LIST 183 - 25/12/2015 (an Xmas selection)

Hello again,

One final List for 2015, and I'm pleased to say that despite thinking the other week that I had run out of Xmas-oriented tracks I've been able to compile a seventh festive special after all - the addition of some new arrivals from Helen Love, MJ Hibbett and - latest of all - The Tuts and Colour Me Wednesday certainly aided the cause.  

Two of those named are charity recordings and I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending you donate to each cause that's set to benefit from them.

It'll be business as usual with List number 184 on New Year's Day, but until then have a very enjoyable holiday season, by whatever name you know it.  I do like Winterval, I must say.  It's playful.

J xx



HELEN LOVE & FRIENDS – The Townhall Band (2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlJziVkigJA

EMMY THE GREAT & TIM WHEELER – Zombie Christmas (2011)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb4hlRkDuvg

BRIGHT EYES – Blue Christmas (2002)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=981-rAfPtKo

NAT JOHNSON, KATHERINE JACKSON & HANNAH BROWNE – Christmas Island (2013)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDYnQgVff5U

THE DOLLYROTS – Santa Baby (2009)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQAuNtD9-d8

TIM MINCHIN – White Wine in the Sun (2006)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCNvZqpa-7Q

EVAN YATES – Christmas Time is Here (shoegaze version) (2014)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmxQccAPk4w

THE BLUE MINKIES – Christmas Means Nothing Without Presents (2003)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sZ6Gbeomek

THE NEW MENDICANTS – A Very Sorry Christmas (2013)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_NCgVvQCWs

THE PRIMITIVES – You Trashed My Christmas (2012)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX5N4XBZEA0

THE BELLRAYS – Rocket Ship Santa (1998)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z6K8lXn7As

TREMBLING BLUE STARS - Christmas & Train Trips & Things (2000)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFzOaxptavU

MJ HIBBETT & THE VALIDATORS – Roy Wood in the Blue Note (2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YPcsoVV1fc

STAN FREBERG – Green Christmas (1958)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSPGJ5-XAcM

HELLO SAFERIDE – iPod Christmas (2006)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gJ0iqJ3Tuk

THE FUTUREHEADS – Christmas Was Better in the 80s (2010)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHNpS-pnH-M

DAVID FORD – Have Yourself a Bitter Little Christmas (2006)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBnSJ2RQt_g

GRUFF RHYS – Slashed Wrists This Christmas (2011)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S87I-nONUdI

TOM LEHRER – A Christmas Carol (1959)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtZR3lJobjw

THE TUTS & COLOUR ME WEDNESDAY – Christmas Is In The Air / Christmas Without You (2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sgLyU9xuXY

LIST 182 - 18/12/2015 (2005 special, part two)

Hello again,

The last one of the week, and the second and final part of the trot through some of my favourite tracks of 2005, including the Boom Bip/Gruff Rhys collaboration which presaged Neon Neon; very early outputs from The Pipettes and Loney, Dear; and a Darren Hanlon track which nicely sets things up ahead of the next List (and probably the last of 2015), which will be the Xmas special a week tomorrow, Xmas Day itself.  'Til then!

J xx



ARCADE FIRE – Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK2IAyCuJ4U

THE FALL – I Can Hear the Grass Grow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGrrxJ2XcDA

ACID HOUSE KINGS – This Heart is a Stone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vIwjaOyZWk

MERCURY REV - Across Yer Ocean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okjb1ilLask

COMET GAIN – Fists in the Pocket
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz9SszsnNwQ

BOOM BIP ft GRUFF RHYS - Dos and Don'ts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2irZai5Mkw8

DARREN HAYMAN - Caravan Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kZZHLLwcuI

BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH - Rong Radio Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3HjMcY50Kc

THE PIPETTES - I Like a Boy in Uniform (School Uniform)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0LjsnPzG_4

LONEY, DEAR - I Fought the Battle of Trinidad and Tobago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA5xX_OfiUE

THE HIT PARADE - Born in St Ives
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5k2EBMNrXM

CHRIS T-T - M1 Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy9OrRqFQNE

THE REAL TUESDAY WELD - At the House of the Clerkenwell Kid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1SE7KdcvRw

THE WEDDING PRESENT - Interstate 5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjNeycs0IjI

TREMBLING BLUE STARS - Wounded Light
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZyio-rL0zU

TEENAGE FANCLUB - It's All In My Mind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwJ8oui029w

PATRICK WOLF - Wind in the Wires
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CppK9ZfE-cI

DARREN HANLON - Spend Christmas Day with Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuDSW0NMyaU

LIST 181 - 17/12/2015 (1995 special, part three)

Hello there,

Part three from (just about) 20 years ago this time, inclusive of a track from the last ever singles release on Sarah Records; the final sighting of Kitchens Of Distinction for over a decade and a half; contrariwise very early sightings of The Lucksmiths and The Make-Up; Dean Wareham and Laetitia Sadier practically purring in tandem en français; and Sidi Bou Said's couldn't-fail-and-didn't teaming up with Cardiacs genius Tim Smith. Lots for you to enjoy, hopefully,

