Football and Music » England

A Tale Of Two Keepers

Webbie - Footie And Music — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:48:52 +0000

The 1970′s.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of Clemence, it was the age of Shilton…

…and I’ll stop there before the estate of Charles Dickens launches a lawsuit.

When I was knee high to the proverbial, I had the privilege of watching Ray Clemence up close. I was there in the Kop, right behind those goals. Within touching distance of a man that to me at that age – looked like a giant.

So I obviously had a bias when it came to him and Peter Shilton. I always thought that Ray should have been in goal for England. It’s a pity that the national team was so inept back then, I’m sure that he would have played some blinders in the 1974 & ’78 World Cups…

Ah but there’s the “who’s the better keeper ?” competition. Was it Shilton or Clemence ?
In the end it was Shilts who went on to win those many, many caps – and some say that he could’ve had at least 50 more if it wasn’t for Clem.

But I still think Ray Clemence was the better. A legend for me to this day.

…

Right that’s enough filler. Now let’s look at the the pair’s attempt to destroy their reputations…

This is another one where I have absolutely zero info on the whys and wherefores.

Recorded and released in 1980… ah. Maybe the 1980 European Championships …?

Ah I may have it.

Right at this moment… I know of no other songs recorded for Europa 80 <-- click the link good stuff. So this might have been... a semi-official release.

Both goalkeepers got a runout in the finals (England P3 W1 D1 L1 and went home) and in their match against Spain (which they won - but it was too late, they were already knocked out so it was a dead rubber) Ray Clemence put in a vintage performance.
From UEFA.com:

...Trevor Brooking and Tony Woodcock scored with firm low shots, the first from a knock-down, the other after Luis Arconada had saved from Terry McDermott - but England had certainly been put on the spot: Spain's penalties were the feature of the match.

Clemence save
Both were awarded for fouls, by Ray Clemence on Jesús Zamora and David Watson on Enrique Saura. Dani put away the first soon after coming on, then the second after 53 minutes, only for the referee to order a retake, either because Dani had paused in his run-up or because other players had encroached in the penalty area. Having put his first two kicks to the goalkeeper's left, he went the other way this time, and Clemence made his only penalty save in international football.

That's great. Found some background info, additional filler. But I've gone off track - back to their attempt to shoot themselves in the foot...

Sadly for us Peter and Ray decided to do a cover version. I think this was a commentary on their friendly rivalry and it is painful. (Not the rivalry, the song). The B side unfortunately isn't much better.

[See post to listen to audio]
» Ray Clemence & Peter Shilton - Side By Side

[See post to listen to audio]
» Ray Clemence & Peter Shilton - We're Gonna Win Again

What Do You Want To Go And Sing For, Tel ?

Webbie - Footie And Music — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:48:01 +0000

It’s a question nobody asks and nobody cares for an answer…

He keeps singing and singing ...

But we here at F&M dare to ask and also dare to not only answer, but give you evidence too.

*ducks flying objects*

It’s been mentioned before on why he sings. Click on the above links to read more. For you lazy arses though to summarise:

“…as a teenager he sang with band leader Joe Loss. At 17 he had to choose between football and singing. “I won the week’s talent contest at Butlins, and was invited back for September. I said to [the manager] Tommy Docherty, ‘Look, I’ve won this competition, I need to go back in September, if that’s all right with you’, and he said, ‘No you can’t do that ’cause you might be in the team’….”

Then finally in 1974 (he was playing for QPR at the time) Venables could hold it no longer and released a single, a cover version of a song made famous by Emile Ford & The Checkmates and Adam Faith amongst others.

So how did this single do in the Top 40 ?

It didn’t.

He must have been furious with Keegan, who actually did bother the lower end of the charts. Once.

But like the original perm this never deterred El Tel and even though nobody listened, he kept on crooning.

So to his 1974 chart attempt… come on play through the pain… run it off now…

[See post to listen to audio]
» Terry Venables – What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For

[See post to listen to audio]
» Terry Venables – Lucy

Football and Peelie

Webbie - Footie And Music — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 23:01:30 +0000

October 25th: We are #KeepingItPeel

Today is October 25th.

