FIFTY3 FRIDAYS: NOVEMBER SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

A brief return for Fifty3 Fridays today as I follow the time-honoured tradition of posting a playlist on the first Friday of the month featuring the songs included here over the previous month. However, as I only put out two issues in November it was going to be a pretty short playlist. So, I have added a few songs that, had I written one, would have made this column over the past fortnight. Still with me? Before you ask, today’s headline pic has nowt to do with today’s content; it just tickled me and, yes, a narrow away win for the Bear there.

I am still pausing weekly editions until 2025 as we contemplate a move after 34 years in the same house. Apologies to those who were expecting a Fifty3 Advent Calendar of great songs this month. It got to the fourth of December before I remembered I hadn’t started it. Instead, might I direct you to the splendid daily initiative of those Midlands marvels, The Happy Somethings (see below).

To anyone who wants to submit music to Fifty3 Fridays please see the note on the Contact page here while if like Sid & Doris Rocker of Neasden you are suffering Fifty3 withdrawal symptoms, there are over 250 issues across 21 pages to browse – scroll down below the lowest entry on the home page and hit the numbers below it if you can see them!

BONUS TRACKS

Photo of Barbara at The Half Moon, Putney by Kevin England

“Little Bird Sing” is another wonderfully episodic song from Brighton’s Barbara mixing 40s nostalgia with echoes of 70s maestros 10cc in its realisation. I had the pleasure of seeing siblings Henry and John Tydeman perform a stellar set with their three bandmates at the Half Moon Putney, the only gig I managed to get to in November and decidedly one to remember.

Supporting Barbara that evening was the impressive Manchester-based artiste Jacob Coley along with three equally adept bandmates. Jacob has some fine material and a style with reference points to early Ben Howard and at times Vampire Weekend. He will be putting out new music in 2025 but to date has a limited stock available on the familiar platforms. This is an older song, “Cheat the Light”, that caught my ear, subbed by “Lever Street” on the playlist (one of just two songs you’ll find of his on Spotify to date.)

It has been quite a while since I heard anything from French-Korean singer-songwriter Séline Delcourt, who now seems to have shortened her stage name to just Séline. So, it was a great pleasure to hear new music from her in the shape of “Notes at 2am”. Her beautifully toned, dusky and soulful voice has never sounded finer than  on this emotive cut.

A couple of shout-outs next for Bandcamp Friday. On the first Friday of the month, Bandcamp waives its revenue share so every purchase goes directly to the acts. A timely occasion to note that The Happy Somethings has an engaging album out cunningly previewed by a track a day Advent Calendar-style in the run up to Christmas. Don’t Mention It – the ‘it’ being Christmas - is a reboot of a 12-track album the Happys put out last Christmas [You’ve now mentioned it 3 times – Ed] reimagined as 24 tracks to take in some alt. versions, remodelled songs and a couple of new ones. Just so I can mention it a fourth time, this is “There's Nothing Wrong With Being Alone At Christmas.”

Continuing the Bandcamp Friday theme, might I also give a charitable plug for Have Yourself a Merry Indie Christmas Vol 4 which is released on the platform today. Supporting Crisis, Volume 4 runs to 65 tracks and includes familiar bands, cult favourites and unknown classic combos just itching to be discovered. Curated by the amazing Mr Kevin McGrath, whose charitable efforts have extended over the past four years taking in the Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff and latterly Crisis, the latest epic is a true milestone. Even better there is even a fab, Lynchian track by The Raveonettes on it, “Christmas Ghosts” among some real gems. You can buy the whole album for £7 or more and show your support for Crisis. Do it today!

Let’s finish close to home. Having stepped down for moderating on Fresh On The Net till 2025 due to this self-imposed hiatus, I was pleased to see Kingston trio Slaney Bay appear in last week’s Fresh Faves with this anthemic indie banger with a less than seasonal title, “Break My Heart (For Fun).” A big tune with shades of Pale Waves about it in a good way, methinks.

See you in the new year!