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)

Falke Music

Fred Falke's guaranteed to bring a little uplift to any song, often creating a pleasing tension with the melancholy lyrics and vocals. This is a selection of his earlier remixes, initially with fellow French DJ Alan Braxe. 10 remixes, 10 years, 1 per year. As Kelis so succinctly puts in Bossy, "uh uh, watch the beat go".

 

1) Sunny Days (Fred Falke Remix): Patterns (2013)

2) Bossy (Alan Braxe & Fred Falke Remix): Kelis ft. Too $hort (2016)

3) Heavy Cross (Fred Falke Remix): Gossip (2009)

4) Good Morning To The Night (Fred Falke Club Mix): Elton John vs Pnau (2012)

5) Take It Like A Man (Alan Braxe & Fred Falke Remix): Dragonette (2007)

6) Holler (Fred Falke Remix - Extended): Rebecca & Fiona (2014)

7) The Look (Fred Falke Remix): Metronomy (2011)

8) Black History Month (Alan Braxe & Fred Falke Remix): Death From Above 1979 (2005)

9) Dancing On My Own (Fred Falke Extended): Robyn (2010)

10) Golden Cage (Fred Falke Remix): The Whitest Boy Alive (2008)

 

Falke Music 2005-2014 (1:08:14)