Downloaded Duffy's single Rain and just love it. The production is fab and her voice is very retro.

My birthday yesterday and I got a couple of CD's which have been on my wish list for an age so highly delighted with both:-

The Phil Spector Retrospective: The Phil Spector Collection

Happens - David Hemmings, yes by the actor, Hemmings. This is a collection I am putting together for a hospital radio show called 'Actors Singing' and joins other CD's I have by Anthony Perkins, Peter Wynegarde and William Shatner.

If you can think any more gems, let me know.

Just catching up with some BBC 2 radio shows - California Dreamin' by Andy Parfitt was him driving through Laurel Canyon trying to capture the aura of the hippy era and the fantastic music it created. One producer was saying that then, artists had as much time as they liked to write and record an album. This could be 2 years or so - whatever it took to get it right. Then commerce took over and it made me think about all the music that is 'rushed' through in this day and age and that whilst we may have better technology to make it all sound better, it stunts creativity and on a general level, most of the music is not a patch on then plus will probably not stand the test of time.

Almost 12 months into sorting out my huge music collection and am currently still working through my soundtracks. This morning listening to the soundtrack to Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, a quirkly film starring Urma Thurman - a psychedilc journey around the fantasia on the role of the thumb in the evolution of the human species! Released in 1993.

The soundtrack is by k.d.lang and collaborator Ben Mink. Together they made the flawlees Ingenue album which rates as one of my faves ever. It's an atmospheric and varied soundtrack and lang's voice is never less than beautful. Tracks 'Just Keep Me Moving' and ' Lifted By Love' are strong enough to be singles, with the first one showing shades of Ingenue's languid style. Very laid back, almost chilled is an instrumental called A Much Finer Place which instantly relaxes. Other tracks are twangy as expected with lang's faved Hawaiin guitar thrown in. It all works and stands alone from the film and will be a keeper in my collection.

10,000 complaints and not even about something that was live. Complaints about a tasteless prank which was pre-recorded and which some imbecilic executive thought was OK to air. Was it overgrown schoolboy stupidity? Yes. Was it testosterone fuelled idiocy? Yes. What it wasn't was entertaining. NO apology from either party and that's because Mr's Ross and Brand do not see the need for an apology due to their overblown salaries which deem them untouchable, as does the company who pay them. How embarrasing that their multi-nought salaries have proved what many of us have always thought - they are not worth it - now take them off air and put someone on with real talent.

Listening to some hospital radio output this morning whilst working and one of our presenters played Stay With Me Till Dawn by Judy Tzuke. I remember going nuts over this track and it was really good to hear it again. Beautifully sung and arranged so it's surprising that it only reach number 16 in the charts when it was released in 1979. Off to itunes now to make sure I have it in my library - if not, I feel a download coming on.

Hope you hear something today which pushes the button, especially as it's a Monday.

If you have read my last blog, check the song out for yourselves with the official video.
Is it just me but do Keyes and White look like the same peopl, facially I mean?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM5UJvnbbuY

I grew up in the golden age of Bond theme songs penned by John Barry and whilst the songs have now moved on to reflect the new Bond, I have to say that they really only capture the fast paced action of Bond, not the excitement. This one was a particular tough call with the film's title making it virtually impossible to include in the lyrics though the word 'solace' is included.
Firstly there is the odd pairing of Alicia Keyes and Jack White and it does not work. There is no reason why Keyes cannot try her rock voice out but it has to be said that it is not a rock voice and here it's starts OK but then goes into a higher key screech which does not match White's tones, the song myabe would have worked better if it was just White.
It starts well with a amp'd guitar that's strikes a familiar chord, in fact throughout the song there is a Bond feel here and there. Then there is a single piano key struck which hints at the solace. But what really lets it down is the awful lyrics:

Another ringer with the slick trigger finger
For Her Majesty
Another one with the golden tongue
Poisoning your fantasy
Another bill from a killer
Turned a thriller to a tragedy

CHORUS
A door left open
A woman walking by
A drop in the water
A look in the eye
A phone on the table
A man on your side
Oh, someone that you think that you can trust
Is just
Another way to die

