The Kaleidophonic Stroboscope

Gregorian calendar year 2011 is approaching a close. In fact, I’m typing this in the afternoon of 31st December – in a few short hours, it’ll be a brand-new year…y’know to the Papists and most of the ‘Western World’, I suppose.

Quite a strange revolution around the Sun, but then, haven’t they all been lately? Massive anti-corporate protests, dictators toppled, more ‘extreme weather’…what’ll happen next? Stay tuned in, kids, I suspect it’s gonna get interesting.

Aside from that, though – there was some great music pushed out into cyberspace and into the on-line shops. Sadly, some more independent record stores closed this year, due to more internet trade. There’s still some good ones open in London – and some of the charity shops still have decent LPs in stock. I bought mainly vintage progressive and psychedelic records this year, so I didn’t get to sample that much new stuff. I did enjoy the Pete & The Pirates record, which was heavily broadcast on Marc Riley’s BBC 6 show. Riley also hipped me to Dutch Uncles and Laura J. Martin. Stuart Maconie’s Freak Zone was also a great source for new sounds – but I didn’t have enough cash for all the cool groups and artists he features.

Kate Bush released not one, but two full-length albums this year. Admittedly, one was re-jigged versions of earlier material, but 50 Words For Snow seemed good to me. Meditative and intimate, I thought it was better than the past two–despite Aerial’s disc-long suite of songs–which appealed to my prog-loving nature. If you haven’t got “50 Words For Snow” – do yourself a favour and buy it.

Anyway – enough of me rambling…Happy New Year and thanks again for listening!!

The track-list for this episode is:

Intro.

MC Paul Barman – Bleeding Brain Grow (taken from the “Paullelujah” album – released in 2002 – Coup D’Etat Recordings)

Yab Yum – Trephine (excerpt) (taken from the “This Is Home Entertainment” compilation – released in 1995 – Jungle Sky/Caroline Records)

Annette Peacock – Dear Bela (taken from the “X-Dreams” album – rel. in 1978 – Aura/Tomato Records)

Dutch Uncles – The Ink (Dolby Anol remix) (free download file from the band website – original version found on “Cadenza” – released in 2011 – Memphis Industries Records)

Pete And The Pirates – Cold Black Kitty (taken from the “One Thousand Pictures” album – rel. in 2011 – Stolen Records)

Elbow – With Love (taken from the “Build A Rocket, Boys!” album – released in 2011 – Fiction/Polydor Records)

Mogwai – Kids Will Be Skeletons (taken from the “Happy Music For Happy People” album – released in 2003 – PIAS/Matador Records)

The Enid – Space Surfing (live) (taken from the “Live At King George’s Hall, Blackburn 2010 – fan-club CD only – Enid Records)

————————————A TRIP TO THE VINYL VAULT——————————

Featured LP: Sky – “Sky 2″ (released in April 1980 – Ariola Records)

Featured tracks: Sahara/Tuba Smarties

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The Impressions – Keep OnPushing (taken from the album of the same name – released in 1964 – ABC/Paramount Records; also found on the “People Get Ready: The Curtis Mayfield Story” 3-CD set – released in 1996 – Rhino Records)

Faust – Munic Untitled (a.k.a. ‘Jugger’s Knot’) (taken from the “Faust V” promo cassette – no official release, rec. in 1975 – Virgin Records)

The Chemical Brothers – The Sunshine Underground (taken from the “Surrender” album – rel. in 1999 – Astralwerks/Freestyle Dust Records)

Winter is nearly upon us again, those of us in the northern hemisphere. Shorter days, colder nights. Ah well – there’s always the holiday shopping season to look forward to…heh heh.

Apart from that, with winter approaching, hopefully the peeps taking part in the “Occupy” demonstrations will be able to keep them going. Maybe it’ll be a mild one.

I didn’t want to make a themed show – but there’s trickles of winter here and there, like the inclusion of a track from Kate Bush’s brand-new “50 Words For Snow” record.

Bundle up, kids – Jack Frost has appeared and he’s painting the outdoors!

The tracklisting for this episode is:

Intro.

