Song of the Week #157

I’ve received a few comments that Song of the Week is beginning to sprawl a bit. Personally I think that this is just fine. Some weeks I have plenty of songs to share and then others not so much. I’m always interested in feedback about the music or suggestions. And if it’s too much for you just click the last song in the list and listen J

The internet triumphed again this week as I did all my birthday present shopping from the lounge as well as getting some excellent bargains on music for myself.

My Mum’s birthday was yesterday. I’m sure that it’s all her fault that ABBA’s Greatest Hits Volume 2 LP is imprinted into my brain! Here’s one of my favourite ABBA songs. There’s no auto-tune on these vocals – take note folks – real talent.

ABBA – Rock Me (Live in Australia 1977)

My little brother also has a birthday very shortly. Pretty sure he has less hair than me. But in his defence he’s a lot more famous. I’ve spotted him on the TV on a number of occasions.

The Hollies – He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother

And for the last few weeks my Dad has been overseas. He’s been to some rather awesome places like Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Moscow and Vilnius. Zoë laughed at his postcard from the Winter Palace – there was so many translations of the photo caption that there was barely room to write “having a great time”. But it was cool to get the card regardless. I remember the consternation caused when I was in the Army and got mail from Radio Moscow! I’m sure every artist that goes to Russia plays this but what the hell….

Chubby Checker – Back In The USSR

Australian legends Cold Chisel have released re-masters of all their CDs. Their album “Breakfast at Sweethearts” was the first CD I ever bought. That same day that I splurged on a player! I was lucky enough to have a couple of friends at school who were huge Chisel fans. Being a “new Australian” they ensured that I understood the band’s importance! Here’s a mellow song about a café in Sydney.

Cold Chisel – Breakfast At Sweethearts

This week Canberra was supposedly going to be shut down by the “Convoy of no confidence” – a protest against the Federal Government. Well, I rode my bike that morning and saw a couple of trucks, seven police vehicles, tons of cameramen and a helicopter. The organisers tell us it wasn’t a flop but guess what… Here’s a song I know you’ll love.

C.W. McCall - Convoy

This next artist is reputed to be channeling Gram Parsons, Townes Van Zandt and Bruce Springsteen. That’s a LOT to live up to. My first listen to him was today after reading a review in a free magazine. See what you think, I plan to listen to the whole album as soon as I can find it. This track is pretty mellow.

Jordie Lane – Not From Round Here

Hot Tuna was a band that came out of Jefferson Airplane in the late 60s. Back in the day when I was collecting Action Figures a fellow trader sent me a bundle of cassettes he had no more use for. Hot Tuna was in there and it is still getting played! They’ve just put out a new album. Here’s a track for your listening pleasure.

Hot Tuna – If This Is Love

Lemmy’s (from Motorhead) autobiography finally arrived in the mail from the Book Suppository. It took ages to get here and then only a couple of hours to read. Luckily it was entertaining. I was disappointed that Lemmy didn’t talk about the growths on his face but apart from that no stone seemed to be left unturned. It reminded me a bit of reading Lance Armstrong’s book in that you are in no doubt at all about the author’s opinions! Lemmy did write that he was sick of people thinking that his career ended in 1980 with “Ace of Spades”. I’ve been a fan on and off for years and I can’t say that any of their albums are duds. Ebay provided me with the latest offering during the week and it is pretty fantastic. For fans of loud rock and roll (as opposed to metal) check this out. It’s like Chuck Berry with more volume!

Motorhead – Rock ‘n’ Roll Music

Here’s a quote I read on Twitter this morning:

“An apostrophe is the difference between a business that knows its sh*t and a business that knows it's sh*t”

Grammar and spelling, just like table manners, DO matter. Make an effort.

I’ve said enough. Goodbye.

DJ Rob

Song of the Week #156

This week I’ve been busier than a one armed paper hanger – and that’s busy! On Monday things go back to what passes for normal around here at work. I’ll be singing this song all week!

Theme from Welcome Back Kotter

While we’re on the subject of TV theme songs, Angus asked who Fat Albert was during the week. I found out that Alison didn’t like the show at all. Personally I loved it. I’ll get some on DVD and educate my boy when she’s out!! Bill Cosby was hugely funny and of course the social commentary was pretty good too.

