Rock and Roll Records

I wanted to write a bit about my favourite Rock and Roll records, but I thought before you start reading it, I'd give you a wicked tune to listen to whilst you read.  It's saturday night so chill and enjoy  - I specifically selected a no vid clip so you'd not get too distracted.

JJ Cale - Rock and Roll Records



I love vinyl records. I love everything about them. The Smell, the shape, the covers, the engravings in the vinyl by the cutters. This little post is about some of the records I love, for reasons other than the ace music they contain.

This is my favourite album cover of all time. I used to just stare at it for ever. I like the perspective that makes the guitars look big. I love the way Steve Miller is leaning on Tim Davis shoulder, whilst Tim Davis is looking mean and sharp. I love the stormy sea and the shipwreck and the earth transposed as the sun. It sort of says to me "Things can be bad but music can get you through the bad times" The earth in the background has promise of unattainable beauty. It sums up the mystical majesty that music can weave in our imagination.

By the way, the music on the album is great as well, I love Dime a Dance Romance. One of the all time greatest forgotten classics.

Next up we have those little messages that the people who actually cut the records used to scratch into the vinyl between the last track and the label. Many punk records had the message "A Porky Prime Cut". Often there would be other little messages. For example "Music For Pleasure" by "The Damned" has "Tweeter Twister" etched onto side A and "Woofer Warper" on side B.

These little throwaway messages have always fascinated me. Rather like ancient graffiti on the inside of Pyramids and notes left in the attics of public buildings. This album is a strange one. Not acclaimed at the time, but I think the single "Don't Cry Wolf" was a classic.

Then there's coloured vinyl. My favourite use of this is Sound of the Suburbs by "The Members". There was a period when everything came out on coloured vinyl. I think this was the most imaginative use. This was actually on clear vinyl.

Next up. The 12" single. Usually associated with dance music, the first time I came across this was when my Sister Caroline bought "Sheena is a Punk Rocker" on numbered, limited edition, 12" vinyl. There is no more glorious record on the planet.

There are many things I could say about the Ramones. Best Live band, Best gig (Roundhouse, June 1977), coolest guitars. Best single title (Bonzo goes to Bitburg), best lyrics - Rockaway Beach, funniest song - Pinhead.

I owe them everything. If I'd not seen the Ramones, I'd not have got Punk Rock.

Then there's Electric Ladyland by Jimi Hendrix. When I was 14 years old, there was no such thing as a video, so there was no such thing as pornorgraphy in Mill Hill. Then I bought this record. I put it on and just stared at this picture for ever. Ever since, whenever I listen to crosstown traffic, I am just transported away to somewhere very nice that I really like to be. I was in a secondhand record store in New York a couple of years ago and a young rocker came in. He picked up the record, looked at this picture for about 1/2 a second and put it down again, without even noticing. I sometimes think we've been so bombarded with everything that we've lost appreciation of the finer things in life. I had a discussion with my Dad about this picture. He said he preffered to see women in revealing cloths and felt it was crass and vulgar. I told him I thought it was very beautiful. He just sniggered at me and said "I suppose I would have when I was your age" I think I still will when I'm his age. Have a great weekend.

I'm Beginning to see the light !!!!!!

As some of you know, who follow this blog, generally at the weekend (when no one annoys me and needs a good kick), I like to take one of my favourite songs and share it with you. Now I never plan these, I just spin a few discs and see what inspires me.

Today's been a strange day so far. Got up early, did the breakfasts, knocked out a couple of blogs, then went and played football at the Burnt Oak leisure centre against my 8 year old son's team - Dads Vs Kids - Dad's lost 11-4 !!! Mind you they had more players and we only were allowed 2 touches.

Off to Waitrose for shopping and cooking the lunch. I started with "Music For Pleasure" By The Damned. A great and much underrated album. The Damned are also studio customers. One of my greatest buzzes ever was listening at the dooor of room 7, the very first time they booked and hearing them play "New Rose". It's fair to say that if they hadn't recorded the song, I'd not be running a studio. For those of you who didn't know, it was the very first Punk Rock single. David Vanian (vocalist) was interviewed on the Garry Crowley show on BBC London last night. A great interview.


Anyway, I'm currently spinning "White Light/White Heat" by "The Velvet Underground". The Velvets are a band that many people claim as influences. It's amazing how many people have heard of them, but how few are familiar with their work. The album is one of many compilations. My favourite track on the album is "Beginning to see the Light". I find it to be a really uplifting track. It reminds me of my good lady.

There is a line in the song "There are problems in these times but, ooohhh, none of them are mine" - whenever I'm with her I feel like that. I always feel that ultimately everything will be OK.

As it plays out with the Coda "How does it feel to be loved?" I always feel warm and happy. It's one song that always lifts my mood - ALWAYS. Check it out if you don't know it.


I'm Beginning to see the light

Well I’m beginning to see the light (x2)
some people work very hard
but still they never get it right
well I’m beginning to see the light
wanna tell all you people now
now, now, baby, I’m beginning to see the light
hey now baby, I’m beginning to see the light
wine in the morning and some breakfast at night
well I’m beginning to see the light

here we go again
playing the fool again
here we go again
acting hard again-alright!

well I’m beginning to see the light
I wanna tell you (oooooooouuu)
hey now baby I’m beginning to see the light
it comes a little softer now
I wore my teeth in my hands
so I could mess the hair of the night (a-ha-ha)
Hey, well I'm beginning to see the light
Now-now-now-now-now-now-now-now baby I'm beginning to see the light now,
it's coming softer
Hey now baby, I'm beginning to see the light
I met myself in a dream and I just wanted to tell ya everything was alright
Hey now baby, I'm beginning to see the light

Here comes two of you
which one will you choose
One is black and one is blue
don't know just what to do, all right
Well I'm beginning to see the light
oh now here she comes, (ooohhh)
Yeah-yeah baby, I'm beginning to see the light,
oh Some people work very hard
but still they never get it right
Well I'm beginning to see the light
oh, it's getting a little softer in the end now
Now-now baby, I'm beginning to see the light
oh, it's coming round again
Hey now-now-now baby, I'm beginning to see the light (one more time)
There are problems in these times but, ooohhh, none of them are mine
Oh baby, I'm beginning to see the light

Here we go again
I thought that you were my friend
Here we go again
I thought that you were my friend
How does it feel to be loved ? (x3)
(oh!)
How does it feel to be loved? (x3)