New Songs On Sunday

 

I must admit that I haven't listened to much music in recent weeks and am behind in discovering new music. But that doesn't mean I won't continue this series. The intention was actually to present songs here that were released recently and don't have a musical focus or are subject to any dogma.

I was quite surprised when I read that Brinsley Schwarz had released a new album called Shouting At The Moon. His band was the spearhead of the so called pub-rock era in the mid 70's and the kind of music I enjoyed much before punk started. Brinsley Schwarz made a unique sound of classic rock and incorporated a whole lot of funk and soul in their sound.

And the essence of their sound you will find on this record. Most of the time, the tempo has been slowed down and a warm bass dominates the songs to make room for guitar and organ. The fact that Brinsley's voice cannot compete with Nick Lowe's does not detract from the songs. For many, this album will be too boring, but for me it's like an old friend dropping by after a long time.

Singles Released This Week Years Ago

 

Another journey through various decades of music.

1985: David Bowie and Mick Jagger

1971: Joni Mitchell

1976: Steve Miller Band

1962: The Crystals

1976: Nick Lowe

1977: Steely Dan 

1978: The Police

1981: The Go-Go's

1965: Donovan

1975: Bad Company

1966: The Monkees

1963: The Ronettes

1981: Devo

1998: The Rolling Stones (the remix version)

Back To The Very Old Days

 

A few days ago I was in a mood to look at my blog posts from the time I started starting this blog. I came across an old series, which I kept going at the time and during which I took a closer look at the time of pub rock. I came across a post I wrote 10 years ago and featured Mickey Jupp. He was a singer/songwriter associated with the so called Southend music scene. In the very early 70's he released a few albums with a mix of rockabilly, blues rock and pop. His success was limited but he became a leading figure a few years later at the pub-rock scene and played on the same level as Dr. Feelgood for whom he wrote Down At The Doctors. Other artists like Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe covered his songs after he signed to Stiff record label. I loved to listen to his songs after decades and I think it is necessary to feature him and his music once again.

Mickey Jupp's Legend - Cross Country

Mickey Jupp's Legend - My Typewriter

Mickey Jupp's Legend - Another Guy

Mickey Jupp's Legend - Heather On The Hill

Monday's Long Song

 

In 1970 Brinsley Schwarz released their eponymous first self titled album and it is one that was a good friend to me over decades. Someone named them as a blend of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Bob Dyland and The Band, Buffalo Springfield with a heavy dose of early Yes and I can agree to this description. For me they were the unbeatable band of the pub-rock days and their songs were always a pleasure to listen to. Their debut album showed more roots in rock music before they drifted into country albums later. And it was Nick Lowe who wrote the most songs and shows his abilities on writing great songs. Maybe the reason I like this album is that they turned away from rhythm and blues and added country blues to it. It is  unbelievable that this record still sounds fresh after almost 50 years.  

Brinsley Schwarz - Ballad Of A Has-Been Teenage Queen

Tracks On Wax

In the days punk and new wave changed my personal music taste completely two guys held up the flag of pub rock constantly. Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe were the keeper of classic Rock 'n' Roll and during the second half of the 70's they released a few classic albums. I was always a fan of how Edmunds used to play his guitar. He wasn't the best guitar player in his time but he knows how to get a great sound out of his instrument. He was able to play the twangy sound as well as fast riffs. A few days ago I found his albums in my collection and thought by myself to take a trip back to the days I listened often to them. It was Tracks On Wax 4 from 1977 that still impresses me. Filled with covers of forgotten gems from the past and a song from his buddy Nick Lowe. Even if times and taste changed these songs are great and it made me happy to hear them once again.

In the afternoon I will go to support Stuttgart in their game against When Wiesbaden. We are at the top of the table (were we belong) and they are a promoted team and it should be a safe win but I didn't saw my team playing constantly well during 90 minutes. But anyway, it will be fun to see some friends again watching this game.

