the squeeze reader


Packet of Three Squeeze Picture of the Week: www.packetofthree.com

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Off-topic: Hurricane Katrina

Hi folks, sorry to rain on Glenn's birthday parade, but I'm sure you've seen mention of the damage done to New Orleans.

I live in the west part of Houston, Texas. I just met a couple of refugees staying in a motel in my neighborhood. They didn't want a handout, they were looking for help finding work. The people you see on TV looting in New Orleans aren't typical of the victims of this hurricane.

Here in Houston, we're opening our Astrodome to our neighbors. The situation is dire and these folks could use your help. If you can spare a couple of dollars/pounds/loonies/euros, please donate to the Red Cross. They need to buy cots, medicine, and things like that for people who might be staying in Houston for quite a while.

Houstonians are overwhelming the system with our offers to volunteer our time. We'll have plenty of people to help our newest residents. We need cash as well.

Happy 48th Birthday, Glenn Tilbrook!

I hope you have a great day, birthday boy, and many more to come! Thanks for all the music and the good times! (Readers, please feel free to add your birthday wishes here.)

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Jools Holland weds today

Ha! Well, Jools and his lovely bride, Christabel, fended off the likes of us and the Independent Online and got married today, after 15 years together at a celebrity-attended ceremony. Jools wore a top hat and tails and Christabel wore a beautiful cream below-knee length dress with silver-colored accents. Everyone looks fabulous. They share a 14-year-old daughter, Mabel, and Christabel was given away by her son by a previous marriage. Ringo Starr, Jennifer Saunders, Robbie Coltrane and Stephen Fry were among those in attendance, as you can see from these pictures from Getty Images. The BBC also has a little write-up. Congratulations!

Monday, August 29, 2005

Puffy white clouds

In a weird lattice of coincidence, there's this story.

New York Daily News: Hitting a fever pitch
The Like - "Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking?" The debut CD from a group that features the daughter of super-producer Mitchell Froom and the Attractions' drummer Pete Thomas.
Mitchell Froom is name-checked in Hot Shaved Asian Teens on Glenn's Transatlantic Ping Pong and Pete Thomas was in Squeeze.

I don't parle

One-time Squeeze member Hilaire Penda shows up on a French language blog back in March. I don't speak French, so just enjoy the picture.

Paul is an adjective

nwitimes.com: Dolly Varden's Steve Dawson steps out solo this weekend
Evoking storytelling elements the likes of Leonard Cohn and Van Morrison in his captivating writing style, while sporting a vocal delivery that employs a countrified Paul Carrack-style pop sensibility, has made Steve Dawson a favorite on the Chicago music scene.

Sunday, August 28, 2005

Washington Post critic says Glenn Tilbrook RAWKS

David Segal, pop music critic for the Washington Post, also fondly remembers a Glenn Tilbrook show as the greatest Live Show Moment --- one which, although it may be pre-planned, captures the spontaneous spirit of rock and roll.
But the greatest Moment was a solo show by Glenn Tillbrook, the former lead singer of the now-defunct British band Squeeze. Just him and an acoustic guitar. Near the end of the evening, at the tiny Iota Club in Arlington, he posed a question. How many people would like me to play the next several songs in the parking lot? It was nearly unanimous. We trundled out the door, maybe 50 people, led by Tillbrook, who took his place on a ramp in the rear of the club and played -- unamplified -- the Squeeze classics "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)" and "Goodbye Girl" while people danced under the moonlight. It was my kind of ecstasy. Then the cops came and shut it down, after complaints by neighbors, which made it even better.

To be in that parking lot was to feel like you were in on something that was sublime but fleeting. It's hard to explain, but I can sum it up with the highest praise in the history of high praise: You just had to be there.


So, the man can't spell Tilbrook (that's one L, Mr. Segal), but if he counts a Glenn Tilbrook show as one of the best he's ever been to, he's all right by me. Segal will be chatting online at the Washington Post at 1 p.m. Monday (Eastern time zone) at washingtonpost.com/liveonline.

