http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/Music is my passion. Music is my connection.Somehow, each day brings music in some form or another.en-EUMokoFeed10http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/0f/e19e63e418dad64ea2b570357e522f_160x200.jpghttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/11/06/reality-killed-the-video-star-robbie-williams-7321333/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-11-06:/2009/11/06/reality-killed-the-video-star-robbie-williams-7321333/Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:05:00 +0100 <p>Spotify have been generous to put this up for listening. It's a strange album with little direction but great production and some gems in there.<br> It can't quite find it's way but I like it because of that, each track is different and it doesn't match up to a whole. Bodies stands out as the only single really but it is worth buying for other tracks.<br> It's got disco, ballad and string arrangements making it more mature than his other albums.<br> Have to say though that the lyrics smack of sitting down for hours with a rhyming dictionary plus some bizarre stuff like: 'Microwave yourself tonight' and 'I'm the genius behind me' and a couple of references to god.</p> <p>Weakest track is Won't Do That.</p> <p>Best tracks are Bodies, Deceptacon, Starstruck and a lovely little filler lasting just over a minute called Somewhere.</p> <p>Love the Steve McQueenesque cover too.<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/reality_killed_the_video_star/4082783" title="Reality_Killed_the_Video_Star"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/783/4082783_341d9771e4_m.jpeg" alt="Reality_Killed_the_Video_Star"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/11/06/reality-killed-the-video-star-robbie-williams-7321333/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>reality-killed-the-video-starrobbie-williamshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/11/06/reality-killed-the-video-star-robbie-williams-7321333/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/30/diana-krall-royal-albert-hall-7274699/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-10-30:/2009/10/30/diana-krall-royal-albert-hall-7274699/Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:20:56 +0100 <p>Went to see Diana Krall this week on her first night at the Royal Albert Hall. This is the 2nd time I have seen her live and this time she was much more relaxed and out to have fun which she did. She had more patter and was very funny and obviously a woman totally in love and enjoying her children. As for the music I will leave it to <a href="http://www.londonjazz.blogspot.com">www.londonjazz.blogspot.com</a> and their much more musically savvy review below. For me it was superb and flawless with a range of contemporary [fab version of Joni Mitchell's A case of You], standards and then all the in between pure jazz stuff that is rarely recorded and makes the ticket money worth it all. </p> <p><u><strong>REVIEW FROM Londonjazz.blogs</strong></u>pott.com:<br> Krall was clearly in a mood to enjoy the first of her three evenings back in London, in what seemed like a near-capacity Royal Albert Hall. For such a huge venue, the atmosphere was surprisingly warm. Krall was, understandably, agreeably taken aback by the whoops of delight from the audience in response to completely inocuous lines such as "I'm from Canada" or "Andy Pandy says 'time to go home.' "</p> <p>The band bounced onto the stage and pounced gleefully on what has become a Krall staple, Peggy Lee's I Love Being Here with You. Fifth gear, crotchet 280, hold on tight...(the version above is tame by comparison) . Krall played a full part in it, but she was also duty-bound: she needed briefly to pose, to grin, help out the dozen or so queuing photographers to catch the shots they needed of a trademark bare shoulder or a resplendent and swirling blonde mane. But duties over, it was back to making good music with a great trio, and to having fun. She was punching bright accented sounds like a woodblock from the very top notes of the Steinway, closing the number with a muttered calming mantra "Ray Brown Ray Brown."</p> <p>Irving Berlin's Cheek to Cheek had loads to enjoy. A reverie of introductory patter on the themes of Rosemary Clooney, rosaries and vodka (don't ask!) ; a cleverly sleight-of-hand Fats Wallerish intro; a playful raised semitone repeat phrase bar; the best solo of the evening from Krall, leaning back into it, and just -that word again- enjoying it.</p> <p>The thirteen numbers contrasted well. There were quotes being slipped in all over the place. References to Isn't She Lovely fitted neatly into Let's Fall in Love. The introduction to I don't know enough about you meandered around childrens' songs and boogie-woogie. Soft statements of All I want is a Room Somewhere from My Fair Lady inhabited the intro to I've grown accustomed to her face." The most reflective moment came in a delightfully hushed Joni Mitchell A Case of You. Another excursion into pop ballad territory was a beautiful closing number....[UPDATE: a kind LondonJazz reader tells me it's Departure Bay.]</p> <p>Krall's piano playing is mostly light touch, hardly any pedal except in a searching intro to Bacharach's Walk On By. Regular collaborators Anthony Wilson, Kareem Riggins and Robert Hurst are all top players. Krall delivers as musician, as singer, as entertainer, as celeb. The tickets are not cheap, and at £10 for a programme, none of the sellers had a mob to deal with. It's the second time I've heard Krall this year, and - let's break the rules, I want use that same word a fourth and last time- I've enjoyed both. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/30/diana-krall-royal-albert-hall-7274699/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>diana-krallroyal-albert-halllondonjazzblogspotjoni-mitchellhttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/30/diana-krall-royal-albert-hall-7274699/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/25/let-it-rain-tracy-chapman-7240210/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-10-25:/2009/10/25/let-it-rain-tracy-chapman-7240210/Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:34:54 +0100 <p>Whilst sorting out my huge music collection, it's great to rediscover stuff and this week it's Tracy Chapman's 2002 album Let It Rain which also enters my Best Albums of All Time list.