Lady Loser's Lottery .... Pt. 3

Dearest friends,

first of all - of course - a very merry Christmas to all of you: I really do hope you are feeling well and are enjoying your days off as much I as I do. I'm sitting here in my brandnew chef-style-chair, a present from Mrs. Loser ... and what a treat it is, to be sure! And here's what my dear wife picked for you today, I hope it meets with your approval:

1) [from the 12" - shelf]: Harry Morse Project - 'Laziness' (mp3). Well, this is a pick I'm not convinced by at all. But that's the way this lottery works: I'm totally out of control. A DJ-colleague of mine used to play this a lot and I quite liked it back then, so he provided me with a copy of the 12". I think I haven't listened to it again until today and I must admit I don't know what to make out of it: it isn't a bad song after all, but it won't change your life as well, I'm afraid. But: judge for yourself and download it, if you want to. On Bigwave Records from Paris, France, released in 2000, the 12" is simply titled '#2'.

2) [from the CD - shelf]: The Feelies - 'Crazy Rhythms'. There are very few albums indeed to which you can listen to for, say, 20 years or so, and when the final song is over you think to yourself: 'Oh my God, that was simply outstanding!'. A measurement of such brilliance, at least for me this is the case, is when you owe the record as well on vinyl as on CD. There are just a handful of records for which this is true in my collection, and The Feelies' debut is but one of them. A true masterpiece, and I'm willing to have a small bet that it will put a smile on my face when I listen to it again when I'm 65. Released back in 1980 on Stationary Music and this is what I chose from it: 'Loveless Love' (mp3).

3) [from the 7" - shelf]: David Bowie - 'Ashes To Ashes' (mp3). I'm old enough to know that it's always dangerous to say something against Bowie, especially when you don't want to lose all of the five female readers who visit your blog on occasion. But, frankly speaking, I still can't cope with all he did, in fact I can't cope with most of what he did in his career. I mean, 'Heroes' is one of my all-time favourites and will most probably remain so forever, also 'Ashes To Ashes' is a fine song. But if you listen to his first albums in one go, you will find out that it is a relief when you have finished and are able to put something else on instead. At least I feel this way. That doesn't necessarily mean that I wouldn't want to look as good as him, of course. And have his money .... either way: on RCA Victor from 1979.

4) [from the Compilations - shelf]: 'Martin - The Work Of Record Producer Martin Hannett'. Well, the name should ring a bell for most of you. If it doesn't, here are the (inner) sleev notes:

"This collection is a sample of the work of record producer Martin Hannett from his early work with the Buzzcocks until his death in April 1991. Martin, as producer, was the mastermind behind the sound of Joy Division, and his influential production skills were employed by many of today's major bands. In later life he produced the Stone Roses and Happy Mondays, giving the latter their first hit: 'Wrote For Luck'. The final tracks on the album represent some of his more recent work before his death at the age of 41. The proceeds of this album go to his family."

On the album you'll find: World Of Twist, A Certain Ratio, Buzzcocks, Happy Mondays, High,
John Cooper Clarke, Joy Division, O.M.D., New Fast Automatic Daffodils, Slaughter & The Dogs, U2, which doesn't make it a lot easier altogether to pick something (apart from U2, of course). I'll go for John Cooper Clarke, I think, with his first (and best) release from 1977: 'Suspended Sentence' (mp3). 'Martin' was released on Factory Records in 1991.

5) [from the LP - shelf]: The Specials - 'The Specials'. Again a top choice, as with The Feelies. One of the classic debut albums of all time, full of good tunes and I never get tired of hearing it again over and over. Rather hard to chose a specific song, but I'll go for 'Stupid Marriage' (mp3) on this occasion. The Specials always were my definitive favourites when it comes to Ska ... nothing against Madness or Selecter or The Toasters, but The Specials really have stood the test of time. The album was produced by Elvis Costello and released in 1979 on Chrysalis.

Okay, enough for today: gotta run, shower and dress myself in order to be at my sister's place in time .... where I'll be served with even more to eat - and drink, I'm afraid - than yesterday. Oh, isn't Christmas fun?

See you soon,

Dirk

Special Request Edition: The Blue Orchids

Dear friends,


an e-mail came in from regular correspondent Craig Keany, who asked whether it would be possible for me to do some kind of special request edition upon The Blue Orchids. It is, Craig, and I can tell you why it is: you are absolutely right in saying that The Blue Orchids were - and are, as a matter of fact - most probably one of the most grievously underrated bands of all time.


I won't bore you with too much details about them, I think all necessary information about the band can be found here. Also there is rather a good retrospective of their work, which can be found here.


Their music is hard to describe, but I have been fascinated by it ever since I first got my hands on a cassette of their album back in the very early Eighties. Only several years later I was able to find a second hand copy of said album, 'The Greatest Hit (The Money Mountain)'.


But, enough said, here's what I chose for you, Craig. And for the rest of you as well, of course:



'Work' (mp3). The A-Side of their second 7" from 1981.


'Agents Of Chance' (mp3). The title track from a 1982 4-track-EP.


'Thirst' (mp3). The B-Side of their 'Sleepy Town' - 7" from 1985. Took this from an old John Peel's Music - cassette, the sound quality might be a bit dodgy, but the track is ace!


'Hanging Man' (mp3), 'Sun Connection' (mp3), 'Low Profile' (mp3), 'Dumb Magician' (mp3).


All those four songs are taken from their aforementioned album 'The Greatest Hit (The Money Mountain)' from 1982. There isn't a single bad track on it and you may well believe me that I had a hard time in chosing only a few songs.


'The Flood' (mp3). A-Side of their very first single from 1980.


'The House That Faded Out' (mp3). The B-Side of the 'Work' - single, although this version here is taken from their first (out of two) Peel Session from 08.12.80.


'Heroes' (mp3). Okay, this is a bit of a bonus. The Blue Orchids worked as Nico's backing band from 1983 onwards and therefore you get this one as well. From 1983, on Aura Records. All of the others above were released on Rough Trade Records, by the way.


