We had a request earlier in the week for some Del Shannon. I am happy to oblige.
Del features in this week's "Single Song Sunday" line-up with his version of "Handy Man", sandwiched between the Jimmy Jones original and the slowed-down version by James Taylor which was a top 5 hit in the States in 1977. The mandatory reggae version is by Cornell Campbell, and for the first time we have a light orchestral rendition courtesy of Frank Chacksfield and his Orchestra. Ronnie Laws is mainly there as padding, to be honest.
"Handy Man" - Jimmy Jones
"Handy Man" - Del Shannon
"Handy Man" - James Taylor
"Handy Man" - Cornell Campbell
"Handy Man" - Frank Chacksfield Orchestra
"Handy Man" - Ronnie Laws
For the Del enthusiasts among you, here are a couple more cover versions of two of his big hits.
"Runaway" - Bonnie Raitt
"Little Town Flirt" - Electric Light Orchestra
Sunday, 31 May 2015
Wednesday, 27 May 2015
Joe, Pierce, Stephen and A.J.
Today's post has two parts. There is no relation between them.
We will start with the most exciting news. I am sure that the more enlightened among you will be familiar with the mighty Pierce Turner. Pierce is currently raising funds on PledgeMusic to enable him to make a new album, and as part of his efforts to drum up support he put this clip on YouTube explaining the inspiration behind one of the songs intended for that album - Joe Dolan fans.
Now, as some of you may know I am a huge fan of the late, great Joe. So when I discovered that Pierce was as well I tweeted him and light-heartedly said that I would pledge if in return he would play Joe's first big solo hit, "The Answer To Everything". Imagine my surprise and delight when he tweeted back to say he would. Watch this space - and while you are doing so, keep yourself occupied by pledging to Pierce and listening to Joe.
"The Answer To Everything" - Joe Dolan
Part 2. You may remember that a few weeks ago I was burbling on about Mexican cover versions of Morrissey songs. Well, I have now been sent a version of "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side" by one A.J. Holmes and his band The Hackney Empire, which is performed in Sierre Leone krio dialect.
I don't know quite why A.J. chose to tackle the song in this way when he apparently stems from Dagenham (or "the heart of darkness" as Joseph Conrad calls it). But it works for me. I would also recommend checking out their new album "Soft Power", which is due out next month. It sort of blends 1980s pop with West African high-life and palm wine sounds. Just don't mention Jimmy The Hoover.
"De Borboh Weh Get Chook Chook Na Inside" - A.J. Holmes & The Hackney Empire
We will start with the most exciting news. I am sure that the more enlightened among you will be familiar with the mighty Pierce Turner. Pierce is currently raising funds on PledgeMusic to enable him to make a new album, and as part of his efforts to drum up support he put this clip on YouTube explaining the inspiration behind one of the songs intended for that album - Joe Dolan fans.
Now, as some of you may know I am a huge fan of the late, great Joe. So when I discovered that Pierce was as well I tweeted him and light-heartedly said that I would pledge if in return he would play Joe's first big solo hit, "The Answer To Everything". Imagine my surprise and delight when he tweeted back to say he would. Watch this space - and while you are doing so, keep yourself occupied by pledging to Pierce and listening to Joe.
"The Answer To Everything" - Joe Dolan
Part 2. You may remember that a few weeks ago I was burbling on about Mexican cover versions of Morrissey songs. Well, I have now been sent a version of "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side" by one A.J. Holmes and his band The Hackney Empire, which is performed in Sierre Leone krio dialect.
I don't know quite why A.J. chose to tackle the song in this way when he apparently stems from Dagenham (or "the heart of darkness" as Joseph Conrad calls it). But it works for me. I would also recommend checking out their new album "Soft Power", which is due out next month. It sort of blends 1980s pop with West African high-life and palm wine sounds. Just don't mention Jimmy The Hoover.
"De Borboh Weh Get Chook Chook Na Inside" - A.J. Holmes & The Hackney Empire
Sunday, 24 May 2015
Pork Sausages
We will skip quickly past the cavalcade of drivel that was yesterday's Eurovision Song Contest, pausing only to note that in getting five points the UK entry achieved five more than it deserved, and instead reflect on a much happier recent musical memory.
