The End Of The End Of Year Lists

In my final post of 2024, I have taken another look at the Dubhed Top 20 most popular posts. As with 2023's list, these are in descending order to manufacture some countdown tension, again with a few video inserts at various points. Or you can scroll down the page to see what's at #1...

The spread is more uneven is more uneven this year - January and October are the most popular months, April not far behind. March, June to August and, perhaps less surprisingly, December don't even get a look in at the Top 20. My Dubhed selections feature in just over half of the Top 20, which is good to see.

January's birthday nod to Susanna Hoffs hit the mark and was well inside the Top 10 for most of the year, only dipping out when posts from the last few months starting climbing up. Jesse Fahnestock also scores a triple whammy, with Jezebell and 10:40 respectively.

 

Sadly, too many obituaries this year, the tributes to J. Saul Kane, Chris Cross of Ultravox and Keith LeBlanc being particularly well received, even though the news of their passing wasn’t.

 

And two comebacks also attracted a lot of attention, one very welcome (The Cure, crashing into the Top 10 in October) and one very much the opposite (#15 in November).

 

I'm delighted that this year's #1 featured what for me is the best album of the year, in any category or genre.

In case you missed them first time around, click on the titles for the original post. Dubhed selection links have also been restored, where appropriate. When you get to #1, go and read my review of the album, posted shortly after I played it for the first time, then you'll understand why there was never any doubt in my mind. Happily, as the most visited post in 2024, it seems that you all agree.

Thanks so much for your support this year. I love writing this blog, but your comments, suggestions and gentle editing corrections give me the motivation to keep writing, keep wanting to do better and, in simple terms, give a shout out for all those talented people whose passion to create music inspires me every day.

Have a great New Year's Eve and best wishes for a brilliant 2025. I'll be here as usual tomorrow.

 

20) Roll With Me 'Til The Sun Dips Low (Khruangbin) (18th October)

19) Swallow It Up (Lee 'Scratch' Perry) (1st October)

18) If Ever The Devil Was Born Without A Pair Of Horns, It Was You Jezebell, It Was You (Jezebell) (5th May)

17) I'm On Fire, Boss! (Bruce Springsteen covers) (19th January)

16) These Things That Stir Me Will Not Deter Me (Jo Bartlett) (7th February)

 

15) Who Is More Fascist? The Fascist? Or The Fascist Who Follows Him? (7th November)

14) Les Disques Du Crépuscule En Sept Sélections Pour Sept, er, Quid (2nd May)

13) Citizen Kane (J. Saul Kane) (19th November)

12) Unplug The Jukebox (Adam & The Ants) (15th January)

11) Be Still My Beating Heart (Susanna Hoffs) (17th January)

 

10) Dubcamp Friday (4th October)

9) Name After Name After Name (Chris Cross / Ultravox) (2nd April)

8) Summer Alone (The Cure) (8th October)

7) Clues To The Edit (Jezebell) (22nd September)

6) ACT 1.5 (Massive Attack) (2nd September)

 

5) Sub Dub (African Head Charge) (20th October)

4) LeBlanc Beats (Keith LeBlanc) (5th April)

3) Chart History (Top 20 UK singles) (20th January)

2) Thousand (Dubhed's 1,000th post) (6th January)   

1) A Gift (Sounds From The Flightpath Estate) (6th April)     

When I posted the Dubhed 2023 Top 20 on 2nd January, John Medd was quick to respond with a suggestion:

 

"I know it would be like knitting fog 

but have you thought of condensing the year down 

not just into 20 posts, but 20 tracks 

- segued into a 60/70/80 minute megagmix? 

Push the boat out, 

make two sides of 40/45 mins 

and whack it out as a C90!"

I replied, filed it away and then pulled it back out of the drawer when I started this post. 21/22 tracks segued into an 85-minute mix. You can split it in half and fit onto a C90, if you don't mind some spooling at the end of Side 2. 

This selection is dedicated to John Medd (thanks for the suggestion, hope you're doing well) and Swiss Adam (not least for his contribution to this year's #1). 

 

And to everyone else, whether you're a fellow blogger (active or lapsed), commenter or silent visitor - not forgetting those lovely bots in China and South Korea - thank you again!

