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A Del Amitri Advent

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This probably has limited appeal here but I’ve set myself a challenge to post a Del Amitri song every day on my socials (Dave!) in the run up to Christmas along with a very brief synopsis of an imaginary Christmas advert it could accompany.

I’ve found 25 Del Amitri / Justin Currie songs that are perfect for a Del Amitri Advent. Songs full of that festive melancholy that suit Christmas TV ads. Christmas songs that aren’t Christmas songs but work as such.

Day 1. Don’t Come Home Too Soon. As a World Cup song for Scotland 98 it’s unique. Used in my imaginary TV ad as a young soldier leaves his family for his first tour of duty on Christmas eve it beomes something devastatingly poignant.

13 Beatles Albums In 8 years: With The Beatles

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Dave Amitri on With The Beatles

As we approach the 60th anniversary of the release of With The Beatles just eight months after Please Please Me I’ve been listening to not only the album for the first time but also some of the music that came before. Trying to get myself in the mind of a music fan in 1963 which requires me to dismiss everything released in my lifetime and more. As luck would have it our dear friends at Nothing Is Real have a two part podcast looking back, just at November 1963 in Beatles world and it has provided the kind of history lesson I could only dreamed of having at school. It has also helped me understand the unique madness of the original and biggest pop mania. So before I get to the album let me try and set the scene as I see it with absolute acknowledgment that these gems are Steven’s and Jason’s as they microscopically followed a month in the life of The Beatles where they were touring the country in front of 120000 fans, an ever voracious press desperate for any snippet of information and increasing interest from the US.

How can » Continue Reading.

Tell me why?

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I’ve been a bit quiet lately for a wide range of reasons. Nothing serious just a bit of a reboot trying to make sense of the world. That and that recurring feeling that I’ve nothing new to say. A simple 1979 top 20 on Twitter has allowed me to dive into an incredible year for music that was transitional for me in my musical education. The older brother I’ve often talked of bringing incredible records from The Jam, Blondie and others into the house while I was enjoying Racey and The Dooleys.

Anyway, enough of that. I was trying to get my list down to 20 when I Don’t Like Mondays popped up. A song I’ve not really thought about for years. It shook me to my core. I sat in my car transfixed and quite honestly surprised at the effect it had on me. I can only assume that it triggered something of the despair at news from Ukraine and The Middle East and the senseless loss life. Tell me why? Is a question I’ve asked many times recently. Geldof’s delivery accentuating it all over that remarkably sparse production. What a song it is. It certainly caught me » Continue Reading.

A 20 song 1972 playlist you absolutely don’t need but has made me feel 7 again…

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Over on that Twitter or X or whatever the man child is calling it today there’s been a #1972Top20 running. I decided to try and only choose songs that place me back there rather than anything I’ve heard since or that the hip kids might choose. God what a year it was for a young boy with no idea what was “good” and two teenage sisters. My list is here. My request is that you tell us what songs take you back to your 7th journey round the sun?

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7Lh1wsevnTqL5lwV2MYVtW?si=GuM2BZg4T_W3YmMsMuCnqQ

Iraina Mancini – Undo The Blue

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What does it sound like?:

What’s this? You ask. Dave Ross reviewing a new album? If the world wasn’t crazy enough already in 2023 this is too much. Let me explain. It’s no secret that as a hobbyist music writer Pete Paphides is the writer I wish I could have been. Fair to say I’m a bit of a fanboy. I mean I’m not about to turn up at his house or turn my living room into a shrine like the guy from Alan Partridge but I love his writing style. His love of ABBA, encyclopaedic music knowledge (he once referenced King’s Taste Of Your Tears as a good thing. I know!) and his general niceness is all the more reason to love him. Broken Greek is the book I wish I could write weaving as it does personal stories with the music of the time. However, full disclosure here. On Twitter he’s been bloody relentless and not a little annoying about Iraina Mancini and her debut album on his Needle Mythology label. Anyway, out of interest as it clearly means a huge amount to Pete I gave it a listen. I mean it must be good if it’s » Continue Reading.

Mick Jagger Is 80 Today

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So share some clips and stories to celebrate that will encourage me to investigate further. Whatever you think of him and his music his legacy and legend is undeniable. Astonishing to think this clip was from the year I was born and he’s still at it….

A 20 Song Cliff Richard Playlist You Didn’t Know You Needed

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I’ve recently returned from a short summer holiday, before the young ones break up from school. After a day on the beach I was prompted to put together a 20 song Cliff Richard playlist you didn’t know you needed. Every one of these is great, honestly. 65 years since Move It. Imagine this set in the legends slot at Glastonbury?

This clip is from 1960. 18 months after Move It was released and two years before Love Me Do. This was all so new and he was right there making it up as he went along. I know, its Cliff, but he was one of the first. I think he’s well overdue reappraisal

During a playback when this popped up on the playlist I literally laughed out loud. 80s lovers will remember The Farmers Boys version but this is absolutely glorious. Cliff nails it, those harmonies on “poor man’s wine”. Bloody hell. As for this video…..

