tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933224347664693432024-02-19T11:00:38.606+00:00The Songs That People SingAnd everything I do will be funky from now on....Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.comBlogger235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-48019921487759806022009-09-22T18:50:00.002+01:002009-09-22T18:53:03.002+01:00Moving HouseI'm shifting from Blogger to Wordpress.<br /><br />You can find me here:<br /><br /><a href="http://thesongsthatpeoplesing.wordpress.com/">http://thesongsthatpeoplesing.wordpress.com/</a><br /><br /><br />So make sure you update your links!! Unless of course you don't want to. In which case I'll understand....<br /><br />:)Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-85860324981333003842009-09-10T22:15:00.007+01:002009-09-11T17:37:08.016+01:00Les Petits Visages<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRB2RpKHCBoJ9wcc9l5-dhyvboKlnVkB4JiYSsK6ygsJBHjPXx_GkuljE9jNJuvwu_gLVd0OwLxJVlIQxY1t8Fh6dXg4Zy0WzxHtB0lVC1Wf0xG6P4LlK9wKHxOk4Hg9Gma6h8jIVx5rw/s1600-h/Steve+Marriott.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRB2RpKHCBoJ9wcc9l5-dhyvboKlnVkB4JiYSsK6ygsJBHjPXx_GkuljE9jNJuvwu_gLVd0OwLxJVlIQxY1t8Fh6dXg4Zy0WzxHtB0lVC1Wf0xG6P4LlK9wKHxOk4Hg9Gma6h8jIVx5rw/s400/Steve+Marriott.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379956637586165234" border="0" /></a>Or something.<br /><br />Some blog tennis with those lovely people <a href="http://dusty7s.blogspot.com/2009/09/pop.html">Ally</a> and <a href="http://theghostofelectricity.blogspot.com/2009/09/face-dances.html">Davy</a>.<br /><br />I love those Small Faces guys. Steve Marriot is one of my favourite singers ever, and I just love the sound, that crunchy guitar, the solid but swinging rhythm section, and the Hammond organ. And most of all some of my favourite songs from the 60s. All that fuss over the Beatles or The Stones. I love them, but for me Townshend, Davies and Marriot/Lane are the Top Trumps. I wish somebody would work some of that remaster magic on the Small Faces catalogue.<br /><br />A couple of useless facts. Steve Marriot was born five years later but shared the same birthday as my dear old mum. Who lived next door to the Small Faces in Pimlico. Where I was conceived.<br />Probably a little too much information eh?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?nyk2mkwt3fq">Get Yourself Together</a><br /><a href='http://www.mediafire.com/?jtnint0o4jd'>Tin Soldier</a>Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-75731145597388498562009-09-08T17:41:00.002+01:002009-09-08T17:57:57.710+01:00Somewhere elseWell August came and went. And with it came a fairly big house move; one that took me somewhere else. I've been offline for nearly three weeks as well, thanks to the joys of getting anything done without a computer. <br /><br />I've missed you lot! <br /><br />The move has left me with a journey that is, shall we say, longer than it was previously. Long enough to catch up on books I've had sitting there and to listen to albums in their entirety instead of twenty minute snatches here and there. I'm still trying to work out where I am in the world, and not quite feeling at home yet. But it's good. I've watched the sun rise over fields this week, which is a damn sight better than the early morning faces on the tube I have to say.<br /><br />All is well.<br /><br />However, I've still not unpacked my precious back up drive which has my music on it so there's no tuneage for you today. Just a little hello as we get some unexpected September sunshine.<br /><br />Hello!!Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-39271094234594376292009-08-02T15:02:00.002+01:002009-08-02T15:04:15.910+01:00Guest post by accident....;)For those of you who don't read the comments.... well sometimes you really should, you're missing the best bits......