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.

Clarence Carter 'Back Door Santa'

Clarence Carter 'Back Door Santa'

Clarence sidesteps the mince pies and sherry in favour of, erm, well some covert loving actually. It's a good job the real St Nick is making it happen for all the little kids around the world while Mr Carter chances his arm with their mummies.

Bernard Estardy 'Tic Tac Nocturne'

Bernard Estardy 'Tic Tac Nocturne'

Sparse atmospherics from French sound boffin Bernard Estardy, a man in high demand for his studio skills throughout the 60's and 70's working for the likes of Francoise Hardy and Nino Ferrer. This is lifted off one of his library albums of electronic mood music crafted for potential use in films and television. 'Tic Tac Nocturne' has a wonderfully cinematic quality built from not much more than an icy xylophone melody, regular tension mounting bass stabs and an underlying tempo dictated by a sped up clock. Ideal theme for an elaborate Langlaufen sequence in the Alps or similar. Further exploration of Bernard's prolific output yields rewards. Check out 'Ombilic Contact' for a two and half minute slow waltz around the rings of Saturn.

Wanda Jackson 'Funnel Of Love'

Wanda Jackson 'Funnel Of Love'


Eerie slice of lovesick balladry from the 'Queen of Rockabilly' Wanda Jackson. The bonus about having this on a 45rpm record being it also plays extra spooky at 33rpm (see youtube below) the drunk guitars sound like they're lifted from some lost Ennio Morricone western soundtrack filtered through the psychedelic mixing desks of Abbey Road with the vocals sounding a bit like Mick Jagger bombed out on high strength Afghani hash.

Jimmy Reed 'Bright Lights, Big City'

Jimmy Reed 'Bright Lights, Big City'

Happening blues stroller from the legendary Jimmy Reed, who adopts more than a slither of the moral high ground in this told-you-so tale of the corrupting big smoke. Easy to imagine Jimmy installed on his front porch, supping a beer and rocking gently to the sound of cicadas and his twelve-string drifting into the evening breeze. Tsking. Tut-tutting. Spitting tobacco into the dry Mississippi dirt.

Glen Campbell 'Love Is A Lonesome River'

Glen Campbell 'Love Is A Lonesome River'

Closing track on Glen Campbell's 1967 album 'By The Time I Get To Phoenix'

Gonzalez 'Nothing Ever Comes That Easy' (De-cheesing edit)

Gonzalez 'Nothing Ever Comes That Easy' (De-cheesing edit)

Gonzalez hailed from Blighty and released their ludicrously be-imaged second album in 1975. Hornsy funk rock given a bit of light trimming by yours truly to de-cheese it a bit.

Pointer Sisters 'Hypnotized'

Pointer Sisters 'Hypnotized'

Hello stranger. It's been waaaay too long since the last post on this mutha. Spurred back in to action by this particular gem from the Pointer Sisters, covering Fleetwood Mac on a funky space rock tip. A really awesome groove to this one. Littered with stylish guitar inflections, nonsensical but beautifully executed lyrics about hypnosis and UFOs and eerie synth drifts inhabiting the background. Nice one ladies.

WAR 'I'm About Somebody'

WAR 'I'm About Somebody'

Obscure funk/reggae crossover tune from WAR's first album for RCA released in 1982. The 'somebody' they sing about on this slow-burning low tempo juggernaut must be Dr. John AKA Mack Rebennack AKA 'The Night Tripper' surely? A Google search brings up nothing on this song. Any further interpretations warmly welcomed...

Tony Joe White 'The Change'

Tony Joe White 'The Change'

An ode to the browning leaves and chilling winds of Autumn from big Tony.

Love - Revelation

Love - Revelation

'Revelation' is a 19 minute psychedelic blues jam that hogs the whole of one side of the album 'Da Capo'. Some critics see it as a let down to the album - a kind of flabby afterthought compared to the focussed and territory staking songs of the first half. Be that as it may, this tune has a rolling charm of its own, punctuated by the agitated yelps of Arthur Lee, rousing harmonica parts and a low end that perseveres like a used car salesman on performance enhancing drugs.

Leonard Cohen - Night Comes On

Leonard Cohen - Night Comes On

As the nights draw in noticeably faster during these days of mellow fruitfulness, you start to think about buying a new jacket and making some cider. If you are Leonard Cohen you probably go and pen a hauntingly attractive song about the night coming on.

Phil Upchurch - Sitar Soul

Phil Upchurch - Sitar Soul

Upchurch fills a hole with super noodles smothered in clattering percussion.

Alternative Rock Routes - Mixtape

Alternative Rock Routes - Mixtape

To make up for a combination of lethargy, distraction, hangovers, love interests and other non-excuses for a lack of postings recently, here's over an hour's worth of rock-orientated fare cobbled together recently to form a mix. It comprises obscure re-edits from labels like Blackdisco, Messalina, History Clock and Mindless Boogie, as well as some gin-u-wine original tunes too!

Angelo & Eighteen 'Flight 2'

Angelo & Eighteen 'Flight 2'

Obscure and rhythmically kicking B-side from 1972, produced under the light saber skills of RAK records owner Mickie Most (who also produced The Animals, Donovan and Jeff Beck amongst others).

Seahawks 'High On You'

Seahawks 'High On You'

Seahawks come correct with this classy downtempo psychedelic dub-rock trip to Tramadol Island. Subtly re-creating the sweet confusion of a hot session on the sun-lounger after a clutch of rum punches, its all reverberating bliss and anesthesia. Check out their album 'Ocean Trippin' for more beats to help you drift from the quayside to the wide open waters of your mind. Or something!?

The Animated Egg 'Inside Looking Out'

The Animated Egg 'Inside Looking Out'

Furred-up psychedelic surf excursion from The Animated Egg.