Starry Sunday

 

The eagle-eyed among you will notice this is the same picture as yesterday.  That's ok as it is deliberate.

Yesterday's inclusion on the Shuffle of Starry Skies had me thinking about bands with Stars in their name.As a reward they get to feature again.

The next band that sprung to mind were Star Trip from Valencia aka The Spanish Teenage Fanclub.

Starless have been described as the lushy orchestrated brainchild of Paul McGeechan, keyboard player of Love and Money. They have released a couple of collaborative musical projects on Last Night From Glasgow. They are not really my thing but I can appreciate the musicianship.

The Hanging Stars are one of my current most favourite bands and are no strangers to this place. I've delved further into their back catalogue for todays offering.

Some Blues from the North Mississippi All Stars  and some Soul from Junior Walker & the All Stars concludes the set.

Let's face it they are all Stars.

Starry Skies -I Was Lost

Star Trip - Disimuler

Starless -Earthbound

The Hanging Stars - On a Sweet Summers Day

North Mississippi All Stars -Meet Me in the City

Junior Walker & the All Stars - What Does It Take (To Win Your Love?)

Sorry Five Star - you failed to make the cut.

Saturday Shuffle 104

 

I Want You to Know sings Warren McIntyre and his band Starry Skies. What is it they want you to know? Why it's Saturday Shuffle time of course.

And as The Who point out you can listen to it Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere.

What Did You Come Back Here For? asks Zoe Muth. Why the Saturday Shuffle of course.

Remember to come back next Saturday for episode 105

Starry Skies - I Want You To Know

The Who - Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere

Zoe Muth - What Did You Come Back Here For

Radio Radio 7

 Up until now I was blissfully unaware that there had ever been a BBC Radio 7. 

Apparently there was one but it has now been rebranded as Radio 4 Extra which provides archive network  entertainment broadcasting , classic comedy, drama and features. I must say that I am none the wiser.

No matter as this is all really just an excuse to subject you to a further three Radio songs.

Let's start then with one of my current favourite bands. The fabulous Hanging Stars have the Radio On.

One of the all time classic bands The Ramones wonder Do You Remember Rock'n'Roll Radio?

Finally Carlene Carter could well be described as a Radio Sweetheart.

I wonder whether there is a BBC Radio 8?

The Hanging Stars - Radio On

The Ramones -Do You Remember Rock'n'Roll Radio?

Carlene Carter - Radio Sweetheart

Four From The Gang of Four

 

Following on from yesterday's Fun Boy Three post I will leave it to you to decide whether today's post is down to adject laziness or inspired genius. Obviously I am plumping for the latter.

Although they have had many varied line ups over the years the main line up was Jon King on vocals, Andy Gill on guitar, Dave Allen on bass and Hugo Burnham on drums. Sadly Andy Gill died in 2020 at the age of 64 and as I have just discovered Dave Allen very recently left us on 5th April at the age of 69

They were a band that I never quite got initially finding them a little bit to earnest and serious for my liking.That soon changed and I became a fan of their music and in particular the 1979 debut Entertainment and 2005's Return the Gift.

I've stuff lined up for the next few days and I haven't decided yet whether I will attempt a Five from Five.

Gang of Four - To Hell With Poverty

Gang of Four - At Home He's a Tourist

Gang of Four - I Love a Man in Uniform

Gang of Four - Outside The Trains Don't Run on Time

Three From Fun Boy Three

 

It looks like Jez's writer's block is in danger of becoming contageous.

I was rooting around the music file while listening to the cricket in an attempt to find inspiration.

Leg Before Wicket I thought but I struggled to find a leg song, a before song and in particular a wicket song. I got to the stage when I was seriously considering digging out Roy Harper yet again.

I couldn't come up with anything else and so in desperation I resorted to something relatively easy namely three songs from Fun Boy Three.

A cop out I know but it has been a wee while since they last appeared her and  there is no denying that these are three top tunes

Fun Boy Three -The Tunnel of Love

Fun Boy Three -Our Lips Are Sealed

Fun Boy Three -The Lunatics Have Taken Over The Asylum

More Adventurous

 

I recently featured a Charity purchase of a Word Magazine compilation.