<br /><br />Courtesy of<br /><br /><dl id="comments-block"><dd><span class="item-control"><a style="border: medium none ;" href="https://www.blogger.com/delete-comment.g?blogID=1393322434766469343&postID=7908632185313302728" onclick="" title="Delete Comment"><img style="border: medium none ;" class="icon_delete" src="https://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Delete" /></a></span> </dd><dt id="c8153194689657679551"><div class="profile-image-container"><span dir="ltr"><a href="profile/13590436106154960912" rel="nofollow" onclick=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGVHa4KUte5i8yEBuxHsqVn8GThjxwDfZS84L58PZIo73NetylgDiA7jaEdmBffZOqNJYkUIDZZS1OPgERIqEw4KGj-VSE7XYBbC1E6YJLmzkxa1ZK4fWgNFhsGtcJpZdHHnRZXlZ1Eg/s220/mousehatnew.jpg" class="profile" alt="" title="dickvandyke" onload="'setAttributeOnload(this," width="60" height="60" /></a></span></div> <img src="https://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" class="comment-icon blogger-comment" alt="Blogger" /> <span dir="ltr"><a href="profile/13590436106154960912" rel="nofollow" onclick="">dickvandyke</a></span><br /></dt><dd><p>"Ah Primary School. It was the late 60s for me, but the sentiments remain the same ....<br /><br />The schoolyard. Aged 4. Short pants. Tarmac, trepidation and snot.<br /><br />I remember the obligatory boy with the white patch of sticking plaster over one eye. His hideous black-framed NHS spectacles sat upon his wart-infected ears. My new shoes were rubbing already.<br /><br />The older kids in the corner mischievously sang that summer's bizarre novelty hit, "There Coming To Take Me Away Ha-Haa!" Mum had cut my hair around a basin and I had a lop-sided fringe. I smelled of camomile lotion following the recent spotty Chicken Pox affair. 2lemon bon-bons gathered lint in my pocket.<br /><br />The teachers looked about 55; looking back, they were probably 26! 'Maybe they'll teach me how to become a real Thunderbird?' I wondered. (I had imagination - what more would I need in life?)<br /><br />And the girls. Lots of girls. Mostly pig-tailed, missing their front teeth and ugly as sin; but one or 2 were worryingly pretty. Handstands against the wall with knickers on display. It was all too much! I'd never considered that girls existed before. I had football, a dog and a tortoise - girls had never been necessary.<br /><br />The bell clanged. This was it.<br /><br />"You're a big boy now. These are the best days of your life". (Had I known about God then, I'd have asked him to help me). I so desparately wanted to cry when my mother said goodbye. That wretched stomach through a mangle feeling.<br />She spat on a handkerchief and wiped my grubby face one last time and she was gone.<br /><br />I noticed a pile of freshly steaming sick was being covered by a man with a shovel and a bucket of sawdust. Some boys were still sobbing into their mothers' aprons. My bottom lip wobbled precariously - but I must've somehow realised that future playground pecking order and classroom kudos could not be gained by wailing like a 'puff'.<br /><br />Besides, I'd previously learnt how to be 'mummy's brave soldier' when TV's Andy Pandy show ended, and the heart-wrenching signature tune had played .. "Time to go home, time to go home .. Andy is waving goodbye ... Goodbye".<br /><br />On that very first morning at school, I remember learning 2 important things:<br /><br />Lesson 1 - If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.<br /><br />Lesson 2: Don't sit next to the boy who's shit himself.<br /><br /><br />As I've said before kiddo, you're not alone.<br /><br />Much love."</p></dd></dl>Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-18008350845291820052009-08-01T16:28:00.002+01:002009-08-01T16:58:24.043+01:00London Bridge Is Falling DownI've been looking around myself this past year. So many things have changed as I turned 40, before and after. I'm not looking at the same landscape I was last summer. New arrivals, big changes at work, at home. Friends have left town or are leaving. Other friends are leaving each other. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23726499-details/Fire+destroys+Hoxton+school/article.do">This week my old primary school burnt down.</a> A huge chunk of my life gone. Probably the last marker of my childhood gone. My old part of town has been knocked down and built up so many times. You don't expect bricks and mortar and concrete and glass to be so transient.<br /><br />Anyway I'm sitting here, watching Field Of Dreams, a beautiful film about the past and putting things right, coming to terms with who we are and what we have done. And I'm reminiscing and getting a little blurry.