Month: December 2024

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Imaginary Album Covers 2024

It is almost the end of 2024, it is time for another collection of pictures I have found on line that look like LP covers. Sorry for not acknowledging where this picture came from this year.

Electric Reaper – You’re Not Suppose To Give Up

Okavanga – As Far As I Can See

Adonai – When A God Looks Down On Creation

Adonai is one of the names of God in Judaism

Alsatia – Fancy Colours

Alsatia was an area just outside of the City of London that, in the 17th Century was known for its lawlessness.

Streamer – Everybody’s Number One To Someone

Colonel Sparrow – I Don’t Really Know What I Am Doing Here

Colonel Sparrow is referencing novelty band, Lieutenant Pigeon who were famous for their hit, ‘Mouldy Old Dough’.

Serenita – Tropical Moon Over Dorking

Serenita is the Italian word for peace.

House Of Dolls – Where Does The Sun Shine?

House of Dolls is a 1953 novel that describes ‘Joy Divisions’, which were groups of women imprisoned in concentration camps during World War 2,  who were kept for the sexual pleasure of other inmates.

The Canute’s – Still Waiting

King Canute (or Cnut) was King of England, Norway and Denmark up to his death in 1035. He is said to have sat on a beach to show how limited his power was by being unable to stop the tide.

Empty Horses – The Moon Is Not A Balloon

The title of this fake album is a reference to David Niven’s memoir, ‘The Moon’s A Balloon’.

The Contexts – Metamorphopsia

Metamorphopsia is a type of distorted vision in which a grid of straight lines appears wavy or partially blank.

The Co-Ordinators – The Lost Art Of Getting Lost

‘movement iv – Fire & Water

Arboretum – Frosted Windows

Almas – Can You See What I See?

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Episode 106 – That Was The Year That Was (2024)

Catching up with Darryl Bullock for a chat about music is always a pleasure. To finish off the year, we take a look at some of our favourite record purchases over the last twelve months.

  • Ernest Evans – Pixies
  • Sam (Specially Edited Version – Promo) – Keith West
  • Johnny Remember Me (Original Lyrics) – John Leyton
  • Get Out Your Rock & Roll Shoes – The Crocheted Doughnut Ring
  • Day – Secret Scream
  • First Annual Semi-Formal Combination Celebration Meet-The-Monster Population Party – Groovie Goolies
  • Earn Enough For Us – XTC
  • Better Than – Saint Saviour
  • Trans-Europe 18 – Keeley
  • Never Again (English Version) – Marzella
  • Titania – Vincent Geminiani
  • Drop In The Ocean – Sophie May
  • Starbuster – Fontaines D.C.
  • Groovin’ (French Version) – The Young Rascals
  • Out Of The Blue (Raw Studio Mix) – John Lennon
  • Industrial Disease (Mono Promo Version) – Dire Straits
  • It’s A Bitch – John Grant
  • Theme From Harry’s Game – Clannad
  • I Like ‘Be’ With You – Andy Partridge & Chris Braide featuring Tim Weller
  • Warm Body – Nell Mescal
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The Beach Boys – Christmas Recordings

Back in July, I posted a Beach Box 1964 box set looking at the recordings the band made that year. I did note back then get I would have a dedicated post for the Christmas recordings made in that year, so here it is.

As with most recordings made for the festive season, these took place in the summer. More specifically, June of 1964. That is, except for the ‘Little Saint Nick’ single (along with its B-Side, ’The Lords Prayer’) which was recorded in 1963, and therefore, is not be included here. The original album came out on 9th November 1964, but I moved it back a month to be closer to the festive season. 

I have included a different version of ‘Little Saint Nick’. Called ‘Little Saint Nick’s Drive-In”, it has the lyrics of ‘Little Saint Nick’ but over the tune of ‘Drive-In’ from the ‘All Summer Long’ album. It was not clear if this was recorded in 1963 or 1964, so I have gone with the latter. 

Some for the songs on this compilation were not released at the time and are from later reissues. These tend to be released mixed in stereo only. The takes for the song ‘Christmas Day’ are a bit confusing as to their numbers, but this what the studio engineer seems to be saying on the sessions tracks and what they were listed as on the sleeves on the records. 

Merry Christmas everyone. 

