After minister of the Crown for Business, the overloading-Cable's electrifying all out, carpet-bombing, nonsensical assault on the fundamental process of wealth creation, the basic tenets of civilised capitalism and, amusingly, all business generally, at the LibDum conference, I was just wondering what should be David Cameron's ironic song of the month. I've come up with this one:
Perhaps others can think of a better one. For myself, the only electricity currently flowing from this unhappy political arrangement is the stuff from the power stations that the lefty enviro-loon Chris Huhne hasn't closed down (yet) and will never replace anyway once he does. Our coalition-compromise lunatic Energy minister has stated categorically that he will not allow new power stations to be built, not just nuclear ones but any type as far as I can see, until George Osborne gives in to his tax reform demands. The tax reforms are actually a pretty good idea if taken in total theoretical isolation. But the fact that mad-Huhne and his insane-professor mentor, Cable, are demanding these things from their own government, and that hatstand Huhne is prepared to hold the entire nation to energy ransom to get his way, tells me two things:
1) This coalition is one major reality check away from welcome collapse.
2) Cameron better realise that his friends are very definitely electric. They switch their loyalty on and off at the drop of a headline.
These dudes have strayed way off the reservation territory the Tory-LibDum treaty had so fairly mapped-out for them.
Interesting times are back. And Dave, hey mate: 'friends' are always electric, especially political ones.
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Thursday, 23 September 2010
Sunday, 1 August 2010
Rhodesia
I don't know if it lowers yer blog stock price if you start embedding YouTube music video uploads to it a bit too often for comfort, but it seems to me that if your blog stock price (BSP) is already in negative territory, it really doesn't matter. You can see from my profile description what I'm mainly up to on this blog - the democratic assassination of that menace to British and world politics that is the Labour party, by any means and with extreme prejudice. But I do have other interests.
One of them is music, and rather odd music at that. I, for instance, still hark back to the late-70s/early 80s less commercial bands who disappeared without trace pretty fast but had a far bigger influence on serious modern music - and on society generally - that anyone cares to mention, especially if they're in the industry trying to market the next vacuous girl/boy "band". (I put the word "band" in inverted commas because, even during those dark days of Duran Duran, "bands" were people with some kind of instrumental, musical ability and who somehow joined together on that basis. The "Beatle Model", you might call it, rather than the "Take That" mutation).
Speaking of which, here's one of those weird 70s "bands": Japan. Now I know that its lead singer thought that his musical outflow smelt far better than his peers' (hence the flowery meaningless crap he's came up with since he broke up the band), but there was some stuff in the early days that really was challenging.
I've chosen one such example for this post, although I could have chosen a number of equally challenging others. How they're challenging is a damn good question. Politically, naturally, they are challenging. And they duly challenged and intrigued me in formative years, which is probably why I spout in this way in this place through this easy electronic mass medium now. But that music, among many other forms, was the start of my inspiration. (Learning to cope with real, working life was the rest of it!)
My only request is this: if anyone has the slightest idea what these lyrics actually mean I'd love to hear from you. It sounds so meaningful, but it could be a load of sh...
Anyway, thanks for your input in anticipation of it.
PS: This is even more fantastic, and basically incomprehensible. Maybe you can work it out, because I can't:
It's a warning to all bloggers, that's what it is...
One of them is music, and rather odd music at that. I, for instance, still hark back to the late-70s/early 80s less commercial bands who disappeared without trace pretty fast but had a far bigger influence on serious modern music - and on society generally - that anyone cares to mention, especially if they're in the industry trying to market the next vacuous girl/boy "band". (I put the word "band" in inverted commas because, even during those dark days of Duran Duran, "bands" were people with some kind of instrumental, musical ability and who somehow joined together on that basis. The "Beatle Model", you might call it, rather than the "Take That" mutation).
Speaking of which, here's one of those weird 70s "bands": Japan. Now I know that its lead singer thought that his musical outflow smelt far better than his peers' (hence the flowery meaningless crap he's came up with since he broke up the band), but there was some stuff in the early days that really was challenging.
I've chosen one such example for this post, although I could have chosen a number of equally challenging others. How they're challenging is a damn good question. Politically, naturally, they are challenging. And they duly challenged and intrigued me in formative years, which is probably why I spout in this way in this place through this easy electronic mass medium now. But that music, among many other forms, was the start of my inspiration. (Learning to cope with real, working life was the rest of it!)
My only request is this: if anyone has the slightest idea what these lyrics actually mean I'd love to hear from you. It sounds so meaningful, but it could be a load of sh...