<br /><br />Lets see, what was there going on back then? What do I think of when I was at Primary School? The summer of 76, too hot to sit out in the playground, everyone sticking to the shade, water from the taps being too hot to drink. <br /><br />J, (like a Lloyd Cole song most of the important women through the ages have been inital J...)who was in the same class as me throughout. Looking back over old photos she was a pretty little thing but she grew up to look like her mother. Who looked like a potato.<br /><br />D, my best friend at primary school, whose surname was the same as the first name of my best friend at secondary school. One day I went to knock for him and the flat was empty. He had moved and hadn't told me it was happening.<br /><br />Monkey, with one of the best theme tunes ever, the talk of the playground the monday after.<br /><br />Another D, the school nutter, from a family of nutters. Who for some reason always liked me so I never felt the terror of his presence like some people did. He looked like Paul Weller, which put me off The Jam for a long while. He ended up in prison and came out a preacher.<br /><br />O, who had a huge crush on me and whose brother was in one of the Guy Ritchie movies years later.<br /><br />The Dump, the site of a demolished Victorian tenement, where my little gang congregated on weekends, having wars and reading our treasure trove, a stack of porn that somebody had stolen from a nearby newsagent and thrown over the corrugated iron fence of the Dump to pick up later. A stack that we arrived one Sunday morning to find burning.<br /><br />And Star Wars. Batman (parka hood up, buttoned at the neck). Spiderman. Never being chosen for football. Playing kiss chase one last time on the last day of school. Getting a slap around the face from J because I finally kissed her.<br /><br />And then there's my mum, bringing my sister and me up single handed, with all the things that brought, including my inclusion into the free school meals gang. Getting called a tramp was a quick way for the person doing the name calling to get a punch in the face...<br /><br />London Bridge is falling down but they'll keep building a new one in it's place.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5iUMWy4hqAg&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5iUMWy4hqAg&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-4370114339705210902009-07-20T22:30:00.002+01:002009-07-20T23:04:31.540+01:00Giant Steps etc....Out of all the big events of the 20th Century, the one my mum talked about most was the moon landing. Apparently on that night she held me up to the sky to look at the moon and told me all about the astronauts being up there. I was five months old. And I can just imagine what she'd be telling us about if she was still here!<br /><br />I'm about to step outside and see what I can see now forty years later and then I'm going to tell Alfie all about it!Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-782739955772532152009-07-14T07:08:00.003+01:002009-07-14T07:23:55.233+01:00Still AliveI had a message asking if I was still alive this week. Well, I am!<br /><br />It wasn't swine flu in the end, but it was a particularly nasty infection with some symptoms that were very flu-like. A couple of weeks later and a course of antibiotics and I'm up and running again.<br /><br />Now, I hear you ask, where is the blogging? Where is the music? Well, not really been up to doing much of that lately; in fact I'm not sure what I've even been listening to. It is a blip at the moment though, there's a lot of things going on obviously at home and at work so... and besides which, all my music is on a separate drive and I'm sitting in another room on a laptop. Really can't be bothered to unplug things and replug them. Sigh.<br /><br />I'm hoping things will settle down somewhat in a few weeks. I may be hoping in vain mind you!