1 – Complete Christmas Album Era Sessions (Bootleg)

2 – Christmas Sessions (Bootleg)

3 – The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album

4 – The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album (1991 Reissue)

5 – Keep an Eye On Summer: The Beach Boys Sessions 1964

6 – Ultimate Christmas

Disc 1

  1. Little Saint Nick – Drive In Version (Backing Vocal Overdub) – 1
  2. Little Saint Nick – Drive In Version (Vocal Take 1b) – 2 
  3. Little Saint Nick – Drive In Version (Vocal Take 3b) – 2
  4. Little Saint Nick – Drive In Version (Vocal Take 4b) – 2
  5. Little Saint Nick – Drive In Version (Stereo) – 4
  6. The Man With All The Toys (Backing Track) – 2
  7. The Man With All The Toys (Instrumental Overdub) – 2
  8. The Man With All The Toys (Vocal Overdub) – 2
  9. The Man With All The Toys (Mono) – 3
  10. The Man With All The Toys (Stereo) – 3
  11. Santa’s Beard (Instrumental Takes 1-13) – 2
  12. Santa’s Beard (Instrumental Takes 14 & 15) – 2
  13. Santa’s Beard (Instrumental Takes 16-21) – 2 
  14. Santa’s Beard (Instrumental Unknown Take) – 2
  15. Santa’s Beard (Stereo Mix) – 2 
  16. Santa’s Beard (Vocal Overdub) – 2
  17. Santa’s Beard (Mono) – 3
  18. Santa’s Beard (Stereo) – 3
  19. Merry Christmas, Baby (Instrumental Takes 1-6) – 2
  20. Merry Christmas, Baby (Instrumental Takes 7, 8 & 9) – 2
  21. Merry Christmas, Baby (Instrumental Take 10) – 2
  22. Merry Christmas, Baby (1st Vocal Overdub) – 2
  23. Merry Christmas, Baby (2nd Vocal Overdub) – 2
  24. Merry Christmas, Baby (Mono) – 3
  25. Merry Christmas, Baby (Stereo) – 3
  26. I’ll Be Home For Christmas (Vocal Overdub) – 2
  27. I’ll Be Home For Christmas (Mono) – 3
  28. I’ll Be Home For Christmas (Stereo) – 3
  29. Jingle Bells (Instrumental Mix Take 1) – 5
  30. Jingle Bells (Instrumental Take 4) – 2
  31. Jingle Bells (Inner Cuts 1 & 2, Take 4) – 2

Disc 2

  1. Christmas Day (Try-Out Takes 12-18) – 2
  2. Christmas Day (Try Out Takes 19-24) – 2
  3. Christmas Day (Instrumental Takes 1 & 2) – 2
  4. Christmas Day (Instrumental Takes 3-8) – 2
  5. Christmas Day (Instrumental Take 1) – 2
  6. Christmas Day (Instrumental Takes 2-6) – 2
  7. Christmas Day (Instrumental Take 7) – 2
  8. Christmas Day (Instrumental Overdub Take 7) – 2
  9. Christmas Day (Vocal Overdub Take 7) – 2
  10. Christmas Day (Vocal Overdub 1a) – 2
  11. Christmas Day (Vocal Overdub 3a) – 2
  12. Christmas Day (Vocal Overdub 4a) – 2
  13. Christmas Day (Vocal Overdub 6a) – 2
  14. Christmas Day (Vocal Overdub 7a) – 2
  15. Christmas Day (Vocal Overdub 8a) – 2
  16. Christmas Day (Vocal Overdub 9a) – 2
  17. Christmas Day (Vocal Overdub 10a) – 2
  18. Christmas Day (Vocal Mix) – 2
  19. Christmas Day (Mono) – 3
  20. Christmas Day (Stereo) -3
  21. Frosty The Snowman (1st Vocal Overdub) – 2
  22. Frosty The Snowman (2nd Vocal Overdub) – 2
  23. Frosty The Snowman (Mono) – 3
  24. Frosty The Snowman (Stereo) – 3
  25. Blue Christmas (Instrumental Takes 2 & 3) – 2
  26. Blue Christmas (1st Vocal Overdub Take 4a) – 2
  27. Blue Christmas (1st Vocal Overdub Takes 5a, 6a & 7a) – 2
  28. Blue Christmas (1st Vocal Overdub Take 8a) – 2
  29. Blue Christmas (2nd Vocal Overdub) – 2
  30. Blue Christmas (Mono) – 3
  31. Blue Christmas (Stereo) – 3
  32. Christmas Eve (Instrumental Mix) – 5

