All I Have To Do Is Dream

 

Trust me #109
All I Have To Do Is Dream by The Everly Brothers

My Mum joined her church community choir earlier this year. This is different from the Sunday Morning Service choir, the focus is on pop songs, rather than hymns. 

A few months back, I was working from my local coffee shop and decided to pop round to my Mum's flat (close to the church) to see her. I was a little early, and as I knew choir was on until 2.30pm, I thought I would surprise my Mum and meet her at the church.

The main doors to the church were open, so I walked in to the sound of The Everly Brothers All I Have To Do Is Dream echoing from the back room and through the main hall. 

What a song.

Whenever I want you, all I have to do is dream

Dream, dream, dream

Dream

The Everly Brothers encapsulate the feeling of longing and lusting after someone out of reach in real life, but not in dreams. A feeling I'm sure that everyone reading this has felt before. How many hours, days, weeks and months (particularly as a teenager!) have I spent dreaming and fantasising about girls out of reach?!

But enough about this. Back to the church! 

All I Have To Do Is Dream is a hymn. And it was quite something hearing my Mum and her church community choir sing it. My Mum, by her own admission, isn't a great singer, but she loves the community choir. 

Released in April 1958, this incredible song is still finding an audience, still exuding life, still resonating ... still dreaming. Sometimes that is all we have to do. All we can do. 

When you talk about The Everly Brothers, you are primarily talking about harmony. Don and Phil Everly weren't just two brothers singing; they possessed an almost telepathic vocal bond.

All I Have to Do Is Dream is a masterclass in close-harmony singing .Phil's higher, softer voice weaves in and out of Don's lower, grounding tenor, their voices merging into a single, shimmering instrument. This technique set a new benchmark for duets and profoundly influenced everyone from The Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel to the Beach Boys.

There's nothing complex about this song - just a straightforward, yearning narrative backed by a sparse, gentle arrangement with lyrics capturing a universal teenage feeling - the joy of fantasy and dreaming.

When I want you in my arms

When I want you and all your charms

Whenever I want you

All I have to do is dream

As an added bonus, the song even gets gee whizz into it, with the rather cheesy line 

Only trouble is, gee whizz

I'm dreaming my life away

This is a beautiful song and hopefully the Uddingston Parish Church Community Choir are performing it this evening and on Sunday.

All I Have To Do Is Dream 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

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

23. Belfast by Orbital

24. Clouds by The Jayhawks

25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral

26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair

27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke

28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones

29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze

29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells

30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor

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

32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich

33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem

34. Mondo 77 by Looper

35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton

36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats

37. How High by The Charlatans

38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands

39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.

40. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective

41. There She Goes by The Las

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

43. Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo

44. Sister Rena by Lomond Campbell

45. Revolution by The Beatles

46. Lazarus by The Boo Radleys

47. Wrote For Luck by Happy Mondays

48. American Trilogy by The Delgados

49. Loser by Beck 

50. Silent Sigh by Badly Drawn Boy

51. Comedy by Shack

52. Take The Skinheads Bowling by Camper Van Beethoven

53. Freakscene by Dinosaur Jr

54. Thank You For Being You by The Pastels

55. I Think I'm In Love by Spiritualized

56. Chestnut Mare by The Byrds

57. Cannonball by The Breeders

58. Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan

59. You Make Me Weak At The Knees by Electrelane

60. Lucky by Radiohead

61. Strange Currencies by R.E.M.

61. I Am The Cosmos by Chris Bell

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

63. Nothing But A Heartache by The Flirtations

64. Made of Stone by The Stone Roses

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

66. Anything by Adrianne Lenker

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

68. I Meant Every Word by Burnett Sisters

69. Dream Baby Dream by Suicide

70. Stove by The Lemonheads

71. Red Lady by Phil Cordell

72. Little Fluffy Clouds by The Orb

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

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

75. Razzle Dazzle Rose by Camera Obscura

76. Such Great Heights by The Postal Service

77. The Rat by The Walkmen

78. My God Has A Telephone by Aaron Frazer

79. Unfinished Sympathy by Massive Attack

80. Sweet and Tender Romance by The McKinleys

81. Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros

82. 69 Police by David Holmes

83. Hey Lisa by David Holmes

84. I Am A Rock by Simon & Garfunkel

85. Kung Fu by Ash

86. Kids by MGMT

87. Slight Return by The Bluetones

88. Give Peace A Chance by John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band

89. Cut Your Hair by Pavement

90. Race for the Prize by The Flaming Lips

91. Waitin' for a Superman by The Flaming Lips

92. Acquiesce by Oasis

93. This Is Music by The Verve

94. Lone Swordsman by Daniel Avery

95. Sparky's Dream by Teenage Fanclub

96. Common People by Pulp

97. Let Our Love Grow Higher by Eula Cooper

98. Regret by New Order

99. Keep On Keepin' On by Nolan Porter

100. Sit Down by James (Live at G-Mex) by James

101. Never Lose Your Sense Of Wonder by Yeti

102. Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over by The Charlatans

103. Life Is Sweet by The Chemical Brothers 

104. How Can I Tell You (To Love Me More) by Brooke Coombe

105-107. Wigan Casino - Three Before Eight - Time Will Pass You By by Tobi Legend, Long After Tonight Is All Over by Jimmy Radcliffe, I'm On My Way by Dean Parrish

108. Cobra by Geese

Beyond The Silver Sea

Disappointing Todd Rundgren gigs, Tascam 4 track cassette recorders, animal oddities, 

The Monkees, cider, children's TV shows from the 80's and sci-fi movies (good and bad)

 are all ingredients to the sounds of Dr Cosmo's Tape Lab.

Jeez - if that description doesn't encourage you to step inside Dr Cosmo's Tape Lab then I don't know what will, maybe this blog will help!

The bands debut album Ever Evolving Lounge was a favourite of mine last year; jam packed with McCartney style melodies, a lysergic take on guitar pop, a nod to the Beta Band and a glorious feeling of 'we couldn't give one flying f**k what other people are doing - this is the kind of music we love and create.'

Needless to say I have been looking forward to their follow up for a while...it doesn't disappoint.

Beyond The Silver Sea is available on silver (naturally) vinyl via Sugarbush Records and comes with artwork, a badge and also immediate download. You can also get it on CD or just opt for boring old download.

Anyway, on to the album....

It builds on everything I enjoyed about Ever Evolving Lounge and adds a little more; each song is proceeded by a narrative about our hero Max in a kind of Small Faces Odgen's Nut Gone Flake way - done in a nice nutty Glaswegian manner.

The songs are exceptional; Joe Kane and Stuart Kidd are extremely talented musicians creating some majestic moments, particularly on The Mirror's Reflection and The Star's My Destination and the closing trilogy. If their debut was perhaps a collection of songs by friends seeing what they could do, this is definitely an album.

We are introduced to Max before harmonies, beat, walking bass and a sense of urgency bring in City and the Stars that closes with classic Beatles-y backing vocals and a raucous guitar solo followed by a glorious breakdown.


The Mirror's Reflection is absolutely stunning melodic pop rock; The Beatles and Macca are in there for sure, the songwriting, playing, vocals, structure and production are exquisite. This is currently my favourite song of 2015 - genius.

The twist towards the end of Face Of Another is pure Exile Stones, raw harmonies with a country twang.

You can cry in the heart of the morning

You can cry 'til your eyes are blue

You can cry in the middle of nowhere, my dear

You can't stand tears not falling over you

The way Time Enough For Love develops and then flows beautifully is a joy, as is the dinky piano solo, while the guitar solo on The Painted Birds positively fizzles.

Meanwhile, in the narratives, Max has found a time-machine and travelled back in time to Camden in 1966; Pie, Mash and Liquor is a mash (pardon the pun) of Chas n Dave, Blur, Lovely Rita and Gorillaz.

Dr Cosmo's Tape Lab come up with eccentric ideas for songs and then use them as platforms to show off their outrageous musical talent; Storehouse Of Fools being a prime example with some superb electric guitar lifted straight from 1966.

If a love of the Small Faces influences the narration between songs, then it is also displayed on songs like Dr Chester's Pleasure; total power pop.

Meanwhile The Star's My Destination sets controls for outer space and in under 4-minutes it takes you on a trip you won't want to end, just float away, feel alright......

Joe Kane and Stu Kidd - the genius talent behind Dr Cosmo's Tape Lab

I love the raw soulful feel that Dr Cosmo's can conjure; there is a pureness that a lot of modern bands could never obtain due to over production and the use of too many programmed instruments - including drums. And also due to the fact they just aren't as talented as Kane and Kidd.

The Long Sleep soon leads into Space Dream and it doesn't get much more dreamy; the harmonies are lush and we flow to the closer and title track Beyond The Silver Sea.

