After a long, hot ride across the plains, the Lone Ranger and Tonto stopped to have a beer in a small town saloon. They tied their horses up, went in and ordered themselves a round. A short while later a cowpoke came in and asked who the white horse outside belonged to. Well I’m off now to down a few rums at the Captains Cocktail bar, so until next time, Fifteen me on a dead mans chest, Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of rum.
Hello and welcome to you all to another edition of the award winning Captain Jacks Tracks. Yes award winning! What can I say, I’d like to thank you all for the support you have shown to this blog, and lets face it I’m worth it! I have received several E-Mails confirming these awards, and so far the three I have won are shown below.
Now lets face it these awards are all deserved, and I’m surprised that I haven’t picked them up sooner, but sarky? Me. Never in this world. And large amounts of porn, are you kidding? There is no where near enough porn on here some weeks. But I do accept the funny award, because this is a funny blog! Not sure which of my beautiful readers sent my nomination in, but thank you all, they are gratefully received!
Speaking of awards, there is more news this week on the Planet Rock campaign. The station had been nominated for three Sony awards, the radio version of the Oscars, and they ended up winning all three. The prestigious Gold award was given to the station for Digital Radio Station of the Year 2008. The award was presented by Ron and Russell Mael ("Sparks") to Trevor White, and many of the Planet Rock staff, who accepted the award most graciously. The judges said "A station with extraordinary passion, knowledge, surprise and depth."A Silver Award was won by Planet Rock presenter and musician Fish, in the category of "Music Broadcaster Award" where the judges commented: "Fish has effortlessly metamorphosed from a great musician into a very natural presenter with an immensely personal style of broadcasting which magnetically draws the listener in.".
And a Bronze Award went to Planet Rock for their Month Specials in the category of Multiplatform Radio Award. Judges commented: "Proof that programming creativity and not budgets win the day. Planet Rock ‘owned’ a good chunk of the Led Zeppelin reunion concert at the O2 without ever having to pay for access to the band. It’s a great example of how to use interactive formats to create a unique radio event. More than just a phone-in, this was a long-running project owned by the listeners and brought the station and its listeners closer together. The sheer number and creativity of the ideas involved deserves recognition."
After that, most of you who signed up for the Save Planet Rock Petition should of now received a e-mail from 10 Downing Street, which reads:
The Government understands the concerns about the future of digital audio broadcasting (DAB) in the UK. Andy Burnham, the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, is aware that several DAB stations including Planet Rock and The Jazz have ceased broadcasting recently or been replaced by others, but these are commercial decisions made by individual companies, and ones which the Government has no control over.
Petitioners may be reassured to know that, more generally, additional DAB stations are continuing to come onto air and later this year the 4 Digital Group will start broadcasting a further 10 national radio stations as well as a number of secondary services.
The Government is certain that that digital broadcasting has a significant role to play in the future of radio and is listening to the views of the industry, including the commercial sector. To this end, on 22 November 2007, the then Secretary of State James Purnell announced the launch of a new taskforce to discuss the future of digital radio. This expert and consumer working group will look at how to promote digital radio and increase the numbers of people listening to it. It will hold meetings throughout the year and is expected to present its Report late in 2008.
Not exactly a guarantee of the station staying open, but at least Digital Radio, and Planet Rock in particular, may be given the chance to thrive.
So what have I got lined up for you all this week. Well all the usual gubbins is here for you to enjoy. A classic track, a Hot Chick with a difference, Ask The Captain, Karaoke Classics, and It’s A Funny Old Game is back, but first up is of course this weeks………
Now I did predict last week that you would either get it straight away, or have no idea whatsoever, and guess what, I was right. So, with that in mind, this week, you will either get it straight away, or have no idea whatsoever! Nothing like being consistent is there. So you should all know the drill by now. Below is the picture that describes a song title, that you have to guess from by three cunningly descriptive clues about the song and the artist. You can either be a saddo, and flick through to the end and read the answer to this weeks fabulous picture, or you can read on through this award winning blog, and patiently wait to see if your guess was correct. So here is this weeks picture.
1. The song begins with a sample from Def Leppard’s Rock Of Ages.
2. It achieved significant radio play and popularity peaking at number 1 on the UK charts.
3. David And Goliath sells a T-shirt with the song's title on it.
So there you have it. Easy isn't it. Well it is when you have all the answers anyway! Time for a bit of class now, as I bring you this week's edition of.........
