Friday 28 April 2017

It's Friday . . . Let's Dance




Way back in 2008 Andrew Weatherall and a few of his mates from the Boardroom collaborated on an excellent album where  tracks by Radical Majik, E.S.G. and Le Sarge En Board were presented in their original form and then given the Weatherall treatment and then a couple of TLS tunes were reworked by members of the Boardroom. The following year a second volume was released which was even better than the first. It inculuded a Weatherall track which at the time as one reviewer has said was an "absolute chugging killer" and still sounds brilliant today. I eagerly awaited the vinyl release of this track as it was mooted at the time that it would be released as a 12" but sadly this never happened and I've had to live with the cd which is probably one of the most played cd's in the house.

As the teams for the play-offs for the Scottish First Division become even less clear, at present  as five teams compete for two play off places with only two games to go. Airdrie take on East Fife who are on the same points but with a vastly superior goal difference tomorrow away, Unfortunately I can't go to this match as L is taking me away for the night for my recent birthday. It's  another must win game not just for the Airdrie supporters but also it means that we will go into the final match with something to play for. This is important as I will be joined at the Excelsior by some special guests from Seattle (Brian) , Germany (Walter), Manchester (Swiss Adam) and maybe another blogger from the central belt (CC) who will be in Glasgow for the first Bloggers Summit weekend when we intend to drink too much and talk pish mostly about music but probably life the universe and everything. Also present will be Dirk, who hasn't the faintest interest in Airdrie or football for that matter and will be chaperoned in Glasgow by JC and some of his friends and sometimes contributors while the football is on. I have to admit that the closer we get to this weekend the more I am looking forward to it.

Have a good weekend people.

Andrew Weatherall - Brother Johnston's Travelling Disco

Wednesday 26 April 2017

Don't Call Me Kid



We haven't had any Slow Club here for a while. Last Year's One Day All Of This Won't Matter Anymore didn't really do it for me. That's not to say that it is not a good album, it's just not in the same league as the previous one,  Complete Surrender which as I have said before on several occasions bowled me over as at the time as it wasn't what I had been expecting at all. I am trying to say that Slow Club should have produced a carbon copy of Complete Surrender, even if they could have that would have been boring. I think I may need to sit down and listen to One Day . . . without comparing it to the 2014 abum, although I'm not sure that will be possible. Give Me Some Peace is one of the few tracks that hit me straight away and is still for me the high point of the album.

Slow Club -  Give Me Some Peace

Tuesday 25 April 2017

White Ship



I think that this the only Garage Rock  record that  has been featured here that comes from New York, more specifically the borough of Queens. The Big Apple wasn't renowned for thrashy guitar music at this time, well until the Velvet Underground came on the scene.

White Ship was the final single by the terribly named "The Denims" and came out on the Mercury label. There is quite a psychedelic feel about the lyrics which is quite unusual for a record out of NYC at this time, 1966, when else.

The Denims - White Ship

Monday 24 April 2017

I'm Com'un Home In The Mornin'



I've always found a contradiction in the feel of today's track and the sentiment of the lyrics. To me the music and tone of I'm Com'un Home In The Mornin' had a kind of sinister atmosphere, however the lyrics are about a guy who has been away for a considerable time and whose love has been desperately awaiting his return and how he will be returning in the morning. I have seen this song described as psychedelic soul and it certainly not a typical northern soul track especially the strange horns on the outro but a great tune none the less.

The single was released on Suemi Records from El Paso, Texas in 1972 and an original copy would cost you at least a grand.

Lou Pride - I'm Com'un Home In The Mornin'


Friday 21 April 2017

It's Friday . . . Let's Dance



Today's track goes back to the very early days of House with a track originally released in 1985 on Trax Records from a 6 track ep, Funkin' With The Drums Again but brought up to date, well for 2010 anyway. Farley Knows House in it's original form is little more than the sound of an 808 with the word Farley repeated over and over, which probably doesn't sound that enticing but I can assure would still do the business on the dance floor. The PPF refit adds Cowbell and hand claps making the beat of the original infectious and something that you can't help but move to. I've been listening to a lot of old school house recently and much of it sounds as good now as it did back when. 

