This is the second week to find a group or solo artist whose name starts with an I or a J
I-Level were predominantly a three-piece British post-disco, R&b band, known for their underground UK club tracks “Minefield”, “Give Me” and “Teacher”. All released in the UK on Virgin Records and Epic Records in the US (they were signed in 1982). The band consisted of Sam Jones, Joe Dworniak and Duncan Bridgeman and had some chart success in the UK and US. I have all three of those singles plus their self-titled debut album. They went on to release one more album (“Shake”) plus five more singles and were awarded ‘Most Promising Newcomers’ by the readers of the music magazine Blues and Soul in 1982.
In 1985, I-Level disbanded and the members worked on music projects with other musicians. All three band members continued their music careers as record producers.
The first track is album mix but i prefer the extended mix below.
There are longer ‘club’ versions around with more funky bass lines.
The theme of SLS this week is to find a song that reached number two in the charts. Thank again to Jim & co.
“Vienna” is a song by British new wave band Ultravox, released on 9 January 1981 by Chrysalis Records as the third single and the title track from their fourth studio album of the same name. Featuring Midge Ure on lead vocals, the new wave ballad is regarded as a staple of the synth-pop genre that was popularised in the early 1980s and remains both the band’s signature song and their most commercially successful release. It was voted Britain’s favourite single ever to peak at No. 2 on the charts in a 2012 poll by BBC Radio 2 and the Official Charts Company (OCC), and was also awarded an honorary No. 1 by the OCC.
We walked in the cold air
Freezing breath on a window pane, lying and waiting
A man in the dark in a picture frame so mystic and soulful
A voice reaching out in a piercing cry, it stays with you until
The feeling has gone, only you and I, it means nothing to me This means nothing to me Oh, Vienna
The music is weaving
Haunting notes, pizzicato strings, the rhythm is calling
Alone in the night as the daylight brings a cool empty silence
The warmth of your hand and a cold grey sky, it fades to the distance
The image has gone, only you and I, it means nothing to me This means nothing to me Oh, Vienna
This means nothing to me This means nothing to me Oh, Vienna
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: William Currie / Midge Ure / Christopher Thomas Allen / Warren Reginald Cann
The month of May means that the theme for this week’s MMB is to find a group or solo singer beginning with the letters I and/or J.
Interpol are a band that I’ve liked a lot since hearing their second album ‘Antics’ in 2004. They are an American rock band from Manhattan, New York. Formed in 1997, their original line-up consisted of Paul Banks (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Daniel Kessler (lead guitar, backing vocals), Carlos Dengler (bass guitar, keyboards), and Greg Drudy (drums). Drudy left the band in 2000 and was replaced by Sam Fogerino. Dengler left to pursue other projects in 2010, with Banks taking on the additional role of bassist instead of hiring a new one. ‘Slow Hands’ was released as a single form the Antics album.
To date they have released seven studio albums. The last being in 2022.
Yeah, but nobody searches Nobody cares somehow When the loving that you’ve wasted Comes raining from a hapless cloud And I might stop and look upon your face Disappear in the sweet, sweet gaze See the living that surrounds me Dissipate in a violet blaze
Can’t you see what you’ve done to my heart And soul? This is a wasteland now
We spies We slow hands Put the weights around yourself We spies, oh yeah We slow hands You put the weights all around yourself now
I submit my incentive is romance I watched the pole dance of the stars We rejoice because the hurting is so painless From the distance of passing cars But I am married to your charms and grace I just go crazy like the good old days You make me want to pick up a guitar And celebrate the myriad ways that I love you
Can you see what you’ve done to my heart And soul? This is a wasteland now
We spies, yeah We slow hands You put the weights around yourself We spies, oh yeah We slow hands Killer, for hire you know not yourself
We spies We slow hands You put the weights all around yourself We spies, oh yeah We slow hands We retire like nobody else We spies Intimate slow hands killer For hire you know not yourself We spies Intimate slow hands You let the face slap around herself
Pop Idol was a British music competition television series created by Simon Fuller which ran on ITV from 2001 to 2003. The aim of the show was to decide the best new young pop singer (or “pop idol”) in the UK based on viewer voting and participation. This was the UK’s version of American Idol, prompted by Jim and suggested by Nancy.
