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The Purple Doves – Christmas Cheer
If you have listened to our evening show with Douglas and Victor you should have heard this track at the start. We have had many requests asking where people can get a copy, unfortunately as it is by alocal unsigned band it is not available to buy. However, they have very kindly said that listeners can download it here for free as a Christmas present from them. For more information on the band go to www.25records.com/pdoves.htm
The Purple Doves – Christmas Cheer
See below in comments for the reviews on Eddi Reader and Buddy Holly
Some Guys Have All The Luck – ROD STEWART
Warner Bros. have launched an extensive reissue campaign of Rod Stewart’s legendary catalogue, beginning with this release of Some Guys Have All The Luck, which spans material recorded between 1971 and 2004, this two-CD set is arranged chronologically with Rod’s early solo years well represented by several tunes including “Maggie May” and “You Wear It Well” from the unforgettable classic albums, Every Picture Tells A Story (1971) and Never A Dull Moment (1972). The opening disc also includes “Stay With Me”, a nod to Rod’s time with the Faces.
The second half of Disc One shifts to Rods Warner Bros. years with the stadium-swooning ballad, “Sailing,” the No1 smash, “Tonight’s The Night (Gonna Be Alright),” the Top 10 hit “You’re In My Heart” and disco favourites the number I Hit “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy” and “Young Turks”.
The second disc concentrates on music Rod recorded during the ’80s and ’90s, including Baby Jane, “Infatuation”, “Some Guys Have All The Luck”, “Love Touch”, “Forever Young” and “Downtown Train” and “Rhythm Of My Heart” from the “Vagabond Heart” album.
Also included is a previously unreleased track entitled “Two Shades Of Blue,” recorded in 1998 during the “When We Were The New Boys” session and quite unique for a Rod Stewart tune in that it features a sample of a very famous classical piece of music.
In This double CD we have some of Rod’s classics both old and new plus some lesser known songs. A lot of Rod’s songs like “Maggie May” have never really gone away and sound as fresh today as they did back in the early seventies. An album like this makes you realise just how timeless Rod Stewart’s music and songs are.
An excellent compilation to augment any music collection
Fi @ DCR WebAdmin
MOWTOWN GOLD
After the disaster that was MOTOWN 50 I found this wee gem on Amazon.
This triple CD contains 81 tracks from the vaults of Motown, all except the opening track “Money that’s what I want” are recorded in the sixties, which is generally regarded as Motown’s best period.
British fans are often surprised when they first discover that Motown released their first single in 1959. It took almost five years before the British public embraced the sound of Motown.
It wasn’t until 1964 when “Baby love” (Supremes) and “My guy” (Mary Wells) became huge hits. After that, there was no stopping the seemingly endless stream of hits and the remainder of the sixties is strongly represented here with plenty of tracks from Marvin Gaye (solo and duets), Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Marvelettes,
Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, The Velvelettes, Junior Walker and the All-Stars, The Isley Brothers, The Temptations, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas and Gladys Knight and the Pips.
These artists dominate, but Motown’s lesser names from the sixties are here too, with excellent tracks by Brenda Holloway, Kim Weston, Edwin Starr, Jimmy Ruffin, The Originals.
Even with 81 tracks, it is not possible to include all the hits that Motown have produced (or even all the hits from 1964-1969), but this is more the type of compilation I was expecting MOTOWN 50 to be. Because believe me even this only scratches the surface!
There is also a wee memorabilia note on each track which DJs love – helps make them sound so knowledgeable (including me!)
This is a brilliant introduction to “The Sound Of Young America” – Tamla Motown No Dancing In The Aisles – Vinnie Thoms
The Little Drummer Boy – BANDAGED
Everyone should have heard this by now and everyone should have a least one copy-well, it is for the Kiddies. It would also make a brilliant stocking filler so maybe buying two copies is in order.Unfortunately the Bandaged single is released at the same time as the Leona Lewis single Run, which at the time of writing has just been declared the best selling download to date and under normal circumstances a very probable No1.
A lot of folk many led by Radio Two DJ Chris Evans who declared on the first ‘airplay’ of the “Drummer Boy” that it should be released as a single for Christmas. Togs are also hoping this will give Sir Terry his second No1, his first, some may remember was the Floral Dance in January 1978.