David Segal also wrote one of my favorite episodes of the radio show This American Life about Curly Oxide, a Hasidic Jew who for a brief moment became a glam punk star.

Friday, August 26, 2005

Memories of Grooving

Jeff Spivak of the (Rochester) Democrat & Chronicle lists a Glenn show as a fond moment at the Milestones music club.
Seeing Glenn Tilbrook, from the '80s pop icons Squeeze, dancing on the bar with the club's employees is reminder enough as to the value of live music: That kind of stuff simply doesn't come with the CD.
Indeed, good sir! Indeed!

Court date set for man accused of "bomb threats" at Jools show

The Cambridge Evening News reports that Gary Eels, the 39-year-old man arrested in the exclusive champagne bar at July's Newmarket Racecourse show, will get a trial before magistrates on Nov. 3. Police officers reported that as they approached a rowdy and drunken Eels, he said, "I am a bomber. I am a bomber." Police found no bomb. This alleged incident took place shortly after the London Underground bombings. Eels previously pleaded not guilty to making threats, though he admitted to drunk and disorderly behavior, the paper reported. The paper's most recent update on this story is illustrated with a nice picture of Jools at the show, rather than the guy going to court.

I need some help

I had a slight blogging accident while fussing with the Web page, and I broke the blog. Fortunately, I think I fixed everything, but if anyone looks around and sees a mess, a broken link, or someting that seems out of place, I'd really appreciate a holla'. Thanks.

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Jools backlash

That's when you know you've made it, when a group of young punks (in this case, The International Karate Plus) make a tour of service stations over the bank holiday and name it the "Later in a Pu b without Jools Holland" Festival. Still, cool idea. (The touring service stations, that is.)

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

I fumble for the clock

After my last post, I realized that most of the live programs that we post about on the Squeeze Reader are on the BBC. So, I set the blog so the time stamp reflects what (I hope is) UK time. I think this makes sense because I post from Washington state and Rob posts from Texas, so we don't have a shared time zone. About 30 percent of our readers are in the UK. And Squeeze is well nigh 100 percent British, I think. And so... yeah. Time is relative, anyway. If this causes any confusion --- or if you really have a strong preference the old way --- let me know.

I realize that this doesn't really solve the problems for US readers who need to convert from UK time to catch live radio programs, but, of course, the magic of the Internet can help you.

Andy Metcalfe on BBC Radio Bristol Wednesday

Buffalo Smoke, ex-Squeeze keyboardist Andy Metcalfe's current band, plays bluegrass music on BBC Radio Bristol at 1645 GMT, according to Amy Pickard, director of "One for the Road". There isn't a schedule on Radio Bristol's Web site, but there is a link so you can listen live. In the U.S., that's at 11:45 a.m. on the East coast and 8:45 a.m. on the West coast.

Top 10 at last! (On ITV, anyway)

Wooo! Apparently, Up the Junction made the top 10 in ITV's London's Greatest Hits. The top 10 also included The Kinks' "Waterloo Sunset," The Clash's "London Calling," and Bowie's "Let's Dance." Number one is The Jam's "Going Underground," which, one must admit, is a frickin' awesome song. Either most people agree, or the Jam has a more organized Internet fan base than does Squeeze. ITV provided a list of the top 50, but inexplicably, it's in Microsoft Word format, which your obt. correspondent cannot open.

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Can't get enough of Jools, baby

Probably old news for our UK readers, but Jools and his R&B Orchestra will tour from October through December through England, Scotland and Wales. I can't cut and paste the dates from Jools' site (bummer) but you can check out the schedule to see if he's coming through your town. With two dozen venues on the itinerary, the chances to see him are pretty good.

Monday, August 22, 2005

Squeezed date at Hertford Marquee

While Chris Difford works on that charity reunion gig, you can get your live Squeeze jollies on Friday, Sept. 2, when Squeezed takes the stage at The Hertford Marquee. 7 pounds in advance, 8 at the door. Darn it if the Web site doesn't say what time the show starts, but I'm sure it's at a reasonable time. You can download posters of the show here and here.