<br /><br />In other news I've just discovered one of you lot (Mr Planet Mondo himself) is working about thirty yards down the street from where I work. I'm not quite sure whether to buy him a pint or stalk him. :)<br /><br />Anyway, here's a tune I did have to hand, and it's a cracker. One of my most favourite remixes ever, and the moment when suddenly the world joined the dots between eras for me. A real lightbulb moment!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?yvmjhmogtjy">Happy Mondays - WFL (Wrote For Luck) - Vince Clarke mix</a>Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-57843027615707609452009-07-01T11:16:00.003+01:002009-07-01T11:25:54.138+01:00Flying Pigs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlh2h_JK05OxeaWBV7M0mV4CekurMllZ1IaFyvFLCF-9du-BGgxX736I2F0Ztrg3lcDiVtKt3YjZEPEyehuu4XhowadkPOxk_YLowJO-QNXXz8EDWUqjrZjfr9WtrFBmRE88jb3ia4VXM/s1600-h/swine-flu.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlh2h_JK05OxeaWBV7M0mV4CekurMllZ1IaFyvFLCF-9du-BGgxX736I2F0Ztrg3lcDiVtKt3YjZEPEyehuu4XhowadkPOxk_YLowJO-QNXXz8EDWUqjrZjfr9WtrFBmRE88jb3ia4VXM/s400/swine-flu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353435730410997170" border="0" /></a><br />Well, I appear to have flu. And, in a borough of London that has a high Swine Flu count, there is the possibility that I too have become one of the many statistics they quote on the news. I think the last time I became a statistic was when I was unemployed years ago.<br /><br />Anyway, I have to stay at home, to reduce the risk of spreading the disease. And I may be receiving a swab kit in the post so I can be checked out. Only maybe however, they don't have enough to send to every body with possible symptoms.<br /><br />And so, one of my all time favourite bands reforms and plays a gig in London, and I can't go.<br /><br />Damn it.<br /><br />So if I can't go out then I'm going to throw open the windows and turn up the music. A classic little Northern Soul tune, that as far as I'm aware isn't available anywhere right now; full of summer. Enjoy!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?2ynziznyqtn">Ginger Thompson - Boy Watcher</a>Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-43911717169628151802009-06-28T13:20:00.003+01:002009-06-28T13:23:51.259+01:00The Moment: Live!!One of my all time favourite bands, covered in these pages last summer, The Moment, are reformed and playing live in London this Wednesday July 1st, at <a href="http://www.fiddlerselbow.piczo.com/?cr=5">The Fiddlers Elbow</a> in Camden Town. <br /><br />Go to this very page of the blog for details about them and to hear some tracks:<br /><a href="http://thesongsthatpeoplesing.blogspot.com/2008/08/moment.html"><br />http://thesongsthatpeoplesing.blogspot.com/2008/08/moment.html</a><br /><br /><br />Should be a damn fine evening!Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-28403069831843485672009-06-14T02:22:00.004+01:002009-06-14T02:31:02.056+01:00Blow Away The CobwebsI've been in a little bubble for a little while now, months maybe. I'm going to be exposed to the real world on Monday, none of this purified air any longer, only other peoples germs and bad moods. I really do need to find a new walk, a new swagger to deal with this strange new planet I find myself on. But in the meantime the old tunes carry enough weight to lift me up ten feet high.<br /><br />"First lets hear somebody sing me a record that cries pure and true"<br /><br />Deep breathe in, breath out slowly. And relax.<br /><br />Or alternatively, as somebody I know said earlier today:<br /><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message">"Gram of billy and half a bottle of vodka comming right up !!"</h3><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?yecmymznmgz">Dexys Midnight Runners - Let's Make This Precious</a>Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-84170222018931736982009-06-11T10:14:00.003+01:002009-06-11T10:25:33.556+01:00Paternity LeaveJust to let you know, I'm still alive, although I look today like I've gone through a war. Little Alfie is a joy so far, fingers crossed it stays that way!! <br /><br />Music calms him when he is stressed, and gets his full attention when he is calm. Favourites so far include a Lee Perry reworking of an Al Green tune that I'll remember in a moment, and the tinkly tinkly sounds of Doll On A Music Box from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The moment in that when Dick Van Dyke comes in with Truly Scrumptious actually made him visibly shiver! And the soundtracks of John Williams on random play helped me get him to sleep with a bad stomach.