Play this when I die!

 

Play This When I Die by Sfcpres on Mixcloud

My 50th birthday, the constant trips to the doctors, the constant pain, and the everyday irritations of this world we live in, have made me consider the end of life lately.
Not that I want it to happen, or even have any real fear of it happening soon, just what happens when it does?
The last thing I'd want is to have some religious nut, spouting away about what a wonderful life I'd led, and how everybody loved me, when in fact, I've been a miserable bastard for most of it, and haven't done much with it at all! A couple of good kids, a decent marriage, and a few compilations left behind on non-biodegradable CDs is all I have to show for 50 years on this planet, so when I go, I'd like to at least have a send of that I can be proud of.
So here it is.
There's some tracks here that mean a lot to me for one reason and another, and those that do know me will know their meaning. So hopefully this will remain out there in cyberspace for a bit longer than I'll be around for, so if there's anyone left behind when I do go - play this!

1

The Somnambulist

XTC

2

So Long Ago, So Clear

Vangelis & Jon Anderson

3

Clair de Lune (Debussy)

Earl Wild

4

Rejoice In The Sun

Joan Baez

5

Solitude (Ella Wheeler Wilcox)

Meryl Streep

6

In My Life

Beatles

7

I Only Want To Be With You

Shelby Lynne

8

My Funny Valentine

Elvis Costello

9

Stars

Janis Ian

10

Aria From La Wally (Catalani)

Wilhelmenia Fernandez

11

I See a Darkness

Johnny Cash

12

Heaven Can Wait

Meat Loaf

13

Feeling good

Nina Simone

14

Q5 Piano Tune

Spike Milligan

 

The President's 50th Birthday 4

Here's the fourth and final part of my "50 At 50" podcast mix that can be found at

 

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Pandora's Box

I've loved OMD since they first appeared on a compilation album on the Some Bizarre label with 'Electricity'. In the 90s, I had a small obsession with 20s obscure silent film actress, Louise Brooks, and then in 1991 OMD came out with a song about her and one of her best films 'Pandora's Box'. Ms Brooks had a fascinating life, and was incredibly attractive in her younger years. Her life story makes an incredible read and I can highly recommend viewing this film and any of her other celluloid appearances.

The The - This Is The Day

Matt Johnson is a fantastic song writer and is incredibly underrated. The album 'Soul Mining' which was released in 1983 is a perfect pop album, and everybody should have a copy. And that's all I have to say on the matter!

Ron Grainer - Dr Who

I can't remember a time when I didn't watch Doctor Who. My favourite doctor was Patrick Troughton whose humour was the basis for the way Who has developed over the years. This theme tune was the original created by Delia Derbyshire specifically for the programme. For my birthday today I was given a box set of all eleven doctors in 5inch high, plastic form and it now stands pride of place with my other model figures, books, toys, magazines, DVDs, videos, CDs and half-sized cardboard TARDIS that are stored in the garage. Now, why do people call me 'Sad'???

Lonnie Donegan - Cumberland Gap

One of the first singles I had as a child was this track by Lonnie Donnegan. On very heavy 78rpm shellac, it was played endlessly on my old Dansette player. In 2002, I had the pleasure of meeting my hero at his hotel in London. I arrived as two hacks were finishing their interview with him for 'Q' magazine. As he left the room for a break, I was appalled to hear these two twenty-somethings mocking him, and showing complete disrespect for someone, who had been a huge influence in popular music in this country. Previously, he had recorded an album with Van Morrison, and was obviously in the process of rebuilding his career. I was there to discuss licensing some recordings that he had that had never been released and he was eager to have put out. Unfortunately, Lonnie went on tour before the deal was completed and died of a heart attack before I could meet with him again. The Q interview became gushing tribute, as opposed to the 'slagging off' that I suspect he was to have received.

Modern Lovers - Egyptian Reggae

Simply put, this is my favourite track of all time! It doesn't matter how many times I hear it, it still sounds wonderfully fresh on every playing. The image of Legs And Co dancing to the track on Top Of The Pops in their skimpy outfits, also has a positive effect.

