Welcome To My Blog

Thanks for checking the blog out... Hope it offers something a bit different every now & again. Though I come from a pseudo - Mod background (Soul & Ska in particular), I have a diverse taste in music & hope my varied posts will reflect this.

Cheers Skamanc .... I'm not after your undying gratitude, but please leave your thoughts, comments & opinions on the posts & content. I regularly up- & download material, plus buy and trade items. As such, if I have inadvertently "trodden on anyone's toes" in posting anything then please let me know & accept my apologies. Also please support the artists involved & remember that the blog is merely a pointer toward these various downloads, which are stored elsewhere. Legally, any downloads should not be retained for more than a week. So now I've told you the legal bit !

Feel free to give me a shout : waltjabsco@hotmail.com

Manchester M22, September 2016

For my kids, Dylan & Tommy. Bollocks to the ex Mrs!

Special thanks to Steve White (software), Gordon Waring (music), Shaun Robinson (artwork), Paul Buddery (DVD's / software) & Sonchey Barrett (essential technical advice!).

"Thank you" also to regular contributors Herr Pauli (Malente, Germany), Phil (Shetland), Deco Mc Dermott & Mark Pengelly of Dublin, Martin Smith (Barnet), Paul Baily (London) and Rodd (Australia).

Sunday 31 January 2010

Dexy's Midnight Runners 1981 singles & BBC Session...

In light of the several recent Dexy's posts from this & other blogs, I've put together a short compilation of the remaining 1981 material that has not yet appeared here. It includes the A & B sides of three 7" singles, as well as a Richard Skinner BBC Session. Track listing is as follows : 1) Plan B (a side March 1981) 2) Soul Finger (B side of above) 3) Let's Make This Precious / (4) Your Own / (5) Until I Believe In My Soul (BBC Radio 1 Richard Skinner Session, broadcast 9/7/81) 6) Show Me (A side, July 1981) 7) Soon (B side of above) 8) Liars A To E (A Side, October 1981) 9) And Yes We Must Remain The Wildhearted Outsiders (B Side of above) Have a listen & please leave a comment or two ! http://rapidshare.com/files/344022272/Dexy_s_comp.rar

The Specials Colchester December 1979

Decent audio rip of a good quality dvd boot. This is The Specials @ Colchester Instutute, December 1979, that just happened to be filmed by the BBC for their "Rock Goes To College" programme. Download & enjoy... http://rapidshare.com/files/343650779/Specials_Colchester_Dec79.rar

Saturday 30 January 2010

Dub Pt2 : Dub Echoes Audio Rip

Tonight's post is an audio rip of the "Dub Echoes" film. This tells the story of Dub Music from its birth in Kingston, Jamaica, through to its worldwide influence today. It features, amongst many others, Lee Perry, U Roy, Mad Professor, Bunny Lee, King Jammy, Sly & Robbie & The Dub Pistols. http://rapidshare.com/files/343543955/DUB_ECHOES-audiorip.rar

Friday 29 January 2010

The Jam BBC In Concert (FM) 20/2/82

Another little nugget here - new arrival on a data dvd of swapped files. This is an FM recording of The Jam from the BBC In Concert Series, transmitted originally on 20/2/82. Tracklisting as follows : 1. Intro 2. The Gift 3. Down In The Tube Station At Midnight 4. Ghosts 5. Tales Of The Riverbank 6. Precious 7. A Town Called Malice 8. In The Crowd 9. Circus 10. Pretty Green 11. Start 12. Boy About Town 13. Gary Crowley Outro http://rapidshare.com/files/343153259/Jam-BBCinconcert_20.2.82.zip Download, enjoy & please leave a comment - starting to crave even the tiniest bit of feedback !! This one's for East Ender Steve White...

The Specials & Madness @ Glastonbury

Probably the last post for today features some great performances from Glastonbury, between 2007 & 2009. First is The Specials, recorded @ the 2009 festival : http://rapidshare.com/files/342880036/The_Specials_-_Glastonbury_2009.rar Next we have 2x Madness sets, from the 2007 & 2009 feativals : http://rapidshare.com/files/342844284/MADNESS_Glasto2007.rar http://rapidshare.com/files/342844288/Madness_Glastonbury_2009_MP3.rar Enjoy the music & PLEASE leave a comment or two !!

The Small Faces BBC Sessions

Good afternoon ! Thought we'd kick off today with some more Small Faces material - and what a great compilation this is. Packed with treasures from the BBC vaults, including a mix of great soul covers, original tracks and interviews as well. Essential stuff.... http://rapidshare.com/files/342880038/SmallFaces-BBCSessions.rar For the late Steve Marriott & Ronnie "Plonk" Lane.

