Fan and Mick.....(I owe a credit but can't determine source...sorry)

Hello all – I’ve only time for a short post today but it stands to reason that it’s a short video clip to go with it. I’ve got a few other little bits and pieces also so stick around after the video if you’d be so kind.

This video isn’t earth shattering (I wish it were)  – it’s no longer than a 25 second clip but there is more than a bit of a buzz for me knowing the two of them were putting down their guitar parts at the same place at the same time. It is something I’m sure Damon Albarn (who is my age) was very quietly and secretly just getting heaps of pleasure from, I mean he’s only human. Of course I refer to the Gorillaz new album on which they will feature and the fact that Damon’s project take video/music as art to the highest extreme it’s exciting to know a cameraman was there that day – i.e. we can almost surely count on seeing more in the weeks ahead when the album gets released. The clip is below -

In other news – I’m cold today for no apparent reason and pissed off that Arsenal bought no new players.

Otherwise a few short snippets so your trip today was worth more than a 20 second video clip:

Most Def blog gives us his take on The Clash and more specifically the relative importance of London Calling. No updates from the Carbon Silicon site since before Christmas after promises of more contact from TJ – hoping we’re not slipping back into a silent spell lads? Quick moment of silence please as today marks the 15th anniversary of the disappearance (and presumed passing) of Richey Edwards of Manic Street Preachers. One of those strange sad tales that never will provide a conclusion to be understood. I will say that from 1992-1995 the band provided some of the greatest music of that decade and were amazing to see perform live, if you’ve never invested time with them I encourage you to do so when you can.

Speaking of anniversaries North London’s own John Lydon turned 54 – if you feel like spending some time with him and his videos here’s an easy link to save on typing. One of these days I’m going to write about him at length…I just need to find the right tact.

Finally – song of the day that I felt like sharing – Spoon “Sister Jack” - a reason to like Texas….now how often do I write that?

Sorry for hasty post and somewhat over dramatic blog post title- talk soon I hope!

Alright then back again and I’ve no dreams to share with you this time, actually I had a crap night’s sleep so a dream would have been rather welcomed. Just a few things tonight for you to ponder – a bit of news, a great review of Sandinista! and a few snippets. I’m constantly astounded by how many songs by The Clash get covered by other artists, I could feature a new one every day on the blog and still we’d never catch up – they get added to the various audio and video sites constantly. Some are good…some are bad….many are interesting and usually I can make my mind up on where I stand.

In this case though I keep changing my mind. Nouvelle Vague are more of a musical collective than a band, to date they have used in excess of 30 musicians and vocalists but the nucleus of this french band remain the same. If you haven’t heard of them their currency is cover versions – almost exclusively cover versions of punk, post punk and ‘new wave’ songs. Some of the tracks I’ve really got a lot of time for especially the covers of songs where the original vocalist guests with them. Namely their version of ‘All My Colours’ by Echo and The Bunnymen featuring Ian McCulloch of course (slowed down but simply sumptuous) and ‘Our Lips are Sealed’ by Fun Boy Three with Terry Hall guesting. That said Terry Hall could show up in our kitchen and I think dinner would taste better. Staying on task, Nouvelle Vague have been around since 2004 and have three albums under their belt. Artists covered include those mentioned above plus XTC, Depeche Mode, Bauhaus and The Violent Femmes. You get the idea. They’ve also now covered ‘The Guns of Brixton’ and being a band with a rotating cast I’ve seen/heard versions now with three different vocalists both male and female. It’s a cover version but does manage to reinvent the song to a somewhat sultry stroll. I’ve liked it on a Monday and resented it the next day but wanted to get your take on it. The version below is live and for the purist I’ve a link to the studio version also….perhaps they should have invited Paul.

My verdict, they have done a number of covers that I really think are worth seeking out or buying the album would be even better but I don’t think The Guns of Brixton is their best or most innovative effort. Incidentally they are out on tour around the States from now until February 20th, if they were coming to Phoenix I’d go along so if you do drop me an email.

I’d like to say thanks to a friend of the blog that we’ve linked to before, Mike who writes for the Houston Examiner. Now from what I can tell his gig is writing restaurant reviews but he manages to slip in his thoughts about music from time to time and specifically The Clash. I won’t steal his thunder but I will implore you to follow this link and read his thoughts about two of the greatest albums of our times. Mike asks this fascinating question which I know has its merits: (read the whole article for context)

“If London Calling might be considered the greatest album, as I believe it is better than the ones ahead of it on Rolling Stone’s list, and if Sandinista! is better in edited form, might not it be considered the best album of the rock era?”

