Singing a Song in the Morning

The Mechanical Man-Bent Bolt and The Nuts

2011-05-09T13:38:00.000-07:00

Absolutely great track here from Bent Bolt and the Nuts ( not his real name...)

Designed in the USA and manufactured in Japan...It's good to know that even if you were a 'Mechanical Man' you'd still want to get laid...even if she did look like 'a garbage can'.

'Who could help me charge my coil' ??? Whatever can he mean...

Why Doesn't Daddy Come Home-The Lundstroms

2011-04-21T01:57:00.000-07:00

Now I'm not entirely sure that this disc is by the same 'Lundstroms' found here

but I'm kind of guessing/hoping they are indeed one and the same...I'm mean after all, how many 'all singing-all dancing' Lundstrom evangelical ministries are there working in the world today?

Put your feet up, sit back and take in this cautionary tale of the 'modern family'...and perhaps you may well come to similar conclusions as I as to the reasons 'Daddy doesn't come home'

SugarPlumFairy

2011-04-13T02:51:00.000-07:00

I've often been told that there just isn't enough 'culture' on this blog, so aiming to rectify that here is a school recording of the famous 'SugarPlumFairy'...I do love school orchestra's...and hope you enjoy this offering also...

Telstore Answering Machine+He's All Mine+Magic Star+Message To Dave and Dee-Joe Meek

2011-04-03T03:07:00.000-07:00

Can't quite believe i've never posted any Joe Meek on this blog...rectified now with these demo's, following on nicely from the answer phone recordings with Meek's own answer phone message. This is followed by ' He's All Mine', 'Magic Star' (later to become the stellar hit-Telstar) and finally his rather tender paean to 'Dave and Dee'...tragically cut short in mid-flow, but still, better than nothing eh?

Wonderful stuff...if these intrigue you it's easy to find/hear the hits and all the famous stuff...though perhaps best to avoid the movie, at least until you've devoured everything else and need yet another Meek 'fix'...

Special Lady-Stewart Brodian

2011-03-23T15:31:00.001-07:00

A special song for, I guess, a very special lady...from DJ/singer/songwriter/actor/celebrity impersonator and much, much more, Stewart Brodian.

Perhaps you have a very special lady whom you'd like to play this to?

Great guitar solo's and lolloping melody...

Military Madness-Graham Nash

2011-03-22T03:51:00.000-07:00

So, we've added yet another war to the portfolio...wonder who/where's next?

'If you take the year 1684 when the modern British army was established under King Charles II, as the base year, the British army has been involved continuously in one conflict or another for more than 300years.'

...interesting Mr Bond...

Your Love Is Real-Ron Griffin

2011-03-20T07:38:00.001-07:00

Another 'answer phone' classic...

'There's a big part of me in you and there's a big part of you in me', thus spoke the immortal Ron Griffin on this superb answer phone recording..and even if you're not keen on his masterwork, please stick around till the end for the great pay-off...it really is worth it...

Apple Love-Paul Super Apple

2011-03-17T15:26:00.000-07:00

Found on some ol' record exec's answer phone...Apple Love...apple, apple love...hmmm, catchy tune...should be a hit...maybe Keef could record it...some people really deserve to be stars and Paul Super Apple is one such person.

If this gem has passed you by, enjoy!

Ali

2011-03-05T11:46:00.000-08:00

Muhammad Ali's hit disc from the 70's...simply 'the greatest'

Cannon & Ball-Together

2011-02-26T02:59:00.001-08:00

Following on from the Little and Large tracks with three from Cannon & Ball...including their version of 'Everybodies Makin' it Big but Me'...featuring the immortal line'You're a poofter...I'm not!'

A much more confident effort than the lttle and Large album, showcasing Tommy Cannon's obvious aspirations as a singer, there's a version of 'The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore On There' replete with 80's synth/cheap guitar...another favourite of mine is 'Crying', the ending is quite haunting in many ways..it'll certainly stick in your head once heard...it is stuck in mine........

Soopersonic Syd Sings-Little and Large

2011-02-21T04:00:00.000-08:00

..it's been awhile...but the comedy continues...'Do you want laughs with that?' Perhaps...

This is a disc that you can have a real love/hate relationship with. I listen to it quite a lot but at times it's like water-torture or having your nails pulled...still, it must be the masochist in me that keeps drawing me back for repeated listenings to 'Soopersonic Syd Sings (Or Does he?) -Little and Large

There are some of the most feeble attempts at C+W you'll ever hear but I've gone for the stronger stuff here with 'Millinoaire', 'Everybodys Makin' it' and the 'Large' showcase...'Telephone Man'...where Eddie Large 'dazzles' us with his range of impressions and Syd 'camps it up'...actually many of these impressions are lost on me...'Cosmo Smallpiece' isn't bad I suppose, but by the time you eventually get to Stan Laurel and his 'Hey Ollie' refrain it may all be a little too much..funny, I always quite liked his 'Deputy Dog' impression...

Fit To Burst-British Comedy Singles...

