The Batdance...

This summer, the world waits in anticipation for the release of the movie THE DARK KNIGHT. This second prequel to the Batman movies before traces further back in time to the origins of Batman and more importantly, this film introduce his eternal nemesis The Joker, played by Heath Ledger who died untimely after acting in this dark role.

When i first gotten news of this movie, it did not take me long before my memories flew back to 1989, the year when the first major Batman movie hits the big screen, starring Michael Keaton as The Batman and veteran actor Jack Nicholson as The Joker. I was just 12 years old and i saved enough to buy the cassette soundtrack of this movie. On first look, all the songs were done by Prince, whom i have already heard and loved his songs by then, such as 'When Doves Cry' and 'Purple Rain', which sound as fresh and timeless today as when i first heard them so many years ago. Prince wrote, composed and produced all the songs on this soundtrack, just as all his music releases. Here was such a versatile musician and encompassing many musical styles who could play virtually every musical instrument.

'Batdance' was the leading single from this soundtrack which shot to #1 on the music charts. It starts off with a chilling laughter from The Joker before the energetic drums kicked in. Interlaced with dialogue from the main characters in the movie, this rollercoaster ride of a song impressed with pop, rock, funk, heavy metal all thrown in and changes pace so intelligently. In a word, this unique song is just as "insane" as the Joker himself, in a good sense though. Thinking back, i just marveled at how fatefully this soundtrack was given to a creative, adventurous and playful music mind as Prince to write and produce. If it had landed in another musician's hands, the result will undoubtedly be very different...in fact, it will fail miserably i think. Watch the MTV.

Check out these two other tracks from the soundtrack 'Partyman' and a beautiful Prince duet with Sheena Easton called 'The Arms of Orion'.

Watch the movie trailer here.

I am waiting with great anticipation for this new Batman film not because of the hero Batman. i am never one who goes for the good guys. The villains and bad guys appeals more to me. Also, this movie is going to trace the origins of one of my favourite villain The Joker. Heath Ledger's death soon after this role made it all even more poignant. The Joker appeals to me not just on the cinematic level but on a personal level as well. That madness, insanity, dark persona and shrill laughter is a reflection of me in many sense.

The Age of Innocence...

This music blog has been showcasing music mostly made in the 70s and 80s. Let's go back further in time to the 1950s and 60s, well known as the golden age of music and to a time when the tunes sprouting out of that era sounded so lyrically and musically innocent, talking about love, family, friendship. Pure and Timeless are just the most befitting words to describe these music.

It was a mammoth task looking through and choosing my most favourite tunes from that era, there are just so many. It will probably take me a lifetime to listen to many more unexplored gems. Below are a selection of my "most-often-listened-to" tracks.


1) Try To Remember
- The Brothers Four

The Brothers Four were an American folk group formed in the late 50s. I heard this serene song on radio many years back and it still remains a staple tune in my head.


2) If You Don't Know Me By Now - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes

This sad but beautiful tune chronicling the falling apart of a relationship due to a lack of understanding just makes my heart ache whenever i hear this. The singer's emotional voice, great supporting vocals and the beautiful strings in the background just make this a wonderful song to listen to. There may be countless cover versions made since but i believe none will beat this great version done by 80s pop group Simply Red in 1989.


3) Movie Star - Harpo

This is a very happy tune...so happy it just bring a smile to my face regardless of how i feel each time i listen to this...





4) Guantanamera
- The Sandpipers

This classic song by 60s US folk group is just a great listen at any time. It was the band's biggest hit too. Check out this other sentimental track called Never Say Goodbye (Chotto Matte Kudasai), laced with japanese lyrics that made this a really great love song...


5) Danny Boy - Andy Williams

This ballad is one of my favourite oldies. I searched up the internet and found that this was originally an Irish song and widely regarded as an Irish anthem. Some interpretations of this song were thought to be as a message from a parent to a son going off to war. Sung with feelings, emotion and meaning, this is simply timeless...


6) The Blizzard - Jim Reeves

This song remains one of the best "storytelling" songs i have ever heard. I could always imagine myself experiencing what the singer goes through each time whenever i listen to this. It cast a very vivid and powerful image in my mind. The 'howling winds' in the song background add to a great effect as the singer and his pony tries to trudge their way back home in the chilling blizzard, a sad ending though...i love to listen to this on those late night journey's home after work. Check out the lyrics here.


"For it's only three more miles to Mary Anne..."

Bigmouth Strikes Again...Remembering "Lucky" (1984-1998)

After the demise of The Smiths, Morrissey went on a solo music career with fans of the group following his every move and music releases. It was a rewarding experience. The "Moz" as they call him, continued where he left off the band, churning out tunes with truthful themes and speaking out for the man on the street and the lonely with his unique and poetic lyrical touch, fantastic!

