Hangtime with the Frogs!
Last night I was kindly invited to go down and `hang`out with Mars Blackman @ Radio Grenouille in Marseille…and what fun we had!
The first half of the show consisted of a little chat and interview with France`s own very talented Wax Taylor (www.waxtailor.com)
For the second hour I bought a bunch of my all time favourite tunes to the station to play on air and threw in a couple of LP live tracks for good measure.
Listening back its fair to say that no matter how used to singing into a microphone you may be…talking into one is a completely different ball game. The words `sounds like a 5 yr old` spring to mind but hey, there`s time to work on my newly found radio voice!! (oh and im working on the french I promise!)
If you fancy checking out for yourself how the evening unfolded, here`s a link and playlist…Enjoy x
Click here to listen to Lizzy`s Live hour @ `Hangtime` on Radio Grenouille 18th Nov 09
Track 1: Im Wishing / Lorez Alexandria
Chicago born in 1929, this blonde bombshell started her early singing days in the church. This track featured on `Gilles Peterson Digs America 2` released in 2007. She has to be one of my alltime favourite singers (and I believe Mars feels the same!)
Track 2 : Backstreet Lust / Kinny & Diesler
Aka Caitlin Simpson (a fellow TT label lass) originally came to Tru Thoughts with the `Kinny and Horn` project. With a hugely mixed heritage, born in Canada, raised in Sweeden and residing in Norway, Kinny is a great modern day diva. This track has been remixed by the TT signed French producer `Azaxx` but the original version features on Kinny`s debut solo album with TT released earlier this year `Idle forest of Chit Chat`.
Track 3: Sort of Revolution / Fink
I bumped into this guy in a park in London almost half a decade ago. We got talking, exchanged our mutual love for music and he ended up co-writing a couple of tracks on my first album `Watching Space`. Then he was a DJ and producer with a dream of being a live artist and now he is one of the Britains best! Released on `Ninja Tune`, this tune is the title track of his 2009 album, remixed beautifully by `The Cinematic Orchestra`. Watch this space for future Lizzy Parks/Fink collaborations!
Track 4: Les Fleurs / Minnie Ripperton, remixed by 4 Hero
A timeless classic…`nuff said! I`ve sung this song many a time with `The Heritage Orchestra` another signing on Gilles label `Brownswood` and loved every minute (except for the really high bits!!) Oh and check out the `Ramsey Louis` instrumental version if you havent already!
Track 5: You Made Me So Very Happy / Lou Rawls
…and who wouldn`t feel happy after this tune! Rawls released more than 70 albums, sold more than 40 million records in his life time and was named “The Funkiest Man Alive”…and he was certainly one of them!
Track 6: Everyday People / Dionne Warwick
One day when I was about 10 yr old, my step dad came home with a Dionne Warwick CD for me that he picked up at the local cash and carry shop for a £2! Money has never been better spent!!! This track comes from the album `Only Love Can Break A Heart`, it is and will always be an absolute all time favourite of mine. Check out her website now…she`s gone all glossy and even has her own SkinCare range!!! Ummm???!!!
Track 7: Take Care / Lizzy Parks LIVE Originally from the album `Raise the Roof`.
Track 8: Seven Day Fool / Lizzy Parks LIVE Originally from the album `Raise the Roof.
Track 9: Wildflower / Nostalgia 77 / Lizzy Parks LIVE Originally from the album `Everything Under The Sun`. Check out the trombone solo on this! Dope.
Track 10: Forever and A Day / Lizzy Parks ) From the album `This & That`, 2009.
Track 11: A Perfect King of Love / Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators
One of my favourite tunes from the `Keep Reaching Up` album released in 2005. The song `Feeling Free`was a BBC/Gilles Peterson World Wide Winner award in 2006. A classic sound with a modern edge. Check out `If This Ain`t Love` from the same album!
Track 12: A Little Bit of Feel Good / Jamie Lidell
This energetic English singer,songwriter lives in Berlin and can be seen hangin` out with the likes of Gonzales and Feist. This track features on his latest album `Jim`. In my opinion, this is where simple soul songwriting is it!!!
Track 13: Pushing on / Quantic - Featuring Alice Russell
Aka Will Holland, originally from the UK and now residing in Columbia. Will was one of Tru Thoughts first signings. He`s moved through Funk, Soul and Hip-Hop and has landed with a great Latin sound for his latest album.
Miss A.Russell is currently touring her new `Pot of Gold` remix album. Get to it if you missed her in Marseille earlier this month!
Track 14: Raise the Roof / Lizzy Parks - Title track of the 2008 album!
PS you can catch up with the `Hangtime` show every wednesday online on the `Radio Grenouille` website (www.grenouille888.org)