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
Gene Clark departed The Byrds in 1966 after a whirlwind period of recording, releasing, and touring. In just a few years, the band had blazed a trail—three albums, a string of hits (including two number-one singles), and pioneering sounds that reshaped the landscape of guitar music. From the chiming 12-string perfection of Mr. Tambourine Man and Turn, Turn, Turn to the psychedelic folk-jazz brilliance of Eight Miles High, The Byrds (pardon the pun) were in full flight.
Clark was at the heart of it all, including penning the pure adrenaline rush ofI’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better—one of favourite songs by The Byrds. Gene, as well as writing songs, playing guitar and singing, was effortlessly cool with a tambourine in hand.
The Byrds had soared, but what goes up must come down. With a lineup brimming with talent and strong-willed songwriters, creative tensions were inevitable. Clashes ensued, departures followed. Clark was the first to leave, with David Crosby not far behind.
Clark didn't hang around, releasing his debut album Gene Clark With The Gosdin Brothers (later reissued as Echoes) in January 1967. Clark wrote 8 songs and co-wrote another couple.
One of those songs was So You Say You Lost Your Baby, 2-minutes 7 seconds of utter bliss. In that short time there is driving rhythms, beautiful orchestration, a dreamy melancholic melody and emotional vocals, mixed effortlessly with stunning harmonies.
Riding in on an electric guitar riff that sends tingles down your spine, So You Say You Lost Your Baby is performed, arranged and produced absolutely perfectly. Strings float in behind Gene Clark as he begins to sing;
Well you're smolderin' with fly words
Catch the moment on the run
The Gosdin Brothers harmonise effortlessly;
And you stand inside your wind stilts
Watch the sentence act begun
There's a brief pause before a gorgeous little lift in the strings after the second verse and chorus, Clark and the Gosdin Brothers sound sublime together, the beat drives things to conclusion
So you say you lost you're baby
Do you know that you're the one?
Almost 40-years down the line, Death in Vegas, Richard Fearless and Tim Holmes, were forging a reputation for fantastic taste in music, production and ambition. Psychedelia was in their hearts; taste, knowledge and appreciation of great songs from 60's, mixed and matched with passion for electronic music and all the possibilities it brought.
2003's Scorpio Rising album saw them collaborate with Liam Gallagher on a sprawling title track, Hope Sandoval on the heart melting Killing Smile, Dot Allison on the dreamy wonder Diving Horses and Paul Weller on their version of So You Say You Lost Your Baby.
That Death in Vegas stay very true to Clark's original is testament to the band and Weller's love and affection for the song. The main difference is probably the fact that Weller is singing on his own with no harmonies. Death in Vegas also play a little with the aforementioned string lift after the second verse and chorus. Weller's voice, as I witnessed first hand at the Barrowland last November, is exceptionally strong, perfect for this slice of psychedelic pop.
Noel Gallagher was so taken with the album that he approached Death in Vegas to produce Don't Believe The Truth. The sessions collapsed after 3-4 weeks with Gallagher reflecting that Fearless and Holmes were trying to polish a turd. An honest assessment. If the songs had been up with Gallagher's best then it is tantalising to think of the string arrangements and effects that DiV could have introduced. But that's potentially another blog for another time.
The Gene Clark original and the cover by Death in Vegas and Paul Weller of So You Say You Lost Your Babyare added to my Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist on Spotify which also features all of the songs listed below. Search for the title or CLICK HERE
Back in the 1960's, an acid fried Brian Wilson described the songs he was writing for his Smile project as "teenage symphonies to God". Quite a description! I'm kind of amazed that it took until 1994 for a band to steal the phrase for an album title.
The band in question was Velvet Crush, from Providence, Rhode Island. Formed by Paul Chastain vocals/bass and Rick Menck on vocals/drums, the two had played in bands through the 80's before forming Velvet Crush. On Teenage Symphonies To God they were joined by Jeffrey Borchardt on guitar.