J xx



BEN FOLDS FIVE - Underground
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqADHn7SWlA

BLUEBOY – Toulouse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqmvmZVdQ_0

KITCHENS OF DISTINCTION - Feel My Genie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQxGR0xEVfk

NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS & PJ HARVEY – Henry Lee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHdNCHomHlU

COMET GAIN – Just Fourteen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM3GnsyVG_k

MAN OR ASTRO-MAN? - Put Your Fingers in the Socket
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IduKgsAPF-Y

McALMONT AND BUTLER - Yes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJSaRw1vjxM

NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL - Avery Island / April 1st
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffOXq_ob7Qs

THE LUCKSMITHS - Jewel Thieves
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzIYeiWjX1c

THE CAT’S MIAOW – I Fall to Pieces
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8Lfum1Hn4M

THE MAKE-UP - We're Having a Baby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1mhV7WBygk

LOW - Shame
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvufaL5B_iM

JULIAN COPE – By the Light of the Silbury Moon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAOBHFC5Azg

SAINT ETIENNE - He's on the Phone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ddr9EpezslU

ROGER QUIGLEY - A Kind of Loving
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-uqWKQAv5c

THE MAGNETIC FIELDS - The Village in the Morning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxVuIZj145Y

SIDI BOU SAID - Ode to Drink
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1sVJ1SqD40

LUNA - Bonnie and Clyde
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXeCLVsA5PQ

SPARE SNARE - Bugs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj-2y5MmYwo

SMOG - Bathysphere
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IRwfeo8hoQ

LIST 180 - 16/12/2015 (2005 special, part one)

Hello there,

And so with 1995 already extensively mined (think I'll be able to squeeze out one more selection from that year, though), thoughts turn to a decade ago.

It was an odd year for me in terms of discovering that much in the way of brand new music, being the first full year since John Peel's passing.  Would the music die with him?  Obviously not, no, though with the most major means for finding interesting new stuff no longer around it felt a little bit more of a struggle. 

No matter - some of his best beloved acts continued to produce great material in his memory, with Half Man Half Biscuit, Laura Cantrell, Camera Obscura and Amsterdam four such bands included here.

An early sighting in this List also of Au Revoir Simone; I'm not sure the first album had even come out by this stage.

J xx



SIGUR ROS – Glósóli
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz8iEJeh26E

ROBERT LIPPOK & BARBARA MORGENSTERN – Gammelpop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCnQkXBY-8c

HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT – Depressed Beyond Tablets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxs3hG6qVSs

AU REVOIR SIMONE – Hurricanes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt_BbGitGeM

LAURA CANTRELL – Bees
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W06xaUeK-Ck

TUNNG – People Folk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ9ucVMocfM

DEINE LAKAIEN – Over and Done
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yoBUWDZzVY

HTRK – Hate Rock Trio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvOqUBkyLfA

GRAVENHURST – The Velvet Cell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUPqwWG8Zes

BROADCAST – Michael A Grammar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzS9ybPMztY

CAMERA OBSCURA – I Love My Jean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0__sO7k5OH0

AMSTERDAM – Takin’ on the World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiyWnyNO_-s

LADYTRON – Sugar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLvQJILre6U

THE CLIENTELE – Since K Got Over Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cYNj2SeVdA

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE – Grass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqvBoFpgXQA

HELEN LOVE - Long Hot Summer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9BSR--5RYw

BOARDS OF CANADA – Oscar See Through Red Eye
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsjs6Ae2Fp0

THE HOUSE OF LOVE - Love You Too Much
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFY4Lf6G8zg

OF MONTREAL - Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8cCPH1qnYI

LIST 179 - 15/12/2015 (shares name with... part two)

Hello again,

Following on from yesterday's List, here's another selection of tracks that share their name - in many cases deliberately - with some famous soul or others. 

Everything covered from teen idols to serial killers to cyclists to American presidents to astronauts to composers to feuding popstars to journeyman footballers, I think!

J xx




THE WENDY DARLINGS – Bobby Darin (2014)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8pPa5fFhcE

HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT – The Ballad of Climie Fisher (2000)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr8D1XScCgM

MODESTY BLAISE - Carol Mountain (2001)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChwenPeshR8

LARD - Sylvestre Matuschka (1990)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZqlT9VJ9ok

TRAMWAY - Gianni Bugno Wheels (1992)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXyFiq6ewRU

FELT – Penelope Tree (1983)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4LP_xfNfBc

FUNNY VON DANNEN – Nana Mouskouri (1995)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-7NZDhVUdQ

LONELY TOURIST – The Ballad of Paul Tierney (2012)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljTa3JGrbf0

NOVA MOB – Wernher von Braun (1991)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqV5EdpPX54

THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS – James K Polk (1990/1996)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StTiCU_fqCg

GORKY’S ZYGOTIC MYNCI – Kevin Ayers (1994)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_9oShCTRq8

FAMILY FODDER – Debbie Harry (1980)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01dvGeDSWE8

UNREST – Winona Ryder (1993)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31mq-NH51xE

