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| Not these nutters |
Unkind readers might suggest that this is a filler-post but The Music Curmudgeon hasn't posted for a while and needs to get the ratings up.
Besides, the other bloggers haven't been doing much and one of them complains if my posts are too long, have no images, don't mention him and have no fawning references to imaginary beings.
Given the latest musical offerings from all both of them I thought that this might inspire them to get cracking.
I saw this photograph of the Popular milk-bar in Courtenay Place (no year attributed) in the Neighbourly site 'Old Wellington Region'.
It's a great photo - very evocative and would be great inspiration for a Tom Waits-type songwriter. There's a story behind the woman in the hat.
Mind you, the great Ray Davies wrote and sang this song about a cafe which is good.
But here's Tom Waits:
... of sorts.
It doesn't have to have particular meaning but there's a sense here of relevance to a generation of people in my age bracket.
I listened to a couple of versions of "Shine on you crazy diamond" today and the music and theme is evocative and has a disturbing relevance.
The video clip above by Pink Floyd is impressive with Gerald Scarfe artwork (like in The Wall) and the music is nicely paced to creep up on you. I particularly like the saxophones.
The other version of the same piece of music is by Christy Moore which, without the big production and effects is more visceral and I can see people using this as a eulogy for lost ones at funerals in the way that W.H. Auden's powerful and moving 'Funeral Blues' poem was read by John Hannah.
Here's Christy Moore's rendition of "Shine on you crazy diamond."
Now there's class.
News has just come to hand of two pending library concerts featuring Richard of Richard's Bass Bag.
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There's already a buzz at the selected libraries in Johnsonville and Tawa with tickets selling out fast being available to anyone who asks.
Homer Lesperson said: I've already reserved my seat ... well, to be honest, after I've used it no-one ever wants to sit there.
Stay tuned for updates which will be on Richard's Bass Bag the very popular the original the only Bass Bag blog on the internet. Admittedly it's hard to find and the easiest access is via the link on Robert the apathetic sanctimonious sinner toilet cleaner threatener of eternal damnation and music snob's blog which can be found in the 'When Hell freezes over' section.
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I like to watch the night sky and stars on a clear evening.
A couple of weeks ago when The Old Girl was working late in the study (her office) I turned the TV off and all the lights (other than the study) and sat on the deck looking at the stars. At one point, to get a better view I lay down on my back on the deck table and stayed like that for a while ... until The Old Girl finished up in the study and came into the kitchen to get a glass of water. She had thought I'd gone to bed and when she saw me on the table out on the deck she jumped and exclaimed "what the hell are you doing out there?"
I told her that I was looking at the Southern Cross. She in turn looked at me strangely. I then told her that sometimes, when she's away, on a clear evening I climb up on the roof to get a better view. She was aghast and said "not on my watch Matey!"
I was thinking of Patti Smith's song 'Beneath the Southern Cross'. Here's an excellent live performance she did at an interview on Skavlan:
When you see the Southern Cross for the first timeYou understand now why you came this way'Cause the truth you might be runnin' from is so smallBut it's as big as the promise, the promise of a comin' day
- Stephen Stills.
The inspired sky
Amazed to stumbleWhere gods get lostBeneathThe southern cross
- Patti Smith.
I heard a snippet from an interview with a musician - I think it was Billy Bragg - when I was driving today. He said something along the lines of keeping his music contemporary and as his views and politics have changed over the years he has no hesitation in changing the things that he said in his youth.
This got me thinking. There are so many bands and musicians nowadays who are still on tour playing the same songs 50 or more years later that frankly have little to do with the septuagenarians now performing them.
Many songs need an update. Here are some examples.
Paul McCartney 'When I'm 64.'
Original
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I must write some songs soon - I mean, how hard could it be?
I like this one and could do as good - particularly in the lyrics department.
Steve Marriott was a little raver with the soul of a poet and lover. Sadly he died young (in his 40s). He might have reached his potential...
