The Rolling Stones - "Commit A Crime"

Anyone aware of the Rolling Stones blues roots, whether it's from a general observation from the band's history or from reading Keith Richards' autobiography 'Life'. Those in the latter camp will also be aware that their early recordings actually revived the careers of a lot of the old blues artists. They basically introduced a lot of blues artists to a whole new audience. As we know - Jagger and Richards became one of the greatest songwriting partnerships - with Lennon and McCartney as their obvious rivals. But it was the blues that was their absolute passion. So it seems so logical that a blues covers album was to be recorded at this part of their career and 'Blue and Lonesome' doesn't disappoint. They were so amazing when they recently played in Auckland but I can only dream about seeing them play this album in a club or small venue.... something some lucky punters will experience somewhere in the world at some stage. If I had to pick one song from the album - at this stage it is Howlin' Wolf's "Commit a Crime". Finally we have another classic Stones album and while the songwriting partnership of Jagger and Richards didn't contribute with the songs - they certainly contributed in many other ways. Classic Stones!!




Howlin' Wolf's original "Commit a Crime"

Leonard Cohen - "Everybody Knows"

We lost another musical icon at the end of what was an interesting week, to say the least. It was still a bit of a shock to hear the news.... even after the melancholic interviews he gave at the release of the 'You Want It Darker' album.

It made me think of a song that could basically sum up the week, with the conclusion of the US Presidential election - and also be a tribute to the great musician/poet himself.

"Everybody Knows"

Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows that the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everybody knows that the captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died

Everybody talking to their pockets
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
And a long stem rose
Everybody knows

Everybody knows that you love me baby
Everybody knows that you really do
Everybody knows that you've been faithful
Ah give or take a night or two
Everybody knows you've been discreet
But there were so many people you just had to meet
Without your clothes
And everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows

And everybody knows that it's now or never
Everybody knows that it's me or you
And everybody knows that you live forever
Ah when you've done a line or two
Everybody knows the deal is rotten
Old Black Joe's still pickin' cotton
For your ribbons and bows
And everybody knows

And everybody knows that the Plague is coming
Everybody knows that it's moving fast
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
Are just a shining artifact of the past
Everybody knows the scene is dead
But there's gonna be a meter on your bed
That will disclose
What everybody knows

And everybody knows that you're in trouble
Everybody knows what you've been through
From the bloody cross on top of Calvary
To the beach of Malibu
Everybody knows it's coming apart
Take one last look at this Sacred Heart
Before it blows
And everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows

Oh everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows

Everybody knows

Fitz and the Tantrums - "HandClap"

Finally there is a song that will stay in your head for hours after hearing it... that isn't a piece of shit. Fitz and the Tantrums song "HandClap" is possibly the most infectious song you will hear - and love. If it was a disease the human race would be toast. Fitz and the Tantrums are a Los Angeles band formed in about 2010 by French-born American Michael Fitzpatrick. He enlisted his college buddy James King who recommended soul singer Noelle Scaggs and suddenly Joseph Karnes, John Wicks and Jeremy Ruzumna completed the lineup. Michael Fitzpatrick stated that putting the band together was like five phone calls, one rehearsal and they could've played a show that night... that's how much they clicked.

Their debut album 'Pickin' Up the Pieces' from 2010 featured another Bitter FM favourite "MoneyGrabber" - another song that will always be on the Bitter FM playlists.

They released their self-titled third album this year and that even has a song co-written and produced by 'Lorde' producer Joel Little. But let's get back to "HandClap". The album itself may be a move from old Motown style soul to more polished pop-soul with even less of the indie rock element - but if "HandClap" fires up your next party.... then all is forgiven.

Get Clapping!

Rainer Ptacek - "Life Is Fine"

I rediscovered an album that I thought I had lost. It was a tribute album for Rainer Ptacek, a German born but Tucson based musician. The album 'The Inner Flame - A Tribute to Rainer Ptacek' was released in 1997. Howe Gelb, a former bandmate of Rainer's at the formation of 'Giant Sand' and Robert Plant organised the tribute album to help Rainer pay for the ever increasing medical costs after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and lymphoma a year earlier. The list of willing contributors was exceptionally good. It featured Giant Sand with Howe Gelb, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Emmylou Harris, Evan Dando, Victoria Williams, Mark Olson, Vic Chestnut and Tina Chesnutt, PJ Harvey, John Parish, The Drovers, Madeleine Peyroux, Kris McKay, LK, Jonathan Richman, and Bill Janovitz and also featured Rainer on a lot of the tracks.

