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Thursday 30 May 2013

Double Dekker




Round about 1980 when Desmond Dekker signed to Stiff  to coincide with the rise of Ska and 2 Tone he had a brief resurrection of his career (which had begun in the 60's) culminating in one of the many  re-releases of the epic Israelites.
Around this time my pals and I had tickets to see him at the Renfrew Ferry in Glasgow. We turned up, he didn't!
I've just about forgiven him which is evidenced by me buying the Best of in a Charity Shop the other week.

Rather than post Israelites which I'm sure most of you are familiar with,I thought I would post a couple of tracks which were hits for Desmond Dekker and the Aces in the 60's
He died aged 64 in 2006

Desmond Dekker and the Aces -007 (Shanty Town)

Desmond Dekker and the Aces - It Mek

Wednesday 29 May 2013

K



At the 11th hour just as we were about to take our leave of St Andrews , Mrs CC disappeared into the Sally Army and returned with the above which she had purchased for the grand total of 99p.
I think I may have had a tape of this when it came out in 1996.
It is not too bad in a hippy trippy, Brit Pop with an Eastern tinge sort of a way
I believe they produced another 3 albums but they only burnt brightly for a short while.
This track, which I subsequently got as a CD single is the pick of the bunch by a country mile

Kula Shaker - Govinda

Tuesday 28 May 2013

One More Paisley Buddy

                                                     
                                                            Paisley Anchor Mill

We went to see Karine Polwart give a terrific concert at Paisley Arts Centre on Sunday night.
Getting the tickets for that gig was what  inspired this occasional mini series on Paisley artists.
I'm willing to bet that Carol Laula ,a Paisley singer songwriter, has played Paisley Arts Centre on more than one occasion.
She first came to prominence in 1990 when her song Standing Proud was adopted as the official song for Glasgow's Year of Culture (ya bass!)
Since then she has had half a dozen or so albums.
These couple of  tracks are taken from her album Still from 2004.

Carol Laula - Restless

Carol Laula - Old Brick Wall

Monday 27 May 2013

Mexican Monday 7



No series about Mexico would be complete without a nod to Alejandro Escovedo, a Texan son of Mexican immigrants.
As part of a long and varied career, during which No Depression magazine named him artist of the decade in 1998, he has made many references to his ancestoral homeland including the 2002 play and album By the Hand of the Father exploring the Mexican-American experience.
The two tracks here are taken from the 2001 album A Man Under the Influence.
The first song Wave details the spread of the Mexican diaspora whereas the second is a fairly self explanatory tale of immigrants trying to get across the border.
Alejandro Escovedo is terrific live - the two times I saw him in the Continental Club in Austin are up there in the top 10 concerts I've ever been to with him and Chuck Prophet doing a terrific "I'll be Your Dog" which I have live somewhere and will post at a later date.

Alejandro Escovedo -Wave

Alejandro Escovedo - Across The River

Sunday 26 May 2013

Doubler



A quick and lazy post today.
Whilst on holiday Mrs CC purchased the soundtrack to Sleepless in Seattle which I suspect may well be a Chick Flick as opposed to a Chic Flic.
Anyway I haven't seen it and have no desire to do so.
Turns out that the CD is in fact a doubler.
Prior to reconsigning it to a charity shop I have dispensed with all the jazzy numbers, as is my want, and have retained the two country numbers

Gene Autry - Back In The Saddle Again

Tammy Wynette -Stand By Your Man

Saturday 25 May 2013

Across 110th Street


It is a gloriously sunny day in Glasgow and I am taking a well deserved break from varnishing the garden furniture to post this track for no other reason than it is absolutely fantastic.
I first heard it when watching Jackie Brown and on the subsequent soundtrack.
I've got a good few Bobby Womack albums since and whereas he is excellent nothing comes remotely close to this.

I shall be joining Walter tonight in cheering on Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League Final.
In a David versus Goliath situation you should always root for the little fella.

