On Wednesday night I went to Electric in Brixton for the first time to see DJ Shadow not for the first time.
Its now 20 years since his debut "Entroducing" was released, but the focus tonight was on his latest album "The Mountain Will Fall".
He arrived on stage and described his latest effort as being a fresh approach. As usual he had the visuals on in the background, the problem was the venue wasn't really suited to them as they weren't high enough to see properly.
Another issue with the venue was it was far too hot, it was like walking into an oven on arrival before most of the crowd got there. Fortunately because DJ Shadows music is generally quite slow you don't have to move quite as much when dancing to it. You could even tell DJ Shadow himself was feeling the heat on the stage by himself.
When playing tracks from "Entroducing" the crowd would get lifted like you would expect. For me though the highlight was when he played "Nobody Speak" from his latest album following a bit of a political rant he made prior to it. He then followed up with some material from Entroducing.
Overall a good performance, not too keen on the venue though.
Sunday, 31 July 2016
Saturday, 23 July 2016
UK Charts in General
First of all, I'm going to hold off doing my year by year chart analysis for the next couple of weeks or so. This is because it does take a lot of time to research and I've been too busy lately to keep up. It will return though.
You may or may not know that Bryan Adams record of 16 consecutive weeks at number one is now under serious threat. The current number one at the time of writing has been there for 15 weeks.
With the way the charts went towards the end of the 90s it seemed impossible for this record to be beaten. By this time any records entering the singles chart would already be well known, therefore most people who intended on buying it would do so in the week of release. This meant many records would peak in week 1 and then quickly drop out the charts.
These days though the rules have changed, notably that streaming is included. Seems fair enough, it wouldn't make sense to just count cd singles because who actually buys them anymore?
It does however reflect the fact that these days the charts doesn't seem to having any bearing on what people are listening to. I personally don't think I've ever heard the current number one record. Then you will have people who hear this news and go to stream the record to hear what it sounds like which may keep it at number one for longer.
Above all though, anyone who knows a thing or two about music will know about Bryan Adams 16 weeks of glory in 1991. If this record gets beaten I don't think too many people will notice.
I've not revealed what the current number one record is, partly because I don't actually remember what its called although I do remember who the artist is. If you want to know, Google it!
You may or may not know that Bryan Adams record of 16 consecutive weeks at number one is now under serious threat. The current number one at the time of writing has been there for 15 weeks.
With the way the charts went towards the end of the 90s it seemed impossible for this record to be beaten. By this time any records entering the singles chart would already be well known, therefore most people who intended on buying it would do so in the week of release. This meant many records would peak in week 1 and then quickly drop out the charts.
These days though the rules have changed, notably that streaming is included. Seems fair enough, it wouldn't make sense to just count cd singles because who actually buys them anymore?
It does however reflect the fact that these days the charts doesn't seem to having any bearing on what people are listening to. I personally don't think I've ever heard the current number one record. Then you will have people who hear this news and go to stream the record to hear what it sounds like which may keep it at number one for longer.
Above all though, anyone who knows a thing or two about music will know about Bryan Adams 16 weeks of glory in 1991. If this record gets beaten I don't think too many people will notice.
I've not revealed what the current number one record is, partly because I don't actually remember what its called although I do remember who the artist is. If you want to know, Google it!
Sunday, 10 July 2016
Calloway - I Wanna Be Rich
There have been many songs over the years that I can relate to, though some I find I can no longer relate to them once I've found out the true meaning behind them.
I don't have such problems with a song as blunt as "I Wanna Be Rich" with lyrics such as "I want money, lots and lots of money".
I first heard this song when I was regularly listening to a 90s radio station on the internet from America. I mistakenly remembered this as being a song by Tony Toni Tone, and one day I had the urge to listen to it I discovered it wasn't them, it was by Calloway.
So who were Calloway?
They were brothers Reggie and Vincent Calloway who were both formerly members of Midnight Star. Their time as Calloway was quite brief but they were also successful producers, which implies they quite possibly fulfilled their objective of being rich. Additionally, an internet search showed me that Reggie is very involved in the business of musicians getting royalties so its very likely he meant what he said in this song.
