Monday, November 03, 2008

A Pair Of Entertaining New Pop Records

Ray Lamontagne: Winter Birds (14th Floor, 2008)
A good friend of mine is In The Crazies for Roy The Mountain. He can't help singing along - especially when drink has been taken - and one evening he played me about six albums on the trot which, actually, is a bit cruel. Anyway, he got me in the end. This is a great song from Mr Mountain's new record which also contains a song dedicated to thirsty White Stripes drummer, Meg White. I hear you, Ray.

The Killer Meters: Black Mountain (Dub) (Breakin' Bread, 2008)
When Silvana and I were Young People we used to go to "niteclubs", sometimes even to dance. I know, I can't believe it either, but it's true. These days I am in bed asleep before most nitespots have pulled up the shutters and emptied the drip-trays, but that's life, innit? Anyway, one of the places we used to enjoy was the very excellent Breakin' Bread which is now in a smart central London location, but used to be in a slightly grotty pub in Camberwell. There was lino on the floor, there were amazing breakdancers, there were fantastic hip hop and funk records, pints were drunk, cigarettes were smoked (indoors!), we went home in the "wee hours" (about 11ish). The Killer Meters are, sort of, the Bread's house band. And this mix is from the top drawer. I wrote something nice about Breakin Bread for a magazine about eight years ago and they were kind enough to send me an invite to their 10th Birthday Party. Which I missed. Maybe me and Silvana should lead the charge to their next special party?

6 comments:

marmiteboy said...

Love the Killer Meters track as it evokes the memory of watching Starsky and Hutych on a Saturday. I like a bit of funky choons on a cold and wet Monday night and this does the job nicely. Cheers Rob.

Simon said...

I went to see Ray a few years ago and he is the only person I've ever seen that didn't say a single word to the audience. Not even a "hello", "goodbye" or "thank you" as far as I can recall. Mortally shy, fortunately he's got a great voice. But I don't envy you if you ever have to interview him.

The Meg White track is a bit weird, isn't it? If they are friends you'd have thought she'd have told him to think again, and if they aren't friends, it's a bit creepy, unless I'm missing the point.

Rob said...

Hey MB: It's good, isn't it? The James Taylor Qt revival is upon us at last!
Simon: That Meg White track is very odd. I think it's best to assume it's all done out of innate respect and leave it there [:(]

James Franco said...

The killer meters track makes me want to go and put my Nike kagool on and start back spinning around the conservatory, and take the laces out of my Adidas superstars.

Ray Lamontagne is class as well, he looks like a serial killer, but sings like a superstar.

BLTP said...

kill meter is literally quite good i'm ashamed how long it took me to get the pun in their name.

Rob said...

hey james: right up your street, no?
bltp: literally quite good! I might steal that...