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The Cat on "Where The Action Is" Kirkcaldy VRN 1287 AM - Sunday 11 April 2010

After the trauma of the HBA awards and the chocolate-flavoured goings-on of the Easter weekend, it's back to normality and the usual mix of mod, soul, Motown, alternative pop and a veritable cornucopia of classic cuts from the late 50s through to the early 70s. This month's shows will feature tracks from the Sunshine Pop edition of the Chartbusters USA series, The Laurie Records Story and "Phil's Spectre II: Another Wall of Soundalikes". Eyes down for a full house:

The Turtles - Happy Together (White Whale 1967)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)
The Summits - Hanky Panky (Harmon/Rust 1963)
The Beach Boys - I Do (Unreleased 1963)
The Critters - Younger Girl (Kapp 1966)
Les Girls - I Still Love You (Laurie 1966)
The Velvelettes - A Bird in the Hand (Is Worth Two In the Bush) (VIP 1965)
The Cowsills - The Rain, The Park and Other Things (MGM 1967)
Eight Feet - Bobby's Come A Long Long Way (Columbia 1966) (Connect 3)
Keith - 98.6 (Mercury 1966) (Connect 3)
Four Tops - Wonderful Baby (Motown 1967) (Connect 3)
Cher - I Go To Sleep (Imperial 1965)
Linda and the Lindettes - He's Mine (Unreleased 1964)
The Kingsmen - Louie Louie (Jerden 1963) (Birthday: 11/4/35 Richard Berry)
The Goodies - Dum Dum Ditty (Blue Cat 1965)
Don and the Goodtimes - I Could Be So Good To You (Epic 1967)
Jacques Brel - Le Moribond (Philips 1961) (Foreign Language)
Lorrie Darnell - Nothing Went Right (Laurie 1963)
Tony Newman - Let The Good Times Roll (Decca 1968) (Half-Time Instrumental)
Donovan - Wear Your Love Like Heaven (Epic 1967)
Dobie Gray - No Room To Cry (Charger 1966)
Tommy McCook - Riverton City (Trojan 1966) (Trojan Mod Reggae)
Mama Cass - It's Getting Better (Dunhill 1969)
The Rockin' Berries - The Water Is Over My Head (Piccadilly 1965)
Dawn - I'm Afraid They're All Talking About Me (Laurie 1967)
Jackie Leven - In a Shivering Blaze (Cooking Vinyl 2010) (Under The Influence)
Suzy Wallis - Be My Man (RCA-Victor 1965)
Tommy James and The Shondells - Crystal Blue Persuasion (Roulette 1969)
Episode Six - Put Yourself In My Place (Pye 1965)
Kathy Lynn & The Playboys - I Got A Guy (Swan 1964) (Connect 3)
Bernadette Carroll - He's Just A Playboy (Laurie 1965) (Connect 3)
Sundown Playboys - Saturday Night Special (Apple 1972) (Connect 3)
The Dreamlovers - You Gave Me Somebody To Love (Warner Bros 1966)
Robert John - If You Don't Want My Love (Columbia 1968)
The Chiffons - If I Knew Then (What I Know Now) (Laurie 1966) (Two of a Kind)
The Chiffons - Stop, Look and Listen (Laurie 1966) (Two of a Kind)
Clydie King - The Thrill Is Gone (Imperial 1965)
Chris Farlowe - Out of Time (Immediate 1966)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)

That's it for this week. I'm now off for a week's R&R with my ladies but I'll back for next week's show. Until then, it's good night and good health.

The Cat on "Where The Action Is" Kirkcaldy VRN 1287AM - Sunday 4 April 2010

Due to a family engagement on Easter Sunday, I've already recorded this show for broadcast on that day. I don't particularly like recording them in advance as I prefer the warts-and-all live approach but when needs must, the devil drives. Monday 5 April would have been Joe Meek's 81st birthday and to commemorate the legendary maverick producer, here's a show dedicated to Joe Meek (although the regaulr features have been kept in):

Gelnda Collins - I Lost My Heart at the Fairground (HMV 1963)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)
Lance Fortune - Be Mine (Pye 1960)
Gene Vincent - Temptation Baby (Unreleased 1963)
Denise Scott & The Soundsmen - Your Love Keeps Me Going (Unreleased 65/66)
Mike Berry and the Admirals - It's Just A Matter of Time (HMV 1962)
Pete & The Boulevards - You're My Girl (Unreleased - Year Unknown)
Billy Dean - Ridin' The Rails (Unreleased 61/62)
Bobby Rio and the Revelles - Value for Love (Pye 1965) (Connect 3)
Pamela Blue - My Friend Bobby (Decca 1963) (Connect 3)
Bobby Cristo - The Other Side of the Track (Decca 1964) (Connect 3)
Michael Cox - Stand Up (HMV 1962)
Billie Davis - Don't Knock On My Door (Unreleased 1962)
Major Lance - Monkey Time (Okeh 1962) (Birthday: 4/4/41 Major Lance)
Heinz - Just Like Eddie (Decca 1963)
The Sharades - Boy Trouble (Decca 1964)
John Leyton - John C'Est L'Amour (Unreleased 1961) (Foreign Language)
The Cryan' Shames - Please Stay (Decca 1966)
The Tornados - Globetrotter (Decca 1963) (Half-Time Instrumental)
Gunilla Thorn - Merry Go Round (HMV 1960)
Charles Kingsley Creation - Summer Without Sun (Columbia 1965)
The Beach Boys - You Need A Mess of Help To Stand Alone (Brother/Reprise 1972) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - Y)
The Beach Boys - You Still Believe In Me (Capitol 1966) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - Y)
John Holt - Ali Baba (Trojan 1969)
Flip - Mama Don't Lie (Unreleased 1965)
Man or Astroman - Taxidermist Surf (Estrus 1993) (Under The Influence)
The Riot Squad - I Take It That We're Through (Pye 1966)
The Cameos - Powercut (Columbia 1963)
The Puppets - Shake With Me (Pye 1964)
Houston Wells and the Marksmen - Only The Heartaches (Parlophone 1963) (Connect 3)
Toby Ventura - If My Heart Were A Storybook (Decca 1963) (Connect 3)
Diane and the Javelins - Heart and Soul (Columbia 1966) (Connect 3)
Kenny Hollywood - Magic Star (Decca 1962)
Jenny Moss - Big Boys (Columbia 1963)
The Honeycombs - I Can't Stop (Interphon 1964) (Two of a Kind)
The Honeycombs - Something I've Got To Tell You (Pye 1965) (Two of a Kind)
Geoff Goddard - Girl Bride (HMV 1961) - Especially for John Cavanagh
Neil Christian and the Crusaders - The Road To Love (Columbia 1962)
John Leyton - Johnny Remember Me (Top Rank 1961)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)
Joe Meek - Meeksville Answering Machine

As there are no songs beginning with X and Z, this week was the last in the A to Z of the Beach Boys series and John Holt's "Ali Baba" previews our new weekly Trojan Mod Reggae track, which takes its place. Until next week, when normal (live) service resumes, it's good day and good health.

