Welcome to the RPM Seven Day Soundtrack, week ending Friday 7th May. What red hot sounds are awaiting to warm us up during an unseasonably chilly early May....? Over to.....
"My 3 this week."
Skinhead Moonstomp by Symarip -
"Hi RPMers, hope you're all safe and well. Here are my three for this week."
Ohio by Damien Jurado - "I was sorting through a pile of magazines last weekend and I came across an old copy of Shindig! which I'd kept because of a feature on Quintessence. After a quick browse I realised that there were also features on a number of people whose music I was unfamiliar with. So..... I spent most of Monday morning checking them out on YouTube; Mood Six, Jacqueline Thibault, The Explorers Club, Damien Jurado and Petra Haden. The one track that made a lasting impression was Ohio by Damien Jurado from his 1999 album Rehearsals for Departure."
Tories by Black Roots - "This is from an album called Take It which was in my 'Top 5 Purchases of 2020' list. It's also one of my most played albums of 2021.... so far.
Love And Only Love by Neil Young & Crazy Horse - "The 'Ragged Glory' album is on my car stereo at the moment....with the volume on eleven! Has an album ever been more aptly titled....?"
"I'd like to dedicate my 3 tracks this week to Jean and wish her a speedy recovery from her horrible fall and hope that she enjoys the ones I've picked . I hope that the bruises have faded, Jean. Best wishes to all RPMers - we're off for a few days in NE Norfolk next week but I should still be able to contribute from afar wifi permitting. "
I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell performed by Elvis Presley - "This track comes from one of the hardest of Elvis's lps to find in better than good condition. I'm still in the market for a minty sleeve! I remember buying it when it came out and was surprised that this track got star billing when all of the others make for one of the best of his lp's that RCA issued in terms of the mix of tracks. One side was devoted to slow and the other to more upbeat tunes. As far as I'm aware the only tracks to be issued in the UK on 45 were Judy b/w There's always me but I also have Sentimental Me b/w I'm coming home on a very scarce South African 78 rpm"
Every Little Bit Hurts performed by Brenda Holloway - "The best version of this song from Brenda Holloway. Cilla covered it but failed to match Brenda's version as did all other attempts from various artists."
Since I Fell For You" Gladys Knight - "A pip-less Gladys shows how some classic songs from the American Songbook should be done. Taken from a 2006 album called "Before Me" which contains
songs from the likes of Gershwin, Ellington, Arlen and in this case Buddy Johnson from 1945. Late night, lights low and whisky in hand stuff. All done in the past by Ella, Billie, Sarah and Dinah etc but reworked magnificently by this peerless songstress.
"A mixed bag this week, all featuring female vocalists and, in two instances, there's a definite sixties vibe despite the tracks being recorded in the eighties. First up, a band responsible for one of the most fun packed nights we had at Retford's tiny Porterhouse club, at that time an essential part of the gig circuit for bands starting out on the greasy pole of success or, in some cases, sliding down towards eventual oblivion....."
On the beach by The Revillos (taken from 'Rev Up' album released September 1980. Dindisc label) - "Here's the Revillos with a song which would surely have graced any Shangri Las album with, as an added bonus, some fine Eno-esque 'sky saw' guitar and obligatory sound effects..... all topped off with a video featuring Barbie, Ken, their pony and various other beach attired 'babes' which seems to end with a reference, perhaps, to the Beatles 'butcher' sleeve? The band had initially started as the Rezillos in 1976 during the heyday of punk but, instead of the nihilism of, say, the Sex Pistols or the Clash, they took a similar outlook to the then nascent (and largely unknown) B 52's and, particularly, the Cramps whose love of '50's trash' music, film and TV shows was mirrored by the band. However, late 1978 saw the bubbling tensions between the Rezillos songwriter Jo Callis (later to pen Human League's number one 'Don't you want me') and girl/boyfriend front people Fay Fife and Eugene Reynolds boil over leading to a major split in the band. Sire Records agreed to cancel their contract on condition they discontinued the Rezillos name which led to the slightly amended nomenclature and this was to be the most familiar and long lasting name spanning 1979 to 1991. The band then decided to 'reform' as the Rezillos and have toured regularly ever since, particularly in Japan where they could probably be said to have been the instigators of the catch-phrase 'big in Japan'. The debut albums by both bands (z and v) are as impressive as the initial releases by the B 52's and the Cramps, drawing as they do on a mix of high speed, witty originals and equally high speed 'beat era' covers and both deserve a place in anyone with a sense of funs, record collection.
