Inside the minds of the world’s finest DJs and producers
Disco Mystery And Attitude with Ashley Beedle
“It’s always there under the radar in it’s pure underground form or in your face courtesy of one of the latest chart acts (think Lady Gaga). It constantly gets it’s fair share of coverage in the media, in fact BBC4 will be broadcasting a documentary http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17017805
This will be to celebrate 10 years of BBC4 broadcasting. It, my friends, is DISCO!!!
Now, before you all go “disco is so over!!”, let’s just think about the impact this culture has had and still continues to exert over modern dance music. House music is it’s bastard child, it was/is disco done cheap. The attitude of modern dance music wholly holds a debt to the culture of disco. We cannot escape it, it’s in our dance DNA!
It still gives me a thrill to hear a sublime Ashford & Simpson production popping out of the radio (very rare these days) or having a little dig in a second hand record shop and pulling a mint copy of Gladys Knight and The Pips – Taste Of Bitter Love for a couple of quid, which can only put the broadest smile on your face. : )
Regardless of the amount of books, documentaries, articles etc on disco, commercial disco, rare disco, legendary disco venues, legendary disco era deejays, WHATEVER! It still has a deep fascination for me. I don’t really collect disco records much anymore, maybe the odd one or two, but I would never be parted from my collection of 12” records – just because – for me personally – all those records tell a fascinating story. Good times and bad times are etched in those grooves!
I will watch the BBC4 documentary and, no doubt, like everybody else I will find fault and watch everybody discussing it on Facebook – having a pop that it was “all about the Bee Gees and Studio 54” but I really don’t mind anymore. You see, in my own head, I still have the disco attitude.
ASHLEY BEEDLE’S DISCO ATTITUDE 15
1) The Black Crowes – I Ain’t Hiding (Heavy Disco Edit) = Modern Artifacts 12”
2) Andy Gibb – Shadow Dancing – RSO 12”
3) Madonna – Vogue (Shep Pettibone Mix) – Sire 12”
4) Lady Gaga – Paparazzi – Interscope/Various – Maxi CD
5) The Rolling Stones – Dance Part 2 – Rolling Stones 12”
6) Feist – Inside And Out – Polydor Album cut.
7) Roxy Music – Angel Eyes – Polydor/EG 12”.
8) Beyonce – Vogue Evolution – Youtube
9) Frankie Valli – Swearing To God – Private Stock 12”
10) Alan White – Oooh Baby – Atalantic Album cut.
11) Carly Simon – Tranquillo – Elektra 12”
12) Shirley Bassey = You Take My Heart Away – EMI Album Cut.
13) Wham – Lovemaker (Horse Meat Disco Edit) – Strut Album cut.
14) BB King – To Know You Is To Love You – MCA Album cut.
15) Kiki Dee – Chicago – Rocket 12”
Love, Red Lights, Basements & Glitterballs…
Ashley Beedle
