The Way You Make Me Feel

News reports of Michael Jackson’s death came with a flurry of internet activity as the story spread around the world. A compliment to the singer, the entertainer, the man born Michael Joseph Jackson on 29th August 1958 who sadly passed away on 25th June 2009. Sadly though, a large minority of the keyboard chatter online was more negative than with respect to a human being who had recently died. On the surface the reason would appear to be Jackson’s less than savoury accusations, of course mainly said by people who don’t know the facts of what did or did not go on but because he was a celebrity then he was automatically guilty.

Whatever your opinion of Michael Jackson, be it good or bad that’s your choice, however what has offended me is the way some people can be so flippant about the death of another human being. No-one can take away the genius of Jackson, nor can the most ardent hater ignore his popularity and with it the joy and happiness he brought to so many. Of course none of that matters to those who were cracking insensitive (and frankly unfunny) jokes and bring up his misdemeanours before he had even officially been announced dead.

Celebrities can be viewed as “non-human-like” which seems to automatically mean anyone can say anything about them and no-one should be offended by it. Creating a “them and us” mentality, usually if we’re being honest is born out of pure and simple jealousy of either their talent or wealth. Some even make a living out of it, and two of the finer examples of this trait is the despicable Perez Hilton, who wouldn’t even be known if it were not for the stars he attacks through his tacky website, which he had to pull a page down from after suggesting the news of Michael Jackson being rushed to hospital was some sort of stunt. Add to that, American “comedienne” Sarah Silverman, who has made a living out of saying inappropriate things in the name of humour, posted on her Twitter account: “Did you hear Michael Jackson’s kids are free? That’s not nice. I’m sorry. Ugh, I feel bad for saying that. LOOK A BLUE CAR!”. If right now you’re finding humour in any of this, then chances are you’re heading to the same place you want Michael Jackson to be right now. Think of the irony on that one!

Anyone can be offensive, you don’t need to be a Perez or Silverman. Heck, I think you’re c**t! Hilarious, isn’t it? Isn’t it? You fat, ugly f**ker. Oh, by the way, your Mother is a cheap wh*re.

The very definition of a celebrity is someone who is a well known person. Yes, a person. Just like you and I. The difference is for whatever reason, they are famous. They still put their pants on one leg at a time and they all have family and friends who love and care for them, just like you and me. This has been forgotten by some people I think, those who feel it’s acceptable to attack someone in the public eye because of some limited knowledge they may have, and sometimes with absolutely no reason whatsoever apart from because they can. Rather than be positive they choose to be negative as it’s easier to bring someone down to your level than it is for you to raise yourself above it all. It actually says more about the person spewing this vile putrid than the celebrity they are talking about.

I am not a Michael Jackson fan. I own the ‘History’ album and the ‘Black Or White’ CD single. That’s it. I am not here to condone what he may or may not have done. This actually isn’t about Michael Jackson. This could be the death of any famous person. It just so happens that the “King of Pop” has passed on and he was a more controversial figure than most. If you are one of those Muppets who were coming out with tasteless comments as the rolling news coverage reported on his death, firstly well done for reading this far, secondly remember the next time you feel hard done by something in your personal life, some level of injustice that people comment on without having access to all the facts about your situation - know you’ve done the very same thing, of course you did it to a celebrity though, and that’s acceptable but the same set of morals do not apply themselves to famous people when it comes to you. How hypocritical can you get?!

I know not everyone is so absolutely pathetic to be so negative about someone they do not really know. In fact, the majority of people are positive and while in this instance are not ignoring the scandals that surrounded Michael Jackson during parts of his life, these people are morally just to show respect to a great entertainer, singer, dancer... father, man, fellow human being.

To those who could not or would know show signs of respect during the first few hours and days of the death of Jackson, I ask you this: how much is too much in your world? Is it acceptable to you to have your family and friends disrespected on their deaths? After all, it is not Michael Jackson you’re hurting with your callous words but those who knew him better than you ever will. Where does this all end? No point asking you, because you simply don’t care, so just beat it, beat it.

Michael Jackson - Rest In Peace

Additional: Whoever created and peddled the hoax deaths of Harrison Ford and Jeff Goldblum in the wake of the Michael Jackson death, your parents must be very proud of you - that is if you actually have any to speak of.