His finger picking and slide guitar playing made him a legend with his peers. He was invited to play and record with artists such as ZZ Top and Robert Plant and a lot of his recordings are becoming available again - since most had been out of print and some were originally cassette releases.

Unfortunately Rainer Ptacek died in 1997... after it seemed he had beaten the disease.

His performance on 'Later with Jools Holland' below, is so emotional it is hard to believe it predates the time of his sickness by a few years. Even the lyrics are enough to send shivers down your spine when you know what was to come.

A tragic loss.



Madeleine Peyroux's version of "Life Is Fine" from the tribute album is sensational as well.

Eef Barzelay - "Shaker Star"

Eef Barzelay is an Israeli born/American based musician and leader of the band Clem Snide. Since the debut Clem Snide album in 1998, he has released more than a dozen albums - a few of them as a solo artist.
In 2011 he released an EP of songs by Seattle band Transmissionary Six and Terri Tarantula. He was originally asked by Paul Austin a member of the band,to record a Terri Tarantula song as a surprise for her because she was a big fan of Clem Snide. That grew into an EP. The surprise must've been heartfelt because his interpretation of "Shaker Star" is sensational. The song itself is interesting enough.... it's inspired by the song "Death Valley Rain" from Steve Wynn and the Miracle 3 - due to the shaker performance from the drummer Linda Pitmon. It's a great moment when a little known artist finally attracts some of your attention - but brings to light an unknown artist simultaneously in one song. The EP is Black Tin Rocket (Songs of the Transmissionary Six) and it's a stayer.



The Terri Tarantula original

Deap Vally - "Gonnawanna"

Deap Vally are an Alt-Rock duo from LA. Since 2011, Lindsey Troy (guitar, vocals) and Julie Edwards (drums and vocals), have been entertaining crowds all over the world with their blend of Rock/Blues/Garage Rock and topped up with a bit of metal. At times they can be like The White Stripes in more ways than just the guitar and drums combo. Their live footage tells us one thing for sure... that they were born to rock, no argument. "Gonnawanna" is from their forthcoming album 'Femejism' out real soon and a candidate for the album title of the year.

The Stars of Track and Field are Beautiful People (Trilogy)

Part 1,
The Belle and Sebastian album 'If You're Feeling Sinister' led with the track "The Stars of Track and Field" and it featured the line 'The Stars of Track and Field are Beautiful People', which has set the stage for this trilogy.
After the success of the Rio Olympic games - I'm kind of missing it all, even if our timezone made it a little difficult to catch all the good bits live. Luckily we can re-live the Olympic Games - thanks to Belle and Sebastian. The Rio Olympic games was the inspiration behind the new single "Olympic Village, 6AM"... which is an upbeat instrumental that is somewhat inspirational as well. The video goes even further down that route - with one classic and unforgettable Olympic moment, which I will save for part 3.



Part 2,
As stated above, Belle and Sebastian had released "The Stars of Track and Field" on an earlier album. In fact, it was 20 years earlier, in 1996. So I wonder if this song was actually inspired by the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta. The lyrics are taken from their website belleandsebastian.com



The Stars Of Track And Field
Make a new cult every day to suit your affairs
Kissing girls in English, at the back of the stairs
You’re a honey, with a following of innocent boys
They never know it
Because you never show it
You always get your way
They never know it
Because you never show it
You always get your way

Have you and her been taking pictures of your obsessions?
Because I met a kid who went through one of your sessions
In his blue velour and silk
You liberated
A boy I never rated
And now he’s throwing discuss
For Liverpool and Widnes
You liberated
A boy I never rated
And now he’s doing business

The stars of track and field, you are
The stars of track and field, you are
The stars of track and field are beautiful people

Could I write a piece about you now that you’ve made it?
About the hours spent, the emptiness in your training
You only did it so that you could wear
Your terry underwear
And feel the city air
Run past your body

Could I write a requiem for you when you’re dead?
“She had the moves, she had the speed, it went to her head”
She never needed anything to get her round the track
But when she’s on her back
She had the knowledge
To get her into college
But when she’s on her back
She had the knowledge
To get her into college


Part 3,
Generally the Olympic 3000m event would not attract the attention of the sprint races - but at the 1984 Olympic games in Los Angeles, the womens 3000m was to be one of the highlights of the games.... for so many reasons, controversy included.

