MUSIC IN 2006 : A PERSONAL VIEW (Part 2)

Now I'll admit I've pinched this particular idea from someone else.
(Thank You Tristesse- as ever, you're a total inspiration.)

I've put together a selection of some of my favourite tracks from throughout 2006 that would fit nicely onto a single CD if you were that way inclined. I'm not going to say that the final 20 are by definition the best songs of the year - I've hummed and hawed my way through about ten previous drafts that have seen some great tunes come and go because my mood at that particular moment had shifted. I'll also admit that having spent a lot of the past few months looking back over old music, I've not listened to as much new stuff as I should have, so there will be some great songs from 2006 that I haven't yet discovered.

But for what it's worth......here we go:-

SORRY, ALL SONGS IN THIS POSTING ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD


Track 1 : Razorlight - In The Morning (3:42)

An unashamedly populist opening number. Razorlight are a band that seem to divide people on a love/hate basis largely based on whether you think the lead singer is a twat. I think he is, but that doesn't stop me from appreciating a fabulous pop song. But all year I've been trying to remember where the guitar rift is stolen from. Help me out dear readers....
From the LP Razorlight.

Track 2 : The Young Knives - Here Comes The Rumour Mill (3:41)

My good friend Jacques The Kipper doesn't get TYK. I'm quite sorry about that. I reckon they're the latest in a fine line of English bands in the mould of The Kinks, XTC and Blur - great tunes with a bit of social commentary, often laced with wit and black humour. They're also a very good live act.
From the LP Voices of Animals And Men

Track 3 : Albert Hammond Jr - In Transit (3:32)

A continuation of the upbeat mood.

Now the last LP by The Strokes wasn't all that bad, but they should be kicking themselves for rejecting this track. An impressive, and consistent debut record was followed by a superb live show in venues that Albert won't have set foot in for many a long year. For me, the most pleasant surprise of 2006.
From the LP Yours To Keep

Track 4 : Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins - Rise Up With Fists!!! (3:38)

I first became aware of Ms Lewis when I heard the truly wonderful Potions For Foxes by Rilo Kiley some 18 months ago. Her 2006 LP features highly in most End of Year reviews in magazines and across blog-land, and deservedly so. Mrs Villain disagrees - she doesn't go for women-led bands nor for most music with a country or folk twinge. But we still live together happily enough.
From the LP Rabbit Fur Coat

Track 5 : Gnarls Barkley - Crazy (2:58)

It was everywhere during the Summer. I didn't take to it immediately, but it was a real grower and proof the general populace (I'm sure it spent 9 weeks at No.1 in the singles charts) sometimes pick up on things which are in the best possible taste. I thought it would fit in rather nicely on the imaginary disc at this particular point.
From the LP St Elsewhere

Track 6 : Alexi Murdoch - Song For You (4:38)

Now's the time to drop the tempo just a little bit.

This was on the afore-mentioned compilation put together by Tristesse. I have only just picked up on this track in the last week or so, and have hardly stopped playing it since. There's something truly beautiful about this guy's voice, and I've already pledged to make his album one of my first purchases in the new year. Gorgeous.
From the LP Time Without Consequence

Track 7 : Belle & Sebastian - Sukie In The Graveyard (3:02)

Was this from the best album in the career of B&S? The purists might go for Tigermilk, but for sheer consistency I reckon the 2006 release has been the highpoint in the band's career in terms of an LP. I could have gone for any one of half-a-dozen perfect pop songs from the band, but in the end went for the one that makes me most think of my home city.
From the LP The Life Pursuit

Track 8 : The Dears - Whites Only Party (3:10)

A band I didn't know anything about until someone put a song from a previous album on a home-made compilation CD. People make Morrissey comparisons - and if you visit their website and read the regularly updated blog/diary, you'll see that they are great fans of the great man. But I hear quite a bit of Damon Albarn in the vocals and bits of The Go-Betweens in the music. I really regret not being able to go and see them live a few months back.
From the LP Gang Of Losers

Track 9 : Lloyd Cole - Woman In A Bar (3:37)

I've been a big fan of Lloyd for more than two decades, and it was great to see him live on stage alongside Neil Clark from the Commotions a few months back.

He was supposedly promoting his new album, but bizarrely chose to play just three or four songs from it. This was a bit of a pity, as many of the new songs match up to most of his previous solo offerings.

When you think of the number of male singer-songwriters that were set loose on the public in 2006 in the wake of the James Blunt phenomena of 2005, it's sad that Lloyd doesn't get decent radio and that his fan base is largely the same as it was when the Commotions were going strong.
From the LP Antidepressant

Track 10 : Arctic Monkeys - When The Sun Goes Down (3:20)

DO believe the hype. Great LP, tremendous in concert, and the follow-up singles featuring new material were every bit as excellent. Oh, and the videos were also some of the best made in 2006.
From the LP Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

Track 11 : Jarvis Cocker - Tonite (3:56)

From the newest Sheffield Superstars, to probably the greatest talent to ever come out of the Steel City.

It was a real joy to have some new Jarvis material to listen to - he's been missed in recent years. But in saying that, the album is a bit of a mixed-bag. When the songs are anything decent - they are truly magnificent. But there's a couple of duff tracks as well.

I really wanted to put on the hidden or secret track - Running The World - but have made do with this great commentary on 21st century society.
From the LP The Jarvis Cocker Record

Track 12 : Morrissey - Life Is A Pigsty (7:22)

The most epic song of 2006. The LP was hugely enjoyable on its release, but strangely enough, I fear it has dated a bit over the months. This was a truly majestic live track - especially in the confines of venues with capacities of 700 as was the case in Stirling and Greenock. I'm still of the view that Morrissey, having got the critics onside once again, should give serious consideration to bowing out following the highs of the past two and a bit years. The backlash awaits - no matter how good his next record is. It's the way of the world....
From the LP Ringleader of The Tormentors

Track 13 : Arab Strap - Dream Sequence (4:15)

It starts off with the sort of piano-playing that Chris Martin has deployed on many a Coldplay record. But please don't let that put you off.

Another wonderfully consistent LP with not a bad track on it. Maybe they knew it was all coming to an end - or maybe Aiden wanted to release something as playful and catchy as Malcolm's solo record of 2005 - but whatever the reason(s) it made for a fantastic 35 minutes. Again, I could have taken my pick from around half-a-dozen, but this makes it mainly because it is so un-Strap like.
From the LP The Last Romance

Track 14 : The Decemberists - Summersong (3:31)

Happiness personified. I now know they've been on the go for a few years, but it was only surfing around the Internet and reading various blogs that allowed me to discover this band. I've got a bit of catching-up to do, and getting a hold of the back catalogue is a priority in 2007.
From the LP The Crane Wife

Track 15 : The Raconteurs - Steady As She Goes (3:35)

Ah.....a great song from what was, to my ears, a hugely disappointing LP. When this was getting heavy airplay and was never off MTV2, I had great hopes for the latest project of Jack White. But.....maybe now that he's got it out of his system he'll go back to what he does best.
From The LP Broken Boy Soldiers

Track 16 : Bettie Serveert - Hell = Other People (3:50)

As with Track 14, my knowledge of this act is all down to the Internet. Once again, I've got a lot of catching-up to do, but I'm looking forward to it.
From the LP Bare Stripped Naked

Track 17 : Stuart A. Staples - That Leaving Feeling (4:02)

I was saddened to hear that Tindersticks were taking a break from recording and touring to allow the band members time to concentrate on solo projects. In my experience, that is industry-speak for the band actually calling it a day.

