New issue of Shindig! mag out now

The latest issue of Shindig! magazine is out now featuring a massive look at the 60s Texas Scene including the 13th Floor Elevators and other less well known but equally brilliant obscurities such as Zakary Thaks. Checkout exclusive archive footage of the Nuggets favourite courtesy of You Tube below. The third and final installment of the mammoth West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band story comes to a thrilling climax and hundereds of reviews will keep you abreast of all the latest soul, garage, beat and psych re-issues.

If you can't find Shindig! in the shops, why not take out a subscription? More details here.

Motown celebrates 50th birthday

Starting in December 2008 and running through 2009, Universal Music will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Motown Records.

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Motown Records, Universal Music is releasing the album Motown 50 on 1st December. With the British nation’s endless love for Motown, Universal Music are inviting the public to vote for their favourite Motown tracks and the album will be compiled purely from the top 50 tracks chosen by them.

Universal Motown are embracing social networking to create this unique compilation album by partnering with Poll The People - www.pollthepeople.com/motown50 the global online polling community - to launch the GREATEST MOTOWN SONGS poll. It will run for 4 weeks from Monday 15th September to determine the ultimate Motown Top 50. People can select their Top 5 Motown songs from the database and their votes are entered into the poll. They will also be connected to other members of the community who match some or all of their Top 5 choices so they can meet like minded people and discover new gems from the legendary Motown catalogue.

RSG has submitted our top 5 – why not vote for yours?

Rather than go for the obvious, we've dug a bit deeper into the Motown vaults and gone for five classic dancers that can still pack dancefloors today.

1. Kim Weston (pictured above) - Helpless
2. The Originals - Suspicion
3. Frances Nero - Keep on loving me
4. Eddie Holland - Leaving Here
5. Chris Clark - Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)

Whilst we are on a Motown theme, check out this rare footage, courtesy of YouTube, of the Isley Brothers performing on the TV show 'Ready Steady Go' back in the sixties.

RSG DJ support for The Farm

Ready Steady Go DJs Phil and Paul are back in action this December supporting Liverpool legends, The Farm as part of a three day event that includes three top scouse acts headlining across three Leeds venues.

The mini festival kicks off on Friday 12th December at the Spinning Wheel pub in Leeds with headliners the Drella's featuring ex-Space frontman Tommy Scott. Baggy heroes, The Farm headline at Leeds University on Friday 19th December and Shack headline at Rio's on Saturday 20th December alongside RSG faves, The Ladyboys. Andy Pye provides the DJ support on the 12th and 20th whilst, RSG! will be spinning the wheels of steel on the 19th.

A £36 ticket is available to cover all gigs or you can purchase tickets for each night seperately. Tickets are available from all the usual outlets. For more information check out www.myspace.com/n3mnorthernmusic.

Listen to the new Oasis album

The brand new Oasis album 'Dig Out Your Soul' is been previewed by Myspace. You can preview the album in full @ www.myspace.com/oasis

You can purchase the new album here.

Those of you in need of a bit of Oasis nostalgia should check out our archive for our exclusive interview with Liam and Noel back in 1993 just before the Oasis story blew up. You can also view exclusive pictures taken at one of their classic early gigs at the Duchess of York pub in Leeds.

My Favourite 45 by Steve Ellis (Love Affair)

Steve Ellis, legendary singer with the seventies blue eyed soul band The Love Affair, is back with a brand new album, ‘Best Of Days’ which includes a new version of the classic ‘Everlasting Love’ alongside a cover of Paul Weller’s, ‘Brand New Start’ and brand new compositions. Both, Roger Daltrey and Paul Weller also appear on the album.

The man behind such perennial Mod club spins such as, ‘Loot’s The Root’ and ‘So Sorry’ took time out from promoting his latest release to tell RSG! readers about one of his favourite 45s.

“There are numerous great 45`s of the sixties so many in fact it is impossible to actually make one of them favourite” say Steve, “So (I’ll go for) a random shot "Positively 4th Street" by Bob Dylan”.

“Ironic as my musical tastes lay deeply in Black Soul & Blues Music because to be honest they have just got soul, James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, David Ruffin, SamCooke, Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, Memphis Slim, Lightning Hopkins, Snooks Eaglin, Ray Charles, Paul Robeson et al, Tamla Motown, Stax, Oriole, Chess, Sue. Indefinable but they and hundreds more translated so much passion and feeling”.

“So for me to pick Bob Dylan is strange I suppose because Bob is no James Carr or Otis Redding or Etta James. Bob Dylan is to some a bumbling old man past his best, to some he is the messiah. Well folks sorry to disappoint but he is a human being and a great one at that. He has written so many classics it is ridiculous. Sure The Beatles and The Stones and to some degree Pete Townsend and The Who and not forgetting the sadly missed Marriott and Lane or Ray Davies and The Kinks all major players in the songwriting dept, in the sixties but Dylan keeps on writing them even to this day”.

