Happy Holidays
- 21 Dec 07, 12:43 PM
Stu and Kim are taking a well earned new year break and will be back in the second week in January. Enjoy your holidays!
Counting Down to Christmas
- 21 Dec 07, 11:56 AM
The last week has gone by in a flurry of festive frolicking, insane smash and grab outings to the shops and even a spot of Nightingale nursing with the beloved suffering from ＆man＊ flu 每 or a bit of a cold if you＊re a woman.
But now, the final countdown is on and the seconds are ticking away! I bought a Christmas tree a week ago 每 a real one 每 which I spent hours choosing because I am VERY fussy about my Christmas trees. Ask me is it decorated yet? Of course not! I＊ve been out at a few drinks things and really busy with work 每 yes, I am the lynchpin of the Radio Ulster Christmas, on live every day.
To make things worse, I did this interview a few weeks ago with the Belfast Telegraph where they asked me about my idea of Christmas. It went out on Wednesday, and there was I waxing lyrical about how I love to decorate my house and how I love a really nice tree. That very night I had some friends and neighbours around for a wine tasting 每 you can hear the results of that on Boxing Day morning 每 and the irony of arriving at my entirely festive free Scrooge house with a naked Christmas Tree sitting in the corner was not lost on them. To add insult to injury the ＆Tele＊ printed my age in bold type in the headline! No more will I be ＆professionally＊ 37 每 and as I have another birthday on Monday I am already acutely aware of that fact. Yes, I am a Christmas Eve baby 每 and you know what that means＃.one present and most people forget it＊s your birthday anyway.
But tonight 每 should George Clooney call at the door for a date 每 I have resolved to sit in and decorate. By tomorrow my house will be like something out of the 鎊飪埮鼴s and Gardens Christmas special. I shall pop the cork on the aul Cava, stick on my favourite festive cds and get in touch with my ＆inner Yule＊.
Then on Saturday morning I＊ll get up with the dawn, like most other women at this time of year and make for the shops 每 I don＊t want to be the one out there on Christmas Eve in a tussle over the last turkey or battling over the Brussel Sprouts＃.but I know I＊ll still need to get to get my shoulder pads on because there will be many, many rugby tackle situations between now and the moment the madness ends when the shops finally close on Monday.
And don＊t forget that while you＊re all recuperating I＊ll be busy playing your festive favourites on my ＆Twinkly Christmas＊ ＃.so whether you＊re up to your elbows in turkey or your eyes in wrapping paper I＊ll be expecting you to tune in!
Happy Christmas!!
Kim Lenaghan＊s special festive This New Day is on Sunday the 23rd from 7.00 to 8.30am
Kim＊s Twinkly Christmas is on Christmas Day from 10.00am 每 12.00 noon
Christmas with Kim is on Boxing Day 06.30 每 9.00 am＃the 27th and 28th from 06.30 to 08.30am
And The Winners Are...
- 21 Dec 07, 09:31 AM
On tonight's Late Show at 10pm, I'll be playing my fave tracks from 2007. This has become an annual event, and I do enjoy the chance to load up a two hour programme with all the choice moments.
It's probably a throwback to John Peel and his Festive 50, which was a national event for some of us. Myself and my mates would debate the relative standings of Joy Division, The Undertones, The Clash and The Specials. For years, Stiff Little Fingers were a feature, eventually giving way to the Wedding Present, PJ Harvey and the Mary Chain. Happily, all the Festive 50 polls are on the John Peel microsite, providing a snapsot of alternative music as it occurred.
Here are my top records of 2007.
