Named after the debut single by Teenage Fanclub.
This blog is all about being a music lover in Glasgow; reviews, interviews, memories, old faves, new discoveries (past and present), playlists and more. Thanks for visiting - I hope you discover something amazing you have never heard before, or that you rediscover an old favourite.
Regular features/playlists; Never Ending Mixtape / Cover Version of the Month/ Trust Me.
Insta - @everythingflowsglasgow
Showing posts with label everything flows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label everything flows. Show all posts
I recently spent an evening scrolling through my Spotify playlists and realised that I had a few of my 60-minute Anything Goes & Everything Flows playlists uncompleted. I published the first one back in June 2021 and my 29th in January 2024. Then, for whatever reason, I stopped.
Anything Goes & Everything Flows is a series of playlists I created that were loosely based on imaginary DJ sets I would play in favourite pubs of mine, like McChuills on High Street or The Variety in Sauchiehall Street. Both pubs encourage DJ's with eclectic taste and knowledge to play music that spans a number of genres to soundtrack the incredible nights that take place in their bars.
While I'm rarely up in Sauchiehall Street these days (what a sorry state it is in!), I still get to McChuills semi-regularly and love the vibe and atmosphere that the DJ's help to create.
Looking back through the blogs and listening to some of the playlists, I realised how much fun I had creating them on an almost monthly basis. This was an excuse to dig deep into my own knowledge of music and also dive headlong into Spotify to discover all kinds of weird and wonderful music.
Over the years I've DJ'd at weddings, for friends birthdays, in bars and put on my own nights. I love to DJ! Playing music to people and generating a reaction is a real buzz. Don't hesitate to get in touch if you need a DJ and like the music I blog about.
I'll always try to get people dancing, however these playlists/mixes go a little deeper, a little more left field, while still dropping in a well known crowd pleaser's from time to time.
Here are links to the first 29 Anything Goes & Everything Flows playlists/mixes that I published. Numbered and named after the first song in the mix.
Trust me #90 Race for the Prize by The Flaming Lips Trust me #91 Waitin' for a Superman by The Flaming Lips
The Flaming Lips are one of the best bands I have ever seen. Their live show is a truly heart warming, spine tingling, life affirming experience!
I remember the first time I caught them at The Barrowland, singer Wayne Coyne was setting up his own equipment on stage. Dressed in a linen suit, he'd later be covered in fake blood, singing his heart out, leading the audience on a trip. One other memorable show was at the Academy around the release of their collaboration with The Chemical Brothers and they played a blinding version of The Golden Path, it was sensational. Then ... there was the time Coyne rode a unicorn around the Barrowland! Check my blog on that HERE
Coyne is a fearless psychedelic punk warrior. A heartfelt leader and singer, full of empathy and soul, constantly pushing and breaking boundaries, challenging himself and his band.
The Lips formed way back in 1983 and had released 8 albums before their breakthrough with 1999's The Soft Bulletin. What a truly heartfelt and beautiful album.
I remember reading about their previous album, 1997's Zaireeka in the music weeklies. The band held an event with Ghetto Blasters playing each of the four CD's that made the album so they would produce a harmonic or juxtaposed sound.
At one stage the band conducted a series of Parking Lot Experiments with 40 cassette tapes. Each person/car who attended was given a tape with instructions on when to press play. The result was a 20-minute sound composition. The Lips were out there, far out there.
The Flaming Lips somehow transitioned to a major label in Warners, a label who believed in them and invested in their madcap ideas. This was largely on the success of 1993's single She Don't Use Jelly.
Six years later, The Soft Bulletin, stands as a testament to the band's evolution, blending lush orchestration with introspective lyrics. For me, this is The Lips masterpiece. I do have two favourite songs ... two songs that the band obviously rated particularly highly as well as they both feature twice!
Race for the Prize and Waitin' for a Superman were both remixed (to my untrained ear it was mainly softening the drums - probably for radio and promotion) and these Mokran Mixes were added on to the CD album which I bought.
Race for the Prize
Album opener, and also usually their opening song when playing live, Race for the Prize is a wonderful, weird and wild whirlwind, telling the story of two scientists locked in heated battle for the cure that is their prize.
