I didn't set out for Elvis Fridays to be a request feature, but neither am I going to turn them away, since it saves me having to do much thinking, which is problematic at the best of times, but lately...
Anyway, John Medd has an appropriate suggestion to kick us off this week...
I'd like to think you can find room in your heart for Dread Zeppelin - fronted, as I'm no doubt you're aware, by Tort Elvis.
A seamless merge of Heartbreak Hotel with Led Zeppelin's Heartbreaker. Great stuff - just what this feature (and my doctor ordered) for turning my Friday frown upside down. Where have they been all my life?
And if that weren't enough, here's Rigid Digit again - clearly not content with Guest Posting yesterday, he wants to make it two days in a row...
He's sort of doing what you would think Elvis in the 90s/00s would've done - taking popular songs of the moment and Elvis-ifying them. Whole Lotta Rosie - Pretty Vacant - Come As You Are - Sweet Home Alabama - Take Me Home Country Roads (to name but 5).
Now this guy I do remember, and I even have a copy of his 1998 debut album Gravelands, from which comes this...
OK, what about that other Elvis?
My favourite Costello album is Punch The Clock. It's a little less bitter than the albums that preceded it... and a little less clever than the albums that would follow it. It's rarely cited by critics as one of his best, probably because the production by Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley pitched Elvis closer to the pop arena (of 1983, at least) than ever before or after.
Lyrically though, this is Costello at the height of his pun-pop powers as far as I'm concerned...
I was committed to life and then commuted to the outskirts
With all the love in the world
Living for thirty minutes at a time with a break in the middle for adverts
But it's a wonderful world within these cinema walls
Where a shower of affection becomes Niagara Falls
And you wish she could step down from the screen to your seat in the stalls
But if stars are only painted on the ceiling above
Then who can you turn to and who do you love
I want to get out while I still can
I want to be like Harry Houdini
Now I'm the invisible man
My head is spinning round faster and faster
Here I stand on the edge of disaster
I'm shattered like a piece of crystal porcelain or alabaster
Crowds surround loudspeakers hanging from the lampposts
Listening to the murder mystery
Meanwhile someone's hiding in the classroom
Forging books of history
Never mind there's a good film showing tonight
Where they hang everyone everybody who can read and write
Oh that could never happen here... but then again it might.
Those last couple of lines seem more appropriate now than they were back then.
As for the other guy... well, I've posted a couple of tracks from his later years over the last couple of weeks, so it seems an appropriate time to go back to the beginning. Here's his debut single, from early 1954, when rock 'n' roll was just getting going. His voice changed a lot over the years, but the purity was there from the beginning. The song was originally recorded 8 years earlier by Arthur "Big Boy" Crudrup, although certain of the lyrics were originally written and recorded by Blind Lemon Jefferson back in 1926. Elvis always was a big music fan.
We have a new guest this week on Guest Post Thursday - our old friend Rigid Digit, and even better... it's his round! Take it away, RD...
3 months of Lockdown hasn’t actually been as bad as
initially feared.
Work continues, buying music continues unabated.And after early difficulties, shopping, beer
and spirits, and a selection of snacks (including Frazzles, Pork Scratchings,
and Ritz Crackers) continue to arrive at my home.
As advised, daily exercise involves a 30 or 60 minute walk
around the local area.12 years I’ve
lived here, and I’ve discovered new roads, paths, and houses I never knew
existed.
One such walk, on a warm evening, concluded with a walk up
the hill towards home and past the local Pub.
It was at that point it hit me – “I could murder a Pint”
Yes, I can imbibe at home – but the sitting in a Pub nursing
a Pint of frothing ale is but a dream at this time.
The potential easing of restrictions suggests Pubs and
Restaurants may be opening soon, but until that time when I/We can enter the
local hostelry again, here are 10 Boozy Based Tracks to keep the Spirits up (do you see what I did there?)
Bad Manners did a sort of Two Tone Ska thing with added
Music Hall.Buster Bloodvessel’s gurning
upped the comedy angle, as did frequent appearances on Tiswas.
This track may not be strictly “about” booze, but namechecks Lemmy’s favourite
drink (after Jack Daniels), and is one their very best.
Straight out of Canvey Island, plying no nonsense R&B,
and you wouldn’t want to start a fight with any of them.A supposed autobiographical tale of
songwriters Nick Lowe and Gypie Mayo consuming too many Kahlua based drinks at
a John Lee Hooker show.
Despite having no original members, Dr Feelgood continue to
tour to this day – and a thoroughly great show is guaranteed
The Irish do like a drink (apparently), and it would take
about a month to complete a Pub Crawl in Dublin’s Temple Bar (you may also need
a second mortgage).Those in the North
are equally thirsty too.In my
experience they also have some of the most welcoming Pubs I’ve ever been in.
The Who By Numbers isn’t a bad album, just often forgotten
in the pantheon of ‘Oo greats.
OK – it’s a patchy album.After Who’s Next and Quadrophenia they just sound a bit laboured in
places.But the good outweighs the not
so good, and is ripe for re-discovery.
This track deals with the darker side, and catalogues Pete
Townsend's experiences and reasons for giving up the demon drink.
