Just before we get into the details of Episode 67, can I just say what a delight it was to be contacted during the show by GFoTML (Good Friend Of The Music Labyrinth), Jürgen Binder from Paderborn, in Germany, who was listening to the broadcast via the stream. Jürgen is a member of SkyRaiders covers band, and Paderborn is in the vicinity of Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Bonn. So if you are in that part of the World and find yourself in need of a covers band, Jürgen is your man! Thanks again for jumping aboard JuBi.
Now, on with Episode 67 … |
Music Labyrinth Episode 067
(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 / Nat King Cole (1946)
Hello Listener, and welcome to episode no 67 of The Music Labyrinth. I am reliably informed (well, as reliable as Wikipedia, anyway) that 67 is a lucky prime. I tried to understand what that means exactly, but got lost shortly after “the Sieve of Eratosthenes”. 67, though, has a fair pedigree in music; apparently the band Driver67 and a hit with Car67 (although not one that drove up my street, I must admit); Chicago had a song called Questions 67 & 68; Elton had a song called Old ‘67 on his album The Captain & The Kid; there is a British rap group called 67; and Drake has a song called Star67. And I can tell you right now that at least of those artists will get a run later in this episode. Our first song in episode 67 was, of course, the song that ended our last episode, and that was Nat King Cole with (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66. There are plenty of songs that also reference that famous stretch of highway, which gave me the opportunity to select on of my fancy - and I did. From the days when he was calling himself John Cougar Mellencamp, this is Hot Dogs and Hamburgers.
Hot Dogs and Hamburgers / John Cougar Mellencamp (1987)
From his 1987 album The Lonesome Jubilee, that was John Cougar Mellencamp with Hot Dogs and Hamburgers. Of course, for songs referencing hamburgers, its hard to go past this …
I Make Hamburgers / The Whitlams (1995)
Released as their debut single in February 1995, that was The Whitlams with I Make Hamburgers. As far as debuts go, it was pretty successful, being voted into the Triple J Hottest 100 songs of that year. Arriving at The Whitlams introduced me to a little bit of Australian music trivia that was just too tempting to resist as the link to our next track. Are you sitting comfortably? Then we’ll begin. In 2006 an article appeared in the Australian Music Magazine Oz Music Project which contained the following gem: The band is known for it's almost relentless touring that takes in regional areas and country towns. During 1993/1994 they performed over 300 shows, first travelling up and down the east coast in the back of Tim Freedman's Kingswood and then graduating to the bus that was later used in the film, "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert." So, in honour of that fine old bus, here is a track from the movie in which it achieved stardom. This is CeCe Peniston.
Finally / CeCe Peniston (1992)
From 1992, that was CeCe Peniston with Finally. In 1995 CeCe Peniston formed one part of a collective group of singers, The Sisters of Glory, who first came together to perform as a New York benefit show. The Sisters later performed at 1994’s Woodstock concert and also performed a show for the pope at the Vatican at Christmas that year. The quintet included CeCe Peniston, Albertina Walker, Phoebe Snow, Lois Walden, and this next singer, whom I am sure you will remember for this massive hit from 1977.
Don’t Leave Me This Way / Thelma Houston (1977)
That was Thelma Houston (no relation to Whitney BTW) with her 1977 hit Don’t Leave Me This Way. Thelma Houston had drifted onto my radar the year prior to that song, with her version of what I now understand to be a cover of I’ve Got The Music In Me. I grew up thinking of Thelma Houston’s version as the definitive one and, even after I became aware that the song was first recorded by the Kiki Dee band in 1974, I paid the Kiki Dee version scant interest. In more recent years I gave it a respectful listen, and was surprised at its force, and the power of Kiki Dee’s voice. We’ll talk more about that shortly, but here is the Kiki Dee Band with I’ve Got The Music In Me.
I’ve Got The Music In Me / The Kiki Dee Band (1974)
From 1974, that was The Kiki Dee Band with I’ve Got The Music In Me. Kiki Dee had enjoyed moderate success at the start of her music career in the early 1970s, performing as a backing singer for Dusty Springfield and having a couple of minor hits in her own right. However, 1973 she signed with The Rocket Record Company and immediately began to enjoy success, including the 1974 hit we just heard. The Rocket Record Company was founded and owned by Elton John, and that explains how it came about that Kiki Dee will be forever remembered for that truly awful duet with Elton, Don’t Go Breaking My Heart. Interestingly, that duet was intended to be sung with Dusty Springfield, but fate saved her and, in doing so, tarnished poor old Kiki. However, there were upsides to Kiki Dee’s association with Elton. You’ll hear her singing backing vocals on this classic track from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. This is All The Young Girls Love Alice.
