Friday, May 29, 2009

- Play Dead sessions: 1982-84



As you can see, Goths were very cool

Play Dead were an English Goth rock group from Oxford that emerged from English punk scene in the early '80s. Though the band identified with other Goth groups, they felt they didn't really belong under the 'Goth' label. The band made three studio albums for a few different small labels before forming their own label, 'Tanz', for their final album, Company Of Justice, which appeared in 1985.

The original lineup was Rob Hickson (vocals), Pete Waddleton (bass), Mark "Wiff" Smith (drums), and Re-Vox (guitar). In July 1981, Re-Vox was replaced by Steven Green. The band recorded 3 Peel sessions between 1982 and 1984.

28th January, 1982

23rd June, 1983

18th January, 1984

Cheers to Martin Wheatley for these.

- Enjoyable romp from 1982


People looked like this in 1982

Short, sharp and to the point... would be a huge improvement on my current posts, but work continues to be a real bugger. Another one courtesy of the mighty Teenage Kicks Steve, a mix tape of 1982 shows. The master speaks:
‘Mark was at the same Uni at the same time that I was, but in a different college. He made this compilation of various sessions and Peel plays, and has several more. Dates are largely unknown (and it's not entirely October 1982), but it's an enjoyable romp. Despite his reservations, the quality is not all that bad.’

Info here.


Tuesday, May 26, 2009

- Andy Kershaw: 10th March, 1988

Here's an old Andy Kershaw show courtesy of the one and only Ken Garner. According to Ken, 'It's a stormer featuring the Frank Chickens, plus Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in session.'

Tape side A

Tape side B

Work is manic, hence the lack of posts. Bear with me, I'll be back.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

- American Idol: A cautionary tale on how to enjoy it for what it is

The good news is that, living in Turkey as I do, I am not subjected to ‘Britain’s got Talent’ or whatever it’s called. 'American Idol' I have witnessed, however. No doubt one of the most popular TV shows of recent years, drawing millions of viewers every week, it is, according to four music business experts, doing damage to aspiring musicians and warping opinions of how the music industry in actual fact works. Let this be a cautionary tale to all seeking to get into this profession.

‘(American Idol) may be fun to watch, but it's the last place I'd recommend anyone go to learn how to succeed with a music career.’

Bob Baker, author of ‘Guerrilla Music Marketing’

Bob Baker suggests the show has created widespread misconceptions about what it takes to be successful as a music artist in the contemporary world and has documented five falsehoods perpetuated by American Idol.


 
If you want to experience the best of American Idol, throw an American Idol Party in your own home.

Falsehood 1 - Industry talent scouts enthusiastically look for singers and musicians to develop


Times have changed… Record companies do employ A&R people whose job it is to sign and nurture new artists, but the truth is major labels are consolidating more and more, cutting staff and they no longer have the time or money to develop new acts. Instead, especially now they don't have John Peel doing the hard work for them, they want artists who are already developing themselves, attracting fans and selling CDs on their own. In the music trade, like any other business, a record company's investment and risk on a newly signed act can mean the end of several careers, not only the artist's, if it doesn't work. Consequently, any label is much more likely to invest in someone who has a proven track record.

Falsehood 2 - Most would-be musicians are deficient in talent and are delusional

The American Idol auditions, especially, spawn this fantasy. Many amazing musicians have decided they're happier selling 10,000 CDs on their own and making a hundred thousand dollars, than selling a million CDs and being broke on a major label. That's the reality of today's music business.

Falsehood 3 - You require the endorsement of industry insiders to make it in the music biz

Another misguided notion is that getting an industry big shot's approval will make or break your career. Sorry, you don't need Simon's or anyone else's permission to be worthy of a career in music. Remember, every major label in the U.K. passed on both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones in their day.

Falsehood 4 - Getting a major recording contract is the definitive sign of achievement

There are innumerable stories of bands that get signed and never go anywhere, or bands that have record deals and end up falling far short of their expectations. Think of all those great Peel session artists who signed a deal and then disappeared into obscurity. Only about one in 30 signed acts reach significant enough sales levels to justify the record label offering a second CD release, which means practically 97% of artists with recording contracts do not make the grade. Scared yet?

