Too Hot To Trot

Gillian Welch - David Rawlings - Covers

2012-09-22T04:32:00.001-07:00

The songwriting and musical partnership of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings has delivered five albums of stunning original material in the traditional style which evokes elements of old timey string band music, Appalachian lullabies, bluegrass, gospel and Americana.

Without doubt they are amazing musicians, with legendary live shows across the world and the duo are not shy of dropping a cover or two into their sets, recent Harrow and the Harvest tour shows have seen a startling cover of Jefferson Airplane's 'White Rabbit' closing the sets.

A true test of the quality of a songwriters craft is the ability for that song to be performed and for all it's power, resonance and emotion to retain - Johnny Cash's American recordings saw him reinterpret unusual rockers into modern country tracks with amazing effect. The fact that contemporary, traditional and alternative country acts have embraced the work of Welch and Rawlings shows that this pair have written some brilliant songs over the last sixteen years.

Using Spotify we've cobbled together a 20 track collection of some covers of Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings works, kicking off with an original song by Norwegian artist Ane Brun, advocating her love for Gillian's music, what it means to her and echoing the sentiments of many fans.

Red Molly bring a gentle take on Annabelle from their live album 'Never Been to Vegas', followed by contemporary bluegrass stalwarts The Greencards romp through 'Caleb Meyer'.

Surprisingly the Elan Mehler Quartet tame The King himself and turn 'Elvis Presley Blues' into a meditative piece of elegant piano jazz. Alternative nu-bluegrass act Jubal's Kin provide a fabulous down beat version of Everything is Free, before country big star Miranda Lambert shines a light on Look At Miss Ohio from her 2011 release 'Four the Record'.

Ex Nickel Creek and current Punch Brother, Chris Thile brings his blazing mandolin virtuosity to Soul Journey's 'Wayside/Back In Time' followed by another 14 takes, proving you can't do a great song badly.

Ridley Scott - Prometheus - Alien

2012-06-02T15:38:00.002-07:00

Why?

It's a big why? Maybe we all don't want to know the real reason. Inconvenient utility bills usually land around the same time as a Robert DeNiro comedy. Nuff said.

Alien was released in 1979. At the time it shocked and stunned audiences. Without any Internet hype, media attention it quietly worked it's way through a mainstream cinema audience and scared seven shades out of them.

It will never happen again.

Never mind a back story. 'Ever realise you've been had?'.

Enjoy what was, revel in young audiences seeing that for the first time. Give the young generation something magnificent which belongs to them! Enough of the re-hashes and re-works and re-imaginings.

A new imagination please....and soon...because the old people are bored too....

Beth Orton - Pass In Time - Boards of Canada - Geogaddi

2012-04-06T05:41:00.005-07:00

Revisiting records has always had it's benefits, often with the case of an initial spin of an artists 2nd album not quite capturing the feeling you had when first hearing said artist.

Big one for me was Boards of Canada's second album Geogaddi, whereas Music Has the Right To Children had the chance to grow organically, latching onto peoples minds and spreading by word of mouth without the standard these days of flashes of Internet hype, Geogaddi dropped with the press and public eagerly awaiting it.

I found it initially dull, an identikit of the first, with a darker pallate of sounds, so ,I kind of ignored it and went on my way. Close to ten years later and the album found itself on heavy rotation, I was now hungry for the twisted sounds and reading commentary on it (after the fact) found the basis of the tracks, the source of the samples and the thoughts behind it fascinating.

Like wise Beth Orton's 1999 album Central Reservation, gathering bigger stars for the remixes (EBTG's Ben Watt on the title track) again made it seem too forced, the expectation raised from her debut Trailer Park a few years earlier, which kind of just happened. Listening to the album again some of the more 'dance' orientated tracks seem trapped in an amber of the era, leaving the simplistic folky numbers sounding as fresh as anything out at the moment. Stand outs amongst these are the superb Pass In Time, with Terry Callier providing a suitably mellow counterpoint to Beth's introspective song about the passing of her Mother, and the haunting Blood Red River.

It's been over six years since her last release, The Comfort of Strangers (her fourth) so it's quite timely that she's set to return later this year, recording now for Anti, the home of Tom Waits and Jolie Holland amongst others. File under eagerly awaited......

