Never Ending Mixtape part 8

I've had a great month of discovering all kinds of music/artists that I previously hadn't heard, as well as rediscovering some old faves. So this is the largest monthly addition to the Never Ending Playlist yet!

The Never Ending Mixtape began in October 2016 when I finally discovered Spotify after years of saying I would never use it. Watch The Sunrise by Big Star kicked things off, joined by the Velvets, Spiritualized, Tricky, Massive Attack, Belly, Mazzy Star, The Orb, The Smiths.....all kinds of things.

Each month I make some additions to the Never Ending Mixtape and the blog allows me to either reminisce about old favourites, seeing acts live or where and when I bought/heard the song, or to talk about recent discoveries.

You can check the Never Ending Mixtape below and then read on to find out the latest additions.

Look Up In The Sky (Negro Nature) - Francis The Great
I heard this on the Lauren Laverne show last year - what a tune!

I Feel Like I've Been Living (On The Dark Side Of The Moon) - Gene Page
I was looking for another song by Gene Page (All Our Dreams Are Coming True - the song my wife walked down the aisle to, it's not on Spotify) when I discovered this. It was the title that attracted me.

Love's Theme (instrumental)/Under The Influence of Love (vocal) - Love Unlimited
Sensationally uplifting and gorgeous string led instrumental changes into something completely different but just as good. Enjoy this one.

Found A Cure (Tom Moulton mix) - Ashford and Simpson
I discovered this while browsing for Greg Wilson mixes or re-edits on Spotify. Brilliant!

Summer Came My Way - Greg Wilson edit
I first heard this a few years ago when Greg Wilson played Melting Pot at The Admiral. Just sublime and uplifting.

Cocaine Blues (Greg Wilson mix) - Escort
Insanely good, the mix and production are spot on.

Jumpin' Jack Flash - Ananda Shankar
First heard on an old David Holmes mix, this guy sure knows how to dig out a gem

You're So Vain - Carly Simon
So who is/was this song about? Warren Beatty? Mick Jagger? I read an article recently where Carly Simon confirmed that Jagger sings backing vocals. Listen on headphones and it is all too clear. He was certainly vain! A gem of a song.

Tired Of Being Alone - Al Green
There have already been a few times on the Never Ending Playlist where I have simply said that it doesn't get much better than this. This is another one of those times.

Roadrunner - The Modern Lovers
I have this LP on delicious red vinyl. Brilliant guitar pop punk song.

Free Again - Alex Chilton
One of the rarest Teenage Fanclub records I own is a 7-inch import of rip roaring version of Free Again. It instantly became a favourite song of mine.

Stop And Smell The Roses - Television Personalities
One of the best names for a band ever, this song came on randomly when I had spotify on recently.

Anything Could Happen - The Clean
Another Spotify discovery at random. Love the raw vocals over acoustic and electric guitars and a simple beat. Rock n roll.

Streets Of Your Town - The Go Betweens
I caught The Go Betweens at the Renfrew Ferry a number of years ago. They were astonishingly good. I didn't know much of their music, my friend Ian bought me a ticket and I fell for their melodic guitar pop and charm instantly. This is a good example of why.

Black and White - The dB's
Another random Spotify discovery that I really enjoyed. There is such an urgency about this from the vocals all the way to the handclaps. I love the line we are finished, as of a lifetime ago

I Am The Cosmos - Chris Bell
Norman Blake, Bobby Gillespie and Tim Burgess have all highlighted this song in interviews over the years. Listen to find out why.

The Concept - Teenage Fanclub
Is this the first Fannies song on the playlist?! Well it is back to where it all started with the Fanclub for me, discovering them in 1991 through Bandwagonesque and this sublime chiming guitar pop and harmony driven beauty.

Echoes - Gene Clarke
Another guy that Norman, Bobby and co hold up in awe. I can never walk into Monorail Records in Glasgow and come away empty handed. One time i bought this after reading a review in Uncut or Mojo and i was not disappointed. How clever, amazing and wonderful this song is!

Clouds - The Jayhawks
Wichita - The Jayhawks
I caught a program on BBC Scotland from Cottiers Theatre in my mid-late teens and i was transfixed by The Jayhawks. What a band! Hollywood Town Hall is an incredible album. I fell for that perfect mix of acoustic rhythm and electric lead. Here are the 2-songs that were broadcast.

Wish You Were Here - Ryan Adams
I thought I was going to be listening to a Pink Floyd cover when I stumbled across this on YouTube. Listen for the superb use of swearing!

