Ahhh so September has come and gone, the summer is properly over and the nights start getting darker, the mornings are colder, and the mood of music grows darker as we say goodbye to summer anthems and hello to winter warmers. This months 3 bands that's I've been listening to are a mix of hearty warm ballads and powerful story telling rock songs.
1: The Killers - they released their new album this month, Battle born. Named after their own studio in their home town of Las Vegas where they recorded the album. A band that has often been confused with sounding British but are actually American. There 4th album is great and to me sounds a lot like their second album tone, Sams Town. Very Springsteenesq with the story telling aspect if the songs, intertwining with the melodies and guitar rifts. Their new album has lots of great songs from the opening track, Flesh and Bones to the last track Prizefighter (which is on the deluxe version which is worth buying for Prizefighter alone) the band have came a long way since their first album, Hot Fuss, and this album only goes on to cement their status as one of the biggest and best bands around. A lot quieter in places when compared to their last album but the quality as opposed to the volume is there for all to hear. Runaways had may be over played by myself of recent, as I've been using it in my classes...
2: Mumford and Sons - another band who have released a new album this month, Babel is again taken in the same vain as Mumfords first album, sigh no more. When I hear Mumford and sons songs I instantly think of winter, curling up by a fire place with a roaring fire on display, a pint if warm cider, and a wooly jumper on. Maybe I'm getting old with those kind if thoughts, but for some reason that is what I think no matter what Mumford and sons song I hear. I saw them at Leeds Festival in 2010, they were a great act to watch, and one I'd gladly see again. I've only managed to listen to the album twice fully yet, partly because I've been so addicted to the Killers new album, but I'm sure once I get time I'll love it as much as there first. However the song I have shared is one from their first, and probably my favourite song if there's.....
3: Sick Puppies - ok, so I have infact only been listening to one of the Sick Puppies songs, ok, in fact I only know 1 Sick Puppies song, maybe. I first heard this song in 2011, when Liverpool played Wolves, it was the song Sky sports used to close out the programme. I liked it and downloaded it. This past month I've heard it quite a few times, as I've been using it in my classes on my playlist. There's not much to say about it, it spurs me in when I workout and that's what I try to do when I make my playlists for my teaching, choose songs I feel will spur people in, enjoy and ignore their workout and push harder. However most the time, they end up being rock songs, as that's what I prefer, so enjoy, I might try find more of their songs....
But in the form of words
Showing posts with label a year in music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label a year in music. Show all posts
Sunday, 30 September 2012
Monday, 24 September 2012
A musical journey August - Festivals
So this months musical post is inspired from the festival season that we've just passed. I've been lucky enough to attend a few festivals in past years and I love the atmosphere and the whole gathering. From the large festivals to the small local day festivals. It is something that I always look forward to ever year and I am always happy to go try new festivals I haven't been to previously.
This months post then are about 3 bands who I discovered at festivals. Well not me personally discovering them and unleashing them on the world, just 3 bands I never heard of before a festival, and have since liked them, here they are:
1; Little Man Tate
A band from Sheffield, and a band that no longer exists. They were quite a good little band and had a few good catchy songs. I saw them in 2007 at Leeds festival, I guess being from Sheffield they were always in the arctic monkeys shadow. My fave song of theirs was this, house party at Boothys...
2; Seasick Steve
I saw Seasick Steve in 2008, I liked his beard and his random was. In the programme he also was wearing the same shirt as me, could this have been a glimpse into my future, a hobo playing made up instruments at festivals?
3; Goldie Lookin' Chain
GLC a crowd pleaser, first seen in 2004, comic rap gold, with an array of crowd pleasing hits. On stage they opened the festival on Friday and were joined by their welsh friends, Dirty Sanchez. Many songs about random things later they made the UK rap scene cool. After this show I managed to see them another 3 times as they supported loads of other bands, my favourite song was, your missus is a nutter, tidy...
This months post then are about 3 bands who I discovered at festivals. Well not me personally discovering them and unleashing them on the world, just 3 bands I never heard of before a festival, and have since liked them, here they are:
1; Little Man Tate
A band from Sheffield, and a band that no longer exists. They were quite a good little band and had a few good catchy songs. I saw them in 2007 at Leeds festival, I guess being from Sheffield they were always in the arctic monkeys shadow. My fave song of theirs was this, house party at Boothys...
2; Seasick Steve
I saw Seasick Steve in 2008, I liked his beard and his random was. In the programme he also was wearing the same shirt as me, could this have been a glimpse into my future, a hobo playing made up instruments at festivals?
3; Goldie Lookin' Chain
GLC a crowd pleaser, first seen in 2004, comic rap gold, with an array of crowd pleasing hits. On stage they opened the festival on Friday and were joined by their welsh friends, Dirty Sanchez. Many songs about random things later they made the UK rap scene cool. After this show I managed to see them another 3 times as they supported loads of other bands, my favourite song was, your missus is a nutter, tidy...
Sunday, 12 August 2012
A musical journey July
For this months musical post I've decided to write about my favourite parody songs. Why did thus come about, purely because I was bored one day and started looking at old and new parody songs on YouTube, so here goes....
1) Cookie Monster
I have to admit the original song with Carly Rae Jepson is something if a guilty pleasure song for me, I don't know why but I like it. But if you were to say to me which version do you prefer the original or the cookie monster version then the cookie monster wins it hands down. I've seen a lot of spoof versions of this song, a star wars one, a barrack Obama one, which was a very good one but come on who can deny that the cookie monster is a genius....
2) Star Trekkin'
I always remember this song playing on those 90's holidays with my family. I would've been about 8/9 years old and we use to always go to Great Yarmouth Heaven caravan park. I use to go to the Tiger club which was where all the kids would go. This was on their standard playlist each song cheesier than the last with a dance to do go with it, I still enjoyed it every year though....
3) The Muppets
I like the muppets, they make me laugh with their slapstick humor. This song is one of my all time favourites (the original I mean) so when these 2 collide the muppets and queen what's not to love? Exactly Animal singing mama pure genius....
4) SNL with Michael Bolton
Saturday Night Live, an institution in America. Over the years they churned out so many funny sketches and gave us great comedians. Recently they've gave us great comedy songs and of them a this is my favourite, Michael Bolton singing about giant squids and pretending to be Al Pacino I'd love to know how this song got wrote....
1) Cookie Monster
I have to admit the original song with Carly Rae Jepson is something if a guilty pleasure song for me, I don't know why but I like it. But if you were to say to me which version do you prefer the original or the cookie monster version then the cookie monster wins it hands down. I've seen a lot of spoof versions of this song, a star wars one, a barrack Obama one, which was a very good one but come on who can deny that the cookie monster is a genius....
2) Star Trekkin'
I always remember this song playing on those 90's holidays with my family. I would've been about 8/9 years old and we use to always go to Great Yarmouth Heaven caravan park. I use to go to the Tiger club which was where all the kids would go. This was on their standard playlist each song cheesier than the last with a dance to do go with it, I still enjoyed it every year though....
3) The Muppets
I like the muppets, they make me laugh with their slapstick humor. This song is one of my all time favourites (the original I mean) so when these 2 collide the muppets and queen what's not to love? Exactly Animal singing mama pure genius....
4) SNL with Michael Bolton
Saturday Night Live, an institution in America. Over the years they churned out so many funny sketches and gave us great comedians. Recently they've gave us great comedy songs and of them a this is my favourite, Michael Bolton singing about giant squids and pretending to be Al Pacino I'd love to know how this song got wrote....
