NIRVANA CLASSIC ALBUM TURNS 20...

When I tuned into Triple J this arvo on my way to work I was totally gob smacked to find that it’s been twenty years since Nirvana’s classic Album ‘Nevermind’ was released.  Twenty years!  Even more shocked to hear listeners ring up and say they were under five or not even born.  Seriously!  Oh, wow – what you have missed.

Nirvana, a grunge band out of Seattle, literally changed how I saw the world.  This is not an exaggeration.  Kurt Cobain – my God! Just the best and of course Dave Grohl – I mean look at him now (Foo Fighters).  I’d like to say I luv them as much but I just don’t...

I have to tell you listening to Triple J and some of the Nirvana tracks they played - Wow how powerful is music? - the memories it evoked where like BAM!  The year was 1991 ‘Nevermind’ had just been released.  I lived in Israel in the middle of the Negev Desert and every Friday night Shabbat (our one night off) we, the volunteers from all parts of the world, would head down to the only Israel night club, Givalot (yes in the middle of the desert) and rock out to ‘Smells like Teen Spirit’.  It’s the one song I can always remember everyone dancing too!  And I mean everyone.  As soon as the DJ spun the record you fought for every inch on the dance floor :)

Here’s that all time brilliant song best played loud!

I saved my pennies (a months pay was equivalent to about AUD $80.00) and I had to buy food for a month but I took the bus trip into Beersheva and spent AUD $15.00 of that hard earned money and bought the cassette ‘Nevermind’ – couldn’t afford the CD :)  It did the rounds on the Moshav – everyone I knew borrowed it and we thrashed it to death.  I have since had to buy the CD.

Another favourite of mine: (pretty difficult to choose actually since I luv em all)

Nirvana was God back then and while it was grunge it was fresh music.  It was beautiful, raw and sexy and we couldn’t get enough of it.  And then the albums that followed and the MTV unplugged – what an album that is :)

Then I returned home in Feb 1994 and two months later Kurt was dead.  I won’t even go into the deep loss and grief I experienced at that time – it was a double edge sword .  I had just left a world behind that I loved and didn’t want to be here in OZ and was grieving for my life in Israel and London and Kurt’s death compounded that – the life I grieved had truly gone.  Kurt and his music was so pivotal to one of the most magickal times of my life and now he was dead.  But this post is not about grief.  This post is about the celebration of a fantastic album, a brilliant band that had the most profound impact for their short time on the music scene.

And if you aren’t bored yet – here’s another:

If you are around  this Friday night and want to check out the release of their movie (their only LIVE show recorded on film) performing at the Paramount in their hometown then check all the details here screening in cinemas around the country – do yourself a favour and check it out.  Watch the trailer here 

 As for me I will have to wait for the DVD as I will be working :(

On that note I will leave you with another song I kinda rather adore: Click here or the vid below. 

Midnight rambler lost in a time steeped with memories that I’m so happy I was actually old enough to enjoy. Maybe being older ain’t so bad after all ♥  Skin the sun, Fall asleep, Wish away…

The Lamplights: from heartfelt folk to driving acoustic funk and blues...

If you are a Triple J listener then you might have heard of The Lamplights - and if you're not a listener you still might like to check them out here at unearthed. 

Unearthed is triple j’s award-winning initiative for discovering and sharing the best new Australian music. This local Gold Coast band is so good I just had to post a review.

"The Lamplights is such a beautiful name.  It conjures up gorgeous images of time past, of dark and foggy cobble-stoned streets in London, warmed by the delectable glow of lamplights. [read more...]

 Grab a beverage of your choice, put your feet up and have a listen to the wonderful Ryan Gittoes on voals, Jason McGregor and Ashley Perrow, both on guitar in this clip from the ABC.  You not only get two songs, but an added bonus for your time - an interview!

Remember to check out their gig guide and support local music in a town near you and if you live interstate you can download some of their mp3's for free here or purchase their wonderful debut album here 

Enjoy :)





Midnight rambler preparing for Triple J's world-wide party on Australia Day and listening out for The Lamplights...

All I Know...

All I know...after a day from hell this song from a great Melbourne outfit Eagle and the Worm manages to cheer me no end.







This clip was filmed on the Mornington Peninsula so it's a pretty cool back drop to a groovee tune that is all about having some fun...


Midnight rambler wishing you a week of fun or finding the fun in the mundane or the days from hell or whatever gets you down. 

May this bring you some sunshine ♥

 

finding strength and being connected...

"Never Fade Away’ speaks about finding strength from our families, the importance of family and also the importance of seeing all human beings as being connected and part of a global community. Never Fade Away, the music video, was all shot in our hometown of Melbourne, Australia. It features some of our regions finest multicultural artists, dancers and musicians, it’s recognition and a celebration of the strong multicultural foundation that is modern Australia." 

The above is taken from Blue King Brown's website which sums up this band beautifully.  I have seen them perform at one of The Cat Empire gigs.  They are amazing. 

