The similar phrase 'Worldly Christianity' is one used by Bonhoeffer. It's J Gresham Machen that I want to line up most closely with. See his Christianity and culture here. Having done commentaries on Proverbs (Heavenly Wisdom) and Song of Songs (Heavenly Love), a matching title for Ecclesiastes would be Heavenly Worldliness. For my stance on worldliness, see 3 posts here.

Akkerman Tour


The inimitable Jan Akkerman arrives in the UK this week for a short nine day tour of the UK. I'm hoping to catch him. You can hear him doing Paul Weller's 'You do something to me' over on the website here. (What do you think Guy?). [Gone now]. This one's with the band. In July he comes for an even shorter solo tour.

18 comments:

Guy Davies said...

I gave Akkerman's version of You do something to me a try. But I couln't bear to listen all the way through. Weller's raw emotion is replaced by a dreary guitar melody. It's as if Akker is saying,

"You do something to me,
Bore me half to death."

Where's the passion? What's the point?

Gary Brady said...

See, now I heard the Akkerman first so I can see your problem. I'm also unbiased unlike you.

Guy Davies said...

I'm not biased, just right! ;-)

Gary Brady said...

How do you know you're not just biased about yourself and so think yoru right?

Guy Davies said...

We can sort this one out once for all. You do something to me is a love song, right? Let's play both versions to our wives and see which one they like the most.

Anonymous said...

And make sure you post the results here.
I've never heard that fellow with the funny name, but he can't be as good as Paul Weller.

Guy Davies said...

Gary,

According to Sarah,

Akker's version was

"Absolute rubbish and not a patch on Paul Weller."

QED

Gary Brady said...

Eleri, sensible woman, could see merit in both pieces (and the Royal Philharmonic version which I added as a control) pointing out that different versions suit different situations. Anyway let's not fall out over this. Perhaps one day Weller and Akkerman will get to do the song together. Best of both worlds.

Guy Davies said...

Paul Weller won't even play with his old band, The Jam. Akker 'aint got a chance.

We shouldn't fall out over this. But David Sky is going to give Darby Gray a dead leg at playtime.

Anonymous said...

You know Paul Weller produced some dreary love songs too, and even some sentimental ones such as "English Rose". I bet you don't know which album that's on as it's not even credited on the sleeve notes. But my favourite Weller track is the Batman theme, he delivers those na, na, na, na, nahs with raw emotion and passion.

Gary Brady said...

All mod cons? I don't mind English Rose (no good playing that to my wife!) but the Batman theme is the best. I also likeed After the Fire doing the Thunderbirds theme which I once witnessed live.

Guy Davies said...

What about The Jam's version of Sweet Soul Music (I think it was on the B-side of the In the City single). They rattle through the song at 100 mph. Soul-punk at it's best.

Anonymous said...

Mr Brady, to say that I am impressed is an understatement! How did you know that track?! Well you are definitely correct so, by way of a prize, a free set of my commentaries is on its way to you.

Also I must confess to a slight degree of Paul Weller ignorance as I have never heard Sweet Soul Music. I bet it was indeed on the B-side of In the City as I had the album and didn't buy the single. Shame on me. I do remember the Jam's version of Heatwave though. What a great track!

Gary Brady said...

Hold the commentaries - I've got 'em. Making any progress on Canticles ans The Apocalypse? BTW there's all this jam is gunging up my comment pages here a bit.

Anonymous said...

Well I'll cancel the commentaries then - it may be that you don't read Latin anyway.

You clearly have a well-equipped theological library, so why is it that you spend your time discussing ageing pop-stars instead of studying all those good books? What would your presbytery say if they knew about this?

Gary Brady said...

No Latin. No presbytery as such. You're right about the need to take care though. Heavenly worldliness can quickly become common or garden worldliness without constant care. What I've just been reading on Wm Chalmers is a challenge here.

Anonymous said...

Fel fy hen dad-cu arferedig at ddeud, "Pwy anghenion Lladin pan chân Cymraeg?"

Gary Brady said...

I'm sure you know Evan the one about the Welsh preacher in England saying that it was important to go back to the original language to understand the text. Before stating what it was he said 'Cae dy geg os ti'n siarad Cymraeg'. Not something I would ever be tempted to say.