Saturday, 23 June 2012
An Epic Week Part 3 The Boss
Thursday nite saw us go to Sunderland to go see Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band live. To say that in the past 7 months I've been looking forward to this is an understatement. As many of you know The Boss is and always will be one of my favourite artists, I don't recall any of his songs it albums that I have outright disliked .
For this gig I had not only had the day or the next day off but the whole week. This was the jewel in the crown of my week, the day I was looking forward to the most. We had got to Sunderland for around 2pm, a full 5 hours before the show to have some drinks and some food. It was quite clear from walking round town that their was an air of excitement hanging around, many people walking with either flags of the USA or walking around with Bruce Springsteen t-shirts. There was even some people dressed as cowboys and plenty of denim for all to see. As we walked the streets many bars could be heard playing an array of The Bosses hits, plenty of them to choose from.
In recent years Sunderland had started hosting gigs in the summer, with bands such as Coldplay, Oasis, take that, kings if Leon all playing, but this gig, this act is on a whole different level to them. Yes they are all bug name bands, there's no doubting and denying that, all those gigs were spectacular shows I've no doubt, but Bruce and the E Street are in their own category of super stardom, far higher and mighty than shy who had played Sunderland before and it's because of this that you could sense the excitement.
Once the show had started we were already well oiled from the drink. We initially started quite close to the front enjoying the first few tracks, but had got separated from our group of friends. Usually at gigs I'm more far to just bopping around, listening to the music and moshing a little if need be, yet at Bruce I prefer a. It more space to dance (although I'm not a very good one, the fact I had a fair few beers probably helped aid this desire) with this in mind we soon went further back in the crowd. We had found our friends and enjoying the music.
The boss played a lot from his new album wrecking ball and then an encore if hits. His whole show lasting between 3 and a half and 4 hours. The weather may have not been the best, but it could have been a lot worse, it being overcast and for only 5 minutes actually raining. It didn't dampen any ones spirits as The band started belting out hits such as Born to Run, Dancing in the Dark and Glory days many people were singing and dancing, often with perfect strangers, but this doesn't matter as their is a certain cameradere present when seeing an act of this magnitude. Couple this with people hearing the Boss sing new songs live for us for the first time such as waitin' on a sunny day and Jack of all trades, the crowd took really well eager to hear each song thrown our way.
The highlight of the night was undoubtedly the tribute played to the late great Clarence Clemons, the saxophonist on Bruce's biggest hits. The Big man will never be replaced, and his presence on stage was duly noted. It's great that the E Street managed to keep it in the family and have his nephew take up sax duties, and I'm sure his uncle taught him how to be such a good saxophonist. The band played 10th Avenue Freeze out as one of the last songs, and the lyric hit, "When the big man joined the band" the music stopped and a montage of pictures of Clarence played on the screens, from years gone by, at this point the crown stood and clapped, this was the case for the next 2 minutes until the band restarted the song from that point. A touching and fitting tribute for the big man himself who is sorely missed, but a fitting tribute to his greatness as a truly fantastic sax player.
The gig was beyond words, its tough to describe how good it was, and that is why I have to finish my post now, I could keep going on about each song and how the crowd reacted or talk about the night in endless details, but it wouldn't do any of it justice. To simply say The Boss was electric, the E Street Band was on fire and the atmosphere was magnetic would be a few simple steps to describe it, but would still be nowhere near giving it justice.
For this gig I had not only had the day or the next day off but the whole week. This was the jewel in the crown of my week, the day I was looking forward to the most. We had got to Sunderland for around 2pm, a full 5 hours before the show to have some drinks and some food. It was quite clear from walking round town that their was an air of excitement hanging around, many people walking with either flags of the USA or walking around with Bruce Springsteen t-shirts. There was even some people dressed as cowboys and plenty of denim for all to see. As we walked the streets many bars could be heard playing an array of The Bosses hits, plenty of them to choose from.
In recent years Sunderland had started hosting gigs in the summer, with bands such as Coldplay, Oasis, take that, kings if Leon all playing, but this gig, this act is on a whole different level to them. Yes they are all bug name bands, there's no doubting and denying that, all those gigs were spectacular shows I've no doubt, but Bruce and the E Street are in their own category of super stardom, far higher and mighty than shy who had played Sunderland before and it's because of this that you could sense the excitement.
Once the show had started we were already well oiled from the drink. We initially started quite close to the front enjoying the first few tracks, but had got separated from our group of friends. Usually at gigs I'm more far to just bopping around, listening to the music and moshing a little if need be, yet at Bruce I prefer a. It more space to dance (although I'm not a very good one, the fact I had a fair few beers probably helped aid this desire) with this in mind we soon went further back in the crowd. We had found our friends and enjoying the music.
The boss played a lot from his new album wrecking ball and then an encore if hits. His whole show lasting between 3 and a half and 4 hours. The weather may have not been the best, but it could have been a lot worse, it being overcast and for only 5 minutes actually raining. It didn't dampen any ones spirits as The band started belting out hits such as Born to Run, Dancing in the Dark and Glory days many people were singing and dancing, often with perfect strangers, but this doesn't matter as their is a certain cameradere present when seeing an act of this magnitude. Couple this with people hearing the Boss sing new songs live for us for the first time such as waitin' on a sunny day and Jack of all trades, the crowd took really well eager to hear each song thrown our way.
The gig was beyond words, its tough to describe how good it was, and that is why I have to finish my post now, I could keep going on about each song and how the crowd reacted or talk about the night in endless details, but it wouldn't do any of it justice. To simply say The Boss was electric, the E Street Band was on fire and the atmosphere was magnetic would be a few simple steps to describe it, but would still be nowhere near giving it justice.
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
An Epic Week Part 2
I sit here in my mothers garden, in the nice warm north eastern sun typing. Eldest daughter and my nephew playing freely in the garden and I can hear my mam singing nursery rhymes to youngest daughter. Today is going well at its only 9am!
Yesterday saw a few events take place. So where to start? Well first event of the day was the Olympic flame passed our house. We went to watch it and took the kids, we had a good vantage point and got to see it go right past use, it was good that alot of people also had the same idea and wanted to see, what, I am sure will be the only time I get to see it in my lifetime. We were at a change over point for the flame too, and I felt quite sad for the Guy who had to take on the flame, not because of anything to do with him etc but because he was being mobbed by everyone, getting people circling him until the police asked them to get away as the torch was coming. Ok it's great that he's getting attention and recognition but people were mobbing him just for a photo of him with a stranger, someone he never met and an as of yet unlit torch, no doubt people will be posting the pictures on facebook and fair does to them but surely that's not what the torch run is about is it? the chance for others to have a picture of them next to an unlit torch.
After this me and the daughters headed north to my mams house. We left mummy to have a day of relaxation to herself and have peace and quiet while we descended on Nana for 6 whole days, the girls mam is joining us all on Wednesday so she'll get a whole 24 hours to cherish by herself.
Last night I went to the first of three gigs this week. It was a great gig. Blink 182 were on form and looked to be at their best. I've had the joy of seeing them two times previously, each time better than the last, but last nights show saw the band act more comedic as ever before, they looked like they were enjoying it, and so because of their apparent enjoyment, this fed off onto the crowd, who in turn enjoyed the night. As the band seemed even more enjoying themselves their music playing and singing grew more bold, guitar and drum solos louder and harder than ever before. To say the gig was good is an understatement.