Wonderwall

Cover version of the month #17

Ryan Adams covers Wonderwall

I think Ryan Adams is the only person to have ever got that song right
Noel Gallagher

Wonderwall was the song that truly sent Oasis stratospheric. There had already been lots of talk of The Beatles and comparisons through songs like Live Forever and Slide Away, but much of the earlier Oasis material tipped more of a nod to the ferocity of The Pistols with a dab of T-Rex, rather than the Fab Four.

Wonderwall changed everything. Oasis had released a number of acoustic b-sides, but this was the first acoustic single. In the Autumn of 1995 it felt like the whole world was singing it. Somehow it was kept off the number 1 slot by Robson and Jerome!

Oasis crossed over with Wonderwall. They had already won hearts and fans across the world, but all of a sudden they had a song that kids and their Gran's could sing. Noel Gallagher once said he wanted to hear his songs being whistled by the milkman. The butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker were all whistling them, humming them, singing them.....everyone was.

The original Oasis version of Wonderwall

Many songwriters (and bands) tire of playing their most famous hits at times. Liam sang it, then Noel took over, then the crowd practically sang it for the band or for Noel as a solo artist. Liam's voice sounded soulful, Noel's made it more tender, stadiums singing in unison made it an anthem.

Noel tired of Wonderwall, but hearing it being covered by Ryan Adams changed things......and it changed how Noel would go on to perform the song.

I went to see Ryan Adams in Manchester...so he's playing away and he just does Wonderwall right in the middle of the set. The f**king place went silent. It was so beautiful. I was just like 'F**king Jesus Christ what a f**king song!' Afterwards I told him, 'You can have that song, man, because we could never quite get it right.       Noel Gallagher

Post hearing Ryan Adams

And here is a wonderful heart wrenching version by Ryan, silencing a huge Glastonbury crowd. Pretty astonishing! To have the balls and talent to perform like this to such a huge crowd is incredible. Adams slows things down, Wonderwall suddenly sounds like a song written many moons ago by a seasoned country singer with a broken heart. His delivery is beautiful, enhancing the soul the song always had and also increasing its beauty.

I know who I'm singing it to....unfortunately I don't think she does.
Ryan Adams

Ryan is a serial coverer of songs....and albums. He's covered Is This It? by The Strokes and 1989 by Taylor Swift in full. What else? Pretty much anything by anyone - from Elvis to his near namesake Bryan Adams!

So expect to see Ryan Adams featured again on a future cover of the month blog.

Previous covers of the month

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

2014 review by Skinny Dipper

Skinny Dipper are a relatively new addition to the Olive Grove Records collective and they released a beautiful EP back in September. They create a beautiful organic sound full of melody and hope.

Alex from Skinny Dipper answered a few questions on 2014.

1.       What singles/songs that have been released in 2014 have stood out for you?

A few standout singles from this year are:

-       “She’s Not Me” by Jenny Lewis off The Voyager

This is one of my favourites off of her new album and the song is just contagious in its melodies. I catch myself humming this all the time!
 

-       “Disco/Very – Keep It Healthy” by Warpaint off their self-titled album

This is cheating a bit, they are my two favourite songs off of the new Warpaint album. They were combined together for the music video so I will combine them as well. the songs are on opposite spectrums but show both sides of what I love so much about what Warpaint does

 

-       “Gimme Something Good” by Ryan Adams off his self-titled album. I heard this being played quite a lot on BBC Radio 6 and didn’t realise at first that it was Ryan Adams. It grew on me each time I heard it and now I absolutely love it.

2.       What albums released in 2014 have you enjoyed?

These 6 have been my most listened to albums so far this year. Well, the Hey Rosetta album only just came out but I love it and them so I couldn’t not include it. July Talk was technically released in 2013, but a deluxe edition was released this year so I’m going to include it as it has been probably my most listened to album of the year!

-       Warpaint - Warpaint

-       Jenny Lewis – The Voyager

-       July Talk – July Talk

-       Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers – Hypnotic Eye

-       Ryan Adams – Ryan Adams

-       Hey Rosetta! – Second Sight

-       Hard Working Americans – Hard Working Americans

3.     What old music/bands have you discovered/gone back to in 2014?

In the excitement of Robert Plant playing Glasgow this month I have been going back and listening to lots of Led Zeppelin recently. That never gets old.

 

4.     What has been the musical highlight of 2014 for you?

 

I would probably have to say getting to see Jenny Lewis in Glasgow at the end of August. She is just amazing. She did a great mix of new songs, all my older favourites of hers plus a bunch of Rilo Kiley songs I never thought she would play!

