By Mnemosene2
I have a large collection of tools, sadly not as organised as I would like them to be, and I have even been known to use them. Mainly my abilities have been confined to flat pack furniture assembly and small stuff like replacing doorbells and tap washers. When I think of tools, I think of relatively small items that can be used with the hands or of small machines. Oddly, the tools I use most are for gardening, but I looked in vain for trowels, azados, forks and hoes. I did see a hoedown but that’s a dance, not a too. Still there were enough other suggestions to make for a varied playlist. I thought long and hard about trying to do something clever with the write-up but failed. This will be a very straightforward account.
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
This gets its opening position because it’s such a cracking tune and a truly groundbreaking video. I’m fairly sure the sledgehammer is metaphorical.
Dessa - Seamstress
She’ll stitch you up!
Dougie Maclean - Scythe Song
A lovely description of how to use a scythe. Like Zen and the Art of Archery, it gets you in the zone. Poldark should have taken lessons from him.
Ry Cooder - Simple Tools
Nothing complicated for Mr Cooder. His wife leaves but Ry carries on with his simple life and mends his heart with his simple tools.
Miracle of Sound – Hammer the Buttons and Wiggle the Sticks
Short and sweet. I have had a day of constant computer crashes. A curse on every computer help desk that suggests switching off and on again
The Beta Band – Needles in my Eyes
Whoever suggested this was definitely playing to the guru’s personal tastes. I have loved the Beta band from the first moment I heard them. I’m still not sure what this song is really about but it’s so lovely just to let it wash over you.
Chairman of the Board – Working on a Building of Love
No playlist is complete without a little northern soul. Lots of tools here, everything you need to build a house of love.
Rocco Deluca- Feather and a Knife
My find of the week. That beautiful resonating Dobro sound, a high plaintive voice, and very simple but evocative lyrics. I’ll be looking out for him.
Wire – A (Berlin) Drill
This gets in on its onomatopoeic sound which mimics a hammer drill. I live in an Edwardian flat where the walls are either lath and plaster and have to be treated with the utmost delicacy or 9inch-thick brick firewalls where even a kanga doesn’t make much impression. This track is definitely on the kanga end of drills.
Nick Cave – The Hammer Song
The lugubrious Nick Cave sings of a disaster involving water and hammers both coming down. Perhaps he should try listening to the Staple Singers with their much more upbeat views of hammers and nails
The Staple Singers – More Than a Hammer and Nails
Think Tank – A Knife and a Fork (The Massively Parallel Mix)
Something silly and cheerful to end with.
Guru's wildcard:
I Like Trains - Stainless Steel
“Don’t go into the kitchen.
That’s where the knives are.”
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations from last week's topic: Fork Handles to Four Handles: songs about tools. The next topic will launch on Thursday at 1pm UK time.
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