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I just can’t this out of my head...

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:25:27 +0200

Haus am See is without a doubt this summer’s greatest tune; you either love it or hate it. I absolutely love the mix of the german lyrics and the rhythms that keeping playing catch with the listener.

Interested in what more this Berlin guy has to offer?
For more info: http://www.peterfox.de/

Valentine Warner’s crispy deep fried courgettes

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:01:57 +0200

Valentine Warner’s is one of my favourite no-nonsense chef and food enthousiast with an excellent take on seasonal cooking and eating. You should definitely try this recipee.

Takes it away!

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:19:19 +0200

In one of the most brilliant covers of ‘Queen’s ‘Under Pressure’ (co-written by a certain D. Bowie). Gail Ann Dorsey is one those rare female self-taught bass players who is also gifted with a lovely voice.

No comment

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 15:17:59 +0200

tags: cartoons

Before Apple was cool

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:11:51 +0200

I wonder if Steve Jobs has the original hanging in his office.

Below a more recent add and I bet they used the same male model for the PC home movie as his younger version in pictured above. Not very subtle I’m afraid, but the same, if not worse, could be said of Windows ads. Even street punks fight in a more dignified way, it seems. But then again, everything is fair in love and war. Right? Right? Anyone?

Some serious fretting

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:02:10 +0200

Believe it or not, but Level 42 was my first encounter with the funk universe, way before I discovered The Great African American Disciples of Funk, like James Brown, Parliament-Funkadelic, Sly Stone, George Clinton and What’s His Name (Prince, Roger Nelson, TAFKAP, Slave...).

If you haven’t discovered the funk yet, prepare yourself for an amazing journey filled with lots of fun, fat grooves and serious ass-shaking. For the more intellectually inclined, check out this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funk

Now back to Level 42: they’re an English pop rock and jazz-funk band who had a number of worldwide and UK hits during the 1980s and 1990s. They gained fame for their high-calibre musicianship - especially that of Mark King, whose percussive slap-bass guitar technique provided the driving groove of many of the band's hits. They are also known for the combination of King's lead vocals and keyboard player Mike Lindup's falsetto backing vocals.

After disbanding in 1994, the band reformed in 2001.

Below is some live footage of ‘Love Games’, the first single from their first album. The intro might seem a bit too long and ‘music-geeky’, but you will not regret it.

O yes, before I forget the really important stuff: the picture shows all the basses that Mark King used since 1980. Impressive, innit? And he is missing quite a few, a fate that a lot of good musicians have to struggle with, it seems. What’s even more amazing: he chews gum at the same time as playing bass and singing!

Amour, Imagination, Rêve

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:34:59 +0200

AIR's form of electronic music was influenced by the synthesizer sounds of the 1970s such as Jean Michel Jarre, Vangelis and Francis Lai, Pink Floyd and French crooner Serge Gainsbourg.

This musical duo (Nicolas Godin studied architecture at the École Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture de Versailles whereas Jean-Benoît Dunckel studied mathematics before forming a band in 1995) uses many of their studio instruments (like Moog synthesizers, the Korg MS-20, Wurlitzer and Vocoder) live on stage.

They also scored music for Sofia Coppola’s ‘Virgin Suicides’, ‘Lost in Translation’ and ‘Marie Antoinette’. My personal favorite is ‘La Femme d’Argent’ (footage below) for the bass parts; so deceitfully simple and subtle...

Girlie banter à la Wendy and Lisa

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:05:22 +0200

Yep, I just can’t help myself; some footage of these 2 always puts a smile on my face. If you happened to be one of those lucky bastards who actually attended this concert; you not only got great live music, but a round of excellent quality girlie banter on the side. The footage below is not exactly up-to-speed footage- and sound wise, but it is so worth the effort. Every time, I’m telling you... And put on those Sennheiser Headphones, they might come in handy. The mysterious Shecky part is a personal favourite of mine, as is ‘Wendy struggling with the guitar tuning’ part....

Lego movie posters

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:27:43 +0200

Ladies and gentlemen: this is the real thing! Let’s just face it; we’ve been bored to death with movies posters with fleshy, real people in it. So why not replace them by LEGO people, who are way cooler?

The art of Daniel Conway

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:53:22 +0200

Daniel is a 23 year old, who currently lives in the UK. He spent 3 years studying both traditional art and digital animation. He has been teaching himself the art of digital painting and it has certainly paid off; his portfolio is truly amazing.

For more info: visit http://www.artofconway.com/

Love is love, gay or not

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 22:59:12 +0200

With the debate on gay marriage still going on in the United Sates, I finally start to realize how fortunate Belgian gay couples are, having the constitutional right to get married, like any other happy couple. It still baffles me, how some people do not have that right, and as a result had a hard time ‘coming out’ (an expression I hate, because it’s discriminating: do heterosexuals have to ‘hide in the closet’ or state their sexual inclination)? Is Love after all, not a Matter of the Heart?

Still, it’s comforting to know gay marriage is now legal in the states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont.

