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Thursday 30 August 2012

DYLAN COVERS #64 Rage/Rise Against the Machine - Hollis Brown/Maggies Farm

'Its pounding on your brain'

 
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE - Maggie's Farm

You can't beat a little bit of heaviness every now and again, RATM fit that bill for me very nicely thank you. This great version of  'Maggie's Farm'  is from their album  'Renegades'(2000).It also has a excellent version of the Bruce Springsteen's 'The Ghost of Tom Joad' click for earlier post.

RATM's  'Killing In the Name'   was responsible for preventing the X-Factor's Christmas 2009 release from going to Number 1 in the charts due to a Fan based campaign.  It was fantastic and helped make my Chrismas that year.  But 'Killing' is a pretty top Tune.

The cover of  'The Ballad of Hollis Brown' comes from the Amnesty International release 'Chimes of Freedom'  72 Dylan Covers and is a must get if you have not already got it. It is for a good cause too. There is a difference between the group Rage Against  and the Group Rise Against. (Just in case you did not know)

Once this gets going it is an incendiary holocaust version of this stark dark tale and one of the best covers of the song I have heard.

 
RISE AGAINST THE MACHINE - Ballad of Hollis Brown

For more Dylan Covers
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Gotan Project - 'Mi Confesion'

World Music Corner




Gotan Project - 'Mi Confesion' (2006)

The Argentinian Tango, quite possibly the sexiest dance after the Running Man and a form of music introduced to me by the Gotan Project. Stop groaning....before Strictly Come Dancing and being used in adverts to sex up both Boots the chemist and Finish detergent (please don't mention the scene in the hideous J-Lo and Richard Gere movie, Shall We Dance), they managed to make some fantastic and evocative albums. The Paris based trio incorporated their blend of dub, breaks and beats but still managed to create the brusque musical interplay so synonymous with Argentinian Tango. 



Thus making a genre of music accessible and exposing me to some classic Argentinian musicians, similar to the way the excellent Buena Vista Social Club opened me up to Cuban music. Albeit without all the media fanfare and Ry Cooder's backing adding the weight behind it. 

'Mi Confesion', is taken from The Gotan Project's second album Lunatico (also guesting Calexico on a track) and features Argentinian Hip-Hop duo, Koxmoz. Fabulous rhyming and syncopation, effortlessly mirroring the feel of Tango, giving the vintage form a modern edge. Mucho calor!!

 see the Gotan Project's website here.....and
check out their two new singles they released for Record Store Day here...

3 Comments

Wednesday 29 August 2012

WEDNESDAY CLUB - Wilco/Bill Fay - Jesus Etc.

MIDWEEK CRISIS you need somthing new, come to WEDNESDAY CLUB we've got Whiskey India Lima Charlie, a Bear that Sings and a Swede that Scratches, Oh! and Bill Fay
Whiskey India Lima Charlie
 
WILCO - Jesus Etc.(Live)

I have been a fan of Wilco and Jeff Tweedy ever since I bought their 'Summer Teeth' Album in 1999 . Every new album I have hastily got hold of immediately on release. They have never matched before or after the heights of  'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot' (2002). It is frightening to know that their Record label at the time did not think it was suitable for release. One of my favourite and standout tracks from the album is Jesus Etc. I came across this brilliant live version of the song quite by accident.

A few weeks back the artist Bill Fay was brought to my attention when I was browsing through the excellant Blog Grownupbackwards (The Singing Bear). I was aware of Bill Fay but had not listened to his stuff. I knew he had a new album out after many many years. The album  'Life is People' is magnificent. Here is a true talent. It includes a fabulous slowed down cover of Jessu etc. Which along with the rest of the album is on my ear phones constantly. When I was searching Youtube for this version I came across the amazing Wilco live version.(Play it loud)

The moral of the story is, I thought I was pretty knowledgeable about music but since I have been contributing to Tune Doctor I have met other like minded people and have been introduced to many Artists and songs that I have not even heard off before. Bill Fay is a shinning example.   Altogether it has been a far more rewarding experience than I could ever have imagined.  So I would like to thank my fellow TD boffs and of course, The Singing Bear, The Swede,  etc etc.