Live, Wayne Coyne fires confetti cannons, flashes lights and conjures an Alice in Wonderland type scene as the orchestral score swirls around him. It's a sensory explosion with crashing drums, cinematic strings and Coyne's voice beautifully strained is achingly fragile ... it connects.
Two scientists are racing for the good of all man-kind
Both of them side by side
So determined
The emotion is heightened when almost everything drops out, leaving Coyne singing over heart tugging strings and gentle beats;
Theirs is to win, if it kills them
They're just humans, with wives and children
The beats kick back in hard, the strings soar with beautiful flourishes over the top. Race for the Prize is a kaleidoscope of emotions; joy, despair, hope, determination, describing two scientists pushing themselves to the limit for the good of all man-kind. Coyne's voice is captivating, pure, raw and vulnerable. He seems locked in the story, in awe of the scientists.
Waitin' for a Superman
Coyne and his band are on fire across The Soft Bulletin, telling stories, reflecting on love, life, death and the universe and doing so in their own unique lysergic tinged style with soul, warmth, empathy, love and care. Coyne melts my heart, especially on this song as he urges people to hold on the best they can.
There are a couple of excellent hooks in Waitin' for a Superman, particularly when Coyne asks the question is it getting heavy? and then comes back to it just a couple of lines later, with an answer. It's so clever, so catchy and effective.
I asked you a question
I didn't need you to reply
Is it getting heavy?
But then I realised
Is it getting heavy?
Well I thought it was already as heavy as can be
There are only a couple of verses, each ending with a similar bridge that leads to a chorus;
Tell everybody, waitin' for Superman
That they should hold on, the best they can
He hasn't dropped them, forgot them, or anything
It's just too heavy for Superman to lift
Oooffttt, it packs a punch. Things are pretty f**king heavy right now. Too heavy, even for Superman, but we've all got to hold on the best we can.
Hang in there folks, stay positive, believe in the light side of the force and look out for family and friends in these troubled times we are living in.
In the end, cowards are those who follow the dark side - Yoda
Both Race for the Prize and Waitin' for a Superman 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.
Hello and welcome to my latest 60-ish minute mix where I create a playlist of songs that I'd love to hear in a pub like McChuills or The Variety Bar in Glasgow. I used to frequent these pubs 'back in the day' and often enjoy the DJ and the tunes so much that I wouldn't head out to clubs. Their music policy was very much anything goes and everything flows ... and I loved it!
I still try to get to McChuills on occasions but have to admit that it has been years since I've hung out in Sauchiehall Street. The ABC used to be my main reason for heading up that way. It really has left a gaping wound in that part of Glasgow.
On to my mix. We start with a Ray Mang original followed by a mix, then Groove Armada mixed by Greg Wilson and the band then creating some euphoric pop with Mutya from Sugababes.
If you're a regular visitor to my blog then you'll know I love a good cover version, so we then have 2 recent discoveries of covers of Bowie's Heroes and Black Box's Ride On Time.
The mix then veers off a little with Caribou's super chilled Home, going down an 00's indie route with Peter, Bjorn and John followed by The Drums. Staying in the 00's we move back into electronic music with the dreamy Empire Of The Sun, disco heaven from Phoenix, the hands in the air and punch the sky ecstatic goodness of Justice vs Simian that was a monster tune in The Arches for a while, before closing with Australia's Cut Copy and a classic from New Order's Technique album.
Search for Everything Flows DJ Mix 26 on Spotify or simply CLICK HERE
Look Into My Eyes - Ray Mang
Judge Not (Ray Mang Disco Mix) - The Phenomenal Handclap Band
Welcome to my 17th 60-minute mix where I try and capture the vibe from pre-club nights I used to attend in my younger days at the likes of The Variety Bar & McChuills in Glasgow.
This mix might have a late afternoon/early evening in McChuills kind of vibe. Old Nick would be behind the bar pulling all kinds of cd's out and just going with the flow.
Kicking off with a 12 minute live groove from Donny Hathaway and his band, you are in for a treat with that song alone, never mind the full mix! Hathaway announces he is going to break the song/groove down into 4-movements, allowing each of his band to a chance to shine, a chance for them all to stretch out.
It's a stunner. I love the way piano really takes things a little higher, a little further at around the 3-minute mark and then brings it all back .... then Donny introduces 'the second movement y'all' allowing his guitarist to go for it. Wait for the bass groove though!!!! 'That sounds pretty good y'all!'