<br /><br />In other news: I'm back at work next week, after nearly a month off. The Beautiful Wife and me are still looking at each other with that 'oh shit what have we done' face. <br /><br />And my old iPod nano died a death so I've gone for a proper one. 120 gigs. Already full. And a cabinet of CDs that are nowhere near a computer. I need to do some editing. Two months of music if left to play, without hearing the same song twice. Wonderful Radio Simon.<br /><br />Anyway, I'll be back to something resembling normal service sometime soon!Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-36427323078294809612009-05-25T16:40:00.002+01:002009-05-25T16:47:57.982+01:00Pssst.........The new Madness album The Liberty Of Norton Folgate....it is superb. Easily the best album they've made, but also one of the best 'London' albums I've heard in a while. Cracking songs, including the early doors favourite of mine Sugar And Spice, which is luvverly!<br /><br />Like Adam over <a href="http://pretendinglifeislikeasong.wordpress.com/2009/05/22/london-2/">there</a> I'm not going to post anything from it, because it is really worth your dough.<br /><br />Go and buy!!!!<br /><br />Meanwhile little sunshine is even more luvverly...sigh....Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-75742483731774816122009-05-22T06:27:00.003+01:002009-05-22T06:46:14.626+01:00It's A Boy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_OIUQtIEb7alFGBZiHyCYuBmZRdC0N22ZxcwRTD6Pi1ZtG8kCWXO9CvBDvPnw8W7tPB5jJripNNMa2ROiQ9qhbaDnpS54Qs543d_mXmLdtCMIBmZQsWHOsS1kGckJc36Dvswq6xGU0w/s1600-h/hosp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 327px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_OIUQtIEb7alFGBZiHyCYuBmZRdC0N22ZxcwRTD6Pi1ZtG8kCWXO9CvBDvPnw8W7tPB5jJripNNMa2ROiQ9qhbaDnpS54Qs543d_mXmLdtCMIBmZQsWHOsS1kGckJc36Dvswq6xGU0w/s400/hosp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338516672364477106" border="0" /></a>The drinks are on me. I'm completely blown away. I love my wife so much. And now my little man.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gY7Fh8jdBCc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gY7Fh8jdBCc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-26448029286858971552009-05-12T01:19:00.005+01:002009-05-12T01:39:17.512+01:00Random Play: Sneaker PimpsHere's a tune from the mid 90s, Sneaker Pimps and their major hit 6 Underground. I loved this tune: this version is the album mix, which isn't as concise as the single mix. I think I've about 5 or 6 mixes of this.<br /><br />Looking back over everything the mid 90s might just be my favourite time for music.<br /><br /><br />Meanwhile: a quick rush through the blogs I've had going on in my head that I can't quite be bothered to write or upload for!:<br /><br />ashes to ashes, episode 4 of this series was everything the rest of this series and the first series for that matter should have been: dark and humourous rather than tongue in cheek and strong in story and acting. The rest of Ashes To Ashes feels like a blurry mess compared to this one. "pigbag - papa's got a brand new pigbag" <br /><br />last gang in town: I'm finally coming to terms with the fact that I'll never form the next Clash, I'll never be the next Joe Strummer. Does this mean I'm growing up? Although I'm still convinced I'll be the next Han Solo when they remake Star Wars. "the clash - stay free" <br /><br />40 and frisky. I'm absolutely obsessed with Pokerface by Lady GaGa. Damn fine pop music with a soaring chorus. Even if it does sample Boney M. I never thought I'd still get obsessed with pop music once I was...middle aged. Is middle aged the new teens? "Lady GaGa - Pokerface" <br /><br />I can't quite believe the stories about the MPs and their expenses. Part of me, the cynic isn't surprised. Another part wonders if any of us wouldn't take the option if it was given to us to have our bills paid for us. I worked in the music industry for a few years, and have many friends who still do. Freebies were our lifeblood, mostly