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Abandoned Luncheonette
2008-06-10 13:41:00
I've never seen Hall & Oates' second album Abandoned Luncheonette in a "best albums of all time" list, and I used to study these things closely. But I really think it's one of the best albums of all time. I guess despite recent critical reassessment, Hall & Oates are still associated with the bombast and brazen commerciality of their eighties hits (which I also love). This album has none of that - it is impeccably cool and soulful.It's produced by Arif Mardin who I think also produced A Song For You by Donny Hathaway (see below), amongst many other classics. The musicianship is incredible and the songwriting even more so. The first five songs are flawless, including the only one that's really well known, She's Gone, which features on the current Hall & Oates compilation. The album came out in 1973 and it took three years for She's Gone to become a US hit (it reached no. 7 in 1976). It was their first UK hit the same year, although it only reached no. 42 here. Open...

The re-release of 'Let's Get Lost'
2008-06-06 13:42:00
the classic documentary about the legendary Chet Baker prompts me to post a track from the brilliant album 'Chet Baker Sings'. Of course, Chet made his name as a lyrical trumpet player with a very distinctive, and beautiful, tone. But he also had a fine voice. In the latter stages of his career he sang more than he played trumpet, partly because of problems with his teeth - his trumpet-playing never reached its former heights after his teeth were knocked out in a dispute which was almost certainly drug-related. His trumpet playing on the album is just right, perfectly complementing his voice. Many of the tracks have the melancholic flavour of the one I've chosen but the sound is so great that listening is a far from depressing experience. Many other musicians, amongst them Van Morrison and Elvis Costello, recognised Chet's greatness and not that long before his death Chet contributed a perfect little solo on Elvis's version of 'Shipbuilding'.Chet Baker - It's Always You (iT...
More About: Lost , Release

A Song For You
2008-06-06 03:30:00
Two of my favourite tracks are called A Song For You and it turns out there's a link between the two.First, Gram Parsons again. For me, his four classic compositions are Hot Burrito #1 (AKA I'm Your Toy - see below), Hickory Wind, Return Of The Grievous Angel and A Song For You. Then there's Wild Horses which is credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards but Gram is rumoured to have co-written. There was more than one controvery over credits in Gram's short career as this article about Hickory Wind suggests.The essential Gram Parsons purchases are the Flying Burrito Brothers album Gilded Palace Of Sin, the two Gram Parsons solo albums (on which Emmylou Harris deserved a credit), and the Byrds album Sweetheart Of The Rodeo.Robert Sandall's interview with Emmylou Harris says "The last time they spoke, Parsons phoned (Emmylou) to tell her that her favourite track from their recent sessions had been left off the Grievous Angel album but would definitely feature on the next". What w...

Talking of Gram Parsons.......
2008-06-04 22:19:00
I first heard of him when I bought and was absolutely bowled over by Elvis Costello's album 'Almost Blue'. Elvis recorded it in Nashville, I think, with some local musicians added to the Attractions. Every track on the album was a country cover and the LP cover carried a sticker which famously said: "WARNING: This album contains country & western music and may cause offence to narrow minded listeners." The most memorable track, for me, was Gram 's immortal 'Hot Burrito #1' (sensibly renamed 'I'm Your Toy' - never was a sublime song more ridiculously titled). When I finally caught up with Gram's own version with, of course, the Flying Burrito Brothers, I had to accept that the original was better, if only for the heartbreaking cracking of his voice at crucial stages, but Elvis gives him a run for his money. More of Gram perhaps when my son posts his own take on this seminal artist - and more of Emmylou when the new album is finally released. It's been delayed but I've ...
More About: Talking , Parsons , Gram Parsons

Emmylou Harris was just interviewed in the Times
2008-06-04 12:38:00
The piece mostly focuses on how attractive she is for a 61 year old, and Gram Parsons.Still, at least this gives me a chance to post Boulder To Birmingham, one of my all-time favourites and surely one of the saddest songs of all-time (if you've read the Times article you will be able to hazard a guess at what the lyrics are about).My dad introduced me to Boulder To Birmingham and he's going to see Emmylou live on her current tour. He also has her new album so will hopefully post something from that, if it's great.Boulder To Birmingham was written by Emmylou and Bill Danoff. Bill's other credits include Take Me Home Country Roads, a smash for John Denver and Hermes House Party (I will resist the temptation to include a Hermes House Party track on the same thread as Boulder To Birmingham, but I must do a John Denver post and a Gram Parsons post before long).Emmylou Harris - Boulder To Birmingham (iTunes)
More About: The Times

