Tuesday 31 July 2012

TUESDAY BLUES!! Ryan Adams - English Girls Approximately

Ryan Adams - English Girls Approximately (2004)

This track features on Ryans Love is Hell album and was written about English songstress Beth Orton, for whom he dated.  Marianne Faithfull provides the backing vocals on the album version.


I've always liked the song, but I had never really trawled through the lyrics until I was figuring it out on the guitar and then I realised how much of carnage that this relationship had left.

The lyrics make subtle reference to her, ("Norfolk" - she was born there, "Bethany", "daybreaker" - her album) and he undeniably held a torch for her after they split. If you know the song, it does reveal it in a new light.

He prophetically wrote the song, "This One's Gonna Bruise" and sang backing vocals on "Concrete Sky" - on the 'Daybreaker' album...

...English girls can be so mean


English girls are pretty when they play guitar
Crazy like a day just breaking I ain't sure what for
Ain't got a mother or a father or a place to fall
She's got a brother in the blues, 
But he doesn't know the blues at all
You said you didn't love me, it was right on time
I was just about to tell you, but ok, alright
Said you didn't love me, you didn't want a thing
English girls can be so mean

She's got pretty eyes as a pair of jewels
Falling down the Camden
Like a couple drunken criminals
She had a messy bedroom on the edge of town
I had never been good enough
To ever keep around
You said you didn't love me, it was right on time
I was just about to tell you, but ok, alright
Said you didn't love me, it didn't mean a thing
English girls can be so mean
But, oh, look at you now
Oh, look at you now
Mmm, best I've ever seen
Just a tall drink of water
Just pourin' down the sink

Tall drink of water, she's a Norfolk waterfall
Little daybreaker, she's shooting like a cannon ball
Crazy like a rocket when
You're coming through my radio,
Kept me in your bed till the winter time
Through the fall
Fall time come, and I guess my little bird can sing
Come on Elizabeth, come on Bethany
Come on forever, I'm tired and I want to sleep
My little dove flew away, and I'm guessing
She was done with me
You said you didn't love me, it was right on time
I was just about to tell you, but ok, alright
Said you didn't love me,
That you didn't want a thing
English girls can be so mean
But, oh, look at you now
Oh, look at you now
Mmm, best I've ever seen
Just a tall drink of water
Just pourin' down the sink

Kissed me on the lips but my heart just slept it off
Words may move,
But they're never movin' fast enough
Celebrate the differences
I'll celebrate the songs you sing
Just three words, my love
You meant everything
You meant everything
You meant everything
You meant everything


Sunday 29 July 2012

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 29/07/12 - DIIV, Death At Sea, Frank Ocean, It's a Bird! It's a Plane

Here are four tracks to help with the heat!

Flycasual:-
Diiv - Air Conditioning (2012)


As the mercury finally soared this week, the aptly titled 'Air Conditioning' was like taking a soothing bite out of your favourite popsicle (ooh, a Fab for me please). It was instant musical gratification, I must have played it a good few times on my way home from work. The tranquillizing bass line and the jangly guitar work, reminiscent of The Cure, maybe The Smiths and perhaps inevitably, a little sprinkling of Joy Division. Also with elements of Krautrockers Can thrown in for good measure as it drones on.  Formerly Dive and renamed DIIV, to avoid any legal wrangling with a Belgian industrial band with the same name, hail from the musical talent pool of Brooklyn.

'Air Conditioning' is taken from their debut album Oshin, released in June. Click here to read more on them.....


SFW:- 
Frank Ocean - Sweet Life (2012)


Frank Ocean has been getting a lot of 'hype' recently. He seems to be on the radio, blogs and various news outlets, so I decided to check him out. Ocean has been a ghostwriter for Brandy, John Legend and Justin Bieber and featured on the Kanye & Jay-z album "Watch the throne". This track features on his debut album 'channel orange'. Produced by Pharrell Williams, it has tinges of John Legend (unsurprisingly) and dare I say it, Stevie "The musical genius" Wonder. Give it a go - perfect for sunny days and hot night. Enjoy!



Old Pa's Corner :-
It's a Bird! It's a Plane! - Crow Hill (2012)

It is a bit quiet on the new release front at the moment, maybe its the Olympics or the record companies are timing the new releases for the Autumn and Christmas markets. While I was browsing the other day, I heard this little gem, It was by a Swedish group It's a bird! it's a plane!. What a strange name!. It is called Crow Hill and is from their Album Here Comes the Sun released earlier this year. I don't know too much about them really but I like this catchy tune and have been humming it all the way to the Beach.  That can't be  a bad sign, can it?.





Shell Hunter:-
Death At Sea - 'Drag' (2012)


The last time I was recommended to listen to a track by London Scouser (see his guest spots here) it was Gotye's 'Somebody That I used to Love' and look at the phenomena that became! I thought I'd best check this recommendation out too. As it happens, I really like it. The vocals remind me slightly of Echo and the Bunnymen but there was something niggling me when I first heard it. The guitar riff sounded so familiar, but where the hell did I hear it before? All of a sudden, I just thought of the great film 'Singles'. Could it be from that? my first thought was Chris Cornell's 'Seasons' and POW that was it! The repeating riff is really similar! Well, that's done it for me! The grunge rock influence has made me want to hear more. I haven't been able to find out too much on the band other than they are based in Liverpool and their debut EP 'Life and Youth' was out in February. Follow them on Facebook or check out their official website www.deathatseaofficial.com because I'm sure they are destined for great things.


What are your tracks of the week? Let us know!