I hope you enjoyed what I chose for you, Craig. Let me know if you were pleased, okay?


See you soon,


Dirk

My Peel Tapes - Part 26

Good morning my beauties,

yes, believe it or not, another episode of 'My Peel Tapes' for you! I know, quite a while ago since the last one. I must admit, I couldn't convince myself to do it earlier, because all in all it became rather a bore somehow. Also I was so very much fond of this 'Lady Loser's Lottery' - thingy ... I'd rather had done another of those instead of 'My Peel Tapes'. But the show must go on, so here we go ... I hope you enjoy what Uncle John played to me back then, 'cos that's exactly what I'll play to you today:

(258) Elastica - 'Waking Up (mp3). Again from their first, self-titled album on Geffen, released in 1995, also released as a single in the same year. Interestingly enough The Stranglers apparently blamed (sued?) the band for the fact that 'Waking Up' sounds pretty much like their 'No More Heroes' from 1977 .... I can't see that much of a similarity. Can you?

(259) The Silver Jews - 'Trains Across The Sea' (mp3). The Silver Jews were, amongst others, David Berman and Stephen Malkmus. Yes, that Stephen Malkmus out of Pavement. 'Trains Across The Sea' is my favourite song on their debut album 'Starlite Walker', released in 1994 on Drag City Records in the States and on Domino in Europe. The tune really grows on you, people, so you'd better download it and listen to it very closely. Silver Jews' homepage: here. 'Half hours on earth, what are they worth?', he asks in the song ... and doesn't hesitate to leave the question unanswered ....

(260) Northern Picture Library - 'Last September's Farewell Kiss' (mp3).
"Battery Point" was a very fine 1995 compilation on Sarah Records and it featured Aberdeen, Action Painting, Blueboy, Boyracer, Hit Parade, Ivy, Northern Picture Library, Secret Shine,
Shelley and Sugargliders. Peel played the Nothern Picture Library - track .... and so shall I. A most fragile track, so please

(261) Jerry Lee Lewis - 'How's My Ex Treating You' (live at Panther Hall, Fort Worth) (mp3). Alas this live recording from 1966 comes in rather dodgy quality, but I thought I'd play it to you nevertheless, because it is a neat song, that's for sure. More on Jerry Lee Lewis, one of the great performers of that era, here.

(262) The Flys - 'Love And A Molotov Cocktail' (mp3). A 1978 7" on EMI of all labels, odd really. A killer tune from yesteryear, if you don't know it yet: have a listen, folks ... it really is one of the great records of the punk or pre-punk era ....

(263) The Wedding Present - 'Go Man Go' (mp3). Once one of my all-time favourite combos, I'm not entirely convinced by all of what The Wedding Present are doing these days. This though still was fine stuff, from their 'Mini' - 10" on Cooking Vinyl from 1996. I think I should listen to the whole record again after having brought the track from vinyl to mp3 later on ....

(264) Pulp - 'Mile End' (mp3). Taken from the soundtrack of the film 'Trainspotting', released on Premier Records in 1996, a double LP, in fact. Not all on it is as good as Pulp's contribution, it must be said. The film, however, is a masterpiece, of course ....

(265) Calvin Party - 'Life And Other Sex Tragedies' (mp3). I know I've posted this before, but that's no excuse not to do that again: this is a FANTASTIC song, friends, definetely one of my choices for the Desert Island. It starts rather quietely, but then explodes and becomes to something which I would describe as one of the finest moments in the history of recorded music to date. The singer's accent is great, the lyrics are simply awesome ... this song is a MUST!!! From their 1995 album 'Lies, Lies And Government' on Probe Plus Records from Liverpool. Really, I can't recommend this enough ... if you don't do yourself a favour and have a listen to it, it's your own fault!

(266) The Congos - 'Children Crying' (mp3). From one of the classic roots reggae releases from Jamaica from the late 70's, along with Culture's 'Two Sevens Clash' perhaps: the album 'Heart Of The Congos' from 1977. I have a very nice German re-release with gatefold sleeve from 1996 on Blood And Fire Records ... wish I had a copy of the original Jamaican pressing though. Find an interview with Watty Burnett, who, amongst others, did the backing vocals on the album, here.

(267) Sleater-Kinney - 'I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone' (mp3). Heroes of the 'Riot Grrrl' - scene Sleater-Kinney hail from Olympia, Washington, later moved to Portland, Oregon and here's their website. 'Joey Ramone' comes from their second album, 'Call The Doctor' on Chainsaw Records from 1996.

(268) Helen Love - 'Girl About Town' (mp3). Again featured previously (at least I think this is the case), again one of the finest records on earth. Originally released as a B-Side (of the 'We Love You' - 7") in 1995 on Damaged Goods. The single is long deleted, but perhaps you are lucky and find a copy of their great 'Radio Hits Vol. 2' - compilation, also on Damaged Goods from 1997. Great website of one of the finest bands ever to come from Wales here. I'll dedicate this to my pal FiL from Pogo A Go-Go, I know he likes the tune a lot and so does his son.

(269) Chixdiggit - 'I Drove The Coquihalla' (mp3). From Alberta in Canada, from their self-titled LP on Sub Pop Records from 1996, which is full of good and gnarly power-punk/pop stuff. More information on Chixdiggit: here.

(270) Bennet - 'Someone Always Gets There First' (mp3). Despite the fact that this 7" was released on All The Blacks Records back in 1997, it's on nice red vinyl. And very good it is, too. I'm ashamed to say I don't have the slightest idea what ever became of Bennet, but they were really really good back then. I had expected them to become much more popular .... but I was wrong, as usual.

(271) Half Man Half Biscuit - 'Eno Collaboration' (mp3). The toast of Birkenhead with a 7" on Probe Plus Records from 1996. As always with fantastic lyrics, 'I went from the Andies to the Indies in my undies' is especially good, I think. Have a look at a very fine Half Man Half Biscuit - fansite here.

