Under Mountains

 

2025 Charity Shop Purchases #21 - Rachel Sermani - Under Mountains

Mrs CC and I have long been admirers of Carrbridge's finest Rachel Sermanni

By my reckoning we have seen her three times - at the MacIntosh Church, Paisley Arts Centre and very briefly at the Royal Concert Hall when she was a support act at Celtic Connections. It was even more brief for me as I had a coughing fit and had to leave the auditorium for a chunk of her set.

She has not been the most prolific of artists having only released 5 albums since 2012 (one a live one)  and half a dozen EPs. Up until now we only had 2015's Tied to the Moon.

Therefore I was quite chuffed to pick up her 2012 debut Under Mountains on Middle of Nowhere Recordings.. It could probably be described as quirky indie folk which lets face it is no bad thing. Amazon note her ethereal sound and crystal clear purity. IGigs highlights that the lyrics are full of imagination and substance.

Well worth a listen.

Rachel Sermanni - Bones

Rachel Sermanni - Waltz

Word Up

2025 Charity Shop Purchases #20 -Various Artists - Word - Greatest Hits Volume 1

Around this time last year I began copying around a 100 compilation CDs which went to charity to free up some space given that there was no room on the shelves.

I've tried since then to limit the amount of compilations from magazines, etc unless I can make a pretty good case for them - what can I say I'm a weak person.

This one passed the test. When I saw the tracklist I thought that someone was raiding my collection.

From April 2007 Greatest Hits Volume 1 was issued to celebrate the 50th CD issued by The Word Magazine. The CDs come in a natty format which Discogs describe as a Discbox Slider.

I'm familiar with the vast majority of the artists and it was good in particular  to hear Rilo Kiley and Neko Case again. I should really listen to them more often.

From the new to me ones Single by the Toumani Diabate's Symmetric Orchestra was none to shabby.

I'm sure that I can find a wee space for this one.

Rilo Kiley - I Never

Neko Case - Hold On, Hold On

Toumani Diabate's Symmetric Orchestra - Single

The Eyes Have It 3

 

I'm sure that there is a Blogging Law somewhere that reads- "You can't have an Eyes series without including Eye of the Tiger by Survivor.

Lest I be accused of such a felony here it is

Perhaps the beauty above is called Sarahjane. If so, the Jayhawks have just the song from their excellent 2003 album Rainy Day Music.

Then again maybe you could maybe say that she has Far Away Eyes. And no, you are not getting the Rolling Stones original today but rather the cover version by The Handsome Family.

More eyes of a non tiger variety next Monday

Survivor - Eye of the Tiger

The Jayhawks - Eyes of Sarahjane

The Handsome Family - Far Away Eyes

Hat Check Girl

 

2025 Charity Shop Purchases #19 - Hat Check Girl -Goodbye Butterfield

One of the good thing about Charity shopping for music is taking the occasional punt on something you know absolutely nothing about - a total stab in the dark as it were.

At 99p Goodbye Butterfield by Hat Check Girl caught my eye. It is from 2014 on the Gallway Bay Music label from Santa Barbara. A glance at the track list had me thinking that it might be Americana but it seems that they are a folk duo namely Annie Gallup and Peter Gallway.

Not only is it folk it is also a concept album as the sleeve notes explain - 

We were visiting Montana when the fictional town of Butterfield and its inhabitants came to us.There is a particular atmosphere in a small Northern city,magnifying the stories of people whoe entire lives play out there, of those who got away , and those that pass through.

A cursurory first listen had me thinking it was going back. However, a more attentive second listen had me thinking it is worth hanging onto for now particularly as it has a thin sleeve and therefore doesn't take up much space

See what you think

Hat Check Girl -Tennesse Plates

Hat Check Girl - Goodbye Butterfield

Saturday Shuffle 101

 

No Joe Strummer and the 101ers I'm afraid but what better way to start the Shuffle's second century than a Country Death Song.

The Violent Femmes do the honours with a song from their 1984 album Hallowed Ground but in this case taken from the Rough Trade compilation Country 1. You really should already have this album but if not you know what to do.

If that is too much for you on a Saturday morning here is Northern Irish born but Glasgow based singer songwriter Martha Ffion with the title track from her 2020 album Nights to Forget - available here

Very pleasant as I 'm sure you'll agree so let's follow it up with something equally pleasant Hey Girl by the wonderful Alice Clark.

