Five for Friday Showing 601-650 of 1,620

[Nigeyb]

So my pop picking Hamiltonians chums I do believe it's Friday and that can mean only one thing....



We are obliged to get this here weekend off to the best possible start with "Five for Friday". Hey ho let's go...

Just when I think I won't stumble across another killer track in 2014 here's LoneLady. She's back with a stunning tune which augers well for her second album due in 2015....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlFe8...
LoneLady - Groove It Out

I was musing the other day how The Human League demonstrated impeccable taste in their choice of cover versions which include You've Lost That Loving Feeling, Nightclubbing, Rock N Roll Part 1 and of course this stunner from Mick Ronson. Obviously no one could match the genius of the original, not even The League...

Mick Ronson - Only After Dark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_4Pp...

Old Mungo Jerry are not just about "In The Summertime", no Sir, they put out a few other splendid tunes including the timeless Alright Alright Alright

Mungo Jerry - Alright Alright Alright
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOXaq...

It's been too long since I laid a bit of Luke Haines on you. Here's the genius "Off My Rocker At The Art School Bop" a tune I think we can all relate to..

Luke Haines - Off My Rocker At The Art School Bop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFwlS...

And, talking of tunes we can all relate to, this one goes out to all of us Cadillac owners...

Hot Chocolate - Heaven Is In The Back Seat Of My Cadillac
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShMTu...

Here's to a top notch weekend.

All the vids here...
http://nigeyb.tumblr.com/post/1055985...

[David]

Nigeyb wrote: "So my pop picking Hamiltonians chums I do believe it's Friday and that can mean only one thing....

We are obliged to get this here weekend off to the best possible start with "Five for Friday". ..."

Yes! The best Mungo Jerry single of all, Nigey. I was playing that very song in a covers band around the dancehalls of NE Scotland in 1974.

Entirely at random...

Nobody in my life is getting away with not hearing this, from the magnificent and endearing Memphis Dawls whose CD is on my review list just now. There aren't enough singing cellists these days, I find. Supreme country soul, my home territory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPZ_X...

Two weeks ago, I had the privilege of breathing the same air as Petunia, the nearest I will ever get, I am certain, to hearing what Hank Williams live must have sounded like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRl_B...

Review here: http://flyinshoes.ning.com/profiles/b...

More country soul? Certainly. Perth (Scotland) country stalwarts The New Madrids were in town this week, and Shine A Light is one of the highlights of an always-marvellous set.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvNC3...

iPo shuffle yesterday turned up this. Mighty Like A Rose is an extremely underrated Elvis Costello album and this is a standout track. Apparently its paint-stripping lyrics are about ex-bassist Bruce Thomas's book in which he is scathing, in thinly-disguised fictional terms, about a band leader with whom he worked...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnSfV...

A seasonal song? Oh, OK then. Always forgotten when Slade, Wizzard and The Crystals are on rotation everywhere, is Pete's masterpiece from Tommy...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BWiY...

The impending weekend will continue until Monday 5 January. Be excellent to each other, Hamiltonian brothers and sisters.

[Nigeyb]

^ Wonderful countrified selections + The Who's Christmas cracker.


David wrote: "The impending weekend will continue until Monday 5 January."

^ You don't do things by halves David.

David wrote: "Be excellent to each other, Hamiltonian brothers and sisters."

^ Seconded.

Now then, for those that may be of a mind to join in, I am poised to post a few of my favourite albums of 2014.

Watch this space.

[Susan]

It is not Friday, but, on a sad note, Joe Cocker died yesterday.

I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a great 2015. I have enjoyed your company this year and many thanks to Nigeyb for all his enthusiasm and kindness, which is much appreciated by us all.

[Nigeyb]

^ thanks Susan



Season's greetings to you all - enjoy the next few days whatever you're doing

[Susan]

Yes, hope everyone has fun. I took my kids to see Matilda yesterday and really enjoyed it. Whatever festivities you are up to - enjoy.

[Miss M]

Happy holidays, Hamiltonians - hope you're sharing a great time with loved ones and friends, wherever you may be.

[Nigeyb]

Happy new year Hamiltonians. Here's hoping we all enjoy a happy and healthy 2015. I'll be back tomorrow with the first Five for Friday of the new year.

[Nigeyb]

Happy new year - here's to another 12 months of wonderful music and to kickstart the first weekend of 2015 here's five top tunes for Friday 2nd January 2015.