The first live show was broadcast on 15 December 2001 and the live final was held on 9 February 2002. The competition was won by Will Young, with Gareth Gates finishing as the runner-up after a public vote. Both of the finalists went on to have chart successes with both their debut releases and subsequent material. Although, Evergreen ( originally recorded by Irish boy band Westlife) isn’t really my type of song, it was the third one that Will Young performed in the final.
Eyes, like a sunrise Like a rainfall Down my soul And I wonder I wonder why you look at me like that What you’re thinking What’s behind
Don’t tell me But it feels like love
I’m gonna take this moment And make it last forever I’m gonna give my heart away And pray we’ll stay together ‘Cause you’re the one good reason You’re the only girl that I need ‘Cause you’re more beautiful than I have ever seen I’m gonna take this night And make it evergreen
Touch, like an angel Like velvet to my skin And I wonder I wonder why you wanna stay the night What you’re dreaming What’s behind
Don’t tell me But it feels like love
I’m gonna take this moment And make it last forever I’m gonna give my heart away And pray we’ll stay together ‘Cause you’re the one good reason You’re the only girl that I need ‘Cause you’re more beautiful than I have ever seen (Oh yeah) I’m gonna take this night And make it evergreen
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah Don’t tell me But it feels like love
I’m gonna take this moment And make it last forever (Forever) I’m gonna give my heart away And pray we’ll stay together ‘Cause you’re the one good reason (One good reason) You’re the only girl that I need ‘Cause you’re more beautiful than I have ever seen (Oh, yeah)
I’m gonna take this moment Make it last forever I’m gonna give my heart away And pray we’ll stay together ‘Cause you’re the one good reason (One good reason) You’re the only girl that I need ‘Cause you’re more beautiful than I have ever seen (Ever seen, yeah) I’m gonna take this night And make it evergreen Ooh, make it evergreen
written by Jörgen Elofsson, Per Magnusson and David Kreuger
It’s the 1st of May tomorrow and that means today (Tuesday 30th April) is the final time to find a group or solo singer whose name begins with G or H
Garbage are a band that I’ve liked since the early days. Collecting their vinyl singles was enjoyable as the records were never sold in the standard company or picture sleeves. There were rubber, cloth, metal and perspex sleeves as well as others. All mostly with just a capitol ‘G’ being the only lettering on the them.
They are a Scottish–American rock band formed in 1993 in Madison, U.S.A. The band’s line-up—consisting of Scottish singer Shirley Manson (vocals) and American musicians Duke Erikson (guitar, bass, keyboards), Steve Marker (guitar, keyboards), and Butch Vig (drums, production) and has remained unchanged since its inception. All four members are involved in the songwriting and production process. Garbage has sold over 17 million albums worldwide. So far, they have released seven studio albums between 1995 – 2021. Their self-titled 1995 debut album has always been my favourite and Only Happy When It Rains was released as a single from it. Shirley explained that the song was “a dig at ourselves because we like records that don’t make us feel very happy, and at this so-called ‘alternative’ scene of ‘we’re so weird and more wonderful than everybody else'”.
