Five for Friday Showing 51-100 of 1,620

[Ruth]

Greg wrote: "I'm not on the grid, on solar. "
Do you generate enough solar power to have a constant supply? I was listening to Farming Today this morning and a farmer was saying he generated 40% of his power requirements through solar panels, but actually generated too much for his own needs during the summer as that was the time when he wasn't using as much machinery. I realise of course that our climates are very different!

[Greg]

About time. The Kinks and Donovan have finally been induced in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/new...

[Val]

Donovan? Really?

The lock upon my garden gate's a snail, that's what it is
The lock upon my garden gate's a snail, that's what it is
First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is
First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is

The caterpillar sheds his skin to find a butterfly within
Caterpillar sheds his skin to find a butterfly within
First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is
First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain

Oh Wanita, oh Wanita, oh Wanita, I call your name
Oh, the snow will be a blinding sight to see as it lies on yonder hillside

The lock upon my garden gate's a snail, that's what it is
The lock upon my garden gate's a snail, that's what it is
Caterpillar sheds his skin to find a butterfly within
Caterpillar sheds his skin to find a butterfly within

First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is
First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is
First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is

and plenty of other vaguely hippy meaninglessness.

[Nigeyb]

Mark wrote: "I've got to admit, I'm riddled with intrigue for London's old and colourful Music Hall tradition, and the more I investigate it, the more it seems to be a matter of the music of people like Max Wall and Max Bygraves being firmly ingrained in much of the music to come out of London in their wake. Certainly, Dury and the Sex Pistols have publicly doffed their caps in Music Hall's direction, as have bands like Madness and The Kinks. "

Tosh wrote: "I am fascinated with the music hall world of England. I touch on it in my book, but I need to know a lot more. "

Fellow Music Hall lovers...

Click here for the all new TPHAS Music Hall discussion thread.

[Nigeyb]

Donovan certainly had his moments. Personal faves include...



Wear Your Love Like Heaven
Season of the Witch
Sunshine Superman
Sunny Goodge Street

Just noticed that The Kinks and Donovan were "induced" which suggested it took a bit of persuading to get them into the Hall of Fame :-))

[Miss M]

Keep meaning to post this one...on rotation in my car...

Trams of old London
Taking my baby into the past in it
Trams of old London blow my mind
Ludgate, Fenchurch, Highgate Hill
Rolling slowly up there still, uh-huh
Waterloo and Clerkenwell
Out to Aldgate East as well, uh-huh
On a clear night you can see
Where the rails used to be
Oh it seems like ancient myth
They once ran to Hammersmith
Trams of old London
Taking my baby into the past in it
Trams of old London blow my mind
Through Electric Avenue
Brixton down in southwest too, uh-huh
Teddington and Kennington
Twickenham and Paddington, uh-huh
In the blitz they never closed
Though they blew up half the roads
Oh it hurts me just to see 'em
Going dead in a museum
Ah...
Trams of old London
Taking my baby into the past in it
Trams of old London blow my mind
Trams of old London
Taking my baby into the past in it
Trams of old London blow my mind

[Nigeyb]

^ Great song Miss M - and a wonderful album too.



I saw Robyn Hitchcock play in Brighton recently. Brilliant - as always.

[Miss M]

:)
He used to live in the DC area for a while...haven't seen him in prob 20 years, now.
Oops, back to work...

[[deleted user]]

Pardon my tardiness but I'm a stranger around here. Can I put in a word for the magnificent Small Faces if we are talking music hall influence.

[Nigeyb]

^ Yes indeed. A very good shout Cqm.

[Greg]

Sarah wrote: "Greg wrote: "I'm not on the grid, on solar. "
Do you generate enough solar power to have a constant supply? I was listening to Farming Today this morning and a farmer was saying he generated 40% of..."

Yes Sarah, we have comfortably enough supply from solar through the year, we have 1 KW of power from batteries and eight panels. We run off 240v. We can't have more than two or three things going at once or the inverter trips out. Only in winter if we get a lengthy period of, say two week of rain, and the sun in winter drops just below some trees, we rarely need to run a generator.

The farmer you mentioned running on solar. Running farming equipment would need a much larger system, I imagine.

I was informed that the average suburban house on the grid uses on average 4 KW, and a lot of energy goes on keeping all electrical appliances on standby.

[Mark]

CQM wrote: "Pardon my tardiness but I'm a stranger around here. Can I put in a word for the magnificent Small Faces if we are talking music hall influence."

Trust me, I was planning to chime in with the exact same sentiments!

