23 POSITIONS IN A ONE-NIGHT STAND

Just about to set off to meet Mrs V at Toronto Airport. Haven't seen her for nine weeks.

She's coming over here for nine days, and the fabulous folk at my office have been kind enough to give me some time off work.

I know what you're thinking - especially you the filthy-minded green amphibian sitting at the back. But you might well be right.

song : Prince - Gett Off

Sorry if your stomach is turning at the thought of it.

And so to another tune about trysting

song : Ballboy - Kiss Me Hold Me and Eat Me

Have a great weekend y'all.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MRS VINYL VILLAIN

OK....so the number is just slightly wrong....but you get the general drift.

Yup, its my other half's birthday today and she will be celebrating it in Glasgow while I am in Toronto. Boo-hoo.

song : The Wedding Present - Happy Birthday

I so wanted to post the original version by Clare and the boys, but Rachel is more of a Gedge lover, and let's face it, it is her special day, not mine.

And here's a few artistes/bands whose members (ahem) Mrs V considers to be on the right side of sexy:-

song : Blink 182 - All The Small Things
song : Marilyn Manson - Disposable Teens
song : The Young Knives - Here Comes The Rumour Mill

No wonder she married a low-life like me with that sort of taste in men.

VOTE EARLY.....AND VOTE OFTEN

I've been very neglectful of my friends in recent weeks. I used to religiously read all of the blogs that I list on the right hand side of this particular labour of love, but haven't had the time to do so in recent weeks.

I've spent the best part of 4 hours today reading through some of them. I'll try and make a similar amount of time tomorrow to get through the rest.

I was delighted to read that one of my favourite blogs - Song, By Toad, has been nominated as 'Best Music Blog' in something called the People's Choice Awards. And deservedly so, for Toad (aka Matthew) is one of the hardest working bloggers on the planet, and the quality of his postings are top-notch. He holds strong opinions on many subject matters musically and otherwise, and he's not shy about airing them. I don't always agree with him - for instance he's wide of the mark with a recent review of the debut LP by St Vincent and he doesn't have much time for Duglas BMX Bandit - but he says what he says with a great deal of style and panache (now there's a word making its debut in TVV).

If you haven't already had a look at his amphibian, gin-soaked world, then I insist you do so as a matter of priority. Click the link on the right hand side.

Then make sure you vote for him using all the available e-mail addresses you have at home and work. I've cast my X four times so far - once as The Vinyl Villain, once using my personal e-mail address, once using my Glasgow work e-mail and finally using my Toronto work e-mail.

Here's the link to the voting

Go on.....you know you want to......

I know I should really be clever at this point and dig out a few songs that relate to voting and elections, but quite frankly, I can't be arsed.

Instead, I'm going to offer up three great songs that I picked up over the past few months from one of my other favourite blogs, And Before The First Kiss.

The genius behind that particular blog is Comrade Colin, and he was the one person more than any other who inspired me to set up TVV and was unstinting in his encouragement and support in the early days. And now, when I'm churning out retro stuff from the last three decades, he's out there finding all sorts of great new acts and bringing them to our attention, such as these:-

song : The Apple Scruffs - Danielle
song : The Porch Song Anthology - Hang Me Good
song : Butcher Boy- There Is No-One Can Tell Where You've Been

Believe me, there's loads to enjoy at all the blogs that I provide links to. Give them all a few minutes of your time.

A TALE OF TWO CITIES

I had a rare day off yesterday to do what I like in my own time - so I headed into downtown Toronto.

I can honestly say that in just over eight weeks, T.O. (as the locals lovingly refer to it) is becoming one of my favourite spots on earth.

Regular readers will know of my love for my home city of Glasgow (or Weegie as it is nicknamed by many of its detractors), and it would take an awful lot to persuade me to ever live anywhere else. But T.O. is making a real effort.

For one thing, the weather has for the most part been spectacularly hot and sunny - albeit this comes with muggy days and thunderstorms, one of which arrived yesterday. For another, there always seems to be some sort of festival or other going on in some part of the city - often more than one at a time. Yesterday I saw some of Buskerfest which has taken over a large section of the historic St Lawrence District near the city centre and drew crowds of thousands despite the threat of storms. All the while, just a few miles away on the other side of the CN Tower, we have the annual Canadian National Exhibition which is incredibly popular with families.