“So back to the plot "Positively" is a great lyric in that it curses all the people who smile in your face and stab you in the back so to speak. The world is full of them but Dylan just brushes them aside stating "I know just where you’re at, you just want to be on the side that’s winning". Quality. I can’t say "The Hurricane " because it is 70`s but what a lyric......”

“I had a look through my CD’s before I typed this and the funny thing was I found I owned more Dylan than any other artist although the rest of the music is a very mixed bag indeed”.

“So from an old soldier/mod, Dylan takes 1st Prize”.

Steve Ellis ‘Best of Days’ is out now and can be purchased here.

For more info on Steve’s past, present and future, check out www.steveellis.co.uk

New ish of Shindig out now!!!

The brand new issue of SHINDIG! magazine hits the shops in the UK this week. This fab magazine gets better every issue putting the likes of Q, Uncut and Mojo to shame.

Inside this issue are fantastic, in depth features on THE WEST COAST POP ART EXPERIMENTAL BAND plus DENNIS WILSON, LOVE, JACKIE LEE, THE PINK FAIRIES and lots, lots more including a Soul column by yours truely! Glossy, professionally produced and packed with cool pics and reviews. This magazine is essential reading for any music fan.

Visit www.shindig-magazine.com for more info and subscription rates. Shindig! is available in all good newsagents (WH Smiths, Borders & Barnes & Noble), book stores, comic stores and indie record shops!

My Favourite 45 by Daniel Wylie, Singer/Songwriter

Daniel Wylie has released dozens of feel good, shimmering, summery pop classics over the years, both as former lead singer of the Cosmic Rough Riders and now as a solo star. His third solo album, ‘Car Guitar Star’ will be released in the UK on Neon Tetra on August 18th. For the prefect introduction to his work the recent 'best of' is recommended. The album compiles his solo work alongside his best work with the Cosmic Rough Riders. You can also read an old CRR interview with Daniel in our Archive section.

RSG! asked Daniel to pick out one his favourite tracks for our ever expanding 'My Favourite 45' feature and he opted for this obscure seasonal number from the seventies stage show, ‘Hair’.

Good Morning Sunshine by Oliver

“I first heard this song when I was 10 years old" says Daniel, "A few of my cousins and I were on our way to Glasgow Green carnival, counting our money to see how many rides we could afford to go on”.

“My cousin Anne had a little battery operated hand held radio with her and we were listening to Radio 1. It was a warm, sunny day and suddenly on came this amazing song with a melody sent from Heaven”.

“Originally from the musical, "Hair", there's a real melancholia mixed in with the happiness on this song, which in later years I found out is a difficult mood to capture in a song”.

“Some of the lyrics are plain dumb but isn't that true about a lot of the best pop music? Glibby glib glooby...”

“I still get the same feeling of euphoria when I listen to this song now as I did back then and am instantly transported back to that moment, walking along Old Rutherglen Road past the bowling green when this magical song came on the radio.”

“My children are also fans of the song since it's inclusion in an episode of The Simpsons”.

For more information on Daniel Wylie go to www.myspace.com/danielwylie

To purchase Car Guitar Star click here.

RSG/IKON competition

There’s still time to enter our competition to win you a swish record/man type bag courtesy of the good folk at IKON footwear. The closing date is June 30th. Simply answer the following question below and email your answer to soulboy_69@yahoo.com

Q. Who was the female presenter on the sixties music TV show, Ready Steady Go?

The lucky winners will be drawn soon after and announced here. Watch this space and good luck!

My Favourite 45 by Adam, Rowed Out Records

As technology gathers pace the punk DIY spirit of yesteryear seems such a long lost time ago. The buzz you got from vinyl, fanzines and word of mouth tip offs serve only to remind you of a nostalgic era long before t’internet, IPODs, CDs and MP3s came along.

Here at RSG! we feel it’s important to embrace new technology at the same time as keeping the old ethos alive. So, as much as we still love and desire vinyl, we treasure the fact that the internet is a unique facility for indulging our musical desires like never before.

In a world of fake celebrity and superfluous celebration for the non-talented it is both satisfying and inspiring to see small, independent labels like Rowed Out Records steadfastly keeping the spirit alive, releasing limited 7” singles from up and coming bands, whilst at the same time using technology to connect with like minded souls.

You can’t but help admire label boss Adam for his dedication to the cause. His mission is a pure labour of love, devoid of any selfish aspirations for fame and fortune. Of course, it would be nice to have a bit of dosh and gratitude along the way but that’s not the primary reason for wanting to stick your neck on the line and run your own label. It’s this grassroots level RSG! applauds. This label, like many other small, enterprising labels, represents the life blood of a music industry that never properly pays its dues to the people like Adam, whose obvious devotion to music and supporting others is beyond question.

Do yourself a favour and have a punt on one of Rowed Out records 7” singles and help keep the fire burning. In the meantime, we asked Adam to tell us about one his favourite 45s from his record collection and he has plumped a pure mod gem by the Eyes, ‘I’m Rowed Out’ –

“So good I named a record label after it!!” says Adam.