But this was, in some ways, a real eye-opener. I was expecting something completely different - what I got was a Tindersticks LP in all but name. And a very good one at that. I can offer no higher praise.
From the LP Leaving Songs

Track 18: Regina Spektor - That Time (2:39)

This is another album that has a lot in common with that of Jarvis Cocker - there are some brilliant songs to be found alongside others which, quite frankly, are just too self-indulgent for my liking. But having said that, there were three or four other contenders for inclusion on the compilation; I don't think the chosen track is the best on the LP, but it fits in well at this point on the imaginary CD.
From the LP Begin To Hope

Track 19 : The View - Superstar Tradesman (3:18)

The next Arctic Monkeys? Quite possibly.....

But from what I've heard on record, seen on TV/video and most importantly, caught live in a very small, hot and sticky Glasgow venue, they cut the mustard. By March 2007 it will be the 2000+ capacity venues in a huge UK tour, by July they'll be headlining some of the Festival stages, and by October, it will be the arenas. Trust Me.
From the single Superstar Tradesman

Track 20 : Jenny Owen Youngs - Fuck Was I (3:30)

We've all been at this particular juncture at some point in our lives - whether in relationships, in the workplace or looking back over some dodgy favourite songs from two decades back!!

This song made me smile when I first heard it - again courtesy of someone's blog - and is the perfect ending just in case you disagree with anything I've written above.
From the LP Batten The Hatches
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The whole thing comes in at 74 minutes and 06 seconds. Handy enough for a single CD.

Not that I'm encouraging such behaviour.

It would be much more preferable (from the artistes perspectives as much as anything) for you to sample and then go out and buy. Just click here. Or here.

Oh, and also pay a visit to each of the websites of the singers and bands. If you google the names, you'll soon find your way around.

That's my lot for 2006. Thanks for stopping-by.

One final thing.

There are a select number of people who have been especially supportive in my efforts to establish The Vinyl Villain and more lately, The Video Villain. And I'm going to take up a few lines of self-indulgence to mention them.

To:-
Rachel (aka Mrs Villain)
Jacques The Kipper
WA Fading & Tristesse
Crash Calloway at Pretending Life Is Like A Song
Liza at Copy, Right?
Coxon at To Die By Your Side
Taylor at Music For Kids Who Can't Read Good
Chris at Neile's Life
Fil at Pogo A Go-Go
Mike Melville at Magic, Murder, Mania & Manta Rays
Erik Andersson
Dave and The Cat at the truly wonderful Jock'n'Roll.

and indeed to everyone who took the time and effort to leave a comment, observation or suggestion.

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

Have a Happy New Year when it arrives.

I'll be back in 2007. Hope you'll continue to read my ramblings.

MUSIC IN 2006 : A PERSONAL VIEW (Part 1)

I started off this blog mostly to wax lyrically on great songs of the past while giving the occasional nod to some of the good stuff of the present. As such, I was determined not to put together a piece that would look back over the past 12 months. Well, at least I'm sticking to that - there's going to be two pieces.

First up are some thoughts on some live gigs.

Attractive as the bills are, I will not entertain going along to any of the big outdoor festivals such as Nedstock (aka T In The Park), and I'll only go along to the arena gigs as a last resort. So I've missed out on a few things I might have enjoyed.

Despite this, 2006 did turn out to be one of the best in many a year for enjoyable live gigs.

My own Top 10, in strictly alphabetical order were:-

Albert Hammond : Glasgow ABC2 - 27 November
Arab Strap : Glasgow ABC - 4 December
Belle & Sebastian : Glasgow ABC - 15 January
*Gonzo On Tour : Glasgow Barfly - 22 October
Lloyd Cole : Edinburgh Queen's Hall - 25 October
Morrissey : Stirling Albert Hall - 23 April
Nick Cave: Glasgow Royal Concert Hall - 5 February
**NME on Tour : Glasgow Carling Academy - 1 February
Scritti Politti : Edinburgh Liquid Rooms - 7 August
The Wedding Present : Glasgow ABC - 5 June

* (line-up was Maximo Park/Arctic Monkeys/We Are Scientists)
** (line-up was The Young Knives/The Grates/The View)

As I said , I don't want to try and rank them - but there's no question that the Nick Cave event was easily the best of 2006 - and at the risk of sounding a bit Hornby-esque - it's up there in the Top 5 of all time. I remember a few days afterwards reading a newspaper review that captured the night just about perfectly , and I've tracked it down. Click here.

I was most surprised at the Scritti Politti concert as I wasn't expecting Green Gartside to be such a decent frontman, nor for the band that he's gathered around him to be so tight.

Morrissey was magnificent at both of the gigs I got along to - Greenock as well as Stirling - but I've gone for Stirling solely as it was the first one and also as It was the one Mrs Villain came along to (she was working away from home at the time of the Greenock gig).

The Wedding Present were, as always, great fun - especially watching 35-45 year old men bouncing down the front as the opening notes of Kennedy blasted out - there would have been a few aches and sprains the following morning.

It was a treat to see The Arctic Monkeys play just as the world was going mad for them. They were far better than I thought they would be - so much so that I did pick up tickets for their own headlining tour at the same venue a couple of months later. I was tempted to put that particular gig on the list, but that would have been unfair on Maximo Park who came on as headliners with a great deal to lose but still put on a blistering set.

The most fun I had however was at the smallest venue - The Barfly - for the Gonzo On Tour event. I've already penned a lengthy review elsewhere on the blog, so I won't go over old ground. I've seen some footage on MTV2 since, and yup, I'm down there at the front dancing like the village idiot.

Arab Strap will be sadly missed, and it was a privilege to be at their very last live show. Malcolm Middleton has already announced a tour for early 2007, and I've reserved my tickets.

A few words also about support bands. It's been the usual hit-and-miss affair with them, but I want to make special mention of Sons & Daughters who were fantastic openers for Morrissey, and also The Pierces who were likewise for Albert Hammond. I also enjoyed some songs by De Rosa who were the support for Arab Strap, and while I'm told by a friend it wasn't the best performance that he'd seen by My Favourite Novel, they did an OK job just prior to the Scritti Politti event.

Here's a couple of songs that were particularly memorable:-

mp3 : Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Supernaturally*

mp3 : The Wedding Present - Ringway to Seatac*

*songs no longer available to download

Already looking forward to live music in 2007 - Idlewild on 23 January is the first scheduled gig.

Reviews will appear on these pages now and again.

FROM UNDER THE COVERS (5)

Sometimes a band can do a cover version that is similar in style and tone to the original, and yet it will still sound like an original composition by that band.

So it is with today's offering.

Tindersticks are one of my all-time favourite bands, and I've been lucky enough to see them live around 8 or 9 times, including a special birthday treat from Mrs Villain a few years ago when they played an open-air gig in the stunning surroundings of Somerset House in London.

Tindersticks are impossible to characterise. They can't be defined as rock, jazz or soul - yet they have a little bit of all those in many of their songs. They employ all sorts of instruments on their records, including brass, strings and percussion - and in Stuart Staples, they have a singer with a distinctive and unmistakable baritone voice. Some say they are just another doom-laden miserablist lot. Far from it.

