True Faith and Other Cover Songs

So, True Faith by New Order has been covered by George Michael then.  I'm purposely trying to avoid it as most people have had negative views on it and I do not want to spoil my views on the original.  Yes it intentions are to raise money for Comic Relief, even though as fatmancunian states, it is a serious cover, rather than a comical one.  Matthew Rudd raises a valid point about actually being allowed to dislike it, even though it is a charity single.  We have been trained to think that we should buy them, even though they aren't musically brilliant.

The negative views towards this track got me thinking about other cover songs in near and distant past.  Were there many that were actually any good?  As I was struggling to come up with many, I put the question out to Twitter.  Surprisingly, I was wrong.

There are a number of good covers out there including I Second That Emotion by Japan, Burning Down The House by Nillson and Crying In The Rain by A-Ha.  Some of the tracks mentioned I mistakingly took them for original tracks, Wherever I Lay My Hat and Love of The Common People by Paul Young for example.  I put my lack of knowledge down to not being old enough to remember the originals.

There are a plethora of bad covers too and it isn't hard to think of them.  How's about Love Is All Around by Wet Wet Wet, Here's Where the Story Ends by Tin Tin Out, Srawberry Fields Forever by Candy Flip an Baker Street by Undercover?

What is it that makes or breaks a cover song then?

The most iconic covers tend to be complete reworkings of the original tracks, think Jeff Buckleys version of Hallelujah.  In covering Leonard Cohens original, he has actually managed to switch the song into a different genre, and not done a bad job of it neither.

The other key factor to note is making the correct choice in a song to cover.  Should this track be covered or not is the question that needs asking every time.

To be frank there are a number of tracks that shouldn't be covered.  Some of these have actually been recorded.  True Faith falls into this category.  God knows what possessed Depeche Mode to allow The Saturdays to cover Just Can't Get Enough.  This being the latest in cover songs from the past that have switched genres but for me aren't even a patch on the original.  Did The Saturdays actually think it was a good idea to folow in the footsteps of Girls Aloud, who covered a staggering four tracks?!

To finish off, I'd thought I'd leave you with one of my favourite covers.  This in fact switched genres and proved to be sucessful.  Also, it is an excellent track performed live as I saw here.

If you wish to add to this list of good and bad covers, please feel free.

'Yes, this fear's got a hold on me' #6

Last nights White Lies gig at The O2 Academy in Leeds was the latest to pop up on my radar.  Having seen them 5 times previously, I had an idea that this would be too good a concert to miss when the tickets went on sale back in mid November.  Yes it meant sacrificing other bands I haven't seen yet (finances dictate only a handful of gigs these days), but after hearing their single from the 'Ritual' album I had an idea it wasn't going to disappoint.

Once I had carried out my share of 'dad' duties and remembered to pick up the tickets, I set off for Leeds, picking up my fellow gig goer on the way.  The rain and slightly windy conditions made for an interesting journey across the M62, but nevertheless we made it into Leeds for just after 20:15.  Prior to leaving the house, I had checked my Twitter timeline and found that the main support act was on at 20:30 until 21:00, with Harry and co getting on stage at 21:30.  That obviously meant that the 22:30 curfew would be kept right?

We had our customary glance at the merchandise booth en-route to the bar to get a pint of what can only be described as fizzy tasteless lager aka Tuborg before we got in position, just before the main support act 'Crocodiles' came on stage.  Musically they were quite enjoyable but the lead singer however, annoyed me.  He came on stage with a pair of Blues Brothers style sunglasses on, danced around a bit daft on stage whilst holding onto the mic stand and sung in a style that I can only liken to Morrissey.  In my book, that never should be done because you'll never be as good as him!  Towards the end of the set, he picked up a guitar and lost the Morrissey impression.  This was where they turned it round and they went from annoying to being quite enjoyable.  They have been added to the list of acts to try on Spotify.

After they departed and half an hour filled with stage setup, pushing, shoving and getting a bit cramped (well it was a sell out after all), they entered the stage to a theatrical but really simple spot light show.  The set began with 'A Place To Hide' from their first album 'To Lose My Life'.   A good start and a track which the little niggles with the Sound Mix could be ironed out with.  Reasoning with the choice in opener maybe?

'Holy Ghost', the second single from the new album followed, which reaffirmed to me that they really can perform live and are backed by first class Sound Engineers.  All the White Lies performances I have seen have been superbly produced, with the sound being really clear, in a variety of different venues.  At this point I remembered a comment made by a work colleague who attended the Leeds Met gig with me in May 2009.  As one of his favourite venues, he claimed that they were the best produced act he'd seen there, and trust me, he's seen loads of acts at that Students Union.

