A little change of pace and style here. Saul Williams is one of my favourite poets, and I love his speaking voice, both really get the energy up. I purchased his first album after hearing a track on the NiN pre-show music, and loved every minute of it. The second album is angrier, more direct in it’s message and is all the better for it. The book “The Dead Emcee Scrolls” is highly recommended as a point of entry into his writing. It does include a lot of the original poems that became the songs on the “Niggy Tardust” album , but it’s completely different in a poetry situation. Make sure you check out hissite as well to get even more from this fantastic artist.
The legion is on fire!
The legion is on fire!
The legion is on fire!I was born in a convict colony
And I was torn from the land that mothered me
Mother, may I? She said, “Yes, you may”
Well, today I… (Declare)
I said, right here, today!
You’re a Convict Colony… if you’re running from the sun!
You’re a Convict Colony! A Convict Colony! And you don’t really want it…
You don’t really want it…Convict! [x11]
I was birthed from the Earth
Fought my way to this day
Now, I’m grown… Truth be told
I’ll be here, ’til you’re gone
You’re a Convict Colony! If you’re running from the sun!
You’re a Convict Colony! If you’re reaching for your gun!
You’re a Convict Colony! If you’re running from the sun!
You’re a Convict Colony! A Convict Colony! And you don’t really want it…
You don’t really want it! [x11]
You don’t really want!
I was in a foul mood and felt like shit on the way to work this morning. “Let it Be” came on and the sun peeked out from the clouds, everything seemed fresher, brighter. I started to relax and feel a bit better. I sang along, making sure that I didn’t hold back, looking like that berk that sings to himself in his car on the way to work. I thought about how things are on the up, as I’m slowly recuperating from a remission of Crohns. The season is changing, the weather warming up. I actually felt decent, and happy to be there, at that moment. The four minutes and three seconds passed, all too quickly, and things returned to normal through the magic of “Random Play” and Slipknot hit the speakers.
This song, to me, is beautiful. Even the repeating chorus, which gives it the “sing-alongness” that made it such a hit in 1970. The lyrics, as per Paul McCartney’s usual style, are easy but meaningful. They convey the message of the song without being too cerebral. It is the height of McCartney’s song writing, at least to me.
When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree,
there will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see,
there will be an answer. let it be.Let it be, let it be, …..
And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light, that shines on me,
shine until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.Let it be, let it be, …..
Not lyrically brilliant, but a damned nice listen.
i will reach out
to switch you on
i will reach out
till you come
i will reach out
to turn you on
i will reach out
until you come
we’re the masters
of the superblaster
“don’t start playing games
you can’t finish
don’t open doors
when you don’t know what’s waiting
don’t try to close your hands
they’re smaller than the rain
have you got anything left to say
before i shoot myself”
i will reach out
to find the truth
i will reach out
to steal your youth
we’re the masters
of the superblaster
“don’t start playing games
you can’t finish
don’t open doors
when you don’t know what’s waiting
don’t try to close your hands
they’re smaller than the rain
have you got anything left to say
oh no
oh no
i will reach out
to switch you on
i will reach out
to steal your youth
an that’s the god’s honest truth
we’re the masters
of the superblaster
Sometimes you just need some good punk. Then there are The Misfits, ripping it up in your face…
She walked out with empty arms
Machine gun in her hand
She is good and she is bad
No one understandsShe walked in, in silence
Never spoke a word
She’s got a rich daddy
She’s her daddy’s girlShe loves naked sin
He loves evil sex
She has lost control
They are growing oldShe will hide in silence
Then her day will come
She was virgin vixen
She is on the run
She is on the run
SHE IS ON THE RUN!
Sometimes my search for new music makes me yearn for the music I know so well. This one is from ‘93. I first heard this in the summer, and the whole album was just perfect for that year, and the next. To this day Matt Johnsons’ lyrics, and vocal delivery, still amaze me.
As I sat in the back of that old taxi cab.
waitin’ for the evening to come.
On every street of this city
I heard you call my name.You’re the strangest feeling I ever had.
The strangest feeling.
You’re the strangest feeling I ever had.
The strangest feeling.From the day that we are born
Until the day we die
We are hostage to our hearts’ desire.
And though I ride this city
I can’t escape from you.
And when I look up to the stars I wonder
Can the world really be so cruel?You’re the strangest feeling I ever had.
The strangest feeling.
You’re the strangest feeling I ever had.
The strangest feeling.Tonight the wolves are howling
I can’t escape from you.
A yearning past denying
I will surrender to.You’re the strangest feeling I ever had.
The strangest feeling.
You’re the strangest feeling I ever had.
The strangest feeling.Shine on me. Sodium light baby.