Wombles - The Jungle is Jumping

In the 70s I bought myself a boxed set of the Wombles. I was 14, and far too old for this kind of thing, but Mike Batt's infectious tunes were incredibly endearing, and I loved those furry little creatures. This track had wonderful infectious rhythms, and despite Mike Batt's protests, was one of the songs I insisted on including on a double CD I was working on. The Wombles had all but been forgotten in the 90s when I put this together, and I thought it would be great that Mike wanted to be included in the creating of the set. That was until he started insisting that all some of the tracks were the orchestral versions used in the films, rather than the original album versions! Admittedly they sounded better, but I was after nostalgia, not musical perfection. It was a few months after this that Sony released their own Wombles CD. Co-incidence? ...Maybe?

Quantum Jump - The Lone Ranger

"Taumata-whaka-tangi-hanga-kuayuwo tamate-aturi-pukaku-piki-maunga horonuku-pokaiawhen-uaka-tana-tahu mataku-atanganu-akawa-miki-tora" is the longest word in the world, and is the name of a hill in New Zealand in the native Maori language. I learnt to say this by playing the track over and over in small sections until I now know it off by heart. My son and daughter can also recite it - saddo's in training - I'm sooo proud!

Gloria Estefan & The Miami Sound Machine - Can't Stay Away From You

A beautiful song, beautifully sung.

Vangelis - So Long Ago, So Clear

And this could be the most beautiful song ever recorded! Tagged on the end of the incredible album by Vangelis 'Heaven And Hell', it is sung by YES lead singer Jon Anderson, with whom he was to have several hits in partnership as Jon And Vangelis. I want this played at my funeral to take me in whatever direction I will be going!

Ry Cooder - Paris, Texas

Women I have drooled over, part 69! Nastassja Kinski is one of the most attractive women to appear on film, and her appearance in this classic 'road' movie proves it. Appearing to the haunting guitar of Ry Cooder, the scant amount of screen time given to her in this movie was enough to make me seek out all her previous film roles and ensure I saw as many of her future appearances as possible. Now, also 50, she still looks incredible, but her film appearances are still as difficult to find as her appearance in her first role "The Wrong Move". Although her brief spell in Hollywood made life easier, her films have never been hugely successful in the UK. She will be forever known in our household, by the name given to her by my mockingly jealous spouse as "the one with the facial hair"! I never saw this myself, although in Cat People, her full frontal nudity did display some degree of hirsuteness.

Tomita - Golliwog's Cakewalk

The track that first gave me an interest in classical music, I was amazed to learn that the electronic album that gave birth to this track was completely composed by a classical composer, Claude Debussy. To this day, my favourite classical composer.

Goons - The Ying Tong Song

And finally, to the men who have given me more laughter in my life than any others. Here's to the Goons, especially Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers, genii both! Not their funniest moment perhaps, but if anybody wants more, I have copies of all their available shows.

The President's 50th Birthday 3

Here's the third part of my "50 At 50" podcast mix that can be found at

 

Marilyn Monroe - River Of No Return

Vastly underrated as a singer, Marilyn Monroe had a unique gentleness to her voice that was often overlooked compared to the magnetism of her on-screen presence. I first came across this track (no pun intended) on an import album when I was working at HMV. The sleeve had a picture if Marilyn in the nude from her early modelling days, and was completely unrepresentative of the recordings on the LP, but that's how they sold records then! This track was lifted from the film of the same name that I now have in my complete collection of MM DVDs.

Ned Miller - From A Jack To A King

I had always quite liked this track, and was quite amazed to find it on the jukebox in the pub that I held my stag party in. At lunchtime, when I began drinking I thought it would be hilarious to play it continually, over and over again. By the time we moved onto the next pub, around 7 o'clock, you can imagine how fed up everyone else was with it? When my dear father picked me up from the gutter of a nearby petrol station in the early hours of the morning, I was still slurring my way through my own, tuneless, rendition of the track..."from loneliness to a wedding ring..."!!!

Matt Monro - My Kind Of Girl

The first single, I ever remember owning, for some reason I adored this track. Matt Monro had such an easy voice, and this track is so damned catchy. Many years later, it formed part of a 3CD set of matt Monro material that I created for Reader's Digest, a set that got many plaudits from fans and other customers.

