Ellie Greenwich

Sadly, I've just heard that the legendary Ellie Greenwich has passed away. What an extraordinary talent, not only did she co-write some of the best songs ever including 'Be My Baby', 'River Deep, Mountain High', '(And) Then He kissed Me', 'Chapel of Love', 'Leader of the Pack', 'I can hear music' to name a few, she also helped to define the sound of the girl groups of the 60s, worked with the young Neil Diamond and produced records at a time when it was practically unheard of for a woman to have that role in the studio (unfortunately, I still have difficulty naming a female music producer working today). And as a singer she was no slouch either as the clip I've chosen demonstrates, her voice is lovely and strongly reminiscent of Dusty Springfield. The song is from 1967 'Goodnight, Goodnight'. She will be greatly missed,lots of love tt.

Les Papillons Noirs

My wake up song this week is from one of my favourite artists Serge Gainsbourg. He also sings on the record with Michele Arnaud. I love the way Gainsbourg balances Arnaud's rather sober voice against the very sexy, laid-back groove & slightly macho strings, it's just perfect. Hope you enjoy ! Lots of love tt.

Podcast 5

Podcast 5 has been added !! If you haven't already just sign up to the mailing list to gain access to the Attic to listen to the podcast. Hope you enjoy, lot's of love, tt.

40 !!

Whew ! I was 40 last week. Thank you very much for all the kind birthday wishes I have received. I remember when I was a teenager there was a television series called " 30 something " and I used to think the characters were so old and their problems completely inscrutable. I'm now 40 and I still think that, I mean I still think people in their 30s are old, and inscrutable !! I guess I'm going to have to let go of that particular view of the world ! Anyway, here is a photo of me on my birthday mooching around Marseille... Lots of love tanita

Bang On

My wake up song this week is 'Bang On' by The Breeders. It's the kind of the record that makes me feel like I'm in a cartoon ( perhaps, it's the slightly Scooby Doo guitar riff or the desire it gives me to jump up and down ). Anyway,it's wonderful and just coming in over two minutes perfectly bite-sized,I hope you enjoy it ! Love tt

Abba Mania

My five year old nephew, Louis, has begun writing. In a neat hand, hardly a child's scrawl, he patiently begins : 'Honey, honey','Thank You for the Music ', 'Mamma Mia ','Voulez-Vous'... By the fourth line it becomes clear. He has memorized the greatest hits of Abba, and it is to these glorious titles that his early penmanship is dedicated, not 'dog', 'cat', 'sat', 'mat'. I am absurdly proud, not only is he advanced, he has great taste !! Love tt

Addie Pray & Staff Benda Bilili

Have you ever seen the movie 'Paper Moon' ? I'm reading the original book that the film is based upon by Joe David Brown. It's so good that I can't understand why it isn't more widely read or why it was out of print for so long. I have to resist reading it all in one day because I don't want to lose the company of such great characters as Addie Pray and Long Boy. I'm also loving this track 'Polio' from Staff Benda Bilili, the raggedy guitar sound and soulful playing is awesome - wish I could play like that !! love tt