Do you like Singer/Songwriters/Alt-Country/Americana or Indie-Folk, or do you have a unhealthy affection to the sadness, if so you may have a case of the Tuesday Blues!
Heartbreaker....
Dawn Landes - You Alone
Today we have a beard free zone with the excellent Dawn Landes' You Alone. You Alone, This 2005 alumm firebird, and features in the film Happy Endings. Dawn has had the unfortunate position of a public divorce, she was married to Josh Ritter, and all of their material being scruitinsed and having the tag 'break-up' record. Both artists admitting they weren't at their happiest after it. I suppose the only winner is the public as we get to enjoy the sadness, every cloud and all that!
If you are a fan of Men with Beards, like the gentle stroking of a six-string, or just a miserable bugger, Subscribe to our Spotify playlist and read more Tuesday Blues here! Do you have a musical memory? Send us the Submit a Guest Spot and we'll feature it!
Looking for a starter for Sunday Lunch, well how about this nice taster Cream of the Young from the fabulously named Band The Fat White Family. This track can be found on their album Champagne Holocaust (2014). It sounds nice and dark with a little bit of the Doors throw in for good measure.
I have been listening to this album all week and it is rather good. If you like this track you will most certainly love the album.
The drive home after a late shift is always a pleasure. Asides from the obvious (knowing I can get straight into my PJ's and jump on the sofa), it's a great time to hear 30 minutes worth of new stuff on Xfm's Xposure with John Kennedy. This song was very much a stop me in my tracks moment and was just finishing when I pulled up in my car park so I quickly made a note of the time to check out the playlist later on. It was the electro-soul fusion that hit me. I discovered it was by London born Sudanese, Sinkane, real name Ahmed Gallab. Playing a plethora of instruments, and having interesting influences such as free jazz and shoegaze, I think he's definitely the sort of artist I'm going to like. That along with the fact he is signed with DFA records whom hold signings with big faves of mine present and past: Hot Chip, The Rapture and LCD Soundsystem. Stand by for the clincher though...he acted as musical director for Atomic Bomb! The Music of William Onyearbor earlier this year!
Once again I have found a band courtesy of Spotify, 'Gardens & Villas' hail from Santa Barbara and this track features on their second album 'Dunes' which was released in February this year. Wikipedia describes their musical style as Indie-Rock & Synth-Pop and it's the latter of these two that I get the most from this track. It's about as 'Hot Chip' as I've heard from a band that aren't Hot Chip, and is nicely filling the void until such time as Alexis, Joe et al release something new. Even the video reminds me of the HC style. I've listend to Dunes a couple of times and like what I hear... But will you ???
Really intriguing stuff this. I love all types of African music but this track turned my head and had me doing the Roger Moore 'eyebrow' at the Stereo. A mix of traditional percussive rhythms, with some of it recorded in the field, sampled over bass heavy house beats. Clap! Clap! is an Italian producer who has created a debut concept album, Tayi Bebba, about a fictional island, with each song telling a story of this imaginary land. The music intertwines the old with the futuristic to good effect, using Hip Hop, Bass music and House to create a unique soundscape. Not your average African 'banger'! Anyway....whatever, it's a good listen!
Death Has No Dominion are a Danish folk-ambient, two-piece who have taken their name from the Dylan Thomas Poem. Falsetto vocals, airy guitars and melody that puts you into a trance they are certainly a band I'll be keeping an eye out for. It's a bit short but I like it! The self-titled album is out now.
Listen or even better, subscribe to our tracks of the week playlist here...
Repeat Prescriptions....The Top 100 Classic Albums Of All Time that you keep coming back to!
Like doing a university course as a mature student, I am returning to my musical education and filling in the gaps. I intend to revisit The 100 Best Albums Of All Time (see them all here) as recommended by Q Magazine back when the poll was last done in 2006. Some I will know and love, some I will have skimmed and some I will not even have given time of day. This will all change when I listen to every album in full as it was intended, from 100 to 1, and choose my favourite song from each.
