BARENAKED LADIES
I think these dudes are Canadian and I am pretty sure they did the theme song to Spin City - Fabulous sitcom created by Bill Lawrence (also created Scrubs!) with Michael J Fox (Alex P. Keaton - my overachieving hero), Michael Boatman (China Beach), Bary Bostwick (Brad to Susan Sarandan's Dammit Janet in Rocky Horror) and Alan Ruck (Cameron in Ferris Bueller's Day off). So mad cast, mad show! Anyway, I do not mind their stuff, but really love this one...
TRACK FOURTEEN: One Week
Man - that is a LOT of lyrics...one of my must do's is to try and memorise the entire song - not there yet. It just jumps straight into the lyrics, and off you go on a crazy ride. The tune and rhythms are great and catchy, and really clever how they match the words. Favourite lines are:
"I have a tendancy to wear my mind on sleeve" - for obvious reasons!
"Bert Kaempferts got the mad hits" - well he did, but to reference Bert in a song is way mad!
And this section - great, nutty words...
"Watchin' X-Files with no lights on, were dans la maison, I hope the Smoking Man's in this one. Like Harrison Ford I'm getting Frantic, Like Sting I'm getting tantric. Like Snickers, guaranteed to satisfy, Like Kurosawa I make mad films."
How good is that?
And for the record I could never watch The X-Files with no lights on, in fact I taped it and watched it at the weekend in the middle of the day with lots of sunlight and hoped it was not the last thing I recalled as I was dozing off to sleep that night!!!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Bananarama
BANANARAMA
Great name, great voice - not many women around at that time in the 80s, even Madonna and Cyndi Lauper were relatively unknown when Bananarama came on the scene. Great harmonies, pure pop, a lot lost in the translation today, but hey it was the 80s and they were fun. Their 'style' questionable - raggy shirts, dirty jeans and tossled hair, badly dyed with sharp makeup - man I wanted that look. Even though I do love Robert De Niro's waiting (talking Italian, and come on we all wish De Niro was waiting!) I have chosen Shy Boy as it was an instant favourite, had not heard it in a while and it took me back to a more innocent time...ironic given the lyrics...
TRACK THIRTEEN: Shy Boy
Basic pop, good vocals and distinctive percussion. Loved the shoop shoop bits and the ahhhs, makes you want to bang a tamborine. What more can I say?
Great name, great voice - not many women around at that time in the 80s, even Madonna and Cyndi Lauper were relatively unknown when Bananarama came on the scene. Great harmonies, pure pop, a lot lost in the translation today, but hey it was the 80s and they were fun. Their 'style' questionable - raggy shirts, dirty jeans and tossled hair, badly dyed with sharp makeup - man I wanted that look. Even though I do love Robert De Niro's waiting (talking Italian, and come on we all wish De Niro was waiting!) I have chosen Shy Boy as it was an instant favourite, had not heard it in a while and it took me back to a more innocent time...ironic given the lyrics...
TRACK THIRTEEN: Shy Boy
Basic pop, good vocals and distinctive percussion. Loved the shoop shoop bits and the ahhhs, makes you want to bang a tamborine. What more can I say?
Badfinger
BADFINGER
The story of Badfinger really breaks my heart, I think they could really have been something else. They had hits for sure, but tragedy and infighting collapsed them to an underated, and to some unknown, band from the 70s. They formed in the mid 60s and were called The Iveys and were mildly successful until a certain Paul McCartney gave them a song to record - Come and get it. They were subsequently signed to Apple records and changed their name to the unfortunate Badfinger (one wonders how they would have faired had they gone with a suggestion from Lennon to call themselves The Prix!).
Come and get it was a huge hit and they were one of the first bands in the 70s to perform the 'power ballad'. They were often compared to The Beatles which helped and hindered their career, and had a very close relationship with John, Paul, George and Ringo - they collaborated on solo Beatles' music and The Beatles assisted them with Badfinger. They also had Geoff Emerick and Mal Evans (both Beatles producers and assistants) helping produce their sound. But infighting and female influence (think Yoko type situations!) and 2 suicides halted the band becoming as big as their helpers, The Beatles. Their biggest claim to fame though was writing the song, Without You as covered by Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey and heard on Bridget Jones's Diary. Their version was more subtle and rockier, good, but Nilsson makes it his own.
TRACK ELEVEN: No matter what
A great rockin', power ballad with soaring guitars and vocals - as soon as you hear it, it is familiar. Great lyrics and it was their first top ten single as written by band members, showing they had something to offer themselves, despite a 'little help from their friends'!
TRACK TWELVE: Day after day
Another great power ballad, produced by George Harrison and Todd Lundgren and featuring the great Leon Russell on piano. I would have sworn McCartney wrote this, and you can feel his influence in the sweet harmonies, classic lines 'looking out of my lonely room, day after day...", great piano, guitar and drum lines.
The story of Badfinger really breaks my heart, I think they could really have been something else. They had hits for sure, but tragedy and infighting collapsed them to an underated, and to some unknown, band from the 70s. They formed in the mid 60s and were called The Iveys and were mildly successful until a certain Paul McCartney gave them a song to record - Come and get it. They were subsequently signed to Apple records and changed their name to the unfortunate Badfinger (one wonders how they would have faired had they gone with a suggestion from Lennon to call themselves The Prix!).
Come and get it was a huge hit and they were one of the first bands in the 70s to perform the 'power ballad'. They were often compared to The Beatles which helped and hindered their career, and had a very close relationship with John, Paul, George and Ringo - they collaborated on solo Beatles' music and The Beatles assisted them with Badfinger. They also had Geoff Emerick and Mal Evans (both Beatles producers and assistants) helping produce their sound. But infighting and female influence (think Yoko type situations!) and 2 suicides halted the band becoming as big as their helpers, The Beatles. Their biggest claim to fame though was writing the song, Without You as covered by Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey and heard on Bridget Jones's Diary. Their version was more subtle and rockier, good, but Nilsson makes it his own.
TRACK ELEVEN: No matter what
A great rockin', power ballad with soaring guitars and vocals - as soon as you hear it, it is familiar. Great lyrics and it was their first top ten single as written by band members, showing they had something to offer themselves, despite a 'little help from their friends'!
