Sorry to be quiet of late but life/work has got the best of me this past week. This is a quick post to share my excitement about seeing Duran Duran this weekend in the Hunter Valley. Also looking forward to getting away for the weekend and visiting some wineries (already have a dinner and boutique food and wine tour booked). I think the reason I am excited is that I think the ALL YOU NEED IS NOW album is one of the best albums they have made for a long time. So many amazing songs. I am glad they are singing THE MAN WHO STOLE A LEOPARD which is my favourite song on the album. I am hoping that they will also sing MEDITTERANEA but don't think thats going to happen. I was hoping to do some more posts on Duran Duran this week including my Top 17 Duran songs but that will have to wait for another day. I will of course write a detailed post about the concert next week. In the meantime you can revisit my Duran Devotion post.
Here are some cool Duran performances of late. Starting with an amazing performance of NOTORIOUS featuring the one and only Beth Ditto from The Gossip from the Duran Duran UNSTAGED concert directed by David Lynch.
From the same concert, FRIENDS OF MINE which was an album track from their first LP - DURAN DURAN which I absolutely love. A classic!
Here is another early track which is also one of my ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE DURAN DURAN SONGS - THE CHAUFFEUR. This was an album track on the RIO album. I ask you, who could possibly make a song like this in 2012? This is from when Duran appeared on SONGBOOK.
I purchased MDNA- the new album by Ms Madonna on Friday night. I wasn't planning on buying it on the day of release but I had an hour to kill before dinner and realised that Friday was MDNA release day so whats a gay boy to do. Just as a side bar I remember when EROTICA was released in 1992, the Virgin Megastore in Adelaide opened at midnight to sell it (I think those days won't be seen again)! Anyway MDNA has been on HIGH ROTATION all weekend as I try to work out which songs are my favourite, what are the potential single releases, is it better than HARD CANDY, can it possibly top CONFESSIONS ON A DANCEFLOOR, all very important questions one must consider when a new Madonna album is released. It is now Monday night and this is what I think after 30 or so listens!
Can I just say I LOVE the Mert and Marcus photography to start. It's a huge improvement on HARD CANDY and lets be honest Madonna needs all the help she can get as she progresses through her 50's.
GIRL GONE WILD - This is the Second Single and its CRAP. There are no other words. I must admit I was listening to it today and then thought, its not so bad but I think the lyrics are stupid, there is no chorus and the backing track is very weak.
GANG BANG - Another song that leaves me bewildered. I think we have to put this song in perspective, Madonna is in her 50's, mother of 4 children and she is producing songs like this. It really doesn't work when she sings lyrics like shes some gang ho from LA. Like Hello!
I'M ADDICTED - First semi likable song so far! She repeats MDNA quite alot on this song and for a minute I thought she was singing MDMA but then that would be controversial and so NOT like Madonna.
TURN UP THE RADIO - Another weak song, weak lyrics, no chorus. NEXT
GIVE ME ALL YOUR LUVIN - The first single and I think one of the better songs on MDNA. The cheerleading chant kind of works for me and HELLO theres a chorus! I love the Nicki Minaj and shes FAB. If you read into the lyrics its like she's asking us to dump the GAGA and give Queen Heiress of POP Madonna all of our luvin!
SOME GIRLS - Loving the vocoder on this one. One of the better tracks. Possible Single release?
SUPERSTAR - I don't dislike this song but it doesn't make me want to sing this out loud either. More redundant lyrics. Repetitive chorus once again.
I DON'T GIVE AN A - An ODE to Guy Ritchie and one of the better songs on the album. I don't like Madonna's take on rapping, its more like talking to music if you ask me. I like this one as Nicki Minaj guest raps again and features the best lyric possibly on MDNA - "There's only 1 Queen and thats Madonna - BIYATCH!" Do you think this is directed at Lady Gaga or her gay fans?
I'M A SINNER - When I hear this I think BEAUTIFUL STRANGER. That is all!