2010-08-01T02:24:00.001-07:00

From the great Charles Hawtry (and friend) on the cover to the superb track selection, if you're a fan of British comedy then you can't really miss this one!
...so sample 'There are no fairies at the bottom of my garden'-Alan Melville, 'I'm A Mummy-Douglas Byng, 'Isn't She A Sweetie-Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, 'My Last Cigarette-Shiela Hancock, 'The Writing On The Wall'-Warren Mitchell, 'Send For Me'-Terry Thomas, 'Tondre Boom'-Keith Mitchell, 'Odd Man Out'-John Inman, 'What A Gay Day'-Larry Grayson, 'I Can't Control Myself'-Les Dawson, 'That's Who'-Mike Reid, 'I Only Have Eyes For You'-Arthur Mullard, 'The Dimples In Her Cheeks'-The Two Ronnies.

There you go, phew...

Wasted+Tell Me Lies+Keep the Dogs Away-Thor

2010-07-17T03:21:00.000-07:00

More than a touch of Glam with this excellent stuff from Canadian Heavy Metal act 'Thor'. Now you can't go far wrong if you're a body builder named after the norse God of thunder, and I suppose it's only natural that Thor would perform Heavy Metal, though this is perhaps more like a cross Between Lou Reed and Iggy Pop, particularly on 'Wasted', which is no bad thing thing in my book...and what's more Thor-The rock Warrior is still at it over in Canada book him now to avoid disappointment!
Check the 'storming' video below for full impact...and also his truly amazing 'Metal Bending' +'Hot Water Bottle trick' to be found on youtube, a true entertainer!

Are You Being Served Sir?-John Inman

2010-07-16T06:07:00.000-07:00

'...little good around the house and no good with an iron'

Three superb tracks from the late great John Inman...the most famous 'Are You Being Served Sir', alongside 'Sun Sign's' and 'Captain Ginger'...all from the first LP, which I prefer...though the 'brass' cover is great...
It's innuendo-a-go-go here so if that's not your cuppa char then you'll have to move on...if it is then sit back and enjoy a great voice, lyrics and songs...now then, what possibly rhymes with Uranus?

Half Man Half Biscuit.

2010-06-28T10:33:00.000-07:00

'Trouble is these days you never see a dog on the pitch'

...dunno after watching the England-Germany debacle...certainly no lions on that pitch...anyhow, thought I'd post some football related Half Man Half Biscuit song form their rather marvelous oeuvre, so deep breadth, here we go with '1966 And All That', 'I Was Teenage Armchair Honved Fan', 'Even Men With Steel Hearts', 'Friday Night And The Gates Are Low', 'Dead Men Don't Need Season Tickets' and 'The Referee's Alphabet'.
There are yet more HMHB footy songs, but thats enough for now!

Frank Is Dead

2010-06-22T02:39:00.000-07:00

Make Me An Island-The England World Cup Squad 1970

2010-06-11T03:55:00.000-07:00

Perhaps my favourite track from the infamous 1970 World Cup Squad album (most famous for 'Back Home) is this, 'Make Me An Island'...quite beautiful with great singing/accents...reminds of a Half Man Half Biscuit track, though can't quite remember which one...perhaps I'm mistaken?

Various TV Sport's themes...

2010-06-11T01:24:00.000-07:00

Hold onto your gussets ladies as 'dishy' Des Lynem leads us into a few classic British sporting themes fromf The Tony Hatch Orchestra, Sound Stage Orchestra and more...how many do you know?

Geordie Sunday-Jack Charlton

2010-06-10T02:55:00.000-07:00

Wor Jackie Charlton here with what was, apparently the inspiration for Morrissey's hit single, 'Everyday Is Like Sunday'...must say, I much prefer Charlton's effort...and well, Morrissey has never kissed the Pope's ring has he?

World Cup Argentina-Ennio Morricone+Ole Ola-Rod Stewart

2010-06-09T06:09:00.000-07:00

Something from the master-Ennio Morricone here with his sublime 1978 track 'World Cup Argentina'...and as a counter to this, from the same World Cup is one of Rod's (and Scotlands) finest moment's 'Ole Ola'...superb stuff!

Pass,Shoot,Goal-Gracie Fields

2010-06-08T11:07:00.000-07:00

Superb song from the wonderful Gracie Fields...they quite simply do not write them like that anymore, or perform them like that I might add!
I'd like to make this one a very special dedication to a certain Mr Blackwell of S2, with the emphasis on the 'Pass' section of the title.

England+Somebody Needs-Kevin Keegan

2010-06-08T05:43:00.000-07:00

You got to love Kevin Keegan, well , apart from when he managed England...but here he is with his heartfelt plea to return to his homeland after exile in Germany. Admittedly Super Kev had more success with his disc's in Germany than here, but hey, 80 million Germans couldn't be wrong...could they?
Anyhow, there's a yearning quality to 'England' that touches one and you can really feel Kev's pain... if you flip to the b-side we get 'fonky-kev', sounding like he's walked into an 80's American tv show. ..future-disco if a little forlorne and plodding, particularly on the extended fade out...splash it all over...