Area – Consepavalezza (taken from the “Arbeit Macht Frei” album – released in 1973 – Cramps Records)

The Flies – The Magic Train (single released in 1968 – Decca Records; re-issued on CD in 2002 on “The Complete Collection” – Acme Gramophone Recording Co.)

Alan Watts – Om - Part 1 (excerpt) (taken from the “Om: The Sound Of Hinduism” album – released in 1966 – Warner Brothers Records)

Spacemen 3 – Take Me To The Other Side (taken from the “Perfect Prescription” album – rel. in 1987 – Glass Records; reissued in 1996 on CD – Taang! Records)

James Brown – Get Up, Get Into It And Get Involved (single released in 1971 – Polydor records; released on the “James Brown: 70s Funk Classics” compilation – 1995 Universal Records)

Dantalian’s Chariot – This Island (recorded in 1967 – released in 1995 on the “Chariot Rising” album – Wooden Hill Records)

Kate Bush – Lake Tahoe (taken from the “50 Words For Snow” album – rel. in November 2011 – Fish People/EMI Records)

————————————A TRIP TO THE VINYL VAULT——————————–

Featured LP: The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band – “Part One” (first released in 1967 – Reprise Records/180 gram edition released in 2010 – Reprise Records)

Featured tracks: Help, I’m A Rock/Transparent Day/High Coin

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Pink Floyd – Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun (recorded live at the “Gyllene Cirkeln” (‘Golden Circle’) in Stockholm, Sweden on September 10, 1967 – audience member’s tape played back at the same location in May 2011)

Joe Meek (with Rod Freeman & The Blue Men) – Valley Of The Saroos (taken from the “I Hear A New World” EP, released in 1959 – Triumph Records/re-issued on CD in 1991 – RPM Records)

Ween – Mononucleosis (Out-take from “The Pod” sessions – recorded in 1990/1991 at ‘The Pod’ – New Hope, Pennsylvania)

Seems like everyone’s taking to the streets and the revolution may or may not be televised. While it gives me some hope in humanity – it remains to be seen whether the momentum can be maintained.

This isn’t a theme show – though now it occurs to me, diggin’ out protest songs from the archive may be an idea for a future episode. Ah well, maybe some of these tunes will be heard by some of the folks at the demos. That would be cool.

So wherever you’re choosing to occupy – here’s to people power!

The tracklist for this episode is:

Intro.

The Master Musicians Of Joujouka – Your Eyes Are Like A Cup Of Tea (taken from the “Brian Jones Presents The Pipes Of Pan At Joujouka” – released in 1971 on Rolling Stones/Atco Records. Reissued on CD in 1995 on Point Records)

Happy The Man – Morning Sun (rel. in 1978 on the “Crafty Hands” album – Arista Records)

Chris And Cosey – Impulse (released in 1982 on the “Trance” album – Rough Trade Records)

John Martyn – Ain’t No Saint (rel. in 1973 on the “Inside Outside” album – Island Records)

Syllyk – Ascendre A L’Ombre Du Vent (excerpt from the ‘La Nativite’ section) (rel. in 1996 on the album of the same name – Le Legende Des Voix Records)

The Move – Night Of Fear (live) (recorded for the Gladsaxe-Byen TV programme, “Top Pops” on 28th May,1967)

Serge Franklin – Bhairavi (released in 1970 on the “Free Sitar” album – Monde Melody Records)

P.M. Dawn – For The Love Of Peace (released in 1991 as a B-side to the “Paper Doll” single – Gee Street/Island Records)

———————————–A TRIP TO THE VINYL VAULT——————————–

Featured LP: Forever Amber – “Love Cycle” (rel. in 1969 on Advance Records – re-issued on LP in 1995 by Tenth Planet Records)

Featured tracks: The Dreamer Flies Back/Mary (The Painter)/All The Colours Of My Book

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Bert Jansch – Walking This Road (released in 2002 on the “Edge Of A Dream” album – Sanctuary Records)

The Soft Machine – Eamonn Andrews (recorded for a ‘Top Gear” session – 1969/1970 – released in 1990 on the “Soft Machine Turns On – The Peel Sessions” – Strange Fruit/Dutch East India Records)

I started this one late in August, but as always, I had to finish it in parts. It doesn’t have a lot to do with the deposed Libyan dictator – so I wouldn’t advise searching for a theme – unless you really want to.