Unfortunately the other member of the group, Aled Jones only managed as the fifteen year old ‘boy soprano’ to get to No 5 with his well known tune “Walking in the Air” in November 1985. That was just about a year before his recording career was temporally halted when his voice broke at sixteen having sold more than six million albums-that’s a lot of mums-can the Togs and Mums make this a number one against all odds- with a little help, anything is possible. DCR Admin
MOTOWN 50
I was really looking forward to reviewing this CD. As some of you may recall I told you some time ago of how Motown Records were asking fans to help them select the best tunes from their catalogue so as they could compile a definitive CD to Celebrate 50 years in 2009. Well here it is and I have just finished listening to it!
This is not the Celebration of Motown 50 I was expecting to hear! If this is what the voters thought was the best of Motown from the past 50 years, as a Motown fan, I am appalled! I cannot believe that Motown fans would vote to listen to an artist sing a cover version of a “pop” song and disregard the Classic Original Motown songs they have been credited with. Something has gone terribly wrong in putting this Album together!
Thank goodness there are quite a few CDs available that do represent the true Motown sound of the last 5o years; several of them I see are still available through our link with Amazon.
I was so looking forward to writing a review of this CD on the Music Review page as an insight into what Motown has contributed to music over the last 50 years – not with this CD I am sad to say. But don’t worry no such errors on the Sound of Detroit section of my radio show: No Dancing in the Aisles; VINNIE THOMS
Gabriella Cilmi Lessons To Be Learned
Known for her recent chart hit Sweet About Me in June 2008 and her current hit Save The Lies; both on this her first album, Gabriella Cilmi (pronounced “Chill Me”) is certainly living up to all the hype surrounding this release.First, let’s dispense with some of what your hearing and reading,This album is to be filed under Pop Music, and yes the girl is only sixteen as you may have seen on your PC or TV and as you’ve heard, got a big and at times jazzy soulful voice, but on listening to this CD I think we should try to forget the Amy, Duffy and even Anastacia comparisons. As for references to Girls Aloud this comes about through association with Xenomania who are, wait for it, a group of very talented people including Miranda Cooper to name just one. Put together by an equally talented Brian Higgins, a producer and writer who has written and produced albums and tracks for some of the biggest names. And I mean huge names in music, all through his Xenomania production group, Girls Aloud being just being one along with Miranda Cooper who he has co-written for. So let’s recognize we have a great production team working on this CD but without Gabriella……….although as a kinda footnote I do recall Brian Higgins was involved in reviving the career for Cher in the late nineties with a smash hit with the lady singing with a distorted voice I do (Believe)The Album starts with the current single SAVE THE LIES a chart bound uptempo Tune and a worthy follow up to the second track SWEET ABOUT ME and what must be a pleasing start to fans.Tracks three SANCTUARY slows the pace with a bluesy jazzy vibe feel which nearly all the slower tacks tend to have. Tracks five, six and seven a trio of up-tempo pop tunes which should keep fans bouncing at the live concerts AWKWARD GAME and SAFER tracks eight and nine seem a strange mix at this time after the previous three tracks, AWKWARD GAME a gritty bluesy tune which Gabriella certainly does the business putting over then there’s SAFER A “pop ballad” Track ten CIGARETTES AND LIES sounds as if Gabriella is having a lot of fun with this up tempo bluesy tune which leads into TERRIFYING with Gabriella right out front in a sort of rock chick mode.SIT IN THE BLUES no prizes to what genre this is but the girl can sing it so why not.The final tune on the CD is a jingle jangly straight forward cover of Martha and the Muffins ECHO BEACH which can’t fail to leave you on a high.Forget the hype this is a very good Album with a good variety of tunes, Gabriella is an awesome talent from rock chick to gusty blues. Just listen and except it as it is. It will be interesting to see where Gabriella goes but that’s for the future this is now and this CD is going to get many more plays.
James — Hey Ma Review by Victor DCR
After a seven year gap the Manchester Veterans do not fail to deliver with this their tenth Album regardless of some of the initial press.
Most folk will remember them for tunes like COME HOME and SIT DOWN.
Over the years James has become for has me a band that was wise to included in a play list and even wiser to have on hand to lift a Disco Party Nite and fill the floor.
This album is everything and more than previous albums,
What ever these guys were doing before their “reformation” in 2007 hasn’t harmed one bit as it sounds as if they have been playing forever which is probably down to the tunes of Booth, Gott and Glennie, the skilled musicians, hard work and playing as a band should play, together!
