Edwyn Collins

Please Note : This post originally appeared on my Yahoo_Blog on April 14th 2009.

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It was great to see Edwyn Collins looking so well on tonight's Reporting Scotland news bulletin. After suffering 2 strokes in 2005 the former Orange Juice vocalist is looking upbeat on his long road to recovery. The report was showing that Collins had taken an old hobby back up and had started painting wildlife again although he is having to start from scratch as he now has to use his left hand as his stronger right hand was damaged by the strokes. I sincerely hope that he continues to keep getting better. Best wishes Edwyn.
Here's 2 tracks dedicated to Edwyn and a third track from his former band Orange Juice. As usual, if you enjoy these tracks please buy the originals especially the Orange Juice stuff. Edwyn deserves it.
Wedding_Present_-_Getting_Better --- BUY_HERE
The_Creation_-_Painter_Man --- BUY_HERE
Orange_Juice_-_The_Day I Went_Down_To_Texas --- BUY_HERE
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The Wedding Present Read_here!!!
The Creation Read_here!!!
Orange Juice Read_here!!!
Edwyn Collins Read_here!!! and here!!!
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UPDATE : Edwyn has just been added to this year's T in the Park line up. This will be his first appearance at the festival.

Blue Is The Colour

To read the full 'Blue Is The Colour' post visit my old Yahoo blog HERE!!! Below is the music from the original post.
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First up it's the second single from Glasgow band Orange Juice. Released on the legendary Postcard Records in 1980 here is ... Orange_Juice_-_Blue_Boy
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Also from Scotland here is The Delgados with their version of ELO's 1978 hit Mr. Blue Sky. This version was recorded for a John Peel Session in 2002. The_Delgados_-_Mr_Blue_Sky_[John_Peel_Session]
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Going back in time now and to Mississippi bluesman Skip James. I didn't know much of this artist until fairly recently but you van read more about him here.
Skip_James_-_Sick_Bed_Blues
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Staying in the USA now and the next artist doesn't need any introduction. From his 1979 Live album 'Rust Never Sleeps' here is ... Neil_Young_+_Crazy_Horse_-_My_My,_Hey_Hey_(Out_Of_The_Blue)
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Back in the UK for the last track. This time we're heading to Leeds for another track recorded for a John Peel session. The_Wedding_Present_-_Blue_Eyes
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Like what you hear? Buy here!
Orange_Juice
The_Delgados
Skip_James
Neil_Young
The_Wedding_Present

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.

The Joy Of Six

This is another post that I've lifted from my old Yahoo blog. It was basically just 6 songs that I had heard on the radio in the past 48 hours. Hope you enjoy!!!

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First up it's Canadian band Woodpigeon who've been compared to the likes of Fleet Foxes, Arcade Fire, Grizzly Bear and Belle + Sebastian. For me add in Simon and Gafunkel as well as a dash of Elliott Smith and you're not even halfway there. Just Listen for yourself and make up your own mind. One thing's for sure, you won't see a better song title this year.
Woodpigeon - In the Battle of Sun vs Curtains Sun Loses and We Sleep Until Noon
Speaking of Simon and Garfunkel I heard this track for the first time in years on the radio last night. Fits in quite well with the Woodpigeon track.
Simon_and_Garfunkel - The Only Living Boy In New York.
I know very little about the next artiste except that she is half English, half Finnish and appeared on Marc Riley's radio show last night playing some tracks including a live version of this track.
Mia_Vigar - I Wish You Rocked My World.
I've always liked David Bowie especialy his early stuff but this track was new to me until I started hearing it on the radio a few times recently. Originally released in 1965 this was the first release after Bowie changed his name from David Jones.
David_Bowie_and_the_Lower_Third - Can't Help Thinking About Me.
Another oldie now, this time from 1969. I said yesterday that I had missed the boat a bit with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs but that is nothing compared to Frank Zappa. I always imagined I would hate Zappa''s music. I don't really know why this would be as I'm a big fan of his friend Captain Beefheart and in the end that was the reason I started listening to Zappa. I heard this song on the radio and was sure it was a Beefheart track that I had never heard before. It turns out it was actually a Zappa track featuring the good old Captain. Here it is, all 9 minutes 16 seconds of it.
Frank_Zappa - Willie The Pimp.
Bang up to date for the last track. Released as a 7" single last month and clocking in at under 2 minutes long, the first few bars of this song sound like a cross between The Jesus and Mary Chain and Public Image Ltd before moving into an early Creation Records type sound. The more I hear this the more I love it. Yet another album for the 'To Buy' list.
Crystal_Stilts_-_Love_Is_A_Wave