</p> <p>It's such a well crafted album and her voice, with it's quick, trembling vibrato is so commanding. She sings in a minimalistic style and whilst creating strong melodies, she does sing on one level and this just adds to the attention factor. Her lyrics are about all the stuff we know and feel and live through and suffer, insecurity, doubt, guilt - but there are also some beautiful love songs on there as well.<br> You can't classify it either, it's not folk, pop, it's a perfect collection of just pure songs with great meaning.</p> <p>Tracks of note [though there is not one that is not flawless]: In the Dark and Say Hallelujah which is a modern day gospel.There is something quite old world about this haunting CD, it's a must.<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/disco_2002_let_it_rain/4039263" title="disco-2002-let-it-rain"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/263/4039263_2427d4a635_m.jpeg" alt="disco-2002-let-it-rain"></a></p> <p>The bucket is kicked<br> The body is gone<br> <em>Say Hallelujah</em> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/25/let-it-rain-tracy-chapman-7240210/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>in-the-darksay-hallelujahtracy-chapmanlet-it-rainhttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/25/let-it-rain-tracy-chapman-7240210/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/14/kif-7170564/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-10-14:/2009/10/14/kif-7170564/Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:20:44 +0200 <p>At last something really different which fills my recent musical void, the CD Kiff featuring supreme guitarist David 'Fuze' Fiuczynski. It's avant garde jazz/rock and intelligently cool. Fuze's playing dazzles but more intriguing is the actual sound he extracts from it, most times it's does not sound like a guitar or anything at all that I can describe but it works. The Moroccan flavours add to the overall ambiguity of this unique collection of 'hard to pin down tracks' made all the more flavoursome by the five string cello of Rufus Cappadocia.</p> <p>If I haven't sold it to you then click <a href="http://torsos.com/Website/express/kif.html">http://torsos.com/Website/express/kif.html</a> and listen for yourself.</p> <p>Track 7 Slapbow could even be called Hendrixesque.....</p> <p>Awesome!</p> <p><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/417/4003417_7cc0e27736_s.jpeg" alt="gastard"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/14/kif-7170564/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>david-fuze-fiuczynskirufus-cappadociakiffhttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/14/kif-7170564/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/13/some-that-i-didn-t-like-7161063/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-10-13:/2009/10/13/some-that-i-didn-t-like-7161063/Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:56:07 +0200 <p>Whilst have a run with new CD's from Tony Christie and Tom Jones, there are 4 new albums which I don't like and which are so disappointingly run-of-the-mill it makes me angry. Come on - try, try for goodness sake and stop sounding like everyone else and grab our attention!</p> <p>Here are the CD's in question:</p> <p>AS I AM Alicia Keys<br> TRUST ME Craig David<br> HEAVY ROTATION Anastacia<br> 11 Bryan Adams</p> <p>Apologies to fans of the above </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/13/some-that-i-didn-t-like-7161063/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>alicia-keysanastaciacraig-davidbryan-adamshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/13/some-that-i-didn-t-like-7161063/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/13/24-hours-tom-jones-7161012/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-10-13:/2009/10/13/24-hours-tom-jones-7161012/Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:49:05 +0200 <p>Another strong album from another singer of some standing. I am truly amazed at this CD as Jone's voice seems to be better than it ever was. I am not really a fan though I do like him but the tracks on this CD are so different from one another that you just keep on listening to see what's coming up next. He has energy and the range and of course the voice just dominates everything. </p> <p>Feels Like Music and In Style & Rhythm really rock and Seasons and 24 Hours have such tender lyrics, he can reach any emotion with his golden vocal chords plus I really like the Bono/The Edge track that they wrote for him: Sugar Daddy - this is the track which most reviewers seem to say doesn't fit him or the album, well it does.</p> <p>Flawless and if you don't think you will like it, listen first on <a href="http://www.tomjones.com">www.tomjones.com</a> where you can grab an album sampler.</p> <p><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/835/3998835_4869025b63_s.jpeg" alt="Tom Jones"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/13/24-hours-tom-jones-7161012/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>bonotom-jonesthe-edgehttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/13/24-hours-tom-jones-7161012/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/13/made-in-sheffield-tony-christie-7160845/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-10-13:/2009/10/13/made-in-sheffield-tony-christie-7160845/Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:19:30 +0200 <p>I am not going to write much about this album as you must trawl the web and see the plaudits is has already received. Suffice to say it is rich and flawless with Christie's voice probably at it's best. Every word is pitch perfect and clear and it has a very intimate feel about it. he pens some of the tracks himself but also gets down tracks by Richard Hawley, Jarvis Cocker and Phil Oakey. Can't single out any track as a fave because they are all worthy of many, many replays.