My Crucial Tracks this week - Ghost Rider, Hilly Fields, Freed From Desire, La Bamba, The Weeping Song, My Heart Will Go On, The House of Bamboo, and Smoke And Strong Whiskey
These were my Crucial Tracks for the last few days.
A song that reminds you of a particular friend.
"Ghost Rider (2019 Remaster)" by Suicide
This reminds me of a friend because the band was part of why we became friends in the first place.
I was in the kitchen at work discussing plans for the weekend with someone or other. I was going to see a reasonably big band who I thought had gone right off the boil….but said I was mainly going to see the support band, who I was really excited about.
My new chum was also a fan of the support band - this is them
A song that reminds you of one of your favourite places.
"Hilly Fields" by Nick Nicely
This is a relatively obscure bit of psychedelic pop from south east London.
I’d read about this song at least 30 years before I actually heard it.
Hilly Fields was our local park when we lived in Lewisham. it’s a very un-spooky place and, as far as I know, it’s never been visited by aliens.
The spoken word bit in the song was rumoured to be Kate Bush, who also lived nearby, but I think that’s been denied
A song that reminds you of your last vacation or holiday.
"Freed from Desire" by Gala
Whenever English people get together in large numbers at the minute, this gets played
A song in a language that you don't know.
"La Bamba" by Ritchie Valens
If today were a genre, what would it be? Pick a matching song.
"The Weeping Song (2010 - Remaster)" by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
It's autumn here in the Shire. I associate this time of year with either mellow, reflective singer-songwriters, or with the dark clouds of Goth.
Sitting right in the middle of that Venn diagram is Mr Cave
"The Weeping Song (2010 - Remaster)" by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds on Apple music
What's a remix or cover you like more than the original?
"My Heart Will Go On" by Pam Hall
I do very much like Celine Dion's version of this, although it suffered a bit from being played endlessly on the radio.
Anyway this is a reggae version, from around the same time I would guess
What's a hidden gem or underrated song you love?
"The House of Bamboo" by Andy Williams
This reminds me of a couple of nights at the Club Montepulciano, in the marvellous Rivoli Ballroom.
What's a song that grew on you over time?
"Smoke & Strong Whiskey" by Christy Moore
On the whole I tend to like songs the first time I hear them, or not at all. I guess I'm just shallow!
This one is an exception. I never disliked it, but it took a few listens before I appreciated it properly