We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
It's Live Earth day! As someone who still remembers Live Aid with fondness, I've been looking forward to this one for some time. The Sundance Channel coverage has started and the Bravo coverage will start at 9 a.m. EST. If you're around and about during the day, drop in and have a chat with me, eh?
posted by gatorbob @ 8:38 AM
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
86 Comments:
Live Earth started last night with concerts in Sydney and Tokyo. There's still some chaos surrounding the Rio date, where a judge has filed an injunction against having the show on the Copacabana. However, a venue has been added at the eleventh hour in Washington, D.C. after it was originally blocked by GOP congressmen.
The Sundance coverage for the past hour has mainly focused on the Crowded House set from Sydney, a bit of 80s nostalgia. I have to say that I always preferred the Finn brother when they were in Split Enz.
A bit of Rihanna, the Caribbean R&B singer, there from the Tokyo concert. I'm not much on her thin voice, but I do like her yen for 80s pop. Her last hit - "SOS" - had a big chunk of "Tainted Love" in it.
The Bravo coverage has started and it's fun see Karen Duffy again. They've started with a slice of the Hawaiian surfer dude, Jack Johnson. There's definitely a "Raffi" vibe to that guy, although I am digging the piano sound in his set.
Missed that. Looks like Wolfmother at the mo'. Need some coffee.
Now it's Wolfmother from the Sydney venue on Bravo. I don't know these mofos at all, but I'm enjoying the "Mungo Jerry" style muttonchop sideboards the lead singer's sporting. They've got a serious Led Zep vibe going.
Morning, Gooner. Good to have you on board. Just caught a bit of Shakira on the Sundance coverage. Not much on her at all, but it does remind of Wilker, who had a major thing for her and that hip shaking she does.
Wolfmother is some serious, heavy riffing for this time of the morning. I've already had my coffee but this stuff is really clearing the cobwebs out.
I seem to remember that Live Aid started with Status Quo "Rocking All Over the World."
Not sure if this is live or not. Sundance was playing Crowded House earlier, who I hope were the local boy headliners at that gig. I have no idea what bloody time it is in Sydney right now.
More Shakira now on Sundance. Not sure where she is, but whereever it is, it's raining and the crowd's fairly thin. She's doing that hit with the Wyclef Jean bit in it, but here it's some anonymous dreadlocked dude leaping about. A bit sad.
They've just shown that Shakira's in Hamburg, where it looks dismal. She's desperately trying to heat up the crowd with some serious cameltoe action, though.
Really? Status Quo? I seem to remember Sting with Dire Straights.
"I waaant my M-T-Veeeee....."
I recognize that the Finn Bros. make catchy pop music but it somehow leaves me a bit cold.
Why couldn't Midnight Oil reform for a gig?
That may have been the first tune on the Philadelphia leg. I'm almost sure that I'm right that the Wembley show started with Status Quo. I'll look it up.
Sundance is now showing a group of Asian women playing classical on traditional instruments. It's doing my head in.
Nice on! I saw them once at the Orpheum in Boston and they were magic. They had an aboriginal band on as openers too. Very right on.
Back to Tokyo and it's those nu metal goobers Linkin Park. They leave me cold but I have to wonder if I'd be loving them if I were 14. It strikes me that if you strip away the guitar distortion, you've got some really corny crooner stuff with these guys. Basically Richard Marx with a fuzz box.
Now it's Genesis from what looks like the new Wembley sounding a bit creaky on the Sundance coverage. They're some geezers at this point, but I'd love to see them, especially if they could get Gabriel back on board.
Linkin Park is exactly the ilk of what we were listening to when we were 14. I like a few of their songs but completely understand why Eric's got the cds, the t-shirts, and has them on heavy rotation on his iPod.
This Rhianna chick however is just an example of "have bangin' young body = short recording career." Only bigger waste of time are the troop of dancers that seem to be obligatory.
Is that Roger Taylor? Jesus boy, ever heard of a salad?
Yeah, I agree with you about Rihanna. The dancers did beg the question of whether they might have saved a bit of energy by leaving them at home.
Bit of a drum circle going on now at Wembley, involving the drummers from Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chilis, but strangely no Phil Collins. You'd have thought that this would've been his bag for sure. Wait a minute - he is in there. Oh, there's Roger Taylor from Queen too. Excellent.
WHAT ELSE IS IT TODAY GENTLEMEN!!!!!
Actually, having thickened considerably about my middle, I find it quite comforting to see some of these geezers looking a might chubby.