A couple of weeks back, a large area of the city was closed off to traffic for four days for A Taste of The Danforth which is a celebration of Greek culture (loads of free food and wine on offer), there was also the Beaches Jazz Festival which again had roads in an area of the city closed off for the best part of a week, while Caribana, one of the world's largest Caribbean/South American style carnivals drew millions of visitors - and yes, loads of streets were closed off to traffic.

And all the while, at least to this untrained eye, life proceeded as normal with no chaos, thanks in part to the fantastic and efficient public transport system, but also because the Torontonians love partying and throw themselves into all of these events in style.

I can just imagine the moans and groans in Glasgow if, in every other week of the summer, a huge part of one area or other was closed off to allow folk to celebrate their culture.

Oh how stupid of me......that happens back home. It's the weekly Orange Walks/Apprentice Boys Of Derry/Black Chapter parades that close down streets for hours on end......

song : Ballboy - The Sash My Father Wore

0ops.....got a bit distracted there.

As I was saying Toronto has a lot to offer, and I don't think I could ever get tired of being here. I also think it must be unique in large urban cities across the world for having real place to escape right in the city centre.

The photo above is of a house on Toronto Island - its not a holiday home, its actually where folk choose to live. Toronto Island is no more than a 10 minute boat ride from the very heart of the city, but its like taking a step back in time. Maybe 1,000 or so folk have their home here, on a narrow strip of land, some 4 miles long and extending to around 800 acres in which the pedestrian is king and queen. The only cars allowed on Toronto Island are those considered essential for life to go on as normal - garbage trucks, fire engines, parks maintenance vehicles - and there might be as few as 20 or so of these in total. Everyone walks or goes by bike. And the residents all have these incredible wooden cottages that were built more than 50 years ago, or else have been replaced by something similar in style. Nothing above one storey high exists.

It really has to be seen to be believed, especially on a gloriously warm and sunny day.

But enough of the unpaid ad on behalf of the Toronto Tourism Office. Its music that you're here for, and music you shall have. Three more great songs that came up on random play on the i-pod yesterday on the subway during my travels:-

song : Billy Bragg - Lover's Town (Peel Session)

song : The Pogues - The Sick Bed Of Cuchuliann

song : Elizabeth - Adieu C.A (or My Lover Was A Redcoat)

The first track is a rare gem, a different version of one of the Bard of Barking's best songs that he recorded specifically for one of his earliest John Peel sessions.

If you don't get your feet-tapping to the second song, then you are clinically dead. Fact.

The third song is from a Vancouver band. My mate Jacques the Kipper bought me their debut CD as a going-away present : (a) because he thought I would like it, (b) because they were Canadian, and (c) because they shared the same name as one of our favourite bloggers who had recently got married.

The album is quite superb, and well worth tracking down. Here's a link to the band over at myspace and I'll leave the rest to you.

And finally, since a few folk (well one anyway) appreciated the Edwyn Collins recording the other day, I thought I'd re-post the original version of the song - yet another single out of Glasgow that was criminally ignored by Joe & Josephine Public

song : Paul Quinn - Ain't That Always The Way

The sun is shining, so I'm off to play a round of golf.

Ciao.

THIS SPORTING LIFE

OK, so I've fessed up to liking baseball.

I took the above photo at my first ever live game - it was the Toronto Blue Jays against the New York Yankees. And keeping very much in tune with most of the sports teams that I develop a fondness for.....the Blue Jays lost.

The comment from Jon about the season lasting so long with games every day meaning you get put through an emotional wringer is spot on - I found myself swearing at the telly the other night when the Jays had a collective stinker.

STRIKE ONE.....

song : Carter USM - An All American National Sport

I promise that I won't mention baseball again. But then again, when it comes to this blog, I do make a lot of promises that I fail to keep...

Someone who remained anonymous left a comment on a posting from a while back with a request for a track that was posted a while back. And given what the song is, how can I possibly refuse:-

STRIKE TWO....

song : Scritti Politti - Faithless (Triple-Hep'n'Blue)

A big thanks again to a reader by the name of Vuka who sent this particular version of the track after I put out the begging bowl.

And finally, to round off this quick posting just before I catch some shut-eye

STRIKE THREE.....

song : Ballboy - I Don't Have To Stand Here With You Fighting About The Size Of My Dick

No really, I don't.

