Today is number 350 on the 'Star Track' playlist. Time then for a bumper posting.

But first, how I got to today's track... 

For the majority of this year we have become addicted to watching re-runs of the TV series 'Heartbeat' on ITV3. The result being it has reminded me of many songs from the 60s, some quite obscure, lost but not forgotten. The programmes, which were lovingly made between 1992 and 2010 hold up very well and in recreating those innocent times of my youth are a mark of its continued popularity. This is how I was reminded of 'I Put a Spell on You'. 

From here I found this website "Far Out" which added versions I was not familiar with: "The 5 best covers of 'I Put a Spell on You'". Originally written and released by 'Screamin' Jay Hawkins in 1956 I quote "Far Out":- Over the years, various artists have come up with different presentations of ‘I Put a Spell on You’ using the influence gathered from their own genre of music.

So buckle up and click here for those 5 versions - as listed below:- have a listen, take your time and take your pick

1. ➤ Creedence Clearwater Revival > from 1968, great guitar from John Fogerty

2. ➤ Nina Simone > a very jazzy version

3. ➤ Natacha Atlas > British-Egyptian singer well known for her diverse musical experimentations - this has WILD middle eastern beats 

4. ➤ Alan Price Set (see below)

5. ➤ Annie Lennox > another different take - simple piano builds to a bigger production

The version I heard on 'Heartbeat' was by the Alan Price Set from 1966 > which put me in mind of the Animals 'House of the Rising Sun' (due to the organ sound from Alan Price*)

Not surprisingly 'I Put a Spell on You' is another song from the Hall of Fame's 500 songs that shaped Rock and Roll. 

* Curiously Alan Price turned up in a Christmas episode of 'Heartbeat' in 2004, as a shifty musician. 

   

I didn't have any blue suede shoes and I didn't arrive by plane and it certainly wasn't pouring with rain.
But I was definitely in the land of the Delta Blues and I was unmistakably walking in Memphis, walking with my feet, ten feet off of Beale !

10 years ago, I was doing exactly that - on the road from New York via Nashville to New Orleans - destination Thanksgiving Day 2012. 

Cue Marc Cohn, composer and singer of "Walking In Memphis" with the official music video [in B/W] 

Some of you may prefer the version by Cher [click here then] 

  

November 14th, 1952 – the first UK Singles Chart is published in the New Music Express. It is published as a Top 12, although it comprises 15 singles - because of ties at No. 7; No. 8 and No. 11. The No. 1 is Al Martino's 'Here In My Heart' and the first No. 2 is Jo Stafford's 'You Belong To Me'. The NME chart is henceforth viewed as the start of the Official Singles Chart lineage. 

As that first chart of single record sales goes it's not very Pop and it certainly doesn't Rock or Roll, so I'm jumping forward five years to one I remember from my parent's collection. A 78rpm [DB 3980 on the Columbia label] - another UK No.1, occupying top spot for 9 weeks in 1957* - 'Diana' by Paul Anka.

I actually have my parent's original 78 shellac record, still plays too, complete with the very same outer sleeve seen here in this retro video. Let's play the record player... 

Fun Fact: DJ Bob Harris bought his first 78rpm disc in 1957. It was Paul Anka's 'Diana' (which apparently, he still has, too). 

* Replacing 'Diana' at No.1 at the beginning of November in 1957 was 'That'll Be The Day' by Buddy Holly & the Crickets.  

An alternative (and occasional) music posting highlighting something out of the ordinary. Perhaps of limited appeal, unconventional, experimental or just far-out ! Call it what you like (or switch it off, if you don't like). 

On the Mexican Day of the Dead here's some more Grateful Dead -

From the acclaimed 'Europe '72' live triple record release, this is "China Cat Sunflower / I Know You Rider" - and a fantastic psychedelic video to complete the 'let's get high' experience...

From the same record check out 'Jack Straw'; 'Ramble On Rose'; 'Sugar Magnolia' & 'Morning Dew' 

There was a special anniversary edition of 'Europe '72' released earlier this year [see here]