Disc 3 

  1. We Three Kings Of Orient Are (1st Vocal Overdub Takes 1, 2 & 3) – 2
  2. We Three Kings Of Orient Are (1st Vocal Overdub Take 6) – 2
  3. We Three Kings Of Orient Are (2nd Vocal Overdub Takes 1a, 2a, 3a & 4a) – 2
  4. We Three Kings Of Orient Are (Vocal Inner Cut 1) – 2
  5. We Three Kings Of Orient Are (Vocal Inner Cut 2 Take 4) – 2
  6. We Three Kings Of Orient Are (Vocal Inner Cut 2 Takes 5 & 6) – 2
  7. We Three Kings Of Orient Are (Mono) – 3
  8. We Three Kings Of Orient Are (Stereo) – 3
  9. Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (Intro Take 1) – 2
  10. Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (Intro Takes 4 & 5) – 2
  11. Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (Alternate Intro Takes 1-7) – 2
  12. Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (Alternate Intro Takes 10-18) – 2
  13. Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (Alternate Intro Takes 20-24) – 2
  14. Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (Vocal Overdub Take 3a) – 2
  15. Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (Vocal Overdub Take 4a) – 2
  16. Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (Mono) – 3
  17. Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (Stereo) – 3
  18. White Christmas (Instrumental Takes 2 & 3) – 2
  19. White Christmas (1st Vocal Overdub) – 2
  20. White Christmas (2nd Vocal Overdub) – 2
  21. White Christmas (3rd Vocal Overdub) – 2
  22. White Christmas (4th Vocal Overdub) – 2
  23. White Christmas (Mono) – 3
  24. White Christmas (Stereo) – 3
  25. Auld Lang Syne (Session) – 2
  26. Auld Lang Syne (Undubbed) – 2
  27. Auld Lang Syne (Vocal Stereo Overdub) – 2
  28. Auld Lang Syne (Alternate Take – No Narration) – 4
  29. Auld Lang Syne (Alternate Version) – 6
  30. Auld Lang Syne (Mono) – 3
  31. Auld Lang Syne (Stereo) -3

Please follow the link to see the post from July – https://www.thesquirepresents.co.uk/the-beach-boys-1964/

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Various Artists – The Post-Britpop Years Vol.2

So this is it, the last Britpop related playlist in my year of Bristol memories. As noted last month, Britpop had ran out of steam by 1997 with the big players in the movement moving in a new musical direction, suffering from burnout, splitting up or just seeing further sales diminish. Blur released a self titled album which took its influence from the American lo-fi scene. Pulp released ‘This Is Hardcore’, which sounded like morning after the night before. Oasis released ‘Be Here Now’ which was an overproduced bloated mess. 

Bands that followed on from this took elements that had inspired the Britpop bands, but looked to make music that would appeal to a wider audience. There was less focus on Britain, the lyrics became more introspective and there was a greater attempt to appeal to the American market.

Many of the bands that made up the Post-Britpop era started during the Britpop years. Radiohead and The Verve predated it but found critical acclaim with their ‘OK Computer’ and ‘Urban Hymns’ albums respectively. Coldplay became one of the biggest selling bands of the era with their first two albums going multi platinum. Travis, Catatonia and Snow Patrol also shifted plenty of records at this time. As with any movement, this also ran out of steam by 2002 when bands such as The White Stripes, The Strokes and The Hives came along with each being hailed as the saviours of rock and roll.

Like ‘The Britpop Years’ compilations from the last few months, there are a number of artists that would not normally be associated with the Post Britpop years. Once again, the compilations look at the years the music was produced in, not necessarily sticking to what would be considered Post Britpop as that would mean artists from outside the UK could not be included. 

Disc 1

  1. D’you Know What I Mean – Oasis
  2. Paranoid Android – Radiohead
  3. Feel Good Hit Of The Summer – Queens Of The Stone Age
  4. Cochise – Audioslave
  5. You & Me On The Run – theaudience
  6. Hazels Hob (Radio Edit) – Hardbody
  7. We Are All Made Of Stars – Moby
  8. Love Unlimited (Album Version) – Fun Lovin’ Criminals
  9. Whippin’ Piccadilly – Gomez
  10. Driftwood – Travis
  11. Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth – The Dandy Warhols
  12. Flagpole Sitta – Harvey Danger
  13. Sex & Candy – Marcy Playground
  14. El President – Drugstore
  15. Be There (Radio Edit) – UNKLE (Feat. Ian Brown)
  16. What’s It’s Like – Everlast
  17. Get Myself Arrested – Gomez
  18. Teardrop – Massive Attack
  19. Let Down – Radiohead

This disc could not be reproduced on Spotify due to one more songs not being available on that platform.

