sees Katherine embark on her biggest solo tour to date, including one (a home town gig) at the legendary Town Hall in Brum.   

The Package - De La Soul

Loving the current single from De La Soul, a real summer vibe...even though it's currently hovering above freezing in the UK right now. 

Jimmy Cliff RIP

Just a few days after losing Mani now Jimmy Cliff's passed away. We saw him play an amazing set in Brum about 20 odd years ago when he was a mere 60-ish and I think he continued to play live until fairly recently. How about this for a performance eh? 

RIP Jimmy. 

Mani RIP

You know you're getting on in years when the people from the bands you grew up with start popping off to that great gig in the sky. A few weeks ago we lost Dave Ball and now Mani's gone at just 63...I say 'just' 63...I suppose that's not a bad age all things considered and, let's face it, the dude fitted a lot more into his life than most of us. 

In my humble opinion The Stone Roses' self titled debut album is one of the top 20 albums of all time. Of course it all went a bit tits up after that but I was lucky enough to see the reformed Roses play V Festival (they were supposed to play Glasto '95 but Squire broke his collar bone, so we saw some band called Pulp instead...I wonder what happened to them?). 

Between the split and the resurrection Mani went on to play with Primal Scream during arguably their best and most experimental period.

It's his work with the Roses that people are quite rightly looking back on today though and here are a pair of absolute 24ct gold bangers...

I Wanna Be Adored? Mission accomplished I reckon Mani. RIP. 

Children of the Baked Potato - Thundercat (ft Remi Wolf)

Been meaning to post this for a few weeks now, just in case you've not heard it. It's jazz...with the kitchen sink chucked in for good measure. There are whole albums...nay careers...with less content and skill than this single track. PS: Apparently The Baked Potato is a jazz club in LA where you cam watch jazz...and eat a baked potato. Brilliant. 

Room Service/Pigeon Wigs/Suckle @ The Folklore Rooms, Brighton – Friday November 14th 2025

                                                        Room Service 

What does 11quid buy you these days eh? Not a fat lot sadly. Unless you happened to be one of the lucky ones in The Folklore Rooms, Brighton (cracking venue too by the way) last Friday when they dished up three top notch bands kicking off with Leeds’ finest, Suckle. Bluesy, rocky, garagey, Captain Beefhearty…Suckle’s the kind of ultra cool underground band you wished you’d been around to see back in the 60s and 70s (except that would make you…I dunno…70 or something and that’s gotta hurt…good grief being 55’s knackering enough). If you’re looking for a great night out Suckle’s pretty much un-teat-able (see what I did there?). 

Pick of the pops (or set, if you will, and you really should) Beef Pudding and Hollow Legs.

We’d barely got our breath back (to be fair that takes a while these days) before Pigeon Wigs flew in. They’d had a ‘mare driving down from Wales in the sodding rain but it didn’t show. Indie garage rock superstars in waiting…if Jack White’s reading this snap ‘em up for Third Man Records and you’ll make a bob or two. 

Crucially the world will get a much-needed kick in the musical crotch as well. And boy does it need it. Pick of the pops…Plumpy and All Your Fun. 

PS: Some tidy facial hair going on in the band too.

Last up Room Service, celebrating the launch of new EP The Plastic Cosmic Fantastic Hotel, delivered some of the greatest jazz tinged groovers this side of the Atlantic. They can rock out with the best of ‘em too though courtesy of Hot Dog and, quite possibly one of the finest tracks I’ve heard this millennium, JCVD (Jean Claude Van Damme). Loved the Love Shack cover as well. Pick of the pops…JCVD of course. 

Why the chuff hasn’t this been a number one smash hit yet eh? The world’s gone mad.

So there you go, at less than £4 per band tonight’s gig was proof that the grassroot live music scene’s still capable of giving you one hell of a night out without breaking the bank. Cheers to each and every member of each and every band, plus whoever set up and put on the show, you made an old bloke’s ears very happy indeed. All together now, "J...C...J C V D!" 

Only Shallow - My Bloody Valentine

Dusted off my copy of Loveless last night and this track seems pretty perfect for these times...a woozy disconnected feel followed by an ever so slightly brain melting wall of noise. Yep, that's 2025 in a nutshell.  