There's so much that I could write about this band, about why I believe they have always been original and innovative and never worried about trends in music, but why not look and listen to what others have to say. In particular I would point you in the direction of a magnificent website, run and maintained by a fan in Germany - www.tindersticks.de - it's packed with all sorts of info, including audio clips featuring the band in interview with the broadcaster Mark Radcliffe.

The first time I heard this particular track, it was on a tape given to me by a friend. I assumed it was an original composition as it had all the hallmarks of a classic Tindersticks recording. I got round to buying it a couple of weeks later and was very surprised to learn it was a cover version.

I've since tracked down the original by Townes Van Zandt, and it too is a stunning piece of music, and it is easy to see why Tindersticks were attracted to the song. The story of Van Zandt's life is well worth reading about, and a brief summary can be found here.

mp3 : Tindersticks - Kathleen *
mp3 : Townes Van Zandt - Kathleen *

*songs no longer available to download

If you don't own any stuff by Tindersticks, I would suggest that you do something about it as a matter of priority. You could start with the compilation CD - Working For The Man (especially if you can get a copy of the bonus disc), and then buy each of the albums. You won't be disappointed.

Try your local independent record shop, or alternatively click here.

COMMUTER HELL

I know that many of you have already had to call a halt to the festivities and return to your place of employment. Poor Mrs Villain had to drag here aching and weary body out of bed this morning as she has an impending deadline on a project. I felt pretty bad about it as I've got exactly another week before I need to re-join the rat-race.

Can't say I'm looking forward to it.

Here's a song for everyone who would rather they were somewhere else than the office, factory, farm, shop-floor or wherever else you need to go to get the cash to pay off the credit card bills from Xmas 2006.

mp3 : The Smiths - Work Is A Four Letter Word *

*song no longer available to download

One of the last songs ever recorded by the band, it's the b-side of the single Girlfriend In A Coma - and a cover version of a Cilla Black recording from the 60s. I'm not actually that fond of it if the truth be known. You'll need to hunt it down on e-bay if you want to own it.

STILL ILL

Mrs Villain is in bed a bit poorly today - but nothing to do with any excesses from over-indulging in food and drink on Christmas Day.

She has been fighting off the symptoms of flu for days now, but after all the running around she did in the run-up to 25th December, her body has finally called for a time-out.

So I'm going to try and cheer her up with a photo of one of her favourite pin-up boys. But as it's my blog, I get to choose the music that goes with it.

mp3 : The Libertines : Up The Bracket *

*song no longer available to download

A fabulous pop song, and I'm just sorry that neither Pete nor Carl have managed to write anything nearly as good since. But I hope they keep trying.

Buy product by The Libertines, Babyshambles and Dirty Pretty Things here

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN

Here's the obligatory Christmas posting, featuring, without any question, the best festive-themed song ever. If only for including the line..'Christmas in Glasgow.'

Natives of Cork, Ireland, they were once known as The Sultans of Ping FC, then just The Sultans of Ping, before eventually becoming The Sultans. Their career initially lasted from 1988 to 1997, but they reformed again in 2005, and continue to be hugely popular in their native land and in Japan.

This particular offering was on the b-side of a 1993 single - during their period as The Sultans of Ping - that just missed breaking into the UK Top 40.

There's a couple of websites worth visiting if you want to find out more. The official site is here, and a fan-run site, with the great name of ping.fishtank, can be accessed here.

Please enjoy the wonderful:-

mp3 : Sultans of Ping - Xmas Bubblegum Machine *

*song no longer available to download

If you want to buy the 12" picture disc, there's one going on e-bay.

There won't be a posting tomorrow, but have a look-in on Boxing Day, St Stephen's Day or whatever name you give to 26th December and some sort of nonsense will be in place.

Merry Christmas everyone.

PS

If you only read one other Xmas posting in blog-land, make sure it is the very funny and very original offering from FiL over at Pogo A Go-Go.

SOMEONE HAS HELPED MAKE MY YEAR....

In addition to a cupboard full of vinyl, I've got shelves of old VHS video tapes with some fairly fantastic clips from the likes of 'The Tube', 'Whistle Test' and 'TOTP' as well as promos dating as far back as 1982 when the cost of a blank tape was about one month's worth of student grant.

I've never got round to converting any of these into something compatible with 'You Tube' , so I'm having to rely on others to post essential clips things that I'd like to bring to the attention of a wider audience.

I need to say the biggest thank you imaginable to adz1962 who has just posted up my favourite ever TV clip of New Order. Regular readers will know that New Order are a band I'm slightly fond of....

It's a live performance of Age Of Consent from away back in April 1983.

It's on The Video Villain if you want to take a look. And you should. Click here or on the right hand panel. I'm making it so easy for you....

Oh, and I'm happy to take requests from anyone about clips that they would like to see on the other blog.

Once again, thank you adz1962 whoever you are. Santa has arrived 48 hours early.

HURRY, HURRY, HURRY.....(2)

Once more it's the picture of young Liam - the official face of my cheap little webpage - www.thevinylvillian.com.

That means a handful of songs are being readied for the clear-out.

They'll be gone by New Years Day.

Listen while you can.......

mp3 : A House - More Endless Art
(originally posted on 'Pure Genius' : 3 October 2006)

mp3 : David Kitt - Me & My Love
(originally posted on Pure Genius': 3 October 2006)

mp3 : The Jam- When You're Young

(originally posted on ' You Never Think It's Going To Happen To You' : 7 October 2006)

mp3 : The Beta Band - Dry The Rain
(originally posted on 'Life Sometimes Imitates Art You Know: 8 October 2006)

mp3 : Arab Strap - Afterwards
(originally posted on 'Great Gigs..Just Like London Buses' : 9 October 2006)

mp3 : Poppy Factory - Little Princes
(originally posted on 'Songs That Were Wasted On The B-Side' : 14 October 2006)

Some can be bought here. Others might need e-bay here

THIS NATION'S SAVING GRACE

Last week it was Morrissey who made a long-overdue debut on the blog. This week it is the band dominated by the mercurial, (isn’t that always the adjective that you have to apply?), talents of Mark E. Smith.

I’m referring of course to The Fall.

I’ll be honest – I wasn’t someone who loved this band from the outset. I did hear them on John Peel time after time, but I didn’t quite ‘get it.’ And things weren’t helped by my first live experience of the band back in late 1982 (it might have been early 83) at Night Moves in Glasgow.

I’d gone along to see the Cocteau Twins but stayed on to watch the main act, which turned out to be The Fall. It was a pretty poor gig – the sound was all over the place and the band were not even talking to one another far less having any communication with the audience. Thankfully, it turned out to be a short event (maybe 30 mins at the most), and then there was an hour or so of ‘indie-disco’ to send everyone home in a good mood.

So I more or less ignored them for a while. But a couple of years later, a move to a new record label – and a crucial change in personnel – led to the release of a run of records that were easier to listen to, and to the horror of the hip-priests, The Fall got radio-friendly with a broader appeal. I started paying attention again.

With a recording history going back almost 30 years, featuring dozens of singles, EPs and albums, there’s plenty to choose from. But I’m sticking with a song that has turned into something quite personal in recent years.

