Month: January 2025

Chrissy Barnacle

SATURDAY’S SCOTTISH SONG : #435: CHRISSY BARNACLE

From the website of Olive Grove Records:-

Glasgow-based singer-songwriter, Chrissy Barnacle, is one of those rare artists whose music can literally stop you in your tracks.

A cult figure on the music scene, Barnacle twists together folk and pop music, intertwining them in songs that tread paths along which you’ll be touched, laugh and be carried blissfully on a poignant journey within the space of a composition.  Writing from the heart, Barnacle’s nylon-stringed folk pieces  spanning witchcraft, cannibal rats and the impossibility of love, are filled with raw intimacy and emotional heft.

This was written to support the release of Archipelago Vol 2, part of a series of six EPs issued by the label during 2019.  This is, in my view, (not that it counts for much!!), the best of them. mp3: Chrissy Barnacle – Witches

JC

Pavement

THE CD SINGLE LUCKY DIP (16) : Pavement – Shady Lane

R-1673561-1327534360

Shady Lane was the second and final single taken from the album Brighten The Corners (1997).  In some ways, it was a strange release, being a full four months after the LP had come out. But in saying that, it was always regarded as one of its best and most accessible tracks and a great candidate for a stand-alone single…with a caveat!

The track on the album is, in effect, split into two halves – Shady Lane followed by J vs S, with the latter being a languid piece of instrumental music which begins around the 2:30 mark as the last notes of Shady Lane are played and sung. The version that was issued as the single removed J vs S, and offered a modified title:

mp3: Pavement -Shady Lane (Krossfader)

Four other songs were split across the 2xCD format….one was in a standard jewel case with the other being a digipak….and it was the digipak version I eventually picked up.

mp3: Pavement – Wanna Mess You Around
mp3: Pavement – No Tan Lines

The former is just 87 seconds in length, and the allmusic description of it being dynamic, noisy punk is accurate. It’s total throwaway stuff…..and a word of warning…..there’s a bit lot of swearing in the chorus!

The latter is more of an actual song and while it has something of a feel of a something still in demo form, it could easily have been licked into shape for inclusion on Brighten The Corners.

JC

Go-Betweens

WHEN COLIN MET LINDY

Regular readers will be aware of the pivotal role Comrade Colin played in getting the original blog off the ground back in September 2006, and indeed in providing the support for it to be reincarnated in July 2013 just a matter of hours after Blogger had pulled the plug on things and I flitted over to WordPress.  His own, long-lost and much missed blogs (Let’s Kiss and Make Up and And Before The First Kiss) were the inspiration for TVV, and it didn’t take too long before we became close friends, mainly due to a common love of much great music.

I mentioned previously that, late last year, he went to Australia, for a trip that would combine work, a family holiday and a pilgrimage to various sites and locations that are part of the story of the Go-Betweens, while also unashamedly admitting that I was insane with jealousy.

He used some acceptable social media platforms to keep those of us not in Australia up-to-speed with his adventures, including some of the treasures he had unearthed in various record shops, including a copy of Your Turn, My Turn, the third single released by the Go-Betweens on Missing Link Records back in 1981.  As if that wasn’t enough, he then let us know that he had made contact with Lindy Morrison, the long-time drummer with the band during their glory decade of the 80s, and had arranged to have lunch in a beachside location close to her home.

He posted some photos of their lunchtime meeting, adding the commentary that it turned out to be a perfect day, during which Lindy had been thrilled to learn that someone from Scotland was now the owner of a copy of such an old single. He also passed on the info that Lindy had, naturally, been more than happy to sign the sleeve with a personal dedication to said owner.  In looking at the photo, and zooming in on the dedication, my jaw dropped, a large lump got stuck in my throat and tears filled up my eyes:-

“Dearest Jim. All my very best to you. Lindy”

The single had always been intended for me from the moment Colin found it in Rocksteady Records in Melbourne.  The idea of having it signed by Lindy was something that came to him later.

I still haven’t been able to find the right words with which to thank Colin for his incredible act of generosity.  He told me it was just his way of saying a huge thanks for being such a good friend over the many years, and that he knew just how much it would mean to me.

mp3: The Go-Betweens – Your Turn, My Turn
mp3: The Go-Betweens – World Weary

I’m still in disbelief.

JC

Pys Melyn, Welsh Wednesdays

WELSH WEDNESDAYS : #8 : PYS MELYN

aka The Vinyl Villain incorporating Is This The Life?

#8: Defaid by Pys Melyn

I’m aware that this run of Welsh Wednesdays has not yet featured any acts from the North (or “y Gogledd” – down here we refer to our northern compatriots as “Gogs”). It’s time to put that right with a bit of psychedelic folk from the coastal town of Pwllheli on the Llŷn Peninsula (a part of the world you really need to visit).

