New Album/Tour: Black International

Black International release debut album and announce UK tour

Hailing from occasionally sunny Edinburgh, Black International will release their debut album In Debt on 11th March. The 11 tracks were recorded in a Glasgow community centre by Andrew Bush (We Were Promised Jetpacks, Mitchell Museum, the Seventeenth Century, the Savings & Loan) and is set for release on the band’s own Return of Order imprint.

To celebrate the release of the album, an Edinburgh launch party is scheduled for that date at the Wee Red Bar with support from Verse Metrics and Little Yellow Ukuleles, followed by a Glasgow launch at the Admiral Bar on 12th March with Male Pattern Band, Ex-Men and Rollor.

The album will be available to pre-order at http://blackinternational.bandcamp.com from Monday 28th February as a digital download or in CD format. The initial run of 200 CDs will feature hand-made black felt sleeves sealed with wax, which contain fold out inserts coloured by the band.

Black International’s first UK tour begins in Newcastle’s Other Rooms on 4th March, and will take them to Dundee, Sheffield, Manchester, Inverness, Worthing and Northampton before coming to a close at the Garage, London on 16th April.

Tour dates:

4th March- Newcastle Other Rooms
5th March- Dundee Doghouse
11th March- Edinburgh Wee Red Bar
12th March- Glasgow Admiral Bar
16th March- Sheffield West Street Live
17th March- Manchester Ram & Shackle
19th March- Inverness Market Bar
25th March- Worthing Vintner’s Parrot
15th April- Northampton Labour Club
16th April- Upstairs at the Garage, London

For ticket information contact info@blackinternational.co.uk

http://blackinternational.co.uk/

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Where The Action Is – Playlist Thu 24 Feb LEITH FM

Here’s the playlist for this week’s edition of Where The Action Is on Leith FM 98.8 and on www.leithfm.co.uk.

It was a film-themed special, to celebrate the Academy Awards, but sprinkled with our usual seasoning of mod, soul, girl groups and less well-known tunes from the late 50s through to the early 70s. There was also our usual features, albeit with a movie-related twist; the Birthday track, Half-Time Instrumental, Foreign Language, Death Disco, Under the Influence and Two of a Kind.

The Turtles – Guide for the Married Man (White Whale 1967)
Tony Newman – Let The Good Times Roll (Decca 1968) (show theme)
Adrienne Poster – Shang a Doo Lang (Decca 1964)
Cilla Black – Work is a Four Letter Word (Parlophone 1968)
Gillian Hills – Tomorrow is Another Day (Vogue 1965)
Susan Hampshire – When Love is True (Decca 1965)
Sophia Loren – Zoo Be Zoo Be Zoo (Parlophone 1961) (Connect 3)
Diana Dors – So Little Time (Fontana 1964) (Connect 3)
Jayne Mansfield – That Makes It! (Unknown Label 1966) (Connect 3)
Eddie Fisher – The Chase (Ramrod 1960)
Rainbo – John You Went Too Far This Time (Tomorrow’s Productions 1968)
Dusty Springfield – Windmills of Your Mind (Philips 1968) (Birthday: 24/2/32 Michel Legrand)
Barry McGuire – Inner-Manipulations (Dunhill 1968)
Linda Thorson – Here I Am (Ember 1968)
David McCallum – The Edge (Capitol 1967) (Half-Time Instrumental)
Kenny Hollywood – Magic Star (Decca 1962)
Brigitte Bardot – Moi Je Joue (Mercury 1964) (Foreign Language)
Jan and Dean – (Here They Come) From All Over The World (Liberty 1965)
Jackie DeShannon & The Byrds – Splendour in the Grass (Imperial 1966)
Jack Kittel – Psycho (GRC 1974) (Death Disco)
The Seekers – Georgy Girl (EMI Columbia 1966)
Belle and Sebastian – Like Dylan in the Movies (Jeepster 1996) (Under The Influence)
Caroline Munro – This Sporting Life (Columbia 1967)
Peter Cook & Dudley Moore – Bedazzled (Decca 1967)
Dusty Springfield – Sweet Ride (20th Century Fox 1968) (Two of a Kind)
Dusty Springfield – Hollywood Movie Girls (Mercury 1978) (Two of a Kind)

It’s also good to hear from listeners throughout the show, especially when they’re based all over the planet. Your support is greatly appreciated.

