Penguin Eggs For Tea

 

I was in Oxfam in Troon on Saturday and they had a vinyl copy of Penguin Eggs the 1980 masterpiece by Nic Jones on the Topic label for £20.

I was very tempted but given my precarious financial situation I consoled myself with the fact that I had the CD at home.

Needless to say it was the first album to get a spin on Sunday.

I know I did the right thing but it still doesn't stop me regretting it.

I'm sure that many of you have been in similar situations.

Nic Jones - The Humpback Whale

Nic Jones - The Little Pot Stove

Bloodshot Records Sampler 2018

 

Welcome to the penultimate offering in the Americana Compilations Sunday Series

The target of 50 albums would never have been achieved it it wasn't for Chicago's Bloodshot Records label.

By my reckoning Bloodshot have contributed 8 of the 5 entries.5 of these have been Samplers  with 2018 being the most recent. I've tried to make it a mix of the usual suspects with the occasional wild card to mix things up a little.

Robbie Fulks is certainly no stranger to this series. This time he is joined by Linda Gail Lewis  (sister of Jerry Lee) with Wild Wild Wild.

Lydia Loveless has appeared on all the Samplers from 2015 to 2018. Here she gives her views on Midwestern Guys.

William Elliott Whitmore has graced these pages before but only once in a Bloodshot capacity promoting this very Sampler with Busted.

I couldn't conclude the Bloodshot contribution without featuring the omnipresent Jon Langford . Here he is with his Four Lost Souls on the Natchez Trace.

We conclude this Series next Sunday with the 50th and final offering.

Robbie Fulks & Linda Gail Lewis - Wild Wild Wild

Lydia Loveless - Midwestern Guys

William Elliott Whitmore - Busted

Jon Langford's Four Lost Souls - Natchez Trace

Saturday Shuffle 159

 

It's been a long time coming (far to long, if you ask me) but we finally get the opportunity to welcome pop star cum gardener Kim Wilde (daughter of Marty) to the Shuffle. Here she is, in all her glory, with Chequered Love.

How do you follow that? With a little bit of Little Feat of course. It's Dixie Chicken time

We get a bit more serious for the final offering as we head to Birmingham where Steel Pulse are singing about a Handsworth Revolution.

More gardening, chickens and revolutions next Saturday.

Kim Wilde - Chequered Love

Little Feat - Dixie Chicken

Steel Pulse - Handsworth Revolution

Bellshill Bands - Jewel Scheme

 

I think it is safe to say that we are rapidly approaching the end of this series

Martin John Henry has appeared here before  in this series with De Rosa. He has also appeared on the Blog on other occasions as a solo artist and as part of the duo Henry and Fleetwood

Here from 2024 on Gargleblast Records he is joined on the eponymous Jewel Scheme album by Allan Carroll and Chris Connick.

The band are named after a housing estate in the Orbiston area of Bellshill. Such estates are known as Schemes in Scotland. The Jewel Scheme includes Sapphire Road, Diamond Street, Emerald Terrace, Amethyst Avenue, Amber Terrace, Agate Terrace and Cornelian Terrace. Let's face it , this is what you come here for.

Here is some info on the band and album courtesy of The Skinny

And here is some music.

Jewel Scheme -You're Not Wrong

Jewel Scheme - Spectral Index

As things stand there will be at least one more entry in this series

Songs From The Burst Chair

 

On Sunday night I was busily typing away when I suddenly found myself at a jaunty angle.

A bolt on my chair had sheered causing somewhat of a malfunction. I am now using one of the dining chairs until such times as I can procure a suitable replacement from a charity shop.

In the meantime it has given me the inspiration to post some chair related songs

I didn't have as many as I thought but here are a few for you to deposit your derrière on

Cake -Italian Leather Sofa

The Band - Rocking Chair

The Normal - Warm Leatherette

Wet Leg - Chaise Longue

Soup Dragons - Man About Town With Chair

Johnny Cash - The Mercy Seat

Dolly Parton R.I.P.

 

I was coming in from the recycling when Mrs CC called me in to the living room with the sad news that Dolly Parton had died at the age of 80.

It was perhaps not too surprising as she had stepped back recently due to illnesses. Also, she was probably still mourning the death of her husband Carl Dean.

She was the undisputed queen of Country Music. While she often portrayed herself as a dumb blonde she was anything but. She also never shirked from her desperately poor childhood.

