CD of the Week 13.1.15 - Uno's Christmas Selection Box
Dec 12, 2015 23:52:27 GMT
Horacewimp, jrmugz, and 3 more like this
Post by unomusette on Dec 12, 2015 23:52:27 GMT
Well here we are, the end of another year. We've heard a range of CD's and expanded our musical knowledge hugely, go us!
Now it's time for some light hearted variety, so in the spirit of the Christmas Selection Box I'm proud to present a bunch of songs I totally love, from artists who maybe only had one hit or whose albums may not appeal to the ELO fraternity for more than one track. Here, they get their chance to impress you with music and video, listen and review just as many as you fancy, no pressure, please don't feel obliged to try them all, it's not a marathon unless you want it to be - let's go!
Wolfmother - Dimension
Not sure what this mad bunch of Aussies are doing these days, but their debut album blew my socks off. Seeing them at the Birmingham O2 was one of my best gigs ever, plus a man came up to Mr Musette and congratuated him on his pedro moustache while we were waiting for Wolfmother to take the stage Mad Brummie crowd and this epic music was a night made in heaven.
Further listening if they float your boat: White Unicorn, Woman
Lulu - To Sir With Love
You may laugh, but Lulu had a totally brilliant voice (still has, I believe), and this song is so clever in both the tune and the way the lyrics fit into it. From the film of the same name (which I've never seen,but apparently it's pretty good)
Further listening: The Boat That I Row
Rocky Burnette - Tired of Toein' the Line
Heeee! I ADORE this song and the video is totally fab. Line up here to see Rocky playing out his fireman dreams, a hot girl band and saucy use of a fire hose at the end - the fun is infectious and you just know they were thoroughly enjoying themselves
Further listening: Unfortunately I've never explored Rocky any further, I expect he has a great back catalogue though....
Devotchka - The Enemy Guns
I was turned on to this track by a stray recommendation from Dom, the drummer out of Muse. Later I saw them support Muse at Stade de France and they were amazing. As you can see they aren't afraid to sing in a foreign language and I can confirm they will also bring a tuba onstage.
Further listening: I've never gotten around to chasing up their back catalogue but I know they have one. Explore if you dare - I might see you there!
Arctic Monkeys - Mardy Bum
To translate, mardy bum is a term you apply to someone who is in a bad mood with you. The Cardiff version is someone who's "got the nig". I love the Monkeys' first album, it's funny and rude and all about real life and the music is raw and catchy. It's maybe a bit too much to bring on the whole album but if this catches your interest...
Further listening: I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor , When the Sun Goes Down
Darts - Can't Get Enough of Your Love
Guess who produced this? You can hear him warbling away in the backing vocals (rhymes with..erm.. Boy Good) Fabulous song, love Rita's voice to bits and her legs could easily rival a certain female violinist's Darts were huge in their day but seem to have faded away quite quickly, shame
Further listening: It's Raining , Boy From New York City
System of a Down - Radio Video
WARNING -THIS BAND SPECIALISES IN HITTING YOU HARD JUST AFTER A QUIET BIT!
I am devoted to System of a Down, they're an American/Armenian band which mix folk, metal, thrash, politics and hilarious stupidity into one glorious mess. One of my best gigs ever was seeing them at Wembley Arena this year (33 songs in one night!), and their gig at Bercy in Paris is the only time I've ever had to retire for actual fear of dying in the moshpit. Sadly there are "musical differences" between Serj, the demented, grinning ringmaster, and Darron, the uber cute psycho on guitar, so their reunions tend to be short lived. But I'm so waiting for the next one....
Further listening: BYOB , Boom
Sergio Mendes - Mas Que Nada
Well, if it's party time, it's time for this. I defy you to resist grooving along to this total classic. Who cares what it's all about? This song simply cannot be faulted, and I'll fight anyone who disagrees.
Further listening: You're on your own here, but if you go exploring don't go alone...