That said, have you seen Tom Hulce lately - jesus!
Status Quo did start Live Aid
Rockin All Over the World
Morning, Dave! Isn't it the anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans in 1813? Just kidding, mate....happy birthday! How's it feel to be 43, eh?
C'mon Phil, Banksy, Mike, give us "Deep In The Motherlode!"
Thank you, Statto! I thought I was right. Btw, where the hell is Johnny Hates Jazz? No love for the environment, Michael?
Happy Birthday, you geezer!
Thanks Mate, I have finally caught up with you and Kathy
I actually got a phone call from Joel this morning. We weren't home but he left a message. He can always remember my birthday!!!!
I'm going to reduce the tone of this discussion and point out that Karen Duffy must have had some work. Those knockers are a difference from her days as a vee-jay. Wow.
I guess JHJ wants the earth to burn.
I could say the same about Katrina and the Waves
This Chinese action is making me laugh. It looks like a Robert Palmer video and what's with the Saturday Night Feverish "A Fifth Of Beethoven?"
Sorry I have been ingorning you for the last twenty minutes.
I got some annoying phone call from some guy I used to know!!!
Thanks for calling Bob.
That Chinese stuff was definitely doing my head in earlier this morning when it was on the Sundance coverage. Reminds me of this weird show we saw at the Chinese Opera House in Beijing where they played Christmas carols on those funky instruments.
I'm loving this action from the South Pole. The bloke on the sax needs some help though. And they really should be playing something with a "cold" theme to it. Maybe "Cold as Ice" by Foreigner?
Wasn't that a woman on the sax? I thought they put in a pretty excellent performance. Aren't those guys scientists that live there doing research? I thought they sounded good. The mad fiddler was good, and the lead singer had that touch of sang-froid (pun intended.)
Sarah Brightman's set is truly in keeping with the Live Earth-Saving Energy ethos. I've turned it off. The Chinese show is a write-off
I couldn't tell because of the anorak - but he/she/it needed some sax lessons.
I agree on the Shanghai concert - very naff. Bravo's now got the Shakira "Camel-toe" celebration on. Enjoy. I'm going for a shower.
Right - I'm back. I made the eco-effort of taking an extra-short shower this morning. What have the rest of you done, eh?
We're back at Wembley at there's some anonymous Brit-pop retread band on. No idea who these tossers are but they're getting a massive hand from the crowd. Wembley looks stunning, though. Can't wait to visit.
Happy birthday, David. Any good gifts? Tevez with a bow on? . . . Played 90 minutes of pick-up this morning . . . It's sad . . . I'm knackered for the day. The Smashing Pumpkins are playing the 9:30 Club in Washington DC on Tuesday. It was a surprise show and I learned of it too late to get a ticket. Shame.
Morning, Trev! I just noticed on the Sundance coverage that there's a small, hastily arranged Live Earth gig down on the Mall out in front of the Museum of the American Indian. They just showed a bit of Garth Brooks with Al Gore grooving in the crowd. Might be fun if you or Gooner have a chance to head downtown.
Thanks for the birthday wish Sir Trev.
Yes, I got some nice pressies.
United shorts and sweats. Engurlund jacket, James Taylor and Police CDs and new football boots. Our outdoor season just ended last weekend. I won't be able to debut these Nike 90 boots until Sept.
Typical American coverage... one song and then too much talk!!!
SHOW THE MUSIC
Oooh, you flash bastid with your Nike 90 boots. Let me guess - Red Devil red, right?
Sundance has a bit of Snoop from Hamburg. What is German for "foshizzle, my nizzle?"
Nope, I let the boys have their colorful boots.
I have just black. The laces are ont he side and it has some kind of ridges on the instep so I can bend it like... Tevez
...More like bend it for the corner flag! I've got the old-fashioned Adidas Kaiser boots so I can pretend to be Beckenbauer.
Now it's the Black Eyed Peas from Wembley, which is definitely filling up.
The Peas have definitely set the marker so far - the hottest set of the thing to date. I'm "getting it started" here in JaxPad.
Kids continue to occupy all television units on level one . . . I'll try level two . . .
I'm leaving for the mall, but we're going to shout down the Orangemen. Can you believe it? The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is on the mall and one of the themes this year is Northern Ireland.
And I kid you not, one of the demonstrations is an Orangeman's March, with the bowlers, the Union Jack, and the full-Monty.