TRACK TWELVE: Day after day
Another great power ballad, produced by George Harrison and Todd Lundgren and featuring the great Leon Russell on piano. I would have sworn McCartney wrote this, and you can feel his influence in the sweet harmonies, classic lines 'looking out of my lonely room, day after day...", great piano, guitar and drum lines.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Australian Crawl
AUSTRALIAN CRAWL
Ok - confession time...I was a surfer chick in my mid teens - yeah I had a body then and tanned up better than any of that fake shit the kids wear today (stressed about skin cancer now mind you). I even did bikinis and looked halfway decent - but geez, who didn't when they were 15? As I got older, wiser....larger...I gave the beach away. I prefer au natural skin tone, prefer to keep cancer as much at bay as I can, never could swim properly and really hate how sand gets into the wierdest places. Plus, unless you are actually surfing (I dip my hat to people who can - man a shark could eat you!), or entertaining children, it's a pretty vacuous past-time...
However, Australian Crawl who were my soundtrack during that short period of my life still remain dear to me. I could never really understand half of what James Reyne was singing - who could? But it sounded good, sounded like fun and I do remember him singing Beautiful People with both arms in casts on Countdown when they debuted - how could you not pay attention, very cute (I actually preferred the gorgeous Brad Robinson - check out the cover of Sirocco and you will understand) boys, arms moving madly in plaster, and strange lyrics to strange music....love 'em! The McDonough brothers (less fortunate looking than Brad, James and Simon and the other one...I think he played Bass) wrote most of the music and were clearly the talent from a musical pov, but James was not so bad. I found it hard to choose what to add, but despite having pretty much everything by them on vinyl I only had Boys light up and Sirocco on CD. I decided to choose one from each!
TRACK NINE: Way I've Been
Boys Light Up the album has Boys light up, Beautiful People, Downhearted, Indisposed and Hoochie Gucci Fiorucci Mama on it - all great songs. But I choose Way I've Been as it is a simply, understated pop song and an overlooked tune by them. To me it is the essence of the album - bright, happy, loaded lyrics, a little reggae influence and simply fun!
TRACK TEN: Easy on your own
Sirocco is probably my favourite Crawl album. It has the hits of Errol,Things don't seem, Oh no not you again and Lakeside, but every other song is also a gem, especially Unpublished critics, Trusting you, Can I be sure and this one, Easy on your own. It's repetitive, 'easy', great guitar riff, and a real singalong laid back classic. And did you know Kerrie Armstrong (Seachange, Lantana and Bed of Roses) has a writing credit on it, not sure what parts? She was dating Brad at the time...
Ok - confession time...I was a surfer chick in my mid teens - yeah I had a body then and tanned up better than any of that fake shit the kids wear today (stressed about skin cancer now mind you). I even did bikinis and looked halfway decent - but geez, who didn't when they were 15? As I got older, wiser....larger...I gave the beach away. I prefer au natural skin tone, prefer to keep cancer as much at bay as I can, never could swim properly and really hate how sand gets into the wierdest places. Plus, unless you are actually surfing (I dip my hat to people who can - man a shark could eat you!), or entertaining children, it's a pretty vacuous past-time...
However, Australian Crawl who were my soundtrack during that short period of my life still remain dear to me. I could never really understand half of what James Reyne was singing - who could? But it sounded good, sounded like fun and I do remember him singing Beautiful People with both arms in casts on Countdown when they debuted - how could you not pay attention, very cute (I actually preferred the gorgeous Brad Robinson - check out the cover of Sirocco and you will understand) boys, arms moving madly in plaster, and strange lyrics to strange music....love 'em! The McDonough brothers (less fortunate looking than Brad, James and Simon and the other one...I think he played Bass) wrote most of the music and were clearly the talent from a musical pov, but James was not so bad. I found it hard to choose what to add, but despite having pretty much everything by them on vinyl I only had Boys light up and Sirocco on CD. I decided to choose one from each!
TRACK NINE: Way I've Been
Boys Light Up the album has Boys light up, Beautiful People, Downhearted, Indisposed and Hoochie Gucci Fiorucci Mama on it - all great songs. But I choose Way I've Been as it is a simply, understated pop song and an overlooked tune by them. To me it is the essence of the album - bright, happy, loaded lyrics, a little reggae influence and simply fun!
TRACK TEN: Easy on your own
Sirocco is probably my favourite Crawl album. It has the hits of Errol,Things don't seem, Oh no not you again and Lakeside, but every other song is also a gem, especially Unpublished critics, Trusting you, Can I be sure and this one, Easy on your own. It's repetitive, 'easy', great guitar riff, and a real singalong laid back classic. And did you know Kerrie Armstrong (Seachange, Lantana and Bed of Roses) has a writing credit on it, not sure what parts? She was dating Brad at the time...
Augie March
AUGIE MARCH
I have seen them live and really like them, and the feel of their music. Glenn, the lead singer is rather cute also. I cannot say - with the exception of the chosen song - that any other song really stands out for me. They are just one of those nice, melodic bands that are easy to listen to but nothing too special....excepting for...
TRACK EIGHT: One Crowded Hour
The winner of many awards and deservedly so. Augie March are not like other one hit wonders mentioned here, yet this is their ONE BIG HIT - but how can you top it? As said previously, their other songs are nothing to be ashamed of and I enjoy them, but this is one special song! It is also one of my two favourite types of songs the perfect melancholy ballad.(the other being rock'n'roll as demonstrated earlier by You shook me all night long). Like any good ballad, it starts slow, soft, just a guitar melody with stunning lyrics that transport you directly to the intention of the song. The it builds slowly, stronger, faster, the rest of the band joins the vocals and guitars. There is not a bum note, or an unnecessary word. I listen to this song and shiver, I understand exactly what he is singing and I always admire someone who seemingly effortlessly squeezes fat, full, many lyrics into a tune and pull it off - they do! "One crowded hour...could lead to my wreck and ruin"....ahhhh that's love! Some facts about this song is that is was written at Deborah Conway's house (but, of course) as an exercise in trying to write the classic 60s pop-ballad. I think he suceeded - what about you?
