Adventures in Birmingham: OxJam

Last year, OxJam was not only one of my best Birmingham discoveries but one of my favourite days of the year. Last year we caught a few soloists like Neil Ward but the highlight was city favourite Tom Peel at arguably the best venue, The Victoria.

So I am very much looking forward to this year although there are less ‘live music venues’ and more coffee shops. As you know, I love music in coffee shops but feel that should be an addition; we should still have premier venues such the Victoria. Having said that, compared to last year, I got to see a lot in the Yardbird this year; the much talked about Musgraves at the Yardbird were as good as I imagined – they sound so familiar in fact that I feel I have seen them before after all.

The Scholars were as good as I remember them from a This Burning Age gig after which, the schedule was thrown out because Free School had problems setting up their laptops (not rocknroll as we know it). When they were ready to perform, they put on masks which from where we were sitting spooked us out. Furthermore, the impact would have been greater had they come on wearing said masks rather than slipping them on on-stage in full view, but erm, interesting.

The planned highlight of my day is The Young Runaways. I’ve seen both their acoustic and regular sets before and feel it’s a treat to see both on the same day. The late afternoon set at Café Blend was excellent and the Yardbird set to launch the EP was equally good. Then they performed a hateful Beyonce number and I couldn’t see a hint of irony. They played another track after that but unfortunately I already had a bad taste in my mouth (and not from my first ever Ostrich burger from the hut outside which was actually OK).

All in all, OxJam is a fantastic idea and if I’m still in Birmingham, I hope the organisers book early and we get the Victoria back on the menu in 2012.

Music Monday: The Last Party

I’m bemused and delighted when unsigned bands email to introduce themselves. It sure saves me the trouble of getting to every gig early to see all three or four bands (although I’ll do that anyway!).

Wouldn’t it be great though if we heard them in clothes shops, coffee houses and most crucially the radio? I don’t get why radio has separate shows for ‘unsigned bands’. Surely if you just throw odd tracks into the mix all day, it will bother no-one and deserved bands will get the exposure. What does it matter if unsigned bands are in the blend when music is so readily downloadable in the time it used to take to get the cellophane of a CD?

Anyway, the Last Party, apart from the negative sounding name (!) are upbeat and poppy – party-ish in fact! I can hear a little of the Style Council with the melodies of the Coral and softness of The Thrills and such like. Music for a sunny day, or to pretend it’s a sunny day.

With yet another new band from Manchester approaching me, I can’t help thinking this is all linked to the web space I devote to my beloved Cherry Ghost. I do wish Birmingham bands were this pro-active!

The Last Party (I’ve already started loving the name – I get it, music you’ll play at the last ever party) having just formed in late 2010 are already doing dates nationally and do I hope they come to Brum soon.

More on the Last Party

Music Monday: Birmingham Vintage Fair

All photos by fotograbs@gmail.com

I’ve spent weeks looking; this is one area that I wouldn’t compromise. For me, to give BVF a festival vibe, the music had to be at the centre of it and not just any band but one that accentuated the 1970s vibe. In the last two months I have been to every gig early to catch the support bands. After contacting every promoter, band, radio presenter, music college and music fan, I have not one but two PERFECT bands.

Naked Remedy to me represented the turn of the decade and I love every minute of their set. They’re a popular live band and had gigs either side of this event so I’m lucky not just to have them perform but they sure set the tone for the day too and not just with the psychedelic backdrop! I visibly saw people stop what they were doing as the energy poured out from the stage and there was a lot of noise from three people. Oh and a drummer who sings and converses with the crowd – who new!

    

    

In addition, the Naked Remedy family are a great bunch of guys and it’s a joy to have met them. They have earned more fans from the BVF audience and I for one am so looking forward to seeing them again. And I love that I like a band that gig a lot!

 

 

 

Hair, there, everywhere

                                                        If Naked Remedy started around 1970, Dakesis moved along the decade perfectly. Instead of their progressive metal set, they entertained a delighted audience with some classic rock covers of which the highlights for me are ‘Rebel Rebel’ and of course, ‘20^th Century Boy’. I was delighted when I saw this in their set list as the track had become a point of reference for me when searching for the band. Gemma and the band are a pleasure to work with and on stage, they tick every box outside the fantastic set; guitar solos, hair, theatrics, everything I expect and then some. I cannot wait to see their full set.

