The Last Time

Cover version of the month #103
The Andrew Oldham Orchestra covers The Rolling Stones

I consider The Andrew Loog Oldham Orchestra cover version of The Last Time by The Rolling Stones to be a complete re-imagination of the song rather than a cover. I just don't hear anything remotely familiar to The Stones version.

Andrew Loog Oldham was (and no doubt is still) a creative soul, bursting with ideas and energy. Loog Oldham was still a teenager when he offered to manage The Stones after seeing them in 1963. When Andrew wasn't managing/producing The Rolling Stones, he was busy crafting marketing campaigns, setting up Immediate Records, producing, guiding and also forming his own 'orchestra'.

One story that I love is how Loog Oldham locked Mick Jagger and Keith Richards in a room together until they had written a song of their own. The Stones, like many bands of that era, started as a covers band. That song they wrote was As Tears Go By, which became a hit for Marianne Faithful. 

John Lennon also recounted a tale of taking the riff of I Wanna Be Your Man to Jagger and Richards and they liked it. Lennon and McCartney then went off to the corner of a room to dash the song off. The Glimmer Twins were amazed - a lightbulb moment! The song would become The Rolling Stones second single.

Although The Last Time was classed as an original composition, the song lifts the melody and lyrics from The Staple Singers This May Be The Last Time. Jagger adds a couple of verses, while Richards and Brian Jones bring a wall of sound rhythm and a distinctive piercing guitar riff to the party.

Everything rides on the riff, the groove behind it, Jagger singing along on top. 

Well I told you once and I told you twice

But you never listen to my advice

You don't try very hard to please me

With what you know, it should be easy

Well this could be the last time

This could be the last time

Maybe the last time, I don't know

Oh no, oh no

After two verses and choruses there is an instrumental, still based around the lead riff, into the chorus and another verse. One final chorus then lead into  50-second outro, Jagger ad-libbing and screaming over his band singing maybe the last time. It sounds incredible, Jagger let loose and going for it. The song fades out, I wonder how long it went on for.

The Andrew Loog Oldham Orchestra version completely reimagines The Last Time, to the extent that you wonder if it is actually a cover version at all. There is no raw guitar riff, there is no sneering Jagger or a version of him, there is no dirty groove and rhythm. Instead, we have a sprawling, symphonic statement; layers of lush strings that sound timeless, cinematic and melancholic. 

The arrangement is sublime, this isn't a song anymore, it's a soundscape, an orchestral piece of music that flow, glides and soars effortlessly. If this is the first time you have heard this, it sure won't be the last time. I always have to listen to this 2 or 3 times if I play it. Once is never enough.

3 decades later, Richard Ashcroft and The Verve discovered the Loog Oldham version and were inspired, especially the section from 1-minute 37 seconds, to write and create Bittersweet Symphony. I'll maybe write about that incredible song another time.

The Rolling Stones version

Andrew Loog Oldham Orchestra version

The Rolling Stones original and the sensational Andrew Loog Oldham Orchestra cover version of The Last Time are added to my Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist on Spotify which also features all of the songs listed below. Search for the title or CLICK HERE

Previous covers of the month blogs

1. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' 

2. Going Back To My Roots

3. Nirvana play The Vaselines

4. Slip Inside This House

5. Top 10 covers by Teenage Fanclub

6. Only Love Can Break Your Heart

7. Time For Livin' 

8. Sound and Vision 

9. All Along The Watchtower

10. I Am The Walrus 

11. Guiding Star

12. You’ll Never Walk Alone

13. Hurt

14. This Guy's In Love With You

15. I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine

16. California Soul

18. Wonder wall 

19. Dancing In The Dark

20. Always On My Mind

21. Ceremony

22. Heroes

23. Different Drum

24. Wild Horses

25. Respect

26. Mr Tambourine Man

27. I Heard It Through The Grapevine

28. Superstar

29. Twist and Shout

30. Purple Rain

31. Baker Street

32. Not Fade Away

33. Stop Your Sobbing

34. I Don't Want To Grow Up

35. Serious Drugs

36. Dancing With Myself

37. How Does It Feel To Feel?

38. Love Buzz

39. ABBA-esque
40. Jumpin' Jack Flash

41. Discoland

42. Varshons 2 by The Lemonheads

43. The Langley Schools Music Project
44. Witchi Tai To
45. Our Lips Are Sealed
46. Sunshine Of Your Love
47. Here Comes The Sun
48. I Think We're Alone Now
49. Don't Let Me Down 
50. It's Oh So Quiet
51. Alcoholiday 
52. Summer Holiday
53. Who Do You Think You Are?
54. Head On
55. Nothing Compares 2 U

