Playlist 18.01.10
There have been many songs written about shiny new cars ('Rocket 88', 'Pink Cadillac', Your Gonna Get Yours'), but how many lyrics have discussed an affection for clapped-out motors with sentimental value? I can think of 'Old Betsy' by The Beach Boys, or 'Ford Econoline' by Nanci Griffith'. Perhaps 'Cadillac Ranch' by Springsteen, although that's stretching it a bit.
Enter Danny And The Champions, featuring the unique talents of Danny George Wilson. Back in the day, he was the focal person with Grand Drive and he still delivers that hurt, glowering tone, not unlike Rick Danko from The Band. Anyways, their new album is called 'Streets Of Our Time' and it opens with 'Henry The Van'. It will break your heart and yes, it's a dialogue between an itinerant musician and his transport. The old machine is just about to fall apart, and the driver is remembering all the miles and the good times. You want to race out immediately and buy the fella a head gasket and refurbished carburetor.
The band has two upcoming dates with Fionn Regan:
Mar 10th Nerve Centre, Derry
Mar 11th The Empire, Belfast
STUART BAILIE
BBC Radio Ulster, 92-95 FM
Online: www.bbc.co.uk/radioulster
Mondays, ten - midnight
Playlist 18.01.10
Little Richard - Ready Teddy (Ace)
Vampire Weekend - White Sky (XL)
Duke Special - Catfish (Reel To Reel)
Danny And The Champions - Henry The Van (Loose)
Tunng - Hustle (Full Time Hobby)
Neil Young - Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (Reprise)
Mayer Hawthorne - Make Her Mine (Stones Throw)
The Contours - Baby Hit And Run (Spectrum)
Karen O And The Kids - Heads Up (Polydor)
Vampire Weekend - Cousins (DGC)
Manu Diabango - Soul Makossa (Nascente)
Fionn Regan - Little Nancy (Heavenly)
Pearl Jam - Who You Are (Epic)
Del Shannon - Little Town Flirt (Uiversal)
The Rags - A National Light (Grand Cake)
Sly Stone - If You Want Me To Stay (Edsel)
Kissaway Trail - SDP (Co Op)
Teddy Pendergrass- The Whole Town's Laughing At Me (Philadelphia)
Mayer Hawthorne - Just Ain't Gonna Work Out (Stones Throw)
Laura Veirs - Wide Eyed Legless (Bella Union)
Caitlin Rose- Dead Flowers (names)
Rolling Stones - If You Really Want To Be My Friend (Rolling Stones)
Vampire Weekend - Taxi Cab (XL)
The Low Anthem - To The Ghosts Who Write History Books (Bella Union)
Danny And The Champions - Restless Feet (Loose)
Gill Scott Heron - Me And The Devil (XL)

Comment number 1.
At 18:16 19th Jan 2010, Reggie Chamberlain-King wrote:The Luckiest Guy On The Lower East Side
"The day is beautiful and so are you.
My car is ugly, but, then, I'm ugly too."
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Comment number 2.
At 18:16 19th Jan 2010, Abby wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 3.
At 22:06 19th Jan 2010, norriemaclean wrote:Great show as alway, may I add:
Used Cars - Bruce Springsteen
Me, The Moon, My Car and You - Andy White
the latter jsut one of thye best songs ever!
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Comment number 4.
At 22:10 19th Jan 2010, norriemaclean wrote:ps give Tewll It Like It Is by Grand Drive a spin sometime! Road Music and see The Morning In both superb albums!
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