All The Young Girls Love Alice / Elton John (1973)
From Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, that was Elton John with All The Young Girls Love Alice. Outside of Elton John’s usual backing band, there were few “external” personnel on Yellow Brick Road. One of them was Kiki Dee, who we just heard singing backing vocals on that last track. Another was Leroy Gomez, who played the sax solo on Social Disease. Leroy Gomez is an American singer-songwriter and musician who is best remembered for his work with the disco and Latin music act Santa Esmeralda. You remember them, don’t you? Sure you do …
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood (Radio Edit) / Santa Esmeralda (1977)
From 1977 that was Santa Esmeralda with the radio edit of Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood - a track which runs for about 10 minutes as recorded by Santa Esmeralda. Before it became a mid-70s disco hit, then a mid 80s work-out hit, the song was actually written in 1964 and first released by Nina Simone. Many Nina Simone releases were given subsequent outings by other big name acts of latter years. From 1969, here is the Nina Simone version of a track that Led Zeppelin fans will instantly recognise.
Nobody’s Fault But Mine / Nina Simone (1969)
That was Nina Simone, from 1969, with Nobody’s Fault But Mine, which Led Zeppelin fans will recognise from Zeppelin’s 1976 album, Presence. In fact, rusted-on Led Zeppelin fans (are there any of those in the room? Oh, yes!) might recall an alternative version from the 1994 project by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant called No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded. The version of Nobody’s Fault But Mine recorded for that project was different because of the prominence on it given to a traditioinal Persian instrument called the hurdy-gurdy, played on that track by Nigel Eaton. YOu can also hear Nigel Eaton playing his hurdy-gurdy on this track from Joseph Arthur. This is Mikel K.
Mikel K / Joseph Arthur (1997)
From his 1997 album Big City’s Secrets, that was Joseph Arthur with Mikel K. We’ve encountered Joseph Arthur previously in The Music Labyrinth, as part of the Peter Gabriel project Big Blue Ball. And, those of you familiar with my musical preferences know how tempted I am right now to dust off some vintage PG. However, as I am constantly reminded at home, its not all about me. So, watch me step reluctantly away from the Peter Gabriel. In 2018, Joseph Arthur teamed up with Peter Buck from R.E.M. to record an album under called Arthur Buck. From it, this is Are You Electrified?
Are You Electrified? / Arthur Buck (2018)
From 2018 that was Arthur Buck, being Joseph Arthur and Peter Buck, and that song was called Are You Electrified? During the late 80s and early 90s, Peter Buck and a couple of other members of R.E.M. teamed up with a highly credentialed and well known American singer-songwriter and performed and recorded under the band name Hindu Love Gods. I’ll tell you who that other musician is shortly, but I’ll let you have a guess because you will hear him singing on this next track by Hindu Love Gods. This is Battleship Chain.
Battleship Chain / HIndu Love Gods (1990)
Featuring the vocals of Warren Zevon, that was the Hindu Love Gods with Battleship Chain. Now, I’m a lot pleased and a little bit embarrassed to have arrived in the Warren Zevon chamber of The Music Labyrinth, because I’m about to play you a track of his from 1995 and I’m ashamed to admit that it has gone under my radar for the best part of 26 years! Anyway, its no longer off my radar. In fact, this could be one of my new favourite songs. This is Mutineer.
Mutineer / Warren Zevon (1995)
Isn’t that just lovely? That is Warren Zevon, from his 1995 album Mutineer, with the title track. Warren Zevon died in 2003 of mesothelioma, and his legend has it that he did not seek any medical advice in the years leading up to his death, and was unaware that it was approaching. Yet, his latter work does seem pretty heavily focused on issues of mortality, which just makes you wonder…. In the year after his death a tribute album was recorded marking his contribution to music. I just love that the album was called “Enjoy Every Sandwich”. From that album here is one of my favourite bands covering one of my favourite Warren Zevon songs. This is The Wallflowers.
Lawyers, Guns & Money / The Wallflowers (2004)
That was The Wallflowers sounding very comfortable covering Warren Zevon’s Lawyers, Guns and Money, and that track came from the 2004 album Enjoy Every Sandwich: The Songs of Warren Zevon. Another artist who contributed to Enjoy Every Sandwich was Don Henley, who provided a version of the Warren Zevon song Searching For A Heart. Here is Don Henley from during the height of his solo success. From his album of the same name, this is The End Of The Innocence.