1) Three Rings: 10:40 ft. Emilia Harmony (2024)

2) 1000 Fahrenheit (Welsh Version): The Wedding Present (2014)

3) Camouflage (Single Version): Campbell / Mallinder / Benge (2021)

4) A Love International (Album Version): Khruangbin (2024)

5) Roll Away The Stone: Mott The Hoople (1974)

6) Hymn (Album Version): African Head Charge (1990)

7) Mega Mix (Remix By Grimm Death aka J. Saul Kane): Bomb The Bass (1988)

8) Donkey: Jezebell (2024)

9) Young Savage: Ultravox (1977)

10) Alone (Live @ BBC Radio Theatre, Broadcasting House, London): The Cure (2024)

11) ID (Unreleased early version of 'Eutopia'): Massive Attack x Young Fathers (2020)

12) (I Want To) Kill Somebody (Keith LeBlanc Mix): S*M*A*S*H (1994)

13) 100lbs Of Summer (Tricky Remix): Lee 'Scratch' Perry ft. Greentea Peng (2023)

14) Tuff Gong: Creation Rockers (2012)

15) They Don't Know (Cover of Kirsty MacColl): Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs (2013)

16) A.N.T.S.: Adam & The Ants (1981)

17) We All Need (Jezebell's Ghost Train Mix): A Certain Ratio (2024)

18) All You Fascists (Cover of 'All You Fascists Bound To Lose' by Woody Guthrie): Broken Chanter (2024)

19) I'm On Fire (Cover of Bruce Springsteen): Anna Ternheim (2023)

20) Drawing A Line (Ghost Tape No.2): Jo Bartlett (2024)

21) Smokebelch II (Khayem's Second Cut Won't Hurt At All): Andy Bell & The Sabres Of Paradise (2024)

The End Of The End Of Year Lists (1:24:50) (KF) (Mega)

(Sleeve) Notes: 

 

1) The songs by The Wedding Present, Broken Chanter and Anna Ternheim didn't respectively feature in the original posts #2, 15 and 17 but would have if I'd had the songs at the time!

 

2) Same for J. Saul Kane's brilliant Bomb The Bass megamix from 1988.

 

3) I still haven't actually bought or listened to The Cure's new album from start to finish, but I have dipped into the concert for BBC Radio 2. Isn't it wonderful?

4) You'll quickly twig that A.N.T.S. by Adam & The Ants is set to the tune of Y.M.C.A. by The Village People. And why not?

 

5) Jesse Fahnestock is not paying me to get maximum exposure in the annual Dubhed Top 20, honest.

 

6) Jesse's contribution as 10:40 to Sounds From The Flightpath Estate was released as a standalone single in the summer, which is why it's included here. The album in general was only available as a limited edition double vinyl, which sold out in (excuse the pun) record time.

7) In March 2020, during the COVID lockdown, Andy Bell was taking song requests to perform and post on YouTube. Andrew Weatherall had passed mere weeks before, and @supawide45 suggested Andy have a go at Smokebelch II in tribute to The Guv'nor. Which he did, commenting, "Makes me want to actually record an acoustic arrangement of it!"

In March 2024, after a close-to-the-wire completion and submission, Andy's recorded version of Smokebelch II was released as the closing song on Songs From The Flightpath Estate. As it was perhaps always meant to be.

I've not included Andy's 2024 version, as it's place is on the album that Swiss Adam and his Flightpath Estate colleagues poured their hearts and souls into creating. 

 

Instead, I've taken Andy's lockdown sketch, itself barely half a minute, looped and re-edited it a bit, then spliced with a section of Andrew, Jagz and Gary's Beatless Mix of Smokebelch II from 1993. It's an amateurish edit, but I think it (just about) works.         

Pleased To Meet You

No particular rhyme or reason to today's post, other than I heard all of the half dozen featured artists for the very first time in 2024. 

 

Some have been around for ages, others formed in the last few years, all are still active as far as I'm aware, hopefully with more music to come.

I've plumped for videos (and one live performance) for the simple reason that they're all fun to watch.

If you like what you see and hear, click on the artist names for their website or Bandcamp page.

 

Show Me The Lightning: Piney Gir (2024)

Wet Leg (Live @ The Night Owl, London): Gay Skeleton Club (2024)

This Is The One: Anna Ternheim (2019)

Over My: Annie Booth (2017)

Who: Ead Wood (2023)

I Have A Lot To Say: 7ebra (2022)

 

 

 

 

 

An A-Z Of 2024

The last three days of 2024 will feature more reflections and selections from what has been a really good year for music.

