The Day Today

Actually have to mention today.  Had an awesome lunch at Roka on Charlotte Street with wise wonderful friends, spent some time with a fellow insomniac, saw the magical Scarlett Lucy and saw the awesome one and only Anto play a little gig just down the road from my flat.  

Renato Carosone's Maruzzella

http://www.zshare.net/audio/648066431c38d92a/

Joe Simon: Love Vibrations

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKIZfWGgUkA

The Nutmegs: Story Untold

http://www.zshare.net/audio/64764627d966dce4/

And, last but not least

Joe Sayer stealing a Famous Blue Raincoat up a tree romancing a manic muppet fox

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cHZQNWp9yI

Seven of Cups in the Outcome position. Indicates the outcome of the matter. Dreams. A fertile imagination. Numerous and sometimes conflicting desires. Dreaming up options. Window shopping for paths and goals. Fertility in mind and spirit. Bemused and confused by the possibilities of options. Unexpected turn of events. Realization of a long shot. Surprises. Triumph of the underdog. Humour, thrills, and vision.

Tim Hardin, Anto

Tim Hardin was probably more successful as a songwriter than a musician. his songs,'If I Were A Carpenter" and 'Reason To Believe' achieved more commercial success performed by other people (Bobby Darin, Rod Stewart, respectively). He started out playing blues music in the Greenwich Village area of New York around 1961. His (eponymous) first album came out on the Verve Forecast label in 1966 (there had been an earlier album with Columbia that was shelved) in which he had moved from blues-y to the folk-y music that now defines his career.

From then on he had several albums released but the closest he came to commercial success was a 1969 non single LP of 'Simple Song Of Freedom' which made it into the U.S.'s Top 50. He had quite a crippling stage fright and a burgeoning heroin addiction which resulted in him not touring in support of this single. He stopped writing songs after this period. He moved between England and the U.S. but his addiction had taken over his life. His last album, Nine, was released in the UK in 1973. He sold his writer's rights in the late 70's. At a gig in Seattle in 1979, he could only play 'Georgia On My Mind' over and over again. He died 6 days after his 39th birthday from a heroin and morphine overdose in Los Angeles where he lived as a recluse since 1975.

Reason to Believe

http://www.mediafire.com/?qn5lan252j2rgkj/

How Can We Hang On To A Dream

http://www.mediafire.com/?ck72avz031vz29n

First Love Song

http://www.mediafire.com/?8dac4i86fcbmuai

Black Sheep Boy

http://www.mediafire.com/?ac5pvcvr8oav6pm

His biggest success, a Bobby Darin song. a 'A Simple Song of Freedom'

http://www.mediafire.com/?w72ttk6uxj41059

Sublime

American ska-punk band from California that started out performing at parties in the Long Beach area. Sublime,  Bradley Nowell (vocals and guitar), Bud Gaugh (drums and percussion) and Eric Wilson (bass guitar) were playing from 1988 for about for about 4 years before their first album came out on Skunk records in 1992.  Their music eventually spread beyond the West Coast and they toured extensively.  In February 1996 they recorded what would turn out to be their third and last album.

Bradley Nowell had started a two year heroin "experiment" claiming it would aid his "artistic creativity" and help the band get attention from a major label.  When they got this attention though, he didn't stop using and his habit increase led to him pawning his guitars on a regular basis.  A month before the release of his their first major label (and what turned out to be a hugely successful) album and 7 days after his marriage (to Troy Dendekker), Sublime went on a 5 day tour of California and sometime in the night 24th May, Bradley shot up some brown stronger than the Mexican tar heroin he was used to and just like that it was over at 28.  A year after his death, their eponymous album was in the Billboard Top 20. 

Santeria

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrLJ6Saq7u4&feature=fvw

http://www.zshare.net/audio/647625205ef80002/

maybe

Possibly the first proper girl group, possibly written by (Valentines lead singer and man who discovered them) Richard Barrett and possibly written by (lead singer) Arlene Smith and George Goldner, possibly what I have mostly been listening to today... The Chantels recorded this October 1957 and released it 1958.  It was their second single and their biggest.  I love it.

Maybe

http://www.zshare.net/audio/647120493b483dcd/

Tell me

Sometimes I wonder...how mental would life have been if you were in the Rolling Stones?  Never stop touring, never stop playing.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5HNk5adESE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6FoYuNvQq4

http://www.zshare.net/download/646818199ea51ac2/

Its my birthday!

