Tidy Tunes 2019 #12/28 Crucial Moments - The Bouncing Souls

Crucial Moments - The Bouncing Souls
Rise Records
from the

'Crucial Moments' EP
Due for release 15th March 2019

Crucial Moments

The Bouncing Souls

We came together to honor an old friend
Let's talk about music
Good times and those moments in between

It felt like they didn't matter
They'd go on forever
Played on repeat
We shared a heartbeat
Let's have one more

One more crucial moment
One more crucial moment

We came together to honor a dear friend
Your presence was bigger
Than anything I've ever seen

It felt like it didn't matter
We'd go on forever
Played on repeat
We shared a heartbeat
Let's have one more
One more

One more crucial moment
One more crucial moment
One more round, one more sound
Spin it round
One more crucial moment

These chords stick with me
This ink etched on me
These crucial moments
Played on repeat on and on
This beat it will be
Forever giving me
These crucial moments
Played on repeat on and on
On and on

One more crucial moment
One more crucial moment
One more round, one more sound
Spin it round, never coming down
One more crucial moment

It would be easy for The Bouncing Souls to rest on their laurels when celebrating their 30th anniversary. After all, over those past three decades, the New Jersey punks have released ten full-length albums, toured all around the globe, and become one of the most respected bands of their scene. It would have been easy to sling together a selection of their best known work, write a new song or two, and hit the road for a nostalgia tour. But that’s not who The Bouncing Souls are and it’s not who they’ve ever been. Instead the four-piece—vocalist Greg Attonito, guitarist Pete Steinkopf and bassist Bryan Kienlen, who started the band in 1989, and were joined by drummer George Rebelo in 2013—decided to share Crucial Moments with the world. The new six-song EP captures who the band are now, and its accompanying book looks back on who they were and where they came from. 

They will also be out on the road touring North America and Europe to celebrate. The UK dates are:

22nd October The Fleece Bristol
24th October St Lukes Glasgow
25th October Gorilla Manchester
26th October Electric Ballroom London

The S4L Top 5

The Bouncing Souls

1. True Believers

2. Kids and Heroes

3. The Gold Song

4. Sing Along Forever

5. For All The Unheard

Tidy Tunes 2019 #11/28 Soul Satisfaction - Ian Brown

Soul Satisfaction - Ian Brown
From the album
Ripples
Virgin EMI
Released 1st February 2019

Listen To The Album Here.

I am not usually a big fan of Ian Brown's music (I was not a huge fan either of the Stone Roses...I know!...Bite Me! 😎) but I heard a few tracks in the lead up to the release of 'Ripples', his seventh studio album and his first for ten years, and was actually quite impressed. 

There's a number of strong songs on the album but 'Soul Satisfaction' is my favourite, hence the choice for today's Tidy Tune.

Other Videos related to the album

First World Problems.

Ripples.

Black Roses.

Tidy Tunes 2019 #10/28 Give Stupidity A Chance - Pet Shop Boys

Give Stupidity A Chance - Pet Shop Boys
from the EP 'Agenda'
x2 Recordings
Digital Release 8th February 2019
To be Released on CD with the book 'Annually' and 12" Vinyl 12th April 2019

It's only every once in awhile that I dip in and see what the Pet Shop Boys are up to. There are a few songs over the years that have caught my attention but I have to admit to not being a huge fan who buys everything (mainly just the compilations). So I was quite taken with their latest release, an EP called 'Agenda' and especially the opening track 'Give Stupidity A Chance'.

Pet Shop Boys have that uncanny ability to take a very serious issue and actually make a statement in a very pop style without being over the top about it. Lyrically, 'Give Stupidity A Chance', is a fantastic insight into the world as we know it today with the wrong people in power making the dumbest decisions for the many. 

I have to say that I'm pretty impressed with it and that's why it's today's Tidy Tune.

The Remaining Tracks on the 'Agenda' EP:

On Social Media.

What Are We Going To Do About The Rich?

The Forgotten Child.

Tidy Tunes 2019 #9/28 Slippery People - Mavis Staples

Slippery People - Mavis Staples
from the album
'Live In London'
ANTI-Records
Released 8th February 2019

Listen to the album here.

Recorded over two nights at the Union Chapel, London back in July 2018, Mavis Staples treats us to a wonderful cover of the Talking Heads classic 'Slippery People'. She's been performing it for quite a few years now and it never fails to delight.