Anyway back on subject.  The title track from the first album followed which saw the crowd begin bounce and jump around in enjoyment slightly.  The obvious pattern of alternating between an old and a new track was beginning to shine through.  Old favourite E.S.T. was interlaced with new offerings such as Strangers, Peace and Quiet and Streetlights.

From here we got to the livelier part of the set with Farewell To The Fairground, again one of the live favourites amongst the fans.  The first track from Ritual, 'Is Love' came next which I was looking forward to hearing and lived up to my hopes.  The more laid back 'Bad Love' again gave the excitable crowd a bit of respite before the final track of the set was announced.

I had my money on Death being the final track of the encore as I wasn't sure any other track would work.  However, it appeared as the last track of the main set, much to the surprise of the majority of people around me.  Undoubtedly their best track live track had it's desired effect and the whole floor was bouncing up and down.

The 3 track encore consisted of Unfinished Business and the slower paced The Power and The Glory before ending on the current single Bigger Than Us.  Although a great surprised, I think that it worked as an encore, albeit in a different way to Death.  But then the whole second album differs from the first so that doesn't stand stand up as a comparison really does it?

Even though I've seen these 6 times, I still don't get tired of their live performances.  Harry is an excellent lead singer who really lets the music do the talking.  The band aren't about gimmicks or messing about on stage.  They just seem to be pleased that people enjoy there music.  You could see this in the bow they all took at the end of the gig.

Another memory of the evening is how many people older than me were at the gig.  I'm 31 and expected to be one of the oldest there.  However, there were couple who seeemed to be older than me dotted about.  It still makes me smile that one stood close to me decided to check if the liquid she had been sprayed with was lager or not.  Clearly she doesn't attend many gigs!

As for the next gig, I don't have any booked.  There are a few I would like to attend but I'm either working or being dad coupled with cash flow issues.  However, it still doesn't stop me from being envious of others who will go.

White Lies played:

A Place to Hide

Holy Ghost

To Lose My Life

Strangers

E.S.T.

Peace & Quiet

Streetlights

Farewell to the Fairground

Is Love

Bad Love

Death

Unfinished Business

The Power & The Glory

Bigger Than Us

What now for Sky Sports, Keys and Gray?

Unless you've not turned on a Television or Radio over the past week, you will have heard about the whole Richard Keys and Andy Gray sexism saga.  The off-air conversation between the two about Sian Masseys knowledge of the offside rule has been big news for the majority of the week.  I never thought that it would become as bigger story as it has done.  Even my father-in-law who detests football with a passion was asking my opinion on it!

To repeat what Keys said in his interview with TalkSPORT on repeat for most of the hour, what he and Gray said was wrong.  It shouldn't have been said and has possibly tarnished the excellent work made by the various governing bodies in football to involve women in the modern game.  There is no place for it in my opinion.

Judging by what I have seen in the last few years and this blog entry from someone who claims to be an employee or ex-employee of Sky Sports, Keys and Gray have been allowed too much of a free rein and letting them get away with it.  For the past 20 years the pair of them have taken live football to a new level with how the shows they were involved with have been presented and the technology used.  Gray's analysis of the game has proved to be second to none over the years.  In it's early years his own show named 'Andy Gray's Bootroom' with the use of Subbuteo in the middle of a mock dressing room demonstrated his flair as a broadcaster.  As many an armchair football fan like myself know, this went onto become a major feature of Monday Night Football, updated with the light pen on the screen and a stack of video tapes.  This seems a far cry from the latest incarnation with the touch screen and the iPad!  Keys was essential in that he hung on every word that Gray said and made up a formidable partnership.  The trouble is that they knew it, got too complacent and have run the show for a good few years.

If the New Statesmans blog is to be believed, and Keys comments on TalkSPORT about 'dark forces being at work here' along with the release of the anonymous video clips on Youtube, it's obvious to me that someone has wanted them to go from Sky Sports.  They have been presented with the opportunity to put them in a bad light and then added fuel to the situation over the course of the few days that followed.  For this reason, I do think they've been stitched up.  However, they shouldn't have given whoever released these clips cause to release them.

The fact that Keys and Gray will no longer be working for Sky Sports leaves a few questions unanswered in my eyes.  Who will replace them at Sky (that is of course if they need to be replaced)?  How will there football coverage go forward from this?  Finally, what now for Keys and Gray?