 

Today's selection is exactly what the post title suggests: 26 songs over 98 minutes, listed alphabetically by artist (ignoring 'A' or 'The' prefixes).

I've picked up lots of recommendations, mostly from fellow bloggers and, more recently, Bluesky, though rarely from music magazines these days. Thanks then to @marksmusic1977.bsky.social and Ernie Goggins for introducing me to Ana Lua Caiano and The Zawose Queens respectively. 

 

Mark posted Vou Ficar Neste Quadrado by Ana Lua Caiano as a contender for Album Of The Year and it's easy to hear why. Ana Lua Caiano’s debut album "melds rural Portuguese music traditions with layered vocals, synthesizers, insistent beats and field recordings", but it hits hard, takes some unexpected twists and turns, and packs a hell of a lot into less than half an hour.

As a paying Last Night From Glasgow member for the second consecutive year, I've received another steady stream of quality new releases and reissues on gorgeous vinyl, frequently in a variety of unexpected colours and hues, as well as access to dozens of albums via their digital vault.

Included in my vinyl package was Holding Up Half The Sky by Xan Tyler. Xan's got previous on this blog, notably Clarion Call, her collaborative album with Mad Professor in 2021. Holding Up Half The Sky is produced by Boo Hewerdine and immerses the listener in the "life stories of some incredible women [...] a journey shaped by adversity and challenges [and] arriving at a place they were seemingly destined for." The songcraft is superlative and a big hit with Mrs. K too.

 

I first heard Steve (A Weekend In Egham, 1996), the second album by Billy Reeves, via the LNFG digital vault shortly after it was released in the spring. I enjoyed Billy's first album very much, but this one had an immediate impact on my and over the course of the year, I have become obsessed with the album. Definitely one of my most played. 

 

The vinyl album wasn't included in my LNFG membership so of course I had to buy it. I kept meaning to write about Steve, but I procrastinated so much that Billy released two further albums since, a live set with Gavin Laird and, in November, his third solo album. I've heard the former - it's great - and the latter is on order.

 

There have been many triumphant returns for artists this year, including China Crisis and The Blow Monkeys (both also on LNFG), The The (their first album in a quarter of a century) and Ultravox, albeit via a deluxe 40th anniversary reissue of Lament and decent remixes by Steven Wilson and Moby. 

Some comebacks were a complete surprise, and exceeded all reasonable expectations. Gavin Friday's album Ecce Homo is produced by Dave Ball and is supercharged music for the heads and the hedonists. Why slow down at 65? As good as any of Gavin's previous albums, which were frankly brilliant.

 

Fluke's return seemingly came out of nowhere, Jon Fugler and Mike Tournier joined on this new adventure by the stunning vocals of Leah Cleaver. Two singles - Insanely Beautiful and Real Magnificient - and a standalone song (Jack) that are up there with their best material. The world is a better place with Fluke's music in it.

I knew of Lisa Moorish in the 1990s, though more for the pop press and tabloid features than her music. Drawn in by a David Holmes remix, the single Sylvia is a statement of intent and then some. A song about poet Sylvia Plath, set to urgent rhythms with a sublime vocal and hooky lyrics ("where do I end and you begin?"), it got my attention and Lisa's album Divine Chaos is equally worth your attention (and money). A powerful and very welcome return.

Less comeback and more career change, Dan Wainwright released the first of two solo albums this year. I was familiar with Dan's psychedelic electronica/dance/dub music and remixes. I'd also picked up on social media that he'd decided to turn away from that, learn to play the ukelele and write songs drawn deep from the soul and his lived experience. I reviewed Dan's debut back in February and I stand by every word. A shock if you're familiar with Dan's previous work, but stick with it and the songs reward with each play.

Creativity seemed to be in overdrive this year, with an astonishing quantity of quality music from Richard Norris and A Certain Ratio. Hifi Sean and David McAlmont recorded enough music for two (themed) albums and that's exactly what they've done. The first of these, Daylight, was out in August and is packed with poptastic tunes, including the anthemic Celebrate. The follow up, Twilight, is out February 2025 and, if preview single Star is anything to go by, will be as good as if not better. Truly a perfect musical partnership.

