[via NYT]
Moral Monkeys?
On Governmental Apologies - "All I am saying is that while there may be good reasons to resist apologizing, the we didn’t personally do it and those it was done to are dead reason isn’t one of them."
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Voting Christianly
Given the State Election on the 24th, and looming Federal Election this year, I've found the below few articles quite interesting reading.
:: Shock News - I’m Christian and I Vote.
:: Why we must vote Christianly - and not just for the CDP (Sandy Grant)
:: Nothing New Under the Sun; [Byron's Blog], this post and the comments make for worthwhile reading.
:: Voting Christianly (John Dickson) [on the All Saints Petersham website]
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:: Shock News - I’m Christian and I Vote.
:: Why we must vote Christianly - and not just for the CDP (Sandy Grant)
:: Nothing New Under the Sun; [Byron's Blog], this post and the comments make for worthwhile reading.
:: Voting Christianly (John Dickson) [on the All Saints Petersham website]
+++
Saturday, March 17, 2007
this one is about mixed music…
So, I have been listening to a bit of new music, and felt like making a few mix CD’s, and at the same time thought that it might be interesting to hear what the readers are listening to.
I thought that we could try and make it interesting and nominate a mood (eg. fun, contemplative), theme (eg. home, spring) or style (eg. acoustic, live, loud) for the playlist. (Of course I'm open to suggestions here)
So if you are interested in being part of this leave a comment and I’ll arrange the details after a week or so depending on the level of interest.
Update
I’ve been thinking my way through the Copyright Act and 2006 Amendment. Given that under the law it seems we are able to make copies of CDs we own – I don’t think that there is a problem if I make a playlist for myself.
So I think we can each make a CD; then send it round the circle of people, and then return to the owner. Let me know if you are in under these slightly revised conditions.
I thought that we could try and make it interesting and nominate a mood (eg. fun, contemplative), theme (eg. home, spring) or style (eg. acoustic, live, loud) for the playlist. (Of course I'm open to suggestions here)
So if you are interested in being part of this leave a comment and I’ll arrange the details after a week or so depending on the level of interest.
Update
I’ve been thinking my way through the Copyright Act and 2006 Amendment. Given that under the law it seems we are able to make copies of CDs we own – I don’t think that there is a problem if I make a playlist for myself.
So I think we can each make a CD; then send it round the circle of people, and then return to the owner. Let me know if you are in under these slightly revised conditions.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
More Links
On Multiculturalism… [Interesting take on multiculturalism in Canada]
A Fascinating post on "filling the void"
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A Fascinating post on "filling the void"
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Friday, February 23, 2007
Reel Life
Pursuit of Happyness: Quite enjoyed it. Though I do wonder if enjoy is the right word. It was quite a moving film. It was inspiring seeing the way Chris dealt with the cards he was given. The most moving scene for me was when Chris and his son end up sleeping in a locked toilet cubicle at a subway station and the camera focuses on a tear which runs down his face. I was left thinking it should not come to this.
As mentioned in the movie; perhaps there’s a little something in the fact that the US founding fathers wrote the ‘pursuit’ of happiness, rather than happiness (Aside: my mind recalls the poem (by Lewis Caroll) and musical of The Hunting of the Snark, also being about the quest for happiness.
Pan’s Labyrinth – I quite liked it. Well worth a look, a little violent, but at the same time it is a rich, and beautifully crafted story.
++
On my list to see at present: The Queen, Music and Lyrics, The Last King of Scotland, Stranger than Fiction and Miss Potter.
Spinning Round
Added to my music player recently: Leigh Nash (she was lead singer of the band Sixpence None the Richer) Blue on Blue and Emmylou Harris Wrecking Ball (an older gem, that features songs written by Daniel Lanois, Neil Young and Bob Dylan).
I’m looking forward to new CDs from The Arcade Fire, Wilco, and maybe Interpol.
Quite enjoyed Don’t Dream Its Over at the Zoo last weekend. It was a tribute to the music from the Finn’s; they played classics from both Split Enz and Crowded House). It was quite enjoyable; with a great location, and atmosphere.
As mentioned in the movie; perhaps there’s a little something in the fact that the US founding fathers wrote the ‘pursuit’ of happiness, rather than happiness (Aside: my mind recalls the poem (by Lewis Caroll) and musical of The Hunting of the Snark, also being about the quest for happiness.
Pan’s Labyrinth – I quite liked it. Well worth a look, a little violent, but at the same time it is a rich, and beautifully crafted story.
++
On my list to see at present: The Queen, Music and Lyrics, The Last King of Scotland, Stranger than Fiction and Miss Potter.
Spinning Round
Added to my music player recently: Leigh Nash (she was lead singer of the band Sixpence None the Richer) Blue on Blue and Emmylou Harris Wrecking Ball (an older gem, that features songs written by Daniel Lanois, Neil Young and Bob Dylan).
I’m looking forward to new CDs from The Arcade Fire, Wilco, and maybe Interpol.
Quite enjoyed Don’t Dream Its Over at the Zoo last weekend. It was a tribute to the music from the Finn’s; they played classics from both Split Enz and Crowded House). It was quite enjoyable; with a great location, and atmosphere.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Links …
Did he really say …
“Gossip is not a trivial pastime”
Sounds like …
Random acts of kindness; and senseless acts of beauty..
