A couple of days ago, talk turned with Aussie friends of mine about a 2015 reunion. I met Swanny and Rach (now because of marriage, Swanny and Swanny?) in Vietnam in 2008 and we’ve stayed in touch ever since. A highlight was undoubtedly being asked to MC their wedding in March of 2013. While we…
Reissued Bee Gees LP “To Whom It May Concern” – Pop-up Bee Gees!
Bee Gees, early 70s. A couple of months back Warners in Japan asked me to help transcribe some lyrics for five Bee Gees albums they’re re-releasing and yesterday the CDs arrived in the mail. Which coincidentally times pretty perfectly with my birthday tomorrow so a big thank you to Warners and in particular, Minako Yoshida….
Is Queen + Adam Lambert A Tribute Or Triumph? Auckland Concert Review, Plus Analysis Of “Under Pressure”
Brian May, Adam Lambert. I read on Facebook today somebody likening Queen + Adam Lambert to the Pink Floyd tribute show that possibly too frequently plays the 1,200 capacity Founders Theatre in Hamilton. Well two sold out nights of 9,000 (18,000 total) in Auckland capping off a sold out world tour (including New York’s Madison Square…
Waikato – Wai Not? Maungatautari & Hamilton Zoo 2014
An inquisitive chap / meerkat, Hamilton Zoo. This time a week ago I was relaxing in the living room of my B&B in Cambridge, New Zealand after a big day’s driving and walking. Cambridge is an affluent, extremely photogenic little town in New Zealand’s Waikato region. While it was primarily a visit to the hilly forest…
In Defence Of Cliff Richard – His 20 Best Deep Cuts
The LP that began the renaissance of Cliff Richard’s career, I’m Nearly Famous from 1976. I didn’t realise disturbing rumours have been swirling online for some time about British pop star Cliff Richard. I also didn’t realise until a couple of days ago that police made no attempt to contact him until at least a…
Robin Williams Dies Aged 63 – His Emotional 1998 Oscar Acceptance Speech
Robin Williams from Good Morning Vietnam. *AUGUST 13 UPDATE: See below for links to comments from Robin Williams’ children, plus Russell Brand’s typically outstanding essay about the man he regarded as a genius. A man I’m sure Brand can relate to in more ways than one. Robin Williams, one of the most brilliantly gifted actors…
How The Band Chicago Scored 20 Top 10 Hits But Still Slipped Through The Cracks: 5 Overlooked Gems From The 70s
There was a brief moment in the mid-90s when the band Chicago only took a backseat to my perennial favourites the Bee Gees. That was before I really discovered artists like U2, the Commodores, Hall & Oates, Stevie Wonder, Fleetwood Mac, Prince, Coldplay, Sheryl Crow, the Temptations etc and before rediscovering childhood heroes like Bruce…
What If Barry Gibb Did An Entire Concert At The Grand Ole Opry? 30 Country-Ready Bee Gees Songs
Barry Gibb at the Grand Ole Opry, 2012. Two years ago in July of 2012, Bee Gee Barry Gibb walked onto the most hallowed turf in country music, Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. Casual fans and non-believers may’ve been surprised at the fit, but those with a wider knowledge of the Gibb back-catalogue knew it was…
Maroon 5 & Needless Swearing In Pop Music
With Maroon 5 scoring their ninth US top 10 hit in Maps (from their upcoming fifth LP V), I thought it was about time to address my three main feelings about this band: #1: Adam Levine should stop needlessly swearing in songs that sound like sing-alongs for the kids i.e. Payphone (“one more stupid /…
My Top 50 Vancouver Photos, 2010
From the Vancouver Rowing Club with CBD skyscrapers the backdrop. Four years ago today I boarded a 14-hour Auckland-Vancouver flight as part of my year and a half long OE (Kiwi-speak for “overseas experience”). There’s been plenty of travel before and since the 2010-2011 OE, but that period was the only time I’ve had completely…
Being Labelled A “Radical Lefty” + What Supertramp’s ‘The Logical Song’ Is All About
Supertramp’s biggest selling LP, 1979’s Breakfast In America. Last week on Newstalk ZB I faced the usual election-season accusations via email and text from a handful of listeners claiming I’m a “radical lefty” spouting my “liberal agenda” with “lefty buzzwords” like “inequality.” Do you laugh or cry? There are actually people on this planet who believe…
The Last Great Soul Man – Bobby Womack – Dies Aged 70: His 5 Most Essential Songs
Bobby Womack. The self-described “last great soul man” is no more – Bobby Womack has died at the age of 70 having suffered from diabetes, colon cancer and the early stages of alzheimer’s in recent years. From his early days in the church, to leading the gospel group The Valentinos, to being Sam Cooke’s guitarist,…
