Did these bands and artists foresee the Coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns? You decide.

1. Transmission by Joy Division. 

Often famed for their doom laden delivery and lyrical content. Were Ian Curtis and co singing about the R rate etc years before Chris Whitty and co were informing us about it in the year 2020?

2. Keep Your Distance by Curiosity Killed the Cat.

Encouraging social distancing long before it was cool or the law to do so. This time it is the album title as opposed to a particular song title which has the clear message here. If we'd heeded Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot and bandmates' message from 1987 until now, would we have reduced the spread?

 

 3. U Can't Touch This by MC Hammer

Some thought he was from the highlands from the McHammer clan and then we found out MC stood for Master of Ceremonies. Anyway, some sound advice was being passed on back in 1990 and with his massive trousers you knew you had to take this guy seriously.

4. Behind the Mask by Eric Clapton.

Clearly not heeding his own advice in this video, who'd have thought we'd be living in times where you are the odd one out if you don't wear a mask?

5. Isolation by Joy Division

More cheery themes from the late singer whose fame just eclipses that of the Marple Locks Mop Paddlers. This track captures the state many have had to find themselves in during the pandemic.

 

 

6. Don't Stand So Close to Me by The Police

Was sting singing about being stalked or was he one of the early adopters of social distancing with an anthem which could do with being piped throughout supermarket aisles everywhere? No clarification is provided on whether it should be a 2 metre or a 1 metre distance which should be maintained.

Do you know another track or even album title that is not listed here which encapsulates some aspect of the Coronavirus pandemic? Post your suggestions in the comments below. 

STAY SAFE.

What can you get for free these days?

Depending on whether we mean "no cost" as in free gratis or "unrestricted", "liberated" or even "absence of" (as in sugar free), the word free can mean different things to everyone and in different contexts. There's no such thing as a free lunch, was once a popular expression meaning nothing comes for free or that there are hidden costs to things, which might not always be financial.

The term "FREE" is often misused in advertising which can lead to the public being misled, when something is being sold and things are described as being 'free' that usage of free should be replaced with 'included', i.e. the cost of the free item is absorbed or allocated elsewhere. FREE is shorter and catches people's attention as something free seems to be a bit of a bonus or give a feelgood factor. However, it can also leave people thinking 'what's the catch?', as we are trained by life to be synical and never expect a free lunch or other freebie to come without a cost to someone.

Enough philosophising about terminology. Let's consider some freechoice song choices which incorporate free in the lyrical content. Most of these are likely to be on the unrestricted, liberated side of free than the no-cost side of things.

1. Neil Young - Rockin' in the Free World


Clearly not referring to the world where everything costs nowt.

2. R.E.M. - Radio Free Europe

I used to ponder this one and wonder if it was refering to the absence of cost, restrictions or absence of radio itself.

3. The Soup Dragons - I'm Free

Although originally released by the Rolling Stones, I personally became aware of the cover version first - so for me this is the seminal version.

4. Tom Petty - Free Fallin'


Just being Petty so Tom is.

5. Free - Free Me
For a free overload, the act is called Free and the track is called Free Me. Better known for the track Alright Now, this one is a bet less catchy by full of free.

6. Kenny Loggins - I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man)
Delving into the depths, I discovered this track from the 1980s most prolific sound track adorning cheese machine. I hadn't heard it before. Not sure what I think about this track.


All of the above was brought to you for free by me. We'll see in the future if the links are still working then we will still be free to watch it otherwise the page may be music-free instead of having free music. You are now free to leave this page. 

As someone who used to pronounce the number 3 in the same way as free, this page is somewhat a catharsis for the author.

Easter

It has been a while, but I felt inspired to post something. One of my most recent posts of only about 4 years ago was picking 5 tracks I dig. Why not do the same on this Easter Sunday 2020. Although this time the tracks are not restricted to a period of time, but there is a direct or tenuous connection to Easter.

1.The Stone Roses - I am the Resurrection

Quite a clear and obvious connection to Jesus and the Easter story, but listening to the rest of the lyrics there is no obvious link to the title in the preceding verses. Definitely a top track though.

2. Mott the Hoople - Roll Away the Stone

A quality track from the seventies act probably more famous for All the Young Dudes. Again the lyric content for me has no obvious link to the title or chorus hook. I do like it though.

3. Pearl Jam - Alive

The 'grunge' band which became stadium rockers. Alive is the Easter message after the stone was rolled away. Clearly no gospel message in the track, but a life affirming track where there is a connection between the verses and the chorus.

4. Chas n' Dave - Rabbit

Not to be found amongst the gospel accounts of Easter, but rabbits are synoymous with Easter, mostly when they are chocolate rabbits. There is no finer song about rabbits, but this one this one ain't about bunny yet it sure is funny.

5. Sufjan Stevens - The Transfiguration

However, perhaps going from the ridiculous to the sublime this mainstream track finds its inspiration straight outta the gospels. This is a track featuring a retelling of the Transfiguration of Christ which many see as a foreshadowing of Easter and pointing forward to the resurrection body.