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Hope you enjoy some or all of these tracks, if you do please purchase something by the bands/artists involved.
Woodpigeon - Treasury Library Canada BUY_HERE
Simon and Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water BUY_HERE
Mia Vigar - True Adventures Happen Inside Your Head BUY_HERE
David Bowie and the Lower Third - Can't Help Thinking About Me BUY_HERE
Frank Zappa - Hot Rats BUY_HERE
Crystal Stilts - Love Is A Wave BUY_HERE

Just Desserts

For the most part this blog will be about music. However now and again I might be inspired to deviate from this a little, although the music wil never be far away. A little bit of pleasure came into my life yesterday in the shape of Carte D'Or - Caramel & Cinnamon ice-cream. I'm not usually known for my love of desserts in general and ice-cream in particular but this new product from Walls really hits the spot. Some supermarkets are selling this at half price at the moment, so get there fast and get 2 tubs for the price of 1. Satisfaction guaranteed . As promised earlier the music will never be far away, so in tribute to Mr Carte D'or 's lovely ice-cream, listen and enjoy.
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The_Stone_Roses_-_Sally_Cinnamon [Buy : The Very Best Of The Stone Roses CD]
Captain_Beefheart_+_The_Magic_Band_-_Ice_Cream_For_Crow [Buy : Ice Cream For Crow CD]
Neil Young + Crazy Horse - Cinammon Girl [Buy : Weld CD]
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Song To The Siren

It's often said that a cover version of a song is never as good as the original. In most instances I would agree with this sentiment but not when it comes to 'Song To The Siren'. Originally recorded by Tim Buckley for his 1970 album 'Starsailor' the song has been covered by artistes as diverse as Pat Boone and Robert Plant. However the outstanding version of the song was released in 1983 by the 4AD Records 'supergroup' calling themselves 'This Mortal Coil'. The track featuring Liz Fraser of The Cocteau Twins on vocals was released as a single and also appeared on the 1984 album 'It'll End In Tears'. Make up your own mind about which version is the best by clicking on the links below. Also included are another 3 versions, all bringing something different to the song. Which one is your favourite?

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Tim_Buckley [Buy 'Starsailor' album]
This_Mortal_Coil [Buy 'It'll End In Tears' album]
James_Yorkston [Buy 'Surf Song' single]
Engineers [Buy 'Dream Brother - The Songs of Tim + Jeff Buckley' album]
The_Czars [Buy 'Sing A Song For You - A Tribute To Tim Buckley' album]

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April Skies

Right, it's April. Spring is in the air. The flowers are blooming, the temperature is rising (ok, only slightly. I do live in Scotland after all) and the sun is in the sky (slightly obscured by clouds but it's there. Somewhere). It's not hard to find a song(s) relating to this time of the year but the one that jumps to the top of the list on account of being a track from one of the best bands ever is ... April Skies by Scotland's finest, The Jesus And Mary Chain.
Here is the full 4-track-EP for your enjoyment.

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Tracklist:
1 - April Skies
2 - Kill Surf City
3 - Bo Diddley Is Jesus
4 - Who Do You Love?

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Thanks to : http://elsenderooscuro.blogspot.com