Now That I Own The BBC - Sparks

When this track came out over 30 years ago the thought of Sparks buying the BBC seemed pretty out there...now it seems like a cracking idea. I reckon it would be in much safer hands with Ron and Russell. 

Gilson Lavis RIP

Sad to hear of the passing of Squeeze/Jools Holland drummer Gilson Lavis. Here's a wonderful clip featuring Gilson, Jools and Rowland Rivron that I'd never seen before. 

Vive La Vie! - Vanity Fairy

Channelling her inner Prince and Scissor Sisters, Vanity Fairy's latest track's just what you need to cheer up an autumnal Thursday. One to dance around in your pants to. I'm dancing around in my pants right now...lovely image eh?  

Shake the Boogie - Sonny Boy Williamson

Picked up some great blues CDs at the weekend including four Sonny Boy Williamson compilations. This particular track was recorded almost 80 years ago and it still sounds as fresh as a daisy. Sadly the original Sonny Boy was murdered just a year or so later at the age of just 34. 

Somewhat confusingly another artist, Rice Miller, 'borrowed' his name in the 50s and 60s, cashing in on the UK blues boom by recording with The Animals and The Yardbirds before shuffling off to the great gig in the sky at the age of anything between 52 and 68 (the exact date of his birth appears to be a bit of a mystery). 

Dracula - Tame Impala

What better track to end the week, whilst also celebrating Halloween...whoohahahahahaha...than Tame Impala's new one, Dracula. We've all heard of Yacht Rock, I reckon this is a fine slice of Yacht Dance. Suck it up. 

Walk On - Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee

Along with my penchant for jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaz as I get older I'm digging back into the blues too, so here's a jaunty little number that might just float your boat. As with jazz the blues is one heck of a genre to explore, but I reckon as long as I live to 170 I should have heard just about everything that's worth hearing. 

Blind - Jake Ryan

Having worked behind the counter in a convenience store (7-Eleven in Hove...1990-1991) I know that some people can treat you with, let's say, less than a modicum of respect, courtesy or even human decency. I imagine it's got a lot worse over the past 30 years or so and it never ceases to amaze me when you see some people fail to even acknowledge the poor sod serving them. Personally I welcome a quick chat with the person behind the counter/bar/bullet proof glass and that's how I got to know Jake. I knew he played music (he's just left the joys of the Co-op to study music in Cornwall) but I've only just found out that he's recently recorded and released a whole album too. Darn fine it is as well, with hints of Billy Joel at his Piano Man-tastic best. 

You can stream the whole thing on Spotify (and no doubt various other streaming 'platforms' that old duffers like me know bugger all about) but please also share it with, well, anyone who'll listen and help give a new artist the break they deserve.  

Dave Ball RIP

No matter what he turned his hand to any track that involved Dave Ball had that signature sound that, judging by the many tributes being paid to him today, was as adored as it was influential.  

I loved the stuff he did with Psychic TV in the Acid House era but, of course, it's Soft Cell where Dave Ball obsession began. Bear in mind the group started in 1977 when synths were still a relatively new thing that could cost as much as a house and you'll appreciate just how ground breaking they were, as their first EP Mutant Moments shows.

File under 'Uneasy Listening'. 

Memorabilia sanded off some of the rougher edges but, blimey, it still sounds futuristic to me.  

After making it bigger than...well...pretty much anyone in 1981 with their cover of Tainted Love the Cell spent much of the next three years confounding expectations with one brilliant but - for the majority of the record buying public - ever so slightly odd album after another. Take this little beauty from This Last Night In Sodom for instance. Punk goth synth pop anyone? 

Amongst other things Dave then went on to form The Grid who helped the define the 90s dance scene with tracks like A Beat Called Love. 

I could go on...and on...and on...but trust me, anything and everything that Dave Ball had a hand in is well worth a listen. My musical world would have been much poorer without him but apparently he'd just completed the final mix of a brand new Soft Cell album days before he passed away, so it's not quite time to 'wave goodbye' forever. 

RIP Dave.   