The Small Faces From The Beginning

Originally rush- released by Decca when the Small Faces left to join the Immediate label, this LP highlights thir blue eyed soul credentials admirably. Their faithful take on Booker T's "Plum Nellie" is wonderful, whilst Steve Marriott shows his mastery of the soul genre on three Tamla covers. "You Really Got a Hold On Me", "Baby Don't Do It" and "Come Back and Take This Hurt Off Me" are the standout tracks - have a listen & leave a comment. http://rapidshare.com/files/339326281/SMALL-FACESFromTheBeginning.rar

Thursday 28 January 2010

Dub Plate Vibe Crew - Voice of Dub

This was a bit of an unknown quantity - picked up on the off-chance as a scratchy used cd with a card sleeve in the bargain section of a South Manchester record Shop. Sounds pretty good to me... http://rapidshare.com/files/341892622/Dub_Plate_Vibe_Crew_-_Voice_Of_Dub.rar

Wednesday 27 January 2010

Ian Dury & Magazine - German TV 1978 -80

Today kicks off with two great audio rips from Rockpalast, a German TV show with a fantastic archive. One of the joys of blogging is going through your collection & rediscovering gems like these... First up we have Ian Dury & The Blockheads from WDR Studio-L, Koln, 28/2/78 : http://rapidshare.com/files/341656453/IanDury-Koln1978-audio.rar Next is Magazine from the Metropol, Berlin, 20/10/80 : http://rapidshare.com/files/341656457/Magazine-Berlin1980.rar

Tuesday 26 January 2010

The Specials Melbourne 2009 / Australia Day

Happy Australia Day. Thought it'd be nice to celebrate with a tube of Fosters, a slice of cake & The Specials live in Melbourne, 30/7/09. Enjoy... http://rapidshare.com/files/341613104/SPECIALS_Melbourne_30-7-09-FULLGIG.rar (Uploaded as one file with seperate mp3 tracks - you'll need to split this over 2x cd's folks). I originally received this on a data dvd with a pile of other material - big thanks & respect to the original bootlegger out there !

The Jam Bingley Hall 31/3/82

I am delighted to be able to post the audio track for the well known DVD of The Jam, Bingley Hall, March 31st 1982. This was officially released on VHS (and much later DVD) as Trans Global Express) with, for reasons better known to Polydor / Polygram, only a handful tracks. A DVD boot with the full gig has been widely circulated for years - this rip is taken from one of these. The audio includes the "backstage footage" from the DVD, as I could not edit individual tracks - so make judicious use of the cue / forward button. (The audio is, therefore, one long MP3 track as opposed to individual numbers). However, we do get to hear the famed John Weller introduction... "The best band in the fackin' world... THE JAM" Worth the price of admission alone ! Track listing : (Backstage / John Weller Intro) 1. Strangetown 2. Carnation 3. Town Called Malice 4. Happy Together 5. Boy About Town 6. Ghosts 7. Just Who Is The 5 O'Clock Hero? 8. That's Entertainment 9. Tales From The Riverbank 10. Precious 11. Running On The Spot 12. Move On Up 13. In The Crowd 14. Private Hell 15. Pretty Green 16. Trans Global Express 17. The Gift 18. Circus 19. Pity Poor Alfie 20. Fever 21. Funeral Pyre 22. The Butterfly Collector 23. When You're Young http://rapidshare.com/files/341328848/Jam-Bingley_Hall_31.3.82.rar

Coming Up Shortly.....

Don't call me shortly !! Yeah yeah, I'll get me coat... Anyway, coming soon are such nuggets as John's Children, The Byrds, Bob Dylan (Manchester 1966), a few 2 Tone related bits & pieces plus more rarities from the Prime Movers & Solar Flares... You know where you need to be....

Monday 25 January 2010

The Byrds Fillmore West February 1969

Excellent set of live tracks recorded over two nights (7th & 8th of February 1969) at the Fillmore West, the week of the release of the "Dr Byrds & Mister Hyde" album. This line up features no less than two world class guitarists, Roger McGuinn & Clarence White. Their Rickenbacker & Telecaster interplay is clearly evident throughout. This recording highlights the Nashville / country style that The Byrds were following @ the time but please don't let any musical snobbery put you off - a fine band !! http://rapidshare.com/files/340800197/The_Byrds_-_Live_At_The_Fillmore__February_1969.rar

More Prisoners... ? Medway Powerhouse!!

