Clint Eastwood

Taking my 6 year old along to the beach last week I noticed a church sitting on a corner near Saltcoats Railway Station. I've probably passed this church dozens of times and haven't paid it a second look. It isn't one of these massive, imposing buildings that stands over every other building in the area. It certainly is old but no different to many other churches you will pass every day. What grabbed my attention though wasn't the actual building itself but a banner hanging on the outside wall. Alongside a picture of Clint Eastwood as Blondie aka The Man With No Name are the words 'We Welcome The Good, The Bad And The Ugly'. This brought a smile to my face, something that a church or probably anything to do with religion has never managed before. I am not a religious person although I would never mock any person who is. If religious belief helps a person get through life then who am I to say it's wrong. Some people need alcohol to get through the day, others turn to drugs, some people even attend therapy on a regular basis just to get them through and I see religion as just another way for some people to have a reason to live. Obviously there are people in this world who take their religion to the extreme but these people are as far removed from the old couple next door who put on their Sunday best to join the congregation at their local church once a week. Anyway before I get even further away from the original topic, I have seen this sign outside the church twice now and can't help but think that if it's got me talking about the church it must be doing something right. I have never once given a second thought to any sign outside a church until I saw this so congratulations to the person who thought it up.

-

Here's some music:

-

First up the brilliant main theme from the film:

Ennio Morricone - The Good, The Bad And The Ugly here

-

Next Damon Albarn and his cartoon friends namecheck Mr Eastwood

Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood here

-

As does Lee 'Scratch' Perry and friends.

The Upsetters - Clint Eastwood here

-

More classic reggae.

Clint Eastwood & General Saint - Stop That Train here

-

And finally Mr Eastwood himself

Clint Eastwood - I Talk To The Trees here

-

Renegade : The Lives And Tales Of Mark E. Smith

Renegade is the latest book to hit the shelves about one of rock's most enduring characters Mark E. Smith. For anyone who doesn't already know, Smith is leader/vocalist with Manchester band The Fall. To be precise, Mark E. Smith is The Fall. The book has been described in various places as: A Riot, Unbeatable, Vicious and Hilarious. All of these descriptions are spot on and as well as describing the book could also be describing the man himself. The book itself is an 80,000 odd word ramble, taking in Smith's thoughts on everything from alcohol and drugs to footballers and ex band mates. At times the humour is laugh out loud. At times you don't even know if he's being serious or not. Throughout the book, as in real life, Smith pulls no punches. That's what makes this book such a great read.


-----------------------------------


' A RIOT' / 'UNUTTERABLY FUNNY': Independent On Sunday


'UNBEATABLE' / 'REMARKABLE': Time Out


'VICIOUS' / 'ENGROSSING': Daily Telegraph


'HILARIOUS' : Scotland On Sunday


'MAY BE THE FUNNIEST MUSIC BOOK EVER WRITTEN' : Observer


------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The_Independent


The_Guardian


---------------


BUY_IT_HERE!!!


------------------------

Here's some Fall stuff to listen to while you read the book!

-----------------------------------------------------------

01 Lie Dream Of A Casino Soul

02 Totally Wired

03 Rollin' Dany

04 Rowche Rumble

05 Container Drivers

06 Cruisers Creek

07 Eat Y'self Fitter

08 Rebellious Jukebox

09 I'm Into C.B.

10 Why Are People Grudgeful?

11 Bill Is Dead

12 The NWRA

---------------

The above tracks are taken from various stages of the band's career. Track 03 was originally recorded by Gene Vincent. Track 10 is based on 2 reggae songs, People Grudgeful by Joe Gibbs and People Funny Boy by Lee 'Scratch' Perry. Please buy the original albums containing any of the above tracks.

-------------------

DOWNLOAD

[Take 5] : The Congos

I have the late dj John Peel to thank for introducing me to The Congos. In the early '80's Peel could be relied upon to play at least a couple of reggae tunes on every show. Some of the stuff was pretty obscure and a far cry from the poppy reggae that was played on the more chart orienated radio shows. I remember it well the night Peel played 'Children Crying' and especially how beautiful it sounded being played between the post-punk and indie tunes of the day. The 5 tracks below are all taken from the Blood_&_Fire reissue of the band's 1977 debut album Heart_of_the_Congos. Listen to the tracks below, buy the album and if you want more, The Congos are playing live at The_Ferry in Glasgow on Saturday 20th of June.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 Children Crying

2 Fisherman

3 Ark Of the Covenant

4 Congoman (12" Mix)

5 Solid Foundation (Disco Cork Mix)

-------------------------------------

download

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry - Reggae Greats

Brilliant reggae compilation from Lee 'Scratch Perry's legendary Black Ark studios.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

01 The Heptones - Party Time

02 Junior Murvin - Police & Thieves

03 Keith Rowe - Groovy Situation

04 Lee 'Scratch' Perry - Soul Fire

05 Max Romeo - War Ina Babylon

06 Jah Lion - Wisdom

07 George Faith - To Be A Lover

08 Lee 'Scratch' Perry - Roast Fish And Cornbread

09 Prince Jazzbo - Croaking Lizard

10 Lee 'Scratch' Perry - Dreadlocks In Moonlight

--------------------------------------------------

Burning Aquarium: Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry- Reggae Greats (1980)

Distortions Mix

I've been tidying my music collection in recent weeks and have come across loads of long forgotten compilation cds I have made up over the years. Usually I can look at such a compilation and know what sort of mood I was in when I compiled the music. This one from around 3 years ago offers no such insight though. I imagine I was just clearing some songs from my hard drive at the time or something along those lines. Best just to let the music do the talking then.
__________________________________________________________
Tracklist:
01 Four Tet : Everything Is Alright
02 Clinic : Earth Angel
03 Sigur Ros : Olsen Olsen
04 Ivor Cutler : Fish
05 Pixies : There Goes My Gun
06 Dot Allison : Message Personnel (Arab Strap Remix)
07 Cinic : Distortions
08 Ivor Cutler : Life In A Scotch Sitting Room (Vol. 2 EP 15)
09 Lee 'Scratch' Perry + The Upsetters : Super Ape
10 Sabres Of Paradise : Wilmot
11 Four Tet : Cload (Pole Remix)
12 Ivor Cutler : Trouble Trouble
13 UNPOC : Been A While Since I Went Away
14 Sigur Ros : Nothing
15 Clinic : Monkey on Your Back
16 Mazzy Star : Fade Into You
17 Sigur Ros : Staralfur
18 Ivor Cutler : I Ate A Lady's Bun
19 Four Tet : Parks
20 Clinic : Voodoo Wop
21 Ivor Cutler : A Stuggy Pren
____________________________________________________________
Download_Here!!!
____________________________________________________________