Pys Melyn (Yellow Peas) began releasing singles in 2018, and in 2019 formed Ski-Whiff Records. They were ejected from their first ever gig, at Cardiff’s Clwb Ifor Bach, because they were underage: “We were 15, with about three pieces of facial hair between us.” They persevered nonetheless, and their debut album ‘Byd Llonydd’ (Still World) was nominated for the 2021 Welsh Music Prize. Like a lot of Welsh bands, they do have a slightly quirky sound, but they do integrate all kinds of influences into their music. More recently, Pys Melyn have supported Gruff Rhys and Spiritualized, and played a live session on BBC 6 Music. Cate Le Bon is also a fan, so that’s more than enough of an accolade.

Their second album ‘Bolmynydd’ was released in the summer of 2023. It draws on a range of styles from the 60s and 70s, and lyrically it’s political and humorous in equal measures. It features today’s Welsh Wednesday pick, the short-and-sweet Defaid, which is Welsh for… sheep. Yes. Go on, snigger away. Cliché it may be, but the song is one of disillusionment and resignation. The third verse translates (roughly) as:

The sheep in the field have never been in the gutter / Eating grass all day is a fucking easy life
I’m sure worrying my life away is my fate / Because I have to.

mp3: Defaid by Pys Melyn (from ‘Bolmynydd’, 2023)

Here’s an early track that has a rather different feel to it.

 

The Robster

Primal Scream

ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN SINGLES : #078

aka The Vinyl Villain incorporating Sexy Loser

#078: Primal Scream– ‘Velocity Girl’ (Creation Records ’86)

Hello friends,

another B-side today, but what a B-Side, ey? I mean, be honest: can anyone of you sing along to the A-Side? No, you cannot, to be sure! ‘Crystal Crescent’ it was called, just to remind you.

And ‘Crystal Crescent’ was Primal Scream’s second single, preceded by ‘All Fall Down’/’It Happens’ in 1985, both songs might ring a bell with those of you who are old enough to have bought the according Creation-compilations at the time. Nice tunes, yes, but nothing in comparison to what was about to follow. I know, the majority of you will say: “… and this second single was nothing in comparison to what Primal Scream did afterwards”, and you even have a point here. But I always had severe difficulties in comparing the very early ‘Primal indie/jangle/noise-pop Scream’ to the later ‘Primal dance/triphop/Screamadelica Scream’: two different pair of shoes for me, always were.

So the early stuff it is for me, as usual. I understand very well that people who did not witness the original release of the famous NME ‘C86’ compilation, opened by today’s song of choice, probably cannot estimate its importance. ‘Groundbreaking’ is one of those adjectives which are being used too inflationary, if you ask me, but in this context it fits perfectly well! ‘C86’ managed to compile the best of the British indie guitar bands of the time, so by and large all of the songs on it were wonderful, obviously. But still the opener was somewhat special, and quite rightly it was praised a lot, some even say it defined the whole genre, which might be a bit over the top, but there you are.

It certainly was an influential/iconic pearl, let’s settle for that – one of those songs you won’t get tired of listening to, as vintage as it might be today. Hard to tell why this is, Bobby Gillespie’s desperate and naïve vocals perhaps, perhaps the simplicity of the rhythm, perhaps the jangly guitars, perhaps a combination of all of it, who knows? And, more importantly, who cares?

mp3: Primal Scream – Velocity Girl

The song was partly inspired by the actress, model and Warhol superstar Edie Sedgwick, so this is why she’s on the cover of the 2019 Sony re-release for Record Store Day – in all of her stunning beauty.

Someone once said about this song, ‘in pop music, 82 seconds can be an eternity’. Well, I’m all for that!

Enjoy,

Dirk

Fall

ON THIS DAY : THE FALL’S PEEL SESSIONS #13

A new series for 2025.  It’s an idea that came to me a few months back.  Some of you will hate it…….

The Fall recorded twenty-four sessions for the John Peel Show between 1978 and 2004.  Back in 2005, these were issued as a 6xCD box set by Castle Music, a collection which has long been out of print and has a going rate of upwards of £70 on Discogs, with the price being a little bit more if you want one carefully looked after by any previous owner and can be described as being in ‘near mint’ condition.

The plan for the series is not to feature them in chronological order, as that would be far too sensible.

Instead, I’m going to post them on the actual dates each session was first broadcast, which will almost certainly interfere with the regular stuff which you’ve come to anticipate/expect/dread * on Saturdays and Sundays, and perhaps on Wednesdays if The Robster is willing to extend his guest series beyond his initial commitment of ten parts.  Each post will also include the commentary within the booklet for each of the sessions.

*(delete as appropriate)

The thing is, the series is getting off to something of a stuttering start as a couple of the sessions were broadcast in the very early days of January, and to stick fully to the plan of posting on a particular anniversary would have involved new material while the blog was on its festive break.  We’ll get fully on track in due course.

Session #13 was broadcast on 1 January 1990, having been recorded on 17 December 1989.

Introducing the new sound of the full-on, pop reborn Fall, signed to a major label, welcoming back original guitarist Martin Brammah and heralding the imminent release of February 1990’s ‘Extricate’. We have a tight and humorous ‘Hilary’; a cover of The Monks ‘I Hate You’, re-titled ‘Black Monk Theme’, marking the flailing debut of Kenny Brady’s fiddle. ‘Chicago Now’ gives the recorded version a run for its money. ‘Whizz Bang’, which was to see the light of day as ‘Butterflies 4 Brains’ on the back of ‘Popcorn Double Feature’ was never broadcast, and it makes its debut here.  It’s not the greatest slice of The Fall you’ll ever hear. But it is here.