I always put Kraftwerk down as only big in the 80s but they've been around since 1970! This album from 1978 must have been up there in the ground breaking Electro stakes with Georgio Moroder. It was a pretty short and sweet listen with only 6 songs but definitely some good moments. My favourites of course being The Model with it's excellently simple German accented lyrics, Neon Lights and The Robots. I don't know how long I could listen to this sort of electro for though, it can get a little repetitive. It's strange to me that this album being 36 (!!) years old, still sounds as it intended to; fresh and totally mindbogglingly futuristic.
The Robots is a fantastic track which I knew before but it really does stand out on this album. It's got a slow intro but when it gets into it's stride, it really is a piece of electro genius. I remember when my nephew was a bit younger, he was 'into Robots' for a time and Flycasual told me he had played this for him. I can just see his young imagination being captured by this song and being totally blown away, much like everyone when they first heard it! The higher pitched keyboard vs the lower pitched one is almost like a tiny robot talking with a massive one. The beauty of songs with few lyrics is it allows your mind to wander, as obviously mine did! I'd say it'll certainly be worth listening to Kraftwerk's Greatest Hits for sure.
Here are 2 covers of a rather modern Dylan track Nettie Moore from the album Modern Times (2006) . I like this track and these are pretty good covers too.
The first is by the group Born 53 and can be found on their Dylan Covers's album Thieving in the Alley (2012).
The other take is by Muscle and Bone and this on is on their Bobby Covers's album Masterpieces of Bob Dylan (2013).
There are not too many covers of this song around so this is a bit of a treat for all you BD cover fans.
Musical Medicine......like a barn dance for the soul!
I'm not sure if Old Pa should have done it this way!
Waylon Jennings - 'Are You Sure Hank Done it This Way?' (1975)
I'm not particularly a big fan but I've been exposed to high levels of Country and Western over the years, courtesy of Old Pa. A safe enough dosage to make up part of my musical DNA, with Hank Williams and Jim Reeves the usual protagonists. But this exposure would usually only occur in the wee small hours when we've overstayed the evenings welcome after a 'good night', it's too late to go to bed and/or the 'bottle has let us down'.
I first heard this song when Old Pa sent it to me one afternoon saying I would like it but it was the middle of the day! How will my ears react to Country this early in the day? How right he was! I couldn't get enough of it, it lasooed me in like a naughty cattle rustler and I probably had it on repeat for the rest of the day. The late Waylon Jennings' foot stompin ode to Hank is Musical Medicine of the highest order, the formula is just right!
During 1970 I shared a flat in East Kilbride with other guys. Mostly I liked them and we all got on pretty well. There was this guy Big Jim, Big Jim for obvious reasons, he must have been six foot five if he was an inch. Jim was obnoxious and was really not a nice guy at all. He was a major disruption to what was as a harmonious existence as you could get when five young guys were living together and away from home for the first time.
He was untidy and never helped and he just thought that he had a natural right for anything he wanted, no matter how it affected others.
There are two stories I remember about Big Jim that always stick in my mind. The first one involved my friend Stan whom I have featured before. We were all out drinking one Friday night and Jim challenged Stan to a drinking contest. Now that was a very dangerous thing to do because Stan could drink with the best of them, believe me I knew.
They matched each other for some time. First a pint of heavy then a whiskey chaser. It got to the stage that things were getting silly when suddenly Big Jim's eyes rolled and I will always remember a little trickle of vomit appeared at the side of his mouth and run down his chin on to his new shirt. Then there was an explosion of vomit and Big Jim disappeared out the door and into the night.
We searched for a long time for him and eventually went home as Stan by this time was a bit worse for ware.
When we got up the next day there was still no sign of Big Jim until about mid-day he appeared. He had several bruises and had clearly pissed himself and there was a rip on his trousers from the bottom almost to the top. God only knows what happened to him as he had no idea.
Now that is what I call a result. A little lesson to you all, do not get involved in drinking competitions or you may well end up like Big Jim.
The second story is that one pay day Jim wanted to accompany Stan and I to the record shop as was our custom on pay day. He bought two albums, the first was Willie and the Poor Boys by Creedence Clearwater Revival and the other was Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greebaum. I hate to admit it but I loved both these albums and in fact the Norman Greebaum album is still in my top albums of all time. It is just a shame that every time I play anything from these albums I always remember the prat that was Big Jim.