Ghost Tapes 1 To 9 by Jo Bartlett is another album that I've played repeatedly all year and it just gets better with each listen. When I posted about the album in April, I reflected on "the soundscapes that Jo has created, not least the bringing together of electronics, acoustics and voice resulting in an album that feels organic, human and warm." The songs were infused with the spirit of Jayne Casey and Nina Walsh, whilst holding their own with contemporaries Tor Maries (Billy Nomates) and Angel Olsen. In other words, right up my street.

 

I've written previously and above about the formidable talents of female artists, and today's selection includes further examples by Jane Weaver, Emily Breeze, Katy J Pearson, Eno Williams (Ibibio Sound Machine), Samantha Morton, John Glacier and Yaya Bey.

 

Producers have also, er. produced some incredible music this year. Cruelly missing from today's selection are Hugo Nicholson and David Harrow's Revolvalution or CTRL+S EDITS 2024, an album of excellent edits by Neil Parnell aka Tronik Youth.

Joe Thornally, son of legendary producer Phil, released his 5th (or 6th) album as Vegyn, The Road To Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions, in the spring. I came to Tales From The Infinite Loop or What Goes Around Comes Around by Nigel Butler via a recommendation from former bandmate and founder of theaudience, Billy Reeves. Both albums are very, very good and the latter is going on Bandcamp at the ridiculous price of 50p!

 

The Woodentops came back with a bang last year, the superb single Ride A Cloud, with a brilliant video and remixes and the promise of an album to follow. Another April release, Fruits Of The Deep, delivered far beyond the promise of the lead single, as I wrote about at the time.

I've not yet mentioned DJ Helen's inspired fusion of David Holmes' remix of Orbital's Belfast and Mike Garry's updated recording of his poem Tonight. The 4-minute version tells you what you need to know but you really need to go for the full 12-minute monty with this one. 

 

And a highlight of my many new dub purchases this year has been The Mood EP by French punnilinguists Prince François Far I and ShaYaman, available in 5 flavours, including a remix by Owl Trackers and all in tribute to Lee 'Scratch' Perry.

 

Then it's back to LNFG for Amelia Lironi and Naomi Mackay aka Quad 90, the '90' presumably referencing the year that advance single Anodyne calls to mind, not least a lost single by New Order. Not included simply to fill that difficult 'Q', I'm looking forward to their debut album in 2025.

 

Oh, and I nearly forgot Metronomy! Suffice to say, I love the Loose EP and the short, snappy, poppy collaborations, encapsulated brilliantly by Pan Amsterdam's spoken word vocals on Nice Town.

 

Finally, a very special mention for Ernie's African Odyssey over at his 27 Leggies blog, with concluded on 13th December after over 60 posts, 57 countries, 550 artists, 350 songs and 200 videos. The majority of music and artists were completely new to me, including sisters Leah and Pendo, aka The Zawose Queens, who featured when Ernie visited Tanzania in October. Maisha ("Life") is the title track of their debut album and a joyous close to today's selection. 

Note on Sunday: 

 

If you were here earlier this morning, you will have read that the majority of the above sleevenotes were to follow later, as my usual blog writing routine flexed to accommodate an extended Clan K over the festive period. 

 

Various family members left this morning, giving me some time to return to the keyboard and finish off this post. Of course, that kitchen full of dirty pans, crockery and cutlery isn't going to wash itself, so I will sign off now and be back here on Monday with another reflection on some great music this year. 

 

Casa K is well and truly back to it's chaotic norm!, and so is this blog! Thanks for sticking with me xx

 

 

1) De Cabeça Colada Ao Chão: Ana Lua Caiano (Vou Ficar Neste Quadrado)

2) I Know Who Trashed The Blue Peter Garden (Part II): Billy Reeves (Steve (A Weekend In Egham, 1996))

3) Where You Coming From (Jane Weaver Rework): A Certain Ratio (Christmasville UK EP)

4) Big Boss Man: Dan Wainwright (Dan Wainwright)

5) 1997 (Single Version): Emily Breeze (Second Rodeo EP)

6) Real Magnificent (Single Version): Fluke ft. Leah Cleaver (Real Magnificent EP)

7) Cabarotica: Gavin Friday (Ecce Homo)

8) The Show: Hifi Sean & David McAlmont (Daylight)

9) Black Notes: Ibibio Sound Machine (The Black Notes EP)

10) One In A Hundred: Jo Bartlett (Ghost Tapes 1 To 9)

11) Long Range Driver: Katy J Pearson (Someday, Now)

12) Sylvia (Radio Edit): Lisa Moorish (Sylvia EP)

