A BONUS POST

This is all thanks to Lisa at 'Copy, Right? who earlier today gave access to yet another obscure but immense song on her fantastic blog.

mp3 : Neverending White Lights ft Nick Hexum - Age of Consent*

*song no longer available to download

Takes a brilliant NO track and makes it sound like a completely different NO track - Your Silent Face anyone??

Buy it and get loads more info about the concept that is Neverending White Lights at the official website right here.

TRIBUTE TO A TROUBADOUR

For those of you who don't recognise the face in the picture - it's the supremely talented, wonderful and entertaining Martin Stephenson.

Martin Stephenson & The Daintees were one of my favourite bands in the 80s. I must have saw them live maybe 15 times or so, mostly in Glasgow or Edinburgh. Signed to Kitchenware Records, they, along with Prefab Sprout, The Kane Gang and Hurrah! were at the vanguard of what was a bit of a Geordie musical scene.

All of the other three had some sort of chart success with Prefab Sprout easily being the most popular. I still have no idea why The Daintees came up short.

My introduction to the man and the band was via television. I was watching 'Whistle Test' one evening when Martin was introduced and he played a short blues instrumental. For the second song, to be played with the band, he had to change guitar. The guitar strap broke and for what seemed like an eternity he had to mess around and sort himself out as the band looked on. Martin just turned to the camera, winked and said, 'God Bless.' And launched into what remains one of my favourite songs of all time.

Between 1986 and 1992, the band released four fantastic albums which sold in ever decreasing numbers. While they were good on record, they were simply amazing live. Every single time - whether it was a cramped small and sweaty venue or a 2,000+ capacity theatre.

When the band broke up, I kind of moved on, and while I bought some of the solo stuff that Martin went on to release, I didn't make any special efforts to go see him live. I kind of regret that.

Nowadays, he plays solo gigs and pubs and clubs in villages, towns and cities all across the UK. There's even the occasional Daintees reunion such as on the 14 & 15th December down in Newcastle. All you need to know can be found at Martin's official website here.

All of The Daintees records have been re-mastered and re-released via 'Voiceprint' a wonderful independent label, radio station and all things audio/visual. I recently bought a Martin Stephenson DVD from them - 'Live At The Roscoe' - a small and intimate venue in Leeds. It won't be the last time I order from them.

And here's the song that I heard on The Whistle Test all those years ago.

mp3 : Martin Stephenson & The Daintees : Crocodile Cryer*

*song no longer available to download

Please, Please, Please. Buy Martin Stephenson material if you don't already own it.

Here's the link in full - http://www.voiceprint.co.uk/web/Catalogue/Search/martin%20stephenson/

Thank You.

AT LONG LAST...A PROPER VINYL POSTING

It's been a while since I went into the cupboard to find something rare to share with you. After all, that was the original intention behind the blog before I got a bit carried away.

I'm feeling a bit low and miserable just now, so it's a cheery little tune. Hope it finds favour with y'all.

mp3 : The Adventure Babies - Camper Van (4:44) *

*song no longer available to download

Hard to believe that this is on Factory Records. It's from 1991 - FAC 319.

If anyone can supply any detailed info on the band, please feel free to get in touch.

Don't think you can buy this anywhere. So no link to amazon - for once

PS : Last night's vid-fest will not be a regular feature, but there might be something a little different appearing every now and again - unless there's a demand out there.

THE BOY DONE GOOD

Almost didn't go along to the eagerly-awaited Albert Hammond Jr gig last night. Got a couple of phone calls late in the afternoon that left me feeling very low, and combined with the remaining jet-lag in the system, I wasn't entirely in the mood.

But the thought of perhaps missing out on something special, and the fact that I hadn't actually been in the ABC2 before, helped change my mind so off I went in the company of Mrs Villain.

We arrived just as the support act The Pierces were taking to the stage. And there were a substantial number of people gathered to watch. Mrs Villain's first comment was "oh, it's eye candy for the boys - it's a good job my eye candy is the main act."

This was a band fronted by two attractive young ladies - one very blonde and the other very brunette - backed by four blokes with big shaggy hair. My reply was to Mrs Villain was "I reckon they're sisters." After five songs the blond cutey says "Hi, I'm Catherine Pierce and this is my sister Alison Pierce." So it turns out I was right. Cue rueful smile from Mrs Villain.

To be honest, I wasn't expecting much as the band started out - it looked like another example of style over substance. But it turned out that there was quite a lot more to them than I would have imagined. The boys were a really tight unit while the girls really could sing, both as soloists and in harmony. The songs themselves were quite varied - there was folky/rootsy stuff mingled in with songs you could dance to. Indeed Mrs Villain thought the girls had a touch of Shakira about them during one particular number.

