Further Fallout

FURTHER FALLOUT

...The Fallout Zone continues...

JE SUIS CHARLIE

UPDATE (11/01/15): WEEKEND MARCHES IN FRANCE

Millions gathered this weekend to march in the streets of France.

A delegation of over 40 foreign heads of state joined the French president in Paris on Sunday.

Over 1.5 million people marched in the French capital, while over 300 000 took to the streets in Lyon, 100 000 in Bordeaux and 70 000 in Grenoble, to name but a few.

It's hard to recall a larger mobilization in France.

Waves of clapping punctuated the walking, as well as signs and banners. It seemed like the vast majority understood that this was an event to commemorate the deaths of 17 people in total but also to defend freedom of speech.

It’s too early to say to what extent this solidarity will quickly turn to fear-mongering and what the politicization of the debate will bring out. However, the tragic events of last week have given way to historic levels displays of national and international unity, displays which are rarely so moving.

Charlie Hebdo’s next number comes out on Wednesday 14 January…

"They've already drawn cocks everywhere."

Charlie Hebdo's new cover ("Everything is forgiven")

Original article (published 08/01/15):

“Je préfère mourir debout que vivre à genoux”
(I’d rather die standing than live on my knees)

- Stéphane Charbonnier -

Today, on the Presidentially-proclaimed national day of mourning, condolences go to families and friends of the fallen journalists, cartoonists and policemen in the senseless shooting that took place at the Charlie Hebdo offices yesterday in Paris.

Jean Cabut (aka Cabu), cartoonist
Georges Wolinski, cartoonist
Stephane Charbonnier (ask Charb), cartoonist
Bernard Verlhac (aka Tignous), cartoonist
Philippe Honoré, cartoonist
Bernard Maris, writer and economist
Else Cayat, psychoanalyst and writer
Mustapha Ourrad, proofreader
Michel Renaud, former chief of staff of Clermont’s mayor
Frédéric Boisseau, service agent
Franck Brinsolaro, security officer
Ahmed Merabet, police officer

Currently living in France, it was truly moving to see and take part in silent gatherings to commemorate the lives of people who reported the news with humour, satire and a solid dose of anarchy, professionals who challenged mainstream views and who championed democratic ideals.

The unjustifiable killings that took place are an affront to human decency, as well as an attack on the freedom of speech and press, showing that fanaticism and extremism belong to cowards and the weak-minded.

It has been reported that Charlie Hebdo will hit the newsstands in a week’s time, showing that these barbaric acts have not won, despite the casualties, and that the best weapons against extremism are free speech.

Ripple effects have already started and will make themselves clear as time progresses. There will sadly be a pre and a post-Charlie shootings, with fears and mourning that will have social and political ramifications within the French territory and outside of France.

I’d like to maintain hope, but it’s easy to see that the solidarity and dignity on display have already been politicized, seen as a reminder of how extremist behaviours threaten democracy and will quickly turn to fear-mongering and a whole lot more.

An alarming aspect is education and how many of my teacher friends have told me that students from very young ages are blindly repeating what they’ve heard their parents say at home (as children tend to do) and it’s not always pretty: everything from “Charlie deserved it” to racist slurs…

The best course of action for the time being is respectfully pay tribute, forget people like Donald Trump and is moronic tweets (if you wish to see what the attention-seeking toupéd twat had to say, click here: Trump tweets on Charlie Hebdo) and instead celebrate solidarity, the bravery of those who publically or silently stand up for values such as liberty and freedom of expression and also hope that amalgam won’t arise with regards to Muslim communities.

Here's hoping that the satirical publication survives and that those behind this crime are swiftly brought to justice.

- D - 08/01/15

FUNERAL SONGS

“Life’s a laugh and death’s a joke, it’s true
You’ll see it’s all a show
Keep them laughing as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you…”

Funeral songs…

Not the most Christmassy subject matter but it’s far from the morbid topic many think.

Indeed, once you’ve accepted that we’re all doomed to do the whole “womb to tomb / sperm to worm” thing, you can start seeing things clearer and maybe have a bit of fun.