The poster girl of American athletics, Mary Decker, was on home turf and was ready to finally claim a gold medal, after her world championship titles and world records leading up to the games.

A rival of Mary Decker's was a teenager from South Africa, Zola Budd, who had beaten Mary Decker's 5000m world record by 6 seconds some months earlier. However, because of the sanctions against South Africa due to their apartheid policy, Zola Budd's world record did not stand. Zola Budd was now a star of track and field but couldn't compete at the olympics. But wait.... A British newspaper journalist dispatched to South Africa found out she had an English grandfather and that led to the eventual British passport and citizenship, with lots of help from all corners. It wasn't without controversy though, with many Brits not in support and it gave the anti-apartheid movement more prominence.

So here we have the world champion at home against the newly relocated barefoot running sensation vying for the ultimate prize.
The expectations were high and there was probably going to be some drama..... well, the drama was in truck loads.

"What's the Matter?" - Leftover Cuties

LA band Leftover Cuties somehow found their way onto Bitter FM playlists. But while I can't remember how I stumbled upon them, it's still no surprise at all. They have a lot of attributes that attract my attention musically. Beautiful vocals courtesy of Shirli McAllen, blended genres, some upright bass, ukulele and great songs with no frills. It is hard not to like a lot about Leftover Cuties. "What's the Matter?" is off their 2013 album 'The Spark & the Fire.'

Astrud Gilberto With Stan Getz - "Girl From Ipanema"

We are into the second week of the Rio Olympics and that calls for the most obvious song of all to celebrate the ultimate sporting occasion. I've already had "Girl From Ipanema" on this blog - but this version, although without Joao Gilberto, is worth it for capturing a snapshot of the times.... when Bossa Nova was king. This was from the 1964 film 'Get Yourself a College Girl' and here it features Astrud Gilberto and Stan Getz with the Stan Getz Quartet. Thanks Rio.

Suicide - "Dream Baby Dream"

The recent death of Alan Vega has had a lot of people digging out the classic Suicide albums and that includes Bitter FM. Alan Vega was a founding member along with Martin Rev. They started in 1970 and although they each did solo work on and off, they were still playing live as recently as 2015. If they were a new band right now and were doing what they did when they started out in the early 70's - they would still be considered as cool and groundbreaking. So way back then there was no doubt that they were pioneers of electronic music. There was the farfisa organ with effects for starters, and then the synths and old drum machines - so they had to have become as influential as they were. The New York music scene was amazing enough as it was during the 70's and Suicide were a big part of it. The self titled debut album from 1977 is essential.... and kind of like a piece of electronic music history - much like an artefact. Great material followed as well, including "Dream Bay Dream", but the debut album is the place to start for the uninitiated. To Alan Vega.... Dream Baby Dream in peace.



Bruce Springsteen regularly covered "Dream Baby Dream" in concert........

Dessa and Cecil Otter of Doomtree - "Little Mercy"

I've long been a fan of the Minneapolis collective Doomtree. So with the recent release of Cecil Otter's 'Dear Echo' EP it was time to finally post this gem from the Doomtree album 'No Kings' released in 2011. You could say this song "Little Mercy" is Cecil Otter with the help of his colleagues, but it's more than that. When Doomtree work together - they truly are a collective in every sense of the word. This live version of "Little Mercy", also featuring Dessa, is more than proof that hip-hop has come a long way.

The obscure Smiths trilogy (Part 3) When Sandie Shaw played the role of Morrissey

Morrissey was a huge fan of Sandie Shaw and he and Johnny Marr had discussed having her record "I Don't Owe You Anything" and in 1984, after some initial scepticism from Sandie Shaw, it became a reality. They also recorded "Hand in Glove" as the B-side, which was reversed at her request. It even charted in the UK but for some reason it was quite obscure down here in New Zealand.
On the video from 1984 on Channel Four's 'Earsay' show - Sandie Shaw seems to be relishing the singing role with the Smiths and does a brilliant Morrissey impersonation. The only things missing are the flowers.

The obscure Smiths trilogy (Part 2) The Smiths on another Kids TV show

Here we have The Smiths on another children's television show, this time it's S.P.L.A.T. They jump on a bus and head to Kew Gardens where they happen to meet up with Sandie Shaw. She sings their most obscure song "Jeane" with Johnny Marr on guitar.
I'm sure youtube exists for these moments alone.

