With Just A Hint Of Mayhem

Music reviews, gig reviews, fun trivia and extra added random stuff!

“They think they’ll get to heaven through the universe” – Brit Awards 2011 February 15, 2011

Filed under: News — justwilliam1959 @ 10:23 pm
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So this years Brits have undergone yet another revamp and moved to the O2 Arena as well. It is now designed to build up to a finale of the announcement of the Best British Album, with each nominee introducing their album in little vignettes throughout the show. I guess it’s based around the Oscars where the whole spectacle concludes with the Best Film Awards. Even the actual award has had a makeover too, thanks to Vivienne Westwood. With Viv involved it seems weird that the Brits effectively started at the height of punk and it was all black ties and very formal and Cliff Richard was the winner of Best British Male Vocalist, oh how times have changed, well mostly anyway.

The show was kicked off by Take That with “Kidz”. I hate to say it but even with Robbie back in the ranks I quite like them. The performance was good and the boys were surrounded by riot police dancers who stripped at the end. Maybe there’s a lesson for the police the next time they are called out to student protests. But did anyone else think that a couple of the ‘That were wearing incontinence pants?

Hosted by James Corden, personally I’m not sure about that choice I have never really found him either funny or exciting. First award was for Best British Male presented by Dizzee Rascal, last years winner, to Plan B. Now that was a good choice, the ‘Defamation Of Strickland Banks’ is a killer album.

Another live performance came next, it was the abundantly talented Adele, boy that girl has got a superb voice. She sang “Someone Like You” accompanied just by a pianist. It’s hard to believe that she is so young. Now that’s what you call real singing, are you listening Cheryl Cole? It was a brilliant example of how talented a lone singer can be, but did they have to shower her with all that silver snow/ confetti?

Now that interlude of James Corden speaking to Justin Bieber was weird. James telling Justin how wonderful he smelled. Is that grooming? (Yes I know you could read that two ways!) It was left to Fearne Cotton presenting the Best British Breakthrough Artist award to take that awful scene out of my mind. The winner was Tinie Tempah, apparently Prince Harry and Prince William are fans!

International Album was presented by none other than German Musical Superstar………..errrr Boris Becker. Anyone for Tennis? It was justly won by Arcade Fire with ‘The Suburbs’. They gave a fantastic name check to British acts; Clash, Bowie, Culture Club, New Order, Depeche Mode.

And now we have Rihanna who started her medley set from behind what could have been a giant shower curtain or giant grass skirt. The hair matched the dress, but did the collar match the cuffs? 😉 We came close to finding out as she removed the dress pretty damned quickly! Maybe not everything but the kitchen sink, but Burundi style drummers and wait……. was that the Olympic flame? Oh and another thing, now that’s what you call real dancing, are you watching Cheryl Cole?

Mark Ronson was there to present the Critics Choice Award, was he dressed like an Accountant or was it just me? I don’t mean that I was dressed like an Accountant, obviously! Don’t you think his hair was like a ski slope? Well even more obviously no surprise that the winner was Jessie J, as this was one of the awards that was announced some while in advance of the ceremony itself. The fourth woman to win that award and she didn’t blub….. but only just!

One of the nominees for best album were the next band on stage, it was Mumford And Sons. It’s no wonder they’re so big in America is it? They look like hicks and hillbillies; mind you they were bloody good at the Reading Festival last year. Who wears cowboy hats or truckers caps in this country, which just puts my flat cap to shame really!

To present the International Male Award we had yet another musical superstar; Lewis Hamilton…..errrr how many albums has he had then? The award gave Cee Lo Green his first ever Brit. Now that’s a big “Fuck You” to all the previous voters, they won’t “Forget You” next time Cee Lo. A brilliant choice in my opinion. He gave a great shout to Boy George too. Nice to see all the Johnny Foreigners thanking the Brits this time around. I’m not xenophobic ok, I’m just an archetypal arrogant Brit! Well actually I’m not really, I am a Brit but I don’t think I’m arrogant or even archetypal, although I’m sure some might disagree!

What was the Best British Single then, it was presented by Alan Carr, is it me or does his voice really grate on you? It was also voted for by fans, so that should mean a good choice right? Well it was a good choice, it was Tinie Tempah with “Pass Out” It could have been so much worse with all those X Factor related nominees.

What the F*ck am I doing here?

Two blokes off of Duran Duran presented the Best International Group award to the magnificent Arcade Fire. What can one say? Flipping heck another good choice, this revamp has done wonders for giving the right people the awards too.

