Friday Night Music Club

Evening all.

Ready for another roller-coaster ride of fun? Well, you’ll just have to make do with another of my mixes, I’m afraid.

And I’m introducing a new mission statement for this series: no longer will there be mixes which focus solely on one type of music, be it dance, indie, rock or whatever. From now on, each week will be as much of a mixed bag of genres as I can throw together from all the tunes I own. I’ll try to introduce you to something new, remind you of some stuff you’ve probably forgotten about, and reacquaint you with some old favourites.

Place your bets as to how long I’ll last before I get bored and revert to type.

In the meantime, buckle up (or unzip, whichever floats your boat), and feast your lug-holes around my latest effort, No 20 in a series that thus far actually has actually contained 28 mixes and 2 *ahem* “Specials” at Easter and Christmas. Go figure.

Friday Night Music Club Vol 20

And here’s your track-listing and sleeve notes – look away now if you don’t want to spoil any surprises:

1. Flight of the Conchords – Business Time

It takes a pretty special comedy duo to have released a record which still makes me laugh fourteen years after I first heard it, but New Zealand’s finest folksters achieved it with their eponymous album (the follow-up, I Told You I Was Freaky, not so much, although it has its moments).

Anyway, Business Time finds Jemaine getting ready to get down and dirty with his other half, and it’s the perfect way to kick things off this week, apart from the fact that Jemaine’s getting lucky on a Wednesday, but I don’t do a Wednesday Night Music Club, so here will have to do.

2. M J Cole – Sincere

Shortly after Hel and I first became mates, we began exchanging mixtapes. (I know what you’re thinking, but you’re wrong – neither of us was trying to impress the other in quite the way that preparing a mixtape for a member of the opposite sex usually indicates.) No, this was prompted by me confessing that (at the time) I didn’t own any Prince records, and only knew the singles. Hel provided me with a C90 crammed full of Princely treats, which was the perfect “in” (again, with his music) that I needed. I was, of course, tempted to reciprocate with 90 minutes of Quo, but decided better of it, and responded with a mixed bag playlist, much like the one you’re (hopefully) listening to now. She then responded with two mixtapes, modestly titled “The Greatest Mixtape in the World Vol 1 & 2”, at which point I decided to nip things in the bud before I was forced to buy shares in TDK to continue.

Anyway, this little beauty, which I’d never heard before, was on one of the ones she did for me, and I’ve loved it ever since.

And I have told you that because it was either that or make a rubbish joke about ex-footballer Joe Cole, and you wouldn’t want me to stoop so low, would you?

3. Oakenfold – Starry Eyed Surprise

Last week, I included an Oakenfold mix of an indie classic, and here he is again, this time with a song released under his own name. It features the vocals of someone who wants us to believe their name is Shifty Shellshock, who some of you may remember as the lead singer of Crazy Town, who had a hit with the godawful Butterfly back in 2000. Despite, or perhaps because of, all these composite parts, I really love this record, to the point where a couple of months agoI bought Bunkka, the double vinyl Oakenfold album it appears on. It speaks volumes that I’ve not listened to it yet, mind.

4. Sheila B. Devotion – Spacer

Now, even though the tag-line for this blog is that there’s No Such Thing As a Guilty Pleasure, there are still some tunes which I love but wonder if the world is ready for me attempting to defend. This, from 1979, featured pretty highly on the list. Until recently, when much respected music journalist Jon Savage released the latest in his excellent series of compilation albums (Jon Savage’s 1977-1979: “Symbols Clashing Everywhere”) recently, and included this. So, job done, I’m totally vindicated.

5. Technotronic – Get Up! (Before The Night Is Over)

Yes. You read that right. Technotronic. Here, in one of my mixes. Because it’s ace, as is it’s predecessor Pump Up The Jam (although I hated both when they originally came out. No guitars, see?). And if you disagree, well, you’re just plain wrong. Nuff said.