Last post for tonight (or this morning...) is a collection of the impossibly rare vinyl Medway Powerhouse series. This was a three voulme series featiring the talents of various Medway (Kent, UK) based outfits. The Prisoners, Milkshakes & James Taylor Quartet are the better known involved, thought here's loads more worth checking out. I'm off for a last brew & cig now so G'night ! http://rapidshare.com/files/339248366/MedwayPH1.rar http://rapidshare.com/files/339248367/MedwayPH2.rar http://rapidshare.com/files/339248371/medwph3.rar

The Prisoners vs The Solar Flares

Another Prisoners & related retrospective, this time featuring the Solar Flares. 1st up is "The Revenge of the Prisoners" compilation, of selected tracks from their early singles & the "Wiser..." LP. http://rapidshare.com/files/340590920/RevengeOfThePRISONERS.zip Apart from The JTQ & Prime Movers, the demise of this great band also led to the forming of the Solar Flares, with two albums worth posted below... http://rapidshare.com/files/340575490/solarflares_LookWhatIMadeOutOfMyHead.zip http://rapidshare.com/files/340575487/solar_flares_ThatWasThenAndSoIsThis.zip dedicated to Amy of Derby 24, my then partner, who accompanied me to the Mean Fiddler in 1997 to see The Prisoners.If only they'd turned up.....

Sunday 24 January 2010

Beck "Loser" EP - MTV Makes Me Want To Smoke Crack

... a sentiment that I'm sure a lot of people can sympathise with. Can't believe that it's nearly 16 years ago since this came out, the absolute classic "Loser", posted here as part of a 4 track EP. Track 4 unequivocally states Beck's thoughts on MTV - I'll have to dig out + post the Dead Kennedy's "MTV Get Off The Air", another satiric masterpiece. For now enjoy this... "I'm a loser baby, why don't you kill me ?" http://rapidshare.com/files/340553841/Beck_-_Loser.rar http://rapidshare.com/files/340553343/Beck_-_Loser.rar (For some reason I have received 2x shareodes for the one file - either should work).

The Prime Movers - Sins of The Fourfathers

Cracking album for the latest post, "Sins of the Fourfathers" by post- Prisoners off-shoot The Prime Movers. Have a listen & why not leave your thoughts / comments...  More Prisoners & related coming soon, including the impossibly rare Medway Powerhouse compilations, volumes 1-3 !! Dedicated to Chris Hargreaves, ex Mancunian now living in New Zealand. We saw the Prisoners @ Manchester Apollo, 1985... great times !!

SHARECODE REMOVED @ REQUEST OF DETOUR RECORDS

Pink Pop Festival 1980/81 & '89 The Jam, The Specials & Madness

The Pink Pop takes its name from the Dutch for "pentecost" (Pinksteren), as it is held annually on Pentecost Weekend in Landgraaf, Netherlands. This post sees some legendary acts' performances from the festival in 1980 + '81. Download 'em & enjoy folks..... http://rapidshare.com/files/340367541/Specials_-_Pink_Pop_Festival_26-5-80.rar http://rapidshare.com/files/340367539/jampinkpop.rar http://rapidshare.com/files/340314835/Madness-PinkPop1981.rar http://rapidshare.com/files/340314831/MADNESSPinkPop2009.rar

The Pink Floyd & The Soft Machine

Good morning. In an attempt to blot out yet another dark, wet & miserable South Manchester morning, I've decided to go for a psychedelic type post this morning. Both legendary archetypal English outfits originating in the mid 1960s, "The Floyd" & "The Softs". The Floyd post charts a band in transition, from a derivative Blues based outfit, through Syd Barrett's whimsical psychedelic pop and into burgeoning space rock. Much of this was never released officially in any form. The Soft Machine post includes their 1st two LPs. A Specials connection here is drummer Robert Wyatt, who would later work with Jerry Dammers. (See Liam-Ska's Swapo Singers post). http://rapidshare.com/files/339936900/Pink_Floyd_-_1966-1967_-_Outtakes_from_outer_space.rar http://rapidshare.com/files/339936905/The_Soft_Machine_Vols_One_Two__1968-1969_.rar

Saturday 23 January 2010

John Cooper Clarke Glastonbury 1981

This latest post features the unique & brilliant "punk poet" John Cooper Clarke from Glastonbury 19/6/81. Great set list inludig "Psycle sluts", "Beasley Street", "Evidently Chicken Town" & "You'll Never See a Nipple In The Daily Express". Top man & class material. Still gigging too - well worth a look ! http://rapidshare.com/files/340078362/JOHNCOOPERCLARKE_Glastonbury_19-06-81.rar

Lard - I've tasted the future...

