portrait of this blog's author - by Stephen Blackman 2008

Saturday, December 31, 2022

More of Terry Hall . . . . . . Well Fancy That & Forever J

  • Track Name

    Forever J

  • Artist

    Terry Hall

Terry Hall - Forever J (1994)

"I’m not sure why Terry Hall’s death seems to have hit me harder than I would have anticipated. Something about his deadpan, detached, and melancholy vocals always struck a nerve with me, whether it was the Specials, Fun Boy Three, Colourfield  or solo. Here’s a shoulda been a hit from his first solo LP Home."

  • Track Name

    Well Fancy That

  • Artist

    Fun Boy Three

Fun Boy Three - Well Fancy That (1983)

"I woke up this morning thinking about this song - it was honest, brave, and absolutely heartbreaking. "

There’s no excuse
For child abuse
And the scars that it leaves
Where do you draw the line?

from the superb . . . . . Guess I’m Dumb

I agree with the sentiment above and I don’t think many fans were expecting how hard Terry’s death was to strike but its something about the damaged and the abused, the survivors of abuse have paid such dues to bring their songs to us we dearly wish them never to die

It don’t work that way sadly and we feel the loss of this highly sensitive soul and creative writer and singer all the more keenly . . . . .  Rest easy now the pain is over

Friday, December 30, 2022

 VIVIENNE WESTWOOD

8th April 1941 - 29th December 2022

Icon, activist, post punk feminist thinker and fashion guru Vivienne Westwood has died at 81

Vivienne Westwood dancing on stage with The Sex Pistols








Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren opened their joint London boutique in the 1970s that went under several names such as SEX, Let It Rock, Too Fast To Live, To Young to Die, and Seditionaries



Never one to shy away from the issues of the day she retained a questioning activist mentality right until the end. We will miss her

ON THIS DAY:: George Harrison and Wife, Olivia Attacked in Friar Park Henley On Thames 1999

"On this day in 1999, George Harrison and his wife Olivia were attacked by an intruder at Friar Park in Henley. At about 3.20am Olivia Harrison woke her husband to say she had heard smashing glass. While she phoned the police, George Harrison went down to the kitchen and found a window broken. He went back upstairs on to a gallery that overlooks the ground floor. Glancing down, he saw an intruder in the main hall. Harrison said: ‘He stopped in the centre of the room and looked towards me. He started shouting and screaming.’ The intruder advanced up the stairs. Harrison lunged at him. ‘We fell to the floor. I was fending off blows with my hands. He was on top of me and stabbing down at my upper body.’ Mrs Harrison began hitting the man with a brass poker. The intruder chased her and grabbed her by the throat. George said: ‘I vividly remember a deliberate thrust to my chest. I could hear my lung exhaling and had blood in my mouth..’ Mrs Harrison swung a heavy table-lamp at the attacker, who gripped the cord of the lamp and pulled it towards him. Olivia threw the lamp at him and ran downstairs to find that the police had arrived. Michael Abram, a 34-year-old man suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, served just under two years in a secure psychiatric unit for the attack. "

More like this in "On this day in Oxfordshire" by Julie Ann Godson, available at https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=julie%20ann%20godson...


Thursday, December 29, 2022

Rory Gallagher - Wayward Child/Bad Penny (on All Right Now, Tyne Tees TV, Newcastle 1980)

 Just because . . . . . this showed up in my algorithm! And quite right too, Billy Connolly ( And John Bonham!?!) introduce Rory Gallagher on ‘Alright Now’ . . ."a little bit of the green into the blues"!

Love the audience reaction! HILARIOUS! 


Turn it UP!
LOUD!

The Rezillos "Can't Stand The Rezillos” 1978 -

 Another in the occasional series of sounds purchased when they came out (i WAS at Artschool!?) comes this from the mercurially brilliant TWILIGHTONE!


