With our first year of blogging in the bag I thought it would be a good time to review the best and worst of 2007. Now obviously I haven’t heard every song, watched every film and seen every football game this year so this is only a reflection of my own experiences and views of 2007. Feel free to add your own faves on the comments page. Here we go, my very own Oscars!
Best Film – This Is England:
Director Shane Meadows follows the modern British classic Dead Man’s Shoes with another winner. This Is England follows a gang of skinheads in 80s England and Meadows does a great job in capturing the feeling of the period. It switches from heartwarming and funny to vile and menacing a few times during the film making it quite an experience to watch. Top performances from young Thomas Turgoose and Joseph ‘Eli Dingle’ Gilgun as well as a great show from Stephen Graham for making the viewer feel sorry for such a disgusting character.
Honourable mentions: Hot Fuzz, Knocked Up, The Simpson Movie.
Worst Film – Magicians:
As a massive fan of Peep Show this film was painful to watch. All concerned look uncomfortable and the script is awful. The comedic talents of David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Jessica Hynes, Peter Capaldi and particularly Steve Edge are wasted. Some of his dialogue made me want to stop watching the film. Truly shit.
Honourable mentions – Pirates of the Caribbean 3.
Best Album – The White Stripes - Icky Thump:
It’s always been a pleasure to pick up one of their albums and Icky Thump was no different. I really didn’t know what to make of it after my first listen but it grew on me in a big way. It’s great to see a band use both bagpipes and mariachi trumpets of the same album!
Honourable mentions – The World Is Yours: Ian Brown, Hey Venus!: Super Furry Animals, Neon Bible: Arcade Fire.
Best Song – Sister Rose – Ian Brown:
Apparently this only got to number 87 in the UK charts which to my reckoning must have sold about twelve copies. Despite this poor chart placement it’s my favourite tune of 2007. Like the best solo stuff he’s produced it’s heavy on the strings giving it a film score like quality. I find it extremely exhilarating.
Best Television Programme – Heroes.
Yes I know it resembles a soap and at times the acting is as wooden as a mighty oak tree but I’ve found it really addictive viewing. I didn’t like it to begin with but I eventually went back to it and loved it second time round. I’ve even switched to watching American TV just so I can see the second series early.
Honourable Mentions – Gavin and Stacey, Lost, Charlie Brookers Screenwipe, Flight of the Conchords.
Worst Television Programme – X Factor:
My God I hate Sharon Osbourne. What a repulsive little troll she is.
Honourable Mentions – Tittytittybangbang, Kate Brand Show.
Best Comedian – Frankie Boyle:
This Glaswegian has been a regular on the numerous television panel shows this year and has for me raised the bar on what I expect from these sort of programmes. His stand up pulls no punches and he doesn’t shy away from any topic, something I like in my comedians. I’m sure he’ll be big in 2008. Here’s some quotes:
“So the Spice Girls are coming back? The only reason I’d want to see Geri Halliwell draped in a Union Jack again would be after she’d been killed in battle”
“What were Al Qaeda thinking when they attacked Glasgow Airport? Let’s bring a Holy War to Glasgow? We’re 400 years ahead of you lads, you haven’t even got yourselves a football team yet”
Honourable mentions: Stewart Lee, Andre Vincent, Ricky Gervais.
Best Wales Game – Wales 5 – Slovakia 2.
For a brief moment there was so much hope.
Worst Wales Game – Cyprus 3 – Wales 1.
And back down to Earth.
Best Everton Game – Everton 7 – Sunderland 1.
Scary thing was we could have scored more.
Worst Everton Game – Everton 1 – Liverpool 2.
It’s all water under the bridge now and I’m totally over it but I’ve got to say referee Mark Clattenburg should have committed Harakiri after this game.
Doubt I'll get another chance to blog before Christmas now so I take this opportunity to say Merry Christmas to all who have taken the time to read any of our rambles.
Showing posts with label The White Stripes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The White Stripes. Show all posts
19 December, 2007
04 November, 2007
Porter Wagoner 1927-2007
While scanning through Ceefax on Monday morning I came across the news that country music legend Porter Wagoner had passed away.
If you’re not a fan of country music you can be excused for not knowing anything about Porter Wagoner. Until recently I hardly knew anything about him either. He’s briefly mentioned in Johnny Cash’s autobiography ‘Cash’ as being one of the first artists he toured with. Cash goes on to say he’s a fan of Wagoner and reveals how well liked he is in the industry. It wasn’t until earlier this year that I properly began to learn more about Porter Wagoner and it came purely from the fact I‘d bought tickets to see ‘The White Stripes’ at Madison Square Garden.
