Curated by Stuart Fogarty stuart@admaticallycom for AFAO'Meara Advertising, Streamabout The Video Agency and Admatic Ireland.
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Apple turns 40 today. Yep, it was April Fool's Day, I eh, kid you not.
Now employing nearly 150,000 people and with a value of 700 Billion usd, it's been a long road. Steve Jobs and Woz met in 1971 but it was in 1976 that they launched Apple1, 50 of them, which 'they' built by hand. If you still have one, it's worth about 400k usd today. It was launched to their pals at The Homebrew Computer Club in Palo Alto. 1977 they launched Apple2; 1978 the external floppy drive; 1980 The Apple3 and went public. In 1981 Jobs became Chairman; 1983 was the launch of 'Lisa' and John Sculley joined. 1984 was the famous commercial which Jobs originally voiced and then replaced with Richard Dreyfuss; 1985 was when 'Lisa' was dropped and Jobs left. 1987 Woz left; 1989 was the first portable (Mac book); 1991 it launched Quicktime; 1997 Jobs returned and the famous partnership with Microsoft; 1998 was the Imac; 2001 Itunes and the Ipod; 2006 The MacBook Pro. 2007 The Iphone; 2008 The Macbook Air; 2010 The Ipad; 2011 Siri and ICloud. In 2007 Jobs resigned and Tim Cook took over with Jobs dying that October at 56. Since then, the Ipad mini in 2012, Beats in 2014 and the Apple Watch. Long story, great company based entirely on one word. Innovation.
Spike Lee's excellent Documentary 'Journey from Motown to Off the Wall', spiked our interest in what we always knew was a great Album. It also marks Spike Lee's ongoing interest in Michael Jackson. The documentary premiered at Sundance in February and it's a really excellent reminder of the time and the record. If you see it along the way, watch it. This Album is from 1979 it was in fact, Jackson's fifth studio album but notably his first with Producer Quincy Jones over which there were great doubts in the business when it became known - he was seen as too 'jazzy' a producer. Jackson and Jones became friends in making 'The Wiz' (a version of The Wizard of Oz) in 1978 (with Jackson as The Scarecrow) but Jones is undoubtedly, the stunning producer of the decade. It is Jones, that in our view, finds that Michael Jackson sound. Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney wrote two of the songs on the record, Jackson wrote three and including 'Don't Stop til you get enough' but all of them marked a big departure from his 'Motown Sound'. In fact it was also a controversial move away from Motown's Berry Gordy and into the hands of Epic Records. Perhaps seen (and certainly by Gordy) as disloyal given that Motown had developed Jackson's career. But Motown's control was the issue and Jackson wanted creative freedom. It's funk, disco and ballads ('She's out of my life') and remains one of the best selling Albums of all times with lots of awards (8 times platinum, Grammy Hall of Fame). 'Rock with you', 'Workin' Day and Night' is a real disco classic (and Streamabout's favourite here), as is 'Get On the Floor' and 'Off the Wall' has all the production values of 'Thriller' which followed this record in 1982. Thriller was another Quincy Jones record too ('Billie Jean', 'Beat it') and in itself, 'Thriller' is THE best selling Album of all time and by a long way at that. So 'Off the Wall' is the roots of 'Thriller' which brings Jackson total infamy. It should be remembered too, that Jackson recorded 'Off the Wall' aged 21(!), remarkable in itself and he died aged 51 in 2009. There can be little doubt that he was a genius and a sublime vocalist nevermind, magnificent dancer (and a huge fan of Gene Kelly). Just an extraordinary man who ended so tragically. Such a loss. Now listen to this, get into the groove and just try not to shake it baby.....the magic of Michael Jackson....
Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog.......Carole King Tapestry; Beatles Red Album; Sex Pistols Never mind the Bollocks; Sam Cooke Live at Harlem Square; The Doors LA Woman; Thin Lizzy Live & Dangerous; Kendrick Lamarr Butterfly; Aretha Franklin Amazing Grace; Clapton 461; Massive Attack Blue Lines; The Clash London Calling; Chris Isaak At The Filmore; Bob Dylan Street Legal; Bad Company Straight Shooter; Jackson Browne Love is Strange; Lou Reed Transformer; Steely Dan AJA; Stones Black+Blue; Stephen Bishop Careless; Nils Lofgren Night after Night; Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells; Neil Young Harvest; Led Zep 4; David Bowie David Live; Van Morrison It's too late to stop now; Wings Band on the run; Rod Stewart Atlantic Crossing; Ryan Adams Heartbreaker; Santana Essential; Bob Dylan Desire; Roxy Music For your pleasure; Bob Marley Legend; Stephen Fretwell Magpie; James Taylor Sweet Baby James; Deep Purple Machine Head; Springsteen Darkness on the edge of town; Leon Bridges Coming Home; Eagles Hotel California; Jungle; Aretha Soul Queen; Neil Young After the Goldrush + Harvest; Zappa Overnite Sensation; Fleetwood Mac Rumours; Keith Jarrett Koln Concert; Doobies Southbound; Stevie Earle I feel Alright; Tom Waits Closing Time; Pink Floyd Dark Side; Van Morrison Moondance; Eric Church Caught in the Act; Randy Newman Little Criminals; Elton John Madman across the water; Patti Smith Horses; Doobies Captain and Me; Steely Dan Can't Buy a Thrill.
