JOHN, PAUL, GEORGE & RINGO

I was never a fan.

My teenage years coincided with punk/new wave and it wasn't just the fact that The Clash had derogatory lyrics about them. They just seemed so old-fashioned..

I had a few mates at school who were big fans - one bloke in particular did his best to look and sound like John Lennon, even to the extent of adopting a fake Liverpudlian accent.

Honestly, I have tried listening to their stuff, and I know without them, we wouldn't have got so much of what we listen to nowadays. Yes, I fully accept that Lennon & McCartney wrote some cracking songs, some of which have found their way into my collection via various covers.

But I just don't get it......

Am I alone?

mp3 : John Cooper Clarke - I Married A Monster From Outer Space
mp3 : Paul Quinn - Ain't That Always The Way
mp3 : George Pringle - I'm Very Scared Buster
mp3 : Ringo Deathstar - Some Kind Of Sad
mp3 : Oasis - Whatever

Happy Listening.

COMPUTER LOVE

I'm using as much time as possible this weekend to try and re-load some 20,000 music files from the back-up drive back onto my PC....but am discovering that it's taking far longer than I would like. It's a task that's also giving me a form of Repetitive Strain Injury......

So I still don't really have the time to sit and crochet a few half decent cliches to go with any tunes that I throw up for your enjoyment.

I thought some of you might enjoy another listen to this effort from 1990 - one of only two singles by The Pixies to crack the Top 30 in the UK. Oh and I reckon the posting is worth it alone for one of the additional tracks on the CD single, given that it features a rare solo vocal from Kim Deal. Oh and given its also a cracking cover of a Neil Young track, well I think I'm entitled to think I'm sort of spoiling you all rotten today.....

mp3 : The Pixies - Velouria
mp3 : The Pixies - Make Believe
mp3 : The Pixies - I've Been Waiting For You
mp3 : The Pixies - The Thing

Happy Listening

FRIDAY I'M IN LOVE....WITH MORRISSEY (Part 1)

Yet another series is launched at TVV....and the intention for the next few Fridays (not sure yet just how many), is to focus on songs recorded by Stephen (sic)Patrick Morrissey since he embarked on his solo career back in 1988.

Thus far, not including compilations, he's graced us with 8 studio LPs, 2 live albums and 38 singles.

Today's offering dates from 1995 when the great man had just moved to RCA Records after seven years with EMI. After the critical and commercial success of Vauxhall and I in 1994 in which the demons of the past including accusations of racism had been almost wiped out, the content of follow-up LP Southpaw Grammar baffled many fans.

It contained just 8 tracks in total, of which two were more than 10 minutes in length and a huge departure from anything else he'd done in his solo career. It was an album cover that did not feature a photograph of Morrissey - again this was a departure from anything else thus far in the solo career, albeit the single Boxers, his final record for EMI at the beginning of 1995, had also not featured the singer on the cover.

Southpaw Grammar was released at the end of August 1995 and received a critical panning, although it sold well enough with long-time fans to reach #4 in the UK charts. Having said that, I wonder just how many, like myself, played it a couple of times and then quietly filed it away on the shelf.....

Two singles were taken from the LP. The first was Dagenham Dave, which appeared some 7 days in advance of the album (it too had a non-Morrissey sleeve).

The second single was The Boy Racer which came out some three months later. Given the time gap between the two singles, and the fact that Morrissey appears on the sleeve of one of the two CDs that were issued, I'm making an educated guess that it was an effort by the singer and his label to try and generate some fresh interest in the LP.

It was a ploy that failed, as the single got next to no airplay and barely dented the Top 40.

The lack of new songs for the b-sides didn't help either - all that was on offer were live recordings from a London gig in February 1995.

It's a bit of a shame as The Boy Racer, while by no means the greatest thing ever recorded, is a reasonable single that was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's certainly the most accessible bit of music on the parent album.

But if there's one thing it did highlight, it was that Morrissey's performances of songs by his old band left you pining for Johnny Marr:-

mp3 : Morrissey - The Boy Racer
mp3 : Morrissey - London (live)
mp3 : Morrissey - Billy Budd (live)
mp3 : Morrissey - Spring-Heeled Jim (live)
mp3 : Morrissey - Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself (live)

Happy Listening.

THAT'LL TEACH ME TO GO ON HOLIDAY

It inevitably happens.

You decide to book a holiday, and then shortly before you head off, when its far too late to change your plans or arrangements, something truly historical emerges that you want so much to be part of but just cant.

It happened to me back in 1994 when my football (or soccer as it's known to my Thanksgiving celebrating friends from over the pond) team Raith Rovers reached the final of major Scottish cup competition - a trophy they went on to take thanks to a major upset win over the famous Celtic - when I just couldn't get out of a long-arranged holiday to Antigua. Still celebrated mind you....

And it happened again just last weekend when the original members of Orange Juice got together for the first time in more than 25 years to collect an award at a music ceremony in Glasgow - by the time I knew this was happening, I was committed to a week away with Mrs V in Madeira.

There was a big rumour going around in local parts that the band were in fact reforming to play some songs on the night, but given Edwyn's illness, I always thought this notion was fanciful - and from a purely selfish point of view, it turns out I was right.

Mind you, I still would have liked to somehow blag my way into the event just to see such a momentous gathering, but I can console myself with the fact that if I had done so, I would have had the dubious pleasure of being entertained by those who did perform.....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7744604.stm

So its very unlikely that Orange Juice will ever reform, and that the only way to hear some of their songs in a live setting is when Edwyn performs them, or perhaps some new bands decide to have a stab at a cover or two. In the meantime, I'm happy to offer up somethings for which we can all be truly thankful:-

mp3 : Orange Juice - Falling And Laughing
mp3 : Orange Juice - Blue Boy
mp3 : Orange Juice - Simply Thrilled Honey
mp3 : Orange Juice - Pour Old Soul (Part 1)

Four singles, released on Postcard Records between February 1980 and March 1981.

Happy Listening.

