Like A Motorway

 

Trust me #122
Like A Motorway by Saint Etienne

Released in May 94 and (inexplicably) reaching only 47 on the UK singles charts, Like A Motorway is one of my favourite songs by Saint Etienne who come to the Glasgow Barrowland next month. The Pastels will be supporting. It is set to be a very memorable night.

The date is part of Saint Etienne's The Long Goodbye tour, with the trio deciding to bow out from 37-years of creating dreamy, reflective and sublime pop since forming in 1990. Since then, the band have released 13 albums and 17 top 40 singles, but those facts merely gloss the surface. 

Saint Etienne always stood out; image, style, art, taste, Bob Stanley's background as a music journalist, Heavenly Recordings, the DJ's remixing their songs, the choice cover of Only Love Can Break Your Heart (see previous blog), a debut album that captured the times, some superb compilation albums (check Songs From Mario's Cafe and The Trip) and the perfect alternative pop star singer - Sarah Cracknell .

Ah, yes, Sarah Cracknell. An absolute dream who captivated many a young indie boy in the 90's - and still does to this very day! That super soft, warm and welcoming voice, the feather boas, cheeky winks, cool blonde hair and impeccable fashion sense - looking like she was going to go straight from a gig to a club ... or a film set! I don't mind admitting to falling head over heels for Sarah!

You're In A Bad Way, released in February 1993, was the first Saint Etienne record I bought. I still remember taping it on to a mixtape for the 6th year Common Room at school. The band were prolific in that period, their So Tough (1993) and Tiger Bay (1994) albums spawned 7 singles, with the band also releasing I Was Born On Christmas Day, a duet with Tim Burgess. So they were never far from The Chart Show, The Word, Top of the Pops or the many other music shows on TV at that time. The NME and Melody Maker loved them.

Watch Saint Etienne and Tim Burgess live on The Word HERE.

Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs have impeccable taste in, and knowledge of, pop music and on Like A Motorway they are clearly digging the pulsating synth sounds of Giogio Moroder. The synth bass groove (I just can't get enough of this) and top line riff are super cool, while Sarah Cracknell sounds seductive and sexy.

Like A Motorway rides in on a deep pulsing bass synth riff, the beat kicks in, Cracknell whispers he's gone, he's gone and then at 35 seconds the lead synth melody comes in. There is a Weatherall style beats break just before the first verse. Cracknell tells the tale of a broken heart.

She wears sad jeans, torn at the waistband

Her pretty face, is stained with tears

And in her right hand, she clasps a letter

I know this means, that he has gone

The second verse has Cracknell telling more - about the girl never thinking she would fall in love, then getting her first kiss. In the third verse Sarah goes on to tell about the girl falling for all the lines she was fed.

He said her skin, smelled just like petals

Said stupid things, he knew she'd like

She said her life, was like a motorway

Dull, grey and long, 'til he came along

The song takes a twist in the 4th verse as Sarah takes over, probing for info, before the girl in the song suggests something more sinister might have happened...

I said - how could he ever leave you

You two were good, you were so right

She said - I wish that he just left me

He'd be alive, alive tonight

He's gone, he's gone

After thinking the guy in the song might have just left, or dumped her and broken her heart, the listener is left wondering if (a) she killed him, or (b) there was an accident. The artwork for the single shows a crashed/abandoned car, overgrown with leaves and weeds. The Chemical Brothers (then The Dust Brothers) and David Holmes both got their hands on Like A Motorway to provide remixes.

Like A Motorway 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

109. All I Have To Do Is Dream by The Everly Brothers

110. Vapour Trail by Ride

111. Teardrop by Massive Attack

112. Since I Left You by The Avalanches

113. Good Dancers by The Sleepy Jackson

114. Kiss My Love Goodbye by Bettye Swann

115. What Difference Does It Make? by The Smiths

116. Get Out Of My Dream by The Clouds

117. Sundress by Ben Kweller

118. I Love You by Primal Scream

119. Calico Skies by Paul McCartney 

120. Lay This Burden Down by Mary Love

121. Primitive Painters by Felt w/ Elizabeth Fraser

Brilliant debut singles part 4

Welcome to part 4 of my new semi-regular/ongoing feature on brilliant debut singles. When bands/artists appear perfectly formed with a song that is utterly brilliant!

