Song of the Week - Episode 70

Merry Christmas everyone! This is Song of the Week #70 and it is Christmas Day!

In amusing news, Angus lost his watch a while ago. Sometime this week, I heard a beeping in the lounge room and assumed it was coming from the missing timepiece. I searched high and low, listening carefully on the hour for the beep. This morning when I unwrapped a gift the beeping was a watch for me. I had been a source of constant amusement to my family all week!!

Here’s a song about time:

Anthrax – Got The Time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be7iNHw8QoQ

Here’s a track from the CD that Angus got for Xmas (his request):

Kings of Leon – Use Somebody: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWhairF_DS8

And it seems only fair that we play one from a CD that Zoë got:

Taylor Swift – Love Story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wRkoGKQ8qQ

This next one is from a CD my Dad gave me for Xmas – the latest from Mark Knopfler called Get Lucky – one of the greatest guitarists. The song is written for his uncle who was a Piper who died in WWII aged 20.

Mark Knopfler – Piper To The End: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCAtVJSNdQE

My Brother indulged my Johnny Cash obsession this Xmas by giving me the new version of the Folsom Prison concerts. There are two live concert CDs and an excellent documentary. Johnny Cash is one of those singers I never tire of and come back to on a regular basis. His music has that special knack of always having something to say that is worth listening to.

Johnny Cash – I Got Stripes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFbh-HKd8is

Santa Claus has been around for a very long time and he continues to live in the hearts of people around the world every year. Folks, to quote Arlo Guthrie, “it’s a movement”. Santa is fun; the look of sheer delight in children’s faces when they see him is immeasurable. I remember my first Xmas as a parent and how much joy Santa brought me and continues to do so although I am in no doubt that my kids know it is me! Go with the flow people, let me have my fun and please don’t feel the need to discuss whether he exists or not at a party in front of my 11 year old.

This week’s song therefore is for three reasons. 1 – I was annoyed, 2 – Santa was sighted, 3 – it is on one of Alison’s Xmas CDs!

Eddie Vedder and Neil Finn – I See Red: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ptk2q0Gvrc

Of course, if you like that song then check out the original version by one of New Zealand’s best ever bands – Split Enz.

RIP Alphonse.

Merry Christmas,
DJ Rob

Song of the Week Episode 69

Dude, Song of the Week Episode 69! Spot that cultural reference!!

I’m sure most of my faithful reading audience know all about my exploits in Sunday’s Canberra Half-Ironman. If you don’t then the race report is in the post below this one. Hard day out but I made it. Now it is time to focus on another event and the big goal of the full Ironman in December 2010.

I’ve listened to a lot of new music this week – not being at work was a big help of course! Old and new tracks from Florence and the Machine, The Faces, The Proclaimers, Coheed and Cambria, Weddings, Parties, Anything, AC/DC and Kris Kristofferson to name a few. There is also a new live anthology set out from Tom Petty. 4 CDs for about $40 is great value. I might treat myself to that one after Xmas. Tom has been on Song of the Week before, but in case you missed him, try this tune on for size:

Tom Petty – Free Fallin’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FqA2WINPF4

While we’re on American bands, I never tire of this next song and if you got the cultural reference earlier on you’ll understand why I have included it. This is another great song that I have on vinyl and comes from the album “Permanent Vacation” which is criminally underrated. Funny video too with a couple of “Crying Game” moments.

Aerosmith – Dude Looks Like A Lady: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45T-4iJGl1c

Have we had Painters and Dockers on the show before? Probably not. This is a Victorian band that had a cult following when I was at High School and University. Biting lyrics and outrageous and fun live shows. Were they the first band to perform their video clip totally nude and still get it aired on national TV? Perhaps. I remember being asked not to play this song again on school radio ;-)

Painters and Dockers – Nude School: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxuzsxNkDxY

While we’re on classic Aussie bands, see if you can pick anyone in this band (here’s a clue….WAKE UP JEFF!)

