Today, the random selection from my vinyl treasures is "You're the Best Thing" by the Style Council, and I would have to say this is my most FAVOURITE song of all time! That is actually a hard thing to do, because I have sooooo many favourites. But there is just something I love about the music, the lyrics and Paul Weller's voice in this song.
Another great Australian song (I have a lot of these in my collecton!) by a great band, Hunters and Collectors.
When this single was released, my best friend and I were living in a caravan (our first home away from our family homes) and thought that it had to have been made just for us! (Although, we actually wanted to live in our little red and white caravan, with red upholstery and red curtains.)
We had only just started on a band-following journey that was to last for the next ten years! Our bands of choice: Hunters and Collectors and Crowded House. We saw those bands live over and over, bought all their records, CDs, tapes, videos, back catalogue from different countres, you name it, we were obsessed! Whenever they played in WA we went to the soundchecks and basically followed them around. We weren't aiming to be groupies, we just wanted to be their friends. The Hunters were pretty kind to us; they always put us on their door list for their gigs so it was free to get in. We thought they were musical geniuses (well they were!), and this song is from the peak of their popularity.
I love the vid, they look so slick, compared to their rough and ready early days. They always incorporate Austalian icons in their videos, such as the lawnmower in this one. If you listen carefully, the beautiful harmony in the chorus is sung by Neil Finn. Sends chills up my spine even now. Love it!
I've selected a great Australian song from the 80s today. I do so love the Australian bands from the 80s, and the Models were always a lot of fun. I'm surprised I never saw them live in the ten years I constantly went to gigs and concerts. It looks like someone went to the Kimberleys in the north of Western Australia to take the photo for this picture sleeve - red dirt and scrubby trees for miles!
If you look carefully at the clip, yoú might see Wendy Matthews (popular Aussie singer) who started out back up singing for these guys when she was dating singer/guitarist Sean Kelly (the one with his hair tied back.) In this song, James Freud sings, and he is just so cool. A sweet, hypnotic melody. The keyboard at the beginning and the sax at the end are just brilliant!
After a sleepy Mothers Day, featuring breakfast in bed (banana and maple syrup pancakes, yum!) and afternoon tea with my Mum (pecan and custard cake, oh, my gawsh!) I've sat down to share my random vinyl pick of the week, Like Flames by Berlin.
Another band with a rocking female singer. Love this song, great to sing along with. I love the video too, and, other than the mullets, it hasn't dated that much.
Lady Gaga was surely copying singer, Terri Nunn, when she had this look:
Apparently, the band have been playing some concerts recently, and she still looks pretty amazing.
I've randomly selected another 7"record from my collection for you. Love this sleeve!
Do you remember this classic song from the 80s? I think it is Paul Kelly's best. Such a catchy tune!
The video was filmed in Sydney and is really quite hilarious.
Watch, and see if you don't keep singing this song for the rest of the day!
Anyone else have a collection of old vinyl? Gee, they bring back some memories.
Wendy xxx
Today, the random vinyl pick from my singles collection is Michael Penn's "This and That", from 1990.
Michael Penn is Sean Penn's brother. (They also have another actor brother, Chris Penn, who was in Footloose.) Michael penn writes the most beautiful melodies and lyrics. He is a clever and romantic soul. I also have his single called "No Myth"which was an even bigger hit. He had one more album that I know of, and then, I'm not sure what happened to him...Must look him up on the net. Okay, I'm back from my search. Michael Penn has had 5 albums and has created original music for tons of films over the years. I was surprised to find out that he is married to Aimee Mann, who is also a brilliant singer/songwriter/musician. I love her work in the band, Til Tuesday, although she has an intense face that scares me a bit!
In the 90s I was a great collector of vinyl records. For fun, I thought I would choose one record randomly, every now and then, and share the story that goes with it.
Today's random pick from my singles collection is "The Unguarded Moment" by The Church.
An Australian band, I remember this song when it was released in the early 80s (and played on Countdown, a favourite Aussie music show on tele), and I was intrigued by the lead singer's deep voice. Little did I know that years later, when they released the album, Gold Afternoon Fix, I would become their biggest fan and collect their entire back catalogue, including rare singles costing $90 or more! I also bought all the releases by the individual band members, and particularly fell for the poetic, folky style of the guitarist, Marty Willson-Piper (who was a stunner in his day, but now sports a ZZ Top beard!) I also bought all the releases of their girlfriends, wives, and brothers, and went to many of their gigs when they played in Perth. I even had the chance to meet them once, and I remember them all being very tall, slim and handsome! Their music is mostly dark, moody, and melodic, with many memorable guitar riffs and poetic lyrics. They still release CDs every couple of years or so.
Watch the vid here:
That video is ancient!! Do you remember the song now? I adore it!