The Cat on "Where The Action Is" Kirkcaldy VRN 1287AM - Sunday 28 March 2010

It's our last dip into the "Love Is The Song We Sing: San Francisco Nuggets 1965-1970" box set and loads of other goodies:

The Monkees - All The King's Horses (Unreleased 1966)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)
The Freshmen - Look at the Sunshine (Pye 1968)
The Youngbloods - Get Together (RCA 1967)
Jackie Leven - John Paul Getty's Silver Cadillac (Cooking Vinyl 2009)
Santana - Evil Ways (Columbia 1969)
Dino Valenti - Let's Get Together (Unreleased 1964)
The Charlatans - Alabama Bound (Unreleased 1967)
People - I Love You (Capitol 1968) (Connect 3)
Lulu - To Sir, With Love (Epic 1967) (Connect 3)
The Great! Society - Somebody To Love (LP version) (Unreleased 1966) (Connect 3)
Blue Cheer - Fool (single version) (Philips 1967)
Jefferson Airplane - It's No Secret (RCA 1966)
The Turtles - Grim Reaper of Love (White Whale 1966) (Birthday: 28/3/45 Chuck Portz)
Grateful Dead - The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion) (Warner Bros 1967)
The Bystanders - Royal Blue Summer Sunshine Day (Piccadilly 1967)
Liz Brady - Palladium (The Hip) (Pathe 1966) (Foreign Language)
Fifty Foot Horse - Red The Sign Post (Limelight 1968)
Dave Clark Five - I Walk The Line (Piccadilly 1962) (Half-Time Instrumental)
Notes from the Underground - Why Did You Put Me On? (Vanguard 1968)
The Ivy League - My World Fell Down (Piccadilly 1966)
The Beach Boys - Wendy (Capitol 1964) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - W)
The Beach Boys - When a Man Needs a Woman (Capitol 1968) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - W)
Country Weather - Fly To New York (Private 1969)
The Mojo Men - She's My Baby (Reprise 1966)
Care - Flaming Sword (Arista 1983) (Under The Influence)
The Otherside - Streetcar (Brent 1966)
Country Joe and the Fish - I Feel Like I'm Fixing To Die Rag (EP version) (Rag Baby 1965)
The Petites - Baby Blue Mustang (Troy 1965) (Connect 3)
Janis Joplin - Mercedes Benz (Columbia 1968) (Connect 3)
The Beach Boys - Little Honda (Capitol 1964) (Connect 3)
The Warlocks - Can't Come Down (Unreleased 1965)
Quicksilver Messenger Service - Light Your Windows (Capitol 1968)
The Marvelettes - Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead (Tamla 1965) (Two of a Kind)
The Marvelettes - I'll Keep On Holding On (Tamla 1965) (Two of a Kind)
The Immediate Family - Rubiyat (Unreleased 1967)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)

Next week it'll be my pre-recorded Joe Meek special, as I celebrate Easter Sunday with my family. Congratulations to my VRN colleague John Murray who was awarded The John Witney Award for his outstanding contribution to hospital radio at the National Hospital Radio Awards - well done, John! Although I didn't appreciate him charging a bottle of wine to my room!! Sadly, I left empty-handed in my category, as did all our other nominees. Just call us the Shawshank Redemption of the HBA! Until next week, it's good day and good health.

Sky Minus/Stagecoach

On Friday the Good Lady Wife and I noticed that that afternoon's Pointless - our new favourite quiz show - hadn't recorded. Not only had it not recorded but it had been marked as FAILED. Mastermind was set to record too but FAILED too. We didn't notice until later on because we were saving it for later (When none of the specialist subjects are of interest we proceed straight to General Knowledge questions and start the weekly routine of 'shouting at the telly'). Then Big Bang Theory FAILED on Saturday and we sussed that something wasn't quite right.

Using the interweb I found that it was a common problem but decided to let Sky sort it out (isn't that what we pay them a small fortune for?) before I took advice from 'the people'. I emailed them: "For the last two days I've been getting FAILED messages against programmes I've tried to record through the Sky+ Planner. When we press for Information it gives us a Technical Fault 11. What is a Technical Fault 11, why are we getting it and how can it be fixed?"

Meanwhile, we switched everything off - we drew the line at unplugging everything - and waited to see what Sunday morning would bring. Voila, it was fine again but it still rankled me that it had happened in the first place.

A reply awaited me when I switched the computer on:

"I am sorry to hear of the problems you have been experiencing with your services. To rectify these problems, please follow the procedure below:

Please note this process will stop all the recordings currently in progress and reboot your box, therefore you may want to do this after a recording has been completed.

1. Using the Sky Remote Control press the services button.
2. Using the up / down arrow buttons highlight System Setup and press select.
3. Press 0, 1 and select to access the Installer Menu.
4. Highlight Sky+ Planner Rebuild and press select.

When the warning on screen message, 'this will take a few minutes to completed' the rebuild will stop all recordings and reboot your Sky+. Press select to confirm or backup to cancel appears press select to continue.

The on screen message, 'Housekeeping please wait' will appear and take up to 2 minutes to clear. Once complete the set top box will switch itself off and then back on automatically and wait in standby mode. Wait for 60 seconds after the red light has appeared before attempting to switch back on your box.

If after following this procedure you are still experiencing problems, you may need to contact our technical team on 08442 41 14 11,direct for further assistance. If you require a service call and your box warranty has expired, the service call will carry a charge of 65.00 (GBP).

I hope this information has helped with your enquiry. If you require any further assistance, you can respond to my email. You can also contact our Customer Services team on 08442 41 41 41, where one of our advisors will be happy to help."

You would've thought I'd have been pleased to hear from them but I wasn't. Why? Well, firstly they want me to use "0" from a system setup screen that only offers a choice form 1 to 8! Secondly, they want ME to phone THEM on an 0844 number (you know our details, call us) and, thirdly, if the equipment isn't working I have to pay THEM £65 for an engineer (or whatever pretentious job title Sky give them) to tell me what I already know! It's all money, money, money*. I'm turning into Jim Royle, only without the bowel/toilet problems and bad clothes.

I replied to the email from "Cynthia" with a simple one-liner: "You say "highlight System setup and press select" Then "press 0" but there is no 0 on our System setup menu! It only goes from 1 to 8".

Cynthia turned into Bruce and responded thus:

"You're quite right there is no 0 on the system setup menu, but that is because you are accessing a hidden menu at that point. If you are on system setup menu, ignore the screen and just press 0,1 and select the installer menu will appear.

It can be easier for us to take you through the procedures on the phone but I do not have any details to be able to access your account. If you email back to us with your viewing card number and password if you have one, we will be happy to contact you back.

Kind regards

Bruce"

Of course. Stupid me, a "hidden menu". Why didn't I think of that? I am such an idiot. I have brought shame upon myself and my family and I must throw myself off the roof immediately.

I find "It can be easier for us" to be rather patronising and somewhat insulting. If I can't work the instructions given to me in writing, some sad sod with no career prospects, halitosis and white socks in the modern electronic equivalent of the sweatshop isn't going to be any more useful.

Thankfully for the Good Lady Wife, but not me, her "Dancing on Ice" has recorded.

* On Saturday morning I had to take the car for a service in Dalgety Bay, a 10-minute drive from home. I dropped the car off and waited for a bus back.

"Tesco, Dunfermline, please" "£2.75"

"What?" "£2.75"

I handed it over but was so positive that that was wrong I tucked my ticket safely away. I'd never been on this bus before or in the area, except in a car, but it seemed rather steep. I checked the time and wondered if this particular bus took a different route home, maybe via Oslo. After all this was the 80C. Not the original 80, the all-new 80A or the new AND improved 80B with Boswelox, this was the all-singing, all-dancing, let's-do-the-show-right-here 80C.

I alighted at Tesco (who the hell says "alighted" anymore?), a mere eight minutes after I got on. Surviving the pedestrian jungle that is the Tesco car park - does nobody stop at pedestrian crossings anymore? - I walked, still in disbelief. After a couple of hours serious "pottering" the garage called and I headed back out for the bus.

"Dalgety Bay, please" "£1.40"

"£1.40? I was charged £2.75 not two hours ago for the same trip in reverse"

After a discussion with the driver,who was as much use as a cat flap on a submarine, I took a seat. I used the nine minutes constructively (the 80B goes a different route and I had to walk some of the way hence the extra minute) and fired off an e-mail to the Operations Manager, who is also a near neighbour.

