Album cover photo by Beautiful Insanity Photography.
August 10 Music Mix Notes
It’s very simple to write this introduction – thanks to everyone who has visited MFTM over the past year, hope you have enjoyed your visits to my website. I also hope you enjoy the songs in this mix, they are songs that my friends and I here on MFTM have discovered or rediscovered since last August, mostly from visiting the site.
I hope you will continue to visit and be part of the MFTM family.
[01] Motorpsycho – Starhammer (Spacey)
No surprises here then for our regular visitors. I never did make any secret of my admiration for this one. Only regret was that I didn’t know about it in time to claim it as my birthday pressie. Love the way the intro lulls you into that false sense of security then blows your socks off with the crunching guitar. The voice reminds me of some of the early 80’s metal bands I grew up with, but the rhythm section is pure 21st century garage. At times it nearly becomes prog rock, but it’s just so much cleverer than most of the current crop of prog metal bands, so much going that it’s really difficult to take it all in even after repeated listenings. It just becomes more rewarding each time I hear it.
[02] Steve Winwood – While You See A Chance (LD)
Recently bought his Revolutions cd and simply enjoyed rediscovering his songs – could have selected any number of tracks (Gimme Some Lovin’, No Face, No Name, No Number, Valerie, etc. etc. etc.) but can remember hearing this sometime in the distant past and thinking “yeah there’s truth in those words”.
[03] Midlake – Roscoe (Techy)
The original is good, but can be found with a lovely winding synthesiser intro on the Late Night Tales compilation from Groove Armada. But LD didn’t have – never mind ’tis still a cracking song.
[04] Bruce Springsteen – Working on a Dream (Mrs LD)
I’ve always been a big admirer of Bruce’s bum (sorry LD) and occasionally can be seen Dancing in the Dark with him so when my dear hubby asked me for my favourite song of the last year there was no other contender (especially as Shaking Stevens has been quiet). Hope you enjoy.
[05] Kasabian – Underdogs (Sinny)
Just a brill song by a brill band.
[06] Siena Root – Waiting for the Sun (LD)
On reflection could have and maybe should have been my Song of 2009. This song has it all, wacky Indian intro, blazing goitar, a big organ, a rhythm section to die for, a singist who’s only 4 foot and a fart tall but with leather lungs – it has it all – will also put a smile on my face (isn’t that what’s it all about?). Thanks Spacey.
[07] Audience – The House on the Hill (Cheezy)
Where else can you hear a flute in a rock group! (Don’t answer that.)
[08] Man – C’mon (LD)
This mix is all about the music we’ve discovered or rediscovered since August 2009 – well being a Merthyr boy just had to include this. It’s only a shame that it was Mickey Jones’ death that made me play it again – RIP my man.
[09] Groundhogs- I Love Miss Ogny (Cheezy)
Love this band. How did I miss them?
[10] Midlake – The Trials of Van Occupanther (Spacey)
Way back in February Mr D invited us to try out The Courage of Others. I had been dithering over that one for while, once I heard Acts of Man I went off and bought that CD. Then after reading the reviews on Amazon I decided to take a punt on Van Occupanther. Now, some of the tracks on that CD can be a bit repetitive, some are a little bit dreary. This one however really does it for me. It just seems to flow so well that I couldn’t bear to leave it off this selection.
[11] Atomic Rooster – Nobody Else (Cheezy)
Saw them on T.O.T.Ps, back in the day, doing Tomorrow Night, but for some reason didn’t buy the album.
[12] Them Crooked Vultures – Gunman (LD)
Back in December I wrote: “It took me only 2 minutes and 44 seconds of ‘No one loves me and neither do I’ to realise that this album and band are a wee bit special. It’s the moment when they come out of the bridge and the whole band explodes playing the main riff again – a simple but magical moment that highlights the sheer musical savvy and creativity of these 2 geezers and an old git.”
Same with this song a real good old fashioned rock song that simply oozes class, oozes quality oozes all sorts of sticky stuff (me likes very much).
[13] Biffy Clyro – Mountains (Sinny)
Don’t know why these guys have not been mentioned here before.
[14] Radio Moscow – I Just Don’t Know (Spacey)
Now we’re back on track. I don’t know how Mr D found this one, I’m just glad that he did! It even led to the formation of the psychadelicspaceprogmetalbabbleshite music genre so it must have something going for it. Pure adrenalin fuelled psychedelic freak out. It could nearly be The Pink Fairies, they just have to look just a bit more out of it and they are there.
[15] AC/DC – Safe in New York City (Sinny)
Mr SP you are wrong about these guys – saw them last year in New York City and they simply blew me away.