+++
The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy; no its not the World Cup, but wow. NZ win by 10 wickets, 5 wickets (chasing 336), and 1 wicket (chasing 346).
“Gossip is not a trivial pastime”
Sounds like …
Random acts of kindness; and senseless acts of beauty..
+++
The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy; no its not the World Cup, but wow. NZ win by 10 wickets, 5 wickets (chasing 336), and 1 wicket (chasing 346).
Monday, February 12, 2007
Chasing Leather: With apologies to Bill Shankly: losing isn’t everything, it’s the only thing (Simon Barnes, from The Times, UK)
While I was unpacking the remaining few boxes I discovered an interesting article, which given the weekend's results (and New Zealand's sad demise) is perhaps timely...
"You can lose gloriously, dramatically, heroically, unluckily, adjectly, humiliatingly, defiantly, haplessly. (NZ is particularly good at losing honorably, eg.) […] but it all adds up to the same common experience of sport: not winning. We repress the idea of losing. So much of the sporting experience is about anticipation: the sort of things we might do, when it all begins. And in anticipation, we are all champions, and the teams we follow and cheer for and cherish are always unbeatable until we are beaten. […] To say that winning in the only thing in sport is to say that Tabasco is the only thing in a Bloody Mary. The Tabasco gives you the zing and the bite, but it is not the Tabasco that intoxicates, and it is not the Tabasco that keeps you coming back for more.
Without defeat there is no victory, without losers, there is no winner. We celebrate the winners: and we do so while repressing the thought that every winner floats high on buoyancy on the tears of the losers. We should be grateful to every loser. Without losers there is no sport.
We who follow sport are hooked on the twists and turns of the narrative: the ever-changing cast of heroes and villains, the thrilling alternations of victory and defeat. It is the unexpected victory that is always the sweetest, because it came so close to defeat.
Arsenal was within a Thierry Henry miss of a wonderful win (Champions League final 2006). In 2005 Liverpool provided the miracle that Arsenal narrowly failed to deliver. Last summer England won the Ashes (seems a long time ago now), and the joy of the victory sprang from almost 20 years of unbroken defeat by Australia, and intermittent defeat by practically everybody else. Without that history of defeat, victory would have been far less sweet. Defeat is a constituent part of sporting joy.”
+++
"You can lose gloriously, dramatically, heroically, unluckily, adjectly, humiliatingly, defiantly, haplessly. (NZ is particularly good at losing honorably, eg.) […] but it all adds up to the same common experience of sport: not winning. We repress the idea of losing. So much of the sporting experience is about anticipation: the sort of things we might do, when it all begins. And in anticipation, we are all champions, and the teams we follow and cheer for and cherish are always unbeatable until we are beaten. […] To say that winning in the only thing in sport is to say that Tabasco is the only thing in a Bloody Mary. The Tabasco gives you the zing and the bite, but it is not the Tabasco that intoxicates, and it is not the Tabasco that keeps you coming back for more.
Without defeat there is no victory, without losers, there is no winner. We celebrate the winners: and we do so while repressing the thought that every winner floats high on buoyancy on the tears of the losers. We should be grateful to every loser. Without losers there is no sport.
We who follow sport are hooked on the twists and turns of the narrative: the ever-changing cast of heroes and villains, the thrilling alternations of victory and defeat. It is the unexpected victory that is always the sweetest, because it came so close to defeat.
Arsenal was within a Thierry Henry miss of a wonderful win (Champions League final 2006). In 2005 Liverpool provided the miracle that Arsenal narrowly failed to deliver. Last summer England won the Ashes (seems a long time ago now), and the joy of the victory sprang from almost 20 years of unbroken defeat by Australia, and intermittent defeat by practically everybody else. Without that history of defeat, victory would have been far less sweet. Defeat is a constituent part of sporting joy.”
Friday, February 02, 2007
Summer Sport..
I really have enjoyed the Australian Open. I know, its apples and oranges, chalk and cheese, but its hard to think of a sportsman, sportswomen, or a team as dominant as Roger Federer. Some of the shots that Federer made against Andy Roddick were unbelievable. I think Federer has now won four of the last five major tennis finals (losing the fifth to Raphel Nadeal). Simply stunning. But he is more than his record; Federer is a credit to the sport, both on and off the court.
I’ve been thinking a little bit about what I’ll call the romance of sport, which I think save the suburban grounds is slowly disappearing.
If you watch a lot of Rugby League, and Rugby Union you would have seen the Video Referee for some time.
If you spend a lot of summer in front of the cricket you would be quite familiar with the use of video replays to adjudicate run outs and stumpings. It think that there has been talk to extend this to include ‘LBWs’ and ‘catches’.
If you watched any of the Australian open, you will have noticed a little bit new technology on Rod Laver Arena. Players are able to use "Hawkeye" and challenge two calls in each set.
Sadly I think with each of these “technological developments” we lose the thing what I find to be special about sport, the unpredictability of human judgment. Well I think it is at least what I love about sport, and with the quest to make the calls perfect we are now able to look at everything, sped up, slowed down, from above, from in front, and from behind.
