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

Sunday, March 31, 2024

CONCRETE BLONDE singer and songwriter JOHNETTE NAPOLITANO | Voodoo Wagon

 

Johnette Napolitano - Sound Of A Woman 1998 

Back From The Dead by request... 
Originally posted May 25, 2013 and May 7, 2016 ?!!!

I am ashamed to say I did not know Concrete Blonde or this lassie, their singer songwriter and bassist, Johnette Napolitano, posted here by the Boss over at ROIO HQ - FBS and VW! Awesome . . .what hooked me in? Check the video if you like me didn’t know her . . . . . . best described as ‘uncompromising’ the band's post punk sound didn't seem to travel as far as the UK but her own solo singing and songwriting here is a revelation . . .  .enjoy!

OUTTAKES


Johnette Napolitano 
Sound Of A Woman 1998
Unreleased Studio Recordings @320




 

Track list:
01 I'm Your Queen
02 Sound Of A Woman
03 I Can Do Anything
04 Deliver
05 Something Fast
06 Todos Los Santos
07 Firefly
08 Human
09 Closer
10 Sleep
11 Lullabye For Fabiana

Johnette Napolitano is an American singer, songwriter and bassist best known as the lead vocalist/songwriter and bassist for the alternative rock group Concrete Blonde. She now continues writing and recording music as a solo artist.
Here's the much fabled debut solo album by Concrete Blonde singer Johnette Napolitano that was supposed to have been released in 1998, but never saw the light of day. It remains unreleased to this day. 
She recorded a solo album titled Sound Of A Woman around 1996-1997, and performed many of the songs on a solo tour opening for Paul Westerberg. The album was set to be released on IRS (a subdivision of Island Records), the label of her old band, Concrete Blonde. 1997-1998 was a bad time for Island, starting with the sudden departure of founder/CEO Chris Blackwell and ending with the total reorganization of the label. Sound Of A Woman was, effectively, lost in the shuffle and, at this point, is unlikely to ever be officially released.” Wiki

“ROSALIE” - Johnette Napolitano live

CLASSIC ROCK SONGS OF ALL TIME : SONG OF THE YEAR! | BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA | O MY SOUL

Thanks to Alice for this classic

O MY SOUL

I guess huge amounts of folks (not least Alice over at O MY SOUL!) will hire a hitman when I say I am not SO much a fan of the Boss (Bruce Springsteen not our SW over at FBS!?!  ha ha ha) but safe to say I appreciate him and own ONE Bruce Springsteen album (apart from a greatest hits) see if you can guess which one!? [bet you can’t] . . . . . . . . . . . . 

This song is one of the [many] exceptions . . . . . superbly written and delivered song - Bruce at his best!



Seeing as how so many folk asked (nobody asked you swappers - ED Nary a one!) . . .the only Springsteen I own (apart from Greatest Hits which someone gave me!) and bought when it came out was Devils and Dust! I know!?




Dylan of The Day | Bob Dylan ‘Series of Dreams'

 Released this week in March 1991 this brilliant favourite of our Bobby’s . . . great vid too!

ALBUMS THAT SHOULD EXIST : RON SEXSMITH ‘REASONS TO BELIEVE’ Vols 1-5 | The Fifth!

Ron Sexsmith - Reasons to Believe, Volume 5: 2009-2012

Paul says: Once again, here's another in a long series of stray tracks albums for Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith.

If you like the previous volumes, you should like this one too. I don't have much else to say, other than to explain where the songs come from.

All but the last two songs have been officially released. Those two are from concert bootlegs. The other songs are generally from tribute albums, appearances on albums by other musicians, and bonus tracks. Tracks 7 through 9 are bonus tracks from the 2011 album "Long Player Late Bloomer."

There are more originals on this one than the previous volumes, I think. The three bonus tracks mentioned above are originals. So are the two songs with Carlos Fregtman (tracks 4 and 5). "Love Shines" is another original, from the "Long Player Late Bloomer" album, but track 12 is a solo acoustic version done in concert.

"Day Is Done," originally by Nick Drake, is the sole bonus track. It's a lovely version, but unfortunately it's from an audience concert bootleg, and the sound quality isn't as good as the rest.

Thanks again to Pete BBBB for help in putting this together and figuring out the original artists for each song, as he's done for the whole "Reason to Believe" series. 

This album is 45 minutes long, not including the bonus track.

