At last, we have the wonderful video for Amanda's 'Leeds United' and it looks fab! This is the video I could've been in when it was taped back in August and I'm kicking myself that I didn't get out of bed in time! I would've just been part of the crowd but who cares? I regret being a lazy thing.
Watch this and laugh out loud when Amanda gets a lip on at the end - I *love* this video!
Thursday, 20 November 2008
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
Amanda Uberdyke?
Amanda Palmer is featured as one of 'out' magazine's 'hot 100' and she wonders whether she's now an uberdyke following her makeover as one of the cast of the Outsiders.
And here's a YouTube clip about the shoot with a short interview with Amanda (I like that she's referred to as a 'rock goddess').
Incidentally, I mentioned a few weeks back that there was a new Dresden Dolls song available on the Johnny Cash tribute record, 'All Aboard' - a cover of 'Ballad Of A Teenage Queen'. Well, I still haven't found anywhere to download it properly but scoot on over to the Doll's MySpace page to listen to it...
And here's a YouTube clip about the shoot with a short interview with Amanda (I like that she's referred to as a 'rock goddess').
Incidentally, I mentioned a few weeks back that there was a new Dresden Dolls song available on the Johnny Cash tribute record, 'All Aboard' - a cover of 'Ballad Of A Teenage Queen'. Well, I still haven't found anywhere to download it properly but scoot on over to the Doll's MySpace page to listen to it...
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Buffy Sainte-Marie - 'Running For The Drum'
Buffy came a-calling this morning in the shape of a USPS envelope with a record inside. Not just any record, it was 'Running For The Drum', Buffy's first all-new record since 1992's 'Coincidence & Likely Stories'. I've heard some of the tracks before - some via net radio from Hawai'i last year, some when I saw Buffy play in New York in March and one song, 'Cho Cho Fire' on the Oxfam charity CD released this spring. But I now have the full album all the way from Canadaford to l'il ole Londontown and all for me. Yum!
It's a great record and I love it. It's a melange of styles to fit all tastes, from euphoric rave beats to rock'n'roll, from night-club jazz to acoustic, liberally sprinkled with powwow vocals and drums, all underpinned by Buffy's beautiful words and voice. Try pidgeon-holing this as "folk" and you'll fail.
The packaging is excellent as well, a tri-fold eco-friendly cardboard cover containing a CD and a DVD with a booklet including lyrics, a sentence about each song and lots of photos. The CD is the new album and it comes with a documentary DVD about Buffy, 'A Multimedia Life'. The interior artwork is based around Buffy's digital painting, 'Elder Brothers', and a new portrait of Buffy.
No No Keshagesh
The album opens with 'No No Keshagesh' and the sounds of a crowd gathering as drums start and get louder and we're off and running. 'Keshagesh' was called 'AIM Elijah' when Buffy played it in New York but I like the Keshagesh title - he's a greedy puppy devouring the world's resources without a care. A fast song with wild powwow singing at the chorus and it sounds great live.
Cho Cho Fire
An invitation to join the powwow and step into a larger world, wild powwow rock sending us running for the drum and all it symbolises - 'Ooo you better wake up, man it's like you're dead and gone...'. Guitar riffs and powwow vocals, an excellent live song I heard Buffy play in New York with Ulali providing backing powwow vocals.
Working For The Government
Euphoric dance-beats and a looped tape of a drum and powwow sample, Buffy's words about all the mysterious people who work for a shadowy, three-initial parts of governments the world over, Mr Invisible. Multi-tracked powwow vocals and drum beats make up the backing track, and I'm not sure if there are any other instruments there at all. Buffy was experimenting like this back in the late '60s so it's nice to hear her still pushing the boundaries. This track should be picked up by remixers and clubs.
Little Wheel Spin And Spin
Buffy's song from 1966 updated into a hypnotic and moody song, just guitar and some subtle percussion and ambient sounds. I think I prefer this version to the original. The feel is very different and more intense knowing that Buffy wrote and sang this 40 years ago and it's still relevant.
Too Much Is Never Enough
A mid-tempo song that reminds me of 'Up Where We Belong' for some reason, with the refrain of, 'too much is never enough when it comes to loving you'. There's a nice guitar solo from Chris Birkett (who plays on most of the songs as well as co-produced the record).
To The Ends Of The World
Another mid-tempo song but this time with an early-60s rock feel to it with a big string sound in the background which is really keyboards. A song in praise of love and how someone, somewhere must have found true love, the thing that's worth looking for to the ends of the world.