[16] Robert Randolph and the Family Band – Ain’t nothing wrong with that (LZ)
I first bookmarked this on 17 November 2007, bought the album (Colorblind) immediately (which is also excellent) but kind of stopped playing it. I rediscovered it within the past year when making some list or other for mftm so it qualifies on that count. It also counts in my top 3 favourite tracks in the history of music making. Yep, really. They’ll be toe-tapping along to this at my funeral.
[17] Life’s Too Short (To Be With You) – Tom Jones/ Jools Holland (Techy)
A rollicking opening number from two pros, who also happen to be firm friends. This song is full of fun and feeling.
[18] Lucas Renney – She Gives Me the Chills (URD)
Because it really is that good (to me, at any rate). Not as sure about his other stuff, but this track ticks a lot of my boxes.
[19] Richard Hawley – Open Up Your Door (Techy)
Simply beautiful song on a simply beautiful album. Richard Hawley has a brilliant voice to complement his excellent lyrics.
[20] Willy Mason – If the Ocean gets Tough (LD)
Posted in March of this year in Now This Is Music when I stated that it’s just “perfect music for the soul”. Can’t really add much that – just perfect.
[21] David Sylvian – When Poets Dreamed Of Angels (Cheezy)
I used to have Japans-Tin drum, (where did that go?) but never followed his solo career. A voice like liquid treacle!
[22] Plumbline – Bottletops (LZ/URD)
I think I might be the MFTM devotee referred to by Uncle Dave. I’m so glad he shared this song because it gets played just about every evening in the chillout zone. Love it.
[23] Scott Matthews – Up On The Hill (LD)
Elsewhere was my first Album of the Month and this is what I wrote “It says on his MySpace page that Scott Matthews created his second album ‘Elsewhere’ with a single aim in mind. “I wanted to make a record that locks you in”, he says, “something that gives you a feeling that stays with you. For me, making music is all about creating a mood.”
Well he certainly has achieved this and more.
Released on May 18, 2009 Elsewhere is the follow-up to Matthews’ first album Passing Stranger, which I believe is still one of the best albums of the past few years, going Silver in the UK, winning him an Ivor Novello and contains one of my favourite tracks, Dream Song (watch out for this to be included in a future music mix).
The songs on Elsewhere are darker than his debut album but not black, more a different shade of grey. Listen to Fractured, Jagged Melody and 12 Harps, a duet with Led Zeppelin front man Robert Plant and you will realize the depth of feeling found here. Also look out for a wide mix of different instruments – a flute on Jagged Melody, a lovely bit of trumpet on Suddenly You Figure Out – mmm nice, certainly creating a mood.
I like this album and recommend it to all who enjoyed his debut and to all who like good songs, great voice and lyrics that make you think a bit.
[24] Joe Bonamassa – Bird on a Wire (LZ)
I’d never have discovered this if it weren’t for MTFM, it’s a rare five star track for me, absolutely beautiful. So here it is.
[25] Dan Auerbach – Heartbroken, In Disrepair (Sinny)
Mr LD turned me onto The Black Keys with his superduper mix, bought all their stuff and more.
[26] The Black Keys – You’re the One (Magic Potion) (Spacey)
Haven’t really got too far in collecting this band’s CDs, but I have made a decent enough start and I’m sure there’s much more to come. I had a tough job deciding which track to select, but this one just seems to have it all. Psychedlically delightful, sounds similar to some of the earlier Gomez stuff in a lot of ways, so there’s not much wrong with it. Lazing in the grass with a long cool beer and the sun beating down. This track playing in the background, ah just bliss! There are so many great tracks on this CD, I could have come along on a different day and went for another one altogether. Best thing with this CD is just to play it start to finish.
[27] Betty Steele – Mudslide (URD)
[28] Joe Henry – The Man I Keep Hid (LZ)
Not many artists get 2 five-starred album tracks but Mr Henry gets the double whammy. It feels as if I’ve been listening to this album my whole life but it was only a few short months ago that LD posted a review of Blood From Stars here and I was hooked from the opening bars.
[Trivia: did you know that Joe Henry has been married to Melanie Ciccone (Madonna's sister) since 1987? Me neither. Do now.]
[29] Solomon Burke – Fast Train (URD)
[30] JJ Cale and Eric Clapton – Hard To Thrill (LD)
Got to give a nod to URD who has a brought a wee bit of the blues to MFTM. Was chatting to some guy at a BBQ a few months ago who lent me some DVDs/CDs (The Road to Escondido being one of them) – gotta admit to loving the laid back style and tempo on this song and while I’ll never be a big bluesy fan there’ll always be time for gems like this.
