FX, noodling by illusion

The Boss. (pic courtesy of luigi at www.guitarfx.it)

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This weeks we will be listening to the wonderful and frightening world of effects; those handy go-to studio gadgets that are always there when original ideas aren't. From the early days of tape recording effects (turning the tape over to get that swooshy backwards sound, a la J. Hendrix) to the horrific quantities of crisp, sparkling digital reverb (Bongwater). So, gaze at your shoes and we will begin.

1. Are You Experienced, Jimi Hendrix, Are You Experienced, 1967, Track (Backwards masking)
2. Rainbow Chaser, Nirvana UK, All Of Us, 1968, Island (Tape phase)
3. 1969, The Stooges, The Stooges, 1969, Elektra (Wah)
4. Well Alright, Blind Faith, Blind Faith, 1970, Polydor (Roto-cabinet)
5. Roxette, Dr Feelgood, Down By The Jetty, 1975, United Artists (Overdrive)
6. 49 Cigars, Nick Nicely, 7", 1982, EMI (Flange)
7. Passion Of Lovers, Bauhaus, 1979-1983, 1985, Beggars Banquet (Chorus)
8. Little Lighthouse, The Dukes of the Stratosphear, Psonic Psunspot, 1987, Virgin (Tremolo)
9. Too Much Sleep, Bongwater, Too Much Sleep, 1989, Shimmy Disc (Reverb)
10. A Little Lost, Arthur Russell, Another Thought, 1994, Point Music (Echo)
11. The Equator, Tortoise, TNT, 1998, Thrill Jockey (Envelope filter)
12. Black Cobra Pt. 2, Curly Davis and The Uniques, Chains and Black Exhaust, 2002, Memphix (Desk fuzz)
13. Pendulum, Broadcast, Ha Ha Sound, 2003, Warp (Delay)
14. Coast To Coast, Elliott Smith, From A Basement On The Hill, 2004, Domino, (Double-tracked vocal)

Nice and Sleazy

It is with regret that TUWSJ learned that Peter Christopherson, founding member of Throbbing Gristle and Coil, passed away on November 24, 2010. His contribution to electronic and avant garde music is immeasurable.

Guitar Hereos

The master

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This week, a listen to some serious axemanship. From the glorious g-string twanging of the 1950s through the raucous dueling of Wayne Kramer and Sonic Smith on The MC5's American Ruse to the measured performances of Verlaine and Lloyd. The Easybeats' Sorry must surely feature the best sounding guitar intro of all time. Comments greatly appreciated. A thoroughly riff-tastic 50 minutes.

1. Rebel Rouser, Duane Eddy, Rebel Rouser, 1958, London
2. Rumble, Link Wray, 7", 1958, Cadence
3. Sorry, The Easybeats, 7", 1966, Parlophone
4. Nobody, Johnny Guitar Watson, 7", 1967, Okeh
5. Sudden Life, Man, Revelation, 1969, Pye,
6. The American Ruse, MC5, Back In The USA, 1970, Atlantic
7. Cannabis (Instrumental), Serge Gainsbourg, Cannabis, 1970, Phillips
8. Bootie Cooler, Shuggie Otis, Here Comes Shuggie Otis, 1970, Epic
9. Down on the Street, The Stooges, Fun House, 1970, Elektra
10. Laundromat, Rory Gallagher, Rory Gallagher, 1971, Chrysalis
11. In The Street, Big Star, #1 Record, 1972, Ardent,
12. Black Maria, Todd Rundgren, Something/Anything?, 1972, Bearsville
13. Motorbikin', Chris Spedding, Chris Spedding, 1975, RAK,
14. 10538 Overture, Electric Light Orchestra, Light Years, 1977, Harvest
15. Killer Without a Cause, Thin Lizzy, Bad Reputation, 1977, Vertigo
16. Foxhole, Television, Adventure, 1978, Elektra

Under the covers

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This programme is the first of the new season. Not that you'd notice after such smooth transition. Taking the baton from former guest Etien Rodes some months ago, this week's show presents 5o minutes of cover versions. We've heard the Vandellas classic version of Heatwave, so here is the Who's amphetamine-fueled response. Also on offer is the Residents' chilling This is a Man's Man's Man's Man's World.