13) Nice Town: Metronomy x Pan Amsterdam (Posse EP Volume 2)

14) Beginningless: Nigel Butler (Tales From The Infinite Loop or What Goes Around Comes Around)

15) Tonight In Belfast (Edit): Orbital ft. DJ Helen, David Holmes & Mike Garry (Tonight In Belfast EP)

16) The Mood (Owl Trackers Remix): Prince François Far I & ShaYaman (The Mood EP)

17) Anodyne (Radio Edit): Quad 90 (Anodyne EP)

18) A Field In Dub: Richard Norris (Oracle Sound Volume Three)

19) Broxtowe Girl: Sam Morton ft. Ali Campbell & Alabaster DePlume (Daffodils & Dirt)

20) Linoleum Smooth To The Stockinged Foot (Album Version): The The (Ensoulment)

21) Lament (Moby Remix): Ultravox (Lament (Deluxe Edition))

22) A Dream Goes On Forever: Vegyn ft. John Glacier (The Road To Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions)

23) Dream On (Album Version): The Woodentops (Fruits Of The Deep)

24) You're My Muse: Xan Tyler (Holding Up Half The Sky)

25) A Survivor's Guilt: Yaya Bey (TRAИƧA)

26) Maisha: The Zawose Queens (Maisha)

An A-Z Of 2024 (1:38:18) (KF) (Mega)

Mini Cooper

Swapping Christmas for chug, with 56 minutes of Bedford Falls Players aka Mark Cooper.

 

A trio of top notch releases from this year, remixes, re-edits and rarities from 2016 to 2022, all guaranteed to get you from a stumble to a shuffle, maybe even a shimmy.

I was a latecomer to Bedford Falls Players (I say that about a lot of artists, don't I?) but I was a swift convert, a big fan of the insistent rhythm, well-placed samples, melancholy chords and dub effects that characterise Cooper's work. 

 

I'm just about keeping up with Mark's current endeavours, whilst diving further back into the BFP catalogue, unearthing more gems along the way.

1) Chudley's Chemical Chug (Single Version): Bedford Falls Players (2016)

2) Railton Ruckus (Bedford Falls Players Remix): Rude Audio (2021)

3) Electric Loop: Bedford Falls Players (2022)

4) Simulated Emotions (Bedford Falls Players Emotive Remix): From Beyond (2021)

5) Fallen Off The Sample (Re-visited): Bedford Falls Players (2024)

6) Beautiful Chaos (Dub Mix): Bedford Falls Players (2024)

7) Face à La Mer (Bedford Falls Players Acid Re-Rub): Les Negresses Vertes (2022)

8) Agent Cooper Coffee Dreams: Bedford Falls Players (2024)

 

Mini Cooper (56:56) (KF) (Mega)

There Was A Paradise In This Island

Celebrating DJ Alfredo Fiorito, following the sad news on Christmas Eve of his passing at the age of 71 (not 1,971 as I posted yesterday!)

There are a countless number of tributes out there, so many from people who knew Alfredo, worked with him and of course experienced his passion for music through his DJ sets in Ibiza (and beyond). Frequently labelled the father (or godfather) of the Balearic Beat, his impact on dance and DJ culture in the 80s, 90s and up to the present day cannot be adequately measured.

I'm a prime example: I've never been to Ibiza, never experienced any of his DJ sets; yet, indirectly through DJs like Danny Rampling and Paul Oakenfold, who were inspired by their own visits to the island, and those early Balearic compilations, I learnt of Alfredo and his influence on not just a genre, but the art of the DJ.

 

This is one hour of music from a set at Amnesia in 1989, Alfredo dropping in Soul II Soul, Carly Simon, A Guy Called Gerald, Richie Havens, Les Negresses Vertes, Rhythim Is Rhythim, even Grandpa's Party by Monie Love. No snobbery, no boundaries, music is music. And it feels good.

 

If you can spare another hour, there's also a fascinating and lovely interview with Alfredo by Ben Turner (amongst many other things, the co-founder of Muzik magazine) at the International Music Summit in 2014. 

 

Lots to enjoy from this modest man, his voice and delivery matching the gentle and welcoming embrace of his profession, one that seems more serendipitous than planned.

Many memorable quotes, not least the one that succinctly describes Alfredo's (and any DJ worth their salt) raison d'etre: "To make them dance you have to tell them a story".