My World Is A Football-Bruce Thompson

2010-06-07T04:46:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd stick a few footy songs up in the run up to world cup 2010 starting with this beauty from Bruce Thompson. 'My World Is A Football'...this one it has it all, big chorus,earnest vocal,a touch of brass and more than a hint of euro-pop...wonderful...

Different Strokes Theme+French Theme+Gary Coleman Phone Call'

2010-05-29T03:41:00.001-07:00

Apparently a troubled little soul, whatever the hell that means, Gary Coleman is dead and as tribute I present the original theme, a french version of the theme and Gary's infamous telephone call to some ol' hookers or others...'I may be small but I can choo-choo' of course you can dear...

...but please remember kids 'What might be right for you, may not be right for some'...very deep and very true, Different Strokes indeed!

If All The World's A Stage, Oh What A Son Of A Bitch I Am, Once Upon A Time-Anthony Newley

2010-05-24T10:30:00.001-07:00

Can Heironymous Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness? was a film by the late great Anthony Newley, starring his then wife Joan Collins and his daughter, Tara Newley. Fair to say it got slated on release, not least for the title, being voted in the top ten worst mopive titles ever...but, as a fan of the Newley, I love it! I'm not quite buying into all this Fellini stuff mind, but suffice to say it's a fun,colourful '60's' movie and if you like that kind of stuff, you'll probably love this. As for the song's, well, here are three (also check out Brucie's prophetic 'On The Boards' here http://singingasonginthemorning.blogspot.com/2009/05/on-boards-bruce-forsyth.html ) from the soundtrack and again,they're all great! If only musicals were like this now then I might actually go along to a few...and by the way, where would Bowie be without Newley!?

Re-Ups...

2010-05-20T03:10:00.000-07:00

Not sure what's been going on...maybe divshare dumped some stuff...something got corrupted on their servers or some such but the upshot is that quite a few tracks on this blog no lnger work!
Shock horror gasp etc...so here's a few requested re-ups...I'm not going to go through and re-post all the tracks that are down, not yet anyhow, but will try and do requests as and when!
So we should have here:Lewis Collins-Take It Out On Time + When You Come Home Again(how could I have omitted this b-side!?) Rosemary Clooney-Little Red Monkey, Georgio Morordo-UNderdog+Lord Release Me, Delia Derbyshire/Anthony Newley-Mooglie Booglies...

Rape+Neville Thumbcatch+Once Again(Flight no.10)-Peter Wyngarde

2010-05-18T10:43:00.000-07:00

It has been brought to my attention that the 'Rape' track from my previous Peter Wyngarde post
http://tiny.cc/m4isg isn't working (not sure why but who I am to question the marvels of the web..time..space and that far away look in you eye, where my life has been spent alone...waiting in vain..) anyhow as a bonus I've re-upped the track along with two more tracks from that essential album 'When Sex Rears It's Inquisitive Head'.

Headlights+Tailights-Driver 67

2010-05-18T03:24:00.000-07:00

Ok, the rather dodgy lyrics led to this disc being banned way back in 1979...what with punk and revolution in the air you may think this a little excessive but I'm guessing the sinister tone and inference of 'play ball' or get mowed down in 'my headlights' was a bit too much for Radio 1?
I've also put 'Tailights' up, which was the less offensive, more jollified country b-side.

Dio Dead!

2010-05-17T03:32:00.000-07:00

Great voice...now gone...

Mr Snuggles-Anonymous

2010-05-14T02:47:00.000-07:00

Haunting, quite haunting...is how I'd best describe 'Mr Snuggles' by this unknown artist..., it keeps coming back into my mind and confusing me with childhood memories of the cartoon show 'Dr Snuggles', so that I can't really think of one without the other now. She must surely have been referencing the cartoon show as it does have that vibe...
Speaking of 'Dr Snuggles' I never knew a couple of episodes were written by Douglas Adams and John Adams (Hitchikers Guide/Spitting Image fame) ...check out the clip below and enjoy the Snuggles...!

I Want My Baby Back-Jimmy Cross

2010-05-12T05:20:00.000-07:00

One of the last great 'Death Song's' to chart was Jimmy Cross's 'I Want My Baby Back'.
Giving more than a nod and a wink to the Shangri-LA's 'Leader Of The Pack', this kind of reminds me of an old EC comic with it's 'twist' ending and gross lyric.
Good stuff.

Here My Dear-Marvin Gaye

2010-05-07T02:41:00.000-07:00

A few tracks from a classic Marvin album to best sum up Gordon's messy divorce from the british public...can he change, get it on and patch it up with a new love?
Or is it best for a clean break and to go our seperate ways...

Dear Mr President-An American Who Loves His Country

2010-05-06T02:05:00.000-07:00

I know it's the British election today but I thought I'd post this track 'An American Who Loves His Country', not sure who it's by, but am sure of it's genius.
Very poignant too given the current circumstances of the American people having their country sold out from under them...sadly we don't really get this kind of thing in the UK to brighten up our day, at least not in song form...'follow the yellow brick road eh?'

p.s-I'm guessing this is called 'Dear Mr President'?