The obscure Smiths trilogy (Part 1) The Smiths interviewed by children.

Some time in 1984 The Smiths, or members Morrissey and Johnny Marr to be precise, appeared on a children's television show called Data Run. The kids asked some questions and there was a bit of singing from all involved. Slightly awkward but otherwise hilarious... especially when Morrissey tells the kids how much he hated kids when he was at school.

Street Chant - "Pedestrian Support League"

"Pedestrian Support League" is all about the mundane and the dull times in a crappy old flat. Times of depression and paranoia are scattered throughout the song "you’re stealing my soap, and don’t think that I don’t know” being just one example. But the song itself is so far away from the dull theme - it's a case of perfect jangly indie-pop... a little ironic, much like the delivery from Emily Edrosa. It comes from Street Chant's second album 'Hauora', and like many other sophomore albums, this one must've been difficult as well. For a start, it came six years after their debut 'Means' and some of the difficulties have been stated by the band over the last couple of years before the actual release. But now we have an album we can enjoy and they have something they should be proud of.

Al Hunter - "I Don't Want To Go To Work Today"

There are songs that suit certain days or nights of the week or songs that highlight the mood of a particular time. But there are not many positive songs about that much maligned Monday. So here is a song that not only defines Monday for most of us, it is also as negative as all the others.

Shona Laing - "(Glad I'm) Not A Kennedy"

Shona Laing released "(Glad I'm) Not A Kennedy" in 1985. It was originally from her 'Genre' album and then included on her 'South' album a couple of years later.... after it had exploded and became her defining moment. The song actually came from trivial beginnings. On television there was something about the Kennedy's that made her say out loud "Glad I'm not a Kennedy" - obviously because of the tragedies that have struck the family throughout. In fact, the tragedies continued after this song was written - with the plane crash which took the lives of John F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in 1999.

One Kennedy tragedy was that of Rosemary Kennedy, the daughter of Joe and Rose, born in 1918. This was a very different kind of tragedy and one that only came to my attention when she died in 2005. While she lived to a ripe old age, her story was just as sad as the others, worse in the fact that it was based on a decision by her father that changed everything.

Due to a long and delayed birth she was deprived of oxygen for long periods, which may have contributed to some intellectual disabilities. As she grew up she blossomed into a beautiful young lady. She was a popular Kennedy daughter and her slowness more or less went unnoticed by the adoring general public.

Unfortunately for her, her siblings were succeeding academically and on the sports fields while she fell behind. Her behaviour was becoming more erratic and puberty wasn't making things easier for her parents and the reputation of the family. In response, it was decided that she would have a prefrontal lobotomy... at the age of 23. She was one of the first to have this new precedure. Her father was told it would settle her mood swings etc. But what it really did was incapacitate her and left her institutionised for the rest of her life - with the mental capacity of a 2-year old. A total disaster!

I've just started reading the biography 'Rosemary: The hidden Kennedy daughter' by Kate Clifford Larson and I already accept it's going to be an emotionally difficult read.

Marlon Williams - "Hello Miss Lonesome"

Marlon Williams released his self titled debut album last year, after three or four years with 'The Unfaithful Ways', which he formed at high school. He then went on to perform with fellow Lyttelton artist Delaney Davidson for a couple of years, which saw the release of three volumes of Sad But True: The Secret History of Country Music Songwriting, and memorable tours around the country - with Tami Neilson along for the Grand Ole Hayride.
Marlon Williams' solo album lived up to or even surpassed expectations. His early boys choir grounding has paid dividends. Whether he is singing country, Lyttelton style Americana, gospel or old time crooning, the vocals are superb. The first single and album opener "Hello Miss Lonesome" is something different again. It's a kind of Rockabilly hoe down, which is a little unconventional and surprisingly fast faced, compared to the pace of the album thereafter. But the vocal performance is, again, something to be cherished. For me, this song grew from, "wow I didn't expect that" to a bit of a craving.

GANGLY - "Fuck With Someone Else"

In 2014 a single "Fuck With Someone Else" appeared from nowhere from an unknown Icelandic band called Gangly. It was picked up locally with a lot of excitement. However, the mystery that surrounded the band garnered just as much interest as the song. There was plenty of speculation thrown around about who the band members were, from a teenage bedroom artist, to Sin Fang and Samaris. The Sin Fang and Samaris similarities turned out to be correct, with Sindri Már Sigfússon and Jófríður Ákadóttir finally confirmed as two of the members. Úlfur Alexander Einarsson of Oyama is the other member. "Fuck With Someone Else" is RnB/Electronica bliss and the girl/boy vocals are a little bit like The xx... but from the higher end of the scale. So glad this song finally went global.