A bit of a new favourite from one of my oldest favourite bands:
I can’t believe it
I must be dreaming
She turns
The sound down
Says “I am heaving
This is a freakshow”
And I am screaming
She spins
The world round
I want to stopBittersweet again
Her opening move
Down and out in black
Soft shiny and smooth
Looks like the alien
Crowd got groove
She burns her name
Into my arm
But I can never
Get throughTo play the game
She’s trying to lose
Her ultraviolet makes it
Harder to choose
Looks like the edge
Of the earth got moved
She blurs a way
Across the floor
I spin
To swallow the viewAnd it’s the same sway
Yeah
It’s the same slide
It’s the same stare
Oh
It’s the same smile
Yeah
It’s the same but
It’s not quite rightOh
It’s insane
She shakes like a freak
Stuck in the middle
Of the room for a week
Looks like the only way
To get on the beat
Is take her up
On how to swing
But I am
Missing my feetAnd it’s the same sway
Yeah
It’s the same slide
It’s the same swish
Oh
It’s the same smile
Yeah
It’s the same but
It’s not quite rightI’m in a step, out
She two more steps
Down
For three steps up
Clap
And go around
Ow
It makes my head buzz
She wants to come now
I try to stopAlways infradig her
Finishing move
Up and down in black
Soft shiny and smooth
Looks like the alien
Crowd got groove
She cuts a number
Out my arm
But I can never
Get throughTo play this game
She’s trying to lose
The stuff from Mars
Makes it harder
To choose
Looks like
The final frontier
Got moved
She blurs a way
Across the floor
I spin to swallow
The viewAnd it’s the same sway
Yeah
It’s the same slide
It’s the same strip
Oh
It’s the same smile
Yeah
It’s the same
But it’s not
Quite rightI can’t believe it
I must be dreaming
She turns
The lights up
Says she is leaving
This is a freakshow
And I am beaten
She spins
The world round
I have to stop
I don’t know of a more beautiful song…
Angel came down from heaven yesterday
She stayed with me just long enough to rescue me
And she told me a story yesterday,
About the sweet love between the moon and the deep blue sea
And then she spread her wings high over me
She said she’s gonna come back tomorrowAnd I said, “Fly on my sweet angel,
Fly on through the sky,
Fly on my sweet angel,
Tomorrow I’m gonna be by your side”Sure enough this morning came unto me
Silver wings silhouetted against the child’s sunrise
And my angel she said unto me,
“Today is the day for you to rise
Take my hand, you’re gonna be my man,
You’re gonna rise”
And then she took high over yonderAnd I said, “Fly on my sweet angel,
Fly on through the sky,
Fly on my sweet angel,
Forever I will be by your side”
Picked up the Live CD by Zappa/Beefheart/Mothers and love every second of it.
The muffin man is seated at the table in the laboratory of the utility muffin
Research kitchen… reaching for an oversized chrome spoon he gathers an
Intimate quantity of dried muffin remnants and brushing his scapular aside
Procceds to dump these inside of his shirt…
He turns to us and speaks:Some people like cupcakes better. I for one care less for them!
Arrogantly twisting the sterile canvas snoot of a fully charged icing
Anointment utensil he poots forths a quarter-ounce green rosette (oh ah yuk
Yuk… lets try that again…!) he poots forth a quarter-ounce green rosette
Near the summit of a dense but radiant muffin of his own design.
Later he says:Some people… some people like cupcakes exclusively, while myself, I say
There is naught nor ought there be nothing so exalted on the face of gods grey
Earth as that prince of foods… the muffin!Girl you thought he was a man
But he was a muffin
He hung around till you found
That he didn’t know nuthinGirl you thought he was a man
But he only was a-puffin
No cries is heard in the night
As a result of him stuffinBruce fowler on trombone, napoleon murphy brock on tenor sax, and lead vocals,
Terry bozzio on drums, tom fowler on bass, denny walley on slide, george duke
On keyboards, captain beefheart on vocals, and soprano sax, and madness. thank
You very much for coming to the concert tonight. hope you enjoyed it. goodnight
Austin, texas, where ever you are.
This song illustrates how much I have changed over the years. Yes, I still love the harder, darker side of music, but this is one of my favourite songs. I recently picked up the remastered version of “In The Court of the Crimson King” and haven’t stopped listening to it since. Such a fantastic album, full of excellent music and lyrics. I will be picking up the rest of their remastered discography soon…
Said the straight man to the late man
Where have you been
I’ve been here and I’ve been there
And I’ve been in between.I talk to the wind
My words are all carried away
I talk to the wind
The wind does not hear
The wind cannot hear.I’m on the outside looking inside
What do I see
Much confusion
Disillusion
All around me.You don’t possess me
Don’t impress me
Just upset my mind
Can’t instruct me or conduct me
Just use up my timeI talk to the wind
My words are all carried away
I talk to the wind
The wind does not hear
The wind cannot hear
Left Victoria with high hopes of a fun vacation. First flight was fast and easy. No headaches, no hassles, just airport, check-in, flight: the way it should be. Second flight, however is where it gets fun. It was delayed by 2 hours…
We stood in line at the Air France desk to check on our next flight, as there was a high possibility that we would miss our connection. We were 4th in the queue, but it appears that the Air France staff weren’t really concerned with time, as it took us 45 minutes to get to the desk to ask our question. Once there, however, the woman was very courteous and quickly had us on another flight to Edinburgh from Paris. So we found ourselves some coffee, and sat down for our wait.