Another day is gone

And you're still holding on

To a dream tomorrow just won't bring

Beyond the silver sea

Dreams don't come for free

Don't it take much time

For your dreams to fall in line

It might cost you half your mind

We can try to find

Things we want to be

Beyond the silver sea (be yourself through everything)

TeenCanteen at Broadcast

Playing a gig on a Sunday isn't always a good idea, playing a gig on an Old Firm Sunday really isn't a good idea; however TeenCanteen were invited to play Broadcast as part of Independent Venue Week and decided to go for it.

The bands lovely friendly and informative e-newsletter was sent through the week and fans were told that TeenCanteen will be focusing on recording an album through 2015, breaking cover for the odd sporadic gig and this was the only one currently in the diary.

 TeenCanteen had a productive 2014 that saw them play festivals, earn some great support slots, play 6music and BBC Scotland sessions and gather excellent reviews and a word of mouth fanbase through the release of their second single and aforementioned gigs.

The basement of Broadcast was certainly quieter than the last time TeenCanteen played and packed it out, but the band immediately out everyone at ease and made everyone step forward when they introduced themselves and went into Friends - a song that has been a set closer in the past.

A pulsating synth bass builds into a beautiful noise and Carla stood on her toes to deliver everything she could vocally, backed up on 3-part harmonies at times by Amanda and Sita with Debbie playing a blinder on the drums.

It is a genuinely brilliant song, packed with emotion and beautifully arranged. I look forward to hearing this one recorded for the album.

The 2 singles to date; Honey and You're Still Mine were played in the first half of the set, Honey had a delicious new rawness to it and the closing instrumental of You're Still Mine was gloriously New Order-esque with a Belle and Sebastian tinge.

Roses (Coming Up) had a real Motown punk feel to it and the band blitzed through it with style and pace. This was swiftly followed by new song Sirens (these are the first 2 songs that TeenCanteen have recorded for the album).

Sirens is incredible - it really blew me away; building, swooping and just sounding like the band have found their direction.

The girls closed with the gorgeous Vagabond. For proof of how gorgeous a song this is then check the video below.

I look forward to TeenCanteen completing an album but I also look forward to them breaking cover for a few shows through the course of the year.

TeenCanteen at Broadcast

TeenCanteen brought their blend of melodies, harmonies and catchy choruses to Broadcast in Glasgow last night. A summer single that featured regularly on 6music (championed by Marc Riley) and festival appearances at T in the Park, Wickerman and Indie Tracks has led to a real buzz about the band.

They played a brilliant set, starting with glorious 3-part harmonies that led into Analogue. A modern day love song that led straight into the brilliant pop of How We Met (Cherry Pie).

Debut single Honey was a delight, highlighting the sense of melody and the song structures that allow   lead and backing vocals to combine so beautifully. The band were looking and sounding good.

pic by Hannah MacMillan

Friends is one of their best songs, the combined synth and bass riff at the start has a sense of power and drama, the heartfelt vocals tell of love that is coming to an end. The closing section is tremendous, the drum rolls are pure Spector-esque. I can't wait to hear this recorded.

This is how it starts

The beginning of the end

This is the part when you say 

You just want to be my friend

Vagabond is the b-side of TeenCanteen's current single and it is absolutely gorgeous. Amanda and Sita dropped their guitar and bass and sung their hearts out along with Carla on stunning 3-part harmonies. This is a real heartburner of a song.

You're Still Mine is the a-side and it brought a huge cheer. The New Order-esque bass line got people dancing down the front and the band jammed along at the end.

The band made reference to the forthcoming referendum when introducing Coming Up Roses as the punchy chorus references YES several times. It's driving Motown beat made and the chorus made it a stand out.

It's A-L-W-A-Y YES

I'll always love you

A-L-W-A-Y YES

I'll aways be true

TeenCanteen are planning to record an album over the next few months and had the confidence to end  the set with a brand new song called Sirens. It was brilliant, another song I can't wait to hear recorded.

TeenCanteen at Henry's Cellar Bar in Edinburgh

There is something about a gig in a small, tight, sweaty basement bar. There is nowhere for a band to hide, it can make or break them. It is on occasions like this that you can see a band demonstrate just exactly what they have to offer, or fall flat.

TeenCanteen were incredible last night, truly stunning.

Analogue (currently available as a free download from T-Break) opened proceedings; highlighting the harmonies, humour and songwriting talent displayed by Carla, Amanda, Sita and Deborah.

