P!nk and one of her greatest Idols, Linda Perry
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Once more, brevity isn’t my strong suit…
Last night I was catching up on some movies. (Megalopolis is an overly ambitious mess, while Joker 2’s main problem may be it’s lack of ambition.) One of the more interesting parts of the evening was a trailer for a new Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown”, by James Mangold, starring Timothy Chalamet, which looks promising. I’ll definitely watch that. I like musician biopics, and I guess you guys here might like them, too. So I want to recommend another film to you. You may already know that I’m more of a movie guy.
“Inside Llewyn Davis” is a movie by the Coen brothers, about a struggling folk singer in the 60’s . It’s not about a real world musician though, it’s pure fiction. It might make a very intersting double feature with that upcoming Dylan biopic, in fact Dylan kind of makes an important appearance in this film, too.
I cannot over emphasize how much I love the movies of the Coen brothers, their body of work is just amazing. And while Inside Llewyn Davis isn’t as flashy or spectacular as some of their other films (like Fargo, The Big Lebowski or No Country For Old Men), I think this might just be their finest work yet. It is such a beautifully crafted, subtly told and empathic portrait of a man at a difficult point in his life.
This man is played by Oscar Isaac, who is a great actor. People these days might mostly know him a hotshot X-Wing pilot Poe Dameron from the Star Wars sequel trilogy, or as Duke Leto Atreides from the Dune movie, but for me he’ll always be Llewyn Davis. Not only is his acting superb in this film, his musical performances are, too.
Because I have not even talked about the music yet. It’s really the other big star of the film. And Orscar Isaac performed all of his songs life in front of the camera. Singing, playing the guitar and, of course, acting at the same time.
There is yet another whole aspect why I love this film so much, but I cannot go into that without spoiling the end, which I don’t want to. (Inasmuch as you can spoil a ten years old movie.)
If you love good films and/or good music, you should really see this film.
Well, as this is the “best song” topic, we should hear a song, shall we? So let’s take the song teased in this trailer. Within the context of the film this is an utterly brilliand scene, though lacking that context the choice of song may seem a bit weird.
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10CC, Rubber Bullets
Just crossed my mind, one of the songs many people know, but would not necessarily link up to 10cc (dreadlock holiday, I’m not in love)
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Funny you should post this one today, becauese the drummer on this song, Kevin Godley, is turning 79 today. He is also the co-writer of the song as well as one of the singers. The original 10cc were kind of a strange band, yet they had quite a few hits with their quirky and melodic pop songs between 1973 and 1976.
So here is Kevin Godley behind the drums, taking turns with Lol Creme singing Donna. Happy Birthday 
10cc - Donna
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I want to celebrate the memory of American singer and songwriter Judee Sill, who would have turned 80 today. Yet another big talent lost to the music world way to early. She only did two albums, in 1971 and 73.The year after recordings for a third album began, but drugs and other health problems were beginning to get the best of her, so the album was shelved.
Judee Sill had a troubled life. She lost both her parents and her brother at a young age. She was openly bisexual at a time when that was not common. She struggled with alcihol* and drug addiction. which didn’t help when she had a series of car accidents, followed by a failed surgey for back injuries.
Judee Sill has been called a female version of the English singer and songwriter Nick Drake, both huge talents who somehow did not fit into this world and died way to young. In 1979 Judee Sill’s life was cut short by a drug overdose. Here’s to her memory, may she be remembered
Judee Sills - The Pearl
*All right, I can write drug addiction, but not ■■■■■■■ 
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This one, because I heard yesterday, that the Gallaghers want to reunite the band.
Oasis - Don’t Look Back In Anger
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The Who - Boris the Spider
John Entwistle (1944-2002) would have turned 80 today. Known forever as the bass guitarist in The Who, and one of the best (if not the best!) bassists ever in rock. Here’s one to John Entwistle’s memory
While we’re at it, might as well let John Entwistle teach us the difference between a bass player and a bass guitarist.
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John Lennon was born 84 years ago today. Gimme Some Truth!