Summer’s on the wane again – not that we had much of one in the UK. Ah well, here’s to hoping for a lovely early autumn. September’s been a bit hit and miss so far – but I remain optimistic. Roll on October!

I shall return with another episode soon. In the meantime, enjoy the long-ish days while you may!

The tracklisting for this episode is:

Intro.

Matt Bartlett – Sean Rovaldi (recorded using the ‘Songify’ iPhone app – July 2011)

Tomorrow – My White Bicycle (live at the ‘Christmas On Earth Continued’ concert – London, Dec. 1967/found on the “50-Minute Technicolour Dream” album – rel. in 1998 – RPM Records)

Sly & The Family Stone – My Gorilla Is My Butler (out-take from the “There’s A Riot Goin’ On” sessions – rec. 1971/found on the “There’s A Riot…” CD re-issue – released 2009)

John Renbourn – Morgana (taken from the “Sir John Alot Of Merrie Englandes Musyk Thyng And Ye Greene Knyghte” album – rel. in 1968 – Transatlantic Records)

Dennis Wilson – Pacific Ocean Blue (from the album of the same name – released in 1977 – CBS Records)

Rick Wakeman – Music Reincarnate – Part IV: The Reaper (taken from the “No Earthly Connection” album – released in 1976 – A&M Records)

Hipp-E – Dreemz (from the “Psycho-Delics: The Complete Trip” mini-album – rel. in 2005 – NRK Records)

Taj Mahal (w/Son House) – Between Midnight And The Day (live at Eagles Auditorium, Seattle – November 15, 1969 – bootleg recording)*

——————————–A TRIP TO THE VINYL VAULT—————————–

Featured LP: The Grid – “4,5,6″ – released in 1992 – Virgin Records

Featured tracks: Aquarium/Instrument

Leave Your Body

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Roy Harper – North Country (from the “Heavy Crazy” bootleg recording – released in 1991 – Oh Boy! Records)

Pink Floyd – Beset By Creatures Of The Deep (recorded live at the Royal Festival Hall – April 14, 1969/found on the Harvested Records title: ‘The Massed Gadgets Of Auximinies”)

The Adverts – One Chord Wonders (live at the Roxy, London – 1977/found on the ‘United Kingdom Of Punk 2″ album – rel. in 1998 – Music Club International)

*Due to a technical fault – this seems to have been wiped from the file, along with the ‘Vinyl Vault’ intro. I’ll add it to a future episode. Sorry, peeps!

Here we are in the midst of summer again! It’s not been a really hot season at K.S. Towers, but we’ve had enough muggy days for me to count it as a summer…heh heh. Enjoy it while you may.

This episode wasn’t specifically tailored for the May-August months–but some of it’s got that languid, hazy feel. It probably won’t make an ideal soundtrack to your barbeque or pool party…but it may go nicely with a balmy evening and some chilled wine..or whatever intoxicant you choose to imbibe.

That said – enjoy the episode and the remainder of your summer!

The tracklist for this episode is:

Intro.

Third Ear Band (with John Peel intro. and outro.) – Hyde Park Raga (recorded for the “Top Gear” radio programme – July 1969. First broadcast: July 24, 1969)

Goldfrapp – Caravan Girl (taken from the “Seventh Tree” album – Mute Records – released in 2008)

July – The Way (taken from the self-titled album – Major Minor Records – released in 1968. Reissued on Aftermath Records in 1998)

Fred Frith – Glass c/w Steel (from the “Guitar Solos” album – Virgin Records – released in 1974. Re-issued on Fred Records in 2002)

Psychic TV (with Andrew Weatherall) – Re-United (mix 3) (from the “Sirens” mini-album – Visionary Communications – rel. in 1995)

Kate Bush – Never Be Mine (taken from the “Director’s Cut” album – Fish People Records – released in 2011)

Camel – The White Rider (live) (from the “A Live Record” album – Decca Records – released in 1978. Reissued with bonus tracks in 2002)

———————————A TRIP TO THE VINYL VAULT——————————

Featured LP: Richie Havens – “Something Else Again” (released on Verve Forecast Records – 1968

