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Greetings one and all in Sorry State land. Glad to have you along for another newsletter. There’s always plenty going on as per usual. More new releases and lots more cool and interesting used records. The collections, small and large, keep on coming and we’ll have the bins stuffed with great records for a good while. Naturally, you never need an excuse to come by the shop and say hello, but if you do, we’ll have something for you no matter what the budget. We do our best to keep the bargain bins stocked with plenty of good records so you can always leave with something worthy for just a few bucks. Music is fun and records were meant for everyone, not just the rich. Obviously we can’t give stuff away and some things are going to be pricey because we pay good money for good records and are a business that needs to make a profit, but there will always be records here that are accessible to all. That’s what we strive to do. Sermon over.
This past week has seen the typical drastic weather changes here in North Carolina. We go from chilly and low 50s to muggy and hot almost overnight. It’s warm now and the sunny vibes tend to switch my listening habits. Lots more tropical sounds, etc. My DJ partner Matt took a trip to Puerto Rico this week and made a special PR edition of our show Worldy. He did a fabulous job and put together a super two hours of music that could be used for the Puerto Rico tourist department. The mix was perfect for the sunny weather back here in North Carolina and might do the same for you. Give him a listen.
A record that has seen some turntable action at home with me these last couple of weeks and one I finally managed to pick up recently is going to be my pick for you this week, but it might not mean much to any of you that didn’t grow up watching British TV in the 1970s and 1980s. It’s Matt Berry: Television Themes. Acid Jazz 2018.
That is correct. I’m talking about the British comedic actor whom you’ll recognize from his many great roles in film and TV. I’m a big fan and particularly loved the series Toast Of London, which I thought was hilarious and for which Berry provided the theme tune. He’s almost as active as a musician as an actor, and has at least ten albums to his name by this point, the majority of which have been released on UK based label Acid Jazz. In addition to that, he has provided theme and incidental music, albeit with musical assistance from collaborators, for a bunch of shows. He’s active, to say the least.
On this album, Matt and his crack band of musicians tackle a whole host of British TV themes that will bring on instant feelings of nostalgia for anyone who grew up in the 70s and 80s. One that US residents might recognize is the theme to Are You Being Served? I seem to remember that show getting aired here in the states quite a bit back in the day. Matt and band do a great version; it’s a total banger. Other highlights include a nice take on the Dr. Who theme, a funky The Good Life and a cool working of the World In Action opener. Matt’s vocals are also heard on one or two numbers. There are lyrics to classic celebrity double entendre show Blankety Blank and my personal favorite, the theme to the kids’ teatime show, Rainbow. I loved Rainbow growing up. It was cool. They combined a hippy mentality with a progressive attitude and through the use of song and comedy always had a positive message for kids. The show was famous for its use of puppets alongside the human presenters, and everyone remembers the great Zippy character. He was the Muppet looking one with a zip over his mouth that would be zipped shut when he got loud or said something stupid. In a lot of the shows, Zippy was taught some kind of life lesson. I guess in recent years the dumb fuck right has accused Rainbow of being pro LBGT and grooming kids to be queer. I know, so fucking ridiculous. Whatever, Rainbow rules.
This record will appeal to those who dig that fat 70s Music Library sound. Lots of funky bass and dope beats mixed in with cool synth sounds and electric keyboard. Listening to it you could be convinced that these were recordings from back in the day as they nail the sound really well.
There’s some nice expanding of the theme on some numbers too and overall, very cool and clever arrangements. You certainly don’t have to be familiar with any of the shows and themes to be able to appreciate the record, which is the best praise I can give it. The music stands on its own merit regardless of the origin.