power pop criminals

Tuesday, June 28

It is time to move on

Yesterday

I saw my E.N.T specialist and he told me

There is no cure
I should accept my loss of the right ear
I should live forever with a permanent tinnitus
I should move on.

PPC will move to this new address HERE with a new name

and then PPC will be closed as soon as

enough PPC followers have joined PPA (aka PPC 2.0)

PPC had 489 followers, i hope PPA will have at least 300

it won't be a private blog

Monday, March 28

More than 180mn of "Action at full speed"

THE MANY SIDES OF SHAKE SOME ACTION (2022)

Shake Some Action is no less than a contender for the best rock'n'roll song ever written. It's that good. It's the '72 version recorded alongside "Slow Death. In fact, the band wanted the Capitol demo cut on the album but the Dave Edmunds produced one is a masterpiece. Six overdubbed lead guitars descend into a strident riff of epic quality. Beat boom maracas help along the infectious rhythm and the chorus is pure pop excitement. "Shake Some Action's what i need...so let me buts out at full speed". (Bucketfull of Brains 1986)

So, i've compiled all the covers (42 exactly while only 10 are listed on the "secondhandsongs" site) i have been able to find for a mere 180mn memorabilia of one of the greatest rock songs ever written. And as a bonus, both 1972 and 1976 versions of this classic have been included on the collection. I've kept the original albums or singles tags of the covers to know from where they come from.

Maybe all of the covers included here are not fantastic, but it is really interesting to note that most of them are really faithful to the song. No artist has tried to change the epic riff or rhythm.

And now are you ready to hear 3 hours 9 minutes and 34 seconds of "Action at full speed" ?

Info: still deaf of my right ear but always active to bring order in my archives. One of the reasons that brought this new compilation to PPC, maybe not the smartest one i've ever made but certainly one of the funniest to compile.

Wednesday, November 3

The End of PPC

Due to a major health issue, i could call it "the most related one to music", i have to close PPC, it will go offline at the end of the year unless a miracle cure could happen, even though everyone i have seen during the past five weeks has said the odds are at its lowest.

Of course, i'm gonna try to finish and complete the current series with my left ear before going offline. The work is slower than previously because i have to be careful to keep my left ear alive.

Finally, I'd like to thank all the PPC readers who have always posted comments here supporting my works.

Monday, August 30

The Big Bang Theory!

THE FLESHTONES PRESENT

TIME BOMB: THE BIG BANG THEORY (1988)

The "Time Bomb" compilation was only released in three countries: France (New Rose), USA (Skyclad) and Greece (Hitch-Hike). It has never been available in CD format. It features variously permutated side projects by Fleshtones and their pals, along with non-LP tracks from the band proper. Love Delegation, Full Time Men, Action Combo, Cryin’ Out Loud, Mad Violets and Wild Hyenas all toss in OK cuts, but the disc really catches fire on the Action Dogs’ sizzling “I Can’t Get Through to You,” starring Peter Case + The Plimsouls, and the mothergroup’s “I Was a Teenage Zombie,” from the film of the same name. (Trouser Press)

Sunday, November 1

James Broad R.I.P

THE BULLETS - THE BULLETS (2001)

James Broad was Silver Sun. Between 1997 and 2020, the band has released six excellent albums with more power pop hooks than any other bands could dream of.

Around 2000/2001, James Broad put the Bullets' songs together with Richard K. (bass) from Silver Sun and a different drummer, but the result was never released because he thought it wasn't good enough. By any standards, this is above any other best album of any other band..

So this is with great sadness that we have learnt of the passing of James Broad. He lost his battle against cancer.

PPC pays tribute to James Broad with this unreleased album.

Wednesday, October 21

Listen Here and Then Observe

FOOLS FACE - HERE TO OBSERVE (1979)

Four years after i had posted the flawless "Tell America", here's the first album "Here To Observe". And as Trouser Press wrote it, the album is an irrepressible low-budget debut that demonstrates how a band can get and hold a listener’s attention (by expending nonstop energy). The LP was a private pressing, now really scarce and obviously has never been reissued on CD.

Thursday, September 17

D.E as Producer & Backing Band

JILL READ - MAYBE / WANG DANG DOODLE (1977)

Jill Read (real name Gillian Reed) was featured with this cover of The Chantels' hit on the first Stiff compilation "A Bunch Of Stiff Records". According to the Stiff inner sleeve, the track was recorded in 1969 with Dave Edmunds. Later in 1972, Dave Edmunds recorded his own version of the song released as the B side of "Baby I Love You", both were included in 1975 on "Subtle As A Flying Mallet".

The Jill Read single was released on Stiff Records with "Wang Dang Doodle", on its B side, it was a cover of the Willie Dixon classic. The single was released in the Netherlands only and it's the only opportunity to listen to this cover as it has never been available on any other record. For information the french edition of the single had replaced "Wang Dang Doodle" with the Takeaways song "Food" also on "A Bunch Of Stiff Records"

"Wang Dang Doodle" was probably recorded around 1969 with Dave Edmunds. Love Sculpture had released their own version in 1968 on "Blues Helping".