Instagram (launched October 2010 btw) are changing your feed, but relax, it's not today or tomorrow. In fact, probably in a few weeks after testing. Phew! says you. They also say that they'll let the Insta Community know in good time..... The change is likely to be very like Facebook's algorithim where you get 'top posts' based on your behaviour, your interests, the popularity of the post and so on. Instagram was famously acquired by Facebook for a billion usd in 2012. (And bet you didn't know that 'Instagram' comes from an amalgm of 'instant camera' and 'telegram'. It is also credited as the site which developed the 'selfie'.) They'll argue, is about dishing out content that you'll want to see and that's relevant to you! You'll argue that it's about dishing out content that advertisers want you to see because they'll know you're interested based on your behaviour. Which do you think? We think it's the advertiser one..... The problem is that users don't like it (and there's about 200 million of them) and see it as taking away choice, one of the key elements of Instagram and overwhelming notifications on your mobile about what will be, advertiser posts rather than friends. In fact, there's an online petition and real anger out there. But will it happen? You bet.
Ireland celebrates 100 years since what became the start of Independence through the rebellion ('The Rising') on Easter Monday 1916. Nice short documentary at the top of the page which explains it all if you're interested. And today....
The recent announcement that Carole King will be playing 'Tapestry' in full, in London's Hyde Park July 3rd for the first time, encouraged us to put it on again.
These type of concerts follow of course, Patti Smith doing 'Horses' live and Springsteen doing 'The River', so a bit of a trend.
Tapestry was released in 1971, she was 29 from Brooklyn and stayed at number one for over 15 weeks, 316 weeks on the Billboard 200 - a record still, for a female solo artist. It was her second Album and produced by legend, Lou Adler.
Neil Sedaka in fact, had dated her in College but following a divorce from musician Gerry Goffin (who co-wrote "Will you love me tomorrow", "You make me feel like a natural woman" and other classics) she moved to LA (Laurel Canyon) where the Album cover shot is taken.
She became friendly with Joni Mitchell (who's legendary 'Blue' Album was released just months before Tapestry), and found a boyfriend in James Taylor (who plays acoustic guitar on Tapestry). Joni you'll hear too on some of the backing vocals.
JT famously recorded Carole King's 'You've got a friend' although most think he wrote it - he didn't, she did. You'll find 'Sweet Baby James' on this blog too, well worth a look.
Tapestry has won every award going and broken every chart record - being so well loved. It's very 70's and very intimate so you need to be in the mood..... but the songs are beautiful - "I feel the earth move", "It's too late", "Will you still love me tomorrow", "You make me feel like a natural woman" and of course, "You've got a friend".
One of the all-time classic records that every collection should have. It's calming and that's just what we needed this week in Streamabout.
Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog.......Beatles Red Album; Sex Pistols Never mind the Bollocks; Sam Cooke Live at Harlem Square; The Doors LA Woman; Thin Lizzy Live & Dangerous; Kendrick Lamarr Butterfly; Aretha Franklin Amazing Grace; Clapton 461; Massive Attack Blue Lines; The Clash London Calling; Chris Isaak At The Filmore; Bob Dylan Street Legal;Bad Company Straight Shooter; Jackson Browne Love is Strange; Lou Reed Transformer; Steely Dan AJA; Stones Black+Blue; Stephen Bishop Careless; Nils Lofgren Night after Night; Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells; Neil Young Harvest; Led Zep 4; David Bowie David Live; Van It's too late to stop now; Wings Band on the run; Rod Stewart Atlantic Crossing; Ryan Adams Heartbreaker; Santana Essential; Bob Dylan Desire; Roxy Music For your pleasure; Bob Marley Legend; Stephen Fretwell Magpie; James Taylor Sweet Baby James; Deep Purple Machine Head; Springsteen Darkness on the edge of town; Leon Bridges Coming Home; Eagles Hotel California; Jungle; Aretha Soul Queen; Neil Young After the Goldrush + Harvest; Zappa Overnite Sensation; Fleetwood Mac Rumours; Keith Jarrett Koln Concert; Doobies Southbound; Stevie Earle I feel Alright; Tom Waits Closing Time; Pink Floyd Dark Side; Van Moondance; Eric Church Caught in the Act; Randy Newman Little Criminals; Elton John Madman across the water; Patti Smith Horses; Doobies Captain and Me; Steely Dan Can't Buy a Thrill
People are watching less and less TV so they're not even buying one. New UK Barb figures (the TV measurement group) show that in the UK over 1.3 million homes don't have a traditional TV simply because they want online video like Amazon and Netflix. That's 4.7% of homes in 2015.
