Here Comes The Sun

 

The Sun is shining. In Glasgow. In April.

These are unprecedented times. Jumpers have been dispatched. Sleeves have been rolled up. Some brave souls are wearing shorts and it is only a matter of time until the shorts and sandals combo hits the streets.

People who are normally blue are turning white and maybe even red

Be afraid, be very afraid!

Of course, it could be snowing by Monday

Lightships - The Warmth of the Sun

Kelly Stoltz - The Sun Comes Through

Sister John - Waiting for the Sun

Blog Country 115 - Jamaica

 

I find it hard to believe that folk from 114 countries have visited this Blog before anyone from Jamaica.

Of course it is possible that there were visitors from before I started monitoring the stats, but even then it is still extraordinary.

It is a bit of a let off for me this week as absolutely no research at all is required and no exploring the dark corners of the internet for a song or two to include.

It took me all of a minute to decide on todays selections. There will be no surprises and no doubt some of you (I'm looking at you Ernie) might be disappointed that I did not delve deeper and dubbier.

Let's face it there is a ton of material out there. There is probably enough for a series that could easily run for a year or so. Something to think about.

It would be churlish to write about Jamaican music and not feature Bob Marley and the Wailers and  equally churlish not to feature Exodus.

I immediately thought of two other songs namely Suzanne Beware of the Devil by Dandy Livingstone and Police and Thieves by Junior Murvin. The latter was of course covered by The Clash who provided one of my entry points to the genre.

The Clash also covered Pressure Drop by Toots & the Maytals but today I have gone for 54-46 -That's My Number. They are the only one of the four acts that I have been fortunate enough to see live.

Next time round will be far trickier. We will be back in Africa and some serious scrambling about will be required.

Bob Marley & the Wailers -Exodus

Dandy Livingstone -Suzane Beware of the Devil

Junior Murvin -Police & Thieves

Toots & the Maytals - 54-46 That's My Number

Thank You For The Dawes

 

At Saturday's Dropkick gig Alan from the band performed a cover of a song  by the Los Angeles band Dawes.

It was not a song that I recognised but it got me thinking that I should probably give them a listen. I don't actually have anything physical by the band just a few songs here and there plus burns/downloads of North Hills their 2009 debut  and All Your Favourite Bands from 2015

They have a Laurel Canyon feel to their music something which should appeal to Alyson

I have enjoyed what I have heard by them and would certainly pounce in the very unlikely event of one of their albums ever popping up in a Charity Shop.

Dawes - When My Time Comes

Dawes - All Your Favourite Bands

Dawes -Time Spent in Los Angeles

Cruel Summer Toilet Tunes

 

On my latest visit to the loo at my local Shopping Centre the song blaring out was Cruel Summer by Bananarama which is maybe a wee bit ambitious for the beginning of April

I don't think that I have to tell you that it is a considerable improvement from Shotgun the previous one  by George Ezra

A slightly different format this time round in that I am including the actual song together with a couple of Cruel ones and Summer ones. 

Bananarama - Cruel Summer

Nick Lowe - Cruel to be Kind

Wilco - Cruel Country

Grandaddy -Summer Here Kids

Bruce Springsteen -Girls in their Summer Clothes

I've Been to a Concert

 

It took until the day that the clocks go forward but I have finally attended my first  concert of 2025.

A combination of finance, illness and accidents has led to this sorry state of affairs. I'll be very surprised if I make double figures this year.

The act I had gone to see was Dropkick at Glasgow's Glad Cafe on Saturday. It is the 4th, or possibly the 5th time, that I have seen them and the 2nd, or maybe the 3rd time. at the Glad Cafe. I  blame Brian

Despite getting there reasonably early I missed the start of the first act who was Kev Sherry formally the frontman of the sadly missed Attic Lights band. It is not often you see an artist singing in his stocking soles. It also takes balls to sing a song called Young Presbyterians in Glasgow!

The next act were Star Trip a band from Valencia. Ian, from Dropkick, introduced them as " the Spanish Teenage Fanclub" They made a splendid racket and had the audience, and their Spanish fans, boogieing furiously.

They are certainly a band worth pursuing further. I would definitely try to see them again and will try to obtain some of their music

They were certainly a hard act to follow and it took Dropkick a wee while to get the audience fully engaged with their set, They finally got there and the  delivered some top tunes from their extensive back catalogue. They included a couple of songs from their recently released album Primary Colours.

It was duly purchased but I have yet to listen to it.

A solid 7/10 and maybe even a 7.5/10 if fractions are aloud. 

Here are the first 2 tracks from their 2021 Best Of album which formed part of the their set

Dropkick - Until I Fall Away

Dropkick - Out of Tune

Candi Covers Sunday

 

George very kindly forwarded me a copy of  legendary Soul icon Candi Staton's recent album Back to My Roots, I haven't had the chance to listen to it yet but the reviews seem pretty positive including from Americana  and Blues  sources. 

Let's face it Candi could recite the phonebook and it would be brilliant. She can pretty much turn her hand to anything as these covers of three classic songs demonstrate.

I look forward to giving Back to my Roots a listen

Candi Staton - In the Ghetto

Candi Station - Stand By Your Man

Candi Staton - Jolene

Saturday Shuffle 93

 

The World has spun around it's axis again, or something like that

Yes, it's Saturday Shuffle time again and I'm pleased to report that I've got three belters for you this week. I think that all three acts have graced this series before but don't worry - they are not  one trick ponies.

We start with Camera Obscura with the brilliant Lloyd, I'm Ready to be Heartbroken. I think I detect a little smirk on Mr Cole's face above.

An act who always makes you smile is the late great Little Richard who today is urging you to shake a hand.

A band who certainly knew how to have a good time were Mott the Hoople who were often prone to a little Boogie down Honaloochie way.

More heartbreaks, hand shakes and boogieing next Saturday

Camera Obscura - Lloyd, I'm Ready to be Heartbroken

Little Richard - Shake a Hand

Mott the Hoople - Honaloochie Boogie