Paralympic Enemy

The Paralympics are currently taking place in the UK [Off to see some athlectics, swiomming and equestrian events this weekend] but as this is a music blog, I'll say I was very happy to see Channel Four the broadcaster who is carrying over 500 hours of live coverage of the event has been using Public Enemy's - 'Harder than you Think', off their 2007 album How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul???, as it's theme music for all their coverage - including in trial like this one. The original video for the track I LOVE this song. It was the stand out track off the Soul album and one that I told anyone who'd listen to me deserved to be a hit. As a result of the Channel 4 usage it looks like being Top 10 in the UK singles charts this Sunday. PE also have a good new album out Most of my Heroes Still Don't Appear on No Stamps

Scott does Jazz???

YES! So I decided to try and write a Jazz ballad - as you do - and this is what I came up with. I got a lovely German girl called Anja to sing it, as my warbling wouldn't do it justice.

Elephant

Tame Impala - Elephant (Todd Rundgren Remix) Available 26th Aug http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008XHNGY4/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_oKrlqb1GNYJD3

Latest New Tracks by Me

Childhood/Nightmare Sense Christening Lullaby

Sense

Sense

musicians legitimize other musicians

Joe Pug

An album I am really enjoying at the moment is the second full album from Joe Pug - The Great Dispiser. Great songwriting, and certainly one of the hidden gems iof the year thus far.

Sick of Sarah @ The Borderline, London, 23/04/2012

A spot of Girl Rock was on the agenda last night. First up were a young band from Banbury called EVAROSE. These four young ladies have their musical feet firmly in the emo-metal field, in particular bands such as Flyleaf and Paramore (with vocalist Dannika sounding and singing very much in the style of Hayley Williams). They are certainly not lacking in energy of musicianship and singer Dannika knows how to own a stage – and I loved the harmony vocals/vocals provided by guitarist Imogen , but song-wise they are still not quite there yet (for me). Which is not to say they don't have some good tunes. Cough it Up and Best Left Alone are fine examples of their ability to write catchy songs in the genre. I'm just hoping that the next 18 months – 3 years will see the band find a bit more of their own identity (so that people's first thought in hearing them is no longer Paramore for example). On the evidence of last night they certainly have the potential to be a force to be reckoned with. I bought an EP to show my support anyway, and would certainly consider checking them out live again. Next up were a band from Ireland called KATE'S PARTY. Lead by Sarah Corcoran, things got off to a problematic start when a broken string on song one, causing guitarist Niamh Hanley to have to fill in best she could – including a few wonderfully corny jokes - whilst Corcoran disappeared off stage to restring. Once back on stage the band launched into a set that was packed full of bright catchy indie pop, that immediately won me over to the cause. Here are a band that could go big places and do so soon with the right 'break'. I was particularly taken by Niamh on lead guitar who employed the best use of Eddie Van Halen-style tapping I've seen in many a year to provide inventive rhythm guitar textures to a number of the songs. Add to this a solid bass of the combined talents of Bassist Stephen Lyons and drummer Fiach O Briain and I'd found a band I would happily pay money to see play again. And so to my main reason for being at the gig – SICK OF SARAH. Hailing from Minneapolis this all girl five piece first came across my radar about 18 months ago when I caught the song Bittersweet online. This lead to a purchase of their solid debut album, and had the band marked down as one I was interested to catch live. This gig was in support of their second album 2205. Less loud and slightly more nuanced than either Evarose or Katy's Party, SoS are everything you'd want from a good pop-rock band. Plenty of catchy tunes, a lead singer - Abisha Url – who can walk the walk. She knows how to command attention, and had small number of dedicated fans near the stage eating out of her hands [some of us slightly older members of the audience were not oblivious to her stage chops either] Slick sounding with a small audience of fans who loved every opportunity given to sing along with songs from the first album and the latest record, it was a performance which showed just why they were the headline act, and why they deserve, in my mind, a wider audience, both live and on record. However, neither Evarose or Kate's Party were embarrassed in the company and both should soon find themselves in headline positions at this venue.

Todd cover more than just a Rumer

UK singer-songwriter Rumer http://www.rumer.co.uk/ ( Sarah Joyce) releases her second album next month – a set of covers of less-obvious songs by male artists. Rumer said: ‘this project is about passion, and paying respect to other people’s work. I went on a journey and this music tells that story.’ Included is a version of Todd's Be Nice to Me, off the Runt album.