Half an hour passed in a pleasant enough manner.

I did a little bit of research today - and discovered this at www.themodernage.org:-

ALBERT & GIRLFRIEND CATHERINE GO ON TOUR TOGETHER

The Pierces, sisters Catherine and Allison, are going gigging with Albert Hammond Jr at the end of this month during the UK leg of his solo tour. They are supporting their new album, 'Thirteen Tales of Love and Rereleased which will be releasd in February 2007 on Lizard King Records.

Their live band includes Russell Simins of Jon Spencer Blues Experience, Shannon Ferguson of Longwave, Sammy James Jr of Mooney Suzuki and Ben Bromley of Fischerspooner.

The stunning siblings' pretty blend of do-wop, blues and folk music is actually a perfect match for Albert's quirky pop tunes. Should be a great bill.

I guess those who more in the know were aware of the status of the blonde Ms Pierce and the fact there was a 'supergroup' providing the backing. Kind of explains why so many were there from the outset.

And so to Mr Eye Candy himself.

I've already mentioned in previous postings that 'Yours To Keep' is one of my favourite albums of 2006. But how would it sound live? And would Master Hammond be a good enough front man?? And would we get morons demanding he play hits by his other band???

The answers - fabulous, yes and no.

I think this was the third or fourth gig of a short UK tour. Coxon Le Woof over at 'To Die By Your Side' has written his own positive review of the first night of the tour in Birmingham, but noted that sometimes the words were forgotten. Maybe it was opening night nerves cos there were no such problems in Glasgow.

The band opened with 'In Transit', the song that is the most Strokes-like on the album. The crowd went wild, and that set the tone for the evening. The pace never slackened, even when Albert discarded his electric guitar and played songs like 'Blue Skies'. By and large it was a loud, rocky gig - with three guitarists, one bass player and one drummer it couldn't be otherwise - but the sound all the way through was superb. Whether ABC2 is an outstanding venue or there was a particularly brilliant engineer on the desk I can't say for certain. But Albert's voice came through loud and clear at all times.

The main thing that struck me was this was a band that was really enjoying itself. Albert was forever smiling and chatting with the audience inbetween songs - I got the impression he is almost overawed by the reaction there has been to the album and the live gigs. Sadly, it was all over in a little over 40 minutes. But there was no feeling that we had been short-changed in any way as this was top-quality from start to end - and what an ending it was with an incredible version of 'Hard To Live In The City'.

This week sees the release of '101' as a single. It's a real radio-friendly number and if Rough Trade get their act together, it could get decent airplay and then hit the charts at a more than respectable position. If so, then the next tour will certainly take in venues substantially larger than the ABC2.

How good a gig was it? Well, Mrs Villain bought me a t-shirt at the end - something that only happens on a truly special night.

As Mr Eye Candy himself sang - Everyone Gets A Star. I'm awarding gold all round.

mp3 : Albert Hammond Jr - In Transit *

*song no longer available to download

That's the 3rd song I've made available from a 10-song record. No more I'm telling you. Go out and buy it. Click here. It's only £8.99.

PICTURE THIS

I solemnly promise that this is the last holiday snap - it's the same beach as yesterday, only this time it's on the day a cruise ship comes in. This photo, unlike those on the two most recent postings - is a JC original.

As well as getting round to emptying cases and downloading a couple of hundred photos like that above, I've used the past few hours to look at some of my favourite webs and blogs.

The boys at Jock'n'Roll continue to beaver away and the latest Top 75 has now been published. The Discussion Forum has expanded significantly over the past fortnight, so I can only assume that they are deservedly getting more visitors and voters. If you haven't yet been in to see what it's all about, I can only implore every one of you to do so soon.

A long-running web is over at Magic, Murder, Mania & Manta Rays. I know Mike who runs this site - and he does it while holding down a full-time job, bringing up a family and beavering away on behalf of Raith Rovers Football Club. I don't always agree with what Mike has to say, but there's plenty of gems to be found.

But In the main, I've been reading over some favourite blogs.

The quality of posts at We Are Fading continues to impress beyond belief. This is the work of a supremely talented, but often seemingly troubled/worried mind. Never dull or boring and often thought-provoking. And the music that accompanies the postings is always very appropriate. I'm rarely familiar with many of the songs posted here, and I've been introduced to some great new artists. Oh and there's some amazing non-music blogs that you can link into from WAF, and you could end up spending a long time in there. You won't regret it.

I've also been in and read over Pretending Life Is Like A Song. In terms of music, PLILAS is a blog fairly similar to my own, so if you like what you hear in here, you'll like what you can hear in there.

