Saturday, 15 February 2025

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

The sheer number of live shows, cost of tickets and the expense of a night out, plus, undoubtedly - old age, mean that I am a lot more particular about the shows I buy tickets for these days.

That said, I still do pretty well and probably average 2-3/month. Not bad going for a 49-year old!

When 432 Presents announced The Pains of Being Pure at Heart would be playing Stereo in Glasgow to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their eponymous debut album, I knew I'd be buying a ticket as soon as they went on sale.

Hailing from New York City, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart seemed to arrive fully formed, a fuzzy dream of youthful longing, distortion, blurred melodies and all kinds of indie cool. They had a (non-album) single in 2008 called Kurt Cobain's Cardigan. This was a band who proudly wore their influences, JAMC, MBV and Ride, on their (cardigan) sleeves.

I can't remember exactly, but I'm pretty sure it was Monorail that turned me on to the band and I bought this album on CD. I wish I'd bought it on vinyl!

Revisiting the record feels both deeply nostalgic and effortlessly fresh—like rediscovering an old mixtape filled with fuzzed-out guitars, aching melodies, and the whispered promise of escape.

From the moment Contender kicks in with its shimmering guitars and Kip Berman’s soft, yearning vocals, you’re transported to a world of wide-eyed romance, heartache, and the unshakeable feeling that music might just save your life ... or at least help you escape for a while.

At just 34 minutes, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart is a rush of indie-pop perfection. Come Saturday and Young Adult Friction are urgent and euphoric, driven by walls of guitar and shimmering synths. The breakdown in the latter leading to the boy/girl sung don't check me out mantra that ends the song is magical.

With melodies soaked in reverb and drum beats straight from early Pastels records This Love Is Fucking Right is absolutely glorious. 

Stay Alive is an absolute heartbreaker, like The Sundays jamming with JAMC. Sometimes the quietest moments hit the hardest. 

don't you try to shoot up the sky

tonight we'll stay alive

Dreamy teenage lyrics are almost hidden under the guitars at times. There are harmonies and hooks beneath the scuzzed up guitars of Everything With You.

Tell me it's true
I'm with you
And the stars are crashing through

A Teenager in Love rides in on a riff reminiscent of Bowie's Modern Love as if covered by Orange Juice. Hey Paul turns the fuzz and scuzz on the guitars to max and Gentle Sons tugs on heart strings to close the album.

Now you stand in the rain saying
Nothing has changed at all

Listening back for the first time in years, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart still feels vital. Pardon the pun, but there is a purity to the album and the music. Fragile, melancholic, euphoric and that beautiful raw energy.

Urgent. Fuzzy. Melodic. Perfect. I got properly lost for 34-minutes. This album is a reminder of younger days, simpler times, when music felt like everything. Sometimes, it still does.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart play Stereo in Glasgow on Saturday 15th November. TICKETS HERE



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Thursday, 13 February 2025

Never Ending Mixtape part 97

 

Welcome to part 97 of my Never Ending Mixtape.

Anyway, in my Never Ending Mixtape ... we jump from 4,167 songs to 4,217 with the addition of a handful of songs by The Beta Band amidst rumours that they will be reforming ... watch this space. Dogs Got A Bone from their magical Three EP's album and a some super cool stoned gems and jams from the eponymous debut.

This month I've added a number of Marianne Faithfull songs following her passing at the end of January. I have to confess to never exploring her back catalogue and I've enjoyed delving in. I may well write a future covers of the month blog on some of the many cover versions she recorded over the years.

There are also a load of Waxahatchee songs added, I can't stop listening to Kathryn Crutchfield's band and I am VERY excited to see them play the Barrowland in June.

Thank you so much if you are one of the 361 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

I must be doing something right - Irene Reid

Ene Nyame 'A' Mensuro - Ebo Taylor, Pat Thomas & Henrik Schwarz

Sugar On My Tongue - Talking Heads

Under a Rock - Waxahatchee

Silver - Waxahatchee

When I Dance with You - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart

Heir Ou Demain - Marianne Faithful

I'm A Loser - Marianne Faithful

New releases

It's been a month of previously released music for me!

