45RPM: #77 Strength Of The Nation - Teenbeats (1979)

Teenbeats were one of those bands I always felt deserved a better shot and it's bizzare to think that they only had three singles and a very short shelf life (November 1978 - August 1980). 

They were represented on the album Uppers on the South Downs along with Purple Hearts, South Coast Ska Stars, The Same and Missing Persons. They had five tracks on Side One that were basically their two singles: I Can't Control Myself /I'll Never Win and Strength/If I'm Gone on Safari along with Teenage Beat (which was released as a single in Canada 1980 with Strength Of The Nation as the B-Side).

I loved their debut single, the cover of The Troggs' I Can't Control Myself but it was their 2nd single Strength Of The Nation that I felt was their best.

Teenbeats were:  Huggy Leaver (vocals), Ken Copsey (lead guitar), Paul Thomas (rhythm guitar, vocals), Eddie Mays (bass), and Dave Blackman (drums).

I saw them live a few times way back. The first time though still stands as one of my favourites. A hometown show (Hastings was their land) supporting the UK Subs! Now that was one of those great mismatches that promoters threw up so often in the late 70's and early 80's. Also saw them at the Marquee on Wardour Street and if my memory serves me correctly I pretty sure I caught them at the Lyceum one time as well.

I'm not totally certain, and I'm sure some of my Mod pals will put me right, but Teenbeats have been out playing again over the past number of years though I'm certain if they have just been doing it for Special Events (I think they did a Mods May Day show in 2009). Saying that though I just had a wee search on You Tube and discovered some film from a show in 2014 that had a note that it was their final show (29th March in Hastings). 

Anyway, whatever their current status of existence is it is always good to be a reminded of what a brilliant Single this was.

Strength Of The Nation / If I'm Gone Tomorrow

Safari Records

Produced by Ray Fenwick

Released 9th November 1979

 A-Side: Strength Of The Nation

B-Side: If I'm Gone Tomorrow

Let The Day Begin...Let The Day Start!: Day 27 - Better Things

I don't have much to say today because the song below says it all. It's a song that's been covered by many bands down through the years but my favourite is from The Gold Album by Bouncing Souls. The original of course was by The Kinks from 1981.

This one's for one and all who are struggling with life and all the heartache, pain, loss and whatever else comes to disrupt the flow.

Better Things
Songwriter Ray Davies

Here's wishing you the bluest sky
And hoping something better comes tomorrow
Hoping all the verses rhyme
And the very best of choruses to follow
Follow all the doubt and sadness
I know that better things are on the way

Here's hoping all the days ahead
Won't be as bitter as the ones behind you
Be an optimist instead
And somehow happiness will find you
Forget what happened yesterday
I know that better things are on the way

It's really good to see you rocking out
And having fun, living like you just begun
Accept your life and what it brings
I hope tomorrow you'll find better things
I know tomorrow you'll find better things

Here's wishing you the bluest sky
And hoping something better comes tomorrow
Hoping all the verses rhyme
And the very best of choruses to follow
Follow all the drudge and sadness
I know that better things are on the way

I know you've got a lot of good things happening up ahead
The past is gone, it's all been said
So here's to what the future brings
I know tomorrow you'll find better things
I know tomorrow you'll find better things

Here's wishing you the bluest sky
Wishing you the bluest sky
Hoping all your verses rhyme
Hoping all your verses rhyme
I hope tomorrow you'll find better things

 Let The Day Begin...Let The Day Start!

Music is the Doctor 2016 #4 Keep the Customer Satisfied!

All the songs on this week's Music is the Doctor were released on albums (though one is from an EP) during the month of January spanning five decades. The Playlist is loaded with great tunes because we know how to Keep the Customer Satisfied!

On the Playlist

Keep the Customer Satisfied - Simon & Garfunkel

Taken from the album Bridge Over Troubled Water. Released on this day in 1970. It was also on the B-Side of the single Bridge Over Troubled Water, also released on this day in 1970.

Pain in My Heart - Otis Redding

The title track to the debut album (released 1st January 1964) from one of the great Soul Legends. It was also released as his 5th Single back in 1963.

Goin' Back - The Byrds

From The Notorious Byrd Brothers album (released 3rd January 1968).

Take It As It Comes - The Doors

Taken from the Debut Elektra Records album The Doors (released 4th January 1967).