Another mixed bag awaits next Saturday

Violent Femmes - Country Death Songs

Martha Ffion - Nights to Forget

Alice Clark -Hey Girl

Radio Radio 4

 

Radio Radio 4 this week folks and no there will be nothing by The Archers.

We are back with more Americana where radio seems to remain a popular medium.

Even so Jim White has a bone to pick  with Static on the Radio. Laura Cantrell feels that music is  associated with Heartache.

Big in Iowa bring to our attention that yesterday's protagonist Neil Young is on the Radio.

Finally it would be churlish not to include a song by Radio 4.

Stay tuned for Five Live next Friday

Jim White -Static On The Radio

Laura Cantrell -Radio For Heartache

Big in Iowa - Neil's On The Radio

Radio 4 - Dance To The Underground

Broken Arrow

 

2025 Charity Shop Purchases #18 - Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Broken Arrow

As a general rule of thumb I will pick up anything I see by Neil Young (and Crazy Horse ) in a Charity Shop 

This rule has been put to the test with Broken Arrow his 24th studio album and 8th with Crazy Horse from 1996 on Reprise.

It is complete tosh. The Guardian rated it as the 38th best out his 45 studio albums. Exclaim! rate it as number 40 out of 43 with only  Landing on Water, Old Ways and Everybody's Rockin' rated worse. The mid 80s was certainly not a purple patch for him. I pity the poor sod who originally forked out £10.49 for this CD.

It is his first album after the death of his regular producer David Briggs and it shows. The first three tracks are effectively long jams. In his book Shakey Young describes the album as vulnerable and  unfinished adding I wanted to get one under my belt without David. It would be four years before his next album Silver & Gold

The two tracks below are chosen at random (one long and one mercifully short) as they are all much of a muchness. It is only the completist in me that is stopping this being returned immediately although even this may ultimately be stretched.

Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Slip Away

Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Changing Highways

Actually marginally better after a second listen - maybe I was being too hasty!

Blog Country 122 - Costa Rica

 

No Eurivision for you this week as we are off to Central America and to Costa Rica in particular.

A presidential republic bordering Panama and Nicaragua as well as the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea it has a population which is pretty much equivalent to that of Scotland.

The flag is flown with or without the national coat of arms - I have chosen the former.

The music is a blend of indigenous, European and African influences with calypso being one of most famous styles .The marimba is considered to be the national intstrument of Costa Rica.

Let's start then with the band Kawe Calypso  a band from Cahuita,  formed by Donald Williams, Otilio Brown and Alfonso Goulbourne with the song Kawe Band from their album  Cahuita - The Land Have Calypso

Next up are father and son act Pedro and Jose Capman with Volveré which translates from the Spanish as I will return. Jose is generally considered as the father of Costa Rican rock

Malpaís is a band from Costa Rica. and are not to be confused with the legend Maurice MalpasThe music of Malpaís is part of , contemporary compositions work called called by the band "Costarican new song"

"El agua que no bebí" which translates as the water I did not drink tells the challenges in the Northern Zone of Costa Rica in the face of drought, the increase wildfires and the loss of biodiversity

Evolución are a band from the capital city San José and feature here with the song Voy Por Ella.

We conclude with Pitbull ( a traditional Costa Rican name!) who is partial to milk with his coffee.

We are back in Africa next time round.

 

Kawe Calypso - Kawe Band

Pedro & Jose Capmany - Volvere

Malpais - El Aqua Que No Bebi

Evolucion - Voy Por Ella

Pitbull - Cafe Con Leche

Lloyd and Phil and Don

 

2025 Charity Shop Purchases #17 - Camera Obscura - Lloyd I'm Ready to be Heartbroken - CD Single

I already have Lloyd, I'm Ready to be Heartbroken on the Camera Obscura album Let's Get Out of the Country.

Why then did I feel the need to purchase the 2006 CD Single on Elefant Records here?

The answer is relatively simple. Firstly, it is a terrific song. Secondly, I was keen to hear the song namechecking the Everly Brothers. Unfortunately it proved to be slightly disappointing.

