Tinkling The Ivories

Whether it's 'tinkling' or 'tickling' seems to depend on where you live, but in this neck of the woods, it's always been 'tinkle'. And in my experience, there has never been any confusion with the other application of 'tinkle', resulting in riotous scenes of grown men pissing on pianos with impunity.

But I digress. Today's selection collects thirteen songs that prominently feature the piano, although I suspect that some of you may also consider it's a lot of piss.

To focus my attention, I imposed three basic criteria:

1) songs released between 1968 and 1979;

2) UK Top 20 singles only; and

3) one song per artist or band.

Much as I'm happy to listen to Metal Machine Music, Throbbing Gristle or Coil, I am also not adverse to music that Mama and Papa K would find more palatable. I don't own a single album by Cat Stevens, Elton John, Supertramp, Billy Joel or Gilbert O'Sullivan. The Beatles and David Bowie are very well represented in my collection; Aretha,  Carole and Carly less so. However, they all have a place in today's lucky 13.

I decided to beat the Monday blues by booking today as holiday. In reality, I think this will just mean that Tuesday will feel like Monday at work, though I will have a shorter week to compensate.

And how will I be spending my precious day off? Replacing a toilet seat and some wall tiles, painting a door, and cancelling my credit card as some b'stard nicked my details and treated themselves to Dominos pizza and Uber rides in London at the weekend. 

What a rock and roll lifestyle I lead...!

1) Lady Madonna: The Beatles (1968) (#1)

2) I Say A Little Prayer (Cover of Dionne Warwick): Aretha Franklin (1968) (#4)

3) Killer Queen: Queen (1974) (#2)

4) Something In The Air: Thunderclap Newman (1969) (#1)

5) Morning Has Broken: Cat Stevens (1972) (#9)

6) Life On Mars?: David Bowie (1971) (#3, July 1973)

7) It's Too Late: Carole King (1971) (#6)

8) You're So Vain: Carly Simon (1972) (#3)

9) Your Song: Elton John (1970) (#4)

10) The Logical Song: Supertramp (1979) (#7)

11) Without You (Cover of Badfinger): Nilsson (1971) (#1)

12) Just The Way You Are: Billy Joel (1977) (#19, Feb 1978)

13) Alone Again (Naturally): Gilbert O'Sullivan (1972) (#3)

1968: Aretha Now: 2

1968: Lady Madonna EP: 1

1969: Hollywood Dream: 4

1970: Elton John: 9

1971: Hunky Dory: 6

1971: Nilsson Schmilsson: 11

1971: Tapestry: 7

1971: Teaser And The Firecat: 5

1972: Alone Again (Naturally) EP: 13

1972: No Secrets: 8

1974: Sheer Heart Attack: 3

1977: The Stranger: 12

1979: Breakfast In America: 10

Tinkling The Ivories (47:38) (GD) (M)

Guitar Man

Celebrating Steve Cropper, 21st October 1941 to 3rd December 2025.

As much as any hits-packed soul compilation will feature Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin and Sam & Dave, check the credits and you'll also find Steve has either co-written or played on it.

If you're of a certain age however, then like me your first exposure to Steve's brilliance will have been the 1980 classic movie The Blues Brothers. 

Dan and John aside, I thought Steve looked super cool in that film and whilst in latter years, he went on to sport one of the worst beards in barbering history, his songwriting and guitar prowess is untouchable.

And in print and audio interviews, Steve came across as a genuinely lovely and modest man, as well as a supreme talent. Steve may have worked with some of the greatest artists on the planet, but it was clearly reciprocal,

The only difficulty in pulling together a selection in tribute to Steve was keeping it to 10 songs. So, there's 11, with apologies for the many, many that I've left off. 

No thanks to me, but I reckon this is probably the best half hour of music you'll hear today.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Steve.

1) Hold On I'm Coming: Sam & Dave (1968)

2) Think: Aretha Franklin (1980)

3) Knock On Wood: Eddie Floyd (1966)

4) Time Is Tight: Booker T. & The MG's (1969)

5) (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay: Otis Redding (1968)

6) Femme Fatale (Cover of The Velvet Underground): Big Star (1975)

7) In The Midnight Hour: Wilson Pickett (1968)

8) Soul Man: Sam & Dave (1968)

9) Green Onions: Booker T. & The MG's (1968)

10) 634-5789 (Soulsville, USA): Eddie Floyd (1966)

11) Gimme Some Lovin' (Cover of The Spencer Davis Group): The Blues Brothers (1980)

Guitar Man (32:04) (GD) (M)

A Long Soulful Sunday

Ooops, sorry, more like a late soulful Sunday...

I hope this makes up for the later than usual post.

Happy Sunday, everyone!