The Rezillos "Can't Stand The Rezillos" 1978

Part of the beauty of punk rock was the idea that rather than just standing back in wonder at the spectacle of your favorite band, you could get up on stage and do what they did yourself...
Can’t Stand The Rezillos - here . . . .
...The only problem was that while it didn't seem all that hard to do what the Ramones were doing, hardly anyone was capable of doing it quite as well. Glasgow's the Rezillos, however, were that rare band who beat the odds, becoming quite simply the finest fake Ramones the world has ever known. Hyperactive tempos, raging guitar, abbreviated pop melodies, goofy and slightly off-kilter lyrics that display a fascination with junk culture and '60s pop -- it's all there on Can't Stand the Rezillos, the band's only studio album, and they were able to work the formula every bit as well as the Ramones did on Rocket to Russia. Of course, it helps that the Rezillos were able to put their own spin on the template; they were a bit poppier, willing to get a few notches sillier, and sounded just a touch smarter (it figures a bunch of former art students would come up with a tune like "[My Baby Does] Good Sculptures"). But the real key to this album is its simple, good-hearted joie de vivre; funny-punk was rarely executed with the degree of skill, finesse, and pure delirious glee as the Rezillos summoned up on Can't Stand the Rezillos. It makes me smile more than any U.K. punk album ever made me, and it has the greatest Dave Clark Five cover ever committed to tape -- what greater recommendation could you ask for? A triumph. - Review by Mark Deming

traxfromwax:
1 Flying Saucer Attack 2 No 3 Somebody's Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight 4 Top Of The Pops 5 2000 A.D. 6 It Gets Me 7 I Can't Stand My Baby 8 Glad All Over 9 (My Baby Does) Good Sculptures 10 I Like It 11 Getting Me Down 12 Cold Wars 13 Bad Guy Reaction
The Rezillos - My Baby Does Good Sculptures!

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

TWILIGHT ZONE- THE POGUES “The very best of . . . . . “ - Mini CD Misty Morning Albert Bridge 1989

The Pogues "The very best of..." 2001 + "Misty Morning, Albert Bridge" 1989 - Mini CDThere's little question that the Pogues were a seminal band, blessed with great musicians, led by Shane MacGowan, a songwriter of major vision and talent. This was apparent on their initial Stiff singles but it truly blazed on their debut, Rum Sodomy & the Lash, an album that artfully walked the razor's edge between Irish traditionalism and venomous, working-class punk...

...Though they became more accomplished in later albums, they never strayed from this template. What did change, however, was the group's consistency, largely because their fortunes were tied too closely to those of MacGowan. His talent burned intensely, but like a supernova, it flamed out quickly as the singer sank into an abyss of liquor and drugs. He could still turn out some great moments, but his unpredictability became a major liability for the group's very sanity and they had to let him go. Ironically, without Shane aboard, the Pogues started to drift and they only lasted through one more album before calling it a day, leaving behind a body of work that is very well summarized on the European-only compilation, The Very Best of the Pogues. This concentrates heavily on the group's first three albums, where MacGowan's writing was its sharpest and the band sounded best, but it also picks up highlights from erratic albums like Peace and Love and Hell's Ditch. That's not to say this is a perfect collection; it has a tendency to play toward their traditional folk inclinations, which means it overlooks such wonderful moments as their stomping Motown salute "Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah," one of the very best singles of the late '80s and early '90s. Even so, this collection is as good a single-disc retrospective as it could be, and it comes very close to capturing the Pogues at their very best. - Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine


1 Dirty Old Town 2 The Irish Rover 3 Sally MacLennane 4 Fiesta 5 A Pair Of Brown Eyes 6 Fairytale Of New York 7 The Body Of An American 8 Streams Of Whiskey 9 The Sick Bed Of Cuchulainn 10 If I Should Fall From Grace With God 11 Misty Morning, Albert Bridge 12 Rain Street 13 White City 14 A Rainy Night In Soho 15 London Girl 16 Boys From The County Hell 17 The Sunnyside Of The Street 18 Summer In Siam 19 Hell's Ditch 20 The Old Main Drag 21 The Band Played Waltzing Matilda

"Misty Morning, Albert Bridge" 1989 - Mini CD
1 Misty Morning, Albert Bridge 2 Cotton Fields 3 Young Ned Of The Hill (Dub Version) 4 Train Of Love
here . . . . .