(272) Rudi - 'Big Time' (mp3). Again a total pop-punk classic from Belfast's Rudi. From 1978 on Good Vibrations Records (who also released the original 'Teenage Kicks' - 7" by The Undertones). More on Rudi here.

Well, as always I really hope you enjoyed my choices for today. Kindly drop a little comment and let me know whether this was the case. Or not.

I hope to have another episode ready before the New Year comes. There will definetely be another 'Lady Loser's Lottery' one, so watch out for it ....

Take care and stay healthy, friends!

Dirk

Lady Loser's Lottery .... Pt. 2

Hello nice people,

well, after all of those nice little responses to the first part of Lady Loser's Lottery, I thought why not do a second part, so here you are. Took me quite some time to achieve this, but I have been rather ill lately and this more or less the first time in two weeks for me in front of the computer. Either way, I'm back to mid-season form and I hope you enjoy what Mrs. Loser picked for you:






1) [from the CD - shelf] New Order's 'Waiting For The Sirens' Call' album from 2005 on London Records. Oh boy, I must admit, I haven't listened to this since ..... 2005. And I don't have the slightest idea what might possibly be the best track to play to you here. So let's do it the DJ-without-a-clue-way and play Track A ... always a safe choice, I found out in my career. Here's 'Who's Joe' (mp3).



2) [from the 7" - shelf] The Jesus and Mary Chain - 'Upside Down'. Well, I think I'll play you the B-Side here, 'Vegetable Man' (mp3), because I might think you don't hear it all that often .... and it's a rather neat cover of an old Pink Floyd song. The 7" was released on Creation Records back in 1982 .... as long ago as that? That can't be right, c'mon ... but that's what it reads on the label (Creation 012).

Strange, I just had a look at the internet to find out and everywhere it reads 1985, but curiously I can't find a picture of the sleeve which I have (blueish, with a guitar). The other releases seem to have been gatefold sleeves in different colours .... if there are any Jesus & Mary Chain - enthusiasts reading this here: please let me know, okay? Thank you ...





3) [from the Compilations - shelf] 'Doing It For The Kids', Creation Records, 1988. This is a great record with a whole bunch of adorable tunes on it, people: Weather Prophets, Biff Bang Pow, Emily, Heidi Berry, Felt, House Of Love, Jasmine Minks, Momus, Jazz Butcher, My Bloody Valentine, Nikki Sudden, Pacific, Primal Scream, Razorcuts, Times ... what more could you possibly ask for back in those days. And only because I featured the Jazz Butcher track ('Lot 49') before (in the 'Some Of The Best There Ever Has Been - 1988' - post), I'll choose Felt's 'Ballad Of The Band' (mp3) .... not because it's worse than 'Lot 49', I just love 'Lot 49' to no degree .... don't know why though ....


4) [from the 12" - shelf] Something German for a change for you now .... but I told you in my introduction to the first part that Mrs. Loser chooses the records with closed eyes, so it can't always be chocolate, you see. Fettes Brot - 'Jein' (mp3). Fettes Brot were (and are, actually) one of the first German bands who achieved success despite singing in German back in those days when including a bit of rap and spoken bits was a thing what only English - speaking bands would allow themselves to try. They come from Northern Germany and the members were (and, as far as I know, still are) Dr. Renz, König Boris and Schiffmeister. 'Jein' is about him not being able to decide how to approach the girl ..... yes, this old story. On Yo Mama Records from 1996 ... and it felt really good to hear this one again: thank's honey!




5) [from the LP - shelf] Joy Division's 'Closer'. Labelled incorrectly by Base Records in Italy with Side Two on both sides of the record ... probably I'm a millionaire and don't know about it? Well, of course there is one stand-out track on it and that is, of course, 'Isolation' (mp3). The band's second album, released in the July of 1980, two months after Ian Curtis' death. Would be intersting to know what YOU think: was it meant to mean 'Closer' as in 'shorten a distance' or 'Closer' as in 'finale'? Answers in the comment section, please .....


That's it, folks. Would mean a lot to me if some of you would let me know what you thought of Mrs. Loser's choices .... until then:


Cheerio,


Dirk

Lady Loser's Lottery .... Pt. 1

Dearest friends, fans and followers,


I've been contemplating for quite some time in the recent weeks what sort of series I could start on Sexyloser in addition to 'My Peel Tapes' and 'Some Of The Best There Ever Has Been'. I mean, it's fun to to both of 'em, don't get me wrong, but I thought I needed some challenge, something else rather than me wandering to the record collection, picking stuff that I like and then present it here.

So I thought, well, why not let somebody else do this for me? And - as you might imagine - my dear wife, Mrs. Loser, is now handling things for this series. All in all it's rather easy to explain: My record collection is seperated in five different shelves: 1. CD's 2. 7"-singles 3. 12" singles 4. LP's 5. Compilations. All of them are in - more or less - alphabetical order and contrary to me, Mrs. Loser hasn't got a clue what might be inside when she picks a sleeve with halfway closed eyes: it might turn out to be the best thing since sliced bread, then again it could well be a sin from my past. Nevertheless I swear not to cheat here, I'll play to you exactly what she picked from the different shelves ..... and I only hope it won't be too much crap.

Okay, here we go ... this is what she came back with:

1. The Detroit Cobras - 'Life, Love And Leaving'. A fantastic CD on Rough Trade Records from 2001. This really is a belter, folks, and I strongly recommend that you should get your hands on it, perhaps you have a look here. It really is not easy at all to pick a song from it, because they are all good. 99% of the songs The Detroit Cobras do are cover versions, but they always do them in rather a raunchy way .... which my choice will show you: Otis Redding's 'Shout Bama Lama' (mp3) is perhaps my favourite on the CD and it's worth downloading, so please do so!