The new 'Live In London' album is her first live album for a decade and predominately spotlights the music she has been releasing the past few years alongside Jeff Tweedy of Wilco.

Mavis Staples is aged 79 (she'll hit the #80 in July) and she continues to play live shows and record new music. Ain't no stopping this lady! 

The Weight - Mavis Staples with Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra

Hootenanny  2017

Tidy Tunes 2019 #8/28 Something That I Said - Ruts

Something That I Said - Ruts
Virgin Records
Released 31st August 1979

In a few days time Ruts DC are to begin their UK Tour to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the release of the Ruts debut album The Crack. They will be playing the album in sequence and probably a bunch of great classic Ruts tunes as well as Ruts DC songs.

Seeing as that's about to happen I thought I would post 'Something That I Said' as today's Tidy Tune.  Also below is a link to listen afresh to the debut album 'The Crack', as well as the Ruts with Henry Rollins performing two classic tunes live and Ruts DC performing the Ruts debut single 'In A Rut' acoustically.

Enjoy.

Listen To The Album Here.

Henry Rollins talks about 'The Crack'.

Babylon's Burning/Society - The Ruts with Henry Rollins
16th July 2007


In A Rut (Acoustic Live) - Ruts DC
11th January 2019

Tidy Tunes 2019 #7/28 I Couldn't Be You - U.K. Subs

I Couldn't Be You - U.K. Subs

From the album

Another Kind of Blues
GEM
Released 14th September 1979

There are so many Singles and Albums that fall under the banner of 'My Soundtrack4Life' and they each have a different tale to tell.

Almost a year before the debut album from the U.K. Subs was released in 1979 (another that will celebrate its 40th Anniversary this year) they issued their debut single/ep C.I.D. on City Records. 

I think I first heard them on the Farewell To The Roxy album that had been released in April 1978 and contained two songs with a total time of two minutes and twelve seconds (I Live In A Car and Telephone Numbers) and then came their debut session for John Peel.

Debut John Peel Session

Recorded 23rd May 1978

Broadcast 31st May 1978

1. I Couldn't Be You 
2. Tomorrow's Girls 
3. Disease
4. C.I.D.
5. Stranglehold 

**********

It must have been within a month or so after hearing the Peel Session that I went to see them for the first time in concert, the first of many shows over the years!

On 'I Couldn't Be You' Charlie Harper brings to bear some of those R&B chops from his days fronting his first band back in 1964! It always seemed odd hearing a harmonica on a Punk Rock song but the song is actually a cover version by a British Rock and Roll singer John B. Presley. I've tried hunting for a version by him but to no avail at present. The song in a way seems a little bit out of place on the album but I think it is still one of the standout songs by the band.

I pulled the album out a few days ago having not played it for sometime and a host of memories came flooding back of running around with the Forest Hill Punks, bouncing around London and just outside going to U.K. Subs shows and other bands with my mates. 

The lyrics always made me laugh (I can't ever recall wanting to wear a "cowboy hat"!) and yet they seem so relevant to things today when people are forced to work way beyond pensionable age with great uncertainty about actually getting a works pension let alone the measley sum paid out for the State Pension! The other thing of course is that Charlie rejected that 9 to 5 to do something he loved and even though he is now beyond pensionable age he is still doing what he loves whether it be solo or with the band that has given him a lifeline since the 70s.

"They said that you’re a big boy now, it’s time to set you free in the world
Don’t forget that steady job, and don’t forget that steady girl
They said you start at nine o’clock and then we let you out at five
And if you act very smart you get a pension when you’re 65

I said I couldn’t be you if you wanted me to
And you couldn’t be me if I begged you to be"

Tidy Tunes 2019 #6/28 Protection - Graham Parker and The Rumour

Protection - Graham Parker and The Rumour
Vertigo (UK)/Arista (USA)
Released February 1979

There are so many great singles and albums that hit the 40 Years Old mark this year and one of my many favourites from back when I was a little 16 year old lad is this one from Graham Parker and The Rumour.

Graham Parker was always one of those guys you thought had the promise of being a huge star but for one reason or another his record sales never translated into massive sellers. That's not because his music was bad, that's so far from the truth as to be a totally ridiculous accusation, but for reasons unknown he wasn't taken to heart by the masses. I have put a load of links down below so give the man a shot if you've never really listened to him before.

