Dumbarton’s Drums

Just to get you in the mood here is a traditional classic from Steam Jenny.

Dumbarton’s Drums – Steam Jenny

Dumbarton’s Drums

Chorus”
Dumbarton’s drums they sound sae bonnie
When they remind me of my Jeannie
Such fond delight can steal upon me
When Jeannie kneels and sings tae me

Across the hills o’ burning heather
Dumbarton tolls the hour of pleasure
A song of love that has no measure
When Jeannie kneels and sings tae me

Chorus

It’s she alone who can delight me
As gracefully she doth invite me
And when her tender arms enfold me
The blackest night can turn and flee

Chorus

Celebrate – Simple Minds

We can but hope…………

Celebrate – Simple Minds

Cover Story – Sandie Shaw

The football season is nearly over and my team have a big day on Saturday, let’s hope this post doesn’t set the tone!

Here is a Sandie Shaw cover of a Lloyd Cole song.

Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken? – Sandie Shaw

The Rise and Fall of The Record Industry?

For more music related fun visit The Word

Blue Monday – The Yardbirds

Today’s Blue Monday is from the cutting edge of the British 60′s R&B scene with the short lived Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page era Yardbirds storming through a version of the blues standard “Train Kept A Rollin’” renamed  “Stroll On”

“Stroll On”  – The Yardbirds

The song was recorded for the film “Blow-Up”

Their appearance in Blowup was accidental: originally, The Who were approached, but they declined, and then The In-Crowd had been planned but they were unable to attend the filming. The Yardbirds filled in at short notice, and the guitar that Beck smashes at the end of their set (in frustration over his amplifier continuously shorting out) is a cheap German-made Hofner instrument. Director Michelangelo Antonioni instructed Beck to smash his guitar in emulation of The Who’s Pete Townshend

 

Sunday Jazz – Keep The Customer Satisfied

After my great day yesterday this just about sums it up…..here is The Buddy Rich Big Band and a live version of a Simon & Garfunkel classic.

“Keep The Customer Satisfied” – The Buddy Rich Big Band

For more infrmation on Buddy Rich click HERE

To buy Buddy Miles music click HERE

Saturday Soul – The Commitments

 

Today on the football fields across this country is a day for holding one’s nerve and showing commitment to the cause so this is an ideal link into a posting about “The Commitments”

This was never one of my favourite films with Roddy Doyle’s book being the better medium for what is in principle a great story.

It certainly works as a clever comedy might never seemed enough to take it to the highest level for me at least.

Perhaps it was Andrew Strong’s over powering acting and delivery of the songs which put me slightly out of sync with the movie,though you can’t deny he has a good voice so perhaps it is my “snob” attitude to the purity of the original soul and R&B writers and performers who could never be bettered.

Hopefully though the film resulted in many people tracing back and find and loving the originals as much as I do.

As they say can the white man sing the blues, or in this case, R&B, well judge for yourself, for me it is enjoyable but not inspirational.

Fiona Friday – Dark End Of The Street

Dan Penn

It is difficult to describe just how much an influence Dan Penn had on R&B music some of the songs he wrote with Spooner Oldham were from the top drawer.

I have many versions of “Dark End Of The Street” this written with Chips Moman and have probably posted some of them before, probably most recently the Cat Power version, however here is a version featuring Dan from his 1994 album “Do Right Man”

“Dark End Of The Street” – Dan Penn

At the dark end of the street
that is where we always meet
hiding in shadows where we don’t belong
living in darkness, to hide alone

You and me, at the dark end of the street
You and me

I know a time has gonna take it’s toll
we have to pay for the love we stole
It’s a sin and we know it’s wrong
Oh, our love keeps going on strong

Steal away to the dark end of the street
You and me

They gonna find us, they gonna find us
They gonna find us love someday

You and me, at the dark end of the street
You and me

When the daylight all goes around
And by chance we’re both down the town
Please meet, just walk, walk on by
Oh, darling, please don’t you cry

You and me, at the dark end of the street
You and me

 

The Bathers

The Bathers project was started in 1987 by Chris Thomson. Since then the band has produced five stunning albums, which give the band a wide appeal both abroad and at home.

Chris Thomson – lead vocal, guitar During his first year of his English literature degree, the allure of being in a band proved irresistible and formed the much revered Friends Again. They were snapped up by Phonogram Records and released several well-received singles and an album. Due to a difference in musical tastes the band split up in 1985 when Chris started the Bathers. He secured a deal with Andy Macdonald’s fast-rising Go! Discs and released the album “unusual places to die” in 1987. Political dispute and label politics scuppered the album at release and there was no chance of capitalising on the enthusiastic reception accorded to the record. Chris went back to the drawing board and produced “sweet deceit”. The album was released in 1990 by Island and was, again, critically acclaimed. Unfortunately Island entered a period of chaos and sackings and the album was doomed a token release. A flirtation with two key members of Lloyd Cole and the Commotions followed in the form of the Bloomsday album “Fortuny”. The bathers then signed to the German label Marina and three fine albums were released – “lagoon blues” (1993), “sunpowder” (1995) and then “kelvingrove baby” (1997) although Chris had a very good relationship with Marina he felt that a label nearer home would be preferable.

Callum McNair – electric guitar Callum was brought up and still lives in Edinburgh. he joined the bathers in 1997 and has been a vital member of the band ever since. he shares co-writing with Chris on 6 of the tracks on pandemonia. Callum plays electric guitar and also is involved in production with other artists. he quotes captain Beafheart, Jimmy Hendrix and the Beatles as his main influences. compositions include the silent scream soundtrack (David Hayman movie, which won a silver bear award at the Berlin film festival). He played with the band the syndicate which had a well received album released on emi. he has shared writing and co-production with Howie b. Currently he is writing for and co-producing an up and coming Edinburgh artist “philly” and has just signed a major publishing deal with EMI Music Publishing Callum is Chris’ right hand man in the band.

Hazel Morrison – drums and vocals Hazel is the band’s drummer and hers is the beautiful voice that can be heard in live performance and on kelvingrove baby & pandemonia. Born 26 years ago in Edinburgh hazel has always had a love for music and was educated under the then Lothian region specialist music scheme. she graduated from rsamd in drums and percussion and has worked with Evelyn Gllennie. Hazel has played with swelling meg (whose lead singer and cellist features on the new Arab Strap album) and has appeared on Pebble Mill and at T in the park in 1996. she has been a full member of the bathers for 5 or 6 years. She teaches drum and percussion to school children in Midlothian as her day job.

The “Kelvingrove Baby” album released in 1997 is an all time favorite of mine, here is a track from it.

“Thrive” – The Bathers

She stood beside me

On the empty drive

Kissed me sadly

Then waved goodbye

 

But if you find her

Let her know

Tell her I’m sorry

That she had to go

 

Just remind her

That I’m still here

On the West Coast waiting

I wear the rain like tears

 

When your heart has been broken

You’ll know better than to cry

Leave the words unspoken

Wear your latest disguise

And just you remind her

That I’m still here

Up on the West Coast waiting

I wear the rain like tears

 

You can buy music by The Bathers by clicking HERE

Visit their website by clicking HERE

New Music – Sonic Youth

Sonic Youth return in June with a new album titled “The Eternal”

“Sacred Trickster” – Sonic Youth

Bonus Cover Version

“Ca Plane Pour Moi” – Sonic Youth