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Sunday 31 May 2015

TRACKS OF THE WEEK 31-05-2015 - Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni Ba, Kevin Morby, Maribou State

Three songs that 'blatted' out the competition...



Old Pa's Corner :-
Bassekou Kouyaté and Ngoni Ba - Siran Fen(2015)

 

Here is a brilliant track from Bassekou Kouyate and featuring Ngoni Ba it is called Siran Fen and is on the album Ba Power (2015) this has all the ingredients of World Music and eveything I love  about the genre. Lively, infectious, compelling and some brilliant playing, a stand out track of the year.

Get on yer boogie shoes and join me and the rest of Old Men Grooving!!! on that dance floor.

Flycasual:-
Maribou State - 'The Clown' feat Pedestrian


I've just come back from a family break in Whitstable on the Kent coast. Despite the kids being early risers, it was the perfect way to attempt to recharge batteries with sun, sea and the local ale. Apart from the music of the wind blowing through the rigging in the fishing boats, I was hoping to catch up on some sounds but alas that was a bridge too far. However, a morning trip out to nearby Minnis Beach was the ideal time to address this anomaly. Believe it or not, being up early has it's advantages and looking out at the empty beach at low tide, while this soulful dance tune was on was as evocative as it gets. Maribou State are a DJ duo from Hertfordshire, who have remixed for the likes of Kelis, Lana Del Rey and Ultraista and 'The Clown' is taken from their debut album, Portraits.


 SFW:-
Kevin Morby – “Parade” (2015)


Here is a great little track by Kevin Morby, a Texan singer/songwriter who has recently signed to Dead Oceans, home of The Tallest Man on Earth, Night Beds, etc., The former Woods bassist, has previously released two albums, Harlem River and Still Life.


Listen or even better, subscribe to our tracks of the week playlist here...

3 Comments

Friday 29 May 2015

DYLAN COVERS # 193 Jimmy LaFave - Queen Jane Aproximately x 3


I'm sick of all this repetition

 
JIMMY LAFAVE - Queen Jane Approx. (2015)

I just love Jimmy LaFave's voice and his interpretation of Dylan's songs and there is quite a few. It is a wonder he has not released a double album of Dylan covers. Come on Jimmy you must do it? for all us Dylan Cover fans.

The track can be found on his excellent new album The Night Tribe (2015).

Following are two live takes of the song, the next one is from a concert at The Folk Alliance International 2015 in Kansas City. The next one I don't know where its from but what I can say is, they are all great. 
 
JIMMY LAFAVE - Queen Jane Approx. (2015)

 
JIMMY LAFAVE - Queen Jane Approx. (2015)
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Wednesday 27 May 2015

Soft Cell/Gloria Jones -Tainted Love

OLD PA'S WEDNESDAY CLUB

WHITE RUSSIAN, A HIGH BALL HELPER

FLASHING LIGHTS SCREAMED


 
SOFT CELL - Tainted Love 12"

THE BLACK TRENCH COAT (verse 3)

She wanted to move on
(be with him)
I entered to the sounds of life
Bright lights and pounding noise
I ordered  cocktails
A Manhattan and a beer assist
White Russian, a High Ball helper
It was Disco music
My empty glasses
Cried out for more
The words 'I gave you all a Boy could give'
Ripped, they ripped through my grieving ears
Flashing lights screamed
Puppets were dancing
Help me oblivion?

I need a drink
I slipped on my 'famous' Black Trench Coat
I headed for the door, the night , the biting rain
searching for a bar, searching for anywhere
wanting her. 

Here is the original :

 
GLORIA JONES - Tainted Love

Verse 1
Verse 2
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Sunday 24 May 2015

TRACKS OF THE WEEK 24/05/2015 - Patrick Watson, Fink, Smashing Pumpkins, Everything Everything, Quantic, Shinehead

Five songs that didn't need a gimmick to win us over...



Flycasual:-
Quantic - 'Strike It' feat Shinehead (2015)


Hear meh kno! Dancehall goodness is the order of the week with Quantic featuring Reggae heavyweight, Shinehead and an ode to da 'erb! I'm a big fan of Quantic (aka Will Holland) anyway as he has his musical fingers in many South American pies. But I particularly like when he dabbles in Reggae like he did in Dog with a Rope. This has a great backing with an old skool vibe to it which hooked from the off. It's has been released as a 12' LP with various mixes, including a Quantic Dub version and a rather rude jungle one too by Ghost Writerz . BO!