Although its title is taken from a Smiths track, To Die By Your Side is not entirely what you might expect. There's a lot of great new stuff to be found in here alongside some great old classics. Loads of gig reviews as well.

There are a couple of long-running and fantastic blogs on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Up in Canada, Neiles Life contains an amazing array of mp3s to listen to. At the moment there's the first half of a listing of the Top 50 albums of the year. Great stuff.

Down in the USA, there's a simply incredible site - Music For Kids Who Can't Read Good. The time and energy that is spent on this is mind-boggling. There must be something for everyone's taste within its pages or its links.

All of the above sites, along with the now defunct Let's Kiss And Make Up, were the inspiration and templates for my undertaking this particular work. I can only aspire to be of such quality and popularity. But I'll keep trying.

Two more very unique sites are also highly recommended. Copy, Right? is something truly special. It consists only of cover versions - most of which seem to be very obscure. But they are rarely dull. Again, I cannot begin to imagine how much research and work goes into maintaining such incredibly high standards.

Just before I went away on holiday, I discovered Sound of Musique. The best word I can use to describe this relatively new blog is delightful.

I would urge a visit to all of the above mentioned. All you have to do is click on the appropriate link on the right hand side. But only after you've finished reading my own scribblings.

And if you do pay any of them a visit, think about leaving me a comment to say if you agree or otherwise.

And.... if you know of other blogs that are worth visiting, please pass on the details, again via a comment or an e-mail (the address can be found in my profile).

To everyone involved in all of the above, this rather obvious choice is dedicated to you.

mp3 : Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Every Day I Write The Book *

*song no longer available to download

As ever, I'd like you to buy. It originally appeared on 'Punch The Clock' and can also be found on a myriad of compilation albums. Click here.

HELLO, HELLO.....IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK

Well it is for blogging purposes at least.

It's cold here in Glasgow. The hard work of emptying the cases can wait till tomorrow. As can the downloading of a couple of hundred photos to keep fresh the memories of a fantastic two weeks. In the meantime, I've pinched a copy of someone else's snap as an illustration. The beach outside our hotel was usually as quiet as this - but got a little bit more lively a couple of times each week when cruise ships came in.

I've missed the daily fix of the blog. I've also really missed visiting all the blogs and other sites that I've got listed to the side of these daily outpourings. Tomorrow is for catching up on all of that. And for putting together a decent posting of my own.

Mrs Villain suggested that I offer up 'Islands In The Sun' by Weezer. Fair shout.

But I've gone for this instead:-

Song For Sunshine - Belle & Sebastian (4:08) (mp3)*

*song no longer available to download

As ever, if you like what you hear, you can buy it here.

WISH YOU WERE HERE?

I’m sorry to say but this is going to be the last posting on T V V for a couple of weeks.

A holiday awaits. I reckon it’s well deserved. Others may differ.

It’s been a cold and wet thoroughly miserable November day in Glasgow. Myself and Mrs Villain are going somewhere far far away where the sun usually shines and it is always a lot warmer than home.

Two whole weeks of rest and relaxation. Plenty of books have been packed and the I-pods have been updated. What a pleasure not having to find space in the suitcases for boxes of cassettes or CDs. Nor having to spend a fortune supporting the Duracell bunny. Thank you Apple.

Songs are obvious.

Holiday – Albert Hammond Jr (3:08) (mp3) *

Holiday Hymn – Orange Juice (3:17) (mp3) *

The Holiday Song – The Pixies (2:14) (mp3) *

*songs no longer available to download

Really enjoying young Master Hammond’s fine debut record – one of the pleasant surprises of 2006. Got tickets to see him in Glasgow the day after we get home. Should help the inevitable post-holiday blues.

Holiday is on the LP ‘Yours To Keep’
Holiday Hymn can be found on the LP ‘The Glasgow School’
The Holiday Song can be found on the LP ‘Surfer Rosa/Come On Pilgrim’

All can be purchased here.

Normal service will be resumed on Monday 27th November which is probably the most famous date in the calendar for any fans of Raith Rovers Football Club.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, visit ‘You Tube’ and take a trip back in time to 27th November 1994. Click here.

PS

On Sunday 12th November, the Jock’n’Rollers are expanding their chart from a Top 50 to a Top 75. I insist that you pay them a visit. It would also be nice if you took part in their poll.

Click here.

Thank you

SOMETHING I NEVER THOUGHT I'D DO AGAIN

Yesterday, I purchased a brand-new real-life 7” vinyl record for the first time in some time in something like 20 years. It even came with a gatefold sleeve.