Do you like Singer/Songwriters/Alt-Country/Americana or Indie-Folk, or do you have a unhealthy affection to the sadness, if so you may have a case of the Tuesday Blues!
Get yourself the Kleenex, everyone's favourite Irish troubadour is back with his first album in eight years called "My Favourite Faded Fantasy". He's always been a bit on the fragile side, but with Rick Rubin behind the desk, there's a strong buzz that this might be one of the albums of the year. Zane Lowe is actually will première the official lead single “I Don’t Want To Change You”, tommorrow (24/9/14) on Radio One
Unlike U2, this one will not magically appear on your iPhone overnight, but you might wish it would!
If you are a fan of Men with Beards, like the gentle stroking of a six-string, or just a miserable bugger, Subscribe to our Spotify playlist and read more Tuesday Blues here! Do you have a musical memory? Send us the Submit a Guest Spot and we'll feature it!
I received an email the other day advising me that my pre-order of FIFA15 for the Xbox would be posted soon and l noticed it had a link relating to the soundtrack that the game features. I clicked and was directed to a link for a Spotify playlist... I thought what the hey and decided to give it a listen. There are a variety of hit and misses, one of the hits being this track. The Madden Brothers in question are Benji & Joel, better known for their band 'Good Charlotte' who had some good songs a few years back of the pop-punk variety. This is a little different and in a good way. Although I'm a bit late, its a definite summer feelgood track. It was popular down under where it got to No 1 in Australia & New Zealand. Their album 'Greetings From California' was released last week, and might be worth a listen based on this. Flycasual:- George the Poet x Bodhi - 'My City' (2014)
A fantastic ode to 'real' London through the eyes of George the Poet, a 23 year old rapper/spoken word artist from the Stonebridge Park estate in Harlesden, an area once described as lawless. It's a coherent, social commentary about a forgotten London, spoken over a lucid driving house beat, courtesy of Welsh dance duo, Bodhi, which just adds to the atmosphere. Despite the tough upbringing, George studied at King's College, Cambridge and it's this contrast that enables him to passionately campaign on how Rap music has a detrimental effect on today's youth with many rappers frittering away the opportunity of the limelight to inspire or do good. Quite. See George the Poet's blog, here... Sfw:-
Nothing But Thieves - Last Orders (2014)
Nothing But Thieves are a recent discovery that have become a bit of a guilty pleasure. The Southend 5-piece almost sound too good. They have the grace to admit that they've been highly influenced by Jeff Buckley and with the Stadium-friendly tracks, these indie-pop-rockers may be the real deal. Download their free e.p. from their website. Ones to watch. Old Pa's Corner:-
Goat - Words (2014)
Dancing like demented Aztec Goddesses, backed by persons in Burkas, music, a cross between Santana and Hawkwind. That sort of describes Goat (not to be confused with The Goats) that the is the big difference.
I first heard of them and saw them, this year at Latitude Festival and I loved 'em. Here is a track from their new album Commune (2014). Enjoy the Goat experience.
Listen or even better, subscribe to our tracks of the week playlist here...
FRANK BLACK AND THE CATHOLICS - Changing of the Guards (1998)
Here are a couple of fantastic covers of Changing of the Guards, both I like a lot. The first one is by Frank Black and the Catholics and was included on a 4-track bonus CD that came with their 1998 self-titled album.
The second take is by Jez Lowe and can be found on the Dylan Covers compilation Younger Than that Now (2011)
Some brilliant tripped out, 60's infused Hip Hop in a pastiche to the classic road movie of the same name. All courtesy of US heavyweight rapper, Action Bronson which is taken from his forthcoming album, Mr Wonderful. Before becoming an MC, Mr Action used to be a gourmet chef in New York and references food in many of his tracks, even hosting his own show entitled "Action in the Kitchen".....in yo face Jamie Oliver!