Old favourites

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised - Gil Scott Heron

Learn to Fly - The Foo Fighters

Dogs Got a Bone - The Beta Band

The Darkest Part Of The Night - Teenage Fanclub


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Tuesday, 11 February 2025

How Can You Mend A Broken Heart

 

Cover version of the month #105
Al Green covers The Bee Gees

Are you ready to hear one of the most beautiful songs that you are ever likely to hear?

Al Green's How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, from his phenomenal 1972 album Let's Stay Together, is 6 minutes 23 seconds of bluesy soul goodness; the snare drum cracks, Green's voice is hushed and wonderful over piercing strings, angelic backing vocals are soothingly sublime and the lyrics are just beautiful, with the chorus asking 4 questions in a row.

And how can you mend a broken heart?

How can you stop the rain from falling down?

Tell me, how can you stop the sun from shining?

What makes the world go round?

Al Green begins to improvise a little from around 4-minutes. The pace of the music doesn't change, but the feeling in Green's voice is cranked up a notch, creating something truly magical. The song begins to fade after Al declares;

I've got a feeling that I want to live and live and live

After listening to the song Let's Stay Together recently, I decided to go back and listen to the album of the same name for the first time in ages, probably a good 20-years! This is yet another album I got from FOPP in Glasgow on CD for a fiver. The good old days! I then also bought it on vinyl!

How had I forgotten about this song?! How can you forget a song THIS good?!

OK, the title track stands out, but this stopped me in my tracks and I listened a few times in a row, marvelling at the playing, production and Green's voice.

I decided to write a blog for my regular Trust Me feature, made myself a cuppa and sat down to research the song and the album it is taken from.

Only to notice that the song was written by Barry and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees! The single, released in 1971, became their first US chart topper! Remarkably, the song didn't chart in the UK.

Bee Gees version is only 3 minutes 57 seconds and while it is undoubtedly brilliant, I have to say that it doesn't move me in the way that Al Green's cover version does. The Gibb brothers original is almost a little too clean.

Sunset Gun, who feature in my sister Carla's Since Yesterday: The Untold Story of Scottish Girl Bands documentary, also covered the song on their 1984 debut album, In An Ideal World.

The Bee Gees original and the sensational Al Green cover version of How Can You Mend A Broken Heart 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

Al Green version

Bee Gees original

Previous covers of the month blogs

13. Hurt
39. ABBA-esque
40. Jumpin' Jack Flash
64. Lola
82. Drop
87. Indian Rope Man + bonus Strawberry Fields Forever + This Wheels On Fire
92. Valerie
101. Shout!
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Saturday, 8 February 2025

Tripping With You

My old friend Mark W. Georgsson pinged me an email recently with a link to a new single he was releasing. I hadn't seen Mark in ages, possibly since pre-lockdown! We used to bump into each other at gigs all the time. Thankfully we caught up at Norman Blake's Bellshill gig last week over a few beers.

Mark and I first met back in 2012 when he was in a cracking punk indie pop band called The Velveteen Saints. Here is a BLOG I wrote on them back then. They were a captivating live band, super energetic, excellent musicians and they had something about them; soul, a rawness and a no bullshit attitude.

They did pretty well and got some excellent support slots with The Charlatans and The View. As young bands do, they broke up and went their own ways. Although Mark, Michael and Tino were all in The Bar Dogs who released a brilliant album called Friday Night The Eagles Fly in 2017. I described them as the best bar band in Glasgow; blue collar Springsteen rock n roll.

Before then, in late 2015 Mark had sent me a solo album he recorded with Rod Jones from Idlewild on production duties. I was blown away by how warm, tender and organic it was. Then, in early 2016, I got together with a group of friends to form a record label - Last Night From Glasgow. I suggested Mark's album for release, indeed his double a-side single The Ballad Of The Nearly Man became the first release on the label, with the AA-side being the same song sung in Icelandic by Mark's friends. It was a real statement of intent for the label to release something of such high quality for a first release. I remember getting the test pressing back and sitting up drinking most of a nice bottle of red wine playing it over and over again.

I'm just listening back to Mark's Faces and Places album, it is an absolute gem and his live shows around that time were such great fun. 