[31] R L Burnside – Goin Down South (A Ass Pocket of Whiskey) (Spacey)
UncleRaveDave’s introduction of this guy in the Top 5 guitarists discussion got me intrigued. I had heard the name but never got around to listening to any of his music. So nothing else for but to go find some. I think I managed that OK, now got about 5 of his CDs. This song just kicks ass all the way through. Great boogieing music. I would love to get this on in the dance hall on a Friday night. Unfortunately, dance halls area a thing of the past – probably just as well, I would collapse half way through this song.
[32] Rory Gallagher – Calling Card (LD)
Always enjoyed his music, but for some reason hadn’t played his stuff in ages. Bought his BBC sessions opened a bottle of Merlot and won first prize in a local grinning like a fool competition.
[33] Alabama 3 – Too Sick To Pray (Techy)
LD writes: “Sorry Techy, could find the acoustic version you wanted but if it’s better than this then will definitely want to hear it. Maybe you could play it on your next radio show”.
[34] New Order – Blue Monday (URD)
Because it was the first song that sprang to my mind when I first heard about MTFM. It just HAD to feature at some stage.
[35] Ulrich Schnauss – On My Own (Techy)
Beautiful and intelligent electronic music is what Ulrich Schnauss excels at and this is the stand-out track for me on the excellent A Strangely Isolated Place album.
[36] Oingo Boingo – Insanity (Spacepiggy)
Utter genius
[37] Nibs Van Der Spuy – Lines On My Face (LZ)
Another UncleRaveDave recommendation, another five stars, gets an airing every time I open MediaMonkey, especially late at night. Love this guy’s voice, planning to buy at least two of his album(s) soon.
[38] Porcupine Tree – Novak (Cheezy)
How good are these guys, if they can Throwaway this track
[39] Pat Metheny, Anna Maria Jopek – Are You Going With Me (LD)
Introduced to MFTM by Ken who seems to have vanished off the face of the earth (probably more chance of finding Elvis) – not that I miss the miserable old bugger (OK maybe I do just a little) especially when he suggests music like this. There’s not many words can do it justice – so I’ll shut up and leave you listen to the music.
[40] Staff Benda Bilili – Sala Keba (LD)
OK here’s the story – Staff Benda Bilili are a group of Congolese street musicians. They live around the grounds of the zoo in Kinshasa, and play music which is rooted in rumba, with elements of old-school rhythm’n’blues and reggae. The core of the band consists of four senior singers/guitarist,who are all disabled (they suffered from poliomyelitis when they were young) and move around in spectacularly customized tricycles. They are backed by a younger rhythm section consisting of ex-sheges, abandoned street kids who were taken under the protection of the older members of the band. The soloist is an 18 year-old boy who plays astounding electric guitar-like solos on a one-stringed lute he designed and built himself out of a tin can (Wikipedia).
What more can I say… apart from the music being mesmerizing, simplistic, genius-like and merits being my album of the year not because of the story but because of the music and the passion and the joy that can be heard from the songs on the album.
[41] The Derek Trucks Band – Afro Blue (Sinny)
One of Mr SP’s nods and I must admit to not really liking these long songs before MFTM but this guy and this song just makes it all worthwhile.
The August Music Mix [a 348 mb zip file] will be available for one month from today – until midnight on 30 August 2010 has now expired. But there are plenty of other mixes to keep you happy!
Hope you enjoy the Mix – as always, keep me and the Sheriff happy – if you like a song buy the album. But don’t forget to come back and share your thoughts in the comment box.
Thanks guys,
Laughing Dog
………and of course I would like to thank my dear Sis (LZ) for first of all for nagging me to start this thing and also for all her hard work in creating and updating the site – it looks so good because of her – shokrun
Aw shucks, you’re welcome. But listening to this mix again, don’t we all have great taste in music? Heh.
Really looking forward to downloading this and having a proper listen….
just downloaded this great mix and am having a listen now
there are a number of groups here i will have to buy
and some i had forgoten e.g New Order brought back memories
thanx
I’ve listened to this over the last couple of days going to and from work to distract me from the horrors of travelling on the rat-tube in the height of summer and it’s a darn good compilation.
Highlights were :-
Underdog – Kasabian (just love this band, the more that I hear them)
Waiting For The Sun – Siena Root (definitely some investments to be made in this band in the near future and will certainly be appearing on future radio shows)
Gunman – Them Crooked Vultures (unadulterated rock – what more can I say?)
