In Space We Trust

The final selection of 2022 highlights was becoming a bit of a monster. This nearly ended up as a 22-track, two-and-a-half hour megalomaniamix, such was my difficulty in paring down the many, many songs that I've loved this year but which hadn't made it onto the previous selections this week. 

 

Nobody needs a monster mix on New Year's Eve though, me included, so here's a rather more reasonable 10 track selection at just over an hour. I could quite decide if I was creating a club or a chill out area but hopefully enough to get a party started...in our case, Clan K, the cat, some food and party games and skipping Jools Holland's Hootenanny.

 

More of the usual suspects but a couple of new (to me) artists, BT COP and Residentes Balearicos, that were respectively introduced via the superb Shelter Me and Higher Love Vol. 2 compilations earlier this year.

 

And, just under the wire for consideration in 2022, I got home from work to find that my first package from my Last Night From Glasgow subscription had arrived. Four beautifully packaged coloured vinyl albums from Popup, Billy Reeves and The Soup Dragons and - most eagerly anticipated of all - on double yellow vinyl, Happy Ending by Hifi Sean and David McAlmont. Needless to say, the latter made my night/week/year.

 

Following yesterday's single of the year award, guess what? They've only gone and done it again.

 

2022 has seen some outstanding albums that I've lived with and listened to repeatedly. However, in face of incredibly strong competition, Happy Ending is just perfect from start to finish. I will be coming back to it again (and again) in future posts but in the meantime, no better way to close this compilation and my 365th post in 2022.

 

Happy Ending is my album of the year. 

 

Thanks for your support and comments and for continuing to inspire and motivate me on a daily basis. I never thought that I'd still be going, two years after starting this blog, but the constant delight of new music, unearthing personal favourites and being introduced to artists and music that I'd missed altogether is stronger than ever.

 

I hope, however you're marking this evening and whoever you're spending it with, that you have a wonderful New Year's Eve and a fantastic start to 2023.

 

1) First Rays Of A New Life: Dan Wainwright & Elle Redding (Mother Oak)

2) Proof Of Stake: BT COP (Shelter Me: various artists)

3) Silent Disco Sucks (Duncan Gray Remix): Pete Bones & The Stones Of Convention (Hyena Hopscotch Remixes)

4) Balearic For President: Residentes Balearicos (Higher Love Vol. 2: various artists)

5) Summer Lovin' (Full Length Version): Cerrone & Purple Disco Machine (Summer Lovin' single)

6) Dexter In Dub (Bedford Falls Players Remix): Perry Granville (Dexter In Dub single)

7) Space Is Us (Basement Jaxx Remix): Telefís ft. Sean O'Hagan (Space Is Us EP)

8) Jezebellearic: Jezebell (Jezebellearica Volume 1 EP)

9) Sail On: Al Mackenzie (Sail On single)

10) Beautiful: Hifi Sean & David McAlmont (Happy Ending)

 

In Space We Trust (1:02:00) (Box) (Mega)

Acts Of God And Politics Collide

Continuing with my pick of 2022's musical highlights, here is a selection of my most played songs of the year so far. 

 

Generally speaking, anything released post-September should be at a disadvantage simply because they've been available for repeated listens for relatively less time. Emily Breeze's single Ordinary Life was released at the end of September, which indicates how much I love this song.

Some rules apply: only one song per artist, to avoid the final selection being limited to two or three albums (if you're asking, that would be Andy Bell, Confidence Man and Katy J Pearson). Last year, I struggled to whittle down the selection to an even dozen, so I've avoided that altogether and gone for 18 songs, coming in at just under an hour and a half.

 

The selection is loosely divided into two halves: the first is a bit indie/pop; the second detours to the dance and chillout tents.

Aside from the artists mentioned above Momus, Andres Y Xavi and Mr. Oizo & Phra make a return visit, whilst Ibibio Sound Machine, The Anchoress and Trentemøller finally get a look in. Some of my favourite remixes of the year (and not featured on Tuesday) reappear by Max Essa, Cosmosolar, Horse Meat Disco and Lee 'Scratch' Perry (RIP). There's a nod to Paisley Dark Records' superb Shelter Me compilation via Richard Sen and in a year of top notch releases with Darren Bell as Jezebell, Jesse Fahnestock also found the time to share new music as 10:40.