Lyrics:

When He took the three disciples to the mountainside to pray

His countenance was modified, his clothing was aflame

Two men appeared; Moses and Elijah came

They were at his side

The prophecy, the legislation spoke of whenever he would die

Then there came a word

Of what he should accomplish on the day

Then Peter spoke, to make of them a tabernacle place

A cloud appeared in glory as an accolade

They fell on the ground

A voice arrived, the voice of God

The face of God, covered in a cloud

What he said to them

The voice of God: the most beloved son

Consider what he says to you, consider what's to come

The prophecy was put to death

Was put to death, and so will the Son

And keep your word, disguise the vision till the time has come

Lost in the cloud, a voice: Have no fear! We draw near!

Lost in the cloud, a sign: Son of man! Turn your ear!

Lost in the cloud, a voice: Lamb of God! We draw near!

Lost in the cloud, a sign: Son of man! Son of God!

[For original source material see Matthew 17 and/or Luke 9]

Post your suggestions in the comment section below:

Time flies when you're having pun

Everyone says it, but time does seem to pass quicker the older one gets. My latest thinking on this matter is that the older we get every year, month, day, hour or minute is a smaller fraction of our lives to that point compared to what it would have been when we were younger. As an example, when we were ten years old we had lived through 10 summers, although could probably only remember 8 or fewer of them. When we are 41 years old, we will have lived through 41 summers and have to deal with memories of 30-odd of them. Therefore each individual summer represents a smaller fraction of our lives.

To put this into context, I cannot believe that I have not posted anything on this blog since 2016. And as I type this on 6 February 2019, I cannot believe that I am already into the second month of 2019, it feels like Christmas and New Year was just a short time ago.

Quality songs IMHO, but for others may be much maligned. (Part I)

For nostalgia's sake here are a few of my fave tracks from the mid-nineties. These are a bit of a mixed bag, many burgeoning from the DIY ethic of labels such as Fierce Panda. That time brought forth a few quality ditties, some acts went on and some remained frozen in time and preserved for us on You Tube.

1. Helen Love - We Love You

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPq6lrhS0qI

For me, this is Helen Love's finest oeuvre or indeed hour. I am talking about the song not the video, wonky hand helds and running along what appears to be the waterfront in Bristol does not quite match the quality of the song. The singer's Ramones obsession is plain to see with a full-size cut out of Joey Ramone featuring heavily in the vid.

2. Bis - This is Fake DIY

Other tracks by the pseudo schemie outfit did not catch my attention as much as this one. A catchy wee number.

3. Tiger - Race

I had almost forgotten about this one, but again I like it. I don't have any recollection of seeing the video before. Good tuneage.

4. Urusei Yatsura - Strategic Hamlets

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkSRQdlOwrA

One of the few acts featured here that I actually managed to see live back in the day. Very energetic act, I remember their set being quite condensed.

5. Gorky's Zygotic Mynci - Patio Song

A bit of quality from the Gorky's. Not to be mixed up with the Russian rock act Gorky Park or the part of west Edinburgh known as Gorgie.

Five will do for now, I will add some more in another post anon.

Doppelgangers part 3

Lucho Cristaldo


Iggy Pop


Eric Roberts

Doppelgangers part 2

Felipe VI de España


Assad of Syria

Doppelgangers part 1

Juanfran "El Churrero"


Kush from Eastenders

Annual Punishment

Jan you are a fib Rhuaridh. My arch ape real may dune duly. A gust set timber auk to bear. No fen ember, tea zen bare.

Cyber Schizophrenia

People often wonder if a tree falls in the woods and nobody is there, does it make any sound? My thought is if a blogger blogs in cyberspace and nobody reads it, does the blogger truly blog? Surely blogging must be interactive, otherwise is it not merely journalling?

The morning shift.

Catching a glimpse of a fox crossing a road.
Queuing for a McDonald's breakfast behind a fleet of blue toothed up cabbies.
Traffic cones being gathered after night road closures.
Inane or prerecorded radio broadcasts.
Morning papers still strapped in plastic in a pile on the pavement.
Street cleaning machines sweeping up yesterday's detritus in rapidly spinning bristles on spindles.
The chirping of the dawn chorus.
The sun presenting its glorious and powerful rays to a new day filled with hope and potential.

All of these things are signs witnessed at the crack of dawn. An extra few hours of kip and you'd be none the wiser, but the activities would have all taken place.

Lorne sausage beats old banger, but who really wins?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQgNxIeM4c8

Alex Salmond could not convince everyone in the referendum, but ultimately Cameron and Milliband connived and bumbled respectively to get SNP elected in Scotland. The only problem for anyone on the progressive side of politics south of Hadrian's Wall is that fear mongering worked in favour of smarm's just call me Dave. A curious punishment vote punished the lesser part of the coalition, typical bullying tactics were employed by the British electorate and target the weakest - almost to elimination. What will happen in the next five years? Who knows? I'll take Oor Wullie over Jeeves and Wooster any day.

Capitalism conquers over dated 2D gaming franchise.

This image has been superceded by:

Money talks, as well as eating or spooking apparently.