56. Hey Jude

57. Seven Days Too Long

58. L.O.V.E Love

59. Into Your Arms

60. Heart Of Glass

61. Take Me To The River

62. We Can Work It Out 

63. Talking In My Sleep

64. Lola

65. Lost In Music

66. My Little Red Book

67. Isn't It A Pity

68. Walk On By

69. Walk Away Renee

70. Tainted Love

71. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

72. Listen The Snow Is Falling

73. Mrs Robinson

74. He's Gonna Step On You Again

75. In My Life

76. Caravan Of Love

77. The Only Way Is Up

78. Dancin' Round & Round

79. With A Little Help From My Friends

80. Killing Me Softly

81. Ain't No Mountain High Enough

82. Drop

83. Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay

84. Sympathy For The Devil

85. I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor

86. Love Will Tear Us Apart

87. Indian Rope Man + bonus Strawberry Fields Forever + This Wheels On Fire

88. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You

89. Love The One You're With

90. Cum On Feel The Noize

91. Addicted To Love

92. Valerie

93. Ride On Time

94. Let's Dance

95. It Must Be Love

96. I Fought The Law

97. For What It's Worth

98. Do Your Thing

99. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself

100. Don't Leave Me This Way

101. Shout!

102. God Only Knows

Albums of the year 2024

Welcome to my annual blog where I list my favourite albums of the year.

My album of the year is Bill Ryder-Jones sensational lechyd Da. I was gutted his joint tour with Gruff Rhys didn't venture north of the border. I kinda regret not travelling down south or over to Ireland to see them. Both have released incredible records. 

Here are 14 albums I've enjoyed through 2024. A top 5 and then a further 11.

They include a number of albums that have been enjoyed across our household and I'm delighted that my youngest daughter Rosie is taking time to listen to albums and not just singles. I think Taylor Swift has played a big part in this. Albums by Taylor, Dua Lipa, Becky Hill (not in this list but still great), Gracie Abrams, Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo (released in 2023) are played regularly in our house and cars. I'm so pleased that so many creative, talented and cool female songwriters and performers are making such brilliant music.

Hopefully Santa comes good with Gracie Abrams tickets for Rosie and I!

lechyd Da by Bill Ryder-Jones

Quite simply a masterpiece; deep, soulful, melodic, inventive and melancholic. Utterly beautiful from start to finish. Ryder-Jones is rarely in a hurry, finding riffs and melodies, singing in a gorgeous hushed whisper, bringing in strings, choirs, horns and lovely dashes of psychedelia when he needs to. Exceptional songwriting, musicianship, arrangements and production. 

This Can't Go On - official video

Sadnesss Sets Me Free by Gruff Rhys

Recorded in just 3-days, there is a gorgeous fresh feeling to this record. Rhys is as inventive as ever as he lets his imagination run wild with his lyrics. Gruff's natural sing-song voice is soothing and he finds melodies with ease.

Bad Friend - official video

Bright Future by Adrianne Lenker

Recorded to tape in Lenker's analogue studio, hidden in a forest, there is a stunning intimacy to this album. Three musical friends joined Lenker, the tape never stopped. Each song feels delicate and special.

Fool - official video

The Secret Of Us by Gracie Abrams

I discovered Gracie Abrams through my daughter Rosie who fell for her magnificent single Close To You. The hook in the bridge - I burn for you, but you don't even know my name may be my bridge of the year. I fell for it too and enjoyed sitting down with Rosie to watch YouTube videos of Gracie performing live and checking videos from her catalogue. Zoe eventually fell under Gracie's spell too.

There is a lovely authentic feel to Abrams work - visually and on record. Her songwriting is exceptional, many of her songs (like Risk) develop into fast-flowing words and melodies that seem to come effortlessly. 