Have you -- or anyone else here -- taken the financial plunge with that there new Small Faces boxed set? It looks hefty enough to do serious damage if I were to drop it from my third floor window directly onto somebody's head [which is often a strong temptation]... but... at nearly 200 dollars, once postage is tacked on, I'm having a hard time justifying the expense. Not least because it's basically just four cd's and a bunch of swag that'll probably never leave the box. In short, it seems like a purchase for the shelf, rather than for the ears.

Any thoughts? Any advice?

[[deleted user]]

Mark wrote: "CQM wrote: "Pardon my tardiness but I'm a stranger around here. Can I put in a word for the magnificent Small Faces if we are talking music hall influence."

Trust me, I was planning to chime in wi..."

I've seen it advertised but to be honest I've not even looked at what's on it as I couldn't afford it and I don't want to find out I couldn't live without it.

[Nigeyb]

^ I considered the box set for all of 10 seconds.


Like you, I just don't need or want all the lovely memorabilia, however the discs do sound like they'll be a wonderful listen. Lots of spiffy remastering and unreleased tracts etc. I am hoping that the discs will get a more wallet friendly reissue once the box has sold out.

Here's all the info. Yours for £95 + shipping.

[Greg]

My Five for Friday.

Richard Butler - Good Days, Bad Days
Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter - Hushed By Devotion
Liquid - Rothko
Falloch - We Are Gathering Dust
John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett - The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

For Faces fans, there is a DVD about Ronnie Lane titled The Passing Show, The Life & Music of Ronnie Lane. It follows RL, after he left the Faces, and friends taking a Travelling Show around England in an old Bus through some beautiful countryside.
Ronnie Lane's solo album CD titled How Come is great. Inc. Songs, Roll On Babe, Kuschty Rye, Done This One Before, and a great live version of Sweet Virginia.

[Nigeyb]

^ Thanks Greg.


I've seen that Ronnie Lane film. Wonderful stuff. A very interesting decision post-Faces to do that Travelling Show thing. He's a hugely underrated songwriter. I blimming love Ooh La La, Glad and Sorry, If I'm On The Late Side, and much of the Slim Chance tunes etc etc. - and of course all the songs you mention in your post.

[Greg]

Val wrote: "Donovan? Really?

The lock upon my garden gate's a snail, that's what it is
The lock upon my garden gate's a snail, that's what it is
First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then ther..."

Val, I've always thought that song was about the transience and impermanence of everything. I think Donovan symbolises a mountain as transient for emphasis. When he went to India with The Beatles to study meditation he would have been influence by Hinduism. I have a podcast by Alan Watts explaining the Hindu view of time and conscience. I'll find it and come back with it.

Donovan wrote the song Hurdy Gurdy Man in India when he went to visit the Maharishi with, as he says in a monologue in the middle of a live version of the song, four Beatles, one Beach Boy and Mia Farrow. Later at night they all would brake out the guitars, and Donovan started writing Hurdy Gurdy Man, oo-oo-ohhh-ooo-ohhoo... and George said "I could write a verse for that song Don" which Donovan didn't record.

The lost verse by George.

When truth gets buried deep,
Beneath a thousand years of sleep,
Time demands a turn around,
and once again the truth is found.

[Nigeyb]

All this Donovan discussion puts me in mind of Donovan's encounter with Bob Dylan in London.

[[deleted user]]

I'd like to give you my 5 for Friday if I may? (if not stop reading now as that was rhetorical)

P.P. Arnold - If You Think You're Groovy
tindersticks - City Sickness
Jacques Brel - La bière
Richard Harris - Gin Buddy
Townes Van Zandt - Be Here to Love Me

I just love the opening verse of Be Here to Love Me more than I can say.
"Your eyes seek conclusion in all this confusion of mine
Though you and I both know it's only the warm glow of wine
That's got you to feeling this way, but I don't care,
I want you to stay
And hold me and tell me you'll be here to love me today"
Gets me every time.

[Nigeyb]

^ Tremendous selections Sir.

I saw Tindersticks play live last year for the first time in eons and they were superb.

Stuart Staples has just done the soundtrack for the latest Claire Denis film "Bastards" (Les Salauds). You can get a flavour of it in this trailer - sounds amazing. I will be snapping it up soon. The film may not quite live up to the soundtrack from what I've heard so far.

I'm off to listen to that Richard Harris track. Any song called "Gin Buddy" sung by Richard Harris deserves my immediate attention.



EDIT: "Gin Buddy" - What a song! Maudlin magic. Thanks so much.

[[deleted user]]

Nigeyb wrote: "^ Tremendous selections Sir.

I saw Tindersticks play live last year for the first time in eons and they were superb.

Stuart Staples has just done the soundtrack for the latest Claire Denis film..."