LOVE SPENT - One of my favourite songs on the album. Like theres a verse and a chorus.WOW!
MASTERPIECE - A beautiful ballad and how this song can be on the same album as GANGBANG escapes me! Love it when she sings Indestructable but maybe thats because ROBYN wrote one of the best songs with this title!
FALLING FREE - Another lovely ballad. Is it just me or does Madonna sounds like she has a cold singing this one?
BONUS TRACKS
BEAUTIFUL KILLER -Why is this one on the Bonus Disc and Turn Up the Radio on the album?
I FUCKED UP - Another great song. Possibly about her marriage to Guy Ritchie me thinks or her broken friendship to Sandra Bernhardt or her brother Christophe Ciccone or the fan who gave her hydrangeas. I mean, lets face it the woman has fucked off so many people that this song could be about any of them!
B-DAY SONG - Now this is kind of cool as she goes back to the 60's (or the TRUE BLUE album) with this song. Its kind of like The Pippettes meet Madonna! I can see why this is on the bonus disc as it doesn't go with the electro dance feel to MDNA. Now Madonna has a Birthday song that she can sing at the million live concerts she's doing for her LIVE NATION album deal.
BEST FRIEND - Another great song with a killer chorus and more references to Guy Ritchie.
So I must say overall I am disappointed with this album. Its on par with HARD CANDY or slightly better. Its not as bad as AMERICAN LIFE and I think we have to come to the realisation that there may not ever be another RAY OF LIGHTor CONFESSIONS from the Queen. But who are we trying to kid here, if she tours Australia I will be there sleeping out to buy tickets. As someone who has been a Madonna fan since 1984, you can read my post 7 Facts about MDNA and Me, I will always be a fan buying her music. I'd be curious to hear what other people think of this album. I think this album was supposed to be a return to form for Madonna but unfortunately it hasn't hit the mark for me. I so-oo wanted to love it but I just can't.
BEST SONGS FOR ME: Gimme all your Luvin, Best Friend, B-Day Song, Some Girls, I Don't Give an A, Love Spent, I Fucked Up
OK so I bought the new MADONNA album MDNA on Friday. I was listening to it all yesterday and well I am not impressed. I think the Queen will be losing her crown much sooner than we think! I will write a review of MDNA as soon as I find the right adjectives to use but in the meantime I thought we should remember when MADONNA was good. This was one of my favourites from CONFESSIONS ON A DANCEFLOOR. Enjoy!
So there we were last night, me and my bestie at the Big Top in Luna Park, Sydney seeing Kylie Minogue celebrate K25. It was a glorious sunny day in Sydney yesterday with bright blue skies and even Kylie mentioned this at the beginning of her set which really did set the tone for an even more fabulous evening. The Anti Tour didn't fail to deliver as Kylie sang songs throughout her career which had rarely been performed including mostly b-sides and album tracks. It was an amazing opportunity to see Kylie with just a band singing her heart out. There was no SHOW, no PRODUCTION just Kylie (OK there were a few lights and projections - a girl does need a laser show for some songs!). The best songs for me were the album tracks like ALWAYS FIND THE TIME, I DON'T NEED ANYONE, DRUNK and TOO MUCH as it is very rare that artists perform album tracks live. Kylie also did snippets of other songs including the first B-Side GLAD TO BE ALIVE, WORD IS OUT, RAINBOW CONNECTION and LOVING YOU. It was interesting to hear early Kylie and those bubblegum flavours like MADE IN HEAVEN (my fave B-Side), I'M DREAMING OVER YOU and GOT TO BE CERTAIN intermixed with more modern KylieCHERRY BOMB and B.P.M. but it worked. Kylie was a HIT. Kylie wore a cut off denim shorts with a tshirt and changed for the encore. There was little merchandise, a few tshirts, a tote bag and some badges but this tour isn't about the Merch. This year is about K25 (see my K25 post) and Ms Minogue really delivered for her fans tonight. Thankyou Ms Minogue for the most AMAZING concert and to hear songs which we never ordinarily hear. What a doll!