I was thinking a band the size of ‘The White Stripes’ playing an arena the size of Madison Square Garden would demand some formidable support acts. When I found out the two supporting artists were Nick Cave’s new band Grinderman and some country act called Porter Wagoner I’ve got to admit I was initially disappointed. Despite this I thought I might as well find out a bit about him and maybe download some of his music as a taster. The more I read the more I could see how highly regarded he was in country music and why he was suitable choice for a support act. He had enjoyed a long solo career but was perhaps better known for his duets with Dolly Parton which spanned three decades. Parton has said in past interviews that her universally recognised song ‘I Will Always Love You’ was written for Wagoner. Away from music he hosted his own TV show in the sixties and seventies, the imaginatively titled ‘The Porter Wagoner Show. He had recently undergone a Johnny Cash/Rick Rubin style makeover with his acclaimed album ‘Wagonmaster’ introducing him to a new market and younger audience. This renaissance combined with the ‘The White Stripes’ support slot created a genuine excitement around him at such a late stage in his career.
His appearance at Madison Square Garden was great fun with the alcohol fuelled New Yorkers whooping “Yee Haw” at every opportunity. It perhaps wasn’t the sort of music your average East Coast American would listen to but the entire audience went with it. The set included his version of ‘The Green Green Grass of Home’ and his emotive last single ‘Committed to Parkview’ (Check out the video on Youtube if you get the chance). The one thing that struck me about his performance was how good his voice still sounded at 79 years of age. He had to be assisted on to and then off the stage but in front of the microphone his age wasn’t an issue. The following night he appeared on 'The David Letterman Show’. We queued up to apply for tickets at the Ed Sullivan Theatre the next morning but sadly we were unsuccessful. Despite his age you really got the sense that there was more to come from Porter Wagoner.
Ironically on Monday, the day I heard of Porter Wagoner’s passing, I was meant to see ‘The White Stripes’ in Cardiff, a date cancelled due to Meg White’s health problems. I imagine had the concert gone ahead we’d have witnessed some sort of tribute from the band, something I’d have loved to have seen.
If you’re not a fan of country music you can be excused for not knowing anything about Porter Wagoner. Until recently I hardly knew anything about him either. He’s briefly mentioned in Johnny Cash’s autobiography ‘Cash’ as being one of the first artists he toured with. Cash goes on to say he’s a fan of Wagoner and reveals how well liked he is in the industry. It wasn’t until earlier this year that I properly began to learn more about Porter Wagoner and it came purely from the fact I‘d bought tickets to see ‘The White Stripes’ at Madison Square Garden.
I was thinking a band the size of ‘The White Stripes’ playing an arena the size of Madison Square Garden would demand some formidable support acts. When I found out the two supporting artists were Nick Cave’s new band Grinderman and some country act called Porter Wagoner I’ve got to admit I was initially disappointed. Despite this I thought I might as well find out a bit about him and maybe download some of his music as a taster. The more I read the more I could see how highly regarded he was in country music and why he was suitable choice for a support act. He had enjoyed a long solo career but was perhaps better known for his duets with Dolly Parton which spanned three decades. Parton has said in past interviews that her universally recognised song ‘I Will Always Love You’ was written for Wagoner. Away from music he hosted his own TV show in the sixties and seventies, the imaginatively titled ‘The Porter Wagoner Show. He had recently undergone a Johnny Cash/Rick Rubin style makeover with his acclaimed album ‘Wagonmaster’ introducing him to a new market and younger audience. This renaissance combined with the ‘The White Stripes’ support slot created a genuine excitement around him at such a late stage in his career.
His appearance at Madison Square Garden was great fun with the alcohol fuelled New Yorkers whooping “Yee Haw” at every opportunity. It perhaps wasn’t the sort of music your average East Coast American would listen to but the entire audience went with it. The set included his version of ‘The Green Green Grass of Home’ and his emotive last single ‘Committed to Parkview’ (Check out the video on Youtube if you get the chance). The one thing that struck me about his performance was how good his voice still sounded at 79 years of age. He had to be assisted on to and then off the stage but in front of the microphone his age wasn’t an issue. The following night he appeared on 'The David Letterman Show’. We queued up to apply for tickets at the Ed Sullivan Theatre the next morning but sadly we were unsuccessful. Despite his age you really got the sense that there was more to come from Porter Wagoner.
Ironically on Monday, the day I heard of Porter Wagoner’s passing, I was meant to see ‘The White Stripes’ in Cardiff, a date cancelled due to Meg White’s health problems. I imagine had the concert gone ahead we’d have witnessed some sort of tribute from the band, something I’d have loved to have seen.
21 June, 2007
Start Spreading the News...
In April my girlfriend Laura and I booked a week long holiday in New York for late July. As someone who spent their childhood reading Spider-man comics and watching Ghostbusters at least once a fortnight I can’t overstate how bedwettingly exciting it is to be able to visit this city. I don’t intend to be all pretentious about my stay. I’m not particularly bothered if I miss the ‘real’ New York. I want the full unashamed NYC experience, the Empire State Building, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty etc. I want to see a baseball game, a show on Broadway, I want the works!!! And with the pound being so strong at present there’s a good chance I can afford to do it all.
