Sunday, March 3, 2013

Robyn Hitchcock Turned Sixty

I just found out that today is Robyn Hitchcock's sixtieth birthday. I could give a little discussion about Robyn, who is one of my all-time favorite musicians, but I think I'd rather post a bunch of his songs.

Here's Robyn performing Brenda's Iron Sledge, a demented little ditty which has always put me in mind of a poorly-translated Slavic folk song:





Here's a more recent video of Robyn performing one of his most beautiful songs (albeit it one with a hint of unsettling imagery), Airscape:





Here's the disturbing, but oddly life affirming, Sounds Great When You're Dead... remember how dodgy things get, they're preferable to death:





Here's Queen of Eyes, which was originally done by Robyn's first band, The Soft Boys. It comes across as the sort of song The Byrds would have written if they are totally tripped out on acid and Mervyn Peake novels:





I'll leave off with Robyn playing his beautiful Madonna of the Wasps with the Decemberists:





Yeah, you could say I'm a fan. I've seen Robyn play more than just about anyone, with the possible exception of Joan Jett, who is relatively local. Happy birthday, Robyn, just don't make young people scream.

14 comments:

  1. (albeit it one with a hint of unsettling imagery),

    Which of his songs DON'T?

    ReplyDelete
  2. OK I'll drive carefully on the way back to D.C.
    ~

    ReplyDelete
  3. Despite my lifelong passionate love for Joan Jett, I've never seen her play live. There was a time, mid to late 80s perhaps, when she was just about the hottest woman in rock n roll. A position now occupied by Tanya Donnelly...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mikey, have you seen the video for her cover of "Androgynous"? I would argue she never lost the title...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well, he's too old to rock now.

    He can roll with the best of 'em.

    Which of his songs DON'T?

    Yeah, he has that "creepy pretty" thing down pat.

    OK I'll drive carefully on the way back to D.C.

    Don't run over any little froggies.

    Despite my lifelong passionate love for Joan Jett, I've never seen her play live. There was a time, mid to late 80s perhaps, when she was just about the hottest woman in rock n roll. A position now occupied by Tanya Donnelly...

    Joan kills 'em live, not a dry seat in the house. I'm also a huge Tanya Donnelly fan. That being said, I'd have to agree with the music critic who wrote that The Corrs were the most phyisically gifted band in the world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Corrs were the most phyisically gifted band in the world

      Difficult point to make, there are a lot of bands in the world. However, yes, they certainly make the argument easier.

      Delete
  6. Mikey, have you seen the video for her cover of "Androgynous"? I would argue she never lost the title...

    Joan still looks badass. She's also a fine citizen, she's been instrumental in helping out younger musicians.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ya know who's just as gorgeous as Tanya Donnelly? Sarah Shannon. Gadzooks, do I love me some Velocity Girl.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I was always partial to Shirley Manson.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I was always partial to Shirley Manson.

    I think she's beautiful, but she's kinda funny looking- her eyes are really far apart, her head kinda oversized.

    Difficult point to make, there are a lot of bands in the world. However, yes, they certainly make the argument easier.

    Taken in the aggregate, I think it's certainly true.

    ReplyDelete
  10. For me, any woman in a band is gorgeous. But I am especially partial to ladies in accordion bands.

    gotta love that upper arm strength.

    ReplyDelete
  11. For me, any woman in a band is gorgeous. But I am especially partial to ladies in accordion bands.

    gotta love that upper arm strength.


    The ability to finger all those buttons with both hands while squeezing vigorously doesn't hurt.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Тo furthеr exρand the bumbling, Ѕpοrting
    News Εԁіtor-in-Chіef Gаrгy businеsѕ Howаrd
    in a later communіqu� to do ԁamage control stateԁ thаt
    any furthеr succеѕs by Каepernick coulԁ shatteг the
    tаttoo stereоtуρе. In theѕe days when yοu talk
    about ѕicariοs you are rеferring to? As any gooԁ salespersοn knows,
    you οnlу nееd to be able to turn small рrofits.


    Feel free to surf to my web page; internet marketing small business

    ReplyDelete