So its been a little crazy this past week. I have been at home with the flu not doing a whole lot. Duran Duran are now in the country, the Kylie Anti Tour show is this Tuesday and I am literally beside myself! So today's Sunday Song is by Ms Minogue herself - MADE IN HEAVEN. This was the b-side to JE NE SAIS PAS POURQUOI in 1988. I don't know why this video was made but I remember watching and taping the video when it was shown on the ABC show The Factory ( I still have the video)! As far as I am aware Kylie has never performed this song on a tour so I am hoping it is included in the Anti Tour. C'mon Kylie have a heart!
I have been a MAJOR DURAN DURAN fan since 1984. Thats 28 years of DURAN DEVOTION. I will be the first to admit that my DURAN LOVE has wavered at times (lets just forget about that POP TRASH album, shall we). They will commence the Australian leg of the All You Need is Now Tour tonight in Brisbane! I am seeing Duran Duran at the Hunter Valley on 31 March 2012 and am highly excited about hearing the songs from the fantastic ALL YOU NEED IS NOW album being played live. Its a great album with some of their best songs in recent times. I am hoping to hear GIRL PANIC, THE MAN WHO STOLE THE LEOPARD, MEDITERRANEA and ALL YOU NEED IS NOW. So this post is a little bit of my history with the boys from BRUM. Brace yourself for a mega-post (as one vinylluver reader put it on a previously long post) and make yourself a green tea!
1. I have met the band ONCE and that was in 2004 at a HMV record signing for SUNRISE in London. I left work early to get in queue as I knew it was going to be crazy. I was one of the lucky ones to get in. I managed to get my RIO tour program and SUNRISE CD single signed. John ignored me when I made a comment about his hair in the RIO tour program but other than that it was an amazing moment.
Autographed Rio Tour Program.
2. I once was involved with running an Australian fanzine called OUR BIG THING (it was circa 1991 and the album BIG THING had been released a few years earlier). It was created with a number of other Duranies in Australia but fortunately only lasted 2 issues. I was responsible for the Merchandise page (ie the best places to buy Duran merchandise) and the Buy Swap Sell page (where fans can write in to off load their unwanted Andy Taylor records (should they want to). We gave it our all for those 2 issues! GOOD TIMES!
Our Big Thing - Issue 2. I love a fanzine!
3. I was present at the Sydney Hard Rock Cafe when Duran performed their famous concert "This is No Ordinary World Tour" which was performed in LA at Tower Records and beamed to Hard Rock Cafes around the world on 15 May 1993 in support of the WEDDING ALBUM. I caught a bus from Adelaide to Sydney, thats 24 hours on a bus to be there, to see them on a video screen! I met up with some other fans who had travelled from Melbourne. I was in Sydney for 1.5 days and then caught the bus back to Adelaide. It was totally crazy but great fun, things you do as a crazy Duranie. I got chosen to ask the band a question as part of the Q/A at the end of the concert but unfortunately some other cow actually asked a question from Sydney. There were a bunch of us who were chosen and I think Richard Wilkins from the Today show was there as the media person, if memory serves me correct.
Stolen Press Release from the Hard Rock Cafe.
4. My favourite member will always be NICK RHODES. He is funny, witty, intelligent, talented and the most adorable man in POP. He loves lists, has never worn jeans and wears lipstick. See my From Nick Rhodes With Love post for further reason of my love of this man.
5. When I moved to London in 1999, I moved earlier than I had originally planned to because Duran Duran were playing Earls Court that December and I had to see them! It was the first time I had seen them live as they had not toured Australia since 1983! See Number 9 for further details of my Duran live experiences.
6. I once wrote to Maynard at Triple J (Australian national radio station) to play COME UNDONE, 2nd single from the WEDDING ALBUM (as my role as Duran's unofficial PR in Australia)! Well, he rang me at 5.30am in the morning one Saturday to speak to me about it while ON AIR. OK so no-one was listening at 5.30am but I was being interviewed ON AIR by Maynard. Thanks to the 30 minute time difference between Sydney and Adelaide, I was able to tape it and I still have it on cassette to this day. It was another amazing Duran moment!