From an audience perspective, both bands fitted in perfectly. From an organiser’s point of view, they both saved and made the day. LOVE

So that’s two more bands added to the ‘must see every time they play Birmingham’ list. HAPPY.

Music Monday: T is for Talk Talk

For a while, Talk Talk were right up there with Duran Duran, c 1982 and much derided for also having a double name. Matters weren’t helped by sharing the same recond label and producer but there were a few double names around at the time, The The spring to mind.

 Funny how hugely respected Mark Hollis is now and how the young’uns love Talk Talk.

1. Talk Talk

2. Today

3. It’s My Life

4. Today

5.  Life’s What You Make It

Talk Talk on Amazon

Music Monday – S is for Bruce Springsteen

It’s safe to say, this has taken some effort. It was so hard, I couldn’t even face it the first time ‘S’ came around on Music Monday. 40 years of back catalogue cannot be put into a top 5, that’s just wrong. So the Boss get’s the Madonna treatment, categories of best tracks.

When researching to make sure I hadn’t missed any I saw Springsteen genre desribed as ‘Jersey Shore’ and ‘Heartland Rock’ and I love them both; undeniably American.

Before I start, die hard Boss fans will dispute this list but it’s my list. So:

Best of the best

1. Born to Run – one of the most inpsiring songs ever recorded

2. Tunnel of Love – I just love it, from my favourite Boss album which takes the roof off live. (Fact that we were outdoors not relevant)

3. Hungry Heart – guaranteed smile on anyone’s face

4. Brilliant Disguise – a class tune

5. The River – old school classic

Best Live

1 Trapped – this is actually one of my favourite Boss tracks anyway but it heads the live list

2 Santa Claus is Coming to Town – one of the best Christmas songs of all time

3 Because the Night – made a classic by Patti Smith & only just released as studio version so for long, we just knew this from live shows

4 I’m on Fire – brings the house down and the lighters up (back in the day)

5. Radio Nowhere – a modern live classic already

Anthems

1. Born in the USA

2. Murder Incorporated

3. The Rising – will always remind me of being in America both for the presidential elections and the Inauguration 2008/9

Old School

1. Mary’s Place – relatively new but with the old school vibe

2. Badlands

3. Thunder Road

4. Out in the Streets

5. All That Heaven Will Allow

Poptastic

1. Girls in their Summer Clothes

2. Human Touch

3. Working on a Dream

4. Waiting on a Sunny Day

5. One Step up

Special mention

Outlaw Pete

From the 2009 ‘Working on a Dream’ album, it’s too new to be an all time favourite but I love it. It reminds me of ‘I was Born for Loving You’ by Kiss, which helps.

Best Album

Tunnel of Love – for all the above reasons

It’s also the soundtrack of my marriage and divorce and seems like that was also the case for Mr & Mrs Springsteen No: 1

Secondly, the first time I went to see the epic 4 hour live shows of old was the tour for this album. Ulitmately, it’s because the album is ram-packed with fine tunes.

More on the Boss

Music Monday. R is for Roxy Music

I know Roxy Music have been an enormous influence on so many of my favourites and not just for the music.

 

1 Same Old Scene

2 More Than This

3 Over You

4 Dance Away

5 Oh Yeah (On the Radio)

On Amazon

Music Monday: P is for Robert Palmer

At the top of my list of those who were taken early, is this talented singer.

1. Mercy Mercy Me

2. She Makes My Day

3. Every Kinda People

4. Johnny & Mary

5. Know by Now

More on Robert Palmer

Music Monday – N is for New Order

A simple choice for me this week:

1. World in Motion – the best footie song ever recorded

2. Thieves Like Us

3. Temptation

4. Blue Monday – huge in my school days as the first single that we knew of only released as 12″. We all had to go and buy 12″ from then on.