Get Ready 

http://www.zshare.net/audio/6448833885f62171/

sexy party time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg3ccf9cnsg&feature=related

marmalade

I love this dude's voice....from Scotland, formerly Dean Ford & The Gaylords (changed their name  in 1966) The Marmalade interestingly had 2 bass players.  They did ok from '66 till about '72 and they are still technically around now although since 1971 their line-up changed and only Graham Knight (bassist and vocalist) remains from the original.

Their most successful single was this one from '69 which even made it into America's top 10.

Reflections Of My Life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79NiN7ISW7E

http://www.zshare.net/audio/64405481e1207389/

Going back to 1966, The Marmalade were offered a song called 'Everlasting Love' which they rejected.  First released by Robert Knight in 1967, Love Affair scored a no.1 with it in 1968.

Tenuous link but its great...

Everlasting Love

http://www.zshare.net/audio/64405815520f8f6b/

well done that boy!

Till October then.... in the meantime, let's dance

http://www.zshare.net/audio/64006998053449c0/

silence is golden

chain smoking my way through a large carton of filter plus marlboro lights whilst sat on the balcony. feeling alive for the first time in days.  i am finally acclimatizing just as there are only 3 sleeps left until hometime.  i shall be glad though. home to my projector and my friends and earl grey tea and swearing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc52Dpo8QQ8

(all i ever wanted, all i ever needed, is here, well, there. for a week or so till i get bored and go off somewhere else)

http://www.zshare.net/audio/639287498dc9dcff/

LOVE

Late sixties group 'Love' fell apart in the early 70s, but wow did they make some fine music.

 One of the first racially diverse groups, their music reflected different influences with rock and roll, prog rock, garage and psychadelia all represented. Signed to Elektra in 1966, the band scored a minor hit with Burt Bacharach's 'Little Red Book' and released their debut eponymous album that same year.

My Little Red Book

http://www.zshare.net/audio/63502887e10aca55/

 Their musical reputation largely rests on their 2 1967 albums, Da Capo and Forever Changes.

More popular in the UK than their USA home in 1968 Bryan MacLean (second songwriter and guitarist) left the band, suffering from heroin addiction as did all the members of the band (2 of which were also suffering from the same abuses) except Arthur Lee (singer, songwriter and guitarist) who convened a new line up and continued as 'Love'. 3 albums followed before a solo album by Arthur Lee.

 Being abroad with no wireless (24 hour electricity isn't available for a start) I am unable to extend on the information. Have a listen and see what you think if you don't know it already. I love love, do you?  From Forever Changes then...

A House Is Not A Motel

http://www.zshare.net/audio/63502731371494d2/

Alone Again

http://www.zshare.net/audio/63502852ec4c6862/

Do you remember?

Ah, The Sound Magics. From the Netherlands.

 Formed 1963 disbanded 1967 got this out in 1965...

Don't You Remember

http://www.zshare.net/download/63502429d16d3ed8/

huxley say

After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music. 

Aldous Huxley

http://www.zshare.net/audio/635019540cfe8878/

bad bad dreams

scared to sleep.

lullaby

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEx7pkmFc6s

Hot flushes then cold flushes when oh when will I be well again?

On the subject of temperature, released late 1967 this was the only song to chart for New Jersey band 'The Balloon Farm'

Mike Appel, guitarist and songwriter from Balloon Farm did much better later on when he started managing Bruce Springsteen.

A Question Of Temperature

http://www.zshare.net/audio/635023033692d555/

Chin Up, Topanga Canyon

There is still far too much stigma and shame surrounding the subject of mental illness. Typical reactions are fear and rejection. Perhaps that is why most people I know...take a walk on the wild side.

One of my friends isn't very well. I did what I could for a while but she went beyond what I could mend. But I love her and wish her well and am happy to punch anyone who wants to make light of her illness or wish her anything but the best of luck.

(1964)  Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood

The Animals

http://www.zshare.net/audio/6285848942283c07/

(1967) Manic Depression

Jimi Hendrix

http://www.zshare.net/audio/62858440f53e60ef/

(1969) Way To Blue

Nick Drake

http://www.zshare.net/audio/6285939123d72f43/

(1986) I Know Its Over

The Smiths

http://www.zshare.net/audio/628585309a63ea96/

who wears short shorts?

http://www.zshare.net/audio/628108708f58c63b/

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=280598&id=726185246&l=7d21d7f9b8

1967 Bobbie Gentry wrote, recorded and released this.

Ode to Billie Joe

http://www.zshare.net/audio/62669619e8de682c/

(ps. the aforementioned bridge got knocked down in 1972)

Dusty Springfield

Mary Isabel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien began her solo career in 1963 with this awesome soul-tinged pop song which is what I cleaned the kitchen dancing to earlier...

