Karaoke - 20th September 2007

After last weeks ghost pub it looked like it was going to be similar again this week early on but fortunately it picked up to a decent level. There were a few singers in too, one of which, Jenna/Jemma I think her name was, I'd not seen before and completely suprised us with her choice of songs: Arctic Monkeys and Gnarls Barkley. Not what you normally expect to hear from a female solo singer and she wasn't too bad either (at singing that is!).

As mentioned in a previous post, I've managed to get hold of the Fratellis - Costello Music album complete instrumentals for a small price and as expected I soon had them converted to karaoke tracks. I was up until the early hours getting them all ready although I plan to redo them all as I rushed some of them a little bit in my eagerness to sing them. They're still alright as are and wouldn't stop me singing them, I can just be a bit of a perfectionist sometimes, especially with these songs as I love them so much. Anyway I managed to reel off three of them tonight, Vince, For The Girl and Got Ma Nuts, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed (and hope others did too). If you've not heard the album yet, what are you waiting for!!!! Get it now! I've still got around 5-6 tracks still to sing off the album but will be spreading these out over the coming weeks rather than just blasting through them in succcessive week.

A new song for the girls (minus Louise) this week although I don't think they'll repeating it as the chorus was found to be a little too high for them. Normally it's the other way around, you can do the chorus but not the rest of the song!. Anyway, I've got some song suggestions for you to ponder (pretty sure Tina has done some of these before):

• Madison Avenue - Don't Call Me Baby - this is a request :)
• DB Boulevard - Point Of View
• Dee Dee - Forever (sure you've done this but isn't in the book??)
• TLC - No Scrubs
• Geri Halliwell - Look At Me

edit: I think I may have mixed Dee Dee up with this one Lasgo - Something . You can do the Lasgo one ;)

I'm sure I can dig some more up if you want :)

Moving on to this weeks songs:

• Scott & Andy: The Beatles - Day Tripper (2)
• Shaun: The Fratellis - Vince The Lovable Stoner (new)
• Others: Rob Thomas - This Is How My Heart Breaks
• Others: DJ Sammy - Heaven
• Scott: Foo Fighters - No Way Back (new)
• Others: Shania Twain - You're Still The One (6)
• Shaun: The Fratellis - For The Girl (new)
• Others: Arctic Monkeys - Flourescent Adolescent (2)
• Tina & Hayley: Katrina & The Waves - Walking On Sunshine (new)
• Others: All Saints - Never Ever
• Others: Arctic Monkeys - When The Sun Goes Down (2)
• Others: Katie Melua - The Closest Thing To Crazy (6)
• Andy: Keith Urban - Jeans On (7)
• Others: The Rubettes - Jukebox Jive (2)
• Scott: Audioslave - Doesn't Remind Me (new)
• Tina & Hayley: All Saints - Pure Shores (2)
• Shaun: The Fratellis - Got Ma Nuts From A Hippy (new)
• Others: Freda Payne - Band Of Gold
• Others: Keith Urban - Days Go By (4)
• Others: Pink - Who Knew (2)
• Others: Texas - Black Eyed Boy (4)
• Tina & Hayley: Beautiful South - Rotterdam (2)
• Shaun: Arctic Monkeys - I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor (2)
• Scott: Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl (2)
• Others: Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
• Others: Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere (2)
• Scott: Cheap Trick - Surrender (new)

This weeks stats:

• 27 songs sang tonight
  
• 12 had not been sung previously this year
  
• 15 have been sang already this year (1 of which was also sang last week)
  
• There have been 966 songs sung so far this year!

Getting close to that 1000 songs for the year. Almost certain to be the 8th/9th song the week after next (4th October) when it goes, but who will get it..... The bookies say:

• Others - 1/2
• Shaun - 6/4
• Scott - 2/1
• Tina, Louise or Hayley - 8/1
• Andy - 25/1
• Elvis - 5000/1
  

get your bets on!