There’s something to be said for non-competitive sport, were players more often than not are playing because they love the game and perhaps “in the spirit”.
+++
Thinking about the spirit of the game, players who concede points, or who walk when they are out, or mention to the umpires if they did not catch a ball cleanly seem to be quite rare. It was saddening seeing both Craig McMillan (NZL v AUS), and Mike Hussey (AUS v ENG) remain in the middle, while seemingly knowing they were out. I like to seeing batsmen walk.
I am not too disappointed with how New Zealand has gone. They pushed Australia all the way in two of the three games: losing by 2 wickets (and but for a dropped catch, and messed up runout may well have won), and 8 runs (chasing 345). Given that England have just about wrapped up tonight's game, it looks like NZ will have to win one more game to qualify for the finals. We’ll see, irrespective of these two games, hopefully they can have a good World Cup.
I’ve been thinking a little bit about what I’ll call the romance of sport, which I think save the suburban grounds is slowly disappearing.
If you watch a lot of Rugby League, and Rugby Union you would have seen the Video Referee for some time.
If you spend a lot of summer in front of the cricket you would be quite familiar with the use of video replays to adjudicate run outs and stumpings. It think that there has been talk to extend this to include ‘LBWs’ and ‘catches’.
If you watched any of the Australian open, you will have noticed a little bit new technology on Rod Laver Arena. Players are able to use "Hawkeye" and challenge two calls in each set.
Sadly I think with each of these “technological developments” we lose the thing what I find to be special about sport, the unpredictability of human judgment. Well I think it is at least what I love about sport, and with the quest to make the calls perfect we are now able to look at everything, sped up, slowed down, from above, from in front, and from behind.
There’s something to be said for non-competitive sport, were players more often than not are playing because they love the game and perhaps “in the spirit”.
+++
Thinking about the spirit of the game, players who concede points, or who walk when they are out, or mention to the umpires if they did not catch a ball cleanly seem to be quite rare. It was saddening seeing both Craig McMillan (NZL v AUS), and Mike Hussey (AUS v ENG) remain in the middle, while seemingly knowing they were out. I like to seeing batsmen walk.
I am not too disappointed with how New Zealand has gone. They pushed Australia all the way in two of the three games: losing by 2 wickets (and but for a dropped catch, and messed up runout may well have won), and 8 runs (chasing 345). Given that England have just about wrapped up tonight's game, it looks like NZ will have to win one more game to qualify for the finals. We’ll see, irrespective of these two games, hopefully they can have a good World Cup.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Musical musings
Given the boxes have reduced from about fifty down to about four (mostly mine), I thought that I’d take the time to post on my favourite music from last year. Owing to being bought quite close to my wedding, and Christmas, I’ve not been give a proper listen to Damien Rice’s 9, and Snow Patrol’s Eyes Open, though I quite like Chasing Cars.
Honorable mentions to Brooke Fraser’s Albertine (bought while we were in NZ), The Whitlams – Little Cloud, Belle and Sebastian – The Life Pursuit, Eskimo Joe – Black Fingernails, Red Wine.
(5) The Frames – The Cost
The Frames are rapidly becoming one of my favourite bands. The Frames mix quiet and intense music throughout their songs, and The Cost is a haunting album, and its worth taking a chance on. They are the band at the moment that I would most like to see play live. I didn’t go to see them when they were here at the beginning of 2005 and regret it a little. It is sad that The Frames are not more well know.
Favourite tracks: Song for Someone, Falling Slowly.
(4) Sarah Blasko – What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have
Given the success rate of second albums, What the Sea Wants… is rare, it does not only match The Overscore and the Underscore, I think it surpasses it. Sarah’s voice is well suited to the range of emotions in the songs.
Favourite tracks: Planet New Year, Amazing things, The Women by the Well
(3) Thom Yorke- The Eraser
Thom Yorke is one of those singers who’s voice you either love or hate. I am firmly in the love camp. It is his voice that holds the album together. It ties beautifully to the themes of Radiohead's recent work. I don’t think there is a weak track on the record. The record has whet my appetite for the new Radiohead CD (if rumours are to be believed – due this year)
Favourite tracks: The Clock, Harrowdown Hill, Analyse, Cymbal Rush
(2) Jars of Clay – Good Monsters
If you haven’t picked up a Jars of Clay CD since their first self-titled record, Good Monsters is worth giving a go. What has not changed is the earnest, humble, and honest songwriting. What strikes me as I listen is that the album hangs together; the themes of the album is about coming to grips with the human capacity for both incredible evil and incredible good, the love of God amidst the trials of life. With Good Monsters, I think Jars of Clay has made their most solid album both lyrically and musically.
Favourite tracks: All My Tears, Oh My God, Light Gives Heat and Mirrors and Smoke
(1) Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova – The Swell Season
It was tough the separate these two CDs. I recently have grown into a big fan of The Frames, and it was from their website that I knew this CD was being released. I first heard Falling Slowly and Sleeping?, on MySpace and was completely captivated. Each song is beautifully created. The interplay between the instruments and music creates a beautiful effect. Hansard’s voice draws you in and matches the moods of the cello and the piano.
It is an album that I love from the first to last track, and is my album of the year.