It was never a hit in the UK but reached number 2 in America in 1990. I'm sure that many of you will be able to relate to this song.
Wednesday, 6 July 2016
Record of the Year 1963: Jimmy Soul - If You Wanna Be Happy
After picking a number one for my record of 1962 I've gone to the other end of the top 40 for 1963 picking a record which reached number 39. It did however enjoy greater success in America reaching number 1 over there.
This song is based on a calypso called "Ugly Woman" and I would say its the mix of doo wop and calypso which makes this record sound so good. The lyrical content is quite amusing to say the least, but the uplifting vibe you get from the tune makes it for me.
It was Jimmy Souls only hit and after failing to follow up with any more hits he joined the US army. Later on in life he became addicted to drugs and ended up going to prison before he died of a heart attack in 1988 aged just 45.
Saturday, 2 July 2016
UK Singles Chart: 1963
One of the key things about the first three years of the decade was they weren't too different from the 50s. We know the 60s as we know it would have to start sooner or later, but would 1963 be it?
Well the year began with Cliff Richard scoring his sixth number one with a double A side of "The Next Time/Bachelor Boy". This was then knocked off number one by his backing group The Shadows with "Dance On", their fourth number one (excluding those with Cliff Richard). Then this was knocked off number on by former Shadows members Jet Harris and Tony Meehan with "Diamonds". Then Frank Ifield scored his third number one in a row with "The Wayward Wind" before we see the return of Cliff Richard with his seventh number one with "Summer Holiday". Once again Cliff Richard was knocked off number one by The Shadows with "Foot Tapper", their fifth number one putting them third for most number ones behind Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard. The Shadows were knocked off number one by Cliff Richard who returned to number one with "Summer Holiday". The Shadows would have no further number ones but Cliff Richard would.
By this point it was April. So not much has changed at the top of the charts so far.
Additionally we saw Elvis Presley have four more hits including one further number one with "(You're the) Devil in Disguise". This brought his total number of hits to 47 and his total number ones to 14 which at the time of writing, the only other act to beat that total is The Beatles.
We saw in 1962 The Beatles got up to number 17 with "Love Me Do". This wouldn't climb any further in the charts, but the start of the year saw them release their follow up, "Please Please Me" which would reach number 2. It was fellow Liverpudlians Gerry and the Pacemakers though who would score the first Mersey Beat number one with their debut "How Do You Do It" which knocked "Summer Holiday" off the top. Then the Beatles scored their first number one with their third single "From Me To You". Going with the trend so far in 1963, Gerry and the Pacemakers knocked the Beatles off the top with their second single "I Like It". The next two number ones came from Frank Ifield and Elvis Presley, but after this all number one for the rest of the year would come from the Beat scene including Gerry and the Pacemakers with "You'll Never Walk Alone" which would make them the first act to reach number one with their first three singles.
As well as The Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers, several other acts from Mersey Beat movement would make their chart debuts this year. The Big Three debuted in April with "Some Other Guy". Then in May, Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas debuted with a cover of The Beatles "Do You Want to Know a Secret" and also reaching number one in August with the Lennon/McCartney penned "Bad to Me". Appropriately this was then knocked off number one by The Beatles with "She Loves You". June saw The Swinging Blue Jeans debut with "It's Too Late Now" and The Searchers debut with "Sweets for My Sweet" which reached number one. Then September saw the debuts of The Fourmost with "Hello Little Girl" and The Merseybeats with "Its Love That Really Counts". Then October saw the debut of Cilla Black with the Lennon/McCartney penned "Love of the Loved".
Outside of Liverpool their were other notable chart debutants who are considered to be from the Beat movement. From London there was the Rolling Stones with "Come On" and following it up with the Lennon/McCartney penned "I Wanna Be Your Man". Also from London was Brian Poole and the Tremeloes with "Twist and Shout" which was followed up by the number one single "Do You Love Me" which was also the debut single for fellow Londoners Dave Clark Five. Then from Manchester came The Hollies with "(Ain't That) Just Like Me" and Freddie and the Dreamers with "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody".