Song of The Day :: David McComb - I’ve Heard Things Turn Out This Way | GUESS I’M DUMB

  • Track Name

    I've Heard Things Turn Out This Way

  • Album

    Unreleased - Demo

  • Artist

    David McComb

David McComb I’ve Heard Things Turn Out This Way (1991)

Nick Cave once stated the David McComb was “head and shoulders above the rest of us” If you don’t know him, David McComb was the brilliant singer and songwriter of the Triffids who sadly passed away at age 36 in 1996.  Here a wonderful solo track that has a Christmas vibe.

Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed 
Come gather round, decorate the tree


So something obscure and really rather lovely for between the Christmas and New Year no-mans land of exhaustion and ennui!

Monday, December 26, 2022

Those we have lost this year . . . . . . . . 2022

                                            
Betty White





There’s no Hogwarts with you Hagrid!

Enjoy Yourself! - The Specials live in Japan



People asked for Chris’ grid for who’s who so here ya go . . . . . sadly . . . . . too many . . . . . . . . . . 

but maybe always remember what Ian Dury said

“I Will Buy You Scarlet Ribbons
 . . . . . . . . .. Bernard Cribbins!


we also lost Hinterwald (Major Gruber to his friends) and the guys at HQ: Silent Way and the boys heard from Manon, Hardy’s daughter that he had passed away. Blogger without equal a virtual friend and we shared a peculiar sense of humour and much musical taste. 

He posted the Eno and Roger Eno concert in Greece and I dedicate this to him and his memory here





Sunday, December 25, 2022

 Some Blasts From The Past for 

CHRISTMAS!

Norah Jones - Run Run Rudolph
Live from The Empire State Building

Merry Christmas from The Fabs!


Paul Brady - Arthur McBride  

 Kathryn Williams / Carol Ann Duffy  

 Leon Redbone and Dr John (yes really!?)  

 Emilia Clarke - Last Christmas

Leon Redbone - Blue Christmas

Kate Rusby - Winter Wonderland
 


 Mike Heron - Feast of Stephen

Bunny Yeager wishes you all a Merry Christmas! (Poacher turned Gamekeeper she became the most prolific glamour photographer especially of her friend and model Bettie Page)





Saturday, December 24, 2022

Merry Christmas You Suckers! Paddy Roberts.

 . . . . . . . err alternatively

Christmas Greetings . . . . Nick Lowe and The Brother’s Comatose

Nick Lowe - Christmas at the Airport! 



 Discovery of the Year in the Brother’s Comatose


Happy Christmas (War Is Over)

Sounds for Christmas Eve :: Chris Wood - While Sheherd's Watched Their Flocks By Night

 Well atheist I may well be but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the buildings where the Christians worship and the music of the carols and hymns, an interest I learned from my parents who’s faith was so shaken by the Second World War so here’s a folk legend and wonder in his own right!

CHRIS WOOD - While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night



Friday, December 23, 2022

The Who - A View From A Backstage Pass 1969-1976 - FLOPPY BOOT STOMP (Jobe)

 Well this should wake me up a little! . . . . . . . . . . . and you know what? IT REALLY DID !!

This just in from FLOPPY BOOT STOMP! Really great quality here . . . . . . . .

Thanks brother Jobe

THE WHO







question - is this the only example of a rock reference to the Isle of Man? 

[Happy Jack] 


The Who - A View From Backstage Pass 69-76 - FLOPPY BOOT STOMP





Won’t Get Fooled Again [78]

TURN IT UP!