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Nightwish - Lanternlight
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Happy Birthday to Sam Moore, who is turning 89 today. Together with Dave Prater (1937-1988), he was one half of the great vocal duo Sam & Dave, who had quite a few hits in the latter part of the 1960’s. Among their best known songs are Soul Man and Hold On I’m Comin’ The latter is my favourite, so here’s to Sam Moore. Happy Birthday
Sam & Dave - Hold On I’m Comin’
Sam is singing the first verse here. And wtf, while we’re at it 
Sam & Dave - Soul Man
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Happy Birthday to English folk and rock musician Simon Nicol, who is turning 74 today. He joined his first band in 1966. Then the year after he was one of the founding members of Fairport Convention, who were formed in the same part of London where Ray and Dave Davies of the Kinks come from.
Fairport went on to become the biggest band on the English folk rock scene in the late 1960’s and the 70’s. Simon quit the band in 1971, before rejoining in 1976. After that he has kept Fairport going, although a little on and off, until today.
Simon Nicol has also done work as a producer and session musician. In addition to playing on records with various ex-members of Fairport, he has also been on records with among others John Martyn, Art Garfunkel, Cat Stevens and Al Stewart.
Simon Nicol’s had a career in music for 58 years, which is rather impressive for a man turning 74 today. He was still 17 when Fairport released their debut album. So here’s a toast to one of the unsung heroes in music, here’s to Simon Nicol
Simon Nicol - Middle Ground (1992)
Here’s a fun clip from 1981, with Simon Nicol and Fairport’s fiddle wizard Dave Swarbrick.
Simon Nicol and Dave Swarbrick - The Hens March to the Midden/Four Poster Bed/Time to Ring Some Changes
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Nazareth - Hair of the Dog
Dan McCafferty (1946-2022), singer in the Scottish band Nazareth, would have turned 78 today. Here’s one to his memory 
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I’m not religic, nor a big fan of Gospel, but this Christian alternative band I loved in the past. Youtube reminded me today about this song and I’m struck again.
As far as I know they are still rocking…
Jars of Clay - Flood
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RiP Liam Payne
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Boston: Walk on - Flawless Cut
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Thank you for this post and tribute. Such sad news.
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Years ago I worked in Belgium for a while. Local music station regularly aired an unique Belgium band called Arsenal who’s below song I liked as it gave me a positive happy vibe in a period not everything was a happy time.
It saddens me that I only just learned today the guest singer passed away after a tragic accident 6 years ago.
RIP Mario Vitalino…
Arsenal - Saudade ft. Mario Vitalino Dos Santos
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I’d like to pay tribute to English singer Paul Di’Anno, who passed away a few days ago. He never got to be the big star, but this is a guy who’s paid his dues and stayed true to rock n’ roll. He was the the singer on Iron Maiden’s first two albums, and after being sacked from the band, he just kept going, either solo or in bands, the latest being Warhorse.
Even in later years with health stuggle, he did not give in, performing live in a wheelchair, and releasing an album only three months ago. He was found dead in his home yesterday, 66 years old. Thank you for the music Paul, may you be remembered.
Iron Maiden - Wrathchild (1981)
Paul Di’Anno’s Warhorse - Here Comes the Night (2024)
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I knew you would pay a tribute to him so i waited for this as i heard it this morning that he died
Thank you for the nice words
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I’d like to do another one here, this time to celebrate the memory of what may be the greatest “forgotten” guitarist in rock. Today Leslie West (1945-2020) would have turned 79. He was the guitarist in the American band Mountain, (who had a couple of hits back in the day), as well as a long career as a solo artist.
After years struggling with, first addiction, and then diabetes, Leslie West had his right leg amputated in 2011. However, Leslie didn’t quit performing live, he kept singing and playing from his wheelcahair. Long live the spirit of rock n’ roll! 
And long live the memory of Leslie West.
Leslie West - Baby I’m Down
Leslie West, with Peter Frampton - Mississippi Queen
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