Stereoboard - Name and shame

2012-02-03T09:02:00.000-08:00

Stereoboard (a ticket price comparison site) has taken it upon itself to name and shame some 'dodgy' ticket sites, including publishing a long list on their site and mentioning the fact that even though the url may contain the band or artists name it may not be legitimate.

Well, excuse me. I've seen some great enterprising bloggers who have some of these sites who only offer links to first point of sale agents like Ticketmaster and then offer links to resale websites when those original tickets are sold out. Stereobored seem to think it's OK to pander to 'genuine music fans' and offer links direct to resale sites straight of the bat. Come on.

The music scene is looking like it's going the way of all things, great sites like Wegottickets who were the first to do away with the paper ticket and still offer incredibly reasonable admin fees are slowly been pushed out by other 'cats' sweetening the deal with promoters. Eat Your Own Ears the cooler than thou promotion team behind big Hackney hits Field Day and AppleCart recently seem to have hopped into bed with See Tickets, and now feature all links to tickets in their mail out to See Tickets.

Now anybody with any sense will do themselves a favour and check with Wegottickets first, because you might be making a bit of a saving. James Yorkston and the Athletes are playing a show at Cecil Sharp House to celebrate 10 years since 'Moving up Country' was released. Tickets £14.50 so 4 tickets is (4 x 14.50 = 58) £58.00. Ok so far so good, Wegottickets charge £5.80 admin (10%) making a total of £63.80. Over at See Tickets we get a £2.45 booking fee on each ticket taking it to £67.80 and then another admin fee on top of that, a mysterious £2.31 bringing the grand total to £70.11.

Come on?

Magnasiks - Exotique-Robotique

2012-01-10T01:03:00.000-08:00

Super chilled house meets electronica on this début release from Carla Magnasiks on a new label, Pink Pussycat Records.

Icily cool, with a great propelling bass, moving things along nicely as the tune pulses and purrs with some ghostly tones and throbs. This brings to mind early Sabres in places, some choice elements of Warp, with some nice bleeps and melodies pushing the tune forward.

Looking forward to hearing more from this new artist and a promising release on this new label. It drops on the 16th of January 2012.

Magnasiks - Exotique-Robotique

Dracula - The Origins and Influence of the Legendary Vampire Count.

2011-09-05T11:42:00.000-07:00

Giles Morgan, a writer who has contributed some impressive entries into the pocket essentials series on subjects like The Holy Grail, Saints, The Knights Templar and Freemasons has just released his latest.

This time exclusive to the Amazon Kindle store, Dracula: The Origins and Influence of the Legendary Vampire Count covers many aspects of the vampire myths and legends. From similar figures throughout world folklore to cinematic and literary portrayals of the count, this book is a fascinating insight into arguably one of the most famous horror creations ever known.

You can check the book here....

My Brightest Diamond - Reaching Through To the Other Side - Wisdom Thief Remix

2011-09-05T11:26:00.000-07:00

Wisdom Thief, a good friend of us here at Too Hot To Trot has been busy dabbling and dusting of the pads again for some excursions into the ill-bient. The Thief has a track added to the Warp compilation competition, which probably won't do much, but chuffed to be allowed to hang out with the other 1500+ hopefuls.

On top of that My Brightest Diamond have an upcoming release on Asthmatic Kitty. Shara Worden has put up the elements of lead track 'Reaching Through To The Other Side' out to the interwebs for budding producers and DJ types to have play with.

Here's the Wisdom Thief re-rub....

My Brightest Diamond - Reaching Through To The Other Side - Wisdom Thief Remix by Wisdom Thief

And here's the Warp entry if you fancy a bit of that....

Ugggtgf by Wisdom Thief

Diggin Doctor What What...

2011-03-10T15:02:00.000-08:00

No prize, but if you know who did the track which I've nabbed for the title of this posting then pat yourself on the back.

They're all over the TV again, either in real live, with stories all over the media about the dangers of potential NHS cuts throughout the UK to badly run maternity hospitals in Essex. Plus they're perennially on telly in fictional form, from the Casualty crew to nearby Holby City, to grumpy curmudgeons like Hugh Laurie's House and now with James Nesbitt getting in on the scene as Monroe, it's Doctors Galore (sounds like that should star James Roberston Justice).

So here's one of my doctors, this one's from about 5 years back, I've just done a little bit of digital paint on top of the old sketch, but it oddly reminds me of 'Struck Off' which I did about 3 years later....

It Starts like The Wicker Man Ends...