On Friday night I took my favourite auntie to the Albert Hall to see Al Stewart in concert. She claims to have first seen him live over 40 years ago, although as she only looks about 40 I am not sure I believe her. Al will be 70 this year, and he is wearing very well himself. It was an excellent show.
We were treated to two complete albums: "Past, Present and Future" and "Year of the Cat". Here is a track from each, plus one of my favourites from earlier in his career as a bonus. The encores ended with the great "Time Passages". I hope my insistence on singing "Pork Sausages" during the chorus did not spoil the fun for those around me.
"Old Admirals" - Al Stewart
"Sand In Your Shoes" - Al Stewart
"Old Compton Street Blues" - Al Stewart
On Friday night I took my favourite auntie to the Albert Hall to see Al Stewart in concert. She claims to have first seen him live over 40 years ago, although as she only looks about 40 I am not sure I believe her. Al will be 70 this year, and he is wearing very well himself. It was an excellent show.
We were treated to two complete albums: "Past, Present and Future" and "Year of the Cat". Here is a track from each, plus one of my favourites from earlier in his career as a bonus. The encores ended with the great "Time Passages". I hope my insistence on singing "Pork Sausages" during the chorus did not spoil the fun for those around me.
"Old Admirals" - Al Stewart
"Sand In Your Shoes" - Al Stewart
"Old Compton Street Blues" - Al Stewart
Thursday, 21 May 2015
Big In Beira
Some modern music from Mozambique for you, folks. Nice to hear a bit of penny-whistle on the first track. The young people should get subjected to more of that sort of thing.
"Ahinyoxeni" - Helena Nhantumbo
"Kare Nukare Kareko" - Romualdo
"Ahinyoxeni" - Helena Nhantumbo
"Kare Nukare Kareko" - Romualdo
Monday, 18 May 2015
From Basildon to Riga
I mentioned in my last post that a Goth record shop employee in Riga had recommended a band that he described as "the Latvian Depeche Mode". Since then I have been inundated with requests to feature them (well, I had one comment from George).
The good news is that we are doing exactly that today. The band in question is Jumprava, formed in 1984 and still going strong. The album I bought is a compilation of their work from 1984 to 1987.
The bad news - which I would have known had I taken the trouble to read their Wikipedia entry first - is that it was only after some line-up changes in 1987 that Jumprava adopted the musical style that led them to be compared to Basildon's finest. "Sestdiena" is about the only track on the album where you can hear any sort of resemblance.
Prior to that they would be better described as the Latvian Thompson Twins. I could not ask any of you to listen to that, so instead we have "Teatris" which has traces of a Latvian China Crisis.
"Sestdiena" - Jumprava
"Teatris" - Jumprava
If you are looking for proper Depeche Mode inspired music, try this lot from Bogota. I just can't get enough of them.
The good news is that we are doing exactly that today. The band in question is Jumprava, formed in 1984 and still going strong. The album I bought is a compilation of their work from 1984 to 1987.
The bad news - which I would have known had I taken the trouble to read their Wikipedia entry first - is that it was only after some line-up changes in 1987 that Jumprava adopted the musical style that led them to be compared to Basildon's finest. "Sestdiena" is about the only track on the album where you can hear any sort of resemblance.
Prior to that they would be better described as the Latvian Thompson Twins. I could not ask any of you to listen to that, so instead we have "Teatris" which has traces of a Latvian China Crisis.
"Sestdiena" - Jumprava
"Teatris" - Jumprava
If you are looking for proper Depeche Mode inspired music, try this lot from Bogota. I just can't get enough of them.
Saturday, 16 May 2015
Randoms Rules
I was in Riga earlier in the week for work and found time to pop into Randoms record store in the heart of the Old Town. With the assistance of a very helpful Goth I came away with a small pile of CDs, including one by a band that he described as the "Latvian Depeche Mode", Heaven forbid.
This is not them. When I asked the assistant if he could recommend any cheerful local tunes he uttered the immortal reply "No, we are not sunny people". After further consideration, he recommended "Tilti", the new album by Oranžās Brīvdienas (Orange Holidays to you and me). It's a sort of Baltic metal ska and I rather like it. Se what you think.