Today is a solemn day, but not for long. Because we don’t mope here. We celebrate.

Celebrate and commemorate a life less ordinary and one that touched hundreds… thousands… dare I say it – millions of people.

But not because of what he did, well yes partly… more because of the music he played.

I’m not going to start listing all the bands/artists he played. Just pick a letter and see for yourself.

Peelie impacted and influenced my life more than I could say. This is why I started the #KeepingItPeel project. Initially the idea was that we – the people who listened – that we show our appreciation. Then the podcasts came along because once again the BBC, as the did with the John Peel Day and with a podcast – they abandoned them.

This is why it’s vitally important that all of us continue with #keepingitpeel today and every day. This year and every year.
Not just with the Peel Sessions, but by going out and finding new music. Listening to the new upcoming bands.

Right I’ve prattled on enough. It’s time that I added my contribution to #keepingitpeel today:

As you would expect with a football and music website – plus with John Peel himself being a big football fan, guess what this special edition podcast is about… Yes that’s right. Flower arranging.

My source for this podcast, as it is with all the #KeepingItPeel podcasts is the very excellent John Peel Wiki.

As everyone knows John was a huge Liverpool fan, going as far not only getting married in Liverpool colours, but by giving his children middle names associated with the club.

The podcast today has items featured on the football section of the John Peel Wiki, as well as material taken from or sent by ross ofcourse my collaborator on the #KeepingItPeel pods.
Suffice to say if you are a Liverpool fan you will enjoy this. Even if you are not but still a football fan you’ll still like.

Tracklistings (with explanations if needed):

The first 13 minutes of his show from 30th May 1984:

This was the night when Liverpool (after a penalty shoot out with Roma), won the European Cup. Watching along in the studio with Peel at the time was David “Kid” Jensen and Kid asks John about the game and how he feels about it.
Tracks played in celebration:
a) Kop Choir – You’ll Never Walk Alone
b) (Church Bells)
c) The Mighty Wah! – Come Back
d) The Undertones – Teenage Kicks

The first 14 minutes of his show from 24th June 2004:

Once again John is watching another crucial match which went the same way at the 1984 game, this time though it was England and unlike Liverpool’s fortunes from the penalty spot, we all know what happens with England.
Peel has to start his show whilst the game is into extra time. He puts on his favourite song by The Fall at which point Frank Lampard scores, so he then plays the same track again. – Listen to the audio for explanation. Tracks played:
a) Beny Page – Neck Breaker (12″)
b) The Fall – Kicker Conspiracy [twice !]

Audio clip (from 1992) talking about football and the magazine When Saturday Comes.
Show from 24th June 1998 show on BFBS:

John is once again watching football, this time it was the 1998 World Cup. In the clip he mentions Robbie Earl’s goal for Jamaica and plays an excerpt from: Black Congo – Reggae Boyz. *If anyone has the full track please contact me.

Makabe – Pam Pam Cameroon
The first two minutes of his show from 27th April 1982:

John starts with a German nursery rhyme/song and then: Ju Ju – You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Before Half Man Half Biscuit performed live – John Peel asks Nigel Blackwell about Pat Nevin
The Tractors – Pat Nevin’s Eyes
Half Man Half Biscuit – Even Men With Steel Hearts (Love To See A Dog On The Pitch)
Pink Floyd – Fearless (played on 30th April 2002 show)
Billy Bragg – Greetings To The New Brunette
Costa Rica Football Team – The Costa Rican 1990 World Cup Song
John Hegley – Jimmy Greaves
Jeff Astle – Sweet Water (played on 22nd January 2002 show)
Barmy Army – Sharp As A Needle (Festive Fifty show)
Albert Whelan – Pass! Shoot!! Goal!!! :

Taken from John Peel and Sheila: The Pig’s Big 78s: A Beginner’s Guide

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -

[See post to listen to audio]
» D/load [pod is 1hr 9mins/File size is 63MB]
- or » D/load & embed the file on your own site.