Nevertheless it is a worthy addition to the CD Singles collection which is now nearing the 150 level and they don't take up that much space on the shelves or the hard drive

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

 Camera Obscura- Phil and Don

 Camera Obscura - Roman Holiday

The Eyes Have It -2

 

It is Brown and Blue Eyes this week folks.

Christy Moore kicks us off with Brown Eyes.

Christy is followed by A Camp who boast of The Bluest Eyes in Texas.

Not to be outdone Crystal Gayle goes for a change of colour.

More eye watering tunes next Friday

Christy Moore -Brown Eyes

A Camp - The Bluest Eyes in Texas

Crystal Gayle - Don't it Make my Brown Eyes Blue

Titanic Days

 

2025 Charity Shop Purchases #16 - Kirsty MacCall - Titanic Days

I managed a brief but fairly productive Charity Shop trip to Glasgow's Victoria Road during the week.

My first purchase was my first ever from the Marie Curie shop there, It was quite encouraging to find Titanic Days the 4th studio album by Kirsty MacCall from 1993 on the ZTT label among the detritus and usual suspects.

That takes me up to 4 of her 6 studio albums along with a Best Of. Mark E Nevin of Fairground Attraction fame co-writes most of the songs and appears on all the tracks. He must have a thing about strong, red haired feisty women!

Angel and Can't Stop Killing You (co-written with Johnny Marr) were the two singles off the album but I'm giving a shout out to Soho Square.

She is sadly missed.

Kirsty MacColl - Soho Square

Kirsty MacCall -Angel

Saturday Shuffle 100

 

A telegram from King Sausage Fingers has arrived at CCM HQ congratulating the Saturday Shuffle on its 100th post.

The champagne has been drunk, the streamers have been thrown and the balloons have been burst. All that is left is the music.

We start appropriately with some legends - Bob Marley and the Wailers with  the legendary Could You Be Loved.

In a better and fairer world Martin Stephenson and the Daintees would also be considered legends. They certainly have that status at CCM HQ. Here they are with Loui's a song about their favourite cafe in Sunderland.

The Killer himself is a legend in both Country and Rock'n' Roll. Jerry Lee Lewis may also be in the running in the Blues genre given his Mean Woman Blues. This is his debut on this series although he has appeared on the previous similar series Saturday Lucky Dip back in in 2015 with this very song

I wonder what the odds on the 101'ers popping up on next week's Shuffle?

Here's to the next 100

Bob Marley & the Wailers - Could You Be Loved

Martin Stephenson & the Daintees - Loui's

Jerry Lee Lewis - Mean Woman Blues

Radio Radio 3

 

For the third instalment in this series I decided to follow up Khayem's Wall of Voodoo and Latin Quarter suggestions.

I was shocked, and indeed appalled, to find that neither Call of the West or Modern Times were on the hard drive. This was duly rectified.

I gave Modern Times a listen earlier this week in its entirety and what a terrific  album it is .It would not be out of place on SWC's current Protest series. Much of its subject matter is still topical today.

No such issues with R.E.M. and Radio Free Europe I'm glad to report.

More twiddling with the frequencies next Friday.

Wall of Voodoo - Mexican Radio

Latin Quarter - Radio Africa

R.E.M. - Radio Free Europe

Cowboy Sally

 

A few days ago Ernie fed back from seeing the Mekons in concert leaving those of us who missed them feeling very jealous.

He mentioned that Sally Timms had been unwell but that being the trouper she is she made it to the stage for a couple of numbers.

His post had me reaching for the CD EP (if there is such a thing) Cowboy Sally released by Bloodshot Records in 1997 subtitled - sings with the Waco Brothers, The Handsome Family and Friends.

I was going to give you a couple of tracks but as there are only five I thought I should go the whole hog and give you them all. Should you want a physical copy (and why wouldn't you) head to the Discogs link above although you may have to fork out a fair bit for shipping.

Sally Timms - Seminole Wind

Sally Timms - Drunk By Noon

Sally Timms - Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You

Sally Timms - Tennessee Waltz

Sally Timms - Long Black Veil

Blog Country 121 - Moldova

 

I pride myself in having a pretty good knowledge as to where Countries are in the World. However, I have let myself down as I thought that Moldova was in the Balkans whereas it is a landlocked country much further North in Eastern Europe bordered by Romania and Ukraine. Until 1991 it  was part of the Soviet Union. They are also one of those rare nations that Scotland have managed to beat at football - 2-0 in Moldova and 1-0 in Scotland in 2021. Happy days.