BOY ABOUT TOWN

Thank you everyone for such nice words following the last posting.

A touch of insomnia right now means its just after 4am local time, and there can be no better way to deal with it than to crochet a few more cliches.

One of the things I've grown to love here in Toronto is the sport of baseball.

And the player pictured above is one Mike Piazza of Oakland Athletic who are currently in the city just now for a set of matches against the local Blue Jays.

Piazza remains the only American sportsman immortalised in a song by one of Glasgow's finest combos:-

song : Belle & Sebastian - Piazza, New York Catcher

The song was written at a time when he played for the New York Mets, with whom he came to real national prominence. There's a really interesting entry on Mike Piazza over at wikipedia, including a reference to the B&S song under the trivia section, and you can find it here.

I was delighted to read some news from back home that Edwyn Collins continues to recover from his very serious illness, and indeed a new LP (much of which was recorded before he fell ill but has been mixed in recent months) is coming out in about 4 weeks time. It seems Edwyn is thinking of some live shows as well, but these will no doubt be in the UK while I'm here in Canada. It's sooooooooooo unfair

song : Edwyn Coillins - Ain't That Always The Way

And finally, as is usually the case with TVV, the public gets what the public want. And you've asked for more from this lot:-

song : Ballboy - I Wonder If You're Drunk Enough To Sleep With Me Tonight

Great title, even better tune.

More from Ballboy whenever I return - hopefully within 48 hours.

Ciao

FROM NOW ON, I PROMISE TO DO BETTER

I'm well aware that since I arrived in Canada some 7 weeks ago that postings here at TVV have been few and far between.

Things are now going to change.

I've had a few things on my mind in recent weeks that have stopped me from sharing my thoughts with you - not least a family emergency back home involving a potentially fatal illness for my 23 year-old nephew that stopped me right in my tracks bar the need to say a few words of the passing of the great Tony Wilson.

Thankfully, in respect of my nephew, the worst is, for the time being, over and I can now again indulge myself in the stuff that isn't really all that important in the grand scale of things. And I hope to make up for weeks of inactivity with some more regular postings.

Furthermore, I also promise my fellow bloggers whom I've come to love so much over recent times that I will again catch up with what you have had to say in recent times....and please indulge me if I ask for a track that has gone past its used-by date.

Today is the beginning of new times at TVV, so let's have a few tunes starting with something joyful and a bit obvious...

song : Thin Lizzy - The Boys Are Back In Town

OK, so its not the usual indie-pop with a touch of twee that is the norm you would find in here. But its a classic that reminds me of younger more innocent days, and it is just simply a great fucking song.

And now, thanks to my great friend and comrade Colin from And Before The Kiss (without whom very little of this would ever have been possible) here's something rare and quite brilliant:-

song : On This Day We Met Gambas Pil Pil - When No-one Is Around

I don't know anything about the band with the exceedingly long and silly name except they were Scottish (they seemingly broke up within weeks of forming), but somehow Colin got hold of this song and posted it on his great blog many moons ago. It came up on random play on my i-pod yesterday and I think it demands to be given to a wider audience.

And finally....in acknowledgement of a little something that arrived here in the post the other day, courtesy of Simon and Elizabeth over there in the wet and windy Isle of Man, an absolute peach of a song that many of us know and love....

song : The Wedding Present - Thanks

I hope married life is still proving to be totally wonderful - and you both better come up to Scotland soon after I get home in November.

And to everyone.....I'd like to express my gratitude for continually popping by now and again when there's been nothing to read or listen to. I will do better in the days and weeks ahead.

OH...and a little PS for anyone who has ever had the misfortune to be the passenger in a car when the driver is in charge of the sounds....as has happened to me far too often in recent weeks.

song : Ballboy - All The Records On The Radio Are Shite

Ciao for now

DEATH OF A SALESMAN

I was saddened by the news of the death of Tony Wilson.

I've no doubt you'll find some heartfelt tributes on loads of blogs, as well as a few less than kind remarks as there are many who thought the man was a twat. And let's face it, he sometimes thought he was as well.

I'm not from Manchester, and perhaps not best placed to offer an opinion. But I'll contend that Tony Wilson did as much as anyone in the latter part of the 20th Century to raise the profile of the city he's most associated with. He helped transform it into a city where those of us who didn't live there were jealous of those lucky enough to do so.

