This week's mix is dedicated to David Bowie. Somehow in all my years of mixes his signature song "Changes" never made the mix, even if a couple live versions and a cover did. Neither had "Golden Years" until now. The single version of "Let's Dance" has graced this blog but until now not the album version. Also included is his cover of The Who's "Can't Explain", the vocal track for his Queen collaboration "Under Pressure" and covers of his songs "Heroes" and "Life On Mars" by The Magnetic Fields and The Flaming Lips respectively, the latter in a Peel Session.
"It's A Sin To Tell A Lie" was written in 1936 and first popularized by Fats Waller. This mix features his version as well as versions by Vera Lynn, Billie Holiday and Fats Domino.
"Goodnight My Love" was a 1956 single for Jesse Belvin that featured a 12 year old Barry White on piano. This mix features covers by The Fleetwoods, Dean Martin and James Brown as well as the original.
Harry Nilsson was commissioned to write the theme song for the new television show The Courtship Of Eddie's Father in 1969. He never released the short track called "Best Friend" on an album but a couple years later recorded a fuller version of the songs called "Girl Friend" but also left that off an official release.
"Brooklyn Walrus" is a mash-up of Beatles material, particularly "I Am The Walrus" against vocals from Ol' Dirty Bastard, Buckshot and Masta Ace with Special Ed.
The rest: the dramatic "You Never Know" by Goldfrapp, the wistful "Wind, Blow Her Back My Way" by Syl Johnson, the mellow "Can't Wait" by Pete Rock with Deda, the bouncy "Fat Pockets" by Showbiz & A.G. and the guitar-driven "Inside" by 14 Iced Bears.
Changes David Bowie
You Never Know Goldfrapp
It's A Sin To Lie Billie Holiday with Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra
Goodnight My Love The Fleetwoods
Wind, Blow Her Back My Way Syl Johnson
Can't Wait Pete Rock ft. Deda
It's A Sin To Tell A Lie Fats Waller
Fat Pockets Showbiz & A.G.
Goodnight, My Love Dean Martin
Best Friend Harry Nilsson
Golden Years David Bowie
Brooklyn Walrus Ol' Dirty Bastard w/ Buckshot, Masta Ace & Special Ed
It's A Sin To Tell A Lie Fats Domino
Goodnight My Love Jesse Belvin
Inside 14 Iced Bears
I Can't Explain David Bowie
Heroes The Magnetic Fields
Girl Friend Harry Nilsson
Let's Dance David Bowie
Goodnight My Love James Brown
It's A Sin To Tell A Lie Vera Lynn
Life On Mars (Peel Session '92) The Flaming Lips
Under Pressure (a cappella) David Bowie & Freddie Mercury
