Friday, February 5, 2016

Weekend Mix: "Long Long Day"


"It'll be easy" I said to myself, "Just throw something together", I lied. A good mix goes through several permutations. Getting everything to flow, so that it follows a thread, is always a challenge.




Who knew The Hudson Brothers were capable of producing such a slab of prime Pop/Rock, sounding as much like late-period Beatles as Badfinger? This was always the opener and really set the tone.(1974)
Legend was led by Mickey Jupp. The drummer left shortly after this (1971) to join T-REX, where he became known as Bill Legend. Fat bass-line reminds me of Macca.
"Lonely Blue Boy" (1958) is one of those songs everyone should hear. Vocal crick as art.
"The Power Of Your Love"(1969) from the sessions that produced "Suspicious Minds". The last time Elvis was thouroughly engaged and at a creative peak in the studio. Long Live the King.
"In The Ghetto" was written by Mac Davis and recorded by Elvis in 1969. Given recent happenings in Chicago, it seems particularly relevent. This version by Nick Cave (1984) was when I realized he had a future after The Birthday Party.
"Sam" (1969) is a rare slice of midwestern psychedelia. Unreleased until 2013. It features the singing of Linda Bruner, who recorded 4 songs and vanished.
"Dripping With Looks" (1987) is a massive riff I never get tired of.
"Little Bit Of Magic" (1969) is very rare. Rosco originally recorded for SUN, in Memphis. His early singles featured a piano style which contributed to the formation SKA in Jamaica. Rosco left music during the '60's, moving to Queens to run a Dry Cleaners.
In 1969 he cut this single and released it on his own label. In the '80's he briefly returned to music, but stayed with his original SUN material. It's too bad he didn't make more music like this. What a voice! I imagine Bryan Ferry covering it back in the day.
It's hard to believe "Electrify Me (1979) was considered punk rock when it came out. I hear a little RT in the guitar breaks.
If Nick Lowe and Rockpile never covered "Move It Baby" (1964) they should have.
The Shazam (2002) drop some classic Big Star style pop/rock. These guys deserve a bigger audience.
I love everything about "Pass You By" (1996).
"Wonderin'" (1983) is the only keeper on "Everbody's Rockin". It was written in 1970.
"WPLJ"-Frank genuinely loved Doo Wop and R&B. From "Burnt Weeny Sandwich". I keep meaning to try it. Not the radio station.
Swamp Dogg, not Snoop Dogg. From "Total Destruction Of Your Mind" (1970).
"I Got It all Indeed" is the only song I know from "Theosophy", Pete Molinari's 2014 album.
"Life Is Good" is one of my favorite songs from my favorite Los Lobos album.
"Jimmy Was" is the title music from "Sling Blade" (1996).
I've always thought Pavement's Stephen Malkmus' voice sounded a little like Jerry Garcia's, and the gorgeous pedal steel on this song really makes the case.
"Chicken" (2014) by Bill Patton brings things down to a gentle simmer while we get a little introspective.
"I Remember Cissy's Baby and the noise on the block,
And seventeen policemen that were in a state of shock,
She had it on the pavement she had it on the ground,
out popped the baby with the cops all around,"
-(1970) Jake And The Family Jewels. Some fine storytelling. It just goes from there.
"Gone Like the Water"(1996) by Freedy Johnston is beautifully rendered. Perfect.
John & Beverly Martyn made two albums. "John The Baptist" is from "Stormbringer"(1970). His early work is some of my very favorite music, but soon he went MOR and made some records I'd rather not think about.
This demo of "Seeing" is far superior to the version which turned up on "Moby Grape '69". Featuring Skip Spence's original vocal.




Enjoy!
-BBJ


Long Long Day

6 comments:

Dr Wu said...

Nice! Thanks

Anonymous said...

You are good. Very, very good. Based on yrou name, also god, which is a kinda nice twofer.

rick said...

Great call on 'Cissy's Baby'! Haven't listened to them,nor to Moby Grape, in years, and had recently been lamenting the notion that so much good music will soon be lost and forgotten. Thanks,BBJ!

dogbreath said...

A quirkily listenable mix, many thanks, and my third Shazam of the week. A friend had been waxing lyrical about his Shazam app & I mentioned how The Move's album of that name had been constantly on my turntable back in 1970. I like coincidences like this, but then I'm easily pleased - which is not to detract from my pleasure of this mix. (Good save - Ed). Cheers for the music!

buzzbabyjesus said...

"A quirkily listenable mix"

Thanks. That's the goal.

A walk in the woods said...

Looks excellent - thanks BBJ!