 

5.     What are you plans for 2015?

For Skinny Dipper, we are looking to write some more songs in the new year and get those gig ready and recorded. We are really excited to be playing Celtic Connections in January (25th as part of Hazy Recollections)! 2014 has been an amazing year for us so we can’t wait for 2015 and hope it is even better!

2014 review by Kevin Harper

I've met some brilliant people involved in the Glasgow/Scottish music scene since I started this blog, putting on a few gigs and managing/advising bands. One of the nicest, funniest and most knowledgable guys (about music and films at least)  I have met is Kevin Harper, formerly lead singer and guitarist with Little Eskimos, sometime contributor to (Glasgow) Podcart and now a solo artist - check his incredible album Kingdom of Wires if you haven't already.

I have fond memories of a brilliant night at a youth hostel in Loch Lomond when Kev played  alongside Sonny Marvello and I DJ'd and we partied long into the night.

I caught up with Kev to see what music had been turning him on through 2014.

1. What singles/songs that have been released in 2014 have stood out for you?

Ahhh as much as I hate to say it, Swifty's 'Shake It Off' is pretty much perfect, (as perfect a pop song as Call Me Maybe and Heart Of Glass) but that's all I really wanna say about it. 

It's been a long time since he interested me (and I'm speaking as someone who used to be *obsessed* with his work) but I have to say, 'Gimme Something Good' by Ryan Adams is just a fantastic tune. I can't wait to get sick of it. And it's an apt title. When he's good he's great, but he seems to have no internal filter. If he was accidentally recorded farting in the next room I'm convinced he'd release it. The rest of the album bores me. He uses pretty much the same chorus on two songs. 

The main song from the soundtrack to 'Battered Bastards of Baseball', Man With A Broom by Brocker Way is my song of the year. And as a sidenote, if you haven't seen that film yet, do so at your earliest convenience. 

2. What albums released in 2014 have you enjoyed?

I haven't had a lot of time to listen to any albums this year, I'll be honest, but' Alvvays' by Alvvays took me right back to the glory days of the 90's (in fact you can apply this to all the music I like. If it's from or evokes the US indie tidal wave that hit just before Britpop happened then it's A-Okay with me). 

The new Deerhoof is as weird and wacky as is to be expected, but god damn it could possibly be their best album. 

'Complete Surrender' by Slow Club is just great. Songs which would make Goffin and King proud. Those guy are two or three years away from being HUGE. And by god they deserve it.  

I feel redundant including Sharon Van Etten's 'Are We There' despite it being beautiful, because everyone else has already sppken at great length at how great it is. That woman can seriously do no wrong.

3. What old music/bands have you discovered/gone back to in 2014?

I got re-acquainted with two of my favorite albums this year, Illmatic by Nas and Girls Can Tell by Spoon. Neither of them should require any introduction. If you haven't heard them, then you should totally do that. 

This year I came to the conclusion that there's no point whatsoever in trying to decide which is the best British space rock album between 'Northern Soul' by the Verve, 'Lost Souls' by Doves or 'Ladies and Gentlemen, We Are Floating In Space' by Spiritualised. So just listen to all three of them. At once. While on drugs.  Sorts the wheat from the chaff. 

Also, I've been hammering the hell out of everything Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra did. God they were nuts. There's something almost Vic and Bob about them.. But Hazlewood was a pioneering producer and not a bad songwriter to boot.

Realising how insipid and bland Tegan And Sara have become, I went back and listened to The Con to make sure i wasn't imagining a time when they were fantastic. I wasn't imagining it. It's a shame when that happens eh?  

4. What has been the musical highlight of 2014 for you?

Let's see... Sharon Van Etten utterly KILLED IT on Jools, Like i said, she can do no wrong. I have to say I felt a considerable bit schadenfreude when Beady Eye split up. Oasis without the songs: what's the point? 

I'm sure I'm forgetting something.....

5. What are you plans for 2015?

Well I soon shall be welcoming the birth of my son (congrats on the birth of Jackson), and everything that that entails, (developing a fear of sharp corners, beginning my sandal collection, all music instantly becoming 'noise') and if I get the chance I hope to record another album. Hopefully I get to do that but my focus is shifting on to other things anyway, things that take time, like writing, film making. Whatever happens, I feel it's time to stop writing songs about girls, definitely. It's already gotten me into too much trouble

Ryan Adams @ Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 26th April 2012

It isn't often you get to witness a genius at work. On Thursday night I got to do just that when I caught Ryan Adams performing at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

Armed with two acoustic guitars and a piano, Adams took us on a 2-hour journey through his entire career. It was spell-binding. The audience lapped it up, sitting in awed silence before responding in rapturous fashion, with several songs receiving standing ovations.

