Don't Leave Me This Way

Cover version of the month #100
The Communards cover Harold Melvin and The Bluenotes

Hidden away in the back end of blogger, I have a whopping 181 draft blogs in various forms! Some are merely titles, to ensure I go back and write about a specific song or album, some have notes, some are half-finished and some will probably never be completed as the moment has gone!

I have been meaning to write a blog about Don't Leave Me This Way for quite some time as it is an all-time favourite.

I played it on 6Music back in 2014 when I was interviewed by Craig Charles for his Spinage A Trois section. Craig, very generously, played the full 11-minute version and the song sounded even better on the radio. Craig commented that he had sprinkled the magic BBC dust on it.

Don't Leave Me This Way has featured in numerous playlist blogs I have written and also in my Confidently Top 10 blog that I wrote in 2019, where I selected my all-time top 10 songs ... I've just reviewed it and I don't think it has changed.

What .... A .... Song!
What .... A .... Tune!

Don't leave me this way

I can't survive, can't stay alive

Without your love, oh baby

It really doesn't get any better than this. The 11-minute version is absolute perfection; the lengthy intro, the way Teddy Pendergrass hums along, the strings coming in, then the heartfelt lyrics delivered with raw passion and soul. Then ... the build to the HUGE UPLIFTING CHORUS

Baby, my heart is full of love and desire for you

So come on darling do what you gotta do 

You started this fire down in my soul

Now can't you see it's burning, out of control

So come on darling satisfy the need in me

'cause only your good loving can set me free

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? The jamming at the end of the full 11-minute version is ridiculous, so loose, soulful and funky.

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.

My friend Gerry and I have put on a couple of DJ nights in our native Uddingston this year. It's been great fun to book out the Bowling & Tennis Club, set up and play some of our favourite songs. Our first night was very indie focused, but we're loosening up and starting to play whatever we fancy. 

Gerry closed our August night by playing The Communards cover version of Don't Leave Me This Way and it went down an absolute storm.

Released in 1986, The Communards version fused high-energy dance beats and synthpop, topped deliciously by Jimmy Somerville's powerful, raw and soulful voice.

Somerville soars, expressing vulnerability, hurt and desperation, yet also capturing the fact that he is still head over heels in love. It's a fantastic cover version, The Communards stamp their own mark on it and unlike many other songs from the era, it has stood the test of time. The production and arrangement is strong and Somerville's voice is just timeless.

I always thought this was The Communards song (after all I was 10 in 1986) and only discovered the Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes version when I picked up a second hand Wigan Casino Northern Soul compilation on vinyl. I recognised the title and wondered if it was the same song. It was!  

I've added the 6-minutes version, the 11-minute Tom Moulton mix of the Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes version and The Communards cover 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

Previous covers of the month blogs

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
53. Who Do You Think You Are?
54. Head On
55. Nothing Compares 2 U

56. Hey Jude

57. Seven Days Too Long

58. L.O.V.E Love

59. Into Your Arms

60. Heart Of Glass

61. Take Me To The River

62. We Can Work It Out 

63. Talking In My Sleep

64. Lola

65. Lost In Music

66. My Little Red Book

67. Isn't It A Pity

68. Walk On By

69. Walk Away Renee

70. Tainted Love

71. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

72. Listen The Snow Is Falling

73. Mrs Robinson

74. He's Gonna Step On You Again

75. In My Life

76. Caravan Of Love

77. The Only Way Is Up

78. Dancin' Round & Round

79. With A Little Help From My Friends

80. Killing Me Softly

81. Ain't No Mountain High Enough

82. Drop

83. Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay

84. Sympathy For The Devil

85. I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor

86. Love Will Tear Us Apart

87. Indian Rope Man + bonus Strawberry Fields Forever + This Wheels On Fire

88. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You

89. Love The One You're With

90. Cum On Feel The Noize

91. Addicted To Love

92. Valerie

93. Ride On Time

94. Let's Dance

95. It Must Be Love

96. I Fought The Law

97. For What It's Worth

98. Do Your Thing

99. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself

Introducing Wonder 45

My friend William was raving about a new band called Wonder 45. I checked them out and could see why! Wonder 45 are fresh out the wrapper and perfectly formed. Gorgeous soul, top class musicians and vocals that just grab you. The band started as an instrumental recording project and grew from there.