Over the past couple of months I’ve been looking into what’s on during our visit. My ideal choice of Broadway show would be Spamalot. I wouldn’t mind seeing The Producers again but it’s coming to Cardiff in the autumn so it’s kind of a waste. That said the roles of Roger De Bris and Leo Bloom are to be played by Russ Abbott and Joe Pasquale for the end of the British tour so I might not attend the Cardiff leg. Sportswise I’m not fussy, preferably baseball or basketball. Although I understand getting hold of tickets is notoriously difficult. I could settle for some soccer action with New York Red Bulls (cringe) with their new signing ex Villa player Juan Pablo Angel. I went on their official website earlier, in their last game they drew 3-3 against Kansas City Wizards (double cringe) It says that both teams played in the 6-2-2 formation…It’s a wonder anybody scored. I might give that a miss to be honest. I also wanted to catch a music act while over there but for weeks I was having no luck finding something that took our fancy. Rage Against The Machine are headlining a hip hop festival called Rock the Bells. Other acts on the bill include Cypress Hill and the Wu-Tan Clan. Sounds pretty cool but I feel it’s a little too hardcore for us and we could quickly find ourselves out of depth. That left a choice between Meatloaf, The Police, Michael Buble or Minnie Driver. The term ‘middle of the road’ doesn’t cover that pile of crap.
Then out from the darkness came a huge surprise. I switched from the usual websites I’d been scanning to a different one and about a minute later found exactly the kind of thing I’d been searching for. One of my favourite bands, The White Stripes, playing the world famous Madison Square Gardens…bingo, we have a winner!!! We purchased the tickets pretty quickly for a tidy $124.00 which worked out £64.00 for the pair of us. I was shocked at the amount of add on fees the Americans have when you by a ticket. I thought Ticketline UK were bastards for demanding a one pound booking fee, it’s nothing compared to them. But hey it’s worth it, I’ve wanted to see the White Stripes live for a while now and it’s going to take me leaving the continent to do so. If you take away Jacks ill advised Coca Cola advert from the equation they really are what a great band should be. I bought their new album Icky Thump yesterday and I’m really getting into it. Took me a couple of listens but I found that with the last one. Stand out tracks for me so far are Rag & Bone and I’m Slowly Turning Into You. Great to be able to warm up for July by watching them on the BBC interactive at the moment, if you haven’t caught it yet please press the red button!
Over the past couple of months I’ve been looking into what’s on during our visit. My ideal choice of Broadway show would be Spamalot. I wouldn’t mind seeing The Producers again but it’s coming to Cardiff in the autumn so it’s kind of a waste. That said the roles of Roger De Bris and Leo Bloom are to be played by Russ Abbott and Joe Pasquale for the end of the British tour so I might not attend the Cardiff leg. Sportswise I’m not fussy, preferably baseball or basketball. Although I understand getting hold of tickets is notoriously difficult. I could settle for some soccer action with New York Red Bulls (cringe) with their new signing ex Villa player Juan Pablo Angel. I went on their official website earlier, in their last game they drew 3-3 against Kansas City Wizards (double cringe) It says that both teams played in the 6-2-2 formation…It’s a wonder anybody scored. I might give that a miss to be honest. I also wanted to catch a music act while over there but for weeks I was having no luck finding something that took our fancy. Rage Against The Machine are headlining a hip hop festival called Rock the Bells. Other acts on the bill include Cypress Hill and the Wu-Tan Clan. Sounds pretty cool but I feel it’s a little too hardcore for us and we could quickly find ourselves out of depth. That left a choice between Meatloaf, The Police, Michael Buble or Minnie Driver. The term ‘middle of the road’ doesn’t cover that pile of crap.
Then out from the darkness came a huge surprise. I switched from the usual websites I’d been scanning to a different one and about a minute later found exactly the kind of thing I’d been searching for. One of my favourite bands, The White Stripes, playing the world famous Madison Square Gardens…bingo, we have a winner!!! We purchased the tickets pretty quickly for a tidy $124.00 which worked out £64.00 for the pair of us. I was shocked at the amount of add on fees the Americans have when you by a ticket. I thought Ticketline UK were bastards for demanding a one pound booking fee, it’s nothing compared to them. But hey it’s worth it, I’ve wanted to see the White Stripes live for a while now and it’s going to take me leaving the continent to do so. If you take away Jacks ill advised Coca Cola advert from the equation they really are what a great band should be. I bought their new album Icky Thump yesterday and I’m really getting into it. Took me a couple of listens but I found that with the last one. Stand out tracks for me so far are Rag & Bone and I’m Slowly Turning Into You. Great to be able to warm up for July by watching them on the BBC interactive at the moment, if you haven’t caught it yet please press the red button!
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