Never Ending Mixtape Part 20

Welcome to the 20th section of the Never Ending Mixtape, my Spotify playlist that I add to on a regular basis and blog on monthly (sometimes twice).

20 songs are added and it's quite a mix ranging from a blissed out Primal Scream to a some funk soul masterpieces by Sly and the Family Stone.

In between we have beautiful disco electro from Joe Goddard (Hot Chip), indie cool from Galaxie 500, the pure rush of Dylan's seminal Like A Rolling Stone, 2 from The Beatles including Two Of Us - a song that always reminds me of buying the Let It Be album on cassette from Impulse Records in Hamilton and playing it on the way home as my Mum drove to Carluke through the Clyde Valley

The Roses are in with their sublime Where Angels Play and then we have 3 from Love including one of my top 3 favourite songs of all time - You Set The Scene. I was fortunate to catch Arthur Lee and Love half a dozen times in the 00's and his voice blew me away. The first time I caught him at Tuts shortly after he had been released from prison and I don't think I have ever felt my spine tingle quite as much as it did when he played this.

Jimmy Cliff plays the Kelvingrove Bandstand in the summer and he has 3 classics. His performance at Wickerman a few years ago was exceptional and I Can See Clearly Now was mind blowingly beautiful, euphoric and mesmerising.

We have a funk classic in the shape of Sport before a couple of tunes discovered through Spotify - the very gorgeous Stop Your Tears, a new wave pop tune from XTC and something from Super 8.

The latest additions close with a tender flowing instrumental from Curtis Mayfield before 2 bonafide classics from Sly and the Family Stone.

Search for Everything Flows Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify. Or click HERE.

The latest additions are listed below. You'll need to scroll down to play them, or just click shuffle and see where you start!

ENJOY!

Come Together - Primal Scream
Ordinary Madness - Joe Goddard
Strange - Galaxie 500
Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
Dear Prudence - The Beatles
Two Of Us - The Beatles
Where Angels Play - The Stone Roses
You Set The Scene - Love

Wonder People (I Do) - Love
Hummingbirds - Love
I Can See Clearly Now - Jimmy Cliff
The Harder They Come - Jimmy Cliff
Many Rivers To Cross - Jimmy Cliff
Sport - Lightnin' Rod
Stop Your Tears - Aldous Harding
Senses Working Overtime - XTC

T T T Technicolour Melodies - Super 8
Think - Curtis Mayfield
Everyday People - Sly and the Family Stone
Time For Livin' - Sly and the Family Stone

Wickerman Festival 2015 review

 Pic by Gordon Reid - Wickerman burning 2015

Wickerman 2015; a kaleidoscope of sunshine, fire, fireworks, friends, music and good times. What a weekend!

The Everything Flows team expanded to 4 for the weekend; expect blogs to come on Example, Optimo Espacio, Hector Bizerk, Jimmy Cliff, Neneh Cherry, BMX Bandits, The Vaselines, Miaoux Miaoux, Neon Waltz and more.

In the meantime; this is a bit of a round up of some of my own highlights that took place over the weekend;

The weather - the forecast changed dramatically in the week leading up to the festival, at one stage 2-hours of rain was forecast for the Friday night! Instead it was mainly dry with large periods of sunshine, particularly on the Saturday after some rain around noon.

The site - the Wickerman site is beautiful lush rolling green hills that lead down to a natural stage setting. There is plenty of space, yet everything is within easy walking distance, including the campsites.

The atmosphere - Positive, friendly, family friendly yet with space to party, everyone out for a good time. I even attended a wedding at noon under the Wickerman but had to run as unfortunately the heavens opened for the lucky couple. Thankfully the sun came out for them afterwards!

The fireworks were the best in the 6 visits I have enjoyed at Wickerman.

The crowd during Jimmy Cliff - pic by Gordon Reid

Jimmy Cliff - My award for performance of the weekend goes to this guy and his incredible band. They smashed it out the park with a set jammed full of classics in the glorious Wickerman sunshine leading to sunset. I Can See Clearly Now was absolutely beautiful, I don't mind admitting that I had a tear in my eye and my hands in the sky dancing and singing with friends when this was on.