"Sesas Pedas" - Oranžās Brīvdienas
"Aizliegtie Asoli" - Oranžās Brīvdienas
Just round the corner from Randoms is the Rockabilly House diner, where I would recommend you stop at least for a drink to enjoy the decor.
For those of you wishing to dine, the Rockabilly House features dishes which have been assigned names that Latvians evidently feel are redolent of rock 'n roll on an apparently random basis. My goulash was called "Rock It", and the burger selection included "Big Bertha" and "Kentucky Rain". Speaking of which...
This is not them. When I asked the assistant if he could recommend any cheerful local tunes he uttered the immortal reply "No, we are not sunny people". After further consideration, he recommended "Tilti", the new album by Oranžās Brīvdienas (Orange Holidays to you and me). It's a sort of Baltic metal ska and I rather like it. Se what you think.
"Sesas Pedas" - Oranžās Brīvdienas
"Aizliegtie Asoli" - Oranžās Brīvdienas
Just round the corner from Randoms is the Rockabilly House diner, where I would recommend you stop at least for a drink to enjoy the decor.
For those of you wishing to dine, the Rockabilly House features dishes which have been assigned names that Latvians evidently feel are redolent of rock 'n roll on an apparently random basis. My goulash was called "Rock It", and the burger selection included "Big Bertha" and "Kentucky Rain". Speaking of which...
Saturday, 9 May 2015
Two For The Price Of One
I have been out and about quite a bit of late, with the result that I have got a little behind in my orders (to quote from the old butcher - baby - bacon slicer joke). This is likely to continue for a while yet. I am off again on Monday to spend a few days in Latvia - a first time for me - and before I go I thought I would try to squeeze two posts into one. Watch out for some Latvian death metal on my return.
To help squeeze a quart of quality into a pint pot of post, I will cut back on the verbiage and get quickly to the tunes. So first up we have some all-female Swedish pop courtesy of Those Dancing Days. Both tracks are from their 2008 album "In Our Space Hero Suits". They are followed by a similar number of tracks from "The Girl I Adore", the 1983 album by Winston Hussey. Mr Hussey was clearly hoping there was a market for Gregory Isaacs impersonators back then, and if the real thing isn't available he is a pretty good stand-in.
"Those Dancing Days" - Those Dancing Days
"Run Run" - Those Dancing Days
"Every Man Should Be Friends" - Winston Hussey
"Rosey Come Back" - Winston Hussey
"Run Run" was something I could be heard shouting at Ascot yesterday, where we had a most enjoyable day out from work. I was hoping to be able to play a clip of the Intruders' "She's A Winner" in tribute to one or more of the fillies I backed. Unfortunately most of them bore more resemblance to the hero of this story, but without the happy ending.
To help squeeze a quart of quality into a pint pot of post, I will cut back on the verbiage and get quickly to the tunes. So first up we have some all-female Swedish pop courtesy of Those Dancing Days. Both tracks are from their 2008 album "In Our Space Hero Suits". They are followed by a similar number of tracks from "The Girl I Adore", the 1983 album by Winston Hussey. Mr Hussey was clearly hoping there was a market for Gregory Isaacs impersonators back then, and if the real thing isn't available he is a pretty good stand-in.
"Those Dancing Days" - Those Dancing Days
"Run Run" - Those Dancing Days
"Every Man Should Be Friends" - Winston Hussey
"Rosey Come Back" - Winston Hussey
"Run Run" was something I could be heard shouting at Ascot yesterday, where we had a most enjoyable day out from work. I was hoping to be able to play a clip of the Intruders' "She's A Winner" in tribute to one or more of the fillies I backed. Unfortunately most of them bore more resemblance to the hero of this story, but without the happy ending.
Tuesday, 5 May 2015
Weasel Words
My new found enthusiasm for the modern pop music of Uganda continues apace. With thanks again to the indispensable Lina for acting as my guide, here are Radio & Weasel (not, I suspect, the names their parents gave them).
