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Life sounds better to music October 2020

Life Sounds Better To Music ~ October 2020

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Life Sounds Better To Music ~ October 2020 is a bit of a bumper month. We start with three tracks that speak to the world we find ourselves in. Then two more for the dance floor, and two more that have touched me in different ways.

Stevie Wonder ~ “Can’t Put It In The Hands Of Fate” and “Where Is Our Love Song”

Stevie Wonder is BACK! Following his kidney transplant last year, he’s actually just released two tracks “Can’t Put It in The Hands Of Fate” featuring Rhapsody, Cordae, Chika and Busta Rhymes, and “Where Is Our Love Song” which features Gary Clark Jr. This is the first new material in four years, and he’s hinting at a new album, the first since 2005.

And here is Stevie with a little bit of “Love’s In Need Of Love Today” and a message for us all.

Fiorious ~ Follow Me (Roger Sanchez Extended Remix)

This is a new version of a 1992 track by Aly-Us. If I remember correctly it was the first track played on JFSR (Jazz Funk Soul Radio) when it launched in 2010. This version by Fiorious on Glitterbox is remixed by House Music legend Roger Sanchez who also did a remix of the original.

BTS ~ Dynamite

I’ve possibly come a bit late to this one because it entered the British chart last month and peaked at number 3. Every time the Samsung advert comes on it brightens my evening – 2020 is such a mad year!!!

BTS are a K-pop (Korean pop band) who have been doing quite well globally but wanted to do better, so they released this fabulous track from British songwriter and producer David Stewart (not The Eurythmics guy) and former UK pop star Jessica Agombar and the rest is history.

You can find an interesting article about this track by Aja Romano on the Vox website click here.

Sleepwalkrs ~ More Than Words (feat. MNEK)

Following on from the Joel Corey collaboration I posted in July (CLICK HERE) here’s another fab track featuring MNEK. When I saw the title I thought it might be a new reworking of the Extreme hit, but it isn’t, it’s a brand new track.

Crowded House ~ Whatever You Want

I’m a huge Crowded House fan, they were one of the bands I was due to see this year before everything got cancelled. Now there’s a new album to look forward to and this is the new single.

… and one for luck
Ben Rector ~ The Thanksgiving Song

I’ve been a Ben Rector fan for quite a while … I think since 2013, when I heard “Life Keeps Moving On” late one night on the Bob Harris Show when I was travelling home from a wedding. “The Thanksgiving Song” is a great song on a similar theme. CLICK HERE for an interesting article.

That’s Life Sounds Better To Music ~ October 2020, rather a strange mix of songs, but these are strange times.

Take care, stay safe and thanks for reading this ~ mug of tea raised ~ cheers! x

Love’s In Need Of Love Today, send yours in right away.

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Stevie Wonder’s “Love’s In Need Of Love Today” was the first song that came into my head when I woke up this morning and heard about the terrible events following the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.

The song is track 1 on side 1 of the “Song’s In The Key Of Life” album which was released in September of 1976 – it’s a classic album, so many of Stevie’s are. Posting a Stevie Wonder song is also appropriate because he’s worked with Ariana (at least once to my knowledge) on the song “Faith” from the film “Sing” (Click here for a video)

The World was a different place in 1976, so much has changed for the better and yet we still face so many problems. The fact that someone took this terrible action against innocent people, many of them children, is beyond belief … and yet it happened. So there can be no doubt that Love really is in need of love today.

“Good morn or evening friends, here’s your friendly announcer.
I have serious news to pass on to everybody.
What I’m about to say could mean the world’s disaster,
could change your joy and laughter to tears and pain

It’s that Love’s in need of love today.
Don’t delay, send yours in right away.
Hate’s goin’round breaking many hearts,
stop it please before it’s gone too far.

The force of evil plans to make you its possession,
And it will if we let it destroy everybody.
We all must take precautionary measures if love and peace you treasure,
then you’ll hear me when I say …

Oh that Love’s in need of love today.
Don’t delay, send yours in right away
Hate’s goin’ round breaking hearts
Stop it please before it’s gone too far”

Love's In Need Of Love Today

#‎7DayMusicChallenge ~ Day 1 ~ Stevie Wonder ~ I Wish

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Many thanks to top bloke and brilliant DJ Tony Winyard for nominating me for the FaceBook 7 Day Music Challenge. The challenge is 2015’s version of Desert Island Discs and as someone whose whole life has revolved around music this is something I’ve thought about many times.

I’ve been anticipating what direction I’d take if nominated for a few days … 7 days, 7 weeks, 7 months, maybe even 7 years would not be long enough! So let’s see where this goes …

As most of the friends I saw doing the challenge on FaceBook were other DJ’s and soul boys I thought I’d start with some of the fabulous artists I’ve been privileged to see live from that sector …

Stevie Wonder ~ “I Wish” from “Songs In The Key Of Life”

I could have picked any track from this album (double album with bonus e.p.).  Even listening to the album this morning it sounds as fresh as ever.

This was the first album I earned from my career in record retail.  Late in 1976, thanks to my friend Steve (who I now nominate to take the challenge), I tried out for a part time job at Virgin Records in Bargate Street, Southampton with management team Liz and Marty.  One of the payment options for a trial shift was an album – I was extra cheeky and asked for this double album with bonus e.p., although I did offer to pay the extra I think.

I’ve been compiling a list of all the bands I’ve seen and I have dates for most of them. I’ve seen Stevie at least once, I think it’s twice but I can only remember one for sure which was at Earls Court in the late 70’s (and I think it was an afternoon show – could he really have been doing two shows in a day back then?) but that’s as close as I’ve got so far!

Never forget ~ Life Sounds Better To Music