God I'm jumping in the deep end

It's more fun to swim in

Heard the risk is drowning

But I'm gonna take it, I'll bend 'til I break it

You'll be my favourite mistake

This is a very strong album indeed and Gracie has just been announced for TRNSMT. Hopefully Santa comes through with tickets for Rosie and I to go and see Gracie at the Hydro in March.

Close To You - official video

Pomegranate by Tess Parks

A welcome late discovery. This is dreamy cinematic garage psychedelic guitar music that is easy to get lost in. Scuzzy and fuzzy at times, with shoegaze/psych effects at others and chiming on Crown Shy, which also introduces some lush strings. Parks sounds beautiful and cool as she sings you don't get mad at the sky as it starts to rain in the opening song Bagpipe Blues.  Tess now has 5 albums to her name, including 2 with Anton Newcombe. Fans of Brian Jonestown Massacre will love.

Running Home To Sing official video

Bubbling under

Viva Hinds by Hinds

Dreamy, trashy, thrashy, brashy garage pop with dashes of shoegaze and psychedelia, I can't wait to see them play Saint Luke's in February. I actually think the album will make even more sense after seeing them live. Do you ever find that?

The Bed, The Room, The Rain and You - official video

Short n Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter

Wow! Super cool and sassy pop. Innuendo's galore, sugar coated choruses, enough hooks to floor Rocky, lyrics that are clever and funny, cool beats and sublime production. Impeccable pop. 

Espresso - official video

Nobody Loves You More by Kim Deal

What a pleasant surprise! The debut album by Kim Deal arrived in late November, that alone was a bit of a surprise. You would expect cracking guitar sounds (they are present - of course), but maybe not have anticipated it's strings, horns, hushed vocals and exceptional variety throughout. WARNING - Are You Mine? is a tearjeker.

Nobody Loves You More - official video

The Tortured Poets Department by Taylor Swift

A very hotly anticipated album in our house, particularly among our (now) 10-year old Rosie who considers herself a Swifty! I Can Do It With A Broken Heart is absolute pop perfection (check my blog) while Swift's songwriting is exceptional; telling tales, pouring scorn, being open and reflective, super confident one minute and full of self doubt the next. All with a lovely self effacing humour. The closing section of opening song Fortnight is sublime, the way it flows is stunning.

I Can Do It With A Broken Heart - official video

Manning Fireworks by MJ Lenderman

A late discovery via 6Music. Lenderman released this album in September, his fifth since his eponymous debut in 2019. I'm making my way through them. Lenderman is certainly prolific, he is also in the band Wednesday. Raw, stoned indie guitar sounds with a country edge, storytelling, humour and reflection are at the heart of his sound. Right up my street.

She's Leaving You - official video

A Dream Is All We Know by The Lemon Twigs

I missed these guys at Saint Luke's and I'll really need to make sure I catch them next time they are in town. Effortlessly talented with guitars, harmonies and songwriting, the D'Addario brothers fuse 60's and 70's sounds with ease; glorious harmonies, jangling guitars, fuzzed guitars - they can do it all. Simon and Garfunkel one minute, Big Star the next.

My Golden Years - official video

Dreamers On The Run by BMX Bandits
A fresh band of Bandits have captured the melodies, arrangements and flourishes that are in Duglas T Stewart's head perfectly. Lush, emotional and soulful. The title track is a particular favourite and possibly a career high. BMX Bandits celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2025 and I look forward to seeing them in Saint Luke's in late January.

Dreamers On The Run - official audio

In Giraffe by Adventure Team 

Think early Fanclub meeting Dinosaur Jr for a jam session. Lovely guitar sounds and cool melodies that veer off on beautiful tangents at times. I really enjoyed seeing these guys play BLOC earlier in the year.

Bummed Out (live)

Radical Optimism by Dua Lipa

Following up the immense pop of Future Nostalgia wasn't going to be easy and Dua Lipa certainly took her time (4-years), but Radical Optimism was worth the wait, while not being (pardon the pun) radically different from the predecessor. Houdini and Training Season were ace singles, while These Walls is an album gem. Dua's Glastonbury headline set was superb - a stadium/club/dance show. Huge in scale at times, super intimate at others.

