Monday 31 December 2012

Del Shannon ... The Further Adventures of Charles Westover

 

Del Shannon 

The Further Adventures of Charles Westover

 
A wonderful album
 
The Further Adventures Of Charles Westover by Del Shannon (1968)


http://cometothesunshine.podomatic.com/entry/2012-12-29T13_26_11-08_00



This lesser-known cult favorite is not only one of the most musically ambitious outings of Del Shannon's career, but also one of his most all-around consistent albums. The Further Adventures of Charles Westover finds Shannon embracing psychedelia in a personalized way: Instead of imitating the whimsy of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, or the creepy freak-outs of Their Satanic Majesties Request, he uses the cinematic quality of psychedelic pop to provide a vivid backdrop for his songwriting. For instance, "Silver Birch" uses a swirling mass of horns and densely layered backing vocals to add a haunting quality to its tale of an abandoned bride, and "Color Flashing Hair" uses vertiginous string motifs and churning horns to re-create the feelings of obsessive love described in the lyrics. Shannon's work on this album also differs from usual psychedelic fare because it mixes some earthier textures into its sonic brew: "Be My Friend" enhances its lusty plea for feminine companionship with wailing harmonica and gospel-tinged female backing vocals, and "River Cool" laces its swinging beat with some deliciously soulful organ licks. The overall effect is stunning, managing to fit the tag of psychedelic pop but still retaining the haunting, emotional kind of songwriting that distinguished Del Shannon's music.
 

Friday 28 December 2012

"Weekend" by Eddie Cochran


"Weekend"  by Eddie Cochran



http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=woyX0WXcunQ&hl=en-GB

Eddie Cochran
Weekend


Fridaynight, everything's right for the weekend
Crazy clothes, anything goes on the weekend
John called Ann and Jim got Sue
I made a date with little ol' you
Out we went to make a big ten on the weekend
Boy it's great just a-stayin' out late on the weekend
Know a spot, I like it a lot, on the weekend
Took the road to Look-out-hill
The view up there is sure a thrill
What a night to hold you tight on the weekend
There we were just sittin' cool and cosy
Just about to steal a little kiss
The police with a flashlight rightfully nosy
Said, holy mackerel, what is all this
Car top down, just ridin' around on the weekend
Took a chance on crashin' a dance on the weekend
We were almost inside the place
Somebody slammed the door in my face
Hey you guys, you gotta wear ties on the weekend
No harm done, just a-havin' some fun on the weekend
That was all, we had a big ball on the



The song was written by Bill and Doree Post and recorded in April 1959. The song was released posthumously as a single in the UK on London HL-G 9362 in June 1961 and rose to number 15 on the charts.