Despite my advancing years I still like to latch onto new bands (new to me, I mean), take them to my heart and call them my all time favourite band ever; before 10 minutes later jettisoning them with nary a backwards glance, as I go in search of my next new shiny thing.
This week I have mostly been listening to the Monophonics. They are, to borrow a quote from Craig Charles, two pounds of funk in a one pound bag. They sound like this. See what I mean? Btw, remind me to tell you about my friend Tom Wardle and his connection with the band. Next time.
But it was whilst listening to them in the car this week, and their spellbinding version of a Sonny Bono penned classic from 1966, I remembered just how good Nancy Sinatra's version was. Yes, better than Cher's (Sonny's ex) and yes, even better than Frank's - Nancy's dad. You don't believe me...
Nancy Sinatra: Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) - 1966
Anyway, back to those Monophonic boys. Here they are tearing up a little club in Athens in December, 2015. Enjoy...
The Monophonics: Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)
re: "They sound like this" link above.
ReplyDeleteNice - proper Philly / Motown thing going on there. Reminds me a bit of Style Council too.
Their sound is littered with Curtis Mayfield references; and that's no bad thing.
DeleteI love that 'Last One Standing' track you linked to - just as RD describes. Hard to believe it's not decades older. Only realised on seeing that too that I had heard some Kelly Finnigan before and was most impressed but incredibly surprised when I saw he was young, white and male! Yes please do tell about your friend's connection.
ReplyDeleteAnd 'Bang Bang' is a corker Talking of Style Council as in RD's comment, the version by Paul Weller is one I particularly recommend.
I must dig out Weller's versh; can't believe it passed me by. Tom Wardle link next time...
DeleteI've revisited Nancy often over at my place as I soon discovered my favourite period in music was the late '60s. She is also my girl crush.
ReplyDeleteCurtis Mayfield references - no bad thing at all.
Indeed; she was so much more than 'Boots'.
Delete'Last One Standing' ticks all the soul boxes and, yes, references 'Move on Up' liberally. It's frightening just how many of these funk motifs came from Curtis Mayfield.