Thursday 23rd August 2007

Well me old hearties its time for the old Captain to take another short break. I'm off to my old pirate stomping ground in Newquay for a weeks rest and recuperation from the excitement of The Rolling Stones at the O2 Arena {Excellent} and the England Vs Germany game the day after at Wembley {Great ground rubbish result/manager/team/weather/Germans}. So I thought I'd leave you all with a Polaroid of myself so you don't miss me to much, and if you feel really low at my departure here a little something to make yourself an honorary pirate in my crew!

So for those of you who are regular readers you will know that the poll for best song of the year has climaxed and is now over and done with until the next one! So tonight was all about the song of the year and they were sang in top three reverse order, with a new Stones track to end the night with and an absolute classic it is too. So for tonight offering's we had the following. Bring It On Home by Sam Cooke, Life On Mars by David Bowie and What I've Done by Linkin Park, and to end with my Rolling Stones classic new track for the night was Paint It Black.

Bring It On Home by Sam Cooke link to video

Third in the poll came this little ditty by Sam Cooke that I sang on 22nd March. It was Hayley's favourite of the year and sneaked into third place after she enlisted the help of her mum to add to the voting. It came close to Def Leppard in the early running, but unfortunately tailed off towards the end. Great song and I really like the Rod Stewart cover version, which was my inspiration to sing it back in March. on the night rating 9/10

Life On Mars by David Bowie link to video

Second song in the poll and runner up goes to the classic Life On Mars. I sang this one for the first time this year on 5th April. The night I sang it was the week the brilliant Life On Mars BBCtv show finished with Sam Tyler and Co. Well the good news is that Gene Hunt will not disappear from our screens, but he is to reappear in a new 80's version of the show called Ashes To Ashes and I have linked here to the BBC press release for you to peruse. Of course this will mean that I will now have to learn Ashes To Ashes by Bowie to sing when this show comes out. on the night rating 10/10

What I've Done by Linkin Park link to video

And the winner is............Linkin Park with What I've Done. Rumours of poll fixing are bound to come out in these uncertain days we live in. Well Captain Jack does not condone such trickery, if I did then at least one of the Stone's tracks would of made the top three! But it has been a great year for me singing Linkin Park tracks, and with seeing the band this year headline the Donnington Festival with such success, I do feel it is a fitting winning song. Now I do know it was not everyones favourite to win {Tina I will sing you Lets Get Rocked on my Karaoke return as your birthday gift from me, and Hayley booing the winning song is just bad sport old dear! Your sleeping in the box from now on} So this song was first sang by me on 7th June just two days before the gig at Donnington. I have now sang it three time this year, and I have now sang 5 different Linkin Park songs. All in all I didn't mind this one won, and it was the best song on the list. on the night rating 10/10

Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones link to video

Well what better way to end the night than with a probably addition to the best song of the second six months of the year. After seeing the boys at the O2 on Tuesday, and seeing Keith play the intro to the song so beautifully, it wasn't a tough choice to sing this classic, and I had to get some Stones in tonight! The song was recorded by The Rolling Stones in 1966, and it reached number one in both the U.S. and the UK charts. The song was credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards although all of the band embers contributed substantially to it, especially Bill Wyman, and Brian Jones. Jagger and Richards original conception of the song was that of a slow soul song from the viewpoint of a person who is depressed. He wants everything to turn black to match his mood. The song began with Wyman playing organ at a recording session, in parody of the group's former co-manager Eric Easton, who had been an organist. Charlie Watts accompanied the organ by playing a vaguely Middle Eastern drum part; Watts' drum pattern became the basis for the final song. Brian Jones contributed the song's signature sitar riff, having taught himself to play, and Jagger contributed a lyric seemingly about a man mourning his dead girlfriend. In recent years, the song has become associated with the Vietnam War due to its use in the ending credits of Full Metal Jacket and the opening credits of Tour of Duty.The pilot of Nip/Tuck TV show also uses the Rolling Stone's version of the song. It is also probably the most covered song by the Stones, with around 84 different acts putting their take on the song from such diverse artists as Metallica to Hayseed Dixie and from R.E.M to Blondie. A brilliant classic song fro the greatest Rock and Roll Band In The World. on the night rating 11/10

So short and sweet from me this week folks as I have far too much to do before I set off on my long trek around the Dead Man's Chest on the Black Pearl looking for the Worlds End, well Newquay in a Ford Focus and visiting Lands End more likely. Until next time folks bye bye!!!!!!!