This album brings together again the same line-up that appeared on their 1990s album Gold Mother their most successful UK album to date.
As Jason from Dunoon mentioned band member Andy Diagram’s unique style on the trumpet certainly rates up there with the best (check out waterfall) and with Tim Booth never singing better and taking his lyrics to a higher level Hey Ma to me is their best album yet. Stand out tracks BUBBLES, HEY MA, WATERFALL and OH MY HEART as anthemic as any of their previous anthems (awesome drums by the way)
Sharleen Spiteri – Melody
The opening song IT WAS YOU, a collaboration with Bernard Butler and David McAlmont just lacks the hand claps to put it in the Motown snake pit with the Funk Brothers; and the final cord finish could well be the starting cord for a Lee Hazlewood produced Nancy Sinatra 45 disc. This pace keeps up through track two the current single ALL THE TIMES I CRIED and track three STOP, I DON’T LOVE YOU ANYMORE before briefly slowing the pace to get your breath back with the haunting title track MELODY. With more than a passing nod to sixties French Chanson Serge Gainsbourg and the even later Frederic Chopin absolute magic.
The next track I WONDER picks up the pace a shade as does track six I’M GOING TO HAUNT YOU, although this in its self is not a bad track, it has a nice hypnotic tune, it did immediately remind me of Jonathon Richmans Egyptian Raggae and dare I say, sand dancing, but hey, just knowing about these things tells you, what do I know about anything and I do like it. With the opening lines “Pull up out the front you see the club glow, See him there at the door then you say hello.” Track seven DON’T KEEP ME WAITING sounds as if it was born in the Brill building to be sung by a live sixties girlie group with a lot of R&B and like all the upbeat tunes on this CD far superior than a lot of original recently “discovered” tunes of a certain northern influence.
DON’T LET ME DOWN track eight is a ballad, a nice sixties word to describe a slow tune with a good MELODY, this girl has never had a problem singing the slow ones but never has she sang with such conviction, some call it soul.
The surging horns that open track nine WHERE DID IT GO WRONG bring on a reality check that this is a new recording but the lush strings that come in two thirds through the first verse add even more confusion and I wonder, if I could forget all those years listening to Texas for a short while I might hear this CD the way SHARLEEN wants it to be heard.
The standard only gets better and with track ten DAY TRIPPING I am now starting to feel comfortable with this new sound so much so I’m looking forward to listening to it again, especially to take in the lyrics that I have only partially enjoyed having been distracted by analyzing the sound.
Next to last track FRANCOISE, a simple beautiful song without the musical accompaniment of previous tracks which only adds to the simplicity and the awareness of something precious. The final track WHEN DID YOU LEAVE HEAVEN is exactly what you have now come to expect but still surprises that it is so good. No sooner are all the body parts swinging in unison its all over, leaving you to check the track time just in case the silence is actually a long break.
Sharleen Spiteri deserves whatever it is that inspired her to make this album, I think it will be a lot of different things to a lot of different people. If you like up tempo tunes, surging horns and clacking percussion that make body parts move in unison, lush strings that appear from nowhere and the occasional slow song that makes you feel sad but happy you heard it, then you can experience all that anytime you want by acquiring a copy of this, the first solo album from Sharleen Spiteri MELODY, I’ m just going to listen to it again and enjoy!
BUDDY HOLLY GREATEST HITS
Hello Jules thanks for getting in touch and pointing out the forthcoming 50th Anniversary of the death of one of the True legends of Popular Music of the Twentieth Century.
Although his success lasted only a year and a half before his death in a airplane crash at the age of 22 Buddy Holly has been described as “the single most influential creative force in early rock and roll”. His works and innovations were copied by his contemporaries and later musicians, notably The Beatles and The Rolling Stones and exerted a profound influence on popular music.
In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him No 13 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
As you say there are still many CDs of his work out there but seeing as you are just looking for a reasonable priced Greatest Hits I saw this Greatest Hits CD at a really reasonable price at £2.97 on Amazon just click to open :
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Buddy-Holly/dp/B00004UB8T/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1232980737&sr=1
This budget-priced album contains most of his most famous songs, many of which have retained their popularity via cover versions over the years. Here you get Buddy’s original versions of Oh boy,
That’ll be the day, Peggy Sue, Listen to me, Rave on, Heartbeat, True love ways, Everyday and It doesn’t matter anymore amongst others I’m sure you will know.