A BONUS VIDEO CLIP

RODDY FRAME performing HOW MEN ARE

(with apologies for missing the opening two seconds.....)

And if you fancy purchasing some Roddy Frame studio and live LPs, just click here and get spending.

GIG REVIEW : RODDY FRAME : GLASGOW ORAN MOR : MONDAY 10th NOVEMBER 2008

RODDY FRAME performing WE COULD SEND LETTERS

This is a hard one to call. This gig came hard on the heels of a truly memorable night spent watching the 74 year old Leonard Cohen spend more than two and a half hours on stage playing just about everything you could have wished for during the set (there's a full review in the pipeline....). It was always going to be a near impossible task for anyone to top that particular night, even for someone as talented and lovable as Roddy Frame.

On the night, I had the great fortune to bump into, for the first but hopefully not last time in my life, Drew Wingate - someone who has been a regular contributor to TVV via the comments section. I asked Drew if he fancied doing something with a bit more depth - for instance a gig review - and to his credit, he penned the following and sent it over within 24 hours:-

Disclaimer - Before I start I should state that this review may be biased as I do tend to hero worship Roddy Frame.

What is there to be said about Roddy Frame that has not been said before, a lot actually, as he has never been given the credit, in my opinion, from the music press that he deserves for either his musical ability or his skill as a lyricist, however this can be discussed later.

I arrived just before the end of the support act, whose name I cannot remember and made my way to quite near the front., where I met your blog host JC, recognised from the "sideshow Bob" post a few months back and Richard the lucky ticket winner. After introductions and being joined by another 2 of JC’s mates I eagerly awaited Mr Frame’s presence on the stage, an all too infrequent occurrence for my liking.

This was the singer’s second night at Oran Mor and from the off he seemed to be enjoying himself. From the moment he took the stage the banter between crowd and artist started and kept up throughout, giving the sold-out gig a relaxed and more intimate feel than I have encountered before in the venue. We were informed that somebody had walked from Dundee, some one else was from San Francisco and another was trying to complete a jigsaw! This interplay between audience and performer was a breath of fresh air to me, as 2 of the last gigs that I have been at were The Fall and Spiritualized, great gigs but audience acknowledgement at both consisted of a wave at the end of the gig.

I will not list the set, as frankly I cannot remember the running order and just got caught up in the music as I had no intention of reviewing it (thanks JC for the opportunity). The songs spanned the whole of Frame’s career, all 27 years, Aztec Camera and solo incarnations and the singer looks no older than he did in the late 80’s. Only one new song - which is disappointing as it doesn’t auger well for any new material anytime soon. Personal favourites of the evening were Reason for Living, Black Lucia, Bigger Brighter Better and of course Down the Dip, The Boy Wonders & Birth of the True. The thing that always strikes me when I see Frame live is the wonderful and at times almost virtuoso guitar playing which does not always come over on either the studio or live albums for some reason. All in all it was a near perfect performance, my only gripe being at 1 ½ hrs it was over far too quickly, then again he could have performed for 3 hrs and I would still have wanted more.

If you don’t have either of Roddy Frame’s live cds I recommend that you sort yourself out and buy one if not both immediately.

So there you have it from the fingertips of an obsessive. I thought it was a very good night - the man was in great voice (at times if you closed your eyes it could easily have been 1983...) and his guitar playing was, as ever, exceptional. I was pleasantly surprised that he was so comfortable chatting away to members of the audience and I couldn't really fault the set particularly given that we got so many tracks from High Land, Hard Rain towards the end. My own personal favourite can be seen in the accompanying clip....

My grumble is that, having seen Leonard Cohen just five days earlier give such a long set, it was slightly disappointing that Roddy did what so many other performers seem to do nowadays and that's play for around 90 minutes and call it a day, even when they have the audience eating out of their palms and desperate for even just a couple more songs up to the curfew time. But then again (and this was a point that only hit me when I was thinking about it on holiday), Leonard Cohen could switch off somewhat every now and again and leave his band or backing singers to take the lead for a few minutes, whereas this was Roddy with just his guitar for company, so he did probably work as hard as the old fella had done.

mp3 : Roddy Frame - Your Smile Has Stopped The Hands Of Time

Happy Listening (and viewing).

PS : This all goes out to the lovely Greer from A Sweet Unrest who is desperate for Roddy to play a gig anywhere in California....

NO TIME AT ALL

Well, that's been a full three weeks since my PC went on the blink and this is really the first occasion that I've had to do a decent posting. At least it should have been, except it was a struggle to get out of bed in a city where the temperature is around 4 degrees when I've just spent a week where it was consistently between 18 and 20 degrees. In other words, I'm running late.

So much has happened and I do promise I'll get round to writing about some of these things in the days ahead. I suppose I should begin my passing on my congratulations to the people of the USA for the outcome of their presidential vote (yup....its been that long since I last put together an original post!!). I know that loads of my favourite American-based bloggers have had plenty to say about it all, and I promise also that I'll get round to reading it all and throwing in my tuppence worth in the comments sections, albeit weeks too late. Just think of it being like the old days when we all relied on the mail service before the invention of aeroplanes.....when it was common for views, opinions and reactions to be three or four weeks behind the times.

For now, this little tune from the late 70s seems kind of appropriate:-

mp3 : Sparks - Beat The Clock

A little bit of evidence that even back then I did sometimes buy records that were not just boys with guitars.

Happy Listening.

THE HOLIDAY SERIES (Part 7)

I'll not bore anyone with the usual intro for this series.

My favourite all time single, as recounted here in the 45 45s at 45 series is Temptation by New Order.

It's inclusion meant that no other 45 by New Order could be considered. If the rules had been different, this would have been #2 in the rundown:-

mp3 : New Order - Ceremony
mp3 : New Order - In A Lonely Place

Both the single and b-side are Joy Division songs that were never released during the recording career of that band. The version I'm sharing is the one that was came out in March 1981, and was recorded by the three remaining members of Joy Division. It was later re-recorded with the inclusion of Gillian Gilbert on keyboards and released as a 12" single with a cream and blue cover.

