Todays 'Music' compared to the Real Thing

 Hyacinth Bucket is back!  After her excellent article here on the the economic situation in Ireland and the corruption that surrounds it, she now turns her attention to the music scene, comparing and contrasting today's music with yester-year, to expose the lack of talent in the present day.  Hyacinth has a spleen and she vents it here.

Over to you Hyacinth:
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My kids are grown up and live away from home now. When they come down at the weekend, like any good Dad, I tend to give them absolute power over the remote control (unless Spurs are playing, I'm not THAT good !!) That means for more Saturday evenings than are good for your health, its a few hours of the dreaded 'X Factor'.

Because there was no other option, I began to watch this mass produced mayhem in the faint, and so far fruitless,hope that someday,an act might appear that could hold a candle to some of the great singers and musicians that have graced our radios and TV's since Bill Haley rocked around the Clock in the mid 50';s, almost 60 years ago.

Back in the day (LOVE that saying, it describes SO much) and much to the displeasure of our grandparents, rock and roll was king. Its infectious back beat, driving guitars and suggestive lyrics was meat and drink to a generation that was crying out to rebel after the austerity of WW2 and the years of rationing that followed. Cue Elvis Presley with his swivel hips, Jerry Lee Lewis and his honky tonk piano and Little Richard's classic Good Golly Miss Molly, and the groundwork was done for a thousand bands and singers to vie for space in the Top 20 over the next 30 years.

From 1955 till the early 80's when record companies decided they didn't like rock and roll anymore, we were able to listen to the early pioneers of rock, then the Beatles and the Rolling Stones,the Who,Fleetwood Mac in all its various guises,Pink Floyd, Cream, with Eric Clapton and more lightweight bands, but equally listenable like The Hollies, During the 60's hardly a chart was issued that one or more of the these bands did not feature in.

Creedence Clearwater Revival incl John Fogerty

In the late 60's and early 70's , we had the pleasure of  listening to classic material from some big hitting American acts like Creedence, Simon and Garfunkel, Jimi Hendrix,, the Eagles and a young emerging talent called Bruce Springsteen. If you turn on your radio today, I guarantee you will still hear songs from all the acts mentioned above and lots more beside, that still sound as fresh and original as when first released.

Now back to the X Factor generation.

In the 1960's we had Simon and Garfunkel. The X factor gives us Jedward

In  the 1970's, it was Crosby, Stills , Nash and Young. Now its One Direction.

I think its safe to say that the ' Greatest Hits of the Noughties' will be instantly forgettable, while the ' Greatest Hits of the 50's through to the 90's' covers a huge amount of classic music. music that was actually played on REAL guitars and drums, music that was was really sung into a live microphone. Not like todays electronically produced stuff and lip synced lyrics. 

For that reason, I feel sorry for todays young people. Their musical tastes have been dictated to them by money grabbing leeches like Simon Cowell, who should be charged for Offences against Humanity for some of the'talent' he has manufactured.

I go to as many live gigs as I can. I am spoiled by the likes of Bruce Springsteen's 3 to 4 hour sets, by the likes of John Fogerty's magical guitar and voice, by Fleetwood Mac's vocal power and by The Who's sheer energy. Compare that to the 20 minutes or so of miming that is so common amongst Mr Cowell's acts. There is no comparison. Todays kids are being cheated, only they don't realise. All they are doing by buying a song by yet another one hit wonder on itunes is to allow Cowell purchase another Lamborghini.

 

The Awful Boyzone in Action

I will finish with a joke that did the rounds when the awful 'Boyzone' started out in the 90's. The venue was packed when the announcer came on to say the gig was cancelled, somebody stole the tapedeck. 

I rest my case.

 

Hyacinth.

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Thank you Hyacinth,   You made me so thirsty for the old days that I checked Creedence on You Tube, and it brought the memories back so much so that I downloaded their complete Collection Box Set on to my iPhone.  I'm rocking away as I edit.  Here's a link to a YouTube video of CCR in action:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIPan-rEQJA&feature=player_detailpage  enjoy.