In addition to Beat music, this was also the year of Surf music. The well known "Wipe Out" by The Surfaris charted at number 5 this year which would be their only hit. More notably though was the chart debut of The Beach Boys with "Surfin USA". Also worth a mention is the lesser known "Surf City" by Jan and Dean which reached number 26.
This was also the year we said goodbye to The Springfields and say hello to Dusty Springfield making her solo debut with "I Only Want to be With You".
From America we see the debut from The Ronettes with "Be My Baby". More surprisingly we see the chart debut of Bo Diddley with "Pretty Thing" which had been released in America in 1955.
We see three new nationalities on the charts this year. From Japan we have Kyu Sakamoto who had his only hit with "Sukiyaki". Then from Brazil we have Los Indios Tabajaras with their only hit "Maria Elena". Finally from Belgium we have The Singing Nun with her only hit "Dominique".
This would be the first year none of the acts from the first year of the charts in 1952 would feature. Of the 1953 debutants, we see the final hit from Jimmy Young with "Miss You". Then we see both Frank Sinatra and Frankie Vaughan continue their string of hits every year since 1954 whilst Petula Clark is still present in the charts.
So it does seem like 1963 is the year the sixties truly becomes the sixties. Will the Beat craze continue into 1964? and what other music will we see come about? we'll see in a couple of weeks.
Well the year began with Cliff Richard scoring his sixth number one with a double A side of "The Next Time/Bachelor Boy". This was then knocked off number one by his backing group The Shadows with "Dance On", their fourth number one (excluding those with Cliff Richard). Then this was knocked off number on by former Shadows members Jet Harris and Tony Meehan with "Diamonds". Then Frank Ifield scored his third number one in a row with "The Wayward Wind" before we see the return of Cliff Richard with his seventh number one with "Summer Holiday". Once again Cliff Richard was knocked off number one by The Shadows with "Foot Tapper", their fifth number one putting them third for most number ones behind Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard. The Shadows were knocked off number one by Cliff Richard who returned to number one with "Summer Holiday". The Shadows would have no further number ones but Cliff Richard would.
By this point it was April. So not much has changed at the top of the charts so far.
Additionally we saw Elvis Presley have four more hits including one further number one with "(You're the) Devil in Disguise". This brought his total number of hits to 47 and his total number ones to 14 which at the time of writing, the only other act to beat that total is The Beatles.
We saw in 1962 The Beatles got up to number 17 with "Love Me Do". This wouldn't climb any further in the charts, but the start of the year saw them release their follow up, "Please Please Me" which would reach number 2. It was fellow Liverpudlians Gerry and the Pacemakers though who would score the first Mersey Beat number one with their debut "How Do You Do It" which knocked "Summer Holiday" off the top. Then the Beatles scored their first number one with their third single "From Me To You". Going with the trend so far in 1963, Gerry and the Pacemakers knocked the Beatles off the top with their second single "I Like It". The next two number ones came from Frank Ifield and Elvis Presley, but after this all number one for the rest of the year would come from the Beat scene including Gerry and the Pacemakers with "You'll Never Walk Alone" which would make them the first act to reach number one with their first three singles.
As well as The Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers, several other acts from Mersey Beat movement would make their chart debuts this year. The Big Three debuted in April with "Some Other Guy". Then in May, Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas debuted with a cover of The Beatles "Do You Want to Know a Secret" and also reaching number one in August with the Lennon/McCartney penned "Bad to Me". Appropriately this was then knocked off number one by The Beatles with "She Loves You". June saw The Swinging Blue Jeans debut with "It's Too Late Now" and The Searchers debut with "Sweets for My Sweet" which reached number one. Then September saw the debuts of The Fourmost with "Hello Little Girl" and The Merseybeats with "Its Love That Really Counts". Then October saw the debut of Cilla Black with the Lennon/McCartney penned "Love of the Loved".