The End Of The Innocence / Don Henley (1989)
From 1989, that was Don Henley with The End Of The Innocence. Any listener familiar with the music of the late 80s is likely to recognise the piano playing on that Don Henley track. It was provided by Bruce Hornsby of Bruce Hornsby and The Range fame. Now, I almost feel that I should apologise for playing this next track: it is a fine example of unadulterated dag-dad music in its purest form; but the fact is - I just love this song.
Look Out Any Window / Bruce Hornsby & The Range (1988)
From the 1988 album Scenes From The Southside, that was Bruce Hornsby and The Range with Look Out Any Window. Between 1990 and 1992, Bruce Hornsby was a touring member of The Grateful Dead, and on many occasions during those shows he would have played this next song with that band; a song which, in its lyrics, also encourages the looking out of any window. This is Box Of Rain.
Box Of Rain / Grateful Dead (1970)
From their classic 1970 album, American Beauty, that was The Grateful Dead with Box Of Rain. The Grateful Dead, of course, was a California band founded by the 60s counter-culture icon Jerry Garcia. Now, our arrival at the music of The Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia has provided me with an opportunity that I just cannot deny myself. Can I offer a big shout out to The Music Labyrinth Elves who, The Listener may not be surprised to hear, I knew when they were quite young. Very young people have particular tastes in music, but I found that with some careful selection I could often smuggle some of my favourite songs and artists into the music for the little people, and here is a modest example. This is Jerry Garcia and David Grisman.
Teddy Bear’s Picnic / David Grisman & Jerry Garcia (1993)
Well, there you go! Thats the godfather of 60’s counter culture in California nurturing the kids. That was David Grisman and Jerry Garcia with Teddy Bears’ Picnic. Finding a link away from Jerry Garcia was not a difficult task: he’s done everything and played with everyone. But I was looking for a change of gear, and I found it. In the late 70s some mates from exclusive private schools in Sydney banded together to form a group which history has labelled as a theatrical, new wave, shock rock outfit. Their second album, released in 1981, was called Teddy Boys Picnic (see what I did there?), and from it, The Listener of a certain vintage might remember this hit song. This is Jimmy & The Boys.
They Won’t Let My Girlfriend Talk To Me / Jimmy & The Boys (1981)
Welcome back to the final section of episode 67 of The Music Labyrinth, which we arrived at by listening to They Won’t Let My Girlfriend Talk To Me by Jimmy & The Boys. That song was written by Tim Finn, and a Split Enz version of it appears on the 2005 compilation Enzology. In some ways, Tim Finn’s songwriting achievements have been put in the shade a little by his younger brother, but Tim has written some classics. This is a lovely live version of his song 1993 song Persuasion, which he performs here with Bic Runga and Dave Dobyn, recorded in November 2000.
Persuasion / Tim Finn, Bic Runga, and Dave Dobyn (2000)
That was a live recording of Persuasion, by Tim Finn, Bic Runga and Dave Dobyn. That song, Persuasion was co-written by the great Richard Thompson. Here he is with I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight.
I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight / Richard Thompson (2014)
From his 2014 album Acoustic Classics, that was Richard Thompson with I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight. Richard Thompson first recorded that song with his then wife Linda in 1974. Again, like Jerry Garcia, Richard Thompson has had a long career playing with a wide variety of artists and influencing at least one generation of guitarists. But again, lets find a change of gear. This next band who sung were known in this country as UK Squeeze, but in most other parts of the globe as simply Squeeze. Their first album from 1978 contained this next track which talks, like Richard Thompson, about driving to the city to see the bright lights. This is First Thing Wrong.
First Thing Wrong / Squeeze (1978)
On The Music Labyrinth that was Squeeze, from their 1978 debut album, with First Thing Wrong. A prominent member of Squeeze at that time was Jules Holland, who you probably recognised from his later work as a music producer, and radio and television host of music programs. In addition to Jools Holland, Squeeze enjoyed the talents of the guitarist, singer and songwriter Glenn Tilbrook. In 2006 Tilbrook appeared on an episode of the SBS music show Rockwiz. For the duet at the end of the show, he teamed up with the wonderful Linda Bull to perform a version of the 1968 Stax Records hit for Judy Clay and William Bell: Private Number. Lets end episode 67 of The Music Labyrinth with the Glenn Tilbrook and Linda Bull version of that song. Thanks very much for joining us this week in The Music Labyrinth. Please come back again for the next episode in a fortnight, when we will start with this song. This is Private Number.
