Category: music

Miley Cyrus – Bikini Kill’s “Rebel Girl”

On By Rick McIn ethics, human rights, musicLeave a comment

I’d say Miley Cyrus was musical artist of the year for me in 2020.

Fierce.

She decided on a punk Lesbian anthem for the uber-MACHO Super Bowl crowd, for example. 😀

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

“Rebel Girl“ is a song by American punk rock band Bikini Kill released 1993.

… emblematic of the riot grrrl movement of the 1990s. …

Riot grrrl bands often address issues such as rape, domestic abuse, sexuality, racism, patriarchy, classism, anarchism and female empowerment. 

Click PLAY or watch one of the original artists’ versions on YouTube.

I was reminded of the song by Amy Poehler’s ‘Moxie’.

Tragically Hip – Ahead By A Century

On By Rick McIn musicLeave a comment

When people asks me to name THE Canadian band — I always reply The Tragically Hip.

They’re surprised as the Hip are not nearly the most famous act.

In fact, in 2020 three Canadians were listed top 10 downloaded.

But, for me, Tragically Hip was the quintessential Canadian band.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

related – As an immigrant, I wanted to understand Canada’s fascination with the Tragically Hip. This is what I found

Gun Street Girl by Adrian McKinty

On By Rick McIn books, musicLeave a comment

McKinty is my favourite author of late.

Gun Street Girl the 4th (2015) in the Sean Duffy series.

Dark themes. Yet I laughed at something on nearly every page.

When Duffy grudgingly takes on a double murder case, he finds himself on the trail of a conspiracy which could cost him everything.

Belfast, 1985.

Gunrunners on the borders, riots in the cities, The Power of Love on the radio. And somehow, in the middle, Detective Inspector Sean Duffy is hanging on, a Catholic policeman in the hostile Royal Ulster Constabulary.

Click PLAY or watch the Tom Waits song from the same era on YouTube.

Fairytale of New York

On By Rick McIn musicLeave a comment

The bittersweet Christmas song reinvented.

Cameron Barnes & Blythe Duff (Feat. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers)

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Cameron Barnes roped in veteran actor Blythe Duff, best known for her role in Taggart, and bagpipe supergroup the Red Hot Chilli Pipers for his version of the hit.

The song is transformed from two lovers arguing to one of a son calling his mother over the festive season. …

Barnes, who is from Methil in Fife, was inspired to reimagine the tune due to controversy over radio stations “censoring” some of the lyrics from Fairytale of New York, which was originally sung by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl.

Courier

Thanks Rockin’.

Natalie Maines, Martie Erwin Maguire & Emily Strayer

On By Rick McIn ethics, GOP USA, government, musicLeave a comment

#respect for the Dixie Chicks

The Chicks (previously known as the Dixie Chicks)  … have won 13 Grammy Awards.

Remember this from 2003?

Anti-war band the Dixie Chicks have hit back at their critics – by posing naked on the front of a leading showbiz magazine.

The Grammy-winning band suffered a massive backlash in America after they said they were “ashamed” President George Bush was from their home state of Texas. …

 

I’m trying YouTube Premium

On By Rick McIn Google, movies, music, TVLeave a comment

CAD $12 / month if I continue after the first free month.

💛  No ads  💛 

I’m tempted.  I hate YouTube ads, particularly the ones mid-video.

Subscription includes a short list of YouTube Original shows and movies.

In fact, I tried the service to watch the Gymnastics series Defying Gravity.

Better is YouTube Music.

I downloaded the YouTube Music app for my iPhone, as well.  I can play almost anything with or without video.  Offline if I download.

It does NOT include YouTube TV.   That’s OK as it’s only available in the USA and costs $64.99/mo. 

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.