It's been a while since I last put together a playlist for the "Radio Show" and so today here's a special one.
Today is International Women's Day and I have selected 18 tunes from bands either fronted by women or bands that are all-female. Some you will know, others maybe not so much but I do hope you enjoy this latest edition.
On the Playlist On My Radio - The Selecter Do The Rocksteady - The Bodysnatchers Spellbound - Siouxsie Soux Nostalgia - Penetration In The Beginning There Was Rhythm Violence Grew - Honey Bane Jet Fighter - The Bangles Head Over Heels - The Go Go's Me Vs The World - Halo Friendlies Rules and Regulations - Maid of Ace Barracuda - Chelsea Girls Do You Wanna Hit It - The Donnas Emergency - Girlschool Pace Doesn't Love Me - Spazzys Soulmates to Strangers - Joan Jett Gravity - Blondie The Daily Fail The Ramonas Fairytale In The Supermarket - The Raincoats
My Dark Places - Stiff Little Fingers from the album No Going Back Rigid Digits Released 2014 Reissued as 2CD set on Ear Music 2017
I wanted to follow up the piece I just posted regarding the Springsteen song, 'This Depression' by returning to a song that I have over the past few years shared on this blog and I hope that you are not fed up with me mentioning it again!
The reason I thought I should post this one again is that unlike the Springsteen song, which doesn't really go into any great details regarding the impact of Depression upon a life, this one written by Jake Burns and performed by Stiff Little Fingers does.
I don't think I need to give a running commentary on the lyrics (see below) as they are pretty clear at what Jake Burns was wishing to communicate with the song.
I love the fact that SLF have been speaking about this issue now for many years and that the song 'My Dark Places' sits in their set as one of their finest songs to date and that pretty much every night they hit the stage that Jake takes time to talk about Depression before they unleash the song.
If you need help with issues relating to
Depression please speak to your Doctor or even one of the many
helplines that are available in many countries that are dedicated to
helping people in times of trouble.
If you live in the UK here is a link that provides some information regarding such helplines and agencies. CLICK HERE.
(Original Release Cover)
Acoustic Version
My Dark Places - Jake Burns Well it cuts just like a knife Takes away your love of life Puts out your fire and leaves you in the ashes And you lay there in the hole What you loved now leaves you cold It's hard to get the strength to face the morning Somedays you really feel like hiding Somedays you you swear you'll never go out anymore
And I'm not going back I'm not going back to my dark places And I'm not going back I'm not going back to my dark places
Well the days drag slowly by All you want to do is cry Nothing makes sense nothing has a reason And the world is not the same And you're the one to blame Before too long you feel just like a prisoner Some days you really feel like screaming Some days you swear you'll never smile anymore And I'm not going back I'm not going back to my dark places And I'm not going back I'm not going back to my dark places
It's something they can't see yet it seems so real to me Can't explain just how I feel when what I feel is no emotion It's not a tragedy, yet that's how it seems to me I wish you could see or even for one minute be me
Well, I got there in the end With the help of many friends Some who helped by simply just believing And the days look brighter now yet I know someday, somehow I could end up back there in an instant Some days I really feel like laughing Some days I realise I must stay on my guard
And I'm not going back I'm not going back to my dark places And I'm not going back I'm not going back to my dark places
Live At Glasgow Barrowlands from the album 'Best Served Loud'
This Depression - Bruce Springsteen from the album 'Wrecking Ball'
Released 2012
Album Version
I have posted previously on the subject of Depression and it's a subject that's always worth revisiting because it is something that doesn't just disappear overnight or if you are not talking about it. I was just recently listening afresh to the Wrecking Ball album by Bruce Springsteen as it has been seven years since the album was released. The track 'This Depression' was not one that immediately jumped off the record as a particular favourite but over time it is a song that has begun to be etched a little on my psyche.
Now I am no Doctor and so I would not pretend for even a split second that I have the answer, the cure for Depression because I don't. But one thing I have learned over the years is that it is good to talk about it.