Difford on Radio Scotland late morning show

As Fred MacAulay of BBC Radio Scotland notes, he'll squeeze in Chris Difford Tuesday into a packed itinerary. MacAulay and Co. runs from 9:30 to 11 a.m. And, good ol' BBC, you can listen on the Internet!

Sunday, August 21, 2005

Chris Difford: Aldershot in September

Hi everyone, I'm back posting on Squeezereader. During my vacation (or "whilst on holiday" for our friends across the pond) I shredded my Achilles tendon and had to get surgery. I do not recommend shredding your Achilles tendon, it's not an enjoyable experience. Anyway, I hope to be "back on the beat" now and helping keep you up-to-date on the doings of our lads.

In going back through the papers, I've found this article mentioning a Chris Difford gig in September. Aldershot News and Mail Online: From Tuvan throat singers to Chas and Dave
It begins in style on Saturday, September 10, with a rare local appearance by Squeeze songwriter Chris Difford, who teams up with Australian songstress Lisa FitzGibbon.
Click here for the West End Centre's web site.

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Squeeze Reader's invitation NOT lost in the mail

Jools just didn't send one. The Independent Online, which seems to aim to be first in reporting e-mails about Jools Holland's wedding, says that the general media will not be invited to his wedding with longtime companion Christabel McEwen. So, I guess we won't see pictures of them in Hello! or OK! or whatever. Thank goodness. The Independent quotes:
"Britain's best-loved big band leader and music virtuoso Jools Holland (47) has confirmed the wedding to his long-term partner, sculptor Christabel McEwen (42)," reads the modest statement. "The couple will enjoy a private ceremony. The general media are not invited and neitherJools nor Christabel will be taking interview requests from the media."
Several people have come to the Squeeze Reader searching for more information on Christabel, Lady Durham. According to this geneology page, she is somehow related to Titanic victim John Jacob Astor, though I can't figure out how and to a great number of people with the title "Princess" and "Baroness." She has two children, the Honourable Frederick Lambton, born in 1985, with her first husband, the Honourable Edward Richard "Ned" Lambton, and Mabel Ray Britannia Holland, born in 1990, with Julian Holland, um, formerly of Squeeze. (That was my additional information.) The geneology page says that she and Jools married in 1990, which would put them at their 15th anniversary this year.

Blogging in Japanese on Glenn

A couple of blogs have posted pictures of Glenn's recent tour. They also wrote a great deal, but I have no idea what they say. Music Plant must have been a tour guide or translator or someone, because this group includes photos of Glenn including: at a museum, at a sushi bar with a bemused man, sitting on stage with a stuffed monster, and at a radio show, as well as the usual gig pics. Music journalist Tadd Igarashi posted this photo and this other set with Michelle Shocked at Star Pine's Cafe.

Vote early, vote often, vote Up the Junction

ITV has a program on London's Greatest Hits, to find the top 50 London songs of all time. They are either about London or written by bands from London. And who better to fit the bill than Up the Junction by our friends Squeeze? Is there a more perfect London song about an imperfect pair of Londoners by a more quintessentially London band? (OK, well, maybe Picadilly, still by Squeeze but not a single. Oh, and King George Street, too, which was a single, but which might be too weird for a popular vote.) Anyway, to vote for Up the Junction (in the UK, of course) call 09011 100 111.

Don't dilly-dally --- you've got until next Monday to vote.

Monday, August 15, 2005

Squeeze to reform for one-off charity gig? And other notes from Chris interview.

It's good hear Chris' voice again! BBC Radio interviewer Alan Thompson, who admits that he's a big Squeeze fan, ran Chris through the paces, asking him more or less to the chronological story of Squeeze on the BBC Radio Wales show "I Write the Songs." Chris obliges in his always charming way, informing us that he thinks he wrote a better song than Glenn about their falling out, Chris' next albums maybe a recording of his stage show and a jazz-inspired album, Francis Dunnery really brought Chris out of his performance shell, and he's trying to bring the members of Squeeze together for a one-time reunion at a charity gig next year.

Listen within to the show at the BBC Web site. They generally keep things up for about a week --- you have until next Saturday to listen.