Natalia Barbu has represented Moldova twice in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2007 (10th) and 2024 (did not make the final). The song Simplu was not one of them.

Zdob și Zdub are a Moldovan folk punk band who have also appeared on Eurovision in 2005 (6th) , 2011 (12th) and 2022 (7th). I'm fairly confident that Alyson will be familiar with them. Zdob and Zdub,as I'm sure you are all aware, is  onomatopoeic for the sound of a drum beat

I wish that I had been aware of them for my Double Initials series

Next up is Pasha Parfeni and yes you've guessed it he represented Moldova in the European Song Contest in 2012 He finished 11th.I can feel a theme coming on here.

Nelly Ciobanu keeps the Eurovision contingent going having represented Moldova in 2009 when she finished 14th.

I'm afraid that Carla's Dreams have let the side down as they have never featured on Eurovision. There's always next year

No Eurovision songs from Europe, Israel or Australia next time round as we are heading back to Central America.

Natalia Barbu - Simplu

Zdob si Zdub - Trece Vremeam Omului

Pasha Parfeni - Vecinii

Nelly Ciobannu - Da-mi inapoi

Carla's Dreams -Victima

Mercy Now

 

2025 Charity Shop Purchases #15 - Mary Gauthier - Mercy Now

In my Americana days I was a fan of Mary Gauthier. I saw her a couple of times and picked up Drag Queens in Limousines (1999) and Filth and Fire (2002)

I'm not quite sure how I missed Mercy Now from 2005 on the Lost Highway label particularly as I was familiar with the title track and also I Drink which first appeared on Drag Queens.

Shortly after this release when we we courting I took Mrs CC to see her. It is far to say that she was not impressed describing Mary's music as depressing

It was good to pick this one up in Oxfam. although it was considerably more expensive than Marvin Gaye - £2.99 as opposed to 50p. Still I would probably have paid that in a record shop.

Despite, or perhaps because, it could be described as depressing I quite enjoyed listening to it!

Mary Gauthier - Mercy Now

Mary Gauthier -Your Sister Cried

The Eyes Have It

 

The start of an Eye Related series and as a wee bonus for the first post they will all reference names as well.

We start with The Eyes of Roberto Duran by Chris Gaffney. Roberto  Durán as I'm sure you are all aware was a Panamanian boxer who was world champion in four different weights. He had the nickname Manos de Piedra - Hands of Stone . He famously defeated Edinburgh's Ken Buchanan in 1072 to claim the Lightweight title. Aged 73 he is the only one of the three featured today  who is still with us.

Gary Gilmore was an American criminal famous for demanding the death penalty  for two murders he committed. He was the subject of the book The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer and the song Gary Gilmore's Eyes by the Adverts after donating them to science after his death.

Gary don't need his eyes to see, Gary and his eyes have parted company.

Finally we have Dickie Davies the anchorman of World of Sport from 1968 until 1985. He led a less colourful life than his Grandstand counterpart Frank Bough . Still at least he had the honour of being one of  the two anchormen that Half Man Half Biscuit wrote songs about.

More eye raising songs next Monday.

Chris Gaffney - The Eyes of Roberto Duran

The Adverts -Gary Gilmore's Eyes

Half Man Half Biscuit -Dickie Davies Eyes (Peel Session)

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

 

2025 Charity Shop Purchases #14 - Marvin Gaye - Ain't No Mountain High Enough -The Collection

Last week I had my first opportunities in a while to do some Charity Shop visits but there were slim pickings I'm afraid.

On Tuesday I visited the charity shop in Glasgow's Battlefield Road. It has literally hundreds of CDs and a good few records but I could see nothing I fancied. 

On Wednesday I was meeting some pals in the City Centre for a few beers. My bus got me there slightly early giving me time to quickly visit three charity shops. No joy.

Thursday saw me getting a bus in the opposite direction to Clarkston Toll  which has about half a dozen Charity Shops. Again extremely slim pickings but I did come away with a couple.

I have What's Going On and a Tamla Motown Early Classics by Marvin Gaye but I wasn't about to knock back the above collection particularly as it was going for 50p. Money well spent.