I've lost track of the times I've seen tindersticks. Love 'em!
I went through a strange phase of buying records by actors. It was difficult to choose just one Harris track though, they are oddly compelling. That's the best I can say about them despite the fact I love them all.

[Nigeyb]

^ Thanks CQM - Harris is a whole new line of musical enquiry for me now.

I know the Jimmy Webb classics but beyond that I can see there's other stuff to investigate. It's a wonderful world.

[[deleted user]]

Nigeyb wrote: "^ Thanks CQM - Harris is a whole new line of musical enquiry for me now.

I know the Jimmy Webb classics but beyond that I can see there's other stuff to investigate. It's a wonderful world."

You only really need the two cd collections http://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Boy-Slides...
and http://www.amazon.co.uk/Macarthur-Par...
There's 4 albums worth there. My only advice, don't try to make your spouse sit through all four on the trot no matter how good an idea it seems to you...

[Nigeyb]

CQM wrote: "My only advice, don't try to make your spouse sit through all four on the trot no matter how good an idea it seems to you... "

^ That provoked a hearty chortle - and coffee on the keyboard.

My long suffering spouse is well used to be made to sit through all manner of musical mavericks. Her most recent particular bone of contention was a marathon session of psych-drone.

"What is this?!" followed by "How much longer do we have to listen to it?"

I guess not everyone loves Wooden Shjips at high volume. Curiously Spacemen 3 were not seen as much of an improvement.

I already have the Macarthur Park comp - which is wonderful. I will be splashing the cash on the twofer My Boy/Slides package imminently. Thanks so much CQM.

[[deleted user]]

Nigeyb wrote: "CQM wrote: "My only advice, don't try to make your spouse sit through all four on the trot no matter how good an idea it seems to you... "

^ That provoked a hearty chortle - and coffee on the key..."

I apologise for any keyboard damage.

[Nigeyb]

^ Thanks CQM, nothing a bit of dabbing with some kitchen roll couldn't but right.



Now then here's my five for Friday...

The June Brides - No Place Like Home
Primal Scream - Velocity Girl
Dennis Brown - A Little Bit More
Jo Jo Gunne - Run Run Run
The Edwin Hawkins Singers - Oh Happy Day

Click here for a bit of commentary and other musings on this week's Five for Friday selections.

In retrospect some kind of Valentine's flavoured selections might have been more appropriate but as I have the good fortune to be married to someone who cares not a jot for such sentimentality I can be excused.

[Mark]

CQM wrote: "I went through a strange phase of buying records by actors."

Here's hoping you had the good sense to scoop up both Robert Mitchum albums. I've worn holes through multiple copies of each.

[[deleted user]]

Mark wrote: "CQM wrote: "I went through a strange phase of buying records by actors."

Here's hoping you had the good sense to scoop up both Robert Mitchum albums. I've worn holes through multiple copies of each."

Calypso is most definitely like so in my house.

[Mark]

CQM wrote: "Calypso is most definitely like so in my house."

Good man! If you dig the stuff Dean Martin recorded for the Reprise label, and don't have Mitchum's 'That Man' [Monument, 1967] album, you need it. His version of 'Little Ol' Wine Drinker Me' is the definitive version!

[[deleted user]]

Mark wrote: "CQM wrote: "Calypso is most definitely like so in my house."

Good man! If you dig the stuff Dean Martin recorded for the Reprise label, and don't have Mitchum's 'That Man' [Monument, 1967] album, ..."

Yeah I have that one too. I also have an occasionally brilliant and mostly odd and sometimes rubbish album by David Hemmings with the Byrds as his backing band.

[Nigeyb]

I must admit I'm not mad on the Mitchum calypso stuff, but my reissue does contain The Ballad of Thunder Road, which makes everything alright.

I'm off to check out "That Man" including Little Old Wine Drinker Me which is indeed a fine rendition (based on one listen).

David Hemmings backed by The Byrds? Are you sure? It sounds like one of my fevered dreams after over indulging in blue cheese and port in the early hours.



CQM's, our resident "actors who sing" specialist, is spot on. It really happened....

“You’re an actor, you can sing, now let’s record some tunes.” That’s probably how it went for all those sixties’ film icons like Richard Chamberlain, Albert Finney, Richard Harris, and even Dirk Bogarde (though admittedly he only spoke the words).

“It’s merchandising, baby, this could be another career for you. Today the album,tomorrow Las Vegas!”

David Hemmings could sing, well, that is he had sung, and to great acclaim. Okay, as a boy soprano, but it was with the English National Opera, in a production of Benjamin Britten’s Turn of the Screw. Very impressive. And Hemmings had also performed with a handful of folk bands in the early sixties before hitting it big as an actor in Blow Up.