There are 9 official albums in The Doors catalogue – I
reckon all you need is the debut (from which this track is lifted) and The Best
Of The Doors, and you’re pretty much covered.
Also, this track is apparently responsible for Status Quo’s
change in style from psychedelic pop to heads down no nonsense mindless boogie
This track is never less than an absolute joy.Jangling guitars, speedy delivery (all done
and dusted in under 2 and a half minutes), and a video featuring
mad/uncomfortable dancing, a claymation sequence, and a cameo from Phill
Jupitus.
He drinks a Whiskey drink, he drinks a Vodka drink
He drinks a Lager drink, he drinks a Cider drink
And somehow this song escaped the BBC censors with the line
“pissing the night away” – George Formby’s harmless, but suggestive, “With My
Little Stick of Blackpool Rock" gets banned, but a song about alcohol
abuse containing a naughty word is absolutely fine.
Fresh over from Ireland, the band need a hit single to repay
Decca’s faith.They deliver a re-working
of an old folk song, hit the top 10.It
gets too much for Eric Bell who goes back home, but Phil Lynott gets a taste of
Rock & Roll lifestyle and a legend is born.
10. Underworld – Born Slippy
Lager, Lager, Lager …
Thanks, RD... I've long thought of doing a similar Top 10 myself, but was always crushed by the sheer weight of drinking songs available. Good to see my beloved whiskey well-represented, even though I haven't touched a drop in 20 years. (Can it really be that long?) RD also had quite a few leftovers in his list, so maybe I can persuade him back for a volume 2. Or perhaps you fancy a go at compiling your own drinking Top Ten. As always, the door is open for anyone on Guest Post Thursdays, and as I speak, there's a blank space in the diary next week...
There's a lot of talk at the moment about us "coming out" of lockdown, about "easing restrictions" and things getting back to "normal". But apart from all those idiots flocking to Brighton beach (other beaches full of idiots also apply), do any of you really feel like anything is "easing"?
There's still paranoia and mistrust in the face of strangers. Everyone still gives you a wide berth and apologises or look away in the other direction when you pass them (apart from the idiots who blithely carry on as always). Yes, I'm taking Sam to school, but it's not real school, and there's no after-school club so I still have to pick him up at 3. And most people are still working from home. We thought we'd all be back in college come the end of August, but that's looking less likely by the day... and the thought of working from home for much longer... well, they'll have me in a padded cell soon enough.
On Monday evening I stopped off at one of the bigger supermarkets, one I haven't been to since before lockdown started, once I used to take Sam to on Friday afternoons for his tea before I took him swimming. That brought it home to me: the time before vs. the time now.
I don't take Sam swimming on a Friday night anymore. We don't stop off at the Morrison's cafe for a crappy kids' meal and a decaf all-you-can-drink coffee. (After 3, I limit myself to decaf.) I don't take him to Little Strikers football practice on a Saturday morning and stop at the big Tesco for the papers before taking him to his grandad and grandma's for lunch. I can't remember the last time I was in a play centre... by the time they open again, he'll probably be too big for them. He'd have finished Little Strikers this summer anyway. We won't get to say goodbye and thank you to his coach who plays for the England under-19s team, who at the very last session was reduced to giving the kids an elbow bump rather than a high five.
I realise that many people have lost so much more of the past few months so this isn't a 'woe is me' post by any means. But the little things, the ordinary, everyday, every week things you took granted... sometimes you fool yourself into forgetting that they're all gone and they won't be back any time soon, no matter how much they tell us the restrictions are being "eased". Because that's all just smoke and mirrors, and nobody really know when or even if "normal" will be back. They just don't want us all going mad at the prospect of an indefinite hiatus...
Here's a song that always makes me feel a little better...
"TV theme from the late 60s series about three 'swinging chicks' sharing a groovy pad in London."
I'm too young to remember that, but I bet it was groovy.
OK, deep breath everybody... here comes The Swede!
(I should add that I have edited The Swede's list this week, but only to remove the Christmas songs, because we're about as far away from Christmas as it is possible to get.)
More of an instrumental break, really, but I do love the album this comes from. I am not going to allow you The Stand Ins, Two & One over the next two weeks though.
You might not expect it of me, but I always loved the KLF. While most other dance music in the late 80s / early 90s made me want to put my head in the oven, Bill Drummond always made me smile.
I'll go for anything off Squeeze's Packet of 3 EP, though 'Cat on a Wall' would be my lead track. Doesn't count, you say? Breaking some sort of code violation? Can't you invoke a Mornington Crescent style override? Go on, you know you want to!
With only two weeks (three if I can be bothered with a zero postscript - the jury's still out) left, I'm feeling charitable.
By the way, if anyone wants to know what my hair looks like in Week 732 of Lockdown, I suggest you take a look at Tony Orlando in that video. I keep my chest hair under wraps though.
I also think that video was shot in Greenhead Park in Huddersfield.
All of which brings us to Douglas, who's still smarting that I compared one of his suggestions last time to his less than distinguished countrymen, Nickelback...