The Eyes - I'm rowed out (Mercury MF 881)

“There are many sounds from the 60s that will stay with me as they were the first records I got into as an 11/12 year old, 'Green Onions', 'Be My baby', 'Louie Louie' etc. and I still love the thrill of hearing something new from that period of music. Although 'I'm rowed out' is a blatant rip-off of The Who's 'I can't explain' is has stuck with me from the first time I heard it, which would have probably been in a London club in the late '80s ( I also remember top '90s mod band THE CLIQUE covered it). The intro is not as shrill as The Who's and the lyrics are a lot harder - it could have been written about a mod, the lyrics reflecting an attitude akin to a teenagers thoughts on living in the fast lane, sod the mediocrity”

“The opening lyric of "You got a grey suede coat and a soul like fire" sum up a mod's pilled-up attitude. It has parallels with The Kinks 'Dedicated follower of fashion' in creating a vision of some hip young thing lording it up around the London hot-spots”. “I named the second release on Rowed Out Records 'Soul Like Fire' as a tribute and the third release 'Join the tea set' is a lyric from another of their tracks - 'My degeneration'. Release #4 is entitled 'Do it for kicks' (from a line in 'Rowed out' - "You don't want money, you do it for kicks")”.“The Eyes are a VERY under-rated mod band, look at the back catalogue they left, they were ahead of their time, recording freakbeat monsters 'You're too much' and 'When the night falls' long before other bands took R&B and made it heavier”.“The record still gets plays in clubs now and is one of only a few British R&B tunes that can be heard between the US soul and R&B, proving it's longevity on the mod scene”.“A truly classic 45”.

For more information on Rowed Out records go to http://www.rowedout.co.uk/ or http://www.myspace.com/soullikefire

If you run your own label and would like to be featured in Ready Steady Go please drop us a line @ soulboy_69@yahoo.com

Cheap CDs, Vinyl for sale now on EBAY

It's time for a clearout here at RSG! towers.

Check out our 'for sale' lists on ebay and pick up a bargain along the way including this lovely original copy of the Temptations lp, Psychedelic Shack on Gordy.

http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZpaul*rsg

Keep on lookin' as there are lots of soul, funk and indie goodies to come soon!

My Favourite 45 by Andrew D. Cannes (Yeti)

Andrew Cannes is guitarist with hotly tipped Yeti (pictured left), a harmony-driven psychedelic pop group who are set to release their long awaited debut LP, ‘The Legend Of Yeti Gonzales’ (Get Up & Go records) on June 23rd.

The first single off the album is “Don’t Go Back To The One You Love” a sprawling psyched up song cycle that picks up from where the Beta Band left off and is out now on iTunes and other digital stores or CD and 7″. Check out the video below.

Andrew has kindly taken time out to delve into his record collection to pick out one of his favourite soul singles and tell us why he loves it so much for our ever popular ‘My Favourite 45’ series…

TELL IT LIKE IT IS – AARON NEVILLE

“It’s always amusing to look at a photo of Aaron Neville while listening to his music" says Andrew, "the man is a mountain: muscles everywhere, tight t-shirt with tattoos, earrings. You wouldn’t mess with him in a dark alley. But then you hear his voice, and you just want protect him – the man is crying out for a cuddle. Haunting, delicate and yet raw, Neville’s voice is one of the most unique in the history of recorded music. Dylan once described Neville (along with my other personal favourite from New Orleans, Irma Thomas) as being on a “higher level”. To me, Neville is the badder, New Orleans version of Carl Wilson, with a super-heavy dose of drugs, knock-backs and prison thrown in. In “Tell It Like It Is”, his voice conveys a level of hurt and raw emotion that has become alien to modern music”.

“And what about the first verse? Coupled with Neville’s delivery, it’s a pure knock-out”

"If you want something to play with
Go and find yourself a toy
Baby my time is too expensive
And I'm not a little boy”

“My favourite rhyme in the song is “serious/furious”, mainly because of the way Neville sings it. It simply wouldn’t be the same if it had been, say, Diana Ross”.

“Apparently it took Lee Diamond 15 minutes to write this song, which isn’t as short as it sounds. After all, if you’re going to name a song “Tell It Like It Is” and mean it, you should really get straight to the point”.

Thanks to Andrew for sending us this fantastic article. Keep coming back for more guest contributions. If you are in a band and would like some free publicity send us your views on one of your own 45s and we'll do the rest!

Yeti are Graham Blacow – Drums; Andrew Cannes - Electric, Vocals; John Hassall - Bass, Vocals; Mark “Harmony” Underwood - Acoustic, Vocals

For more information go to the bands’ website yetigonzales.com

Order your copy of 'The Legend Of Yeti Gonzales’ here.

IKON desert boot & competition!

BBC London DJ and well known broadcaster Gary Crowley (right) will be launching his own range of footwear through the company Ikon this Spring.

Gary says of the collaboration.

'I've been Desert Boot crazy for as long as I can remember now. Perhaps it has something to do with its enduring, classic British quality. Plus of course it was a staple part of any self respecting Mod's wardrobe. And if it was good enough for those little sawdust ceaser's, it’s certainly good enough for me! Plus they're so damn comfortable as well.

