I'm every bit as proud of the 100 plus VHS tapes of music that are gathering dust under a bed as I am of the vinyl and CD collection. They contain loads of live clips, promo videos and appearances on TV shows such as Top Of the Pops and provide fine visual memories of some great music.And I'm increasingly chuffed that more and more of these clips are turning up on youtube and the like, thanks to other music fans taking the time to convert their own copies. And now, thanks to a great wee gadget, I can also convert the music from the clips into mp3 form (not always the greatest of quality or sound but I can live with it).
And starting today, I'm going to feature some of those clips on TVV, complete with an mp3. And there's no better place to start than with my favourite live rendition of my all time favourite single. It's from The New Order Story, which I also have on DVD:-
mp3 : New Order - Temptation (live in Montreux 1993)
One of the things I also have is a copy of a gig played by Aztec Camera in December 1983 at Aston University in Birmingham. I'm sure my dad hadn't long bought the first VHS machine the family ever owned, and in those days, tapes cost a fortune. I remember buying a new tape specifically for this show and being allowed to command the machine and telly for its duration. Featuring an amazing twin acoustic guitar attack from Roddy Frame and Malcolm Ross, this is indie-pop at its purest:-
mp3 : Aztec Camera - Oblivious (live, Aston University 1983)
Those of you who only know PJ Harvey as a glammed-up, pouting bit of sex on legs, might be surprised by the early look. Personally, I thought she was every bit as stunning in those days. She certainly sounded like no-one else....and this is from a late night BBC arts show in 1992:-
mp3 : PJ Harvey - Dress (live on The Late Show)
And now, the rarely seen or heard six-piece version of The Smiths, from TV show The Tube in July 1986 (the kid is an unnamed child actor especially hired to join in on this performance)
mp3 : The Smiths - Panic (live, The Tube)
And finally - one that actually does come from one of my video tapes. One that I passed onto someone who loaded it up. Sadly, the tape was so fragile that it snapped after the upload. But at least the task was complete. Its from a local arts show that went out on telly in Scotland back in 1994:-
mp3 : Edwyn Collins - Gorgeous George (live and acoustic)
Keep your eyes peeled for more such-like nostalgia in the weeks ahead.
10 comments:
Great version of Temptation by New Order who were pretty ropey live usually. My personal favourite is 'Thieves Like Us' or 'Confusion'
Is this new fangled technology easy to use?
Have some stuff like the New Order story myself that I can't watch at the moment.
JC looking forward to this series how cool was roddy frame a true boy wonder after listening to oblivious i started to sing love on a farmboys wages (was that XTC?)as it was the next song on a compilation tape i made back in the day it was a totally subliminal moment of the like this generation will be denied by the shuffle button on their I-pod pure nostalgical magic thank you again.
Son of the rock.
Thanks for the Aztec Camera clip. I was at that gig. Happy days. :)
Brilliant stuff
Ditto to all the above (except for being at the Aztec Camera gig...). And some fab early PJ Harvey who I saw live around that time. Of course, PJ Harvey was the name of the entire band back then, not just our Pol. I'm still a big fan and eagerly awaiting her new album.
Just played live version of 'Oblivious'...it's really really good
I can't decide if I want Edwyn Collins' hairstyle or voice. Ps. This blog is excellent, it's going to add hours to the time I spend in dusty second hand shops looking for the vinyl featured here. 10/10 :)
Brilliant JC. I remember watching the Camera gig on the Whistle Test...especially loved his dig at one unfortunate student..'I don't know where you're coming from man, with your long hair and your sweatshirt'...Frame was indeed a cheeky wee bastard for all of his 19 years, wasn't he? I've got the gig on cd now. Loved the much rockier 'The Back Door to Heaven' version played at this gig and others around that time, before Knopfler got hold of it and served it up on Knife as a real downer of a track.
Lloyd out here in a couple of months and wee Bobby Gillespie will be rockin our world next weekend with Screamadelica. Cannae wait.
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