The question of replacements and the shape of the output form hereon in is crucial for Sky and how much football coverage they will retain when the contracts are next up for renewal.  Do they try and keep the style and format pioneered by Keys and Gray?  If so, who would be able to carry it off?  I don't think that this can be done as they were unique in what they did.  Anybody who tried to copy it or emulate it, tried and failed.  Remember the dreadful Tactics Truck with Andy Townsend on ITV's The Premiership?

Certainly for the foreseeable future, Sky will revert back to a host and guests/pundit format in a studio at the ground where the live game is being played.  They already have good solid hosts on the books in the form of Dave Jones, Ben Shephard and Jeff Stelling who could make it work.  I saw earlier today that Jeff was the bookies favourite as the permanent replacement.  However, having read Jeff's book, I don't think he'll want to do it long term.  We will unfortunately be stuck with Jamie Redknapp for the time being.  There's plenty of other pundits which they tend to use who can appear also.

I do believe that Sky may have to try and come up with something new and innovative long term though, if they are to be successful in retain the amount of Premier League rights they have.  If they do, will they look outside of Sky for the on screen personnel to implement it?  I see this as a fundamental development, if they are to retain the rights that they currently own.

This leaves the question of filling the co-commentary gap left by Gray.  How best to fill that role?  There aren't that many co-commentators who I consider to be as good as him, or even offer a great deal more to the game we are viewing.  Therefore I think that Sky may struggle here.  Naturally I think that Alan Smith may step up, but I find that he can only work with the right commentator at the side of him.  Otherwise, the voices of both seem to make the broadcast dull and boring. 

Another candidate I see is Davie Provan who has worked on Football First games and Scottish Football.  An articulate co-commentator who talks a good game and isn't too controversial.  Or will they look outside of Sky again for a replacement?

Keys and Gray are now seen as controversial characters and I suspect that many broadcasters will not even entertain the idea of employing either of them.  It is rumoured that they are in negotiations with Al Jazeera to front their coverage.  Won't they tied into a contract with their various hosts they already use such as Gary Lineker and Angus Scott?  Money won't necessarily be an use for the Middle East outfit though will it?

As you can probably tell, I've thought about this alot over the last week.  I've taken an interest how football is broadcast for many years, and this makes the whole story all the more fascinating as the knock on effects of their departures unfold.

First Aid Training

Firstly, let me wish you all a Happy New Year.  I've not posted for a while so I thought I'd best put in an appearance.

I've been a First Aider for most of my 12 years service with my employer and today I completed a two day refresher course.  Provided by our Occupational Health Service, we have to attend for two days every three years and complete an assessment to keep our certification up-to-date (originally gained by attending a four day course).  I think it is by far one of the best courses I have completed as it is such an important skill to have in your life, not just at work.  I'm also lucky in the fact that I've done it through my employer free of charge.

To most people, it seems really frightening to be able to administer first aid and this is why they are reluctant to come forward and volunteer to be a First Aider.  I can assure you that it isn't.  It is really simple and the majority of it is just plain common sense.  Most First Aiders will probably tell you that as you go through the course and refresher courses, you do retain alot of the knowledge.  This was my fourth refresher course on top of the original four day course and the attendees were more or less telling the instructor what was needed in each scenario.

If you are unsure about whether you would like to attend First Aid training, please give it a try.  You never know, it might come in handy one day.

I've included this clip from the British Red Cross about one of the fundamental parts you would come across on any First Aid training.



I'll get down off my Soap Box now.

From a time when only the Newsagents was open on a Sunday.....

Reading and commenting on Five Centres blog post about various old supermarket brands kicked off a bit of reminiscing within me this week.  Of course in the context of the piece, I thought about the different brands I had possibly seen in a little over 25 years.  It also got me thinking about how our family shopped back in those days.

My parents did frequent the Supermarket on a weekly basis, right from the late 70's when they got married.  However, unlike most modern families, this wasn't their only shopping trip of the week.  Many a Saturday morning would be spent picking up the Fruit and Vegetables, Meat, Toiletries and Household Cleaners, Haberdashery and Hardware needed for the following week from the various market stalls and the small independent shops in the town centre.  Don't forget that this was in an age when the only shops that opened on a Sunday were probably the Newsagents, Petrol Station and the odd Convenience Store if you were lucky.  Most supermarkets only had one night a week where they would open late, and even then it would be until 20:00.  Obviously to any younger readers who might stumble across this blog (god I make myself sound old!), this would seem a far cry from the one-stop shops we have now which come in the form of Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco that only close for two days of the year now.  Having your shopping delivered by these shops wasn't even thought of.  If you were lucky, one of the local 'Corner Shops' might drop it off in the van whilst they were out and about but the price of your shopping would be alot more.