To be invited to design my own take on the Desert Boot by those cool folk at Ikon is really a dream come true for me. It's been fascinating following the process from the initial idea and design right through to the finished result. I'm absolutely thrilled with it. I hope people like them too'

“Crowley” stitch down boot, RRP£50.00 are available in Army suede and Ice suede now, and will be joined by chocolate suede and stone corded suede from July 1st onwards.

Meanwhile, the good folk at Ikon are offering three lucky Ready Steady Go readers the chance to win one of these smart record bags (pictured left). To win all you need to do is answer the simple question below and email your answer along with your name and postal address to soulboy_69@yahoo.com. The closing date for this competition is June 30th. The lucky winners will be announced here shortly after.

So hurry, email your details today!!

RSG/IKON Competition question :

Q. Who was the female host of the hit sixties TV show, Ready Steady Go?

For further Ikon goodies and to purchase the new desert boot go to www.ikonfootwear.co.uk

My Favourite 45 by Paolo Hewitt, Author

The Ronettes – Be My Baby

Ace author and wannabe Soprano(!), Paolo Hewitt, reveals why he digs those fabulous sixties girl group sounds…

(To be spoken in a Soprano voice...)

“Everyone is talking at me, telling me their fave rave on 45. What the fuck. I gotta disagree wit all of them because round here at Paolo's, the greatest single ever made is quite simply Be My Baby by The Ronettes”. ”Why? Why the fuck not? You got something better? No you haven't and you know why? Because it don't get no better than this. From that drum beat at the start, the way the instruments kick in, those lyrics…”

”For every kiss you give me / I'll give you three”

“…the production, the singing, the way those three girls look with their tight dresses and their haircuts and their brown flashing eyes, Jesus, breaks my heart every time. And that's the point. I have never heard this record and gotten tired off it. Never”.

“You hear some tunes you like a lot and then they come on the radio once more and you think, okay enough already. Not with this baby you don't. It is just pure beautiful magic all the way. Now stop breaking my balls and let me get back to serving people. Okay. What the fuck do you want meatball?"

Paolo Hewitt has written dozens of great novels and biographies. RSG! highly recommends ‘The Soul Stylists’ and ‘The Sharper Word’, two essential items for anyone with a love of Mod fashion and culture. You can purchase these and lots more by using the link below.

Curtis Mayfield on DVD!

The good folks at 'Reelin In The Years' have followed up their recent excellent soul video compilations with a brand new documentary film about Curtis Mayfield featuring loads of vintage clips from his soulful days with The Impressions right through to his later funkier solo work.

Much more than a biography of a soul singer, this unique documentary carefully portrays the impact Curtis's music had on our social and political history. Mayfield was an unlikely protest singer, small in stature but a giant in terms of the message he dared put across, be it race, war, social injustice or drugs.

His artistic and poetic way of communicating with the man on the street was simple and pure yet Curtis was alone in standing up for what he believed in.

For those who doubt whether music and politics can mix simply listen to message songs like 'Keep On Pushin', 'We're A Winner' and 'We Gotta Have Peace' and imagine the impact they would have first made back in more troubled and unstable times. In one clip, the film tells the story of how nervous TV producers tried to censor the provocative lyrics Curtis wrote, perfectly highlighting the fear and ignorance of the times. Yet, despite the historical context, these inspirational message songs continue to be relevant and can resonate deeply with the continuing struggles that still affect many all over the world.

This DVD is not only essential for soul fans but for anyone with an interest in civil rights history and the power of music. It is a film that both educates and entertains in equal measure.

Curtis Mayfield was an inspiration to many and thanks to this important presentation his message of hope and understanding will continue to influence generations to come. Do yourself a favour and buy this DVD today. Before you do check out this great clip of Curtis with the Impressions from the sixties. The DVD contains this and 23 other full length performances along with poignant contributions from fellow Impressions, Fred Cash and Sam Gooden along with arranger, Johnny Pate.

The Love Story - Watch the trailer here!

LOVE Story is the story of LA band LOVE & their legendary frontman Arthur Lee. Their tale is one of the great untold rock & roll stories. One of the first mixed race rock bands, the dark vision of their music set them apart from the utopian ideals of the 'Flower Power' generation and the 'Summer of Love' era.

The film features extensive interviews with LOVE's front man and main songwriter Arthur Lee, as well as all surviving original band members - Johnny Echols, John Fleckenstein, Alban 'Snoopy' Pfisterer, Michael Stuart, Elektra boss Jac Holzman, producer Bruce Botnick & The Doors' John Densmore, as well as archive interview footage of the late Bryan Maclean.

The film is due for release this summer! For further info and film clips go to the Love story Myspace site @ www.myspace.com/lovestorydocumentary

My Favourite 45 by Eddie Piller, DJ

TYRONE DAVIS - IS IT SOMETHING YOU'VE GOT - DAKAR

Eddie Piller founded Acid Jazz Records in 1987 with Gilles Peterson. Today, Acid Jazz goes from strength to strength releasing classic grooves both, old and new. Eddie still DJs regularly alongside his many stints on radio shows. Eddie kindly took time out of his busy schedule to tell RSG a tale about one of his all time favourite 45s from his record collection.