Last week Airdrie suffered a set back to their hopes of a play-off place with a 2-1 defeat away to Stanraer and tomorrow take on Alloa Athletic who gave Brechin a mauling last week and who are in an unassailable second spot. the Diamonds on the other hand are in 4th place on goal difference bit with only 6 points separating 3rd and 8th tight is not the word for it. Airdrie
definitely need to get a result tomorrow.

Have a good weekend people

Farley Jackmaster Funk - Farley Knows Best (PPF Jack For Daze Dub)

Thursday 20 April 2017

Mantra From A State Of Mind



I was going to have a rant about the upcoming RSD16 but what's the point. You will already have your opinion on it and my sweary diatribe isn't going to change your mind. When the list of releases came out with all the fanfare I had a look and nothing really grabbed my attention apart from the re-pressing of Spacemen 3's Recurring an album that I either sold or lost some time ago and have lived with on cd only for the last ten years at least without too much trouble. I would be lying if I was to say that I would not want to own it again on vinyl but do I want it enough to get up at 06:00 hrs and queue outside Monorail for two hours or so for, I don't think so. The one release that I might consider doing that for would be the Burial remix of Inner City Life but that isn't on Monorail's list. So I will go into Glasgow sometime next week and see what's left.

The releases that I am really looking forward to in the next month or so are new releases by the Black Angels, The Cosmic Dead, Slow Dive, The Afghan Whigs and a Nick Waterhouse 7". All of which will be purchased from a bona fide record shop when released without having to get up in the middle of the night and stand in line for. Maybe I'm just getting old but I think that Record Shop Day has run it's course and it's time the majors let some of the small indie labels near the pressing plants to press up some new music as opposed to Bowie or Prince on coloured vinyl or picture disc.

Fuck! I have just checked Piccadilly Records list and The Only Way is Up by Otis Clay is on there. Now for that I would start queueing now but also Monorail aren't stocking it,

Here's a track from last year's celebration which I picked up a week or two later for cost.  The best thing Primal Scream had done for a long time prior to the recent remix by Anton Newcombe. I have to admit though when I read the the Scream were covering S'Express, I thought to myself "fuck right off that will be the biggest load of shit since the last thing they did" I was happily proven wrong,  I think that it's Jason Pierce's guitar that makes all the difference.

Oh and one last thing, I love 6 Music and everything but they don't half flog everything to death. Last month it was the 6 Music festival, christ I was lucky enough to see some of it and it was doing my head in how much they went on about it, so for those who didn't it must have really been a pisser and now all they can go on about is this bloody Saturday. They need to get some perspective I think.

Just as well there is nothing for the BBC to over expose happening in June isn't it!


Primal Scream - Mantra For A State Of Mind

Wednesday 19 April 2017

Lowlife



I'm not too sure if I'm in the mood for another General Election at the moment but when somebody tells me that Westminster needs to "unite behind the Government" my hackles rise. Are we no longer allowed to have debate and differences in ideals or opinions anymore in our bright new and improved "brexit" future? Seven weeks of this shit, it's enough to drive you to drink. And I won't mention the irony of people in my town up in arms that a democratic election should be held on the day that they annually celebrate Feudalism and patronage. You couldn't make it up.

