By Olive Butler
For one week only, the B List is not a poor relation of the A List.
Unlike most weeks, there are no zedded songs in this week’s B List, I’ve just parked all the familiar pop tunes and the more eccentric stuff over there.
No, this week both playlists have equal status, but each has a very different vibe, that’s all.
Just thought it would help if I dumped all the 70s kitsch, chart hits and campy nonsense I’m so fond of into a separate playlist so that the close proximity of Shirley Bassey and the Bonzos (now there’s a supergroup!) didn’t adversely affect your enjoyment of Kevin Coyne, Belle & Sebastian, et al.
Of all this week’s players, Fred Erickson deserves a special mention – an astonishing, seemingly endless flow of noms from so many different artists and genres, and he was still nominating late on Monday night with mere seconds left!
Loved Willie Hutch, Presidents Of the United States, The Burning Hell, Mexican Pets, Daft Punk, Luke Haines, Larkins, Parliament, Sly Stone, American Spring, The Lurkers and The Easybeats, but, as you know, this is a ruthless game and I’m afraid there just wasn’t space for everyone’s picks.
Leaving aside the songs I would have loved to include, there’s one nom in particular which needs to be addressed.
I realise Sheryl Crow was the most upvoted track this week, but ultimately it comes down to subjective taste and I’m afraid this guru can’t stand Sheryl Crow!
There’s no doubt that song will eventually make the Marconium.
You’ll just have to find the right guru (and the right topic)!
Marco will have to decide whether or not both the As and the Bs go into the Marconium this week – personally I think they should, but it’s Marco’s call.
Echoing Peter’s appeal for gurus, don’t forget to let him know if you’d like to take a turn in the chair.
Really hope we can continue this unbroken run of fresh faces!
Right, I think that’s almost it.
I’ve discovered some great music this week, bands and tracks that were completely new to me.
My sincere thanks to everyone for all the splendid nominations – and to Peter for keeping the Bar running smoothly and changing the barrels every week.
Eagerly awaiting the new topic on Thursday, I’ll draw to a close.
Now it only remains for me to say that this was a terrific topic to guru – some gorgeous grooves and copious lashings of fun.
Truth be told, I always find acrostics kind of fun too, don’t you...?
An Awfully Good Time A-List Playlist:
1. Iggy Pop – Funtime (severin)
2. Siouxsie & The Banshees – Happy House (MussoliniHeadkick)
3. Willie Dixon – But It Sure Is Fun (treefrogdemon)
4. The Monkees – Good Times (severin)
5. Kevin Coyne – Fun Flesh (George Boyland)
6. Belle & Sebastian – Nothing In The Silence (Fred Erickson)
7. Prince & The New Power Generation – Strollin’ (IsabelleForshaw)
8. Betty Davis – Gettin’ Kicked Off, Havin’ Fun (Nilpferd)
9. Koko Taylor – Wang Dang Doodle (amylee)
10. Floetry – Fun (magicman)
11. Shirley And Lee – Let The Good Times Roll (magicman)
12. Billie Holiday – Getting Some Fun Out Of Life (Nicko)
The Having-A-Blast B-List Playlist:
1. Elton John – Crocodile Rock (Uncleben)
2. Yui Ogura - Fun Fun Merry Jam (Tarquin Spodd)
3. First Class – Beach Baby (IsabelleForshaw)
4. Prince Buster – Enjoy Yourself (megadom)
5. Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band – Jollity Farm (Tarquin Spodd)
6. Fred Lane – Fun In The Fundus (Tarquin Spodd)
7. Modern Jazz Quartet Ft Jimmy Giuffre – Fun (Nicko)
8. Paul Simon – Have A Good Time (megadom)
9. Fleetwood Mac – You Make Loving Fun (Loud Atlas)
10. Terry Jacks – Seasons In The Sun (Shoegazer)
11. Shirley Bassey – Big Spender (George Boyland)
12. Peggy Lee – Ain’t We Got Fun? (severin)
Guru’s Wildcard Picks:
The Photos – Do You Have Fun?
Opener of the The Photos’ debut album – to me, one of the best British new wave albums. Another track from the album is in the Marconium – ‘Barbarellas’, zedded for Music Venues.
Sparks – Tits
This cheekily titled – or as The Guardian might say, “problematically titled” - song dates back to 1975: “For months, for years / Tits were once a source of fun and games at home / And now she says, tits are only there to feed our little Joe / So that he’ll grow...”
Julie London – Makin’ Whoopee
Just after closing time on Monday night, there was desperate cry from severin “Oh God, did anyone nominate any version of Makin’ Whoopee?” Only one – the Harry Nilsson version. But here’s Julie London singing a suitably slinky arrangement by André Previn.
Koko Taylor: fun at leisure …
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations from last week's topic: Get your kicks: songs about fun. The next topic will launch on Thursday at 1pm UK time.
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