ALBUMS
1. Beirut 每 The Flying Club Cup
2. Rilo Kiley 每 Under The Blacklight
3. Arcade Fire 每 Neon Bible
4. Robert Plant, Alison Krauss 每 Raising Sand
5. Modest Mouse 每 We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
6. Jens Lekman 每 Night Falls Over Kortedela
7. The Undertones 每 Dig Yourself Deep
8. Sharon Jones And The Dap Kings 每 100 Days, 100 Nights
9. Bruce Springsteen 每 Magic
10. Foy Vance 每 Hope
11. Panda Bear 每 Person Pitch
12. The Good The Bad & The Queen 每 The Good The Bad & The Queen
13. MIA 每 Kala
14. Radiohead 每 In Rainbows
15. Laura Viers 每Icebreakers
16. Cathy Davey 每 Tales Of Silversleeve
17. Broken Social Scene Presents Kevin Drew 每 Spirit If
18. Wilco 每 Sky Blue Sky
19. LCD Soundsystem 每 Sound of Silver
20. Ry Cooder 每 My Name Is Buddy
SINGLES
1.Modest Mouse 每 Dashboard
2. Arcade Fire 每 Keep The Car Running
3. Soul Savers 每 Revival
4. Amiina, Lee Hazlewod 每 Hilli
5. Duffy 每 Rockferry
6. Candie Payne 每 I Wish I Could Have Loved You More
7. Bruce Springsteen 每 Radio Nowhere
8. Editors 每 Smokers Outside The Hospital Door
9. Mark Ronson, Amy Winehouse 每 Valerie
10. The Good The Bad And The Queen 每 Green Fields
11.The View 每 Same Jeans
12. Manic Street Preachers 每Your Love Is Not Enough
13. The Hold Steady 每 Chips Ahoy
14. Andrew Bird 每 Heretics
15. Tuung 每 Bullets
16. Feist - 1234
16. Josh Ritter 每 Right Moves
17. MIA 每 Jimmy
18. Peter Bjorn And John 每 Young Folks
19. Ian Brown 每 Illegal Attacks
20. The Shins 每 Australia
Stu Bailie presents The Late show on Radio Ulster, every Friday from 10pm until midnight. See his playlist here.
A Fair Intake Of Ale In New York
- 18 Dec 07, 07:04 PM
Here＊s a few shots of myself and Shane MacGowan in New York, November 1987. We＊d been drinking saki in a Japanese restaurant, we＊d swapped hats and for some reason Shane started spoon-feeding me ice cream.
The Pogues had just finished making the video for ＆Fairy Tale Of New York＊. I was bewitched by the song and delighted to be in Manhattan to see the band play live at The Ritz. Since guitarist Phil Chevron was ill with a stomach ulcer, they＊d flown in Joe Strummer to deputize. So as a bonus I watched them play ＆I Fought The Law＊, London Calling＊ and an encore of ＆Maggie May＊. Nearby I could see The Beastie Boys, Jim Jarmusch and Matt Dillon. Everybody was smiling.
For the most part, Shane was decent company, keeping his distance behind that woozy persona. But if you said something he disagreed with, he＊d immediately snap into focus, revealing a vast musical knowledge and a reserve of moral indignation. No fool, that guy.
Loads of saki was consumed on our night off. The restaurant bill was equally expansive, and the guy from the record company was outraged. ※You＊ve just blown the entire earnings from ＆Fairytale＊!§ he spluttered. An exaggeration, I reckon, but hey, it was well spent.
Stu Bailie presents The Late show on Radio Ulster, every Friday from 10pm until midnight. See his playlist here.
Reasons To Believe
- 17 Dec 07, 12:25 PM
Bruce was in imperial form last Saturday in Belfast. Smiling, rocking and enthusing. He＊s played much longer gigs, but this was sweetly paced and emotionally right. He said he liked our ferris wheel, he took us into the darklands of American foreign policy and the hits kept dropping with reliable joy.
The E Street Band was all in black and lined up like an identify parade. Each took a chance to solo and we bellowed for Clarence Clemons, blowing his sax like no other pensioner. Little Steven was gurning and leaning into Bruce＊s mic like the best of pals. Nils Lofgren played lead on ＆Because The Night＊, a moment to leave you transfixed and tearful. Next thing they＊re all wheeling into ＆She＊s The One＊ and then ＆Promised Land＊, which ends on a coda of the Curtis Mayfield tune, ＆People Get Ready＊.
The ＆political＊ section of the night is well-judged. Flashes of New York, Baghdad and the rubbish experiences of GI Joe. For the encore he revives ＆Kitty＊s Back＊ from that first album, and we feel honoured. A cowboy hat with Xmas trimming is fetched up for ＆Santa Clause Is Comin＊ To Town＊ and we go hoarse with the sentiment of it all.