7. When Duran splintered in 1985 into POWER STATION and ARCADIA, I preferred Arcadia. Where Nick goes I follow! The SO RED THE ROSE project was quite amazing. It is one of the most underrated albums of the 1980's. Some great musicians and singers contributed to the album including Grace Jones, Sting, Herbie Hancock and Carlos Alomar to name a few! Linda Evangelista is in the video for ELECTION DAY! THE PROMISE is one of my all time favourite songs by Duran Duran.
8. I used to collect crazily and obsessively on Duran Duran, particularly from 1986 to 1996. I mean I had to have every picture, every record, every CD, just EVERYTHING (please see numbers 1, 2, 3, 5 & 6 for obsessive fan behaviour related to this) To this day I still have 6 copies of A VIEW TO A KILL on 7inch because each one is different because it was pressed in a different country. I am no longer a major collector and I don't begrudge those that still are. I would rather focus my energy on other areas of my life such as this blog and home decorating. I still have my scrapbooks though (haven't been able to part with them) but have sold large parts of my collection on ebay. If anyone is looking for a copy of NEW MOON ON MONDAY on 7inch from the Netherlands, you know who to contact!
9. I have seen Duran Duran LIVE 6 times, mostly when I was living in London (1999-2007).
8 December 1999Let it Flow Tour - Earls Court Arena - It was the first time I saw Duran and it was magical if only for the experience.
11 December 2000 - Pop Trash Tour - Manchester Apollo - My sister was visiting me from Oz and we were travelling all over the place and I was not in London for their concert so we travelled to Manchester to see them!
14 October 2003The Reunion Tour - The Forum - I had to lineup at the Astoria (legendary music venue now closed) early in the morning to get these tickets. This concert was one of the best with the original line-up. They were ON FIRE!
13 April 2004 The Reunion Tour - Wembley Arena - We were like in the 2nd to back row and I swear we could touch the ceiling of Wembley. I remember being very HOT throughout the whole concert.
13 January 2005BBC Radio 2 concert - Hammersmith Palais (another music venue in London which has now closed) - I won tickets for this concert from BBC Radio 2. It was a small intimate gig and we were at the side not really bothered about getting close in front of the stage. Yasmin and the other Duran wives/girlfriends/children were dancing behind us! I was too in awe of being close to a supermodel to even turn sideways!
28 March 2008Red Carpet Massacre Tour - Sydney Entertainment Centre - This was the first time I saw Duran in Australia. Writing this now it feels slightly strange that after all these years of being a fan, this was the first time I saw the band in Australia.
OK so thats some of my history with Duran Duran. If you have similar stories please let me know, I'd love to hear them. I think this may be my longest post yet on vinylluver and now I need a lie down! I am finishing this post with my favourite track on ALL YOU NEED IS NOW which is THE MAN WHO STOLE THE LEOPARD. Enjoy.
I know my posts of late have been musically schizophrenic of late, thats what being sick does to you and I don't think its going to end anytime soon. One minute I'm posting about pop princess Kylie Minogue and the next indie superstars! Today while waiting to go to the doctor, I popped into a local op/charity shop and went through the CD's and found the PIECES OF APRIL (original soundtrack) by STEPHEN MERRITT for $3 also known as THE MAGNETIC FIELDS(bargain!). My friend in the States had made me a copy of this CD after I told him I loved the film (Thankyou Rudolph).
Then just now, I was on the Guardian Music website and I was reading their 20 bands to watch at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin which is currently on and The Magnetic Fields were listed. It seems its a Stephen Merritt kind of day. The Magnetic Fields have released a new album LOVE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA. I haven't purchased it yet but one of the songs off it ANDREW IN DRAG is pretty cool with some funny lyrics. Enjoy.
