Friday 30 December 2011

Pioneering black radio broadcaster Barry Clayton has died at the age of 80

Pioneering black radio broadcaster Barry Clayton has died at the age of 80

I was aware of Clayton's work through being the narrator for Count Duckula, and for the short film Junk Food. But I feel I should revisit Iron Maiden's Number of the Beast, because I forgot about his intro to the album. He certainly had a distinctive voice-over voice.

Wednesday 28 December 2011

Gone But Not Forgotten 2011 | Billboard.com

Gone But Not Forgotten 2011 | Billboard.com

2011 would be remembered for the tragic head-liners about the death of the likes of Amy Winehouse, and Steve Jobs. But what about the deaths of musicians from such groups as Weezer, or the Coasters? This gallery gives equal justice to these loses as well. As a British music fan there are some absences to some of the deaths I was aware of- Andrew Gold, or the cellist from ELO- but this gallery does mention some of the British musicians to make an impact state-side, like Gerry Rafferty.

Sunday 25 December 2011

THE DIGITAL STORY OF THE NATIVITY



This is subliminal send-up of all the plot in the biblical story, done in a manner to appeal to the Youtube generation. So I will certainly 'like this' in the manner of Facebook.

Friday 23 December 2011

The Christmas Card



It is the season to be watching animated e-cards, being flooded into your email inbox. So do you think you will get anything so well-animated, or as entertaining, as this classic animated sequence from Terry Gilliam?

Animation Magazine – JibJab Says Buh-Bye to 2011 in Grand Style

Animation Magazine – JibJab Says Buh-Bye to 2011 in Grand Style

I have been a fan of JibJab's send-off to the new year since 2007, and I'm glad that they have done another puppet video, but this time in the cut-out approach, rather then in the excellent felt-like 'Muppet' approach like last year.

Wednesday 21 December 2011

THE HOBBIT Trailer HD



From someone who was bowled over by Jackson's adaptation of Tolkien's trilogy from a decade ago, I am glad to see that this has all the elements of that gives this prequel the edge that has been offered in previous versions of the book. I have seen an animated TV film, and an excellent stage version of this story, and the Hobbit was my first impression on the works of this renowned author. Now if I can read the book before the film comes out, I should become an educated purist on this film.

Tuesday 20 December 2011

Animation Magazine – Effects Animator Dorse Lanpher Passes Away

Animation Magazine – Effects Animator Dorse Lanpher Passes Away

I always have an appreciation for effects animators, for being able to create whatever effects are required in a feature film out of the blue. So reading about the death of this effects animator, whose work ranges from Sleeping Beauty to Home on the Range, makes we wish I have learned the basics of effects animation during my time at university. At least I should be able to read about his experiences doing such work in his brilliantly titled memoir, 'Flyin’ Chunks and Other Things to Duck: Memoirs of a Life Spent Doodling for Dollars'.

Monday 19 December 2011

Tom Waits - Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis



Having just heard a lot of Christmas songs on the radio today, I love a track that comes that goes beyond the obvious seasonal cliches that makes it worth its weight in gold during this season- I need to give myself some Tom Waits music, at some point during this festive season, don't I?

Saturday 17 December 2011

The MOJO Rock Count-ins Playlist

('http://www.youtube.com/p/6E84AA8B8D803008?version=3&hl=en_US',)

This makes an entertaining compilation.

T - Rex - Baby Strange



With most people getting feed up of hearing the same glam rock tracks around Christmas time, here's a track to justify that balance. Did T-Rex bombard us with a seasonal song, in the same infamous vein as Wizzard or Slade?

Gil Scott-Heron "The Bottle" (1974)


Gill Scott-Heron is probably the best example of a musician that I have not been aware of, until the music press started to praise his legacy from his tragic demise. This track certainly justifies that he was more then just a beat-poet, in the vein of This Event will not be Televised, but can also sing in this delightful way too.

Wednesday 14 December 2011

Tackling food waste at Christmas - E & T Magazine

Tackling food waste at Christmas - E & T Magazine

Coming from the part of the UK, in which we separate our food waste from our domestic rubbish for collection, I found the article an interesting read regarding the sheer statistics of sheer scale of the problem.
It seems that, according to the article, that there are solutions to solve this problem, particularly regarding vast quantities of waste from food retailers, but it also seems to create a profile of certain consumers that don't really plan ahead when purchasing such cheap food without much thought on what to do with it. So, it is a real problem in which needs to be address by the consumers, retailers, and everyone else in between.

Monday 12 December 2011

I want to break free - Queen - Igor Presnyakov



I am a fan of Queen, acoustic music, and decent covers. So I admire Presnyakov's take on the Queen classic I Want to Break Free.

Friday 2 December 2011

Computers and Autism

Computers and Autism

Reading the findings, from the presentations, some interesting food for thought for people in the pros and cons for people, on the Autistic Spectrum, using the Internet as a form of communication.