Another tricky little gun
Giving solace to the one
That will never see the sunshine
Another inch of your life sacrificed for your brother,
In the nick of time
Another dirty money “heaven sent honey”,
Turning on a dime

CHORUS
Well, a door left open
A woman walking by
A drop in the water
A look in the eye
A phone on the table
A man on your side
Someone that you think that you can trust
Is just
Another way to die

The opening line makes you want to give up and it doesn't get better as you get to the chorus. Maybe it will mean more when the film has been viewed. It doesn't work as a Bond song but as a non Bond song it would be something which would get my attention, weird I know but there you have it. Am looking forward to the film though as I think Daniel Craig is a great 007 and has taken the role to new heights. Not that Brosnan did a bad job, he was great and a natural for the role as was Connery when it all began, Craig is just right for these times.

My fave Bond song? Well it's one that is not ususally rated as one of the top Bond songs: You Only Live Twice. What's Yours?

Have not dissapeared [just in case I have some remaining blog friends who have not deleted me] - been travelling, Japan mostly and little time for anything else. Back home now and in my routine so musical words will be posted very shortly.

I am reading the fabulous Marc Fisher book called Something In the Air - to take from the jacket insert: 'A sweeping, intimate account of the great sounds and voices of radio, and how one medium became a bonding agent for a generation of American Youth'

I already knew of the likes of Alan Freed and Wolfman Jack - but this book introduces many others who used the early medium of radio as it should be used whilst all the others were dominating with their AM station playlists of repetative Top 40 charts [which were partly made up according to the bribes of the record companies]. One such broadcaster was Jean Sheherd who broadcast throughout the night. The first radio beat poet who invited people to stay up with him through the night and question the world around them. He practically invented 'talk radio' in the early 50's.

I have just found a website at www.shepcast.blog.com where you can download Shepherds shows into itunes. This is where the internet truly does what it should - give new life to the innovaters of this world and introuce them to a new listening public. I am looking forward big time to listening to these shows.

"Life can't be talked about by just words, you've got to do it with silence, you have to do it with beat and tempo and rhythm'.
Jean Shepherd

Today have listened to:

Plunkett & Macleabe by Craig Armstrong
The Prince of Tides by James Newton Howard
Robin Hood prince of Thieves by the late Michael Kamen

Afraid all of them are being deleted from my collection, nice parts in all of them but not strong ebough to chuck on the sterao and listen to as a whole.

Rest of todays listening is our August Bank Holiday schedule which was very varied. A couple of hours of Latin American music, then an audio tour round our town of Leamington Spa and just finished listened to Messin' About On the River, marking the centenary of KennethGrahame’s delightful masterpiece “The Wind In the Willows”, just about to dive into Over The Hill about all the top talents who have just turned 50, Michael Jackson, Madonna etc.

So much good stuff, only 2 ears and too little time.

Having spent the best part of a year sorting out my CD's [pop, blues, big band, jazz] etc., I am now going through my soundtrack collection. One thing I have noticed is that you can really listen to soundtracks in the car! Have always loved Zimmers soundtrack to Pacific Heights, wonderfully eerie and intense. Straight after this Iistened to his score for Point Of No Return - and it's more all less the same as Pacific Heights, same nuances, same instruments etc. I know that a lot of film composers have a style of their own but this was uncannily alike.

If you fancy some meollow chill music to soothe your day or calm your evenings, check out www.beachhouseradio.com
Free and always there, check it out.

Have to have yet another moan about BBC R2. They are now in Glenn Campbell mode - heard 3 tracks today and that was just in the day time and they played one track twice. I know that it's good that they push a certain album but it's done without any finesse, just in your face, or ears, all the time.

Did enjoy listening to Rob Brydon though, he's a natural on air.

Leant how to play poker this weekend, something I have always wanted to do. We thought we would like to get in the modd a littel with the help of some background music so we piled on the soundtracks to Get Shorty, Confidence and Ocean's 11. Worked a treat - 3 of the coolest soundtracks out there.