For an encore the band decided that restricting themselves to the main stage wasn't good enough, Mark and Tom (the guitarists) took to a pre arranged centre stage, something that was just bigger than the garden patio I'm currently sat on. The played with their acoustic guitars telling stories of the 2 songs they were about sing about how they were wrote when they were teenagers in California. Of course this probably had happened at all the other shows they've recently played, in fact I know they had as my good friend Disco Dave had been to them and told me about them, but you get a sense that all the comedy moments in the show was pre routine, but it just happens on the spot.
Blink also announced in the evening that England was winning the football, and 5 minutes later announced that England had won to a cheer from the crowd, this would also be something Tom would refer back to to get a cheer if one of his jokes fell flat on it's face, but he does so brilliantly the crowd laugh at him anyway. Theres not many American bands I can think of who would have had the courtesy to do such a thing, but with Blink you sense that these shows meant a lot to them, they meant a lot to the crowd, after all many had probably done as I had and bought the tickets 2 years ago expecting the show last year only to have it rearranged to this year.
I ended the evening waiting for 40 minutes to see the band and the back gates, there was nothing pre arranged it was purely that's where Dave wanted to go, he had managed to go backstage last week in their London shows, so I thought might as well join him, we didn't see anyone and after 40 minutes I decided that I'd had enough of waiting, I'm still waiting to hear if he saw them today, but I wouldn't mind if I missed them, seeing them on top form like I did tonight was enough. They managed to get a healthy mix of old and new songs playing classics like carousel with new songs like after midnight. They also played their comic songs like Blew Job and Country song, much to the crowds delight.
No matter however as it was worth the wait, Blink didn't disappoint with some drab, boring, lifeless show, they were on form and wanted the whole crowd to see that they were back to their best and that they were worth the wait, and you know what, they succeeded.
Yesterday saw a few events take place. So where to start? Well first event of the day was the Olympic flame passed our house. We went to watch it and took the kids, we had a good vantage point and got to see it go right past use, it was good that alot of people also had the same idea and wanted to see, what, I am sure will be the only time I get to see it in my lifetime. We were at a change over point for the flame too, and I felt quite sad for the Guy who had to take on the flame, not because of anything to do with him etc but because he was being mobbed by everyone, getting people circling him until the police asked them to get away as the torch was coming. Ok it's great that he's getting attention and recognition but people were mobbing him just for a photo of him with a stranger, someone he never met and an as of yet unlit torch, no doubt people will be posting the pictures on facebook and fair does to them but surely that's not what the torch run is about is it? the chance for others to have a picture of them next to an unlit torch.
After this me and the daughters headed north to my mams house. We left mummy to have a day of relaxation to herself and have peace and quiet while we descended on Nana for 6 whole days, the girls mam is joining us all on Wednesday so she'll get a whole 24 hours to cherish by herself.
Last night I went to the first of three gigs this week. It was a great gig. Blink 182 were on form and looked to be at their best. I've had the joy of seeing them two times previously, each time better than the last, but last nights show saw the band act more comedic as ever before, they looked like they were enjoying it, and so because of their apparent enjoyment, this fed off onto the crowd, who in turn enjoyed the night. As the band seemed even more enjoying themselves their music playing and singing grew more bold, guitar and drum solos louder and harder than ever before. To say the gig was good is an understatement.
Blink also announced in the evening that England was winning the football, and 5 minutes later announced that England had won to a cheer from the crowd, this would also be something Tom would refer back to to get a cheer if one of his jokes fell flat on it's face, but he does so brilliantly the crowd laugh at him anyway. Theres not many American bands I can think of who would have had the courtesy to do such a thing, but with Blink you sense that these shows meant a lot to them, they meant a lot to the crowd, after all many had probably done as I had and bought the tickets 2 years ago expecting the show last year only to have it rearranged to this year.
I ended the evening waiting for 40 minutes to see the band and the back gates, there was nothing pre arranged it was purely that's where Dave wanted to go, he had managed to go backstage last week in their London shows, so I thought might as well join him, we didn't see anyone and after 40 minutes I decided that I'd had enough of waiting, I'm still waiting to hear if he saw them today, but I wouldn't mind if I missed them, seeing them on top form like I did tonight was enough. They managed to get a healthy mix of old and new songs playing classics like carousel with new songs like after midnight. They also played their comic songs like Blew Job and Country song, much to the crowds delight.
No matter however as it was worth the wait, Blink didn't disappoint with some drab, boring, lifeless show, they were on form and wanted the whole crowd to see that they were back to their best and that they were worth the wait, and you know what, they succeeded.
Monday, 18 June 2012
An Epic Week
This week is a week I d been looking forward to for quite sometime, and for quite a few reasons. Where to start? Well firstly I have a whole 8 days off work! Fantastic, what could be better no work, no meetings, no late finishes, or early starts (apart from getting up with the kids) just quality family time. Don't get me wrong, I like and enjoy my job but everyone needs a break at times and in the past I've been guilty of being on holiday but still working at home, but not in this case this is a 100% break.
So aside from that obvious reason why else have I been looking forward to this week for so long? Well, in fact it all started in November 2010. One of my favourite Bands had reformed, Blink 182. I had seen them earlier in the summer at Leeds festival, it was then announced that they would be touring the UK, do naturally as I always do when tickets went on sale I bought some, the ticket was originally for June 2011 but a few months before the gig the band postponed the gig as there album wouldn't be ready in time and only wanted to tour with a new album, fair does I can wait, it'll be awesome.
The day of the Blink 182 gig the Olympic torch goes by our house too. Now being a keen sports fan and working in the fitness industry this is something I really want to take my kids along to as I am well aware that this is a lifetime opportunity, it definitely won't happen again in my lifetime and probably not in my daughters, is the fact it passes our house is great and something we will definitely see before heading north. I only wish I was lucky enough to run with it myself, big I'm not so seeing it will be great in its own right.
Little did I know however how the rescheduled show would be joined with other events in the week. In October 2011 it was announced that the Red Hot Chilli Peppers would play in Sunderland on Sunday 24th June. At the time I thought great, nice easy present for the OH, I like them but she loves them do there's a Christmas present and well go together, as well as many of my good school friends going it'll be a good day out.
Then in November the big announcement came that took this week from being a great week off to being and epic, spectacular, one if the best weeks of my life event, to join seeing Blink 182 and the Chilli Peppers, on Thursday 21st June at Sunderland none other than The Boss, Bruce Springsteen is playing. My mam bought me tickets for Christmas, and since this was announced I've been counting down the weeks the days and into hours now. I've already seen the Boss live once and it was the best gig I've been too, I can't wait it's gonna awesome.
I guess what's best as well is free childcare and accommodation this is all happening in my native north raft do we are travelling up and staying at my mams, she gets time with the grab kids and me and OH get time together and I also get time with my mates. It's all a win win.
So to quote the awesome Barney Stinson, this week is gonna be Legendary.....
So aside from that obvious reason why else have I been looking forward to this week for so long? Well, in fact it all started in November 2010. One of my favourite Bands had reformed, Blink 182. I had seen them earlier in the summer at Leeds festival, it was then announced that they would be touring the UK, do naturally as I always do when tickets went on sale I bought some, the ticket was originally for June 2011 but a few months before the gig the band postponed the gig as there album wouldn't be ready in time and only wanted to tour with a new album, fair does I can wait, it'll be awesome.