So, it must have seemed like a win-win proposition to have Hemmings record a selection of tracks with his musical pals Roger McGuinn (guitar), Chris Hillman (bass) and Ed Thigpen (drums) for an album David Hemmings Happens. Happens? Well, it was the sixties.

To be fair it’s not bad, and opens with the rather impressive “Back Street Mirror” before going onto Tim Hardin’s “Reason to Believe,” and on side two, Bill Martin’s “After the Rain.”

In between is a selection of songs (some co-written by Hemmings) that vary in quality, ranging form the stream-of-consciousness ramblings of “Good King James,” “War’s Mystery” and “Talkin’ LA,” to “Anathea,” which Jarvis Cocker rates as one of Hemmings’ best recordings.

That said, at times the actor in Hemmings tends to take over proceedings, and the singer’s left behind. Yet, it’s certainly no “dud,” but an interesting collaboration between Hemmings, McGuinn, and Hillman, that brings out another side to this iconic star.

01. “Back Street Mirror”
02. “Reason to Believe”
03. “Good King James”
04. “Bell Birds
05. “Talkin’ L.A.”
06. “Anathea”
07. “After the Rain”
08. “War’s Mystery”
09. “The Soldier Wind”

EDIT: "Back Street Mirror" by David Hemmings and written by no less than Gene Clark, is very fine.

Gene Clark, he's great innee? "No Other" is a firm favourite here at nigeyb Towers.

[Mark]

I'll chuck in my Five For Friday, but with a bit of rule-bending...

There's only a small handful of albums that I always, without fail, approach strictly as a whole... albums which I always play in full, from the opening groove to the final run-off, and never go for one, two, or three individual songs.

Today I've got such an album on repeat... 'See' by Pete Williams.

This was quietly released in 2012 and, quite inexplicably, failed to trouble the chart-compilers. You might -- or might not -- remember Pete Williams as the bass player in the original lineup of Dexy's Midnight Runners, contributing mightily to their 'Searching For The Young Soul Rebels' album. All these years later, he's finally got round to recording and releasing his maiden solo effort. In short, it's absolutely brilliant.

In a world overly cluttered with bands who've thought of everything BUT the song, 'See' comes as a very welcome release... brilliant songs, brilliant performances, brilliant arrangements, brilliant production. Truly, nothing more could reasonably be asked for. Most importantly, perhaps, is that Pete Williams has an over abundance of what most contemporary musicians lack -- craft.

So make my Five For Friday the entire Pete Williams album, 'See.' For the uninitiated, of whom there's probably a multitude, this track gives you a good idea of what the man is all about...

https://soundcloud.com/petewilliams/0...

And more info here...

www.petewilliamsmusic.com

[[deleted user]]

Nigeyb wrote: "I must admit I'm not mad on the Mitchum calypso stuff, but my reissue does contain The Ballad of Thunder Road, which makes everything alright.

I'm off to check out "That Man" including Little Ol..."

Back Street Mirror is that good I don't even consider it actor singing, it's just a great record.

[Val]

Nigeyb wrote: "In retrospect some kind of Valentine's flavoured selections might have been more appropriate but as I have the good fortune to be married to someone who cares not a jot for such sentimentality I can be excused."

I'm the person who requests:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20CCTp...
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvePEz...
on Mother's Day to avoid passing out from musical hyperglycaemia, so I give three cheers to your wife and congratulate you.

[Nigeyb]

Thanks Mark. You've jogged my memory about Pete Williams and "See". I meant to get that album a while back and never got round to it. I saw him, and Dexys, back in 2012, on the "One Day I'm Going To Soar" tour. Quite magnificent as you'd probably expect.

CQM, "Back Street Mirror" - a great record indeed.

[Nigeyb]

Great stuff Val. Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster. Wonderful. Actually, to give them their full title, it's "Brighton's own" Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster - and Rammstein! I'll pass on your good wishes to my wife.

Mark, to atone for not buying "See" before now, I have been onto Pledge Music to pledge Pete £15 for his new album which should also, if he reaches the target, result in me getting a download of the new album, and a signed CD copy of "See". Phew. Hopefully that'll help him out - and help me to get my mitts on "See".

[Mark]

Thans for the tip, Nige... I'm heading straight to pledgemusic immediately.

Meanwhle, "SEE" your email account asap...

[Nigeyb]

^ Seen it and replied. Thank you. You're a gentleman.

[Val]

I have seen "Brighton's Own" British Sea Power a few times as well, in the early days when they decorated the stage with bits of greenery and fake animals.

[Nigeyb]

^ Yes, me too. The first time supporting The Fall at the Concorde.