These Walls - official video

Previous albums of the year

2010 - Shadows by Teenage Fanclub, This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem, Plastic Beach by Gorillaz

2011 - Love & Lemonade by Futuristic Retro Champions, Jonny by Jonny, The Quickening by Remember Remember

2012 - One Day I'm Going To Soar by Dexys, Electric Cables by Lightships, Light of the North by Miaoux Miaoux

2013 - Big Inner by Matthew E White, Reflektor by Arcade Fire, A Bad Wind Blows In My Heart by Bill Ryder-Jones

2014 - Morning Phase by Beck, Tied To A Star by J Mascis, Stay Gold by First Aid Kit

2015 - Beyond The Silver Sea by Dr Cosmos Tape Lab, Matador by Gaz Coombes, Modern Nature by The Charlatans

2016 - Pii by Stephen Solo, Say It All With A Kiss by TeenCanteen, Here by Teenage Fanclub

2017 - Adios Senor Pussycat by Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band, How The West Was Won by Peter Perrett, Erratic Cinematic by Gerry Cinnamon

2018 - And Nothing Hurts by Spiritualized, Impossible Stuff by Carla J Easton, Babelsberg by Gruff Rhys

2019 - Kiwanuka by Michael Kiwanuka, Purple Mountains by Purple Mountains, Pii3 by Stephen Solo

2020 - Fugitive Light & Themes of Isolation by Andrew Wasylyk, Weirdo by Carla J Easton, Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa

2021 - Endless Arcade by Teenage Fanclub, Mirror Mirror by Pearl Charles, The Umbrellas by The Umbrellas

2022 - Poster Paints by Poster Paints, 11 by SAULT, Dear Scott by Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band

2023 - The Ballad of Darren by Blur, Nothing Lasts Forever by Teenage Fanclub, Blind On a Galloping Horse by David Holmes ft. Raven Violet

Nell Smith

On Saturday morning I fancied listening to The Flaming Lips in the shower! Too much info perhaps! I selected Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Part 1 and sang along, thinking that I really should get tickets to go and see them in Edinburgh in May.

Spotify algorithms kicked in and afterwards I heard a song that I had never heard before. It sounded really beautiful; haunting piano over warm chords, a vocal that was dreamy and wracked with emotion, drenched in reverb and just sounding supremely cool. I picked up my phone and discovered this was a singer called Nell Smith who had recorded and released an album, Where The Viaduct Looms, in collaboration with The Flaming Lips. The song was Into My Arms.

Nell Smith & The Flaming Lips - Into My Arms (video)

I immediately sent the song to my sister who also checked it out and sent a one word reply simply saying - gorgeous. I didn't get a chance to listen to the album that day, but returned to it on Sunday morning and decided to find out who Nell Smith was and how this collaboration came about. The album completely passed me by at the time. This kind of thing can happen with The Flaming Lips who are pretty prolific and some of their releases can fly under the radar.

My heart broke as I scrolled down and read 'Nell was a singer songwriter based in Fernie, BC. She was tragically killed in a car accident on October 6 2024.'

I was moved to tears as Nell's music played and I learned that she was only 17.  

FUCK!

I learned that Nell had fallen for The Flaming Lips and ended up meeting the band. Wayne became friends with Nell and her family, eventually suggesting she record some Nick Cave songs, as she had never heard his music, so had no pre-conceived ideas as to how to sing the songs.

Nell Smith & The Flaming Lips - The Ship Song (video)

Where The Viaduct Looms is the result of that recording. It's truly gorgeous and beautifully cool. A  posthumous album will be released next year. 

Please find some further information about Nell from Bella Union and her own website.

What a tragic loss. Thoughts go out to Nell's family and friends.

From Nell's website

Nell was listening to music before she was born.

Born in Leeds, UK, in 2007, Nell listened to music in utero following her mother’s plan which was to give her familiar sounds once she was born to aid her to settle more easily.

As she grew, she was attracted to music and quickly developed an interest in artists including Herman Dune, Arcade Fire, Metronomy, The Flaming Lips, David Bowie, The Fleet Foxes, and MGMT. Attending festivals with her family, Nell experienced live music from the age of 2 and grew more and more interested.

After moving to Canada in 2012, Nell gravitated towards The Flaming Lips and eventually saw them in Spokane in 2017 aged 10, bursting into tears of joy when she saw the tickets. She watched the show from the front row with her brother. 

Fast forward to 2018 and Nell was again at a Lips show, tenacious and determined, she managed to get a letter onto the tour bus and her yelling from the side of the stage prior to the show caught the attention of Wayne Coyne who came and said hi. Following Nell’s prompt, he went on the bus and found the letter.

