Archive for the ‘Music’ Category

If you look at my playlist towards the bottom of the sidebar, you’ll see it’s got a bunch of stuff that I never usually listen to. Why? Because for the last week or so, I’ve been listening to all the UK Number One Singles from 1953-2006.

So far I’m up to track 381 in 1975: Bay City Rollers with “Give a little love” — yes, I’m listening to every number one, in chronological order! There have been few really dire tracks so far and it’s a really fascinating exercise, with loads of stuff that I vaguely remember hearing when I was growing up and not realising they were number one records. The sixties really did produce some amazing music.

Anyway, when I’ve listened to the whole lot, I’ll post again with my thoughts on the state of the UK pop music industry for the last 50 odd years. Should be interesting!

This is what you get if you fail to put the Beach Boys in your top selling music game.

Back in ‘99, I bought a fabulous compilation CD called Serve Chilled. One of the first albums on the new Hed Kandi label, it had a great selection of chill-out tracks that introduced me to several new artists. I’m not a clubber or a big fan of most club music, but since discovering Hed Kandi, I’ve purchased several of the better compilations — mainly down-tempo stuff from the Winter Chill brand, or retro stuff from Back to Love.

Recently I was looking to get some new low-key background music as my collection was looking a bit dated. I opted to buy Angels Fall, a new compilation on a new label founded by original Hed Kandi helmer, Mark Doyle. I based my decision on the the very high ratings on the album’s Amazon Review. I really should have known better. Read more »

About a month ago, I visited the Ritzy Cinema in Brixton for the first time. A beautiful picture house, it was originally built in 1910, refurbished in 1954, closed in 1976, re-opened in ‘78 and finally refurbished and extended in 1994. It reminded me a lot of my favourite cinema haunt back home, the Duke of York’s in Brighton. Indeed, both are part of the PictureHouse chain and are maintained with a philosophy sadly lacking in most commercial ventures these days.

Anyway, I went to see Once with my new girlfriend, having heard only a little about it, but intrigued by the idea of a heartfelt modern ‘musical’ acted by real musicians. Ninety minutes later, my tears said it all. Read more »

I just got my CD version of the new album by The Coral: Roots and Echoes.

I wouldn’t say I’d ever been a big fan of theirs. I have their first eponymous album from 2002 and it does have a few stand out tracks, but I could take it or leave it. That changed this year though after seeing them at Glastonbury. They played an awesome set and although I didn’t see the whole thing, I was bowled over by their rendition of the new single, “Who’s gonna find me”. Among all that miserable weather they managed to make a large crowd very happy indeed. Read more »