The Decision (Datarock Remix) – The Young Knives (5:28) (mp3) *

*song no longer available to download

I bet it’s not another 20 years till the next time.

Here’s the web-pages of two of the best independent record stores in Scotland.

www.avalancherecords.co.uk – (where you’ll be redirected to Amazon & e-bay!!)
www.fopp.co.uk

And why not pay a visit to The Young Knives here where you can buy loads of product.

Happy Reading - and Shopping

THEY COME FROM A LAND DOWN UNDER

The best gig I've seen in 2006 - and I don't expect it to be surpassed - was that of Nick Cave at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on 5th February.

It was billed as a solo gig, but he was accompanied by three of the Bad Seeds - Martyn P Casey Warren Ellis and Jim Sclavunos. It was a mesemerising, astonishing gig with songs from right through the Bad Seed's back catalogue - many of which were radically rearranged. I was actually hoping that one of the gigs during the short UK tour would have been recorded and released as a live album. It was a truly stunning night.

But something even better has happened. Here's details from an e-mail that's gone out to everyone on the Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds mailing list:-

GRINDERMAN

Foul-mouthed, noisy, hairy, and damn well old enough to know better, Grinderman are Nick Cave, Warren Ellis, Martyn Casey and Jim Sclavunos.

Born of babbling lyrics hatched from Bosch eggshells in the Hyde-bound apocalyptic margins of the Cave brain, the Grinderman sound is an instinctual yawlp that also resurrects the demons of each musician's past: the trashcan proselytising of Birthday Party-era Nick; Sclavunos' late 70s New York no-wave noise wisdom; Martyn Casey's ominous Triffids bass reverb; plus Ellis' avant-garde soundtrack work and his teenage love of Black Sabbath. Destination: Out!

Warren: "It was meant to be really open liberating thing, push those elements where we'd normally say 'I don't know about that' and push on, relentless."

Nick: "We're just searching for a bit of freedom"

Jim: "Ceaselessly banging away."

Warren: "Having Nick on the guitar changed the whole dynamic of the thing and threw us into a much more rudimentary ballpark."

Martyn: "It wasn't consciously two fingers to maturity but I remember thinking, all the way through, 'This isn't bad for a bunch of old farts.'"

Nick Cave - Vocals, Electric Guitar, Electric Organ, Piano
Warren Ellis - Electric Bouzouki, Fendocastor, Viola, Violin, Acoustic Guitar, Hohner Guitaret, Backing Vocals
Martyn P Casey - Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals
Jim Sclavunos - Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals

Grinderman sound different from everyone, including themselves. As Memphis Slim put it back in 1941, "While everything is quiet and easy - Mr. Grinder can have his way."

It's a new day. God help you all.

Debut Album Out on 5th March 2007

Listen to exclusive Grinderman music at www.myspace.com/grinderman

And it's fantastic.

Only hope that if they tour to promote the record that they come to Scotland - I'm a bit worried that Nick won't want to play here if he's not allowed to smoke on stage during performances.


Listen to:-

Red Right Hand (Scream 3 version) - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (6:01) (mp3) *

*song no longer available to download

Taken from the box-set 'B-sides & Rarities'.

As in all cases with the songs on this blog, I'd like you to purchase it. From Amazon or anywhere else you like.

JOCK'N'ROLL (Part Five)

The photo kind of gives it away doesn't it........

Orange Juice feature at Number 1 in both mine and Jacques The Kipper's Top 10s.

But we've gone for different songs.

We've also gone for different eras in espect of our second favourite Scottish singles. I'm still stuck back in the 80s. JTK is a 21st CenturyBoy.

Number 2s

JC : Breaking Point - Bourgie Bourgie (3:50) (mp3)*

*song no longer available to download

Quite simply, the best singer I’ve ever heard. It was really tempting to have multiple Paul Quinn appearances in this Top 10 under the guise of his work with The Independent Group and also his brilliant duet with Edwyn Collins on ‘Pale Blue Eyes.’ But I resisted.

It’s so sad that illness brought his relatively short recording career to a premature end. It’s even sadder that Bourgie Bourgie imploded just as the world was beginning to take notice of them. But I suppose when you leave behind just a couple of perfect singles, there’s nothing to taint the memory.

(Note : link to song deleted and replaced with one of a better quality. See Sunday 10 December 2006)

JTK : The Church of John Coltrane - St Jude's Infirmary (5:21) (mp3)*

*song no longer available to download

JTK says "Proof positive that it doesn't matter how old you get, music can still sound great, not necessarily new but certainly exciting. This works for me on so many levels. (And any song that gets John Coltrane into its title can't be bad.) Seeing them do "All my rowdy friends are dead" live is one of my favourite music moments ...... ever. Everlasting thanks to Bert for introducing me to this lot."