Saturday 28 July 2012

SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX! - Everything But The Girl - Walking Wounded / Wrong




Everything But The Girl - 'Walking Wounded' (1996)

With music as accessible as it is is today, sometimes I'm a little overwhelmed as to what to listen to as I can have whatever I want, when I want it! Over the last week where we have had our long awaited heatwave, I've been chilling (or burning as it were) in the garden playing music through Spotify. I thought to myself, what do I really want to hear right now in this glorious sunshine? Then it hit me, the album 'Walking Wounded' by EBTG! It has to be one of my all time favourite albums and it immediately makes me think of the summers of yore where we had fantastic long balmy days usually ending in BBQs.

Highly recommended
The album should really be listened to in its entirety in my opinion, it is a well crafted, well flowing piece of chilled out electronica. There are elements of drum and bass, trip hop and many of the tracks would probably fit quite comfortably on your typical Ibiza Lounge compilation. Walking Wounded is a stand out track for me with it's Massive Attack-esque strings and drum and bass.



Everything But The Girl - 'Wrong' (1996)

It was hard to pick a favourite track, so I picked two! Tracy Thorn's vocals would have to feature in a "Best of the 90s" top 10 if it was up to me. I remember when 'Wrong' was number 1, I was 14 or 15. Pressure had been mounting at school as I was of GCSE age and it was all the teachers would talk about. All I was thinking about was getting to the end of the school year and doing absolutely nothing for a month!

On the last day of school, we did an obligatory day trip out to somewhere usually Thorpe Park. For everyone, it was a chance to show off your individuality not having to wear our Catholic School Uniform. It also meant it was time for cupid to work his magic! Sat on the bus, I had my Walkman on with a freshly made mix tape. A few of the lads in my class were asking me about what I was listening to and the guy I REALLY fancied shared the earphones with me so we had one each, sat next to each other. I was the envy of the other girls because he was extremely eligible! I wish I could have bottled that feeling of excitement! Luckily, I made a real effort with my tape, in case of this eventuality and 'Wrong' reminds me of that bus trip.

Brought together by the earphones of love
Join up to the Everything But The Girl's mailing list on their official website here....rumour is, they may be working on something new very soon!

More summer smashers on SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX here!

Thursday 26 July 2012

DYLAN COVERS #59 Ryan Adams - Isis/Love Sick/Mississipi/Po' Boy



Po' version

 
 RYAN ADAMS - Mississipi/Po' Boy(2001)

Mississippi/Po'Boy' is from a concert at 'The Blue Note, Columbia Missouri' and here is the set list from that concert.  Ryan sings Mississipi in a Dylan impersonation here and the few seconds of Po' Boy just sounds like a drunken ramble. You would have to be a real fan to like this, but it is all I can find,  Does anybody know of any other Dylan Covers by RA? 

RYAN ADAMS - Isis/Love Sick(2006)

Isis/Love Sick was taken from a Dylan Tribute Concert on the  Nov 9, 2006, Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Centre, New York)  click for set list and review of the concert. There is also a link to a You Tube video of Ryan and the Cardinals playing this jam. Beware, the quality is a bit ropey, even worse than the above take, but if you are a RA fan, well you will have to go for it, won't you.  I will say, I would like to hear a better quality version of this. Get into the studio Ryan and do some Dylan covers for all us fans. Go on, I dare you.

For more Dylan Covers

THURSDAY I'M IN LOVE - Lindstrom and Christabelle - 'Lovesick'


THURSDAY I'M IN LOVE......A CHANCE FOR ME TO SUBDUE MY TODDLER!!



Lindstrom and Christabelle - 'Lovesick' (2010)

How do you subdue a toddler who has discovered the power of the word 'why'? Easy...you play them this song! Maybe it's a bit of a tantalising number but whatever it takes.

I had heard about this phenomenon in days of yore, before interrupted sleeps and inconvenient toilet breaks but I never once thought I'd be almost broken by the barrage of 'whys'.

"Don't wave that fork near your face?" 

"Why?" 

"Because you'll hurt yourself!"

"Why?"

"Because I don't want you to take your eyes out!!"

"Why?"

Add any everyday event and you get the idea!


And It was after one of these all too familiar exchanges that I noticed my son had gone unusually quiet. Concerned, I turned to see him staring out and in a trance like state.

"hey, what's the matter?" I asked

"oh nothing daddy, I like this song, it has a nice rumble."

"I like the song too Max, it's really good. The lady's voice is a bit saucy!"

"why is she saucy daddy?"


Say 'why' one more time....I dare you!

Lovesick is a fine track which has managed to seduce both father and son and is taken from the equally enjoyable album, 'Real Life is no Cool', full of 80's infused spicy dance grooves. I can't thank my pals Jon  and Kate (click on the names to see some of their guest spots) enough for recommending this to me. Incidentally Jon's brother, Chris mastered the sound on the album, so whether he has discovered a toddler taming frequency or it's Christabelle's sultry vocals, either way it's a fantastic song.





Wednesday 25 July 2012

WEDNESDAY CLUB - The Wagoneers - Good Fortune/Atlanta - PT 1 of 2

WEDNESDAY CLUB - The Wagoneers - Good Fortune/Atlanta - PT 1 of 2

MIDWEEK CRISIS you are bored, then come to WEDNESDAY CLUB we've got the Wagoneers, a mystery, and a trip to Montreal, does that excite you?