As you know, before the Midge Ure years Ultravox! were lead by John Foxx and made many brilliant tunes including...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayx8m...
Ultravox! - The Wild, The Beautiful And The Damned

You probably don’t need me to tell you that Suzi Quatro’s 1973 debut album is one of the greats from the Glam Rock era. Her run of early hits all came from the Chinnichap pen however, away from the hits Suzi and Len Tuckey were able to write a few tracks and record some great cover versions including this cover of probably the greatest British rock n roll song of them all….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q2ry...
Suzi Quatro - Shakin’ All Over

Have you ever noticed what good songs The Fall choose to cover? And then how they invariably create great versions too. "Victoria" is a case in point - it really beefs up the original to create something recognisable but different and every bit as good....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4Vdc...
The Fall - Victoria

One of the treats I have in store for Jan 2015 is viewing the Edwyn Collins DVD "The Possibilities Are Endless". I've always loved Edwyn and his recent triumph over his terrible illness makes him even more of a hero.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx5nn...
Orange Juice - Blue Boy

And finally, another long-time favourite band, The Lemonheads with one of their many classics....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOMKe...
The Lemonheads - Confetti

Here's to a happy and healthy 2015 Hamiltonians - and have a great weekend

http://nigeyb.tumblr.com/post/1068976...

[Susan]

Happy New Year to everyone - let's hope it is happy, healthy and full of great books and music.

[Nigeyb]

It's tha time again Hamiltonians.



I am so pleased that the early Simple Minds albums are getting reappraised and recognised as innovative and groundbreaking work. They really were pioneers and those first five albums still sound fresh and original. Here's a tune that I have had on heavy rotation over the last week....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwtrS...
Simple Minds - Thirty Frames a Second

Not remotely hip but one I've always enjoyed. Great pop is frequently nonsense and no more so than the wonderful rhymes in the chorus of Cath...

Cath woah woah
It takes a lot to make me laugh woah woah
You led me up the garden path woah woah
It takes a lot to make me laugh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pdQl...
The Bluebells - Cath

I love songs that reference The Fall. With that in mind the new Luke Haines album looks stunning. "Adventures In Dementia - A Micro Opera" is described thus...

What happens when a Mark E. Smith impersonator has his holiday ruined by Skrewdriver?

Let Luke Haines and Scott King reveal all…

However I digress, for now let's consider the idea of a Southern Mark Smith courtesy of Pat Fish aka The Jazz Butcher...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j0Ww...
The Jazz Butcher - Southern Mark Smith (Big Return)

"Carnival Of Light" by Ride is one of the numerous albums that completely passed me by when it release but which, in the intervening years, I have learnt to love. I always had a soft spot for Ride but surely this album is their masterpiece...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQKrp...
Ride - 1000 Miles

And finally, and as I've just finished the wonderful Viv Albertine book, here's The Slits...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHqxL...
The Slits - So Tough

It's about Sid Vicious, but you probably knew that already.

Have a great weekend.

All the vids here...
http://nigeyb.tumblr.com/post/1075247...

[Nigeyb]

It's flipping well Friday again. Let's get the party started....



Here's something to blow away the cobwebs and it's fresher than fresh. "The Hunter" by Kent-based duo Slaves...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmtU-...
Slaves - The Hunter

Now let's wind the clock back to the 1980s and one of Big Audio Dynamite's finest tunes....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPrPN...
Big Audio Dynamite - The Globe

And staying in the 1980s, here's an indietastic classic...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ucz1...
The June Brides - Every Conversation

Winding the clock back even further, here's Jackie Lee, just known as Jacky for this release, the completely wonderful theme to the television show "White Horses"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtCNb...
Jacky - White Horses

And finally, I have no idea how this Tony Visconti produced American-Spanish glam flamenco band have passed me by until now. Better late than never. The album, "Fandagos In Space" is magnificent. Here's Bulerias from 1973...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxCGT...
Carmen - Bulerias

Have a great weekend Hamiltonians.

http://nigeyb.tumblr.com/post/1082379...

[Greg]

Carmen - Bulerias. Bravo! Nigeyb. I don't know if they're taking the piss, but that sure takes the cake. Absolutely fabulous. Thanks for that. Can we add a new word to the English language? - Glamenco! ole. "Fandangos In Space". Hawkwind take heed.

