Track List from May 7th.

   Turned out a fine evening all round.  Busy most of the night with folk coming and going and a very mixed crowd of all ages, so it kept me on my toes.
Last half hour or so was usual sing a long happy stuff whilst the night started with friendly funk and soul foot tappers to keep the slightly older crew happy. Requests for Bruno Mars and also Party Rock Anthem is very popular with the kids.
I chose That Lady by the Isley Brothers but it was too aggressive, too early so I won't do that again. Great song but the guitar is really high in the mix and it sounded quite in your face for that time in the evening. Who would have thought that about the Brothers Isley?
I was happy to play Dj Meme's Love is You for the first time and Nina Simone, I like dropping in some slightly older Rn B stuff and this week thought I'd go with good old R Kelly.
Otherwise, I thought it fine to not only be able to play Nicolas Jaar in a small town bar but to be able to follow it up with Buddy Holly. Not often you get a dj set which includes those two artists and surely even less often will they follow each other.        

Anyway a fine night, lots of smiles and foots being tapped. Can't ask for much more really can you?                                                                                                                            

1	Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing	Stevie Wonder
2	Ai No Corrida	Quincy Jones
3	Let's Go Round Again (Original 12'' Mix)	Average White Band
4	Space Cowboy Morales	Jamiroquai
5	We Are Family (Remix)	Sister Sledge
6	Good Times	Chic
7	Lady	Modjo
8	Love Is You (Original Disco Mix)	Dj Meme Orchestra
9	That Lady	The Isley Brothers
10	My Baby Just Cares For Me	Nina Simone
11	The Lazy Song	Bruno Mars
12	Bright Lights Bigger City	Cee Lo Green
13	The Way You Move	Outcast
14	Ignition (Remix)	R Kelly
15	Party Rock Anthem	Lmfao
16	Lights On	Katy B
17	Breathe	Blaze
18	So Many Times	Gadjo
19	Coming Home (Dirty South Club Mix)	Diddy-Dirty Money
20	Sweat	Snoop Dog
21	Stay In Love	Nicolas Jaar
22	Peggy Sue	Buddy Holly
23	Summertime Blues	Eddie Cochrane
24	Mercy	The Third Degree
25	Twisting The Night Away	Sam Cooke
26	Run The World (Girls)	Beyoncé
27	Pon De Replay	Rihanna
28	Superstition	Stevie Wonder
29	Keep On Jumpin'	Lisa Marie Experience
30	On The Floor (Ccw Radio Mix)	Jennifer Lopez
31	Rolling In The Deep(Elektrokatz Big Room Remix)	Adele
32	Personal Jesus (The Stargate Mix)	Depeche Mode
33	Who Dat Girl	Flo-Rida Ft. Akon
34	The Key The Secret	Urban Cookie Collective
35	Baby Love (Halfby More Shambles Remix)	The Supremes
36	Working My Way Back To You	Spinners
37	I_Need_A_Dollar	Aloe_Blacc
38	Never Gonna Let You Go	Tina Moore
39	Could You Be Loved	Bob Marley & The Wailers
40	Red Red Wine	Ub40
41	Chaka Demus	Jamie T
42	Why Do Fools Fall In Love	Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers
43	Tainted Love	Imelda May
44	Rock This Town	Stray Cats
45	The Lazy Song	Bruno Mars*
46	It's Ok	Cee Lo Green
47	It Just Won’t Do	Tim Deluxe
48	Romeo	Basement Jaxx
49	Party Rock Anthem	Lmfao *
50	Beautiful People (Club Mix)	Chris Brown And Benny Benassi
51	Tomorrow Can Wait (Tocadisco Evilmix)	David Guetta  Vs Tocadisco
52	When Love Takes Over	David Guetta
53	Just The Way Penguins Are	Avicii
54	More Than A Feeling	Boston
55	Take On Me	A-Ha
56	Pencil Full Of Lead	Paolo Nutini
57	Vive_Le_Swing	In-Grid
58	Do Your Thing	Basement Jaxx
59	Yeah 3x (Po Clean Edit)	Chris Brown
60	Madagascar (Durand 09 Mix )	Art Of Trance
61	Grenade	Bruno Mars*
62	Forever In Blue Jeans	Neil Diamond
63	The Clapping Song	Shirley Ellis
64	Higher And Higher	Jackie Wilson
65	Easy Lover	Philip Bailey
66	Daddy Cool (Biacco Bootleg)	Boney M
67	S O S	Abba
68	Red River Rock	Johnny And Hurricanes
69	Beyond The Sea	Bobby Darin