An album that managed to hit my Hip Hop tickle spot last week was Illuzual's Goodie Bags and like the title suggests, it was full of Hip Hop goodness. It's laid back, smoked out 'boom bap' style is exactly what I love about the genre. Illuzual is a German DJ/Beatmaker signed on to Sheffield label, Bad Taste and the album also features a number of stable mate UK MC's as well as a member from another of my favourites, the Mouse Outfit (featured here). Out of many stand outs, it's the lo-fi 'Disguise' that was a particular highlight, with it's good use of a sitar and atmospheric nuances in the background, perfect for all nocturnal activities, whatever they maybe. Speaking of which, 'Disguise', will definitely feature in our forthcoming Spotify playlist, Late Night Hip Hop Vol.3. For now check out Vol.1 and Vol.2.
Unfortunately the 'embed code' on the Bandcamp site didn't work so I have had to post the Spotify embed instead. Above track, Chemicals, was the first track I heard from the album that had me hooked like a tractor beam.
There are quite a few songs I had wish I had written, but top of that list would have to be The Flower of Scotland written by Roy Williamson of The Corries. I remember seeing The Corries in Inverness during the mid sixties and do have a recollection of them singing the song.
The song has become the unofficial Scottish anthem. Not only is it now sung at the start of Scottish Rugby matches and other sporting events but was also played when a Scottish person was receiving their medals at the recent Commonwealth Games. I never got tired of hearing it.
The song really is about Robert the Bruce's victory over the English at Bannockburn and I suppose it really is an anti English song, if you think about it. (those days are passed now)
How would I vote?
Well I am rather disgusted at the events of last week when Cameron etc. came up to Scotland in panic because the vote was getting very close. Before it has always been the no vote having the majority. How cynical, to suddenly panic and start to offer Scotland more powers if they stay in the Union. Why did they not do this before?. Well it looks to me they thought they could get the vote for free and not have to promise Scotland anything. If I was living in Scotland now, that may well have swayed me to a yes vote.
If Scotland were offered more satisfactory powers before, then it would have been all done and dusted. More power in their own affairs and stay in the Union. The best of both worlds in my book.
I would vote no.
However saying that, it would certainly be exciting if the vote went yes!
Do you like Singer/Songwriters/Alt-Country/Americana or Indie-Folk, or do you have a unhealthy affection to the sadness, if so you may have a case of the Tuesday Blues!
Say "cheese"...
Sun Kil Moon - Truck Driver
Mark Kozelek (Sun Kil Moon) is certainly a marmite artist, you either love him or hate him. I choose the former but I do admit that he is heavy going. He's a story teller of the highest order, and like Shakespeare, there's often a tragedy involved. So when the track starts with, "My uncle died in a fire on his birthday..", you know that the song is not something you'll be playing at a wedding.
I think it's all a persona, but he recently called an audience as "fucking hillbillies" and told people to "shut the fuck up" while performing at a music festival in America. I think it was the audience's fault, but I also thought I was going to be on his hit list, when a few years ago, he stared at my misses yawning at one of his gigs in Dublin. I guess it was my fault as we were both tired and I'd promised her a romantic weekend, with the Saturday night love-fest including a gig watching Mr Kozelek. She hasn't liked marmite ever since.
If you are a fan of Men with Beards, like the gentle stroking of a six-string, or just a miserable bugger, Subscribe to our Spotify playlist and read more Tuesday Blues here! Do you have a musical memory? Send us the Submit a Guest Spot and we'll feature it!
Musical Medicine..... tracks that give you a shot in the dark, even when your legless
Electronic - 'Getting Away With It' (1989)
In light of the news from the courts in South Africa this week it reminded me of a great track from the very late 80's. The band was essentially Bernard Sumner (New Order) & Johnny Marr (The Smiths) with a few friends. This track featured Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys) on backing vocals and I for one bloody loved it...
London Scouser:- Woods - 'With Light And With Love' (2014)
After listening to The Sour Notes last week I went onto the 'Similar Artists' link on their Spotify profile and came across Woods. They rang a musical bell to me and after checking I saw that Old Pa featured them as his TOTW back in 2012 and to boot he included a 9 minute live version of the track 'Bend Beyond'. Well this time my choice is also 9 minutes long but this is the actual album version. This is the title track of their latest album and they still have that 60's vibe. When I'm listening to this I don't notice the time as I'm immersed into the twangy guitar sounds which at times seem almost psychedelic. One track that I'm going to add to my 'Epic's' playlist for sure. Pure bliss Flycasual:- Antoine Mars - 'Rocketshipp' (2014)
I received this track on email the other day stating that he's exactly what Hip Hop needs right now and to 'believe the hype!' I thought, "oh yeah? Go on then". Well yeah, I may have to believe a bit of the aforementioned hype as on this form, it convinced a cynical, ageing, Old School B-Boy. Unsigned Antoine Mars is a talented MC hailing from Harlem who clearly encapsulates that East Coast vibe perfectly, showing why New York is indeed Raps capital. Stellar!
