h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This morning I received yet another addition to my collection of music - or, to be more precise, two additions.

The first was a real bargain; A DVD of "High Society" for less than £5 delivered to my door. I have for many years tolerated a Videocassette of this but it just 'ain't the same'.

The other is a CD of [and I quote the 'sleeve'] ''early and original versions of classic songs that shaped popular music.'' These recordings date from between the '20s and '50s. I love this sort of thing; don't you?

>>>''early and original versions of classic songs that shaped popular music.''

Such as? What are your favourites? I like the Pennies from Heaven soundtrack songs which first introduced me to these oldies - you may have noticed me quote a few on the Snogs threads.

Hi again,

Some of the songs on this album are a little bit obscure in their original versions but I love 'em.

A couple of examples (not just obscure ones):

'Down On Penny's Farm' by The Bently Boys is a recording from 1929 and is without doubt a forebear of Bob Dylan's 'Maggie's Farm' (I can say 'without doubt' 'cos Dylan says as much himself . Incidentally no-one seems to know exactly just who The Bently Boys were.

Then, there's one of my favourites, ''House Of The Rising Sun,'' by Josh White from 1944. Actually, almost any version of this is fine by me but If I had to pick a single one, it would be The Animals' version from the '60s. It's less ''authentic'' (whatever that might mean) but it's got a sort of 'rawness' to it that keeps it head and shoulders above most of the Pop of that time.

Nat King Cole's there, too (The Nat King Cole Trio) with Route 66 from 1946. I'm not wild about the more recent versions but this one is A1.

And there's one you already know: no less than Blind Blake (1929) doing ''Diddie Wah Diddie''. Now I can tell you (from the 'sleeve-note') what it is (or at least where it started from). It was a mythical land in Afro American folklore with no work, no worries and everything free. There's a catch though; you can't find it even if you know the way. The song pokes fun at the myth by making it into a sexual reference. Bet you wish you hadn't asked

Can't go without mentioning two more of the tracks - - I'd have bought it even if these had been the only ones on it: Big Mama Thornton - 'Hound Dog' and Sidney Bechet - 'Summertime'

I'll tell you another time about some of my favourites which I think might line up more closely with yours.

Time for the top-up now. I'll still be looking in on the Boards when I've made it and had a smoke - Oh Dear!! - shouldn't remind you about that; you might cancel the Island Trip.

See you soon



Bxxxx
xx

Posted: Saturday 24 March 2007 00:16:13

So you DID buy the CD Andy Kershaw recommended Mr-p "The Song Before The Song" - you said you were thinking about it if Mrs-p didn't object

It looks like a great collection of songs http://www.the-viper-label.co.uk/thesongbeforethesong.htm

Hi Andy,

Yes, it's well worth having. I actually became aware of its impending release some while back and was waiting for the release date to come round. I had to chase them a bit 'cos their website hadn't been updated. Several days after the release date they were showing 'Not In Stock'. It wasn't till I asked them when it would be that they realised.

Mrs P doesn't really object to my buying these things - - only to my playing them. That's one reason I have seven pairs of headphones!!!