Dodgy – Good Enough


A couple of days ago I posted an REM track from the first album I remember purchasing. It got me to thinking about the music I liked when I was younger than I can now imagine, before De La Soul blew my mind and opened my eyes to the world of music beyond the limited horizons offered in Northern Ireland in those days. It was a very rich seam of music to mine and expected plenty of music from that era in the coming weeks and months. Britpop may seem a little naff now but you can’t fight nostalgia.

Also there has been some remarkably good weather in London over the past few weeks. I thought it would be good to post 4 minutes of pure sunshine to mark this rare phenomenon.

/RjK

Aside

The Beatles – Revolution

I thought it best to post something slightly less esoteric today. I don’t think there can be many more things as ubiquitously popular as The Beatles. And rightly so.

I agonised about which their songs to post. They made so many great records, from the earlier trailblazing pop to the later, more conscious and world-weary stuff like this. It was all great.

In the end I went for this as George Harrison’s guitar is so startlingly good good. Also, it still sounds really fresh and raw which, given that it was recorded 43 years ago is quite an achievement.

Nguuni Lovers Lovers – Christmas Kitui


And now for something completely different! A few things inspired me to post this by Kenyan band Nguuni Lovers Lovers:

1) It is JOYOUS

2) Paul Simon – As I mentioned I have been listening to Rhythm Of The Saints endlessly recently and the fact it features world music heavily inspired me to do some investigating.

3) Tom Ravenscroft – As I mentioned in a previous post he played a song by these guys which was captivating and motivated me to hunt them down.

4) The video – HOW amazing is it? The couple dancing together in time fills me with such happiness. I need to find myself a dance partner and bust out some of those moves one evening. London won’t know what hit it! Not to mention it generally charming old-fashioned and low budget feel.

5) Sammy – My good friend commented on last night’s post from Namibia. This is for you buddy. I am more jealous than I can convey.

I hope you all enjoy it just as much as I have been.

Aside

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers – Don’t do me like that

I think this is a great rock and roll song. It really reminds of a very happy year I spent having the time of my life in Berkeley, California.

Aside

FM Belfast – Underwear

FM Beflast are an Iclandic electro pop band. Interesting name for such a band. Not sure where it came from. Any ideas?

It feels like a while since I posted something fresh. It has a typically Scandinavian sound – simple and fun.

Aside

Big Joe Turner – Shake, Rattle and Roll

I think this is just a perfect song. I love it’s old fashioned sound.

Hurts – Wonderful Life


These guys have been around for a couple of years now but this, the first song by them I heard, is still my favourite. The stylish, monochrome video suits the song which is cool and retro.

/RjK

29th April

Madonna – Holiday

London was gripped by royal wedding fever today. I wasn’t too enthusiastic about it. However, I ended up at street party in Kennington and despite my cynicism it was really fun – like a raucous outdoor wedding reception. They played this, along with some other classic cheesy tunes. It’s a favourite party anthem of mine.

Oh 80’s Madonna – where did it all go wrong?

28th April

Jamiroquai – Space Cowboy

See yesterday’s post. I thought I would complete the trip down memory lane.

27th April

REM – Nightswimming

I could comfortably posted another track from Rhythm of the saints (see yesterday) today. But I resolved at the start of the year not to post 2 tracks by the same artist until I had exhausted every one I liked. So my neurosis got the better of me as there are some many great bands still on my list.

Reading the interview with Michael Stipe a couple of weeks ago reminded me of REM. They are an amazing band. Their sheer production is staggering, with their latest album being number 15! Nightswimming was my favourite song on the first album I ever bought – Automatic for the people. I bought on cassette along with Return of the space cowboy by Jamiroquai. It is the first song I can remember really loving and playing it over and over on my walkman.