Frank Ifield - Lovesick Blues

Another one of my earliest 7inch singles, this was on an EP along with the classic "She Taught Me To Yodel". They just don't write songs like this anymore!

Sandy Nelson - Let There Be Drums

I previously informed you of my early days as a drummer, and this is the track that inspired me. Sandy Nelson was such a great drummer in the 50s and 60s and I often performed my own version of this great track (although not to such a high standard!). Later I was also to be impressed by the likes of Keith Moon, Cozy Powell and many others, but for me, Sandy Nelson will always be the best.

Marcels - Blue Moon

For many years I believed that this was the number one single on the day I was born. I used to love singing along with the track, being particular proud of being able to keep up with the opening "ba ba ba ba" bit! Then a few years ago, I realised that the charts were listed as "week ending", so that the actual song that was number one the day I was born was 'On The Rebound' by Floyd Cramer. What a shock and disappointment! Not a bad track, but nowhere near as good as the Marcel's hit!

Jimmy Dean - Big Bad John

Another misapprehension that I had, was believing for many years that I had been named after this heroic tale of a mine worker giving his life to save his fellow workers. It was only when I discovered that the track didn't actually chart until five months after I was born, that I questioned my mother on this belief. "Oh no!", she said "you were named after your grandfather because you looked so little and scrawny when you were born!". Well that put me in my place!

Ricky Nelson - Hello Mary Lou

Another huge influence on early musical taste, and for many years it was my favourite track of all time. It's still up there, but I don't think it can hold onto the top place anymore. Ricky Nelson was an American 50s TV star who made it big when he moved into music. Later shortening his name to Rick Nelson, he became a huge artist in American Country music which, of course, killed off any chance he had of any further UK hits.

Hurricane Smith - Don't Let It Die

Memories of my Father's eight-track player spring to mind whenever I hear Hurricane Smith. A triple-hit-wonder, when I was ten, his recordings have been incredibly difficult to find over the years. Such an amazing voice though!

Neil Sedaka - Standing On The Inside

Please read my earlier blog on Stealer's Wheel's 'Stuck In The Middle' to understand why this track holds a place in my heart.

Elvis Costello - My Funny Valentine

When I first heard this recording, I couldn't believe how beautiful the song was. I also couldn't believe how old it was, or how many recordings had been made of it. It became my favourite song, when I realised that whoever performed it, it still remained great. Over the years I have collected any version of the song I could find, although there are many jazz versions, I also have punk, classical and disco versions. Costello's take is still my favourite.

Elvis Presley - My Boy

This is a great song, and I defy anybody not to be moved by the heart-wrenching tale of a father, staying with his wife for the sake of his son. (Nothing personal you understand). A few years back I was lucky enough to meet Bill Martin, who wrote this track, and many other hits for artists like Sandie Shaw (Puppet On A String), Cliff Richard (Congratulations), Slik (Forever And Ever) and the Bay City Rollers (Shang-A-Lang) as well as many others. He was a great guy and had many tales of the people he had met, and the places he had been. Not only that, but he paid for lunch too!

Doris Day - Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)

One of my earliest memories is that of sitting on my grandmother's knee as a child, while she sang this quaint old song, made famous by Doris Day. Slightly adapting the lyrics to "..just a little boy", this song was permanently etched into my consciousness.

The President's 50th Birthday 2

Here's the second part of my "50 At 50" podcast mix that can be found at <  

Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Fanfare For The Common Man 

Based on the classical piece by Copland, this ELP hit really 'rocked it up'. In late 1977, my anal tendencies were beginning to manifest themselves, and it was with great pleasure each week that I managed to convince my mates to join me in creating our very own Top 20 singles each fortnight, thus resulting in an amalgamation of our favourite tracks. To further express our geek-like qualities we then began recording the list on our tinny cassette recorders in the style of the BBC radio Top 20 chart show that was presented by Tom Brown at 6pm every Sunday evening. Like Mr Brown we also had background music playing whilst we announced proudly (basically, to ourselves) each weeks chart. This was the music we used. Every fortnight for over a year, we would go through this ritual, even when my friends started to lose interest, I still kept this process going, even developing the thing into a fanzine that was then sold to anyone we could persuade to buy. 'Razor's Edge' was cutting edge music press at the time (not!) - unsold copies are still available.  