Of course some fans of Buddy Holly may say that this 20 track selection has missed several of his best tunes for lesser tunes but that will be a matter of personal taste and when there is so many tunes to pick from”¦”¦., this is a good start and if after listening to this CD and want to hear more which I hope you will, you already know there is a lot more CDs to select from.
Perhaps when “Step Back In Time” is on “Air” you may consider putting Buddy Holly forward to “Go Back to the Future” with.
DCR DJ Douglas “STEP BACK IN TIME”
.
Hi Dunoon Radio, just thought I would mention another Anniversary, not 250 years, only 50 years and no not Motown.
I was reading about the 50th Anniversary of the death on February 3rd of Buddy Holly.
I only have a couple of his songs on compilation CDs and looking on the internet I find there is no shortage of CDs, nearly all with the same songs but a big difference in price. I am not looking for a definite box collection, a Greatest Hits would be fine can you help me out. Looking forward to hearing Dunoons own Radio soon
Good Luck to you all for the future
Jules
EDDI READER
SINGS THE SONGS OF ROBERT BURNS-EXPANDED
When Fi@DCRAdmin e-mailed me pointing out that we should have at least one reference to Rabbie Burns words and music on the CD Review page and, before his Birthday, I didn’t hesitate in pulling this CD off the shelf.
This I must admit, is amongst my most favourite Music CDs and is stored on a shelf directly in front my computer desk and only an arms reach away amongst what I consider are my favourite CDs at this time, some don’t stay on the shelf for long, a few like this and the one next to it by David Paton called Fragments have been there since I first bought them, and for the David Paton CD which contains some excellent versions of burns songs including my all time favourite Ca’ The Yowes with Phil Cunningham on the Accordion, it has been on the shelf for over ten years.
I first saw Eddi Reader perform as a solo artist at Talla Shomhaire at Aros on Skye were she sang several Burns songs during her set and revealed several comparisons between her life and that of Robbie Burns which may have had something to do with the wonderful renditions of the songs she gave at that concert, it was not till 2003 when she released Eddi Reader Sings The Songs Of Robbie Burns that I was able to relive some of that summer night in Portree.
While the title of the CD Eddi Reader Sings the Songs of Robert Burns may sound like something deeply unpalatable foisted upon cowering school music students as part of the National Curriculum,
it isn’t. This is a great music CD, you don’t have to know about Rabbie Burns or the meanings behind the words or what he was doing when he wrote the words, Just listen to each song as it comes and like all good songs they tell their own story although for those not to acquainted with language of Burns Eddi Reader’s sleeve notes provide handy translations of some of the more abstruse elements of the Burns’ Scottish dialect, she also admits to being a bit coy about Rabbies’ bawdiness but I will let you read that for yourself.
When I first bought this CD I remember wishing that there had been more than the 11 tracks, this expanded version has 7 extra tracks and still leaves you wanting to hear more.
Most of the titles I am sure will be familiar to you and include
Jamie come try me, My Love Is Like A Red Red Rose, Willie Stewart/Molly Rankine, Wild Mountainside and of course Auld Lang Syne.
I notice at the time of writing just a couple of days before Rabbies birthday that the Amazon price for this CD is only £4.98p ““Amazing!
With Eddi’s beautiful voice and song interpretation, accompanied by the best of the best musicians and superb production, this CD sounds as fresh and new as anything in the latest release category and at the amazon price ““ a must for any music lover.
DCR VICTOR
Nice comment “Barnie Wallace’ and welcome to The Sound of Motown which used to be called ‘The Sound Of Young America’,
It really says something for the music to be celebrating 50 years and to have some of today’s youngsters listening and appreciating it, and bye the way, as you listen to more of the classics from Motown you will realise that there is no need for “seasoning’ or “spice’ even. Keep in touch-DCR-Douglas-Step Back In Time.
Taking time out from a busy study schedule to catch up on some reading here in the Uni library I was attracted by the Motown featured MOJO music mag. Lot’s of interesting articles to celebrate Motowns 50th anniversary including a Review of Motown 50, the very same as the one reviewed by VINNIE THOMS from Dunoon Radio. This review by CLIVE PRIOR very much the same as VTs review although he does make it clear that the songs that obviously didn’t go down well with VINNIE were in fact bonus cuts — reinterpretations by Motown stars of POP staples. This reviewer also felt that these additional tracks added considerable spice to the album. I have only recently got into Motown so I’m keeping an open mind, my mum is a big fan, she says she has most of the classics in her cd collection but she doesn’t like the covers. “Barnie” Wallace.