Mendacious Miliband and a Duplictious, Deceitful, Bout of Disembling by Omission

      He's not really that good at it is he - trying to pull off a con trick that is.   He and Ed Balls tried to do just that last Thursday in Bedford, but failed miserably.   He should take lessons from that Snake Oil Salesman in Chief - Tony Blair.  My God, Teflon Tony would have pulled if off with a smooth sleight of hand, a flourish, followed by a big smile, saying Trust Me!   By comparison Mendacious Milly has a sleight of hand that could graciously be called, agricultural, and his flourish of deflection is somewhat telegraphed.   Must do better young Sir, must do better.

      The previous day at PMQs in the House, the Prime Minister produced and invitation to Miliband's most significant economic policy announcement yet. - the statement was to contain no new policy announcements. The young fellow m'lad was mocked severely for this.   On the day of his grand non-announcement, his Shadow Business Secretary, @ChukaAmunna,was busy being interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live, stating that it was too early in the life of the parliament to make economic, fiscal, or tax policy.  So good old reliable  Chuka was on message at least - or was he?

The two Ed's -Smugness Personified

      Cameron, during PMOs let it be known that a reintroduction of a 10p tax band was under consideration.   Lo and behold, the next day in Bedford, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee , the two Ed's that is (judge for yourself who 'Dum' is!) apologised for Gordon Brown's decision to abolish the 10p tax rate and that he and and Ed would bring it back.  To pay for it they would introduce a mansion Tax, so beloved of the Fib, sorry @LibDems, for mansions, this time, on or above £2m pounds in value.  The band range 'could', that's right only 'could' range up to £1000 depending on the income expected - didn't really know.    This 'would' be worth £100pa to the working people.   The 40p tax band personal limit would be reduced by the equivalent, to ensure the middle class wouldn't benefit, just the working people - seems like Ed think's the middle class don't work, and so much for the slogan of One Nation!  Milk it for all it's worth, TV cameras ate there, smile, receive raucous applause, sit down, smug expression of satisfaction - job done.   Oh no it's not laddie.

      If ever a policy was drawn up quickly on the back of an envelope this was it - didn't even have time to tell poor old Chuka on Radio 5 Live as he was spouting away the old policy from yesterday afternoon.   The policy that there were no policies - yes that one.

      In 2008, mendacious Miliband  imperiously defended Brown's abolition of the 10p tax band, insisting that some would lose out but overall it would make the tax system more fair, as it is all about fairness, and Labour are the party of fairness.   Note that now it is just Brown's decision, nothing to do with Ed and Ed, who just happened to work for him in various economic capacities.   Sloping shoulders syndrome there boys, passing on the blame, very edifying - not!

David Miliband's 'Mansion' worth more than £2mil

      Those previously in the 10p tax band are now out of that range due to the increases in the personal allowances to £9440, so says the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).   Further, in order to raise the amount required to pay for such a low tax band would require each of the property owners of the 70k 'mansions' worth over £2m would be £30k pa.   A whole new round of property evaluation would be required - at the top end at least.  

      This 'policy' would suck more people into the higher 40p rate tax band.  These people work too Mr Miliband, but there are apparently so poor that he was championing, these 'non workers' only a few weeks ago to be allowed to keep their child benefit - really - suddenly they are rich and idle rich at that.  All this, to give those creeping into the 10p band, not a £100 relief as he said, but only 67p a week when other benefits are taken into consideration - a mere £34pa - dearie me!

The IFS said that the 'proposal would 'complicate' the income tax system and achieve nothing that could not be better achieved in other ways.'   The pointed out that governments of both parties had not only introduced such bands previously, but quickly got rid of them and  'to propose the same thing again suggests a remarkable failure to learn from history' - ( or from your previous mistakes Messrs Ed and  Ed.)

      Of course bringing up the question of a 'Mansion Tax' Miliband knows he will have the coalition partners waring between themselves - an obvious political ploy, with Labour cynically putting party before people, working or otherwise.

      What he didn't say during the speech was that the 'policy' would not be in the election manifesto - this 'fact' had to be dragged out of them later through questioning.   So, there we have it, mendacity at it's best, with smoke and mirrors that didn't mask the obvious deliberate, deceitful duplicity of this pair of charlatans .  No intention of bringing in this 'policy' at all, good stuff for the cameras - a non-policy.  The TV companies should be more careful in the future, they were set-up and 'used' good and proper.   Just a pure political stunt full of stale fetid hot air - in other words a first class fug.   The boy Ed needs to do a bit more learning at the feet of Teflon Tony methinks.

