Happy Talk/Dream Trilogy

Part 1, "Happy Talk" - Muriel Smith

"Happy Talk" is a song from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific. The song was sung by the character Bloody Mary in the musical. In the 1958 film version it was Muriel Smith who was the voice for actress Juanita Hall. I have to admit that I am no fan of musicals at all - so what the hell is this song doing on this blog and why would Bitter FM even play this? Good question... but the answer is in the next two parts of this trilogy.



Part 2, "Happy Talk" - Captain Sensible

In 1982 Captain Sensible, of English punk band The Damned, released a solo single - a cover of the Rodgers and Hammerstein song "Happy Talk" and it went to number 1 in the UK. It was a surprise choice of a song to cover for a member of a pioneering punk band - but he kind of made it his own. The appeal was obvious and the popularity was well deserved.



Part 3, "Dream" - Dizzee Rascal

English hip hop artist and grime pioneer, Dizzee Rascal, also released a cover of "Happy Talk", which was re-named "Dream". The song was released as a single from his Showtime album in 2004. It contains a sample from the Captain Sensible song and while some may say it's less a cover and more a song featuring a prominent sample, to me it is a great reinvention of a great cover.

Bap Kennedy - "The Ghosts of Belfast"

It was sad news when I belatedly heard about this great singer-songwriter's death in 2016. Bap Kennedy's 1998 album 'Domestic Blues' was unavoidable during any visit to Real Groovy Records, in Auckland, at the time. I usually trusted them with their recommendations and they were on the money with this one. The album was produced by Steve Earle and Ray Kennedy in Nashville and released on Steve Earle's E-Squared label.

The album is a perfect blend of Bap's Northern Irish/Celtic roots and the Americana of the Earle/Nashville camp. Steve Earle's presence is strong throughout and for me that's a real plus. In saying that though, this is still considered an actual Bap Kennedy album over a collaboration album.

The album is full of gems and the one that got most of my attention would have to be "The Ghosts of Belfast". The ultimate Roots/Americana song.... with one of my favourite lines "My glass is half full - but it's cracked on the side".

Reb Fountain - "Gold"

Reb Fountain finally released some new music, by way of the fantastic EP 'Hopeful and Hopeless'. Recorded at The Wine Cellar, a venue she performed at many times.

The songs were recorded a few years ago with a backing band that included her friend, Sam Prebble, from 'Bond Street Bridge' and were put aside after the loss of her friend. For obvious reasons, it was a long time after the tragic loss of Sam for her to return to the songs and to finally finish and release them. The resulting EP is one of the best collections of songs, by any artist, for a long time.

A great tribute to her mate.

It is so hard to choose one song from such a strong EP - but "Gold" is as solid as gold itself. Some uplifting beauty and the centre-piece of the EP. The Patti Smith style poetry, two thirds in, sealed it for me when I first heard the song.

Reb Fountain has just released a new full album 'Little Arrows' - the second part of her revisiting the music recorded during that same period. While I'm looking forward to it, I think this EP needs more of my full attention before that.

Walter Martin - "Hey Matt" (w/ Matt Berninger)

Walter Martin, from the band The Walkmen, released his third solo album 'My Kinda Music' a few months ago. It's as quirky and charming as any fan would expect.
For the unconverted, the song "Hey Matt" might be the one to get you on board. It's basically a call to Matt Berninger, from The National, for some singing lessons and it has some great moments - funny and clever. All to an upbeat track featuring handclaps and all. There is even a revelation to Matt about him being the second choice after Randy Newman hadn't responded.
A quirky classic in the making!

French for Rabbits - 'The Weight of Melted Snow'

French for Rabbits started off as a duo, featuring Brooke Singer and John Fitzgerald, who were also in a relationship. The band has now expanded to a 5-piece and before the release of the album 'The Weight of Melted Snow' the relationship between Brooke and John had ended. They have decided to continue playing together in the band and had no problem finishing the album after the breakup.
Brooke has stated that a couple of the songs were written after the breakup and "The Weight of Melted Snow" was one of them.
The song itself is so beautiful and full of sadness. A candidate for the Bitter FM song of the year.
This live in the RNZ studio recording encapsulates all the emotion and sadness from Brooke and with John on guitar looking unmoved and not showing any emotion..... while possibly feeling some.
It makes the song even more powerful in so many ways.

Honey. - "Can't Be On The Record"

This new single "Can't Be On The Record" by Honey. has been getting a lot of play on Bitter FM already. The Wellington four piece band have only existed for a matter of months and this is their first single.... and on the strength of this song, that's an amazing achievement.

The 80s sound is obvious but at the same time it isn't overbearing - I liken it to 'She's So Rad' when they go with the 80s vibe.

The song focuses on the period just after a relationship breakup and the desperation they both have - but in differing ways or motives. She's desperate to move on and forget all about him and the bad relationship. For him though, the desperation is the opposite - but for a more sinister reason. He thinks the best way to hide his shameful behaviour is to keep the relationship going. So this "Can't Be On The Record".

The Liminanas - "Longanisse"

With my love of French music, particularly from the 60's and 70's, with Serge Gainsbourg as the protagonist, it is no surprise that The Liminanas have been a staple Bitter FM band - with songs scattered throughout playlists. Their sound is retro French with a bit of Stereolab and a dark gothic feel. For Serge Gainsbourg fans, the track "Longabisse" from their 'Crystal Anis' album, is just perfect.

