Was 40 years old this week. Was there ever a better 7″ single? I think not….. You?

https://youtu.be/t_IdUyXb-mw

I’ve been restocking my old vinyl. Nothing new there, it was never the biggest collection but it was mostly late 70’s early 80’s and there would be no surprises in there for anyone who knows me. I surprised myself today however when trying to remember what was there I realised that I never owned “Lexicon of Love”. I had all the singles but for some reason in my peak record buying year of 1982 it passed me by. I will put that right at some point. What album are you surprised you don’t own?

Phil Jupitus tweeted this morning about his first gig and asked his followers to do the same. Mine was Echo and The Bunnnymen at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford Upon Avon. Now the EATB Twitter page has tweeted a link to this interview about a new album of old songs re-imagined. Mac at his best. I’m off into the garden now for an hour of the second greatest band to come out of Liverpool….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=guLsIGCR_6M

http://www.xsnoize.com/interview-ian-mcculloch-we-write-great-songs-and-weve-written-some-of-the-greatest/

Yesterday I was listening to the Spotify playlist that KFD put together from the recent early 70’s pop thread. “Roxette” by Dr Feelgood leapt out at me and leads me to investigate “Pub Rock” further. I’m aware of Dr Feelgood, mainly from here and “Milk and Alcohol” that my brother owned. I’ve listened to Kilburn and The Highroads through my love of Ian Dury but that’s about it unless early The Jam counts as “Pub Rock”. So can those better versed in this genre than me help me put together a New Years Eve Pub Rock Playlist?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaybV46MA6E

How should I approach it? With wing backs for a start…

* Or more specifically that period between the end of The Beatles and the start of punk.

The David Cassidy talk recently got me thinking about this. I was 5 in 1970 but music was around me through my older siblings and the radio. Aged 11 in 1976 and I was ready for the next 10 years that formed my whole musical future. The 5 or 6 years in between seem like a wasteland of only a few memories. My own record collection from those times, for what it was, was made up of The Wombles, The Rubettes, Racey and a bit of Abba. I remember owning “Can’t Smile Without You” by Barry Manilow, a well intentioned Christmas gift from an Aunt and that’s about it. So what am I missing from the era that filled the gap between them and that?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofDCsRhT57o

Following the “Abba Wars” (copyright @disappointmentbob ) on the (Un)Fashionable thread I’ve been on an Abba binge. I decided today that “Super Trouper” is possibly better than “SOS” and “The Day Before You Came” or at least as good.

The video is awful but maybe there’s a clue on the eyes of Anni-frid. I’ve never really “listened” to it before because it just sounds like one of those pop songs Abba released that went to Number 1 (their last in the UK) all over the world and just gets lost among the greatest hits. Now I have listened to it, Jesus it’s sad. Coming at the end their golden era it’s a plea for it all to stop hidden behind another hook filled Benny classic pop tune. I don’t have the skill to deconstruct it properly but this section will do for me.

“Facing twenty thousand of your friends How can anyone be so lonely? Part of a success that never ends Still, I’m thinking about you only (Still, I’m thinking about you only) There are moments when I think I’m going crazy (Think I’m going crazy) But it’s gonna be alright (You’ll soon be changing » Continue Reading.

Everything about this video screams naff but in my warped view of the world it is one of the coolest things I’ve seen, whatever that means. Have I got this one wrong too?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g0dNzzQcXA

I heard this on the radio yesterday and the phrase “Pure Synth” popped into my head from nowhere. It has been my earworm ever since and to these ears is a joyous 5 minutes of pop music. I think there are no other instruments used than synthesisers, I’m no expert and of course Alison Moyets voice. So can we have a chat about pure synth? Good thing? Bad thing? Best and worst examples? 80’s, non 80’s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D3udbawA1Q

I would always answer “The Monkees”. Similarly if asked Blur or Oasis? I would answer “Pulp”. I realised this morning I would also answer The Specials or Madness? with “The Beat”.Any others?

It was a large brightly lit stage. Above three red X’s hung menacingly like guillotines, we were revolutionaries defying the accepted order of things. We started slowly, eyebrows were raised, scorn was offered but we carried one as one of the red X’s screeched its disapproval. I’ve never met any of my cohorts but Twang and Bob were there, their chosen weapons screaming out their notes challenging, empowering. Bri was in control of his own rhythm in a haze of carefully considered brushstrokes keeping us all together with Rob C in perfect deep harmony. I was at the front delivering a pitch perfect accompaniment, notes soaring and flying from where previously there was only a flat, nasal, monotone. The crowd at first unsure, felt the wave of soulful, musical perfection washing over them and began to get to their feet. As we came to our climax. “Aaaaaah summer, summer breeze makes me feel fi-ine” Twangs guitar screaming out with the rest of us in absolute one-ness I awoke with a startle as David Walliams dressed as Marie Antoinette screeched “it’s a yes from me”. It could never happen could it?