Keep 'em coming! friends!

BILL FAY - Jesus Etc.(2012)

I hope these two version turned your 'orbit around'.

For More WEDNESDAY CLUB religion
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Tuesday 28 August 2012

GUEST POST #46 - Radiohead 'Kid A'

This blog maybe about our favourite songs and memories but it's not just about us. We want to hear from you...what are your favourites? What are you currently listening to? What should we be listening to? 


This weeks Guest post is by Brynn! 

 Radiohead - Kid A
For me, as for many, it was the Radiohead album that changed everything. I'd always had problems "getting" them before, and as it turned out, what I needed from them was something less accessible rather than more. I went to HMV and bought this album the day it came out solely on the strength of the hype; when I got in the car and put the disc in, from the first notes of 'Everything in Its Right Place' I knew this album was going to be a winner for me. Today, this is still my favourite song on the album, and I listen to it whenever I'm feeling particularly nostalgic for the time around the turn of the century. I was aware that many fans didn't like Radiohead's new direction, but for me it was something so fresh and different from everything else that was coming out at the time, I couldn't resist it, even if it meant that the 'traditional' Radiohead fans would either have to jump ship or get used to the change. To this day, I think this song has aged well and doesn't have much of the datedness of other songs that came out around the same time. I often throw this album into the shuffle mix when I have friends over, and this song almost always gets a very positive 'oh yes, great tune' reaction when it comes on.




Check out more guest posts or submit a guest post
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Sunday 26 August 2012

TRACKS OF THE WEEK 26/08/2012 - Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang, Dan Croll, Mark Knopfler, Kelli Scarr


Four tracks that made our Eagles land this week! What were your favourite Moon rocks? Let us know....


RIP Neil Armstrong

Sfw:-
Kelli Scarr - Dangling Teeth

I love how music can sonically deliver images into our heads. When I hear this I think of mesas, cactus and nights spent in the Arizona desert, staring at the stars and sitting by a camp fire. Kelli Scarr is a Californian singer/songwriter who has previously worked with Moby. This is the title track from her   I really think this has got a bite to it.




Flycasual:-
Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang - 'Feba' (2012)


I wish I had the title of the 'Bubu King', it definitely has a nice ring to it but that's the name given to Brooklyn (something in the water there) based Janka Nabay. Escaping war torn Sierra Leone, where he was already a star and settling in New York, he met up with some musicians to form his band The Bubu Gang, rekindling and modernising the traditional form of his native Bubu music. En Yay Sah is a fantastic album which I've been listening to recently, the incessant and pulsating rhythms have me hooked but it's also the electronica and dub elements which makes his music so compelling, original and essential!


Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang are signed on to David Byrne's Luaka Pop label (label mates to Delicate Steve featured here), click here to read more on The Bubu King. 


Old Pa's Corner:-
Mark Knopfler -Privateering(2012)

I have always like Mark's stuff ever since I saw him on TV performing  Sultan's of Swing with Dire Straits. It was just right in the middle of Punks heyday in the late seventies. I have to admid, I am a sucker for his guitar sound. It is a shame he is now regarded as Old Hat or MOR etc. He is another victim of becoming too popular, especially due to the Brothers in Arms album (which is excellant) and is inevitably in every 'dads & mums'  CD collection. (Including mine). His solo albums Going to Philadelphia (2000) and Shangri-la (2004) (my album of the year) are nothing more than superb. But as I said, I have a soft spot. Therefore, I am glad and excited by this new release. .I love the laid back quiet  folk approach of this taster. I will be getting the new album and I don't care what you say. Enjoy your tour with Dylan Mark!.  Dylan and I can't be wrong?, can we?

