Dead Man's Bones - "Pa Pa Power"

Dead Man's Bones are a band consisting of Zach Shields and Ryan Gosling, yes that Ryan Gosling. However, when I first discovered this song "Pa Pa Power" I had no idea there was a hollywood actor involved. But he deserves a lot of credit as a musician as well. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2009, which features the Silverlake Conservatory Children's Choir throughout. The album was intended to be a soundtrack to a play but the play was shelved due to rising costs - so the album was recorded anyway. "Pa Pa Power" is dark and haunting and the performance from the choir takes it to an even darker place. Find the original on your preferred streaming platform - the video included here is a live version set in an old folks home and features a different choir, the L.A. Inner City Choir. You can fast forward about 5 minutes to the song but the full video is quite touching and uplifting considering the music.

Karen O - "Body" - Live

The charismatic lead singer for Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Karen O, finally released her debut solo album 'Crush Songs' in 2014. It is generally an acoustic album comprising of songs she recorded over a five year period from 2006. For some it's no more than a collection of demos - but to others, including myself, it is another side of Karen O that was cherished. On 'Body' she adds a touch of the Karen O we know from Yeah Yeah Yeahs near the end. A perfect live rendition - or just a case of "don't let the intimate surroundings change a thing".

Bob Dylan - "License to Kill"

With the latest release from the Bob Dylan archives 'Springtime in New York: The Bootleg Series Vol. 16 (1980-1985)' I had mixed feelings until I actually played it. The mixed feelings was that it was a period of Dylan's music that I haven't revisited much at all over the last decade or so. The releases that this volume covers is 1981’s Shot of Love, 1983’s Infidels, and 1985’s Empire Burlesque. 'Infidels' was easily my favourite of the three but 'Empire Burlesque' was an album I thought may have sounded a bit dated now but hearing the outtakes was actually enjoyable and worth revisiting it. But back to 'Infidels', which was released in 1983 and was his first secular release since the christian trilogy of 'Slow Train Coming', 'Saved' and 'Shot of Love'. It was produced by Mark Knopfler and featured his guitar skills, guitarist Mick Taylor (yes, the former Rolling Stones one), keyboardist Alan Clark, bassist Robbie Shakespeare, and drummer Sly Dunbar (Sly and Robbie). As you can see from that line up of guests - the chances of something great was very high and it delivered. Surprisingly, an outtake of "License to Kill" wasn't on the 'Springtime in New York: The Bootleg Series Vol. 16 (1980-1985)' album, although a live version from the David Letterman Show was included on the 5th disc of the deluxe 5-CD version. But Bob Dylan recently released this video from the 'Infidels' sessions at The Power Station studio in New York to make up for the loss.

Lost Under Heaven - "Bunny's Blues"

Lost Under Heaven are a Manchester band featuring former WU LYF lead singer Ellery Roberts and Ebony Hoorn, a Dutch visual artist. She also directed the video for Bunny's Blues. The video has some obvious David Lynch influences, amongst others. Bunny, the charactor she created, goes back to an early performance piece from Amsterdam. Bunny's Blues uses the quiet/loud sound to perfection. The rocking chorus with the line "You Don't understand me - You don't understand" is the character (Bunny) confronting the controlling male-dominated society that doesn't respect her (or their) actual power within. It comes from their second album 'Love Hates What You Become' from 2016.

MEXICAN DUBWISER - "TROUBLE IN MY SOUL"

This song is so good. It will always be a favourite on Bitter FM. "Trouble In My Soul" is like a blend of so many genres - even with the vocals you could add crooner to the mix. Any fan of 'Faith No More' will recognise the sample they borrowed from their song "Stripsearch" - but, to me, that's part of it's charm. Take a little bit that was less significant to the original song and make it more significant in a new song, while turning it into a completely new peice of art. If that makes sense? If you are unfamiliar with Mexican Dubwiser - then this is a great place to start.

Derrick Lara and Trinity - "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough"

This 12" Disco/Reggae version of Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough" by Derrick Lara and Trinity is one of the best from that sub genre - and there have been quite a few over the years. It was released in 1980 on Joe Gibbs Music label and more recently it was part of the Joe Gibbs Discomix Showcase Volume 4 compilation. Derrick Lara, a drummer originally, has a falsetto style that was possibly quite unique in the Reggae circles at the time. And anyone even trying to cover a Michael Jackson hit like this would need to be sure of themselves in the vocal department.... and he pulls it off superbly. Even now this would be uplifting at any social gathering - mainly because it can keep the Disco/RnB/Pop crowd as happy as the Reggae crowd - all at the same time. Unfortunately Derrick Lara died early this year after a battle with lung cancer. Let's hope he will still be remebered for this song in decades to come.

Freschard - "Boom Biddy Boom"

Freschard is a French born, Berlin based artist (Clemence Freschard) with a few albums to her name... along with some collaborations with Stanley Brinks.

I was a bit late to the Freschard party but I'm so glad I finally discovered her music. "Boom Biddy Boom" is a good place for any newbies to start. It is the title track her 2013 album and it's impossible not to sing along with it. The next song on the album is another ear worm (Cheese and Crackers).

Her albums are full of fun songs like this - all delivered in her unique way, which seems so natural to her.

It comes with a warning!.... a musical obsession awaits those who are brave enough.