Some years ago, about to move overseas and not wanting to ship all my CDs, I decided to invest in an MP3 player. So of course, being the committed tech head I clearly am (not), I bought an i-river.
Come on, the guy in the shop swore they would catch on.
Now that the 12 hour battery lasts approximately…oh… three songs, I’ve upgraded to an i-pod touch. And lord, am I having fun shifting everything over.
Here are some of the gems I can’t stop tapping my toes to lately.
Old school rockabilly…nothing like it in the world! This is worth it for the video clip alone.
Johnny Burnette – Train kept a rollin
Roy Orbison – Go go go!
The newest Tom Waits offering
A saucy, smoky voiced temptress – lord knows, we can never have enough of those.
Betty LaVette
So here’s another saucy, smoky voiced temptress, this time from Melbourne – a truly amazing live act.
Dallas Frasca
If you’ve ever wondered what songs of the Russian underclass sounded like, take a look at the wonderful Vulgargrad.
Cowboys playing guitar from the back of pick-up trucks barrelling down a dusty highway…yes, please.
Supersuckers – ‘Born with a tail.’
Something always close to my heart: five ferocious tattooed women punking up a classic – the Lunachicks with ‘Heart of Glass.’
And finally…
The Phantom, with ‘Love me.’
Some rockabilly to finish…enjoy.
I know I do.
berndt2
The iRiver H360 was my first (and second) MP3 player. It was brilliant – it was open source before the iPod was, it played videos before the iPod could, and it had both an integrated radio player (which you have to pay extra for as an attachment for the iPod) that you could record off. It was way before its time (well… maybe 2-3 years before its time) . It took ages to start up, and sadly, both of mine eventually had similar problems to yours (I gave up when the battery life hit 20 minutes!). So I got an iPod as well. And then an iPod touch. And yeah, it’s pretty brilliant. So sleek, so sooth, so fast, so sexy. But I miss the iRiver – had they survived enough to compete with Apple then maybe today’s iPods would be even better…!
bellmusker:
I bought mine because it allowed text, so I was thrilled I could put all my stories on it. Of course, not a single word found its way onto my i-river, in the whole five years I had it :-)
jemimalovesbigted
How good is Vulgargrad! have fun with your new toy, I can’t imagine it being any other way with this collection =)
bellmusker:
Aren’t they wonderful? Next time they play you should head into the city and we can paint the town red together :-)
Lisa Jewell
far out
Just what I need, fantastic…..XX
bellmusker:
Hehe, I know you like these journals! A little something to get you through your Friday x x
Lisa Jewell
gods, wish I was a thin young thing so I could learn the jive :)))
bellmusker:
That first video gives me SO much joy…how I wish I could dance like that! So energetic, so exuberant; they make me tap my feet every time.
Lisa Jewell
oh babe,
I loved the Russian song, and I’m sure he said cowboy…
I’ve not finished all yet, I’m pacing myself so as to get through the entire afternoon hehe
bellmusker:
This is the band Gretchen and I went to see at the Northcote Social Club – absolutely wonderful, frenetic, charismatic music. I tell you, it’s quite something to see fans so into it that they were bellowing the lyrics out, in Russian :-) And yes, it’s called ’I’m Your Cowboy.’ You KNOW I’ll always find them, my love!
Lisa Jewell
LOL ummmmmmmm ma, I’ve the cowboy’s in the pick up truck on and methinks there was something about a dick for a walking stick…of course I’ve the music on super loud…good thing half the office is still out to lunch and the other half did not make it in…
bellmusker:
Ah, the Supersuckers, along with the Lunachicks, hold the title of my two favourite bands. Superlative live acts, both of them, full of passion and humour. And I’m sure it’s nothing to do with the tattoos or cowboy hats, hehe. I love the thought of you rocking out in your office :-)
Cosimo Piro
FUNtastic Bell… I’ve jived to rockabilly (there was a time I could dance like that-hehe), had an epiphany with Tom, strutted with Betty, in the zone with Dallas… never seen cowboys like these dudes- I want a pick-up and one of those hats… great version of “Heart of Glass”, and please, somebody give the Phantom some loving! My day has just got a beating step to it. Smiles and hugs beautiful one! xoxo
bellmusker:
Ah Cos, I love that you actually played them – wonderful! You know it’s just my sneaky way of preparing my friends…should any of these acts tour, you can be front and centre with me x X
jemimalovesbigted
Count me in!!! x
bellmusker:
Deal! x
AFogArty
The inclusion of Mr Waits……… sublime!
bellmusker:
Isn’t he something?!
Andy Smerdon
Great stuff Bell – Tom Waits …………. doesn’t get any better than him i reckon :)
bellmusker:
It’s hard to know where to start with him, Andy – such a career! I first came across him in the film ‘Down by Law’, and haven’t looked back since :-)
msdebbie
Lunachi9cks are my fav of the selection! I lovce reinvention of classics too. But like them all in one way or another. Thanks for the share Bell xxx
bellmusker:
So glad to hear it! The Lunachicks are a dip into my punk past – I was obsessed with them in the 90s, and had the good fortune to meet them and receive a few letters from them. Hot, hilarious, vibrant and wonderful women with kickarse music. Thanks babe! x x
Leith O'Malley
Nice selection Bell. I’m going through a soul faze at the moment and loving this..#!
bellmusker:
Sweet! You know I always trust your musical recommendation, Leith – a lovely way to take a break from my writing, and stretch my dancing legs :-) I’m totally obsessed by old school rockabilly at the moment…making my dad proud!
friartuck
How cool are them Lunachicks? Enjoyed that version. Reminded me of a cover The Reels did of Bad Moon Rising – except they slowed it down and made it really eerie…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xDCrP6lZy8