In days of old of course such things would never be spoken of, there would be a challenge to "Grin and bear it", "Man up", "Don't be so soft!", "Pull yourself together and stop being so weak" (I'm sure you have probably heard a hundred and one more examples from people who just don't want to confront the issue and think they can wave it off with a dismissive jab. But the days are changing and Mental Health is something that is being spoken about in the media an awful lot (especially when a high profile celebrity or musician begins talking about it or sadly takes their own life as a result of it). In the world of music there are many songs that deal with the issue of Depression (just do a Google Search with the line "Songs About Depression" and you will find endless lists spotlighting some of these songs - here's one from the NME: 50 Songs About Depression). Bruce Springsteen has actually spoken for a number of years about Depression, going right back to the start of the nineties when he begun mentioning that he had been going to therapy. His autobiography, Born To Run, also touches on the subject and when the book was first published many writers and reviewers zoomed in on that issue as if it was some grand revelation but as I said, he has spoken about it in interviews a number of times over the years before the book even came to pass.
The actual song 'This Depression' does not go into any great depth about the issue but it does spotlight a few things that are characteristic about it (feeling down, lost, low, faith shaken, appearing strong when you are actually weak, and a sense of hopelessness and being unloved).
One of the standout things from the song I think is the sense of desperation and the willingness to recognise that someone else (a loved one, a friend or the family) is vital in the process of dealing with Depression:
"This is my confession
I Need Your Heart
In This Depression
I Need Your Heart"
That speaks to me about the need to have people in your life who love you and want the very best for you and demonstrate by their actions (whether by being a good listener or just being there when you need a shoulder to lean on) that they have "Heart". Also, the fact that you recognise that you need help is not to be regarded as a sign of weakness but rather one of strength.
Another reason for posting about the subject is that I am very much aware in my own personal life, due to my own health issues and the medication I take for my Epilepsy, that I can be prone to bouts of Depression. So in a way it's a sort of reminder to myself about the value I place upon people in my life and what "I Need" to breakthrough and begin to flourish a little.
I like that line in the song "Now the morning sun, the morning sun is breaking" which speaks of the new day dawning and the possibilities that lie ahead even when we are dealing with such a difficult issue in our lives.
If you need help with issues relating to Depression please speak to your Doctor or even one of the many helplines that are available in many countries that are dedicated to helping people in times of trouble.
If you live in the UK here is a link that provides some information regarding such helplines and agencies. CLICK HERE.
Live Version First Direct Arena, Leeds 24th July 2013
This Depression written by Bruce Springsteen
Baby, I've been down, but never this down I've been lost, but never this lost
This is my confession I need your heart In this depression I need your heart
Baby, I've been low, but never this low I’ve had my faith shaken but never hopeless
This is my confession I need your heart In this depression I need your heart
I haven't always been strong, but never felt so weak All of my prayers, gone for nothing I've been without love, but never forsaken Now the morning sun, the morning sun is breaking
This is my confession I need your heart In this depression I need your heart
This is my confession I need your heart In this depression I need your heart
This is my confession I need your heart In this depression I need your heart
From what I can recall I don't think I have ever done a series of posts focusing on Soundtracks so if this is a first then I picked a good one to possibly start with.