Here＊s the playlist:
Radio Nowhere
No Surrender
Lonesome Day
Gypsy Biker
Magic
Reason to Believe
Because the Night
She's the One
Livin' in the Future
The Promised Land / People Get Ready
Waitin' on a Sunny Day
The River
I'll Work for Your Love
Devil's Arcade
The Rising
Last to Die
Long Walk 鎊飪埮鼴
Badlands
(Encore)
Girls In Their Summer Clothes
Kitty's Back
Born to Run
Dancing in the Dark
American Land
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
Stu Bailie presents The Late show on Radio Ulster, every Friday from 10pm until midnight. See his playlist here.
It's Gonna Happen
- 14 Dec 07, 11:23 AM
It＊s not the biggest comeback story in the world, but I＊m rather excited to hear about the return of . They＊re playing some dates in March, including a show at in Austin, Texas.
As you probably know, the band was formed by John and Damian O＊ Neill after The Undertones had finished. Steve Mack from Seattle sang and leaped around while fine players such as Raymond and Ciaran also served. Lovers of Ulster rock should at least be familiar with ＆Big Decision＊, ＆Sensitize＊, ＆It＊s A Good Thing＊ and ＆Natural Kind Of Joy＊. Between this and the looming return of , it's like 1988 all over again.
Meantime, have you heard the story about Led Zep playing Ormeau Park, Belfast in 2008? See the ATL site for more.
Stu Bailie presents The Late show on Radio Ulster, every Friday from 10pm until midnight. See his playlist here.
Bruce on The Loose
- 12 Dec 07, 09:21 AM
Thankfully Led Zeppelin mania has abated. It was quite alarming to hear so many Radio 2 presenters pledging their allegiance to the Zep, even though their normal playlists would suggest a more sedate record collection. At least Terry Wogan had the strength of mind to ridicule this mass delusion. At heart, they are mostly Abba fans.
So let＊s get revved up for the return of Bruce Springsteen to the Odyssey arena, Belfast. When he played there with the Seeger Sessions Band, the mood was exultant. His new album ＆Magic＊ rocks with the E Street Band and is steered by the author＊s conscience. Expect many references to war in the Middle East. But the guys are also doing ＆Santa Claus Is Coming To Town＊ in the set. Bonus!
Don＊t forget, this Friday at 10pm will find my Radio Ulster show delivering the A-Z of Springsteen, from ＆Atlantic City＊ to Steve Van Zandt. There are some playlist ideas here. We＊re still welcoming your suggestions and requests, so please participate.
Stu Bailie presents The Late show on Radio Ulster, every Friday from 10pm until midnight. See his playlist here.
It＊s A Cracker!
- 11 Dec 07, 08:33 PM
※Despite any seasonal stress that I might currently be experiencing, I can honestly say that I buy in wholeheartedly to all the Yule tide traditions and seasonal rituals, so you＊ll hear no ＆Bah Humbug＊ from me. But there are two festive favourites that I simply cannot get my head around 每 cards and crackers.
I long ago gave up writing Christmas cards in much the same way I stopped sending postcards. Perhaps there was a time, before the age of mass communications, when it was a way of keeping in touch with friends and family. Nowadays you can make a phone call from just about anywhere or log on and send an e-mail, and yet the tradition persists. Why, why, why? All you are doing is adding to your stress levels.
First of all you have to go out and buy them, choosing cards with illustrations and verses that are tasteful enough for you to actually consider putting your name to. You also have to decide whether you should buy charity cards, even though the picture isn＊t as nice, and then wonder how much of the money you spend actually goes to good causes and not on printing, marketing and admin. Of course that＊s only the beginning.
Then you have to sit down and agonise over who to send them to＃if you send one to Joe & Mo Claus will you get one back, or what if the Kringles send you a card and you haven＊t sent them one. So, you sort out your list, you check it twice, and once you＊ve decided ＆who＊ you have to decide ＆what＊
Yes deciding what to write can be quite a strain because every card needs a little personalised message, otherwise it＊ll look like you just don＊t care! And so it goes on ＃.finding addresses, agonising over whether to send them first class or second class 每 it really isn＊t worth it.
