Saturday Lucky Dip

It's time for a new series!
Like many of you, I suspect, I have shedloads of compilation CDs just lying around gathering dust and rarely listened to.
Mostly from the likes of Mojo and Uncut but also a variety of other sources.
So this series will encourage me to actually listen to them and to select a couple of tunes every Saturday for your listening pleasure.
First up is Rebellious Jukebox an Uncut CD from February 2003.
It contains such luminaries as The Fall (hence the title of the CD), Neko Case,The Blasters,Billy Bragg and Orange Juice
However the first track I've selected is Gold in Them Hills by the great Canadian singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith.
This is followed by a cover of The Bee Gees To Love Somebody  by the mighty Slobberbone , out of Denton Texas and possessing the world's tallest bass player (Brian Lane) within their number.
I suspect this series could run and run.

Ron Sexsmith - Gold in Them Hills

Slobberbone -To Love Somebody

Mesopotamia

With 6 tracks and weighing in at 26 minutes and 17 seconds the jury is out as to whether 1982's Mesopotamia by The B-52's constitutes an EP or an LP.
At the end of the day I don't suppose it really matters particularly when you pick up a copy in a curiosity shop for the grand total of a pound.
I used to have this on tape and I don't think it is as good as I remember
It is not anywhere near their previous two albums 1979's The B-52's and 1980's Wild Planet.
I'm not really familiar with Whammy from 1983 and Bouncing of the Satellites from 1986.
The general view appears to be that there was a dip in form after their first two and then a bit of a revival with Cosmic Thing in 1989 and Good Stuff in 1992.
Produced by David Byrne apparently  which I was unaware of until now.

The B-52's -Mesopotamia

The B-52's - Throw That Beat in the Garbage Can

The Blues Collection - Lonnie Johnson

Potentially the first artist to appear on CCM who was born in the 19th century.
Alonzo "Lonnie" Johnson was born on February 8th 1899 in New Orleans and died on June 16th 1970 in Toronto.
A pioneer of the single string solo guitar style this is Blues at its simplest and quite possibly at its best.
As the sleevenotes say
" His songs were copied or extensively borrowed from by other singers,while his sleek ,imperturbable guitar-playing had musicians practicing furiously,trying to capture his speed, his timing and,above all, his ravishing tone"
A certain skiffle artist one Tony Donegan was so impressed when opening for him in 1952 that he changed his stage name to Lonnie.
However, we are going further back than 1952 for today's songs - much further back - as far back as 1927!
The first being recorded in New York on 3rd October and the second in Chicago on 12th December .
Although  these songs are 87 years old the recording quality is pretty impressive and they remain great. great songs.
Enjoy

Lonnie Johnson - Saint Louis Cyclone Blues

Lonnie Johnson - Low Land Moan

The Jones Boy Has Done It Again

If this is your introduction to George Jones (that's kind of hard to conceive) you're in for a rare treat.
If you are a Jones fan, like most of the country, settle back and relax... the Jones boy has done it again!

Wise words from the sleevenotes to 1972's Poor Man's Riches.
Not too many men could carry off a green suit with matching cowboy boots!
Nothing more to say really - just sit back and enjoy the music

George Jones - She Still Thinks I Care

George Jones - I Can't Get Used to Being Lonely

Ya Algeria

I've just realised that over half the songs posted during the last week have featured Scottish artists.
This was not intentional and lest I be accused of being somewhat parochial it it time to widen the net somewhat - as far as Algeria in fact.
Two great songs and indeed great artists from The Essential African Album courtesy of Songlines the World Music magazine.
Rachid Taha is probably best known to British audiences at least for Rock el Casbah his cover of the Clash classic,
However, you are getting Ya Rayah the song that put him on the map and which according to Songlines "casts a spell instantly with its seductive oriental strings and Arab percussion"
Rachid is followed by Souad Massi with Ya Kelbi " an introspective lover's lament whose gorgeous Arabic melody traces arabesques underpinned by a romantic cello"
Quality.