2. Speeder - 'Hey What Do I Know' (mp3). This was taken from the 7" - shelf. On Creeping Bent Records from Glasgow, from 1999, and Mrs. Loser's pick could have been worse, I would like to think. Alas I know nothing at all to say about Speeder, a shame really, because the track is rather brilliant and with a good guitar fuzz in the middle. No photo of the band seems to be available in the web either.

3. From the 12" shelf, here come The Prefects and their 1979 Peel Session on Strange Fruit Records, released in 1987. Led by Robert Lloyd, later with The Nightingales, The Prefects never struck a chord with me really, I must admit and I'm having a hard time in choosing a tune to play out of the four ones on the 12". Then again this exactly might be the challenge in this series. Also it means that I listen to stuff I would most probably not have listed to again for ages. I came up with this here, 'Barbarellas' (mp3).

4. The LP Mrs. Loser chose I haven't listened to for a long time indeed. And what a shame that is, too. It's a total classic, of course, the second album from New Order, 'Power, Corruption And Lies' on Factory Records from 1983, May of that year, in fact. But because it's such a classic, it's not easy to pick a song from it. Perhaps I like 'Age Of Consent' (mp3) best. But also all of the rest is awesome, kids. So get a copy of it.

5. The compilations. From 'History Of Ska Vol. 2 - The Golden Years '66 - '69' on Studio One Records from Jamaica. I picked this in the backroom of a tiny record shop in Kingston, Jamaica when I was there for the first time. If only I would have been brave enough to have more money with me when I was there, I would have brought even more of these gems back home with me. But I was warned that tourists in Kingston get shot for a few US Dollars in certain areas, so I was rather short of money when record shopping there. But I won't complain, I found some very nice records there and this is but one of them. From it, here's Prince Buster and 'Time Longer Than Rope' (mp3). The photo above shows the sleeve of Vol. 1, I couldn't find a picture of Vol. 2 anywhere, sorry.

Well, that's it for today, folks. Thanks for your attention and of course a big 'thank you' to Mrs. Loser as well: good job, honey!

Cheers and any comments would of course highly be appreciated!

Dirk

Some Of The Best There Ever Has Been: '1979' (for a Tart)

Dearest friends,

first of all: sorry! Sorry that it took me so long to post something new here, but first I have been really busy and in addition to that I didn't feel pretty well recently .... something with my stomach (won't go into detail, but believe me: I was perfectly happy to lay in bed instead sitting in front of the computer).

The only person in the whole wide world who wrote (now that's an alliteration if there ever was one!! ha ha!!) in to ask if I am still alive was dearest Tart from the fantastic 'I Correct Myself, I Mean All The Time' - blog .... and I strongly recommend that you should have a look at what she has to say every bloody day of your little lives! In order to thank her for this, I asked her to choose a year for this series, and she came up with '1979', so there you are: Tart, this is dedicated to you, darling .... and I do hope you enjoy the tunes I chose for you.

Okay ... rock 'n' roll:

The Cramps - 'Human Fly' (mp3)

Blondie - 'Living In The Real World' (mp3)

The Dead Kennedys - 'Kill The Poor' (live at the Deaf Club '79) (mp3)

Elvis Costello - 'Oliver's Army' (mp3)

The Glass Torpedoes - 'Morning, Noon And Night' (mp3)

Joe Jackson - 'Is She Really Going Out With Him?' (mp3)

Joy Division - 'Disorder' (mp3)

The Pretenders - 'Precious' (mp3)

The Wipers - 'Mystery' (mp3)

The Go-Betweens - 'People Say' (mp3)

The Leyton Buzzards - 'Saturday Night Beneath The Plastic Palm Trees' (mp3)

The Quads - 'There Must Be Thousands' (mp3)

The Slickee Boys - 'Gotta Tell Me Why' (mp3)

The Specials - 'Stupid Marriage' (mp3)

The Undertones - 'Here Comes The Summer' (Peel Session Version) (mp3)

Okay, dearest Tart: I have to stop it here. 1979 was such a fantastic year for music, exactly as you said to me, I could go on forever and forever with my choices. I do hope you liked what I found for you .... and for the rest of you as well, of course!

Have fun,

Dirk

My Peel Tapes - Part 25

Dearest friends,

I thought I'd better quickly shove in another edition of 'My Peel Tapes' before Feargal Sharkey decides to close Sexyloser down forever, so here we go:

(245) The Eggs - 'The Government Administrator' (mp3). The third release - from 1993 - on Hemiola Records from Leeds featured a combo from Arlington, Virginia: The Eggs. Despite of their stupid name the record itself was just marvellous. It must have struck a chord in Britain at least for a few people, because it reached # 10 in Peel's Festive 50 of that year. Doesn't make them worldwide superstars, but who gives a damn, right? And, more important even, The Eggs sent me the 7" for free, because I wrote a creepy letter to them complaining that I wasn't able to track down a copy here in Germany. In return I sent back a bottle of local liquor, real hardcore stuff, and to my great surprise the band thought it wasn't bad at all, at least so they wrote back to me. A few weeks ago I landed on a website done by The Eggs' former singer and believe it or not: he still remembered having enjoyed that bottle very well .... some 15 years later!

(246) Madder Rose - 'Madder Rose' (mp3). Their first and their best, as it so often is the case. From a 1993 compilation called 'Unnecessary Niceness - American Imports from the 7" Singles Bins of the Rough Trade Record Shop', which featured Allen Clapp, Big Louise, Helium, Lois, Lorelei, Spinanes, Swirlies, Twiggy and of course Madder Rose .... on Beechwood Music from the UK. The Madder Rose - tune comes from 1992, in fact.

(247) Sonic Youth - 'Personality Crisis' (mp3). From the 'Sugar Kane' - single (on Geffen, 1992), which was issued in various formats - well, with various tracks on it - back in 1992. The song was originally done by The New York Dolls, as you might know. Should you not know it, try to get hold of it, it is a real killer! Also on the single was this:

(248) Sonic Youth - 'Is It My Body' (mp3). Some kind of .... hmmh ... well .... sexy, there is no better way to describe it. Judge yourself, but as far as I'm concerned, the thought alone of Kim Gordon moaning with lust makes this tune somewhat special for me. Yeah ..... I know: I'm rather easily aroused in my age ..... oh boy!