</p> <p><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/744/3998744_83c00c71d4_m.jpeg" alt="51PucOaMlmL._SS500_"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/13/made-in-sheffield-tony-christie-7160845/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tony-christiejarvis-cockermade-in-sheffieldphil-oakeyrichard-hawleyhttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/13/made-in-sheffield-tony-christie-7160845/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/12/filmic-halloween-special-7154644/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-10-12:/2009/10/12/filmic-halloween-special-7154644/Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:59:50 +0200 <p>Hi,</p> <p>Here is the playlist for my Halloween Special Show on <a href="http://www.radionowhere.org">www.radionowhere.org</a></p> <p>Copy and paste this link into your web browser to listen to it.<br> <a href="http://www.radionowhere.org/8.Oct.2009%20F.mp3">www.radionowhere.org/8.Oct.2009%20F.mp3</a></p> <p><u><strong>In Track-Composer-Fil</strong></u>m order:r/Bernard Herrmann/Psycho<br> Theme: Nightmare On Elm Street/Nightmare On Elm Street<br> Behind Blue Eyes Roger Daltrey/The Who/Gothica<br> Clarice/Howard Shore /The Silence of the Lambs<br> Theme: Jaws/John Williams//Jaws<br> Main Theme: Dracula Suite/James Bernard/Dracula [1958]<br> Love Song For A Vampire/Annie Lennox//Bram Stoker's Dracula [1992]<br> Another Failed Escape /Tyler Bates/Devil's Rejects<br> Time Warp/Richard O'Brien/The Rocky Horror Show<br> Tubular Bells/Mike Oldfield/The Excorcist<br> Theme: Frankenstein/Bernhard Kaun/Frankenstein [1931]<br> Contest Winners/ Pinno Donaggio/Carrie<br> Theme: Séance On A Wet Afternoon/John Barry/Séance On A wet Afternoon<br> Theme: Halloween/John Carpenter/Halloween </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/12/filmic-halloween-special-7154644/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>radionowherehalloweenfilmichttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/12/filmic-halloween-special-7154644/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/08/filmic-halloween-special-7123238/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-10-08:/2009/10/08/filmic-halloween-special-7123238/Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:40:55 +0200 <p>Early spooks for you, my Filmic Halloween Special airs tonight on Radio Nowhere at 9pm. A full hour of film music from suspense, thriller and horror movies plus lots of other fun stuff. It was a hoot to put it together so have a listen and let me know what you think. Go to <a href="http://www.radionowhere.org">www.radionowhere.org</a> and click 'listen'. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/08/filmic-halloween-special-7123238/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>radio-nowherefilmic-halloween-specialhttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/08/filmic-halloween-special-7123238/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/04/bronte-and-a-big-thank-you-7096375/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-10-04:/2009/10/04/bronte-and-a-big-thank-you-7096375/Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:36:51 +0200 <p>Just a quick line to give a HUGE Thank You to my blog and Twitter friends who have written to me over the weekend about the loss of my little cat Bronte. It has meant a lot and given me a lot of comfort.</p> <p>Love<br> topofthestairs </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/04/bronte-and-a-big-thank-you-7096375/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>brontehttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/04/bronte-and-a-big-thank-you-7096375/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/04/barbra-streisand-love-is-the-answer-7096338/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-10-04:/2009/10/04/barbra-streisand-love-is-the-answer-7096338/Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:27:54 +0200 <p>Sure you haven't missed all the Streisand talk in Radio 2, plus there is the Jonathan Ross and Paul Gambacinni interviews - the reclusive lady has a new album out, her first for about 4 years called Love Is The Answer. To me, what's more attractive is that it's producer is Diana Krall and it shows. This is a low impact, minimalist collection, in fact one of the tracks is appropriately enough In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning. It is definately a late night/early morning CD. It's exquisite and whilst I wanted to hear Streisands BIG voice, after a while I settled down and got use to the soft, low register and it's enticing, smooth rhythms.<br> As well as her production, Krall also uses her own band and this is a huge plus. I urge you to get the orchestral versions of the songs as strings are not often heard these days and they should be as it adds to the lushness and brings a gentle melancholia which matches Streisands phrasing superbly.</p> <p>Lots of old standards. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, Make Someone Happy, Here Comes That Rainy Day and others. My faves are You Must Believe In Spring and Here's To Life.</p> <p>After 2 or 3 listens I understood the gentle reflective mood of the album as a whole and thought it was good to not hear the BIG voice as Streisand herself has said that she didn't know if she still could sing good enough to record. She can and she has it's good to enjoy her unique sound in this understated way rather than, like other seasoned performers do, hear her straining for what was once there. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/04/barbra-streisand-love-is-the-answer-7096338/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>diana-krallbarbra-streisandlove-is-the-answerhttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/04/barbra-streisand-love-is-the-answer-7096338/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/bronte-7083713/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-10-02:/2009/10/02/bronte-7083713/Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:29:48 +0200 <p>Been a few weeks since I have written, case of work and holidays. And although my blog is about music and films - today it's about my cat Bronte.</p> <p>Bronte died this morning at 6.30. For those who are not cat/pet lovers then you will think this posting is silly but those of you who deeply understand, I beg your indulgence. I can't explain how I feel today except that I am utterly devastated. I feel like I have been hit by a truck and I need to write about it to make me feel better.