Listen to it here on Spotify...

Tru Thoughts records...

Shell Hunter:-
Everything Everything - 'Regret' (2015)


When I heard this, I immediately thought 60s! It's got a touch of the Four Seasons to it in my opinion. I've always thought Everything Everything were a little bit mad with some of their previous stuff, in a good way though. I like this, more serious but with a hint of their usual quirk. It's taken from their 3rd album due out next month called Get To Heaven which I may even give a spin to in Spain when I visit Old Pa and Ma. In fact, I think the Spanish are already really into Everything Everything as they seem to name loads of their supermarkets after them. They call them Supermercardo Todo Todo. Todo means everything. Muy bien!

SFW:-
Patrick Watson - Goodnight Mr Wolf (2014)


I'm probably going to contravene the unspoken rule of not posting the same artist within a few weeks however Patrick Watson, and this video in particular, is worth the grief. The track appears on his latest album, Love Songs for Robots, and features the brilliant skating of Killan Martin.  You'll be able to catch Watson at this years Green Man festival in Usk. (Please can I go?)

London Scouser:-
The Smashing Pumpkins - 'Drum and Fife' (2015)



Earlier this week I was doing some overtime and was working in the Arrivals Lounge for the airline I work for. Around 10 am, 5 hours after I'd started shift a guy walked in, looking as knackered as I felt. In the process of checking him in he mentioned he needed some rest as he was playing in the next few days. I'd seen his name before, but wasn't sure if it was through work or his being in a band. I worked out he was in a band as he was dressed all in black and had a diamond encrusted skull ring... Very rock n' roll... I asked who he was playing with and he casually said 'Smashing Pumpkins, oh and also The Killers, I'm at the O2 this week with Brandon Flowers'. He also mentioned Billy was his oldest friend who a few days back had announced that he was going on tour with Marilyn Manson.Well being a huge SP fan from back in the day, I gushed to him as much stating that I loved 'Mellon Collie' and that my all time fave song was Disarm. Whether this impressed him or not I don't know, but I decided straight away to check out their most recent album (Monuments To An Elegy) which I missed when it came out last year. This track with its drum and fife (sounding a little Scottish-ish)was my standout from the first listen and was released back in March. If you were a fan of them at any time, then I definitely recommend you give the album a listen

Old Pa's Corner :-
Fink - Suffering is the Art of Love

 

 Horizonlaism(2015) is the new album by Fink it contains a collection of dub reworkings of cuts off 2014's Hard Believer album! Plus 3 new tracks including this brilliant gem with the fabulous title of Suffering is the Art of Love. We all love Fink at Tune Doctor and this track is up there with their best. Another Track of the Year contender so far. Or at least I fink it is....oh! stop it!!


Listen or even better, subscribe to our tracks of the week playlist here...

3 Comments

Saturday 23 May 2015

Robbie Nevil - C'est La Vie


Saturday Night Jukebox....
Everyone's got a guilty pleasure
My hair is nice....That's right!



Robbie Nevil - 'C'est La Vie' (1986)

Today, 23rd May 2015, will be 14 years since London Scouser and I started officially stepping out. After months of him begging me to go out with him and me saying no but still spending an awful lot of time with him (who was I trying to kid?), I gave in to his nerdish charm.

It was a lovely sunny day, LS suggested we take a drive to Runnymeade and talk a walk by the river. It was so picturesque and none of my previous boyfriends had ever taken me on a date, let alone a romantic one! I was softening....

We walked up to the Harvester restaurant there and whilst we were waiting to be served, I heard music playing from the bar. London Scouser had heard it too and we both started singing the words "C'est la vie, c'est la vie, that's just the way it goes...." It was from one of my favourite albums, Now 9!! We looked at each other and said the next line at the same time, he said "That's life!" and I said what I thought the words were, "That's right!" I always thought of myself as the lyric guru! Oops, I made a boo boo there, he was laughing his head off! I never really put two and two together to work out what it was, seems a bit obvious now, duh! Needless to say, I have never lived it down.

Knowing how well he knew Now 9 must have been the clincher because later that evening after I had dropped him off to play footy with Flycasual, we were speaking on MSN messenger. He tried his luck again probably thinking he had wangled it with such a lovely day, and this time I said yes. We have been together ever since and I know now there is no one better suited for me. Even nerds can get the girl!

