The Pop Alphabet : B [part 1]

is for ...

Big Star, The Byrds, Bob Dylan, Buffalo Springfield, The Band, Bo Diddley, The Buzzcocks, Brian Wilson, Booker T + The MGs, Bim Sherman, Bob Marley + The Wailers.

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Part 2 of my Alphabet of Pop and it's letter B. In fact such was the range of bands to choose from I've decided to do this in 2 parts so the letter B will continue tomorrow. I've left out some bands that I will be posting about in the future and have included some stuff that I haven't heard for a while. I hope you enjoy at least some of the music you hear and support the artists by buying their music.

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Tracks:

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01 Big Star - Thirteen

02 The Byrds - You Ain't Going Nowhere

03 Bob Dylan - I Want You

04 Buffalo Springfield - For What It's Worth

05 The Band - This Wheel's On Fire

06 Bo Diddley - Diddy Wah Diddy

07 Brian Eno - Third Uncle

08 Brian Wilson - Heroes + Villians

09 Booker T + The MGs - Green Onions

10 Bob Marley + The Wailers - Concrete Jungle [Peel Session]

11 Bim Sherman + Dub Syndicate - Over The Rainbow

12 The Buzzcocks - Something's Gone Wrong Again

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Download: Alphabet of Pop : B [part 1] HERE!!!_______________________________________________________

Big_Star were an American rock band formed in the early 1970's. They were a massive influence on many bands including Teenage Fanclub who named their 4th album after the song Thirteen as well as covering some of the band's songs. Other artists who have covered Big Star include Yo La Tengo, Elliott Smith, Wilco, Garbage and This Mortal Coil. The song Thirteen can be found on the 1972 album #1_Record. Another American band The_Byrds were also a major influence on some Scottish bands including Primal Scream and Orange Juice although this track comes from their later country_rock period when they were joined by Gram Parsons. The track featured here comes from their 1968 Sweetheart_of_the_Rodeo album. Bob_Dylan needs no introduction at all. I've never been a massive fan of his but I heard this song on the radio late one night at work and it stuck in my head so much that I bought the album Blonde_On_Blonde a few days later and it gets played on a regular basis since. Buffalo_Springfield was the band that launched the career of Neil Young. This track, their best known was released as a single in 1967 but was added to the re-issue of their self titled debut album. The_Band were formed in Canada in the late 60's and continued with various formations until 1999. They are probably best known for their songs in the movie Easy Rider although they also toured as Bob Dylan's backing band for a while. This song was taken from their 1968 debut album Music_From_Big_Pink. The song was covered by Siouxsie + The Banshees in 1987 and reached number 14 in the UK Singles Chart. It would be impossible to mention every musician who has been influenced by Bo_Diddley. The American r&b singer/guitarist/songwriter first came to my attention through mentions in interviews with The Jesus + Mary Chain but his influence goes way back to at least the early days of the Rolling Stones. This track first appeared on his 1958 self titled debut but has since featured on many compilations including The_Story_Of_.... Originally a member of Roxy Music, Brian_Eno left the band in 1973 to pursue a solo career which would eventually see him crowned the 'father of ambient music'. This track recorded before his forays into electronic ambient sounds is from the 1974 album Taking_Tiger_Mountain_(By-Strategy). The track was covered by Bauhaus and released on the b-side of their 1982 hit single Ziggy Stardust. Brian_Wilson was the leader and main songwriter of Californian band The Beach Boys. This track was originally part of the Smile project, an unreleased album by the band. Other versions of the track have been released by the band but this one is from the re-recorded version of Smile which was released in 2004 under Wilson's own name. Booker_T_+_The_MGs were an instrumental soul band who were most popular in the 60s and 70s although they are still going to this day. I only decided to include this track after seeing them doing a fabulous version of it on Later just last night. This track was originally from their first album also called Green Onions but can be more easily found on this compilation. The best known known reggae musician of all time is undoubtedly Bob_Marley. I'm sure no further introduction is required except to say the original version of this track taken from a John Peel Session can be found on the 1973 album Catch A Fire or on this compilation. I spent around 15 years searching for a track by reggae singer Bim_Sherman only to find out I had been looking for the wrong artist all along. It wasn't a waste of time though as I got introduced to the music of a man with a lovely voice. This track was taken from his 1992 album Reality which is currently unavailable. Best to look on e-bay or other 2nd hand stockists. One of my favourite bands of the punk era are The_Buzzcocks from Manchester. This track was originally released as a single in 1979 and can be found on this album.

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