Who else would give us such gold as this:
Pat Kenny on Charlotte Church’s sex life
Pat on break-dancing and ‘blacking up’
Pat loses it over the Toy Show
November 10, 2009
Clarence ‘Big Man’ Clemons releases his autobiography
“You want to be him but you cannot. Because in all the world there is but one
Clarence ‘Big Man’ Clemons.”
-Bruce Springsteen
He’s known as ‘the Big Man’, and few could argue with Bruce Springsteen’s nickname for his long-time E Street band cohort, Clarence Clemons. Fans of course will know him well, while those with a passing interest in The Boss will know him as the guy who appears on the cover, along with Bruce, on his classic album, ‘Born To Run’. Now, the saxophonist has just completed his autobiography, ‘Big Man’, which has just been released.
Clemons – aside from perhaps Little Steven Van Zandt and of course the Boss himself – is the most charismatic member of the legendary band. He had a dubious (to say the least) solo career in the year’s when the band were on a hiatus, during the 90s, and he’s become fairly frail looking of late – now needing a chair (or huge throne) to sit upon on stage as a couple of hip replacements have seen him slow up.
Potentially though, he’s got an interesting ‘insider’ tale to tell of being in the legendary E Street band. One would assume however, that given that he remains part of the band and this is not a post-E Street memoir, that there’ll be no ‘dishing the dirt’ and it’s a book unlikely to court to much controversy…but we’ll see.
In the coming weeks a full review of the book will appear on this site, while I may also have a copy to give away. So keep reading!
In the mean time, here are some videos of Clarence Clemons talking about various stage of his and the E Street bands’ life. More videos will also follow.
Clarence on being told that Bruce was finishing the E Street band during the late 80s
Clarence on the death of fellow E Street band member Danny Federici
November 6, 2009
I Won University Challenge
Great documentary last night on people who have won the BBC’s extraordinarily difficult quiz show, University Challenge. Wonderland’s ‘I Won University Challenge’ looked at the lives of various, extremely clever, contestants and their lives.
Most will be aware of University Challenge – a game show where by teams of four from given British universities compete against each other in general knowledge. As you’d expect, the winners are sharply intelligent. And also, as you might expect, seem to be imbalanced to a degree and, for all the knowledge they have, lack socially. At least that was evident in the contestants chosen for this documentary.
It goes without saying that the programme’s producers doubtlessly cherry-picked those who they deemed most odd and eccentric of the bunch, though in fairness there was a couple of contestants there who seemed pretty ‘normal’, but felt socially excluded because of their intellect. What is most interesting, I thought, is that the show’s winners are amongst the cream of Britain’s youth – yet the nation would prefer celebrate someone who has won Big Brother or appeared on Wife Swap and swore profusely, as opposed to highlighting people with some sort of talent or gift; in this case a roaring intellect.
There was a girl called Suzanne, who appeared very normal, and was very pretty, but for all her brains to burn masked an underlying loneliness and isolation from others. I felt that to be quite affecting about the programme. It’s no revelation that society excludes many who aren’t ‘normal’. Those with disabilities, illnesses or – in Ireland especially – who don’t drink alcohol are routinely socially excluded to some degree. But being isolated because you’re extraordinarily intelligent? There was something about it.
Other interviewees spoke of having to ‘dumb down’ to try fit into society. There were many who seemed unable to direct their talent too. They fell into jobs as secretaries, temps, post men, etc. Now nothing against those jobs, but these were people with a level of intellect that could have gone so much further but for their feeling of not feeling like society appreciated them – or not being able to ‘fit in’. Many of course had their own faults. They are socially awkward in many regards, but it was sad to see.
It’s strange how we lament musicians, artists and other creative individuals who die young or squander their potential, yet never those who have hit heights in other areas – intelligence being the case here. And this made a very interesting subject matter, and excellent TV.
Those within the UK can watch the show here.
October 21, 2009
U2 manipulate the publicity machine once again and why they’ll play Glastonbury 2010
When it comes to using the publicity machine to their advantage, few can beat U2. They’ve garnered headlines worldwide in the last 24 hours with the announcement that they’re to stream a show from the Pasadena Rosebowl in LA, live across YouTube, on Sunday night (3.30am Monday morning Irish time). All the pieces I’ve read have featured comments from the group’s camp on how they’d been looking to do something like this for some time and how it’s a first for YouTube, one of the world’s most popular websites. All the focus has been on it’s free streaming nature, but we all know there’s no such thing as a free meal.
It’s also been mentioned – or rather implied – that all this is to benefit YouTube’s (which is owned by Google) bid to attract more advertising revenue as it bids to move on from showing short video clips to longer features and concerts. In the US it is already showing movies on demand, while it will also host a TV catch-up service on behalf of Channel 4 early next year. So what’s in it for U2?
