Stuart Homfray The Weblog

Last.fm Signs Deal with Sony BMG

Interesting news that Last.fm, the social music website, has signed a deal with Sony allowing members to listen to the entire range of Sony BMG’s music on it’s radio service. Now personally, I would never be inclined to attack Last.fm as it was through them that I met the woman that I am moving to Prague for, but signing a deal with a company with a track record like Sony’s (remember the rootkits) could be a step too far… It will be interesting to see what else Sony may get out of the deal - anyone got any mp3s of Sony artists that they may have downloaded? :-)

Goodbye John Peel

I’ve just read the incredibly sad news reporting the death of radio DJ John Peel.

As you may guess (if you’ve visited my weblog before) I’m generally not inclined to giving gushing compliments, but in the case of John Peel, I feel that I have to make an exception. This man had a fantastic (and extensive) musical knowledge and combined with his enthusiastic yet gentle self-deprecating manner, makes him, in my eyes, the greatest radio DJ there has EVER been! In many ways, I’m convinced that my own experience and enjoyment of a wide range of musical genres can largely be attributed to this one man. I am sure that those who also had the pleasure to hear his radio shows over the years would have to agree with me.

He died after suffering a heart attack on holiday in Peru with his wife Sheila, on what Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt described as the holiday of a lifetime.

My deepest, deepest sympathies and condolences go out to his family - the world of music will be all the poorer without his influence.

Not Like This In My Day

It’s been a long time since I last heard an evening show (in fact ANY show) on BBC Radio 1. I’ve just turned off a show on there at the moment that appears to be hosted by someone that is educationally subnormal on their first day at a radio studio.

This person talks over records that have barely started, he attempts to sing along, he talks loudly with his mouth too close to the microphone, he makes strange noises, and he seems to be so impressed with all of the buttons and switches with little lights on them that he has to press them all.

The name of this individual is, I am told, Zane Lowe, and apparently, he’s even DJ’d before.

Now I don’t wish to get into a rant about how Radio 1 used to be better in the good old days (Peely was/is superb, and even Lamacq’s Evening Session was OK, despite his enthusiasm for terms such as ‘boss tunage’), but come on - this Zane Lowe character seems to have no respect for the music that he plays! He seems to be more intent on coming across as some sort of watered-down, indie-loving, wannabe Westwood (another strange fella - I happen to like a lot of hip-hop, but when it’s introduced by a vicar’s son attempting to sound like some bad-ass mo’fo from da street, I’m afraid I have to leave the room).

Oh, it HAS turned into a rant after all, but what the hell! I happen to think that it might be a good idea to have a DJ that actually knows about the music itself, as opposed to one that happens to have met the musicians/producers at some sponsored gig or record company promo party.

Goldie Looking Chain - You Knows It!

Have just heard the single ‘Guns Don’t Kill People Rappers Do’ from Welsh ‘B-Boy’ outfit Goldie Looking Chain [site wasn’t working when I tried it this morning, though - try this BBC GLC profile if it’s still down], and it’s actually rather good. It’s amusing (”Guns don’t kill people, wrappers do, I seen it in a documentary on BBC 2“), it’s satirical: it suggests to me a sort of cross between the Beastie Boys and the Beta Band (who’ve now split up, sadly) - it’s a refreshing change, and I think that I’m going to have to locate their ‘Manifesto’ album ASAP (it’s said to be even better!)

Let Music Be The Food…

I realise that the ‘multitude of visitors’ reading this weblog are absolutely dying to know what the well-dressed audiophile is listening to this week. Well, I’ll ask him and let you know, but in the meantime, if you’re interested in seeing what I’m listening to, why not take a look at my new profile at Audioscrobbler! You’ll be so glad you took the time out! :)