Plan B was the next live performer. Show stopping set and dancing, a tight band. It was like a modern version of the old Motown or Stax Revues. Were those Police left over from the Take That performance? Of course they were, the Riot Squad were there again. It’s one thing infiltrating eco-activists, but this level of police intrusion is so far beyond subtle it’s off the bloody scale! What about the dude that was set aflame? Was that a tribute to the recently deceased Johnny Storm aka the Human Torch off of the Fantastic Four? Check out issue number 587 of the World’s Greatest Comic magazine for more info on that one people!

Avril Lavigne and Will Young combined to present the next award, now that is a novel but strange pairing. It was International Breakthrough Act and was won by Justin Bieber, well I suppose it couldn’t all go my way could it. Still at least it wasn’t the Glee Cast was it? Still the boy done good bearing in mind he is not quite seventeen yet.

Best British Female Solo award was present by Georg O’Dowd aka Boy George, isn’t it about time he upgraded to Man George? Deservedly won by the beautiful talent that is Laura Marling. She was followed by a brilliant performance from Arcade Fire with “Ready To Start”. Are these guys one of the best bands on the planet right now? I think so and it always looks like they’re really enjoying themselves too.

Now that’s what I call presenting an award, are you watching Cheryl Cole? Ooops no you’re not, you’re actually presenting the damned thing for Best International Female. It went to Cheryl’s ‘Girl Crush’ (hmmmm interesting in a pervy kind of way); Rihanna in a big white dress with roses….. they grow on you!

Tinie Tempah took to the stage next and frankly he did it like he owned the thing. Great performance and bloody good laser show to boot. The stage was full of Tinie lookalikes, how about a spoofed version of Eminem, anyone for ‘The Real Tinie Tempah’? This dude is a really top bloke in my humble opinion. Move over Mr Rascal and make way for Mr Tempah. Are the organisers of the Reading Festival watching? How about Tinie Tempah on the afternoon bill on the Main Stage Saturday or Sunday, it’s worked well for Dizzee before hasn’t it?

Dermot O’Leary off of the X Factor (amongst Others) no less was on hand to present the Award for Best British Group. It went to Take That. It pains me to say that with their current album I actually like some music that Robbie is involved in. I must be ill in the head. Robbie was his usual nonsensical arse with just a couple of shouts of ‘Shabba’ thankfully leaving the other boys to do most of the talking and thanking.

So then came the grand finale the Best British Album Award, presented by Rock God Roger Daltrey off of the Who. He said that he thought that Plan B’s set had made him reminisce of the early days of the Who,(was he serious?) but sadly the award didn’t go to him, it went to Mumford And Sons, still not a bad choice.

The show was closed by the mighty, magnificent Cee Lo Green with “Forget You”. A great tune but I kind of wish he had done the original ‘naughty’ version! A great singer none the less. So that is as they say it for this years Brits. I will be back with other posts before the 2012 Brits so feel free to keep reading my blog now that you’ve found you’re way here. I bet you’re relieved that I have got to the end of a whole post with no mention of Lady Gaga……….DOH!

The good, the bad and the untalented!

 

“Eat your words but don’t go hungry, words have always nearly hung me” June 12, 2009

Filed under: Trivia — justwilliam1959 @ 11:29 pm
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Hello once again dear readers. Did you read the news that according to an American company the one millionth English word is about to be born, well actually it is probably already filling nappies (or diapers if you wish) as we speak. Apparently a company called GLM based in Texas whose raison-daitre is to tell companies how many times they are mentioned on the Internet can also search for the appearance of any word. Their self created methodology in determining a new word says that it must have appeared 25,000 times on the Internet, there is no time period applied. This all seems somewhat like bollocks to me (I’m not swearing bollocks is an Anglo Saxon word, just ask the Sex Pistols and Virgin Records!). Many Lexicographers (now that’s a fantastic job title!) are unhappy with these colonial usurpers telling them how it’s done! I tend to agree, but only because most Americans don’t speak English ‘like what it is supposed to be spoken’ I mean come on, no ‘U’ in colour, pronouncing route incorrectly, then there’s schedule and tomato. Don’t even get me started on fanny OK! 😉 Seriously though please don’t take offence at this if you are American, feel free to take offense though 🙂 But if you’d like a slightly more serious view click here for the link to the BBC that carries the story. Then click here for the follow up, for indeed while I have been typing (admittedly it has taken nearly three days to complete this post!) the new word has been dumped kicking and screaming into a world that, frankly, neither wants it or needs it. Only a nerdy geek could have given birth to it. For I know the word and the word is……………… Web 2.0, I kid you not. The nearest rivals were Jai-Ho (from the Slumdog Millionaire movie) and nOOB (something to do with nerdy, geeky gamers I believe) All that hype and all we get is a couple of small turds plopping into the lexicon of life.