THE WAGONEERS - Good Fortune(1989)

When I lived in Jeddah  we had access to many tape shops it was hard to pass one by without going in and browsing . You never came out of a shop empty handed, it just wasn't done. On many of these tapes they added some extra tracks as fillers if there was any space at the end. One time there were several tracks which just blew me away, two of these tracks I have included here. But who was the group?. I tried everything to solve the mystery, it was freaking me out. I even got a Country and Western expert to have a listen, but to no avail. It was driving me crazy.

This was C&W at it's very very best. The guys voice dripped with saddness, I loved these songs.

I was sent to Montreal for several days and at first lunch time I headed to HMV to browse, I went to the C&W section, just in case I could find this album. Suddenly I saw a CD with a group I had never heard of, I picked it up and there were these songs. It was one of these momentous moments, as if I had discovered a pot of gold. I could not wipe the grin of my face. I had solved the mystery in Montreal. The group were the Wagoneers.

I looked round and on a board it said U2 are playing tonight at the Olympic Stadium, there was some tickets left and a phone number. It was a sign, I had to go.

Continued next week    

THE WAGONEERS - Atlanta(1989)

For some reason I always think of 'The night they drove old Dixie down' when I here this song, They could be paired together.

For more Wednesday Club mysteries

Monday 23 July 2012

TUESDAY BLUES!! Grizzly Bear - Deep Blue Sea

Grizzly Bear - Deep Blue Sea (2007)


Flycasual's recent Track of the week featuring Grizzly Bear ("Sleeping Ure") got me thinking about this track that originally featured on the "Dark Was the Night" compilation cd. It was also used in the trailer for BBC Iraq war drama "Occupation" and I've been a fan ever since.

My wife & I took our parents on a Cruise to the Caribbean a few years back. I'd always said that I'd "never" go on a cruise because I hated the idea of buffet's and the cabaret entertainment! It was however, quite good.  Each morning we'd wake up to find a new island or a amazing view outside the balcony. We'd then spend the day visiting islands in the South Caribbean, such as Greneda, Tobago, St Lucia.  However, a real treat for me was just sitting outside on the balcony, with a glass of vino. We'd stare at the endless horizon,  staring at the turquoise water....   and this was on my iPod.

Check out the Tuesday Blues spotify playlist - go on!




Sunday 22 July 2012

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 22/07/12 - Rollo Jean, Winston Reedy & The Donkey Jaw Bone, Cat Power, Alt-J







Do you have any Tracks of the Week? Post a comment to let us know and we'll include them in a spotify playlist





SFW:-
Cat Power - Ruin (2012)


Cat Power (aka Chan Marshall's) latest track, features a great piano melody and lyrics that are based on the idea of travel (mentions of Saudi Arabia & Great Britain can be heard).  Although I can't hear Pollenca, Mallorca (where I was this time, last week), it get's you in the mood, or may even give you some destination ideas!

Download it for free from RCRDLbl here

Old Pa's Corner :-
Winston Reedy & The Donkey Jaw Bone - 'Buying and Selling' (2012)


This track is taken from the Album 'Make a Change' (click for full review of album and information about Winston) a collaboration between Winston Reedy and the French Reggae Band 'The Donkey Jaw Bone'. Now that is what I call one cool name for a Reggae or in fact any Band. This track just ambles along quite nicely and really the lyrics are a bit stupid. 'Your Grandmother is an old turnip' but it is his voice and the way he says the words in that Jahmaycan accent that tips the balance for me. There are probably better tracks on the album 'Make a change' and 'Lion of Judah' maybe, but 'Buying and Selling' is fun and very enjoyable indeed.


Shell Hunter:-
Alt-J - 'Tessellate' (2012)


I've kept hearing the name Alt-J over the last couple of weeks but never got round to giving them a listen. After hearing this track which is their new single out on 16th July, it immediately reminded me of the XX with its sparse backing and fragile singing. It sparked my interest big time! I found out that although they sound very electronic, they use no electronic instruments at all! Their new album 'An Awesome Wave' has been hailed by many. If it spans many genres including Dubstep and Folk and is as clever as most make out, I am looking forward to listening to it over our mini heatwave (now that's what I call 'an Awesome wave')! There has been some intriguing comparisons to that of Radiohead, Fairport Convention and Wild Beasts so with all this behind them, it screams success! Oh, and for those of you(like me) that didn't know, Alt-J is what you type on a Mac to get the triangle symbol! Very geeky, so I definitely like that!

Ctrl-Alt-Del

Check out their site for tour info and to follow the band! www.altjband.com




Flycasual:-
Rollo Jean - 'Cellar of Love' (2012)


'Cellar of Love', my dream of rows upon rows of dusty bottles of red wine all settling down?.... Hmmm, Probably not....Nevertheless this is a fabulous saucy slice of camptastic 21st century Disco. I heard in on Lauren Laverne's BBC6 radio show a couple of weeks ago and the catchy beat, the high pitched vocals, the strings, it all ticks my Disco box. I have this urge to don an all in one white 'boogie suit' and take over the dance floor, probably not in a Travolta way but more like an elephant seal kind of way.... 


Like a good wine, Bristol based Rollo Jean, seems to have let this song mature for what looks like a couple of years now and is going for an official release this August. A vintage year awaits?! 


Download Rollo Jean's free 2 track album..... from band camp here.