Alfredo suffered a stroke in 2021 and was no longer able to work, which led to further struggles to access health care and support himself day-to-day, leading to a fundraiser to address this. It was shameful that the island's clubs and businesses, which had - and continue - to profit from Ibiza's position didn't consistently and unconditionally rally round to support someone who had made such a significant contribution.

 

Alfredo is sadly no longer with us, but his legacy remains, continuing to inspire music into the present day. One of my firm favourites is Jezebell aka Jesse Fahnestock and Darren Bell, who have taken those Balearic elements and created something new and exciting.

 

In 2022, Jezebell released an EP called Jezebellearica Volume 1 (and yes, there was a Volume 2). The lead track is Jezebellearic, 7:43 of sheer bliss, weaving in disparate sounds from artists like Lionel Ritchie, Peter Gabriel and (I think) Prince, with samples of Alfredo from IMS 2014 floating over the top. It's utterly, utterly beautiful and a wonderful tribute to the man.

Jezebellearic appeared again on 2023's compilation Jezebellearic Beats Volume 1, which literally wore it's influences on it's sleeve and is full of similarly inspired music. Incredibly, this album - and in fact, the entire Jezebell catalogue - is available digitally on Bandcamp as a name your price purchase.

Alfredo's DJ set has ended, time to head from the club to the beach, watch the sun above the sea and sleep. 

 

Rest easy, Alfredo.

The Life And Times (Of A Man Called Terry)

 

Apologies for a typo in yesterday's post. When I wrote "be sure to drop by tomorrow for a Boxing Day special.", what I meant was "Boxing Day Specials". The Specials, that is, who top and tail today's selection.

 

More specifically, this is a nearly hour-long tribute to Terry Hall, who passed on 18th December 2022. It's hard to believe that two years have gone by.

 

Not that Terry's ever really away from my music playlists. Like the Imaginary Compilation Album that I created for The Vinyl Villain in 2021, this 13-song selection draws from Terry's rich history of bands, collaborations and solo releases, some that will be immediately familiar, other deeper cuts that you may not know. 

 

The common thread is Terry's wonderful voice, character and way with words. Every one a winner.

As an added Boxing Day treat, I've reactivated links to the aforementioned Imaginary Compilation Album, plus the companion ICA created by TVV mastermind JC following mine. I recreated the pair as four sides of faux vinyl and posted them as a tribute to Terry, on hearing the awful news of his death.

Terry, you are missed but never forgotten.

 
1) Stereotype: The Specials (1980)

2) Sugar Man (Album Version): Silent Poets ft. Terry Hall (1999)

3) Heart Of America: The Colourfield (1987)

4) Getting Over You (Album Version): Hiroshi Fujiwara ft. Terry Hall (1994)

5) Alone: Fun Boy Three ft. Bananarama (1982)

6) Love Will Keep Us Together: Terry, Blair & Anouchka (1990)

7) Sense (Album Version) (Cover of Lightning Seeds): Terry Hall (1994)

8) Problem Is (Album Version): Dub Pistols ft. Terry Hall (2001)

9) Why Should I?: Leila ft. Terry Hall & Martina Topley-Bird (2008)

10) Poems (Edit): Nearly God ft. Terry Hall & Martina Topley-Bird (1996)

11) Stand Together: Terry Hall & Mushtaq (2003)

12) Walk Into The Wind: Vegas ft. Siobahn Fahey (1992)

13) The Life And Times (Of A Man Called Depression): The Specials (2019)

1980: Stereotype EP: 1

1982: FB3: 5

1987: Deception: 3

1990: Ultra Modern Nursery Rhyme EP: 6 

1992: Walk Into The Wind EP: 12

1994: Home: 7

1994: Nothing Much Better To Do: 4 

1996: Poems EP: 10

1999: To Come...: 2

2001: Six Million Ways To Die: 8

2003: The Hour Of Two Lights: 11

2008: Blood, Looms & Blooms: 9

2019: Encore: 13

The Life And Times (Of A Man Called Terry) (56:36) (KF) (Mega)

Jesus Wept

I even surprised myself with this one.

 

A loose JC theme for today's selection, whether in the title, lyrics...or artist's initials. A forty-five minute variety show featuring some (ir)reverential tunes by several Dubhed favourites and a few first-timers.

No Christmas Day selection would be complete without Andrew Weatherall and Julian Cope. 