I asked William if he fancied writing a blog .... and he has. Enjoy!

Introducing - Wonder 45

Guest blog by William Thomas

Sometimes a band comes along which just jumps out from the crowd, demanding to be noticed – it’s a rare but unmistakeable feeling for listeners. The needle hits the groove and the music just… crackles.

It can either be an indefinable quality, or clear as day. Wonder 45 are firmly in the latter category -everything hits right, the band is tight, the melodies effervescent, the production crisp and warm.

This London soul ensemble started out life as producer/writer Holley Gray, guitarist Ross Ewart, drummer Chris Nickolls and keyboard player Steve Pringle.

They’ve since been enhanced by singer/songwriters Jess Greenfield and Gavin Conder and the outfit have since gathered real momentum with their first gig only happening in January this year. You would never know, such is the assured nature of everything they do.

From their studio cuts too, the manifesto is clear. You can hear the authentic, classic influences coming through loud and clear, but there’s a sharp, fresh pop sensibility too. If you were thinking of another band which had immediately turned its retro influences into earworm gold, then Oasis might spring to mind.

It’s an apposite comparison, because songwriter and vocalist Greenfield is also a key member of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, providing affecting backing vocals, keyboards, and percussion both live and in the studio.

Given Noel’s high bar for fellow band members, that’s an endorsement to be proud of, and it has clearly given her a strong platform to spread her wings further with her own musical ambitions.

Greenfield brings that high flying, arena-filling prowess accrued over the last six years to Wonder 45 in spades with standout vocals on the likes of Cry – a gritty, passionate cri de coeur to hold onto love through both bad times and good – the swinging Nothing’s Gonna Change, and Superman which immediately commands attention with its powerful rhythm section and lyric that pays tribute to not settling for a love that’s anything less than heroic.

Conder is no vocal slouch either on Wonderland where the barriers to true love are cast aside with a soaring chorus.

Cry - live studio session

Make It Happen is meanwhile an unapologetic wah-wah guitar-driven note to self, reminiscent of Sly and The Family Stone in their pomp. Carpe diem, grab the opportunity, whatever you want to call it – it’s an inspiring, propulsive crowd-pleaser addressed to anyone resting on their laurels delivered with funk and fun. There is brass in abundance – driving organ, and whip cracking percussion all the way.

Collectively, the singles display a wide, scintillating repertoire of styles, all delivered with complete confidence and melodic panache. Here, you’ll find drama, pathos, lust, longing, and all points in between. Most importantly, each track fizzes with intent, and you wouldn’t be surprised if Wonder 45 very quickly find their career launched into orbit.

The band have undoubtedly released a steady procession of consistently great songs in recent times – all of which have caught the attention of, and made waves with, a long list of prominent radio names, culminating in what is already sure to be an instant classic debut LP Wonderland out on 31 May via Big-AC Records.

Wonderland - live studio session

I Meant Every Word

Trust me #68
I Meant Every Word by Burnett Sisters

I don't know why the ability to discover and share a song instantly still blows my mind. I mean, after all, we're living in 2024. I guess/I know there is still a big part of me pining for 1994 or 2004, times when I would excitedly phone friends to tell them about a new record or CD I'd bought, inviting them to my house/flat for a few beers to listen, or making mixtapes or mix CD's.

Times have changed though! Songs, albums, likes, dislikes, opinions and much, much more, can be shared within a few clicks. Whether with family, friends, or anyone who chooses to follow you online. I love this and have got to meet some incredible people who display passion and taste for music.

There are a number of people that I regularly WhatsApp songs to if I'm enjoying them and think they will too. And I love receiving songs from them as well. Sometimes, they sit for a while, other times, I'm in the position to check their recommendation out instantly.