That actually tallies in Streamabout, where 2 crew members have no TV for over a year. They simply say, when asked, 'Well, Why would I?'. Fair enough. Nearly a quarter (24%) of UK Homes subscribe to an online broadcaster and that's up in a year from 14%. Netflix is the dominant brand with growth of 1.5 million UK subscribers last year alone. We've blogged and blogged about the decline in TV audiences, despite broadcasters issuing dubious statements to the contrary. But not buying a TV set in the home is another very clear indicator of the TV decline. If you don't have a TV you can't access TV stations except for the few broadcasting free online). And the markets know it, hence the declines in broadcasters share prices. The top 10 US TV shows last year, featured only 2 Shows and a massive 8 live Sports. Broadband speeds and penetration zoom on, as does online choice.
The game is up and online video marches on thankfully. The truth needs to be told by the broadcasters and their representative bodies to advertisers. Advertisers need to move quicker, online to video.
'Gawker' the American blog founded in 2002 by Nick Denton (ex Financial Times) focused on media and celebrity, has lost its legal battle against Hulk Hogan for 115 million usd in damages. More damages are to come and it's likely that Gawker will appeal. The blog has always been controversial about the removal of videos/pics/emails (Tom Cruise, Sarah Palin), albeit with circa 23 million visits a month and a fairly furious rate of staff turnovers as Editors in Chief. We count 14 in about 12 years. It took the jury a mere 3 hours to find in Hogan's favour where Gawker had refused to take down a Hogan sex tape (published 2012) thereby, violating Hogan's privacy. You can find all the Court documents here (cut + paste); http://www.2dca.org/Clerk/2D15-5044/15-5044.shtml The fundamental is that it's probably going to be difficult for Gawker to find this amount of money. The Guardian says "it could destroy the site forever". What needs to be understood is that Media are private businesses and whilst they might hide in the cloak of 'legitimate public interest', publishing is about generating readers and generating readers is about generating advertising and subscriptions. The more controversial it is, the more readers. So this is not about 'journalism' per se but rather, money. Journalism is about money anyway. And they lost. TUESDAY UPDATE - And he's just been awarded another 25m usd on top of the 115m usd already.
Given the death of George Martin (RIP) got us thinking about playing The Beatles. Not that we're huge fans (as someone here said, "I preferred themwhen they were Wings"), there's absolutely no doubting their genius. And you could have picked any album - Sgt Peppers, Abbey Road, Rubber Soul, Let it Be, Help, Revolver, Please please me, Yellow Submarine (in fact probably THE George Martin record) but that short list alone, signifies their greatness. This Album, 1962-66 (called often, 'The Red Album') seems like a good place to start though, because there's a lot of great tunes - 'Love me do', 'Please please me', 'She loves you', 'I want to hold your hand', 'Can't buy me love', 'Hard Day's night', 'Ticket to ride', 'Help', 'Day Tripper' and so much more including the excellent 'And I love her'. All written by Lennon and McCartney. Of course it's a compilation featuring The Fab Four on a stairway at EMI Studios London. It does show a really creative time in their lives going back 50 years ago (!) and is recorded consequently, largely in mono. It follows the band from debut up to the release of 'Revolver'. It's pretty amazing too, essential listening and brings back an era but one that remains as fresh today. Given studio constraints at the time, these are live studio sessions and that in itself, is pretty startling.
A fan or not, it is without doubt an untouchable collection of work over 4 years. Staggeringly so. Streamabout crew, started listening as non fans but quickly changed their tune too. Give it a go.
Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog.......Sex Pistols Never mind the Bollocks; Sam Cooke Live at Harlem Square; The Doors LA Woman; Thin Lizzy Live & Dangerous; Kendrick Lamarr Butterfly; Aretha Franklin Amazing Grace; Clapton 461; Massive Attack Blue Lines; The Clash London Calling; Chris Isaak At The Filmore; Bob Dylan Street Legal;Bad Company Straight Shooter; Jackson Browne Love is Strange; Lou Reed Transformer; Steely Dan AJA; Stones Black+Blue; Stephen Bishop Careless; Nils Lofgren Night after Night; Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells; Neil Young Harvest; Led Zep 4; David Bowie David Live; Van It's too late to stop now; Wings Band on the run; Rod Stewart Atlantic Crossing; Ryan Adams Heartbreaker; Santana Essential; Bob Dylan Desire; Roxy Music For your pleasure; Bob Marley Legend; Stephen Fretwell Magpie; James Taylor Sweet Baby James; Deep Purple Machine Head; Springsteen Darkness on the edge of town; Leon Bridges Coming Home; Eagles Hotel California; Jungle; Aretha Soul Queen; Neil Young After the Goldrush + Harvest; Zappa Overnite Sensation; Fleetwood Mac Rumours; Keith Jarrett Koln Concert; Doobies Southbound; Stevie Earle I feel Alright; Tom Waits Closing Time; Pink Floyd Dark Side; Van Moondance; Eric Church Caught in the Act; Randy Newman Little Criminals; Elton John Madman across the water; Patti Smith Horses; Doobies Captain and Me; Steely Dan Can't Buy a Thrill
Facebook are focusing on Live content through their 'Facebook Live' streaming video product, showcased at The Superbowl. It's about real time sharing and they're in discussions with Hollywood talent agents to get celebrities on board, paid of course. Celebrities will bring attention to the product and "live" (as it is happening) is well viewed. It's one in the eye for Twitter. And indeed, for google's YouTube. Video on Facebook is showing staggering growth to now a 100 million hours a day being viewed and that growth has come over the last 6 months. Add to that, the whole concept is to get Facebook into the broadcaster space - as they say, with 100 million hours of video a day, they've a Superbowl audience everyday. How's that. Need video? Streamabout.com
Say what you like but if ever there was an Album that changed everything, this is it. 1977 and the only studio album from the Pistols. The Band was offensive, the album cover was offensive with most record stores refusing to display it - but that was the Malcolm McLaren promotional magic of making it "underground". Tapping into the coolness of kids, something they really, really shouldn't have - Unless they were cool. It heralded the era of punk. Of course the Pistols were at this time, notorious, something which Richard Branson (who actually decided the track list) and Virgin saw as an monied opportunity. The Pistols were not short of publicity. Record shops were police raided under obscenity laws - exactly what a promoter wanted. Indeed a high-profile court case found that in fact 'bollocks' was an old English term and ruled reluctantly, not to breach obscenity laws but did add, to the whole publicity, to the record sales. So despite the bans, the court cases, the outrage, the record debuted at number one in the UK. Rolling Stone said it was the second best record in two decades after 'Sgt. Peppers' which clearly, it's not. Not by a mile. But we know what they mean. It is generational and transformative. There has never been anything like it before or since. A Nirvana moment.