Sometimes, this might be with a song that they didn't write! Is that cheating?! Well, no, not if they transform the song and make it their own. Saint Etienne certainly did that with their sublime cover of Neil Young's Only Love Can Break Your Heart that is included in this blog. 

I'm also pretty sure that I'll be writing about The Byrds Mr Tambourine Man and the likes of Hey Joe by the Jimi Hendrix Experience in future blogs.

Part 4 (below) features Arab Strap, The House of Love, McAlmont &  Butler, The Left Banke and Saint Etienne.

I've started a Spotify playlist HERE

Part 1 featured; The Doors, The Undertones, Pet Shop Boys, Stardust and Tracy Chapman

Part 2 featured; Booker T & The MG's, The Jackson 5, Kate Bush, Radiohead and The Sex Pistols

Part 3 featured; Teenage Fanclub, LCD Soundsystem, Boston, The Box Tops and Depeche Mode.

16. First Big Weekend by Arab Strap

Funny, emotive, original, soulful and beautifully authentic, Arab Strap's First Big Weekend documents a mid-90's weekend absolutely perfectly. It could easily have been written about me and my mates!

Aidan Moffat begins his tale over raw and sparse acoustic guitar. Like many of my own 90's weekends, Aidan's started on a Thursday. Moffat's was with a quiz where he approached an ex-girlfriends new boyfriend to say there is no issue as far as he is concerned ... he shouldn't have bothered.

Then on Friday night we went through to The Arches

A programmed (basic) drum beat kicks in and Malcolm Middleton then finds a guitar riff and some synth sounds fall in behind. Moffat then continues his tale; the travel through, skipping the queue, dancing, the aftermath, trying to keep going, falling asleep, missing the Scotland v England game, going out again, watching The Simpsons, going out to the pub on Sunday night, meeting up again on Monday night ....

Went out for the weekend and it lasted forever

High with our friends it's officially summer

First Big Weekend was like nothing my friends and I had ever heard before. It was (and is) raw, real, exciting and true.

17. Shine On by The House of Love

With shimmering psychedelic guitars and an incredible chorus that is beautifully simple, Shine On is the defining song of The House of Love. 

The piercing guitar riff that introduces the song is infectious, the burst of acoustic rhythm under a short electric guitar at the end of the first verse is glorious. Later on the middle eight leads to a sensational guitar solo by Terry Bickers who was widely considered to be the best guitarist around on the independent scene in the aftermath of The Smiths and pre-Roses.

Originally released back in 1987 on Creation Records, the song failed to reach the top 100.  A new version was released in 1990 and got to number 20 in the charts - the bands biggest hit.

The band, led by Guy Chadwick and with Terry Bickers on guitar, were making a mark. Alan McGee became their manager and was determined to get them a major record deal. This episode is reflected on in glorious detail in the legendary book My Magpie Eyes Are Hungry For The Prize up among the best music books I have ever read.

Chadwick was desperate for a major record deal and a lump sum of money to buy a house, he has lied about his age and is going a little crazy with ecstasy and LSD, while Bickers is having a mental breakdown on tour, while McGee is holed up in plush London hotels conducting interviews with prospective labels. It's a funny yet harrowing read. 

The band definitely had something, but never captured the excitement of early recordings after Fontana (who they signed with) ordered multiple re-recordings and remixes in search of 'a hit'.

Listening back to the song, I've never really focused on the lyrics in the verses before! They are quite abstract, I guess it's always been about the guitars and the chorus for me.  

She, she, she, she, shine on

She, she, she, shine on

She, she, she, shine on

18. Yes by McAlmont & Butler

Bernard Butler went quiet after leaving Suede, following a meteoric 3-years encompassing 4 brilliant singles, a landmark debut album and the stand alone single Stay Together. Perhaps, given the ferocious pace they worked at, it was understandable.

There were rumours abound that Butler was going to join other bands, but he surfaced with Yes and a partnership with singer David McAlmont. The two met in the Jazz Cafe in Camden and Butler was soon playing his new friend his first positive piece of music since leaving Suede.

And oh how positive it is, McAlmont wrote a verse but couldn't come up with a second, so Butler just told him to repeat the first with the duo hoping to commit something that could be held up as a classic single like those they loved from the 60's.McAlmont's lyrics match the positive surge of Butler's music. The strings soar and instantly sound euphoric, Butler's guitar crashes and provides a constant rhythm throughout, while seemingly simultaneously chiming and riffing.