Here are some notes that I took while listening to the show on Saturday. Notes in Italics are my thoughts and notes in quotes are direct quotations from Chris.

  • Chris started writing songs at 14. He knew he wanted to write songs from an early age, 10 years old.
  • He just recently wrote a song called “The finishing line” about someone who was breaking up and running a marathon.
  • Alan Thompson asked Chris if he ever wrote time signatures in the lyrics he gave to Glenn. Squeeze Reader’s note: Hasn’t Thompson ever heard of meter?
  • “God blessed the relationship we had.”
  • Chris was torn between the Stones and theBeatles, because of two older brothers. “Between two footballteams, two wives, always between two things.”
  • “It was great to concentrate solely on lyrics.”
  • Difford and Tilbrook’s first song was “Hotel Woman.” It was a terrible, slutty song.
  • Chris can “still write until the cows come home.” He wishes he could do more writing. He left it for a while to manage other people, because he needed to do so financially.
  • The first version of “Take Me” was recorded in Wales with some BBC symphonic people and with a lush arrangement. It still exists somewhere.
  • Squeeze Reader’s note: Alan Thompson likes to ask questions about Difford and Tilbrook in present tense. This is an interrogator’s trick to get more precise detail from the subject, but should that really go out over the air like that?
  • “I could have put more of myself in the songs, but I left it up to Glenn because I was lazy. And I trusted him.”
  • “Cool for Cats” was done in one take, and it was Chris’ demonstration of how the lyrics should go. The music came before the lyrics. Each verse is taken from a different Benny Hill TV show. He was embarrased to sing it, because he got “cheesed off” singing the lyrics. He loves it now.
  • Miles Copeland thought “Up the Junction” would never be a hit. It went to number 2. Squeeze Reader note: This explains a lot, really.
  • Chris never read the letters he got in the early days of Squeeze, but if you go to his Web site today and write to him, he’ll respond to you.
  • Why do Americans like Squeeze? Chris think the Americans like that kind of “picture postcard” writing. Anything with Englishisms in them, Americans appreciate that, more than English people do.
  • Tempted was written in a cab on the way to the airport to depart for a tour, with Chris knowing that he would end up cheating on a girl that he loved. And he didn’t want to cheat.
  • It was a shock that Labelled with Love came back as a country song. They thought about giving it to someone else to cover because Squeeze isn’t a country band, but Elvis Costello insisted Squeeze record it.
  • How come no one covers Squeeze? Because the songs sound like Squeeze.
  • Letting Keith write for the albums were done for diplomatic reasons, not artistic ones.
  • Squeeze is no more. Chris says that Glenn has laid so much groundwork in his solo work that he wouldn’t want to go back. Chris would want to get together for “the right reasons.” He is trying to get them together for a charity gig next year.
  • Francis Dunnery gave Chris the confidence to go out on stage and start singing.
  • Chris thought the song about him on Glenn’s last album was unnecessary, but thinks that his song about their break up (“No Show Jones”) is better.
  • Chris’ next album, due out in September, leans toward jazz, though it is not strictly jazz. He also will have an album of his live story-telling show.
  • Chris’ two favorite Squeeze songs are “Letting Go” and “Some Fantastic Place.”
  • They discuss individual songs in detail: Some Fantastic Place, Wrong Side of the Moon, Pulling Mussels (from the Shell), Tempted.

These are just my quick notes. Chris is a lot more charming in the interview, so I encourage you to listen.

Jools in Pianist Magazine in the UK

Pianist Magazine in the UK has a feature article on Jools, exploring the musician behind the TV presenter and friend-of-celebrity.

Saturday, August 13, 2005

Glenn to play on BBC2

Glenn (Tilbrook, no mention of Squeeze!) will play on Mark Radcliffe's show at 2230 Monday on BBC2. (That's 10:30 p.m., y'all.) Also on the show, Omid Djalili and Lee Mack.