Anyway I was thinking that a word related post might be interesting so here goes. Let’s kick off with the rather stupendous Tom Tom Club with the rather jolly “Wordy Rappinghood” Now I think Rappinghood would have made an excellent millionth word contender, how about you? Tom Tom Club I suppose really began as on offshoot of Talking Heads, I think nowadays the correct term might be side project! The band consisted of Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz off of Talking Heads and a cast of many other noted musicians; Adrian Belew, Wally Badarou and the Compass Point All Stars to name just a few. Their earliest success came with the divine “Genius Of Love”. But they really broke big when the 12 inch versions of Genius and Rappinghood were issued and got a lot of club play in 1982. Their songs have been sampled by many people including Grandmaster Flash and Mariah Carey. The band also appeared on the Talking Heads live concert movie ‘Stop Making Sense’

camouflage was not that well understood by Tom Tom Club

camouflage was not that well understood by Tom Tom Club

Next up it’s the Gibb Brothers (OK the Bee Gees then) with “Words” Which was once given a depressingly dull makeover by the band that put bland into everything the rather shite (in my opinion of course) Boyzone. Sadly it gave Ronan and the boys their first UK number one. But if you’d like to hear some better covers of the song there are plenty out there. Check out some good covers from Rita Coolidge and Georgie Fame. You can find a great Bee Gees reference in the strangest place, there is an excellent parody of them in Blink 182’s video for “First Date” Speaking of the Bee Gees , I was walking to the train station earlier this week lost in my iPod and on came “Stayin’ Alive”, how I longed to be carrying a pot of paint so that I could make like Travolta’s Tony Manero in ‘Saturday Night Fever’. Sadly a laptop bag just doesn’t cut it, does it?

The Gibb boys prepare for the Christmas number one by wrapping themselves in Bacofoil like Turkeys

The Gibb boys prepare for the Christmas number one by wrapping themselves in Bacofoil like Turkeys

Then we have the boys that put Cod Piece back in the dictionary, Cameo with “Word Up” Which bizarrely in my humble opinion was covered by Korn! Click here to here the Korn version. The song was a massive hit for Cameo in 1986, the promo rounds were probably made much more memorable by Larry Blackmon’s polished red cod piece. For me Larry was one of only two people who have ever been able to pull off a cod piece (ooooooooh Matron!) The other one being Edmund Blackadder. The song also gets played in an Episode of the Simpsons entitled, appropriately for this post, ‘Homer and Lisa Exchange Cross Words’ where Lisa performs in a crossword competition.

Mr Cod Piece 1986

Mr Cod Piece 1986

I haven’t mentioned the Beatles and Bowie for a while so how about the Beatles with “The Word” and Mr Bowie with the hardly ever played “Word On A Wing”. The Beatles song appeared on ‘Rubber Soul’ and in addition to the Fab Four also had George Martin playing the Harmonium. Bowie’s song appeared on the excellent ‘Station To Station’ album from 1976 and emanating from the Dame’s ‘Thin White Duke’ period. It was also a B side to the single version of “Stay” from the same album. It is a relatively religious song and written while Bowie was very much coke addled. It also coincided with the time Mr Jones began to wear a crucifix

John you may have more friends than me, but at least mine isn't a midget!

John you may have more friends than me, but at least mine isn’t a midget!

I shall finish this post with the wonderful “ABC” by the Jackson Five. OK I know it’s not strictly a word but if you didn’t know your ABC you wouldn’t be able to make words would you? The song was a US number one and like the earlier “I Want You Back” was written by the mysterious Corporation. Not that mysterious though it was a Motown writing team that consisted of Berry Gordy, Freddie Perren, Alphonso Mizell and Deke Richards. The song was backed with a cover of a lesser known Diana Ross And The Supremes song; “The Young Folks”

Before they could afford a tour bus the boys used alternative transport

Before they could afford a tour bus the boys used alternative transport

OK that’s all for now, but tell me your word songs, I can think of a couple more but I’d like to hear from you my dear readers!

 

“another day older and deeper in debt….” February 13, 2009

Filed under: Trivia — justwilliam1959 @ 6:42 pm
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1, 2, 3, 4 dun dur dun, dun dur dun etc. What the bloody hell was that I can hear you say? well I just fancied beginning todays blog just like the Ramones started all their songs mainly because I wanted to add “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker” to todays post and there is no “on this day” Ramones news for today as far as I’m aware. Play it, pogo around the office, kitchen, bus, train, coffee bar, internet cafe, toilet or shed and enjoy! If I could have been in any band in the world ever I think I would have picked the Ramones, Billy Ramone sounds kind of ok too 🙂

Here are da brudders with one of my heroes.....Homer Simpson

Here are da brudders with one of my heroes.....Homer Simpson

Also I hope that all you triskaidekophobics have been ok today and nothing bad has befallen you.

