Apropos of nothing in particular my mind was wandering on a long drive yesterday and I played a game of people applying for a job that they very obviously not be best suited for. Examples:-

Alex Tsiparis wouldn’t be a good candidate for a job with The Tie Rack. Morrissey as a meat packer? Nah. ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris as a Town Cryer? Don’t think so.

Any more? (I know there will be)

Jesus christ – not another list. Bear with me on this. I was thinking the other day about how long I have been seriously listening to music for and my favourite albums in that time. Like all such lists this will change depending on what day it is and what mood I am in but thought it would be interesting to see peoples choices. So I am looking for your favourite album from each of the decades since the sixties up to 2009. (Not counting 2010 onwards as we are only halfway through the decade). Interestingly my choice for the 60’s I first heard in the 70’s. I listened to lots of albums in the 60’s but this is the one that stood the test of time and which I still listen to:

1960’s – Songs of Leonard Cohen 1970’s – Richard and Linda Thompson – I want to see the bright lights tonight 1980’s – Elvis Costello – King of America 1990’s – Lucinda Williams – Car Wheels on a gravel road 2000’s – Bruce Springsteen – The Rising

The list is endless really. He has encapsulated every decade that he’s been active in.

Just watched this star-studded (Will Smith! Woody Allen! Woody Harrelson! Bryan Cranston! Aaron Paul! Katy Perry! Kanye West! Ricky Gervais! Harrison Ford!) special by the living in a box hitmaker, and it is absolutely stupendous. Find the ‘simple’ card tricks just as impressive as the spectaculars. Just jaw-droppingly watchable.

(David Blaine – Real or Magic)

https://youtu.be/LQbBOryBt9w

My beloved Haircut 100, such a short life but so sweet, used a kind of white rap (for want of a better phrase) in “Favourite Shirts”. To think Nick Heyward had the balls to think it was a good idea in 1982 and get away with it makes me love that one perfect album even more. “Do a somersault on your head” indeed. More examples please

I just heard this new(ish) track by Port Sulphur on the Marc Riley 6Music programme. Love at first listen. I just bought it for a quid from their Bandcamp: https://creepingbent.bandcamp.com/album/port-sulphur-fast-boys-factory-girls I am 45 years old, surely this isn’t supposed to happen anymore! I feel like a giddy teenager. Yay! (They will be in session on Marc’s show tomorrow by the looks. Pop music!

Blimey – just reading Radio Times (i’m old!) and Channel 5 next Tuesday night –

9pm: The Great Big Benefits Wedding Live 10pm: 12 Years Old and on Benefits 11pm: Benefits and Bypasses – Billion Pound Patients 12am: Undercover Benefits Cheat

That’s four straight hours of ‘benefits’ programming. I though that after the last election result ‘benefits’ had lost the war, so is there really any more mileage in this sort of thing?

So yesterday morning on the way to work I was listening to the Craig Charles Show which I’d downloaded onto my phone. About halfway there I suddenly thought ‘Wait a minute, what’s this that’s playing? It’s brilliant!’ I rewound and listened from the start of the song – sounds better still. At lunchtime I went out and bought the CD reissue of ‘Crying Laughing Loving Lying’ that’s just come out. It’s rather wonderful too.

I’ve never really investigated Labi Siffre before. Any fans out there? Which albums should I focus on?

OK… So the Doors had no future after Jim died, but this is a pretty respectable effort. Far better than say Spider Stacy’s pathetic efforts to keep the Pogues going. Has there ever been a band who pulled off a full born phoenix after the singer’s departure?

Well, (The) Pink Floyd. OK anyone else? Those Nirvana guys I guess, but who cares about them… Anyhow they lost their sound and invented a new one. I love this cuz it really does sound like the Doors, except that it’s not.

The video is an incredible tour of Los Angeles by camera drone made by filmmaker Ian Wood. Music is pretty good too. Enjoy.

The emergence of low cost camera drones in the last few years has generated some interesting footage. I’m guessing I’m not the only one here whose Facebook feed after Christmas featured videos posted by people playing with their new toys by flying them over their home town. A favourite of mine for when I get homesick is the Highland Aerial Views YouTube channel (link below) has some nice films of the far north of Scotland.

Any others?

Highland Aerial Views: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAXRGQ107L2ENoihc5054Qw

Sad night last night though no family or friends affected. I trust Mr Saucecraft wasn’t in town last night?

Anyways, don’t let the bastards get you down right???

Those people who told you The Cure would be better if they sounded more Mumfordy? They were wrong. Now look what you’ve done.

http://youtu.be/UJQDoaUXrg8

Interesting

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-33931657?ocid=socialflow_facebook

I’ve recently been re-watching Neil Brand’s Sound Of Song series, on the first episode he mentions the Who’s Won’t Get Fooled Again, as being one of his favourite songs and intros. Other contenders for great intros:

1)Gimme Shelter-The Rolling Stones 2)Money For Nothing- Dire Straits 3)Layla-Eric Clapton 4)Shine On You Crazy Diamond-Pink Floyd 5)One Vision-Queen

The above are predictable I know, what would you go for?

Relistening to their albums recently – particularly enjoyed the rerelease of Trilogy. Has anyone heard the reissue of BSS – in particular is the ‘alternate BSS’ on the second disc worth buying the 2014 CD/DVD package for?