I have seen them live and really like them, and the feel of their music. Glenn, the lead singer is rather cute also. I cannot say - with the exception of the chosen song - that any other song really stands out for me. They are just one of those nice, melodic bands that are easy to listen to but nothing too special....excepting for...
TRACK EIGHT: One Crowded Hour
The winner of many awards and deservedly so. Augie March are not like other one hit wonders mentioned here, yet this is their ONE BIG HIT - but how can you top it? As said previously, their other songs are nothing to be ashamed of and I enjoy them, but this is one special song! It is also one of my two favourite types of songs the perfect melancholy ballad.(the other being rock'n'roll as demonstrated earlier by You shook me all night long). Like any good ballad, it starts slow, soft, just a guitar melody with stunning lyrics that transport you directly to the intention of the song. The it builds slowly, stronger, faster, the rest of the band joins the vocals and guitars. There is not a bum note, or an unnecessary word. I listen to this song and shiver, I understand exactly what he is singing and I always admire someone who seemingly effortlessly squeezes fat, full, many lyrics into a tune and pull it off - they do! "One crowded hour...could lead to my wreck and ruin"....ahhhh that's love! Some facts about this song is that is was written at Deborah Conway's house (but, of course) as an exercise in trying to write the classic 60s pop-ballad. I think he suceeded - what about you?
America and Asia
AMERICA
Cheesy 70s/80s Californian band, but great music. A horse with no name, Ventura Highway, Muskrat love (ok that is a bit bad), You can do magic. As good as they can be...if you are in that right frame of mood, I decided my series could only have one song so I choose......
TRACK SIX: Sister golden hair
I adore the clear guitar riff in the opening of this, it sets the tone of the song immediately. I love, love, love singing this song (which is a bit wierd when you sing "when a women sure can be a friend of mine"...which they sure can but not really in the way he is singing!). If I was in a band I would insist we did this, cheesy as it is...I would probably be relegated to harmonies but that is ok.
ASIA
Firstly, I really like that Asia comes after America...that amuses me endlessly!Yes, this is there only hit and much like A-Ha, I backed up copy of their greatest (!?!) hits purely for this song......
TRACK SEVEN: Heat of the moment
How can a band that writes something so excellent write so much shite for every other song????? This is pure 80s American college radio and I just love it. The rockin' guitar gets you (me!) from the beginning, and that drum back beat drives it along perfectly. "I never meant to be so bad to you" - I love the lyrics, pure unadultered High school/College lurve. Yes, a little cheesy - but driving your car, on a hot windy day, you crank up the stereo and belt it out with them! And if anyone pays you off for doing so you can say: "It was the heat of the moment, telling you what your heart meant."
Cheesy 70s/80s Californian band, but great music. A horse with no name, Ventura Highway, Muskrat love (ok that is a bit bad), You can do magic. As good as they can be...if you are in that right frame of mood, I decided my series could only have one song so I choose......
TRACK SIX: Sister golden hair
I adore the clear guitar riff in the opening of this, it sets the tone of the song immediately. I love, love, love singing this song (which is a bit wierd when you sing "when a women sure can be a friend of mine"...which they sure can but not really in the way he is singing!). If I was in a band I would insist we did this, cheesy as it is...I would probably be relegated to harmonies but that is ok.
ASIA
Firstly, I really like that Asia comes after America...that amuses me endlessly!Yes, this is there only hit and much like A-Ha, I backed up copy of their greatest (!?!) hits purely for this song......
TRACK SEVEN: Heat of the moment
How can a band that writes something so excellent write so much shite for every other song????? This is pure 80s American college radio and I just love it. The rockin' guitar gets you (me!) from the beginning, and that drum back beat drives it along perfectly. "I never meant to be so bad to you" - I love the lyrics, pure unadultered High school/College lurve. Yes, a little cheesy - but driving your car, on a hot windy day, you crank up the stereo and belt it out with them! And if anyone pays you off for doing so you can say: "It was the heat of the moment, telling you what your heart meant."
Christine Aguilera and A-HA
AGUILERA, CHRISTINA
A funny one to add, was never really a fan of Aguilera until I saw her do a James Brown tribute at the Grammys a few years back. I cannot even remember what she sang now (A mans mans mans world maybe?) but she just killed it, I was awestruck - she looked hot and sounded better. I grabbed myself a copy of Stripped and really loved it. In particular, Beautiful, but that has been overdone these days. I just wish she didn't dress so trashy, cause when she dresses herself up she looks stunning...what is it with kids these days???
TRACK FOUR: Candy Man
Great sassy, brassy song that takes you to another time. It is old style yet modern at the same time, fat horns and fat vocals - she makes it seem easy (and no, it is not). I just want to get up and swing when I hear this and really wish I could pull off those vocals.
A-HA
I really do not have much to say about this group, and I do not think I even liked them much when they were out, but their only major hit was an instant classic... you may disagree?
TRACK FIVE: Take on me
Ahh, the electronics of the 80s! Another great pop song, lush sound and great, searing vocals...and okay, pretty kitsch...but I think it still holds up to the test of the time when you hear it. Yes, I even went to the trouble of backing up a copy of A-ha, the singles, 1984-2004. This amuses me to no end, as I really only got it for this one single, not much else stands out and they call it 1984-2004, like maybe, just maybe there might be more...crack me up. Anyway, I like to try and reach the high notes in this song - I cannot, but you know, maybe one day...
I saw Dave McCormack at the Cambridge a few years back (sans Custard) and he played this song...funniest thing I had seen in years. He was excellent - as you can imagine - played everything you wanted to hear and was very witty in between and was talking about covers and this came up. I was gobsmacked, he can hit high notes but surely he was not going to attempt this. No, he did not, he brought out a copy of the actual song, played it to us, drank a glass of red and mimed some funny stuff and was hilarious. Writing this I realise it was a "you had to be there" thing...but anyways....whenever I hear this song (which I liked prior to that moment) I always think of Dave...and that's never a bad thing :)
A funny one to add, was never really a fan of Aguilera until I saw her do a James Brown tribute at the Grammys a few years back. I cannot even remember what she sang now (A mans mans mans world maybe?) but she just killed it, I was awestruck - she looked hot and sounded better. I grabbed myself a copy of Stripped and really loved it. In particular, Beautiful, but that has been overdone these days. I just wish she didn't dress so trashy, cause when she dresses herself up she looks stunning...what is it with kids these days???