 

And then there is Hifi Sean and David McAlmont. Although I've not gone with scores and ranking for my selections, The Skin I'm In is something else altogether. A perfect combination of words and music, pop and politics from two artists at the very top of their game. Single of the year for me.

We've reached the penultimate day of 2022 and my penultimate highlights selection. To pinch the album title of today's opening artist Los Bitchos, Let The Festivities Begin! Well, from 7.00pm onwards, when I get home from work...!

 

(One) more tomorrow.

 

1) Pista (Fresh Start): Los Bitchos (Let The Festivities Begin!)

2) Ordinary Life (Radio Edit): Emily Breeze (Ordinary Life EP / Rapture)

3) Sidewinder (Album Version): Andy Bell (Flicker)

4) The Skin I'm In: Hifi Sean & David McAlmont (The Skin I'm In EP / Happy Ending)

5) Stop The Body: Momus (Smudger)

6) Sweetness Follows (Cover of R.E.M.): The Anchoress (Versions/EP 2)

7) Freedom: Ibibio Sound Machine (Electricity)

8) Alligator: Katy J Pearson (Sound Of The Morning)

9) Love Died In Our Arms (Lee 'Scratch' Perry Remix): Dot Allison (The Entangled Remix EP)

10) Lata Mangeshkar: Richard Sen (Shelter Me: various artists)

11) Fight Your Enemy (Cosmosolar Remix By Alejandro Gamba): Mundo D (Your Enemy EP)

12) Hits Me (Album Version): Mr. Oizo & Phra (Voilá)

13) Luvin U Is Easy (Album Version): Confidence Man (Tilt)

14) What Do You See In Me (Max Essa Extended Vocal Mix): Andres Y Xavi ft. Rolo McGinty (What Do You See In Me EP)

15) Adama (Yuksek Remix): Omri Smadar (Phase Of Motion EP)

16) Iz Um: 10:40 (Iz Um EP / 10:40's Advent Calendar)

17) Mother's Been A Bad Girl (Horse Meat Disco Remix): Unloved (Mother's Been A Bad Girl EP)

18) Glow: Trentemøller (Memoria)

Acts Of God And Politics Collide (1:29:10) (Box) (Mega)

When You're Down, Keep Looking Up

Today's selection highlights 20 of my favourite albums from 2022. I know I probably should have tried to stretch it to 22 from '22, but time constraints meant that I only managed 10 last year so this is a big improvement and fits neatly into a mock-CD running time.

 

As with last year, I've not ranked or scored the albums, just sequenced the selected tracks in a way that I hope makes for a satisfying playlist. Again, I'm a bit tight for time, so the commentary is minimal.

I had a very long shortlist so a mention to several albums that didn't make today's selection but are excellent nevertheless: Midnight Rocker by Horace Andy; Ibibio Sound Machine's Electricity, produced by Hot Chip; Alright by Luxxury; any of the other 5 albums released by SAULT this year; The Album Club's self-titled album; Memoria by Trentemøller, the list goes on. And so many that are still on my 'must buy' list.

 

Several albums, by Andy Bell, Katy J Pearson and Confidence Man, were contenders from the moment I first heard them and have remained playlist staples ever since. A couple - Orbury Common and Tomberlin - came on the back of support slots for other artists featured in this selection that I got to see live in concert. 

 

Julian Cope and Blancmange were back with new albums, whilst Altered Images surprised me with a comeback album full of pop hooks that firmly proclaimed that they were no heritage act. A very welcome return for all.

 

Cathal Coughlan teamed up with Jacknife Lee as Telefís for not one but two albums in 2022. The news of Coughlan's death in May was - and still is - a shock, one of far too many tragic losses this year. Telefís was proof, if any needed, that Cathal was on a creative roll and had so much more to share.

 

Quite a few were late entries, the common thread being that they're all on the Late Night From Glasgow label. I invested in an annual subscription in December and, as a result, received digital copies of the year's releases including In The Forest, Monica Queen, The Bathers, André Salvador & The Von Kings. My first vinyl order/delivery from LNFG has just been dispatched. If it arrives before year end and ignoring my earlier comments about not ranking or scoring, the package will contain what will undoubtedly be my album of the year. 

 

After a gig-less 2021, I finally got back out this year. Just the four, but what a four: Madness (Westonbirt, June), Katy J Pearson (Bristol, September), Blancmange (Stroud, October) and Angel Olsen (Bath, October). All very special in their own way and with great support acts. 