Both mp3s are taken from the 7" vinyl version, complete with scratches and all. It's one of only five or six singles that I have from that era - it survived the great 7" singles disaster of the mid 80s (as recounted here) - as, for some reason, it was tucked inside my copy of Blue Monday....

Incidentally, although the a-sides are identical on the 7" and 12", the b-side is some 2 minutes shorter on the 7" (read here for more info).

Happy Listening.

Normal service should be resumed tomorrow.

THE HOLIDAY SERIES (Part 6)

Off for a quick break in the warmth and hopefully the sun on the island of Madeira. It's only for 7 nights, and rather than let TVV slide off your radars altogether, I'm pre-recording some postings looking back at singles that could have made it in the 45 45s at 45 series.

Those of you who followed that hugely self-indulgent exercise will know that with a rule of one song per act, it was sometimes a very close call which particular 45 went forward from a singer or band. And this short series will look at some of those that hit the crossbar....

The #15 song in the rundown was Going Underground. But it could just as easily have been this:-

mp3 : The Jam - Down In The Tube Station At Midnight
mp3 : The Jam - So Sad About Us
mp3 : The Jam - The Night

When I look back at the 45s series, I am still surprised that The Jam only came in at #15 given that I'll always have them in a Top 5 of all-time favourite bands. As I've recounted on many an occasion, they were the first band that I ever really got passionate about and the were also the first to have me camp out overnight outside the Glasgow Apollo to ensure I got tickets for gigs.

It was a very close run thing between this and Going Underground as Tube Station was the song that I reckon took The Jam from being just another post-punk band into something truly special. It's also a song that made me shit-scared on ever wanting to venture onto the public transport system in London.....and indeed when I eventually made my first ever trip to London in 1983, I was still nervous about the underground as I thought I was a certainty to get mugged. But I soon got over that, and indeed on my second venture down to the capital, I insisted on actually being down in a tube station at midnight in memory of this great song (Leicester Square on the Piccadilly line if memory serves me correctly).

Happy Listening

THE HOLIDAY SERIES (Part 5)

Off for a quick break in the warmth and hopefully the sun on the island of Madeira. It's only for 7 nights, and rather than let TVV slide off your radars altogether, I'm pre-recording some postings looking back at singles that could have made it in the 45 45s at 45 series.

Those of you who followed that hugely self-indulgent exercise will know that with a rule of one song per act, it was sometimes a very close call which particular 45 went forward from a singer or band. And this short series will look at some of those that hit the crossbar....

The #8 song in the rundown was Kennedy. But it could just as easily have been this:-

mp3 : The Wedding Present - Corduroy
mp3 : The Wedding Present - Crawl
mp3 : The Wedding Present - Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)

When I posted Kennedy in the 45s series, I said:-

'Incidentally, if this series didn’t have the restriction of one song by one act, there would have been at least another 4 TWP singles right in there...'

As it is, I'll just share the 3 Songs EP from 1990, which features a remix of one of the tracks from the Seamonsters LP, along with a great original track that could easily have been the single, as well as one of the many famous cover versions that the band have churned out over the course of their career.

Happy Listening

PS : There won't be any posting tomorrow (Saturday), but if you're enjoying all of this, Parts 6 and 7 will appear on Sunday & Monday, and all being well normal service will be resumed on Tuesday...

THE HOLIDAY SERIES (Part 4)

Off for a quick break in the warmth and hopefully the sun on the island of Madeira. It's only for 7 nights, and rather than let TVV slide off your radars altogether, I'm pre-recording some postings looking back at singles that could have made it in the 45 45s at 45 series.

Those of you who followed that hugely self-indulgent exercise will know that with a rule of one song per act, it was sometimes a very close call which particular 45 went forward from a singer or band. And this short series will look at some of those that hit the crossbar....

The #7 song in the rundown was Hand In Glove. But it could just as easily have been this:-

mp3 : The Smiths - Bigmouth Strikes Again
mp3 : The Smiths - Money Changes Everything

I don't think about it every day, but when i do, I reckon I change my mind about what my favourite single by The Smiths actually is. The main reason Hand In Glove won out for the rundown is that it was the first and also the opening song of the first Smiths gig I ever went to.

And its been a near impossible task to plump for my second favourite 45 by Morrissey, Marr, Rourke and Joyce. But ultimately, I've gone for the one that was their last hurrah as a cult band....for it was the release of the LP The Queen Is Dead that really propelled the band out of the student bedsits.

I base that statement on the fact that after an early initial burst of singles success, Bigmouth Strikes Again was the fourth successive 45 that peaked around the #30 mark (the others had been Shakespeare's Sister, That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore and The Boy With The Thorn In His Side). But the critical acclaim heaped upon The Queen is Dead transformed things, and the band's next five singles (Panic, Ask, Shoplifters of The World Unite, Sheila Take A Bow and Girlfriend In A Coma) all went Top 20.

And don't anyone dare argue that any of those particular singles are better than Bigmouth with its distinctive acoustic opening, one of Mozza's funniest and best lyrics, great drumming and guitar work, and let's not forget the near flawless production.

Happy Memories.

Happy Listening.

THE HOLIDAY SERIES (Part 3)

Off for a quick break in the warmth and hopefully the sun on the island of Madeira. It's only for 7 nights, and rather than let TVV slide off your radars altogether, I'm pre-recording some postings looking back at singles that could have made it in the 45 45s at 45 series.

Those of you who followed that hugely self-indulgent exercise will know that with a rule of one song per act, it was sometimes a very close call which particular 45 went forward from a singer or band. And this short series will look at some of those that hit the crossbar....

The #23 song in the rundown was Into The Valley. But it could just as easily have been this:-

mp3 : The Skids - Working For The Yankee Dollar
mp3 : The Skids - Vanguard's Crusade

Actually, I've been a bit disingenuous suggesting this might have made#23 in the rundown. The fact is that Into the Valley got such a high chart position partly because it is a great song, but also because of its impact on me as a teenager seeking his own sense of identity.