** SHAUNS SONGS **

The Fratellis - Vince The Lovable Stoner		** NEW SONG **
	Year of release: 2006 Peak chart position: N/A - Album Track One of the more mellower tracks off the album and with a slight country twist to it, Vince is rumoured to be a tongue in cheek take on Mince's (the Fratellis drummer) life pre joining the band. A crowd pleaser in the live performances with plenty of 'ahaaa's for the crowd to join in with and swing-a-long backing, this is one I enjoyed and will probably do again.
	tonights-rating:	do-again-rating:

The Fratellis - For The Girl		** NEW SONG **
	Year of release: 2006 Peak chart position: N/A - Album Track My second favourite track off the album and one that I've previously sang an acoustic version of. I think I may redo the karaoke version of it though as the la-la-la's are missing from the instrumental and I think it would sound better with them edited in rather than the singer having to do them (not least becuase you need a breath break as it's quite fast!). Besides that, another enjoyable song to sing and funnily enough, another one that I'll do again ;)
	tonights-rating:	do-again-rating:

The Fratellis - Got Ma Nuts From A Hippy		** NEW SONG **
	Year of release: 2006 Peak chart position: N/A - Album Track This is my favourite track from the album with it's infectiously catchy bass line, crazy lyrics and big build-up ending. It's a story of a guy meeting a hippy in a bar and ultimately losing his virginity in the back of a camper van and could be a rendition of one of the Fratellis real-life experiences? Jon claims not but you never know when he's telling the truth or not! My best song of the night for me and will be done again without a shadow of a doubt :)
	tonights-rating:	do-again-rating:

Arctic Monkeys - I Bet That You Look Good		1st for 2007
	Year of release: 2005 Peak chart position: #1 UK The single that heralded the arrival of the Arctic Monkeys. Released on 17th October 2005 it went straight to the top of the charts the following week due to an enormous amount of [deserved] hype surrounding the band. It then went on to win best track at the 2006 NME awards (although this is of debatable achievment!). I hadn't planned on singing this one tonight but I thought that 3 Frat songs in one night was enough and with 2 other Monkeys songs being sung I just had to level the score, lol! Straightforward song with a great catchy riff that even I can play on the electric guitar :)
	tonights-rating:	do-again-rating:

That's it for another week, until next time, byeeeeeeeeeee...

"I ran from the tide, won't let you hide, won't let you hide" - Kasabian - Processed Beats

Karaoke - 13th September 2007

Here we are again and after last weeks fairly decent turnout we go back to being a ghost pub again. I've come to the conclusion that this is now in some way related to being paid monthly as it always seems busy on the last or first week of a month and then dead for the middle weeks. Hopefully I'm wrong and next week will be busy but somehow I can't see it.
Maybe they've all got their savings in a Northern Rock account and are queueing up overnight to take their money out! What is it with them queues?? Do they not realise that they are making the problem much worse? I bet they're the same dithering old people you see lined up outside the post office every monday morning 30 minutes before it even opens so that they can get their weekly money. It'll still be there later on you idiots! Totally went off on a tangent, sorry, must be the wine!

Back on track and a quiet pub means a good dose of songs for us to sing as well as plenty of chat time pre singing in where, as usual, Scott and I disagree on the merit of having David Beckham in the England team. I'm still not sure which matches Scott was watching at the weekend (the Womens world cup maybe??) as he believes that England were crap despite us winning 3-0 twice. In my opinion: we don't miss Beckham, we definately don't miss Lampard, Ashley Cole is crap and wants dropping, Owen does play much better off Heskey (who has now bust his foot!) than any other strike partner and, and this is where I do agree with Scott, Wright-Phillips is like one of those little wind up toys that go whoosh along the floor and then.......nothing, about as much end product as the Portugese police. :o

Song-wise this week and no real stand outs to be honest, it was all fairly run-of-the-mill stuff which was just about right for the subdued pub atmosphere. I didn't even get that pissed either this week, I just couldn't get in the mood for it. The drinking that is. Please! I found out this week what the current plans are for this years New Years Eve fancy dress: either a Beach Party theme or Doctors & Nurses. Not the most imaginative of ideas but with the choice of women wearing bikinis etc or nurses outfits I think I might not complain (Giggsy's words, not mine ;) ) Oh well, either way means I won't be sweltering in a Darth Vader costume this year :)

