I came across an excellent BBC documentary about the Wigan Casino and the Northern Soul scene there in the 70’s which featured a pretty spectacular soundtrack.
This track was probably the most famous featured but look out for some more lesser known gems in the coming days and weeks. It is taken from Stevie Wonder’s 1966 album Up-Tight.
Stevie Wonder:
/RjK
I had a very early (and rather sleepy) bus ride this morning and this track came on the radio. It might have been my rather groggy state but it sounded rather good.
UK singer Tasmin Archer was something of an early-90’s one hit wonder.
Tasmin Archer – Sleeping Satellite:
/RjK
*Artist #738
I was reminded of this track when revisiting The Blues Brother (which features a good version for an unappreciative audience!) recently.
It was originally released in 1966 by English band The Spencer Davis Group. It is a go to song if I ever need to give a party or playlist some energy.
The Spencer Davis Group:
/RjK
*Artist #737
Even though Madonna seems to have rather turned into a parody of herself in recent times, I can’t help but listen to her music from back in the day and give it up to her. She definitely had some musical game.
This track is taken from the 1985 movie Desperately Seeking Susan.
Oh 80’s Madonna, where did is all go wrong?…
Madonna circa 1985:
/RjK
This is day number 1000 of blogging!! Thanks for sticking with me, the journey has been long and rather meandering but I hope that you might have discovered something unexpected along the way. I have really enjoyed sharing it with you.
It has taken me to some strange and surprising places but all in all it’s been an enriching experience. I hopefully have at least a few more posts in me yet…
This track is, I suppose, typical of the blog thus far. It is random and a little obscure but I heard it on the radio (Tom Ravenscroft’s show part of a Mood Rings guest mix) and it has been stuck in my head since.
A.R. Kane were a Dream pop band formed in the 80’s and this was originally released in 1992 is featured on a soon to be released retrospective of their work.
A.R. Kane:
/RjK
*Artist #736
In my meandering travels about YouTube this week I stumbled across this rather good cover version of Sam Cooke’s spectacular original. Aretha and Sam must have two of the best voices ever recorded so to hear one of them cover another’s track is actually quite thrilling.
This is taken from Aretha’s excellent 1967 album I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, which is jam-packed with hits and stand out tracks and is well worth checking out if you so inclined.
Aretha Franklin – I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You:
/RjK
This track, a 90’s classic, came into my head over the weekend for no particular reason. It is one of the very first tracks I can remember hearing on the radio.
It is taken from Seal’s 1991 eponymous debut album which also featured the equally classic Crazy.
There is a pretty enjoyable video here too…
Seal (circa 1991):
/RjK
I first discovered the late, great Donny Hathaway (great voice, sad story) when I heard his great cover of John Lennon’s Jealous Guy (which I posted a couple of years ago). This is taken from the same album, Live, which was released in 1972.
This makes for a nice, smooth start to the week, which is always welcome.
Donny Hathaway:
/RjK
This track is from Dunc, part of Maryland group DTMD (I posted a great track of theirs a couple of years ago). They are from the same part of the world as blog favourite Oddisee and it was on his Twitter feed that I spotted it.
I really like the smooth sample and matching rhymes. Also, the video is kind of cool in a rather offbeat way.
DTMD:
/RjK
*Artist #735
I discovered this whimsical, dreamy gem on the always excellent Far From Cyan Blog a couple of days ago and I have been entranced by it’s lo-fi charm since.
Memoryhouse are from Ontario, Canada and this track is taken from their 2010 EP The Years (a “nostalgic bedroom project” according to Pitckfork).
Memoryhouse:
/RjK
*Artist #734