Singles Night at the Virtual Hot Tub #7

Posted on February 25, 2019 by platinumal

I had another great night recently, playing a load of old 7″ singles. What happens is, I acquire these singles from record fairs, charity shops or maybe contributions from friends – and I spend an evening playing through the pile. The’re stacked in order of how long I’ve had them – oldest near the top – and not organised in any way.

So I get a few drinkies down me and play the records in the order they reveal themselves. Which can be fun – no skipping, play whatever’s next in the pile.

This system always means that no matter how many cool songs I play, there’s always a few dodgy tracks in there too. But then let’s just call those less aspirational songs “guilty pleasures”, and enjoy them for what they are.

Last time, I claimed that the rest of the stack of 45 rpm magic wouldn’t reach as high a standard. I was wrong. Here’s the playlist, which includes some absolute monsters…

Elvis Presley – “Young and Beautiful” / “True Love” / “Lover Doll” / “Love Me Tender”
AC/DC – “Whole Lotta Rosie” / “Hell Ain’t a Bad Place To Be”
W.A.S.P. – “Mean Man” / “Locomotive Breath”
The Beatles – “Can’t Buy Me Love” / “You Can’t Do That”
Anthrax – “Anti-Social” / “Parasite”
The Hawaiian Islanders – “Hawaiian War Chant” / “Song of the Islands” / “One, Two, Three, Four” / “On the Beach at Waikiki” / “Sweet Leilani” / “Aloha Oe”
Johnny Cash – “It Ain’t Me Babe” / “Understand Your Man” / “Five Feet High and Rising” / “I Walk the Line”
Stiff Little Fingers – “At the Edge” / “Silly Encores, Autumn 1979”
Spagna – “Call Me” / “Girl, It’s Not the End of the World”
Tenpole Tudor – “The Swords of a Thousand Men” / “Love and Food”
The Rolling Stones – “It’s All Over Now” / “Good Times, Bad Times”
Belinda Carlisle – “Vision of You” / “Leave a Light On For Me (Kamikazee Mix)”
Salt-n-Pepa – “Push It (US Remix)” / “I Am Down” / “Tramp”
Fat Boys – “The Twist (Yo, Twist)” / “The Twist (Buffapella)”
Bananarama – “Cruel Summer” / “Summer Dub”
Thin Lizzy – “Cold Sweat” / “Bad Habits”
Heaven 17 – “Temptation” / “We Live So Fast”
Hammer – “Addam’s Groove (LP Mix)” / “Street Soldiers (Saxapella Reprise)”
Philip Lynott – “Yellow Pearl” / “Girls”
Senser – “The Brunt”
Siouxsie & the Banshees – “The Staircase (Mystery)” / “20th Century Boy”

Fantastic stack of singles! Some absolute classics with a couple of cheesy horror stories. Any playlist that includes AC/DC and the Beatles can’t be half bad. I’ll be doing some more of these singles nights soon, stay tuned!

Elvis

AC/DC

WASP

Bring Your Own Vinyl Night #16

Posted on February 6, 2019 by platinumal

Bring Your Own Vinyl Night

The Queen’s Head, Mold

Friday 25th January 2019

January is a bloody miserable month, so it was nice to have an event to look forward to. The event in question was Bring Your Own Vinyl Night – the first one I’d been able to attend (for various reasons) for quite some time.

There was a loose Scottish theme for those who chose to indulge, with it being Burns Night. Personally I didn’t bother as I had other plans for my setlist.

As it’s been a while, here’s a recap on what Vinyl Night is all about:

Organised by the awesome chaps from Halcyon Dreams and VOD Music, Bring Your Own Vinyl Night is held in The Queen’s Head, a dependable boozer in Mold. Aspiring DJs can play a fifteen minute set of any songs they choose, but the format must be vinyl.