Caught a great movie which seemed to miss the 'really good film, should be seen by everyone' radar - You Kill Me with Ben Kingsley as a drunk assassin. Very, very funny but in a low level, easy pace way.
http://www.youkillmethefilm.com/

Weekend not as expected due to the rain, sorry, trying not to mention the weather! So Saturday saw me messing in my back room office like a teenager and teaching myself the awesome Garange Band programme in Apple's iLife. Excellent if somewhat complicated but after trawling the web for recording and editing software when I changed over to the Mac, I need not have bothered as there it was, sitting in the Dock waiting to be clicked. Can now do a lot more hospital radio work at home.

Still going through the CD collection to see what I can migrate to itunes and make more shelf space [to inevitably house further CD's I am sure], listened to some Level 42 tracks. Still stand up in fact so much I played it twice. Now got 1,973 tracks on the ipod. Considering I have had my sturdy, white box for over 4 years, guess it's taken me a while and I know I am lagging behind. Bought a Bose sound dock for my new loft room, the sound quality is excellent and worth the money. On the few summer nights we've had I have used it outside which is cool.

Catch the CD on the current issue of Mojo called Roll With It, some killer blues tracks on there.

My sis has come up with the idea of us compiling a CD of the cheesiest tracks we like and then listening to them over Christmas, the kind of tracks you love but just don't like to admit it. I'm going with it for the crack. Aint No Mountain High Enough by Diana Ross will leak onto there I just know it.

Taped the Olympics opening ceremony, wasn't too sure it was going to hold my attention but of course it did. It was measured and masterful, executed with jaw dropping precision. It all looked like a Playstation game. The costumes and pyrotechnics were as you would expect. The music, as stange as it was to Western ears, was compelling and made for a atmosphere of 'other wordliness'. A triumph I would say in spite of the political background.

Afterwards I flipped over to BBC4 and watched the glorious Joan Armatrading at this years Glastonbury. I have never been quite sure of her voice but as time goes on it is very commanding and more than anything, unique to her. She looked and she said she was having fun and she was playing that guitar real well. As well as the old stuff she did tracks from what I consider to be one of her finest albums; Into The Blues, best track: Something's Gonna Blow.

I waited eagerly for this album and whilst not wholly dissapointed, I don't think it quite knows what it wishes to be.

When she is concentrating solely on the blues and gospel side, it's superb, but I fear some Marketing Exec pushed for some 'pop' tracks to be inserted to make is more viable. This is sad as with the current rebirth of the blues, gospel and traditional music, she could have paved the way. Her voice is strong and clear and fits the bill when it comes to her interpretation of traditional music, bringing it to new, modern heights but without loosing the essence.

The 2 'seller' tracks are undoubtedly Nobody's Fault But Mine' and 'Only One Cloud', the first is a traditional gospel tune arranged by Rowley and the second is written by her and Ben Castle and sounds old and weary and brilliant. Sweet Hours is OK, So Sublime is the pop one which I guess was designed to hit the charts same as Oh My Life. She does a great version of Dylan's I Shall Be Released and Willie Nelson's 'Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground'. And 'Amost Persuaded' is a gem.

That's the thing here, there are gems and there are 'norms' [normal filler tracks], what a great album it could have been if it had decided on one thing or the other. As it is, I am now in debate as to if to keep as a whole or load the gems onto my ipod.

www.bethrowley.com/home

Here are some photo's taken by my sister Jac from the awesome 50th Birthday Party:-

The Blushing Crows

Friday evening went to a friends 50th Birthday party and what a real treat it was. Graham, the birthday boy, is heavily steeped in music. He plays fiddle [or perhaps he would prefer me to say violin], whistle, saxaphone and oh, loads more - you now how these musicians are. Not content with having the talent to play just the one instrument, they take on an entire orchestra's content. His wife, Jules, sings in a choir and of course together, they have musical friends. And so we were invited to the '08 Event' at the Standard Triumph Club in Coventry.

