Great Lost Tracks - An Everyday Series

"Prefer" is a busted flush of a word when it comes to these kinda comparisons.

But... I fukkin love this versh.

If I recall, I wunst threatened Crownybhoy with it in a comp.

He said he'd rather not if it was all the same to me.

Bigot




"That sounds mighty, mighty good to me right now..."

Thought about this one for my Da's funeral too as it goes - but decided it might be a bit too much for me. Toots didn't fancy carrying me home in a wee placky bag.

i was working in Chicago for a few weeks in '87. I had written to Terkel who was still working at WFMT regularly. He didn't reply, but when I got there and called them they said they were expecting me to call sometime that month (this was before email!)

I knew Terkel had covered the 68 Democratic Convention riots with james Cameron so I played up the Scottish connection, brought the old guy (he was 75 then ffs) a bottle of Macallan, and told him I was after an interview. He had just recently appeared in an eccentric C4 prog about Chicago.

The next two days were spent agog as Terkel reminisced, drank all the Macallan, fell asleep, took me to a Japanese restaurant, a book launch and a theatre play, as I frantically scribbled shorthand notes, walking through downtown Chicago being regaled with tales from way back when. The guy was, literally, a living legend. Professionally it was a great experience and it was only when I got back to the UK I realised how many people read his books.

Division Street and the Good War are my favourites. I left Chicago with most of his books, all signed, and I have a great signed photo still up in my kitchen.

I also very briefly met the great Mike Royko during that trip. He was quite rude but a beautiful writer. I called Terkel for a comment when Royko died about 10 years ago - last time I spoke to him.

Should have known you were a Terkel appreciator, Immo. As the man said "Take it easy - but take it!"

PS Yes that tale about MJ was one of many in Terkel's repertoire. He hosted a live local TV programme in Chicago during that period immediately after WW2 when TV was a democratic free-for-all and before corporatism and McCarthyism too over.

I saw a brief clip of it once, think it was called Studs Place a kind of local chat / entertainment show with sketches. He promoted black artists like Mahalia and Big Bill Broonzy long before it became fashionable for white entertainers to do so.

Ta for sharing that man - terrifically exciting.

I woulda given my left buttock for an experience like that.

(And that's a lot of dough - even in these currently depressed trading conditions )

In honour of the great man.

Bessie - the Anti-Mahalia

I fukkin knew I'd posted that Judy Street thing on here before.

Sometimes a feeling hits you so hard that you know that no matter what occurs, you're gony be carrying that ache around with you for the rest of yer natural.

Even if you work for the council in Sheffield

Northern Soul in this case... but the theory applies in all areas of life

(I assume that everybody already has the track on the first clip - if not - I'll send it ya)





PS

The Music Club's collective in-trays should be full of Barbara Lewis goodness by now.

just cos i,ve not heard it for years, nothing more.

A nice song of love lost.

I might have posted this before, I might not. No apologies if I have a thousand if I haven't

Dexys infamous and highly maligned third album, it just shows you people don't know shit about music. This album is now regarded as a gem and is 100 times better than Too Rye Ay



They had stopped funding the cause by this time

and again from the same album. I'm sure I've offered this before but if you don't have Don't Stand Me Down give me a shout and prepare to be surprised



Wearing of dockers hats is of course obligatory

Didn't give you minutes, not even moments

Older Dexys, the world really should have been at their feet. They were better than good, better than very good in fact. Not as good as George McCluskeys winner in the 1980 cup final of course

From the remains of The beat

Someone should toe Ali Campbell squarley in the balls for his sacrilege

The Amazing Darts, could have picked a few here

A classic from Scritti Politti




No need to use that smiley other than I've never used it before and will never use it again

Sterling work in the field Corporal McGrory

May be a commendation in it for you

We'll ignore the error of judgement with Scritti Politti at the end

Seriously man - tremendous late-night listening picks

That Dexy's third album is definitely their best work - I'd love a non-vinyl versh of it

There was a definite Midlands vibe in there

Felt sure this next would put in an appearance at one point.



Full versh tae - nae messin

Immo wrote:Sterling work in the field Corporal McGrory

May be a commendation in it for you

We'll ignore the error of judgement with Scritti Politti at the end

Just fantastic tune immo. but he very kindly sent me this tune, he's alright really.

I always got a whiff of artifice offa Green Gartside is all.

Their stuff always sounded a bit mannered and lacking in spontaneity.

A bit too... thought out - non-instinctual.

He had a fukkin ridiculous haircut for a man his age an'all

1998!!!

It's top-notch, synth-pop posts like the preevyush that have made this board what it is.



Tedious, fey and trite to non-believers (and dilettante interlopers )

Catnip to the connoisseur.

De Salud Don Treviso!







Deffo in the running for track/single of the year I reckon

Beautifully baroque arrangement on the intro.

And as I always say...

...if it aint baroque...


















































...you're not listening properly

(Other punchlines are available. None of em are any good. Please check with your local supplier for details)

Speciial request for Jung.

The foreman.

From Bromley to Mars....

...Nature?


Naaahhh

Gotta be nurture innit?

Environment has to play a part...

Surely

Surely...