Shell Hunter:-
Dan Croll - 'From Nowhere' (2012)


BBC6 music have done it again. Another rare occasion where I've sneakily tuned the radio in the office at work in and my ears pricked up to this little gem. 'From Nowhere' is set to be Dan Croll's debut single released on September 17th and I've read his style is a mixture of folk and world music(having a best friend who is from Gambia and an interest in French music). He also won a national award for song writing early last year with a prize of £5000 which I believe is helping him release his debut. How refreshing! I love the holiday feel of this track with its quirky electro sounds and echoey vocals. It reminds me a little of Santogold's 'Disparate Youth'. I really think Mr. Croll is going to be one to keep an eye on! Check out his website for more videos and links to his FB and Soundcloud pages - www.dancroll.com





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Saturday 25 August 2012

SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX! - LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem / Sexy And I Know It



LMFAO - 'Party Rock Anthem' (2011)

It's been a while since I really liked a charty dance group but I can't help but dig these guys. They've got such a recognisable, unique and quirky look and their lyrics are pretty clever. And besides, anyone who is part of the campaign to make the running man popular again is okay in my book!

Back in May I went to Vegas for a week of complete indulgence...food(mainly of the meat variety), drinks, gambling, and spending. To try and keep ourselves out of the casino for a little while we decided to hang out at the pool on Sunday afternoon. We found a shady spot and treated ourselves to an ice bucket filled with Coors lights. I settled into the sun lounger ready to start reading my book, but was distracted by the DJ spinning a constant array of thumping dance tunes. Let me tell you, being in Vegas is a fantastic opportunity to people watch, but the specimens sighted at the poolside was something else! For about 3 hours I was sat there open mouthed whilst several festively plump Caribbean ladies dressed in a selection of bright swimsuits with flesh showing where it shouldn't, danced around with their yards of Margaritas. It was to both LMFAO singles that I was actually LMFAO! I didn't even open my book. 


LMFAO - 'Sexy and I Know It' (2011)

should've gone to Specsavers


Subscribe to my SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX! Spotify playlist below!
or Read more SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX! posts here!

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Thursday 23 August 2012

DYLAN COVERS #63 The Pogues/Runrig - When the Ship Comes in/The Times the are a Changin'

Kiss my a*se


THE POGUES - When the Ship Comes In(1996)

This cover comes from the Pogues final studio album 'Pogue Mahone'(1996). I have loved the Pogues since their second album 'Rum, Sodomy and the Lash' (1985) and many an early morning, I have ended up listening to them, so it was a delight when I heard this version of WTSCI.

The Pogues were to open for Dylan on the California leg of his 1989 tour, so he must have liked them too. However, Shane MacGowan collapsed at Heathrow Airport and kind of blew the the whole thing. Click for the whole story.

I raise my 'Special Brew' to you Shane, one of my favourite songwriters.

RUNRIG - The Times they are a Changin'(1989)

Keeping up with the Celtic Ray here is a version of TTTAAC by the pride of Scotland, Runrig. The lead singer on this track 'Donnie Munro' has one of my favourite voices. Runrig and  The Pogues definitely went down well when you are living abroad, as I did for 10 years. The track is available on the Album 'The BBC Archive Series' .

For more Dylan Covers
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Laika - 'Almost Sleeping'


Recollection Collection......musical memories recalled with affection!



Laika - 'Almost Sleeping' (1997)

I've always had a fleeting interest in astronomy ever since I was about 7 years old when my mum took me to an astronomy night (Seeing Star Wars at 4 years old also certainly helped). Seeing the majesty of the Moon and Saturn with it's rings through a telescope was awe inspiring for a little boy. On Monday, 6th of August a fascinating cosmic event almost went unnoticed in amongst the euphoric hullabaloo of the Olympics.

