wearysmith

'Kill Bill 2' was on telly last night. First time I've watched it since I saw it at the flix all those years back. Didn't rate it then as it was a pale Part 2 compared to the brilliance of the first. Age must have mellowed me as I really enjoyed my 2nd viewing. Enough to give it an 8. Back in '04 I doubt I would have given it 3. Was hugely disappointed. Masden and Hannah were the stand out performances, but there's no denying Thurman was a serious looker and demanded attention every scene she was in. Gordon Liu's wispy-beard stroking was still as annoying though.

Here's a band we don't see often on these pages. A mate in Lanzo is a big fan of this act. I don't know if they've enough about them to make that big breakthrough, but this isn't unpleasant. Vid reminds me of a movie. 'Tank Girl' maybe? 'Thunderdome'?

I have 2 cassettes somewhere in the house. It's a Colin Slade interview with 3 members of the Strawbs. They were on for the entirety of his show. Slade plays favourite songs the band members grew up with and the entire 'Burning For You' album. The ad for 'A Star Is Born' and snippets from 'Evergreen' must have been on at least 8 times. There was a big push for the film on Radio Hallam 😀

Back in '88 we were discussing names for our soon-to-be daughter. I offered up Lauren as I'd always been a Bacall fan. Well, who wasn't after 'The Big Sleep' ? Jan had never seen it but loved the name too. A year later everyone's naming their child Lauren 😀. Felt our coattails were being ridden somewhat. But names are cyclic I guess. (We always said the 'aur' pronunciation, same as my ma. That's the way her generation said it. Even now when someone says 'Loren' it's like fingernails down a blackboard to us 😆) Anyway..... here's another unintentionally mirthsome Babs vid. She plays a leggy, chain-smoking lounge singer being cheated on by Kris Kristoffersen. You'll not be shocked to learn it was (waaaayyyyy over-) produced by Jim Steinman .

Babs still clearly quite proud of her legs at this point, and why shouldn't she have been? Always makes me smile this vid.

'Punch And Judy' - Marillion "Whatever happened to jeans so tight, Friday nights, Whatever happened to Lover's Lane, Whatever happened to passion games....."

'Mexican Girl' - Smokie

Some of you are probably aware that ex-Upperthorpe lad Gaz Richards has an hour long show on Deal Radio (in Kent) every Monday tea-time. It's specifically aimed at new bands/unsung acts. It's one of my favourite shows to be honest. Anyone familiar with Steven King's 'The Stand' will twig this song immediately. It also has a dance-compilation vid and I love those too. Dance fans will recognise clips from 'La La Land', 'The Umbrella Academy', 'Saturday Night Fever', 'Big', 'Guardians Of The Galaxy 2', 'The Blues Brothers'..... the list does, in fact, go on. Enjoy, people.

'Burning' - The Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Like the River Styx I flow, flow, flow...."

When I was a younger chap I loved 'cartoon' KISS. All that make-up and glam theatrics. Seen them live numerous times with friends and we still enjoy the pomp and silliness. Here's ex-KISS guitarist Ace Frehley proving that musically, for him, time's stood still. Yes....we know he's old enough to know better.....

One of his finest. I wish there was an official vid for it. 1964 was 60 years ago. Just sayin'......

'Our Song' - Yes. "Toledo was just another good stop Along the good king's highway...."

I was 25 and the wife wouldn't let me have a poster of Nena on our bedroom wall. Wives.....so judgemental.

On this day, '83

I've reassessed this song. Forgettable without the video, but with footage it works. Fair play to Cate for throwing in with their lunacy. She seems like a decent type. (An aside: I used to have some shoes like Russell's in the 80s. Jan snuck 'em in a charity bag when I wasn't looking )

An episode of the 2nd series of the revamped 'Fantasy Island'. The one with Marie Osmond in.

More early 80s jollity. Love this vid. Did Gabriel borrow for 'Sledgehammer' you reckon?

I'm a Blade and my mate's a Villa fan so I wouldn't mind them. Either ground would do.

'Inmates (We're All Crazy)' - Alice Cooper.

Undoubtedly the crappest video posted here all week. What were they thinking?? It's all a bit 'art for art's sake' 😀. That said, it's an amazing cover of a wonderful song.

Bill's nailed it.

'Tellulah' - City Boy

On this day.....

Some colour to lighten a grey morning.