In Greg We Trust

I recently acquired a copy of "Greg Belson's Divine Funk", a compilation of rare gospel soul and funk that was released on the Cultures of Soul label back in 2021.

According to the blurb Mr Belson is "one of the world's leading collectors and DJs of gospel music", and to be fair I can't name another one. I do wonder what the artistes make of his shameless self-promotion though. I suspect they thought they were glorifying God not Greg.

Having said that it is a fantastic record and well worth picking up from the Cultures of Soul Bandcamp page. Here is a couple of selections, plus a clip of someone you may have heard of who was also quite good (and a phenomenal afro in he background as a bonus).

"Troubles Of The World" - The Christian Harmonizers

 "Who's Your Boss" - Pearl Farano & The High Lites Of Joy

What The Cutler Saw

And so it begins. 

We kick off this year's musical meanderings in Glasgow, home of such luminaries as Charity Chic, Citizen Bravo and the late Ivor Cutler. Mr Cutler would have turned 100 in two weeks' time so you can consider this an early celebration of his centenary. 

It's not as early a celebration as the one co-ordinated by Citizen Bravo though. Way back in 2020 he released "Return To Y'Hup - The World Of Ivor Cutler", featuring the songs of Ivor and guest vocals from many well-known names on the Scottish indie scene - including Emma Pollock, who has recently been seen over at Charity Chic's place.

I saw Ivor live once about 40 years ago. At the time I thought he was a bit of a cantankerous old sod, although now I am roughly the age he was then I probably am too. I can't comment on the other two fellows. 

You can pick up the Citizen Bravo album from Bandcamp if you are so inclined. Here are a couple from that plus one from Ivor's own "Jammy Smears" album.

"Size Nine And A Half" - Citizen Bravo (featuring Emma Pollock)

"Pickle Your Knees" - Citizen Bravo (featuring Karine Polwart)

"A Wooden Tree" - Ivor Cutler

Sounds Of The Seventies

It's New Year's Eve, which for me and my friend Mr F means the annual themed party at our favourite local. This year's theme is the 1970s. I'm going as the three day week.

We have been trying to persuade the landlady to turn the back bar into a roller disco, but she is worried someone will bump into the fondue and cause boiling cheese injuries. 

To get me in the mood I've been listening to one of the classiest albums of 1976, "Silk Degrees". Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Boz Scaggs.

"Georgia" - Boz Scaggs

"It's Over" - Boz Scaggs

Have a good night whatever you're doing. May the year ahead be a good one and, especially for our Scottish readers, may your feet be first and your hogs be many. I think I've got that right.

They Also Served

Once again we have lost many musicians this year, and not all of their deaths got the attention they merited in the media. Here are some you may have missed. RIP to them and all the others.

We get things started with a trio of African greats, follow them with some super soul sounds and finish off with a folkie reflecting on when he first heard "The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter" by The Incredible String Band. 

Incidentally Mike Heron of ISB - one of my musical heroes who I have been lucky enough to meet - turned 80 yesterday. Happy birthday Mr Heron. 

"Ashiko" - Orlando Julius

"Amina" - Tshala Muana

"Awolo" - Ekambi Brillant

"Running Out" - Mable John

"Our Love Is In The Pocket" - J.J. Barnes

"Come On With It" - Lew Kirton

"A Gift For You" - Eric Mercury

"Then Came The Children" - Paul Siebel

The Inevitable Best Of

It is that time of year when all music bloggers are contractually obliged to tell you about the music they have enjoyed in the last 12 months. So let's get it over and done with.

Gigs of the year: Elizabeth Cook and Bas Jan. Honorable mentions for Johnny Clarke, Tony Christie and the Ebony Steel Band play Kraftwerk (not all together, although that would have been even better).

Delayed gig of the year: For the third year in a row, the Abyssinians. Here's hoping it will be sixth time lucky in March 2023.

Art exhibition of the year (and contender for most eagerly anticipated album of 2023): Gina Birch.

Ten good albums from 2022 (in alphabetical order by artist):

Bas Jan - "Baby U Know"

Bonny Light Horseman - "Rolling Golden Holy"

Laure Briard - "Ne Pas Trop Rester Bleue"

Etran de L'Air - "Agadez"

King Jammy - "Destroys The Virus With Dub"

Noori & His Dorpa Band - "Beja Power!"

Erin Rae - "Lighten Up"

Pierce Turner - "Terrible Good"

Various Artists - "Adrian Sherwood Presents: Dub No Frontiers"

Derya Yildirim & Grup Şimşek - "DOST 2"

Here are just some of my favourite tracks from 2022 that aren't on any of the albums mentioned above:

"That's Okay" - Jeanines

"Saw You At The Record Shop Today" - The Red, Pinks & Purples

"Berkshires" - Ben Talmi

"Se Acabou" - João Selva

"Soul To Blessed Soul" - Swamp Dogg

"Vom Bosphorus Bis Zum Rhein" - Ozan Ata Canani & Karaba

"The Wrong Side Of History" - Regressive Left

"Golden Spoon Maroon" - Yasus Afari

 

And we'll round it all off with my favourite song of the year (well it is today anyway): 

Single Song Santa

In this special seasonal edition of our long-running series we bring you glad tidings and multiple versions of  "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus". Some are gold, some make frankly no sense, and some are just mehhh! 

We kick things off with the 1952 original by Jimmy Boyd and finish up, as is traditional, with the Mandatory Reggae Version.  Strangely Johnny Clarke didn't include it in his set when I saw him live earlier this year. 

There are eight more interpretations in between from a host of well-known names (and also Bobby Sherman). Obviously The Ronettes are the best but John Prine isn't far behind.

That's it from me until the 27th. Best wishes to all of you and to all of yours. See you on the other side.

 "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - Jimmy Boyd

 "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - The Ronettes

 "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - Amy Winehouse

 "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - Bobby Sherman

 "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - The Four Seasons

 "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - Mighty Sparrow

 "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - John Prine

 "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - Twisted Sister

 "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - Bill Doggett

 "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - Johnny Clarke

He Wears The Crown

Some Lonnie Holley for you tomorrow, for no better reason than his surname is vaguely seasonal. One track each from "Just Before Music" (2012) and "Keeping A Record Of it" (2013). 

I was lucky enough to see Mr Holley live at the church down the end of my road a few years ago. I'm not sure how to describe his performance. Let's settle for "distinctive". 

"Here I Stand Knocking At Your Door" - Lonnie Holley

"From The Other Side Of The Pulpit" - Lonnie Holley

Very sorry to hear the sad news about Terry Hall, to whom others have already paid more eloquent tribute than I could. 

For much of the 1970s we lived in South Africa and I relied on John Peel's weekly show on the BBC World Service to keep up with the UK music scene. I can still remember the thrill I felt the first time I heard "Too Much Too Young" come fizzing through the static. RIP Mr Hall.