Apart from great food and an unbelieveable birthday cake in the style of a sheet of music and the top's crowning glory being several musical instruments, we had hours of wonderful live music. Starting with The Show Girls which were Jools and some of her pals from the choir she belongs to. Mostly show tunes, they sung with much gusto and Jools did a brave rendition of Prince's Nothing Compares which received enthusiastic applause.

Danny & Ben were next, 2 young guys with guitars and of course vocals and they were good, really good! As I was then at that stage stuffing my face, I failed to note any of the songs they played. Struck me at the time that I don't think I could ever do any live stuff [not that I ever aim to anyway] as I couldn't play over the constant hum of folks talking, but then I guess it's all about the ambience it creates.

Next up was the Celts, billing themselves as 'the Fake Dubliners' and featured Graeme himself on mean fiddle and whistle and Danny O'Keefe, a local singer/songwrite and guitar, mandolin and banjo player. Danny actually played at my wedding 2 years ago. He seems so focused when he plays which always inspires me to carry on with my pathetic banjo plucking but he also has a voice which commands a listen as he waded through some well known Irish song. Check him out yourself and download some of his tunes at www.dannyokeeffe.co.uk

There is nothing more earthy and toe tapping than an Irish Jig and this got the house going. I wanted them to carry on all night. Then they introduced a 'real Dubliner' Carmel Sliver. Carmel sang a couple of traditional Irish songs with a voice that held so much sweet emotion that you could not but listen. I know nothing of her but I get the feeling she has been singing all her life. A nice touch was that on the tables was a sheet of chorus lyrics so that we could sing along. How cool was that.

The night ended with The Blushing Crows, a 4 piece band which rocked the house. The young guy on the elctric guitar was phenominal and the female, lead singer was very cool. It got us on the dance floor and we really grooved to a great version of Play That Funky Music!

All in all, a great party and a joy to listen to live music courtesy of your hosts. Well done Graham and Jules!

Travelled to Ross today and took my trusty and ever-so-slow-to-start-up ipod. Thouhgt I'd work my way through my 'year' folder, 60's, 70's etc. So a jungle of fab stuff bounded from my speakers which included Howard Jones, Grace Jones, Duran Duran, Donovan, Aretha Franklin, The Jacksons .... oh it goes on and on AND I was singing along for the first time in an age.

Bottle of red and Disturbia on DVD tonight to block out the rain.

Good to be back and I hope to keep up the blogging [I know, I've written that before].

Wow, July and no blog writing for quite some time! Work and travelling with work has halted any serious music listening but I am still here and the latest issue of Mojo has sparked off a hankering to listen to the Fleet Foxes. CD should be delivered tomorrow and I hope to get some serious ear work going this week and report back on my findings later.

What's with the weather?

Was in Ireland working last week, this is how Port Stewart looked at 10.25pm.

Not picked by me I hasten to say but worthy all the same. My sis emailed urging me to listen to Clap Your Hands by The Herbaliser and Till The End by James Hunter. I have duly listened, loved and downloaded. Over to you for comments.

Locate him on YouTube and listen to The Quest. It will do good and go high. Has been labelled Amy Whitehouse in trousers. Single released June 9th.

Finally got round to watching Fever, the Peggy Lee Story on BBC4 last night. Blog friend Eggbod recently wrote that she watched it and enjoyed it even thoughshe didn't really know much about her. Well I am a fan and have been for years and the programme was excellent, not concentrating too much on her personal life as such but about her music and musical life.
It included fantastic footage of her tv and stage appearances. I always knew she was a stalla singer but had no idea that she wrote songs as well AND watching in that footage - she is SO sexy. She emmed to do very little but oozed sexuality in the arch of an eyebrow or a puckered lip. Class act!

Got Beth Rowleys CD at last, seems to have taken an age to get out so review coming shortly.

Saw this movie starring Danny Glover on the plane going over to San Fransisco. It's a bit ambitious in it's scale and slow in parts but every scene is a dream to look at and the music is sublime. It's about a small town bar which plays live blues music and how a stranger with a home made guitar changes things. I hope it has a soundtrack as I want the music.

Check it out if you need to chill.