"Marge: Homer, When are you going to give up on this crazy sugar scheme?Homer: Never, Marge. Never. I can't live the button-down life like you. I want it all: the terrifying lows, the dizzying highs, the creamy middles. Sure, I might offend a few of the bluenoses with my cocky stride and musky odors -- oh, I'll never be the darling of the so-called "City Fathers" who cluck their tongues, stroke their beards, and talk about "What's to be done with this Homer Simpson?"

Homer J Simpson

Rolling Stones 21st August O2 Arena London

Well the event of the year has finally come around. Its exactly a year and a day since I last saw the greatest Rock And Roll Band In The World, and tonight was probably the best I have ever seen them. The O2 Arena, formally the Millennium Dome in Greenwich London, was to witness a homecoming three night end to the two year Bigger Bang Tour, and the venue pulled off a fantastic reception to the masters of rock.

Firstly I'd like to thank my wife Hayley for getting such fantastic seats at the venue. We sat right bang center of stage in the first tiered section, which was about 30 feet or so away from the B-Stage so I knew I'd get some great pictures of the boy's. The opening act The Kooks, could learn a lot from their senior billed rockers, as they were, predictably, not that good on the night, but when you turn up to play at a concert where nobody in the arena cares if your on stage or not, it must be very disheartening. Thankfully their set was short, and it was time for the main event to kick off.

Tonight's Set List

• Start Me Up
• You Got Me Rocking
• Rough Justice
• Rocks Off
• Let It Bleed
• Beast Of Burden
• Can't You Hear Me Knocking
• I'll Go Crazy
• Tumbling Dice
• Band Introductions
• You Got The Silver {Keith Solo}
• I Wanna Hold you {Keith Solo}
• It's Only Rock And Roll {To B-Stage}
• Respectable {B-Stage}
• Satisfaction {B-Stage}
• Honky Tonk Women {To Main Stage}
• Sympathy For The Devil
• Paint It Black
• Jumping Jack Flash
• Brown Sugar {Encore}

From the moment you enter the arena you get the feeling of the proximity to the stage. Even though it holds 23,000 it doesn't seem that big, but you also feel close to the band. As we waited to take our seats we were treated to an impromptu bit of sound checking from the band, as the could quite clearly be seen playing Angie. The very nice steward lady kept opening the door for us to see and hear and the twenty or so people gathered around our entrance all got a glimpse of the boys rehearsing, a rare treat indeed. The show started at 9.00 with the anthemic classic Start Me Up. Mick was in fine form, tearing round the stage like a man half his age. By the time the first riff was heard the whole crowd was on it's feet dancing in the isles and going crazy. Then came You Got Me Rocking and they certainly had mastered that. Keith and Ronnie were playing fantastically tonight, and the rumour of Keith being hammered during performances seemed to be far away as he was in superb form. Mick grabbed his guitar and led from the front with Rough Justice, the only track played tonight from the Bigger Bang album. Mick came on to say to the crowd "It's taken us 40 years to get from Richmond to Greenwich and I hope your all enjoying the wait because we are" .We then had a great Ronnie Wood performance during Rock's Off and Let It Bleed, and the whole band seemed to be gelling tonight as song after song was played effortlessly and to perfection. Next up was Beast Of Burden. Mick belted this one out in the style of a classic blues vocalist, and Keith's riff held the song together as Mick ran from one end of the stage to another. Then came the first treat of the night. Can You Hear Me Knocking was blasted out by Keith and Ronnie, and the solo's the pair played on the nine minute extended rock out, were a joy to behold.
Tribute time again on the set, this time to blues Legend, and a great influence on the band James Brown. Mick belted out this classic with the brilliant Lisa Fischer singing up on the stage with him giving the song the sexy feel. The boys brilliantly entwined the song into Tumbling Dice. Then came the band intros and Ronnie was introduced as the 'Darling Of The Dome' Mick shot off stage for the customary break as Keith went on to do his solo stint. He stood at the front of stage and hailed ' It's been a long haul but it's good to be back ' to a huge cheer from the crowd. He did his two song stint looking none the worse for last years near death experience, and Ronnie's guitar work on You Got The Silver got a complimentary hand on the shoulder from Keith. They then joined together to give a rousing version of I Wanna Hold You.