Dave Edmunds - Deborah
Dave Edmunds - Trouble Boys
Dave Edmunds - Heart of the City

Fifty Nine

It is my 59th birthday today and only one year until my age starts with a 6. I won't complain about the age or where the years broke down as long as I am healthy and in a good shape. A few days ago I talked to some long time mates about our age and finally we agreed that the older we get the closer we get to retirement. But as long music means a lot to me, I can explore new music and I don't think like old men I still feel fresh and lusty for life.

The Gaslight Anthem - 59 Sound

And as a bonus a song by the great Nick Lowe that accompanied me during the last decades.

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.

Back In The Late 1970's

It was back in 1976 when Graham Parker released his first album Howlin' Wind and this record was on heavy rotation on my turntable 40 years ago. It was the ultimate link between pub rock and the upcoming punk scene. Produced by Nick Lowe and members of Brinsley Schwarz they released one of the classic albums of the late 70's. Graham Parker developed his very own sound with the best ingredients of rock and roll, R&B, folk and the new sound of reggae. Professional musicians made the soundtrack to his soulful and deep voice. After his first masterpiece he made with Squeezing Out Sparks a few years later another great record. Good to listen to this great songs after all this years.

Graham Parker - Don't Ask Me Questions
Graham Parker - Nobody Hurts You
Graham Parker and the Rumour - Protection

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.

What Happened To Pub Rock # 12

The story wouldn't be complete if I did not mention the ex-servicemen of pub rock. Brinsley Schwarz with the guitarist after they itself have named were the old cell of a lot of following bands. Indifferently whether they have played solo or have helped on countless records as a studio musician, the members were always a component of the British music scene. I mentioned Nick Lowe a few weeks ago but Bob Andrews and Billy Andrews played on a lot of records in this era. The bands style is hardly to explain. In the early times they tried to play pop songs with psychedelic influences and turned later into poppy country style. That they could play as a backing band as well is shown on Frankie Miller's first record Once In a Blue Moon. Unfortunately I've never seen them live but when I read something about them I think it would be awesome. Looking back at the days of pub rock I think this was one of those bands that stood the test of times. Their songs might be simple at the first moment but if you exactly listen you are able to hear so many facets which make single songs wonderful.

Brinsley Schwarz - Ballad Of A Has-Been Beauty Queen
Brinsley Schwarz - Ever Since You're Gone
Brinsley Schwarz - Feel A Little Funky
Brinsley Schwarz - Funk Angel
Brinsley Schwarz - Hymn To Her
Brinsley Schwarz - The Look That's In Your Eye Tonight

What Happened To Pub Rock # 6

As I wrote on this series punk and new wave music had it roots in bands that used to play live pubs. One of those bands were Brinsley Schwarz named by their guitar player. Other members were Bob Andrews on keybords, Billy Rankin on drums an the magnificent Nick Lowe on bass and vocals. On their first records they played a kind of The Band inspired country with a little bluesy and pscychedelic touch. They got a bigger fanbase about playing a laid back country rock in later times. In the mid 1970s they played the backing band on Frankie Millers debut and started a collaboration with Dave Edmunds who produced their last records The New Favourites of Brinsley Schwarz which is the best one for me. After this record the band split and the members started solo careers or were found in other bands or as session musicians in the following years. Maybe their biggest legacy was one song written by Nick Lowe and made famous years later by Elvis Costello: What's so funny but peace love and understanding.

Brinsley Schwarz - Ballad of a has been beauty queen
Brinsley Schwarz - What's so funny about peace, love and understanding
Brinsley Schwarz - The look that's in your eye tonight

Although Brinsley Schwarz was named by their guitarist the mastermind of the band was Nick Lowe. He wrote the most songs - especially the ballads and his distinctive voice. He and Ian Gomm (who joined the original set up from the second record) started solo careers - but really successful was just Nick Lowe. According to my opinion he is the connecting piece to the new fresh upcoming music. He signed to the STIFF-label and his single So it goes was the first release of the label. In the following years he made some great records with very good ballads, songs with perfect hooks and he transported the power of Rock 'n' Roll into the upcoming punk and new wave era. The story of his collaboration with Dave Edmunds should be told another time.

