While it keeps the same design (more or less), we have completely overhauled our website. And to launch it we are proud to release our latest demo recording – our version of the 60s ska classic – My Boy Lollipop.
Or you can listen to it together with some of our other tunes on our soundcloud page.
Techies might like to know that we now have almost everything in a self-hosted WordPress installation. There are a few snags with moving the site in this way. Some older posts have lost their photos for example, but we think almost everything else works as it should.
We had huge fun playing for D and N’s wedding blessing last night. This was at the Hilton hotel on the banks of the Thames in Rotherhithe, just across the river from Canary Wharf. As Steve’s photo shows, it was a beautifully clear evening though not the time of year for outdoor gigs.
We learnt three new songs at the couple’s request. For their first dance we had to knock up a quick arrangement of They can’t take that away from me. This is an old jazz standard written by George Gershwin, though we suspect many people today are more likely to know the Robbie Williams version and probably think it’s called The way you wear your hat as at least some of the band did. As we already do songs like Fly me to the moon and In the Mood for Love, we know how to ska up these great old swing tunes.
For their second song they wanted Moondance. We didn’t think this could really be done with a ska or reggae feel so did it rather like the original.
We had the most fun with Hava Nagila. This introduced the band to the traditional chair-lifting that goes with this old tune at Jewish ceremonies. And it makes for a great bit of ska, allowing Steve to demonstrate the klezmer side of his clarinet playing. We will be playing this one again.
Here’s the set list we played.
They Can’t Take That Away from me –a special request for the first dance
Moondance – another request
Guns Of Navarone – all ska bands have to play this
Latin Goes Ska – a favourite 60s ska instrumental
I’m in the Mood For Love – swinging ska jazz that we often do as a first dance
You’re Wondering Now – a 60s ska song that Amy Winehouse recorded
Alley Cat Ska – another 60s instrumental
Man In The Street –and another
Fly Me To The Moon –ska swing
Can’t Get You Out out of my Head – Kylie goes ska
Enola Gay – many 80s songs make great ska
10 Out Of 10 -Paolo Nutini proves that great ska songs are still being written
Hava Nagila –probably the best known Jewish song, which we do as an instrumental
Second Set
James Bond instrumental classic
Misirlou – from Greece to surf guitar classic to the Skamonics!
99 Red Balloons –another 80s classic
Tainted Love – and another
Rudy A Message To You – a 60s song that evryone associates with the Specials
My Boy Lollipop – more 60s
Baggy Trousers – our Madness tribute
Israelites – Desmond Dekker’s great reggae song
Night Boat To Cairo – and another Madness song
Encore
Gangsters – more Specials
Tequila – not ska, but a another great 60s instrumental and party favourite
We have a very rough recording of the gig, and more photos, so there should be more to come.
Readers of this blog are offered a free ticket to DUKE VIN & THE BIRTH OF SKA
It’s on Thursday 27 October at 7.30pm at the Peckham Plex Cinema
BUT you must book in advance either by email free_duke@live.com or from 07415 174 451
The Peckham Plex Cinema is at 95a Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST
This is what the organisers say about the film:
London in the 1950’s was a cold place
in more ways than the obvious. Or
so it appeared if you were one of the
thousands of newly arrived Jamaicans.
Many were overqualified for their menial
jobs. Thousands of others quite simply
could not get work. Discrimination and
racial tensions culminated in fierce riots in
both Nottingham and Notting Hill Gate. It
was in this environment that the Jamaican
soundmen; Duke Vin and Count Suckle
arrived in the UK. They both stowed away
on a boat from Kingston and brought with
them a sound that was sweeping across
the small Caribbean island and would
later change the face of music in the UK.
This was the sound of Ska!
Hopefully, you will watch DUKE VIN &
THE BIRTH OF SKA and ponder: Where would the 2-Tone movement
have been without SKA?
We had another terrific location for the wedding gig we played yesterday.
Yet again we were in a historic building. This time a 15th century manor house Birling Manor very close to Beachey Head.Indeed you could see the lighthouse from the very beautiful grounds.
Best of all was the selection of sausage and bacon sandwiches that were served between our sets.We hope to post some photos late when we have more than a mobile connection.
We had a great time, and were happy to help give Adam and Ellie a great party on their wedding day.
It’s taken rather more time than we expected but we are now able to begin reveal the fruits of our recording sessions earlier in the year.
Here therefore is our version of Kylie’s Can’t Get Out of my Head.
As can be seen, the video was shot during the various recording sessions for this number.
We started by recording the drums and guitar (with bass and vocal guide tracks). Over those we recorded the bass, keyboards and vocals at separate sessions, finishing with the horns.
You may wonder why the horns are surrounded by duvets. This is simply to dampen some of the room reverb, and stop it sounding boxy.
It’s the first time we’ve shot and edited video so we have had to learn this skill as we went along. If we knew then, what we knew now it would probably be much better. And no-one warned us just how long it takes to edit a video.
As Steve’s photo shows, it was a beautifully clear evening though not the time of year for outdoor gigs.