As a young teenager I was seen as having odd taste by my school friends as Marv was my hero and not some glammed up pop star like Bowie, Slade or Marc Bolan. Still after all these years you can see I was right! Such a cool dude.
Monday, 31 December 2012
Life Is A Rock (and The Radio Rolled Me) - Reunion (1974)
A real One Hit Wonder from the "band" Reunion - a group of session musicians taing advantage of some spare studio time. Here's the industry related lyrics - sing along if you can. Released by RCA in 1974.
Life Is A Rock (and The Radio Rolled Me)
B.B. Bumble and the Stingers, Mott the Hoople, Ray Charles Singers
Lonnie Mack and twangin' Eddy, here's my ring we're goin' steady
Take it easy, take me higher, liar liar, house on fire
Locomotion, Poco, Passion, Deeper Purple, Satisfaction
Baby baby gotta gotta gimme gimme gettin' hotter
Sammy's cookin', Lesley Gore and Ritchie Valens, end of story
Mahavishnu, fujiyama, kama-sutra, rama-lama
Richard Perry, Spector, Barry, Archies, Righteous, Nilsson, Harry
Shimmy shimmy ko-ko bop and Fats is back and Finger Poppin'
Life is a rock but the radio rolled me
Gotta turn it up louder, so my DJ told me (whoa whoa whoa whoa)
Life is a rock but the radio rolled me
At the end of my rainbow lies a golden oldie
FM, AM, hits are clickin' while the clock is tock-a-tickin'
Friends and Romans, salutations, Brenda and the Tabulations
Carly Simon, I behold her, Rolling Stones and centerfoldin'
Johnny Cash and Johnny Rivers, can't stop now, I got the shivers
Mungo Jerry, Peter Peter Paul and Paul and Mary Mary
Dr. John the nightly tripper, Doris Day and Jack the Ripper
Gotta go Sir, gotta swelter, Leon Russell, Gimme Shelter
Miracles in smokey places, slide guitars and Fender basses
Mushroom omelet, Bonnie Bramlett, Wilson Pickett, stop and kick it
Life is a rock but the radio rolled me
Gotta turn it up louder, so my DJ told me (whoa whoa whoa whoa)
Life is a rock but the radio rolled me
At the end of my rainbow lies a golden oldie
Arthur Janov's primal screamin', Hawkins, Jay and
Dale and Ronnie, Kukla, Fran and Norma Okla
Denver, John and Osmond, Donny
JJ Cale and ZZ Top and LL Bean and De De Dinah
David Bowie, Steely Dan and sing me prouder, CC Rider
Edgar Winter, Joanie Sommers, Osmond Brothers, Johnny Thunders
Eric Clapton, pedal wah-wah, Stephen Foster, do-dah do-dah
Good Vibrations, Help Me Rhonda, Surfer Girl and Little Honda
Tighter, tighter, honey, honey, sugar, sugar, yummy, yummy
CBS and Warner Brothers, RCA and all the others
Life is a rock but the radio rolled me
Gotta turn it up louder, so my DJ told me (whoa whoa whoa whoa)
Life is a rock but the radio rolled me
At the end of my rainbow lies a golden oldie
Listen--remember, they're playing our song!
Rock it, sock it, Alan Freed me, Murray Kaufman, try to leave me
Fish, and Swim, and Boston Monkey,
Make it bad and play it funky.
(Wanna take you higher!)
Freddie King and Albert King
And B.B. King and frolicking...
45Cat Entry - http://www.45cat.com/record/pb10056
Wednesday, 17 October 2012
Deacon Blue - Adele - Alicia Keys - Azadeh
Like most people my interface (oooh get me) with new music has changed. Whilst I used to be able to rely on good old Radio One to play the current stuff with the odd "exclusive" preview of a forthcoming single; now there are so many sources to my musical world that frankly I feel very disconnected to what is going on. It's odd as I seem to search out tracks my shopping experiences, form TV ads, the soundtracking to a baking competition on TV and even the odd X-Factor or Dave Arch/Strictly version. Perhaps it's good that my musical taste is no longer the domain of some radio programmer somewhere. My interests this month are of varied origin and datestamp.