Wiki lists her occupations as Singer-Songwriter, Musician, Actress, Philanthropist and (Shrewd) Business Woman. I added the shrewd given her setting up of the Dollywood theme park and Restaurants

The philanthropist reference is down to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library providing millions of free books to children.

Then obviously there is the music. I must admit that I wasn't a fan of all of her songs, but she wrote and sang some absolute classics such as the three below.

A tiny pocket rocket but nobody's fool. What a talent.The best of America.

Rest easy Dolly.

Dolly Parton - Jolene

Dolly Parton - Coat of Many Colors

Dolly Parton - Down From Dover

Blog Country 149 - Mali

 

I'm happy to say that sourcing music from Mali, a landlocked country in West Africa,  has been the easiest one since Blog Country 115 Jamaica. This is primarily because I have a few albums featuring Malian artists and a sufficient number to save me digging in to the Sahel Sounds Samplers on Bandcamp

Khayem and Ernie are far more informative when it comes to the great music from this Country. 

Some Desert Blues to start with I think courtesy of Tinariwen is a collective of Tuareg musicians from the Sahara region of Northern Mali. From their 2006 album Aman Iman (Water is Life) on the Independiente label here is Awa Didgen

Next we have Kasse Mady Diabete  who was a Malian singer, musician and griot. His soft and particular voice with deep undertones – an atypical characteristic for a griot – earned him the nickname "The golden voice of Mali" From his 2008 album Manden Djeli Kan here is the opening track  Bandja.

Salif Keita often known as The Golden Voice of Africa is a member of the Keita royal family of Mali. From his 2002 album Moffou I give you Moussolou

From Global A Go-Go a 2007 Uncut album celebrating 20 Years of World Music we have Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba (featuring Lobi Traore) with Banani which is taken from the Out/Here album Banani

We conclude with Songhoy Blues a desert blues band from Timbuktu who have enjoyed international recognition. From their 2017 album Resistance on the Transgressive label we have Bamaka.

Rest assured that Blog Country 150 is going to be considerably harder.

Tinariwen - Awa Didjen

Kasse Mady Diabete - Bandja

Salif Keita - Moussolou

Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba (ft Lobi Traori) - Banani

Songhoy Blues - Bamaka

The Tower

 

 2026 Charity Shop Purchases #28 - James Edwyn & the Borrowed Band

Like many other artists Glasgow based James Edwyn & the Borrowed Band first crossed my radar courtesy of Last Night From Glasgow.

Although, in my opinion, they were not that heavily promoted, I picked up High Fences (2017) and Highlights of The Low Nights (2022) .With their Americana feel they were right up my street.

I was therefore pretty chuffed when I picked up a CD in Oxfam of their 2014 debut album The Tower on the Dead Records Collective label. After two or three listens I'm coming round to thinking that it is the pick of the bunch

There is an excellent review by Rudie Humphrey on the Glasgow Americana Blabber 'n' Smoke site

I thought that was all that they had released but I have just discovered courtesy of Bandcamp that they released a 7 track digital album Before We Go in 2020. It has been duly purchased.

Hopefully there will be more soon and I will get an opportunity to see them live.

James Edwyn & the Borrowed Band - On Meeting The Man In The Suit

James Edwyn & the Borrowed Band - The Last Waltz

The Bottle Let Me Down - Songs For Bumpy Wagon Rides

 

It shows how much I was immersed in Bloodshot Records  when I picked up 2002's The Bottle Let Me Down - Songs For Bumpy Wagon Rides here. It is essentially a children's album and I don't have kids. Oh oh -is that Social Services at the door?

In my defence here are some quotes from critics:

The rare album that kids, parents and music snobs will all appreciate - Times Record News

Pleasing to both the pint sized and pint drinking listener - Harp Magazine

A must for everyone who had a childhood and/or likes music. There is not a lame track on the disc - Chicago Arts and Entertainment.

I think that I might be in the clear

As you can see from the link above giving details of the tracks there are an impressive array of Bloodshot artists and guests participating and clearly having enormous fun

Those of you with Grand Kids, you know what to do

It is not one that a play very often, if at all. But given the participating it surely merits  the 48th place in the Sunday 50 Americana Compilations series.