REVIEW: 'Notes & Rhymes' - The Proclaimers

Clearly as a self-confessed fan of The Proclaimers it is very difficult for me to be impartial with a review for their latest album ‘Notes & Rhymes’, however look at it this way, I know their work inside out from over the years. So how does their eighth album fair? Have Scotland’s favourite sons still got it? Let’s find out...

Following on from the epic release ‘Life With You’ two years ago, Charlie and Craig Reid returned to Rockfield Studios in Wales along with producer Steve Evans for what would be the recording of the fastest written Proclaimers record to date. Only six months after coming off an extensive 18-month world tour the album was ready to be recorded. Look, they’ve been doing this since 1987, if they don’t know what they are doing then The Proclaimers would be “no more” by now!

The title track for ‘Notes & Rhymes’ opens the record up with a rockabilly sound echoing shades from The Proclaimers influences of classic early rock’n’roll music. It’s a fun-filled affair with comparing the love of music to that of a woman. It’s an attention grabber for sure and probably reason enough to have this as the first track on the LP.

‘Love Can Move Mountains’ is the first single release from this record and is an instant Proclaimers classic. I’d put it up there with ‘Sunshine On Leith’ personally, although I’m sure some may suggest it’s got a wee bit to go before it’s on the same plane. Lush production and a gargantuan chorus that is just begging to be sung along to. Who am I to argue with that? Lyrically it has the charms of any Proclaimers love song from over the years. Those familiar traits are there, the romance, the vulnerability and most importantly, the honesty. This is a song that sadly will never get the true recognition it deserves (much like ‘Life With You’ from the previous album) but to anyone who hears it with romance in their heart is bound to fall in love with this one.

The strong start to ‘Notes & Rhymes’ continues with ‘Three More Days’, a song steeped in the tradition of many songs over the years about heading back home. Written on a beach in America while thinking about Scotland. There is an underlying urgency that washes over you with prominence as the song continues to build up to a stirring beat that you can’t help but be taken to the place and people you consider home. Strong guitars and pounding beat with some under-stated vocals before they take off.

There are a couple of cover versions on the album in the form of the Damien Dempsey song ‘Sing All Our Cares Away’, which may surprise those who aren’t aware that this is not a track penned by the Reid brothers as it fits them like a glove. ‘It Was Always So Easy (To Find An Unhappy Woman)’ is the other and is unashamedly classic country, fortunately not half as whiney the original recording. Thank Gawd!

Other highlights on this very strong recording is the “war song” that is ‘I Know’ that holds a few surprises, including a “breakdown” that is something we’ve not really heard from The Proclaimers before but then nor is the reprise of it at the end of the record. I was blown away by it on my first play but the real “go to track” of ‘Notes & Rhymes’ for me is ‘Wages of Sin’. This will no doubt remain a hidden gem to so many but there is so much going on in this song it almost feels like it’s not a Proclaimers song. Vocally they have never sounded better, the harmonies are immense and musically it has all the layers that ‘Life With You’ had. There is only one problem with ‘Wages of Sin’, and that is you need to listen to it loud... actually, come to think of it, that’s not a problem at all, is it?!

It’s worth mentioning there is a special edition of ‘Notes & Rhymes’ that contains four acoustic versions of tracks from the LP plus six live tracks from their Edinburgh Castle gig last year (which took place the day before they played Inverness for any locals reading this!). The live tracks are the anthems ‘I’m On My Way’ and ‘Letter From America’, along with past hidden gems of ‘Scotland’s Story’ and ‘Sky Takes Your Soul’ (so good to finally have a live version of that!) and the sing-along ‘Life With You’ and the Wreckless Eric song ‘Whole Wide World’, of which the man himself features on this version.

So the verdict? You need one?! What the heck have you just been reading?! OK, OK, so for the stupid people... ‘Notes & Rhymes’ is not a return to form for The Proclaimers because the guys remain on form. Since their “return” in 2001 with the ‘Persevere’ record, Charlie and Craig haven’t missed a beat. That’s not to ignore the early albums, far from it, I still think ‘Hit The Highway’ is one of their finest efforts to date (if most under-rated) and everyone knows about hit-laden ‘Sunshine On Leith’. Where ‘Notes & Rhymes’ lands in grand scheme of Proclaimers albums it’s hard to say at this stage as it’s just been released and so it’s finding it’s feet with the listener but with a good dose of what is to be expected from a Proclaimers record along with a few positive deviations along the way, it’s fair to say that ‘Notes & Rhymes’ is a strong enough collection of songs that you’ll keep coming back to... so, much like every other Proclaimers record then... and that really is no bad thing at all!!