I’m only happy when it rains I’m only happy when it’s complicated And though I know you can’t appreciate it I’m only happy when it rains
You know I love it when the news is bad Why it feels so good to feel so sad? I’m only happy when it rains
Pour your misery down Pour your misery down on me Pour your misery down Pour your misery down on me
I’m only happy when it rains I feel good when things are goin’ wrong I only listen to the sad, sad songs I’m only happy when it rains
I only smile in the dark My only comfort is the night gone black I didn’t accidentally tell you that I’m only happy when it rains You’ll get the message by the time I’m through When I complain about me and you I’m only happy when it rains
Pour your misery down (Pour your misery down) Pour your misery down on me Pour your misery down (Pour your misery down) Pour your misery down on me Pour your misery down (Pour your misery down) Pour your misery down on me
Pour your misery down You can keep me company As long as you don’t care
I’m only happy when it rains You wanna hear about my new obsession? I’m riding high upon a deep depression I’m only happy when it rains
Pour some misery down on me I’m only happy when it rains Pour some misery down on me I’m only happy when it rains Pour some misery down on me I’m only happy when it rains Pour some misery down on me
I’m only happy when it rains Pour some misery down on me Pour some misery down on me Pour some misery down on me Pour some misery down on me
Pour some misery down on me Pour some misery down on me
This week the theme of SLS is to find a song that performed with orchestras and/or choirs, suggested by Nancy and prompted by Jim.
Nick Cave and Warren Ellis perform a triumphant rendition of “Push the Sky Away” recorded at their Film Music concert in December 2019 with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. Featuring Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. Julie Lea Goodwin, soprano. Nicholas Buc, conductor. Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Sydney Philharmonia Choirs.
Every time I hear this song, it always leaves me with a tear in my eye. The original version is taken from the Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds album of the same name.
I got a feeling I just can’t shake I got a feeling, just won’t go away
You’ve got to just keep on pushing Keep on pushing Push the sky away
And if you think you’ve got everything you came for If you’ve got everything and you don’t want no more
You’ve got to just keep on pushing Keep on pushing Push the sky away
Some people say that it’s just rock and roll Ah, but it gets you right down to your soul
You’ve got to just keep on pushing Keep on pushing Push the sky away
You’ve got to just keep on pushing Keep on pushing Push the sky away
Thank you very much, everybody Thank you for coming along, really Thank you up there, thank you
You’ve got to just keep on pushing Keep on pushing Push the sky away
Thank you, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Thank you, you’re beautiful To every sung chorus
You’ve got to just keep on pushing Keep on pushing Push the sky away
Thank you, Warren Ellis
You’ve got to just keep on pushing Keep on pushing Push the sky away
You’ve got to just keep on pushing Keep on pushing Push the sky away
Thank you, thank you, thank you very much Thank you Thank you very much Thank you You were really beautiful, thank you
We are almost at the end of April already! The theme is still to find a group/solo artist beginning with G or H
This week I have chosen the late Irish born guitarist/singer/songwriter Rory Gallagher. He has been a favourite of mine for some time.
William Rory Gallagher (2 March 1948 – 14 June 1995) is known for his versatile style of guitar playing, and is often referred to as “the greatest guitarist you’ve never heard of”. A number of guitarists, including Alex Lifeson of Rush, Brian May of Queen, and Eric Clapton, have cited Gallagher as an influence. He was voted as guitarist of the year by Melody Maker magazine in 1972, and listed as the 57th greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone magazine in 2015.
In 1966, Gallagher formed the blues rock power trio Taste, which experienced moderate commercial success and popularity in the United Kingdom. After the break-up of Taste, Gallagher pursued a solo career, releasing music throughout the 1970s and 1980s and selling more than 30 million records worldwide.
Gallagher’s popularity declined throughout the 1980s due to changes within the music industry and poor health. He received a liver transplant in 1995, but died of complications later that same year in London at the age of 47. He released 14 albums during his lifetime as a solo act, which included 3 live albums. Moonchild is originally from the album; ‘Calling Card’. This great live version features Rory with Gerry McAvoy (bass) and Brendan O’Neil (drums).
The theme of SLS this week is duets by two prominent performers. Once again, thanks to Jim and Nancy.
I’ve chosen the U2 hit ‘One’ which features the R&B/soul singer; Mary J. Blige. I think it sounds really good, especially with Mary’s vocals turning it into a much more soulful song.