TRACK FOUR: Candy Man
Great sassy, brassy song that takes you to another time. It is old style yet modern at the same time, fat horns and fat vocals - she makes it seem easy (and no, it is not). I just want to get up and swing when I hear this and really wish I could pull off those vocals.
A-HA
I really do not have much to say about this group, and I do not think I even liked them much when they were out, but their only major hit was an instant classic... you may disagree?
TRACK FIVE: Take on me
Ahh, the electronics of the 80s! Another great pop song, lush sound and great, searing vocals...and okay, pretty kitsch...but I think it still holds up to the test of the time when you hear it. Yes, I even went to the trouble of backing up a copy of A-ha, the singles, 1984-2004. This amuses me to no end, as I really only got it for this one single, not much else stands out and they call it 1984-2004, like maybe, just maybe there might be more...crack me up. Anyway, I like to try and reach the high notes in this song - I cannot, but you know, maybe one day...
I saw Dave McCormack at the Cambridge a few years back (sans Custard) and he played this song...funniest thing I had seen in years. He was excellent - as you can imagine - played everything you wanted to hear and was very witty in between and was talking about covers and this came up. I was gobsmacked, he can hit high notes but surely he was not going to attempt this. No, he did not, he brought out a copy of the actual song, played it to us, drank a glass of red and mimed some funny stuff and was hilarious. Writing this I realise it was a "you had to be there" thing...but anyways....whenever I hear this song (which I liked prior to that moment) I always think of Dave...and that's never a bad thing :)
Saturday, August 8, 2009
CONCERT: DAVID HOBSON & TEDDY TAHU RHODES
LOCATION: Civic Theatre, Newcastle
DATE: Saturday 14 March, 2009
WITH: Keryl and Kitty
David Hobson and Teddy Tahu Rhodes are very good looking men with absolutely gorgeous voices. Who really cares what they sung and if the concert was good - of course it bloody was!!!
Seriously, this was just magnifcient, simply staged with the men in suits (no, Teddy did not take off his shirt...it was a classical performance after all!) and accompanied by a lovely lady on a grand piano. They were chatty and amusing, both taking the piss (where appropriate) out of each other, David calling Teddy Ted with a little irreverance and Teddy ripping off David's dance moves. Yep, they could have also made a great comedy act, well maybe not great...but they were funny.
But, it was all about the songs and they did not disappoint. The first section was more classical songs and just beautiful, both singing solos and duets and including their famous, record breaking duet of Bizet's The Pearl Fishers. The second section was a little more relaxed with David on an accoustic guitar at some points and they sung more spritual and modern songs. Amazing Grace and You'll never walk alone were simply stunning, but I just loved their version of Go, tell it on the mountain. This great interpretation, featuring Teddy's stunning baritone voice, was my stand out of the night.
DATE: Saturday 14 March, 2009
WITH: Keryl and Kitty
David Hobson and Teddy Tahu Rhodes are very good looking men with absolutely gorgeous voices. Who really cares what they sung and if the concert was good - of course it bloody was!!!
Seriously, this was just magnifcient, simply staged with the men in suits (no, Teddy did not take off his shirt...it was a classical performance after all!) and accompanied by a lovely lady on a grand piano. They were chatty and amusing, both taking the piss (where appropriate) out of each other, David calling Teddy Ted with a little irreverance and Teddy ripping off David's dance moves. Yep, they could have also made a great comedy act, well maybe not great...but they were funny.
But, it was all about the songs and they did not disappoint. The first section was more classical songs and just beautiful, both singing solos and duets and including their famous, record breaking duet of Bizet's The Pearl Fishers. The second section was a little more relaxed with David on an accoustic guitar at some points and they sung more spritual and modern songs. Amazing Grace and You'll never walk alone were simply stunning, but I just loved their version of Go, tell it on the mountain. This great interpretation, featuring Teddy's stunning baritone voice, was my stand out of the night.
NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY CHOIR AND YOUNG AT HEART
LOCATION: The Hayden Orpheum Cinema, Cremorne
DATE: Sunday 22 February, 2009
WITH: Vince, Nole, Phil
Newcastle University Choir
The award winning Newcastle University Choir were first on this wonderful double bill. I had watched them from the get go on Battle of the Choirs and although they were undoubtedly the best sounding choir I was worried the more showy (read choralography) choirs might get voted through rather than 'correct' sounding ones. Luckily talent shone through and they won. At this concert they sung some of the modern songs featured on the TV show and some of their traditional choral work. Most of it was wonderful, some soloists were not that good and I am not a fan of Australiana songs, and I could have lived without hearing Queen's Bicycle again. However, songs like Sarah McLachlan's Angel were completely inspirational. It was lovely to see them in the flesh and enjoy their beautiful voices.
Young at Heart
Given we saw the choir at a cinema it was fitting that this film followed. I had not heard much about this film, but I urge you all to see it. What a great film! It is a documentary following an American choir of seniors with an average age of 82 and the oldest being 92. They meet weekly and sing punk, rock and disco! (Their song choice is supremely better than that chosen by my choirmaster!) Their choirmaster is fabulous with the group and very patient (mostly!) and he chooses incredible songs for them to sing. I found the song choice most interestig, besides being songs and artists most of them have never heard of and often not the type of song they even like, the songs really do fit. Songs like The Ramones's I wanna be sedated, Bowie's Golden Years, Stayin' alive and Forever Young take on a whole other meaning when sung by this group. The documentary follows their preparation for some concerts and the sadness of members passing - an inevitability given some of their ages and health issues. The documentary is shot with equal doses of humour and drama and I laughed till my cheeks hurt and could not hold back tears in some parts - both joy and sorrow. I will forever remember the glorious opening - The Clash's Should I stay or should I go and the intenseness of Coldplay's Fix You.