Also Prez Obama gave his state of the union speech tonight…rather good stuff but still so much work to be done. I did like these words especially which should remind someone of these careerists what being a politician is supposed to be about in a democracy – no matter what side of the aisle you sit on.

“Just saying no to everything may be good short-term p olitics, but it’s not leadership. We were sent here to serve our citizens, not our ambition”                                    President Obama,  Jan 27

Finally, a word about Scotland. Pound for pound has any nation produced more brilliant bands than our friends to the North? I’ve always had a very affectionate space in my record collection for bands from ‘up there’ and it took this article to remind me that the quality of bands from Scotland remains intensely good. The Scotsman list their greatest Scottish bands of the decade – Mogwai, Belle and Sebastian and Idlewild just for starters – ensure you read on and research them all. I can’t even list the number of acts fully or partially Scottish that have made me a happier man. Don’t forget Joe was half Scottish also (before anyone starts getting all English on me!) which he seemed to feel was a large factor in who he became as a man.

Cheers…

Friday night and its still chucking it down with rain here, pretty mad as we have now had the equivalent of a normal annual amount of rainfall just this week. Remind me in 6 months when it hasn’t rained since ok? So….a bit more info on the Gorillaz album courtesy of the NME. The album is scheduled for a release date of March 8th on both sides of the Atlantic it seems, and the collaboration with Simonon/Jones is just limited to the one track as initially reported (the title track Plastic Beach). I may be biased as I was/am a serious Blur fan, but I really like what Damon does in general and I don’t think it would be very far off the mark to suggest what he has achieved/attempted/meshed with Gorillaz is in many ways similar to what Mick Jones managed to accomplish with Big Audio Dynamite. The parallels are pronounced, two important key members of previously great bands that started fresh with something completely unexpected. Both bands had then made albums without musical boundaries that appealed to very different (and new) fans due to the broad reach in style and musical sense. Sure there was some magpie approach but nobody else did what Big Audio Dynamite were doing from 1985-1990 and you can say much the same for Gorillaz. Biggest difference Mick and company didn’t become cartoon characters but the clothing and baseball caps was the next best thing eh?

If you want or need the ideal initiation to Gorillaz – may I suggest getting a copy of the DVD  ‘Demon Days – Live in Manchester‘. Musically and visually its rather amazing. In addition to Mick and Paul the new album is packed with guest musicians such as Lou Reed, Mos Def, Mark E Smith, Snoop Dogg, Bobby Womack, De La Soul and Super Furry Animals’ Gruff Rhys. Did Mick have a pint with Lou Reed? Was Paul having a natter with Snoop Dogg? We need to know and you might find out as there looks to be a full interview with Damon Albarn in the new NME so if you get hold of a copy please share anything with us that might be useful. Right…so we’ll keep our eyes on that until the album comes out then.

I don’t profess to know the origins of everything so I wanted to feature a song of the day today – from Earthquake Weather – Joe doing his version of ‘Ride The Donkey‘ — always really liked this one and don’t know much about the origins - The Tennors – (Tenors) – but this site is a bit lacking in info, but what a great track. Audio is over on the right of this page in the video link. Original version linked here for your enjoyment (shit that’s really good!)

Yes Yes…I mentioned The Libertines the other day but the new interview(s) with Carl Barat totally contradicts what he was saying as recently as

Pete Doherty, will he or won't he?

October. The new interview (BBC version here) suggests he’s looking at this happening in 2011 as he’s too busy in 2010 (aren’t we all). That said the same news hasn’t been confirmed in by Pete as of now. I’m thinking if Babyshambles up the odds by making a third brilliant album we can perhaps forget the notion of a Libertines reunion, especially as it might be a case of Carl wanting it more. Wouldn’t Pete Doherty be tempted to say no thanks after all that has happened? Stay tuned and don’t forget that it looks likely that Pete might be heading back to jail in the interim also….

Libertine to Springsteen…I rarely mention The Boss unless he mentions The Clash and wouldn’t you know it…he has. On this link from the Sundance Channel check some of Springsteen’s favourite tracks of all time which includes a Clash song and a few others that may well shock you (well they did me).

Back in the morning I think….have a good night.