Furniture - Brilliant Mind
The very best thing about this epic track is the lyrics, the way they rhyme from verse to verse, it's really clever. Plus it's a great atmospheric and uplifting tune with loads of body, what's not to love? Unfortunate catch at about 1.12, I blame Youtube, couldn't find another version
Further listening: I've tried to find something equally brilliant by Furniture but failed. I think they peaked at about this point, shame.
Mike Oldfield - Man in the Rain
Yes, it IS almost a total copy of his previous single with Maggie Reilly, Moonlight Shadow, but I heard this whilst compiling and decided it was worthy. Cara Dillon has such a gorgeous voice and the guitar work is lovely.
Further listening: To France , Moonlight Shadow
Cosmo Jarvis - Gay Pirates
Don't watch if you're offended by the idea of gay love or seeing two (probably heterosexual) men kissing.
I first heard this track when Cosmo supported Muse at their homecoming gig in Devon, he has a really interesting back catalogue but it's maybe an aquired taste. This cute video is cleverly staged to illustrate the song, which is basically about thwarted love which wins back in the end. Mostly he writes quite honestly about being a normal guy, a bit bemused by normal life.
Further listening: Jessica Alba's Number , Dave's House
Sniff 'n The Tears - Driver's Seat
This song grabbed me when I heard it on the radio back in the day, and it's still a classic. I love the comment on the Youtube page about the whole band looking miserable apart from the guy in the shades. There are legs in there too, for those who like such things. Faultless.
Further listening: Again, I never found anything by them to match this, but it may be out there...
The Darkness - Christmas Time (Don't let the Bells End)
As you read this I may well be rocking out to this very song at Bristol O2 (seeing them on the 13th), the festive season just isn't the same without it. Despite the kitsch , this band seriously rocks live whilst retaining a healthy sense of the ridiculous. I dare you to watch the video without cracking at least one festive grin - spot the robot! And who hasn't dreamed of lounging in front of the fire wearing stupid trousers and a jumper with fringed sleeves?
Further listening: Love is Only a Feeling , I Believe in a thing called Love
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, see you in the New Year for more musical mind expansion......
Now it's time for some light hearted variety, so in the spirit of the Christmas Selection Box I'm proud to present a bunch of songs I totally love, from artists who maybe only had one hit or whose albums may not appeal to the ELO fraternity for more than one track. Here, they get their chance to impress you with music and video, listen and review just as many as you fancy, no pressure, please don't feel obliged to try them all, it's not a marathon unless you want it to be - let's go!
Wolfmother - Dimension
Not sure what this mad bunch of Aussies are doing these days, but their debut album blew my socks off. Seeing them at the Birmingham O2 was one of my best gigs ever, plus a man came up to Mr Musette and congratuated him on his pedro moustache while we were waiting for Wolfmother to take the stage Mad Brummie crowd and this epic music was a night made in heaven.
Further listening if they float your boat: White Unicorn, Woman
Lulu - To Sir With Love
You may laugh, but Lulu had a totally brilliant voice (still has, I believe), and this song is so clever in both the tune and the way the lyrics fit into it. From the film of the same name (which I've never seen,but apparently it's pretty good)
Further listening: The Boat That I Row
Rocky Burnette - Tired of Toein' the Line
Heeee! I ADORE this song and the video is totally fab. Line up here to see Rocky playing out his fireman dreams, a hot girl band and saucy use of a fire hose at the end - the fun is infectious and you just know they were thoroughly enjoying themselves
Further listening: Unfortunately I've never explored Rocky any further, I expect he has a great back catalogue though....
Devotchka - The Enemy Guns
I was turned on to this track by a stray recommendation from Dom, the drummer out of Muse. Later I saw them support Muse at Stade de France and they were amazing. As you can see they aren't afraid to sing in a foreign language and I can confirm they will also bring a tuba onstage.