Rachid Taha - Ya Rayah

Souad Massi - Ya Kelbi

Yo Pretty Ladies Around the World

When I recently posted El Presidente I mentioned that Dante Gizzi had formerly been a member of Gun best known for their cover of Cameo's Word Up!
Therefore when I saw Gun's album Swagger, which contains said song, for 50p in Oxfam in St Andrews it seemed too good an opportunity to pass up.
Dante(on bass) is joined by brother Giuliano on guitar, Mark Rankin on vocals and Mark Kerr on drums on this album from 1994.
The majority of  the album is not unpleasant heavy metal lite if such a sub genre exists. Harmonica's also feature with an interesting attempt at metal rap with Something Worthwhile.
Not a codpiece in sight I'm glad to report!

Gun - Word Up!

Gun - Something Worthwhile

Southern Soul Sunday 34

When I checked a  certain on-line encyclopedia for a list of Southern Soul artistes the name Mavis Staples popped up.
I'm never sure where Southern Soul begins and ends but any excuse to play Mavis is good enough for me.
A mainstay of the Stax label  (from Memphis - the Southern link?) as part of the glorious Staples Singers with  Pop,Cleo and Yvonne, Mavis has since gone on to a solo career
These tracks are taken from her 2004 record on Alligator Records Have a Little Faith a record which would not be out of place on George's Gospel Sunday
You are getting the title from the album together with her rendition of a Staples Singers standard.
She has since gone on to have records produced by the likes of Ry Cooder and Jeff Tweedy
A nice wee quote from Mavis "This is the joy I have, the world didn't give it to me"

Mavis Staples - Have a Little Faith

Mavis Staples - Will the Circle be Unbroken

Nashville No More

I've just returned from holiday with the usual charity shop smorgasbord of CDs and vinyl -some good, some not so good - which I will subject you to over the next month or so. So, don't say you haven't been warned.
We kick off with two Nashville tracks from Leith's finest The Proclaimers tucked away as tracks 2 and 3 of the CD2 single of  Let's Get Married.
A quite superb cover of John Hartford's Gentle on my Mind followed by Jimmy Rogers Waiting For a Train.
You should have worked out by now that the picture above is not actually off the Proclaimers but rather the stars of the TV series Nashville.
Mrs CC could tell you their names but it is a series that has pretty much passed me by.
If the music was as good as this on the other hand ...........

The Proclaimers -Gentle on my Mind

The Proclaimers - Waiting For a Train

Tartan Texans -The Hazey Janes

A series on Scottish acts who have (in my opinion) been influenced, however tenuously, by Americana/Alt Country/call it what you will.

After some Edinburgh bands (The Felsons, The Sunshine Delay) and some Glasgow bands (Cosmic Rough Riders, Freeloader) now it is the turn of Dundee with The Hazey Janes.

From their 2006 album Hotel Radio on Measured Records  here are two fine tracks

The Hazey Janes are Andrew Mitchell (guitar and vocals), Liam Brennan (drums),Alice Marra (vocals and keyboards) and Matthew Marra (bass)

Alice and Matthew's dad was the late, great Michael Marra and the Hazey Janes collaborated with him in 2012 to produce the 2012 EP Houseroom.

The Hazey Janes - Always There

The Hazey Janes - Baby Tell Me

We Are All Jacques Chirac's Bairns

Today Britain goes to the polls to vote on representatives to the European Parliament.
Sadly and worryingly a number of candidates from the odious xenophobic and racist UKIP will be elected.
I would like to re-assure my European friends that their views are not the views of the majority of British folk who find them absolutely repugnant.
However, we also have a Prime Minister who if he is re-elected (God forbid) has vowed to have an in-out referendum on membership of the EU.
Meanwhile, Scotland desperately wishes to remain a member if we become a separate country following the referendum on 18th September 2014. Reassuringly UKIP have no place on the Scottish political landscape.

