1) Well this takes me back, but I guess that is kind of the point. I knew I’d heard this before as a catch all comedy theme, but had it in mind it was used by Harry Worth. I was trying to picture the arm and leg thing and seeing if the music fit. Anyway I eventually went to youtube which confirmed my suspicions. Whatever happened to Harry Worth? Most of the TV comedians from that era had some kind of extended career, but he only seemed to be in the public eye for a year or two. I can only think of Arthur Haynes from that era with a similarly short TV career. Anyway enough of the comedic nostalgia….
Something silly to kick things off. "Comedy Hour" by the Ivor Slaney Orchestra used eventually as the Harry Worth theme. Nostalgia to you and me Paul, a historical musical curio to everybody else in mix club .2) Love this. Raw early Stones feel with a great bit of sax honk.
Never heard a bad track from this lot. "Sweet Talk" by Sam the Sham plus Pharoahs3) Van. Later Van by the sound of it. He can sound like he’s coasting at times but hey he has the chops for sure. Oddly enough he sings here “please won’t you cut me some slack”. You know what Van yes I will.
The N-word strikes again. "Whatever Happened To PJ Proby?" from his last decent album, 2002's Down The Road. The usual whine-fest from Van but with some wit for a change. The Jimmy Saville references amused me.4) Motown. Sounds like it could be David Ruffin, so obviously it’s great
On balance I think David is probably my all-time fave soul album. Not a duff second. This one's "It'll Take A Whole Lotta Doin'"5) Some early jazz, “struuters ball” style. Nice little toetapper
I always seem to be apologising around these parts for my lack of enthusiasm for Jazz. And yet the first 40 years of the genre is amongst my favourite music of all. You're all just listening to the wrong stuff. "Vipers Moan" by Willie Bryant and his Orchestra from 19356) In a similar vein but with more vocals. Enjoyable hokum.
An extremely silly record. "Dad's Old Mule" by Tyus and Tyus who appear to be a google-free zone7) I’m sure I’ve heard the song before (I got Mine). Great version whoever it is.
Frank Stokes, who sounds more like a plumber from Smethwick than a blues singer and "I Got Mine". Would love to find some more stuff from him. Taken from Robert Crumbs excellent Heroes of Blues Jazz and Country comp.8) This is a weird one. A bizarre garage/psych/raga mix. Certainly grabs the attention. Could well be a grower
US Kaleidoscope and "Egyptian Gardens" from their 1967 debut Side Trips9) Lovely almost fairground style riff and everlyish vocals. This was quite slight but really reeled me in. Great little pop song.
This daft little thing was probably my favourite song of last year. Catchy beyond all levels of tolerance."Waiting On My Sweetie Pie" by NRBQ from their Brass Tacks" album10) Pearlfishers – I recall you being underwhelmed by this album in NP which surprised me as I thought it was up to scratch. This song near the end is gorgeous of course and I think the opening few are solid. You could say it sags in the middle a bit I suppose, but then you could say that about me !!
Nah, the songs weren't up to scratch. Only liked "Gone In The Winter" and this one. But as this one ("Her Heart Moves Like The Sea Moves") is 100% gorgeous all is forgiven. Don't have a fucking clue what it's about which all goes to prove......er, something11) Prefab Sprout – Jordan remains their masterpiece for me but this was a surprisingly good return to form I thought.
Agreed on both counts. "Billy"12) Country troubadour style (Townes, Steve Earle, Slaid Cleaves et al), the kind who manage to rise above the usual Americana crowd. Love this.
First song I ever heard by Shelby Lynne was this one on a magazine comp. Went exploring further and disappointment set in. Still love this though. "Where Am I Now".13) When country sounds just like country oughta, a tick in the box is pretty mush guaranteed.
Proper job,eh? Porter Wagoner and "I'll Go Out Swinging".14) There seems a whole new array of artists who you could probably term “bastard daughters of Gillian Welch” Anais Mitchell, Angel Olsen etc. This doesn’t necessarily rise from the crowd, but it is a sound I generally like and this is no exception.
Two illegitimate offspring actually - Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn from last years eponymous effort. "Whatcha Gonna Do".15) Probably unfair to call this the only misfire on the disc. I didn’t hate this. I quite liked it even, but it is way oversung. The vocals’ started to annoy me which is a shame as there is nothing wrong with the song I just wished the singer wouldn’t try so hard and let the song speak for itself……..
One of those lost 60s classics and one of the few that turn out to be any good.Euphoria's A Gift From Euphoria from 1969. Probably should have picked a different track. This is probably more my sort of thing than yours although no single track is representative. Worth exploring16) ….like this. Simply lovely. Need to know who this is.
It's me Christmas track! Sounds pretty good in January as well. Surprised you didn't spot the Everlies. "Christmas Eve Can Kill You." from Stories We Could Tell.17) This is great too. Really simple song reminds me of John Prine’s style. Another anticipated reveal.
One of those songs I've never heard a bad version of - Woody Guthrie's "Hobos Lullaby". The wonderfully named Gary and Randy Scruggins from the Vanguard box set Make It Your Sound, Make It Your Scene18) And a great bit of high energy sweaty soul to finish.
Another great comp - Dusty Heard Them Here First on Ace. "Packing Up" by Margie HendrixCheers Bob, certainly more hits than misses.
As ever, a pleasure Paul.1. "Comedy Hour" - Ivor Slaney
2. "Sweet Talk" - Sam The Sham/Pharoahs
3. "Whatever Happened To PJ Proby?" - Van Morrison
4. "It's Gonna Take A Whole Lotta Doin'" - David Ruffin
5. "Vipers Moan" - Willie Bryant
6. "Dads Old Mule" - Tyus and Tyus
7. "I Got Mine" - Frank Stokes
8. "Egyptian Gardens" - US Kaleidoscope
9. "Waiting On My Sweetie Pie" - NRBQ
10. "Her Heart Moves Like The Sea Moves" - Pearlfishers
11. "Billy" - Prefab Sprout
12. "Where Am I Now" - Shelby Lynne
13. "I'll Go Out Swinging" - Porter Wagoner
14. "What'cha Gonna Do?" - Bela Flack/Abigail Washburn
15. "Lady Bedford" - Euphoria
16. "Christmas Eve Can Kill You" - Everly Brothers
17. "Hobo's Lullaby" - Gary and Randy Scruggins
18. "Packing Up" - Margie Hendrix