The lyrics could easily be McAlmont's interpretation of whatever Butler told him about leaving Suede. The title, the simple Yes, is pure positivity, Butler has recovered from the dark post Suede months, he does look better and he does feel alright.

David McAlmont's vocal is exceptional and after a quick 1st verse that sounds like McAlmont relaying a conversation they are into the sky scraping chorus. The about me, about me, about me line that McAlmont yelps out is the perfect bridge into the chorus. Then they do it again for good measure, only they take it even higher and it sounds even better.

Exceptional! Check the outrageous live performance on Later with Jools and the way Butler stomps, whirls and attacks his guitar. 

19. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke

In just 2-minutes and 46 seconds, The Left Banke produce heart aching pop music of the highest, purest quality. Everything tugs on heart strings. At the age of just 18, Steve Martin Caro has no God given right to sound so beautifully heart broken, while the strings, harpsichord and flute are utterly perfect, giving a sense of maturity to this band of teenagers.

The poetic lyrics speak of empty sidewalks, where perhaps lovers once walked, of tears, of pain, rain, names in a heart drawn on the wall, of being haunted and of a realisation that the writer can't follow Renee, it's not to be.

Astounding, outstanding, magical. 

Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke

The Left Banke were teenagers when they wrote the Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke, especially when you consider that the band were teenagers at the time.

Released in July 1966, Walk Away Renee is one of a number of songs Brown wrote about Renee Fladen-Kamm, then the girlfriend of his friend and band mate, Tom Finn. Amazingly, Fladen-Kamm was at the recording of the single, Brown had to wait for her to leave in order to play his parts.

Remarkably, considering the depth and quality of this song, The Left Banke were all teenagers!

20. Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Saint Etienne

Saint Etienne (with Moira Lambert on vocals pre Sarah Cracknell) transform Neil Young's beautiful Only Love Can Break Your Heart - modernising it, taking it into the future, somehow making it even more timeless than the original.

Recorded in just 2-hours in a makeshift bedroom studio - Saint Etienne's version has a beautifully raw, unpolished quality and it remains a true gem that continues to captivate audiences to this day. It still sounds super fresh and exciting. 

 Saint Etienne take Neil Young's genius songwriting to new places - clubs! Ensuring that Only Love Can Break Your Heart fitted seamlessly in with the Acid House and ecstasy scene that was gripping the nation at the time of release in 1990.

I was always thinking of games that I was playing

Trying to make the best of my time

But only love can break your heart

Try to be sure right from the start

Yes only love can break your heart

What if your world should fall apart

Who Do You Think You Are

Cover version of the month #53

Saint Etienne cover Jigsaw

Back in 1993 I was 17, spending pretty much all my money on either going out or buying records. I've got quite a few Saint Etienne singles on vinyl from this time and looking back at their discography I'm reflecting on what an incredible run of singles they had through the 1990's, particularly in the first half.

In 93 the band released a double a-side single on Heavenly Recordings; Hobart Paving b/w Who Do You Think You Are. I have to admit, I was, and still am, rather captivated by Saint Etienne singer Sarah Cracknell and oh how she smoulders in the video!

Pete Wiggs, Sarah Cracknell and Bob Stanley

I always thought that this was a Saint Etienne song, it was only many years later when I met Duglas T Stewart to record podcast (that you can listen to here) and he selected the q version of the song by a band called Jigsaw back in 1974.

Who Do You Think You Are is pop perfection. Oh my, it really is perfect. The verse flows, builds, there is a bridge and then a glorious sky scraping chorus.

Written by Des Dyer and Clive Scott, the song was first released by the band Candlewick Green in 1973, before Dyer and Scott recorded and released their own version with their band Jigsaw the following year. The song travelled to America that year with the band Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods also recording a version.

As Dyer and Scott wrote the song, I'm going to concentrate on their version with Jigsaw.

The Jigsaw version begins with an upbeat piano riff before a beat and groove kick in. The chorus soars and the vocals are slightly strained to generate that little lift, just perfect. I love the backing vocals coming in towards the end, leaving the lead singer to just keep singing who do you think you are?

The Saint Etienne version adds in a funky drumbeat, changes the piano to keys/synths and Sarah Cracknell's voice is like honey dripped all over it. The strings help the chorus soar and the short instrumental is just pure Saint Etienne, pure pop. The extended bridge to the chorus is outstanding, lifting things ready for the take off.