Here Come the Mods

In the Summer of 1980 I was still clinging on to my punk credentials. By that,I mean, I still wore a leather jacket with a Clash button badge on it. 'I want Complete Control' it said and was given out when the band played at Clouds in Edinburgh a few years before their eventual megastardom arrived. 

I was staying in Ayr that early May day and had wandered down to the Low Green and was rummaging about in the amusement arcades to pass the day. When I emerged into the sunlight I saw a sight and a half. Hundreds of Mods, I mean hunners of them, everywhere, as far as the eye could see. Mods in parkas and stripey blazers and sta press slacks and scooters, lots of them. And me, only guy in the whole of Ayrshire wandering about in a rocker jacket declaring my allegiance to a band of punks. 

It could have been a re-enactment of the Battle of Margate, except I feel the Rocker was gonna get a hell of a beating. 

Nought happened. The Mods scooted about, preened themselves and made sure their shoes didn't get dirty. I bought an ice cream and meandered off home. 

What stayed with me though was the power a lot of people all dressed the same has. It was a formidable sight and more than a little vaguely threatening if you didn't fit. 

The answer to the question 'why would you choose to dress and look all the same?' eluded me then as much as it does now.

I suppose some folk join gangs and tribes and some folk don't, simple as that. That summer day showed  me the attraction of being in a big group all walking to the beat of the same drum. 

Musically, I liked a lot of the music the Mods claimed for their clan. As an early punk, I had a disdain for anything done by that man Weller and his chums in The Jam. Bandwagon jumpers, we all asserted. What punk band would be directed by their father? That early dismissal of St Paul continues to burn to this day. 

But I would go on to buy 45's by Secret Affair and The Lambrettas and more. During study at University I had listened almost exclusively to Quadrophenia. I think only because it was the longest cassette I had and so didn't have to get up from my studies too often to change over the tape. The beauty of this masterplan was not ,unfortunately, reflected in my final grades. Although the film was decent, it had Sting in it. Another fellow who clambered on to the one chord heroes band wagon with his band The Police. 

My real jealousy lay in the Mods claim to some of the best music from the Sixties. And as the years drift by this music plays in my little white earbuds more than those punk icons. 

I have Uncut magazine on subscription more through laziness rather than desire. Each month there is a cover mount cd which usually promises much but seldom fails to disappoint. However, yesterday the postie brought me the latest issue which has a cd containing some great Mod tunes. Barrett Strong, Smokey Robinson, The Turners, Sam Cooke, Carla Thomas and more. Not a bad tune in sight. I haven't yet mentioned that it also holds delights by James Brown, Ray Charles and Little Willie John. 15 gems for your car, your bar b q, your very own house party soundtrack. 

If it wasn't raining a deluge, I would jump in the car and just drive around listening to it at full volume. Well that and the fact that my car still only contains a tape player. So Quadrophenia again, it will have to be. 

You have no such excuse. 

Anna Calvi - King Tut's, Glasgow.

Couple of years past and I dragged the good lady off to Glasgow to see The Hold Steady. Normally this wouldn't be worth mentioning as Anne is well used to gracefully coming along to see a band with me but this evening this band was playing at The Cathouse. This venue usually being the haunt of goths and folk who watch the Twilight series not fifty year old, curious gig goers.

We weren't sure what to expect. Once, many further years back, we had braved a night out at Klub Foot in Dundee. This was back in the eighties when a musical entertainment could be named after a physical impediment and nobody thought the better of it. After being, there surrounded by folk in a cloth that made black look almost bright and listening to a Guana Batz B-Side and a 12" version at that we decided that we may be out of our depth. Remember, dear reader, this was back when we were actually young!

