Beautiful Monster

There were so many bands in the post-punk era that didn't made the success they should have. One of them were Folk Devils from Notting Hill, London. They released only a few singles and one full length album but were three times for sessions by John Peel. They gigged constantly often as openers for The Fall, Nick Cave and Spacemen 3. For me their sound was very unique. What made them great was their combination of blues inflected guitar figures on Rickenbacker guitar, metronomic drums  on a swampy sound. The more I listen to the more I looking back to these days.

Folk Devils - Beautiful Monster
Folk Devils - Evil Eye
Folk Devils -English Disease

God Only Knows

A few days ago T2: Trainspotting was released and also the soundtrack to this movie. It took 20 years to make a sequel of one of the best British film ever. I like Trainspotting for its genius combination of visuals and music. And the OST of it is probably the best soundtrack I've heard. Simply a perfect combination of classic songs from different decades. I am not a big fan of sequels but I want to know how the story goes on and if it is different to the novels by Irvine Welsh. The heartbeat of Trainspotting was Underworld's Born Slippy and it it hard to find another one in the sequel. Director Danny Boyle decided for Edinburghs hip-hop band Young Fathers. And it wasn't a bad decision. Not the same class as Born Slippy but a forward pushing piece of hip-hop, gospel and industrial.

The Last Waltz

More than 40 years ago The Band gave their farewell concert in San Francisco. It was filmed by Martin Scorsese and made a documentary out of it. I watched this movie in my very younger days and I didn't understand the hype they made out of it. They named this film one of the best concert films ever. For me it was only a collection of fossils from another era. Years later I owned the record and watched this film with very different eyes. Not only The Band at the hight of their times - there were artists that had real fun playing at this venue. And classic songs as well.

Tin Soldier

The last post was by Rod Stewart and when I listen to his early records I can't stop putting a record by The Small Faces on my turntable. I don't have to tell about their history and importance in British music. It will be one of the most influential band from the 60's. Just because they made their very unique sound with ingredients of rhythm and blues, rock, psychedelic and soul. And many of their songs got classic ones in history.

Stay Wth Me

Really can't believe that this song is 45 years old. Back in 1971 The Faces released this song for their album A Nod Is As Good As A Wink ... To A Blind Horse. It's a song that was fits to them in the days of groupies. Rita with red lips, hair and fingernails was the way they thought in these times. You should be gone when I wake up is not the way we should think about women but it was Rock 'n' Roll. Love this song even if it is political correct or not.

Jaki Liebezeit RIP

The year starts as it ended in 2016. It seems that all our heroes of times long gone by will pass away one by one. Of course it is the rule of nature but with every loss we have a few things will pass away with them. Jaki Liebezeit was known as a founding member of Can, probably the most important Krautrock band ever. His name is also in close context to NEU! and also on the first record of Zeltinger (a German punk/rock band from the mid 80's), Brian Eno and many others. He played the drums like no one else before. Mostly monotone but always close to the rhythm of the band he played in. One more great artist passed away.

Rest in peace, Jaki.

Walking Around Purposely

A few days ago in my mailbox arrived another music by a new band. Expecting nothing big I listened to this song and I was surprised about what I've heard. A little gem of indie surf pop with layered harmonies and a great touch of garage rock. The Captain's Son is a band formed in Springfield Missouri and going for success as a powerful trio in Southern California. They announce for their upcoming EP in March more fuzzed out psych rock. Looking forward to hear more of them.

 

Machines That Breath

A lot of bands are searching for the perfect pop song and I am sure no one will achieve but lots will get close to. A few days ago Charlotte Brimner aka Be Charlotte came to my radar with her new song Machines That Breath and she's getting close to it. Born in Dundee this 19 year old girl comes up with a unique mixture of folktronica, soft HipHop-beats and bitter-sweet melodies. Not the worst thing when you are at the start of your career.

Line Ekata

When I was in holidays in Sri Lanka I met local friends that I know about years. One of them is Nuwan working as a DJ down there. Working as a DJ down there means you were booked for beach parties and weddings. A wedding in Sri Lanka means that you show up in the early afternoon to congratulate to the bride and the groom. After all the guest arrived the man disappear to a separate location for a few drinks while the ladies site inside having little conversations. A few hours later they all finish drinking to get something to eat. When late lunch was finished the DJ's appear for couple of hours to get the people dancing. I know Duwan since a couple of years and as we talked about his profession he told me that he realised a record and a video as well. After watching it I offered him the possibility to get featured on this this blog. Now I have to redeem my promise and I offer you a song by a local Sri Lankan musician. For me it is a song that could be played during summer time. Well arranged and produced but no one will know this song without any support.

Enjoy and have a great weekend.

Ghost Rider

It is now a half year since Alan Vega passed away. His music is still present to me and I think it is worth to feature him once again here. it is rockabilly from outer space and far ahead of his time. We couldn't say more than thank you to him for giving us this music. Still hot, inspiring and cool after many decades.

My Guitar Wants To Kill You Mama

During the last days I rediscovered Frank Zappa and his records. He was always an artist that accompanied me during my musical education. I was introduced to him in the mid 70's by an older friend of mine and I had my problems understanding his music in my younger days. But I purchased a few records during the last decades. Listening now to his songs with a distend view I have to say that he was far ahead of his time (in any period of his work). There were so different and difficult arrangements in his songs and the more you listen to them the more details you can hear. So it is time to feature him after all these years once again. This song is a live version showing his collaboration with Joe Satriani, a superb guitar player when he plays blues and rock.

Frank Zappa and Joe Satriani - My Guitar Wants To Kill You Mama

20/30

Another band from Austria is ready to be featured at this place. Scheibsta und die Buben specify HipHop in German language in a different and unique way. Scheibsta is the nickname of Philipp Scheiblbrandner the rapper in front of the boys (Buben). I was impressed because they don't use samples in this song - they are using real instruments for their sound. Also the combination of ska-influenced sounds and a mariachi trumpet makes this song worth listen to. The poems are also well listen to. He sings about the times when you were at the end of the twenties or the early thirties and you have to decide which way your life should go. And it doesn't mind of you come from the sunny or the darker side of life.