The Hand You Are Dealt

This week’s vinyl display is all about what is in the cards.

Big Bite

The Friday Song today is from Elton John. Since most people know him I will give him no introduction; instead let’s talk about the song.

Have you ever heard a song and just went yeah, I wish that song could just go on; it finished way too soon; it had such a great groove or chorus or whatever going on and I could just listen to it for ages. If you have ever felt this way, then this song is for you.

If on the other hand you hate repetitive long-winded songs that just go on and on, then this song is not for you.

“Bite Your Lip” is the last song on Blue Moves, which was an Elton John double LP from 1976. Maybe it was because he was having trouble filling up two sides of two albums that Elton went with this epic song that took up a fair chunk of vinyl in order to close the album; who can say. But for me, it works.

The album version is over 6 minutes long and achieves such a frenzy of intensity, with the continued exhortation to get up, get up, get up and dance that I do just that every time I hear it (I refrain from biting my lip though). Sadly I could not find the album version anywhere on online but I have found a live version complete with gospel choir as on the album version, that almost re-captures the essence of the recorded version. It is a bit shorter, a fact that the drummer (is that you Nigel Olsson?) is grateful of.

And as a bonus, if you want more of the same, I have also a second live version of this song with Elton dressed up as a certain famous cartoon duck. Since my blog this week started with ducks, I thought it suitable to end with ducks.

Blue is the colour

On display this week, my favourite colour:

Song for a Friday

Time for something new and recurring. I’m going to call it Song for a Friday.

Our first pick comes from an event earlier this week wherein I introduced some work mates to The Mighty Hannibal. It all came about from the news of Elton John’s upcoming album, where he is working with Leon Russell. The impending album will also feature a guest spot by The Mighty Hannibal.

So who is The Mighty Hannibal? A quick perusal of his mini-autobiography as included in his Hannibalism compilation album reveals him to have been many things. A singer, a songwriter, a businessman, a producer, a pimp,and a junkie. He taught Marvin Gaye how to dance; he introduced Jimi Hendrix to Little Richard; he used to go fishing with best friends Larry Williams and Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson; had annual parties with Joe Tex and Sam Cooke. He worked in films as an extra; he worked for Johnny Otis; he made an add for Budweiser about malted beer. He claims to have the only picture in the world of James Brown with an afro. James begged for it to be destroyed. Now that James has passed on perhaps Hannibal will release it. Oh, Hannibal also once stole an elephant.

So here is the song for this Friday; It is The Mighty Hannibal with Get In The Groove. I hope it helps make your Friday.

For those wanting more Hannibal here is Jerkin The Dog from the mid 60′s and The Truth Shall Make You Free from the early 70′s.