So many great songs to focus our attention on. I included 2 songs from 2018’s Rise Up. » Continue Reading.

Wham! Netflix documentary

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Dave Amitri on Wham!

I watched the Wham! documentary on Netflix last night. It’s a remarkable tale brilliantly told. The use of George’s voice as co narrator is a stroke of genius by producer Simon Halfon.

You forget for a moment that he’s gone and imagine it’s him speaking in 2023. Even if you’re not a fan of Wham! (how that can be I’ll never understand but I’ll never judge either) but you do love music and the industry it’s a fantastic insight into how a band could make it big in the 80s but remain skint.

While it was all a laugh for the uber confident Andrew. It was very different for George. It’s still remarkable to watch him transforming before our very eyes physically and emotionally while trying to hide his sexuality from his fans and the press. Something he clearly struggled with wanting to be honest with his fans but fully understanding the consequences. Different times indeed, thank God we’ve moved on.

Both Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael had a dream and chased it. Wham! was enough for Andrew. George clearly wanted more. While they were active Wham! were and remain a joyous explosion of » Continue Reading.

Roxy Music: For Your Pleasure

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Dave Amitri on For Your Pleasure

I was reminded recently that I was going to write about Roxy Music’s second album For Your Pleasure Having written about their eponymous first album in April last year . I got side-tracked by solo McCartney and never got back to Roxy Music despite listening to For Your Pleasure a lot. So here we are.

I re-read the Roxy Music review and it appears I was really very excited by the album, even for me. It remains a remarkable album that I return to often. For Your Pleasure had its work cut out to match it so let’s find out if there is something in it or if it’s just a remake / remodel with a bitters end. (Enough now Dave, get on with it).

It opens with Do The Strand which is a hell of a start. It must have influenced Sparks and absolutely maintains the standard set by the first album. It’s a romp of a song with Ferry’s warble spitting out some surreal lyrics while competing with an angry sax and manic keyboards for top billing.

There’s a new sensation A fabulous creation A danceable solution To » Continue Reading.

Dear Pep: An apology

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Dear Pep,

Good luck in the Champions League final tonight but I don’t believe you’ll need it. You don’t know me but I’ve been known to be a doubter. Who can forget the time I suggested Steve Bruce could be a success at Manchester City while you would also struggle at Mike Ashley’s Newcastle? I was one of those who sneered at your Barcelona success with Messi, Xavi, Intesa and co. Tsch, anyone would win La Liga with that lot. Bayern? I could manage Bayern to the Bundesliga. Then Manchester City. Now, let’s put aside the money and potential legal issues. Let’s talk football and where my view began to change.

As Chelsea and Man Utd continue to prove spending billions on players doesn’t guarantee success. Where I’ve changed my view is on your ability to see what others don’t even in the very best.

The best examples this season are working out how to get the best out of Haaland. The way de Bruyne gets better, spending 100 million on Grealish ripping his game up and starting again to make him even better. Keeping all those highly paid superstars motivated and only thinking team. Gundogan performing despite » Continue Reading.

Fancy playing a very easy 12 inch 80s guessing game?

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I’ve been enjoying the fascinating Q 90s threads but I just don’t feel qualified to add much to them. The 90s seemed to just pass me by for reasons I’ve often mentioned here before. It’s been fun just lurking and reading though. Lots more listening I need to catch up on but I fear I will just run out of listening time even if I reach 100…

Anyway while you’ve all been reminiscing about the 90s I’ve been thoroughly enjoying a month long #12inch80s on Twitter. It’s been right up my Fairlight. So for a very easy Saturday guessing game which 31 80s 12 inches do you think I’ve chosen?

I was only allowed one per artist.

Band name and song title required for a point.

Guess the version for an extra point.

No YouTubes please as my android gives up after about 5 in one thread.

Checking Twitter is cheating and will make me cry and I will know…. So don’t! Please…

Let’s go…. Ohhhhh…

The Hurting – 40th Anniversary Edition

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Dave Amitri on The Hurting

Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith were born two months apart in 1961. They met by chance as teenagers in Bath, began writing music together, formed a mod band who were huge in Spain and then thanks to a shared interest in the work of American psychologist Arthur Janov and his Primal Therapy, settled on the name Tears For Fears and set about making their debut album The Hurting, combining their childhood experiences with the theories of Janov. All before their 21st birthdays. Nothing new there, great music has always come from young artists. The subject matter however was unusual, especially in the heady, radio, TV and video friendly early 80s. Smith was the only one who went along with Orzabal’s Janov theories. That belief in him gave Orzabal the confidence to use what he’d read and expose his deepest, darkest thoughts on his unusual childhood in an incredibly personal collection of songs. The Hurting was originally released in 1983 (the first single Suffer The Children was released in October 1981)

On 12th May 2023 to celebrate its 40th anniversary, it will be reissued as an Abbey Road Half Speed Mastered vinyl and as a » Continue Reading.

Slough has now turned blue and there’s nothing I can do.