I’ve been lucky in that almost all of my close friends are still alive. But there is one who passed away a couple of years ago after a long illness, and I do think of him every now and again. Especially at this time of year.

This is for AGF. And while he would have abhorred The Fall – he was a classical music buff – he would have been very amused that there is a song out there that makes me think of him every time I hear it.

mp3 : The Fall – Edinburgh Man *

*song no longer available to download

It’s a 1991 release, originally on the LP Shift-Work. It’s also available on a multitude of compilations, but surprisingly not on 50,000 Fall Fans Can’t Be Wrong – 39 Golden Greats which is pretty much indispensable.

Click on http://www.thefall.info/trackrecord/ for a comprehensive list of all recordings made by the band. Then buy some product here from as little as £5.

If you like Mark E. Smith, you'll find something of interest at www.thevideovillain.blogspot.com

CLOSE...BUT NOT QUITE

I've hit a slight problem - the neddle on the URL Turntable has been damaged, and it'll be a few days before I get my hands on a replacement.

In the meantime, I'll rely on some of my favourites CD singles to keep things ticking over.

This offering is the debut recording by Echobelly. It dates back to 1993.

The first time I heard this was on a compilation tape put together by a friend. I was immediately knocked out. It was as if the best Smiths tribute band were being fronted by the winner of the Debbie Harry soundalike contest.

This particular release was on a small London indie label - Pandemonium Records - and before too long, Echobelly were getting play on Radio 1, mentions in the music press and ultimately, a deal with a major label.

Sadly for all concerned, the band never quite made it as big as anticipated, although a casual surf of the net reveals they were pretty major over in Japan for a while.

Singer Sonya Madan and guitarist Glenn Johansson still keep the flame burning, although nothing seems to have been released for a couple of years.

No doubt, it won't be long before the style commentators decide that the era just before Britpop is fashionable again, and maybe bands such as this will receive a fresh airing.

As debut records go, it's as good as most of them. Hope you agree.

mp3 : Echobelly - Bellyache*

*song no longer available to download

Some albums, including an 18-track compilation of singles and other excellent songs, can be found here. The compilation is great value at just £5 a CD.

I FOUGHT THE LAW

I was reading on the news today that Matthew Fisher, the keyboardist with popular 60s combo act Procol Harem, has won a court case over who was responsible for writing the song A Whiter Shade of Pale. Seems he’s in for a fine payday. The BBC webpage is reporting it like this.

I can only hope that in another 40 years time, we’ll be reading about someone arguing in court that they were not responsible for writing the monstrosity that is A Moment Like This by X-Factor winner Leona, and insisting that the royalties had been given to them by mistake.

13 million viewers for the X-Factor final?? That’s a frightening number of people with disappointing musical taste…..

mp3 : Gil Scott Heron - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised *

*song no longer available to download

Oh, the small photo at the top is of Charlie Brooker – a man who makes his living delivering savage and very funny attacks on the state of UK television. He started out on the web, graduated into newspapers and now is sometimes seen on TV – still delivering savage and very funny attacks on the state of UK television.

A collection of his newspaper columns were put together in a book - Screenwipe - in 2004. I thoroughly recommend it to you. It’s widely available, andwill cost you no more than just £7.99.

You can also learn more at the Wikipedia entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Brooker

I COULD BE WRONG.......

I’ve been getting a row off Mrs Villian that I’m spending far too much time on this blog – and on The Video Villain – and not enough time getting the Castle decorated for the forthcoming festive season.

So rather than push my luck, I’ve gone for the option of a short and sweet posting this time around featuring one of my favourite singles from the 80s.

mp3 : Public Image Ltd. – Rise (12”) *

*song no longer available to download

Find it browsing round here

THE MIGHTY QUINN

This posting comes with the most enormous thank-you to Erik Andersson.

Erik enjoyed my recent posting of Breaking Point by Bourgie Bourgie, and he has passed on an mp3 containing the 12" version.

As if that wasn't enough, he has also provided something I didn't know existed - a demo version of the song - complete with saxophone solos!!!

I am eternally grateful to Erik...and because of his kindness, there's now a copy for everyone to listen to and enjoy. I'm sure you'll accept that the released version with the strings and textured vocals is far more polished, but it's still a treat to to get any 'new' recording with the vocal talents of Paul Quinn.

I'm always amazed that Paul Quinn never found commercial success in his career. He came reasonably close when Vince Clarke invited him to sing on the single One Day in 1985, but not quite. Vince next hooked up with Andy Bell and together they went on to make lots of hits as Erasure.

Paul disappeared off the radar for a few years but came back in 1992 with Paul Quinn & The Independent Group. By this time, he was being mentored by Alan Horne, who had revived his classic Postcard label in 1992. Two hugely underrated albums were released on Postcard along with a couple of majestic singles.

There were also some extremely rare live appearances, including an unforgetable night at the Glasgow Film Theatre in late 1994 when Paul & the band gave a spellbinding performance to a backdrop of weird and wonderful movie clips by the likes of Luis Bunuel and Salvador Dali. It's an event that remains one of my favourite concerts/events of all time.

mp3 : Bourgie Bourgie - Breaking Point (demo)
mp3 : Paul Quinn & The Independent Group - Stupid Thing *

*songs no longer available to download

NB : It's the original version of the song that came out as a single in 1992. An equally good but slightly different version is Track 8 of Will I Ever Be Inside Of You? , an LP released in 1994.

Oh and I'm throwing in a bonus song cos I'm in a great mood tonight. It's a b-side from 1982 which features Paul as a guest vocalist. It's not the greatest of songs, but well worth a listen.

mp3 : Orange Juice : Tongues Begin To Wag *

*song no longer available to download

Every now and again, Paul Quinn records appear on e-bay. But it's often very silly money that's asked....

AND FOR A REAL BONUS....MAKE A VISIT TO THE VIDEO VILLAIN.

HURRY, HURRY, HURRY

The picture is of my young nephew - Liam. He's the official face of my cheap little webpage - www.thevinylvillian.com.

I use the webpage to list all the songs I've ever put on the blog, and when I was updating it this morning, found that I had more than 100 songs available. And that's far too many.

So I'm going to have a bit of a clear-out over the next few weeks, but I'll give notice of the songs that are about to be removed. Here's the opening batch, all from the original vinyl pressings, taken from the first few postings I ever made. They'll be gone by Xmas Day.

Listen while you can.......

mp3 : A House - Endless Art

(originally posted under 'Pure Genius' : 3 October 2006)

mp3 : Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine - Rent

(originally posted on 'From Under The Covers' : 6 October 2006)

mp3 : Hey! Elastica - Eat Your Heart Out (12" version)

(originally posted on ' When I First Met You..' : 2 October 2006)

mp3 : James - Fire Away

(originally posted on 'Songs That Were Wasted on the B-side : 29 September 2006)

mp3 : Julian Cope - Bagged Out Ken

(originally posted on 'Bless My Cotton Socks' : 4 October 2006)

mp3 : Lloyd Cole - Butterfly (Planet Ann Charlotte Mix)

(originally posted on 'Someone Who Never Disappoints' : 1 October 2006)

Some can be bought here. Others might need e-bay here

THAT DECEMBER SPAWNED A MOZZA...

Hard to believe that I'm up to 67 postings and this is the first to feature Morrissey (aside from a sideways reference on Johnny Marr's 43rd birthday).

