A week or so ago I asked for your favourite songs with a name in – thanks for the great response. You’re going to have a hell of a lot of fantastic music to listen to this week. First up is the Dog with 24 songs – no mention of Peggy Sue, but we do have the lovely Sylvie. One thought, why has nobody written a song with the line “Sylvie…you’re gonna kill me”?

Laughing Dog’s Songs for Whoever

01 Sylvie – Harry Belafonte
02 Jesus, Buddha, Moses, Gauranga – Quintessence
03 Jackie Blue – The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
04 Laura – Wyatt, Atzmon, Stephen
05 Amelia – Bell X1
06 Daphne – 1 Giant Leap
07 Judy – Stephen Stills
08 Cath… – Death Cab For Cutie
09 Amelia – Joni Mitchell
10 Jimmy Jimmy – The Undertones
11 Grace – Amy Wadge
12 Billy Jack – Curtis Mayfield
13 Pearly Jim – Richard Thompson
14 Johnny the Fox meets Jimmy the Weed – Thin Lizzy
15 Nadia – Nitin Sawhney
16 Jimmy Jazz – The Clash
17 Song for Suzie 1 – Heads Hands & Feet
18 Emma Lee – Buffy Sainte-Marie
19 Jaqueline – Alabama 3
20 Frederick – The Patti Smith Group
21 Ruby – Dave Rawlings Machine
22 Mr Siegal – Tom Waits
23 Sandi – My Sleeping Karma
24 Margaret Montgomery (1581 – _) – Manning

CheezePeeze’s Songs for Whoever

01 Midnight Moses – Sensational Alex Harvey Band
02 Anna Molly – Incubus
03 Lord Bateman – Jim Moray
04 Fergus Sings the Blues – Deacon Blue
05 Crow Jane – The Derek Trucks Band
06 Jeremy – Pearl Jam
07 Hazy Jane I – Nick Drake
08 Mike Mills – Air
09 Hey Floyd – Jamiroquai
10 Daisy Jane – America
11 Suite Charlotte Pike – Transatlantic
12 Nancy – Audience
13 Nowadays Clancy Can’t Even Sing – Buffalo Springfield
14 Get Miles – Gomez
15 Annie Let’s Not Wait – Guillemots
16 Mr Bellows – John Cougar Mellencamp
17 Personal Jesus – Johnny Cash
18 Hey Joe – Robert Plant
19 Come Alive Diana – Everything Everything
20 Boris the Spider – The Who

Spacepig’s Songs for Whoever

01 Face of Melinda – Opeth
02 Gloria Lewis – Kyuss
03 The Ballad of Balin Longbeard – Glass Hammer
04 To Barbara – Hax-Cel
05 Diana – Comus
06 Julia – Pavlov’s Dog
07 Iris Murdoch Cut Me Down – No Man
08 Mephistophales – CWT
09 Mandy – Fats Waller
10 Little Olive – The Electric Prunes
11 Jesus Gonna Be Here – Tom Waits
12 Marie Antoinette – Curved Air
13 Mrs Prout – Fuzzy Duck
14 Zarozinia – Hawkwind
15 Annie Doesn’t Live Here Anymore – Eartha Kitt
16 Selene- Gong
17 Pamphlet To Mr. M Thompson – Coupla Prog
18 Hannah – Robin Trower
19 Abraham Lincoln – Clutch
20 Eleanor Rigby – Vanilla Fudge
21 Andrea – Guru Guru
22 Alison Gross – Steeleye Span
23 Hector The Hero – Wolfstone
24 The Simpsons – Birdsongs of the Mesozoic

Technoflid’s Songs for Whoever Mix [99mb]

01 Muddy Water Blues (Accoustic Version) – Buddy Guy, Paul Rodgers
02 Give My Love To Rose – Johnny Cash
03 Vera – Pink Floyd
04 Victoria – Ray Davies
05 Mrs Robinson – Paul Simon
06 Daniel – Elton John
07 Jeremy – Pearl Jam
08 You Can Call Me Al – Paul Simon
09 Jesse – Mother Earth
10 Hey Joe – Jimi Hendrix
11 Michelle – The Beatles
12 Clarkson Blues – Chris Rea
13 Josephine – Chris Rea
14 Not Now John – Pink Floyd
15 Suite Judy Blue Eyes – Crosby, Stills, Nash (and Young)
16 Hey Jude – The Beatles

Uncle Rave Dave : Songs for Whoever (From a Certain Era)