Theme from Fat Albert

I saw an old episode of The Six Million Dollar Man on TV this week. Apart from the fact I thought it was super cool, it made me realise just how plastic a lot of people are on TV these days. Surgical enhancement really is a drag when there is so much natural beauty around. Yep, “silicon parts are made for toys”.

Sir Mix-A-Lot – Baby Got Back

And now it’s twice in a week that I’ve been hassled on my bike by ute driving morons. There must be some correlation between utes, fluorescent workwear, cigarettes and the need to yell abuse at me minding my own business in the cycle lane. Nothing is as funny though as the morons who gave us grief one day on an Ironman training ride. We were in the middle of nowhere on a deserted road and they were driving a Prius. Ha ha ha ha!

In awesome rugby news I was pleased to see that James Horwill was awarded the Wallaby captaincy for the World Cup. He is a worthy leader of the men in green and gold. I remain gob smacked that Matt Giteau didn’t rate a place in the 30 man squad. Surely other countries will now be examining their citizenship laws to see if they can get him in their team. Gits is a class act on the field and this is no way for an international career to end. To his credit, he’s being rather professional about the whole thing.

Here’s a tune from my youth. Former Australian Crawl frontman James Reyne has had patchy solo success. This is a great song with a driving beat and a great hollow driven guitar sound. The boys in the utes stole his hairstyle!

James Reyne – Fall of Rome

Recently I’ve had friends and family seemingly on holiday all over the world. Apart from a number of trips to NZ to visit family and a week in Fiji a few years ago I haven’t been anywhere for such a long time. It never got me down before, I’m very much a home body. But recently all the stories, photos and facebook updates have got me thinking. Obviously there are places in Scotland that I’d like to see but I’ve been looking around for somewhere that I really, really want to go. My Dad’s just been in Moscow – that’d be cool. I’d really like to see Lenin’s Tomb and a few other things. I’ve also always wanted to have a look at parts of France. But really, the USA fascinates me. So much of our popular culture comes from there. It’s the home of the Blues and of Rock ‘N’ Roll. I guess the other thing is that we have a skewed view of the American people from TV. I’d like to visit and make up my own mind. I’m sure that they are not all right-wing Reagan voters who only listen to Van Halen the same way that not all Australian are beer swilling, kangaroo riding versions of Paul Hogan. Or maybe it’s just that I want to go to Graceland.

Elvis Presley – Burning Love

If anyone would like to sponsor my plans to get my kicks on Route 66 just drop me a line or better yet, a cheque!

Chuck Berry – Get Your Kicks on Route 66

Of course, if you go to England you need a different version of this song…classic!

Billy Bragg – A13, Trunk Road To The Sea

There’s something in music about certain chords or progressions of notes sounding mournful. Probably similar to the way that a seventh chord always sounds to me like it is hanging on! This instrumental should feature in every Dracula movie – the notes, the sound just fit so well. Maybe for my next movie…

Iron Maiden - Transylvania

I hope this week was ecletic enough to give everyone out there something to listen to.

I’m off home now, Zoë has been away on Band Tour all week and I’ve missed her!

That’s all folks.

DJ Rob

Song of the Week #155

Is it too soon to play this song? Perhaps it is but this is the song that instantly came to mind when I heard about the UK riots. Please don’t take this as condoning the actions of the mob, I am horrified. Just keep all your convicts at home this time OK?

The Clash – London’s Burning

I passed a group of kids today who were doing some sort of complicated clapping routine. It sounded like fun and it reminded me of this song. I guess the song is a bit embarrassing but it certainly is catchy. Yep, I’m aware that this isn’t the original but it was a big radio hit when I was younger. A LOT younger.

The Belle Stars – The Clapping Song

Now we’ll take a slightly different musical direction. I liked this band initially because their album covers were just too cool for school. I’m not sure what the particular style of artwork is called but it looks great and fits in well with their sound. Here’s a link to an example. The band is German and I was lucky enough that a friend of mine turned me on to some of their better tunes. Try this one out for size. By the way, their name is sort of an acronym in German and it translates to “no pity for the majority”.