I was 20 years of age and living in my first student flat in early 1983 when The Smiths came to the wider attention of the world. I simply couldn't get enough of them, whether on record, in session on Radio 1, in print (there were 4 weekly music papers in the UK at that time), in concert or on television.

My love of the band was driven more by Johnny's tunes than Steven's lyrics, but in fairness, they were a perfect combination. So when the break-up came in 1987, I was not as interested in the singer's solo career as most other fans of the band. Indeed, with an early version of his solo backing band containing everyone from The Smiths bar Johnny, I was pretty pissed-off about the beak-up, and was I stubbornly determined not to pay too much attention to him.

But as time when on, I got more and more interested in Morrissey's solo output, simply because he was releasing some cracking songs. In saying that, there were still a number of pretty poor records being committed to vinyl or CD. What clinched however, was the live experience.

The first major solo tour was in 1991, and I picked up tickets for what turned out to be a stunning gig at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. I've been along to see him on numerous occasions since - usually along with Mrs Villain. Even when he was releasing poorly received records, I still tried to always get along when he was in town.

That changed after an absolute stinker of a gig at the Barrowlands in 1999 - the choice of set was self-indulgent, the security was over-zealous and the band played as if they were Guns'n'Roses with all sorts of guitar and drum solos. A very disheartening experience.

So I didn't bother trying hard to get tickets for his 2002 tour.

The reviews of those gigs were mixed - and given that he had no recording contract, or even the prospect of signing any deal, I assume I had seen the last of Morrissey.

But his return to form over the past three years has been something to behold.

Irish Blood, English Heart as a single was an astonishing return to form. You Are The Quarry had brilliant tunes and lyrics and an overall consistency that I didn't think he had in him. Morrissey was back, and I fell in love with him all over again.

I was very very lucky to pick up two standing tickets for his birthday gig at the M.E.N. in 2004 and it remains one of the most intense and euphoric live experiences that myself and Mrs Villain have ever enjoyed.

I've since managed to see him in a number of small venues in Paisley, Stirling and Greenock - and thoroughly enjoyed every one of them. But given that I've now been spoiled in getting up close at gigs, I chose not to go to the cavernous SECC the other week - and going by the reaction of a few folk I've spoken to since, it seems it was a good decision. Not only was the sound quality poor, but the performance was at best, perfunctory with little interaction with the audience.

I reckon that Morrissey is now at another crossroads in his career.

His last two albums have been among the best in his career.

But he has never yet made three good albums in a row. The novelty of playing live again with a new band seems to have worn off, and a severe critical backlash is due. He's also now in his late 40s, and what else has got to prove? I don't know if there will be a new record in 2007 or 2008.

And at this moment in time, I don't really care. I personally think he should call it a day and go out on a high......we can then look back on a largely magnificent career without it being soured by a lack of quality at the end. But I'm sure there's many out there who disagree.

Here's a few tracks from the solo career that I've particularly enjoyed:-

mp3 : Morrissey - Girl Least Likely To *
mp3 : Morrissey - Disappointed **
mp3 : Morrissey - Now My Heart Is Full ***
mp3 : Morrissey - Satan Rejected My Soul ****

* b-side on November Spawned A Monster (1990) and the most Smiths-like song he's recorded as a solo artist
** album track on Bona Drag (1990)
*** album track on Vauxhall And I (1994)
**** single and album track on Maladjusted (1997)

You know what comes next. Buy Morrissey product here. It's not amazon.....and you can pick lots of things up from as little as £5.

SONGS THAT WERE WASTED ON THE B-SIDE (Part 4)

This is a posting I didn't intend to make....but I've been inspired to do so by something I've just read on another blog.

The above sleeve is from a CD single from August 1994 - Be My Light, Be My Guide by Gene.

Technically, the track I'm putting up isn't a b-side. The release was seen as a triple-A side, but that's just not going to happen.

Gene were tipped for huge things, but it never quite worked out as expected. There's a fabulous assessment of their debut LP over at Jamie's Runout Groove. It was reading those thoughts that led me to fire-up this additional posting before heading out for the evening.

None of the songs on this record made the debut LP, which is a bit of a shame as they're all pretty splendid. But I've gone for the third track, which remains to this day, my favourite Gene recording.

mp3 : Gene : I Can't Help Myself *

*song no longer available to download

You can try and track down this single on e-bay

LIVING FOR THE CITY

Glasgow was heaving tonight - and I imagine it's not any different in just about every single city and town across the globe.

Millions of office parties seemed to have been held this afternoon, and everyone staggered out afterwards drunk and in search of more entertainment. Inevitably, the best comes in the queue at the taxi ranks.

There will be tears before, during and after bedtime.

I'm happy just to have made it back in one piece.

For very obvious reasons, a particular song went through my head. Here's the original and a fine cover version:-

mp3 : The Specials - Friday Night, Saturday Morning *
mp3 : Nouvelle Vague - Friday Night, Saturday Morning*

*song no longer available to download

Buy the original on the LP ' The Specials : Singles', and the cover version on 'Nouvelle Vague : Nouvelle Vague' (strangely enough). Both are at amazon right here

Here's a PS added 12 hours after the original posting.

I was stumbling around 'You Tube' and found a home-made video, which by coincidence was shot in Glasgow, to go with this song. Worth a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiTwy33Dz5s

LUCKY NUMBERS

I'm sure everybody has a lucky or favourite number.

For some strange reason, mine is 53. Has been since I was a kid. Can't explain why and neither can anyone else.

I only mention it as I was struggling for an idea for a posting just now - put it down to tiredness rather than apathy.

So I decided that no matter how good/bad/indifferent the song was, I would venture into Jock'n'Roll and share No.53 in this week's chart with you.

Lucky for me (and you) it's something half-decent.

mp3 : Aztec Camera - Walk Out To Winter*

*song no longer available to download

Available on the rather splendid 1983 LP High Land, Hard Rain. Buy it here - but I'm sure you all have it in your collections.

* actually the No.53's since the chart went from a Top 50 to a Top 75 have mostly been pretty decent:-

3rd December : Primal Scream - Movin' On Up
26th November : same as this weeks...
19th November : Friends Again - State of Art
12th November : Travis : Why Does It Always Rain On Me?

JUST WHAT I NEEDED

Last night, I got to hear a song for the first time in more than two decades. This evening, I'm sharing that song with the world.

I used to have boxloads of 7" singles, but lost them all in a rather unfortunate incident in Edinburgh back in 1986. Bit-by-bit, I've tried to replace them - mostly by buying CDs - but there are some songs issued on small independent labels that have been near impossible to get a hold of.

The growth of the Internet, and in particular the phenomena that is e-bay, has however, made things easier in recent years.

While having a browse around the other night, I saw that someone was inviting bids for a copy of the original version of this song - one that I've been after for a long long time. I made a reasonable bid, but didn't think it would be enough - but I no matter how much I want a record, I have my limits about how high I'm prepared to go. In this case, my bid turned out to be enough.

Now some folk might think I'm daft - especially as a different version of the song is on the band's debut (and as it turns out) only LP that came out on a major label. But this earlier recording is vastly superior, and its absence was a huge hole in my collection. My life is today that bit more complete.

And I don't care if any of you think I'm a pathetic saddo.

mp3 : Friends Again - Honey At The Core*

*song no longer available to download

SONGS THAT WERE WASTED ON THE B-SIDE (Part 3)

First of two postings I'm making today.

