Monthly Archives: November 2011

All Things Must Pass

George Harrison: Living in the Material World is a return to form for director Martin Scorsese following the 2008 release of Shine a Light, his rather lacklustre concert film about The Rolling Stones. Fortunately, his depiction of the Beatle known as The Quiet One has more in common with Scorsese’s 2005 film about Bob Dylan. No Direction Home was over 200 minutes long and in two parts, but still managed to only cover Dylan’s career up to 1966. Living in the Material World is also a two-parter and is similar in length to the Dylan one, but manages to cover the whole of Harrison’s life up to his death on November 29th, 2001. A major strength of No Direction Home was its newly-recorded interviews with an extremely open and talkative Dylan. Living in the Material World makes up for the loss of its protagonist by drawing on a range of interviews with Harrison at various points in his career. It opens by chatting to two of his uncles who talk about the younger George growing up in Liverpool and also draws upon letters written by George to his parents. These are voiced by an actor and would have been more effective if he sounded like Harrison or, at least, adopted a Scouse accent. Visually, the lack of film footage from this period is nicely balanced by a simple but effective use of black & white photographs. Many of these appeared to be newly discovered and we also get to see a lot of unseen footage from his days with The Beatles

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Possibly Maybe

It’s the final episode of the current season of Later with Jools Holland this week and it features another half dozen artists from around the world. The Red Hot Chili Peppers put out their tenth studio album (and their first in five years) in August. It’s called I’m With You and sees lead guitarist John Frusciante being replaced by Josh Klinghoffer. Frusciante did play on the band’s cover of Stevie Wonder’s Higher Ground on 1989′s Mother’s Milk album. It’s been four years since Bjork released her previous studio album and Biophilia is her eight and most recent one. Ruby Baby was written by Leiber and Stoller, was first a hit for The Drifters in 1956 and again six years later for Dion. It’s been three years since Oasis released their sixth (and possibly final) album. Guitarist and songwriter Noel Gallagher has just released his first solo record and it’s called Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, which is also the name of his band. He draws on his Irish and Mancunian heritage on his live version of the classic from The Smiths. Gillian Welch is an American singer-songwriter who performs within the country and bluegrass genres. She makes music with her partner David Rawlings and they released their first album since 2003 earlier this year. She might not be an obvious choice to sing a Radiohead tune, but her take on Black Star doesn’t seem out of place in her repertoire. Michael Kiwanuka is a British songwriter of Ugandan parentage who grew up in London. You can hear soul and jazz influences in Tell Me a Tale, the title track of one of two EPs he’s released this year. Spector are a five-piece from London and the indie sound of What You Wanted is nothing new, but worth a listen. This season’s final instalment of Later goes out tonight and Friday on BBC Two

Higher Ground (Stevie Wonder cover) – Red Hot Chili Peppers

Ruby Baby (Drifters cover) – Bjork

There is a Light That Never Goes Out (Smiths cover) – Noel Gallagher

Black Star (Radiohead cover) – Gillian Welch

Tell Me a Tale – Michael Kiwanaku

What You Wanted – Spector

Clockwise from top left: Gillian Welch, Bjork, Michael Kiwanuka, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Spector, Noel Gallagher

These Go To Eleven

Today’s post is brought to you by the number eleven and is just one tune shy of a dozen tracks. Each song contains the fifth prime number in its title, though I don’t know if any of the songs feature an eleventh chord. I had to leave a few songs off the first eleven, but I’ve included a couple of instrumental pieces and also two spoken word selections. You can listen to them in whatever order you like and at whatever volume you find comfortable. Just remember that all these songs go up to eleven

Today is also the day that eleven Irish footballers will line up in the first of two games against Estonia to see who’ll go through to the European Championships next year. I’ll be watching that first leg in my local in Galbally, Co Limerick, and I’ll actually be at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin to watch the second tie. Most people are quite optimistic about Ireland’s chances of getting through, though it may go right down to the eleventh hour. We don’t really mind as long as we don’t go out in similar circumstances to that night in Paris nearly two years ago. Good luck, Ireland

11 Days – Nick Cucci
Eleventh Street – Ravens & Chimes
Mornings Eleven – The Magic Numbers
Blue Yodel No. 11 – Jimmie Rodgers
Number Eleven – Jack Frost
Fragment Eleven (The Day After Yesterday) – Kenneth Bager feat Julee Cruise
Oceans 11 – Cecil Lloyd & Roland Alphonso
Eleventh Hour – Abdullah Ibrahim
11 O’Clock Tick Tock – U2
11.59 (Blondie cover) – The Postmarks
These go to eleven… – Spinal Tap

