5.39°C Keep Colchester Cool’s series, inviting local faces to share their top ten tracks of all time, returns.
There are no rules – some will explain why they’ve chosen particular tracks; others won’t. Either way, it offers an insight into what has influenced some of our local heroes over the years.
This week, it’s the turn of Lou Moodie. Many of you will know Lou as the Managing Director of Music Warehouse, and of course, for his musicianship over the years.
I’ve chosen this top ten to kick-start the new year, as Lou celebrated 30 years of Music Warehouse last year, and next week he’ll be turning a very young 60. Happy Birthday, sir!
I asked Lou for a summary of the bands he’s been involved in, and it makes a cracking read…
“As a youngster, aged 13 (1969), I played in ‘The Amberlites’. We were four brothers and were like The Osmonds. We were professional between 1977 and 1981 and played alongside many famous people. Our first gig was at the ABC Cinema, now the Playhouse. I also played in a band in the 70s called ‘Blackjack’ with my long-term friend Steve Travis Greenfield. Our best gig was warming up the crowd for Thin Lizzy in Cromer. Both bands were nearly signed and nearly famous. In the late 80s, my wife Sue and I, along with Kate Pace (Webb) and Keith Williams, had a chart music band called ‘Luigi’. We used to play at the Piccolo Padre and were very popular. Around 2001, I played guitar with the local band ‘Harlequin’, and now I play in my Beatles band ‘Abbey Road’.”
Here are Lou Moodie’s top ten tracks of all time. Enjoy!
1) Guitar Boogie – Arthur Smith
This is the first instrumental I ever learnt. Arthur Smith did the best version of this in the forties. The fast piece in the middle is difficult to play. There have been different interpretations of the track by Bert Weedon and The Shadows, but the Arthur Smith version is the best.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDyjxpw1vBs
2) Apache – Hank Marvin and The Shadows
This is the first instrumental I learnt in a minor key, using the trem arm and an echo unit. Hank uses echo that you can’t get with most delay pedals. They are multi-tapped delays and well thought out. I have a very rare Shadows album where Hank and Bruce Welsh do not use echo at all, and this shows off their great guitar skills.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzgbcyfJgfQ
3) Voodoo Chile – Jimi Hendrix
I have never heard anyone play this track live and make it sound anything like the record. What fantastic guitar playing and an amazing sound from the Fender Stratocaster.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZBlqcbpmxY
4) Contusion – Stevie Wonder (Mike Sembello on guitar)
Lots of people remember Songs in the Key of Life but forget this track featuring Mike Sembello on guitar. Mike was only 22 when he played this. It takes a lot of learning and Mike himself plays it differently every time – a great improviser. I did see Nik Kershaw play it in “Fusion” with Reg Webb and Kenny Elson at Swinburne Hall in the early 80s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2S6Kjqi5vk
5) Roundabout – Yes (Steve Howe on guitar)
This is a track that’s appreciated even more on headphones. Five brilliant musicians playing superbly together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Tdu4uKSZ3M
6) Country Boy – Albert Lee
If you don’t like country music, take a listen to this. Country solo picking at its best – fast and sometimes slightly jazzy. Albert makes it look easy and effortless, but it’s not.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PscAZyOMGiA
7) Affirmation – George Benson
This is the first jazz instrumental I ever attempted to learn. I learnt the meaning of passing notes in jazz. Because Benson was also a pop singer, he used the guitar as an extension of his voice. In improvisation, I think he heard the notes before he played them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PUB1ko1vOo
8) White Room – Cream (Jack Bruce)
I was lucky enough to meet and talk to Jack about his past, his meeting with Hendrix and his life in Glasgow. A very interesting and knowledgeable person – brilliant songwriter, bassist, pianist and vocalist. White Room is my favourite Jack Bruce song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCc00pX_pFA
9) Hotel California – The Eagles
Everyone knows how brilliant this band is. The tightest vocals and harmonies ever, and this track has one of the finest guitar solos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puHoadtIivc
10) Get Back – The Beatles
This is the only Beatles song that cover bands struggle to play correctly. Typical of all Beatles songs, it builds from beginning to end – simple bass and drums, two different-sounding guitars interacting with Billy Preston on Fender Rhodes. I love it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BmVUxmVBKc