Here’s the selection I made:

1968 – Devilswine

This is the opening track from the superb debut album by 1968, “Ballads of the Godless”. That behemoth of a record was one of my favourites of 2018 – a stoner rock classic in the making. The song is a heavy, riff fuelled monster with a groove that will make your head nod. Psychedelic biker rock, retro metal, fuzzed up grunge; call it what you will – these Chester lads know how to rock.

Jim Jones & The Righteous Mind – Dream

I’ve long been a fan of Jim Jones’ previous bands like Thee Hypnotics and Jim Jones Revue, so I swiped a copy of this latest musical venture as soon as I could. The album “Supernatural” is amazing, full of swampy, bluesy rock’n’roll that’s part Stooges, part Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. “Dream” is also the opening track, and it’s lethal. HIghly recommended.

1968

Jim Jones

The Incredible Bongo Band – Bongo Rock

This is a 7″ single that I was lucky to pick up for a few pence in a charity shop. I really need the album too. This is early seventies funky soul-pop and extremely groovy. It will make you want to wear a polo neck jumper and huge flares whilst sporting a gaucho moustache, Beastie Boys style. The Incredible Bongo Band are an integral part of the story of how Cliff Richard invented hip-hop. If you don’t believe me, Google it.

RL Burnside – Goin’ Down South

My final track was another opener, this time from RL Burnside’s amazing “A Ass Pocket of Whiskey” LP. When I first heard this heavy blues stomper on a CD compilation, I knew it had to be mine one day. An infectious collaboration with The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, this was recorded in the nineties but sounds timeless.

Bongo

RLB

In retrospect, it seems that my set inadvertently did have a theme after all – though I swear that the suggestive images of ladies on record covers was purely incidental.

With thanks to Halcyon Dreams and VOD Music, hope to see you all again soon.

The Halcyon Dreams blogspot is here.

The Halcyon Dreams mixcloud page is here.

The Halcyon Dreams Facebook page is here.

The VOD music website is here.

Singles Night at the Virtual Hot Tub #3

Posted on September 9, 2018 by platinumal

No, not that kind of Singles Night! This is all about working through the stack of 45 rpm singles that I’ve picked up from various sources over the last few months. I play them in order, regardless of how good or bad they are, and whether I’m in the mood for a certain genre or artist or not.

And there are some stinkers in the collection. Some ripe specimens that I just had to own for some reason or other. Don’t ask me, none of it makes much sense to me either.

There are, of course, a few absolute gems in there too. Let’s see how this current session played out…

Sinitta – “Toy Boy” / “Toy Boy Instrumental”
The Jam – “Beat Surrender” / “Shopping”
Marc Bolan – “Sing Me a Song” / “Endless Sleep” / “The Lilac Hand of Menthol Dan”
Herbie Hancock – “I Thought It Was You” / “No Means Yes”
Debbie Harry – “Backfired” / “Military Rap”
The Stranglers – “European Female” / “Savage Breast”
The Cult – “Revolution (Remix)” / “All Souls Avenue” / “Judith” / “Sunrise”
Status Quo – “What You’re Proposing” / “AB Blues”
Johnny Cash – “25 Minutes To Go” / “I’m Gonna Try To Be That Way”
Tom Jones – “It’s Not Unusual” / “To Wait For Love”
All About Eve – “Martha’s Harbour” / “Another Door”
The Tornados – “Telstar” / “Globetrotter”
Dr Hook – “Sexy Eyes” / “Help Me Mama”
Kim Wilde – “Chequered Love” / “Shane”
Bow Wow Wow – “I Want Candy” / “King Kong”
Blondie – “Hanging On The Telephone” / “Will Anything Happen?”
Bananarama – “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” / “Tell Tale Signs”
Althia & Donna – “Love One Another” / “Mighty Two”

Hey, you know what? I think I acquitted myself quite well with that selection. Despite kicking off with yet more Sinitta, there were definitely some great tracks in that list. Let’s wait and see how I do next time…

Horrible Histories Playlist

Posted on August 25, 2018 by platinumal

My daughter Eloise had her 8th birthday last weekend. At the moment, she’s a big fan of the BBC children’s TV series, Horrible Histories, and requested a party based on that theme.