Boys Don’t Cry tracklisting

1. P.F. Sloan (Jimmy Webb) 2. Be Nice To Me (Todd Rundgren) 3. It Could Be The First Day (Richie Havens) 4. Travelin’ Boy (Paul Williams) 5. A Man Needs A Maid (Neil Young) 6. Soulsville (Issaac Hayes) 7. The Same Old Tears On A New Background (Stephen Bishop) 8. Soul Rebel (Bob Marley) 9. Flyin’ Shoes (Townes Van Zandt) 10. Home Thoughts From Abroad (Clifford T Ward) 11. We Will (Gilbert O Sullivan) 12. My Cricket (Leon Russell)

Pete Townsend on Todd and Roger Powell

New Todd studio album set for 2013

Cherry Red Records’ frontline label Esoteric Antenna confirms it will release Todd's next sudio album, due for release early 2013.

2012 - The story so far

I realised that I haven't really posted anything Todd or otherwise here lately so let's change that right now.

We have had two complete months so what albums have tickled my fancy thus far in 2012.

Craig Finn - Clear Heart Full Eyes.

The Hold Steady's front man delivers a debut solo record that unsurprisingly is reminiscent of THS, but is most a much more stripped down and folky/country vibed record. Takes a coule of listens, but it is a solid record that will certainly tide me over until the next THS album gets made.

Leonard Cohen - Old Ideas

I doubt there will be a better album released by a 77 year old this year. Actually I doubt there will be that many albums by anyone of any other age that will release a better record either. A fuller sounding record than he has recorded in a while and also one that most reconnects with his earlier folk roots. Show me the Place, Come Healing, Darkness ... and more. All classic Cohen.

Van Halen - A different Kind of Truth

A pleasant surprise. This album doesn't suck. A lot of the origins of the songs on this album date back to the 70s, and it shows. YOu could imagine this album coming out after VHII. THis does cause a slight issue in that it does already feel retro rather than current, but I think it is as good a VH album as most from their past. Solid hard rock album.

Sharon Van Etten - Tramp

Been playing this quite a bit. Vocally - and musically - on this she reminds me of Sarabeth Tucek, with a smattering of Aimee Mann thrown in for good measure. Kind of indie - folk vibe. Have booked tickets to see her live later in year off back of this record.

Shearwater - Animal Joy

Another band new to me, but with another album that is very much indie with a liberal slice of folk added in. Vocally I get both richard thompson and the guy from Talk Talk. Makes for interesting listening. Listen to the folky joy of the title track through to the straight indie rock of Immacualte. Good stuff.

Speech Debelle - Freedom of Speech

Much anticipated second album from Mercury Prize winning rapper. It's been a while coming but I have to say it is more than worth the wait. I'd be surprised if there was a better rap/hiphop album this year. Clever and insightful lyrics wrapped up in music that enhances rather than smoothers. Elephant in the LIving Room and Eagle Eye are two personal favs. A success.

First Aid Kit - The Lions Roar

Swedish folk/country duo, who sound like they came straight out of Nashville. Lovely little record, with title track the standout.

Lana Del Ray - Born to Die

She was never going to live up to the hype of the genius that is the song Video Games, but despite all that this is a mostly enjoyable record and Blue Jeans and the title track work for me nearly as much as Video Games.

School of Seven Bells - Ghoststory

ethereal shoe gazing music that owns much to the quieter moments of My Bloody Valentine and a lot to the Cocteau Twins. However, as I am a fan of both these bands I have found a lot to like in songs such as Love Play and Lafaye on this record.


Well, that's enough of that. I have also been to a few gigs in the past month: Ren Harvieu, The Jezabels, and Shelby Lynne.

Harvieu is a new girl on the block, whose voice and style is similar to KD Lang. Very much laid back and chilled out. Last year she suffered a serious back injury that threatened to leave her paralysed, and delayed the release of her debut album. It is now ready to come out and whilst she still needs a stick, she is out there performing. Live she has yet to find a presence on stage which means you leave cold, whilst admiring her obvious talent. Hopefully this will come and she gets more confident. Certainly, one to watch. Through the Night from BBC Session.

The Jezabels are an Australian pop/rock band who owe much to 80s bands such as Simple Minds as well as to fellow Aussie bands such as Splendid and Baby Animals. They make a good sound live and have a handful of really good songs, but still need more for me, if they want to make that step up. In Haley Mary, however, they have a truly great singer. This is Endless Summer from gig I attended (not videod by me).

Shelby Lynne. What is there to say. Beautiful, talented. This time around she was performing solo in a church - Union Chapel. Mostly playing material from her latest album and her classic I am Shelby Lynne album. She was , of course, superb. 'I'll Hold Your Head' and 'I Want To Go Back' from the Union Chapel (again not recorded by me)