United States of Scotland

Something has been bugging me for a little while now, and more so lately as I find myself guilty of it too - I am talking about the Americanisation of Scotland. Now, as many of my American friends baulk at that statement, please allow me to explain before going to war on me.

I am of course talking stereotypes here, as that is rightly or wrongly, how a nation is defined. This is not a xenophobic rant either. I think it is a positive thing to take aspects from other cultures, no country is perfect and we can all learn from each other. There are however things that just fundamentally don't sit comfortably outside of their homeland.

The internet has broken down some serious walls in it's time but ironically it has also built some too. I can handle most "geek speak", the whole "LOL" and "ROFL" malarky. Now what is more than niggling me is this era of "EPIC" and "FAIL" which apparently must be shouted across the internet (and every other form of communication) in capital letters. WHY?!

Just a few years ago, alright a decade ago but I was trying to make both of us feel young there, we were bombarded with "what-ever!" and "wassup?!" from across the pond. I don't think it improves us. If anything it cheapens us and potentially damages our Scottish identity. I'm sure most Americans think it is rather crass of us to even adopt these words and phrases in the first place, as there is a historical friendship between Scotland and the States. I might be wrong, but I reckon they like us for being Scottish, and not for a "wannabe" 51st State.

Disagree? How do you feel when you hear an American attempting some "terrible" Scots words and phrases in a desperate attempt to fit in, find their heritage and prove their Scottish lineage? We like them for being who they are, American and not for pretending to be one of us. I think Americans are smart enough to know the difference and I sure as hell notice it when a Scot is adopting Americanisms.

I do think that certain aspects of the American way of life should be embraced but not at the cost of our own. Scots are well known for being the underdog and with it can come a lack of confidence. Americans have a strong belief that anything can be achieved. It's easy to see which of those is the healthier option, however on the other hand, Scots are known for being very warm, friendly, welcoming people and Americans can have a somewhat less than an attractive image born out of meaningless wars, guns and the Jerry Springer show.

There is nothing wrong in diversity amongst cultures, but I do have a problem with anyone who wants to surround themselves in another country's ways and dialect that it strips them of their own nation's identity, for that says to me they are ashamed of their own country - and speaking as a Scotsman, I know I have a lot to be proud of.

This is not about Scotland versus America, or vice-versa. This is about remembering who we are, taking pride on what we and those who came before us have achieved. That goes for any country, any nation, any person. Stand up, be proud and most importantly, be true to yourself.

The Story So Far...

Once upon a time, in a galaxy not so far, far away lived a local radio presenter by the name of Jason Shand. (That's me!) One day, he decided to make his own website, for the listeners to his radio show. To create a community, a central hub for those people who listened to his radio show. (Is me talking about myself in the third person creeping you out, because it's creeping me out?!)

Ahem! So I made the website. It was hosted by a company called Moonfruit. Not a bad wee place if you want to make a flash website. Anyway, I digress as usual. That website was cloned as an attempt to abuse me. The culprits? Amazingly some people I worked with at the time. Ironically, most of which now have their own websites. Then MySpace came along and no-one visited any other website ever. Or so MySpace Tom would have you believe.

Eventually I started a blog, at Blogger. I created a Bebo account, a Facebook account and a YouTube account too. Suddenly I was all over the internet. It was kind of messy. It was very messy.

Over the years I've had various "central hubs" for listeners. Of course I am no longer on the radio so it would be silly of me to continue that path. So please, don't consider this a "central hub for listeners" but in fact a "central hub for friends" because if by now you're still even some what remotely interested in anything I have to say or do then you must be a friend... or a glutton for punishment. Either way, I hope you'll enjoy this new blog.

Feel free to leave a wee comment to let me know you're here. Manners cost nothing after all. Oh and don't worry about having to register or sign-up to anything, you don't need to. Just do it!

Thank you.