Memorable actorROBERT DUVALL was
born in San Diego, California 95 years ago.
Two of his most famous performances were in the mafia trilogy of The Godfather playing the lawyer of the Corleone family and in the
spectacular Vietnam War movie Apocalypse Now as the deranged Lieutenant Colonel William Kilgore.
Duvall passed away yesterday at home surrounded by his family. R.I.P.
Band: STRANGE PLANTS Who: A Canadian outfit rooted in vintage psychedelia. Their self-titled debut LP,
released last year draws influences from artists like MGMT and Jack White, while
remaining faithful to classic icons such as Pink Floyd and Supertramp. You can
stream it here.
Track: LAY YOUR MIND
The first release in a forthcoming collection
of songs arriving throughout 2026.
Press info: “At its core, the song serves as a love letter to the steady figures in our lives, the people who absorb chaos with patience and understanding. The title reflects that sense of emotional grounding, celebrating those who remain present when everything else feels uncertain.”
TUTV: Brannon‘s stirring, delirious, and superb vocals are going through the roof
and lift this powerful pop thrill to an outstanding and overwhelming level. He’s backed
by an unshakeable rhythm section and startling guitars that start to flip out midway. Imposing tune. Towering execution. Striking stroke.
The late explosive soul man James Brown (1933-2006) released one
of his biggest and best know hits with IT’S A MAN’S MAN WORLD
today 60 years ago, on 16 February 1961.
It was written by Brown and Betty Jean Newsome.
The single whent to No 8 in the US, and to No 13
in the UK.
Rolling Stone Magazine characterized the lyrics as “biblically chauvinistic“; attributing all the works of modern civilization — the car, the train, the boat, and the electric light — to the efforts of men, but claim that it all would “mean nothing without a woman or a girl”
North Carolina collective THE NUDE PARTY, active since 2012, are a well-oiled 7-piece machine of choogling rock‘n roll who have launched their 4th album, baptized LOOK WHO’S BACK.
Press info: “Look Who’s Back took shape in a homegrown, late-night party atmosphere, playfully debaucherous sessions ran late into the night, the cozy room as crowded with mics, cables, and recording equipment as it was with friends, pizza boxes, and beer cans.
The joy on the record is palpable – ripe with beachside boogie and slick 70’s groovers
that reflect its storied Joshua Tree surroundings, kicking up the dust in the land of cowboys
and UFOs, and landing on the sunny side for their happiest sounding record to date. Where others might dry out, The Nude Party’s wellspring continues to run over.”
TUTV: Look Who’s Back? Well, well, it’s The Beatles, somewhere between Rubber Soul
and Revolver. Why do I say that? As a Beatles maniac, I hear their merry melodiousness, their euphonious harmonies, and their tremendous knack for writing top-drawer tunes that stick on the spot on this new longplayer.
Mind you, The Nude Party don’t copy/paste the eternal Liverpool legends,
but I’m sure they have their whole record collection available for inspiration.
Keep it simple, but irresistibly attractive is the doctor Robert key here. Trust me,
the cliché, no fillers all killers, is 100% accurate here. Guitar pop/rock at its riveting
best. I will spin Look Who’s Back for a long time. As I said above, I’m a Fab Four
maniac.
Band: THE BLUETONES Who: Britpop legends from London Active: 1993–2011, 2015–present
Album: EXPECTING TO FLY Released: 12 February 1996
25 years ago today Score: #1 in the UK – platinum
25 years ago
Q magazine wrote: “Perhaps the most accomplished rock debut album since
The Stone Roses in 1989, Expecting to Fly avoids the usual primitive drive of
first recordings, in favour of technical brilliance and adventurous songwriting.
A classic rock album.”
Artist: RYAN THOMAS SMELLE Who: Canadian singer/songwriter with an acoustic approach to storytelling, using
hook-laden songs in the areas of folk, alternative, North Americana and pop. His use of heartfelt lyrics and emotional undertones allow his music to be relatable and identifiable by intertwining his songs with everyday personal experiences.
RTS: “Some songs are stories of moments from our life. As a songwriter, this short
and sweet lyrical tale is a snapshot of a love’s farewell and how we can stew in the
feelings.
Every once in a while I’ll dive into an old song book to see if I could retool a song, and I found this gem. Simple yet visual in its story. The bones were tracked in my own studio and when I shared them with Johnny Dee at Highfield Studios, another vision was unleashed and produced with more swagger. The final product runs parallel to my normal folk singer-songwriter flair with an element of alt pop.”
TUTV: Vocally Ryan Thomas Smelle reminds me of The National’s Matt Berninger‘s tranquillising hush-hush timbre, which benefits the heartrending emotions and
the saddening nature of NothingLeft Of My Heart downright.
Acoustic and electric guitar sparks, think Mark Knopfler, paint cloudy images.
This is a melancholic reverie for silent pondering and soul-searching reflection.
A touching and moving ballad.
Harrison‘s backing musicians on the song include Eric Clapton and
the entire Delaney & Bonnie and Friends band, with whom he had toured
during the final months of the Beatles. Harrison co-produced the recording
with Phil Spector.