Here's a list of the original artists for each song: 

01 Crayon Angels - Judee Sill
02 Broken in Two - Krista Hartman
03 When I Need You - Leo Sayer
04 Ghost of a Chance - Carlos Fregtman & Ron Sexsmith
05 Thoughts and Prayers - Carlos Fregtman & Ron Sexsmith
06 Broken Hearted People - Guy Clark
07 Next Time - Ron Sexsmith
08 Wooden Toys - Ron Sexsmith
09 Chambermaid - Ron Sexsmith
10 I Surrender Dear - Bing Crosby
11 Give Me Love [Give Me Peace on Earth] - George Harrison 
12 Love Shines - Ron Sexsmith
13 Good Old Desk - Harry Nilsson
Day Is Done - Nick Drake

Band Intros The Concert For Bangladesh - George Harrison ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps'

 While My Guitar Gently Weeps


Just that it breaks my heart every time . . . .

Concert For Bangladesh the FIRST real charity concert . . . . . . 

'While My Guitar Gently Weeps


George introduces the ‘band’!

Jimi Gets a New Jacket!

 




Chris Jagger [yes that Chris Jagger, Mick’s lil brother!) presenting Jimi with a psychedelic jacket he had hand-painted backstage at the Saville Theatre in London, 1967.


Photos by Alec Byrne


The Travelling Wilburys (again!) the Wilbury Twist! [for your Easter Sunday celebrations!]

 I played this other day and of course the boys (sic!!!?) did an official video and her ’tis!

For you!

How many folks can you spot (Eric Idle and John Candy easy but Fred Savage and his siblings? Cheech Marin!? Milli Vanilli? [I KNOW! RIGHT?] Whoopi and Woody?


HAPPY CHOCOLATE DAY!

Saturday, March 30, 2024

RARE AS HENS TEETH! A interview with Blind Jimmy Melon!

 Never heard him interviewed afore and so this is as rare as rockin’ horse poo!! 

An interview with the ole blues master hisself . . .sadly now reduced to work at a diner mostly as a dish cloth flinger for grits n groceries, there’s still the glimmer of the old blues master with a twinkle in his eye and a damp patch in his groin!



What colour did you fink he wuz!? White or sumptin?

This rare duo caught on shellac left over from building their still, Blind Lemon here accompanied on washboard, jawbow harp and such like by Deaf Man Trudy. They holed up in the backwards backwoods yet still they managed to record a few tracks here before the moonshine kicked in! And folks wonder how he went blind!!? Sheesh!

 

Just call me the Alan Lomax of Merkin Mewsic! Ya get me?


Still pertinent for all your Easter celebrations!


Dylan of The Day : Bob Dylan Recording The Man In Me - 1970 - LOST FOOTAGE

 We love this . . . . .have I posted this before now?

Second Single of The Day | MASSIVE ATTACK - Be Thankful For What You Got | for this, thanks to Red 81 (she’ll get it!}




MASSIVE ATTACK

Be Thankful for What You’ve Got

Blue Lines (1991)

New bands new voices | Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band “Connemara" |

 


with thanks to Le Ramasseur De Mégots for the introduction!

EASTER SATURDAY | The Pogues : Transmetropolitan (1984) an opening salvo . . . . . . | Le Ramasseur De Mégots & Camberwell Foxes Radio!

 

Le Ramasseur De Mégots

camberwellfoxes:

The Pogues Transmetropolitan (1984)

The opening track of their debut album Red Roses For Me and it’s a cracker. Lyrics that take you all over London town (posted them above)…

Camberwell Foxes Radio & Blog

Friday, March 29, 2024

Lou Reed Live at Olympia Paris FRANCE 1974 | Rock N Roll Relaxin’ FACEBOOK


Live at Olympia, Paris, France 5.25.1974!
----
01.Sweet Jane
02.I'm Waiting For The Man
03.Lady Day
04.Vicious
05.Sally Can't Dance
06.Ride Sally Ride
Lou Reed - vocals
Michael Fonfara - keyboards 
Pentti Glan - drums 
Prakash John - bass 
Danny Weis - guitar


Rock'n'Roll Relaxin 

 


Prince - Thank You Falletin Me Be Mice Elf

 Prince [and Larry Graham!] 


I mean exactly HOW funky do you want to actually get?!

TURN IT UP!

One hit wonders, classic pop ear worms and dance freak par excellence! TONI BASIL - HEY MICKEY 1982

 ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡¸ Toni Basil - Hey Mickey 1982🇺🇸 

go on click it anyway you know you want to . . . . . . 






Song of The Day II | KACEY MUSGRAVES - THE ARCHITECT

My daughter introduced me to the work of Kacey Musgraves . . . ( what goes round comes around as there is a John Prine connection, yes? 

Kacey Musgraves - The Architect - (live on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon)

 15 Mar 2024 



or if you prefer the Official version . . . . . 

