Win Nick’s Voucher

at

There you are.

After the bumper crop (see below) of the last few weeks, I trust you’re all looking forward to another Friday music competition?

So without further ado…

This week I want to know what’s your favourite underrated/obscure gem from the 1990s?

Here’s mine.

Reply below to be in with a chance of winning a wholesome €25 Golden Discs voucher.

The winner will be chosen by my cardigan consultant.

Lines MUST close at 5am.

1970s underrated song winner here.
1980s underrated song winner here.

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429 thoughts on “Win Nick’s Voucher

  1. Specific Gravity

    Red House Painters – Have You Forgotten?
    https://youtu.be/8mb1ILIQvdM

    Could have easily picked anything from the RHP / Sun Kil Moon / MK catalogue.
    Kozelek is a bonafide genius, and disappointing that the gig at Liberty Hall in November has been cancelled.
    Hopefully back early 2021. Always a rewarding live experience.

    1. Janet, dreams of big guns

      how did I ever forget this tune?
      lucky for the rest of us Nick doesn’t like you ! ;)

  2. Specific Gravity

    Bonnie Prince Billy – I See a Darkness
    https://youtu.be/5mpo9UYl_Yw

    While Johnny Cash covered it as part of his American series, nothing comes close to the original performed by Will himself.
    Incidentally, his gigs at Whelan’s with Harem Scarem around 2004 were fantastic.

  3. Specific Gravity

    The Blue Nile – There was a Girl
    https://youtu.be/HLHCLFln0Es
    Objectively impossible to follow the first two all-time classic albums, but Peace at Last takes a new direction and does wash its own face.
    This should have made the original cut.

    1. Andyourpointiswhatexactly?

      Is that where Cast came from? I loved The La’s.
      I think I first heard Cast on The Lakes soundtrack, which was amazing at the time. The show and the soundtrack.

      1. Specific Gravity

        I recall Tricky disavowed all knowledge of said Finlay. His autobiography is a tough but worthy read.

    1. Clampers Outside

      Brilliant! Super underrated track :)

      I had a dufus moment when I bought that album. I thought it was like some sort of greatest hits… which it was, I guess… made from tracks from other albums, which they weren’t, but I had gone looking for, for ages :)

  4. Specific Gravity

    Tom Waits – Hold On
    https://youtu.be/0P5jV4lHHR0
    From Mule Variations – his finest work, and I will fight you on this.

    They hung a sign up in our town
    “If you live it up, you won’t live it down”
    So she left Monte Rio, son
    Just like a bullet leaves a gun
    With her charcoal eyes and Monroe hips
    She went and took that California trip
    Oh, the moon was gold, her hair like wind
    Said, “don’t look back, just come on, Jim”

  5. Specific Gravity

    Depeche Mode – World in My Eyes
    https://youtu.be/l-U128tM4cs

    Violator is a stone cold classic, up there with Black Celebration.
    Could easily have had each track:
    World in My Eyes
    Sweetest Perfection
    Personal Jesus
    Halo
    Waiting for the Night
    Enjoy the Silence
    Policy of Truth
    Blue Dress
    Clean

    1. Andyourpointiswhatexactly?

      I’ve seen them live a few times. The best concert I’ve ever been to, and I’ve been to a LOT of concerts, was the Devotional tour in 1993: saw them in Florence. They were spellbinding. He’s never been as good since he gave up the aul heroin.

      1. Specific Gravity

        True, yet they do seem to be enjoying themselves onstage far more than any time in the past. The acoustic drums made a huge improvement in their sound, methinks.

      1. Andyourpointiswhatexactly?

        They seem like a really sound bunch. Saw then in Malahide a good few years ago. Supporting the Arctic Monkeys maybe? I forget.

        1. Janet, dreams of big guns

          really down to earth,
          I got to go to lots of backstage parties, the exe husband was a hotshot in the music biz in Paris and I can tell you most back stage parties were up their own arse but they were the craic as we’re this Belgium group ( seeing as you have an interest in the Belge now ;)) Ginzu, Do you read me ?

          https://youtu.be/uCostz2euvs

  6. Muchacho Gordo-Delgado

    Luka Bloom – I need love
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zij70PCyBck
    This is a cover of the L.L. Cool J. original.
    Some interesting facts.
    Every June 16th, Dubliners dress up as Luka Bloom and sing this song.
    Luka Bloom is an anagram of the Irish for “Less talented little brother”.
    This was a track on Bloom’s album “The Acoustic Motorbike”. Acoustic Motorbike is bogger speak for a bicycle. L.L. Cool J used the royalties from Bloom’s single to buy his sister a bell for her bicycle (she previously had no bell on her bike but her…..).
    L.L. Cool J turned down the chance to play Luka Bloom in RTE’s shortlived drama “NCIS: Kildare.
    Luka Bloom has been offered the role of “Bally Gowan” in an upcoming fictionalised RTE drama series on U turns and other driving related topics called “L on Earth”..

