Essential Post Country Hysteria (October 22nd - 26th)

Hello and welcome to Work Tunes.

Pushed for time again this week. Still sorting out the computers - swapping hard drives, backing up files and what-not. So I won't waste any more time and instead jump both feet into the music. 

Thanks to @BreeMateljan, I'm visiting a friend I haven't seen since high school - Def Leppard! Another old friend, like a comfy blanket is Geffen Rarities (if you don't own this, you probably didn't live through Grunge). I sense a theme here, because another album that doesn't get any Work Tunes love is here, The Calling.  I went old school with my other rap choice and grabbed some Bam. I have some Bjork and some Josh Rouse. I had to slip on disc 2 from Triple J Vol. 13. For a bit of twang there's Son Volt. Also here I picked out a Hall & Oates compilation. And finally, my Sonic Youth addiction is taking over my life and I am not ashamed to admit I don't want to be saved - here's Rather Ripped.

Check it out:

• Def Leppard - Hysteria
• Son Volt - The Search
• VA - Geffen Rarities Vol. 1
• Josh Rouse - Country Mouse, City House
• Bjork - Post
• VA - Triple J's Hottest 100 13 (Disc Two)
• Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
• Hall & Oates - The Essential Hall & Oates
• Hilltop Hoods - The Calling
• Afrika Bambaataa - Looking for the Perfect Beat

Top Five Artists Last Week

1. Brand Nubian
2. Ryan Adams & the Cardinals
3. Dr. Dre
4. Nirvana
5. The National

Song of the Week : Dire Straits - Romeo & Juliet

This week’s song was inspired by the always enjoyable #Clay5 lists. In particular, the favourite Dire Straits song list. Mine is and forever shall be Romeo & Juliet; by a very, very long margin from Money For Nothing.

What I just can’t resist about this song is that million dollar riff and the production on it’s sound. You can hear the strings being fondled like Knopfler is warming up in your headphones. Plus, when the song really picks up, the drums just sound so good. 

Besides that, there’s the pure romance of “You and me babe, how about it?” What lady could resist that charm?!

Love, love, love this song. 

Adieu

Thanks for stopping by. I must be off to go and sort out my HDD and my codecs and all the other things that didn't cause us an ounce of hassle not 20 years ago.

Adieu. Hasala malakim.

Song of the Week 7/05/2010

Malcolm McLaren & the World Famous Supreme Team - Buffalo Gals

This week's SOTW came with a story. The story was told by Malcolm McLaren about walking around Manhattan and spotting an enormous black guy with a Nevermind the Bollocks... t-shirt. Nervous but curious, McLaren crossed the street to ask the man about his Pistols tee. The guy told him how much he loved the Pistols and invited Malcolm to a club that night to see him DJ. The guy's name was Afrika Bambaataa. It was 1980. Almost like the late 70s (Punk) crossed the street to hand the torch in preparation for the late 80s (Hip Hop).

This song is a stereo mix done by DJ Cut. The original was mono as far as I know. All I remember of the song when it came out was the big graffiti wall and thinking that Malcolm McLaren looked like a nut job. But that wall looked 'mintox'. I remember his strange kind of dance like he was made of rubber. Looking back, I think he was probably trying to breakdance.

I chose this song because I found a tribute album with present day rappers and legends of the game covering and remixing McLaren songs. It was made while he was still alive as a way of reminding people that he played an important role in taking Hip Hop out of the Bronx and into the rest of the world. This song is still good to listen to as electro too.

Enjoy. And in the words of my mate Mr Falzon - Duck duck duck.