6.72°C Welcome to the latest in the Keep Colchester Cool series, inviting local faces to share their top ten tracks of all time.
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.
Ahead of The Judith Charmers’ acoustic tribute to David Bowie, “The Prettiest Starman”, taking place at Three Wise Monkeys this Sunday, 28 February 2016, we thought we’d find out more about Anton Pace – followed by his top ten tracks…
Anton, ‘baby’ brother of Colchester singing legend Kate Pace (Christy Lee Band, Luigi, Private Collection, Short People and solo), has been active on the local music scene for around 40 years. He has played in – or guested with – bands including The Fabs, The 45 Men, The Crossing (1980s), Distant Sun (with Carl Seager in the 90s), Luigi (1980s), the Steve Linton Band, Private Collection (with sister Kate), Tunnel of Love (70s soul/funk), Expansions (80s jazz/funk outfit), Chunky (70s/80s covers band), Vogue (80s/New Romantic project with Paul Rutterford and Keith Lynch), The Gents (acoustic trio with Rutt and Nelson of Surfquake) and probably a few others he’s forgotten about.
He currently plays all over the country as lead singer and rhythm guitarist with classic rockabilly outfit Race with the Devil, but his heart belongs to The Judith Charmers, a Colchester-based acoustic duo with lifelong friend Paul Rutterford, formed in the mid-90s and still performing more than 20 years later.
Anton’s top ten is an attempt to identify favourites from a wide spectrum of musical tastes, though he admits it would probably be entirely different if he did the exercise next week. Given the sad events of 10 January 2016 and Anton’s 40-year love affair with the music of David Bowie, this list could easily have been made up entirely of tracks by the Dame. In the interests of variety, however, he’s tried to think beyond that and make sense of his diverse record collection.
Enjoy!
1. Life on Mars? – David Bowie (1971)
Well, there was always going to be at least one Bowie track in this listing. In 1968, the then-unknown Bowie was asked by his music publisher to write English lyrics for a 1967 French song, Comme d’habitude. His version, Even a Fool Learns to Love, was rejected and never recorded. The lyrics later provided by Paul Anka became the multi-million-selling hit My Way for Frank Sinatra. Bowie reworked the chords and created Life on Mars? – The liner notes on Hunky Dory read “inspired by Frankie”. Utterly beautifully put together and performed – Bowie has surely never sung better, and Rick Wakeman’s piano is key to the track’s success. This song never fails to move me. Just perfect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v–IqqusnNQ
2. Since I Don’t Have You – The Skyliners (1958)
I fell in love with this song through repeated viewings of American Graffiti. It’s a perfect torch song and a great example of the sentimental side of 50s doo-wop. Lead singer Jimmy Beaumont had one of the era’s great voices, and his performance here is beautiful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzyEd2soQkk
3. Girlfriend in a Coma – The Smiths (1987)
I love The Smiths and Morrissey’s solo work. Yes, he can be a bit of a miserable so-and-so, and the subject matter here is dark, but the contrast between the sombre lyrics and the light, playful music is irresistible. Two minutes and 18 seconds of brilliant pop. I always play it twice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GhoWZ5qTwI
4. Sing, Sing, Sing – Benny Goodman (1937)
Written and first recorded by Louis Prima, but Goodman’s version is one of the most exciting pieces of instrumental music ever recorded. Featuring Gene Krupa on drums and Harry James and Ziggy Elman on trumpet, it’s forever associated with dancing for me. Exhausting, but joyous.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIoTpeM6o2A
5. Satellite of Love – Lou Reed (1972)
From the brilliant Transformer album. Reed’s lazy drawl is right on the money, but Bowie’s production and backing vocals make this track heavenly. The intertwining vocal lines at the end still thrill me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH2EgYq_NCY
6. Follow That Dream – Elvis Presley (1961)
An utterly joyous piece of Presley perfection. Elvis is one of my biggest heroes and this track never fails to lift my spirits. It reminds me of how he followed his dream with purpose and energy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am05yZehlAM
7. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes – Elvis Costello (1977)
Costello is a genius. This track showcases his brilliant composition, idiosyncratic delivery and wicked lyrical ability. “I said I’m so happy I could die / She said drop dead then left with another guy” still makes me laugh.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJKt-DhII_4
8. I’m Every Woman – Chaka Khan (1978)
Oh, Chaka. What a voice. Taken from her first solo album, this is an incredible vocal performance. She deserves to be mentioned alongside the greats. A song full of memories for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTgKscVa7-A
9. Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana (1991)
This knocked me off my feet when I first heard it. I still remember being handed a promo cassette of Nevermind and being told it would blow my mind. It did. The whole album is genius. RIP Kurt Cobain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTWKbfoikeg
10. Hello, Goodbye – The Beatles (1967)
Impossible to leave The Beatles out of a top ten. They changed popular music forever. This may not be their most adventurous song, but it epitomises what made them great. True genius.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rblYSKz_VnI