    1. Clampers Outside

      Love the Le Tigre track :)

      One of the guys in the video gives an explanation of its making in the comments (2nd one down)… Love me a bit of added trivia :)

      Great track, ta for sharin’!

      1. Andyourpointiswhatexactly?

        He’s some tool. Check his Twitter today.
        And he can’t sing. Even though I love his music.

    1. Andyourpointiswhatexactly?

      I was a big fan of The In Sound From Way Out. Class album. Just playing it now and feel around 25 years younger!

  7. SOQ

    The 90’s were a time when everyone thinks of the tail end of rave but there was a lot of other interesting stuff bubbling under the surface too. One such genre was acid jazz and my favourite group was from that genre was ‘Sandals’- they released an album called ‘Rite To Silence’ in 1994 which I still play a lot.

    Sandals – Change

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWOzQQvda5U

    1. yupyup

      Thanks, really enjoyed that. I feel like it was filed away under a childhood memory. Never knew about this collaboration either.

    1. James M.Chimney

      met the great man himself after preforming this with Ian Broudie in the Olympia a million years ago.

  8. James M.Chimney

    Originally released in ’92 here’s the 2008 remix. Everything about this makes me grin from ear to ear. The video is pure joy to watch… “The freshest move’s I have ever seen… ”

    https://youtu.be/m97WlpsuU74

    Utah Saints – Something Good

  9. Ghost of Yep

    Manic Street Preachers – Little Baby Nothing

    https://youtu.be/wM3N54avEQc

    An anthemic reminder for young women that in the search for sexual liberation they can fall prey to the primal urges of men and be seen as nothing more than what the origins of the feminist movement tried to push back against.

    DM for OnlyFans. Xoxo

  10. Slightly Bemused

    I go away for a few minutes, and come back to this delight!
    Bertie, you are playing a blinder and I really want to see your collection sometime :-)

    Being the 90s was a strange time for me. I first heard The Cranberries wonderful Zombie when introduced to it by a lovely Croation radio operator, while my assistant introduced me to a few U2 songs as her boyfriend showed me his artistic work ‘A Table for Bonovox’ (he did not believe me that we just called him Bono). And that was just the start of the decade.

    But the song we were bopping to was from Alka Vuica, and her wonderful hit Neka Neka. My team were using songs to teach me the language. An interesting move, but I picked it up quicker than I picked up French in school

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-M2uPsnEFQ

    1. Janet, dreams of big guns

      I had a friend mad into them, would always insist I paly that track when he came down to get janeted at my bar

    2. Papi

      I knew you’d deliver, that’s such a blaster!
      (As an aside, my friends ex had an affair with the lead singer)

    1. Papi

      See? This is why I knew it would be like Canute and the bloody ocean.
      Great bloody track, Janie, thank you.

  11. Slightly Bemused

    Great film, great song. Gangsta’s Paradise, Coolio

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPO76Jlnz6c

    I first heard this on a trip across the northern Caucasus mountains, in the rain, with a Cruiser full of people braced knee to knee. The Russian across from me had the words down and sang along perfectly.
    He could not speak English :-)

      1. James M.Chimney

        Thanks for an hour of self indulgence, time to switch of the Mac and grab a pint. Have a lovely weekend Janet et al.

  12. Slightly Bemused

    Does it count if you were introduced to a song or singer in the 90s, even if the song is of a different time?

    A lady of whom I was a little fond introduced me to this chanteuse somewhere outside of Nalchik. My love of the singer blossomed, but sadly the lady and I have parted ways.

    Veronique Sanson, I hope you enjoy, even if it is not a 90s tune
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ8qx3g3uzA

  13. Papi

    I’m now on the naughty step here with the wife cos I’ve been 90s rabbit holing too much on our romantic Friday night time.
    How bad.
    Ok. One more, Stereo MC’s, connected.
    Banger. Dropped. Amazeballs. Whatever you want to call it.
    https://youtu.be/f7KyKb-Im90

    1. Slightly Bemused

      Hey, be happy for what you got. I nearly chose a TurboFolk song. I was soundly told no, and to go sit on the naughty step. Not the one halfway down

    2. Janet, dreams of big guns

      Lunch may have been ” a little over spiced” in my hurry to get stuck back into the 90’s

  14. Ben Madigan

    Well there goes my evening…
    Some epic tunes posted tho not sure how many are either underrated or obscure…

    Here’s one from the first year of the decade – these guys should have been huge!
    New Fast Automatic Daffodils- Big

    https://youtu.be/fQUhCHJk6Nk

    Back later with a few more that are in my head…

      1. Muchacho Gordo-Delgado

        I’ll keep an eye out for this Janet, although I don’t think it’s a patch on my suggestion ;-).

