Author Archives: platinumal

Questions #3: Pizza Toppings

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What three toppings would you pick for your favourite pizza?

A basic Margherita (base, with cheese and tomato) is all you get to start.  You choose three toppings only.  If you want Barbecue sauce base, for example, that counts as one of your choices.

Here’s what we came up with:

Q: What three toppings would you choose for a pizza?

Terry

  1. Ham
  2. Pepperoni
  3. BBQ Sauce

Ashley

  1. Spicy Beef
  2. Spicy Chicken
  3. Pepperoni

Ben

  1. Spicy Chicken
  2. Bacon
  3. Onion

Mark D

  1. Chocolate
  2. Marshmallow
  3. Space Dust

Wolfie

  1. Pepperroni
  2. Jalapenos
  3. Red Onion

Woody

  1. Chicken
  2. Pepperoni
  3. Ham

Jamie

  1. Pineapple
  2. Ham
  3. Mushroom

Joe

  1. Pepperoni
  2. Jalapeno
  3. Sweetcorn

Dan W

  1. King Prawn
  2. Chorizo
  3. Chicken

Me

  1. Pepperoni
  2. Anchovies
  3. Meatballs

It’s nice to see that mushrooms weren’t a popular choice.

What are your three choices for a great pizza?  Reply below and let me know.

Father’s Day

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A great deal of my blog is related to music (as if you hadn’t guessed by now).  I’m obsessed with it.  Always looking for artists – and genres – that I’m not familiar with, always looking to expand my musical horizons.  As well, of course, as re-visiting favourites or establishing relationships with bands I’ve only dabbled with.

This particular article relates to Father’s Day (which is today).  I’ve decided to publish one of my iPod playlists, which is inspired by my Dad.

Many of you may have a pre-conceived idea of what my musical preferences are.  And I admit that there’s a lot of rock, metal and punk in the melting pot.  There’s other stuff too – a great deal of which, I think, comes from my Dad’s influence.  If rock’n’roll provides the foundation of my musical knowledge, these artists provide the light, shade and colour.

So this playlist is dedicated to David Owen Jones, with fond memories of Sunday night taping sessions and endless hours of driving listening to the results.

  1. The Beach Boys – “Sloop John B”
  2. Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrel – “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing”
  3. Diana Ross & The Supremes – “You Keep Me Hanging On”
  4. The Isley Brothers – “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)”
  5. The Real Thing – “You to Me Are Everything”
  6. The Stylistics – “You Make Me Feel Brand New”
  7. Tavares – “Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel”
  8. Chic – “Le Freak”
  9. Village People – “YMCA”
  10. Hot Chocolate – “You Sexy Thing”
  11. Elton John & Kiki Dee – “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”
  12. The Gap Band – “Oops Upside Your Head”
  13. Roxy Music – “Same Old Scene”
  14. Madonna – “Holiday”
  15. Phil Collins – “Easy Lover”
  16. Rockwell – “Somebody’s Watching Me”
  17. The Pogues – “Dirty Old Town”
  18. Big Country – “Fields of Fire”

From classic pop, Motown, through to disco and beyond.

Dad, if I’ve missed any favourites out – please let me know.

I’m a Dad too now.  I hope my daughter finds as much to love in my music.

Happy Father’s Day.

 

My First Skateboard

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Sometime in the early 80’s (1980 or ’81, I believe) my Gran informed me that she had picked up a present for me.  Gran sometimes did that, finding bargains at charity shops and jumble sales for me.  These items usually turned out be toys and games that were great fun.  This time, my present turned out be something different: a skateboard.

It was a small red plastic skateboard that she had found at some local kids garage sale, and bought for a few pence.  At that time my only concept of a skateboard was of a craze that had peaked a few years ago when I was younger.  Kids didn’t ride skateboards anymore and the thought of actually trying to ride it didn’t appeal to me.  So the skateboard was left in the garage for years and never used.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Red plastic skateboard. Amateurish camera strap in view.

Fast forward a few years and I saw the film “Back to the Future”.  This is something of a cliche now, but suddenly my eyes were opened to the possibility of what I could do with that old plastic board.  Out of the blue skateboards had become “cool”.  The toy in the garage that bemused me previously now had serious potential.  That looked like fun.

