🎵 Music
In case you were wondering where 🖇️ this quote came from …. the answer is 🔗🎵📼 Ren - he is just so good. This one is a kind of 🔗📼 Musical Gary
If you are reading this post on my site, you will see that this link is rendered as an embedded video at the bottom of the post. (THANKYOU @rknightuk]. It will render just fine - unless the video owner wants you to watch it over on YouTube (and to be fair - there are very good reasons for that). If that happens, click on the link above and you will be taken to YouTube. The 'error' is only because the creator wants you to got to YouTube to watch it. That said - on rare occasions, it might actually be broken. If it is - sorry about that - try sending me an email and I will check if I made an error.Crucial Track 🎵 June 1, 2026
"Can't Take My Eyes Off of You (Live)" by Andy Williams
Why Andy's version? Because 'mum' - who was not a particular fan of Andy - but we all liked it and it sticks in my mind - because of mum's reaction ....
Off of you? It's off you ... off you why can't they speak English.
It was a different time😏.
Side Note - Frankie's 'original had no 'of' - even though 'the two bobs' wrote 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' ... so why the change? Some say that 'Off of' helps the song's rhythm, I would agree.
In these modern times it appears that both are acceptable phrasing. Back then - I think my mum saw it as the ever deepening crisis of the Americanisation of the English language. Oh my - what would she make of 2026?
Crucial Track 🎵 May 31, 2026
"Five O'clock World (Remastered)" by The Vogues
The song came into my world through a great cover, but the Vogues original is still most excellent.
Crucial Track 🎵 May 30, 2026
"Kayleigh" by Marillion
Always enjoyed the song. Never a massive fan of the band - but definitely a fan - all the way back to the days when some were heralding him as the 'new' Peter Gabriel ... I got it - but really he was just plain old Derek William Dick doing his thing - and his thing was rather good.
Oh - and that's Kayleigh - not Cèilidh.
Crucial Track 🎵 May 29, 2026
"Parklife" by Blur
I am pretty much 'in' on all things Blur - so hard to choose a specific. Settled on it because it is just a year earlier than yesterday's - but for me inexorably linked.
Crucial Track 🎵 May 28, 2026
"Common People (Full Length Version)" by Pulp
Pulp. Jarvis. Classic. Only Shatner might have improved it.
I'll see what I can do.
Crucial Track 🎵 May 27, 2026
Crucial Track 🎵 May 26, 2026
"I'd Rather Be the Devil" by John Martyn
A vastly under appreciated catalogue. This track? 🤯
As always - despite first appearances - there is always a connection to the image.
Crucial Track 🎵 May 25, 2026
"Season of the Witch (2002 Remix w/o Horns)" by Al Kooper, Mike Bloomfield & Stephen Stills
A song covered by so many - over so many years - but surely this is the definitive ... Bloomfield, Kooper and Stills for 11 minutes.
Crucial Track 🎵 May 24, 2026
"iFiesta Fatal! (Album Edit)" by B-Tribe
I was on a work trip in Finland. My hosts decided to expose me to some Helsinki night life. I can still picture it all - but sadly no pictures to share. At one point we were in a bar/restaurant/nightclub - which it was dependant on the time of day - and this music like no other swept through the whole place and I just disappeared into it.
This was the track. Got back to the UK - bought the album - and it turns also out their second - clearly wasn't in the vanguard on this one. I also bought 3, 4 and 5 as they came out - they never failied to suck me in.
There is a sixth - do not own it - but of course in my online library - though a little different to its predecessors.
And all of this came to mind yesterday as I was wrestling with 🖇️ my blog issues - to pick one random post that didnt arrive until today.
BUT - iFiesta Fatal! kept me sane.
Crucial Track 🎵 May 23, 2026
"Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode
The live one in particular I think nails why I love Depeche Mode - 'electronica sensibility rocks out'.
Also adding this live cover by Depeche Mode of Depeche Mode - Berlin.
‘nuff said
🖋️ Abba - Meet Pink Floyd
I don’t really understand the concept of listening within a genre or making music within a set of stylistic limitations.
Crucial Track 🎵 May 22, 2026
"Hurry On Sundown" by Hawkwind
Came to mind this morning after reading 🔗 this. As a lad - Hawkwind definitely hit a nerve. Still does. Lemmy's successor - not so much. This is the first track on their first album - (a couple of albums before Lemmy became a full timer) .. because there are again too many to choose - but like other occasional references to tracks in this world - the first of the first started me on this particular journey.
Crucial Track 🎵 May 21, 2026
"Green Tambourine" by The Lemon Pipers
Continuing yesterday's 'theme' .. another 'one hit wonder' - same kind of time - same kind of sound and definitely my jam - then and now. It's just that this one is from the other side of the Atlantic.
Funny👁️ how suddenly things just come to mind. Take 🔗🎵 Russ Conway - not thought of him for decades - my mum was a fan (which is why I even know his name), but I still have no idea how he suddenly cropped up in my brain.
Crucial Track 🎵 May 20, 2026
"Kites (Stereo) [2004 Remastered Version]" by Simon Dupree & The Big Sound
If you know Stackridge - you may know The Korgis.
I know both. Love Stackridge. Like The Korgis.
In case you don't know ...Stackridge made quirky, melodic English pop-rock that mixed progressive, folk, and vaudeville, whilst The Korgis made highly melodic British pop with thoughtful lyrics, strong vocal harmonies, and irresistibly catchy hooks.
Interesting then that the creative forces of Stackridge were the same as The Korgis - Progressive Rock 70s 'albums' band transitions to melodic harmonies 80s 'singles' band.
I have known the connection forever.
If you know Simon Dupree and the Big Sound - you may know Gentle Giant.
I know both. Love Simon Dupree. Love Gentle Giant.
In case you don't know ... Simon Dupree and the Big Sound blended blue-eyed soul and R&B with a psychedelic-pop sheen, whilst Gentle Giant played highly complex, fiercely inventive progressive rock that fused hard rock with classical, medieval, folk, and jazz .
Interesting then that the creative forces of Simon Dupree and the Big Sound were the same as Gentle Giant - Soul/R&B band from the 60s (just about a one hit wonder) transitions to one of the most avant-garde and influential progressive bands of the 70s.
I never - ever knew this - discovering it just this morning as I was being a squirrel around today’s crucial track. 🤯
I guess you can't hold great creatives down and great creatives are not one trick ponies.
Have a better than expected day (tip o’ the hat to ‘JW’)