 

Andrew teams up with Keith Tenniswood as Two Lone Swordsmen for a brilliantly titled track from their 1999 album A Virus With Shoes. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, I've...well, basically, I've just played it in reverse. If you're a lover or hater, it'll be proof that Weatherall's music either sounds fantastic or shit, whichever direction it's played. Naturally, I'm in the former camp.

Julian gets as close as he ever will to a Christmas song with a B-side from 1988's Charlotte Anne EP and typically one of the best things he's ever written and recorded. But then, I would say that, wouldn't I?

Forget About Jesus by Swell blew me away when I first heard it on the John Peel show in 1994. For it's 30th anniversary, I've spliced together sections from the two versions that featured on the CD single back in the day to create a six-and-a-half minute extended version. Dean Kirkpatrick is co-founder Sean's dad and provides the opening and closing spoken word sections.

Add to the above, liberal helpings of The Jesus & Mary Chain, Ash, The Birthday Party and The The amongst others, and you have a treat that you can enjoy between meals without spoiling your appetite.

 

Have a great day everyone, whether you're celebrating, commiserating, isolating or entertaining. With especially big love for all those working today and tomorrow, putting others before themselves.

Thanks for dropping by, be sure to drop by tomorrow for a Boxing Day special.

 

1) Jesus Says (Album Version): Ash (1998)

2) Jesus H Christ On A Surfboard: Gary Cassin (2024)

3) Christ On A Stick: Creamboy (2020)

4) Cloned Christ On A Hover Donkey (Be Thankful) (Khayem's Crunching The Reverse Gear): Two Lone Swordsmen (2024)

5) Reverence (Album Version): The Jesus & Mary Chain (1992)

6) Forget About Jesus (Khayem's Reinterred Vocal Re-Edit): Swell ft. Dean Kirkpatrick (2024)

7) Christ Alive: The Sea Nymphs (1995)

8) The Cult Of Lord Jesus H. Christ: Alex G (2015)

9) Jesus Built My Hotrod (Short, Pusillanimous, So-They-Can-Fit-More-Commercials-On-The-Radio Edit): Ministry (1991)

10) Christ On A Bike: Thingdom (2024)

11) Big Jesus Trash Can: The Birthday Party (1982)

12) Angels Of Deception (Album Version): The The (1986)

13) Christmas Mourning (Single Version): Julian Cope (1988)

Jesus Wept (45:45) (KF) (Mega)

Up Close And Personal

Compared to the last ten years, I've seen a lot of live music this year: 17 gigs, 32 artists, countless memories of a great night out (or day, in some cases).

 

I've also missed a record number, tickets purchased but a last minute crisis or other convergence has meant not making it to the gig (though I have had a positive experience reselling tickets via Tixel).

 

And there have been a fair few, particularly those involving Clan K in whole or part, where I've missed the support act. 

 

But the gigs I've been to have all been wonderful in different ways and impossible to rank, they're all favourites to me.

Click on the individual links to read my reflections. In most cases, there was a bespoke Dubhed selection to accompany and I've reactivated the links to all, including additional selections that were linked from the original post.

January

The Clientele / Ead Wood

February

Ladyhawke / Flavia

Emily Breeze / Mumble Tide

 

March

O.M.D.

 

May

Fatoumata Diawara

A Certain Ratio / Ellen Beth Abdi

Barry Adamson / Nadine Khouri

 

July

Nile Rodgers & Chic / Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Future Islands

 

August

Massive Attack / Killer Mike / Lankum / Sam Morton / DJ Milo

 

September

Lloyd Cole (Set One & Set Two)

Ride / Junodream

Marc Almond

 

October

Misty In Roots / The Ruts DC

African Head Charge / Ink Project ft. Coreysan

Humanist

 

November 

Ibibio Sound Machine

 

 

I'd underestimated the size of the task when I started this post but, if I haven't messed up along the way, you can tap into 25 Dubhed selection and over a day's worth of continuous listening. One for Boxing Day, perhaps...?

I'm not sure that I'll be able to make it to as many gigs in 2025, though I have a couple lined up already, including John Grant in February, rescheduled from this year due to illness. 

 

The wish list is already very, very long and I'll share my experiences here, one by one.

 

This blog never sleeps, so drop by here tomorrow if you're tired of tinsel and turkey. I'm making this up as I go along, and I'll be as surprised as you are to find out what the Christmas Day post is all about...!