Lately, I have been thinking about so many things.  Have just started a new job that has many challenges and the one thing I keep coming back to, besides writing, is travelling and what I love most about travelling.  It's the culture and the celebration of culture and the global connectedness.  I think this song is fitting and a reminder of how important it is to stay connected to the world and not just our personal patch.  Enjoy :)

Midnight rambler attempting to stop the itch in her feet...

Beaches, hips, sand and sea...

Feature song is late...I have a good excuse this time.  I have had the most awesome, intensive weekend ever, which has kept me so busy and in catch-up mode all week, but that's another post...stay tuned...

Seriously, if I had time I would post a song a day.  There are so many damn good songs being released every day or every other week.  I want to post this one, then that one, and I just have to make a decision.  It's all about what makes you feel good, hey?  This song, this week or at least in this moment makes me feel great.

So people - with summer just around the corner - get down with Thao with the Get Down Stay and swim or kick some sand, or build a castle or just have fun :) 

Midnight rambler is getting down...

I'm on my way to where I won't look back...

'Cinema' - The Cat Empire, the latest release from one of my most favourite LIVE Australian bands is brilliant. The more I listen to it, the more I love it. All their albums are great, they all offer something unique with the distinctly Cat Empire sound.

This album, however, is probably one of my favourites - wish I could explain why - so I've copied from their website the perfect description for this album which captures it perfectly below:

The album serves up a set which captures the inexorable force - and sheer joy - of their live performances, delivered in a format perfect for lounge-rooms, backyards, BBQ's, cafes, road trips and parties all over the world. This is music which defies definition, but has a sound all of its own.

The only thing we can tell you it is that it is incredibly infectious, undeniably uplifting and definitely danceable.

I have chosen track #10 off the album 'On My Way' for all sorts of obvious reasons. Listen to it loud, sing and dance and just Enjoy!


The Cats are currently touring Australia - check out their tour dates...

Midnight rambler can hear the train...oh,oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...

RAISING ENERGY

Here tis the feature song for this week.  From one of my favourite OZ dance bands, The Presets.  This song I've chosen 'Talk Like That', from the album 'Apocalypso', I love in particular, especially LIVE!! 

I mean these guyz are brilliant at the best of times but when they do this song LIVE they rock the house, raise the energy and you can't help but wanna dance and smile and punch your arms above your head.


Go hard or go home and pump up the volume...


Midnight rambler is rocking... 

A WICKED return home...

Where does the time go? What happened to my regular blogging? Weekly feature song? Clearly, I’ve been off track, lack of clarity in so many areas of my life, with writing being just one of them!



However, today some clarity has returned and because it may only last a day, or an hour, I feel this overwhelming urge to blog – YAY! I’ve just had the wonderful opportunity of returning to my old stomping ground, the Eastern suburbs of SYDNEY.

Vaucluse

Besides a short trip in 2008 that had me laid up in bed with a virus from hell, I hadn’t been back to explore since I left for grander things like ‘London’s calling’ in 1991.


How could I go so long without returning to my home? Extraordinary isn’t it? I have no idea why but that’s about to change. It was wonderful to take my partner in life and in crime, David to share the experience. We visited the bays from Rushcutter’s to Vaucluse, immersed ourselves in the beach culture from Bondi to Bronte. We ate good vego food and drank fab coffee. We walked the streets of my stomping ground in Woollahra and Paddo, wandered around the Saturday markets held in the historical Paddington Uniting Church grounds, to hanging out in Centennial Park!!

Woollahra

A stroll around the wonderful terraced houses that line the tree filled streets, old corner pubs and houses converted into hip, cool and funky eateries. Dogs of all shapes and breeds, sitting obediently by their owners side while they ate and drank coffee in the sidewalk cafes. Love the zany people of Oxford Street carrying designer pups in designer bags and this is the men!!

And the icing on the cake was seeing the Musical ‘ Wicked’ inspired by the novel 'Wicked: The life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West' written by Gregory Maguire, a parallel novel of 1939’s Frank Braum’s classic film ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’. Wicked has been a musical I’d been aching to see since its release in Melbourne July, 2008. It didn’t disappoint as It was a night filled with magick, art, culture, and an exquisite taste of something my heart aches for when I return to Brisbane. It’s not just the show, it’s the glorious old theatres such as the Capitol theatre which opened in 1928 and later restored in 1995, with its marble staircases, twinkling stars in the ceiling, velvet drapes and box seats.


These theatres take me back in time, and their beautiful restoration of historical buildings add flavour and character and fits comfortably within the modern architecture of a revamped downtown Sydney. WICKED was worth every penny spent, from the A Reserve dress circle seats, to the program and the two tees I couldn’t resist. My only regret was not buying the ‘wicked green dacquiri’ served in a keepsake plastic martini glass that lights up and glows every colour of the rainbow!! Soooo’ very groovee!!


