Thursday, April 22, 2010

Britain: "Did Brian Eno produce Clegg-mania?" and "Music for Earth Day"

How timely. From Foreign Policy's Passport blog:

Britain's gone mad for Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg over the past week, elevating the onetime longshot to frontrunner status in Britain's election. As it turns out, like David Bowie and U2 before him, Clegg had help from a good producer.

Pioneering glam rocker, ambient composer and pop producer Brian Eno signed on with Clegg as an advisor in 2007. Somewhat bizzarely, the 59-year-old was brought on to advise the Liberal Democrats about youth issues, but once again, it seems like Eno spotted a trend before it got big.







Two years ago today, I was working late, crabby and posted "Music for Earth Day: Baby's on Fire":

Maybe a bit darker than what you'll find at the face-painting booth but I've got work to do and I'm not happy.

Here's Brian Eno's masterpiece (one of 'em) done by "Venus in Furs" in the movie "Velvet Goldmine". Venus in Furs was the book by Sacher-Masoch. And the song by Lou Reed. As I said, dark.

Here's something a little more green than Eno, Lou doing "Sweet Jane".




Here's Eno in his own words:

Baby's on fire
Better throw her in the water
Look at her laughing
Like a heifer to the slaughter

Baby's on fire
And all the laughing boys are bitching
Waiting for photos
Oh the plot is so bewitching

Rescuers row row
Do your best to change the subject
Blow the wind blow blow
Lend some assistance to the object...