Thursday, February 11, 2010

(Funky) Friday On My Mind

It's about time we had a breather from my usual end o' the week guff and stuff. So instead,it's a guest blog spot for todays' FF as music writer, musician and compiler of the sharpest CDs John Medd punches the buttons and chooses the tunes...

Blimey, it’s Friday again! How did that happen? Not that I’m complaining, it’s just that these days all my timepieces appear to be moving at cartoon/sit-com speed – you know the sort, don’t you? Anyway, here’s three nuggets that should kick-start the weekend.

When I was in my late teens and discovering wine, women and song, my all time favourite song lyric went ‘tonight’s the night when I go to all the parties down my street’ from Joe Jackson’s Is She Really Going Out With Him: even though there were precious few parties down my street, those words held so much promise. And even now, a quarter of a century later, I still sing it myself when I’m going putting on my falling over trousers, ready to go and blow the froth off a couple of pints on a Friday night. Joe’s moved on, too; these days he’s got a train to catch. By the way, any similarities to The ‘In’ Crowd are no doubt well intentioned.

Joe Jackson: Uptown Train


Next up is a tune you’ll be whistling all next week – I promise. The Haggis Horns hail from Leeds and are reinventing UK funk. This brass-heavy 8-piece are the house band of choice for Ronson, Winehouse, Bailey Rae et al and are guaranteed to tear up any club they pitch up at.

Haggis Horns: The Traveller (Pt. 2)


Finally, rather than jam the anchors on, we’re slowing down Toyota style…slowly. James Yorkston is best known for his work as part of the The Fence Collective, a Scottish folk mafia, if you will, but his solo album Year Of The Leopard appeared on quite a few radar screens a couple of years back - not least for it’s mesmeric Woozy With Cider: a remixer’s dream (it’s even been given a dubstep makeover) though I’ve gone for the original. Dig it!

James Yorkston: Woozy With Cider

12 comments:

Furtheron said...

Joe Jackson - forgotten how good he was...

lil said...

Interesting selection of tunes, and all of'em new to me -
Just luv Haggis Horns “The Traveller”
Brilliant...

Mondo said...

What great pianist - F-Ron. I've been advised it may be a homage to this, but I can hear some Nina Simone in there too.

Haggis the stompingest tune I've heard all year Lil. Winner! What a find.

Cocktails said...

What top tracks. I've seen the Haggis Horns around, but never taken much notice. Clearly a mistake I now know.

Love the Joe Jackson too and well, James Yorkston is fab. His albums are particularly worth buying on vinyl because the artwork is so lovely. He's great live too.

mrs mondo said...

Just the mention of Joe Jackson takes me back to one particular party that I made a complete spectacle of myself at, back in the eighties.. *cringe* (been a few more of those since.) Some great memories of those tunes too, though.

Absolutely loving the Haggis Horns track..what a winner! (Feel like I should be cruisin' the streets of LA Starsky 'n' Hutch-style while I'm listening to that..)

The James Yorkston video work beautifully..

Mondo said...

I only knew Joe Jacko Cocktails - but didn't realise he was such a fluid jazzer. Very impressed.

What's this - "one particular party that I made a complete spectacle of myself at" How long have we been together? I don't remember hearing this one before. More please!

mrs mondo said...

For me to know and you to find out, Mr M..

; )

Piley said...

Ditto the other comments... 3 smart tracks, but the Haggis Horns take the prize money for me. Never heard of it - what a find!

Quality post Sir!

P

Mondo said...

Hmmm perhaps I'll have to put a Joe Jacko album on (not that I've got any) and find out if it gets the same reaction..

Haggis Horns are scorching - but I'm soothed by the James Yorkston's spoken word soother

Istvanski said...

Did you get to see the co-headlining tour that Joe Jackson did with Todd Rundgren a few years ago?
JJ's one hell of a songwriter and he's kept the quality up throughout his long career.
Haggis Horns are quite the James Taylor Quartet soundalikes, aren't they?

Mondo said...

I don't know as much Joe as I should (only the singles and Jumping Jive really) - Know what you mean about the horns - sort of space-age Acid Jazz..

John Medd said...

Chuffed that the tunes have hit the spot. I've always had a soft spot for JJ: long before it was fashionable to play an entire album live, Jackson did just that when we went to see him at Hammersmith Odeon in '89 with Blaze Of Glory. Blistering!