If I had gone for Working For The Yankee Dollar as the song by The Skids, it might have just about scraped into the Top 40. But it's still a fantastic and exciting few minutes of fantastic plastic - and it was the third and final Top 20 single for the band in December 1979.

Happy Listening.

THE HOLIDAY SERIES (Part 2)

Off for a quick break in the warmth and hopefully the sun on the island of Madeira. It's only for 7 nights, and rather than let TVV slide off your radars altogether, I'm pre-recording some postings looking back at singles that could have made it in the 45 45s at 45 series.

Those of you who followed that hugely self-indulgent exercise will know that with a rule of one song per act, it was sometimes a very close call which particular 45 went forward from a singer or band. And this short series will look at some of those that hit the crossbar....

The #34 song in the rundown was Heart. But it could just as easily have been this:-

mp3 : Pet Shop Boys - Can Your Forgive Her?
mp3 : Pet Shop Boys - Hey Headmaster

Those who are quick to dismiss Pet Shop Boys as nothing more than a simple gay-disco act have got it all wrong. I reckon they're about as great a singles act as has ever been, and not just in my lifetime, and they confounded everyone when they started performing live on stage with a truly groundbreaking and breathtaking show that set new standards.

And some of the lyrics penned by Neil Tennant (e.g Rent) are as poetical and beautiful as anything that the great singer/songwriters armed with an acoustic guitar have ever produced.
The single shared with you today tells the tale of a man, refusing to accept his gay tendencies and finding himself trapped inside a loveless, useless and cruel marriage and continually being mocked by his wife....a plot that is used time and time again by soap operas.

It dates from 1993, is a great bit of and turned into their 13th Top Ten hit in the UK. The b-side is also a belter of a song....with a lyric Morrissey himself might have penned, or at the very least inspired:-

Hey, headmaster, what's the matter with you?
Why you always so serious? Why so blue?
All the kids in the school have seen you
being patient with the boys who fool you
when you used to hit them with your ruler
so independent too

Hey, headmaster, what's the matter with you?
There's a crisis rumoured in the school
The boys have cut their hair short to look cool
Examination time is drawing near
Disintegration of the football team
No one seems to want to play for real
in classroom, club or pool

Hey, headmaster, what you gonna do?
There's an invitation in the post
to a reading party on the coast
Pack your bags up, you old bibliophile
Get together with your friends
who will give you time to think and time to kill
with independent hosts

Hey, headmaster, aren't you gonna go?
Hey, headmaster, aren't you gonna go?

Happy Listening

THE HOLIDAY SERIES (Part 1)

Off for a quick break in the warmth and hopefully the sun on the island of Madeira. It's only for 7 nights, and rather than let TVV slide off your radars altogether, I'm pre-recording some postings looking back at singles that could have made it in the 45 45s at 45 series.

Those of you who followed that hugely self-indulgent exercise will know that with a rule of one song per act, it was sometimes a very close call which particular 45 went forward from a singer or band. And this short series will look at some of those that hit the crossbar....

The #9 song in the rundown was Party Fears Two. But it could just as easily have been this:-

mp3 : Associates - Club Country
mp3 : Associates - A.G. It's You Again

I'm not ashamed to repeat what I said back in June with the Party Fears Two posting.

There’s just something about Associates and Billy MacKenzie that makes people get all nostalgic and proud that they and he came from Scotland. When the band seemingly burst onto the scene out of nowhere in 1982, it was with songs that were genuinely unlike anything else you had ever heard. Even all these years later, the stuff still sounds incredibly vibrant, fresh and unique, and very difficult to categorise. It’s just so much easier to have a listen...

And if you do lend an ear, you'll find its the 12" version of the single I'm sharing with you as the 7" is long gone. For the record, Club Country was the follow-up to Party Fears Two and it reached #13 in the UK singles chart in 1982.

Happy Listening.

FANCY GETTING ON A GUEST LIST?

I've already mentioned the above gig that's being promoted by Mike from over at Manic Pop Thrills.

I'd be going along if I wasnt on holiday, but that didnt stop me buying a couple of tickets which are now available to anyone who wants them.

All you have to do is drop an e-mail to Mike. His contact details can be found here, and he'll arrange for two lucky folk to get themselves on the guest list.

Go on. You Know You Want To.

THE MILKMAN OF HUMAN KINDNESS (...and his better half)

It was the best part of 12 days ago that something real nasty happened to my PC that required it to be sent away to someone who knows about these things. I was told that I'd be without it for a week....but it took a lot longer. And when it did come back, everything that had been stored on the hard drive was gone.....

Luckily, I do keep all of the music files on a back-up external drive, and I'll spend most of the rest of today restoring things.

Even more luckily, I've a great friend out there who averted disaster in respect of this particular piece of work by, at very short notice, stepping in to keep things ticking over in my absence.

In fact, 'ticking over' is a great disservice to the quality of postings and tunes that have appeared here over the past week and a bit courtesy of Ctel and Mrs Ctel. If they had merely stepped up to the plate with a couple of lines and the odd song, I'd have been delighted. Instead, they put a lot of thought and love into each posting - selecting songs that fitted in perfectly alongside the usual stuff you find in here - so much so that I even had the thought that I should ask the PC surgeon to delay his work just so that you can continue to be regally entertained....

But no, I'm going try and get things back to normal ASAP, although even that's going to be complicated....so if you want your ctel fix, you're just going to have to make your way over to his own place - Acid Ted.

The thing is, that tomorrow I go off on holiday for a week, and in time-honoured fashion, will have a series of related posts written in advance to ensure there's something to read and listen to every day. That means a number of posts that I've been meaning to do - including reviews of recent gigs by Leonard Cohen and Roddy Frame - will need to remain on hold for a while longer. It is likely to be almost December before some sort of normality returns here.