From 2012 on the budget Spectrum label it has a whopping 20 tracks

According to the blurb there are two Marvin Gayes  - the sixties crooner and the post 1971 dark, deep and brooding Marvin. They also say, correctly, that he consistently delivered beautiful, dreamy records with an ageless, timeless quality.

Here are three of them:

Marvin Gaye - What's Going On

Marvin Gaye - Baby Don't You Do It

Marvin Gaye - Take This Heart Of Mine

Saturday Shuffle 99

 

Given the unseasonably sunny weather we have been having recently why don't you join me for a 99  as we celebrate Saturday Shuffle 99.

Were Todd Snider to have a 99 his preferred venue would be From a Rooftop . It would be a pleasant treat to commemorate his Shuffle debut.

The Stray Cats have appeared here with Dave Edmunds and Brian Setzer has appeared in a solo capacity. This is the first time that they have appeared on the Shuffle in their own right. That's surely worth Strutting to.

The B 52's are no strangers to the Shuffle but it is the first time for Private Idaho 

Who will be shouting from the rooftops, strutting there stuff or marching next week when the Shuffle celebrates it's Centenary?

Todd Snider - From a Rooftop

Stray Cats - Stray Cat Strut

B52's - Private Idaho

Radio Radio 2

 

After last week's best of British New Wave this week we head across the pond to catch up with some of our Americana friends. Whereas Britain has some national stations given the size of America that is not really feasible and there tends to be more local stations.

Jon Langford, for instance, extols the virtues of Nashville Radio whereas Dave Alvin is more of a Border Radio man. Steve Earle on the other hand is just happy with a Satellite Radio.

We will be twiddling with the frequencies again next Friday.

Jon Langford - Nashville Radio

Dave Alvin - Border Radio

Steve Earle -Satellite Radio

Blog Country 120 - Western Sahara

 

Not unlike Palestine there is a debate as to whether Western Sahara is a country or not..

It is a disputed territory with around 20% controlled by the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and the other 80% occupied and administered by Morocco, Surprise ,surprise  Britain is sitting on the fence for this one as it does not recognize Western Sahara as a sovereign state, nor does it recognize Morocco's claim to the territory.

It popped up on my Blog stats so therefore it counts

For a more detailed account I refer you to Ernie the font of all things African.

Apologies Ernie if my selections are similar to yours but it was pretty hard to find stuff out there.

I do actually own one track courtesy of the Sahel Sounds Label Sampler 2. Here are El Wali with Long Live The Sahrawi Army

Next up I have Saint Levant with Sahrawi. Group Doueh feature at Ernie's place. Here they are accompanied by Cheveu with Tout Droit.

I conclude with Luali by Martir Luali and Nayim Allal with  Tiris.

There is every chance that I have got some of this wrong and have mortally offended our Western Saharan friends. If so I profusely apologize.

Hopeful the next one will be less controversial but I suspect that sourcing some music will be equally tricky 

El Wari - Long Live the Sahwari Army

Saint Levant - Sahrawi

Group Doueh & Cheveu - Tout Droit

Martir Luali - Luali

Nayim Alal - Tiris

Let's Dance

 

Seeing a picture on Bluesky from someone I follow of a few purchases including the above album and hearing the title track on the radio had me giving David Bowie's 1983 album Let's Dance a spin in it's entirety.

From 1983 it is his 15th studio album and as was often the case with the great man it was a considerable change in direction. Co-produced by Bowie and Nile Rodgers and featuring members of Chic and Stevie Ray Vaughan it has been described as  a post disco album.

It is quite possibly the first time that I have played it this Millennium but I recognised most if not all of the songs and I found myself singing along on occasions.

On June 28th 1983 he played the first ever stadium concert at Murrayfield in Edinburgh to promote this album with support from the Icicle Works and the Thompson Twins. The internet tells me that it was raining all day prior to Bowie coming on stage not that I noticed as I was in the pub for most of that time.

My memories of the day are therefore a bit blurred but I remember becoming separated from my pals, getting on a bus to Glasgow and seeing them from the window as we passed by.

Not his best album by any stretch of the imagination but it was good to hear the songs below again.

David Bowie -Modern Love

David Bowie -China Girl

David Bowie - Cat People (Putting Out Fire)

A Spanish Acquisition

 

A  few weeks ago I wrote about attending a recent gig with Dropkick as the lead act

One of the support acts were Star Trip from Valencia who have been described as the Spanish Teenage Fanclub.