A good start to the weekend.

[Nigeyb]

^ Glamenco - love it :-))


Thanks Greg

[Nigeyb]

Another weekend and here's another five to put a spring in your step, some lead in your pencil, and inspire you to reposition your hat at at the jauntiest of angles.



And, as a man who loves a cover version, here's five favourites.

First up it's those Belgian synth wizards Telex and their version of "Ca Plane Pour Moi"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sD_os...
Telex - Ca Plane Pour Moi

Last week's inclusion of "White Horses" by Jacky inspired some comment and reminiscing. How about this cover by the Kitchens of Distinction? I'm saying it's marginally better than the cover by the Trash Can Sinatras. What about you?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4yyr...
Kitchens of Distinction - White Horses

I can't tell you anything about Rockers Hi Fi except that Rockers Hi Fi is a great name. I came across their version of Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" on a compilation I bought many years ago called "Abstract Funk Theory". I loved it then and I still love it now....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsQqf...
Rockers Hi Fi - Sunshine of Your Love

Another all time favourite is this version of "Walk On By" by The Stranglers...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEBmE...
The Stranglers - Walk On By

I could do a five based purely on great covers of songs by The Rolling Stones. There are so many great ones to choose from however here's one that always sounds wonderful...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jadvt...
Devo - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

Here's to a splendid weekend.

Over and out.

http://nigeyb.tumblr.com/post/1089009...

[David]

Inspirational as ever, Nigey. I have the day off to complete reviews to meet a magazine deadline, so will offer something up later. Possibly 5 tracks from Roughnecks + Roustabouts.

[Nigeyb]

Too kind Sir



David wrote: "5 tracks from Roughnecks + Roustabouts"

Works for me

Good luck with your deadline.

[Nigeyb]

^ Very good albeit very faithful to the Jackie Lee original

[David]

Five CD reviews submitted. A track from each, or as near as I can find...

From Eliana Cargnelutti's Ruf Records debut Electric Woman, a nice take on Warren Haynes's 'Soulshine'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PSFy...

Belfast belles Wookalily strut their way through 'Banjo Blues' from All The Waiting While. Lovely. The difference between a banjo and a blues harp? With the harp, you only suck on every second note.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZeMu...

Last year's Blues Caravan (Ruf Records revue) CD and DVD is on release next week. Here Laurence, Christina and Albert tear up Further On Up The Road which isn't on either the audio or video release.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mhyt...

Girls With Guitars first went out on the Blues Caravan in 2011 and all three artists have had success since. Here's the 2015 incarnation, with Eliana again, Sadie Johnson and Heather Crosse. The studio album's pretty good, largely free of all that macho male guitar posturing nonsense. That is A Very Good Thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQJZU...

And, finally, one I may have posted before, but The Memphis Dawls' Rooted In The Bone is a magnificent album, and this is the absolute standout track. Country soul is my catnip. When was the last time you saw a cellist singing soul? Holly, Jana and Krista, I love you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPZ_X...

To the weekend with all haste then, via Waterstones for me to pick up the Lewisholn Beatles book.

Make it worthwhile, friends.

[Nigeyb]

^ Plenty to investigate there. Thanks David.

[Nigeyb]

I've been enjoying Steve Harley's back catalogue over the last couple of weeks and especially the first two albums by Cockney Rebel (quite possibly the best name for a Glam Rock band ever). The debut, The Human Menagerie, is a decadent cabaret of a thing, whilst the follow, The Psychomodo, takes us to a circus hosted by Papa Lazarou.

"I've been losing my head, I've been losing my way, I've been losing my brain cells at a million a day, I'm so disillusioned I'm on suicide street..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUBhh...
Cockney Rebel - The Psychomodo

Yes, Eddie Cochran. Yes, Sid Vicious. However I'm saying it's Johnny Moped who really taps into the essence of "Something Else"....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zKhe...
Johnny Moped - Something Else

And here's one that is fresh off the press, The New Southern Electrikk, and their splendid track "Brown Eyes". It says here that "Brown Eyes"is released on Louder Than War Records, digitally on Feb 14th 2015 with a vinyl release in March 2015. It's blimming lovely...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsRbt...
The New Southern Electrikk - Brown Eyes

Sometimes all you need is a bit of basic, no nonsense boogie, and that's what this song delivers in spades.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae829...
ZZ Top - Gimme All Your Lovin'

And finally, one of the greatest pop songs of all time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98P-g...
Electric Light Orchestra - Mr.Blue Sky

Right playmates, that's your five for this Friday.