“I remember exactly where I was when I first heard this record. I was in the back room of the legendary SPECIAL BRANCH night that was held at Streatham Ice Rink back in 1985. A DJ called Dave Brown was spinning jazz and a little bit of two step soul when suddenly; BANG! It hit me right in the face. A long lazy guitar riff intro followed by simply the best brass line ever. It was the vocals that really got me though...'there must be something that I'm missing, but is it something she's got?' delivered in a laconic, honey drenched Mississippi drawl”.

“I pestered the DJ, wrote down the details and by the following weekend I had located a copy for a princely £2”.“That same copy stayed in my DJ box and set for the following 21 years and I never missed an opportunity to play it. It became my signature tune!”

“Fast forward to Christmas 2006 and I had just finished recording the BBC Northern Soul New Years Eve special show and left the studio to play a gig in Deptford. I had the 34 records used for the recording in a BBC box and decided that I didn’t want to leave the box in my car boot in case anyone nicked the car”.

“Later that evening the box was stolen from behind the DJ decks at the gig. Well over a grand's worth of singles but the only one I really cared about was my special Tyrone 45. I was so gutted that I toyed with the idea of giving up playing records for a living. Thank you Deptford”.

“Henry Storch from Unique, my German DJ partner gave me his copy, but it wasn’t really the point. I had lost MY copy. The record still only sells for a fiver but it is a thing of great beauty. Buy it.”

For all the latest Acid Jazz news and releases check out the official site www.acidjazz.co.uk

Catch up with Eddie’s latest adventures behind the wheels of steel at his myspace page www.myspace.com/eddiepiller

OGDENS' NUT GONE FLAKE STAGED AS NEW MUSIC-THEATRE PRODUCTION

Playbox Theatre will stage Ogden's Nut Gone Flake – The Small Faces 1968 concept album – as a show for all the family telling the story of Happiness Stan and his quest to discover the missing half of the moon.

With live music from The Small Fakers – the UK's only tribute Small Faces band, actors, dancers, movement animations and puppeteers from Playbox and a guest narrator – the event promises to be unique and it is hoped to raise a substantial amount for Oxjam from the show. Ogden's Nut Gone Flake will premiere on Thursday 20th November with subsequent performances Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd November at The Dream Factory, Warwick.

Director will be Stewart McGill and Production consultants are John Hellier editor of The Small Faces Darlings of Whapping Wharf and Mark Cunningham editor of Total Production International who will provide essential production and biographical support to the creative team.

The Small Fakers (www.smallfakers.co.uk/) will play Ogden's album live each night with an extra set featuring hits of The Small Faces including Itchycoo Park, Tin Soldier, All For Nothing etc.

Watch a classic clip of the small faces performing an excerpt from Ogdens for a TV special here back in 1968.

My favourite 45 by Ian Moore, Comedian

Last month, on a night out at Jongleurs, I had the pleasure of stumbling across a comedian called Ian Moore. Not only is Ian one of the funniest comics I have seen, he is also a lover of all things Mod and a massive music fan to boot.

Ian has kindly taken the time out to contribute to our 'My Fave 45' series and he has plumped for this Small Faces related classic from 1968.

PP. Arnold - (If You Think You're) Groovy (Immediate)

"I once tried to finish with a girl by using Woody Allen’s convoluted joke about ‘needing the eggs’, about halfway through the object of my dwindled desire was so confused she decided to finish with me instead because I was ‘doin’ ‘er ‘ead in’".

"The moral of the story is, if you’re going to break up with someone, make it short, sweet and first. However, if you’re not one for advice, try using this absolute belter from PP Arnold & The Small Faces. Written by the criminally underrated Marriot & Lane, it shows that the Small Faces were much more than just another British R&B band".

"Beginning with a pastoral mix of guitar and flutes, Arnold laments that she is being held back by her relationship, at which point Kenny Jones’ drums wake her from her reverie and she kicks off big time with the help of Marriot on backing vocals. It is quite simply sumptuous".

If somebody dumped me like that I’d be bloody honoured".

I.Moore April 2008

Check out Ian's website for tour dates and lots more info @ www.ianmoore.info/.

Watch PP Arnold blasting out this classic song courtesy of youtube below...

On-line RSG! store now open for business!

You can now purchase our recommended releases at our very own RSG! e-store. To kick off, we've listed 99 of our favourite albums and now want to hear from you on what the 100th CD should be. Send me an email and tell us which album should be in our 'RSG! Top 100 Hall of Fame. Email us @ soulboy_69@yahoo.com

To view and purchase our recommended releases simply click on the RSG! Shop image which can be found on the right sided panel of your screen.

We'll be regularly stocking the shop with all our favourite selections so keep coming back.

Happy shopping and a big thanks for supporting Ready Steady Go!