Up On The Hill – Scott Matthews (the man’s a talent, end of).
Nobody Else – Atomic Rooster (must investigate further…)
Hard To Thrill – JJ & EC (what a pairing).
Going Down South – RL Burnside
A couple of tracks left me a bit cold, but it was interesting to see what everyone else is into. I agree with LZ on the whole though – as a collective, we do have very good music taste
Hi Techy – gotta ask you which tracks leave you cold?
Some of the very gentle stuff..
If The Ocean gets Rough – Willy Mason
When Poets Dreame – David Sylvian
Bottletops – Plumbline
They’re clearly all very good musicians, but these particular tracks didn’t do much for me… just a matter of taste I guess. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not adverse at all to gentle, chilled music – it may just be that I was in the wrong environment – on a hot tube, during London’s rush hour.
Well well well, where did the last year go then? Hard to believe that a full year has passed since I first popped in here and berated our Happy Hound about Faust. But, in that time I think we have all benefited by being exposed to loads of music that we probably wouldn’t have heard if it weren’t for MFTM. OK, so there’s been a few stinkers along the way – but hey, that’s music.
And now, along with our merry little band of devotees we have had to pick the best new discoveries (or re-discoveries) of the year. And what a mixed bag we have. Regular visitors will know by now that I like to add a little bit of spice to the proceedings with a few comments on each mix. Yes, I know that you won’t all agree with the comments and that you may just want to have a quiet word or two with me about this. But we’re all friends here, so don’t hide your feelings. If I say something you disagree with, well just get right on here and give me the proverbial kick up the butt.
I think I have probably said enough about my own suggestions in the past, so I will try and reserve most of my comments for other’s suggestions.
Motorpsycho – Starhammer: A few months down the line and this one still gets played often enough. Great track, incredible album, this one is going to be on my playlists for years to come. Still love it.
Steve Winwood – While You See A Chance: I have to admit that I prefer Winwood’s Traffic stuff. But that is simply splitting hairs as so much of the solo releases are also well worth hearing. I never really expected LZ to list Winwood as one of her favourites, but I am glad to see she did. By the way LZ, fancy popping over here in October? Winwood is playing here as part of the jazz festival. (are you jealous now?).
Midlake – Roscoe: Another great song from one of the newcomers. Overall, I think Van Occupanther is their best CD yet, hopefully there’s much more to come from them.
Bruce Springsteen – Working on a Dream: Never really been a fan of this guy, too American stars ‘n’ stripes for me. The River was quite good in places. This song is just dire (sorry Mrs LD). If I had to pick a Springsteen song, it definitely wouldn’t have been this one.
Kasabian – Underdogs: Like so many on here, I hadn’t really paid too much attention to this band (still haven’t). Doesn’t really do it for me. I imagine they would be quite good live, I could see them working the crowd well especially at a summer festival, but I couldn’t listen to them at home or in the pub.
Siena Root – Waiting for the Sun: Just gets better every time I hear it. I couldn’t claim this song as one of my picks for the year simply because I limited myself to songs I had discovered through MFTM and I also heard it when it first came out. If you haven’t heard anything else from this lot, you really have some catching up to do.
Audience – The House on the Hill: Yes!!! Brilliant!!! Good on you Cheezy! One of the most under-rated but definitely among the best of the ’70′s bands. The whole album is simply awesome, this song is the cream of the crop. I have their entire back catalogue, but this one is the most regularly played. Also seen them live a few years ago – quite simply breath-taking.
Man – C’mon: How sad that it took the death of one of their founder members to inspire Mr D to go back and listen to Wales’s finest again. Now that you have re-discovered them again, I do hope that you are not going to lapse again. This band deserved a much higher profile than they ever achieved. A mix between The Grateful Dead and Hawkwind. What a great combination, and what a stunning track.
Groundhogs- I Love Miss Ogny: Has Cheezy been raiding my CD collection? If you have, well done, keep at it. This version appears a bit more chilled than some of them I have, on some of the live versions, McPhee just spits out the lyrics, adding a whole new dimension to the song. This one is a bit more psychedelic, and none the worse for it, just different.
Midlake – The Trials of Van Occupanther: One of my own and enough already said previously.
Atomic Rooster – Nobody Else: Slightly obscure these days, but a good enough band. I do have a few of their CDs, not this one though. The music is good, the lyrics maybe a bit depressive for me (apparently the singer was a bit of a nutter).
Them Crooked Vultures – Gunman: I still don’t see what all the fuss about this band was. Oh the song is OK and all that, but weren’t they supposed to be the greatest thing since sliced bread?