Have a fine weekend Hamiltonians.

http://nigeyb.tumblr.com/post/1095598...

[Susan]

Thanks Nigeyb. Have a great weekend too - stay warm!

[Nigeyb]

Happy Friday chums



Here's an all time favourite to kick things off

Number fifty-four,
The house with the bamboo door,
Bamboo roof and bamboo walls,
They've even got a bamboo floor...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbRcq...
Andy Williams – House of Bamboo

I keep meaning to keep an ongoing list of new albums that I am particularly enjoying. One of those would be the sumptuous new album by Natalie Prass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Mgad...
Natalie Prass – My Baby Don't Understand Me

After that sublime slice of country soul it's back to an ongoing obsession with the world of Glam. I'm finally poised to finish "Children Of The Revolution" by Dave Thompson which I heartily recommend as a crash course for the ravers. Here's one of the greatest tracks of the era...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrm2N...
The Glitter Band – Angel Face

^ Their first two albums "Hey!" and "Rock n Roll Dudes" are well worth getting your mitts on.

And talking of all things glam-tastic, I still cannot believe it's taken me this long to properly listen to the first two albums by Cockney Rebel which are right up there with the very best. Stunning stuff. Still the same could be said of Sparks (except I bought their first two albums as a young lad). Here's Bed In The Corner...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmwSi...
Cockney Rebel – Bed in the Corner

And finally, and just to prove I don't live my entire life wallowing in the sounds of 1970-76, here's another stonkingly good new release from the always reliable Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, and this time produced by the always reliable Mick Jones. It's another wonderful 2015 album...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ASLW...
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis – Baby Bye Bye

Have a wonderful weekend.

All the vids here...
http://nigeyb.tumblr.com/post/1102361...

[Nigeyb]

Happy Friday Hamiltonians. Here's five tunes to kick start your weekend.



I've been enjoying Richard Strange's excellent memoir "Strange: Punks and Drunks and Flicks and Kicks" this week. That sent me on a trip into Richard's back catalogue including The Doctors Of Madness and this, the title track from "The Phenomenal Rise Of Richard Strange"...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KN8R...
Richard Strange - The Phenomenal Rise Of Richard Strange

I'm also still loving a foray into the highway and byways of Glam, as I am still filled with enthusiasm following my completion of the splendid "Children of The Revolution" by Dave Thompson.

Whilst not Glam here's a track he put me on to and, according to him, the last great track by Steve Harley released in 1979...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-Ed7...
Steve Harley - Freedom's Prisoner

Here's another one that some might argue is not Glam but is undeniably entwined to the era, I'm saying the Rollers' hits stand the test of time remarkably well. We'll not see their like again eh...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta5ht...
Bay City Rollers - Remember (Sha La La La)

Changing tack completely I've been revisiting some of Bill Nelson's work over the last week or so. "Revolt Into Style" leapt out of the speakers and had me dancing like a loon. Sounding better than ever...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p2p1...
Bill Nelson's Red Noise - Revolt Into Style

And finally, and to wind things down a bit, I am still awash with images and music from the splendid BBC4 documentary on Kraftwerk a couple of weeks ago which reminded me just how much I love their music. Here's one I've been playing a lot over the last week or so...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVz_Y...
Kraftwerk - Franz Schubert

Have a great weekend.

http://nigeyb.tumblr.com/post/1108024...

[Susan]

My weekend starts early, as my kids have today off school. Have fun everyone and enjoy your weekend.

[Greg]

Five from a favourite band since 1966. The Loved Ones were an Australian band. The lead singer, Gerry Humphreys had a unique voice. Humphreys was born in London in 1943 and moved to Australia aged 15. He died in London aged 62.

The Loved One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huvNE...

Everlovin' Man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ajdqk...

Magic Box
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOx75...

Sad Dark Eyes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0UjH...

Blueberry Hill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLWvF...

Cheers, have a great weekend.