Without pausing to enjoy the applause, the 4 girls started their debut single Honey. There was a nice raw edge to the sound of Amanda's acoustic guitar. The song flowed superbly, rising and falling and powering on through with delicious hooks and harmonies.

I am red when I want to be purple

The band introduced a new song Coming Up Roses and it was brilliant. A Motown beat kicked in and a Spector-esque Wall of Sound built up as the band unleashed choruses and hooks to die for. The closing section was rammed home.

A-L-W-A-Y-S

I'll always love you

A-L-W-A-Y-S

I'll always be true

The band were in fine form and had the confidence to play a beautiful love song called Under My Cover that slowed down to the point of stopping, just harmonies and breathless vocals before the band came blasting back in.

TeenCanteen are clearly a band that know their pop history; riffs, refrains, harmonies, choruses, false stops, hooks, flows...

Friends was introduced as a song about friends falling out and it started with a bass driven synth

This is how it starts

The beginning of the end

This is the point when you say

You just want to be my friend

It is a brilliantly written and delivered song that builds towards an epic closing refrain. Deborah Smith on drums was sensational, Moe Tucker meats Motown.

(How We Met) Cherry Pie was introduced as an old song they hadn't played in a while. An early demo was picked up for an independent film featuring Karen Gillan. The chorus flows superbly.

Like rain that falls without a warning, on a sunny morning

This is how we met

Like sugar in my cup of coffee, apples dipped in toffee

This is how we met

Like snow fall showing in the summer, with massive claps of thunder

This is how we met

Or missing puzzle pieces meeting, with joys of seasons greetings

This is how we met

New single You're Still Mine (available on ltd edition 7-inch sparkly vinyl here) was a cross between New Order and The Ronettes, delivered with gusto and style.

Going back to the small, tight and sweaty basement; it can really make or break a crowd. TeenCanteen had the confidence to close the show with Vagabond, b-side of their current single and a real tug on the heart strings anthem delivered largely with just Carla on piano and vocals with Amanda and Sita harmonising and Deborah playing just the right amount of drums and percussion.

This was an amazing performance and one that was lapped up by the packed audience.

Chants of one more tune were politely declined. More please.

TeenCanteen have a few festival shows coming up at; T in the Park, Wickerman Festival and Indie Tracks.

Looking For You by Garnet Mimms

'Looking For You' by Garnet Mimms is heartfelt northern soul, absolutely stunning, a favourite 'on the scene', it is easy to hear why.

A heart has been broken and the guy just can't get over it. The pleading 'Baby I need you' that ends each verse is just sensational.

Bass, beats, piano, strings and heart tugging soulful vocals backed with gorgeous harmonies, all combine in a glorious manner. The lyrics are so simple yet they say so much. Has a broken heart ever been portrayed with so much soul?

Each verse contains something a little different to highlight the pain and longing;

• the first verse is all about the touch and feeling, 
• the second is all about wanting to go back in time to how it used to be, 
• the third verse takes the beat out, highlighting how hopeless and lonely the singer has become as he wanders the streets, 
• the fourth verse hammers home the pain;
• each verse is punctuated by that 'Baby I need you'.

'Looking For You' is delivered in just 2 minutes and 44 seconds and packs a fair punch. Simply stunning.

Looking for you

Everywhere

I miss the touch of your fingertips

The burning fire of your sweet lips

How can I go on like this?

Baby I need you

Looking for you

Everywhere

Since the day you left me

I'm finding lonely memory

Make it how it used to be

Baby I need you

I stop in places we used to go

Ask if they've seen you, well nobody knows

I look for you up and down the street

Baby I need you

That's why I'm

Looking for you

Everywhere

There's a pain inside me

Cause I need you so desperately

I want more than memories

Baby I need you

Oh baby I need you

That's why I'm

Looking for you

Everywhere

Linden - Bleached Highlights

Linden is Joe McAlinden, formerly of Superstar, guest on Teenage Fanclub records and very formerly of The Boy Hairdressers.

Linden's debut album 'Bleached Highlights' has just been released on Edwyn Collins new label AED Records. 