Chris Difford on Radio Wales

I just found out that BBC's Alan Thompson interviews Chris Difford on the show "I Write The Songs" one hour from the time I'm posting this. Sorry! Luckily for us slackers, it looks like the BBC Radio Player saves the programs/programmes for one week on its BBC Radio player. (And as I am looking at the Web page, BBC Wales is announcing an interview with the infamous Chris Gifford, who strikes once again.)

More on Jools and Christabel

But not much more from the BBC, which lets us know that it will be a small, private ceremony.

Friday, August 12, 2005

Free Acoustic Tilbrook on Monday at T on the Fringe

Glenn (Tilbrook of Squeeze) will play a lunchtime acoustic show in Edinburgh on Monday as part of T on the Fringe . Paula(bear) notified the Glenn List of a note that got dropped in her e-mail:
Exclusive! Just confirmed as part of T on the Fringe, Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze fame, one of the UK's most prolific singer/songwriters, will be playing an intimate daytime acoustic gig on Monday 15th August at 1 pm
at Cabaret Voltaire. This is a free, unticketed event and admittance
will be on a first come first served basis. This is the first of a
series of daytime gigs which will be taking place throughout T on the
Fringe. See www.tonthefringe.com for further announcements over the
next few days.
The acoustic show is the day after his announced Sunday night show at the Liquid Room with the Fluffers. Lucky Fringe-festers!

"Tempted" Singer Loses his Head on Rock Star: INXS

INXS decided that Brandon, the guy who fluffed the words to "Tempted" on national television, wasn't right for their band, INXS, after he fluffed the words to one of their songs. Kind of a bad thing to do during a band audition is to forget the lyrics of a song of the band you are auditioning for. I think the song what done him in is called "Don't Lose Your Head." (I'm a little too lazy and it's a little too off-topic to look it up. Bad blogger!) Good luck in the future, Brandon.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

These are a few of Glenn's favorite things

I guess Glenn's last name will always be "Tilbrook of Squeeze." But, it's really cool of WXPN, 88.5 in Philadelphia, home of the World Cafe radio show to ask him what his favorite 10 albums of all time are:
Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze
1. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
2. Jimi Hendrix - The Cry of Love
3. The Avalanches - Since I Left You
4. The Neptunes Present : Clones
5. Outkast - Speakerboxx/The Love Below
6. Cornell Hurd Band live at Jovitas
7. The Beatles - White Album
8. The Coral - The Coral
9. Aimee Mann - Whatever
10. Eminem - The Eminem Show

Jools and Lady Christabel Durham to marry in March

And the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall can't come. We get this out of The Independent
Ping! It's an e-mail from Jools Holland who recently announced his engagement to a top toff tottie: Christabel, Lady Durham. For some reason, the Crown Prince of TV jazz would like to make a few things clear.
"Contrary to a report in one national newspaper today, HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales and HRH Camilla Mountbatten-Windsor, the Duchess of Cornwall, will not be attending the marriage of Jools Holland and Lady Christabel Durham (nee McEwan)," reads the e-mail.
Further information will be released shortly, but Holland's spokesman is anxious to play down talk of a snub: at the time of the wedding next March, our future King and Queen will be on their annual holiday in Scotland.
This will come as a surprise to The Times of London, the Beeb, and whoever these people are who all thought he was already married. (That search from yesterday now makes sense.) Congratulations to Jools and Christabel.

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Coming Soon to a DVD player near you: One for the Road!

I've exchanged a couple of e-mails with Amy Pickard, director of One for the Road, which documents Glenn's solo tour in an RV. The movie is coming out early next year on DVD, but Amy said she plans to keep entering it into a limited number of festivals: "Because there is nothing quite like seeing the movie in person. Super fun when the crowd is into it and they usually are!"

Amy said she's been busy making goodies for the disc, even for you lucky dogs who have seen this thing:

Special features on the DVD include:
The interview that I did with Glenn and Chris (as Squeeze) in 1991 for my local cable access show in Dayton, Ohio! (how we met) I ask them about their album PLAY, their career and then we go through each music video that they have done and they tell me their thoughts about each one! (Sadly, I couldn't actually INCLUDE the music videos because I can't afford the additional music publishing for them.)