If there's a good song on it, it's 'Pretty Vacant'. One of those classic opening riffs and drum intro. 'God Save the Queen' is there and 'Anarchy in the UK' but this is not about great songwriting and crafted musicianship, it's about raw energy and a new way of looking at the world. It does that in spades and well worth a Streamabout listen.
You'll hear the world spin. And if you like it, get a hold of Sid Vicious "My Way". Now that is, a classic.
Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog.......Sam Cooke Live at Harlem Square; The Doors LA Woman; Thin Lizzy Live & Dangerous; Kendrick Lamarr Butterfly; Aretha Franklin Amazing Grace; Clapton 461; Massive Attack Blue Lines; The Clash London Calling; Chris Isaak At The Filmore; Bob Dylan Street Legal;Bad Company Straight Shooter; Jackson Browne Love is Strange; Lou Reed Transformer; Steely Dan AJA; Stones Black+Blue; Stephen Bishop Careless; Nils Lofgren Night after Night; Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells; Neil Young Harvest; Led Zep 4; David Bowie David Live; Van It's too late to stop now; Wings Band on the run; Rod Stewart Atlantic Crossing; Ryan Adams Heartbreaker; Santana Essential; Bob Dylan Desire; Roxy Music For your pleasure; Bob Marley Legend; Stephen Fretwell Magpie; James Taylor Sweet Baby James; Deep Purple Machine Head; Springsteen Darkness on the edge of town; Leon Bridges Coming Home; Eagles Hotel California; Jungle; Aretha Soul Queen; Neil Young After the Goldrush + Harvest; Zappa Overnite Sensation; Fleetwood Mac Rumours; Keith Jarrett Koln Concert; Doobies Southbound; Stevie Earle I feel Alright; Tom Waits Closing Time; Pink Floyd Dark Side; Van Moondance; Eric Church Caught in the Act; Randy Newman Little Criminals; Elton John Madman across the water; Patti Smith Horses; Doobies Captain and Me; Steely Dan Can't Buy a Thrill
'Live at the Harlem Square' (Harlem Square is actually in Miami btw) is also known as 'One Night Stand', Sam Cooke's second live album. Recorded in January 1963 although only released in 1985, because the record label thought it might be damaging to his 'pop' image. He was known as the 'King of Soul' with Aretha, 'The Queen'. It is generally regarded as one of the best live albums ever released. And it comes with a great story...read on, dear reader, read on.... The Album, from the spoken intro onwards, creates a great sense of a 'speakeasy' club. Intimate. 'Chain Gang' you'll know and 'Cupid', 'Twisting the night away', 'Having a Party' but 'Bringing it all back home' is the cracking track. Notable too from the Van Morrison tribute ("Sam Cooke is playing on the radio" from 'Real Real Gone') and with Van's reference to "You send me" directly taken from 'Bringing it all back home'. A tribute indeed. It's real soul. Very worthy of the listen to understand the roots and the transition from Gospel to Soul. What we didn't know at all, was the manner of Sam Cooke's death at 33. He was shot and killed, clad only in a Sport Jacket and shoes (no pants) by Bertha Franklin in The Hacienda Motel in LA, she was the Manager and it was ruled a 'justifiable homicide'. What happened was, she said, that Cooke broke into her office and attacked her. He was in a rage looking for a lady who had accompanied him to the Hotel earlier, whom she explained, wasn't there. In Cooke's rage and not believing her, he grabbed her so she shot him in the heart fatally. At the time Bertha was on the phone to the Motel's owner (Evelyn Carr), who claimed to have heard the whole thing. The woman whom Cooke was looking for, was identified later (Elisa Boyer) because actually, she was also on the phone at a booth beside the Motel at the time to the police, saying she'd just escaped being kidnapped. She said, she had been with Cooke earlier that night socialising and when Cooke promised to take her home, he took her to the Motel against her will. When he took her to the room, he attempted to rape her (hence no pants) and then she escaped after a struggle. Another view, because the family disputed all of this, was that she had gone willingly and was trying to rob Cooke (she took Cooke's clothes with her). Tests showed that Cooke was drunk. That was December 1964, 10 months after the record was released. A tragic end to a great Soul singer. Have a listen.....
Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog.......The Doors LA Woman; Thin Lizzy Live & Dangerous; Kendrick Lamarr Butterfly; Aretha Franklin Amazing Grace; Clapton 461; Massive Attack Blue Lines; The Clash London Calling; Chris Isaak At The Filmore; Bob Dylan Street Legal;Bad Company Straight Shooter; Jackson Browne Love is Strange; Lou Reed Transformer; Steely Dan AJA; Stones Black+Blue; Stephen Bishop Careless; Nils Lofgren Night after Night; Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells; Neil Young Harvest; Led Zep 4; David Bowie David Live; Van It's too late to stop now; Wings Band on the run; Rod Stewart Atlantic Crossing; Ryan Adams Heartbreaker; Santana Essential; Bob Dylan Desire; Roxy Music For your pleasure; Bob Marley Legend; Stephen Fretwell Magpie; James Taylor Sweet Baby James; Deep Purple Machine Head; Springsteen Darkness on the edge of town; Leon Bridges Coming Home; Eagles Hotel California; Jungle; Aretha Soul Queen; Neil Young After the Goldrush + Harvest; Zappa Overnite Sensation; Fleetwood Mac Rumours; Keith Jarrett Koln Concert; Doobies Southbound; Stevie Earle I feel Alright; Tom Waits Closing Time; Pink Floyd Dark Side; Van Moondance; Eric Church Caught in the Act; Randy Newman Little Criminals; Elton John Madman across the water; Patti Smith Horses; Doobies Captain and Me; Steely Dan Can't Buy a Thrill.
Amazon, in a deal with UK retailer Morrisons, is going to sell fresh produce. Under their 'Amazon Pantry' brand launched last year, subscribers (to Amazon Pantry and Prime) will be able to get fresh fruit/veg and some frozen products within, 60 minutes delivery. It's a huge sector (probably £10 Billion pa) but instant/quick delivery of fresh produce is a real opportunity and, it may generate more volume in itself. Added to that, it's something else for Amazon to sell. Hmmmm. Ocado's shares are tumbling as a result now (-9%) because of the damage that this deal might do. Albeit Ocado has more than £1 billion in revenues but it too 'had' or has a deal with Morrisons as what they claimed was "exclusive" with "the contract preventing them from launching another service". Indeed.
Vice Media has launched its cable TV channel 'Viceland' but it's also more 'multi device'. So it's viewable across multi platforms rather than just through Cable TV. It will carry about 9 minutes of Ads in an hour and already has advertiser support from Clients like Toyota, Diageo, Unilever, Bank of America who are more into targeting that younger demographic. Their main focus though is 'native ads' so yet again, we see the demise of the traditional 30 second commercial in favour of online video. Good. Traditional TV Ads are working less online than properly generated interesting content. But Vice are hoping to move away from an output that features a barrage of Ads and makes the advertiser branding more engaging - more part of the programming. Bank of America for example, are looking at content that revolves around 'financial literacy' so useful stuff rather than 'Ads'. Valued at over 4.5 Billion usd, it's a big foray for Vice Media. Success though, favours the brave.
All the Oscars black/white controversy, here's the way to deal with it. Chris Rock's opening speech. (He's the black guy in the white suit). In the olden days he says, "We were too busy being raped and lynched, to care about who won best cinematographer".... Sorry though, they've taken down the YouTube Video because of rights issues so you can see it here on The Guardian - just cut and paste. But sorry. http://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/feb/29/chris-rock-at-the-oscars-youre-damn-right-hollywoods-racist
This was the last Doors Album (1971 their 6th) before Jim Morrison died at 27 (and buried in Paris which has become a 'shrine') only 3 months later, on July 23. A seemingly heroin overdose coupled with an alcohol dependency. He had been convicted ridiculously of 'indecent exposure' in 1970, meaning The Doors had radio plays banned for that year, so this was the long awaited return record. What you probably didn't know is the classic track 'LA Woman' itself (up there with 'Sweet Home Alabama', 'Don't Fear the Reaper', 'Stairway to Heaven' etc. as an all-time great) features the signature 'Mr Mojo Rising' refrain which everyone remembers. 'Mr. Mojo Rising' is actually an anagram of singer 'Jim Morrison' and that's where it comes from. 'City of night' gets a mention too, that comes from a John Rechy book. This is a Classic. 'LA Woman' (recorded in LA in fact, written by Morrison) is just a stunner played loud - but so too, 'Love her Madly' and 'Riders on the Storm'. If you were buying an Album for just one track even, this is it. You can hear the superb tight band on 'LA Woman' notable for Ray Manzarek's 'tack' piano playing (who died in 2013) and John Densmore's soft drum touches on the cymbals. Robbie Krieger brilliance in adding the scorching lead guitar. Recorded totally live and actually 'made up' as they went along, so you won't hear a Band playing as tight, as together. It's blues, it's rock but it's uplifting and everyone should have LA Woman. The Streamabout crew albeit younger, were blown away. So will you....turn it up.