If you’re not familiar with Horrible Histories, let me tell you it’s well worth checking it. Both funny and informative, the show makes history appeal to kids (and adults) by illuminating some unusual – and sometimes gross – facts from various periods throughout the past.

We’ve all become big fans in our house, actually. So the party was going to be fun – everyone could dress up as historical characters and entertainment geared to the theme.

Only one thing remained – some music suitable for days gone by. Not having much music in my collection that was actually from previous ages, I had to dig out some tunes that could fit the bill. Here’s what I came up with…

Hanna-Barbera – “(Meet) The Flintstones [Main Title]”
The Bangles – “Walk Like an Egyptian”
Mikis Theodorakis – “Zorbas”
Iron Maiden – “Alexander the Great”
ABBA – “Waterloo”
Chuck Berry – “Roll Over Beethoven”
Boney M. – “Rasputin”
Clutch – “Abraham Lincoln”
Trio Guadalajara – “La Bamba”
De Danaan – “The Cameronian Reel/The Doon Reel”
Iron Maiden – “Ghengis Khan”
Mariachi Mexico de Pepe Villa – “El Jarbe Tapatio (Mexican Hat Dance)”
Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers – “Egyptian Reggae”
Madness – “Night Boat to Cairo”
Sweet – “Alexander Graham Bell”
Rodrigo Y Gabriela – “Vikingman”
Iron Maiden – “Invaders”
The Kinks – “Victoria”
Boney M. – “Ma Baker”
Sweet – “Wig Wam Bam”
Mikis Theodorakis – “Varka Sto Gialo”
Bananarama – “Venus”
Tom Jones – “Delilah”
The Beatles – “Roll Over Beethoven”
Christina Aguilera – “Candyman”
The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra – “The Raiders March”
Eric Rogers – “Carry On Cleo”
Eric Rogers – “Carry On Up the Khyber”

Ok, so some of those tracks are less scraping the barrell and more like digging the dust on an archaeological dig, but it did the job. Basically, without Iron Maiden I’d have been screwed…

Hollywood Vampires – Gig Review

Posted on June 27, 2018 by platinumal

Hollywood Vampires + The Darkness + The Damned

Sunday 17th June 2017

Manchester Arena

It was a rare, but welcome night out for Mrs Platinum Al and myself in good old Manchester. Tickets were booked and we were off to see the big rock show. It promised to be an exciting evening, but I was unsure whether our expectations would be met.

First off the bat, our old chums The Damned! This was a real bonus for me, though the handbrake is also a fan after all these years of putting up with me playing their records. However I was a tad nervous, wondering how these esteemed gentlemen would go down with what appeared to be a more traditional rock crowd. And in such a huge venue.

Now I know I’m biased, but we were both impressed by The Damned’s performance. The band didn’t shy away from the large stage; they actually looked quite comfortable up there. I was quite a way away, mind – I think our seats were in Stockport.

Opener “Street of Dreams” was a moody yet raucous number that’s become a bit of a live favourite of mine over the years. Follow that with classic “Neat Neat Neat” and you’re off to a hell blazing start. Just as the stars align and every single person in the huge arena is going “Oooh, they’re quite good, aren’t they?” we get a minor mishap with Captain Sensible’s guitar packing in and the moment seems lost…

Not to worry, before you can say “is he the bloke who sang Shaddup You Face?” the band, old troopers that they are, are back in the game. Dave Vanian steers the ship over stormy waters and is in fine, confident voice all through.

The Damned

The icing on the cake – for me, at least – is the return of Paul Gray, a sight I’ve not witnessed since Sheffield, 1991! Paul’s bass rumbles and sounds triumphant, particularly in the “Love Song” intro. Fantastic. There’s just a drop in volume during “Ignite”, other than that, Paul is a ninja master.

Pinch’s drums are perfect, you can hear Monty (and see him bouncing about); so other than a couple of technical issues The Damned performed superbly. The set is far too short of course, but I was relieved that they seemed to go down well. From where I was sat, the arena seemed mostly full, so they didn’t suffer from support-band-empty-hall syndrome either.

