This is Volume 2 in our new series sampling some musical treasures in the Fruit Tree Records collected archives that today focuses not on new re-issues, but rather a selection of tunes that have been pulled off the shelves and had the dust blown off them for a deserved revival. There is no greater pleasure than a random grab from decades of record/CD collecting and appreciating music for no other reason than… it is worth hearing again to re-capture its original excitement. Keep the music alive… and if you want to add anything played here to your own collection then track information and purchase links can be found below.

Tracks – Fruit Tree Records – The Fruit Cellar Vol. 2

Romeo Had Juliette (Single Version) – Lou Reed https://amzn.to/41vIKbc Lou Reed was not an especially prolific singles artist but all the same, in the final twenty five years of his life he did put out some of his best work and record companies did at least have a punt at some single chart action. 1989’s ‘New York’ has already stood the test of time and a strong case can be made for calling it Lou’s masterpiece. This opening track was tried as a single and even had its own ‘clean’ mix with a much punchier start than the classic warm up and count-in that introduces the full length album version. The deluxe edition that I have taken it from is an essential addition to any Lou Reed collection and lays the groundwork for future excavations of Lou’s archives that I am always eager to hear…more soon please!

Keep In The Dark – Temples https://amzn.to/4tTY8dH Temples ‘Sun Structures’ still stands as the moment where everything aligned for them; the sound, the vision and the mystique so over a decade on it remains the record where their neo‑psych ambitions felt the most effortless and the most fully realised.

Love For A Day – Ramsey Lewis https://amzn.to/4tMjFon This heavenly slice of funky jazz was the closing track on pianist Ramsey’s 1974 ‘Solar Wind’ album which, if you follow the link, can be collected on a superb 2-CD set comprising that and three other Lewis albums from the period; ‘Funky Serenity,’ ‘Golden Hits’ and ‘Sun Goddess’

Sunburnt Virgin Trousers – Knocker Jungle https://amzn.to/3O46pMT Knocker Jungle released their only album of the same name on Ember in 1970. They were two young musicians/songwriters, Tony Coop and Keith Jones who recorded the rare LP with the help of Dave Mattacks on drums (Fairport Convention), Dave Pegg on bass (Fairport Convention), Phil Pickett on keyboards (of Sailor fame), and Tony Cox producing. This particular tune is also available on the three CD progressive jazz set I have directed you to in the link.

Hip (Eponymous) Poor Boy – Jack White https://amzn.to/3QoAcjT Taken from his 2012 album ‘Blunderbuss’ which occupies a pivotal place in White’s canon: it’s widely regarded as his most cohesive and emotionally direct statement not to mention his first solo release after the official break up of the White Stripes. Critics at the time treated it as all the evidence needed to celebrate Jack as a major 21st century artist in his own right, capable of commanding a musical identity definitively his own.

Original Love – Josephine https://amzn.to/3Oi2Tyv Also released in 2012, the debut album from Josephine Oniyama is a soulful, genre‑blending set from a Manchester artist with a striking voice, strong songwriting, and a stylistic range that set her apart from the UK singer‑songwriter field of the time. ‘Portrait’ featured musicians such as Seb Rochford and Ed Harcourt (who is soon to make an appearance of his own further down this tracklist) and frustratingly, given the potential on display, preceded a ten year wait for the next Josephine release. Still, at least she is still active and remains a modern soulful writer worth keeping an ear out for.

Sweet Pear – Elvis Costello https://amzn.to/4dIRRN0 By the time Elvis released his 1991 album ‘Mighty Like A Rose,’ he was seeing his commercial muscle take a hit in tandem with his artistic facility showing an ever evolving range. His confidence seemed to grow in reaction against all the luddites unable to comprehend how this former new-wave, sharp suited geek could be mixing with classical quartets, jazz legends and songwriting icons of the twentieth century and not only that, holding his own in their company. The fact of the matter is, the lazy argument that he put out too much music for people to keep up with has no credibility because, especially around this time, everything Elvis turned his hand to was worth investigating and investing some time in. ‘Sweet Pear’ is buried away towards the end of its parent album but, enjoyed in isolation, sounds nothing less than a gloriously emotive, dramatic career highlight.

Don’t Ask Why – Neil Finn https://amzn.to/4cw8VU9 Much like Mike Scott with the Waterboys or Trent Reznor with Nine Inch Nails, Neil Finn has probably had to reluctantly accept that he is better known, and therefore a far greater commercial proposition, when putting out his songs under the Crowded House name rather than his own. It is a shame things have to be this way for, as can be heard on this track, featured on Neil’s 2001 album ‘One Nil,’ he has made some lovely music alone every bit as good as the classics associated with his famous group.