6. Starlight – Numero Uno (Club Mix)

Since we find ourselves momentarily back in the realms of late 80s/early 90s dance anthems, this juicy slice of italo-piano house deserves a revisit too. Cracking stuff (although I hated it when it originally…etc etc etc)

7. The SuperMen Lovers – Starlight (Radio Edit)

To bring things a little more up-to-date (by which I mean 2001), I cannot deny that this is here purely because the previous tune made me think of it. As such, it’s as close to a link between any two tunes you’ll find in this mix. Funky stuff, which I liked quite a lot when it came out (the dance-penny having finally dropped).

8. Tush – Chrysalis

I imagine this lot are so-named because their records make you want to shake yours. And speaking of being up-to-date, this is from 2021, and is lifted from the band’s rather fantastic Fantast album. Check it out, I’m sure they’ll be getting ripped off fairly paid for having their songs on some streaming site or another.

9. The Bloody Beetroots – Cornelius

This is an absolute banger; it reminds me of The Prodigy output circa 2009’s Invaders Must Die album, except, y’know, good.

10. Lemon Jelly – ’88 Aka Come Down On Me

If you’re one of those people who think Lemon Jelly only released chill-out choons, then give this a listen and think again. And they were wise to the fact that ’64-’95 – the album this comes from – sounds very different to their previous output, for it had a sticker on the front warning: “This is our new album. It’s not like our old album.” And they’re right, it really isn’t.

11. Electric Six – Danger High Voltage

If I could be bothered to check, I’d look to see who appeared on the scene with their comedy chops unfurled first: this lot or The Darkness. Either way, they both got found out as being one-trick poneys around the same time, as I recall. Which doesn’t mean that neither of them made decent records; Danger High Voltage remains a belter in my book.

12. Stiff Little Fingers – Listen

Now there’s a well-engineered mood change, even if I do say so myself. This is not exactly typical of SLF’s output, it’s a little more chart friendly than, say Tin Soldiers or Alternative Ulster, but it does have an anthemic sing-a-long chorus you can join in with whilst you have yourself a nice sit down and a bit of breather, before we crank things up again for the finale.

13. Conway – Big Talk

This was much played on 6Music a few years ago. I bought it. Not many others did, I fear. It’s pretty good in that 80s-esque/Ladyhawke kind of way that was popular a while back.

14. Arcade Fire – Wake Up

And so to the…er…climax, although now I’m writing this I have a nasty feeling I’ve included this in a previous mix, which means I may have broken my “no record shall feature twice” rule. Ah well, if I have it was good while it lasted. In any event, it’s a thoroughly rousing way to round things off.

Except that’s not quite the end:

15. Primal Scream – Velocity Girl

That is.

More soon.

It Was 50 Years Ago Today…

And so here we are. Another bloody year older. At 53, I think this is the final year that I can get away with saying I’m in my early-50s. Next year, I’ll have to confess to being in my mid-50s and then….*shudders*…well, I’d rather not think about that any further, thank ou very much.

Still, better than the alternative, I guess.

Long time readers may recall that I used to mark my birthday every year by posting the same song, the one which was #1 in the UK charts on the day I was born. That record, for those a little newer round here, is Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Bad Moon Rising, which I think is a pretty cool – and possibly appropriate – record to be associated with in such a way.

Inspired by a series Martin over at the ever brilliant New Amusements did a few years ago, where he discussed each song which had been #1 on his birthday each year, I decided to do something similar. Alright, something almost identical – the difference being that I’d just post one a year, on my birthday, to see how long the run of cool records being #1 on my big day could last.

So far, so good: to go with Bad Moon Rising (1969), we’ve had Freda Payne’s Band of Gold (1970) and The Tams’ Hey Girl Don’t Bother Me (1971).

So what have we got this year, to represent 1972? Another cool one hopefully.

Nope.

It was this:

David Cassidy – How Can I Be Sure

Now, I must say that when I saw who this year’s record was by, my heart sank. I’m not adverse to a bit of 70s kitsch, nor oblivious to the charms of the odd teen heart-throb, but Jesus wept…David Cassidy….!

So I gave it a listen. And what do you know, it’s nowhere near as bad as I imagined.

Which is probably because I recognised it as a cover version of this, much more Scott Walker/Jacques Brel-esque version:

The Young Rascals – How Can I Be Sure

I think perhaps I’m trying to convince myself here. Sure, The Young Rascals version would have been preferable, or even better, the (not featured here for fear of overkill) Dusty Springfield version from 1970. But in all honesty, the David Cassidy version isn’t that bad.