The name is Bo, as in Bo Diddly

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 22:17:15 +0200

You must have been on another planet not to notice the change in style when Pres. Obama took up residence in the White House. Getting his daughters that dog he promised was without a doubt the most covered non-event news coverage. Still,being a animal lover myself, it’s nice to see the president of the United States does not mind running after his dog and apparently is not afraid to show it to the whole world. What a change in style it is. Before you know it: he will be smoking a Havana with Cuban President Raul Castro. Mark my words!

Spicy and sophisticated

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:17:29 +0200

What’s there not to like about Indian food? Once in a while; I just have to find an excuse to grind huge amounts of a variety of grounded spices to mix up a mean garam masala and the beauty of it is you get to make your own version; the variations are endless. Every Indian home has it own variation. And lots of recipes for our vegetarian friends to choose from; some parts of India are well-known for the widespread practice of vegetarianism. In southern India, a well-rinsed banana leaf is used as a plate for hygiene purposes and its visual impact. Definitely worth a try!

Fact versus fiction

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:29:35 +0200

Cleopatra is without a doubt one of the the most famous women in history. The fact that for 2,000 years almost all evidence of her has disappeared never stopped filmmakers in recreating the myths and fiction surrounding her phenomenal but short life in blockbuster movies.

But recently, historians and archeologists are beginning to unearth the facts. Did she really had those killer looks both Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony fell for or was she rather plain, or even ugly, as some claim, on the basis of coins with her image on it? Was she Greek, or did she have African origins?

Some archaeologists believe they have discovered the skeleton of her sister, Arsinoe, murdered by Cleopatra and Mark Antony: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/7958819.stm

Fascinating stuff!

Cassette tape portraits

Sun, 5 Apr 2009 17:03:45 +0200

I grew up in an age where casette tapes were still pretty much in fashion, way, way back into time, in the middle-ages before de CD was born. I remember vividly cursing when the tape got stuck and I had to repair it or rewind it manually with the use of a pencil.

Others have found a more creative use of this type of musical archeology: making cassette tape portraits. Check them out at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/iri5/

It’s been a while

Sun, 5 Apr 2009 16:27:02 +0200

It’s been almost 2 months since my last blog entry so shame on me. It’s just... I’ve been so busy working really long shifts, weekends, picking up my guitar, catching up with long lost friends, gardening, cookin’ and twittering... at the expense of my blog... But with the return of Spring, the Blog bug is starting to itch again. So, let’s get started again:-).

First of all: the launch of a fully relaunched Wendy and Lisa website: http://www.wendyandlisa.com/. How cool is that! You can find the Soul Sisters on Facebook, Twitter and they have included lot’s of interactive features and fan forums. Just the thing that we devoted fans have been waiting for.

And Wendy has a monthly DJ session on http://www.luxuriamusic.com/

O yes; don’t forget to vote on Facebook to get the girls to Belgium for a concert: http://apps.facebook.com/ilike/artist/Wendy+%2526+Lisa/come_to_my_town?ad=ctmt_rs

The picture shows W (right) & L (left) as childhood friends, struttin’ their stuff in the studio; even back then, wild horses could not drag them away from a recording studio. Don’t they just look awfully cute: even back then?

This concludes my W&L ramblings (I could go on forever:-); let’s check out the next blog entry:-). Mmmm; it feels good to be back.

Goofin’ around

Sat, 7 Feb 2009 16:57:05 +0100

I’ve made my first ‘executive decision’ in 2009: trying to get Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman back into the spotlight they deserve. It’s still not easy being a female brilliant musician in the music industry without being unwillingly categorized as too eclectic, alternative, hybrid and intellectual.

When they were told they should ‘dumb down’ their music, they decided they had enough of the insults and record companies and started producing on their own. Way to go, girls!

You may have stumbled upon previous blog entries on this musical gifted duo; check them out for the full context here and here.

Still, the duo does not take itself too seriously; they are in fact very modest and have that self-deprecating humor which keeps them levelheaded. Here’s a nice ‘nudge, nudge, wink, wink footage’ I stumbled across which will sound very familiar indeed for those with fond memories of his ‘Royal Purpleness’. It’s the intro to ‘Computer Blue’ a song that featured in the ‘Purple Rain’ movie, a short dialogue between the 2 girls. The 2nd snippet shows the original scene in the movie. About 25 years earlier. Gosh; how time flies when you’re having fun. Their new website will launch in March but you can find them at Twitter as well. Just keep in mind these ladies actually have to score music while twittering away.

Willy Wonka

Sat, 7 Feb 2009 15:56:30 +0100

Ah; what’s there not to like about ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’? The Oompa-loompas, the weirdness and eccentricity in Wonka (a brilliant Johnny Depp), the spoofs on other major blockbuster and cult movies, the musical intervals? Based on Roald Dahl’s novel ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, Tim Burton's 2005 film version added a history of the character: Willy Wonka is the son of dentist Dr. Wilbur Wonka (played by Christopher Lee). Wonka had a traumatic childhood: his father forbade him to eat candy and forced his son to wear large and unsightly orthodontic headgear. Eventually, he tastes chocolate and starts getting ideas for other candies. When he becomes an adult, Wonka opens his own candy store, with Grandpa Joe being one of Wonka's first employees; Mike Teavee's father was hinted to be one as well.