If you vote UKIP, or know someone who does, this first song is for you

The Special AKA - Racist Friend

The Clash - Safe European Home

Copper Blue

Copper Blue is the  debut album by Sugar the band formed by former Husker  Du frontman Bob Mould which was voted 1992 album of the year by NME.
Bob is joined by Dave  Barbe on bass and Malcolm Travis on drums.
It is a fantastic album and one I'm sure that many of you already have.
If not , I'm sure you'll rectify this after hearing these two tracks.
It was followed up by Beaster which is a different beast altogether -a total noisefest.
There was then File Under Easy Listening which I was sure I had but apparently not
I'm also pretty sure that George and I saw them at Glasgow's Barrowlands back in the day
Bob Mould, I'm happy to report, is still going strong and is pretty prolific having just released  yet another solo album Beauty & Ruin

Sugar - If I Can't Change Your Mind

Sugar -Hoover Dam

An East Neuk Lass

We are off to Anstruther in the East Neuk of Fife for a few days.
Kate Victoria  (KT) Tunstall is no stranger to that part of the world having grown up in St Andrews and having been a member of the Fence Collective.
She shot to fame with 2004's Eye of the Telescope.
These two tracks, and the picture, however, are taken from her 2007 Drastic Fantastic album - a charity shop acquisition.
Claim to fame - we were married in Flodigarry Country House Hotel in Skye in 2008 , three weeks after her and by the same registrar.
She and her husband, Luke Bullen the drummer from her band divorced in 2013. Mrs CC and I are still going strong.

KT Tunstall - Funnyman

KT Tunstall - Hold On

A Shot in the Dark, The Big Question Mark

For years I have on occasions sung the line A Shot in the Dark, The Big Question Mark for no apparent reason.
It is taken from It's a Mystery a song from Toyah which is  track 1, side 2 from her 1981 album  Anthem her 4th album but the one that shot her to prominence.
It  was released as part of an EP - Four from Toyah -which reached number 4 in the UK singles chart in 1981
As well as a career in singing and acting she has recently appeared in some celebrity diving show nonsense.
Toyah was Ms Willcox  back them as opposed to Mrs Fripp as she did not marry the former King Crimson front man Robert until 1986.

The album  (which I got in Oxfam a few weeks ago -apologies for the scratches) has not really stood the test of time but these two singles are still pretty good

Toyah - It's a Mystery

Toyah - I Want to Be Free

Southern Soul Sunday 33

Apologies in advance for a somewhat lazy post today
The decoration is nearing completion but things are still in a degree of disarray giving me limited access to the Soul section.
Shamefully I own very little stuff by Sam Cooke - something which I should clearly rectify.
I have the occasional track here and there and that's about it.
I was therefore pretty pleased to come across Sam Cooke at the Copa in the library last week
A live recording from the Copocabana, New York City, July 7th and 8th 1964.
Apparently in his own words he "bombed" the first time he played there in 1958 so he was pretty psyched up and determined to put on a good show this time around.
Given the audience there is a focus on show tunes in the set such as When I Fall in Love  for as he puts it "I want to be black.I'm not going to desert my people.But to crossover you must appeal to that market" Remember this is 1964.
Interestingly he also does some folk numbers such as If I Had a Hammer and Blowin' in the Wind and a gospel laced version of Tennessee Waltz.
As it is SSS  I've gone for the soulier songs and you are getting four for the price of two.
First up a medley of Try a Little Tenderness,(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons and You Send Me followed by his very own Twistin' The Night Away.
As Robert Alden correctly noted in the New York Times in 1964 "Mr Cooke is a hot item"

Sam Cooke - Try a Little Tenderness/(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons/You Send Me

Sam Cooke - Twistin' The Night Away

PS - I also got Dwight Yoakam 21st Century Hits 2000-2012 out the library which confirmed my suspicion that he hasn't had a decent song this Millennium!

The Arabs v The Saints

I am off to Parkhead today for the Scottish Cup Final - Dundee United versus St Johnstone.
Pies, sausage rolls and beers in a nearby Bowling club and then off to the game.
United were serial cup final losers for a while but have managed to win it twice against Rangers and Ross County.
This is the first time the Saints have made the final.
I'm supporting United and if they turn up they should win it pretty convincingly.
However St Johnstone have been the form team in recent weeks, whereas United have faded, and have a danger man in Stevie May.
I'm going for 2-1 for United and therefore you are getting two United songs versus one for the Saintees.

Come on you Arabs!