(249) Curve - 'Missing Link' (mp3). Phew .... rather noisier than I expected it to be .... I thought it was a bit more tranquil. Good stuff nevertheless and again from one of those Indie Top 20 double albums. Recorded in 1993 and mainly featured here because Toni Halliday is such a goddess! [As you can probably tell, I still couldn't calm down from the Sonic Youth track preceeding this one here .... sorry ....].

(250) The Rulers - 'Copasetic' (mp3). Released in 1966 on The Sir JJ Label. I got hold of some fantastic albums in Kingston when I went to Jamaica for the first time, but alas couldn't track down any 7" singles. So I had to take this one from the 'Club Ska '67' - compilation, issued in 1980 on Mango/Island. The sound quality is rather poor, but to my best knowledge this is not the compilation's fault. I've never heard a (soundwise) better version of this track anywhere.

(251) The Harvest Ministers - 'If It Kills Me And It Will' (mp3). On Sarah Records, Sarah 84 in fact. Issued in 1993 as a 7" and just one out of a million absolutely adorable releases on the label. They really had all of the good bands back then and I always thought they were as influental as Factory were 10 years before. The Harvest Ministers' site is here.

(252) The Undertones - 'My Perfect Cousin' (mp3). On 'Hypnotised', the band's second album from 1980. Good throughout and highly recommended. If you have a look at the post preceeding this one, you might not want to cope with this choice, but I think regardless what one might think about Feargal Sharkey these days, it should not be forgotten that The Undertones were not just Feargal. The other members might perhaps even be pleased to see this tune posted here, who knows?

(253) The Shanes - 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' (mp3). A 7", most probably from 1993. Peel doesn't give a lot of information as well, and moreover I can't find much on the internet about the track. So just enjoy this version and let me know what you think ..... okay?

(254) Pulp - 'O.U. (Gone, Gone)' (mp3). A 12" on Gift Recordings from 1992 and my favourite Pulp tune. There you are. Better even than 'Common People'. I quickly have to move on to the next track, otherwise I'll change my mind again .....

(255) Elastica - 'Line Up' (mp3). Originally done in 1992, the version was later issued as a 7". This here is the LP version though, the album was released on Geffen in 1995. A great debut which surely has stood the test of time, at least it did for me. Luckily I have a rare first issue, which included the so-called 'Elasticatalogue', a little leaflet with photos from Donna Matthews in it (yes, another goddess!). A much-treasured item here in Sexyloserland, as you might imagine!

(256) The Rezillos - 'Flying Saucer Attack' (mp3) / 'No' (mp3). Well, I intended to post only 'Flying Saucer Attack', but 'No' is tucked so close behind it on the album ('Can't Stand The Rezillos', Sire, 1978), that I decided to let the needle run and download the two tracks for your pleasure. In fact I listened to the whole LP again after this and I must say it is an absolute masterpiece!! Do yourself a favour and get hold of a copy somewhere, this album really shouldn't miss in any halfway decent record collection!

(257) Billy Bragg - 'The Milkman Of Human Kindness' (mp3). 'Life's A Riot With Spy Vs. Spy' was Billy's first release on the Utility Label in 1983 and from it this tune is taken. One of his quieter songs but don't let that hinder you from listening to it. Billy's site is here.

Well, folks, I do sincerely hope you enjoyed this week's selection: quite a fair number of older tracks for you, but as mentioned before: I just post here chronologically what Peel played back then on BFBS.

Have fun,

Dirk

Dear Feargal Sharkey,

I was suprised to learn from my mate J.C. that you have become rather successful lately. Quite a long way from singing in a grievously underrated band to becoming a Chief Executive for British Music Rights, isn't it? Well, it must have been a long way, Feargal, because apparently you seem to have forgotten some things. Important things, my old friend. I came to this impression because of the statements you made in this article.

Feargal, have you ever thought about why it is that you now have the successful job you currently have? Have you ever thought about who it was that made you so important? No? Well, I'll tell you, Feargal: it was us. Yes, us, the people who spent their hard-earned money for your records. The people who followed you around and paid to see your gigs. Some of them still exist nowadays, believe it or not. Those people are called fans, Feargal. Sometimes I think this is an expression which isn't used very often in your nice little BMR - office these days, right? Fans. Hmmmh. Sounds strange these days, I admit. But, the thing is, Feargal, fans - in the true sense of the word - are not criminals. Nor have they ever been. They are just little people who like what someone else has done or is doing. And they want to share their joy and excitement with other people.

Come on Feargal: you're not that old, are you? Do you really have forgotten what you did back in the mid 70's when you were short of money and your mate had the latest single, by, let's say, The Faces? I bet he taped it for you, didn't he, so that you could listen to it at home over and over again: "Pool Hall Richard, You're Far Too Wicked, We Know ...". Boy, that was fun, wasn't it, Feargal? I bet you sang along with it in your room like nobody's business, didn't you?

Your mate taped it for you for free, Feargal, so I assume. Or did you pay him for it? No, I bet you didn't. Now, would you describe your mate - and yourself, mind you - as having been criminals back then? Did you even give a toss about the fact that you stole Rod Stewart's money? Be frank to me, Feargal: you didn't, no way. Rod is a multi-millionaire by now, even though you and your mate stole his money. Deliberately.

You see, today the tape decks have gone. Out of fashion. Replaced by computers, Feargal. But the attitude has remained. Still some fans want to share stuff they really appreciate with other people. People who might not have the chance to listen to it that easily. And please don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about the real pirates. Those are criminals, I admit. I'm talking about fans. Fans who post a little something and in doing so they encourage other fans to go and buy other stuff from the artist. As easy as that, Feargal. Fans have a blog which is read by some thirty other fans per day, if at all. Pirates steal music on a commercial basis. Don't mix this up, Feargal, please!

