Seems like the Don McLean tune really struck a chord with a lot of people. It's a tune that I've known as long as I can remember. I've got the original LP from 1971 (a German pressing I believe since we lived there for a bit). And whilst it is a beautiful song it really isn't my favourite on the album. This one is...
Don McLean - Everybody Loves Me Baby - http://youtu.be/XG6SCDUiFZs
I started learning to play the guitar in 1978. I was lucky in that my lessons were far from traditional. All that really happened was we sat around in a circle and played songs off a chart, learning a new chord or two every week. The teachers must've been pretty much a bunch of old hippies when I look back on the tunes! However, this one was one of the hardest for our group - too many chords!! But it's a great song and I still play it.
Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly - http://youtu.be/O1eOsMc2Fgg
I sat down yesterday and played through a stack of old 45s. It was a lot of fun even if there were a few cringe-worthy moments. Vinyl certainly doesn't sound as crisp or clear as CD or a quality digital track but there's something warm and organic about letting the needle down on the plastic. This song gave me a laugh...
Timbuk3 - The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades - http://youtu.be/8qrriKcwvlY
That novelty hit made me think about this one...
The Timelords - Doctorin' The TARDIS - http://youtu.be/Adk1ujjmguo
Yesterday I watched an old Dr Who four part series. "The Face of Evil" is where Leela comes into the story as Tom Baker's companion. I've had the paperback and read it many times since I was a kid. The TV series was rather average - not one of the greatest! But it did have what I consider to be the best version of the theme track; this one...
Dr Who (Tom Baker era) Theme - http://youtu.be/Omm16abxjYI
If the Dr Who theme is of interest to you then check out this video from the BBC about the making of it.
Queens of the Stone Age have a new album out. Normally this wouldn't even rate a raised eyebrow from me. I have a couple of their previous efforts and for some reason they just don't excite me in the slightest. I think it's all just far too similar sounding for my taste which is amusing given that I'm an AC/DC fan. However, I happened upon this little gem and it had me nodding in a rather goofy fashion in my headphones. If the new album is all this good it should be a cracker. This track really has a Roxy Music vibe going on.
QOTSA - Smooth Sailing - http://youtu.be/OxMDDVin4FQ
Ghost's new album is out in stores now and the band is touring. Their schtick is hilarious. Fortunately their musicianship and singing is also really good. Again, you might not like their lyrics but the sound and groove is excellent. The album is called "Infestissumam" which is apparently Latin for "hostile". Someone please ask the Socceroos coach if he can confirm this. For a band that had problems getting their CD manufactured and distributed in the USA they're doing OK at #7 on the Billboard Hard Rock Chart. It went to #1 in their native Sweden. It's so refreshing for a heavy band not to scream, growl or bark.
Ghost - Secular Haze - http://youtu.be/vyQZ13jobIY
I found out today that there are some deluxe editions of Thin Lizzy albums doing the rounds. Normally this means a dodgy remaster and a couple of cheesy demo versions if you're lucky. We may be in luck however as the reviews I've read rate the remastering highly as well as the extra tracks. This version of "Cowboy Song" from a BBC session certainly sounds excellent. I'll shoot off an email to Henry Rollins, the expert in all things Thin Lizzy, for an opinion. This particular version has some great bluesy guitar at the start and then the classic Lizzy swagger.
Thin Lizzy - Cowboy Song (BBC session) - http://youtu.be/uOwWXumlSgU
I've finished watching Season 1 of Lilyhammer now. It's only 8 episodes and really, it may be the best thing I've watched in years. It's well written, quirky, amusing and thoroughly enjoyable. There wasn't a dud moment in any of it. Do yourself a favour and watch it now.
With weather being rather cold here in Canberra I've had to get creative to stay warm on my bicycle. Although I've had the luxury of riding in the middle of the day the temperature has still generally been in single figures. Whatever I've tried I just can't stop my left foot turning into a solid ice block after about 30 minutes. Now, short of riding intervals around my suburb and stopping for a foot spa every lap I needed a solution. Today I think I cracked it. 75km with feet that felt normal the whole way. What's the secret I hear you cry! Well, a plastic sandwich bag over my socks inside my shoe! Hilarious but it worked a treat. I advise not using bags that have contained sandwiches unless you want your feet to smell like cheese and salami.
I like hearing new bands. I like it even more if they are good! Here's a group that have been around a while but have just popped onto my radar. I don't know much about them yet other than the fact that they're from Maryland in the USA and they like beards. Zoë showed us the sign language for "my beard's on fire" which I imagine is very useful. But, this band has a song called "Burning Beard" which popped up on YouTube when I was searching for a video to see if Zoë was telling the truth or pulling my leg! Clutch are pretty heavy and to me sound like a cross between Rage Against The Machine, Soundgarden, Rollins and Black Sabbath. See what you think while I order one of their albums...
Clutch - Burning Beard - http://youtu.be/2eepsCXpLY4
Clutch - The Regulator - http://youtu.be/Ia0HUBWdDkU
OK, it's been a rather rock 'n' roll episode this week and I see no need to change that just yet. Here are a couple of tracks that you might be able to see and hear the link between. One is a classic and one is brand spanking new.
The Rolling Stones - Bitch (live 1972) - http://youtu.be/3N0A2b7nbdM
Vintage Trouble - Pelvis Pusher - http://youtu.be/ZMCutWGTHSU
I'm still enjoying the new Black Sabbath album. But, I grew up with Ozzy as a solo artist and even though it may be a form of blasphemy that's what I prefer. During the week I saw that he was a guest star on an episode of CSI - I need to go back and watch that. However, I jokingly wrote on Facebook, "will there be subtitles?" We all know that Ozzy is almost unintelligible these days whether it be as a result of drugs or just because he's contrary. Anyway, hats off to DJ Laff for his reply; "...of course there will be f&*^ing subtitles. Remember I'm the Prince of Darkness...Sharon?" Too funny. Here's Ozzy at his best.
Ozzy Osbourne - Rock 'n' Roll Rebel (live 1984) - http://youtu.be/ikL_ZdMXUoE
This song is a hoot and I'm playing it for a couple of reasons. One is that it makes me laugh, and the other is that Angus is performing in Grease next week - very cool indeed!
Less Than Jake - Greased Lightnin' - http://youtu.be/tzAmA0AmYFI
And just before I call it quits have a listen to this.
Me First & The Gimme Gimmes - Somewhere Over The Rainbow - http://youtu.be/Ymx8bHBigek
Righto, that should be enough music to keep some of you going all week. If not, email me for more.
DJ Rob
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