Lennox Avenue-Denise Simpson

2010-05-06T01:30:00.000-07:00

Politicized kids from Harlem bringing us this great fonky track. Jazzy skit, city sound effects and great vocal.
How it is, how it was...you tell us?

Dis Moi Poupee-Isabelle

2010-04-28T13:05:00.000-07:00

...or 'Tell Me Doll', apparently something about racialism according to the lyrics...

Tell me doll that I love
Thou who has black skin
Tell me doll that I love
Tell me I want to know

Why small children
Born blacks and other whites
Tell me why there
Who are hungry and who are cold

refrain

Whether black or white they are
I know that children
Find themselves among friends
Play among themselves and love themselves

And why when they are large
Everything is so different
They are all as bad
Whether black or white they are

refrain

All these children who are hungry
Her eyes wet with grief
It was good film
Say all that was not true
Say it was not true and all ... (ad lib)

not your typical Yé-Yé, I'll grant you.

Jenny Beloved-Dick Kent

2010-04-28T12:55:00.000-07:00

A great 'death song'from our pal Dick Kent...very earnest and sincere, Dick gets this one just right...

Zombie Jamboree-Lord Jellicoe

2010-03-31T04:47:00.000-07:00

Yep, I know it's not Halloween, but we've always got time for zombies, any time of the year round these 'ere parts...and this one is top, a version of 'Zombie Jamboree' by Lord Jellico...originally titled 'Jumbie Jamboree' by Lord Intruder back in Tobago and about spirit's dancing 'back to back-belly to belly in a cemetary, the location of which changed depending on who was doing the song and where, Lord Jellico's is supposedly in New York's Van Courtland Park...and why not?

I Am A Carpet-Little Archie

2010-03-30T06:55:00.000-07:00

Great little obscure soul track on the Dial label..'I Am A Carpet' by Little Archie...whoever he was!
'Stop your walking on me!'

Cars That Go Boom-L'Trimm

2010-03-26T05:58:00.000-07:00

Yeah-bwoy...ol' skool rap that you either love or hate...I love it so much I've embedded the video from youtube for pleasure....great accents, great sound, great track...check it out.....

Too Many Pills-Blue,Arkey and The Blue Cowboys

2010-03-26T04:05:00.000-07:00

Subtitled 'Country & Western for all ye Sinners 'n' sufferers 1955-1966', this is certainly one of my favourite compilations of this genre/period and a must own if you even slightly interested in this kind of stuff.

Spinning Wheel-Mel and Dave

2010-03-25T02:43:00.000-07:00

This is supposed to be one of the worst records ever made and can be found on many 'worst of' collections...I quite like it, especially the bits where everything drops out of time/tune...make your own mind up!

I'm Gay-Let My People Come

2010-03-22T08:57:00.000-07:00

Back to sexuality and here comes this gem from the 'Let My People Come' theatre production of 1974. I guess it followed in the footsteps of 'Hair' and the like but was often condemned as pornographic, a view which creator Earl Wilson Jr strongly denies.
Whatever, the soundtrack was nominated for a Grammy and Earl is currently planning to update the show and get it out on the road once more...
Enjoy!

September Gurls+Big Black Car+Like Flies On Sherbet-Alex Chilton/Big Star

2010-03-18T05:48:00.000-07:00

R.I.P Alex Chilton.

Column Of Flowing Honey-Love Is A Heart On

2010-03-18T03:34:00.000-07:00

'Erotic Rock' anyone?

'The Beatles,Stones,Dylan,Hendrix,Zepplin, all tried to sing of love as it really is, but they stopped short and resorted to double-entendre'
...unlike this beauty, which may well be hard to digest on first listening but after repeated hearings goes down a treat.
This is taken from the 'Love Is A Heart On' album and although the fabs et all couldn't match it's lyrical prowess I'm sure they made up for it in other ways...even so, prepare to 'explode with ecstatic pleasure!'

Hat Me Father Wore-Lance

2010-03-17T09:03:00.000-07:00

Almost forgot, yep, it's St Patrick's day...so here is lance with his unique take on 'Hat Me father Wore'...Paddy Miles indeed...

Homer The Happy Little Homo

2010-03-17T07:33:00.000-07:00

Another recording from the 50's of which I know little about...song poem? government propaganda? Who knows...maybe Matt Groening...whatever, great lyrics and a lot of fun...and at least he's happy!

Never My Love-The Tidbits

2010-03-11T07:39:00.000-08:00

One of my favourite 'girl group' tracks from one of Singapore's finest, The Tidbits. After winning a talent contest with 'I Believe' The Tids(Bits?) were offered a record contract and a pathway to both fame and fortune.

The Impossible Dream-Eli Kaniel

2010-03-10T06:10:00.000-08:00

One of my favourite versions of a true classic. Words cannot express etc etc etc...but the chance to dream, as Eli does here..ah, that is the rub...

Little Rosa-Cliff Gleaves

2010-03-08T06:45:00.001-08:00

Another heart-breaker, this time a version of Red Sovine's(great name!) Little Rosa from one time Elvis Buddy and Rockabilly DJ Cliff Gleaves. Featuring perhaps the worst Italian? accent I've heard and a lyric to die for...literally...think I might just try this one the next time I'm in the florist...