[Nigeyb]

After watching the wonderful "20,000 Days On Earth", it has to be this song by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds to kick things off...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzTCb...
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Push the Sky Away

And with a date with the Jesus and Mary Chain, on Monday night, performing "Psychocandy" them this feels like an appropriate second track...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EgB_...
Jesus and Mary Chain - Just Like Honey

February is shaping up to be a very fine month in terms of new music, especially as it includes another splendid new album by JD McPherson. Let the good times roll indeed....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wLRZ...
JD McPherson - Let the good times roll

And what is making February even better still is new music from The Wave Pictures. Here's the epic "I Could Hear The Telephone (3 Floors Above Me)"...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PDkm...
The Wave Pictures - I Could Hear The Telephone (3 Floors Above Me)

Finally, I've been enjoying a delve into the back catalogue of Mr Bill Nelson of late, here's "Everyday Feels like Another New Drug" from Chimera and, y'know what, he's right, Everyday Feels like Another New Drug...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdWG0...
Bill Nelson - Everyday Feels like Another New Drug

Have a great weekend.

All the vids here...
http://nigeyb.tumblr.com/post/1115067...

[Nigeyb]

It's (nearly) Friday and here's this week's five...



Having recently finished David Byrne's splendid book "How Music Works", I was reminded about just what a ground breaking album "My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts" was. An absolute classic and one of the earliest examples of using samples and found voices.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIypO...
David Byne and Brian Eno - America Is Waiting

Yes, "The Story Of The Blues", of course, but lest we forget "Sinful" is also a pop classic too. Y'know what? It's sinful...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VDUR...
Pete Wylie - Sinful

It's finally arrived. I refer of course to "The Race For Space" the new album by Public Service Broadcasting.

My favourite track so far is "Go!" (and it's rather wonderful accompanying video)...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHIo6...
Public Service Broadcasting - Go!

I've just started reading "Talent is an Asset" a book about Sparks which has inspired me to listen to all their albums as I read about them. Here's an early classic detailing the problems the narrator has with his parents' lingering wartime attitudes over his German girlfriend...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdCDu...
Sparks - Girl From Germany

And finally a classical tune that never fails to hit the spot. I strongly associate it with "Badlands", but then it turned up again in "True Romance", another wonderful film. I love it and never tire of listening to it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlIHR...
Carl Orff - Gassenhauer

Have a great weekend.

http://nigeyb.tumblr.com/post/1121552...

[Nigeyb]

Can you Adam and Believe it? Friday again. Let's celebrate in the only way we know how. Here's some of that sweet rock n roll music to get you in the mood.

First up, and a gentle start, here's a welcome visit from HRH King Tubby and some Zion Gate Dub.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKlXb...
King Tubby – Zion Gate Dub

I've finally had a chance to give "Citizen Zombie", the new album released by The Pop Group in late February, a proper listen and it's predictably wonderful. Here's S.O.P.H.I.A., assume nothing, deny everything....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98M7Z...
The Pop Group – S.O.P.H.I.A.

My Sparks Fest continues with a vengeance and it occurs to me that "I Can't Believe That You Would Fall For All The Crap In This Song" which is something that has also occurred to the Mighty Maels. From "Exotic Creatures of the Deep" this is a big fat slab of electro glam that makes me very happy and with hints of Goldfrapp which is, of course, a very good thing....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_f9b...
Sparks – I Can't Believe That You Would Fall For All The Crap In This Song

As I write this, the sun is shining which makes me think of Summer which makes me think of The Beach Boys so here's a tune from them, albeit not one of their Summer anthems, but still a tune that always makes me smile. Brian Wilson's tribute to US chat show legend Johnny Carson. Don't you think he's such a natural guy? Even though the network makes him break his back

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q65vG...
The Beach Boys - Johnny Carson

And finally here's a bracing tune to leave you on a high..."Take Me Out", really Take Me Out. Now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhCXA...
Franz Ferdinand – Take Me Out

Have a great weekend.

http://nigeyb.tumblr.com/post/1128664...

[Nigeyb]

Hurrah it's Friday and that can only mean one thing....



Here's yer five...

