Red Hot + Blue

 

One of the most obscure compilations of recent decades appeared in 1990. There have always been albums on which musicians have been honoured. This album, however, is something special. It was released by the Red Hot Organisation, a charity to support HIV/AIDS relief worldwide after a spike in deaths among artists and intellectuals in NYC. I can't say why Cole Porter's music was used as the main theme, but the fact that so many artists from so many different musical genres recorded their versions is remarkable. Every song could have been written by David Byrne, Iggy Pop, Jungle Brothers, The Pogues or Sinnéad O'Connor. And that is probably the greatest praise for Cole Porter's songs, which have lost none of their fascination even after more than 30 years.

Days

 

Today's Valentine's day, when lovers give each other presents and honour their love with gifts. There was a Valentine of Rome, an early priest of Christianity, who was executed for his faith on 14 February 269. He is said to have performed Christian marriages for couples, although this was forbidden at the time, more than a hundred years before Christianity was declared the state religion in Rome. In 1950, the first "Valentine's Ball" was organised in Nuremberg. From then on, the customs of Valentine's Day spread throughout Germany. Valentine's Day became widely known during the years of the Federal Republic's economic miracle thanks to increased advertising by the flower industry. I didn't celebreted this days since ages because it is just a commercial day where flower shops make the most sales. Anyway it is a day where love songs still come to my mind. Thinking of love songs there are always some that thematise the separations. And there is one song that shows a big love even if one got separated from his partner. Ray Davis wrote great songs with fantastic lyrics but Days is a highlight because he found the right words for maybe a never ending love. And CC your right a faithful cover seldom can fail.

The Kinks - Days

Kristy MacColl - Days

Labeled

The title shows one of the provocative marketing slogans for a record label in the late 70's. Stiff Record was formed by Jake Riviera and Dave Robinson, both enrooted in the pub-rock scene of the early 70's by managing pub-rock legends like Dr. Feelgood or Brinsley Schwarz. The legend tells that both founded the label by a loan on £400 from Lee Brilleaux of Dr. Feelgood. So it is nearby that their first single was by a veteran of the scene: Nick Lowe. They signed a lot of artists I could agree with and I bought a lot of records only because they was released on Stiff Records. It was also a label that had open ears for the dawning of new kind of music and musicians raised in the pub-rock scene got a panel to develop a new sound. Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, Wreckless Eric on the one and The Damned, Madness and Tenpole Tudor on the other side were the bands I connect with this label. Always good to listen to them from time to time.

Labled

If it ain't STIFF it ain't worth a fuck was the labels' claim. It was a message to all of those who were interested in new music. Formed in the era of punk in 1976 by Jake Rivera and Dave Robinson they signed a lot of artists with pub rock roots trying to make their own sound based on the basics. STIFF records were a trademark in these days bringing quality and new music to me. Most of the releases showed artists that became famous during the years. The quality of their producers, especially Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello made this label famous. They were alive until the mid 80's and vanished afterwords. STIFF introduced me into so many new music like none other label. They opened my ears to very new and great music in the late 70's. It is hypothetical question if my musical taste would be different without them. But I think they were at the hight of the musical taste in new music in these days. So let's get a journey back in the early days of STIFF were music was new, fresh and exciting. Not everything of this song are the music I listen now but it was a very pleasurable journey back in time.

So enjoy.

Misses Otis Regrets

In 1990 another compilation was released by Red, Hot ... series. This one featured songs by Cole Porter. And one of my favorites is a song by Kristy MacColl and The Pogues (when Shane McGowan was able to sing). It's a short lament about not to  be able to join the diner because she was killed by the mob. It is just another song that lives with the voice of Kristy - the rest of the song by the Pogues doesn't mean much to me (even if I love them). Sadly miss her voice on new records.

Enjoy.

I

Gone But Not Forgotten # 4

Kristy MacColl died in December, 2000 during a dive with her sons a power boat came cross and killed her. She was the daughter of the famous folk singer Ewan MacColl and during her lifetime she was very underrated because she had her biggest hits with cover versions of someone others songs or with collaborations with other bands. For me she had a very special voice at all and a very good distinction in songs that fit to her and her voice. Most of the listeners don't know that she tried in different styles like Cuban and Caribbean sounds. I noticed her from the start with They don't know over her collaborations with Billy Bragg and The Pogues till her last recordings. Her voice gave me always a feeling like being at home in my personal own rooms. Sadly she died too young.

Kristy MacColl - My Affair
Kristy MacColl - Days
Kristy MacColl & Evan Dando - Perfect day
Kristy MacColl - You haven't earned it yet, Baby