I remember getting this album for a fiver from FOPP many years ago, it's been great to revisit it.
Betty Davis' Hangin' Out features, possibly for the 3rd time in one of these mixes. I keep coming back to this song. It's super cool and funky with a catchy chorus.
Elsewhere, most of these songs are new discoveries over the last month or so. God I love music and having the time to explore different artists and sounds.
Search for Everything Flows DJ Mix 17 on Spotify or CLICK HERE
Love the Herbie Mann song, not the album cover!
Voices Inside (Everything Is Everything) - Donny Hathaway
Vampin - The Mack/Soundtrack - Willie Hutch
Push Push - Herbie Mann ft. Duane Allman
Funky Thithee - Shuggie Otis
These Are The JB's - Pt 1 & 2 - The J.B.'s
Thinking Black - Ike Turner & The Kings Of Rhythm
Instant Groove - King Curtis
A Day In The Life - Chocolate Snow
Soul & Sunshine - Harvey & The Phenomenals
Hangin' Out - Betty Davis
I Love Music - Lafayette Afro Rock Band
Unwind Yourself - Marva Whitney
It's My Thing (You Can't Tell Me Who To Sock It To) - Marva Whitney
On Saturday night I put on a wee night at La Chunky Studio in The Hidden Lane, just off Argyle Street in Glasgow. In hip happening Finnieston.
I put 40 tickets on sale and within a couple of social media posts, all were bought in just a few days, even though the line-up was a secret.
There were a couple of changes to the line-up in the weeks leading up to the event and unfortunately a train strike meant a few people couldn't attend, but everything came together on the night.
I first came across La Chunky through my sister Carla's first band Futuristic Retro Champions. They recorded an EP in the studio and also played a very memorable gig outside on a glorious sunshine day for the old Hidden Lane Festival way back in 2010. I've stayed in touch with Ronan, one of the owners and was delighted when he said he'd be up for hosting a small night.
My friend Phil DJ'd before, between and after the live acts, wowing us all early on with an edit of Bowie's Young Americans. The lights were dimmed and friends started to stream in to the back room of La Chunky which had been turned into an intimate venue for the night.
Carla went on first, opening with the beautiful Dreamers On The Run and then the playful Impossible Stuff. I love the feeling of Dreamers On The Run and the line we chased down our fears with a smile, chased bad demons into exile.
Jenna always used to generate a reaction in the Futuristic Retro Champions days and it did again on Saturday night, but in a different way. The tale of friends forgetting worries for nights out sounded beautiful, stripped back to just Carla and her trusty Juno keyboard.
New song Sugar Honey Ice Tea hit a mark. Carla told of how she wrote it after being afraid to walk home alone in the dark and a few people in the crowd told me how the lyrics resonated with them. The demo is on a Fanclub CD that we've been playing in our car and the girls sing along with it as it's super catchy. Thankfully, they don't know that the lyrics have a darker edge. Sadly, one day they will. There is still so much to be done to help make women feel safer when walking alone at night.
Closing with Poster Paints Number 1 ahead of the album being released next week, Carla's voice sounded as crystal clear as I have heard it. I'm so glad Carla could play and open the night.
Then next up was my band Starboard Hazes. I think we just about passed the audition! Raw n fun indie pop. It's been such a rewarding experience to form a band. Initially it was just my friend James and I working on old songs I had written many years ago. Then, after recording an EP, we decided we wanted to play and recruited James' friends Andy on bass and Jamie on drums. We only got together for the first time on 1st September and we immediately gelled.
We played; 1. Out Of My Mind 2. Yeah! 3. Keep On Dreaming 4. Beta Band Blues (with Ronan on trombone) 5. Kicking Our Heels 6. Reflected Sunlight
I think we'd had 6 practice sessions. Maybe just 5. But we played well (a few mistakes but nothing major). We only had one very quick practice with Ronan on trombone for our song Beta Band Blues, but he was great, playing on the balcony section and jamming brilliantly (video below). We loved it and it was nice to receive some positive feedback on the EP and show.