Growin' Up - Bruce Springsteen

This is a live version from the Working on a Dream Tour of one of the classic songs on Springsteen's Debut Greetings From Asbury Park NJ. A song that was covered by David Bowie (he also covered It's Hard to be a Saint in the City from the same album) The album was released 5th January 1973.

Accidents Will Happen - Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Taken from the 3rd album 'Armed Forces'. The first album to credit The Attractions. The album contained his biggest hit 'Oliver's Army' (reached #2 in the UK) and this one which only managed to make it to #28. Armed Forces was released 5th January 1979.

Is She Really Going Out With Him? - Joe Jackson

Released the same day as Armed Forces in 1979 as part of Jackson's Debut album for A&M, Look Sharp! It only made it to #40 in the UK but #20 in the US. The single Is She Really Going Out With Him? was a #13 hit in the UK and #21 in the US.

Paranoid - Black Sabbath

Paranoid album had been out in the UK since October 1970 but was delayed for American release until 7th January 1971. It was #1 album in the UK and surprisingly made it to #12 in the US without much radio airplay. The single was huge in the UK reaching #4.

Creep - The Pretenders

The cover of the only decent song by Radiohead appeared on the Pirate Radio Box Set that was released 9th January 2006.

Suzy is a Headbanger - Ramones

From their 2nd album Leave Home that was released 10th January 1977 on Sire Records.

Get It While You Can - Janis Joplin

Was on the 2nd and final Solo album Pearl by Janis Joplin that was released after her death. The album was released 11th January 1971.

I Can't Quit You Baby - Led Zeppelin

From the self titled debut album that was released on 12th January 1969. The Willie Dixon song is one of my favourite Blues tunes.

Sound and Vision - David Bowie

One of the two singles plucked from the 1977 Low (14th January release) album that was recorded in Berlin with Brian Eno.

Stargazer - Siouxsie and the Banshees

From the final Banshees album The Rapture, released 17th January 1995.

A Soft Place To Land - Kathleen Edwards

Taken from Voyageur, released 17th January 2012.

The Wheel - Roseanne Cash

Title track from her 19th January 1993 album release.

Miss Amanda Jones - Rolling Stones

From their fifth album Between the Buttons (released 20th January 1967).

Silence - Slick Shoes

From the Debut Slick Shoes EP released 21st January 1997.

Ghost Towns Along The Highway - John Mellencamp

Released 23rd January 2007 on Universal Republic, Freedom's Road was Mellencamp's 19th Studio Album.

Night of the Cadillacs - Generation X

Album number two from Generation X, Valley of the Dolls was released on this day in 1979. King Rocker was the big hit (#11) from the album that was produced by Ian Hunter.

Let The Day Begin...Let The Day Start!: Day 26 - Bridge Over Troubled Water

I never tire of saying that good music is timeless and what is often called Simon & Garfunkel's 'Signature Song', Bridge Over Troubled Water, is a good case in point. It was released on this day 46 years ago.

The instrumentation for the song was recorded in California and the vocals cut in New York. Initially Paul Simon had wanted Art Garfunkel to sing the song Solo, but Garfunkel declined that invite. But after hearing the demo Art felt that Paul should sing it! (makes me giggle a bit to think that these guys could hardly agree on anything together!)

The chorus lyrics were partly inspired by Claude Jeter's line "I'll be your bridge over deep water if you trust in me," which Jeter sang with his group, the Swan Silvertones, in the 1958 song "Mary Don't You Weep." Gospel producer and historian Anthony Heilbut told the New York Daily News that Simon acknowledged this debt of gratitude in person and had handed Claude Jeter a cheque of compensation (I don't know how much the cheque was for). It was originally written on guitar by Simon but he felt that in order to get across the Gospel sound that it should be played on Piano, that and it would work best for Art's vocal.

Producer Halee and Garfunkel felt that the song was not complete and desired a third verse. Simon agreed and wrote the third verse..."Sail on Silver Girl...". Now, over the years there has been much debate about exactly what Paul Simon was getting at here. Many have said that he is writing about drugs, heroin etc. But it should not come as a shock that it's something way more simple than that - Paul Simon writing a line for his then-wife Peggy Harper who had noticed her first grey hairs! What's funny though about this is whilst Garfunkel and Halee had insisted upon the third verse Simon himself has said that he never cared much for it! He felt that it didn't necessarily fit together well with the preceeding verses.

It was to become their most successful Single, reaching the #1 both sides of the Atlantic, France, Canada and New Zealand, and wast Top 5 in a number of other countries. It is one of the best selling Singles of all time.