Number 1s

JTK : Blue Boy - Orange Juice (2:53) (mp3)*

*song no longer available to download

JTK says "Sadly I was too young to be in at the beginnings of punk. I was buying singles and albums long before this came out and seeing David Bowie on TOTP in the early seventies remains a formative moment, but for me my real love of music started with Orange Juice's early singles and this in particular. That jangle, that voice, those words. Genius.

Orange Juice remain my all time favourite band, surpassing even the Smiths, and it's good to see that Edwyn still retains dignity and musical credibility, something that can't always be said of Stephen Patrick. And let's not forget James Kirk and Malcolm Ross, both of whom have gone on to make some pretty decent music."

JC : Felicity - Orange Juice (2:34) (mp3)*

*song no longer available to download

This is the sound of happiness. Need I say more??

Slighty ironic that OJ are seen as Edwyn Collins' group when my favourite song of theirs was in fact written by James Kirk.

It was a really difficult task to finalise a Top Ten. I started off with a long-list approaching 100, and then a short-list of almost 40 which I listened to a few times. I wrote down 10....then changed my mind. I wrote down 10....and then changed my mind again. It didn't help that my final submission included a track that wasn't a single, 'Musette & Drums' by the Cocteau Twins. That was how the original No.11 by the Trashcan Sinatras sneaked in.

I would love to have found space for the likes of Altered Images, Lloyd Cole (with & without the Commotions), Edwyn Collins, Idlewild, James Yorkston, The Jazzateers, Paul Quinn & The Independent Group, Belle & Sebastian, Aztec Camera, Aberfeldy, Foil, Cocteau Twins, This Mortal Coil ('Song To The Siren' is admissable) . Teenage Fanclub, Goodbye Mr Mackenzie, Jesus and Mary Chain and Primal Scream - all of whom could have made it just as easily.

When you look at that list - and it's hardly exhaustive - you begin to appreciate that we're not a bad wee country when it comes to rock and pop music.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's a bit more tricky to buy today's offerings. Orange Juice records are at Amazon right here

St Jude's Infirmary stuff is best obtained from the website of their label - SL Records. But the site was down the last I looked.

Keep trying on www.slrecords.net

As for the majestic Bougie Bourgie. You might get lucky on e-bay. Here

So that's the Top 10s as far as two of the contributors to Jock'N'Roll are concerned. At this point in time (6th November), none of our favourite four Scottish singles are in the overall chart:-

1 The Associates—Party Fears Two

2 Aztec Camera—Oblivious

3 The Skids—Into The Valley

4 The Blue Nile—Tinseltown In The Rain

5 Franz Ferdinand—Take Me Out

6 Big Country—In A Big Country

7 Jesus and Mary Chain—Never Understand

8 Orange Juice—Rip It Up

9 Deacon Blue—Dignity

10 Trashcan Sinatras—Obscurity Knocks

If you don't agree, do something about it.

USE YOUR VOTE. VISIT JOCK'N'ROLL TODAY.

CLICK here

JOCK'N'ROLL (Part Four)

I don't suspect too many of you will recognise the above fab four.

There's loads of bands listed on Jock'n'Roll who released very fine records that sold in very low numbers. A band much loved and admired by both myself and Jacques The Kipper was Foil - and that's them pictured above.

They just missed out on my Top 10, but as you'll see below, they've been placed high by JTK in his chart. And rightly so.

Signed to 13th Hour Recordings in 1996, the band recorded two very fine albums - 'Spread It All Around' and 'Never Got Hip' (which along with 'Obscurity Knocks' by the Trashcan Sinatras is the most prophetic song title recorded by a Scottish band).

Now you might dismiss the following as PR hype :-

'Foil, the only band that manage to be both brutal, yet melodical in the same breath took time-out from tearing up venues around the country to present us with yet another fine single.

Their "take no prisoners alive" attitude prompted Kerrang to describe Hugh Duggie's vocal talents as "a man capable of stripping paint through sheer lung power alone". Phew! '

Reviver Gene' is completely re-recorded and sounds like it always should have and is now backed up on the 7" release with 'Sedate Me', whilst the CD version also includes 'Hey You' and 'Play Dead'.

All tracks were produced by Paul Tipler, who has previously worked with the likes of Elastica, Stereolab, Scarfo and Leatherface.'

But give them a listen, and you might then make your own mind up.

One of the beauties of Jock'n'Roll is there are hundreds of bands like Foil who are mentioned in the A-Z of artists. Go in for a visit and have your memory jogged a bit. Just click here.

