Popular music can take us to a particular point in our lives. It is the soundtrack of our youth, birth, marriage, Bar Mitzvah, schooldays or not-so-happier times. Throughout my life, music has played a massive part. You can either see this on East of the M60 in written form, or in my professional capacity with Future Directions CIC on Fun Time Friday.
Continue reading “S.V.’s Formative Years Festive 50 (1983 – 1984)”
Sometimes, the radio edit of a chart single may lack that extra something which the 12″ version has. At the other end, some singles are better suited to the traditional two to four minutes of a seven inch 45.
The long single (in excess of five minutes) can fulfil a few other functions. It could either be a floor filler, as part of a series of different mixes to maintain its lofty chart position, or a convenient addition to the playlist. In other words, it is a suitable length to accommodate the DJ’s toilet break, or anything else s/he may do (which is best left to one’s imagination).
Continue reading “Twice the Pleasure: Our Top 1980s 12″ Tunes: The Not So Perfect Ten”
Before social media became a thing, we used to stand out from the competition by using catchy names and jingles. ‘Murray’ would always rhyme with ‘hurry’ among Baby Boomers because of a 1950s advertising jingle.
Continue reading “An Awesome Alliterative Album: Rebellious Mixtape #12”On this day in history, Piccadilly Radio began broadcasting 44 years ago. The first voice on Piccadilly Radio was Roger Day. As for the first record, that was The Beach Boys’ Good Vibrations. What company may you ask had the first advert on Piccadilly Radio? It was the North Western Regional Gas Board. With the tagline “The North Loves Gas Best”.
Christmas: such a great period to spend time with our family, or put aside a few musical differences. Or the good use of a few days or fortnight away from work (unless the Tories use Brexit to stop this). At this time of writing, it looks as if Ed Sheeran is set to have this year’s Christmas Number One single. A world away from when cheesiness used to dominate the pop charts at Christmas. Continue reading “Have Yourself a Merry Disco Christmas: A Cheesy Tunes Special”
In both senses, our latest Not So Perfect Ten is designed for trainspotters. Not only those who stand at the edge of platform six of Manchester Piccadilly station. Also trainspotters of a musical variety; the sort of people who would rather have a Steve Hackett album track on their playlist instead of Ed Sheeran.
Continue reading “Semi-Overlooked Songs Associated With Train Travel: The Not So Perfect Ten”
Take a good look through your record collection. Can you think of any memorable songs or instrumental tunes extolling the joys of Iceberg Lettuce? Have you heard of a concept album dedicated to tofu? Or even a song? Well, apart from Killer Tofu by The Beets (the fictitious group in Nickelodeon’s/Jumbo Productions’ animated series, Doug), little of note. Continue reading “Nutritionally Incorrect Anthems: A Feast of the M60 Rebellious Mixtape (Volume #11)”
Nostalgia’s a strange thing. I love the latest version of Rochdale bus station because of its improved tram connections and how everything is under one roof. No trying to run across roadways to catch a 528 for Halifax (because of the 409 being on the opposite platform). It is everything a modern transport interchange should be. Continue reading “Rebellious Mixtape #10: One After 409”
East of the M60 commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest
Owing to this month’s Not So Perfect Ten being later than usual, we have decided to commemorate the above venerable institution. One maligned and respected in equal measure. An institution better known for its most frenetic climax. One that led to Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Annafrid to become Sweden’s biggest export after Volvo cars. Continue reading “Forgotten Eurovision Classics: The Not So Perfect Ten”
The schools have broken up for the summer holidays, and the sunshine has inspired this playlist. For once, I shall break with the usual Rebellious Mixtape rules and consider a possible continuous playlist.
Let’s have it!
Oh, and I know there’s also Spotify, but I am also enabling you to make a few suggestions and additions by displaying the playlist. Continue reading “East of the M60’s Summer Mix – Rebellious Mixtape #9”