King Loser - "Troubled Land"

One of my favourite moments in the 90's was when King Loser gave us a treasure that Nancy and Lee would've been proud of. After hearing that the two founding members of King Loser, Chris Heazelwood and Celia Pavlova, are back out there with solo projects - it must be time to re-live the greatness of "Troubled Land" from their 'Caul of the Outlaw' album released in 1996.

Frankie and the Witch Fingers - "Merry Go Round"

Frankie and the Witch Fingers are a band from Bloomington, Indiana - but now based in LA. Their music is firmly rooted in the past.... from 60's garage rock and surf rock to psychedelic pop. "Merry Go Round" is strictly in the latter camp and could be enjoyed as much by the current garage rock revivalists as the original psychedelic rockers from the 60s. "Merry Go Round" was originally released as a 7" single and is not on their latest self titled album released by Permanent Records last year. A band that may stay underground - but don't let your mates miss out.

Prince & The Revolution - "Raspberry Beret"

In 1985 Prince proved that psychedelia and funk could be blended together so effortlessly. The album 'Around the World in a Day' may not be his 'Sgt Pepper' but "Raspberry Beret" is up there with the best from the entire Beatles catalogue.

Trapper Schoepp - Ogallala

Trapper Schoepp is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin based musician. Formally the leader of Trapper Schoepp and the Shades. He just released his new album 'Rangers and Valentines' and it has as much an Americana influence as rock and pop. He has many stories to tell and his extended family and ancestors are a large part of the subject matter. The album was produced by Raconteur, Brendon Benson in Nashville. "Talking Girlfriend Blues" is a fun song about sharing all to the driver while hitching to a date, which all goes wrong when he mentions her name.... all done in a similar vein to the old talking blues songs of Guthrie and Dylan. Another song that really stood out for me is "Ogallala". It kind of has a 70s pop sound and is very catchy. But not saccharin, of course - definitely fit for Bitter FM. It's a winter song (timely, as we move towards winter down here) about a road trip through Nebraska and being stuck in Ogallala without much more than a bottle of cold/flu medicine to drink and only The Hobbit on at the movie theatre. It's basically about going out of his mind while waiting for the road to thaw and wishing he had made it to Omaha instead of Ogallala. And yes, the place does exist. It most likely won't be picked up by the Ogallala tourism office.

Carole King - "It's Too Late"

It has now been 45 years since the release of Carole King's 'Tapestry' album. Released in 1971, Tapestry was a huge success, particularly in the USA, where it was number 1 for 15 consecutive weeks. It followed her debut solo album 'Writer', which surprisingly, was a flop. 'Writer' featured James Taylor on guitar and backing vocals as well. In fact, it was James Taylor who convinced her to sing and record her own songs, instead of writing for other artists (which she had been doing successfully with her husband Gerry Goffin right through the 60's).
However, with the strength of the songs on Tapestry, it was destined to be huge. For someone who had co-written so many hits for so many artists, her songwriting was as strong as ever here. She recorded a couple of her songs, which had been hits for Aretha Franklin and The Shirelles - "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" and "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" respectively. But her new material was just as strong. "It's Too Late" was the first single and spent 5 weeks at number 1 on the Billboard charts.
This is an album that seems to resinate with fans of all genres, young and old, and even through every decade since its release.
Definitely one of the all-time great albums..... which I'm sure you all agree.

The Brotherhood - "Nothing in Particular"

The Brotherhood were a London hip-hop band that started as a collective of rappers, graffiti artists, dancers and DJ's. Known as the Brotherhood VIP when they got together in the 80's and by 1990 they became The Brotherhood. They released EP's, 12" singles etc. until they peaked in 1996 with the 'Elementalz' album. It was their magnum opus and without a doubt, one of my all-time favourite hip-hop albums. I still go back to it regularly now and have playlisted all the tracks on Bitter FM. It was from the 'House of Pain' and 'Cypress Hill' era and that can be heard. The album contains some interesting samples, which include Iron Butterfly, Soft Machine and Black Moon. "Nothing In Particular" features a sample from Gravediggaz.
Elementalz was possibly when British hip-hop came of age.