Private Number / Glenn Tilbrook and Linda Bull
Hello Listener, and welcome to episode no 67 of The Music Labyrinth. I am reliably informed (well, as reliable as Wikipedia, anyway) that 67 is a lucky prime. I tried to understand what that means exactly, but got lost shortly after “the Sieve of Eratosthenes”. 67, though, has a fair pedigree in music; apparently the band Driver67 and a hit with Car67 (although not one that drove up my street, I must admit); Chicago had a song called Questions 67 & 68; Elton had a song called Old ‘67 on his album The Captain & The Kid; there is a British rap group called 67; and Drake has a song called Star67. And I can tell you right now that at least of those artists will get a run later in this episode. Our first song in episode 67 was, of course, the song that ended our last episode, and that was Nat King Cole with (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66. There are plenty of songs that also reference that famous stretch of highway, which gave me the opportunity to select on of my fancy - and I did. From the days when he was calling himself John Cougar Mellencamp, this is Hot Dogs and Hamburgers.
Hot Dogs and Hamburgers / John Cougar Mellencamp (1987)
From his 1987 album The Lonesome Jubilee, that was John Cougar Mellencamp with Hot Dogs and Hamburgers. Of course, for songs referencing hamburgers, its hard to go past this …
I Make Hamburgers / The Whitlams (1995)
Released as their debut single in February 1995, that was The Whitlams with I Make Hamburgers. As far as debuts go, it was pretty successful, being voted into the Triple J Hottest 100 songs of that year. Arriving at The Whitlams introduced me to a little bit of Australian music trivia that was just too tempting to resist as the link to our next track. Are you sitting comfortably? Then we’ll begin. In 2006 an article appeared in the Australian Music Magazine Oz Music Project which contained the following gem: The band is known for it's almost relentless touring that takes in regional areas and country towns. During 1993/1994 they performed over 300 shows, first travelling up and down the east coast in the back of Tim Freedman's Kingswood and then graduating to the bus that was later used in the film, "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert." So, in honour of that fine old bus, here is a track from the movie in which it achieved stardom. This is CeCe Peniston.
Finally / CeCe Peniston (1992)
From 1992, that was CeCe Peniston with Finally. In 1995 CeCe Peniston formed one part of a collective group of singers, The Sisters of Glory, who first came together to perform as a New York benefit show. The Sisters later performed at 1994’s Woodstock concert and also performed a show for the pope at the Vatican at Christmas that year. The quintet included CeCe Peniston, Albertina Walker, Phoebe Snow, Lois Walden, and this next singer, whom I am sure you will remember for this massive hit from 1977.
Don’t Leave Me This Way / Thelma Houston (1977)
That was Thelma Houston (no relation to Whitney BTW) with her 1977 hit Don’t Leave Me This Way. Thelma Houston had drifted onto my radar the year prior to that song, with her version of what I now understand to be a cover of I’ve Got The Music In Me. I grew up thinking of Thelma Houston’s version as the definitive one and, even after I became aware that the song was first recorded by the Kiki Dee band in 1974, I paid the Kiki Dee version scant interest. In more recent years I gave it a respectful listen, and was surprised at its force, and the power of Kiki Dee’s voice. We’ll talk more about that shortly, but here is the Kiki Dee Band with I’ve Got The Music In Me.
I’ve Got The Music In Me / The Kiki Dee Band (1974)
From 1974, that was The Kiki Dee Band with I’ve Got The Music In Me. Kiki Dee had enjoyed moderate success at the start of her music career in the early 1970s, performing as a backing singer for Dusty Springfield and having a couple of minor hits in her own right. However, 1973 she signed with The Rocket Record Company and immediately began to enjoy success, including the 1974 hit we just heard. The Rocket Record Company was founded and owned by Elton John, and that explains how it came about that Kiki Dee will be forever remembered for that truly awful duet with Elton, Don’t Go Breaking My Heart. Interestingly, that duet was intended to be sung with Dusty Springfield, but fate saved her and, in doing so, tarnished poor old Kiki. However, there were upsides to Kiki Dee’s association with Elton. You’ll hear her singing backing vocals on this classic track from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. This is All The Young Girls Love Alice.