'The Best Day' is the title track from the Sonic Youth's Frontmans new album. It's a foot stomping, indie rocker that, for me, features some of Moore's best material in years. His band, which features James Sedwards, My Bloody Valentine bassist Debbie Googe and Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley has been put together while he lives in London. The Thurston Moore Band will hit the road with gigs in London, Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow and end in Nottingham on November 12. Old Pa's Corner:-
Blonde Redhead - Dripping (2014)
This one hits you right away and grabs your attention. There is a similar feel running through the album of the same name Dripping (2014). I have to say I am not too familiar with these guys even although they have been going about their business since the early nineties. They are called a combination of Art Punk,Electro. Sounds pretty good that, as is this, the lead track from their album.
Shell Hunter:-
Saint Motel - 'My Type' (2014)
This is Fun with a capital Kay! I can't stop singing this tune from the LA rockers Saint Motel and I love the horns, they're disco-tastic! They remind me a little of Franz Ferdinand but with more cowbell. From what I read, they are like indie chameleons spanning dream pop to indie rock. My Type is from their latest 4 track EP of the same name but they already have an album under their belt called Voyeur which was out in 2012. It might be worth a peek!
Listen or even better, subscribe to our tracks of the week playlist here...
The debauchery filled, Scott Fitzgerald love fest classic, The Great Gatsby, was released last year with plenty of fanfare, courtesy of a re-working by Baz Lurhmann. I love the romantic idea the book depicts of the roaring twenties, with all the Art Deco architecture, 'anything goes' attitude and the Jazz age music from the era, particularily the Charleston and the Lindy Hop (a distant relative to B-Boy 'Locking'?).
Hence this track, the amazing 'I Am Music', for me the standout from Common's 2002 album, Electric Circus. With the legendary late beat maker J-Dilla pulling the strings, he creates something utterly unique by effortlessly marrying Hip Hop and Charleston, the perfect soundtrack for Jay Gatsby to woo back his Daisy. Although, as far as I'm concerned she's not worth all the fuss - it's the Jordan Baker character he should have gone after....I'd definitely learn to 'flap' for her.
Common...not a flapper.
Incidentally (this should be a 'Nerd Alert' if I can borrow from our Cover Nerd) the cover to Electric Circus was inspired from The Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. See who made it on it here....
Check out my other Common post, the Curtis Mayfield inspired ode to Serena Williams, 'The Loving I Lost'. Or for more Yes Yes Y'all Hip Hop posts, click here. Word!
Marmalade, one of Scotland's 'finests' were a 'pop' Band at their peak in the late sixties. They have the fame of being the first Scottish Band to reach Number one in the Pop Charts with their hideous cover of the Beatles'sOb-La-Di, Ob-La-Da in 1969.
To there credit they did a couple of decent covers of Dylan songs. Both the covers can be found on the album Fine Cuts: The Best of Marmalade (2011) .
I walked into the pub i had not seen her for years there was that familiar feeling deep in my guts she could still bring it out she still had that power we briefly kissed
she removed her dark glasses her eyes were bruised her lips were swollen she look tired almost beat there was no sparkle in her eyes he was abusing her he was beating her how could anyone harm my fragile angel that bastard should hang he should be fed to isis
she begged me to stay she could not be alone she held me tight the whole night as if I were her life she was holding
i put her on a plane the next day she needed her home her kin time to rest she needed time to recover
a few weeks later she called she had two tickets for our idol he was playing Earls Court
i still had her copy of Blonde on Blonde i never returned in the sixties when she was a child and i was just a child when we loved like the wind like flowers in the wind
we went to see our idol she had regained her joy
she looked so beautiful
i could not take my eyes away from her her smile lit up the Court
she had a birds nest in her hair
THE BEATLES - Happiness is a Warm Gun (1968)
All you Dylan Fans out there of course will pick up the reference.Well?