The song won the Grammy for Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 1971 Grammy Awards.

Down through the years the song has been covered by a wide range of artists including Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Jimmy London (a reggae version!), Buck Owens and the Buckaroos (did the first Country version of the song), to name but a few. Most people who have released it have a had a hit with it.

Bridge Over Troubled Water
written by Paul Simon
When you're weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I'll dry them all
I'm on your side, oh, when times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I'll take your part, oh, when darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sail on silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
Oh, if you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind

 Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel

Columbia

Produced by Roy Halee, Simon & Garfunkel

Released 26th January 1970

US Chart #1

UK Chart #1

Let The Day Begin...Let The Day Start!

Let The Day Begin...Let The Day Start!: Day 25 - For The Love of the Game

Yesterday was a great day for me. You see I'm a bit of a sports fan and Sunday 24th January 2016 there was a bit a Double Header of joy as firstly my football team, Chelsea, beat London rivals Arsenal 1-0 in the Premier League in the afternoon. Considered underdogs due to their poor form most of the season (they were Champions last season but found themselves struggling in the bottom half of the table this year) but they got the win and under interim boss Guus Hiddink who has led them to their best performances of the year so far with three wins and four draws in the last seven games. They have moved up the table from close to the bottom to 13th in the league. So that was Round One of the Double Header.

Round Two came later in the evening as the spotlight turned to Denver, Colorado, as my NFL team Denver Broncos were set for battle against the New England Patriots for the AFC Championship and a place in Super Bowl 50.  Even though Denver was the #1 Seed in the AFC they were still considered to be underdogs. This turned out to be one of those great games with a nail biting finish that causes the blood pressure to raise and much pacing, and not being able to look as the Pats found a will to move the ball and bring the game within two points only to have their hopes dashed by failing the tying 2pt conversion that would have taken the game into overtime. Denver came out 20-18 winners and the Pats were left bruised and battered. Denver were led by a Quarterback who many were saying was washed up, too old, can't throw, can't run. Peyton Manning made all the naysayers eat their hats!

Anyway, all of that led me to think of this song by Pillar. It's a song not necessarily about sports, but about life and how a person lives it with great determination and is focused on the prize. So, maybe you haven't heard it before, here's the lyrics to the song, let's live our lives, for the love of the game!

For The Love Of The Game
Pillar
Consumed by reputation,
It's what they say that gets you down,
You find new motivation,
Inside this new love that you've found,
It's now your navigation,
To keep your head engaged, oh yeah,
Your final destination,
Keeps you focused on the win

[Pre-Chorus]
Count me in, but don't count me out,
You can't shut me up, you can't shut me down,
Fight through the hurt,
Fight through the pain,
Without the ache there is no gain,
We live our lives for the love of the game

[Chorus]
And we will rise,
This is our time,
Don't let the chances of our lifetime pass us by,
And we will rise,
This is our time,
We'll give this everything we've got,
For the love of the game

Reach for a new elevation,
And see just how high we can go,
Full blown determination,
Will take us further than we know,
My own anticipation,
Keeps the fire from burning out,
It's time for domination,
No one will ever take us down

'Cause I won't give up,
I won't give in

For the love of the game

Let The Day Begin...Let The Day Start!

The Soundtrack4Life Concert Series: The Men They Couldn't Hang

Today's Concert Series features one of the great underrated bands of the 1980's as they celebrated 21 years. They are still going strong today and are much loved (not by the masses).

The Men They Couldn't Hang 21st Anniversary Show at The Islington Academy 30th July 2004.

The Set features many of TMTCH favourites like The Ghost of Cable Street, Wishing Well, Company Town, The Bells, Rosettes, The Colours, Ironmasters and Going Back To Coventry plus a whole lot more.

Let The Day Begin...Let The Day Start!: Day 24 - Sunday Morning Favourites #2 - Otis Redding

Some Sunday morning smoothness with the one and only Otis Redding. Last year Rhino Records but out a 12CD set of the music of Otis under the banner of the Soul Manifesto: 1964-1974. Below there are videos and links for 9 of the albums that make up part of this fantastic collection (the other three I couldn't find  links for at all) of one of the finest soul singers ever.

You can pick this up over at Amazon for just under £30, a bargin indeed for 12 quality albums of music that defined the sound of sixties.