The Cockroaches – She’s The One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXLyDyF5qlk

And if you thought The Wiggles were just a kids band:

The Wiggles – Angel of Harlem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTVf-yjXMfs

This week both of our kids got their school reports and they were very good. We all got a huge shock when Zoë got an award for Extended Mathematics and another for getting straight A grades. What a clever girl! Obviously she was switched at birth ;-) I also got to watch Angus playing the oboe in his school band yesterday – tough instrument but the band were pretty good. They finish school today so Alison and I are preparing for the onslaught! Luckily all the Xmas shopping is done.

Tom Waits has been on this programme as well, but he has a new live album with tracks from his “Glitter and Doom” tour. Zoë doesn’t like Tom. She thinks that he is belching all the words to his songs! Fair call probably. This is a great live version though and Tom Waits can really grow on you if given a chance.

Tom Waits (live) – Goin’ Out West: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4_N2F4o4cU

Choosing a song to highlight every week is a challenge but one that I enjoy. Sometimes it is just the track that I keep rewinding in the car (well, repeating I guess in these days of CD and MP3) and sometimes it is just one that pops into my head. This one popped in. Back at school I remember someone giving me a tape of Midnight Oil’s “The Dead Heart” to play, or maybe it was a record. Regardless, on the B-side were two songs, one was by Coloured Stone called “This Land” and then there was this – a great song, a great riff and a message that is still being ignored largely by our government regardless of their political persuasion. I think I wore out my cassette copy so I’ll hit eBay after this and see if I can track it down on vinyl or CD. The Warumpi Band album that this comes from is called “Big Name No Blankets” – a reflection on the band’s “success”.

Warumpi Band – Blackfella / Whitefella http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVVGygQAQT0

Will there be an episode on Xmas day? Maybe, so watch this space.

DJ Rob

PS: for those of you who need a hint with this week’s cultural reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrGWooNDPiE

Canberra 1/2 Ironman Report

Ever since some of our crew raced at Busselton at the end of 2008 I’ve had my eye on the challenge of an Ironman. For me, competing and finishing is everything. Unless I can outlast everyone in my age group the podium will never be for me!

So, after quite a few Olympic distance and other races it was time to step up to the ½ Ironman distance. Having it here in Canberra always makes life easier. I entered months ago to make sure that I did all the training!

Race day came around very quickly I must admit. Here’s a rundown:

Swim 1.9km – excellent, I got a good position on the left of the field, which meant I could see almost everyone without having to look into the sun. Pretty uneventful apart from some swimmers going waaaay off course. I was glad I had paid attention to Coach in regards to open water swim technique.

Transition 1 – not a short run to the bike and my soft feet didn’t like the carpark! Apart from that it was all going to plan. I chose to put a cycling jersey on to avoid some sunburn – glad I did too. I figured I’d be out there for a while so I took riding gloves and banana bread as well.

Ride 94km – I expected this to hurt a lot more than it did. I really had no problems at all out there although more than one portaloo on the course might’ve been good! Even the 3rd time up Coppins Crossing was fine. It was great to get the support from the Tridents and QUON folks at the top of that hill. Three laps came and went without a drama – the extra cycling paid off – even the hated home trainer!

Transition 2 – uneventful – I remembered to have that extra Powerade drink I’d left beside my bike as well as to put my socks on! With the sun beating down and me having fairer skin than the majority of redheads I left the cycling jersey on. I figured I could chuck it if it annoyed me later – it didn’t.

Run 21km – shocking. After 5 pretty good kilometres where I felt great my left ITB suddenly began to protest. No amount of stretching or swearing would make it behave. I was torn, there was no way I wanted to pull out but I wasn’t sure I could face walking the rest of the way. In the end I shuffled, ran and walked (saving my best running moments for going past the Tridents HQ tent!). I was very, very pleased to have Howsie and then AB riding alongside me at a couple of points on the run – they kept me going at pretty dark moments. After I got over “Hospital hill” for the second time the end was in sight and I was fairly determined that the Bilby behind me wouldn’t catch me. It wasn’t pretty and in the end my daughter Zoë could walk faster than I was running but I got to the end. She ran across the line with me which was very special and I look forward to the official photos.