Last Thursday I was in a position to instantly check out the song I Meant Every Word by Burnett Sisters that my sister Carla sent to me at 7.55am with the message; 'Stumbled upon this EP this morning which is wonderfully weird. This song is brilliant.'

I subsequently played it 4 times in a row!

Who were / who are the Burnett Sisters?

Well, there's not a great deal of info available. In 1972 they were singing standards and pop songs locally in Detroit, when their distant relative Wardell Montgomery invited the four sisters to help him bring to life selections from Teen Age Widow - his self published poetry chapbook - at the RAPA Community Theatre.

Dave Hamilton at TCB studio made the recordings. Montgomery would continue to work intermittently as songwriter for Hamilton's production company, but the Burnett Sisters seem to have disappeared entirely.

I can't find any photos, but I also find that quite refreshing. All we have is the music. The EP is only 7-songs, some of them are poetry/spoken word. The standout, at least for Carla and I, is the heart-string tugging I Meant Every Word. 

The performance matches the title. They mean it, with every breath, every ache, with all their heart and soul. Backed by piano, bass and drums, the lead vocal kicks hard, you really feel it, especially when it soars. Then just wait for the heavenly backing vocals to come in! Wow!

What good are diamonds, silver or gold

If I don't have you in my arms to hold?

Everything about this song gives me the feels; the rawness, the lyrics, the performance, the vocals, the tight rhythm, beautiful piano ...

When I said I loved you, for richer or for poorer

I meant every word that day

And I mean it now, even more

And ooh that rise towards the end ...

As long as the sun shines in the sky

I'll be standing, standing here by

As long as 1 and 1 and 1 is three

Oh baby, you and me

As long as water runs cold

I want you in my arms to cold

I Meant Every Word 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

Nothing But A Heartache

Trust me #63
Nothing But A Heartache by The Flirtations

There used to be a record shop in St Andrews on South Street that I think was called Unknown Pleasures. This was back in the 90's. I've been googling to try and check the name, but I'm struggling to get confirmation, mainly due to the fact that there was an Unknown Pleasures record shop in Edinburgh for many a year.

Anyway, on one visit , way back in the 90's, I raided the soul section and bought a number of 7-inch singles, mostly priced at only a pound or two. I might have stretched to three or four pounds for a couple of them.

Around this time (1997 I think) I was really enjoying buying old Motown and Northern Soul compilation albums. For a while I wondered if there were any bad soul tunes! Everything seemed to be outstanding!

You had floaters, stompers and floorshakers that could be dreamy, euphoric and always soulful - defiance in heartbreak, or full of love and hope. Vital.  

One of the singles I bought was Nothing But A Heartache b/w Stronger Than Her Love by The Flirtations. Both songs blew me away. 

Stronger Than Her Love, the b-side, developed as it went on, the backing vocals seemed just as important as the lead - and that really soared! Each vocal seemed to urge the other on. 

A driving beat kicks things in and there is that brilliant defiance from the off.

Stronger than her love

My love is stronger than her love

The bridge to the chorus really builds things up and the lead vocal over the glorious backing singers (that are really a second lead) is sublime.

By the time we hit the 2-minute mark, The Flirtations and the outrageous band and arrangement that are backing them are absolutely flying. Just listen to the oooohhs underpinning the verse, the repetition of the first two lines of the bridge, then the heavenly aaahhhh's that lead to the chorus. And then Lestine Johnson and sisters Ernestine, Shirley and Betty Pearce are on fire for that chorus. The lead vocal over the top is spine tinglingly good.

Out of sight, out of mind

Is what a wise girl would say

Another girl, would never allow

You to break her heart this way

But darling I love you

I truly, truly love you

And a fool such as I

Will love you until I die

Darling, darling take this love of mine

WOW! Simply sensational, all delivered in just 2 minutes 56 seconds!

As for the a-side, it's one of the most powerful songs I know of. The crashing chords at the start, the stomping beat and then into a heartfelt vocal from the bottom of the heart.