A duet through the space bubble while Wayne sang David Bowie’s Space Oddity created a connection, and Wayne maintained contact with Nell’s parents as she learned to play guitar.

Nell started performing live at the age of 11, playing alongside established musicians and writing her own songs.

In 2020 Nell recorded an album of Nick Cave cover versions under the tutelage of Wayne Coyne.

Where the Viaduct Looms was released on November 26, 2021 on Bella Union and can be ordered here.

This work will be followed by an album release worked on in conjunction with Penelope Isles with some songs co-written with Shred Kelly.

The album is due out in Spring 2025 and sadly is a posthumous release following Nell’s untimely death in a car accident on October 6 2024.

Nell’s memory will live on through a memorial fund set up in her name. To contribute please purchase her upcoming album, donate to the fund’s Gofundme or purchase something from the shop.

From the Bella Union website

This inspiring and heartwarming story begin when Smith first met Wayne Coyne at the age of 12 at The Flaming Lips’ headline show at the Sled Island Festival, Calgary, in 2018 with her family. Nell had already attended several Lips shows and was a regular at the front of the stage, dressed in a parrot costume and screaming out the band’s songs. Coyne soon began to notice the kid in the parrot suit and sang a David Bowie cover directly to her at the show in Calgary, with Nell singing every word back.

A musical bond formed with Coyne staying in contact with Nell and her father Jude as she learned to play guitar, while their creative relationship began to flourish when she started to write her own songs.

When a planned trip to record with the band in Oklahoma had to be cancelled due to covid Coyne suggested Nell record some Nick Cave songs and email them to Oklahoma to be backed by the band. Coyne chose Nick Cave because Nell didn’t know him and wouldn’t have preconceived notions as to how to sing the songs.

Never Ending Mixtape part 95

Hello and welcome to my Never Ending Mixtape

I started the Never Ending Mixtape a number of years ago with the simple idea that I would just keep on adding songs in no particular order and see what I could create. The complete opposite from my youth, when I would spend many wonderful hours pondering over tracklistings for mixtapes or mix CD's!

Personally, I love sticking it on shuffle and seeing what gets played. But dig in from the start, the middle, or scroll down to the end to check the very latest additions.

My Never Ending Mixtape jumps from 4,012 songs to 4,064 with the beautifully gentle and dreamy instrumental Some Strange Rain by Cotton Jones.

Thank you so much if you are one of the 358 people following the playlist. Thanks also if you dive in now and again. As always, I hope you discover an incredible song you've never heard before, or that you rediscover an old favourite you haven't heard in some time. 

Search for Everything Flows Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify or CLICK HERE

Here are a few of the latest additions;

Recent discoveries

Look Up by The Harlem Gospel Travellers (pictured above)

Better Tomorrow by Betty Everett

Crosing Over The Bridge by Innez Foxx

Keep The Faith by Mel & Tim

The Long Walk Home by Glen Campbell with Hope Sandoval

Some Strange Rain by Cotton Jones

New releases

Spite by Billy Nomates

Elephant by jasmine.4.t

One and Only by Michael Kiwanuka

Coast by Kim Deal

Old favourites

All The Pictures On The Wall by Paul Weller

She's A Rainbow by The Rolling Stones

I Am A Rock by Paul Simon

Pish by Brian Jonestown Massacre

Make Me Believe In You by Patti Jo

Euros Childs and Teenage Fanclub weekender

Usually, if I don't write a blog within a day or two of catching a live show, then the blog doesn't happen. My greatest regret is not writing a blog on Martha Reeves and the Vandellas playing BAaD back in August 2021. Not only was it an incredible show by a living legend, my sister Carla got backstage afterwards and sang with Martha! Sadly this incredible moment wasn't captured on camera and I had left after the gig so I missed it! But any time I hear Martha, I think of this. 

Anyway ... point being, this is just a short blog to belatedly document a lovely weekend of live music! Euros Childs in the tiny Hug and Pint on Friday and then Teenage Fanclub (with Euros on keys) in the gigantic Hydro on Sunday!