</p> <p>Bronte [also known as Bronts, Brontalooni and 'The Queen' and Queenie] was with us for over 14 years and was about 18 years old. She was a beautiful, cantankerous tortoise shell who liked pasta sauce and who could, at times, have the most 'pissed off' look. About 5 years ago she was diagnosed with diabetes and nearly died then but the brilliant vet we have tried something unique - he tried putting her on human insulin. And it worked - every day, twice a day we injected her and she had a 2nd life. She had bad days but she just slept through them. </p> <p>As most cats, and especially those with diabetes, she developed kidney trouble about a year ago. Yesterday instead of having breakfast she came down from upstairs and simply went into the garden and layed on the grass. Later we bought her back into the house and realised there was something wrong when she walked very awkwardly. About 6pm she became very lethargic and wedged herself in a corner between a wall and a storage unit, it was very distressing to watch.</p> <p>At 10pm she was upstairs in her basket, groaning a little. I picked her up and all the muscles in her legs had gone. At midnight we held her for an hour, her head flopping. At 2am her eyes were glazed. We left her as it was obvious she was shutting down. Then at 5am she was the same and it was time to call the vet. When the vet arrived she said there was very little life left in her and so we made it easy for her and after a few minutes, and with no struggle, she fell asleep.</p> <p>For us it is heartbreaking, she was with us one day perfectly normal and then within a few hours, she was gone. But for Bronts it was perfect. She was quite ill but a soldier and still enjoying her life and she went quickly, with no pain and no distress.</p> <p>Bless my little Bronte, thank you for being with us for so long.</p> <p><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/589/3957589_eac24e9de7_m.jpeg" alt="Brontes in the garden"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/590/3957590_1c504b45a6_m.jpeg" alt="Brontes"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/bronte-7083713/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>moviesmy-cat-brontehttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/bronte-7083713/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/blog-pictures-7083595/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-10-02:/2009/10/02/blog-pictures-7083595/Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:07:45 +0200 <p>Damn - just as I published my last post, they all appeared. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/blog-pictures-7083595/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/blog-pictures-7083595/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/blog-pictures-7083592/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-10-02:/2009/10/02/blog-pictures-7083592/Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:06:49 +0200 <p>I seem to have lost my profile picture and my header photo?<br> Is anyone else having a problem like this today? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/blog-pictures-7083592/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/blog-pictures-7083592/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/09/11/filmic-6942744/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-09-11:/2009/09/11/filmic-6942744/Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:02:09 +0200 <p>Here is the playlist for Filmic Show 2 which went out last night on <a href="http://www.radionowhere.org">www.radionowhere.org</a><br> You can catch it again on Thursday 24th Septemebr and it will shortly be available to download as a podcast in iTunes</p> <p><u><strong>FILMIC 2 Length: 1hr</strong></u>.1min:40<br> [The Wind and the Lion]<br> Down To the River To Pray - Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?<br> Leaving Wallbrook, On the Road -Rain Man<br> If I Were King of the Forest -Wizard Of Oz<br> Lost In Space Theme<br> Harmonica - Once Upon A Time In The West<br> Already Dead - American Beauty<br> Black & White x 5 - The Thomas Crown Affair 1995<br> The Windmills of Your Mind-The Thomas Crown Affair 1968<br> A Man And A Woman<br> Spartacus Main Theme<br> Now Voyager<br> Walk On The Wild Side<br> Journey To Blofeld's Hideaway - On Her Majesty's Secret Service<br> Theme from The Valley of the Dolls T<br> Lawrence of Arabia Overture </p> <p>Love to hear from you regarding the next Fimic in October especially as it's Halloween, tell me what your scariest film ever is! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/09/11/filmic-6942744/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>radionowherefilmicitunespodcasthttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/09/11/filmic-6942744/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/09/10/filmic-2-unleashed-6936021/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-09-10:/2009/09/10/filmic-2-unleashed-6936021/Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:50:20 +0200 <p>My 2nd Filmic Show goes out tonight at 9pm BST on <a href="http://www.radionowhere.org">www.radionowhere.org</a></p> <p>All things filmic where music is concerned, themes, cues and songs from movies and not forgetting those dodgy covers. Also the Epic and Vintage features this week are the Spartacus Overture and a divine music and Bette Davis clip from Now Voyager. It's fun and I would love you to have a listen then tell me what you think at ley at radionowhere dot org or go to the Contact page at <a href="http://www.radionowhere.org">www.radionowhere.org</a> where there is a link to my email address and let me know what you would like me to play in Filmic 3.</p> <p>Will post the full playlist tomorrow. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/09/10/filmic-2-unleashed-6936021/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>radionowherenow-voyagerfilmicspartacushttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/09/10/filmic-2-unleashed-6936021/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/09/03/top-10-anthemics-6881549/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-09-03:/2009/09/03/top-10-anthemics-6881549/Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:55:55 +0200 <p>A family thing but great fun: At bank holidays, Christmas etc., we pick a theme and then have to compile a Top 10. This August Bank Holiday it was our Top 10 Anthemic tracks.