Anyway, thanks for your input in anticipation of it.
PS: This is even more fantastic, and basically incomprehensible. Maybe you can work it out, because I can't:
It's a warning to all bloggers, that's what it is...
Saturday, 31 July 2010
Bloggers Are Free
You can agree or disagree with everything that irritates you all you want, and even believe that what you're spouting in response, according to your own outlook on your own, discrete blog, might even be true. But, ultimately, I really do not care about that. Why should I?
No matter what almost-sizable political movement you think you belong to, in the end there's just you - and that's it.
It matters not how popular you are, on or offline. What matters is that you have a view and that you are loyal to it. In the end, though, no matter how much you think you believe in something political, even to the point of becoming a useful activist, you must remain unaligned in order to keep your personal, private integrity intact. Never be tainted: Be free! Or be compromised.
Anyway, that's why this Levellers toon is still so wonderful to me. It's a protest song that's more about free-thinking than it is about politics. In that sense, it's timeless.
If you don't like it then, you know, we're clearly very different and there's no need for you ever to come back here.
Seems fair enough to me.
PS: And there's more...
Humbling brilliance.
No matter what almost-sizable political movement you think you belong to, in the end there's just you - and that's it.
It matters not how popular you are, on or offline. What matters is that you have a view and that you are loyal to it. In the end, though, no matter how much you think you believe in something political, even to the point of becoming a useful activist, you must remain unaligned in order to keep your personal, private integrity intact. Never be tainted: Be free! Or be compromised.
Anyway, that's why this Levellers toon is still so wonderful to me. It's a protest song that's more about free-thinking than it is about politics. In that sense, it's timeless.
If you don't like it then, you know, we're clearly very different and there's no need for you ever to come back here.
Seems fair enough to me.
PS: And there's more...
Humbling brilliance.
Sunday, 11 July 2010
Saturday Night Music Special
I'm oddly happy with the state of the news just now what with Mandelson coming out and scuppering the irrelevance that is the Labour leadership fiasco and that tragic Moat bloke finally doing our idiot police a favour and putting himself out of their heavily-armed misery, and the awesome Booker planting another hobnailed boot in the sweaty groin of climate change fanaticism.
The great Gove's rearguard after his crew's cockups and his brave resurrection of political accountability seems to be working reasonably well too. Excellent.
In other words, there's nothing much around that's annoying enough to talk about, so I think this a downtime moment - a time for some nice music, perhaps.
How about this: "Dream Away" by my hero, George Harrison?
I suppose we're all "Time Bandits" really, one way or another. We all dream of reliving our past so we can correct it in whatever way from a position of knowledgable strength. That's the ammunition known as hindsight. Sadly, of course, it's an impotent trick of memory.
Be content you own the human gift that is regret. It keeps us little people honest - and (oddly) free :)
The great Gove's rearguard after his crew's cockups and his brave resurrection of political accountability seems to be working reasonably well too. Excellent.
In other words, there's nothing much around that's annoying enough to talk about, so I think this a downtime moment - a time for some nice music, perhaps.
How about this: "Dream Away" by my hero, George Harrison?
I suppose we're all "Time Bandits" really, one way or another. We all dream of reliving our past so we can correct it in whatever way from a position of knowledgable strength. That's the ammunition known as hindsight. Sadly, of course, it's an impotent trick of memory.
Be content you own the human gift that is regret. It keeps us little people honest - and (oddly) free :)
Thursday, 1 July 2010
Standing On Your Own Two Pegs
I do like the idea (it smells like a free ride), of joining the vast ranks of the British incapable, but, sadly and unfortunately, at least to me, I know that standing on your own two feet is far, far better than getting by with a little help from your Labour-loving friends, be those friends genuinely childhood acquaintances or not.
More likely, in those circumstances, your only mate is the State. In which case you've allowed yourself to become almost literally nothing but a slave (the State really does not care about you where genuine friends might). Never mind.
Relying on the "little help" smacks of taking things for granted and an absence of some awareness of Duty. And that, according to my pretty ordinary, educated lower middle class upbringing, would never do.
Never mind, here's the tuneless Ringo classic in question:
Make your own bloody mind up. I'm honestly past caring.
More likely, in those circumstances, your only mate is the State. In which case you've allowed yourself to become almost literally nothing but a slave (the State really does not care about you where genuine friends might). Never mind.
Relying on the "little help" smacks of taking things for granted and an absence of some awareness of Duty. And that, according to my pretty ordinary, educated lower middle class upbringing, would never do.