01 Planet Claire – The B-52s
02 Enola Gay – Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
03 Europa and the Pirate Twins – Thomas Dolby
04 Sally – The Members
05 By My Girl Sally – The Police
06 Nellie the Elephant – Toy Dolls
07 Donald Where’s Your Trousers – The Men They Couldn’t Hang
08 Who Killed Bambi – Sex Pistols
09 Mr Brownstone – Guns ‘n’ Roses
10 Johnny B Goode – Peter Tosh
11 Bullets For Bafazane – Johnny Clegg
12 Tyler – UB40
13 Romeo & Juliet – Dire Straits
14 Mr Blue – Yazoo
15 Lassie Come Home – Alphaville
16 Avalon – Roxy Music
17 Ballad Of Lucy Jordan – Marianne Faithfull
18 Diamond Smiles – The Boomtown Rats
19 Johnny & Mary – Robert Palmer
20 Jungle Bill – Yello

Cover art by kekremsi

The Song for Whoever mixes will be available here to download for the next fortnight (until midnight on 8 March 2011).

Update: the Song For Whoever mixes are temporarily unavailable [blame the March hare/a senior moment by LZ while decluttering old files on the server]. They’ll all be back up by lunchtime GMT on Tuesday, 1 March. Sorry!

And they’re back up!

22:15 – Robert Plant: By Myself
Documentary. Robert Plant discusses his musical journey from Stourbridge, the British blues boom, superstardom with Led Zeppelin in the 70s, to the Band of Joy album. He also looks at his work with The Honeydrippers and North African musicians, his reunion with Jimmy Page, and his pairing with Alison Krauss.

23:15 – Robert Plant Electric Prom
Robert Plant in performance at the Roundhouse with his new Band of Joy, featuring producer-guitarist Buddy Miller and harmony vocals from Patti Griffin. They perform songs from the hit album Band of Joy and reinterpret songs from Robert’s past, including some Led Zeppelin classics. Also features a finale in which the Band of Joy are joined by the mass voices of the Oriana Choir.

00:15 – Robert Plant on Later
Tracing Robert Plant’s solo career from the early 90s via his appearances on Later… With Jools Holland. Through a mix of performance and interviews, the programme sees Robert reunited with Jimmy Page and a Moroccan orchestra, teaming up with Tom Jones and Solomon Burke on the Hootenanny, playing with former band Strange Sensation and also with Alison Krauss.

Then at 01:15 over on BBC4, a Solomon Burke documentary called Everybody Needs Somebody:

Fifty years after his first record – Christmas Presents from Heaven, a song dedicated to his grandmother – sold a million copies, the late soul singer Solomon Burke’s life story reads like the rollercoaster ride she predicted for him.

He was the ‘wonder boy preacher’ who had his own gospel radio show at the age of twelve, then had his early success blighted by a crooked manager – a descent that left him in the gutter, with a distrust of the music business that would never completely leave him.

A spell working for his aunt’s funeral home, his unlikely qualification as a licensed mortician and his seduction back into recording by the promise of a red Lincoln Continental followed. Then came a record deal on Atlantic Records alongside his heroes Ivory Joe Hunter, Big Joe Turner and Ruth Brown, making hit records, only to have his business venture with label mates Wilson Pickett and Joe Tex sabotaged by the very record company he had helped keep afloat.

Paul Spencer’s film follows his journey from a humble Philadelphia neighborhood to New York and Hollywood, and the music industry’s highest accolades – induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy for his 2002 album Don’t Give Up on Me. His music is traced back to its gospel roots and we learn how faith in God sustained him, his 21 children, 79 grandchildren and 17 great grand children, the family he thought he would never have.

Bill Wyman tells how the Rolling Stones covered three of his songs in their formative years, Tom Jones admits that, for him, Solomon left all the other soul singers in the shade, and Jools Holland explains how his powerful voice and magisterial presence guaranteed him appearances on Later and one of Jools’s own records.

Enjoy!

12 songs – 12 reasons to go “mmm – I like that”.

