I'm buying an island
Somewhere in the sun
I'll hide from the natives
Live only on rum
1. You read it right. This is our thirty third Horse & Feather Barfly Session. We started in Spring and without any missed weekends, here we are approaching Christmas. Many would call that dedication and let's be honest, many more would call it a bit weird BUT always remember that to be number one you need to be odd and that is nothing but FACT. Just in case you were wondering about tonight's Session title and opening lyrics, they come from Procol Harum and the song "A Rum Tale" is taken from their 1973 album "Grand Hotel." Interesting little story I heard about the band's name for you. A lot of very clever folks will advise that "Procol Harum" is Latin for "Beyond These Things." That may well be true but the band were not aware of this when they decided on their name. They chose it because it was the pedigree name of their dealers Siamese cat. I have to say that amused me many years ago when I read that and I've bored many a table of people with that one over the years. Anyhows, let's get going. Tonight we'll begin with My Morning Jacket and a song that was released this summer. I've been a fan of Jim James for years but this is his Mount Olympus for me. Mix yourselves something strong and slide into this. 6 minutes of euphoric wonderfulness/blissness.
1. My Morning Jacket
Feel You
2. Now this next track I'm putting on has been floating about round these sessions for weeks without making an appearance but tonight it's made the list. This came out back in 96 after I'd left school and was yawning my way through college. I already loved Longpigs by then and this put the icing on what was already a very tasty cake... er... yes... something like that. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, that over 20 years later, it's still my favourite of theirs. From it's grungey opening riff to it's brilliant shout-a-long chorus, it's a bona fide klassik.
2. Longpigs
Sally Dances
3. Something slightly different now methinks. In my lifetime, I've been fairly fortunate and I've been to a number of countries and seen great landmarks and wonders of the world. Whilst I am grateful for this, it's the funny little memories from those experiences which stay rooted in my head and heart and I have previously written how my brain joins music and recollections together. This is an example and it's the style and sound of this song that always makes me think of a small but lively honky tonk type bar out in the backwoods sticks of Ontario. Me and a friend (Hi Froggie) had hopped a bus out from Toronto to Niagra and we wandered off the beaten track and ended up in this place. Kind of an outlaw saloon bar I guess. I wish I could remember the name of it. It would be fair to say it wasn't the friendliest welcome we'd ever received but the beer was cheap, cold and frothy and the locals arguing and fighting amongst themselves throughout the day were a good source of amusement. This song from 1971 would sit well on their jukebox. Rednecks, Roughnecks and Hillbillies, The Horse & Feather salutes you.
3. Michael Hurley
Be Kind To Me
4. The Crescent City of New Orleans is the home of our next artiste. She has a very short back catalogue but in the very late sixties, she managed to release some really deep and infectious soul grooves that easily stand the test of time before she suddenly seemed to drop off the face of the earth. I've opted to play this song as I adore the guitar tone and the voice but there's another track she released called "I've Got What You Need" which has some monstrous drumming by James Black and is very much worth checking out should you have the time. Also, perhaps you're wondering why New Orleans is called The Crescent City? Well don't sweat on it, I'll tell yers. It's because the famous French Quarter (also known as Vieux Carré) was built around the sharp bend of the Mississippi river. See, don't let anyone ever tell you that this blog is not educational. Here for your listening enjoyment is Mary Jane Hooper.
4. Mary Jane Hooper
I've Got Reasons
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5. The Fox is back again to deliver the goods and this week his recommendation is a track from Polish singer Brodka. I've listened to this a few times now and I honestly thinks it sounds stranger on each listen. That oddball organ and guitar sound is just so bizarre. Have a listen and see what you make of this.
5. Brodka
Up In The Hill
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6. Some songs are just so clever they should be held aloft for all to see and this effort from Sufjan Stevens falls into that category. It's hauntingly bleak but contains lyrics that are so incredibly descriptive, you become a witness to the sad tale unfolding in front of us. The imagery in the song is nothing short of stunning. The confusion of coming-of-age and the innocence of young life (and the unfairness of it ending so prematurely) is all contained in the verses. Even the trumpet solo comes in at exactly the right time so you have those few seconds to work out and reflect on what's happening. This line in particular has made a nest somewhere in my head. It's beautiful. Really beautiful. "In the morning/through the window shade/When the light pressed up against your shoulder blade/I could see what you were reading." Take your time with this song. Be gentle with it. Just trust me on this. It's worth the effort.
6. Sufjan Stevens
Casimir Pulaski Day
7. You'll know by now that track seven on our Session normally indicates the end of our night but as stated before on previous sessions, there's nothing stopping you from perusing older entries. There's enough on here to take you through to daylight hours so don't despair. I thought we'd finish THIS session with a song from Valerie June which hasn't been out very long but on first play, by the time I'd heard the song finish, I was completely hooked and totally smitten. Those piano keys leave me helpless. Goodnight (but just for now) Superfans. We'll be back next week but remember I appreciate ALL of you. We're a club now right? How cool is THAT? x
7. Valerie June
Stay