On to February 2025 and Mark has released a rip roaring single called Tripping With You. This is Mark's first single since he began treatment for an immune system related skin condition that had prevented him from playing guitar. For anyone that knows Mark, or anyone with a remote interest in playing a musical instrument, you'll know, or imagine how incredibly tough and depressing this was.

Now on medication and healing, Mark is back ... and boy can he play guitar!

The joy of being able to play again comes pouring out of Tripping With You. Mark's fingers are definitely working again! This a glorious slice of psychedelic pop with nods to Deep Purple's Hush.

I caught up with Mark for a quick chat.

Who plays guitar on Tripping With You?

It's me playing all of the guitars now that I've got my fingers back! Michael Gahagan plays drums, congas and tambourine. Robbie Noble plays the Hammond Organ and Jordan McHatton is playing groovy bass.

You've definitely got your fingers back working!

It was a release, channeling my inner 17-year old again! The next batch of songs will be similar. Short, with fuzz pedals, wah wah's, 60's phasers and shredding to f**k!

So what happened, why couldn't you play guitar?

Since 2020 my immune system has gone haywire and effected the skin all over my body, especially on my fingertips, stopping me playing the guitar. At the start of this year, I was put onto an immunosuppressant medication to finally try and sort it out. I started jamming out short ideas and riffs because my fingertips couldn't handle playing for long without bleeding and being in agony.

It's got a real Deep Purple vibe to it.

Aye, Kula Shaker are my favourite band after The Beatles. Songs don't need to be any longer than 3-minutes. I'm a huge Hendrix, Cream, Deep Purple, Skynyrd, Zeppelin and Rory Gallagher fan. 

I've realised how much we take simple day-to-day things in life and our health for granted. We worry about shit that doesn't really matter instead of focusing on what does, and doing what we really want to do in life to make ourselves happy.

It's been great to get back to jammin' in the studio with my mates. I had so much fun writing and recording this song and I think that comes across in the track.

Are you hoping to play live?

Absolutely. I'm working on putting together a gig / set list that will go and flow through all of my songs from folk/country/Americana to psychedelic pop rock!

Tripping With You is out now on all the usual digital channels. Hopefully Mark will announce a show in the near future to showcase his guitar skills in person!



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Tuesday, 4 February 2025

Kids

Trust me #86
Kids by MGMT

Have you seen the early footage of a pre-signed MGMT playing Kids at an outdoor show in 2003? It's kind of gone viral. 

And no wonder! It's a cool, daft, fun and pure performance by two friends who seem to have realised they have created a brilliant leftfield pop song. Check it out below. 

You'll find other early MGMT songs from this show on the same YouTube account, plus a Talking Heads cover.

Kids was originally released on an EP in 2005 when MGMT were still known as The Management, the song was then re-released as a single in 2008 and it went everywhere! 

Rewind back 5 years and MGMT's core duo of Andrew VanWyngarden and Benjamin Goldwasser are playing a gig outside in the yard of Wesleyan University for their annual Zonker Harris Day.  

One of their old classmates found the footage on an old hard drive and it is pure joy; the duo playing with just an electronics board, goofy dancing and generally having fun without a care in the world. The infectious melodic synth riff immediately translates to the crowd who dance in the sun.

Andrew and Ben literally bounce off each other, dancing, singing in harmony, playing air synth to the pre-recorded pieces, laughing as they literally crawl about the small stage and then leap into the crowd and across the yard to play with branches/trees for an extended 2-minute instrumental.

"We used the to think about how to make the most stereotypical pop song and that's one of the ones we did. Ben wrote the music when he was 19, drunk in his dorm room. Then I wrote the lyrics for my 20th birthday." Andrew VanWyngarden

"Kids is the result of us being 19-years old, in this fantasy college world, which is a little bit like childhood because you don't have much responsibility." Ben Goldwasser

Kids and Time to Pretend were absolutely everywhere in 2008; pubs, clubs, parties, radio, MTV ... they were remarkably fresh electronic and psychedelic (especially Time to Pretend) pop songs that stood out a mile from everything else going on.

Both still sound fresh and vital in 2025. But lets focus on Kids.

Kids is everything that is great about pop music. It's simple, pure and immediately catchy. Yet it's also slightly weird, psychedelic and beautifully different. 


