KOSMO's VINYL of the Week

Roger Miller, "King of the Road"

5/31/2019

KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in the Los Angeles of November, 1964 for Roger Miller's "King Of The Road", released on Smash in January 1965...

"Roger Miller was an Oklahoma-born, journeyman songwriter who had had some success in Nashville in the 1950s. Having moved to Hollywood to 'make it' in the movies, Miller ended up recording 16 songs for the Smash label for an advance of $1,600. A bunch of them became hits and the biggest one of all was "King of The Road" - surely one of the most charming records ever made. Like many, Joe Strummer was a huge fan and The Clash actually recorded a 'just for fun' version, which was never intended for release." - KV

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Ike and Tina Turner, "Too Much Woman"

5/24/2019

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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are back in the USA (probably Los Angeles) circa late 1969/early 1970 for Ike and Tina Turner's "Too Much Woman (for a Henpecked Man)", first released on their 1970 "Come Together" LP on Liberty...

"One of the opening acts for The Rolling Stones American Tour 1969 was the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. There can be no doubt that the experience left an impression on the then veteran writer/arranger/producer Ike Turner. It probably can be credited as the catalyst that brought Ike & Tina their first, post Phil Spector success. The song was first introduced to me by The Faces, who only played it live in their very early days. There's no denying Ike could be a bad man, but there is also no denying he had talent too. As for Tina - have mercy !" - KV

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Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, "Wanted Man"

5/17/2019

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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are at Hansa Studios Berlin in the winter of 1984 for Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds version of Bob Dylan's "Wanted Man", released on "The First Born Is Dead" LP on Mute in 1985...

"Wanted Man was first recorded by Johnny Cash for the soundtrack of the never mentioned 1970 movie "Little Fauss and Big Halsy". Evidently, Dylan gave Cave permission to change some of the lyrics, but being as Bob does that all the time, I couldn't see him upset if they hadn't asked. I'm not a fan of all Cave's work, but he sure nailed this one - taking down Johnny Cash is no mean feat ! In the early 1980s, Cave often seemed to be the only other person in the cinema when I would go and see late period Elvis concert movies in West London." - KV

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Prince Buster, "Madness"

5/10/2019

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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are on Orange Street, Kingston, Jamaica in 1963 for Prince Buster's "Madness", first released on his own Prince Buster label...

"Prince Buster (Cecil Bustamente Campbell) is probably the first Jamaican recording artist I ever knew by name and the music back then was referred to as Bluebeat (after the British label it was re-issued on). He certainly was the most popular amongst the West Indians of East London when I was a little kid. Perhaps the single biggest influence on the whole Two Tone movement - giving Madness not only their name, but providing hits for them and The Specials too." - KV

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Beastie Boys, "Sure Shot"

5/3/2019

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KOSMO's VINYL of the Week:
This week we are in the USA, moving from coast to coast (New York & Cali) in early 1994 with the
Beastie Boys' "Sure Shot", first released on "Ill Communication" on Grand Royal...

"I must confess that it wasn't until The Beastie Boys released their second album, "Paul's Boutique", that I realised how truly talented they were. Since that time, I have found much to enjoy and admire, I got the 12" of this the day it came out ! I don't know exactly what it is about "Sure Shot" that makes it a favourite - but there aren't that many kick-ass flute records are there ? " - KV

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