For now, I really do just want to say the very biggest thank you to the Ctels. I did get by with more than a little help from my mates.....

mp3 : The Wannadies - Friends

PS

I haven't been able to do more than read e-mails on my works PC this past while - those of you who have dropped me a line with some requests for songs will have to be extra patient. Sorry.

PPS

Mike at Manic Pop Thrills is promoting his first ever gig later this week. It's on Friday 21st November in Dundee, and will be headlined by the ever excellent De Rosa. It's a bargain at just £4 a ticket, and if you're from that part of the world, then I do insist you go along. More details here.

PPPS

Without my PC, this has felt like my theme tune

mp3 : Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Man Out Of Time

Happy Listening

WIPE THAT IDIOTIC SMILE OFF YOUR FACE

Should have been working but Black Box Recorder came up on iPod shuffle. Although I'm not one for vocals, the ascerbic perfectness of the lyrics combined with the cut glass voice never fails to hit home.

Black Box Recorder were/are an indie pop group from London, England consisting of Sarah Nixey (vocals), Luke Haines (guitar, vocals) and John Moore (guitar, vocals). They debuted in 1998 with England Made Me, a collection of lyrically sophisticated pop tunes. They followed this up with The Facts of Life, which gave them their first hit with the single of the same name in April 2000. Their third album, Passionoia, was released in 2003. The lyrics to their lush and romantic melodies are frequently bleak, ironic or sarcastic: obvious influences are Ray Davies, Morrissey and Pulp. Black Box Recorder are Sarah Nixey, Luke Haines (of The Auteurs) and John Moore (formerly of the The Jesus and Mary Chain).Though the band are not currently active, they have not officially split.

Featured here are two of their singles from 2000; "The School Song" with its classic teacher put down lines and from whence the title of this post came, and "The Facts of Life", in its Chocolate Layers (Pulp's Jarvis Cocker and Steve Mackey) remix form.

Black Box Recorder - The School Song YSL

Black Box Recorder - The Facts of Life (Remix) YSL

Balck Box Recorder website (unofficial)

Buy product from discogs, amazon or download from emusic

WHAT IS A MAN?

This isn't an extended essay on the nature of masculinity in the 21st century, though if you want to start one in the comments section feel free. It is about how voices, especially distinctive ones, can stop you hearing the music.

Take the Tindersticks. JC has featured them a number of times (like here or the live review here). For the uninitiated, a quick Wiki recap: Tindersticks are a rock band from Nottingham, England. Their sound is characterised by a synthesis of orchestral backing, lounge jazz, and soul; the lush orchestrations of multi-instrumentalist Dickon Hinchliffe (who left the band in 2006) and the smoky baritone of lead vocalist Stuart Staples are the band's hallmarks. Tindersticks have employed electric guitars, as most rock bands have done, but augment their instrumentation with a wide array of instruments. The band has a cult following in the United Kingdom and continental Europe, although the eclectic and unique sound Tindersticks possesses has never made significant inroads into the mainstream.

Most reviews of the band focus on Stuart Staples' distinctive baritone which lends their music its deep melancholy and drama. But in so doing, it sweeps aside the wonderful musical arrangements that underpin his voice. To make amends, here are two Tindersticks instrumentals. Of these, the first really long instrumental mix of Running Wild is a true kitchen sink symphony.

Tindersticks - Running Wild (Extended Instrumental) 14:31 YSL

Tindersticks - What Is A Man? (Instrumental) YSL

Tindersticks website

Buy their new "Songs for the young at heart" LP from Play.com

FROM UNDER THE COVERS (Parts 43-44)

Since JC's not about, I'm going to highjack one of his on-going series' with a couple of cover versions of my own.

There is a series of mix albums in the UK called "Late Night Tales" (available here). They are mostly dance music... no come back. The Late Night Tales series was established in 2000 with Fila Brazilia mixing up the first of what would continue to be the choice of music connoisseurs worldwide. The idea was to let the world’s best artists delve deep into their collections to create the ultimate late night collection.

Since its conception, the likes of Groove Armada, The Flaming Lips, Four Tet, Belle & Sebastian, Air and many more have produced their own individual take on the concept. Not only is it a collection of the artist’s favourite tracks and inspirations, there’s also a special exclusive cover version included. This is the chance for the compilers to tackle a hidden gem or pay tribute to an idol by creating something totally new and exciting. (These are all of course released on a limited vinyl single!).

I've a few of these singles, from which I offer:

Howie B - Under The Boardwalk YSL covered by many artists, but best of all Bruce Willis

Sly & Robbie - La Isla Bonita YSL Madonna cover, sounding nothing like the original

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OVER AND OUT...

Mrs CTel writes: This is my last posting so I thought I’d blow all (any?) credibility and go down in blaze of gold lame. Grab your hairbrush, flick your fringe, and sing along: “if you judge a book by its cover, then you judge the look by the lover. I hope one day you’ll recover. Me – I go from one extreme to another.” Pure poetry! Martin Fry may be hanging onto his former glory by his fingernails these days...but then so am I. Suppress your cynicism, dig out the glitter ball and enjoy the ride. It’s been fun.

ABC - The Look of Love YSL

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DANCE MUSIC FOR INDIE KIDS (PT 4)

Bit of a strange one this, Mrs CTel chooses ambient godfathers The Orb. But before anyone worries about 40 minutes of whale noise, this is an untypically upbeat Orb track.

The Orb is Alex Paterson with various collaborators over the years. Best known for playing chess on Top Of The Pops (for 40 minute single "Blue Room"), this ex-Killing Joke roadie has done it all. The Orb virtually invented the electronic genre known as ambient house, resurrecting slower, more soulful rhythms and providing a soundtrack for early-morning ravers once the clubs had closed their doors. Alex's formula was quite simple: he slowed down the rhythms of classic Chicago house and added synth work and effects inspired by '70s ambient pioneers Brian Eno and Tangerine Dream.

