**TOP 5 WANTED RECORDS**

We all have at least one record we've always wanted, but money or rarity permitting, we just can't get it! I've thought long and hard about these records; at the moment this is concentrated on original 45's. I love a good record, but if you look at the whopping prices attached to these records, you have no choice but to wave goodbye until you see another copy going cheaper (if you're lucky!).

So, coming in at No. 5, we have Light My Fire by the Ebony Rhythm Band. Now, this is in at number 5 purely because it didn't come out on 7". The original by The Doors was haunting yet sensual anyway, before these guys got their hands on it. With the Hammond drueling it's notes all over the score at one point before coming in with that shrill Hammond-tastic sound in the chorus, it makes it hard to believe that it's not the original. Take a listen here, you won't be disappointed.

Next? Coming in at a modest No. 4, we see "You Can't Go" by Lonnie Lester on Nu-Tone Records. I've been aware of LL for a while now but it's only recently my ears have picked up this gooden. It's a tune that starts off fast-paced R&B but has little elements of Northern Soul too. What's the reason why I can't have this 45? Two reasons; 1. It's quite a rare one. 2. The original is floating around places like MusicStack and eBay for typical prices around 110GBP (mortgage-worthy with my wage!). His yearning voice just brings me into a state of confusion, wishing myself into a room full of Dandy Bloomers cutting rug to this heartstring-pulling tune. Here it is in action:

Number 3 was a tough one to decide. It's a close one, but here we find It's Your Voodoo Working by Charles Sheffield on Excello Records. This was the first record I found without being spoon fed tunes from a box of tasty 45's. This is another sleazy one featuring the line "Slow down baby, you're going too fast/I love this voodoo but it just can't last." You make your own mind up on that one! Once again, the reason why this record is just a pipe dream for now is because the record is currently going around the 300-400GBP mark (in the last 6 months or so) so.. A re-mortgage is needed for this one. Here it is, fighting it's corner for why it's so damn expensive!!

In at a very close number 2 is Piney Brown's Sugar In My Tea on MAD Records. This one no doubt has a New Orleans feel to it with is sexy brass section backing up the vocals with it's emerging and stabbing notes. I love the guitar's tone, reminiscent (in a contemporary kind-o-way) of Ike Turner's signature tone. Beautiful tune. This tune is rare as hens teeth, yet it goes for a modest price of around 70GBP. Selling one? I'd be more than interested.

In at number 1. It's a controversial choice, but he's definitely a winner. Nick Waterhouse is a record appreciator in his own right, never mind his own releases. He's in the number 1 slot with "Some Place", which was a single released on Pres Records before his current stint on Innovative Leisure. At the moment it's knocking around 40-60GBP. Again, it's a rare one which is why it's peak was around 160GBP. Here he is, not only is he aurally pleasing but he is aesthetically pleasing too... So watch the live version ladies.

So what do you think of my Top 5 wanted records? If you have of yours to share, whatever the genre, list them below in the comments! Just a quick reminder, Dandy Bloom will be at the Railway Hotel in Southend on NYE playing music of this ilk. It's free entry, so come along and shuffle your way into 2014!!

So, until 2014...

Over and Out!

Stormy Tuesday... A day fit for a Christmassy blog post.

Morning readers. If you're reading from the South Essex area and you work in London, you're probably 'um'ing and 'arr'ing as to whether to go to work on Christmas Eve with delays and cancellations on the cards.. (www.c2c-online.co.uk) But imagine this; sitting in your cosy home, dressing gown on, hot choccie in hand (with a bit of cream on top preferably) reading this blog. Couldn't be worse than sitting in a humid, sweaty carriage... Right?

So you're probably wondering what this one's all about. It's about good will. By no means am I religious (but when it comes to ghost stories it's another matter) but I remember when I was about 6 or 7, I wouldn't want for much. The new Barbie Speedboat - Great!, even a 13v Cordless Drill Driver (I loved DIY, 13 years old at the time) - DEFINITELY. Children these days are asking for iPads, iPhones, Blackberrys and other gifts of this ilk. But what's better to give them as a gift for Christmas? A gift that will keep 'em quiet when you need them to be? Or the gift of knowing the value of things instead of its price..

What I'm trying to say is, don't lose the initial reason why Christmas is so cheery; spend it with your family or friends. Enjoy them whilst they're there. Gifts can be lost, broken or "become boring", but memories spending Christmas with your loved ones can be priceless and will be with you for the rest of your life.

That's enough from me, you won't get a glassy-eyed blog post like that from me for a while now. So with all that in mind, I'm gonna crack open the Haribo and let the Christmas festivities begin!!

Over and Out...

