Rowan Atkinson - "Interview with Elton John"

Since I'm a couple of days behind with my blog posts, here is a quick catch up post. This is classic Rowan Atkinson from 1991.

April March - "Le Temps de l'Amour"

"Le Temps de l'Amour" is a Francoise Hardy song covered here by an American francophile named April March. Born Elinor Blake, she showed an interest in all things French at a young age and that is the inspiration for most of her musical output. Even a lot of her songs in English were translated French songs. The most well known one was Serge Gainsbourg's "Laisse tomber les filles" which she translated to "Chick Habit." The "Chick Habit" EP is where her version of "Le Temps de l'Amour" came from. The surf guitar is from a special guest named Jonathan Richman. After I had discovered Serge Gainsbourg and Francoise Hardy and became a francophile myself, April March was my next stop and she didn't let me down. The fact that she isn't French is not an issue when you sound this authentic... and having Bertrand Burgalat produce her later in her career is testament to that. Ye Ye, Yay!



The original by Francoise Hardy

Still Corners - "Cuckoo"

Lush dream-pop soundscapes are abound on the debut album 'Creatures of an Hour' from London band Still Corners. The whispered vocals from Tessa Murray on "Cuckoo" create a spooky ambience... like a dreamier 'Stereolab' or a more cinematic 'Broadcast.' Check out the single "Don't Fall in Love" as well.

UNRESTFUL MOVEMENTS - "ANTITREND"

Wellington (via Rotorua) punk band 'Unrestful Movements' have finally had their early 80's material released digitally... as part of Jayrem Records 35th Anniversary in 2011. "Antitrend" was one of my favourite punk songs from that era. So I am pleased to finally add it to Bitter FM playlists. A lost punk classic!

Stan Ridgway - "Camouflage"

April 25 is Anzac Day, of course, here in New Zealand and in Australia. It is the day we commemorate the members of the (ANZAC) Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli during World War 1. So I personally think we should have something to honour those soldiers... and the greatest modern war song will do, thank you very much. Or should I say? The greatest modern 'ghost' war song. That song is "Camouflage" by Stan Ridgeway (formerly of Wall of Voodoo fame)... Now I do realise that "Camouflage" is about the Vietnam war - but does that really matter? No, of course it doesn't. "Camouflage" tells the story of the ghost of a marine who saves the life of a private. Best heard in full.
Lest We Forget.



Lyrics

I was a PFC on a searchpatrol, hunting Charlie down.
It was in the jungle, wars of '65.
My weapon jammed and I got stuck way out and all alone
and I could hear the enemy moving in close outside.
Just then I heard a twig snap, and I grabbed my empty gun
and I dug it scared while I counted down my faith.
And then a big marine, a giant with a pair of friendly eyes
appeared there at my shoulder and said: "Wait"
When he came in close beside me, he said: "Don't worry son, I'm here..
if Charlie wants to tango, now he'll have two to dodge.
I said: "Well, thanks a lot". I told him my name and asked him his.
And he said"The boys just call me Camouflage"

Woohoohoohoo Camouflage,
things are never quite the way they seem.
Woohoohoohoo Camouflage,
I was awfully glad to see this big marine.

Well I was gonna ask him where he came from,
when we heard the bullets fly,
coming through the brush and all around our ears.
It was then I saw this big marine, a lotta fire in his eyes.
And it was strange, but suddenly I forgot my fears.

Well we faught all night, side by side, we took our battle stands.
And I wondered how the bullets missed this man.
Cus they seemed to go right through him, just as if he wasn't there
and the morning we both took a chance and ran.
And it was near the riverbank when the ambush came on top of us
and I thought it was the end, we were had.
Then a bullet with my name on it came buzzing through a bush
and that big marine, he just swat it, with his hands.
Just like it was a fly.

Woohoohoohoo Camouflage,
things are never quite the way they seem.
Woohoohoohoo Camouflage,
This was an awfully strange marine.

And I knew there was something weird about him,
cus when I turned around he was pulling a big palmtree
right up out of the ground and swatting those Charlie's with it,
from here to Kingdom Kong.

When he lead me out the danger, I saw my camp and waved goodbye,
he just winked at me from the jungle and then was gone.
And when I got back to my H.Q. I told them about my night,
and the battle I've spent with a big marine named Camouflage.
When I said his name, the soldier gulped, and a medic took my arm
and lead me to a green tent on the right.
He said: "You may be telling true boy, but this here is Camouflage.
And he's been right here since he past away last night.
In fact he's been here all week long.
But before he went he said: "Semper Fi", and said his only wish,
was to save a young marine caught in a mirage.
So here, take his dogtag, son. I know he'd want you to have it now"
And we both said a prayer for a big marine named Camouflage.

Woohoohoohoo Camouflage,
things are never quite the way they seem.
Woohoohoohoo Camouflage,
This was an awfully big marine.

So next time you're in a junglefight, and you feel a presence near
or hear a voice that in your mind will lie,
just be thankful that you're not alone and you've got some company,
from a big marine, the boys called Camouflage

Woohoohoohoo Camouflage,
things are never quite the way they seem.
Woohoohoohoo Camouflage,
This was an awfully big marine.
(X2)

whoho Camouflage
whohoo Camouflage

Emily Wells - "Passenger"

Emily Wells is defined as a musician who blends classical music with hip-hop rhythms and I can't disagree with that. Her previous album 'The Symphonies: Dreams Memories & Parties' was more classical... small symphonies with her violin layered and layered along with some vocals and hip-hop beats. But the classical element was strong. Her new album 'Mama' has more of a song structure. The violin is still there as her preferred instrument but it blends more with the hip-hop rhythms rather than dominating. She has always used the loop pedal to layer her violin live but now she has perfected the process and adds an array of musical instruments including toy pianos, glockenspiels, melodicas, old synths and just about everything else. "Passenger" is from 'Mama' and is supported by a video she made herself. Here comes another obsession. "Passenger" Live

The Clash - "Guns Of Brixton"/ Beats International - "Dub Be Good To Me"

"Guns Of Brixton" was from The Clash's 'London Calling' album and was written and sung by bassist Paul Simonon. Simonon was originally from Brixton and was fully aware of the problems in the Brixton area of London that were allegedly provoked by the actions of the police.... although this song does pre-date the Brixton riots. Paul Simonon's bass line on "Guns Of Brixton" is so good that Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim) sampled it for 'Beats International's "Dub Be Good To Me" (see below)....... . . Beats International - "Dub Be Good To Me" . "Dub Be Good To Me" was a worldwide hit for Norman Cook's 'Beats International' in 1990 which sampled Paul Simonon's bassline from "Guns Of Brixton" (without permission) and was a cover of 'The S.O.S. Band's hit "Just Be Good to Me" from 1983. Paul Simonon took the sampling as a compliment. Although they did come to a financial arrangement, there was obviously some sort of mutual respect between the two of them. .