I would like to take my time to wish all my readers a merry Christmas. This is one thing which unites us both sides of the pond, the Christian traditions, that is.
I've actually never been to the states, so I don't know about what goes on there Christmas time, but Churchgoing in Sweden, where I'm at, is in a steady decline.
Myself, I belong to the Evangelical-Lutheran Church which used to be the state Church, meaning you was born into the Church and for centuries, it was obligatory to be a member and no other congregation were legal. Back in those days, Churches were full of worshippers, today, I am, as a confessing Christian, something of an odd guy out. I pray several times a day, morning prayer, evening prayer, meal prayer at every meal and if there's something I'm grateful for or if I want something good to happen to my neighbor, I turn to God. I know this is no silly thing, cos God usually replies, not with words, I don't have the benefit of direct communication in that sense, but in the sense things usually turn out alright. I also try to go to Church on every Sunday and major festivals. Usually, we're about 20 people, most of the others twice my age and that in a town of 30000 inhabitants with only one parish! No wonder people think I'm strange!
I think the reason behind this is, besides from the massive atheist propaganda in popular culture, the fact that people in Europe have a welfare state and as a labour man, I'm proud of that welfare state. The problem isn't the welfare, but the fact that people don't connect the fact that they have plenty and that the plenty has been given to them by a reason. They buy the satanic lie that they are their own benefactor and don't need to thank God for their blessings, nor share with Christ's minor brethren!
But why am I writing this?
Because I want to turn the tide and get rid of this thing called "xmas" or "holiday season" and put Christ back in Christmas!
Atheists in this country usually turn to the argument that Christmas really is a pagan festival of winter solstice and what we really celebrate is that light comes back to the world. So what? Isn't the important thing that Christ, who is the light of the world WAS born into this world? Days are unimportant, what's important is that Christ is alive and loves us.
So, again, I say, let's put Christ back in Christmas. What we have to celebrate is something beautiful and just as we let Christ's light shine through us when we love our neighbor or give thanks to our heavenly Father, let's make everyday Christmas! Let's live in unity with our neighbors and keep that charitable spirit all over the year and be our brother's keepers!
Christmas is a beautiful celebration, let's not forget the "Christ" in it and turn it into an orgy of consumption and commercialism!
So let's pray for a good Christmas for everyone and that we can turn the satanic tide in Sweden, as well as elsewhere and make as many people as possible believers when Christ returns triumphantly!
Merry Christmas to all my readers and your families!
Sunday 23 December 2012
Saturday 22 December 2012
Hacienda Brothers, "What's wrong with right"
/ ARTIST: Hacienda Brothers / TITLE: "What's wrong with right" / GENRÉ: Western Soul / LABEL: Proper Records / FORMAT: CD /
Country music has always adapted to some extent to popular music of the times it's in. I'm no fan of Taylor Swift's latest hit, but just like some old timers tomorrow won't simply hear a watered down country version of Avril Lavigne, but a genius, I am sure country purists at the time thought western swing was sacrilege, cos it didn't sound like the Carter family, whereas Willie Nelson, who is seen as one of the most "true" names in country music of today, did a brilliant western swing album the other year.
This record is a strange being, it has adapted to a sound that is far from modern. What you get is "western soul", a 60's Motown soul version of country.
I, as one who likes both soul and country could deem this record useless, but I won't. These geezers are soulful, fact is that they're the best white soul artists I've heard, far more soulful than Dexy's Midnight Runners.
It might sound strange to record soulful numbers with steel guitars, accordions and a southern brogue, but it's actually a stroke of genius, cos soul music and country music has a lot in common. Both genrés are often about heartaches and blue moods and The Hacienda Brothers manage to combine this into excellence.
There is not much more to say. A good, but in no way a perfect record. If you like country and if you like soul, you'll like this record. It's a good little gem of a CD and I would recommend everyone to get this.
Country music has always adapted to some extent to popular music of the times it's in. I'm no fan of Taylor Swift's latest hit, but just like some old timers tomorrow won't simply hear a watered down country version of Avril Lavigne, but a genius, I am sure country purists at the time thought western swing was sacrilege, cos it didn't sound like the Carter family, whereas Willie Nelson, who is seen as one of the most "true" names in country music of today, did a brilliant western swing album the other year.
