From time to time I put together a playlist based on random selections from my record collection – random, in that I just look at the back covers and pick a song, sometimes the most obvious song, sometimes the least-recognised, or less obvious tunes…and now it’s time for another one, bits of jazz, some folk, some funk, rock, pop – whathaveyou, plenty of whathaveyou…
So here goes: Read More
Earlier in the year I played a DJ set called She-Bop – it was simple really, just play a bunch of tunes by or featuring women. It was a great night – from slow, low-key beginnings to a big, long, loud party…
Well, I’m doing it all again with She-Bop 2 so thought I’d share the tunes from the first one, a perfect warm-up, many of them will be repeated this time no doubt, but in a different order and at different times in the night. It’s also fine to hear, I think, as a standalone playlist of tunes. I hope you enjoy it…
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The other week I played a bunch of records down at the San Fran – I dubbed it “The Greatest Music In The World”, the aim was simply to play funk, soul and R’n’B with a little bit of jazz and blues – if I take those genres and put them together I can honesty/easily say that’s my favourite, the best. Obviously I love stuff from all over the musical spectrum but that’s a nice place to be, in that space, listening to those records. Funk, soul, R’n’B – it gives me strength, it feels right, it’s always correct… Read More
Back around 2010 I had this little agreement with a bar – a tiny wee bar that was part of a theatre. They asked me to coordinate some sort of “Live Listening Experience”. That was the brief. It was a tiny bar and there was no room to DJ, they thought I could make them playlists – but wanted something (slightly) more than that. So I called them Live Listening Sessions. I’d create a theme, and a playlist and I’d welcome whoever was there with a short reading/speech-thing and that was that. Hit play. And let the people go about their night, chat about music – the aim was to encourage music discussion – and it kinda worked. It was a regular wee crew that turned out. And bonded over music and booze and banter. And I’ve just found the notes from that first session. So I’ve turned them into a playlist – if I find the others I’ll add those up too. Some good tunes here. This first one was a bunch of favourite live-versions of 
songs off some of my favourite live-concert albums. I didn’t want to just choose all the obvious staples so there’s some random stuff in here as well as a few obvious classics.
I reckon it’ll play through quite nicely. So maybe some weekend listening for you. Forty songs – just under four hours…lots of longer versions here, a few interesting covers…have at it.
You know the deal here, from time to time I dig through the record crate and just randomly pick a selection of tunes to sculpt into a playlist. I say sculpt but the unwritten rule (though I guess now, technically it’s being written) is that I can’t plan the order, just listing one song after another – I look at the back cover, find a song, list it – quick as I can go. Just a few minutes per setlist, as long as it takes to find the songs and line them up. And so now here’s the latest. I reckon this one will be a bit of fun. Hope you enjoy…
In John Waters’ latest book he imagines hitchhiking across America via a couple of novellas – then he documents his actual journey. In the book’s back page he offers the following playlist:
1. Marvin Gaye, Hitch Hike
2. Nervous Norvus, Transfusion
3. Del Reeves, Looking At The World Through A Windshield
4. Pat and The Wildcats, The Giggler
5. Cornbread and Jerry, Loco Moto
6. David Seville and The Chipmunks, Witch Doctor
7. Bobby Scott, Chain Gang
8. Zeb Turner, Travelin’ Boogie
9. Jerry Wallace, Swingin’ Down The Line
10. Stan Farlow, Hot Wheels
11. Billy Lee Riley, Flying Saucer Rock and Roll
12. Connie Francis, V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N
13. Bobby Curtola, Hitchkiker
14. Jimmy Dan, Bumming Around
15. Webb Pierce, There Stands The Glass
16. Johnny Sea, Hithcin’ and Hikin’
17. The Addicts, You Are The Finger of God
18. Everly Brothers, Torture
19. Joanie Leeds, Tofurky Song
20. Leon Payne, I’m A Lone Wolf
21. The Robins, Riot in Cell Block # 9
22. The Sonics, Strychnine
23. Jericho Brown, Lonesome Drifter
24. The Singing Dogs, Jingle Bells
25. Dale Hawkins, Cross-Ties
26. Buzz Clifford, Baby Sittin’ Boogie
27. Josie Cotton, Who Killed Teddy Bear
28. Doris Day, Ohio
29. Red Simpson, Runaway Truck
30. Judy Garland, San Francisco
He tells readers to go online and find these songs – one reader has already put together a YouTube mix. Enjoy.
Set up my old Numark turntable today, doing some 
spring-cleaning, sat down and worked through a few LPs too; bit of fun. So here’s another random record crate playlist for you to enjoy/endure/ignore.