Our driveway at the time was about twenty feet long and fairly steep.  I decided that I would dig the skateboard out of the garage junk and ride it down the drive.  Placing the board at the top of the drive, I held it in place with my front foot.  Then carefully lifted my back foot off the ground, placed it on the board and started rolling.  I rolled about three feet, lost my balance and fell.  Grazes to right hand and that was it.  No more skateboard.

The board went back in the garage junk pile, there to stay forever more.

But it played on my mind.  Over the next week or so, I could remember the few seconds of riding the board successfully.  And I could imagine what it would be like to ride it again.  I could see in my mind’s eye what it would be like, and what I would have to do to stay on.  I liked that feeling.  My imagination was sparked.  What if I made it to the bottom of the drive?  Wouldn’t that feel great?

So I tried again.  Skateboard at the top of the drive, facing downhill.  One foot on, then the other.  Rolling.  Keeping my balance this time, like I had in my mind’s eye.  And I made it.  I rode the board to the bottom of the drive.

When I reached the bottom I felt great.  I felt a feeling of accomplishment that I hadn’t felt before.  This was to be the beginning of an amazing relationship.

I then began to learn to ride the board, down the drive, along the street.  I learned to turn, left and right, and keep rolling.  Big sweeping turns and short, quick turns, leaning to each side.

At the time I was unaware of (then modern) skateboarding tricks so learnt from old 1970’s books.  I practised over and over, doing the same moves and fine tuning them.  Kick turns left and right, round corners – over and over again.  Hour after hour, learning and perfecting just very basic techniques.

That’s over twenty five years ago now.  I’ve had many skateboards since then, of different sizes, shapes and styles.  Learnt new tricks.  Travelled to new spots.  Met great people, some of whom I’m still friends with.  Some aren’t with us anymore.

I still have the small, red plastic skateboard that I learnt to ride.  It’s faded and looks a bit worse for wear now.  It only cost a few pence and was eventually superseded by larger, better quality boards.  But of all the skateboards I’ve ever owned, it’s probably the most important.

Thanks, Gran.

 

 

Technical Specifications:

  • Length: 22.5″
  • Width: 5.75″
  • Wheelbase: 12″
  • Plastic deck, flat with no concave.  Minimal kicktail.
  • Metal trucks.
  • Wheels: Unknown – hard – not polyurethane.

Soundtrack: Huey Lewis & the News.

 

Tat Trek Update #2

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Time for some more tat from the archives.  Here’s a real gem for you.

IMG_0281Item: Mr T Piggy Bank

Description: Ceramic model of the A-Team misery guts, designed to save your coins.

Cost = can’t remember, but only about £1.

Bought at: Charity shop in Chester many years ago.

Reason for buying: It’s a fairly accurate rendition of B.A Baracus, well made and makes a nice ornament.  And I love The A-Team.

Mr T stands about 16cm tall, and is quite striking with the gold colouring.  This piece has often proved very desirable, with one of my friends making me promise to leave him this item in my will.  I think he was joking.

Sheer tat or 1980’s retro chic?  It’s bad, but it’s so cool too.  And no, I’ve never taken him on a plane.

Yet.

 

Questions #2: Full English Breakfast Ingredients

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Except it’s not a “full” English breakfast.  You only get to pick four items, not everything.

Remember recently we asked what five ingredients would you pick for a roast dinner?  This time we asked for colleagues favourite four items for a cooked breakfast.  Here are  the answers from the team.

Q: What would be your ideal four ingredients for a cooked breakfast?

Woody

  1. Bacon
  2. Sausage
  3. Fried egg
  4. Baked beans

Wolfie

  1. Black pudding
  2. Hash Brown
  3. Baked beans
  4. Bacon (cooked properly!)

Jack

  1. Bacon
  2. Sausage
  3. Toast
  4. Baked Beans

Dan Webster

  1. Black Pudding
  2. Hash brown
  3. Baked beans
  4. Sausage

Mark D

  1. Kippers
  2. Black pudding
  3. Crispy bacon
  4. Poached egg

Joe

  1. Sausage
  2. Bacon
  3. Hash brown
  4. Baked beans

Terry

  1. Egg
  2. Sausage
  3. Bacon
  4. Toast

Ben

  1. Fried egg
  2. Bacon
  3. Hash brown
  4. Black pudding

Jayne

  1. Beans
  2. Hash brown
  3. Sausage
  4. Bacon

Stu

  1. Sausage
  2. Bacon
  3. Fried egg
  4. Baked beans

Ashley

  1. Black pudding
  2. Hash brown
  3. Baked beans
  4. Bacon

Me

  1. Sausage
  2. Black pudding
  3. Baked beans
  4. Hash brown

Does anyone want to collect this data and create a graph?!