For once I didn't begrudge my son for getting up at his usual 05h30 calling. In a role reversal, I rushed downstairs with him in tow, fixed us a bowl of coco pops and settled down, blurry eyed, to watch what NASA had dubbed, 'the seven minutes of terror'. A one ton, Mini Cooper sized rover was about to make it's terrifying decent through the Martian atmosphere and if there were indeed any unsuspecting Martians on their way in to work that morning, they were in for a spectacular show. In an incredible feat of human ingenuity and engineering, Curiosity made a series of elaborate manoeuvres in order to break it's ridiculously rapid fall and enable it to make a equally ludicrous pinpoint landing on the surface (Gale Crater). Absolutely bonkers! It was just like a scene from in a Ridley Scott sci-fi film.  


'Seven Minutes of Terror'


As ever, I needed a tune to provide the soundtrack to my cosmic activities and this song fit the bill. As well as the first dog in space (cruel at that) and my parents' cross breed husky, Laika are a pioneering electronic band that I had a brief flirtation with in the mid 90's. The dreamy, 'Almost Sleeping', is a stand out track from their album, Sounds of the Satellites and probably one of my all time favourite tracks. 


The song reminds me of a camping trip in the Mojave desert on a visit to friends in California. It was on a tape I made for that holiday and it was playing through the car's stereo as we were all sat around the fire staring up into the heavens. It had this ethereal feel to it as I lay, in amongst the Joshua trees, complete darkness except for the very distant glow of Las Vegas in the horizon, gazing at a sky with more stars than I have ever seen. Satellites, shooting stars and, situated as it was, only a few miles from Area 51, a fair share of some weird shit too but that was probably all due to the beer.

Perfect stargazing music... 

For the Motherland??!! Pffff....Wait, you forgot to pack my Chewy Bones!!


rove around some of my favourite tracks here....



6 Comments

Tuesday 21 August 2012

WEDNESDAY CLUB - The Incredible String Band/Bert Jansch - October Song

MIDWEEK CRISIS you are looking for something amazing, come to WEDNESDAY CLUB we have the Incredible String Band, Bert Jansch and one of the best songs ever to come out of Scotland.

'If he needs a third eye'

THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND - October Song(1966)

I first heard this song in the mid sixties and it made an instant impression, it was on the first album by the Incredible String Band, it is well documented that Dylan himself acknowledged the greatness of this Robin Williamson classic. Take these lines for example :  

'The fallen leaves that jewel the ground, they know the art of dying,
and leave with joy their glad gold hearts in scarlet shadows lying'

That is pretty special. It is just a great song. If you want to know more about the Incredible String Band, just click.

They had a few albums in the late sixties which contained some very bizarre stuff indeed and were sometimes referred to as Psychedelic Folk and that sounds about right to me!. They had one of the biggest selling albums of 1968,  'The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter'

BERT JANSCH - October Song(2008)

The great Mr Bert Jansch did a great version of the song on his album Crimson Moon(2008).  Both version are just fabulous and I will leave you to decide which you like best. There is not really too much left to say, just sit back and enjoy!

For more WEDNESDAY CLUB Incredibleness
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TUESDAY BLUES! Neil Halstead - Full Moon Rising

Neil Halstead - Full Moon Rising
I am always on the search for a singer-songwriter, someone with a little fragility, someone that sounds like they're a bit gutted, and, so often, beard growers. Neil Halstead has all these traits. He was the frontman and primary songwriter for legendary shoe gazing Indie legends, Slowdive, (they named the band after a song I once wrote - probably not true) and then was part of Mojave 3.  The last few years he's gone 'solo' and has released the albums 'Oh! Mighty Engine', 'Sleeping on the roads' and the soon to be released 'Palindrome Hunches'.  His new album is released on Jack Johnson's record label Brushfire Records.  So expect global domination....we hope!


Check out more Tuesday Blues here, download Full Moon Rising below




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Sunday 19 August 2012

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 19/08/12 - The Royal Concept, Oh No, 2:54, Theme Park

FOUR TRACKS THAT PUT THE FIZZ INTO OUR CIDER THIS WEEK.....