Months ago I purchased tickets to see Deacon Blue. I am a big fan of those first three albums, quality music which somehow always seemed a little out of time (perhaps timeless in hindsight). Anyway with a forthcoming show to attend I've revisited the albums and even invested in the new one "The Hipsters" (hmm - irony). With high hopes I really suspected to find the tracks that would make the bar attractive as Ricky says mid-set "and here's a new song" - hey it's billed as a 25th anniversary tour! I hear the crowd shout. How pleasantly surprised am I to find a new album which, frankly, fits right in with the earlier string of sets which are dear to my heart. Ross' voice remains engaging, the quality songwriting and arrangements, Lorraine McIntosh's harmonising, all are intact and what you used to expect from DC but with a progression that shows their obvious maturity. It's like they've been frozen for the last 10 years. And it fits right in with what is current. I recommend you go to this whether a doubting existing fan or in a Deacon who? search for some quality.
Adele's 007 track "Skyfall" is predictable in it's structure but delicious in it's execution - the girl's phrasing brings it to life and shows a song stylist at her best. Wonderful.
Alicia Keys is one artist that I will buy any new album without a preview - she has produced such a consistent body of work - again strength in songwriting - that always hooks me and reels me in slowly. You know that feeling where you start with "not as good as.." and end up thinking "the best" let's hope I'm right about the new one "Girl on Fire" - the lead single of the same title (on YouTube currently) tells me I am.
Back to the Deacon Blue gig and my exciting find of the week. Arriving early I thought the promo cards being handed out for Azadeh smacked of support act as (frankly) pretty girl with guitar - all very pleasant but a diversion from the main event. WRONG!
Whilst I loved Deacon Blue, the evening was made by Azadeh's set (with band) . Strong songs, a sort of Tori come Amy with Paula Cole voice but with a unique feel for her own sound. The band arrangements built on her performance; she's clearly comfortable being out front and was gracious in the reception she got spending time signing demo's and chatting to audience members in the foyer later - her stage presence rang true, she's obviously passionate about performing her songs her way (and not some popster wannabe) only good came over in a what you see is what you get way - all to her credit. The demo CD confirmed the show was no fluke and frankly the "demo's" need no work for a release. An internet hunt finds her unsigned - which is hard to believe. Search her out - you're in for a treat.
Google - azadehmusic
Months ago I purchased tickets to see Deacon Blue. I am a big fan of those first three albums, quality music which somehow always seemed a little out of time (perhaps timeless in hindsight). Anyway with a forthcoming show to attend I've revisited the albums and even invested in the new one "The Hipsters" (hmm - irony). With high hopes I really suspected to find the tracks that would make the bar attractive as Ricky says mid-set "and here's a new song" - hey it's billed as a 25th anniversary tour! I hear the crowd shout. How pleasantly surprised am I to find a new album which, frankly, fits right in with the earlier string of sets which are dear to my heart. Ross' voice remains engaging, the quality songwriting and arrangements, Lorraine McIntosh's harmonising, all are intact and what you used to expect from DC but with a progression that shows their obvious maturity. It's like they've been frozen for the last 10 years. And it fits right in with what is current. I recommend you go to this whether a doubting existing fan or in a Deacon who? search for some quality.
Adele's 007 track "Skyfall" is predictable in it's structure but delicious in it's execution - the girl's phrasing brings it to life and shows a song stylist at her best. Wonderful.
Whilst I loved Deacon Blue, the evening was made by Azadeh's set (with band) . Strong songs, a sort of Tori come Amy with Paula Cole voice but with a unique feel for her own sound. The band arrangements built on her performance; she's clearly comfortable being out front and was gracious in the reception she got spending time signing demo's and chatting to audience members in the foyer later - her stage presence rang true, she's obviously passionate about performing her songs her way (and not some popster wannabe) only good came over in a what you see is what you get way - all to her credit. The demo CD confirmed the show was no fluke and frankly the "demo's" need no work for a release. An internet hunt finds her unsigned - which is hard to believe. Search her out - you're in for a treat.