Rolling Stones - 2000 Light Years From Home 

It took me a long time to get 'into' the Stones. Having had more of a Beatles vibe going on at home, Jagger and his clan didn't actually break my subconscious until the late 70s. Gradually, I familiarised myself with their back catalogue until one day I heard this gem! I realised that I had heard it many years ago in my next door neighbours house and had loved it without realising what it was (or indeed how 'trippy' it was!). From that point on it became my favourite Stones track, and I still find the intricacies of the instrumentation a delight to hear.  

Devo - Jocko Homo  

These days, 'Jocko Homo' just sounds a bit quirky. But in 1978 this was unlike anything I'd ever heard. Moreover, Devo were a band unlike any I'd ever seen! A nightmarish vision of what the future had in store, Devo were just the kind of band that I knew my parents would hate, and would offend anyone over the age of 30! (The B-side was 'Mongoloid'). Even the 7" vinyl was different, coming as it did in a fold-out wraparound sleeve pronouncing 'Devo-lution now for the future!'. And when the album appeared in coloured vinyl with their stocking covered heads manically glaring from the cover, I really believed that they could take over the world. A few years later, lead singer Mark Mothersborough was writing background tunes and themes for children's TV favourites 'Rugrats'. it could have been worse... Johnny Rotten might have started advertising butter??...er  

XTC - Helicopter 

OK - XTC are on this list as well, but this was from their third album, and by this time I was so into their music, they could have released the sound of a brick, and I would have found it brilliant! As it was, 'Drums & Wires' must be one of the most perfect albums ever (in my view). Each track a complete masterpiece covering so many different styles. Seeing them live, for what was to be the last time, my overriding memory was this track being played frantically, whilst my pals and I tried to perform the exhausting dance that we had developed at several drunken house parties. Basically 'pogoing' whilst flailing our arms in the air in a circular motion, I'm convinced that with a little more updraft, we would have ascended to the rooftop of the Hammersmith!  

Cheap Trick - I Want You To Want Me  

One of the few albums that actually sounds better live, is the amazing 'At The Budokan' LP from American Rockers, Cheap Trick. As the first album I'd heard by the band, I hadn't realised that most of these tracks had already appeared in studio versions, but even when I heard these, they weren't a patch on live takes, a fact that was proved to me when I eventually got to see them for myself at the now defunct and sadly missed Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park, London. It was that show that helped put this track into the UK charts, and although they never reached greater fame in the UK, I still think they were one of the best rock bands of the period.  

Motorhead - Motorhead 

It might be because it was my first ever concert, but the Motorhead gig at the Hammersmith Odeon was the most memorable I ever attended. From the sight of the opening act (Johnny Moped) being booed and canned off of the stage, to the extreme volume of Lemmy and the gang as they belted out all the tracks that had become so familiar to me in the preceding months. Sights of hard-core fans removing their heads from the speakers after their recent bout of head-banging with their ears dripping with blood, were forever ingrained on my visual cortex, and the smell of stale drugs and alcohol that hit like a wall on exit. Most memorable of all was the trip home afterwards, as I hung around a telephone box whilst the female members of the 'Hell's Angel' gang that I went with, phoned their parents, a police van slowly pulled up beside us and a stern looking copper leaned out of the sliding door to utter the immortal words "you scum of the earth!". Although offended at the time, in hindsight, he probably wasn't far off the truth.  

Undertones - Get Over You 

 In the mid seventies, all my school mates seemed to be learning instruments and joining bands. I was no different, and my 'weapon of choice' was to be the drums. After pestering my Dad for ages, he eventually gave in and brought me my first kit. Hours and hours I practiced, whilst my parents, amazingly, tolerated the unholy din emanating from my room. When this track was released in 1979 as a follow up track to the better known 'Teenage Kicks', it became my favourite drum-along song. My poor poor parents... 