So trepidation about a visit to the Cathouse.

The Hold Steady were magnificent.

The crowd, much to my surprise, however, had a high number of folk as old as us and in come cases actually older. This surprised me as the band, although just releasing their third lp, were not that well known. I had expected a bunch of young trendy things all eager to catch the next big thing not a group of balding, stomach expanding oldies.

So what was that all about? No point asking me, I clearly don't know.
The relevance to Anna Calvi? Well it was the same type of audience. Yes, there were a large number of those trend setting bohemian Glasgow giggers but there was also that older demographic.
It is heartening to know that these folk are out there and prepared to forgo the Horlicks on a Monday evening to attend a music function at the 300 capacity King Tut's.

For me it is the best response to the oft happen dj situation when someone in their forties or older ventures towards the booth and you just know, just know that this person is going to ask you for something from the '70s. This is going to happen because you are in the middle of playing a tune that was released in the last ten years. And by 'The Seventies' they don't mean the Guana Batz.

Looking for a gig review? Then skip all the above guff and start here. 

Anna Calvi at King Tuts.

Part of the Emerge NME Radar Tour. Sponsored by the new energy drink 'Emerge'. When we left some PR folk tried to give us a can, we refused and took a badge instead. Didn't want it to interfere with the Horlicks and at our tender age we no longer wish to be kept up all  night, thank you very much.

Doomed to fail. What on earth was the focus group on about? Question: How likely are you to purchase an energy drink called 'Emerge'? eh! Can you imagine any sane person going into a bar and asking for a vodka and emerge? This is going to knock Red Bull of it's perch?

Anyway, Anna Calvi.

Kinda like this review, jumping about all over the place with no coherent style or focus. When she was good on the mellower numbers like, 'No more Words' and 'Love won't be Leaving' she was excellent. The room was respectfully silent on these haunting and still songs. When she rocked it up with 'Jezebel' and a version of Presley's 'Surrender' she lost some magic and became an ordinary bar band. 'Blackout', probably the most catchy song, was played early rather than as a crowd pleaser later.

I found the lp sounded slightly unclear with a muddy sound. It reminded me of a 1970's lp production. I felt a different producer could have brought more out of the material. I had a similar thought listening to the band at King Tut's. There was a distinct retro type sound. I didn't think this improved the songs any. I wondered how deliberate this could be. The sound at this small venue is usually excellent. It is far superior to the noisy mush you can get at some of the city's larger and more expensive venues.

The styles on show includes a bit of Piaf, some surf guitar, some burlesque, a nod to Twin Peaks, a little Johnny Cash, a little Billie Holiday, P.J. of course, a twang of Rockabilly, and a wink at Nico.
Her influences are too near the surface, too often at the moment. I am sure with a bit more experience she will make her mark. Also with some more material the set won't need to include a couple of cover versions.

I enjoyed the gig. It was quite intense at times and Anna puts a lot into her performance. It is easy to over look that this is a young band playing a small show with only one lp and few live performances under their belt and so be too critical.

Lets get a sense of perspective, dear child, it wasn't like an evening at Club Foot with the Gauna Batz back catalogue for company.

Track List from 16th April

Quiet Night in the Bar. Dominated initially by the oldies who remember their best years in the mid 70s. Then  some generally inoffensive stuff whilst I waited to see who was coming in nad who was staying around. Answer being, nobody really. So the evening never really got going or any particular sense of direction.

Request for something by the Welsh but my suggestion that we rush outside and burn down a cottage was not warmly received. Request for the new single by Roxette, I ask you. As if I have followed their releases assiduously since the mid 80s. Radio Two has a lot to aanswer for.

Very quiet for the last hour so I amused myself with Tensnake through to The Bomb. Pleased with getting to play 'Cry me a River' - the Richard Earnshaw version and mixed a bit of Maya Jane out of it. To these ears, coz there was no one else there to disagree, it sounded like a good start to a Sunday morning.