Soul Manifesto: 1964-1970 12CD Set
    Pain In My Heart (1964)
    The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads (1965)

    Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul (1965)

    The Soul Album (1966)
    Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary Of Soul (1966)
    King & Queen – with Carla Thomas (1967)
    Live In Europe (1967)
    The Dock Of The Bay (1968)
    The Immortal Otis Redding (1968)

    In Person At The Whisky A Go Go (1968)

    Love Man (1969)
    Tell The Truth (1970)

 
Let The Day Begin...Let The Day Start!

Let The Day Begin...Let The Day Start!: Day 23 - Animals

I done something last night that I have not even thought about doing for quite a few decades and that is to sit down and listen to a Pink Floyd album start to finish. The album I chose was Animals because today is the 39th anniversary of the release of Floyd's tenth studio album.

Some might wonder why I chose to inflict this pain upon myself but actually I have to say it was quite an enjoyable experience. Released just as Punk bands up and down the land were about to unleash their first steps into the world of records Animals is actually a very, very interesting piece of music. Like a number of Pink Floyd albums it is a concept album  but it's maybe a little bit different from previous albums by the band in that it seemed to directly be spotlighting the social and political situation that Britain was facing at that very moment in time.

The concept is loosely based around George Orwell's Animal Farm, which was primarily an attack on Stalinism, but the album has a big twist in that it was aimed at Capitalism. I would not for a moment think that I understand all what Stalinism and Capitalism really mean (I leave that for others to debate) but the album seems to me to be talking about a revolution.

The funny thing is, Punk, according to some, was meant to bring a revolution of sorts. Bands armed with three chords and the truth and a bucket load of attitude were supposed to be overthrowing the likes of Pink Floyd, Yes, Genesis etc but the reality is they didn't at all. 

Yes, some things did change as a result of Punk exploding into the nation's conciousness, like how a band could make a record for themselves without the burden of a record contract as such, or that they didn't have to be too talented to be a songwriter or a musician (though of course among a good handful of Punk bands there were some pretty good musicians and some tidy songwriters). And once the albums started to appear throughout 1977 it was clear that many of these bands would not have time for songs lasting more than three minutes in comparison to say Pink Floyd releasing an album that contains an introduction and an ending that were under a minute and a half and then three songs that clocked in at over ten minutes each! The whole album of five tracks lasts 41mins and 41secs and when The Clash released their debut in April of 1977 there were 14 songs in 35mins 18secs or Ramones debut in 1976, that was 14 songs and a total length of 29mins and 4secs. What was apparent, especially on the Ramones album was there were no guitar solos whatsoever, no lengthy bridges or instrumental breaks, it was just 1-2-3-4, Verse, chorus Verse chorus, repeat verse chorus and end - simple!

I always found it funny that Pink Floyd showed a side to themselves on this album that they had not shown before, that like the Punks they could be a little subversive also. Promotion for the album seemed to have centred around a deal with Capital Radio (yep that one who The Clash sang about!) who had been broadcasting The Story of Pink Floyd and the jewel in the crown would be an Exclusive first airing of the music of Animals on the station, but (and I often wonder who did it and under whose orders), a copy of the album was placed into the hands of John Peel and on the 21st January he played Side One in its entirety and on the 22nd he played the whole of Side Two! I doubt any DJ would ever get away with doing that today!

If you've got some time today give the album a blast, it's not as painful as you think!

Animals - Pink Floyd

Harvest/EMI

Produced by Pink Floyd

Released 23rd January 1977

UK Chart #2

US Chart #3

Tracklist

Side One

01. Pigs on the Wing 1(1.25)

02. Dogs (17.03)

Side Two

01. Pigs (Three Different Ones) (11.25)

02. Sheep (10.25)

03. Pigs on a Wing 2 (1.23)

All songs written by Roger Waters except Dogs which was a co-write between Roger Waters and David Gilmour.

Personnel
Pink Floyd
    David Gilmour - lead guitar, lead vocals, rhythm and acoustic guitar on "Dogs", bass guitar on "Pigs (Three Different Ones)" and "Sheep", talkbox on "Pigs (Three Different Ones)"
    Nick Mason - drums, percussion, tape effects
    Roger Waters - lead and harmony vocals, acoustic guitar on "Pigs on the Wing", rhythm guitar on "Pigs (Three Different Ones)" and "Sheep", tape effects, vocoder, bass guitar on "Dogs"
    Richard Wright - Hammond organ, electric piano, Minimoog, ARP string synthesizer, piano, clavinet, harmony vocals on "Dogs"

Let The Day Begin...Let The Day Start!