Just to rub salt into the wound I had to stump up £270 at the garage (service and something to do with the brakes) and they couldn't fix the radio display without a code, which was on a card, which we didn't have.

It never rains but it pours.

The Cat on "Where The Action Is" Kirkcaldy VRN 1287AM - Sunday 21 March 2010

We continue to tuck into the psychedelic feast that is the "Love Is The Song We Sing: San Francisco Nuggets 1965-1970" box set and we commemorate the passings of Lesley Duncan and Alex Chilton, as well as the regular features:

Big Star - September Gurls (Stax 1973)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)
Marc Bolan - Third Degree (Decca 1966)
Mad River - Amphetamine Gazelle (Capitol 1968)
The Mystery Trend - Carl Street (Unreleased 1967)
Ministry of Sound (Lesley Duncan/Val McKenna) - Something's Coming Along (Unreleased 1967)
Blackburn and Snow - Stranger In a Strange Land (Verve 1967)
Billie Davis - Billy Sunshine (Decca 1969)
Chocolate Watchband - No Way Out (Tower 1967) (Connect 3)
The Vejtables - Anything (Autumn 1965) (Connect 3)
Teddy and the Patches - Suzy Creamcheese (Chance 1967) (Connect 3)
Clyde McPhatter - You Got It (Deram 1969)
Sly & The Family Stone - Underdog (Epic 1967)
Solomon Burke - Home In Your Heart (Atlantic 1963) (Birthday: 21/3/40)
Steve Miller Band - Roll With It(Capitol 1968)
The Shangri-la's - Sophisticated Boom Boom (Red Bird 1966)
Louise Cordet - Que m'a-t-il fait? (What's He/It Done to Me?) (Decca 1963) (Foreign Language)
Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks - How Can I Miss You When You Won't Go Away? (Epic 1969)
The Outlaws - Valley of the Sioux (HMV 1961) (Half-Time Instrumental)
Seatrain - Portrait of the Artist as a Young Lady (A&M 1969)
The Savage Resurrection - Things in "E" (Mercury 1968)
The Beach Boys - Vegetables (Unreleased 1967) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - V)
The Beach Boys - Heroes and Villains (45 version) (Capitol 1967) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - V)
Jon Gunn - I Just Made Up My Mind (Deram 1967)
Syndicate of Sound - Rumors (Bell 1966)
The La's - Son of a Gun (BBC session) (Go! Discs 1988) (Under The Influence)
The La's - There She Goes (Go! Discs 1988) (Under The Influence)
The Frantics - Human Monkey (Action 1966)
October Country - Good To Be Around (Epic 1968)
The Grass Roots - Mr Jones (A Ballad of a Thin Man) (Dunhill 1965) (Connect 3)
The Cryan' Shames - Greenburg, Glickstein, Charles, David Smith & Jones (Columbia 1968) (Connect 3)
Tom Jones - Stop Breaking My Heart (Decca 1966) (Connect 3)
The Harbinger Complex - Sometimes I Wonder (Amber 1966)
Fearns Brass Foundry - Don't Chance It (Decca 1968)
The Beau Brummels - Don't Talk To Strangers (Autumn 1965) (Two of a Kind)
The Beau Brummels - Two Days 'Til Tomorrow (Warner Bros 1967) (Two of a Kind)
Earl Cosby - Ooh Honey Baby (Mirwood 1966)
The Majority - One Third (Decca 1966)
Big Star - I'm In Love With a Girl (Stax 1973)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)

Next week it'll be business as usual after I return from the National Hospital Radio Awards in Erskine. The Cat has his paws well and truly crossed for his nomination in the Best Specialist Music category. Until next week, and the last of our San Francisco sounds, it's good day and good health.

The Cat on "Where The Action Is" Kirkcaldy VRN 1287AM - Sunday 14 March 2010

More from the "Love Is The Song We Sing: San Francisco Nuggets 1965-1970" box set and the usual grab-bag of goodies:

The Hollies - Look Through Any Window (Parlophone 1965)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)
The Honeys - The One You Can't Have (Capitol 1963)
The Ivy League - In The Not Too Distant Future (Pye 1967)
The Wildflower - Coffee Cup (Mainstream 1967)
The Soul Agents - Let's Make It Pretty Baby (Pye 1964)
Fontella Bass/Bobby McClure - Don't Mess Up A Good Thing (Checker 1965)
Sharon Marie - Story of My Life (Capitol 1964)
The Majorettes - White Levis (Troy 1963) (Connect 3)
Jefferson Airplane - White Rabbit (RCA 1967) (Connect 3)
It's A Beautiful Day - White Bird (Columbia 1969) (Connect 3)
American Spring - Shyin' Away (Capitol 1973)
The Sons of Champlin - Fat City (Verve 1967)
The Turtles - You Don' Have To Walk In The Rain (White Whale 1969) (Birthday: 14/3/46 Jim Pons)
Steve Miller Band - Quicksilver Girl (Capitol 1968)
The Mystery Trend - Johnny Was A Good Boy (Verve 1968)
Brigitte Bardot - Je Me Donne a Qui Me Plait (I Give Myself To Whom I Please) (Philips 1962) (Foreign Language)
Blue Cheer - Summertime Blues (Philips 1968)
Earl Van Dyke - 6x6 (Motown 1967) (Half-Time Instrumental)
The Loading Zone - The Bells (RCA Victor 1968)
The Sheffields - Hey, Hey Lover Boy (Pye 1964)
The Beach Boys - 409 (Capitol 1962) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - U)
Gary Usher - That's The Way I Feel (Capitol 1964) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - U)
The Tikis - Bye Bye Bye (Warner Bros single version) (Warner Bros 1966)
The New Breed - Want Ad Reader (World United 1966)
The Magic Numbers - Love Me Like You (Heavenly 2005) (Under The Influence)
Mother Earth - Revolution (Unted Artists 1968)
Public Nuisance - America (Unreleased 1968)
The Oxford Circle - Foolish Woman (World United 1966) (Connect 3)
Moby Grape - Omaha (Columbia 1967) (Connect 3)
Country Weather - Fly To New York (Unreleased 1969) (Connect 3)
Quicksilver Messenger - Who Do You Love (demo) (Unreleased 1966) (Two of a Kind)
Quicksilver Messenger - Codine (United Artists 1968) (Two of a Kind)
The Stained Glass - My Buddy Sin (RCA 1966)
Earl Cosby - Ooh Honey Baby (Mirwood 1966)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)

Until next week, and some more San Francisco sounds, it's good day and good health.

The Cat on "Where The Action Is" Kirkcaldy VRN 1287AM - Sunday 7 March 2010

January's shows were dominated by the LA Nuggets box set and this month it's the turn of its San Francisco counterpart, "Love Is The Song We Sing: San Francisco Nuggets 1965-1970":