Classic Track #16
Magnum ~ Day's Of No Trust
This track was taken from the record that broke the band into main stream music in the UK, Wings Of Heaven, released in 1988. The album title had been changed to and fro several times. Originally it was to be called Different Worlds, but the song was not really Bob's favourite, so the title was dropped. Then Don't Wake The Lion, On The Wings Of Heaven, Magnum and Magnum '88 were discussed, but Wings Of Heaven turned out to be the most suitable compromise between band and record company. After seven weeks of work the band returned to England for Christmas. In January 1988 they completed and mixed the album in the Sarm West Studios in London, which belonged to Holly Johnson of Frankie Goes To Hollywood, with the help of Joe Barberia, Ross Cullum and Guy Fletcher.
The album contained only eight tracks, but these were brilliant: Days Of No Trust, Wild Swan, Start Talking Love, One Step Away, It Must Have Been Love, Different Worlds
Pray For The Day, and Don't Wake The Lion (Too Old To Die Young). C’est La Vie was a bonus track on the picture disc.
Magnum came together in the Midlands in the mid-Seventies and released their debut album Kingdom Of Madness in 1978, followed by Magnum II in 1979 and their first live album Marauder in 1980. During this period they toured relentlessly with the likes of Def Leppard, Blue Oyster Cult and Judas Priest.
1982's Chase The Dragon album was the first to go Top 20, and was accompanied by a sold out UK tour. 1983's The Eleventh Hour, 1985's On A Storyteller's Night and 1986's Roger Taylor produced 'Vigilante' album all fared similarly well.During this period the band regularly graced the stages of such major UK Festivals as Reading and Castle Donington.
Days Of No Trust, a song lamenting the fact that our world is going down the drain and nobody seems to care about it. The band had recorded the song twice to really get it right. This single was released shortly before the album and became No. 32 in the British single charts. It came out in four different formats. The first edition of the 7“ was wrapped in a limited prismatic pack and contained a sew on patch that showed the Wings Of Heaven logo. Later there was a normal 7“, too. Both contained an edited version of the title track and a bonus track called Maybe Tonight. The 12“ featured an extended version of the song and two live tracks, The Spirit and Two Hearts, that were recorded during the Vigilante Tour. The CD-single rendered the short and the long version of Days Of No Trust, Maybe Tonight and the live version of How Far Jerusalem that had been on the Need A Lot Of Love promo-CD single, but without the spoken intro. This edition also contained the sew on patch and there was another edition in white vinyl. The video clip, directed by Marcello Graziani, was shot in an old factory hall and showed the band performing in their stage garment between barrels, pillars and pipes on a steel construction.
The album had very strong lyrics. Tony explained in the rock magazine Metal Hammer and in the tour programme that the line “Headlines are courted by stretch limousines“ from Days Of No Trust was aimed at themselves as they had used a Cadillac for travelling on the Vigilante tour. Wild Swan was a song about a picture Tony had seen some time before. It showed some of these birds with crossbow bolts in their bodies but very much alive, having survived this vicious attack. One Step Away was about a goddess of temptation that tries to lure a man into his doom. Tony got the idea for Different Worlds on a holiday in France. One day he left the shopping area in a city centre and, only a few blocks away, found derelict houses and utter poverty. In a way it was a follow-up to On A Storyteller's Night .Pray For The Day also continued an older song as it was about the Berlin Wall, which had already been one of the subjects in Need A Lot Of Love. The background of Don't Wake The Lion was that Tony denied the old Rock and Roll idea of living fast and dying young, once made popular by The Who. He stated that he had become too old to die young, a lyric from the song, and merged that idea with the danger that there is a dangerous animal, a lion in us all that, if set free, may eventually cause wars.
The Lone Ranger turned and said, "He's mine."
The man said that he should get his horse some water and shade because the horse wasn't looking too good. The Ranger said he'd take care of it.
Some time, and a few more beers had passed when another man came in, asked about the white horse and gave the same advice about water and shade.
The Lone Ranger then told Tonto to go outside and run around and around the animal to cool him down.
The Indian went outside.
After a few minutes another cowboy came in and inquired about the owner of the horse.
The Lone Ranger, a bit irritable now, replied, "He belongs to me! So what?"
"Calm down," the cowboy said, "I just wanted to tell you that you left your injun runnin'."