But it＊s when you start getting cards sent back that the fun really begins. Putting it kindly＃how can there be so many people out there with such bad taste? Worse than that, you have to display these incredibly cheesy and horrible cards in your tastefully adorned home. And how? On a string, sitting on shelves, pinned to the wall＃it doesn＊t matter because they will look hideous whatever you do. And rest assured that however carefully you have considered your list, the morning after the final posting date for Christmas at least one card will drop through your letter box from somebody you didn＊t send one to. So, I guess this tirade has just put me off pretty much everybody＊s Christmas card list＃and I say GOOD!
Sticking with ugly and inappropriate ＃.Christmas Crackers! Yuck! Why would you choose to put gaudy, cardboard tubes like elaborate toilet roll middles on your beautifully decorated table? Why would you ruin your carefully chosen Christmas outfit and specially coifed hair by wearing a luminous yellow paper hat on your head? Would your life be less fulfilled if you did not have a plastic comb, a sewing kit, or a miniature combination lock? And finally, the answer to the question ※Why does Santa have three gardens?§ is ※So he can ho, ho, ho!§
No, this year and every year you can keep your cards and your crackers! Bah Humbug!
Duffy, The Campfire Slayer
- 11 Dec 07, 10:39 AM
In January 1991, when number one hit records were still something exciting and aspirational, Iron Maiden reached the top with ＆Bring Your Daughter to The Slaughter＊. Some of us were outraged. How could such a rubbish metal act rule the pop charts without our permission? We thought about it for a second. And then the answer became plain.
Chart sales in January are always poor. Money is tight and prospects are sober. But if a band with a dedicated, niche audience comes along, then those concentrated sales can yield spectacular results. Since then, record companies have used this scam to showcase cult acts and new bands.
The first NME cover of the New Year was traditionally a breaking band 每 the anointed hopes of the season. This idea was extended in 1993 when the NME Awards were launched, complete with a Brat Bus tour of upcoming acts, which would tour the UK and excite a weary landscape.
Since then, January has become a critical time for record companies, music mags radio tipsters, hairstyling products and sundry bits of the industry. It worked for Snow Patrol and ＆Run＊ in 2004. And in 2008, the smart money is on a torch singer from north Wales called .
Her voice is impressive, and no-one is coy about the references to Dusty Springfield. She＊s got heavyweight management that＊s been involved with the likes of Pulp, The Cranberries and The Smiths. And her opening song, ＆Rockferry＊ is a sustained smouldering ballad, the farewell to a gigantic love affair.
All good then. But the worry is that Duffy is pushed too hard, too soon, and that any mystique is all used us before we＊ve seen her evolve. Lily Allen was commodified in an instant, and Duffy could easily go that way.
Anyway, she＊s playing Auntie Annie＊s in Belfast, March 3. By then, the hysteria should be well advanced. I kinda hope she burns brightly into the festival season, so that my ridiculous, punning headline may actually make sense...
Stu Bailie presents The Late show on Radio Ulster, every Friday from 10pm until midnight.
Stormin' Stormont
- 10 Dec 07, 12:14 PM
Monday morning at Stormont, and Carson＊s statue is surrounded by clowns, musicians, playwrights and a stray hobbit.
Many strands of the arts in Northern Ireland have come to voice their protests about government funding levels. You can read about the financial projections and the draft budget , but the demonstrators say they feel the the message is clear: from their point of view the new regime on the hill isn＊t feeling overly generous towards the creatives and the people who bring culture to this place.
So while the tourists are increasingly thick on the ground, there＊s a limited amount that we can show them. Music and literature may have brought prestige to the place in difficult times, but tell that to the ministers. And so we＊re joined this morning by Martin Lynch and Glen Patterson, by the Ulster Orchestra, the Beat Initiative and the NI Arts Council.
We see community groups, children＊s organisations, the circus school and various theatres. A series of MLAs come down the steps and say encouraging things.