Please feel free to add your chosen four items by replying below.  Any other suggestions for questions? Let me know.

More questions soon.

 

 

Random Bike Ride Playlist #3

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Monday’s bike ride – a bit late but never mind.  Sixteen miles.

  1. Roxy Music – “In Every Dream Home a Heartache”
  2. Syd Dale – “Come One Come All”
  3. Vince Dicola – “Training Montage”
  4. D.R.I. – “Suit and Tie Guy”
  5. Hanna-Barbera – “Yogi Bear (Main Title)”
  6. Oakenfold – “The Way I Feel”
  7. Neil Young – “Tell Me Why”
  8. LL Cool J – “Illegal Search”
  9. N.W.A. – “Cash Money (Insert)”
  10. Luke ft The 2 Live Crew – “In Colour-Men on Records”
  11. Smut Peddlers – “Let’s Get Fucked Up”
  12. The Company Band – “Lethe Waters”
  13. Neil Young – “Revolution Blues”
  14. UK Subs – “Limo Life”
  15. Clutch – “WYSIWYG”
  16. Black Label Society – “Blood is Thicker Than Water”
  17. Duffy – “Stepping Stone”
  18. The Cardigans – “Marvel Hill”
  19. T.S.O.L. – “Waiting For You”
  20. Elton John – “The Bitch is Back”
  21. Roy Orbison – “She’s a Mystery to Me”
  22. Alice Cooper – “Pretty Ballerina”
  23. Flipper – “Sex Bomb”
  24. Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – “Monkberry Moon”
  25. The Stupids – “Sorry, It Blew My Head”
  26. John Zacherle – “Coolest Little Monster”
  27. The Damned – “Sugar and Spite”
  28. Johnny Cash – “White Girl”
  29. Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster – “Man For All Seasons”

Ultimate Banana Milkshake

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Back in the Virtual Hot Tub with a new drink recipe.  This one’s a non alcoholic concoction that’s quick and easy to put together.  I like to have one of these for breakfast.  It’s a basic but fun milkshake that only requires a blender to make it happen.  No real skill required!

Ultimate Banana Milkshake

  • 700 ml Milk
  • 2 Bananas
  • Sugar
  • Chocolate cream (squirty variety)

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Peel your two bananas and put them in the blender.  Next, add 700ml of the milk and a teaspoon of sugar.  Hit the “blend” button and watch as everything gets mushed up (don’t forget to put the lid on!).  That’s my favourite part.

When ready, pour out a glass of your milkshake, leaving some room at the top.  Take your can of squirty cream and squeeze a large topping of chocolate on top (this last part is optional).

700ml of milk will make a lot of milkshake – you might want to share (or just be greedy like me, and have all of it).

Why the United Kingdom doesn’t win Eurovision

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A short opinion piece concerning the UK’s lack of success in the international song contest

The Eurovision song contest – that cacophony of the beautiful, the unusual, and the downright bizarre.  Where reactions go from “This is pleasant,” to “What just happened?  Did I really hear that?” in the space of a few minutes.  Sometimes in the same song.  It’s all in the name of entertainment, and often the strange moments are the best.

The United Kingdom has had it’s share of winners over the years, and in contrast to most people’s opinion has been very successful.  These days, however, we constantly hear the public decrying the contest and complaining about the mutual voting of  sympathetic countries.  “That’s why we don’t win anymore,” the voices say, “all those countries voting for each other.”

Other reasons commonly championed as to why the UK hasn’t been successful include “No-one in Europe likes us”; and theories about the change in rules regarding singing in the national language.

So how is it possible that the nation that gave the world The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Bowie, the Clash (and on and on) – don’t win this contest hands down every year?

It’s because we don’t take it seriously.

I don’t mean we don’t take it seriously in a tongue-in-cheek, this is crap but what the hell post modern kind of way.  That’s fine.  Be ironic, have a laugh at the strange sounds and mangling of English phrases – that’s part of the fun.

