The Return of the Coquina Marble Column

Well, I know! I know it’s been a long time … since I’ve updated this poor, neglected music blog. I have constantly been distracted and lured away from here over the past several months, but now I plan to focus on resuming my posts from the singing tower. I’ll finally write about my favorite records of 2007 soon and cover subjects varying from Lizzy Mercier Descloux to Long Fin Killie. In the meantime, I’ll start you off with a post-Black Thursday present. It’s a collection of songs that are A) about love, B) anti-love (like Betty Davis, yowza!), and C) tunes I would like to share, either because I’ve been listening to them a lot or they’re somehow relevant to my world at the moment.

David Sylvian & Ryuichi Sakamoto – “Forbidden Colours” from 1983
Their collaboration from the soundtrack of Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence. It peaked at #16 in the UK. Mark Stewart’s 1987 cover of this (“Forbidden Colour” and “Forbidden Dub”) is also worth seeking out. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d tackle Sylvian, either; Stewart cribs from Japan’s “Ghosts” toward the conclusion of Tricky’s “Aftermath” single from 1994. Both versions of “Forbidden Colours” are really hitting home for me lately and I’ve been pining for someone to record a cover that draws inspiration from both. (P.S. If someone can point me the way to “Bamboo Music” I’d be very happy.)
[“I’ll go walking in circles while doubting the very ground beneath me,
trying to show unquestioning faith in everything.”]

Apollo 440 feat. Billy Mackenzie – “Pain in Any Language” from December 1996
The last song Billy Mackenzie (best known for fronting Associates in the 1980’s) ever recorded. A month later in January 1997, he’d overdose on pills in his father’s garden shed. This song and the one above seem to flow together really well, as the former songs sets you up for the downturn in mood on this one.
[“I’m gonna screw you for all you’re worth and no more.” Ouch.]

Chick Corea – “Return to Forever” from 1972
He’s coming to my town next week. Sadly, I’ll probably end up missing out. Maybe I’ll obtain a balcony seat at the very least.

Moonshake – “Girly Loop” from 1993
Where do I pick up a wild woman? In the woods where the wild women grow, of course! Sounds logical enough to me.
[“She knows what God gave her eyelashes for.”]

Cocteau Twins – “Pitch the Baby (Live at The Roxy, New York, 12 June 1996)”
A spacier, sorta trip-hop version of the song from 1990’s Heaven or Las Vegas. Luscious.
[“I only want to love you…”]

The Fatima Mansions – “Everything I Do (I Do It For You)” from 1992
A bizarre overhaul of the Bryan Adams song. Seems to anticipate trip-hop by taking cues from The Wolfgang Press and Mark Stewart. Technically it hit #7 in the UK, but it was paired as a double A-side to the “Suicide is Painless” cover done by Manic Street Preachers. That was doubtlessly a lot more popular.
[“I do it… When I’m alone, when I’m in public, when I’m on the bus, when I’m in the bathroom…”]

Cathy Dennis – “Just Another Dream” from 1990
Yes, you bet I did.

Diamond D & the Psychotic Neurotics – “Sally Got a One Track Mind” from 1992
Old school classic. Great bass groove.
[“Sweet sixteen but she looked 21,
If the price was right, she’ll be twice as nice!”]

Long Fin Killie – “How I Blew It With Houdini” from 1995
Who knows why Houdini’s an old woman, but I guess she’s full of surprises. I’m going to write more about them soon, but you can probably find all three of their albums for $5 altogether (not including shipping) if you browse around. I spent more on their Hands and Lips EP!
[“I tried to back down courteously,
‘Tonight’s the night for clubbing, dear,’
But she pulled her arm away from me and screamed,
‘You hopeless, e-fused disco sheep!
I’m looking for a sensitive, intelligent man,
But all those guys have boyfriends,
And you won’t do, no, you won’t do!'”]

Cinnamon – “I Used to Be Your Loneliness” from 2000
Swedish and lovely. Whatever happened to them?

The JudyBats – “Don’t Drop the Baby” from 1991
A piece of American pop/alternative melodrama that I grew up on. An old college radio favorite.
[“Aren’t we all born at sea?
The water breaks, the woman screams…”]

The Terminals – “Both Ends Burning” from 1992
The Roxy Music song done in lo-fi, brooding, slightly psyched-out Kiwi style. It appeared on the B-side of the “Black Creek” 7″.
[“Do I have the speed to carry on?”]

Hunters & Collectors – “Carry Me” from 1984
Essentially their hit “Throw Your Arms Around Me” with less sentimentality.
[“But I’m sorry if I showed you
how to lift this truck up off the ground,
Yeah, I’m not sorry if I moved ten tonnes or more…
And I’m not sorry if I showed you how to wriggle round and round,
As long as you could push me through the door,
So if my overcoat is hung and I’m too far gone to see
And the last drinks bell is rung, you can carry me,
Carry me…”]

Koncz Zsuzsa – “Vándorének (Wanderer’s Song)” from 1972
I made a small post several months ago that included a couple of videos of hers from the Sixties. This is obviously something later, but still pretty exquisite!

John and Jackie – “Little Girl” from 1958
Serge & Jane, eat your hearts out! This probably contains almost as many orgasms as “Love to Love You Baby” (and in a shorter amount of time, no less!).

Julie London – “Go Slow” from 1957
The sensual side of the Fifties, part deux. Yum.
[“Go slow, oooooh honey, take it easy on the curves;
When love is slow, oooooh honey, what a tonic for my nerves…”]

That’s all for the moment!