David Bowie from 'Cracked Actor' Documentary, LA, 1974

David Bowie

Meant different things to different people, and redefined himself for each new generation.*  So what pic. to use ?  May as well go with the less obvious, the less familiar.  RIP.


* For me, it will always be the Ziggy Stardust album, Life on Mars, and the early 80's work.  But, as I said...  For some out there, it could be The Laughing Gnome.

British Pathé: Christmas is for All

Very much a product of its era, and a cool time-capsule, as these things often tend to be.  Best part has to be (from 3'16) Mike and his Merseymen (the Trends) doing Good King Wenceslas.  Some pretty girls dancing there also, must say.

Audio of same can be found on YouTube here, and, for some more of the Merseymen, here we have photos, some video, including what looks to be behind-the-scenes from the Pathé filming, and names of the band-members at the end, accompanied by a selection of the band's other songs.  Enjoy.

Ofra Haza: Love Song

Martin Barre on Minstrel in the Gallery and Tull Generally

Darling Buds: Shame on You (Peel Session)

Rawness and primitive impact here you just don't get outside sessions...

Like this actually a lot more than the album-version to which I was just listening.

Le Tigre: The The Empty

Think we need the lyrics for this one:

The stars are getting in and out of automobiles 

And we keep wondering when we're gonna feel something real 

Keep waiting for a Santa that'll never come 

A real party not just people who're faking fun 

But everything gets erased before it's even said 

And all that glitters isn't gold when inside it's dead 

All that glitters is not gold 

All that glitters is not gold 

All that glitters is not gold 

All that glitters is not gold 

I went to yr concert and I didn't feel anything 

I went to yr concert and I didn't hear anything 

I went to yr concert and I didn't feel anything 

I went to yr concert and I didn't see anything 

(oh baby) why won't you talk to me? 

(oh baby) you just want me empty! 

(oh baby) you don't say anything! 

(oh baby) why won't you answer me?

All that glitters is not gold 

All that glitters is not gold 

All that glitters is not gold 

All that glitters is not gold 

I sat thru yr movie but I didn't see anything 

I went to yr comedy club and didn't laugh at all 

I went to yr movie and I didn't hear anything 

I went to yr concert and there was nothing was going on 

You don't say, you don't say, 

you don't say anything........

Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/le-tigre/the-the-empty-lyrics/#DRtjXT53tfkAA7KT.99

Just think of what I could be and not what I am...

Star (demo-version) by Blake Babies from Innocence and Experience.

Belle and Sebastian: Is It Wicked Not to Care ?

The Fall: Middle Mass

Nena: Nur Geträumt

The twentyfirst century is such a fraud.  And the fall of the wall was such a vain promise.  But once.

Elastica: Stutter

Some might argue they should have stopped here...

Others might say, one token album aside,...they did.*


* What, there was an album called The Menace ?  Sure you didn't imagine that ?  Perhaps whilst snorting coke with other brokers somewhere off Manhattan ?

The Dresden Dolls: Lonesome Organist Rapes Page Turner

Tegan & Sara: I Bet It Stung

bis: Silver Spoon

Culprit 1: Amoh

Metallica: Orion

It's been so long, I forget how brilliant this band once was.*


* Prob'ly before you were born li'l kiddies, but do look it up.

Phuck Fillory

Billy Bragg: Seven and Seven Is

Why this song should be stuck in my head is a mystery to me.  Why this particular version even more so.  Still...

The Real Tuesday Weld: The Life And Times Of The Clerkenwell Kid

With a few tweaks, wouldn't be a bad official vid.