Never mind, here's the tuneless Ringo classic in question:
Make your own bloody mind up. I'm honestly past caring.
Monday, 28 June 2010
Bucket List
I'd love to try walking route one down some busy city street like this just to see what would happen. Without the film crew, the cameras, the choreography and the overdub, I just have that sneaking suspicion it would all quickly end in (my) tears.
But it's still on my Bucket List, just after taking part in the Paris-Dakar rally, sailing round the world on my own in a hovercraft and learning how to pilot a helicopter.
Half-decent song, that. Owed a lot to the Stones, I hear.
Be that as it may, I wonder, what's on your Bucket List? Not sure I'll tick off any of mine in time, but from now on, I'm definitely going to try!
But it's still on my Bucket List, just after taking part in the Paris-Dakar rally, sailing round the world on my own in a hovercraft and learning how to pilot a helicopter.
Half-decent song, that. Owed a lot to the Stones, I hear.
Be that as it may, I wonder, what's on your Bucket List? Not sure I'll tick off any of mine in time, but from now on, I'm definitely going to try!
Saturday, 15 May 2010
Strange Days
We must avoid conflict in the name of stability (rather than unity). Right?
Hmm.
PS: I guess if we're doing a bit of 90s East London mellow vibe peace rap, we might as well have this one too:
I agree, but the new routine is starting to look just as bad as the old one. Go figure.
And have a nice weekend.
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Bigotgate: The Musical
Many things have been said. Many things have yet to be said, but will be said.
But only Guido captures the summary with a beautiful number from another fallen King:
Farewell, Gordon. Peace be with you.
The end.
But only Guido captures the summary with a beautiful number from another fallen King:
Farewell, Gordon. Peace be with you.
The end.
Sunday, 25 April 2010
Nostaligia, 1996
This must be the tenth time I've posted this vid over the past year or so. Go figure.
This (Labour government) has been around a very long time, and their time is very nearly through.
But ours isn't. Our time is just starting.
You might not want a new Conservative government, but you, we and everyone else in Britain desperately needs one.
I feel it my duty to try to pass that on.
This (Labour government) has been around a very long time, and their time is very nearly through.
But ours isn't. Our time is just starting.
You might not want a new Conservative government, but you, we and everyone else in Britain desperately needs one.
I feel it my duty to try to pass that on.
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Make Your Mind Up
Please, please promise these people you will get out and vote. Then, perhaps, they'll never make a video like this one again! You can thank Iain Dale for it.
Honestly though? I think it's awful, silly and excruciatingly camp, but has a very sound message about supporting your democracy - and looked like a lot of fun to make, too.
Wonderfully British.
Saturday, 17 April 2010
The Next Debate
I think the debates format should be more informal, maybe with a musical flavour. It's been done before.
Not only would this give the country a sense that our idiot politicians ultimately had only our best interests at heart (instead of theirs, shock horror), and would cooperate out of a sense of duty and in that spirit of grownup-ness, it'd be a shitload more interesting than the first one. Massively.
Maybe Cameron and his band could get the ball rolling with a sharp and uplifting nostaliga set. Eighties stuff, perhaps.
Clegg could follow up with some sort of vicious, meaningless goth/death metal fusion crap. (I hear he's obsessed with that sort of thing.)
Brown will just be the roady. If he's lucky. Well, hey, at least he'd have a chance to be involved. That's fair.
He'll need the work.
Not only would this give the country a sense that our idiot politicians ultimately had only our best interests at heart (instead of theirs, shock horror), and would cooperate out of a sense of duty and in that spirit of grownup-ness, it'd be a shitload more interesting than the first one. Massively.
Maybe Cameron and his band could get the ball rolling with a sharp and uplifting nostaliga set. Eighties stuff, perhaps.
Clegg could follow up with some sort of vicious, meaningless goth/death metal fusion crap. (I hear he's obsessed with that sort of thing.)
Brown will just be the roady. If he's lucky. Well, hey, at least he'd have a chance to be involved. That's fair.
He'll need the work.
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Late Night Music, Episode 13
The best thing about Madness in their pomp? It's not that they were anti-intellectual liberators from Stuffyville (which is precisely what they were in 1979+). They were bloody good songwriters - and bloody good musicians, too.
And in addition to those talents, they were bloody bright, as well. So sod your high culture and yer 'poertry', (I've had my fill of that), I like Baggy Trousers and the real good old days, with fights and petty rivalries - and a kind of social cohesion that was purged from my world some decades or so ago and will probably never be seen again in this country. It's a bloody, stinking mess, is what it is.