Well they’ve been quick to prod out the line that sure weren’t they gonna be recording it anyway so why the hell not put it on YouTube? But one would assume they record every show in some form – if even for use on the huge screen they employ during their shows. So a plus for them has to be the assumption that filming costs will be covered by – or at least shared – with Google, as well as any revenue. They’ve also wheeled out the line that Bono will be urging fans to donate to his Red charity. Noble for sure, but then it does make everyone – including the U2 machine – coming up smelling of roses. And yes, in keeping with their status as the world’s biggest band, it gives some kudos to be involved in a project that has garnered global headlines and will appeal to a global audience.
But the real reason they’re doing this YouTube webcast? Well they’ve convieniently got an album coming out on October 27 – two days after the webcast. Yep. that’s the 25th anniversary, remastered, all the bells and whistles version of The Unforgettable Fire. Did you expect anything less? It’ll be interesting to see how many songs from that record just happen to make their way into Sunday night’s setlist.
And as for Glastonbury 2010 – while I’m putting my money on U2 to headline the Saturday night. In fact, I would say the headliners will be Radiohead, U2 and The Rolling Stones. And why U2? Well the reasons given previously for them turning down the festival have been to do with broadcasting rights, as the BBC broadcast much of the headliners show live and U2 had problems with not being able to control and view how and what they were going to broadcast. One would expect that this YouTube live stream has meant they’ve become somewhat less precious about that.
They’re also just announced 2010 European dates for August, none of which are in the UK or Ireland, which opens up the possibility that dates are being kept clear for festival appearances. As such they may do the festival circuit over June and July with Pinkpop, Glastonbury and Roskilde possibilities. They’ve seen their good friend Bruce Springsteen do just that this summer, with great success and it’s unlikely they’d opt to play any other UK festival but Glastonbury given the regard in which it is held and the coverage and publicity such an appearance would generate. Being cynical, they may even choose to release a much talked about new album around that time – which would be their second new record in just over a year.
Crucially, they also apparently want to play. Bono said earlier this year: “I know lots of people who love music want us to play that. It’s something we’re working up our whole life to do. I think that we can commit [to the idea] that we really, really want to do this.” Two of the world’s biggest stars have recently headlined Glasto – Jay z and Springseen. Coldplay rave about it. The stage is now set for U2 to experience it and there’s no doubt, they’d put on a hell of a show.
October 20, 2009
Bruce Springsteen – The forgotten album
Well that’s Tunnel of Love – the first, and best, of a trio of very personal Springsteen records post-E Street band. Forgotten I suppose because, although it’s one of his best albums, it’s a record which he rarely draws from live and which rarely gets the plaudits it deserves. It’s got some, sure. In 1998, Q magazine voted it as one of the greatest albums of all time, while in 1989 it was ranked as 25 on Rolling Stones’ list of the 100 greatest albums of the 1980s, but that came while it still remained in the public conscience.
Tunnel of Love though is my favourite Springsteen record for a number of reasons. It was one of the first of his records I bought, but I mostly like it because of the raw and personal quality of the songs. The record was written while Springsteen’s first marriage was beginning to show signs of cracking – ‘Brilliant Disguise’, ‘Two Faces’ and ‘One Step Up’ seem to reflect on a relationship falling apart. And this was new territory for Springsteen. He’d written personal songs before, sure, but these were often disguised or hidden as album tracks alongside bigger story songs – and often he carved a story around them. That’s his everyman quality. Running out of town with a lover (Thunder Road, Born To Run), getting a union card and facing into the hard life (The River), debt (Atlantic City) and war (Born in the USA). All were circled around stories.
But on Tunnel of Love there was no hiding. It was all ‘I’. He was wrestling with himself and everything in his life. Opener ‘Ain’t Got You’ is a ‘what’s it all about really’ reflection on his new found fame – “Folks wanna kiss me I ain’t seen before/ I been around the world and all across the seven seas/ Been paid a king’s ransom for doin’ what comes naturally”. His will to be a good husband is disgusted on ‘Walk Like a Man’, as well as his relationship with his father -”Well tonight you step away from me/ And alone at the altar I stand/ And as I watch my bride coming down the aisle I pray/ For the strength to walk like a man.”
It’s the relationship struggle songs though which are the most raw – and the most unlike his previous work. Again there’s no cover up. As he sings at one stage, “when you’re alone/ You’re alone/ You ain’t nothing but alone”. This is raw, and tough.
But for all thats tough, there’s beauty. These are strong songs and none more so than ‘Valentines Day’. The over-riding theme on the album may be of a break-up (his marriage aside – this was his first non-E street band record, Nebraska aside) but it also includes his finest love song, with some of his finest lyrics. It’s a song which many have chosen to cover and one of his forgotten greats.
