Donnerstag, 30. Juli 2015

What Ever We Do


For a long time I didn't post some reggae and dub. One of my favorites in this genre are Ruts DC, especially their collaboration with Mad Professor. This record was released in a tinny case and it is a record that accompanied me during the last decades. It might be music for the end of the day but I still love this relaxed and ambitious sound. It's the sound for the last drink before you finish the day - for sure!



Mittwoch, 29. Juli 2015

Flowerpornoes


A few days ago I posted some German songs. One of them I knew for a lot of years. The track I posted was found on you-tube. I didn't made many minds on it until The Swede asked me for more details on it. So I tried to get more information by the Internet for this artist. After all I've to say that my investigation was fruitless. I really don't know where this version is from, neither when it was released. The only thing I found about this beauties were uploaded by 'Von Nord nach Südwest' - if it is a record label or not; I don't know. Anyway, these are some great tracks with a deep psychedelic touch and Spartan instrumentation. Most of the songs have a slow steady flow with some superb and minimal played guitars.

So if anybody out there knows more about these records - please let me know.

Flowerpornoes - Eins, zwo, drei, vier
Flowerpornoes - Nine Miles High
Modustrio - Schlafende Steine
Modustrio - Syd Barret Blues

And this is for The Swede: This a song by Flowerpornoes that I used to listen decades ago and that is typical for their sound in this time. An of course I got this record by the cover.


Dienstag, 28. Juli 2015

Twanging Tuesday # 73


Seems like the twangy sound doesn't lose it's attraction to young musicians. La Luz is a Seattle based band that will release their new record Weirdo Shrines these days. Deeply based in surf-rock, The Ventures and Link Wray these four ladies takes us back to the urban sound of the early 1960s. Their songs could be classics if they were released decades ago. Produced by Ty Segall who put fuzz in almost every song. The record includes a few weird love songs and songs about being a creep. Most of the songs have a fiery setting combined with those guitar and echoed vocals. It's new, it's old, it's great.

La Luz - You Dissapear
La Luz - Don't Wanna Be Anywhere
La Luz - I Wanna Be Alone (With You)
La Luz - Black Hole, Weirdo Shrine


Montag, 27. Juli 2015

Mountain At My Gates


Foals will release their new record these days called What Went Down. I like their releases because it is a mixture of several styles, interpreted in a very own style. I hear a lot of prog-rock, guitar-based rhythms and Krautrock in their music. After all they are doing well arranged songs with complex rhythms, various breaks and melodies as well. It is always fun listening to their output and I hope the record will be as good as the now released single cut.




Sonntag, 26. Juli 2015

Some more decent German songs



Back from my company-celebration and still alive! Dirk and all the others had pity on me and most of Dirk described came true. The later it got the more people get drunk and went to move their old bodies to that music. The celebration took place in two locations in the center of Stuttgart, the town I use to work weekly. Those who organized the party tried to give us a favor showing us a Brazilian dance ensemble dancing to some carnival music. It was horrible - I have never seen any Brazilian female dancers who wasn't able to dance to the music. I tried to watch their eyes if I could see if they took the wrong drugs. Anyway - I moved from this place to get me another cold beer in one of those locations. After their appearance two bands started to play. The first one played some cover versions of songs that I heard too often before. I have to admit that the musicians had craftsmanship in playing their instruments but I means nothing when they hadn't got soul. So I moved over to the next location to listen to a three man band trying to revive the spirit of the Rat Pack. And it wasn't bad at all because they didn't sing the songs of Frank Sinatra one to one but rather they arranged some German songs in the way Frank Sinatra would did it. And after both finished their shows the DJ started his work. The motto was a trip back into the 80s and all my apprehensions were fulfilled. The crowd started singing along when fucking Nena's '99 Luftballons' was played and fist were rising to Europe's 'Final Countdown'. And this was too much to stand for longer than 30 minutes. So I went outside to some co-workers having another drink, sitting in a quiet place and having some good conversation. When I came home late at night I wasn't willing to check out some comments - only listen to some music that was different to those I had to listen to. I grabbed out an very old album from 1987. It is a sampler from new German artist released on Big Store Records. Sorry, but I can't give you any links today, because I have this record only on vinyl.

So enjoy this few songs and have a great Sunday.