DATE: Sunday 22 February, 2009
WITH: Vince, Nole, Phil
Newcastle University Choir
The award winning Newcastle University Choir were first on this wonderful double bill. I had watched them from the get go on Battle of the Choirs and although they were undoubtedly the best sounding choir I was worried the more showy (read choralography) choirs might get voted through rather than 'correct' sounding ones. Luckily talent shone through and they won. At this concert they sung some of the modern songs featured on the TV show and some of their traditional choral work. Most of it was wonderful, some soloists were not that good and I am not a fan of Australiana songs, and I could have lived without hearing Queen's Bicycle again. However, songs like Sarah McLachlan's Angel were completely inspirational. It was lovely to see them in the flesh and enjoy their beautiful voices.
Young at Heart
Given we saw the choir at a cinema it was fitting that this film followed. I had not heard much about this film, but I urge you all to see it. What a great film! It is a documentary following an American choir of seniors with an average age of 82 and the oldest being 92. They meet weekly and sing punk, rock and disco! (Their song choice is supremely better than that chosen by my choirmaster!) Their choirmaster is fabulous with the group and very patient (mostly!) and he chooses incredible songs for them to sing. I found the song choice most interestig, besides being songs and artists most of them have never heard of and often not the type of song they even like, the songs really do fit. Songs like The Ramones's I wanna be sedated, Bowie's Golden Years, Stayin' alive and Forever Young take on a whole other meaning when sung by this group. The documentary follows their preparation for some concerts and the sadness of members passing - an inevitability given some of their ages and health issues. The documentary is shot with equal doses of humour and drama and I laughed till my cheeks hurt and could not hold back tears in some parts - both joy and sorrow. I will forever remember the glorious opening - The Clash's Should I stay or should I go and the intenseness of Coldplay's Fix You.
Friday, August 7, 2009
PLAY: THE 39 STEPS
LOCATION: Civic Theatre, Newcastle
DATE: Friday 27 February, 2009
WITH: Mary and Keryl
The 39 Steps
This was our first outing this year for the Civic Inspirations that we subscribe to yearly. As a huge Hitchcock fan (he and Woody - author of my blog title for those that were wondering - are my favourite directors) I had been excited about this play since I saw a snippet of it at the Inspirations launch back in November. It is based on both the book and the film and also included many other references to films by Hitchcock.
It had 4 actors and I think over 100 characters. The main actor played the male lead and the female actor had about 3-4 parts and other 2 took up all the others. This was quite extraordinary to watch, at times changing back and forth between characters within one scene. The staging was fabulous and fun, especially the train scenes and the shadow puppet scenes in black and white were very suspenseful. The props and sound were perfect and you were sucked right into the whole set up being shocked, laughing and loving it all as it went on in front of you. I was not disappointed watching this award winning production - there should be more theatre like it.
DATE: Friday 27 February, 2009
WITH: Mary and Keryl
The 39 Steps
This was our first outing this year for the Civic Inspirations that we subscribe to yearly. As a huge Hitchcock fan (he and Woody - author of my blog title for those that were wondering - are my favourite directors) I had been excited about this play since I saw a snippet of it at the Inspirations launch back in November. It is based on both the book and the film and also included many other references to films by Hitchcock.
It had 4 actors and I think over 100 characters. The main actor played the male lead and the female actor had about 3-4 parts and other 2 took up all the others. This was quite extraordinary to watch, at times changing back and forth between characters within one scene. The staging was fabulous and fun, especially the train scenes and the shadow puppet scenes in black and white were very suspenseful. The props and sound were perfect and you were sucked right into the whole set up being shocked, laughing and loving it all as it went on in front of you. I was not disappointed watching this award winning production - there should be more theatre like it.
CONCERT: DAVID BYRNE
Location: Sydney Opera House Concert Hall
Date: Sunday 1 February, 2009
With: Nole, Vince and Kathy
We had great seats for this most anticipated event. I have always loved Talking Heads, and most of Byrne's solo stuff, yet had never seen them live. (not entirely sure why, I imagine, lack of interested parties to come with me - the ususual!). I also am a great fan of Brian Eno.
For those that do not know (shame!) Brian Eno was the keyboard player in Roxy Music and invented ambient music way back in 1978 with his seminal album Music for airports, and was one of the first artists to introduce sampling in his music. He collaborated with Byrne on a few albums that contained samples and ambient music. He has produced Talking Heads, David Bowie, Devo, James, Coldplay, Paul Simon and U2. He is a visionary, an artist, has an incredible brain and is VERY good looking...yeah I'm a fan...
Eno's recent work includes curating the Luminous Festival at the Sydney Opera House and surrounds, doing the soundtrack to Peter Jackson's latest film - the adaptation of The Lovely Bones, and releasing an album with Byrne, Everything that happens will happen today. This is a great album, mixing the great melodies and rhythms of Talking Heads with the ambient-essence of Eno, the kind of album that leaves a smile on your face!
Byrne's tour is to support this album and all other collaborations with Eno, which we were hoping would include some Talking Heads. He produced More songs about buildings and food, Fear of Music and Remain in light. Fear of music includes my favourite Talking Heads song, Heaven, so I was hoping they would do this!
Date: Sunday 1 February, 2009
With: Nole, Vince and Kathy
We had great seats for this most anticipated event. I have always loved Talking Heads, and most of Byrne's solo stuff, yet had never seen them live. (not entirely sure why, I imagine, lack of interested parties to come with me - the ususual!). I also am a great fan of Brian Eno.
For those that do not know (shame!) Brian Eno was the keyboard player in Roxy Music and invented ambient music way back in 1978 with his seminal album Music for airports, and was one of the first artists to introduce sampling in his music. He collaborated with Byrne on a few albums that contained samples and ambient music. He has produced Talking Heads, David Bowie, Devo, James, Coldplay, Paul Simon and U2. He is a visionary, an artist, has an incredible brain and is VERY good looking...yeah I'm a fan...
Eno's recent work includes curating the Luminous Festival at the Sydney Opera House and surrounds, doing the soundtrack to Peter Jackson's latest film - the adaptation of The Lovely Bones, and releasing an album with Byrne, Everything that happens will happen today. This is a great album, mixing the great melodies and rhythms of Talking Heads with the ambient-essence of Eno, the kind of album that leaves a smile on your face!