You can tune in every Thursday night between 8.30pm and 10pm on 98.8 FM in and around Edinburgh, online via www.leithfm.co.uk or via a number of mobile phone apps, such as TuneIn Radio. You can also join in the chat during the show on the Where The Action Is (Radio Show) Facebook page or via studio@leithfm.co.uk.

Requests are welcome for the show, including the weekly features, and I’ll try and accommodate them all, although it may take a couple of weeks to slot them all in because the shows are planned and put together in advance.

Next week it’s back to normal with all the usual features, requests and some crackin’ tunes.

That’s it for this week. Until next time, it’s good night and good health.

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Where The Action Is – Playlist Thu 17 Feb LEITH FM

Here’s the playlist for tonight’s edition of Where The Action Is on Leith FM 98.8 and on www.leithfm.co.uk.

Our usual mix of mod, soul, girl groups and less well-known tunes from the late 50s through to the early 70s, with all the usual features thrown in for good measure: Connect 3, the Birthday track, Half-Time Instrumental, Foreign Language, Death Disco, Under the Influence and Two of a Kind.

The Beach Boys – Don’t Worry Baby (Capitol 1964)
Tony Newman – Let The Good Times Roll (Decca 1968) (show theme)
October Country – October Country (Epic 1968)
Kenny Lynch with The Laurie Jay Combo – Harlem Library (HMV 1964)
Mary Wells – I Don’t Want To Take a Chance (Motown 1961)
The Byrds – Everybody’s Been Burned (CBS 1967)
Petula Clark – A Sign of the Times (Pye 1968) (Connect 3)
Del Shannon – Keep Searchin (Follow The Sun) (Stateside 1965) (Connect 3)
Love – The Daily Planet (Elektra 1967) (Connect 3)
Davey Payne & The Medium Wave – A Walk in the Sunshine (Ember 1969)
The Crystals – He’s a Rebel (London/Philles 1962)
John Leyton – Thunder and Lightning (HMV 1961) (Birthday: 17/2/39)
The Angels – I Adore Him (Smash 1963)
Sam Cooke – You Send Me (Keen 1957)
The Shotgun Express – Curtains (Columbia 1966) (Half-Time Instrumental)
Lee Lynch – A Bad Time To Stop To Loving You (Ember 1969)
Charlotte Leslie – Les Filles C’est Fair Pour Faire L’Amour (Polydor 1966) (Foreign Language)
Edwick Rumbold – Boggle Woggle (Parlophone 1967)
Marmalade – Cousin Norman (Decca 1971)
Joey Reynolds & The Storm – Endless Sleep (Demon 1958) (Death Disco)
Dodie Stevens – Pink Shoe Laces (Crystalette 1959)
The Orchids – Doot Doot (till it happens to you) (Pebble 2010) (Under The Influence)
The Tammys – Egyptian Shumba (United Artists 1963)
Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds – Buzz With The Fuzz (Columbia 1965)
The Action – Come On, Come With Me (Edsel 1984) (Two of a Kind)
The Action – Love Is All (Unreleased 67/688) (Two of a Kind)
Keith West – Sam (Parlophone 1967)
Tony Newman – Let The Good Times Roll (show theme)

Once again it was great to hear from listeners all over the world, including a request from Virginia Henning Mills in Indianapolis, who co-runs the “Marmalade Dean Ford – Singer/Songwriter” group on Facebook.

You can tune in every Thursday night between 8.30pm and 10pm on 98.8 FM in and around Edinburgh and online via www.leithfm.co.uk. You can also join in the chat during the show on the “Where The Action Is (Radio Show)” Facebook page.