Rewind: 1968 Lady Soul - Aretha Franklin

Lady Soul - Aretha Franklin

Atlantic

Produced by Jerry Wexler

Released 22nd January 1968

US Chart #2

UK Chart #25

 Side One
    1. "Chain Of Fools" (Don Covay) 2:46
        Recorded on June 23, 1967
        Aretha Franklin - lead vocals and piano; Jimmy Johnson and Joe South - guitars; Spooner Oldham - electric piano; Tommy Cogbill - bass; Roger Hawkins - drums; The Sweet Inspirations, Carolyn Franklin, Erma Franklin & Ellie Greenwich - background vocals

    2. "Money Won't Change You" (James Brown, Nat Jones) 2:09
    3. "People Get Ready" (Curtis Mayfield) 3:42
        Recorded on December 19 and 20, 1967
        Aretha Franklin - lead vocals and piano; Bobby Womack - guitar; Spooner Oldham - organ; Tommy Cogbill - bass; Roger Hawkins - drums; Melvin Lastie, Joe Newman, Bernie Glow - trumpets; Tony Studd - bass trombone; King Curtis, Seldon Powell, Frank Wess - tenor saxophones; Frank Wess - flute; Haywood Henry - baritone saxophone; Carolyn Franklin & The Sweet Inspirations - background vocals; horn arrangement: Arif Mardin

    4. "Niki Hoeky" (Jim Ford, Lolly Vegas, Pat Vegas) 2:31
    5. "(You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman" (Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Jerry Wexler) 2:44
        Recorded on February 16, 1967
        Aretha Franklin - lead vocals; Spooner Oldham - piano; Tommy Cogbill - bass; Gene Chrisman - drums; The Sweet Inspirations, Carolyn & Erma Franklin - background vocals; strings conducted by Ralph Burns

Side Two
    1. "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone" (Aretha Franklin, Ted White) 2:25
        Recorded on December 16 and 17, 1967
        Aretha Franklin - lead vocals; Jimmy Johnson and Bobby Womack - guitars; Spooner Oldham - electric piano; Tommy Cogbill - bass; Roger Hawkins - drums; Melvin Lastie, Joe Newman, Bernie Glow - trumpets; Tony Studd - bass trombone; King Curtis, Seldon Powell, Frank Wess - tenor saxophones; Haywood Henry - baritone saxophone; The Sweet Inspirations, Carolyn & Erma Franklin - background vocals; horn arrangement: Arif Mardin

    2. "Good to Me As I Am to You" (Aretha Franklin, Ted White) 3:56
        Recorded on December 16 and 17, 1967
        Aretha Franklin - vocals and piano; Spooner Oldham - organ; Tommy Cogbill - bass; Roger Hawkins - drums; Melvin Lastie, Joe Newman, Bernie Glow - trumpets; Tony Studd - bass trombone; King Curtis, Seldon Powell, Frank Wess - tenor saxophones; Frank Wess - flute; Haywood Henry - baritone saxophone. Eric Clapton of "Cream" - guitar obbligato. Note: Jimmy Johnson & Bobby Womack also played guitars on the take but were left off the mix-down.

    3. "Come Back Baby" (Walter Davis) 2:25
        Recorded on December 19 and 20, 1967
        Aretha Franklin - lead vocals; Jimmy Johnson and Bobby Womack - guitars; Spooner Oldham - organ; Tommy Cogbill - bass; Roger Hawkins - drums; Melvin Lastie, Joe Newman, Bernie Glow - trumpets; Tony Studd - bass trombone; King Curtis, Seldon Powell, Frank Wess - tenor saxophones; Haywood Henry - baritone saxophone; The Sweet Inspirations, Carolyn & Erma Franklin - background vocals; horn arrangement: Arif Mardin

    4. "Groovin'" (Felix Cavaliere, Eddie Brigati) 2:57
    5. "Ain't No Way" (Carolyn Franklin) 4:17
        Recorded on December 19 and 20, 1967
        Aretha Franklin - lead vocals and piano; Warren Smith - vibraharp; Tommy Cogbill - bass; Roger Hawkins - drums; Melvin Lastie, Joe Newman, Bernie Glow - trumpets; Tony Studd - bass trombone; King Curtis, Seldon Powell, Frank Wess - tenor saxophones; Frank Wess - flute; Haywood Henry - baritone saxophone; Carolyn Franklin and The Sweet Inspirations - background vocals; Cissy Houston - vocal obbligato; string and horn arrangement: Arif Mardin

Lady Soul was the 14th Studio album by Aretha Franklin. The album contains three of her biggest hit singles, Chain of Fools (#2), (You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman (#8), and (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone (#5).