Yar Harr Harrr me old bilge sucking cock sparrows. Its time to introduce you all to another member of me fearsome crew. Shiver Me Timbers. Tis time to introduce ye to one of the most fearsome maidens of the Sargossa. She sails in her ship The Scurvy Shark, and goes by the name of Daxx The Magnificent, or as you know her better Sarah Michelle Gellar. Hoist The Main Brace.
She as a specialist skill, you know. An in her free time she is often found searchin out those pesky villainous vampire type thingys and well slaying em’. Blow the man down! She sails with a vicious beastie at times, and she can sometimes be heard atop of the poop deck when he wanders off shouting Scooby Doo where the devil are you. Ya lily livered bilge rat!
So what has Ronnie been up to this week. Well while wandering around for some painting supplies Ronnie stumbled across one of his pop chums who had fallen on hard times. 80’’s gay pop icon Boy George was sat in an East End market on a stall, forced to work for a living selling budget clobber from a battered trestle table. Now this was something Ronnie just couldn’t resist painting!
On offer were some of Georges old t-shirts, and a few copies of his old LP’s, on vinyl of course! George told Ronnie “Its been a bit quiet today, not many people about. I’ve been here for three weeks now, and someone was really interested in one of me albums you know, honest. You couldn’t spare us enough for a cup of tea Ronnie could you?”
Well Ronnie promptly told George to bugger off, but he did find time to paint him for you this week on his stall. Not sure how much he will get for that open tub of industrial strength KY Jelly though! More from Ronnie next week.
Britney Rehab Racing Game
He's gone nuts I hear you say. He's taken us back in time for some kind of kinky fantasy. But with stockings and suspenders, huge norks and a love of all things kinky, then no not at all. Dita Von Teese, has built a reputation on living up to her surname, and has made her way in the world as a Burlesque dancer and model, and also as being once married to rock nutter Marilyn Manson. Dita was not born in Europe as her name suggests. In fact she was born in the US with the name Heather Renée Sweet. She is well known for her fascination with 1940s cinema and classic retro style, as you can see in this next picture.
Her mother was a fan of old, Hollywood Films, and it was from her that Dita developed a fascination with the actresses of that day, especially Betty Grable, an actress that she frequently cites as her favourite. She was classically trained as a ballet dancer from an early age, and danced solo at age thirteen for a local ballet company. Though she originally wanted to be a ballerina, Dita said that "By 15 I was as good as I’d ever be". She was later to incorporate this element into her burlesque shows.
As a teenager, Dita’s mother took her to buy her first bra, made from plain white cotton, and gave her a plastic bag containing a pair of wrinkly, flesh-coloured tights. Dita says she was disappointed as she had been hoping to receive beautiful lacy garments and stockings, of the type she had glimpsed in her father's Playboy magazines. This fuelled her passion for lingerie. She soon found a job in a lingerie store as a salesgirl when she was fifteen, and eventually as a buyer. Some people believe that this is the store where she purchased her first corset, however Dita states in her book that she purchased her first corset in a sex shop. She has been fond of wearing elaborate lingerie such as corsets and basques with fully fashioned stockings ever since.
She has become famous for her routines as a burlesque dancer, and her performances have made her well know the world over. Her most famous routines include her Bird Of Paradise routine, her Martini Glass routine, her feather dance, her Diamonds In The Buff routine, and one of her sexiest routines, known as Liptease, shown here.
In recent years, the fashion world has come to accept Dita and her retro look, and she has appeared on a number of best-dressed lists. Dita frequents the front row of fashion shows, particularly Christian Dior and Marc Jacobs, labels she is often seen wearing. She has also done various catwalk work, modelling for such fashion giants as Moschino, Jean Paul Gualtier, Vivian Westwood and Heatherette, all well known for there retro looks. She has also recently been used as one of the faces of Wonderbra, yes I’ve found another Wonderbra model!
She was married to Marilyn Manson in 2005. They met in 2001, when long time fan Manson invited Dita to perform in one of his music videos. Due to work commitments, she was unable to, but she did meet up with Manson on his 32nd Birthday with a bottle of his favourite drink, absinthe, and they became a couple. They married in a private ceremony in Ireland. Manson had been a long time fan of Dita’s before they met, and had become obsessed with her, probably due to pictures like this.
While they were married, she seemed to be drawn into Manson's world filled with drink and drugs. Manson has long had an obsession with the shall we say slightly weird, and at times would have Dita act out his fantasies. One of these was photographed for Playboy. Manson got Dita to dress up as a kind of sexy Snow White. As you can see, it was not that bad, but thank god he didn’t find seven dwarfs as well!