This weeks songs:

• Shaun: Tenpole Tudor - Swords Of A Thousand Men (3)
• Scott: Kiss - Strutter (new)
• Others: Johnny Rivers - Secret Agent Man (3)
• Andy: Dire Straits - Money For Nothing (9)
• Tina & Hayley: Macy Gray - I Try (7)
• Others: Bob Marley - Buffalo Soldier (3)
• Shaun: Crazy Town - Butterfly
• Scott: Biffy Clyro - Saturday Superhouse (new)
• Others: David Gray - Babylon
• Others: The Kinks - Come Dancing
• Tina & Hayley: Alanis Morissette - Ironic (7)
• Others: Gabrielle - Out Of Reach (5)
• Shaun: Dexys Midnight Runners - Geno
  
• Others: Elvis - Suspicious Minds
• Scott: Audioslave - What You Are (new)
• Others: Ronan Keating - If Tomorrow Never Comes (3)
• Andy: Brad Paisley - Ticks (new) (3)
• Others: Michael Buble - Feeling Good (2)
• Tina & Hayley: All Saints - Pure Shores
• Others: Roxette - Listen To Your Heart (5)
• Shaun: Luniz - I Got 5 On It (new)
• Others: Lionel Richie - Easy
• Scott: Foo Fighters - My Hero (new)
• Others: Lonestar - Amazed (3)
• Others: Blondie - Denis

This weeks stats:

• 25 songs sang tonight
  
• 13 had not been sung previously this year
  
• 12 have been sang already this year (1 of which was also sang last week)
  
• There have been 939 songs sung so far this year!

** SHAUNS SONGS **

Tenpole Tudor - Swords Of A Thousand Men		3rd time
	Year of release: 1981 Peak chart position: #6 UK A nice easy one to start the night off with having sung it numerous times before since aquiring the track from SBI (and a very good version it is too). Almost certain to start another night off again sometime.
	tonights-rating:	do-again-rating:

Crazy Town - Butterfly		1st for 2007
	Year of release: 2001 Peak chart position: #3 UK It's been a long time since I last sang this and Crazy Town seem to have disappeared in the meantime. I think it's fair to say that they were a one-hit wonder with this track although they did feature on a Paul Oakenfold track - Starry Eyed Suprise which I may do next week. Still, a nice little number and one that will probably get another run out eventually.
	tonights-rating:	do-again-rating:

Dexys Midnight Runners - Geno		1st for 2007
	Year of release: 1980 Peak chart position: #1 UK Geno!, Geno!, Geno! Not one of my planned tracks but Tina suggested it as I'd not sang it for some time. I remember Dad having the Dexys album many years ago and I used to play this and Come On Eileen over and over again as they were my favourites. Mind you, I used to play Tight Fit - Fantasy Island a lot too which I'm not sure says a great deal for dads musical choice back then (my excuse is that I was only 6 or 7 ;) ). Either way, a great song to bring out once in a while and will be done again no doubt.
	tonights-rating:	do-again-rating:

Luniz - I Got 5 On It		**NEW SONG**
	Year of release: 1996 Peak chart position: #3 UK Another one that I've dug out from my 'best rap album in the world' compilation CD! I don't think there's many more left to do on it now, at least not that are available anyway (Dream Warriors :( ). Another one-hit wonder but what a classic it is. It's main beat is derived from Club Nouveaus - Why You Treat Me So Bad as so many other artists have also done and is all about going halves with a partner on a bag of weed (naughty boys!!). I really enjoyed doing this track even if it was to a near empty pub so will definately be giving it another go on a busier night. :)
	tonights-rating:	do-again-rating:

And so until next week...

"But in the end, no matter what i pretend, the journey is more important than end or the start" - Linkin Park - ENTH E END

Wooooooooooooootttt!!!

Look what I landed today:



ebay link

"Very Rare Instrumentals Album "Costello Music" By "The Fratellis".
Also features 3 additional tracks not on the album, & these are Instrumental Versions. They are tracks 14, 15, 16
This is a USA Import sent out in very limited number's to TV/Media Industry for use in Films, Commercials, etc.
Ideal For People Who Create Mashup's, Remixes, etc."