Bobby Womack - Across 110th Street

Friday 24 May 2013

A Couple of Caitlins



First up is Caitlin Cary who featured in the Whiskeytown song Matrimony featured on the recent  World Whisky Day post.
After leaving Whiskeytown she came up with some sole albums including 2002's "While You Weren't Looking" which features this song although I have it on Only Love Can Break Your Heart an Uncut compilation from July 2003.
She also did a good album with Thad Cockrell "Begonias"

Caitlin Cary - Please Don't Hurry Your Heart


Next up, and slightly more up to date, is Caitlin Rose from the 2010 album "Own Side Now"
Her new album "The Stand-In" is on my ever growing wish list.
She is definitely one to watch I reckon

Caitlin Rose - Learnin' to Ride

Thursday 23 May 2013

The Power of the Blog


On the 9th of May the Vinyl Villain posted Some Random Thoughts from the MP3 Player of the Big O
here
This included a track from Hopewell a band I had never heard of which I played and liked.
Fast forward a week and I am in Oxfam in St Andrews when I come across The Curved Glass by the band.
I'm having that  I thought.
It's good stuff -plenty of mellotrons etc and not too dissimilar to Mercury Rev or the Flaming Lips, which is no bad thing.

I first came across Eleanor McEvoy on Cover Lay Down doing Mother's Little Helper.On the back of that I've bought lots of her stuff and saw her perform a terrific concert last night with this as the encore.

Such is the Power of the Blog

Hopewell - Lazy Day

Eleanor McEvoy - I Knew the Bride (When She Used to Rock'n'Roll

Tuesday 21 May 2013

Jury's Out



When I came across Moloko's Things to Make and Do for a couple of quid on holiday I swithered and then decided against purchasing.
I'd only heard the Roisin Murphy album when she is wearing the clown outfit on the cover (Overpowered apparently - had to look it up) and didn't think it was anything special.
However, when I saw it in another shop for 50p I thought what the hell let's give it a go.
The jury is out to be honest - I'm not sure if it's my cup of tea.
I quite like this song and The Time is Now which I've heard before but can take or leave the rest.

Off to see Eleanor McEvoy tomorrow night in the Glad Cafe as part of the Glasgow Southside Festival which is more my bag
Still you don't know unless you try!

Moloko - Indigo

Monday 20 May 2013

Mexican Monday 6



Having been chastised for the somewhat tenuous connection of the Cake track on Mexican Monday 5 you may think that posting something by the Chieftains would be equally tenuous - but you would be wrong there.
San Patricio is a concept album by the Chieftains and various others primarily Ry Cooder who lets face it you would expect to feature in a Mexican themed series.
The Saint Patrick's Battalion (SpanishBatallón de San Patricio), formed and led by Jon Riley, was a unit of 175 to several hundred immigrants (accounts vary) and expatriates of European descent who fought as part of the Mexican Army against the United States in the Mexican-American War of 1846 to 1848. 
Reviled by the Americans as traitors and deserters they are remembered by the Mexicans and the Irish as heroes who fought bravely against an unjust and thinly veiled war of aggression.
See these Irish - they get everywhere!


What with the history lesson I'm beginning to feel a bit like a bit like Swiss Adam!


The Chieftains (with Ry Cooder) - The Sands of Mexico

The Chieftains (with Los Camperos de Valles) - El Caballo

Sunday 19 May 2013

Blind Willie McTell



I woke up one night last week whilst on holiday thinking I need to post some Blind Willie McTell on the old blog.
Sad I know but once it was in my head it required to be actioned.
I've got  a splendid 4 disc set The Classic Years 1927 -1940. I was just going to purchase a one CD Best of  but those thoughtful people at Red Lick quite rightly  pointed out  the error of my ways and steered me to the box set. Fine, fine people -a true public service.
I was also trying , unsuccessfully to find the Bob Dylan track in Blind Willie's honour. However, even better here is the stonking version from the Dream Syndicate, fronted by the legend that is Steve Wynn,from Rough Trade Country 1

Blind Willie McTell - Let Me Play With Yo' Yo-yo

Blind Willie McTell - Lay Some Flowers on my Grave

The Dream Syndicate - Blind Willie McTell

Saturday 18 May 2013

World Whisky Day


It's World Whisky Day today
Time for a Talisker
Slainte!

Whiskeytown - Matrimony

Whiskeytown - Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight

He's Lost His Voice



Tragically the Voice will not feature on our TV screens this evening as for one week only it has been trumped by the Eurovision Song Contest.
I see Bonnie Tyler is the favourite to finish last - hardly surprising really when she was waxing lyrical about Denmark when the Contest is actually in Sweden!
For those of you missing your weekly fix of Sir Tom here is a song in honour of the Great Man and then the Great Man himself.
Both songs feature Cerys Matthews and I suppose the link is that they are both Welsh as opposed to anything more sinister.
After leaving Catatonia she popped up briefly in Nashville and came up with a couple of Americana albums. I've a couple of tracks kicking about somewhere and they are not bad.She has also DJ'ed on 6 Music and apparently likes fishing.