No, by not taking it seriously I refer to the artists above.  We don’t win Eurovision because every year the rest of Europe wants to see the UK field a superstar.  A living legend like Bowie or Sir Paul, to lend their talents to the Greatest Music Competition in the World.  They want to see some of the musical geniuses that have sprung from these shores show the rest of Europe what pop music is all about.

We know that’s never going to happen.  Great fun as Eurovision is, it doesn’t have the cultural importance to tempt the like of Elton or Mick Jagger.  Not going to happen.

But just imagine if we did?  Imagine, if you will, a gleaming supergroup with Brian May on guitar, Roger Taylor on drums, Sir Paul on bass.  Elt on the old joanna, and vocals from some one like Jessie J, or Adele, or Tom Jones.  That’s what Europe want to see, and that’s what we need to win.

There was a rumour a few years ago (and I think it was just a rumour), of Morrissey being the United Kingdom’s entry for Eurovision.  Now I’m no Morrissey fan, but maybe that would do the job?  In the meantime, we have Bonnie Tyler to represent the country this year.  A woman with considerable fame and success across Europe, not to mention her undoubted talent.  Let’s see if she can do it.

Whoever wins, ignore the nay sayers and the whingers who complain because the UK doesn’t win.  Enjoy the fun and the spectacle, whoever the winner is.

Platinum Al’s Platinum Artists

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There are over 23,000 songs in my iTunes library.  Hundreds of artists across numerous genres.  But which artists have contributed the most to my music collection?  I’ve reviewed all of them and compiled a list of which artists I have the most songs by.  Some may surprise you.

The list below comprises the twenty artists with the most number of songs in my music collection at the moment.  The list grows all the time.  I should point out that this isn’t a list of my favourite artists in order, just a list of who’s music I have the most of.

All duplicate tracks (for example, a hit single appearing on an album and a Greatest Hits compilation) have been removed.  Also extended versions, remixes and so on are usually not in my library anyway – with a few exceptions.  And I generally don’t collect live albums – again with one or two exceptions – so duplicates of this type don’t generally figure in this list, unless there’s a particular reason for them to be here.  In many cases, there are more tracks to be added for these Top 20 artists.

Here they are:

Top 20 Bands with the Most Songs in my Collection

20. Clutch – 128 songs

A massive contribution from this fine Maryland band, with only one track duplicated (an alternative, acoustic version of “Motherless Child”).  This doesn’t include their great new album “Earth Rocker”, which isn’t added yet.

19. Danzig – 130 songs

The mighty Danzig makes a respectable appearance at number 19, thanks to a complete collection of studio albums and a helping hand from the “Lost Tracks of Danzig” compilation.  This figure does not include any Misfits or Samhain tracks either, as I’ve classed them in this case as separate entities.  Otherwise Glenn would be even higher up the list.

18. David Bowie – 133 songs

Spanning most of Dave’s career, but still with quite a few albums missing from my collection – so this number could increase.

17. Hawkwind – 148 songs

Admittedly, this figure does include live tracks – but then “Space Ritual” is such an integral part of the bands persona it has to be included.  Still many, many more albums to collect though.

16. The Beach Boys – 149 songs

What a band.  I’ve loved the Beach Boys for so long.  There are so many great album tracks beside the obvious hits, everyone should investigate them further.  I still have at least three albums to add here though, so a Top Ten position could be on the way in future updates.

15. AC/DC – 153 songs

All the albums, no live tracks – surprising though that there isn’t more from the mighty AC/DC.  Several of their albums also appear in my “Greatest of All Time” list, no doubt coming soon…

14. Red Hot Chili Peppers – 154 songs

One of the best bands ever.  Not just one of the best alternative bands, or one of the best funk rock (ugghh) bands – one of THE best bands ever.  I’m surprised they don’t come in higher on this list, however, given the massive amount of work they’ve produced.  Their best album? A debate for another time.  But it’s “Mother’s Milk”.  No, “BloodSugarSexMagic”.  No, “Mother’s…”, ah, we’ll see.

13. Metallica – 159 songs

Now this number does include the live album “S & M”, though as those tracks are accompanied by an orchestra (and therefore sufficiently different) I decided to include them.  Also includes their totally mental collaboration with Lou Reed – which everyone hates except me.