When I Had You
A song about how things were so much better when I had you. It sounds like Buffy is in a dark, smokey night club playing piano with slow, moody guitar riffs, a drink on top of the piano while she sings of the old days before splitting up with her lover. Very atmospheric.
I Bet My Heart On You
A total change in tempo as Buffy rocks out as a 50s rock'n'roll queen, strutting her stuff with early rock piano riffs as if she's in a dance hall with the audience dancing and jiving around her. She duets on piano with Taj Mahal and sounds like she's having great fun.
Blue Sunday
In a similar rock'n'roll vein but with a double-bass throbbing away, 'Blue Sunday' is a rockabilly song celebrating the sound of early Elvis and opening with the line, 'Since my baby left me', fast paced with dramatic breaks. I defy your foot not to tap along to this one. I first heard this song three year ago when I saw Buffy play in Belleville, Ontario. 'Saturday night ain't nothing to me, just a memory of blue'.
Easy Like The Snow Falls Down
Another change of pace to mid-tempo again. A song about being there for someone you love who's having a hard time and dedicated to hospice caregivers. Buffy invites us to go to her when the heart's too big and the world's too small - she's our angel. Reach out for help, it's easy, just do it. A simple song but emotionally laden.
America The Beautiful
Buffy's version of the American anthem with added verses. Her notes say she first sang this at the NASA launch of the first Native American Astonaut, Commander John Herrington. Buffy strumming her guitar with gentle powwow drums and percussion in the background.
Still This Love Goes On
I already love this song, a simple song with Buffy on guitar spinning her tale of love, love of the land and love of the people. It conjours up images of sitting by a camp fire in a valley at dawn, with snow lying around and ice crackling over a lake. It's lovely. I want to go to that valley.
Buffy's in great voice throughout the record, supplying all lead and backing vocals. She and Chris Birkett play the majority of the instruments on the album, occasionally adding someone else, and it's a partnership that works well.
I don't know when this album will be generally available - or why it isn't generally available already - but I got it from ShopEmi in Canada, so click on over and buy a copy now. You won't regret it. I'm off to find that drum now - heya ha!
It's a great record and I love it. It's a melange of styles to fit all tastes, from euphoric rave beats to rock'n'roll, from night-club jazz to acoustic, liberally sprinkled with powwow vocals and drums, all underpinned by Buffy's beautiful words and voice. Try pidgeon-holing this as "folk" and you'll fail.The packaging is excellent as well, a tri-fold eco-friendly cardboard cover containing a CD and a DVD with a booklet including lyrics, a sentence about each song and lots of photos. The CD is the new album and it comes with a documentary DVD about Buffy, 'A Multimedia Life'. The interior artwork is based around Buffy's digital painting, 'Elder Brothers', and a new portrait of Buffy.
No No Keshagesh
The album opens with 'No No Keshagesh' and the sounds of a crowd gathering as drums start and get louder and we're off and running. 'Keshagesh' was called 'AIM Elijah' when Buffy played it in New York but I like the Keshagesh title - he's a greedy puppy devouring the world's resources without a care. A fast song with wild powwow singing at the chorus and it sounds great live.
Cho Cho Fire
An invitation to join the powwow and step into a larger world, wild powwow rock sending us running for the drum and all it symbolises - 'Ooo you better wake up, man it's like you're dead and gone...'. Guitar riffs and powwow vocals, an excellent live song I heard Buffy play in New York with Ulali providing backing powwow vocals.
Working For The Government
Euphoric dance-beats and a looped tape of a drum and powwow sample, Buffy's words about all the mysterious people who work for a shadowy, three-initial parts of governments the world over, Mr Invisible. Multi-tracked powwow vocals and drum beats make up the backing track, and I'm not sure if there are any other instruments there at all. Buffy was experimenting like this back in the late '60s so it's nice to hear her still pushing the boundaries. This track should be picked up by remixers and clubs.
Little Wheel Spin And Spin
Buffy's song from 1966 updated into a hypnotic and moody song, just guitar and some subtle percussion and ambient sounds. I think I prefer this version to the original. The feel is very different and more intense knowing that Buffy wrote and sang this 40 years ago and it's still relevant.
Too Much Is Never Enough
A mid-tempo song that reminds me of 'Up Where We Belong' for some reason, with the refrain of, 'too much is never enough when it comes to loving you'. There's a nice guitar solo from Chris Birkett (who plays on most of the songs as well as co-produced the record).