If you like this sort of thing (the Peel stuff) then get yourself over to #KeepingItPeel for updates.

Without whom…etc.

A huge thank you to @rossofcourse for his invaluable input.
To all the chaps who contribute/maintain the fantastic John Peel Wiki.
Thanks to Fredorrarci at Sport Is A TV Show for his continuing support.
Also to Chris from Obscure Music and Football for his time.
Thanks to Mark at We Love All That for his support.
And finally to The Vinyl Villain for the inspiration.

Webbie – Football And Music + #KeepingItPeel: 25th October 2011

FootieAndMusic – England Podcast

Webbie - Footie And Music — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 18:24:10 +0000

There’s another England match coming up on Saturday and whilst this is an essential match, it isn’t quite a crucial one…

All depends on the results of course, but as you know things are more interesting when there’s a will/won’t they qualifying situation going on rather than a casual canter into the finals as we saw with the last World Cup.

Maybe if it was a bit closer and more nail biting people might take notice, because at the moment when you talk about the national team… no-one cares.

Club football has taken over. It is the Champions League now. Tell me I’m wrong.

So on Saturday then… the timing of these things… but if this match was scheduled inside the regular season instead of after it, there’d still be complaints… These national/international matches have become an inconvenience now.

They’ll try to peak your interest for this game and indeed we should take notice. I’m sure that Wembley will be sold out, but I bet the television viewing figures will be down.

Not sure were I’ll be or if I’ll be able myself. But I know I’ll be looking for the latest score and the result.

Why is this then ? Is it because of the scheduling ? Or is it the opposition ? Maybe it’s because of the players….? *raises eyebrow*

The good thing is that he’s not playing because he made sure he kicked somebody in the last match and got a card, ensuring that he’s got himself an uninterrupted holiday. Plus there’s him with his long term injury.
But that one is still going to be there…

Ah you don’t care. You’ve stopped reading already. Where’s this bloody podcast then ?

A similar thing happened as it did with the previous podcast, so once again this edition comes in two flavours.

What happened was that I had some old England-related tunes and I tried to do some sort of England timeline, but with the music. I started with 1966 and added songs throughout the years, finishing at 2010. But this concept was too big, too much to do. Plus with the music too. The styles of the songs from way back then to now is obviously very different. So I’ve split the entire thing up and now bring you some England music sub-genres. The first one deals with the current subject at hand – the European Championships:

FootieAndMusic Podcast – England – The Euros:

Barmy Army – England 2 Yugoslavia 0

England Football Team (1988) – All the Way (On Yer Head Dub)
Union – You Are The Number 1 (Vocal) ITV Football Euro 92

Miriam Stockley – Jerusalem 96 (ITV Euro 96 Titles)

[audio] Gazza’s goal v Scotland Euro ’96

Collapsed Lung – Eat My Goal (Euro 96 Mix)

[audio] Shearer’s goal v Holland Euro ’96

Baddiel and Skinner and Lightning Seeds – Three Lions (Jules Rimet Extended Mix)

[audio] Brian Moore commentary – “The full time whistle has blown, and what we have now… is extra time…”

Black Grape – Englands Irie (Mel’s L.A. Irie Mix)

The Farm – All Together Now (England Euro 2004 Mix)

[See post to listen to audio] » D/load. [33 minutes/file size:30.4mb]

- As well as giving you something to listen to over the summer, here’s some Euro ’96 moments:
- Highlights of England v Scotland – and England v Holland.

Plus there’s a Baddiel & Skinners Euro 96 Fantasy Football Show, this edition was broadcast a few days after Germany knocked us out…
The guests on this show were AC Jimbo and Andy “can you tuck this down here for me?” Grey.
» Prt 1, Prt 2, Prt 3.