Saint Etienne have always demonstrated impeccable taste in music. Bob Stanley has brought out some outstanding compilation albums over the years. The band have already featured in this feature with their transformative cover of Neil Young's Only Love Can Break Your Heart. You can find links to all the previous 52 cover version of the month blogs below.

You'll also find the video of Who Do You Think You Are? alongside appearances on Top of the Pop and The Beat.

Who do you think you are?

You tried to push me a bit too far

And every day sees another scar

Oh tell me who do you think you are

If you want me there

You gotta care, oh tell me

Who do you think you are

Taking advantage of me this way?

Tell me who do you think you are

Hurting me more with the things you say

It's not fair, you don't care

Who do you really think that you are?

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

18. Wonder wall 

19. Dancing In The Dark

20. Always On My Mind

21. Ceremony

22. Heroes

23. Different Drum

24. Wild Horses

25. Respect

26. Mr Tambourine Man

27. I Heard It Through The Grapevine

28. Superstar

29. Twist and Shout

30. Purple Rain

31. Baker Street

32. Not Fade Away

33. Stop Your Sobbing

34. I Don't Want To Grow Up

35. Serious Drugs

36. Dancing With Myself

37. How Does It Feel To Feel?

38. Love Buzz

39. ABBA-esque
40. Jumpin' Jack Flash

41. Discoland

42. Varshons 2 by The Lemonheads

43. The Langley Schools Music Project
44. Witchi Tai To
45. Our Lips Are Sealed
46. Sunshine Of Your Love
47. Here Comes The Sun
48. I Think We're Alone Now
49. Don't Let Me Down 
50. It's Oh So Quiet
51. Alcoholiday 
52. Summer Holiday

The Music Box by Ruth Copeland

Trust me #8
The Music Box by Ruth Copeland

In the summer of 2004 I bought a compilation album called Songs for Mario's Cafe by Saint Etienne. Well before then, I had learned that Bob Stanley from the band had exceptional taste in music that was matched by his knowledge and thirst for more.

Every single song on this compilation was like finding treasure. I hadn't heard any of them before! I'll be blogging on some of my favourite compilation albums in 2020.

One of the songs that stood out from this particular compilation was a song called The Music Box by an artist called Ruth Copeland. I was blown away by the music, production, voice and raw emotion that leapt out of this song.

Starting with a children's choir singing a la la la la la la la melody, that you can instantly sing-a-long to, The Music Box makes use of the choir throughout, with Copeland singing in a crystal clear voice over a funky Motown style beat.

Copeland is on a plane to meet a lost love who has written to say he is marrying and has a child. In her pocket she carries the letter and a music box that her lost love had given her. Reading between the lines, the music box kept the flame alive. Now, Copeland feels she has to return the music box which plays their song.

The second verse is heartbreaking, Copeland meets he lost love, hands him the music box and walks away, hearing him open the box and play their song.

I could only hand to him the music box and turn away

And as I walked away from all our love I heard him play

The la la la la la la la melody is what the music box plays, leading to an incredible section of the choir singing the melody and Copeland breaking down, literally sobbing along over a beat that is crying out to be sampled, if it hasn't been already.

Trust me, this is a gem. Check it out below and dig into her limited back catalogue that includes a sensational 8-minute cover of Gimme Shelter.

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

Never Ending Mixtape Part 3

The Never Ending Mixtape continues with another eclectic selection of tunes - very soul focused this month; Ritchie Havens, The Supremes, Marvin and Tammi, Bobby Womack and more.

Check out the Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify, it kicked off with Big Star and The Velvet Underground in October 2016.

A little description/memories on the tunes added this month is posted below. Enjoy.

Going Back To My Roots - Ritchie Havens
An all-time fave that I always play when I DJ. The house piano kicks the groove in from the off.

I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
Outrageous, pure, joyful soul pop. And that bass line. Jackson's youthful vocal is sensational.

Looking For You - Garnett Mimms
Genius songwriting and performance. Heartfelt northern soul. Read my blog on it HERE

Girls - Major Lance
I love the feel of the music and the glorious vocals.

Superstition - Stevie Wonder
The beat, the funky clarinet riff, the bass and Wonder combine to create something wonderful. Check out DJ Spinna's Wonder of Stevie album series for some stunning Stevie covers.

