Issue One : 10/09/2008

Yes, it's the latest in a long line of intermitent adriandenning.co.uk features that I promise will be updated regularly but rarely do. Designed both to entertain and inform and if I can find appropriate video clips hosted elsewhere, not break copyright laws.

First up, Jilted John by Jilted John, featured of course in the recent Kraft Dairy Lea advert. In the ad, we get to hear a snappy two-note punk guitar riff which then moves into an ascending sequence of notes before vocals arrive singing 'two-three-four'. This is actually just a small snatch from the Jilted John single, which was popular enough to reach number four in 1978. The man behind Jilted John now does a succesful comedy turn as northern club entertainer John Shuttleworth. You didn't want to be called Gordon in years following the single release as the song is basically about John, his girlfriend Julie and Gordon The Moron, who Julie dumps John for. The memorable chorus of 'Gordon is a moron, Gordon is a moron, Gordon is a moron, Gordon is a moron' kept all us kids entertained for quite some years, I can tell you. Anyway, here's a video clip - as they used to say in olden days.



Right, next out is the lovely Bebel Gilberto, who has her song 'Samba De Bencao' delighting those with taste ( do you see what I've done there? ) in the latest Nescafe advert. If you like black coffee, Nescafe are the guys, 'the man' if you will. I drink a lot of Nescafe to keep me awake at work. Why, i'm drinking some right now! Anybody from Nescafe reading this, yes, I am shameless enough to accept free coffee for promoting your products.

Bebel Gilberto, if you haven't come across her, is popularly known for being one of the greatest modern bossanova singers. The daughter of João Gilberto and singer Miúcha, Bebel has released three studio albums proper plus numerous earlier works and several critically acclaimed remixes. The song 'Samba De Bencao' opened her first worldwide release, 'Tanto Tempo'. I will get round to reviewing her albums at some stage because she really is something very special. 'Tanto Tempo' also featured the involvement of Suba who released his own acclaimed album 'San Paulo Confessions' in 2000. He introduced modern techno beats and samples to traditional Brazilian music - a true pioneer. Sadly, he passed away due to smoke inhalation during a fire that developed in his own São Paulo apartment. 'Tanto Tempo' meanwhile has gone onto sell in excess of one million copies worldwide.



This edition i'm also proud to bring you a great TV theme tune. Future editions may or may not feature such childrens greats as Blake's Seven and Rentaghost. Anyways, those of a certain age will remember the great 'dubbed in English' Japanese show from the early Eighties. One of the greatest, silliest TV-Themes of all-time, this one really does make you wonder why they can't do this kind of theme tune these days. Funkier than Craig David and better singing than Will Young. Ok, I realise both those things also apply to your local milkman or x-factor contestent, but the point stands.

'Monkey' or 'Monkey Magic' was based on the Chinese novel 'Journey to the West', recently adapted to music by Damon Albarn for the BBC's Olympics coverage. The title song from 'Monkey' claimed lead character Monkey was the 'punkiest monkey that ever popped'. Monkey is an immortal, he can ride on a cloud, change form, his magical staff change size and also has the ability to form an army of fellow Monkey warriors created from his chest hair. Along with two fellow travellers, 'Pigsy' and 'Sandy' - the idea of the show was these travellers exiled from heaven were to protect the priest 'Tripitaka' in search for holy scriptures.



Finally this week, I bring you a product I can't say i've used myself, Clairol Nice N Easy. Now, I should explain at this stage, i'm a cat lover and have three cats at home, one of whom has great big alien looking eyes. She's called Gizmo so of course, when 'Bette Davis Eyes' by Kim Carnes comes on, I rename it 'Great big alien Gizmo eyes', much to my wifes consternation. The song isn't so bad anyway and was a massive hit for Kim Carnes back in the day. Yes, it is featured on the latest Clairol ad. I didn't mention that, did I? Anyway, I better go as i'm busy working with my tones and highlights creating beautiful, natural-looking colour that fits me perfectly.