I felt like I was watching my child in the school play; happily no-one forgot their lines and The Damned get a gold star.

You can certainly say that I got value for money for this gig, what with three bands on. However I was feeling a little short changed after The Darkness performed. Admittedly, I am biased in favour of The Damned. Yet I’ve seen The Darkness before, at Download festival a couple of years ago, and was much more impressed.

Not that the Hawkins boys don’t give it a fair shot; a short tight set is delivered in inimitable style with splurges of Justin’s trademark wit and swagger. Perhaps it’s just that the set is lacking some bigger numbers in the first half; following “Growing On Me” with “Love is Only a Feeling” as the third song is too much of a comedown so early on.

The Darkness

The crowd don’t seem to mind though, it all goes down very well. Let’s be honest, most of ’em are happy because they’ve heard of The Darkness and haven’t got a clue who The Damned are. Or, shock horror, don’t like punk rock. For me, with no “Black Shuck” in the set, and a mediocre version of “Barbarians”, it’s good but not great from the Darkness.

I still can’t bring myself to dislike ’em, regardless. At least The Darkness tried to bring loud, exuberant British guitar rock into the 21st century, and aren’t a wanky indie band.

There followed some musical chairs for Mrs Platinum Al and me, as we secured seats much nearer the front. This pleased the other half immensely, she would now have a much better view of the headliners (or one of them, at any rate).

And so the Hollywood Vampires took the stage, and the Big Rock Show was in it’s final phase. The air of tense expectation was only mildly subdued by the band’s arrival, as the audience were keen to experience what they could serve up. Would this be a vanity project for ageing rock stars and their pirate actor buddy? Or could they deliver something tangibly worth their collective prowess?

Led by the preposterously cool Mr Alice Cooper, the Vamps rattle through a few of their own original numbers at first, as if to prove a point. Yes, they can play – and they can write, too. It’s super confident and great fun – every song gets a chance to shine on it’s own merits.

Hollywood Vampires

Yes, that Johnny Depp

The bulk of the set is a succession of expertly reproduced cover songs, each dedicated with respect to a fallen rock comrade. Songs range from The Doors, to Motorhead, to AC/DC – with my favourite being a great version of The Who’s “Baba O’Riley”.

Joe Perry delivers a spine tingling “Sweet Emotion” complete with the extended intro that builds magnificently. It’s a master class in rock star awesomeness, though Joe seems very much enjoying himself in a humble manner.

Despite the attention thrust upon him by a vast number of fans in attendance, Johnny Depp manages to not only look the embodiment of cool, but actually performs brilliantly. He appears very much in his element as part of this massive spectacle, indeed his rendition of Bowie’s “Heroes” is one of the highlights of the night.

It’s one of several moments that manages to evoke the ghosts of heroes past, as accompanying images are shown on the screen onstage. It’s not altogether subtle, but rock’n’roll rarely is. Instead the audience cheer their appreciation and nod sagely as our heroes are exhumed for us to behold.

Finally, Alice declares “School’s Out” yet again, as the whole show reaches it’s climax. Cooper is an absolute delight, the demented circus master and ring leader of this crazy gang. He is unbelievably cool and amazing at what he does: a true legend.

In the end, despite any doubts, it’s been a hell of a ride. Despite whatever misgivings anyone may have had regarding authenticity, the Hollywood Vampires delivered an excellent, well performed show that was pure fun. It was so much more than just athe world’s biggest covers band. Abandon your cynicism, this was rock’n’roll for the sheer joy of it. Which is what it’s all about, right?

Singles Night at the Virtual Hot Tub

Posted on June 7, 2018 by platinumal

Regular readers will be aware of my love for vinyl records: beautiful, spinning discs revealing a world of aural pleasure. Most of my attention is devoted to albums, though I’ve also amassed a fair collection of 7 inch singles over time.