Ain't No Mountain High - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
One of the first records I got from my Mum's old collection was a Marvin and Tammi duets album. Her name Sheila was written in pencil on the top right hand corner. I still have it. The album introduced me to what I consider to be some of the greatest love songs of all-time. Does it get any better than this?

Tracks Of My Tears - Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
What was that question I just asked? Another Motown gem, an absolutely perfect song in terms of lyrics, music, production, structure and performance.

It's Time To Break Down - The Supremes
Post Diana Ross, The Supremes were led by Jean Terrell. I discovered this song via a St Etienne compilation album. Bob Stanley and Pete Wigs have exceptional taste and knowledge. This is a slow burning classic. What a groove and what a vocal, when it builds to the conclusion it is incredible.

I'll never be free from wanting you

My heart is your prisoner 

(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher - Jackie Wilson
Dancing around the legendary Barrowland Ballroom to this song at the annual Barraloadasoul event is a memory I will treasure forever. Looking around and seeing a room full of people smiling, singing, arms aloft and dancing - it doesn't get any better.


My Love Is Your Love (Forever) - The Isley Brothers
Another soul tune I discovered via a St Etienne compilation. This one was called The Trip and it was aptly named. A 2 CD set took the listener on a trip through a wide range of pop, soul, groove and psychedelic music. This is stunning.

Love Ain't Something You Can Get For Free - Bobby Womack
Oh yeah. I was lucky to catch Bobby Womack live in Glasgow just a few months before he passed away. Although he was clearly fragile his voice was powerful and soulful. This is probably my favourite song of his.

Grazing In The Grass (Andrew Weatherall edit/dub) - Dexy's
A band that just keep giving. Kevin Rowland is an exceptional artist, his voice is improving with the years and he has such a clear vision about what he wants to achieve with every single project. This extended edit by Andy Weatherall comes from their Let The Record Show .... album that will feature in my end of year review.

Saint Etienne and The Pastels at the Art School

Last night The Pastels and Saint Etienne clearly nailed their REMAIN EU colours to the mast and they were all too aware that they were playing a show as voting around the UK came to a close. Sadly that flag is flying at half-mast today.

Things were running late as Saint Etienne’s train up to Scotland had been hugely delayed, meaning they only arrived into Central Station at 6pm. Load-in, soundcheck.....

The Pastels took to the stage to cheers and Stephen Pastel was quick to thank people for coming and then voice that the referendum results were weighing heavily on his mind.

The 6-piece line-up (two guitars, bass, drums, keys and flute) started with the (largely) instrumental Slow Summits, the title track from their latest album. The contemplative and reflective song was a perfect opener, certainly giving the audience a chance to think about the night and decision ahead as The Pastels weaved their magic.

Songs from the album made up the majority of the set, Night Time Made Us was a particular highlight with the band gelling together to create something quite gorgeous.

The 6-piece became an 8-piece when they were joined by an extra guitarist and Tracy Anne from Camera Obscura for a delicious romp through Nothing To Be Done. The pace quickened and it sounded sublime.

When I was young

I used to sing

I didn’t care for anything

Tracy Anne departed and Stephen strapped his guitar back on (after a little mis-hap) and the 7-piece line-up of The Pastels had 3 guitars creating a wonderful Velvets meets Spector wall of sound for a stunning version of Baby Honey. Originally released in 1984, the song zips with zest and an electric energy. It was great to see the band play again.

Saint Etienne were a 7-piece for the night. Pete and Bob were set up behind banks of equipment at the back, someone on keys was at one side of the stage, then there was someone on viola, a backing singer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. And then the gorgeous Sarah Cracknell on vocals.

Nothing Can Stop Us opened the show and the band were sounding good. There was a slight technical glitch afterwards, Sarah engaged with the audience but as it dragged on she ended up in fits of giggles before we were back on the way.

The set mixed classic singles with some new(er) album cuts and singles. The audience lapped it up as the band showcased their fantastic mix of pure, melodic, catchy, clubby and cinematic pop.

You’re In A Bad Way was the very first Saint Etienne 7-inch record that I bought, away back in 1993. It still sounds fresh, fun and joyous.  Tonight was a highlight from later day Saint Etienne that will definitely see me delving into some of their more recent albums. It was glorious.

The acidic pop of Like A Motorway was probably my highlight of the night, bubbling synths, beats and a dreamy Sarah Cracknell vocal - sublime.