All You Need Is A Fertile Mind-Gene Marshall+Pornography-Bill Hicks

2010-03-05T02:13:00.000-08:00

Two takes on a thorny issue here with 'pornography' from the late lamented Bill Hicks and a gentle bit of advice from not quite so lamented but equally late Gene Marshall...'All You Need Is A Fertiel Mind'...true...
Enjoy...and no carnal thoughts at the back please...

Misty Strips-Dr Jekyll & Mistress Hyde soundtrack

2010-03-04T00:27:00.000-08:00

Something's come over me? Something's come over you...well yes, in the case of this track from the soft-core lesbo flick 'with a twist', Dr Jekyll & Mistress Hyde starring Misty Mundae.
The film is not a patch on Hammer's 'Dr Jekyll & Sister Hyde (see poster above) but this track certainly could have featured on one of Hammer's groovy sixties/seventies horror films...

A Lot Like Lucifer (Celia Said Long Time Loser) Lotti Golden

2010-03-03T03:46:00.000-08:00

Some of you with very keen hearing may well notice the hand (and other organs no doubt) of Bob Crewe here on this track from Lotti Goldens 'Motor-Cycle' album. What with the jazz inflections and 'soul vocal' it's a bitty affair that keeps me coming back for repeated listenings...just as she gets going it seems to drop into a 'jazzy phrase' or two...a lot like Lucifer indeed!
Nice bit of 'fuzz' under the vocals when they get going too...

Momma Love Tequila-Jr and His Soulettes

2010-03-02T05:35:00.000-08:00

Well, there seems to have been lots of parties lately and as such I like to dig out this LP, Psychodelic Sounds and play Momma Love Tequile by Jr and His Soulettes.
A stonking party track I'm sure you'll agree...

Daddy,Daddy,Please Come Home-Little Joseph Fortune

2010-02-17T02:15:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd posted this heartfelt plea before, but that isn't the case so here we go with 'Little Joseph Fortune' and his 'awesome' cry for peace/piece of propaganda...very poignant...gotta love the yanks eh?

I Wonder Who My Daddy Is-Eileen Fulton

2010-02-16T05:14:00.000-08:00

A couple of touching childhood songs coming up,firstly,Eileen Fulton, the long running star of CBS soap opera, 'As The World Turns',articulating her daughters question 'I Wonder Who My Daddy Is?'.
Now Mizz Fulton is obviously very popular with the men-folk as there seems to be quite a line-up of candidates for the role...hard to tell just how 'tongue-in-cheek' this one was in this post-modern, cynical world...

The Saddest Story-John Kelly

2010-02-15T09:04:00.000-08:00

Taking it's cue, rather bizarrely from Billy Holiday's classic 'Strange Fruit' is this warning tale of inter-racial love from Song Poet maestro John Kelly. I'm guessing it's from the 50's but that's about as much as I know...

Your Bodies Makin Eyes At Me-Dick Kent

2010-02-03T08:58:00.000-08:00

Valentines day...romance in the air...ah, what better than Dick Kent serenading us with his classic bizarre track 'Your Bodies Makin Eyes At Me'.
'Your knitted dress wrapped around your sexy body'
Loverly stuff.

Bird Of Prey+Easy Livin'-Uriah Heep

2010-02-01T02:43:00.000-08:00

Terminally unfashionable, so it seems, and I don't know why? How could anyone not love these two tracks from Uriah Heep? The Heep are still rockin' although my particular favourite frontman, David Byron may have past on to pastures new in 1985...check out this vintage show in Japan, very low quality source, but you certainly get the drift...

Princess Leather+Screaming Angels+We Came To Destroy-Heather Leather

2010-01-27T01:58:00.001-08:00

Heather Leather, hell yes, let's rock!!!
Hailing from San Antonio this family band came to 'destroy' with a fantastic brand of 'out-of-tune' heavy metal that leaves most of the 80's metal bands trembling in it's wake.
Not sure why there aren't more all female heavy metal bands as most fans are men (boys?!) you'd think that it would be a winner...I'm sure someone somewhere has written a paper on it...
Anyhow,'Princess Leather' is an epic track that totally sums up the appeal of Heavy Metal and surely is ripe for a cover version, having said that I think my favourite is 'Screaming Angels' as I'm all for a bit of 'Uriah Heep' style wailing, though the guitar solo's on 'We Came To Destroy' are pretty special too.

Pump Up The Bitter+Are You Affilated+Song For Europe_Star Turn

2010-01-21T06:43:00.000-08:00

As it says on the cover this was a top U.K hit which led to a legendary Top Of the Pops appearance from the one and only Star Turn... and if you're of a certain age it may also feature as part of a rather comic soundtrack to bombing around off your tits from one venue to another...this is the extended version of 'bitter', alongside the original 'Are You Affilated' and Star Turns classic 'Song for Europe'
'There're are two plums on the bandit...lend me a pound...house call...house call...'
Top stuff.