 Suzi Quatro - Can The Can 

My first schoolboy crush was Suzi Quatro. Even at that young age I was perverted enough to enjoy women in tight leather! Aggressive and slightly built, she had an amazing voice that still sounds great when she performs the right songs. By the time she appeared on Happy Days on British TV, she had started to mellow out, musically, and I had started move on, but even today, I still think she looks great for her age, and thankfully she steers clear of the leather outfits!  

Blondie - Rip her to shreds 

For most of my life, I have always had the knack of buying the first releases of many acts that became more famous on later releases. I knew absolutely nothing about Blondie when I bought this, their first single, in a plain sleeve from my local HMV. I loved it and eagerly waited the next release. Then 'Denis' hit the charts and I saw Debbie Harry on Top Of The Pops. Watching it with my mates, our jaws dropped open as one. 'Do you believe she's in her Thirties' we said incredulously as we all instantly developed a 'thing' for older women!! We absolutely drooled over the first three albums, but then something happened musically, and Debbie and the gang turned Disco! It was too much to cope with, and consequently we lost interest in our idol. Eighteen years later, she relaunched her career with 'Maria', but this time round she looked more like Mrs Doubtfire than Mrs Robinson. The music was back to basics though, but unfortunately lacked the 'punch' of her 'relative' youth.

Adam and The Ants - Lady 

Another band I liked before most, was Mr Ant and his pals. I had bought a single called 'Young Parisians' which sounded like a gimmicky novelty sing to me, but on the b-side was this gem of a power-pop track - quite kinky as well! It's still incredibly difficult to find even today, with most available versions being recorded live. Another memory I have of Adam and the Ants is of being at a works Christmas party, dancing away to 'Ant Music', all very drunk, and getting slightly carried away. The moment came when the line "so unplug the jukebox and do us all a favour" blasted out, at which point, my colleague and friend (who shall remain nameless, but anyone who knows her will know who she is), tripped over the mains cable, yanking the cable from the mains socket and bringing silence to the room. I've not been able to hear the song again since, without expecting it to stop at that point. 

 April Wine - I Like To Rock 

Just a great rock track that sums up everything I like about rock music. the track just failed to reach the Top 40 in 1980, but nonetheless remained their biggest UK hit.  

Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell 

In 1978, this track was played on the Old Grey Whistle Test, and when the album was released, I immediately bought a copy. I have never seen a performer like Meat Loaf, and was blown away by the power of his voice. I played the album on continuous loop for 48 hours and then at least once a day for the next few weeks. Two weeks after I bought the album, it entered the UK charts and stayed there for over nine years, never reaching higher than number 9. The 7 inch single version of the title track, is a complete bastardisation of the original album version, but lasts for at least 4 minutes less, making it much more suitable for radio airplay. Every track on the LP is a gem, and a more perfect rock album I can't imagine.

The President's 50th Birthday 1

It's now been 50 years since 'The Pres' first made noise. To celebrate, here's the first part of my "50 At 50" podcast mix that can be found at  

John Miles - Music 

This song says it all. First released in 1976 and taken from the album 'Rebel'. It showcases all of Miles' talents, playing piano, guitar and keyboards on the track as well as composing the song. It's a fine example of how a good pop song should be written and I always find it incredibly interesting to listen to, with it's lush orchestration and simplicity of lyrics.  

Altered Images - Happy Birthday 

Probably the best 'birthday song' ever (with the possible exception of The Sugarcubes 'Birthday') this showcases the lovely Clare Grogan's giggly girl vocals and appeared on their first, identically titled album in 1981. it has a particular memory for me as I was working at HMV at the time, and a fellow co-worker loved this album and played it every time it was his turn 'on the rota'. Not only must I have heard this track a hundred times, but edited versions of the song also appeared as an intro and outro to the album - it drove me mad at the time, but now it reminds me of the great times I had there. 