If you want to save artists' rights, kindly attack the pirates and their battleships. Don't bomb the fans' rubber boats, my friend. I understand this is the easier thing to do, but that doesn't mean it is the right thing to do. So please leave us fans alone, okay? Ed, Steve and Coxon are not your enemies, Feargal, they're just fans. Not more, not less.

Think about this if you have a minute, Feargal. That's all I would ask for, mate.

All the best, your old fan,

Dirk

PS: and to show the young fans - who probably can't afford to pay some 50 quid for this single (or whatever it's worth on ebay these days) - that you made some fantastic records some years ago (and therefore can't be such a bad chap after all), here's your 1978 debut on Good Vibrations Records:

1) Teenage Kicks (mp3)

2) Smarter Than You (mp3)

3) True Confessions (mp3)

4) Emergency Cases (mp3)

I'll await your kind response to this, Feargal. In one form or another ...

Dirk

Some Of The Best There Ever Has Been: '1996'

Hello party people,

rrrrright, time for another edition of 'Some Of the Best There Ever Has Been'. This time we'll have a look at 1996, not a fantasticly spectacular year for music all in all, I would think. But there have been a few good tunes nevertheless, and here are the ones that I liked most. Still love to listen to them today, in fact:



Armstrong - 'You Deserve To Succeed' (mp3)

Melys - 'Puppet' (mp3)


Revelino - 'Step On High' (mp3)



Belle And Sebastian - 'The Stars Of Track And Field' (mp3)



Billy Bragg - 'Northern Industrial Town' (mp3)



Babybird - 'Goodnight' (mp3)



Jay-Jay Johanson - 'So Tell The Girls That I Am Back In Town' (mp3)

Rather a tranquil selection, you could well argue, and of course you would be entirely right. Don't know why this is, perhaps I finally got fed up with listening to Grunge and Grunge-related stuff back in 1996. Then again it was a brilliant year for Scottish and especially Welsh music and this kind of stuff never tended to be hardcore.

Either way, I like the tracks above to no degree. I hope you do too.

Just let me know if this is the case, okay: leave comments to cheer me up ...


See you,


Dirk

(Yet) Another Great Song Lost On A B-Side

Dearest friends,

my good pal J.C. over at The Vinyl Villain does this 'Lost ...' - series fairly frequently and yesterday he drew our attention to a track by The Go Betweens. Thanks for that, J.C., and to the rest of you, I recommend to have a look here.

Now, I shamelessly had to steal the idea today (hope you don't mind, mate), because this morning in the car I listened to a very old cassette of John Peel's music on BFBS. John started the show with a track by Echo & The Bunnymen, one which I always simply adored, in fact I think it's one of the very best tunes they have ever done.

To my best knowledge it was never released on an album, it was available only in the UK as a B-Side of the 'Bring On The Dancing Horses' - 7" on Korova (KOW-43), released in October of 1985. The Americans had to live with 'Read It In Books' on the B-Side, poor people ....

Not only the song is a real treat, also John Peel's intro (to the show) is quite wonderful, I think. Therefore you'll get it both, folks, (more or less) neatly segued into each other. Enjoy this:

Echo and The Bunnymen - 'Over Your Shoulder' (mp3)

My Peel Tapes - Part 24

Hello dear people,

welcome to Pt. 24 of 'My Peel Tapes'. I hope everyone of you will find some enjoyable stuff below:

(231) Sonic Youth - 'Ca Plane Pour Moi' (mp3). From a very nice compilation album called 'Freedom Of Choice' on City Slang Records out of Germany, released in 1992. Apart from Sonic Youth it features White Flag, Yo La Tengo, Big Dipper, Chia Pet, Connels, Das Damen, Erectus Monotone, Finger, Hypnolovewheel, It's OK, Mudhoney, Muffs, Permanent Green Light, Polvo, Red Kross, Superchunk and Tiny Lights .... and they all do covers of favourite 'New Wave' - tunes you all will know by heart, I would think .... well, and if not all, you will know this one here, originally done by Plastic Bertrand back in 1977 .... yes, that golden year .... oh boy!

(232) Killbilly - 'Diesel Dazey' (mp3). A 1992 7" on Diesel Only Records from the States. And perhaps you are more clever than me and can track down something about them or the record on the internet: I searched for quite some time now and have given up on it! Anyway, it's some very nice hillbilly country style - stuff for you for a change .... enjoy!

(233) The Jeans Shop Guerilla - 'The Rhine Near Bale' (mp3). A most curious item this is, for sure. A 7" single on Strandgut Produktion from 1992, titled 'Dr. Sorgsam - Oder Wie Ich Lernte, Die Bausparkasse Zu Hassen', which translates as 'Dr. Careful - Or How I Learnt To Hate The Building And Loan Association' ... and please don't ask me what this may possibly be all about! The other five tracks on this single are even more obscure, rather left-wing-pro-1977- German RAF - terrorism stuff mostly, I would think. Strange indeed, but the track Peel chose is rather neat altogether.

(234) Culture - 'Lion Rock' (mp3). Taken from the 1983 Peel Session (released on Strange Fruit Records) by Jamaica's Culture, one of the true Jamaican masterpieces, perhaps along with The Congos' 'Heart Of The Congos'. When I was in Jamaica in 2004, Culture played in Negril or Montego bay, can't remember properly .... one day after (!) I had to fly home. What a freakin' shame to have missed this great band. Now Joseph Hill is dead and gone and my chance to ever see them again has died with him. Bugger!!

(235) Benny Spellman - 'Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette)' (mp3). Again from a compilation LP, also called 'Lipstick Traces', this time on Rough Trade Records from 1993. A very strange collection of bands and songs featured here, some punk stuff (Adverts, Buzzcocks, Clash, Slits), but mostly rather obscure dadaistic nonsense from quite some time ago. Fairly unlistenable too, at least for my ears. Benny Spellman's tune though is okay with me, originally released as a single back in 1962, it has surely stood the test of time. Again, at least for me it had ....