[01] Black – Wonderful Life [The Collection]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[02] Budgie – Nude Disintegrating [Best of]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[03] Elkie Brooks – Fool If You Think It’s Over [Sunshine After The Rain]
 
 
 
 
 
 
[04] Secret Machines – Alone, Jealous and Stoned
[Ten Silver Drops]
 
 
 
 
 
 
[05] Smoke Fairies – Frozen Heart [Frozen Heart]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[06] The Members – Offshore Banking Business/Pennies in the Pound [The Sounds of the Suburbs]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[07] David Kitt – Song From Kitt St. (Brooklyn NY) [The Big Romance]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[08] Stephen Stills – Love the One You’re With [Stephen Stills]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[09] Umkehrschub – Rotor featuring Hypnos 69 [Rotor-3]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[10] Robert Plant – If I Were a Carpenter [Fate of Nations]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[11] Led Zeppelin – White Summer/Black Mountain Side [The Complete Studio Recordings]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[12] Chris Isaak – Wicked Game [Wicked Game]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Wonderful Yet Wicked mix is a 76 mb zip file and will be available for two weeks from today – until midnight on 13 November 2010. Your comments as always are welcomed!

After last month’s global gastronomic gallop I’m sorry to say that it’s back to normality with only a falafel sandwich and bottle of Heineken to keep me company as I write my (rather shorter) notes for this month’s music mix. Still, it’s a very lovely falafel sandwich and the Heineken will hopefully lubricate and refresh the parts… you know the rest.

[01] Thin Lizzy – Soldier of Fortune [Still Dangerous: Live at the Tower Theatre Philadelphia 1977]
With the classic lineup of vocalist/bassist Phil Lynott, drummer Brian Downey, and the dual lead guitar attack of Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson, Thin Lizzy were one of the best live bands of their era, maybe one of the best live bands ever. Their Live and Dangerous album is probably better known than this album but I love the rawer feel to some of the songs here – in particular this track which highlights all that is good about the band.

I miss Phil Lynott.

[02] RotoR – Gnade Dir Gott [Rotor-4]
On their Myspace pages, Rotor describe their musical undertaking as “a flowered German tank full of Iranian neohippies on mescaline in their search of the holy hole races through Your auditory canal” – what more can I add?

 
[03] Steve Forbert – Steve Forbert’s Midsummer Night’s Toast
[What Kinda Guy]
I can still remember buying Steve’s first album ‘Alive on Arrival’ – I must have been around 14 or 15 when all my friends were buying Purple and Zep etc. and were aghast at this music that I was listening to.

I didn’t care, I loved the album, loved the guy, loved his songs. Recently bought his greatest hits What Kinda Guy and am still amazed how good this guy is – a true talent.

Here’s to all you all you lucky dogs, it’s heads or tails.
Here’s to all you filthy rich, I wish you well.
Here’s to all the pretty women made for cash.
And here’s to dashing daddy’s son he’s such a flash.

Well, I been lookin’ and walkin’ ’round the sunset square,
Singin’ an’ talkin’ with my friends down there,
sittin’ an’ lis’nin’ with a young man’s ear,
to all the rainbow dreams

Here’s to all the shitty jobs that I despise.
Here’s to two-bit guarantees and other lies.
Here’s to roads of burning tar and hot cement.
Here’s to money in my hand and where it went.

Well, I got my fingers a-tapping on the hard,stone steps.
I’m waiting for lightning and the rains to fall.
Young lovers are loafin’ with their sidewalk smiles
And all their rainbow dreams.

Amy Alice in the Summer
With a sack lunch and a punch card.
See my sister with a drag job.
Man, she feels like she’s a hundred years ago.

Here’s to people living lives that they regret.
Work your fingers to the bone and sink in debt.
Here’s to all those shaky tricks that hustlers try.
You know their easy money is oft’ times hard.

They flash a grin an’ they wink their eye, well…
I been livin’ an’ breathin’ in the rat trap town.
Tryna get over where the wall breaks down.
Holdin’ my head up with my thin tired arms
and all my rainbow dreams

[04] Acorn – No Ghost [No Ghost]
No Ghost is the title track from Canadian indie folk band The Acorn’s latest album. These guys have received a lot of good reviews from people like Guy Garvey, especially for their last album ‘Glory Hope Mountain’. They appear to be heading the right direction with this album with band leader Rolf Klausener in fine form both vocally and with his songs. I like the crazy way this song sounds (especially the drums) – it’s like they just pressed record and went for it –
sparkling stuff.

[05] Erykah Badu – Penitentiary Philosophy [Mama's Gun]
Make way for the “First Lady of Neo-Soul” – a lady with the voice that can unzip flies at a 100 metres (damn, just so sexy). I’ve always loved a soulful female voice – Jill Scott, Lauryn Hill, Angie Stone all have a special place in my CD collection, but it has to be Erykah that really does the business. For me she is just so earthy, so ‘just don’t give a sh*t’, just so good. Aided and abetted by Roy Ayers and Bilal Mama’s Gun the album that this song opens is, I believe, her best where she combines jazz, blues, soul and hip-hop into one seamless mix.