Outside of Liverpool their were other notable chart debutants who are considered to be from the Beat movement. From London there was the Rolling Stones with "Come On" and following it up with the Lennon/McCartney penned "I Wanna Be Your Man". Also from London was Brian Poole and the Tremeloes with "Twist and Shout" which was followed up by the number one single "Do You Love Me" which was also the debut single for fellow Londoners Dave Clark Five. Then from Manchester came The Hollies with "(Ain't That) Just Like Me" and Freddie and the Dreamers with "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody".
In addition to Beat music, this was also the year of Surf music. The well known "Wipe Out" by The Surfaris charted at number 5 this year which would be their only hit. More notably though was the chart debut of The Beach Boys with "Surfin USA". Also worth a mention is the lesser known "Surf City" by Jan and Dean which reached number 26.
This was also the year we said goodbye to The Springfields and say hello to Dusty Springfield making her solo debut with "I Only Want to be With You".
From America we see the debut from The Ronettes with "Be My Baby". More surprisingly we see the chart debut of Bo Diddley with "Pretty Thing" which had been released in America in 1955.
We see three new nationalities on the charts this year. From Japan we have Kyu Sakamoto who had his only hit with "Sukiyaki". Then from Brazil we have Los Indios Tabajaras with their only hit "Maria Elena". Finally from Belgium we have The Singing Nun with her only hit "Dominique".
This would be the first year none of the acts from the first year of the charts in 1952 would feature. Of the 1953 debutants, we see the final hit from Jimmy Young with "Miss You". Then we see both Frank Sinatra and Frankie Vaughan continue their string of hits every year since 1954 whilst Petula Clark is still present in the charts.
So it does seem like 1963 is the year the sixties truly becomes the sixties. Will the Beat craze continue into 1964? and what other music will we see come about? we'll see in a couple of weeks.
Wednesday, 29 June 2016
Record of the Year 1962: The Tornados - Telstar
For the first time my record of the year was a number one. It was also the first US number one to be recorded by a British group.
Instrumental music was clearly popular when this came out, but this does sound like its ahead of its time. I first heard this after learning about the US number one fact and finding it on YouTube. Even all these years after it was written I still don't think I've ever heard anything quite like it.
The Tornados would have a further three hit singles, all the following year, all instrumental and all rather good.
The man behind the Tornados was Joe Meek. He wrote and produced this track and had great success with other artists too in the early 60s. Despite this he found himself with major financial difficulties and in 1967 he shot dead his landlady before shooting himself dead aged just 37.
As for the Tornados themselves, well they are actually still going today as a triggers broom band. Three of the five members on this track have since passed away including Heinz Burt who would have a few solo hits after leaving the band under the name Heinz. Of the two still alive, there is Clem Cattini who became a successful session musician and holds the record for most number ones played on with at least 44 known to feature him. He rerecorded this track this year (2016) with a Ska band called the Skammers. Then there is George Bellamy who is now retired but has a famous son, Matt Bellamy the lead singer of Muse.
Saturday, 18 June 2016
UK Singles Chart: 1962
I begin my review of 1962 by talking about an artist who made his chart debut in 1961 who I failed to mention in my review of that year, Chubby Checker. He had reached number 27 with his debut "Pony Time" and then his follow up, "Lets Twist Again" reached number 37 and remained in the top 40 for one week. The first week of 1962 saw "Lets Twist Again" re enter the top 40 and would go on to reach number 2 and remain in the top 40 until the end of May before reappearing for two more weeks in June. The second week saw "The Twist" enter the top 40 having failed to do so on its original release two years earlier.
This set the scene for the first half of the year with several songs about doing the twist appearing in the charts such as "Twistin the Night Away" by Sam Cooke, "Ya Ya Twist" by Petula Clark and "Slow Twistin" by Chubby Checker himself. There would be no further twist songs in the second half of the year with Chubby Checker moving onto rock having hits with "Limbo Rock" and "Jingle Bell Rock".
Another record from 1961 which made a big impact in the charts in 1962 was "Stranger on the Shore" by Mr Acker Bilk. This entered the top 40 in December 1961 but would remain in the charts until December 1962 spending just 3 weeks outside the top 40 in that time. This was a record at the time and it never actually made number one.
