Friday 30 August 2019


Going to keep it simple this week. Summer has made a more than welcome return - 'leave your cares behind' - 'Good Times' written by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards and performed by Chic live in Amsterdam in 2004.

Bernard Edwards: The DIVINE BASS line (as someone has called it) played here by Jerry Barnes, I believe, and Sylver Logan Sharp on lead vocals. Shake it !



Friday 23 August 2019


All this looking back 50 years ago and memories of 1969. Here's a track that sounds like it's 50 years old but is a new recording.

JD Simo lives in Nashville but hails from Chicago. From his first solo album 'Off at 11', this track is called 'You Need Love' - complete with false ending and b/w video (who do you think it reminds you of....?)

This is the single version, here's the longer album take > www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRvNJ76lw_M


Friday 16 August 2019


August 15, 16, 17 1969. 3 days of Peace & Music. Forever known as Woodstock.

Even though it took place at Max Yasgur's Farm near White Lake in Bethel some 43 miles from Woodstock, New York.
There followed in 1970 a 3 disc LP and a 185 minute movie. And a year later another 2 disc record was released. A Director's Cut film spanning 224 minutes came out in 1994. Both films take liberties with the timeline of the festival but do open with Richie Havens and close with Jimi Hendrix, which is actually what happened.
32 acts performed and 3 days into 3 or 4 hours was always going to leave a hellava lot out. For me it was how to pick one track for this Friday.
Not that I'm suggesting a British band sold the show, for fear of a chorus of calls in the name of Santana, Ritchie Havens, Crosby, Stills & Nash or Jimi, I just think this is great. Taken from the Director's Cut with split screen double image (best watched in Full Screen mode) it has better sound quality and presentation than the 1970 original film. Enough said. The Who 'See Me Feel Me'


A band missing from both film versions > Creedance Clearwater Revival   Did you know?


Friday 9 August 2019


This doesn't happen too often on the FMS, but here's a brand new release.

Actually this single 'Youth' by Feeder has been out for a few months, but their new album 'Tallulah' is out today !
Summer's here. Paying homage to youth and days gone by and the perfect summer. Lyrics > 
      California here we come (California)
      Just when I thought those days had gone
      Still wishing we were young
 
Feeder are not American but Welsh (who knew?) ...

Much like 'YouTube's: Up Next' ... continue listening
Also from the new LP, here's 'Fear of Flying' (love the middle part) > www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOHBh5NLfbY
then > 'Veins' (great video) > www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TE1NWuv6HQ
and  > 'Children of the Sun' > www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ0yX3xpXk0


Wednesday 7 August 2019

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). 

Any excuse will do... Forty years ago, this week, I was in Nova Scotia. Just the reason needed to post this routine from 'Riverdance'. Titled 'American Wake', that doesn't last beyond a minute before we are into 'The Nova Scotia Set' - wonderful
  
Composed by Bill Whelan

Friday 2 August 2019


I recently heard this Michael Kiwanuka track as part of the BBC's Glastonbury highlights. Then I discovered an extended version on YouTube. And now I'm hearing it used in the Mercedes-Benz GLE - 'Long Run' tv advert. 

However his story is also interesting. He's the son of parents who escaped Uganda and the Amin regime, growing up in Muswell Hill, London. Studied at the University of Westminster. Became a session guitarist. Signed a record deal with Polydor in 2011 and has been nominated for various awards. His second solo album 'Love & Hate' was released in 2016 and reached No.1 in the UK albums chart. 
The track 'Cold Little Heart' is from that LP, but this is titled (Live Session Video) and has a long instrumental intro (not unlike 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond'). It's over 11 minutes long, so do as they do and have a cuppa tea first....