They were excellent but unfortunately there was none of their merchandise for sale. Undeterred I headed to Bandcamp where their most recent album 2024's Velocidad  on Pretty Olivia was available for a very reasonable price. The postage was reasonable too and it was duly purchased.

It turned up the other day and has been on heavy rotation since. Yes, there are clear comparisons with the Fannies but lets face it that's no bad thing. It is a pretty short record but again that is no bad thing.

I have already shared this with Brian as I knew it would be right up his street and I thought I should also share it with you.

One from Cara A and one from Cara B I think. 

Star Trip - Velocidad

Star Trip - Algo Especial

Rose City Band at Stereo

 

Last Wednesday saw me braving the Glasgow heatwave and heading to the sweaty basement at Glasgow's Stereo to see Rose City Band.

I got there around 7.30 (supposed door opening time) to find the support band Sons of Sevilla already on. From Featherstone and led by brothers Henry and Rueben Smith they are now based in the mountains of Southern Spain.

Given the early start people were beginning to shuffle in and the band were met with indifference. This resulted in the band understandably perhaps going through the motions which was a shame as I thought they had some potential.

On the other hand Rose City Band were rapturously received. There was little interaction with the audience save for the occasional thank you. They just got on with the music. It was not easy to pick up the vocals but the musicianship was off the scale. Special mentions to Ripley Johnson on guitar and vocals, John Jeffrey on drums and Paul Hasenberg on keyboards. Plus it is always a pleasure to see a pedal steel guitar on stage.

They started early and so we were out before 10.00 which it pretty much unheard of. It was good though as it was extremely hot plus I got back in time for the football highlights.

A solid 9/10 and my gig of the year so far.- I've been to two! I have none scheduled so far but I doubt any I end up at would better this.

Sons of Sevilla - Driving North For Summer

Rose City Band - Open Roads

Rose City Band - Sunlight Daze

Bombastic Fantastic

 

We have been spending a lot of time at Mrs CC's mums recently. This means that we have been watching Emmerdale and Coronation Street for the first time in ages.

In a recent episode of Emmerdale a scene was featured involving a number of the cast participating in a Paintball game. To accompany this the song Cherry Bomb by The Runaways was blaring out much to my enjoyment.

Some Cherry songs I thought but a quick check  showed that I have already done this in August 2022.

Bombs it is then. In addition to The Runaways  I give you The Jam, The Clash and The Blind Boys of Alabama.

Bombastic Fantastic indeed.

Hello Dad, Hello Mum ....

The Runaways - Cherry Bomb

The Jam - ' A' Bomb in Waldour Street

The Clash - Spanish Bombs

The Blind Boys of Alabama - Jesus Hits Like an Atom Bomb

Saturday Shuffle 98

 

The picture above is typical for this time of the year and very handy for depicting the first song from this week's shuffle. Here is Bud taken from the 2014 eponymous debut album from the Edinburgh band Honeyblood  led by Stina Tweeddale.

Making their debut on the Shuffle next up is/are The Crazy World of Arthur Brown from as far back as 1968 with the classic Fire leading to Arthur being often referred to as the God of Hell Fire.

We conclude with something much more mellow and soulful  namely Neighbor Neighbor ( points off for spelling!) courtesy of Jimmy Hughes. He is  a cousin of Percy Sledge and an important part of the Muscle Shoals scene particularly with his song Steal Away. On the back of Percy's  success he had a brief stay at Atlantic prior to moving on to Stax. He quit music around 1970 and is still going strong at the age of 87.

Join us next week for a 99.

Honeyblood - Bud

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown - Fire!

Jimmy Hughes - Neighbor, Neighbor

Radio Radio

 

New series alert!

I can't quite believe it but looking back it seems that I have never done a radio related series.

Time to right that wrong and what better way than to feature three absolute bangers which deserve first dibs in this series?

It would be remiss not to start with Radio Radio by Elvis Costello and the Attractions. Follow that with This is Radio Clash and On My Radio by The Selector  and it sets the bar so high that the rest of the posts in the series will be vying for second place.

Elvis Costello & the Attractions -Radio, Radio

The Clash -This is Radio Clash

The Selector - On My Radio

Blog Country 119 - El Salvador

 

We are off to Central America this week and to the Republic of El Salvador.