Tourists - I Only Want To Be With You 

Annie Lennox's band before the Eurythmics was a real favourite of mine. I used to play it at all the parties I had as a teenager. it was at one of these drunken festivities, to this track, that I first danced with a cute girl called Jill who was going out with another of my friends at the time. Four years later, in 1983, it became the first dance at our wedding, and we still play it occasionally now. The single reached number 4 in the charts, coincidentally the Bay City Rollers and Dusty Springfield had reached the same position with their own versions, but ex-page 3 girl Samantha Fox, broke the trend when her version, deservedly, only reached number 16 in 1989.  

Stealer's Wheel - Stuck In The Middle With You 

For my twelfth birthday in 1973, I took my new shiny coins to 'Rumbelows' in our high street to purchase my very first seven inch single. I had heard Neil Sedaka performing 'Standing On the Inside' on TV and was determined to make it my first purchase. Fortunately, my nervousness took over when faced with the huge record counter and the long haired 'adult' that confronted me, demanding what record I wanted. I glanced at the Top 20 board for inspiration - it was 'Doing something somewhere' I nervously thought - and spurted out 'Stuck In the Middle' when my eyes glanced upon the title. Masking my disappointment when I got home, I nonetheless quite enjoyed the Stealer's Wheel track and played it to death until I was able to afford the Neil Sedaka single. As my tastes in music developed, I began to realise what a fortunate error had occurred as I have now been forever able to claim that this was my first single, and not the MOR Sedaka track that no-one has ever heard! Every few years it comes to my attention again, in the 90s when Reservoir Dogs became a hit movie, and more recently with the sad death of Gerry Rafferty (see other post). It still remains one of those great songs that can stand repeated plays.  

Art Of Noise - Close To The Edit 

It's probably my second favourite track of all time (my first will be revealed later), Art of Noise were the first group to appear on Trevor Horn's ZTT label in the 80s and I loved them. I always admired artists that tried something different with music and AON certainly did that! Nods towards other genres, humour and perfect melodies were all intrinsic to their releases, and although they lost their way somewhat with their later, ambient, sounds they still remain one of the most innovative bands that ever existed, and still vastly underrated. 

 XTC - This Is Pop 

Anyone who knows me will know that XTC are my favourite band. From the first time I heard 'This Is Pop' in my friend Steve's house, I was hooked. With Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding at the helm, they are probably the only band that have travelled through punk, new wave, folk, psychedelic and indie, with most stops in between, and still kept their distinctive approach and sound throughout. Perhaps it's because I've grown up with Andy and co, but there hasn't been a sole XTC song that hasn't meant something to me in my life. The early punk days mirrored my teenage angst, their album releases have developed my interest in all genres of music from classical and jazz to pop and rock, and the specific lyrics that have reflected my own views on life fromtitles like 'Respectable Street' to 'Pink Thing'. They were also a great live band until Andy 'retired' from touring in the early 80s and their videos were always entertaining.  

Bucks Fizz - Making Your Mind Up 

I know.... but at the time my love of Bucks Fizz was tempered by my equal love of Motorhead and encouraged by my admiration of the young Cheryl Baker and the 'sexy but nasty' image of Jay Aston. They became the only band that I was keen enough to join their fan club, and have seen, in various line-ups, live many times. It was mainly to annoy my Hells Angels friends that I hung around with at the time, and I certainly had a perverse pleasure in liking something that every other adult seemed to hat, but after winning the Eurovision in 1981, they released several fine pop albums that should not be ignored, if only as an example of how pure pop songs should be made. There's a lot of 'pop' artists around today who could learn a lot from this lot!  

Spice Girls - Stop 

I've been to many concerts over the years, but the one at Wembley Arena, just prior to Geri leaving the line-up was one of the most memorable. Not only for the great time I had with my fellow attendee, but also because I had never experienced so many excitable teenage girls in one place at one time. Along with a few 'dragged-along-honestly' Dads and many, many gays, the whole event had such a party atmosphere, and when 'Stop' was performed no-one could resist the arm-waving dance moves that went along with it - myself included! One knew that this type of mania couldn't last, but I was glad to be there whilst it did.  