Next to I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You album, Lady Soul is probably one of my favourites of early days from the Queen of Soul (though saying early years is quite funny since she had already been recording for 12 years up to this point!). 

One of things that always fascinates me about some of these classic albums is the quality musicians who play and sing on them. This one is no different: Jimmy Johnson, Spooner Oldham, Bobby Womack, Eric Clapton, and  Cissy Houston and her group The Sweet Inspirations to name but a few.

Lady Soul is #84 in Rolling Stone's The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Let The Day Begin...Let The Day Start!: Day 22 - Anything That's Rock 'n' Roll's Fine?

There's a few links on today's post so please check them out by clicking on them.

Back in 2012 Bruce Springsteen was given the honour of being the Keynote Speaker at SXSW in Austin, Texas. Of course he took his duty very seriously opening with, "Good morning! Why are we up so .... early? How important can this speech be if we're giving it at noon? It can't be that important. Every decent musician in town is asleep, or they will be before I'm done with this thing, I guarantee you."

He went on to talk about Music and its meaning and in one section spoke about Genres, which was incredibly funny:

"There are so many sub–genres and fashions, two–tone, acid rock, alternative dance, alternative metal, alternative rock, art punk, art rock, avant garde metal, black metal, black and death metal, Christian metal, heavy metal, funk metal, bland metal, medieval metal, indie metal, melodic death metal, melodic black metal, metal core, hard core, electronic hard core, folk punk, folk rock, pop punk, Brit pop, grunge, sad core, surf music,  psychedelic rock,  punk rock, hip hop, rap rock, rap metal, Nintendo core, huh?
I just want to know what a Nintendo core is, myself. But rock noir, shock rock, skate punk, noise core, noise pop, noise rock, pagan rock, paisley underground, indy pop, indy rock, heartland rock, roots rock, samba rock, screamo–emo, shoegazing stoner rock, swamp pop, synth pop, rock against communism, garage rock, blues rock, death and roll, lo–fi, jangle pop, folk music. Just add neo– and post– to everything I said, and mention them all again. Yeah, and rock and roll."

If you want to read the rest of Bruce's Speech, Rolling Stone Magazine have a transcript of it here. Oh and you can actually see the Speech here. Word of warning, the speech does contain some strong language at times.

If you want to see just how crazy this all is check out Here the Wikipedia page spotlighting Popular Music Genres!

Not totally sure where the need to put everything in a box (genre) stemmed from but surely it has made us all a bit too much of a music snob! If you like one particular genre how on earth can you like something else in what seems like a total opposite genre!

There was a bit of conversation going with my friend Joe Bone (he has a great band by the way, Joe Bone and The Dark Vibes) about the issue of music genres and whether they die or not. Joe said this, "punk is music so if you say punk is dead then you're saying music is dead, music doesn't die, so called music genres don't die they just gets less popular, until they reinvent themselves again. ... music lives forever no matter what t-shirt you wear". Joe is absolutely spot on by the way and I could think of numerous examples of how a particular style has reinvented itself but here's one just as an aside. Blue Beat is famous for the Ska sound but's interesting looking at the label's history to discover that a lot of it's sound is rooted in Rock 'n' Roll, R&B, the Blues even (have a listen here) and of course Ska went on to develop further with Rocksteady and a whole boat load of other styles. I'm just waiting for the band that comes along that manages to create a combination of Screamo, Middle of the Road, Americana,  Stoner rock, Hardcore - and we'll call it Smash Music!

And a nice chap called Fishbones Glover (he's an amazing Photographer of all things musical) contributed to the chat and maybe summed it all up best when he said "There's only two types of music. Stuff you like and stuff you don't."

I kinda like that from Fishbones. It all sounds pretty simple doesn't it? But it's true. One of the things you will glean from this blog is that there is a very wide range of music listened to. I don't necessarily expect everyone to like what I post (it's nice when people do though) but ultimately it comes down to the things that are posted are musical sounds that I like (not matter how old, new, odd, obscure, seemingly opposite, or happy to sit side by side it is).

Have a great day. 

Let The Day Begin...Let The Day Start!