Nothing but a heartache everyday

Nothing but a teardrop all of the way

Loving a bad guy is such a sin

He's got me, oh why can't I get him

The second verse starts with the same first two lines, then a slighty change for the third line - it's the one situation that I just can't win and then we go into the chorus, or is it a break/middle 8? Because really, it's the ferocious verses that are a chorus ... the whole song is!

I got a lot of those heartaches

I got a lot of those teardrops

Heartaches

Teardrops

All of the way

Nothing but a heartache every day

The last line is delivered with immense energy, furiously and then we're off again, blitzing through another verse, another break, another verse ... the drumming is sensational, the vocals sublime, the horns are just about keeping up and everything just sounds vital. The energy leaps out of the recording.

Nothing But A Heartache quickly became a real favourite of mine. I remember playing it to my friend Reddy. Back in the good old days you couldn't just WhatsApp someone a link. You had to go searching for songs and take a chance on records. There was a real joy in finding and owning a copy a song like this.

Nothing But A Heartache 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

Anything Goes & Everything Flows DJ mix 16

Hello and welcome to my 16th 60-minute DJ mix where I apply the philosophy that Anything Goes & Everything Flows, attempting to create a mix that would go down well in the likes of The Variety & McChuills. 

Those 2 bars were scene for many a memorable night 'back in the day' and I'd often prefer to just stay in the bars all night listening to the DJ there rather than go to a club.

I do focus on soul and funk this month, trying to create a real groove (easy when you're playing Sly & The Funk Brothers) but also providing some euphoric moments courtesy of The M.V.P.'s (pretty sure I first heard this song in McChuills at a Friday Street preclub), a sensational cover by Peggy Lee and the irresistable soul pop of The Jackson 5.

I hope you enjoy this mix. Search for Everything Flows DJ Mix 16 on Spotify or CLICK HERE

Here is the tracklist;

What's Going On (Instrumental) - Marvin Gaye / The Funk Brothers

Positive (Instrumental) - Sly & The Family Stone

Sexy -  MFSB

Turnin' Mt Heartbeat Up - The M.V.P.'s

K-Jee - The Nite-Liters

Everyday People - Sly & The Family Stone

Give Me Your Love - Sisters Love

Space Funk (Dopebrother 7-inch remix) - Manzel

Everybody Have A Good Time - Archie Drell & The Drells

You + Me = Love (12 inch single version) - The Undisputed Truth

Dock Of The Bay - Peggy Lee

I Want You Back - The Jackson 5

Caravan of Love

Cover version of the month #76

The Housemartins cover Isley Jasper Isley

Earlier this week Paul Heaton celebrated his 60th birthday by sticking £1,000 behind the bar of 60 of his favourite pubs across the UK so his fans to 'have a drink on me'.

What a brilliant and extremely generous gesture! You can read more about it HERE

Heaton also hints that he would like to do a cycling tour of the UK to play in some of his favourite pubs - that would be incredible!

Anyway, upon reading a few of the articles this week I learned that Caravan of Love by The Housemartins is a cover version!

What?

I've heard people talking about this song and read a number of articles on The Housemartins / Heaton over the years. I don't ever recall a cover version being mentioned.

Anyway, it is.

The original, by Isley Jasper Isley (from The Isley Brothers), is good, but it's not brilliant. It's got that 'classic' smooth 80's production behind it. It's got the are you ready? hook, but it's pretty bland and forgettable. The song is there, the delivery and production isn't. 

In stark contrast, The Housemartins a cappella version aches with soul, there is a richness, a truthfulness, a beating heart in every single second of the song. It's a stop you in your tracks performance, Heaton singing alone at times, joined by his band mates at others. There is a real warmth in the vocal harmonies.

I'm your brother, I'm your brother don't you know

She's my sister, she's my sister don't you know

I really enjoy my cover version of the month feature. It's thrown up a number of surprises over the years and this is one of my most surprising discoveries in relation to a song being a cover.