Once again, I'm forced to respond to a comment left by Jacques the Kipper.

While appreciative of some of the songs of recent days, he has called time on the gloom-laden stuff, and asked when I was digging The Housemartins out.

Here's your answer.

A song that would have been a hit single. Instead, it was stuck away on the b-side of Five Get Over Excited. Maybe it was just too similar a tune to Happy Hour for that purpose.

The boys perhaps realised that this was a song worthy of a wider audience, so it can also be found on the farewell compilation album Now That's What I call Quite Good.

Scary thing to mention here. I'm roughly the same age as Paul Heaton. We were about the same build when we were both in our early 20s. As he has got chubbier, I have got chubbier. As the bags beneath his eyes get more pronounced, so do mine.

Why couldn't I have aged like Nick Cave?

mp3 : The Housemartins - Hopelessly Devoted To Them*

*song no longer available to download

Buy Now That's What I Call Quite Good right here.

GREAT UNACKNOWLEDGED ALBUMS OF OUR TIME (Part 1)

The start of another occasional series here on The Vinyl Villain.

The heading gives the game away. There won’t be anything about The Queen Is Dead, OK Computer, Nevermind, or London Calling or indeed any of the regulars in critics’ polls. Instead, it’s those albums that might get one or two votes from some critics, but never enough for a 200 word feature in a glossy magazine.

Soul Mining by The The is a record I associate with student life– and in particular moving out of my parents’ home and into a flat at the age of 20. It was a university-owned property, and the rent was £510 for a full-year. It was a time of indie-discos, John Peel on the radio, the anarchic humour of Rik Mayall in ‘The Young Ones’ and wearing your father’s raincoat to perfect your BunnyMac look.

I remember getting drunk and playing the single This Is The Day on repeat until I passed out and a flatmate came into my room and switched the stereo off at the mains. If ever there was a record that spoke to me at any particular time in my life, it was that one.

‘Well you didn’t wake up this morning cos you didn’t go to bed
You were watching the whites of your eyes turn red.’

Wasn’t that what my new-found freedom to come and go as I pleased was all about?

The album came out in late 1983 to huge critical acclaim. Indeed, if you visit the official website of The The, you can read endorsements from all four of the UK’s weekly music papers (NME, Sounds, Record Mirror and Melody Maker), as well as broadsheet newspapers and glossy magazines; there was even a thumbs-up from Smash Hits. But surely the most bizarre positive rating was this:-

“Soul Mining is certainly something to be treasured. One of those integrity leaden packages which manages to be both experimental and accessible.”

* (source at the foot of the page).

There’s only seven tracks on the vinyl version of ‘Soul Mining’ - with only three songs appearing on Side B. The Ramones it certainly wasn’t.

Most songs were at least 5 minutes long, with one stretching out to almost 10 minutes. But Genesis or Pink Floyd it certainly wasn’t.

From the opening countdown from ten-to-zero (which sounds as if it was sampled from an Apollo space mission) right through to the incessant beat and chanting of the closing song, this is an LP that has a bit of everything thrown in. Bitter and twisted lyrics of despair and attacks on Thatcherism nestle alongside songs about love, lust and devotion. But it’s very much the music that carries this album along.

The The, at the outset, were not a band. It was basically Matt Johnson writing and singing songs backed by synthesizers and drum machines. But for Soul Mining other talents were brought into the studio, not least Zeke Manyika of Orange Juice - a hugely underrated drummer – and Jools Holland who contributed an astonishing piano solo to transform an older The The song – Uncertain Smile. (One of my favourite pieces of TV came maybe ten years later on ‘Later’ when Jools joined the latest version of The The and closed out the show with a live version of Uncertain Smile. While I have a copy on VHS, I’m hoping someone will post it on You Tube at some point.)

The use of these talents, combined with Matt’s growing confidence in his abilities as a vocalist, produced a piece of work that, in the opinion of this humble scribe, has not dated one iota.

I sometimes think Matt Johnson was someone just a little bit ahead of his time. Some ten years later, Thom Yorke and Radiohead came along with a similar style and approach that made them media darlings. And while I am very fond of The Bends and OK Computer, I do honestly believe that Soul Mining and its follow-up Infected are every bit as good. But I’m obviously in a minority going by poll after poll.

The full track listing of Soul Mining:-

01 I’ve Been Waitin’ For Tomorrow (All Of My Life)
02 This Is The Day
03 The Sinking Feeling
04 Uncertain Smile
05 The Twilight Hour
06 Soul Mining
07 Giant

Initial copies came with a free 12" single, and one of these tracks - Perfect - became an eighth track on the CD version of the album.

And now to your music for pleasure this time round:-
mp3 : I’ve Been Waitin’ For Tomorrow (All Of My Life) – The The *
mp3 : Uncertain Smile – The The*

*song no longer available to download

If you don’t own this album, shame on you. Get out your credit card and buy it here.

The The might not be too active on the recording front just now, but there’s a lively and topical website that is well worth a visit. Click here.

*Oh and the unlikely plug for the album back in 1983 was from Penthouse magazine.

WET, WET, WET

All it is doing in Glasgow just now is raining - and raining very heavily.

The rain sometimes eases mind you - and turns into hailstones.

The forecast on the news is for more of the same but with gale force winds.

Wish I was back in St Kitts.

mp3 : Howard Devoto : Rainy Season (12" version)*

*song no longer available to download

Available for silly prices on e-bay

A NOVELTY SONG

I discovered a song on a blog the other week that surprised me.

It’s been my understanding that ‘mixing pop and politics’ ( (c) Billy Bragg) was a relatively new thing, perhaps dating back to the late 60s with protest songs about Vietnam. I certainly wasn’t aware that Frank Sinatra, arguably the biggest singing star on the planet back in 1960, had made a recording endorsing the virtues of a US presidential candidate.

I can’t imagine that too many readers of this blog were around when John Fitzgerald Kennedy burst on to the scene, so it’s hard to really get a proper picture of how much of an impact he actually had.

History has, on the whole, been very kind to JFK. The popular conception we have is of an incredibly charismatic individual blessed a common touch who appealed to all sectors of society, offering a brand and style of politics never seen before. It might then come as a bit of a surprise to learn that he did not have an easy passage to the White House in the 1960 presidential election. Far from it.

That particular presidential contest was extremely close - Kennedy beat his rival Richard Nixon by only 0.2% in the popular vote.

The endorsement of Kennedy by the likes of Sinatra and his buddies in the showbiz world might just have been what helped him stumble over the line as the winner. Maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but it certainly didn’t do him any harm.

Here's what was said on the blog where I found the song:-

"In 1960, Frank Sinatra was very involved in helping to get John Kennedy elected President. He was an active campaigner for JFK and performed at countless Democratic fundraisers. If you believe the rumors, Sinatra even acted as the middle man between Joe Kennedy and the mob to help deliver the union vote in West Virginia and Chicago. After Kennedy won the election, Sinatra was given the task of personally planning the inauguration gala."

