Category Archives: Playlists

Ampersand Mixtape: The Sixto Special | Mixcloud

Rodriguez was bigger than The Beatles in 1970s apartheid South Africa. In this special tribute to the Mexican-American singer-songwriter who died recently, Charles Leonard explores the politics, mores and sounds that made him massive then, and also what makes him still relevant today.

Illuminating Headlight Dreams

by Brian Currin, June 2021 Back in early April 2021, I read a press release announcing a new album coming from Steve Louw and it included the video of a song called “Crazy River”. I loved the big open spaces this song evoked (and enhanced by the video) and the subtle African guitar sounds remindedContinueContinue reading “Illuminating Headlight Dreams”

The Cold Facts…. A Journey On The Road Ahead, part 3 by Steve Louw

Little Steven – Voice Of America It was a hot summer in 1984 in Johannesburg when Little Steven (aka Miami Steve van Zandt) looked straight into my eyes through the lens of my camera. He was listening to the live recording of my band, All Night Radio, and I could see he was into it.ContinueContinue reading “The Cold Facts…. A Journey On The Road Ahead, part 3 by Steve Louw”

The Cold Facts…. A Journey On The Road Ahead, part 2 by Steve Louw

All Night Radio (early 80’s) with Steve Louw (centre) AUGUST 1981: The Stones’ ‘Start Me Up’ echoed off every wall, and blared out of every cab window and shop door in the hot August weather in New York City. Their groove and the pulse of the city seemed to be superimposed, laying down a thickContinueContinue reading “The Cold Facts…. A Journey On The Road Ahead, part 2 by Steve Louw”

Colours To My Dreams

This mix opens with a recent cover version of “Sugar Man” by South African singer Rebekah Thompson. This version plays under the closing credits of the 2019 film “Moffie” which is about a young man drafted into South Africa’s military, but he knows he is different and must keep himself hidden. https://www.mixcloud.com/briancurrin/colours-to-my-dreams-feat-beyonc%C3%A9-blondie-philip-glass-emily-browning-cradle-of-filth-epica/ 1. Sugar ManContinueContinue reading “Colours To My Dreams”

Vagabond Show On Mixcloud [24 August 2019] feat Piet Botha, Jack Hammer, Seether, Albert Frost & More

Part of a series of mixes of random tunes, from the past, present and the future, covering a wide range of genres and styles. Expect the unexpected. This mix features a bunch of South African Pop, Blues & Rock tunes, released between 2003 and 2019. Piet Botha passed away on the 2nd June 2019. JohnnyContinueContinue reading “Vagabond Show On Mixcloud [24 August 2019] feat Piet Botha, Jack Hammer, Seether, Albert Frost & More”

Rodriguez and his place in The Story Of Rock

I can’t remember when exactly I first heard ‘Cold Fact’. For me his music just always seemed to have been there. A number of the mixtapes from my teenage years show “Sugar Man”, “Rich Folks Hoax” and “I Wonder” as being from 1973/74 when I was about 14/15.

Rock Memories: 70s Acoustic Rock

As a teenager in the 70’s I compiled cassette tapes of my favourite songs. Much later on I compiled CD-Rs, and even later iTunes playlists on my computer. And now YouTube videos on a WordPress blog. So I am still doing the same thing I always loved, making my own compilations, just the technology hasContinueContinue reading “Rock Memories: 70s Acoustic Rock”

The Beatles 100 Greatest Recordings | Digital Dream Door

From Digital Dream Door 1. Hey Jude 2. A Day In the Life 3. Yesterday 4. She Loves You 5. I Want To Hold Your Hand 6. Let It Be 7. Strawberry Fields Forever 8. Help! 9. A Hard Day’s Night 10. In My Life 11. Eleanor Rigby 12. Ticket To Ride 13. I SawContinueContinue reading “The Beatles 100 Greatest Recordings | Digital Dream Door”

The 100 Greatest Rolling Stones Songs | Digital Dream Door

From Digital Dream Door 1. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction 2. Jumpin’ Jack Flash 3. Sympathy For The Devil 4. Honky Tonk Women 5. Gimme Shelter 6. Paint It Black 7. Brown Sugar 8. Get Off of My Cloud 9. You Can’t Always Get What You Want 10. Miss You 11. Tumbling Dice 12. 19thContinueContinue reading “The 100 Greatest Rolling Stones Songs | Digital Dream Door”