Mrs CTel has chosen 1997 single Toxygene. This was originally commissioned as a remix of Jean Michel Jarre's "Oxygene 8". However, The Orb "obliterated it" and reassembled only a few fragments for their remix, much to the chagrin of Jarre, who reportedly "threw a fit and refused to release it". The Orb released the track themselves under the name "Toxygene", which further irritated Jarre, to whom Paterson retorted "The French are always five years behind us, anyway.". Meanwhile, Mrs CTel says:

This one will keep your pedals going round even cycling straight into a gale with your teeth clenched and your little legs on fire (aaah the memories). No words even to distract you, just a hypnotic relentless beat that hooks you and a skilfully layered melody to keep you entranced all the way through. Simple and very effective. Give it a try even if you’ve never owned a bike – it can be enjoyed just as much in more civilised conditions.

The Orb - Toxygene (Radio Edit) YSL

The Orb - Toxygene (Kris Needs Up For A Fortnight Mix) YSL for those who want it dancier

The Orb website

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DANCE MUSIC FOR INDIE KIDS (PT 3)

Today Mrs CTel discusses sport and dance for indie kids, through the medium of Colourbox.

Colourbox was one of the legendary 4AD label's earliest and most under-recognized acts. It was among the first artists outside hip-hop to rely heavily on sampling techniques; ultimately, their arty blue-eyed soul reached its commercial and creative peak through their work with AR Kane on M/A/R/R/S' seminal "Pump Up the Volume" project, a reflection of the group's long-standing interest in the burgeoning underground dance music scene of the 1980s. Colourbox was primarily the work of London-based brothers Martyn and Steven Young. In 1986 they released "The Official Colourbox World Cup Theme" (relating to the World Cup in Mexico in 86).

Mrs CTel says:

This is to do with Football. Music and sport in an official or unofficial capacity shouldn’t mix. It’s not cool – even New Order only just scraped a place on the line dividing kitsch from credibility. But this track’s massive saving grace it that except for the title (whisper it if you must) it doesn’t have ANY reference to the F word. Blissfully free of lyrics, it delivers a wonderful performance quite out sync with England’s woeful international efforts, except perhaps in its own lack of chart success. But hey, that IS cool in music terms. It starts off hard and keeps up a great momentum all the way through. Trust me on this one.

Colourbox - The Official Colourbox World Cup Theme 7" Mix YSL

Colourbox 4AD website

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DANCE MUSIC FOR INDIE KIDS (PT 2)

Second in the series where Mrs CTel explains which dance tracks indie kids should go for. Today, handbags at the ready for Faithless.

The three principal members of Faithless are: Maxwell Frazer AKA Maxi Jazz (Conscious Rap) Ayalah Bentovim AKA Sister Bliss (Music) Roland Armstrong AKA Rollo (Producer, Music) Many of the songs are sung by Pauline Taylor. Jamie Catto was originally part of the group but left after the release of the second album "Sunday 8PM". Zoë Johnston joined for the album "Outrospective". Their first album, 1996's "Reverence", was an underground sensation but did not quite break the mainstream. 1998's "Sunday 8AM" changed all of that, the single "God Is a DJ" became a big club anthem while the album enjoyed bigger sales than anything they had previously released. Critics may have been harsh, but the group kept moving forward with both members also pursuing solo careers on the side.

Mrs CTel's choice is "God is a DJ":

Faithless are an annoying lot when it comes to amazing tracks that build up frustratingly slowly and then burst into a glorious combination of rhythm and melody. That’s why they’re so fabulous live – they get straight to the good bit and then play expertly around with the sound. Try to access inner peace as the introduction signals great things to come but doesn’t deliver until full hair-tearing minutes later. It is well worth it but do get a version where the full dance part doesn’t disappear moments after it’s just got into its stride. Otherwise inner dance-floor karma will turn into outer world irritability.

Faithless - God Is A DJ (Serious Danger Mix) YSL

Faithless - God Is A DJ (Astral Projection Mix) YSL

Faithless website

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DANCE MUSIC FOR INDIE KIDS (PT 1)

I was talking to Mrs CTel the other night after she'd been grumbling about some clattery techno track I was playing. She's an indie kid at heart. You must like some of it, I said. More in hope than anything. There are a couple, she admitted. You ought to write about them, I suggested. And then the august JC's computer got sick. So here we are. Please welcome Mrs CTel to the TVV team.

Her first selection is Renegade Soundwave. Formed in London during the late '80s, Renegade Soundwave applied the punk and industrial ethic to both dub and dancefloor electronica. The trio of Gary Asquith, Danny Briottet and Carl Bonnie debuted with the 1987 single "Kray Twins". The group's only hit, "Probably a Robbery", made the British Top 40 early in 1990, but Bonnie left later that year for a solo career. Asquith and Briottet spent several years in isolation before emerging in 1994 with the "Renegade Soundwave" single and the album How You Doin?. The compilation RSW 87-95 emerged in 1996. But then it all went quiet again. As of 2007, Danny Briottet is producing and recording/remixing under the name of Red Star and Gary Asquith is in a band called Lavender Pill Mob with Kevin Mooney, formerly of Adam & The Ants along with Electro ambient artist Lee Simeone.

Mrs Ctel selects the Renegade Soundwave single as her dance music for indie kids track:

This is an excellent track. It has a driving beat, melodic tune and attitude. It sounds relatively slow these days but is still irresistibly confident. Not sure where they’re from – they say “the Cockney b*stards cannot rhyme” [on "Howyoudoin?"], so I’m guessing not London.. Takes you straight to getting-ready-to-go-clubbing or hosting your own memorable-if-hazy-about-the-details night of partying. It isn’t trying to save the world or moan on about lost love, only “the guitar we just couldn’t tune”. Enjoy problems Renegade Soundwave style - hear it on headphones and get the stereo effect of depth and swirling sound and keep listening till your spine tingles.