In 2007 she finally had enough of poor Mr Manson, and filled for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Dita left their house empty-handed on Christmas Eve, and was not able to get in touch with Manson to inform him of her intentions of divorce. Dita says "I wasn't supportive of his partying or his relationship with another girl. As much as I loved him I wasn't going to be part of that". This just proves he is nuts, as if you were married to someone like Dita, why would you want to play away.
She is, not to put too fine a point on it, probably the most famous stripper on the planet. But not just any old stripping, mind. She takes off her clothes with old-fashioned class, she does striptease with style – and that's vintage style. You won't catch Dita dancing round a pole to the unsubtle strains of Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?, or gyrating inches away from her audience, lap-dancing style. Glamour is what it's all about for this gal. And after years of being considered too sexual for mainstream modelling, Dita, is now sizzling hot, and also a Hot Chick! What more can a girl want. More Hot Chicks next week.
Hmm! I get the feeling you all might think that she was a little shall we say not the normal Hot Chick. But when your the worlds best known stripper, well I think that justifies her place on my list. Don't worry lad's if she's was not your type, next week's will more than make up for it. Anyway on with the blog, and it's time for this week's.........
Now you know when we have had all those want to be arty farty actors and actresses wanting a part in the Star Wars franchise, well they weren’t the only ones. We had good old faithful Lassie the other week, and this week is no different. But instead of four legs we have four wheels, as everybody’s favourite car Herbie the Volkswagen Beetle. Yes if you look carefully, you can see Herbie parading here in the Ice World of Hoth as an AT-AT Walker. it’s a new look for the little car, but with his trademark 53 number boldly on his side, he will surely be the best know AT AT on the planet!
Well we will find out what they have come up with soon enough, but you know all this blogging has made me very thirsty, lets nip off for a quick one down at the bar in this weeks...
Saint Matthew
1 shot Cranberry juice
1 shot Orange Juice
1 shot Lemon Juice
1 shot Grapefruit Juice
1 shot Strawberry Juice
Ice Cubes
Ginger Beer
Mix the Cranberry, Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit and Strawberry juice together. Pour over the ice, and top the glass up with the Ginger Beer. Most Refreshing.
Right bit of a rush to get here this week so no time to read the ingredients. What’s it called? Saint Matthew eh! Ah yes I’ve heard of that one its got a bit of a kick to it. Well here goes nothing. Hmm that’s not half bad that isn’t matey. Not got quite the kick of some of the others you have been giving me the last few weeks though. Lets have another mate.
You know that really hit’s the spot as it’s quite a hot day out side. It really is most refreshing on the old taste buds. Something not quite right about it though. My speech seems to be ok, no slurring of my words, or bad language. And that fat bird at the end of the bar, well I still think she is fat, and I’, not even feeling the urge to try and chat her up. Wait a minute. Give me that mixing sheet. There no bloody alcohol in this bloody drink! What are you trying to do to me? What do you mean I’ve been drunk and stumbling around for the last few weeks after a couple of drinks. Nonsense. I’m a bloody pirate I can take my ale you know mate. Well you can stick your none alchoholic namby pamby girly fruit drinks where the sun don’t shine mate, I’m off to Bargain Booze for a take out.
Yes it’s time to sit back and put your feet up now, as I try to help the more unfortunate amongst you. The team has been hard at work again this week to find me someone who really needs a boost of confidence from me, and I think they have found on with this letter from Shelly in Rochdale. Shelly writes:
Dear Captain, One day I got a text on my mobile from a man. He told me he had text me by mistake. We’ve chatted every night for a month, we text a lot and have swapped pictures. He believes in truth and honesty, swears never to cheat and promises to treat me like a queen. He is coming to visit next weekend but I haven’t told my family because I’m scared of their reaction. How should I tell them?
Captain Jack Replies: You lot have got to be bloody joking again! Do I not pay you enough to sort out the crap one’s from the really needy one’s. Is this the best you could find me this week. Right well I suppose it will have to do. Lets give it a go. Listen luv, that's clearly no man, that's an alien! Good God, the invasion has started earlier than predicted! RUN! You're an idiot of the highest order! So lets look at the evidence. He makes mistakes, he talks endlessly with no substance, he's vain, texts a lot, believes in truth and honesty, *cough! swears never to cheat, * bigger cough!! and to treat you like a Queen, he lies. His name isn't Gordon Brown by any chance? For God’s sake tell your family, so they will lock you up and keep the rest of us safe from you, you numbskull. Now don’t forget to read me every week, and I hope I was of some help to you and your problem.