"The United States sponsored the rise of the Third Reich"
2008-06-04 11:40:00
Immortal Technique is playing at the Coronet in London tonight and I'm going.He often raps about conspiracy theories, although he doesn't like that term as he explains on The Cause Of Death. But almost every line here outlines a new conspiracy theory or alarming fact. It's powerful in its relentlessness, and listening to it reminds me of watching the conspiracy theory film Zeitgeist. Alarming, thought-provoking, extremely misguided in places, but you have to admire the passion, anger and desire to educate the listener - all of which are conspicuously absent from so much of today's hip hop music.Immortal Technique - The Cause Of Death (iTunes)
More About: United States , Sponsored , United , States , The United States

Golden Silvers and back in black
2008-06-02 18:16:00
There seems to be a nice buzz building on Golden Silvers in the London music industry. One of their songs stands head and shoulders above the others I've heard and of course it's the ballad, Fade To Black .Black has been a big theme in music in the past few years. When you read that, perhaps you don't immediately think of Burn The Black Suit by Juliet Turner or Raude by Black Rose - but you should!Juliet is an Irish singer songwriter and Burn The Black Suit should have been a huge hit. She has a new album out soon, I see from her website.I thought Black Rose were extremely obscure (their album is hard to find in the UK) but this website, where you can buy their downloads, tells me they are "without a doubt the most popular Fijian group in the Pacific". Raude is such a great noise and so infectious.Golden Silvers - Fade To Black (nothing on iTunes yet) Juliet Turner - Burn The Black Suit (iTunes)Black Rose - Raude (not on iTunes or Amazon but try the website above or FijiShop.com)
More About: Back

Another Lost Album, Another Spectacular TOTP Performance
2008-05-25 14:47:00
Leo Sayer's debut album 'Silverbird' was full of good tracks and showed off his distinctive voice and unusual vocal range to excellent effect. His TOTP debut was even more striking (and happily some helpful person has put it on YouTube - not the original, I think, but very close in spirit). This was, of course, in the days when there were only two or three channels and everyone was talking about this guy in the clown suit and his mesmerizing performance. Since then he's had a well-documented decline, with occasional rediscoveries, but he has written and performed some memorable songs and I wouldn't bet against another comeback at some point.Leo Sayer - The Show Must Go On (YouTube) (iTunes) Leo Sayer - Silverbird (not on iTunes so here's an Amazon link)
More About: Lost , Performance , Album , Spectacular

my all-time favourite Eurovision entry
2008-05-25 14:26:00
Mocedades - Eres Tú (iTunes)
More About: Time , Eurovision , Entry

Jimmy Cliff just performed one of my favourite songs of all time on Later
2008-05-24 01:08:00
If you are not down with the Jools noodly piano version, fear not - here is the classic original.It's one of those songs that many people have covered, and it should be easy to cover, on paper, but in reality nothing comes close to matching Jimmy 's version.Jimmy Cliff - Many Rivers To Cross (iTunes)
More About: Songs , Time

Michael Runion
2008-05-21 14:01:00
I'm excited about seeing Michael Runion play in London in the next few days. His dates are on his MySpace site.Michael has made a really good album with shades of Ryan Adams and Jack Johnson. This is my favourite track, not least thanks to a lyrical theme that has inspired a few great songs including My Ship Is Coming In and This Will Be Our Year.Michael Runion - Our Time Will Come (nothing on iTunes yet)The Zombies - This Will Be Our Year (iTunes)The Walker Brothers - My Ship Is Coming In (iTunes)

Does Martha Wainwright sound like Kate Bush to you????
2008-05-19 14:29:00
She does to me, at least on a couple of the tracks on her new album. That's not necessarily a bad thing I suppose - as long as she doesn't make a habit of it. Although KB is one of those artists who deserves some credit for originality, I think her voice would get intensely irritating if you listened to more than a track at a time. See what you think by comparing the Martha track with Kate 's stunning second single, which she performed on TOTP while doing the weirdest swinging round dance. Martha's voice is actually much more versatile - listen to her singing two great standards (as part of Rufus's Judy Garland tribute) on YouTube.Martha Wainwright - tower song (iTunes for the album) Stormy Weather(YouTube) Someone To Watch Over Me(YouTube)Kate Bush - Wow (iTunes)
More About: Sound

Send In The Clowns
2008-05-19 13:13:00
They don't write them like this anymore, despite the best efforts of whoever wrote Take A Bow for Rihanna.There's a Nothing But The Best of Sinatra compilation out this week but Send In The Clowns didn't make it on there (well, there's a lot to choose from with Sinatra).Frank Sinatra - Send In The Clowns (there's only a very strange live version on iTunes)

The Ting Tings are no. 1 in the UK so here's a track from their previous ou
2008-05-19 13:10:00
Dear Eskiimo - Jo (not on iTunes but some of their tracks are)
More About: Track , The Ting Tings