The day of the Blink 182 gig the Olympic torch goes by our house too. Now being a keen sports fan and working in the fitness industry this is something I really want to take my kids along to as I am well aware that this is a lifetime opportunity, it definitely won't happen again in my lifetime and probably not in my daughters, is the fact it passes our house is great and something we will definitely see before heading north. I only wish I was lucky enough to run with it myself, big I'm not so seeing it will be great in its own right.
Little did I know however how the rescheduled show would be joined with other events in the week. In October 2011 it was announced that the Red Hot Chilli Peppers would play in Sunderland on Sunday 24th June. At the time I thought great, nice easy present for the OH, I like them but she loves them do there's a Christmas present and well go together, as well as many of my good school friends going it'll be a good day out.
I guess what's best as well is free childcare and accommodation this is all happening in my native north raft do we are travelling up and staying at my mams, she gets time with the grab kids and me and OH get time together and I also get time with my mates. It's all a win win.
So to quote the awesome Barney Stinson, this week is gonna be Legendary.....
Sunday, 17 June 2012
A summers playlist
As my most regular readers will know I write a music inspired post each month. Usually this is my own critique of a new album I've recently bought or it is simply me just writing about the music I've enjoyed listening to in my car on my commutes to work, if you've never read any before here is one.
Any who the other day as I was writing the latest music inspired post I noticed a trend. It was that all the songs I was writing about made me think about summer, as soon as I hear the first bit of the song, for some unbeknown reason I can't explain I instantly associate and think of summer. So this inspired me to write another post, the one you are reading now, dedicated to a great summer playlist.
Now we all have playlists on our iPhone, iPods, laptops, heck some of us still use mix CDs or mix tapes, so here is what I would have on my summer playlist...
1/ The Old Crow Medicine Show; Wagon Wheel,
This song always makes me feel like summer, Firstly it's a simple song, not too complex with loads of different instruments and is quite easy listening. But the main reason why this to me is a great summer song is the memories I have linked with it. I first heard this song in the summer of 2007 when I was working in America. It became the sound of that summer for me, working in Minnesota I would hear it most days and so hearing this songs instantly takes me back there. The lyrics tie in very nicely and makes me think of my time travelling around as this song is about exactly that travelling around. It may sound very country, but I love it and that's why its on my summer playlist and makes me think of nice hot weather and the perfect song to listen to in the garden enjoying a beer....
2/ Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff; Summertime,
Again another very chilled relaxed song, this song obviously is associated with summer as it's all bout summer, hence the title. The lyrics describe summer time in the US of A and is a great song, again another favourite of mine to have playing as I am busy cooking over the BBQ with a nice ice cold beer in hand waiting to serve the perfect burgers....
3/ Dizzie Rascal; Holiday,
This song naturally makes you feel of the summer. Again another song that is about the summertime and the holiday season. I remember this song when I was working in Texas. The summer is undoubtedly hot there and I remember this song playing on the radio as I;d be driving round in my rental car and the sun is scorching hot. The weather is so humid that once you've cooled down and taken a shower and step out of the shower you start sweating again. This song is different than the last 2 on this list as its more upbeat, not as chilled out and relaxed and is of course a song that would have been played time and time again in clubs in Ibiza and ayia napa and the UK no doubt one its release...
4/ Sean Paul; Get Busy,
Not a song I particularly like but that's why Ive included. Huh? You may say why have I put it in my playlist but it's a song I don't like? Purely because it's a song that reminds of of Summer 2003. My and 9 Friends went to Falaraki on our first lads holiday. It was great but what I learnt that every bar pretty much owned the same CD and played the same song so for the 2 weeks I was there I remember this song being played around 100 times (probably more but I was quite drunk most of the time) So although it's not a song I particularly like it reminds me of that fantastic holiday.It reminds me of my mate Disco Dave 'rubbing' sun cream on my back but not actually doing do so I ended up sun burnt. I remember my mates getting annoyed at me as I would wake up at 4pm in the afternoon and stay out til 6am as I couldn't be bothered with the heat and just wanted to drink. It was my send off to Uni and was so much fun, so this song earns its place on the list as it's the best of a bad bunch of songs being played on holiday....
5/ The Streets; Fit but you know it,
Ahh The Streets, they were a great band. Mike Skinner was great at what he did telling a story. I saw the Streets in 2004 at Leeds Festival, when this song was released. It was my first time at a festival and so this song is not just connected to memories off that, but also memories of Magaluf in 2004 with my mate Disco Dave, and also memories of University. I remember walking to and from uni listening to the Streets albums. Whenever I hear the Streets songs I usually picture the streets of Liverpool and my journey home. As I also said I saw them live in 2004 and I remember dancing to Van Halen 'Jump' as the Streets were running late so Colin Murray played some essential songs to keep spirits high. I then remember Mike Skinner coming on stage ad being fantastic and getting everyone to do a sun dance as it looked like it was going to rain, he was successful, it didn't ran all weekend and I ended up sunburned and then going to Magaluf and being sun burnt already!...
I'd love for other people to get involved and I am quite freely opening up my blog to everyone. I've never had guest posts or anything before so I wold love people to write to me and write about what songs they associate with summer and what songs they would have on there playlists. Even if you don't have a blog I'd love you to join in, just contact me and I'll put your words up on this screen. If you want to write about 5 songs that make you feel the summer buzz that would be great, similarly if you want to write how to make the perfect summer playlist or just want to write about memories of one particular summer I;d love to have loads of different peoples views and posts, so please feel free to get involved.
You can email me any questions at shastagr81@yahoo.co.uk or tweet me @Daley_84
Any who the other day as I was writing the latest music inspired post I noticed a trend. It was that all the songs I was writing about made me think about summer, as soon as I hear the first bit of the song, for some unbeknown reason I can't explain I instantly associate and think of summer. So this inspired me to write another post, the one you are reading now, dedicated to a great summer playlist.
Now we all have playlists on our iPhone, iPods, laptops, heck some of us still use mix CDs or mix tapes, so here is what I would have on my summer playlist...
1/ The Old Crow Medicine Show; Wagon Wheel,
This song always makes me feel like summer, Firstly it's a simple song, not too complex with loads of different instruments and is quite easy listening. But the main reason why this to me is a great summer song is the memories I have linked with it. I first heard this song in the summer of 2007 when I was working in America. It became the sound of that summer for me, working in Minnesota I would hear it most days and so hearing this songs instantly takes me back there. The lyrics tie in very nicely and makes me think of my time travelling around as this song is about exactly that travelling around. It may sound very country, but I love it and that's why its on my summer playlist and makes me think of nice hot weather and the perfect song to listen to in the garden enjoying a beer....
2/ Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff; Summertime,
Again another very chilled relaxed song, this song obviously is associated with summer as it's all bout summer, hence the title. The lyrics describe summer time in the US of A and is a great song, again another favourite of mine to have playing as I am busy cooking over the BBQ with a nice ice cold beer in hand waiting to serve the perfect burgers....
3/ Dizzie Rascal; Holiday,
This song naturally makes you feel of the summer. Again another song that is about the summertime and the holiday season. I remember this song when I was working in Texas. The summer is undoubtedly hot there and I remember this song playing on the radio as I;d be driving round in my rental car and the sun is scorching hot. The weather is so humid that once you've cooled down and taken a shower and step out of the shower you start sweating again. This song is different than the last 2 on this list as its more upbeat, not as chilled out and relaxed and is of course a song that would have been played time and time again in clubs in Ibiza and ayia napa and the UK no doubt one its release...
