Companion vid, discussing how a duo with a unique concept and eclectic influences became one of Japan's biggest musical exports, and looking at how Bossa Nova's smooth, sensual sound revitalised commercial jazz, and brought the rhythms of Brazil to a worldwide audience! youtu.be/iI-lRY-Do8E?...
New 'What if?' video up now. This week, in an alternative 1964, Yoasobi take the Japanese Bossa Nova scene by storm! #yoasobi #bossanova #musicsky 🎸 youtu.be/sAVK2Mtod2I?...
Companion video, discussing how Gaga brought a refreshing dose of absurdity and theatricality back pop, along with a remarkably versatility, and tracing the lineage of Shock Rock, from its '50s roots, through the game-changing work of Alice Cooper, and beyond! youtu.be/VqTkteSF7iE?...
I mean, I’m sure you’re right, and creating a pretend ground swell of grassroots support with bot farms is what passes for marketing these days, but as a grumpy old bastard, I reserve the right to find it off-putting and gross.
New 'What if?' video up now. This week, in an alternative universe, Lady Gaga storms the early-'70s music scene with a spooky, dramatic rock sound, and stage show to rival Alice Cooper! #ladygaga #shockrock 🎸 youtu.be/Jji-hLR_y9E?...
Companion video up now, discussing how a Hawaiian Elvis impersonator became one of the more enduring pop stars of the modern era, and looking a psychobilly: the zombie offspring of rockabilly and punk that just refuses to die! youtu.be/6rxTMnVl4YI?...
New ‘What if?’ video up now. This week, in an alternative 2014, in order to avoid a plagiarism suit from The Gap Band, Bruno Mars & Mark Ronson rework ‘Uptown Funk’ into a psychobilly rager! #psychobilly #uptownfunk 🎸 youtu.be/VKBsTig24Zs?...
Ha ha, thanks mate!
Oh okay, here’s a few José Arcadios…
So many Aurelianos…
Companion video to my Wham!-style reinterpretation of George Michael's 'Fastlove' is up now, discussing the unique appeal of Wham's socially conscious '80s soul-pop, and taking a little look at Andrew and George's diverging fortunes in the following decade! youtu.be/RLsbUnRuMWQ?...
New 'What if?' video up now. This week, in an alternative 1996, a down-on-his-luck Andrew Ridgeley persuades George Michael to get the old band back together! #wham #musicsky youtu.be/dTYrxSFa5EU?...
Companion video, discussing Dire Straits' unlikely ascension from pub-rock musos to MTV favourites, and looking at the lo-fi/slacker-rock scene - somewhat nebulous terms that ended up being applied to some of the most creative and exciting US indie-rock of the '80s and '90s! youtu.be/7dcXDO9FZ2Y?...
New 'What if?' video up now. This week, in an alternative 1992, Dire Straits release a lo-fi slacker love song for the ages! #MusicSky #direstraits #lofi 🎸 youtu.be/xPSe99XWz9k?...
Do people not understand the difference between ‘favourite’ and ‘best’? Gah! Great list, anyway!
Companion video, celebrating Gladys and the boys' storied career, and trying to find the substance of Southern rock, behind all the Confederate flag-waving nonsense! youtu.be/dYOoHa9vDN0?...
New 'What if?' video up now. This week, in an alternative 1973, Gladys Knight and the Pips part ways with Motown, move back to Atlanta, and relaunch as Southern Rockers! #MusicSky #gladysknight #southernrock 🎸 youtu.be/Xv5NYRZybRI?...
Looks daunting!
Ha ha, it does, a bit!
Companion video, discussing Cliff's journey from UK rock pioneer to MOR crooner to national treasure, and discovering the spooky offspring of new-wave, electropop, post-punk & goth that is Dark Wave, as well as sharing some recording/arranging insights! youtu.be/2G5tehLmKgg?...
New 'What if?' video up now. This week, in an alternative 1982, Cliff Richard attempts to reinvent his squeaky clean image by embracing Dark Wave! #cliffrichard #darkwave 🎸 youtu.be/wT6iutsx-Wo?...
Companion video, discussing how an animated film gave 3 extremely talented overlooked artists a chance to shine, and questioning whether nationality-based genre tags, from Britpop to K-pop are helpful or ultimately reductive, plus some recording/arranging insights! youtu.be/Q6Y8gEoH-2o?...
New ‘What if?’ video up now. This week, in an alternative universe, a corporate shake-up at Sony Animation leads to Kpop Demon Hunters getting a ‘90s Britpop makeover! youtu.be/ttzBiJlAF0U?...
See you in two weeks Liverpool!
Come and see me and Good Grief and @morganlbrown.bsky.social and Pardon Us and PERENNIAL in Official Home Of Great Music in Liverpool, Outpost!
Just saw Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie. Holy heck, what a film. Really hope it gets a general UK release so more people can see it, and I can see it again! #nirvannathebandtheshowthemovie
Companion video up now, discussing Alison Clarkson's fascinating journey in pop, from supporting Public Enemy to writing for Hear'Say, and taking a moment to appreciate the hip-hop colussus that is the Wu-Tang Clan, as well as sharing some recording and arranging insights! youtu.be/_iKu79_31sg?...
New ‘What if?’ video up now. This week, in an alternative 1993, Betty Boo is embraced by the Wu! #bettyboo #wutangclan 🎧 youtu.be/MELOZObPDas?...
I haven’t heard it in years, but I’m pretty sure it’s less interesting than it sounds!
Enjoying these. You may have already mentioned it and I missed it, but how about Peter Shelley’s 1974 hit, ‘Drug Me, Drug My Dog’?