1. Heat Wave, The Who, A Quick One, 1966, Reaction
2. Summertime Blues, Blue Cheer, Vincebus Eruptum, 1968, Phillips
3. Kentucky Woman, Deep Purple, The Book Of Taliesyn, 1968, Harvest
4. I'll Keep It With Mine, Nico, Chelsea Girl, 1968, Verve
5. Dear Landlord, Fairport Convention, Unhalfbricking, 1969, Island
6. I See You, Yes, Yes, 1969, Atlantic
7. I'm a Believer, Robert Wyatt, 7", 1974, Virgin
8. David Watts, The Jam, All Mod Cons, 1978, Polydor
9. Goldfinger, Magazine, Touch and Go 7", 1978, Virgin
10. This is a Man's Man's Man's Man's World, The Residents, 7", 1984, Ralph
11. Mary Anne, Spacemen 3, Sound Of Confusion, 1986, Fire
12. Just Got Paid, Rapeman, Two Nuns and a Pack Mule, 1989, Touch and Go,
13. Superstar, Sonic Youth, If I were a Carpenter, 1994, A&M
14. Leave Them All Behind, Whitey, The Light at the End of the Tunnel is a Train, 2004, 1234

Pick of the season

Like these songs, or else

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It's the end of season 4 of Tighten Up with Simon Johns. And so, as is customary by now, here are the best and the favourites of the last 26 weeks of programmes. Not only is this another chance to listen to Dream Boy and Magic Potion, but it's also a first outing for Rise by Louie and the Lovers and Taxi Dancer (for Mrs Johns). See you next season and thanks for listening.

1. Revival Of The Cat, Jan Akkerman, Talent For Sale, 1968, EMI
2. Reflections Of Yesterday, The Three Degrees, What I See 7", 1970, Neptune
3. The Kid, Andre Brasseur, 7", 1966, Decca
4. Love Comes in Spurts, Neon Boys, E.P., 1973, Shake
5. Dream Boy, Jackie DeShannon, 7", 1965,
6. Mary Clark, Black Widow, Black Widow, 1971, CBS
7. I Just Don't Know, Banchee, Banchee, 1969, Atlantic
8. Magic Potion, The Open Mind, The Open Mind, 1969, Philips
9. Easy To Slip, Little Feat, Sailin' Shoes, 1972, Warner
10. Here Come the People In Grey, The Kinks, Muswell Hillbillies, 1971, Pye
11. From A Silver Phial, Gene Clark, No Other, 1974, Asylum
12. Rise, Louie & The Lovers, Rise, 1970, Epic
13. Falling In Love, American Spring, It's Not That Bad, 1973, Columbia
14. Vivo Ou Morto, Nelson Angelo & Joyce, Nelson Angelo e Joyce, 1972, Odeon
15. Uptown Top Rankin, Althea & Donna, 7", 1977, Lightning
16. Camera Camera, The Teardrop Explodes, 7", 1979, Zoo
17. Taxi Dancer, Shaun Cassidy, Under Wraps, 1978, Warner

Thinking man's pop

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This week we pay homage to the clever clogs of popular music; those musicians who are a cut above the vox populi. First, the quintessential art school brigade, Roxy Music (probably the finest band name in the world), the move through the intellectual heavy weights of Eno, Talk Talk and XTC. We close with a song by The Week That Was from the only contemporary record I've liked in many years. I also had the pleasure of treading the same broads with them during Stereolab's European tour in 2008.Also, many thanks to Alex for suggesting King in a Catholic Style by China Crisis. It's a firm fixture on the Maison Johns play list. (Update: What no The The? Next time, perhaps)

1. Virginia Plain, Roxy Music, Roxy Music, 1972, Island
2. St. Elmo's Fire, Brian Eno, Another Green World, 1975, Island
3. I'm Mandy Fly Me, 10cc, How Dare You!, 1976, Mercury
4. Solsbury Hill, Peter Gabriel, Peter Gabriel, 1977, Atco
5. Enola Gay, OMD, Organisation, 1980, DinDisc
6. Once in a Lifetime, Talking Heads, Remain In Light, 1980, Sire
7. Rip it up, Orange Juice, Rip It Up, 1982, Polydor
8. Mirror Man, Talk Talk, The Party's Over, 1982, EMI
9. Mad World, Tears For Fears, 7", 1982, Mercury
10. The First Picture Of You, Lotus Eaters, 7", 1983, Sylvan
11. King in a Catholic Style, China Crisis, Flaunt The Imperfection, 1985, Virgin
12. Horse Overboard, Microdisney, The Clock Comes Down The Stairs, 1985, Rough Trade
13. King for a Day, XTC, Oranges and Lemons, 1989, Virgin
14. Scratch The Surface, The Week That Was, The Week That Was, 2008, Memphis Industries