Cliff Richard & The Shadows - Big News (Columbia 1963)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)
Dee Dee Young - You Haven't Seen Nothing (Challenge 1964)
The Front Line Assembly - Got Love (York 1965)
The Knickerbockers - I Can Do It Better (Challenge 1966)
Ace of Cups - Glue (Unreleased 1968)
Count Five - Psychotic Reaction (Double Shot 1966)
Sister Rachel - Don't Mess Around With Me (Challenge 1967)
The Charlatans - Number One (Unreleased 1965) (Connect 3)
The Sons of Champlin - 1982-A (Capitol 1969) (Connect 3)
We Five - You Were On My Mind (A&M 1965) (Connect 3)
Helen Shapiro - Let's Talk About Love (Columbia 1962)
The Generation - I'm A Good Woman (Unreleased 1967)
Donna Loren - Muscle Bustle (Challenge 1964) (Birthday: 7/3/47)
Big Brother & The Holding Company - Down On Love (live) (Unreleased 1968)
The Mourning Reign - Satisfaction Guaranteed (Link 1966)
Jacques Brel - Le Chanson de Jacky (Barclay 1965) (Foreign Language)
The Serpent Power - Up and Down (Vanguard 1967)
The Tornados - Telstar (Decca 1962) (Half-Time Instrumental)
Butch Engle & The Styx - Hey I'm Lost (Onyx 1967)
The Beach Boys - Tears in the Morning (Brother/Reprise 1970) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - T)
The Beach Boys - Things We Did Last Summer (Unreleased 1963?) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - T)
Fanny - Charity Ball (second version) (Reprise 1971)
Grateful Dead - Dark Star (single version) (Warner Bros 1968)
Mari Wilson & The Wilsations - Beat the Beat (Compact 1982) (Under The Influence)
The Feminine Complex - I Don't Want Another Man (Athena 1968)
The Great! Society - Free Advice (Northbeach 1966)
Dusty Springfield - Little by Little (Mercury 1966)
Country Joe and the Fish - Superbird (Vanguard 1967) (Connect 3)
The Sopwith "Camel" - Hello Hello (Kama Sutra 1966) (Connect 3)
Jefferson Airplane - Mexico (RCA 1970) (Connect 3)
Santana - Soul Sacrifice (Columbia 1969)
The Family Tree - Live Your Own Life (Mira 1966)
The Flamin' Groovies - I'm Drowning (Snazz 1968) (Two of a Kind)
The Flamin' Groovies - Shake Some Action (Sire 1976) (Two of a Kind)
The Box Tops - Neon Rainbow (Mala 1967)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)

Until next week, and some more San Francisco sounds, it's good day and good health.

The Cat on "Where The Action Is" Kirkcaldy VRN 1287AM - Sunday 28 February 2010

I've dragged myself off my sick bed to bring you these delights:

The Outsiders - Time Won't Let Me (Capitol 1965)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)
Brenda Lee - Dum Dum (Decca 1961)
Stamford Bridge - Happiness and Rainy Days (Penny Farthing 1970)
The Turtles - Wanderin' Kind (Immediate 1966)
The Young Rascals - Good Lovin' (Atlantic 1966)
Del Shannon - Led Along (Liberty 1967)
Bobby Angelle - Too Much for You (Money 1967)
Little Eva - Keep Your Hands Off Of My Baby (Dimension 1962) (Connect 3)
Baby Washington - Careless Hands (Sue 1962) (Connect 3)
Bobby "Blue" Bland - These Hands (Small But Mighty) (Duke 1965) (Connect 3)
Nicky Scott - Big City (Immediate 1967)
The Hipster Image - Can't Let Her Go (Decca 1965)
Barbara Acklin - Love Makes A Woman (Brunswick 1968) (Birthday: 28/2/44)
Annette Funicello & The Afterbeats - Tall Paul (Disneyland 1958)
First Class - Coney Island (UK 1972)
Alma Cogan - O Dio Mio (HMV 1960) (Foreign Language)
Robert Parker - Let's Go Baby (Where the Action Is) (Nola 1965)
The Original Checkmates - Hot Toddy (Pye 1962) (Half-Time Instrumental)
Emmit Rhodes - Mary Will You Take My Hand (Dakar 1970)
Brian Wilson - South American (Giant 1998) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - S)
The Beach Boys - Shut Down (Capitol 1963) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - S)
PP Arnold - Life Is Nothing (Immediate 1967)
Benny Parker & The Dynamos - Boys and Girls (Decca 1964)
The Jam - Boy About Town (Polydor 1980) (Under The Influence)
Eddie Holman - Eddie's My Name (Parkway 1965)
Betty Johnson - Little White Lies (Bally 1957)
The Fairies - Anytime At All (Decca 1964)
Vicky Gomez - Boys Are Dime A Dozen (ABC Paramount 1965) (Connect 3)
Betty Bibbs - Pounds of Soul (Kent 1968) (Connect 3)
Kincade - Dreams Are Ten a Penny (1972 Label Unknown) (Connect 3)
Twice As Much - Sittin' On a Fence (Immediate 1966)
Gene Chandler - Mr Big Shot (Constellation 1966)
Billie Davis - Make The Feeling Go Away (Decca 1969) (Two of a Kind)
Billie Davis - Ev'ry Day (Piccadilly 1966) (Two of a Kind)
Albert Washington - Hold Me Baby (Ace? 1969)
Marc Bolan - Third Degree (Decca 1966)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)

Until next week, it's good day and good health.

Life is a Moment in Space

After a particular shitty week I heard a record on Radio 2 today that took me back to a more innocent and happier time. A time when you paid the price on the ticket and nothing more and long before stress became the new bad back.

My day was in the army and we lived in Army Quarters just outside Bonnyrigg. If it was so far out of Bonnyrigg that it could've been in the Borders! And there was nothing bonnie about it. We didn't have the luxury of computers or iPods and we utilised the natural resources to have our fun. The pavements hosted running races, with long paths used as jumps on an imaginary steeplechase. The Harry the housing warden had also provided a pair of old rusty goalposts (no nets) in a local field but the grass was lumpier and bumpier than the school custard and the field sloped from wing to wing more than a drunk against a lamppost. We made do because that's what you had to do. I even made a showjumping course in our back garden until I "clipped a fence" and broke one of my mother's brush handles.

The highlight of the week was when the Harry would open up one of the empty quarters and allow us "young 'uns" to have a disco. To be honest, I only remember two records being played because the supply was somewhat limited. One of those was the so-bad-it's-bad novelty record by Joe Dolce. Nowadays, I pull anyone up for suggesting that "Shaddap Your Face" was by Joe Dolce, when any quizzer worth their salt knows it was the Joe Dolce Music Theatre who foisted such nonsense on an unfussy record-buying public. Of course, as kids we didn't know any better, and we enjoyed the pidgin Italian and joined in while telling each other to "Shaddap Your Face". I still have that song on a K-Tel album called "Chartblasters '81". I don't play it much, except for Susan Fassbender's "Twilight Cafe".

The other record, the one that always transports me back to 1981, was the velvety, lusciousness of Barbra Streisand's Bee Gees' written and produced "Woman in Love". Even for a 14-year old I was very tall. So much so that when I asked Teresa Black to dance she had to stand on one of the many plastic chairs hugging the wall of the tiny living room as we swayed, clenched, from side to side. This was somewhat awkward although with it being a "slow record" we wouldn't have done more than shuffle awkwardly anyway. These days mooning takes on rather different connotations but back in the day that's what we called slow dancing. The erection section would, ahem, come much later. From memory Teresa had dark, straight hair and a lazy eye and a brother who loved to wear Adam Ant's war paint on his face.

Even after our family moved away from the Army houses and closer to the centre of Bonnyrigg, my brother and I would walk the mile or so to the "disco". I even got a kiss one night, but not from Teresa; this Lothario was playing the field albeit one without a big slope and cow dung.