because wages were so crappy. And would you say no to free albums or gig tickets? But those freebies weren't paid out of taxpayers pockets. Tax payers who are being told how bad the recession is and could be, by these people who are then claiming for help on <span style="font-style: italic;">second </span>homes and swimming pools and luxury furnishings. But mostly I'm surprised by how many of them really don't look sorry or apologetic: surprise and annoyance is what I'm seeing in most of their faces; surprise that people are angry and annoyance that they may have to give up these perks. Latest news is that some of them might be investigated by the police to see if fraud has occurred, and the possibility of huge tax bills on the horizon is very likely. Which is I guess a way of saying you have to give it back. Wonder where it will end up then? "booker-t & the mgs - hang em high"<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?n1zytwvqtzn">Sneaker Pimps - 6 Underground</a>Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-64044004033036325172009-05-10T13:13:00.002+01:002009-05-10T13:18:52.758+01:00Random Play: Madness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3UP0AbI3PjrX2tPfhlAku5HRo_lr7zpE6DLZnQoOpa0XgK6dQNeOIOFpxziW8SWyv1d1H5dI8gVYTCJKgxYaVrn90zcFkqDnQpoQRQcbJIW0wRaH3nKQB1uNtzYRvNqnVyLFlNqity4/s1600-h/eggs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 364px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3UP0AbI3PjrX2tPfhlAku5HRo_lr7zpE6DLZnQoOpa0XgK6dQNeOIOFpxziW8SWyv1d1H5dI8gVYTCJKgxYaVrn90zcFkqDnQpoQRQcbJIW0wRaH3nKQB1uNtzYRvNqnVyLFlNqity4/s400/eggs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334168618173476354" border="0" /></a>Sunday, scrambled eggs, Joss Whedon's Firefly, toys made out of socks, good coffee and a hint of sunshine through the blinds. <br /><br />And some Madness best played loud.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?kix4jjamhhl">Madness - On The Beat Pete</a>Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-16518944996959413822009-05-08T14:36:00.003+01:002009-05-08T14:42:58.213+01:00Random Play: Generation XGeneration X's version of Shaking All Over today; a fantastic song and Gen X do it justice. In fact Billy Idol was probably born to perform it and it's filled with some great guitar work too. All of which go together to make it one of my favourite cover versions, and certainly my favourite Gen X performance.<br /><br />Meanwhile in other news: all my plans for the week have been left by the wayside. A week bookended by 'false labour' has left us feeling absolutely knackered. Strangely calm however.<br /><br />Very exciting!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?5m3u2kimylm">Generation X - Shaking All Over</a>Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-77364862647253696522009-05-03T09:02:00.002+01:002009-05-03T09:07:47.948+01:00Relax<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWgV_gfz_GPCQF1DXfxA5qTicYlppmGyGRjvuv1vXE_C1tlD1ZU6kD8q5QAOlqbdV9Ru7DZz0qIrkIv1QjtDjvZOAbDl1s74_hzezNPfg-b0JVZMoCsKK61F4F2FwOy2njt7PoVj5BUU/s1600-h/blue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWgV_gfz_GPCQF1DXfxA5qTicYlppmGyGRjvuv1vXE_C1tlD1ZU6kD8q5QAOlqbdV9Ru7DZz0qIrkIv1QjtDjvZOAbDl1s74_hzezNPfg-b0JVZMoCsKK61F4F2FwOy2njt7PoVj5BUU/s400/blue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331506317106554258" border="0" /></a>Bank Holiday Weekend. Now we're into May the clock is ticking. I'm finding that I'm actually quite calm, but I can't really focus on anything, hence the lack of posts this week, even though the frazzled mind of the previous weeks has relaxed.<br /><br />Musically I'm exploring the pastoral side of pop, lots of relaxing sounds. Although I'm punctuating that with some spiky punk. More on that later on the week. In the meantime sit back and enjoy some Young Marble Giants and their wonderful Wurlitzer Jukebox.<br /><br />Heading to the pub for Sunday roast later, which will be nice. Remember, take time to enjoy the weekend, whatever you're doing. Be careful out there!