The album is already receiving some excellent reviews;

• Album of the Week - Scotland On Sunday
• “A beautiful record” 4/5 - Q Magazine
• Album of the Week - Alexis Petridis The Guardian
• “Beautifully assured” - The Scotsman
• “This album is stunning” - Daily Record
• Album of the Week - Vic Galloway BBC Radio Scotland
• Album of the Week - Tom Morton BBC Radio Scotland
• “Perfect pop moment” 4/5 - Sunday Express
• “Glorious… A prime contender for Scottish Album of The Year” - The Sun

If I was to add something from this blog to the section above it would be;

• "Immediate guitar pop with hooks and harmonies. Simple at times, always beautiful." everythingflowsglasgow

 The first four tracks on this album are sublime, as good as anything you will hear all year, or any year. McAlinden has an effortlessly pure voice and he splices it perfectly with chiming and warm fuzzy guitars.

Opener 'Brown Bird Singing' has been released as a limited 7-inch via AED. Upon listening, it is easy to understand why it was chosen as the lead single, although there are a load of potential follow ups.

It is the sound of sunshine, beautifully produced by Edwyn Collins and Sebastian Lewsley. Check out the DIY video below.

The opening four tracks on the album grabbed me; immediate guitar pop with hooks and harmonies. Simple at times, always beautiful.

'I Just Wanna Be Here (When I'm Somewhere Else)' and the title track 'Bleached Highlights' flow beautifully, leaving me wonder if they were written around the same time. 

'Thank You' has a chorus that just lifts the whole song;

I'm never gonna let you down girl, take my hand and welcome me back home

Hey, I'm always gonna be around girl, understand that you're my way back home

The CD (resplendent Jim Lambie print) comes with a lyric book and looking over the lyrics as I listen it is clearly evident that 'Bleached Highlights' is an out and out love album. 

That is hammered home by 'If I Had Wings' which (on only a few listens) is a song that stands out, brilliant guitar work and McAlinden sounding particularly angelic and soulful. At only 2 minutes and 20 seconds long, you'll be playing it several times in a row.

I finally found you

My senses around you

I finally found you

People in love experience all kinds of emotions and 'Written' and 'Hear My Name' highlight insecurities, maintaining the flow of the album but just slowing it down ever so slightly.

'Something Wonderful' is acoustic based until the chorus with McAlinden sounding almost breathless as he is singing his hear out.

Somethings wonderful just got better

And I think of you every day

The album closes with 'Hide Away' with a melody that reminds me of something else but I just can't place it. However that is one of Linden's (and indeed McAlinden's) clear strengths - immediately accessible and understandable guitar pop with melodies and hooks. It is simple and pure, this is not an album that will take you a dozen listens to get into, you either like it and get it or it isn't for you.

I like it and I've got it!

Lightships - Two Lines

Lightships is the new 'solo' project by Gerry Love from Teenage Fanclub.


The first leak of his new material is 'Two Lines' accompanied by a beautiful video. 

On first listen this is just classic Love, settling into a gorgeous groove (especially in the closing instrumental), delicate vocals and harmonies, a gentle beat, brilliant guitar playing and a lovely feel to the production.


I can't wait for the album.

Tiny Little Sparks by Sonny Marvello

Sonny Marvello are busy working on their debut album, recording at Rocket Science studios in Glasgow with Ross Hamilton and Michael Bannister (Texas, Mogwai, Avril Lavigne..) 


It is coming together nicely and the band nailed a relatively new song 'Tiny Little Sparks' at the beginning of May. Within a couple of weeks it was being played on Radio 1 in Scotland, selected by Craig McGee (Glasgow Music/Warner Chappell) on the A&R zone on Ally McCrae's show.

I can see that (Tiny Little Sparks) in a festival field with people bouncing and bouncing.

Ally McCrae, BBC Radio 1 Introducing, Detour

Sonny Marvello's songwriting keeps getting stronger and stronger. Tiny Little Sparks is glorious, joyous pop with lots of catchy hooks and harmonies.

Craig McGee, www.glasgowmusic.co.uk, Warner Chappell Scout

It is HUUUUUGE. Elements of Coldplay, Radiohead and The Who are all merged together to create a song that is crying out to be blasted from stereos across the country.


More studio time is being scheduled for September, in the meantime plans are in place for a ltd single release of 'Tiny Little Sparks' in September/early October and gigs are in the process of being booked.


There will be a rather special announcement to be made by the band in the next week or so regarding the launch party in October.


In the meantime, enjoy the sounds of a band that are really pushing towards creating a rather special album. Check them out at www.sonnymarvello.net and listen to 'Tiny Little Sparks' at www.soundcloud.com/sonnymarvello

www.glasgowmusic.co.uk