<br> This is what I dredged up:</p> <p>I'll Find My Way Home Jon & Vangelis<br> Can You Feel It The Jackson 5<br> Zadoc The Priest Handel<br> Take The Long Way Home Supertramp<br> I Will Survive Gloria Gaynor<br> Earth Song Michael Jackson<br> Bolero Ravel<br> Could It Be Magic Barry Manilow<br> Zulu John Barry<br> Brick In the Wall Pink Floyd</p> <p>Bit of sentimentality crept in regarding the 2 Jackson tracks for which I do not apologise.</p> <p>For Christmas we are compiling our Top 10 Covers. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/09/03/top-10-anthemics-6881549/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/09/03/top-10-anthemics-6881549/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/08/30/mike-oldfield-6855264/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-08-30:/2009/08/30/mike-oldfield-6855264/Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:15:14 +0200 <p>Something rare, I am sitting down, well lounging really, with my partner listening to music on a wet, grey and quite miserable Bank Holiday Sunday evening after a good dinner. In the space of say 45 minutes we are on our 4th CD. Wanting to introduce virgin ears to the talented Mike Oldfield I put on Hergest Ridge, we get though about 20 mins and then I put on Incantations, possibly my favourite.<br> This one didn't even last the 20 mins and that's with track skipping.<br> So, why I cry when these are the musical soundtracks of my younger life, listened to so much that I know all these long pieces off by heart even if I don't listen to them as often? Because the CD versions of these early 70's masterpieces are absolutely awful and I am listening to them through a very good, very expensive sound system. The thinness of the orchestral sound makes them really flat and the rousing, chord changing moments you wait for disappear into the background. The digitisation of these works don't just take away the richness but also make some instruments sound different and wrong. The whole texture is spoilt. I couldn't bear to hear these unique musical masterpieces sound so substandard. Do the artists actually have a say in the release of these CD's I ask?<br> Thank god I still have them on vinyl. I have decided to try and get a small turntable to hook up to my sound system and listen to them in their original, multi-layered rich format.</p> <p>We then moved onto Miles Davis and Nefertiti, if you are somewhat shattered then this is not going to be the music choice of the moment so passing the choice to partner we are now listening to the current Annie Lennox album Songs of Mass Destruction which, even though this is my 6th or 7th try at it, does not improve with hearing especially in comparison with all her previous albums. The voice is still good but the majority of songs are kinda, well .. unimpressive. Sorry Annie.<br> Except for Ghost In My Machine which has revived the spirit somewhat.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/08/30/mike-oldfield-6855264/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>incantationssongs-of-mass-destructionhergest-ridgenefertitimike-oldfieldannie-lennoxmiles-davishttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/08/30/mike-oldfield-6855264/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/08/14/film-show-6721325/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-08-14:/2009/08/14/film-show-6721325/Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:20:47 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.radionowhere.org/13.Aug.2009%20F.mp3">http://www.radionowhere.org/13.Aug.2009%20F.mp3</a></p> <p>This is the link to my debut Filmic show on Radio Nowhere. Now busy working on my 2nd show, if anyone has a favourite piece of film music - let me know and I'll do my best to play it.</p> <p>Here's the playlist from last night's show:-</p> <p><u><strong>TRACK/COMPOSER-ART</strong></u>IST/FILM/Henry Mancini/Arabesque</p> <p>Akta/Eric Serra/The Fifth Element</p> <p>The Mighty Road/Carter Burwell/The Generals Daughter</p> <p>Capsule In Space/John Barry/You Only Live Twice</p> <p>Third Man Theme/Anton Karas/The Thurd Man</p> <p>Ball/Craig Armstrong/Plunkett & McCleane</p> <p>On Days Like These/Quincy Jones/The Italian Job</p> <p>Deadlier Than The Male Main Theme/Scott Engel/Deadlier Than The Male</p> <p>Memphis Stomp/ Dave Grusin/The Firm</p> <p>Ice Pick Mike/Lalo Schifrin/Bullitt</p> <p>Maniac/Michael Sembello/Flashdance</p> <p>Lilly Was Here/Dave Stewart/De Kassiere</p> <p>North By Northwest/Bernard Hermman/North By Northwest</p> <p>BeetleJuice Main Theme/Danny Elfman/BeetleJuice</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/132/3786132_fa676eafdb_s.jpeg" alt="Bullitt poster"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/08/14/film-show-6721325/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>john-barryquincy-joneslalo-schifrinhenry-mancinciscott-engelcarter-burwelldave-grusindanny-elfmanneric-serrabernard-hermannradio-nowhereanton-karasmichael-sembellowcraig-armstrongdave-stewarthttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/08/14/film-show-6721325/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/08/12/filmic-on-radio-warneford-6710097/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-08-12:/2009/08/12/filmic-on-radio-warneford-6710097/Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:58:33 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/rn_colour_logo_website/3780639" title="RN - Colour Logo (WEBSITE)"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/639/3780639_4d7e5920c2_s.jpeg" alt="RN - Colour Logo (WEBSITE)"></a></p> <p>I am beside myself with excitement as tomorrow night at 9pm I debut with my own show called Filmic on Radio Nowwhere, a brilliant, fun and ecletic internet radio station whom have been so welcoming to me. The show is approx an hour and is a great excuse for me to share my nerdy passion with anyone who is interested and that is film music.<br> It features themes from movies, songs from movies, dodgy covers and some audible delights and surprises.</p> <p>It's live tomorrow evening at 9pm on <a href="http://www.radionowhere.org">www.radionowhere.org</a> </p> <p>Shortly after it will be an itunes podcast download plus I will put the link on this blog together with all the tracks.