I am seeing Kylie next Tuesday in Sydney on her AntiTour of b-sides, rarities, covers and other rarely performed songs. Kylie is now asking her fans which songs they want included in the setlist on her FACEBOOK page. Go there now and have your say peoples!
Sufjan Stevens seems to be very active of late. You can now stream two new tracks that he is involved with. Please see my previous Sufjan post where I told you about his new collective s/s/s and he has also teamed up with Rosie Thomas, one of his collaborators for a special release for the upcoming Record Store Day on 21 April 2012 titled WHERE ARE YOU. I am not sure how I am going to get my hands on this piece of vinyl being in Sydney. Both pieces of music are electronica, multi-layered musical landscapes! You can listen to them below.
Also Sufjan's dates for VIVID in Sydney have been finalised and will take place on 28 and 29 May 2012. If i don't get a ticket i swear I will cry!
The Gossip will release a new album this coming May called PERFECT WORLD - my lordy this May is going to be a busy month! The album will be produced by Brian Higgins of Xenomania (Girls Aloud, Pet Shop Boys) and Mark Ronson (basically everyone else). The first single, also titled PERFECT WORLD was played on Radio 1 in the UK last night.
This will be their 5th studio album. Beth Ditto, the formidable lead singer of the Gossip told NME:
"One of our most common bonds was that we both loved big voices, church voices. He loves country music, which is a big deal to me because, you know, in terms of things I love, country music is probably number one, then it’s punk and hip-hop."
MADONNA has spoken with the new British newspaper Sun on Sunday tabloid newspaper in the lead up to the release of MDNA on 26 March 2012. In the exclusive interview Madonna speaks about being a single mother of 4 children and also sticks up for Adele who has been blasted about her weight. Read it and weep!
I am not a fan of the second single GIRL GONE WILD. The lyrics are really boring and ones we've heard a million times before. The music sounds like every other dance track. There is nothing unique or inspiring about this song. Madonna what were you thinking? The official video has yet to be released but you can see the lyric video on youtube which I am not even going to link here. I would recommend you watch the below video instead.
I have been listening to the brilliant LET ENGLANDSHAKE album by PJ HARVEY all week. It really is an amazing album. One of my favourite songs is ENGLAND. As someone who lived in the UK for 8 years it is obviously a subject that is very close to me. I would describe this song as melancholia beauty. The images in the video are inspiring and very Martin Parr-esque. PJ Harvey has made a video for each of the songs on the album which can be viewed on her website. Enjoy your Sunday, I am off to see the film Carnage.
The BEST COAST will release their second LPTHE ONLY PLACE on 15 May 2012 (thats 4 days before my birthday - FYI)! Track Listing is here and I like their album cover too (its very beary)!
On the heels of her WOW Mardi Gras performance, Kylie Minogue will do 2 shows in Melbourne and Sydney as part of her ANTI TOUR this March. The dates are: Sunday 18 March 2012, The Palace, Melbourne Tuesday 20 March 2012, The Big Top, Luna Park, Sydney
B-sides, unreleased songs, covers and songs that Kylie would never play in a million LIGHT YEARS will be performed stripped back - Kylie and the music. Unbelievable! I cannot wait to be part of this intimate experience. This K25 year is turning out to be an amazing year for Kylie and her fans!
Sufjan Stevens will be returning to Sydney in May 2012 for VIVID - Sydney's festival of music, light and ideas. This will be Sufjan's 3rd visit to our friendly shores for a special commission of a new work with Bryce Dessner and Nico Muhly. He has been to Sydney twice previously (2008 and 2011) for the Sydney Festival. I saw him in 2008 and it was magical. I also saw him twice in London in 2005 and 2006. To say I am a Sufjan superfan would be an understatement.
He is one of my favourite artists and I really became aware of him when he released his 'Come and Feel the Illinoise' album in 2005. The album was inspired and based on the American state of the same name and the 2nd in a series of albums on all 50 states of USA. Sufjan has since acknowledged that this series of albums not likely to be completed. He has since released an album inspired by the Brooklyn Express Way - 'The BQE' (2009) and 'The Age of Adz' (2010).
