Born on this day ...

[Ruby]

Arno Carstens was born on this day in 1972, in Worcester, I think. He grew up there, I know. He is one of South Africa’s favourite musical sons – he first came to fame almost accidentally, with the alternative/post punk rock band Springbok Nude Girls (hadn’t planned on being a muso – he’s just one of those people) and then became a platinum selling solo artist. Arno lives in my area and still does local gigs from time to time – bump into him in the supermarket now and then. By one of those strange twists of fate, I had actually ended up with his dogs (unbeknown to me, or to him) when he left to live and work in the UK for a few years. Found this out in the course of doing business with him and his wife. Bizarre!

He’s a hardworking performer - good at it too, and now visual artist as well (which is what he always intended to be, rather than a rock star). I'm not crazy about all his work, by any means, but I guess a lot of his stuff has seeped into my psyche through airplay, largely! And he did give me a CD and a record. 

He’s made some interesting covers – “Highway to Hell” as you never heard it before … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj-CXo3GwJ0

He did some co-writing with and sings lead on three tracks on Mike + The Mechanics’ album The Road – “Background Noise” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UOFi20CfIU 

This song won him awards all over the place (and was used in a Touareg ad) … “Another Universe” … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mIgEk0FEgk

I like this collab with Jacques Moolman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x_aVcKmA6A

He's made an Afrikaans album Die Aandblom 13 - this is from that - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GyCI38XrOg

A Springbok Nude Girls clip complete with headbanging (from an album titled Peace Breaker – go figure) … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEoINvuoVHA

"Boy" ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx2kdyPORG0 

“Heartbreak Monday” was quite a biggie too …




One of his more recent offerings … “Don't Let it Be” …

[Ruby]

Happy Birthday to David Draiman who hits his half century today - born in New York City. I don't know anything about Disturbed except I'm pretty sure I wouldn't enjoy their music. He did make a bit of a splash with his rendition of "The Sound of Silence", and he does have a helluva voice. 

This version because of that teeny mistake in the official video - such a small word, why could he not just get it right?? 

[Music Head]

Patty Griffin (59)

[Music Head]

John Sebastian (79)

[CRAZY-HORSE]

ROGER HODGSON  (73)

[Ruby]

Dominic Miller was born on this day in 1960, in Beunos Aires, Argentina moving to Wisconsin USA at the age of 10, two years later to London, back to Wisconsin at 15 and back and forth again a few times after that. He attended music schools in both countries. He may be best known for his work on Sting’s albums but he’s also released a number of solo albums, including under the ECM label (which is a bit of coup) and he’s played on the albums of several other illustrious artists to boot. Can't believe I haven't put him in this thread before! 

Two tracks from his solo work that I like a lot ... 

From Absinthe ... "Mixed Blessing" ... 



And the gorgeous "Water" from Silent Light ... 

[CRAZY-HORSE]

DAMON ALBARN  (55)

[Ruby]

Phil Keaggy was born on this day in 1951, in Youngstown, Ohio. When he was four years old he lost half the middle finger of his right hand in an accident while climbing on a water pump. Had one been a betting type, I don't think the odds should have been in favour of him becoming a virtuoso guitar player - but then again, there's Django Reinhardt - and Les Paul - probably others too! 

Never found the time to acquaint myself with his catalogue, other than the gorgeous Beyond Nature, so I'm listening to an earlier album now The Master and the Musician (both these are instrumental). He's been prolific in terms of releases so it's difficult to know where to start! I know that it needs to be instrumental - he's a Christian singer and that's not my listening of choice. Whatever the label, he is widely lauded for both acoustic and electric guitar playing, and recognised across the board for his talent, as he should be. 

[CRAZY-HORSE]

NICK LOWE  (74)

my favourite single of his:

[video=youtube]http:///www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6hzkBihaew[/video]

[Music Head]

Sir Elton John (76)