I tell you what is rather galling though. On 26th September 1972, the David Cassidy version had only been #1 for two days. Had I been born even more prematurely than I actually was, on 24th September instead of 26th, then this would have been the next record in this series and I’d have been a whole lot happier:

Slade – Mama Weer All Crazee Now

That’s better.

Now, who fancies giving me the bumps? Good luck, it’ll take a few of you.

More soon.

Sunday Morning Coming Down

Trying to decide what to post this week, I plumped for something by Michelle Shocked, who hasn’t featured here since February.

Next decision: which song?

So, I did a search on the blog to ascertain – and therefore rule out – those which had already featured, and I’m ashamed to say I fell into quite the rabbot-hole re-reading some of my old posts, which may sound a little egotistical (to quote the late Mac Davis from his classic Hard to be Humble: “Some folks say that I’m egotistical, hell I don’t even know what that means. I guess it has something to do with the way that I fill out my skin-tight blue jeans”), but it really wasn’t: I’m rapidly approaching my 2000th post here, and, whilst I have a pretty good idea of what songs I’ve posted before, when it comes to artists who have featured more than once, and who I really like and own a lot by, well…this old memory ain’t as great as it used to be.

Anyway, I landed on a post from 2016, which also featured Ms Shocked, and noting several comments had been left, I decided to give them a read too. And there was one from Charity Chic, author of one of my favourite blogs Charity Chic Music which I regrettably rarely have time to swing by and read these days. It’s one of the curses of writing one of these blogs – I used to spend hours each evening gleefully visiting the very long list of music blogs I used to frequent, rarely, if ever, leaving a comment or a thank you, selfish little sod that I was – but now it seems most of my spare time is taken up with writing my own. (I’m writing this on Friday night/Saturday morning and, wracked with guilt at this confession, I’ve just popped over there and was amused to see that, just as I bemoaned my failing memory earlier in this post, so has CC his in his post on Friday.)

But I digress: CC’s comment was that one particular Shocked song was his “go-to tune from that album [Short Sharp Shocked]”, so I figured I’d post that one for you, and him, today, as a little nod and apology.

Stevie, this one’s for you:

Michelle Shocked – Memories of East Texas

More soon.

PS – The views and opinions of Ms Shocked are not condoned, shared or supported by A History of Dubious Taste.

PPS – The views, opinions and musical selections of Charity Chic most definitely are.

PPPS – Of course I left him a comment this time.

Late Night Stargazing

It shouldn’t be a surprise that For All Our Days That Tear the Heart – the album where Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler collaborate – is pretty wonderful.

After all, we all know that Suede got a lot less interesting (and, arguably, a lot more succesful) after Butler jumped ship, and whilst we probably know Buckley better as a BAFTA (3 times) and Oscar (just the once, so far) nominated actor these days, it shouldn’t be forgotten that she first caught the public’s eye when she came second in the TV talent show I’d Do Anything, the sole purpose of which was to discover seomeone to play Nancy in the revival of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! In fact, she won a Laurence Olivier Award in 2021 for playing Sally Bowles in Cabaret – you know, the role that Liza Minelli famously made her own in the 1972 film version.

So, no, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that For All Our Days That Tear the Heart is pretty wonderful. What does come as a surprise is just how wonderful it is. It reminds me a lot of Laura Marling, (see also fairly recent Late Night… inductees Dot Allison and This Is The Kit, as well as much of Tracey Thorn’s solo output, who I’m surprised to find I’ve not featured here, so that’s next week’s post sorted) so if you like her/their stuff – and if you don’t, there’s probably something wrong with you – you’ll love this album.

Here’s the opening track, which sets the tone for the whole record, which you can just immerse yourself and get lost in:

Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler – The Eagle & The Dove

Do yourself a favour and go buy it.

More soon.

Friday Night Music Club

Postponed from last week, as this edition is the very antithesis of a recent “indie guitars only” mix – it’s off to Da Club, and I thought some might find it disrespectful had I posted something encouraging you folks to dance on what was supposed to a very sombre weekend.

