Birthday Boys & Girl

Birthday Boys & Girl Wandering around Gloucester last month, seeking inspiration for John Medd's photo challenge, in a side street I came across an unexpected tribute to Chris Cornell.

Chris tragically lost his life to suicide in 2017, and I guess this street art was a heartfelt if slightly hidden acknowledgement of the Chris' work with Soundgarden, Audioslave, and as a solo artist.

The photo has been sitting there patiently, waiting for it's moment. I then discovered that it would have been Chris' 61st birthday on 20th July.

I'll be straight with you: I would struggle to create a Dubhed selection tribute to Chris Cornell: I have the sum total of three songs that he's performed on, all with Soundgarden: one Beatles cover and one 2-track CD single which I only bought because there was a Moby remix on it.

But then I had a look online and realised that there are loads of musicians all sharing a birthday on 20th July. Plenty in fact to create an eclectic (though heavy on the 1980s) Dubhed selection to bring some sunshine to your Sunday.

As the idea started with Chris Cornell, it's only right that he gets to kick off proceedings. Blow Up The Outside World appeared on 1996 album Down On The Upside, and was also released a single, remaining my sole Soundgarden purchase to date.

Kim Carnes (80 today) is perhaps (in)famous for two things: 

(1) Bette Davis Eyes, her global smash single in 1981;

(2) a voice that had Bonnie Tyler reaching to offer her packet of sore throat lozenges.

An acquired taste perhaps, but Kim was an accomplished singer/songwriter through the 1970s. Today's pick was the opening song on eighth album Café Racers. I haven't seen the video but it apparently features Ian McShane. He's got some CV, hasn't he?!

Carlos Santana (78) has recorded a gazillion albums (at least) and collaborated with at least as many artists in a long and illustrious career. All of which is poorly represented in my music collection. I have ten times more songs by Jesus Jones than Santana, for pity's sake. As such, I've had to resort to a 21st century re-rub of classic song Black Magic Woman by Mojo Filter, although I have to say that I like it very much.

I had it on good authority (well, This Day In Music) that it was Jem Finer's 70th birthday today. On checking Discogs and Iffpedia for my half-baked research, it appears that it's not until Friday (25th). As I'd already recorded and uploaded today's selection when I discovered this, I've decided that it's perfectly fine to celebrate early in Jem's case. After all, any day is a good day to listen to The Pogues...

The same could be said of JoBoxers, though sadly fewer people saying it. Still, cause for celebration today as it's singer Dig Wayne (Timothy Wayne Ball to his mum) who is marking 63 orbits of the sun. Well, if t'internet can be trusted, that is. Boxer Beat was a Top 3 UK hit in 1983, but I was also a big fan of follow up, Just Got Lucky. Ironically, I found out that I won a Lucky Dip in Saturday's Lotto. I'm listening to How To Be A Millionaire by ABC next weekend.

These days, Jim Irvin's name pops up in the pages of Mojo magazine and in songwriting credits for artists ranging from Unloved to Yungblud. In July 1986, Jim was front person with Furniture, singing Brilliant Mind on kids' TV show Razzmatazz. They had some great songs, including Love Your Shoes, presented here in it's expanded 12" single glory. Jim is 66 today... I think (that Jem Finer birth date stitch up has scarred me).

The Seatlle Grunge Scene in the 1990s shone a spotlight on Soundgarden. And Pearl Jam. I'm not a fan, though I seem to have a surprising number of odds and sods on the hard drive. It turns out that Chris Cornell is not the only Grunge guru to have a birthday on 20th July; it's also guitarist Stone Gossard's 59th. Thankfully for him - and therefore us - he's recorded music with Ani DeFranco, including the rather good single, Disorders, in 2022.

There's always a good reason to feature Talk Talk on this blog, and today's reason is that it's drummer Lee Harris' 63rd birthday. Last year, Lee lent his percussion and production skills to Beth Gibbons' superb album, Lives Outgrown, having previously worked with her on his .O.Rang project with Paul Webb. Today's pick is an obscure Talk Talk B-side, though typically one of their best songs.

Michael MacNeil (67 today) was keyboard player with Simple Minds from 1978 to 1990 co-writing many of the songs that propelled the band into global success and the "big music". So, I've unintentionally picked a song from 1979 album Life In A Day, which he didn't have a hand in writing. But his playing is a standout.

By adding Juke Box Jive to my collection especially so that I could include it in this selection, I've increased the number of songs by The Rubettes by a whopping 100%. I think you can guess what the other one is. Singer and guitarist Tony Thorpe is 78 today.

Bringing this birthday bash to a close is John Lodge, celebrating 80 years, many of them with The Moody Blues. I've opted for one of his solo outings, from his 1977 album Natural Avenue. Despite having the same title as the Isley Brothers' 1974 hit, Summer Breeze failed to replicate their success for John when it was released as a single. The UK public were more interested in Donna Summer, Hot Chocolate and Boney M...

So, eleven artists, one sadly no longer with us, ten with plenty of cause for celebration.

Here's to you (deep breath), Chris, Kim, Carlos, Jem (for Friday), Dig, Jim, Stone, Lee, Michael, Tony and John!

1) Blow Up The Outside World (Album Version): Soundgarden (1996)

2) You Make My Heart Beat Faster (And That's All That Matters) (Dance Mix By Rusty Garner): Kim Carnes (1983)

3) Black Magic Woman (Mojo Filter Smoke & Mirrors Remix By Ben Zaven Crane): Santana (2015)

4) Streams Of Whiskey (Album Version By Stan Brennan): The Pogues (1984)

5) Just Got Lucky (12" Version By Alan Shacklock): JoBoxers (1983)

6) Love Your Shoes (Expanded Mix By Mick Glossop): Furniture (1986)

7) Disorders (Single Version): Stone Gossard & Ani DiFranco (2022)

8) Pictures Of Bernadette (7" Version By Tim Friese-Greene): Talk Talk (1986)

9) All For You: Simple Minds (1979)

10) Juke Box Jive (Album Version By Wayne Bickerton): The Rubettes (1974)

11) Summer Breeze (Album Version By Tony Clarke): John Lodge (1977)

1974: We Can Do It: 10

1977: Natural Avenue: 11

1979: Life In A Day: 9

1983: Just Got Lucky EP: 5

1983: You Make My Heart Beat Faster (And That's All That Matters) EP: 2

1984: Red Roses For Me: 4

1986: Give It Up EP: 8

1986: Love Your Shoes EP: 6

1996: Down On The Upside: 1

2015: AOR Disco Vintage Edits Vol. 4: 3

2022: Disorders EP: 7

Birthday Boys & Girl (53:06) (GD) (M)