Entertainment For Lively Minds
Built-in obsolesence
Leaving aside the ubiquitous ‘record-machines’ and ‘long-distance operators’ and the like, because we all know essentially what these terms mean, it occurred to me that some quite modern songs have a built-in technological obsolescence. Either there are references that are now beyond understanding, or they contain scenarios that make no sense to the younger listener
Assuming that anyone under 30 would be listening to Del Amitri, would they think this is actually drug reference:
"The needle returns to the start of the song
And we all sing along like before"
And similarly, in this day and age you can be depressingly sure that long before I get anywhere near Phoenix, she’ll have probably given me a call on my mobile, texted, and possibly sent an email to my I-phone.
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Telegram (Sam)? Semaphore (Signals)?
Many songs abound about these, but of all the old methods of communication I like Morse Code the best; those of a certain age will undoubtedly own the mfp (music for pleasure) LP of the Bonzos, the Temperance 7 and the Alberts, whose Morse Code Melody ends, I believe, side 1.
Pop-pickers will be aware that the Alberts featured Prof Bruce Lacey, eulogised by Fairport on a (very!) early outing, featuring perhaps RTs only (near) conventional blues-rock solo.
Want one!
Pray tell us more about this mfp album, Retro, it's a new one on me.
What's it called, and what's on the cover? What Bonzos goodies are there within? Is it the 'New' Temperance 7, and if so does it have 'Winchester Cathedral'? Spill the beans old chum.
Footnote: a quick Google tells me I was thinking of the "New Vaudeville Band" as regards 'Winchester Cathedral'. Still want to know about the mfp album though.
Its a good 'un.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Alberts,_The_Bonzo_Dog_Doo_Dah_Band,_The_Temperance_Seven_(album)
V old Bonzos, when they were still a 20s pastiche, along the lines of Bob Kerrs Whoopee Band, who was, at that time, I believe, a member.
Bob Kerr left the Bonzos...
...to form the Whoopee Band when the Bonzos started moving away from the 20's pastiches and into more surreal stuff. He was then accused of 'nicking our act'
...
Those references which you refer to are only beyond understanding to the ignorant listener - after all, people still read 19th century literature, don't they?
Do people
under 30 still read 19th century literature? I'll take your word for that.
I presume...
...that the more curious among them would, just as they might watch films made in black-and-white or with subtitles, or listen to music that was recorded before they were born (perish the thought).
As unappointed spokesperson for the entire under-30s age group
Yes we do
Needles
I think people under 30 are quite well aware of vinyl - I don't know if you've been into any nightclubs recently...
No ...
of course not ... I read The Word!
Nigel's Future
is most definitely not in The Brtish Steel.
I gather Judas Prist...
...have renamed their 'British Steel' album to 'Corus/Mittal Steel'
I gather Judas Prist...
...have renamed their 'British Steel' album to 'Corus/Mittal Steel'
C30, C60, C90... Go!
"A bit bam-boogie and a booga-rooga
my cassette's just like a bazooka
a bligger a blagger a blippity-blop
well I'm going down to the record shop"
Indeed... I couldn't have put it better myself. But what would young Islington make of all the "C30, C60, C90" malarkey?
But looking at it from the other way...
...I'm still waiting for my TVC15...Holographic! Quadraphonic! More channels!
...Anything else pop has promised us that technology has yet to deliver...?
It's all coins now
I definitely remember Adam and the Ants singing about writing on a pound note. On Goody Two Shoes I believe.