Uh, can you pass me a cushion please?

Catch up with more tracks from my Saturday Night Jukebox posts here or playlist below, full of Guilty Pleasures, everyone's got one!


1 Comment

Thursday 21 May 2015

DYLAN COVERS # 192 Nico /The Tallest Man on Earth - I'll Keep it with Mine

If you might think I’m odd


NICO - I'll Keep it with Mine (Live Version)(1982)

Here are two different versions of one of my favourite Dylan songs. The first from Nico is an almost scary take as she either seems pissed or drugged up,(maybe that is a disservice) but nevertheless it is worth hearing. It can be found on her live album Femme Fatale (1982)

The second version is pretty good by The Tallest Man on Earth,  spoiled by people laughing at inappropriate times and obviously not understanding the song. They feel as if they should laugh at the word odd. How very odd indeed. This was recorded at Lincoln Hall in Chicago, May 28, 2010.

 
THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH - I'll Keep it with Mine
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Wednesday 20 May 2015

The Burning Spear - Throw Down Your Arms

OLD PA'S WEDNESDAY CLUB

VERA and NORMAN
THE OFFENDERS

 
THE BURNING SPEAR - Throw Down Your Arms (1977)
 
Vera was my Mother in Law and she was French and did not speak English, my problem was (and still is) I have a mental block when it comes to foreign languages. Well that is not entirely true, I can order a beer in over 20 different languages.
 
Bengali Eka handoiya, doya koray!
Bulgarian Edna beerra, molya!
Catalan Una cervesa, si us plau!
Cheyenne Nok hee-sevo-tamah-peh, mas-eh-met-ah-no!
Chinese Ching gay woh ee bay pee joh!  
 
I particularly like the the Chinese one, you could get into a lot of trouble there if you were not careful.

Vera, like my Dad Norman, did not seem to have any interest in music and I never heard the radio play music when they had it on. They both did not have any records and there was no facilities to play music.

One day I bought a Burning Spear album and was playing it when Vera suddenly got very animated and I worked out that she like the track which was playing, Throw Down Your Arms. It just happened to be one of my favourite reggae track ever and still is. Vera loved this track and I virtually had to put the track on repeat. I played the track many times in the future for her. Oddly enough I never found any other piece of music she was remotely interested in.

My Dad was the same except the first time he heard Albatross by Fleetwood Mac. He just loved it and asked me to get it for him. It was his one and only record.

Finally one little story about Vera. She was watch The Planet of the Apes series in the seventies. She did not understand it but she still liked to watch. It finished and the adverts came on and suddenly Vera piped up, I thought the programme had finished. She got confused with the Brooke Bond advert featuring the Chimps. 
 
I still like to think it was a mistake but I have a sneaky feeling she was playing me.. 

 
FLEETWOOD MAC - Albatross (1970)

PS, I featured this pic before, but it is the only one I have where they both feature.
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Tuesday 19 May 2015

Jim Guthrie - So small

TUESDAY BLUES

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!

Jim Guthrie - So small (2003)

I love having these "where have I been" moments. When you discover an artist that has been around for years but you never knew existed. Well meet Jim Guthrie.  A Canadian singer/songwriter that has influenced people like Arcade Fire, Broke Social Scene and countless others.  Nominated for a Juno award in 2003 and his 2013 solo album Takes Time was long listed for the Polaris Music Prize. I clearly know nothing, but then again, I can say I know now. 

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Monday 18 May 2015

TRACKS OF THE WEEK 17-05-2015 - Hop Along, Terakaft, Fantasma,DJ Yoda, The Prodigy

...five songs for Stevie G




Old Pa's Corner :-
Terakaft - Anabayou (2015)


The band are pioneers of desert blues, they are one of the most well known bands representing a style that has become famous internationally since early 2000 called Tuareg rock. 2 members used to play with Tinariwen.

Here is the track Anabayou which is spot on if you like your Desert Blues. It is from the album Alone (2015)
 
Flycasual:-
Fantasma - 'Basbizile' (2015)


This track's a real head turner. The melange of Hip Hop, electro and traditional Zulu music hitting all my musical tickle spots, making me kick my leg out like a dog getting a tummy rub. These prawns hail from South Africa and feature a quintet of popular DJ's and musicians including Jo'burg rapper and founder, Spoek Mathombo. Their trademark 'Guzu' sound can be found on the excellent album, Free Love, which was out in March.