Further listening: I've never gotten around to chasing up their back catalogue but I know they have one. Explore if you dare - I might see you there!
Arctic Monkeys - Mardy Bum
To translate, mardy bum is a term you apply to someone who is in a bad mood with you. The Cardiff version is someone who's "got the nig". I love the Monkeys' first album, it's funny and rude and all about real life and the music is raw and catchy. It's maybe a bit too much to bring on the whole album but if this catches your interest...
Further listening: I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor , When the Sun Goes Down
Darts - Can't Get Enough of Your Love
Guess who produced this? You can hear him warbling away in the backing vocals (rhymes with..erm.. Boy Good) Fabulous song, love Rita's voice to bits and her legs could easily rival a certain female violinist's Darts were huge in their day but seem to have faded away quite quickly, shame
Further listening: It's Raining , Boy From New York City
System of a Down - Radio Video
WARNING -THIS BAND SPECIALISES IN HITTING YOU HARD JUST AFTER A QUIET BIT!
I am devoted to System of a Down, they're an American/Armenian band which mix folk, metal, thrash, politics and hilarious stupidity into one glorious mess. One of my best gigs ever was seeing them at Wembley Arena this year (33 songs in one night!), and their gig at Bercy in Paris is the only time I've ever had to retire for actual fear of dying in the moshpit. Sadly there are "musical differences" between Serj, the demented, grinning ringmaster, and Darron, the uber cute psycho on guitar, so their reunions tend to be short lived. But I'm so waiting for the next one....
Further listening: BYOB , Boom
Sergio Mendes - Mas Que Nada
Well, if it's party time, it's time for this. I defy you to resist grooving along to this total classic. Who cares what it's all about? This song simply cannot be faulted, and I'll fight anyone who disagrees.
Further listening: You're on your own here, but if you go exploring don't go alone...
Furniture - Brilliant Mind
The very best thing about this epic track is the lyrics, the way they rhyme from verse to verse, it's really clever. Plus it's a great atmospheric and uplifting tune with loads of body, what's not to love? Unfortunate catch at about 1.12, I blame Youtube, couldn't find another version
Further listening: I've tried to find something equally brilliant by Furniture but failed. I think they peaked at about this point, shame.
Mike Oldfield - Man in the Rain
Yes, it IS almost a total copy of his previous single with Maggie Reilly, Moonlight Shadow, but I heard this whilst compiling and decided it was worthy. Cara Dillon has such a gorgeous voice and the guitar work is lovely.
Further listening: To France , Moonlight Shadow
Cosmo Jarvis - Gay Pirates
Don't watch if you're offended by the idea of gay love or seeing two (probably heterosexual) men kissing.
I first heard this track when Cosmo supported Muse at their homecoming gig in Devon, he has a really interesting back catalogue but it's maybe an aquired taste. This cute video is cleverly staged to illustrate the song, which is basically about thwarted love which wins back in the end. Mostly he writes quite honestly about being a normal guy, a bit bemused by normal life.
Further listening: Jessica Alba's Number , Dave's House
Sniff 'n The Tears - Driver's Seat
This song grabbed me when I heard it on the radio back in the day, and it's still a classic. I love the comment on the Youtube page about the whole band looking miserable apart from the guy in the shades. There are legs in there too, for those who like such things. Faultless.
Further listening: Again, I never found anything by them to match this, but it may be out there...
The Darkness - Christmas Time (Don't let the Bells End)
As you read this I may well be rocking out to this very song at Bristol O2 (seeing them on the 13th), the festive season just isn't the same without it. Despite the kitsch , this band seriously rocks live whilst retaining a healthy sense of the ridiculous. I dare you to watch the video without cracking at least one festive grin - spot the robot! And who hasn't dreamed of lounging in front of the fire wearing stupid trousers and a jumper with fringed sleeves?
Further listening: Love is Only a Feeling , I Believe in a thing called Love
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, see you in the New Year for more musical mind expansion......