Don Cavalli - "Me and My Baby"

French artist Don Cavalli is hard to pigeon hole, musically. There is definitely some Rockabilly from his past and a mixture of blues, RnB, Soul, psychedelic rock and the old hip crooner is only a cardigan away. That takes me to the one word that could define all his music, a kind of constant theme - and that is vintage. There is an old-time sound throughout his 2013 album 'Temperamental' in style and production. "Me and My Baby" is a hypnotic slice of good old RnB that is as much crooner as it is soulful.

Sex On Toast - "Oh Loretta!"

I have to thank good old public radio for this little discovery. RNZ National were talking to the organiser of the Coastella Festival, where Sex on Toast will be performing. He was raving on about this 10 piece band from across the ditch. Now I'm asking myself, how the hell have I not heard of this Australian band before today?
"Oh Loretta!" sounds like a Flight of the Conchords song at first..... but instead of a folk duo we get a full on 80's funk soul band and with five times as much fun as well.
It would be worth a trip down to the Kapiti Coast for this song alone.

Bernie Griffen and the Grifters - "Put Your Hand In Mine"

Here is a little taster ahead of the Bernie Griffen concert at the Taupo Museum on Friday the 18th of March. A classic example of the dark swampy country/folk/blues sound of Bernie and his band. Pure class!

OK Go - "Upside Down & Inside Out"

This is here for a very obvious reason.... THE VIDEO. The band that made treadmill's seem fun, when clearly they are not, deserve a little bit of our time. Especially when they tell us that this one was filmed in zero gravity. Just the idea of zero gravity would be enough to make an interesting video. But no - the treadmill video set the bar quite high for them.

The Breeders - "Drivin' on 9"

"Driven' on 9" is another song from the Breeders' great second album 'Last Splash'. While they released it first, it wasn't an original. The song was by 'Ed's Redeeming Qualities' - a Boston band who formed in the late 80's. Ed's Redeeming Qualities featured Dom Leone, Carrie Bradley, Dan Leone (Dom's cousin) and Neno Perrotta. Unfortunately Dom died of cancer in 1989 - but they continued, on and off, until about 1996. Kim Deal from the Pixies became a fan and a friend. She enlisted Carrie Bradley to play violin for her side project band The Breeders. So with that information, it's not a real surprise that they eventually recorded one of their songs. And what a song to choose... one that became a crowd favourite for them. Ed's Redeeming Qualities released the song a couple of years after on the live album 'Big Grapefruit Clean-up Job'. The violin by Carrie Bradley on both versions is outstanding. Thanks must go to Kim Deal for bringing Ed's Redeeming Qualities to our attention.



Ed's Redeeming Qualities

Primal Scream and Sky Ferreira - "Where The Light Gets In"

If you are a fan of Primal Scream then you probably already own their 'must own' Srceamadelica album - if not, here's a hint.... scan back a bit to the 'must own' part. It really is a great album. I even make a Screamadelica pizza with lots of red and yellow capsicum and cheese with blue food colouring. I have to admit that there hasn't yet been a pizza come out of the oven that looks anything like the album cover - but it will happen.

Primal Scream have had some good and bad moments since that classic album - but I'm really looking forward to their new album, based on this song alone. "Where The Light Gets In" is typical Primal Scream but Sky Ferreira's contribution is sensational.

Sky Ferreira and Bobby Gillespie might be a generation apart - but as a duo they seem to make each other a little bit cooler. In fact, let's say a fucking lot cooler!

Herbie Mann - "Push Push"

A while back a friend of mine decided to promote his record fair by playing a few records at the local Saturday market on the weekend before each record fair. I was happy to lend him my decks and probably hang around for an hour or so and then collect the decks a few hours later. Well, I was hooked and didn't leave.... we've been doing the same every month or so since. Last Saturday Brian put a record on his deck and I glanced at the cover. It was definitely a WTF moment that followed. The cover of the album looked more like the cover of a 70's porn video. It was Herbie Mann's 'Push Push' album and on went the title track. The result was fantastic. While we've heard jazz flautists many times, this was as funky as hell and even bluesy.... totally unexpected. The guitar by Duane Allman is more than just a solo by a high profile guitarist - it was more like a collaboration. A picture speaks no words, in this case.

Eleventh Dream Day - "Go Tell It"

The last post was about an amazing gospel singer who stole the show with her singing on the great Stones song "Gimme Shelter" - whereas this song is nothing like that really, but the backing vocals by Janet Beverage Bean are unexpectedly similar.