This record is a strange being, it has adapted to a sound that is far from modern. What you get is "western soul", a 60's Motown soul version of country.
I, as one who likes both soul and country could deem this record useless, but I won't. These geezers are soulful, fact is that they're the best white soul artists I've heard, far more soulful than Dexy's Midnight Runners.
It might sound strange to record soulful numbers with steel guitars, accordions and a southern brogue, but it's actually a stroke of genius, cos soul music and country music has a lot in common. Both genrés are often about heartaches and blue moods and The Hacienda Brothers manage to combine this into excellence.
There is not much more to say. A good, but in no way a perfect record. If you like country and if you like soul, you'll like this record. It's a good little gem of a CD and I would recommend everyone to get this.
I'll give it 78,8% in rate of satisfaction.
Film: "G.I. Blues"
/ TITLE: "G.I. Blues" / GENRÉ: Drama / FORMAT: DVD /
For starters, this film was made with full cooperation with the US Armed forces and at times it feels like a recruitment film more obvious than the Rihanna flick. Some might have a problem with this and to some extent, I agree with that worrying, cos war is no funny stuff. Still, I respect anyone willing to lay down his life for his friends and family, as the gospel says, no one has bigger love than anyone willing to do so.
The other thing, as this is an Elvis film, is that it's full of music and at times, you feel like watching a Bollywood movie. I don't mind, though, together with Hank Williams sr, Townes van Zandt and to some extent Wille Nelson, Elvis remains one of the best musicians ever and in his genré, he's still the king. No one has ever made better rock & roll than he did. In fact, the reason I bought DVD was not cos of the plot, but cos of the chance to hear him sing.
The plot, then?
Well, Elvis plays a young southern army man stationed in Germany and goes under the name "Tulsa 'Tulse' MacLean" and together with a few mates of his, he plans to start a night club in Oklahoma when he returns back home from European service. Only problem is that they need money to do so and they decide to make a bet.
In Frankfurt am Main, there is a place called Café Europa, where a young and stunning redhead dancer called "Lili" performs. She is sexy as feck, but cold like an iceberg on the inside. No man has ever taken her home. Our heroes raise 300 dollars to bet that Tulse can get lonely with her for a full night. At first, Tulse refuses, but he's talked in to it and after performing a song at Café Europa, he starts to melt Lili's heart and follow her home, but it gets an abrupt end when he discovers she has a room mate.
Anyway, they go on a date the next day and feelings start to arise. I'm sure you can guess what happens later. Tulse gets a bad conscience for seducing a woman he starts to fall in love with and things get complicated.
To be honest, most of the acting isn't that good and to today's audience, I'm sure it stands out as a bit schmalzy. Still, it's a decent flick and it's packed with good music. The funny thing is that according to the film makers, German gals are crazy about US troops, but there is no indecency, no filth and Lili never strips.
For starters, this film was made with full cooperation with the US Armed forces and at times it feels like a recruitment film more obvious than the Rihanna flick. Some might have a problem with this and to some extent, I agree with that worrying, cos war is no funny stuff. Still, I respect anyone willing to lay down his life for his friends and family, as the gospel says, no one has bigger love than anyone willing to do so.
The other thing, as this is an Elvis film, is that it's full of music and at times, you feel like watching a Bollywood movie. I don't mind, though, together with Hank Williams sr, Townes van Zandt and to some extent Wille Nelson, Elvis remains one of the best musicians ever and in his genré, he's still the king. No one has ever made better rock & roll than he did. In fact, the reason I bought DVD was not cos of the plot, but cos of the chance to hear him sing.
The plot, then?
Well, Elvis plays a young southern army man stationed in Germany and goes under the name "Tulsa 'Tulse' MacLean" and together with a few mates of his, he plans to start a night club in Oklahoma when he returns back home from European service. Only problem is that they need money to do so and they decide to make a bet.
In Frankfurt am Main, there is a place called Café Europa, where a young and stunning redhead dancer called "Lili" performs. She is sexy as feck, but cold like an iceberg on the inside. No man has ever taken her home. Our heroes raise 300 dollars to bet that Tulse can get lonely with her for a full night. At first, Tulse refuses, but he's talked in to it and after performing a song at Café Europa, he starts to melt Lili's heart and follow her home, but it gets an abrupt end when he discovers she has a room mate.