The Cat on "Where the Action Is" Kirkcaldy VRN 1287AM - Sunday 21 February 2010

After the slush and mush of last week's Valentine's Day special, it's back to basics with the usual fun-filled festival of pop 'n' stuff. This week's humble offerings:

Herman's Hermits - No Milk Today (Columbia 1966)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)
The Supremes - The Happening (Motown 1967)
The Marvelettes - Please Mr Postman (Tamla 1961)
Madeline Bell - I'm Gonna Make You Love Me (Phillips 1967)
A Band of Angels - Cheat and Lie (Piccadilly 1966)
The Shangri-la's - Bull Dog (Red Bird 1965)
The Spencer Davis Group - I Can't Stand It (Fontana 1964)
Billie Davis - School Is Over (Columbia 1964) (Connect 3)
The Charmettes - School Letter (mono) (Federal 1959) (Connect 3)
The Langley Schools Music Project - Help Me Rhonda (Bar-None 2001) (Connect 3)
Arthur Alexander - Where Have You Been (London 1962)
Connie Francis - Where The Boys Are (MGM 1960)
Nina Simone - See Line Woman (Phillips 1964) (Birthday: 21/2/33)
Strawberry Alarm Clock - Incense and Peppermint (UNI 1967) RIP Lee Freeman
Wayne Fontana - Something Keeps Calling Me Back (Fontana 1966)
Pat Simon - Small Town (Vogue 1967) (Foreign Language)
Val McKenna - I Can't Believe What You Say (Piccadilly 1965)
The Rustlers - A Matter of Who (Pye 1961) (Half-Time Instrumental)
Gene Chandler - I Fooled You This Time (Checker 1966)
The Beach Boys - Help Me Rhonda (alternative single mix) (Capitol 1965) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - R)
The Beach Boys - Break Away (Capitol 1969) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - R)
The Action - Come On, Come With Me (Parlophone Year Unknown) RIP Mike Evans
Sharon Tandy - One Way Street (Unreleased/Stax Year Unknown)
The Loving Kind - Ain't That Peculiar (Pye 1966)
The Knack - Good Girls Don't (Capitol 1979) (Under The Influence) RIP Doug Fieger
Everpresent Fullness - Suzi Q (White Whale 1970) RIP Dale Hawkins
The Hit Pack - Never Say No To My Baby (Tamla 1965)
Kim Weston - Just Loving You (Tamla 1963)
Young Blood - Green Light (Pye 1968) (Connect 3)
The Knickerbockers - Sweet Green Fields (Challenge 1967) (Connect 3)
Petula Clark - The Other Man's Grass Is Always Greener (Pye 1967) (Connect 3)
The Shondells - Special Delivery (King 1963)
Todd Rundgren - Couldn't I Just Tell You (Bearsville 1972)
The Kinks - Australia (Pye 1969) (Two of a Kind)
The Kinks - This Man He Weeps Tonight (Pye 1969) (Two of a Kind)
Marvin Gaye - One More Heartache (Tamla 1966)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)

Until next week, it's good day and good health.

The Cat on "Where The Action Is" Kirkcaldy VRN 1287AM - Sunday 14 February 2010

All you need is love on my Valentine's Day special. Here are this week's soft pop centres and hard soul bites:

The Love Affair - Everlasting Love (CBS 1968)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)
Billie Davis - Love (Decca 1970)
The Mamas and the Papas - Words of Love (RCA/Dunhill 1966)
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Third Finger, Left Hand (Gordy 1967)
Margo Guryan - I Love (Unreleased 1967)
Annette Funicello - Train of Love (Buena Vista 1960)
The Lovelites - I Found Me A Lover (Bandera 1970)
Billy Joe Royal - Hearts Desire (Columbia 1966) (Connect 3)
Hearts of Stone - If I Could Give You The World (VIP 1970) (Connect 3)
Gary Lewis & The Playboys - My Hearts Symphony (Liberty 1966) (Connect 3)
Barbara Ruskin - The Light of Love (Piccadilly 1966)
Frank Wilson - Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) (Soul 1965)
Tim Buckley - Once Upon A Time (Unreleased 1967) (Birthday: 14/2/47)
The Shirelles - What Is Love? (Scepter 1967)
Brenda Holloway - Favour for a Girl (With a Love Sick Heart) (Motown 1964)
Sylvie Vartan - Donne Moi Ton Amour (Gimme Some Loving) (RCA 1967) (Foreign Language)
The Action - Love Is All (Unreleased 1967/1968)
The Packabeats - Evening in Paris (Pye 1962) (Half-Time Instrumental)
Darlene Love - Strange Love (Philles 1964)
Bobby Hebb - Love Love Love (Phillips 1972)
The Beach Boys - Please Let Me Wonder (Capitol 1965) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - P)
The Beach Boys - Surf's Up (Brother/Reprise 1971) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - P)
The Four Tops - Standing In The Shadows of Love (Tamla Motown 1967)
The Monkees - Love To Love (Unreleased 1967)
Aberfeldy - Love Is An Arrow (Rough Trade 2004) (Under The Influence)
Petula Clark - My Love (Pye 1965)
The Hollies - Too Young To Be Married (Parlophone 1970)
The Turtles - Guide for the Married Man (White Whale 1967)
The Holy Mackerel - Wildflowers (Reprise 1968) (Connect 3)
The Beatstalkers - Rain Coloured Roses (CBS 1968) (Connect 3)
The Jaynetts - Cry Behind The Daisies (demo) (Unreleased 1964) (Connect 3)
Glenda Collins - Head Over Heels In Love (Decca 1961)
Jackie Lee - Your Other Love (Unreleased 1966)
Love - The Daily Planet (Elektra 1967) (Two of a Kind)
Love - Hey Joe (Elektra 1967) (Two of a Kind)
Rose Valentine - I've Gotta Know Right Now (RCA Victor 1967)
April Stevens - Lovin' Valentine (Atco 1965)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)

Until next week, it's good day and good health.

The Cat on "Where The Action Is" Kirkcaldy VRN 1287AM - Sunday 7 February 2010

Time flies when you're having fun and we'll already into February. It's back to our normal mix of mod, soul, girl groups, Motown and alternative music from the late 50s to the early 70s. Here are this week's tasty musical morsels:

The Casuals - Jesamine (Decca 1968)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)
Claudine Clark - Party Lights (Chancellor 1962)
The Walker Brothers - (Baby) You Don't Have To Tell Me (Philips 1966)
The Jewells - Smokie Joe's (King 1967)
Heinz - Questions I Can't Answer (Columbia 1964)
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - I Second That Emotion (Tamla Motown 1968)
The Teardrops - Tears Come Running (Saxony/Musicor 1964)
Goldie & The Gingerbreads - Sailor Boy (Decca 1966) (Connect 3)
Petula Clark - Sailor (Pye 1961) (Connect 3)
The Zippers - My Sailor Boy (Hickory 1964) (Connect 3)
Glenda Collins - I Lost My Heart at the Fairground (HMV 1963)
Badfinger - Now Matter What (Apple 1970)
King Curtis - Memphis Soul Stew (Atco 1967) (Birthday: 7/2/34 King Curtis, saxophonist)
The Jelly Beans - How Fine Can One Guy Be (Unreleased, Year Unknown)
Barry Ryan - Eloise (MGM 1968)
The Searchers - Mais C'Etait un Reve (It's All Been a Dream) (Vogue 1965) (Foreign Language)
The Honeycombs - Something Better Beginning (Pye 1965)
The Tornados - Life on Venus (German version) (Decca 1968) (Half-Time Instrumental)
Julie Grant - Don't Ever Let Me Down (Pye 1963)
Barbara Mason & The Tiffanys - Trouble Child (Crusader 1964)
The Beach Boys - Only With You (Capitol 1972) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - O)
The Beach Boys - Our Car Club (Capitol 1963) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - O)
Diana Ross & The Supremes - In and Out of Love (Tamla Motown 1968)
The Small Faces/PP Arnold - (If You Think You're) Groovy (Immediate 1968)
The Small Ads - Small Ads (Bronze 1981) (Under The Influence)
The Utopias - Sally Bad (Fortune 1965)
Dusty Springfield - I Close My Eyes and Count To Ten (Philips 1968)
Emitt Rhodes - Ever Find Yourself Running (ABC Dunhill 1970)
PP Arnold - Angle of the Morning (Immediate 1968) (Connect 3)
Margo Guryan - Something's Wrong With The Morning (Unreleased, Year Unknown) (Connect 3)
Episode Six - Morning Dew (Pye 1967) (Connect 3)
Jackie Lee - Co-Co (Pye 1971)
Joani Camp - His Lips Get In The Way (Unreleased, Year Unknown)
Herman's Hermits - A Must To Avoid (Columbia 1965) (Two of a Kind)
Herman's Hermits - For Your Love (Columbia 1966) (Two of a Kind)
Simon Dupree & The Big Sound Authority - I See The Light (Parlophone 1966)
The Searchers - Goodnight Baby (Pye 1965)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)

Next week it's our Valentine's Day special. All love, hearts, flowers etc. Until then, it's good day and good health.