I only want to be with you

http://www.zshare.net/audio/624816650b23f05c/

So found a bit of free time to post (waiting in the doctor surgery illicitly on the crackberry) but its only a bit, Rini is over so not going to do full biog. Look it up. here is a bit more of Dusty if you care to listen....and you probably, definitely should.

 I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself (1964, Bacharach)

http://www.zshare.net/audio/62482484c6e63151/

1968, Spooky

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1akdc_dusty-springfield-spooky_music

and with the pet shop boys.... RICHARD!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.zshare.net/audio/62533467c373bd2f/

I guess that's why...

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x27s6o_elton-john-i-guess-thats-why-they-c_music

 I love this song

Hum along & dance

I can't sleep at all goddamit. Nothing for it but to hum along and dance. First recorded by the Temptations in 1970, for the Psychadelic Shack ablum. It was written by Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield, the latter also producing it for the Temptations, Rare Earth and the Jackson 5 released on their 1973 album, 'G.I.T. - Get It Together'

Hum Along & Dance

http://www.zshare.net/audio/622847809adfdebd/

summery sort of songs for the day

Erm...not really for any reason, just playing them a lot today. Could be that shuffle's stuck. But I haven't made the effort to change it so I'm into it.

Always love this. Right now it reminds me most of a dark pool hall somewhere in LA, exploring with the bear.  Going to all the places that begin with Santa...the Big Sur Drive coming back from San Franciso. Deserted beaches, Carmel and Palm springs... What a way to spend a September... I made so many cds for the drive. As I put them in the car I was told 'If there is a single Radiohead song on any of these they are all going straight in the bin' and 2 weeks in I got hauled out if a casino by my ear in Vegas when all I said was 'I'm going back to the casino now, I know how I can win it all back'... but we managed to stay out there & had a great time...

Robert Palmer

Johnny & Mary

http://www.zshare.net/audio/622718676994c30c/

And it just is! Awesome!!! Last summer when we rediscovered our love for garage, hanging around Surrey... and having Warren sing R Kelly's 'Ignition' is a moment I can still put myself inside of. And bombing it down the motorway with Lisa.

Artful Dodger feat. Craig David

Re-Rewind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owKkSxGT8Ng

http://www.zshare.net/audio/622722925a10a281/

Spain with Ash & Nicola. Yep the personal details getting shorter as I am tempted to get all didactic on you.. Summer in the country. Bluebells & kittens. Or London - dancing with the mop & doing the washing up.

Chris Farlow

Out of Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNyAzuB1-rE

http://www.zshare.net/audio/62272741ed21f567/

No words enough - watch that top note! Sick, Sick, Sick!

Silly Games

Janet Kay

http://www.zshare.net/audio/62273121ce01fcbb/

Here & now. Time to turn the phone back on and travel back up into Smokey. Got to be up early tomorrow.

Sleepwalking

Santo & Johnny

http://www.zshare.net/audio/62273204ec889f5b/

To the edge of a forest...

Is this what you meant?

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. I love thee to the level of everyday's Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. I love thee with a passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to loseWith my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death. really??? Well, you really do have a love of the melodramatic... No Milk Today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClQepFF-Sr0

http://www.zshare.net/audio/622473858d24245c/

Jackson & Debussy & the 4th July

Michael Jackson died on the 25th June and it made me very sad indeed. It was my dream to dance with him and when I was a little, I wanted to marry him. yeah, that wasn't going to happen. I thought he was amazing though. He was a big part of my childhood and I listen to his music all the time even now.

But since the 25th everyone has been playing his music so I am not going to do a blog about him - I don't know if there are many of his songs that noone has heard and enjoyed many times over. I have been quite ill - not so ill as Michael was but ill enough to mar my enjoyment and ability of blogging. But I am going to come back to it.

So Michael's favourite song to perform was apparently Billie Jean. But his favourite songs included Claude Debussy's 'Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun'.  Commonly known by its original French title, Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, it was first performed in Paris on December 22, 1894 conducted by Gustave Doret.

The composition was inspired by the poem L'Après-midi d'un faune by Stéphane Mallarmé, and later formed the basis for a ballet choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky. It is one of Debussy's most famous works and is considered a turning point in the history of music; some even date the awakening of modern music from this score, composer-conductor Pierre Boulez said that "the flute of the faun brought new breath to the art of music."

For he and I and you

http://www.zshare.net/audio/622223329eeac6e4/

I forgot - 4th July. Here is John Denver to celebrate..

http://www.zshare.net/audio/62281537342bf13c/