Win Nick’s Esteem [Extended]

at

Thank Flo it’s Friday.

Welcome to our latest voucher-less music shenanigans. Last week was a great success, so thanks everyone!

This week, I want to know what’s your favourite underrated song of the 1990s?

Here’s mine.

Reply below just for the laugh.

Please include video links if possible.

Lines must close on SATURDAY at Midday

Nick says: Good luck!

Meanwhile…

The results are in.

Last week’s esteem was won by Ronnie Maher who chose The Passions “I’m In Love With A German Film Star” (above) as the best underrated song of the 1980s.

Ronnie wrote:

“Criminally underrated. Didn’t trouble the higher echelons of the charts much at the time. Although it should have. Written and sung by an Irish woman (Barbara Gogan, niece of Larry), this is superb. Do yourselves all a favour and take a few minutes to listen to it. You’re welcome.”

Nick says: Thanks all and nice one, Ronnie.

Last week: Win Nick’s Esteem

Pic: Freebird Records

Sponsored Link

73 thoughts on “Win Nick’s Esteem [Extended]”

  3. CapernosityandFunction

    The Bluetones – Nae Hair On’t

    https://youtu.be/svse56G_z1E

    Swept along with the Cool Britannia movement in the mid-90s, this little gem was on the B-side of their best known hit “Slight Return”. I love it and it doesn’t get played anywhere, ever.

  4. CapernosityandFunction

    Ghostface Killah – Daytona 500

    https://youtu.be/5ZGi2lyQJQs

    The Wu Tang Clan were the biggest force in 90s rap. This is a choice cut from one their members. It exhibits all the lyrical flow and dexterity you would expect anchored by a beat that you can’t ignore.

  6. CapernosityandFunction

    The Afghan Whigs – Debonair

    https://youtu.be/oJwWmz8Mp3U

    US music, away from the Billboard Charts, was so strong and diverse in this decade. Here is a great example. I saw Afghan Whigs play the Rockgarden/Eamonn Doran’s and remember the lead singer, Greg Dulli, getting a choke hold on a stage invader and wrestling him to the ground for security to deal with. It was a small stage, the man needed his space.

  8. Seamus

    https://youtu.be/PNmrfh4UJYA

    George Clinton. The Flag was still there. 1993. A funk monster with a massive guitar solo at the back end. Comes with added Bootsy Collins and Blackbyrd McKnight. It was the song of the album for me, an album that’s rarely heard of now partly because Paisley Park records went out of business shortly after its release and the album went out of print and partly because the album was called “Hey man smell my finger”.

    I’ve no idea what the song means or what the lyrics are about and I don’t really want to know any more. I like the song too much.

  9. CapernosityandFunction

    Eric Matthews – Fanfare

    https://youtu.be/brhiO6m6lxw

    In the 90s we had RTÉ’s No Disco. The original presenter, Donal Dineen, championed this song and I can hear why. Eric Matthews was signed to Sub Pop but didn’t sound like any other artist on that label.

    1. Fergalito

      No Disco was one of the best music programmes ever in the history of anything on television.

      It put so much great music in my way.

      Foggy Notions magazine (and free CD) was the printed equivalent.

        1. CapernosityandFunction

          Bar Nighthawks, I think it is the best original programme RTE produced in the last 40 years. MTV had 120 Minutes, but this was better. All the presenters, Donal, Uaneen (RIP) and Leagues knew their stuff. It was a simple, unpretentious format and it brought so much musical quality to my headphones. A lot of what I am posting today I first saw on No Disco.

  10. TheFerg

    Sneaking in to the 90’s in June of ‘99 is the hauntingly wonderful ‘The Bear’ from My Morning Jacket.
    It’s about stepping back from the edge, “There’s still time..”
    I saw them live in Queens just before de ‘rona and the epic voice of Jim James is just as incredible in person.

    https://youtu.be/6uwhRPNXQJ8

    1. Fergalito

      Super band.

      Saw them years ago in the Temple Bar Music Centre. Blew the roof off the place.

      Some set of pipes on James alright, he came out and did three or four songs solo on the acoustic guitar. You could hear a pin drop. Tine-spingling :-)

      1. TheFerg

        A bit off-topic but – Seeing them in the states was part of a life hack I came up with. Cross reference cities where your favourite artists are gigging with where your wife’s friends live, then just book it.
        To this day I still get brownie points.

    1. TheFerg

      Nice. A few german entries last week for the 80’s, maybe BS could consider a non-english competition??

  15. Fergalito

    Don’t know where to start with 1990’s gems – I was at the top of my game back then (my game being mid-twenties and utilising all of my senses to their fullest extent).

    This tune was the first to jump into my head….solo project from some dude who went by the name “Laptop” for this particular enterprise – “Nothing to Declare.” Yes it’s a bit mawkish, derivative and oh-so-defeated but sure when did that ever get in the way of a good pointless bit of pop?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP4MaZypPG4

    For a lot of the late 1990’s anyway i was into anthemic blizty bangers such as this anonymous tune from Midfield General, “Go Off.” Pass the disco machine-gun lads and lassies, I’m off to the shops for milk.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9AUG6CXMpE

    Gawd the 90’s were a blast….

  17. Rosette of Sirius

    The Beta Band released The Three Ep’s in 1997. Was a fantastic piece of ‘folktronica’.

    Dry The Rain was the one that got most airplay but my personal favourite track is Inner Meet Me

    https://youtu.be/jZspcsY7am4

    Oh, It’s likely I’ll play more than once – just because.

