Category Archives: Blues
VAN MORRISON-MOONDANCE.
VAN MORRISON-MOONDANCE. When Van Morrison released his third album, Moondance, in February 1970, little did he know he’d just released not only a classic album, but an album he’d never surpass. This wasn’t unexpected. After all, two years earlier in February 1968, Van Morrison has released Astral Weeks, an album which was a game-changer. Astral …
DAMON- SONG OF A GYPSY.
DAMON- SONG OF A GYPSY. For any collector of psychedelia, if they’re lucky enough to find a copy of Damon’s Song Of A Gypsy, it becomes one of their most prized possessions. Finding a copy is another thing. Copies are rarer than hen’s teeth and are changing hands for large sums of money. Recently, copies have …
Z.Z. HILL-THE BRAND NEW Z.Z. HILL.
Z.Z. HILL-THE BRAND NEW Z.Z. HILL. The story behind how Z.Z. Hill found himself in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, recording with producer Swamp Dogg is the equivalent to a game of musical pass the parcel. It all started when Swamp Dogg bought Z.Z. Hill’s contract from Quin Ivy, one of the stalwarts of the Muscle Shoals …
BOPPIN’ BY THE BAYOU-MORE DYNAMITE.
BOPPIN’ BY THE BAYOU-MORE DYNAMITE. Back in May 2013, Ace Records released Bluesin’ By The Bayou, a compilation of “low down, dirty and greasy blues from Louisiana.” With some zydeco thrown in for good measure by compiler Ian Saddler, Bluesin’ By The Bayou was a potent musical cocktail. The music on Bluesin’ By The Bayou …
NEW YORK DOLLS-NEW YORK DOLLS.
NEW YORK DOLLS-NEW YORK DOLLS. No other group epitomises the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle like the New York Dolls. Drink, drugs and death touched the New York Dolls. Despite this, the Dolls continued to court controversy, with a disaster always just a heartbeat away. Just like a game of daring do, the egged each other to …
END OF NEIL-LESS E.P.
END OF NEIL-LESS E.P. The last time we heard from Stirling-based singer-songwriter End Of Neil, he’d just released his My Games E.P. During the six tracks on My Game, End Of Neil introduced us to a diverse cast of characters. Many of them are complicated. Some of them are troubled. All of them are intriguing. …
MICHAEL CHAPMAN-WRECKED AGAIN.
MICHAEL CHAPMAN-WRECKED AGAIN. Before releasing his 1969 debut album Rainmaker, on Harvest Records, Michael Chapman taught art and photography. Music was something he did in his spare time. Despite being a part time musician, Michael was a regular on the folk circuit. He traveled from his home county of Yorkshire down to London and Cornwall. …
THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT-THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT.
THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT-THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT. Many bands are touted as the future of rock ‘n’ roll. Mostly it’s either record company hype or wishful thinking. The Temperance Movement are different. They’re the real thing. They epitomize rock ‘n’ roll. Formed in 2011, they’ve come a long way in two years. They’ve conquered Britain, Europe and …
WASHINGTON IRVING-PALOMIDES VOLUME 1.
WASHINGTON IRVING-PALOMIDES VOLUME 1. Visitors to Washington Irving’s website are greeted with what could be their musical manifesto, “We Are Electric Folk and Like To Play Loudly.” That’s no idle boast. Far from it. Washington Irving can walk the walk. Unlike many bands, Washington Irving let their music do the talking. Washington Irving don’t do …
LIPSTICK, POWDER AND PAINT! THE NEW YORK DOLLS HEARD THEM HERE FIRST.
LIPSTICK, POWDER AND PAINT! THE NEW YORK DOLLS HEARD THEM HERE FIRST. It’s no exaggeration to say, that the New York Dolls have been one of the most influential and innovative bands in music history. What people don’t realize, is that the original and classic lineup, only released two albums. They were a tantalizing glimpse …
GOOD VIBRATIONS: A RECORD SHOP, A LABEL, A SOUNDTRACK.
GOOD VIBRATIONS: A RECORD SHOP, A LABEL, A SOUNDTRACK. Late last year, a British independent film had a huge impact upon its release. That’s the critically acclaimed Good Vibrations, which was directed by Lisa Bassos D’sa and Glenn Leyburn. Good Vibrations tells the story of the life and times of Terri Hooley, a stalwart and …
BEATING THE PETRILLO BAN-THE LATE DECEMBER 1947 MODERN SESSIONS.
BEATING THE PETRILLO BAN-THE LATE DECEMBER 1947 MODERN SESSIONS. It was in 1927 when the Automatic Music Instrument Company invented the first multi-selection jukebox. For owners of juke joints and bars, the jukebox was a boon. Not only did it attract customers, wanting to hear and dance to the latest music, but It was much …
NANCY WILSON-KALEIDOSCOPE AND I KNOW I LOVE HIM.
NANCY WILSON-KALEIDOSCOPE AND I KNOW I LOVE HIM. Not many artists have enjoyed the longevity that Nancy Wilson has. Nancy released over seventy albums over a career that’s spanned six decides. Her career started back in 1956, when she was just nineteen. Three years later, in 1959, Nancy released Like In Love for Capitol Records. …
BLUESIN’ BY THE BAYOU.
BLUESIN’ BY THE BAYOU. Bluesin’ By The Bayou, which was released by Ace Records in 27th May 2013, is described as: “low down, dirty and greasy blues from Louisiana.” As if that wasn’t enough reason to discover the delights of Bluesin’ By The Bayou, compiler Ian Saddler had added some zydeco for good measure. I …
ALMUNIA-PULSAR.
ALMUNIA-PULSAR. Often when I’m looking for new music, it’s an album cover that grabs my attention. That was the case with Almunia’s new album Pulsar. It was released on Paul Murphy’s Claremont 56 label, on 27th May 2013. Released without publicity or fanfare, Almunia’s sophomore album Pulsar was a low key release to say the …
PSYCHEMAGIK PRESENTS MAGIK SUNRISE.
PSYCHEMAGIK PRESENTS MAGIK SUNRISE. By far, one of the best compilations of 2012 was Leng Records’ Psychemagik Presents Magic Circles. Released in October 2012, it’s best described as a compelling and captivating collection of music. Not only that, but it brought new meaning to the word eclectic. Fusing cosmic disco, Balearica, psychedelic funk, ambient, soul, …