4/ Sean Paul; Get Busy,
Not a song I particularly like but that's why Ive included. Huh? You may say why have I put it in my playlist but it's a song I don't like? Purely because it's a song that reminds of of Summer 2003. My and 9 Friends went to Falaraki on our first lads holiday. It was great but what I learnt that every bar pretty much owned the same CD and played the same song so for the 2 weeks I was there I remember this song being played around 100 times (probably more but I was quite drunk most of the time) So although it's not a song I particularly like it reminds me of that fantastic holiday.It reminds me of my mate Disco Dave 'rubbing' sun cream on my back but not actually doing do so I ended up sun burnt. I remember my mates getting annoyed at me as I would wake up at 4pm in the afternoon and stay out til 6am as I couldn't be bothered with the heat and just wanted to drink. It was my send off to Uni and was so much fun, so this song earns its place on the list as it's the best of a bad bunch of songs being played on holiday....
5/ The Streets; Fit but you know it,
Ahh The Streets, they were a great band. Mike Skinner was great at what he did telling a story. I saw the Streets in 2004 at Leeds Festival, when this song was released. It was my first time at a festival and so this song is not just connected to memories off that, but also memories of Magaluf in 2004 with my mate Disco Dave, and also memories of University. I remember walking to and from uni listening to the Streets albums. Whenever I hear the Streets songs I usually picture the streets of Liverpool and my journey home. As I also said I saw them live in 2004 and I remember dancing to Van Halen 'Jump' as the Streets were running late so Colin Murray played some essential songs to keep spirits high. I then remember Mike Skinner coming on stage ad being fantastic and getting everyone to do a sun dance as it looked like it was going to rain, he was successful, it didn't ran all weekend and I ended up sunburned and then going to Magaluf and being sun burnt already!...
I'd love for other people to get involved and I am quite freely opening up my blog to everyone. I've never had guest posts or anything before so I wold love people to write to me and write about what songs they associate with summer and what songs they would have on there playlists. Even if you don't have a blog I'd love you to join in, just contact me and I'll put your words up on this screen. If you want to write about 5 songs that make you feel the summer buzz that would be great, similarly if you want to write how to make the perfect summer playlist or just want to write about memories of one particular summer I;d love to have loads of different peoples views and posts, so please feel free to get involved.
You can email me any questions at shastagr81@yahoo.co.uk or tweet me @Daley_84
Thursday, 26 April 2012
The Great Gig Meme in The Sky....
A few weeks ago I was tagged in a meme, the meme was in Romanian Mum In London's blog which you can find here. The post itself was a guest post written by the retired musodad, which you can find here, who, like a band that had previously split up did a comeback tour as a one last hurrah *cough* money spinner *cough*
So I have taken a while to reply to the questions posted one reason is that I wanted to think about them, another and probably the most plausible reason is that I have been really lazy in my blog postings recently. So here goes:
1; First gig
Ahhh my first gig. I remember it was when I was 14, my sister bought me the ticket for my birthday. She came with me to the gig. I wish I could lie and say my first gig was someone undoubtedly cool and ever-lasting in music. The band I went to see first however has left us with some memorable tunes, I am not ashamed to say I've seen them, I'm glad I did, maybe just had preferred a different band for my first gig.
The band I first saw was Savage Garden. This was in Newcastle. Now they were a great show, the front man I remember was a Entertainer and they were really good live. Many people laugh when I say they were my first live band, but like say I'm not embarrassed to say they were, I still like there songs, they are catchy, and the gig was good, I remember getting quite a bit of stick from my school friends at the time for seeing them bit meh, who cares I survived it.
2: Worst gig
There's not too many bad gigs that spring to my mind. I've been lucky enough to see quite a few good bands. Theres a few bad acts I've seen as a result of being at a festival and just going along to see a band because no-one else has been on and I couldn't be bothered to go back to my tent as there's a band coming on next I want to see.
I'd say of this bunch last year I was at live at Leeds with my friends. I remember all the posters were dotted around town and had the full line up. Live at Leeds is kind if like a gig crawl, around the city there are different venues with different musicians on. One of the top acts their last year was James Blake. He was tipped to make it big last year by the radio and NME etc. so without ever hearing anything of his me and my mates went along to his 4pm show, by 4:15 we had left, I can honestly say that was one if the most depressing dull acts I'd ever seen. All his songs sounded the same and had all sounded like he was too depressed to do anything but cry. His singing didn't even sound human it sounded more like a whales mating call!
3: Best gig
This could only be one gig, without doubt it had to be when I saw Bruce Springsteen in Manchester in 2008. The gig was fantastic, the Boss is and always be one of my favourite musicians. He, in my eyes has never wrote a bad song that I've heard and his live shows certainly live up to his music. The E street band that accompany him are of course also of equally high measure and the fact the band and the Boss go on staff with no set list but the first couple of songs and the judge the mood and feel of the gig shows how good and In sync the band are with each other.
I'm delighted to say ill get to see them again this summer in Sunderland, and I'm sure it'll be an equally as good show, albeit quite sad as the big man Clarence Clemons Wont be there but I'm sure the Boss and the E-street band will do him justice. There's nothing like seeing a 60 year old man power slide across the stage on his knees to make you realise that he truly us a genius.
After the gig also was coupled with a great night out, and isn't that the point of the gig. Not just the show itself but the stories you have of the night out afterwards. Me and my mate jack were staying in Manchester. I drove, I bought the tickets, all he had to do was sort the hotel, which he did, for £20 each in the city centre which I thought bargain! What he didn't tell me until we got there that it was a certain sexual preference hotel of which we were not! No difference, a bed is a bed after all. A night of many drinks around Manchester followed of which most stories I can not place on this blog :O
4: Last gig
Feeder in Sheffield. This was the 16th time I had seen this great band. They are my favourite band. I went to see them with my OH for the first time and my trusty side kick Disco Dave for the 16th time. Now many people say if you've seen them that many times you could act their show. True I always know what song they finish on but they do release new music and play them their gigs. They also regularly play songs they haven't done got years from their back catalogue.
In Sheffield it had coincided with the day of their new album being released. I had already feverishly listened to the whole album a few times and do was well acquainted with many of the new songs. They played a large majority of these, at the dismay to a few people behind me. I understand that some 'fans' may be annoyed at this but I see it from the bands point of view that they want people to hear their new music. They still played all their favourites but blended then in between new songs.
Now obviously I am going to be biased as I love all their songs and do they could've played their entire first album or their new album and I would still love every second of it. The gig itself was great and I've already got my ticket to gig number 17 bring it on.
6: Dream gig
This is a tough one as the rule of the original post stipulated it must not be the stereotypical answers of a band like the Beatles or Jimi Hendrix as these were obviously not around in my lifetime, but instead a band or musician I could've easily seen but didn't.
I guess for this dream gig I'd have to say it would be Tom Jones. Now I know very well that he's still alive and still active in the music industry and maybe one day I will get to see him. I think the man is a legend in the music industry and the reason why I chose him is simply that I've been privileged alot musically in my life that I've seen many of my favourite acts and artists live, quite a few time. There's many smaller bands that I like that I have never seen but these have never been dream gigs to me, they are simply would've been nice to see.
