In memorium

Today is the 50th anniversary of the Day the Music Died.

Surely this must be covered by Intelligent Design!

These evolving sing robots developed by a researcher at Britain's University of Plymouth are just too cool!

Finally we know!

The credit crunch is not the fault of greedy bankers as those capitalism hating Euro-socialists would have you believe. It is the fault of Bromley and Beckenham local hero David Bowie; or at least that is what The Daily Mirror would have us believe.

A seranade for "I'm a Big" Dick Cheney

It seems that the evil one behind the throne has no regrets. Nonetheless I would think he probably should avoid holidaying in Spain in his retirement. They take a hard view on war criminals there.

And so in memory of "I'm a Big" Dick I give you the Sparrow.

A good week for Leonard Cohen

Sorry for the hiatus but suddenly Xmas activities seem overwhelming. I'm finally off duty for the year and have finished my shopping as of an hour ago so there is hope. Off to the pub for a pint.

In the meantime Leonard Cohen should be happy as three versions of his song Hallelujah find themselves in the British holiday charts; a so-so version by a reality TV (not really a) star is Xmas number one, Jeff Buckley's extraordinary version at number two and Mr. Cohen's own version snuck in at number thirty six.

Because I've had this song stuck in my head for three days!

A great and important American voice falls silent

The great America folk singer and activist Odetta has died at 77. Sadly she was hoping to be able to sing at Obama's inagguaration next month.

The death knell for Islam?

Rumours have it that paler-than-pale rock legend and life long weirdo Michael (now Mikaeel) Jackson has converted to Islam in Los Angeles.

Welcome to the no fly list Wacko. I don't think you're going to like it there.

For Mitch

Inconsolable

At the age of thirteen I snuck off, with my mate John and his older sister Sarah into Philly to see the Jimi Hendrix Experience. My parents thought I was bowling. Now the last member of the Experience, drummer Mitch Mitchell, is dead.

How am I supposed to deal with this?

Rest in Peace

The great South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba has died at the age of 76.

A musical interlude

I thought this might be appropriate in light of the US Treasury's "here take some money please" socialism for the rich bail out of the dumb fucks who got us in this mess in the first place.

R.I.P.

Isaac Hayes - 1942 - 2008.

For your listening pleasure

Dr. John.

For your listening pleasure

Johnny Winter with "Highway 61 Revisited" from the Bob Dylan tribute night at MSG in 1992.

R.I.P.

Esbjörn Svensson - jazz musician - 1964 - 2008.



Enjoy.

1,000 reasons John McCain shouldn't be President

Number 46: he's having a hard time finding anyone willing to let him use their music for a campaign theme.

Why not try some Lawrence Welk Senator? It's bound to be a hit with your core constituency as long as the batteries in their hearing aids are fully charged up.

Does this make me gay?

I love Ute Lemper, especially when she sings Kurt Weil. Unfortunately I'm unlikely to be in New York in October.

For your listening pleasure

Somehow this Jackson Browne tune still seems oddly topical.

Finally an edorsement that means something!

American songwriter and rock legend Bob Dylan, who is also my personal saviour, tells The Times that presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama is "redefining the nature of politics from the ground up". Sounds like an endorsement to me.