Creedence Clearwater Revival 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine'

Creedence Clearwater Revival 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine'

Nowadays it's more likely that you'll hear about someone's plans to make you blue through social networking sites than the good ol' 'grapevine'. CCR were all about the good ol' days. This cover of Marvin Gaye ramps up the soulful rock factor something wicked. Played at a strategic point in the evening this has just the right ingredients to send people into a real spin. John Fogerty juices all manner of variations out of the classic riff, whilst the rest of the band collectively rip up those vines from the roots and make a bonfire out of them. Heavy.

Ali Farka Toure & Ry Cooder 'Ai Du'

Ali Farka Toure & Ry Cooder 'Ai Du'

Farking brilliant. Yes Ai Du. Talking mellow yellows. Calls for peace in Timbuktu.

The Hassles '4 O'Clock In The Morning'

The Hassles '4 O'Clock In The Morning'

4 am might be considered a bit late to be awake by some people, much too early by others or just normal business hours if you are a dairy farmer, newspaper editor, insomniac or axe murderer. Whatever the take, it's a time when the majority of the population are tucked up dreaming sweet dreams and one can revel in the fleeting tranquility of night's own time. The Hassles were fronted by a young Billy Joel and this track hails from their 1969 album 'Hour Of The Wolf', the rest of which can be taken or left depending on your prediliction for proggy nonsense.

Talking Heads 'Take Me To The River'

Talking Heads 'Take Me To The River'

Stepping into the Noughteens with a smoking cover of the soul staple 'Take Me To The River' from the album 'More Songs About Buildings And Food'. This one is certainly a builder. One of David Byrne's 'rules' when he formed Talking Heads was "no guitar solos". This very nearly has one.