The synth riff is beautiful, whether it is played on a keyboard or by an orchestra. It's simple, pure, catchy ... brilliant! Add a beat behind and it just takes off. There are standout lines, hooks galore and then the HUGE chorus

We like to watch you laughing
You pick the insects off plants, no time to think of consequences

Control yourself
Take only what you need from it
A family of trees wanting
To be haunted

There is a single edit, but the full version has an extended middle section, just like the early 2003 version. MGMT would extend it even further in their live shows. Check this epic 8-minute version from Glastonbury 2014. Listen to the way the crowd responds to the riff and then sings along with it. MGMT develop and jam the song into a full on rave and then bring it back to THAT riff - glorious!


MGMT's Kids is 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
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
84. I Am A Rock by Simon & Garfunkel
85. Kung Fu by Ash





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Saturday, 1 February 2025

Norman Blake at The Alex James in Bellshill

Photo by Ruthie Blaney

Norman Blake returned to Bellshill last night to play his first gig in the town for over 30-years at The Alex James on Hamilton Road. To highlight how personal a show it was, Norman had counted the steps from the venue to his Gran's old house - 450 in case you wondered.

I should have counted the steps from my house, to Uddingston train station and then from Bellshill (a mere 3-minute journey) to the venue - literally down the hill and round the corner! Very handy!

There was another Fanclub and Bellshill element to the show, a crucial one. Bellshill boy Paul Quinn was responsible for booking and promoting the gig. Last night was the first of many that Paul will be putting on, with the aim of Bellshill gigs becoming a regular fixture in the Scottish and Lanarkshire music calendar. 

David Scott from The Pearlfishers is playing the next night on 28th February with support from KiDD - another Fanclub angle as Stuart played bass for Teenage Fanclub last year and was a member of the live Jonny band with Norman and Euros. TICKETS HERE

Keep an eye on Paul's Bellbeat Presents Facebook page for further announcements.

The Alex James is a cracking venue; pub/restaurant on one side, function room/live venue on the other. Drinks were well-priced, I was pleasantly surprised to be asked to pay £14.20 for 4 pints when I went up for a round!

Norman and Teenage Fanclub inspire incredible devotion from their fans - the Teenage Fanclub Fanclub! I've met so many friendly and brilliant people through my love of the band. Last night people had travelled from Chicago, Cornwall, London and Dingwall to catch Norman in his home town.

Support on the night was from Willie Campbell, formerly of Astrid, and I thoroughly enjoyed his set that generated a warm response from the crowd. Indeed, Campbell moved one guy near the front to tears with his impassioned lyrics and soulful voice. I'd definitely go and see him again. I loved the way Campbell used 2 capo's and his harmonies pedal worked well. Many of Campbell's songs were about his native Lewis and his voice is so strong that he could step right back from the mic and continue to fill the room with ease.

Photo by Ruthie Blaney

I have lost count of the number of times I have seen Norman play; with the Fanclub, Jonny, The New Mendicants, Jad Fair, with Butler and Grant and of course solo. His voice and songs warm my heart and seeing him play with just an acoustic guitar always feels like a real privilege, especially in such an intimate venue. The way the songs are stripped right back makes me appreciate them all the more.

Norman played a lengthy set featuring songs from across his full career. Blake's songwriting is exceptional and I marvel at how many of the songs that he wrote in his younger days take on greater meaning with each and every passing year. Like a fine wine, they mature with age; melancholic, reflective and full of hope.

I mean, how old was Norman when he wrote Everything Flows? 23/24? How deep are the lyrics?

We get older every day
But you don't change
Or I don't notice you changing

When Norman plays his songs on acoustic guitar, I pick up on the lyrics a little more. How about this moment of heartfelt honesty from I'm In Love? Stunning!

You don't know what you mean to me
Girl I owe you my life

Photo by Ruthie Blaney
Or from the sublime I Left A Light On;

My life had lost it's meaning
I was a lonely soul

Mellow Doubt was played early to a rapturous response, Baby Lee was fresh and flowing, a cover of He'd Be A Diamond was (pardon the pun) a gem, the stripped back Everything Flows melted my heart and Did I Say is a masterclass in songwriting.

I Don't Want Control Of You is another of Norman's songs that cuts deep, written about his daughter, it always makes me think of my own girls whenever he plays it. 