Disc 2

  1. Woman I Know – Bernard Butler
  2. Tom The Model – Beth Gibbons & Rustin’ Man
  3. Tsunami – Manic Street Preachers
  4. London – Noonday Underground
  5. Jerk It Out – Caesars 
  6. Asphalt Road – Sue Garner & Rick Brown
  7. New Slang – The Shins
  8. So You Say You Lost Your Baby – Death In Vegas
  9. Get Off – The Dandy Warhols
  10. Delicious – Catherine Wheel
  11. Elements – Lemon Jelly
  12. Sunday Morning Call – Oasis
  13. I Can’t Comfort You Any More – Michael J Sheehy
  14. No Surprises – Radiohead
  15. The Rock – Delakota
  16. Opus 40 – Mercury Rev
  17. Reach For The Sun – The Polyphonic Spree
  18. My Weakness – Moby

This disc could not be reproduced on Spotify due to one more songs not being available on that platform.

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Various Artists – The Last Days Of Britpop 1998

So with the year coming to an end, this also means that I will be wrapping up Britpop themed posts and what better way than taking a dive into a selection of tracks from arguabley the last year of the scene. As with the other entries that have already been posted which looked at 1997, this includes some of the big hitters (Oasis and Pulp), the under card (Shed Seven) and the those who were hoping that Britpop would still be fashionable as they put out their records (pretty much everyone else).  

Side A

  1. More Than Us – Travis with Anne Dudley
  2. Miyako Hideaway (Radio Edit) – Marion
  3. Hurry On Sundown (Hari On Sundown) – Kula Shaker
  4. Wait For The Sun – Menswear
  5. This Feeling – Puressence 
  6. All Around The World (Radio Edit) – Oasis

Side B

  1. Begin Again – Space
  2. She Left me On Friday – Shed Seven
  3. Cracking Up – The Jesus & Mary Chain
  4. Like A Friend – Pulp
  5. Take It – Ballroom
  6. Untouchable – Rialto

Side C

  1. The Peccadilloes – Kirsten’s Beach
  2. Molly – Carrie
  3. A Page A Day – Po!
  4. Scorch Comfort – Seafood
  5. Small Change – Lodger
  6. Tricolore – Mover
  7. Radar Intruder – Derrero 

Side D

  1. Don’t You Know Who I Am? – Happyland
  2. English Country Garden – The Dandys
  3. Can Jam (Full Mix) – Mainstream
  4. I’ve Had Enough – Hillman Minx
  5. 3 O’Clock In The Morning – Jack

Like my previous efforts for 1997, this was produced to be a double LP, this is what the artwork for the gatefold sleeve.

I used Virgin as the record label as they were the ones who produced The Best Album in the World Series of CDs that I bought in the 90s.

The cover comes from https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/10045-the-50-best-britpop-albums/ and pays homage to Sgt Pepper. 

The Last Days of Britpop 1997 Vol.1 – https://www.thesquirepresents.co.uk/various-artists-1997-the-last-days-of-britpop-vol-1/

The Last Days of Britpop 1997 Vol.2 – https://www.thesquirepresents.co.uk/various-artists-the-last-days-of-britpop-1997-vol-2/

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Various Artists – Now, It’s Not What I Would Call Britpop (1993)

Back in August and September, I posted a couple of playlists which covered the years 1994 to 1997. For my money, these are the years of Britpop. However, there is a school of thought that says Britpop started a year earlier. I didn’t think I would be able to produce a playlist looking at non Britpop songs from that year as I had to cover two years per disc for 1994-1997. Well, it would seem that I could. 

  1. Round Here – Counting Crows
  2. Sooner Or Later – World Party
  3. She Wants To Share Her Magic – Stephen Duffy
  4. Feed The Tree – Belly
  5. Kite – Nick Hayward
  6. Disarm – Smashing Pumpkins
  7. Going Down (Single Version) – Sun Dial
  8. Cannonball – The Breeders
  9. Are You Gonna Go My Way? – Lenny Kravitz
  10. Puss – The Jesus Lizard
  11. Sunflower – Paul Weller
  12. You’re In A Bad Way – Saint Etienne
  13. Tuesday Morning – The Pogues
  14. If I Were A Carpenter – Robert Plant
  15. My Darling – The Juliana Hatfield Three
  16. 4th  Of July – Aimee Mann
  17. In Those Days – Beverley Craven
  18. Into Dust – Muzzy Star
  19. Sappy – Nirvana
  20. Private Universe – Crowded House

Being as this was a one year compilation and not for two, I decided to use a different piece of art. Once again, I used the Virgin Records logo because they were the ones who were releasing compilations I liked during the 1990s. 

Now, It’s Not What I Would Call Britpop (1994-1995) – https://www.thesquirepresents.co.uk/various-artists-now-its-not-what-i-would-call-britpop-1994-1995/

Now, It’s Not What I Would Call Britpop (1996-1997) – https://www.thesquirepresents.co.uk/various-artists-now-its-not-what-i-would-call-britpop-1996-1997/