"Ideal For People Who Create Mashup's, Remixes, etc." - or karaoke tracks :D

can't wait for this beauty to land on my doorstep!

First day at school

No, not mine (although I do remember it!), but little Joshie started school this week. Technically speaking it's "reception" but for all intents and purposes we'll call it school given that he has to wear a uniform.

Here he is on the first morning, buzzing with excitement and very proud of his new school bag :)



He pulls one crazy grin whenever the cameras on him! I've told him it'll stick like that if the wind changes :p Anyway, it didn't last long as he was in tears when it came to the crunch time of being dropped off. He soon got over it though (as he usually does) and by the end of the week he was enjoying it. 1 week down, 13 more years to go ;)

Can't post about one without the other so while the camera's out, here's little Amy cuddling up behind a towel. 2 more years and you can join your brother at school!




Kids eh!

Karaoke - 6th September 2007

This weeks songs:

• Others: Keith Urban - Days Go By (3)
• Shaun: Jack Penate - Torn On The Platform (new)
• Others: Amy Winehouse - Rehab (3)
• Scott: Thin Lizzy - Waiting For An Alibi (new)
• Others: Alanis Morissette - Ironic (6)
• Tina, Louise & Hayley: Bryan Adams & Mel C - When You're Gone (6)
• Others: Green Day - Boulevard Of Broken Dreams (2)
• Others: The Pretenders - I'll Stand By You (4)
• Shaun: Falco - Rock Me Amadeus (new)
• Others: Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive (3)
• Others: Train - Drops Of Jupiter
• Others: Red Hot Chili Peppers - The Zephyr Song
• Scott: Rolling Stones - Satisfaction (new)
• Others: Robbie Williams & Kylie Minogue - Kids
• Tina, Louise & Hayley: Girls Aloud - Love Machine (4)
• Others: Cher - If I Could Turn Back Time (5)
• Others: Tim McGraw - Live Like You Were Dying (3)
• Others: Womack & Womack - Teardrops (7)
• Shaun: Hard-Fi - Suburban Knights (new)
• Others: Marshall Hain - Dancing In The City
• Scott: Thunder - Low Life In High Places (new)
• Others: Foundations - Buttercup (3)
• Andy: Take That - Shine (4)
• Others: Diana Ross - Chain Reaction (7)
• Tina, Louise & Hayley: Chicago - All That Jazz (4)
• Shaun & Scott: Linkin Park - Bleed It Out (new)

This weeks stats:

• 26 songs sang tonight
  
• 11 had not been sung previously this year
  
• 15 have been sang already this year (1 of which was also sang last week)
  
• There have been 914 songs sung so far this year!

** NEW SONGS **

Hard-Fi - Suburban Knights

The lads from Staines follow up their smash album "Stars Of CCTV" with the new album "Once Upon A Time In The West" and the first track released is the fantastic Suburban Knights, reaching #7 on the UK charts. I wasn't too sure on this one at first but it's seriously grown on me and is up there with "Better Do Better" which was a favourite of mine from the last album. As with that track though I find myself singing too low at a few points in the song and then find it hard to get out of it until I get to the chorus. Seems to be more and more songs that are getting me like that at the moment, maybe my voice is on the change!! Either way, I will give this another run out in the future . do-again-rating: 7/10

Jack Penate - Torn On The Platform
	Although I'm not too keen on Jack Penates other recordings, I do enjoy this and the start of it reminds me of the Housemartins - Happy Hour (in fact, I swear it's the same riff!) . The third single to be released by Jack it reached #7 in late June 2007. Simple enough to sing and one for the 'do-again' box . do-again-rating: 7/10