Byrne's tour is to support this album and all other collaborations with Eno, which we were hoping would include some Talking Heads. He produced More songs about buildings and food, Fear of Music and Remain in light. Fear of music includes my favourite Talking Heads song, Heaven, so I was hoping they would do this!
So, after the disappointment of the support band never appearing we waited in anticipation. The support was meant to be The Church...still not entirely sure what happened, we did not miss them...there just was not a support!?!
The first song of the night was Strange Overtones from the new album. They all, including Byrne, wore white and included dancers. They sounded fantastic and I was so incredibly joyous at seeing this amazing man in the flesh and hearing him in this great location I thought I would just burst!
I have been trying to track down the set list on line but to no avail, I got a generic one off a website and it looks pretty close to what we heard, or at least what I remember hearing. My brain has never been able to remember track by track a concert on the following day, but 7 months later - forget it. I can remember key songs, and usually the first and encore (but sometimes even forget them) and feelings, but never song for song.
Heaven was indeed one of the first songs from the Talking Heads era and it was perfection, well almost..Tina doing that famous bass line would make it perfection, correction Talking Heads circa 80s would make it perfection...anyway, it was damn close. Ok, I admit (and it will not be the first time on this blog) tears were in my eyes as I sang along to the gorgeous lyrics and I swear I could have left there and then and been happy and felt I had gotten my money's worth, but of course I did not...that would have been bloody stupid :)
They also did I, Zimbra, Air, Take me to the river, Crosseyed and painless, Life during wartime and Once in a lifetime (back to back and for the life of me I cannot remember which came first - who cares, we were dancin' and rockin'!!!). Of course there was much from the new album and from the Eno experimentations, all fabulous. They ended with Burning down the house, a non Eno song, but entirely appropriate. Each person on stage was wearing a white tutu - very cute and great effect! Not a person sitting in the Opera House, all on their feet, dancing and singing - what a fabulous concert!
I would easily put this up in my top 10, maybe even top 5 concerts of all time. I wish every night could be a night like that one....awesome!!!
For fans of David Byrne, you must check out his journal, my favourite blog on the net. It is a stunning array of intelligent information about music, art, architecture, life and for the last year set against the backdrop of this tour, so includes a travelogue and behind the scenes look at touring and being a bicycling enthusiast all the great bicycling areas in the world...if you are interested...oh yeah, his partner is the photographer, Cindy Sherman and he refers to her as C in his journal...I like to dream and think it is me...ok I have shared a little too much.
Here is a link to Burning Down the house from the Radio City Music Hall concert in NYC, complete with Rockettes!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xyBgGoV2AM
And his journal:
AC/DC
The first amusing switch of the project - ABBA to AC/DC :)
AC/DC are an old favourite of mine - thanks to Countdown (another institution you will hear a lot of in these postings) I just could not decide on which songs to include, each one rocks out and kills. I mean Bon on that flat bed truck in Melbourne singing Long way to the top is as classic as it gets. I have a lot of AC/DC discs and I find it really hard to say I prefer Bon to Brian. I mean Bon's voice is distinct - A purer roughness if you will, but Brian came in, was not afraid (well i am sure he was, but you never noticed it in his voice) and belted it out of the park with Back in Black. Its my favourite album and the song I choose is my favourite song off that album.
TRACK THREE: You shook me all night long
This song kicks arse - it rocks and as much as I love melodic music, I am a rock 'n' roll chick through and through. Like all of Angus's playing the opening riff is a classic and within the that first 30 seconds you get 2 - the slower (huh!) guitar riff until that first drum beat at 15 seconds and the second more reconisible riff until Brian jumps in with "she was a fast machine" I mean this song, is dirty and sexy and I just love it. "The walls were shaking, the earth was quaking and my mind was aching". Tight drumming, ace guitar work, pounding rhythm, great lyrics and you kind of go Bon who? (sorry Bon, RIP)
AC/DC are an old favourite of mine - thanks to Countdown (another institution you will hear a lot of in these postings) I just could not decide on which songs to include, each one rocks out and kills. I mean Bon on that flat bed truck in Melbourne singing Long way to the top is as classic as it gets. I have a lot of AC/DC discs and I find it really hard to say I prefer Bon to Brian. I mean Bon's voice is distinct - A purer roughness if you will, but Brian came in, was not afraid (well i am sure he was, but you never noticed it in his voice) and belted it out of the park with Back in Black. Its my favourite album and the song I choose is my favourite song off that album.
TRACK THREE: You shook me all night long
This song kicks arse - it rocks and as much as I love melodic music, I am a rock 'n' roll chick through and through. Like all of Angus's playing the opening riff is a classic and within the that first 30 seconds you get 2 - the slower (huh!) guitar riff until that first drum beat at 15 seconds and the second more reconisible riff until Brian jumps in with "she was a fast machine" I mean this song, is dirty and sexy and I just love it. "The walls were shaking, the earth was quaking and my mind was aching". Tight drumming, ace guitar work, pounding rhythm, great lyrics and you kind of go Bon who? (sorry Bon, RIP)
ABBA
How do you define Abba to someone that has no idea - 2 hairy dudes and 2, not so cute by todays standards, chicks who were at that time married to each other, Swedish, fabulous (in 1970s standards) costumes and fabulous pop songs - sounds ok on paper but even better on vinyl!
I was an out and out ABBA fab as a child. There is a great photo of my sister, Karen, and I in little denim skirts and ABBA tops, looking proud as punch - we must have been between 6 and 8 and just adored ABBA. Lots of dancing around and singing into hair brushes - we had the vinyl and wanted the costumes - even better Karen was blonde like Agnetha and I was brunette like Frida.
As I got older ABBA became a little passe and I discarded them for other music, but in my very late teens I came across a cheap $10 CD at K-Mart called The Songbook: Australian Chart Hits and fell in love with them all over again. Older, I appreciated their fine harmonies (bloody hard to get the high notes), rhythm and that perfect pop melody. I remember a group of us sitting cross legged in a circle, in Mum and Dad's garage, in the candlelight singing Fernando at my 21st birthday party... a little bit daggy....but a little bit perfect!
