Gonna Scrape the Trouble Off My Boots....

The brief story of how even Joe Strummer's discarded footwear is now worth a small fortune, from the American version of The Antiques Roadshow.

Flotation Toy Warning

There are few bands as memorably monikered as Flotation Toy Warning. And there are few LP titles to match 'Bluffer's Guide to the Flight Deck'. But in the 13 years since I first clapped ears on this great album, I've yet to hear a better song title than 'Popstar Researching Oblivion'. Very few better songs either.

Flotation Toy Warning - Popstar Researching Oblivion

A ripple of joy passed through Swede Towers last week with the news that the band's (l-o-n-g awaited) second LP, 'The Machine That Made Us' is mere weeks away from release. Encouragingly the new record contains a track entitled 'Due to Adverse Weather Conditions All of My Heroes Have Surrendered', which can only be a good thing. Sadly that tune hasn't leaked yet, but here's one that has.

Version City #63 - Lou Reed sings John Lennon

Come Together, A Night for John Lennon's Words and Music, took place at Radio City Hall in New York on October 2nd 2001. The concert was initially intended as a straight forward celebration of Lennon's life and songs, seven days before what would have been his 61st birthday, though coming just three weeks after 9/11 the event was re-dedicated to the city of New York and its people, raising funds for the Robin Hood Foundation along the way. The line-up was, to put it politely, a mixed bag. Kevin Spacey singing 'Mind Games' anyone? The highlight of the evening, by a country mile in all honesty, was Lou Reed's searing interpretation of 'Jealous Guy'.

The Return of Richard Dawson

Lord knows I've raved on enough about the astonishing Richard Dawson in the past (here and here), but I'm quite aware that, for the casual listener, his stuff can sometimes be a little difficult to get a firm handle on. The first taster from Richard's forthcoming new LP 'Peasant' is, in contrast to some of his previous work, positively catchy. 'Ogre' reaches back to the dark ages for its subject matter, while managing to capture a little of the spirit of both Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens, yet remains resolutely Dawsonesque. It's fantastic. Have a care, lest you find yourself singing along by the end.

All That Jazz #3 - Sound Etiquette

The most contemporary contribution to this series thus far comes from Sound Etiquette, a trio out of Oakland California who came together in 2014. Nick Obando (sax), Eli Wallace (keys) and Aaron Levin (drums) are veteran players on the Bay Area circuit and recorded all eight tunes on their self-titled debut LP in one day. The early 1970's electric work of Miles Davis is a recognisable touchstone on 'A Clearing' and 'The Tides', though things do get a tad more free-form elsewhere. 'Entrance' is, fittingly, the first track on the album - a quirky, dubby opening salvo. Find out more about Sound Etiquette here.

Sound Etiquette - Entrance

It's Time For Fun

A sneak preview of the shenanigans to come

In a couple of days, a bunch of longstanding online friends who hang out in this little corner of the internet, will be meeting up in the real world, many for the first time. Blogging chums are literally flying in from around the globe to enjoy a weekend that promises to be high on music, conversation, alcohol and laughter - and quite low on sleep. A tip of the hat is due to all who've helped to pull this seemingly impossible thing together, the Scottish contingent in particular, but none more so than Dirk, who took an improbable dream shared by many of us and pushed and prodded it into becoming a serious proposition. I'm completely gutted that I won't be joining the gathering, but look forward to reading all about it as soon as the hangovers clear.

Have a fantastic time guys, this one's for you.

Goat - It's Time For Fun

Version City #62 - Ella Fitzgerald sings The Beatles

It was good to see so many acknowledgements of Ella Fitzgerald's centenary on April 25th, online and elsewhere. I had intended to post my own humble tribute to the first lady of song last week too, but, as ever, life got in the way. Here it is though, better late than never. In 1969 Ella issued a self-titled, Richard Perry produced  LP on the Reprise label, consisting of her interpretations of contemporary pop songs. Lennon and McCartney were represented by 'Got to Get You Into My Life' alongside the music of Smokey Robinson, Bacharach & David, Randy Newman and Harry Nilsson. George Harrison's odd ode to Eric Clapton's chocolate addiction, 'Savoy Truffle', also got the nod. It's amazing to think that the original was less than a year old when Ella took a run at it.

Ella Fitzgerald - Savoy Truffle