I always had the utmost respect for those with cheeky epitaphs, funny tombstones and people who could always see that the short lives we live are merely blips in the grand scale of things. These are people who not only accepted the inevitability of death but embraced life (and death) with humour.

(Sweet baby Jesus, shit just got existential!)

For instance, Spike Milligan’s ‘I told you I was ill’ epitaph springs to mind, as well as Ian Fleming’s last words. As the latter was being rushed to the hospital, he mustered the effort to tell the ambulance drivers: “I am sorry to trouble you chaps. I don’t know how you get along so fast with the traffic on the roads these days.”

As for this corker from actor Jack Lemmon, it speaks for itself:

Back to the central topic…

Recently, the British press released the list of the top burial songs in the UK.

This spiked my interest as some friends and I have previously discussed this. My mate Ant and his brother agreed to have the same track played at their respective funerals (the song title shall not be revealed here), Yves and I have on more than one occasion played the High Fidelity Top 5 game with this theme and I have waxed lyrical with Marianne about the most inappropriate songs to have at a funeral.

In case you were wondering, the inappropriate ones we came up with were Queen’s ‘Another One Bites the Dust’, ‘Going Underground’ by The Jam, the Star Wars Imperial March and Adele’s ‘Rolling in the Deep’. As for ‘Ding Dong, The Witch Is Dead’ from the cast of The Wizard of Oz, what a funeral that would be...

Here is the Top 20 most played songs at UK funerals:

1) Eric Idol – Always Look on the Bright Side of Life (from The Life of Brian)
2) The Lord is My Shepherd (Traditional)
3) Abide with Me (Traditional)
4) The Match of the Day theme
5) Frank Sinatra – My Way
6) All Things Bright and Beautiful (Traditional)
7) Robbie Williams - Angels
8) Elgar – Enigma Variations
9) Gerry and the Pacemakers – You’ll Never Walk Alone
10) Booker T & the MGs – Cricket Theme (Test Match TV theme)
11) Pachelbel – Canon in D
12) Celine Dion – My Heart Will Go On
13) The Last of the Summer Wine theme
14) Only Fools and Horses theme
15) Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli – Time to Say Goodbye
16) Vivaldi – Four Seasons
17) Schubert – Ave Maria
18) The Coronation Street theme
19) Westlife – You Raise Me Up
20) Eva Cassidy – Over The Rainbow

What??? Where’s Louis Armstrong’s ‘What A Wonderful World’? No Stairway to Heaven?? DENIED!!!

I’m just glad Sarah McLachlan’s ‘In The Arms Of The Angel’ didn’t make it.

As you can see, the choices go from sweet (who doesn’t love of a bit of Eva Cassidy?), baffling (Westlife? Really?), clichéd (Frank Sinatra’s track is an old classic in this case), dull as hell (The Lord is My Shepherd will make me slip into a coma on a good day) and just very cringe worthy (Robbie Williams and the Coronation Street theme take the prize).

As for the Monty Python topper, it is a wonderful choice, proving once more that Peter Ustinov was right: “Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious”.

Allow me to now self-indulgingly share my personal top 10, the songs I’d happily have at my funeral. They're not all funny but some songs do tick that cheeky box.

The rule for this list is that my choices can’t overlap with those included in the Top 20 above.

Here we go:

MADNESS – One Step Beyond

The title says it all and I always thought it would be a good idea if the attendees could get their groove on, whilst thinking ‘My god, what a total plonker that boy was’.

PEARL JAM – Man of the Hour

Talks of final bows and curtains coming down… This one is terribly self-indulgent and shamelessly tugs on the heartstrings. It’s still brilliant.

QUEEN – Bohemian Rhapsody

People need an excuse to sing along… As for the lyric “Nothing really matters, anyone can see”, I can’t think of a better line to have at a funeral.

THIRD EYE BLIND – Semi-Charmed Life

The song, despite the fact it’s actually about crystal meth addiction, has always put a smile on my face and I have never once gotten bored of it since its release in 1997.

