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Christian McNeill once fronted a Derry combo called Schtum. They were like a Foyleside Fugazi, all fever and angular guitar. There was a memorable tune called 鈥楥orrupt Cop鈥�, an EP called 鈥楧igging Holes鈥� and an album, 鈥楪row鈥�.
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We heard about American interest, Columbia Records and the suggestion that the noise was going to export, big style. Alas, no. Then the guy settled in Boston where he released a couple of albums under the Hybrasil moniker and hung out with the legendary act Morphine.
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In January, Christian and his band The Sea Monsters released a collection called 鈥楨verything鈥檚 Up For Grabs鈥�. The records pulsates with rock and roll intent 鈥� with the brass and the perspiration and the choruses that will not die. You can witness the Celtic soul that originated with Van and then transferred to Bruce. You understand why Steve Van Zandt was so keen on the 鈥榋ero鈥� track and played it often on his radio show. You can sense a vocal affinity for vintage soul belters like Otis Redding on a track like 鈥業f You Need Some鈥�.
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Christian recently messaged me on Facebook. He says: 鈥�I hadn't put out a record in ten years, and I was adamant that if I were to make a comeback so to speak, it would have to be a game changer for me stylistically. I spent the last ten years writing and performing and suddenly found myself with a seven piece band including a horn section and a great batch of new material. A truly American sound at it's core but I also feel like I have stayed true to my Northern Irish roots as well.鈥� Amen brother.
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Jackie Wilson 鈥� Danny Boy (Ace)
David Bowie 鈥� The Next Day (ISO)
Stornoway 鈥� You Take Me As I Am (4ad)
John Fullbright 鈥� Moving (Blue Dirt)
Daughter 鈥� Touch (4ad)
The Elgins 鈥� Life Can Be Beautiful (Motown)
Josh Rouse 鈥� City People, City Things (Bedroom Classics)
The Dandy Horses 鈥� Could Not Have Loved You More (white)
Kronos Quartet 鈥� Osamu鈥檚 Theme (Nonesuch)
Daughter 鈥� Youth (4ad)
British Sea Power 鈥� Machineries Of Joy (Rough Trade)
David Bowie 鈥� Dancing Out In Space (ISO)
Indians 鈥� Somewhere Else (4ad)听
Dexys Midnight Runners 鈥� There There My Dear (EMI)
Christian McNeill 鈥� If You Need Some (Q Dee)
Parkington Sisters 鈥� Inside My Head (white)听
David Bowie 鈥� Valentine鈥檚 Day (ISO)
Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell 鈥� Invitation To The Blues (Nonesuch)
Robyn G Shiels 鈥� Upon Such Things (No Dancing)
Cowbell 鈥� Hanging By A Thread (Damaged Goods)
Paul Simon 鈥� Me And Julio Down By The School Yard (Warner)
Rory Nellis 鈥� Diosa (white)
Rockingbirds 鈥� Country Humming (Loose)
Mulatu Astatke 鈥� Cha Cha (Strut)
Serafina Steer 鈥� Disco Compilation (Stolen)
Love Unlimited Orchestra 鈥� Let The Music Play (Mercury)
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Playlist 11.03.13
Aaron Neville 鈥� Why Worry (Ace)
Harper Simon 鈥� 99 (Tulsi)
OMD 鈥� Metroland (100%)
Christopher Owens 鈥� Here We Go Again (Turnstile)听听
The Who 鈥� The Real Me (Polydor)
Balthazar 鈥� Do Not Claim Them Anymore (PIAS)
Sara Swenson 鈥� Passing Cars, Passing time (white) 听
Johnny Marr 鈥� New Town Velocity (Warner)
Wood Burning Savages 鈥� Here鈥檚 To You (White)听听
Charlie Parr 鈥� True Friends (Tin Star)
John Grant 鈥� Pale Green Ghosts (Bella Union)
Aztec Camera 鈥� Oblivious (Warner)
Villagers 鈥� The Bell (Domino)
Jonny Fritz 鈥� Ain鈥檛 It Your Birthday (Loose)
Dawn McCarthy, Bonnie Prince Billy 鈥� Breakdown (Domino)
Tom Waits, Keith Richards听 - Shenandoah (Anti)
Anthony Toner 鈥� The Only Only Child In The World (Dozens Of Cousins)
John Grant 鈥� Vietnam (Bella Union)
Billie Holiday 鈥� I Cover The Waterfront (Union Square)
Ed Harcourt 鈥� The Cusp & The Wane (Kid Gloves)
Elvis Costello 鈥� Alison (Stiff)
Womans Hour 鈥� To The End (Parlour)
Richard Thompson 鈥� Saving The Good Stuff For You (Proper)
Crusaders, Bobby Womack 鈥� No Matter How High I Get (Music Club)
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