Eleventh Dream Day have been around since about 1987 after the key members Rick Rizzo and Janet Beverage Bean's bands crossed paths at a Louisville practice room. They moved to Chicago and added a couple of members to become a four piece and released their debut album in 1988... after an initial self titled EP the previous year.

About 11 albums/27 years later they released 'Works For Tomorrow' which was more guitar based than the more recent albums before it. They had added another guitarist as well. "Go Tell It" has Rick Rizzo in New York Velvet Underground mode vocally while surrounded by swirling guitars that even venture into psychedelic territory. And then the backing vocals change it all again, albeit briefly.

However you define it - it's nothing short of stunning!

Gimme Shelter. The story of the backing singer.

In 1969 while the Rolling Stones were in a Los Angeles studio mixing "Gimme Shelter" from their 'Let it Bleed' album, they thought it would be great to have the (now well known) "Rape, Murder, it's just a shot away" part of the song sung by a female singer (I presume they had the gospel style in mind). Anyway, it was the middle of the night but that didn't stop Jack Nitzsche from phoning his friend Merry Clayton and explaining that if she wasn't busy - some guys from England needed her to sing on one of their tracks. She said she was in bed, and heavily pregnant as well. Basically, the answer was no and even though she didn't know who they were, she was eventually persuaded by her husband who said it could be good for her.

In an interview on NPR's All Things Considered, Mick Jagger recalls her arriving in curlers and she just knocked it off in two or three takes. The band were obviously impressed. In fact, their excited reaction can be heard in the background on one of the takes.

Merry Clayton was the daughter of a pastor. So she was brought up singing in her father's church in New Orleans before recording with such artists as Bobby Darin, the Supremes and even Elvis... as well as being a member of Ray Charles' backing singers group. Her CV was quite impressive even before this late night phone call.

Back at the studio, Merry was curious about the "Rape/Murder" lyrics but when they explained the lyrics were part of the theme of the song. She accepted that and proceeded. The rest is history.....

While the performance became one of the most memorable vocal performances in rock music, there was a tragedy to follow the visit to the studio. She lost her baby in a miscarriage - possibly due to the stress of the late night session, although I haven't found anything to prove that. She has spoken publicly about not being able to listen to "Gimme Shelter" for a while after - because of the miscarriage.

"Gimme Shelter" encapsulates a changing world at the end of the 60's. The Vietnam war protests, political and racial assassinations... generally, a bleak outlook on the future. The death of Brian Jones and the violence at their Altamont Raceway concert, a day after the release of 'Let it Bleed', just added to those ominous times.

It should be noted that her name has been misspelt as Mary on some of the releases but the true spelling is Merry. She was born on Christmas day, 1948 - so that may explain it.





Merry Clayton recorded her own version of "Gimme Shelter" in 1970.



A little more below.....

SPC ECO - "Creep In The Shadows"

SPC ECO are a British band that features the former Curve guitarist Dean Garcia and his daughter Rose Berlin on vocals. They still have the shoegaze sound of Curve but with an electronica slant. In fact, they are now probably more electronica than indie-rock. Rose Berlin's vocals and lyrics are as dark as the new album title 'Dark Matter' but there is certainly an air of sophistication and some pop elements - but they never dominate. "Creep In The Shadows" is possibly the only song featuring auto-tuned vocals where the mood is enhanced. This is how auto-tune should sound.... like it's recorded in space - surrounded by dark matter and mind altering darkness.

David Bowie - "Young Americans"

It is so hard to pick just one David Bowie song as a tribute. It's not just the songs to consider, it's also the era, persona, alter ego or even the impact we felt at the time, which was often and often. I've chosen "Young Americans" because what he did with soul music was quite special. His band and backing singers at the time were incredibly good as well. His very first instrument was the Sax, so it is fitting that "Young Americans" starts with that very instrument.

There's a starman waiting in the sky - while we all say goodbye......

Gin Wigmore - "Written In The Water"

Gin Wigmore burst onto the scene here in New Zealand quite a few years ago now, and she managed to please the critics, student radio and even commercial radio all at the same time. However, over time and a few more albums, I grew a little less interested. I didn't really take much notice when she released her latest album 'Blood to Bone'.... but then I heard "Written In The Water". I'm even tempted to use one of my most hated words to describe this song - but fuck it, it is Epic!