+++
A random shuffle (10) from 2006
Parachutes – Pearl Jam
Running – Evermore
Lies – Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
Funny Little Frog – Belle and Sebestian
Rise – The Frames
Mirrors and Smoke – Jars of Clay (featuring Leigh Nash)
Sleeping? – Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
Song for Someone – The Frames
Goodbye Alice in Wonderland – Jewel
Leave – Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
Honorable mentions to Brooke Fraser’s Albertine (bought while we were in NZ), The Whitlams – Little Cloud, Belle and Sebastian – The Life Pursuit, Eskimo Joe – Black Fingernails, Red Wine.
(5) The Frames – The Cost
The Frames are rapidly becoming one of my favourite bands. The Frames mix quiet and intense music throughout their songs, and The Cost is a haunting album, and its worth taking a chance on. They are the band at the moment that I would most like to see play live. I didn’t go to see them when they were here at the beginning of 2005 and regret it a little. It is sad that The Frames are not more well know.
Favourite tracks: Song for Someone, Falling Slowly.
(4) Sarah Blasko – What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have
Given the success rate of second albums, What the Sea Wants… is rare, it does not only match The Overscore and the Underscore, I think it surpasses it. Sarah’s voice is well suited to the range of emotions in the songs.
Favourite tracks: Planet New Year, Amazing things, The Women by the Well
(3) Thom Yorke- The Eraser
Thom Yorke is one of those singers who’s voice you either love or hate. I am firmly in the love camp. It is his voice that holds the album together. It ties beautifully to the themes of Radiohead's recent work. I don’t think there is a weak track on the record. The record has whet my appetite for the new Radiohead CD (if rumours are to be believed – due this year)
Favourite tracks: The Clock, Harrowdown Hill, Analyse, Cymbal Rush
(2) Jars of Clay – Good Monsters
If you haven’t picked up a Jars of Clay CD since their first self-titled record, Good Monsters is worth giving a go. What has not changed is the earnest, humble, and honest songwriting. What strikes me as I listen is that the album hangs together; the themes of the album is about coming to grips with the human capacity for both incredible evil and incredible good, the love of God amidst the trials of life. With Good Monsters, I think Jars of Clay has made their most solid album both lyrically and musically.
Favourite tracks: All My Tears, Oh My God, Light Gives Heat and Mirrors and Smoke
(1) Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova – The Swell Season
It was tough the separate these two CDs. I recently have grown into a big fan of The Frames, and it was from their website that I knew this CD was being released. I first heard Falling Slowly and Sleeping?, on MySpace and was completely captivated. Each song is beautifully created. The interplay between the instruments and music creates a beautiful effect. Hansard’s voice draws you in and matches the moods of the cello and the piano.
It is an album that I love from the first to last track, and is my album of the year.
+++
A random shuffle (10) from 2006
Parachutes – Pearl Jam
Running – Evermore
Lies – Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
Funny Little Frog – Belle and Sebestian
Rise – The Frames
Mirrors and Smoke – Jars of Clay (featuring Leigh Nash)
Sleeping? – Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
Song for Someone – The Frames
Goodbye Alice in Wonderland – Jewel
Leave – Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
Monday, January 01, 2007
New Day Dawning
Well it doesn’t seem to long ago that I was sitting in Wollongong
2006 was a very memorable year. I started settling in to St Barnabas on Broadway. I have enjoyed working on the Network team (ministering to workers). During May last year Barneys burnt down, and since then we have been meeting in the lecture halls of Moore College
The highlight of the year is a little bit of a no-brainer. On December 2nd this year Fiona and I were married. The eight months of our engagement disappeared quickly. We got married at St Matthias Paddington, and spent three weeks honeymooning in New Zealand
During the first two weeks, we spent three days in Christchurch , before heading to Aoraki (Mount Cook ) and Queenstown. A few highlights of the trip were our time in Aoraki (Cloud-piercer in Maori); our visit to Doubtful Sound (The Maori name Patea means Shadowlands (if you look at our pictures you will know why), jetboating on the Dart River, and a meal we had in Wellington (at Kai in the City – who served what Lonely Planet calls Maori Fusion. Loosely translated the meat was cooked traditionally and made into European styled meals.
The last week in NZ we spent catching up with my extended family; in Dunedin , Wellington and Auckland
Since being back in Australia, we spent one night in our home before having Christmas in Canberra, and we celebrated New Years in Wollongong (before returning to the nasty reality called w—k).
Postscript: Since we have been back, we (read Fiona) has spent a lot of time putting up photos that our family and friends took at our wedding. They can be found here.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Bits and pieces
Just thought that I'd let you know that all is coming together for Saturday :-)
Here are a few things that I've looked at briefly during this week;
Ross Gittins on P-v-y. (more information is here)
The Picture of Spiritual life in Australia
Anyway, I'll get back to these, and some year in review posts in a little while.
Here are a few things that I've looked at briefly during this week;
Ross Gittins on P-v-y. (more information is here)
The Picture of Spiritual life in Australia
Anyway, I'll get back to these, and some year in review posts in a little while.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Make Poverty History
Last year, eight concerts were held around the world with some of the worlds biggest bands and artists, including Pink Floyd, The Who, The Killers, Coldplay and U2. All took to the stage with the same goal – to make poverty history. Friday night in Melbourne a number of Australia’s biggest music artists took to the stage with the same goal to make poverty history. The gig on Friday began with members of U2 and Pearl Jam combining (U-Jam?) on stage to play a powerful, passionate and inspiring cover of Neil Young’s ‘Rocking in the Free World’.