It's a gem, enjoy.

Isley Jasper Isley original video

The Housemartins video

The Housemartins Top of the Pops

The Housemartins live

All previous cover version of the month blogs are listed below. To listen, search for Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist on Spotify or CLICK HERE

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
53. Who Do You Think You Are?
54. Head On
55. Nothing Compares 2 U

56. Hey Jude

57. Seven Days Too Long

58. L.O.V.E Love

59. Into Your Arms

60. Heart Of Glass

61. Take Me To The River

62. We Can Work It Out 

63. Talking In My Sleep

64. Lola

65. Lost In Music

66. My Little Red Book

67. Isn't It A Pity

68. Walk On By

69. Walk Away Renee

70. Tainted Love

71. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

72. Listen The Snow Is Falling

73. Mrs Robinson

74. He's Gonna Step On You Again

75. In My Life

Anything Goes & Everything Flows DJ mix 9

Welcome to my 9th DJ mix blog and playlist. A series of 60-minute playlists/mixes trying to create the vibe I would get from entering The Variety / McChuills in Glasgow on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night, where DJ's would work their magic to get the crowd in the mood for moving on to a club, or in my case, often opting to just stay in the bar. 

This time I've gone for a slightly different vibe, a late Saturday afternoon in McChuills kind of vibe where DJ's or old Nick behind the bar would have even more freedom to play all kinds of stuff. Maybe they would reach a little deeper into their record collection for this kind of slot/time.

Kicking off with a slow improvised groove by Lizzy Mercier Descloux, I hope this mix throws up all kinds of new discoveries for you; the instant rush of Hush by Joe South, the warm and lovely Will You Promise by Ebo Taylor, the oustanding psychedelic It's Not Easy by Ofege is a song I only discovered at the end of 2021. I'll be blogging on the band in the future.

Elsewhere Grace Jones and DJ Shadow make it seem so effortless, Nancy and Lee sound super cool, how good is Like A Ship?! I'll be blogging on that song soon. And the two closing songs are sublime.

Enjoy. You'll find it on Spotify under Everthing Flows DJ Mix 9 or CLICK HERE

No Golden Throat - Lizzy Mercier Descloux

Le couer au bout des coigts - Jacqueline Taieb

Fantastic Man - William Onyeabor

L Elephant - Tom Tom Club

Hush - Joe South

It's Not Easy - Ofege

Yegulle Tezeta - Mulatu Astake

Will You Promise - Ebo Taylor

Williams Blood - Grace Jones

This Time (I'm Gonna Try It My Way) - DJ Shadow

I Heard It Through The Grapevine - The Slits

Big Red Balloon - Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazelwood

Sunday Morning - Margo Guryan

Like A Ship - Pastor TL Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir

Action Line - Dorothy Ashby

Love Is A Hurtin' Thing (7-inch version) - Gloria Ann Taylor

Never Ending Mixtape part 68

It's a BUMPER edition of the Never Ending Mixtape as a whopping 72 songs are added. 

It's an eclectic, eccentric and electric selection. From Love Affair to Money Mark, Curtis Mayfield to Little Boots, The Box Tops to Blake Babies, Louis Armstrong to Gabriel, David Holmes to Eugene Kelly, Neil Young to Soulwax .... and lots, lots more. Dig in and enjoy.

Search for Everything Flows Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify or CLICK HERE

