Song of the Week: If Love Was Money
Dan Penn
If Love Was Money
This track is one of those songs that I’ve had for ages but only just ‘got’ this past week when for some reason, after years of sitting quietly in the background, it practically lept off the stereo and boxed me around the ears. The song is off the fabulous Country Got Soul compilation which came out on Casual Records in 2003 – which I strongly suggest that everyone who likes this sort of stuff rush out and buy immediately.
I don’t know much about Dan Penn other than he wrote (or co-wrote) some absolute soul classics like Dark End of the Street, Do Right Women and Cry Like a Baby. I had never thought of him as a singer, and after hearing this I’d love to hear more. However, a quick search on our old friend Amazon tells me that he’s released bugger-all, clearly preferring to write than record. Pity really.
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Tags: song of the week
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:43 pm
It’s a great tune from a fab album – have you got Volume 2 too? Have you tried ‘Goodbye Nashville Hello Camden ‘ it’s a variation on a similar theme?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Goodbye-Nashville-Hello-Camden-Town/dp/B000MTOSD4
(I am trying to keep the recommendations handbrake on as much as possible)
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Another suggestion that I don’t have PM! What are you? A walking encylopedia of great compilations? That Andy Votel compil. you suggested is excellent BTW.
I’ve also been listening to the Bob Dylan Theme Time Radio Hour compil. It is very good, but you’ve probably already got it I suspect!
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:10 am
I’ve just got too much stuff – when I first started blogging properly I thought I’d run out of puff in few weeks, 9 months on I haven’t even skimmed the surface yet. Glad the Vertigo comp went down a treat – I’ll try to make this my last tip top for a while, but as a shoegazer did you ever pick up on this ‘Precious’ – what a cracker
http://www.discogs.com/release/392034
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I am reassured that you’ve got so much stuff – means you’ll keep on going for quite a while longer!
I have seen ‘Precious’ and it is very good indeed. However, I don’t really need to own a copy as, sadly, I already have virtually all of these on single and/or LP. Except Spaghetti Head – who the bloody hell are they?!
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Off subject but i bought the makings of a negroni the other day and they aren’t bad I’m playing around with the proportions and have gained a taste for vermouth on the rocks !Also campari and bitter lemon is top pre-dinner drink!
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:54 pm
BLTP – I do like a Negroni and I’m pleased that you’ve discovered them. Not sure about vermouth on the rocks though – I find sweet and rosso vermouth too, well, sweet, and the dry a bit boring. Vermouth for me is just naturally paired with gin as well so I just have to add something to it, almost compulsively. Haven’t had a campari and bitter lemon before – our house never has any mixers so we have to drink everything neat…