The cast were magnificent, Lucy Durack as Glinda, the good witch of the north. She was fabulous and had a voice that could shatter glass. Patrice Tipoki as Elphaba, the future wicked witch of the West had some amazing witchy, flying moments. Tim Campbell as Fiyero (some might know him for his character Dan in Home and Away) was delightful and sang and danced better than I expected. Maggie Kirkpatrick well known for her role as Fergie, the freak from Prisoner, was brilliant as Madame Morrible. Rodney Dobson as Doctor Dillamond, the goat like creature was awesome, and then there was Bert - Bert Newton as the Wizard. His performance of ‘Wonderful’ was quite wonderful :) The music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz was brilliantly delightful. The story telling of life in OZ before or around the introduction of Dorothy was spellbinding, unique and beautiful.


The stage design remarkable, from the dragon on top of the stage to flying witches on broomsticks, flying monkeys, dazzling, sparkling lights of Glinda the good witch and a cast that made you laugh and cry. Brilliant, whimsical, magickal and an extraordinary delight which now has me scouring the shelves of 'Blockbuster' for Judy Garland in the classic itself, and enjoying it again from a whole new perspective, especially now I know how the witch from the West became truly WICKED!


Wickedly entertaining and I give it 5 stars and then some…


Watch the promo here


And, last but not least - as you leave the theatre and the magick within, this sign hangs above the exit door:

‘YOU ARE LEAVING OZ, REALITY STRAIGHT AHEAD!


Aaah *sigh*


Midnight rambler – back to reality! 

The language of music, vinyl and deejays...

Well it seems I haven't been listening to the radio much lately.  

Today I had the pleasure of tuning into Triple J - the best part about spending an hour in the car cruising to the other side of town.  What a fabulous morning show it was - either because I hadn't tuned in for awhile or they just had an awesome playlist.  I suspect the latter as not all songs were new but fab all the same.

This one got me rocking my feet between brake and accelerator, singing, and smiling.  Hey, this is what music is all about and if music lifts my heart and makes me feel lighter even for the 4.36 minutes, then it can't be bad.  Crank up the volume and check it out!

DISCO SPACE IN M.A.R.R.S

Hey, hey - here we are in disco space.  This is one of them classics that never die or ever feel dated IMHO...Check it out and see for yeeselves and let me know what you think.

Have fun in MARRS...

midnight rambler is dancing in disco space...

How cool is this?

Welcome to the featured song! 

I've chosen this song more for the video - I'm not really a great Black Eyed Pea fan but I tell you this got me smiling.  This is corny, feel good stuff I know, but after the 'curve ball' hell I've been in, this cheered me no end. 

It's been around the net since Sept last year so a lot of you may have already seen it but just in case I'm gonna share it with you.  This was a street party that Oprah put on for her 24th season in Chicago!

Remember this clip is more about the visuals rather than the music so watch people, watch! 

This is fun.  Let me know what you think...

Midnight rambler is smiling...

Feature song - Mowgli's Road - Marina and the Diamonds

So many great songs being released.  Too many to keep up with.  I have a favourite one day then another comes up the next...

All in all they're all great and suit different moods so by the end of the year I should have posted at least 52 different kinds of songs.  Should be fun to add to the party list.

Play and dance and sing.  Click here for more info

40 DAY DREAM - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

I'm really digging this band because they speak to me...'Yeah, right what does that mean?' I hear you say.  Well if you know their first release HOME - it talks about what is home to you, what does home mean. It means so many things to so many people and I've been asking myself that alot lately.  Where is home to me?  I'm nomadic by nature so I don't get the concept of settling down and living in one place.  So...does that mean there's something wrong with me - probably, but I don't care.  I think these guyz idea of home makes a lot of sense.  And for now, their take on it pretty much defines HOME to me...

But we're not talking about that song this week, we're talking '40 Day Dream' ' First of all I love to dream and who wouldn't want the best dream of your life to last 40 days and 60 nights?  Too good to be true and one of the magickal mystery kind - hey it's all very psychadelic and I love it...I'm not ashamed to admit it.  I love these dudes, their energy, their depth behind basic lyrics...Have a listen and let me know what you think....Oh and turn it up loud and just dance and have some fun!

Midnight rambler preparing for the third instalment of the 40 day dream...

HAPPY NEW YEAR - HIP HIP, CHIN CHIN

Happy New Year!! 

I'm making a change to my 'song of the month' because music is so important to me and kinda fits with my love of travel, writing and dance.  Some of the things I guess I couldn't or wouldn't want to live without! 

So I'm gonna post a song a week!  I'm gonna call it 'Feature song' unless I can come up with something better between this week and next.  Why one a week? Because music inspires me to write, to love, to laugh, to dance.  One song a month is just not enough.  If it can inspire me, it might inspire you and if not - well then that's okay too.

The song I've chosen to kick of the New Year also includes Dance, so a double whammy.  This song/dance 'Hip Hip Chin Chin - Club des Belugas is taken from SYTYCD in 2007 with Lacey Schwimmer and Danny Tidwell, choreographed by Dimitry Chaplin.  It absolutely rocks and has to be the sexiest Samba ever!! So click here and enjoy!!