Blow Up - James Taylor Quarter

It Ain't Long Enough - Judith Clay

Brain Damage - Blake Babies

Considering A Move To Memphis - The Colorblind James Experience

What You Think? - Callum Easter

The Best - Carla J Easton, AMUNDA, Malka

The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat) - The Doors

Wiggle Wiggle - Tommy James and The Shondells

Cry Like A Baby - The Box Tops

Ooh La La - The Faces

We Have All The Time In The World - Louis Armstrong

I'm Not Sayin' - Nico

Theme from The Monkees - The Monkees

Can You Dig It - The Monkees

When Love Comes Knockin' - The Monkees

Blame - Gabriel

Loyalty - Gabriel

I Wanna Be Free - The Monkees

Do You Want To Know A Secret? - The Beatles

There's A Place - The Beatles

You Really Got A Hold On Me - The Beatles

Every Little Thing - The Beatles

Blessed and Misplaced - Eugene Kelly

1Thing - Amerie

The Perfect Life - Moby and Wayne Coyne

Can You Get To That - Funkadelic

Keep on Keepin' on - Curtis Mayfield

Keep On Trippin' - Curtis Mayfield

Back To The World - Curtis Mayfield

Faith and Healing - Ian McCulloch

Candleland - Ian McCulloch

Laugh At Me - Sonny Bono

45.33 - LCD Soundsystem

Incident - Joris Voorn

If Only I Were A Child Again - Curtis Mayfield

45.33 (Prince Language Remix) - LCD Soundsystem

Get A Life - Rae and Christian featuring Bobby Womack

Christmas Eve - Gorkys Zyngotic Mynci

Save The Last Kiss For Me - Jean Knight

Think It Over - Jean Knight

NY Excuse - Soulwax

Mythological Beauty - Big Thief

I Found A Reason - Cat Power

Down By The River - Neil Young

Driftin' Back - Neil Young

La prima estate - Erland Oye

Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels) - Arcade Fire

Rat Trap - The Boomtown Rats

Always The Sun - The Stranglers

Heavy Drug - UNKLE

Love Reign Over Me - David Holmes

Black Steel - Tricky

6 Underground - Sneaker Pimps

Twenty Five Miles - Edwin Starr

Baby Don't You Do It - Marvin Gaye

Keep on Truckin' - Eddie Kendricks

Girl - Beck

Amen Brother - The Bamboos

Khala My Friend - Amanaz

You're A Song That I Can't Sing - Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons

Landline - Little Boots

Back In Your Life Again - Love Affair

You Ain't The Problem - Michael Kiwanuka

Cellaphane Car - The Stroppies

Nobody Speak - DJ Shadow

Stuck At The Airport - Money Mark

Anything Goes & Everything Flows DJ mix 8

Welcome to my 8th DJ mix blog and playlist. A series of 60-minute playlists/mixes trying to create the vibe I would get from entering The Variety / McChuills in Glasgow on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night, where DJ's would work their magic to get the crowd in the mood for moving on to a club, or in my case, often opting to just stay in the bar. 

Starting with the stunningly sublime 7.5 minute Hung Up On My Baby by Isaac Hayes, I'm amazed that I still pack 20-songs into this 60-minute mix! I love the journey you can take people on within just 60-minutes. 

The vast majority of the other songs in this mix are under 3-minute long, but look out for Hangin' Out by Betty Davis that is over 4-minutes and just develops into a real groove with euphoric vocals. Frankie Valli's Beggin' still gets dancefloors jumping, the power in The Flirtations Nothing But A Heartache never ceases to surprise me and hit me hard. Marlena Shaw and Ike & Tina show what you can do in only 2-minutes, the funk groove of Sport puts a smile on my face. And listed for the glorious horns on The Chi-Lites Are You My Woman that Jay-Z sampled decades later for Beyonce's Crazy In Love. 

I'm really pleased with this mix. Hope you enjoy it.

Search for Everything Flows DJ Mix 8 on Spotify or CLICK HERE.

Tracklist

Hung Up On My Baby (Extended Jam) - Isaac Hayes

Somebody, Somewhere, Help Me - Quincy Conserve

I Can't Believe (What You Say) -Ike & Tina Turner

House of the Rising Funk - Afrique

Sport - Lightnin' Rod

Searching for Soul Part 1 - Jake Wade & The Soul Searchers

Mighty Mighty (Spade & Whitey) - The Impressions

(For God's Sake) Give More Power To The People - The Chi-Lites

Instant Groove - King Curtis

Soul Time - Shirley Ellis

Soul Finger - The Bar-Keys

Twenty Five Miles - Edwin Starr

Beggin' - Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

I'm On My Way - Dean Parrish

Berts Apple Crumble - The Quik

Soul Drums - Bernard 'Pretty' Purdie

Liberation Conversation - Marlena Shaw

Hangin' Out - Betty Davis

Nothing But A Heartache - The Flirtations

Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So) - The Chi-Lites

Never Ending Mixtape part 51

Hi

How are you?

