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Wednesday 30 April 2014

Tidy Tune #120: No Surrender - Kevin Montgomery

 From the album '2.30am'

No Surrender

He has recorded another Springsteen cover as well, for his 'Another Long Story' album.

I Wish I Was Blind

Kevin is on tour throughout May in the UK and Ireland. For information on the dates click here!

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band - High Hopes Tour: Sunrise Ft. Lauderdale, April 29th, 2014



 (Photo by Todd Draper)

Click on the links to enjoy the music. There are not many available yet (gotta let those Bruce fans get some sleep!) but I'll keep an eye out throughout the day for them when they become available.
Almost three hours down in Sunrise Fla. last night and what a set! Rare tunes, requests, and even a world premiere!

'Linda, Let Me Be The One' was played for the first time ever. It featured on the 'Tracks' Box Set. 'Hearts of Stone', a song that was given to Southside Johnny, was performed for the first time ever by the E Street Band. 'I Wanna Marry You' was played for only the third time ever since 1981.

The show opened for the fourth time this tour with a cover of 'Clampdown' by The Clash. The show ended with a full band performance of 'Thunder Road' rather than what has become quite normal an acoustic version.


Tuesday 29 April 2014

Tidy Tune #119: Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It's Flavour (On the Bedpost Overnight) - Lonnie Donegan

Born on this day in 1931, Lonnie Donegan, singer who launched the skiffle craze. He had a 1960 UK No.1 single with ‘My Old Man’s A Dustman’, plus over 30 other UK Top 40 singles. He died on November 3rd 2002. 


Monday 28 April 2014

Tidy Tune #118: The Emporer's New Clothes - Sinead O'Connor

On this day in Musical History back in 1990, Sinead O'Connor started a six-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got' and that's where this track first appeared. 

Sunday 27 April 2014

Tidy Tune #117: Man of the Year - The Models


 Born on this day in 1959, Marco Pirroni


Man of The Year (B-Side)

Freeze (A-Side)

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band - High Hopes Tour: Atlanta 26th April 2014


Only two hours and forty six minutes but look what he packed into the set!

Click on the links and I'll keep my eyes open for more throughout the day.


(Photo Alison Walden)

"I'm in a 'River' kind of mood."

1. Clampdown (Clash cover)
2. Adam Raised A Cain
3. The Ties That Bind
4. Jackson Cage/ 5. She's The One
6. Independence Day (tour premiere, solo piano)
7. High Hopes
8. Just Like Fire Would
9. Tougher Than The Rest (sign request)
10. Cadillac Ranch
11. Trapped (sign request)
12. Point Blank
13. Heaven's Wall
14. Seeds
15. Death To My Hometown
16. Wrecking Ball
17. Shackled and Drawn
18. The Ghost of Tom Joad
19. The Rising
20. Badlands
Encores:
21. Drive All Night (tour premiere)
22. Born To Run
23. Ramrod
24. Dancing in the Dark
25. Tenth Avenue Freeze Out
26. Shout
27. Highway To Hell

Saturday 26 April 2014

Tidy Tune #116: Disturbance at the Heron House - R.E.M.

  


Reissued as part of Record Store Day last week as 'Unplugged 1991/2001: The Complete Sessions'.
(Updated: version deleted so replaced with another live version 30th Dec)

Friday 25 April 2014

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band - High Hopes Tour: Raleigh 24th Aprl 2014



Not an awful lot of links around at the moment, will keep on checking throughout the day and add them as they become available.

Bit of a shorter show last night, only two hours and forty eight minutes (only he says!).


1. High Hopes
2. Badlands
3. Out in the Street
4. Growin' Up
5. Hungry Heart
6. Brilliant Disguise
7. Atlantic City
8. Johnny 99
9. Wrecking Ball
10. The Promised Land
11. I'm On Fire
12. Because The Night
13. Working On The Highway
14. Darlington County
15. Shackled and Drawn
16. Waitin' On A Sunny Day
17. The Ghost Of Tom Joad
18. The Rising
19. Land Of Hope And Dreams
Encores
20. Pretty Flamingo (Tour Premiere)
21. Born To Run
22. Glory Days (snippet)/23. Dancing In The Dark/24. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
25. Shout
26. Thunder Road

40 Years of Blondie Part Three: 1979-80




REMEMBER TO CLICK ON THE LINKS TO ENJOY THE MUSIC!

Following a fairly eventful 1978 came yet another year of success for Blondie in 1979. It all began on 3rd January when 'Heart of Glass' was released as the next single from the 'Parallel Lines' album.


