‘I loved my aunt May- she had a way of shocking the family which as a child I found really funny. She said things which were completely inappropriate for a conservative country family and it was much later on that I figured out why.
She was reared in Goldenbridge in Dublin- for those who don’t know, that was a brutal industrial school ran by The Sisters of Mercy. She never ever spoke about it until one day she started with my mother and that hyper speak continued for another two weeks.
And then, at the age of 56 – she passed in her sleep – not even turning the sheets.
She met my uncle in the London dance halls and they married there – in London I mean. They arrived home on a bike with her in the leather trousers, heels and big dyed hair apparently.
So from the get go the family pearls were being clutched but she became as much part as anyone else. She encouraged me to try on girl’s clothes but I wasn’t that sort of gay – even then – but I am grateful for her being the first to spot the difference and let me know it was fine to be me- whatever that was.
And so with a few gins taken – to May – your favourite singer. (This song is also dedicated to the government on their virus strategy- obviously).’
Runner-up:
Ne Me Quitte Pas by Jacques Brel
Millie Madonna writes:
‘It’s one of my favourite songs ever. The emotion he manages to convey, you don’t need to know the language to understand the heartbreak and desolation in the song. I cried the first time I heard it and cried again once I was able to understand it. Kinda sums up how powerful music is for me.’
Winner:
Bonjour Tristesse by Juliette Greco (RIP)
Kingfisher writes:
‘Juliette Gréco’s deep, husky voice became the soul of Paris. Jean-Paul Sartre wrote, “Gréco has a million poems in her voice, it is like a warm light that revives the embers burning inside of us all. It is thanks to her, and for her, that I have written songs. In her mouth, my words become precious stones.” Here’s Bonjour Triestesse, from 1958 (above)’
Last week, with a swinging €25 Golden Discs voucher on offer, I asked you for your favourite underrated gem from the 1960s.
You answered in your very groovy hundreds.
At the risk of repeating myself, it was yet another trove of forgotten masterpieces, perhaps our best.I hope soon to compile your entries of the past seven weeks into a decade-by-decade playlist.
But first, there could be only one 1960s winner…
Third Place:
Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) by Frank Wilson
Fez writes:
Originally released in America in 1965, only 250 or so copies of the single were made, but the song went on to have huge success across the atlantic years later on the Northern Soul scene. It is one of the most valuable vinyl records ever as only two are known to be still in existence.
And I forgot to mention, it’s an absolute TUUUUUUUNE!
Runner-up:
Strange Mysterious Sound by The Spike Drivers
Anyone writes:
My choice, not for the voucher, more for you to enjoy, you might like it. It’s properly obscure.
Winner:
Bad To Me by Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas
Janet, dreams of big guns writes:
Not underrated in my gaff, my Dad sings this at my Mother whenever she’s got the hump, he seduced her back to NI by sending recordings of his crooning to Scotland back in the day, It sometimes still does the job.
Last week, with a pulsating €25 Golden Discs voucher on offer, I asked for YOUR favourite underrated/obscure gem from the decade just passed (2010-2019)?
You answered in your dozens, creating another superb playlist of forgotten masterpieces. Thank you.
‘incredibly catchy tune, this band should have been massive. Fantastic video…And a heads up for our fantastic homegrown talent!!’
Winner:
Strong (Judea remix) by London Grammar
SOQ writes:
‘London Grammar throw their raw work out and other creatives throw back with different ways of interpreting it- that feeds into the club scene and they have the best of the best to work with as their background. Win-win.’
Over the past four weeks, we – you and I – have been through the 1970s with a fine tooth comb, careened across the 1980s mullets flapping and navigated the 1990s and Noughties with some dignity despite the ‘mom jeans’ and ‘boot cuts’.
But now we have arrived at the terrible Teens.
We knew this day would come.
What’s your favourite underrated/obscure gem from the decade just passed (2010-2019)?
Last week, with a tasty and tempting €25 Golden Discs voucher on offer, I asked for your favourite underrated/obscure gem from the Noughties (2000-2009)?
The response – your incredible entries – created another unforgettable playlist of overlooked masterpieces.
Sadly, there could be only one winner.
Third Place:
Trains by Porcupine Tree
Rosette Of Sirius writes:
‘It’s one of those songs that you wish you could hear for the first time over again….
And if you’ve never heard of [Porcupine Trees’ founder] Steven Wilson, he’s quite possibly one of the most underrated recording artists ever. His production values, arrangements and his exploration of multi channel and high resolution audio produces some of the best recorded music I’ve ever heard.’
Runner-up:
So Weit Wie Noch Nie by Jurgen Pappe
Simon Casey writes:
‘A 2002 song by German electronic musician Jürgen Paape The great memories I have from this warm, smooth piece of musical art and the lovely voice that makes it so nice.’
Winner:
More Than Everything by Bombay1
Clampers Outside writes:
‘I believe I have a genuine find in this beautifully minimal track from the 2005 album Strobl by Bombay1….
A genuinely unique minimal sound, the pluck of the cello sets a wonderfully slow pace, coupled with a simple piano accompaniment, and the vocal, that gentle soul bearing, bitter sweet vocal. I honestly struggle to hold back a tear on every listen… melancholic, yet full of warmth .
Oh…. and the video is a simply perfect match…. and contains nudity, a la skinny dipping…Stop that, its very tastefully done :)’
Last week, with ravishing €25 Golden Discs voucher on offer, I asked for your favourite underrated/obscure gem from the 1990s?
You answered in your hundreds, supplying another stunning playlist of overlooked masterpieces. Thank you.
Sadly, there could be only one winner.
Third Place:
Play On by Rae & Christian featuring The Jungle Bros
Nevan writes:
It just squeaks into the 90s, released in 1999 on a mix album by Rae & Christian called 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.
Runner-up:
Change by Sandals
SOQ writes:
The 90s 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….
Winner:
Sometimes Always by Jesus And Mary Chain & Hope Sandoval
Brother Barnabas writes:
Saddest, sexiest song ever. Should have been massive – J&MC’s most underrated single off their most underrated album.