Do you like Singer/Songwriters/Alt-Country/Americana or Indie-Folk, or do you have a unhealthy affection to the sadness, if so you may have a case of the Tuesday Blues!
The White Buffalo, a.k.a. Jake Smith seems to have an effortless way of writing music that matches his persona. He looks like he could cut down a big tree, catch a rattlesnake and write songs about hard drinking, heart break and good times (and I don't mean that in a disparaging way). He puts across his tales with honesty and thoughtful reflection that can only come from an American musician. Someone who can write about the "Home of the brave and the free; the red, white, and blue. - I wish it was true." with elements of blues, country western, folk, and classic rock.
This features on his 2012 album, Once Upon A Time In The West.
Mother, I tried to do right by you, To do what you asked me to. I did wrong, and I knew. Mother, I tried to behave for you. Now I'm a-diggin' a grave for you. It was all I could do. Find a way back home, make everything new. I wish it was true. Father, well I gave my soul to you. I came in blind folded for you. It was all that I knew. Open your arms and I'll fly out of hell up to you. I wish it was true. Boy, come on out from the cold. You're lost outside there, don't you know? It's not what you say, it's what you do. Just keep wishing your wishes are true. Well your dreams, they're reality. There's no pain, there's no misery. Just polish the blood and the brews. For there's just no way you can lose. Well I wish it was true. Country, I was a soldier to you. I did what you asked me to. It was wrong, and you knew. Country, now I'm just a stranger to you. A number, a name; it's true. Throw me away when you're through. Home of the brave and the free; the red, white, and blue.
I wish it was true. If you are a fan of Men with Beards, like the gentle stroking of a six-string, or just a miserable bugger, Subscribe to our Spotify playlist and read more Tuesday Blues here! Do you have a musical memory? Send us the Submit a Guest Spot and we'll feature it!
The notorious stretch of road in north London that is more akin to a car park at certain times. Oh but not this time....this is the late ride home after a night out, void of traffic dreamy, head a bit fuzzy, stopping at the garage on the way to answer the call for a sausage roll. I only heard this yesterday so it was a late entry, it made an instant impression, an intriguing cross between The Streets and The Pet Shop Boys (how's that for a marriage). 'North Circular' is taken from the London trio's forthcoming second album, find out more about them on Marathon Artists record label. Sfw:- Ben Howard - I Forget Where We Were (2014)
I've been eagerly awaiting Ben Howard's latest release. Would it follow a similar formula? Would he try something different? After listening to this, it certainly follows his tried-and-tested recipe and who can blame him. When he won the 2013 BRIT award everyone was wondering where he came from. (Born in Middlesex, raised in Devon). He's been releasing material since 2008, but it wasn't until his 2010 EP release that I caught on. I was fortunate to see him in a nearby town (Narberth) in 2011, which was last time he played West Wales (my wife still gives me grief that she never went to it!). His new album is out 20th October
Old Pa's Corner :-
Lonely The Brave - Deserter (2014)
This a track from Lonely The Brave and certainly shows intent. There seems to be a bit of a 'noise' about these lads from Cambridge. Looks to me if they are heading for the big time. This song is destined to be heard at the festivals next season along with their other anthems. I was thinking Editors when listening to them, not a bad thing. Do you agree that the guy's voice sounds a bit like Peter Gabriel with a hint of that guy from Pearl Jam, or is it just me. Anyway the new album, their first, is called The Days Of War (2014).
Shell Hunter:- Hozier - 'Take Me To Church' (2013)
Definitely not to be mistaken for The Hoosiers, this Irish soul-o artist can seriously hollar. I love the echoeiness of this track, you could quite easily be sat alone in one of those massive catherdrals, its a real goosebump factory. He realeased an EP with the same name last year but I am only starting to hear it around now strangely. He followed it closely with another EP Eden but his debut album is due out in a couple of weeks simply titled Hozier. I'm feeling another young singer songwriter success story coming on, it'll be the bank not church he'll be visiting!