Google - azadehmusic
Wednesday, 3 October 2012
Wednesday, 12 September 2012
Proud
Perhaps too much already said about our Olympics - but all praise is good. We did a great job. Hopefully the lasting legacy from the whole summer is a belief by the British that British is good and we actually can really put on a show on a massive scale whilst the world looks on. The best quote i've read is that "..we have seen the best of ourselves.." those few words sum it up really. I'm very proudly British and a Londoner - never more so that the last few weeks.
Monday, 3 September 2012
Lost and Found...
I've had a great time recently going through vinyl that i haven't played for years and have discovered some great album tracks and B sides.
Gene Dozier and The United Front - Give the Women What They Want - a pre-disco funk workout by someone I have never heard of since (this is from the Soul Train album on Phongram 1974) Hear It here on BoyRed's Soundcloud
Ohio Players - Heaven Must Be Like This - the B side of the wonderful "Skintight" this shows their smooth side and is a taster for things that would come in later albums see this on 45Cat
Bessie Banks - Go Now - always known as an old Denny Laine era Moody Blues track in the UK here's the blinding original 45Cat and Hear It Here
Don Covay - It's Better To Have (And Don't Need) - wonderful 1974 track from Covay - shows him moving forward from his Soul Clan/Atlantic days. Hear it Here
Act One - Goodbye Love (We're Through) - another band known more for their uptempo sounds - well one at least - this was the B side of "Tom The Peeper" - well worth flippin'. Play It Here On The Cloud and the 45Cat entry is here
So many records and so little time....
Sunday, 2 September 2012
Act One - Goodbye My Love (We're Through) (1974)
Found this wonderful B Side whilst running through a pile of singles this morning - I always judged Act One on "Tom" but this shows the soulful side of them - worth looking out for.
Mercury - 6008 005
Saturday, 30 June 2012
Bobby Womack Poster
In my current clearout phase this poster from my collection has to go - you can bid for it on ebay at LINK - bidding started at just £5.
I have to stop buying all this stuff!
Monday, 4 June 2012
Smash!
Is anyone else watching Sky Atlantic's series Smash!. US TV at it's best, this follows a stage show production based on the Marilyn Monroe life story. Here we see the writers (including an excellent Debra Messing); a single minded Brit director in the form of Jack Davenport (This is the best i've seen him - totally beleivable as bastard!); Angelica Houston as a recently divorced producer trying to find her business feet on her own for the first time. The stars really are Megan Hilty (Wicked on Broadway) and Katherine McPhee (apparently a runner-up in American Idol a few years ago). Hilty clearly shows her stage show experience and is mesmerising - with a powerful voice. If this ever makes it to the stage I want to hear her do it (sorry lost in the story there for a moment). McPhee is a revelation as her green newbie character gets to sing songs from the show and others whilst we see her at karaoke bars, performing at a bar mitzvah etc - she has an all round voice - I particularly like her take on Florence's "Shake It Up"
This is good TV and a great Saturday night music fix rolled into one. I'm so taken I've just ordered the soundtrack. Be warned keep way from the Smash website as it will spoil the plotline, iflike me you are watching outside the US where the first season is only mid-way through.
Ronnie Laine - Brother, Can You Spare Me A Dime? (1975)
Ronnie Laine's take on an old song about the US depression. This was used in a 1975 David Puttnam BBC2(?) TV documentary on the subject and the track was used as the closing credits rolled. Good version of a powerful song.
To hear it go to BoyRed's SoundCloud/Brother
45Cat Link
Island - WIP 6229
Q. Am i right in thinking that this has also been recorded as "Buddy, Can You Spare Me A Dime?
Saturday, 26 May 2012
The first RCA CD Catalogue - ever! (1983)
In 1983 I was working at RCA Records European office coordinating CD releases. The format launch first in Japan in October 1982 and then Europe in March the following year had gone so well that there was a worldwide shortage of manufacturing capacity. RCA had got in on the act quickly and had put out about 20 releases both pop and classical. Whilst you would normally never see both in the same catalogue, this was produced to entice the audiophiles to buy RCA rather than the dominant Philips catalogue.
Here is the cover of the first ever CD catalogue from the label.
(The US launch would occur in October 1983)
Marvin Gaye Live In London - 1976
Thanks to Nathalie - who on reading my posts on the MPG gig I attended in 1976 found this picture from the Royal Albert Hall appearance two days later.
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