Music I Remember Seeing

There was a time when local stations used to play music video shows, before MTV. I was about ten or eleven and had just learnt to use the video recorder. They were shown late at night and only showed about six or eight videos. That's where I learnt about Michael Jackson and Wham and The Eurythmics.

It's also where I developed a semi-conscious appreciation of music which I carried with me into my teens. So every now and then I would hear songs on the radio that struck a chord, twinged an aural memory, or inspired nostalgic longings for that little world I was in as a pre-teen, when I was learning to define myself culturally and musically.

I never thought I was a rock music fan. I never thought my tastes were that cool. It was only later that I realised that the Beatles were rockers and so were some of the Motowners I listened to as a child. My dad was a subscriber to a music album club. He had a stock of fantastic albums, including Scott Walker, the Beatles of course, various compilation albums, Motown records and instrumental musicians and other dignitaries like Django Reinhardt, Nat King Cole, The Kinks, Elvis, Louis Armstrong, Credence Clearwater Revival, John Denver, Engelbert Humperdinck, Crunchy Granola Guy (I can't remember his name!), and so, so many others. I must have heard these albums when my dad played them, because for some reason or other, I could identify oldies, classics, voices and singles when I was in my teens in high school, stuff my peers had never heard.

Much as I would like to have been a cool rocker, ultimately, it was the toons and the personalities which captivated me. And here, I have attempted to track down those videos which stayed with me.

This one in particular, by Journey, I have ben looking for for months now. For the life of me I couldn't identify the song nor the video. It became clear to me today that I was confusing the band and song with another band and song. I remember very vividly the video had a warehouse/docks location and that the lead singer was a cutie. I also realise that I recently cut my hair in almost the same fashion as he has. Though I am a little more on trend, I insist. This is Journey's "Separate Ways":



Steve Perry went on to have other singles as a solo artist such as "Oh Sherrie". Ya, remember?

The song I was confusing this with was Survivor's "I Can't Hold Back", featuring Red Leather Pants Man. I kinda thought he was cute too, though at my age, this was X-rated as far as I was concerned.



Didn't they all have a lot of energy in music videos back then? Their expressions, their style. Man, they were gung-ho!

Then there was John Waite (Bad English, the Babys), who had this fantastic song with a lovely angsty 80s video in semi-darkness with a swinging overhead light. Unfortunately the video cannot be found on youtube, so here he is, looking very unlike the close-cropped self he was in the video, on a show:



Anyone remember Black? Probably not. And most people I try to remind this song of have no idea of it or the artist himself. I loved this because it was such a lovely video and calming. And lovely. And calming.



Let's hear it for General Public! Does anyone remember them? Please someone say they do. I have always loved this song, and marvel at the sheer OTT performances that totally self-conscious singers have:



However some artists have an enormous sense of self that has ensured their everlastingness in the hearts of their fans. There's no doubt that this guy has absolute certainty as to his coolness:



I didn't know who Corey Hart was, but I remember the video. I could only find this remixed version, but fans should enjoy revisiting the (dark) past!



Wouldn't it be good if they made songs like this again?



Wasn't this guy magical?



Murray Head. Anyone know what he sang?



Oh, it's been so nice revisiting and reliving my yoot.

Feeling great!
C

More than ten years on...

...and I finally see Jamiroquai live!

I was but a teen when I first saw Jamiroquai on the early morning weekend tv music show Rage in Perth, Western Australia. I was fascinated by this sound, not rock, which was what my peers liked so much; not pop, because it was somehow more intelligent musically. Kind of like jazz, but with a pop sensibility to it that piqued my musical ears. And that little guy prancing in the desert - wow, he looked so cool.

It was either When You Gonna Learn or Too Young To Die. Oh, how I wished they would tour Australia! But I knew even then that they probably wouldn't as their market seemed very niche. I mean, how many hard core rocker would shimmy to their particular snazzy beat?