The whole set was one long extended highlight. Adams moved from sitting centre stage playing one of his guitars, to stage right to stand and play his other, moving to piano for some stunning songs including 'New York, New York.' His between song humour ranged from the mickey taking 'here's another miserable song' to complete off-the-wall banter. There was also an 'Ode To A Cat' song sung at the piano that was hilarious.

Starting with 'Oh My Sweet Carolina' from his 'Heartbreaker' album just set the tone as he jumped about his albums, moving swiftly on to 'Ashes and Fire', the title track from his latest album. The range in Adams voice is evident on record, in a live setting it becomes even more apparent how talented he is. It seemed so easy and effortless.

'Winding Wheel' is one of my favourite Adams songs and tonight my love for it seemed to grow stronger with every second. 'Firecracker' was a dream, 'New York, New York' was turned into a piano heartbreaker.

There were some Adams nuts in the audience who applauded his every move, something that Adams took the piss out of at times after some guys applauded him for walking across the stage.

 The swift double hit of 'Lucky Now' and the gorgeous 'Come Pick Me Up' prompted huge applause as Adams left the stage to a standing ovation.

The crowd wouldn't let him go and he sauntered back on to leaf through a huge black folder contaning who-knows-what. I imagine there are some works-in-progress and some long lost gems.

Getting annoyed that he couldn't find what he was looking for he played a song called 'Round and Round', a cover by a band called RATT.

Oh My Sweet Carolina

Ashes and Fire

If I am a Stranger

Dirty Rain

Winding Wheel

The Rescue Blues

Please Do Not Let Me Go

Do I Wait?

Firecracker

Everybody Knows

Sweet Lil' Gal (23rd/1st)

Why Do They Leave?

English Girls Approximately

Chains of Love

16 Days

Mr.Cat >

NY NY

The End

Lucky Now

Come Pick Me Up

-------------------

Round & Round

My albums of 2011

In no particular order (although starting with my sisters band) here are a list of 17 albums that have sound tracked my year. I'm not going to pick my favourite as I think it has been an outstanding year for music and at various times through the course of the last 12-months, all of the albums listed have been a favourite. 


There are still albums from 2011 that I still intend to buy - FOUND, White Heath and Jonnie Common to name a few. Ridiculous considering I was standing next to Jonnie Common at his merch stall a few weeks ago enthusing about his music!


There is a real mix of music below, dig in, each album features a video to one of my favourite tracks from it. 

Love and Lemonade - Futuristic Retro Champions
Futuristic Retro Champions brought an end to almost 5-years of joyous pop music with this staggering 26-track compilation of their releases, demos, and unreleased tracks. Taking influences from the girl bands of the 60's, through to bang up to date electro pop, this is a gem of an album. Only £7.99 on itunes!

Jonny - Jonny

Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub) and Euros Child (Gorky's) combine their songwriting talents with gorgeous harmonies and a sense of humour to create a wonderful album. Only £3.49 on itunes!!!! 'Never Alone' is also one of my songs of the year, absolutely gorgeous.

Kammerspiel - Conquering Animal Sound

One of my albums of the year and their gig at Sneaky Petes in Edinburgh as part of their launch tour was one of my gigs of the year. CAS provide something genuinely different from anything else going on in the Scottish Music Scene. Anneke's vocals and twisted melodies are a joy. Bear (below) is a prime example of CAS at their best, layering voclas, melodies and sounds to create something truly special.

Build A Rocket Boys - Elbow
Guy Garvey and co returned with more big tunes, reflections on love and life and a warmth that few other bands can even dream about. Whilst not having anything as anthemic as One Day Like This, not many albums released in 2011 can boast two openers like The Birds and Lippy Kids. I love the lyric from the latter, reminiscing of youth 'walking on walls, stealing booze and hour long hungry kisses.'

Ryan Adams - Ashes and Fire
What can you say about Ryan Adams that truly captures his genius? He really is a one off. This is a stunning album that I can imagine myself going back to time and time again to really appreciate the depth of it. Yet in saying that, it is immediately accessible. You need to listen to the album to get the finished version of the song below, but this video is amazing.

Cat's Eyes - Cat's Eyes
Faris Badwan's main band The Horror's turned many heads this year with the release of their 'Skying' album. I liked the reviews, bought the album, but I just can't get into it at all....yet. Faris is clearly a creative guy though and this is his side project with Rachel Zeffira. Bonding over a love of The Shrangri-La's and Phil Spector, they have produced a cracking album. 30-minutes long, well worth investigating. This title track is more Sonic Youth than Spector, I love the groove. 