Peter Andre - Mysterious Girl 

Before the Jordan Experience - Mr Andre was a half-decent pop star. His first big hit in the summer of '96 was to be heard everywhere, including the school field where my son was having his first sports day, and as I shaded my new born daughter from the blistering sun, this track was played over the school's tannoy. I bounced her to the music, and she smiled back. Many sleepless nights were then avoided as I found that the song, sung quietly whilst rocking, sent her back to sleep. She detests the thought now, but it will be forever recalled in my head as her song!  

Right Said Fred - Deeply Dippy 

And to further embarrass my offspring, here's the song that did the same thing for my son back in '92. It could have been worse - a year earlier their big hit was 'I'm Too Sexy' - now that would be just wrong!  

Rubinoos - I Think We're Alone Now 

In the late 70s I was really into collecting independent record labels. It was in the days when a record label would, more or less, stick with a certain style of music, so that you could basically guarantee that anything that appeared on the label would be of interest. Along with Stiff, and later Mute and ZTT, another label that appealed to me was Beserkley. The home of Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers, the label had a great roster that included Greg Kihn, Earthquake, The Spitballs and this little known power pop band - the Rubinoos. I loved this version of an old sixties American hit when it was released. So much so that my band (Square Root???) performed our own cover of it. For years I was proud of covering such an obscure and relatively unheard song, and then in 1988, something terrible happened. A teenage brat with a nasal drone that some people called a voice, took the song to the very top of the UK charts. In one single release, Tiffany had destroyed any hopes of that demo ever getting looked at twice on an A&R managers desk! I hate you Tiffany - (I still think the song is great though!)  

Wings - Magneto And Titanium Man 

It was the mid 70's, and I was travelling home from some visit to some Aunt or Uncle in the back of my Dad's car. I had been reading a comic and trying to ignore, for a good 40 minutes, my father's 8 track stereo pumping out 'the Greatest hits Of Country & Western', when my Dad decided to play a new cassette that he had been given by a colleague at work. At first, I wasn't that interested in the cod-rock musings of someone that used to be in the Beatles, but then this! Not only was it quite a modern sounding song, but it was singing about two characters that I had just been reading about in my comic books. To my young brain, music had never been so relevant to me before, and made me view my father in a completely new light. 

Eliza Doolittle - Skinny Genes 

Every year since 1977, I have compiled my own Top 100 singles of the year for my own amusement - (I didn't become President of the Sad F'ers by accident you know!). To bring things up to date, here's my favourite track from last year. It took a while to get into dear Eliza's wispy musings, but after three singles, I am completely hooked. I hope the follow up album is as good.

Gerry Rafferty RIP

When Gerry Rafferty passed away at the beginning January this year (4th), it was only then that I realised the impact that he had had on me throughout the years.

Although his early years with the Humblebums had meant little to me, the other famous member of that eclectic group had an enourmous impact on my sense of humour. Without Gerry Raffertty there would have been no Humblebums, and without them, Billy Connolly would never have stepped up to the mike to reveal his unique brain to the world! It was only later whilst watching an interview with Connolly that I realised this.

Later in the 70s, again without realising, Rafferty had also had a landmark influence on my music taste as well!

In 1973, I wandered into my local branch of Rumbelows looking to buy my first single. I had heard 'Standing on The Inside' by Neil Sedaka, and was determined that my pocket money would go towards the purchase of that 7" piece of vinyl. However, as fate would have it, my nerves got the better of me, and once inside the shop, standing at the counter, with my handful of shiny new pence sweaty in my palms, I went into a panic and couldn't think of the single I wanted to buy! Looking frantically at the Top Singles chart pinned to the wall, I went for the similar sounding "Stuck In The Middle" by Stealer's Wheel.

In hindsight, that was the best mistake I ever made. Instead of the naff Neil Sedaka single that no-one now can remember, I can proudly claim that the first single I bought was the ultra-cool Stealer's Wheel track. A song that became cool all over again when, the master of cool, Quentin Tarantino used it in 'Pulp Fiction'.

I played that first single to death, and grew to like it very quickly, but failed to recognise the connection when years later, 'Baker Street' was being played everywhere, and driving me insane. It was only when the follow-up single "Days Gone Down" was released (and failed to chart) did I grow to love Gerry's music.