Today's post was supposed to be another rant about Record Shop Day but that can wait,

Scanners - Lowlife 

Tuesday 18 April 2017

She Drew The Gun



Last Saturday I posted a track from Liverpudlian. Louisa Roach's band She Drew The Gun. After hearing Poem the first time I headed straight to Soundcloud to see if this track was a one off or if there were other gems to find and there were which sent me straight to the band's website to order the album, which was released at the beginning of last month according to the website, however at other places it says that it was released last April. Irrespective of when it was released I think that a lot more people need to hear about this record than I think do at present, not that featuring it hear will further that cause all that much.  It has hardly been off my turntable since it arrived. It is a very strong debut album from the band. At times the album is a bit folkly, at others pretty soulful  but mostly a psychy, indie pop sound but then you might expect that from a band mentored and produced  by James Skelly (former frontman of the Coral) and signed to Skeleton Records. After a week and a bit of listening I can honestly say that there are no duff tracks and for me it will take something extra special to knock this off of the pedestal of find of 2017 for me.

Do yourself a favour and head over here and order it for yourself, you won't regret it I can assure you.


Monday 17 April 2017

Ever Again



Here is a jaunty, up beat little number to take your mind off of that bloated feeling that all of you who overdid the chocolate yesterday may have this morning.

I don't really know anything about Bernie Williams or indeed Ever Again apart from the fact that it is a very rare record for one released on a major label, Bell Records out of NYC in 1969. The only copy to be sold on Discogs went for £1994.05! My copy needless to say is a snidey single sided re-press. The track was leased to the major label from Del Val Records in Philadelphia where the song was originally released with Gene Woodbury on vocal but justy like the later release posted here it bombed.

Bernie Williams - Ever Again

Friday 14 April 2017

It's Friday . . . Let's Dance



Slam are celebrating 25 years of making music at the moment which has me a little puzzled as the first record they released was in 1991 and I remember this distinctly not because it was a great record, it is but that it preceded the second release on SOMA Quality Recordings, Fallen by Dove which I know came out in October 1991 and which I purchased immediately from Dub II in Glasgow and I know that I n bought the label's first release fro that shop previously.

Anyway,  25/26 years of producing nothing ever less than excellent music should be celebrated and celebrated in style. I know that there is a SOMA boxset out which I am tempted by although it is rather pricey but it has the likes of Jeff Mills, Daft Punk and Funk D'Void on it so well worth the money. They also have nights in SWG3, the Subby and  the Riverside Festival in Glasgow to look forward to in the next month and a bit which I think I will give a miss, the idea appeals to me but I think my serious clubbing days are over, sadly.

As I said previously Slam and Soma were significant by their absence on Stuart Murdoch's documentary about the music scene in Glasgow for 6Music and I could be wrong but I don't think they were mentioned let alone featured in the whole 6Music Festival in Glasgow last month, Which is a glaring error as they have been a huge influence on the worldwide dance scene over the past 25 years and possibly without them we would never have heard the likes of Get Lucky or Around The World, if SOMA hadn't released the duo's first two 12" singles.

So today The Kitchen Table salutes, Stuart, Orde and Dave, Glen & Jim for bringing us so much "Quality" music over the past 26 years and also some great nights, from Strathclyde park, The Subby, The Arches and other places. It's only fitting to feature that first 12" single.

In other news, with four games to go Airdrie are sitting third in the league only one point ahead of Brechin City in fourth. The run-in is quite a tough one, tomorrow they go down to Stranraer who they have beaten twice this season and lost to once. The Diamonds really need to win all four games to reach the play-offs, since Christmas they haven't one two games on the bounce so it looks like being an almost impossible feat but we will see.

Have a good weekend people.

Slam - Eterna

Thursday 13 April 2017

Turning Rebellion Into Not A Lot Of Money, One Suspects



It's true nothing is sacred. I see that Feeding Of The Five Thousand has not only been released on vinyl but white vinyl and remastered into the bargain. I would like it be upset about this but it was inevitable. I wonder how many hipsters out there are going to spend twenty quid or so for what I have never been too sure was a 12" with lots of tracks or a short album. I can't think that their will be much of a market for angry, nearly musical, sweary anarchist punk records that make you feel quite inadequate as you can never live up to the ideals espoused, though I could be wrong.

I've got a mint copy of Penis Envy, if anybody wants to make me a decent offer. I will part with it as it is totally un-listenable.