To The Ends Of The World
Another mid-tempo song but this time with an early-60s rock feel to it with a big string sound in the background which is really keyboards. A song in praise of love and how someone, somewhere must have found true love, the thing that's worth looking for to the ends of the world.
When I Had You
A song about how things were so much better when I had you. It sounds like Buffy is in a dark, smokey night club playing piano with slow, moody guitar riffs, a drink on top of the piano while she sings of the old days before splitting up with her lover. Very atmospheric.
I Bet My Heart On You
A total change in tempo as Buffy rocks out as a 50s rock'n'roll queen, strutting her stuff with early rock piano riffs as if she's in a dance hall with the audience dancing and jiving around her. She duets on piano with Taj Mahal and sounds like she's having great fun.
Blue Sunday
In a similar rock'n'roll vein but with a double-bass throbbing away, 'Blue Sunday' is a rockabilly song celebrating the sound of early Elvis and opening with the line, 'Since my baby left me', fast paced with dramatic breaks. I defy your foot not to tap along to this one. I first heard this song three year ago when I saw Buffy play in Belleville, Ontario. 'Saturday night ain't nothing to me, just a memory of blue'.Easy Like The Snow Falls Down
Another change of pace to mid-tempo again. A song about being there for someone you love who's having a hard time and dedicated to hospice caregivers. Buffy invites us to go to her when the heart's too big and the world's too small - she's our angel. Reach out for help, it's easy, just do it. A simple song but emotionally laden.
America The Beautiful
Buffy's version of the American anthem with added verses. Her notes say she first sang this at the NASA launch of the first Native American Astonaut, Commander John Herrington. Buffy strumming her guitar with gentle powwow drums and percussion in the background.
Still This Love Goes On
I already love this song, a simple song with Buffy on guitar spinning her tale of love, love of the land and love of the people. It conjours up images of sitting by a camp fire in a valley at dawn, with snow lying around and ice crackling over a lake. It's lovely. I want to go to that valley.
Buffy's in great voice throughout the record, supplying all lead and backing vocals. She and Chris Birkett play the majority of the instruments on the album, occasionally adding someone else, and it's a partnership that works well.
I don't know when this album will be generally available - or why it isn't generally available already - but I got it from ShopEmi in Canada, so click on over and buy a copy now. You won't regret it. I'm off to find that drum now - heya ha!
The Ggrrr Tyger
I went to London Zoo today for a works awayday kind of thing. I don't think I've ever been to London Zoo before but I decided I'd have a quick sprint round at lunchtime to see what a zoo looks like these days. Of course, it was damp and cold, gloomy grey sky and a light drizzle in the air, a day not to be wandering round outside. Unless you're a fabled Sumatran Tiger or Bearded Wild Pig.
In that last photo the tiger was pacing back and forth, back and forth, restlessly, endlessly moving. What a magnificent creature.
In that last photo the tiger was pacing back and forth, back and forth, restlessly, endlessly moving. What a magnificent creature.
'The Tyger' by William Blake
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare sieze the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art.
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
When the stars threw down their spears,
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
Monday, 17 November 2008
Boy George at The Shaw Theatre
On Saturday night we went to see Boy George at The Shaw Theatre for the third time this year and Mr O'Dowd was on top form.
On he bounded with his band, all decked out in B-Rude clothes, almost as if he was returning for the second half of a show rather than starting from scratch. No need to warm up the audience, we were ready and waiting to be entertained and to sing along to songs we all knew well. The set was broadly the same as at his October gig but he'd decided to kick off with the slow songs and build up pace, including songs like 'Do You Really Want To Hurt Me' and 'Victims' right up front rather than later in the show.
The songs were mainly from Culture Club but he included his 'spiritual' section with 'This Little Light Of Mine' and 'Down By The Riverside' and a couple of acoustic breaks that included 'If I Could Fly', 'Unfinished Business' and 'Summertime'. New songs, 'Vote For Love' and 'American Heart' went down very well as did stonking versions of 'Get It On' and 'Starman'. My favourites were an acoustic 'Generations Of Love', a mad electric 'Church Of the Poison Mind' (with earsplitted roars from Lizzie Dean), a euphoric 'Yes We Can' and finishing with a massive 'Bow Down Mister' with flowers thrown into the audience (Hare Rama, Hare Krishna).