Tune in next Sunday for the penultimate entry

The Cornell Hurd Band - Don't Wipe Your Face On Your Shirt

The Handsome Family - Snowball

Jane Baxter Miller - On Top Of Spaghetti

Saturday Shuffle 158

 

As you can see today's cover star is Dion.

I was unaware that Mr Di Mucci had been the first artist to cover the song Abraham, Martin and John written by Dick Holler in 1968. My money, and maybe yours, would have been on Marvin Gaye.

The name Curtis Ousley may not ring many bells, King Curtis on the other hand ..,  Here he is with some Memphis Soul Stew.

From Memphis Soul Stew to a Splendid Scottish Racket we conclude with The Hedrons and Be My Friend.

Friends , shall we reassemble next Saturday for SS 159?

Dion - Abraham, Martin and John

King Curtis - Memphis Soul Stew

The Hedrons - Be My Friend

Bellshill Bands from Brian

 

Todays offers are a response to a comment on last Friday's post:

Hey CC. How about the Boy Hairdressers or the Groovy Little Numbers? - Brian

These suggestions from Brian will come as no surprise to anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting him. Despite living in Seattle he has introduced me to more Scottish bands than I care to remember.

I am vaguely familiar with his first suggestion but the second one is new to me.

The Boy Hairdressers (pictured above)  were a  a short lived band from Bellshill 

 Norman Blake, Raymond McGinley, Francis McDonald (all Teenage Fanclub), Joe McAlinden (Superstar/Linden) and Jim Lambie (contemporary artist) were their members. I'm sure that many of you will recognise most of these names.

I didn't have anything by them but have sourced a couple of songs for your listening pleasure.

I actually have a song  by The Groovy Little Numbers  namely A Place is So Hard to Find taken from Disc 5 of Big Gold Dreams - A History of Scottish Independent Music 1977-1989. They were formed by Joe McAlinden an ex Boy Hairdresser and future member of BMX Bandits and Superstar* 

* takes a mental note to explore Superstar  further.

Thanks Brian for filling in these gaps.

Any further suggestions (from anyone) welcomed.

Oh, and just to confirm, Sheena Easton is NOT a band!

The Boy Hairdressers - Don't Need a Drum (4 Track Demo)

The Boy Hairdressers - Golden Shower

The Groovy Little Numbers -A Place Is So Far To Find

The Groovy Little Numbers - Happy Like Yesterday

Vultures Await

 

 2026 Charity Shop Purchases #27  Will Johnson - Vultures Await

I've had a burn of Vultures Await a 2004 album by Will Johnson for a number of years courtesy of my friend Gordon. I was pleasantly surprised to see a copy of it in Oxfam and immediately took the opportunity to upgrade it.

We've seen him play on numerous occasions either as part of Centro-matic or South San Gabriel in Austin or as a solo artist.

In his solo capacity we saw him play in someone's garden in Austin and as support to My Morning Jacket  at King Tuts and to Great Lake Swimmers in the Admiral Bar, both in Glasgow.

Playing this again brought back some happy memories.

To quote Uncut - American bedroom indie where acoustic and feedback lie happily together

Hope the tracks turn out all right as my CD Ripper was playing silly buggers

Will Johnson - Just To Know What You've Been Dreaming

Will Johnson - Catherine Dupree

Blog Country 148 - Uganda

 

I had no problem finding plenty of music from Uganda the landlocked East African country but more of an issue finding some decent tunes. I'm still not sure that I managed.

Needless to say Ernie had no such problems with his Odyssey and many other posts containing Ugandan music.

Uganda famously was the home of the self proclaimed King of Scotland Idi Amin. I'm sure that he turned his hand to performing songs but I'm not going to subject you to them. On the other hand  one of our Guyanan contributors is happy to give him his place

Let's start with Akasheko a song by the legendary Afro Pop star Sister Charity. It has to be said that she shakes her bootie a lot more than you would expect from a lady of the cloth.

Sister Charity is followed by Joel Sebunjo one of Uganda's most recognised young folk/world music artists. His offering is Owino.

Joseph Mayanja, commonly known by his stage name "Jose Chameleone", is a Ugandan AfroBeat artist and musician. He sings in Luganda, English, and Swahili. I'm not sure  whether Bolingo Ya Nzambe  comes under the first or the third.

I struggled to find out much about Lady Mariam until I stumbled upon this piece by Viberate. I have no information on the song Mpanggudde.