Listen / subscribe to our Tracks of the Week spotify playlist here

Saturday 21 July 2012

SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX! - DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - 'Summertime'



DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - 'Summertime' (1991)

School is out and it's sort of a buzz...........I've never found a song that has just got it so right. It almost gets me misty eyed now as this song is exactly like it was back in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on the last day of school. OK so in 1991 I was only 10 and I didn't even know what an aphrodisiac was, but the memories are still so vivid. We'd finish our last day of school around 1pm and I would come home to an empty house as everyone was still at work or out. I had a ritual, as I was in such high spirits, I would play a select few CD tracks loud on the family hifi. Two that were the mantra for the next three months were 'School's Out' by Alice Cooper and 'Summertime' by The Fresh Prince. The evening progressed much like that of the one in the film 'Dazed and Confused'. I was like a human hummingbird, flitting from one group of friends to the next until at the end we'd all end up in the same place, a party somewhere, often at my house as an 18 year old Flycasual was back from the UK.

We'd hop on our bikes and meet at the Star Market, grab a chicken in a bun from Fast Eddies, the local diner and hang out joint. Funny thing is, Fast Eddies wasn't particularly fast and I know the owner's name damn well wasn't Eddie. It was likely to be something a bit more Arabic sounding. That asides, his burgers and fries were outstanding. Next we hung out at the Water Tower until more troops joined in, there would usually be a rumour about a massive game of Jail Break at the high rises in the compound or a fight which would never happen.

Last day of school? Parents just don't understand!
How about a pit stop at the Roller disco? It would be rude not to! And I still have some money left over for a raspberry and blueberry snow-cone! Hey there's mum and dad playing tennis on the next court, I pop by and say hello. Great news! Dad is ordering pizza for later on! Then its back on the bikes because there's a BBQ party going on somewhere! I know 10 years old was a bit young for slow dancing but it was all the rage! Boyz II Men and The Bodyguard soundtrack being the main faves (oh my god, I know!). Sigh....those really were the best days of my life!

There's an air of love and of happiness, Fresh Prince's new definition of summer madness was spot on.

Meet you at the water tower at 19:30...


More musical reminiscing? Have a browse of my Saturday Night Jukebox!

GUEST SPOT #44 - Madonna "Ray of Light"

This weeks guest post has been submitted by Bryn!

Madonna - 'Ray of Light' 


So it's 2012 now, and Madonna is out on tour with yet another new album. Even considering that Madonna put her first single out thirty years ago, somehow it's still difficult to believe that 'Ray of Light', which represented her most drastic self-reinvention up to that point, is now nearly half her career ago. That turning point in 1998 brought a lot of new people into Madonna's fan circle. I hadn't ever really been crazy about her, but at the time I was well into the style of William Orbit, and when I first heard 'Ray of Light' on the radio I just knew the song had something to do with Orbit. That his presence is felt so strongly both on the song and throughout the album is a credit to it, and was something so very different from anything Madonna had done before. The song came out on CD (remember those?) in May, and I pretty much spent the entire summer with it on repeat. This was very out of character for me; I had never really been a Top 40 kind of girl and 'Ray of Light' gave me hope that chart music could actually be decent. Obviously radio pop has taken a lot of twists and turns since that fateful summer, as has Madonna's career, but this will always be a standout song for me, and pretty much takes me right back to 1998 every time I hear it.

 

If you would like to submit a guest post, please use the link above or click here, or for more Guest Spots please click here!

Thursday 19 July 2012

DYLAN COVERS #58 Warlocks (Grateful Dead) - Queen Jane/Stuck inside a Mobile


An honoray Warlock



 WARLOCKS(Grateful Dead) - Queen Jane Approximately(1989)



WARLOCKS(Grateful Dead) - Stuck inside a Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again(1989)
   
Well did you know the name of the Grateful Dead before they became the Grateful Dead? well it was of course the Warlocks.  Here are two Dylan covers from some very famous concerts which took place on the 9th & 10th of Oct 1989 at the Hampton Coliseum.

For some reason the Band wanted to have a low profile for these shows, so the venue was not included as part of the regular ticket sale for the East Coast fall tour. Instead, tickets went on sale at local outlets ten days before the concerts, with the band billed as "Formerly the Warlocks" instead of the Grateful Dead. When the band came to town, the marquee of the Coliseum read "The Warlocks", which had been the Grateful Dead's original name for a few months in 1965.


In a 1993 poll of Grateful Dead tape traders, the October 9, 1989 show was ranked number 4 on the list of all-time favourite Dead concert tapes, and the October 8 show also appeared on the list, That is pretty impressive judging by the amount of concerts the GD have done.

For more Dylan Covers

Owiny Sigoma Band - 'Wires'

World Music Corner


Owiny Sigoma Band - 'Wires' (2011)

I've decided I'm not going to mention the weather or the whereabouts of a British Summer anymore. Lord knows I've harangued long enough about it to the point of exhaustion.....rain, you utter bastard!!

Mixing traditional Kenyan Lou style music with other African and western influences, The Owiny Sigoma Band's mellow, bass heavy grooves and Afro beat drumming, have definitely kept me afloat and smiling over the last few weeks, especially the Soukouss flavoured 'Wires'. 




The Owiny Sigoma Band started off when a group of London musicians went to Kenya for a musical exchange, promoting local bands and Hip Hop Artists, before finally meeting Nyaiti (traditional Kenyan string instrument) musician Joseph Nyamungu. Along with Joseph and other local musicians they recorded a series of demos which caught the ear of Gilles Peterson who subsequently signed them up to his Brownswood Recordings label and commissioned the band to produce this album. Damon Albarn's organ skills feature on a few of the tracks too, in for me, was a thoroughly enjoyable album, it's well the time.r />

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Wednesday 18 July 2012

WEDNESDAY CLUB - Nils Lofgren - It's not a crime/Keith don't Go

MIDWEEK CRISIS you feel like a criminal, come to WEDNESDAY CLUB we've got Nils Lofgren and it's not a crime to like Led Zeppelin
Keith(Richards) don't go!