» Link to playlist

…

’66 & ’70:

This other pod looks at England and the World Cup in 1966 and 1970. It features some very traditional sounding songs. I may repost this when the WC Qualifiers come around again, but posting now because it’s ready now.
I’ve called it:

FootieAndMusic Podcast – England – Orchestral Brass:

John Schroeder Orchestra – The Britannia March

Lonnie Donegan – World Cup Willie

[audio] BBC Radio commentary – Geoff Hurst goals

Roy Hudd – The Day We Won The Cup

Unknown – England, That’s The Team For Me

England 1970 Squad – Back Home

[audio] Commentary – Bobby Moore’s tackle on Pele at 1970 World Cup

[audio] Commentary – Gordon Banks save against Pele

England Supporters – Oh Sweet England How We Love You

John Schroeder Orchestra – On The Ball

England 1970 Squad – Make Me An Island

[audio] Advert – Bobby and Tina Moore in the pub

[See post to listen to audio] » D/load. [21 minutes/file size:20.1mb]

Extra Time:
Found this on Google Video, it is part of a documentary looking at England and this section covers ’66 & ’70:

Subscribe to the Podcast RSS Feed. Leave your ideas for other theme suggestions - and your feedback below:

The Eurovision Football Song Contest

Webbie - Footie And Music — Thu, 05 May 2011 16:58:39 +0000

“Hello! If you’ve just tuned in, welcome to the Eurovision Football Song Contest being held this year in sunny Helsinki.

You have missed some splendid arrangements and who will forget Iceland’s entry with Bjirr Stoppenmajer and his roller skating tribute to mountain climbing… Or that delightful entry from Jimmy the Jump… at least I think it was…

Anyway here for you are some selected highlights…”

… Starting with Invgar ‘Tjotta’ Olsson, with the 1958 entry from Sweden:

[See post to listen to audio]
» Ingvar ‘Tjotta’ Olsson – Rock & Roll With A Ball

Quick bio: Ingvar “Tjøtta” Olsen was a 1950s Swedish football legend. He scored 70 goals in 122 games. He was also a singer who released 20 albums and was one of Sweden’s most popular artists.

The nickname ‘Tjøtta’ was from when he was a kid. He used to say all the time: “I will Tjøtta ball”. [That word does not translate.]

» Read more

In a shock move which you may have seen last week, they have split up and there’s no longer the United Kingdom, they now have a representative from each country… so now, from England…the 1970 England Squad and their covers of Sandie’s and Cliff’s previous Eurovision entries:

[See post to listen to audio]
» England 1970 Squad – Puppet On A String/Congratulations

Info: Before they flew out for the 1970 World Cup the England players went into the studio and recorded an album of cover versions.

This is pretty much nearly all the 1966 team with youngster Emlyn Hughes included. The album cover had the signatures of all the players on it, plus publicity photographs. It is now a very sought-after item.

» Read more…

…and because of the above split we now have Scotland out on their own and they have those lovable lights of children’s television…. The Krankies, who are looking forward to their holidays:

[See post to listen to audio]
» The Krankies – We’re Going To Spain

Background info: To those of you too young to remember The Krankies, consider yourself lucky. (The quick version: A very short Scottish woman played a schoolboy (in uniform) and hung around with an older bloke.) Not creepy at all.
In 1982 Scotland qualified for the Euro Championship Finals and the Scottish F.A. commissioned this as THE OFFICIAL SONG.
It gets worse: The terrible child-like drawing on the cover – that is the official Scotland ’82 mascot.

» Read more…

…Yes thank you Jimmy, now please get off his lap.

Next up representing Germany we have an American expat, now living in Bavaria who is a bit of a local celebrity over there. Together with the early 90′s Bayern Munich squad they have done a number of cover versions and this is one originally from Tina:

[See post to listen to audio]
» Andrew White/Bayern Munich Squad – Simply The Best

Background: Andrew White wouldn’t get recognised walking down the main street of his hometown, but in Bavaria he made a name for himself first as a piano lounge singer then as a singer of middle of the road tunes which the Bayern people lapped up. I remember it well because I was living in Munich at the time. This bloke was on the telly every five minutes.