So it’s hardly surprising that modern-day politicians are keen to get the endorsement of high-profile musicians when they seek public office. Words of support at a concert might just encourage a few more voters to go one way rather than the other, and in a close contest make all the difference. But surely we’ll never get to hear anything as astonishing as today’s offering. It would be like Bono re-writing the lyrics to one of the singalong U2 numbers.Be amazed and bemused by:

mp3 : Frank Sinatra - High Hopes (JFK version) *

*song no longer available to download

My thanks obviously go to Darrin at Page 300.blogspot

The full content of Darrin's original posting can be found here.

QUALITY CONTROL : PRODUCT RECALL

If you have listened to, or indeed downloaded, the songs belonging to the record sleeves in the photograph, I'm going to have to ask you to do it all again.

They are two of the songs that featured in my Top 10 of 'Jock'n'Roll.'

The problem was that I no longer had the original vinyl copies - what I posted were stuff I had picked up surfing elsewhere. Listening to the Bourgie Bourgie track on my i-pod got me a bit suspicious.

Turns out that the mp3 file I had downloaded had a recording (possibly from a tape) that was a fraction speeded- up. Instead of lasting just over 4 minutes, the song clocked in at 3 mins 50 secs.

As for the Friends Again track, this too was taken from an mp3 file. There's nothing wrong with it, except it was not the original 7" single which was the version I most love.

Within the past three weeks, I've tracked down second-hand copies of the two singles via e-bay. And now they're being made available to you with the previous links being removed.

Glad to be of service.

mp3 : Friends Again - Sunkissed*

mp3 : Bourgie Bourgie - Breaking Point*

*songs no longer available to download

DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY

One of my favourite blogs - We Are Fading - is no more.

I am very saddened by this. WAF was a truly original, imaginative and educational piece of work. I'm going to miss my daily dose of insights and musings - and I know my sentiments will be shared by many of the other regular visitors.

I hope the author returns again soon.

WAF was something that inspired me to start this thing up. It's even got me trawling round second-hand record shops searching for long-lost bits of vinyl that should be in my cupboard.

Just last Friday, as WAF was signing-off for the last time, I picked up a 7" EP given away by the NME in 1985 - a bargain at 50p.

A track from that EP goes out to W.A. Fading.

Never Say Your Days Are Numbered.

Haste Ye Back.

mp3 : Prefab Sprout : Real Life (Just Around The Corner)*

*song no longer available to download

WHEN SATURDAY COMES

To be honest about it, I sometimes wonder whether I'm right in the head.

I have today spent almost 9 hours travelling in excess of 400 miles on public transport going to and from Elgin in the far north of Scotland - and all for one football (soccer) game lasting 90 minutes.

Buckie Thistle FC are not one of the world's best known teams - and I only have a soft spot for them because of friends who were born and brought up there. Today they played against Elgin City FC in a big cup-tie. It was hoped Buckie Thistle would triumph and get a tie in the next round against one of the giants of Scottish football - preferably Celtic or Rangers.

They lost a lousy match by 1-0. So the dreams for another season are over.

I am very tired and hungry, but before I retire for the evening, I want to dedicate a rather obvious song to James, Rod, Mark, but especially Micky - my travelling companions.

mp3 : The Clash - Train In Vain*

*song no longer available to download

Available on 'London Calling'. Buy it here.

MUSIC : RESPONSE

I’ve been accused in the past of being a musical snob – a charge I vehemently deny.

Ok, I can’t abide manufactured crap – particularly the boy and girl bands aimed at the adolescent market or the ‘talents’ that emerge from the 21st century equivalent of ‘Opportunity Knocks.’ I also have an aversion to most wimpy blokes with acoustic guitars – and yes I am talking about the intrinsic evil that is James Blunt - and the copy-cat acts that record labels have been throwing at us throughout 2006. And just don’t get me started on heavy-metal....

But it’s not all white-boy indie-music with an emphasis on the early 80s rotating on the turntable here in the Vinyl Villain’s Castle. I’ve already confessed some of my vices within the Discussion Board at ‘Jock’n’Roll’. I’m not ashamed of anything in my collection – I’ll be able to provide a legitimate excuse every time. Admittedly, some of the excuses will be on the lame side. But I can sleep easily at night.

Something I saw today got me thinking about music. And the shallowness of anyone who slags off any song as ‘sh1te’ just because they, as a person, don’t like it, the singer or the band.

My organisation holds an annual Christmas party for around 200 young kids with physical handicaps or learning difficulties. A load of our staff get dressed up in costume as cartoon characters; we bring along all sorts of kid’s entertainers; and of course at the appropriate magical moment, Santa makes an appearance.

But the mainstay of the three or so hours that the party goes on is the disco. And believe me, song after song after song after song would normally have had me screaming in agony and racing for the nearest exit.

The thing that stopped me was the sheer joy on all of these kids’ faces. They were on the dance-floor having a real blast. Most of them needed help and support from the adults, whether it was the folk in fancy-dress or the teachers/parents/volunteers who are with these kids every day. Many of the kids were wheelchair-bound, but that didn’t stop them making their way onto the dance-floor.

Now if the DJ had spun something that I was wanting, there is no question he would have cleared the room, far less the dance-floor. He knew his audience, and he gave them exactly what they wanted. And they loved him for it.

Music is there to be enjoyed. If what you or I hear every day on the banal radio stations or on prime-time television, we can always find an alternative station, or turn on the PC and surf for a while.

But let’s not just have a go at someone else because their taste is wholly different from ours.

Here’s one that filled the dance-floor earlier today. I had to ask a colleague who and what it was and then I found it on Limewire.

Enjoy.

mp3 : Girls Aloud : Something Kinda Oooh*

*song no longer available to download

Available to buy in many places. Try the usual right here.

FROM UNDER THE COVERS (Parts 4a & 4b)

A bit busy just now so today's posting is a little bit of a cop-out. But I do hope visitors will consider responding to the question posed at the end.

Three versions of the same song for you to listen to.

'Pale Blue Eyes' was released back in 1969 by The Velvet Underground. It very quickly became a favourite of buskers and would-be-rock-stars the world over and has since been given the cover treatment by countless bands and artists. If you don't believe me, google in the words 'Pale Blue Eyes - cover versions' and see the results for yourself.

Just about all of the versions I've ever heard more or less stick faithfully to the tone and delivery of that of the original - but no doubt there is a drum'n'bass or house style out there somewhere just to prove me wrong.

The version by Paul Quinn & Edwyn Collins from 1984 was another that almost made my Jock'nRoll Top 10, while that of The Triffids is taken from their October 1987 concert in London.

mp3 : The Velvet Underground - Pale Blue Eyes*

mp3 : Paul Quinn & Edwyn Collins - Pale Blue Eyes*

mp3 : The Triffids - Pale Blue Eyes*

*songs no longer available to download

You can buy the VU version on amazon right here.

You can try and find Paul & Edwyn on e-bay right here.

You'll find The Triffids exclusively at their fantastic website right here.

And now to the question. Which version do you prefer?? I did try and set up one of those vote things that some sites have but failed miserably. You're welcome to let me know via a comment. But only if you want to.

SONGS THAT ALMOST MADE MY JOCK'N'ROLL LIST (PART 1)

The fun continues over at Jock'n'Roll.

The Cat and Dave are now getting some attention in Scotland's newspapers and on radio stations, and they're having so much fun that they don't seem to have any intention to set a closing date for votes.

But they may yet change their minds at short notice, so if you haven't yet put in your tuppence worth, do so now by clicking here.