2010-12-17T02:36:00.000-08:00

It starts like The Wicker Man ends, people running around taking their own Lords name in vain, Jesus Christ, Christ No! Oh no, Jesus Christ! Some people look on in bemused merriment, their earbuds bleeding Yo La Tengo into their lugs (yeah, they do sound like The Velvet Underground).

A man starts singing to himself, he's not in tune, he probably was many years back, at the end of the day though he can go home and carry a nice ditty, maybe hum along to the Corrie theme but might struggle at Eastenders.

The naysayers have consulted their mobile devices to get the transport low-down, they seem satisfied with the end result. Basically they get nothing. As ever South Eastern are falling over themselves to deliver up to date travel information. At the end of (and the beginning of) the day it's no good. They muddle through, 33 parts ignorance, 33 parts stupidity and 34 parts pure bloody English resolve. I don't care if we're stuck here, marooned in a snow swept carriage in the middle of nowhere, if the staff can get to Tesco, then I'm sure they could have walked somewhere more hospitable. Did they go outside for sex? The Mountain Goats reply to Yo La Tengo with a song embracing nature and a tune which doesn't encourage discourse about how they got their name, like it's not important.

Remember when the only telephone ringing was the one at home? No because you've never had it so good. It's kind of like a blackberry or another well known mobile device but it costs around a pound for a couple of months of fun. It's a spiral bound notebook.

Now you know how it ends, get on the train when you can, don't leave people dangling about that stuff - if we could we'd all stay in hotels in central London, goddamn it, we would, wouldn't you?

Train's good, not much delay once you get out of Charing Cross, my travelling companions are less concerned about the outcome of this evening - glad that's OK then, gawd bless'em.

Jude Law - Christian Dior Ad - Wisdom Thief

2010-12-11T12:29:00.001-08:00

Too Hot To Trot favourite 'Wisdom Thief' has done a little 2 minute animation from the latest Christian Dior pour homme advert featuring Jude Law.

The piece famously directed by mucker and mate of Law, Guy Ritchie has been doing the rounds and is clearly aiming to be a little bit pretentious (but is it supposed to be funny???). Aside from that Wisdom Thief as added a gently throbbing tune behind it all. Check it.

The Creepy Jo Frost

2010-12-11T01:25:00.001-08:00

Rummaging around files I found this scan from the back of a Kellog's Corn Flakes box. Depicting Supernanny, Jo Frost, looming rather sinisterly over some poor child doing his work.
Creepy.

What's in a name | Boyzone, Sonic Youth and Neil Young

2010-11-27T02:55:00.000-08:00

So what is in a name? Well, if you're a popular musician your name sums up your whole stance, it associates you with a genre in some cases, you'd be pretty surprised if a band with a name like Metallica or Megadeth didn't play heavy metal but lounge jazz.

So it's fitting that some of pops bright young things choose monikers which describe who they are and what they do, it's just that when they no longer are 'bright young things' but 'bright older more mature things' that some of those names jar.

Boyzone are no longer the fresh faced Irish lads of yore, and Boyz II Men are well beyond fatherhood themselves. Sonic Youth are now the elder statesmen (and women) of Alternative Rock whilst Neil Young is no longer as sprightly as his handle would suggest (OK, allright that's his real name and not much can be done with that).

What can you do? Albeit I'd welcome seeing Manzone on tour and pushing their latest single, whilst Men II Older Men are propping up the R&B charts, why, there is even room on the bus for Sonic Octogenerians (free travel in some areas as well...). Best bet is to avoid any age related naming, at least Westlife won't have the same problems as their Irish brethren.

News - Wisdom Thief and more...

2010-11-27T02:30:00.000-08:00

No news on the forthcoming Ambientland, my contact at the source has stated that other exterior pressures are holding back the project. That to me sounds like the day job's getting in the way again.

Elsewhere, Too Hot To Trot favourite Wisdom Thief has put a new tune onto Soundcloud, it's not as chilled as Eliot Hill(Version), the last track to drop which was an ambient drone-scape, yet 'Found Out' certainly has got a nice little wobble to it, not quite Dubstep, but incorporating some of those bottom ended antics. Worth a listen....
Found Out by Wisdom Thief

Ambientland - coming soon

2010-07-19T09:28:00.000-07:00

Just starting to put the word out on this forthcoming project in the pipeline. Ambientland.co.uk will be a new web comic, based in part from characters heard and seen in real life, with strange turns of phrase, odd looks and bizarre comments on society and modern life. ambientland aims to be a vague catch all brand for anything which I feel can fit within this framework. I expect to revisit a few of the subjects and people from my other illustrative pursuits like 'Strange and Lonely People' and a couple from the 'Long Stick Go Boom' blogs.