Soundway Records....

Shell Hunter:-
DJ Yoda - '2468' (2015)


With all the Star Wars hype at the moment it only seems fitting this is my track of the week. You can rest assured it is a lot better than what the actual Yoda might come up with, what with his quirky backwards talk. In the small window I have to listen to new music, this was perfect to welcome the day to with my little squirming babe. From the new album Breakfast Of Champions, it's got a great beat, it's educational and it's got old school Nintendo Game Boy noises too! The sort of musical lift a mum needs in the morning!


SFW:-
Hop Along - The Knock (2015)


Philadelphia pop punk outfit Hop Along are new to me. Lead singer and writer Frances Quinlan’s scratchy, distinctive voice sounds like an angel who has gone off the rails, visualise Gemma Hayes mixed with Kurt Cobain?  Recorded and mixed by John Agneoll (Kurt Vile, Dinosaur Jr., Sonic Youth) this features on their recently released second album, Painted Shut. The albums pretty damn good to.


London Scouser:-
The Prodigy - 'The Day Is My Enemy' (2015)


I recently found an old compilation CD I made in which I committed a musical sin... In that I had 2 tracks by the same artist on it... Its okay though as Shellhunter has since taught me the law. The 2 tracks were 'Girls' & 'Baby's Got A Temper' by The Prodigy, after hearing them again I decided to check out their latest album. The title track immediately stood out for me with its infectious drums and the female vocals, which I recognised the voice but couldn't place her. I have since found out it was 'Tricky's' oft collaborator Martina Topley-Bird. The rest of the album has some bummers but its getting back to their best IMHO. The video I've used is of a live show in Australia so different to the album version, but equally intoxicating.

Listen or even better, subscribe to our tracks of the week playlist here...

3 Comments

Thursday 14 May 2015

DYLAN COVERS # 191 Jimi Hendrix - All Along the Watchtower - Studio Rehersals/Like a Rolling Stone - Newport '69


The Holy Grail

JIMI HENDRIX - All Along the Watchtower - Rehearsals

This is just fabulous, it like finding the Holy Grail of Dylan Covers. It is pretty near a recognised fact that the Electric Ladyland version of All Along the Watchtower is probably the greatest Dylan cover of all time. I would have to agree, it takes a lot of beating. It is the perfect rock record, it has got the lot.

You can play this at my funeral and I will certainly be smiling when the flames come for me.

This can be found on the 6 CD set Naked Ladyland.  Above is a 35 min series of rehearsals showing how they get to the final recording. There is also some more of the same on one of the other discs. This is a must for Hendrix and Dylan fans alike. Absolutely Brilliant.

Added Bonus,  Jimi Plays Live at Newport 1969 Like a Rolling Stone.

JIMI HENDRIX - Like a Rolling Stone - Live Newport '69
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Monday 11 May 2015

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 11/05/15 - Chemical Brothers, Mumford and Sons,Cillie Barnes, Great Lake Swimmers, Tom Russell

...five worthy winners this week




Flycasual:-
The Chemical Brothers - 'Go' feat Q-Tip (2015)



The Chemical Brothers are back with a new album featuring several guests (Cate Le Bon, St Vincent & Beck to name a few) and the single 'Go' features former collaborator, Q-Tip. Apart from the fact that this'll no doubt be the theme to countless fitness montages and the dreadful video (apparently it's about the existentialist misinterpretation of women's freedom of expression in today's society)* it's a great track, the first hit of the summer? Two long term favourites of mine so any doubts are therefore nullified, as I must like it regardless. 'Born in the Echoes' is out on July 17th. 

*no not really, I have no idea what it is about. It's still crap. 

Shell Hunter:-
Mumford And Sons - 'Snake Eyes' (2015)


I would normally shun the likes of safe family listening "Mumford" but gradually over time so many of their songs have grown on me. But hang on, this track doesn't sound anything like them; no banjos (which is a shame as that was what won me over), more guitar based and grown up. The only real give away was the lead vocals and at least those haven't changed otherwise what would be left of the Mumford And Sons signature sound? Their latest album Wilder Mind released on May 4th (Star Wars day) is going a new direction. So fed up of being put in a genre box by their band name and banjos sees them trying to jazz it up a bit. I would like to hear from a die hard Mumford fan to see what they really reckon but for the moment I'm listening.