Space (with Cerys Matthews - The Ballad of Tom Jones

Tom Jones (with Cerys Matthews ) - Baby It's Cold Outside


Friday 17 May 2013

The East Neuk

 
                                                            Crail Harbour

Hot Dog Jumping Frog Alburquerque!

Just back from a week's holiday on the East Neuk of Fife to find myself featuring on The Vinyl Villian Some Random Thoughts series - I am not worthy.
I have returned with a veritable rag back of CDs purchased from the charity shops of St Andrews (and Coupar) which I shall subject you to over the next few months.
First up is Prefab Sprout - Paddy McAloon and the gang from the 1998 album From Langley Park to Memphis.
The Fence Collective and Fence Records are from the East Neuk (in particular Anstruther and Cellardyke) but I've yet to come across one of their CDs on their own patch but here is the King of the East Neuk himself Mr Kenny Anderson

Prefab Sprout-The King of Rock'n'Roll

King Creosote - Not One Bit Ashamed


Monday 13 May 2013

Mexican Monday 5


You would not normally associate the quirky indie band Cake with a Mexican themed post - but you would be wrong there.
Track 2 from their album Prolonging the Magic is entitled Mexico.
It should maybe Prolonging the Agony as this series shows no sign of ending ........... just yet!

Off to the East Neuk of Fife for a few days and will visit the charity shops of St Andrews in the vain hope that the student's musical tastes have improved somewhat.
Not holding my breath though

Cake -Mexico

Sunday 12 May 2013

@#%&*!




I got Aimee Mann's new album the strangely named @#%&*! Smilers from the library the other day and it will come as no surprise that it is excellent.
I would play you a track but I only have a burn of this and as George and Drew have pointed out that would be illegal.
I'm ashamed to say that the only Aimee Mann I have is the CD single I Should've Known from the 1993 album Whatever.
This is obviously completely unacceptable and something that I need to rectify as a matter of urgency.
In keeping with my recent Arrested Development post I will not give you the title track but rather the other two tracks on the single.

Aimee Mann - Jimmy Hoffa's Jokes

Aimee Mann - Jacob Marley's Chain

Saturday 11 May 2013

The Voice



Those of you living in the UK are currently being subjected to a "talent" show called The Voice as part of the BBC's Saturday night "entertainment"
The title gives it away essentially a talent show with judges and audience participation to identify a new singing sensation.
However I have news for Sir Tom, Jessie J , Will.i.am (Twat.u.r) and the wee Irish boy who nobody knows - you are wasting your (and our) time.

THE VOICE is already out there and belongs to Ms Kelly Hogan.
I know that Ernie Goggins from 27 Leggies will back me up on this.

And here is the proof, as if proof was needed

Kelly Hogan - I'll Go To My Grave loving You

Thursday 9 May 2013

Yet Another Paisley Buddy

                                                    Paisley Coates Memorial Church

If Gerry Rafferty was the Governor of Paisley music then Paolo Nutini is very much the Young Pretender.
The former merchandise seller for Speedway (see post on 1st May) now has two fine albums to his name
These Streets (2006) and Sunny Side Up (2009).
The difficult 3rd album seems a wee while in the making.
Worth the wait ,however, if he continues to do collaborations as good as this one from the Chieftains 2012 album Voice of Ages(bagpipes courtesy of the City of Limerick Pipe Band).
Given the Paisley theme a shout out to Raymie Boff  a denizen of Paisley and a Billy Idol lookalike in his day!

Paolo Nutini - 10-10

The Chieftains with Paolo Nutini - Hard Times Come Again No More

Wednesday 8 May 2013

Some Arresting Music


I was going to post Tennessee as I have had the CD single for a number of years.
However when I got my recently purchased Best of CD down from the shelf I decided to opt for these two tracks which are both on my version of the single and are worthy of a main billing .
I note that the main man (2nd left top row)
is modestly called Speech and that he has now embarked on a solo career

Both tracks available on 3 Years,5 Months and 2 Days in the life of Arrested Development from as far back as 1992 (gosh!)