One of the songs I featured was I Never taken from More Adventurous a 2004 album by Los Angeles indie band Rilo Kiley on Brute/Beaute Records a self made imprint distribute by Warner Records

I commented at the time that I should really give it a listen. Well I've finally done that and very enjoyable it was too.

I think it is probably the best of the three albums by the band that I have, the others being The Execution of All Things (2002) and Under the Blacklight (2007).

Jenny Lewis went on to other things with a successful solo career and the brilliant Rabbit Fur Coat with The Watson Twins.

Here are three more from More Adventurous.

Rilo Kiley - It's a Hit

Rilo Kiley - Portions for Foxes

Rilo Kiley -The Absence of God

The Eyes Have It - 5

 

Some old but good eye openers for you this week.

Who needs Black Eyed Boy by Texas when  instead you can have Black Eyes Blues by Esther Phillips?

You should all be familiar with the song Smoke Gets In Your Eyes which was a hit for both The Platters and the Lounge Lizard himself Bryan Ferry (and probably a good few more). I'm plumping for the version by the great blues/jazz diva Dinah Washington.

Finally I very much doubt whether anyone other than Wynonie Harris could pull off a song called Don't Roll These Bloodshot Eyes at Me.

More eyes, bloodshot or otherwise, next Monday.

Esther Phillips - Black Eyed Blues

Dinah Washington - Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

Wynonie Harris - Don't Roll Those Bloodshot Eyes at Me

Sunday Delta Songs

 

I had a bit of an urge to share some Delta songs with you today - so here goes.

We start with North Eastern folk singer Martin Simspson who has been having some Delta Dreams.

Meanwhile Wiskey Biscuit (excuse their spelling) are getting a bit nostalgic for the Santa Anna River Delta Blues

You should all be familiar with the song Delta Dawn which was written by Alex Harvey (no, not that one) It has most famously been sung by Tanya Tucker and today's pick Helen Reddy I shall save you from the not suitable for work version by "comedy" duo MacLean and MacLean. If you go looking for it, you have no-one to blame but yourself.

Next we have Steve Earle with his version of the Townes Van Zandt classic Delta Mamma Blues from his tribute album Townes.

Finally we have Bobbie  Gentry with an alternative version of her song Mississippi Delta.

Happy paddling. 

Martin Simpson -Delta Dreams

Wiskey Biscuit - Santa Anna River Delta Blues

Helen Reddy - Delta Dawn

Steve Earle - Delta Mamma Blues

Bobbie Gentry - Mississippi Delta (Alternative Take)

Saturday Shuffle 103

 

One act appearing on the Shuffle this week for the third time and two others making their debuts as far as I am aware

.The Motorcycle Boy have previously featured as far back as SS 2 and also more recently on SS 85 .However, it is the first time that their song Baby Let Go Of My Heart has appeared on the Shuffle or on the Blog for that matter.

Disco diva Gloria Gaynor has appeared on the Blog once before but with Honeybee and not the song that you could be expecting. Here is that very song.

Similarly Desmond Dekker has appeared a few times mostly with 007 (Shanty Town) . Today he is getting up in the morning looking for bread on the Shuffle

Hopefully we will survive for Saturday Shuffle 104.

The Motorcycle Boy - Baby, Let Go of My Heart

Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive

Desmond Dekker & the Aces - The Israelites

Radio Radio 6

 

Now you may think that given it is Week 6 you may think that  the music this week would be a bit cutting edge as we get down with the Musos and trendsetters,

Well you would be wrong there as this week we are getting all lovey dovey.

Prefab Sprout appear to enjoy some Radio Love whereas George Jones is more of a Radio Lover

We conclude with Timperley's finest Frank Sidebottom who has come over all Ga Ga. Well, you didn't expect me to include the original, did you?

We are in seventh heaven next week

Prefab Sprout - Radio Love

George Jones -Radio Lover

Frank Sidebottom - Radio Ga Ga

The Space Conundrum

 

Anyone with a reasonable sized music collection will eventually experience The Space Conundrum

At CCHQ it is the turn of the Folk/Singer-Songwriter shelves to experience this phenomenon.