I will start by facetiously suggesting for your consideration a trinity of provocative suggestions that are designed to get revenge for your Nickelback allusion of last week, which on behalf of all Canadians I express offence taken at (but you knew that was coming because you were already ducking):
U2 - The Three Sunrises (who of course also have an album entitled "Three", don't they? Sure to get them extra points...)
Looked all over for that one, but couldn't find a link anywhere. It wasn't in my garbage disposal unit or the u-bend on my toilet, which seemed the most obvious places to look.
That, on the other hand, I had to look for, just to confirm my worst fears. On the positive side, the clip I found was less than a minute long and sing sang for almost half that time.
(I should clarify at this point that I don't hate Sting in the same way as I hate Bonio and The Hedge. I liked many Police songs and even the occasional sing solo tune - I featured my favourite in this week's Saturday Snapshots. Despite that, he's too easy a target for mockery.)
Oh, and in case you were wondering, here's another clip that's less than a minute long...
Phil Collins - Three Brothers(from Disney's Brother Bear soundtrack, no less, though sadly Phil does not actually sing on this one)
I'm sure many people will take issue with your use of the word 'sadly' there, Douglas... but anyway, onto your proper suggestions. Now you've had your revenge...
Now that I have got that off my chest,with greater seriousness, I would offer you a few better selections from what my hard drive pulled up in the following:
For those who do not know this last band, but may be fans of the late Lucksmiths, check them out. They are three of the four original band in Marty Donald, Mark Monnone and Louis Richter but with Noah Symons newly added on the drums. They have a more lo-fi chaotic sound than the polished harmonies of the Lucksmiths, but much of the same sophisticated and wry lyrics. Interesting.
You all realise at this point that I need to invite Douglas to contribute a Guest Post Thursday sometime soon, don't you? (Not just to stop him adding to my workload on the Hot 100, because, let's face it, there's only a couple of weeks of that remaining.)
Then, of course, the Canadian in me, still smarting from the mention of Chad Kroeger, would like to represent our country a lot more palatably with the consideration of:
(And while I'm cross-promoting, you should have been here a couple of Saturdays ago, Douglas, when it took everyone a bloody long time to guess The Tragically Hip on Saturday Snapshots... even with my hilarious 'dem bones; clue.)
And if you insist on the labelling Canada with the alt-rock/alt-metal brush, we have a band called Three Days Grace you should check out. Perhaps the following, which has garnered 264 million views on Youtube, would adequately express your thoughts on the genre:
You know what, I quite liked that. Although a little bit of research revealed that their current lead singer was in another band previously who were discovered and signed by Chad Kroeger. Small world, eh?
...And just to let you know that you are doing a good service to promote great music, a couple of weeks ago, Brian suggested the song "7 Compton Street" by a group I confess to never having heard of before, Me and Dean Martin. Your comment that they sounded a lot like the Smiths intrigued me and I gave the link a listen, and rather liked the track a goodly bit, leading me to check out whatever other selections were on Youtube, and eventually ordering a copy of the album "Let's Romanticise Our Youth". The shiny piece of vinyl arrived in the mail today, and it is turning on the table as I write. Very enjoyable. So in honour of the service you are doing, I propose that the band gets a second chance at stardom, from the same LP:
And they still sound like The Smiths. But thanks again to Brian. Speaking of whom...
Thanks for taking the time to type that, Douglas. This makes my day. Some stellar threes on this list. I especially wish I had been the first to suggest Wire, Orange Juice, Ian Dury and the Selecter. My winner, as suggested by Adam, would be Television Personalities with Three Wishes. Here are a few more I like...
Are ordinal numbers a rule breaker?(If they were, a third of the songs on this list would be gone.) If not, Ramones should take this thing with 53rd and 3rd.
Sadly though, that does fall foul of The Tom Robinson Rule, which we've done pretty well to avoid breaking this far this week.
OK, that's almost it for your suggestions this week. Here's a selection from my own hard-drive not mentioned above. We'll start with a very strong contender...
Finally, I'd just like to point of that the Tom Robinson Rule has prevented this from taking the trophy both this week and next. Damn that Tom Robinson Rule!
And for that, we have to go back to Martin, who began his suggestions this week thus:
I like how you teased De La Soul in your closing line, Rol, but that's just called "The Magic Number", isn't it, so I can't pitch that one.
What Martin appears to have forgotten, however, is this...
Which is a more direct cover of the original song (that De La Soul adapted), by Bob Dorough (also suggested by The Swede), which was originally written for an educational TV show called Schoolhouse Rock...
And so this week, we have not one winner... but three. Which seems rather appropriate.
It's getting on for a decade since Kathleen Edwards packed in music and opened up a coffee shop in Ottawa to escape the strains of the music industry and her life imploding.
When I first heard her new single, from an album to be released in August, I did wonder if being forced to close up shop for lockdown had inspired her to pick up her guitar and start writing songs again. That'd make a great story, wouldn't it? As it turns out though, the album was mostly written and recorded pre-coronavirus.
Still, it's good to have Kathleen back. She's long been a favourite of mine, and she's sounding as good as ever...
(Sound philosophy too. We all need to keep our options open at the moment.)