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?2mwxmgtdzyh">Young Marble Giants - Wurlitzer Jukebox</a>Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-50952024784907462672009-04-26T10:00:00.002+01:002009-04-26T10:04:34.359+01:00Frazzled Sunday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmLHjW5WI6yywP9tEIu34KtkuMxsmhf_DORTeFjFOUdidoHF5CseHhnB54C8g1JAIKrEkxaOGs3HtkGLpUe6H64M_dmEDA8I35DcIE1vPG4gyalnbZIeKP66LDXa9vqjyWhPn5Lcx3g8/s1600-h/dinner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmLHjW5WI6yywP9tEIu34KtkuMxsmhf_DORTeFjFOUdidoHF5CseHhnB54C8g1JAIKrEkxaOGs3HtkGLpUe6H64M_dmEDA8I35DcIE1vPG4gyalnbZIeKP66LDXa9vqjyWhPn5Lcx3g8/s400/dinner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328923391021183522" border="0" /></a><br />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 <a href="http://rolhirst.blogspot.com/">Rol's pages</a> for a whole load more.<br /><br />Happy Sunday.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?lzyxo4m0m11">Nick Drake - Sunday</a><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?zmmaandjnmm">Bert Jansch - Fresh As A Sweet Sunday Morning</a><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?mdmqemkyojj">Nick Heyward - On A Sunday</a>Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-53193405384389827302009-04-19T10:02:00.004+01:002009-04-19T10:11:03.040+01:00Sunday Soothers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrQqYfriGZJpWicqGeuKnzTempGAgETKoM7PBVrO35YBot5Htck-Z5H_bEYtT6X4-AZcVFhtbF77CcpHv-ZISg1PnsTRJ1d1LzR662iYcIbuU9kGraURyKXF04QlWHDLEuCA5Y3xCTic/s1600-h/cat_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrQqYfriGZJpWicqGeuKnzTempGAgETKoM7PBVrO35YBot5Htck-Z5H_bEYtT6X4-AZcVFhtbF77CcpHv-ZISg1PnsTRJ1d1LzR662iYcIbuU9kGraURyKXF04QlWHDLEuCA5Y3xCTic/s400/cat_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326327000417615218" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br />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.....<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?nyavozvidjg">XTC - Summer's Cauldron</a><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?zmhtbjy4wjg">The Beach Boys - Wouldn't It Be Nice</a><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?wzymtzydky1">Robert Wyatt - Sea Song</a><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?myng5mnmgyz">Lulu - To Sir With Love</a>Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-70491718408288249512009-04-14T07:17:00.003+01:002009-04-14T07:40:15.716+01:00Something SoulfulI know next to nothing about this one. Cynthia Sheeler and "I'll Cry Over You".<br /><br />Cynthia was from New Orleans, the record was on the JB's label; and that's the next to nothing.<br /><br />Oh and it's lovely.<br /><br />Anybody have anything more to add I'll be grateful.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?ttntyywfjiz">Cynthia Sheeler - I'll Cry Over You</a>Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-21386347927183103202009-04-13T10:34:00.003+01:002009-04-13T10:48:30.914+01:00Incredible String Band<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvO2agppGOkjsITnyU3GfALPDcf7zPuGJWJOkw0krcq8xF75-Ks0pS5ZeREezoUra-aIVQowxny6gNRFZm1cGfxtptIwc_xlSFEqfFCwtHJqJYHmCz9y2KtksfYe2mDbXihHERwYAcPcM/s1600-h/IMG_0098.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvO2agppGOkjsITnyU3GfALPDcf7zPuGJWJOkw0krcq8xF75-Ks0pS5ZeREezoUra-aIVQowxny6gNRFZm1cGfxtptIwc_xlSFEqfFCwtHJqJYHmCz9y2KtksfYe2mDbXihHERwYAcPcM/s400/IMG_0098.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324110519132685906" border="0" /></a>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.<br /><br />Meanwhile I've developed something of an obsession with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Incredible_String_Band">The Incredible String Band</a>. 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.<br /><br />Rainbow is from their <a href="http://www.richieunterberger.com/isb.html">1970 album U</a>. 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.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?jgkuyld43tz">The Incredible String Band - Rainbow</a>Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-9978751488725157672009-04-06T07:55:00.003+01:002009-04-06T08:30:30.498+01:00Paul Haig Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKsJHWF0WhS9ZYPIuuBs-7NDCDgeyKGSLRTN_bdY9eJIiHzqAXpvL3jDCDtkY20tKj_kPlZIi5hzZVDlzk7s_TLnI6c8nL_ALLVeaSOldyyC7AN-zNR8xKB55dfrlI31kWjXSeRVd4rk/s1600-h/ph.