Saturday, July 26, 2008

Still the greatest video ever

The other day, the NME were doing a vote on the greatest videos of all time. I was extremely disappointed that they hadn't even nominated Cloudbusting by Kate Bush, which I consider to be a way better video than 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' or even Hurt by Johnny Cash, or is that just heresy in this day and age?



BTW, am I now the only person out there who still likes the Stay by Shakespear's Sister video?

9 comments:

So It Goes said...

Brilliant choice, Eduardo. One of those happy instances where form and content are inseparable: the song doesn't make any sense without the film. Like Ultravox's Dancing With Tears In My Eyes, yes?
P.S. She still looked great even in a ginger wig and dungarees.

Casey said...

That was really good!
Totally captivating.
Never realized Kate Bush was so cute.
And that was Donald Sutherland..yes?
oh...and btw... I knew of Kate Bush...but never heard any of her music.
Very nice.
Props again.

Anonymous said...

Interesting topic this is. I think with websites such as Youtube, there is so many videos yet to be discoverd which have been made independently by unsigned bands (and if not why?)that the answer of the greatest video would be hard to answer.I personally like Michael Gondry's work with the White Stripes.
SW

entrailicus said...

Youtube is banned in Turkey so I can't watch your video unfortunately. Here's my choice...

http://fadesinslowly.blogspot.com/2008/06/best-videos-ever-2-ashes-to-ashers.html

...although I like the style of this effort too...

http://fadesinslowly.blogspot.com/2008/04/best-videos-ever-1-wings-fall.html

Ed said...

Sig -never seen the dancing With Tears In My Eyes video, but do like the song (are we allowed to like Ure-era Ultravox or only the earlier stuff from when John Foxx was singer)

Casey - it is indeed Donald Sutherland, father of Keifer, and I have to say he does not look much older twenty years later in Pride and Prejudice.

SW -Gondry has certainly been responsible for some great stuff, as has Chris Cunningham. The Stripes' videos for Hardest Button to Button and 7 Nation Army were pretty good.

Entrailicus - hadn't realised YouTube was banned in Turkey, hope I haven't got any readers in trouble, do like that Bowie video...

Unknown said...

I personally am a huge fan of Spike Jones and Anton Corbjin rather than Gondry or Cunningham...

The trouble with videos is that the technology moves on that quickly with the result that what once seemed incredible and ground-breaking can date quickly. Thus, the idea of a video like a short film (a la Cloudbursting) ends up standing the test of time a lot better.

So, having said all of that, my own choice however, in terms of all time video is 'Atmosphere' by Joy Division.....

Ed said...

Good point JC, there was a time when things like Jacko's Thriller seemed amazing, and I think you're right about the short-film idea.

Do like Atmosphere which is brilliant; though I remember reading that the band didn't like it. It's one of my favourites and the song IS my all time #1, though it would have been a rubbish choice as a blog name...

Anonymous said...

When the Hounds of Love album was released, Kate was interviewed on Whistle Test by Mark Ellen.

They showed Cloudbusting, then talked around it.

Mark Ellen, obviously impressed by a Hollywood star's presence in the video, asked, "So how did you get Donald Sutherland to act in the video?"

Kate replied, with startling frankness, "Well, I rang him up and asked him ...."


cheers, Craig

Ed said...

heh heh...Sutherland is pretty cool, but who wouldn't want to be in a Kate Bush video? I first saw her videos as a kid and was just smitten, not just by her, but her look, then songs, the sheer je ne sais quoi of ...otherness? They broke the mould after her, and it's time she and Siouxsie were given the kudos that they deserve.