» Continue Reading.

As I was walking the dog this morning I saw rabbits scurrying into the brambles as she got a little to close for their comfort. It’s a scene I’ve seen many times this summer but for some reason today it put me in mind of the Brer Rabbit stories that I enjoyed as a child. In one of those strange coincidences a complete set of Secret Seven books was a raffle prize when we visited the Windsor Battersea Dogs Home open day today, I didn’t win it. Anyway I thought it might be a nice idea for a Saturday evening for us to share our favourite Enid Blyton memories from Noddy to Mr Pinkwhistle and everything in between

I’ve had Spotify for a while but never really used it. My Cliff renaissance attempt led @Bartleby to ask for a Spotify playlist of the listenable Cliff from among the rest. So I put this list together, I hope you enjoy it and it’s snappy title. It was easy to do and very user friendly. Slow on the uptake as usual it has just dawned on me what a great tool Spotify is for listening to new music without any outlay. Added to this my new smartphone which is also my first smartphone has Spotify as standard so I can listen on the go. Late to the party as always can I ask you all to share your favourite Spotify playlists and I will have all the new, old and new old that I need? Thank you

I’ve really enjoyed “75 at 75” but as with some of the comments on that particular “Nights In” it is necessary to listen to it with your finger hovering over the next track button on whatever device you are listening on. It strikes me that no one matches Cliff on the lack of quality control side of things. For every “Day I Met Marie” there are many more “Visions”. He has had a couple of imperial periods which if had been left alone and not allowed to be sullied by the undoubted fetid dross that can be found among his output Cliffs star would be much higher. He was the British rock and roll king, “Move It” is an obvious choice but there are many other gems there because he was with The Shadows for Gods sake, of course it was good. His films were ok and produced more obvious selections “Summer Holiday” and “The Young Ones” and still more too numerous to mention. The was enough real gold from the late 50’s and into the 60’s for him to have walked away and not done Eurovision. If his 70’s to 80’s career had been better handled his stock would » Continue Reading.

This came to me this morning as I brushed my teeth with our new Oral B Pro toothpaste. “It tastes like a visit to the dentist” would be it’s literal advertising line. I can’t help thinking there must be others from toothpaste to album releases and everything in between.

I’m a bit off football at the moment, no real desire to watch many games for numerous reasons that I’m sure I share with many here. However James Milner consistently reminds me of what can be good in the game. Firstly he is an exceptional player despite not having the high profile of much less capable individuals. In the Leeds Utd first team at 16 and has represented Aston Villa, Newcastle, Manchester City and currently Liverpool with great distinction, more about Liverpool later. He has represented England 131 times, from Under 16 to full international including 46 at Under 21 which remains a record I doubt will be broken. I doubt he ever said no. He chose to end his own England career after deciding he wasn’t better than those coming through, no hanging on kicking and screaming for James. There is the mock Twitter account @BoringJamesMilner which is ridiculously funny and which he has embraced with good spirit. including the video here that he made one Christmas while at City. A quick search of Wikipedia lead me to the James Milner Foundation, which doesn’t really surprise me. What leads me to post about him here? Well this season he » Continue Reading.

Theresa May now you’ve triggered article fifty Now it looks like Brexit’s here to stay Oh I believe in Theresa May

Suddenly all the experts with great certainty Tell us the mess it’s going to be Oh, Teresa May how can they see

Why we had to go, I don’t know, how could we say? There was something wrong, now it’s all on Theresa May

Theresa May you have such a tricky game to play There’s no need for you to hide away Oh I believe in Theresa May

Why we had to go, I don’t know, how could we say? There was something wrong, now it’s all on Theresa May

Theresa May you have such a tricky game to play There’s no need for you to hide away Oh I believe in Theresa May

Mm mm mm mm mm mm mm

The Trevor Horn thread got me thinking about this appearance on The Tube by Frankie Goes to Hollywood before they had a record deal. The cynic in me wonders what was going on behind the scenes to get them said appearance but I’m being churlish. Are there any more of these of other bands before they hit the big time?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVJMMT9nXRI