If you've got any odd stories or suggestions, or want to know more drop me a line you can do at mail@ambientland.co.uk

Primal Scream - Screamadelica Live - Olympia

2010-04-06T02:58:00.000-07:00

Looks like the classic Primal Scream album Screamadelica is getting the Live treatment in November 2010. The band are scheduled to perform the seminal 1991 release in it's entirety at London's Olympia on the 26th and 27th of November 2010. Tickets for the first date have already sold out and the second date is looking very likely to do the same. A brilliant opportunity to hear this scene defining album live.

Information available here.

Primal Scream - Olympia London - 26th November 2010

Primal Scream - Olympia London - 27th November 2010

Gigs and tour news

2010-04-01T07:17:00.000-07:00

Interesting number of shows this summer taking place at Somerset House. This historic courtyard hosts an annual Summer Series of cutting edge music acts and this year is proving to be no exception.
Tickets and details through here - www.somersethousetickets.co.uk

Goldfrapp and crew are back in the saddle supporting their new release Head First, forthcoming shows in Oxford and Leamington Spa, plus appearances at the V Festival is Chelmsford and Staffordshire. Tickets and details through here - www.goldfrapptickets.co.uk

All the G's

Gorillaz bounce back with their excellent new album Plastic Beach and are bringing their heady brew of styles and top class collaborators to Londons Roundhouse at the end of April. Tickets and details this way>>>>>> www.gorillaztickets.co.uk

Reading Leeds Fetsival 2010 - Now boasting a pretty solid lineup of rock heavyweights and up and coming artists this years fetsival tickets are selling fast. More details and guaranteed tickets here>>>>>>>> www.reading2010.co.uk

More news as and when......

Linda Ronstadt - Stone Poneys - Forgotten Classics

2010-03-21T06:36:00.000-07:00

Linda Ronstadt - Tuning Up.

When people talk about the Sixties and the American Folk movements influence upon the development of music through to now, it's consistently the same names mentioned - from Pete Seeger and Joan Baez's protest songs to Bob Dylan's infamous 'plugged' performance and on and on to the Byrds, Joni Mitchell and Crosby, Stills and Nash (..and Young). You'll hear these influences clearly in recordings by contemporary acts such as the 'Fleet Foxes' and 'Midlake'. But what about Linda?

Linda Ronstadt's early output clearly straddles all these genres, touching on Folk, Country Rock, Pop and Rock. Her first recordings surfaced as part of the trio 'The Stone Poneys' whose three albums from 1967 to 1968 blended folk with the pop sensibility of the day. Accompanied in the group by Robert Kimmell and Kenneth M. Edwards their mix of original compositions and covers was a heady blend. Perhaps a little too scattershot for the time, listening to these today they clearly indicate the way forward. The 'Vol 3 - The Stone Poneys and Friends' version of Tim Buckley's 'Morning Glory' (here named 'Hobo') resonates with the same despair and emotion of the original. Other notable tracks from this period include Fred Neil's 'Just a Little Bit of Rain' from 'Vol 1' and Steve Gillette's 'Song About The Rain' from 'Vol 2: Evergreen' - it's not all rain though, up-tempo numbers pepper the recordings throughout, like Mike Nesmith's 'Different Drum'.

After the Stone Poney's called it a day Linda assembled a new band and began what would become an illustrious solo career, but it's principally the early releases we're concerned with here, 1969's 'Hand Sown - Home Grown' and 1970's 'Silk Purse'.

Opening with a version of Dylan's 'Mama You've Been On My Mind' (rendered here as 'Baby You've Been On My Mind' the album explores the blurring of the folk, country and rock boundaries with tracks such as Randy Newman's 'Bet No One ever Hurt So Bad' and J.D Loudermilk's 'Break My Mind'. Another great take on a Fred Neil tune, 'The Dolphins', fittingly brings the album to a close.

'Silk Purse' offers up a similar selection of country/folk tinged numbers but also includes the classic 'Long Long Time' (although only reaching number 25 on the US charts at release).