Sadly, they＊re not the guys with the real welly. So while there＊s some good will up there, there are other ears that need further persuasion. Asking for arts funding isn＊t a sexy process. But it needs doing, urgently.
Stu Bailie presents The Late show on Radio Ulster, every Friday from 10pm until midnight.
Seasonal Stress 每 Shopping Days to Christmas
- 9 Dec 07, 01:19 AM
※I would like to ask why it is that shopping, an activity so pleasurable for the other 11 months of the year, should suddenly become so stressful in December. Of course we already know the answer to that one. Yes, the annual pressure of buying a selection of entirely inappropriate gifts for people who neither want, need or appreciate them.
It＊s that awful routine of racing around the shops from morning to midnight doing your world famous impression of a headless chicken with attention deficit disorder, chucking things into baskets and repeating the seasonal mantras ※That＊ll do rightly＃..too bad if he already has one＃.she can always take it back if it doesn＊t fit§! Ah, the season of good will! And anyway, you just buy the same old stuff every year so it＊s not like anybody is expecting anything new or novel.
To add insult to injury you find yourself in the company of thousands of other shoppers doing and saying exactly the same thing. Actually, spending a Saturday in town in the couple of weeks before Xmas should be compulsory training for all soldiers about to go into battle, and make no mistake, it is a battlefield out there and she who hesitates is lost. You＊ll notice I said ＆she＊ and for those men among you who are in touch with your feminine side I apologise, but, in my experience, the of the bulk of the seasonal shopping does fall to the ladies 每 from the gifts to the grub to the goodies it＊s usually us out there on the front line.
Shoulders and elbows are my weapons of choice for fighting my way through the crowds, and you have to keep your wits about you and your reflexes razor sharp for those ＆last one left＊ moments. Picture the scene＃ there are two of you in front of the shelf and you know the only thing standing between triumph and having to traipse around town for another two hours is her. You＊ve got to be decisive, move like lightening, grab an go as fast as you can to the cash desk. Result!
Nowhere is this skill more essential than when faced with the ＆3 for 2＊ scenario. You see, it is almost impossible to find a third thing you like, and the longer those offers have been on display the harder it gets. But obviously because it is a free gift, and at Christmas nothing is free, you have to find something. As you sift through the shelves you＊ll need all your cunning and persistence because the good stuff goes first, but, if you＊re very lucky, you may actually spot a gem of a third item. Otherwise you must invoke another one of the mantras ※it＊s free, she never exactly pushes the boat out for me, and if she doesn＊t like it＃＃..§ You know the rest.
At this point it＊s back to the blokes, and again I hate to generalise but how often do men think they can get away with those lines like ※you＊re much better at all that than I am§ or ※I wouldn＊t know what to get§ and then there＊s the old favourite ※I＊ll just give you the money.§
Now, there is a part of me that wants to scream ※get your fat behind out of that chair, turn off the telly and go out and get your own presents!§ But it is a truth universally acknowledged that ultimately it is less stressful to do it yourself. You know as well as I do that they＊ll leave it to Christmas Eve, about an hour before the shops close, and there will be nothing left. So, if you can't change them turn this ※you just get it for me§ attitude to your advantage. Most men will indeed give you anything you ask for as long as they don＊t have to actually go to the bother of choosing, identifying and sourcing it themselves. Indeed, you'll have their credit card details before you can say ※multi-story carpark.§ Talking of which＃.
They cost a fortune! Another reason to hate shopping at Christmas, then there＊s the rain and the rotten weather＃and before you start screaming at me about online shopping can I just say that＊s all well and good if you know what you＊re after but I never do. And to tell the truth, even though I＊m moaning, Christmas wouldn＊t be the same without that hustle and bustle and a bruise or two.
So let the shopping commence, let the socks, perfume and pyjamas know I＊m on my way. I＊ve made a list, I＊ve checked it twice and I know I＊ll forget to bring it like I do every year. By the way, there are 16 shopping days to Christmas.
Planetary Craft
- 7 Dec 07, 05:07 PM
Looking for a unique Christmas present for that Van Morrison fan in your life? Why not purchase them a bespoke piece of jewellery from the legendary Janet Planet, Van＊s muse from 1966-73.