Biffy Clyro – Mountains: Sinny (if you ever read this) in my own opinion, this song is a perfect example of why Biffy Clyro have never been mentioned on MFTM before. Can someone maybe help me out here? Can you explain how this band ever managed to rise above the multitude of bands with talent that are out there waiting to be discovered?
Radio Moscow – I Just Don’t Know: Whoargh!!!!!! Rockin’
AC/DC – Safe in New York City: Wrong? Me? Never!! How can I possibly be wrong when I am merely stating my own opinion? Or am I wrong when I disagree with someone else’s opinion? Anyway, to the song – repetitive, predictable, standard AC/DC fare which hasn’t changed in 30 years. It works for them and their fans, I won’t count myself among that elite band of 100 million or so.
Robert Randolph and the Family Band – Ain’t nothing wrong with that: Nope, ain’t nothing wrong with this at all. Good discovery LZ, just great fun time music.
Life’s Too Short (To Be With You) – Tom Jones/ Jools Holland: Should I get into another rant? Should I quietly skip onto the next track? Maybe pretend that I missed this one? Nah let’s have a rant! I’ve already said enough (maybe too much) about Tom Jones, so let’s have a go at Jools Holland. What a creep! OK, so maybe his basics on the piano are adequate enough, he was enjoyable when Squeeze were around. Nowadays he’s just too patronising for my liking. Why does he always feel the need to join in with genuine artists then proceed to destroy their songs? Not that his contributions have done anything to diminish the qualities of TJ here, but just in general I mean. Consigned to the dustbin for me.
Lucas Renney – She Gives Me the Chills: Slow, plodding, but enjoyable enough in it’s own way I reckon. Would be a bit worried that it would send me to sleep if I wasn’t careful, but nevertheless, I can see why URD likes it.
Richard Hawley – Open Up Your Door: Hmmm, I’m definitely drifting off to snoozy land now. Again, nothing wrong with the song, just not very exciting is it?
Willy Mason – If the Ocean gets Tough: Don’t know why, but I like this guy. I think he has a great voice, with some great lyrics to go with it. I know that going by my usual listening material, this doesn’t really fit in anywhere, but then I’ve never been one for sticking to conventions.
David Sylvian – When Poets Dreamed Of Angels: I have a CD somewhere with this guy doing some work with some of the members of Can. Very good if I remember correctly, but haven’t played it for years. Don’t know why I told you that because it sounds nothing at all like this but at least there is a connection. This one is OK, but instead of me falling asleep it sounds like it’s the singer doing it this time.
Plumbline – Bottletops: Er, does nothing for me at all I’m afraid. Just seems to go on and on and on and on and on and on ………
Scott Matthews – Up On The Hill: I have to assume that we are going through the relaxing section of this mix. But six songs in a row without a yell or a scream or a howl as the guitar gets a right good thrashing? Again, slow, plodding, going nowhere and not for me.
Joe Bonamassa – Bird on a Wire: And then LZ finally wakes us up with some blues. But hey, what’s this at the beginning of the song? JB going all exotic and ethnic on us? And doing Leonard Cohen! Takes a while, but finally he injects some energy into it.
Dan Auerbach – Heartbroken, In Disrepair: Good ol’ Sinny, I knew he wouldn’t let us down. The Black Keys are one of the best bands I discovered last year. This one just carries on that great form. First time I’ve heard this song, gonna have to get the CD.
The Black Keys – You’re the One: And here’s one I found earlier. Still think it sounds uncannily like Gomez.
Betty Steele – Mudslide: What the..? I think personally that 15 seconds of this is enough for me thank you very much.
Joe Henry – The Man I Keep Hid: Sounds like old 1940′s swing type stuff. Really cool, like it.
Solomon Burke – Fast Train: Good song, not quite what I expected when I first came across him, probably a bit better than I expected to tell the truth. Sounds like some of these ’60′s soul singers.
JJ Cale and Eric Clapton – Hard To Thrill: Laid back – yes. But apart from the piano, I can’t see very much going on. JJ Cale I always thought, although good enough at what he does, doesn’t really seem to spark any enthusiasm. pair him up with EC when he’s chilled out, and it treads very dangerously towards dreariness.
R L Burnside – Goin Down South: Cheers URD, still going strong with this guy.
Rory Gallagher – Calling Card: Local hero in these parts. We have a Rory Gallagher Square, a Rory Gallagher music library, all his trinkets are on display all over the town and wherever you go you can hear his music being played by young kids. It’s not hard to work out why when you listen to tracks with the quality of this one. At least I can truthfully tell them that I was lucky enough to see him play live. Most of the kids playing his music weren’t even born when he left us. Great choice Mr D.