A never before seen interview with Chris Difford from 2002. He talks about writing with Glenn, what he was going through when he backed out of the Squeeze tours, his solo album and his relationship with Glenn.

Glenn's audio commentary and more!
Thanks, Amy! I saw her and the crew at the San Francisco show at an pub/restaurant during that tour. (Didn't say hi, though. I was shy.) I can't wait to finally see the finished product.

Biker (and entourage) invades Jools concert!

To Crash.net, British motorcycle racer James Toseland dishes about jamming with Jools at a recent concert (the same one where that guy got arrested). James told this to the reporter:
"It's the most exciting thing I've done since Magny Course year!” said Toseland “ Jools Holland as a pianist is a hero of mine. All my family came down, especially my Gran who taught me to play, and to see me play with the likes of Jools Holland she was very emotional about it. It was a great day.”
Toseland, who according to the article plays in a band called Crash, told the reporter that he felt nervous about taking on the keyboards as Jools picked up the guitar.

Pete H. of the Jools list went to the Newmarket show and reported thusly after I asked him about the guy who got arrested in the "exclusive champagne bar":
I didn't notice any problems - but the Newmarket night is probably the largest attendance Jools plays to during the year - I would only be guessing, but it would not surprise me if there were over 5,000 people there. Nor did I get to the "exclusive champagne bar", but enjoyed a picnic in the car park (cold Becks from the cool box) is so much sweeter and cheaper!

The only odd thing was that when we were going into the racetrack, a camera crew was following us, filming this young lad and his mates. None of us knew who he was, until the "guest pianist" joined Jools on stage - it was James Toseland. He's a bit good on a bike, and he's pretty good on the ivories as well.

Why read the Squeeze Reader?

Because Glenn is in Japan and Jools is doing his regular stint as a mega celebrity, things seem to be a little quiet in the Squeeze-news front. So, I wondered what is bringing people to the Squeeze Reader, and my tracker came up with the following:

 31 Jul, Sun, 09:52:42     MSN Search:  short squeeze  
  01 Aug, Mon, 02:31:06     Google:  one big saturday john hessenthaler broadlands  
  01 Aug, Mon, 03:23:23     MSN Search:  squeeze - Tempted  
  01 Aug, Mon, 12:20:53     MSN Search:  Best Of Music And Rhythm (WOMAD Festival) 1982, Review  
  03 Aug, Wed, 05:48:03     Yahoo:  chris difford workshop  
  03 Aug, Wed, 07:29:04     MSN Search:  squeeze fan club  
  03 Aug, Wed, 16:58:20     Google:   "Brandon Calhoon"  
  04 Aug, Thu, 05:39:30     Google:  "rock star inxs" brandon tempted lyrics  
  05 Aug, Fri, 03:44:46     Yahoo:  difford southwark  
  05 Aug, Fri, 14:32:55     Technorati:  22  
  05 Aug, Fri, 16:53:25     Technorati:  20  
  05 Aug, Fri, 18:59:15     Google:  glenn tilbrook kichijoji  
  06 Aug, Sat, 12:50:05     MSN Search:  squeeze tribute band  
  06 Aug, Sat, 13:10:37     MSN Search:  tribute band squeeze  
  06 Aug, Sat, 13:22:52     MSN Search:  tribute band squeeze  
  07 Aug, Sun, 17:25:11     Google:  "jewish mother Norfolk"  
  08 Aug, Mon, 05:41:29     MSN Search:  brandon calhoon  
  08 Aug, Mon, 10:58:45     MSN Search:  squeeze tribute band  
  08 Aug, Mon, 14:13:32     Google:  glen tilbrook and the fluffers live reviews 2005  
  08 Aug, Mon, 14:43:09     MSN Search:  JOOLS HOLLAND WEDDING  

Intriguing last item, n'est-ce pas? Can anyone shed light on that (or fess up to it)? And for the rest of you, because we at the Squeeze Reader aim to please:
Tempted
I bought a toothbrush, some toothpaste, a flannel for my face
Pajamas, a hairbrush, new shoes and a case
I said to my reflection, let's get out of this place
Passed the church and the steeple, the laundry on the hill
Billboards and the buildings
Memories of it still keep calling and calling
But forget it all I know I will