It is a hard road; it began with music, but the music plays second fiddle to action. We have currency; our values, our voice and our vote. We have an argument, and it is with this argument we should lobby our leaders. It is saddening watching the news and coverage focusing on what protesters did and will do rather than hearing about the argument, and the issues.
From stages across the world, over the last eighteen months Bono has spoken passionately and powerfully about our potential to act and to make a difference. In the concerts he doesn’t ask money, he asked for their voice and for action. Action which begins for me, by lobbying our government to increase aid.
We can afford to, it is not about charity; it is about justice. We have been given much, and I believe we therefore should give much.
Darfur
About 13 years ago, a rock band essentially took a TV station out on tour (ZooTV tour, 1992-1993), and in a series of dates hooked up with Sarajevo and drew attention to what was happening. After realising what had happened, the world said never again. After watching the genocide in Rwanda, we said never again.
Our world is looking on a similar crisis in Darfur and is inactive again. Our leaders need currency, and courage to act. We are not helpless and should not simply watch again, we can provide currency by speaking out. Nicholas Kristof from the New York Times speaks about the current situation and gives a few ideas about what could be done. If not now, when?
It is a hard road; it began with music, but the music plays second fiddle to action. We have currency; our values, our voice and our vote. We have an argument, and it is with this argument we should lobby our leaders. It is saddening watching the news and coverage focusing on what protesters did and will do rather than hearing about the argument, and the issues.
From stages across the world, over the last eighteen months Bono has spoken passionately and powerfully about our potential to act and to make a difference. In the concerts he doesn’t ask money, he asked for their voice and for action. Action which begins for me, by lobbying our government to increase aid.
We can afford to, it is not about charity; it is about justice. We have been given much, and I believe we therefore should give much.
Darfur
About 13 years ago, a rock band essentially took a TV station out on tour (ZooTV tour, 1992-1993), and in a series of dates hooked up with Sarajevo and drew attention to what was happening. After realising what had happened, the world said never again. After watching the genocide in Rwanda, we said never again.
Our world is looking on a similar crisis in Darfur and is inactive again. Our leaders need currency, and courage to act. We are not helpless and should not simply watch again, we can provide currency by speaking out. Nicholas Kristof from the New York Times speaks about the current situation and gives a few ideas about what could be done. If not now, when?
... I know that this is not goodbye ...
// U2
// Sydney Nov 11, 2006, Telstra Stadium
// Support: Kanye West
// City of Blinding Lights / Vertigo (She Loves You) / Elevation (Spinning Around) / Until the End of the World / New Year’s Day / Beautiful Day (Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Blackbird) / I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (In a Little While) / Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of / Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own / Love and Peace or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday / Bullet the Blue Sky (Johnny Comes Marching Home-The Hands that Built America) / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (In the Name of Love) / Where the Streets Have No Name (All You Need is Love) / One (My Sweet Lord) ///
// Zoo Station / The Fly / With or Without You (Never Tear Us Apart-Love Will Tear Us Apart) ///
// The Saints are Coming / Desire (Not Fade Away-Gold Digger) / Kite //
It was different experiencing the Vertigo Tour in an outdoor setting. The quality of the sound was not as bad as I had thought it might be, but I guess the sound may be related to where you are. The seats were actually better than I had expected and were a great vantage point from which we saw the band get back into the cars at the end of the concert. I now get goose-bumps every time I hear Wake Up (The Arcade Fire).
The biggest difference for the Pacific Leg of the tour and perhaps no surprise is the number of songs from ‘All that You Can’t Leave Behind’ returning to the set. So far, Kite, Stuck in a Moment, In a Little While (a snippet) and Walk On (sadly not for our show) have been added to the staples Beautiful Day and Elevation), and that they are playing The Saints are Coming (a cover of The Skids song). I found it interesting that there were only four songs played from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.
One of the highlights of seeing U2 live is hearing how they combine songs (if you’ve seen the bands ZooTV and PopMart videos you’ll know what I mean), and the various snippets of other songs that Bono sings, for example he previously has included Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division) in With or Without You and Amazing Grace (in Running to Stand Still on the Vertigo Tour and previously in The Electric Co.).
A word about Kanye West, I was not that taken with him. Perhaps it was because we came in about half way through his performance, but his mix didn’t really help. Hearing him in a stadium is not the best way to be introduced to his music.
U2 opened the show with City of Blinding Lights; Bono came on stage wrapped in an Australian flag. Vertigo followed next and was an energetic affair concluding with a snippet of the Beatles’ She Loves You. Elevation was a great; from our vantage point it was awesome watching the crowd bounce around, (the song concluded with a bit of Spinning Around).
Following the combination of Until the End of World and New Year’s Day, was a strong version of Beautiful Day, finishing with snippets of Sgt. Peppers’ Lonely Hearts Club Band and Blackbird.