Dedicated to Steve White & Father Stack... cheers lads !

Madness Rare US radio Interview

Here's an interesting item...a promotional Radio Interview from the USA, dated 1999. The reformed Madness were in great demand during '99, their 20th anniversary year. As such, they precorded the answers for a radio "interview", and this was shipped to radio stations with a cue sheet of questions. A DJ could then "ask" these questions and play back the answers. This is a common practice that allows an artist to be in many places @ once... http://rapidshare.com/files/339989971/Wonderful_Generic_Radio_Interview.rar COMING SOON... The Prisoners, Prime Movers, The Soft Machine, early Pink Floyd, John Cooper Clarke & more...

Stanley Bowles

Stan Bowles was one of the most accomplished & technically gifted English footballers ever. Best known for being part of the great 1970s Queens Park Rangers side, it is a little known fact that he started his career @ home town team Manchester City. (pictured 4th from right, back row in the City pic). Here's a download of Stan discussing his career & times.....Interesting, amusing & tragic: http://rapidshare.com/files/339885069/Stan_Bowles_-_60_Minutes_With.rar

Gorillas opening umbrellas ?

There's been a debate recently on the 'bucks fizz" site about the Bonzo Dog Band & Viv Stanshall... I had a look through my HDD & here as promised are a couple of related downloads : http://rapidshare.com/files/339864122/BonzoDogBand_1967_Gorilla.rar The link below is a new one following a re-upload (cheers for mailing me Liam !) : http://rapidshare.com/files/340005227/VIV_STANSHALL_men_opening_umbrellas_overhead.rar This one's for Liam_Ska - keep up the good work m8 ! COMING SOON... Stan Bowles, The Prisoners, The Prime Movers, more Madness & early Pink Floyd... WATCH THIS BLOG!!

Madness BBC Radio Shows

The first post for today features no less than three Madness related shows from the BBC archives. First up is a 1994 radio 1 programme titled "5 Years Of Madness". Secondly we have "One Step Beyond" (Radio One, 1992) and last not least is Radio 2's "Total Madness" (1999). There will be a lot more Nutty related posts over the next week or so - be sure to come back soon !! http://rapidshare.com/files/339842743/5YrsMadness-R1-1984.rar http://rapidshare.com/files/339830231/OSB-Madness_Radio1-1992.rar http://rapidshare.com/files/339830226/Total_Madness_Doc_Radio_2-1999.rar Special thanks to Paul Baily.

Friday 22 January 2010

Some Motown - Action...dig these sides

After my Action BBC session post I thought it'd be interesting to have a look through my collection & dig out some of the original tracks covered by this excellent yet still under-rated band. Here we have Kim Weston's "Take Me In Your Arms", The Temptations "Since I Lost My Baby" and "I'll Keep Holding On" by The Marvelettes.... http://rapidshare.com/files/338962803/12_-_Take_Me_In_Your_Arms__Rock_Me_A_Little_While__-_Kim_Weston.rar http://rapidshare.com/files/338962802/06_-_I_ll_Keep_on_Holding_on_-_The_Marvelettes.rar http://rapidshare.com/files/338962801/04_-_Since_I_Lost_My_Baby_-_Unknown_Artist.rar Dedicated to Cheryl the Librarian...

The Genius of Kevin Rowland Pt 2 / Dexy's BBC In Concert 1981

Here is one hell of a gem : the Dexy's Mk 2 line up on the BBC In Concert Show 30/5/81. I think the post title speaks for itself so nuff said !! Enjoy it & feel free to leave me a comment..... http://rapidshare.com/files/339368533/Dexy_s_Midnight_Runners_-_The_Projected_Passion_Revue.rar

A joker in the pack... closet Susan Boyle fan ??

I have just had a weird request by a character I know well but who must remain nameless. (Yes, you Martin...oops, sory). Its for the Susan Boyle album as he claims he wants to download it for his Mam. Well Martin m8 (oops sorry again), I've called yer bluff mucker, found it & here it is posted.... (I suppose someone might genuinely want it...) Next time I'll print yer pic, address, mobile number & the name of your CPN & Social Worker... http://rapidshare.com/files/339326280/Susan_Boyle_-_I_Dreamed_A_Dream__Retail_.rar

Specials Speaks Club re-post

It has been brought to my attention that there may be a problem with Part 1 of The Specials Speaks Club download. As a precaution, here is a new URL for this file : http://rapidshare.com/files/339310394/The_Specials_-_March_2_1980-Speaks__Long_Island__New_York__Pt._1.rar Below is the original : http://rapidshare.com/files/338564254/The_Specials_-_March_2_1980-Speaks__Long_Island__New_York__Pt._1.rar

Sky + dates for your Diary...

