Remembering Anna Karina on her birthday. youtu.be/BF1fKeNfjis?...

Since it’s the late Margo Guryan’s birthday I wanted to share what I think might be my favourite cover version of one of her songs. Margo told me that she also liked this one. Great haunting arrangement from Hyle King. youtu.be/cVlAi0SXF3w?...

Margo Guryan was born on this day 88 years ago. She is greatly missed. Her music soothed my soul and over the phone she gave me grammar tips and love counselling (I needed all of these things). Thank you Margo. youtu.be/4e6mc9AaNeA?...

Happy 85th birthday to one of my greatest songwriting heroes, Paul Williams. youtu.be/9vLTWU8--v8?...

Been thinking about my top tracks of this Century so far, now that we’re pretty much 1/4 of the way through. This by Ryder the Eagle is definitely one of my favourites. To me it could almost be a great Aznavour song. I love the intensity and romance of it. That end section❤️ youtu.be/tV6pzDv5zRo?...

One of the top tracks of the year so far. I really love this new one from Saul Adamczewski and company A.K.A. Insecure Men. ❤️ youtu.be/w1FYCso0xu4?...

Good night Robert Redford. I love this photo of baby Robert Redford balancing on his dad’s hand. He seemed like one of the good guys.

For Every Fall There is a Rise. I really love this track by Hollow Horse, I find it both reassuring and devastating. youtu.be/zGT5drwHwRo?...

Continuing my occasional series of spooky songs from movies and TV. Here’s one of the best. From Samuel Fuller's 'The Naked Kiss', it's 'Mommy Dear'. I love it. youtu.be/oyTJZ_e6Y-8?...

On Agatha Christie’s birthday, here’s a reminder that on Sept 26 Norman Blake is playing a solo set for The Hangar at Paisley Arts Centre and he has selected the 1972 film of one of one of her great masterpieces, Endless Night, to be screened. renfrewshireboxoffice.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...

Leaving you this evening with some true musical magic from the Mills Brothers. Incredible stuff. youtu.be/HeYSOydYfG4?...

I have been very much enjoying Tchotchke’s new album Playin’ Dumb. It’s a very entertaining album, there’s a lot of great stuff on there. They also make very entertaining videos. Here is one of my top tracks from the album. youtu.be/4zK5L1QKevQ?...

Lawrence’s Mozart Estate have a new single out today. It’s a re-recording of one of Go Kart Mozart’s best pop songs. I don’t always like re-recorded “improved” new versions of tracks that I already love but this one merited an improved version. I love it. youtu.be/JUGHAT7vugI?...

The Summer’s ending and the nights grow cold. Sharing one of my all time favourite tracks ever recorded. I love everything about this track by Twice As Much, every second of its baroque pop poignancy. A beautiful song of loss. youtu.be/63XXxSAmT5E?...

Thinking of Daniel Johnston, six years gone today. youtu.be/0iY69rgdleg?...

Possibly their best yet. I love it.

I am loving this glorious single by Surely Shirley. It evokes echoes the wonderful sounds of Curt Boettcher & co’s sixties projects like The Millennium, Sagittarius and The Ballroom but it retains their own personality… plus it’s a really super song. youtu.be/qtiAzROWN8s?...

For me Brigitte Fontaine’s Est…Folle (1968) is one of the greatest albums of the sixties. The songs are magical and it features brilliant arrangement work from Jean-Claude Vannier. I’m excited about this reissue of an album that’s very important to me.

How great is this? A double vinyl reissue of Brigitte Fontaine’s landmark 1968 LP …Est Folle from @wewantsounds.bsky.social complete with extra disc of Fontaine’s Velvets-style demos and Jean Claude Vannier’s original instrumental arrangements. Reissue of the year? Mais oui!

Peter Sellers was born on this day 100 years ago. The night I met Chloe I was singing this song performed by Sellers and The Hollies, written by Bacharach & David. youtu.be/zbFFdvXIta0?...

Goodnight, sleep well. youtu.be/we-jgodzCqk?...

Be Aware. One of Bacharach & David’s (& Warwick’s) less well known masterpieces. I saw Burt finish a couple of shows with this one, it was extremely moving, even that he wanted this to be the message that he left people with at the end of the night. youtu.be/QXgkeDr6uto?...

Bill Wells is one of Scotland’s musical giants, the real deal. youtu.be/Qnj2hIR2teg?...

Another beauty from Bill Wells. Thank you Adam.

Where Are You Now My Love? The late Jackie Trent was born on this day 85 years ago. What a record. youtu.be/xJLESaA_XrA?...