TOM WAITS – I Don’t Wanna Grow Up

An ode to childhood that is both eye opening, oddly sweet and slightly ironic considering the circumstances…

Of course, it helps he's my favourite recording artist.

NINA SIMONE – Sinnerman

All for the love of Nina Simone, because no one’s perfect and due to a family connection.

ANTONY AND THE JOHNSONS – Hope There’s Someone

This is another obvious choice, along the same lines as Pearl Jam’s track. It is a slow funeral song that gets me weepy…

JAMIROQUAI – Deeper Underground

Much like The Jam’s ‘Going Underground’, you can’t tell me the lyrics to this one aren’t perfectly appropriate: “I’m going deeper underground… There’s too much panic in this town…”

VERA LYNN – We’ll Meet Again

Theme and lyrics aside, this song makes the list mostly because Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove is my favourite film.

THE NATIONAL – Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks

A beautiful track with a lovely repeated lyric, a message of sorts that appeals to the better angels of our nature, to paraphrase a president with an awe-inspiring beard: “All the very best of us string ourselves up for love”.

There that was.

I invite you, dear reader, to think about the songs that manage to crystalize an emotion you were having a hard time expressing, the ones you would happily have at your funeral and specifically those that could make you and others laugh. Because let’s face it, when it comes down to it, wouldn’t you rather leave a humorous impression than a bleak one?

Here’s that quote again: “Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious.”

I leave you with this wonderful eulogy, an appropriate one considering ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life’ made the number 1 spot:

- D - 02/12/14

RAD - CLIFFE

Daniel Radcliffe has been busy promoting his latest film, Horns, which comes out at the end of this week in mainland Europe and the US. It has already been and gone in France. Read the review here: click and scroll for the Horns review.

However, this short post isn’t about Horns – it’s about tipping our hats to Mr. Radcliffe.

You see, the former Harry Potter star is a self-professed rap fan… and boy, can he deliver the goods.

Please view below his impressive rendition of Blackalicious’ ‘Alphabet Aerobics’, an intricate song that requires not only memory and dexterity, but which also puts Barenaked Ladies’ ‘One Week’ in perspective!

- D - 29/10/14

HERE'S A COVER... AND A RANT

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder… It’s just possible that the beholder isn’t an idiot.

You may have heard of Meghan Trainor and her single ‘All About That Bass’.

The song recently made chart history in the UK: it was the first to enter the Official Top 40 based on streams alone.

It has also found itself at the heart of many a discussion (is it feminist / antifeminist / skinny shaming…?) and has been heavily scrutinized by those who read too much into…well, everything.

Here it is on your left and on your right, you’ll find a (better) cover version of Trainor’s song by Avi Kaplan, Mario Jose and Naomi Samilton.

Ultimately, no matter how much has been written about this song or how grating it may be, it seems to promote self-acceptance and the belief that all body types are beautiful. Hardly a bad thing... especially when considering the plethora of ad campaigns promoting what they believe to be the ‘perfect body’ (like Victoria Secret’s most recent product launch) and the hyper-sexualized music videos these days, which are basically soft-porn. Trainor’s bubble-pop tune and video is a refreshing break from Nikki Minaj, Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Lopez and countless others who rely more on showing their arses than focusing on actual musical talent.

I’m not suggesting that Trainor is a musical or lyrical genius, that she is in any way avant-guard or even that ‘All About That Bass’ is particularly good / pregnant with earth-shattering meaning – in fact, I personally thought her song was about ordering the fish special at a restaurant.

I’m simply saying it’s only a song. Why bring endless debates about feminism in places where they aren't really warranted? The same argument could be made for the countless pieces written about Gone Girl and its sexual politics etc. (Link to Gone Girl review.)