I’ve been enjoying the new Ghostpoet album rather a lot. I’m not convinced it’s as good as the first one however there are some great tunes on it and I love his voice and his lyrics. Here’s “X Marks The Spot”....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OmtR...
Ghostpoet - X Marks The Spot

Somewhat surprisingly I have been revisiting a lot of Trip Hop in the last couple of weeks and that took me back to the wonderful "Rebirth of Cool" compilations. Here's the classic "Friendly Pressure"...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAMtl...
Jhelisa - Friendly Pressure

Here's another classic from the same (mid 1990s) era by the hugely underrated Lewis Taylor. When his debut album came out the critics were convinced that his dubby, funky, psychedelic soul and Marvin Gaye-esque vocals were a surefire cert for success but it never happened. Here's "Bittersweet" to make you scratch your head and wonder why...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDQe-...
Lewis Taylor - Bittersweet

Let's stick with the mid-1990s for just a bit longer and one of my all time favourites from the late, great Jeff Buckley...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrMwg...
Jeff Buckley - Everybody Here Wants You

So I'm conscious that the selections this week have been quite laid back and lacking in the regular adrenaline fuelled rock n roll frenzy, so I'll put that right with my final selection and a tune that always takes me back to the Friday Night Alternative at Portsmouth Poly in the mid 1980s. Here's The Long Ryders...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0saf-...
The Long Ryders - Looking For Lewis and Clark

Th-th-that’s all folks.

Have a great weekend.

http://nigeyb.tumblr.com/post/1135123...

[David]

That Long Ryders album is brilliant, Nigey. Looking For Lewis and Clark was very nearly a hit single.

I don't have the wherewithal to post anything at the moment, but Beth Hart's upcoming album, Better Than Home, is atop my review pile at the moment and it is outstanding. I'm interviewing her for the next issue too, although not face-to-face, perhaps a good thing, as she has a 'reputation' that I don't want to test!

Have a good weekend, all.

[Nigeyb]

^ I don't know Beth's work however will go and put that right forthwith

Thanks David.


PS - how was "Looking For Lewis and Clark" not a hit? One of life's great imponderables.

[Greg]

The New Basement Tapes album Lost On The River is great. I've been listening to it all week. Here's a couple of tracks.

Down On The Bottom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsYSx...

Kansas City
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MwOa...

The new Bob Dylan album Shadows In The Night is excellent too. After the first listen I dug out a CD of early Frank Sinatra that I hadn't played in ages. All great.

[Nigeyb]

It's Friday and it's time for five pop picks to kickstart your weekend. Here we go....





I stumbled across a Leonard Nimoy album this week "Music From Outers Space" and it opens with this rather groovy version of the Star Trek theme...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMzlC...
Leonard Nimoy – Theme From Star Trek

Let's take it down a bit now. I've been immersing myself in some Big Star this week (always a very good idea as any fule kno). Here's one of their many classics...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pte3J...
Big Star - Thirteen

I'm currently reading Gary Kemp's autobiography, which is surprisingly good, and I have also just watched "Soul Boys of the Western World" a rather splendid documentary on Spandau Ballet. Their earlier stuff was generally better than I'd remembered and their later stuff every bit as awful, still it's a great story and worth watching when it crops up on BBC4. Here's the wonderful Chant No. 1 (immortalising the Beat Route where I spent the odd sweaty Friday night)...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRN96...
Spandau Ballet - Chant No. 1

Another artist who has been on heavy rotation this week is The Chemical Brothers. Here's the always wonderful Salmon Dance - fun facts about salmon and a brand new dance, what's not to love?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyHak...
The Chemical Brothers - The Salmon Dance

And finally, and inspired by reading Alan McGee's enjoyable autobiography, here's a mix of Funky Jam by Primal Scream that I've only just stumbled across and which is really rather splendid, yes it's the Super Droog Mix...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s8pi...
Primal Scream - Funky Jam (Super Droog Mix)

Have a great weekend.

By the by, I'm unlikely to be able to post a five for the next couple of weeks - normal service will hopefully be resumed on 10 April 2015.

http://nigeyb.tumblr.com/post/1141195...

[David]

Thanks both.

Nigey - Nowhere Is Home is being screened on BBC4 at 10pm tonight.

Even if I have the box set with everything bar Kevin's nail varnish scrapings in it, I'll be watching. It would be rude not to.

Happy equinox (it may be tomorrow - it varies apparently).

[Nigeyb]

^ Thanks David - I just realised that I should mention tonights screening of "Nowhere is Home". Great minds, and all that.

[Nigeyb]

I'm going to be away from a computer for the next two, maybe even three, Fridays.





Farewell my Hamiltonian chums, in the meantime I'm loving the shiny new LP by Courtney Barnett the Aussie indie superstar (in my world anyway) . It's called "Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit".