      No wonder I feel disenfranchised, and that our leading politicians are not worthy of my or you the readers vote.  I am as mad as hell, and I'm not putting up with it any more!   Be warned!

Sam


      

Chuka Umunna - Should I Hold My Breath?

      Do you remember before the last election when the Tories, in opposition, refused to say what they would do when in power viz-a-vis the economy?   They said they couldn't make policy as they didn't know what the financial situation would be like a few years into the future - it would be unfair to ask them to do so.

      Do you also remember the Labour benches taking the mickey out of the Tories as a party with no solutions and no policies - how could anyone vote for them?   You know how it goes I'm sure.

     Well, lo and behold, Chuka Umunna, the Shadow Business Secretary, on Radio 5 Live with Victoria Derbyshire yesterday - he turned Tory.   Admittedly he didn't sound his usual confident self, being hesitant with some of his answers.  However, one of things he was very strident and confident about, is that it is too early in the cycle, for Labour to make any economic, fiscal or tax policies, this far in advance of the 2015 election.   Ummmm...... has he really turned Tory, or is he just hypocritical.....ummmmmm.....the latter methinks.

Chuka Umunna - a hypocrite?

      Mr Umunna, wake up and smell the coffee.   We the disenfranchised are partly so because we are fed up with people like you playing the politics of self-interest, and offering us nothing to believe in.   Are you so incapable of telling us that if you wouldn't do what the Tories are doing or planning to do, but that in similar circumstance you would do this, that, or A, B or even C.   We know what you won't do - tell me please  not only what you would do, but how you would do it.   At the moment you are just a Tory with a red rose.  In other words a hypocrite.

      So Mr Umunna, here is your chance to put the record straight, to be a hero of the people, for your stock to rise in the Labour Party, to show that you and Labour are really different and worth voting back into power.   Tell me, what would you do that is so different from the Tories, not generalities that even I could spout and means nothing, but real concrete action.   How will you reduce the deficit and where will you make cuts.  Yes apparently you have identified another £6 billion of saving in the MOD, but where, which part, and why isn't that needed anymore.  Labour say that the Tories are cutting everything and yet you lot say you wouldn't make cuts here, there and everywhere, so I ask, what is left to cut that you say you wont cut?   I'm waiting Mr Umunna, should I hold my breath?   Yes, maybe the Tories are cutting too deep too quick, but which 'bit' would you cut slower and less deep, and how long would this extend the period until recovery is achieved.   I'm waiting Mr Umunna, I'm waiting.   Should I hold my breath?

      How do you propose to start growth in the economy without reverting to the Blair/Brown/Balls/Milliband ethos of borrowing beyond our means, and spend spend spending for votes.   Wouldn't that just increase the debt let alone the deficit.  Tell me Mr Umunna, I'm waiting, shall I hold my breath?

      If the Tories where a party of no policy or ideas when in opposition, and you are using the same trick and argument today, can not the same be said of Labour and you today.   Aren't you just playing at politics for self-interest and not for the greater good.   Are you not just another Labour/Tory/FibDem fraud and not worthy of anyones vote, let alone mine.   I invite you to reply on this forum to put matters right.  No smoke and mirrors please, we only have honesty here.

    One last thing Mr Umunna, while you were spouting hypocritical words on air to the nation on Radio 5 Live, saying it is too early to produce economic/fiscal/tax policies, your leader (sic!) was giving a 'big'  speech in Bedford in his and the Labour Party's most significant economic policy announcement to date about a Mansion Tax and a 10p tax rate.   Don't you know what is going on even within your own party?   Explain please:  Should I hold my breath Mr Umunna while I wait for enlightenment?

Sam

You Think We Have Had it Bad?

My Blog, I'm Mad As Hell and I'm Not Taking It Any More, elicited a number of direct responses.  The article prompted Hyacinth Bucket to reply to highlight just how bad things could be in the UK, compared to what has happened in Ireland.   Corruption, incompetence, and lethargy is everywhere and it affects us all.   It is time to put a stop to it all, and like Hyacinth (@spurs2212 on twitter), with this excellent blog, you too can vent your spleen on this blog site should you be enraged enough - just drop me a line.  Now, over to Hyacinth:

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 In reply to Sam’s excellent ‘I’m Mad as Hell and I’m Not taking it any more’ blog, I’m going to cover basically the same ground, but from an Irish Republic residents view point.