Falco - Rock Me Amadeus

I'd always thought that he was a one-hit wonder but it turns out that Austrian born Johann Hölzel, or Falco as he's more famously known as, was actually a huge star across Europe (and most of the world!) back in the eighties. Amadeus was undoubtedly his biggest UK hit reaching the #1 top spot back in1986 and although the follow up, Vienna Calling, reached #10 it is the former record that everyone remembers. Apparently based on the Oscar winning film Amadeus, it made #1 in no less than 13 countries including the US Billboard where it also reached #6 in the R&B charts, a feat previously unheard of by a white male artist!. Unfortunately the lifestyle that Falco chose got him killed in February 1998 when, after a session of drinking and taking cocaine, his car collided with a bus in the Dominican Republic and he died from his injuries at 40 years old. I was 11 years old when Amadeus hit the charts (I remember it well, we'd just moved into our new house) so I've had 22 years practice (and 5 years of GCSE German) in which to get it right. Fortunately, even though the Sunfly lyrics are wrong which doesn't help, I think I managed it pretty much ok and it was enjoyable to do. It certainly got a few stares when the German lyrics popped up on the screen, lol. As a novelty I may do it again, we shall see :). do-again-rating: 5/10

Linkin Park - Bleed It Out

The second track released from the excellent Minutes To Midnight album, Bleed It Out sees Linkin Park reverting to the tried & tested formula of Rap/Rock that Mike & Chester do so well. Unfortunately despite knowing the song inside out I managed to cock it up at the start and got out of sync with the music. Partly this was due to the amount of alcohol consumed (I was a bit drunk to say the least) and partly because I just couldn't hear the music. The start is almost like an acapella and unless you can hear the music over your voice then there are no cues to get the lines right. By the time you notice you're out you literally have to skip a line to get back on track. Normally doesn't bother me but I hate messing up songs that I really like or have always wanted to do :( Perhaps we might give it another go, I'm not sure yet!. do-again-rating: 3/10

until next week, night night!

"Everyone want's a bite, doesn't happen overnight" - Cypress Hill - Rock Superstar

Karaoke - 30th August 2007

A very quiet week this week with people either on holiday or not turning up which, as predicted, left me playing billy-no-mates. Unfortunately, it wasn't just our lot that didn't turn up but the rest of the pub too leaving a rotation of just me, Andy and two others (Raymond & Nicky).

At least we don't get any singers in like this next YouTube clip! I don't normally watch this program (NO, I really don't!!) but stumbled upon this clip and couldn't believe it! What a trumped up bitch, lol. "I was good, wasn't it?" - errr, no.



Not got really much else to say to be honest so here's the songs:

• Shaun: J. Geils Band - Freeze Frame (3)
• Others: Texas - I Don't Want A Lover (4)
• Others: Windsor Davis & Don Estelle - Whispering Grass
• Others: Dionne Warwick - Make It Easy On Yourself
• Shaun: The View - Same Jeans (5)
• Others: Bob Marley - I Shot The Sheriff
• Andy: Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing (new)
• Others: Cher - I Found Someone
• Shaun: Ini Kamoze - Here Comes The Hotstepper
• Others: Patsy Cline - Crazy (4)
• Others: Will Young - Leave Right Now
• Andy: Take That - Shine (new) (3)
• Shaun: Gym Class Heroes - Cupids Chokehold (2)
• Others: Dionne Warwick - Walk On By (3)
• Others: Hermans Hermits - No Milk Today
• Shaun: De La Soul - Ring Ring (hey hey hey)
• Others: Texas - Black Eyed Boy (3)
• Others: Tommy Edwards - It's All In The Game
• Others: Steps - Thank Abba For The Music (2)
• Andy: New Order - Blue Monday (new)
• Shaun: Biffy Clyro - Folding Stars (new) (3)
• Others: Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere
• Others: Billy Joel & Ray Charles - Baby Grand

This weeks stats:

• 23 songs sang tonight
  
• 13 had not been sung previously this year
  
• 10 have been sang already this year (none of which were sang last week)
  
• There have been 888 songs sung so far this year!

** NEW SONGS **

Biffy Clyro - Folding Stars
	Not new to the hotel as it's already been covered by Scott and Russ, but a new song for me to do and a very good one at that. Easily my favourite Biffy Clyro track although I've still yet to listen to the album despite being prompted to many times. May do again although I think I might leave it in the other guys capable hands ;) . do-again-rating: 5/10