 

Time prevents me from waxing lyrical about every selection but a special mention for Andy Bell, whose album Flicker came out in February and has been followed by a steady stream of singles, cover versions and remixes. These have been collected on a trio of themed EPs - I Am A Strange Loop, The Grounding Process and Untitled Film Stills - plus a compilation/companion, Strange Loops & Outer Psych. And this isn't counting Andy's remixes as GLOK! 

 

Given that Flicker itself is a double album and deservedly so, the sheer amount of quality music that Andy Bell has offered up in the last 12 months is nothing short of phenomenal. I think Flicker would otherwise be my album of the year on a list of excellent albums by Weyes Blood, Pye Corner Audio and Unloved.

 

More tomorrow.

 

1) idkwntht: Tomberlin (i don’t know who needs to hear this...)

2) Fight For Love: SAULT (11)

3) Break It Bought It (Album Version): Confidence Man (Tilt)

4) Hot In Her (Album Version) (Cover of Nelly): Mr. Oizo & Phra (Voilá)

5) Sex Bunting: Telefís (a hAon)

6) Reduced Voltage (Album Version): Blancmange (Private View)

7) Haberdashery: Orbury Common (The Traditional Dance Of Orbury Common EP)

8) Saturation Point (Album Version): Pye Corner Audio (Let’s Emerge!)

9) Waiting For The Call: In The Forest (These Four Walls)

10) Big Time (Album Version): Angel Olsen (Big Time)

11) I Want You To Stop, You're Killing Me: Monica Queen (Stop That Girl)

12) Turn Of The Screw (Album Version): Unloved ft. Raven Violet (The Pink Album)

13) Changing My Luck: Altered Images (Mascara Streakz)

14) Cape St. Vincent: The Bathers (Summer Lightning)

15) Howl: Katy J Pearson ft. Orlando Weeks (Sound Of The Morning) 

16) January: Momus (Smudger)

17) All The Yin-Yangs That Give it Away: Julian Cope (England Expectorates)

18) Dieu Du Ciel: André Salvador & The Von Kings (Draped Apes)

19) Jenny Holzer B. Goode: Andy Bell (Flicker)

20) Twin Flame: Weyes Blood (And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow)

When You're Down, Keep Looking Up (1:17:22) (Box) (Mega)

The Strangest Days I've Ever Seen

Today's selection is a small selection of artists, songs and albums that I've discovered or rediscovered during 2022, either by diving into my vinyl or CD collection, digital purchases from Bandcamp or via the many wonderful posts from fellow travellers in the blogosphere, listed in the sidebar if you're viewing the web version. A special thanks to Charity Chic Music for introducing me to Blaze Foley and reminding me of the brilliance of I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight by Richard & Linda Thompson.

For the second year running, the rather wonderful 5CD New Age Steppers collection, Stepping Into A New Age 1980-2012, gets a look in. There have been some fabulous CD box set reissues in 2022. My favourites have included Satellite Life, collecting Billy Mackenzie's recordings between 1994 and 1996 on 3 CDs. The Times' run of albums from their first incarnation were represented with a ton of bonus tracks on the 6CD set My Picture Gallery: The Artpop! Recordings. It actually came out in 2021, but I didn't buy it until May this year. Ironically, neither artist features in today's selection.

Researching respective posts got me going back to several artists from my teens, notably The Jesus & Mary Chain, Ramones, Orbital and David Sylvian. David Holmes' new album with Unloved this year also prompted me to belatedly buy the soundtrack to Series 1 and 2 of Killing Eve, which includes a fair few 1960s and 1970s nuggets, including out there husband and wife duo Ramases and Selket (Kimberley and Dorothy to their neighbours).

 

There are a couple of artists from my birthplace, Bristol: Babyhead, who I rediscovered when reminiscing about the annual festival at Ashton Court and Emily Breeze, who I heard for the first time this year and have been a huge fan of ever since.

 

To bring things to a close, The Abyssinians with an unreleased 'extended mix' of a 1982 song, courtesy of the 27 Leggies music blog during the summer after yet another postponed gig. Fingers crossed it's sixth time lucky in 2023, Ernie.

 

Today's photo was taken in the Gloucestershire village of Wotton-under-Edge a couple of weeks ago. It's the tried-and-tested hairdresser/barber shop staple of using a bad pun for a business name, but this one made me smile. I've never visited, so please don't take this bit of free advertising as an endorsement. I've also not eaten at the Indian restaurant with the garish orange frontage a few doors down. Parking's a nightmare, though.