Born To Be With You – The Chordettes https://amzn.to/4vAYvLO The Chordettes were an American female vocal quartet from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, best known for close‑harmony pop hits of the 1950s such as ‘Mr. Sandman’ and ‘Lollipop.’ They formed in 1946, originally singing folk material before moving into the barbershop‑influenced pop style that made them famous. This song came out in 1956 on the Cadence Records label and I have taken it from a superb compilation by the ever dependable Ace Records (linked) called ‘The Fabulous Chordettes.’

I’m Leaving – The Tribe https://amzn.to/4vxnqj9 This originally came out as a 1966 b-side on the Planet label of a single called ‘The Gamma Goochie.’ Original 45s, going on the median price available at Discogs today, are selling for around £70 and I would guess that is down to the raw, garage-leaning riffage and tight energy heard on this track. The band was composed of lead singer, John Neighbor, organist Martin Lee, guitarist, Frank Torpey, Dennis Cowan on bass, and drummer Malcolm Wolfe. I have sourced the track (and linked above) from a superb compilation entitled ‘Planet Beat: From The Shel Talmy Vaults.’

Golden Sands – Paul Weller https://amzn.to/3O22aBu Much like the catalogue of Elvis Costello, it is an error to pass up the solo work of Paul Weller simply because there is so much of it or because he has a natural tendency to explore sonic avenues previously untouched. He is less like Elvis in as much as there is generally a mod-rooted authenticity and conviction that Weller brings to all his work, like a badge of recognition, and there really are a lot of deep cuts waiting to astound and delight those willing to dig deeper. This little gem comes from a less championed album by the Modfather, arguably because it followed the one-two punch of a brace of all-time classics, but I would argue it makes good on the point I am emphasising here.

She Fell Into My Arms – Ed Harcourt https://amzn.to/4mBgk9y As promised previously, here is a fine solo cut from an artist who, when reviewing albums, I increasingly seem to mention in a production, behind the scenes context and furthermore, the observations I make on his work are generally laced with high praise. Ed Harcourt makes the current musical landscape a far better place with his contributions but I am of a mind to state that his own work and albums should not be allowed to slide too far from view.

Ella’s Moonshine – Max Jury https://amzn.to/4mzigiH Max Jury was a young piano playing singer-songwriter from Des Moines, Iowa when he released his self-titled debut album, from which this little deep cut is taken, some ten years ago now. It harks back to a golden age of Americana, Soul, Country, Gospel and Blues, whilst stepping boldly into the future driven by his incredible voice. Happily, Max has continued to build on the promise heard here but I do retain my strongest affections for the raw talent on show with this debut.

Time To Cry – Jon Allen https://amzn.to/4tOE7oL Here is another fine writer who taps into an authentic early seventies grain, pulling in credible influences like Elton John and The Faces into his sound, but always making music that plays like it comes from a place of honest expression. He nearly broke through in a big way once when all the DJs with functioning ears picked up on a song of his called ‘Dead Man’s Suit’ but Jon is so much more than a one tune wonder. All his records, which he continues to release to this day, are worth checking out and I put forward ‘Time To Cry’ as my first bit of supportive evidence

Mr Harris – Aimee Mann https://amzn.to/4cPoeHV The lead track from Aimee’s 1993 ‘Whatever’ album, ‘I Should’ve Known,’ very nearly brought her the widespread exposure her talents continue to warrant. But as always with a writer of her pedigree, it is buried at the deep end of an album where the real hardcore treasure can be found. Such as this, a biting reflection on an age-gap relationship from the perspective of the younger partner.

Misterioso – Thelonious Monk with Milt Jackson https://amzn.to/42ehu0Z Although sourced from a Blue Note re-issue of a Milt Jackson album called ‘Wizard Of The Vibes,’ it is observed in the sleevenotes that the 1948 session from which this track is taken was one of the most significant in Thelonious’s career. Gunther Schuller called it a “summation of Monk’s work up to that time, and, in both composition and solo, a wonderous example of his artistic maturity and his awareness of the challenge of discipline and economy.”

Real Life – Joan As Police Woman https://amzn.to/3QalI7f Although much of the Joan Wasser focus at the moment is going to be on the twentieth anniversary re-interpretation she is releasing of the classic ‘Real Life’ album, I could not resist going to my library and revisiting the unbelievable emotional intensity of the original album and this song in particular. It gets me every time.