The Saint Etienne cover version of Neil Young’s Only Love Can Break Your Heart (that I previously blogged about here) was just perfect, the old synth sounds still sound timeless, futuristic and Young’s lyrics will always ring true.

The encore started with a beautiful rendition of Hobart Paving, with Sarah Cracknell in fine voice. The poetic lyrics paint picture and it was a stunning performance with Sarah really shining.

Pete and Bob came back on and then it was on to pure pop with He’s On The Phone with the seemingly never-ending chorus that flowed and flowed and flowed, as we all danced, sung and raised our hands in the air. The blissful pop removing the referendum result from our minds.....for a while...

Songs for the Carnegie Deli

There is a blog title I bet you never thought I would be posting!

Saint Etienne presents Songs for the Carnegie Deli is the full title for a new compilation album that yet again showcases and highlights the impeccable taste and knowledge of St Etienne's Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs.

Stanley's sleevenotes are fantastic, setting the scene, the mood, the atmosphere and location - a diner in New York City - that inspired him to compile an incredible selection of songs.

Stanley has previous - Songs from Mario's Cafe and The Trip are two of my all-time favourite compilation albums, turning me on to songs like All Our Dreams Are Coming True - an instrumental that my wife walked down the aisle to when we got married, Shooting Star by The Mama's and The Papa's shoots for the stars and succeeds in reaching them, the glorious My Love Is Your Love by the Isley Brothers, the heart on the sleeve It Must Be Love Coming Down by Major Lance, the magnificent Music Box by Ruth Copeland and the stunning I Love You For All Seasons by The Fuzz.....and many more.

5 standouts for me;

Night Hawk by The Valli Boys opens the album, a slow instrumental groove (after a short spoken word intro) builds and just draws you in. Funky brilliance.

Summer's Comin' In by Little Anthony and the Imperials sounds exotic - the little instrumental at the start, the slightly raspy vocal and the dreamy and uplifting lyrics are a delight, the melodies are
playful and seductive.

Love (It's Getting Better) by The Groove bursts into life full of love and soul, heartfelt words are sung with real emotion and gusto, the music and production has a lovely uplifting feel to it.

Lover's Melody by Dawn does everything it says on the tin. A beautiful sunshine melody and vocal as pure as you will find.

I'm Fallin' Down (version 2) by Lesley Gore is the kind of song that you know Bob Stanley will adore - it is a particular standout, the surge and flow into the euphoric double chorus is incredible.

Far away from somewhere

Reaching the heights of nowhere

I'm down

I'm fallin' down

Long ago from sometime

Counting the hours of lost time

I'm down

I'm fallin' down

The album is released via ACE Records, so help them release more by buying it DIRECT

March 2015 Podcast

Everything Flows - March 2016 Podcast

Welcome to the March 2016 podcast which rounds up music from albums that I have bought and enjoyed to date in 2016. 3 Scottish artists feature alongside the legendary David Bowie, some choice cuts from a Bob Stanley compilation, Spanish girl band Hinds and Doug Tuttle. 

Listen HERE

They All Know Something - JR Green

Garden - Hinds

Love (It's Getting Better) - The Groove

Saturday - Sunday - Doug Tuttle

Shipcracks - The Second Hand Marching Band and Benni Hemm Hemm

Dark Skies - Emma Pollok

I Can't Give Everything Away - David Bowie

I'm Fallin' Down (version 2) - Lesley Gore

Previous Everything Flows Podcasts

Podcast #1 featuring Teenage Fanclub, David Bowie, Dr Cosmos Tape Lab, Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson, JR Green, The Undertones

Podcast #2 featuring The Troggs, Happy Meals, Rose McDowall, The Frank Popp Ensemble, Fun Boy Three, Jo Mango and The Pictish Trail, Miaoux Miaoux, Yo La Tengo

Podcast #3 featuring Primal Scream, My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth, Marlena Shaw, Natalie Prass, November Lights, Molly Nilsson

Podcast #4 featuring The Chemical Brothers with Beck, The Charlatans (Brian Jonestown Massacre mix), BMX Bandits, Edwyn Collins, The Parliaments, K-Klass, White

Podcast #5 -Tim Peaks Electric Fields line-up featuring The Charlatans, Yucatan, Blueprint Blue, Documents, TeenCanteen, Horsebeach, Hot Vestry, Riding the Low, Tim Burgess