 

More 2022 highlights tomorrow.

 

1) Тютюнник (Tiutiunnyk) (John Peel Session): The Wedding Present (1987)

2) Clay Pigeons: Blaze Foley (1977)

3) Move Ya Loin: Roots Manuva ft. Lotek (2005)

4) Pulling Punches (Album Version): David Sylvian (1984)

5) Call In Sick Today (Album Version): Emily Breeze (2019)

6) Good For My Soul: The Jesus & Mary Chain (1992)

7) Drown: Karen O & Danger Mouse (2019)

8) Chime Crime (Remix): Orbital (1992)

9) Distraction (Radioactive Man Remix By Keith Tenniswood): C.A.R. (2020)

10) Good Voodoo (Gaudi Remix By Daniele Gaudi): Ganga Giri (2011)

11) The Bottle (12 Inch): The Tyrrel Corporation (1992)

12) My Whole World: New Age Steppers (1981)

13) Killing Time: Babyhead (2003)

14) I'm Not Jesus: Ramones (1987)

15) Screw You (Single Version): Ramases & Selket (1970)

16) Withered And Died: Richard & Linda Thompson (1974)

17) Praise Him / Praise Him Dub: The Abyssinians (1982)

 

The Strangest Days I've Ever Seen (1:14:48) (Box) (Mega)

Call In Sick Today: Emily Breeze

When I was young I thought I’d bring the world to its knees
Smoking skunk in the daytime, skim reading Socrates
Please....
Jesus said, I should get out of bed and I replied
Fly me first class to heaven in a neon pink cocktail dress
I don't get up for less

Because these are the strangest days I’ve ever seen
So give me C.B.T and sertraline
As I sashay through the decades on a vast indifferent sea

Lets get high in the cemetery,
Call in sick today
Waste a day with me,
I'm gonna start a cult
And you'll build a time machine
Let's go rob a bank
And go on a killing spree

Because these are the strangest days I’ve ever seen
So give me C.B.T and sertraline
Did you catch my million dollar movie?
It went straight to T.V
But I still believe, I still believe
That it's easy to bury reality
But hard to dispose of your dreams
So I still believe, I still believe
When I was young I thought I'd bring the world to its knees
Call in sick today baby waste a day with me
When I was young I thought I’d bring the world to its knees
And I still believe, I still believe
Call in sick today baby, waste a day with me
Cos I still believe, I still believe.

The Further You Fall, The Higher You Fly

The next few days will be highlighting some of my favourites from 2022, beginning with a selection of great remixes from the mass of singles that I've purchased (mainly on Bandcamp Friday) this year. 

 

Many DJs and producers could have warranted a 'best of' selection in their own right, given the quantity and quality of music they've released this year. An honorable mention then to those that only have one appearance here but easily could have had several: Andy Bell & GLOK, Bedford Falls Players, David Holmes & Unloved, Hardway Bros, HiFi Sean, Joe Goddard, Richard Norris and Rude Audio.

Albums by Mattiel, A Mountain Of One and Warmduscher have come recommended and appear in other 2022 countdowns in the blogosphere. I bought a lot of albums (mostly digital) this year but these are all still on my shopping list.

Continuing the 80s indie flavour, Andres Y Xavi make an appearance for the second year running with another track/remix featuring The Woodentops' Rolo McGinty. In a delightful and unexpected move, BMX Bandits' 2017 song Razorblades & Honey, co-written by Duglas T. Stewart and Anton Newcombe, was remixed by founder member, former Soup Dragon and DJ/producer par excellence Sean Dickson aka HiFi Sean. It's even better than you'd imagine it could be.

 

Jesse Fahnestock and Darren Bell are back as Jezebell (I warned you on Christmas Eve), breaking my own rule for this selection by appearing twice. In my defence, one is a remix of another artist (Ian Vale) and the other is a remix of one of their own songs by, er, themselves. Oh, why should I justify myself? They're both excellent!

 

In addition to an excellent album and clutch of singles with Unloved, David Holmes released the stunning single It's Over, If We Run Out Of Love featuring Raven Violet on Valentines Day this year, with a stunning remix package following at the end of March. Hard to pick a favourite to be honest, but Sean Johnston's brace of remixes won out.

 

Likewise, Richard Norris' pair of remixes of Sundowning by Mark Peters featuring Dot Allison released in late October are jaw droppingly beautiful. I've ditched the beats and gone for the ambient version to close this selection. 

