The Golden Age of Dance 1988-92

This is a look at some dance music from the years 1988-92, often referred to as the golden age of dance. These are really just personal memories, more than any kind of academic perspective. I hope you enjoy listening, and if you'd like to get in touch or leave a comment you can do so by using the links on this page.

1.		Kon Kan - I Beg Your Pardon	1988
2.		Sandra - Secret Land	1990
4.		Raul Orellana - The Real Wild House	1989
5.		Katherine E - I'm Alright	1990
6.		Vicki Shepherd - Somewhere	1990
7.		Clubhouse - Deep in my Heart	1990
8.		Secchi - I Say Yeah	1991
9.		Cathy Dennis - Move to This	1991
10.		808 State - Ooops	1991

Download
Please note this mix is presented for information and demonstration only in a low bitrate mono stream

Houseparty

Anyone of a certain generation will probably remember Houseparty, which appeared on the weekday afternoon ITV schedules between 1969 and 1981.

The idea was to simulate a ladies' coffee morning and this was done so effectively you had the impression you were merely "dropping in" on something that was happening anyway. The fact there appeared to be no real beginning or end (and certainly no presenter) further emphasised this.

The programme generally opened to the sound of a doorbell, but someone would already be in mid flow about knitting a pair of slacks, and ditto at the end the title music would fade in over some similar discussion. You almost had the feeling that Houseparty never actually stopped!

There are a few short clips floating around on Youtube and TVArk, but that's probably all we'll ever get to see, as this was pretty much pre-video days, and the series seems unlikely to see the light of day on DVD.

But I have found the music. It's a piece called Blue Lady by John Wallace and his Band. As far as I know it was only ever played at the end, and you generally only heard about 20 seconds of it. I feel sure this will bring back some good memories!

I hope you enjoy listening, and if you'd like to get in touch or leave a comment you can do so by using the links on this page.

Download

Please note this mix is presented for information and demonstration only in a low bitrate mono stream

TV Cream Article on Houseparty

A Look Back to 1968

This show is a look back at the year 1968, which was a marvellous year for pop music in my opinion.

It was inspired by the Clinton Cards "1968" CD card in their "A Time to Remember" series. All the tracks are chosen from this CD apart from two: the Madeline Bell and Herb Alpert tracks which I added.

I hope you enjoy listening, and if you'd like to get in touch or leave a comment you can do so by using the links on this page.

1.		Fleetwood Mac - Albatross	1968
2.		Jose Feliciano - Light My Fire	1968
3.		Madeline Bell - Step Inside Love	1968
4.		Box Tops - Cry Like a Baby	1968
5.		Herb Alpert - This Guy's in Love With You	1968
6.		The Love Affair - Everlasting Love	1968
7.		Gun - Race With the Devil	1968
8.		Andy Williams - Can't Help Falling in Love	1968
9.		Hugh Montenegro - The Good, The Bad and the Ugly	1968
10.		Laura Nyro - Stoned Soul Picnic	1968

Download
Please note this mix is presented for information and demonstration only in a low bitrate mono stream

Reparata & the Delrons

Known in the UK for the 1968 hit Captain of Your Ship, but never really big in their native US, Reparata & the Delrons were a surprisingly long-lived girl group, forming in the early 60s with the major part of their career coming to an end around a decade later.

They leave behind a notable selection of music ranging from the bittersweet teenage ballads of the early years, through more upbeat northern soul sounds, to some more quirky and stylised arrangements towards the end of their career.

The six tracks on this radio show aim to give a taste of what the group were about, so listen and enjoy!

1.		It's Waiting There For You	1967
2.		Captain of Your Ship	1968
3.		Weather Forecast	1968
4.		Saturday Night Didn't Happen	1968
5.		Hold The Night	1969
6.		A Song For All	1975
7.		Octopus's Garden	1972

Download
Please note this mix is presented for information and demonstration only in a low bitrate mono stream

Jackie Trent

I thought for this show I'd put the spotlight on just one artist, and the first one I thought of is Jackie Trent.

In the context of her long career, Jackie has been far more active behind the scenes as a lyricist and composer, and was of course famous for being married to Tony Hatch. Consequently her career as a singer tends to be overlooked, and I thought it would be good to present a short selection showcasing her vocal talents.

The four songs featured here include her one big hit from 1965 "Where Are You Now", but I think you'll agree Jackie had a great voice, and hopefully she'll be as much a discovery for you as she has been for me.

1.		Jackie Trent - Where Are You Now	1965
2.		Jackie Trent - You Baby	1966
3.		Jackie Trent - There Goes My Love	1966
4.		Jackie Trent - Hollywood	1968
5.		Keith Mansfield - Powerhouse Pop	1969

Download
Please note this mix is presented for information and demonstration only in a low bitrate mono stream

The 60s Laid Bare

The title's probably a bit over-dramatic but, in the end, I couldn't think of anything better. I wanted to try and highlight what I think of as the "non-trendy" 60s, rather than the 60s of the Stones, Janice Joplin etc. This is the music that the grown-ups favoured and, as someone whose childhood spanned the whole decade, it's the music I tend to associate with the time too, having more contact with adults than teenagers.

I reckon easy-listening as we know it came into being in the 60s, and there are a few examples here, with the opening and closing tracks from Mrs Mills representing the good old-fashioned singalong which was very popular back then, but just seems to have vanished in the years since.

Another interesting development of the late 60s was how political consciousness was turned into entertainment, as illustrated by the Diana Ross & the Supremes track and the Three Degrees.

1.		Mrs Mills - Winchester Cathedral	1967
2.		John Walker - Annabella	1966
3.		Matt Monro - On Days Like These	1969
4.		Madeline Bell - I'm Gonna Make You Love Me	1968
5.		Dusty Springfield - So Much Love	1968
6.		Diana Ross & the Supremes - Love Child	1968
7.		Three Degrees - I Like Being a Woman	1972
8.		Tony Christie - Avenues and Alleyways	1971
9.		Mrs Mills - Bye Bye Blackbird	1964

Download
Please note this mix is presented for information and demonstration only in a low bitrate mono stream

Junk Shop Choice

Apologies for the long absence, but I'm back with a shorter show this time which I've called Junk Shop Choice.

You see all sorts of unlikely looking and forgotten music in junk shops and charity shops, and I thought it might be fun to string some of together and see how it sounds.

I've got a very eclectic selection here, but there's something I like about all of them from the super-cool sound of Alfred The King of Disco to the novelty charm of Botch-a-Me by Rosemary Clooney.

Take a listen, and I hope you enjoy it!

1.	00:00	Marty Cooper Clan - Walk Don't Run	Early 60s
2.	03:50	Dick Hyman - Alfred the King of Disco	Early 70s
3.	07:20	Julie London - Fly Me to the Moon	1964
4.	09:45	Tommy Dorsey Orchestra - Sunny Side of the Street	1944
5.	12:54	Rosemary Clooney - Botch-a-Me	1952
6.	15:09	Vinnie Bell - Dawn	1967

Please note this mix is presented for information and demonstration only in a low bitrate mono stream