Featured tracks: Somethin’ Else Again

No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed

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Finch – Dreamer (taken from the “Making Of….Galleons Of Passion” set – Pseudonym Records – released in 1999. Originally recorded in 1976)

Ananda Shankar – Back Home (taken from the “Ananda Shankar & His Music” album – EMI records – released in 1975)

Nina Simone – July Tree (from the “Quiet Now: Night Songs” compilation – Verve Records – released in 2000. Originally released in 1965)

I’m back with another finely-crafted episode for you, the lovely listeners! Hope you enjoyed the trip down memory lane last month (yes, I’m still planning on adding artwork)..but now, it’s back to the present..er..future..er past! Everywhere in time-space, in fact. The Stroboscope is running smoothly and about to deliver some more sublime sounds directly into your craniums.

Happy Summer to you all – the solstice was last week – I expect you’re getting some nice weather. We here in the UK had our usual “one gorgeous day”, then back to the rain! Nah, I keed, I keed – more bayootifull days will be on the way. Get outside and enjoy them – load the Kaleidophonic Stroboscope onto yer portable devices and chill out on a lazy sunny afternoon. I’m also one year older as of this month – ahh, another journey around the Sun.

Thanks to Will for the awesome K.C. tattoo, John Cole for the groovy meet-up in Oxford, and to all of you for tuning in, turning up and rocking out!

The tracklist for this episode is:

Intro.

Agitation Free – You Play For Us Today (taken from the “Malesch” album – Music Factory/Vertigo Records – released in 1972)

Barclay James Harvest – Galadriel (taken from the “Once Again” album – Harvest/EMI Records – rel. in 1971)

George Gershwin – Three Preludes For Piano:  No.1 – B-flat major, No. 2 – C-sharp major, No. 3 – E-flat major (from the “Rhapsody In Blue” CD-set – Castle Communications Records – released in 1993)

Cardiacs – The Leader Of The Starry Skies (from the “On Land And In The Sea” album – Alphabet Business Concern Records – released in 1989)

Nomads Of Dub – Spirals (taken from the “Alex Paterson – Journey Into Paradise” album – Dragonfly Records – rel. in 2001)

Daevid Allen – Stoned Innocent Frankenstein (from the “Banana Moon” album – BYG/Actual Records – released in 1971)

A.R. & Machines – Tarzan’s Abenteuer Im Sommerschlaussverkauf (taken from the “A.R. 3″ album – Zebra Records – released in 1972)

Kronos Quartet - A Cool Wind Is Blowing (taken from the “Night Prayers” album – Elektra/Nonesuch Records – rel. in 1994)

——————————–A TRIP TO THE VINYL VAULT—————————–

Featured EP: The Future Sound Of London – “The Far-Out Son Of Lung And The Ramblings Of A Madman” (Virgin Records – released 15th May, 1995)

Featured tracks: Smoking Japanese Babe/Amoeba

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The Way We Live – Siderial (taken from the “A Candle For Judith” album – Dandelion Records – released in 1971)

Family – Love Is A Sleeper (from the “A Song For Me” album – Reprise Records – released in 1970)

Hallucinogen - Solstice (Warwick Bassmonkey Mix) (taken from the “Hallucinogen In Dub” album – Twisted Records – released in 2002)

Can’t believe I’ve been doing this podcast lark for three years now! In celebration, I’ve mashed-up the first two episodes of the ‘Stroboscope, in a fun, family-size carton. Now’s your chance to time-travel back, to the dark days of 2008. I like to think my between-track banter has improved since then, but you may not agree (heh heh).

In any case, Happy Third Birthday to the K.S.! Thanks again to all those who’ve listened and left comments – I really do appreciate your kind words and lending your ears and brainboxes to my humble little show!!