The Protection single never even charted in the UK which I found quite surprising. The album from which it sprung from, 'Squeezing Out Sparks' didn't manage to break into the Top 20 UK Album Chart, stalling at #22! He only ever had three chart placings with his singles: Hold Back The Night ( #24 The Pink Parker EP 1977), Hey Lord, Don't Ask Me Questions (#32 1978) and Temporary Beauty (#50 1982). As for his albums, his first two in 1976 Howlin' Wind and Heat Treatment never charted in the UK; Stick To Me (#35 in 1977); The Parkerilla (#14 in 1978); The Up Escalator (#36 in 1980); Another Grey Area (#98 in 1982); The Real Macaw (#57 in 1983); and the last album to chart (#81) was in 1988 with The Mona Lisa's Sister. Since then he has released a further 14 studio albums and numerous live albums which have not got anywhere near to the charts in the UK!

A Wee Bonus:

To celebrate the up and coming 

40th Anniversary 

of  

Squeezing Out Sparks

 you can listen to the whole album below.

Squeezing Out Sparks - Graham Parker and The Rumour
Vertigo

Produced by Jack Nitzsche
Released March 1979
UK Chart #22
US Chart #40

Tidy Tunes 2019 #5/28 Deeside (Demo) - The Alarm

Deeside (Demo) - The Alarm

From the 'Strength 1985-86 (Remastered)' album 

due for release 15th March 2019

Last year The Alarm reissued their debut album 'Declaration' in a remastered format both on Vinyl, CD and Download  and in March they will be doing likewise with their second album 'Strength'. This news was announced just a couple of days ago at The Gathering in Llandudno.

You can Pre-order the album from The Alarm Website at the moment.

There will be different track listing on the CD and Vinyl versions.

The CD features the US released version and comes as a Double CD with the second disc featuring some songs that appeared on the Alt-Strength album that was floating around a good few years ago.

STRENGTH 1985-1986 CD ONE - Original US album, Singles and B-sides Remastered.

KNIFE EDGE [Album Master]
STRENGTH  [Album Master]
DAWN CHORUS  [Album Master]
SPIRIT OF '76  [Album Master]
DEESIDE  [Album Master]
FATHER TO SON  [Album Master]
ONLY THE THUNDER  [Album Master]
THE DAY THE RAVENS LEFT THE TOWER  [Album Master]
ABSOLUTE REALITY [Album Master - CD / Digital ONLY]
WALK FOREVER BY MY SIDE  [Album Master]
STRENGTH [7" SINGLE VERSION]
MAJORITY [Strength B-SIDE]
STRENGTH [12" POWER MIX]
ABSOLUTE REALITY [IMPROMPTU ACOUSTIC VERSION]
SPIRIT OF '76 [7" SINGLE VERSION]
CAROLINE ISENBERG [Knife Edge B-SIDE]

STRENGTH 1985-1986 CD TWO [ALTERNATIVE STRENGTH ALBUM VERSIONS AND STUDIO SESSION OUT TAKES]

INTRO
GET IT ON [OUTTAKE]
DAWN CHORUS [OUTTAKE FROM ROUNDHOUSE STUDIOS]
SUMMERTIME BLUES [OUTTAKE]
KNIFE EDGE [ROUGH MIX FROM ROUNDHOUSE STUDIOS]
ALARM ALARM / RADAR LOVE [OUTTAKE]
ONLY THE THUNDER [OUTTAKE FROM MARCUS STUDIOS]
BURN [OUTTAKE]
SPIRIT OF '76 [OUTTAKE FROM MARCUS STUDIOS]
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE [OUTTAKE]
FOR TOMORROW [OUTTAKE FROM MARCUS STUDIOS]
VICIOUS [OUTTAKE]
DEESIDE [OUTTAKE FROM MARCUS STUDIOS]
ALL RIGHT NOW [OUTTAKE]
ABSOLUTE REALITY [OUTTAKE FROM MARCUS STUDIOS]
UNKNOWN [OUTTAKE]
THE DAY THE RAVENS LEFT THE TOWER [OUTTAKE FROM MARCUS STUDIOS]
COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN [OUTTAKE]
ONE STEP CLOSER TO HOME [OUTTAKE FROM MARCUS STUDIOS]
MAGGIE MAY / MAGGIE'S FARM / STAND DOWN MARGARET [OUTTAKE]
BRASS BAND [OUTTAKE]
WALK FOREVER BY MY SIDE [OUTTAKE FROM MARCUS STUDIOS]
UNTITLED JAM SESSION [OUTTAKE]
STRENGTH  [OUTTAKE FROM MARCUS STUDIOS]
OUTRO 

