Groove On 16

Episode 16 of Bella’s radio show for the lockdown. Listen to them all here.

Episode 16 kicks of with some uptempo songs. Up first is ‘Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap’ by AC/DC, from their 1976 album of the same name. Second is ‘Boys Wanna Be Her’ by Peaches, a song which has a certain AC/DC feel to it. From here it’s on to something more electronic with some nice chunky electro synth sounds by Dot Allison on ‘I Think I Love You’ from her 2002 album We Are Science.
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We move back in time to the fifties next for ‘It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)’ by Ella Fitzgerald, a stunningly fast jazz number. Things keep swinging with a more bluesy jazz piece by Annie Ross & The Low Note Quintet with Iggy Pop called ‘Evil California (These Blues)’ from the sound track to Robert Altman’s Short Cuts.
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More montages from Los Angeles follow, first with ‘Insane In The Brain’ by Cypress Hill, from their landmark Black Sunday album, and then William Shatner doing a fabulous version of Pulp’s ‘Common People’. Actual Britpop is next, with the inexplicably enjoyable ‘Inbetweener’ by Sleeper from 1995. Also inexplicably enjoyable is ‘Get It Right Next Time’ by Gerry Rafferty from 1979.
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Three soulful songs come up now. From the newest ‘Money’ by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings from I Learned The Hard Way in 2010, to Lulu & The Luvvers doing ‘Just One Look’ in 1965, to the oldest; ‘Big Long Slidin’ Thing’ by Dinah Washington from 1954, a song alledgedly about a trombone, which can be found on the fantastically filthy compilation Eat To The Beat – The Dirtiest Of Them Dirty Blues.
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Things stay in a funky and fairly filthy vibe with Betty Davis’ ‘Git In There’ from They Say I’m Different, then move right into cop show funk with ‘Call Me Mr. Tibbs’ by Quincy Jones, although technically it’s from a film. An actual song from tv is ‘Raise Your Hand’ by Janis Joplin, recorded live on Tom Jones’ tv show in 1969. Some righteous funk from 1971 follows that in the form of Curtis Mayfield’s ‘Underground’ from his second studio album Roots.
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Things take a turn away from funky now, with two fiddly songs. First is ‘Of Course’ by Jane’s Addiction, from their excellent album Ritual de lo Habitual, and then They Might Be Giants with their hit single ‘Istanbul (Not Constantinople)’
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The episode closes with ‘The Ministry of Social Affairs’ by PJ Harvey from The Hope Six Demolition Project.

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  1. Martin Meteyard says:

    Thanks once again Stewart for another cracking selection – not only great fun but a fabulous learning journey. Remind me again where I can make a wee donation to express my appreciation.

    1. Stewart Bremner says:

      Thanks for letting me know, Martin. I’m glad you enjoyed this. (Also, sorry for not replying sooner, I only just found the comment.) If you want to make a wee donation (THANKS!) I have set up a ko-fi page under my name, but can’t link to it here.

  2. Pete Donald says:

    Thank you Stewart. As you asked just to let you know yes very much still listening. As for my own suggestion I have had the Full 11.18 Album version of Street Life by the Crusaders on heavy rotation. Released in 1979 I had never heard it until my brother snapped up a copy of the Album at Grooves in Kirkwall on a visit. He left it with me to drive down next visit I made South but that never happened. He might not get it back now!

    1. Stewart Bremner says:

      Thanks for letting me know Pete. (Also apologies for the slow reply.) I’m never heard that full version, or even knew there was one. Thanks for the heads up. I’m haeing a wee listen now!

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