Similarly it would be great to see Bon Jovi or Robbie Williams live, but as they often tour the UK I am often confident that this will undoubtedly happen. However with Tom Jones I am less confident, I think what would make it a dream gig would be to see him live in somewhere like Las Vegas. I'd love to see a big act live in America, I've been to sporting events there and everything just seems to happen on a larger scale, and I'm sure Sir Tom wouldn't disappoint.
But now who to tag? The whole point of a meme is to tag people in it. Or should I just break the golden rule and not? Surely I can;t do that can I ? Well I think not tagging anyone would be disrespectful to Musodad who started this post and also Romanian Mum who kindly borrowed her blog for tis to happen.
So I will tag a few people. First my OH @ourpeagreenpod she probably won't do it because she hates memes, but its worth a try isn't it?
Next I'm going to have to tag @firsttimedaddy , purly beacuse we have had a few football related discussion on twitter and now I'd like to see his music tastes.
After this I am going to invite @saskadad , one of my new followers, I;m intrigued to hear his musical tastes. As well as @thejdaddy .
That is all for now, but if you want to join in please do so and comment me the link.
So I have taken a while to reply to the questions posted one reason is that I wanted to think about them, another and probably the most plausible reason is that I have been really lazy in my blog postings recently. So here goes:
1; First gig
Ahhh my first gig. I remember it was when I was 14, my sister bought me the ticket for my birthday. She came with me to the gig. I wish I could lie and say my first gig was someone undoubtedly cool and ever-lasting in music. The band I went to see first however has left us with some memorable tunes, I am not ashamed to say I've seen them, I'm glad I did, maybe just had preferred a different band for my first gig.
The band I first saw was Savage Garden. This was in Newcastle. Now they were a great show, the front man I remember was a Entertainer and they were really good live. Many people laugh when I say they were my first live band, but like say I'm not embarrassed to say they were, I still like there songs, they are catchy, and the gig was good, I remember getting quite a bit of stick from my school friends at the time for seeing them bit meh, who cares I survived it.
2: Worst gig
There's not too many bad gigs that spring to my mind. I've been lucky enough to see quite a few good bands. Theres a few bad acts I've seen as a result of being at a festival and just going along to see a band because no-one else has been on and I couldn't be bothered to go back to my tent as there's a band coming on next I want to see.
I'd say of this bunch last year I was at live at Leeds with my friends. I remember all the posters were dotted around town and had the full line up. Live at Leeds is kind if like a gig crawl, around the city there are different venues with different musicians on. One of the top acts their last year was James Blake. He was tipped to make it big last year by the radio and NME etc. so without ever hearing anything of his me and my mates went along to his 4pm show, by 4:15 we had left, I can honestly say that was one if the most depressing dull acts I'd ever seen. All his songs sounded the same and had all sounded like he was too depressed to do anything but cry. His singing didn't even sound human it sounded more like a whales mating call!
3: Best gig
This could only be one gig, without doubt it had to be when I saw Bruce Springsteen in Manchester in 2008. The gig was fantastic, the Boss is and always be one of my favourite musicians. He, in my eyes has never wrote a bad song that I've heard and his live shows certainly live up to his music. The E street band that accompany him are of course also of equally high measure and the fact the band and the Boss go on staff with no set list but the first couple of songs and the judge the mood and feel of the gig shows how good and In sync the band are with each other.
I'm delighted to say ill get to see them again this summer in Sunderland, and I'm sure it'll be an equally as good show, albeit quite sad as the big man Clarence Clemons Wont be there but I'm sure the Boss and the E-street band will do him justice. There's nothing like seeing a 60 year old man power slide across the stage on his knees to make you realise that he truly us a genius.
After the gig also was coupled with a great night out, and isn't that the point of the gig. Not just the show itself but the stories you have of the night out afterwards. Me and my mate jack were staying in Manchester. I drove, I bought the tickets, all he had to do was sort the hotel, which he did, for £20 each in the city centre which I thought bargain! What he didn't tell me until we got there that it was a certain sexual preference hotel of which we were not! No difference, a bed is a bed after all. A night of many drinks around Manchester followed of which most stories I can not place on this blog :O
4: Last gig
Feeder in Sheffield. This was the 16th time I had seen this great band. They are my favourite band. I went to see them with my OH for the first time and my trusty side kick Disco Dave for the 16th time. Now many people say if you've seen them that many times you could act their show. True I always know what song they finish on but they do release new music and play them their gigs. They also regularly play songs they haven't done got years from their back catalogue.
In Sheffield it had coincided with the day of their new album being released. I had already feverishly listened to the whole album a few times and do was well acquainted with many of the new songs. They played a large majority of these, at the dismay to a few people behind me. I understand that some 'fans' may be annoyed at this but I see it from the bands point of view that they want people to hear their new music. They still played all their favourites but blended then in between new songs.
Now obviously I am going to be biased as I love all their songs and do they could've played their entire first album or their new album and I would still love every second of it. The gig itself was great and I've already got my ticket to gig number 17 bring it on.
6: Dream gig
This is a tough one as the rule of the original post stipulated it must not be the stereotypical answers of a band like the Beatles or Jimi Hendrix as these were obviously not around in my lifetime, but instead a band or musician I could've easily seen but didn't.
I guess for this dream gig I'd have to say it would be Tom Jones. Now I know very well that he's still alive and still active in the music industry and maybe one day I will get to see him. I think the man is a legend in the music industry and the reason why I chose him is simply that I've been privileged alot musically in my life that I've seen many of my favourite acts and artists live, quite a few time. There's many smaller bands that I like that I have never seen but these have never been dream gigs to me, they are simply would've been nice to see.
Similarly it would be great to see Bon Jovi or Robbie Williams live, but as they often tour the UK I am often confident that this will undoubtedly happen. However with Tom Jones I am less confident, I think what would make it a dream gig would be to see him live in somewhere like Las Vegas. I'd love to see a big act live in America, I've been to sporting events there and everything just seems to happen on a larger scale, and I'm sure Sir Tom wouldn't disappoint.
But now who to tag? The whole point of a meme is to tag people in it. Or should I just break the golden rule and not? Surely I can;t do that can I ? Well I think not tagging anyone would be disrespectful to Musodad who started this post and also Romanian Mum who kindly borrowed her blog for tis to happen.
So I will tag a few people. First my OH @ourpeagreenpod she probably won't do it because she hates memes, but its worth a try isn't it?
Next I'm going to have to tag @firsttimedaddy , purly beacuse we have had a few football related discussion on twitter and now I'd like to see his music tastes.
After this I am going to invite @saskadad , one of my new followers, I;m intrigued to hear his musical tastes. As well as @thejdaddy .
That is all for now, but if you want to join in please do so and comment me the link.
Monday, 2 April 2012
A musical Journey: March
This months post of music comes with some joy as it features a lot of my all time favourite bands who have released new albums this month that I have managed to listen over and over to on my car drives and absorb and firm my own thoughts and opinions.
But alas there is also sorrow as my inspiration for these musical posts has hung up his blogging fingers and decided to call it a day, I'm talking of course of Musodad who was a fantastic blogger and was very talented. I of course wish him all the best and hope he stops by and offers his opinions and insights.