From 1968 we conclude with Freddie Kigozi & the Hodi Boys with Mega Jukira

The next Blog Country is yet another African one but one which I have a bit of music from so it should be easier than today was.

Sister Charity - Akasheko

Joel Sebunjo - Owino

Jose Chameleone - Bolingo Ya Nzambe

Lady Miriam - Mpangudde

Freddie Kigozi & the Hodi Boys - Mega Jukira

Mighty Sparrow - Idi Amin

Zoe Muth and The Lost High Rollers

 

 2026 Charity Shop Purchases #26 - Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers - Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers

Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers first came to my attention when I picked up a copy of their 2011 album Starlight Hotel from the much missed Record Library in Langside Library. I was particularly taken with the song If I Can't Trust With a Quarter ( How Can I Trust You With My Heart?)

Further along the way I picked up 2014's World of Strangers attributable solely to Zoe and featuring the brilliant Mama Needs a Margarita.

My car was in for it's MOT last week so I took the opportunity to pop into Oxfam and came away with three pretty good purchases with an Americana feel.

One was 2009's Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers from 2009 here It seems to be attributable to Continental Song City. The opener You Only Believe Me When I'm Lying is the one which catches the ear. 

It also looks like it may have been signed by Zoe, which is nice.

Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers - You Only Believe Me When I'm Lying

Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers - I Used to Call My Heart a Home

Draining The Swamp

 

Our dear friend Ernie recently shared a number of new albums from Promoland  (jammy get) which he very kindly brought to our attention.

He also highlighted Swamp Dogg's latest album Swamp Dogg Contemplates the Afterlive here which he very kindly forwarded to me. He rightly highlighted the cover of the Jenny Lewis song Acid Tongue which for me was very much the pick from a very good bunch.

This got me thinking of all things Swamp Dogg and two tunes very quickly sprung to mind.

The first is also a cover this time Sam Stone a song written by the late great John Prine. It first came to my attention via a Kent compilation A Soldier's Sad Story here. If you don't have this you should rectify that immediately.

Finally, for today, I give you  They Crowned an Idiot King from his 2007 album Resurrection. Written about George W Bush but arguably even more relevant today.

Swamp Dogg - Acid Tongue

Swamp Dogg - Sam Stone

Swamp Dogg - They Crowned An Idiot King

The Rough Guide To Americana

 

Number 47 in my quest to post 50 Americana Compilations and one that I am surprised has not featured before is The Rough Guide to Americana

From 2001 on World Music Network it is  a pretty good stab with the selected 20 artists here

I have albums by and/or seen 16 of the 20 artists. There are only three acts that I am not familiar with Utah Carol, Cowboy Nation and Western Electric. Tempted as I was to feature them they are not that good and any of the others would do more justice.

It was a pretty hard task to select 3 from the other 17 but I have gone for Dave Alvin, the late great Neal Casal and Nadine.

Numbers 48 and 49 are accounted for but I'm still sweating over the elusive 50th one!

Dave Alvin - Railroad Bill

Neal Casal - Me and Queen Sylvia

Nadine - So That I Don't Miss You

Saturday Shuffle 157

 

We start Saturday Shuffle 157 with some Trash.

In case you think that our standards have dropped worry not as it is good Trash courtesy of the New York Dolls.

Raw Soul was a great Mojo compilation from 2004  - Mojo Music Guide Vol 3 - Raw Soul to be precise here. From it I give you Maxine Brown with Baby Cakes.

I once had a ticket to see Desmond Decker. I turned up, he didn't which is a shame as I never got to hear 007 (Shanty Town)

Hopefully everyone will turn up for next Saturday's Shuffle - same place, same time. No trash. Baby Cakes optimal.

New York Dolls - Trash

Maxine Brown - Baby Cakes

Desmond Dekker - 007 (Shanty Town)

Bellshill Bands - Lightships

 

This series might be shorter than I  first thought after, despite their Bellshill associations,  having to rule out The Vaselines for geographical reasons

I think that Lightships count given that they are a band formed by Gerard Love of Teenage Fanclub fame There is however a debate as to whether it is an actual band or a recording project.

There has only been one album recorded namely 2012's album Lightships, on Stephen Pastel's Geographic label (re-released in 2022), alongside a 10 inch single Fear and Doubt.