Requests are welcome for the show, including the features, and I’ll try and accommodate them all, although it may take a couple of weeks to slot them all in.

Next week’s show is a special film-themed edition, to celebrate the Academy Awards.

That’s it for this week. Until next time, it’s good night and good health.

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Jill Jackson – Back To Zero

JILL JACKSON GOES ‘BACK TO ZERO’ WITH FIRST SOLO ALBUM LAUNCH.

Singer/ songwriter Jill Jackson launches her first solo album ‘Back To Zero’ on Wednesday 23rd February 2011 at The Ferry, Glasgow.

Press are invited to a special acoustic performance between 3pm-5pm of selected tracks from the album, plus Jill will be available for interviews. She will also perform a full gig with special guests that night from 8-11pm.

Jill first arrived on the UK music scene in 2003 as the front woman of rock band Speedway who had two top ten hits and various arena tours before the band members went their separate ways. Since then Jill has been making a name for herself as a singer/songwriter,

In 2006 she recorded a self-titled collection of acoustic tracks that offers a mix of brilliantly crafted lyrics and beautiful melodies. Jill’s talent as a songwriter came to the attention of former Spice Girl Melanie C, who covered two of Jill’s songs on her own fourth solo album.

Jill spent the latter part of 2008 on a 50 States in 50 Days tour of the U.S., she played T In The Park in 2009 and Celtic Connections in early 2010. Other endeavours have seen her touring with artist such as Bryan Adams, Glasvegas and Runrig. One of her songs was also featured in the penultimate episode of BBC Three’s drama Lip Service.

Throughout 2010 Jill continued gigging all over the UK, taking time out in Scotland and Denmark to record ‘Back To Zero’ with producer Kristian Gislason.

Critics and Jill’s ever expanding loyal fans have continued to be impressed with her rich vocals, engaging lyrics and a rare ability to connect with audiences everywhere.

Jill’s much-anticipated solo album “Back To Zero” is a project that has been four years in the making. She says: “This new record will be the one that defines me as a writer. It’s fun, intense and hugely personal.”

In the words of Rick Fulton (Daily Record) “What a comeback.”

‘Back To Zero’ will be released on 23rd February 2011 and will be ‘Record Of The Week’ on Radio Clyde week beginning 14th February.

Jill Jackson Album Launch with Special Guests

Wednesday 23rd February 2011

7.30pm till 11.00pm

The Ferry Glasgow

Tickets: £10 (stbf) available from

http://www.ticketsoup.com or by calling 0844 395 4000.

www.jilljackson.co.uk

www.myspace.com/jilljacksonmusic

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Lou Hickey – Solo album preview

Lou Hickey, Jon Fratelli’s collaborator in Codeine Velvet Club, has finally broken cover with her debut solo album.

The self-released work can be previewed, with three tracks available to hear on Soundcloud:

One Man Tango – A re-working of the track which originally appeared on her December 2008 EP “Do It Yourself”

http://soundcloud.com/lou_hickey/01-one-man-tango

Zombie Love - Brand new track from the new album

http://soundcloud.com/lou_hickey/01-zombie-love

Minutes Hours Days – A video for the first single from the album will be here soon

http://soundcloud.com/lou_hickey/01-minutes-hours-days

Here’s a few words from the lady herself:

“Having spent the past year as co-writer and vocalist of the critically acclaimed Codeine Velvet Club with Jon Fratelli, Lou Hickey is now getting ready to release her own brand of vintage pop on the world. With two self-produced EPs already under her belt, Scotland’s “Most Eligible Woman” is currently working on her first full length solo album.

Championed by BBC Introducing, she already has an impressive independent solo career already behind her, having supported the likes of Martha Wainwright, Suzanne Vega, Martha Reeves, and Imelda May, as well as being a key performer at the worlds biggest burlesque club – Club Noir.

A sexy mix of quirky jazz and burlesque glamour, Lou’s blend of retro pop perfectly reflects her vintage style, which has earned her recognition from the fashion world, including Glamour magazine, who listed her as “one to-Watch” for 2010, as well as bagging the Most Stylish Musician at the Scottish Style Awards.