** THE NEW RECORD!! + today's Beatles Convention!!**

As we all know, the Railway are infamous for those kind of events that're mashed together to create that night out to remember. But they've rebranded Sunday afternoons as the new time to be shakin'-a-leg featuring Mo Fingers, Martin McNeill, The Baseys (who was well featured in my last blog) amongst other brilliant bands and musicians. But today marks the 5th annual Beatles Convention. In it's earlier years, it was noticed by workers of Apple Corps themselves, who kindly donated canvas prints of The Beatles to the Railway.

So. this is what happens; Fi or Dave Dulake (owners of the Music hideaway, The a Railway Hotel) posts the green light on the Railway Hotel's Facebook group asking everyone to list their song(s) of choice to play this Christmas. The beauty is; no one can cover the same song.. (In theory!)

So, in you fancy sitting back, ordering a bit of grub and watching the musicians of Southend *Come Together* (did ya get that one?!) in the name of the Fab Four to recreate parts of their back catalogue, come along!

**THE RECORD!!**

Smashing news! Just in.. I have a record that's been added to my collection fresh from the US! It's the classic "My Babe" by Little Walter with a nice dancin' blooze B Side to boot. So that'll be played at my little cameo at NYE's Dandy Bloom. I'm off blogging duties until next Sunday, I'm off to enjoy the Beatles Convention (which starts around 3ish today, in true Railway style).

I hope all my readers have a fantastic Christmas, and have a happy and prosperous New Year...




Over and Out!

***The Big Boy Bloater Interview!***

After weeks of being in the pipeline, this was gonna be a gooden. We met up in the Masons Arms pub near St. Pancreas Station to have a little chat. This is what happened...

<<WHERE DID IT ALL START?!>>

So! Who or what started your interest with music in general?

BBB: Wow. That's a hard one.. Well, my family were big music fans, but none of them were MUSICAL. I remember my Dad singing all the time, but what a horrible voice [laughs]. 

How old were you when you picked up the guitar? What made you do so?

BBB: I think I was about 11. I bought a mangled classical guitar from a boot sale. It cost about a fiver and it was hardly playable. So my Dad Bought me an electric guitar and... That's where it all started!

We briefly spoke about Ike Turner, how did you come about listening to his stuff?

BBB: I don’t know, I guess being a blues and R&B fan from a very young age I just listened to more and more stuff and his style of playing really appealed to me.  I like how innovative he was with his style of playing – that aggressive whammy-bar style.  It’s very much influenced my playing.

Even though it's easy to say that you are heavily influenced by 50's and 60's Rock n Roll/R&B and Blues, is there anything more contemporary to the last decade or so that excites you at all?

BBB: I really like the Black Keys, I've got some of their stuff. But we're not really elitists when it comes to music; we listen to stuff from the 50's right through to present (missing out most of the 80's and 90's, mind!)

Before we move on, this is the obligatory question; what was the first record you bought? - AND NO LYING!! 

BBB: [Gives a shifty look] Radioactive Kid by The Meteors..

<<THE LIVE STUFF!!>>

Seeing you play with Young Jessie was phenomenal. What caught my eye was that you also collaborated with artists like Lazy Lester and Eddie Bo. How do opportunities like that come about?

BBB: It’s probably not as exceptional as you think, the 50s/60s R&B scene is a relatively small one and I have been well known as a specialist R&B guitarist for many years from having my own R&B band (which I started in 1993, and had been playing for a few years before that in other bands).  When people need a band put together that is expert in that kind of music I often get the call.  I suppose the more I have done the more I get the calls!  One of the first American guys I backed was Nappy Brown when I was around 19, I was playing in a 50’s R&B band at that time and we got the call to go and back him in France.  I was pretty excited about it as you can imagine and after the show I asked him for his autograph.  He was puzzled I had asked as we’d just played on stage together – it was a good early lesson that we’re all just musicians together and it’s stood me in good stead ever since!

How did you find the event Jukebox Jam? Did you enjoy it?

BBB: Unluckily I had to shoot off due to having to get to the next date for the One Man Tour. But We [Bloat and Lisa] are no strangers to Jukebox Jam, it's a fantastic event.

What was it like to play with Young Jessie? Were there any practices involved or what it totally impromptu?

BBB: We were supposed to have a two hour rehearsal before the doors opened, but due to [cough] technical difficulties, it was only 25 minutes! But he knows what he wants, and he's comfortable with us because we've backed him another two times before that.

What's your current live set up of choice at the moment?

BBB: It depends on what show I’m doing.  For a straight-ahead R&B show I just plug my Strat directly into my ’63 Vibroverb amp.  For my band (Big Boy Bloater & the Limits) I use a bit of overdrive and some tremolo.  For the recent One Man Show I use a looper, which helps build a bigger sound as it’s just me on stage.

<<PRESENT ACTIVITY!>>

So, onto what you're doing at the moment. Tell me a bit about this BBC Recording. Where is it going to appear?