Gerry continues to perform as a solo artist from time to time but to the best of my knowledge there have been no other releases. I would be delighted to be proved wrong.

Lightships - Sweetness in her Spark

Lightships - The Warmth of the Sun

Lightships - Sunlight to the Dawn

The Blues Collection - Peetie Wheatstraw

 

Confession time - I'd never heard of Peetie Wheatstraw until now which may go some way to explaining why The Devil's Son-in- Law weighs in at number 82 in The Blues Collection.

He was born William Burch on December 21st 1902 in Ripley, Tennessee and adopted the name Peetie Wheatstraw from early African American Folk tradition. Coincidentally he died aged 39 on the same date in 1941 in East St Louis.

He was quite prolific recording 161 songs which was only surpassed by Tampa Red, Big Bill Broonzy,Lonnie Johnson and Bumblebee Slim.

All but two of his records were issued under the names "Peetie Wheatstraw, the Devil's Son-in-Law" and "Peetie Wheatstraw, the High Sheriff from Hell"

It seem appropriate then that the two songs I have selected are Devil's Son-in-Law (Chicago 1931) and Gangster's Blues (New York 1940)

More Blues Collection artists soon

Peetie Wheatstraw - Devil's Son-in-Law

Peetie Wheatstraw - Gangster's Blues

Trio II

 

 2026 Charity Shop Purchases #25 - Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton - Trio II

It seems that I have 1987's  Trio by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt  & Emmylou Harris for ever.

It was therefore a no brainer to pick up 1999's Trio II in Barnardos particularly as it only cost me 50p

Heck, it was worth it just for their cover of Neil Young's After The Gold Rush.

The personnel seems to have been shifted around a bit with Emmylou taking over from Dolly in pole position .For the sake of my sanity I am filing them together on the shelves. Controversial I know but there you go

Apparently there is a Complete Trio Collection from 2016. Somewhat unfairly Linda is the one in the middle of the Country royalty once again.

Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt & Dolly Parton - After The Gold Rush

Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt & Dolly Parton - Do I Ever Cross Your Mind

Blog Country 147 - Grenada

 

It's snooker time!

Grenada is the southernmost of the Windward Islands in the Caribbean Sea. It is also known as Spice Isle for its production of nutmeg and mace.

Musically it is best known for reggae, calypso and soca music.

I actually have something from Grenada in the Music folder. Step forward Mighty Sparrow. Here is Sparrow Dead from his 1993 Volume 2 of  the Caribbean Classics picked up in Troon in 2023.

David Emmanuel is a reggae and jazz musician who performs as part of a trio. Here he is with Givin' It Up For Love a 12 inch single from 1983.

From now on in it gets a bit more tricky and random.

Lil Natty and Thunda are a famous dynamic soca music duo from St. David, Grenada, also known as the Wussways Empire. Formed by blood relatives Dingaan "Lil Natty" Henry and Nyelon "Thunda" Williams, they are major players in Caribbean music. Their offering is Outsider (Jab Town Riddim).

Next we have Reo St Paul a Soca artist more commonly known as Snakey. Here is Raging Seas from Grenada Soca 2026.

We conclude with Tallpree . Wilt "Tallpree" Cambridge is a Grenadian soca artist. He initially began performing as a reggae dancehall artist in the late 1980s and made the switch to becoming a soca artist the late 90s. 

I think Forking may well be a euphemism for a similar word.

We are back to Africa next time round.

Mighty Sparrow - Sparrow Dead

David Emmanuel - Givin' It Up For Love

Li'l Natty & Thunda - Outsiders (Jab Town Riddim)

Snakey - Raging Seas

Tallpree -Forking

Dance Hall Dreams

 

 2026 Charity Shop Purchases #24 - Rosie Flores - Dance Hall Dreams

I've got a good few songs by Austin based rockabilly, blues and country musician Rosie Flores in the music folder but up to now I didn't have any of her albums.

This has now changed as I picked up Dance Hall Dreams her 6th studio album, on Rounder Records, from 1999 at the same time as The Arlenes in Oxfam in Troon. I suspect that they were both probably handed in by the same person.

County Standard Time gives the album a brief review pointing out that it highlights the versatility of the Queen of the Honky Tonks.