Flycasual:-
Oh No - 'Dues and Dont's' feat Phife Dawg and Jose James (2012)

Oh yes! This is fabulous laid back, Jazz infused, head bobbing Hip Hop and for me the stand out track from Hip Hop producer, Oh No's (real name Micheal Jackson, chamon!) release, Ohnomite. Maybe I'm biased, as it features Hip Hop legend Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest flawlessly delivering a trademark rhyme. Perfect for all ageing and nostalgic B-boys yearning for new material from ATCQ. The album features samples to the soundtrack of Blaxploitation movie, Dolemite, so as well as some cool as funk snippets, you also get to hear his amusing potty mouthed rants!

Download the track here, from HipHopWired.com......

Old Pa's Corner:-
2:54 - You're Early(2012)


Who are the strangely named 2.54, well they are two girls from London Town.  It seems to be a bit of a fad theses days coming up with odd names , Alt-J for example. I have been listening to their self titled album constantly since I heard this track from the album a few days ago. I could have as easily chosen any of the tracks, they are all good. A very consistent album. There are so many influences there and all are easy to spot, Suzie and the Banshees, Garbage, early Cure and inevitably Joy Division to name but a few. I love this type of music, dark, haunting  mysterious. Here is a Band with a future.This album is worth checking out.

Shell Hunter:-
Theme Park - 'Jamaica' (2012)

I've been humming this track for the last week, it's totally got me hypnotised. I know we often mention the weather when explaining the reasons for our tracks of the week choices, but this has a fantastic feel, driving home from work with the sun on your face, windows down with that warm breeze. You can't help but smile! The Guardian compares them to Talking heads or Vampire Weekend but from this single I get a hint of Friendly Fires and Bombay Bicycle Club. All of those can't be bad at all. The London guys are touring in October but good luck getting a ticket, it looks like they are all but sold out! The London gig is in Hoxton Bar and Kitchen (great intimate venue and top burgers) and there are still a couple of tickets going, click here to buy. I will definitely be checking out Theme Park's other singles to keep me going until their album comes out. Jamaica is out on 23rd August, just in time for the bank holiday weekend. Check out the band's blog www.themeparkband.com to sign up for the latest news!

Sfw:-
The Royal Conept - Naked & Dumb (2012)

I've wanted some new Indie-pop in my life and I was delighted to find The Royal Concept.  Naked & Dumb is a cross between Phoenix, The Strokes, and Two Door Cinema Club, all of which can get me wanted to put on my converse and (try) to be a cool kid.



5 Comments

Saturday 18 August 2012

GUEST POST #46 ELO - Mr Bluesky

ELO - "Mr Bluesky"


This weeks heartfelt Guest Post comes from our old buddy from Saudi Arabia, Lee..


My brother-in-law tragically passed away very unexpectedly 4 weeks ago ..... we asked my 8 year old niece (his daughter) to pick some tracks which reminded her of him and she immediately picked ELO's "Mr Bluesky".  We played the track to a packed church at the end of his remembrance service and I have never experienced a more uplifting, but at the same time extremely sad feeling as we sat in silence and reflected! He was a great guy and this track is a fitting reminder of him - whenever I hear it, it brings a smile to my face and a lump to my throat.  Sadly missed, never forgotten

Thank you for this musical memory are thoughts go out to you and your family

3 Comments

Thursday 16 August 2012

DYLAN COVERS #62 Bruce Springsteen & Friends - Highway 61/All along the Watchtower

You must be putting me on!
How about some more from the Boss. This first one is taken from a concert Live at the Shrine Auditorium in  Los Angelas on the 17th November 1990 . It can be found on the 'Boot' Acoustic Tales - Second Night. Joining Bruce on this great cover is Jackson Brown and Bonnie Rait. I like this one a lot.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, JACKSON BROWN, BONNIE RAIT - Highway 61 Revisited(1990).



BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & Michael Strollo - All Along the Watchtower

There are so many covers of AATW you may well say! 'Oh no not another' but if you have not seen or heard this version 'strap your self to a tree with roots'  because you may have lift off. This is pretty near as good as it gets. I love the Boss covering Dylan. Click here for earlier Brucie Dylan Cover Post  If you want to hear this in much better quality or copy from YouTube  click here.

For more Dylan Covers
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THURSDAY I'M IN LOVE - St Germain - 'Rose Rouge'

Thursday I'm in love....a chance to share some of my favourite songs...."fuhgedaboudit!"



St Germain - 'Rose Rouge' (2000)

I love New York! 

From the very moment The Eagles appropriately welcomed us with 'Lying Eyes' (with that immortal 'city girls' line) over the airport mini bus radio whilst gazing out at the approaching Manhattan skyline. To the moment, turning the corner after leaving our hotel off 5th Ave, to be confronted by the towering Empire State Building, (Holy shit! King Kong climbed that!) I knew I was smitten. 

There's this sense that somehow you've been here before. Of course, I've lived it all in the movies growing up, the yellow taxis, the cop car sirens, the steam billowing up from the manhole covers, all bringing this peculiar familiarity. Not to mention the music, eclectic, from Swing to Punk to the birth of Hip Hop, it was so easy to fall in love with New York. 


That was certainly how I felt when I visited Manhattan for the first time with my girlfriend (now wife) on a cold February in 2001. We hadn't been going out long but taking in the sights and sounds over the few days of our sejour also made her realise that I was quite the catch, eventually deciding to marry me. 



In those days, I'd take a separate hand bag with my Discman, Cd's and speakers, which would be handcuffed to my wrist. I had to make sure I had my music with me! Pretty ridiculous, considering now I'd have my iPod in my pocket instead. But as a result, I'd taken in a visit of the leviathan sized Tower records where I bought the excellent St Germain album, 'The Tourist'. Full of Blues, Jazz and Soul, 'Rose Rouge' was the stand out track that reminded me of that trip. It's a fantastic hypnotic groove, which uses a subtle voice sample from New York Jazz/Soul singer, Marlena Shaw. Wholly appropriate considering New York's Jazz heritage, it was the perfect atmospheric track to get you started before and evening out in Manhattan. 





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Wednesday 15 August 2012

WEDNESDAY CLUB - The Specials - Nelson Mandela - Original & '88 Remix

MIDWEEK CRISIS you can't find that song again, come to WEDNESDAY CLUB we've got the Specials, an apartheid story and we've found that song!  
The great man
This is another one of these 'where can I find this song' situations. I loved the Specials Nelson Mandela when it was first released.  Much later I found another version on a sampler which I found to be a superior version of the song. It had that great African beat to it. I was devastated when my parrot destroyed that CD.  'Who's a bad boy then Jacko!'  I searched and searched and could not find it again until a triple Specials album Specials Stereo-Typical was released and there it was. It was a new '88 'mix featuring Ndonka Khuze and Jonas Gwangwa and is different to the '88 dance mix version which was released. It was so good to have the track back in my grubby!  

Here is the one I am talking about I still think it is right on the button! 
SPECIALS - Nelson Mandela('88 Mix)

We were in Durban in 1982, on the first day we were looking for a Supermarket.  I asked a guy directions, he was very polite and courteous and was just giving directions when this woman came up shouting and waving her hands, the poor chap cowered and slunk away. She said you do not talk to these people. We were in total shock and unable to make any response. The nasty woman was white and the helpful gentleman was black.

Later a black woman asked us if we could fill a bottle of sea water for her. The sign on the Beach said  'for whites only'. I was experiencing apartheid first hand and I did not like, I did not like one little bit. 

A great song by a great Band in acknowledgement of a very very great man. Long live Nelson Mandela!

This is the original and it is just as good really and this is just a fantastic video too.

SPECIALS - Nelson Mandela(Original)(1983)

For more Wednesday Club finds
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Tuesday 14 August 2012

TUESDAY BLUES!! Elliott Smith - Miss Misery

Elliott Smith - Miss Misery
After all the feel good factor of the Olympics it's time to come down with a bump.