Neil Diamond
2008-05-13 12:27:00
So Rick Rubin continues to "do a Johnny Cash" on Neil Diamond . I'm not totally convinced this is playing to Neil's strengths but I'm in favour of anything that gets him the credit he deserves as one of the great pop songwriters and performers.Here's an oldie that's ripe for revival (it's practically a dance record already thanks to that kick drum).Neil Diamond - Forever In Blue Jeans (iTunes)

Scooter have the no. 1 album in the UK today
2008-05-12 18:05:00
Edith Bowman played a track on Radio 1 then slagged it off even though it sounded rather good. As I haven't worked out what that track is, here's my favourite Scooter oldie Friends, available with the new album along with 19 of their best tracks on a bonus disc.Scooter - Friends (iTunes)
More About: Today , Album

If only all remixes were as creative and musical as this
2008-05-10 00:02:00
Justice - Stress (Auto Remix) (not on iTunes)
More About: Creative , Musical , Remixes

It's just like discovering a lost Beatles album
2008-05-03 13:14:00
Like most people, I guess, 'She's Not There' was really the only track that came to mind when people mentioned the Zombies. It is a very memorable song. A few years ago I heard Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent talking on the radio and this prompted me to seek out a Colin Blunstone album. It quickly became a favourite and this track showcases his very distinctive voice. But I knew nothing about 'Odessey and Oracle' until my son mentioned that they were reforming the original line-up to play the whole album live for the first time ever (the band broke up even before it was originally released). He sent me the album and got us tickets for the show. Both were great. You can see why it is often described as a classic album - there's not a duff track on it and some of the songs are indeed up there with the best of the Beatles ' stuff. You really do need to listen to the whole album but the striking opener, with its unusual story-angle, makes a reasonable taster.Colin Blunstone - Say ...
More About: Lost , Album

I assumed that my son must have known this...
2008-04-24 10:16:00
but I discovered a while ago that I'd never played it to him. This Roy Orbison song was the first record that really meant anything to me. Interestingly, the 45 was a ?double A-side? - ?Running Scared? and ?Love Hurts?. ?Love Hurts? is a haunting, distinctive song which becomes quiet background music through much of your life (and then you discover the version by Gram Parsons and Emmylou). ?Running Scared? is something else again, the consummate story song, packed with narrative power, building to its magnificent, orgasmic denoument, which, time after time after time - and I?ve been listening to it for fifty years - knocks you into the middle of next week. The point at which the bass rhythm enters and carries the song and the listener forward and upwards is extraordinary. The words build, the story builds, the music builds. So much of the pain and joy of human relationships in a pop song lasting two minutes twelve seconds. And perhaps the most amazing thing about the song - Orbison...

I?ve never been totally sure about the Proclaimers -
2008-04-23 16:37:00
some great songs, always at least interesting, often quite original, yet for me there?s something very slightly creepy about them, e.g. 'She Arouses Me So' (too much information?). However, this is a brilliant track and the perfect answer to the current publicity given to those who refuse to see the benefits of immigration. If only there were a similar song about England. Anyone know one?The Proclaimers - Scotland's Story (not on iTunes)

Bruce Springsteen is playing live in London soon
2008-04-22 15:12:00
I turned down the opportunity to go and now I'm having pangs of regret. I have seen him once before at the Royal Albert Hall but that was acoustic, and it was before I knew his catalogue well.But I've seen so many legends way past their peak - would this be another disappointment? He hasn't written a great song since Streets Of Philadelpia (or if he has, I missed it).Anyway, here are the two tracks that gave me those pangs of regret.I very much approve of this phenomenon of the likes of Todd Terje and Cousin Cole taking classic tracks and adding a few little synth noises and tweaks for the dancefloor rather than radically remixing.As for Thunder Road, "Ladies and gentlemen, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band"... if only this were 1975!This post can also stand in tribute to Clive Davis, the man who told Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and many others to write him a hit. I can live without Lay Lady Lay but we should all be grateful for Born To Run.Bruce Springsteen - I'm On Fire...
More About: London , Live

Chris de Burgh's time will come again
2008-04-22 13:53:00
If Supertramp can come back into fashion then Chris de Burgh will sooner or later, right?There is a new CdeB compilation released in the UK this week. Included on there aremy two favourites - Much More Than This which I've written about previously, and Borderline. Borderline has a topical lyric about deciding between going away to fight for your country and staying with your lover. The Borderline sequel Say Goodbye To It All is also on there (more songs should have sequels).Chris de Burgh - Borderline (iTunes)
More About: Time