[06] Blitzen Trapper – Black River Killer [Furr]
Blitzen Trapper is a Portland, Oregon-based experimental folk rock band. Formed in 2000, the band currently operates as a sextet, with Eric Earley (guitar/vocals), Erik Menteer (guitar/keyboard), Brian Adrian Koch (drums/vocals), Michael VanPelt (bass), Drew Laughery (keyboards), and Marty Marquis (guitar, keyboards, vocals). The launch of their new album ‘Destroyer of the Void’ reminded me that I have their 2008 release Furr which I hadn’t played in ages. Big mistake, as it’s a lovely album full of catchy songs, big hooks and excellent words – recommended.

Black Country Communion – Three-in-a-Row [Black Country]

[07] Black Country
[08] The Great Divide
[09] Medusa

I wasn’t going to mention that word SUPERGROUP – but it is very hard not to, especially when talking about the debut album from Black Country Communion the Anglo/American band comprising vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple Black Sabbath, Trapeze), drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, Foreigner), Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Alice Cooper) and blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa – it’s hard because they are a SUPER GROUP.

I had a number of contenders for this month’s Album of the Month – Robert Plant, Neil Young, Black Mountain, InVertigo and it was getting a tough call to decide which one to select. Then I bought BCC and the decision of which album to make my best of the month became a lot easier.

Quite simply the album is stunning – hard rock at it’s very best. I do not think you will find a better rock album this year. The key to this are the performances of Bonham, Hughes and in particular Joe Bonamassa who sounds like he was to born to play in this band. They have gelled instantly, written some great tunes and play them very well – what more can you ask for?

[10] Neil Young – Love And War [Le Noise]
I recently asked “Why can’t they write their own tunes anymore?”, citing new albums by Plant, Gabriel, Collins, CSN and Clapton where they have covered old songs instead of writing new.

Neil Young once again shows what a legend he is by delivering an album full of new material. I know it’s only eight songs and it’s only him on guitar, but when you have the ability to write songs that still make you go wow… as in one verse of this song… then you just have to keep writing songs.

I see a lot of young men go to war
And leave a lot of young brides behind
I see em try and explain it to their kids
I see a lot of them failing

Young has the talent to simplify some of the hardest things to think and say, so that it all kinda makes sense – and I believe should make his peers stop and think.

[11] Black Mountain – Rollarcoaster [Wilderness Heart]
Black Mountain is a Canadian psychedelic rock-band composed of Stephen McBean, Amber Webber, Matt Camirand, Jeremy Schmidt and Joshua Wells. Wilderness Heart (the band’s third album) is nothing new but does provide a good mix of rock and blues along with some excellent finger-picked acoustic guitar that makes the album stand out from the crowd. This song is a good example of what to expect with its chuggin bass and guitar – mmm, yep me likes.

[12] Robert Plant – Silver Rider [Band of Joy]
My favourite track from his latest album Band of Joy and the one that I keep going back to as it has all the hallmarks of a great song.

Originally written by Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker of the band Low for their 2005 album The Great Destroyer – Plant has taken it and made the song his own. Broody, moody yet magnificent describe the track – listen to the guitar, high up in the mix, dominating the song with Plant and Griffin almost whispering the words – awesome.

I have not yet written a review of this album (new job is taking its toll on my blogging time) but I do like – it was a contender for my album of the month as it’s good, yes very good. And although the songs are covers and I do seriously have a problem with this, the songs are not, on the whole, popular songs so it’s almost like you are hearing them for the first time.

Phil Collins – Four-in-a-Row
[13] Genesis – The Knife (live) [Genesis Live]
[14] Anthony Philips – Which Way The Wind Blows [The Geese & The Ghost]
[15] Genesis – Misunderstanding [Duke]
[16] Phil Collins – In the Air Tonight [Face Value]

 
One of the most bizarre nights out I ever had was going to see a Phil Collins tribute artist at a local club. The club had organized a series of these events with the likes of Neil Diamond, Tina Turner, Queen all performing while the local clientele dined on their baskets of chicken and chips and pretended to be posh by ordering Blue Nun and Lambrini. They were actually quite good nights as the tribute bands were very good – they played the hits – the Dog hit the dance floor – drank a wee bit too much – woke up with hangover etc. etc. But this Phil Collins tribute night was just weird – weird with a capital ‘W’.

