Sharks - Jab It In Yore Eye

Sharks
Jab It In Yore Eye
1974

Jab It In Yore Eye was the second album from the widely touted, critically acclaimed, commercially ignored Sharks. Some say the album is not as good as the first. Those that do are wrong. The band sound tight as a nut, Chris Spedding plays as well as he ever has and the songwriting of Snips shows a developing, if not yet fully fledged, maturity.

1. Just Like A Fever
2. Baby Shine A Light
3. Sun Beat Down
4. Rain Or Shine
5. Kung Fu
6. Sophistication
7. Surrender
8. Cocaine Blues
9. Revolution Of The Heart

Link

Hoagy Carmichael - Hoagy Carmichael Sings Hoagy Carmichael

Hoagy Carmichael
Hoagy Carmichael Sings Hoagy Carmichael
This Compliation is circa 1974 - The recordings are much older

For well over 30 years this record has never been far from the turntable. One listen should tell you why. Hoagy was the consummate songwriter in an era rich with talent. He was also an understated but excellent singer and a wonderful piano player. Music like this is too good to be forgotten. Download, enjoy and pass it on to the next generation.

1. The Old Music Master
2. Hong Kong Blues
3. Memphis In June
4. Ole Buttermilk Sky
5. My Resistance Is Low
6. Rockin' Chair
7. Riverboat Shuffle
8. Georgia On My Mind
9. Lazy River
10. Judy
11. Stardust
12. In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening
13. Moon Country
14. Baltimore Oriole
15. Little Old Lady
16. Washboard Blues

Link

Tanzania Yetu - Tanzania Yetu

Tanzania Yetu
Tanzania Yetu
1985

Back in 1985 a Tanzanian 'cultural group' led by Hukwe Zawose visited London. Triple Earth Records arranged some studio time and over a couple of days the 8 tracks on this album were recorded.

There is a danger with this type of arrangement that the results end up sounding clinical and cold. Thanks in no small part to the sensitive production of Iain Scott and Bunt Stafford Clark this potential trap was avoided and the results, to my ears at least, are full of passion, soul and life.

1. Motyani Wuye
2. Kalanda Katzana
3. Tanzania Yetu
4. Mateso
5. Tuliteswa
6. Chuo Chasanaa
7. Ulele Mwana Lelo Zaina
8. Mateso (Reprise)

Link

Kimmie Rhodes - Angels Get The Blues

Kimmie Rhodes
Angels Get The Blues
1989

Angels Get The Blues is a bit of a mixed bag. Some of the bluesy workouts get a little trying but when Kimmie sings her own songs it is enough to make a tired heart sing. The title track, I Just Drove By and Just One Love are as good as it ever gets.

1. Angels Get The Blues
2. Invitation To The Blues
3. Just One Love
4. It'll Be Me
5. I Know One
6. Little Jole Blon
7. I Just Drove By
8. Baby
9. Sugar Bee
10. Caterpillar
11. Trying For My Heart

Link

Agony Column - All Tracks

Agony Column
All Tracks
1978 - 1981

Leeds had quite a vibrant local music scene back in the late 70s and Agony Column were one of the leading lights. Their recording career was limited to three singles - all included here - and a John Peel session from which I have managed to salvage two tracks.
This really is a warts and all collection - my copy of the first single is warped and Good Grief suffers badly. The Peel sessions are not the best quality either but worth listening to for Ian Heywood's typically off the wall yet quite brilliant guitar break on Losing My Lust.

01. All Worked Out
02. Good Grief
03. Love In The Head
04. Free Of Love
05. (Love Is A) Blanket Expression
06. Only U
07. Missing Person
08. Losing My Lust
09. Dietician

Link

Katy Moffat - Child Bride

Katy Moffatt
Child Bride
1989

Katy has long been a favourite of mine. This 1989 release was something of a departure being a series of covers. The recording sounds a bit wooly - think I bought a poor pressing - but when Katy sings We Ran she reduces me to tears.

1. Child Bride
2. Blow Out The Candle
3. We Ran
4. You Better Move On
5. Playin' Fool
6. Look Out It Must Be Love
7. False Alarm
8. Lonely Avenue
9. You Done Me Wrong
10. In A Moment
11. Setting The Woods On Fire

Link

Al Stewart - Past, Present & Future

Al Stewart
Past, Present & Future
1974

Before he found bedsit superstardom with Year Of The Cat Al put out this concept album of sorts. As usual with Al it is a mix of classy songwriting and some right old tosh - all beautifully played though with an undeniably elegant charm.

1. Old Admirals
2. Warren Harding
3. Soho (Needless To Say)
4. The Last Day Of June 1934
5. Post World War Two Blues
6. Roads To Moscow
7. Terminal Eyes
8. Nostradamus

Link

Bert Kaemphert and his Orchestra - A Swingin' Safari

Bert Kaemphert and his Orchestra
A Swingin' Safari
1962

Bert's mix of horns, lush strings and township rhythms should sound jaded and achronistic to our modern enlightened ears. However, when he gets it right, the arrangements sound sympathetic and fresh and have a vitality that transcends the years.

1. A Swingin' Safari
2. That Happy Feeling
3. Market Day
4. Take Me
5. Similau
6. Zambesi
7. Afrikaan Beat
8. Happy Trumpeter
9. Tootie Flutie
10. Wimoweh
11. Black Beauty
12. Skokiaan

Link

Tin Star - Somebody's Dreams

Tin Star
Somebody's Dreams
1986

Our perfect match has no fire
There's no more flame in your eyes
You used to sing songs of desire
But now you sing lullabies

The popularity of the mid 80s Bakersfield sound brought many a Californian country wanabee to wider attention. None were better than Tin Star.

1. American Summer
2. Somebody's Dreams
3. Bullets And Beer
4. Don't Give Up
5. Blue Mist
6. Mind Over Mattress
7. Sorry Doesn't Work Anymore
8. Mama's Baby Is Blue
9. Hey Good Lookin'
10. Meet Me In Cheyenne

Link

Tommy Collins - New Patches

Tommy Collins
New Patches
1986

During a long career Tommy enjoyed success writing for the likes of Merle Haggard and Buck Owens amongst others. As a artiste in his own right he had his moments but for the most part remained on the periphery of success. This 1986 release has a reflective feel that lends the songs a charm and warmth. It includes 'Tilt Me A Little Towards Tillie' a true classic that you just have to hear.

1. New Patches
2. Tilt Me A Little Towards Tillie
3. Boxcar Children
4. Shindig In The Barn
5. Roots Of My Raising
6. Hello Hag
7. Someone Else Tends The Garden
8. Lemonade Life
9. I Love You More Than Anyone
10. If You Can't Bite, Don't Growl
11. I Wish Things Were Simple Again

Link

Todd Rundgren - Nimbus Thitherward

Todd Rundgren
Nimbus Thitherward
1976 Hammersmith Odeon

Last week I went to see Todd perform A Wizard A True Star at the Hammersmith Odeon. It was bizarre, surreal and quite wonderful. I was reminded that somewhere in the Loft Of Sound I had a boot of his 1976 appearance at the same venue. Here it is for you to download.

1. Freedom Fighters
2. Mister Triscuits/Something's Coming
3. The Last Ride
4. The Wheel
5. When The Shit Hits The Fan/Le Feel Internacionale
6. Heavy Metal Kids
7. Open My Eyes
8. Sons Of 1984

Link