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Thursday, November 24, 2005
Friday, November 18, 2005
The Great Gig in the Sky
So I went along to the UK Hall of Fame Music Awards last night and it turned out to be one of the greatest gigs I’ve ever been to. Great venue – Alexandra Palace in North London, well organised, great sound (especially considering they changed the gear for every band) but best of all I got to see some of the people that have changed my life.
The show started with the Aretha Franklin being inducted –she wasn’t there as apparently she doesn’t like flying. The Eurythmics were next up and after being inducted by Sir Bob Geldolf, played a couple of songs - Missionary Man and I think the other one was Thorn In My Side (but don’t quote me on that). They sounded great – well Annie did at least – I couldn’t hear Dave’s guitar.
Next to be inducted was Jimi Hendrix, with Mitch Mitchell (Jimi’s drummer from the Jimi Hendrix Experience) and Slash, resplendid in obligatory top hat (and who lit up a ciggie onstage) doing the honours. They then got up and jammed Stone Free and Hey Joe with Billy Cox (Jimi’s bass player from The Band of Gypsies) and this time it was the bass I couldn’t hear, although admittedly Slash was pretty loud. I didn’t recognise the singer but may work out who it was when I watch the show on Channel 4 tonight. It was a jam in the purest sense of the word and it got a bit loose at times, especially in Stone Free, but they pulled it together a bit more in Hey Joe. Be that as it may it was still fantastic just to see these legends playing together, and Slash’s tone was awesome.
Now my memory of the order of events from here starts to cloud, but it doesn’t really matter.
Bob Dylan was inducted although he was playing Manchester last night so he couldn’t be there, Alanis Morrisette performed a couple of his songs, however, it wasn’t a performance to remember.
The Who were inducted by Ray Davies of the Kinks, however, they didn’t play.
Pete Townsend inducted Pink Floyd and although they didn’t play it was still great to see Dave Gilmore and Nick Mason, who said it was reward for a lifetime of bad drummer jokes, before proceeding to tell one. Roger Waters was beamed up behind the others on the stage in a live video link from Rome, and didn’t seem too impressed that Dave had referred to him as a “passenger” in Pink Floyd’s career - maybe no more reunions after that comment!!
Sir Geoff Hurst inducted The Kinks before a performance of a couple of their songs by The Pretenders.
Joy Division/New Order were inducted and then played a song by each incarnation and dedicated the second song, Love Will Tear Us Apart, to Ian Curtis, the original singer of Joy Division who killed himself 25 years ago.
AC/DC’s Angus Young inducted Ozzy Osbourne into the hall of fame before the madman himself proceeded to bring the house down with an extra high energy performance of Crazy Train with Zakk Wylde on guitar. This was an extra special bonus for me as I hadn’t expected Zakk to be playing - he’s right up there in my top five guitarists of all time and definitely my favourite of the past 15 years. This was pure “chill down the spine” stuff and the crowd went absolutely crazy for it, proving even though he’s approaching 60 the Ozz Man can still rock with the best of them. He certainly knows how to work a crowd and many of the younger bands today could certainly learn a thing or two from him. This was the true Ozzy, not the cringe inducing version that we see on the Osbournes.
Queen’s Brian May then inducted Black Sabbath into the hall of fame and once again Ozzy was back on stage with the founders of heavy metal. This was another “chill down the spine” moment for me as I finally got to see one of my favourite bands live in the flesh. The only problem was a technical one, as Tony Iommi’s guitar kept cutting out, however, nothing could dampen this moment for me. It brought back memories of when I was learning to play the guitar and staying up till the early hours of the morning trying to get all these Sabbath songs down.
Last, but certainly not least, to be inducted as an honorary member was the late great John Peel, for who music is certainly the worse for his passing. His brother and wife accepted the award and spoke a few words, before The Buzzcocks were joined on stage by The Datsuns who together performed a version of The Buzzcocks song “Ever Fallen In Love”. This song has been re-recorded as a tribute to Peel by an all-star line up and is to be released this coming Monday with all proceeds going to Amnesty International.