Velvet Crush signed to Creation Records in the UK, perhaps aided by a cover version of Teenage Fanclub's Everything Flows as an extra track on their 1991 CD single Ash & Earth.
Chastain and Menck's Teenage Symphonies To God are not as complex as the arrangements Wilson was working on all these years ago. Their symphonies are like the ones thousands of American kids blasted out in garages and basements throughout the country - guitar(s), bass, drums - power pop.
Lord knows what happened to my CD copy of it. I always loved the artwork - super cool. And it has been great to listen back to the songs - full of hooks, harmonies and warm guitars. If Teenage Fanclub were influenced by Big Star around this time, then Velvet Crush sound like Big Star.
Opening with Hold Me Up, you're immediately into the sun soaked world of Velvet Crush and it's a rather lovely place to be, particularly at time when it gets dark around 4pm and every time you turn on the news you don't know what will be coming next.
Velvet Crush can rock out/jam on, beautifully demonstrated on their cover of Matthew Sweet's Something's Gotta Give, where they sounds like a dream band you could discover playing in your local bar.
They can bring it down too, #10 is absolutely beautiful. A different kind of Big Star. And then you have the likes of Weird Summer and Time Wraps Around You, both full of harmonies and chiming Byrds-esque guitar, sounding and feeling wonderful.
Speaking of The Byrds, Velvet Crush cover Why Not Your Baby by Gene Clark, their harmonies at their peak, a variety of guitar sounds colliding to sound glorious.
Star Trip is possibly my favourite song on the album. Sun kissed and dreamy guitar sounds and melodies.
I'm on a dream cloud
Higher than the sun but I'm coming down
From my dream, my dream cloud
I shot for the stars but I hit the ground
I can't feel it, it feels alright
Keep On Lingerin' closes the album, Velvet Crush highlighting that The Flying Burrito Brothers also feature heavily in their record collection.
Overall, Teenage Symphonies To God has a lovely waves of warm guitar sound and an infectious sense of energy. I've really enjoyed listening to the album again and I hope you do too. Or if you decide to check it out for the first time then let me know what you think.
Cover version of the month #49 Dillard and Clark cover The Beatles
I've written about Don't Let Me Down by The Beatles a number of times through the blog, most recently in my Confidently Top 10 blog. It is my favourite Beatles song - so pure, so heartfelt, Lennon so in love that he has to say it in four words rather than three.
So I'm not going to talk about the original version that makes me picture the fab 4 on the Apple rooftop, Lennon's hair blowing in the wind and the friends gelling and laughing as they play their final show. Just watch and listen - magical.
Instead, I'm going to discuss the Dillard and Clark version that I recently discovered. I'm digging into the back catalogue of Gene Clark following the BBC documentary The Byrd Who Flew Alone.
Through the Morning, Through the Night was the second album released by Dillard and Clark, coming out in August 1969, only 10-months after their debut LP.
I've yet to find out how Dillard and Clark discovered the song before it was released on The Beatles Let It Be album in May 1970, but somehow they did.
Their version keeps the bluesy feel of The Beatles but turns it into country bluesgrass blues. Clark's voice is unaccompanied for the first few seconds before bass, drums, acoustic and lead guitar kick in. The vocal is beautiful and when the harmonies come in, especially if you are listening on headphones, it is pretty spine tingling.
My favourite section of the song is the middle eight;
I'm in love for the first time
And I know it's gonna last
It's a love that lasts a lifetime
It's a love that has no past
Clark changes a couple of words and the way his voice lingers on no past is just stunning. Dillard and Clark with over one minute of Clark repeatedly singing don't let me down backed by beautiful harmonies/backing vocals. The song fades ... I wish they had kept it going, it is sublime.
This months additions to the Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify begin with three songs from Scottish artists; The Bluebells Forever More, Flying by newcomers Hairband with the beautiful refrain I know a place where we can try to learn how to fly and Girasol by Lightships (Gerry Love).