Back on stage bounded Mick, as Keith and Ronnie lit up and stage to defy the smoking ban, much to the approval of the crowd, who all cheered as they strolled out, cigarettes lit and handing from the mouth. 'Its a long way to middle' declared Keith as the stage raised and took the band to the B-Stage at he end of the arena, not thirty feet away from us to the sound of It's Only Rock And Roll. The crowd was jumping as they blasted through Respectable and Satisfaction, and then as the stage rose to take the bays back to the main stage we had the monumental Honky Tonk Women. Mick disappeared briefly and the arena went red as the band leapt into Sympathy For The Devil, and Mick appeared in his long coat for the classic track. Another great performance from the band and Mick again was all over the stage from one end to the other get the crowd dancing in the isles. Keith then played the note perfect intro to Paint It Black, and the raised his hand aloft as if to say, ' I can still do it! ' Jumping Jack Flash was it's usual epic show stopper and left the crowd wanting just that little bit more, we were not to be disappointed. The band came back onto the stage and rounded the night off with Brown Sugar in the usual epic fashion. It was a great way to end the show and Mick provided the now salivating crowd with eight count them eight ' yeah yeah yeah woo's ' to end the song off in a true showstopping manner. The boys took center stage for a final bow to the crowd, and if this is anything to go by the next two nights they play here will be spectacular. Sunday's gig will be the end of an epic two year trek around the world for the Stones. Many thought this day would never come when Keith fell from a tree last year and could well of ended up in the great band in the sky, but he survived and the Stones rock on to fight another day.
I am sure that this will not be the last time we all get to see the band, after all they enjoy it so much why would they stop! I think the fact that they are an inspiration to so many modern day bands, and the fact they appeal to so many age ranges, the fact they have written and performed their instantly recognisable hits in each of the four corners of the globe, the fact they can still perform a two hour non stop roller coaster of a show and get everyone in the room dancing and singing along, is a sure fire guarantee that they will be back to get their Rocks Off yet again in the next few years. They do deserve a break after this tour, and as Keith has stated in the past ' Why stop doing something you love when you still can bring so much to the people of the world ' Until the next time boys........

Song Of The Year Results.

So here we have it everyone, the results you have all been waiting for, and it ended up a close run thing. The snapshot was taken at 12.30 today Thursday 23rd August, so although you can keep voting it is now officially over. So the results are.........

So as you can see in Third with 89 votes is Bring It On Home by Sam Cooke. In Second place with 94 votes is Life On Mars by David Bowie and the winner is in First place with a massive 104 vote's What I've Done by Linkin Park. Close run thing with early leader Lets Get Rocked by Def Leppard in fourth on 61 votes and Angie by the Stones on 57 vote's in Fifth place.

Thank you all for voting, only a bit of fun I know but the amount of grief it caused me at home was unbelievable....... He! He! He! well at least your song will get sang babe!!!

Thursday August 16th 2007

Hello again maties and welcome to another weekly dose of mayhem. This is the start of a busy period for the Captain and his crew, well the wife to be precise! Next week sees us travel to London to see the Rolling Stones at the O2 Arena or the Millenium Dome for the uninitiated. Then its back down to the new Wembley for the England Vs Germany match, and then Captain Jack take a well earned break back down in hopefully sunny Newquay, not in the hotel that burnt down I must add!

So as yet again my birthday falls when I am on holiday (Bad timing yet again!) I have been allowed to have one of my birthday presents early. Now as a budding guitar god (no pun intended), last year my fiance as she was then brought me a Fender guitar as a pre wedding/birthday pressie to help with my Darkness tribute for her on our wedding night. Now I haven't probably taken enough time to learn it yet, as I have been far to busy pillaging (well writing this blog anyway!) so it has gathered a bit of dust. So the last present I expected from her was another guitar, but this one is no ordinary guitar, and I am already a dab hand! Its the Guitar Hero 2 game for my PlayStation and its bloody fantastic....

The game comes with a cool replica guitar, a set of decal stickers for you to customise your axe and the game which includes some brilliant rock tracks from such artist as Aerosmith, Thin Lizzy, Rolling Stones, Danzig, Van Halen, Kiss, The Police, Guns And Roses and many more great tracks with brilliant rock riffs.