Ohhhh!!!!! What a night!!!! I’m still buzzing out over it, and would pay double the £86 that I paid to see it again. Let’s see where the Pussycat Dolls, Crazy Frog and all the other insipid, crap bands are in 20-30 years time, who????????
The show started with the Aretha Franklin being inducted –she wasn’t there as apparently she doesn’t like flying. The Eurythmics were next up and after being inducted by Sir Bob Geldolf, played a couple of songs - Missionary Man and I think the other one was Thorn In My Side (but don’t quote me on that). They sounded great – well Annie did at least – I couldn’t hear Dave’s guitar.
Next to be inducted was Jimi Hendrix, with Mitch Mitchell (Jimi’s drummer from the Jimi Hendrix Experience) and Slash, resplendid in obligatory top hat (and who lit up a ciggie onstage) doing the honours. They then got up and jammed Stone Free and Hey Joe with Billy Cox (Jimi’s bass player from The Band of Gypsies) and this time it was the bass I couldn’t hear, although admittedly Slash was pretty loud. I didn’t recognise the singer but may work out who it was when I watch the show on Channel 4 tonight. It was a jam in the purest sense of the word and it got a bit loose at times, especially in Stone Free, but they pulled it together a bit more in Hey Joe. Be that as it may it was still fantastic just to see these legends playing together, and Slash’s tone was awesome.
Now my memory of the order of events from here starts to cloud, but it doesn’t really matter.
Bob Dylan was inducted although he was playing Manchester last night so he couldn’t be there, Alanis Morrisette performed a couple of his songs, however, it wasn’t a performance to remember.
The Who were inducted by Ray Davies of the Kinks, however, they didn’t play.
Pete Townsend inducted Pink Floyd and although they didn’t play it was still great to see Dave Gilmore and Nick Mason, who said it was reward for a lifetime of bad drummer jokes, before proceeding to tell one. Roger Waters was beamed up behind the others on the stage in a live video link from Rome, and didn’t seem too impressed that Dave had referred to him as a “passenger” in Pink Floyd’s career - maybe no more reunions after that comment!!
Sir Geoff Hurst inducted The Kinks before a performance of a couple of their songs by The Pretenders.
Joy Division/New Order were inducted and then played a song by each incarnation and dedicated the second song, Love Will Tear Us Apart, to Ian Curtis, the original singer of Joy Division who killed himself 25 years ago.
AC/DC’s Angus Young inducted Ozzy Osbourne into the hall of fame before the madman himself proceeded to bring the house down with an extra high energy performance of Crazy Train with Zakk Wylde on guitar. This was an extra special bonus for me as I hadn’t expected Zakk to be playing - he’s right up there in my top five guitarists of all time and definitely my favourite of the past 15 years. This was pure “chill down the spine” stuff and the crowd went absolutely crazy for it, proving even though he’s approaching 60 the Ozz Man can still rock with the best of them. He certainly knows how to work a crowd and many of the younger bands today could certainly learn a thing or two from him. This was the true Ozzy, not the cringe inducing version that we see on the Osbournes.
Queen’s Brian May then inducted Black Sabbath into the hall of fame and once again Ozzy was back on stage with the founders of heavy metal. This was another “chill down the spine” moment for me as I finally got to see one of my favourite bands live in the flesh. The only problem was a technical one, as Tony Iommi’s guitar kept cutting out, however, nothing could dampen this moment for me. It brought back memories of when I was learning to play the guitar and staying up till the early hours of the morning trying to get all these Sabbath songs down.
Last, but certainly not least, to be inducted as an honorary member was the late great John Peel, for who music is certainly the worse for his passing. His brother and wife accepted the award and spoke a few words, before The Buzzcocks were joined on stage by The Datsuns who together performed a version of The Buzzcocks song “Ever Fallen In Love”. This song has been re-recorded as a tribute to Peel by an all-star line up and is to be released this coming Monday with all proceeds going to Amnesty International.
Ohhhh!!!!! What a night!!!! I’m still buzzing out over it, and would pay double the £86 that I paid to see it again. Let’s see where the Pussycat Dolls, Crazy Frog and all the other insipid, crap bands are in 20-30 years time, who????????