Elliott Smith was an american singer / songwriter who tragically died on October 23rd 2003.  His most commercial breakthrough was this track, which featured on the Good Will Hunting soundtrack, for which it was nominated for a Academy Award (he lost out to Celine Dion).  It was a surreal performance, for which he acknowledged, as he seemed like a lost little boy in the massive theatre.

He would've been 43 last week, and one of his early labels, (Kill Rock Stars) are releasing a number of unreleased versions of his songs.  If you never have given him a go, get the An Introduction to... album, it will make you glad you did.


Bummed out? checkout more Tuesday Blues here, it'll send you over the edge!


4 Comments

Sunday 12 August 2012

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 12/08/12 - Bob Dylan, Bloc Party, Elbow, Mumford & Sons


The Olympic games are over but don't be sad...before you go to Nando's to celebrate, rejoice with these four winners. 


Old Pa's Corner:-
Bob Dylan - Early Roman Kings (2012)

'In their shark skin suits'
  
Well here it is!  the first taste of Mr Bob Dylan's new album  which will not be released until September the 11. The Album is called Tempest and this song is called Early Roman Kings.  There is a great buzz about this album, I have read nothing but great things. There is even a 45 verse, 15minutes song about the Titanic ('The Titanic sails at dawn') called Tempest. There are are all sorts of rumours flying around as you would expect from a Dylan album. Tempest was the last work by Shakespeare, ('Shakespeare he's in the alley, with his pointed shoes and his Bells') could this be Dylan's last album?  Well, it will be until he does another.

Anyway to the track itself. It really is no new ground and it is done in a straight blues format. But I like the feel, there is definitely an enthusiasm there and the production sounds spot on . Even the raspy old voice sounds pretty good too. I don't think I can remember looking forward to a new album by Bob with so much anticipation. I want to hear the album now....I can't wait!!    'Blazin' the Rails'.
Shell Hunter:-
Bloc Party - 'Octopus' (2012)


Welcome back guys! By the time I considered myself a fully fledged fan of Bloc Party, the band dispersed. At least I had Kele Okereke's solo stuff to pasify me. A liked the more electronic approach the group had adopted with singles such as 'Flux' so when I heard this, I immediately liked it. The distorted guitar made me imagine a little sheep with a machine gun and if a song can generate images like that for me, it's got to be a winner! It's also got a great mini 'Van Halenesque' guitar solo in there amidst their indie-tastic signature sound. The single was out back in July but the album 'Four' is due out on 20th August. Fans should quickly click onto their site www.blocparty.com and sign up, as tickets to their gig on 22nd February 2013 at Earl's Court will be available exclusively to members (15th August) 2 days before general release (17th August). Hurry!!


Sfw:-
Mumford & Sons - "I will wait"

Mumford & Sons have just release the video for their latest track "I will wait" - which surely must have been filmed by Bradley Wiggins - and features on their new album 'Babel' (out in September).  The track picks up where their debut album left off with yet more foot-stomping folk.  It's probably just me, but every time I hear them I want to drink Cider, which is surely not a bad thing?

 Flycasual:-

Elbow - First Steps (2012)
So it's over now and I just don't know what to do with myself. It has been a magnificent, memorable and truly inspirational couple of weeks. Captivating, from Dressage to Boxing with many unforgettable moments too numerous to mention, Mo Farah's being my particular highlight. 

I'm obviously feeling unusually sentimental but It has also been nice to surf a wave of pride and optimism for a change and I just hope when the euphoria subsides there'll still be some of that good feeling left which can be put to good use (as well as the Olympic village), hmmm.....I doubt it. 

A bit slow off the block I guess but I belatedly found out that Elbow had done the official theme for the BBC's Olympic coverage. Obvious really as the orchestral backing, percussion and gospel choir all bear the hallmarks of their epic sound befitting of such an occasion. Even poking fun of themselves by stating that they wanted to compose something completely over the top. 