Due to demand we're pressing a 2nd Edition of Alex Fergusson's 'Songbook; CDR, in a new variant sleeve. Pre-selling now for October 17. Only on Bandcamp. If you missed out on the 1st edition, here you go @grantmcphee.bsky.social @bmxbanditsduglas.bsky.social glassmodern.bandcamp.com/album/songbook

Bill Wells is one of my favourite composers/ songwriters/ musicians/ arrangers. Those of us who love his music love it greatly but I feel that still not enough people know his work. Here’s just one example of his greatness. youtu.be/lTZJDbED20c?...

The first thing I saw Helen Mirren in, I was nine. I loved it at the time and I still love it now. It’s very of its time but it’s a lot of fun. And Michael Jayston with those eyes and that incredible voice is have a great time being thoroughly evil. youtu.be/4pazZqHLAK0?...

It’s Barry Gibb’s birthday. Here’s one of my big Bee Gees favourites. Norman and I were obsessed by it when it came out. I remember at BMX Bandits shows taking a mid show break from our set to play this through the P.A. to our audiences. We wanted to share our love for it. youtu.be/xviuC-0FwQ0?...

Archie Bell is 81 today. Let’s dance. Such exuberance is infectious. youtu.be/H3SZ59dXmz0?...

You Put My Love Out The Door by Daniel Johnston. One of my favourite heartbreakers from Daniel. youtu.be/biNmqAxePz0?...

Joining the ranks of the most fantastic driving/ car songs, including Nino Ferrer’s Looking For You and Phoenix’s Summer Days comes the brand new single AUTO by Sofie Royer. I don’t drive but can’t wait to listen to it in a car. youtu.be/4DxPTJqFlX8?...

It’s hard to believe that this track by Shiina Ringo is 22 yrs old. At the time it felt ahead of the curve, although there’s a retro side to it. I hadn’t listened to it for a while but it still feels bold and magical to me. Hope some of you like it. youtu.be/fVCCe2tuL20?...

Come and join us AND The Cords AND Slumberland Records for a FREE Listening Party, September 24th.

Joining the ranks of the most fantastic driving/ car songs, including Nino Ferrer’s Looking For You and Phoenix’s Summer Days comes the brand new single AUTO by Sofie Royer. I don’t drive but can’t wait to listen to it in a car. youtu.be/4DxPTJqFlX8?...

Cool interview with The Cords up at Remember The Lightning! "Fans of Scottish jangle pop rejoice! The future of the beloved subgenre is thriving in the talented hands of teen sister duo The Cords..." rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/interview-... @stevewlauden.bsky.social

Tonight I’ve been listening to Love Me ‘Til My Heart Stops, written by Chloe for the album BMX Bandits Forever. youtu.be/J7sZU1EU4p0?...

It’s @edwyncollins.bsky.social birthday today, reason to celebrate. Here’s a clip that I really love of Edwyn and Vic Godard performing one of Edwin’s songs together. Edwyn, I hope you have had a lovely day. Much love from me to you. youtu.be/ipOZB91MfNE?...

We Are Love by @thecharlatans.bsky.social Uplifting pop with lots of heart. One of their best so far I reckon. youtu.be/DbbNtvNa7g8?...

It’s top pop songwriter Roger Cook’s 85th birthday today. In 4 days time it will be his main songwriting partner Roger Greenaway’s 86th birthday. Here is BMX Bandits’ version of one of their greatest compositions. youtu.be/ECCnT3CMLko?...

Dammit. Goodnight Terence Stamp.

My night time listening Looking For You from Nino and Radiah. Nino Ferrer was born on this day 91 years ago. He made some great records, this track is my favourite. youtu.be/VQ3pltWWXZU?...

I’m so happy that The Cords have a new single out called I’m Not Sad. youtu.be/aEyCxVWShLY?...

I’m not….?

I posted a clip of a low budget BBC Belle & Sebastian documentary that I was involved in the making of that had the late Ray Brooks narrating and a few people asked if the whole documentary was available to watch anywhere. Here it is: youtu.be/SfyO2T5kfxk?...

This will be a great night out… Norman Blake solo live, Radhika and group live plus a screening one of Norman’s top films, all for just £15. Norman’s film choice is a favourite of mine but I’ve never seen it on the big screen. renfrewshireboxoffice.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...

I was sorry to hear that Ray Brooks has died. In 1999 I was involved in making a low budget BBC documentary about Belle & Sebastian and we got Ray to narrate it. We were fans of his work on Mr. Benn. He did a smashing job for us and was pleasant to work with. Here’s a short extract.

There are some songs that you records and at the time feel like particularly important ones but then somehow they seem to get a little bit lost. This is one of those songs, it’s still one of my favourite things that I’ve done. youtu.be/-9ybi782MeA?...

Happy Birthday to Sofie Royer, my favourite songwriter of the 21st Century.

BMX Bandits live at Tim Peaks Diner, Kendal Calling. Thank you Alan Clarke for the clip.