Incense and Peppermints by The Adult Net (12" single, released April 1985. Beggars Banquet label) - "Having dragged The Fall kicking and screaming (well, groaning and moaning) into a more commercial sound between 1983 and 1989 with covers of 'There's a ghost in my house' and 'Victoria' and their most accessible albums, including the excellent 'This nation's saving grace', Brix Smith (formerly the more prosaically named Laura Elise Salinger) decided that appearing at the Hellfire Club in Wakefield with a group resembling less than salubrious pub regulars wasn't quite what she had signed up for. Poaching most of the Fall as her band, she signed a deal with Beggars Banquet and released this excellent cover of Strawberry Alarm Clocks psych classic. Although faithful to the original, the transposing to a female vocal and John Leckie's sparkling production should have led to a hit record but perhaps it was just a little too early for the soon to come 'psychedelic revival' fronted by the Stone Roses and their ilk. Other worthy singles ('Edie' and 'Waking up the sun' a number 94 hit!!) and an unreleased album followed before the band signed to Geffen and, in quick succession, Fontana where a further handful of singles and an album were released. By this time the band, including former Smiths and Blondies in its rank, was on the verge of breaking up, as was Brix's marriage to Mark E Smith, and it was surely no surprise when the end came to both institutions in 1989. Since that time her career has sputtered somewhat. A romantic and musical dalliance with well known Aston Villa supporter Nigel Kennedy resulted in a cover of Donovan's 'Hurdy Gurdy Man' and was followed by intermittent Brix and the Extricated gigs and album releases. In between she auditioned for Hole.... and was a member for a 'whole' day!!! She has also written her memoir 'The rise, the Fall and the rise' and appeared on TV in fashion programmes and various documentaries as well as continuing to tour."
Future 40's (String of pearls) by Syd Straw (taken from 'Surprise' album, released 1st June 1989. Virgin label) - "Perhaps the stand out track from 'Surprise', here, alongside Syd's superb voice, we have the added bonus of the unmistakably familiar 'mumble' of Michael Stipe. Straw began her singing career as one of Pat Benatar's backing vocalists after she had been spotted at NYC's 'Catch a rising star' stand up club by Benatar when they shared a stage at the very beginning of their careers. She then joined the ever-revolving 'supergroup' The Golden Palominos which was formed by Anton Fier, Bill Laswell and Nicky Skopelitis. That groups line up, on their several albums released between 1983 and 2012, included Arto Lindsay, Fred Frith, Stipe, John Lydon, Jack Bruce, Richard Thompson and Bob Mould amongst many other 'left field' musicians. Joining Straw on the 'Surprise' album are Peter Blegvad and Anthony Moore (ex Slapp Happy/Henry Cow), Tony Levin (King Crimson), Pino Palladino (Jeff Beck, Gary Numan etc), Richard Thompson and Ry Cooder but, on release, the album only received generally mixed reviews.This is probably due to Syd's decision to use four different producers, coupled with a perhaps over-reliance of the duet format on what was supposed to be a debut solo outing. Until its release, Syd had considered herself as merely an interpreter of other writers material, or a back up vocalist, but here she stepped to the fore as a 'honey throated' folk/blues singer of some promise on the albums solo songs. Disappointingly, since its release, new albums have been sporadic (just four albums between 1996 and 2008) whilst her talents as an added voice of some distinction have been featured on a further forty albums by artists ranging from Ricky Lee Jones to Was Not Was, Leo Kottke to Van Dyke Parks and The db's to Wilco.
I was going to post the 'official' excellent video for the tune but, for some reason, it cuts off around 20 seconds before the end so here's one with the 'full' version."
"This week also saw the return to an activity which has been missing in my life for over 60 weeks............ I managed to enter a couple charidee shoppes and, lo and behold, amongst all the Dvorjak, Chopin, Ripsyeecorsetsoff and others (well, it was Holt!!) I picked up the 'Same old story' 7"er by Blodwyn Pig backed by a 'humorous' prog-tastic take of Carl Perkin's classic 'Slow Down'. Not much when compared to Tony's hoard last week I know but, at the time it felt like a giant step towards some sort of normality. I already have the two discs he mentioned, the Small Faces from the excellent Holt record shop and the Marvin Gaye EP from a Sheringham charity shop but, unfortunately, sans its picture bag. It becomes obvious when you play the SF disc just why the band insisted on its prompt withdrawal and its release proved to be a further nail in the coffin for their relationship with Don Arden who they left 'immediate'ly following the release of the more familiar, and much better re-recorded version. Now, if only I could stumble on a copy of 'Patterns' (currently attracting silly money on Discogs/E-bay etc).
Stay safe."
Petite Fleur by Sidney Bechet - "Thanks to Jean, I have had this tune stuck in my head. I have even been playing it on my mandolin this week! I thought it might be bad form to repeat it so soon, but it bears another listen. This is my favourite version."
"I have also been listening to a lot (seriously!) of Scandinavian ‘Folk?’ Music lately. Particularly Swedish and Norwegian folk dance tunes. I have even strayed into Finnish and Russian folk cultures. The Tango is huge in Finland… as is the harmonium! The two are often applied together - and in public.
Strangely, adopted before the first world war, and now performed in it’s own rather rigid form, ‘Suomalainen tango’ since the 50s. Old folk dance tunes, traditional songs TV themes, and bits and pieces from elsewhere, including Country & Western, and Swing Jazz are taken and twisted to a very ‘square’ Tango rhythm. Quite passionless, and very unlike the traditional Argentinan Tango. The people of the artic circle has some odd traditions often involving alcohol. For a long time I have been a huge fan of Aki Kaurismäki, and I have thought that, if I were ever diagnosed with a terminal illness, it might be fun to head North in deepest winter, to drink a bottle of Finnish Vodka on a Helsinki Dockside.. Perhaps I have also found the perfect soundtrack?"