There is nothing I love more than to sit with nothing to do. I hate trying to make things to do to keep me busy. Sure, I can read, but that only lasts for so long, before I end up falling asleep. I didn’t want to use the laptop too much, as I couldn’t find a free plug to recharge the battery, and the games on the iPhone aren’t meant for long periods of time. Boredom sets in, and I get fidgety. I start dreading the upcoming 9 and a half hour flight. I’ve never been able to sleep on planes, the seats are never comfortable enough, so I start thinking of things to do while on the plane, regretting not bringing a notebook and pen to write with. We get into small talk with some fellow travellers, but nothing too life changing, just time passing stuff, and before we know it, the flight plane has arrived and it’s time to board. We find out, on the plane, that the reason for the delay is snow in Paris, but everything should be OK by the time we arrive. We settle in to our seats, get our books out and I get my headphones ready for some music listening.
A more turbulent flight I have never experienced. The seat belt light stayed on for about 90% of the flight as we were jostled up and down in our seats. They serve dinner not long into the flight, slightly better fare than most airlines, but still just something to fill the belly. Half an hour later they turn off the lights, no chance to relax and read, just lights out. Of course our bodies are thinking it’s 5pm, no chance of sleep. I try to watch a movie on the seat back screen, but there is nothing worth watching, and if there was, those headphones are shite, so I wouldn’t have been able to hear it. Kirsty tries to get some sleep after a few hours, but it’s fitful at best. I start to doze off, but for some reason I can’t keep my eyes closed for more than 5 minutes at a time. I just sit in a kind of daze as it gets closer to 1AM PST, and they turn the lights on for breakfast. Again, slightly better than normal airline food, but nothing to write home about.
As the Captain announces that we are beginning our descent he mentions that it is currently snowing in Paris. Great. The landing was uneventful, other than being in almost complete cloud cover until about 50ft from the ground. All of a sudden we are there! The Air France planes have a nice feature, a camera in the nose that they show on the screens in the cabin. As we start our taxi to the terminal, they turn the camera on, and it’s like watching “Fargo.” All we can see is snow blowing around with the occasional glimpse of tarmac. We seem to taxi around the airport several times, and I joke that they are using the engines of the airplane to clear snow off the runways. Thirty minutes later we are directed off the plane on to a bus that takes us to the actual terminal, another 10 minutes away. We were informed by the flight crew that representatives will be at our disposal to direct us to our next gate. This turns out to be a long line of desks, with about 100-150 people queueing up waiting for help. Judging by the looks of the people in the queue, they’ve been waiting some time. Kirsty sees an opening, and dives right up to the desk, which lets a few fellow travelers vent a little anger in her direction. She tells them we already have a boarding pass, but we just need to know our gate, as it is not on the screens dedicated to such information. A few more grumbles from the queue, but she manages to get our question answered quickly, and off we go.
Charles De Gaul airport is horrible. We walked around for about 20 minutes trying to find a place to get some coffee and breakfast, but all we can see are designer boutiques full of really expensive crap ($10,000 earrings, in an airport!). Being in France, all of the employees speak French, and most don’t speak English, so asking where to find coffee, or a restroom, was fruitless. We ended up finding signs for restrooms, hidden away in what appeared to be a forgotten concrete bunker. By this time a sleep deprivation headache is coming on, and not one shop in the airport sold any pain killers. So coffee had to be found, which with a nice pastry was the only pleasing part of this airport.
Our next gate appeared to be in the unheated ground floor of the terminal, and we had to wait for a bus to take us to our aircraft. Another 3 hours wait, nothing to do, sleep knocking at our heads and the cold slowly creeping in. I manage to curl up on one of the chairs, using my carry-on luggage as a pillow and get about 30 minutes of sleep. Our flight was never called for boarding, I noticed people milling about the door to the bus that we were to catch, and one passenger just walked up there. So I quickly got up and walked over to them, which started a chain reaction and the rest of the passengers followed suit.
The next two hour flight was uneventful, thankfully, and we landed quite easily. We walked to the baggage claim, and found that we only had one of our bags. We were them called over to the baggage office, where we were advised that our bag was still in Paris, and we would be informed when it arrived. I don’t think we quite comprehended what was happening, we just wanted to sleep. We then left the arrival area and were greeted by the in-laws, dressed as Santa and his Elf. Santa, looking slightly more Scottish in his kilt than I remember him, also wore a giant necktie that said “Kiss me it’s Christmas”, which apparently drew some attention from some “dapper” travelers as my father-in-law called them… It was then back to the house to meet the rest of the family and get some grub and some much needed sleep.
As for our luggage, as I write this, it has still not appeared. Air France had it, put it on a plane, the flight got canceled, and 5 days later they still don’t know where it is. We are not alone, the snow in Paris apparently swallowed a thousand pieces of luggage. The thing that gets me is that it is 2009, and every bag is electronically tagged, how the hell can they lose something that has several bar-codes all over it. Also, why can’t Air France just own up to staff incompetencies instead of blaming the weather? The snow did not cause my luggage to disappear, a baggage handler, or two, either missed it, forgot it or misplaced it… But that’s an argument I don’t think I will ever win…