He is like a crap version of The Hoff, always wore this big ridiculous leather jacket and had a pony tail.
» Read more…

… Ah thank you Andrew and Jean-Pierre Papin, Lothar Matthäus, Olli Kahn and yes is that… Giovanni Trapattoni…? Bellissimo…

So whilst the jury from each country decide on this contest, some time filler courtesy of a 1963 Eurovision entry from José Guardiola… no it’s not his Dad… at least I don’t think so… @weloveallthat tells us that he also wrote a team song for Spain…

» Link to video

Sir Bobby’s Desert Island Discs

Webbie - Footie And Music — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 21:07:19 +0000

Recently the BBC have partly opened their Desert Island Discs archive. The programme has been on the radio since 1942 and has interviewed hundred of thousands of personalities.

Surprisingly though they haven’t featured all that many footballers. Maybe because it is Radio 4 and their audience is more rugger and croquet than that association thing.

One of the two football-related podcasts they have made available is with the late great SIR BOBBY ROBSON.

You can still get grab this episode from the website but I’ve added it here in case they take it offline.

[See post to listen to audio]

» Desert Island Discs – Sir Bobby Robson

This episode was recorded in December 2004, four months after Newcastle had sacked him.
Graeme Souness took over and he took them to the giddy heights of 14th place.

In the programme presenter Sue Lawley talks to Sir Bobby about that and about his football playing career, as well as his achievements in management. Other subjects covered were about his recent cancer battle and about his upbringing and going down the mines when he was 15, something he never forgot.

Because of restrictions the full versions of the music selected by Sir Bobby not included in the podcast, so to fix that I’ve got four of his choices for your delectation below:

[See post to listen to audio]
» Robbie Williams/Frank Sinatra – It Was A Very Good Year

Note: This is actually the 2nd time Sir Bobby was on Desert Island Discs, in his previous appearance (in 1986) he selected another Frank Sinatra track.

[See post to listen to audio]

» Sir Edward Elgar – Nimrod from Enigma Variations

[See post to listen to audio]

» The Three Tenors – Nessun Dorma

[See post to listen to audio]

» Louis Armstrong – We Have All The Time In The World

Always difficult listening to Nessun Dorma, I still break up… Still miss the man. We’ll meet again some day.

Jerusalem ’96

Webbie - Footie And Music — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:07:54 +0000

I remember when we were good we were very, very good…

When I say we I mean them…

…and when I talk about them I mean this lot:

Good up to a point of course, but for a moment there…

Expectations were high because England were hosting their first major football tournament since 1966, football as you know, was coming home.

As usual from the press, who then influence the fans, everybody was expecting the mighty all conquering England to come out with guns blazing and smite all those before them.

But as it always happens with these tournaments and something we always forget, is that England seem to always start out slowly. And because of this and because the first match against perceived lesser opposition and anything less than a total pounding… Which as we know now, it wasn’t:

“The hosts got underway with a Wembley fixture against the Swiss, and Alan Shearer, much criticised before the tournament for a 12 game England goal drought, gave England the lead by crashing home in typical style. But a nation’s hope of happy beginnings were dashed by Switzerland’s enterprising play. Grassi missed an open net before veteran Stuart Pearce handled in the box. Up stepped Kubilay Türkyilmaz to equalise with just seven minutes to go.”

There was another home nation team in the same group as England and in their first match they held the much fancied Holland to a goalless draw. Then the Netherlands beat the Swiss 2-0 which meant that for England and Scotland in their meeting, it was a must win for both…

The first half, as expected was a tense and tight affair. Scotland had managed to hold England and at half time with still no score, Terry Venables made some changes. Jamie Redknapp came on for Stuart Pearce and Anderton and McManaman swapped wings. They were going to for for it:

“Shearer’s goal from a Gary Neville cross seemed likely to be cancelled out by a penalty awarded for a foul on Gordon Durie. But Gary McAllister’s kick, not helped by the ball moving just before he kicked it, was saved by David Seaman. And once Jamie Redknapp came on for a brief but effective cameo, England started to dominate. Paul Gascoigne delivered the killer blow with a flick over Colin Hendry, sweetly-struck volley past Andy Goram and famous ‘dentist’s chair’ celebration.”