SFW:-
Cillie Barnes - Facework (2015)
I've been transfixed with this track recently and it's probably due to it sounding like a mash of Bjorks "play dead" meets portishead. Cillie Barnes is actually Singer-songwriter Vanessa Long and it appears on a collection of singles titled Friendly Witch, which was produced by Bright Eye's Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott.


London Scouser:-
Great Lake Swimmers - 'Zero In The City' (2015)


The past couple of weeks, 2 albums have been on my Spotify rotational wheel. Blur's long awaited return and 'A Forest Of Arms' by Canada's Great Lake Swimmers. As good as the former is, the latter has quite literally blown me away. I've seen them described as indie-folk and as sounding similar to Damien Jurado, so two ticks for me. This is the best new (to me at least) band I've heard since 'Hiss Golden Messenger' who really impressed the whole Tune Doctor family last year. Every track on the album is a winner, and I'm predicting a majority vote in favour of at least one track featuring on everyone's #tracksoftheyear.

You heard it hear first (if not the songs, then at least my statement)

Old Pa's Corner :-
Tom Russell - The Rose of Roscrae (2015)

 

Here is the title track of Tom Russell's new concept album The Rose of Roscrae (2015). You can hear the influences here but I just love it. Think Carrifergus and Shennandoh, they shine through, but nevertheless it is pretty good. 



Listen or even better, subscribe to our tracks of the week playlist here...

2 Comments

Friday 8 May 2015

DYLAN COVERS # 190 Meat Loaf/Diana Ross - Forever Young


with a gun in his eye
 
MEAT LOAF - Forever Young (2003)
Well, it is DIVA week, here we have two versions of Forever Young by two top Divas the first is by Meat Loaf who has not really recovered from his brilliant album  Bat out of Hell. The other is by the Diva of all Divas, Diana Ross herself 
The Meat Loaf cover can be found on his album Couldn't Have Said It Better (2003) and the Diana Ross version was on her 1984 album Swept Away.
 
DIANA ROSS - Forever Young (1984)
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Sunday 3 May 2015

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 03/05/15 - Slaves, Ryan Adams, Lau,

Three tracks to welcome a Princess......


Flycasual:-
Slaves - 'Cheer Up London' (2015)



Cheer up London! What a bloody racket!!

Sfw featured the Tonbridge Wells duo at the turn of the year and they've slowly but surely become one of my favourite bands. In fact they're probably one of the best UK bands around. I was fortunate enough to catch a bit of their Latitude set last year with 'White Knuckle Ride' very much a highlight. So with sold out gigs, a busy festival circuit and a growing fan base, they'll be household names in no time, no bovver! They've even blown the budget on the above video. 'Cheer Up London' is taken from the band's forthcoming second album, Are You Satisfied.


 Sfw:-
Ryan Adams - I Do Not Feel Like Being Good (2015)
Ryan Adams has been releasing a number of EPs since last years self-titled album. Some have been great where others haven't been up to the Adams grade. However, this is is bloody good. It was recorded solo-acoustic in a single afternoon and has the feel of Heartbreaker material. It has been released as a 7" single (which interestingly have all sold out) but thankfully is available on spotify for the rest of us!

Old Pa's Corner :-
Lau - Ghosts

Here is a beautiful take of the fabulous song Ghosts by folk group Lau. This is a live version from 2012 but there is a studio version on their new album The Bell That Never Rang (2015).

Sir I was born here
So where would I go? 

Track of the year alert!

Here is the album version you can find in Soundcloud if you can'not wait for my birthday tomorrow. My prezzie to myself tomorrow too.

https://soundcloud.com/tomreveal/06-lau-ghosts-album-version/reposts


Listen or even better, subscribe to our tracks of the week playlist here...

3 Comments

Friday 1 May 2015

DYLAN COVERS #189 Fotheringay - Too Much of Nothing x 3


THE WATERS OF OBLIVION

Here are three different takes of Too Much of Nothing by the short lived Fotheringay, two are live and one is the studio version.

 
FOTHERINGAY - Too Much of Nothing (1970)

Bremen, Germany, 11-28-70.
 
FOTHERINGAY - Too Much of Nothing (1970)
 
Live In Rotterdam / 1970
 
FOTHERINGAY - Too Much of Nothing (1970)

Album Fotheringay (1970)
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