I must admit that it has been a long time for one reason or another that I have attended a function with a disco.
This year I have attended several two of which featured the Dunoon radio disco, on both occasions you ended the evening with the Runrig Loch Lomond to the joy of the audience and every one including myself got up to dance.
I still remember the day when a disco finished with a slow song for couples with most of the audience sitting.
I much prefer your way.
thankyou E N.
I have to admit I don’t think that there is nothing as evocative as singing Loch Lomond at the end of a Runrig concert and Donnie Munro’s version will always be my favourite.
Runrig’s Loch Lomond has been voted Scotland’s Greatest Song in a poll run over the last two months by London based Scots charity ScotsCare.
Scottish singing legend Lulu presented Runrig with their prize during a St Andrew’s Day gig the band were playing in London.
Lulu said, “Runrig are a fantastic Scottish band, I’m delighted that Scots are voting for and appreciating them. Loch Lomond is definitely one of those songs that very quickly reminds you of home, perhaps we now have found the answer to Scotlands National Anthem.
Runrig secured 40% of the vote to narrowly beat Big Country’s Fields of Fire which with 37% came second.
Suprisingly, Dougie McLean’s stirring Caledonia trailed into third place with only 11% of the vote while Deacon Blue’s Dignity and the Proclaimers 500 Miles secured fourth and fifth places,each with 7% and 5% of the vote.
Winners Runrig said “We are honoured to come out top in this vote, Loch Lomond is a deserving winner and a song we love to perform. What a great way for us to mark St Andrew’s Day”
WHAT DO THINK?
Why not tell us what song you would choose as Scotland’s National Anthem.
Check out our link above with AMAZON for the Top Album and Singles MP3s,
Really easy to download and really easy on the pocket at this time—Just in time for all those Christmas parties in your front room you are arranging
Hi Sandra I know what you mean about a Horse with no name, the beat is the same, but I don’t think its that sone i am thinking of. It is the piano introduction of wire to wire that has really got me. It may be an eighties soft rock song?
Razorlight sound alot like Crowded House to me,
anyone remember them ?
JIMMY MAC-DUNOON
I was really pleased to read FionaG’s comments on the new Razorlight single Wire to Wire reminding her of another tune. I Have the same dilemma and was begining to think it was just me as I have’nt heard anyone else comment on it when playing the tune on the radio. I have checked out reviews for clues the nearest being itunes where it has been alikened to Marillion ?America’s Horse With No Name and a Neil Young tune called Needle and Damage Done.These tunes are all well old and even though I can hear a slight familiarity on itunes preview I have never heard these tunes before and not the tune I’m looking for. Maybe this will help you FionaG.
SANDRA -DUNOON
Every time I hear the new single by Razorlight – wire to wire, I keep getting a niggling feeling that I have heard something very similar before but I just can’t put my finger on it. Is it just me or does someone else have an idea what is floating round in the back of my brain driving me mad
You said about the surging horns on the Sharleen Spiteri cd, if you really want to hear some really good horns try listening to the James CD Hey Ma.
This isin’t your Soul thing but really good indie music. This is the first cd from James for years and is better than thiere other cds and a lot different from some of the anthems they are known for. Talk about moving body parts have you ever seen Tim Booth dance? listen to this cd and you won’t be able to stop yourself-Jason Dunoon
Iv’e been a fan of Texas since 1989 when Sharleen and Johnny McElhone started the band.
I think Melody is a brilliant album and yes it is retro but that is no suprise, remember as way back as the White On Blond album (1997) and Black eyed boy. Sharleen has always had a lot of soul.Although this is a brilliant CD and I haven’t stopped listening to it I don’t think this is the end of Texas especially as Johnny McElhone has had so much input in this album— So pleased you chose Melody as your first review xx
Don’t be shy, who will be first to write a wee review informing us about a favourite CD. It doesn’t have to be an album could be a single, it doesn’t even have to be new tune could be an old favourite of yours. Lets hear about your favourite tunes which will all be included in a new radio programme once we are broadcasting live.