No disrespect to the tribute guy (or to Phil Collins) but how does one pay tribute to someone who defines the word bland, is a prime example of ordinary? All the tribute guy could do was put a pot of paint on his piano and change into orange dungarees!!! Phil ain’t no Freddie.

This, I believe, is one of the reasons why Phil Collins gets such bad press, gets criticized – especially in ‘rock circles’, because the guy is too much like you and me. This criticism is unfair as Collins should be regarded as one of best British songwriters of the last 30 years – no question about that – instead he is a figure of fun (think Spitting Image) – to me, as a music lover, this is unfair. Also, some ‘rock fans’ will always have a problem with him taking over the singing duties in Genesis from Peter Gabriel and guiding them to a less progressive, more modern and MOR sound. Some say he destroyed the band – I wonder if Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford complained when the royalties tripled?

Another reason he’s not Mr. Popular is that he is very successful at what he does – did you know that Collins is one of only three recording artists (along with Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson) who have sold over 100 million albums worldwide both as solo artists and (separately) as principal members of a band. What’s wrong with the guy writing good songs, for Disney, for Marilyn Martin, winning Grammys and having hits? I do not have a problem with this – but I know some do.

The four tracks here represent for me the best of Phil Collins – I could have made the whole mix a tribute – but instead I selected four songs that demonstrate his ability as a drummer – this live version of The Knife shows his energy behind the skins. His work with Anthony Philips, ex Genesis guitarist, shows us his good voice, ‘Misunderstanding’ one of my favorite Genesis songs showcases his songwriting skills and ‘In the Air Tonight”- well what can one say about this amazing song. You have to play it to remember how good it actually is and how good those drums sound at 3:41 – true genius.

Is it me or are these just the perfect lyrics?

There must be some misunderstanding
There must be some kind of mistake
I waited in the rain for hours
And you were late

Now it’s not like me to say the right thing
But you could’ve called to let me know
I checked your number twice, don’t understand it
So I went home

Well I’d been waiting for this weekend
I thought that maybe we could see a show
Never dreamed I’d have this feeling
Oh but seeing you is believing
That’s why I don’t know why
You didn’t show up that night

There must be some misunderstanding
There must be some kind of mistake
I was waiting in the rain for hours
And you were late

Since then I’ve been running around trying to find you
I went to the places that we always go
I rang your home but got no answer
Jumped in my car, I went round there
Still don’t believe it
He was just leaving

There must be some misunderstanding
There must be some kind of mistake…

[17] Mavis Staples – Losing You [You Are Not Alone]
Mavis Staples was born July 10, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois which makes her the same age as my mother. Which is pretty amazing when you consider she (Mavis I mean) has been singing for over 60 years – and she still sounds sooooooooooo good.

“I wanted to make an album where every song had meaning”, she says about her new album ‘You Are Not Alone’, “where every song told a story and would lift you up and give you a reason to get up in the morning. And I know it’s going to feel really good singing these songs on stage.”

The album was produced by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy with well-chosen covers by Randy Newman, Allen Toussaint and John Fogerty you kinda know you going to be hearing some quality music – it doesn’t disappoint.

I wonder if Mavis can make a trifle like me mam… nah, doubt it.

[18] Baaba Maal – Tiedo [Firin' In Fouta]
Baaba Maal (born November 12, 1953) is a Senegalese singer and guitarist born in Podor, on the Senegal River – so he’s a bit of a spring chicken compared to our last artist. Baaba’s songs, especially Tiedo, display a wonderful balance of 70s soul, a hint of jazz and lashings of traditional Senegalese music – a perfect combination. So relaxing, just perfect to accompany end of day red wine therapy.

[19] InVertigo – Night on Broadway [Next Stop Vertigo]
A new band recommended to me by my neighbour Dirk. Don’t know much about these guys except that they’re a German band that sound like early Genesis, Marillion – almost made it as my album of the month (I like it that much) and Dirk thinks they are “da hund’s hoden”.

 
 
[20] Thin Lizzy – Me and the Boys [Still Dangerous: Live at the Tower Theatre Philadelphia 1977]
What better way can you wind up a music mix than with Phil and the boys – sounds like they were having so much fun.

 
 
So there we have our Music Mix for October – hope you enjoy the music, hope you enjoy some of the new names I’ve discovered this month and of course if you like the track there’s a very good chance that you will like the album.

The October Music Mix [a 138 mb zip file] will be available for one month from today – until midnight on 31 October 2010. And as ever, your thoughts and comments would be most welcome in the comment box below.