EMF / Jesus Jones / Bis @ Prospect Building, Bristol – Sunday October 19th 2025

 

A very welcome chance to see Bis again (having seen them way back in 1999 at The Flapper in Brum and 2013 at the much-missed Indietracks Festival in Derbyshire) and EMF and Jesus Jones for the very first time. Bis kicked things off with 30 minutes of the best pop tunes your ears have ever had the pleasure of hearing including their breakout track Kandy Pop and a joyous Eurodisco. Action and Drama still being well and truly delivered.

You have to feel for Jesus Jones trying to follow that.

But it was great to hear the likes of Real Real Real, International Bright Young Thing and Right Here, Right Now again.

Headliners EMF were a rave riot from start to finish, with a hits packed set, including a slower version of their cover of I’m A Believer (which gave a bit of a nod to Robert Wyatt’s interpretation, albeit with 90s indie disco vibe) and a couple of new classics in waiting including recent release LGBTQ+ Lover.

This last track saw a special guest appearance from Bis who they seem to have formed a particularly special bond with on this tour. Speaking of special bonds tonight saw the return of band member Derry Brownson. I’m not sure what’s been ailing him in recent years but he and the band had an…wait for it…Unbelievable time up there.

Ending the night with a singalong EMF (the track that is) the crowd (mainly 50 somethings like me but lead singer James’ son was there with a bunch of his Uni mates who seemed to be enjoying it as much as everyone else) lustily belted out the “Motherfuckers” like…well…motherfuckers. A joyful celebration of the 90s for those who were there the first time round and those who wish they had been. It might just be the old rose coloured spectacles (or varifocals in my case now) but the world really did seem a better place back then.   

Stay In Your Lane - Courtney Barnett

Brand new single and video from the ever reliable queen of Aussie bedsit indie anthems Courtney Barnett. Best not to watch the vid before having your tea though...

Go West (1992 12" Mix) - Pet Shop Boys

Where does the time go eh? 10 years ago today we relocated from Bearwood to the sunny South West. Inevitably the pace of life is a 'tad' slower down here and getting to and back from gigs via public transport isn't that practical (especially the kind of gigs I'd want to attend, the ones that start just as the last train's leaving...) but regular visits to Bristol and the odd festival are more than sufficient these days, especially as the old knees start giving up the ghost. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, the joys of growing old.  

Birdland - Weather Report

Picked up some better than usual CDs at the weekend, including a neat Weather Report best of that, of course, features the classic track Birdland. Seems like a good choice to kick off a new week. Smoooooooooooooooooooooooth. 

Matches - Katherine Priddy

Hauntingly beautiful new track and video from one of folk's leading lights, Katherine Priddy, who's heading out on a major tour next April and May...culminating in a headlining show at the legendary Birmingham Town Hall! 

This Heart Wasn't Made To Kick Around - Peggy March

I still pick up CDs by people I've never heard of and a few weeks ago I found a best of Peggy March compilation on the ever reliable Ace label. Apparently Peggy had a number 1 hit in the States when she was just 15 and she went on to record some absolute bangers like this one.  

Hello Beautiful - Dodgy

My history with Dodgy goes waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back to their pre-Brit Pop fame days (anyone else out there who saw them at The Hibernian in '92/'93?), so it's lovely to see that their new single's made the charts again. If you're new to the band they've got a bostin' back catalogue to explore too, here's a trio to get you started: 

This is Phil celebrating...

A very happy belated birthday to Phil Oakey, who turned 70 years young yesterday. This track's before the split that birthed Heaven 17 and took Phil to a club where he picked up, in the nicest possible way, a couple of school girls. Within a few months they went from watching Top Of The Pops to being on it at number one... 

40 years later the band's still together and playing live but sadly there's not been much in the way of new music for more than a decade. Here are a couple of later era League classic's though, 1990's Soundtrack To A Generation and 1995's Tell Me When. 

Beefhearts and Bones (Live) - Michael Marra

Just heard this on 6 Music and had to stick it up. Marra's a new name to me but bugger me it's a cracker. Sadly he went to that great gig in the sky back in 2012. I wonder what happened to his record collection...?