Back to the charts

Number 4s

JC : Sunkissed - Friends Again (4:23) (mp3) *

(Note : link to song deleted and replaced with one of a better quality. See Sunday 08 December 2006)


JTK : Smalltown Boy - Bronski Beat (5:00) (mp3)* (**)

Number 3s

JC : Party Fears Two - Associates (5:14) (mp3) *

JTK : Reviver Gene - Foil (3:48) (mp3) *

*song no longer available to download

(**) Smalltown Boy becomes the first song in both of our Top 10s. But will it be the last. You'll need to visit sometime on or after Tuesday 7th November to find out. If you can be bothered.

Please buy the above songs if you don't already have them.

Sunkissed is from the LP 'Trapped & Unwrapped'
Smalltown Boy is from the LP 'Age of Consent'
Party Fears Two is from the LP 'Sulk'
Reviver Gene is from the LP 'Spread It All Around'

All, as usual, can be found at Amazon. Here.

JOCK'N'ROLL (Part Three)

The photo above is where I used to spend loads of money. As the sign above the window indicates, it's where you went if you wanted tickets for gigs at the Glasgow Apollo.

Back in the late 70s and early 80s, this was only venue of a decent size in Glasgow for bands on tour. And if you wanted to see a band, you went to the top of Renfield Street, climbed up the steep stairs to the first floor and waited in a queue. By the time you got to the window, you just hoped that the women working behind the counter could help you out.

It was all strictly cash terms - no bank or credit cards. You said what you wanted - you were pointed in the direction of a seating plan and asked to make your choice of stalls or circle . Only in extreme circumstances (ie - there were no other tickets left) would you go for seats in the Upper Circle - 'the gods' as they were known. No phone hotlines. No second chances on e-bay. You got your ticket there and then. You guarded it with your life.

Another thing worth mentioning - the price on the ticket was the amount of cash you handed over. No such things as booking/processing/admin fees that the likes of TicketBastard and the rest throw at you nowadays. Legalised extortion if you ask me.

Ticket prices in the late 70s and early 80s were not much more than the cost of a new album. Certainly, the idea of paying up to four times the cost of a new CD (New Order & Morrissey tix this year have worked out at more than £40 a pop taking in all the add-on costs imposed) would probably have led to boycotts of gigs and rows of empty seats.

Innocent times indeed.

So what's all this got to do with a posting for Jock'n'Roll you might ask??

Well, the site has a message board, one strand of which asks folk to talk about the first gig they ever attended. Mine was May 1979 at said Glasgow Apollo and was a triple-bill headlined by The Police with The Cramps and Bobby Henry in support. The cost was £2. Many hundreds of gigs have come and gone since, some better and more memorable than others.

But enough of the reminiscing and back to the music. And more from the Top 10s.


Number 6s

JC : Here We Go - Arab Strap (5:04) (mp3) *

JTK : Club Country - Associates (4:50) (mp3) *

Number 5s

JC : Love Song - Simple Minds (5:04) (mp3) *

JTK : How Men Are - Aztec Camera (3:39) (mp3) *

*song no longer available to download


All songs are available to buy. Here

Here We Go is from the LP 'Philophobia'
Club Country is from the LP 'Sulk'
Love Song is from the LP 'Sons & Fascination'
How Men Are is from the LP 'Love'

I'd also like to point out that you don't have to be Scottish to vote in the poll for greatest Scottish singles ever. Get on over to Jock'n'Roll now. Just click right here.

Thank You

JOCK'N'ROLL (Part Two)

Continuing on the theme of this extended weekend on TVV, here's how the folks over at Jock'nRoll introduce themselves:-

We’ve all done it. You’re in the pub and it’s that time of the evening when we’re all tired and emotional and suddenly, out of nowhere, someone says “What’s the Greatest Scottish Single of All-Time?” and before you know it a full scale debate/discussion/fight/need for bail money breaks out.

The idea for this poll was borne out of a love of all things musical, trivial and Scottish. Let’s face it, there have been many great bands/artist who have come out of Scotland, with some going on to grace the world stage.

Many of the acts featured on this website will be unfamiliar to a lot of you. But whether it’s Simple Minds and Texas or Heavy Pettin’ and The Crows they all have their admirers and they’ve all made singles.

This is your opportunity to nail your colours to the mast and show your undying love for Sheena Easton’s “9 to 5” (that’s “Morning Train” to our American readers) or Aneka’s “Jockanese Boy”. Please use these pages as a reference point to remind you of the greatness that is the Scottish single and to pick your 10 favourites (plus the worst).