I ummd and ahhd about whether to include sleeve notes with each track, or simply write about an experience I had during my clubbing days, but I’m nowhere near drunk enough for the latter, so sleeve notes it is. Don’t worry, the story will keep for another day.

So, as this week’s playlist is one where I have to actually mix the tunes, I should probably blow the dust of the old disclaimer: any shonky mixes are down to me (listening back, it actually sounds ok, although one tune clearly ends a lot more abruptly than expected); any skips or jumps are down to the mixing software or the uploading process; all song choices are mine.

Right, get your dancing trousers on. We’re off:

Friday Night Music Club Vol 19

1. Simian Mobile Disco – Cream Dream

I wanted to start off with a tune which fades in, and what better way than with this tune, with Super Furry Animals main man Gruff Rhys on vocals. Lifted from one of my favourite records of the last – *checks notes* This came out WHEN?? – erm, 13 years, Temporary Pleasures. It’s a must-own album, in my book.

2. Jon Carter – Go Down

First of two appearances this week from the former Mr Sara Cox. I seem to remember this having trouble getting clearance for the vocal sample; listening to it now, whilst I can totally see what he was trying to do with the sample, I’m not sure it completely works. That said, I can personally attest that when it got dropped at around 2am in The Emporium, played by Carter himself, and when it was still a work in progress well…when the breakdown happens and that vocal sample kicks in, I can assure you it sounded magnificent.

3. Happy Mondays – 24 Hour Party People (Jon Carter’s Acid Vocal)

Carter Part 2. This starts off sounding like it’s going to be Leftfield’s Phat Planet until Shaun WIlliam Ryder’s vocals echo out; a mix I will forever associate with Llŷr, for we were once just leaving the dancefloor at The Emporium when that vocal boomed out – and, as you will hear, until that happens there is not one clue as to what the track is going to be (so apologies for the spoiler), for Carter has stripped away the distinctive keyboard stabs from the original and replaced the wonky bassline with a whole load of acid-y squelches, bleeps and boings. We both turned at the same time, eyes and mouths wide in surprised delight, and raced each other back to strut our stuff.

4. Green Velvet – La La Land

Now, it’s no great secret just how Ryder and his band of baggy brothers achieved partying for (at least) 24 hours, and this tune starts off sounding like it’s going down the same route, extolling the virtues of “those little pills” until that killer line “until they kill a million brain cells”. A tune which I shall forever associate with my old mate Dum Dum, for reasons which are probably fairly self-explanatory, but which I’m certainly not going to discuss here.

5. Soulwax – E-Talking

For once, a Soulwax tune which isn’t a Soulwax remix. This is from their truly wonderful Nite Versions album, which contains duffers not one. We’re getting dangerously close to a theme here, what with the “It’s not you, it’s the E talking” refrain. A bona fide banger (as are the next few choons).

6. FC Kahuna – Nothing is Wrong

Speaking of wonderful albums, this is lifted from one which is always criminally overlooked, often forgotten, some might say: 2002’s Machine Says Yes. Lyrically, it answers the question about why people go clubbing: “…to stop myself from bouncing off the walls”. Lovely stuff.

7. Narcotic Thrust – Safe From Harm (K-Klass Remix)

I know no more about and own nothing else by Narcotic Thrust than this; the original mix is ok, but Welsh wizards K-Klass’ remix elevates this one to a position of greatness, giving it a funky-as-fuck bassline you simply can’t help but shake your bits to. Turn it up loud and feel that bassline.

8. Plump DJs – The Funk Hits The Fan

Speaking of wonderful albums (as I was, a few minutes ago, remember?) here’s another which is often forgotten and criminally overlooked: Plump DJs 2003 belter Eargasm. I once had the pleasure of catching these perform live, upstairs in the Attic at The Emporium in Cardiff, a room I was more used to seeing half empty but on this occasion it was absolutey rammed and the crowd were going totally wild for them. Assuming you still have it turned up loud from Narcotic Thrust, I defy you to resist the bassline on this one. Magnetic. (Oh, and as previously stated, apologies for the abrupt ending…but if Peelie could get away with it, so can I…)

9. Fake Blood – Fix Your Accent

Tremendous fun, this one. This was going to be their eardrum shattering Mars, until I listened to this and the intro reminded me of something, so Fix Your Accent got added and Mars got bumped to work, rest and play another day.