The track-listing for the episode is:

The Beatles – Strawberry Fields Forever (studio out-take) (taken from the “Sweetest Apples 1967-1970″ R.O.I.O. collection – released in 2000)

Schicke Fuhrs & Frohling – Sundrops (from the “Symphonic Pictures” album – released in 1975)

Coil – Slur (from the “Horse Rotorvator” album – released in 1987)

Boards Of Canada – In A Beautiful Place Out In The Country (taken from the EP of the same name – released in 2000)

Siouxsie & The Banshees – Green Fingers (from the “A Kiss In The Dreamhouse” album – released in 1982)

Klaus Schulze – Some Velvet Phasing (taken from the “Blackdance” album – rel. in 1974)

Orbital – Tootled (from “The Altogether” album – rel. in 2001)

The Incredible String Band – The Half-Remarkable Question (taken from “The Big Huge” album – released in 1968)

Pere Ubu – Non-Alignment Pact (from “The Modern Dance” album – released in 1977)

Herbie Hancock – Watermelon Man (taken from the “Headhunters” album – rel. in 1973)

Wire – I Feel Mysterious Today (from the “Chairs Missing” album – released in 1978)

The Firesign Theatre – Temporarily Humboldt County (excerpt) (from the “Waitng For The Electrician Or Someone Like Him” album – rel. in 1968)

Le Orme – Felona (taken from the “Felona E Sorona” album – released in 1973)

Michael Prime – Racked (from the “Aquifers” album – released in 1993)

Note: There’s no “Vinyl Vault” in this one, ‘cos I hadn’t come up with the idea for the first few episodes.

Hi-De-Hi Stroboscopers! Spring-a-ding time is here – hope the world’s getting warmer and lighter where you are. We’ve had some loverly daze here for the past couple o’ weeks!

Accordingly, I’ve tried to make this episode a bit breeeezy. Nothing too heavy…O.K., maybe a little. In honour of Record Store Day, I’ve made the ‘Vinyl Vault’ section extree long! 20+ minutes of prime Procol Harum for you all…can’t beat that with a stick.

The rest? Well, you know – a little of this and a little of that. It may not be one to listen to while cold chillin’ on yer patio, but it should at least reflect a small circle of sunshine…or something.

The tracklist for this episode is:

Intro.

Kingdom Come (Arthur Brown’s band – not the shite-metal group) – Spirit Of Joy (taken from the “Journey” album – released in 1973 – Records)

Peter Hammill – The Institute Of Mental Health, Burning (from the “Nadir’s Big Chance” album – released in 1975 – Charisma Records)

Mercury Rev – Downs Are Feminine Balloons (from the “Boces” album – released in 1993 – Columbia Records)

Laura Marling – Darkness Descends (taken from the “I Speak Because I Can” album – rel. in 2010 – Virgin Records)

The Firesign Theatre – “Undecided/23 Skid Row/Cloud Ears/Uvan The Terrible/Chastushki” (except from the “Radio Hour Hour” broadcast – February, 27, 1970. Available on the “Duke Of Madness Motors” book/DVD set: http://www.firesigntheatre.com/firesale/firesale.php)

The Electric Banana – Blow Your Mind (taken from the “Blows Your Mind” album – released in 2000 – Carnabeat Records)

Ash Ra Tempel – Der Lauf Der Giraffen (from the “Private Tapes” collection – released in 1996 – Ash Ra Records. Originally recorded in 1973)

The Neon Violets – The Search (recorded in 2011 – internet-release only. Found here: www.theneonviolets.com)

Stephen Malkmus – Kindling For The Master (taken from the “Face The Truth” album – rel. in 2005 – Matador Records)

Billie Holiday – Some Other Spring (Recorded in N.Y.C. – July 1939. Available on “The Essential Billie Holiday” set – Soho/Union Square Records)

De La Soul – 3 Days Later (taken from the “Buhloone Mind State” album – rel. in 1993 – Tommy Boy Records)

—————————-A TRIP TO THE VINYL VAULT——————————

Featured LP: Procol Harum – “Shine On Brightly” – released in Sept. 1968 (U.S.) and Dec. 1968 (UK) – Regal Zonophone/A&M Records

Featured tracks: Magdalene, My Regal Zonophone

In Held ‘Twas In I:

a) Glimpses of Nirvana

b) ‘Twas Teatime at the Circus

c) In The Autumn of my Madness

d) Look to Your Soul

e) Grand Finale

Artwork: “Daydream” by Alphonse Mucha

Hullo All!

This episode would have been posted days ago, except the internet connection at our house had been pretty unstable for days now. We’ve called several times and did get a new router out of the deal, which is sweet…but it’s still touch and go. The connection was working last night – so I uploaded the show file in haste, in case it goes again.