Ludacris vs Born Slippy
2008-04-22 03:14:00
Ludacris is one of my favourite rappers (or he was back at the start of the millennium anyway).Born Slippy is one of my favourite records of all time.How could I resist a combination of the two?Yes, the chord does eventually change and when that happens it is of course the high point of the track.Thanks to my new favourite blog Burnt Waffles for the link.Ludacris - Ultimate Satisfaction (Cabin Bwoy Refix) (not on iTunes so here's a link to buy the original Born Slippy)
More About: Ludacris

really beautiful track from Sweden that I found via Popjustice
2008-04-18 04:16:00
shades of Jeff Buckley and they know how to write a good tune in Sweden the album is lovely and available from iTunes now, without DRMMoto Boy - Ride My Wild Heart (iTunes)
More About: Beautiful , Track

Very honoured to be invited (see below).
2008-04-12 10:35:00
I would have to say that in recent years I?ve learned just as much about great music from him as he may have done previously from me. I?m afraid, by the way, that my version of the Bunny Berigan intro is a very simplified one but I like to think I?ve caught the spirit of it. Mention of Humphrey Lyttleton?s ?Best of Jazz? and its recent demise prompts me to draw attention to one of the best recordings he ever played - one to which he returned from time to time. I don?t know anything about Marion Williams or whether she recorded much else, but even if she didn?t the power and excitement of this one track is a greater achievement than the whole output of many other artists. Here also is another great Humph favourite (apparently made it onto the playlist for his very final programme that I sadly missed) which is similarly gospel based, and equally memorable with a tinge of 'tailgate' trombone humour - it just wouldn?t be the same on any other instrument.(Dads generally have more troub...

a new poster on The World's Greatest Music
2008-04-09 04:04:00
I've decided to introduce a new poster on The World's Greatest Music - my dad.My dad was the first influence on my music taste, and possibly the biggest. Before I listened to any contemporary music, I listened to his record collection. It was an impeccable musical education - The Beatles, Buddy Holly, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, Chris Barber, Joni Mitchell, Motown Chartbusters, Jimmy Cliff... (the last few might have been my mum's but still).I inherited his predilection for recording shows off the radio and making up cassettes of the best tracks (I did it with Mark Radcliffe's Out On Blue 6, John Peel and Mark Goodier's Evening Session; he did it with Jazz Record Requests and Humphrey Lyttelton's The Best Of Jazz, which sadly came to an end recently).It was only a matter of time before we both started mp3 blogging.Also, he can pretty much replicate Bunny Berigan's awesome intro to I Can't Get Started on the trumpet.Bunny Berigan - I Can't Get Started...
More About: Poster

RIP Sean Levert
2008-04-04 03:39:00
Sean was in LeVert with his better known brother Gerald. LeVert's track Casanova is a classic.LeVert - Casanova (not on iTunes except for a karaoke version)
More About: Sean

"If I only knew your name, I'd go from door to door"
2008-03-28 03:23:00
I heard Ciara Haidar cover this at the weekend. What a great song, and one that I vaguely knew - surely a classic '80s hit for someone like The Bangles or Cyndi Lauper, I thought.But no, it turns out it's the current single by the Mystery Jets featuring Laura Marling.I love it when I group I had written off come up with something really great (when I say "love" I obviously mean "grudgingly accept").Someone has to cover this and make it a hit.Mystery Jets feat. Laura Marling - Young Love (iTunes)
More About: Door

Herman Dune, Jonathan Richman and Paul Simon
2008-03-24 02:41:00
Herman Dune played a lovely set at SXSW with Kimya Dawson joining him to sing vocals on a couple of songs including I Wish That I Could See You Soon. A very endearing song from a very endearing artist, although the lyric about spooning is a bit much.I Wish That I Could See You Soon is clearly inspired by Jonathan Richman, and my favourite Jonathan Richman song is I Was Dancing In The Lesbian Bar.I can also hear shades of Late In The Evening in I Wish That I Could See You Soon. Late In The Evening is the opening and best remembered track from Paul Simon 's 1980 album One Trick Pony. The album has been slated by critics, perhaps more because of the film of the same name than the music (see also Parade by Prince). The critics are wrong. The album is great from beginning to end and is probably Paul Simon 's best after Graceland.Herman Dune - I Wish That I Could See You Soon (iTunes)Jonathan Richman - I Was Dancing In The Lesbian Bar (iTunes)Paul Simon - Late In The Evening (iTunes)

Black Kids video for I'm Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance Wit
2008-03-21 06:34:00
I'm just posting this because I like the track and I love the lyric but I never got round to saying that here, and it would look hopelessly late if I posted the mp3 now, right?
More About: Video , Kids , Dance , Boyfriend , Black