This week’s album-length playlist including John Lennon, Duane Eddy, Electric Light Orchestra, and more
The Gems album-length playlist of new and classic tracks, compiled by Ian Sharp of LP.
Welcome to Gems, my weekly playlist of classic tracks and new releases. In keeping with the ethos of LP, each playlist is 40–45 minutes long, sequenced as ‘Side 1’ and ‘Side 2’.
Gems #032
In the week we learned of the passing of an architect of the electric guitar, this week’s Gems features the older (ancient as poetic licence) on Side 1, and four newer (Modern) tracks on Side 2.
Side 1 - Ancient
We start with the Duane Eddy classic Peter Gunn. If you’ve ever appreciated the electric guitar on a record - if you enjoy rock music of any sub-genre you must have done - then Eddy is one of the pioneers you can thank. On to the Electric Light Orchestra, who lost their keyboard player and long-term Jeff Lynne collaborator Richard Tandy this week. Their version of the Chuck Berry classic Roll Over Beethoven includes a quote from Peter Gunn in the mix. Next is Wizzard, because founder Roy Wood played on two ELO 2 tracks (although not this one) but mainly because the song successfully evokes the golden days of rock ‘n’ roll. So did John Lennon throughout his Rock ‘n’ Roll album. You Can’t Catch Me was written by Chuck Berry, and you’ll notice a similarity to The Beatles’ Come Together - it was included on Lennon’s great covers album as part of a legal settlement with Berry. We continue with Buddy Holly, purely because he was one of the first rock ‘n’ roll originals I understood and so he helped to widen my early musical horizons. Finally, on this side, we return to Peter Gunn, this time as a cover by the Art of Noise with Duane Eddy reprising his guitar phrasing.
Side 2 - Modern
The Bee Tellers are a new duo - this is their only track released so far, and it’s astounding. An album is coming, so expect to hear them again in Gems. Resisting the temptation to go with Big Big Train’s Telling the Bees (not new enough, too obvious) we move on to a bleaker duo - Swedish/Icelandic band Baula, from their debut album exploring inner destruction and how it manifests itself. FEET (what is it with band names all in capitals?) offer an uptempo, guitar-based song with a catchy chorus to lighten the mood again. The closing track is by Norwegian progressive band Airbag, one of five tracks on their new album which offers a “strong narrative listening experience”, which is exactly what an album should do.
Did you enjoy the sequencing of one side old one side new, or do you prefer a more thorough blending of the music? I’d love to hear from you and shape future Gems accordingly.
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Further Reading
The Guardian published an informative tribute to Duane Eddy
Video Gem of the Week
It seems only fair to include Chuck Berry here as there was no space in the main playlist. Here’s a live version of Roll Over Beethoven.
What’s next? It’s a Long Gaze for paid subscribers, looking at a run of three albums by The Beatles, early next week.
Nice list. I like the idea of LP length but could do with a double album maybe. One question... When does an album get old enough to be a classic in your book. My playlist recently put 20 classics (In my book!) into a list but some don't have the years behind them.....
Great mix for a Tuesday work commute! Thanks.