King Creoste and Jon Hopkins

This could easily be classed as a mini-album, however regardless of the length of the album, the quality is undisputed. Absolutely flawless in terms of the music and production. The lyrics and vocals are pretty incredible, especially on headphones. Gorgeous.

Cut Copy - Zonoscope
I got Cut Copy's debut album back in 2004 and although I haven't bought every album since then, they are certainly a band I have continued to follow. With Zonoscope, their third album, they have reached new heights. There are the synths, the beats, the bleeps, the hooks, the harmonies and all the stardust you associate with Cut Copy...it's just done better. 'Where I'm Going' is pure pop with elements of the Beach Boys, while 'Need You Now' is Cut Copy at their MDMA sprinkled best, taking you on a trip and then releasing the beats. The closing number 'Sun God' lasts for a truly epic 15-minutes.

(I Can't Get No) Stevie Jackson - Stevie Jackson

One of my favourite guitarists released his debut solo album. Stories and reflections from his youth are told with humour and brilliant playing. Try Me is pure Kinksy rock, while the lovely Feel the Morning closes the album in style.

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
Fleet Foxes debut album was remarkable, it just seemed so perfectly formed. Could they repeat  it? Thankfully they could. They are fast becoming one of my favourite bands; great playing, harmonies to die for and beautiful lyrics and lead vocals.

Bon Iver - Bon Iver
Along with Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver made a mockery of the 'difficult second album syndrome' with the release of his eponymous album earlier this year. He didn't retreat to a log cabin this time, instead he added layer upon layer to produce stunning results. I wish I had gone to see him in Edinburgh.

Player Piano - Memory Tapes
I loved Memory Tapes Seek Magic album from a couple of years ago. Whilst I didn't fall for this in quite the same way, it did soundtrack quite a few summer days. Sadly there isn't any form of video at all on youtube for 'No. 79' which is just pure summer pop. There is for 'Sun Hits' which is just as good.

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks
Surely his best album since Pavement? It starts with the brilliant 'Tigers' with catchy guitars and hooks and Malkmus rhyming stuff with Birkenstocks. The Jicks playing throughout is tremendous, the production is crisp and clean (by Beck), Malkmus sounds like he is really enjoying himself. 

The Babies - The Babies
I popped into Mono in Glasgow at the start of November and got talking to Dep about his albums of the year and he said that this was probably his favourite. I respect his taste, so I bought it and it is brilliant. Really raw pop. Much of it sounds like it could be live, there is a great feel to it as a result. 'All Things Come To Pass' is one of my highlights, great guitar and an almost nursery rhyme like melody. Just over 2 minutes long.

Adam Stafford - Build A Harbour Immediately
I've caught Adam live quite a few times over the last couple of years and enjoyed his live performances immensley. I've seen him in the small confines of the Captain's Rest, looping and layering his vocals to astonishing effect, on stage at Platform in Easterhouse supporting Jonny and more recently at his album launch at Stereo where he played with guests. Adam has an amazing ear for melodies and is incredibly creative with sound. I like this album so much that I bought it on ltd editon yellow casette as well as on CD. Check Adam's own track-by-track guide at the PEENKO blog. 'Shot Down You Summer Wannabe's' is my personal favourite, sadly that isn't on YouTube but this highlights Adam's talents.

Remember Remember - The Quickening
There are some bands that I keep hearing about, seeing their name and I never get round to checking them out. Remember Remember were one of those bands and how I have kicked myself for not checking them out sooner. They tick so many boxes for me; cool front man, diverse band members, experimental sounds with a pop edge..... They blew me away when they played the Detour night at the Science Centre and I can't wait to see them live again. 'The Quickening is an outstanding record that offers something new with every listen. 'John Candy' is a song that got me immediately on first listen and I never tire of it.

Noel Gallagher and the Flying Birds
Oasis ended in a mess. Liam Gallagher has become a caricature of himself, while Noel seems intent on highlighting that he was the chief all along. It's a sad state of affairs when two brothers are going to court and arguing through the media on a weekly basis (all publicity is good publicity as they say). On to the music though, Noel has produced a good album. Opener 'Everybody's On The Run' is widescreen, a huge song with brilliant strings. 'AKA What A Life' is a brilliant single.  

5 for Friday 11/11/11

So I'm a little late in buying the new Ryan Adams album.


This is rather lovely...

I am loving this just now, real Massive Attack circa 'Blue Lines' vibe going on

So New Order are playing in London in December. Won't be quite the same without Hooky but they are one of my fave bands of all time. How about 10-minutes of them?

Speaking of fave bands, I do have a ticket for The Roses at Heaton Park next year. I fear the worst and dream of the best.

And I am looking forward to The Lemonheads at Oran Mor in December.