Thanks for checking in on the latest additions to my Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify, now with 1,568 songs and over 104 hours of music for you to enjoy.

I'm a sucker for lists of bands and songs, so this is a blog I really look forward to writing every month.

I add songs to the Mixtape as I go, with no thought behind band / song / style, so somehow everything flows;  rock n roll from the 50's, 60's beat and psychedelia, Motown, Northern Soul, disco, house, indie, pop, electro .... it's all in there.

You can scroll down to near the end for the songs listed below, or play from the start, or just click on shuffle. Enjoy, and please let me know if you find a song you love - whether it is a blast from the past or one you have never heard before.

Loads of songs this month, including;

JUST OUT - Songs by Supercrush, Taylor Swift, the debut single by Birds of Pandaemonium that I discovered via the Lauren Laverne show (it's so good I have also added the remix), Carla J Easton's new single and a song from the latest Emi James EP (blog to follow soon) and a beauty by The Flaming Lips

RECENT DISCOVERIES - Playlists from the team behind the Heavenly Social, I'm working my way through them and songs like Art - The Meters / Car on a Hill - Joni Mitchell / Life on Mars - Dexter Wansel / Brother, Where Are You? - Johnny Rivers / Big Chief - Dr. John / Stop Bajon - Tullio De Piscopo have been discovered through the playlists

REDISCOVERIES - The Beta Band, the instrumental version of Association by Teenage Fanclub, Nick Drake and I'm going through a big Velvet Underground phase just now

Read on for the full list. Search for Everything Flows Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify or click below.

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I Don't Want To Be Sad Anymore - Supercrush

I Know - The Beta Band

She's The One - The Beta Band

Sweet Young Thing - The Chocolate Watchband

Love To You - The Charlatans

Sexuality - Billy Bragg

Everybody's Happy Nowadays - Buzzcocks

Association (instrumental) - Teenage Fanclub

If Ever I Was A Child - Wilco

The Wind - Yusuf

Time Of No Reply - Nick Drake

Northern Sky - Nick Drake

Be Here Now - George Harrison

Moonshadow - Many Moore

Carey - Joni Mitchell

California - Joni Mitchell

Both Sides Now - Joni Mitchell

Dreaming - Blondie

Sometimes I Don't Need To Believe In Anything - Teenage Fanclub

Sundown - Gordon Lightfoot

I Am ... I Said - Neil Diamond

Nowhere To Run - Laura Nyro

Monkey Time / Dancing In The Streets - Laura Nyro

It's Your Thing - The Isley Brothers

Express Yourself - Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band

Here Comes The Meter Man - The Meters

These Things Will Keep Me Loving You Dear - The Velvettes

Never Knew You - Carla J Easton

Float Through Wires - Emi James

Bubble Gun - Honeyblood

B + A - The Beta Band

Smokey Joe's La La - Lance Ferguson

The Book of Love - The Magnetic Fields

Cherry- coloured Funk - The Cocteau Twins

Asleep From Day - Chemical Brothers

Pale Blue Eyes - Velvet Underground

Here She Comes Now - Velvet Underground

exile - Taylor Swift w/ Bon Iver

Under Control - The Strokes

Art - The Meters

Car on a Hill - Joni Mitchell

Life on Mars - Dexter Wansel

Brother, Where Are You? - Johnny Rivers

Big Chief - Dr. John

Stop Bajon - Tullio De Piscopo

Days Go By - Birds of Pandaemonium

Days Go By (Bryan Mette remix) - Birds of Pandaemonium

You N Me Sellin' Weed - The Flaming Lips