I only met him once. He came to Glasgow for a book reading of 24 Hour Party People, and it turned into a fabulous couple of hours. He was regally entertaining, with more than a hint of self-parody about his persona. Along with Bill Drummond, he was the one guy in the music industry that I would love to have been able to go down the pub with.

The world is a slightly poorer place without him being around. I hope the city gives him a great send-off.

song : Care - Sad Day For England

song : Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart (Pennine Version)

AW SHUCKS.....

In addition to not putting up any postings in recent days, I've also neglected to keep up to date with what fellow bloggers have being saying in recent days.

And tonight don't I go and discover days after the event that I have been given the Blogger's equivalent of a knighthood in the New Years Honours List.....

Matthew over at Song, By Toad has only gone and dedicated one of his podcasts to me. I am genuinely stunned, shocked, moved, touched and a bit emotional about it all.

Have a look right here. Sorry that you have to read my ever-increasing drunken commentary that goes along with it. Ignore that and have a listen all the way through. The tunes that are posted are simply thrilling honeys.

I wish I could reciprocate in full, but for now these songs, which in my opinion would make an incredibly good EP, will have to make do:-

song : The Field Mice - Fabulous Friend
song : The Smiths - This Charming Man
song : The Divine Comedy - Gin Soaked Boy
song : Billy Bragg - Ontario, Quebec & Me

If the Toadmeister reads this, please note that I will bring you over a bottle of Anchor Steam Junipero the next time I'm in Edinburgh. Which is likely to be around Xmas time.

Sniff.

IT'S TARTAN TIME (Part 3)

I knew that when I headed over here to Toronto that it would be difficult to keep the blog going as often as I did back home in weegie, but I never imagined that I'd have so little spare time on my hands. And then when I finally get a window of opportunity, I find that the server I'm using has crashed.......

There should have been another live review posted by now, as I had a ticket to see Fionn Regan at yet another tiny venue last Thursday night. But I was too tired to make a show that was likely to end somewhere around 2am when I had to be at work just six hours later.....I'm beginning to feel every bit of my 44 years I'm afraid to say.

Found a great bit of Scotland just around the corner from where I'm staying. It's called the St Andrews Fish Bar, and it's every bit as good as some of the best chippies back home. It even sells bottles of Scotland's other national drink.

Folk from outside of Scotland probably don't get what the fuss is about when it comes to Irn-Bru. Its an astonishing but true fact that the fizzy soft drink easily outsells Coke and Pepsi in Scotland, despite the huge marketing budgets that the two giants of the market have at their disposal.

I think Irn Bru has a superb taste, either on its own or thrown in alongside vodka. I know it is gut-wrenchingly, teeth-rottingly bad for you, but then again most of the best things in life have awful side-effects.

Talking of some of the best things in life, was there ever a better record label than Postcard Records? Whether in its initial shelf-life, where it brought us Orange Juice, Aztec Camera, Josef K and the debut single of The Go-Betweens, or in the mid 90s reincarnation which shoved out a whole bundle of wonderful material by Paul Quinn & The Independent Group, the quality of the product was never less than immense. Someone, somewhere has to persuade Alan Horne to sit down and compose his autobiography.

And so, from the vaults come these Postcard offerings:-

song : Orange Juice -Falling & Laughing

song : Orange Juice - Lovesick

song : Josef K - Sorry For Laughing

song : Paul Quinn & The Independent Group - Superstar

Fact - the Josef K single was released in April 1981 on the Belgian-based label Crepuscle on license from Postcard.

Fact 2 - the Paul Quinn track was on the b-side of a 1991 single and is a cover of a song by The Carpenters.

You'll notice I haven't labelled the tracks as mp3s. It's all to do with me being away from home, using the work-supplied borrowed laptop (illegally for this purpose) and not having access to various programmes that turn music files into readily accessible mp3s. Things won't return to normal until later in the year.

Oh and I've also shoved up some Postcard related stuff over at The Video Villain. Feel free to take a peek.

And a final PS.....to my great friend Nancy from the fantastic I'm Not Always So Stupid. The CD arrived in the post today. I'll try and listen over the coming weekend.

Ciao for now.