skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Boomp3.com
Artist: Arthur Russell
Track: Soon-To-Be Innocent Fun/Let’s See (from the album 'World of Echo')
Label: Rough Trade/Audika
Catalog#: RTRADCD208
Format: CD
Released: 2004
Country: UK
Credits: Arthur Russell - Vocals, Hand Percussion, Cello and Echoes.
Yes, I know, I bought a CD, but I just had to listen to this experimental album in crisp digital sound. Originally recorded in New York between 1985-86, 'World of Echo' is a wonderful, ethereal, haunting, one of a kind album, featuring sparsely arranged songs for cello and voice, fused with electronic echo and delay effects. This is one of Arthur Russell’s seminal works and it exemplifies the folky, idiosyncratic, singer-songwriter side of his diverse musical practice (Arthur was also a composer of orchestral music and produced disco and leftfield electro tracks). This album was originally released while Arthur was still alive and has since become quite a sought after piece amongst collectors. It's still definitely pushing the boundaries.
Boomp3.com
Artist: The Pistoleers
Track: Bank Robber
Label: Raucous Records
Catalog#: RAUCLP 131
Format: Vinyl, 10”
Released: 2003
Country: UK
Credits: Written by Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Topper Headon, Paul Simonon
Bank Robber is taken from ‘This Is Rockabilly Clash’, Raucous Record’s tribute to arguably the greatest Punk band that ever lived! The compilation features some of the best bands on the current Rockabilly scene performing their interpretations of Clash classics. When I played after DJ Andrew Weatherall at Pin Up, London (R.I.P), this was the last track in his Rockabilly set.
Boomp3.com
Artist: Au Pairs
Track: Headache (Remix)
Label: Human Records
Catalog#: HUM 8/12
Format: Vinyl, 12”
Released: 1981
Country: UK
Credits: Lesley Woods, Jane Munro, Pete Hammond, Paul Foad
The Au Pairs formed in Birmingham in 1979, part of what became known as the ‘second wave’ of punk, or simply ‘post-punk’. These groups were beginning to realize what excellent potential this new musical form had as a means of information dissemination and propaganda. The Au Pairs were fronted by Lesley Woods on vocals and guitar (who was at the time one of only a handful of ‘out’ lesbians in the whole punk music scene). The other members included guitarist Paul Foad, bassist Jane Munro and drummer Pete Hammond. The Au Pairs were characterized by Munro's heavy and prominent bass lines accented by two choppy, Jamaican style guitars. The music was catchy and danceable and the band used their songs to take obligatory swipes at the conservative political climate sweeping England after Margaret Thatcher (The Iron Lady) was elected Prime Minister. The group released two studio albums, 'Playing with a Different Sex' in 1981 and 'Sense and Sensuality' in 1982.
Boomp3.com
Artist: Buzzcocks
Track: Why Can’t I Touch It?
Label: United Artists Records
Catalog#: UP36499
Format: Vinyl, 7”
Released: 1979
Country: UK
Credits: Shelley, Diggie, Garvey, Maher
Why Can’t I touch It?... a top, punk leftfield number that first appeared on the b-side to the single 'Everybody's Happy Nowadays'. Formed in 1976 by Pete Shelley and Howard Devoto after seeing the Sex Pistols in action, the Buzzcocks specialised in melodic buzzsaw punk and loud shirts with wing collars. The band made a stream of classics, veering away from traditional punk lyrics. To quote Melody Maker, Oct 1987, "The Buzzcocks more than anyone else, were responsible for wrenching the frenzied punk impulse into some sort of pop beauty. Making their debut with the infamous "Spiral Scratch" EP it was soon obvious that they had more to say than 'we are very angry'.... They managed to make the concept of boredom a luscious seduction. Only Manchester's other favourite sons Joy Division could ever come as close to articulating the heady intensity of thwarted desire without slumping into complacent indulgence”. Check the album "Singles Going Steady", if you want to get into this band, fast.
Boomp3.com
Artist: Warren Zevon
Track: Werewolves of London (featured on the LP, Excitable Boy)
Label: Asylum Records
Catalog#:
Format: Vinyl, 12” Promotional Picture Disc
Released: 1978
Country: UK
Credits: John McVie – Bass, Mick Fleetwood – Drums, Waddy Wachtel – Guitarand, Piano – Warren Zevon
'Werewolves of London' was penned by Zevon, with the songwriter LeRoy Marinell and the session guitarist Waddy Wachtel. Taking a title suggested to Zevon by Phil Everly, the three sat down one hot Californian afternoon. Marinell had a guitar arrangement, which had been floating around unused for some months. It was translated into a piano vamp by Zevon, a classically trained pianist, and Wachtel ad-libbed some lyrics: "I saw a werewolf with a Chinese menu in his hand / Walkin' through the streets of Soho in the rain / He was lookin' for the place called Lee Ho Fook's / Gonna get a big dish of beef chow mein”. But there was a problem with the rhythm section, Russ Kunkel and Bob Glaub, whose playing was deemed “too cute”. Someone suggested the drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie. After Fifty-nine takes in the studio, the track was a wrap. Just before the album was finished, Zevon revisited the song, adding the final, cryptic line: "I saw a werewolf drinking a piña colada at Trader Vic's / And his hair was perfect." Lee Ho Fook is a Chinese Restaurant that is still in business on Gerrard St, Soho. Go check it out for some crispy duck.
Boomp3.com
