Paul's summer mixtape...
I hope you are enjoying tonight's summer mix tape as compiled by 'Garden Party Paul'. I am loving all over again D-Train's You're The One For Me. Here's Paul's list complete with his 'sleevenotes'. E-mail getiton@bbc.co.uk with your summermixes or leave a comment on the blog...
1. D Train - You're the one for me
A "double "A" anthem. I Used to be ( a whole other lifetime ago) Friday & Saturday night DJ at Airdries club for discerning groovers from 83-85. Despite never even grazing the charts, this was a guaranteed floor filler & stood head & shoulders above all the other funk wannabes, including a certain Paul Hardcastle's cover version.
2. Mary Jane Girls- All night long
An altogether slinkier groove than Mr Ritchies' pop/dance alternative choon, every teenage boys dream come true. You should have seen my mithers face when she saw the gals on TOTP, up til then mum thought PVC was strictly for use as an industrial product, not to produce thigh high boots!
3. Staple singers - slippery people
Blistering vocals & a band as tight as kylies hotpants. Summer 84 funkin never seemed so good.
4. Lou Rawls - you'll never find another love like mine
Surely the template on which Barry White built a career., A voice so honey drenched & caramel coated only the flintiest heart could fail to be moved by Lous' delivery. A man ahead of his time and Wonderful memories of reckless dive bombs from the pier at Rowardennan in the summer of 81 forgetting that the arctic waters of Loch Lomond & being an asthmatic are not a good combination
5. Simple Minds - Life in a day
Those were the days indeed. For all the listeners who watched Johnny & the Self Abusers metamorphose from post punk wannabes appearing at the Mars Bar in Glasgow, into a Planet straddling, stadium rockin force of nature. for anyone & everyone who bought a 45 from Bruces' records in Renfield Street, Glasgow
6. Big Dish - Miss America
Nothin wrong with the state of Steven Lindsays union of chasing the american dream & his Lanarkshire roots. A wonderful piece of storytelling, snapping at the heels of Mr Springsteen in the blue collar rock stakes.
7. Goodbye Mr McKenzie. The Rattler
A Jaw dropping treasure of a 45!. One of those choons, that when You heard it for the first time, reaffirmed yer faith in pop musics' ability to stop you in your tracks and drink in the pure pleasure provided by Bathgates' finest. An aural seratonin explosion
8. Kevin Mc Dermott- Are we having a good time yet
A fine Glasgow choonsmith who deserves a far wider audience.
9. The Bluebells - Cath (blue vinyl, bell shaped of course)
We used to pass them at Stevie Cheynes rehearsal rooms at Berkeley 2 down the clydeside. At the time Davie & I were in a band called Jordan ( a post ironic biblical reference of course & well b4 the glamour model angle!) We kinda thought if Bobby & the guys could do it then why not Us?. We didnae have the songs then, that would be why not! Lovely guys, always approachable & down to earth. The must be from Glasgow then eh!
10 .Stereophonics - local boy in the photograph
It's the sort of song any songwriter would aspire to emulate. The trick of marrying a top, instantly hummable melody with a slow burning lyric that eventually socks the listener in the solar plexus when the depth & gravity of the story reveals itself demands anyone's' respect. A real diamond from pops coalmine
11. Elvis costello - Just a Memory
I don't' think I've ever heard this played on the Radio. An oft overlooked pearl from the Costello Canon It was on the new amsterdam EP & blends pathos & heartbreak in one easy teenage love meltdown lesson
12. Dl Amitri - Kiss this thing goodbye
Another of the Berkeley 2 regulars. Perhaps not as friendly as Bobby Bluebell but a wonderful songwriter of bittersweet tales reflecting the human condition.
13. The Jam - Precious
The musical chameleon that is Paul Weller stumps us all with the alternative side of "A town called malice". He even managed to convert the Wigan Casino soul-boys who frequented the Double A. No Mean feat when he was sandwiched between rare groove classics as Al Wilson "The Snake" & "Blowing My Mind To Pieces by Bob Relf! the first example of wellers versatility & a blossoming talent I can only aspire to.
14. Orange Juice Poor old Soul.
For me, it was my musical road to Damascus moment. The instant when I recognised that a band or a song can be much greater than the sum of its parts. All my mates hated OJ, they just didn't get it. For me, I instantly fell for the storytelling style & wit that comes with any Edwyn Collins lyric. He still inspires me to write & sing because its such a large part of who I am, Music makes the mood swing, the world turn & the load lighter. Edwyn is the cherry on the pop cake.
Paul is a member of The Garden Party ( as played on Tom Morton's show!) and I promised him a plug on the blog. It's the least I could do after such a great mix tape...
are Paul Feeney & Davie Williamson. We continue to write play & sing because we are in love with Music & its ability to make a moment last forever. We play self penned guitar driven pop & our "Album Postcards" is available on. If you like sunny side up bittersweet pop melodies then we are just the band for you. You can catch us at King Tuts in Glasgow on Fri 18Th July & the Dunstaffnage Festival in Oban on 19th & 20Th July, gracing the acoustic stage.
Comments Post your comment