There are several different levels and modes on the game for you to try like Quick Play for a one off blast, Career mode where you create your own band and play gigs earn money buy new songs and guitars and even stage costumes. You can play either lead or bass, you can practice parts of songs to get those difficult riffs spot on and there is even a multi player mode to battle it out against an axe buddy, side by side.

The idea of the game is to match up the notes as they pass down on the screen with the corresponding coloured frets on the guitar, while strumming the guitar as each one passes over to get the best score. You score combos for more points, but you have to hit as many as you can right or the crowd get pissed off and boo you off stage and the song gets pulled before you finish it. In easy mode you have just three frets to master, and each difficulty level adds more frets, chords and riffs to master until on expert where you may as well be playing the real thing.

Now all this adds up to a pretty fantastic game and it is very addictive, especially for the air guitarists out there, as now you have a toy to play which can make you a rock god. But wait there is more. Some crafty little computer geeks have managed to hack into the game to create their own songs, and I have found one to show you that I know Shaun will appreciate. Now as I don't have a chipped machine, I can't get hold of these for the game, but on the grapevine I have heard the PS3 version out later in the year will feature a facility to download up to date tracks from current artists, such as My Chemical Romance and the following track by Linkin Park.......enjoy Shaun!!!!!!

It is yet again another brilliant pressie from the wife, and in six months time when she hasn't seen me for playing on Guitar Hero solid every night, then I want it to be noted by all my readers out there " Its your own fault dearest! "
So on to tonight's karaoke then. Another relatively quiet night, with no real regular singers in, no Tina this week, and still only three songs sang! At least I managed to take down the song's I have been wanting to do for the last few weeks, so three new ones to the karaoke this week and all crackers. So tonight's songs were 1. New Sensation by INXS 2. Beast Of Burden by The Rolling Stones and finally 3. Party Hard by Andrew WK.

New Sensation by INXS link to video

Another 80's classic to add to my repertoire this week, but not from Duran Duran this time its Aussie rockers INXS, with the brilliant late Michael Hutchence on vocals.The song was taken from the bands legendary album Kick in 1987, and is without date one of their most recognised tracks. It came out around a boom time for the band as they released hit after hit and toured extensively during the mid 80's. Hutchence was well known in the press for dating some of the most beautiful women in the world, and he dated Kylie Minogue, Helena Christensen and Paula Yates, well maybe not Paula Yates. Ironically the band became bigger in the U.K. during the 90's and in 1992 they played a sell out gig at Wembley Stadium. Unfortunately Hutchence was found dead in a Sydney hotel room in 1997 in suspicious circumstances. The coroner concluded it was suicide, but it is widely suspected Hutchence was involved in a sex game that had gone badly wrong, resulting in his death. The band recovered by creating a reality T.V. show called Rock Star:INXS, and was won by Canadian singer JD Bennison in 2005. The band are still touring today and released new material in 2005 and are due another album this year. on the night rating 6/10

Beast Of Burden by The Rolling Stones link to video

Well with just one week to go the Hayley's initiation to the greatest rock and roll band in the world, I give her the classic Beast Of Burden, taken from the 1978 album Some Girls. The track was written by Keith Richards as a tribute to Mick Jagger and how he kept the band together through his so called 'drugs hell' during the 70's excessive years. Richards said, " Beast of Burden was another one where Jagger just filled in the verses. With the Stones, you take a long song, play it and see if there are any takers. Sometimes they ignore it, sometimes they grab it and record it. After all the faster numbers of Some Girls, everybody settled down and enjoyed the slow one." It has a great blues feel to it, and Jagger's vocals on the song are awesome as usual. As usual it's another track where the uneducated Hotel seemed not to if heard it before, so I will have to continue their education in the future, although Hayley will soon know all the songs off by heart. A classic song and I loved it, despite no one else knowing it. on the night rating 8/10