Don't want this love to stay the same
But grow with every year

The room became a community choir for What You Do To Me, as pure a love (and lust) song as you can get. Blake's voice is beautiful and I particularly loved the way he sang Back In The Day, getting lost in the music as he drove the song to conclusion.

Photo by Ruthie Blaney

Back In The Day is one of my favourite Norman songs. The melody and chorus caught my attention immediately, but the lyrics are beautifully open, raw and reflective. Things change.

Adrift and in a dream
Like fallen leaves in a flowing river
A life of harmony for you and me
When unexpectedly
Someone said that nothing lasts forever
It all became so very clear to me

With each new passing day
I see that old world fading away
I just can't seem to find
The peace of mind that I knew back in the day

The Darkest Part Of The Night was a welcome surprise as part of a 3-song encore alongside Start Again and The Concept. Norman was in jovial form throughout and was more than happy to meet friends and fans afterwards, the venue and vibe lending itself to the sense of community felt by both artist and audience.

Norman has a busy 2025 coming up with the Butler, Blake & Grant album coming out in March followed by a tour and then Teenage Fanclub play a string of shows in late July into August, including a night at the Kelvingrove Bandstand. They then head off to South America.



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Saturday, 25 January 2025

Kung Fu

Trust me #85
Kung Fu by Ash

Written by 17-year old Tim Wheeler on Boxing Day 1994 and then recorded in one take the following day, Kung Fu was released by Ash as their 4th single in March 1995. 

Between those dates, on 25th January 1995 to be precise, the legendary Manchester United player Eric Cantona leapt into the crowd at Selhurst Park to confront Matthew Simmons, an absolute moron of a Crystal Palace supporter, who had been hurling abuse at Cantona as he departed the field following a red card.

Eric in full flight

Cantona was being escorted down the track, when he broke free to attack his abuser with a flying kung fu kick, before hitting Simmons with a huge right. The incident, particularly the kung fu kick, instantly became iconic, screened on a loop on Sky Sports News as the nation debated Eric's punishment. 

"My one regret, I didn't hit him hard enough." Eric Cantona

After a great deal of publicity and debate, including a point where Cantona faced 2-weeks in jail, the FA banned Cantona for 8-months. United lost the league and Cantona contemplated quitting football. Sir Alex Ferguson's wife Cathy persuaded him to fly to France to persuade Eric otherwise.

I've often thought that this is a short film in the making. Fergie flying to Paris and flying through the streets on the back of a motorbike Cantona sent to collect him. Eric had booked out an entire restaurant for the two of them to eat, drink and talk long into the night. Oh to have been a fly on the wall!

Cantona returned in September, setting up a goal for Nicky Butt and scoring a penalty (celebration photo below) in a 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Old Trafford. The king had returned and Eric led United to a league and cup double. There were a number of 1-0 victories with Eric being the scorer, including the FA Cup final win over Liverpool.

Eric Cantona was an unbelievable football player, the catalyst for United's 1992/93 league title win, their first since 1966/67 under Sir Matt Busby. With his upturned collar, swagger, skill, passion and attitude, the Frenchman became known as Eric the King at Old Trafford. He was incredible, the perfect star for the Theatre of Dreams. The stage was his to command.

Meanwhile, Ash were a band of noisy teenagers from Northern Ireland who were picking up some attention in the music weeklies thanks to releasing brilliant punk pop singles like Jack Names The Planets. 

Back to their song Kung Fu, released in March 1995 with Eric Cantona flyng through the air as the cover. Apparently Tim Wheeler still has a fax from Eric saying 'I spit on your record' after Ash sent one asking for permission. Classic 90's memorabilia if Tim still has it!

Talk about capturing a moment in time! Kung Fu is blistering grungy teenage punk pop perfection, delivered in just 2-minutes 17 seconds, with the first 10-seconds being kung fu noise samples!

Ash absolutely tear through the song, their youthful energy and ear for catchy guitar pop is perfectly captured, all the better for being one take. The vocal melody is strong, fast-flowing and catchy. The guitars buzz and the drums pound as Tim Wheeler sings about his teenage lobotomy, moving to Hong Kong with Bruce Lee's brother and Johnny Wong!

The chorus then references Daniel San and Jackie Chan, while the second verse then mentions Mr.Miagi!