Then they went to Singapore, but alas, I had just given birth I think, and had a great dislike of flying with an infant, and so hubby boo and panini went together, and I rather maturely thought, oh, well, it was not for me to see.

And then we heard they were coming for the F1 and anyone who had a ticket could go. By now, my own daughters had developed a huge liking for Jamiroquai and I knew, we could all go watch as one genetically-linked feminine microcosm of worshippers.

We loved the opening acts, but gosh, they seemed to take too long! Not for any lack of entertainment - they were all brilliant - it's just that they weren't Jamiroquai.

Much as I would have liked to be down at the front gazing lovingly into Jay Kay's eyes, good sense told me that a) I had squashable children with me, b) it would be hot in there despite the rain, c) I am too old to jostle for attention and d) too young to miss out on the dancing (and for that I would need SPACE).

So we settled on a tiny 3' by 3' hillock and had a pretty good view from side-on, until the umbrellas went up. Guys, this is an open air concert. You are supposed to be hard. As in tough. Umbrellas? Yeah, we had one, and only put it up because everyone did. But I thought, this is silly, and brought the kids further out to a clearing from which we had a fantastic view of the stage. We shrugged on our plastic macs, stabbed the brolly into the ground, and as soon as those grooves began, I was dancing like noone was around.

I wish my pictures could do it all justice, but none did. In the end I abandoned all hope of recording mere images for posterity and immersed myself in the experience.



Hubby boo eventually found his way out of the civilised mosh pit to join us, but alas, after his arrival, our experience was interrupted by well-meaning fans seeking photos and a chat. You know, there is an etiquette to asking for a celeb's time when they are not working. I like Jorge Garcia's take on it (he's Hurley from Lost, and his blog is pretty cool too). Much as I appreciate fans and their support, it was hard to feel free with people standing, watching, surreptitiously taking photos (yeah, we see them do that) from less than two metres away. I don't know how he feels, but I sometimes feel like a little caged animal being viewed without permission. If you have ever felt put on the spot, you would understand. It's even worse when it's supposed to be family time. Still, they were all very polite and nice, and I hate to complain, but there is always time after the show too, right?

Anyway, the night was pretty fantastic and when I think on it, it really was a mini-dream come true. Thanks for bringing them out here, whoever you are.

Lovey, C

God Loves Ugly

1. Put your iTunes on shuffle or any music library list (eg. WMP; Winamp and etc)
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag 10 friends who might enjoy doing the meme as well as the person you got the note from.


IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
I've Got To Keep On Movin' - Matthew Wilder

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
BEautiful (Live) - Carole King

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Dikantun Tugas - Suara Parahiangan (Balinese Instrumental)

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Alone - Heart

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
You And I Both - Jason Mraz

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
One Step At A Time - Jordin Sparks

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Early Morning - Dreamland Piano Instrumental (Balinese)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Hold The Line - Toto

WHAT IS 2+2?
Tu Corazon - Alejandro Sanz

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Shy Boy - Unknown

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Way Over Yonder - Carole King

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
I'm Yours -Jason Mraz

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Tanya - Afdlin Shauki (phuturcyberemix)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE
Ring Ring - Abba

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Don't let The Sun go Down On Me - Elton John

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Until the End Of Time - Unknown Artist

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Bang Your Head - Milla

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Umbrella - Rihanna

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Na'tane Apopse (If Only It Was Tonight) - Nikos Kourkoulis

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
On And On And On (Keep On Rocking) - Abba

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
All You Need Is Love - The Beatles

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Yellow Submarine - The Beatles

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Hey Jude - The BEatles

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Pasta Pa Lo Costa - Chambao

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Best OF You - Foo Fighters

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Einai Megalo O Kaimos (It's Big, Pity) - Mikis Theodorakis

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Shut Up And Drive - rihanna

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
I'm In Love With a German Filmstar - Foo Fighters

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Ay Di Mi Primavera - Buika

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Lollipop (remix feat Kanye West) - Lil Wayne

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
God Loves Ugly - Jordin Sparks



Yikes.