 

All of these are available digitally, some on physical formats, via Bandcamp and other retailers. All highly recommended. 

 

More 2022 highlights tomorrow.

 

1) Subterranean Dub (Raf Rundell's Salty Man Dub): Mattiel

2) You Feed Me (Rude Audio Remix): Field Of Dreams

3) What Do You See In Me (Xavi Dub 2) (Remix By Steve Ellis): Andres Y Xavi ft. Rolo McGinty

4) Star (Yo Miro Remix): A Mountain Of One

5) Red Shift (Bedford Falls Players Remix): MAN2.0

6) Dimension Z (Pete Bones Remix): TR20

7) Razorblades & Honey (HiFi Sean Extended Revision): BMX Bandits ft. Anton Newcombe

8) Loft Music (Jezebell's DC Metro Mix): Ian Vale

9) It's Over, If We Run Out Of Love (Hardway Bros Live At The SSL Dub): David Holmes ft. Raven Violet

10) Wavygravy (GLOK Remix): Flyying Colours

11) Dancing (Not Fighting) (The Drop Acid Not Bombs Mix): Jezebell

12) Famous (The Reflex Re√ision): Parcels

13) Fatso (Joe Goddard Remix): Warmduscher

14) Sundowning (Richard Norris Ambient Remix): Mark Peters ft. Dot Allison

The Further You Fall, The Higher You Fly (1:27:08) (Box) (Mega)

It's Hard To Settle For Second Best

After last year's tenuous Boxing Day themed selection, here's another to stretch credulity even further, with 10 gift-themed songs. A couple of obvious/inevitable choices with The Jam and Lou Reed, a trio of not-quite-forgotten classics from Cocteau Twins, Way Out West and Calexico and a cheeky Monday Long Song to round things off from Julian Cope, pulling a double shift as frontperson of Brain Donor.

I hope you kept your receipts!

The cover photo was taken in Gloucester city centre a few weeks ago. I was particularly struck by how well they captured the classic Nativity scene of Joseph and Mary's Bethlehem barbecue.

1) It's A Gift: The Kane Gang (1987)

2) The Gift: The Jam (1982)

3) You Can't Steal A Gift: El Perro Del Mar (2008)

4) Gift Horse: Black Box Recorder (2000)

5) Surprise Gift (Fool's Gold vs. N.A.S.A.): Team9 (2009)

6) A Gift: Lou Reed (1976)

7) Half-Gifts: Cocteau Twins (1996)

8) The Gift (Radio Edit): Way Out West ft. Miss Joanna Law (1996)

9) Gift X-Change (Album Version): Calexico (2000)

10) Odin's Gift To His Mother (Album Version): Brain Donor (2001)

 

1976: Coney Island Baby: 6

1982: The Gift: 2

1987: What Time Is It? EP: 1

1996: Milk & Kisses: 7

1996: The Gift EP: 8

2000: It's A Cool, Cool Christmas: 9

2000: The Facts Of Life: 4

2001: Love Peace & Fuck: 10

2008: From The Valley To The Stars: 3

2009: Stereogum & Team9 Present: MySplice 4: 5

It's Hard To Settle For Second Best (45:45) (KF) (Mega)

Another Alternative Christmas Message

Here are five random festive songs that have previously featured on the five volumes of Bad Santa selections to date. 

 

Christmas In Vegas: Marc Almond (1995)

 

Christmas On The Block (J-Lo vs. Paul McCartney): Go Home Productions (2002)

 

Don't Lose My Funky Sledge: TBC Poundsystem (2005)  

 

I Wish It Was Christmas Today: Julian Casablancas (2009)

 

Just Like Christmas (Cover of Low): Silversun Pickups (2022)

 

Merry Christmas, everyone!

The D:Ream I Could Believe

D:Ream aka Peter Cunnah and Al Mackenzie appeared in my 2021 round up with their rather fine comeback single Meet Me At Midnight and (no spoiler alert) they've done it again this year. 

 

Pedestal was released as a single in September and this month saw a rather fine remix package featuring, amongst others, Dubhed favourites Jezebell aka Jesse Fahnestock and Darren Bell. Jezebell were also in my 2021 list and (no spoiler alert), they'll be in this year's round up, which I'll be sharing after Christmas.