Some of his best solo hits and also my favourites are "Everyday Is Like Sunday", "Suedehead", "The Last Of The Famous International Playboys", the eerie sounding "Ouija Board Ouija Board" and the hilarious "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful"...just check out some of the long titles of the songs...


I bought his album called "Maladjusted" in the late 90s and two particular tracks really stands out - "Alma Matters" and "Trouble Loves Me" with Morrissey's emotional vocals at its best. The album title track is also a great opener for this solid album.

On this day, 15 May marks ten years since our family dog "Lucky" passed away in 1998. He was more than a pet, he was one of us. He came to our house in 1984 when i was still a little child. I remembered vividly i got a call from my brother in the morning in camp doing my army training, telling me that "Lucky" has passed on and i need not rush back home. In tears, i went back up my barracks throwing punches after punches on my metal cabinet, knowing that i was too late to even see my pet dog for the last time...


Whenever i listen to "Ouija Board Ouija Board", i will remember "Lucky", especially with these opening lines from the song :

"Ouija board
Would you work for me ?
I have got to say Hello
To an old friend
Ouija board, ouija board, ouija board
Would you work for me ?
I have got to get through
To a good friend
Well, she has now gone
From this Unhappy Planet
With all the carnivores
And the destructors on it..."

On this day and at this moment of writing, in rememberance of "Lucky"...wherever you are, just wish to tell you that you are still in my thoughts and i still think of you sometimes. Its been 10 years since you're gone but i can't help thinking, you are still around watching over this old house just as you were before...

Devil's Day...Come On You Reds!

On this day, Manchester United clinched the Barclays English Premier League Championship for the season 07/08. It has been a dramatic season of highs and lows and an even dramatic last day that grips me (as well as all true blue soccer fans) till the last minute of the game. Before i am tempted to say more...i reckon i have to stay true to my intention of this blog to promote good music (not soccer or anything else) as well in a celebration of my favourite team's latest triumph on this glorious occasion...here it is....read on!

"Come On You Reds" is a 1994 UK single sung by the 1994 Manchester United football team along with rock band Status Quo. It top the UK charts for 2 weeks. Featuring vocals from most of the squad members who formed probably the best team ever assembled at Old Trafford. I was a brash 17 year old attending college when i bought this CD single off the shelf and cheering my team on in their best seasons ever in the league. 14 years on in 2008, the Red Devils have done it again...


Dedicated to all Red Devils fans out there, enjoy the song here (suitable and medically certified for opposition fans as well)

"We'll maintain the status quo...
Man United here we go ! "

Mother

This weekend, the world celebrates Mother's Day, an ode to a very special group of people who brought us into this world. What better way to pay tribute to them other than a song most fitting to this special day. I was riding on the bus home thinking of a song that matches the occasion and it was not difficult at all. Only one song came right into my head by rock band Pink Floyd, simply titled "Mother."

This beautiful acoustic piece was written by bassist Roger Waters from the 1979 album "The Wall" which i have blogged about in my earlier entry. Beneath the simple guitar strums, piano, accordion and drums lies the meaningful lyrics of Roger Waters, totally laid bare his emotions and sounding every line so true to the common man. This song was just "another brick in the 'Wall' " album that depicts the writer's detachment and isolation from the outside world as he builds his external "wall", in this case hiding within his mother's love from any external harm, as he converses a series of questions to his mum who reassures him of her loving protection. Listen to this excellent track and watch a great live version of it.

This song builds up to the middle section where guitarist David Gilmour lets loose one of his brilliant guitar solos before Water's emotional vocals let out a final yearning cry to his "mum" with these ethereal lines :

"Mother, do you think she's good enough,
For me?
Mother, do you think she's dangerous,
To me?
Mother will she tear your little boy apart?
Ooooowaa Mother, will she break my heart?
Hush, my baby. Baby, don't you cry.
Momma's gonna check out all your girlfriends for you.
Momma won't let anyone dirty get through.
Momma's gonna wait up until you get in.
Momma will always find out where you've been.
Momma's gonna keep Baby healthy and clean.
Oooo Babe. Oooo Babe. Ooo Babe, you'll always be Baby to me."

i can listen to this over and over again and become so self-absorbed that nothing ever - problems at work or any human relationships can ever get to me and affect me as much. This is the magic of music, they shield u away like invisible walls from affecting things or people and can probably teach me more truths than any book or teacher or person can do. With tunes as good as this, it is all i need to forget this world for all it's troubles sometimes...

This song is dedicated to all mothers out there...


"Mother, do you think she's good enough..."

No

"Mother, do you think she's dangerous..."

Very

"Mother will she tear your little boy apart?"

Yes, absolutely