During the introduction to I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Bono spoke about how all the family was doing very well tonight, and I think he said the Edge’s family was at the concert. After a brief snippet of In A Little While, the band dedicated Stuck in a Moment to Michael Hutchence, and followed that with Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own.
The section from Love and Peace to One; is perhaps the sermon section of the concert. Love and Peace or Else is growing on me. Bono dedicated Sunday Bloody Sunday to those who lost their lives in Bali said his prayer was that we do not to become a monster to defeat the monster. I quite liked the new arrangement of Bullet the Blue Sky. The three songs Love and Peace, Sunday and Bullet flow beautifully into each other, and a stunning Miss Sarajevo tops it off. Miss Sarajevo was dedicated to those Australians serving overseas in Iraq. Every time I hear Bono sing the part usually performed by Pavarotti, I am blown away. I have to admit, this was a song that I thought might have been dropped for our leg of the tour. But as I found in the US, people would talk or talk bathroom breaks during this song. (Note: I think it is worth buying the deluxe version of U2-Eighteen for the DVD containing Miss Sarajevo and Original of the Species alone).
The African trilogy (Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name and One), followed and flowed from the reading of the Declaration of Human rights. Where the Streets Have No Name was fantastic as always. I quite liked the beginning where flags from the African continent scrolled down the screen and ended with the Southern Cross on the screen. The effect of having the mobile phones lit during One is beautiful.
The first encore pairing of Zoo Station and The Fly was amazing (both songs I hadn’t heard last year, but were otherwise played regularly). Like during Zoo TV, words, sentences and ideas flashed on the screen. After seeing those two songs I was reminded how great it would have been to see them during the Zoo TV tour. The first encore concluded with a beautiful version of With or Without You, (though I don’t remember Bono dancing with anyone?)
The second and final encore featured U2’s recent song – The Saints are Coming, (a rough and fun version of) Desire. The concert closed with a stunning version of Kite (dedicated to Cate Blanchett and featuring Tim Moriaity on didgeridoo). Although I knew the band had rehearsed it I was still surprised to hear it closing the concert. Seeing the kite lift off as the band concluded was awesome, (and they did say they’ll be back~!)
Overall, it was an excellent show. I think next time I’ll try and get tickets closer to the stage. I was intrigued that the older songs that got the loudest reactions. Bono did seem a little quieter than usual. Another thing that I quite like about U2 is throughout their career the meanings of their songs continue to evolve and can speak to people in different ways, at different times.
Sydney was the third show on the Vertigo tour I’ve seen. Each of the shows stood out for different reasons. Miami featured an acoustic version of Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, Miracle Drug, and the most songs from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (7), Sydney had the least (4), but included Stuck in a Moment (which I had heard acoustically in the two US shows) and The Fly, and Kite. The New York show included a cover of Instant Karma, the beautiful Original of the Species and finished with Bad. But I think push come to shove, the 11.21 show in New York was the strongest and most emotional for me. For those who are interested in set lists:
Miami: 11-13-05
City of Blinding Lights / Vertigo / Elevation / Mysterious Ways / Until the End of the Word / I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – In A Little While / Beautiful Day / Miracle Drug / Sometimes You Can’t Make it on Your Own / Love and Peace or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday / Bullet the Blue Sky / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (In the Name of Love) / Where the Streets Have No Name / One ///
// Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of / Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses / With or Without You ///
// All Because of You / Yahweh / 40.
New York 11-21-05
City of Blinding Lights / Vertigo / Elevation / I Will Follow / I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – In A Little While / Beautiful Day / Original of the Species / Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own / Love and Peace or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday / Bullet the Blue Sky / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (in the Name of Love) / Where the Streets Have No Name / One-Ol’ Man River ///
// Until the End of the World / Mysterious Ways / With or Without You-White Flag-Love Will Tear Us Apart ///
// The First Time / Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get out Of / Instant Karma! (w/ Patti Smith) / Bad–People got the Power //
// Sydney Nov 11, 2006, Telstra Stadium
// Support: Kanye West
// City of Blinding Lights / Vertigo (She Loves You) / Elevation (Spinning Around) / Until the End of the World / New Year’s Day / Beautiful Day (Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Blackbird) / I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (In a Little While) / Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of / Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own / Love and Peace or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday / Bullet the Blue Sky (Johnny Comes Marching Home-The Hands that Built America) / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (In the Name of Love) / Where the Streets Have No Name (All You Need is Love) / One (My Sweet Lord) ///
// Zoo Station / The Fly / With or Without You (Never Tear Us Apart-Love Will Tear Us Apart) ///
// The Saints are Coming / Desire (Not Fade Away-Gold Digger) / Kite //
It was different experiencing the Vertigo Tour in an outdoor setting. The quality of the sound was not as bad as I had thought it might be, but I guess the sound may be related to where you are. The seats were actually better than I had expected and were a great vantage point from which we saw the band get back into the cars at the end of the concert. I now get goose-bumps every time I hear Wake Up (The Arcade Fire).
The biggest difference for the Pacific Leg of the tour and perhaps no surprise is the number of songs from ‘All that You Can’t Leave Behind’ returning to the set. So far, Kite, Stuck in a Moment, In a Little While (a snippet) and Walk On (sadly not for our show) have been added to the staples Beautiful Day and Elevation), and that they are playing The Saints are Coming (a cover of The Skids song). I found it interesting that there were only four songs played from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.