Alabama 3 – Too Sick To Pray: I nearly seen them play last week. Another opportunity gone – ach well there’s always next time. I have been told many a time that they are much better live than on CD. Going by this song, I really missed out on something special last week didn’t I?
New Order – Blue Monday: I don’t think there is anything that can be said about this song that hasn’t been said before. So let me just say that although I think it was one of the iconic tracks of the ’80′s, couldn’t we just leave it back there? Got bored with it years ago.
Ulrich Schnauss – On My Own: Interesting. Don’t really know this dude but could be worth investigating a little bit further,
Oingo Boingo – Insanity: Gotta be careful here don’t I? Honest opinion? Well, along with Hey, this is my favourite Oingo Boingo track. In reality I quite like this one and I have been known to put it on even when spacepiggy isn’t at home. It has that retro ’80′s feel to it, but so much better than most of the music associated with that time. This is obviously the live one, which we don’t have, the studio version is possibly even better than this one, funnily enough, seems to be a bit more atmospheric.
Nibs Van Der Spuy – Lines On My Face: Think I might just about have had enough of singer/songwriters for a while.
Porcupine Tree – Novak: Can never get enough of the Porkys though. First time I have heard this song, and Cheezy is right, if they can throw this one away, just how good are they. Typical atmosphere building, don’t the drums sound great on here too?
Pat Metheny, Anna Maria Jopek – Are You Going With Me: Aha, the song that introduced me to Pat Metheny. Great stuff, could listen to this all day.
Staff Benda Bilili – Sala Keba: I seem to remember saying way back then that I didn’t understand that why, although this is a good enough track, Mr D had made it his album of the year against such a tough field. I still sometimes wonder about that same question. Don’t get me wrong, it is good enough music, but album of the year? I for one, don’t think so.
The Derek Trucks Band – Afro Blue: At last I got Sinny to listen to music that lasts longer than 3 minutes. That took a while didn’t it? But if anything was going to convert him then it was always going to be this band.
I agree with every one else on here. Over the last year we have shown that we have a great diversification in musical tastes, and that has to be good to see. As more people have joined us, I am sure that next year’s mix is going to be even more varied than this one.
I have to concede that of all the CDs I have got this year, very few are actual new releases. Which does seem to be a bit worrying. Has anyone else come across many new CDs this year (released this year) which they would consider serious contenders for album of the year yet?
Hi Spacey – thanks for your wonderful comments – don’t agree with all of them but still love to read your rants.
Anyway, 1st point Steve Winwood is one of mine – can’t give that to LZ, I love the song too much and yes I am insanely jealous
2nd point – you made Mrs LD mad with your comments about Brucie – I wont repeat what she said as this is a family show but she does wonder why you don’t like any nice music?
3rd point AC/DC – don’t know what you have against these guys. I know they haven’t changed many chords in 80 years but when you can still play like they can and still write songs like this then you gotta give them some respect. Plus they are good guys – who was the 1st band to ask Anvil to support them last year when Anvil were broke and in deep shit – AC/DC did – a grand gesture if ever I saw one.
4th point – whats wrong with having six songs in a row without a yell or a scream or a howl as the guitar gets a right good thrashing – have you not heard of the sound of silence do you not wine and dine and romance Mrs SP (Richard Hawley et al.) would do the trick here me thinks – but then again knowing what I do about Mrs SP maybe something a little heavier and weirder would probably do the trick.
5th point – leave Staff Benda Bilili alone or its in the pub car park again for me and you
The rest ain’t too bad I suppose, although I could argue about EC and JJ Cale not at all being dreary but will leave.
One thing is for sure – we all have to keep on what we’re doing here as we’re doing it good.
And finally your last point about new CDs this year (released this year) which they would consider serious contenders for album of the year yet? Do me a favour start this as a new discussion would love to hear what people have been buying this year that would make album of the year.
Thanks Spacey
Come on you two – break it up
A couple of observations. I think Spacey should be applauded for the time and effort that he takes in assessing every track here (and on previous mixes too). It shows that he has listened to the mix carefully and with consideration. It’s enjoyable reading his comments on all of his songs (inspite of a couple of mine taking a pasting…)
Praise indeed also to LD for taking the time of day to collate everyone’s favourite recent tracks and putting them into a splendid playlist. It’s certainly opened up my eyes and introduced me to yet more excellent music – Siena Root and Dan Auerbach to name but a couple. If we all listened to exactly the same stuff, MTFM wouldn’t be half as good as it is.