So without further delay and dilly dallying ( I love that phrase) here are my musical highlights of the month:
1/ Bruce Springsteen:
You might have seen at the start of the month one of my pictures in my 366 series was dedicated to the Boss. This was due to his new album, Wrecking Ball being released. It is a fantastic album, 4 out of 5 stars in my book. It is again a sign of the Boss writing fantastic songs with clever lyrics coupling it with insightful musical rhythms. Take track 4 for example my favourite track called jack of all trades. The Boss sings about being able to do anything and everything in a quite mellow song and then at the end lets the guitar do the talking itself in a total contrast to the rest of the song that really works. Then there is track 1 the single from the album, we take care of our own, it's a song that makes you think and feel that because you're a fan of the boss you're in his inner circle and a sense if community that builds during his shows that everything is ok and indeed you're part of the Bosses gang and we indeed do take care of each other. The album is a shift away from the recent magic and working on a dream, it is a Bruce Springsteen traditional American album but it is a masterpiece at that, the two songs I picked out there could easily have been any other 2 on the album, they are all worthy of an individual mention and breakdown but I don't want to bore you as I could write a dissertation on this album I love it that much.
2/ Cast
A blast from the past. I remember I was around 11 the time I was bought casts first album all change for my birthday from my older sister. I had kind of asked for it because I liked walk away the song but mainly because they were from Liverpool, my favourite place in the world and they also supported Liverpool my team. As they years went on all change became one of my favourite albums and Cadt cemented a place in my history. In 2010 I managed to see them live as the toured a special tour where they had rejoined to celebrate the anniversary of that album. As I stood and watched them memories of my childhood and that birthday came flooding back, as did my love of Cast. Then early this year I heard they were releasing a new album. I rushed to the shop to buy it in release day in march and once more found the brilliance of what I feel is a hugely underrated band who should have had more success than they did. It saddens me that this album won't make them a big success even though it is fantastic. The catchy cast songs are there like see that girl whilst there darker songs are also there like INSERT. Cast I do hope are back for good and don't walk away ( see what I did there) again, John Power is a great song writer and doesn't get enough credit in my eyes, they are a lost gem from the generation that gave us Oasis and Blur who I feel if they got as much attention would have wrote and given us songs of equal calibre as both those bands the only reason why they weren't given the same limelight is that they opted out of such shenanigans as both bands and thus had no tabloid headlines to help market them, they focused purely on the music.
3/ The Horrible Crowes
If you're looking for a new band to fall in love with then I'd suggest these. If you read my musical post for February you'd have noticed I recommended a band called Gaslight Anthem, well the horrible Crowes is the lead singer, Brian Fallons side project. They released there album last year and I've just got my hands on it. It's again a great album of well balanced songs written by Fallon. Each song is well written and has a great ensemble of instruments that fit the mood for every song. Its different from The Gaslight Anthem as with their records alot of the songs are heavily influenced on Springsteen. This time gallon writes songs in a differing way, each song is well placed on the album which has a very mellow feel. It's very easy listening and would be perfect to listen to if having a bad day to help calm you down or get over your hangover. I'd hugely recommend listening to this album, the album is called Elsie and my favourite track is Behold the Hurricane, which was the lead single from this album. This song is a very Gaslight Anthem sounding song, but the rest of the album takes a different picture from this. Behold the Hurricane however is a fantastic song in my ears as it to me is very powerful and gets me thinking, it also had a great and very apt video to accompany it.
But alas there is also sorrow as my inspiration for these musical posts has hung up his blogging fingers and decided to call it a day, I'm talking of course of Musodad who was a fantastic blogger and was very talented. I of course wish him all the best and hope he stops by and offers his opinions and insights.
So without further delay and dilly dallying ( I love that phrase) here are my musical highlights of the month:
1/ Bruce Springsteen:
You might have seen at the start of the month one of my pictures in my 366 series was dedicated to the Boss. This was due to his new album, Wrecking Ball being released. It is a fantastic album, 4 out of 5 stars in my book. It is again a sign of the Boss writing fantastic songs with clever lyrics coupling it with insightful musical rhythms. Take track 4 for example my favourite track called jack of all trades. The Boss sings about being able to do anything and everything in a quite mellow song and then at the end lets the guitar do the talking itself in a total contrast to the rest of the song that really works. Then there is track 1 the single from the album, we take care of our own, it's a song that makes you think and feel that because you're a fan of the boss you're in his inner circle and a sense if community that builds during his shows that everything is ok and indeed you're part of the Bosses gang and we indeed do take care of each other. The album is a shift away from the recent magic and working on a dream, it is a Bruce Springsteen traditional American album but it is a masterpiece at that, the two songs I picked out there could easily have been any other 2 on the album, they are all worthy of an individual mention and breakdown but I don't want to bore you as I could write a dissertation on this album I love it that much.
2/ Cast
A blast from the past. I remember I was around 11 the time I was bought casts first album all change for my birthday from my older sister. I had kind of asked for it because I liked walk away the song but mainly because they were from Liverpool, my favourite place in the world and they also supported Liverpool my team. As they years went on all change became one of my favourite albums and Cadt cemented a place in my history. In 2010 I managed to see them live as the toured a special tour where they had rejoined to celebrate the anniversary of that album. As I stood and watched them memories of my childhood and that birthday came flooding back, as did my love of Cast. Then early this year I heard they were releasing a new album. I rushed to the shop to buy it in release day in march and once more found the brilliance of what I feel is a hugely underrated band who should have had more success than they did. It saddens me that this album won't make them a big success even though it is fantastic. The catchy cast songs are there like see that girl whilst there darker songs are also there like INSERT. Cast I do hope are back for good and don't walk away ( see what I did there) again, John Power is a great song writer and doesn't get enough credit in my eyes, they are a lost gem from the generation that gave us Oasis and Blur who I feel if they got as much attention would have wrote and given us songs of equal calibre as both those bands the only reason why they weren't given the same limelight is that they opted out of such shenanigans as both bands and thus had no tabloid headlines to help market them, they focused purely on the music.
3/ The Horrible Crowes
If you're looking for a new band to fall in love with then I'd suggest these. If you read my musical post for February you'd have noticed I recommended a band called Gaslight Anthem, well the horrible Crowes is the lead singer, Brian Fallons side project. They released there album last year and I've just got my hands on it. It's again a great album of well balanced songs written by Fallon. Each song is well written and has a great ensemble of instruments that fit the mood for every song. Its different from The Gaslight Anthem as with their records alot of the songs are heavily influenced on Springsteen. This time gallon writes songs in a differing way, each song is well placed on the album which has a very mellow feel. It's very easy listening and would be perfect to listen to if having a bad day to help calm you down or get over your hangover. I'd hugely recommend listening to this album, the album is called Elsie and my favourite track is Behold the Hurricane, which was the lead single from this album. This song is a very Gaslight Anthem sounding song, but the rest of the album takes a different picture from this. Behold the Hurricane however is a fantastic song in my ears as it to me is very powerful and gets me thinking, it also had a great and very apt video to accompany it.
Monday, 5 March 2012
Day65 The Boss
Today there can only be one picture for the caption of the day, it is this.....
The boss's, Bruce Springsteens new album, Wrecking Ball. I love the Boss, all his music is great, I find it hard to critise any of his songs, each one tells a story, a picture of events, many within and larger tale on an album. Whatever your mood the Boss has a song to reflect, and, when I'm often listening to him in the car I can't help but sing along at the top of my lungs. The Boss is often my Kareoke song of choice, specifically Born To Run. You can't beat seeing him power slide across the stage and belt out any of his songs.
I can't wait to see him live again this summer, although it will be different seeing him and the legendary 'big man' Clarence Clemons not being there, I am sure the Boss and the E-Street band will ensure his memory lives on in their music.