Juan Llossas' Tango Bolero by Timo Alakotila -
Twisted Invention by Tsuumi Sound System - "I am not sure what category this should be filed in. It is a bit twiddly, folky jazzy, classical? Should harmonium based bands have a category all their own?"
"Just in case you need something to reoxygenate to after that rather high altitude piece, I suggest a breather with this…." (Pier's sneaky way of slipping in a bonus track, Tim)
Groovin with Mr. Bloe by Mr. Bloe -
"Hi folks.....Hope you're all well and enjoying a bit more (careful) contact.
Wow, last week's selection blew me away. Bopped round my new abode with a big grin, thoroughly enjoyed it. Perfect antidote/accompaniment to unpacking a load more stuff.
Added treat of watching live music for the 1st time in what felt like forever this week - yay!
Can't beat a bop to put a smile on your face, here's some I've been dancing to this week."
Friday I'm in Love by The Cure -
Pumped up Kicks by Foster the People -
Crocodile Rock by Elton John -. "I defy you not to "la la la" along."
Bonus track....
"Planned to just offer 3 tunes that I luv dancing my face off to, but..
Wallpaper gate. Did BoJo break ministerial code? Will he ever be held to account? He blatantly lies, gets found out, lies again. Hard not to despair, so bonus choice is for angry, ranty dancing.....
Apologies x2; bad language & I brought this to a "live" RPM previously at the same time of year.. sadly things haven't changed and it's as relevant now as ever.
Take care and stay safe everyone. Cheers!"
Mouthful of Shit by Chumbawamba -
"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and the wee donkey! I've reached 1976 already! First choice this week is......"
Rockaria by The Electric Light Orchestra (from their best and most consistent LP, A New World Record.) - "Robert Christgau, the "Dean" of American rock critics (self-appointed of course) once called ELO "The Moody Blues with brains." I prefer "The Moody Blues with a sense of humour," and no song illustrates this better than this selection.
Anything That's Rock'n'Roll by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - "Yes, it really was as long ago as November 1976 when their self-titled debut album was released. It was marvellous at the time to hear a genuine dyed-in-the-wool American rock'n'roll band- not a cartoon version thereof (like The Ramones) but Southerners, with a charismatic front-man who could write, and a great guitar player in Mike Campbell. Over the ensuing years they proved themselves able to give those E-Street Yankees a run for their money in the "Greatest Rock'n'Roll Band in the World" stakes. There is of course a connection with my first selection as Jeff Lynne and TP worked together in later years. This is a performance from TOTP of the second single released in Britain (not a single in the USA)."
Police and Thieves by Junior Murvin - "And now for something completely different, as they used to say on Monty Python. A Lee Perry production about gang warfare and police brutality featuring Ernest Ranglin, Sly Dunbar, and Boris Gardner among the backing musicians. As somebody with a sadly deficient hipness quotient once said "It's still rock'n'roll to me."
"Greetings RPM faithful. In a week full of music I’ve selected tracks via a memory, an interview on Radio 5 and a chance encounter on Radio 6."
No Money At All by Brendan Croker and the 5 O’Clock Shadows -
Baby Blue Eyes by Joan Armatrading -
Chase It Down by Bobby Gillespie and Jehnny Beth -
Hi RPMers, enjoyed your picks last week.....a stellar one I would say . Here’s my 3 favs............"
Road of the Lonely Ones by Madlib -
Bad Ischl by Fridge -
Rambin Rose by MC5 (remastered Tarter Field) -
"Hope everyone's ok. I’m gradually recovering and my shiner has nearly gone. So a livelier pick this week. I’ve gone for a classic album - Bridge over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel. Best wishes to everyone and look after yourselves. "
Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel -
Scarborough Fair by Simon and Garfunkel -
"My 3 taken from albums played this week............"
Juvenescence by Yasmin Williams - "Thanks Jayne for bringing Yasmin Williams to our attention last week. What a breath of contemporary acoustic guitar fresh air! I've been playing both her Unwind and Urban Driftwood albums all week and this tune just stuck in my head. Musical magic."
The Great Valerio by Richard and Linda Thompson - "Following on from last weeks song from Richard Thompson's debut LP, his second release was as a duo with his then wife Linda.....and what a cracker of an album it is. Tony coincidentally chose the title track, I Want to See The Bright Lights Tonight, last week. But after finishing Richard's memoir Beeswing: Fairport, Folk Rock and finding my voice, it made me wonder which early song I'd consider the one where he truly did find his own voice as a song writer. The Great Valerio is the song I narrowed it down to. All other songs across Henry the Human Fly and Bright Lights I would describe as either Folk Rock, Fairport Folk Rock, Country Rock or Trad English / Scottish but rocked up a bit. Great Valerio, the Bright Lights album closer, does not make me think of any musical style other than what we would now consider Richard Thompson's own. More RT next week............"
Going Down South performed by the Black Keys - "Another new one from The Black Keys forthcoming Delta Kream album, a cover of the R.L. Burnside song."
"Til next time....and remember, Rock 'n' Roll will never let you down........"