Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Five songs from the Five-Centres ipod No.7


Like An Animal/The Glove. For those who may not have discovered this forgotten Goth classic, it's a Banshees spin-off that sounds like Liz Fraser sings In Between Days. None more Eighties than that. I don't actually remember hearing this at the time - it's one of those hits that for some reason just passes you by. See also She's Got Claws/Gary Numan, Umbrella/Rhianna.

Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress/The Hollies. A colleague, who co-incidentally is off to see what remains of The Hollies in Southend tonight, tells me this song was meant to kick-start Alan Clarke's solo career - cos let's face it, sans Graham Nash, the Hollies were kind of over - but due to contractual reasons it had to be a Hollies number. Still, it was a huge hit, and a reverb-heavy plucky bass delight.

Don't Stop Believin'/Journey. No, not because it featured in The Sopranos finale (you know, the one where Meadow gets gunned down in front of the whole family*), but because I've been a fan of this achingly lonely slice of power balladry since it was a Radio Luxembourg Powerplay in 1982. The fading in and out of the signal was perfect for its faraway, longing tone. Still does it for me now.

I See The Rain/Marmalade. Apparently Jimi Hendrix's favourite outing on vinyl of 1967. Known more for their straight pop rather than their psychedelic leanings, this was a B-side (I think), and all about lying on green lawns and cows with coats on. Summery, powerful, trippy. You'll love it. (Thanks Clair).

Shad Thames/St Etienne. When I heard this at first I never would have guessed in a million years it was St Etienne. First, because it's an instrumental, and secondly because it's so electronic. Perfect when the rain hits the windscreen while driving over Tower Bridge on a weekday afternoon.

8 comments:

Mondo said...

It's a terrible admission - I know all of the artists but none of the tunes - I'll make a point of digging them out.

Every time I try a random frug test - I always get the rough stuff. Yesterday threw up a Clapton interview (Cream BBC Sessions) - I'll have to try again

Jon Peake said...

Must try harder, PM!

Clair said...

*psst*. It's I See The Rain. Excellent cover version on the Matthew Sweet/Susannah Hoffs album Under The Covers. I'm very fond of the Marmalade, especially Reflections Of My Life and Baby Make It Soon. And keyboardist Junior Campbell's Hallelujah Freedom and Sweet Illusion are fab.

Jon Peake said...

I cannot find Hallelujah Freedom on any CD or download site anywhere. Do you have it on a CD you could burn for me, Clair? We can exchange at Rockaoke tomorrow night.

Clair said...

I've got it on Vintage Cheese; but my CD burner isn't working. I'll let you have it once I get it back from Paul...it's so worth it!

Kolley Kibber said...

I still have my 12" of "Mouth to Mouth/Like an Animal" from 1983. It's wonderful.

And Alan Clark - what a voice. Coincidentally, I just found 'Gasolene Alley' on iTunes last week and was struck by him all over again ( plus, what a sad song Gasolene Alley is! It starts "Woman get your head out of curlers", and goes downhill from there. But wonderfully sung).

The others I don't know, but am inclined to investigate.

Louis Barfe said...

I don't think there's a single Hollies number that doesn't leave me grinning like a twat. For sheer joy, the 'so like a woman to me' bit of 'Carrie Anne' leading into the steel pan solo is hard to beat, although the last chord of 'I'm Alive' runs it close. Those mile-wide harmonies. A cracking band.

Sky Clearbrook said...

Good Saint Etienne choice there. I like the two variations of this track which appear on the Misadventures of... soundtrack (Statues and More Statues).

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