Anyway, they go on a date the next day and feelings start to arise. I'm sure you can guess what happens later. Tulse gets a bad conscience for seducing a woman he starts to fall in love with and things get complicated.
To be honest, most of the acting isn't that good and to today's audience, I'm sure it stands out as a bit schmalzy. Still, it's a decent flick and it's packed with good music. The funny thing is that according to the film makers, German gals are crazy about US troops, but there is no indecency, no filth and Lili never strips.
As I said, a good flick, not the best Elvis film I've ever seen, but decent. I'll give it 68,4% in rate of satisfaction.
Saturday 15 December 2012
Various Artists, "Hear my back door slam"
/ ARTIST: Various Artists / TITLE: "Hear my back door slam" / GENRÉ: Blues / LABEL: Bakhåll / FORMAT: CD /
Before I start writing this review I must come clean, I like blues, but it's one of the many genrés of music I like that I know the least of, being a newcomer to the genré. Something which can only be blamed on the Eslöv City blues festival that has sparked an interest in the genré for me.
To me and all newcomers, this is a wonderful compilation put out by a Swedish record label called "Bakhåll" and I couldn't resist buying it, not only cos I want to support the scene in Sweden and the fact that it was ridiculously cheap, it cost me about €5, no, cos what you get here is the perfect introduction to the genré.
On this little darling, you get 20 of the best known American blues singers doing some of their best numbers. BB King, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Robert Johnson, they're all here. Then add the fact that you get a good little brochure with facts about the performers that is highly welcomed for people like me, people who consider starting a blues record collection. The brochure is in Swedish, though, which might make it less usable for non-Swedes.
Why should one buy a compilation of blues then? You get a load of different styles of blues, some with bands and some just an acoustic guitar on them, "but doesn't all blues tunes sound the same?", my punk and skinhead mates ask me. No, they don't, they all bring the performers soul into the music which make every number stand out. Even if you're not a blues die-hard, you should respect the legacy of the genré. Most tunes on this compilation comes from the 50's and sure, not much groundbreaking has been done since then, but blues has gone on, through r&b, to influence everything from rockabilly over the mod music of the 60's to punk. There's a straight lineage of influence from that time till the present.
As I said, this record makes one want to start a collection of blues vinyl. Every tune on this album is a killer! The tunes, apart from those of the superstars of the genré that stand out are the tunes of JB Lenoir and Jimmy Reed, both of whom I'll check out more stuff by.
Before I start writing this review I must come clean, I like blues, but it's one of the many genrés of music I like that I know the least of, being a newcomer to the genré. Something which can only be blamed on the Eslöv City blues festival that has sparked an interest in the genré for me.
To me and all newcomers, this is a wonderful compilation put out by a Swedish record label called "Bakhåll" and I couldn't resist buying it, not only cos I want to support the scene in Sweden and the fact that it was ridiculously cheap, it cost me about €5, no, cos what you get here is the perfect introduction to the genré.
On this little darling, you get 20 of the best known American blues singers doing some of their best numbers. BB King, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Robert Johnson, they're all here. Then add the fact that you get a good little brochure with facts about the performers that is highly welcomed for people like me, people who consider starting a blues record collection. The brochure is in Swedish, though, which might make it less usable for non-Swedes.
Why should one buy a compilation of blues then? You get a load of different styles of blues, some with bands and some just an acoustic guitar on them, "but doesn't all blues tunes sound the same?", my punk and skinhead mates ask me. No, they don't, they all bring the performers soul into the music which make every number stand out. Even if you're not a blues die-hard, you should respect the legacy of the genré. Most tunes on this compilation comes from the 50's and sure, not much groundbreaking has been done since then, but blues has gone on, through r&b, to influence everything from rockabilly over the mod music of the 60's to punk. There's a straight lineage of influence from that time till the present.
As I said, this record makes one want to start a collection of blues vinyl. Every tune on this album is a killer! The tunes, apart from those of the superstars of the genré that stand out are the tunes of JB Lenoir and Jimmy Reed, both of whom I'll check out more stuff by.
I really liked this compilations and it get a bloomin 96,7% in rate of satisfaction
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