Elsewhere we have Scotland represented by Stealer's Wheel, Eurythmics and Teenage Fanclub. In between we have a gem from Nick Drake that you imagine Stuart Murdoch must have listened to a few hundred times. Rainbows by Dennis Wilson is a song that I am always blown away by, Carole King at her absolute best with Where You Lead, Gene Clark is well represented, we have Burt Bacharach and even Petula Clark. And if you don't get a shiver down your spine when you listen to Harry Nilson's Without You then ......
Search for Everything Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify or CLICK HERE.
The playlist is now approaching 900 songs. Play from the start, anywhere in between, click on shuffle or scroll to near the end to play the latest additions that are listed below.
Forever More - The Bluebells
Flying - Hairband
Girasol - Lightships
Hazey Jane II - Nick Drake
Reason to Believe - Karen Dalton
The Shining - Badly Drawn Boy
Come Pick Me Up - Ryan Adams Rainbows - Dennis Wilson
Spanish Dance Troupe - Gorky's Zyngotic Mynci
All You Good Good People - Embrace
Stuck In The Middle With You - Stealers Wheel
Where You Lead - Carole King
Here Comes The Sun (live) - Ritchie Havens
Up With The People - Nixon
Wow and Flutter - Stereolab
Tired of Waiting for You - The Kinks
Strength of Strings - Gene Clark
Some Misunderstanding - Gene Clark
Why Not Your Baby - Dillard and Clark
Eight Miles High - The Byrds You Tore Me Down - Flamin' Groovies
I Got Kinda Lost - Chris Bell
Fallen Star - Flamin' Groovies
Johannesburg - Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson
Without You - Harry Nilsson
South American Getaway - Burt Bacharach
Don't Sleep In The Subway - Petula Clark
(They Long To Be) Close To You - Burt Bacharach
You Don't Own Me - Dusty Springfield
Love Is A Stranger - Eurythmics
Thorn In My Side - Eurythmics So Much Love - Dusty Springfield
Then He Kissed Me - The Crystals
Don't Look Back - Teenage Fanclub
Going Places - Teenage Fanclub
It is difficult to portray the feelings I felt last night when I heard and witnessed Teenage Fanclub play songs like Gene Clark, Sidewinder, Alcoholiday, Fear of Flying, Guiding Star, Tears, Going Places and Neil Jung live.
Many of the songs from the two sets the band performed hadn't been played live in circa 25-years, some had never been played at all. So to hear and witness them live in the intimate setting of the reopened CCA was pretty special.
The fact that the Fannies opened with the almost sacred Gene Clarke was incredible. This is a song that fans have been passionately shouting for at almost every Fanclub gig I have ever attended. People were still queueing to get in when they started. The opening instrumental sounded glorious and then Gerry Love took control and set the controls for the heart of the sun. What a start!
The guitars sounded gorgeous and the band sounded slick and oiled, but with that raw Fanclub soul, swiftly rolling into Metal Baby and Escher before Brendan O'Hare on drums took on lead vocals for a sublime Sidewinder, a bit of a highlight for me.
My favourite band flew from one into another of my favourite songs. The guitars collided to sound heavenly for Alcoholiday. And if the Creation shows have given me reason to revisit albums from my youth then Gerry Love's Fear of Flying has become a real favourite. It sounded even better live. Raymond's 120-minutes was blissfully simple and beautiful for it, listing things he doesn't know before the kiss off I just wanna see your face again, be my friend.
Guiding Star may well have been my song of the night, it tugged on heart strings I didn't know I had, I may well cry at the Barrowland Ballroom when it is played on Monday night. Commercial Alternative is the joyful sound of a young man in love sounding even better 25-years down the line and the closing instrumental of Is This Music? with Gerry, Raymond, Dave and Francis on electric guitars was utterly stunning.
Pic by Craig Harrower
One of the best things about last night was that there were two real Fanclub fans on stage in the shape of Dave and Brendan. Dave's smile was a wide as the Clyde all night as he got to play these rarely heard songs to an audience that lapped them up. Brendan was the same, full of excited nervous energy (in a good way) and displaying quick wit and good humour throughout.