Heart of Glass / Rifle Range (UK B-Side) / 11.59 (US B-Side).

The song had intially began life way back in 1974-75 as 'Once I Had A Love' and was commonly know to the band as 'The Disco Song'. A second version of it was recorded as a Demo in 1978 and was less funky but was beginning to show some signs of what it would eventually become. Debbie Harry has said that this one of the first songs they wrote as Blondie and they could never seem to get it right trying it as a ballad and as a Reggae song, "but it never quite worked".

When the band met Mike Chapman as they begun work on 'Parallel Lines' he had asked them to play through all the songs they had and when asked if there was anything else they mentioned this tune. Chapman liked it and and thought it was fascinating and from that moment began to bring some focus to the song. So, it actually might never had made it to the album had he not asked and Blondie wouldn't have known anything about having a record that was #1 in a number of countries around the world (including the USA - the single was released there in April 1979).

The 12" release contained a Disco Mix of the song and an instrumental mix as well. The release of the single also created some consternation among the New York New Wave community and I know that The Ramones were none too happy with them and spoke about them selling out and going disco (though Chris Stein said in an interview with The Guardian in April 2013 that it was "tongue-in-cheek. They were our friends").

May 1979 in the UK saw the release of the new 7" and 12" from Blondie, another track off of 'Parallel Lines' - 'Sunday Girl'. It hit the #1 spot in Australia and the UK and wasn't released in the USA as a single.


In the States the second single release would be 'One Way Or Another'. It would only climb as high as #24 on the Billboard Hot 100. The B-Side was 'Just Go Away'.

Another hit single followed in the UK in September with the lead single for the up and coming brand new album, 'Eat to the Beat'. The single would reach #2 and in the States it would peak at #27. One of the things I really love about this single is the drumming on it by Clem Burke, totally epic!
Dreaming / Sound Asleep (UK B-Side) / Living in the Real World (US B-Side).


October the brand new album hit the #1 spot in the UK (in the States it only made it as far as #17).

 Blondie's first video album was produced in conjunction with this record, featuring a promotional video for each of the album's 12 songs. It was the first such project in rock music. Most of the songs were filmed in and around New York, the exception was the 'Union City Blue' music video, which was filmed at Union Dry Dock, Weehawken, New Jersey. Each video was directed by David Mallet and produced by Paul Flattery. The video was initially available as a promotional VHS in 1979 and subsequently released on videocassette and videodisk in October 1980.

November 1979 and the band released the second single from the album and it only got to #13 in the UK Chart (it was never released as a single in the States). 'Union City Blues' is my favourite Blondie track ever.

In January 1980 in the States they chose 'The Hardest Part' backed by 'Sound Asleep' as the second single and it only reached #84 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is generally assumed that one of the main reasons for the lack  of success for the single was due to the popularity on radio of what would be their next single released in February, 'Call Me' from the Soundtrack to the movie 'American Gigilo'. The song spent 6 weeks at #1 in the USA and was also a #1 single in the UK.

Also released in February in the UK was 'Atomic'. It would become their third #1 single and sat there for two weeks.

There would be a bit of a long wait until the next release in October 1980, but we will deal with that in the next part.

1979 Videos

Convention Hall, Asbury Park 7th July 1979.
 



Tidy Tune #115: My World - Secret Affair


Thursday 24 April 2014

Tidy Tune #114: Ooops I Did It Again - Richard Thompson.

 From his album '1000 Years of Popular Music'.

It sounds like it could be a disaster, but...


Wednesday 23 April 2014

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band - High Hopes Tour: Pittsburgh 22nd April 2014



Click on The Links to enjoy the Music
Encores:
20. The Promise (solo piano)
21. The Wall
22. Born in the USA
23. Light of Day (with Joe Grushecky)
24. Frankie Fell in Love (with Joe Grushecky)
25. Born To Run
26. Dancing in the Dark
27. Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
28. Shout
29. Dream Baby Dream (solo on the pump organ)

Rewind: 23rd April 1976 - The Ramones Release Their Debut Album!


It's been 38 years ago since my ears first heard the sound of The Ramones blaring out of the radio (thanks John Peel) and in that moment the way I listened to music totally changed. All around at the time were bands that were far to self-indulgent with themselves. Albums were a bit of a chore to listen to as musicians seemed to max out on heavy duty guitar solos and over the top keyboard solos. It was not uncommon for songs to last eight or nine minutes. Enter into this mix the self titled debut album of a band from Forest Hills, New York called The Ramones.

