Gerry’s Top Sixty Albums of the Decade Part Three
Gerry's Top Sixty Albums of the Decade Part Three December 16th 2009 Nos. 40-31 40. America Brasil, Seu Jorge, 2008 Rio born Jorge broke through with the music for the film ‘City of God’ and then at some point did an album of Bowie covers in Portuguese which got a lot of attention, but passed me by. This is an album of his own compositions, which while varied in style, has an overall sense of up-beatness, the spirit of bossa nova, being breezy and filled with life and vitality. 39. In a Bad Mood, Geraint Watkins, 2008 Watkins is one
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Gerry’s Top Sixty Albums of the Decade Part Two
Gerry's Top Sixty Albums of the Decade Part Two December 15th 2009 Here is Part Two; numbers 50-41 .... 50. Singing for Life: Songs of Hope, Healing and HIV/AIDS in Uganda, 2007 What an unbelievably life-affirming album this is. Addressing one of the most serious issues of our time: the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa, ‘Singing for Life’ details the response of Ugandan musicians. With titles such as ‘Death is Bad’, ‘AIDS Finished Us’ and ‘The Graveyard is Our Home’ some might think this a bleak listen, but it is a celebration of the human (and musical) spirit. 49.
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Gerry’s Top Sixty Albums of the Decade Part One
Gerry’s Top Sixty Albums of the Decade Part One December 14th 2009 Here it comes day by day …. Gerry’s countdown of the grooves he was listening to over the decade. First things first, this is my chart so the criterion is made up by me. It is mostly new things which came out over the ten years, but also includes some compilations and reissues. Second, looking back on it is interesting to see what is missing. So no ‘latest things’ such as Panda Bear or Fleet Foxes (bought and stuck on amazon within days of purchasing), and no
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In Celebration of Gil Scott-Heron
In Celebration of Gil Scott-Heron Gerry Hassan December 8th 2009 Gil Scott-Heron matters to me. Musically. Politically. Personally. For the stands he took interweaving politics, personal action and what it means to be a man trying to be honest and keep on the straight and narrow. A path which he himself tragically has found difficult to keep to at points …. Then of course there is the glorious Scottish connection of Gil’s father, Giles playing for Celtic in the 1950s. He became known as ‘the Black Arrow’ and was apparently a bit of a dandy boy! A couple
Tangerine Dreaming
Tangerine Dreaming Gerry Hassan November 28th 2009 A word of commendation about the publication today of ‘the official history of Dundee United FC’ – ‘Dundee United: the Official Centenary History’ – written by Peter Rundo and Mike Watson (1). Rundo is United’s official match programme editor and Watson, is a former MP and MSP, who has written two previous books on United, ‘From Rags to Riches’ and ‘The Tannadice Encyclopaedia’. This is a beautifully cared for, put together and loved book, which the authors have painstaking spent time on in research and choosing the illustrations. And it is superbly
The Mindset of Denial: A Panel of Experts Write
The Mindset of Denial: A Panel of Experts Write Gerry Hassan November 27th 2009 I have written fairly often on the subject that passes for sectarianism in Scotland, at times written on football, and occasionally written on both. For some reason, my column yesterday in ‘The Scotsman’ that addressed these subjects, along with racism and homophobia, rankled a range of Rangers opinion who decided to get in contact. I cannot claim that these half dozen Rangers fans who contacted me are a representative cross-section of the club’s support, but what is interesting is that these fans expressed themselves in a
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This Charming Man Named Dave
This Charming Man Named Dave Gerry Hassan October 9th 2009 Do you like Phil Collins? I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think "Invisible Touch" was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Christy, take off your robe. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins
A Tale of Two Cities and Cultures in Glasgow
A Tale of Two Cities and Cultures in Glasgow Gerry Hassan October 3rd 2009 Two music gatherings in Glasgow this week: the MOBO Awards (1) celebrating black music and the opening of the Mental Health Arts and Film Festival (2) on consecutive nights in the SECC and Fruitmarket respectively. Two very different takes of the city, audiences and cultures. The MOBO Awards had the feel of glitz, bling and ostentatiousness, Hollywood meets Dubai, while carrying the imprint of the mainstream, the bland and the official. Promo films about Glasgow run before the event; the usual images of the city: the
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Rockin’ All Over the World: The Anvil Story
Rockin’ All Over the World: The Anvil Story Gerry Hassan October 3rd 2009 Being in a rock band or being enthralled to the power of rock is a certain vocation. And a heavy metal band or follower is even more a kind of calling. Step forward the heavy metal band Anvil, subjects of the film, Anvil: The Story of Anvil which I just watched this week. Anvil are originally from Toronto, Canada, and nearly broke through in the early 1980s, only to slip away into obscurity. This film was shot by a roadie, and has obvious Spinal Tapesque overtones. Continue Reading Rockin’ All Over the World: The Anvil Story
The Dream is Over: The Beatles as Product and Getting Over the Sixties
The Dream is Over: The Beatles as Product and Getting Over the Sixties Gerry Hassan September 6th 2009 Let's hear it for the first Beatle Let's hear it for the worst Beatle Let's hear it for the best Beatle The had to get it off his chest Beatle Let's hear it for the lost Beatle The art at any cost Beatle The Beatle with the sense of taste Beatle Who never learned to play his bass Beatle Edwyn Collins, ‘The Beatles’, 2002 (1) In the next few days and weeks lots of press coverage and commentary is going
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