Title: The Scaremongers
Description: Simon Armitage with a cracking track
Description: Simon Armitage with a cracking track
Chris Hamilton-Emery - April 23, 2008 06:12 PM (GMT)
If you haven't caught this yet. Here's Simon Armitage with The Scaremongers and a really fantastic track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FmO7sszvLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FmO7sszvLQ
rmk - April 23, 2008 07:18 PM (GMT)
Yes, I wasn't sure for the first minute or so, but I really liked the middle bit with the multi-tracked voices. The lyrics are good. It's nothing new - in fact, it took me back a couple of decades - but I guess that's the idea.
benwilkinson - April 23, 2008 08:04 PM (GMT)
Yeah, not bad. But twenty or so years too late.
I think Armitage's dad was right in suggesting the band call themselves 'Midlife Crisis'.
I think Armitage's dad was right in suggesting the band call themselves 'Midlife Crisis'.
Jane Holland - April 24, 2008 01:08 AM (GMT)
You just wait till you're in your forties, Ben. You'll wonder where the time went, trust me. And still feel seventeen at times. But look disconcertingly ancient!
Good old Simon. More power to his elbow, that's what I say. I always thought he was a pop star manqué. B)
Good old Simon. More power to his elbow, that's what I say. I always thought he was a pop star manqué. B)
R Lumsden - April 24, 2008 01:34 AM (GMT)
This is more what I have in mind for my Halfway Orchestra - currently being 'put together' - as in the first hour of Blues Brothers, but with an all poet line-up. Much as I love this, perhaps I'm thinking slightly more rock and roll! Mind you, NSRO can do that too.
The Scaremongers? Interesting, but they're not The Field Mice. They're not even Close Lobsters.
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR6axzyFX-k
The Scaremongers? Interesting, but they're not The Field Mice. They're not even Close Lobsters.
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR6axzyFX-k
Matt - April 24, 2008 07:50 AM (GMT)
Ah, the Field Mice. I thought I was the only one who remembered them.
benwilkinson - April 24, 2008 08:06 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Jane Holland @ Apr 24 2008, 01:08 AM) |
| You just wait till you're in your forties, Ben. You'll wonder where the time went, trust me. And still feel seventeen at times. But look disconcertingly ancient! Good old Simon. More power to his elbow, that's what I say. I always thought he was a pop star manqué. B) |
If I'm honest, the reason I dismissed Armitage's 'rockstar fantasist' shenanigans out of hand is 'cause I'm sure I'll end up doing something similar when I'm his age... it just won't be on the back of a hugely successful writing career.
In all honesty, though, his vocals were much better than I expected.
Incidentally, has anyone read 'Gig' yet? What's the verdict?
Jacqueline Saphra - April 24, 2008 08:31 AM (GMT)
Much better than I feared, and some fine rhymes (which is to be expected) but where's the rest of band?
R Lumsden - April 25, 2008 02:06 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (benwilkinson @ Apr 24 2008, 08:06 AM) |
| In all honesty, though, his vocals were much better than I expected. Incidentally, has anyone read 'Gig' yet? What's the verdict? |
Yes, better than expected - not bad at all in parts, if a little of its time (or influence).
Looking forward to Gig - I think Armitage is a very good non-fiction writer and I suspect I shall spend some very pleasurable time with Gig as I did with All Points North and Moon Country.
See also Don Paterson's fascinating and very funny recent musical memoirs in The Yellow Nib.
Chris Hamilton-Emery - April 25, 2008 08:01 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (R Lumsden @ Apr 25 2008, 03:06 AM) |
| Moon Country |
I loved Moon Country. I've never found time to read All Points North.
Gig has been well reviewed in The Independent and in The Times.
There's a great piece of bravura deconstruction of The Smiths' "This Charming Man" on YouTube, an old BBC4 show with Simon and Paul Morley. Check out Paul Morley's face, and Simon's as he extemporises.
R Lumsden - April 29, 2008 12:46 AM (GMT)
Anyone heard this one? Simon is not the only one branching out...