Is it getting better Or do you feel the same? Will it make it easier on you now You got someone to blame?
You say, one love, one life When it’s one need in the night One love, we get to share it Leaves you, baby, if you don’t care for it
Did I disappoint you Or leave a bad taste in your mouth? You act like you never had love And you want me to go without
Well, it’s too late tonight To drag the past out into the light We’re one, but we’re not the same We get to carry each other, carry each other One
Have you come here for forgiveness? Have you come to raise the dead? Have you come here to play Jesus? To the lepers in your head
Did I ask too much? More than a lot You gave me nothing, now it’s all I got We’re one but we’re not the same Well, we hurt each other then we do it again
You say love is a temple, love a higher law Love is a temple, love the higher law You ask me to enter but then you make me crawl And I can’t be holdin’ on to what you got When all you got is hurt
One love, one blood One life, you got to do what you should One life with each other Sisters, brothers
One life but we’re not the same We get to carry each other, carry each other One One
Ooh-ooh-ooh Oh-oh-ooh Baby, make it, make it Higher Oh, higher (baby, yeah) Higher Higher
Half way through April already. The MMB theme is to find a group or solo singer who’s name begins with G or H
Heavy Metal Kids (or ‘Kids’, as they were often known as) are a band that I’ve been lucky enough to see live on three occasions. Twice with original lead singer Gary Holton, who was better known for playing the part of Wayne (a.k.a. London) in the UK television comedy Auf Wiedersehen Pet (1983–1985). He died from an overdose of morphine combined with alcohol in 1985.
The band was formed in 1972 by the merger of two previous bands: Heaven and Biggles. They took their name from a gang of street kids, featured in the novel Nova Express by William S. Burroughs. They were classed as a glam-rock band rather than heavy metal of course.
The initial, pre-recording line-up consisted of Mickey Waller (guitar), Ronnie Thomas (bass, backing vocals), Gary Holton (lead vocals), Keith Boyce (drums) and Cosmo (guitar). They were the first signing by Atlantic records’ new London offices, having been spotted by their A&R man, Dave Dee. In 1973, they were joined by keyboard player Danny Peyronel. In January 1974, they recorded their first, self-titled album, produced by Dave Dee and engineered by Phil Chapman.
Waller left the band shortly before they went in to Island Studios, to record the follow-up album Anvil Chorus, in January 1975, which was produced by Andy Johns. At this point Danny Peyronel left to join UFO and was replaced by John Sinclair. Shortly after, Cosmo was replaced by Barry Paul, and the band moved to Mickie Most’s RAK Records where they recorded Kitsch, which was produced by Most. John Sinclair left to join Uriah Heep and was replaced by Jay Williams. Keith Boyce left and was replaced by Ricky Squires, previously of the Dead End Kids.
They had little success in the UK but the single She’s No Angel was a hit in 1976. I’ve chosen one of my favourite tracks from their debut album.
The theme of SLS this week is a song that includes either hot, burning, fire or blazing, prompted by Jim and suggested by Nancy.
My Ashes is from my favourite Porcupine Tree album; Fear of a Blank Planet. It took me a while to really get into the band but this was the album that did it. Lead vocalist/guitarist (etc), Steven Wilson, has recorded several solo albums and his latest; The Harmony Codex is well worth a listen.
All the things that I needed I wasted my chances I have found myself wanting
When a mother and father Gave me their problems I accepted them all
Nothing ever expected I was rejected But I came back for more
And my ashes drift beneath the silver sky Where a boy rides on a bike and never smiles And my ashes fall over all the things we’ve said On a box of photographs under the bed, the bed
I will stay in my own world Under the covers I will feel safe inside
A kiss that will burn me And cure me of dreaming I was always returning
And my ashes find a way beyond the fog And return to save the child that I forgot And my ashes fade among the things unseen And a dream plays in reverse on piano keys
And my ashes drop upon a park in Wales Never-ending clouds of rain and distant sails, distant sails Sails
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