"Dembessa" - Radio & Weasel
"Number 1" - Radio & Weasel
As good as the lads are, for a novice like me, the current king of Entrancing Entebbe Beat (as I will persist in calling it until it catches on) is Eddy Kenzo. Two of his big hits are on heavy rotation round here. The first is "Come Over", which we featured a couple of weeks back. This is the other one.
Viewers of a sensitive disposition should be warned that about halfway through the video we are subjected to some rather alarming breast and bottom shaking - you may prefer to close your eyes and just enjoy the tune at that point. Now I am no prude, and I am willing to accept that sort of thing if it is artistically valid, but I am not convinced it is in this case. The lyrics of the song suggest it tells the story of Eddy's commanding wife who wants to destroy his life. It is not entirely clear if the young lady in question is playing the role of Mrs Kenzo, but if she is it is surely implausible to imply, as the video does, that she intends to destroy his life through excessive wobbling of her womanly parts.
"Dembessa" - Radio & Weasel
"Number 1" - Radio & Weasel
As good as the lads are, for a novice like me, the current king of Entrancing Entebbe Beat (as I will persist in calling it until it catches on) is Eddy Kenzo. Two of his big hits are on heavy rotation round here. The first is "Come Over", which we featured a couple of weeks back. This is the other one.
Viewers of a sensitive disposition should be warned that about halfway through the video we are subjected to some rather alarming breast and bottom shaking - you may prefer to close your eyes and just enjoy the tune at that point. Now I am no prude, and I am willing to accept that sort of thing if it is artistically valid, but I am not convinced it is in this case. The lyrics of the song suggest it tells the story of Eddy's commanding wife who wants to destroy his life. It is not entirely clear if the young lady in question is playing the role of Mrs Kenzo, but if she is it is surely implausible to imply, as the video does, that she intends to destroy his life through excessive wobbling of her womanly parts.
Sunday, 3 May 2015
Single Song Sunday
As you will have spotted, this time out it is "He'll Have To Go". I did wonder whether to bother because the Jim Reeves' version is as close to perfection as you get and one of my favourite records of all time (I believe George at Jim McLean's Rabbit has similar views). But while the rest of them are no match for Jim they are worth a listen anyway. So here goes.
Including Jim we have a paltry nine versions of the song for you, featuring the obligatory reggae version from Luciano and non-obligatory mento and Tex-Mex versions from the Jolly Boys and Ry Cooder. We also have one of those answer songs that used to be popular in country music in the 1950s and 1960s courtesy of Jeanne Black. It is not exactly another "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels", which set the bar for that sort of thing, but hey!
"He'll Have To Go" - Jim Reeves
"He'll Have To Go" - Solomon Burke
"He'll Have To Go" - Ry Cooder
"He'll Have To Go" - Frankie Miller
"He'll Have To Go" - Luciano
"He'll Have To Go" - The Holmes Brothers
"He'll Have To Go" - Wilbert Harrison
"He'll Have To Go" - The Jolly Boys
"He'll Have To Go" - Tav Falco's Panther Burns
"He'll Have To Stay" - Jeanne Black
We end with a short tribute to a man who decided on Friday that he had to go, when it really would have been better if he'd stayed. RIP Ben E King.
"Into The Mystic" - Ben E King
Including Jim we have a paltry nine versions of the song for you, featuring the obligatory reggae version from Luciano and non-obligatory mento and Tex-Mex versions from the Jolly Boys and Ry Cooder. We also have one of those answer songs that used to be popular in country music in the 1950s and 1960s courtesy of Jeanne Black. It is not exactly another "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels", which set the bar for that sort of thing, but hey!
"He'll Have To Go" - Jim Reeves
"He'll Have To Go" - Solomon Burke
"He'll Have To Go" - Ry Cooder
"He'll Have To Go" - Frankie Miller
"He'll Have To Go" - Luciano
"He'll Have To Go" - The Holmes Brothers
"He'll Have To Go" - Wilbert Harrison
"He'll Have To Go" - The Jolly Boys
"He'll Have To Go" - Tav Falco's Panther Burns
"He'll Have To Stay" - Jeanne Black
We end with a short tribute to a man who decided on Friday that he had to go, when it really would have been better if he'd stayed. RIP Ben E King.
"Into The Mystic" - Ben E King
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