Long Distance Information

Long distance information give me Memphis, Tennessee
One of the many great songs from Chuck Berry's back catalogue.

And to think that he is probably best known for My Ding-a -Ling apparently his only number one in both the US and Britain.
It really makes you despair

Chuck Berry - Memphis Tennessee

Out Come The Freaks

In the late 90s and early 00s I was totally obsessed with Americana/Alt Country music - call it what you will.

I went to loads of concerts in and around Glasgow put on by the late Billy Kelly and Tom Hamilton of Death and Taxes fame.
I have also built up a fairly substantial CD collection from this genre (he said modestly).

One band who feature are Freakwater the Louisville band featuring the dulcet tones of Janet Bean and Catherine Irwin

I have two of their records on Thrill Jockey Springtime from 1997 and End Time from 1999.

Given the relatively specialised nature of the genre CDs do not often spring up in your local Charity Shop and if they do I usually already have them.

Imagine my surprise, and indeed delight, then when I stumbled across Feels Like the First Time from 1993 also on Thrill Jockey but lisenced out to Germany's City Slang in a Charity Shop in Fort William.

Sit back and enjoy


Freakwater - Drunk Friend

An Experiment in Manufactured Pop

A description on Wikipedia of The Pipettes

That's as maybe but I think they are good fun (in small doses!)

Apparently the intention was to revive the Phil Spector sound(and polka dot dresses!) and give it a modern twist - the jury is out on that one.

Here's the title track from their 2006 debut album We Are the Pipettes purchased in Inverness.

They are still on the go apparently albeit with an ever changing line up.

The Pipettes - We are the Pipettes

The Drugs Don't Work

Urban Hymns from the Verve seems to feature prominently in many charity shops.

Maybe this is because lots of folk bought it on the back of Bitter Sweet Symphony.
Or perhaps it has dated quickly - Richard Ashcroft's hat on the front cover certainly has!

For a long time I thought I had this and then discovered I hadn't. I eventually got round to purchasing it and I'm afraid I'm with the hasn't stood the test of time folks.It was of it's time.

And remember children - The Drug's Don't Work  - Just Say No!

The Verve - The Drugs Don't Work

Nashville Cats

I haven't got round to watching Nashville the new Country Soap yet although it's on the Tivo box for future reference

The picture is of Laura McGhee an erstwhile Scottish folk singer.

I got her 2006 album Green Eyes on spec from a charity shop in Portree on Skye and it is rather good.

I next came across her on a BBC Alba show when some Scots acts went over to Nashville and she popped up as one of the "locals"

Laura McGhee - Tell it Tae The lover

Midnight to Six Man

Midnight to six man
For the first time from Jamaica
Dillinger and Leroy Smart
Delroy Wilson your cool operator

Delroy Wilson - Cool Operator

All Wright

Whilst on holiday on the Black Isle last year I had a particularly fruitful CD purchasing foray in the charity shops of Nairn.
I'd never heard of her but I took a punt on "Salt" by Lizz Wright

As the post title suggests it's alright.
It is kind of Jazzy Soul or Souly Jazz  depending on your preference and if truth be told it is just a wee bit too twiddly for me. She can hold a tune though!

One of the good things about doing this blog (apart from communication with all you wonderful people out there) is that it makes you re-visit and re-listen to records that you probably otherwise wouldn't do.
Which is no bad thing.

Lizz Wright - Blue Rose