The Vinyl version comes as a Double Album and features the UK track listing plus bonus tracks:

LP SIDE ONE - ORIGINAL UK ALBUM Remastered

KNIFE EDGE [Album Master]
STRENGTH [Album Master]
DAWN CHORUS [Album Master]
SPIRIT OF '76 [Album Master]

LP SIDE TWO - ORIGINAL UK ALBUM Remastered

DEESIDE  [Album Master]
FATHER TO SON  [Album Master]
ONLY THE THUNDER  [Album Master]
THE DAY THE RAVENS LEFT THE TOWER  [Album Master]
WALK FOREVER BY MY SIDE  [Album Master]

LP SIDE THREE - [ABSOLUTE REALITY ALBUM DEMOS]

ABSOLUTE REALITY [Demo]
SONS OF DIVORCE  [Demo]
ONE STEP CLOSER TO HOME  [Demo]
THE DAY THE RAVENS LEFT THE TOWER  [Demo]
STEELTOWN  [Demo]
WE ARE MAJORITY  [Demo]

LP SIDE FOUR - [ABSOLUTE REALITY ALBUM DEMOS PLUS SOUNDCHECK AND STUDIO DEMOS]

KNIFE EDGE  [Demo]
MEMORIAL DAY  [Demo]
BLACK SIDE OF FORTUNE  [Demo]
GIVE ME LOVE  [Soundcheck Demo]
IN THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY [Pluto Studios Demo]
RIVER STILL TO CROSS  [Marcus Studio Demo]

A number of the songs from the 'Strength' album are still played as part of the set with current line up of The Alarm.

A Few Bonus Tunes to Check out:

Knife Edge (Live at The Gathering 2015)

Strength (Live in Glasgow 2017).

Spirit of '76 (Live in Atlanta 2018).

Walk Forever By My Side (Mike Peters at The Gathering 2006). 

Absolute Reality (Live in Leeds 2018).

Tidy Tunes 2019 #4/28: You Must Be Prepared To Dream - Ian McNabb featuring Crazy Horse

You Must Be Prepared To Dream - Ian McNabb featuring Crazy Horse
Taken from the album 'Head Like A Rock'
Single Released 13th June 1994
Album Released 4th July 1994

Listen To The Album Here.

Later on this year it will be the 25th Anniversary since the release of Ian McNabb's classic second Solo album 'Head Like A Rock'.

'You Must Be Prepared To Dream' was the 1st single taken from the album and it reached #54 on the UK Singles Chart, the album achieved his highest Album Chart placing in his Solo career by reaching #29. Four tracks on the 'Head Like A Rock' album feature Crazy Horse members Ralph Molina (Drums) and Billy Talbot (Bass).

There's a couple of the verses near the end of the song that I really love:

"You're unique, one of a kind, You know it's coming, you
can see the signs
All your life, you waited for this moment
Pretty soon you're gonna fall in love, and it's going
to last forever

So set a course for the furthest star, You know you're
good, now you know where you are
Nothing's going to stop you, no-one's going to top you,
believe it
You're going to explode in a jewelled sky, and they'll
all be there to see you"

McNabb has continued touring and releasing records and last year unleashed his latest and 12th Solo Studio album Our Future In Space.

Tidy Tunes 2019 #3/28: That'll Be The Day - The Crickets

It seems only right today to pick a classic tune that featured the late Buddy Holly as today is the 60th Anniversary of his untimely death along with The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens and pilot Roger Peterson (he tends to get forgotten often when people speak about the plane crash with the focus being just upon the rock and roll stars who lost their lives that day).

There's a few bonus links to check out as well so just click on them to hear more from the boy from Lubbock, Texas.

Buddy Holly was only 22 years old when he died. He had only three albums released, one with The Crickets (The "Chirping" Crickets - Brunswick 1957) and two under his own name (Buddy Holly - Coral 1958 and That'll Be The Day - Decca 1958) and around 18 singles between 1956-1959.

Since his passing there have been so many collections of his music released. Over on Discogs it currently stands at more than 300 Compilation albums!

That'll Be The Day - The Crickets
Brunswick
27th March 1957

A Personal Word and a wee Bonus:

Although Buddy Holly died four years before I entered this world (in 1963) his music has always been something that I can recall being a part of my life when I was a kid and even now as I am in my mid-fifties his songs still hold a special place in my heart.

My #1 Favourite Song of All-Time just happens to be a Buddy Holly song: