Just One Damn Song After Another!

Edgy - New Indie Night in Glasgow

2011-10-06T13:49:00.000-07:00

The Admiral Bar on Waterloo Street, From 10pm.
All Welcome. Free

Edgy

2011-10-02T14:29:00.000-07:00

Pointless Promotions are pleased to announce the 312th opening of an Indie Night in Glasgow in the last 4 months. Despite the name 'Doomed to Immediate Failure' being voted most appropriate, the organisers have gone with the more in-tune 'Edgy'. Promter Josh explains, 'today it is all about branding but this is a diy indie evening and we found that it was just too expensive to have 'Doomed to Immediate Failure' embroidered on our faux silk tour jackets, whilst 'Edgy' was a darn sight cheaper'.
Bar Owner, Dave picks up the theme. 'The dj's came up with some pretentious names for their night, most based on dead American poets or iconclastic 60's legends. I ain't been to no art school but I know that 'Edgy' is gonna work better. Lawyers for Dave point out he didn't actually use the word iconclastic but a shorter one, a much shorter one indeed.
Dj Sisyphus retorted, 'I'll be back behind the decks once these anti-biotics kick in', which proves that one should take more care when scanning through the Yellow Pages. Meanwhile, when finally approached, Dj Sisyphus revealed, he was happy to be rolling the boulder of indie music up the mountain of publlic indifference only to watch it crash to the bottom a hairsbreadth from the summit. Partner Dj Jed said he saw the night as a launching pad to help him meet his dream of one day cueing up a Ned's Atomic Dustbin B-side for a less talented but better known headliner at The Garage.
New York Market Researchers, 'Stating the Obvious' were approached to help position the new night within the Glasgow entertainment scene. Their expensive advice has helped both Djs. Sisyphus takes up the tale, 'It appears that our target audience like The Smiths and, well mostly The Smiths. So our whole night will be us playing tunes by The Smiths. We might slip in something by Morrissey as we've noted that he sounds very similar to The Smiths.

Only Electro Night promoter, ' Hear those tills ring sounds' a discordant note, 'Kids come along to our Progressive House night instead. Yes all the music sounds the same but the drugs are better and you have just the slightest chance that you can rub your undernourished carcass up against a loved up fresher in a Pacha t-shirt and no bra'
Alternatively, 'Edgy' at The Admiral Bar, 72a Waterloo Street, Glasgow on Friday 14th October. From 10pm.

Back at Wellies

2011-09-25T08:47:00.000-07:00

Surprise return to Wellies Bar to dj at a 30th party. I was the resident dj there for five years playing every Saturday. It was a mixed crowd, more older than young and few rather than more. Still I learned a lot about djing. Like how to play a bar with goths in one corner and grannies in the other, how to dj a bar with less punters than bar optics, how to do the last hour of any bar and how to deal with the 'your music is shit' brigade. I also discovered that Ray Charles, James Brown and Stevie Wonder will never let you down and will get you out of any musical cul de sac that your dj blindness leads you into. More importantly, I worked out how to play a lot of tunes that folk didn't really know but would happily listen to without recourse to extreme violence.

It was back in the day before you used a laptop so the tracks played are hazy to the memory. Some of the cds are still kicking about and a quick perusal flings up names like Little Feat, 10,000 Maniacs, Kate Rusby, The Byrds, Elmore James and Donovan. The usual suspects included The Smiths, The Go-Betweens, Prince, and Etta James. The evening usually started with some Ibiza chill like Zero 7, Royksopp then meandered off down various musical paths depending on the crowd that were there that night. This could include New Order, Todd Rundgren, Otis Redding, Free, Fratellis, Toots & Maytals, Shuggie Otis, Hold Steady, The Jam etc etc. I learned a lot about taking the music from one genre to another. I learned how to get from punk to northern soul, from soul to the blues, from disco to house. Al good dues to pay.

We parted company as I found the committment to every Saturday too much after five years.
So it was quite a surprise to get a call and asked to return and dj at a 30th for one of the regulars.
Which I did and this is what was played.

1 Smokey Joe's La La - Googie Rene Combo

2 Sensual Seduction - Hidden Beach Recordings
3 One Step Too Far - Faithless
4 Barefoot In The Head - A Man Called Adam
5 You Can't Hurry Love (Early Listen Mix) - The Supremes
6 My One Temptation (Paris Remix) - Mica Paris
7 Sunshine - Gabrielle
8 Everyday - Fiona Apple, Jon Brion
9 Trouble (Acoustic Live) - Coldplay
10 Chase The Sun - Ibiza Beat Remix - David Tort, Norman Doray
11 Lady (S-Beat Remix) - Modjo
12 What's My Name (Saul Ru - Rihanna
13 Deeper In Love - Bobby & Steve
14 A Higher Place - Peyton
15 Tainted Love - Imelda May
16 Black Velvet - Alannah Myles*
17 Losing My Religion - REM
18 Z ephyr Song - Chili Peppers
19 Molly's Chambers - Kings Of Leon

20 Kids Are Alright - The Who

21 Raise Your Glass - Pink

22 Poker Face - Lady Gaga*

23 Coma Cat (Round Table Knights Remix) - Tensnake

24 Fight For Your Right (To Party) - Beastie Boys*

25 2-4-6-8 Motorway - Tom Robinson*

26 A Girl Like You - Edwyn Collins

27 Mr Blue Sky - Lily Allen

28 You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates

29 Let's Dance (Dimitri Remix) - Dimitri From Paris

30 Congratulations - Cliff Richard

31 The Lazy Song - Bruno Mars

32 S&M (Come On) - Rihanna

33 Last Friday Night (Almighty Club Mix) - Katy Perry

34 Sweet Dreams (Sansixto 2011 Remix)- - Eurythmics

35 Rock The Casbah (Orig-Inal Mix) - Truelove

36 Move- On Up - Curtis Mayfield

37 Living In America - James Brown

38 Feel The Need In Me (Eddie Tour Edit) - Detroit Emeralds

39 Sweet Home Chicago - The Blues Brothers

40 Under My Thumb - Rolling Stones

41 Time Of Yr Life - Green Day

42 The Galway Girl - Steve Earle

43 I Still Believe - Frank Turner

44 The Cave - Mumford & Sons

45 Take It Easy - The Eagles

46 Mr Rock & Roll - Amy Macdonald

47 If You Find Yourself Caught In Love - Belle And Sebastian

48 Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand*

49 Otherside - Chili Peppers*

50 Don’t Stop Believing - Journey*

51 Little Lion Man ( Van Doorn Remix) - Mumford & Sons

52 Save The World - Swedish House Mafia

53 Rolling In The Deep - Adele

54 Pon De Replay - Rihanna

55 Superstition - Stevie Wonder

56 Satisfaction Skank (Party Ben's Version) - Party Ben

57 Last Nite - The Strokes

58 The Edge Of Glory - Lady Gaga*

59 Personal Jesus (The Stargate Mix) - Depeche Mode

60 Laid - James

61 Come Up And See Me, Make Me Smile - Cockney Rebel

62 She Moves In Her Own Way - The Kooks

63 Mess Around - Ray Charles

64 Mr Brightside - Paul Anka

65 Do Your Thing (Instrumental) - Metropole Orkest

* Request.

Babicz to Buddy

2011-07-03T15:04:00.000-07:00

Back at the bar for the first time in 5 weeks and it seems I have another 5 to wait until I return, hmm.

Anyway, to the task in hand.

I thought the place would be quiet as a result of the gorgeous summer sunshine that had made a surprise return to this part of the world. Whether folk had spent their day in the garden and then felt like a trip to the pub or whether everyone was down to see the Big Fight, I'm not sure, but the bar was busy. In the lead up to the start of the boxing it just got busier and busier.

In the build up I began with those piano notes in Limerick's 'Where Love Lies' to gain some attention and move the mood over to some house tunes. Kept the Old Skool vibe with 'Reachin' before , very happily, going into Babicz's 'Bangaday'. Softened it a little with the summer vibe of 'You' by Plej before going back into the Techno with Jamie Jones, Steffi and Maya Jane Coles. 'Sweet Dreams' and 'Deep Inside' gave some familiarity. I felt this built up a fine atmosphere with the deep bass bouncing around the bar underpinning the increasing excitement and noise as everyone anticipated the big fight.

I got a break through the fight, so I was glad it went the distance. Kept it high tempo for a good fifteen minutes and then as the place settled back down swung the tunes back into happy party mode.

Last hour, as usual, some sing along stuff as folk made their way off to the nightclub up the street. Happy to fire off Betty Wright's 'Where is the Love?', Al Green and Sinatra's 'Cheek to Cheek' Before signing off with Mr Darin.

All in all a quick evening with everyone happy and the bar profits pretty high. Only loser on the evening being Mr Haye.

Tracks Below

1 One Step To Cuba - Faithless

2 Estelle - A Man Called Adam
3 Always The Last To Know - Del Amitri
4 Better Together - Jack Johnson
5 Boys Of Summer - Don Henley
6 Take It Easy - The Eagles
7 Let Your Love Flow - Bellamy Brothers
8 New Shoes - Paolo Nutini
9 Black Horse & The Cherry Tree - Kt Tunstall
10 Here Comes The Summer - The Undertones
11 Common People - Pulp
12 Buffallo Soldier - Bob Marley & The Wailers*
13 Where Love Lies (Morales Mix) - Alison Limerick
14 Reachin' (Brotherhood Mix) - Phase Ii
15 Bangaday - Robert Babicz
16 You - Plej
17 Summertime ( Beach Mix) - Jamie Jones
18 Sadness - Steffi
19 Sweet Dreams (Sansixto 2011 Remix) - Eurythmics
20 Deep Inside (Jesse Rose Mix) - Hardrive
21 What They Say - Maya Jane Coles
22 Happy Brasilia - Scotti, Paolo & James Last
23 Jump Around (Deadmau5 Remix) - House Of Pain
24 Intro (Xx Booty Mix) - Sander Van Doorn
25 Save The World (Radio Mix) - Swedish House Mafia
26 Da Hool Vs Domain Vs Storm - Bootleg
27 You've Got The Love (Mark Knight Remix) - Florence And The Machine
28 Show Me In The Deep (Djs From Mars) - Adele Vs. Robin S
29 Too Busy (Black Tiger Refix) - Marvin Gaye
30 Uptight (Everything's Alright) - Stevie Wonder
31 Working My Way Back To You - Spinners
32 You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates
33 Mr Blue Sky - Lily Allen
34 Jump - Van Halen
35 Yeah 3x (Po Clean Edit) - Chris Brown
36 Move For The Party (No Body Edit ) - Kaskade Vs Lmfao
37 Satisfaction - Rolling Stones*
38 A-Punk - Vampire Weekend
39 You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
40 Hold Up A Light - Take That
41 I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
42 Where Is The Love - Betty Wright
43 Twisting The Night Away - Sam Cooke
44 Bossa Nova Baby - Elvis Presley
45 That'll Be The Day - Buddy Holly
46 La Bamba - Los Lobos
47 The Devil Went Down To Georgia - The Charlie Daniels Band
48 The Gambler - Kenny Rogers*
49 Lets Stay Together - Al Green
50 Cheek To Cheek - Sinatra
51 Beyond The Sea - Bobby Darin*

* Request

A Surfing 21st

2011-06-29T14:37:00.000-07:00

Lorna's 21st turned out to be a bit different. Not that holding it in a large byre is particularly unusual but hiring a twelve foot surf board

simulator is.

The music was to start at 7pm and run on till late. Late turned out to be 0130, so a good six and a half hours of tuneage was required.

I was late in the day picking up on the surf theme and only had a couple of nights to dig out as many surf related songs that I could. This is certainly where the internet comes into its own. In the old days this would have meant a frantic rush to HMV or Tower records to grab as many cds with a picture of someone hanging on to a surf board on the front. Now with the immediate help of Google and an i-tunes account you can listen to, sort out what will work, buy it and drag the song into your playlist. All this in a matter of no time at all and all from the comfort of your own home. Thank You Mr Internet Inventor person.

The indoor surf simulator worked really well. First as an ice breaker as everyone basically just stood and looked at it, and then after some liquid dutch courage as a fun way to get people mixing and so start the party vibe. It helped validate the fact that nearly everyone had made the effort to dress up in a Hawaiian Style.

I started with lots of guitar based, surf sounding tunes mixed in some more modern sounds and, as the oldies were hanging around watching the fun, some more mature rock. This helped to keep the whole group together and focussed in the party room. Later in when the music went younger the older folk headed off somewhere quieter but the early section went well.

My favourites were 'Surf's Up' by The Atlantics, an obscure , even in The Atlantics own household, Aussie Surf Band from the '60s and 'Southbound' by The Allmans followed by the less well known Skynyrd version of J J Cale's, 'Call me the Breeze'. Fleetwood Mac's take on 'Shake your Money Maker' and Dick Dale with 'Misirilou' sounded stomping.

Kicked on with the current charts and party tunes from the back of nine on until the oldies commanded the floor at the back of one to rock out.

As ever Mumford & Sons filled the floor, the White Stripes kept the indie kids happy and the very loud Afrojack mix of Sweat followed by this summer's dance anthem 'Badman Riddim brought some serious dancefloor action from the youngsters. I was quite pleased, firstly because I like nothing better than really loud music and secondly because last October I killed a 21st for about 5 minutes when I dropped in a harsh mix of Gold Dust. This part of Scotland was not yet ready to embrace dubstep, But give it nine months and...

As ever, the next day you sit and think of another two dozen songs you could easily of played. When I started this game I used to worry about running out of tunes and playing all the big hits too early. Now I just go for it if it feels right. Get the party going any way you can and the songs will come.

A fine night with the lights and the smoke and the tunes and the volume turned up and people dancing. Almost made me think about returning to mobile work. Almost. Until I had to pack it all away the next day.

Back at the pub soon.

Tracks played are , as ever, here.

1 Hot Hot Hot - Buster Poindexter

2 Soul-Limbo - Booker T. & The Mg's

3 Guantanamera - The Sandpipers

4 Oye Como Va - Santana

5 Conga - Gloria Estefan

6 Cada Vez - Negrocan

7 Bamboleo - Gypsy Kings

8 Cuba - Gibson Brothers

9 Guaglione - Pérez Prado

10 Livin' La Vida Loca - Ricky Martin

11 Papa Loves Mambo - Perry Como

12 Tequila - The Champs

13 A Minha Menina - The Bees

14 Cantaloupe Island - Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers

15 Surf's Up - The Atlantics

16 Shindig - Shadows

17 Good Vibrations - Beach Boys

18 Beach Baby - First Class

19 Hawaii Five O - The Ventures

20 Freakout - The Atlantics

21 Seven Nation Army ( Patchworks Mix) - The Dynamics

22 Beach Side - Kings Of Leon

23 Rock This House - B.B. King

24 Shake Your Money Maker - Fleetwood Mac

25 Misirilou - Dick Dale

26 Juicebox - The Strokes

27 Down On The Beach Tonite - The Drifters

28 Wake Up Little Susie - Everley Brothers

29 Surfin' Usa - Beach Boys

30 Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa - Vampire Weekend

31 You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon

32 Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac

33 Feeling Groovy - Simon And Garfunkle

34 California Girls - Beach Boys

35 Pipeline - The Chantays

36 Southbound - Allman Brothers Band

37 Call Me The Breeze - Lynyrd Skynyrd

38 Molly's Chambers - Kings Of Leon

39 Wipeout - The Surfaris

40 Tequila - The Champs

41 Bossa Nova Baby - Elvis Presley

42 Bamboleo - Gipsy Kings

43 Sun Is Shining - Bob Marley Vs Funkstar De Luxe

44 Sunchyme - Dario G

45 Chase The Sun – (Ibiza Beat Remix) - David Tort, Norman Doray

46 Shelter ( Talabot's Feel It Too Remix) - The Xx

47 Clocks Cuba - Coldplay

48 Soul-Limbo - Booker T. & The Mg's

49 Cuba - Gibson Brothers

50 Apache - The Shadows

51 Cha Cha Twist - Detroit Cobras

52 Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochrane

53 I Fought The Law - Bobby Fuller Four

54 Johnny Got A Boom Boom - Imelda May

55 Toss The Feathers - The Corrs

56 I Usta Love Her - Saw Doctors

57 The Lazy Song - Bruno Mars

58 Forget You - Cee Lo Green

59 Tonight_(Im_Lovin_You) - Iglesias Vs. Eurythmics

60 On The Floor (Ccw Radio Mix) - Jennifer Lopez

61 It Just Won’t Do - Tim Deluxe

62 Hotel California (Latino Summer Mix) - Nils Vs Eagles

63 The Cave - Mumford & Sons

64 The Galway Girl - Steve Earle

65 If I Should Fall From Grace - The Pogues

66 It's Not Unusual - Tom Jones

67 Hot Hot Hot - Buster Poindexter

68 Twist And Shout - Beatles

69 Baby Love (Halfby Shambles Remix) - The Supremes

70 Working My Way Back To You 45 - Detroit Spinners

71 Show Me In The Deep (Djs From Mars Bootleg) - Adele Vs. Robin S

72 Raise Your Glass - Pink

73 Love Takes Over - David Guetta

74 You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates

75 Don't Bring Me Down - Electric Light Orchestra

76 Black Horse & The Cherry Tree - Kt Tunstall

77 I Usta Love Her - Saw Doctors

78 Candy - Paolo Nutini

79 Hold Up A Light - Take That

80 Walking On A Dream (Treasure F Remix) - Empire Of The Sun

81 Pumped Up Kicks - Foster The People

82 Love Shack - B 52s

83 Message In A Bottle - The Police

84 Summer Of 69 - Bryan Adams

85 Kids (Skyve Reuters Bunkalifony Edit) - Mgmt

86 Mr Brightside - The Killers

87 Papillon (Tiesto Remix) - Editors

88 The Girls - Calvin Harris

89 Written In Stars Vs Pass Out Vs Kickstarts - Tinie Tempah Vs Example

90 Prayin' - Plan B

91 Horse Outside - The Rubberbandits

92 Little Lion Man - Mumford & Sons
93 Happy Birthday - Stevie Wonder

94 Congratulations - Cliff Richard

95 Hotel Yorba - White Stripes

96 Stuck In The Middle With You - Stealer's Wheel

97 Paolo's Pencil Full Of Party - Paolo Nutini Vs Lou Bega

98 The Lazy Song - Bruno Mars

99 S&M (Come On) - 128 - 2a - 128 - Rihanna

100 Bass Down Low (Explicit Edit) - Dev Feat The Cataracs

101 Hips Don't Lie - Shakira

102 Badman Riddim ( Friction Mix) - Vato Gonzales

103 Sweat (Afrojack Dub Mix) - Snoop Dogg & David Guetta

104 Sweet Dreams Tonight - Iglesias Vs. Eurythmics
105 Soul-Limbo - Booker T. & The Mg's
106 Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of ...) - Lou Bega
107 Macarena - Los Del Rio
108 9 - 5 - Dolly Parton

109 Crazy In Love Feat. Jay Z - Beyonce

110 Pon De Replay - Rihanna

111 Superstition - Stevie Wonder

112 Kickstarts - Example

113 Bounce - Calvin_Harris

114 Yeah 3x - - Chris Brown

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

116 Sex On Fire - Kings Of Leon

117 A-Punk - Vampire Weekend

118 All The Small Things - Blink 182

119 Rock The Boat - Hues Corp

120 Oops Upside Your Head - The Gap Band

121 Dancing Queen - Abba

122 Back In Black (Powerpack Vocal Mix) - Acdc

123 Ace Of Spades - Motorhead

124 Rock And Roll - Led Zeppelin

125 Papa Loves Mambo - Perry Como

126 Brown Eyed Girl - Reel Big Fish

127 Cracklin' Rosie - Neil Diamond

128 New York New York - Sinatra

Sun in Drizzleland

2011-06-28T12:56:00.000-07:00

Sun shone today up here in Drizzleland. What a pleasure driving back from work with this track playing loud.
The perfect soundtrack for summer.
Makes me dream again of returning to Ibiza.

That Desperate Thing - U2

2011-06-27T14:44:00.000-07:00

Many moons ago,around about 1981ish, I was quite into U2. I asked for a copy of Boy the week it was released for my 21st birthday. I had heard their first ep on John Peel and liked the tumbling, rushing guitar sound and the lead singer's breathless vocals. They seemed a band to name drop to the trendies. I also caught them a couple of times live. Once at a stadium gig at Gateshead where the band were low down the running order, I think, but maybe they weren't, how am I supposed to remember it was 30 odd years ago? And once at a gig at the Playhouse in Edinburgh. This I remember better because I still have the ticket stub.

I perversely quite liked October when it was released and also thought highly of War. But then equally thrawn, I was disappointed by 'The Joshua Tree' and our paths separated. Although I had nothing against 'One' or 'The Sweetest Thing' neither did I find the time to play them very often.

I mused on all this when watching the band play at Glastonbury. I was trying to figure out why it is difficult to love U2. I think they try too hard and are too desperate to be loved. It is as if this anxiousness to please drives out any real emotion. But looking back it appears that this breathless rush to engage has been their focus since '11 0'Clock Tick Tock'.

In my years of djing, I don't play U2 often. I once dropped in' Stories for Boys' when I was going through some energetic tunes about 5 years past. Obviously, I gave 'Vertigo' a good airing when it was high in the charts and likewise with 'One' and 'Sweetest Thing' but no-one really asks for them anymore and I don't see any great need to play them.

Strange then, how a band so desperate to be loved have one of the most ridiculed frontsmen around whilst everyone else just yawns with indifference.

Now Pendulum. I thought they were great.

Prom Night 2011

2011-06-27T13:32:00.000-07:00

A change of pace as I was asked to do the end of term Prom for the local Primary School. This mean the youngsters are about 11 years old. I have done this party for a few years now and it is always enjoyable.
A lot of the time the dancing is organised around a selection of Scottish Country Dances like The Gay Gordons, The Dasing White Sergeant or a good old time Barn Dance. These tunes are played off a cd, how Old Skool, so the computer doesn't keep a log of them.
The rest of the time it is a selection of happy tunes which are the background to some games or some 'Disco Time' as the supervising teachers call it.
What I have learned is.

1. The youngsters don't wish to be patronised and expect to hear the same Top 40 stuff as there pub going elders.
2. They lose interest quickly and really only want to hear the chorus and maybe one verse.
3. Justin Beiber isn't as popular as you might think. So who is buying his records?
4. They like happy party sing-along songs. Same as the pub at closing time crew.

So before the Prom, I go through the likely Top 20 hits of the day and cue up start points just before the chorus or on the beat of the first verse. Then when the evening is in full swing I can rapidly kick off the tunes right at the interesting bits. This seems to work well and I would recommend this to any dj working with a young audience.

Health and Safety Tip. When you have 50 soprano youngsters bellowing out 'Don't Stop Believing' at the night's end you know your job is done but it don't half hurt your ears.

Tracks Played Here.

1 Somebody To Love - Glee

2 S&M (Come On) -Rihanna

3 Raise Your Glass - Pink
4 Where Them Girls At - David Guetta
5 Bad Romance Lady Gaga
6 Mr. Saxobeat (Extended) Alexandra Stan
7 Skinny Genes Eliza Doolittle
8 I'm On My Way - The Proclaimers
9 S&M (Come On) - Rihanna
10 Here Come The Girls - Ernie K Doe
11 Run The World (Girls) - Beyoncé
12 Crazy In Love Feat. Jay Z - Beyonce
13 I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
14 Sweat - Snoop Dog Feat David Guetta
15 Give Me Everything - Pitbull

16 Yeah 3X - Chris Brown

17 Just Dance - Lady Gaga

18 Celebration - Kool And The Gang

19 Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO

20 Boom Boom - Outhere Bros

21 Jumping All Over The World - Scooter
22 Bounce - Calvin Harris
23 Carnival De Paris - Dario G
24 The Lazy Song - Bruno Mars
25 Paolo's Pencil Full Of Party - Paolo Nutini Vs Lou Bega
26 (Is This The Way To) Amarillo - Tony Christie
27 Cotton Eye Joe- Rednex
28 Where Them Girls At - David Guetta
29 Sweat - Snoop Dog

30 Grease Megamix - Megamix

31 Footloose - Kenny Loggins

32 La Bamba -Los Lobos

33 I_Need_A_Dollar - Aloe_Blacc

34 Black And Yellow -Wiz Khalifa

35 Heaven - Dj Sammy

36 Save The World (Radio Mix) - Swedish House Mafia

37 Cha Cha Slide

38 I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers

39 Auld Lang Syne - Gay Gordons

40 Don't Stop Believin' - Glee Cast

May 28th Tracklisting

2011-06-26T07:38:00.000-07:00

Was due to play on the previous Saturday but got a call late on that day and asked to swap to the following week, which didn't cause a problem.

So May 28th it is then. The Champions League Final was on until the half nine mark so I didn't kick off until the match was finished which is why there is less tracks than usual in the list below.

Upbeat to start with. Don't often play James Last, much to my father's dismay, but the Happy Brasillia track pounds along with strong tribal drums and the blowing of whistles. It is similar to the cliched 'Carnival De Paris' but less well known. I doubt even if Mr Last remembers recording it.

Otherwise the usual bar mix. Hopefully something for everyone. Pixies for the wife who has no idea how difficult it is fitting one of their tunes into the expected happy, toe tapping tunes that are wanted, Figured that at half past midnight no-one would notice.

Tracks Played, including 'Alison; here..

1 Celebration - Kool & The Gang
2 Happy Brasilia -Paolo Scotti & James Last
3 Rockit - Herbie Hancock
4 Theme From S-Express - S'Express
5 Rapper's Delight (Hip Hop Remix '89) - Sugarhill Gang
6 Strut Your Funky Stuff - Frantique
7 Do What U Do - How2 Groove & Audio Jacker
8 Ibiza ( Babanow Jazz-Funk Remix) - Yuriy Poleg
9 Let The Music Take You - House Bros
10 Lady ( Allure & Syntheticsax S-Beat Remix) - Modjo
11 Chase The Sun (Alex Lamb Bootleg) - David Tort & Norman Doray
12 Flashback (Danny Dance 2011 Remix) - Calvin Harris
13 One For Me - James Talk & Ridney
14 Lovely Day (Phatt Mix) - Bill Withers
15 I_Need_A_Dollar - Aloe_Blacc

16 Bright Lights Bigger City - Cee Lo Green

17 Rollin' Stone - Benny Royal

18 Groove Is In The Heart (Barclay & Cream Club Mix) - Barclay & Cream

19 You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates

20 Street Life - The Crusaders

21 Boogie Wonderland - Earth Wind And Fire

22 Move On Up - Curtis Mayfield

23 Rock The Casbah (Rhythm Schola mix) - The Clash

24 Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag - Pig Bag

25 Sweat - Snoop Dog Feat David Guetta

26 Beautiful People (Club Mix) - Chris Brown And Benny Benassi
27 Let's Dance Chris Rea
28 Walk Of Life Dire Straits
29 The Lazy Song Bruno Mars
30 HavenT Met You Yet Michael Buble
31 You Can Call Me Al Paul Simon
32 Feeling Groovy Simon And Garfunkle
33 Love X Love George Benson*
34 Seven Days In Sunny June Jamiroquai
35 It Just Wont Do Tim Deluxe
36 Romeo Basement Jaxx
37 I Gotta Feeling Black Eyed Peas*
38 Rolling In The Deep(Elektrokatz Big Room Remix) Adele
39 Personal Jesus (The Stargate Mix) Depeche Mode
40 All The Small Things Blink 182
41 Last Nite The Strokes
42 A Hard Day's Night The Beatles

43 All Day And All Of The Night Kinks
44 Satisfaction Rolling Stones
45 Judy And The Dream Of Horses Belle And Sebastian
46 Time Of Your Life Green Day
47 Little Lion Man Mumford & Sons
48 Stuck In The Middle With You Stealer's Wheel
49 The Galway Girl Steve Earle
50 Mrs. Robinson Simon And Garfunkel
51 The Lazy Song Bruno Mars
52 Bed And Breakfast Man Madness
53 Too Much Too Young Special Aka
54 Allison The Pixies*
55 Another Saturday Night Sam Cooke
56 Cupid Amy Winhouse
57 Everybody Needs Somebody To Love Jools Holland
58 Sunday Morning The Velvet Underground
59 It's Going To Take Some Time Carpenters
60 Mack The Knife Bobby Darin

* Request.

Track List from May 7th.

2011-05-22T14:10:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-22T05:19:00.000-07:00

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.

2011-05-16T15:39:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-10T14:36:00.000-07:00

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.

Requests Galore

2011-04-13T09:42:00.000-07:00

Don't normally get a lot of requests. I mean would you approach a dangerously menapausal, bald, old git with the suggestion that he might like to consider playing Tai Cruz. I used to attempt to get the punters to see the error of their ways by entering into a two way dialogue about what it is that constitutes good music and why Take That consist of none of it. For some reason this never turned out well.
Now I just put my head in my hands and sob uncontrollably.

Often I give due notice. When asked 'Do you have any Lady GaGa', I reply 'Do you wish to see a grown man cry?'. Inevitably the answer is that my tears will only add to their enjoyment of Poker Face.
To prevent this situation happening too often I attempt to seize the high ground by ensuring my default appearance is surly, aloof and close to extreme random violence. Often I pat my back pocket in a manner clearly designed to indicate that I am so glad my razor, 45 Colt or essential medication is still there.
This resulted in lots of folk enquiring if I had lost my keys. Still came the requests.

Anyway this night, even setting fire to a small pyre of my musical hopes and dreams was not enough to keep the determined requesters at a safe distance. Have these people no respect for Health and Safety?

Busy to start as some folk were heading up town to an engagement bash. Then settled into a mix of uptempo foot tappy tunes as I worked in the twenty requests that came my way. This included such diverse stuff as Belle and Sebastian, Aloe Blocc, Bob Marley, Tina Turner, The Kinks, The Saturdays, Deadmau5 and some Britpop. Thank the Lord no one asked for Lady GaGa!

Perhaps, surprisingly the young ones were asking for Marvin Gaye and Hall and Oates.

Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Buddy Rich to wind down.

Not a bad night and most of the requests, despite my protesting were pretty reasonable. I still can't excuse Kenny Loggins though.

1 Deeper In Love - Bobby & Steve
2 Big Love - Pete Heller
3 Groovejet - Spiller
4 So Much Love To Give - Freeloaders, The Real Thing
5 Canned Heat - Jamiroquai
6 It Just Wont Do - Tim Deluxe
7 On The Floor (CCW Radio Mix) - Jennifer Lopez
8 Heartbeat (Cutmore Club) - Enrique Iglesias

9 It Only Takes A Minute - Take That

10 French Navy - Camera Obscura

11 I'm Not Living In The Real World - Belle & Sebastian

12 Hey, Soul Sister - Train

13 Oh La - The Kooks

14 Be Bop Baby - Westlife

15 Skinny Genes - Eliza Doolittle

16 Don't Hold Your Breath - Nicole Scherzinger*

17 Raise Your Glass - Pink

18 Hard To Handle - Otis Redding
19 It Takes Two - M Gaye + K Weston*
20 Nutbush City Limits - Tina Turner*
21 Super Freak - Rick James
22 We Are Family (Remix) - Sister Sledge
23 If I Can't Have You (Count Da Money Remix) - Bee Gees
24 I Can't Go For That - Hall & Oates
25 I_Need_A_Dollar - Aloe_Blacc*
26 Black And Yellow - Wiz Khalifa
27 Champion - Chipmunk *
28 Get Ready - Ella Fitzgerald
29 Proud Mary - Tina Turner*
30 Keep On Jumpin' - Lisa Marie Experience
31 I Remember - Deadmau5 And Kaskade*
32 Could You Be Loved - Bob Marley & The Wailers
33 Roxanne - Aswad
34 Working My Way Back To You - Detroit Spinners
35 You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates*
36 Mr Blue Sky - Lily Allen
37 Danger Zone - Kenny Loggins*
38 Fascination - Alphabeat
39 Rolling In The Deep - Adele
40 Only Girl - Rihanna*
41 I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye*
42 Baby Love (Halfby More Shambles Remix) - The Supremes
43 Shake Your Tailfeather - Ray Charles*
44 Dedicated Follower Of Fashion - The Kinks*
45 Beat Surrender - The Jam
46 Memories (Featuring Kid Cudi) - David Guetta
47 C'Mon Vs. Stupid Disco (Dare Me) - Tiesto & Diplo Vs. Junior Jack
48 Higher (7th Heaven Club Mix) - The Saturdays*
49 Connection - Elastica*

50 Girls & Boys - Blur*
51 Rocks - Primal Scream*
52 You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby - The Smiths
53 The State I Am In - Belle And Sebastian
54 London Calling - The Clash
55 Exodus - Bob Marley & The Wailers*
56 Reggae Got Soul - Toots& Maytals
57 Chaka Demus - Jamie T
58 Oxford Comma - Vampire Weekend
59 Saddest Summer - The Drums
60 Buffallo Soldier - Bob Marley & The Wailers*
61 King - Ub40
62 Guaglione - Pérez Prado
63 The Holiday Song - Pixies
64 Are You Gonna Be My Girl - Richard Cheese
65 It Happened In Monteray - Frank Sinatra
66 Love - Nat King Cole
67 L O V E - Al Green
68 Lovely Day - Bill Withers
69 The Beat Goes On - Buddy Rich
70 Power Of Love - Huey Lewis*

* Request.

Back this Saturday. This is almost turning into a residency.

Normal Service (ish) is Resumed

2011-04-07T15:36:00.000-07:00

This was a quiet night in the bar. Where everyone had gone I knew not. But they weren't in front of me, that's for sure.

A fortnight ago it was mobbed with a party shouting for 80's classics. Tonight was completely different.

To exacerbate the situation I had headed off to Troon for a couple of drinks at 5pm, a meal and an eye on the Arsenal game. I then felt it wasn't worth going home and sobering up before starting behind the decks. In reality the Gunner's performance had the same effect as two cups of strong coffee.

So I sauntered in to the pub at the back of eight and was all set up ready to go by just after the half hour. I had also decided that I'd just keep drinking. Faced with the dozen folk in the bar it seemed churlish not to join them.

I seldom drink when I'm djing. Partly because it's not professional but then again who actually believes that spinning tunes is a profession and because I need the car to get the gear home after it. And I know that when I drink behind the decks I am almost certainly going to wander off towards the hills of 'up your own arsedom' with a lengthening stride and the decision making skills of a General Haig. Inversely, the better I think I am getting the worse the punters think I am doing. This is because I decide it is a good idea to play them lots of the songs that are staple items on my i-pod and not anything by anybody who has ever had a song in the Top 40.

End result is I have a great time but the pub is invariably empty. This night I looked around and saw my drunken finishing point was already in place, so I thought my work here is done. Let's kick off with Robben Ford. Let's follow that with Stevie Ray Vaughn. Happy, no too obvious how's about a more obscure Stones lp track.

Although no-one came up to request the songs, it was clear to me that the punters were all aware that their Saturday night experience would be immeasurably improved by some less well known Britpop. With the whole Stone Roses catalogue to play, it is clear I am going to go for the jangly one I stubbornly like the best and not the tune that sold 1 million copies. I will favour The Bluetones before Pulp too.

I barely prevented my thrawn self from playing out 'Octopus' Garden' but took consolation by going with 'Dr Robert' rather than any Beatles song that had the temerity to be on any cd that could be mistaken for a Greatest Hit.

Every week I get asked for Buffalo Soldier and this one was no different. It kinda put me back on track and I settled into some tap a long soul and tunes folk would know, with the obvious exception of Eli 'Paperboy' Reed, clearly. Let's not throw away the cumulative effect of several pints of lager and the tears of disappointment too cheaply.

Kept it up tempo and cheery with a bit more guitar stuff than I would usually get away with until the end. One chap came over and asked for some Northern Soul and Mod music. He was rewarded with F Nero, Flirtations, Tony Clarke and some magnificent Booker T.

A young crowd came in later but seemed content with Mumford and White Stripes whilst I was happy with Pixies and The Clash.

And that's the story Morning Glory. Back this Sat, so it couldn't have gone too pear shaped.

Tracks Played here.

Up The Line

Robben Ford

Pride And Joy

Stevie Ray Vaughn

All Down The Line

The Rolling Stones

Have A Nice Day

Stereophonics

What Do You Got?

Bon Jovi

Up On Down Side

Ocean Col Scene

She's Electric

Oasis

Slight Return

The Bluetones

There She Goes

Las

World Waiting For

Stone Roses

Doctor Robert

The Beatles

Buffalo Soldier

Bob Marley & The Wailers*

Masterblaster

Stevie Wonder

Come And Get It

Eli Paperboy Reed

This Old Heart Of Mine

The Isley Brothers

Let's Dance

David Bowie

Beat Surrender

The Jam

Alright

Supergrass

The Size Of A Cow

Wonder Stuff

Beautiful Day

She Moves In Her Own Way

The Kooks

In The Morning

The Coral

Listen To The Music

The Doobie Brothers

You Make My Dreams

Hall & Oates

Bright Lights Bigger City

Cee Lo Green

Falling

Hercules & Love Affair

Peg

Steely Dan

Always There - Incognito

Incognito

Starchild

Jamiroquai

Kiss

Prince

S&M (Come On)

Rihanna

Got To Get You Into My Life

Earth Wind & Fire

You Can't Hide From Yourself

Teddy Pendergrass

C'mon Vs. Stupid Disco

Tiesto & Diplo Vs. Junior Jack

Rock With You

Michael Jackson

Footsteps Following Me

Frances Nero

Landslide

Tony Clarke

Nothing But A Heartache

The Flirtations

Son Of A Preacher Man

Aretha Franklin

Green Onions

Booker T. & The Mg's

Big Love

Pete Heller

Higher And Higher

Jackie Wilson

Do Your Thing

Basement Jaxx

Reggae Got Soul

Toots Maytals

On The Floor (Ccw Radio Mix)

Jennifer Lopez

Vive_Le_Swing_

In-Grid

Rolling In The Deep

Adele

Poker Face

Lady Gaga

Sweet Dreams Tonight

Enrique Iglesias Vs. Eurythmics

All Of The Lights

Kanye West

Black And Yellow

Wiz Khalifa

Little Green Bag

George Baker Trio

Are U Gonna Be My Girl

Jet

Supersonic

Oasis

Here Comes Your Man

Pixies

Brimful Of Asha

Cornershop

Weapon Of Choice

Fatboy Slim

Do You Belive In Magic

Loving Spoonful

Love Is In The Air

John Paul Young

The Honeythief

Hipsway*

Fields Of Fire

Big Country

Laid

James

Rock This Town

Stray Cats

I Fought The Law

The Clash

Hotel Yorba

White Stripes

Little Lion Man

Mumford & Sons

Friends Stuck In Chemicals

Stealers Vs Chemicals

Duelling Banjos

Eric Weissberg *

Rhinestone Cowboy

Glenn Campbell

Forever In Blue Jeans

Neil Diamond*

Dead End Street

The Kinks*

Proud Mary

Tina Turner*

I Got You (I Feel Good)

James Brown

Last Nite

The Strokes

A-Punk

Vampire Weekend

Walking On Sunshine

Katrina And The Waves

Don't Rain On My Parade

Bobby Darin

New York New York

Sinatra

* Request - Didn't think I'd choose to play Poker Face do ya??

Also usual dj story - was in the middle of Dead End Street when somebody came up and suggested that I might like to play The Kinks.

John Grant at Shepherd's Bush Empire

2011-04-04T16:22:00.000-07:00

Anne is more a fan of his 'Queen of Denmark' lp than I am. I have tried valiantly to enjoy the albums of Rufus Wainwright as friends tell me how much I am missing out but without success. I much prefer Martha myself.
But there was something a bit more robust about John Grant's album. I had figured we would travel over to Edinburgh to see him play but as that date fell on the day we set off for London it wasn't going to happen. But lo and behold was he not finishing his short British tour with a gig at Shepherd's Bush on the last night of our sojourn. Here then is a small King's ransom Mr Ticketmaster in return for two balcony seats for Mr Grant.
Review to follow. I just put this up to distract attention from my previous post which nakedly asserts that I played Funkytown, Uptown Girl and Love really hurts without you. A frail attempt at winning back some ground, however small, in the credibility stakes.
And to further evidence my desperation to claw my way back to hipsterdom I can report that I have also purchased tickets to see Anna Calvi and Admiral Fallow. Please say you'll still respect me in the morning.

40th Party in the Bar

2011-04-04T16:04:00.000-07:00

It has taken me a while to post this. I was told about a month back that there was a 40th Birthday Party booked into the bar. So I spent some time having a think about how things may have moved on since I used to do the mobile side of the business. My thinking was that those youngsters now turning 40 were starting to enjoy their music in the late eighties. This was figured on the obvious logic that the birthday celebrant was born in 1971. I was pleased to have worked this out without a pencil. Back in the day, before 1971, this was called Mental Arithmetic. Presumably, to distinguish it from Insanely Psychotic Sums and other late Friday, double period delights.I digress.
Born in '71 means you hit your teen tribal years in 1987ish. Now this is when music changed again. Following the every decade their is a seismic shift in music patterns theory. Evidence being 67 was hippy stuff, 77 was punky and 87 was loved up. You might argue that 97 was the final victory of fabricated pop with the Spice Girls, Westlife etc becoming the norm and then in 2007 the collapse of all theories as downloading made everything available and kids now have Buble and Blur and Beatles and B.E.P. all on their shiny white i-pods. But I digress.
So I looked out tunes from '87 to '94. Quite a change as the rave years took hold, as Madchester ruled, as Chicago began to influence the airwaves, as the Stone Roses became Britain's biggest band and the first Britpop chords were strummed following the grunge years. You also have the stirrings of trip-hop and faintly in the distance the first sighting of the forefathers of drum n bass and dubstep in the guise of speed garage. America sent us the Daisy age of hip-hop, Arrested Development and early LLCoolJ and no return address. The shadow of New Order and The Smiths still fell across the dark corners of the pop world and t-shirts were fronted by James' flower. Prince, Pet Shop Boys, Pixies, Pavement and that's just from the least pop achieving letter in the alphabet. All around from '87 to '94. I had fun going back and re-appraising the late '80s. It was going to be a good night.

Tracklist here

Canned Heat (Calvin Harris Remix)	-	Jamiroquai
You Make My Dreams	-	Hall & Oates
Two Hearts	-	Phil Collins
It Only Takes A Minute	-	Take That
Space Cowboy (Morales Mix)	-	Jamiroquai
Fairground	-	Simply Red
Faith	-	George Michael
Long Train Running	-	The Doobie Brothers
Reelin In The Years	-	Steely Dan
Real Gone Kid	-	Deacon Blue
Let's Dance	-	David Bowie
Tinseltown In The Rain	-	The Blue Nile*
Don't You Want Me	-	The Human League
Sweet Dreams Tonight	-	Iglesias vs Eurythmics
Sometimes	-	Erasure
September	-	Earth Wind And Fire*
Funkytown	-	Lipps Inc.
The Only Way Is Up	-	Yazz*
Dreamer	-	Living Joy
S&M (Stargate & Sandy VeMix)	-	Rihanna
On The Floor	-	Jennifer Lopez
Into The Groove	-	Madonna
Don't Stop	-	Fleetwood Mac
Jenny Don't Be Hasty	-	Paolo Nutini
Tainted Love	-	Imelda May
(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear	-	Elvis Vs Spankox*
Ain't That A Shame	-	Fats Domino
A Hard Day's Night	-	The Beatles
Common People	-	Pulp
Show Me Love	-	Robin S
Ride On Time	-	Black Box
Let's Face The Music And Dance	-	Nat King Cole
All I Do Is Dream Of You	-	Michael Buble*
Come On Over To My Place	-	The Drifters
Signed Sealed Delivered	-	Stevie Wonder
December 63	-	Four Seasons*
Love Really Hurts Without You	-	Billy Ocean
Uptown Girl	-	Westlife
Toca's Prayer ;	-	Fragma Vs Jovi
Summer Of 69	-	Bryan Adams
Mr Jones	-	Counting Crows*
Hey, Soul Sister	-	Train
Brimful Of Asha	-	Cornershop
Rocks	-	Primal Scream
S.O.S. (Lifeboat Vocal Mix)	-	ABBA
Daddy Cool (Moody And Dj Riz Mix)	-	Boney M
Higher	-	Taio Cruz
Rolling In The Deep (Jamie XX Remix)	-	Adele
Just The Way Penguins Are	-	Avicii
What's My Name	-	Rihanna
9-5	-	Dolly Parton*
You Can Call Me Al	-	Paul Simon
Black Velvet	-	Alannah Myles
Like A_Prayer	-	Madonna*
Girls On Film	-	Duran Duran
Personal Jesus	-	Depeche Mode*
Do Your Thing	-	Basement Jaxx
Ride On Time	-	Black Box
Satisfaction	-	Rolling Stones
Flashback	-	Calvin Harris
Listen To The Music	-	The Doobie Brothers*
Walking On Sunshine	-	Katrina And The Waves
Footloose	-	Kenny Loggins
Groove Is In The Heart	-	Deee Lite
Beyond The Sea	-	Bobby Darin
New York Anyone remember how to do those 'Spot the Difference' Competitions magazines used to run? Was the crowd happy? Yes. Did they stay dancing till close? Yes Did the dj do his job? Yes First rule of djing. You always play to the crowd and not for yourself. If I wished to play the songs in my introduction, I should set up my own alt 80s night. Anyone else in???

May Return

2011-03-09T09:16:00.000-08:00

Imelda May has announced a return to Glasgow. She will play the 02 Academy on 29th November. Door Tax a slighter more steep than February, £22:50 + add ons. She'll certainly cheer a dreich Glasgow November.

Blake vs Jaar

2011-03-07T13:08:00.000-08:00

Back in the day, Radio Luxembourg, ask your parents (or maybe your grandparents), held competitions between the most popular beat combos of the day. The Beatles vs The Stones would be an obvious one, Small Faces vs The Move perhaps another. A track from each band would be played before one was declared the better.
After ten tracks or so one band would be named as the definitive champ over the other. I have no idea how the voting was organised as neither mobile phones nor the interweb had been invented. I assume they asked the ship's cat for it's opinion and just went with that. Perhaps a passing porpoise may have occasionally been gently persuaded to decide on the competing merits of The Floyd or Yes. They were more sedate times.

If such a broadcasting event was thrust upon us now, I would hope the first battle would be between Nicolas Jaar and James Blake. Ok it may not be a great ratings booster, even for Channel 5, but I would be an interested viewer.
James Blake is being seen as this year's, in from the left field to prove music is not dead, just sitting forlornly in the corner coughing up blood, saviour. An all pervasive 2011 answer to the success claimed by The XX.
Nicolas Jaar is less well known and you don't see his lp 'Space is Only Noise' adorning the shelves of Asda yet but his current release is certainly as strong as the more hyped Blake.

Personally, I like both albums but if I was to vote I would favour Jaar. Occasionally, I find the vocals on James Blake's cd a bit reminiscent of an Antony Johnson song played at too slow a speed. For some reason this irks me more than I feel should be the case in a man of my passing years. Nicolas Jaar's music, by contrast, flows easier and keeps a constant and relaxing ambience.
I am sure the popular vote would fall for Mr Blake but I know which cd will still be haunting my quiet Sunday afternoons when the sun finally comes out. If you don't believe me, just ask my gerbil.

Seriously, both albums are sound but if are of an age to remember 'Luxy' and think fondly of Pink Floyd's Meddle then give a listen to 'Space is Only Noise'. Let me know what you think in the abuse box below.
Cheers.

Track List from 19th February

2011-02-20T09:29:00.000-08:00

I'd bought a new hard drive and transferred the music to this one. This meant all my previous tracklistings and playlists had vanished. In general, this is a good thing and should probably be done annually. If you don't you get lazy and fall back on the previous gigs using the mixes and song selection from them.
Starting from scratch again forces you to do a bit more thinking and, hopefully, ensures you bring in some new tunes which helps freshen things up.
The pub was busy at 9pm mostly with the local football team and as the night progressed more older folk came in as the youngsters headed off for pastures new. So a mix was needed that kept the youngsters happy but didn't alienate the oldies too much.

Pushed it a bit with Maya Jane Coles and then with Joris Voorn but on each occasion pulled it back quickly with some soul or disco before anyone felt it was coming too much like a club.

A bit of real old skool from Snoop Dogg, Eric B and Wycliff. Both passed the youngsters by, all too busy asking for Rihanna. Played Mark Cappanni's original version of 'I Believe in Miracles' and near the end Tim Burgess song 'We all need Love' from his solo lp because they were songs I liked. I had wanted to play 'My House' by Hercules and Love Affair but it distorts a bit at the start so went with 'Falling' instead which is just as good even if the vocal isn't as strong. Have to say that Teddy Pendergrass was stunning turned up loud. Will definately be playing this one again.

Virtually everyone headed off at midnight to the local Nite Club so the last hour consisted of some happy sing-along and some classics. Nice to play The Carpenters once again. Karen C's vocals sounded superb on the pub's sound system. New York to finish, as it was a request, then home.

Not back for a month, anyone looking for a dj in the next four weeks?. When I return it is to please a 40th that is booked in. Again any suggestions as to the songs that will keep this group grooving, smiling and drinking are welcome in the comments box. Especially if it a less obvious song.
Cheers
Songs played here :

1 Billie Jean On The Storm - Michael Jackson Vs. The Doors
2 Clocks Cuba - Coldplay
3 Somebody Else's Guy (Old School Mix) - Cece Peniston
4 Fashion - Joey Negro & The Sunburst Band
5 Always There - Incognito Ft Jocelyn Brown
6 Falling - Hercules & Love Affair
7 Another Day - Jamie Lidell
8 Me And The Major - Belle And Sebastian*
9 Swing By My Way - Wil.I.Am

10 Doggy Dogg World - Snoop Doggy Dogg

11 Buffalo Soldier - Bob Marley*

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

13 Down That Road - Shara Nelson

14 All I Wanna Do - Sheryl Crow

15 Mr Rock & Roll - Amy Macdonald

16 New Shoes - Paolo Nutini

17 How Long Will I Love You - The Waterboys

18 The Cave - Mumford & Sons

19 I Believe In Miracles - Mark Capanni

20 I Know U Got Soul - Eric B

21 Signed Sealed Delivered - Stevie Wonder

22 You Keep Me Hangin' On - The Supremes
23 You're The One For Me - D Train
24 Sweet Dreams Tonight (K0NTR0L Mash) - Enrique Iglesias Vs. Eurythmics
25 Seek Bromance (Axwell Remix) - Avicii*
26 Hello (Rave Radio Re-Shake) - Martin Solveig
27 Yeah 3X - Chris Brown
28 Close Cover - Minimalistix

29 You Can't Hide From Yourself - Teddy Pendergrass

30 Never Never Gonna Give You Up (Remix) - Barry White

31 Ain't Nobody - Rufus

32 We R Who We R (Fred Falke Club Mix) - Ke$Ha

33 Who's That Chick (Radio Edit) - David Guetta Feat. Rihanna*

34 Hold It Against Me (Funk3d Ext Mix) - Britney Spears

35 Raise Your Glass - Pink

36 2gether (Blacktron Mix) - Roger Sanchez & Far East Movement

37 Beachball - Nalin & Kane*

38 Spacemen ( Bloody Beetroots Remix) - The Killers

39 Gypsy Woman - Crystal Waters

40 What They Say - Maya Jane Coles

41 Intro (XX Booty Mix) - Sander Van Doorn

42 Higher And Higher - Jackie Wilson

43 Twisting The Night Away - Sam Cooke

44 Tainted Love - Imelda May

45 Teddy Bear - Elvis Vs Spankox

46 Friday I'm In Love - The Cure

47 Laid - James

48 What's My Name - Rihanna

49 Gone Till November - Wyclif Jean

50 Yeah 3X - Chris Brown*

51 Secret Diamond ( Garner Bootleg) - Joris Voorn Vs Cirez D

52 I Want You Back - Jackson 5
53 Mmm Bop - Hanson
54 Dancing In The Moonlight - Toploader
55 Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac
56 You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates
57 Mr Blue Sky - Lily Allen
58 Night Fever (Future Funk mix) - Bee Gees
59 Walking On A Dream - Empire Of The Sun
60 We All Need Love - Tim Burgess
61 Sunday Morning - The Velvet Underground
62 Mrs. Robinson - Simon And Garfunkel
63 Raindrops Keep Falling - Bj Thomas
64 Rainy Days And Mondays - Carpenters
65 Song Sung Blue - Neil Diamond
66 What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
67 New York New York - Sinatra*

* request.

Imelda May : Glasgow ABC 15th February

2011-02-16T11:08:00.000-08:00

This was a great time to catch Imelda May's Rockabilly Review as she moved up from the intimate King Tut's to the more cavernous ABC on Sauchiehall Street. It is clear in every quip to the audience and laugh with her group that she has learnt her stage craft well. She still shows surprise at the large turnout on a Tuesday night in recession struggling Glasgow and she still has the grace to thank the audience.
She welcomes a broad church. Older rockabilly mixed with teen Imelda wannabes, Radio 2 tuners with indie pop kids. An audience with no side and the wish to have a good time.

The band are seen as being very accomplished. The are tight and well rehearsed and cope with the styles that their lead singer is enthusiastic about reaching for. Clearly an extensive diet of small venues has lead to a show that still feels intimate and as such is an audience's delight. You feel your money has been well spent.

You also receive an aural Wikipedia of the history of popular music for your shilling as Imelda takes on Howling Wolf, Johnny Burnette, Soft Cell and Elvis. The band touch on 60's surf guitar, Dr John's New Orleans, Squeeze's vignette's on lowdown London life, the western skies of k.d. lang and the spirit of Wanda Jackson. All played with verve and enthusiasm.

The question that hangs around after the three track medley of Elvis tunes that finish the set is, where to now? I can see Imelda, who is a superb singer, being picked up and polished by the American labels. With a skilled and highly professional backing band behind her she could pick off any American market she wished. Look how lucrative the country market is in the U.S.A. and think how easily Imelda would be marketed to the good citizens of the South.

If she followed the path in front of her created by her quieter songs like 'I'm Alive' and 'Kentish Town Waltz' then the door to the singer songwriter lair will be kicked off it's hinges to let her in. Or with tunes like 'Inside Out' and 'Mayhem' she sits next to any one of today's heralded pop princesses.
With her voice, songwriting talent, stage craft and energy she is going to leave both her band and mid-sized Glasgow venues on a cold Tuesday well behind.
It was a good time to catch her, very glad I went.

Track List from Smugglers Feb 5th

2011-02-12T10:45:00.000-08:00

A busy night. The local team had earned a replay in the cup against supposedly superior opposition so they were in to celebrate. Another group came in to throw an eighteenth birthday party.
Nothing ages you quicker than the arrival into the pub of the kids turning eighteen. These are the youngsters who wish to hear Chipmunk and Paramour and You Me at 6. Really makes me stare hard into the dying of the light.
Anyway, a pretty up beat selection from word go. Although got too confident right at the start and when Kirsty came across to ask for a request I lost my concentration and switched the playing track off. Only ever managed this about two times before. Plunged the pub into silence. Luckily I had been listening on the phones to the next song and just slammed the crossfader over straight into Visage's tune. Straight into the chorus of Fade to Grey. As usual nobody really noticed. They probably all assumed it was a mash up. Luckily, things improved after that, except for the gent who wanted 'You Me at 6'.

1 Beachball - Nalin & Kane

2 Rapture (Avicii__Mix_) - Nadia_Ali

3 Fade To Grey 2009 (Future Breeze Mix) - Future Breeze

4 Show Me Love - Robin S

5 What's My Name (Saul Ruiz Pm Club Mix) - Rihanna

6 Better Days - Fabrique
7 All Around The World (Sinclar Remix) - Lionel Richie
8 Big Love - Pete Heller
9 Yeah 3x (Po Clean Edit) - Chris Brown
10 It's Ok - Cee Lo Green
11 Pack Up - Eliza Doolittle
12 Turn It Up - Pixie Lott
13 You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates
14 Ain't That A Lot Of Love (Phats Disco Mix) - Simply Red
15 4th Of July (Fireworks) - Kelis
16 Chasing Airplanes (Mash up Snow Patrol Vs. B.O.B. )
17 Mr Blue Sky - Lily Allen
18 Just One Kiss - Basement Jaxx
19 M79 - Vampire Weekend
20 Dancing In The Moonlight - King Harvest
21 I Want U Back - Jackson 5
22 The Tears Of A Clown (Hotsnax Remix) - Smokey Robinson
23 Raise Your Glass - Pink*
24 We R Who We R (Fred Falke Club Mix) - Ke$Ha
25 C'mon Vs. Stupid Disco - Tiesto & Diplo Vs. Junior Jack
26 Only Insomnia In The World - Faithless Vs. Rihanna
27 Feeling Groovy - Simon And Garfunkle
28 (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - Elvis Vs Spankox
29 Like A G6 - Far East Movement *
30 Sweet Like Chocolate - Shanks & Bigfoot
31 Hideaway - De'lacy
32 Sticks 'n' Stones - Jamie T*
33 Higher And Higher - Jackie Wilson
34 Working My Way Back To You - Spinners
35 Stars On 45 (Van Der Zwan Remix) - Stars On 45
36 Who's That Chick - David Guetta
37 Kickstarts - Example*
38 Yeah - Chris Brown*
39 Gettin' Over - David Guetta
40 Hello - Martin Solveig
41 A Kind Of Magic (Eddie Valdez Mix) - Queen
42 That's The Joint - The Black Eyed Peas
43 Got Your Money - Ol Dirty Bastard
44 It Just Wont Do - Tim Deluxe
45 Gypsy Woman - Crystal Waters
46 Move On Up - Curtis Mayfield
47 I Got You - James Brown
48 Love The Way You Lie - Eminem Feat. Rihanna

49 Ain't Got No, I Got Life [Groovefinder Remix] - Nina Simone

50 Around The World - Daft Punk

51 Intro (Xx Booty Mix) - Sander Van Doorn

52 Rapture_-_Avicii__Mix_ - Nadia_Ali

53 Janeiro (Dash Berlin 4 Am Mix) - Dash Berlin

54 Pretty Woman (2009 Sauekid Remix) - Roy Orbison

55 Baba O' Riley - The Who*
56 Kowalski - Primal Scream
57 Satisfaction (Discotech Remix) - The Rolling Stones
58 Sabotage - Beastie Boys*
59 The In Crowd - Dobie Gray*
60 The Night - The Four Seasons
61 Little Green Bag - George Baker Trio
62 Mas Que Nada - Sergio Mendes
63 Mr Brightside Le Conte Mix - The Killers*
64 Wonderful Life - Hurts*
65 Mack The Knife - Bobby Darin
66 Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Manic Street Preachers
67 Ain't Got No Home - Clarence "Frogman" Henry
68 Going Home - Mark Knopfler

Ramones Wanna

2011-01-27T14:10:00.000-08:00

Saw the original Ramones in a small hall, called 'Clouds' in Edinburgh in 1978. Still ranks as one of the best gigs ever. Saw The Clash, The Smiths and New Order there too over the years. And also Orange Juice and Killing Joke. Good times, good times.

Another Saturday Night : January 22nd

2011-01-23T12:29:00.000-08:00

Back at The Smugglers but only one week after my last visit. The 15th had been mobbed and again last night was just as busy. Two large groups of girls to my left and all the boys to the right. One issue is that with a bar in the middle of the pub I can easily see the groups in front of me but can't really catch sight of the others on the far side of the room. There is, therefore, the issue that you play to those you can see whilst those out of sight are definately out of mind.
So most of the tunes were aimed at the girls. Their ages ranged from early twenties through to the late forties.
Another factor is the older patrons tend to be more exuberant whether that is because they are out less often or because they are no longer bothered about coolness I don't profess to know. It means that the older crew are more noisy, get up and dance or just wave their hands about in their seats and appear more appreciative. The theory of positive reinforcement means that as a dj faced with a bunch of happy people you are going to continue to play the songs that suit them.
However, it is a pub not a private party which means that the other customers have just as much right to hear songs they like and not solely a selection of hen party classics. The difficulty for the dj is when do you change it? No-one who has been stuck behind a bunch of cd decks armed only with a microphone knows that upsetting the sisterhood in full swing leads to anything but tears. The tears being yours.
It was with great trepidation that I musically moved away from the mainstream and went with The Waterboys version of 'On my way to Heaven'. Did I then face a mass of howls for an immediate return to 70's Disco? Thankfully not. Instead everyone becan clapping and singing along. Sigh of relief.
Chanced a few more modern songs from the Mumfords and Vampire Weekend before a couple of recognisable oldies then back to the girl's nightout faves.

Last half hour went all quiet as folk disappeared home or to the town's nightclub so I finished off with some mellower tunes. It sounded good after the volume of earlier and both Nat King Cole and Sinatra went down well.
Played Bert Jansch's 'Life depends on Love' for the first time and it sounded sweet and sentimental for a penultimate record without being too schmaltzy.

A fast night with, hopefully, something for everyone.

A week-end off next week. Back in February.

Tracks played here

1 Love Like This - Faith Evans
2 My Lovin' - En Vogue

3 Jumpin Jumpin - Destinys Child

4 Sweet About Me - Gabriella Cilmi
5 Sara - Fleetwood Mac

6 You're So Vain - Carly Simon

7 Mr Rock & Roll - Amy Macdonald
8 Expectations - Belle & Sebastian
9 Spring Rain - The Go-Betweens
10 Long Train Runnin' - Doobie Brothers

11 Never Give Up On A Good Thing - George Benson

12 Lovely Day (Phatt Mix) - Bill Withers

13 It's Ok - Cee Lo Green

14 Prayin' - Plan B

15 I'll Be Around - Hall And Oates

16 Here With Me - Dido*

17 You're The One For Me - D Train

18 Madd Luck - Dimitri From Paris

19 Signed Sealed Delivered - Stevie Wonder

20 Get Ready - Ella Fitzgerald

21 Hard To Handle - Otis Redding

22 Loca - Shakira Ft. Dizzee Rascal

23 It Just Wont Do - Tim Deluxe

24 Better Than Today - Kylie Minogue*

25 Poison (Glam As You Club Mix) - Nicole Scherzinger

26 West End Girls (Grum Mix) - Pet Shop Boys

27 The Flood (Wideboys Mix) - Cheryl Cole

28 Flawless - The Ones

29 Gypsy Woman - Crystal Waters

30 Always There - Incognito

31 Rock The Boat - Hues Corp

32 September - Earth Wind And Fire

33 Stars On 45 (Der Zwan Remix) - Stars On 45

34 Heartbeat (Cutmore Club) - Enrique Iglesias

35 Only Girl - Rihanna

36 Superstar - Jamelia

37 Superstition - Stevie Wonder

38 On My Way To Heaven - Waterboys

39 Little Lion Man - Mumford And Sons

40 Subterranean Homesick Blues - Dylan

41 Bad Moon Rising - C C R

42 A-Punk - Vampire Weekend

43 Common People - Pulp

44 Street Life - The Crusaders*

45 I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston*

46 Hot Love - T Rex

47 Starman - Bowie*

48 Virginia Plain - Roxy Music

49 What's My Name - Rihanna

50 The Time (Dirty Bit) - Black Eyed Peas

51 Hey Boy, Hey Girl (Soulwax Remix) - The Chemical Brothers

52 Proud Mary - Tina Turner*

53 Soul Man - Sam & Dave

54 Working My Way Back To You - Spinners

55 Black Horse & The Cherry Tree - Kt Tunstall

56 Barrowland Ballroom - Amy Macdonald

57 Just Can't Get Enough - Wallis Bird

58 Valerie - Mark Ronson

59 Your Love Gets Sweeter - Finlay Quaye

60 Let There Be Love - Nat King Cole

61 Nice And Easy - Sinatra

62 Late In The Evening - Paul Simon

63 The Whistle Song - Frankie Knuckles

64 L O V E - Al Green

65 Life Depends On Love - Bert Jansch

66 New York New York - Sinatra

* request.

Saturday at Smugglers Track List

2011-01-18T12:51:00.000-08:00

The Tracklisting from the night mentioned in the last post.

There were eventually three parties in this evening. A funeral one, a 30th and a leaving to emigrate party.

Started off with some easy house, used The XX and Temper Traps to move into stuff with guitars to keep the lads and the older guys happy before the cake cutting. Then some toe tapping pop. Pleased with myself to have dropped Maya Jane Coles into the middle of the Rihanna track. No-one else took a blind bit of notice though.

Grum's mix of West End Girls brings the song up to date, I have a better mix of Guetta's 'World is Mine' but couldn't find it in time.

Went with the 14 min version of 'The Bomb' and got away with a good 5minutes before the drop kicked in. Still one of my favourite pieces of early house music. Mixed it soon after the break down into Seek Bromance. I prefer the original but the youngsters want the words. Been waiting a while to find the time to play Herve's take on Primal Scream's together and finally went with it. The older crew may remember the original and it was suitably elektro for the youf.

Happy drunk sing a long for the last hour. Evening rounded off with some good old jingoism to celebrate the emigree's departure to New Zealand.

A busy evening for mid-January.

Back this Saturday. Hope it is as busy.

A Kind Of Magic (Eddie Valdez Mix) - Queen
Sitting On Top Of The World (Dj Memê Mix)-Joey Negro
Let's Get It On (Patrick Alavi Phunky Remix) - Sharam Jey
Abracadabra ( 7th Heaven Mix) -Steve Miller Band
Rockin Music - Martin Solveig
Who Keeps Changing Your Mind ( Rox Dub Mix) - South Street Player
Sweet Disposition -Temper Traps
Intro (Xx Booty Mix) - Sander Van Doorn

Golden Touch- Razorlight

Smile Like You Mean It -The Killers

Red Morn Light - Kings Of Leon

Mountains - Biffy Clyro

Brown Sugar - The Rolling Stones
Summer Of 69 - Bryan Adams
Happy Birthday -Stevie Wonder
The Cave- Mumford & Sons
Cracklin' Rosie - Neil Diamond
Hey, Soul Sister -Train
Accidentally In Love - Counting Crows
I'll Be There For You - The Rembrandts
Be Bop Baby - Westlife
All Time Low - The Wanted

You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates

Mr Blue Sky - Lily Allen

Only Girl (Bombs Away Club Remix)- Rihanna

What They Say - Maya Jane Coles

Tocas Miracle (Wez Clarke Big Room Mix) -Fragma

Anyway ( Dlg Bigroom Remix) ¬ Ducksauce

The Happening¬¬¬ - The Supremes

Well Well Well - Duffy

Tainted Love - Imelda May

Too Busy (Black Tiger Refix) - Marvin Gaye

Working My Way Back To You - Detroit Spinners
The Time (Dirty Bit) - Black Eyed Peas *
The World Is Mine (Milan Jacquet's Sunshine Remix)- David Guetta
West End Girls (Grum Mix) -Pet Shop Boys
Make_The_World_Go_Round_(Deep_Dish_Vocal_Mix) -Sandy_B

Written In The Stars Vs Pass Out Vs Kickstarts- Tinie Tempah Vs Example

Things Can Only Get Better - D-Ream*

I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Hot Tracks Mix) -Whitney Houston*

Aint No Love No Use - Sub Sub

What's My Name (Feat. Drake) - Rihanna

Something's Got A Hold On Me -Christina Aguilera

Pack Up - Eliza Doolittle

Why (Hot Toddy Club Mix)-Joey Negro

The Bomb - Kenny "Dope" Presents The Bucketheads

Seek Bromance (Axwell Remix) - Avicii

Temple Of Dreams -Future Breeze

Together - Herve

It's Ok - Cee Lo Green

We Can Work It Out -Stevie Wonder

Move On Up - Curtis Mayfield

Living In America - James Brown

Born To Run - Bruce Springsteen

Bad Moon Rising - C C R

A Hard Day's Night - The Beatles

Are U Gonna Be My Girl - Jet

A Town Called Malice - The Jam

Baby Love (Halfby More Shambles Remix) -The Supremes

I Want You Back -Jackson 5

Ms. Grace ¬¬ -The Tymes

Shame Shame Shame - Shirley & Co

Beautiful Sunday - Daniel Boone*

January - Pilot

Letter From America - The Proclaimers

Caledonia - Frankie Miller*

Loch Lomond - Runrig

*Request

I used to be punk rock

2011-01-17T13:40:00.000-08:00

Seems a long time ago now.

Party night was in the bar the other evening. It was a 30th birthday party. Now in my time I have played a few party events. Usually I work out the year when the group would have been about 17/18 and play the songs from that time. So for my birthday party I would expect the songs from 1976 onwards to be played. You can play the cheesy pop stuff from a few years before too.

Again for my age group you can spin pop tunes from 1973 onwards and rockier stuff from 76 through until 1984. It is a fair bet that the punter's interest in music will wane in their late 20's as mortgages and toddlers kick in.

In 1977 I discovered punk. To be accurate many others had stumbled upon it first but in sleepy Galashiels it first reared it's pretty head in the Jubilee year. I had just finished my first year as a student. The soundtrack to this had been 'Born to Run'. The summer of '77 was lived to the beat of The Ramones, The Clash and Talking Head's debuts. It is music that still lives with me now. Chuck in Blondie, Costello and the MC5 and you can see how influential this music was and how easy it is for a dj to play in 2011. Even if it all originated 35 years past.

Now if you are out celebrating your 30th birthday you were 17 in 1994. That was just yesterday. You have missed punk, post punk, Smiths type indie, acid house, Nirvana, Primal Scream and the Roses.You came along after rave, after early hip hop but in time for the Spice Girls and Natalie Imbruglia.

If you are 30 then you can call Britpop your own. Most folk would gladly hand it to you anyway. Then scenes split and becime indistinct as everyone gets hold of an ipod and disappears into their own white inner ear universe. So what music binds the 30 years old together at parties? You can't just play Oasis and Blur all evening. Suggestions welcome in the comment box, thanks.

As it was there were two other party groups in that evening so I was able to disguise my out of depthness but if it happens again I'll have that haunted look of someone trying to remember what a Cast song sounded like.

Half a Century. Songs from Anne's Party.

2011-01-01T13:55:00.000-08:00

The wife turned 50, so we threw a party at the pub. Lots of nice people came. We had a cake with candles but not 50. That would not have been a cake it would have been a furnace. Anne had a nice time, she said and got lots of presents.

Being a social introvert with questionable hygiene I hid behind the dj booth and played some tunes. These are the songs I played.

1 Riders On The Storm - Bambuddah Grove **
2 Highway To Hell - Be My Guest
3 Keep Up - Motor City Drum Ensemble
4 Mystery Land (Moonwatchers Remix) -Y-Traxx_
5 Vcr (Matthew Dear Remix) - The XX
6 Blackwater (Behrouz Ibiza White Sunset Mix) - Carl Kennedy
7 Ibiza ( Babanow Jazz-Funk Remix) - Yuriy Poleg
8 Chicago (Erick Decks Remix) - Dbn
9 The Whistle Song - Frankie Knuckles
10 Miss Sarajevo - The Passengers **
11 The Celtic Of Scotland - Dinka
12 Piano Africano (Original Mix) - Cosmic Cowboys
13 Regret (Fire Island Mix) - New Order **
14 Fool's Gold - Tall Paul Mix - Stone Roses **
15 Loaded - Primal Scream **
16 The Boy With The Arab Strap - Belle And Sebastian **
17 French Navy - Camera Obscura **
18 He's On The Phone - Saint Etienne **
19 Heart - Pet Shop Boys
20 Everything Counts - Depeche Mode
21 Raspberry Beret - Prince

22 Keep On Movin' Soul 11 Soul

23 True House Music - C&M **

24 Coma Cat (Round Table Knights Remix) - Tensnake
25 Better Days - Fabrique
26 When Love Takes Over - David Guetta
27 Is This Love - Groove Da Praia

28 One Love - Bob Marley & The Wailers

29 Better Together Cuba Version - Jack Johnson

30 Peaceful Easy Feeling - The Eagles

31 American Pie - Don Mclean

32 Somewhere In My Heart - Aztec Camera **

33 Absolute Wood Beez - Scritti Politti

34 What's My Name - Rihanna *

35 Dj Got Us Falling In Love - Usher

36 The Flood - Take That

37 Many Of Horror - Biffy Clyro *

38 Doctor Robert - The Beatles

39 Brown Sugar - The Rolling Stones

40 Virginia Plain - Roxy Music

41 Happy Birthday - Stevie Wonder

42 Hot Love - T Rex

43 Tell Her About It - Billy Joel

44 We No Speak Americano - Yolanda Be Cool Vs. Dcup *

45 Million Dollar Bill (F Knuckles Mix) - Whitney Houston

46 I Want U Back - Jackson 5

47 Only Girl (Bombs Away Club Remix) - Rihanna *

48 Watch That Man - Bowie

49 A Town Called Malice - The Jam

50 De Do Do Do De Da Da Da - The Police

51 Brass In Pocket - The Pretenders

52 Wasted Little Dj's - The View **

53 You've Got My Number - The Undertones

54 Mr Blue Sky - Lily Allen **

55 Hey, Soul Sister - Train **

56 Little Lion Man - Mumford And Sons **

57 Friday I'm In Love - The Cure

58 Waterfall (Paul Oakenfold & Steve Osbourne Remix) - Stone Roses **

59 Dancing In The Moonlight - Toploader

60 You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates **

61 Jenny Don't Be Hasty - Paolo Nutini

62 Say It's Over (Cahill Club) - N-Dubz

63 Bromance ( Avicii's Arena Mix) - Tim Berg

64 Ace Of Spades (Acoustic) - Motörhead

65 Buffalo Soldier - Bob Marley & The Wailers *

66 Rattlesnakes -Lloyd Cole & The Commotions **

67 Blue Boy - Orange Juice **

68 Intro (Xx Booty Mix) - Sander Van Doorn

69 Coma Cat (Round Table Knights Remix) - Tensnake

70 Tainted Love - Imelda May **

71 Hotel Yorba - White Stripes **

72 The Size Of A Cow - Wonder Stuff

73 Sparky's Dream - Teenage Fanclub **

74 Allison - The Pixies **

75 Passionate Friend - The Teardrop Explodes **

76 Disco 2000 - Pulp **

77 This Charming Man - The Smiths

78 Born To Run - Bruce Springsteen

79 Rock This Town - Stray Cats

80 Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley

81 The Gambler - Kenny Rogers *

82 The Cave - Mumford And Sons **

83 Sweet Caroline (Live) - Neil Diamond

84 New York New York - Sinatra

85 Zorba's Dance

86 Hit Road Jack - Ray Charles*

*Request

** Anne's Choices.

Although officially now very old, her reminiscence therapy means that Anne will smile benignly when she hears The Stone Roses, Pixies, Belle and Sebastian and Orange Juice. Despite circulation problems her toes may still tap gently to Teardrop Explodes and Pulp. Even though the proper name in question will evade her for several days we know she still recognises Lloyd Cole and New Order. They say the hearing is the last sense to go.

Thanks to everyone who came along, it was appreciated. Like the Queen we will hold a second party for her at the house in May when more folk may come along. Hope to see you then.

Christmas Eve : Rocking the Smugglers.

2010-12-27T06:46:00.000-08:00

Songs played on a really busy Christmas Eve at The Smugglers. I'll put it up here because I know most of you won't remember any of it.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Michael Buble

Winter Weather - Tony Bennet

It's Begininng To Look Like Christmas - Perry Como

Big Love - Pete Heller

You're The One For Me - D Train

All Around The World (Bob Sinclair Remix) - Lionel Richie

Put Em High - Stonebridge

Rise (Eric Kupper Mix) - Samantha James
Last Night A DJ Saved My Life - King Britt
Rapper's Delight (Hip Hop Remix '89) - Sugarhill Gang
Airplanes - B.O.B.
Turn Around (5,4,3,2,1) - Flo Rida
Shake Your Body - The Jacksons
Step Into Christmas - Elton John
You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates
Easy Lover - Philip Bailey
Mr Brightside - Paul Anka
Haven’T Met You Yet - Michael Buble
Show Me Love -Robin S
Pjanoo Vs Bad Habit - Eric Prydz
All I Do - Cleptomaniacs Ghost Mix) Cleptomaniacs
Prayin' - Plan B
Too Busy (Black Tiger Refix) - Marvin Gaye
What's My Name (Feat. Drake) - Rihanna
Written In The Stars Vs Pass Out Vs Kickstarts(- Tinie Tempah Vs Example
Driving Home For Christmas - Chris Rea
Listen To Themusic - The Doobie Brothers
Hey, Soul Sister - Train
Little Lion Man - Mumford And Sons
A-Punk - Vampire Weekend
Stuck In The Middle With You - Stealer's Wheel
Black Horse & The Cherry Tree - KT Tunstall
Where Is The Love - Black Eyed Peas
Dance To The Music - Sly & Family Stone
You Can Leave Your Hat On (Dj Fashion & Sandrique Remix) - Joe Cocker
Proud Mary - Tina Turner
I Feel Good - James Brown
I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
Celebration - Kool And The Gang
Million Dollar Bill (F Knuckles Mix) - Whitney Houston
All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey
What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
Rapture_-_Avicii__Mix_ - Nadia_Ali
Who's That Chick - David Guetta Feat. Rihanna
Black Flashback (Paris FZ & Simo T Bootleg) - Simo T & Paris FZ Vs Calvin Harris
One More Time - Daft Punk
Chime – Orbital
Bitter Sweet Symphony ( snippet) Verve
Tarentella (5am mix ) – Chico Secci
Bromance – (Aviccii Arena Mix) - Tim Berg
Have yourself a Merry Christmas – David McAlmont
Fairytale of New York – Pogues
Dignity – Deacon Blue
That Slade Song - Slade
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) -- The Proclaimers
Hey Jude - The Beatles
Laid - James
The Cave – Mumford & Sons
Sweet Caroline (LIVE) - Neil Diamond
You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
Club Can't Handle Me - Flo Rida And David Guetta
Only Girl (Bombs Away Club Remix) - Rihanna
Kickstarts - Example
Illmerica - Wolfgang Gartner
Satisfaction (Discotech Remix) - The Rolling Stones
Jump - Van Halen *
Its My Life - Bon Jovi *
Ready To Start - Arcade Fire
Live Forever - Oasis *
Many Of Horror - Biffy Clyro
Little Green Bag - George Baker Trio
Paolo's Pencil Full Of Party - Paolo Nutini Vs Lou Bega
Zoot Suit Riot - Cherry Poppin' Daddies
Rockin Around Xmas Tree - Brenda Lee
Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
Mess Around - Ray Charles
Boom Boom Boom - Outhere Brothers
Infinity (Klaas Mix) - Guru Josh Project
Beachball - Nalin & Kane
Baby Love (Halfby More Shambles Remix) - The Supremes
You're My First , My Last , My Everything - Barry White
Fan Dab I Dozi - The Krankies
Oh Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison
Valerie - Mark Ronson
Walking On Sunshine - Katrina And The Waves
Footloose - Kenny Loggins
Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid

* Drunken requests.

Back tonight for the wife's 50th Birthday Bash. x

Back at The Smugglers : Dec 18th

2010-12-19T11:28:00.000-08:00

Back at The Smugglers. Nice and warm out of the winter chill. A mixed bag of songs to suit the mixed ages in the bar. William Fitzsimmons cover of Katy Perry's song divided opinion with one person feeling it was just plain wrong. Personally, I feel that it is beyond criminality that Ms Perry is allowed any where near a recording studio but I don't go about telling complete strangers this. Anyway, altering the viewpoint to that of a guy changes the nuance of the song considerably. It stands up fine with a guy's voice. Lucky I didn't follow it up with the same artists cover of Kayne West's 'Heartless'.

Happy sing a long stuff for the last hour as folk drifted off home or off to the club.

Back on Christmas Eve. Traditionally a really busy night with a late licence till 2am. I will start my up to the bells mix today. I already know the tunes I'm gonna use. Just a question of getting the timings and the mix right.

Looking forward to it.

Tracks from 18th follow : Smugglers Dec 18th 2010

Hey, Soul Sister - Train
3 She Moves In Her Own Way - The Kooks
4 Golden Touch - Razorlight
5 Only The Young - Brandon Flowers
6 Seven Nation Army - Ben L'Oncle Soul
7 It's OK - Cee Lo Green
8 Let's Go Round Again - Average White Band
9 Never Give Up On A Good Thing - George Benson
10 Piazza, New York Catcher - Belle And Sebastian
11 Drops Of Jupiter - Train *
12 Hotel California (Latino Summer Mix - ) Nils Vs Eagles
13 Just One Kiss - Basement Jaxx
14 You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates

15 Don't Stop - Fleetwood Mac
16 Dont U Worry Bout Thing - Incognito
18 Got To Get You Into My Life - Earth Wind & Fire
19 Space Cowboy (Morales mix) - Jamiroquai
20 Sensitivity - Shapeshifters

21 Heartbeat (Cutmore Club) - Enrique Iglesias

22 What's My Name (Feat. Drake) - Rihanna
23 Ridin' Solo - Jason Derulo *
24 Tightrope - Janelle Monáe

25 Pack Up - Eliza Doolittle

26 Hey Girl! - Jo Stance
27 Thought It Was You - Sex-O Sonique

28 How Can I Love You More - M People

29 I Kissed A Girl - William Fitzsimmons
30 Walk Out To Winter - Aztec Camera

31 Groovejet - Spiller

32 Million Dollar Bill (F Knuckles Mix) - Whitney Houston

33 Nothing But Love ( Vocal Mix -) Axwell

34 Rapture (Avicii Mix) - _ Nadia_Ali

35 Turn The Music Up - Players Association

36 I Shoulda Loved Ya Narada - Michael Waldron

37 Shine - Take That *

38 DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love - Usher

39 Morning After ( Moto Blanco ) - Timbaland *

40 Let The Sunshine (Joey Negro) - Labrinth

41 I Wish - Stevie Wonder

42 Blame It On The Boogie - The Jacksons

43 You Can't Hurry Love (Early Listen Mix - ) The Supremes
44 The Sky's The Limit (Wideboys Remix) - Jason Derulo

45 Club Can't Handle Me - Flo Rida

46 Tainted Love - Imelda May

47 Heatwave - Martha Reeves

48 The Flood - Take That *

49 Prayin' - Plan B

50 The World Should Revolve Around Me - Little Jackie

51 Skinny Genes - Eliza Doolittle

52 New Shoes - Paolo Nutini

53 Take It Easy - The Eagles

54 Driving Home For Christmas - Chris Rea

55 Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Michael Buble

56 Dancing In The Moonlight Toploader

57 Fireflies - Owl City

58 Forget You - Cee Lo Green

59 Big Love - Pete Heller

60 Why Dont You - Gramophonedzie

61 Mess Around - Ray Charles

62 I Want You Back - Jackson 5

63 Lay All Your Love On Me - Abba
64 Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough - Michael Jackson

65 Rock The Boat - Hues Corp

66 Lovely Day (Phatt Mix) - Bill Withers

67 It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year - Andy Williams

* Request .

At the Hub : Take Two

2010-12-12T12:31:00.000-08:00

Phone call at 1645 to ask if I'd go down and play some tunes at The Hub that evening.Not wishing to see them stuck I obliged.

Quieter than the opening night and this evening there were still some folk finishing off their meal. So a quiet start. However, once the bar trade picked up and I turned the music up it was obvious that the sound was far from crystal clear. It is hard to hear it from where the dj stands but enough folk mentioned it to know that it wasn't the way it should be. As a result I turned the bass down and the high up as well as toning the output from the mixer down several notches. At best the result was tolerable.

Went down the next day to speak with the sound engineer who installed the system and we worked out that the connector which I plugged into, and which the bar system was already playing through had been switched to a phono input as opposed to the more satisfactory line in. This explains the comment made when I arrived saying that the sound system was muddy and unclear. This explains the too easy distortion.

All fixed now.

Tracks played but barely heard are here :

The Hub : Downstairs 11th December

1 Smokey Joe's La La Googie Rene Combo
2 Caramellas - Aeroplane
3 74 - 75 - The Connells
4 Better Together ( Cuba Mix) - Jack Johnson
5 What I'm Looking For - Brendan Benson

6 Flowers In The Window - Travis

7 Early Morning Rain - Paul Weller

8 Clocks Cuba -Coldplay

9 Where Is The Love -Black Eyed Peas

10 Love Like This- Faith Evans

11 My Lovin' (Radio Edit)- En Vogue

12 Wake Up Everybody- John Legend & The Roots

13 Let's Stay Together- Al Green

14 Blue Skies -Jamiroquai

15 Flawless -The Ones

16 A Higher Place- Peyton

17 Boogie -Brand New Heavies

18 Turn The Music Up -Players Association

19 I Shoulda Loved Ya- Narada Michael Waldron

20 Let The Sunshine (Joey Negro)- Labrynth

21 What's My Name (Feat. Drake) -Rihanna*

22 American Boy -Estelle
23 Got To Get You Into My Life- Earth Wind & Fire
24 Move On Up -Curtis Mayfield
25 Coma Cat- Tensnake

26 The Sky's The Limit (Wideboys Remix Club)- Jason Derulo*

27 Black Flashback -( Simo T vs Calvin Harris
28 Can't Shake This Feeling (Stafford Bros Remix)- Grum
29 Dub My Disco (Vocal Mix) -Hostage
30 We Are Family (Remix) -Sister Sledge
31 Big Love -Pete Heller
32 Why (Hot Toddy Boogiefied Mix) -Joey Negro

33 Beautiful People (C.J.'S Club Mix) -Barbara Tucker

34 Nothing But Love (Extended Vocal Mix)- Axwell
35 You See The Trouble With Me -Barry White
36 Night Fever (Future Funk Squad Remix) -Bee Gees
37 Haven’t Met You Yet -Michael Buble
38 You Can Call Me Al -Paul Simon
39 Walk Of Life -Dire Straits
40 New Shoes -Paolo Nutini
41 Tainted Love- Imelda May
42 Zoot Suit Riot -Cherry Poppin' Daddies
43 Pack Up -Eliza Doolittle
44 Baby Love (Shambles Remix)- The Supremes
45 Ain’t No Love, Ain’t No Use- Sub Sub

46 Make_The_World_Go_Round (Deep Dish Mix) -Sandy_B

47 Club Can't Handle Me- Flo Rida And David Guetta

48 Only Girl (Funk D Bootleg) -Rihanna

49 Dynamite Bromance (Ipad Club B)- Taio Cruz Ft. Tim Berg
50 Lovely Day (Phatt Mix)- Bill Withers
51 You Make My Dreams- Hall & Oates
52 It's Magic- Pilot
53 Mr Blue Sky- Lily Allen
54 Do Your Thing -Basement Jaxx
55 If You Wanna -M&S
56 The Hustle -Van McCoy
57 Million Dollar Bill (F Knuckles Mix) -Whitney Houston
58 Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough- Michael Jackson
59 Don't Stop Movin' -S Club 7
60 Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow- Michael Buble

An ok assortment. This week even more impossible to hear the mixes due to the positioning of the monitorless dj area and the underperforming sound.
First time in about 10 years an owner came up to me and asked me to change the music. This was when I played Dynamite Bromance. It is fairly bouncy and came after the Funk D Mix of Rihanna which is electro house based. The sort of noise that upsets older people. But in context it was a slight divergence from the earlier happy funky stuff and I would have pulled it back straight after it if that had been required. It was also 12:15pm and the space was filled with folk around the 25 year old age mark.
Any way. I was told to go to the naughty step and keep the house music for the club upstairs.

Something to think about though! Looking back I remember when I started to set up that the bar sound system was playing 'Shang-a-lang'. This should have been as clear a sign as having 'Red Rum' written in dripping blood on the wall that all was not well in this particular state of Denmark. Like I said, something to think about.

Agreed to do next Friday whilst I was down talking with the owner and the sound guy. I'll see how that goes and then take it from there.

More worryingly, I find myself no longer vomitting when I play Jamiroquai. This is not why I fought in the 'Punk Wars'!

Have you seen him?

2010-12-09T14:20:00.001-08:00