And here's more parts of the Top 10s of myself and Jacques The Kipper:-

Number 8s

JC : Johnny Cash - Sons & Daughters (3:17) (mp3) *

JTK : Pearly-Dewdrops' Drop - Cocteau Twins (4:10) (mp3) *

Number 7s

JC : Into The Valley - The Skids (3:19) (mp3) *

JTK : Loneliness Shines - Malcolm Middleton (4:19) (mp3) *

*songs no longer available to download

The Jock'n'Roll website might still be awaiting your visit. Right here

You can get any of the above 4 tracks at Amazon. Here

Johnny Cash is from the LP 'Love The Cup'
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drop can be found on the compilation LP 'Pink Opaque'
Into The Valley is from the LP 'Scared To Dance'
Loneliness Shines is from the LP 'Into The Woods' **

** No remotely decent record collection is complete without a copy of this record

JOCK'N'ROLL (Part One)

Ladies and Gentlemen. Boys and Girls.

I draw your attention to a website mentioned in a sidebar to the blog - The Great Jock'n'Roll Single.

Dave and The Cat await your visit. All you have to do is list your all-time favourite Top 10 singles by Scottish artists Believe me, you'll go through hours of mental torture trying to do so. Especially when you're only allowed to put one entry per band or singer. All the rules are on the site. Oh, and I almost forgot - you're being asked to put your all-time worst Scottish single.

Apart from anything else, the site is very clearly a labour of love (and not in any Hue & Cry fashion), with photos of old record sleeves that will take you back to different places and make you think of different people you haven't seen or heard from in years.

As well as spending hours, maybe days or even weeks trying to get your Top 10 into shape (and when you do, I can predict with near certainty that you will change your mind at the 11th and a half hour), there's loads of Scottish pop facts and trivia and plenty of updates on how the voting is going so far. There's also a Message Board which some people are using as a confessional booth.

Great Fun.

And over the next few days, the Top 10 of your humble blog-lord and that of Jacques The Kipper (someone who has left a bad smell around the blog with his random comments attached to certain posts) will be put up here. If you can be bothered, you can then let me know who has the better taste. If either of us has any taste that is.

Happy Listening.

The Number 10s

JC : Obscurity Knocks - The Trashcan Sinatras (4:12) (mp3)*

JTK : Legal Man - Belle & Sebastian (2:42) (mp3)*

The Number 9s

JC : Smalltown Boy : Bronski Beat (5:00) (mp3)*

JTK : Loaded : Primal Scream (7:02) (mp3)*

*songs no longer available to download

Get Voting. Visit Jock'n'Roll here

Buy The Products.

Obscurity Knocks is from the LP 'Cake'

Smalltown Boy is from the LP 'Age of Consent'

Loaded is from the LP 'Screamadelica'

Legal Man is available as a 7", 12 " or CD single.

All available to buy from Amazon. Right here

Part Two with Nos 7 & 8 should be with you on Saturday.

DON'T YOU JUST HATE REPEATS????

Dear Reader.

Last week I implored you to cast your vote and help make AKA The Fox become famous rock stars. Here's what I said:-

This is T V V's first act of charity.

But it's in a very worthy cause.

I've a mate in a band - they're called AKA The Fox - and they're popular in an underground, word-of mouth sort of way. But that might change - and you, dear reader, can help.

Let my mate explain. Here's his e-mail from earlier today:-

'Please support your resident idiot rock n roller's desperate attempt to get him and his band on the telly.

Click on the link below and then please vote for 'AKA The Fox'.

If we win - and with the help of all you beautiful people miracles are truly possible - then the BBC will make a proper video for us and then show it on their new programme called 'The Music Show', which begins on November 5.

You may even want to listen to what we sound like before voting.But I take no responsibility for offended musical tastes, allergic reactions or general nausea.

Push that button.'

How can you resist.

Click on the link right here.

My intention had been to post an additional AKA The Fox song to help you (and them) along the way. But I ran into EZ Archive hosting problems immediately afterwards, and only now can I carry out my intention. So here's another of their songs which I hope you will like.

My Favourite Ned - AKA The Fox (mp3)*

*song no longer available to download

Thank You.

MUSIC IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

One of yesterday's posts featured a hero taking a French song and recording it in English. One of today's posts features another hero taking an English song and recording it in French.

If I have a regret about this blog, it's the fact that I wasn't running it when I went along to see The Wedding Present earlier this year. It was immense.

Dave Gedge is now 46 years of age, but he still performs as energetically as he did when he was 26. Some hardcore fans might argue that it wasn't really The Weddoes who went on tour in 2006 given that only one-quarter of the original band is still a member. Don't be such musical snobs.