 

It's been a great couple of years if you're a fan of either or both. D:Ream's fourth album (and first in a decade) came out in 2021. Peter and Al also got the rights back to their third album In Memory Of..., gave it the love and attention it lacked first time around and re-released it into the world. Alongside both albums came a trio of remix packages available as a 'name your price' download via Bandcamp. Needless to say, an embarrassment of riches to be found across all.

 

So, in case you're already weary of Paul McCartney, Elton John, East 17 and Mariah Carey, here's a D:Ream selection of remixes, mostly from the past two years but also dipping back into the 1990s for a trio of classics by Leftfield, Sasha and Development Corporation. The remix of Unforgiven previously appeared on a Leftfield selection posted in February this year, but when it's this good, why apologise for repetition?

 

I'm loving the 21st century remixes too: Pete Herbert never disappoints and any of Al Mackenzie's remixes as Retroforward have been spot on. And that Jezebell remix is just sublime.

 

One more sleep to go until Christmas, but I hope this might encourage you to stay up a little later and dance around the Christmas tree. Keep scrolling to the bottom for an extra Christmas treat.

 

This one's especially dedicated to Jez, genius behind the A History Of Dubious Taste music blog. Wishing you all the best for your recovery.

 

1) Many Hands (Shape Of Space Remix By Paul Greendale & Chris Stevenson) (2021)

2) Unforgiven (Leftfield Hands Mix By Neil Barnes & Paul Daley) (1993)

3) I Used To Believe In Love (Ashley Beedle's NSW Love & Joy Vocal Mix) (2021)

4) U R The Best Thing (Sasha Dub) (Remix By Alexander Coe & Tom Frederikse) (1992)

5) Pedestal (Jezebell's Dizzy Heights Remix By Jesse Fahnestock & Darren Bell) (2022)

6) Drop Beatz Not Bombs (Deepchild Remix By Rick Bull) (2011)

7) All Things To All Men (Pete Herbert Remix) (2011)

8) Meet Me At Midnight (Retroforward Plays Pop Remix By Al Mackenzie) (2021)

9) Things Can Only Get Better (Superfly Development Vocal) (Remix By Development Corporation) (1993) 

10) Make Love Cool Again (RMN vs Jus Jez Remix) (2021)

The D:Ream I Could Believe (1:04:46) (KF) (Mega)

 

Pedestal

Please tell me how, please tell me how
It’s come to this again?
Tell me it aint so
I gotta know, I gotta know
Are we on again?
Maybe? I don’t know

What answer leaves you racked in doubt
Can’t figure you, can’t work it out
I’m wondering, "What the hell it all means"?

I put you up on a pedestal
You were the dream I could believe but you just kept on deceiving me
Well I held you above me
You just looked down on me

Tell it to the child, like you tell a child
You’re not making sense
Tell me, I must know
Give him a name. Give, give him a name
Just say his name
Tell me. I got a right to know

Come share another ecstasy
We’ll make love so tenderly
We’ll make love ‘til our bodies ache

I put you up on a pedestal
You were the dream I could believe but you just kept on deceiving me
I put you way up on a pedestal
I worshipped the ground you walked upon
But you just kept walking over me
Well I held you above me
You just looked down on me

My head, my hands aint got no feeling
In my head, my hands, you just don’t mean it
In my head, my hands I can’t believe it
I just can’t

I put you up on a pedestal
You were the dream I could believe but you just kept on deceiving me
I put you way up on a pedestal
I worshipped the ground you walked upon
But you just kept walking over me
Well I held you above me
You just looked down on me

 

Jesse Fahnestock, one half of Jezebell, is also 100% of 10:40 and has featured on this blog many times including the 2021 round up and (no spoiler alert) will be popping up again next week. Clearing the decks for a new album in 2023, Jesse has been posting a rather wonderful 10:40 advent calendar, containing previous album tracks, singles and remixes, all for free. I've been a fan since first discovering 10:40 during the pandemic and created my own Dubhed selection of 10:40 and Jezebell gems back in May. Many of the 10:40 tracks have re-appeared in the advent calendar so if you haven't got them already, I'd strongly recommend you get over there today!

 

Last Christmas Eve, I posted the latest festive offering from Martin Jenkins aka Pye Corner Audio. 2022 is no exception and Martin has provided another free/name your price chiller in the shape of Satan's Slay.  

