You'll
have often heard me going on about Juke this year. Here's an easy slice of why.
The recent Phoenix FM 'Phoenix Fridays' slot containing about 85% of their
current set, with covers for printing too. And as a bonus the bands raucous
cover of 'Suffragette City', lower quality, recorded on my phone, but still
blinding. This is officially band endorsed! Two choices, firstly unfiltered,
background noise etc., but more upfront, secondly filtered, background noise
filtered out, vocals a bit clearer but overall less attack in the sound. You
can download whatever one you choose, or both, including covers. Grab it while
you can, not sure how long I'll leave it up for.
Broadcasting from near the Thames Delta, featuring hot wax and moods from the Planet Of Sound, the only common theme being random. Let's stick together, consider our child....
Juke - Live at Old Brentwoods, for Phoenix FM 'Phoenix Fridays' 18/07/14
Two from Juke, including new song Ain't Got Time For You.
David Bowie - Cityscape - A NonStop Compilation
Some years back, maybe 10 or more, I compiled this selection as a CD for my car, mainly culled from mid to late 70's recordings, centred around the so called Berlin recordings, loosely urban themed . I've played it many many times over the years, in the car and in the home; it always strikes me as being some of the greatest music ever made when I play it. So, for those of you with a passing or greater interest in Bowie, here it is. Click on the links for a download etc. Please enjoy.
Songdog and Phil Burdett - a house gig presented by Queensland, Colchester, Essex.
On Saturday just gone (July 5th) I attended a
fairly unusual gig, an invite only (thanks Mr Burdett) house gig, featuring
Phil Burdett supporting Springsteen endorsed Welsh indie/alt.folk act Songdog.
The setting, a normal sized living room in a normal sized house in the
outskirts of Colchester, Essex. Couldn’t have been more there than say 20,
including the musicians. But what a great idea, taking on an 'it’s all about
the music' manifesto with a beer glass passed around at the end so the acts
didn’t go home empty handed. Bring your own and some cake too if you wish
(marvellous Chocolate Guinness cake btw).
Phil Burdett has always been a wonderful performer to watch
in such intimate settings accompanying only himself and tonight was no
difference. Plenty of song from an album not appearing until next year, a few
picks from his now extensive back catalogue and one from his current album.
Phil seems to revel in this backhand self-promotion and his set was concise,
fresh and a treat. Here’s ‘Valentino Mainline’ to provide video evidence of the
whole thing.
After a short break Songdog squeeze themselves (at one point
all six of them) into the performance area and do their thing. Starting with
the first song from their first album, 2001’s ‘The Way Of The World’s sublime “Isabel”
and presenting a set coursed through their whole catalogue, the band were in
absolute fine fettle. Highlight for me, “Fairytale”, the band joined by manager
Corrinne Frazzoni on joint lead vocal, as seen here.
And so after a dozen or so songs from Songdog the gig drew
to close. Time for a mingle and a chat and a few photo opportunities. A great
idea, the ‘Queensland house gig’ series (there’ve been about six of these now)
is a wonderful idea, put on in a welcoming, warm and friendly way by wonderful
hosts Ray and Ali Canham. Hat’s off to the two of you, and to Phil Burdett and
Songdog. Here they are again with “Bumpy Road” from 2013’s ‘Last Orders at Harry’s
Bar’
Ed Harcourt - The Saddest Orchestra (Live Wonderland Mag Session)
Just came across this little belter, track 3 from the mini album 'Time Of Dust'. Great performance, great 'tache.
...
Juke, at the Railway, Southend on Sea, 22/05/14
Barnstorming Juke gig last night, best one yet. In true ThamesDelta WorldService fashion, how could I not post the wonderful Bowie cover 'Suffragette City'? I'd heard this on youtube a few days previously without knowing it were Juke and thought, 'damn good version of Bowie track!'. To then see it was Juke was a bonus. So here's my vid of only their second performance of this track. And some pictures. Have a look at some of the bands great original material from previous posts. Or from the links at the bottom of this post.
Juke live at Chinnerys in Southend on Sea 09/05/14
I've already mentioned the mighty promise of Juke and posted some audio and links to video's, and now here's some more, in the form of some I shot myself at their gig at Southend sea front's Chinnerys. If you're local then they're at The Railway in Southend this coming Thursday (22nd of May). See you there?
Juke - Mojo - A future anthem in waiting
Saw this band at Chinnerys on Southend sea front a few weeks ago. It was one of those gigs where I didn't really wanna go but got dragged along anyway. And I'm glad I did, they were great. I came away with thoughts of a name change (JUKE has grown on me now by the way) and a title for their first mini LP/EP. I'm nearly 50 for god's sake, these boys could be my grandchildren! They can come up with their own names and stuff (The Aspergiks/Future Anthems EP featuring the as yet unwritten title track just in case you were wondering). This is still the stand out track for me from their current set.They have gigs coming up at Chinnerys again on May 9th, the Railway in Southend on May 22nd and Peggy Sue's in Leigh On Sea on April 25th. You could go and see them and that and say you were there at the beginning if they get big. And if they don't get big, you can have a good time anyway.
JUKE are Matt Lamb, Miles Hobbs, Keiran Brown, Tom Cuningham and are Essex boys.