 

1) Let 'Em In (DJ Reverend P Edit By Patrice Larrar) (Cover of Wings): Billy Paul (2016)

2) When Love Begins Friendship Ends: Bobby Womack (1978)

3) Bridge Over Troubled Water (Live @ Fillmore West Concert Hall, San Francisco) (Cover of Simon & Garfunkel): Aretha Franklin (1971)

4) Living For The City: Stevie Wonder (1973)

5) Let The Drums Speak (mass Thomas Edit): Bah Samba (2023)

6) Funkier Than A Mosquito's Tweeter (Album Version): Nina Simone (1974)

7) It Won't Be Long (Late Show, Live @ Fillmore East, New York): Sly & The Family Stone (1968) 

8) Make Me Say It Again Girl (Part 1 & 2): The Isley Brothers (1975)

9) Keep On Keeping On (Album Version): Curtis Mayfield (1971)

1971: Aretha Live At Fillmore West: 3

1971: Roots: 9

1973:Innervisions: 4

1974: It Is Finished: 6

1975: The Heat Is On: 8

1978: Pieces: 2

2004: Thee Encyclopedia Of Ecstacy: 7

2016: The Legacy Of Soul: 1

2023: Let The Drums Speak EP: 5

A Long Soulful Sunday (1:00:47) (KF) (Mega)

#InspireInclusion

Celebrating International Women's Day and Carole Bayer Sager, who is marking 80 years on this planet, most of which have been spent providing us with wonderful songs.

 

For obvious reasons, I'm going to skip her marriage to Burt Bacharach and unforgettable hits like A Groovy Kind Of Love, When I Need You and Arthur's Theme and dozens of other global smashes that she has written and produced. Instead, six selections from iconic women, including herself.

 

For obvious reasons, today's post is for Mrs. K and Lady K. 

I'd also like to dedicate it to Alyson and C. I was late to discovering What's It All About? and Sun Dried Sparrows in the musical blogosphere and both have been an inspiration on so many levels since. Thank you!

 

Heartbreaker: Dolly Parton (1978)

Nobody Does It Better: Carly Simon (1977)

Break It To Me Gently: Aretha Franklin (1977)

Need A Little Faith: Patti LaBelle (1989)

One Hello: Randy Crawford (1982)

I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love: Carole Bayer Sager (1977)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer's End Gathered In The Dampened Grass

Even further back today, with some heavy hitters from 1967 to 1969. Aretha! Beatles! Stones! Marvin! Bowie! Byrds! Monkees! Scott! Jimi! And more, much more.

 

Before I go into that though, a few words about today's photo, which was taken during a visit to Oceanogràfic València on day 2 of the recent Clan K tour. Billed as the largest aquarium in Europe, we spent a full seven or eight hours there and even that wasn't enough. I have mixed feelings about places such as these. I recognise the important conservation work and protection of endangered species. At the same, I feel utterly heartbroken that there are sentient creatures who, no matter how 'big' the space or millions of gallons of water used are still confined and caged. It was simultaneously an enlightening and enervating experience. In an ideal world, places like this wouldn't need to exist.

Back to today's selection, I originally had in mind a relaxed, acoustic heavy set but that kind of went off track as soon as I picked the delightfully unsettling Oleh Oleh Bandu Bandong by Kevin Ayers as the opening song. Choosing to follow it up with Aretha Franklin's cover of I Say A Little Prayer and there was no turning back.

 

Most of these songs will be familiar by virtue of being stone cold classics but I've lobbed a few rarities in to spice things up. 

Get Behind Me is lifted from Scott 4, Mr. Engel's first album entirely featuring his own songs and one which I only heard for the first time in 2018. Very, very late to discovering this but wow, what an album.

 

Time And Time Again by The Monkees was a 'lost' song originally recorded for the album Changes but unused and unreleased until the Missing Links compilation in 1988. I first heard it tucked away on the limited edition 2CD of The Definitive Monkees, a 60-track budget price treasure trove released in 2001. Time And Time Again is essentially Davy Jones solo with a team of session musicians. Peter Tork had left at this stage and the three remaining Monkees were recording their own songs separately.

The version of Little Doll by The Stooges featured here is the original mix by John Cale featured as a compare-and-contrast re-release of their eponymous debut album in 2005. Much as a I love the original, there's a charm and grit to these alternate versions too.

 

Dandelion by The Rolling Stones was originally the B-side of We Love You. The original single version featured an outro of the latter A-side, which has been edited from most of it's subsequent compilation appearances, including the one I own. None of that detracts from the song's general brilliance, though. And a mere B-side!!

The Innocence was the studio creation of songwriters Pete Andreoli (Pete Anders) and Vini Poncia, who released a handful of singles and a self-titled album in 1967. Vini co-wrote and appeared on five of Ringo Starr's solo albums in the 1970s and co-wrote Kiss' disco-rock classic, I Was Made For Lovin' You.

The Beatles and David Bowie seemed liked obvious companions and a natural way to close this selection, which ventured way off from my original idea but hey, that was the Sixties man, go with the flow.

More attempts to fake that I have a clue what I'm doing tomorrow. Stay tuned!

