Sunday, 18 December 2011
The time has come to say fair's fair. To pay the rent, now. To pay our share.
Pick of the Week
“Beds Are Burning” by Midnight Oil (1987)
Australia is a tough land and always has been. It is a land of extremes: Extreme heat. Extreme tragedy. Extreme beauty. To name a few.
The hardship of Australians over the last few years with bush fires across Victoria1 and floods in the beautiful north and then in Victoria 2 have been horrendously difficult to deal with. Ongoing problems of water shortages and reduced tourism due to the world economy only tend to compound their problems. With all this going on, in a harsh land, the resilient spirit of the Australians as always, prevails and even thrives as they have done for some two hundred years. They are a very tough, yet soulful and proud people. And hey, they have the coolest accents of the English speaking world. This spirit is often reflected in their music.
For a country that has a fairly small population it has blessed the world with many a gifted musician
Saturday, 17 December 2011
We'll be fighting in the streets with our children at our feet and the morals that they worship will be gone
Songs Everyone Should Know
“Won’t Get Fooled Again” by the Who (1971)
It started as being an extension of the statement made by the hippies. “We Won’t Get Fooled Again”. By What? By Who? Let the entrenchment of the boomers begin. Are the new leaders any better than the old leaders?
It was the loudest band in the world. The thunderous drums of Keith Moon, the driving bass of John Entwhistle, the crashing guitar of Pete Townshend and the instantly recognizable vocals of Rodger Daltrey blended at the time of male-dominated rock and roll. With fellow Brit bands Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones, they were all over the airwaves in the early ‘70’s. The so-called ‘holy trinity’ of British bands (with the Beatles and the Stones) is filled out by the Who.
Friday, 16 December 2011
I couldn't stop moving when it first took hold.It was a warm spring night in the ol' town hall There was a group called The Jokers, they were layin' it down. Don'tcha know I'm never gonna lose that funky sound.
Quick Hit
“Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” by Rick Derringer (1973)
When I was in my early teens I would babysit the odd time for a bit of spare money. I remember this song was on a K-tel record that I took with me babysitting one time. This couple I babysat for had a grand piano. The guy could play like there’s no tomorrow and I thought that was pretty cool - although you wouldn’t know it from looking at him. He looked like your typical business man.
Anyway he let me use his stereo when I was over babysitting and encouraged me to bring my own albums to play (although he had a few good ones). His stereo was pretty high end. To me this seemed a bit odd. He was paying me to hang out and listen to records while his sons slept and I ate bar-b-qued potato chips and drank 7-Up. Not a bad deal!
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Big Boss man can you hear me when I call?
Sunday, back to work tomorrow...
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| Hall & Oates - Private Eyes |
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| Bruce Cockburn - Nothing but a Burning Light |
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| The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions |
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| Fleetwood Mac - Mr. Wonderful |
Saturday, 10 December 2011
The world was on fire and no one could save me but you. It's strange what desire will make foolish people do
Sappy Song Department
“Wicked Game” by Chris Isaac (1989)
Chris got his break when an Atlanta radio station host, obsessed with David Lynch movies started playing the vocal track of “Wicked Game” from the soundtrack of “Wild at Heart”. I remember seeing the movie and not being very impressed. Slowly the requests built for the song and by early 1991 it was a top-ten hit.
In 1991 a compilation of previous songs was put out to capitalize on Chris new found success. It included the mournful “Blue Spanish Sky”, “Wrong to Love You”, and of course “Wicked Game”.
There is a twang of country and rockabilly on his albums and that continued with 1993’s “San Francisco Days”. This band often reminds me of Canada’s ‘Blue Rodeo’, but with flamenco flair.
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
We're talking away. I don't know what I'm to say. I'll say it anyway. Today's another day to find you.
Quick Hit
“Take on Me” by A-ha (1985)
A-ha is I think the most successful band to come out of Norway. It formed in Oslo in 1982, with vocalist Morten Harkel, Magne Furuhulem (keyboard) and guitarist Pal Waaktaar. My experience with Norwegians is very limited, and based mostly on my maternal grandmother – they live forever and they are tough, no-nonsense kind of people. I digress.......
Sunday, 4 December 2011
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