PETE GREEN – The Ballad of Phil Jeavons (2007)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULUcOfcC27w

THE SHAMEN – Christopher Mayhew Says (1987)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZhxP2YXe6M

CARDIACS - Gina Lollabrigida (1984)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XNf-Kq7zu8

THE HAYWAINS – Dusty Springfield (1991)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx4NEGv5vy0

PIXIES - Alec Eiffel (1991)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf20Effo6ds

JULIAN COPE - Bill Drummond Said (1984)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcbM77qCu3o

BILL DRUMMOND - Julian Cope is Dead (1986)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuDmjZfa_Z0

SUPERCUTE - Jamie Theakston (1998)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1q-QnS7cCw

HEFNER - Alan Bean (2001)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipEduVIn_JY

SAINT ETIENNE – Conchita Martinez (1993)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg0V9AxZalY

KRAFTWERK - Franz Schubert (1977)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJqnc_0mZmA

LIST 178 - 14/12/2015 (shares name with... part one)

Hello again,

This week's Lists start with a bit of whimsical fun - every song on here, intentionally or not, shares its name with a famous real person.

Apart from the Monkey Swallows The Universe one, that is, which shares its name with a famous real horse.

See how many you know.

J xx



CHARLOTTE HATHERLEY – Kim Wilde (2004)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4fMdG5D18o

TREMBLING BLUE STARS – Helen Reddy (2004)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raE70KKY_vM

THE BRILLIANT CORNERS – Brian Rix (1987)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_boOIcRQ3E

THE HUMAN LEAGUE – Tom Baker (1980)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHJXuK4knlA

BELLE AND SEBASTIAN – Roy Walker (2003)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jHSlxTGtSY

DANIEL AAND NORBERT DENTRESSANGLE – Bobby McFerrin (2012)
http://vimeo.com/48547830

REM – Lightnin’ Hopkins (demo) (1988)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNsnepfIlHo

GORKY’S ZYGOTIC MYNCI – Sally Webster (1993)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szvUwooG1Ag

THE THYME MACHINE – Jimmy Glass (2014)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uURN7BVzTEY

FREAKY REALISTIC – Leonard Nimoy (1993)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYgH5awUbac

POP WILL EAT ITSELF - Harry Dean Stanton (1992)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpZy8z_Fkh4

McCARTHY – Frans Hals (1987)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxWb9FAN078

MONKEY SWALLOWS THE UNIVERSE – Little Polveir (2007)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L040DEFXZ9U

MONTY PYTHON – Oliver Cromwell (19xx)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwiztVCnjY0

THE FRENCH – Wu-Tang Clan (2003)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSTuiKkxcZE

TELEX – Spike Jones (1986)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOiw1R3I9Dg

THE FAMILY CAT – Tom Verlaine (1989)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c-SLr9Z-TE

SILVERFISH – Dolly Parton (1989)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpxFXz08bX0

KINGS HAVE LONG ARMS – Lisa Riley (2006)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip52qy4x0fQ

LIST 177 - 11/12/2015 (1995 special, part two)

Hello again,

Part two of the revisiting of (just about) 20 years ago this time, including very early sightings of the likes of Flowchart and Band Of Pain.

The Aberdeen track is taken from the third to last single ever released on Sarah Records - what a year it's been for critical reappraisals of that seminal, heroic but at the time frequently vilified Bristol independent.

Stereolab's contribution comes from one of countless split singles the group (or Groop?) put out during the mid-late 1990s in particular, and thankfully is closer to the metronomic Moog wig-outs of their first few years' output rather than (for me, at any rate) the more anonymous jazz and easy listening stylings that would dominate from the Dots and Loops album onwards.

Bad Blood is taken from Fatherhood, the third of five lo-fi albums Baby Bird would release in rapid-fire succession during 1995-6.  Ugly Beautiful, with You're Gorgeous and the rest on it, would see Stephen Jones hit paydirt within twelve months of this, but those earlier efforts, brimming with simple invention and wit, remain the more engaging output as far as I'm concerned.

J xx



DREADZONE – Little Britain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lD_VIbgEZY

FLOWCHART – Hero Wine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TebUV0qS378

STEREOLAB – The Long Hair of Death
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZWyDxE3zd4

WOLFSHEIM – Closer Still
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORDf3NfCEvc

ABERDEEN – Super Sunny Summer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27KYbNnJS9o

BABY BIRD – Bad Blood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB1k6-yqUKY

PULP – I Spy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMQi0pZY_J8

THE APPLES IN STEREO – Tidal Wave
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5FZdNe_YSc

BAND OF PAIN – To Whom It May Concern
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6fkYAEZfwU

BJORK – Enjoy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTNLc6vLu1g

SEEFEEL – Vex
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyuoAMmPtCQ

BOARDS OF CANADA – Sixtyniner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMKhq8l_9mI

BANDIT QUEEN – Miss Dandys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12mQcW8d7aQ

THE FALL – Life Just Bounces
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOZOAeQKlJk

BELLY – Now They’ll Sleep
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlFzWn_-EdQ

CRISTIAN VOGEL – In
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr4boS7iBLk