Renegade Soundwave - Renegade Soundwave 7" Mix YSL

Renegade Soundwave - Howyoudoin? YSL

Renegade Soundwave - Renegade Soundwave Whistling Guitar Mix YSL

Renegade Soundwave MySpace

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A GOB AS WIDE AS THE MERSEY TUNNEL

There’s some folk out there who will put Pete Wylie on a pedestal and then kneel down and worship him. There’s others who would gladly nail him to a tree...

The fact he can produce such contrasting reactions and opinions tells you that he’s certainly someone it’s impossible to ignore.

He’s now had a recording career that spans the best part of 30 years, either under his own name or some sort of variation with the word Wah! It’s a career that has had a number of commercial highlights, but these have been well outweighed by flop records. Among the serious music press, he’s always had a band of supporters, partly because of the music, but also because he’s the type of bloke always able to give you a brilliant one-liner on anything under the sun and he’s not afraid to speak his mind while lashing out at many in the industry.

I’m really not quite sure what to make of Pete Wylie. I’ve bought quite a number of singles, LPs and CDs over the years, but I’m not sure I could really classify myself as a dedicated fan.

I’m hugely fond of a lot of songs but I’ve also found far too much of his stuff rather ordinary and even bordering on the mundane. However, while I don’t think he’s as talented a performer his two old sidekicks - Julian Cope and Ian McCulloch – I’m of the view that his greatest moment outshines anything they’ve ever done:-

mp3 : Wah! – Story of The Blues (Parts 1 & 2)

I adored this song so much that I even rushed out and bought a white silk scarf similar to the one Pete wore on his Top of The Pops appearances back in 1982 when the 7” version of the song raced its way into the Top Three here in the UK. It’s just a pity that while Pete looked quite cool in his rig-out of scarf, black leather jacket and sailor’s cap, I was just too much of a weedy geek to pull it off. Actually, it probably had a lot to do with the fact that my scarf wasn’t silk but some sort of cheap imitation that began to fray from the moment I put it round my neck..

At that point in time, Pete Wylie had a great chance to become both famous and successful. Instead, he had a number of rows with WEA, then one of the world’s biggest and most powerful record labels, which led to him being dropped in 1984. He signed to Beggars' Banquet and soon returned to the charts with this:-

mp3 : The Mighty Wah! - Come Back

And in typical Wylie fashion, he was soon thumbing his nose at his old label, with this re-recorded version of his new hit with lyrics mocking some WEA hit acts:-

mp3 : The Mighty Wah! – Come Back (Return Of The Randy Scouse Git)

Unbelievably, there were more rows with label bosses and he was forced to seek another new home, which he found in 1986 on MDN Records just in time for another bona fide chart smash:-

mp3 : Pete Wylie – Sinful (Tribal Mix)

Three stunning hit singles spread out over a four-year period on three different record labels – that’s got to be some sort of record.

Pete Wylie actually spent most of the 90s recovering from life-threatening injuries he received after a fall in late 1991, and it wasn’t until 1998 that more songs emerged, including the anthemic Heart Big As Liverpool which has become part of the pre-match ritual at Liverpool FC, despite never being a commercial success.

That one of his songs has been adopted in this way, and the fact he performed at the opening concert to mark his home city being European City of Culture 2008, is evidence that Pete Wylie is adored by many Liverpudlians - I imagine he’s held in the same regard by them as Glaswgian music fans hold Edwyn Collins (long regarded as a ‘Weegie’ although he was born 45 miles away in Edinburgh..).

But its clear from that run of hit singles in the 80s that he could have been much much more than a mere local hero...

Oh, and I recommend a visit to his official website. Its entitled Pete Wylie : Part Time Rockstar, Full Time Legend, which says it all really. CLICK HERE

Happy Listening.

FABULOUS BUT LARGELY UNKNOWN LP ALERT...

Although these pages concentrate largely on music, bands and artistes from days long-gone, I do occasionally highlight some more recent stuff.

The debut LP by Butcher Boy isn't all that fresh - it hit the shops in March 2007. Indeed, I've previously given it a mention on these pages before.

But I'm aware there's a few folk who are fairly new visitors to TVV and they might have missed out before, and such is the magnificence of this record that it really does deserve to be given some more attention.

Butcher Boy are a Glasgow band, one that was first brought to my attention by Comrade Colin who is currently temporarily residing in Seattle. With a sound that consists of piano, strings and horns on top of the traditional guitars, bass and drums, Butcher Boy have the feel and sound of something that is the offspring of a union between Belle & Sebastian and Tindersticks. Oh and on some of the songs, it could be The Smiths crossed with Lloyd Cole & The Commotions....oh and I also hear some Ballboy....and The Delgados.

OK...so I've hopefully name checked enough influences to get a few of you interested, but I also need to say that Butcher Boy are no mere pastiche or homage to others . This is a hugely mature record jam packed with joyous and beautiful tunes that will leave you scratching your head in wonderment that the band remain so obscure.

There's only 10 tracks, and the whole thing is over in around 33 minutes. The band have been very quiet throughout 2008, so I'm not sure if there's anything planned for next year or whether it will be yet another sad tale of an act giving it all up without the full potential being realised or the true talent being acknowledged. But there is a myspace site where you can listen to some more stuff and buy songs individually, including some that were on a separate EP.

mp3 : Butcher Boy - There Is No-One Who Can Tell Where You've Been
mp3 : Butcher Boy - I Know Who You Could Be

If you like what you here, please pay for the downloads over at the myspace site BY CLICKING HERE, or splash your cash on a copy of the CD.

Happy Listening.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

I haven't always appreciated Leonard Cohen.

As a teenager, the only people who seemed to have any of his records in their collections were the scruffy older brothers of mates - the type of folk who wore second-hand army jackets, had greasy, lank hair and smelled of what I later learned was patchouli oil.

In other words - hippie bastards a.k.a., the scum of the earth that punks and new wave kids had been sent to destroy.

It turned out to be an album of cover versions that made me a convert. Released in 1991, I'm Your Fan featured 18 different artists with their take on Cohen's songs.

The fact that these artists included the likes of REM, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, The Pixies, Ian McCulloch, James, Lloyd Cole and Robert Forster was what made the record an essential purchase.

