JIM CARROLLon music
Time for our annual Gong show - or is it Muppet show?
Gong-a-rama!Despite the efforts of the Ticket Awards last week to steal our thunder, here's OTR's Gongs of 2011, our tribute to those who gave rock'n'roll a good, bad and ugly name during the last year. We're seeking a sponsor for a gala awards show with our showbiz pals. Meteor, give us a call.
The Services to the Radio Industry Gong: Neil Diamond, for those Aviva Stadium show ads.
The Going Going Gone Gong: REM.
The 80,000 People Can't Be Wrong Gong: Oxegen. Let's hope Dinny books Amanda Brunker again.
The Record Label Romance Gong:EMI, who spurned Terra Firma and Citigroup to fall for Universal Music.
The Money For Old Rope Gong:Stone Roses, Pulp, Steps and anyone else hitting the reunion trail.
The Johnny Drama gong: Morrissey, for banning meat from gigs, getting bitten by a dog, whinging about his record label and barring fans from shows .
The Generosity Gong:MCD, who gave away oodles of free tickets for Joanna Newsom's show in Dublin's Marlay Park.
The 86 Gong:Michael Flatley's show at the Cliffs of Moher, cancelled due to our "tough economic climate".
The $760 Million Gong:U2, whose tour with the crab made a lot of wonga.
The Road Records Memorial Gong: RAGE, Elastic Witch and E2 Music, who bucked the prevailing trend with record stores in the capital.
The Not Really A Bad Bollox Gong:Spotify, which became the whipping boy of the music industry.
The Hero to Zero Gong:Odd Future kingpin Tyler, the Creator, whose tunes and live shows counted for nothing after some childish interviews.
The Good PR Gong: The Forbidden Fruit PR company, who told journalists they couldn't spare a press ticket because "all the Assets models want to come down and we have to look after them".
The Irish Festival of the Year Gong: Primavera Sound.
New music
WILLIS EARL BEAL
The underground Chicago singer and performer with a sideline in art and poetry may not yet have a website, but the few recordings that have appeared (especially Blue Escapeand Monotony) catch a haunting, mesmerising blues voice and fascinating soulful songs.
ARMS THAT FIT LIKE LEGS
Dublin-based electronic rock combo who've just released their second EP Plane Figures. Fans of post-rock instrumental wig-outs and brain-funk will dig this, especially the intriguing diversions which lead track Bear Shark Explosiontakes. Armsthatfitlikelegs.
bandcamp.com
HIGH HIGHS
Australian trio based in New York and now under the wing of Elton John’s Rocket Music set-up alongside Oh Land and Ed Sheeran, High Highs’ debut four-track EP contains a bunch of dropdead gorgeous songs, thanks to the band’s deft harmonies and melodies. Music to get obsessive about.
Highhighs.com
Now playing
Musicians Of New Orleans O Holy Night(YouTube) As featured in the Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip TV series, New Orleans musicians led by Troy Trombone Shorty Andrews put a soulful shine on the classic.
Wild Billy Childish The Musicians Of The British Empire Santa Claus (Damaged Goods) Lyrically adjusted version of The Sonics' garage-rock blaster.
Tieranniesaur Christmas Song(Popical Island) The Irish band of the year get into the Yuletide swing.
The Harlem Children's Chorus Black Christmas(Strut) Some poignant festive observations from the In the Christmas Groove compilation of soul, blues and funk seasonal tunes.
Simon Garfunkel Silent Night/7 O'Clock News(CBS) The duo croon Silent Night over evening news headlines about events in Vietnam .
For more see irishtimes.com/blogs/ontherecord
