Dave Knight's Blog » Entertainment

5 Chart Busters The BBC Banned (Videos)

Dave — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:03:19 +0000

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) also known as the Beeb is a public broadcasting corporation. Therefore, it chooses to ban materials that depart from certain standards set, course, by itself. During the years, many singles that were seen as too explicit, distasteful or it considered would offend the British public were banned from BBC airplay. Here I’ve compiled five of the most controversial and successful chart-buster-hits that Auntie Beeb banned. Enjoy.

Je TAime … Moi Non Plus, sung by Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin banned in 1969.

Translated: I love you… me neither. Je Taime, was the first ever number one hit to be banned by the BBC. Although at the time of its release, in 1969, the sexual revolution was celebrated, the British radio still was not able to cope with such explicit lyrics, not to mention Birkins moans and groans.

Give Ireland Back to the Irish, by Paul McCartney and Wings banned in1972.

Give Ireland Back to the Irish was recorded Wings in response to the 1972 Bloody Sunday murders of peaceful Irish demonstrators by British troops occupying the Northern section of Ireland. It was banned by every media resource in the UK, including the BBC, Radio Luxembourg and the Independent Television Authority. The media morons wouldn’t even allow the song title to be pronounced on air despite being in the BBC radio charts.

Love to Love You Baby, banned in 1976 after the BBC counted Donna Summer’s 23 fake orgasms.

After counting 23 faked orgasms, Love to Love You Baby performed by Donna Summer, joined the touchy BBC’s banned list in 1976. However, it did not stop it from becoming a massive hit. Love to Love You Baby reached number four on the UK single charts but peaked to number two on the Billboard pop chart. One of my favourite romantic songs.

God Save the Queen, by the Sex Pistols was banned in 1977 the year of the Queen’s Jubilee.

The Sex Pistols released their second single titled God Save the Queen in 1977 the year England was celebrating the Queens Jubilee. The single includes the contentious rhyming lyrics “fascist regime”. Furthermore, the record cover displayed a picture of the Queen with a safety pin stuck in her nose. I was never a fan of the Sex Pistols or their music but I can agree with the sentiments expressed in this song.

Relax, by Frankie Goes to Hollywood stayed in the UK charts for 42 weeks in1984.

Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood is one of the most controversial singles and commercially successful singles in history. BBC Radio 1 DJ Mike Read publicly expressed his feelings of disgust at the single’s explicit lyrics. The public didn’t agree, in 1984, Relax stayed in the UK singles charts for 42 weeks, five of them in number one. By the end of 1984, embarrassed Auntie Beeb removed the ban and presumably Mike Read hid himself away at a monastery.

Brazilian Carnival TV Ad Would Be Banned! (Video)

Brazilian Carnival TV Ad Would Be Banned! (Video)

Dave — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:55:59 +0000

Aline Prado Globeleza 2012. Click to enlarge.

Aline Prado

The Brazilian Carnival, an annual event celebrated all over Brazil, is as important to Brazilians as football. It is the most famous holiday in Brazil and has become an event of huge proportions. The country stops completely for almost a week and festivities are intense, day and night, mainly in coastal cities.

Every year a TV ad is produced that features a beautiful and almost naked young woman who dances across the screen to samba music. This year the model Aline Prado, 25, has been chosen to perform for the ad – watch her show on video below. Her modesty is maintained, just, by greasepaint and glitter. It took hours to apply the colorful coating before filming. (The link shows Aline Prado being made up, the text is in Portuguese.)

Would this ad appear on British TV? I doubt that very much, it would almost certainly be banned or heavily censored.

The Carnival – not just in Rio!

Rhythm, participation, and costumes vary from one region of Brazil to another. In the southeastern cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, huge organized parades are led by samba schools. Those official parades are meant to be watched by the public, while minor parades (“blocos”) allowing public participation can be found in other cities.