Stephen Farrell AKA Stephen Solo has featured heavily over the course of this blog. With his band Sonny Marvello and then under his solo guise, releasing majestic DIY pop recorded on his iPhone/iPad - in his car, in his bathroom, behind his sofa, under bed sheets ... sublime dreamy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, insane imagination, all kinds of sounds and ideas.
In typical Stephen fashion, he'd spent ages working on backing tracks, beginning with him recording his worries about playing live for the first time since 2019. It broke the ice beautifully. Humour and honesty.
Suddenly Heaven soared with ease, new song Losing It Over You was super catchy and I'd forgotten how good Plastic Heart from the Pii album is. The way Stephen switched from vocal effects to the purity of his voice sounding super dreamy reminded me of Damon Albarn's work with Gorillaz.
Behind Your Eyes was one of the first iPhone recordings that Stephen sent me a number of years ago (must have been 2015) and I urged him to do more. The Albarn reference above was one that first came to me on the beautiful refrain.
Behind your eyes, I'll be waiting
It's so dreamy, you could float away with the melody. The little synth riff in the background is gorgeous. Then you have the crazy but clever verses.
Sonny Marvello's Whispering Song was utterly magical. The way Stephen pulled back from his microphone to sing from the bottom of his heart was spine tingling.
Who are you, who are you to hold me in your arms?
Crying Because, backed only by a blue ukulele was fragile and beautiful, interrupted slightly by someone having a sneezing fit.
And then we had some audience participation for Sonny Marvello's hit that never was - Made of Magic. The super catchy pop had everyone singing the chorus M - A - G - I - C what you're made of, is magic.
It was then time to dance the night away with DJ Phil Redfearn on the decks. Phil immediately kicked off with Come Together by Primal Scream. The Weatherall mix from the classic Screamadelica album. You'll see from the video below that he really got the party started!
We know that music is music, gospel, gospel, gospel
People did come together for live music and to dance. And it was brilliant. The night ended with an encore, after shouts of one more tune, of Phil playing Neneh Cherry's Buffalo Stance followed by everyone getting together to hug in groups to The Beatles All You Need Is Love.
Welcome to the latest of my monthly 60-minute mixes inspired by the kind of pre-club nights I would go to 'back in the day' at The Variety Bar or McChuills in Glasgow. I loved the music the DJ's played in there, both pubs had a real anything goes and everything flows philosophy.
As a result you'd get a real mix of music played through the night and I regularly preferred to stay in the pub until closing time (sometimes after) rather than go to a club.
So, my 13th mix - lucky for some and lucky for you! This is definitely one of my favourites. I love the way it flows. Opening with a (relative) newbie by David Holmes and going into a brilliant funky electro pop song by Lou Hayter who used to be in New Young Pony Club. Really love this song and her album that she released last year.
There are some big hitting club acts involved - Simian Mobile Disco, Todd Terje and Justice! No messing! Also the brilliant track by Queen Of Japan that Too Many DJ's used to great effect circa 20-years ago.
How cool is the DFA remix of Gorillaz DARE? WOW! It goes on and on, I would be in heaven if I heard this in a club or at a pre-club night!
Then Swoon ... aptly named. Before closing with an outrageous song by The Juan Mclean.
Check the full tracklisting below and you can play the list by searching for Everything Flows DJ mix 13 on Spotify or by CLICKING HERE
Hope Is The Last Thing To Die - David Holmes w/ Raven Violet & Laura Lippie (photo above)
Welcome to the latest of my monthly 60-minute mixes inspired by the kind of pre-club nights I would go to 'back in the day' at The Variety Bar or McChuills in Glasgow. I loved the music the DJ's played in there, both pubs had a real anything goes and everything flows philosophy.
As a result you'd get a real mix of music played through the night and I regularly preferred to stay in the pub until closing time (sometimes after) rather than go to a club.
This month's mix kicks off with a crazy tune by The Turtles and somehow makes it way to The KLF via Kraftwerk, Aphex Twin, Marlena Shaw and many more. It's quite an eclectic mix with some extended electronic numbers to get lost in. And check the euphoric song by The Allergies in the middle! Oh and Stars by Mr Fingers!
I really enjoyed putting this mix together and hope you enjoy listening.