But not in my 'ouse.
And in addition to those talents, they were bloody bright, as well. So sod your high culture and yer 'poertry', (I've had my fill of that), I like Baggy Trousers and the real good old days, with fights and petty rivalries - and a kind of social cohesion that was purged from my world some decades or so ago and will probably never be seen again in this country. It's a bloody, stinking mess, is what it is.
But not in my 'ouse.
Thursday, 1 April 2010
Non-Political Post No.131
I like this tune. Sounds a bit like Toto. I used to like Toto - still do, really. And the video reminds me a bit of my bedroom circa 1983, complete with Speak&Spell and dodgy black and white portable TV.
Radical...
Radical...
Sunday, 21 March 2010
Gordon's Song
Been digging through my old albums and found one called "Spooky" by Lush. I think it's from 1991 or around then. I remember I absolutely loved it at the time. Can't think why listening to it now. Mind you, I've always had a pretty varied - if not random - taste in music. And it changes more quickly than the West Wales weather.
But from this album I particularly recall this song, called 'Untogether' (listen below). It then struck me that the lyrics, which seem to represent a pretty emotionally intelligent reflection on romantic discord, could provide the very kind of honest words Gordon Brown desperately needs to have put in his gawping mouth: "I'm not offended by the things that you say/But it's such a predictable way to behave/Talk round in circles till we're blue in the face/You were right I was wrong now does that make you happy?"
Er, no. On balance. No.
Anyway, cool song.
But from this album I particularly recall this song, called 'Untogether' (listen below). It then struck me that the lyrics, which seem to represent a pretty emotionally intelligent reflection on romantic discord, could provide the very kind of honest words Gordon Brown desperately needs to have put in his gawping mouth: "I'm not offended by the things that you say/But it's such a predictable way to behave/Talk round in circles till we're blue in the face/You were right I was wrong now does that make you happy?"
Er, no. On balance. No.
Anyway, cool song.
Saturday, 13 March 2010
Moon Warm Down
If you've valiantly tried to make it all the way through the previous post's Pink Floyd-inspired audio-visual overload, then you might need this little bit of Floydian mental massage to help you warm down:
Message ends ;)
Message ends ;)
Mystical Celtic Thang
I've just found out that I still like Clannad. No, go on: indulge me!
Listening to this feels like you're imbibing something healthy, like green tea. I love green tea (I'm a bit of a recent convert), but I have to keep telling myself that it will never be a substitute for coffee.
Or wine.
Listening to this feels like you're imbibing something healthy, like green tea. I love green tea (I'm a bit of a recent convert), but I have to keep telling myself that it will never be a substitute for coffee.
Or wine.
Saturday, 6 March 2010
Going Back
I'm not a massive fan of this man, but his version of this Carole King classic, out of the many, many versions, is probably the best. He was a very talented person.
But the song - what a song. It kind of sums up my mood these days with scary accuracy. I'm struggling with this getting older thing. I didn't see it coming and I don't like it. I want to go back to the time when I was unafraid and full of idealism. Yeah, I know. But I can still enjoy the song - and the memories it jogs.
But the song - what a song. It kind of sums up my mood these days with scary accuracy. I'm struggling with this getting older thing. I didn't see it coming and I don't like it. I want to go back to the time when I was unafraid and full of idealism. Yeah, I know. But I can still enjoy the song - and the memories it jogs.
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
Levellers
I love The Levellers. I used to be a bit of an anarchist/Utopian Communist briefly, in my philosophy days, 20 years ago. Here's their "One Way":
There's only one way of life, and that's your own. I heard/understood this truth very clearly, way before this song was ever written, that Marxism/socialism denies the individual a will to change the world. I decided that personal individuality was always a key, discrete component, not a symbol, of the overall will of humanity together, and is therefore the best expression of humanity, and not some kind of imposed collectivism with a bunch of self-appointed experts in charge.
Sounds pretty Tory to me :) The Levellers are great, though, aren't they?
Extras (thank me when you're older):
Tough world.
There's only one way of life, and that's your own. I heard/understood this truth very clearly, way before this song was ever written, that Marxism/socialism denies the individual a will to change the world. I decided that personal individuality was always a key, discrete component, not a symbol, of the overall will of humanity together, and is therefore the best expression of humanity, and not some kind of imposed collectivism with a bunch of self-appointed experts in charge.
Sounds pretty Tory to me :) The Levellers are great, though, aren't they?
Extras (thank me when you're older):
Tough world.
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
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