With the current scene including a multitude of young female artists it's worth looking back at others who at a similarly young age were doing the same.

Amazon.co.uk Widgets

Diddy to buy 'Cristal Palace' ? ?

2010-03-19T02:05:00.000-07:00

News around the interwebs speaks of wild rumour regarding hip-hop Bad Boy Mogul Sean (Puffy Diddy) Coombs' plans to purchase South London Football Club Crystal Palace. The 'Missing You' hit-maker has already a lucrative line in fashion from his Sean John range and has recently branched out into marketing and selling his own smells (perfume).

Apparantly reports state the star is obsessed with the word Palace and as we all know the rap fraternity love sipping the Cristal Champagne, hopefully this will give the club a 'Notoriously Big' lift in their bid to beat relegation.

Failing that he could just get on the next Gorillaz Album, I'm sure they'll be looking for future collaborators...

Shop for Wines, Champagnes and Spirits.

Compare the Supermarket Denim

2010-03-12T04:22:00.000-08:00

Having a personal crisis? Midlife, divorced? Your Kids don't get on with you and that 'every second weekend' is the constant worry, what to do, where to go?

It's a far cry from sitting in the pub with your mates, putting the world to rights.

If only there was a site like comparethesupermarketdenim.com to turn to.

One day, one day.

Yorkshire Pudding In European Push

2010-03-08T11:49:00.000-08:00

We read that Yorkshire Pudding manufacturers are seeking European legal protections currently allowed to other regional delights such as Scotch Whisky, Parma Ham and Champagne.

The bid, which is also backed by the big names in pre-prepared puddings Aunt Bessie's, Roberts and the Real Yorkshire Pudding Company is aiming to replicate the success recently bestowed onYorkshire's Rhubarb growers. The majority of the countries Rhubarb is produced within a golden triangle of Yorkshire areas.

Show you're support for the push, or just you're appreciation of the culinary delight with a T-Shirt featuring the famous pud, or better still, an fetching apron to wear when mixing up your own pudding batter!

http://www.cafepress.co.uk/yorkshire_pud

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/offbeat/bid-to-protect-yorkshire-puddings-14710548.html?r=RSS

Spielberg's Sending Out Homemade Christmas Cards Again...

2009-12-08T03:36:00.000-08:00

Looks like everyone's favourite mogul is getting in with the recession busting Xmas spirit and sending out cheapo home adapted cards this year. Hope 2010 is a bit more prosperous for you Steve.

Tom Waits - Jockey Full Of Bourbon

2009-11-21T09:13:00.001-08:00

Completely ignoring the lyrics to the classic Tom Waits tune and instead taking the title at face value, here's one rider who's not going to be winning anymore races. Sozzled, blotto and pie-eyed, it's dangerous been asleep at the wheel and doubly so in charge of a steed.

The Soap Company - Selfish Cow/ Selfish Cow (Version)

2009-03-25T05:04:00.000-07:00

New track up on The Soap Company's Myspace page is a hearty mix of zeitgeist street savvy, skanking b-lines and pop hooks.

It's coupled with a tripped out dubby version to boot!

Well worth a listen.

http://www.myspace.com/thesoapcompany

Get this on the Radio for summer. The crew are also appearing at the Wychwood Festival (Cheltenham) at the end of May. Hope the weather's glorious.

When Michael Met Miles

2009-03-20T09:46:00.000-07:00

This one never fails to make me smile.

Michael Jackson's 'Off The Wall' cover mashed up with Miles Davis' 'Doo-Bop'.

Michael Jackson to the Rescue !

2009-03-11T06:05:00.000-07:00

Jacko To Save The UK Economy !!

Shock revelations surrounding the recent hubbub of Michael Jackson's return to the live (O2) Arena show that it may be more of a case of saving the flailing UK economy as opposed to Mr Jackson keeping his Neverland Ranch afloat.
UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown (a huge Jackson fan) is reported to have instigated the initial deal in coaxing the retiring mega star back to these shores with the aim of boosting the travel and tourism industry into the UK.
With the initial announcement of 10 exclusive dates at the capitals O2 Arena already creating a wave of registrations for the tickets, demand for this is going to be huge, opened up to 200 countries the future for the UK travel business is positive.
Unconfirmed reports are now also stating that the events are really only a dry run to establish how well London's transport system will hold up in preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games. Tessa Jowell, the Olympic Minister was unavailable to comment.