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Despite the fact that I don't think the sun has shone once on a Monday night, I've really been enjoying hearing the summer mixtapes that have been played so far.
Tonight it's the turn of Julie from Edinburgh who has come up with an interesting list. Her tastes include reggae, ska, country and world music and according to Julie, having a 15 year old daughter keeps her aware of the new bands.
There's still time for you to get your summer mix on. Just e-mail me at the usual address. here's Julie's running order along with her comments...
"As usual, it's so difficult to choose just an hours worth (I could change my mind each day, depending on my mood) but here's what I've decided upon today. They're not all typical summer records, and they don't necessarily hold any Summer memories for me but I'd include them in a Summer holiday/outing play list. Also, they're not all tracks that will be known to the majority of listeners but, I've tried to include a variety and, you know me, usually try not to request the obvious..."
1. Bobby Darin - Splish Splash
When I first started buying LPs (shows you how long ago that was - I never even got used to calling them albums!), I bought a K-Tel, or was it Ronco, compilation and this was one of the tracks. I heard it recently on the soundtrack of the film You've Got Mail and I could still sing along word perfectly!
2. The Brian Setzer Orchestra - Let's Live It Up
What can I say about Brian Setzer apart from that he must be one of the most talented performers around just now. Was really glad to hear a track from The Dirty Boogie album played last week - almost texted in to say "I know you can find Brian Setzer music so you've no excuse for not playing let's Live It Up Now". The Stray Cats are playing in Glasgow this year but I can't go and am really quite sad. This track would have been perfect for a past theme of "transport" as it mentions so many different modes of transport. I love the horn section too, the slightly jarring chords and Brian's singing and guitar playing. Love it all really!!!
3. Joe Cocker - Unchain My Heart
I went to see Rod Stewart at Celtic Park (quite) a few years ago. We really went to see Status Quo who were one of the support acts but surprised ourselves by really liking Rod Stewart (even though he lost his voice midway through the concert). The other supports were The Kevin McDermott Orchestra and JOE COCKER. He played this track and it was just the perfect song to listen to on a Summer afternoon. I hadn't really known that much about his songs before (except I suppose "Up Where We Belong" and "A Little Help From My Friends") but this song in particular was fantastic. He's one of the greats.
4. Camille - Cats and Dogs
As there's a French Theme on tonight's show, and even though I get a good portion of the show to myself, I couldn't resist submitting something for the French theme anyway! I'm a committed Francophile and am a fan of the French singer Camille (Dalmais) who I think is just so original, talented, is imaginative, weird, funny, artistic and has a great voice to boot! I'd love to hear "Cats and Dogs" (sung in English) from the CD "Music Hole" (starts off all chanson then turns into something very different - good fun), ...her music does remind me of my very favourite Summer holiday destination.
5. Os Mutantes - Ah Minha Menina
Is a track that was played in a record store and the very good Tropicalia compilation CD it featured on was bought on the spot because this song is so good.
6. Basement Jaxx - Do Your Thing
I just love this track. The video for it is really good too. I know it's dangerous but it's good to listen to on the MP3 when cycling!
7. Wilco - Summer Teeth
I first saw Wilco on Later with Jools Holland and had to buy the album Summer Teeth on the strength of it. Despite the title, not the most summery or happiest of lyrics but the sound is just so lovely, fresh and gentle with the sound of a stream and twittering birds mingled with a rhythm that trots along, a mellotron (?) in the middle and sweet sounding backing vocals. The lyrics mention death, suicide and loneliness but hearing the track makes me want to dash straight out to find a beach or a riverside picnic spot.
8. The Five Satins - In The Still Of The Night
I've suggested Doo Wop as a theme before and this is a classic track. It's a beautiful song and perfect for background music while relaxing outdoors on balmy summer evenings.
9. Van Morrison - The Philosopher's Stone
Now, I like Van Morrison's music, and I was excited to be going to see him but I'm afraid the concert I was at must rank beside the Bob Dylan and Wille Nelson gigs as being the most disappointing ones I've ever been at. He had a great band but he had no rapport with the audience whatsoever. "The Philosopher's Stone" however was sublime and made-up for the rest of the show being "pants".
10. Diana King - L-L-Lies
If it doesn't ring a bell with you initially, you'll probably recognise it if you hear it. I like the way she switches from sometimes quite harsh-sounding Jamaican Reggae vocals to a sweet soul voice in the same track.
11. Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys - Take Me Back To Tulsa (I'm Too Young To Marry)
This is one of the songs I learned from my late Father's collection of LPs from the "deleted" sections of record stores for 49p or 99p. It was through those records that I first heard artistes like Rusty & Doug Kershaw and Tom T Hall. In addition to his Country records, Dad would sometimes buy records just because of the cover and, when he'd played them and found them not to his liking, he'd pass them to me, hence my love of Trojan Ska, Reggae etc from the 3 LP set of "The Trojan Story" he bought but wasn't keen on. I surfed the web a bit about Bob Wills and discovered the info about his being a Bessie Smith fan - he was such a great fan that he once rode 50 miles on horseback to see her perform live?!
12. Steve Forbert - Going Down To Laurel
This is the first song I heard Steve Forbert sing, when he was heralded a the new Dylan on The Old Grey Whistle Test. Unfortunately, record company problems have meant that he's never really had the recognition that should have followed but he's a really good performer. I've seen him live a couple of times and would recommend anyone to go to see him.