Jimmy Cliff - sensational performance; pic by Gordon Reid

Stereo MC's - They came, they saw, they conquered Wickerman with an energetic set that saw singer Rob Birch cover every inch of the stage and wow the crowd with hits like Step It Up and Connected. The whole set had a real clubby feel to it and got the crowd dancing and singing. It was a particularly important set for the main stage after the unfortunate cancellation of the Sugarhill Gang who many were looking forward to. The main stage hadn't had a moment, the crowd hadn't had a chance to dance...they got one.

Rob Birch - Stereo MC's; pic by Gordon Reid

The line-up - Synergy Concerts have joined the Wickerman team as bookers and they used their skills, knowledge and experience to create a brilliant eclectic line-up that fully utilised the incredible music scene in Scotland. We had indie legends like The Vaselines and BMX Bandits, young up and coming artists like White, Neon Waltz and Kloe, top quality ska by the likes of Esperanza and The Amphetameanies and it was all ended in style by the incredible Optimo Espacio team - gotta be invited back next year?

The Amphetameanies - pic by Gordon Reid

BMX Bandits - I have to give a special mention to the BMX Bandits who headlined the Phoenix Tent last night. There cannot be many, if any, bands who can create the warmth and love that Duglas T Stewart and his friends are capable of making. I've always thought they would be perfect for Wickerman and indeed they were, playing a set spanning their full 30-years and giving older fans some long lost classics and wowing new fans who chose to end their Wickerman Festival with them. Girl At The Bus Stop was an absolute delight and Duglas rolled out Kylie's Got A Crush On Us for the first time in 20-years to the delight of those around me.

Please, please, oh please take the same bus as me

Two different generations enjoying BMX Bandits; pic by Jim Burns

Wickerman 2015 preview

The line-up for the 2015 Wickerman Festival is their strongest to date while remaining typically eclectic; offering a fantastic mix of new and up and coming music alongside established and legendary artists.

Synergy Concerts have taken over the booking of acts for the festival and they have brought in some of their favourites and used their experience to bring in some acts that could and should make Wickerman 2015 the best yet. If only they could book the sunshine!

Who am I looking forward to?...

In no particular order, here are 20 acts that I am hoping to catch over the course of the weekend...

Of course there is much, much more on offer and part of the joy of Wickerman is just wandering around the beautiful site and taking in a melting pot of everything.

Stereo MC's
Stereo MC's at the Barrowland Ballroom back in 2002-ish was an incredible show. Over 10-years down the line Stereo MC's live shows still have a reputation for being high energy; with singer Rob Birch bounding all over the stage and getting the crowd on his side with ease.

The 1992 album Connected spawned massive singles including the title track, Step It Up and Ground Level. An early evening slot in the sunshine would be a perfect time for this band. Funk, pop, dance and soul.

Sugarhill Gang
I caught the Sugarhill Gang at King Tut's last summer. Rappers Delight will be one of the songs of the festival and the summer. Look out for loads of people trying to rap along.

Lulu
Lulu is sure to get the party started. Shout is going to be a massive Wickerman hit with the audience bellowing along. Little known fact - Lulu has also written some monster hits including Tina Turner's I Don't Wanna Fight so expect her band to play some of these songs and some choice covers - Lulu released a cover of Bowie's Man Who Sold The World back in the day.

Squeeze
Up The Junction is a guitar pop fave of mine, it is pure pop perfection and the thought of singing a-long to it at Wickerman is a good one. Squeeze have much more than that in their arsenal though and I expect them to be a real festival favourite and gain many new fans.