I still need to give this one a proper listen. Who's Gonna Fix it Now referencing her father's passing is highlighted by most reviewers so I've gone for that along with the Bluesy It Came From Memphis 

Had I held this one back to 31st August it could have featured  on Rosie Flores Day in Austin

Rosie Flores -Who's Gonna Fix It Now

Rosie Flores - It Came From Memphis

Bloodshot Records Sampler 2017

 

Number 44 in the attempt to post 50 Americana Compilations on Sundays. It is going to be a close call but a bit of barrel scraping and Bloodshot Records Samplers just might get us over the line.

Bloodshot samplers from 2002, 2015 and 2016 have already featured. Today it is the turn of Sampler 2017.

A quick glance at the tracklist shows that by and large it sticks with the usual suspects with a couple of newbies thrown in for good measure.

It should come as no surprise that I'm sticking with the usual suspects!

Lets start with track 12 where we have Robbie Fulks with Alabama at Night taken from his album Upland Stories.

From his album Slingin' Rhythm  we have Wayne Hancock and Killed Them Both, track 15 on the Sampler.

We conclude with the late Justin Townes Earle and perhaps his most famous song Memphis in the Rain - track 19 on the Sampler and taken from his album Nothing's Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now.

I've seen all three perform albeit that Wayne was playing a short lunchtime set in Glasgow's Virgin Megastore and Justin was playing guitar as part of his dad's band.

Only six more to go. Can we do it???

Robbie Fulks - Alabama At Night

Wayne Hancock - Killed Them Both

Justin Townes Earle - Memphis In The Rain

Saturday Shuffle 156

 

We are off to Canada to touch base with this week's cover star.

Ladies & gentlemen I give you Ms Lindi Ortega with the title song from her 2012 album on Last Gang Records namely Cigarettes & Truckstops. It is her debut on the Shuffle.

Squeeze have appeared here on a few occasions but never before with Another Nail In My Heart,

Fay Fife has appeared here before as a member of the Rezillos . From 2022 and the album Star of the Sea here she is with Wandering Star from her fully merited new title The Countess of Fife.

More random Wandering Stars next Saturday

.

Lindi Ortega - Cigarettes & Truckstops

Squeeze - Another Nail In My Heart

The Countess of Fife - Wandering Star

Bellshill Bands - Teenage Fanclub

 

This week it is the most famous of the Bellshill bands and the one that most folk would come up with if asked to name one, namely Teenage Fanclub.

They formed in 1989 with a line up of Norman Blake (Guitar/Vocals), Raymond McGinley (Guitar/Vocals), Gerard Love (Bass/Vocals) and Francis McDonald (Drums - replaced by Brendan O'Hare)  A more detailed list of members is included here

The first three shared the song writing duties until Gerry Love left the band in 2018. The band has continued since then but it is generally agreed that they have never been quite the same.

I've seen them a few times and have the vast majority of their records with 1997's Songs From Northern Britain being my favourite. They had a terrific run with Bandwagonesque (1991), Thirteen (1993), Grand Prix (1995) and Songs From Northern Britain all being essential must haves.

I've seen them a few times recently but found Endless Arcade (2021) and Nothing Lasts For Ever (2023) a bit disappointing. They are touring later in the year to promote their new album Do Not Dare To Dream. I was unaware of this until recently and the concerts near me are now sold out. I can't say that I am too disappointed.

Teenage Fanclub - Everything Flows

Teenage Fanclub - Star Sign

Teenage Fanclub - Sparky's Dream

Teenage Fanclub - Ain't That Enough

The Arlenes

 2026 Charity Shop Purchases #23 - The Arlenes- The Arlenes

The Arlenes were a UK/American husband and wife Americana duo  (Big Steve Pulford and Stephanie Arlene) who first caught my ear when the gorgeous Lovely Won't Leave Me Alone  featured on a 2003 compilation Loose Selections.

This led me to track down their 2002 Loose album Stuck on You.

I picked up the 1990 eponymous album from Oxfam in Troon. From 1990 on the Lido label in has only 6 tracks .It comes in at a few seconds under 25 minutes so I'm considering it as an album as opposed to a CD singles

The couple relocated to America in  2003 and as far as I'm aware they have released one one further album 2004's Going to California also on the Loose label. I'll keep my eyes open for that one

Not to be confused with Arlene Foster!

The Arlenes - She Ran Me Down

The Arlenes - Springboard

Relegation Material

 

A couple of recent acquisitions of Americana CDs has led to the necessity to downgrade a couple of burns to downloads to free up some space. Yes, the Blue shelves are creaking at the seams.

