Was the fact that Michael Barrett (aka Shakin’ Stevens),  who appeared in court in Northern Ireland accused of assaulting a photographer at what appears to have been a small town hotel cabaret show, really worthy of the space and photo awarded the story in last Friday’s edition (11 December 09) of the Irish Times?

Just more evidence, as if it were needed, of the creeping tabloidisation of the once renowned broadsheet?

Paul Weller is renowned by many as the modfather of English rock but few scratch beneath the surface to realise that talented though he undoubtedly is, Weller was heavily influenced by soul rocker,  the former Small Faces and Humble Pie frontman, cockney rebel Steve Marriott.

Here’s a tribute to Marriott performed by a house band covering ‘All or Nothing’  – the band includes Paul Weller, Noel Gallagher and former Small Faces drummer Kenny Jones and former keyboard player Ian McLagan  who opens on vocals.

and to get the real power of Marriott’s voice listen to him here as he adds B/Vs (backing vocals) to this old Easybeats song called Good Times.   His vocal contribution lifts the song onto another level altogether.

Looks as if Jim Carroll of the Irish Times has decided to give political correspondents, Stephen Collins, Deaglan de Breadún et al a run for their money with this interesting observation on Paul ‘how dare you question my sincerity’ Gogarty’s juvenile and inappropriate rantings

Interesting article here on the best television advertisements of the noughties

And seeing as we live in such a simplified expletive deletive world here’s a link to an old Irish radio advertisement for Brennan’s bread.

And here’s another bread advertisement highlighting the changing culture of rural Ireland.

Interestingly, the media pick-up, particularly RTE’s Marian Finucane’s Show on Sunday which covered the Green Party TDs expletive outburst, probably highlighted, not the paucity of political discourse and debate in the Dáil chamber( which has consistently failed citizens and voters exposing the powerlessness of the chamber, particularly for effective opposition, through its obsolete and ineffective structure and content) but reflected more on the hunting in packs element of a ‘dumbed down’ media and public sphere highlighted effectively through our public service broadcaster and in particular Marian’s show yesterday.

Her focus on criticism of the opposition for goading the Green TD, while not entirely unjustified, revealed her own attitudes and highlighted the lack of any rigorous media inquiry and probably told us more about the spin power of political communication.

We are surely in a sorry state of affairs when we’d prefer to phone Joe Duffy rather than take to the streets in protest?

Definitely one of the finest guitar instrumentals ever.  Written by Dicky Betts and Les Dudek the song originally appeared on the 1973 Allman Brothers album  ‘Brothers and Sisters’ and clocks in at 7 minutes 30 seconds.  The tune was named after Betts daughter Jessica Betts  and was intended as a tribute to jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt.

On the original the guitars were played by Betts and Dudek,  keyboards by Gregg Allman (Hammond organ) and Chuck Leavell (Grand Piano – Note -  Leavell played piano on the Clapton Unplugged CD & DVD) with Lamar Williams (Bass), Butch Trucks (drums) and Jaimoe (percussion).

Many would remember the song as the theme tune to the BBC TV motoring programme  ‘Top Gear’.

The song won a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental performance.

How about the Irish fans attempting to sing/chant this one as a tactic to mesmerise the French before le game?  Sure beats the predictable offerings.

Of course,  this is just an excuse to alert you to a fine treatment of an equally fine Van Morrison song.

For all those Sunday ‘coming downers’ following Anelka’s deflection into the Irish net last night.

Shel Israel, well known blogger, author and social media consultant warns PR professionals who wish to engage in online

With all the doom and gloom around including the seemingly endemic lack of responsibility and culture of impunity at leadership levels in so many sectors  that has unnerved so many of us  across the country,  I thought the self-effacing honesty, lack of ego, forgiveness  and strength of  the 79 year old priest Father Mick Sinnott following his release from kidnappers in the Phillippines during the week,  was uplifting  and a salutary reminder to all of us about the real values of humankind and what being Irish should be all about.   This is a value, a leadership example  and a strong communications message worth holding on to.

'They won't kidnap me again, I'm too old, perhaps somebody younger'