Archive for the ‘Mike’s Music’ Category

Well, its that time again – my favourite music show on the planet, Jool’s Holland’s “Later” has started up. If you don’t Jools Holland used to be in a influential 80′s band called Squeeze who had a number of hits including one a play on almost daily basis called “Up the Junction”. Anyway, he runs a show of just musician performing live to studio audience (what a concept eh?). For some reason I’m always drawn to the lone performer who comes on stage with just guitar – such as guy is “Villagers” (sic) and his song “Becoming A Jackal”

Well, last year it was the SoBo phenomena – that swept the internet – perhaps this year its one little Chloe Hickimbottom! Expect this to plastered all over the newspapers and the net within a couple of days! Some how this song has a reassurance now – coming as it does in Britain’s darkest hours, the current economics climate seems to inspiring a certain nostalgia. The cynics will say this was sung just to get the “grandma” vote, and there certainly wasn’t a dry eye in the crinkley brigade… Anyway, the main thing is this girl can sing…

Well, if you follow “Mike’s Music” for a time – you know my tastes lean towards popular music of the 20th Century onwards. But very occasionally I dip my toes in the waters of the classics. Much of that comes from my partner, Carmel Edwards who a singer also (Soprano, Early English Music, and the 20s/30′s). Anyway, she recently put this CD in the car which blew me away. The singer is Elin Manahan Thomas who is from Wales (UK). and her new(ish) CD is called the Eternal Source of Light Divine (which is piece by Handel by the way, who lived in the UK for major part of his life).

Anyway, I’ve got the CD ripped to my iTunes and its playing in the background whilst I do Sunday Afternoon “Admin”. I managed to find a sample video of the Handel piece on youtube.com. Quality is not great (the rip on Youtube.com) but it will give you an idea:

During the Xmas break I was rather stupidly changing tracks on iPOD 160GB classic whilst on a cross-trainer at the gym. Unfortunately, the pod took a tumble was never the same again – it kept on ticking loudly like clock, and wouldn’t sync. Clearly, the disk was shafted – that’s a technical term!

So I took it to my local apple reseller who told me that as it was out of its 1 year warranty (my warranty wasn’t reset the last time this happened – it might add by no fault of my own) – it was classed as unworthy of repair. I did look into repairing it myself – but all the online guides on how to do this were for very old iPODs.  So I decided not to take the risk and get it repaired by a 3rd party in the UK.

I selected – http://www.ukipodrepairs.co.uk/

I would have to say it was a very simple, easy and quick process – the turn around on the fix was very quick and I was very impressed by the work done. I won’t be making the same mistake twice. It turns out the new gym equipment has USB slot which will take thumbstick with MP3′s on it. I’ll be taking it instead of my iPOD in future!

The cute thing about the repair – is the company leaves a little song on your ipod all about its repair. It’s in the style of X-Factor ballad – a long the lines of the “Winner’s Song”. It made me and Carmel laugh anyway.

iPOD Repair Song

Yes, that Steve Martin of “The Jerk” fame etc. He plays a pretty mean banjo too. He recently performed on Jools Holland’s Later (my favourite live music show!). I’m getting a banjo and mandalin for my Xmas & Birthday combined. Always fancied one!

Well, I’ve been stacking these up for sometime. A veritable feast of music delights to assail your ear since Christendom was created.

Look there whole load of videos here – so if you into music – click to see them…

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I’m catching up on my recordings on Sky+ box, and listening once again to Jools Holland’s Later. Anyway, due to a cancellation – this girl was brought into to do a couple of numbers. Well, all I can say thank god, for the cancellation.

On the surface people will try to dismiss her as being to similar to other singers, like Amy Winehouse. But I don’t think so – she’s still got here own unique sound.

Enjoy!

Oh, and below this video – this is the official video for “New York”. Personally, I prefer the live version but then I always do:

I first heard this song whilst watching the movie “I’m not there”. It’s the film where Kate Blancet (amongst) others plays Bob Dylan and his various incarnations. It’s really a terrific movie, well, its if you a Bob Dylan nut like I am. It encouraged me to go through my Dylan back catalog and rediscover him as one of my early influences.

Anyway, Jim James and Calexico did this wonderful cover of “Goin’ to Acapulco” for the movie. I really wish I could show you the segment of the film – but unfortunately it isn’t the complete song and quality is not good enough. In the film the Richard Gere character stumbles upon a band of disposed peoples about to be driven from their land. It has such moving atmosphere. In the end I plumbed for this “video” (there actually no video elements to it!) because the quality of the recording is much better!

Also in my play list for sometime there is Club Thing by Yoav. I first saw this Isreali guitarist on Jools Holland’s “Later” and was bowled over by his abilities – sure there are digital effects and delays – but the sheer sonic array of sounds this guy makes is impressive.

This is a funny video!

Let me introduce to some damn fine guitar playing. Stuart Carter-Smith and Ben Travers are Gypsy Fire – and describe themselves as a “An eclectic blend of Spanish, Latin and European acoustic Gypsy Jazz Guitar…” Stuart contacted me through my blog with a view to getting an airing. So I shuffled of to the website - http://www.iggf.co.uk and had a look see. Suitably impressed (put a finger picker like me to shame!), it was no brainer, as some folks say. Enjoy! More videos on their website, and you can follow the guys on their blog too.

http://gypsyfireuk.blogspot.com/