DARYL EASLEA, 2005

mp3: The Fall – Chicago Now (Peel Session)
mp3: The Fall – Black Monk Theme (Peel Session)
mp3: The Fall – Hilary (Peel Session)
mp3: The Fall – Whizz Bang (Peel Session)

Produced by Dale Griffin, engineered by Mike Engles.

Mark E Smith – vocals; Martin Brammah – guitar; Craig Scanlon – guitar; Steve Hanley – bass; Marcia Schofield – keyboards, vocals; Simon Wolstencroft – drums; Kenny Brady – fiddle

JC

Auteurs

AN HOUR OF…..THE AUTEURS

As usual, I’m (kind of) closing the blog down over the festive period.

Every day, weekends and holidays included, up to Monday 6 January 2025, you will find an hour-long mix featuring one particular band.

mp3: One Hour of……The Auteurs

Showgirl
Chinese Bakery
Everything You Say Will Destroy You
American Guitars
Buddha
Housebreaker
The Rubettes
Bailed Out
Unsolved Child Murder
New French Girlfriend
Brainchild
Lenny Valentino
Light Aircraft On Fire
Back With The Killer Again
After Murder Park
Subculture
The Upper Classes
How Could I Be Wrong
The Future Generation

Formative years were a drag. But we passed the time somehow.

The blog returns to normal as from tomorrow.

JC

Fall

AN HOUR OF…..THE FALL (3)

As usual, I’m (kind of) closing the blog down over the festive period.

Every day, weekends and holidays included, up to Monday 6 January 2025, you will find an hour-long mix featuring one particular band.

mp3: One Hour of……The Fall (Volume 3)

Green Eyed Loco Man
Industrial Estate
Victoria
Totally Wired
Hit The North
Idiot Joy Showland (Peel Session)
Fiery Jack
Cab It Up!
Telephone Thing
Cruiser’s Creek
Spoilt Victorian Child
Just Step Sways
Dead Beat Descendant
Hey! Student
New Face In Hell
No Bulbs 3

There’s a party going down around here……

JC

Pixies

AN HOUR OF…..PIXIES

As usual, I’m (kind of) closing the blog down over the festive period.

Every day, weekends and holidays included, up to Monday 6 January 2025, you will find an hour-long mix featuring one particular band.

mp3: One Hour of……Pixies

Holiday Song
Debaser
Nimrod’s Son
Head On
Gigantic
Wave Of Mutilation
Broken Face
Velouria
Cecilia Ann
U-Mass
Bone Machine
Isla De Encanta
Monkey Gone To Heaven
I’ve Been Waiting For You
Tame
Is She Weird?
Caribou
Subbacultcha (Peel Session)
Dig For Fire
Gouge Away
Planet of Sound
Where Is My Mind?
Here Comes Your Man

23 slabs of big big love.

JC

Carter USM

AN HOUR OF…..CARTER THE UNSTOPPABLE SEX MACHINE

As usual, I’m (kind of) closing the blog down over the festive period.

Every day, weekends and holidays included, up to Monday 6 January 2025, you will find an hour-long mix featuring one particular band.

mp3: One Hour of……Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine

Surfin’ USM
A Perfect Day To Drop The Bomb
The Only Living Boy In New Cross
After The Watershed (Early Learning The Hard Way)
Bloodsport For All
Elvis Lives (& Carterbreakamerica)
Everytime A Churchbell Rings
Anytime Anyplace Anywhere
Midnight On The Murder Mile
Shoppers’ Paradise
This Is How It Feels
Say It With Flowers
Rubbish
Rent
Sheriff Fatman

Coming soon in 2025.  Carter USM get the Sunday singles series treatment.

JC

Half Man Half Biscuit

AN HOUR OF…..HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT

As usual, I’m (kind of) closing the blog down over the festive period.

Every day, weekends and holidays included, up to Monday 6 January 2025, you will find an hour-long mix featuring one particular band.

mp3: One Hour of……Half Man Half Biscuit

I Was A Teenage Armchair Honved Fan
Four Skinny Indie Kids
The Trumpton Riots
Bob Wilson – Anchorman
With Goth On Our Side
Totnes Bickering Fair
Everything’s A.O.R.
Westward Ho! Massive Letdown
The Bastard Son of Dean Friedman
What Made Columbia Famous
The Light At The End Of The Tunnel……
Midnight Mass Murder
All I Want For Christmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit
Mr Cave’s A Window Cleaner Now
Joy Division Oven Gloves
Twenty Four Hour Garage People
Knobheads On Quiz Shows
National Shite Day
Time Flies By (When You’re The Driver Of A Train)
Stavanger Töestub

It’s turned out nice again (even with the sweariest song ever written to close things off).   Happy New Year.

JC