Women In Rock Part VII Various Artists - URBANASPIRINES

   So WOMEN IN ROCK is wrapped up with Volume 7 (count ‘em) by Kostas this morning and inevitably I guess this last was going to be pretty radical he having covered pretty much everyone of more mainstream voices previously but nothing wrong with that. (It’s actually why I like Kostas’ choice as he has kept it well balanced despite some glaring omissions (what no Bonnie Raitt, Martha Wainwright? Lily Allen? I would obviously break the rock pattern mould and included more folk based English gals like Katherine Williams, Thea Gilmore and antipodeans like Emily Barker but maybe they don’t fit the category of ‘rock’ although Bonnie must for sure but that’s MY stuff) but we can all do that and it’s his list of over 300 lasses! If you don’t like this ‘cos it leaves someone out when make your own and tell us about it!


Women In Rock Part VII - URBANASPIRINES




The legendary Viv Albertine (read her book!)

Miranda Sex Garden

Bat For Lashes

Babes in Toyland



Chelsea Wolfe

Holly Golightly (see also Thee Headcoatees!)

Courtney Barnett



01. Chandeen - Blood Red Skies
02. Jenny Hval - Lions (feat. Vivian Wang)
03. Miranda Sex Garden - Ardera Sempre
04. Frankie Rose - Night Swim
05. Bat For Lashes - Sleep Alone
06. Ding An Sich (feat. Maria) - Fun
07. White Lung - Below
08. Chelsea Wolfe - The Warden
09. Ferver Ray (Karin Dreijer Anderson) - Triangle Walks
10. Zola Jesus - Seekir
11. Zen Garden - Zen Garden
12. The Pretty Reckless - Light Me Up
13. Courtney Barnett + Kurt Vile - Fear Is Like A Forest
14. Bikini Kill - New Radio
15. Nonmandol - Nonmandol
16. 7 Years Bitch - The Scratch
17. Be Your Own Pet - Damn Damn Leash
18. The Lunachicks - The Day Aquid's Gerbil Died
19. Red Aunts - The Things You See, The Things You Don't
20. The Donnas - I'm Gonna make Him Mine (Tonight)
21. The Muffs - Pollyanna
22. Viv Albertine - Becalmed (I Should Have Known)
23. Babys In Toyland - Middle Man
24. Sleater Kinney - High In The Grass
25. Bratmobile - I'm The Band
26. Thee Headcoatees - Davey Crockett
27. Jean And The Statesides - Putty In Your Hands
28. Jacqeline Taieb - 7.00 Am
29. Holly Golightly - Wherever You Are
30. The Gore Gore Girls - You Lie To Me Before
31. The Pandoras - You Don't Satisfy
32. Lisa Germano - Dig My Own Grave


Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile - Continental Breakfast


Enjoy! I know I did . . . and Merry Christmas !

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Jeff Beck & Carlos Santana Re-Union (with Steve Lukather) - Karuizawa, Japan 1986 - FLOPPY BOOT STOMP

Silent Way over at  Floppy Boot has posted a goody this morning and it features this . . . . .

. . . .




Carlos Santana & Jeff Beck 
Reunion - Prince Hotel

Karuizawa, Japan
June 1, 1986
Soundboard @flac

Playing Time: 63:38


Track Listing:
Primera Invasion
BMW
Open Invitation
Star Cycle
Cause we’ve Ended as Lovers
Wild Thing
Freeway Jam
Going Down
Super Boogie/Lotus Blues
People Get Ready
Johnny B. Good

 

Line Up:

Carlos Santana - Guitars
Jeff Beck - Guitars 

Steve Lukather - guitar

Beck's band:
Jan Hammer - Keyboards
Simon Phillips - Drums
Jimmy Hall Vocals & Sax
Doug Wimbish - Bass


Santana's band:
George Miles - Vocals
Chester Thompson - Keyboards
Armando Peraza - Congas
Orestes Vilato - Timbales
Tom Coster - Keyboards
Graham Lear - Drums
Paul Rekow - Percussion