Party Hard by Andrew W.K. link to video

To finish with tonight a rock classic from the early 2000's from a little known rock icon. Andrew W.K. was born in Stanford, California, and grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
At age 4, he began learning classical piano at The University of Michigan School of Music. He attended the private college preparatory Greenhills School for middle school before attending the alternative Community High School from 1993-97, where he studied jazz keyboards. His father is Professor James Krier, a well-known legal scholar at the University of Michigan Law School and co-author of the widely used Dukeminer & Krier Property casebook.
Andrew got his start in music in the year 1993. In between 1993 and 1998, the year his first solo album under his own name came out, he was in many bands. During a failed attempt at a career in music, Andrew began acting. With the purpose of creating an underground buzz and gaining "street cred," he began performing solo and sending demos to independent labels. Andrew's first release under the name "Andrew W.K." was in 2000, on the now-defunct Michigan record label Bulb Records. Andrew released two EPs on that label, and a full length album was planned, but never released. Andrew's big break came in 2001, when he was signed to Island Records. This classically trained musician was the self proclaimed saviour of rock, and this single propelled him into the limelight. Very Status Quo like, with a very catchy riff, the song was massive in 2001. Party Hard was featured on the EA Sports video game Madden NFL 2003. Despite being labeled the 'saviour of rock' he was slated by the media for promoting over indulgence, getting wasted and generally being an arse, and his career has floundered somewhat. He is still releasing albums today, and still has a big following in Korea and Japan and, in a complete change if pace, he is rumored to be going back to his classical roots, releasing a piano only album in either 2007 or 2008. Again only myself and Shaun knew this song, and despite being a fan myself, Shaun only knew the track from the Madden 2003 game! Still it is a rock classic, and it does do what it says on the tin! Just link to the video and judge for yourself. on the night rating 10/10

So there we have it folks, another week done already. As I said earlier, its a very busy week next week with the Stones concert, and of course the result for the song of the year so far will be posted up on Thursday 23rd for you to see what wins, so get your final votes in quick. until next time folks Bonjour!!!!!

"Homer: I want to share something with you boy: The three little sentences that will get you through life. Number 1: Cover for me. Number 2: Oh, good idea, Boss! Number 3: It was like that when I got here."
Homer J Simpson

Thursday 9th August 2007

When you have a Karaoke night and no one else will sing who ya gonna call in to fill your night with fun................................................















Well something like that anyway! It was well dead tonight! If not for myself and trusty Superhero sidekick Shaun tonight's Karaoke would of been a bit of a damp squib. Where all the people have gone is a mystery. It must be that loads are away on holiday as even the outside of the pub was bereft of the usual smokers huddled under the umbrella's. So it was left to myself and Shaun, with notable contributions from Hayley and Tina, to fill in tonight. Me and Shaun got seven songs each in tonight and the girls popped in with four or five as well.
The night didn't start well at all either as I still haven't got the hang of taking my songs down on my memory stick, so at least four of my original selections for tonight didn't get done as I ballsed up again. Still I will continue until I get it right, but I am a pirate for gods sake and these computer thingies are all new to me me old hearties......
So it was left to us to entertain each other in front of the lowest turn out for a while. The smell that lingered from the ladies loo last week has appeared to of gone, so whether people were put off by that I'm not sure. Resident bad singer Nicky was a no show again, probably hiding in disgrace after her walk off the week before! But the night did provide one lighter moment. My colleague from work (that's the real job not the pirating) Dave, who has been promising to come down for three years now on a Thursday, made his first appearance with his lovely lady Lorraine. I think his turn out was more due to her than him, and I'm sure he will be back to see us all in 2011!
So while messing around again this week I found a couple of cool thing to put up on here for you. Firstly here is 'My Band Name Generator'. You just pop in your name and up pops a random band name for you. I think mine says it all....

Your Band Name is:

The Astro Wizards

Band Name Generator

Next up is my 80's theme song. Again you just pop in your favourite song of the moment and it generates you most likely favourite 80's classic. Now you probably wont believe my outcome but I was very pleased with it myself..........

Your 80s Theme Song Is:

Love In An Elevator by Aerosmith

What's Your 80s Theme Song?

What a result! No complaints there then ho hum.. And finally this week here are a couple of guys from who knows where but their routine is very, very funny. Just stick with it it get better towards the end....

So onto tonight's song list. Seven crackers for you tonight. 1. Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones 2. Folding Stars by Biffy Clyro 3. Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran 4. Thank You For loving Me by Bon Jovi 5. I'd Wait For Life by Take That 6. Given Up by Linkin Park and last but not least 7. The Air That I Breathe by The Hollies. Phew.. well here we go then on the run down.

Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones link

Well I suppose there is only one way to describe this song by the greatest Rock and Roll band in the World, phenomenal. From the first riff to the 'yeah yeah yeah woo's' at the end this is a triumph of a song. The song starts with a trademark Keith Richards riff, which has made the song one of the most recognisable intros in musical history. It was released in 1981 and significantly it is the last song that the Stones have had in the U.K. Top Ten singles chart reaching number seven. The lyrics are a bawdy bunch of sexual innuendo from Jagger such as " I've been running hot; You got me ticking gonna blow my top; If you start me up, If you start me up I'll never stop." and " Ride like the wind at double speed; I'll take you places that you've never, never seen." The song is one of the firm favorites of the band on the live sets, and it is very rare if you don't see the boys playing this one. As usual I love to sing the Stones tracks and this one was no exception. on the night rating 8/10

Folding Stars by Biffy Clyro link

Not much to say about this one that I haven't said already. Still think its one of the best songs around at the moment. Will probably keep doing it until Andy likes it, which will probably be never! So anti Biffy Clyro! Still Shaun and Hayley love it, although Hayley has requested that I sing Living Is A Problem again. On a lighter note I went to a footie match with my Dad in the week, and Biffy Clyro are not his favourite band, as he refers to them as ' Just Noise '. Well I had the whole album on in the car on the ride home and he never complained once, I even left him in the car alone for a few minutes with the album on, and not once did he say 'this is that Biffy whathisname rubbish' so I take it from that he liked what he heard. Slowly but surely we convert the non-believers! Mon The Biffy! on the night rating 8/10

Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran link

Hungry Like the Wolf was Duran Duran's second Top 5 hit in the UK and was their breakout hit in the US. It was their fifth single, released off their 1982 album, Rio, and has become one of the band's signature songs. Its popularity was boosted by MTV which played the accompanying music video in heavy rotation. In 2006, online voters rated Hungry Like the Wolf number 3 on VH1's list of "The 100 Greatest Songs of the '80s" behind Bon Jovi's Livin' On A Prayer at number 1 and Def Leppard's Pour Some Sugar on Me at number 2. It is one of the best songs by Duran Duran, but I always find that it is not one of their most well know tracks, usually preferred to such songs as 'The Reflex', 'Rio' and 'Save A Prayer'. I think its a shame as it shows just how advanced Duran Duran were at the time it was released, as a lot of the techniques used on recording the track were used for the first time on this single. As with a lot of the early Duran Duran song's it is very catchy and has great synth effects on it. It's also pretty easy to sing as well. Another 80's classic I enjoyed immensely. on the night rating 9/10

Thank You For Loving Me by Bon Jovi link

A special song all round now. This is officially the 100th song I have sang this year, so to mark the occasion properly I chose a song for the wife. This was the song that we had our first dance too on our wedding day. Everyone say Ahhh...... Now pass the buckets round. It was released in 2000 from the bands seventh studio album Crush. Not one of the bands best albums, but notable for some of the bands best work since Slippery When Wet in 1987. The album spawned 5 singles including 'Say It Isn't So' and most famously 'Its My life' which reintroduced Richie Samboras love of the reverb mouth piece mike first used on ' Living On A Prayer'. Then of course the band released their usual ballad from the album, and this track soon became a favourite to all the Bon Jovi fans. Written by Jon Bon Jovi as a tribute to his wife, thanking her for loving him despite his strange ways, it is an appropriate 'our tune' for me and Hayley, as she also has a lot to put up with me too. Love Ya Babe this one was for you....... on the night rating 10/10

I'd Wait For Life by Take That link

Song number five of the night and another ballad. I sang the Easy Hit version earlier in the year, which is not bad, but this Mr Entertainer version is much better. This is the third single by Take That since the band reformed, and personally it's my favourite. I was told by Dave that this was my best song of the night, but I'm sure Hayley would disagree about that. Rumours are mounting that the Robster, Mr Williams is to join the lads on their U.K. tour later in the year, which would probably mean the exclusion of some of these newer tracks he didn't record with the band. I hope not. Much as I love Robbie, he should not let his ego prevent the great songs from the lads new album be played live. Anyway he probably won't perform again with them live. Great song, by a once again great band. on the night rating 9/10