It has been in the news recently for its mega prisons where any Latino with a tattoo in Trump's America runs the risk of ending up.

You should be aware of the Gang culture with gangs such as MS-13 and Barrio 18. I am assuming that there is an associated rap scene which goes hand in hand with them but you will be glad to know that I have made no effort to track it down.

Like many South and Central American countries El Salvador is associated with the Cumbia genre of Latin music known for its lively rhythms and dance traditions. An act who fit neatly into this category are Mario Roberto y su Orquestra Canela with their tune El Superman (En Vivo)

Mario is followed by Los Hermanos Flores with Salvadorena.  Shaka Y Dres is rightly concerned about the climate and Global Warming as his song Cambio Climatico demonstrates.

Some Salvadorian Death Metal you say? Look no further than Fleshless Entity with VersVm. That one might go down well with the gangs.

If that has your ears ringing here is Analu Dada with Quiero Saber to soothe them somewhat.

We are back in Africa next time round.

Mario Roberto y su Orquestra Canela - El Superman (En Vivo) 

Los Hermanos Flores - Salvodorena

Shaka Y Des - Cambio Climaticotica

Analu Dada - Quiero Saber

Fleshless Entity - VersVm

I'm Going to a Gig

 

I'm going to see Rose City Band play at Stereo tonight. 

It is only my second gig of the year so far which is frankly pathetic. It is mainly down to  the two F's - Finance and Family Commitments.

I'm looking forward to it as you can imagine particularly as the only time I have previously seen them at Broadcast was my gig of the year in 2022.

I have their first three albums - Rose City Band (2019), Summerlong (2020) and Earth Trip (2021) . The first two are pretty good with Summerlong being my second favourite album from that year.

I remain to be convinced by Earth Trip and 2023's Garden Party but 2025's Sol Y Sombra seems to be a return to form. I look forward to hearing a few from that one.

Who know's it may well lead to a purchase. Match report to follow

Rose City Band - Wandering Feeling

Rose City Band - Only Lonely

Rose City Band - Lights on the Way

Cosmic Things

 

Recent listens to the B-52's and in particular Enjoy the Melodic Sunshine  the masterpiece by the Chateau au Lait's finest Cosmic Rough Riders had me thinking of all things Cosmic.

Obviously the B-52s had to be included. Any song from ETMS would be a worthy inclusion but I have opted for Have You Heard The News Today.

We then have Cosmic Slop by Funkadelic and Cosmic Cowboy (Part One) by Michael Murphey.

Ok, so Chris Bell actually sings of Cosmos as opposed to Cosmic but that was not sufficient grounds for ruling him out.

My Blog, my rules!

The B-52's - Cosmic Thing

Cosmic Rough Riders -Have You Heard The News Today

Funkadelic -Cosmic Slop

Michael Murphey - Cosmic Cowboy (Part One)

Chris Bell - I Am The Cosmos

Sunshine Superman

 

We have been blessed with some glorious weather over the last few days.

This got me thinking about Maryhill's finest Donovan Philip Leitch 78 years young and still going strong.

The song which initially sprung to mind was Sunshine Superman which seemed appropriate. I then slipped down a Donavan sized rabbit hole and was quite surprised as to how few of his songs I have. Some were duly sourced.

This would have been much easier had I not, a couple of years ago, inexplicably spurned an opportunity in the Oxfam shop in Troon of  picking up a Best Of, in reasonable condition, for a couple of quid.

It's not quite causing me sleepless nights but has me shaking my head from time to time.

Donovan -Sunshine Superman

Donovan -Catch The Wind

Donovan - Season of the Witch

Donovan -Universal Soldier

Some of you got a sneak preview when this popped up early doors yesterday on his 79th birthday!

You can't get the staff!

Saturday Shuffle 97

 

The Shuffle moves slowly but surely one step closer to its Centenary with another three random tunes for your listening pleasure

We start with Who's Lovin' You by The Temptations. Written by Smokey Robinson it was was first recorded in 1960 by The Miracles. It has been covered by many other Soul acts most notably The Jackson Five. 