Falsehood 5 - Without extensive on exposure a national scale, you're doomed to crash

Most musicians would love to get the high-impact TV exposure that American Idol finalists receive, but nationwide media coverage is not a requirement for ultimate success in music. There are thousands of lesser-known artists who enthusiastically write, record and perform great music under the radar, converse to popular credence, many of them make decent money, have large armies of devoted fans and are quietly, but steadily, building careers. The musicians with the best odds of success are those who follow the Peel mentality and take their careers into their own hands, promote themselves relentlessly and create their own lucky breaks.

Alternatives?



Basically, enjoy American Idol and programs like this for what they are but forget about them being realistic models of how the music industry operates. In fact, if you’re thinking of taking part in something like this, just throw a party for your friends as you’ll likely have more fun than you ever could participating in the real thing. Birthdayexpress.com is an online shop and complete source for birthday party supplies for themes such as American Idol. From television shows to movies, they boast a huge range of diverse themed party gear.  Birthday Express currently offers more than 150 children's party themes. Each theme includes the products and information necessary to help parents create a memorable birthday party. Forget going on American Idol and have fun at home.



Friday, May 15, 2009

- Led Zep at Live Aid


I didn't edit this pic, they really were wearing those clothes


On 13th July, 1985, Page, Plant and Jones reunited for the Live Aid concert at the JFK Stadium, Philadelphia, playing a short set featuring Phil Collins. Collins had contributed to Plant's first two solo albums so eemed like a natural choice to complete the lineup.

The performance was, however, marred by the lack of rehearsal with the drummer, Page's struggles with an out-of-tune Les Paul guitar and by Plant's hoarse voice. Page himself has described the performance as 'pretty shambolic', while Plant was even less kind, summing it up as an 'atrocity'. Personally, I think the worst thing about it is the mid '80s crime againt fashion as evident in the pic above.

When Live Aid footage was released on a four-DVD set in late 2004 to raise money for Sudan, the group unanimously agreed not to allow footage from their performance to be used, asserting that it was not up to their standard. However, to demonstrate their support for the campaign, Page and Plant pledged proceeds from their Page and Plant DVD release and John Paul Jones pledged the proceeds of his then-current US tour with Mutual Admiration Society to the project.

Download the debacle here (198mb).

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

- Turkey's Eurovision Entry: Hadise

For no other reason than I want to share my pain with you, here is this year's Turkish Eurovision song, the delightful Hadise with her ode to whatever the bloody hell it is she's warbling on about.


Hadise - Dum Tek Tek


Baby you're perfect for me
you are my gift from heaven
this is the greatest story of all times
we met in like in a movie
so meant to last forever
and what you're doing to me
feels so fine

Angel i wake up
and live my dreams
endlessly
crazy for you

Can you feel the rhythm in my heart
the beats going düm tek tek
always out it like there no minute
feels like there's no way back
can you feel the rhythm in my heart
the beats going düm tek tek
always out it like there's no minute
feels like there's no way back

Baby i read all answers
in your exotic movements
you are the greatest dancer of all times
you make me feel so special
no one can kiss like you do
as it is your profession
feel so fine

Angel i wake up and live my dreams
endlessly
crazy for you

Can you feel the rhythm in my heart
the beats going düm tek tek
always out it like there no minute
feels like there's no way back
can you feel the rhythm in my heart
the beats going düm tek tek
always out it like there's no minute
feels like there's no way back

Can you feel the rhythm in my heart

Can you feel the rhythm in my heart
the beats going düm tek tek
always out it like there no minute
feels like there's no way back
can you feel the rhythm in my heart
the beats going düm tek tek
always out it like there's no minute
feels like there's no way back

Always out it like it no minute
feels like there's no way back
always out it like there's no minute
feels like düm tek tek

Who was John Peel?


The philosophy of this blog is a celebration of music in the spirit of the late John Peel. For those of you who want to learn more, click here.

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