And the full Album..
Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog.......Thin Lizzy Live & Dangerous; Kendrick Lamarr Butterfly; Aretha Franklin Amazing Grace; Clapton 461; Massive Attack Blue Lines; The Clash London Calling; Chris Isaak At The Filmore; Bob Dylan Street Legal;Bad Company Straight Shooter; Jackson Browne Love is Strange; Lou Reed Transformer; Steely Dan AJA; Stones Black+Blue; Stephen Bishop Careless; Nils Lofgren Night after Night; Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells; Neil Young Harvest; Led Zep 4; David Bowie David Live; Van It's too late to stop now; Wings Band on the run; Rod Stewart Atlantic Crossing; Ryan Adams Heartbreaker; Santana Essential; Bob Dylan Desire; Roxy Music For your pleasure; Bob Marley Legend; Stephen Fretwell Magpie; James Taylor Sweet Baby James; Deep Purple Machine Head; Springsteen Darkness on the edge of town; Leon Bridges Coming Home; Eagles Hotel California; Jungle; Aretha Soul Queen; Neil Young After the Goldrush + Harvest; Zappa Overnite Sensation; Fleetwood Mac Rumours; Keith Jarrett Koln Concert; Doobies Southbound; Stevie Earle I feel alright; Tom Waits Closing Time; Pink Floyd Dark Side; Van Moondance; Eric Church Caught in the Act; Randy Newman Little Criminals; Elton John Madman across the water; Patti Smith Horses; Doobies Captain and Me; Steely Dan Can't Buy a Thrill.
Robots. They might be the future (we've worked with a few!). Boston Dynamics, bought by Google, have produced a video showing their development and it's a bit freaky. In a good way.
Called 'Atlas' it's electrically powered with sensors (obviously) and nearly 6 feet tall. Of course, the real application here is military so we're really getting into Star Wars. Over a million views in 2 days....well worth the watch.
Bit of a drop in Fitbit shares (-14%) on foot of a general fall of -45% over the last 12 months. Surprising because they're really built an extraordinary brand out of nothing. The problem is that their earnings (as a PLC) were coupled with lower than expectations for the future and we've heard that before - but pretty stunning. They sold a staggering 8.2 million devices in Q4 2015. It seems to be the ideal Christmas gift. 21 million devices sold last year with 1.9 Billion usd in Revenue. In anyone's language that's pretty fit. It expects Q1 revenues to be 420-440 million usd, below the 484 million expected. Although the notable launch mid March of their new 'Alta' and 'Blaze' brands (excellent as they seem to be) will in our view, be well received but they've had to suffer the costs of development before going to market. In our view, 'Alta' is a killer product in the wearable market. It actually cracks the problem of bringing fitness products into everyday lifestyles. So do not despair.
Reports are coming in that Yahoo! is actively starting to try and sell its core business. These substantiate the rumours we've been hearing for a long time and on Friday last, it's become almost 'official'. Likely interest will come from Verizon, AT&T, Comcast, and buyout firms following pressure from investors (Goldmans, Morgans etc).
The entire company is valued at circa 28 Billion usd but that includes its now infamous stake in Alibaba of circa 26 Billion usd. So we're not sure what is and what's not included (likely Alibaba stake is not included) but we're sure that there's a sale going on. Shares are falling on foot of it all (-10%) on top of -34% last year. Which means there's more uncertainty. That being the case, the answer here is to get it done and get it done, fast.
Ah, Thin Lizzy, an Irish band that sorta' kinda' made it worldwide and this is THE Lizzy Album to get, 'Live and Dangerous'. Released in 1978 (recorded in 76 in London and Toronto) it's one cracking live Album. What I bet you don't know.....is that 'Bluey Huey' listed as the harmonica player on the Album notes, is none other than Huey Lewis and you'll hear him on 'Baby drives me crazy'. We know Huey was a huge friend of lead singer, Phil Lynott and for a fact we can tell you that he has visited Philo's grave in Dublin many times since, at St. Fintan's Cemetery Sutton (where in fact as I write, my Mum and Dad are buried too). Lewis met when Lynott supported the Lewis band then called 'Clover'.
Lynott died in 86 in Kew, although lived at his Howth home which we know (just over the bridge beside the beach, so there) largely from Heroin. He had two girls - Cathleen and Sarah - but 'Sarah' has to be one of the great all-time tracks for his daughter. What you also didn't know....was that although considered Irish, Lynott was born in England albeit, schooled in Crumlin, Dublin. And that he was such a fan of Manchester United (and a friend of George Best), he became a shareholder. There's a fairly famous landmark bronze statute too for Philo on Dublin's Grafton Street. All the good Lizzy songs are here - 'Southbound', 'Jailbreak', 'Dancing in the Moonlight', 'The Boys are Back in Town', 'Suicide' but the real stand out track is the intro ("This is a number recorded by Bob Seeger") and into 'Rosalie'. This is blues and rock at its best and you mightn't know the record although it sold well. Worth a really good listen but listen to 'Rosalie' and then you'll know! ("Hey you're clapping your hands for me!").