You know that just gives you a warm feeling inside doesn't it! No not the 5 A-Side team, the Advice Line! Although that team kinda makes you feel warm inside as well. So we move swiftly on to this week's little music section. Plenty to come in Karaoke Classics this week, and we have as usual the Alternative History, but first as we have this week's............
All Night Long ~ Rainbow
San Antonio USA 1982
Now some weeks we get to sing but a couple of tracks. This week, we managed a whopping five tracks, and of course, yes we won the quiz again! Yes it's a miracle, so out of the last five week's, we have won the £10 drinks voucher every week. Thursday is getting a cheaper and cheaper night out! It was an exceptionally easy quiz this week as well. Even so, we still won at a canter, even though the music bits and pieces section was one of the hardest I have ever heard! I mean both myself and Shaun do pretty much have most styles of music covered in our reportiore, these songs were unknown by pretty much everyone. In fact quiz master Gaz himself admited only being able to get 6 out of 20 points when he had a go. So our score of 12 out of 20 was very respectable!
So with five songs to bring you this week best get on with it then. This week I sang 1. Headlong by Queen 2. Rockaria by E.L.O. 3. Sympathy For The Devil by The Rolling Stones 4. Through The Barricades by Spandau Ballet and 5. Bleed It Out by Linkin Park.
Headlong by Queen
Highest UK Chart Position: Number 14 May 1991
First up tonight is one I have wanted to have a go at for a long time, but pretty sure I would not be able to do it justice, I sang it with a little trepidation to say the least. With any Queen song, the vocals that Freddie does on the tracks are notoriously difficult at times, and although you can sing along in the car and the bath to them, when you place a mike in front of you they sound very different!
The song was taken from Innuendo, the bands 14th studio album, and the last to consist of entirely new material, due to Freddie’s illness. Headlong was credited to Brian May, and is one of the heavier tracks on the album. After visiting the recording studio to record some tracks for his solo project, May decided to play some of the tracks to the rest of the band. And after hearing Freddie’s vocals on the track, he decided to put it on the Innuendo album.
The video for Headlong was one of the final Queen videos shot with Freddie appearing in it. The Headlong video clip heavily featured the group's lead singer, although it was actually shot before the I’m Going Slightly Mad video. The video showed the band in the studio performing the song, as well as shots of the band generally fooling about and working in the studio. The version of the song in the video includes an extra short section after the second chorus not released in any audio format to date.
The performance footage, with Freddie wearing a yellow sweater, was shot in January 1991, while the other footage, showing Freddie wearing two different blue shirts, were shot in late 1990 at Metropolis Studios in London. The footage of Mercury wearing a blue shirt with a tie was shot in September 1990, where you will notice his healthier appearance, whereas the footage of Mercury wearing a blue shirt with a darker vest was shot in late November and early December of 1990, where you can notice the slightly more gaunt appearance in his face and neck. The outside of Metropolis Studios is also shown at the beginning and the end of the video. This is also the last colour video of Freddie Mercury. The next one, I‘m Going Slightly Mad, was recorded in black and white.
Like all other videos for the Innuendo album, the Headlong clip was directed by Austrian director team DoRo, consisting of Rudi Dolezal and Hannes Rossacher, who have been regularly working for Queen since the video to the 1986 single Friends Will Be Friends. They also directed the video to the only new output of the group as a three-piece, Only The Good Die Young, released in 1997.
In the course of the video, Brian May can be seen wearing a Bart Simpson T-shirt, a reference to The Simpsons, which was very popular at that time.
It is rumoured that Mercury's weight was only 110 lbs in the 1991 yellow sweater footage of the video. His appearance in both footages, especially in the yellow sweater, again sparked speculations regarding his health in the press.
Rockaria by E.L.O.
Highest UK Chart Position: Number 9 February 1977
Next up is a track by a band who are affectionately known as the Birmingham Beatles, or E.L.O. for short! This was the third track on the band's successful 1976 album A New World Record, and as the second single from the album, released in the UK in 1977. Featuring Mary Thomas on Operatic voice on the introduction, she fluffed the first take, starting too early, but they used it anyway, complete with the Oops!. Live, the 'aria' was provided by the vocal talents of the band's bassist Kelly Groucutt.