  15. Slightly Bemused

    Can I say hell here?

    I ended up in a rabbit hole of my own making. Just went back over how many countries I worked in the 90s. 37. Please, give me time, but I would like to bring you all a song from each of them.

    Nick, I ask for some kind of permission, and as I am not in the running, this I hope will not affect the eventual winner. But this is outside the bounds of your normal competition

    1. Janet, dreams of big guns

      Don’t ask for permission, ask for forgiveness, come on hit us with what you got ! I’ll be your fall guy !

  16. Janet, dreams of big guns

    I lied about stopping, I’m officially carried away, not an oxters in the house washed !

    So Shy Guy, took me a while to learn that lesson and stop going for the loud shiny charismatique Heart breakers

    Diana King, Shy Guy

    https://youtu.be/szjaHbjhauk

    1. Bertie Theodore Alphege Blenkinsop

      Ha!

      I wouldn’t want to be, I’m still waiting for my vouchers from the last two times I won :)

  17. V AKA Frilly Keane

    I’m going with Cher “Walking in Memphis”

    Not a huge hit
    And attracted more talk about her video and her career to that point, Not all of recognising her achievements and accomplishments
    Or her artistic bravery

    But it was the makings of Cher I think
    She really had done it all by the time this came out
    And worked with them all
    From Jack Nicholson to Meryl Street
    Popcorn Telly Shoop Shoop songs to hard to watch grit, Mask
    And she made Nicholas Cage look endearing
    Gypsy Folk , Disco, Big 80s power ballads, techno

    No matter what was in front of her she always believable
    her high camp Vegas turn in Momma Mia didn’t leave anything out
    Or her bikini and feathers onesies
    Nothing has ever stretched or not worked for her

    Cher is a Singer, an Actress, a Woman, a Style Icon and a Real Survivor

    IMO Barbara Streisand, Madonna and Beyonce are Macra na Feirme Blue Jean Country Queens compared to her class
    She was Lady Gaga before Gaga was even born and we didn’t know it

    And still one of the most beautiful women in the world

    Hon Cher

    Probably the best catalogue of tracks than any other female vocalist of all all time
    But for how, enjoy
    https://youtu.be/Z2DFu7oWit0

    1. GiggidyGoo

      I do have to agree with you there Vanessa. About the song, and about everything else. A friend of mine sent me a backing track for her version of Walking In Memphis. And I don’t sing.

    1. Brother Barnabas

      riding on your coattails a little here, Otis

      https://youtu.be/dqQyKL8nf8E

      dont know if this was big at the time but, even if so, still underrated as couldnt possibly have got the acclaim it deserved and deserves

      just special – no other word for it. special.

    1. Andyourpointiswhatexactly?

      I fell asleep at a Portishead concert once. Their music is soporific and I’d had rather a lot of gin.

  18. Nevan

    Oh, do I have an obscure gem for you! It’s Rae & Christian’s Play on (Watch Out for This! Mix) featuring The Jungle Brothers.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5eUg0lUjnM

    It just squeaks into the 90s, released in 1999 on a mix album by Rae & Christian called Blazing the Crop https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blazing_the_Crop but it was never released as a single. To this day the only version you’ll find is the one that cuts off before the next song on the mix comes in. It’s a very more-ish tune, I can never help skipping back to the start when it finishes.

    It’s pure 90s too (Jazz Flute!) based around a sample from a breezy 70s Jazz-Funk tune by The Gaturs and Willie Tee called Concentrate (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm5QCXhG7fc)

    The track itself is a mashup of a song from Rae & Christian’s own album, Northern Suphuric Soul, called “Play On (Grand Central)” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgPXfWbj2wA), and a remix they did of The Pharcyde’s track Runnin’ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxm1ZAiMQsE). The Pharcyde remix has a great backing but the rap isn’t that good. Rae & Christian’s original of Play On has a great rap by The Jungle Brothers but a mediocre beat. Put them together though and BOOM!