Freitag, 24. Juli 2015

Endless Drive


There is a lot of new music that I could share through the summer. But there is one record that I listen to very often this time. It's by It Hugs Back. Their latest record impressed me so much that it was on a heavy rotation during the last days. I love them laid-back sound and their arrangements. It made me feel easy when I finished work after long hours. Tomorrow my company will celebrate their 150th birthday with more than 700 people. I have to be a part of it for a few hours and I am horrified when I see drunken co-workers dancing to that fucking classics of the so called New German Wave. Hope to god that I might leave this place before this things will happen.


Donnerstag, 23. Juli 2015

ronnie lane momorial concert


I can't explain why I feel a lot to Ronnie Lane and his music right now. Maybe because he and his music touched me right from the start. I followed him from the first time I ever saw him live - and this more than 45 years ago. From the bottom of the early Small Faces's days over his solo career and the collaboration with Pete Townshend I was a huge fan of him. Sadly he didn't got the respect in musical history he should have. Listening to his songs (in every version ever) you can get a little touch of his brilliancy.








Mittwoch, 22. Juli 2015

Geno


These days I found the live record of Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band in my collection. After putting the record on my turntable Geno and his music hit me like he did before in decades. It was like he didn't left me during the years. It is still making fun to listen to him and his kind of soul he was able to give to us all. Most of the songs are standards and you've heard them often enough. But I can't get rid of his kind of interpreting this songs. Seldom heard more soul in these songs than he did. He was a giant - and I understand why Kevin Rowland got addicted to him on the first Dexy's. Listen to them in a row and you might understand what I mean.

Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band - Things Getting Better
Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band - Who's Fooling Who
Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band - I Can't Turn You Loose
Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band - Get Down With It
Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band - I'm A Roadrunner

If you have time enough you can see him live in the early 60s live in the Marquee Club, Liverpool, together with The Who and Jimi Hendrix.

Enjoy.


Dienstag, 21. Juli 2015

Dieter Moebius 1944 -2015


Sadly the news arrived that Dieter Moebius died yesterday. He was a German/Swiss musician who had a huge influence on a sound that's known as Krautrock. Together with Conrad Schnitzler he formed Cluster back in 1969. He was one of the first that made experiments with synthesizers and electronic music and played with other heroes of this genre like Mani Neimeier and Michael Rother. Cluster's albums was produced by the Krautrock pioneer Conny Plank. Sadly he was famous in many other countries (as showed by his collaborations with Brian Eno) but didn't got the respect in Germany he should have.

RIP, Dieter


Twanging Tuesday # 72


Today's song is by Little Remy & The Flying Rockers and I don't know anything about them. I suppose that they was an American band. This song might be known in the version of The Shadows. They did it in a clearer sound but I like this rough version more.


Montag, 20. Juli 2015

The Universe Explodes Into A Billion Phontos OF Pure White Light


Blackpool's post-punk band The Membranes released a new record after a long time planning it. Although John Robb left the band the make today a guitar based dark sound. Sometimes I think it is close to core-metal but then I was overwhelmed by the deep and fat sound. Not everyones choice but worth to listen to sometimes.

Sonntag, 19. Juli 2015

Them Changes


It's summer and more and more exhilarated songs were released. One of those I found by visiting the homepage of Austrian radio. It's by Stephen Bruner aka Thundercat an American bass player and producer. With his brother he played in former times with Suicidal Tendencies before he started to work as a session musician. He has a close friendship to Flying Lotus and was the producer of Kendrick Lamar's last album. It's a little gem with a steady slow soul, references to Prince and George Clinton in slow-motion.

Samstag, 18. Juli 2015

Go


I was never a huge fan of that so called Big Beats in the early 1990s but liked some of the Chemical Brother's songs. I almost forgot them and now they are going to release a new record these days. The songs I listened to was like they are going back to where they started. An analog synthesizer rolls on and flows into the typically pressing, add some oppressive sequence sound with a nasty guitar to hit the massive bass and beats being based in their typical groove.



Freitag, 17. Juli 2015

Cream On Chrome



These days the temperature will rise up to 35 degrees. Too hot to work and even too hot to sit in a beergarden. So the best will be to sit at home having a cool drink by your side and listen to some music. Ratatat is an American Indietronic band from New York and they are going to release their new record these days. I found this song by a recommendation by a friend and it's a little piece of music you can listen in the summertime. With it's marching rhythm, the wailing guitar and the synthesizers it seems like a hybrid of Daft Punk, Harold Faltermeyer and Jan Hammer (remember Miami Vice). Not really the next big thing but a song for hot days.