Then a few years later along came the year that wrecked ABBA for me, The year of Muriel's Wedding and Priscilla. Both were and still are fine Australian movies (a benchmark I wonder if we will ever reach again?) and the use of ABBA music perfect but unfortunately the media just went with it a bit too far and ABBA music hit saturation point for me and over 15 years later it still pretty much is the same. I am a firm believer of not overdoing great songs - you will hear much more of that later on - and poor old ABBA were overdone for me. I also had the music snob thing of geez, I was always a fan, even when they were daggy, NOW, everyone likes them....not for me anymore! Seriously, if I see another freakin' television show on ABBA I will just scream. Note; I will mention Mama Mia - the movie (not seen the musical) with these words - hokey! Meryl! How could you??????
So, relistening to my ABBA CD - the same one from 1990 and the only one I own - ( I have ABBA: the Album on vinyl - got it for my 8th birthday!) it was hard to choose what songs to add. I omitted Fernando (still in mixed tape mode - far too slow to start this series off with), Dancing Queen (Yes, great, but come on...how many times do we need to hear it?)...Had I realised I would break my rules of 1-3 songs per artist in this very CD, I probably would have added SOS and/or Waterloo.
TRACK ONE: Ring Ring
Hmmmmm, it takes me back...simple and every young girl knows exactly what those lyrics mean - they are timeless..."And I sit all alone impatiently, won't you please understand the need in me"...'nuff said! Those opening beats are pop at its purest - like it had never even been invented until that moment. As a child you could dance and do the 'ring ring' actions innocently, as you got older you just got it. As an adult I love the tribal tempo of the drums just before the chorus and the background constant of the maraccas. It will get me up on the dance floor every time and always make me smile.....and sing.
TRACK TWO: Take a chance on me
It's the harmonies and how it builds from the chants at the beginning and the synthesizer added. The verse is really sensual and the range of their vocals sublime. Listening to the lyrics now, the feminist in me goes just get over him girl, and it also reaks a little stalkerish - but we all know that feeling of just wishing that dude would...take that chance. I also love the ba ba ba ba ba ba's towards the end - sometimes you just do not need words, the 70s really did that well.
I was an out and out ABBA fab as a child. There is a great photo of my sister, Karen, and I in little denim skirts and ABBA tops, looking proud as punch - we must have been between 6 and 8 and just adored ABBA. Lots of dancing around and singing into hair brushes - we had the vinyl and wanted the costumes - even better Karen was blonde like Agnetha and I was brunette like Frida.
As I got older ABBA became a little passe and I discarded them for other music, but in my very late teens I came across a cheap $10 CD at K-Mart called The Songbook: Australian Chart Hits and fell in love with them all over again. Older, I appreciated their fine harmonies (bloody hard to get the high notes), rhythm and that perfect pop melody. I remember a group of us sitting cross legged in a circle, in Mum and Dad's garage, in the candlelight singing Fernando at my 21st birthday party... a little bit daggy....but a little bit perfect!
Then a few years later along came the year that wrecked ABBA for me, The year of Muriel's Wedding and Priscilla. Both were and still are fine Australian movies (a benchmark I wonder if we will ever reach again?) and the use of ABBA music perfect but unfortunately the media just went with it a bit too far and ABBA music hit saturation point for me and over 15 years later it still pretty much is the same. I am a firm believer of not overdoing great songs - you will hear much more of that later on - and poor old ABBA were overdone for me. I also had the music snob thing of geez, I was always a fan, even when they were daggy, NOW, everyone likes them....not for me anymore! Seriously, if I see another freakin' television show on ABBA I will just scream. Note; I will mention Mama Mia - the movie (not seen the musical) with these words - hokey! Meryl! How could you??????
So, relistening to my ABBA CD - the same one from 1990 and the only one I own - ( I have ABBA: the Album on vinyl - got it for my 8th birthday!) it was hard to choose what songs to add. I omitted Fernando (still in mixed tape mode - far too slow to start this series off with), Dancing Queen (Yes, great, but come on...how many times do we need to hear it?)...Had I realised I would break my rules of 1-3 songs per artist in this very CD, I probably would have added SOS and/or Waterloo.
TRACK ONE: Ring Ring
Hmmmmm, it takes me back...simple and every young girl knows exactly what those lyrics mean - they are timeless..."And I sit all alone impatiently, won't you please understand the need in me"...'nuff said! Those opening beats are pop at its purest - like it had never even been invented until that moment. As a child you could dance and do the 'ring ring' actions innocently, as you got older you just got it. As an adult I love the tribal tempo of the drums just before the chorus and the background constant of the maraccas. It will get me up on the dance floor every time and always make me smile.....and sing.
TRACK TWO: Take a chance on me
It's the harmonies and how it builds from the chants at the beginning and the synthesizer added. The verse is really sensual and the range of their vocals sublime. Listening to the lyrics now, the feminist in me goes just get over him girl, and it also reaks a little stalkerish - but we all know that feeling of just wishing that dude would...take that chance. I also love the ba ba ba ba ba ba's towards the end - sometimes you just do not need words, the 70s really did that well.
DISC ONE: ABBA TO THE BEATLES
This is the first disc in The Best of Best of Best of Series! I will start with the artist and then the selected songs.
1. ABBA - Ring Ring
2. ABBA - Take a chance on me
3. AC/DC - You shook me all night long
4. Aguilera, Christina - Candy Man
5. A-HA - Take on me
6. America - Sister Golden Hair
7. Asia - Heat of the moment
8. Augie March - One crowded hour
9. Australian Crawl - Way I've been
10. Australian Crawl - Easy on your own
11. Badfinger - No matter what
12. Badfinger - Day after day
13. Bananarama - Shy Boy
14. Barenaked Ladies - One Week
15. The Beach Boys - God Only knows
16. The Beatles - She's a woman
17. The Beatles - Slow down
18. The Beatles - I should have known better
19. The Beatles - Gotta get you into my life
20. The Beatles - Oh Darling
21. The Beatles - Across the Universe
1. ABBA - Ring Ring
2. ABBA - Take a chance on me
3. AC/DC - You shook me all night long
4. Aguilera, Christina - Candy Man
5. A-HA - Take on me
6. America - Sister Golden Hair
7. Asia - Heat of the moment
8. Augie March - One crowded hour
9. Australian Crawl - Way I've been
10. Australian Crawl - Easy on your own
11. Badfinger - No matter what
12. Badfinger - Day after day
13. Bananarama - Shy Boy
14. Barenaked Ladies - One Week
15. The Beach Boys - God Only knows
16. The Beatles - She's a woman
17. The Beatles - Slow down
18. The Beatles - I should have known better
19. The Beatles - Gotta get you into my life
20. The Beatles - Oh Darling
21. The Beatles - Across the Universe
The Best of Best of Best of Series or the ultimate mix tape
Well, over a year later and I come back to the blog with an interesting project that is still ongoing. I call it my Best of Best of Best of Series! It is a set of recordings of my favourite songs - what I would add to an ipod if I had one (No, I do not have an ipod...I intend on getting on, but have an old computer which is not compatible - this project should load straight onto an ipod when I get one).