 

It's going to be tough Christmas for many, I know. However you're spending your time this weekend, love and very best wishes from me. Your visits to this blog and comments on my musical ramblings have been a constant source of encouragement and support when I've found things difficult and I hope in some small way, I can pay some of this forward. 

A brief, prepared post for tomorrow. Normal business should resume on Boxing Day.

We All Fall Down

Dirty Rat is still on regular rotation, but I'm also loving Ringa Ringa (The Old Pandemic Folk Song), the latest single by Orbital, this time featuring the Mediæval Bæbes. 

 

Based on the nursery rhyme, Ring a Ring o' Roses, it recalls Orbital's (excuse the pun) halcyon days, with hints of Satan and Chime. I can imagine this one tearing off the roof when the brothers Hartnoll go on tour next year.

 

Great video too, though I can't see it turning up on the Christmas Top Of The Pops.

 

Better Late Than Never

Spare Snare have been releasing music (independently) since 1992. Were it not for a few well-timed and inspiring posts in the blogosphere in 2022, they may have continued to fly under my radar. Thirty years late, but a helluva back catalogue to dive back into.

 

Super Slinky is one of the tracks that's been highlighted, once via the original version from 1995's debut album Live At Home and again via the 2018 re-recording with Steve Albini on the Sounds album. Both are pretty special, as is the live version which heads up this post, from the Homegame Festival in Anstruther, Fife on 12th March 2010.

Spare Snare's extensive back catalogue is available on Bandcamp, with some ridiculously reasonable prices for digital and CD formats - both of the aforementioned albums are on sale for £3.00 and £5.00 respectively. Some releases also have vinyl and cassette formats remaining.

 

Spare Snare started recording a new album in October 2022, Steve Albini back in the studio, for a release in Spring 2023. I'm hoping that a tour will be forthcoming, with some dates in my neck of the woods. I'd love to see them live in concert.

 

Get Duffy

Celebrating Martin Duffy, 18th May 1967 to 18th December 2022.

As I was reeling from the news about Terry Hall's passing, another sad loss was revealed with Martin Duffy's death on Sunday. I've not had the opportunity to pull together a selection that would begin to do Martin justice, so I've selected a few songs to give a nod to his talent.

I found a clip on YouTube of Felt performing Ballad Of The Band live in 1985. Not the best sound quality admittedly but I love the song and you get to see an 18 year-old Duffy on keyboards.

When Rob Collins of The Charlatans tragically died in a car crash in 1996, Martin Duffy was recruited to complete their album Tellin' Stories. Whilst the liner notes don't distinguish between Collins' and Duffy's contribution, Tim Burgess revealed during the Tellin' Stories Twitter Listening Party in March 2020 that Martin had played on With No Shoes, describing him as a "beautiful human being and possibly the saviour of this record and our band".

Next up is Primal Scream, performing Star on Later...With Jools Holland in 1997. Bobby Gillespie's live vocals hover on the good/bad scale (which I love) and there's some fabulous bass from Mani underpinning the song. Augustus Pablo played melodica on the album version, recreated beautifully here by Martin which makes the song so special.

 

In the late Eighties, Martin was briefly in Church Of Raism. To lift from Iffpedia, James Havoc (the pen-name of James Williamson, author of esoteric horror and erotica) became chief editor of Creation Books and founded the band Church Of Raism, with Duffy and Robert 'Throb' Young from Primal Scream and Rose McDowell, formerly with Strawberry Switchblade. The band released one self-titled CD on Creation Records in 1989. 

I have just the one Church Of Raism song, Wake Up Manchester, You're Dead, on a Creation compilation from 1991 called American Pensioners On Ecstasy. However, I've found Assassination Of Liberty, the penultimate track on Side 1 of their album, a rather lovely 45-second piano piece by Duffy.

 

It was only when reading the social media tributes that I realised that Martin had also released a solo album in 2014 called Assorted Promenades. I've not heard any of the other tracks yet, but this is another rather wonderful song called Snowbound. If this hasn't been used on a soundtrack yet, it certainly should be. 

More Primal Scream to close the tribute. Hammond Connection was a B-side to Burning Wheel in 1997, Duffy letting rip to glorious effect. In 2000, The Revenge Of The Hammond Connection backed the Kill All Hippies single, in anything upping the ante. Homage, pastiche, call it what you like, but for me it typifies the unique and irreplaceable quality that Martin brought to any song he played on.

 

A tragic loss at only 55 years old, but what an incredible legacy remains. Rest in peace, Martin.