It's a disgrace and Kelly and I are going down there to say so.
If we see Al Gore, we'll say hey for you.
The Police will be on later.
What will they sing.
I bet you that they sing
Spirits in the Material World
John Legend now from Wembley. I quite like his stuff and he's been right on on the Bill Maher show on HBO, which I watch religiously.
Nothing yet from the New York venue - what the hell?
According to the Beeb, Giants Stadium doesn't start until 2:30
Have a good time heckling the sectarians down on the Mall, Gooner.
As for the Police, I'm hoping for "Driven to Tears" - my favorite Sting song. There's quite a bit of choice there when it comes to politically oriented stuff. Wouldn't be surprised to hear "Walking in Your Footsteps" from the Synchronicity album.
I suppose that makes sense if they're going to go on until 2 or 3 in the morning. Sounds like they're still doing the soundchecks at Giant's Stadium, though.
Blimey, Dave, they've dug up Simon LeBon and the rest of the Durannies. Lucky for them they can pull out "Planet Earth" for the gig. No doubt they'll spoil the mood by doing "Girls on Film" next, though.
I love the ad that John and Simon do for FSC where they say something like "If you like watching 22 men kicking balls around..." Bit of a give-away, eh?
I have to admit that this is a fairly decent set from Duran Duran. I particularly liked the segue into Sly Stone's "I Want to take You Higher."
Oh dear, here comes "Girls on Film." Bit embarrassing, that.
That did sound like the Police warming up "Spirits in the Material World" behind the anchors on the Bravo coverage. Nice guess, Dave.
Nice set here from the Chili Peppers again from Wembley, which has definitely had a best of the lot so far. Poor old Hamburg have had to put up with Shakira and a choir of kids led by a German woman with an acoustic guitar. The least that they could've done was to toss those "Da Da Da" blokes or Hasselhoff at them!
Sweet! Corinne Bailey Rae - who I lurve - duetting with John Legend on Marvin Gaye's old chestnut "Mercy, Mercy Me." You know, that "What's Going On" album is still definitely in my all-time Top Ten list.
Tasty version of "Put Your Records On" there by Corinne, with a hot trumpet solo. Love her.
Rocking set here from Brit-poppers Keane, who used to have a slightly lighter touch. The lead singer's seemed to have lost some weight too.
What I love about British festival crowds - especially at Wembley - is that they sway about and sing their hearts out no matter the band.
Bit of a hip hop set here, with the Tokyo crowd getting all crunk over Xzibit and Snoop trying to light up a soggy Hamburg crowd.
Now it's Metallica from Wembley, with James Hetfield looking more and more Amish every day. Honestly, put a modest blue shirt and straw hat on him and he'd be churning butter.
The Giants Stadium is starting up and will be carried in its entirety on Bravo. They're kicking it off with some dude named Kenna, who I've never heard of. It sounds as if he's playing to an crowd smaller than for the average Red Bulls match and I notice that the cameras are staying pretty tight on the band.
Now it's time for KT Tunstall who turns out to be Scottish and not nearly as twee as I'd imagined from the advance press. I don't hate this.
Oh dear, it's time for that Aussie country and western wanker Keith Urban, who seems to be opening with the Stones' "Gimme Shelter." As if.
Okay, now he's introduced Alicia Keys, who has just improved this set about 1000%. Go on Alicia - blow!
Right - it's Ludakris' turn at the mike and he's striking all of the wrong, corny hip hop stances, starting with the old "What's My Name" baloney. Um, this day is about a slightly bigger issue than your ass, Luda!
And now he's onto the "When I move, you move" crapola. Whenever I heard rappers doing that schtick, my temptation was to yell out, "Sod off, mate. I'll move when I want to."
Now he's doing "Pimpin' All Over the World." Nice touch, Kris. Very consciousness raising. I was reading the other night that hip hop records have taken the biggest hit in the recent industry slump. I have a suspicion that it's mostly about digital piracy, but I like to think that some people are starting to reject this kind of braggadocio b.s. It certainly has no place on a day like this.
Now it's "The Glamorous Life." This bloke is shameless. And they're bleeping out every third word. It's nice to see that the crowd really isn't responding to this shite.
In fact, Giants Stadium is still not even close to full. Do they ever fill that barn? Surely the Police won't go on with a half-filled stadium, will they?
AFI are next on the docket, looking very glammed up. Somehow the pretty-boy New Wave acts don't translate at events like this. I seem to remember the Style Council going down in flames at Live Aid. I think you need a little rock or soul earthiness to get across to a crowd at an issue-related festival gig.
