Heading for the Ditch 3
The mixtape of your dreams.....
I had a great deal of fun with the playlist this month and I think it might be the best one yet. It’s certainly diverse. Look out for the best live track ever (You won’t have heard it before) and that’s not hyperbole.
Usual access routes via YouTube here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNL96RUhY75TqHuRa_hmkraZML1sKNL36&si=h6_hHAPjA8WSYqkD
And Spotify is down below BUT before you switch over can you read the notes? It would make me feel this labour of love is useful…. I’d still do it but I can see that you are looking for music rather than words….
Anyway here’s Spotify
and here are the words…..
Lowdown Boz Scaggs
Well, that’s the wonder of music – you don’t play an artist for 20 years, then he’s the first to get a second play on Heading for the Ditch. Not a surprise I suppose, since the first time begat a listen to the second and a retrospective appreciation for the sheer smoothness of this 70’s track
Sick Day Fountains of Wayne
A spectacularly good band who should have become globe straddling megastars, but instead ended up best known for something approaching a novelty song, “Stacey’s Mom”. As proof they deserved better, have a listen to this from their first album. It’s an evocative marvel, conjuring images from the petty, sad office life that many of us lived in the 90’s.
Cuyahoga REM
Often REM feel like the Stipe Buck Band, but for me Mike Mills is easily their equal, if not superior, at least in the songwriting melody stakes. Here’s something from the early days to illustrate. The bass leads everything as you might expect, but the melody and the soaring chorus especially, are something special.
Suit of Lights Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello is a poet. A poet with a massive talent for a tune. You can take any couplet from this song and immediately you are onto lyrical Gold, viz:
“In the perforated first editions where they advocate the hangman’s noose”
That’s a 2-line joke with a 2-word punchline
Or:
“Outside they are painting tar on somebody It’s the closest to a work of art they will ever be”
Inspired and craftsman skilled. Jaw-dropping
Jolly Coppers on Parade Randy Newman
When the ‘Big Adding Up’ happens and the King of Music is declared, somewhere near the top of the deity’s shortlist for Regent will be Randy Newman. He just has that ability to create such wonderful songs with narratives that are contentious, funny, evocative. This one is the tale of a police parade told from a child’s point of view, but the beautiful descending melody sets it apart.
North by North The Bats
From the rich vein of the Dunedin Sound in New Zealand came The Bats. Yet another example of the fact that something unique and magical was going on down there in the 80’s and 90’s. This was from the first full album they produced and this track is a great introduction. It’s definitely worth digging out more of The Bats if you like North by North
Hard Headed Woman Cat Stevens
The early 70s was prime time in the Cat Stevens era. Those who weren’t around would have trouble believing how popular he was. Like many pop and rock stars of the time Stevens was a spiritual sort of cove, but nobody else from Harrison, Lennon, Townsend downwards gave up everything for their religion like he did. Before that decision his albums were ubiquitous wherever teenagers congregated. This track is a lovely representation of his genius.
Water from a Vine Leaf William Orbit
Been looking to get some 90’s dancey stuff into the playlists so here’s one from the godfather of techno, Wiliam Orbit. He wrote this with Beth Orton and it’s a slower paced example of his craft. He of course, later became the go-to producer for many established stars. When Madonna wanted something that sounded different from what had gone before he came in for “Ray of Light.” He did the same for U2 and most notably produced ‘13’ for Blur. Damon Albarn described him as “like a psychiatrist”.
Midnight Sun The Strawbs
Early 70’s album tracks often flow one into the next, as here. And after that we have the singular voice of The Strawbs’ Dave Cousins. This is one of the tracks that are known by aficionados of the Progressive (not ‘Prog’) Rock pantheon as “That quiet one…..you know.” Anyway, it’s lovely whatever you call it.
Come back Baby Steely Dan
They had to appear at some point, the one ever present throughout my musical life since 1973. This is a never-released track from the earliest years. Just imagine being so chock-full of music that this never appears on any official releases. Oh, and there are at least another 20 of its ilk floating around on the www.
Jimmy Bell 15-60-75
So, you’re in Ohio in 1975 (bear with me) and decide to call in to the Cleveland Agora Hall to see a Bob Marley gig. Opening for them is a local band with a name that’s just numbers. So… do you stay in the bar or go through and catch the warm-up? If you had made the right decision you would have heard this very recording. This is possibly the best live track I’ve ever heard bar none. Go on… turn it up loud and be prepared to be amazed. The muted applause at the end I like to think is because the audience have their mouths gaping in astonishment. Mind you it's Marley I feel sorry for… imagine following this!
Too Rolling Stoned Robin Trower
Robin Trower has played guitar with two truly magnificent, now sadly departed, vocalists. Gary Brooker in Procul Harum and here he’s with the dark brown voice of his bassist James Dewar. This is one of those tracks that sound as if all involved had a great time recording it. Trower stands with the greats of British guitar but never quite got his due, as is frequently the way.
In a Room Dodgy
You could argue that Dodgy came from Division 2 of the Britpop League. But like many in that position they are capable of upsets on their day. This is a great track from the album Free Peace Sweet. Listen out for the drumming of Matthew Priest, it’s the closest you are likely to get to hearing Keith Moon reincarnated! Not surprisingly Priest fills his time in these days as a drum tutor.
The High Road The Feelies
In 1986 the Feelies produced this lovely song which sounds both reminiscent of other things, but unique at the same time. I love the off-kilter vocals and especially the percussion throughout which really keeps things motoring on in a most pleasing fashion. REM’s Peter Buck was a big fan and you can hear they are from the same stable.
Tired of Toein’ the line Rocky Burnett
I know. This is one of those tracks that’s resides somewhere in your subconscious only surfacing once a decade or so, but then you can’t stop humming “Baby I’m… tired of toein’ the line” for a week afterwards. It’s a killer earworm, that’s what it is, and I make no apologies for it.
My White Bicycle Tomorrow
A full house of Psychedelia here: Backward phased guitars and drums, naïve lyrics, driving rocky underpinnings. Tomorrow had obviously drunk deep from the Walrus Well, deciding that anything John did couldn’t fail. They didn’t chart with it. Nevertheless Steve Howe (yes, that one), Keith (‘Grocer Jack’) West and co deserve an honourable mention for itin the Psych history books.
Love in Flames Be Bop Deluxe
Be Bop Deluxe are revered these days mainly for the Sunburst Finish album, but in my book Drastic Plastic is far superior. Wakefield’s own axe hero Bill Nelson reins in the pyrotechnics ‘til the last minute or so, but then can’t hold back any longer which leads to an exuberant end!
Shine On The House of Love
Guy Chadwick was the original songwriter and vocalist for The House of Love and when Alan McGee signed them for Creation this track was one of the early results. They went on to produce some of Indie rock’s most melodic tracks. In 2005, after a lengthy hiatus, The House of Love reformed and released an album “Days Run Away” that stands as possibly the best example of a reformed band keeping up the quality, despite the passage of time.
Crash The Primitives
Astonishingly, a few years ago Johnny Marr beamed down from planet Rock Star to Northampton’s Roadmender Club, where Susie and I had tickets. A fab night was had by all and I even took a good pic! (Below.)
Anyway, the encore Marr played was this, he played it with his son and band and an excellent version it was too. Subsequently one of my faves.
Kite Nick Hayward
Fresh from Haircut 100 Nick Hayward went out on his own and exhibited a genius for the 3-minute single almost unmatched in 80’s and especially on his album ‘From Monday to Sunday’. This is such a stupendous example of the type that it has appeared on many covers albums. But the original’s sheer simplicity puts it head and shoulders above the rest.