John Paul Young - Love is in the Air

Daniel Boone - Beautiful Sunday

Chris Barber with Ottilie Patterson - When the Saints Go Marching In

Some Friday Reggae

It's Friday, the weather appears to be taking a turn for the better, I'm going to the Cup Final tomorrow and I am off work all next week.
Time to celebrate with a bit of Reggae I feel.
Two songs from a cheap and cheerful compilation the ambitiously titled and I would argue erroneously titled
Reggae Classics
Now don't get me wrong there are some great artists on here - Horace Andy, Max Romeo, Delroy Wilson and Gregory Issacs to name but four.
There are also some good songs on this CD and indeed some very good ones such as this Bob Marley cover by The Heptones and a fine number by Johnny Clarke
But classics? I think not.
Nevertheless, an excellent way to end the week and to set you up for the weekend

The Heptones - Natural Mystic

Johnny Clarke - Keep On Moving

Tantallon Road's Finest

Although born in New Malden in Surrey Iain David McGeachy spent the majority of his childhood residing at 10 Tantallon Road, Shawlands Glasgow just a mile of so from CCM HQ.
So what I hear you cry -he was better known as John Martyn - that's so what.
I must take a wander down to see if there is a blue plaque in his honour..
John Martyn was an extremely gifted folk, jazz and rock musician.
However he also had a number of faults- he dabbled in drugs, drank far too much which contributed to having his right leg amputated below the knee and he was friendly with Phil Collins.
He did however leave an impressive canon of music in particular Solid Air (1973), One World (1977) and Grace and Danger (1980).
These two tracks are taken from One World- I have the CD somewhere currently buried under a heap of others in the kitchen.
So instead I have taken them from a Primo Collection Anthology purchased in my local charity shop last weekend.
Quality

John Martyn - Dealer

John Martyn - Couldn't Love You More

Welcome to Janiva

The Blues Collection is currently in a green plastic container on the kitchen floor under various other boxes.
However, the generic Blues section which is filed in a different area is more readily to hand.
And it is from there that I have selected Bury Him at the Crossroads from Janiva Magness for your listening pleasure today.
Janiva is an American blues singer. Until today I thought she was Canadian probably due to the fact that this record from 2004 is on the Northern Blues record label from Toronto
This appears to be her 5th from 9 albums starting from 1997 with the last one to date being from 2012.
I first stumbled across her courtesy of the excellent Paul Jones Rhythm and Blues show on BBC Radio 2
As the sleevnotes state - "a vocalist with a belting voice like there is no tomorrow-backed by an incredible roots band"


Janiva Magness - Bury Him at the Crossroads

Janiva Magness - The Soul of a Man

The Theme to Happy Valley

There is a new BBC drama out at the moment on Tuesdays called Happy Valley starring the great Sarah Lancashire who started her acting career as Rachel the dotty barmaid in Coronation Street
The theme tune to the series is Trouble Town by Jake Edwin Charles Kennedy better known as Jake Bug with an extra g.
Which seems a perfect excuse to give this an airing.
Now the boy wonder that is Master Bug with an extra g is a mere twenty years of age and is quite possibly the youngest person to have appeared on CCM.
He was born in 1994 when many of the readers of this were already out there trying to earn an honest crust.
His debut album from which these songs are from was released when he was 18.Scary.
I expect that the blog police may well be all over this post like a rash so catch them while you can.

Trouble Town

Two Fingers

Poly Filla

The Muso Room is in complete turmoil at the moment.
The floor is getting varnished and the walls painted.
As a result the hi-fi is disconnected ,the records have had to be moved and the CD towers are stacked horizontally instead of vertically in the kitchen and living room.
On the positive side the tower containing the punk section is at the top of the pile so it was relatively easy to retrieve my X-Ray Spex Anthology.
A little bit of the late and sadly lamented Poly Styrene makes a pleasant change from a little bit of Poly Filla.
It has been a bit traumatic but there is maybe the opportunity to move things around a bit to create some more space.
Never again though!

X-Ray Spex - Oh Bondage! Up Yours!

X-Ray Spex - The Day the World Turned Day-Glo

Southern Soul Sunday 32

As a wise man commented on my recent Aretha post "sometimes you have to post what might be deemed to be obvious. And that's not a bad thing"
I heard (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay on the radio the other day and thought yup this is going on come Sunday.
The world and their wife are familiar with this song and everyone can whistle the refrain. But it is just absolutely terrific.
To compensate for posting Otis' most popular song I'm also going to give you, as a wee treat, one of his rarest.
Here is Otis with his original demo version of You Left The Water Running recorded at FAME Studios in early 1967.
With simple percussion and accompanying himself on guitar here is a 4 minute version where he ran through the song twice adding a few ad libs of his own

Otis Redding - (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay

Otis Redding - You Left The Water Running (original FAME Demo)

Tartan Texans - Cosmic Rough Riders

A series on Scottish acts who have (in my opinion) been influenced, however tenuously, by Americana/Alt Country/call it what you will.