The song itself is a unique fusion of rocking blues, glam rock, opera, and pop. The lyrics are about a sweet little lady who sings like a songbird, and she sings the opera like you ain't never heard, but she ain't ready no no no, she ain't ready and she ain't gonna rock & roll.
According to the lyrics, she is obsessed with the operatic masterworks of Wagner, Beethoven, Puccini and Verdi, and the singer's intent is to show her how to rock and roll. By the end of the song, the lady has proved that actually she can rock'n'roll with the best of them, and has a few tricks to teach the singer!
The title of the song is not said in the lyrics, thus it is often mispronounced, usually as rhyming with momma mia. It is actually a fusion of two different words, rock and aria, thus giving "rock-ahr'-ia".
An incredible 35 years since their formation, the music of the Electric Light Orchestra is still as popular as ever. All over the world, people are tuning into the sound of E.L.O. via radio, the internet, cinemas and TV. The seemingly ageless songs of E.L.O. leader Jeff Lynne are even being heard again in the singles charts, thanks to the cream of today’s young dance acts sampling the band’s original music and turning on a whole new generation of fans. E.L.O. thrived under the guidance of Lynne, recording twelve original studio albums and releasing twenty-eight hit singles in the UK alone. At their peak between 1974 and 1981, E.L.O. amassed a string of nine consecutive gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums. The band were one of the biggest arena and stadium draws during the seventies and early eighties, with spectacular shows including massive flying saucer stage sets and vibrant light and laser displays.
Originally a 1970 experimental offshoot of sixties English hit makers The Move, E.L.O.’s initial concept of a rock band augmented by a string section struggled to find success. Though early singles such as Showdown and Ma-Ma-Ma-Belle were hits, E.L.O. albums failed to make the charts in the UK and the group was virtually ignored as a live act.
It was the USA that first embraced E.L.O., thanks to lengthy coast-to-coast tours that helped propel singles Evil Woman and Strange Magic and albums On The Third Day, Eldorado and Face The Music into the American charts. UK acceptance finally came in 1976 with A New World Record and Top 10 singles Livin’ Thing, Rockaria and Telephone Line.
A double album masterpiece, 1977’s Out Of The Blue was a worldwide smash on pre-orders alone and featured global hits Turn To Stone, Wild West Hero, Sweet Talkin' Woman plus the song Lynne considers to be his greatest E.L.O. achievement, Mr. Blue Sky. Recently voted Anthem Of The Midlands by the public, the track continues to appear in film soundtracks and ads to this very day. The bands’ legendary 1978 tour set audience attendance records wherever it played and established E.L.O. as one of the most popular acts in the world.
Sympathy For The Devil by The Rolling Stones
Highest UK Chart Position: No UK Release
Sympathy for the Devil is perhaps the most notorious and controversial Rolling Stones song, as well as one of the greatest. As the most famous tune on their 1968 album, Beggars Banquet, rivalled only, perhaps, by that LP's Street Fighting Man, it came out at a time when the Stones were increasingly flirting with a satanic public image. Well, Sympathy for the Devil took that flirt to a full-on consummation. Here was Jagger, naturally, taking on the role of the devil himself, a portrait made more distressing by his gentlemanly self-introductions.
As seen in the Jean Luc Godard film One Plus One, retitled Sympathy for the Devil later, the backing track went through some radical transformations, from elementary sluggish blues-rock on acoustic guitars, before arriving at its recorded arrangement. That final arrangement was integral to the success of the song. A compelling African-like rhythm pounded out on conga drums introduces the track, the air of uneasy menace established by echoed yelps and grunts. Along with rumbling piano, those drums continue to underscore the tune, and after the first verse, Jagger is joined by soulful, wordless, high backup vocals that are both catchy and creepy. The chorus, sung with progressive vehemence as the song proceeds, is the embodiment of Jagger's persona in his song, an evil figure who charms and refuses to disclose the true nature of his identity and intentions. The guitar solo is one of Keith Richards' most economic and incisive, like flames licking at the devil's feet. During the lyrics of the song he recounts his insinuation into various historical cataclysms, the Crucifixion, the Inquisition, and the then still fresh assassinations of the Kennedy’s. The Kennedy’s reference was especially explosive. Who killed them, asked Jagger? It was you and me. As some disgruntled critics pointed out, that wasn't exactly fair as most of the people listening to the Stones didn't want to kill anyone, let alone the Kennedy’s. What Jagger, more than any other rock performer possibly, was adept at was making listeners ponder those questions of how evil manifests itself in the world, and giving listeners who likely wouldn't have hurt a fly the titillation of acknowledging the dark, submerged sides of themselves. It is interesting, by the way, that the word devil is never sung, although the song makes it fairly clear once and for all whose character it is assuming when he says that some call him Lucifer. The extended fade makes the evil ambience even more pervasive, Jagger starting to shout in distressed falsetto as the backup singers maintain their unfettered chants.