NILS LOFGREN - Keith Don't Go(1975)

There was a time when Nils was the hottest property around, he had a couple of albums that were nothing short of immaculate. His first solo album the self titled 'Nils Lofgren' (1975) contained fabulous guitar based ditties, they were melodic and had superb guitar work all the way through. 'Keith don't Go' was probably the highlight and this is a drawn out version showcasing the talent of Nils. It is a must see. This is one of the great all time riffs. What's your favourite riff! then?

I shared a house in 1974 with a guy and I had earlier introduced him to Led Zeppelin. Was that a mistake? You bet it was! he became obsessed with them. He played them all the time, he talked about them all the time, he even wore Led Zeppelin T-shirts, the sad bastard. Did he not know the rules. It is never cool to wear the T-shirt of the group that you love.

It got to the stage I could not listen to Zep anymore he had put me completely off. It was his group, he had discovered, them they were exclusively his.
NILS LOFGREN - It's not a Crime(1976)

A year or so later (I was married then) .We both went to Nottinghill Gate (on a release day)  to brouse through all the second hand record shops there. In one shop, there it was 'Phisical Graffiti' (1975). It had got brilliant reviews, I was wavering, I wanted it. He grabbed it and I had to bite the bullet, but next to it, shining in all its glory was Nils second album 'Cry Tough(1976)' I casually picked it up it. I was satisfied, my cravings were fulfilled.

It was brilliant and this track blew me away as it still does today. After the guitar solo in the middle you are simply left breathless with pleasure.  

'I swore I was in Heaven'

Warning:
If you have a heart condition or of a nervous disposition, please, I suggest you stick to Led Zeppelin.

Nils played on Neil Young's 'After the Gold Rush' and has been part of Springsteen's E Street Band, well if that's not a recommendation?

I later bought 'Phisycal Graffiti'

For more WEDNESDAY CLUB petty crime

Monday 16 July 2012

TUESDAY BLUES!! The Tallest Man on Earth - Leading Me Now


The Tallest Man on Earth - Leading Me Now
Kristian Matsson has been on repeat quite a bit recently. The Swedish Singer/Songwriter's album Theres No Leaving Me Now has been one of my favourite of the year and I can't recommend it enough.

The Tallest Man on Earth is a name I can easily give my 15 year old nephew. At 6'4 he's a giant. We've just got back from a family holiday to Mallorca and you can't miss him. The problem is no one believes he is 15. He can't get on any of the younger rides because he towers over everyone. His legs are crushed sitting on EasyJet and he has a real issue about it, Poor kid. Add to that he is also a little gullible. One morning we decided to go down the beach and I told him he should put his mask on and walk to the beach. Of course I was joking and after a few hours sunbathing I forgot my joke and had a little swim. However, to my horror when I turned I noticed that he was walking towards me with a Mask and Snorkel on his face. You couldn't miss him. Fortunately he didn't realise his predicament and slowly trundled on. I tried to swim off but quickly thought better of it and faced him with a slight grin on my face. After a few hours of swimming we decided to head back in. However on the way back I insisted that he should carry it! Thankfully no one said anything and I got away with it...until now!

Sunday 15 July 2012

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 15/07/12 - P.I.L., Peaking Lights, Metermaids, Blur

LIKE THE TYPHOON FLYPAST AT FARNBOROUGH, FOUR TRACKS THAT LEFT AN IMPRESSION ON US THIS WEEK...




Old Pa's Corner:-
Public Image Ltd - 'One Drop' (2012)


It was just by chance that I heard this song of PIL's new album, their first since 1997, but I am glad I did. You think of Mr Rotten these days in his check suit and running after cows and chasing busty farmers wives with his love of creepy crawlies and a certain type of butter. Slippery if you ask me!

But this is rather good with its Reggae driving beat. I have listened to the album 'This is PIL' and it is really good. The boys have definitely not lost it. Johnny has regained his cred in my book. But wait a minute half way through the video he is at it again....chasing sheep!

Get me out of heeeeeeere!

Stork or butter?

Shell Hunter:-
Blur - 'Under The Westway' (2012)


Can you believe it's been 21 years since Blur popped up onto the music scene with their catchy, easy to sing a long to ditties. They've come a long way, their sytle often changing direction here and there with Damon Albarn's clever and sometime experimental vision. This song is a very grown up Blur which I love, created especially as part of 2 new songs for the Hyde Park Olympics closing ceremony (Under The Westway and The Puritan). I can picture it playing along to a montage of winning or exasperated faces, it's got the drama! It's also got lyrics that we Londoners would appreciate, if you listen hard enough....rain, traffic, and still standing at last call!

Check out both songs live on the official website here www.blur.co.uk


Flycasual:-
Peaking Lights - 'Beautiful Son' (2012)


This is an absolute beauty of a track from Peaking Lights (I love the guitar solos), the Wisconsin based husband and wife team responsible for some serious dubbed out dreamy soundscapes and is dedicated to their one year old son. I'm not the sentimental type but as a doting dad, it's hard not to be moved by this, despite the fact that my very own 3 year old son keeps making his parents extremely grumpy by waking at 05:30 every morning....without fail. 

Peaking Lights apparently started out so they could pay for petrol to visit a musician friend in San Fransisco but their self produced, home released material has gained them many fans. Stopping at a garage on the next trip, all they'll have to worry about now is remembering the baby wipes and whose turn is it to get the crisps in. .