Neneh Cherry
Buffalo Stance at a sunny Wickerman - oh please, please, please. Neneh Cherry's show at SWG3 received outstanding reviews, as did her last album. The lyrca and shell suits may be gone but Neneh will bring a set of sassy funk, jazz, pop and soul to Wickerman. Sure to be a hit. Check this extended re-editversion of Buffalo Stance

Pic from brandammo.com

Julian Cope
The legendary Julian Cope is a must see for me. Pop hits like World Shut Your Mouth and Trampolene will hopefully feature alongside some material from The Teardrop Explodes and surely Out Of My Mind On Dope On Speed will be a festival anthem for many

Jimmy Cliff
I can't wait to see this genuine legend live and to hear his stunning voice on hits like Many Rivers To Cross, The Harder They Come, Wonderful World Beautiful People and  You Can Get It If You Really Want. Sunshine reggae vibes will be perfect for Wickerman.

The Waterboys

I saw the crescent, you saw the whole of the moon

What a song! It flows, rises, soars and keeps on going. Expect people to be dancing around and punching the air with glee when The Waterboys drop this. It is their defining moment and rightly so - not many artists write something as good. Mike Scott and co will astound with their tight musicianship and songs from throughout their career with may lifted from the Fisherman's Blues album.

Tal National
Brian Reynolds who is one of the bookers for Wickerman 2015 has mentioned this band a few times on his Facebook page. He then tweeted me to make sure I checked them out ahead of the festival. I can understand why.

One of the great things about Wickerman is that it will give bands a chance and literally a platform. Tal National's jazzy african rhythms could steal the show - expect quite a performance if their videos are anything to go by. Embrace it.

BMX Bandits
Bellshill legends the BMX Bandits have just been announced as the first headliners for the new Phoenix Tent. Their warm guitar pop is sure to be a festival favourite. Serious Drugs is their most famous song, but look out for some stunning songs from recent albums and I hope they also play songs like Little Hands.  I know I'll be going to see them and if you haven't then you should try to pop in.

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
A rush of indie guitar pop always warms my heart and this band are masters at that. Catchy, fuzzy, fun, melodic and pure - I look forward to seeing them play songs like Heart In Your Heartbreak.

Kathryn Jospeh
The winner of the 4th annual SAY Awards with her stunning debut album Bones You Have Thrown Me And Blood I Have Spilled. Check the gorgeous live version of Bones below. Kathryn's music and reputation is growing by the week, making this a perfect booking for Wickerman - an artist on the rise.

Miaoux Miaoux
Electronic pop pushed as far as possible. Miaoux Miaoux are capable of sublime moments and also downright dirty dance stuff like Hey Sound! Stop the Clocks is one of my all time favourite songs and It's The Quick off their new album could be your favourite of the festival.

Catholic Action
Are another new band I intend to make the time to see at Wickerman. Their upbeat punky guitar pop is winning them lots of fans. Check L.U.V for evidence of what to expect - could be a real highlight if they have a set of songs like this.

The Sonics
Legendary garage band The Sonics have some incredible songs and their guitar sound is one that many look to for inspiration with James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem being a real fan of their raw punk edge. Have Love Will Travel is a garage classic.

Errors
Errors are on the rise and made the shortlist for the SAY Award this year with their latest album Lease Of Life. Their expansive, spacey, electronic vibes and soundscapes will gain them new fans at Wickerman.

Ela Orleans
Stephen Pastel has been on about Ela Orleans for ages, converting Tim Burgess among others to the beautiful leftfield electronic pop that the Polish artist (now residing in Glasgow) is capable of creating. Listen to The Sky And The Ghost below for starters and imagine this at Wickerman.

Withered Hand
Withered Hand is gaining fans with every release and performance. He blew me away with a solo show in tiny Bowlers Bar last summer. Dan Willson has an incredible ear for melody and his lullaby voice is a joy to listen to.

Tuff Love
Tuff Love are picking up fans as they go about their busy touring schedule; supports with Ride and an assortment of festivals added on to their own gigs over the last year or so have turned this fuzzy scuzzy indie guitar act into one that is road ready and set to win you over. They were in brilliant form at the SAY Award ceremony and i look forward to seeing them at Wickerman.

Neon Waltz
I have yet to catch Neon Waltz live and fully intend to do so at Wickerman. The band hail from Wick in the Highlands and the fact that they are so removed from any 'scenes' has stood them in good stead as they remain true to their own style and tastes. Definitely ones to watch over the next year or so.