Yep, that＊s the lady who rides the white horse on the cover of ＆Tupelo Honey＊. Who wrote those hippie-child sleevenotes to ＆Moondance＊. Who sings on ＆His Band And Street Choir＊. The mother of . The very same person, who now calls herself Janet Morrison Minto is now in the accessories business.
"I truly want every woman who is a lover of Van's music to possess one of my necklaces,§ . ※I realized very recently that if every one of Van's fans, or their respective ladies anyway, had one of my necklaces, an amazing and powerful, perfect psychic chain would be created. I can't describe how wonderful and meaningful that would be to me.§
How can we possibly deny her?
Stu Bailie presents The Late show on Radio Ulster, every Friday from 10pm until midnight.
The Mickey Mickey Shake
- 5 Dec 07, 12:02 PM
Well it was all swinging at the Drill Hall in Gainsborough, back in the groovy Sixties. Perhaps not if you happened to have an Irish accent, as this would have effectively barred you from said venue. This staggering example of cultural apartheid was advertised without shame in the Evening News on January 14, 1964.
It was acceptable to have the Irish over to dig your roads to build your underground and train systems. But let＊s not have them in the dance halls, talking to the English Roses and diluting the blood line. We might shrug and believe that this was an isolated incident, but sadly not. The title of John Lydon＊s autobiography, ＆No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs＊, alludes to the bad old days, when an Irishman had little chance of lodgings in Finsbury Park, north London.
I rediscovered the Gainsborough listing by accident in a cuttings folder and it seems quite relevant in the week that the Morrissey debate continues to rage. The author of ＆Irish Blood English Heart＊ yearns for an era when Albion was quaint and apparently unpolluted by immigration. In reality, the cities were busy with Irish migrants, like Morrissey＊s parents, who worked hard and were rewarded by chronic discrimination. Back to the old house? I think I＊ll pass.
Stu Bailie presents The Late show on Radio Ulster, every Friday from 10pm until midnight.
Seasonal Stress Part 1
- 4 Dec 07, 02:44 PM
※Tis the season to be jolly§＃..who on earth wrote that? Haven＊t they realised that far from being jolly this is the season to be completely stressed out of your mind, spend money you don＊t have, argue with all your nearest and dearest and finally console yourself with so much fat, sugar and alcohol that the very thought of it is enough to make Gillian McKeith explode like a pantomime villain 每 mmm, good plan!
And it＊s always the same. No matter how much you tell yourself that this year it＊ll be different, you＊ll spend less and be really well organised, December always sneaks up on you by surprise. One minute you＊re up to your neck carving pumpkin lanterns and next thing you know you＊ve got your arm up to your elbow in a turkey＊s backside.
Of course I am my own worst enemy. I cannot quite bring myself to consider the festive season until there is a ＆D＊ in the month and by then it＊s already too late 每 certainly if you want this year＊s ＆must-have＊ toy. Apparently one of the biggies for 2007 is some sort of games consul that, naturally, cannot be had for love nor money. Now, I ask you, what parent could bear to disappoint their children on Christmas morning? Can you imagine watching them excitedly unwrapping their presents, those shiny little faces eager with anticipation＃.and then seeing those happy smiles fade to dreadful disappointment as, with one final rip of the paper, they realise they didn＊t get what they asked Santa for. What went wrong? Were they on the naughty list after all? Was another boy or girl more deserving? Honestly, you could scar a child for life with that sort of thing 每 Santa has a lot to answer for! I also think he should cut busy mums and dads a little slack these days.
Anyway, in an attempt to avoid this Scrooge like seasonal scenario parents will, quite literally, go to the ends of the earth to help good old Santa on his quest to find their little Brooklyns and Britneys exactly what they＊ve asked for. Take my friend Noelle (a seasonal alias). After many, many weeks online, she finally acquired the aforementioned games console in Germany. So, seasonal peace and harmony will reign in her house for at least ten minutes＃.until her two boys start fighting over their presents and taking lumps out of one another, the dog goes mental and barks the house down, she eats the face off her husband because she has to shout at somebody and, finally, like many other housewives and mothers the length and breadth of the land she will reach for the sherry to get her through the day 每 and it isn＊t even breakfast. Isn＊t Christmas great!