One of the highlights of seeing U2 live is hearing how they combine songs (if you’ve seen the bands ZooTV and PopMart videos you’ll know what I mean), and the various snippets of other songs that Bono sings, for example he previously has included Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division) in With or Without You and Amazing Grace (in Running to Stand Still on the Vertigo Tour and previously in The Electric Co.).
A word about Kanye West, I was not that taken with him. Perhaps it was because we came in about half way through his performance, but his mix didn’t really help. Hearing him in a stadium is not the best way to be introduced to his music.
U2 opened the show with City of Blinding Lights; Bono came on stage wrapped in an Australian flag. Vertigo followed next and was an energetic affair concluding with a snippet of the Beatles’ She Loves You. Elevation was a great; from our vantage point it was awesome watching the crowd bounce around, (the song concluded with a bit of Spinning Around).
Following the combination of Until the End of World and New Year’s Day, was a strong version of Beautiful Day, finishing with snippets of Sgt. Peppers’ Lonely Hearts Club Band and Blackbird.
During the introduction to I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Bono spoke about how all the family was doing very well tonight, and I think he said the Edge’s family was at the concert. After a brief snippet of In A Little While, the band dedicated Stuck in a Moment to Michael Hutchence, and followed that with Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own.
The section from Love and Peace to One; is perhaps the sermon section of the concert. Love and Peace or Else is growing on me. Bono dedicated Sunday Bloody Sunday to those who lost their lives in Bali said his prayer was that we do not to become a monster to defeat the monster. I quite liked the new arrangement of Bullet the Blue Sky. The three songs Love and Peace, Sunday and Bullet flow beautifully into each other, and a stunning Miss Sarajevo tops it off. Miss Sarajevo was dedicated to those Australians serving overseas in Iraq. Every time I hear Bono sing the part usually performed by Pavarotti, I am blown away. I have to admit, this was a song that I thought might have been dropped for our leg of the tour. But as I found in the US, people would talk or talk bathroom breaks during this song. (Note: I think it is worth buying the deluxe version of U2-Eighteen for the DVD containing Miss Sarajevo and Original of the Species alone).
The African trilogy (Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name and One), followed and flowed from the reading of the Declaration of Human rights. Where the Streets Have No Name was fantastic as always. I quite liked the beginning where flags from the African continent scrolled down the screen and ended with the Southern Cross on the screen. The effect of having the mobile phones lit during One is beautiful.
The first encore pairing of Zoo Station and The Fly was amazing (both songs I hadn’t heard last year, but were otherwise played regularly). Like during Zoo TV, words, sentences and ideas flashed on the screen. After seeing those two songs I was reminded how great it would have been to see them during the Zoo TV tour. The first encore concluded with a beautiful version of With or Without You, (though I don’t remember Bono dancing with anyone?)
The second and final encore featured U2’s recent song – The Saints are Coming, (a rough and fun version of) Desire. The concert closed with a stunning version of Kite (dedicated to Cate Blanchett and featuring Tim Moriaity on didgeridoo). Although I knew the band had rehearsed it I was still surprised to hear it closing the concert. Seeing the kite lift off as the band concluded was awesome, (and they did say they’ll be back~!)
Overall, it was an excellent show. I think next time I’ll try and get tickets closer to the stage. I was intrigued that the older songs that got the loudest reactions. Bono did seem a little quieter than usual. Another thing that I quite like about U2 is throughout their career the meanings of their songs continue to evolve and can speak to people in different ways, at different times.
Sydney was the third show on the Vertigo tour I’ve seen. Each of the shows stood out for different reasons. Miami featured an acoustic version of Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, Miracle Drug, and the most songs from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (7), Sydney had the least (4), but included Stuck in a Moment (which I had heard acoustically in the two US shows) and The Fly, and Kite. The New York show included a cover of Instant Karma, the beautiful Original of the Species and finished with Bad. But I think push come to shove, the 11.21 show in New York was the strongest and most emotional for me. For those who are interested in set lists:
Miami: 11-13-05
City of Blinding Lights / Vertigo / Elevation / Mysterious Ways / Until the End of the Word / I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – In A Little While / Beautiful Day / Miracle Drug / Sometimes You Can’t Make it on Your Own / Love and Peace or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday / Bullet the Blue Sky / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (In the Name of Love) / Where the Streets Have No Name / One ///
// Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of / Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses / With or Without You ///
// All Because of You / Yahweh / 40.
New York 11-21-05
City of Blinding Lights / Vertigo / Elevation / I Will Follow / I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – In A Little While / Beautiful Day / Original of the Species / Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own / Love and Peace or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday / Bullet the Blue Sky / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (in the Name of Love) / Where the Streets Have No Name / One-Ol’ Man River ///
// Until the End of the World / Mysterious Ways / With or Without You-White Flag-Love Will Tear Us Apart ///
// The First Time / Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get out Of / Instant Karma! (w/ Patti Smith) / Bad–People got the Power //
Friday, November 10, 2006
Music
Inspired by Elsie, here’s a list of the contenders for my ‘Album of the Year’, in no particular order:
Evermore (Real Life); Jewel (Goodbye Alice in Wonderland); Sandi Thom (Smile … it confuses people); The Frames (The Cost); The Whitlams (Little Cloud); Jars of Clay (Good Monsters); Sarah Blasko (What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have); Eskimo Joe (Black fingernails, Red wine); Thom Yorke (The Eraser); Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (The Swell Season); Pearl Jam (Pearl Jam); Belle and Sebastian (The Life Pursuit); The Killers (Sam’s Town).