</p> <p>Sooooo chuffed! Do listen in. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/08/12/filmic-on-radio-warneford-6710097/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>podcastfilmicitunesradionowherehttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/08/12/filmic-on-radio-warneford-6710097/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/08/05/harry-patch-in-memory-of-radiohead-6655173/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-08-05:/2009/08/05/harry-patch-in-memory-of-radiohead-6655173/Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:26:18 +0200 <p>Spend £1 and spend it now. Go to Radiohead's website <a href="http://www.radiohead.com/deadairspace/">http://www.radiohead.com/deadairspace/</a> and download Harry Patch [in memory of].</p> <p>It is one of the most heartbreaking pieces of music I have ever heard and it has immensely moved me. It is also beautiful and it is important. This is where the song came from:-</p> <p>"This is what the song is about:-Recently the last remaining UK veteran of the 1st world war Harry Patch died at the age of 111.<br> I had heard a very emotional interview with him a few years ago on the Today program on Radio4.<br> The way he talked about war had a profound effect on me.<br> It became the inspiration for a song that we happened to record a few weeks before his death.<br> It was done live in an abbey. The strings were arranged by Jonny.<br> I very much hope the song does justice to his memory as the last survivor.</p> <p>It would be very easy for our generation to forget the true horror of war, without the likes of Harry to remind us.<br> I hope we do not forget."</p> <p>As Harry himself said<br> "Irrespective of the uniforms we wore, we were all victims".<br> Thom Yorke</p> <p>Your pound will go to the British Legion and it only take a second to download it.</p> <p>All good things to Thom Yorke, not only for an astonishing piece of music but that he felt moved enough, at what is a young age' to honour Harry and everyone else who has ever fought in a war.</p> <p>The lyrics are what Harry himself said in the interview:-<br> <strong>"i am the only one that got through<br> the others died where ever they fell<br> it was an ambush<br> they came up from all sides<br> give your leaders each a gun and then let them fight it out themselves<br> i've seen devils coming up from the ground<br> i've seen hell upon this earth<br> the next will be chemical but they will never learn" </strong></p> <p>RIP HARRY PATCH </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/08/05/harry-patch-in-memory-of-radiohead-6655173/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>radioheadharry-patch-in-memory-ofthom-yorkebritish-legionhttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/08/05/harry-patch-in-memory-of-radiohead-6655173/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/30/music-day-6617998/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-07-30:/2009/07/30/music-day-6617998/Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:57:35 +0200 <p>Quite a day yesterday as got some serious downloading done to the ipod:</p> <p>13 tracks of The Coasters. Fab and funny kinda doo wappers of the 50's who had a string of hits like Yakkety-Yak and Charlie Brown. These will be played on a day when I need a lift.<br> More Dakota Staton tracks making 25 in all in my collection, dynamite voice and jazz vocalist from the 50's and 60's.<br> 16 tracks by the Big O, Roy Orbison and I have a feeling I will be adding many more soon.</p> <p>Also took a brave decision and did away with a lot of my iTunes playlists as I had way too many. It has such a brilliant search facility that they are not really needed. Still wobbly after doing though and feeling I won't be able to find that one track I desperately need to hear!</p> <p>This blog was to chart the major sorting out of my vast music collection and started almost 3 years ago, so 3 years down the line I now have only 3,252 tracks on the poddy and still a huge pile of CD's cassettes and LP's - but I am enjoying the journey. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/30/music-day-6617998/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>dakota-statonthe-coastersitunesipodhttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/30/music-day-6617998/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/25/roy-orbison-6583626/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-07-25:/2009/07/25/roy-orbison-6583626/Sat, 25 Jul 2009 08:47:34 +0200 <p>Caught up with the BBC 4 documentary on Roy Orbison last night. It would be pointless me writing about THE voice as everyone, wether you like it or not, knows THE voice. Instead I want to write about how the documentary actually turned me from being a peripheral fan to a more avid appreciator of this true legend.<br> It was fascinating to hear him tell of the way he wrote songs, he said he didn't really know how to put them together so he just wrote how he wanted to sing, he would let a song evolve rather then it be constrained by technique, hence all those impossible to sing, rich and dramatic songs which perhaps only his phenomenal range could sing. And if you really listen to say Crying, it takes you all over the place from low and slow to high and achingly sad.<br> Watching the old footage I was struck with how he doesn't move, he simply doesn't move anything except his mouth and his hands playing the guitar and perhaps a foot tapping. He just stands solid in front of the mic and without any effort, or so it seems, sings. Even hitting the high notes seems to be a breeze.<br> And he was mysterious with his dark glasses hiding any emotion and his dark clothes and immaculate hair and again without any gestures coming in movement, he presents his songs which is what he is all about. But off stage he wasn't at all mysterious, with his quiet talking voice, he was gentle and appreciative of all that his talent bought him. This was doubly touching given all the tragedy he suffered in his early life, the death of his first wife and then 2 young sons. He did rebuild his life and through his second wife he found happiness again.<br> I am ashamed to say that I have very little Orbison in my music collection, something I aim to correct this week!