Wonderdog Ruff Mix+Living On A Farm-Simon Cowell

2010-01-12T06:27:00.000-08:00

Upon hearing the news that Simon Cowell has just signed a $100 million US TV deal for X-factor I thought I'd dig out his very first hit(and b-side) for you all to cherish and marvel at.

It's not such a long journey to Susan Boyle et all...enjoy!

Helping Hands+Skin+Imagination-Slim Goodbody

2010-01-06T05:33:00.001-08:00

It's the New Year and thoughts turn to health, looking after our bodies and physical fitness after the xmas excess...well, it does for some of us...;)

So here is the wonderful and more than slighty freaky 'Slim Goodbody'.

Now this might jog a few of our American pals memories as he featured on TV shows thorughout the 70's/80's and is still going strong to this day.

The tracks here are from his 'Inside-Out and its his magnum-opus, the very pinnacle of his ethos epitomised in the skin tight 'Inside-Out' costume he always seems to wear like some paedo-super hero. 'Helping Hands' sets the lyrical and musical tone for the rest dealing with the heart,skin, nose etc...

Got to love 'Imagination which must be the only anti-drug song to use the reasoning that birds don't need drugs and liquor to fly/get high, so why do we?

Think my favourite lyric though, amongst many gems has to be on the rather fonky Skin...

'and what's my outside hide that keeps my fluids inside-Skin'...although 'the epidermis on the surface with a dermis and a fat below' runs it very close...

Jim's Garage+To Sit On A Sandwich+Brute's Circus Metaphor-Brute Force

2010-01-04T01:27:00.000-08:00

Starting New Year with a cracker that's soon to be re-issued, 'I, Brute Force. Confections of Love'. We've already sampled Mr Force on this site with his superb 'King Of Fuh' on the Beatles apple label and this album raises the bar in every way.

Yes, it's silly and many will be put of by this obvious frivolity, but if it doesn't drive you insane then the chances are you'll be listening to these tracks over and over...

Little Mary Christmas-Roger Christian

2009-12-18T06:15:00.000-08:00

Here's Roger Christian with yet another sad(very) little orhan's tale this Christmas...'Little Miss Merry Christmas', yep, we get it...

Santa Claus Is A Black Man-Akin And The Teddy Vann Production Company

2009-12-18T02:32:00.000-08:00

It's true you know, if you want it be...great track,great voice...

Father XXXmas-The Goodies

2009-12-17T02:23:00.000-08:00

A rather dodgy offering here from comedic trio The Goodies. Yes, before Bill Oddie was 'birding it' he was writing, producing and playing on the records associated with their hit TV show. Good on yer B.Oddie!

The 70's were just plain odd...

White Christmas-Melt Banana

2009-12-16T07:09:00.000-08:00

Melt Banana with their classic 'White Christmas'...as for the Santa pic, simply terrifying...

Christmas+Suzy Snowflake-Little Marcy

2009-12-15T08:27:00.000-08:00

Ah, fundamentalist Christianity from Little Marcy (Marcy Tigner)...well, it is Christmas after all...

I'm Gonna Spend My Christmas With A Dalek-The Go Go's

2009-12-15T06:11:00.001-08:00

Great track from The Go Go's (no not those Go Go's...) from the superb 'Who Is Dr Who' album which I can't recommend highly enough, and not just for Dr Who fans!

Some great but quite bizarre lyrics about kissing Daleks on the toe and twiddling with his eye!

Who'd have thought it?, a loved up Dalek under the mistletoe...

...as for our Santa pic today, well it's all in the eye's isn't it...joy!

Remember (Christmas)-Harry Nilsson

2009-12-14T07:43:00.000-08:00

The superb Harry Nilsson here with a track from his 'Son Of Schmilsson' album. Very Christmassy without mentioning it once!

I'm guessing the Santa in the pic above is from another dimension or something...perhaps a precursor to a character in The League Of Gentlemen?

Here Comes Fatty Claus-Rudolf and the Gang

2009-12-14T04:11:00.000-08:00

Carrying on the cynicism with an exceptionally anti-Christmas...or maybe just anti the commercialism aspects of a once significant religious event...it's in a country stylee, so grab your Ho's and a one-two-three-four...'here comes fatty with his sack of shit...'

I'll also be posting a bonus series of 'Scary Santa pics', first of which is above and is quite terrifying...enjoy!

Merry Christmas You Suckers-Paddy Roberts

2009-12-11T02:37:00.000-08:00

Refreshingly cynical or realistic, depending on your point of view, here is Paddy Roberts with his sharply observed take on Christmas from the late 50's mind you. Paddy was also known for his 'Ballad Of Bethnal Green' and the wonderfully titled 'Songs For Gay Dogs', from which the image above is assembled I think.

They don't make em' like that anymore...or do they?

'Hang Your Balls On The Christmas Tree+Come On Santa Let's Have A Ball+I know What He Wants For Christmas'-Kay Martin

2009-12-10T03:29:00.000-08:00

Here is the superb Kay Martin and her Body Guards, (yep, right, we get it...hubba hubba etc...) with three stupendous tracks from her Christmas album 'I know What He Wants For Christmas..but I don't know how to wrap it!'