Here's the wonderful...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-nr1...
Pedestrian At Best

See you soon.

[Nigeyb]

David wrote: "I don't have the wherewithal to post anything at the moment, but Beth Hart's upcoming album, Better Than Home, is atop my review pile at the moment and it is outstanding. I'm interviewing her for the next issue too, although not face-to-face, perhaps a good thing, as she has a 'reputation' that I don't want to test!"

Has your interview been published yet David? If and when, please could you post a link? Thanks.

[Nigeyb]

Five top pop picks to kickstart your weekend. Here we go….



Are you as excited as I am at the prospect of FFS, the Sparks and Franz Ferdinand collaboration? That’s a rhetorical question. Of course you are. And, as if by magic, here’s Johnny Delusional…

Some might find me borderline attractive from afar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac3qj...
FFS - Johnny Delusional

Whilst like minded groovers will doubtless be focussed on The Race For Space let’s celebrate the PSB back catalogue with a timely reminder of the majesty of “Signal 30”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7quFO...
Public Service Broadcasting - Signal 30

New album “Darling Arithmetic” by Villagers aka Conor J. O’Brien is a thing of beauty. I’m loving it. Channelling a John Martyn or Nick Drake at their most ethereal vibe - it works a treat. Here’s The Soul Serene

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icaRV...
Villagers - The Soul Serene

And ploughing a similar furrow to Conor it’s everyone favourite low key, indie folk minstrel Sufjan Stevens and another splendid new album "Carrie & Lowell”. Here’s Blue Bucket Of Gold...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erqpd...
Sufjan Stevens - Blue Bucket Of Gold

Well I’m conscious that it’s maybe gone a bit too laid back and so, to finish, let’s finish with something to put a spring in your step.



I had an enjoyable night with Simple Minds on Tuesday. Whilst better known these days for the regrettable stadium years, lest we forget that once upon a time they were a vital and groundbreaking post-punk band with a run of albums from 79-82 (all *six* of them - imagine that, six albums in three years) that were nothing short of remarkable. Incredible invention & progression. Real to Real Cacophony in 1979 was a game changer. Remember them this way…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_H7Q...
Simple Minds - Love Song

Have a great weekend.

All the vids here...
http://nigeyb.tumblr.com/post/1166319...

[David]

I think that this discussion area had a long sub-thread about Ronnie Lane, aka Plonk.

There was a very moving feature about Ronnie on tonight's One Show, on BBC1, and, as a bonus, the great Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam is guest throughout the show.

[Nigeyb]

^ Thanks David - will try and find that on iPlayer

[Nigeyb]

Hey hey hey it’s the weekend Hamiltonians.



Vic Godard tweeted about this song recently and so inspired a full on Philly dancing marathon. And, like you need me to tell you, First Choice were one of the most successful of Philly Soul’s female groups who released six albums between 1973 and 1980, and of course it was “Armed and Extremely Dangerous” that gave First Choice their commercial breakthrough and here’s why…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIvTS...
First Choice - Armed and Extremely Dangerous

And seeing as it was Vic Godard who got me a-grooving to First Choice it seems only reasonable to post a tune by the greatest living Englishman. Here he is singing “Holiday Hymn” at the Town and Country in Kentish Town in 1992 at a gig I attended. And what a backing band it was too...Edwyn Collins, Paul Cook, Segs and Martin Duffy. Vic mentioned recently that the whole show was recorded for TV and may get a DVD issue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n7VN...
Vic Godard - Holiday Hymn

Whilst reading Dave Thompson’s splendid "London's Burning: True Adventures on the Front Lines of Punk”, I was reminded of the genius of Police Car...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMgkX...
Larry Wallis - Police Car

The Style Council seem so deeply unfashionable these days that I should perhaps keep my ongoing love for much of their music away from the public gaze however, who cares, I still think there’s much to love in amongst their oeuvre, including...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysykk...
The Style Council - My Ever Changing Moods

And finally one of the great lost singles that perfectly captures that moment that Glam started to evolve into punk. Originally a Jook B side (Trevor’s previous Bovver Boy glam group), this later solo version is jeffing great. Trev was already playing with Sparks when “Crazy Kid” came out which may account for its failure to dent the charts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1suID...
Trevor White – Crazy Kids

Have a great weekend.

All the vids here…
http://nigeyb.tumblr.com/post/1172407...