We are talking about some of the finest songwriters and artists of the 20th Century – and while I am looking forward to hearing these albums – particularly Robert Plant – I have to ask why are we not hearing original material? (N.B. Clapton has two originals on his album)

Is it that the well has run dry? Are they under pressure from record companies to release a new album (can’t believe that one), are they trying to educate a new generation on the songs of yesteryear? Are they skint? (can’t believe that one either).

You also have to consider the quality of the original songs they are covering – great songs by great artists. For example Clapton covering his old friend JJ Cales’ song ‘River Runs Deep’

So……what do you think are the reasons and are you happy to buy second-hand music?

Footnote – Neil Young has a new album out the end of the month produced by Daniel Lanois that has 8 new songs.
image by www.guardian.co.uk

Cover image by Rodrigo Lozano

Well, Laughing Dog, you’ve given me so much pleasure listening to your mixes, it’s nice to give something back.

[1] Kings Of Leon – My Party [Because of the Times]
Love this band, totally unique. Best album IMO.

[2] Paul Cusick – Ever Blue [Focal Point]
Don’t know anything about him but great album.

[3] Steve Hackett – Emerald and Ash [Out of the Tunnel's Mouth]
LD played a track off of this album on a mix recently, here’s another one!

[4] Robert Plant – Hey Joe [Dreamland]
You all know this song, but this is way different.

[5] Radiohead – 15 Step [In Rainbows]
Just loved their last 2 albums, they just keep getting better.

[6] Pink Floyd – Sheep [Animals]
This one’s for Techy from an underrated album.

[7] Jack Bruce – Lost in the City (Jam Mix) [More Jack Than God]
Just a great track.

[8] John Mellencamp – Circling Around the Moon [Mr Happy Go Lucky]
Love this guy, great album.

[9] Nick Harper – Simple [Miracles For Beginners]
Roy’s son, just love the words.

[10] The Who – Amazing Journey/Sparks [Live at Leeds]
Love this track, Keith Moon’s drumming is all over it.

[11] Turin Brakes – Blue Hour [Ether Song]
Saw these at Oxford, amazing!! One of the best gigs I’ve been to.

[12] Chris Smither – Time To Go Home [Up on the Lowdown]
Underrated over here, glad I found him.

The It’s a long and winding road Music Mix [an 85 mb zip file] will be available for one month from today – until midnight on 29 September 2010. As always, your thoughts and comments are much appreciated in the comment box below.

Ahead of the release of his new album, Band of Joy, Robert Plant talks to Andy Gill about the move from fronting the biggest band in the world to his success in exploring a diverse range of styles, from vocal harmony and country to North African and Arabic.

Read the article here

However, I must be honest with you and say that in the two videos below he looks like someones Dad doing his best to wreck a classic song at a Xmas Karaoke

Now I know it’s Youtube so it was probably shot on a mobile phone or small video camera – but to me it just looks, sounds and feels so horribly wrong.

What do you think?

Cover image from Deviant

Please remember to respect copyright law; if you like a song from the mix, there’s a very good chance you will also like the album – so do me and the artist a favour and buy the CD.

February 2010 Notes for Music Mix

[01] King’s X – Over My Head
What a good song to start February’s Mix. An old band that not many people know and love but have been making great music since the early 80’s. I can remember buying this album in Spillers in Cardiff and being the only guy I know who had actually heard of them (you know that smug feeling I had right!!). I haven’t heard much of them for a while but one of my pups saw this CD and sent it to Santa who promptly delivered it Xmas morning – I like Santa.

[02] Elvis Costello – Monkey to Man
I like this guy – for me he can do little wrong and every album he’s involved with has something on it that makes you go “wow, when will this guy stop writing such great songs”. This album from 2004 showcases what he does best, even including contributions from Lucinda Williams and Emmylou Harris and really does stick two-fingers up to his critics – nice one Declan.

[03] Steve Winwood – Raging Sea
Another of Santa’s gifts – what did I do to deserve pups with such good taste in music – or were they all buy one get one free? Anyway, this song from his Nine Lives album has such a good riff and groove – apparently very hard to play – and demonstrates that quality music is still being made. Unfortunately there aren’t many new bands doing it – thank God for the old gits.

[04] Ian Drury and The Blockheads – Wake Up And Make Love With Me
And talking of gits – here’s one that is sadly missed. What a song, what a groove, what poetry, what a shame he’s not here now to show some of the young arseholes how to make music. One thing I’ve always thought is – shouldn’t it be Wake up and Make Love to me, not With Me? Anyway, I hear there’s a film out soon about the man – let’s hope his music will be heard and enjoyed by a new audience.