'Beautiful Son' is taken from the new album, Lucifer which follows on rather nicely from their equally excellent debut.

Read up some more on Peaking Lights here...


Sfw:
Metermaids - 'Graveyard Shift' (2012)



Ask anyone that knows me and they'll tell you that I wouldn't usually pick a Hip Hop track as my TOTW, but this is a tuunne!

Brooklyn duo Metermaids have created a song that feels like an Old-Skool classic with it's catchy guitar riffs sing-a-long chorus'.  It's Produced by 9th Wonder and after only a few listens feels like a one of my favourites of the year. Download it free from RCRD lbl














More tracks of the week? Click here
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Thursday 12 July 2012

DYLAN COVERS #57 - Rod Stewart - Wheels on Fire/Grooms still Waiting at the Alter

You wear it well!

ROD STEWART - This Wheels on Fire



ROD STEWART - The Groom's still Waiting at the Alter

Here are a couple of Rod Stewart tracks covering Dylan. Rod has a great History of recording Dylan which goes back to his days with the Faces and even before that. Rod always had one cover of a Dylan song on all his early solo albums and he made a pretty good job of them. I have selected two here which are I suppose not so well know, as they are not on a normal release album. This version of  'Groom' is taken from a 4 CD Set called 'Sessions'  and is an alternate take from the version on the album of rare recordings on the album know as the 'lost album'  'Once in a Blue Moon' released in 2009. This also contains a 19 minute Studio Jam of 'Groom' . I have to say that I have as yet not heard these versions. But I have ordered the  CD.  

The version of 'Wheels on Fire' can also be found on 'Sessions'  and if you like Rod then this is a must. There are a few other alternative Dylan covers there as well.

For more Dylan Covers


THURSDAY I'M IN LOVE - Rage Against the Machine - 'The Ghost of Tom Joad'

Thursday I'm in love....a chance for me to get primal.... 



Rage Against the Machine - 'The Ghost of Tom Joad' (1997)

Ah camping....mud, earwigs and chemical toilets, donning Ray Mears safari shorts, equipped with a piece of string and the ubiquitous Swiss army knife, it's chance again to be man vs wild...the great outdoors, you can't beat it can you?! I'm just after spending four nights away, doing just that in a field near Ringwood, Dorset, lovely pitches clustered around fire pits separated by dreamy grasses and wildflowers....playing football or Frisbee with my 3 year old son whilst my adoring wife looks on...the ideal. However two of those precious days away were literally dampened by lashings of incessant rain and wind, huddled together in our tent, trying to keep dry, finding innovative ways in keeping a testing toddler at bay and high level diplomacy to avoid bickering with my wife. Fantastic...


Rage Against the Machine are not going M**********G camping!!
Prior to that most inconvenient period of British Summertime weather, were two days of the best camping has to offer though. A highlight was supping wine and cooking a BBQ around a campfire until late in the evening, with pretty much the reign on the campsite as the majority of the weekend campers had departed. This also allowed my wife to wear her Primark 'snow leopard' rompasuit in confidence...all above aboard I can assure you! Despite that distraction all I could think about what was 'The Ghost of Tom Joad' and the line, "I'm sitting here in the campfire light...." and humming the tune with all the rage of a rain soaked Zach De La Rocha whilst the sausages simmered like Tom morello' guitar. Originally a classic Bruce Springsteen ballad, Rage Against the Machine do it justice with their tension fuelled cover, creating a real power house of a protest song. 




Hi DI Hi campers.....listen to more of my favourites.....here 
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Wednesday 11 July 2012

WEDNESDAY CLUB - The Leisure Society - We Were Wasted

MIDWEEK CRISIS you are bored, come to WEDNESDAY CLUB  we have the Leisure Society and a great Prehistoric Beast for you entertainment!


THE LEISURE SOCIETY - We Were Wasted(2009)

I was bored the other night, maybe it was the vacuum left as the Football and  Tennis had finished, so I had a look through the list of movies I had available to watch. There was one that stood out that I wanted to see  for some time. It was called 'Tyrannosaur' and was I suppose, what you would call 'A gritty Northern Drama'  it was very dark and bleak, almost brutal at times, but I was held all the whole way to the end. Through all the pain and darkness there was a glimmer of light, maybe a glimmer of  hope!. It certainly is a must watch. If your girl friend is expecting a follow up to Jurassic Park or a Rom Com, well this will not be for her.

There were some interesting songs in the soundtrack, but it was the ending song over the credits that got me. I had to find it immediately. It was by a group I was not familiar with 'The Leisure Society' and the song was called 'We Were Wasted' I think it is brilliant. There is a little hint of 'The End' by the 'Doors' (not a bad thing). They have two albums and I will be checking them out as you read this.

It was one of these moments in music that we all love, that just happens and can happen at any time, I suppose it is a bit like falling in Love, suddenly it is just there!!..........SHARUPPP!!!  let the music speak!!   

For More Wednesday Club Dinosaurs

Monday 9 July 2012

TUESDAY BLUES!! - Sandy Denny - Who Knows Where the Time Goes(Demo)

All you 'Tuesday Blues' fans, I have to tell you that SFW is on a well earned break, but do not panic!  I have stepped in with a couple of takes of the Sandy Denny Classic 'Who Knows where the Time Goes'. I hope this maintains the glorious tradition of 'Tuesday Blues'.  Enjoy your break SFW but hurry back!!!
SANDY DENNY - Who Knows Where the Time Goes(Demo)

SANDY DENNY - Who Knows Where the Time Goes(album version)

Check out more Tuesday Blues

Sunday 8 July 2012

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 08/07/12 - The Temper Trap, Radiation City, Trails and Ways, The King Blues


Forget the Higgs Bosom - we've got some discoveries of our own!

ps.....Come on Andy Murray!!