(Perhaps going to show that someone spent too much money on music this year).
Evermore (Real Life); Jewel (Goodbye Alice in Wonderland); Sandi Thom (Smile … it confuses people); The Frames (The Cost); The Whitlams (Little Cloud); Jars of Clay (Good Monsters); Sarah Blasko (What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have); Eskimo Joe (Black fingernails, Red wine); Thom Yorke (The Eraser); Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (The Swell Season); Pearl Jam (Pearl Jam); Belle and Sebastian (The Life Pursuit); The Killers (Sam’s Town).
(Perhaps going to show that someone spent too much money on music this year).
30 Years, 11 Albums ... 18 songs
After almost 9 years U2 are back are on our shores with the Vertigo tour, and by now have played their first show (No - I don’t want to know anything about it).
It seems quite amazing that it is almost a year ago that I saw them in Miami and New York. It is going to be interesting seeing how the indoor show is changed for the stadium show on this leg. One things for sure, there will be surprises (and perhaps a few songs from All that You Can't Leave Behind). I am going to post reviews of the three shows (Sydney 11.11; and the two I saw last year).
I’ve found it quite interesting reading about the U2 Definitive collection to be released on Nov 18. Its not likely the tracklist will keep everyone happy, but I am saddened that no songs from October, Zooropa and Pop made it.
For the record, here's a collection of songs that I would use to introduce someone to U2, while staying away from the 'hits'. (Note, the listing probably doesn't flow or fit on a standard cd..)
1. Out of Control
2. Gloria
3. Sunday Bloody Sunday (Acoustic)
4. Drowning Man
5. The Unforgettable Fire
6. Bad
7. One Tree Hill
8. All I Want is You
9. So Cruel
10. Love is Blindness
11. The First Time
12. Miss Sarajevo
13. Please / Where the Streets Have No Name (Live)
14. Staring at the Sun (Live, Acoustic)
15. The Ground Beneath Her Feet
16. When I Look at the World
17. Crumbs From Your Table
It seems quite amazing that it is almost a year ago that I saw them in Miami and New York. It is going to be interesting seeing how the indoor show is changed for the stadium show on this leg. One things for sure, there will be surprises (and perhaps a few songs from All that You Can't Leave Behind). I am going to post reviews of the three shows (Sydney 11.11; and the two I saw last year).
I’ve found it quite interesting reading about the U2 Definitive collection to be released on Nov 18. Its not likely the tracklist will keep everyone happy, but I am saddened that no songs from October, Zooropa and Pop made it.
For the record, here's a collection of songs that I would use to introduce someone to U2, while staying away from the 'hits'. (Note, the listing probably doesn't flow or fit on a standard cd..)
1. Out of Control
2. Gloria
3. Sunday Bloody Sunday (Acoustic)
4. Drowning Man
5. The Unforgettable Fire
6. Bad
7. One Tree Hill
8. All I Want is You
9. So Cruel
10. Love is Blindness
11. The First Time
12. Miss Sarajevo
13. Please / Where the Streets Have No Name (Live)
14. Staring at the Sun (Live, Acoustic)
15. The Ground Beneath Her Feet
16. When I Look at the World
17. Crumbs From Your Table
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Wordplay
Last night we went to see Wordplay. It is a movie about the creation, character, and some of the characters completing the New York Times crossword, and concludes with a look at the characters competing in the Stamford Crossword competition. It is a good length film (about 90mins), and well constructed. I enjoyed the recollections of Bill Clinton, and Bob Dole who both recalled the 1996 election crossword, which was built around a clue 'Tomorrow's headline', which could read "Clinton [or] Bob Dole Elected". Not your typical film, but definitely worth a look.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Kids…
Was down in Wollongong (a while ago now) and my mother drew my attention to an article in the Good Weekend; based on an excerpt from the book Adult themes: rewriting the rules of adulthood (Kate Crawford). The article talked about attitudes to the cultural landscape around us. It was quite a fascinating read, and I am now quite looking forward to reading the book.
Staying on culture a little longer, I am quite fond of the modern adaptions of Shakespeare’s plays, even if they have their flaws. I’m looking forward to watching Shakespeare Retold (Modern interpretations of four Shakespearian plays produced by the BBC). I saw one (Much ado about Nothing) while I was in the UK last year and really enjoyed it. From memory it will be on our ABC this year too, it is worth keeping an eye out for.
Staying on culture a little longer, I am quite fond of the modern adaptions of Shakespeare’s plays, even if they have their flaws. I’m looking forward to watching Shakespeare Retold (Modern interpretations of four Shakespearian plays produced by the BBC). I saw one (Much ado about Nothing) while I was in the UK last year and really enjoyed it. From memory it will be on our ABC this year too, it is worth keeping an eye out for.
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