Arrested Development - Fishing 4 Religion

Arrested Development - Mama's Always on Stage

Eulogy

A close colleague and friend took his own life the other day.
This is for him.
Rest in Peace

Frank Turner - Eulogy

If you are struggling, and we all struggle from time to time, there is help and support out there.
Here are some Scottish links and there will be similar links in your own area/countries

Choose Life

Breathing Space   0800 835 587

Samaritans

Elament -Lanarkshire

Tuesday 7 May 2013

In Dublin's Fair City



Mrs CC was born in Dublin and her family come from the Emerald Isle.
A couple of years ago we took her mum to see the Dubliners play at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall and a right good craic it was too.
The only original Dubliner on stage was banjo and mandolin player Barney McKenna on the left of the picture above.
Sadly he too is now no longer with us but I'm sure the band will continue in various shapes and forms for many years to come

The Dubliners - The Rocky Road to Dublin

Monday 6 May 2013

Mexican Monday 4



On one of my trips to SXSW in Austin back in the day I had the pleasure of seeing Del Castillo in Momos Lounge.
The next day saw me visiting Waterloo Records to purchse the above 2001 album Brothers of the Castle.
This I believe is the English translation of the band's name given that the main men are the quite magnificent guitar playing brothers Rick and Mark Del Castillo.
According to Amazon this album was released in the UK in 2010 following their appearance at Celtic Connections.
As the Mexican theme song is an instrumental I have decided to add a second track as a wee bonus.
I know, I know, I spoil you rotten!




Sunday 5 May 2013

It's Mica Time



Here is a little bit of Sunday night Soul for you  courtesy of Mica Paris with a little help from Courtney Pine ........ nice!
Soul singer, Radio 2 DJ and Z list TV celebrity she has been a busy lass over the years.

Taken from the Best of Mica Paris purchased for 20p in a Record Library clearout sale.

Mica Paris - Like Dreamers Do

Saturday 4 May 2013

When Skiffle Was King



1957 was when Skiffle Was King according to the above CD which I bought for 99p in the Salvation Army,  Coatbridge the other day.
There is some good stuff on it, not necessarily all skiffle and one or two dodgy tracks as you would expect - Chris Barber's jazzy version of When the Saints Go Marching In and Jim Dale (of Carry On fame) doing Be My Girl.
It was quite interesting to hear the original versions of some tracks I've got by other artists eg the first one up which I've got by Dave Edmunds.
Have never heard of or heard the second track  before but it's jolly good.
I wasn't going to post Lonnie Donegan as I've plans for a post featuring him later.
However this incendiary live track is absolutely awesome and puts most of today's artists to shame and was too good to leave out.

Warning - this post may contain whistling.
Enjoy

Tommy Steele & the Steelmen - Singing the Blues

Johnny Duncan & His Blue Grass Boys - Last Train to San Fernando

Lonnie Donegan - Gamblin' Man

Friday 3 May 2013

Skye's the Limit


The beautiful island of Skye seems to be home for bands producing traditional Scottish music but with a modern slant.
First up is the Peatbog Faeries from as far back as 1996 from their record on Greentrax "Mellowosity".
This song puts me in mind of Tubular Bells meets The White Heather Club meets Pan Pipes - but in a good way.
Next up is something a bit more up to date - the title track from the 2012 album "Shed Life" by Sketch.

Even if you don't like the music you cannot fail to like the cover picture of a Highland Cow or a Highland Toffee Cow as they are often known as this image used to feature of the wrappers of McGowan's Highland Toffee (and maybe still does for all I know)

Peatbog Faeries - Lexy Macaskill

Sketch - Shed Life

Thursday 2 May 2013

In For The Kill



I purchased this at the weekend and a fine piece of retro pop it is too.
It came out in 2009 which surprised me as I thought it was more modern than that.
There was a lot of hype when this came out with Elly Jackson being touted as the next big thing but she does not appear to have done much since.
Mrs CC thinks that she is a bit of a Tilda Swinton look-a-likey (Elly Jackson not Mrs CC!) and I think she has a point.
I share my birthday with Danny La Rue ( no relation)

La Roux - In For The Kill

Wednesday 1 May 2013

Another Paisley Buddy

                                                          Paisley Dunn Square

Next up in my occasional series on Paisley artistes is Jill Jackson erstwhile lead singer from Speedway who had a couple of hits Can't Turn Back and In and Out from their 2004 album Save Yourself.

In an interview Jill pointed out that Paolo Nutini used to do the merchandise at Speedway gigs.

A few years later Jill reinvented herself as a solo singer song writer in a Country stylee.
I've seen her live a few times supporting acts such as Kevin Montgomery and she has never been less than excellent.

These tracks are taken from her 2010 album Back to Zero. I was slightly disappointed when I got it, not because it isn't good, which it is, but because it wasn't as countryish as her live act.
She had a follow up album in 2012 Getaway Driver.
If you get the opportunity to see her live, check it out

Jill Jackson - Forgive Me

Jill Jackson - Dancing Queen