 

1) Oleh Oleh Bandu Bandong (Album Version By Kevin Ayers & Peter Jenner): Kevin Ayers (1969)

2) I Say A Little Prayer (Album Version By Burt Bacharach & Hal David) (Cover of Dionne Warwick): Aretha Franklin (1968)

3) Get Behind Me (Album Version By John Franz): Scott Walker (1969)

4) Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Album Version By Harvey Fuqua & Johnny Bristol): Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell (1967)

5) Time And Time Again ('Changes' Session Outtake): The Monkees (1969)

6) This Wheel's On Fire (Cover of Bob Dylan & The Band): The Byrds (1969)

7) Little Doll (Original John Cale Mix): The Stooges (1969)

8) Come On (Let The Good Times Roll): The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1968)

9) Dandelion (Single Version By Andrew Loog Oldham) (Edit): The Rolling Stones (1967)

10) All I Do Is Think Of You: The Innocence (1967)

11) Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (Album Version By George Martin): The Beatles (1967)

12) Memory Of A Free Festival (Album Version By Tony Visconti): David Bowie (1969)

 

1967: The Innocence: 10

1967: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band: 11

1967: United: 4

1968: Aretha Now: 2 

1968: Electric Ladyland: 8

1969: Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde: 6

1969: Joy Of A Toy: 1

1969: Scott 4: 3

1969: Space Oddity: 12

1988: Missing Links: 5

2005: The Stooges (Expanded Edition): 7

2007: Rolled Gold +: The Very Best Of The Rolling Stones (Expanded Edition): 9

 

Summer's End (45:05) (KF) (Mega)

I Think The Melody On The Box Will Explain

It's Friday and time to take a trip back to 1973 and (a smidge over) half an hour of pop, rock, funk and soul for all you hell raisers and all you natural born ravers!

 

Many of these I grew up with, others I discovered as a keen record-buying adult, the rest found in the last decade and a half thanks to all you wonderful people out in the blogosphere. 

Only my opinion but all killer, no filler? I think so.

Bring on the weekend!

1) If I Were Only A Child Again: Curtis Mayfield

2) Lend A Hand: Bobby Hutton

3) Hell Raiser (Single Version): The Sweet

4) Angel (Album Version): Aretha Franklin

5) Skin I'm In: Sly & The Family Stone

6) The Love I Lost (Part 1) (Single Version): Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes 

7) I Won't Step On Your Shoes: Barnaby Bye

8) Watch That Man: David Bowie

9) I Want To Be Free: Hot Chocolate

10) Hercules (Single Version): Aaron Neville

Melody On The Box (32:43) (Box) (Mega)

Waiting, Hoping And Longing

Where has the week gone?! It seems like the weekend was only a day or so ago and yet here we are, about to enter another. Is it a summer thing? As a kid, the summer felt properly long; these days, May to September seems to pass by in a blur with little to show for it. Well, apart from this blog, which at least is some evidence that I haven't slept through the last week (except for Tuesday, that is).

In an attempt to break the cycle of inertia let's, as Dame Shirley Bassey once urged, get this party started. Although I think P!NK may have got it started first. 

Today's selection doesn't feature P!NK (Darn the upper case and inverted i... or is it an exclamation mark? But I digress). Stick around though and Dame Shirley does show up for the finale.

The general theme of this mixtape is iconic female singers from the 1940s to the 1970s given the 21st century (mostly) remix treatment. Upbeat, downtempo, scratches, itches, phat beats, flat beats, nothing detracts from the huge voices on show here.

 

1) "Murder" He Says (Remix By James Hardway aka David Harrow): Dinah Shore (2004)

2) Walk On By (Mojo Filter Fly-By Re-Love) (Remix By Ben Zaven Crane): Dionne Warwick (2012)

3) Where Is Love? (Remix By James Hardway aka David Harrow): Lena Horne (2004)

4) Rock Steady (Sure Is Pure Remix By Danny Spencer & Kelvin Andrews): Aretha Franklin (1994)

5) A-Tisket A-Tasket (Remix By James Hardway aka David Harrow): Ella Fitzgerald (2004)

6) O-o-h Child (Nickodemus Remix By Nick DeSimone): Nina Simone (2007)

7) I Cover The Waterfront (Remix By James Hardway aka David Harrow): Billie Holiday (2004)

8) Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby? (Rae & Christian Remix By Mark Rae & Steve Christian): Dinah Washington (2002)

9) Goldfinger (Propellerheads Mix By Alex Gifford & Will White): Shirley Bassey (2000)

10) [applause]* 

* completely out of step with the rest of the selection, the crowd noise has been lifted from a 2014 performance of Sister Ray by John Cale & The Drone Orchestra.

1994: Rock Steady EP: 4

2000: The Remix Album...Diamonds Are Forever: 9

2002: Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby? EP: 8

2004: Ladies Of Jazz Remixed: 1, 3, 5, 7

2007: Remixed & Reimagined: 6

2012: AOR Disco Vintage Edits Vol. 2: 2

Waiting, Hoping And Longing (45:58)