I am the picture of the demographic for Classic VH1 and I do find myself watching it often. They have a show called "Hangin' With" which is a half hour show in which older artists come on and plug their 'new' products. Yesterday, to my pleasant surprise, instead of artists like Hall and Oates and their ilk the guest was none other than Mick Jones.
Mick was wearing the striped suit he has taken to lately and you haven't seen him lately--the man is balding--his hairstyle he has can be called nothing more than the classic comb-over. He looked like a middle-aged middle managment employee or a car salesman at a really seedy car lot.
The show's set is unfortunately more akin to QVC than anything else I can think of. The artist and the interviewer stand at a table and the 'product' is placed on front of them on the table. The product Mick is pushing is The Clash: The Singles a new boxed set. The boxed set consists of 19 CD reproductions of the Clash's original U.K. singles, in paper sleeves with the original single artwork. Added to each single are all the B-sides, including 12 inch versions and some versions only released in other countries.
I was both excited and crest-fallen. Excited to watch Mick Jones and crest-fallen by the commodification of the product. It all seemed so surreal. It will be rebroadcast on December 3rd, 6th, and the 7th.
I can't watch the interviews with Jones and Simonon that are on VHI one's website "But you can": http://www.vh1.com/search/search.jhtml?searchterm=mick%20jones&searchType=vh1.
My Trusted MOGs
Meanwhile, Paul Simonon is working on The Good The Bad and The Queen with Damon Albarn. Oh, how far the mighty have fallen.
My Trusted MOGs
Simonon's GB&Q project is really rather good, if the gig televised recently in the UK is anything to go by. Looking forward to the album early next year.
Curiously, I was writing about Mick Jones earlier today. Uncut magazine has a monthly panel called Bad Cover Version, and for the issue out in January I selected the Annie Lennox version of The Clash's Train In Vain. I think my ears are still bleeding slightly.
My Trusted MOGs
Sorry, my last comment was rather inelegantly worded. What I meant to say, was that while Mick Jones is hawking his past accomplishments on VH1, Paul Simonon is working with Damon Albarn on the delightful-sounding GB&Q. It's a pity, because 20 years ago, Mick Jones was starting sampling in rock with Big Audio Dynamite, and Paul Simonon was nowhere to be found, until the early 90's with Havana 3AM (who were also very good, first concert at which I moshed).
My Trusted MOGs
Wow, Dale, I'd completely forgotten about Havana 3AM. I remember seeing them in their early days (although, to be honest, they didn't have that many later days). I thought they were pretty good, but I don't think I ever heard any records.
My Trusted MOGs
I am very excited about GB & Q. I read Albarn remarking that he saw it as a sequel to Parklife...say no more, say no more.
I love the Annie Lennox cover album. It didn't think that was that bad of a cover. Really. I have a serious weakness for annie lennox though. I think i am one of the few people alive who loved the Eurythmics album SAVAGE.
I really like the stuff that Mick Jones has done with Tony James. The Gangs of England is infectious. Carbon/Silicon has a great website where you can listen to their stuff.
I also really want to see the Joe Strummer documentary about his last US tour that just came out on DVD.
Bad Covers. I can think of covers much, much worse than said Lennox song. I Will Survive by Cake.
My Trusted MOGs
Hey, Teresa, if you wanna MOGmail me a list of Bad Cover Version ideas, I'd be well interested. I only have write maybe 100 words once a month, a different cover, but if I use any of your ideas I will happily send you some nice music.
My Trusted MOGs
I will try to come up with some and mogmail you what i can think of.
One of the vinyl albums i have is: Tony Sings the Great Hits of Today!
My Trusted MOGs
Love those stripy strides and pilgrim buckles!
My Trusted MOGs
the picture isn't large enough to allow one the full enjoyment of the roman style haircut, sideburns, and paisley scarf.
My Trusted MOGs
Oh my, VH1 Classic. I often switch to it during commericals and the like. Ocassionally, they will show something pretty good. I've seen some great footage of the Clash on there actually. They're one of the few bands they have footage of in their prime. Though on the whole the channel is quite unfortunate. Yet I keep watching in hopes of something good . . .
My Trusted MOGs
they just brought back Pop Up Video episodes from the 90's. I am addicted to that show like crack. Even if it is a crappy video by some band i detest i cannot turn it.
damn them.
My Trusted MOGs
The used to be a series of albums in the UK during the 70's called 'Top of the Pops'. These where all covers of tunes that had been in the charts over the last month or two and was done by session musicians, none of whom where credited on the sleeve notes. .