BELOW YOU WILL FIND LINKS TO THE FEATURED ARTISTS ALONG WITH BASIC NOTES EXPLAINING MUSICAL CHOICES AND INSPIRATIONS
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE MADE AWARE WHEN FUTURE PROJECTS BECOME AVAILABLE,
THEN PLEASE
THIS IS NOT A MONEY MAKING EXERCISE
IT HAS BEEN DONE PURELY FOR
THE LOVE OF MUSIC
AND WE ARE HAVING AN ABSOLUTE BLAST
GOLDFISH IN A BAG - MOON GOOSE
A lively opener evoking memories of the huge number of goldfishes in bags at our annual visit from the fair. Never won one and not sure what I would have done with it if I had. I would prefer to have won an Elvis mirror or a gonk.
THE CARNY - NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS
A classic Cave number and suitably sinister.
The inspiration - has a sense of faded seaside glory. Like going to watchTom O’Connor play at Cromer pier.
From the Black Rider album - one of his more bonkers albums - mostly added for the sound effects. I’d really like Tom Waits to read me bedtime stories.
ROLLERCOASTER - BLACK MOUNTAIN
You get rollercoasters at fairgrounds - it’s the right time to up the tempo. I’ve noticed I’ve gone for some of my ‘go to’ artists to begin with in this mix.
SCARBOROUGH FAIR/CANTICLE - SIMON & GARFUNKEL
I’ve been to Scarborough - twice in fact. It’s better than Blackpool (sorry Blackpool fans). It’s not really until the last ten years that I’ve realised what a big fan I am of Paul and Art…they did a smashing job, well done them.
CAROUSEL - SIOUXIE AND THE BANSHEES
This has a bit of that fairground spookiness that I’m looking for. Again, another band that I have only really appreciated in the last few years.
From the underrated ‘Cydonia’ album. A good dose of Orb humour and some fairground organ to boot.
GREEN FIELDS - THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE QUEEN
Of all of Albarn’s side projects this is the one I’ve given the least attention to…which is daft really as the personnel are top drawer and the sound they produce is decent. That said, I’ve always really enjoyed this late noughties effort and hits the brief for the mix.
BEING FOR THE BENEFIT OF MR. KITE! - THE BEATLES
An overrated song from an overrated album from an overrated band from an overrated decade…or not. Sgt Pepper was the first whole Beatles album I really got into - probably lies fourth or fifth in my Beatles album list these days (I mean…Abbey Road maaaan). Included this as a perennial Beatles favourite and because of the fair-like shenanigans in the music.
TRIP TO THE FAIR - RENAISSANCE
I, as I’ve probably stated on numerous occasions, have a penchant for prog rock beyond the Pink Floyd standards - this one’s pretty far out and probably not for everyone. It’s also 10 minutes long.
From the very excellent TV Themes album. For those who have not seen the
‘What We Do In The Shadows’ TV show…get on it!
During my research I wanted to find a track about Speed Buttons. Sadly none exist (that were any good) but I did find this ambient piece called Hold On which is something one tends to do at the fair.
I LOST MY HEART AT THE FAIRGROUND - GLENDA COLLINS
Sadness tinged jauntiness
It’s taken a long time to finally insert a Cardiacs track into a mix. This is the last release following the sad death of genius frontman Tim Smith. Definite fairground spookiness vibes.
TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - LONDON MUSIC WORKS
Everyone agrees that the best thing about this show was the theme tune.
I don’t think this band have ever done a bad pop song.
MAGIC ROUNDABOUT - TV THEME TUNE FACTORY
More theme tunes - I think TV has forgotten how to do decent original theme tunes - head to the planetmeechradio Twitter page to have a reasoned nuanced debate on this topic.
DANCING BEAR - THE MAMA'S AND THE PAPA'S
Frowned upon in these modern and enlightened times. However, up until the late 20th Century it was a very popular pastime amongst humans to force animals to do human like stuff - mainly for the shits and giggles. I like to maintain the tradition - I get my cat (Betty) to dress up like Jeffrey from Shalimar and perform rudimentary body popping.
Seedy
THE FERRIS WHEEL - ALVINO REY AND HIS ORCHESTRA
I’d love to have met Alvino Rey and been his friend.
I enjoy Queen and I’m unapologetic about it. Chosen this because of the fairground sounds…obvs.
From The Wicker Man ('73) - this will stick in your head and force you to do things at my bidding - you have been warned.
It’s a right royal barrel of (fake) cockney monkeys to conclude.
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APPLE MUSIC 'SOFT EDIT'