Donnerstag, 16. Juli 2015

George


George shut down his blog yesterday. I am really sad about it but I respect his decision. It was always a pleasure to follow him - especially his ongoing posting the dates of birth/death of musicians. I will miss his regular postings of soul and gospel during the weekends that gave me often a real inspiration to this kind of music. I hope you are well and can enjoy more family life with Jo and your bunch of animals. Here are some songs, I suggest that they will hit your choice.

Keep on going, mate.





Mittwoch, 15. Juli 2015

'Cause I'm A Man


Kevin Parker aka Tame Impala is an Australian multi-instrumentalist and the main song writer, producer and performer of Tame Impala. On his earlier records he was based deeply in the pychedelic sound of the late 60s. Now he appears with a sound that has more ingredients of dance music than before. This are some great songs, arranged with a full and perfect sound. It's a bit of to let go from classic guitar sound to the point of swinging, smooth bass dominated sound.

Try it.



Dienstag, 14. Juli 2015

Twanging Tuesday # 71


Today it won't be the real twang but a little rockabilly The Astro Zombies a French psychobilly band from France. Known as a warm up band for rockabilly greats like The Meteors or The Misfits. They were not too bad, playing their songs very well and might be great when you see them live. I found this cover by searching the internet and it was only a question of time when this song was covered in this genre. It has the same charm as Rumble On The Beach's cover of Purple Rain. 



Montag, 13. Juli 2015

70 Years Old And Still Making Music


One of my earliest memories when I started getting interested in music was listening to Pete Townshend's first solo record Who Came First at my pals place. From this time on I was a huge fan of him and his music. I read in the news that he released a best of album these days. According to the fabulous series of imaginary compilations over at JC's place I asked myself if this compilation would include the songs I would put on my list. I miss more songs from his best record ever Rough Mix, his fantastic collaboration with the unforgotten Ronnie Lane. I think he didn't made this kind of relaxed songs before and after. Anyway, the best songs of this record and his first one are on the compilation so I can agree with it.

Pete Townshend - Sheraton Gibson
Pete Townshend - My Baby Gives It Away
Pete Townshend -.Hard To Hang Onto
Pete Townshend - Keep Me Turning

On this compilation are two previously unreleased tracks. Guantanamo is a song based on an organ loop, a bass line and and a drum part to be added with acoustic guitar. He's not singing on this song - he shouts out his statements. I miss his guitar so judge this song by yourself.

Pete Townshend - Guantamo


Sonntag, 12. Juli 2015

All And Everyone


It seems that we will get another sunny Sunday. Nothing necessary to execute so I think it will be a relaxed day. So let's start into the day with a new song by Small Feet. I don't know much about them, only that is is a trio around the Swedish musician Simon Stalhamre. All And Everyone is one of those fragile, psychedelic sparkling piece of folk-pop, heard once it won't get out of your head. Maybe because someone whistle in the song.

Freitag, 10. Juli 2015

Not Only Another Welsh Singer


One of the most interesting bands in the 1990s were for sure Super Furry Animals. There were times when I listened a lot to them. And I still love to listen to their records. These days I checked out about some news of the band and it seems that they will play together again. SFA were always a band with a very special sound but I liked the voice of their singer, Gruff Rhys. You can find a lot of acoustic clips from him in the internet but I like these ones much on the one hand because of his appearance just with his guitar and voice and on the other hand he's also trying to do something different in the electronic corner. Hope I can see this Welsh guy once live.



