What are you listening to now? Page 1,206

BBC Radio Ulster - Van Morrison Live on Cyprus Avenue:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0681pb7

.......and other 70th birthday programmes.

The BBC have excelled with this package for Britain's greatest ever solo popular artist.

Gordon - you've got to listen to it. It's just Van being Van but I'm ecstatic about it.

At 70.........70!.......mere words fail! :) :) :) :) :) :)

Quote: A Horseradish @ 7th September 2015, 5:58 PM BST

Gordon - you've got to listen to it. It's just Van being Van but I'm ecstatic about it.

I will, I will. They advertised this programme on Facebook a few days ago so I was looking forward to it anyway. I'm glad to see that the radio content on BBC iPlayer is open even to foreigners, so no technical problems for me then.

Quote: Gordon Bennett @ 7th September 2015, 8:25 PM BST

I will, I will. They advertised this programme on Facebook a few days ago so I was looking forward to it anyway. I'm glad to see that the radio content on BBC iPlayer is open even to foreigners, so no technical problems for me then.

Excellent.

It has uplifted me more than anything I have encountered in a crap and worrying 2015. Without wishing to sound crass, the man is a poet, a healer and a guru - and he has saved lives. Damn, I have just sounded crass. But the main point is it is so un-showy. He just does it. And the fact that he comes across as a grumpy old sod in real life just adds to it. It is ALL in the music. It is so natural and yet casually heartfelt - yes - it is planets removed from most stuff all are likely to have to face in any 24 hours. That is, except for what you like musically and what I like and what thousands want and most would demand if they knew it was available.

This is the BCG. It goes wider than comedy. That is one of its strengths. It "does" what it means to be British and it "does" character. Van is a very British character and yet he has always been more than an obvious one. Northern Irish. The not-playing-that-showbiz persona. He is still a British character. When he doesn't do all of the stuff that no one else can do, he could even be seen as funny. That's funny how someone can be so great without even seeming to try. On a singing level, he has always been more savvy than the rest. He knows how to pull it in so as not to go beyond his capabilities even as he is aging. Especially as he is aging. No. Is old. Consequently, he sounds about 36 and younger than people who are 36. And 26. And 16. Some at 6 are old.

I am going to have a lie down now. It's all too magnificent a lesson in how understatement is more moving emotionally than anything else. Given the gushing nature of these comments, I am happy to accept I will never have that aptitude. The quid pro quo for ordinary folk like us is that we can revel in the awe. This is not in the realms of a normal post is it? What the f**k! Church of England Nil. Church of Sir Van immeasurable.

.....I thank you. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abGe6uM9Ias

Katie Melua - Wonderful Life.

Always loved this song.

Quote: Chappers @ 7th September 2015, 9:36 PM BST

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abGe6uM9Ias

Katie Melua - Wonderful Life.

Always loved this song.

Nice enough.

Not as good as the original and you seem to be going a bit middle of the road.

Napalm Death - The Wolf I Feed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el5ewJxBASo

Crass - Big A Little A - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIdcDL64KCE

Manhattan Transfer - Twilight Zone - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQhalve_Ov4

Dead Kennedys - Nazi Punks F**k Off - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MkRuV0aCcI

(If you don't mind me saying so Whistling nnocently )

Quote: A Horseradish @ 7th September 2015, 10:04 PM BST

Nice enough.

Not as good as the original and you seem to be going a bit middle of the road.

Manhattan Transfer - Twilight Zone - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQhalve_Ov4

Yes - definitely!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSNSTerj2Kc

Quote: Chappers @ 7th September 2015, 10:56 PM BST

Yes - definitely!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSNSTerj2Kc

She's still doing it but I'm sure you have seen this before:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoWXOC6rtXM

Cool - but the bird from Pickettywitch is the one I like now:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrLqtzbm6Sk

Polly was/is gorgeous and famously Browned up on Top of the Pops.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmub6Yw3LUE

Quote: Chappers @ 7th September 2015, 11:08 PM BST

Polly was/is gorgeous and famously Browned up on Top of the Pops.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmub6Yw3LUE

Christ, for a moment I thought the bloke at the beginning of that clip was DJ Seva Novgorodsev who not only brought down the iron curtain on his own but has just hung up his boots following deserved receipt of the MBE:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/seva-novgorodsev-bbc-russian

Polly was more of a looker than Mary Hopkin. My seven year old version thought better. You are obviously older. It's total respect from me in that regard. But did anyone advise Benny and Bjorn they were minstrelled?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdWh-V3Gwx8

Can't beat this though on every level, know what I mean? Should have been number one for seven weeks at the very least. Did f**k all but that's the British public for you. Fickle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPCuCvAAELQ

Stuck in the middle with you- story of my life- Steelers Wheel.

One of the most beautiful songs of all times:

Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell

Quote: Gordon Bennett @ 8th September 2015, 8:18 PM BST

One of the most beautiful songs of all times:

Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell

Yes - I agree totally.

Quote: Gordon Bennett @ 8th September 2015, 8:18 PM BST

One of the most beautiful songs of all times:

Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell

Yes - I agree totally. One of the best songs of all time. It took me several decades to know what a lineman was in that context. I didn't envisage it as anything so I heard it as "Wichita Mystery" which just added to its appeal."The Wichita Mystery Concept is still on the line....". etc The Coen Brothers on record essentially.

Maybe I need a small vacation........ Teary

Quote: A Horseradish @ 8th September 2015, 9:40 PM BST

Yes - I agree totally. One of the best songs of all time. It took me several decades to know what a lineman was in that context.

You idiot. He helped the referee in the LA Galaxy v New York City game.

Ode to Billie Joe-Bobbie Gentry I Can't Let Maggie Go-The Honeybus How Deep Is Your Love-Bee Gees 20th Century Boy-T.Rex