OK, here’s another one of seven songs I want to feature, after being tagged by Brian Sibley. You’ll see the artist and title when you play it. This really holds up as a late period psychedelic sci-fi classic.
[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/2008/JUN/Bowie.mp3]Category: Music
Culture Clashes
I’ve been tagged by Brian Sibley. This is a new concept for me, but it seems to mean that I’m supposed to highlight seven songs that I’m into right now. I can’t do all seven right now, but let’s start with one that runs over the end credits of the excellent Japanese movie Linda, Linda, Linda, featured here one year ago.
The movie is about a high school girl band practicing a song by the Japanese punk band The Blue Hearts for a high school talent show. The DVD supplementary material includes lengthy commentary from Patrick Macias, an American expert in Japanese Pop culture. Here, Macias provides a one minute introduction to The Blue Hearts.
[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/2008/JUN/PatrickMacias.mp3]This is “An Endless Song,” the Blue Hearts record that runs over the closing credits…
[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/2008/JUN/BlueHeartsEndlessSong.mp3]…and this is The Clash from 1977.
[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/2008/JUN/CareerOpportunities.mp3]That recording came from a British import LP, and it has the nice full and smooth sound that’s characteristic of better vinyl pressings.
Petula Clark, International Star
XUXA’s stardom in Latin America failed to translate into American success. Of K3 and Free Souffriau in Belgium, I would suspect that Free has a better chance at finding an audience here in the states, or at least in the UK. English-speaking performers don’t necessarily have an advantage, otherwise Cilla Black would have been a much bigger name than she is in the U.S.
The point I’ve been leading up to is that Petula Clark’s career is unique. From child star on radio, to movie star, to adult French singing sensation, to 60’s Pop icon, to TV specials, to adult contemporary performer, to Broadway, and on and on, Petula Clark stands alone. No other entertainer, not even Madonna (in whom I have no interest) has reinvented herself so many times. And Petula has done it with apparent ease and without false fronts.
Here is Petula Clark’s recent appearance on Paul O’Grady’s BBC TV show. It features the hot, new Disney boy band, the Jonas Brothers. I love how the kids have to sit behind the old ladies.
[MYPLAYLIST=2]
Tech note: YouTube has the image shape wrong, so I downloaded the files and I’m giving this playlist a try. You’ll notice that you have to click outside of the player to change focus back to the page.
Petula Clark on Michael Ball’s Sunday Brunch
Petula Clark had a fun and breezy chat with English singer/showman Michael Ball on his Sunday Brunch Show last week.
[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/2008/JUN/PetulaMichaelBall.mp3]Ringo Video
There’s a fun video on Ringo Starr’s site, introducing this year’s All Starr Band line-up. Unfortunately, it’s in the sometimes troublesome Quicktime format, so good luck playing it. Ringo puts on such a good show that I think from now on as long as he continues making appearances in Boston I’ll go see him.
A Capitol Idea
The recording studios in the famous Capitol Records building in Los Angeles are being threatened by construction noise from a proposed condo complex next door. A city council committee is recommending restrictions on the construction project.