Innuendo filled genius with the scarcely believable 'Hang Your Balls On The Christmas Tree' and it's outrageous lyrics and great voices...how did they get away with it, the 50's eh?

Brand New Christmas-Hot Chocolate

2009-12-09T06:45:00.000-08:00

Yeah,yeah, woop, woop, that's what we need, 'A Brand New Christmas' and while we're at it let's get a brand new Jesus too...and not one of those wishy-washy 'let's all love each other' one's this time...get me some old testament style wrath and let the new Jesus smite the heathen's.

One of the 'Chocs' lesser known tracks...

R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas-Star Wars Christmas Album

2009-12-09T01:42:00.000-08:00

Taken from the legendary Star Wars Christmas album and a welcome guest at any Christmas party... below is a link to the equally, if not even more legendary, Star Wars Holiday Special (sponsored by General Motors)...just check out Chewie's family 'and warm your little wire'...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCNGjKnTzaQ

Mom+Daddy Please Don't Steal For Me This Christmas-Suzannah

2009-12-08T05:54:00.000-08:00

Perhaps my favourite Xmas song at the moment is this sad tale from little Suzannah...brings a tear to the little eye...

'Non-Stop Christmas Disco'-The Roller Disco Orchestra

2009-12-08T01:49:00.000-08:00

It's the 70's, it's Christmas...so what better than a non-stop roller disco to work that fat off!?

Fat Daddy-Fat Daddy

2009-12-07T07:41:00.001-08:00

Here's a great track about the big 'Fat Daddy' himself...spreading his Christmas joy to the world...for all the wonderful children...

What You Gonna Call Your Pretty Little Baby+Good King Wenceslas+Little Drummer Boy+Oh Come Oh Ye faithful-The Children Of The Inpatient Music Therapy

2009-12-07T03:19:00.000-08:00

Christmas comes but once a year, to the great relief of many and the abundant joy of others.

It's also a time we receive a slew of 'xmas recordings' to delight us, and so, for the next few weeks I will share a few favourites...
Childrens/School recordings are often a source of such joy and 'The Children Of The Inpatient Music Therapy Program_Christmas' recording is no exception. I guess it's not quite up there with 'The Langley School's Music Project' but it's certainly a goody and it is certainly seasonal...great cover too,really brings it to life,though I must admit to being a bit spooked by the first track 'What You Gonna Call Your Pretty Little Baby', as the title suggest's a New York Dolls/Iggy Pop track rather than a paen to our Lord Jesus...

Apples and Oranges+Candy and a Currant Bun+Lucifer Sam-Pink Floyd

2009-11-30T07:30:00.000-08:00

Sometimes some things are so obvious they just past you by, which is almost what I did with 'Syd's Pink Floyd' tracks here. 'Piper At The Gates Of Dawn' was the album that got me into psych music and the possibilities for 'something a little differrent' in sound, lyrics and melody...these are the mono mixes of the tracks and they still have that magic and charm all these years later, shine on indeed...

Feathered Fish+Saturday's Child'-The Sons Of Adam

2009-11-30T05:51:00.000-08:00

Absolute classic track from'The Sons Of Adam'. Feathered Fish was written for the band by 'Love' main man Arthur Lee...and it shows with it's punky riffs,obscure time changes and lyrics...not to mention top guitar solo...I've paired this with Saturday's Child...a kind of proto '7th son of a seventh son...

Ego Trip+Baroque Number One-Ultimate Spinach

2009-11-27T05:06:00.000-08:00

Great name, great cover and great self-titled debut from Boston band, Ultimate Spinach.

The record is a real psychedelic treat and fairly easily available from the usual sources...

In The Year 2525_Overture+During Rem+Candy MAchine-Zager and Evans

2009-11-26T05:33:00.000-08:00

Pretty much everyone knows the monster smash that was 'In The Year 2525' by Zager and Evans but not so many are familiar with the superb album that accompanied it. So here are four tracks from a moog driven future concept pop-psych album of the highest order...it would have made a great film along the lines of Barbarella et all...

Artificial Energy+Space Odyssey-The Byrds

2009-11-26T03:19:00.000-08:00

Artificial Energy has got to be one of the very best drug song's from one of the USA's very best bands, The Byrds. From early chiming Dylan-rock to spaced out cowboys The Byrds epitomize a lot of that 60's West Coast American dream....as well as turning out some amazing records...

Morning Sun Version 1-Cornucopia

2009-11-24T08:32:00.000-08:00

Maybe a little too proggy for this post, but what the hell, we're all friends aren't we and it's a lovely sound and well, I really like the cover and name. Genius. This is perhaps the shortest track on a fairly rare album that's well worth a listen.

The American Metaphysical Circus+HArd Coming Love+Coming Down-The United States Of America

2009-11-24T06:42:00.000-08:00

The United States Of America were an experimental electronic/psych band from LA. These three tracks are from the self titled classic from 1968. Great fuzz guitar, organ and electronic sounds.Great album.

