This month will see the release of London’s Durham siblings Kitty, Daisy & Lewis’ brand new record (third) full length LP titled The Third.
A follow up to their acclaimed record Smoking In Heaven, the trio continue their musical legacy of performing songs that were handed down and sung at family gatherings playing any instrument they lay their hands on.
Inspired by the eclectic mix up of Pop, R’n’B & Blues, Psychedelic Rock, Soul, Country, Jazz and Ska, the new album is out January 30th, and promises to be something pretty special.
To celebrate its release, Kitty has curated a list of her favourite songs from yesteryear. Check them out, it’s the next best thing to a time machine. For more info on The Third visit www.shockrecords.com.au.
Bert Kaempfert – ‘A Swinging Safari’
“The first track off the album ‘A Swinging Safari’ by German composer Bert Kaempfert. Our parents had this on LP and cassette tape when we were little and it’s always been a family favourite. In my opinion it’s one of the best recordings ever made. It opens with the flutes playing the main melody followed by the kick drum and acoustic guitar which gives it that infectious rhythm and then the “knack-bass” kicks in and we’d all be jumping around the living room! It instantly puts a smile on my face whenever I hear it.”
Alexei Sayle – ‘Ullo John! Gotta New Motor?’
“A classic, hilarious record by comedian Alexei Sayle and another childhood favourite of ours.
I remember playing at a festival in Holland a few years ago which Alexei Sayle was performing at, we didn’t get to see him live but we saw him eating breakfast at our hotel and my mum was like “go on! Say Ullo!” but by the time we’d plucked up the courage he’d left. It’s probably one of the only times I’ve been star struck, probably because we used to listen to that record so much.”
The Gun – ‘Race With The Devil’
“My mum would play this record when we were kids and we’d go fucking mental. We had these old battered tennis rackets which we would get out and pretend to play guitar and start heading banging.
Years later when we acquired our trumpet player Eddie “Tan Tan” Thornton he told us that he’d played on that record which makes it even more special for us.”
Gary Glitter – ‘Rock & Roll Part 1’
“Whenever I hear that intro on the drums I’ll be up out of my seat. I was lucky enough to go see the The Glitter Band live at the Buffalo Bar in Islington when I was a teenager, hands down one of the best gigs I’ve ever seen.
This is another record my mum had and I’d shout “again again!” when it finished, so she’d flip it over and play the B side – Rock & Roll Part 2.”
Sonny Boy Williamson – ‘Polly Put Your Kettle On’
“Me, Daisy and Lewis discovered this record at our Grandma’s house when we were kids and became obsessed.
I fell in love with Sonny Boy’s harmonica playing and we took it home and learned the song which we later put on our first album. It wasn’t necessarily the notes he was playing but there was just something about the jumpy rhythm that drew me in and inspired the way I’ve played harmonica since.”
‘The Velvet Underground & Nico’ – Femme Fatale
“We had this on tape in our car and was pretty much the soundtrack to every family holiday we ever had (as well as ABBA Gold!) One of my earliest memories is falling asleep to this in the car. Daisy got a new dog recently and named her after Nico.”
Granville Williams Orchestra – ‘The Third Man Theme’
“An excellent version of the Anton Karas classic. It features a couple of amazing guitar solos by Ernest Ranglin, who we were lucky enough to meet.
During a tour a couple of years ago we had an idea to incorporate the melody into our song “I’m So Sorry” whilst we were in Vienna (where The Third Man film was set). We started playing it and everybody started cheering, I think we’ll have to do it again next time we’re in Vienna!”
Sister Rosetta Tharpe – ‘Up Above My Head’
“A gospel duet recorded in the 1940’s by one of my favourite guitarists Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight. I love anything by Sister Rosetta but I really like the call and response vocals on this track, not to mention the killer guitar solo in the middle.”