All The Young Girls Love Alice / Elton John (1973)
From Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, that was Elton John with All The Young Girls Love Alice. Outside of Elton John’s usual backing band, there were few “external” personnel on Yellow Brick Road. One of them was Kiki Dee, who we just heard singing backing vocals on that last track. Another was Leroy Gomez, who played the sax solo on Social Disease. Leroy Gomez is an American singer-songwriter and musician who is best remembered for his work with the disco and Latin music act Santa Esmeralda. You remember them, don’t you? Sure you do …
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood (Radio Edit) / Santa Esmeralda (1977)
From 1977 that was Santa Esmeralda with the radio edit of Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood - a track which runs for about 10 minutes as recorded by Santa Esmeralda. Before it became a mid-70s disco hit, then a mid 80s work-out hit, the song was actually written in 1964 and first released by Nina Simone. Many Nina Simone releases were given subsequent outings by other big name acts of latter years. From 1969, here is the Nina Simone version of a track that Led Zeppelin fans will instantly recognise.
Nobody’s Fault But Mine / Nina Simone (1969)
That was Nina Simone, from 1969, with Nobody’s Fault But Mine, which Led Zeppelin fans will recognise from Zeppelin’s 1976 album, Presence. In fact, rusted-on Led Zeppelin fans (are there any of those in the room? Oh, yes!) might recall an alternative version from the 1994 project by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant called No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded. The version of Nobody’s Fault But Mine recorded for that project was different because of the prominence on it given to a traditioinal Persian instrument called the hurdy-gurdy, played on that track by Nigel Eaton. YOu can also hear Nigel Eaton playing his hurdy-gurdy on this track from Joseph Arthur. This is Mikel K.
Mikel K / Joseph Arthur (1997)
From his 1997 album Big City’s Secrets, that was Joseph Arthur with Mikel K. We’ve encountered Joseph Arthur previously in The Music Labyrinth, as part of the Peter Gabriel project Big Blue Ball. And, those of you familiar with my musical preferences know how tempted I am right now to dust off some vintage PG. However, as I am constantly reminded at home, its not all about me. So, watch me step reluctantly away from the Peter Gabriel. In 2018, Joseph Arthur teamed up with Peter Buck from R.E.M. to record an album under called Arthur Buck. From it, this is Are You Electrified?
Are You Electrified? / Arthur Buck (2018)
From 2018 that was Arthur Buck, being Joseph Arthur and Peter Buck, and that song was called Are You Electrified? During the late 80s and early 90s, Peter Buck and a couple of other members of R.E.M. teamed up with a highly credentialed and well known American singer-songwriter and performed and recorded under the band name Hindu Love Gods. I’ll tell you who that other musician is shortly, but I’ll let you have a guess because you will hear him singing on this next track by Hindu Love Gods. This is Battleship Chain.
Battleship Chain / HIndu Love Gods (1990)
Featuring the vocals of Warren Zevon, that was the Hindu Love Gods with Battleship Chain. Now, I’m a lot pleased and a little bit embarrassed to have arrived in the Warren Zevon chamber of The Music Labyrinth, because I’m about to play you a track of his from 1995 and I’m ashamed to admit that it has gone under my radar for the best part of 26 years! Anyway, its no longer off my radar. In fact, this could be one of my new favourite songs. This is Mutineer.
Mutineer / Warren Zevon (1995)
Isn’t that just lovely? That is Warren Zevon, from his 1995 album Mutineer, with the title track. Warren Zevon died in 2003 of mesothelioma, and his legend has it that he did not seek any medical advice in the years leading up to his death, and was unaware that it was approaching. Yet, his latter work does seem pretty heavily focused on issues of mortality, which just makes you wonder…. In the year after his death a tribute album was recorded marking his contribution to music. I just love that the album was called “Enjoy Every Sandwich”. From that album here is one of my favourite bands covering one of my favourite Warren Zevon songs. This is The Wallflowers.
Lawyers, Guns & Money / The Wallflowers (2004)
That was The Wallflowers sounding very comfortable covering Warren Zevon’s Lawyers, Guns and Money, and that track came from the 2004 album Enjoy Every Sandwich: The Songs of Warren Zevon. Another artist who contributed to Enjoy Every Sandwich was Don Henley, who provided a version of the Warren Zevon song Searching For A Heart. Here is Don Henley from during the height of his solo success. From his album of the same name, this is The End Of The Innocence.
