Frazzled Sunday

I'm still overloading this week, so writing isn't really a priority. Have some lovely Sunday tunes to relax and unwind to. Then pop over to Rol's pages for a whole load more.

Happy Sunday.

Nick Drake - Sunday
Bert Jansch - Fresh As A Sweet Sunday Morning
Nick Heyward - On A Sunday

Sunday Soothers

I've just had a monumentally busy week, the kind of week that leaves you feeling like your brain is melting. The kind of week that leaves you wanting to drift away on a gentle breeze come the weekend. So, as the April sunshine begins to burn away the morning haze I'm contemplating an afternoon in the park just lazing around. Probably won't happen but it's a nice place to be in my head.

And as a soundtrack to that vision here's a few of what may have to become a necessary place to be in the next few months....sunday's soothers.....

XTC - Summer's Cauldron
The Beach Boys - Wouldn't It Be Nice
Robert Wyatt - Sea Song
Lulu - To Sir With Love

Something Soulful

I know next to nothing about this one. Cynthia Sheeler and "I'll Cry Over You".

Cynthia was from New Orleans, the record was on the JB's label; and that's the next to nothing.

Oh and it's lovely.

Anybody have anything more to add I'll be grateful.

Cynthia Sheeler - I'll Cry Over You

Incredible String Band

I've been, and continue to be, very busy at the moment. The clock is ticking down until we meet our new arrival. It's not long now. So posts may start to become sporadic for a little while.

Meanwhile I've developed something of an obsession with The Incredible String Band. The ISB were a psychedelic folk band formed in the late 60s by contemporaries of Bert Jansch and John Martyn. I can't say I've ever heard anything quite like them. Other people have worked in similar areas, but some of this stuff is out there.

Rainbow is from their 1970 album U. U was the recorded version of a stageshow they had been touring and was a double album recorded in just 48 hours. Rainbow itself clocks in at 15 minutes, and is stunning, being about five or six different songs in one, moving from slow delicate piano piece to raucous passionate proclaiming. Far out. Man.

The Incredible String Band - Rainbow

Paul Haig Day

It's Paul Haig Day on the blogs. Go to the good man JC's pages here at the Vinyl Villain for information.


My little tribute to Paul is from a different angle today, because one of my favourite records he was involved in was the collection Memory Palace, a series of recordings made with Billy Mackenzie in the 90s. It's an amazing record, showing that, at the time of recording, both musicians best was still ahead of them. Sadly these recordings didn't see the light of day until after Billy's death.

It's a pretty diverse collection and yet one that hangs together beautifully; electronics next to guitars; moody cold ballads next to uptempo rockers. And the mighty Give Me Time, a Bond theme that never was.

Meanwhile Paul has released a long and interesting series of excellent albums; Cinematique 2 is a particular favourite that gets a regular listen. Please go here to Paul's own record label Rhythm Of Life and investigate immediately!

Happy Monday!

Haig/Mackenzie - Give Me Time
Haig/Mackenzie - Thunderstorm
Haig/Mackenzie - Take A Chance
Haig/Mackenzie - Listen To Me
Haig/Mackenzie - Listen Again

JB's All Stars

Here's The Specials drummer John Bradbury, with his Northern Soul revival band JB's All Stars, on The Tube back in late 83, early 1984. I can remember this performance, but I must admit to forgetting the waistcoats and haircuts...I recommend you close your eyes and just listen! Some great songs and a really quite energetic and exciting performance. JB's All Stars!

All At Sea

There's been something in the air this week; people I know seem to be feeling the same. Like we're all adrift, being taken by the tides. Flotsam and jetsam.

I guess when everything is uncertain you can't plan. It can feel like you don't know where you're going to, not knowing what shore you're going to end up on.

So while we're all lost at sea here's some tunes that sound very nice together, and are providing a suitable soundtrack.

Just remember folks it will all be ok. Even when the map says: "Here Be Dragons"...

The Style Council - It's A Very Deep Sea
Robert Wyatt - Team Spirit
Aztec Camera - Stray

Random Play: Goldfrapp

Goldfrapp's Black Cherry album was a huge album for my wife and me. It pretty much soundtracked our first six months to a year together. It was the only new album I'd bought that year. At the time I was sharing a flat with two other guys. One of them used to borrow it to soundtrack nocturnal visits from ladyfriends. I nearly bought a second copy so I could listen to it at least some of the time.

The big track on there for us was Train. I can recall many occasions when it provided a suitable soundtrack, but by far the funniest was the day after my birthday party that year. A friend had made special cookies as a present. We'd watched people visibly melting under their influence. Strong was not the word. And the wife and I finished them between us. All the while listening to Train on a loop. And then dissolving into hysterical laughter for several hours. All the while listening to Train on a loop. On a loop. On a loop. On a...you get the picture. I laughed so much that day that I couldn't breath, my sides ached so much. And Train? I can still listen to it over and over and over. A brilliant track from one of my most favourite albums.

Goldfrapp - Train