Forum Faves – August 2020It's been great to be asked to host the forum faves feature for August 2020. Yet again, a month with a whole heap of very strong songs, coming from a variety of angles. It was difficult as always whittling the songs on the forum to 5 that demanded an extra bit of critique. As ever, some brilliant songs that have not been included here. I've tried to be objective and choose a selection of songs that cover a variety of styles, so here goes, in no particular order.....
Shame – Jamie @Jamie First up is Jamie, who seems to have been on an absolute blitz of activity since the start of lockdown producing a fine range of rock offerings. This grabs you from the start with the hypnotic keyboard intro. Jamie's crystal clear melodic vocals tease us with the first verse before we start to build in the second verse into the big, big chorus. Fabulous double tracked vocals and great choice of instrumentation. The standard of production is also top quality. The guitar solo is a killer. One of your best so far for me Jamie :)
The Urban Myths – It's a wonderful Lowlife
@5 guys named Lars Ah ! As soon as I heard this for the first time, I was back in 1972, recording Top Of The Pops off the telly on my Dad's Grundig reel to reel tape recorder with the budgie singing along in the background and that high pitched 625 lines whine. My dad is muttering something about blokes wearing glitter and considering banning TOTP in the house (which he actually did do for a year) I think he relented as he missed Pan's People though. Anyway, I digress, and I'm only telling you all this as it reminded me of an early T.Rex song. The Lars Boys are in fine form here with this acoustic / bongo vibe. A smashing melody and as catchy as anything. I love the little brass interlude and listen carefully as there's a lot going on in there.
Also some to quality lyric lines thrown in for good measure. My favourite lines are “Some people say that all roads lead to Rome. Well I bloody hope not `cos I`m driving home.“
Top work Larses
Viscount Cramer – Don't Touch This @Viscount Cramer & His Orchestra
From Northern Denmark, we venture to France for the latest offering from Bandleader Viscount Cramer and his fabulous orchestra. Oh man, this is fffunky as funk. Shi's vocals just suit this style so well and Ian had created an amazing groove that I could listen to again and again. He sure is an expert with that loop manipulation jiggery pokery. Anyway, this one I just kept coming back to again and again. It's da groove kids !
Cowparsleyman – Kinky Blackbird (Bri Nylon Mix) @cowparsleyman Rich transports us in a black cab back to Carnaby street in 1966 with a wonderful pastiche of 1960's styles. There's The Kinks, Bonzo Dog, The Beatles (Yup a good measure of Sgt Pepper) I think Rich has really captured the essence of 1960's London with this number. This deserves a lot of listens to appreciate everything that is going on. As usual there is an incredible attention to detail, something that we have come to associate with Cowparsleyman. I don't know if I could ever persevere. It's groovy man !!!
Dinnerwithgreedo – Colorado On My Mind @dinnerwithgreedo Last up is the talented Mr Dinnerwithgreedo with a fine little folky / country ditty. I love the vocals on this one and tasteful choice of instrumentation. I also really like the simplicity of this number, a lovely simple melody and great acoustic picking work – Gee, I think I'm becoming a country convert. Please help me if I branch into Bro-Country
Anyway, I hope that I've been eclectic in my choices. I wanted to make a selection of songs that highlighted the diversity of the forum rather that to choose songs in genres that I favour more than others. I'm treating this exercise differently than I would do if I was hosting “Song Of The Month” and treating it more like a forum spotlight.
Anyway – My Fave of Faves for August 2020 is Viscount Cramer – Don't Touch This.
Take a bow Mr @Viscount Cramer & His Orchestra
See you next month :)
John