</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/619/3719619_a5eae8d3a3_m.jpeg" alt="royirbisonscar3"></p> <p>Do check out <a href="http://www.orbison.com">www.orbison.com</a> - a beautifully presented website to the BIG O.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/25/roy-orbison-6583626/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>roy-orbisonbbc-4cryinghttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/25/roy-orbison-6583626/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/24/the-friends-of-mr-cairo-jon-and-vangelis-6580776/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-07-24:/2009/07/24/the-friends-of-mr-cairo-jon-and-vangelis-6580776/Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:10:19 +0200 <p>What an extraordinary album this is, somehow old fashioned enough to be called so but also beggars it to be played every so often. Released in 1981 it's most successful track being State of Independence which also became a big hit for Donna Summer. I'll Find My Way Home seems to be a BBC Radio 2 fave as it's gets repeated plays but for me the best track is The Mayflower. A track of such anthemic proportions it makes your hair stand on end, clever both musically and lyrically.</p> <p>The title track is an homage to 1940's movies complete with car skids and machine gun special effects.</p> <p>Anderson voice is as choral as ever and you can hear the signature Vengelis keyboards in every track.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/200px_thefriendsofmrcairo2frontb/3718018" title="200px-TheFriendsOfMrCairo2FrontB"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/018/3718018_bd52f1ff13_m.jpeg" alt="200px-TheFriendsOfMrCairo2FrontB"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/24/the-friends-of-mr-cairo-jon-and-vangelis-6580776/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>jon-vangelisthe-mayflowerthe-friends-of-mr-cairoill-find-my-way-homedonna-summerhttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/24/the-friends-of-mr-cairo-jon-and-vangelis-6580776/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/17/ghost-in-the-machine-police-6534959/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-07-17:/2009/07/17/ghost-in-the-machine-police-6534959/Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:26:57 +0200 <p>This week I played this album, fancied a little bit of retro [1981]. Even now I get totally distracted by Stewart Copeland's terrific drumming/percussion. I had never heard drumming like when I first heard him. The short cymbal roll at the start of Every Little Thing She Does is Magic is just perfect.<br> The gravity of Invisible Sun still pulls and you just cannot not singalong to this track [or any of the others actually]. And doesn't it just make you feel great when you sing along with the French pieces in a song even though you don't have a clue what they mean - track 5 Hungry For You [j'aurais toujours faim de toi].<br> I found myself listening to it a bit aggressively but it has such energy, totally infectious energy and in comparison to Copeland's unique style, the little electronic guitar swirl at the beginning of Too Much Information is fantastic.<br> One World is enough AGAIN Copeland does not stay in the background, this is his track!</p> <p><strong>Didn't know this about the cover:</strong><br> "The cover art for Ghost in the Machine features an LED-inspired graphic that depicts the heads of the three band members each with a distinctive hair style (from left to right, Andy Summers, Sting with spiky hair, and Stewart Copeland with a fringe); the band was unable to decide on a photograph to use for the cover. The album's cover is ranked at number 45 on VH1's 50 Greatest Album Covers. The graphic was designed by Mick Hegarty."<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/200px_ghost_in_the_machine_cover/3695701" title="200px-Ghost_In_The_Machine_cover"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/701/3695701_0ef21cde87_s.jpeg" alt="200px-Ghost_In_The_Machine_cover"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/17/ghost-in-the-machine-police-6534959/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>andy-summersstewart-copelandthe-policeghost-in-the-machinehttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/17/ghost-in-the-machine-police-6534959/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/10/coverville-podcast-6483832/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-07-10:/2009/07/10/coverville-podcast-6483832/Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:32:22 +0200 <p>Today's audible treat is a catch up on one of the Podcasts I subscribe to: Brian Ibbotts wonderfull Coverville.<br> <a href="http://www.coverville.com">www.coverville.com</a><br> Just listening to a cool cover of Michael Jackson's I Want You Back by Discovery.<br> I am very much into covered and remastered tracks and am working on a series of shows for hospital radio. It keeps great songs alive and gives artists a chance to be really creative.<br> Coverville number 590 is all Jackson covers if you are interested. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/10/coverville-podcast-6483832/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>covervillebrian-ibbottpodcastshospital-radiomichael-jacksonhttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/10/coverville-podcast-6483832/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/10/blog-comments-6483792/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-07-10:/2009/07/10/blog-comments-6483792/Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:26:20 +0200 <p>Have been doing this blog for 3 years and never received comments which are 'advertising'! What's that all about? Made me very angry and deleted both. A new way of hiving no doubt and a very lazy thing to do and noticeable that they were both posted to my Michael Jackson post obviously because he has been the main website trend over the last 2 weeks. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/10/blog-comments-6483792/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>bad-commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/10/blog-comments-6483792/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/08/ben-clempson-6472270/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-07-08:/2009/07/08/ben-clempson-6472270/Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:50:47 +0200 <p>Last Thursday saw our hospital radio station's 2nd Acoustic Night at Dockers in Leamington Spa. Probably the hottest night of the week long heatwave, we tumbled out onto the street but still the music could be heard from Ben Clempson a local singer, song writer who plays numerous instruments but especially talented on the guitar where he slaps it like a drum, very much in the style of John Smith.<br> His talent is undeniable and meeting him afterwards he is extremely likeable and honestly accepting of the compliments I and others paid him. His voice is a surprise, low and gravelly, not suiting his willowy looks. I would say he is bluesy/folk - whatever - you cannot ignore his arresting delivery. Signed to a local record label, I wish him well.</p> <p>Check him and hear his stuff at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/benclempson">www.myspace.com/benclempson</a> - make sure you listen to He's Got All the Whiskey</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/m_91b11b49ecdbbb18eb417fa6306dc302/3666644" title="m_91b11b49ecdbbb18eb417fa6306dc302"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/644/3666644_f829f6ab5c_s.jpeg" alt="m_91b11b49ecdbbb18eb417fa6306dc302"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/08/ben-clempson-6472270/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>dockersben-clempsonjohn-smithleamington-spahttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/08/ben-clempson-6472270/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/02/soundboard-6435376/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-07-02:/2009/07/02/soundboard-6435376/Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:26:21 +0200 <p>Have just downloaded the new software from Ambrosia called Soundboard and am mightily impressed:</p> <p><em>"The concept of Soundboard is similar to the “cart machines” that once populated radio stations — devices that played back endless-loop tape cartridges used to play commercials, sound effects and other audio content. You can create libraries of audio clips using Soundboard, then trigger the effects by tapping hot keys on your Mac’s keyboard. You can drag in any audio file your Mac can play. Soundboard includes editing tools, and lets you apply effects or filters. Imported sounds are converted to Apple Lossless format to retain high fidelity and ensure instant playback. Soundboard can also be controlled using MIDI devices, with effects like panning and gain possible as well."</em></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/141488_everything_you_need01_386/3649132" title="141488-everything_you_need01_386"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/132/3649132_e9b1dff66f_m.jpeg" alt="141488-everything_you_need01_386"></a></p> <p>Well as someone who used cart machines for many years at hospital radio, this really appealed. It is easy to use and is also a really cool way to file your sound effects, just drag and drop them and save. It's much easier to push one of the button to instantly preview it than to have to the click on a sound file and choose where to open it etc. It is going to make home recording so easy especially alongside the already overwhelming capabilities of Garage Band.</p> <p>It's from the same folks as Wire Tap which is another simple application I can recommend. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/02/soundboard-6435376/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>hospital-radiowiretapcart-machinesgarage-bandambrosia-softwaresoundboardhttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/07/02/soundboard-6435376/#commentshttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/06/28/the-plot-thickens-galliano-6412815/tag:topofthestairs.blog.co.uk,2009-06-28:/2009/06/28/the-plot-thickens-galliano-6412815/Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:22:36 +0200 <p>By chance I heard this eclectic group a couple of weeks ago and remembered I had an album of theirs: The Plot Thickens. I revisited it last week and it is superb. Where are they now I ask? The internet gives no information. To get us started:</p> <p>Galliano was a London based acid jazz group, started up in 1988. The group was the first ever signing to Eddie Piller and Gilles Peterson’s Acid Jazz Records. The original members were Rob Gallagher (vocals), Constatine Weir (vocals), and Crispin Robinson (percussion). Other important members include Valerie Etienne, who participated in the recording of all their CDs, along with other musicians such as Mick Talbot on keyboards and McKone Hernias on bass guitar.</p> <p>The Plot Thickens:<br> From it's hard beat driven opening track with an almost samba background it has an arresting track opener called Was This The Time. Not rap but a talkover which is determined to keep your attention as it stops suddenly then we go into a track which flows because it's called Blood Lines, great jazz fusion and then perfectly executed funk with Rise and Fall.<br> Cold Wind Blowing has a strong lyrical message [our destiny for the next generation] with a blues guitar playing underneath; 'there's a cold wind blowing and we must make our mark'. It's one of the strongest tracks which changes pace half way through and launches into a clap hands and all join in affair. It's a 6 minute track which is great as it has a real groove which you get into.<br> Do You Hear goes into free fall jazz territory though I can't quite make out what the heck the instrument is which leads it, possible a trumpet.</p> <p>Without lessening it in any way it has a 'performance' feel about it as if a young theatre group has put it together, it has that sort of energy. It also has lots of blends and flavours which make it all very intriguing and rich.</p> <p>It's such a 'tight' sound with all the rhythm and harmonies just circling each other perfectly. The album is on Spotify so go listen.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/06/28/the-plot-thickens-galliano-6412815/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>the-plot-thickensgallianospotifyhttp://topofthestairs.blog.co.uk/2009/06/28/the-plot-thickens-galliano-6412815/#comments