OK back to the usual stuff you’ve come to know and love dear friends and readers. Starting with those birthdays. Firstly it’s my Mum’s birthday today, she is 73, Happy Birthday Mum 🙂

Tennessee Ernie Ford would have been 90 today, but sadly he died nearly 20 years ago. He was responsible for giving Capitol Records their first number one of the rock era in the US with the song “Sixteen Tons” It was number one in the US in 1955 and in the UK in 1956, now that was even before I was born, so that is REALLY old!

Tennessee or Mr Ford to you, but to me.......Ernie

Tennessee or Mr Ford to you, but to me.......Ernie

second up on the aging fast stakes, well he’s older than me anyway, is Mr Peter Gabriel who is 59 today. I suppose he’ll be going out for a Lamb Bhuna and a skinful in New York and then lying down on Broadway. (such an appaling reference, is anyone reading this warped enough to get it I wonder?) my favourite Peter Gabriel song is “Solsbury Hill” I also preferred Genesis with Gabriel at the helm as opposed to the bloody singing drummer!. The song is actually all about Gabriels departure from the band. The video for Gabriel’s song Sledgehammer was co produced by Aardman Animations who later went on to massive worldwide success with Wallace and Gromit. Peter also won a grammy for his soundtrack to the Scorcese movie “The Last Temptation Of Christ” which bizarrely starred David Bowie as Pontius Pilate. I’m am one of Bowie’s biggest fans, but he’s certainly no actor, well not in my opinion anyway, apart from perhaps “The Man Who Fell To Earth” in which he pretty much played himself!

Flower Power - Peter Gabriel in the costume he used to wear for "Supper's Ready" from Foxtrot, taken from a show in 72/73

Flower Power - Peter Gabriel in the costume he used to wear for "Supper's Ready" from Foxtrot, taken from a show in 72/73

Today, February 13th, is also the 53rd birthday of Peter Hook, most well known as a member of Joy Division and New Order (also Revenge and Monaco). He was also married to actress/ comedienne Caroline Aherne. I reckon he’s a damned good bass player too. Supposedly he is currently working on a new band project called Freebass with bass players Mani (The Stone Roses/ Primal Scream and Andy Rourke (The Smiths). Recently he has also performed as a DJ; though numerous videos recorded of him live show him doing nothing more than allegedly playing a free CD included in Mixmag, a DJ magazine.For me and especially as it is Valentines Day tomorrow and this song was number two in the NME’s list of alternative love songs this week, here is “Love Will Tear Us Apart” by the wonderful and late great Joy Division.

Hooky effecting the classic low slung bass player pose!

Hooky effecting the classic low slung bass player pose!

And finally, for the birthdays at least it is the birthday of one of my least favourite artists, ladies and gentlemen I give you Mr Robbie Williams who is 35 today. In my opinion Robbie is a highly overrated and untalented George Michael wannabe (words crossed out on advice from my legal team) This part of the blog does not necessarily reflect my opinion ok, I really do not like Mr Williams. But I know that many of you do, so here he is with what in my opinion is an awful song, why do people love bloody “Angels” so much? Anyway just click on the song title to hear the “fat dancer from Take That” (copyright Noel Gallagher) sing the song live at Knebworth. When Robbie released the “Rudebox” single in 2006, the British tabloid paper The Sun called it “The Worst Song Ever” and as much as it pains me to say it about such a vile publication I agree with them. To finish Robbie off (now there’s a thought) did you know that when Take That broke up after Robbie left them they announced the split on Robbie’s 24th birthday?

Robbie in his Bill Oddie disguise

Robbie in his Bill Oddie disguise

On this day 1974 David Bowie (yes that’s two Bowie references in one day……yippeee!) turned down an offer from the Gay Liberation group to compose “the worlds first Gay National Anthem” Whatever it was it would have been more exciting than the current British national anthem, that is soooooo dull. Actually I bet a lot of you didn’t know this but Scotland, Ireland and Wales all have their own National anthem but England does it. Maybe we should have a vote on what it should be, my vote goes to “God save The Queen” by the Sex Pistols, what do you think?

The excellent Jamie Reid cover art for the Pistols "God Save The Queen"

The excellent Jamie Reid cover art for the Pistols "God Save The Queen"

So to finish we go to yet another Bowie reference, but this time it’s the superb Flight Of The Concords with the hilarious “Bowie” click n laugh!

 

 
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