It proved to be yet another successful year for Elvis Presley scoring another four number ones taking his total to 13. At the time of writing, this number has only been topped by the Beatles, Cliff Richard and Westlife in the history of the charts. His total number of top 40 hits would now stand at 43.
Of the 1952 chart debutants, only Nat King Cole would have top 40 hits this year. This would be the last we'd see of Nat King Cole in the charts until "When I Fall in Love" got rereleased in 1987. Of the 1953 debutants we have a hit for Perry Como with "Caterina" which would be his last record for several years until he would return with a string of hits in the 70s. Frank Sinatra and Frankie Vaughan both continued their run of having a hit every year since 1954 and as mentioned 1954 debutant Petula Clark would be in the charts this year.
The instrumentals were still going strong with three instrumental number ones this year. They were "Wonderful Land" by the Shadows, "Nut Rocker" by B Bumble and the Stingers and "Telstar" by the Tornados which was also the first US number one by an English group. We also had the chart debut of instrumental group the Spotnicks who were the first act from Sweden to enter the charts having hits with "Orange Blossom Special" and "Rocket Man". Meanwhile Duane Eddy had a hit late on in the year with "(Dance With The) Guitar Man" which was his first UK hit with vocals on.
The year saw the chart debut for the Four Seasons with "Sherry". Meanwhile, November saw the chart debut of a certain band from Liverpool called the Beatles with the record "Love Me Do". This record would slowly climb the charts for the rest of the year being at number 17 in the final week of the year.
So despite this being the third year of the 60s the chart still has a 50s feel about it. Will the debut of the Beatles change that? Well you know the answer to that, but come back in a couple of weeks to see exactly what happened.
This set the scene for the first half of the year with several songs about doing the twist appearing in the charts such as "Twistin the Night Away" by Sam Cooke, "Ya Ya Twist" by Petula Clark and "Slow Twistin" by Chubby Checker himself. There would be no further twist songs in the second half of the year with Chubby Checker moving onto rock having hits with "Limbo Rock" and "Jingle Bell Rock".
Another record from 1961 which made a big impact in the charts in 1962 was "Stranger on the Shore" by Mr Acker Bilk. This entered the top 40 in December 1961 but would remain in the charts until December 1962 spending just 3 weeks outside the top 40 in that time. This was a record at the time and it never actually made number one.
It proved to be yet another successful year for Elvis Presley scoring another four number ones taking his total to 13. At the time of writing, this number has only been topped by the Beatles, Cliff Richard and Westlife in the history of the charts. His total number of top 40 hits would now stand at 43.
Of the 1952 chart debutants, only Nat King Cole would have top 40 hits this year. This would be the last we'd see of Nat King Cole in the charts until "When I Fall in Love" got rereleased in 1987. Of the 1953 debutants we have a hit for Perry Como with "Caterina" which would be his last record for several years until he would return with a string of hits in the 70s. Frank Sinatra and Frankie Vaughan both continued their run of having a hit every year since 1954 and as mentioned 1954 debutant Petula Clark would be in the charts this year.
The instrumentals were still going strong with three instrumental number ones this year. They were "Wonderful Land" by the Shadows, "Nut Rocker" by B Bumble and the Stingers and "Telstar" by the Tornados which was also the first US number one by an English group. We also had the chart debut of instrumental group the Spotnicks who were the first act from Sweden to enter the charts having hits with "Orange Blossom Special" and "Rocket Man". Meanwhile Duane Eddy had a hit late on in the year with "(Dance With The) Guitar Man" which was his first UK hit with vocals on.
The year saw the chart debut for the Four Seasons with "Sherry". Meanwhile, November saw the chart debut of a certain band from Liverpool called the Beatles with the record "Love Me Do". This record would slowly climb the charts for the rest of the year being at number 17 in the final week of the year.
So despite this being the third year of the 60s the chart still has a 50s feel about it. Will the debut of the Beatles change that? Well you know the answer to that, but come back in a couple of weeks to see exactly what happened.
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