Space is very much at a premium and desperate times call for desperate measures.

I have taken the difficult decision to remove three CD albums I burnt from the Record Library a decade or so ago and to digitalize them and store them in the Music Folder as mp3's.

The main rationalisation is that I don't think I have played them in the last decade.

First up is Separate Ways the second album by singer- songwriter Teddy Thompson from 2005. I've seen him once and have another couple of albums by him but I'm afraid they rarely, if ever, get an airing.

Next we have Lifesize a 2002 album by Helen Watson on Fledg'ling Records. Again I have another couple by her but the only one which ever gets an airing is 1997's Somersault and in particular her wonderful rendition of Dan Penn's Out Of Left Field.

Finally we have Yellow Like Sunshine an album by the British all female traditional folk band The Poozies.

Tough love but it had to be done.

Teddy Thompson - Separate Ways

Helen Watson - Windfall

The Poozies - Canada

Karine Polwart's Scottish Songbook

 

2025 Charity Shop Purchases #22 - Karine Polwart's Scottish Songbook

I had a burn of this album which was released in 2019 on the Hegri label. However, when I saw it for a pound it made sense to upgrade it to yer actual CD.

i have previously done a post on this album in February 2021 which included her versions of The Whole of the Moon by The Waterboys and Frightened Rabbit's Swim Until You Can't See Land.

In the comments Lynchie (long time no hear- hope you are well ) expressed a preference for the John Martyn song Don't Wan't To Know whereas Brian plumped for Big Country's Chance. Here they are now - better late than never.

Gerry Rafferty's Whatever's Written in Your Heart has appeared on the Saturday Shuffle.

I couldn't choose between Strawberry Switchblade's Since Yesterday and Ivor Cutler's Women of the World so you are getting them both.

I'm sure I'll get round to the other four in due course.

Karine Polwart - Don't Want to Know

Karine Polwart - Chance

Karine Polwart - Since Yesterday

Karine Polwart - Women of the World

The Eyes Have It - 4

 

When it comes to Eyes it is not all Bright Eyes as I'm sure you are are aware.

Lucinda Williams, for instance, has been around  long enough to write and sing about the Lines around Your Eyes .You won't get Dua Lipa doing that.

Alternatively you may wish to describe someone as  a Sight for Sore Eyes and follow the example of Energy Orchard..

Maria McKee is surely a kindred spirit of Lucinda singing about her Lonely Sad Eys on her album You Got to Sin to Get Saved.

More eye catching tunes next week

Lucinda Williams - Lines Around Your Eyes

Energy Orchard -A Sight For Sore Eyes

Maria McKee - My Lonely Sad Eyes

Saturday Shuffle 102

 

Three absolute classics for you this week.

If you are not familiar with Gene Clark's classic album No Other you really need to catch yourself on and remedy that sad situation right away. By way of incentive here is the opening track Love's Greatest Fool.

If there was ever a competition as to what is the best song with the word Seven in the title  The Magnificent Seven by The Clash would definitely feature in the top seven. It may even feature in the top one.

I've no idea if the TV movie Juanita is any good or not. I suspect not . It was a random Juanitia picture taken from Google Images. What I do know, however is that Juanita by The Flying Burrito Brothers is very good indeed.

It will be a tough act for the Shuffle to come up with a trio as good next week but I'm sure that you will tune in to find out .

Gene Clark - Love's Greatest Fool

The Clash - The Magnificent Seven

The Flying Burrito Brothers - Juanita

Radio Radio 5

 

Non- sports fans will be releived to note that we are concentrating on the word radio without inflicting any sports news or events on you.

In any case poor Jesse Malin would not be able to access any sports as he has a Broken Radio 

R.E.M. have previously appeared on week 3 with Radio Free Europe. Here they re-appear with a much less inferior number namely Radio Song the opening track from Out of Time.

We conclude with Wilco who appear to have a Radio Cure perhaps because they have reverted to Morse Code on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.

6 Music next week

Jesse Malin - Broken Radio

R.E.M . - Radio Song

Wilco - Radio Cure

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