No 369 in an occasional series of singles (or albums) bought when they came out . . . . 
 . . . though I didn't buy the album this single meant a great deal to lots of us and I was no exception

On this day in music history: April 19, 1968 - “Odessey And Oracle”, the third album by The Zombies is released in the UK (original US release date is in June 1968). Produced by The Zombies, it is recorded at Abbey Road Studios and Olympic Studios in London from June - August and November 1967. Following their run of hits on Decca Records, The Zombies sign a new deal with CBS Records in mid 1967. Given only a limited budget by the label, the band work quickly to complete their new album. The majority of the project is recorded at Abbey Road Studios with Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick and Peter Vince behind the board. The remaining songs are cut at near by Olympic Studios in Barnes when Abbey Road is not available. However, rising tensions between band members during the sessions and a general disillusionment with each other, make the creative process less than smooth sailing, and lead to The Zombies breaking up in December of 1967. “Odessey And Oracle” is released in the UK in the Spring of 1968 to minimal fanfare, with none of the three singles being released or the album even entering the charts. Initially passed over for release in the US by then CBS label boss Clive Davis, it is issued at the insistence of staff producer Al Kooper. Issued on Columbia’s Date Records imprint, it is greeted with almost total indifference, lying dormant for several months before anything happens. The single “Time Of The Season” (#3 Pop) becomes a surprise hit in the Spring of 1969, and in time is regarded as one of their finest works. Ironically, the success of the record comes more than a year after The Zombies have disbanded. “Time Of The Season” and “Care Of Cell 44” are belatedly reissued in the UK in 1973 and 1974. “Odessey” is reissued as a limited edition vinyl LP for Record Store Day on April 19, 2014, exactly forty six years after its original UK release. “Odessey And Oracle” peaks at number ninety five on the Billboard Top 200.

Lou - Dirty Boulevard

the anthem for Trump World and America's response to the immigrant situation as seen and retold by the great urban poet, Lou Reed. Also another bought when it came out. Still reel from this album it is one of the last I purchased and played over and over again we all used to do. Strawman to Romeo and Juliet to Dirty Boulevard every track a gem and a unique burst of creativity. Tight band too

Turn it up!

Oh you wanted another one . . . . . .

1,713 plays

 . . . . . . seems apposite somehow . . . . .

Another in the occasional series of albums or singles bought when they came out . . . . . . and this is probably in my top three albums of all time

yes really . . . . . . . . . 

sweet thing . . . but any track will do . . . . . . .. . . dedicated to the memory of my friend Leo Lewis

3,592 plays

NOUVELLE VAGUE 

- 'Dance With Me' 

Just because the weather seemed to indicate this was appropriate . . . . . . with the fantastic Jean-Luc Godard film 'Bande à Part' which he called a cross between Alice in Wonderland and Kafka!

BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2017

Nearly forgot with the Bank Holiday Spring Holiday but how much I enjoyed the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and the first band on blew me away as I had no idea they were still going - the peerless Afro Celt Sound System [check the bagpipe player!] Wow!




Bit disappointed with Billy Bragg who to these ears was not in the best voice and his guitar needed tuning! Ry Cooder performed one of the oddest versions of his 'Jesus on The Mainline' which at least he cited with good grace had been discovered by the extraordinary Shirley Collins on behalf of the researcher and musicologist Alan Lomax. Shirley who was the highlight for me after not singing for over 30 years has made some kind of extraordinary renaissance come back. Truly a force of nature!




I guess he doesn't have to bother much anymore . . . . . . . .



hmm whilst noting this is a classic Woody it needed the Band and Bob Dylan to give this the true solemnity it deserved not this throw away version 

Of course there the awards for new voices and musicians and these gals blew me away too





Shirley - 'Washed Ashore'

peerless . . . . . .

Oh and if anybody wondered why I like Lisa Hannigan quite so much . . . . . . .from her new album 'At Swim' this song 'Anahorish'* will see you to bed with a smile

From singing back up for Damien Rice I have bought everything she has done. I was captivated the first time she played Glastonbury and she is quite simply exquisite!

* 'Anahorish' is a town that almost doesn't exist [sic] and is a poem by the wonderful Seamus Heaney Lisa (Irish) has taken the lyric from there

My "Place Of Clear Water"
The first hill in the world
Where springs washed into
The shiny grass

And darkened cobbles
In the bed of the lane
Anahorish, soft gradient
Of consonant, vowel-meadow

After-image of lamps
Swung through the years
On winter evenings
With pails and barrows

Those mound-dwellers
Go waist-deep in mist
To break the light ice
At wells and dunghills

lisa hannigan

Another single bought when it came out . . . . . and what a peach this is! Improve on the King? Yesirree Bob and it does so in Spades! So a little less conversation . . . . . . .

PLAYING FOR CHANGE

But this is for everyone on a Spring Bank Holiday Monday and celebrating a nice long weekend in the sunshine. Nice and mild here but holy moly check out the California Footwarmers!
Warmed these feet a treat!

992 plays

Just because . . . they adopted Eric Clapton and this is a favourite blues song . . . . .they didn't enjoy too much success over here but are really worth a listen. Down home blues and easy in the rocking chair . . . . 

Delaney & Bonnie & Friends- Come on in My Kitchen