Tom Robinson Band - "2 4 6 8 Motorway"

"2 4 6 8 Motorway" from 1977 was the biggest hit by the Tom Robinson Band and it is a bit of an anthem. It's the type of song that the rock format stations and the alternative stations can both play with the same enthusiasm. What sounds like a protest song is definitely not a protest song.

Lou Reed - "Sword Of Damocles"

I went away for the long weekend and it was probably the longest time without internet access I have endured for quite a while. Although it wasn't really a problem at all. As soon as I arrive home and connect to the net I find out about the passing of Lou Reed. I know he had a liver transplant recently but it still came as a great shock. Lou Reed was a true legend! I would say he was as influential as Dylan - I mean, look at the influence of The Velvet Underground. They didn't just inspire thousands of bands, from the 60's to the present time, they even inspired whole movements... if it wasn't for The Velvet Underground, the Flying Nun 'Dunedin Sound' would not have existed. Lou Reed's brilliant 1992 album 'Magic and Loss' was an album of death and mourning, which was inspired by the death of a couple of his friends. So his album of mourning is now our album of mourning.

Demetri Martin - New Cigarettes

If I run out of time to post a song on this blog - the go-to man is Demetri Martin... works every time.

Malcolm Mclaren - "Double Dutch"

Malcolm Mclaren was the man who gave us the Sex Pistols and we thank him for changing the world. He was always on the lookout for new and exciting developments in music and popular culture. In 1983 he found something. With "Double Dutch" he introduced us to the skipping game that was popularised in New York at the time. The interesting thing about the song is that the roots of the Double Dutch rope jumping game are, without doubt, New York but the music sounds nothing other than South African.

Delaney Davidson & Marlon Williams - "Get Down On Your Knees and Pray"

I've been a bit busy lately and I admit I haven't been true to my word - a daily song blog should be exactly that. I don't really have any excuses, well, except a bit of painting, a few beers in the spring sunshine and a concert in Rotorua 'The Grand Ole Hayride' featuring Delaney Davidson, Marlon Williams, Tami Neilson and Dave Khan.

Monica Zetterlund with Bill Evans Trio - "Waltz for Debby"

A while back I was told about an album by Swedish Jazz singer/actress Monica Zetterlund and legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans and I've only recently got around to downloading it. The album 'Waltz for Debby' was released in 1964 and should not be confused with his Trio's 1961 album of the same name. The story goes that Monica Zetterlund recorded a Swedish version of Bill Evans' "Waltz for Debby" and it was quite successful back in Sweden. The fact that she added vocals to his song interested him enough to make contact with her and before long they were recording an album together. The rest, I suppose, is history. The video added below has as much improvisation as jazz music itself does.... and it was at a time when smoking was as common as texting is today. This is just a taste - the album is the full buffet.

Sleigh Bells - "Bitter Rivals"

Sleigh Bells are back with a new album, which means the world is now a slightly better place. Don't be fooled by the intro to the title track "Bitter Rivals," the noise-pop sound of Sleigh Bells that we love, thankfully, is still there.
Bitter ....

ROUGE ROUGE - "L'AMOUR"

"L'amour" by Rouge Rouge has been part of Bitter FM from day one. As addictive as good coffee and....

The Beards - "Got Me a Beard"

The Beards are a band of, um, bearded guys and here is a song "Got Me a Beard" from the 2012 album 'Having a Beard is the New Not Having a Beard' and there is no prize for guessing what all their songs are about.

Valerie June - "Workin' Woman Blues"

"Workin' Woman Blues" is from the fourth album by Memphis artist Valerie June. The album 'Pushin' Against a Stone' was recorded with Dan Auerbach and Kevin Augunas after she had relocated to New York. It is a blend of traditional, roots, blues, soul, bluegrass, gospel and singer-songwriter folk. I know that sounds too eclectic for a solid album, but because she succeeds in bringing a lot of those styles together in her songs, it doesn't really jump from one genre to another. Although, the bluegrass/appalachian tracks don't stray too much from tradition. "Workin' Woman Blues" is like a rootsy Billie Holliday and the horns are perfectly integrated.

Bob Marley and the Wailers - "Stir It Up" live Old Grey Whistle Test 1973

Bob Marley and the Wailers appeared on British television for the very first time in 1973 when they performed "Stir It Up" live on Old Grey Whistle Test, a kind of 'Later with Jools Holland' of the 70's and 80's that, shamefully never made it to NZ. With this performance, it's no surprise that world domination followed.... how fucking cool were they then? Stoned but articulate!

Jonny Fritz - "Trash Day"

Tomorrow is "Trash Day" so thanks for reminding me Jonny Fritz.... this is the best way to be reminded about trash day on Monday.

Madeline Kahn - "I'm Tired" Blazing Saddles

Here is the magnificent Madeline Kahn performing "I'm Tired" from the equally magnificent 'Blazing Saddles' movie.

Push Push - Trippin'

Should we laugh, cringe or just remember it fondly as a moment in musical history? Let's be positive and go with the latter. Push Push hit the top of the charts with this song - but come on now, calm down, it was 1991 and glam was in. Still not convinced? Here are some big hits from 1991 "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" – Bryan Adams, "Joyride" – Roxette, "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" – George Michael & Elton John and "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" – Cher. Okay, all that tells us is that there sure was some crap happening that year... so it doesn't make Trippin' right but it makes it better. 1991 was probably not the greatest year at all musically, it was as if I was "Losing My Religion" but there was something in the air that we said "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and that spirit changed everything.

Amiria Grenell - "E Toru Nga Mea"

Here is a short and sweet musical interlude from the wonderful Amiria Grenell and a very special guest.... for this musical family, the future is looking bright.