The first to get the chop is Where The Killers Run an album by the band Viarosa from 2005 on the Pranoia Records label. They are described as Alternative / Indie and Folk. It is quite possible that I confused them with  Glasgow Americana band Vera Cruse

Here is a review of the album courtesy of Drowned in Sound

The second one being culled is definitely a case of mistaken identity. Bought by mistake by my pal Gordon  Marc Olsen, formally a guitarist with Seattle trio Sage and who has worked with Mark Lanegan, was confused with Mark Olson of Jayhawks fame.

Had the E been replaced by an O it would still be on the shelves!

Viarosa -Where The Killers Run

Marc Olsen - Martian Romance

A.I. Let's Go

 

My brother sent me this You Tube clip with the instructions get on this for the Blog

My first thoughts were Skaramones is a great name and an EP of Rocksteady and Ska covers of Ramones songs could be interesting.

Then I clicked on the video.

Things were going well into I noticed a small circle with the letters AI in it. Clicking the circle led to to the words generated and made with AI.

Hang your heads in shame Roll and Toast "Records".

1.3K  views so far with the great quote in the comments C” Mon Man it’s so obvious you are the SKAMONES!!!!

Be careful out there.

The Only Place

 

2026 Charity Shop Purchases #21 - Best Coast - The Only Place

In January 2020 I picked up Crazy For You the debut  album by Best Coast in a charity shop on Great Western Rd prior to nipping into Wintergills for a pint before heading to Firhill (for Thrills) to see Dundee United play Partick Thistle

Since then I have been keeping an eye out for their stuff. This has led to me mistakenly picking up two albums by Dream Pop act  Beach House.

Third time lucky in Debras in Shawlands when I came away with their second album The Only Place from 2012 on the Mexican Summer label.

The personnel on the album are songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Bethany Cosentino and guitarist and Bobb Bruno on drums, guitar and bass. Producer Jon Brion provides everything else.

Bethany's voice puts me in mind of Neko Case which is no bad thing as I'm sure you'll agree

They released two other albums California Nights (2015) and Always Tomorrow (2020) and are seemingly currently on hiatus.

Best Coast - The Only Place

Best Coast - Do You Love Me Like You Used To

Nevermind (Glitterhouse is 20)

 

It's our old friends Glitterhouse from Beverungen, Germany with Nevermind a 3xCD Compilation from 2004 celebrating the label's 30th birthday.

Here is the tracklist courtesy of Discogs listing all 51 tracks and artists. It can be picked up remarkably cheaply with a Median price of £3.96. Maybe this is because it is a little bit worthy and includes a number of pretty obscure artists. Come Fly With Us remains the Glitterhouse Compilation to have.

One track from each of the 3 CDs I think.

From disc 1 here is Carla Togerson, of Walkabouts fame, with the song Pelagic which is taken from her 2004 album Saint Stranger.

Representing disc 2 we have Rainer Ptacek a German -American guitarist and singer songwriter based in Tucson and  more commonly known just as Rainer.  Sadly he died in 1997 following a brain tumour. Love Buys Love is his selected song He is the only one of the chosen artists that I haven't seen perform.

Finally we have the opening track from Disc 3 (which is subtitled Classic tunes of Glitterhouse Records) Jon Dee Graham gives us Big Sweet Life

I really should give this one a proper listen.

Carla Togerson - Pelagic

Rainer - Love Buys Love

Jon Dee Graham - Big Sweet Life

Saturday Shuffle 155

 

Regular / Long Suffering (delete where appropriate) readers  will not be surprised to see Rose City Band appearing once more on the Shuffle. I've seen them twice and have four of their five albums with Garden Party being the odd one out. Sunlight Daze is taken from their latest album 2025's Sol y Sombra.

I'm much less familiar with the next two acts. I'm not a fan of Fleetwood Mac from their Rumours era and beyond.. Say You Love Me is taken from its 1975 predecessor Fleetwood Mac (aka The White Album).

We conclude with Dale McBride and Prissy Missy taken from Keb Darge & Little Eva's Legendary Wild Rockers album.

More Legendary Wild Rockers next Saturday.

Rose City Band - Sunlight Daze

Fleetwood Mac - Say You Love Me

Dale McBride - Prissy Missy