Released on April 23rd 1976, containing 14 songs that clocked in at 29 minutes and 4 seconds! This album was a radical departure from what had been the norm. Even in New York City bands like Television and Talking Heads were quite arty whereas The Ramones were a band that had their sight clearly set on reclaiming true pop music! Though in saying that, the themes of their songs were not exactly "radio friendly" and on release the album was pretty much ignored by American Radio and the record only reached #111 in the Billboard Charts.


It cost $6,400 to make over a period of seven days. There's no guitar solos, no pompus musical arrangements, just plain old rock and roll played at breakneck speed.




It was an album that for many changed their whole musical landscape and 38 years on it still sounds incredible.

"Hit it Dee Dee...1-2-3-4!" 

The Ramones Debut Album


Bruce Springsteen - American Beauty



 Promo Video for American Beauty

Full EP

Tidy Tune #113: Glad It's All Over - Captain Sensible


Tuesday 22 April 2014

Tidy Tune #112: Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) - Glen Campbell

Happy Birthday to Glen today


Adam and The Ants - Dirk Wears White Sox Hammersmith Apollo 19th April 2014


 Click on The Links to Enjoy The Music.

The Background
Prior to the release of their debut album their first recorded output came on the John Peel Show when they laid down four tracks for a January 1978 Session (Deutscher Girls, Puerto-Rican, It Doesn't Matter and Lou featuring Jordan). On the 24th January 1978 they re-recorded the Deutscher Girls track for Derek Jarman's Jubilee Movie and laid down some overdubs on a version of Plastic Surgery that had originally been recorded in 1977 at a Demos session.

A second Peel Session came in July 1978 and was broadcast on the 17th of the month (tracks included: You're So Physical, Cleopatra, Friends and I'm A Zerox Machine).

Decca Records signed them and only one single was released on October 20th 1978: Young Parisians / Lady. Most people I know prefer the B-side to the A-side.

A third John Peel Session was broadcast in April 1979, songs featured were: Tabletalk, Ligotage, Animals and Men and Never Trust A Man (With Egg On His Face).


After Decca had let them go they signed with Independent Do It Records and released their second single Zerox / Whip In My Valise in June 1979.

The Album
Dirk Wears White Sox was originally released on Do It Records 30th October 1979. It holds the distinction for being the first ever #1 album on the UK Independent Albums Chart in Record Week.

The Line - Up that recorded the album was:
  • Adam Ant – vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, harmonica
  • Dave Barbarossa (as Dave Barbe) – percussion
  • Matthew Ashman – guitar, piano
  • Andrew Warren – bass guitar


Side One.


Side Two.
The Aftermath
Not long after the album was released Malcom McLaren took over the management of the band after Adam had gone to him frustrated with the lack of commercial success.
On 26 January 1980, McLaren convinced the rest of the band – then comprising guitarist Matthew Ashman, bassist Leigh Gorman (who had replaced Warren in November 1979) and drummer Dave Barbe – to leave Adam and the Ants and form Bow Wow Wow, fronted by Annabella Lwin.
Between February and April 1980 Adam Ant set about putting together a new band that would feature Marco Pirroini (formerly of Siouxsie and the Banshees - he played guitar at their first ever show at the 100 Club in 1976 as part of the Punk Rock Festival - Sid Vicious played Drums - , The Models - who released a classic single in 1977: Freeze / Man of the Year on Step Forward Records) on guitar and partner in writing many of Adam Ant's future hit singles right on into the 1990's.
As a contract filler for Do It Records in February 1980 Adam and the Ants released a re-recorded version of Cartrouble. John Moss (formerly of punk band London - who had recorded an album Animal Games and two singles: Everyone's A Winner and Summer of Love - and The Damned and future drummer of Culture Club) played on the single (he is credited as Terrys 1 and 2). Marco did the guitar and bass parts.


Unaided by label support the new band (now consisting of Adam Ant - Vocals, Marci Pirroni - Guitar, Kevin Mooney - Bass, Chris 'Merrick' Hughes and Terry Lee Miall both on Drums) hit the road for The Ants Invasion Tour and were rewarded a contract at the end of it with CBS Records. 
 The rest, as they say, is history!
19th April 2014 - Record Store Day.
Prior to the Hammersmith show Adam Ant took part in RSD Events at Rough Trade West and in Soho and performed Acoustic sets that included a few cover versions. I'm not too sure of how many songs he played or of the order that they were played in so I'll just stick them all here randomly. A Limited Vinyl Edition of 2,000 Copies of Dirk Wears White Sox was released on Ant's BlueBlack Hussar label for Record Store Day 2014.

Rough Trade West

 Berwick Street.