After a fatal stabbing at the group's 1969 Altamont concert, the song, probably because it provoked more dangerous associations than anything else in their repertoire, was dropped from their live set for a while. It's often assumed that Sympathy for the Devil was the song playing when the stabbing took place, but although they did play it at Altamont, the actual song being performed when the stabbing took place was Under My Thumb. Sympathy for the Devil is so ingrained as part of the Stones image that it's a difficult task for other performers to cover it and make the song their own, but that hasn't stopped ludicrous attempts from both the underground and the mainstream.
The Yugoslavian art-damaged post-punk band Laibach, for instance, did an entire EP devoted to six different interpretations of the song, including disco and acid house ones, while British pop star Sandie Shaw did a ridiculous cover in 1969 that sounded as threatening as a water pistol. Perhaps the best cover was the Fat Boy Slim remix in the late 90’s, but after all that was only a remix and not a cover!
Through The Barricades by Spandau Ballet
Highest UK Chart Position: Number 6 November 1986
Spandau Ballet were one of the biggest success stories of the New Romantics wave of music of the 80’s. In fact it was quite cool at the time to like the band, as not only did they have the coolness to get the ladies swooning, but with the Kemp brothers writing most of the music, they also had a bit of a cutting shall we say slightly rock edge to some of the lesser known tracks. Actually they were the London based answer to Birmingham’s Duran Duran, and the bands started the first boy band revolution since the Beatles and The Stones.
Spandau Ballet racked up a number of British hits — as well as one Top Ten American hit, True, during the early '80s, becoming one of the most successful groups to emerge during new wave. By 1983, the London-based quintet had shed its Roxy Music-inspired robotic art-disco and picked up on Bryan Ferry’s latter-day crooner persona, revamping themselves as a slick, stylish white soul act. It was in this incarnation that Spandau Ballet experienced its greatest success. Though they had a few more hits in Britain, none of them were particularly big, and in America they disappeared at the end of 1984. By the end of the decade, the group had split, with their core members, brothers Gary and Martin Kemp, launching acting careers.
By the time Spandau Ballet's fifth album appeared in 1986, the sun had set on the New Romantics and guitars were all the rage once again. Never ones to miss a trend, the band, who'd recently signed with a new label, Epic, and were determined to make a big splash stateside, declaring their admiration for bands like Bon Jovi, and made an album that surprised their diminishing fan base with its AOR aspirations. Rocking up Spandau Ballet's smooth white-boy soul, Through the Barricades manages to avoid utter disaster via the tuneful creations of songwriter and guitarist Gary Kemp. Some would argue Kemp had finally evolved into a first-class song writer, but while his songs never avoid a cliché if it can be helped, he does a credible job of supplying his band mates with arena-ready material like How Many Lies. Unsurprisingly, vocalist Tony Hadley digs in with real gusto. It's unsurprising that the best song by far is the title track, an acoustic ballad that became a deserved hit. The song is set in the backdrop of the troubles in Northern Ireland at the time, and how as a child you were taught to dislike the religious differences between the Protestants and the Catholics. But it also gives hope that despite the differences, love can win through in the end.
Bleed It Out by Linkin Park
Highest UK Chart Position: Number 29 September 2007
Rounding of the night with something loud, very loud! Good old compadre Shaun was alongside me for this one, featuring his rapping vocals and skills on the mike. This was the second single off Linkin Park’s third album Minutes To Midnight. Bleed It Out is the first of two tracks on the album to contain rap vocals from Mike Shinoda, with the other being Hands Held High. The song's lyrics were some of the hardest to get right on the album. In the album booklet it is stated that Mike Shinoda re-wrote the lyrics to this song about a hundred times until the band was satisfied with them. The song is the shortest track on Minutes to Midnight, therefore in live performances, including Projekt Revolution, Linkin Park has extended the song making it about three times longer, while focusing on Rob Bourdon, the band's drummer.