Search for Everything Flows DJ Mix 12 on Spotify or CLICK HERE
I'm Chief Kamanawanalea (We're The Royal Macadamia Nuts) - The Turtles
This months 1-hour DJ mix, inspired by the kind of tunes that would be played in McChuills or The Variety Bar back in the early 00's (where the motto was anything goes and everything flows) is another eclectic mix with a kind of early evening moving towards the bar getting busier with pre-clubbers kinda vibe
I used to love going into McChuills in particular at that time. Sitting at the bar with a beer, enjoying the tunes and a chat with the bar staff and friends. Then just getting more and more in the mood for a dance and a big night out as the evening wore on and the tunes changed.
So we start with The Cure, New Order and The The - cool indie tunes with playful melodies and grooves, moving to the simply sublime Sister Sledge with the gorgeous Thinking Of You. Moving into the soulful shuffle and crystal clear vocals of Sharon Jones, we then add a dash of funk with The Quantic Soul Orchestra, before The Spinners with It's A Shame, the kind of song you can sing the chorus after one listen - what a tune!
Getting busy in the bar, it's time to ramp things up a little with the stone cold gem of Bowie's Sound & Vision is dropped. Always likely to get those in the know smiling and nodding in appreciation - maybe even a little dance.
And if you want to make people feel good on a Friday/Saturday night then a little Prince with I Wanna Be Your Lover can go a long way! Greg Wilson's mix of Confidence Man starts a little slow for 20 seconds and then the bass and beats kick in - what a tune! The last 2-minutes are particularly euphoric!
If Queen of Japan's I Was Made For Loving You is good enough for Too Many DJ's then it is good enough for me - edgy sexual pop perfection. Felix Da Housecat works with the magical Nina Simone's Sinnerman and then we have Hot Chip to move further into the night.
Enjoy this mix. Search for Everything Flows DJ mix 7 on Spotify or CLICK HERE
Close To Me - The Cure (Oakenfold mix)
Age Of Consent - New Order
Uncertain Smile - The The
Thinking Of You - Sister Sledge
How Long Do I Have To Wait For You? - Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
My Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify is approaching 100 hours, 4 solid days of listening!
Search for Everything Flows Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify or follow the link below.
There is a mix of soul, classic songwriting, indie gems, electronica ... a little bit of everything. Dig in and thanks for checking it out. New additions include;
Just out - I'm really enjoying the Suddenly album by Caribou and a few songs are added to the mixtape. Also check my sister's new single Get Lost. Summer synth pop perfection, a newbie by The Flaming Lips and also something really dreamy by Roddy Woomble.
Recent discovery - Guess I'm Dumb by Glen Campbell is sensational / I Don't Need Love, I've Got My Band by The Radio Dept. is excellent Rediscovery - Hearing Glasgow's Andrew Divine close a live online DJ set with Small Faces Tin Soldier sent me back to explore their catalogue
Read on for a full list of new additions.
The Black Sun - Jo Mango
Take the Long Way Home - Randolph's Leap
Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
Everyday - Buddy Holly
Elephant Man - Bo Didley
I'll Keep Holding On - The Marvelettes
The Hardest Walk - The Jesus and Mary Chain
Tin Soldier - Small Faces
Green Circles - Small Faces
The Autumn Stone - Small Faces
Afterglow (Of Your Love) - Small Faces
Every Fallen In Love - Buzcocks
Pleasant Valley Sunday - Carole King
All I Have To Do Is Dream - The Everley Brothers
I Don't Need Love, I've Got My Band - The Radio Dept.
Valentina - Public Service Broadcasting
Two Front Teeth - Carla J Easton
I Can't Explain - The Who
We Should Never Have Children - Absentee
Lorelei - Cocteau Twins
She Bangs The Drums - Stone Roses
Guess I'm Dumb - Glen Campbell
Flowers Of Neptune 6 - The Flaming Lips
Out of Reach - Bananagun
La femme d'argent - Air
One Minute Out of the World - Roddy Woomble
Skreevar - Erland Cooper
Never Come Back - Caribou
Home - Caribou
Bees - Caribou
Thoughts of You - Dennis Wilson
The final additions of 2019 to my Never Ending Mixtape include classic songwriting, cover versions, under the radar McCartney (check 2M5 - amazing), soul, brand new music from Pocket Knife, electronic goodness from Groove Armada, Confidence Man and Underworld, blissful indie and a song from a band called Scott and Charlene's Wedding which is brilliant indie garage guitar pop. Then we have a pure bliss out with The Pastels and Tenniscoats collaborating and two songs by 90's underground garage band Love Positions from Australia - one a cover, the other one that was covered by The Lemonheads. There is the pop brilliance of Madonna's Borderline, some gems from Big Star and loads more.