T’internet woes aside – this one’s pretty good. A mix of electronica, prog/fusion jazz, psychedelic jamming and late 90s indie-rock. Perfect for enjoying the lovely spring sunshine…y’know, if you’ve got spring sunshine.

The tracklisting for the episode is:

Intro.

Aphex Twin – The Waxen Pith (taken from the “I Care Because You Do…” album – released in 1995)

Popol Vuh – Ah! (from the “Hosianna Mantra” album – released in 1973)

Pulp – Party Hard (from the “This Is Hardcore” album – rel. in 1998)

Paul Kantner/Jefferson Starship – Have You Seen The Stars Tonight? (taken from the “Blows Against The Empire” album – released in 1970)

Dark Company – Killer (from the “Signmaker” album – first released in 1991. Re-issue CD/download available from: http://www.wudrecords.co.uk/)

Ozric Tentacles - Sunscape (live) (taken from the “Live Underslunky” album – released in 1992)

Al Jones – All My Friends Are Back Again (recorded in 1971 – found on the “Gather In The Mushrooms” compilation, rel. in 2004)

Thin Lizzy – The Rise And Dear Demise Of The Funky Nomadic Tribes (from the “Shades Of A Blue Orphanage” album – released in 1972/also found on the Decca Records collection, “Legend Of A Mind” – rel. in 2002)

Fruupp – Prince Of Darkness (taken from the “Prince Of Heaven’s Eyes” album – released in 1973)

———————————-A TRIP TO THE VINYL VAULT—————————————-

Featured LP: Stomu Yamash’ta’s East Wind – “One By One” (released on Island Records in 1974)

Featured tracks: One By One/Hey Man/One By One (reprise)

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Ultramarine - Hymn (Mouse On Mars A Sleep Mix) (from the second “Hymn” CD single – released in 1996)

9:55 – The Callings (internet-only release – found at: “No Room For MetaphoricalPie” – http://sinisterfinister.posterous.com/)

Hallloooo friends! Still into the cooooold winter…but this is the month for l’amore. I know, I know – it’s mainly a coup for greeting card compaines and florists. For all that, though, I hope the lovers out there are enjoying themselves. This isn’t a themed show, however and only the “Vinyl Vault” section concerns itself with matters of the heart. The rest? Well, it’s the usual mixed bag…if you’ve been listening got long, you know the drill.

I apologise for my snuffling during the speech breaks at the end of the episode, I’m coming down with a head cold – always pleasant. Now I’m off for a Lemsip and rest. Back soon – enjoy!

The tracklist for this episode is:

Intro.

Acid Mothers Temple – Cosmic Audrey/Acid Takion (from the “Pataphysical Freak Out Mu!” album – released in 1999)

Ali Farka Toure & Ry Cooder – Diaraby (from the “Talking Timbuktu” album – released in 1994/also found on the “Uncut” magazine sampler, “Global A Go-Go”, rel. in 2007)

Gnarls Barkly – Who Cares? (from the “St. Elsewhere” album – released in 2006)

Amplifier - Interstellar (from the “Octopus” album – released in 2011/also found on the “Classic Rock Presents Prog” magazine sampler, “Prognosis 14″ – rel. in 2011)

Ray Charles – Busted (single release – 1963/also found on the “Anthology” CD – released in 1988)

Chad Stuart & Jeremy Clyde – Sunstroke (from the album “The Ark” – rel. in 1968)

———————————–A TRIP TO THE VINYL VAULT——————————————–

Featured LP: Kate Bush – “The Kick Inside” (released on EMI Records – February 1978)

Featured tracks: Oh To Be In Love

L’Amour Looks Something Like You

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Miles Davis - Directions (live) (from the “…At Fillmore East” album – recorded in June 1970 – released in Dec. 1970)

PJ Harvey - Horses In My Dreams (from the “Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea” album – rel. in 2000)

Julian Cope – Soldier Blue (from the “Peggy Suicide” album – released in 1991)

Enrique Granados – Danza Espanola No. 5 (from the compilation “The Spanish Guitar” – released in 2001. Piece played by Norbert Kraft. Originally written c. 1890)