I have been a fan for years but love them or hate them, there's no denying Elbow's, or Guy Garvey in particular, song creating talents. Despite their success and inevitable criticism as a result, Elbow have not diluted their sound which made them so endearing in the first place. 

If you can't be arsed with Elbow, check out the breathtaking animated opening sequence for the BBC's Olympic coverage. That and the soundtrack made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Bring on the Paralympics!!



Check out the making of 'First Steps' here.....

Heard any new music recently? Let us know!  
While you are at it Check out our Spotify Playlist or other Tracks of the Week


4 Comments

Saturday 11 August 2012

SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX! - The Avalanches - 'Since I Left You'



The Avalanches - 'Since I Left You' (2001)

How does the good weather make me feel? It makes me feel like I'm wearing a fat suit filled with helium, much like the miner in this video which is another of my favourites. Regardless of whether twinkle toes is really a skinny bloke dressed up or a rather agile hirsute man, I love the dance routine. Its an amalgamation of so many routines and for the more eagle eyed of you out there, spot the running man!

The Avalanches with their extensive collection

I hadn't heard The Avalanches for years and out of nowhere, this little highly sampled gem came wafting from the radio at work on a day when I managed to get BBC 6music on for longer than during the small wee hours when no one else is awake enough to notice. I argue until I'm blue in the face about the station's eclecticness and "there's something for everyone"! Amongst the rabble and American pilots constantly calling the office over the radio frequency asking for maintenance, catering, toilets to be cleaned and anything else they can think of, my ears pricked up. It was so refreshing to mentally switch off for just a few minutes and chill out to the summery composition. Some have a cigarette break for a nicotine hit, I have the radio for a music hit!

Click for more sunny SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX posts here or subscribe to my SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX Spotify playlist here!


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Friday 10 August 2012

DYLAN COVERS #61 - Calexico & Lambchop - I threw it all away x 2t

Joey Burns & Kurt Wanger

What do you get when you have two of your favourite groups, Calexico and Lambchop performing together one of your favourite Dylan songs. Well the answer is a whole Lotta Lotta  pleasure. Kurt Wagner the main man of Lampchop joined Calexico on stage and they performed these two fabulous covers. Does it get any better?  
CALEXICO & LAMBCHOP - I Threw it all Away

The first one is from the Riehen Stimmen Festival Swizerland on 11 July 2009
CALEXICO & LAMBCHOP - I threw it all Away

The Second take is from a concert in  Zitadelle Spandau, Berlin  8th July 2009.

For more Dylan Covers


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Thursday 9 August 2012

Ondatropica - 'Suena'

World Music Corner



Ondatropica - 'Suena' feat Ana Tijoux (2012)


It's been quite the week. I listen to the majority of my music in the car driving to and from work but I found myself listening to the radio, unexpectedly caught up in Olympic fever. You know you've got it bad when you end up choking back tears to Peter Wilson winning gold in Clay Pigeon shooting (a sport I have no clue about). So by the time British distance runner, Mo Farah, won an unforgettable and breathtaking 10,000 m, I was an emotional wreck!


A bit of light relief then when I heard this absolute gem of a track on this months Songlines world music magazine's free CD. Featuring Chilean MC Ana Tijoux, it's a brilliant example of marrying an unlikely pairing of traditional forms of music with modern contemporary styles, as despite the classic Cumbia backing, with it's rhythm and Accordion, there's an unmistakable Hip Hop feel to it. A formula that works so well, in my opinion and that I enjoy so much (check Congolese rapper Baloji, Danay Suarez from the Gilles Peterson Havana Cultura compilation, or Batida for example).


'Suena' is taken from the debut album Ondatropica, a joint project from Will 'Quantic' Holland (read another post here) and Colombian musician Mario Galeano who bring together classical Cumbia musicians and mixes Hip Hop, Dub and Ska in a modern celebration of Colombian Music. Ideal for donning your Speedos and sipping cocktails in the paddling pool!!



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