DJing at the Atrium, Leeds Saturday April 12th

Soulboy_69 & the RSG! crew DJ at the Atrium on Saturday April 12^th alongside a live appearance from Leeds’ latest hip beatmakers, The Ladyboys. Don’t miss it! Click on the flyer to go to the Ladyboys Myspace.

video of the week: the music machine - talk talk

Check out this great footage of the Music Machine performing Talk Talk courtesy of youtube and don't forget to check out our exclusive interview with singer Sean Bonniwell in our archive here.

Ronnie Lane April Fool

April 1st would have been Ronnie Lane's birthday. To mark the occasion, just for fun, Ready Steady Go have compiled our favourite post Small Faces tracks Ronnie wrote.

As a fan of the small faces for many a moon it is only recently I’ve begun to delve into and fully appreciate the rich tapestry of Ronnie Lane’s post Small Faces song-writing. The moving documentary “The Passing Show – The life & music of Ronnie Lane’ wonderfully portrays a musician and a beautiful person who never really received his dues.

Ronnie Lane was the heart and soul of the Small Faces and later, The Faces. It was whilst in the Faces his song-writing flair began to fully bloom with beautiful heartfelt numbers like ‘Debris’ and ‘Glad and Sorry’. Miles away from the boozy and laddish reputation the Faces had nurtured these tracks portrayed a more earthy and reflective side that was pure Ronnie Lane. Here's the tracklisting. You can read the full story here.

Tracklisting:
1. Tell Everyone 2. Done this one before 3. The poacher 4. Roll on babe 5. Anymore for Anymore 6. Kuschty Rye 7. Annie 8. April Fool 9. Just for a moment 10. Anniversary 11. Barcelona 12. Don’t you cry for me 13. One for the road 14. How come (BBC session) 15. Ooh La La (BBC session) 16. Debris 17. Glad & Sorry 18. Maybe I’m Amazed (Live) 19. Richmond 20. Stone 21. You’re So Rude

Don't forget to read the full story here. You can also purchase the film Passing Show here.

In the meantime check out this fab footage of Ronnie in action with his band Slim Chance.





Happy Birthday Ronnie Lane RIP.

RSG to write soul column for Shindig Magazine

Ready Steady Go writer Paul Ritchie (aka Soulboy_69) is to become the new soul and funk columnist for ace retro mag Shindig!

If you've not yet checked out Shindig! make sure you do fast!!! If you are fan of sixties psych, garage, beat, powerpop and soul - this is the mag for you! Glossy, colourful and packed with amazing stories, pictures and interviews. It is a fantastic read from cover to cover. You will not find a more comprehensive mag in the UK to cover the music we love. Pop down to your nearest WH Smiths or Borders and pick up a copy today. Better still get a subscription!

Our first column should be appearing very soon. Watch this space for further details.

Shindig! is now available in WH SMITHS and BORDERS all across the UK. See www.volcanopublishing.co.uk/shindig/shindigstockists.html for details. We can also be bought anywhere in the world via a cheap and easy subscription. www.volcanopublishing.co.uk/shindig.

My favourite 45 by Steve Luigi, DJ

RSG! has been asking our favourite bands, DJs and fellow music junkies to pick a favourite 45s from their personal record collection and tell us why they treasure the slab of vinyl so much. Leeds based Legendary DJ, Steve Luigi is perhaps more famous for his reputation as a house music DJ on the dance scene but Steve's first love is for Northern Soul. "My favourite Soul track of all time would be VERY hard to choose as there are so many, but to pick one that make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up out of the literally thousands, I would have to choose 'Mike Post Coalition - Afternoon on the Rhino'" says Steve.

"The reason for me choosing this track is because it has always baffled me as to why someone would take a huge orchestra into a studio to record a random track that was not a theme tune for any film or program that I know of, but just for the sake of it".

"Can you imagine being in the studio when the track was recorded? WOW! The track is so full of energy from start to finish. And what type of music is it? It wasn't made as a Northern Soul record as there was no such term when it was made, so why was it recorded and to what end, it can't have made much money on the commercial scene?"

"All these factors add to the mystery and brilliance of this track. If you don't tap your feet when this track is being played, Check your pulse!!!"

For more info on Steve Luigi check out www.dj-cases.co.uk

Ready Steady Go Club Night March 28th

SoundPeople present Ready, Steady, Go! @ Trash (Mixing Tin), Leeds on Friday 28th March 2008. Live Acts and RSG DJs Ritchie & Cunningham spinning 100% vinyl northern soul, sixties beat and indie floorfillers. The weekend starts here...

Farewell to Felix - Clyro-esque Rock from JD Unsigned winners myspace.com/farewelltofelix

The Sneekypeeks - Unrelentingly Upbeat Indie Music"The energy of Muse with the catchy Anthems of Razorlight" - UK Music Search myspace.com/thesneakypeeks

The Huskies - Power Funk With A Rock Soul myspace.com/thehuskies

The Ace – Powered Up Guitar Pop Band With Sharp Tunes And Sharper Hooks myspace.com/theaceuk

The Hijacked - Punk And Garage Rock Impact myspace.com/thehijacked

£5. Doors at 7.45pm

My Favourite 45 by Markus Holler from Sugarbush Records

Paul Revere & the Raiders – Him or Me? (Columbia 1967)

Markus Holler from Sugarbush Records presents one of his favourite Garage 45s from his record collection.

