musicology #555

Shake It Up & Go #2

(Ike & Tina Turner – Tina’s Dilemma)

Part two of the ‘Shake’ selection that I played on Saturday night. Big Rhythm & Blues cut courtesy of the Trailblazing Ike Turner, featuring Tina on vocals and, I imagine, the Iketttes on backup.

I remember when I laid down a tribute to Ike on themusicologist to mark his passing I found myself in dialogue with some who felt it was their duty to remind me of his treatment of Tina and pour scorn on the man for his behaviour. I replied that themusicologist is a page for honouring music and passing judgement on peoples ‘business’ holds absolutely no interest for me. Personally I have never laid a hand on a woman or bullied anyone but I have seen the results of it for myself and knew the couple very well and I remember asking her, (as I found it impossible to comprehend), why she stayed to which she replied wholeheartedly that she loved him….who was I to argue.

45 on Juggy Murray’s Sue Label released in the pivotal year of 1962, (important year for mod/ernists)

Listen Tune…

musicology #175

alternativesoundtrack2..Quadrophenia #7

(The Blenders – Everybody’s Got A Right)

day seven and just to make things worse Jimmy has been dragged in to be patronised by his boss on how he should ‘count his lucky stars’ for having such an illustrious job, (especially considering his working class status !!)

this was, (and in many ways still is), how the establishment expects us to behave, that we should be happy with the ‘crumbs off the top table’. Elitism is very much alive today as is ‘class’, even though successive governments, whatever their persuasion, have tried over the past 30 years to convince us of the opposite.

money isn’t the issue. it’s all about ‘mind-set’ and this piece of dialogue has always been one of my favourites in the film. great piece of acting by Phil Daniels…full of emotion and pathos, (you tell him Jim)

the music is courtesy of foundation Soul vocal group The Blenders with what might not sound like a revolutionary piece of social commentary but when you consider the year (1963), is.

a 45 on the Witch label.

Listen tune

musicology #174

alternativesoundtrack2..Quadrophenia #6

(Big Jay McNeely – Without A Love)

it’s on top for Jimmy now and from here on in it’s just pure kicks in the nuts for the kid..

the come-down off the ‘blues’ wouldn’t be helping either but there’s no denying that he’s on the slippery slope downwards. one thing about slipping into darkness is, you never know when it’s going to end until the moment after you hit the floor. it could be moments or even years until you start the climb back up.

I know I have been there, (too many times), so I feel for the kid but life seems to be full of trials and tribulations, each to be conquered and vanquished and in the scheme of things ‘growing up’ isn’t that hard an ordeal. you just got to accept it and move on..

the dialogue says it all. his mum has nailed him for being involved in the troubles, found his stash and kicked his arse out onto the streets..the musical accompaniment is a 1962 cut of majesty, (as far as i’m concerned), by a legendary Rhythm & Blues performer, saxophonist supreme Big Jay McNeely, (and his band), which has a particularly fine a piece of organ work that I have been waiting for the opportunity to fling down..a 45 on the Swingin’ Label.