The people who ran the Roxy club in London were interviewed on the radio last week, it might even have been the Lamacq show and they were talking about how they were inclusive and just wanted somewhere where the punks could congregate. Yeah right, they were that inclusive that they banned Crass.

Crass -  Banned From The Roxy


Wednesday 12 April 2017

Debut Album Side One Track One



I caught some of one of Steve Lamacq's shows last week on 6Music, not sure what night it was but I think it could have been Wednesday or Thursday. I don't listen to him that often but I really can't be fucked with PM or the ^ O'clock News on Radio 4 at the moment  it's all about the UK staring into the abyss, getting ready to jump off,  or bloody Trump and more depressing still Syria and when you look to the 18:30 comedy for some light relief all you get is pish that is not at all funny with the exception of the Unbelievable Truth and the Now Show which I like so I know it wasn't Monday or Friday but I digress.

The stick insect in the DMs and the washed out indie T shirt was going on about the first track on the first side of debut albums which I think started due to him playing Janie Jones as last week was 40 years since The Clash was released and he was saying what a powerful opening salvo the track was. This got me thinking and probably every middle aged man tuned in also as to what the best opening track on a debut album was. As I have been going through something of a Jesus and Mary Chain obsession recently as some of the more acute of you may have realised, of course I initially thought of Just Like Honey and then I started to think of other memorable ones such as Foxey Lady on Are You Experienced, Sunday Morning from the first Velvets album and Fallen from Morning Dove White amongst others. However, for me anyway the ultimate song one , side one of a debut album has got to be Suspect Device from Stiff Little Fingers 1979 debut album Inflammable Material. Has there every been a more raw, visceral statement of intent.  Even now when I put it on I still fear that  there is an outside chance that my turntable might spontaneously combust, the energy in that track has not diminished one iota in thirty eight years.

This has probably been done before on more than one occasion in blog land but I feel a beginnings of a new series here that I could flog to death. We'll see.

Stiff Little Fingers - Suspect Device 

Tuesday 11 April 2017

1-2-5



There is a big difference between today's Garage track and most others featured in this spot, no and it's not the year, as 1-2-5 although recorded in 1965 was as you've probably guessed released the following year on the Quality label. No what makes this group quite unique probably not in the Garage Rock world but in the little bit of it I know of is that the band are actually from north of the border, Canada, Montreal to be specific. The song on the insistence of the record company was cleaned up as they believed that some of the lyrics were a bit choice and on release the record charted in the Canadian charts which brought it to the attention of record execs in the USA where the record was picked up and issued on the Amy label in it's original form, this is also the version that can be found on volume 1 of the Pebbles compilations. The band went on to record a further 7 singles, including a French version of Purple Haze (Vapeur Mauve) before they broke up in 1971.

The Haunted - 1-2-5 

The Haunted - 1-2-5 (original version)

Monday 10 April 2017

I Don't Like to Lose



Today's excellent piece of Detroit Soul has quite a dramatic sound to it and not a typical tune type of tune to come out of the Motor City in 1966. I love the breakdown at just about 2 mins in that leads to quite a climax with the guitar finishing exactly as it started. This is an extremely rare piece of vinyl but if you have a spare five grand, sterling there is a near mint copy for sale on Discogs.

The Group featuring Cecil Washington - I Don't Like To Lose

Saturday 8 April 2017

Just Bloody Brilliant

Why has nobody told me about She Drew The Gun before now? This is the business

Wednesday 5 April 2017

"I Spent The Night With A Blow Up Girl And Some LSD"



The recent rekindling of my somewhat dormant love for the Jesus and Mary Chain shows no sign of abating anytime soon. Last week ventured into various record boxes and cupboards and retrieved all of my 7", with the exception of the 4 that are in the red "grab in case of emergencies box" which resides in the dining room, and also the 10" and 12" singles. After giving them all a good clean I decided that my idea to go through them in order a and b side was a bit too, well, sad is the word that sprung to mind and so I decided to mix them up and randomly play them, It was no surprise to me that my favourite ones are the ones from 1984 to 1988 and of course 1985 being the strongest year but surprising 1992 was a very strong year for single releases from the Reid's too, although I bought these singles I think my main musical focus was elsewhere at this time.