So here's my Memorial 2CD for Gerry Rafferty - better late than never...


CD1

01 - Blood And Glory - Humblebums
02 - Please Sing A Song For Us - Humblebums
03 - Shoeshine Boy (0) - Humblebums
04 - Steamboat Row - Humblebums
05 - Can I Have My Money Back (0)
06 - Mary Skeffington
07 - New Street Blues
08 - Sign On The Dotted Line
09 - Late Again (0) - Stealer's Wheel
10 - Who Cares - Stealer's Wheel
11 - Stuck In The Middle With You (8) - Stealer's Wheel
12 - Everyone's Agreed That Everything Will Turn Out Fine (33) - Stealer's Wheel
13 - Star (25) - Stealer's Wheel
14 - Right Or Wrong (0) - Stealer's Wheel
15 - Home And Dry
16 - Right Down The Line (0)
17 - Baker Street (3)
18 - Days Gone Down (0)
19 - Family Tree
20 - The Way That You Do It

CD2

1 - Why Won't You Talk To Me
2 - Night Owl (5)
3 - Get It Right Next Time (30)
4 - Garden Of England
5 - Bring It All Home (54)
6 - Royal Mile (67)
7 - As Wise As A Serpent
8 - Sleepwalking
9 - The Right Moment
10 - Letter From America (3) - Proclaimers
11 - A Dangerous Age
12 - Shipyard Town
13 - Tired Of Talking
14 - Don't Speak Of My Heart
15 - Over My Head
16 - Keep It To yourself (0)

Gary Moore RIP

Gary Moore passed away on Sunday 6th of February 2011 in his sleep of a heart attack while on holiday in Spain. Moore, who was 58, started out in Irish band Skid Row (not to be confused with the later named HM band) before collaborating with Thin Lizzy and forming a strong friendship with frontman Phil Lynott (who died in 1986 after battling alcohol and drug addiction).

Belfast-born Moore started learning the guitar at eight and went on to forge a prolific solo career after his stints with Thin Lizzy, pairing up with some of the greatest names in blues and rock music. He helped create several bands (Colloseum II, G-Force and BBM) but inevitably always returned to his solo career.

Never a compulsary purchase, his albums were nonetheless always diverse and interesting, and he bacame like an old friend that you didn't see so often, but when you did, he provided a comforting and enjoyable familiarity.

Here's my 2CD compilation for Gary

CD 1

1. Skid Row - Mad Dog Woman (1970)
2. The Energy Dance (1973)
3. Thin Lizzy - Still In Love With You (1974)
4. Colloseum II - Secret Places (1976)
5. Greg Lake - C'est la Vie (1977)
6. Thin Lizzy - Waiting For An Alibi (9 in 1979)
7. Parisienne Walkways (8 in 1979) with Phil Lynott
8. Thin Lizzy - Do Anything You Want To Do (14 in 1979)
9. Thin Lizzy - Sarah (24 in 1979)
10. Greedies - A Merry Jingle (28 in 1979)
11. G Force - You (1980)
12. Hold On To Love (65 in 1984)
13. Empty Rooms (23 in 1984)
14. Out In The Fields (5 in 1985) with Phil Lynott
15. Over The Hills And Far Away (20 in 1986)
16. Wild Frontier (35 in 1987)
17. Friday On My Mind (26 in 1987)

CD 2

1. Loner (53 in 1987)
2. Don Airey - Song For Al (1988)
3. After The War (37 in 1989)
4. Ready For Love (56 in 1989)
5. Oh Pretty Woman (48 in 1990) with Albert King
6. Still Got The Blues (For You) (31 in 1990)
7. Walking By Myself (48 in 1990)
8. Too Tired (71 in 1990)
9. Cold Day In Hell (24 in 1992)
10. Story Of The Blues (40 in 1992)
11. Since I Met You Baby (59 in 1992) with BB King
12. Seperate Ways (59 in 1992)
13. Parisienne Walkways (Live) (32 in 1993)
14. BBM - Where In The World (57 in 1994)
15. Need Your Love So Bad (48 in 1995)
16. When The Sun Goes Down (2002)
17. Power Of The Blues (2004)