Given Up by Linkin Park link

Now by the time I had got round to song six the pub was now empty, I had sang all the songs I had put in for the night, and it was a case of 'do I or don't I' for this one. Shaun gave me a nudge in the right direction. Its a belter of a track of the latest Linkin Park album 'Minutes To Midnight' and one of the best album openers ever. Great kicking guitar riff throughout, and belting lyrics by Chester Bennington. Amazingly this track is the first to use a swear on a recording, which funnily enough Mike kind of takes the piss out of in one of the other tracks on the album 'Bleed It Out'. It also has Chester screaming for approximately 17 seconds at full pelt, a feat that I take my hat off to, as I only managed about 6 at half pelt! This is definitely one of the heaviest song the band has ever released, and was probably one of the main reasons they headlined Download earlier in the year. Enjoyed it, but not one I will probably be doing again in the near future, unless.........on the night rating 6/10

The Air That I Breathe by The Hollies link

Last but not least and one of the best duet's that me and Andy sing together. The Air That I Breathe is a song written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazelwood, initially recorded by Phil Everly of the famed Everly Brothers. It is best remembered as having been a major hit for The Hollies in 1974, reaching No. 2 in the UK charts. The song has been used in several different advertising campaigns in the past, and has been covered by such diverse artists as Julio Iglesias and Simply Red. Its pretty easy to sing, but its done best as a duet, as you really need two voices to capture the brilliant harmonies in the vocals. Amazingly this is the first time we have sang it this year, and it probably won't be the last. on the night rating 8/10

So there we are folks, another bunch of belters. Don't forget to cast your beady eye's on the links to each song as sometimes they contain some treats, and of course keep on voting on the song of the year vote. Its getting a close run thing now so get your votes in while you still can. Until next time....... Bye Bye!!

"Homer: Look, all I'm saying is, if these big stars didn't want people going through their garbage and saying they're gay, then they shouldn't have tried to express themselves creatively."

Homer J Simpson

Thursday August 2nd 2007

Ahoy there matey's. Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of Magners (I don't like Rum!). Well the weeks are passing by quicker and quicker. Its only a few weeks until my second trip on holiday, and voting ends on the best song of the year so far on August 22nd with a close run end to the vote. It has now been decided by the adjudicating committee (well the wife) that it will now be the top three songs that will be sang on the night of 23rd August, along with, time permitting, my choice of song for which I would of wanted to win. Of course if the song I want to win wins then it will be another one that I didn't want to really win but sing and pretend that it is he one I wanted to win I the first place therefore making my choice null and void and making my whole choice wrong.....hang on does that make sense to anyone!...... Anyway so far on the voting the scores on the doors so far are as follows:

1. Linkin Park - What I've Done with 75 Votes
2. Sam Cooke - Bring It On Home with 66 Votes
3. Def Leppard - Lets Get Rocked with 59 Votes
4. David Bowie - Life On Mars with 49 Votes
5. Rolling Stones - Angie with 40 Votes

The early leaders Def Leppard have now slipped to third place with the mighty Linkin Park taking the lead. Sneaking in is Sam Cooke, but I'm sure the wife has something to do with that! Anyway thanks to all who have voted so far, and if you want your favourite to win don't forget to vote again while you still have the chance to change the final standing's.

Now with the approach of the new football season (thank God) and with last weeks funny videos I have again found you all a hilarious YouTube video to look at. It shows the now YouTube famous gay referee. Now I don't know if he is or not but from his video.....well judge for yourself.


Don't say I didn't warn you, but I can guarantee if he is gay and he ref's in the U.K. I can bet his first game will be up the Vale as we get all the shit ref's up there all season long. Now the next clip is one you will all know. Everyone will of seen over the last few month's this fabulous advert for Sony.



Well it may be fantastic but I bet nobody thought of the consequences left behind for the residents of the tower blocks. Check out this news report:



Oh the joys of YouTube....... No animals were harmed during the filming of this spoof....

So with all that fun over with back onto the serious stuff now and this week karaoke. Tonight was for once full of singers. So yet again we were sat on the sidelines waiting for our turn to sing. It was quite a good bunch of singers in though again, with resident 'extremely louder than life singer' Chill entertaining us all, and a walk off by resident warbler Nicky for apparently no reason whatsoever. One time regular Mick again turned up to sing his two song repertoire, but his attempt to empty the place by singing Rammstein's Du Hast failed and we all had to suffer Billy Idol as well! Never mind that's his visit for this year over with again! Only joking, good to see the 'Old' faces turning back up again. And the now apparently sleeping resident singer was back in again. Seriously folks this guy nods off until its his turn to sing. You wouldn't mind but he only drinks coke!
So in the end I only managed to get three tracks in again this week but one of them is a 'world premier' thanks to karaoke king Shaun, who the wife says if he can put together my Bon Jovi instrumental versions onto Karaoke he will get a special treat (It's probably a beer Shaun m8 but I will try for ten minutes in the back of the car!)
Anyway on to tonight's songs. Tonight I sang 1. Rio by Duran Duran 2. Folding Stars by Biffy Clyro {WORLD PREMIER}and 3. Faint by Linkin Park.