I still think they're rather wonderful.

Last year's "From The Sea To The Land" CD/DVD package being a thing of wonder.

[David]

Mark, apart from The Beatles, Dexys are my favourite ever band. I saw 3 out of the 4 nights of the mini-tour in 2012 when One Day I'm Going To Soar was tested in Glasgow, Whitley Bay (another splendid example of the faded splendour of Victorian seaside resorts) and Shepherds Bush. Then a further three shows on the full tour in September 12 (The Barbican, Gateshead and Edinburgh).

Pete's a lovely man and a very talented musician. 'See' is a fine album. I'll dig out my review for R2 mag and paste it up for you. The really exciting news is that he's about to record another, crowd-sourced via Pledge Music. Anyone who signs up is getting regular updates and exclusives from Pete and it's all looking good.

[David]

And a random Five For Friday, which I'll make Six For Saturday as a forfeit for my tardiness. All chosen from the setlist for a new band I'm playing with tonight.

I Saw The Light - Todd Rundgren (possibly my favourite pop song ever)
It's Only Natural - Crowded House
Hold Back The Night - Graham Parker and the Rumour (originally Trammps)
Way Down In The Hole - The Blind Boys of Alabama
When A Man Loves A Woman - Percy Sledge
Bonus track encore: I Saw Her Standing There - The Beatles - check out this version which is 50 years old this week, and tell me that, at around 2.22 when George hits that solo, you're not witnessing THE MOST EXCITING ROCK N ROLL YOU'VE EVER SEEN.

Have a good weekend, you lovely Hamiltonians.

[David]

This version!

http://youtu.be/sybI6FiuKjk

[Nigeyb]

Thanks David - splendid selections. And Dexys love too. Is there no end to your passions? Talking of which, I have it in my mind you support Aberdeen FC? Heady days eh?

[Nigeyb]

Back to Pete Williams, I love his voice, effortlessly warm and humane.

[Nigeyb]

That Beatles clip is utterly thrilling. Amazing to think that the rules we take for granted were completely unwritten when that was filmed. Totally revolutionary - and it still sends shivers down my spine. What must it have been like at the time?

[Susan]

Anyone who is interested in the Beatles (and Nigeyb already know I am a huge fan!) Should read Tune In, the new book by Mark Lewisohn. It is really going to be THE definitive biography when completed - vol 1 goes up to 1962.

Talking of biographies, I am enjoying Through a Glass Darkly.

[David]

These artistic and sporting passions have longevity far outlasting the more physical which are just memories, Nigey!

Yes, I've supported Aberdeen for 50 years and seen incredible highs and debilitating lows. The current good times are the first success (though no silverware yet) that some of our younger fans have seen. Their enthusiasm and creativity is a joy. Just a couple of weeks ago, we signed a new striker Adam Rooney, which engendered the song, referencing a more famous Rooney and his reported proclivities:

Your granny is safe
Your granny is safe
It's not THAT Rooney
Your granny is safe.

Like a Wildean epigram.

I'll fire up the See review once I get the laptop going.

[David]

Here's the See review which would have appeared in R2 mag around April 2012:

PETE WILLIAMS
****
See
(BASEHEART RECORDINGS) www.petewilliamsmusic.com

Always revered as the bassman of Dexys Midnight Runners and The Bureau, Pete Williams has developed a reputation as a fine writer and respected musician since those heady days, without the world getting to know. The release of See, his first full-length album under his own name should see his talent more widely acknowledged.

Possessed of a voice which soars almost operatically but which always betrays his background in bottoming out this island’s two best modern soul bands, Williams turns in an impressive performance. Anyone who witnessed him co-singing with Kevin Rowland on the 2003 Dexys’ tour will vouch for the power and versatility of his delivery.

The cognoscenti will already be familiar with ‘Trust Me’, ‘Said I’d Be The One’ and the title track from the 2004 EP Black. Here they are presented in re-recorded format and are among the See highlights. Also worthy of specific mention are ‘Questions’, with its wry, gentle rockabilly swing and the weary, resigned, occasionally pleading delivery of ‘Little One’, both songs enhanced by the sympathetic trombone fills of sometime Bureau colleague Paul Taylor who makes telling contributions throughout.

See, and its creator, one of rock n roll’s perennial good guys, deserve any success coming their way.
David Innes

[Nigeyb]

^ Fab review David. Thanks for sharing it.

I have contributed to Pete's Pledge Music campaign for his second album. Let's hope he hits his target and gets the next instalment out soon.

One of rock n roll’s perennial good guys indeed. Thanks again to you and Mark for nudging me along in investigating his solo album.