The Best of Everything (Alternate Version / Extra Verse) - Tom Petty and The Heatbreakers Taken from the album 'The Best of Everything - The Definitive Career Spanning Hits Collection 1976-2016'
Released 1st March 2019
Another previously Unreleased Track on the Compilation: For Real - Tom Petty and The Heatbreakers
Track listing for the album Unless mentioned otherwise all tracks are by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Disc 1 1. "Free Fallin’" - Tom Petty 2. "Mary Jane’s Last Dance" 3. "You Wreck Me" - Tom Petty 4. "I Won’t Back Down" - Tom Petty 5. "Saving Grace" - Tom Petty 6. "You Don’t Know How It Feels" - Tom Petty 7. "Don’t Do Me Like That" 8. "Listen to Her Heart" 9. "Breakdown" 10. "Walls (Circus)" 11. "The Waiting" 12. "Don’t Come Around Here No More" 13. "Southern Accents" 14. "Angel Dream (No. 2)" 15. "Dreamville" 16. "I Should Have Known It" 17. "Refugee" 18. "American Girl" 19. "The Best of Everything" (Alt. Version Previously Unreleased)
Disc 2 1. "Wildflowers" - Tom Petty 2. "Learning to Fly" 3. "Here Comes My Girl" 4. "The Last DJ" 5. "I Need to Know" 6. "Scare Easy" - Mudcrutch 7. "You Got Lucky" 8. "Runnin’ Down a Dream" - Tom Petty 9. "American Dream Plan B" 10. "Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around" (feat. Stevie Nicks) 11. "Trailer" - Mudcrutch 12. "Into the Great Wide Open" 13. "Room at the Top" 14. "Square One" - Tom Petty 15. "Jammin’ Me" 16. "Even the Losers" 17. "Hungry No More" - Mudcrutch 18. "I Forgive It All" - Mudcrutch 19. "For Real" Previously Unreleased)
This was originally scheduled for release last year and was announced at pretty much the same time as the release of what turned out to be my album of the year, An American Treasure Boxset. I'm guessing they did not want to dent sales on either product and delayed the release of the this collection until now.
This one is released tomorrow so I thought I would slip a little something into the Tidy Tunes series seeing as it is the last day.
The Best of Everything (Alternate Version) was recorded during the making of the 'Southern Accents' album and it contains an extra verse in it that has not appeared on record before (but you just know the bootleggers have had it for years!).
Now while I recognise that this "Definitive Career Spanning Hits Collection" might be appealing as an introduction to the catalogue of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, his Solo releases and Mudcrutch, I am also a little skeptical of labels just cashing in on his name and legacy by presenting an album that only features two songs out of 38 that have been unreleased before.
All of these tracks have been available elsewhere and many on previous Greatest Hits, Best Ofs, and Anthologies.
She's The One / I Wanna Be Sedated - Ramones from the album 'Road To Ruin' Originally released 22nd September 1978 40th Anniversary Edition released 21st September 2018
US Chart #103
UK Chart #32
She's The One
I Wanna Be Sedated
Listen Here:
As we draw close to the end of the month and the end of Tidy Tunes (maybe we will do it again later in the year) I thought today I'd go with an A-Side and a B-Side from one of my favourite bands, the Ramones.
'She's the One' was the third and final single released from the 'Road To Ruin' album in 1978. 'Don't Come Close' only reached #39 in the UK Charts whilst the second single, a cover version of 'Needles and Pins' failed to chart as did the 'She's The One'.
'Road To Ruin' was the first album to feature Marky Ramone (Marc Bell) on the drums (he began recording the album only three weeks after joining) as Tommy stepped back into a more studio role. It was deemed as an attempt by the band to get more airplay and more sales by adopting a more gentler sound (though when you listen to the album maybe only a couple of tracks fit that description, especially the first two singles!). Obviously this step didn't work out so well as the album was a flop in the their homeland. In the UK the album fared better than 'Rocket To Russia' (which had only reached #60!).
Charles Shaar Murray once said that "every Ramones song should be a hit single" and sometimes looking back you wonder why on earth they didn't have more chart success because there are absolutely loads of singles that sound like they should have been massive hits.
Regardless of the lack of Chart placing this single is an absolute gem and that's why they are a Tidy Tune for today.
Mark Hollis 4th January 1955 - 25th February 2019 Rest In Peace
Most people's introduction to Mark Hollis would have been via his band Talk Talk during the the 1980s but for some of us it came a few years earlier when his band The Reaction first appeared on vinyl performing 'Talk Talk Talk Talk' on the Beggars Banquet compilation 'Streets' in 1977 along with a bunch of other punk/new wave rogues like The Art Attacks, The Drones, Slaughter and the Dogs, John Cooper Clarke, The Members, The Doll and The Lurkers.