Yes, a lot of these ads and videos often show unrealistic ideals of what women should look like and affirm standards that only 1% of people can actually achieve… But aren’t we clued up enough to realize that and are we not perceptive enough nowadays to understand that lighting-flattering, effect-enhanced and Photoshop cheats are all marketing ploys to sell more records and underwear? I’m suggesting that the gimmicks are unsubtly transparent and everyone knows that no healthy (or truly attractive) woman actually looks like the image of Cara Delevingne on the body-shaming adverts of Victoria Secret, in the same way 99% of men don’t look like Ryan Gosling in Crazy Stupid Love. Considering the sheer number of ads and pop videos there are, haven’t we unknowingly beaten those who come up with these tactics by having our eyes wide open?

So, if you’ve got it and feel like flaunting it, go to town. If you don’t got it and feel like doing so anyway, go even further to town. If Iggy Azalea wants people to focus on her rear to distract them from her average music, good for her. If Trainor wants to promote curves via saccharine pop songs, perfect. If U2 want to release their new album for free so that their tax dodging antics are out of the spotlight, then… Hmmm… If rappers want to objectify women in their ridiculous videos by reducing them to… Wait… Let me get back to you on those last two…

Arguments about feminism are necessary and are interesting when applied to current music trends, for instance. However, surely they have more potency in discussions about equal rights in the workplace or how there is one rape every 30 minutes in India or even in debates regarding how it’s apparently fine to execute a 22-year old Afghan woman because she was unfaithful… And yet more ink is spilt about pop videos.

Strange world we live in.

What started off as sharing a superior cover version of a song ended up as this impromptu rant about misplaced debates. Apologies for going wax lyrical.

I don't mean to sound pompous, overly idealistic or even callous - I simply invite you to look beyond endless and stale debates in order focus on more pressing issues. Some headlines deserve more attention than whose bum you’re watching on a screen…

- D - 28/10/14

AN APPROPRIATE FRONT PAGE

I don’t usually get political on this blog. I tend to stick to topics I fully grasp and as much as I have a solid understanding of the ongoing turmoil involving the so-called Islamic State, I choose not to weigh in on a matter which will make me falsely sound like an authority on a complex situation. No one likes an insufferable know-it-all behaving like an attention-hungry 16 year old who has to indiscriminately (and more often than not stupidly) comment on everything, believing he or she has universal truth.

I have plenty to say about films, music, theatre, books and many cultural issues but don’t profess to have anything new or cutting edge to say on murders in the name of religious belief, no matter what the religion.

However, I humbly post a photo that caught my eye today, an excellent example showing that the press, unlike many think, sometimes get it just right…

You see, in the wake of the inhumane beheading of a British citizen, Alan Henning, at the hands of propaganda-hungry extremists, many news outlets were put in a sticky position: how does one report the news without giving the murderers the exact thing they want: publicity?

Many newspapers used old photos of the British taxi driver and father-of-two, in order to not publish the ones of him in a jumpsuit, waiting to be killed.

One stood out and the photo I was referring to earlier is the front page of The Independent On Sunday. The newspaper published a front page that is not only spot-on, but also powerfully moving and worthy of the highest journalistic integrity:

I also refer you to the newspaper’s online editorial, entitled “We must not play into Isis’s hands”: http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/editorials/we-must-not-play-into-isiss-hands-9774888.html

- D - 05/10/14

ROBIN WILLIAMS
21/07/51 - 11/08/14

"Seize the day. Because, believe it or not, each and every one of us in this room is one day
going to stop breathing, turn cold and die."
(John Keating - Dead Poets Society)

A part of my childhood died today...

Heartbreaking news today, as comedy legend Robin Williams was found dead at the age of 63, in what is reportedly a case of suicide.

We remember him from his TV breakthrough in Mork & Mindy and such films as Good Morning Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, The Fisher King, Hook, Aladdin, Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, The Birdcage, Good Will Hunting, One Hour Photo or even Insomnia.

This iconic and beloved comedian showed that whether it was from standup, comedic or more serious roles, he could inspire generations as well as constantly surprise and entertain.

He was open about his struggles with addiction and severe depression and while they got the best of him, his influence and legacy remains.

My deepest condolences to his family and, to those who have deemed it necessary to comment on the selfishness of his death via Twitter for example, I suggest you direct your ignorant accusations somewhere else – depression doesn’t understand logic or self-control. Stop doing more harm than good and respectfully mourn a man who spent his life making others laugh.