Back to the old cherries, white full stops and power up coins for battered old pac man.

There are rumours pong wants to challenge trade unionism in the next unfeasible match up. I wonder what the T-shirts will look like? In fact I even doubt whether there are pugilists who fight under such naff pseudonyms. Some bright spark probably just made thelatest rumour up to generate hype or perpetuate indifference, depending on one's stance on blood sports.

May Day, do you need rescuing from the Green Man?

It's curious how the same letters or words can mean such different things. Case in point: May Day means the first day of the fifth month or it's a distress signal.
Curious: inquisitive or strange.
Outstanding: fantastic or yet to be finished.
Stranger: more unusual or an unknown person.
Isn't context such a great thing?

2 bee con tin newt......

Apathy in the UK.

With wall to wall coverage of the elect and the elite saying how they'd change the country for the better, we know where we're living: "Electionland". Don't forget to pick up your rose tinted spectacles, salt cellar and dicta phone as you enter this fairy tale kingdom.
The rose tinted spectacles to see the future like the candidates. Maybe a Kaleidoscope would give a truer image.
The salt cellar so that you can quickly grab a pinch when trying to believe the whoppers that the would be Rt Hon or wannabe Right On is telling you.
The dicta phone to record all the what you want to hear promises and dictat that is being spouted forth and then you can replay it to yourself or the perpetrators in 4 or 5 year's time when you're playing broken pledge bingo when the latest monotonist manifesto is published.
Party political broadcasts ad nauseum; I'd rather no had seen 'em!
Is it any wonder that the largest swing in recent times has been towards apathy? With all these cons n roses, the public has no appetite for election!

Hybrid scran

We appear to be in the dawning of the age of miscellaneous; well in food nomenclature anyway. Recently I've heard of "DUFFINS", "CHEESE N BURGER" and various other misnomers, which I might list should they come to mind. I have noticed that instead of giving the new product a new name, the what some think of as zany but is probably just lazy option of a port manteau is de rigeur. The problem with this option is that would be copiers can use the discarded parts of each word and churn out "MUNUTS", "MOUGHNUTS" or other shodworthy monikers without breaching trademarks. I invite other examples of these hybrid/mongrel food names which have cropped up in recent times. For example "MOCKTAIL" has just come to mind.

Dèja food?

Has one seen this culinary delight before?

Boxing clever? Surely not.

Well, it has been some time since I put finger to keyboard and made the effort to post owt on this here blog. I would appear to have been living in exile from the so-called "blogisphere"(sp?).
I ain't no fan of the old Marquess of Queensbury rules, but a follower of sport in general. I see that there's gonna be a massive bout coming up between Pac-Man and Money. Now that is one freakish fight. If there were to be a real fight between manifestations of these entities,  I'd put my dosh on the pie chart shaped one chomping capitalism's bread and butter.
Now it's very apt that one of these pugilists goes under the moniker of Money as that is what this fight is all about. In the USA fight fans will have to fork out 100 bucks per household for the pleasure of watching 2 blokes knocking 10 bells out of each other. Contrast that with the UK where boxing nuts only need the considerably paltry sum of 20 quid. Knock me down with a feather! I never thought I'd see the day when SKY seem to be offering something which could be considered a bargain. Don't matter to me though, no way I'll be watching that nonsense!

Has it really been that long?

Good intentions and all that ... Well life just gets busy and complicated. I felt the urge to post some randomalia on this here page.

It felt about time that there was some homage to the White Duke AKA Davie Jones AKA David Bowie.

Here are some of my favourite Bowie cover versions. The further down you scroll the more off-kilter they get:

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fregObNcHC8

I heard this version before I was aware it was a Bowie song. A quality track, make no mistake.

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fregObNcHC8

I first heard/saw this on the Spanish TV news, they were biggin´ it up big time. All I can say for this boy is METHOD, he sure is keepin it real.

3. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xekni4_starman-the-krankies_music

I first became aware of this version, aptly, on the TV show room 101. It was not anyone´s choice to bung into room 101 but it was Nick Hancock/Paul Merton´s (add other presenter here if you so wish - I can´t remember which one it was) witty ditty at the end of the show. All I can say for these "boys" is SLIP-SHOD, they sure are keepin it (sur)real.

4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGF5ROpjRAU

This ain´t a Bowie track but as there has been a "spacey" tip to some of the above tracks you´ve got to be digging a bit of this. Quality item.

5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akNG_l5bOss

To stay contractually "on track" I punt in this one for anyone who fancies stumbling into town etc. Check to see if the lyrics are accurate, don´t blame me if not I just copy and pasted the link.

Until next time.

Signs incorporating English.

I don´t have all the material yet but I plan to upload here photos of shop signs, menus etc which incorporate English well, badly or to comic effect.

I need to get snapping the best examples. It is curious how English is incorporated into other language. An example that comes to mind is "Low Cost", it appears to be in vogue to whack that next to an offer or even a shop name just to show there is a good deal to be had in that establishment. In the UK "Low Cost" is usually just a synonym for Ryanair or Easyjet.

I better get snapping and uploading said images.

That´s all folks.