Now, this is just one of the many, many trying situations to be faced over the coming weeks. So, in an attempt to keep us calm and sane, I have decided to put together a sort of advent calendar of stress as the countdown to Christmas continues. I think it could be good group therapy. You＊re bound to recognise yourself and realise that however lonely it feels in this festive jungle we＊re all right in there with you!
So what do you think for tomorrow 每 a little more shopping? Why not!
Tree, And the Magic Numbers
- 4 Dec 07, 10:28 AM
Few people know where this particular joshua tree is. The standard assumption is that U2 shot their famous album cover in California, the same place where the body of country rocker had been half-cremated. But photographer Anton Corbijn suggests that the setting may actually have been Death Valley. Otherwise he＊s keeping schtum. Having the actual tree in your back garden would be the ultimate fan trophy, hence the secrecy.
Also given the cyclical nature of U2＊s career, I could see the band returning to the old location at some stage for another shoot. They constantly use their old material as touchstones for their new work, and during the Vertigo tour, it was ＆Boy＊ that resonated between past and future. They never throw anything away. Everything is up for revision and reworking.
The band have just finished a major revamp of ＆The Joshua Tree＊ in time for the 20th anniversary. The record holds up well, a benchmark for vast music with an intimate aspect. Acts like Editors, The Killers, Snow Patrol and many more have clearly studied the text.
The first CD version of the album was a disgrace, with a different cover shot and lifeless packaging. Happily all is restored this time, and there＊s even a vinyl edition to please the audiophiles. I＊ve just looked at my ancient copy and the gatefold sleeve is a monumental thing. Inside is the shot of U2 that Anton took with a Russian panoramic camera. The rotating lens was so wide that it actually revealed his camera bag, lying on the desert floor. And only the tree is in focus.
Anyway, the lyrics will always be a little preposterous, especially ＆Where the Streets Have No Name＊. But Bono was working ahead of his capacity at this stage, and the charisma of the record is more effective than the parts.
Larry was very troubled after the photo session and the album title that suggested itself in the desert. Especially since their Dutch photographer pronounced the word as ※yowshua§. How daft was that? When he got home, Larry glumly confided to his girlfriend, ※I think we＊ve just named our new record after a tree§.
Stu Bailie presents The Late show on Radio Ulster, every Friday from 10pm until midnight.
Listen With Mozzer
- 1 Dec 07, 12:44 AM
I＊ve not bought the for at least a year. Occasionally I look at Rigsy＊s copy in the ATL office and it seems that the paper and myself are too far apart, generationally. I don＊t like the scuzzy digital pictures and the small articles about bands with too many tattoos. I know that old fellas like to claim ※their§ NME as the definitive version, so I shouldn't get too sniffy and predictable.
Still, I wanted to read the new Morrissey interview. I was on the staff in 1992 when we ritually turned on the man, concerned that his thoughts on race and immigration were rather ambiguous. It was a defining moment, a chance to consider the Union Jack, the revival of Fascists in Britain and the wisdom of getting patriotic at a Madness gig in Finsbury Park.
The new interview has been painted up as some titanic battle between the mag and the Moz. Certainly, they won＊t be on speaking terms for another decade or two. Even the journalist Tim Jonze is unhappy, claiming that the paper has editorialised around his transcript. Morrissey's management has threatened to sue. The gist of the debate is that the singer believes that the English character has been ※flooded§ by immigrants. He still yearns for the days of Nobby Stiles, Rita Tushingham and tetchy ruffians. He thinks this era was ※quaint§, and essentially over. He's surely correct.
Which is rich coming from the son of a Dublin blow-in. Who lives in Italy, California, or wherever. But reading the piece, it seems that Moz bears no malice to the newcomers. Back in 1992, we might have welcomed this distinction. The new debate is half-cooked, loosely argued and out of character with the paper＊s thin agenda. You know, it＊s really nothing.
Stu Bailie presents The Late show on Radio Ulster, every Friday from 10pm until midnight.
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