Additionally, in Burton's film, Wonka initially refuses to allow Charlie to bring his family to his factory. An eventual reconciliation between Wonka and his father causes Wonka to change his mind and allow Charlie's family to move in with him as well.

Oren Lavie

Sat, 7 Feb 2009 15:09:20 +0100

At the core of Lavie’s melody-oriented compositions there is always the piano or the guitar with his singing, enriched by string arrangements (cello solo, quartet, chamber orchestra) and various, mainly non-electronical instruments added occasionally, giving each of the songs a unique style and colour.

His debut album ‘The Opposite Side of the Sea’ (2006), is sung with the sweetest of voices, rich textures and melodies, crafted with a unique songwriting style, with strong influences by Tom Waits, Jacques Brel, and Leonard Cohen. Below the video, directed by Oren, who also happens to be a playwright and theatre director.

Check out his website: http://www.orenlavie.com/

Onion soup!

Sat, 7 Feb 2009 15:06:51 +0100

Grandma’s finest: onion soup à la french: with lot’s of cheese to get you through a cold winter: http://blog.cooklikeyourgrandmother.com/2009/01/how-to-make-french-onion-soup.html

Today’s endangered species

Sat, 7 Feb 2009 14:33:36 +0100

An interesting and ironic take on executives facing hard times.

Dodgy drinks

Sat, 7 Feb 2009 14:22:27 +0100

Behold the effects of beer on squirrels.

Madness Inc.

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:58:32 +0100

I am too furious to even begin describing the emotions and thoughts I have being confronted every day by the footage and commentaries on the Gaza conflict. Above all: the sickening propaganda on both sides. Sometimes a few cartoons say it all:

A girl named Su

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:34:42 +0100

Learning to play the electric guitar myself, I am very envious of this little girl’s technique. She could do with a little more funk attitude, but I’d give my pinkie (or maybe not!) to be able to play like her one day. By the way: her name is Su.

Printer cat

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:21:59 +0100

I know from first-hand experience, cats don’t get along with printers. See for yourself:

Florian Schneider Leaves Kraftwerk

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 16:53:11 +0100

After serving nearly four decades in legendary electronic outfit Kraftwerk, co-founder Florian Schneider has officially left the band. This piece of news came a bit as a shock to me, but still... the writing was on the wall, with Florian not joining the last world tour in 2008. A private and shy man, Schneider never made it a secret he hated traveling and being on tour. I count my blessings having seen him one last time in Brussels in 2004.

Schneider announced his departure Monday (January 5). No reason was given as to why he is quitting the influential German group but with him now out of the picture, the only original Kraftwerk member remaining is Ralf Hütter.

Oddly enough, word of Schneider’s exit followed news that Kraftwerk would be opening for Radiohead on the UK band’s upcoming tour in Latin America, which begins March 15 in Mexico City.

Hütter said Schneider has spent the last few years "working on other projects; technical things," but gave no indication of there being any ill will between the long-time musical partners. Schneider did not take part in Kraftwerk's 2008 world tour and was replaced onstage by new member Stefan Pfaffe.

Here’s some footage, featuring the good old days, with the original band members, in ‘Trans Europe Express’.

Squirrel obstacle course

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:48:42 +0100

I never grow tired of footage featuring furry little critters, like for instance the squirrel, a refined and smart robber who never says no to a challenge. Take for instance this obstacle course:

Sissy stuff

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 22:40:25 +0100

Don’t get me wrong: I’m a trekkie, but I’m not into that good old Star Trek vs Star Wars fans battle. Still, I just can’t help myself if I happen to run into a very funny picture indeed. Notice the unidentified object he’s holding to protect his...ermmmm protective armor.

Divine design

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 22:10:41 +0100

Now this picture has a strange way of ‘putting things in perspective’. Not for the sensitive creationist eyes, I’m afraid.

Jacek Yerka

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 21:47:32 +0100

Jacek Yerka (born 1952) is a Polish surreal artist and painter. Yerka studied art for a short time at University, but then learnt from direct study of Northern European masters, the Van Eycks, Dierck Bouts, Robert Campin, Bosch, and surrealists such as Magritte. Being a Belgian myself, immersed in the surrealism of today’s Belgian politics and with a soft spot for surreal art, I liked his art instantly.

His paintings are acrylic on canvas and carefully rendered, using images from his childhood. He also includes odd beasts and whimsical landscapes.

Yerka's work has been exhibited in Poland, Germany, Monaco, France, and the United States. His works are also in Polish art museums.

You can visit his homepage here. A sample of his artwork below, called ‘Dragon’s pleasure’.