10. Spiller – Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love)

The start of this tune is what I was reminded of by the start of the last. It’s always nice to bring things to a conclusion with something everyone knows. This, of course, features daughter of a Blue Peter presenter, look what she made earlier, Sophie Ellis- Bexter, who at the time had just left largely unsuccesful indie-wannabe’s theaudience (as they insisted on spelling it) and she was yet to embark on her immensely succesful solo pop career. I’m sure I remember reading an interview with her before Groovejet came out, saying how much she hated dance music, but I’m buggered if I can find it again, or indeed any reference to it, on the t’internet now. Anyway, assuming my recollection is sound (“…until they kill a million brain cells…”), then her beliefs went out the window the moment she got invited to provide the vocals for this #1 smasheroo, and indeed for the rest of her musical career. A place in the Cabinet surely awaits.

11. Ibibio Sound Machine – Something We’ll Remember

Something relatively new! I featured this lot a month or so ago elsewhere on these pages, and since then I’ve grown to love their Electricity album even more. Which, given the involvement of some of Hot Chip is hardly surprising.

12. Mansun – Wide Open Space (Perfecto Mix)

And to round things off – and it’s always nice to bring things to a conclusion with something everyone knows – here’s Paul Oakenfold doing what he does, which is either enhancing an indie favourite and introducing it to a whole new audience, or totally ruining a perfectly good tune by sticking beats and synths all over it, depending on which side of the fence you’re sitting. Me? I’m on the enhancing side. Just.

Anyway, that’s yer lot for this week. Hope you enjoy it.

More soon.

How To Do a Cover Version

Ordinarily on a Monday morning, tech issues allowing, I try to post something uplifting, to get your week off to a positive start.

But this is no ordinary Monday morning, it’s the day of the Queen’s funeral (not an elimation round on RuPaul’s Drag Race), so I figured that it wouldn’t be appropriate to follow my usual course on on this particular Monday.

When I was younger, I used to laugh and make jokes when those in the public eye passed away. I was in a pub in Cardiff when it was announced that The Queen Mother had passed away, and I, considerably louder than planned, said “About fucking time!” and got a round of applause. Would I do that now? Absolutely not. For a start, I don’t live in Wales anymore, so I suspect that support for anti-monarchy sentiment in public places may well be less forthcoming.

But also, well…I’ve grown up. I’ve lost people, experienced bereavement first hand enough times to appreciate that whilst I may not mourn the loss of a particular person, somebody out there does, and they have every right to be allowed to grieve without me poking fun at their expense.

I did consider not posting anything at all today, but I wanted to post something, partly to express my gratitude for an extra day off work (although there is literally nothing to watch on TV except funeral footage), whilst also not appearing to be disrespectful to those amongst you who do wish to mourn and grieve. Whatever I posted today, I decided, should include nothing which could be considered to be a reference to, or comment on, today’s sombre event.

Is that enough disclaimers? Good, then I’ll continue.

In 1999, one of those tribute albums was released where bands inspired by a particular recording artist are invited to provide a cover version of one of said acts’ tunes in homage to them.

The norm with this kind of project, as one would expect, is that they’re a mixed bag in terms of invitees and therefore quality of cover. The album in question, Fire & Skill – The Songs of The Jam, is no exception, containing more duffers than decent covers.

This, though, is one of the good ones, as one would perhaps expect if you’re at all familiar with the back catalogue of Buffalo Tom:

Buffalo Tom – Going Underground

It’s a much slowed down version, almost making it a waltz, compared to the original:

The Jam – Going Underground

Nothing disrespectful or inappropriate there, then, right?

More soon.

Sunday Morning Coming Down

I picked up the album this morning’s track is from a while ago because it was bugging me.

I knew that name from somewhere, but I just couldn’t place it.

I really enjoyed the album, and knew I recognised the voice from somewhere, but couldn’t place that either.

And so I cheated and Googled him to find that Phil Odgers is, of course, one of the front men of legendary folk-punksters The Men They Couldn’t Hang.