 To put it in a nutshell, this country has been in the dark depths of recession and beyond since the fateful night in September 2008 when the Fianna Fail Government signed away this countries financial independence by guaranteeing the survival of our Banks. The same banks who had spent the previous few years recklessly lending billions of euros to anyone who had the words ‘Property Developer’ on their letter heads. Whether these cowboys could repay the loans was a secondary consideration in the boom days of the Celtic Tiger. Many of the deals were introduced or set up in the now infamous Fianna Fail Hospitality Tent at the famous Galway Races. Now this ‘hospitality’ came at a price. You made your ‘donation’ to party funds and in return you could rub shoulders with the executives of AIB, Bank of Ireland, Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide and set in motion, the finance for the shopping centre, apartment complex or hotel development that your company was planning. In many cases, 100 % finance was supplied by the banks in return for a share in the eventual profits the venture would ultimately make.

So, for example, Anglo Irish lent one developer €800m to buy a site in a plush area of Dublin. He planned a huge development of high priced apartments with a huge tower to cap it all off. A 10 year old child could have foreseen the planning problems such a development would have, not to mention the objections of the residents. Not Anglo Irish it seems. Now the site (without planning permission) is worth €25m, the developer is bankrupt and on the run, and Anglo Irish was wiped out by Government Order last week. That is just one example of the excesses that went on in the property market, unchecked by the Financial Regulator, ignored by the Government Ministers who had enjoyed their free holidays in the Maldives. Only a few financial journalists warned us of what was inevitably coming next, they were mainly ignored. Everybody was having too good a time to see that the pin was getting ever closer to the bubble.

In September 2008, the bubble burst. Since then, Ireland has been under the control of The European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. The joke is that we are now a subsidiary of Germany. The irony of the Irish Fans banner at Euro 2012 ‘Angela Merkel Thinks We’re at Work’ was not lost here.. Every financial move Ireland makes has to be approved by the Troika, a panel made of EC, IMF and ECB officials). It’s a horrible situation , brought about by corrupt politicians, greedy property developers and bonus driven bankers, none of which (so far) have paid the price they deserve in the courts. There are a couple of ‘show’ trials to come but they remind me of the ones Hitler orchestrated during the war, except it’s a cert the Irish defendants will get off.

The only revenge the Irish nation has been able to extract was in the General Election, 2 years ago.The sitting Fianna Fail/Green Party coalition was virtually wiped out by a Fianna Gael/Labour coalition. Its fairly certain the present government will be similarly decimated when we next go to the polls.

Only one thing is certain, the elected reps will still pick up their obscene salaries, they will still fiddle their expenses and they will still have pensions the envy of everyone.

Larry Goodman -Google him!

The beef/horse/donkey situation is interesting. How ironic that the samples that triggered this whole thing off were taken in a factory owned by Larry Goodman*. I could write a book on this guy. Google him. He cost the Irish Government millions in the 90’s, through Export Credit Insurance scams and the Tribunal that followed. Needless to say the bad guys got away scot free. Only a few minor employees got shafted, just to make it look good. The only winners were the lawyers who took home millions in fees, all paid for by us, the downtrodden taxpayer. Just to make sure that the money circle continued, many of the lawyers became property developers and the contributed to the merrygoround I dealt with in the first part.

The horse meat scandal might have originated in Romania or wherever, but you can be sure that money has been made all along the chain. These horrified ‘we didn’t know what was happening’ cries are rubbish.  Now a French MEP has claimed that because horses and donkeys are no longer allowed to use the public roads in Romania, thousands have been slaughtered. You can imagine the rest.

To get some idea of what has been going on here, go to

http://www.rte.ie/player/ie/

and check out the ‘Inside Irish Nationwide’ programme, before somebody gets an injunction to take it down. It highlights the excesses/shortcomings of that bank and its autocratic former boss Michael Fingleton. Its an interesting view. Its maddened the whole country here.  (Ed:  note the RTE Player may not work in your country.)

So, while things are bad in the UK, it may be some consolation that there is always someone worse off, in this case the Irish……..

*For more information on Larry Goodman and the beef scandal read this Daily Mail article , which also supplied the public domain photograph of Larry Goodman.