It's the turn of Castlemilk's finest to feature - here are Cosmic Rough Riders from their great 2000 album Enjoy The Melodic Sunshine on Alan McGhee's Poptone label.

Now this is at least the third post on this album, to my knowledge, over the last few months following on from Martin and George

They both write far more eloquently than me about this album so you will forgive me if I only have a little to add.

I only ever saw them live once in a three quarters empty Austin hall as the first band in a SXSW evening line up.I think I resisted the temptation to shout out "Gaun yerselves boys" but I could be wrong

Also, I can indeed confirm that they were never the same band after Daniel Wylie departed for a solo career as 2003's Too Close to See Far clearly demonstrates.

Three times in four months - I can definitely feel a comeback coming on!

Cosmic Rough Riders - Revolution (In the Summertime)

Cosmic Rough Riders -Have You Heard the News Today?

Listen to Lefty

I find it nigh on impossible to believe that I have reached post number 448 without having included any Lefty Frizzell or William Orville Frizzell to give him his Sunday name.
A shocking omission and one I profoundly apologise for.
However, I'm sure you will agree that it is well worth the wait as he is quite fantastic.
As Merle Haggard put it "The impact Lefty had on country music is not even measurable. ... No one could handle a song like Lefty. He would hold on to each word until he finally decided to drop it and pick up the next one. Most of us learned to sing listening to him"
He is up there with the Hanks, the Johnnies and the George Jones' - a true country legend.
First up is a song he co-wrote with producer Jim Beck in Dallas and which shot him to prominence with his first US Country number 1 in 1950.
Secondly is his version of the country classic The Long Black Veil. Now I have several versions of this but his is the yardstick against which all others should be measured. None come remotely close.
Genius personified.

Lefty Frizzell - If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time

Lefty Frizzell - The Long Black Veil

Emma

Let's hear it for Emma Pollock - Southsider, ex- Delgado, member of the Burns Unit, director of Chemikal Underground, supporter of Scottish independence and all round good egg.
Not only all of the above but she remains a great advocate for and promoter of reducing the stigma associated with mental health through her work with the Fruit Tree Foundation and the annual Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival.
She is also a great musician and songwriter and the owner of a terrific voice.
And here is the proof - two lovely tracks from her 2007 debut solo album Watch the Fireworks

Emma Pollock - Paper and Glue

Emma Pollock - Limbs

I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone

Sleater- Kinney  from Olympia, Washington have to go down as one of the original Riot Grrrl bands.
Their homage to Mr Ramone is taken from Call the Doctor their second album from 1996.
The line up is Corin Tucker -vocals, guitars ;Carrie Kinney -guitars and vocals and Lora Macfarlane on drums
The group's name is derived from the Sleater Kinney Road, Interstate 5 Exit no 108 in Lacey Washington which is probably slightly more rock 'n'roll than Raith Interchange, Junction 5, M74
These two short and sweet songs are somewhat Pixie-esque which lets face it is no bad thing.
.
Play loud.

Sleater-Kinney - I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone

Sleater-Kinney - Little Mouth

The Blues Collection - Eddie Vinson

From Houston ,Texas Eddie Vinson (1917 -1988) was an alto saxophonist and singer who occupied one of the jazzier pews in the broad church that is the Blues.
He was nicknamed Cleanhead following his hair being  accidentally destroyed when using a dodgy hair straightening product - let that be a lesson to all of you out there!
He started out as a bluesman but gradually graduated towards jazz towards the end of his 50 odd year career.
Here he is accompanied amongst others by T-Bone Walker on guitar on two songs he co-wrote in these recordings from Boulogne- Billancourt, France from the 28th March 1969
As the slevenotes say clean-cut sounds from Cleanhead.
Take it away Eddie!