My Teenage Stride - "To Live and Die in the Airport Lounge"

My Teenage Stride are a New York band that have obvious 'Smiths' influences. In fact the leader, and sometimes sole member, Jedediah Smith, throws many influential indie rock bands from the 80's into the mix. Sometimes it can be like a game of pick the band as the songs progress. I wasn't really aware of them until their third album 'Ears Like Golden Bats' and particularly the song "To Live and Die in the Airport Lounge". The song starts off with a New Order rhythm section and then the Smiths guitar comes in and what should be sacrilege, turns out to be something Johnny Marr would be proud of.

Hurray For The Riff Raff Trilogy

Part 1 "Living in the City"

Hurray For The Riff Raff is a New Orleans band lead by Alynda Segarra, raised in New York and of Puerto Rican descent. The recently released 'The Navigator' album is their sixth album. It is a concept album, of sorts - based on an alter-ego named Navita, a Puerto Rican teenage runaway folk artist. There are probably a lot of autobiographic references, one is that Alynda ran away from the Bronx as a teenager and ended up settling in New Orleans. Her previous albums have been more Americana in general - but The Navigator crosses into newer territory, in more ways than one. "Living in the City" is a pop-rock classic.... a great way to start an exceptional album.



Part 2 "Be My Baby"

This is fucking brilliant. An unexpected gem from Hurray For The Riff Raff. Alynda's take on Ronnie Spector is so good on so many levels. There is even a 'Wall of Sound' production feel to it. It's from an Amazon exclusive playlist 'Love Me'.



Part 3 "Slow Walk"

"Slow Walk" was my introduction to Hurray For The Riff Raff. And I'm sure Bitter FM listeners know it well now.

Aldous Harding - "Horizon"

When Aldous Harding released her debut album in 2014 it was a surprise obsession. It is a very spare folk record with a darkness hanging over it. There are many captivating aspects to the album - from her lyrics and the haunted harmonies - to the delivery and phrasing. But the voice itself is what really struck a chord. And soon we will be treated to her follow up album, which may be approached with some trepidation, like the curse of the sophomore album. Well the first single "Horizon" put an end to those fears. Fucking stunning!
Her sound is now more expansive and she even toured the country with a full band recently.
I can't wait for this one.

I remember seeing her mother Lorina Harding performing at the Gluepot (Corner Bar, I think) in Auckland in the 90's, which was possibly not long after she moved here from Canada. I hadn't really heard much about her since. So it's also great to see her in the video of "Horizon" with her daughter Aldous.



Here is a great video of Lorina and Aldous (Hannah) performing together....

Steve Abel - "Best Thing"

Steve Abel has the perfect baritone voice for sad songs and it is usually sad songs that you get on a Steve Abel album. His album 'Luck Hope' from 2016 had an opening track that became a Bitter FM favourite. A voice similar to Bill Callahan (of Smog) and the music that could be from a Bonnie "Prince" Billy album are a couple of reasons "Best Thing" is such a standout. But add backing vocals and violin from Jolie Holland and the deal's done.



A live version recorded at the RNZ studio

Young Fathers - "Only God Knows"

Trainspotting was one of those movies that stuck in your mind for days after. There were so many memorable scenes from the hilarious to the cringe-worthy. The soundtrack was another work of genius - with Iggy Pop's "Lust For Life" and the pulsating "Born Slippy" from Underworld, the jewel in the crown. I'm not sure how the sequel T2 Trainspotting will compare to the original - but one thing that does compare is the jewel in the crown of the soundtrack. This time it is "Only God Knows" from Edinburgh band Young Fathers. It features the Leith Congregational Choir - but don't be fooled. What starts off as a sweet gospel piece, quickly turns into an emotionally charged rant.... but without completely going off the rails. In fact, the choir smooths the rough edges nicely. This should be as important to the sequel as "Born Slippy" was to the original. Stunning!

Cherry Glazerr - "Nuclear Bomb"

Cherry Glazer are a young band from LA with a leader with lots of personality. Clementine Creevy started out by releasing her songs on Soundcloud as a teenager until Burger Records approached her. It's not such an unusual story anymore, in fact, it's possibly the common road to discovery now. Cherry Glazerr, a trio, was born after the cassette release of her early material. Their debut was released in 2014.
The follow up album 'Apocalipstick' has just been released and the album title even rivals the brilliantly named 'Femejism' by Deap Vally. "Nuclear Bomb" has an element of Dream-Pop mixed with the indie rock. Her performance in the video is something else again.
Already with a part in the television series 'Transparent' Clementine Creevy is a rising star - one way or another.... hopefully there are a few more albums like this in her career.

Emma Russack - "Best Love"

Emma Russack is an Australian singer songwriter who has been under the radar for much too long. She released her third album 'In A New State' in 2016 and it was one of my favourites of the year. The song that struck me the most, initially, was "Best Love", due to its honest recollection of a first love. This story of an obsessive relationship with a much older man can not be anything other than a personal one - the sincerity and heart is too true to be a fictional tale. And even though the relationship was never going to last, something she knew even then, it's everything she learnt from him that is remembered with much affection and she can look back without regret. It's a beautiful slow song that just takes you along.