    I’d guess the reason it was never released is that they didn’t have the rights to The Pharcyde mix

    As a bonus, if you read the comments on YouTube, there’s Mark Rae himself telling the young people to get off his lawn and stop listening to his music for free. He links to where you can buy Blazing the Crop on Bandcamp (https://markrae.bandcamp.com/album/blazing-the-crop). It’s a great mix, well worth a listen (and you can listen to the whole thing there). The last track, Young Holt Unlimited’s “Young & Holtful” is another bona-fide classic with a similarly complicated backstory (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEYIyBeAVX8)

      1. Otis Blue

        Papi lad, I clicked on your Grandma Redneck remix.

        There’s an old saying in Tennessee — I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can’t get fooled again.

        Be wide as they say in Cork.

        1. Papi

          Be gates wide, they say. I myself have never needed to be gates wide. I’m far too cultured for that. Obviously.

  19. Andy Pipkin

    Right so I’m leaving on these last few tunes, ( hopefully we make it to 300!)
    Giving the homegrown talent a big up.
    Worked with these guys for years and they are amazing!
    John Peel was also a big fan!
    Unfortunately no video.
    But still a cracking tune.

    https://youtu.be/9q6J0r2H9EI

    1. Andyourpointiswhatexactly?

      God, I haven’t heard that in so long. Lovely. It’s weird when you know the words of songs from way back.

  20. Clampers Outside

    Time for a bit of classic 1990s house…

    This Roger Sanchez produced track Luv Dancin’ set the scene for me for what was to become one of my all time for fav record labels, Strictly Rhythm… The track, underrated imo, exudes an understated joyous cool :)

    https://youtu.be/rIisM4PUZ3U

  21. Otis Blue

    “Ladies and gentlemen, as you know, we have something special down here at Birdland this evening: a recording for Blue Note Records.”

    Groovy, groovy, jazzy funky,
    samplin’ Herbie Hancock, Lou Donaldson and Art Blakey.

    US3 – Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)

    https://youtu.be/JwBjhBL9G6U

          1. Andyourpointiswhatexactly?

            SO OLD!!!
            I’m a mere whippersnapper at 48.
            How did that happen? I’m around 36 in my head.

  22. Andyourpointiswhatexactly?

    Is this the thread with the most replies ever on Broadsheet? Challenge accepted if not.

  23. Otis Blue

    As we nudge 400 posts, this seems apt on so many levels.

    “Today on this program you will hear gospel, and rhythm and blues, and jazz. All those are just labels. We know that music is music…”

    Jesse Jackson’s words from the 1972 Wattstax rally as sampled by the late Andrew Weatherall remix of Primal Scream’s Come Together.

    https://youtu.be/NTVwT3j_zqY

  24. Nigel

    10,000 Maniacs More Than This.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PePl0e0YCRc&ab_channel=10000ManiacsVEVO
    Liam O’Maonlai I Can See Clearly Now
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1HRcoHGmi4&ab_channel=LondonRecordings
    Alanis Morisette Uninvited
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU0of1O504U&ab_channel=Gawaine687
    Annie Lennox No More I Love Yous
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSkboTTTmpg&ab_channel=AnnieLennoxVEVO
    Garbage Only Happy When It Rains
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpBFOJ3R0M4&ab_channel=GarbageVEVO

    I’m not claiming ANY pf these are obscure.

      1. eamonn

        some serious skills/sonic wizardry there Janet.
        formidable! (best said with a faux french accent for full effect)

        1. Janet, dreams of big guns

          not bad eh ? :)

          something a little different more metal, but big sound of my French 90’s too ( I managed to tell the lead guitarist I didn’t think much of the lead guitarist at a party, I’m not good with faces, he took it well )

          Mass Hysteria, Contradiction

          https://youtu.be/SVx-m-Hi21M

    1. Janet, dreams of big guns

      hajaj, the lead singer would only eat spaghetti and tomato sauce, I think it’s why he’s a titch ;)

  25. Andy Pipkin

    Christ on a bike, talking about leaving the best till last, this brilliant tune from former Husker Du front man,

    https://youtu.be/aHnFIaLp_ys

    F’ing brilliant!!

    Thank you all for a wonderful weekend of some of the best new/old sounds from the 90’s, think it’s pretty fair too say they were the best of times for music!!

    See you all next week!!

  26. Slightly Bemused

    Sorry guys. I promised something but my computer did the blue screen of death!

    Once I have recovered the list, I will check with the BS officials (2 links need and intercession, not sure what 37 will need) and post when cleared.

    In the interim, I think I need to catch upon over 400 posts! I hope at least one was a Muppets :-)

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