Eddie Vinson - Kidney Stew

Eddie Vinson - Juice-Head Baby

When Bobby met Ally

What happened when hirsute Rock God Robert Plant met bluegrass chanteuse and fiddler Alison Krauss?
2007's Rising Sand on Rounder Records produced by go to Americana producer T-Bone Burnett - that's what
Winner of the Album of the Year in the 2009 Grammy Awards
The first song featured is an Everly Brother's cover - wonder who's playing Don and who's playing Phil.
This is the second time that  a  cover of Fortune Teller has featured on CCM the first being from Ash back in March 2013.
Given the success of this album you would have thought that a sequel may have been on the cards.
But let's face it it is not as if either of them (especially Bob) needs the money.
I heard a radio interview with Alison Krauss when she was asked the question.
She made all the right noises re busy schedules and competing priorities but between the lines I got the distinct impression that she wasn't keen to repeat the experience anytime soon.
Purchases in a Nairn charity shop

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss -Fortune Teller

Southern Soul Sunday 31

Another album as opposed to individual artist this week.
From the mighty Kent label here are three tracks from the utterly marvelous A Soldier's Sad Song - Vietnam Through The Eyes of Black America 1966 - 73.
Before we get to the music a couple of quotes from the sleevenotes.
" Of the 240,00 men recruited under Project 100,000 (the draft) between October 1966 and June 1969 41% were black, although black Americans represented only 11% of the US population"
"They want me to go to Vietnam to shoot some folks that never lynched me, never called me "n*****", never assassinated my leaders" Muhammad Ali
Now to the music - firstly Joe Tex jumpin' out his foxhole to get himself two mo' enemies.
I'm not sure whether Bill Withers constitutes Southern Soul but I couldn't miss out I Can't Write Left Handed.
Finally, on the basis that this could never be followed, Jerry Williams Jr (aka Swamp Dogg) with John Prine's Sam Stone.
Has there ever been a more poignant line written than " There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes"?
If you do not have  this magnificent album I'm sure that you will rectify this before the week is out.

Joe Tex - I Believe I'm Gonna Make It

Bill Withers - I Can't Write Left Handed

Swamp Dogg - Sam Stone

Andy James Drives a Bus For The Lonely

27 Leggies recent On The Buses post put me in mind of Happy Busman by The Frank and Walters a track I have been meaning to post for ages.
Taken from their 1992 album Trains, Boats and Planes (strangely no mention of buses)
You are also getting Trainspotters not to be confused with anything by Irvine Welsh.
From Cork the band are apparently named after two famous Cork characters.
After this album there were no more until 1997 then 3 in 3 years prior to a gap until 2006 and then 2012 -so 6 albums somewhat sporadically over a 20 year period - strange.
Until, I posted this I was blissfully unaware that these songs were produced by Edwyn Collins


The Frank and Walters - Happy Busman

The Frank and Walters -Trainspotters

Going Walkabouts

George has stated on more than one occasion that Satisfied Minds by the Walkabouts is one of the top 10 albums of all time and he will get no arguments on that assertion from this quarter.
His recent post got me to listening to the other couple of things I have by the Walkabouts.
1996's Devil's Road is good but obviously not in the same league.
The only other stuff I have by them is a CD single of Good Luck Morning a track from the 1994 album Setting the Woods on Fire which is the follow up to Satisfied Minds.
The title track is pretty good but it pales into insignificance when compared to a live version of Findlay's Motel recorded at the Paradiso, Amsterdam on 13th June 1993 around the time that the band were at the top of their game.
It is so good that it wouldn't be out of place on Satisfied Minds.
It would also make a terrific Art House film

The Walkabouts - Good Luck Morning

The Walkabouts - Findlay's Motel

May Day

Happy May Day or should that be Happy Clabby Day!
Ireland's brightest star has just released a new album Tribal.
From what I've heard so far it is up to her usual high standards.
However I am taking you back to the previous album with the  title track and one to show that although she can rock with the best of them she can also hold a tune
Swiss Adam posted her doing a stonking version of a Johnny Burnette song on his classic The Return of Friday Night is Rockabilly series  last week which you really should download check out.
Quality.

Imelda May - Mayhem

Imelda May - Kentish Town Waltz