On he bounded with his band, all decked out in B-Rude clothes, almost as if he was returning for the second half of a show rather than starting from scratch. No need to warm up the audience, we were ready and waiting to be entertained and to sing along to songs we all knew well. The set was broadly the same as at his October gig but he'd decided to kick off with the slow songs and build up pace, including songs like 'Do You Really Want To Hurt Me' and 'Victims' right up front rather than later in the show.
The songs were mainly from Culture Club but he included his 'spiritual' section with 'This Little Light Of Mine' and 'Down By The Riverside' and a couple of acoustic breaks that included 'If I Could Fly', 'Unfinished Business' and 'Summertime'. New songs, 'Vote For Love' and 'American Heart' went down very well as did stonking versions of 'Get It On' and 'Starman'. My favourites were an acoustic 'Generations Of Love', a mad electric 'Church Of the Poison Mind' (with earsplitted roars from Lizzie Dean), a euphoric 'Yes We Can' and finishing with a massive 'Bow Down Mister' with flowers thrown into the audience (Hare Rama, Hare Krishna).
Sunday, 16 November 2008
Mr Sulu For King Of The Jungle
I accidentally caught the opening programme of this years' 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here' and have decided that Mr Sulu must win it. I started watching this show when John Lydon was on and I think George Takei will be the gentleman this year.
I've just seen Mr Sulu take a piss in a bush - I'm watching the 'aftershow' show thing on ITV2 which shows clips not on the main programme - so I'm sure we'll learn a lot about our celebs. Of course, whenever anyone mentions George they've got to add that he's gay - that'll get boring very quickly.
The other hero so far is Martina Navratilova. Both George and Martina seem relaxed and gracious, seem to be looking forward to it as a fun rather than a serious thing (well, it's not really going to do much for their careers) and seem genuinely nice people. How long will they keep their halo, I wonder?
Some of the others hold no interest for me at all but let's see what happens over the next few weeks, shall we?
I've just seen Mr Sulu take a piss in a bush - I'm watching the 'aftershow' show thing on ITV2 which shows clips not on the main programme - so I'm sure we'll learn a lot about our celebs. Of course, whenever anyone mentions George they've got to add that he's gay - that'll get boring very quickly.
The other hero so far is Martina Navratilova. Both George and Martina seem relaxed and gracious, seem to be looking forward to it as a fun rather than a serious thing (well, it's not really going to do much for their careers) and seem genuinely nice people. How long will they keep their halo, I wonder?
Some of the others hold no interest for me at all but let's see what happens over the next few weeks, shall we?
Saturday, 15 November 2008
Waterstone's Gagging Order
When I think of fundamentalist religion (which isn't that often, I must admit) I think of the American christian right or middle eastern muslims, I don't think of the valleys of south Wales. News is filtering round the net that Waterstones bookshop in Cardiff cancelled a book signing by poet and playwrite Patrick Jones due to threats from christian voice, the same organisation that took the BBC to court for daring to screen 'Jerry Springer the Opera' and lost.
This debacle has been picked up and reported by the BBC, The Guardian and even commented on in the Welsh Assembly which has now invited Patrick Jones to do a reading at the Assembly in December. The coincidence of Patrick Jones being gay and the christian voice people turning to disrupt pride events in London and Brighton is interesting. Out of the thousands of books challenging religion why pick on a slim volume of poetry?
The argument is really about freedom of speech. christian voice is free to follow it's peculiar brand of Christianity but won't allow others to follow or debate other views. And how dares one of the country's largest book stores to cave in to whatever threats made against it? Why didn't it report these to the police, particularly in Cardiff when Patrick Jones was included in the Welsh National Library's 100 Welsh Heroes along with Aneurin Bevan, David Lloyd George, Richard Burton, Dylan Thomas and Bertrand Russell.
Waterstone's says it isn't censoring Patrick Jones since his book is still available in their stores which is plainly a silly argument. We should not allow gagging orders like this to go unchallenged and I'm pleased it's being commented on so widely, even with its own Facebook group.
The book of poety in question is 'Darkness Is Where The Stars Are' and is published by Cinnamon Press. Thanks to this ridiculous situation with Waterstone's, the book has received far more publicity than it would otherwise have had. I quite like the strap-line on the Cinnamon page - 'Buy a book - annoy a bigot'. I think I will. But not from Waterstone's - it's lost any claim on my patronage with this sad debacle. Waterstone's is, unfortunately, part of the HMV Group so I'll need to think about this - it would be a shame if one of the last record chain stores suffered economically at the moment from the stupid thinking of one of it's constituents, particularly when record shops are closing all over the place.
Go on people, buy the book - annoy a bigot and support freedom of speech.