The Cat on "Where the Action Is" on Kirkcaldy VRN 1287 AM - Sunday 31 January 2010

This is the last week of our rummage in the treasure chest that is the "Where The Action Is! LA Nuggets 1965-1968" box set. The San Francisco equivalent "Love Is the Song We Sing: San Francisco Nuggets 1965-1970" will be heard during my shows in March. Here are this week's veritable cornucopia of crackin' tunes:

The Who - Substitute (Reaction 1966)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)
The Peanut Butter Conspiracy - Eventually (Unreleased 1966)
Dino, Desi and Billy - The Rebel Kind (Reprise 1965)
The Mustangs - That's For Sure (Nero 1965)
Jackie DeShannon & The Byrds - Splendor in the Grass (Imperial 1966)
The Seeds - Tripmaker (GNP Crescendo 1966)
The Mamas and the Papas - Somebody Groovy (Dunhill 1965)
Boyce and Hart - Thanks for Sunday (A&M 1969) (Connect 3)
Glenda Collins - Don't Let It Rain on Sunday (Pye 1966) (Connect 3)
Josephine Sunday - You Won't Even Know Her Name (Tower 1965) (Connect 3)
Fapardokly (Merrill & The Exiles) - Tomorrow's Girl (Glenn 1967)
The Knickerbockers - High On Love (Challenge 1966)
Billie Davis & The Leroys - Whatcha Gonna Do (Columbia 1964) (Birthday: 31/1/28 Chuck Willis, songwriter)
The Music Machine - The People in Me (Original Sound 1967)
Peter Fonda - November Night (Cjisa 1967)
Alma Cogan - Itte Kudes (Tell Him) (Japanese version) (Columbia 1963) (Foreign Language)
Herman's Hermits - Show Me Girl (Columbia 1964)
The Tornados - Ridin' The Wind (Decca 1962) (Half-Time Instrumental)
Jan and Dean - Fan Tan (Jan & Dean 1967)
Barry McGuire - Inner-Manipulations (Dunhill 1968)
The Beach Boys - The Night Was So Young (Capitol 1977) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - N)
The Beach Boys - The Nearest Faraway Place (Capitol 1968) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - N)
The Sons of Adam - Saturday's Son (Decca 1966)
Danny Hutton - Roses and Rainbows (Hanna-Barbera 1965)
Dan Lyth - Castles (Moojuice 2009) (Under The Influence)
The Hysterics - Everything's There (Bing 1965)
P F Sloan - Halloween Mary (Dunhill 1965)
The Whatt Four - Your Wishin' I Was Someone Else (Mercury 1967)
Petula Clark - Las Vegas (Pye 1967) (Connect 3)
Gene Clark - Los Angeles (Unreleased 1968) (Connect 3)
Gary Usher - Sacramento (Capitol 1964) (Connect 3)
The Penny Arkade - Swim (Unreleased 1967)
The Kinks - Days (Pye 1968)
The Monkees -Sometime In The Morning (Colgems 1967) (Two of a Kind)
The Monkees - You Just May Be The One (Colgems 1967) (Two of a Kind)
The Yellow Payges - Our Time Is Running Out (UNI 1967)
The Raspberries - Overnight Sensation (Hit Record) (Capitol 1974)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)

Next week it's back to our normal mix of mod, soul, girl groups, Motown and alternative pop from the late 50s to the early 1970s. Until then, it's good day and good health.

The Cat on "Where The Action Is" Kirkcaldy VRN 1287AM - Sunday 24 January 2010

We reach the penultimate week of our grab bag of West Coast goodies from the "Where The Action Is! LA Nuggets 1965-1968" box set. We're also celebrating a nomination in the National Hospital Radio awards for the show in the Best Specialist Music Programme category, as well as five nominations in four categories for others at the station. Well done everyone concerned. Meanwhile, tuck in to this week's musical feast...

The Chymes - He's Not There Anymore (Chattahoochee 1966)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)
The Rising Sons - Take A Giant Step (Unreleased 1966)
Thorinsfield - Daydreaming (Philips 1967)
The Everpresent Fullness - Darlin' You Can Count On Me (White Whale 1967)
Limey & The Yanks - Guaranteed Love (Star-Burst 1966)
Sandie Shaw - It's In His Kiss (Pye 1965)
The Association - One Too Many Mornings (Valiant 1965)
Dusty Springfield - The Magic Garden (Philips 1968) (Connect 3)
The Garden Club - Little Girl - Lost and Found (A&M 1967) (Connect 3)
The Mamas and the Papas - Safe In My Garden (Dunhill 1968) (Connect 3)
The Nitty Gritty Band - I'll Search The Sky (Liberty 1967)
The Romancers (aka The Smoke Rings) - Love's The Thing (Linda 1965)
Tammi Terrell - Come On and See Me (Motown 1966) (Birthday: 24/1/45 Tammi Terrell)
The Full Treatment - Just Can't Wait (A&M 1967)
Kin Fowley - Underground Lady (Living Legend 1965)
Jackie Lee - Rupert der Bar (German) (Pye 1970) (Foreign Language)
Scott Walker - The Girls and the Dogs (Les filles et les chiens) (Philips 1968)
The Honeycombs - Goldfinger (Unreleased Year Unknown) (Half-Time Instrumental)
John Leyton (with Mike Sarne & Grazina) - Everyday's a Holiday (HMV 1964)
The Knack - Time Waits For No One (Capitol 1967)
The Beach Boys - Mama Says (Capitol 1967) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - M)
The Beach Boys - Marcella (Brother 1972) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - M)
Van Dyke Parks - Come To The Sunshine (MGM 1966)
London Phogg - The Times To Come (A&M 1969)
The BMX Bandits - I Can Wait Forever (Elefant 2008) (Under The Influence)
Harry Nilsson - Sister Marie (RCA 1968)
Love Affair - Rainbow Valley (CBS 1968)
The Doors - Take It as It Comes (Elektra 1967)
Moon - Mothers and Fathers (Imperial 1968) (Connect 3)
Susan Lynne - Reach for the Moon (Label Unknown 1968) (Connect 3)
The Puffs - Moon Out There (Dore 1966) (Connect 3)
Jesse Lee Kincaid - She Sang Hymns out of Tune (Kelly 1968)
The WC Fields Memorial Electric String Band - Hippy Elevator Operator (Hanna-Barbera 1966)
Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell - California Soul (Motown 1969) (Two of a Kind)
Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell - You're All I Need To Get By (Motown 1968) (Two of a Kind)
Kaleidoscope - Pulsating Dream (Epic 1967)
The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again (Polydor 1970)
The Action - Shadows and Reflections (Parlophone 1967) RIP Mike Evans
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)

The last prescription of LA Nuggets will be dosed out next week. Until next time, it's good day and good health.

The Cat on "Where The Action Is" Kirkcaldy VRN 1287AM - Sunday 17 January 2010

It's the third week of our rummage through the brilliant "Where The Action Is! LA Nuggets 1965-1968" box set. We're also celebrating the birthday of chanteuse Francoise Hardy. Last train to Tunesville - all aboard...