Dreamworld+Shades Of Orange+Lovins Sacred Loving-The End

2009-11-24T03:40:00.000-08:00

Three tracks from the superb album 'Introspection' by 'The End. Produced by Bill Wyman of The Stones it's a poppy, trippy record with great songs, strong vocals and a great sound. Shades of Orange is perhaps the best known track due to appearing on various compilations but the whole album is worth hunting down and checking out.

Children Of The Sun-The Misunderstood

2009-11-23T07:21:00.000-08:00

Not quite sure how many 'greatest lost bands' they're are but 'The Misunderstood' claim to be one. I love this track and the first six tracks are great too...the rest is earlier, more basic Yardbirds type stuff and while good, not in the same league as the first few tracks.

In The Past+I Ain't No Miracle Worker-The Chocolate Watch Band

2009-11-23T03:17:00.001-08:00

'Stonesy' psych from San Jose, California, The Chocolate Watch band here with two tracks. Rhey went through quite a few incarnations and appeared in a couple of films including 'Are you Gonna Be There(At The Love In?), well what else would you do on the West Coast...

Heatwave-Ruby Rats

2009-11-21T08:10:00.000-08:00

Not sure where this cover of Heatwave is from (Germany or France is my guess) or who Ruby Rats were but I love the vocals and reedy organ blasting through it.

Peculiar Hole In The Sky-The Valentines

2009-11-21T07:30:00.001-08:00

Aussie Psych from 'The valentines' with 'Peculiar Hole In The Sky'...pretty good compilation featuring and named after this track, rounding up various Aussie bands of the period.Worth tracking down.

Come And Have Some tea With Me+Love Could Make the World Go Round-The Tea Company

2009-11-20T08:22:00.000-08:00

I'll have a brew of what they're having...two tracks from 'The Tea Company'. Hailing from New York in 1968 comes this album which already places Lennon up there in pantheon of Gods (and yeah..even Dylan too) in their own words:

"an assemblage of possessed rock performers; retinue preparing the unusual; alternating with the roots of soul, whose purpose is to cause sensation, due to stimulation of the auditory centres of the brain"

Too right.

The Things That Concern You+If Not This Time+Cauldron+Bad Trip-Fifty Foot Hose

2009-11-20T05:24:00.000-08:00

Been thinking we've not had enough acid on this post so here, all the way from San Fransico is Fifty Foot Hose with four tracks from their excellent 'Cauldron' album.

We start off fairly poppy with the first two tracks,pass through my favourite track 'Cauldron' then end on a bad trip...great cover too, quite ahead of it's time,very 80's!

Lady Of Attraction+Green Fly-Krokodil.

2009-11-20T02:40:00.001-08:00

Krokodil were Switzerland's very first supergroup in a psych styling...making use of mellotron, flute, organ,harmonica and acoustic guitar to bring us a slightly prog sound from 1969. The blues base is still there but something other also...great drawings on the cover also...

Another Day Another Lifetime+Tell Me More+Mirrors Of Wood-The David

2009-11-19T05:03:00.000-08:00

Three great tracks from The David's 'Another Day Another Lifetime' LP from 1967. Nice orchestration, sounds and song-writing on this... Californian 'summer of love' psych.

Maria+Hey Old Lady And Bert-Hampton Grease Band

2009-11-19T02:42:00.000-08:00

Two great tracks from Hampton Grease Bands 'Music To Eat' LP from 1971, apparently the second worse selling LP on Columbia records (apparently the worst was some Yoga record...ommm???)

Often dismissed as daft comedy rock, I think the Lp stands up really well in the 21st century with it's tales of teenage loss of virginity and refuse collectors as featured here...they're are obvious Zappa and Beefheart influences but that's no bad thing so grease on..

My Friend Jack-The Smoke

2009-11-18T08:43:00.000-08:00

Another great psych single, this time from 'The Smoke'. See what they've done there on the cover...clever eh? 'My Friend Jack' alludes to the practice of putting liquid LSD onto sugar lumps, this was before microdots and the like and all those horrible binding agents... ah well...

My White Bicycle-Tomorrow

2009-11-18T05:36:00.000-08:00

One of my favourite singles from the 60's is Tomorrow's 'My White Bicycle', it's just about perfect I guess, so there you go...I'll feature some Keith West stuff soon.

Joe Boyd's excellent book, 'White Bicyles' and accompanying cd should be sought also..it's top, though sadly the cd doesn't feature this monster track!

Talk About It+Don't Know What I'm Gonna Do+Hunters Of Heaven-Harumi

2009-11-18T03:46:00.000-08:00

I've read a couple of reviews suggesting this album is bland and a bit average. Well, take no notice cause to these ears it's gloriously wonky and a psych gem. Yep, it's a bit derivative but it's a double album full of soul with sides 3+4 being taken up by one 'experimental' track each.Harumi, a japanese ex-pat who was 'found' by Tom Wilson and put on the Verve label, well worth checking out.

Optical Sound+Love At Psychedelic Velocity-The Human Expression

2009-11-17T05:32:00.000-08:00

Couple of great tracks from 'The Human Expression'. I think these can be found on the various nuggets compilations which you all should have,pretty essential if you like this kind of stuff.

Particularly love 'Optical Sound', could listen to that all day...