In review I reckon it went pretty well for a first go. I’ll work more on the ITB even though it hasn’t troubled me for 18 months – probably a combination of a hard ride and the hard running surface.

To all the Tridents who hung around in the hottest part of the day waiting for me to drag myself across the finish line – a HUGE thankyou. And to all those competing who encouraged me along the way – you guys ROCK. Of course, none of this would happen without my understanding family and Coach.

Busselton Ironman 2010? Ask me in a few weeks.

Rob (I have the finishers towel and the t-shirt and that is what matters!)

Song of the Week - Episode 68

This week’s collection is a bit random. I was toying with a couple of themes but they didn’t amount to much in the end. So really this is just a bit of a random playlist of tunes you might enjoy.

Here’s a song I never expected to like. I ran a radio station when I was at High School. It was a once a week “broadcast” and this next performer was just huge. I disliked his songs greatly at the time but then this one came along. I have no idea why I like it but I still have it on a 45 and it’s a great tune:

John Farnham – Two Strong Hearts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw1Ne61iidk

At our place, both the kids are addicted to the TV show “Glee”. What I like about it is the songs they choose to cover – usually great tracks from the 80’s. I’d forgotten about this one:

Salt n’ Pepa – Push It: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFH7wSMG8Hc

One of the theme’s I was going to choose was Australian songs with bagpipes. Why? Well why not. I like bagpipes although my attempt to learn to play them wasn’t successful – it was very difficult so I regressed back into rock’n’roll!!

AC/DC – It’s A Long Way To The Top: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UaJ9UKM7kk
The Church – Under The Milky Way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-mQyRuHIuA

And then I thought I’d put some of the songs that have kept me going with my run training for this weekend’s ½ Ironman but it was a bit hard to decide on as I usually have the iPod on shuffle! Here’s a couple I tend to play over and over as the beat is about right for my slow pace:

Everclear – Volvo Driving Soccer Mom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK_XWH7Ryd4 (not if you’re easily offended)
Run DMC – My ADIDAS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=virlWcB_G-E
Simon and Garfunkel - Me and Julio down by the schoolyard: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IesgyvKdvU

And so, dear friends, here we are at the end of the school year. I’m fairly sure that Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” has been played before by me so I’ll leave it to one side! This week’s featured track comes from a band I was lucky enough to see in concert. Once at the ANU and then later on at the Royal Theatre which was a much bigger venue. The first time I saw Yothu Yindi was just after “Treaty” had been released. Between the support band and Yothu Yindi the crowd was asked to sit on the floor as school kids from the Top End would perform for them but were a little nervous. Everyone sat and the kids were fabulous.

Yothu Yindi – Tribal Voice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ-hbpWlXNQ

See you all next week assuming I survive Sunday’s race.

DJ Rob

Song of the Week - Episode 67

Not a lot to say this week. School is winding down. Some people need to wind just a little slower. I've been training the house down in preparation for my first attempt at a half-ironman triathlon. Dec 13th is the big day and I'm more than a little nervous.

Angus' class has been rehearsing for their end of year concert and part of their act is one of my favourite songs. They chose a great version as well:

Ike and Tina Turner - Proud Mary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_HuOVtHxdI

My mate Garry in London mentioned that he'd been listening to John Hiatt so I did a bit of a search and came up with this song. I like the sentiment and also it reminds me a lot of Neil Young's band, Crazy Horse.

John Hiatt - Perfectly Good Guitar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5begHSoQ1s

Is it my fault that this song led into this one? An oldie but a goldie:

Bob Seger - Old Time Rock N Roll: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIkbgIb940k Of course, some of you may remember this song from the TV series ALF: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgiLBvPGoT4

And on to this week's featured tune. Lenny Kravitz is pretty famous now. Back in the day I heard this single and bought the album on cassette. For me, it is one of those rare albums without a dud track. Critics seem to disagree but that's their call. This track features Slash from Guns N Roses on guitar and I reckon if Tina Turner had continued on from her cover of Proud Mary she might've come up with something like this.

Lenny Kravitz - Always On The Run: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_25koL_nr0

DJ Rob