Ah yes the dentist chair…

As is with the tradition with the tabloids they go out and find every little piece of dirt that they can. Doesn’t help that the players themselves even though they must know something like this would leak out… Blase or naive I don’t know…

[For those too young to remember] What happened was that the England team took a pre-tournament trip to Hong Kong, to play a couple of easy warm up games, to relax before the serious business got under way. There was a relaxed policy on players drinking and one night a few of the England players went to a nightclub where they had this dentist chair set up. The attraction was that you were strapped into the chair and somebody pours drinks down your throat. Somebody took photographs of Paul Gascoigne and Teddy Sheringham having a go in the chair and surprise, surprise, these pictures ended up on the front pages of all the newspapers. The tabloids all demanded that Gazza be dropped from the tournament for this shameful exuberance.
Terry Venables, the England manager wasn’t going to be swayed by the red tops though. This sort of thing shouldn’t have happened, or at least news of it getting out. The players were admonished but kept their places.

Then in the Scotland game Gazza answered his critics by doing this:

» Link to video

After this sparkling performance, not just from Gascoigne but the whole team everybody was abuzz, but slightly nervous of the final group match against the Netherlands…

Now I don’t know if it’s just me or if you noticed this too… My perception is that every time ITV cover a match, England always seem to play like crap. It’s not just me is it ? No I thought not.

Everybody back in 1996 watched the Championships along with Des on the BBC, but there were some matches on the other side. You think ITV’s football presentation is poor now, have a look at what it was like back then:

[image source]

That’s right they had Bob Wilson (Anchorman ?) as well as the rapping John Barnes and the crooning Jackie Charlton. Luckily though they save themselves with the legendary Brian Moore on the mic doing the match commentary. But then they took all that back by putting Kevin Keegan next to him.

- Another thing you might not have heard (because as you know that one tune dominated everything) was ITV’s choice for their Euro ’96 coverage. They chose a traditional and very English hymn for their broadcasts. With vocalist Miriam Stockley and performed by Charlie Skarbek/Andy Davis with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, have a listen to their take on Jerusalem:

[See post to listen to audio]
» Jerusalem 96 (Traditional Lyrics)

[See post to listen to audio]
» Jerusalem 96 (1996 Lyrics)

[See post to listen to audio]
» Jerusalem 96 (ITV Euro 96 Titles)

[See post to listen to audio]
» Jerusalem 96 (Orchestral Version)

So how did England get on in that Holland match ? Remind yourself here.
Highlights from the BBC, embedding not allowed.

Postscript: The reason why this post has appeared now is because around this time of year, near to St. George's Day, I always get an increase in searches for anything in relation to the day.

Going All The Way ?

Webbie - Footie And Music — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 20:55:03 +0000

There are some international runabouts coming up soon (end of March 2011). A few of them matter, but most of them are pointless friendlies.

The F.A. will be counting the cash a week on Wednesday with England hosting Nigeria at Wembley, but before they are away in a Euro 2012 qualifier away to Wales.

Now going on previous results/form of both national teams England *should* walk this one…

Additionally we have the sideshow of the newly anointed Gareth Bale, currently on form. But as you know one man does not make a team.

Before we get to the next Euro competition though I want to remind you about England and their journey in a previous Euro Championship which didn’t go that well…

Ok that’s an understatement. It was in fact an unmitigated disaster.
England went out in the group stage after they played and lost all three games, scoring only two goals and conceding 7 in the process.

My friends in Ireland will remember the first group game well and will not need reminding. For the rest of you though it was when Ray Houghton nodded one in with the only goal of the game.

- As recreated a few years later by Baddiel & Skinner on Phoenix from the flames:

» Link to video

After this the Republic of Ireland drew with the Soviet Union and then narrowly lost to the Netherlands, the eventual winners. It wasn’t enough for them to go through and along with England (but above them in the table !) they went home.

» Via dermothardy.com: A detailed look at Ireland’s progress for Euro ’88.

» Article in the Guardian: On Second Thoughts: England at Euro 88.