I am a fan of Sufjan as he writes beautiful songs, is a true artist and lets be honest here, he is very easy on eyes. If he wants to make an album about an express way, he does. If he wants to release a Christmas album he will. If he wants to wear wings on stage, no-one is going to stop him! I will definitely be going to see his show in May as part of VIVID.
Sufjan recently announced that he would release a collaborative EP called "Beak & Claw" on 20 March 2012 with artists Son Lux and Serengeti under the name s / s / s on the Anticon record label. The track listing for the EP is: 1. “Museum Day” 2. “Beyond Any Doubt” 3. “If This Is Real” 4. “Octomom” You can pre-order this EP here.
In the meantime you can listen to one of my favourite Sufjan songs - THAT DRESS LOOKS NICE ON YOU which is from his 2004 album 'Seven Swans'. This was his encore when I saw him in London in 2006 and I had goose bumps. A beautiful, delicate song!
Sufjan Stevens releases music on his own label - Asthmatic Kitty. You can find out more about Sufjan, tour dates, buy merch and so on via thelabel website.
Some people may not be aware of National Public Radio - USA's Public Radio Station but music lovers should be aware of this great radio station and website. I frequently visit their MUSIC website to keep up to date with whats going on. Music tends to be on the alternative / world music side of the spectrum so pop lovers need not bother. Having said that, they did recently interview Estelle so you never know who may pop up. They have a number of great features on their MUSIC page:
FIRST LISTEN - where you can hear new albums in their entirety for FREE. Last week I was listening to the Magnetic Fields new album 'Love at the Bottom of the Sea'. As I write this post I am listening to White Rabbits new album 'Milk Famous';
INTERVIEWS - which features interviews from NPR with music artists releasing new music to personal stories about music;
CONCERTS- thereis a treasure trove of concerts which can be listened to on their website. A quick search revealed concerts by The Kills, Bon Iver, Moby and Laura Marling.
Its the day after Mardi Gras so what we need is something to soothe us this Sunday. I LOVE the KIMBRA album 'Vows'. I have been listening to it all week and one of my fave tracks is TWO WAY STREET. Here is Kimbra singing it LIVE at Sing Sing Studios.
Tonight is the Parade for the Sydney Mardi GrasFestival. I am volunteering this year and will be helping to register all the floats in the 5km parade. There are 9160 people participating this year. Thats ALOT of people to organise so I am really looking forward to doing my bit towards such a major event in Sydney, but particularly for the gay and lesbian community. Kylie Minogue is the star performer this year as she will headline the dance party which is a SELLOUT (the first time in a longtime) - way to go Kyles! There are a number of other gay superstars in town for Mardi Gras including RuPaul, Sam Sparro, George Michael (not on any official Mardi Gras business - just hanging out in his new favourite city) and Belinda Carlisle (who just happens to be touring here - I wonder if she'll be a surprise act at the party?). Here is Kylie's last performance at the Mardi Gras dance party from 1998. Check out those drag queens! Amazing!
Kylie has done a great interview with local magazine the Sydney Star Observer about why she wanted to perform at this year's Sydney Mardi Gras Festival as part of her K25 celebrations (see my K25 post) and what we can expect from the Princess of Pop.
The Parade and other highlights from the festival can be watched on MardiGrasTV a NEW initiative this year.
In 2010 as part of the Sydney Mardi Gras Festival, artist Spencer Tunick created one his art installations of people which I participated in called THE BASE. It was exhillarating to be naked in such a wide open space with a whole bunch of people I didn't know. We had to be there by 5am and the photos were taken as soon as the sun rose ( I think it was around 6.30am when the first photos were taken) . Unfortunately it was a very overcast day but everyone was still happy and excited to be such of a unique art project. I attach for you one of the photos I took from the side.You can see further images from his Sydney trip here.
The Base by Spencer Tunick
I hope everyone has a great Mardi Gras and may your glitter shine bright tonight and forever!