Surprised myself with my liking of Earnshaw's version of 'Cry me a River' because it is one of my favourite songs but, and I repeat, but only the version sung by Julie London. Lots of people have butchered this. Michael Buble went beyond butchering, he dahmered it before flushing it's remains into the sewer. With Bin Laden vacating the No 1 most wanted list I would argue that Buble should immediately take his place. There have been others. Second Hand Songs names 138 different artists attempting the song. Julie Londin sang the definative version first in 1955. This means 137 other folk have just been wasting their time. So I confounded even my deep rooted but clearly correct prejudice by liking this version by Earnshaw enough to play out in the bar.

All of you who are more tech savy than me, and you know by my use of tech savy that I do not know much about it, thus making you all better than I will find it on You Tube. Worth a listen I say.

Tracks Played are here.


1 New Sensation - Inxs
2 Controversy - Prince

3 Communication - Spandau Ballet

4 Easy Lover - Philip Bailey With Phil Collins
5 All Night Long (All Night) - Lionel Richie
6 Rock With You - Michael Jackson
7 How Deep - Lazy Grace
8 Sweet About Me - Gabriella Cilmi
9 Pack Up - Eliza Doolittle
10 Changes - David Bowie*

11 Let's Stick Together - Bryan Ferry*

12 Love Is The Drug - Roxy Music

13 Hot Love - T Rex

14 Let's Spend The Night Together - The Rolling Stones

15 Daniel - Elton John

16 Someone Like You - Adele*

17 Bad Romance - Lady Gaga*

18 Can't Get You Out Of My Head - Kylie

19 What's My Name (Saul Ruiz PM Club Mix) - Rihanna

20 Cherish - Madonna

21 Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac

22 I Can't Go For That No Can Do - Hall + Oates

23 Ain't That A Lot Of Love (Phats Disco Mix) - Simply Red

24 Street Life - The Crusaders

25 Dancing In The Street - Martha Reeves & Vandellas

26 Never Give Up On A Good Thing - Benson, George

27 On The Floor (CCW Radio Mix) - Jennifer Lopez

28 Sweet Dreams Tonight - Enrique Vs. Eurythmics

29 It's Like That - Run Dmc Vs Jason Nevins*

30 Higher (Wideboys Club ) - Taio Cruz

31 Feel The Need - Detroit Emeralds

32 Working My Way Back To You - Detroit Spinners

33 S&M (Stargate & Sandy Ve Mix) - Rihanna*

34 Yeah 3X - Chris Brown

35 It's Not Unusual - Tom Jones

36 Haven’T Met You Yet - Michael Buble

37 Come Dance With Me - Frank Sinatra

38 Reelin' In The Years - Steely Dan

39 Dakota (Decade In The Sun Mix) - Stereophonics*

40 Whole Lotta Rosie - Ac Dc*

41 Intro (XX Booty Mix) - Sander Van Doorn

42 Rolling In The Deep - Adele

43 Pon De Replay - Rihanna

44 Lights On - Katy B Feat Ms Dynamite

45 Dont U Worry Bout Thing - Incognito

46 She`S Got Nothing On (But The Radio) - Roxette*

47 Rocket (Tiesto Club Mix) - Goldfrapp

48 Call Me - Blondie

49 Waterfall (Oakenfold & Osbourne Remix) - Stone Roses

50 There She Goes - The Las

51 Coma Cat (Round Table Knights Remix) - Tensnake

52 Vive_Le_Swing_(Brassy_Mix) - In-Grid

53 Move On Up - Curtis Mayfield

54 Starchild - Jamiroquai

55 High - Mark Ronson

56 Chaka Demus - Jamie T

57 Who Keeps Changing Your Mind (Rox Mix) - South Street Player

58 Cry Me A River (Black Coffee Eemix) - Richard Earnshaw

59 What They Say - Maya Jane Coles

60 Gypsy Woman - Crystal Waters

61 Madd Luck - Dimitri From Paris

62 The Bomb - The Bucketheads

63 I Got You (I Feel Good) - James Brown

* Request.