The Palace Guard - All Night Long (Orange-Empire 1965)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)
Noel Harrison - Life Is A Dream (Reprise 1965)
Little Eva - The Trouble With Boys (Dimension 1963)
Opus 1 - Back Seat '38 Dodge (Mustang 1966)
October Country - My Girlfriend Is A Witch (Epic 1968)
Rick Nelson - Marshmallow Skies (Decca 1967)
Roger Nichols Trio - Montage Mirror (Unreleased 1967)
A Joint Effort - The Third Eye (JE 1967) (Connect 3)
Les Fleurs de Lys - Mud In Your Eye (Polydor 1966) (Connect 3)
Spirit - Girl In Your Eye (Ode 1968) (Connect 3)
The Lamp of Childhood - No More Running Around (Dunhill 1967)
The Humane Society - Eternal Prison (New World 1968)
Francoise Hardy - All Over The World (Vogue 1965) (Birthday: 17/1/44 Francoise Hardy)
Randy Newman - I Had A Dream Last Night (Reprise 1968)
The Velvet Illusions - Acid Head (Metro-Media 1967)
Francoise Hardy - Ce Petite Coeur (My Little Heart) (Vogue 1965) (Foreign Language)
The Contours - Just A Little Understanding (Motown 1966)
The Beachcombers - Mad Goose (Columbia 1963) (Half-Time Instrumental)
Evie Sands - Take Me a While (Blue Cat 1965)
The Common Cold - Come Down (Atco 1967)
The Beach Boys - Long Promised Road (Brother 1971) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - L)
The Beach Boys - Little Honda (Capitol 1964) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - L)
The Others - Revenge (Mercury 1966)
Sonny and Cher - It's Gonna Rain (Atco 1965)
Dropkick - Choose (Sound Asleep 2009) (Under The Influence)
Sagittarius - The Turth Is Not Real (single version) (Columbia 1968)
The Honeybees - She Doesn't Deserve You (Fontana 1964)
Pasternak Progress - Flower Eyes (Original Sound 1967)
The Move - (Here We Go Round) The Lemon Tree (Regal Zonophone 1967) (Connect 3)
The Dillards - Lemon Chimes (Capitol 1965) (Connect 3)
Peter, Paul and Mary - The Lemon Tree (Warners 1962) (Connect 3)
Things To Come - Come Alive (Warners 1968)
The Guilloteens - For My Own (Hanna-Barbera 1965)
Francoise Hardy - La Maison Ou J'ai Grandi (Tar and Cement) (Vogue 1966) (Two of a Kind)
Francoise Hardy - Autumn Rendezvous (Vogue 1966) (Two of a Kind)
The Supremes - Love Is Like An Itching in My Heart (Motown 1966)
The Rev-lons - After Last Night (Reprise 1963)
Steampacket - Can I Get A Witness (Label Unknown 1965)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)

There will be more LA Nuggets over the next two weeks. Until next time, it's good day and good health.

The Cat on "Where The Action Is" Kirkcaldy VRN 1287 AM - Sunday 10 January 2010

More tracks from the wonderful "Where The Action Is! LA Nuggets 1965-1968" box set as the ice age continues unabated. These tunes will warm you up, if nothing else will. Here's your menu for today...

Bobby Fuller Four - Baby My Heart (Unreleased 1966)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)
The Motorcycle Abeline - (You Used To) Ride So High (Unreleased 1966)
The Marvelettes - I Just Can't Let Him Down (Unreleased Year Unknown)
Ken & The 4th Dimension - See If I Care (Star-Burst 1966)
Gary Lewis & The Playboys - Jill (Liberty 1967)
Lowell George & The Factory - Candy Cane Madness (Unreleased 1967)
The Odyssey - Little Girl, Little Boy (White Whale 1968)
Nino Tempo & April Stevens - I Love How You Love Me (Atco 1966) (Connect 3)
Love - You'll Be Following (Elektra 1966) (Connect 3)
The Action - Love Is All (Unreleased 67/68) (Connect 3)
Hearts and Flowers - Tin Angel (Will You Ever Come Down) (Capitol 1968)
Helen Shapiro - You Must Be Readin' My Mind (Columbia 1963)
Jenny Moss - Hobbies (Columbia 1963) (Birthday: 10/1/45 Jenny Moss)
The Electric Prunes - Hideaway (Reprise 1967)
West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band - If You Want This Love (Reprise 1967)
The Hollies - Look Through Any Window (French) (Label Unknown 1965) (Foreign Language)
Modern Folk Quartet - Night Time Girl (Dunhill 1966)
Andre Brasseur - The Kid (CBS 1967) (Half-Time Instrumental)
Fontella Bass - The Soul of a Man (Chess 1965)
Tim Buckpey - Once Upon a Time (Unreleased 1967)
The Beach Boys - Kokomo (Elektra 1988) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - K)
Brian Wilson - Keep An Eye On Summer (Giant 1998) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - K)
Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart - Words (Demo 1965)
Jimmy Winston & His Reflections - It's Not What You Do (Decca 1967)
The Lilys - Nanny in Manhattan (Che 1996) (Under The Influence)
The Merry Go Round - Listen Listen (A&M 1968)
Chris Farlowe - Air Travel (Decca 1962)
The Oracle - Don't Say No (Verve Forecast 1968)
The Leaves - Dr. Stone (Mira/Surrey 1966) (Connect 3)
Tom Jones - Dr. Love (Decca 1966) (Connect 3)
Dr. Specs Optical Illusion - She's The One (Flambeau 1967) (Connect 3)
The Spats - She Done Moved (ABC-Paramount 1966)
Polly Perkins - Young Lover (Oriole 1964)
Del Shannon - I Think I Love You (Liberty 1968) (Two of a Kind)
Del Shannon - Led Along (Liberty 1967) (Two of a Kind)
Lee Hazelwood - Rainbow Woman (Reprise 1968)
Carol Friday - Everybody I Know (Parlophone 1965)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)

There will be more LA Nuggets over the next three weeks. Until next time, it's good day and good health.

The Cat on "Where The Action Is" Kirkcaldy VRN 1287 AM - Sunday 3 January 2010

A new year, a new decade and a new theme tune for "Where The Action Is". "Bert's Apple Crumble" by The Quik has gone and Floyd Cramer's wonderful "On The Rebound" takes its place. With Santa generously bestowing the "Where The Action Is! LA Nuggets 1965-1968" box set upon me I've taken to loading up all the five January shows with 99 of the 101 tracks available. (I figure Bush's "To Die Alone" isn't really appropriate for hospital radio and The Beach Boys are more than covered by the A to Z feature). Upwards and onwards...