And the fact that the record quickly became a favourite led to me going back and buying CDs by the man himself, starting with what was then his most recent release, I'm Your Man which had appeared in 1988.

A year or so after I bought the covers record, Leonard Cohen released a new LP called The Future, and as part of the promotional tour, he appeared on BBC television on Later with Jools Holland where he performed two of the new songs. This was the first time I had actually seen him perform (remember, this was all in the days before youtube and performances from all eras being just a few clicks of a mouse away) and I soon realised that the man was a modern genius.

And tonight, at long last, I'm getting to see the great man perform live on stage when he comes to Glasgow as part of an extensive European tour. He's 74 years of age now, and given that, I'd be more than happy if he performs for 30-40 minutes tonight, but by all accounts, its a show that lasts well over 2 hours and takes in songs from almost all of the 12 original LPs he's released in a 40-year career.

Its a long time since I've anticipated a gig this much. I'm expecting fireworks.

And here's some of the tunes that set me on this road:-

mp3 : Lloyd Cole - Chelsea Hotel
mp3 : James - So Long Marianne
mp3 : Fatima Mansions - A Singer Must Die
mp3 : Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Tower of Song

Happy Listening.

DO THE RIGHT THING

I dont care if this posting costs me McCain-supporting readers in the long-term.

I just hope the people of America act sensibly today.

mp3 : Mighty Sparrow - Barack The Magnificent
mp3 : Neil Young - Lookin' For A Leader

Happy Listening.

PS

If you want to find out more abour Mighty Sparrow, click here.

AND THE WINNER IS....

The other week I ran a competition for one lucky reader to win a date with The Vinyl Villain at the forthcoming Roddy Frame gig at Oran Mor, Glasgow on Monday 11th November.

The lucky name drawn out of the hat was Richard Bull.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to enter.

Another contest with concert tickets as the prize is coming your way next weekend....

mp3 : Roddy Frame - Good Morning Britain (live at Ronnie Scott's)*

* with thanks to Simon at The Songs That People Sing for originally posting such a wonderful stripped-down version of the hit single.

OH, LA, LA......

Je t'aime Le Council du Style.

I'd give you more frenchy type words, but I'm afraid, to my eternal shame, that I have failed miserably to learn the techniques of any language other than English.....and even then, it's sometimes a struggle.

mp3 : The Style Council - Down In The Seine

A lovely little track that's tucked away on Our Favourite Shop, a hugely underrated LP that was released in 1985. It's also the home to this great bit of sad-tale pop, one of my all-time favourite Weller compositions:-

mp3 : The Style Council - Boy Who Cried Wolf

Now I'll never ever claim that The Style Council came close to the god-like genius of The Jam, but its a million times more listenable than the solo career of Paul Weller, or indeed of his former sidekick:-

mp3 : Bruce Foxton - It Makes Me Wonder (12 inch version)

I picked up a second-hand copy of this 12" single the other day for 50p. I'd never heard it before I shoved it on the turntable and I don't envisage playing it again given that it's so lifeless and dull.

Anyone disagree?

Happy Listening.

OUR FRIENDS ELECTRIC (Part 3)

Another quickie this morning as I'm going to take some time to tidy things up round here, and in particular sort out some new links over in the right hand column as there's been a few more blogs come to my attention in recent times (and sadly, one or two old friends have fallen by the wayside).

This morning's post has been inspired by one of the best bloggers out there in terms of quality, albeit because of so many other things going in his life with family and football (or soccer to our transatlantic friends), his place out there on t'internet is sometimes neglected.

But stand up and take a bow Mike from Manic Pop Thrills.

I have to hold my hands up and admit that Mike is in fact a mate. We first met through a mutual love for Raith Rovers FC, and through inbetween talking about the football, we discovered we had a lot of common musical tastes and had in fact been to a lot of the same gigs.

Mile lives on the east coast of Scotland, some 80 miles or so away from Glasgow, and Dundee is the nearest city of note that bands occasionally call into. And just the other day Mike was lucky enough to capture what seems to have been a great gig by Teenage Fanclub - his review (complete with exclusive photos) can be read here.

Mike reckons that Alcoholiday is the finest song in the TFC back catalogue, and I reckon that's a right good shout. And as a way of saying thanks to Mike for all he's posted in times past, and as an apology for not being able to make it along to this gig that he's promoting in Dundee on Friday 21st November (I'll be in Madeira on a week's holiday with Mrs VV), here's something that's a bit hard to get a hold of nowadays:-

mp3 : Teenage Fanclub - God Knows Its True (Peel Session)
mp3 : Teenage Fanclub - So Far Gone (Peel Session)
mp3 : Teenage Fanclub - Alcoholiday (Peel Session)
mp3 : Teenage Fanclub - Long Hair (Peel Session)

Taken from a 12" EP that was released back in 1991, its the session that was recorded on 28th August 1990 and broadcast on 30th September 1990.

Happy Listening

I WON'T SAY NO, HOW COULD I? (Part 6)

There's been some nice comments left behind on the Skeletons In My Closet series - to be fair I didn't think I was going out on a limb with the songs that have featured so far, but there's still some horror stories to come...

I need to say a big thanks to Andrew Goodwin for firing over the 12" version of Paint Me Down, and indeed to those of you who also made an offer to do the same. Its nice to know that despite the unpleasantness of the past 10 days or so as a result of DMCA notices flying around all over the place, there's still a great amount of goodwill and esprit de corps among the blogging community.

And in celebration of that very fact, here's something that was asked for on the back of the recent confession:-

mp3 : Spandau Ballet - Chant No.1 (12 inch version)
mp3 : Spandau Ballet - Feel The Chant (12 inch version)

Quite a few of us seem to have great memories of dancing to these tracks, regardless of the fact that the group would later be such an MOR embarrassment.

And here's a wee bonus :-

mp3 : Spandau Ballet - Chant No.1 (US Remix)

Happy Listening.