That sounds a lot like a dumb publicity stunt. I mean, Lydon was in a band with Jah Wobble during the years of English punk's flirtation with the racist side of skinhead culture.

I dunno, I just think Lydon's completely clueless. I remember an interview he did on Aussie TV in the late 80s, where he basically called Nelson Mandela nothing more than a terrorist, and was appalled at all the efforts to free him from prison. Unfortunately, he wasn't taking the piss, or attempting to be ornery; he was totally serious. It was around that time I stopped taking much notice of him.

where he basically called Nelson Mandela nothing more than a terrorist, and was appalled at all the efforts to free him from prison.

Uh, WHAT? Excuse me whilst I boggle.

Unfortunately, he wasn't taking the piss, or attempting to be ornery; he was totally serious.

How do you know he wasn't taking the piss? He tends to take it pretty far sometimes. Many years ago, he did a live interview at my radio station and was a complete jerk. The DJ went with it and anyone listening would've thought he was completely serious. Sure enough, as soon as it was over and he was off mic, he became very friendly and was joking about the whole thing.

The DJ went with it and anyone listening would've thought he was completely serious.

He's also a man who speaks his mind. The interview happened 20 years ago, and I certainly believe he believed what he was saying. Technically, he wasn't incorrect; the ANC were labelled a terrorist organisation. However, considering they were fighting to overthrow a vicious, racist system of government condemned by the majority of the rest of the world, they were hardly comparable to the Red Brigade, or Al Quaeda.

Does anyone know of any good songs about Marseille, or Provence in general? They must be available on iTunes.

Despite giving my authors strict instructions about their song choices for our playlists, almost everything in their Provence section is not on iTunes.

Also, if anyone can recommend any of Habib Koité's songs on Afriki (his only album on iTunes), that would be most welcome as well.

Oh god, I just got to the Quebec section. There are Québécois singers that are not named Céline. Have these people never heard of Wikipedia?

Does anyone know of any good songs about Marseille, or Provence in general?

“It's Nicer in Nice” (iTunes link)

I suspect that isn't the sort of thing you're looking for.

Newsflash:

***********

July 28, 2008; Washington, D.C. - Iconic singer-songwriter Tom Waits is adding an extra stop to his sold-out "Glitter & Doom" summer tour: NPR Music's "Live in Concert" series. NPR Music is the only place to hear a full concert from Waits' tour, which will be available for both free streaming and podcast at www.NPR.org/music beginning tomorrow, July 29.

During the show, recorded at Atlanta's historic Fox Theater on July 5, Waits gives a two-and-a-half hour performance, featuring songs he's never played outside a studio. The 25-track set includes "Hold On," "All the World is Green" and "Hoist That Rag," followed by an encore of "Anywhere I Lay My Head."

July 28, 2008; Washington, D.C. - Iconic singer-songwriter Tom Waits is adding an extra stop

grrrrr scanned this and got out of it that Tom Waits was adding a stop in DC to his tour.

feh

Radio broadcast head up: In about two hours (22:00 Israel time) 102fm, aka Radio Tel Aviv, aka The Radio Station With The Most Annoying Commercials EVER is gonna broadcast the New York Dolls show live from The Barby, Tel Aviv.

So, if someone's interested, etc., this is their more stable link for online listening.

(Note: knowing my country, the show probably won't start on time, and I have no idea if they have an opening show).

Edit: I was right. They're filling up the time with songs until the show will begin.