1,2,3 Tramps like us, Baby we were Born To Run..........
The boss's, Bruce Springsteens new album, Wrecking Ball. I love the Boss, all his music is great, I find it hard to critise any of his songs, each one tells a story, a picture of events, many within and larger tale on an album. Whatever your mood the Boss has a song to reflect, and, when I'm often listening to him in the car I can't help but sing along at the top of my lungs. The Boss is often my Kareoke song of choice, specifically Born To Run. You can't beat seeing him power slide across the stage and belt out any of his songs.
I can't wait to see him live again this summer, although it will be different seeing him and the legendary 'big man' Clarence Clemons not being there, I am sure the Boss and the E-Street band will ensure his memory lives on in their music.
1,2,3 Tramps like us, Baby we were Born To Run..........
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
A musical journey; February
After recently reading a blog post by musodad which you can read here, I was inspired to do something similar. Music is a big part of my life, I often go to gigs and festivals with my friends and subsequently have many memories linked to music.
I always listen to music before or after work it helps me focus and helps me de-stress. So after moving 30 minutes away from work I find myself listening a lot more to my CD's and occasionally the Radio. ( I know one day I'll upgrade my car stereo so I can play my I-Pod)
So each month I will be writing about the 3 artists I've been listening to the most, the albums that I have listen to and do forth. Maybe not the most compelling of writing but I'll try. So this month here goes;
1: Van Halen
A great Glam band. I've been listening recently to there new album, a different kind of truth. Truth be told its not that great, not when you compare it to there old songs. In all honesty I'm not the kind of fan that has all their old albums and can make clever intrigue comments on song on song. I purely have their greatest hits; best of both worlds which is a fantastic collection of their songs. After a few listens of their new album I reverted back to listening to the greatest hits collection. I'm sure if you're a die hard fan you'll love to new album and love that David Lee Roth ( their original singer) is back with them. But if you're looking for the songs like jump and can't stop loving you you'll not find them hear. I hope you don't think I'm not a Van Halen fan, I am, just I'll admit I;m not a hardcore fan and like the old songs you could sing a-long to, the power ballads etc. Still if they come to the UK this year to your ill don my leather jacket for a good rock out, might even put some spandex on and a mullet!
2: REM
I was given for a birthday present REM's recent greatest hits. And due to not being in the mind frame have I really sat down and listened to it. Again REM isn't a band I have liked enough previously to go out and buy their albums, so having their greatest hits is enough for me. My favourite song of there's has to be end of the world (as we know it). I think it s a brilliant song, very fast paced and when in your car trying to sing along it shows the gulf in difference from your voice to Michael stipes. Obviously there are other songs of theirs that I like such as everybody hurts, pop song 2000 etc, but I suppose it's end of the world that always gets me singing a-long kind of bouncing in my car.
3: Gaslight Anthem
Ahhhh now this is one of my favourite ever bands. If you've never heard of them I'd strongly suggest doing so. They hail from New Jersey and if, like me you are a big Bruce Springsteen fan then you'll love them. They have the sound and essence of the Boss himself and, very much so like the Boss, have a story to tell in their songs. Of their 3 albums I can not say I have a distinct favourite song, although 59 sound (which is probably their most recognisable song) is a song that always gets me smiling. Red Sky at Night from their first album Sink or Swim is another song I'd recommend that makes me think of my time travelling around America as it resembles southern USA music. Listening to this song makes me want to learn the Harmonica, I love the sound it makes on the track and the Gaslight Anthem, as does Bruce Springsteen makes me want to pick up my Guitar that I've got and learn how to use properly.
The Gaslight Anthem I've been lucky to see twice, both in Leeds, Once at the festival and once at the 02 academy and I have to admit they are fantastic live. I love seeing bands who talk to the crowd and try explain things about their songs and connect with their fans. They are currently writing their 4th album and I'll be seeing them hen they next head over hear and I am desperately hoping they are supporting Bruce Springsteen when he tours this summer.
Anyway, thank you for reading my first Musical post, I will try working on it and get better. next month promises to be good as I am already aware of what artists I will be listening to due to some great releases from some of my favourite bands.
Thank you to Musodad who inspired this post, please visit his post it's a lot better, again check out his blog here.
I always listen to music before or after work it helps me focus and helps me de-stress. So after moving 30 minutes away from work I find myself listening a lot more to my CD's and occasionally the Radio. ( I know one day I'll upgrade my car stereo so I can play my I-Pod)
So each month I will be writing about the 3 artists I've been listening to the most, the albums that I have listen to and do forth. Maybe not the most compelling of writing but I'll try. So this month here goes;
1: Van Halen
A great Glam band. I've been listening recently to there new album, a different kind of truth. Truth be told its not that great, not when you compare it to there old songs. In all honesty I'm not the kind of fan that has all their old albums and can make clever intrigue comments on song on song. I purely have their greatest hits; best of both worlds which is a fantastic collection of their songs. After a few listens of their new album I reverted back to listening to the greatest hits collection. I'm sure if you're a die hard fan you'll love to new album and love that David Lee Roth ( their original singer) is back with them. But if you're looking for the songs like jump and can't stop loving you you'll not find them hear. I hope you don't think I'm not a Van Halen fan, I am, just I'll admit I;m not a hardcore fan and like the old songs you could sing a-long to, the power ballads etc. Still if they come to the UK this year to your ill don my leather jacket for a good rock out, might even put some spandex on and a mullet!
2: REM
I was given for a birthday present REM's recent greatest hits. And due to not being in the mind frame have I really sat down and listened to it. Again REM isn't a band I have liked enough previously to go out and buy their albums, so having their greatest hits is enough for me. My favourite song of there's has to be end of the world (as we know it). I think it s a brilliant song, very fast paced and when in your car trying to sing along it shows the gulf in difference from your voice to Michael stipes. Obviously there are other songs of theirs that I like such as everybody hurts, pop song 2000 etc, but I suppose it's end of the world that always gets me singing a-long kind of bouncing in my car.
3: Gaslight Anthem
Ahhhh now this is one of my favourite ever bands. If you've never heard of them I'd strongly suggest doing so. They hail from New Jersey and if, like me you are a big Bruce Springsteen fan then you'll love them. They have the sound and essence of the Boss himself and, very much so like the Boss, have a story to tell in their songs. Of their 3 albums I can not say I have a distinct favourite song, although 59 sound (which is probably their most recognisable song) is a song that always gets me smiling. Red Sky at Night from their first album Sink or Swim is another song I'd recommend that makes me think of my time travelling around America as it resembles southern USA music. Listening to this song makes me want to learn the Harmonica, I love the sound it makes on the track and the Gaslight Anthem, as does Bruce Springsteen makes me want to pick up my Guitar that I've got and learn how to use properly.
The Gaslight Anthem I've been lucky to see twice, both in Leeds, Once at the festival and once at the 02 academy and I have to admit they are fantastic live. I love seeing bands who talk to the crowd and try explain things about their songs and connect with their fans. They are currently writing their 4th album and I'll be seeing them hen they next head over hear and I am desperately hoping they are supporting Bruce Springsteen when he tours this summer.
Anyway, thank you for reading my first Musical post, I will try working on it and get better. next month promises to be good as I am already aware of what artists I will be listening to due to some great releases from some of my favourite bands.
Thank you to Musodad who inspired this post, please visit his post it's a lot better, again check out his blog here.
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