April Showers

Please note : This post originally appeared on my Yahoo Blog on April 7th 2009.
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So after the nice spring day we had on the West coast of Scotland yesterday I awoke this morning to find we are being hit by heavy showers. Nothing unusual really for this part of the world where the only weather conditions seem to be light rain and heavy rain. Never one to be down in the dumps over a bit of falling water here's 5 songs to celebrate the season of April showers.
First up it's all the way back to 1983 and this track taken from a John Peel session by Twa Toots. This was the first 12" single I bought in the series of Peel Sessions released on the Strange Fruit record label. Twa_Toots_-_Please_Don't_Play_A_Rainy_Night_In_Georgia
On to 1984 now and a single released on Creation Records by The Loft. The_Loft_-_Why_Does_The_Rain?
Next up is The Pogues. Originally released on 1986's 'Poguetry In Motion' EP this version is taken from the recent boxset 'Just Look Them In The Eyes And Say Pogue Mahone'. The_Pogues_-_A_Rainy_Night_In_Soho_[Oboe_Mix}
A couple of live tracks to finish off with now. Originally released as a single and on the 'Darklands' album in 1987 this live version was recorded at the 'Camden Ballroom, London in 1998. The_Jesus_and_Mary_Chain_-_Happy_When_It_Rains
And finally in our rain soaked 5 we have the brilliant and rather underrated Beta Band with a live version of this track originally released on the 'Champion Versions' EP from 1997 and also avaliable on the soundtrack to the movie 'High Fidelity'. Recorded live at Shepherd's Bush Empire in 2004, here is ... The_Beta_Band_-_Dry_The_Rain
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If you like any of the above tracks please support the bands by buying their music.