Blogging and All that Malarkey Stuff & Nonsense

Malarkey is Andy Clarke, a creative designer with a passion for accessibility and web standards. This is his personal website.

Musical baton

I've been passed the baton by John Oxton

I've been passed the baton by John Oxton in a new musical pass the parcel, so I thought I'd use this to explore the depths of my record collection.

Total volume of music files on my computer

9.65Gb on my PC laptop. (Oh how I'm looking forward transfering it to my (soon to be arriving) iBook.)

The last CD I bought was

A Hyperactive Workout For The Flying Squad by Ocean Colour Scene.

From their debut album Moseley Shoals released in 1996, Birmingham based Brit Poppers Ocean Colour Scene have consistantly delivered a distinctive and memorable catalogue and their music is rarely far away from my car CD player or iTunes. 'Touched by the hand of Mod', their music draws on a wide range of influnces and the latest album, by far the most mature to date includes contributions from (the Mod Father) Paul Weller, Jools Holland and Carleen Anderson.

Song playing right now

By the black magic that is iTunes Party Shuffle, on the decks right now is Keep it to yourself by legendary blues harmonica player, Sonny Boy Williamson.

Five songs I listen to a lot, or that mean a lot to me

I've thought about my 'Desert Island Discs' a lot on long car journeys and most of my favourite songs are also the ones which have shaped my left, left-wing political leanings. I grew up in a steel working town during the late 1970s and early 1980s, a time in the UK which saw enormous social unrest and upheaval, industrial action (strikes) followed by (the tyrant Margaret) Thatcher's reshaping of British society.

Unlike today when much contemporary music seems as exciting as thin custard, the period I grew up was post-Punk and full of anger, passion and rebellion. Those things have stayed with me right until today. So, here is the list,

The Specials: Ghost Town

Undoubtably one of the most atmospheric and haunting songs from revival Ska masters, The Specials. Having grown up in a town with almost forty percent unemployment, this song resonates.

Billy Bragg: Power in the union

There's power in the factory, power in the land,
power in the hands of the worker.
But it all amounts to nothing if together we don't stand,
there is power in a union.

Style Council: Walls Come Tumbling Down

You don't have to take this crap!
You don't have to sit back and relax,
you can actually try changing things.

Elvis Costello: Tramp The Dirt Down

(Elvis sings about the happy day (his words) when Margaret Thatcher dies.)

And when they finally put you in the ground,
I'll stand on your grave and tramp the dirt down.

Bob Dylan: The Times They Are A-Changin'

What more is there to say?

Five people who I'd like to snog with to whom I'm passing the baton

Replies

  1. #1 On May 16, 2005 10:24 PM goodwitch said:

    Comrade, you open this cowgirl's ears to the punk sounds of my past. And if you find my taste in music too bland...I'd beg that you reconsider, for while they are not angry words, they are heartfelt.

  2. #2 On May 16, 2005 10:57 PM Graham Bancroft said:

    That list is damn good, I've just been listening to Mr Wellers' Bull Rush. Not quite as angry but still good stuff.

  3. #3 On May 16, 2005 11:01 PM Mat Kelly said:

    FYI, you've given Shea two .com's and though I'm sure he deserved the second, your link is still bad.

  4. #4 On May 16, 2005 11:45 PM Justin Perkins said:

    I like your music selection the best so far, of all those I've seen today.

    Have you listened to the Mermaid Avenue Sessions (that's a link to Volume 1, but there is a Volume 2 as well) with Billy Bragg and Wilco? Very good stuff.

  5. #5 On May 17, 2005 12:09 AM Andrea said:

    Billy Bragg made my list, too (now playing). His is the only autograph I have, and the only I will ever get.

  6. #6 On May 17, 2005 12:19 AM Malarkey said:

    Andrea: Circa 1982 during the last great miners' strike, my band supported Billy at a benefit gig for Miner's Welfare in my home town.

    I got to have the pleasure to jam with Bill and his trumpet player and still have a signed backstage pass. (Oh... memory lane...)

  7. #7 On May 17, 2005 12:29 AM Andrea said:

    Mine is a signed backstage pass, too! Circa 1988, from a show in Detroit, the working town I grew up in.

    I'm dripping with envy right now. I talked to him for a bit, but jamming with him would be so fun!

  8. #8 On May 17, 2005 12:40 AM goodwitch said:

    So Malarkey...do tell us more about your band days...what instrument do you play? Or do you sing? Or did you produce all the wicked posters, t-shirts, buttons and stickers for the band??? Come on...your fans all want to know...

  9. #9 On May 17, 2005 05:17 AM Rob Weychert said:

    So join the struggle while you may The revolution is just a t-shirt away!

    Nice list, Andy. Mine feels so decadent and irresponsible by comparison. ;)

  10. #10 On May 17, 2005 04:24 PM Marco said:

    Music is very important to me. Therefore, it is my duty to contrbute, sans baton ;)

    Total Volume:
    About 9 gigs.

    Last CD Bought:
    Mr. Bungle - California (Used. Tough to find too.)

    Song Playing Right Now:
    Nine Inch Nails - Head like a Hole

    Five Songs I Listen to A Lot, Or That Mean A Lot to Me:
    Nina Hagen - My Sensation
    Antiflag - Anarchy
    Robbie Williams - Let Me Entertain You
    Echo and the Bunnymen - Lips Like Sugar
    Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes

    Five People to Whom I'm Passing the Baton:
    brothercake
    redux
    Joe Clark
    Shawn Henry
    Nicci