In the above article Rob Smyth argues that it wasn’t just a poor performance that was to blame for their results, but some ill-fortune that fell upon the England team.

I myself believe non of it and can pinpoint exactly where it all went tits up. It was even before a ball was kicked and all because of these three:

For those of you of a younger age who never experienced this particular dark part of our musical history: They are Stock, Aitken and Waterman, or S.A.W. as they were also known, and from the mid-later 80′s they were responsible for production line, mass marketed bland music.
In fact listening to today’s music with the Beibers and Jonas and that type, it’s like they never went away.

So because they were the thing at the time and could pretty much guarantee a chart hit* with whatever they were given, (a soap star, a struggling band – or something the manufactured themselves, such as a tea boy) the clueless suits at the F.A chose them.
*For the record: It reached Number 67)

So then shudder at this production that nearly stopped all decent football and music:

[See post to listen to audio]
» England Football Team (1988) – All The Way

[See post to listen to audio]
» England Team (1988) – All The Way (Extra Time Mix)

[See post to listen to audio]
» Eng Team (’88) – All The Way (On Yer Head Dub)

Oh and joy of joys… here’s the video as well:

» Link to video

After The Lung Collapsed

Webbie - Footie And Music — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:25:40 +0000

After the demise of Collapsed Lung in 1998 the former members all kept busy with various projects.

[Lots of links. Please take time to explore the links]

Some of them were bands such as Oskar and Arndales.

As well as some breakbeats with:

Junior Blanks were formed in 1996 when London-based indie/hip-hop act Collapsed Lung lost their guitarist. Jim Burke took care of vocal duties with Anthony Chapman and Johnny Dawe also on board…

Despite the support of the late John Peel sales are minimal and this, coupled with band members’ personal situations eventually leads to the disbanding of Junior Blanks in 2006.

This track is from the Early Tapes (a compilation)…

[See post to listen to audio]
» Junior Blanks – (Keep Feeling) Fascination

Links: MySpace | Last.FM | Discogs

Anthony Chapman was very busy not only with the above, but also as a DJ, producer and remixer. Under the pseudonym of DJ Scissorkicks he teamed up with Jim Burke – aka Sgt. Rock:

“…On leaving Collapsed Lung Jim Burke resurfaced as his “acid p-funk” alter-ego Sgt. Rock in 1998 with the disco stomp of ”Deeper’n’Deffer”. This featured on Fused and Bruised’s “Daytrip to Brisco”. Signed soon afterwards to Wiiija records, he released three singles and the album “Live the Dream”…

Since the winding down of Wiiija records Sgt. Rock began recording alongside long term accomplice DJ Scissorkicks under the name “Kicks & Rock”.
He also released a few cheeky 7”s on his own imprint GROT…”

… Where you can download his 2nd album for free.

[See post to listen to audio]

» Kicks And Rock – Seoul Warfare

After this Jim Burke joined Rock Onic and Bob (you have to go over there and have a listen to the cover versions) where he picked up a Ukulele – and an idea was formed…

Mr. B The Gentleman Rhymer is….“a parodist who performs “chap-hop” – hip-hop delivered in a Received Pronunciation accent. Mr. B raps or “rhymes” about high society, pipe smoking and cricket while playing the banjolele. The character is described has having grown up in Cheam and attending Sutton Grammar School for Boys.” Straight out of Surrey.

As you can see he’s an alter ego of Jim Burke and as Mr.B he’s performed all over the UK including the Glastonbury Festival and club NME in Paris, and will be performing as part of the 2010 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He’s also appeared on Steve Lamacq and Tom Robinson’s shows on BBC6 Music. His debut album “Flattery Not Included” was released in 2008, which included the track “Chap-Hop History” which is a RP reworking of some well known hip-hop classics.

He reworded a hip hop classic, a track originally done by the Rocksteady Crew and made it into:

[See post to listen to audio]

» Mr. B The Gentleman Rhymer – I Say… You…

…and last summer (2010) just before June… Ah yes finally we get to the football and music:

» Link to video

[See post to listen to audio]

» Mr. B The Gentleman Rhymer – Mr. B The Gentleman Rhymer’s World Cup Song

Pip, pip.