Similar to Lloyd Cole last week, the set was balanced with songs from right through the band's very extensive recording career. The highlight was, without question. 'Kennedy' from Bizarro. I would bet that at least 200 middle-aged men - many of whom no longer fitted the t-shirts they were wearing, would have woken up the next morning wondering why they ached in places they hadn't ached in for many a year. Well it's your own fault for thinking it was 1989 all over again.

Everyone got a bonus at the end of the night. Dave made his way to the merchandising stall and signed everything put his way. I've now got aposter from the gig, with his scrawl, on the wall in my office at work.

I'm not ashamed to say I did buy a t-shirt that fits me....the man knows his market - there were more XL t-shirts on sale than I'd seen anywhere else. I wore it to The Young Knives gig the other week - someone came up and asked if the t-shirt was a wedding present or whether I was someone's wedding present. It's sad when the youth of today are so ignorant of their heritage.

I don't think there's been a somgwriter in my time who has been able to capture so many emotions in so many different ways. If you read my good friend W.A Fading's posting of the other day, you'll see that a Dave Gedge song reduced him to tears in a cafe. He can get you that way. He can also make you smile a great deal. And don't get me started about some of the inspirational cover versions he's done over the years. Nor how good and hugely underated Cinerama were.

The three songs I'm offering up cover different phases of The Wedding Present - and given they were much loved by John Peel (only The Fall recorded more Peel Sessions), I had to include a session version - one that improves on the original. And....my favourite record of 2005 is also here. Who needs new music when one of your favourite bands reforms and releases an absolute belter of an album?

Pourquoi Es Tu Devenue Si Raisonnable? - Cadeau De Mariage (mp3)*

Heather (Peel Session) - The Wedding Present (mp3)*

I'm From Further North Than You - The Wedding Present (mp3)*

*songs no longer available to download

A brilliant website is here.

As ever, I'd prefer you to buy the product. Click here

FROM UNDER THE COVERS (3b)

I was prompted to post this for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, the guys over at 'Pretending Life Is Like A Song' posted a few great 12" versions of Soft Cell records a couple of weeks back, and that got me thinking that it would be a good idea to post some of Marc's solo stuff.

Secondly, last night saw Rachel (or Mrs Vinyl Villain as she is sometimes referred to) & myself watch the final edition of 'Will & Grace' on DVD. Rachel's favourite character in the show is Jack McFarland - and when he appears on screen I can't help but think of this song.

Again, I was surprised at how long ago this was released - 1991. The lyrics were penned by Jaques Brel and he recorded and released it, in French, in 1965.

Three years later, Scott Walker recorded an English-language version that went Top 20. The spelling of this version was 'Jackie'.

I reckon this recording is one of Marc Almond's finest moments, thanks in the main to an incredible production by uber-producer Trevor Horn who included all sorts of sampling as well as a 70-piece orchestra. Completely over the top and wonderful.

Strangely enough, Marc's autobiography - 'Tainted Life' - reveals that he wasn't all that enamoured with his performance on the record as he thought it was too similar to that of Scott Walker. He does go on to say however, that it was a song he loved performing live.

Incidentally - 'Tainted Life' is up there with Julian Cope's autobiographies as among the best you'll ever read.

Jacky (12") - Marc Almond*

*song no longer available to download

Buy Marc Almond merchandise from his official website here

You can also pick-up a second hand version of Jacky (12") on Amazon. Click here

FROM UNDER THE COVERS (3a)

Hurrah.......EZArchive have finally got me back on track. There's a huge backlog of things that I want to put up in the coming days, and I'm starting with a double-header of great 12" cover versions that I've recently played again for the first time in ages.

Last night's Johnny Marr posting made reference to the late Kirsty McColl. Here's the record that convinced everyone she was not a one-hit wonder in a novelty record sort of way. It was also the record that helped bring Billy Bragg to a deserved wider audience. I just can't believe it was released as long go as 1984. It still sounds fantastic and fresh.

Kirsty McColl seems to have been one of life's really nice people. Rather than hearing my opinions, I would direct you to a wonderful entry about her in Wikidepia that has clearly been written by fans. There's also information on the 'Justice for Kirsty' campaign demanding action against those responsible for her needless and tragic death in December 2000. Click here

I'd also recommend the book 'The One And Only' by Karen O'Brien if you want to read more about the life and times of this very talented and underated singer/songwriter.

A New England (12") - Kirsty McColl*

*song no longer available to download

Buy Kirsty McColl records here

Part (b) of today's posting will be on my return from work. Someone's got to pay for the costs of running T V V!!