5. True Faith

Music Monday: M is for Manic Street Preachers

It’s back to #MusicMonday after the break for holidays and what a classic band to come back with. They’ve produced so many fine tunes over the years so this list could change as early as tomorrow:

1 Motorcycle Emptiness – this will probably stay number one though

2 A Design For Life

3 If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next

4 Everything Must Go

5 You Stole The Sun From My Heart

More on the Manics

Music Monday: L if for Lightning Seeds

By the time ‘L’ rolls around again, I vow to know a lot more of Gordon Lightfoot’s work than the 2 tracks I adore. For now, the poptastic Lightning Seeds:

1. Sense – love love love this track! Written with Terry Hall who seems to pop up in the unlikliest of song writing credits.
2. Pure
3. Sugar Coated Iceburg
4. Change
5. Life of Riley
Bonus: Three Lions. Not my favourite football song but brilliant nonetheless

Music Monday: K is for The Kinks

I’m late into appreciating the Kinks and the new respect is entirely due to ex-BF who regards Ray Davies as his hero. He likes the 1970′s output but these are mine:

• You Really Got Me
• Lola
• The Village Green Preservation Society
• All Day and All of the Night
• Waterloo Sunset – the ultimate English song, loved listening to this when I was in New York
  And
  Tired of Waiting for You (way to emotional for me now, can’t even listen to it but added for the sake of nostalgia)

I love ‘Days’ too but actually prefer Kirsty MacColl’s version.

Music Monday: J is for Journey (& Steve Perry)

Journey cover two chapters; they are on the short list of artists ‘guaranteed to be heard on USA radio within an hour of tuning in’ and they wrote one of my three inspirational tracks. So we’ll start with that

1. Don’t Stop Believing (don’t start me on any ridiculous covers of this iconic track)
2.Who’s Crying Now

Then I realise that it’s mostly Steve Perry’s solo stuff I’m reminising so I cheat slightly
3. Oh Sherry
4. Foolish Heart

Music Monday: I is for Billy Idol

There are not many to choose from the ex-punkster but  l love these:

1 Rebel Yell – in my all time top 10

2 White Wedding – just love it

3 Dancing with Myself – what film is this featured in?

4 Eyes with a Face – even a comparitive balad rocks it up

More on Billy Idol

Music Monday: H is for Hall & Oates

One forgets how may great songs the ‘blue eyed-soul duo’ produced.

1. Out of Touch (1984)
2. Kiss On My List (1980)
3. Private Eyes (1981)
4. Rich Girl (1976)
5. She’s Gone (1977)

I had no idea they’d been going since the early 1970s, their stuff just hasn’t dated.

More Hall & Oates info

Music Monday: G is for Guns N’ Roses

I’m going to have to trawl through my CDs (and records) if  I do ‘G’ again as I could think of no other artist from the top of my head. For #musicmonday I feel it has to be someone I have at least one, if not more albums by, to warrant being a favourite.

Sweet Child O Mine - was in my all time Top 10 until outsted when I reviewed the list in 2005. I’ve decided the list needs to be reviewed once again. This track also features in my ‘favourite guitar riffs of all time’ list which is based on riffs I’d like to play when I get around to learning to play my guitar.

You Could Be Mine – love it anyway but it comes from the soundtrack to my all time favourite film (well top 3 anyway), Terminator 2

Paradise City - Just pips ‘November Rain’ because it’s just such a great rock track!

But I love the video for November Rain!

GNR on Amazon

Music Monday: F is for Feeder

One of those bands that just quietly puts out an album every 2-3 years.

• Just the way I’m feeling
• Feeling a moment
• Tumble and fall
• Buck Rogers

Feeder website

Feeder on Amazon

Music Monday: E is for ELO

ELO, what’s not to love?

1. Last Train to London – the Electric Light Orchestra at thier electrifying, disco best!

I’m finding it hard to pick out of the others so:

2. Sweet Talking Woman

2. Living Thing

2. Turn to Stone

3.  Xanadu with Olivia Newton John – can I count this excellent pop song?!

Also, I love the Diary of Horace Wimp as it gave me hours of sing-a-long fun when I was a wee lass!

ELO on Amazon

Music Monday: D is for Daft Punk

Easy one this week

1 One More Time – soundtrack to my birthday in 2000, mainly because I celebrated all week. Nowadays it stretches to 2 weeks.