You'll find a full list of songs that have been added below.
Thanks to everyone who follows this playlist and thanks if you are checking it out for the first time. I hope you find something you enjoy.
Click below, or search for Everything Flows Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify. Scroll down for the latest additions or click shuffle and dig in.
Fear and Doubt - Lightships
Train Leaves Here This Mornin' - Dillard and Clark
Don't Let Me Down - Dillard and Clark
The Warmth Of The Sun - Lightships
I Know That Much - The Lathums
Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy - The Tams
I'll Be Around - Otis Gaye
Home Tonight - Paul McCartney
Hot As Sun/Glasses - Paul McCartney
That Would Be Something - Paul McCartney
2M5 - Paul McCartney
All My Happiness Is Gone - Purple Mountains
Maybe I'm The Only One For Me - Purple Mountains
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Gladys Knight and the Pips
Wild Mountain Thyme - Michael Head
Manger Constructeur - Pocket Knife
Does It Make You Feel Good? - Confidence Man
Boyfriend (Repeat) - Confidence Man
Ova Nova - Underworld
Moon In Water - Underworld
Diamond Jigsaw - Underworld
Cowgirl - Underworld
Rez - Underworld
I Won't Kneel (White Light) - Groove Armada
Paper Romance (White Light) - Groove Armada
History (White Light) - Groove Armada
Dreamin - Twerps
Back to You - Twerps
Don't Bother Me - Scott and Charlene's Wedding
Ambition - Subway Sect
Shoorah! Shoorah! - Betty Wright
The Music Box - Ruth Copeland
Gimme Shelter - Ruth Copeland
River Song - Dennis Wilson
Only With You - Dennis Wilson
The Blind Stagger - The Charlatans
Sunshine Comes - Even
Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon - Neil Diamond #10 - Velvet Crush
Sodane - The Pastels and Tenniscoats
Kiss - Love Positions
Into Your Arms - Love Positions
Back In The Corner - Scott and Charlene's Wedding
Imperial - Primal Scream
Borderline - Madonna
Cold Little Heary - Michael Kiwanuka
Nightime - Big Star
I'm In Love With A Girl - Big Star
Little Girl Don't You Understand - Bobby Freeman
Everlasting Love - Carl Carlton
My sister and her friend Kat recently co-presented a regular show (fLUNT) on LP Radio which I thoroughly enjoyed. The two enjoy great banter when discussing songs, proudly stating after some that it would confidently be in their top 10 list of fave songs ever.
It got me thinking, could I confidently state my top 10 fave songs ever?
I think I can ... it might change. But these 10-songs will always be there or thereabouts.
1. Come Together (Farley mix) - Primal Scream
This is blissful psychedelic pop touched with a little acid house and gospel. Absolute perfection.
The ambition, progress, collaboration and invention surrounding Primal Scream at this time still generates interest and debate all these years down the line. This is an example of why.
The Weatherall version on the Screamadelica LP is blissful, the Farley mix is my favourite. During the anniversary shows the Scream combined about 3 versions together to create utter euphoria. Check the Farley mix and then the extended live version below.
Kiss me, won't you, won't you, kiss me
2. Going Back To My Roots - Richie Havens
I discovered this song on an incredible compilation called All Back To Mine by Sean Rowley. Every track was incredible and impeccable, but this stood out. That intro, those lyrics, the vocals ... a perfect groove.
Not talking 'bout the roots in the land, I'm talking 'bout the roots in the man
3. Temptation - New Order
Whether it is the original raw version in its extended glory or the polished rerecorded version from Substance, or an extended live version, Temptation pushes all the right buttons for me. The guitars, groove, lyrics, vocals ... it is perfect. Sumner shows why he is one of my favourite singers and guitarists, the circular guitar riff is one I could listen to for hours on end.