“To show that the line between 60s California Garage and 70s PowerPop is unbroken, this song was actually recorded by The Flamin’ Groovies as the b-side to their single ‘You tore me down’. The Raiders though wrote it and rightly released it as an a-side".

"I remember hearing this for the very first time as a spotty teen on the John Peel show in 1982. I blew my head off there and then. Was there EVER a more compulsive rush? I would liken it to a three minute orgasm or to sitting in a Corvette with the pedal down and doing 140mph on an empty motorway. Yes it’s that good".

"If you have a spare £5 to spend, find this 45 and play it to death. If you don’t like I’ll give you ten for it and play it a hundred time more-segueing into my own copy of it for a seamless megamix that’ll go on for days. Yes, I like it!”

For rare vinyl at affordable prices check out Markus’ excellent website @ http://www.sugarbushrecords.com/

Paul Revere and the Raiders are criminally under-rated on these shores. Most of their success took place in the US yet, major success eluded them, quite possibly because they lived in the shadows of the Monkees. But, despite the naff costumes, they made some terrific albums. Sundazed records have re-issued their albums and RSG! recommends Spirit of 67, Revolution!, Something Happening and Midnight Ride. The band are still touring in 2008. Check out their website for further information.

Check out this classic archive footage of the band in action courtesy of Youtube. Thanks to Mystars72 for posting! If you would like to comment on this track or contribute to this series please email us today!

The La's deluxe edition

The La’s debut album is set for a welcome re-issue on April 14, 2008. The 2 CD deluxe edition is packed with mouthwatering rarities and previously unreleased versions of fans favourites. Also released is limited edition 7" single featuring two versions of 'There She Goes' b/w 'Way Out'.

Tracks listing as follows:

1. Son Of A Gun, 2. I Can’t Sleep, 3. Timeless Melody, 4. Liberty Ship, 5. There She Goes, 6. Doledrum, 7. Feelin’, 8. Way Out, 9. IOU, 10. Freedom Song, 11. Failure, 12. Looking Glass, 13. Son Of A Gun (Gary Crowley GLR session Dec 1988), 14. Doledrum (Gary Crowley GLR session Dec 1988), 15. I Can’t Sleep (Gary Crowley GLR session Dec 1988), 16. Way Out (Key 103 session Jan 1989), 17. I Am The Key (Key 103 session January 1989), 18. That’ll Be The Day (live on The Late Show BBC2 2-2-1989)

1. IOU (Mike Hedges version), 2. I Can’t Sleep (Mike Hedges version), 3. Knock Me Down (Mike Hedges version), 4. Way Out (Mike Hedges version), 5. Doledrum (Mike Hedges version), 6. There She Goes (Mike Hedges version), 7. Feelin’ (Mike Hedges version), 8. Timeless Melody (Mike Hedges version), 9. Son Of A Gun (Mike Hedges version), 10. Clean Prophet (Mike Hedges version), 11. Come In Come Out (Mike Hedges version), 12. Failure (Mike Hedges version), 13. Looking Glass (Mike Hedges version)
14. Doledrum (John Porter mix), 15. Way Out (Andy MacDonald version), 16. There She Goes (John Leckie version), 17. Man I’m Only Human (John Leckie version), 18. Feelin’ (Bob Andrews version), 19. Clean Prophet (Bob Andrews version), 20. I Can’t Sleep (Jeremy Allom version)

You can order the CD here.

Whilst we are on the La's tip, why not indulge yourself with some classic rare La's footage courtesy of youtube? Was there ever a more perfect pop song than 'There She Goes'? The song sounds as fresh as a daisy everytime I hear it!

My Favourite 45 by John MacLean of the Aliens

We asked a bunch of our favourite artists, DJs and fellow music junkies to tell us about a special 45 they treasure. First up, we’ve got this Motown classic from The Aliens, John Maclean (pictured left)…

"I collect and DJ 45s so it's tough choosing one, (but I’ll plump for) THE VELVELETTES - NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK".

“I choose this because it deserves to be played loud and played from the original 45 cut, not a motown 30 tunes per side compilation” says the ex-Beta Band keyboardist, “(It’s) extremely danceable, gets the ladies onto the floor (which then gets the men onto the floor), melodic and rhythmic in equal measures, my fave 45”.

The Aliens critically acclaimed debut album 'Astronomy for Dogs' is out now. Purchase it now here! For further information on the Aliens check out their website thealiens.co.uk. The Aliens are playing live in Manchester on March 16th, London (17th) and Glasgow April 10th.

Check out the video to the Aliens 'Robot Man' single...

my favourite 45...

Watch out for a new exciting feature coming soon to Ready Steady Go...

We've asked some of our favourite bands, DJs, writers and music biz types to write about a favourite 45 single from their private record collection. Keep coming back to RSG! to see who is next waxing lyrical about their favourite records. Could it be a lesser known nugget or a timeless classic?