I though at first this song meant she was a god botherer! You know the Great Architect who made us cancer and blinding worms that eat into children’s eyes and sat around during the holocaust! Hah quite the opposite apparently more of a philosopher . . . questioner and so of course I like her. 

Song of The Day | David Bowie : Memory of A Free Fetsival

Memory Of A Free Festival

Le Ramasseur De Mégots 

David Bowie - Memory of a Free Festival.

(Source: sawdustinthebourbon)


Oooh this is nice and early Bowie eluded me for so long (joined in on the release of Low, Man Who Fell To Earth etc so a later starter!)

Thursday, March 28, 2024

BONNIE LASS : What’s On Your Mind? : Bonnie Raitt | Guitar Player Magazine +

 

Bonnie Raitt:  “Someone put it best when they said, 'You can’t change the noodle, but you can change the sauce.' I play the way I play, just like I sing the way that I sing. I’m not a schooled guitar player, and I can’t say I’m getting appreciably better, but I know how to do what I do. It’s the songs that change. 


“Taking risks is how I keep moving forward – that and being open to hearing things in a different way. Ultimately, I know there’s a safety net, and that’s the fact that I trust my ears and my instincts. 


“I’ll always try something different. That’s how you grow, and you also don’t want to be overly influenced by an inclination to dismiss something that’s new. So, I may do something I’m not really into – out of respect for Tchad and the musicians – but if it’s not working for me after a few days of letting it sit, then I’ll go, 'We gave it a try, but this song is sucking.'”


“I look at a player’s musical vocabulary, but I also consider the kind of person they are. To me, you can’t separate who someone is from the way he or she plays. It makes complete sense to me that Jon Cleary is so badass on the keyboards, and that he also reads Graham Greene. 


“I look for soul, intelligence, funk, and the ability to handle an extraordinary range of music styles. By the time I bring somebody into the fold, I already know they can do the things I need them to. I know George [Marinelli, guitarist in Raitt’s band] can do everything from Jimi Hendrix and Keith Richards to Richard Thompson, as well as being completely inventive in his own style.”


 -Michael Molenda / Guitar Player  

Photo: © Charlyn Zlotnik


Bonnie Raitt on stage watching Buddy Guy & Junior Wells perform at the Ann Arbor Blues Festival.⁣ by Jim Marshall 




 

Available now everywhere in all formats! https://lnk.to/justlikethat_b Stream “Made Up Mind” here: https://lnk.to/madeupmind Follow Bonnie: Official Website and Online Store: http://www.bonnieraitt.com Facebook:   / officialbonnieraitt   Instagram:   / bonnieraittofficial   Twitter:   / thebonnieraitt   Produced by Bonnie Raitt Recorded and Mixed by Ryan Freeland AUDIO TRACK CREDITS: Bonnie: vocal, electric slide guitar James “Hutch” Hutchinson: bass Ricky Fataar: drums, percussion, backing vocal Glenn Patscha: rhodes piano, hammond B3, backing vocal Kenny Greenberg: electric guitar MUSICIAN VIDEO CREDITS: Bonnie: vocal, electric slide guitar James “Hutch” Hutchinson: bass Ricky Fataar: drums, percussion, backing vocal Glenn Patscha: rhodes piano, hammond B3, backing vocal Duke Levine: electric guitar

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LADY GAGA!

Route says : 

Happy birthday to Lady Gaga, born as Stefani Germanotta in New York City on this day in 1986. She wants to hold 'em like they do in Texas. Dont we all but . . . . . .

go on click your GaGa!


Now I think it was my kids who turned me onto Lady GaGa well my daughter specially who said to check her out she can really play and sing . . . . .I found an early piece of her playing keyboards and singing live and thought this lassie can cut the mustard all right!!
She can even if she keeps a poker face about it!
Always watchable and worth watching for what she does next!

TRUMP turns Bible Salesman! Gotta make a fast buck? Try Selling Bibles door to door . . . . PAPER MOON anyone!?

 Now I enjoyed this . . . . . seeing Trump advertising a special edition of the Bible!? (sic?) already published and already in the public domain with additional texts equally publicly available like you know the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights and all for $60! Boy is HE SKINT!? I don’t know everyone mentioned here, Ronna who? but The Late Show’s Stephen Colbert made me LOL!



 . . .say it’s only a paper moon . . . . . 




Women Bass players III | A Diamond Dave Special | A Taste of Honey - Boogie Oogie Oogie - Live (1978)

 Dave dropped by and suggested a couple of additional people after I went banging on about Tal Wilkenfeld t’other day . . . . . . . . he mentioned this lassie too! Enjoy!