Oh you've got green eyes, of you've got blue eyes
4. You Set The Scene - Love
I had fallen for Love after the Fanclub, the Roses and the Scream all mentioned their Forever Changes album in interviews. Then amazingly Arthur Lee announced that he was playing King Tuts following a release from prison and a long period of inactivity through a drug habit. The show was astonishing, a captivated crowd were treated to a show they never thought they would see and you could have heard a pin drop during You Set The Scene. One of my all-time favourite live moments was during this show and this song when Arthur sung I see your picture, it's in the same old frame his voice soared in a way fans could only dream of after years of substance abuse.
The way this song flows, dips and rises is astonishing. Lyrically and musically brilliant, structurally ambitious and just all round stunning.
This is the time and life that I am living
And I'll face each day with a smile
For the time that I've been given's such a little while
And the things that I must do consist of more than style
5. Don't Leave Me This Way - Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes
What .... A .... Song
What .... A .... Tune
I adore this song. I still find so much in it, the groove, the way it develops, the way it builds to the euphoric chorus, the way it picks up pace, the way that even as it fades out I want it to keep going. Does an even longer version exist?
This is a song I always played whenever I DJ'd in pubs or at parties. Even if you haven't heard it you're going to be hooked in and singing along by the second chorus. The vocals are exceptional, the band are incredible, the drums and percussion are just sublime.
Don't leave me this way
I can't survive, can't stay alive
Without your love, oh baby
6. Everything Flows - Teenage Fanclub
Probably no surprise that Everything Flows is in my top 10! I think this song gets better with age, like a fine wine, I get more meaning out of it, I get more feeling out of it.
A young Norman Blake sounds wise beyond his years as he sings;
We get older every year
But you don't change
Or I don't notice you changing
And perhaps this opening line, more than anything else that is magical about the song, highlights why the song takes on more meaning year on year, gig on gig, listen on listen.
The whole song is magical. The guitars sound incredible and the chorus is beautifully self reflective and one that we can all relate to and the band just gel. It is perfect.
The band later revisited their debut single on the Teenage Fanclub Have Lost It EP that I blogged about HERE and where you can check out their stunning acoustic version.
You can check out the original release and a stunning Peel session version below.
I'll never know which way to flow
Set a course that I don't know
7. Don't Let Me Down - The Beatles
Lennon is so in love that he needs 4 words rather than 3. I love the rawness of this song, the feel and the soul. And I particularly love the middle-eight as Lennon drifts off sounding dreamy I'm in love for the first time, don't you know it's gonna last ...
And I love the footage of The Beatles playing on the roof of the Apple building looking super cool. Imagine if they had gone on tour at this time?
8. I Believe In Miracles - The Jackson Sisters
This still blows my mind every single time I listen to it. I love the power, the groove, the big long intro on the extended version and the skyscarping euphoric vocals, the way they rip through the verses to reach the chorus and the whole way this comes together to sound like it is a remix, but it is the real deal. It just sounds this good, this catchy, this dancey, this groovy.
Believe in dreams and think they are real
And one day soon
The miracle will come true
9. California Soul - Marlena Shaw
I was lucky to catch Marlena Shaw a number of years ago, when the Renfrew Ferry was still moored on the southside of the River Clyde. The reception for this song will live with me forever. It seemed to go on longer than the song itself, such was the reaction, the appreciation, the love for it in the audience.
This is another song I would play (back in the day) when I DJ'd and it would always generate the response I look for. People dancing, people coming up to say 'tune' or people coming up to ask who sings it.
Quite simply perfect. It's controlled yet it still has a sense of euphoria for me. I will always dance to this song.
Like a sound you hear
That lingers in your ear
You can't forget
From sunrise to sunset
10. One To Another - The Charlatans
We end with a monster tune from one of my all-time favourite bands. One To Another is a song I sing most days as I have a framed print at the top of our stairs containing the lyrics be my spider woman, I'll be your spider man.
The first single after the death of Rob Collins, One To Another has a sense of defiance to it, it rocks, it grooves, it explodes and it is utterly magnificent. I think the promo film captures all of that perfectly and I have also included a live version from The White Room - you get the added bonus of Crashin' In. This is my favourite Charlatans TV performance. Look at Tim Burgess gazing on with love and admiration as his band are on fire.