12. The Damned – 163 songs

Ah, The Damned.  Probably my most favourite band ever, this number includes all the albums, plus compilations of B-sides etc, from “Damned Damned Damned” to “So Who’s Paranoid”.  But remember, no duplicates – so for example “New Rose” only appears once (on the original album) – reappearances on the (many) compilations have been discounted.

11. The Rolling Stones – 165 songs

Only 165 songs?  Clearly, I have some work to do here.  There must be another 30 or so albums to get.  This includes all the greats though.  And the debate over their best songs and albums will be tackled in a future post.

And now the Top Ten…

10. Iggy Pop – 177 songs

A fantastic, under rated musician.  Not nearly well known or respected enough these days. This number includes all the Stooges albums, as I decided that to exclude them would deprive a historical view of Iggy of some important milestones.  Iggy rocks.

9. Beastie Boys – 183 songs

You’re surprised that the Beasties have recorded so much?  Don’t be.  And the quality is excellent throughout.  Includes all of their forays into different musical genres, such as the fantastic “In Sound From Way Out” album.

8. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – 185 songs

I still have a few albums to collect from Nick Cave.  The 185 songs includes the three disc “B-sides and Rarities” album, but no Birthday Party, Grinderman or film soundtracks.  Maybe I’ll add those to a future update.  Amazing music.

7. Queen – 191 songs

“Greatest Hits I and II” is not enough.  You need the studio albums for some of the outstanding lesser known compositions.  More on this in a later post.  No live tracks included.

6. Ramones – 199 songs

There are just a couple of bonus tracks from “End of the Century” I don’t have.  No live tracks included.  I’ve loved this band ever since my English teacher played “Go Mental” in class.

5. Alice Cooper – 204 songs

Often maligned as a cock-rock Metal caricature, many miss the impact that Alice has had on rock, punk and alternative music.  Pay this man some respect.  NOW.  Still loads of albums I don’t own, but I’m working on it.

4. The Beatles – 207 songs

I was surprised I had this many tunes by The Beatles, but what a band.  Beyond compare, and I’m happy to see them up near the top of the list.  This number doesn’t include my Mum’s original 7 inch singles, of course.

3. Motorhead – 221 songs

How many albums have Motorhead made now?  Not enough.  Recent output has been just as great as the early years.  Still got two or three albums I need to get though, unbelievably.

2. Melvins – 282 songs

I love this band.  282 songs, including collaborations with Jello Biafra and others.  Doesn’t include the new record “Everybody Loves Sausages” (yet), and still quite a few albums (not just single tracks!) I need to track down.

So which recording artist has the most songs that I own?  Who could possibly top that list?  Only one man…

1. Johnny Cash – 330 songs

That number doesn’t include the Christmas album or a new three disc set I picked up recently.  A duets album with June Carter Cash is in there, however.  And the two live albums “At Folsom Prison” and “At San Quentin” – as they’re both indispensable.  I am a huge fan of Johnny Cash, and thankfully there’s still loads of his music out there for me to discover.

Johnny Cash is my hero.

Any thoughts?  Disagree with any of the above criteria?  Leave a comment.

 

Random Bike Ride Playlist #2

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Nine and a half miles, twenty songs.

  1. Love – “Alone Again Or”
  2. Nina Simone – “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out”
  3. Sugar – “Man on the Moon”
  4. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – “Running Scared”
  5. Ash – “Out of the Blue”
  6. The Besnard Lakes – “Albatross”
  7. Pink Floyd – “Have a Cigar”
  8. Rush – “Tom Sawyer”
  9. Jimi Hendrix Experience – “She’s So Fine”
  10. Roxy Music – “Ain’t That So”
  11. Tad – “Tool Marks”
  12. Rolling Stones – “On With the Show”
  13. The Saturdays – “Vulnerable”
  14. Steppenwolf – “None of Your Doing”
  15. Joe Walsh – “Walk Away”
  16. Curtis Mayfield – “Freddie’s Dead”
  17. Richard Cheese – “Guerilla Radio”
  18. Iggy Pop – “It’s All Shit”
  19. Led Zeppelin – “Living Loving Maid”
  20. The Donnas – “5 O’Clock in the Morning”