(236) The Misunderstood - 'I Can Take You To The Sun' (mp3). A great tune from 1966 on Fontana Records, pretty much way ahead of it's time, I would think. Some describe it as a "psychedelic classic" and I'm not enough an expert on this genre to be able to disagree here. I always liked it a lot and I think it will remain another one of my all-time favourites forever. The Misunderstood's website is here.

(237) The Faces - 'Pool Hall Richard' (mp3). Now, I don't care very much for Rod Stewart, I must admit, not my cup of tea really. Also I know that he was not all of The Faces, other members of the band might have been more important than him. Either way, this is a great tune, a singalong if you want, but there's nothing wrong with that. It's the sheer energy in that that I like so much, but judge for yourself. A 7" on Warner from 1973 and more on The Faces can be found here.

(238) Culture Fire - 'No Existance' (mp3). Well, here's the deal: find anything about them on the internet, folks, and I'll send you a fiver! The only thing I can tell you is that the record was released on One-Hour Records from Omaha, Nebraska, I think in 1992, so I assume that the band should come from roughly that area. One-Hour Records in fact once was the home of Simon Joyner, now this is a guy whose name could ring a bell with you. He later recorded for Sing, Eunuchs! ... together with Frontier Trust, Mousetrap and The Mountain Goats, for example.

(239) Mambo Taxi - 'Prom Queen' (mp3). A 7" on Clawfist/Hunka from 1992. They had quite a few rather nice records, this is but one of them, I would like to think. Mambo Taxi's Wikipedia entry: here.

(240) Gumball - 'New Rose' (mp3). Now, the orginal by The Damned is quite a stormer, as you will know. But Gumball manage to give it a good kicking as well, they make it sound even harder in my eyes. You think I'm joking? Press the download button and judge for yourselves, people! From a 12" called 'Wisconsin Hayride', which is full of interesting cover versions, the originals being done by for example by The Small Faces, Black Flag and The Mahavishna Orchestra. The sound quality is alas poor, but I hope you forgive me.

(241) Delicious Monster - 'Snuggle' (mp3). Once again I delved into my collection of 'Indie - Compilation' double LP's to find these little gem. Originally released on Flute Records as a 12" back in 1993 and somewhere someone referred to them as 'one heck of an overlooked band': only partly I am able to disagree upon that ... but simply because there were so many other 'overlooked' bands at the time who had deserved even more attention than Delicious Monster should have deserved. Also their name sucks.

(242) The Heptones - 'Sufferer's Time' (mp3). Again in especially dodgy sound quality, this is because I took it from the original Peel Tape .... I only wish I'd own a vinyl copy of this 7" from Jamaica on the Hep Hep Label from 1978 .... but I don't. Alas.

(243) Pulp - 'Razzmatazz' (mp3). Yes. Okay. I know very well that I have to be terribly careful with what I write here about Pulp and especially Jarvis Cocker, otherwise 75% of my female readers (if there are any at all) will never come back again. Up to a degree I can understand why Jarvis is such a cult figure, but I always had severe difficulties in mixing up good looks and good music. I mean, just because he looks damn sexy, he isn't allowed to do things that sound shite, right? The same would be true for Bowie, and he really looked good back in those days! There was a period where I was fed up with what Pulp had done, but there still are some tunes I keep coming back to. Also I mostly like what Jarvis is doing on his own these days. 'Razzmatazz' clearly is a winner, originally released as a 7" on Gift in 1993, but also to be found on the 'Intro: The Gift Recordings' - Mini - LP on Island, 1993.

(244) The House Of Love - 'Love In A Car' (mp3). A track from their self-titled debut album from 1988, which is good throughout. You will know their 'Shine On', kids, because you can hear it fairly frequently on the radio these days, albeit only a remix of it, which is best being described as utter shit!

That's all for today, friends. Please leave a little comment, this keeps this blog alive!

Cheers,

Dirk

Some Of The Best There Ever Has Been...: '1988'

Hello dear friends,

well, after quite a while, here's the next round of little gems I always loved and adored and most probably will do so for the rest of my little useless life. This time we're having a look at 1988 ... have a listen and tell me what you think, okay?

The Beasts Of Bourbon - 'The Hate Inside' (mp3)

The Church - 'Texas Moon' (mp3)

Grant Hart - '2541' (mp3)

The Hotknives - 'Driving Me Mad' (live at The Boatman) (mp3)

Jazz Butcher - 'Lot 49' (mp3)

Joe Strummer & The Latino Rockabilly War - 'Trash City' (mp3)

Lou Reed - 'Something Happened' (mp3)

The Wedding Present - 'Give My Love To Kevin' (acoustic version) (mp3)

Very best wishes,

Dirk

My Peel Tapes: Part 23

Hello friends,

welcome to this episode of 'My Peel Tapes'. We find ourselves in 1992 by now and I really do think that the below is well worth downloadable .... some killer tunes for you, promised!

(215) Southern Culture On The Skids - 'Viva Del Santo!' (mp3). I'm a bit astonished, I must admit, that I never received any requests from you people for tracks by Mexican Wrestlers. But, because I'm such a nice chap, I act before you do and play you this little gem from a 7" EP on Zonta Records from Athens, Georgia, as I understood it, at least on this version Santo himself (some kind of cult figure down there in Mexico apparently) somehow was involved in the making/recording of the tune. It was re-issued in 1996 on the 'Santo Swings!' album on Estrus Records. A real treat, that's for sure!