Saturday Jan 23rd BBC2 8pm Newsnight. Some sort of anniversary show which will include the mighty Specials, reportedly playing live. Saturday February 6th Sky Arts 1 9pm : The Specials Live Rupert Murdoch may be a tw*t, though even I have to concede that Sky+ is a wonderful thing...

Lone Lonely Town.....Class Floorfiller

Actress & Motown artist Barbara McNair was more at home singing standards & show tunes. She even found time to make a movie "Change of Habit" with a lad called Elvis Presley (see piccy)... I wonder what happened to him !?!?!? However, Ms McNair was also responsible for the 1966 Soul gem "Lone Lonely Town" which is probably my favourite Tamla side ever & remains a floorfiller to this day... http://rapidshare.com/files/338962804/09_-_Lone_Lonely_Town_-_Barbara_McNair.rar

Thursday 21 January 2010

A piece of THE ACTION......

Most of us will be familiar with the name "The Action" as well as the "Ultimate Action" compilation from the 1960s North London Mod band. Slightly further from the beaten track is this priceless collection of BBC radio session tracks that were only rediscovered by accident & long since thought deleted from the Beeb archive. Reg King had one of the great white soul voices (up there with Marriott, Winwood & Burdon for me) and this stuff highlights this well. Great material typical of the period with chiming Rickenbackers clearly evident. A treat for me is the otherwise unreleased version of Kim Weston's "Take Me in Your Arms"... Have a listen & I'd love people's thoughts on this stuff. Enjoy !! http://rapidshare.com/files/338327641/The_Action_-_Uptight_and_Outasight.rar

The Slits : Peel Session / In The Beginning

Continuing from Sonchey's cool Slits post, I've dug out another couple of related items.First we have the In The Beginning album : http://rapidshare.com/files/338729623/THESLITS-inthebeginning.rar Nest up is a cracking Peel Session from 19/9/77 : http://rapidshare.com/files/338729621/The_Slits-_Peel_Session-19.9.77.rar

The Genius of Howard Devoto (Pt2)

Another Manchester related post this morning, featuring Howard Devoto post - Buzzcocks. Other than The Specials, 2009 also saw Magazine reform & tour the UK, though unfortunately I couldn't make any of the dates. Here is a collection of several John Peel Sessions recorded by devoto, Adamson & co. http://rapidshare.com/files/338708994/Magazine_-_Maybe_It_s_Right_To_Be_Nervous_Now_CD3__The_Peel_Sessions.rar

The Specials Speaks Club 2/3/80

Another fine Specials recording, this time from Speaks CLub, Long Island, USA. Taped on March 2nd, this was the final date of their 1980 US Tour. Uploaded by request... http://rapidshare.com/files/338564254/The_Specials_-_March_2_1980-Speaks__Long_Island__New_York__Pt._1.rar http://rapidshare.com/files/338564256/The_Specials_-_March_2_1980-Speaks__Long_Island__New_York__Pt._2.rar

The Genius of Howard Devoto (pt1)

Given the fact that I'm a Manchester lad I reckoned it was high time we shared some local music. Who better to post than The Buzzcocks' 1st DIY release ? In his typically quirky manner, Howard Devoto left just after the EP came out, only to form the mighty "Magazine" (a Peel Session comp to follow VERY soon, along with more Mancunian gems)... http://rapidshare.com/files/338274528/Buzzcocks_-__spiral_scratch.rar

The Genius of Kevin Rowland...

This morning I am mainly groovin' to Dexy's 1980 John Peel Session... play it LOUD !! "Before Jimmy's Machine & the rocksteady rub..." "This man was my bombers, my dexies my highs".....CLASSIC STUFF http://rapidshare.com/files/338288483/dmrpl2.rar

Wednesday 20 January 2010

More Specials.....

Knackered now - just home from an unexpected dash to Liverpool & back.... Anyhoo here's a last one for today - our beloved Specials @ the Seattle Showbox, Feb 1st 1980, where they opened for The Police. As usual, follow the link, download & crank up the volume !! http://rapidshare.com/files/338327645/THE_SPECIALS_-_Seattle_Showbox_1_2_80.rar

The Jolt

Excellent stuff from Scottish band The Jolt. They impressed Paul Weller so much that they were allowed 1st crack at his song "See Saw"..... http://rapidshare.com/files/338288479/The_Jolt.rar

Skamanc & Sons

Loads more files on their way.... to have a breather I've posted a pic of me & my lads taken recently, while we were traversing the barren polar wastes of our back yard !!