And just for our Sarah in Streamabout, the terrific 'Sarah'.
Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog.......Aretha Franklin Amazing Grace; Clapton 461; Massive Attack Blue Lines; The Clash London Calling; Chris Isaak At The Filmore; Bob Dylan Street Legal;Bad Company Straight Shooter; Jackson Browne Love is Strange; Lou Reed Transformer; Steely Dan AJA; Stones Black+Blue; Stephen Bishop Careless; Nils Lofgren Night after Night; Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells; Neil Young Harvest; Led Zep 4; David Bowie David Live; Van It's too late to stop now; Wings Band on the run; Rod Stewart Atlantic Crossing; Ryan Adams Heartbreaker; Santana Essential; Bob Dylan Desire; Roxy Music For your pleasure; Bob Marley Legend; Stephen Fretwell Magpie; James Taylor Sweet Baby James; Deep Purple Machine Head; Springsteen Darkness on the edge of town; Leon Bridges Coming Home; Eagles Hotel California; Jungle; Aretha Soul Queen; Neil Young After the Goldrush + Harvest; Zappa Overnite Sensation; Fleetwood Mac Rumours; Keith Jarrett Koln Concert; Doobies Southbound; Stevie Earle I feel alright; Tom Waits Closing Time; Pink Floyd Dark Side; Van Moondance; Eric Church Caught in the Act; Randy Newman Little Criminals; Elton John Madman across the water; Patti Smith Horses; Doobies Captain and Me; Steely Dan Can't Buy a Thrill.
Twitter, like everyone else these days, is driving online Video. So much so, they've introduced a new format - 'Firstview' - giving advertisers 24 hour access to timelines with video. What it means is, that when a user goes onto Twitter in a 24 hour period, they'll see a sponsored video at the top of their feed. It's the top spot, just one below an organic tweet, so it will be seen. Only available in the US just now, but it's coming. Video is driving Twitter. Streamabout are driving Video. We make them, we place them. And Twitter wants them.
Facebook are reporting that people are watching 100 million hours of video onFacebook every day. Yes, 100 million hours - nearly too big to contemplate. (Need help? Ask Streamabout). A lot of it is on mobile and plays automatically (autoplay) silently to start in their news feeds. So a TV Commercial edit, just won't work and will be skipped - it needs to be relevant, engaging video that people want to click. Or that makes them want to. So Facebook are trying to get advertisers to think like that (and not to just use their TV Commercials). One way is the use of captions early in the video which Facebook say (rightly in our view) increases engagement alone by +12%. 55% of people who watch the first 3 seconds, who will watch then watch the next 10 seconds and 45% will go to the end. So that opening sequence is really key. Of course too, advertisers can opt to pay for viewers only when 100% of the video is viewed (passes through the newsfeed) if they wish. But the 'sound on/off' argument needs addressing by advertisers and it needs a mindset change for online video especially on mobile. It's not traditional TV broadcasting and advertisers need to understand that and more and more therefore, your Ad Agency is not best placed to advise you on video. It's a different medium, it's a growing medium and less costly than TV. But more importantly, it can be greatly more effective. After all, when did you last share a TV Commercial?
Investors this week are re-assessing the value of TV. The TV business is in trouble on two fronts - Firstly from disruptive technology that's ad-free (Netflix) and therefore, declining audiences (bringing less Advertising) and now, from the markets. A perfect storm. Shares in Viacom, Time Warner, CBS, Fox were all hit last week, greater than the general market declines. Viacom for example, was -25% down, having reported declines in revenue, profit and income. Disney, who are very diversified with blockbuster movies, even took a hit because of their dependence on TV. Time Warner took a hit because of its loss of subscribers/viewers. Yet, Netflix audiences surge to nearly 50 million in the US. The problem with traditional TV continues, as viewers have now more (and better) options. Whether that's online broadcasting (Netflix, Amazon) or Apps (snapchat, vine) or spending time on Social Media (Twitter, Facebook) or Second screen viewing whilst watching TV - they're simply watching less. That means in turn, less advertising (because advertising money follows audience) and less subscribers (I use it less so why should I pay for it). Audience ratings of prime shows (which you'll see peppered in this blog) are in steep decline with Nielsen reporting that 25 of the top 35 channels attracted lower audiences in 2015. Shows are in decline too. That's despite the TV industry trying to convince us otherwise through spurious data analysis. According to The FT, "Wall Street has belatedly realised that the television world has changed. It is unlikely that the latest media meltdown will be the last" and indeed, that reporting will also be self-prophecy. Of course too, TV is being replaced. By online digital video, something which Streamabout knows so well.