Ash have finished the second chorus by 1 minute 15 seconds, ensuring they have time for a 25-second instrumental that breaks things down before firing up for a final blitz of a verse that references movies and what was presumably Tim's local takeaway before a double chorus to finish things off.

"My best moment? I have a lot of good moments, but the one I prefer is when I kicked the hooligan." Eric Cantona

Kung Fu is 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
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
84. I Am A Rock by Simon & Garfunkel


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Sunday, 19 January 2025

Bridge Over Troubled Water

 

Cover version of the month #104
Artetha Franklin covers Simon and Garfunkel

One day in December I was driving through the rain when Craig Charles stopped me in my tracks by playing Aretha Franklin's version of Simon & Garfunkel's classic Bridge Over Troubled Water.

I was spellbound! There are covers, and then there are Aretha Franklin covers! See my May 2017 blog on her rip roaring version of Respect by Otis Redding.

Her 1971 take on Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water is a masterclass in reinterpretation—transforming an already iconic song into something deeply personal, profoundly soulful, and utterly transcendent. WOW!

The original version by Simon & Garfunkel, released in 1970, is a shimmering melancholic folk-pop ballad. Paul Simon’s lyrics, inspired by gospel music, offer comfort and solace, while Art Garfunkel’s angelic voice delivers them with a serene purity. It’s a song that builds delicately, layering piano, strings, and harmonies until it swells into a grand crescendo. 

Listening to the song on headphone, it feels intimate, like Garfunkel is talking to you, like he empathises and cares. 

Then comes Aretha!

Recorded just a year after the original, Aretha’s rendition brings the gospel roots of the song front and centre, making it feel less like a folk-pop hymn and more like a sermon from the pulpit - the full embrace of the gospel choir, a heart-on-sleeve declaration of love and support. 

Aretha’s version begins with a soulful organ, immediately setting a richer tone. Then there’s her voice—raw, powerful, and infused with deep emotional, backed by a heavenly gospel choir. There is no rush, there is a lengthy instrumental passage from 26 seconds through to 1-minute 30 seconds, with a slow, soulful, slightly jazzy feel.  

Then, just before 2-minutes, Aretha sings;

When you're down and out

When you're on the street

When evening falls so hard

I will comfort you

Listen to the way she sings so hard - Goosebumps! 

Aretha sings with the conviction of someone who has lived every word, every heartbreak, and every triumph that the song embodies. This is spine tingling, life affirming stuff - listen to Franklin's voice rise with ease. Listen to the section where Aretha and her choir sing see how they shine in tandem. OOOFFFTT!

And the arrangement! The backing vocals! And that voice! Aretha isn’t afraid to go big! The choir backing her feels like a congregation lifting her up, and the rhythm section injects a subtle groove that wasn’t there in the original. By the time she hits the climactic Like a bridge over troubled water, it’s no longer just a lyric—it’s a declaration, a promise shouted from the mountaintop. 

While the groove is slow and chilled and the backing vocals are arranged beautifully arranged, Aretha is on fire - wild, radiant and impossible to contain! And it is A M A Z I N G to hear. What a sound! What a voice! The closing 90-seconds are utterly sublime.

Interestingly, Paul Simon himself praised Aretha’s version, once calling it the definitive recording of the song. 

So, which version is the best? That depends on what you’re looking for. Need a quiet moment of reflection, or a need to appreciate the art of songwriting in one of its finest moments? Go with Simon & Garfunkel. Need to feel uplifted, empowered, and ready to take on the world? Turn to Aretha. Both are exceptional performances of a truly magnificent song.

When I look back at the list of 100+ cover versions that I have blogged on, this is one of the very, very best.

I do love cover versions. One of the many beautiful things about music is how songs can be reimagined, reshaped, and reborn in ways that make us fall in love with them all over again.

Bridge Over Troubled Water won 5 Grammy's in 1971. Aretha performed her version as Simon & Garfunkel collected their awards.

Both versions 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

13. Hurt
39. ABBA-esque
40. Jumpin' Jack Flash
64. Lola
82. Drop
87. Indian Rope Man + bonus Strawberry Fields Forever + This Wheels On Fire
92. Valerie
101. Shout!
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