Following on from a hugely successful run of dates in the UK and US with Codeine Velvet Club, including SXSW, and a highly praised solo performance on this years BBC Introducing stage at T in the park, Lou is embarking on some UK dates with her band, in the lead up to the release of her album in 2011.”

Lou will be touring the length and breadth of this fair isle throughout May and June. There will also be some freebie downloads on her website (www.louhickey.co.uk) over the next few months.

There is already one track from the new album, Realist Romeo, available for free download from her website

If you like what you hear, by all means let her know.

Contact:
www.myspace.com/louhickey

http://my.mflow.com/louhickey

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Where The Action Is – Playlist Thu 10 Feb LEITH FM

It was Thursday, it was half past eight so it must have been Where The Action Is on Leith FM 98.8 and on www.leithfm.co.uk.

Our usual mix of mod, soul, girl groups and less well-known tunes from the late 50s through to the early 70s, with all the usual features thrown in for good measure: Connect 3, the Birthday track, Half-Time Instrumental, Foreign Language, Death Disco, Under the Influence and Two of a Kind.

Badfinger – No Matter What (Apple 1970)
Tony Newman – Let The Good Times Roll (Decca 1968) (show theme)
The Tremeloes – Here Comes My Baby (CBS 1967)
The Supremes – Run Run Run (Motown 1964)
Lesley Gore – She’s a Fool (Mercury 1963)
The Move – Walk Upon The Water (Regal Zonophone 1968)
The Lovin’ Spoonful – Nashville Cats (Kama Sutra 1966) (Connect 3)
Barbara Ruskin – Cats Eyes (Demo Year Unknown) (Connect 3)
Alley Cats – Puddin’ N Tain (Philles 1963) (Connect 3)
R Dean Taylor – There’s A Ghost In My House (Motown 1967)
Nick Garrie – Stephanie City (Acid Ray 1969)
Bobby Vee & The Ventures – If I’m Right or Wrong (Liberty 1963) (Birthday: 10/2/37 Don Wilson (Ventures))
Madeline Bell – I’m Gonna Make You Love Me (Philips 1968)
The Pretty Things – SF Sorrow is Born (Columbia 1968)
The John Barry Seven – Big Shield (Ember 1964) (Half-Time Instrumental)
Scott Walker – The Girls and the Dogs (Philips 1968)
Ria Bartok – Tu La Revois (Columbia 1965) (Foreign Language)
Bobby Hanna – Everybody Needs Love (Decca 1968)
Mark Wynter – That Kinda Talk (Pye 1962)
Twinkle – Terry (Decca 1964) (Death Disco)
The Marvelettes – Too Many Fish In The Sea (Tamla 1964)
Allo Darlin’ – The Polaroid Song (Fortuna Pop 2010) (Under The Influence)
The Aerovons – With Her (Parlophone 1969)
The Zombies – Care of Cell 44 (CBS 1968)
The Crystals – Oh Yeah Maybe Baby (Philles 1961)
The Monkess – Valleri (RCA/Colgems 1967) (Two of a Kind)
The Monkees – The Kind of Girl I Love (RCA/Colgems 1968) (Two of a Kind)
Tony Newman – Let The Good Times Roll (show theme)

It was great to hear from listeners all over the world, including Germany, Italy, Yorkshire and London, and not forgetting locally in Edinburgh, Fife and the Lothians.

You can tune in every Thursday night between 8.30pm and 10pm on 98.8 FM in and around Edinburgh and online via www.leithfm.co.uk. You can also join in the chat during the show on the “Where The Action Is (Radio Show)” Facebook page.

Requests are welcome for the show, including the features, and I’ll try and accommodate them all, although it may take a couple of weeks to slot them all in.

The first of my special themed shows will take place in a fortnight on Thursday 24 February. More details next week.

That’s it for this week. Until next time, it’s good day and good health.