The UK Independent (Indy) which started in 1986 as a broadsheet, is to close its printed version and move exclusively online which may be, the start of the big digital switch for Newspapers. After all, all the costs for a publisher are in printing the physical edition whereas all the revenue growth is in online advertising. The Guardian for example, is losing £52 million a year which is not sustainable. The Independent was of course bought by Irish tycoon (and generally nice man), Tony O'Reilly in 1998. Anybody who watches Andrew Marr on a Sunday, might be interested to note that he was an Editor too. So by saving the printed edition substantial costs, the Indy will still be able to generate good revenues in a profitable way online. It also gives them a real competitive model for Buzzfeed and Huff Post. A lesson here? Indy printed will cease in March (20th probably) and then start to expand its digital version in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Already with a staff of 17, they expect to be joined by another 40, leaving sadly, some redundancies. There's a simple fact. Newspapers as they stand, will continue to lose cover price (as news is 'free' online) and lose print advertising (down another -10% in 2015). Unless they re-invent themselves (and we can suggest a few ideas here!), the print newspaper will fall. However, the print newspaper can be used to switch readers to online which none of them do. It seems an obvious strategy to get their readers to move online and to keep those readers. Once online, they can sell those readers other stuff with "news" as the free "hook" to keep them there. You cannot charge for news anymore so let's forget paywalls. Like selling readers 'click through' story shopping; recruitment portals; car sales; classified Ads; reports; sms updates...the list is endless. However, newspaper men are wedded to their paper editions and therein lies the problem. The smell of the ink. They should not be, when the consumer, their readers, want something else (digital). We would think that The Indy online now has new life and the potential to be an excellent big digital player. How's that for breathing life into a brand. There's a lesson for newspaper men (and yes they are men) that like it or not, what's on your site is more important than what's on your Presses. Whingeing won't do it but brave moves will - in line with what readers want. Just like what The Indy has done.
Now we've known about this classic, wonderful Album for a long time but we never knew the story behind it....
'Amazing Grace' is a gospel album released as live in 1972. In fact, it is Aretha's biggest selling Album of all time and the biggest selling gospel Album of all time - no surprise, it's really just that good. Wonderfully.
But back to the story...
Recorded at a Baptist Church in LA, it was filmed as a documentary by SydneyPollack (Out of Africa, The Way We Were, Tootsie and many more) for Warner Brothers.
However, he had failed to use a clapperboard before every take and therefore, not syncing the sound to the pictures. Something we know at Streamabout can happen - but it's pretty careless (every wonder why handclaps or clapperboards are used on shoots? That's why).
So the film was out of sync and it was shelved and ended up on the studio floor for 38 years until Pollack's death in 2008.
It was then handed over to Alan Elliot, a Producer, who took another two years to get it back and right which he did.
He planned to release it in 2011 but....Aretha sued (for using her likeness without her permission). In fact, he noticed that a young Mick Jagger was actually in the Church audience at the time and is on the film.
However, Warner Brothers found the original Contract and felt they were able to show the film in 2015 at various festivals. But Franklin sued again and was granted an emergency injunction to stop it being shown. The film was therefore withdrawn and that's where it sits right now. As yet, unseen and we'd say it's a gem with Aretha's voice and Pollack's eye.
Amazing. Grace.
This is just one of the most beautiful recordings ever and certainly it's Aretha at her magical best.
It's a double Album so there's lots of it, supported by a choir and interspersed with a Preacher, almost like you're there. She was 30 when it was recorded and her father actually was a Preacher from Mississippi who founded a Baptist Church. He was known as the "million dollar voice" so it was in the genes and bringing Aretha singing in Church from age 14, this record must've felt like home to her.
Despite general belief, she was not Whitney Houston's Aunt although considered an 'honorary Aunt' and Aretha was very much the voice of Black Civil Rights.
This is one great record. Get it.
Here's 'Mary don't you weep no more' which some hardnose fans will know from Bad Company 'Straight Shooter'. Unreal.
Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog.......Eric Clapton 461; Massive Attack Blue Lines; The Clash London Calling; Chris Isaak At The Filmore; Bob Dylan Street Legal;Bad Company Straight Shooter; Jackson Browne Love is Strange; Lou Reed Transformer; Steely Dan AJA; Stones Black+Blue; Stephen Bishop Careless; Nils Lofgren Night after Night; Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells; Neil Young Harvest; Led Zep 4; David Bowie David Live; Van It's too late to stop now; Wings Band on the run; Rod Stewart Atlantic Crossing; Ryan Adams Heartbreaker; Santana Essential; Bob Dylan Desire; Roxy Music For your pleasure; Bob Marley Legend; Stephen Fretwell Magpie; James Taylor Sweet Baby James; Deep Purple Machine Head; Springsteen Darkness on the edge of town; Leon Bridges Coming Home; Eagles Hotel California; Jungle; Aretha Soul Queen; Neil Young After the Goldrush + Harvest; Zappa Overnite Sensation; Fleetwood Mac Rumours; Keith Jarrett Koln Concert; Doobies Southbound; Stevie Earle I feel alright; Tom Waits Closing Time; Pink Floyd Dark Side; Van Moondance; Eric Church Caught in the Act; Randy Newman Little Criminals; Elton John Madman across the water; Patti Smith Horses; Doobies Captain and Me; Steely Dan Can't Buy a Thrill.