I come awake
with the gift for womankind
you’re still asleep
but the gift don’t seem to mind
rise on this occasion
halfway up your back
sliding down your body
touching your behind
you look so self-possessed
I won’t disturb your rest
it’s lovely when you’re sleeping
but wide awake is best
ow, wake up and make love with me

wake up and make love
wake up and make love with me
I don’t wanna make you
i’ll let the fancy take you
and you’ll wake up and make love
you come awake
in a horny morning mood
and we’ll have a proper wriggle
in the naughty, naked nude
roll against my body
get me where you want me
what happens next is private
it’s also very rude
i’ll go and get the post
and make some tea and toast
you have another sleep luv
it’s me that needs it most
ow, wake up and make love with me
wake up and make love
wake up and make love with me
I don’t wanna make you
i’ll let the fancy take you
and your’ll wake up and make love
wake up and make love with me
wake up and make love
wake up and make love with me
wake up and make love
wake up
wake up
wake up
wake up

[05] Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More
You may think I don’t like any new bands – wrong of course – I’m always on the lookout for something fresh that makes me go “mmm…I like that” and this band do. Their album is full of great harmonies, great songs and a guy that knows his way around a banjo. I wouldn’t say “I have been completely mesmerized by this maelstrom of musical wizardry. It is the most uplifting music I have heard for many a year” as some guy wrote on Amazon but it’s good, good enough for me to include here.

[06] Ruthie Foster – Heal Yourself
What a voice, as good as anything you’ll hear this year – what a shame the album title makes me want to puke. Anyway, ignore that and you will discover the joy that is Ruthie Foster, backed by a great band the album offers a stylish and well-designed framework for Foster’s booming voice on such songs as Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s “Up Above My Head” and Eric Bibb’s “A Friend Like You”. Her own songs don’t really reach the same heights but it’s still gospel/blues at its very best.

The Phantom Band – [07] The Whole Is On My Side [08] Folk Song Oblivion [09] Island
As my notes on this band in February’s Album of the Month post reveal, I do like this album. I also like the fact that the band can do it live as my pups reckon these were one of the highlights of last year’s Greenman Festival – now you can’t say this about all new bands. The three songs chosen here showcase the band at its best and demonstrate that they do allow a song to breathe (the 3 songs are over 20 minutes long) and flow together really well.

[10] Elton John – Captain Fantastic and The Brown Dirt Cowboy
Yes you hear right – Elton John, that fat, gay, bald arsehole that makes bland, boring music for the coffee table. That’s now – but cast your mind back to the five years between 1970 – 1975 when he was a young and talented singer/songwriter and produced (with Bernie Taupin of course) a series of classic albums that are quite simply stunning. Listen to Tumbleweed Connection, Madman Across the Water, Honky Château, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and of course Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy and you will hear genius.

Captain Fantastic raised and regimented, hardly a hero
Just someone his mother might know
Very clearly a case for corn flakes and classics
“Two teas both with sugar please”
In the back of an alley

While little Dirt Cowboys turned brown in their saddles
Sweet chocolate biscuits and red rosy apples in summer
For it’s hay make and “Hey mom, do the papers say anything good.
Are there chances in life for little Dirt Cowboys
Should I make my way out of my home in the woods”

Brown Dirt Cowboy, still green and growing
City slick Captain
Fantastic the feedback
The honey the hive could be holding
For there’s weak winged young sparrows that starve in the winter
Broken young children on the wheels of the winners

And the sixty-eight summer festival wallflowers are thinning

For cheap easy meals and hardly a home on the range
Too hot for the band with a desperate desire for change
We’ve thrown in the towel too many times
Out for the count and when we’re down

Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
From the end of the world to your town

And all this talk of Jesus coming back to see us
Couldn’t fool us

For we were spinning out our lines walking on the wire
Hand in hand went music and the rhyme
The Captain and the Kid stepping in the ring
From here on sonny sonny sonny, it’s a long and lonely climb

[11] A A Bondy – When the Devil’s Loose
A. A. Bondy, also known as Scott Bondy, is an American folk/alternative artist and his album almost made it as my album of the month but was pipped at the post by The Phantom Band – and even I couldn’t justify having two. It was also very hard selecting two songs from it as they are all so good.

