Just pass me the salt n'the lemon
Bend down n'blow out the light
I never had trusted the woman
But Sheila I'll trust you tonight
1. The Horse & Feather's door is open for Barfly Session 36 (can you believe that?) So pull up your chair as we've another 7 tracks laid out to guide you through the night. I'm hopeful (always hopeful) there's enough on the playlist to cater for all and you should have enough Christmas booze left to help you along so grab that bottle of Port and lets get involved in some deep listening. I've made no secret of my leanings towards Northern Soul and we'll start with an absolute behemoth from those Wigan Casino / Twisted Wheel days. 1974 saw the original release of this track from Chuck Wood and you'll find it on most NS compilation albums due to it's popularity on the scene both then and now. It's a song for the weekend. That spirit of being young, carefree, working through the week and lashing all your wages on a Friday / Saturday all-nighter is in the veins of this track.
1. Chuck Wood
Seven Days Too Long
2. We took my son Mylo to an indoor go-karting track few nights ago for his birthday (he's just turned 15 ) and it was a night that became more than just a night. To me anyhow. I'll try and explain as best as I can. For the most part, you're genetically wired to always be proud of your kids but occasionally there are times when you are so proud of them, it goes beyond words. This was one of those moments and it was cathartic. My son wasn't expecting to be racing blokes in their 30's and 40's. Seasoned, hairy arsed racers with their own crash helmets to go with their big ego's. He can blame us for that as we should have checked the booking slot but here's where I witnessed him step up through the petrol fumes and not only battle them gamely, he went and beat over three quarters of his grizzly opponents to claim 3rd place and truth be told, he'd have easily got 2nd if he hadn't been purposely blocked off. Being a Dad takes you through deep lakes of emotions but I hadn't prepared for the moment when the little boy who's first steps were recorded just a few yards from where I write this blog and who used to sleep soundly against my shoulder, suddenly became a young man in front of my own eyes. Mylo, if you ever happen to read this, please remember this quote. It's from a Vietnamese Buddhist monk called Thích Nhất Hạnh. "Enlightenment is when the wave realizes it's the ocean." This song was chosen with you in my mind. Thank you for continuing to amaze me. Dream big Duffy Jr. The world is there for your taking.
2. The Temper Trap
Sweet Disposition
3. I've been playing this next song a lot lately. You may know the name Tammi Terrell from her collaborations with Marvin Gaye but she did release some stunning solo tracks before her life was tragically cut short by a brain tumour when she was just 24 years old. Out of all of those songs she did, I think this one (written by Stevie Wonder) is my favourite. She had the most incredible and purest of voices of which I hope your speakers do justice.
3. Tammi Terrell
All I Do Is Think About You
4. Got to be a jazz track next and this one comes from Germany. It's by a band called The Motion Orchestra and came out a couple of years ago. I can reveal that there is one person out there who likes to listen to The Horse & Feather Barfly Sessions in the bath, accompanied by a glass of wine. I won't name them but I know they'll be very happy as I'm sure this piece of music is utterly perfect for that and the version I've got is well over eight minutes long so they may as well bring the bottle. It has just made me wonder though, how do other people listen to these weekly sessions? On a Saturday morning with their cornflakes or late in the evening when the kids are in bed? Whatever the answer, this is a beautiful piece of music.
4. The Motion Orchestra
All One
5. No YOFR for us this week as Stelfox has been tied up with work commitments but not to worry, I've got a song for us that I think he'd approve of. This one goes back to 1998 but that means nothing really when you've got a song that's as timeless as this. Just out of college and scratching a living when this one came out but none the less, some great memories from those days of yore.
5. Ms. Lauryn Hill
Doo Wop (That Thing)
6. We'll stay in The US of A for our next singer who was born in Waxhaw, Mississippi but made his name in Chicago. I've been hunting down singles like this for the last couple of years. Every so often you get a gem that shines just that little more brightly. If this song doesn't make you want to get up and do a weird kind of chicken dance then you either need another shot of power or you need your ears checking out by a trained professional.
6. Otis Clay
That Kind Of Lovin'
7. Christmas day may have just passed but we're not quite out of 2020 yet. I'm going to play this from 1994 next to mark the closing of another year. There's no doubting, especially if you go by the headlines of the newspapers each day, that on the whole, it's been a pretty downbeat 12 months and for many, it was all about getting through it but lets try and be more positive. The good news stories will be out there somewhere and the year will still have been momentous for some, leaving reasons for being happy. People will have fallen in love. Babies have been born. Come on now. It ain't all so bad. It's my opinion that this track covers my feelings for the year and it's a fine track to see us out. It really does look like we've made it to the end. Goodnight Comrades. See you all again in January
7. Blur
To The End