On bass Ladies & Gentlemen - Ms. Janice-Marie Johnson


SONG OF THE DAY |Ear worms and classic first pop singles | Beauty from The Lightning Seeds ‘PURE'

from wandering around Flikkenabok! 



"Pure" is a song by British music group the Lightning Seeds from their debut album, Cloudcuckooland.  Released in June 1989, the song peaked at No. 16 in the UK.  The following year it entered the US Billboard Hot 100's top 40, peaking at #31 on March 26, and was the first hit for the band on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, climbing to #8 in May 1990.

The first Lightning Seeds single release, "Pure" is significant in that it was also the first song Ian Broudie had "completely written and sung, ever".  After recording it, he only wanted 200 copies of the single pressed.  But after some radio play over the subsequent months the song began to gain traction and went for a second pressing.

 

Ear Worms and One Hit Wonders! | WILD CHERRY (of course!?) who? - PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC [White Boy!]

 This always makes me laugh but who ever knew (or even saw?) Wild Cherry!? 

Not us over here in Limey World I don’t reckon. Now we ALL now this meme and it has become a pop idiom and then some but could you picture the band!? If asked about the song I bet you could sing it (well the title!?) but I bet like me you couldn’t name the band who sang it and had a global hit with it! Did you think they were all black? I think lil whitey over here in suburbia nigh on had a coronary and imagined the band were all black and SCARY! Ha ha ha ha . . . check them out and remember to always . . . . 

PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC WHITE BOY!



Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Richard Serra - great American sculptor dies

Image
Richard Serra, Who Recast Sculpture on a Massive Scale, Dies at 85

His tilted walls of rusting steel, monumental blocks and other immense and inscrutable forms created environments that had to be walked thro
NYTIMES.COM



I may have mentioned Serra before. Now I had a problem with sculpture as an art student to a degree and like many (most? ED) of us I have strong opinions and may not know much but I know what I like. Coming across Serra’s Spinout in the Kroller-Muller sculpture park when my wife and my brother first went to Eindhoven and further south into Holland. It was a life affirming moment, cathartic somehow and has stuck with me. A tribute to Robert Smithson it was an eerie experience, the quiet and the atmosphere was quite unique and I loved it. By all reasoning and taste I ought to dislike Serra’s work but I don’t . . . . . 
Art I guess is like that. I DO like Picasso sculpture plus that of Brancusi, Dubuffet, Man Ray, Rodin and his muse fellow sculptor Camille Claudel, I admire the three-D work of Damien Hirst very much and the opprobrium faced by the Tate’s purchase of Carl Andre's bricks withe the reactionaries whipped into a bile filled fury by the red top newspapers was an affirming moment took lesson in how to deal with the public in their anger during my employ at MOMAO in Oxford as I had to field abuse and anger at the expense and lack of ‘meaning’  (now this should be seen in retrospect as a brilliant investment worth millions when it cost the public purse a mere £4,000!) - I loved fielding question with questions like 'well have you actually been to see it’?- so you are getting angry at something you haven’t see? It went on for weeks and I enjoyed being somehow one who was asked by Joe Shmo what it all meant! Hah! Such fun!

 So more sculptures than many but still feel I have massive blind spots . . . . . . . . 

Richard Serra in the studio by Sidney Felson


Transmissions :: Roger Eno LATEST RELEASE "The Skies, They Shift Like Chords."| AQUARIUM DRUNKARD

Incoming transmission from Roger Eno. This week on the show, he joins us for a freewheeling, friendly chat about art, place, and Dune (1984). Eno began his recording life in 1983, when he joined his brother Brian and Daniel Lanois at the latter’s studio in Hamilton, Ontario, to cut one of our favorite albums of all-time, Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks. Imbued with country and western ambiance, it suggests the vastness of space and man’s ventures into it. Not only that, but it serves as one of the foundational documents of the “ambient country” subgenre that practically forms its own corner of the Aquarium Drunkard sonic universe.

The Skies, They Shift Like Chords.

part of the 

Talkhouse Podcast Network



Boys Will Be Boys! Row in a Trenchtown! \ Lee Scratch Perry vs Joe Gibbs |thanks to Guess I’m Dumb


Lee (King) Perry! - People Funny Boy

People Grudgeful


Sir Gibbs 
Image

Sir Gibbs - People Grudgeful (1968)

Producer Joe Gibbs' answer song to Lee Perry's People Funny Boy. It's probably the Pioneers actually singing, though it has been long rumored to be the Ethiopians.

You can walk and talk But me no care at all


guessimdumb

#Sir Gibbs#People Grudgeful#Joe Gibbs#People Funny Boy#Lee Scratch Perry