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKsJHWF0WhS9ZYPIuuBs-7NDCDgeyKGSLRTN_bdY9eJIiHzqAXpvL3jDCDtkY20tKj_kPlZIi5hzZVDlzk7s_TLnI6c8nL_ALLVeaSOldyyC7AN-zNR8xKB55dfrlI31kWjXSeRVd4rk/s400/ph.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321476651306824194" border="0" /></a>It's Paul Haig Day on the blogs. Go to the good man JC's pages <a href="http://thevinylvillain.blogspot.com/2009/03/is-it-safe-to-come-out-yet.html">here</a> at the Vinyl Villain for information.<br /><br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqw5wEI4j8iBG7LtgCPpHfD21Y7OtU5rP8n-R7D1iCbG1e2E_XrTdLstsFqg_n25X3pMJeriK5j-dLogWllq7OSs2K3ytXGaxCZMmRt503grWSlI3MKTk0LGPNn7T_GNnfnt5Qmz1ME4/s1600-h/phbm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqw5wEI4j8iBG7LtgCPpHfD21Y7OtU5rP8n-R7D1iCbG1e2E_XrTdLstsFqg_n25X3pMJeriK5j-dLogWllq7OSs2K3ytXGaxCZMmRt503grWSlI3MKTk0LGPNn7T_GNnfnt5Qmz1ME4/s400/phbm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321476741669811474" border="0" /></a>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.<br /><br />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 <a href="http://www.rolinc.co.uk/rolcds.html">here</a> to Paul's own record label Rhythm Of Life and investigate immediately!<br /><br />Happy Monday!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?lmfmmw5uee5">Haig/Mackenzie - Give Me Time</a><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?1y3ymnqmdcm">Haig/Mackenzie - Thunderstorm</a><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?zwmjc3btyxz">Haig/Mackenzie - Take A Chance</a><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?nifjjo0nz5h">Haig/Mackenzie - Listen To Me</a><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?mn2ojqtzgyy">Haig/Mackenzie - Listen Again</a>Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-417473610223651162009-04-05T17:33:00.002+01:002009-04-05T17:36:42.092+01:00JB's All StarsHere'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!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IdnLpHSknZU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IdnLpHSknZU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-55609495771853062672009-04-02T22:05:00.002+01:002009-04-02T22:16:25.861+01:00All At Sea<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL34mLLABk7hGapspngcn4AFWanKQqwumSiHFec5fLNRJWYRYY_t2SgRh_L45gIdB8qnNvhvCRZU4a-81WwsfuakE4xkCz3L8mXzMSCfrystj_Xc_z8sos9UNLOUlxVS4U_vtObVkxmkw/s1600-h/stormy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL34mLLABk7hGapspngcn4AFWanKQqwumSiHFec5fLNRJWYRYY_t2SgRh_L45gIdB8qnNvhvCRZU4a-81WwsfuakE4xkCz3L8mXzMSCfrystj_Xc_z8sos9UNLOUlxVS4U_vtObVkxmkw/s400/stormy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320205925721212962" border="0" /></a>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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />So while we're all lost at sea here's some tunes that sound very nice together, and are providing a suitable soundtrack.<br /><br />Just remember folks it will all be ok. Even when the map says: "Here Be Dragons"...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?zuwjzuinmzy">The Style Council - It's A Very Deep Sea</a><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?5nj1j0tymoz">Robert Wyatt - Team Spirit</a><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?znimuyrn5nz">Aztec Camera - Stray</a>Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1393322434766469343.post-88041636968867369772009-04-01T00:08:00.002+01:002009-04-01T00:20:25.066+01:00Random Play: Goldfrapp<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPDpQ0qpgi3LhYERBg1mq1cWlXynkbUkQboJsWbTlslCQjkGqrqka2UVaPeyFFq3-TOPu8_BUTL1pvqFRW0EXsowdBmkHiQUDYMKIAJW4IyhZ8Twk4xIZ1uAtn_-gNv1jCOZW9BHBmJE/s1600-h/train.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPDpQ0qpgi3LhYERBg1mq1cWlXynkbUkQboJsWbTlslCQjkGqrqka2UVaPeyFFq3-TOPu8_BUTL1pvqFRW0EXsowdBmkHiQUDYMKIAJW4IyhZ8Twk4xIZ1uAtn_-gNv1jCOZW9BHBmJE/s400/train.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319495752319355074" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?zlh0yxunjjy">Goldfrapp - Train</a>Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05163017415448622471noreply@blogger.com4