Nick Lowe - I love the sound of breaking glass
Nick Lowe - Nutted by reality
Nick Lowe - Heart of the city

Gone, But Not Forgotten # 3

One of the few artists in the so called New Wave era Ian Dury impressed me much. Handicapped with Polio he went on stage, singing his songs and had fun playing that new sounds. He managed sexual equivocal ones with in fantastic songs. You can read more about him, his life and his career on Wiki. For me he was an artist who gave all in his concerts to the audience. I saw him one in a small club in the very early 1980s and I was so impressed about his physical presence while he performed. He was one of the first acts signed to STIFF-records and was on the first tour together with Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe and the underrated Wreckless Eric. His first record New Boots and Panties was very successful and his single Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll was banned because explicit lyrics. His first record is remarkable for me because his winking lyrics embedded in fantastic songs that doesn't stuck in that whole New Wave thing. He also tried to combine different influences funk, jazz, soul,R'n'R and typically British musical background to his own personal sound. In 1996 they diagnosed colorectal cancer and underwent surgery, but the tumours were later found in his liver, and he was told that his condition was terminal. Upon learning of his illness, Dury took the opportunity to marry his girlfrien, sculpture Sophy Tilson, with whom he had two children. His legacy is one of the best British albums of the 1980s which carries the spirit of New Wave and the message, that a handicapped one is also able to play and live the spirit of Rock and Roll. He died on March 27 in 2000. May you rest in peace, Ian.

Ian Dury & The Blockheads - Wake Up And Make Love With Me

Ian Dury & The Blockheads - Sex And Drugs And Rock And Roll

Ian Dury & The Blockheads - Sweet Gene Vincent

Ian Dury & The Blockheads - What A Waste

 

What Happened To Pub Rock?

The short break is over - I'll have to go back to my desk in the office. I don't wanna know how much mails appeared in the last days that wanted to be answered. Anyway I think I'll answer them step by step. A few days ago I was in contact with Mr. Mondo via twitter. We talked a little bit about Mickey Jupp and his early record 'The Flaming Red Boot'-record. Mickey Jupp played guitar and piano in his band Legend. The released a few records in the early 1970s. They were all very good but too less people bought the records to be successful and the band split. In 1977 he started a career as a solo artist and made some good rhythm and blues records again. A lot of his songs was covered by Elkie Brooks, Joe Cocker, Kursaal Flyers, Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds. The most success he had when he signed to STIFF-records.
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In the days STIFF-records were founded they signed a few bands from the so called pub-rock era as Dr. Feelgood , The Tyla Gang and Nick Lowe. All these bands were hardly trained playing in pubs for local audience. That might be the reason why they know how to handle their instruments and their feeling for good songs. In this background could raise also acts like Elvis Costello and The Pogues.

I remember the days in the early 1980s in my hometown when there were five or six pubs local bands could play. But more and more pubs like these disappeared or changed their style. Well, it might sound sentimentally but sometimes I miss these days when you go out for a beer and listen to some bands.

So enjoy these songs:

Mickey Jupp - Another Guy
Mickey Jupp - Lorraine (Part One)

What's so funny bout peace, love and understanding

Hi,

back from some hard days at the office. Not that I have too much work, but I have to work through so many new things and I have also to represented my colleague who is gone for some weeks on vacation.

Therefore I spent an evening on the couch, surf the Internet a bit, listen to some music and have casually keep an eye on the Champions League. Not that I'm a fan of Bayern Munich, but if even a German team plays internationally, I will continue to to support them.

As I previously viewed the news, I had to think, in what times we live. Just rotate through all? The Middle East is in turmoil, Muslims are calling for war and I wonder where all this will end yet. If we internalize the three words from the title, we were on a good step towards a better future.

Therefore one of my favorites in a live version

If we at it, then I put on yet another song from the past.

Enjoy and have a good time.