Donnerstag, 9. Juli 2015

Live Music On German TV # 6


Back in the late 70s / early 80s it was a change in musical preferences. Lot's of people were based in traditional common music - the others had open ears for the new sounds British punk rock bands offered to us. In this time there were less bands you could agree to both parties. One of them were Little Feat. They made a very unique sound, influenced by traditional R'n'B, Funk and Soul. I was a huge fan of their music in these times. First was the voice of Lowell George with his nasal sound. Second was the arrangements in their songs. They combined the slide guitar on a funky, laid back groove. I remember one day when the first real discotheque closed their doors back in 1980. This location was the first real location we had in my hometown where they played very different music that we used to listen to. Frequented mostly by GI's from nearby. And so we got lead to the music of James Brown, Temptations, The Doors and the whole psychedelic stuff. And of curse it was a place where were was dealt with drugs. For me and my lads it was a place where you are close to the 'real tough guys'. This location was closed down because the owners couldn't stand the pressure of of the public guidelines any more. On the last day they made an auction of their records. One of the records I got there was Little Feat's record from 1974 Feats Don't Fail Me Now. This album was very mint but it is still a memory to a place I used to hit often.

Enjoy this little gems and have a good time.







Mittwoch, 8. Juli 2015

English Ruse


If anyone remembers Supergrass, an Oxford based band which was named as another brit-pop band you might forgot them as well as me. Their lead singer and guitarist Gareth 'Gaz' Coombes released his first solo record a few month ago called Matador. It is one of those records that impress me much. Good guitars, an afficted voice and a great arrangement and some Krautrock improvisations added. Hymns for the future if somebody would listen to. The more I listen to them the more I get addicted to them. Not the usual sound with a beat, a repeating refrain or a guitar riff - more than very clever arranged songs where you explore more and more details the more you listen to it. Surely a highlight this year (and there were a lot of).







Dienstag, 7. Juli 2015

Twanging Tuesday # 70


Today's song is a classic in surf rock and got popular on the soundtrack to Pulp Fiction. One more time Quentin Tarantino had a fine antenna for cool songs for his movie. Dick Dale and his Del-Tones were pioneers in surf music. And nothing more should be told about. Just listen to this version from the late 90s and enjoy.


Montag, 6. Juli 2015

Netherlands Greatest?


Next Saturday the day of Herman Brood's death recurs for the 14th time. He was maybe the greatest musician and entertainer from this country. Herman Brood started his career playing with an Dutch underground band Cuby and the Blizzards before he went to jail for dealing LSD. In 1976 he started his second musical career with his band Wild Romance. Known for his excessive hedonistic lifestyle he was one of few artists that lived the real way of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. I was lucky enough to see him live in the late 70s with his energetic show. For me it was I expected by Iggy Pop on stage. And he was the missing link from continental r&b and the upcoming punk era. He was deeply based in classic rock music but had something really different. I can't explain what it was - maybe the way he performed his songs. Mostly high energy forward driving songs with very good arrangements. There are only a few bands from my neighbors that impressed me like him. And when I listen to his songs after decades they feel still raw, fresh and individual.

Herman Brood - Saturday Night
Herman Brood - Love You Like I Love Myself
Herman Brood - Rock and Roll Junkie
Herman Brood - Johnny

And one song he sung shortly before he commit suicide and that was played on his funeral.

Herman Brood - My Way

Sonntag, 5. Juli 2015

It Hugs Back


Another band I've never heard before and was recommended by my youngest brother are It Hugs Back. It is another London based band that released several records during the last years. It Hugs back was formed by Matthew Simms who played guitar by Wire for a few years and Pete Fowler, Super Furry Animals. Their music can't be described as post-punk or alternative rock like you may expect by them members. It is more a frantic burst of kaleidoscopic guitar pop with exuberant synths, some piano parts and emphatic vocals.

There were so many songs to feature but only a few today. Go Magic is a brilliant glam-rocker with a pounding groove, sharp guitar riffs and vocal delivered through a loudhailer.
   

Waiting Room is a delightful, with aching and countrified harmonies and some superb guitar picking.


On their last track Skateboard Rhythm they transform a low folk song into an euphoric Krautrocking jam.



Thank you Martin - this post is dedicated to you

Samstag, 4. Juli 2015

Loud Places Again


I met my brother yesterday for another fantastic cup of coffee. Talking about the latest music he recommended me the live version of Jamie XX Loud Places. And he's right - this song works played live very good. It is also good to see the XX playing with him again.


Freitag, 3. Juli 2015

Here Comes The Summer


The last days the temperature increased at my place over 30 degrees Celsius these days, Work is hard to do without any air condition right now. Every place outside the office is a place where you sweat all over. I don't want to complain but finally summer arrived at my place. Hope you can enjoy the summer as well.