A new thread on what we’ve all been buying this year would be excellent – does the music have to be from 2010 though?
As an aside.
Spacey’s comments about Jools Holland…. “his basics on the piano are adequate enough….”
I take your comments on board, but a little harsh methinks. I’ve seen him play live a couple of times and he’s an excellent pianist. I also admire him for breaking new acts on his show, besides giving airtime to the big, established acts. Anyone with a musical taste as broad as his (and John Peel’s) gets a doff of my cap.
Another Jools Holland fan here but I’m reserving my Miss Piggy hair flick at Spacey for his rudeness about our own Thomas Woodward
LD, yes please, write a post so that we can all start sharing what music we’ve been collecting this year (maybe after Techy’s show ‘cos I’m as sure as night follows day that I’ll have to be getting at least 6 new albums by the end of it!)
Yahoo, some controversy at last. Us Spacepigs like nothing better than kicking off a good old rumpus. This sure has the makings of one. Now, let’s roll up the sleeves and get to work.
Point 1 on Mr D’s list – sorry, too many L’s around here for my liking. You can have the song back again, but only if I get to borrow it now and again.
Point 2 – Mrs LD (see, another L) I do like nice music. I like music that gets you nicely mashed. I nearly gave Springsteen a compliment, I did say I quite liked The River. That’s as close to a compliment as I can possibly come as far as he goes. I’ll give him another one if you like, I would rather listen to him all day than 99% of the dross that passes as music these days. See, that’s not so bad is it? I just didn’t like this song (or lots of other ones of his).
Point 3 – Really, despite my constant harping on about AC/DC, I don’t particularly dislike them. I just find them a bit boring and predictable. Yes I’m sure they are all really nice guys and all that, but can’t they just change their tune once in a while?
Point 4 – Silence????? What’s that? Wining and dining Mrs SP is probably about as anarchic as you would imagine it to be. Not for us the smooth red plonk and candlelit meals. More like a couple of bottles of Jagermeister each, gallons of beer and if we’re capable we might manage a burger. All accompanied with entertainment from the likes of Black Sabbath, Zeppelin, or if we are feeling a bit more mellow then we might chance a touch of Oingo Boingo.
5. As before, nothing against Staff Benda Bilili, but, well it must be near enough a year since our last pub car park episode so, yippeee, bring it on.
Techy, I have been instructed to leave the response to the Jools Holland comments to spacepiggy. Not that I have any objection to answering myself, just that she is so much better than me at this kind of thing. Oh oh, I would begin digging out the flack jacket if I was you.
And finally, LZ. Do I fear the Miss Piggy hair flick? Not in the slightest, not when I have got used to the spacepiggy headbutt.
I think if we are going to start a new post about new albums for this year, we really should make it for albums released this year, not re-releases or ones that we have only just got around to getting. If we can nominate old ones then we’re going to fill it up with CDs from the 70′s, 80′s, 90′s and before we know it we’ll have listed every CD that’s ever been released.
Bwaaah! Jools Holland? Even after not having played for 6 years I would eat him for breakfast! And that is after 5 consecutive nights out on the piss, having had nothing to eat nor got any sleep. Cheap Jerry Lee Lewis imitation!!! You think Spacepig can rant? I haven’t even started yet…
Want some great piano players? How about Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea,
Friedrich Gulda, Fats Waller and even Dr John, Nina Simone and Ray Charles? The list is endless, but Jools Holland is certainly not on it!!!
Here’s some great piano play for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swLnc_KSm4Y&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuNALpGBxK0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Cs_zb4q14
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGFIb7aezrA&feature=fvst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaBxKgMvdSE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNp-ldlnf5s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9xf-1h7LnU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNAJlqn0nO4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhidkzL6TWU
Enjoy!
Jools Holland – the Michael Buble of Honky Tonk! You force me to drown myself in a huge barrel of Jaegermeister. Mmh, maybe not Jaegermeister… Maybe something icky like Southern Comfort, mixed with Buckie. This is gonna be painful ): Why, oh why does it have to be Jools Holland?
No honest: I’ve heard worse, but in my Top 100 he just about makes it to number 237.
Also I’ve only been gone for a week and the site has been invaded by an alien called Bert.
What about Ernie?
Ha ha – it must be interesting when you and hubby get into a ‘debate’ – especially one about music!!
Bert’s a dude…. I doubt Ernie has such an in-depth knowledge of the music of Zimbabwe and is too scared to show his face round these parts!