Robert Plant – 3 In A Row:
[12] Robert Plant & the Strange Sensation – Another Tribe
 
 
 
 
 
 
[13] Scott Matthews – 12 Harps (duet with Plant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
[14] The Honeydrippers – Sea of Love
 
 
 
 
 
 
What can you say that hasn’t already been said about the great man – I know – Robert Plant dances like a tin of beans. Don’t think I’ve heard that before but it’s true, and if you watch him live (as I have done a lot lately) you will agree that his has no groove, no mojo, the man can’t dance.

But, of course this doesn’t matter much when you’re recognized by 93% of people with ears to be one of the outstanding vocal talents of the 20th Century. And he’s still doing it – still contributing fantastic music – still singing – still delighting us. Long may it continue.

[15] Lee Morgan – The Sidewinder
My Dad is a big jazz fan, has been for over 50 years – he even saw the likes of Duke Ellington and Count Basie play live when he was a youngster. Now I don’t follow his obsession with jazz but I did spend some quality time with him last summer when he played me his favorite jazz tracks and albums. One of these was Lee Morgan who was a prolific recorder, both on his own and with the likes of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and John Coltrane. This track is just perfect with its groove and style and superb soloing from Morgan on trumpet, Joe Henderson – tenor saxophone, Billy Higgins – drums, Barry Harris – piano and Bob Cranshaw on bass – mmm …nice.

[16] Susan Tedeschi – Back to the River
Couldn’t find any Derek Trucks in Doha but I did find his wife – and what a pleasant surprise this is. I hadn’t heard anything from her before but have really enjoyed this album – great songs, great guitar; really tight band reminds of Bonnie Raitt… oooh back to the river…
 
 
[17] Chris Smither – Someone Like Me
This song is from Time Stands Still which is the eleventh album from Smither in a career that started in the 70’s with his first album I’m A Stranger, Too!. Also worked with Bonnie Raitt writing Love You Like A Man for her. What I really like about this guy is not only his range of emotion – you can hear in his voice that he’s led a life worth living, but it’s also how he shapes and develops these songs. They’re simple songs but convey a deepness, a message that only artists who know themselves can achieve.

[18] A A Bondy – Mightiest of Guns
The hardest thing for me was only picking two songs from this album as it’s all so good. This is the opening track and sets the scene with its wonderful melody and crisp vocal – it’s one of those rare albums that once you have played it; you feel you want to play it again straight away.
 
 
[19] The Boxer Rebellion – Misplaced
This song is just massive and it’s one that almost slipped under the radar as it took me ages to really appreciate it. I’ve always enjoyed the album, it contains some good songs, Evacuate and Soviets to name but two, but it wasn’t until one night while playing with my shuffle that this song came on and just blew me away. It has layers and layers of wonderful sounds that just ooze quality – the guitar and vocal working together so well – the pace and silence make this a treasure reminding me of Coldplay’s first album. Bet Chris Martin wishes he could write songs like this now.

Misplaced
Given chances you won’t take
Shy away from the heart ache
Just a means to an end

Your quick fix
In the ring of the conflict
With nothing to work with
And nothing in mind

And then
We’ll rise
With fire in our eyes
And take you by surprise
Make up, deceive
a voice to receive
A light that never leaves

Slow right down

Lost love
With little to speak of
These feelings of bad blood
Must go quickly away

Your loose ends
Realising your true friends
In a war that no one wins
Let the sleeping dogs lie

[20] Big Big Train – Summers Lease
The last track on The Difference Machine album and what a way to end what is an excellent album. It is sort of old school progressive rock, sounding especially like early Genesis and Yes but hey who cares – I hear great melodies, strong songs, a wonderful flute and a band that are doing what they want. This song is one of many highlights (see also Perfect Cosmic Storm) and shows a more modern and folkie side to the band – incidentally visit their website for loads of free stuff including now a four hour podcast with interviews with the band and what influenced them.

[21] Drive By Truckers – Goodbye
And the time has come to say goodbye for another Music Mix and I can’t think of many better ways than with the Drive By Truckers – such a good band, such a good song. The only problem with these guys is that there are so many albums to buy – not only from the band itself but all the solo albums from past and present members.

They’ve been called the Lynyrd Skynyrd for the indie-rock set, but that tag does the band a bit of a disservice as they are their own band and have created their own sound and produced some excellent albums.

Anyway, enough of me – I hope you have enjoyed another installment of my favorite tunes. Remember to let me know if you like or dislike a song or if you wish to chat about anything else related to the music here.

The Music Mix 07 [a 154mb zip file] will be available for one month from today – until midnight on 28 February 2010.

Please support the artists – if you like a track, buy the album!

Laughing Dog

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 songs ‘Dream Song’ (watch out for 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.