Mostly why many bypass Tunnel of Love is that it doesn’t contain any of the hits and – probably because of the personal nature of the songs and his second marriage – Springsteen has rarely played any of these songs live since – certainly with the E Street band. Some were played during the 2005 acoustic Devils and Dust tour, and theres maybe the odd airing of ‘Brilliant Disguise’, but largely it’s an album he rarely dips back into. It is one however, very much worth checking out.
Valentine’s Day
By Bruce Springsteen
| I’m driving a big lazy car rushin’ up the highway in the dark I got one hand steady on the wheel and one hand’s tremblin’ over my heart It’s pounding baby like it’s gonna bust right on through And it ain’t gonna stop till I’m alone again with you A friend of mine became a father last night Is it the sound of the leaves They say if you die in your dreams you really die in your bed |
| Copyright © Bruce Springsteen (ASCAP) |
October 15, 2009
Album Review – Port O’Brien – Threadbare
Port O’Brien. Yep they’re from Alaska/ North California with a nice back-story to boot. New album is out now and you can read my review here.
October 14, 2009
Why we should show Bono more love
Great blog by Dan Martin on Bono’s recent appearance on the British Conservative Party conference last week. As I’ve said to a few people on this, it’s important that – for Bono to achieve his aims in Africa – he be seen to be politically neutral and to also ensure that he doesn’t alienate himself from those who may have power in the future. As things stand, it’s increasingly likely that David Cameron will be Prime Minister in the near future. For Bono to get British support in helping aid debt relief in Africa – among the myriad problems the continent faces – he will need to work with Cameron. It also should be noted – as Martin points out – that Bono also attended the Labour Party conference the week before, with little hoo-ha.
Ireland (like I suppose the rest of the world) is rife with Bono-haters and begrudgers who don’t understand the man and have very narrow and one-dimensional views of his work and achievements. Whatever about the way he may carry himself as a speaker or the words he uses, one thing that has always stood-out about him for me – and why I support him – is that he doesn’t have to do what he’s doing but yet he does.
U2 are still in the midst of a very challenging and demanding US tour but yet Bono, on his days off, is jetting back to the UK to speak at political events and try help the cause in Africa. Most other people in his position do and would just soak up the celebrity life, enjoy their money and not bother. Bono bothers. Say all you want about ego, U2’s tax situation (U2’s and not just Bono’s it must be remembered), the group’s music and other things in their life but the bottom line is that Bono is putting himself out there, using his position for the greater good and is making a difference in helping fight poverty in Africa. That’s a fantastic thing.
October 13, 2009
Interview – The XX
During this year’s Electric Picnic festival, I interviewed Ollie Sim of critically acclaimed London band, The XX. Their debut is a fine record, one of the best of 2009, and Ollie’s a sound chap.
You can read my interview for State here.
The XX go on an Irish tour in December playing Belfast (15), Galway (16), Cork (17) and Dublin (19).
October 13, 2009
Michael Jackson’s ‘new’ song ain’t that new after all
As it turns out, Jacko co-wrote the song with a 68-year-old crooner named Paul Anka and the song eventually appeared on an album by R&B artist Safire in 1991, but under the title ‘I Never Heard’. It’s exactly the same song, but with a much higher tempo.
Apparently Sony didn’t know this version existed at all and genuinely thought that what they were releasing was a ‘new’ Michael Jackson track. Also, there are apparently 49 other unreleased recordings which I’m sure will be cashed-in on, all in good time. Here is Safire’s tune and below that is Jackson’s version.
October 7, 2009
Weezer go pop, pop, nuts and David Hasselhoff for Glasto (maybe)
On another quick note on Glastonbury, there’s a pretty hilarious Guardian Blog here about the festival’s 4oth anniversary. Particularly love the Peter Gabriel part under Friday’s line-up. Have a look and you’ll get my Hasselhoff reference.
Weezer. What’s not to love about their new record? A flying dog on the cover; a great album title, Lil Wayne rapping on it. Yes Lil Wayne. And Cuomo currently listening to lots of pop music (including Hannah Montoya) and bringing in Kelly Clarkson’s producer, as well as Avril Lavignes. The potential for a car crash is so high. Yet Cuomo is so pure mad, it could all work. He’s written songs with fans on the internet, posted videos of him training, discussed his love for soccer on online videos and done countless other mad things (he once slept in a wardrobe for a week, leaving only to eat, as part of a meditation ritual). He is bonkers, but in a really good way.
The new record is out on November 12th. Weezer have been going down hill over the past two records. Yeah there’s been some good stuff on each, but throughout there’s been a definite feel that Cuomo has been to free the band of their trademark sound and search out something new. They may get there. Below is the track which will feature Lil Wayne, although he’s not on the version below. It does though have Jermaine Dupri. This is brilliant in its ridiculosity. Also check out the cover of The Beach Boys’ ‘Don’t Worry Baby’ below too.