This debacle has been picked up and reported by the BBC, The Guardian and even commented on in the Welsh Assembly which has now invited Patrick Jones to do a reading at the Assembly in December. The coincidence of Patrick Jones being gay and the christian voice people turning to disrupt pride events in London and Brighton is interesting. Out of the thousands of books challenging religion why pick on a slim volume of poetry?
The argument is really about freedom of speech. christian voice is free to follow it's peculiar brand of Christianity but won't allow others to follow or debate other views. And how dares one of the country's largest book stores to cave in to whatever threats made against it? Why didn't it report these to the police, particularly in Cardiff when Patrick Jones was included in the Welsh National Library's 100 Welsh Heroes along with Aneurin Bevan, David Lloyd George, Richard Burton, Dylan Thomas and Bertrand Russell.
Waterstone's says it isn't censoring Patrick Jones since his book is still available in their stores which is plainly a silly argument. We should not allow gagging orders like this to go unchallenged and I'm pleased it's being commented on so widely, even with its own Facebook group.
The book of poety in question is 'Darkness Is Where The Stars Are' and is published by Cinnamon Press. Thanks to this ridiculous situation with Waterstone's, the book has received far more publicity than it would otherwise have had. I quite like the strap-line on the Cinnamon page - 'Buy a book - annoy a bigot'. I think I will. But not from Waterstone's - it's lost any claim on my patronage with this sad debacle. Waterstone's is, unfortunately, part of the HMV Group so I'll need to think about this - it would be a shame if one of the last record chain stores suffered economically at the moment from the stupid thinking of one of it's constituents, particularly when record shops are closing all over the place.Go on people, buy the book - annoy a bigot and support freedom of speech.
A Poly Styrene New Year
I mentioned last week that Poly Styrene has got together with Goldblade to release their Christmas single on 1 December, 'City Of Christmas Ghosts'. There's a nice interview in The Quietus about the new record in which Poly goes on to mention releasing a DVD and live album of the X-Ray Spex Roundhouse gig next year and, possibly, a book. This is exciting news.
The single sounds well fab with a Spectorish sound and some Poly Krishna chanting at the end. I'm looking forward to hearing this!
The single sounds well fab with a Spectorish sound and some Poly Krishna chanting at the end. I'm looking forward to hearing this!
Friday, 14 November 2008
The Kinks - 'Picture Book'
It's odd to think that The Kinks, one of the great bands of the '60s have never had a box set. So I'm pleased to report that the first Kinks box set will be released on 8 December. It contains 138 tracks spread across six CDs and includes unreleased tracks, alternative takes and demos as well as all of the Kinks classics. It'll include an official biography and discography and sounds very completist. I didn't know anything about this new release, but with the re-awakening of my Kinky side through Ray's wonderful musical, 'Come Dancing', I think I know what I'll be asking Santa for ...
A Message From Whoopie
I received a most interesting message on behalf of Whoopie Goldberg this afternoon. I've always had a soft spot for Whoopie (yes, even in that cop film she did in the '80s, oh and the one where she's a burglar, and the one with Ted Danson, and...) and generally approve of her - the world needs a Whoopie. So, it's nice that she's thinking of us in l'il ole London.
The message reads:
Of all the movies I've worked on, my role in Sister Act is one of my favourites and for a long time it's been a dream of mine to bring it to the stage. Well, the dream has come true and I'm thrilled to tell you that I'm producing this major new musical from May next year, when it opens at the London Palladium.
Sister Act has a terrific story which is hilarious and uplifting plus a brilliant new score, written by the genius that is Alan Menken. Many of you will know Alan's work as the eight-time Oscar winning writer of songs for Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Enchanted....not bad hey?!
The global search for the diva who has a voice that will raise the roof at this historic theatre in your beautiful capital has begun! We'll see in 09!
O yes, I think I'll be there!
The message reads:
Of all the movies I've worked on, my role in Sister Act is one of my favourites and for a long time it's been a dream of mine to bring it to the stage. Well, the dream has come true and I'm thrilled to tell you that I'm producing this major new musical from May next year, when it opens at the London Palladium. Sister Act has a terrific story which is hilarious and uplifting plus a brilliant new score, written by the genius that is Alan Menken. Many of you will know Alan's work as the eight-time Oscar winning writer of songs for Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Enchanted....not bad hey?!
The global search for the diva who has a voice that will raise the roof at this historic theatre in your beautiful capital has begun! We'll see in 09!
O yes, I think I'll be there!
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