There was a short break and just enough time to pop to the downstairs bar for a beer, arriving back to find the band blitzing into Speed of Light. Paul Quinn was on drums for the second set, one which for me, highlighted the development of the band. To see the band up close playing songs from Bandwagonesque and Thirteen, followed by a set from Grand Prix, Songs from Northern Britain and Howdy! really showcased their development as songwriters and artists.
Norman and Gerry's voices gelled with ease, their harmonies sounded sublime, Cul De Sac was a particular highlight. Raymond's guitar flourishes were subtle at times, at others they soared. Tears was beautiful, Take The Long Way Round was a blitz of glorious guitar pop, Dumb Dumb Dumb was spine tingling and it was a delight to hear I Don't Care live.
Going Places was just perfect and Neil Jung was another glorious collision of guitars and Norman Blake singing his heart out.
What a fantastic night, the band were in top form and it was lovely to speak with Brendan before the show and hear how excited he was about everything. And it is always a pleasure to meet and converse with fellow Fanclub fans. Roll on the Barrowlands.
A couple of recent online postings and discussions drove me to revisit Thirteen, the 4th (3rd proper) studio album by Teenage Fanclub.
I have very clear memories relating to Thirteen. It was released in 1993, 25-years ago! One very clear memory relates to their hometown show at the Barrowland Ballroom to promote the album. Support was from The Posies and The Juliana Hatfield 3. It was my first time gracing the hallowed ballroom, I bought a super cool TFC long sleeve retro Scotland football style top with 13 on the back and a couple of posters.
And the second vivid memory relates to the song Norman 3. For those of your unfamiliar with the song, it ends with the mantra;
Yeah, I'm in love with you
I'm in love with you
And I know that it's you
I played this over and over....even more times than the chorus is repeated! And I played it with one girl in particular in mind. I am from Carluke and as a 17-year old I started working in Glasgow for a financial company. On the train home I had this album on regularly and there was a girl who always caught my eye. She lived in Lanark and attended Jordanhill. She was just a year younger than me and we eventually started talking but it never came to anything. But this song always reminds me those train journeys between Carluke and Glasgow and a girl who I tried to make eye contact with through our reflections in the windows.
Yeah Thirteen was quite an album for me, soundtracking train journeys, fantasies and my first trip to the hallowed Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom. I was only 15 when Bandwagonesque came out, so Thirteen was perfect timing.
Back then I was oblivious to facts I am aware of now - the troubles the band had with recording and production and the fact that to this day they still say they are not happy with it.
That didn't matter to me in 1993 and it really doesn't concern me too much now in 2018. I guess I still view the album as a 17-year old. A song like Radio will always make me want to play air guitar and sing a-long, or rush to the front to jump and pogo at a live show, McGinley's Tears Are Cool will still make me swoon (god knows what reaction it caused for the girl he wrote it for) and like many of the Teenage Fanclub Fanclub I think Gene Clark is pretty special.
Hang On is an excellent opening song, building gloriously before Gerry Love comes in with his stunning opening lines that conclude with;
Of all the stars I've ever seen
You're the sun
The band hit a groove and jam on an extended outro. Norman's first offering is The Cabbage, a reflection on the end of a relationship;
We were together, but now we're not
Asked you for nothing, that's what I got
The chorus has Blake reflecting on the advice his friends are offering. He doesn't sound convinced. The song is relatively simple, yet Blake's voice says it all, he does sound hurt from the experience. I'm not sure where the song title came from!
And then we arrive at the aforementioned Radio, a song that just leaps into life and doesn't let up. Choosing a top 10 of my favourite Teenage Fanclub songs would be pretty hard for me but I think this would be in there. It is just a pure rush of guitar pop perfection.
And then we arrive at Norman 3. I think he might have been struggling with song titles! If The Cabbage is the sound of someone hurt and blue, then Norman 3 is the sound of someone alive to the possibilities of love and basking in its glow.