Keith Allison - Action Action Action (Columbia 1966)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)
The Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself (Motown 1965)
Dusty Springfield - Wishin' and Hopin' (Philips 1964)
The Light - Back Up (A&M 1967)
The Yardbirds - Heart Full of Soul (Columbia 1965)
The Standells - Riot On Sunset Strip (Tower 1967)
The Kinks - The Village Green Preservation Society (Pye 1968)
Yellow Balloon - Yellow Balloon (Canterbury 1967) (Connect 3)
The Deepest Blue - Pretty Little Thing (Blue-Fin 1966) (Connect 3)
The Rose Garden - Here's Today (Atco 1968) (Connect 3)
John Leyton - I'll Cut Your Tail Off (HMV 1963)
The Shangri-las - The Train from Kansas City (Red Bird 1965)
Stephen Stills & Richie Furay - Sit Down I Think I Love You (Demo 1966) (Birthday: 3/1/45 Stephen Stills)
Shorty Long - Function at the Junction (Soul/Motown 1968)
Iron Butterfly - Genlte As It May Seem (Atco 1968)
France Gall - L'Amerique (Philips 1965) (Foreign Language)
Dorothy Berry - You're So Fine (Challenge 1963)
Floyd Cramer - Love Is Blue (RCA Victor 1968) (Half-Time Instrumental)
The Premiers - Get On This Plane (Faro 1966)
Mally Page - Life and Soul of the Party (Pye 1966)
The Beach Boys - California Saga: California (Brother 1973) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - J)
The Beach Boys - Just Once In My Life (Brother 1976) (A to Z of The Beach Boys - J)
The Ballroom - Baby, Please Don't Go (Warners 1967)
Lorraine Silver - I'll Know You'll Be There (Pye 1965)
The Caesars - Jerk It Out (Virgin 2003) (Under The Influence)
Thee Midniters - Jump, Jive and Harmonize (Whittier 1967)
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band - Zig Zag Wanderer (Buddah 1967)
Chris Clark - From Head To Toe (Motown 1967)
The Turtles - Grim Reaper of Love (White Whale 1967) (Connect 3)
The Monkees - Daily Nightly (Colgems 1967) (Connect 3)
Buffalo Springfield - Go and Say Goodbye (Atco 1967) (Connect 3)
The Girlfriends - My One and Only, Jimmy Boy (Colpix 1963)
Pleasure featuring Billy Elder - Poor Old Organ Grinder (Tower 1969)
The Byrds - You Movin' (Unreleased 1964) (Two of a Kind)
The Byrds - Change Is Now (Columbia 1967) (Two of a Kind)
Love - You Set The Scene (Elektra 1967)
Floyd Cramer - On The Rebound (RCA 1961) (show theme)

There will be more LA Nuggets over the next four weeks. Until next time, it's good day and good health.

The Cat
=^..^=

Thursday 31 December 2009

The last drive to work this year and another nondescript one.

Took some bread to work so I could have some toast only to find that my Waitrose spread had disappeared from the office fridge. If that had happened last year I'd have over-reacted and gone nuts. I'd have sent out accusatory e-mails to all and sundry and got myself in a right state. But the new me is somewhat calmer about such things. I still had a little moan about it to the few colleagues who were in but eventually let it go.

The word on the street was that we'd get away at 1400 but the grumbles were short-lived when we spotted the first flakes of snow fall shortly before 11. A lunchtime finish it was. Now my lunch begins at 11 (that's flexible working for you) and I'd booked my quiz show haircut for 1130 so there was no need for me to come back to the office. I popped into Waitrose to get some money and considered getting the crumpets I'd forgotten yesterday. One look at the queues and general madness brought me to my senses - the crumpets could wait.

Normally I pay £4 for my haircut, which usually equates to £1 a minute but today, because I was "up town" (i.e. in Edinburgh, albeit the outskirts) I had to pay a whopping £6.50!! I even increased my usual £1 tip by 50%. Anyone would think it was Christmas.

After the recent debacle I avoided my usual route home and went via Ferry Road, which was an altogether more stress-free journey.

After toasties and soup for lunch, the girls and I settled down to watch "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". I enjoyed the film although I felt it was a bit violent in places.

There was hee-haw on the telly and K and I ended up watching not one, not two but three list programmes. First up there was the repeat of Channel 4's The Greatest Songs of the Noughties.
I dipped in and out of the programme as I did the dishes and some tidying but the Top 20 went like this:

20. Leave Right Now - Will Young
19. Ruby - Kaiser Chiefs
18. Valerie - Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse
17. Viva La Vida - Coldplay
16. Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand
15. Mercy - Duffy
14. Patience - Take That
13. Stan - Eminem
12. I Don't Feel Like Dancing - Scissor Sisters
11. Hey Ya! - Outkast
10. You're Beautiful - James Blunt
9. Can't Get You Out Of My Head - Kylie Minouge
8. Crazy In Love - Beyonce
7. Rule The World - Take That
6. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
5. Rehab - Amy Winehouse
4. Sex On Fire - Kings Of Leon
3. I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor - Arctic Monkeys
2. Mr. Brightside - The Killers
1. Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol

While two or three of those songs might have made my own list I had no real qualms with it. Let's face it, we've seen worse lists.

Next up, after Flick had gone to bed, was the first of a two-part repeat of BBC3's Most Annoying People of 2009. (The most annoying thing about this show was the number of talking heads I hadn't heard of. Where's Andrew Collins when you need him?) In between was sandwiched the Greatest TV shows of the Noughties, which Top Gear won and, again, I had no grumbles with that.

For the record my choices in these categories would be as follows:

Song of the Noughties: Morrissey - Irish Blood, English Heart
Most Annoying Person of 2009: Katie Price/Cheryl Cole
Greatest TV Show of the Noughties: A tough call with so many great shows but I'd probably go for House.

These programmes took us to 3am and we called it a night, er, morning!

During our televisual delights I received five pre-midnight text messages wishing me a Happy New Year, three of which read "When the clock strikes 12 with the midnight bell, I'm not going 2 join the texting hell, so here is my message 2 those I hold dear, have a great night and a happy new year!" I'm sorry but if you want to truly wish me a Happy New Year then at least send me an individual personal message and not a cut and paste job from someone else that you then send to 50 people, including me. I sent a personal message to people who sent me a text but I didn't bother with anyone else. I sent all my Happy New Year messages via Twitter and Facebook and didn't feel the need to send anymore.

On that bombshell, Happy New Year and all the best for 2010.

Wednesday 30 December 2009

Straightforward drive to work. Sadly no inclement weather today so I had to work a full day - curse it. The Good Lady Wife wanted "a couple of things" at Tesco after work and left me a list. The couple of things had morphed into twenty items! I downloaded a shopping App to assist me (hey, it was free). Unfortunately it couldn't assist me get a parking space as Tesco was in absolute chaos. The car park, like my own street, hadn't been cleared of ice and as a result the parking spaces were frosted over. No one could see the lines for the parking bays and it turned into a survival-of-the-fittest, fight-to-the-death battle to get parked. I spotted two women emptying a trolley only to see that they also had a couple of babies too. I waited VERY patiently for 10 minutes while they got themselves organised and stared down anyone else who even thought about stealing MY spot.

It wasn't much better in the shop itself but I kept my head as I weaved in and out of the ditherers. Why do people wait until they get to the checkout before asking if something has a guarantee? Why not go to Customer Services first? Calm. Calm. Calm.

Not surprisingly, as soon as I opened my car and began putting stuff in the boot, a car hovered near by. I feel your pain, I thought. I didn't keep them waiting long but then again I didn't have a brood and all that goes with it. As a parent I know how much of a logistic exercise travelling with a child can be.

I got home soon enough, only to realise I'd forgotten crumpets which seemed to have disappeared from the App. The girls had been busy, having watched Merry Madagascar and completed a 100-piece jigsaw of the British Isles. Flick had also written a (rather) short story entitled "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe 4". I must confess it was a bit thin on plot but had excellent characterisation. Flick also got a small diary for Christmas and I'm going to encourage her to write something in it every day. I might even get her an A4 one so she can doodle as well; especially considering her writing is large, as it is with most kids of her age.

After a scrummy tea of baked potato, quiche lorraine and the spare chicken leg left over from Christmas Day it was time for yet another Wallace and Gromit. This time, A Close Shave. Watched Celebrity Mastermind. Each night we try and predict the winner and having guessed correctly that Stuart Maconie (an impressive 33) and Alastair Stewart would triumph on the previous two shows, we put our weight behind dark horse Joe Pasquale. After an impressive 17 points on 'Vampires in Film' we were confident that he would complete the job after the General Knowledge round. Sadly it wasn't to be a triumvirate of successful tips as Joe crashed and burned spectacularly, scoring a paltry 4. Oh dear.

Left K to her Waterloo Road while I did some more work on my January radio shows. I know Waterloo Road is supposed to be fiction but the thought that Felicity might go to a school like that in a few years time fills me with dread. I sometimes think it might be best to not know what goes on at school. Is ignorance really bliss? No doubt I'll find out further down the road.