I've had the idea for quite a while of doing a sort of tribute to the old Radio 2 - particularly the Radio 2 of the early 70s - hope you enjoy the result!
1.
Blue Mink - Melting Pot
1969
2.
Mike Curb Congregation - Sweet Gingerbread Man
1969
3.
Doris Day - Do Not Disturb
1965
4.
Shirley Bassey - Something
1970
5.
Matt Monro - On Days Like These
1969
6.
Helen Reddy - This Masquerade
1972
7.
Vicki Carr - It Must be Him
1966
8.
Kathy Kirby - All of a Sudden My Heart Sings
1965
9.
Paraffin Jack Flash - Satisfaction
1968
Download Please note this mix is presented for information and demonstration only in a low bitrate mono stream
I guess the party season made me think of trying my own hand at something that might get people dancing, so here it is.
Of course this presented me with a dilemma in that I felt the selection needed a certain mainstream appeal, yet those who know me, or even if you've just followed previous stuff on here, will know I don't entirely do mainstream!
So the result is necessarily a compromise. Absolutely no Abba - sorry, just can't do it, but we do have Big Bang with their cover of Voulez Vous. Feels Like I'm in Love by Kelly Marie has always been a crowd pleaser, yet I somehow prefer the 1995 remake to the original. Pretty much all the other tracks, apart from Vera and Debbie Jacobs, were hits in their day.
Anyway judge for yourselves, would this get you off your chair? At least for a couple of tracks maybe?
1.
Forrest - Rock the Boat
1983
2.
Gibson Brothers - Cuba
1980
4.
Vera - Baby Won't You Dance with Me
1983
5.
Sly & the Family Stone - Dance to the Music
1968
6.
Kelly Marie - Feels Like I'm in Love
1995
7.
Dina Carroll - Ain't No Man
1991
8.
Carol Douglas - Doctor's Orders
1974
9.
Big Bang - Voulez Vous
1989
10.
Love Unlimited Orchestra - Love's Theme
1973
Download Please note this mix is presented for information and demonstration only in a low bitrate mono stream
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
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.
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
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
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
Welcome to my blog, and I hope you enjoy some of my broadcasts - I'll be changing them on a regular basis.
You won't find these compilations in the shops. I strung them together from my own music collection.
One reason for doing this blog is to showcase the great music from years gone by, especially some of the lesser-known tracks. I'm into all kinds of stuff from the 60s to the early 90s - disco, weird 60s stuff, film soundtracks etc.
I'm also available to play this music at bar events and/or club nights, or even private parties. So if you like what you hear, get in touch!