From 2015 we have Nothin' Feels Right But Doin' Wrong taken from the album Sidelong by Sarah Shock & the Disarmers. On the rare occasion that I feature this album I always feel obliged to let you know that this is the only album I have from the Bloodshot label on vinyl as opposed to the 34 on CD. From when postage from the US didn't require a second mortgage - and that's before tariffs!

I remain indebted to John Medd for bringing the band Curse of Lono  and in particular their 2021 album People in Cars to my attention. From that album I give you track 3  Ursula  Andress. The iconic picture above is taken from the James Bond film Dr No which was released in 1962. I can't say I remember seeing it at the time but I've seen it many times since.

More shuffled tunes, iconic or otherwise, next Saturday

The Temptations - Who's Lovin' You

Sarah Shook & the Disarmers - Nothin' Feels Right But Doin' Wrong

Curse of Lono - Ursula Andress

One - In - Four

 

While transferring the Jewel cases of the Burns by Delilah and Jessie Ware to a box containing Compilations which  never quite managed to make it as far as the shelves I stumbled upon the above compilation.

Compiled by SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) it is a compilation of songs by Scottish artists  highlighting the fact that one in four of us are likely to have Mental Health problems at some stage in their lives. It is a subject dear to my heart given that I spent the vast majority of my working career in this field.

The CD contains 14 tracks. I featured it once before back in October 2015 when I opted for three of the lesser known artists.

This time around I have gone for the four biggest hitters. There may be an argument in some quarters that Snow Patrol meet that criteria but I am holding no truck with that.

Unfortunately space dictates that it will not be promoted to the shelves at this stage.

Teenage Fanclub - Eyes Wide Open

The Delgados - Aye Today

Mogwai - Helicon 2

Belle & Sebastian - The Model

Carl & Pearl

 

If you happen to find yourself wandering  in the Litoral in mid Portugal and pass a farm with two goats grazing in a field and the music of Carl & Pearl Butler blaring out chances are that you have stumbled across the largest collection of their music in Europe.

Me, I am not in the same league. I only have one cheap and cheerful album Don't Let Me Cross Over and downloads of a handful of songs here and there

But what songs they are. Delivered beautifully by the happy couple who as a bonus make sure that they are always dressed for the occasion

Carl & Pearl Butler - Don't Let Me Cross Over

Carl & Pearl Butler - Heartaches For Lunch

Carl & Pearl Butler - Sundown in Nashville

Complete Surrender

 

It was Drew, formerly of this parish, who first introduced me to the music of Slow Club.

It has been a while since I have given them a listen. A post by Drew on Bluesky recently about their third album 2014's Complete Surrender had me reaching for the shelves to give it a dust down and a listen. It was worth the wait.

For those unaware of the band they were a duo from Sheffield active between 2006 and 2017 releasing 5 albums during that period.

The band members were Charles Watson and Rebecca Lucy Taylor. If you recognise the latter name that is probably because she has gone on to greater things under the nom de plum Self Esteem. Charles Watson has been less successful despite having released three solo albums to date.

Slow Club - Tears Of Joy

Slow Club - Suffering You, Suffering Me

Slow Club - Paraguay and Panama

Blog Country 118 - Syria

 

As befits a turbulent country Syria has had a myriad of flags .This is the current one in use following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024.

It was fairly easy to source some music from Syria. Indeed I have a track which has already featured here at the end of last year in a post about the compilation album Rock the Kasbah

Kulna Sawa, which translates as All of us Together were founded in 1992 and are described as Syria's first rock band. Wayn a Ramallah is an old Palestinian folklore song and a live favourite.

Omar Souleyman has been performing since 1994 and according to Wiki his music is characterized by his blend of Middle Eastern melodies with ululating keyboards, electronic beats and throaty vocals. Rahat Al Chant Ymme is a track  from the 2024 album Erbil which is available on Bandcamp

Assala Nasri born in1969, in Damascus is a renowned Syrian singer known for her powerful voice and emotional depth. She was a critic of Bashir which led to a period of house arrest for fraternising with Israel  after performing in Palestine.

We conclude with Ali El Deek born in 1971 in Latakia. His family name is Hormuz, but he adopted the stage name Al Deek. 

Donald Trump's favourite Central American country is next up.

Kulna Sawa - Wayn a Ramallah

Omar Souleyman - Rahat Al Chant Ymme

Assala Nasri - Fouq

Ali El Deek - Elkbir Bidalkbir