Hammersmith Apollo Show.

Monday 21 April 2014

Stiff Little Fingers - Highlights From The No Going Back Tour 2014

 The No Going Back Tour 2014

Warning: Some of the Links might contain bad language!

Here are some hightlights from the tour. There were a few dates on the tour where I could find no videos for (Wolverhampton - 21st, Manchester - 22nd, Ipswich 27th, and Exeter on the 31st from the actual show - there is a soundcheck video below). 

Remember, CLICK ON THE LINKS TO ENJOY THE MUSIC!

Academy, Leeds 12th March 2014


Ulster Hall Belfast 14th March 2014

Academy Newcastle 15th March 2014

Barrowlands Glasgow 17th March 2014

Academy Liverpool 18th March 2014.

Rock City, Nottingham 19th March 2014

Queens Hall, Nuneaton 20th March 2014 - Album Launch.

The Assembly, Lemington Spa 23rd March 2014.
Straw Dogs.
Wasted Life.
Listen.
Suspect Device.
Johnny Was.
 At The Edge.

The Cresset, Peterborough 24th March 2014.
At The Edge/Alternative Ulster.

The Waterfront, Norwich 26th March 2014.
Just Fade Away.

The Forum, London 28th March 2014.
 Straw Dogs.
Throwing It All Away.
Barbed Wire Love.
Suspect Device.
Alternative Ulster.

Academy, Bristol 29th March 2014.
Doesn't Make It Alright.
Alternative Ulster.

Phoenix, Exeter 31st March 2014.
Suspect Device/Alternative Ulster (Soundcheck).*

* As part of the pledge campaign to the new SLF album "No Going Back" Barry James was lucky enough to play bass guitar on a couple of songs with the band at their soundcheck for the 31st March 2014 gig at Exeter Phoenix. A fantastic and unforgettable experience no doubt!

Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth 1st April 2014.
My Dark Places
When We Were Young.
Doesn't Make It Alright.
Throwing It All Away.
Silver Lining.
Alternative Ulster/Barbed Wire Love.
At The Edge.







 



 


Happy Birthday Iggy Pop


(Photo by Daniele Barraco)

Born James Newell Osterberg on this day in 1947!

Click on the Links to enjoy the music.

Tidy Tune #111: Falling For You - Long Tall Shorty


Sunday 20 April 2014

Tidy Tune #110: Rise Today - Alter Bridge.

Someone Rose Today and Changed the World! 


Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - High Hopes Tour: Charlotte N.C. 19th April 2014

(The Handwritten Proposed Setlist for Charlotte!)

So, as you will see from the proposed setlist above and the actual setlist below things don't always happen the way they are planned! I guess that's one way to keep the band on their toes and earning their crust during a blistering three hour and 13 minute performance! Remember to click on the links to enjoy the music.

A 30 song set that included 7 Cover versions, three of which were Tour Premieres! 9 songs in the set were sign requests (I think that must almost be a record in itself...will have to check into that!) and the show opener was a first time performance ever for the E Street Band and only the second time Bruce has ever played it live (the last being in Philly back on the Devil's and Dust Tour on 17th May 2005).

'Louie Louie' was last played 7th May 2009 in Toronto. The last time they did 'Mustang Sally' was back in 2009 at the warm-ups for the Working on a Dream Tour at the Asbury Park Convention Hall on 23rd March 2009. 'Brown Eyed Girl' was last played with the E Street Band 5 years ago in the same venue in NC on 3rd November 2009.

Encores:
23. Darkness on the Edge of Town (sign request)
24. The Wall
25. Born in the U.S.A.
26. Born to Run
27. Dancing in the Dark
28. Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
29. Shout
30. Dream Baby Dream (solo on the pump organ)




Saturday 19 April 2014

Tidy Tune #109: Money in my Pocket - Denis Brown

 Reggae always seems to sound better on a sunny day! And because it's Record Store Day this version is played straight off a 12".


Friday 18 April 2014

Quick Note For Visitors: How to Use Soundtrack4Life!


One of my friends was telling me that when sharing links from this blog with others on fansites etc that the links were often deleted because the people failed to notice that my blog usually contains links to music videos or audio videos and all they seem to see are lists that mean very little at all to them!

Generally if you see something written in this colour, it is a link to the music video or audio video or website etc that I have been talking about in the particular blog or something that I am wanting to spotlight to enhance the reading of the particular blog.

So, for future reference, when you see this, just click on it and surprise yourself by listening/watching/reading something that will brighten your day.

Thanks for reading (and apologies to those who are already gifted enough to have figured this out already!).

Doug

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