Back in my younger days, I would pick up singles to embellish my album collection with b-side tracks excluded from the main release. I’d also pick up some interesting, groovy records that were within my budget and offered something different to my music library.

Over the last couple of years, I originally ignored the 45 rpm singles, but gradually I’ve started picking a few up. One of the main influences for this was my friend Greeny’s jukebox, installed in his home, which I though was really cool. It inspired me to pick up a few classics, in order to compile a wider range of musical genres on 7″.

You never, know, I may just get my own jukebox one day.

And so I’ve bought singles from record fairs, charity shops and car boot sales to complete gaps in my collection. This has left me with a stack of 45s that I haven’t got round to playing yet.

So I had the idea for Singles Night: I would play the records, both sides (A then B) from the top of the pile down, oldest to newest. Regardless of genre, or what ever mood I was in. Almost like the random playlists I’ve posted here before, but analogue.

The reader will notice that there are some cheesy, if not disgusting, purchases included amongst the gems in this list. Everyone has some guilty pleasures; in the land of the 7″ single, my love of the truly awful can be fully exposed.

Here’s the list of what I played. May the gods of music forgive me…

Dave Edmunds – “Queen of Hearts” / “Creature from the Black Lagoon”
Lipps, Inc – “Funkytown” / “All Night Dancing”
Depeche Mode – “New Life” / “Shout”
Carrie – “The Birds” / “Sugar Fan (Demo Version)”
Deborah Harry – “I Want That Man” / “Bike Boy”
Lovebug Starski – “Amityville (The House on the Hill)” / “Amityville (The House on the Hill) (Dub Mix)”
Sinitta – “So Macho!” / “Cruising”
Sinitta – “GTO (Radiomix)” / “GTO (Instrumental)”
The Firm – “Star Trekkin'” / “Dub Trek”
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass – “Mame” / “Our Day Will Come”
Dannii Minogue – “Show You the Way to Go” / “Show You the Way to Go (Dub)”
Partners in Kryme – “Turtle Power” / “Splinter’s Tale 1” + “Splinter’s Tale 2”
MC Hammer – “U Can’t Touch This (LP Version)” / “U Can’t Touch This (Instrumental)”
Selena – “Shotgun” / “Shotgun (Instrumental Version)”
Roxy Music – “Jealous Guy” / “To Turn You On”
Senseless Things – “Hold It Down” / “Crucial Juvenalia”
The Silent Underdog – “Papa’s Got a Brand New Pig Bag” / Pigbag – “Papa’s Got a Brand New Pig Bag”
The Beach Boys – “Breakaway” / “Celebrate the News”
Black Box – “Ride On Time Massive Mix (Remix)” / “Ride On Time Epsom Mix (Remix)”
Genesis – “Invisible Touch” / “The Last Domino”
Quincy Jones – “Razzamatazz (Edit)” / “Velas”
Hawkwind – “Silver Machine” / “Silver Machine (Full Version)” + “Psychedelic Warlords”
David Bowie – “Sorrow” / “Amsterdam”

I could write notes about pretty much every one of those songs to elaborate on why they’re in my collection. Some are classics – Bowie, Hawkwind, Beach Boys etc. and need no introduction.

But as a means of explanation for some of the really ripe songs, let me say this: Sinitta and Dannii are in my collection ‘cos they’re well fit.

Oh, and “Turtle Power” is an awesome song and needs to be heard again!

I hope you enjoyed that playlist, reader. I certainly did, and there will be more of this in the future.

The Men That Will Not Be Blamed for Nothing – Gig Review

Posted on April 27, 2018 by platinumal

The Men That Will Not Be Blamed for Nothing + IDestroy

Tuesday 20th March 2018

Live Rooms, Chester

Please do accept my humble apologies for the delay, good sirs and ladies – one has had a considerable amount of business to attend to before this esteemed review of the above musical personages could be completed. I’ve been drinking gin, mostly.

