Classic Tunes of the Week: 9. Hit or Miss, by Odetta (1970)/Tom Jones (2012)

To continue the St. David's Day (St. David being the Christian Patron Saint of Wales) theme of the weekend, I wanted to choose a track from one of my all-time favourite singers, the legendary Tom Jones. However, rather than go one of his early standards that oft-repeated everywhere, I thought I would go with his most recent hit, a 2012 cover and re-arrangement of the Blues song, "Hit or Miss". However, I feel I cannot celebrate this, without first celebrating the equally superb and equally underrated original, by Odetta Holmes.

Odetta Holmes is to me without a doubt, one of the best folk and blues singers to have ever lived. However, while mostly famous for her civil and human rights campaigns, and her performance of traditional, usually Christian songs, Odetta was also a very talented songwriter. "Hit or Miss" was a track from one of her later albums, and probably overlooked in subsequent years as a result, having taken place after her big successful hit albums, as well as existing in a period where the musical genre of rock had been dominant for several years as the most popular with audiences. Although Folk and Blues have never really gone away, just like Classical music, they've been far from mass popular acclaim since the mid-1960s. Anyway here is a musical classic that deserves to be remembered.

9a. Hit or Miss, by Odetta Holmes (1970)

Given how great a folk song it is then, its only natural that someone will come along and want to cover it, maybe even update it for modern day tastes. With this particular cover, that's exactly what happened. Tom Jones was as much a fan of the Blues as he ever was of Rock and Roll, and over the last decade or so, he has delightfully experimented and performed his own versions of classic songs in the genre, including even some original work written for him. Tom's version of "Hit or Miss" is a classic in my mind too. Sure it doesn't have the raw and passionate soul of the original, but it greatly makes up for it with a more subtle moodier soul, as well as having a lovely bare bones rock twist, and Tom Jones' unique and sublime vocals of course. Enjoy!

9b. Hit or Miss, by Tom Jones (2012)

Classic Tunes of the Week: 8. Daleks and Thals, by Malcolm Lockyer (1965)

In memory of the late Ray Cusick, the imaginative designer behind the iconic design and look of the Daleks, who sadly passed away a few days ago, I'd thought I would choose a Dalek-themed music track in tribute. Here's a wonderful theme composed for the Daleks by Malcolm Lockyer for the 1965 film re-adaption of the classic Doctor Who story, The Daleks, rather unimaginatively called Dr. Who and the Daleks and famously starred the renowned Horror and Science Fiction film actor, Peter Cushing as the Doctor.

This track is actually called Daleks and Thals, and features a very obvious musical rip-off of the James Bond theme, however, the melody and other sections produce a rather fantastic little piece. Film music fans will notice is that even though this is the theme Lockyer used throughout the movie for the Daleks, this particular recording is actually the released single version of the theme, neatly summarised as a nice little pop-like instrumental.

Enjoy.

8. Daleks and Thals, by Malcolm Lockyer (1965)

Classic Tunes of the Week: 7. The Pursuit of Happiness, by The Divine Comedy (1997)

I originally intended to put this up on Thursday (Valentine's Day), but I was sadly too busy. However, I think this track is good enough for any day of the year regardless, such is the moving positive upbeat simplicity of it. Plus I'm always a big softie for brilliant and big orchestra numbers. For TV trivia fans, some UK viewers may recognise the later instrumental section as being one of the later TV themes used for the now ended BBC Show, Tomorrow's World, at the end of the 1990s and into the early 2000s. The reason for this is because it was, The Divine Comedy, when asked agreed to re-arrange and re-record the music of the piece especially to fit for the opening and closing Title credits, as well as some shorter edited cues for cutaways. Sadly the Tomorrow's World version of this has never been released in any form whatsoever, but I would argue that this, the original song is a magnificent and superlative track on its own (terms) anyway. And it also works as a wonderful love song too.

Enjoy!

7. The Pursuit of Happiness, by The Divine Comedy (1997)

Classic Tunes of the Week: 6. The Hands that Built America, by U2 (2002)

A complete contrast to last time. Over the last week I've seen many clips and trailers for Lincoln, a new film biopic drama by Steven Spielberg, which like many books and films before it, tries to tell and dramatise the key moments in the life story and struggle of this most important of Presidents of the United States of America, and also to convey the man behind the momentous history that often overshadows him.

Anyway, seeing all this publicity material reminded me of this great U2 song, originally made to soundtrack the 2002 film, The Gangs of New York (also starring Daniel Day-Lewis, and set in a similar time period too). 

Here is the early studio version, which I prefer for its more haunting production. Enjoy.

6. The Hands that Built America, by U2 (2002) [Studio Mix]

However, if you're interested, here is the final Single version that was used in the film soundtrack itself.