25/04/2014 - Juke at Peggy Sue's, Leigh on Sea - Just back from what I believe was Jukes 4th gig at a small 'piano' bar in Leigh. They went down a storm, it was a joy to watch. Thanks for the dedication on 'Mojo', most appreciated. Here's some grainy iPhone/Hipstamatic pics, plus a random one from some movie ('Future Anthems' EP sleeve in my mind). Go see 'em soon.
Thames Delta World Service #15 - 07/03/2014
Slightly shorter, still as sweet. Here's my first podcast of new stuff for 2014. Featuring two from Marc Almond, Robert Ellis and Eels. New stuff too from Sohn, Lana Del Rey, Coldplay, Damon Albarn, The Horrors and Villagers. Also tracks from a psychotic Teddy Thompson, James Auger, Buffet Libre and Laura Marling. And when you think it's all over...a Brucie bonus.
Marc Almond - The Tyburn Tree (with John Harle) and The Last Tasmanian Tiger
Marc Almond first ventured into quasi classical territory with John Harle last year, providing vocals on a couple of tracks on Harle's 'Art Music'. Now arrives 'The Tyburn Tree', a fully-fledged collaboration, steeped in theatre, art and poetry. The Tyburn Tree itself was a gallows in what is now Marble Arch, from a village called Tyburn which was recorded as being at the west end of what is now Oxford Street. Executions took place from the late twelfth century; the Tyburn Tree Gallows itself active from 1571 to 1783, and the word Tyburn became synonymous with public (mass) executions. What this has to do with music is that it sets the scene for the stories told by the songs of a dark unforgiving city of the past. Tales of folklore, 'Spring Heeled Jack', tales of true horror, and maybe monsters like a Minotaur, roaming through 'The Labyrinth of Limehouse'. 'My Fair Lady' opens with a rendition of 'London Bridge is Falling Down' and you feel not too sure about what is happening. A minute later you’re singing along to a chorus(?) of 'bye bye baby' like a 60's pop throwback leftover before the song continues with bricked up windows and bridges of flesh. 'Fortress' gives a song writing credit to William Blake (it's adapted from a poem), it's a dark rhythmic beast, like Woodkid but much more scary. Other songs include 'Dark Angel', 'Black Widow' and 'The Vampire of Highgate'. This is not modern London, it's London as it grew and gelled, as it was scared of itself. It's a fine album, without peers. The only record in my collection I feel I can even connect to it is The Skids much neglected fourth, 'Joy', which was also rooted in a past that was dark and also stood apart from the mainstream musical background that it would not have existed without. But it's great and I recommend it whole heartedly!
If you fancy your Marc Almond a touch more as you might expect then check out the (also) new 7"/CD release 'Tasmanian Tiger’ EP. The titular track is a full on bonkers glam/pop romp and tells the story of the last Tasmanian tiger, an animal extinct since the 1930's. It is mental, features great production from Tony Visconti, and is joyously up there with best of Almond's solo output. The rest of the EP is great too, with contributions from Jarvis Cocker and Carl Barât.
Audacious 2013 - Thames Delta World Service - The Best Of 2013
Well, I compiled it a month ago, burnt it to CD three weeks ago and recorded the podcast one week ago. Now finally having overcome PC migration I’m posting it online. This is for the large part my favourite music of 2013.
Mr David Bowie clearly owned the year despite dodgy marketing shenanigans; hence there are two tracks here, the passing of time defying titular track and stately comeback single. Laura Marling’s fourth album was a masterpiece, and live performance at the Secret Cinema enhanced event was a live highlight of the year, augmented by Eddie Berman and a Bruce Springsteen cover. Eddies own ‘Ruby’ was a showstopper on the night. Returning with great albums were John grant, Arcade Fire and the Strokes, breaking free with a solo delights was Underworld’s Karl Hyde. Making a proper comeback were Suede who released a great album and some great tracks in support of singles, or whatever passes as singles these days. James Blake won the Mercury Music Prize with an album that was actually very good. Marc Almond had an interesting quasi classical release and great pop single. He starts this year with an interesting quasi classical piece and a great pop EP. Fellow 80’s electro pop survivor Alison Moyet brought out a possible career high in the form of electro pop LP ‘The Minutes’. Peace made a barnstorming debut LP and Villagers released a classy second LP. Local band/singer Phillious Williams had a couple of great albums available within a few months. The Pixies released a classy EP, and have already this year let loose another classy EP. Ed Harcourt released a spontaneous rush recorded LP and this year has already seen a great mini LP and my first musical fixation of the year as I have delved back into his past. I Am Kloot continued their fine run of releases and Bill Ryder-Jones made an understated masterpiece. Song of the year for me came from indie rising stars Wolf Alice, very much looking forward to their debut album. And American songstress Alela Dianne made a mellow/morose classic.
Releasing fine albums but not making my review were most notably My Bloody Valentine and Depeche Mode. Looking forward this year already to Damon Albarn, Nicole Atkins, Dave Woodcock, Phil Burdett, Kylie and 2014 has already seen another great album from Bruce Springsteen.
Gig wise, saw a few mega gigs (the o2), Depeche x2, Fleetwood Mac and Mott. Laura Marling was great and Wilko at Village Green ripped it up. The Strypes and the 45’s showed that kids today can do good things. I’m sure I’ve forgotten a few things, but you know, age does that. Here’s to 2014.
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