His older brother, Ed Hollis was already involved in music particularly working alongside Eddie and the Hot Rods. The Reaction were very 60's influenced and it's no wonder a few Mods who sprung up in the Mod Revival frequently name their one and only single (which Ed produced) 'I Can't Resist' as a worthy catch.
After releasing the single the band went their separate ways and via his brother Ed, Mark met Simon Brenner, Lee Harris and Paul Webb, with whom he would form Talk Talk in 1981.
I must admit that I was not a huge Talk Talk fan (though I'm sure today you will find many articles or people on Social Media touting them as if they were the best thing since sliced bread, but in these matters it's always best to be honest. It was probably because they got lumped in with the New Romantics that I didn't take to them) but there were quite a few singles I enjoyed and listening back to them since I heard the news last night of his death I was amazed at how a few of them still hold some clout today ('It's My Life', 'Life's What You Make It' for example).
My Only True Friend - Gregg Allman From the album Southern Blood Rounder Records Produced by Don Was Released 8th September 2017
US Chart #11
UK Chart #79
"My Only True Friend" Written by Gregg Allman and Scott Sharrard You and I both know this river will surely flow to an end Keep me in your heart keep your soul on the mend
I hope you're haunted by the music of my soul When I'm gone Please don't fly away and find you a new love I can't face living this life alone I can't bear to think this might be the end But you and I both know the road is my only true friend
Another night alone but I see you in my dreams sometimes No matter where I go lord knows You were always on my mind
I hope you're haunted by the music of my soul When I'm gone Please don't fly away and find you a new love I just can't face living this life alone I can't bear to think this might be the end But you and I both know the road is my only true friend
Still on and on I run it feels like home is just around the bend I got so much left to give But I'm running out of time, my friend
I hope you're haunted by the music of my soul When I'm gone Please don't fly away and find you a new love I just can't face living this life alone I can't bear to think this might be the end But you and I both know the road is my only true friend You and I both know the road is my only true friend
Listen To The Album Here:
The Southern Blood album was the eighth and final album by singer/songwriter Gregg Allman. It was released three months after his passing (27th May 2017). The album had been recorded over a period of nine days at the FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
I chose 'My Only True Friend' for today's Tidy Tune as I was listening to the album last night and it struck me again what an amazing song it is and one filled with such emotion as co-writer Scott Sharrard had specifically written the lyric to be like the voice of long departed brother Duane Allman speaking to Gregg!
The whole album is pretty precious I think. 'My Only True Friend' and 'Love is Like Kerosene' are the only original songs on the album. Allman had intended there to be more but due to ill-health and the fact that not long after recording these set of songs he passed away that plan was somewhat scuppered. But the covers all meant something to Allman.
There's more on the album on a previous Blogpost I did back in December 2017 when I was running down my favourite albums of the year, this one fell into the #11 spot (I realise on the link that there are maybe some out of date things and a dead link or so, I will try and get around to fixing them at some point).
"I hope you're haunted by the music of my soul When I'm gone"
Psychedelic Country Soul - The Long Ryders Omnivore Recordings (USA)/Cherry Red Records (UK) Produced by Ed Stasium Released 15th February 2019
First studio album of new material from The Long Ryders in three decades!! The "fathers" of the Alt-Country scene have returned in great fashion with a magnificent 12 song collection. Eleven are written by band members and one is a an excellent tribute to Tom Petty in 'Walls' (that features Debbi and VickiPeterson from the Bangles). This one is already in the pile for contender for The S4L Album of the Year 2019.
John Mayall OBE is one of the Premier British Bluesmen (although he's actually lived in the States since the end of the Sixties). He's been up and at 'em since 1956 and at aged 85 and counting he's just released another fantastic album called 'Nobody Told Me'. He's gathered around himself for this album some notable exponents of the Electric Guitar and peforms seven covers and three songs of his own.
Age has not slowed him down at all as he is due to kick off a tour in Europe in two days time starting in Finland right through to April when he finishes up in the Netherlands. Inbetween there are dates in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, Italy and back to Germany again. No doubt after a much needed rest there will also be dates in the USA.
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