Classic Tunes of the Week: 5. H.A.P.P.Y. Radio by Edwin Starr (1979)

At the start of what looks to be a cold and fairly miserable week in the UK. Here's something that provide something of an upbeat musical lift in spirit. In short, a wonderfully cheesy and fun DISCO track from 1979, from one of the big names of the era, Edwin Starr. This is another Tune that automatically puts a smile on my face when I hear it. I defy anyone not to even slightly feel like moving when the Synth bassline kicks in.

H.A.P.P.Y. indeed. :)

5. H.A.P.P.Y. Radio by Edwin Starr (1979)

Plus a 12 inch mix for those who like the Extended Version

Classic Tunes of the Week: 4. Superman (Prelude and Main Title March) by John Williams (1978)

Yes, Tunes plural. Sorry I've been away for a while, but my sound work for live Theatre and Radio, plus my 26th Birthday kept me very busy for some time. I was originally going to post a big selection of my all-time favourites for my birthday, but as its long passed, it can wait till another time. To make up for the wait though, I will be posting a couple of other tunes over the next two days, so erm...stay tuned...as it were.

As it happens this particular track is one of my all-time favourites anyway. To celebrate John Williams' 81st birthday yesterday, here's one of my favourite ever pieces by the magnificent and superlative film composer, the main theme to Superman itself, from the original 1978 film starring Christopher Reeve. This track also includes the opening prelude Williams composed for the film, which in my mind is the perfect lead-in to one of the most perfect Film themes ever devised.

4. Superman: Prelude and Main Title March, by John Williams (1978)

Classic Tune of the Week: 3. Bossa Nova Baby, by Elvis Presley (1963)

Sorry its a bit late this week. This time its a golden oldie from the King of Rock & Roll himself, Elvis Presley, although its one of his lesser known pieces. Originally written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller for the 1963 film, Fun in Acapulco, for a scene in which Elvis performs on stage, Bossa Nova Baby is a gloriously fun and catchy little number that always brings a smile to my face and a puts spring in my step, everytime it pops up on the iPod. I hope you enjoy it too.

First, here's the original studio version:

Bossa Nova Baby by Elvis Presley (1963)

Secondly, here's a good modern remix, which I also like, even if the original still comes off better I think:

Classic Tune of the Week: 2. Agatha Christie's Poirot (TV Theme), by Christopher Gunning (1989)

I make no secret of the fact that I'm a big fan of TV Drama, and Detective Shows in particular. My favourite of all of these is the long running ITV series of adaptions of Agatha Christie's Poirot stories, simply known as Agatha Christie's Poirot, and has been going since 1989, with all of them starring the fantastic actor David Suchet as the famous fictional Belgian detective. However, one of the other mostly regular parts of the show is Christopher Gunning's original soundtrack, lovingly and artistically crafted, while also very effectively reflecting the various moods, suspense, mystery and deadly danger that these stories weave with an expert musical talent that stands out from the crowd. I love a lot of Christopher Gunning's music, but by far his most memorable and my personal favourite is all his work on Poirot. It's a fantastic throwback to the romantic music of the early Twentieth Century, when Jazz was making its mark, but while Classical music was still very prominent in the culture of the time. Rachmaninov and Gershwin were the famous composers of the day, and a lot of Gunning's music for Poirot is a loving homage to that period, the period that a lot of the Poirot stories are set, in the mid-1930s. As a fan of this period of music myself, I loved it straight away, but I think Christopher Gunning's music stands up brilliantly on its own anyway.

I wish there were youtube links of more interesting Poirot music, than just the theme, but it is a superb introduction to the style and quality of music Christopher Gunning made for the show. Enjoy.

Agatha Christie's Poirot (Main Theme - "The Belgian Detective), by Christopher Gunning (1989)

Classic Tune of the Week: 1. The Bump, by The Haggis Horns (2007)

To help keep the blog busy, here's a new feature I've thought up. Being a passionate music fan (of several genres) and a worker in Radio, I like and love a lot of tracks from across the decades and genres, and my iPod is practically heaving full of pieces. I'm also pleasantly surprised at how much great music I continue to discover both old and new as every month passes.

So in short, I thought it might be good to share with you some of my eclectic musical tastes. The first track I've chosen this week is a funk track called:

The Bump, by The Haggis Horns (2007)

I hope the video works, if not, then just use the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItvQH4dDOc4

When I first heard it, I couldn't believe it was only recorded in 2007. Sure, the recording is sharp, and the tune is fresh to the ears, but the piece is perfectly composed in the classic funk style of the early 1970s, that one would tell little difference between this and the classic originals, some of which have been remastered already, and sound equally clear and sharp to the ear. The Haggis Horns are definitely a band to keep an ear out for, especially if you love funk music like I do. One of the exciting things about twenty first century music is how older music genres are having big new resurges in creativity, and come back sounding as good as ever. Fortunately, the increase in access to non-chart music via both the Internet and online music download shop sites like iTunes have helped music lovers like myself to find out and hear these wonderful new musicians that would otherwise be buried under the now faltering empires of the big record label companies.