BBB: It's a recording for Craig Charles' Funk and Soul Show. I'm just doing a couple of songs using my pedal board and the Tanglewood but it's actually going to air in January 2014. 

The One Man Show Tour 2013 of this year, how has it been so far?

BBB: Surprisingly, very relaxing! It's just me and Lisa, so it's like a little holiday [laughs]. People have been very surprised with the live performance. Some people think they're going to see the Limits behind me, but despite the tour having 'The One Man Show Tour' all over it, they're surprised when they see it's just me! Other people expect to see me just with an acoustic playing singer/songwriter kind of stuff. But it's all been positive. When they see I'm using a looper they come up to me afterwards saying "I've never seen technology like that before! Brilliant!" So, it's nice to do something new.

What was your reason for doing a one-man show?

BBB: There were a few reasons; first off, even though I don't really play acoustic guitar, but Tanglewood gave me an endorsement, so I thought I would try something different. Also, I've had this looper for ages and I wanted to see where I could take it. Another factor is that it's SO expensive to take yourself and the band on the road, that's namely the gas (petrol) and hire of a bigger vehicle for all the equipment. But I really miss the boys though.

Last but not least - what have you got planned for 2014?

BBB: 2014 is going to be a very weird year. We can't give away too much, but I'm planning a record near the end of 2014, but I've just got to... Write it! So that's on the cards, also doing a few festivals too over the summer.

Bloat was a great interviewee, and he kindly got me into his BBC 6 Music session. Lovely chap, and I will be waiting eagerly as to what unfolds for him in 2014!

Not a usual Thursday night in Hullbridge... **BUDDY RETURNS!!**

Before I fill you in on Buddy's performance, I must tell you about the backstory I have with Bud. 7 years ago (December 2006), I attended my first gig; John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers. Buddy was the guitarist of choice accompanying John Mayall, and boy - what a guitarist Mayall chose.

I had an interview with Buddy talking about all things blue, before the performance that night. That evening, he made a 15 year old 'Me' very happy, answering any question asked, and with great detail too. So, 7 years on EXACTLY, I find The Buddy Whittington Band are playing at the Touchline in Hullbridge. Now.. I don't believe in "omens". But c'mon, that one's obvious, right?

So, the fact of the matter is, I'm going to be catching up with Buddy over the next few days. 

***Interview to follow***

So, as the anticipation rose in the room, every-so-often you could see Bud's face peering from the backstage curtain before disappearing again. I knew it wasn't going to be a big band, but when Buddy appeared bringing only his bassist and a drummer, I was interested in how himself and his two band mates could play the blues without feeling like there's anything missing. 

"Pay The Band" was the first number - I wonder why? *chuckle*. They just belted head-first into this toe-tapping, booty-shaking riff which I couldn't get enough of. Another tune; I'm sure we all know that famous John Mayall LP "The Beano Album"? Well, Without any fear, Buddy went straight into "All Your Love" - with gusto. What a sexy version - he took it by storm.

[For anyone who wants to hear the original, look for: Otis Rush "All Your Love" 1956 Cobra Records]

The music as a whole had a hint of the Deep South, but firmly keeping his bluesy roots. Throughout the whole performance, the bassist and drummer seemed to fill all the gaps, and melodies (either percussive or tonal) to make the band sound like a 4 or 5 piece. What a show. What I found particularly  nice was the respect and friendly affection towards John Mayall. Whilst speaking between songs, Whittington spoke about Mayall's Beano Album dubbing Mayall as "My ol' Boss". 

So if you have the chance to see the man himself live - do it. I'll be talking to him about what what he's been up to lately, and what's changed since we last spoke. Keep your eyes peeled. 

Next week hopefully I'll have my interview with Big Boy Bloater transcribed read for you all to read, so as always;

Over and Out!

Afternoon, readers!

I hope you enjoyed your Sunday morning breakfast, now let's introduce ourselves; my name's Kate.

I used to write a blog a year or so ago, before my dreaded dissertation got in the way. I was writing about Stiff Records and how I believed they changed the music industry in various ways, and came to an inconclusive end. So now that chapter has finished, another shall begin. So here I am again, setting up shop! 

This blog will be chock-a-block with 45 & LP reviews, interviews and possibly a word on the past week's news. My first post will be an interview with UK artist Big Boy Bloater from Big Boy Bloater and The Limits, who only last month (9th Nov) was the backing band for non other than Young Jessie. If you're not aware, Young Jessie started performing in the early '50s to present - his songs were made famous by other artists such as Big Mama Thornton and Elvis. 

[Picture taken from Jukebox Jam's twitter @Juke_Jam]

Now, to be a UK artist backing up such a reputable act is astonishing. What's his secret?! Next Sunday we will all find out. Watch out musicians, I will be throwing in a few equipment-based questions - and for 5T's/6T's music bods, I've put in a few questions for you guys too.

So until then...

Over and out.