{Refrain}
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
What's been going on now that you have gone
There's no other
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered

I'm at the carpark, the airport, the baggage carousel
The people keep on writing, and wishing I was well
I said, "It's no occasion, it's no story I can tell"
At my bedside, empty pocket, a foot without a sock
Your body gets much closer
I fumble for the clock, alarmed by the seduction
I wish that it would stop

{Refrain}

I bought a novel, some perfume, a fortune all for you
But it's not my conscience that hates to be untrue
I asked of my reflection, tell me what is there to do
And now you know.

Friday, August 05, 2005

Squeeze over the Digital Waves

According to XM Monitor, Squeeze has been getting a lot of recent airplay on several XM stations, including Fred , the classic alternative station which played something intriguingly named "BBC Live Concert" as recently as Aug. 1, Lucy, which has played "Satisfied" despite being billed as "Classic Alternative Hits", and The Loft, a singer-songwriting station which recently played "Up the Junction." It's nice to see "Third Rail" get some airplay on XM Cafe (channel 45). The strangely named channel Squizz takes a pass on Squeeze, though.

And also for your listening pleasure, XM Monitor reports that Glenn Tilbrook has been getting recent airplay on the The Loft ("Hostage" and "Neptune") and XM Cafe ("Hot Shaved Asian Teens"). The Loft and the 80s plays Paul Carrack. No songs from Chris or Jools, though.

It's not like that on the TV

A guy named Adam Quirk made a music video using random footage, some weird special effects and the song Cool for Cats. Quirky but strangely mesmerizing. But he says Squeeze rocks, so, he's cool.

One Degree of Squeeze

Michael Penn's new album Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947 came out this week. As is usual for Mr. Penn, the album is lush and hauntingly beautiful. I've loved Michael Penn's music since he came out with "March" in 1989, but in the 16 years since that album came out, he's developed a sensibility that is both edgy and epic --- a combination that is not easy to achieve, but for which I strive daily.

So. Connections to Squeeze?

  • Michael Penn sings backup on The Day I get Home off of Play.
  • Glenn and Keith sing backup on Penn's Strange Season off of Free-For-All.
  • Tony Berg produced Penn's debut solo album March and Play.
  • Penn is married to Aimee "Daphne" Mann.

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Squeeze-fan Brandon survives a close one

Because this isn't the Rock Star: INXS reader, I'll keep it short. The guy who didn't sing "Tempted" very well on Rock Star: INXS was among the bottom three this week, despite a singing lesson that came a week too late and reportedly a rockin' song. But he ducked elimination by doing an in-your-face version of the INXS song "Devil Inside" and because the band wanted Tara out worse than Brandon.

Now back to your regularly-scheduled Squeeze blogging. (Not so regular in the past week. Come on, Glenn? Chris? Get some press!)

Dancing in the aisles of Carlisle

The News & Star loved Jools' show Monday at the Sands Centre in Carlisle, and why shouldn't they?:
Once one of the audience – that ranged from younger-than-17 to (maybe even older than) 70 – was up dancing the mood spread across the room and into the aisles.

With an 18-strong band there’s a lot going on but this is a band without egos. Band leader of 20 years standing and veteran television presenter Jools is generous with his time and in his praise for the various members of the Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.
A poster on the Jools Yahoo list reported that Jools rocked Edinburgh, too.

Monday, August 01, 2005

Jingle all the way: Jingle writer has a show (and Jools' old piano)

Tom Hodge owns a white piano that Jools Holland threw out because it had a chip in it. More to the point in The (London) Times article, Hodge, a jingle writer who has written for Renault and Toilet Duck, has a one-man show, because we know you all wanted to find out the stories behind those songs you can't get out of your head. (Today, one decade after I moved away from the San Francisco Bay Area, I still remember the chorus to what my friends and I called the "AAAAA Rent-A-Space Love Theme.")

But, perhaps there could be a stage show for Song by Song?