KMFDM – Juke Joint Jezebel

It’s World Cadel Evans Day if you didn’t realise. The TdF winner is in Melbourne today for a victory parade. Let’s hope no one stands on his dog!

More importantly there are a couple of birthdays today.

First up is DJ MickeyD. Yeah, he’s 21 again. He put me onto this next track which is really very cool. If you hated KMFDM then you might like this – polar opposites!

The Tiger and Me – I Left The Wolves Behind That Night

It’s also Alison’s birthday. She’s older than me (insert big grin here)! This is for her. And it doesn’t get much cheesier. But it’s the sentiment that matters. You all know you want to sing along with the chorus – treat yourself and those around you!

Bon Jovi – Born To Be My Baby

Here’s the song of the week. A Kiwi band I’d never heard of (shame on my brother) and a tune from a really good band – Jesus Jones. This is just great. In 1990 or 91 I saw Jesus Jones here at the ANU Bar. It was a top night. It isn’t often that I see a band that I know nothing about and become an instant fan. I rushed out and bought their cassette!

The Feelers – Right Here, Right Now

That’s all this week. I hope your cat is better behaved than ours.

DJ Rob

Song of the Week #154

Look, I’m sorry if I offended anyone last week with my comments about Tina Arena and the National Anthem. My opinion is that she needed to warble a lot less and sing it so that people could join in. It’s a stirring anthem and I reckon it should be sung that way.

This is for Tyler’s Mummy…. The Wiggles – Advance Australia Fair – wow, you even get the second verse!

Big news (well for me at least) is that Ironman is coming to Melbourne from 2012. Given that the two current IM races in Australia sold out in record time this is pretty cool. I think I’ll consider a 2013 entry. Next March is too close. There’s a lot to organize before one can enter and start the long training slog. But, not having to train through winter or magpie season is tempting. Watch this space.

Alison is back from Hong Kong and it sounded like a good trip. She brought me back a Mao Tse Tung clock – magic! And if you think the kids and I were pleased to see her return then the sooky dog and cat just take the cake.

Alabama3 - Mao Tse Tung Said

I’ve ordered the biography of this next singer from my favourite website bookdepository.co.uk (and no, they don’t sponsor me or anything like that). I like the band, I’ve seen them live and have quite a number of their albums. I imagine the book will be a warts and all affair!

Motorhead – 1916 (this might be a bit different to what you expect from Motorhead)

There’s a biography and a film out about this next singer. I don’t know too much about him but the reviews of both piqued my interest. This song has a cool groove and Ian’s accent makes me chuckle.

Ian Dury & The Blockheads – Sex & Drugs & Rock ‘n’ Roll

For all you users of Twitter out there I can heartily recommend following @Queen_UK. I know it’s a spoof my it is hilarious. My favourite recent comment from “her”…

“Lewis Hamilton, you concentrate on driving a car, your Queen will concentrate on driving a nation. The National Anthem is not changing.”

Brian May - God Save The Queen

Here’s a band I really struggle with. If I ever wanted to go to sleep out of sheer boredom then they’d be in the soundtrack. I reckon DJ Laff knew that and so searched out a track worth listening too. Finally. Maybe they got it right once. This tune is fantastic – I’ll drag the albums I have out this weekend and see if my mind is changed.

Radiohead - Just

Last night I watched an episode of “Big Bang Theory” – pretty amusing as per normal. But the boys’ antics reminded me of this tune from an excellent Brisbane band.

Custard – Girls Like That (Don’t Go For Guys Like Us)

I think I’ll finish this week with something really cheesy. Who remembers Sweet? Well not me, I didn’t hear about them until I was a bit older and really via this next cover of one of their tunes. This is Steve Stevens on guitar. He has a lot of hair and a hilarious white leather suit but, oh my, he can play! Fans of Michael Jackson may recognize him from the Dirty Diana video. Anyway, it’s a great tune if you’re a runner or gym junkie.

Steve Stevens’ Atomic Playboys - Action

That’s all folks.

DJ Rob