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I live on the borders of the Borough of Slough. It’s my council. They collect my bins and my council tax. It’s Labour, always has been. Hugely high density of immigrant population. Some probably fourth generation or more by now (not actually immigrants Dave, but it is Slough). The local council has been a shit show bordering on criminal for years bankrupting themselves on dodgy property investments. 18 Labour seats lost were inevitable but 16 Conservative gains, in Slough?? There really is no viable alternative for people is there?

GC’s Punk and New Wave 2

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What does it sound like?:

I’ve been having a listen to Gary Crowley’s Punk and New Wave new CD compilation. If like me you were just 11, 12, 13 between 1977 and 1980 and you had an older brother who was the coolest person you knew with mates just like him. If your brother and his mates have turned 60 in the last few years.

If you remember being in the living room with your mum and dad watching The Love Boat while your brother and his mates were playing snooker on a half size table in the back room playing all this amazing music and making holes in the polystyrene ceiling tiles with their cues.

If they drove your dad mad and your mum to tears by refusing to leave until “just one more game” or “when this album finishes”. If you couldn’t sleep through the noise of all these incredible sounds and if you started to question your collection of ABBA and Wombles singles.

If your brother had no interest when you asked if he’d heard Lay Your Love On Me” by Racey or “Wanted” by The Dooleys. If you started to want to hear The Clash, » Continue Reading.

Nan-in-laws records for sale

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I’ve got the week off work and I’ve been tidying the loft. I came across a box of old records that we inherited when my partners nan passed away a few years ago. I created a list on Discogs but can’t be arsed to go through the hassle of selling them there. They do need to be loved though so I thought I’d post a link to the list here. I’m happy to sell them at the medium Discogs price plus postage. I think there’s some really Afterword friendly stuff there. The Tyrannosaurus Rex and Stephen Sills have gone I’m afraid but The Incredible String Band collection is still available… DM me if interested..

Mods. Please remove if not appropriate

https://www.discogs.com/user/DaveRoss100/collection?page=1&sort=artist%2Casc&folder=0

Then Jerico: An anti Maxwell debut, the next big thing, a Roxy Music cover, an embarrassing exit, a tweet from Japan, broken feet, a return, a top ten

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I hope this is OK to share here. It’s a Then Jerico Toppermost Top Ten article I’ve recently done. It was quite the experience which included communicating with Mark Shaw through socialmedia. He’s an interesting character.. It tells a fascinating story of the life and times of a pop star who’s star shone brightly for a very brief time. These bands are where the real stories lie. (Apologies to @niallb for stealing your title style)

https://www.toppermost.co.uk/then-jerico/

Tom Cox: Ladybird’s Well-Loved Tales Deconstructed

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Tom Cox is a writer I’ve stumbled across via Twitter. He writes books and a blog that I think would appeal to many here. He also occasionally sells his first edition vinyl copies of obscure 60s folk, psych albums. He seems to have an enormous collection he’s slowly getting rid of. Anyway I thought I’d share his latest blog post as I’m sure many here grew up on Ladybird books. His off centre views on them are great.

https://tomcox.substack.com/p/ladybirds-well-loved-tales-deconstructed

13 Beatles Albums In 8 years: Please Please Me

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Dave Amitri on Please Please Me

60 years ago tomorrow 22nd March 1963 The Beatles released their debut album Please Please Me. I’ve often said how I’ve only ever heard Rubber Soul out of the thirteen Beatles albums they finally made. Like everyone of my generation ( born in 1965) their ubiquity and hours of radio listening in the 70s means I know loads of their songs intimately. That said I’ve never actively chosen to listen to them so as their albums start their 60th anniversary sequence I thought why not? Also why not do it around the anniversary rather than one after the other over a year as I did with Bowie. I have no idea how this will go or even if we’ll all be around on 8th May 2030 but let’s give it a go.

So what do I know of 1963 and its popular music? A quick search of the 100 best sellers of the year shows The Beatles 1 and 2 as expected with Gerry and The Pacemakers hot on their heels. Cliff was already making movies having been a star for 5 years already which I still find extraordinary. The rest as expected. » Continue Reading.

Haircut 100: Pelican West 40

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What does it sound like?:

Pelican West has been in my life for all of its 40 odd year existence. For more than 30 of those years it’s become the album I turn to every year as winter turns to spring. It signals dark turning to light, a new beginning as welcome as the daffodils and as warm as the first proper rays of sun on your back. For someone like me it signifies a change in mood. Things will be better and Pelican West confirms all this. When the opportunity presented itself to review this reissued box set I couldn’t say no but let’s be clear there is little, no, there’s no chance of any objectivity. It’s Haircut 100, it’s Nick Heyward, it’s Pelican West which I first wrote about in 2016

1982 was an extraordinary year for music. Post punk, new wave, new romantics, electronica, reggae, Chas and Dave. All vying for a place in the charts. In amongst all of this a band formed in 1981 released an album as part of the South East jazz funk movement but it turned out to be much more than that. Where Linx » Continue Reading.

I Warn You…

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Apologies for a Twitter post but I thought some here might find this as fascinating as I did.

https://twitter.com/DailyMirror/status/1620161951933374477?t=q0Hnk37RGl0d4fDPkwrEow&s=19