Way back in March, I was indeed fortunate enough to witness a spectacle unlike any other in this historic town of Chester. The Live Rooms: performance theatre hall, proprietor unknown, was the establishment in question; wherein I did encounter a motley band of anarchists known as The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing.

And what an encounter I did experience, dear reader. Not since that time the circus arrived through town parading an ungodly assortment of freaks and oddities (a Mr Merrick included, no less) have I seen such debauchery.

First of all, the audience and I were entertained by three young ladies, though unlike any other maidens one could classify as such; the wonderful IDestroy. They were excellent purveyors of the art form known as “punk rock”, wielding mighty instruments that wrought tuneage both aggressive yet delightful.

I am sure that these estimable young ladies will not begrudge an old fool such as myself in proclaiming that they could not, or indeed should not, be considered “wall flowers”. IDestroy possessed astonishing songs that proved highly enjoyable; energetic and confidently performed.

A most invigorating start to the evening’s proceedings; one can only ponder: “Why is there not more of this sort of thing readily available”? Good show, indeed.

And so, our humble headline act claimed the theatre stage, and began a relentless musical bombardment that would be heard across the distant lands of the Empire’s colonies. The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing were indeed a sight and sound to behold.

Modern listeners may be forgiven for assuming they have witnessed a grown up edition of successful children’s entertainment Horrible Histories, yet with added ferocious guitars. Though the message within the music is not hidden, the glorious racket TMTWNBBFN portray is fine entertainment, even for those straight into the workhouse with no pretension of education.

The band had mischievousness in abundance; so whilst regaling the gathered revellers with mirth were able to determine their stage presence in a manner unlike any other I have before encountered.

This, dear reader, is what I believe has been classified as “steampunk” – and what a jolly riot it was. A cacophony of history, politics and humour accompanied by pulverising rock music – the perfect soundtrack to a evening on the gin in a Whitechapel boozer.

Afterward I departed for my carriage, grinning like a buffoon and clutching a new “record” to play on my phonograph.

With sincere thanks to all concerned, etc. etc.

Find out more about The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing here.

Find out more about IDestroy here.

The Live Rooms website is here.

Thanks to Lynda Rowlands for the brilliant live photos!

Cats Playlist

Posted on March 16, 2018 by platinumal

Cats! I love ’em!

They’re crazy, cute, playful and lovable. They’re agile and graceful and beautiful. But most of all, they are loyal little companions who, despite their reputation, are full of affection.

To honour my furry feline friends – past, present and future – I collated another one of my themed playlists. This collection of songs all have a connection to cats in some way, and create an eclectic compilation that crosses categories.

You can compile a similar list, and I hope you and your cat enjoy!

Mongo Santamaria – “El Pussy Cat”
The Cure – “Love Cats”
Johnny Cash – “Mean Eyed Cat”
Barney Kessel – “Something for Cat”
The Presidents of the United States of America – “Kitty”
The James Taylor Quartet – “Faster Pussycat”
Stray Cats – “Stray Cat Strut”
Hanna-Barbera – “Top Cat (Main Title)”
Howlin’ Wolf – “I Ain’t Superstitious”
Tom Jones – “What’s Ne w Pussycat?”
Marty Paich – “The Cat”
My cat, Jenna
Ted Nugent – “Cat Scratch Fever”
Primus – “Tommy the Cat”
Jacknife Lee – “Here Kitty Kitty”
Rolling Stones – “Stray Cat Blues”
Pete Moore & His Orchestra – “Cat Walk”
Alice Cooper – “Gutter Cat vs. The Jets”
Beyonce – “Kitty Kat”
Hanna Barbera – “Top Cat (Underscore)”
Devo – “Pink Pussy Cat”
Danzig – “Wicked Pussycat”
Celia Vaz/Friends from Rio – “Francisco Cat”
Roni Size – “Mad Cat”
R.E.M. – “Star Me Kitten”

Bonus points if you know why the Howlin’ Wolf track is included…

Sadly, I forgot to add Nina Simone’s “Feline Good” to the list…

Till next time: ciao, cat lovers!

