Mrs. McGrath

"Oh, Mrs. McGrath," the sergeant said
"Would you like a soldier of your son Ted
With a scarlett coat and a big cocked hat
Oh, Mrs. McGrath, wouldn't you like that?"

Chorus:
With your too-ri-a, fol-di-diddle-da, too-ri, oor-ri, oor-ri-a
With your too-ri-a, fol-di-diddle-da, too-ri, oor-ri, oor-ri-a

Now, Mrs. McGrath lived on the shore
And after seven years or more
She spied a ship coming into the bay
With her son from far away"

"Oh captain dear, where have you been
You´ve been sailing the Mediterranean
Have you news of my son Ted
Is he living or is he dead?"

Chorus

Up came Ted without any legs
And in their place, two wooden pegs.
She kissed him a dozen times or two
And said "My god, Ted is it you"

"Now were you drunk or were you blind
When you left your two fine legs behind
Or was it walking upon the sea
That wore your two fine legs away?"

Chorus

"No, I wasn't drunk and I wasn't blind
When I left my two fine legs behind
A cannon ball on the fifth of May
Tore my two fine legs away"

"My Teddyboy," the widow cried
"Your two fine legs were your mothers pride
Stumps of a tree won't do at all
Why didn't you run from the cannon ball?"

Chorus

"All foreign wars I do proclaim
live on the blood and the mothers pain
I'd rather have my son as he used to be
Than the King of America and his whole navy"

Chorus - Irish folk song as sung by Bruce Springsteen

The lyrics don't really do it justice, the performance on the Bruce Springsteen with the Sessions Band: Live In Dublin DVD is fantastic!

I first saw (and recorded it) on BBC Four but do yourself a favour and buy yourself the DVD or CD (or both as the audio quality is better).

The entire set is fantastic! Yes some tracks are better than other but that is a matter of personal preference, the entire concert is of such a high standard that you have to (see and) hear it to believe it. I'll defy yuo to not find two of three songs that really like and not to be humming one or two for a few days after you first hear it. It really is that good!

The Killers - Sam's Town

I recently aquired The Killers new album Sam's Town and after listening to it in its entirety I think that it is very good. I really enjoyed the album, especially the single "When You Were Young", which I must confess I have played a few times in succession (more than once).

"Bling (Confessions Of A King)" has a melody which sucks you in and pulls you along like a rip tide (without the unpleasant drowning side effects), "For reasons Unknown2 is also a catchy little number. "Read my Mind" is very pleasant, you get the idea, it is a great album to listen to.

I think it would be particulalry good for a long drive through the country where you don't have to pay particular attention to the speed limit.

Bedouin Soundclash

I discovered Bedouin Soundclash last night. They perform a nice mix of reggae & rock that is surprisingly relaxing yet stimulating, just the thing for a Sunday morning. In fact I'm listening to their album Root Fire as I write this message.

I'm not sure how best to describe the quality of their tracks. 'Johnny Go To New York' reminds me on many levels of early Police tracks, probably because the devilvery of the song is similar to 'Roxeanne'. 'Back To The Matter' has a very famliar feel to it, but I can't put my finger on exactly why, but it does remind me a little of Madness. 'Santa Monica' has a bit of a Californian rock vibe going. 'Mandrake Root' seems to have been influenced by a lot of familiar stuff, but mostly Bob Marley. 'Natural Right' definately has 'Men at Work' 'Land Down Under' influences. I could go on but that would spoil the fun of listening to it for yourself.

If you are a little bored with what you have on your iPod or iRiver at the moment and are looking for something a little different yet a little familiar I heartily recommend giving Bedouin Soundclash's Root Fire a try.

The Bad Plus

I have to thank Mark for introducing me to The Bad Plus in a roundabout kind of way. He was playing 'Exit Music: Songs With Radio Heads', which is a good album, when one of the songs really caught my attention.

The song in question was a rendition of 'Karma Police' by The Bad Plus. It blew my mind and in the past few days I have been listening to more of their stuff wherever I can find it.

Thb Bad Plus website led me to their MySpace page where I listed to what was there.

I am particularly fond of "And Here We Test Our Powers Of Observation", which has 'Rush' overtones and 'Crowded House' undertones. I would suggest this a starting point for a foray into the music of the Bad Plus. To follow it I'd suggest grabbing their rendition of 'Karma Police' by both ears as firmly as you can, hanging on to the bassline and trying not to fall off.

If you don't like those two tracks listen again! Your barbarian ears are probably clogged with the detritus of modern pop music and simply need a good clean. To that end I'd recommend a good dose of 'Songs for the Deaf' at max volume, ears suitably cleaned you can then return to the Bad Plus.

And for a finale to the foray, 'Anthem for the Earnest' to return you to what passes for normality.