2. Around the World

3. Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

Daft Punk on Amazon

Music Monday – C is for Cherry Ghost (BBITW)

Cherry Ghost: Currently known as the best band in the world

A great thing about having all my stuff back with me is having all my CDs to hand when preparing Music Monday.

Listening to Cherry Ghost, in particular these three tracks is heavenly; it’s like everything is OK in the world again. Imagine what it’s like to see them live; my friends watch me go into a trance like state with an unbreakable smile on face for the whole duration of the gig. A happier place there cannot be then listening to Simon’s calming voice and the whole thing being created live in front of you.

All the tracks are from their first album, ‘Thirst for Romance’ that I slowly discovered but then became hooked upon when I listened to the whole thing on a night flight back from the USA in October 2007. I bought the new album the minute (9.01am) it came out and I love it, but I’m still getting to know it to be really in love with it too. So here goes:

♥ 4am – like warm honey dripping down your very course sore throat, instantly soothing you back to health.

I thought this was always my favourite because of the contented journey back after four glorious days in San Francisco for my birthday. It would have been around 4am our time, hence the memory.

♥ People Help the People – Like getting into your own big, warmed bed, with clean sheets and four pillows having spent several nights sleeping on someone’s sofa

♥ Mathematics – like sinking into a bubbly, warm bath, knowing there is plenty of hot water, no-one will disturb you and you don’t have to be any place else for hours.

What sort of band puts one of their best tracks last? Quite a few times I’ve heard it I think I have skipped to the start again but I haven’t, it’s just a fantastic album. This one is probably the fans favourite judging by the crowd reaction at gigs and if I really, really had to pick, mine too.♥

For those of you not converted to the magic that is Cherry Ghost, listen to these three and you will be. That is unless you are tone deaf, (but then you’ll still read the words), have no taste or absolutely no heart.

This is what life is all about; my work here is done. See you at the Glee Club (Bham) on March 14^th.

Music Monday: B is for Jackson Browne

What’s not to love about this singer-songwriter who’s work has spanned over decades? Adding Jackson Browne to your listening pleasure can only enhance your well-being.

1. Somebody’s Baby – always stops me in my tracks when it comes on the radio

2. Lawyers in Love

3. Running on Empty

4. Doctor my Eyes

5. Take it Easy

Jackson Browne on Amazon

Music Monday: A is for A Flock of Seagulls

I love love loved A Flock of Seagulls! It’s a shame the image took over the music (as was customary c1982) as they made some fine pop tunes.

1 I Ran
2 Wishing
3 Space Age Love Song
4 The More You Live The More You Love
5 Telecommunication

You Tube page

Music Monday: Y is for Neil Young

Yes I know I have missed X; I can think of a few bands (The XX, X-ray Spex, XTC) but none that I like enough to warrant Music Monday status. In any case, I’m in a Neil Young frame of mind:

1. Rockin’ in the Free World – this is the track that alerted me to Neil Young, via a local band that used to cover it.

2. Harvest Moon – what’s not to like?

3. Only Love Can Break Your Heart – oh gosh

4. Heart of Gold – ditto

5. After the Goldrush – just gorgeous

Bonus track. Like a Hurricane

Music Monday: W is for Wah!

Ok, I’m guessing Wah! have some sort of record for number of the band names; Wah Heat, Shambeko Say Wha!,  The Mighty Wah! and Wah! (any more?) So I’ve putthem under W as there aren’t that many bands starting with W and the band is lead by Pete Wylie.

c1982, they were one of my (many) best bands on the planet and I loved it when they broke through onto TOTP.

1. Remember

2. Story of the Blues (wow, Phil Spector had nothing on this)

3. Come Back

Bonus track. The Year of Decision (a genius cover and always reminds me of my year of decison 1981. Gosh seems like a lifetime ago)

More on Pete Wylie “Part time rock star, full time legend”



Music Monday: V is for the Verve

It’s very easy to choose which tracks, they are all from one of the finest albums this country has ever produced.

The harder thing is putting them in order.  Here goes;

1. Lucky Man

2. Sonnet

3. Bittersweet Symphony

The Verve Discography

The Verve website

Music Monday: U is for UB40

All my choices are from way back when:

1. Food for Thought

2. One in Ten

3. King