Today's almost-forgotten heroes are The Soup Dragons. They were formed in Bellshill, a small former coal-mining community some 15 miles east of Glasgow, in the mid-80s, and were named after a character in a children's TV programme of the 1970s.

Incidentally, two other famous bands - Teenage Fanclub and BMX Bandits - were also coming to life in Bellshill around the same time.

The Soup Dragons started off as your standard indie-band with a four-man line-up of vocals, guitar, bass and drums, but never really got beyond cult status. However, a change of image and sound that coincided with the 1989/90 interest in 'baggy', thanks primarily to The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays, led to UK and American chart success.

Maybe it was the blatant attempts to chase fame and fortune that has led to history being unkind to The Soup Dragons - you won't find them anywhere in the Top 75 in Jock'n'Roll nor are they referred to with too much affection in blog-land - but they did make some fine music during what was a career that spanned the best part of a decade.

Personally, I preferred the earlier recordings that the band made, and I'm offering up for your enjoyment the a single from 1986 which was the first to come out on the Scottish label Raw TV.

mp3 : The Soup Dragons : Hang-Ten *

*song no longer available to download

And coming in at not much over 2 minutes long, this is almost perfect flawless pop-punk music.

Those who have compared this era of the band to the likes of Buzzcocks aren't too far wide of the mark.

THEY JUMP STARTED MY SERATONIN

With big thanks to Mike from Magic, Murder, Mania & Manta Rays for the photos.

Glasgow ABC - Monday 4th December 2006. The last gig for Arab Strap. Why not let a real writer describe it??

The Arab Strap live experience has taken a wayward road since the small-town raver's elegy of The First Big Weekend saw them stumble into mass consciousness, Guinness adverts and a litany of bad sex, broken hearts and terminal romance.

From humble beginnings at a works canteen quiz to this farewell tour which, to the deadpan amusement of singer Aidan Moffat, has seen them "booked into places we've never even been to before", the past decade of one-night stands has seen them deliver the shambolic and dabble with the epic before getting very good indeed at what they do. And they said it would never last.

Now they're finally bowing out and, unlike the roll-call of love-lorn chancers who populate their songs, there's no mess, no huff. Nobody's marching off in front. Nobody's perturbed or disturbed by the other's past. Moffat and guitarist Malcolm Middleton aren't likely to be unduly bothered by the company the other keeps. It's not as if it's like having a girlfriend, after all. Ah, girlfriends. Whether ex, current or possible, it's the irrationally clingy mind games and the pains of being taken for granted that have proved enough not just to drive a man to drink, but to pen a few verses too.

It ends, as it must, with an acoustic encore, Moffat as personably dignified as a diplomat, Middleton happy to surrender the limelight by perching himself on a knee-high stool and just getting on with it. The audience – as ever, with a healthy percentage of women – sings along: "Another sniff of romance I'll forget/We promised to ourselves before we came out/ We'd do something we'd regret".

It's funny, and not at all girlfriend-recalling ironic, but tonight's the first time you realise just how much Arab Strap don't actually sound like anyone else. Or, as future residents of Falkirk nursing homes will proudly put it: "Moffat and Middleton? They made Lennon and McCartney look like a pair of numpties." Cheers, then.

Those were the words used by award-winning author Gordon Legge in reviewing the gig in Edinburgh last Friday. Every word is just as valid for last night.

A quite magnificent show and a quite magnificent occasion.

Joy and hysteria as the balloons came down during 'The First Big Weekend', but more than anything, the memories of the acoustic encore will endure for a long long time:-

Here We Go / Loch Leven / Blood / Amor Veneris / Packs Of Three/Soaps

And then the last song that Arab Strap ever played:-

mp3 : The Shy Retirer (acoustic version) *

*song no longer available to download

Stunning.

http://www.arabstrap.co.uk/ should keep you occupied for a while.

I'm sure many many others will have plenty to say on the Discussion Board.

WHO WANTS TO BE THE DISCO KING?

Hey ho it's Monday Morning.

Now I haven't taken any artificial substances or stimulants to keep the happy posts going (my secret for this one is to type it out on Sunday night and hold it as a draft till the morning - it's well-known I'm incapable of human interaction on Mondays for at least 4 hours after wakening up).

As a young teenager, I loved disco music - Earth, Wind & Fire, Donna Summer, Chic and all the rest of it. I loved getting out of the chairs at the side of the local church hall and getting on to the floor that doubled up as a badminton court on other nights.

Even as I moved on into the world of white-boy indie guitar bands, I still had a notion to shake various parts of my body in darkened dens of iniquity on suitable occasions. Or even just at the annual works Xmas party - and I know you've all got David Brent images in your head just now but I promise it wasn't like that.

For a while, I even organised and ran the music at annual office parties - and I was therefore able to get maybe 20 minutes of the night where I could play stuff that I really liked. And I remember playing this and enjoying the moment as the floor emptied save for myself and one other single male colleague. Strange thing is, a woman in the room was so entertained by his performance that they soon got hitched and are now happily married with 2 great kids.

Me?? I was coming out of a messy separation and was rejoicing in my first Xmas with a new love in my life. She became Mrs Villain and even now forgives my forays into dance and disco music.

mp3 : Up, Up & Away (Happy Sexy Mix) - The Beloved *

*song no longer available to download

I must have been a lot fitter back in the early 90s - the song goes on for more than 7 minutes - I'd most likely damage a hamstring muscle if I danced to this in 2006.

For Mrs Vinyl, Jazf, Anna, Clara & Grace. Great friends for so many years.

Available on the LP 'Blissed Out.' Buy it here

HAPPY TALK

Yesterday, my brother Stevie who lives in Orlando, Florida called me up to ask if I was OK. He'd been reading the recent stuff in the blog and was concerned about my mental state of mind given how downbeat all the postings had been over the past few days.

I assured him that it was just a post-holiday downer and a sh1t time at work, and promised that the next few postings and songs would be a lot cheerier. And given that the football (soccer) results went my way yesterday, it's easy to keep that promise.

When I'm walking home from the office just now, I always ensure I cut through Royal Exchange Square in Glasgow as the lighting at this time of year is pretty magical and makes me forget any problems for a minute or two. I couldn't find a picture to do it full justice - and don't think I ever will - but up above is the best I can do. Hope you like it.

Oh, and I should also point out that the little lad in yesterday's photo is also the face of the Vinyl Villain at the website. He's my nephew Liam who is always smiling and laughing. Maybe that's cos he lives in the comfort and warmth of Orlando!!

So here's today's cheery number to keep the winter blues away. From 1985.

mp3 : Camper Van Beethoven : Take The Skinheads Bowling

One of the best named bands ever, Camper Van Beethoven from Santa Cruz, California are back working together again after a break-up lasting some 10 years. Visit their website here

Today's download is from the LP 'Telephone Free Landslide Victory.' Buy the record here

And now, a request for help to all readers.

My mate Jacques The Kipper is asking if anyone can either provide him with a copy of the 1996 CD compilation - 'Rigour' by bIG fLAME. Alternatively, can anyone point him in the direction of where he can get a download of the album??

If you can help, please do so via leaving a comment with this posting. (I'm in the process of setting-up an e-mail account for this blog, so bear with me and communication will soon be a whole lot easier).

On behalf of JtK, I thank you.

More happy sounds tomorrow.