The Hug & Pint, on Great Western Road, is a small but beautiful bar/restaurant upstairs and basement venue downstairs that has live music on almost every night of the year. Run by 432 presents and named after an Arab Strap album, the venue promotes and hosts and eclectic melting pot of music. 

Euros Childs certainly have us an eclectic melting pot of a set on Friday night! Do you know what? This was probably my gig of the year. I was probably only aware of 2-3 songs in the set, but every song blew me away; personal and inventive lyrics, amazing melodies - sometimes loads of them in just one song, bridges, hooks, choruses, humour and a cracking band that could veer off on delicious tangents.

Stuntman opened the set, One Shoe was an early highlight, especially for one fan in front of me! At times Euros set was garage pop, other times psychedelia with a touch of electronica, while at others it was really beautiful ballads with sublime strings.

Euros is an energetic and entertaining front man, fizzing with energy, giving it 110%, total belief in his talent, his band and his songs. Everyone was captivated.

The middle of the set saw Euros and co perform a 20-minute song (I'm afraid I didn't catch the name) that continuously veered off on multiple tangents. There were mentions of orange skies and sunshine, I was spellbound and I am going to track this song down!

Spanish Dance Troupe by Euros' old band Gorkys Zyngotic Mynci was sublime, the strings, the harmonies, the melodies - just gorgeous. As an encore, Euros and co played his song Virgin Moon. This was stoned songwriting genius, a tale of Richard Branson owning the moon, what that meant, who went there ... barmy, bonkers and utterly brilliant. Melodies to die for.  

I am going to enjoy digging back into Euros extensive back catalogue over the coming months and wish I had explored it before now.

Then on Sunday night I headed back into Glasgow to see Teenage Fanclub supporting Vampire Weekend at the Hydro. I have to be honest and say that I was only going for the Fanclub. Vampire Weekend aren't really my thing. I caught them at the Barrowland when their first album came out, bought their second and then I don't think I have listened to them since. Very talented musicians, they just don't get me going.

Thankfully my brother sorted me with a pass, so I could add the Hydro to the extensive list of Glasgow venues that I have seen Teenage Fanclub play in. Not only that, my friend Lorna and I were in a box, centre stage and with access to a bar. Amazing!

Teenage Fanclub played a short set from 7.30-8pm and the vast majority of the crowd had arrived in time to see them. It was quite something to gaze out across thousands of heads to see Norman, Raymond, Dave, Euros and Francis on stage. There were no big screens, but we could still tell from our distance that Norman was beaming due to the way he moved and held his guitar.

I Can't Find My Way Home eased the band in, before they ramped it up a few notches with Start Again, About You and What You Do To Me. Raymond's wah-wah pedal sounded sensational on It's A Bad World before the vast Hydro (with top sections curtained off) was treated to the delight of a full length version of The Concept and a closing blast of Everything Flows.

The band were in good form and I look forward to finding out what they'll be up to in 2025. A run of August dates might hint at the release of a single ahead of a new album? Expect a Scottish date(s) to be announced in the near future.

I Am A Rock

 

Trust me #84
I Am A Rock by Simon & Garfunkel

I was quite moved by a recent article in The Guardian where Art Garfunkel talked of meeting up with Paul Simon for the first time in 'many years' when the duo came together for lunch. There were hugs, tears and the promise to meet up again. 'Will Paul bring his guitar? Who knows? For me, it was about wanting to make amends before it's too late.'

Simon and Garfunkel are both age 83 and their tense relationship has simmered pretty much from the off, yet they recorded 5 albums between 1964 and 1970, including Sounds of Silence (1966) and Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970).

Even post-split and barely speaking (3-times a year) the duo would still get together to perform, most famously at a free concert in Central Park in 1981. That live album is incredible, you can feel the chemistry onstage and the appreciation of the audience in their response. 

It's not been easy, there has been lots of sniping in interviews and when the duo have met up. While being inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, Garfunkel thanked Simon, calling him 'the person who most enriched my life by putting those songs through me.' Simon responded; 'Arthur and I agree about almost nothing. But it's true, I have enriched his life quite a bit!' The duo performed 3 songs and then left without speaking! Thankfully things thawed and the duo played a hugely successful tour in 2003-2004. There hasn't been too much to speak of since then.

After reading The Guardian article I thought of one of my favourite (possibly my number 1) Simon and Garfunkel song - I Am A Rock, the closing song on their Sounds of Silence album. God, they really have been a couple of rocks, stubbornly refusing to communicate with each other!