(216) Cheater Slicks - 'Cheater Slicks' (mp3). Now, a little explanation for this and for the next three tunes is necessary here, I think: back in 1992 the wonderful Estrus Records released a very nice boxed compilation with three 7" singles (and a few gimmicks, cover done by the mighty Coop) called 'The Estrus Gearbox', all songs- as you might imagine - dedicated to motor racing: "12 revved-up bands on a thrill-mad rampage!" it reads on the cover and this is not far away from the truth. I remember that Peel played almost all of the tracks and quite rightly so, because they're all extraordinary good. Rather hard to decide which ones to play to you, but I think I'll follow Cheater Slicks with:

(217) The M-80's - '57' Nomad' (mp3). Brilliant as well, isn't it? Nearly as good as:

(218) The Mortals - 'Nitroglycerin' (mp3). Oh boy, the way this guy freaks out at the end is simply unbelievable!! But perhaps you prefer this one:

(219) The Vacant Lot - 'Cheater, Cheater' (mp3).

Venerate me utterly for these four killer tunes, people, I really do think I deserve it!!

[upon request:

Fastbacks - 'Hot Rods To Heaven'

Gas Huffer - 'Road Runnah'

Huevos Rancheros - 'Burrito Grande Prix'

Mono Men - 'Warm Piston'

Marble Orchard - 'Nova '69'

Muffs - 'Brand New Chevy'

Nomads - 'Boss Hoss'

Untamed Youth - 'SS 396']

(220) I, Ludicrous - 'We Stand Around' (mp3). Nothing to do with motor racing whatsoever, here come I, Ludicrous, who are, together with Half Man Half Biscuit, the elite of brilliant british lyrics. And if noone else will like this, I know that my friend J.C. will do. Not quite as 'rowdy' as their debut LP featured in it's entirety further down on this sexy site, but nevertheless awesome. A 4-track 7" on Eiswürfel Tonträger from Germany, 1992. More on I, Ludicrous here.

(221) New Fast Automatic Daffodils - 'It's Not What You Know' (mp3). Man, I think I haven't listened to this since the day I bought the record it's on, which is, in fact, a single (which I don't have), but also on their 'Body Exit Mind' album on Play It Again Sam Records from 1992. And I must admit I really forgot how good they were. They were different, back then, you see, different to most of the bands of that time. Although being associated with the 'Madchester' scene, they were always a bit different, I don't know how to describe it properly. Especially their work prior to the LP was really good: 'Lions' ('89) and 'Big' ('90) are just a few tunes to mention here.

(222) The Moles - 'What's The New Mary Jane' (mp3). A song that grows on you, I'm willing to have a small bet ... and no, this has nothing to do with The Beatles' song of the same name. The Moles split up one year after the 1992 release of the double - 7" this track is taken from, a very fine package from Ringers Lactate Records from the USA. I'm ashamed to say that this basically is all I can tell you about The Moles, if you try to do it yourself you will be able to confirm that it is not easy to ascertain any information about them on the internet ....

(223) Link Wray & The Raymen - 'Batman' (mp3). Originally released as a 7" on Swan in 1966 (and no, I don't have a copy), this fantastic cover of the Neil Hefti tune features Bobby Howard as Robin. I know a lot of purists say that this record isn't comparable to 'the real Link Wray', but I don't give a damn: it's bloody good and I still love to listen to it at immense volume! I have it on a nice 7" on Norton Records from Canada, released in 1995.

(224) Flophouse - 'Right Now' (mp3). Another obscure masterpiece, if you want. But again another one which I can't get tired of listening to. There is a ceratin 'hook' in it, which makes me love it forever and forever. The singer is excellent and she manages to send shivers down my spine, I must say .... just the way it should be, if you ask me! But judge for yourself and listen to it ... this track really is a belter! Again a 7", this time on Harp Records in the USA, 1991.

(225) The Cranberries - 'Dreams' (mp3). Okay, before you move on to #226 and think to yourself: 'Now Sexyloser is really lost!': wait for a second, okay?!! I know that The Cranberries are not a band which should be seriously considered. I know they are not 'indie' at all and most probably multi-millionaires by now. But - believe it or not - this track is rather well done (especially when it all 'breaks down' at the end) and I must admit I still like listening to it today. From their debut album 'Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We', released in 1993 and also on a 7", a pre-release, I assume, from 1992 on Island Records. Give it a chance, folks, it really is worth it!

(226) Loudon Wainwright III - 'A Father And A Son' (mp3). A mighty song from Loudon's 'History' album from 1992. Do you feel he speaks to you? Well, to me he does, most certainly. Alas Mrs Loser and me are not able to have children, but this song would give me something to think about if we had any ....

(227) New Fast Automatic Daffodils - 'Stockholm' (mp3). Sorry, I can't resist, friends: I've been humming to 'It's Not What You Know' all day long, therefore I thought I should offer more from the aforementioned 'Body Exit Mind' album: here's 'Stockholm' ... a place I never have been to. Do you?

(228) The Pete Best Beatles - 'Alamein Train' (mp3). One of my absolute all-time favourites ever, already released back in 1984, but Peel played it again in 1992. From a 7" called 'Sounds For The Sophisticated Cabaret Music Lover' on Strine Music from Australia, a much treasured item here at Sexyloser's. Clever and funny lyrics, a perfect rhythm and a neat guitar .... could you possibly ask for more in a song? Picture of the Camberwell to Alamein railway track here, if you are interested *smile* ...

[upon request:

Mudhoney - 'Blinding Sun']

(229) Sonic Youth - 'Youth Against Facism' (mp3). As I pointed out previously, I never cared very much for Sonic Youth, but any anti-fascist song is alright with me, so there you are. And, I have to admit, it's not bad at all. Again taken from the 1992 album 'Dirty' on DGC.

[upon request:

Mudhoney - 'I'm Spun']

(230) Chumbawamba - 'Behave!' (mp3). Another one from the 'Shhh!' - LP on Southern Records. Again a fantastic tune which I most likely will still listen to in 20 years' time and think to myself: "Someone's always telling you how to behave ... when you're a child, it's your parents and when you're a parent, it's your children ..."

I hope you liked this episode of 'My Peel Tapes', friends. A wide variety of tunes, I would think, something for each member of the family to enjoy!

Drop a note if you liked it. D'you know what? Even drop a note if this was not the case ....

All the very best,

Dirk