Footieleaks : The World Cup Files

Webbie - Footie And Music — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 01:41:43 +0000

That maFIFA boss Fatt Bladder did his best to stop these files from being leaked (he tried to sit on me) but the truth will out !

Now for the first time anywhere… not really …some information has reached us about various international teams that would like it if you didn’t hear the following songs. In truth you yourself would probably like it if you didn’t hear them either.

Or read the following text.

We first start with a serious note…

The above image is of the Iranian women's team.

As we all know the ~~corrupt~~ FIFA association awarded the 2018 to Russia, who are known not only for being oil rich but for being a bit racist too. So what are the chances of FIFA doing another anti-racism campaign, as they did in the last World Cup ?

Qatar, the winners of the 2022 bid are again like the above, oil rich – they also very homophobic. So what of the chances of FIFA… ah actually they’ve done nothing about this…

They are also shooting themselves in the foot because despite awarding the World Cup to the Arab nation of Qatar – FIFA themselves are Islamaphobic.

- This is via From A Left Wing, who wrote last April about the news that Iran couldn’t enter their women’s team into the Youth Olympic Games if the athletes play in headscarves.

To be precise the decision came from the Internation Football Association Board, which FIFA has four votes in these decisions. They demanded that these women either remove their headscarves (hijab) or withdraw from the competition.

- Talking of Iran… who are well known for their racism, homophobia and anti-Semitism… the men’s team qualified and played in the 2006 World Cup, in which there was some outrage before the tournament because their President Ahmadinejad was thinking about attending.

What you didn’t know though was that Iran also had an official 2006 World Cup song:

[See post to listen to audio]

DJ Aligator Feat. Arash – Iran Iran

- Fast forward to the last (2010) World Cup there was a song for the South Korea team, which also has a link to a previous World Cup effort by the German team AND a tune done for a certain Everton player…

A couple of popular groups from South Korea teamed up to record a version of a very, very familiar song. Those groups were Brown Eyed Girls, a 4 member manufactured girl group – and 4minute who are a 5-member err… manufactured girl band…

The track that they covered (not at all cashing in here, oh no) was the Village People classic:

» Read more.

» Watch more Brown Eyed Girls here and more from 4minute here. Warning: You will cringe.

Related: Somebody reworded the above tune in tribute to Duncan Disorderly.

Also Related: Jurgen Klinsmann is really, really into the Village People.

Talking of Germany…

Again this is from the 2010 World Cup and over in Germany their entertainment media was pretty much the same as England (and South Korea above) – Money to be made and crap products to be released.

The money for old rope in this instance comes from a band who like the featured artists in the Footieleaks : The England Files post are also big in Germany. You may have heard of them – a showbiz act who like the Village People also like to dress up..

What they did is take one of their own songs and cover that. The original I wrote about a while ago where I mentioned that because of the ambiguous lyrics the tune could be taken and used by anybody and for anything.
Which is what exactly what happened and that must have pleased the Fairbrass brothers.

- They teamed up with Höhner (a band from Cologne) and co-sung this one which appeared on a tenuous link to football album.

[See post to listen to audio]

» Right Said Fred feat. Hohner – Stand Up (For The Champions)

..and there was a video:

» Link to video

Additionally:
This wasn’t the first time the song was franchised, in 2009 it was Stand Up For The Saracens.

Extra Time: Usually I bung in an extra couple of tracks from the featured artists, but this time I’m going to highlight some more cover versions – cover versions of some Right Said Fred songs actually. It was in 1992 and Heavenly Records released the Fred EP, with acts on their label recording the covers. All profits from the release went to the Terence Higgings Trust.

[See post to listen to audio]
» Flowered Up – Don’t Talk Just Kiss

[See post to listen to audio]
» Saint Etienne – I’m Too Sexy

[See post to listen to audio]
» The Rockingbirds – Deeply Dippy

Another Footieleak file very soon.