AFI's vampirish lead singer has just made a pitch for veganism and they've followed that up by covering Bowie's "Ziggy and the Spiders from Mars." Odd.
I'm still waiting for someone at the New York event to call out the Bush administration for blocking the science on global warming for the past six years.
And while I'm at it, where are the hipper rock acts that appeal to a slightly older crowd, such as Arcade Fire, the Strokes or White Stripes? All we've had today are the angst-ridden teen acts like Linkin Park and the old fart bands like Genesis.
Yet another teenybopper band - Fall Out Boy. WTF? I can't believe that Al Gore is rocking out to this stuff. Where the hell is Kurt Cobain when we need him?
Hilarious. The camera keeps on catching the expression on the face of a giant roadie right behind the drummer. I think I can say with absolute confidence that he's not a Fall Out Boy fan.
A great big slice of Beasties Boys madness from London on the Sundance coverage. Boy, London really got spoiled on this deal. Yeah boyee!
Akon has at least got the American crowd at Giants Stadium up and moving about and the stadium is finally looking like it's filling up.
Okay, Akon has just finished "Smack Dat" and is pumping up his anthemic "I'm in Love Wit' a Stripper." Lovely. You know these Black acts today definitely need a couple of weeks at re-education camp.
More hilarity. Akon's just lobbed his sweaty tank top into crowd where it was caught by some unsuspecting middle aged guy, who immediately dropped it in the hands of his teenage daughter.
Love it. The Orangemen didn't materialize, but we were there. Take that Reverand Paisley!
Was the Police set good?
Glad to hear that you scared them off, mate.
And thank you Melissa Etheridge for being the first to have the balls to speak to the politics of the occasion. She's the first act to really fill up the Meadowlands. Anthemic!
The Police haven't gone on yet. I assume that they're headlining and this is scheduled to go on to around 2 a.m., so I'd hope that they'll be on someone around 1 and have a full hour set. We just got done with John Mayer, now Melissa. Kelly Clarkson is still to come, unfortunately and there are a couple of others. I'm hoping that Kelly takes the stage just when Brazil are kicking off tonight, so I don't have a difficult decision.
Now we're getting somewhere. The Foo Fighters are up in London and Dave Grohl looks like he's in the mood. I wish we were just getting the full show from Wembley rather than the less than inspiring NYC show.
Alicia Keys is back and she's brought tight little pink cocktail dress with her. She'd better bring the funk too.
Wow! What a difference between the London and New York crowds. The crowd at Wembley are all jumping in unison to Madonna. Every sweaty oik in the place is screaming out "and I feeeel!"
I actually felt sorry for Dave Matthews, the reaction to his set was so limp.
Still to come at Giants Stadium tonight - Smashing Pumpkins, local Jersey boys Bon Jovi and of course the band we're all here for - The Police!
But before them - it's Kelly Clarkson and her manufactured American Idol bullshit. I'm off to GolTV.
Okay, Brasil are already 3-0 up so I'm back on the Live Earth coverage. Here we've got what is purported to be the Smashing Pumpkins reunion, but I only see "Baldie" Corgan and the drummer he kicked out of the band because of his smack habit. What happened to D'Arcy and James Iha? I want me money back...oh yeah.
Well, Live Earth has finally wrapped up a long day of music, mostly average but with a highlights. The Police, sadly, were not one of them for me. The boys - particularly Sting - didn't look up for it or in sync with each other. I don't expect another album out of them.
NBC's highlight show is on now. The highlights for me were:
*The mad Brit scientists rocking at the South Pole.
*Alicia Keys blowing Keith Urban off the stage on "Gimme Shelter."
*The Beasties bringing the pain on "So Whatcha Want" in London.
*Madonna's odd set - what was up with those dancers and the bloke in the kilt?
*Bon Jovi's strangely moving set in front a hometown crowd.
*Melissa Etheridge's twenty minute politico rant - you go girl!
*Foo Fighters rocking Wembley.
What about the rest of you lot?
The Brits at the South Pole, Linkin Park, Arctic Monkeys, and Wolfmother did it musically.
Madonna's set was just too weird for me. Kanye West's hyping couldn't resuscitate the Police's disjunctions, and John Mayer really is an annoying guy isn't he?
I imagine that the organizers can be fairly happy with the attention paid to the day, but we'll see if the call to action is heeded.
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