The End Of The Innocence / Don Henley (1989)
From 1989, that was Don Henley with The End Of The Innocence. Any listener familiar with the music of the late 80s is likely to recognise the piano playing on that Don Henley track. It was provided by Bruce Hornsby of Bruce Hornsby and The Range fame. Now, I almost feel that I should apologise for playing this next track: it is a fine example of unadulterated dag-dad music in its purest form; but the fact is - I just love this song.
Look Out Any Window / Bruce Hornsby & The Range (1988)
From the 1988 album Scenes From The Southside, that was Bruce Hornsby and The Range with Look Out Any Window. Between 1990 and 1992, Bruce Hornsby was a touring member of The Grateful Dead, and on many occasions during those shows he would have played this next song with that band; a song which, in its lyrics, also encourages the looking out of any window. This is Box Of Rain.
Box Of Rain / Grateful Dead (1970)
From their classic 1970 album, American Beauty, that was The Grateful Dead with Box Of Rain. The Grateful Dead, of course, was a California band founded by the 60s counter-culture icon Jerry Garcia. Now, our arrival at the music of The Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia has provided me with an opportunity that I just cannot deny myself. Can I offer a big shout out to The Music Labyrinth Elves who, The Listener may not be surprised to hear, I knew when they were quite young. Very young people have particular tastes in music, but I found that with some careful selection I could often smuggle some of my favourite songs and artists into the music for the little people, and here is a modest example. This is Jerry Garcia and David Grisman.
Teddy Bear’s Picnic / David Grisman & Jerry Garcia (1993)
Well, there you go! Thats the godfather of 60’s counter culture in California nurturing the kids. That was David Grisman and Jerry Garcia with Teddy Bears’ Picnic. Finding a link away from Jerry Garcia was not a difficult task: he’s done everything and played with everyone. But I was looking for a change of gear, and I found it. In the late 70s some mates from exclusive private schools in Sydney banded together to form a group which history has labelled as a theatrical, new wave, shock rock outfit. Their second album, released in 1981, was called Teddy Boys Picnic (see what I did there?), and from it, The Listener of a certain vintage might remember this hit song. This is Jimmy & The Boys.
They Won’t Let My Girlfriend Talk To Me / Jimmy & The Boys (1981)
Welcome back to the final section of episode 67 of The Music Labyrinth, which we arrived at by listening to They Won’t Let My Girlfriend Talk To Me by Jimmy & The Boys. That song was written by Tim Finn, and a Split Enz version of it appears on the 2005 compilation Enzology. In some ways, Tim Finn’s songwriting achievements have been put in the shade a little by his younger brother, but Tim has written some classics. This is a lovely live version of his song 1993 song Persuasion, which he performs here with Bic Runga and Dave Dobyn, recorded in November 2000.
Persuasion / Tim Finn, Bic Runga, and Dave Dobyn (2000)
That was a live recording of Persuasion, by Tim Finn, Bic Runga and Dave Dobyn. That song, Persuasion was co-written by the great Richard Thompson. Here he is with I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight.
I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight / Richard Thompson (2014)
From his 2014 album Acoustic Classics, that was Richard Thompson with I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight. Richard Thompson first recorded that song with his then wife Linda in 1974. Again, like Jerry Garcia, Richard Thompson has had a long career playing with a wide variety of artists and influencing at least one generation of guitarists. But again, lets find a change of gear. This next band who sung were known in this country as UK Squeeze, but in most other parts of the globe as simply Squeeze. Their first album from 1978 contained this next track which talks, like Richard Thompson, about driving to the city to see the bright lights. This is First Thing Wrong.
First Thing Wrong / Squeeze (1978)
On The Music Labyrinth that was Squeeze, from their 1978 debut album, with First Thing Wrong. A prominent member of Squeeze at that time was Jules Holland, who you probably recognised from his later work as a music producer, and radio and television host of music programs. In addition to Jools Holland, Squeeze enjoyed the talents of the guitarist, singer and songwriter Glenn Tilbrook. In 2006 Tilbrook appeared on an episode of the SBS music show Rockwiz. For the duet at the end of the show, he teamed up with the wonderful Linda Bull to perform a version of the 1968 Stax Records hit for Judy Clay and William Bell: Private Number. Lets end episode 67 of The Music Labyrinth with the Glenn Tilbrook and Linda Bull version of that song. Thanks very much for joining us this week in The Music Labyrinth. Please come back again for the next episode in a fortnight, when we will start with this song. This is Private Number.
Private Number / Glenn Tilbrook and Linda Bull