The northeastern cities of Salvador, Porto Seguro and Recife have organized groups parading through streets, and public interacts directly with them. This carnival is also influenced by African-Brazilian culture. It’s a six days party where crowds follow the trios elétricos through the city streets, dancing and singing. Also in northeast, Olinda carnival features unique characteristics, part influenced by Venice Carnival mixed with cultural depictions of local folklore.

Carnival Music

The typical genres of music of brazilian carnival are, in Rio de Janeiro (and Southeast Region in general): the samba-enredo, the samba de bloco, the samba de embalo and the marchinha; in Pernambuco and Bahia (and Northeast Region in general) the main genres are: the frevo, the maracatu, the samba-reggae and Axé music.

Much of the above article was cut and pasted from Wikipedia.

Forró: Hot, Sexy and Brazilian (Music and Dance Video)

Forró: Hot, Sexy and Brazilian (Music and Dance Video)

Dave — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:34:42 +0000

Learn To Dance Forró With Paulo Aguiar . Click to enlarge

Probably the best known dance music of Brazil is samba because it is the traditional dance of Carnaval. Then of course there is bosa nova, but I prefer another form of Brazilian music and dance – forró. It’s hot, sexy and great to watch.

Forró, the name of the dance and popular in Brazil’s North-East is hardly known outside Brazil. There are three music genres of forró. All these genres use only three instruments (accordion, zabumba and a metal triangle). The lyrics are about romance, love, passion or jealousy.

The full story of forró is here: http://wikipedia.org/forro (English)
Learn to dance Forró with Paulo Aguiar http://www.pauloaguiar.com/

Here’s how it should be done, I just wish I could match their performance.
Forró with Paulo Aguiar and Daniela Moura:

Why Wasn’t Edie Brickell A Bigger Music Star? (Good Times video)

Dave — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:48:07 +0000

Edie Brickell Singing Good Times Click to enlarge.

Edie Brickell an American singer-songwriter, born March 10, 1966, in Texas is best known for, Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars, her debut album with the New Bohemians. It went to number 4 in the US Albums Chart in 1988.

I first saw Edie Brickell sing Good Times when it was included as part of the multimedia samples on the Windows 95 CD. I couldn’t find any reference to who she was and it was years before I found her name on the Internet.

Just why she wasn’t a bigger music star I have no idea but her beautiful voice and laid-back style are an irresistible combination. See for yourself in the Good Times video:

A Tribute To Abbey Lincoln 1930 – 2010

Dave — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 23:10:09 +0000

Singer, Songwriter & Champion Of The Civil Rights Movement

The complete original album We Insist! Freedom Now Suite (Candid CJM8002), co-composed by Roach with Oscar Brown Jr. The album features a nonet + singer, including such luminaries as Coleman Hawkins and Booker Little, plus the wonderful vocals of Abbey Lincoln. Featuring a myriad of stars, this session also includes Max Roach on two tracks and Abbey Lincoln on the last one. If you would like to own this album click the image left. (+)

Abbey Lincoln was an extraordinary jazz singer whose musical knowledge and method equipped her to work with some of the greatest jazz musicians of her time. Born Anna Marie Wooldridge in Chicago on the 6 August 1930 she started her music career in 1956. Her debut album was entitled ‘Abbey Lincoln’s Affair – A Story of a Girl in Love’.

She quickly established herself as country’s one of the most impressive jazz singers with her emotionally complex and passionate delivery. Her last album was released in 2007 – her career spanned six decades.

In 1957, Abbey Lincoln’s life changed when she began to dedicate it to righting the wrongs that American society inflicted on black people. She established herself as a pioneering advocate of civil rights and recorded the album titled ‘We Insist!- Freedom Now Suite’ that officially connected her to the political battle against racism.

Abbey Lincoln, singer, songwriter and political activist died in New York on 14 August 2010 aged 80.

Elize – I’m No Latino (Music Video)

Was Skimpy Bikini Woman Kicked Out Of Walmart? (Video)

Dave — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 02:35:47 +0000

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I just had to post this story that I found on the Huffington Post.