So it is the ultimate mix tape!!
I miss mixed tapes I admit, being old school. Doing mixed music on the computer and blank CDs just does not cut the muster of a mixed tape - sure it sounds better, but there is the thrill of creating the mixed tape there and then. A mixed CD is a little more technical and loses a little bit of the romance of making it. What I mean - and I am sure purists will understand here - is when you make a mixed tape you have your records, other tapes and CDs there to be listened to as you go and if you need a break you can just pause the process and continue later. The mixed CD is a little less accessible. For instance you save the songs to your computer, but it is a little fiddly if you need to go back and add something else you have found or change the running order - technically you can do it, but as always with a mixed tape you do need to hear what is happening - get a feel for the mixes and changes from song to song - the computer just takes that out of the project. But this project is different to the usual mixed tape so that is ok!
So, I am seriously tampering with the strategy of making mixed music here - and I know my dear 'friend' Rob from Nick Hornby's fabulous High Fidelity (Yes, I feel like he is my friend and I adore that character sooo much, I just know we would be firm friends....maybe even more....and I felt like that before the movie, add Cusack in the role and ......but enough of my fantasies!) would not be at all happy with me....but hopefully when he listened to the finished product he would be amused.
The Best of Best of Best of Series is simply an alphabetical order by artist listing of favourite songs off my collection of CDs. I know - how very Librarian of me, well in the words of Rachel Weisz in The Mummy, "I am a Librarian!!!"
So the rules are, I go through my collection from A to Z and tape favourire songs in alphabetical order onto CDs. Initially I would only choose 1-3 songs per artist, but, well, I got to The Beatles and that rule got thrown out the window. Also if choosing more than 1 song from a CD I would tape them in track order - but I do believe I broke that rule too...oh the anarchy! I am also excluding any various, mixed or soundtrack CDS AND serious jazz, classical or opera. These are all not housed in my A-Z run!
The postings on The Best of Best of Best of Series will include musings about the artist, song and anything else related that I deem important into the inclusion of said songs! We all know with music a certain song can take you back to a certain, place, event of time or just lighten (or change) your mood. The songs are indeed eclectic, but hey my collection is and because they are listed alphabetically, they can seem even more eclectic - but that is half the fun. Funnily enough, listening to some of them back I wonder why I included some and excluded others, I suppose it all depends on where my head was when taping them in the first instance.
So, here is where you can come in, join me on my musical journey - and tell me what you think! I am interested in your opinions, whether you agree with me or not - musical taste is so personal, but I will try not to judge you (much) or take it too personally. It will take a while as the process is long and my collection expansive and I will not post on new CDs until a few weeks of listening.
Please enjoy, Cathy
So it is the ultimate mix tape!!
I miss mixed tapes I admit, being old school. Doing mixed music on the computer and blank CDs just does not cut the muster of a mixed tape - sure it sounds better, but there is the thrill of creating the mixed tape there and then. A mixed CD is a little more technical and loses a little bit of the romance of making it. What I mean - and I am sure purists will understand here - is when you make a mixed tape you have your records, other tapes and CDs there to be listened to as you go and if you need a break you can just pause the process and continue later. The mixed CD is a little less accessible. For instance you save the songs to your computer, but it is a little fiddly if you need to go back and add something else you have found or change the running order - technically you can do it, but as always with a mixed tape you do need to hear what is happening - get a feel for the mixes and changes from song to song - the computer just takes that out of the project. But this project is different to the usual mixed tape so that is ok!
So, I am seriously tampering with the strategy of making mixed music here - and I know my dear 'friend' Rob from Nick Hornby's fabulous High Fidelity (Yes, I feel like he is my friend and I adore that character sooo much, I just know we would be firm friends....maybe even more....and I felt like that before the movie, add Cusack in the role and ......but enough of my fantasies!) would not be at all happy with me....but hopefully when he listened to the finished product he would be amused.
The Best of Best of Best of Series is simply an alphabetical order by artist listing of favourite songs off my collection of CDs. I know - how very Librarian of me, well in the words of Rachel Weisz in The Mummy, "I am a Librarian!!!"
So the rules are, I go through my collection from A to Z and tape favourire songs in alphabetical order onto CDs. Initially I would only choose 1-3 songs per artist, but, well, I got to The Beatles and that rule got thrown out the window. Also if choosing more than 1 song from a CD I would tape them in track order - but I do believe I broke that rule too...oh the anarchy! I am also excluding any various, mixed or soundtrack CDS AND serious jazz, classical or opera. These are all not housed in my A-Z run!
The postings on The Best of Best of Best of Series will include musings about the artist, song and anything else related that I deem important into the inclusion of said songs! We all know with music a certain song can take you back to a certain, place, event of time or just lighten (or change) your mood. The songs are indeed eclectic, but hey my collection is and because they are listed alphabetically, they can seem even more eclectic - but that is half the fun. Funnily enough, listening to some of them back I wonder why I included some and excluded others, I suppose it all depends on where my head was when taping them in the first instance.
So, here is where you can come in, join me on my musical journey - and tell me what you think! I am interested in your opinions, whether you agree with me or not - musical taste is so personal, but I will try not to judge you (much) or take it too personally. It will take a while as the process is long and my collection expansive and I will not post on new CDs until a few weeks of listening.
Please enjoy, Cathy
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