    And, not a 90’s song but a lovely tribute… Felt like it was written for me and Madam Rosie…

    At The Indie Disco

    https://youtu.be/sB–qzE4JhE

    1. Fergalito

      Hands down winner, Beta Band were incredible. Those three EPs are stunning.

      Again with the gigs but Steve Mason did a gig in Whelans a few years ago and God bless him he did a great version of Dry the Rain. Was very pleasantly surprised as I hadn’t expected any BB reprises at all.

      I really miss gigs. Even gigs I can get tickets for. Seems only the illuminati can get tickets this weather :(

  18. Andy Pipkin

    From the ashes of the brilliant La’s , we got Cast, an absolutely superb band.
    This song too me is just so well structured, from the slow start to the uplifting chorus,it’s one of those songs that have stuck in my head for many a year, it’s seriously underrated!.

    Cast – I’m So Lonely

    https://youtu.be/__3pCH_cXuE

    Enjoy!

  21. D-troll

    was that the freebird records when it was in this tiny basement beside o’connell bridge or when it moved to wicklow st.

    i happily spent thousands there.

    ah the nostalgia.

      2. Rosette of Sirius

        Started on Grafton Street way back, then moved to Eden Quay and ended up on Wicklow Street.

        1. H

          I loved the one in Grafton Street, I used to have a Saturday job in Mac Shoes near Bruxelles and on my way home I would always drop in.

          There used to be a bunch of punks who always hung around the doorway, one day as I was going in one of them recognised me from school so they all used to greet me after that :-)

    2. scottser

      I stopped going to freebird when they started putting those patronizing commentaries in the plastic sleeves about how ‘important’ a particular album was.

  22. TheFerg

    Sneaky 2nd entry, honestly thought it was 80’s but it’s actually 1990.
    Canadian Irish trad legends Spirit of the West blast out this cracker about their trip to England – it’s one of my Friday go-to’s.
    And there’s the greatest ever flute solo…

    Home for a Rest
    https://youtu.be/crIk87-mPzY

  23. Rosette of Sirius

    Continuing my contribution with Cake. I love Cake. The band as well as the sweet treat.

    Another great staple of the American college radio scene< Cake have quite a distinctive trumpety sound that always appealed to me.

    While I love Short Skirt, Long Jacket from Comfort Eagle, my favourite album is Motorcade of Generosity – their first one from 1994.

    Here's Comanche – it's such a fantastic and fun song; https://youtu.be/Fxm-EUh1ueU

    However Jolene is amazing and for me the best track from the album; https://youtu.be/i6BKeODv7Yc

  24. nicorigo

    Bentley rhythm ace – Bentley is going to sort you out-

    Sometimes used on TV, commercials or even movies, the tune has never really received its dues. Although it pre-dates the big beat of the likes of Fat boy slim, Moby or even Death in Vegas, BRA and their single (1996) has never been a big hit.

    1. Rosette of Sirius

      You might recall it to 6 in the UK charts and gained them an appearance on TOTP. Mental for a band such as TMBG. Couple of months later they played the Olympia and I was there. Was just the two Johns on stage and were accompanied by a large metronome to assist with rhythm. Was an amazing gig.

    1. Paulus

      I misread this as The Poozies and thought, power pop? jeez they’ve changed their tune…literally.

    1. eamonn

      Otis, I have been finding about Arthur for the first time, so thank you.horizons broadened,
      some spellbinding music.
      This why I am glad the friday “contest” didn’t depend on a sponsor.

      1. Otis Blue

        Cheers Eamonn.

        He’s a recent discovery for me. I came across this article a little while ago and it sent me down a rewarding rabbit hole.

        https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/sep/28/a-life-in-music-arthur-russell-the-disco-cellist-in-a-world-of-echo?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

        For me also, the joy of the Friday comp is discovering something new or being reminded of something great but since forgotten. As someone that listens to music each and every day, there’s always, always something new and interesting out there. And while music can be deeply personal, it’s best shared.

  35. Otis Blue

    “Hey, yeah, we the same brothas from a long time ago
    We was talkin’ about television and doin’ it on the radio
    What we did was to help our generation realize
    They got to get busy cause it wasn’t gonna be televised”

    A generation on, we find Gil Scott-Heron in reflective mood.

    https://youtu.be/iHkHMNevg_8

  37. CapernosityandFunction

    Mansun – Wide Open Space

    https://youtu.be/ppmUdn6GUXQ

    Mansun don’t get played anywhere. One of those bands that creates some noise for a period of time then fades from the playlists. I think this one is worth reviving. I met the guitarist’s parents at a wedding in Somerset in 1997. They were nice people.

  38. Otis Blue

    A regular from Walters in Dun Laoghaire back in the day. Their name a respectful nod to Salinger and with MBV’s Kevin Shields younger brother Jimi on board, they were miles ahead of the pack.

    File under Could’ve, Should’ve…

    Rollerskate Skinny – Miss Leader

    https://youtu.be/WyrBLPnX3kY

  40. Otis Blue

    Sebadoh – Too Pure

    https://youtu.be/X51y6EQh9Ow

    Broadsheeters from Tipp or thereabouts might recognise the premises featured on the cover of Harmacy, the album from which this song is taken. It’s right across from the Cashel Palace Hotel and though the shopfront is now altered, it remains a Pharmacy

Comments are closed.

Broadsheet.ie