Rio by Duran Duran link

Another dose of 80's nostalgia from Duran Duran this week. I recently got hold of a few of these brilliant Sound Choice versions of the Duran Duran classics and they sound fantastic. The song has one of the bands most recognisable riffs and also one of the best video's the band did. The video was shot in Antigua in the Caribbean, and Nick Rhodes was reportedly dreadfully seasick during the filming, and has often said "I hate boats unless they're tied up and you're having cocktails on them." There have been many remixes of the song and it was huge on the U.S. Billboard charts at the time, although the song only got to number 9 in the U.K. charts. It is a great song to sing and one I have really enjoyed to do. on the night rating 8/10




*World Premier* Folding Stars by Biffy Clyro

So why I hear you ask does a Karaoke track by a relatively unknown band deserve the above fanfare to introduce it. Well by all intense and purpose this truly is the first time this will of been performed on karaoke by anyone in the world, but unless as my learned friend Shaun put it 'Unless there is anyone out there as sad as us' . The Biffy Clyro lads have had a bit of a rough ride at the Hotel over the past few weeks, so it was great to hear them getting a bit of praise for their 'Foo Fighter like new song' Folding Stars. This is a great song by the band from Scotland, and if you ever thought they were 'Just Noise' this would be the song that should change your mind. It does sound like this is a song that shows all the bands influences in it, with Foo Fighter style riffs, R.E.M. like lyrics, Queen like harmonies and a Stones like hook. It was great to think that maybe, just maybe this would be the first time it has ever been sang on karaoke. Anyway no link to this one it gets the full video treatment.........enjoy! on the night rating 10/10

Faint by Linkin Park link

Final song of the night for both me and Shaun, as this was a duet with my Linkin Park buddy. A belter of a track, if not a little difficult to get to grips with after copious amounts of alcohol. Having said that, we did appear to have a Linkin Park fan club of three girls, who went potty all during the song, so it must of sounded alright at the back. Personally I would like another crack at it, and I'm pretty sure Shaun would too. Maybe the next time these ladies appear we could have a Linkin Park night (Nudge Nudge Wink Wink!) It is one of the bands best live tracks, and a firm favourite of rapper Mike, because he says the audience gets to recreate the music video. During the Minutes to Midnight-era, "Faint" has been extended when played live. It has also replaced "One Step Closer" as the final song played during concerts. It was the last track at Download earlier in the year, and ended the day off perfectly, and also our night tonight. on the night rating 10/10

So yet again this week's blog has come to a close. I know I promised a Simpson's movie review, but unfortunately time caught up with me this week so I will attempt to get it in before next weeks karaoke blog. It was a good night for song's this week, and it appears that the Smoking Ban in pubs is bringing new singers into the pub. Now if they come to hear us sing that's fine, but for them to keep coming in and singing and stopping us from doing as many, then Bring Back Smoking I say...... Only joking, it's great to finally get some newbies up and singing. So to end with this week here is another word of wisdom from the master of understatement himself. Until next time folks............

"Marge: Homer, the plant called. They said if you don't show up tomorrow don't bother showing up on Monday.

Homer: Woo-hoo. Four-day weekend. "

Homer J Simpson

Ideal Career Predictor

Here is another little bit of nonsense that I think is worthy of a look. For all those who are not sure of their vocation in life click on the link to find your ideal career, or not as the case may be. Answer the few short multiple choice questions and you ideal career is calculated. Bollocks maybe, but I think if got mine almost spot on!

Your Career Type: Artistic

You are expressive, original, and independent. Your talents lie in your artistic abilities: creative writing, drama, crafts, music, or art. You would make an excellent: Actor - Art Teacher - Book Editor Clothes Designer - Comedian - Composer Dancer - DJ - Graphic Designer Illustrator - Musician - Sculptor The worst career options for your are conventional careers, like bank teller or secretary.

What's Your Ideal Career?