Thankfully, as both are aged 83, they have made up before it is too late.

The battered Sounds of Silence LP that I own was originally my Mums. I often think back to simpler times when owning a physical album or single was the only way to hear a song. My parents didn't have a huge collection, but The Stones, Simon and Garfunkel, Marvin and Tammi, Jose Feliciano and Sam Cooke were there. They must have had more when they were younger and got rid of them. I'll need to ask my Mum!

But back to the song!

Paul Simon wrote and recorded the song in 1965 on his debut solo album The Paul Simon Songbook. It's just Paul and his acoustic guitar. It's quite a raw recording, Simon strumming gently, finger picking, then hammering on his guitar at times, up close to the mic ... it's pretty cool. The lyrics are vivid and exceptionally open and honest.

A winters day

In a deep and dark December

I am alone

Gazing from my window to the streets below

On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow

I am a rock

I am an island

I've only just discovered The Paul Simon Songbook album and it's incredible. A couple of the songs had been released the previous year on the debut Simon and Garfunkel album Wednesday Morning 3am. All but two of the remaining song would be re-recorded by the duo, including The Sound of Silence and April Come She Will.

The following year, Simon and Garfunkel re-recorded the song. The structure and melody are the same, but this time there is a full band and the glorious Paul and Art harmonies. There is a greater urgency to the song and I've never appreciated the glorious hammond organ throughout the song.

I have my books

And my poetry to protect me

I am shielded in my armour

Hiding in my room, safe within my womb

I touch no-one and no-one touches me

I am a rock, I am an island

And a rock feels no pain

And an island never cries

So many incredible 60's songs were bang on the 3-minute mark. This is another. It's quite remarkable what you can do within that time. With I Am A Rock, Paul Simon pours his heart out to express, isolation, loneliness and emotional self-protection.

I have  no need for friendship

Friendship causes pain

It's laughter and it's loving I disdain

I am a rock

I am an island

And a rock can feel no pain

And an island never cries

Both versions of I Am A Rock are added to my Trust Me playlist; search for Everything Flows - Trust Me on Spotify or CLICK HERE 

Check below for all previous blogs in my Trust Me series.

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton

1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells

2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond

3. Where's The Playground Susie?   by Glen Campbell

4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot

5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon

6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras

7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans

8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland

9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave

10. Sometimes by James

11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time

12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre

13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields

14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals

15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser

16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes

17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth

18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter

19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground

20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub

21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub

22. Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From by Teenage Fanclub

23. Belfast by Orbital

24. Clouds by The Jayhawks

25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral

26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair

27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke

28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones

29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze

29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells

30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor

31. The State We're In by The Chemical Brothers w/ Beth Orton

32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich

33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem

34. Mondo 77 by Looper

35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton

36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats

37. How High by The Charlatans

38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands

39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.

40. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective

41. There She Goes by The Las

42. We're Going To Be Friends by White Stripes

43. Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo

44. Sister Rena by Lomond Campbell

45. Revolution by The Beatles

46. Lazarus by The Boo Radleys

47. Wrote For Luck by Happy Mondays

48. American Trilogy by The Delgados

49. Loser by Beck 

50. Silent Sigh by Badly Drawn Boy

51. Comedy by Shack

52. Take The Skinheads Bowling by Camper Van Beethoven

53. Freakscene by Dinosaur Jr

54. Thank You For Being You by The Pastels

55. I Think I'm In Love by Spiritualized

56. Chestnut Mare by The Byrds

57. Cannonball by The Breeders

58. Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan

59. You Make Me Weak At The Knees by Electrelane

60. Lucky by Radiohead

61. Strange Currencies by R.E.M.

61. I Am The Cosmos by Chris Bell

62. Like A Ship (Without A Sail) by Pastor TL Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir

63. Nothing But A Heartache by The Flirtations

64. Made of Stone by The Stone Roses

65. Tonight In Belfast by Orbital, David Holmes, DJ Helen and Mike Garry

66. Anything by Adrianne Lenker

67. I Hold Something In My Hand by Bill Ryder-Jones

68. I Meant Every Word by Burnett Sisters

69. Dream Baby Dream by Suicide

70. Stove by The Lemonheads

71. Red Lady by Phil Cordell

72. Little Fluffy Clouds by The Orb

73. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart by Taylor Swift

74. Turnin' My Heartbeat Up by The M.V.P.'s

75. Razzle Dazzle Rose by Camera Obscura

76. Such Great Heights by The Postal Service

77. The Rat by The Walkmen

78. My God Has A Telephone by Aaron Frazer

79. Unfinished Sympathy by Massive Attack

80. Sweet and Tender Romance by The McKinleys

81. Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros

82. 69 Police by David Holmes

83. Hey Lisa by David Holmes

Nile Rodgers at the Barrowland Ballroom

I'm still basking in the afterglow of seeing Nile Rodgers and CHIC at the Barrowland Ballroom! A phrase and tantalising thought that will bring smiles to the faces of anyone fortunate enough to have been there for years to come.

My wife, friends and I snapped up tickets immediately upon release, super excited by the prospect of this legendary hit maker and his crack band playing the best venue in the world.

We were not disappointed!

What an honour it was to see a master of songwriting, arrangements, guitar playing and production up close and personal. 

I should also name Nile's current line-up of CHIC; Jerry Barnes on bass who delighted the crowd with his exceptional and energetic style, Ralph Rolle on drums - he brought the funk, Kimberly Davis and Audrey Martells on exquisite and sublime vocals, Russell Graham and Richard Hiltons on keyboards and Brandon Wright, Steve Jankowski and Ken Gioffre on horns.

These are good times

Leave your cares behind

This was 105-minutes of pure escapism, much needed from a world troubled by climate change, wars and conflict and right wing politics, with the cost of living crisis and housing emergencies impacting many.

Nile and CHIC lifted the crowd from the off with an outrageous opening medley of Le Freak, Everybody Dance and Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah). They were just getting started! Band and audience were definitely warmed up and raring to go.

More hits? Nile's got 'em!

I Want You Love was dreamy, beautiful and seductive. Kimberly Davis treated us to some truly sensational vocals afterwards, Nile looked on with a beam. What a gorgeous smile this guy has! 

With so many songs to get through, Nile and CHIC merged some together. We had I'm Coming Out and Upside Down by Diana Ross from her 1980 album Diana, written and produced by Nile and Bernard Edwards, the friends who co-founded CHIC. Two slices of impeccable pop; hooks, grooves and super cool.

More?

We then had He's The Greatest Dancer and We Are Family from the Sister Sledge album of the same name that Nile and Bernard wrote and produced in 1989. Utterly brilliant disco pop. 

What else did Nile get up to?

Oh yeah, he produced Madonna's Like A Virgin album in 1984. Nile told us how he wanted Material Girl to be the lead single as he could imagine everyone calling Madonna 'the material girl'. Madonna told him it was going to be Like A Virgin. So Nile played both! The crowd went nuts.

The year before, Nile produced a Bowie album and so we had a joyful blast through Modern Love. Nile then brought us into present times with CUFF IT by Beyonce and Get Lucky and Lose Yourself to Dance by Daft Punk. A career overview was being played out before our eyes.

Lost In Music was outstanding. Everyone in the Barrowland was lost in music, the structure, arrangement and feeling of that Sister Sledge song is utterly perfect. Notorious by Duran Duran was very popular with girls and women around me, then we had the sublime Thinking Of You - sheer perfection.

Phew, Nile and CHIC kept going, Jerry Barnes on bass was co-frontman with Nile, delighting the crowd with his facial expressions and incredible riffs. Meanwhile Kimberley and Audrey on lead vocals were absolutely exquisite. Their voices were like angels.

Drummer Ralf Rolle then led the band through an extended jam called Maximum Funkocity which was superb, great fun. There was a call and response section with the crowd, hand were in the air, hand were waved ... amazing.

My Feet Dancing, Chic Cheer/Love Like This, My Forbidden Lover was a glorious run of CHIC songs before the place went truly nuts for Bowie's Let's Dance.

We were all having a good time, so there was only one way to end it. And that was with the monumental hit Good Times, with a nice segue into Rapper's Delight. 

The Barrowland roar of appreciation was as loud as I have ever heard, so there was an encore of the full length Le Freak to send everyone home deliriously happy. What a night!