[Nigeyb]

It’s nearly the weekend again. Here’s yer five for this Friday.



Finally got my mitts on The Montecristos album “Born To Rock ’n’ Roll” that was released a few weeks back.

Neal X from Sigue Sigue Sputnik at the helm and reinventing the shimmer and the throb, the tingle of illicit pleasure awakened by the sin-drenched echo of 1950’s guitars. Or, if you will, the midnight soundtrack for Jayne Mansfield’s hips swaying like a storm at sea knocking at the Green Door of all your rock ‘n’ roll dreams.

Ooh baby, I was born to rock ’n’ roll….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDvIp...
The Montecristos - Born To Rock ’n’ Roll

Proof, if proof were needed, that Joe had it all going on before he teamed up with Mick and Paul…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9-Sh...
The 101’ers - Keys to your heart

A contender for 999’s best song ever and still sounding better than ever...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMlpq...
999 - Homicide

Gonna calm things down now with one of the most achingly beautiful tunes you will ever hear, ever ever ever, by one of the best looking geezers of his day...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa-lV...
Paul Quinn & The Independent Group - Stupid Thing

I’m going to resist the urge to post a tune by Paul Quinn’s old mucker Edwyn Collins because that would just be too obvious, no matter how perfect, so instead here’s…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTTgp...
Pavement - Cut Your Hair

Have a great weekend

http://nigeyb.tumblr.com/post/1178564...

[David]

".... the shimmer and the throb, the tingle of illicit pleasure awakened by the sin-drenched echo of 1950’s guitars. Or, if you will, the midnight soundtrack for Jayne Mansfield’s hips swaying like a storm at sea knocking at the Green Door of all your rock ‘n’ roll dreams."

Blimey, a novel, right there.

[Nigeyb]

^ Yep, sadly not my own words but the band's own description

[Mark]

Many thanks for the Montecristos tip... sounds mightily fine to these tired old ears! I've always had a lot of time for Sigue Sigue Sputnik, and always equated them more with Eddie Cochran than [name any early 1980s band here]. Off to scoop up the album now!

[Nigeyb]

^ I hope you like it. A good half of it is very good and all of it swings along very pleasingly

[Nigeyb]

What do you do when you’ve got the blues?



Don’t rely on politicians: We all need to work hard at creating a more colourful, happier, hopeful world where community and shared values mean more than fear, greed and self-interest

With that in mind, here’s yer five feel good anthems of hope, defiance and righteousness for this far less-than-perfect Friday….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHbfZ...
Billy Bragg - Waiting For The Great Leap Forward

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgaAK...
Redskins - Bring it Down!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRjjV...
Gang of Four - To Hell With Poverty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VnwL...
The Pop Group - We Are all Prostitutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrY9e...
Bob Marley - Redemption Song

Enjoy the weekend

http://nigeyb.tumblr.com/post/1184327...

[Nigeyb]

Five for Friday



It’s the weekend and, as the lights switch to amber, it's time to let rip with some top moonage tuneage….

So far as I know in these troubled times very few people celebrate the golden age of Pop Will Eat Itself however we are not swayed by the fickle finger of fashion and so here in all its unashamed glory is “Wise Up Sucker”…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxycY...
Pop Will Eat Itself - Wise Up Sucker

As is often the way, the sad death of Errol Brown has inspired much listening to the wonderful Hot Chocolate who were far more than their hit singles. Here, from 1973, is the spectacular "You Could've Been A Lady”. Remember Errol this way...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nouCb...
Hot Chocolate - You Could've Been A Lady

I’ve finally got round to listening the new album by The Staves who, as any fule kno, are the very essence of loveliness. Don’t believe me, try “Teeth White"…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL_XS...
The Staves - Teeth White

With the new Hot Chip album getting closer and closer it’s time to remind ourselves just why any right thinking person is very excited about more new music from the Chip. Here’s the slow burn brilliance of Flutes...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99z1_...
Hot Chip - Flutes

And finally, all salute the New Wave. Here, on Stiff Records, is the sublime "Suffice To Say" by The Yachts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p32Zr...
The Yachts - Suffice To Say

Have a great weekend

http://bit.ly/1cDsdHh

[Nigeyb]

^ EDIT


Just heard the news about BB King. RIP BB.

Saw him at Hammersmith Odeon in the 80s and he was predictably brilliant. Consumate showman and a brilliant guitar player.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj6VB...