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Where The Action Is – Playlist Thu 3 Feb LEITH FM

In a deal that slipped under the radar and was made just as the transfer window closed, I can  confirm that Where The Action Is has transferred from Kirkcaldy VRN 1287AM to Leith FM 98.8 for a nominal fee.

As of Thursday 3 February I shall be broadcasting on Leith FM 98.8 and online to the world via www.leithfm.co.uk between 8.30pm and 10pm, sandwiched between Momo’s excellent Imurig (North African Sounds) and the best of UK grime and hip-hop courtesy of Jay, Mica and crew with Music Always Comes First.

Despite the slighter shorter show I’ll still have plenty of  mod, soul, girl groups, Motown, sunshine pop, ye-ye and all manner of alternative tracks from the late 50s through to the early 70s!

There will only be time for one game of Connect 3, where you can guess the link between three tracks (give your answer on the show’s dedicated Facebook page), a birthday track and a Foreign Language track. We’ll still have the Half-Time Instrumental and Two of a Kind but the Trojan Mod Reggae track has made way for Death Disco, which, as you can appreciate, wasn’t a suitable feature for hospital radio.

The Tremeloes – Hello World (CBS 1969)
Tony Newman – Let The Good Times Roll (Decca 1968) (show theme)
Dino, Desi and Billy – Not The Lovin’ Kind (Reprise 1965)
Billie Davis – Billie Sunshine (Decca 1969)
The Marvelettes – I’ll Keep On Holding On (Motown 1965)
The Shondells – Wonderful One (King 1962)
The Liverpool Five – I Can Only Give You Everything (TK 1965) (Connect 3)
Billy Nichols – London Social Degree (Immediate 1968) (Connect 3)
John Carter and Ken Lewis – Birmingham Brass Band (Demo 1968) (Connect 3)
Sanford Clark – Houston (Warner Bros 1965)
A Wild Uncertainty – A Man With Money (Planet 1966)
Patsy Ann Noble – Sour Grapes (Columbia 1963) (Birthday: 3/2/44)
The Dee-Tees – Got Love If You Want It (Philips 1965)
John Carter – She Won’t Show Up Tonight (Demo 1967)
Small Faces – Own Up Time (Decca 1966) (Half-Time Instrumental)
Lesley Gore – My Gu y, My Town and Me (Mercury 1965)
Peggy March – Das Ist Zauberi (Decca 1970) (Foreign Language)
Jackie Wilson – The Who Who Song (Brunswick 1967)
The Times – Tomorrow Night (Columbia 1966)
The Shangri-las – Give Us Your Blessings (Red Bird 1964) (Death Disco)
The Rockin’ Vickers – It’s Alright (CBS 1965)
The Thrills – Santa Cruz (You’re Not That Far) (Virgin 2002) (Under the Influence)
Mary Wells – You Beat Me To The Punch (Motown 1962)
Guy Darrell & Wind of Change – Stupidity (CBS 1965)
Sir Douglas Quintet – She’s a Mover (London 1965)
Billy Fury – Things are Changing (Parlophone 1967) (Two of a Kind)
Billy Fury – Colette (Decca 1959) (Two of a Kind)
The Small Faces – I Feel Much Better (Immediate 1967)

I shall continue to provide an extended version of this show on Kirkcaldy VRN 1287AM for the rest of February but to avoid confusion between the two I’ll only post the Leith FM playlist here. I’m looking to do a different type of show on VRN from March onwards. Watch this space.

So a lot has happened in a short space of time. Once I’ve settled into Leith FM I’ll be looking at listeners making requests, especially for the features.

Don’t forget you can hear me, The Cat, on Leith FM 98.8 or online every Thursday between 8.30pm and 10pm or,  if you’re in the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, you can hear an extended version of Where The Action Is on Channel 3 on your bedside headphones or on 1287AM on the Medium Wave between 1702 and 1900 every Sunday.

A big thanks for Momo, John and Ally for all their assistance and to all of you who tuned into the first show. There are already requests coming in for show 2. Keep ‘em coming.

That’s it for this week. Until next time, it’s good day and good health.

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