These memories date back to a time when the housewife was more common in the average household.  They would have more time at home to carry out the chores and therefore had plenty of free time at weekends to do the shopping and spend with the family.  By this comment I don't wish to come across as sexist.  In fact I would go as far as to say that they should be celebrated for the way they kept all the family together and how their homes were run efficiently.  No mean feat in my eyes.

As times have changed, so have people and families.  There are alot more families where both parents go out to work to keep a good standard of living.  This is clearly where the one-stop shop comes into its own.  A couple of hours can be spent in one place picking up all the items you need.  For the sake of a small charge, you can even do it from the comfort of your armchair and have it delivered to your door.  Some believe this is a small price to pay for the time and stress it saves, particularly if ill-behaved children really get on your nerves!

In our house, we still do a weekly shop to the supermarket.  Mrs. S does this most weeks at the moment as she is still on maternity leave from work.  This is interspersed with the odd visit to Costco for bulk buying of certain items and some meat.  The main meat purchases are made through our local butcher.  These are a dying breed on our local High Streets unfortunately as people look no further than the supermarket.  Our local family run butcher produces first class quality meat.  I hope to enjoy his meat for many years to come.

What I hoped to achieve with this post was to illustrate the changes in our shopping habits due to how peoples lifestyle have altered.  From where we currently are with our lifestyles and habits, I wonder how they will change next.

Me Me Me

Nicked from Queen Margot and the Supper Club, I thought I'd have a go a these answers.  Like Suzy Norman said in her post, please feel free to have a go at this yourself:

1. What was the last thing you put in your mouth?

It was the last piece of a Mars Bar. An evening snack which I nearly always say I will not give into temptation but end up doing so.

2. Where was your profile picture taken?

That reminds me, I must get one sorted.  Hopefully one that doesn't make the reader click the cross in the top right hand corner.

3. Can you play Guitar Hero?

No.

4. Name someone who made you laugh today?

Seen as I've been at home due to the snow, the person who has made me laugh will be little Miss S., our 7 month old.

5. How late did you stay up last night and why?

I was in bed by about 10:50 last night.  This is the latest we had both been in bed for a while.  It isn't really feasible to stay up late too often with a youngster in the house who chooses to get up anytime after 6am.  I had contemplated staying up to watch some of the Cricket which wouldn't have been a bad idea judging by the first days play!

6. If you could move somewhere else, would you?

We're happy where we are at the moment in our Semi Detached house.  I dream of having my own detached property with a bit of land but I can't see that happening in this lifetime.

7. Ever been kissed under fireworks?

I think so but I can't be sure.

8. Which of your friends lives closest to you?

I have a mate who lives about a mile and a half away.  He's always good for a pot of tea and a natter about nothing important, just how blokes should be!  He has a taste for the odd Real Ale aswell.

9. Do you believe exes can be friends?

Not really.  In my opinion you need to make a clean break and not have the ex lingering in the background whilst you are trying to get your new relationship off the ground.  In my case I should have tried harder to make the splits less acrimonious.  Splitting is hard enough without things getting nasty.  Also, I would like to think that if I bumped into any of my ex's that it wouldn't be terribly uncomfortable (I know it's probably naive of me!).

10. How do you feel about Dr.Pepper?

One of the soft drinks I do enjoy.

11. When was the last time you cried really hard?

I'll pass on that one.

12. Who took your profile picture?

See question 2.

13. Who was the last person you took a picture of?

Intentionally Little Miss S.  Unintentionally a man walking his dog in the snow yesterday whilst I was out grabbing pictures of the tress in the local park covered in snow.
14. Was yesterday better than today?

Probably as I ended up having the day off from work as I couldn't get the car out of the street due to the snow.  An unexpected day at home is always welcome, even if it did mean I missed work.  I will have to work the day missed back at some stage, but that will come when the weather improves.

15. Can you live a day without TV?

I'm ashamed to say that probably not.  We enjoy a fair bit of TV and also make use of our Sky+ box to watch the desired programmes when we like.
16. Are you upset about anything?

Not today, apart from the fact that we're cut off from the main roads due to the amount of snow in our cul-de-sac.  Also, I am worried about when we will next get some milk and bread as jo public are panic buying these at the moment.

17. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it?

I would say yes.  I'm blessed with having a wonderful wife who is a great mother too.  Our relationship has been really tested over the last 18 months with plenty of bad stuff thrown at us but I think we're getting through it slowly and it is worth sticking with.
18. Are you a bad influence?

I can be I suppose.  I can be lazy at times, again something I shouldn't be proud of.  That then rubs off on the people around me.  I'm also a shopaholic, particularly in music and DVD shops.  I've been trying to cut back but I've not managed it so far.
19. Night out or night in?

It would have to be a Night Out seen as we don't have any of those these days.  I'm equally happy with a night in, the Sky+ remote and good bottle of wine or beer.

20. What items could you not go without during the day?

Mrs. S has just answered this as my iPhone.  It never really leaves my side.  One of my favourite purchases of the year.
21. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital?

Mrs. S in May this year, just after the birth of little Miss. S.

22. What does the last text message in your inbox say?

It's from Tom Smith out of Editors.  The message is a mailshot, telling fans what the band have been up to recently.

23. How do you feel about your life right now?

That is a question I hadn't considered until I started writing this blog entry.  Overall I'd say reasonably happy.  I have wonderful family and I'm trying to make the most of little Miss S before she grows up.  Other than a bad back I'm in good health.  I have a job with a steady income.  The picture at work has a gloomy outlook at the moment my department is under review and reorganisation at the moment.  Hopefully we'll come through that still having a job.
24. Do you hate anyone?

I would say not.  I don't have the time to be bitter about anything or anyone.  I'd say I get annoyed by certain people from time to time, but no hatred.
25. If we were to look in your facebook inbox, what would we find?

I have a facebook account but to be honest I only use it for nosing at other people and what they are up to.  My inbox hardly gets used.

26. Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass?
Providing a drugs test didn't include alcohol, I'd be fine.

27. Has anyone ever called you perfect before?

No one is that daft, not even Mrs S.

28. What song is stuck in your head?

True Faith by New Order.  I've been listening to the Substance album this morning and this was the last track I heard.
29. Someone knocks on your door at 2:00am, who do you want it to be?

I wouldn't want anyone knocking on my door at 2am, unless they really needed me.

30. Wanna have grandkids by the time you're 50?


It would be nice as I would get to appreciate the grandchildren whilst I'm still young enough to do things with.  However, I wouldn't wish for little Miss S to have children at an early age!


31. Name something you have to do tomorrow.

Clear the road outside of snow so that I may be able to get the car out of the street.
32. Do you think too much or too little?

I think far too much and more often than not, it makes things worse.
33. Do you smile a lot?

I would say not as I'm a natural worrier about things.  I don't find it easy to put a brave face on things neither

The Element of Surprise

As it's coming to the Festive Season, I've been doing a bit of online shopping for my presents for Mrs. S.  As with previous years, I've had them delivered to either my work address or to the mother-in-laws as she's retired and home most days.

Earlier this week, Mrs. S mum telephoned me whilst I was at home to inform me that the latest delivery had been received.  Straight away when she called I went into another room so that I could talk to her without Mrs. S eavesdropping.  When I returned to the lounge after the conversation, Mrs. S tried to find out what I had ordered.  Naturally I gave nothing away and told her she had to wait.

Here's the thing.  She tries this every year and cannot resist trying to find out what I've bought her.  Each year, I don't offer any information.  You would have thought by now that she would have learnt not to ask me daft questions like that!  Myself as an adult who doesn't find Christmas as exciting as when he was a child (although that will hopefully change over the coming years with having little Miss S around), doesn't want to know what people of bought him.  I still like the idea of opening a present up on Christmas Day with that element of surprise.  Also, I really cannot understand these people who try to find out what they've been bought.

Conversely when buying gifts for family and friends, I try to be discrete in finding out.  Again, I like the present to be a surprise to them.  I will never forget visiting a friends house many years ago, a couple of days before Christmas.  All their presents were wrapped and under the tree.  His mum picked up one of the gifts and asked "Is that the hairdryer you asked me if I wanted?".  This I just didn't understand.  Why ask your mum exactly what they want for Christmas? More to the point, if she knows what it is, why bother wrapping it?

The surprise of what a Christmas present might be is an important part of the spirit for me.  Essentially this is what the day is all about.  Yes there is the big lunch and quaffing of alcohol but the whole idea of getting together is to share the gifts.  If these aren't made to be special, then what hope do you have for getting in the Christmas spirit?