MIXED LOLLIES

 

Here we are again with another electrified journey into the sonics of humankind. And what have we got this time? well it's a bag of mixed lollies, it's a fanciful exploration into another time and place. The time 1972 to 1980, the place the UK. 

One thing the UK has had since the time of the Picts is a diversification of cultures, no matter what Tommy & Nigel tell you, the races and cultures were mingling since...forever.

It's one of the things that make the UK fascinating, the way that the cultures interacted and expanded into other newer cultures, changing language, inventing new music and art. This was an ever changing and complex environment where various combinations of diverse ideas bled into each other. Where Celt, Saxon, Viking, German, Gypsy, Jew, African and Roman (...and a host of others) could dance together in a mad variance of ways.

I have joined the dots in my usual haphazard way to bring to you musicians  that were, in many ways, exploring new possibilities in sound. Inspired by the cultures that surrounded them, tied together by shared ideals. 

I have brought together elements of iconic Britishness (please forgive any incorrect terminology, it is simply ignorance), and mixed it with the sound of fire and rebellion, with those who lived in the real, rough and tumble, who saw things as they were, not some fancy of a bygone era.

I have included two tunes from one of my favourite Brits, Robert Wyatt, a great artist who was way ahead of the pack when it comes to pointing out capitalist crimes and colonial terror. A completely unique voice in the world of entertainment, who's breadth of inclusion, frivolity and unedited absurdism, along with his unfashionable human rights ideologies, makes him a rare, extremely special and highly entertaining human.

Here is also a delicious assortment of fascinating and delightful beings, who entertained us in the most unexpected ways. Tapping into some kind of existential essence that only they could voice, if only briefly. On the 'more famous' tip we have a tune by The Kinks, one that I was completely unaware of until my mate Aiden pointed it out as his favourite Kinks tune. Its' Notting Hill carnival jive mixed with potent social political themes sits nicely in the mix, as does Brinsley Schwarz, featuring my mate Nick Lowe on vocals, doing a splendid ode to the Ska / Blue Beat sounds, so popular in the 60's and early 70's. 

The soulful essence of Jamaica, Africa and India permeate the air here, make it greater and more unique. There are also sounds untethered, free to be what they want to be, unclassifiable.

I hope you enjoy your Mixed Lollies, here's the Link

1. This Is What We Find - Ian Dury & The Blockheads - Do it Yourself - Stiff

2. Sonia - Robert Wyatt - Ruth Is Stranger Than Richard - Virgin

3. Supersonic Rocket Ship - The Kinks - Everybody's in Show-Biz - Everybody's A Star - RCA

4. Totally Naked (Without Lock or key) - Rip Rig & Panic - God - Virgin

5. Come Across - Fred Frith - Gravity - Ralph

6. HG Wells - League Of Gentlemen - League Of Gentlemen - Editions EG

7. No Side To Fall In - The Raincoats - S/T - Rough Trade / We Three

8. Telephone and Rubber Band - Penguin Cafe Orchestra - S/T - Editions EG

9. Eating Noodlemix - Young Marble Giants - Colossal Youth - Rough Trade

10. I Can't Stand It - The Specials - More Specials - 2 Tone

11. Why Do We Hurt The Ones We Love - Brinsley Schwarz - Please Don't Ever Change - United Artists / Edsel

12. Warrior in Woolworths - XRay Spex - Germfree Adolescents - Virgin / EMI / Real Gone Music

13. Seven Deadly Fins - ENO - 7" - Island

14. Newtown - The Slits - Cut - Island / 4 Men With Beards

15. Too Many Freinds - Penetration - Moving Targets - Virgin

16. Millions - XTC - Drums & Wires - Virgin

17. Little Red Riding Hood Hit The Road - Robert Wyatt - Rock Bottom - Virgin

18. Lemon Flower - Ivor Cutler - Jammy Smears - Virgin

19. The Flowers of Romance - P.I.L. - The Flowers of Romance - WB

20. Mind Your Own Business - Delta 5 - Rough trade / Kill Rock Stars

Tis a Virgin fest indeed!

Additional dialogue by: Enid Blyton, Vivian Stanshall and the League of Gentlemen