We’ll miss you, O Captain, My Captain.

- D - 12/08/14

IF FESTIVAL POSTERS TOLD THE TRUTH...

Regardless of the festival, music fans have been facing these issues for some time... However, some festivals do lessen the hassle:
click here for a recently published review of the Dutch festival Best Kept Secret and how it puts others to shame...

- D - 28/06/14

A SAD DAY FOR ART,
SURREALISM AND CINEMA

Artist HR Giger has passed away at the age of 74. The Swiss surrealist died from injuries sustained in a fall down a flight of stairs in his home.

Giger was best known for his numerous paintings, his book 'Necronomicon', a wonderful compendium of his work. He is also known for designing the xenomorph creature / the chest-buster / the face-hugger / the majority of the sets in the Alien franchise (including Prometheus) and several other Hollywood productions (Dune, Species, Poltergeist II...). He received an Academy Award in 1980 as part of the visual effects team for Alien.

His surreal and often darkly sexual artwork often featured biomechanical themes (humans and machines merged) and is nightmarishly mesmerizing to say the least.

The intricacy and uniqueness of his work was beautifully gothic and made him a reference in the art world as much as in cinema.

Here are some of my favourites:

Sir, you will be missed.

- D - 13/05/14

IN A WORLD...

American voiceover king Hal Douglas has recently passed away at the age of 89. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

He narrated countless film and TV trailers and is famous for having started a fair few of them with the “In a world…” prefix.

From Lethal Weapon, Philadelphia, Forest Gump all the way to Con Air and Men In Black, one of his finest and most well known moments came when he parodied himself for Jerry Seinfeld’s 2002 documentary Comedian.

The trailer for the latter film featuring Douglas playing announcer Jack, who only speaks in trailer clichés, became a YouTube sensation and can be found just below.

Thank you sir and fare thee well.

- D - 14/03/14

LONDON GRAMMAR VS ALL SAINTS

I saw London Grammar live at the end of last year (please refer to live review: link) and they are nothing short of brilliant. They also featured very prominently on my Best Of 2013 Albums list (link).

Right, that’s enough plugging.

I’m not just saying that because I’m slightly gaga about them and because singer Hannah was lovely and signed all kinds of shit for me. No, the reason these lines are being typed is for the video below – it’s a recent performance the band did on Live Lounge. The band delivers a cover of All Saints’ 'Pure Shores'… and its all kinds of hauntingly good.

Check it out:

- D - 19/02/14

philip Seymour hoffman
1967 - 2014

The Master has left us…

It’s a sad moment when an extraordinary talent suddenly and tragically passes away before his or her time.

This is the case for Philip Seymour Hoffman, the 46 year old Oscar winner who was found dead today from an apparent drug overdose.

He is survived by his partner Mimi O’Donnell and his three children. My thoughts are with them at this time.

Every one of Hoffman’s performances, no matter its size, was impeccable, captivating and unique: Boogie Nights, The Big Lebowski, Happiness, Flawless, Magnolia, Moneyball… He stole the show in The Talented Mr. Ripley, Charlie Wilson’s War, Doubt and was the best thing about Mission Impossible III and Red Dragon.

He won the Oscar for Best Actor in 2005 for his portrayal of Truman Capote in Capote, and was nominated again for Best Supporting Actor three times after in the aforementioned Charlie Wilson’s War (2007), Doubt (2008) and in Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master (2012). Most recently, he played in the Hunger Games saga and it is unknown at this time whether the actor had completed his shooting for the two-part closer Mokingjay Parts 1 & 2.

If not, it seems the last roles he will grace us with are his performances in John Slattery’s God’s Pocket and the adaptation of John le Carré’s A Most Wanted Man, both set to be released this year.

Philip Seymour Hoffman was an extraordinary and versatile talent, one of the very best of his generation and had no doubt dozens of memorable roles still to give us.

Thank you for your indelible performances, Mr. Hoffman. You will be sorely missed.

- D - 02/02/14