:: archive

July 07 - issue 1

Dearly Bewildered,

Sorry the Vicarage has been "off the air" for the last few weeks. We have been called upon to minister to the muddy at Glastonbury, Cornbury and various other festivals. In the van on the way back from our most recent soul-saving scheme we took to passing the journey by compiling a list of "noms de rock". This means those names under which rock stars have temporarily travelled, either to make an anonymous contribution to somebody else's album or to launch a parallel career of some kind. You know the kind of thing: Hari Georgeson, Bernard Webb, Blind Boy Grunt, anything along those lines. Send us your thoughts and we'll compile a comprehensive list.

THE VICAR'S TV SELECTION

Cate Blanchett as Bob Dylan

http://www.youtube.com/v/VyWgzUGOliw

SOMETHING TO DO INSTEAD OF WORKING

Parishioner Kerry Harvey-Piper:

Here's a wonderful quiz I just found, called 'Discontinued Ben & Jerry's Flavours or Band I found on MySpace'.

http://tinyurl.com/2f76cx

GREAT ROCK AND ROLL UNDERSTATEMENTS

Parishioner Matthew Miller:

Whilst listening again to the Stones Let It Bleed, I came across one of the great 'Rock and/or Roll understatements'

Exhibit: Midnight Rambler - "I'll stick my knife right down your throat. And it hurts" as Mick plantively yelps, i'm struck to think: Yes i'd imagine it would rather smart.

GLAM FOLK AND OTHER CROSS-GENRE MISADVENTURES

Parishioner Gavin Hogg:

A few weeks ago, whilst listening to The Cure's "Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me" CD, I reflected upon the fact that their tune "Hot, Hot, Hot" may be the only example of the genre "Goth Funk". A kind of musical google-whack. I seem to remember that some years ago there was some kind of Acid House and brass band crossover but I was eating a lot of strong cheeses in that period so may be mistaken. It also reminded me of an episode in the first series of "The Mighty Boosh" when Vince Noir joins a Glam Folk duo - all arran sweaters and Kiss make-up. I wonder if any other parishioners can think of examples of singular genres or unlikely genres yet to be invented. I imagine that not many bands are planning a "Death-Metal Disco" album and it's unlikely that Simon Cowell dreams of making more moolah with an "Ambient Boy Band". But wouldn't that be something?

 

SPECIAL OFFER

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 http://tinyurl.com/22y9eu

 

WELCOME TO YOU TUBE POKER

Parishioner Alun Probert (from the parish down under)

It's Winter down under and we're enjoying an unusually wet spell. Thought I'd keep you abreast of a new game that's helping two of the parishioners to fill the long dark nights till Summer comes around again. Combining three of the fads of the modern world, welcome to You Tube Poker by email.

In truth, the rules still need a little work, but we're fairly clear that a pair is any memorable clip of an artist of interest. If said clip is from Supersonic, Runaround or the Oxford Road Show, or presented by a long forgotten expert e.g. Gaz Top, Nick Laird Clowes, etc, then that's the equivalent of three of a kind. A flush is harder, as it has to also feature the artist as an unknown. Examples of that hand would be mullet headed Bono in a polo neck sweater introduced by Mr Clowes on the Tube or Lesley Ash in 18 year old Roddy Frame's log cabin.

Four of a kind is harder to come across as the clip must be filmed in the city in which the game is being played. A full house is only possible when all the previous boxes are ticked AND YOU WERE THERE WHEN IT WAS FILMED. I guess that the winning hand would probably be all of the above and also on stage with the artist. So we'll probably not invite Courtney Cox round for a game lest she wheel out her boring old 'When I was plucked out of the audience by Bruce' anecdote.

In the latest game, after opening with Eddie and the Hot Rods '96 Tears', and getting raised a Dr .Feelgood I'm currently sitting pretty with my Thin Lizzy at the Opera House in 1978 (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1f_LHzkwKuU) on the basis of location. (I wasn't there sadly and the only acts that do play there now are the winners of Australian Idol)

Must go and check the inbox. There's a schooner of onewa riding on this!

RACEHORSES IN ROCK

Parishioner Simon Moffat:

A friend of mine recently 'lent' me the album by The Hold Steady. One of only two tracks to pass the audition ("The Hold Samey", I call them) was Chips Ahoy. In this song their usual theme of 'getting high' was happily augmented by a subplot wherein a horse named 'Chips Ahoy' comes in six lengths ahead. It got me thinking about racehorses in rock.

The only other named horse I can think of was in Hope Street by the Levellers. It was also called Hope Street and, naturally, lost. "The Race Is On" features horses called Pride, Heartaches etc, although they are a bit allegorical and I don't think we find out who wins.

It all makes me feel a bit cheated that Peter Sarstedt doesn't record the name of the racehorse his 'lovely' keeps just for fun. I wonder what she called it?

THE VICAR ADDS: Reggae fans will be aware that Jamaicans have a healthy interest in making investments in horse flesh which is why the death of the champion race horse Longshot brought about the famous Longshot Kick de Bucket. But I'm sure the parish can do better than that.

The Vicar's newsletter relies on your contributions. Keep them coming to mail@rockingvicar.com

Pip pip!!

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