Justice for believers and love can keep the faith
I don't need you, I can't buy you, I can't hurt you
The run of Teenage Fanclub shows at the end of 2019 where they played their Creation Records albums over 3-nights will live long in my memory. The bands rich back catalogue from 1991-2000 was rolled out in all its glory. Songs were dusted off, from Sidewinder to Near You, with the likes of Tears Are Cool, Discolite and Winter in between. Not to mention some impeccable b-sides, including a sublime and very moving Broken, and rarities from the era.
The shows brought immense joy but they were also tinged by sadness with the news that Gerry Love was leaving the band. It could have been worse, the band could have broken up. Thankfully everything was amicable and everything has gone well since.
Teenage Fanclub have brought long term friend Euros Childs in on keyboards and Dave has gone to bass, they have released a new single and blazed a trail across the world from January through to July.
This is a brand new era for the Fanclub and ahead of the bands Scottish summer shows at Kelvingrove Bandstand, scene of a triumphant show in 2014, and Leith Theatre, I thought I'd take a look back all the way to A Catholic Education their debut LP, released 29-years ago in 1990, recorded 30-years ago in July 1989.
The studio time for A Catholic Education was funded when Raymond McGinley's neighbour passed away and left him a couple of kitchen appliances, including a fridge. They were duly sold to fund recordings of songs Raymond had been writing with his friend Norman Blake following the demise of their band The Boy Hairdressers.
Along with drummer Francis MacDonald, also formerly of The Boy Hairdressers, the trio recruited bassist Gerry Love in May of 1989 and by July Teenage Fanclub began recording after only a few rehearsals.
Blake and McGinley didn't want to hang around with their new band and the melodic, grungy, and heartfelt songs on A Catholic Education have a rawness, energy, innocence and purity to them that has helped the album age well.
Not many bands capture their developing sound on vinyl, most wait until they are fully formed and polished. Digging into A Catholic Education for the first time in a while, it is evident that the Fanclub were capturing something pretty special.
On songs like the spellbinding Everything Flows there is a sense that everything is coming together, on the title track and Too Involved it sounds like everything could also easily fall apart.
early Teenage Fanclub
The sense of humour and fun that the band clearly display in interviews and onstage to this day is also all over the album, beginning with the instrumental opener Heavy Metal. It's not, it's simply a jam but it somehow feels like a perfect opener.
And then we have the majestic Everything Flows, the song that this blog takes its name from. The guitars are glorious, sounding as if the band might have been listening to some Neil Young, the lyrics have a perspective and maturity beyond Norman Blake's (then) 24 years of age.
We get older every day
But you don't change
Or I don't notice you changing
Released as the bands debut single, Everything Flows is a song that generates goosebumps and tingles for fans across the world and remains a staple, often as set closer, in the bands live sets to this day. It drives on, you don't want it to end. The song is like a fine wine, getting better and more meaningful with age.
Live from Reading - Everything Flows
Catholic Education has the rawness and sense that it could fall apart that I wrote about above, the band crash through riffs, the drumming is ferocious and Blake simply sings You wanna turn your back on everything, You wanna turn your back on everyone, Well I try before the song descends into a fun jam and it's over in under two and a half minutes.
I love the warm guitars in Too Involved, I love the lazy intro to Don't Need A Drum and Raymond riffing along before taking on a solo.
Crticial Mass is an unpolished gem featuring early use of harmonies on the chorus. The guitars are gloriously raw.
When I switched off my feelings is when I lost control
Couldn't say what I was needing
Something I didn't know
Heavy Metal II is another jam before the band absolutely tear through a reprise of Catholic Education.
There is a song I had forgotten from the album, Eternal Light. There is a ring of The Byrds in the opening guitars and the song has a loving shambolic flow to it.
Every Picture I Paint is a favourite of mine. I've always loved the guitars, Norman's voice, the way the song hangs together, the band tear through it and the chorus forced home,
It takes a hundred thousand colours just to paint you
And every picture that I paint doesn't capture you
The album ends withEverybody's Fool, another loose romp. The band find a melody and groove with ease and the recording sounds raw, live and spontaneous.
As much as I enjoy A Catholic Education, it barely sets the scene for what was to come from Bandwagonesque onwards and in a way that is what makes it special. For me, A Catholic Education, is a glimpse of a band (a gang) forming, in progress, sounding raw, stoned and/or pissed, live, spontaneous and full of fun.