If you're the future, then I'm with you
Looking forward, to everything that we do
The song builds until Norman sings are you read for what I'm going to say? before launching head over heels into the chorus/mantra/declaration;
Yeah I'm in love with you, I'm in love with you
And I know that it's you
I fell for this song as hard as Norman did for the girl he wrote it for. As I have written above, this just brings back so many sunny memories. The chorus is just so uplifting and pure. It a is heart on the sleeve, cards on the table declaration of love. Norman is all in.
After the double blast of Radio and Norman 3 we go into a run of songs that are the sound of Teenage Fanclub maturing as songwriters and as a band. The melodies are still there (always were, always will be) but the band play with song structures - who needs a chorus at times? How long can an intro be? Song to the Cynic is Gerry Love displaying defiance, talking of how his honesty will protect him and how cynics/ex-lovers can't leave a mark on him. It sounds very different to anything TFC had released previously.
Raymond McGinley's is introduced to Thirteen as a songwriter for the first time. 120-minutes has Raymond listing a number of thing he doesn't want before declaring;
I just wanna see your face again, be my friend
It sounds like all of the band might have loved and lost in the lead up to Thirteen. McGinley and the band rated the song so highly that they included it on their Teenage Fanclub Have Lost It in acoustic form a few years later.
McGinley follows this up with Escher and the band combine with glorious harmonies to push the chorus, Raymond lets Norman take lead vocals and for me that was the right decision with Norman's voice more suited to the song. Raymond lets rip on the guitar, sounding glorious.
Blake is back on writing and singing duties with Commercial Alternative, an out and out love song with the band zipping through it and McGinley is on top form (when is he not?!) on lead guitar.
Gerry Love displays real progression in his songwriting across Thirteen and Fear of Flying is a real favourite of mine. It has that beautiful laid back, stoned, flow and melody that Love can seemingly create with ease. Stretching to almost 5 and a half minutes, Love eases in gently and allows the band plenty of time to jam and groove.
Add a new vibration
To the situation
Then we have Tears Are Cool, a Raymond McGinley masterpiece. McGinley's voice is soulful and fragile as he bares his heart over his electric guitar, before the drums come in for the final chorus. It is a stunner.
I don't say my prayers but I pray for you
I might say who cares but I know you do
You're the one who knows that my lies aren't true
When I see you cry I think tears are cool
Ret Live Dead sounds like Norman is giving advice to someone (himself?) in a little over 2-minutes. Strings are introduced to beautifully back Norman coo-ing the chorus.
Don't know what to do
Say you need her
But she don't need you
Get Funky is the band letting rip and jamming, the spoken word intro by Blake at the start OK we're rolling, howdy disco citizens leads to funky bass combining with fast and loud guitars.
The epic Gene Clark closes the album in style, over 6 and a half minutes of the Fanclub at their very best, easing their way gently into a rhythm, before piercing and euphoric lead guitar kicks in. It is easy to get lost in the music as the band stretch out and jam for over 3 and a half minutes before Gerry Love comes in with his soulful laid back vocals.
All the seeds you sow
Are just looking for a place to grow
The no matter what you say/do closing refrain is quite hypnotic with gorgeous backing vocals. It is a glorious song and the fact that it fades out makes me wonder if there is a longer version sitting in the vaults somewhere.
It is a song revered by Fanclub fans and I think I have heard the same people shouting for it at every Fanclub show I have been to. I was fortunate to catch the band play it live in Oran Mor when they had a weekend of rarities. Check the video below.
So there you go, Thirteen, 25-years old and packed full of gems with stand-outs/faves for me being; Hang On, Radio, Norman 3, Fear of Flying, Tears Are Cool and Gene Clark.
Listening back, I was struck by the change from Bandwagonesque - Thirteen and subsequently on to Grand Prix. Thirteen is the sound of a band developing, maturing and yet still having fun. Jamming in a very different way to A Catholic Education or on The King, singing and playing in a very different way. There is more subtlety, more control
If you are listening for the first time - enjoy. If you are revisiting, then I hope you get as much out of the experience as I did. You can stream on Spotify HERE
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!