Gym Playlist #1

Posted on January 30, 2018 by platinumal

Have you been hitting the gym since the start of the year? Punishing yourself with cardio and weights as you fight to shed those extra pounds that attached themselves limpet-like over the festive season?

I’ve been slaughtering the gym since the start of the year, but then I always do. Not that it seems to do any good.

Whilst I’m there, pummelling away at the flab in a vain attempt to get in shape, I need some tunes to motivate me. The music in the gym is usually dancey disco stuff, which is fine if you’re dancing, but when I’m working out I need something a bit more aggressive.

Albums by various bands get a regular spin, but I also made this iPod playlist to help me focus like a Viking ransacking a monastery. Sometimes I’m so amped I feel like I could run through the wall, rather than just plodding on the treadmill.

You could do worse than to listen to this cacophony yourself.

Rocket From The Crypt – “Pushed”
Audioslave – “Cochise”
Big Chief – “Lion’s Mouth”
Metallica – “Die Die My Darling”
Foo Fighters – “The Pretender”
Rage Against the Machine – “Guerrilla Radio”
Anthrax – “Only”
Corrosion of Conformity – “Heaven’s Not Overflowing”
Pantera – “Fucking Hostile”
The Cult – “Rise”
Probot – “Shake Your Blood”
Suicidal Tendencies – “War Inside My Head”
Beastie Boys – “Sabotage”

There you go: 47 minutes of energetic, in your face music to psyche you up and get you in the mood to destroy. GO!!!

Bring Your Own Vinyl Night #13

Posted on October 6, 2017 by platinumal

Bring Your Own Vinyl Night

The Queen’s Head, Mold

Friday 29th September 2017

It’s Vinyl Night! Once again, Halcyon Dreams hosted the Bring Your Own Vinyl Night at the Queen’s Head in Mold, North Wales. An evening of beer, good company and – of course – spinning tunes!

You know the drill by now, so I’ll fast forward straight to my set.

There was a theme this time, which I stumbled on whilst playing these records over the previous months. I decided to play songs that weren’t performed in the English language, which produced a few interesting ideas. Here are the ones that made the cut:

Anhrefn – Molly Melys/Rhedeg I Paris

As I was in Mold, how could I not kick things off with something Welsh? Anhrefn were a superb Welsh language punk band that I saw several times back in the early 90s. I had a cassette of their album “Dragon’s Revenge” from those days, and successfully tracked down a vinyl copy not long ago. This is actually two tracks – sorry, a bit sneaky: “Molly Melys” is a traditional folk song evoking Celtic tradition. It’s a short, mellow introduction before it suddenly erupts into “Rhedeg I Paris”, a fast paced, energetic, melodic rocker in the vein of the Clash. Fantastic!

Cypress Hill – Loco En El Coco

This is, of course, the Cypress Hill track “Insane in the Brain” but performed with Spanish lyrics. Taken from “Los Grandes Exitos en Espanol” – their Greatest Hits in Spanish – and for some reason these versions just sound even funkier in Spanish. I love the whole album for that reason. Check it out, I recommend it.

Anhrefn

Cypress Hill

Faith No More – Evidence (Italian Version)

This isn’t the “funk metal” Faith No More you may know. Rather, this is a kind of smooth jazz-funk hybrid from the album “King for a Day… Fool for a Lifetime”, here performed in Italian. Apparently singer Mike Patton is multi lingual and there are versions of this track in several other languages too. It’s a great song, showing FNM stretching out and writing something across musical boundaries: and it really works.

Plastic Bertrand – Ca Plane Pour Moi

And finally, I went with this French language pop punk/faux punk/new wave confection. It’s a fun little treat that bounces along with a life of it’s own. Loads of fun to end the set.

That was it, set over. All songs in different languages. I could have chosen a few others (I have a record by Kvelertak in Norwegian) but I figured that would do.

A great night again – thanks all! Who knows if there’ll be a theme next time. I’m just looking forward to another Vinyl Night!