Shell Hunter:-
The Temper Trap - 'Trembling Hands' (2012)


The Temper Trap's single Sweet Disposition was a superb song and for me was synonymous with warm summer days back in 2009. Sadly I wasn't excited by other songs I heard, something was missing. I was enjoying this song playing on the radio at work this week, so went over to patiently wait for the 'now playing' to scroll along. Finally it revealed it was the new single released in May from Aussie Indie group, The Temper Trap. I loved it! It has the same hopeful sentiment as I got from Sweet Disposition and is the first song in a long while to give me goosebumps. I am definitely going to give their new self titled album the ear it deserves from this effort. Perfect video for the upcoming Olympics too. From humble beginnings do champions make...come on England!

www.thetempertrap.com


Flycasual:-
Radiation City - 'Find it of Use' (2012)


I've been meaning to post this fabulously unusual track for awhile now, ever since Old Pa's Corner did a post about great endings (see it here), as I think this one as can be included. It has so many different layers, it almost feels like four songs in one. It starts off with this sort of vintage feel which for some reason reminds me of an old French Chanteuse in a smokey Paris club....I don't know, maybe it's just me. Then a nice little rhythm and hook starts up, it then goes off on a tangent for a bit before ending again with the same hook. Magical! Radiation City hail out of the musically rich city of Portland, Oregon and certainly keep in line with it's mantra of "Keep Portland Wierd". 'Find it of Use' is taken from their latest EP 'Cool Nightmare'. Portland's best new band apparently!  

Check out the remix with free download...boom!





Sfw:-
Trails and Ways - Nunca (2012)






This week I've been listening to Paul Simon's Graceland (there was a documentary on the BBC) and I've gone all 'Worldly'. Though rather than Africa, Trails and Ways features an infectious guitar melody that sounds Brazilian (they wrote it while there). The band hail from Oakland, California and this laid back track is crying out for a bit of sunshine - like us all!  One of my songs of the summer - I can feel it!

Download it for free from here


Old Pa's Corner :-
The King Blues - We are what we Own (2012)




Typical I just discover the King Blues and I find that they have broken up in April. However, what I have heard I am suitably impressed to search out their back catalogue. Any group that give there influences as Public Enemy and the Clash amongst others can't be all bad. With a bit of reggae thrown in as well, that all adds up to a potent brew in my book.

This is a catchy little number with shades of the Clash in the chorus and is without doubt my track of the week.

Finally  'you reap what you sow'.



More tracks of the week? Click here
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Saturday 7 July 2012

WIMBLEDON SPECIAL - Come on Andy you can do it!!!


ROCK SALT & NAILS - Volley Highway(2009)

All the best Andy from all at Tune Doctor.

A little Andy story for you. Flycasual and I were up in London to see Pentangle and on the way home out of Waterloo Station, who got on our carriage none other than Andy and Kim...It looked as they were having a little tiff. Luckily they got off at the next station before I could make a complete ass of myself and tell Andy I am his greatest fan.

'HEAVEN KNOWS ITS GOT TO BE THIS TIME'

SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX! - Sophie Ellis Bextor - 'Murder on The Dancefloor'




Sophie Ellis Bextor - 'Murder On The Dancefloor' (2001)

I was at a pub quiz in the week and during the music section, one of the questions was 'who sang this track'? I was so excited to hear it as I haven't heard it in years and I used to absolutely adore it! The video although probably low budget, was pretty amusing. I remember getting a bit annoyed with Miss Ellis Bextor for poisoning the B-Boys because they were clearly the winners with that impressive display of popping. The video was also obviously an attempt to create a dance routine for when this song was played. I tried very hard to learn it but with my two left feet the only thing I did well was stomp and clap where I should to the music!

Sophie still misses the £1 kebab roll in a naan from the bus garage

When looking into the year of release, I saw on wiki that Sophie originated from Hounslow! Well I spent my teenage years there and its hard to imagine her porcelain doll face hanging out by Woolworths pic'n'mix in the highstreet or the age old grotty pub The Bell. To think, I could have brushed shoulders with her at the Hounslow Bus Garage waiting for the H98!

Sophie Is still going strong so take a minute to check out her website www.sophieellisbextor.net to sign up for a free download!

Want to commit for dancefloor crimes? Click here for more SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX!

Thursday 5 July 2012

DYLAN COVERS #56 - Nanci Griffith/Patti Smith - Boots of Spanish Leather


NANCI  GRIFFITH - Boots of Spanish Leather

This is a really nice version by Nanci Griffith of BOSL and can be found on the DVD Tansatlantic Sessions Vol 2. This is great stuff and worth checking out.
PATTI SMITH - Boots of Spanish Leather


This is a live version by Patti at a concert  at Chapelle Sainte-Anne - Arles - France on the 15 November 2011. It is always great to here Patti, check out her new album 'Banga' it is pretty good too.
Take head of the stormy weather
For more Dylan Covers

DECADES - The Fifties - 1953

We are introducing a new feature at Tune Doctor and as always we hope you will contribute to this section. We are calling it Decades and it will feature every now and again:

The idea is to pick a year from a Decade and give a couple of tracks from that year, we/you can mention 2 events historical or anything that takes your fancy, your film of the year, your album of the year, a personal event you remember and finally a sporting event from that year.