The Humours of Galway

National Geographic recently published its list of Top Ten Literary Cities in the world. I was quite pleased to see that the first three spots were taken by ones that I particularly like. They all happen to be capital cities and I try to visit each at least once a year. Edinburgh made it to number one, closely followed by Dublin, with London in third place. As well as visiting these cities, I’ve also read novels set there and have spent lots of happy hours browsing the shelves of the many fine bookshops located on their streets. The list got me thinking about my favourite Irish bookstores and the recent fine weather made me decide to go and visit one of these a couple of days ago

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Endless Cycle

This week’s Later with Jools Holland features performances from the interesting collaboration between Lou Reed and Metallica. This seemingly unusual partnership has just released a concept album called Lulu. It’s not about the life of the Scottish singer, but is based on a couple of plays by a German playwright named Frank Wedekind. Texan musician, Steve Earle, will be playing songs from his most recent release, I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive. The T-Bone Burnett-produced record takes its name from a Hank Williams song and is also the name of his first novel, which was published this year as well. Earle will be backed by The Dukes, featuring his wife, Allison Moorer. From New Orleans, Aaron Neville will be going back to his roots as he delivers songs from his latest album, I Know I’ve Been Changed. Let’s hope that London-based Various Cruelties sound more interesting than their name. After I had written the post, I learned that Hollie Cook and Keb’ Mo’ have also been added to this week’s bill. Later goes out every Tuesday and Friday on BBC Two

Foot of Pride (Bob Dylan cover) – Lou Reed

53rd & 3rd (Ramones cover) – Metallica

Willin’ (Little Feat cover) – Steve Earle

Marie (Randy Newman cover) – Allison Moorer

Ain’t No Cure for Love (Leonard Cohen cover) – Aaron Neville

Don’t Want To Waste Your Time – Various Cruelties

Clockwise from top left: Various Cruelties, Steve Earle & Allison Moorer, Lou Reed & Metallica, Aaron Neville

Hit Records

This weekend, I’ll be babysitting my nephews, Seán and Patrick. It promises to be two days of eating, drinking, watching movies, playing games and reading. One book we’ll be looking at is the latest edition of the Guinness Book of World Records, which Seán picked up recently. I remember being fascinated the first time I laid eyes on an earlier edition of the book and I look forward to checking it out again. I’m sure that Seán will be interested in the tallest people, animals and buildings in the world and other such facts. I remember being intrigued by these things myself at his age, but in recent years the likes of film, football and music have been more likely to grab my attention. So, I’ve put together five fabulous facts about the world of music that I’ve found at the Guinness World Records website. Perhaps some of these might even be in Seán’s book

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Who’s Next

Later with Jools Holland reaches episode seven of its nine-week run tonight and features the usual eclectic mix of musicians from around the globe. Most of the performers, however, will be very familiar with London. Florence Welch was born there and her band, Florence + the Machine, will be playing songs from their second album, Ceremonials. Former Suede frontman, Brett Anderson, will be promoting his fourth solo album, Black Rainbows. Pete Townshend is, of course, better known as guitarist and songwriter for The Who. Last month, Pink Floyd released a 38th anniversary edition of Dark Side of the Moon. It’s also 38 years since The Who released Quadrophenia and Townshend will be playing songs to celebrate its re-release. I wonder why they couldn’t have waited until 2013. Hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, My Morning Jacket have been going for over a decade. Circuital is the title of their sixth studio release since 1999. Agadez is the name of the region in Niger where the singer and guitarist named Bombino grew up. It also gives its name to his first collection of songs that he released earlier this year. London-based Cold Specks sing about Holland on their debut single. The band is led by Canadian singer Al Spx and her voice and music are heavily influenced by the blues. Later goes out live every Tuesday on BBC Two and is followed by a recorded show every Friday

Oh Darling (The Beatles cover) – Florence + the Machine

Oceans Burning (The Horrors cover) – Brett Anderson

Girl From The North Country (Bob Dylan cover) – Pete Townshend

All The Best (John Prine cover) – My Morning Jacket

Tar Hani – Bombino

Holland – Cold Specks

Clockwise from top left: Brett Anderson, My Morning Jacket, Cold Specks, Bombino, Pete Townshend, Florence