Here’s what the style section of their online journal says about the case. “Sandy McMillin decided to take her bikini body to Eugene, Oregon’s big box store to pick up some sour cream, chips and coffee creamer in 90-degree heat. And she told KVAL News that a Walmart employee approached her only several minutes into her shopping trip and gave her two options: put on a shirt or get out.”

Sandy McMillin says she was escorted out of the store for showing too much skin. Walmart denies this but has apologised to her. Just what they said sorry for is not clear but maybe it was for selling her too many chips and cream.

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Amy Winehouse Found Dead at Home

Dave — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 21:07:44 +0000

Singer Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse celebrated singer has died at home. The cause of death is unknown but there is speculation it was a drugs overdose. Her hits included ‘Valerie’, ‘You Know I’m no Good’, ‘Back to Black’, and ‘Rehab’

I first read of this tragedy while researching, writing and updating my blogs in the early hours. It is always sad when young people’s lives are cut short and this news was a shock to more people than just her fans.

Later in the day I was watching a report on TV and Amy’s body was wheeled out of her house. It was almost as though the body bag was empty – she was so small, so fragile – it genuinely shocked me.

She had an outstanding voice, was successful, had riches and friends, so what went wrong? Why is it so many young entertainers die so young? RIP Amy.

More news here.

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Wendi Deng Murdoch is no Slapper

Dave — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 08:32:22 +0000

Wendi Deng Murdoch, left, actress Li Bingbing, center, and producer Florence Sloan.

What ever you think of News International boss Rupert Murdoch you have to admire his feisty actress wife Wendi Deng. Her rapid response in whacking the pie man who was attacking her husband with a foam pie has made her a household name. Ms Deng, 42, has been married to the wrinkly billionaire for years and is a success in her own right.

She is an intelligent, talented and shrewd woman and mother to two of Murdoch’s children, Her latest movie “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” opens in theatres on July 15. She co-produced the film with Florence Sloan. Watch the trailer.

Slapper is one of those words that can be used to demean women. It means in UK English slang, loose woman, woman who sleeps around or prostitute. Ms Deng is none of those, hence the title, but in real terms she proved to be the slapper of the moment when fending off the pie man.

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Actor Peter Falk of Columbo Fame Dies

Dave — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 15:23:12 +0000

Peter Falk 1927-2011 Best known for his portrayal Lieutenant Columbo

Peter Falk died on June 24, 2011, at age 83. he starred in many films throughout his career but his most famous role was that of the scruffy police lieutenant Columbo. In ‘Columbo’ he appeared non-threatening and somewhat dim to the crime suspects he targeted then just as he was about to leave he would utter his famous quote “just one more thing”.

‘Columbo’ is still broadcast despite the series ending in 1978 and by today’s standards rather dated. I have to say I watch the odd episode from time to time if I happen on one channel hopping.

At three years Falk lost an eye to cancer a fact that makes his success as an actor all the more remarkable. He had an eye for the ladies too (crass joke) and in an interview that discussed his love of drawing he related how on an occasion that he wandered into the Art Students League and was instantly sold on signing up. “I opened a door and there she was, a nude model, shoulders back, a light from above, buck-ass naked.” he recalled, “The female body is awesome. Believe me, I signed up right away.”

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Elize – I’m No Latino (Music Video)

Dave — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 06:53:25 +0000

Elize I'm no Latino Album cover image. Beautiful Dutch singer. Click to enlarge.

Elize is no Latino, but she may a Latina. Being born in Utrect, Holland she is Dutch by birth. She was voted “Most desirable single women” and won the “Single & Famous award” in 2009.

At age eight she was chosen to sing in a children’s television show, Kinderen voor Kinderen (“Children for Children”). For her full bio visit her website Elize Music.
The video featured is I think one of her best, but I am biased as I love Latin style music – most genres.

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