The song's video was directed by Joe Hahn of Mr Hahn, the DJ turntables from Linkin Park. The video is filmed in one continuous shot with the band performing on a small stage in front of a reversed bar fight scene. Some of the video was made from green screen while the band is performing on stage in the music video. The video starts as the fight is ending, and at the end of the video, it is revealed that a person vomited on another person's shoe, which started the massive fight.
As I gave an insight into Chester from the band when I sang In The End with Shaun at the end of April, it’s now the turn of Mike Shinoda, the other vocalist from the band.
As co-vocalist of the band, and owning the rapping skills to balance out Chester's tortured, emotional wail, Mike became one of the more recognizable faces of the nu metal scene in the early 2000s. He was born on February 11, 1977, as Michael Kenji Shinoda, and raised with his younger brother Jason in the Los Angeles suburb of Agoura Hills, California. He loved to paint and studied classical piano as a kid, eventually branching out into jazz and hip-hop, and picking up the guitar. He became friends with guitarist Brad Delson in junior high, and started the band Xero with him and another schoolmate, drummer Rob Bourdon, while in high school. Following graduation, and still performing with Xero, Shinoda enrolled at Pasadena's Art Center College of Design to study graphic design and illustration. While there, he met fellow aspiring artist and musician DJ Joseph Hahn and the two struck up a friendship. Hahn eventually joined Xero on the turntables, as did Delson's college roommate, bassist Dave Farrell. Shinoda graduated from art school and took a job as a graphic designer, while Xero continued to gig around the Los Angeles area. The band eventually became known as Linkin Park with the final addition of co-vocalist Chester Bennington in 1999. The group signed to Warner Bros. soon after, and released its multi-platinum-selling debut album, Hybrid Theory, the following year. Shinoda managed to integrate his artistic background into his main gig with Linkin Park by designing the band's album artwork with Hahn and actively having a hand in much of the group's mixing, production, and other technical aspects.
In addition to his work with Linkin Park, Shinoda also has production and remix credits for acts like the X-Ecutioners, , Lupe Fiasco, and even Depeche Mode. He also started up a side project in 2004 dubbed Fort Minor, which allowed Shinoda to concentrate more on the hip-hop side of things, though he still blended rap with his love of rock and electronics. Fort Minor's debut album, The Rising Tide, was released in November 2005, and featured executive production by Jay-Z, who had previously worked with Shinoda and Linkin Park on the 2004 mash-up album Collision Course. The Rising Tide being a true labor of love, Shinoda played almost every instrument on the album, in addition to doing all of its programming and sequencing.
Mike Shinoda has been married to Anna Hillinger Shinoda since May 10, 2003. She is now a children’s author.
To round off this weeks musical section is this weeks Alternative Music History. Old Justin Timberlake, or Trousersnake as he is sometimes referred to is well know for his gyrating hips and his general bringing Sexyback. He has just had a number one hit off a collaberation with pop megastar Madonna as well. But just imagine if instead of bringing Sexyback he was more like Sexy Bach! Yes in this picture we see Justin in his alter ego of a classical violinist. Doesn’t he look sweet with his geeky glasses and his bowl hair cut. I’m sure he would get a lot less of my Hot Chicks looking like that I can tell you! 
Well thats it from the music front for you this week, but as usual I have found a new little something the music lovers amongst you will appreciate, but you will have to wait until next week for that. Now lets get off to Hollywood for another one of my.....
Now I bet you missed it last week, but its back. Here is this week's edition of......
After Southampton won the FA Cup in 1976, shocking Man United at Wembley, they somehow managed to put the treasured trophy in the position of Southampton hero Peter Osgood. He had plenty of partying experience from his day’s at Chelsea to call on, and was leading the celebrations when he was entrusted with getting the trophy back safely to the South Coast. It was like putting the Titanics entertainment’s officer in charge of it!
At 3 o’clock in the morning, a seriously sozzled Ossie was showing off the trophy to astonished Southampton supporters who were having coffee at a mobile snack shop on the A3. Then, as you do, Ossie took the cup home with him and slept with it! I mean it was the best way of keeping it safe, he later explained.
Well that just about wraps up another week of fun and frolics for you. As usual at this time though, it's the answer to the Every Picture quiz, and I'm sure you had no trouble figuring out that this weeks answer was of course..
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