Earlier this week I was in Charlotte, NC for one night to test a new uniform for my job, it's a hard life I know. Whilst trying and not succeeding in sleeping I looked on facebook and saw that my favourite band from last year, Black Books, had posted a poster of an upcoming gig to celebrate the album launch for fellow Austin, TX band 'The Sour Notes'. Finally after a 4 month hiatus my 'Austin Phase' was back on. I listened to the album in question 'Do What May' and liked what that first hearing had to offer. Their wikipedia page describes their musical style as 'Indie Rock' & 'Dream Pop' and I definitely get that. I've chosen this song for two reasons, 1 is that it has a great sound but the 2nd reason it the really cool video. It's an homage to scary films like 'Paranormal Activity' and the like. Their official launch was on 06th September and I hope it went well.
Listen or even better, subscribe to our tracks of the week playlist here...
Repeat Prescriptions....The Top 100 Classic Albums Of All Time that you keep coming back to!
Like doing a university course as a mature student, I am returning to my musical education and filling in the gaps. I intend to revisit The 100 Best Albums Of All Time (see them all here) as recommended by Q Magazine back when the poll was last done in 2006. Some I will know and love, some I will have skimmed and some I will not even have given time of day. This will all change when I listen to every album in full as it was intended, from 100 to 1, and choose my favourite song from each.
I have to say, I was totally indifferent about listening to Lou Reed. I heard he as part of The Velvet Underground was heavily influential so I thought this would be a good addition to my music education foundation. Its the first album from this project that I don't fully 'get', though. Musically I like it a lot, there are a good few tracks here that are perfect for any late 60s or early 70s film's opening credits or soundtracks but I think its the nonsense lyrics/poetry that is wasted on me. A couple of times I was thinking to myself, What the hell is he banging on about?! Saying that, I really have to take it into context: we are talking about the early 70s here (drugs, drugs and more drugs?), David Bowie produced it and there are some great moments such as Vicious, Satellite Of Love, Wagon Wheel and Perfect Day. When the lyrics aren't too nursery rhyme sounding and 'out there', its pretty damn good really.
I never thought I would choose such a commercially known song to be my favourite from the album but it was a toss up between Perfect Day and WOTWS. I used to hear it on the radio all the time and think nothing of it except that the iconic riff was sampled for A Tribe Called Quest's Can I Kick It. Listening to it in context with the rest of the bizarrely worded album, I began to really appreciate it. The style, sound along with the atmosphere it evokes, is the epitome of the late 60s, early 70s for me. After digging a little deeper into what the song was about and Lou himself, I realised it was about the gang of misfits that used to hang out with Andy Warhol at his New York city studio. Each one has their nickname and story and I'm pretty surprised it wasn't banned from the airwaves. Drugs, transvestites, oral sex and male prostitutes makes for a colourful view into the era. They just don't make them like that anymore.
Here are two great covers by Bonnie Raitt, both really are quite rarely covered songs. The first comes from her 2012 album Slipstream which also contains another Dylan Cover, Standing in the Doorway another pretty rare one.
The next song was performed by Dylan throughout his tour of autumn 1980 but was never officially released. He gave the song in demo form to Bonnie, who did a pretty good job on her 1982 album Green Light'
There is nothing like a Tramp to bring out a great song. Here are two absolutely fabulous songs and believe me, they don't get much better than these. I have loved them both since I first heard them in the sixties and seventies. Both have a little of the ladies of the night running through them. Well it is the oldest occupation I suppose and maybe there should be more songs to represent this great vocation..
CHER - Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves
On a more serious note one of the the great tragedies of our time is Human Slavery. All these poor girls who are either sold or tricked into prostitution. These Evil Traffickers are no worse that animals and should be put down if caught.
In my way of thinking so should the punters who use these poor girls. They also should be put down too. If it was not for their weakness and lust there would be no need for this inhumane disgusting practice.
"For those tune fans that love to adjust the equalizer settings in your brain, here's a reminiscent breath of fresh air, retro air that is! These guys manage to recreate the old 80's sound with a modern day twist. Refreshing to take a break from today's music notes! This track is a couple years old, but Le Cassette just dropped a full album this last July according to my research. Something different!"
He's right and here is a Spotify link to that album 'Left To My Own Devices'