Anyway, this is from his most recent solo album, Ghosts of Rock’n’Roll, and it’s pretty great:

Phil Odgers – The Last Thing On My Mind (Is Regret)

More soon.

Late Night Stargazing

Released in 1969, For Lovers is an album credited to The San Sebastian Strings, with the sub-credit: Music by Anita Kerr, Words by Rod McKuen.

In fact, the album is some of McKuen’s poetry, set to music by Kerr, with the music performed by The San Sebastian Strings, whilst McKuen himself provides the spoken word recitals.

This is the opening track from the second side of the record:

The San Sebastian Strings – Why I Follow the Tigers

In 1998, McKuen and Kerr found themselves earning a rather surprising writing credit on Madonn’a seventh studio album, Ray of Light, which she produced with Wiliam Orbit, when a sample from Why I Follow the Tigers was used on this little beauty:

Madonna – Drowned World/Substitute For Love

You could say that whilst there may be a massive queue to see Her Maj laying in state at the moment, there’s considerably less waiting time should you want to hear something by the Queen of Reinvention, Her Madge.

More soon.

Friday Night Music Club

Right. Time for an explanation.

Tonight’s mix is not the one I had planned to post.

The one I had prepared was a little too upbeat for such a momentous weekend; whilst I personally won’t be joining in the nation’s mouring, I didn’t want to disrespect those that are.

And so I decided to create a mix “on the fly”; I decided what the first and last track would be, and then started recording as I journeyed from one to the other.

I tell you this instead of offering sleeve notes, as there will doubtless be those who think some of my selections are….disrespectful. That wasn’t the intention. The intention was simply to pick tunes which sounded good next to each other – any which may seem to have been chosen as some sort of comment on any recent high profile passings are entirely coincidental.

Honest.

So let’s crack on, shall we?

(By the way, because this mix is just shy of 2 hours, Google Drive can’t cope and won’t let me upload it, so the link below takes you to my old Soundcloud account. Hope it works ok!)

Friday Night Music Club Vol 18

1. Beastie Boys featuring Miho Hatori – Start
2. Cilla Black – Something Tells Me (Something’s Gonna Happen Tonight)
3. Luther Vandross – Never Too Much
4. Womack & Womack – Teardrops
5. Gary Byrd & The G.B. Experience – The Crown
6. Catatonia – Karaoke Queen
7. Marilyn Monroe – Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend
8. Madonna – Material Girl
9. Annie – I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me
10. Avril Lavigne – Girlfriend
11. The B-52’s – Wig
12. David Bowie – Queen Bitch
13. Carole King – I Feel The Earth Move
14. Eddy Arnold – I’m Throwing Rice (At The Girl I Love)
15. Half Man Half Biscuit – Paintballs Coming Home (Andy Kershaw Session)
16. The Ukrainians – Koroleva Ne Polerma
17. Status Quo – Gentleman Joe’s Sidewalk Cafe
18. Beyond the Wizard’s Sleeve – Midas Reversed
19. Barry Adamson – Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Pelvis
20. Pulp – Mis-Shapes
21. China Crisis – King in a Catholic Style
22. Doves – Kingdom of Rust
23. Black Grape – Tramazi Parti
24. Beck – E-Pro
25. Nirvana – Lithium
26. PJ Harvey – 50ft Queenie
27. Pixies – Planet of Sound
28. Supergrass – Richard III
29. Gene – We Could Be Kings (Single Edit)
30. The Teardrop Explodes – Treason
31. The Stranglers – Everybody Loves You When You’re Dead
32. ? & The Mysterians – 96 Tears
33. Inspiral Carpets – Dragging Me Down
34. The Jam – Town Called Malice

That should keep you occupied for a while.

More soon.

Sunday Morning Coming Down

In these uncertain times here in the UK – new Prime Minister in Liz Truss, new monarch in King Charles Spaniel III – I was mightily relieved when my trusty iPod shuffled this into my ears as I travelled back from the office the other day, as, despite it being about neither of those things, it did seem to strike a note of positivity which I’m not sure I subscribe to right now:

Victoria Bailey – The Beginning

More soon.