10 Songs: Tuesday, November 4th, 2015
1 – Leaning On A Lampost – George Formby – The biggest UK star of the 1930s, a comedic actor and singer was a heartfelt somewhat gormless working class tramp without the screech of a Jerry Lewis or the pathos of a Charlie Chaplin. And, of course, he was a musician. This is “wonderful, marvelous and beautiful”, with a syllable clipping chorus that he takes at double time the last time around. Plus a ukulele coda.
2 – Heartless – Molly Mae – If ever a Kanye West album deserved an acoustic take, 808s And Heartbreaks does, and up and coming singer songwriter Molly Mae burrows down deep in this filled with feeling live version. It starts jagged and bruted till Mae jumps an octave half way through, before surrounding and surrendering to the beat by the end. Nicely done. Check it out here – B+
3 – Ghetto Child – The Spinners – Elvis Costello claims this inspired “Alison” and even says where, but I can’t hear it. I also don’t care – B+
4 – Could It Be I’m Falling In Love – The Spinners – At the time it felt like a great song for smooching to at the local disco, now it feels oddly plaintive. Congratulate Thom Bell, and also kudos to Philippé Wynne – A+
5 – Ain’t No – Live – Jay Z and Foxy Brown – This is very good, he just rides the bass – A
6 – Jet Pack Blues – Fall Out Boy Remix – Big KRIT does the rap, the song is great anyway and it doesn’t quite need it – B+
7 – I Think We’re Alone Now – The Rubinos – Fine version, no complaints for this New Wave Berserkley take – A
8 – Atom – British Sea Power – Heavy duty UK pomp rock without the pompousness – A-
9 – Three Bells – Guy Garvey – More of the same off the album – B+
10 – The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – Paul Buchanan – Ewan MacColl’s immortal love song given a sublime take by the Blue Nile lead singer – A