Have a Drink on Me
Apparently I have to do this for Jangles, so here goes, although it will be short and sweet.
It is really stupid and hypocritical of the SPCA to call for farmers to put their animals on diets. After all it's not like the animals are subjected to a diet of McDonald's or curl up on the couch every night to watch Shortland St with a Pizza or Fish n' Chips now is it? No, they are out in the open, free to roam and wander at their leisure, and as Jangles says, they are already on a diet of greens for God's sake!!!!! The very same diet as what we are trying to get our own species to eat five times a day!!!! Well maybe not exactly the same but you know what I mean.
Apparently there is an abundance of pasture at the moment which is why the SPCA have called for the diet. So in times of drought what are they going to call for? A diet of lard and trans-fatty acids? I think not.
Well there you go Jimmy, have one on me.
Cheers
It is really stupid and hypocritical of the SPCA to call for farmers to put their animals on diets. After all it's not like the animals are subjected to a diet of McDonald's or curl up on the couch every night to watch Shortland St with a Pizza or Fish n' Chips now is it? No, they are out in the open, free to roam and wander at their leisure, and as Jangles says, they are already on a diet of greens for God's sake!!!!! The very same diet as what we are trying to get our own species to eat five times a day!!!! Well maybe not exactly the same but you know what I mean.
Apparently there is an abundance of pasture at the moment which is why the SPCA have called for the diet. So in times of drought what are they going to call for? A diet of lard and trans-fatty acids? I think not.
Well there you go Jimmy, have one on me.
Cheers
Friday, November 11, 2005
Happy birthday Levi
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Levi, happy birthday to you. Hip hip…
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Another Weekend
Friday
Few drinks after work then home and fell asleep on the couch.
Sat
Caught up with Ocker Yolanda, who is leaving the UK for good on Wednesday, and Rocky Moira and met some Brit friends of Yo’s. Went to Harrods and got Mum her birthday presents. Down to watch the fireworks at Battersea Park for Guy Fawkes, the 400th year anniversary. Probably the best fireworks display I’ve seen. To Nandos and ate then to Infernos and danced the night away to the likes of some modern stuff and then the classics like Bon Jovi, Gn’R, Aha, Van Halen etc etc, brought back fond memories of Barneys RIP. Watched a chick knock herself out cold on the stage after falling backwards off the dancing booth on to her head, but she was ok after five minutes, although she will definitely have a concussion. Home about 4.30am after waiting an hour for the bus, the verdict - a great night out and Infernos is not a bad place considering the £10 cover charge!!
Sun
Up early as Yo was off to York so got her sorted; mucked around; an afternoon nap. Cleaned the house, Pizza for tea with Gem. A really good weekend.
Few drinks after work then home and fell asleep on the couch.
Sat
Caught up with Ocker Yolanda, who is leaving the UK for good on Wednesday, and Rocky Moira and met some Brit friends of Yo’s. Went to Harrods and got Mum her birthday presents. Down to watch the fireworks at Battersea Park for Guy Fawkes, the 400th year anniversary. Probably the best fireworks display I’ve seen. To Nandos and ate then to Infernos and danced the night away to the likes of some modern stuff and then the classics like Bon Jovi, Gn’R, Aha, Van Halen etc etc, brought back fond memories of Barneys RIP. Watched a chick knock herself out cold on the stage after falling backwards off the dancing booth on to her head, but she was ok after five minutes, although she will definitely have a concussion. Home about 4.30am after waiting an hour for the bus, the verdict - a great night out and Infernos is not a bad place considering the £10 cover charge!!
Sun
Up early as Yo was off to York so got her sorted; mucked around; an afternoon nap. Cleaned the house, Pizza for tea with Gem. A really good weekend.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Major Discover Number 2
Ipods do not support Windows Media Audio (WMA) files, which are smaller than standard MP3 files but with superior quality. This is a great reason for not purchasing one.
A Major Discovery
Ordinary old hair conditioner is as good, if not better, than specialist shaving soap, gel, oil etc etc. I found this out in the shower this morning, and it was one of the smoothest shaves I’ve ever had. Spread the word.
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