To start it of, as I was actually alive during 1953 and of course as it is the Queens Diamond Jubilee. That is the year I have chosen.

DECADE 50's - YEAR 1953

HANK WILLIAMS - Your Cheatin' Heart,



BIB MAMA THORNTON - Hound Dog


FILM OF 1953

The Wild One - starring Marlon Brando

EVENTS of 1953

Queen's Coronation


Everest being Conquered

SPORTS EVENT

Stanley Mattews Cup Final

ALBUM OF 1953


LEADBELLY - Last sessionns Vo l2

PERSONAL EVENT

Although I was only 4 but I do remember the Coronation, all the bunting and the Mugs with picture of the Queen. Still remain a vivid memory. One of the first things I rember.


Let us know if you like this section and if you would like to conribute witth your favourite year.

Wednesday 4 July 2012

WEDNESDAY CLUB - Bob Dylan - Most Definitely Not Van Gogh/Please Crawl from your Window(the version)

MIDWEEK CRISIS you crave some Dylan, come to WEDNESDAY CLUB we got the man himself with a couple of Priceless Classic Hidden Gems.
'
'How can you say he will haunt You'

BOB DYLAN - Please Crawl from Your Window(the version)(1965)

This version is one of my favourite Dylan songs and I for the life of me cannot understand why this version was not released. It is fantastic and must have been done at the same sessions as Positively 4th Street, the backing is so similar. 'PCFYW' was released just after P4st and I was disappointed with it at the time. I thought it was a step back from 'Like a Rolling Stone' and 'P4st'.  If this version was released, the song would have been as popular as  any of the Dylan 'Biggies'. I first heard it on the the fabulous Boot. 'Thin Wild Mercury Music.

Oh! I remember it well,  there was this Record and Tape fayre in Ealing which was every few months and I always went hoping to find some treasure, but especially to find Dylan bootlegs. It was here one rainy Saturday morning I picked up 'Thin Wild Mercury Music' at the same time I picked up a boot of a concert in '81 at Earl's Court, where I had the joy of attending, Happy dayzzz, it literally blew my mind. A few years later' when you could burn CD's on your PC the flood gates opened and you could swap and get as many Dylan Boots as you wanted.....it became a beautiful obsession and I, like many others ended up with hundreds of Dylan Boots, a strained marriage and no time to listen to them all. They are now in boxes in a garage. Sad really. One day I will put them all online to share.

'If he needs a third eye he just grows it!'

Come on all you Dylan fans!  WHAT DO YOU THINK? this is the version!
BOB DYLAN - Most Definitely Not Van Gogh??(1966)

This is my favourite Bootleg track, and I first heard it on a Boot called Denver Hotel Room and as the title suggests it is Dylan in a Hotel Room in Denver, being taped as he jams through some majestic songs, the world had not yet heard.  It was on the 13th March 1966 the magic took place. It goes on for about 10 minutes with various stops and starts. This is an edited piece but takes in the best parts.

This was Dylan at the top of his game and this song could have easily been on 'Blonde on Blonde' if it was ever finished and could easily have joined the long list of Dylan classics. I just love it and everybody should hear it, (Well if you like Dylan that is)

Although the song is normally called 'Most Definitely Not Van Gogh' there is not an official title and several variations have cropped up. 'The Painting by Van Gogh', 'Positively Van Gogh' and another title which has been suggested is 'Spuriously Seventeen Windows' (very Dylan like indeed). It appears Dylan never actually recorded the song and whether he has ever played it live I doubt. I am sure some of these Dylan experts will have an idea (I'm only a part timer).  
Most positively, definitely, spuriously Dylan

For more Wednesday Club gems

Monday 2 July 2012

TUESDAY BLUES!! - Michael Kiwanuka - May This Be Love

Michael Kiwanuka - May This Be Love





Oh I wish I was in the warm Pacific Ocean! Lying down on a surf board off Waikiki Beach, waiting to catch a wave. It takes me back, as that is where my wife (then girlfriend) went on our first long distance trip.

We'd only been together a few months and we wanted "the perfect, romantic" holiday.  We'd unfortunately booked the flight out the day after Flycasual's wedding, (that's another story), but we were excited and even though I had a bit of a hangover, a sweaty lip and a 20 hour flight to deal with, we were "livin' the dream".

Once we arrived, we got "a cab" to our hotel (on Waikiki) and couldn't wait to see our paradise hotel.  After pulling up we soon realised that the over-commercial "Waikiki" was a bit of a let down. It was nice, but I guess we were expecting the South Pacific.

Despite my initial disappointment, I'd always wanted to surf Waikiki beach - "the home of surfing" - I'd done a bit and wanted to show off my "skills" to impress my girl.  We hired a board and I said to the instructor that "I had surfed before and I would be fine".  We got in the water and to my amazement, my wife, with no previous surfing experience, quickly got the hand of it and was up and off.  The exhilaration on her face was a picture and I was in a happy place. This happiness however was short lived as I kept on falling off. This was compelled with the embarrassment of probably looking a right twat after telling the instructor I'd said surfed before. After an hour or so of constant falling (by me) and wave catching (by her), I asked the instructor why there was a helicopter flying over us and was it tourists on a fly by? He said "nah, it's because there have been a few tiger sharks spotted in the area", but "don't worry as they didn't like to scratch their belly's on the reef".  I never fell off again.






This wonderful version of Jimi Hendrix's "May This Be Love", is by Michael Kiwanuka.  You can watch a different version over at NME



Checkout our Tuesday Blues Spotify Playlist here