If you would like to contribute to this series please drop me a line. We'd love to hear from ya!

Long live vinyl!

Dennis Wilson Pacific Ocean Blue released!

>>>The best news I’ve heard all year, so far, is that re-issue label Sundazed are finally re-releasing Dennis Wilson’s 'Pacific Ocean Blue'! The legendary album, from 1977, has been out of print for years now and second hand copies of the CD alone sell for £50+

Bootleg versions of this and Dennis’ unreleased follow Bamboo have been circulating for years between fans but finally, someone has seen fit to unleash this legendary album.

No-one sung ‘down of your knees, out on yer luck’ heartbreaking emotional songs as good as Beach Boy Dennis Wilson. His legacy has been virtually ignored over the years.

Fans are in for a real treat. The album will be issued on double vinyl plus a 2-CD set featuring, not only, the original 12 track album but several bonus tracks that have never been bootlegged before!! The second disc will feature twelve unreleased tracks from the never-released follow-up album 'Bamboo'.

Pacific Ocean Blue is released on May 19th. As soon as we get the link to pre-order we will add it. In the meantime, read more about Dennis Wilson @ RSG here.

Check out http://www.sundazed.com/ for more great releases!

readysteadygo club night

Here's a little plug for our ready steady go club night. If you've not been down and you're in the Leeds area come along and check us out - you might be pleasantly surprised! Check the flyer for a flavour of the wide range of cool tunes we play. We're not restricted to one genre of music. We pretty much cover the lot, soul, funk, indie, 60s garage. We like to keep it mixed up and we play vinyl!!! Keeping it old skool! Our next date is March 28th @ Trash. We are also playing at the Atrium on April 12th. Keep coming back to check for line ups and band profiles for the next RSG.

Next time you are down, don't forget to say 'hi' to the DJs!

New Shindig! mag out now

The latest issue of Shindig! magazine is out now. For more information click here. The magazine has gone from strength to strength recently and is a must for anyone seriously interested in sixties psych, garage, beat and soul. Fantastic articles, amazing colour pictures and exclusive interviews. It's an intoxicating brew put together by a talented and knowledgeable team of music junkies. Shindig! puts our national music magazines to shame.

You can now purchase the mag in Borders and WH Smith in the UK or better still, take out a subscription.

I strongly recommend you do so, as it would be a crying shame if magazines like this vanished without trace.

The latest issue includes interiews with THE CHARLATANS (the 60s version) alongside UK psych-pop lords THE FAIRYTALE, naughty girls THE GTO's, DYLAN AND THE BAND, garage teen rebels GONN plus THE 13th FLOOR ELEVATORS, THE HOLLIES, SANDIE SHAW and MOBY GRAPE .

The Charlatans Oh! Vanity video

The Charlatans new single Oh! Vanity is available to download FREE from xfm.co.uk. Check out the cool new video!

New gig announcement!

We will be providing DJ support to The Ladyboys at the Atrium, Leeds on Saturday April 12th. Details on flyer above. For further information check out the Ladyboys myspace page here. The Ladyboys are Damien Thackray, Nick Lonsdale, Paul Clarke, Daniel Mallin and Richard Waite. All have been local legends on the music scene for years now and this is their brand new band. It promises to be a busy night so, if you are coming, get down early!!!

Also, for more music don't forget to check out Nick & Paul's equally excellent acoustic venture Saturnines here.

RSG club band spotlight: The James Dean Syndrome

>>> The hip-groove-setting-cats that are The James Dean Syndrome put the 'hip' in Hip To The Trip.

These wildcats have plenty of mojo that not even Sgt. Pilcher himself could raid. From the heavy bass lines to the cream filled guitar licks and not forgetting the dandy drum beats, the Jimmy Deans have an arsenal so suave (in which any 'grunts' plodding through the Vietnamese 'boonies' would give their last pouch of 'Mary Jane' for) they could take on the Viet-Cong.

If your waiting for that new sound that hits you faster than a Porsche 550 Spyder then Jimmy Deans rhythm 'n' blues infected beats to their pysche-acoustic explosion will blow your mind.

So if your a would-be-hip fortysomething or a tree-huggin peacenik tune in, turn on and drop out to The James Dean Syndrome.

The James Dean Syndrome play @ RSG on Feb 28th 2008.

Listen to the JDS @ www.myspace.com/thejamesdeansyndrome

Eddie Bo new release on Vampisoul

Eddie Bo is one of the funk icons. Ace re-issue label Vampisoul are set to release a brilliant retrospective due on March 3rd 2008. The New Orleans funkateer was a perfomer, composer, and producer on many funk classics, many of which we regularly spin at our ready steady go club nights. The compilation will be available on vinyl and CD and will include tracks from his early and formative years to the present days, including both his own recordings and his productions for other artists. The package will include a massive essay, biography, and liner notes penned by journalist/specialist Bryce White. In the meantime, for more on Eddie Bo, check out Radio Leeds’ very own DJ James “down in the grooves” Addyman’s tribute to the great man himself in our RSG archive.

You can pre-order the CD here but I’ll be going for the vinyl myself!