We’ll have to agree to differ about Joolsy baby. I think he’s got the skills. Does he get so much flack because he’s popular, I wonder?
I’m with you on Dr John though – he’s frickin’ A.
Hello Spacepiggy
Ernie is on holiday visiting Gonzo
I am also with you on Dr John he is the best
the only time i ever saw Jools Holand play well was with Dr John on one of his shows
but i have to say the bands he introduces on his show are always top class
Ok i got thet wrong it was the Sunday Night Show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcKhpBPFPoU
Can I embed a video here in the “Leave a Reply” section ?
If not, here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO0fmkSA80o
Okeydokey, so after we have established that Bert’s a dude and not an alien who likes to watch Ernie doing Gonzo whilst on hols, back to the piano play (:
Tekky, I think that after more than 20 years of playing the piano, I can honestly claim that Jools’s play is rather basic. Popular or not, I could have played most of his stuff after having been playing for no longer than — ooh — say 2 or three years at the most.
Love Dr John, however when it comes to virtuosity, genius, timing and technique Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson are unarguably the greatest Jazz pianists of all times. Horowitz once said that if Art Tatum took up playing classical music seriously, he would retire the very next day.
I really need you to watch the next few clips (to the end please, they don’t really get started until about half way through) so I am putting them on again. You can make up your own mind then…
Oscar Peterson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swLnc_KSm4Y&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9xf-1h7LnU
Art Tatum
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNAJlqn0nO4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJITiO5hTuI&feature=related
Oh, and I forgot to mention Thelonious Monk in my last post:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2s6LZUdYaU&feature=related
Not as much easy listening as Joolsy Baby and the good ole Dr, but great Jazz piano.
Definitely not easy listening spacepiggy, but then, when did you ever make things easy for us?
Hard to pick a favourite from this list. Art Tatum – spooky, how does he do that? He looks like he’s not even trying, I get the feeling that it’s harder for us piano plebeians to listen to than it is for him to play it.
Oscar Peterson playing boogie woogie? I take it that this is what Jools Holland is trying to do? And did you all notice the look on the other musicians faces about halfway through the second clip of his, as Oscar launches into his solo? Priceless!
Thelonius Monk – to my own untrained ears maybe not quite in the same class as the other two, but still light years ahead of most other piano players around today.
And – isn’t it just amazing that we have now got around to having some real classy jazz on the website? Is there no genre that cannot be discussed here (hope not).
Spacepiggie in about a month i will have some new Jazz from Colombia
that is going to blow you away keep watching my posts
if your selection of Jazz musicians are anything to go by you will love it
the band also includes the best Jazz pianist from Columbia
all will be reviled shortley
Hi SP,
Art Tatum looks detached because he’s blind (90%) and he can’t see what he’s doing. He’s the only pianist I ever heard of, who could just listen to Dvo?ák, Chopin, Massenet and the likes and quite simply convert the pieces into jazz without even having studied the originals.
Spacepiggy i have watched the videos on the links about three times each now and i realy like them alot my favorite has to be Oscar Peterson and i have to agree with spacepig the faces of the two basists are pricless absolutley amazing piano
my favorite Pianist and keybord player has to be George Duke an amazing range of music and sounds not of the same style , but amazing all the same
have a look
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1H3wIqpYGU
i hope you enjoy
Love George Duke, good solid Pianist. Also like his synthesizer stuff and I am particularly fond of him collaborating with Zappa. Not so sure about Chaka Khan.
Chaka Khan should be accompanied by Jools Holland (:
i agree withth the Chaka Khan and Jools Holand there more or less on the same level very midioker ( i have to go to bede i cant even write porperley )
Note to Laughing Dog
What’s the difference between Spacepig and Spacepiggy? Spacepiggy has a great taste in music. I presume that Spacepiggy is a she, if so, I must congratulate on her choice of music here, Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum etc truly wonderful, and maybe I have found a kindred spirit here.
And another question – what’s the difference between Ken and spacepiggy? Spacepiggy doesn’t make disparaging generalisations, and particularly not when anyone agrees that she (and yes Ken, she is a she, but I don’t really think that she is the kind of woman you would particularly want to meet) has provided some music for our listening pleasure that is appreciated.
Kindred spirit? Lets just leave it at a shared appreciation of great pianists.
i’m a bit late on this mix ,but my favorites are (In no particular order)
Motorpsycho
Sienna Root
Man
Scott Matthews
Pat Metheny,Anna Maria Jopek
The Dereck Trucks Band
Midlake
That’s not to say i don’t like most of the others, but these are the ones i would buy.(My wish list is getting out of hand!)