I have also spent quite a bit of the last week or so listening to Damage and Joy. I still can't quite believe that when I heard of the release of this album I was in two minds whether to buy it or not. At the time I was worried that it would be a dud and would forever taint my view of one of my favourite bands for good. When I did put the first piece of vinyl on the turntable it was with quite a bit of trepidation, I had forced myself not to listen to any of the streams of the album and had only heard the couple of tracks that were getting flogged by 6Music. To say I was not disappointed is an understatement, it was one of the best things I have heard this year, granted it was still March at the time but it was very good so I played it again and then again and after these initial listens a couple of things became clear, some of the lyrics are nonsense with Jim Reid's tongue firmly lodged in his cheek  (I've got a pistol in my pocket, it's gonna shoot it's load) but that doesn't really matter if I want deep lyrics I will go elsewhere and I would have cut two or three tracks out but on the whole it was a very good album, a hell of a lot better than Munki, their last album from 1998.

After repeated plays the enjoyment of the album didn't decrease however a strange anxiety started to creep up on me. I started to worry if the album was as good as I thought iit was, or did I just think that it was that good due to very low expectations or worse still was I succumbing to the "dad rock" phenomenon and getting excited due to some nostalgia trip. If it were to be one of those I just hoped it was the first, being the lesser of the two evils in my head. after another week of listening I think that my fears are groundless and it is in fact a very good album by two guys who let's face it at this stage in their lives are not going to come up with a revolutionary new sound or indeed need to, they did their bit by taking pop music by the neck in 1985 and throttling it within an inch of it's life and then giving it a new darker side and bringing back some much needed attitude.

Here are a couple of live tracks recorded in Detroit way back when and included on the Sidewalking 12". One last thought when we are talking about the Mary Chain live. I have seen comments that people think that they are just "going through the motions" live. Now, the last time before a couple of  Friday's ago was in 1988 so can't really comment on how they were live in the 90s and beyond. But for me Jim Reid was more engaged than on any of the three previous occasions that I saw them, the first time they really looked like the Barrowlands was the last place that they wanted to be and that us the audience were worse than some dogshit that they had tread in. The only thing I will say is that they didn't seem to be as loud but then again my ears and possible my memory ain't what they used to be.

The Jesus and Mary Chain - Taste of Cindy (Live In Detroit)

The Jesus and Mary Chain  - April Skies (Live In Detroit)

Tuesday 4 April 2017

Lovin' Just My Style



I'm not even going to bother with telling you what year this bit of Garage rock comes from. This is a great bit of fuzzed out, staccato guitars a pounding beat and some prominent vocals. There are a couple of shifts in tempo in this track and some serious guitar shredding.

The band hailed from Phoenix, Arizona and after this single was released on the Oncrest label the band for some reason changed there name to The Holy Grail. relocated to San Fransisco and obscurity and as far as I can tell never released another single. They may have changed their name so as not to be confused with the british female pop duo from  around at the same time.

The Caravelles - Lovin' Just Your Style

Monday 3 April 2017

To Love Somebody



When ripping this version of  probably my favourite Bee Gees song I checked my iTunes first to see if I had already uploaded the song and was surprised to find that I had a further ten versions of the song by people as diverse as Sunday's Child to Primal Scream, yes the Scream version is every bit as dreadful as you are probably thinking, Bobby G's vocal being particularly woeful. So I suspect that there is a lot of love out their for this track.

The Mirettes have featured here before with the single that followed today's 1968 offering. The vocal group were the Ikettes until they changed their name after they left Ike and Tina Turner to strike out on their own but were not allowed to keep the name.

The Mirettes - To Love Somebody