A Tamboruine Eulogy

Often considered the spare part instrument or the the one to give the singer so they can 'join in', the tambourine actually plays an important role in rhythm with it's unique sound that spans across all genres and cultures.

It doesn't have to be used incessantly (as Chris Martin tells an eager fan!), although being tasered for using one certainly seem harsh, but from The Beatles to Motown to Florence + The Machine the power of tambourine will continue to slip under the radar.

Here's my 6 part appreciation:

1. The perfect intro:

 Jets Overhead - Boredom and Joy

 Jet  - Are You Gonna Be My Girl

Lupe Fiasco - Daydreamin' 



2. Dictating the tempo

The Beatles - Day Tripper

Gwen Stefani - The Sweet Escape

Jackson 5 - The Love you Save

The White Stripes - The Denial Twist

Florence + The Machine - Shake It Out

3. Keeping rhythm during quieter parts

Feeder - Just The Way I'm Feeling 

Laura Marling - My Manic and I

4. Power and Echo

Lucy Rose - Bikes

Amy Winehouse - Back to Black 

Florence and the Machine - Never Let Me Go

5. Adding percussive depth and layers

Florence and the Machine - Between Two Lungs

Diane Birch - Valentino

Fatboy Slim - Brimful of Asha

KT Tunstall - The Girl and the Ghost

6. Accentuating the snare drum

Jack White - Trash Tongue Talker

Jamiroquai - Blue Skies

 Red Hot Chili Peppers - Even You Brutus

Keane - Bend and Break

My Olympics Review!

Most Impressive Performance - Jessica Ennis, after years of build up she delivered Gold emphatically, unfazed by the immense pressure of a home Olympics and media scrutiny. Also a mention to Andy Murray who played the best tennis of his life to win Gold, even sung the national anthem too!


Best Match - Women's Hockey - GB 5-3 South Korea - GB took a 3-1 lead into half-time but the Koreans pulled it back to 3-3 with 12 minutes to play. But in front of a packed crowd complete with England football Band, Georgie Twigg and Chloe Rogers gave GB the win in an epic match. Great to hear Barry Davies' commentary during the tournament too.


Brightest New Star - Laura Trott, The 20 year old took home 
two Gold medals, surprising herself in the process while seamlessly taking over the 'Queen of British Cycling' mantle from Victoria Pendleton.



Best Celebration -  Kate Copeland's exclaim of  "We've won the Olympics!" (2:45) was probably my highlight of the entire Olympics, that one moment of delight summed up feeling of victory.

Fitting Farewell - It was the final Olympics for Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton, Ben Ainslie and Katherine Grainger and they have been fantastic representatives for their country over the years.

Saddest Moment - Liu Xiang, after heartbreak on home soil in Beijing it was even harder to watch the Chinese superstar crash out with injury again, although it was great to hear that fellow athletes helped him over the line afterwards.

Special Mention - Luol Deng, Britain's highest paid sportsman faced immense pressure to skip the Olympics from employers the Chicago Bulls, after their star player Derrick Rose suffered injury at the end of last season. But after the UK gave him and his family asylum from a war-torn Sudan, Deng promised to play at the Olympics for a country that helped him so much.

Star of the Show - Mo Farah no doubt, witnessing him take his second Gold with 45,000 other people at Hyde Park was something I'll never forget. One of the most humble and genuine sports persons around and London 2012's hero.

Worst Part - The handling of tickets wasn't great, some of the extortionate prices exploited people's desire to witness a once in a lifetime event. Also giving away so many tickets to cooperate sponsors (some of whom didn't even bother turning up) seemed unfair on the British public who bore the majority of the cost for the games. Also a mention for the closing ceremony which was poorly received all round for it's cheap and uninspiring musical performances.

Best Interview- Another particular influential aspect of the games was the humility and joy of the British athletes who won medals, a sporting event devoid of arrogance or fame seeking was refreshing to witness. Samantha Murray who won a Silver medal in the Pentathlon used her post-event interview to inspire people ordinary people to achieve anything they want.

British Public - This may sound clichéd (I don't care!), but generally the public have been incredible and I can't remember a time when people were just generally so happy and united.  Seeing people still draped in Union Jack flags on a train station outside Wycombe at 1:30am on Saturday was memorable. The noise of the crowd at all the venues to was quite something too, even just through the TV.

Games Makers - 10,000 people gave up two weeks of their life to volunteer to help at the games, hats off to them!

Iconic Image - Had to get this in somehow!

BBC Coverage - Absolutely brilliant all round, pundits and presenters were informative and asked the right questions, the detailed coverage of every sport was exceptional and there were some great moments too (John Inverdale's tears and the Athletics' team jubilation). Gabby Logan made Olympics Tonight a must watch each day. Another reason why the license fee is justified, we are very lucky to live in a country with 24 simultaneous live streams with no adverts.
Only minor criticism was Clare Balding's feminist musings which had no place or value.

Critics - Proved completely wrong, yes the Olympics were expensive but money isn't everything and London  2012 managed to capture the imagination of a whole nation and the doubters were forced to eat their words.

Song - Bit of a pointless category I know but Elbow's Olympic Theme for the BBC deserves a mention, couldn't have written a more triumphant and powerful song to represent the games. Nice touch of the band to give all proceeds from sales to charity too.
Also Chariots of Fire and Gold by Spandau Ballet!

And it seems fitting to end with this brilliant video from Team GB. To quote Lord Coe " When our time came, we did it right. Britain, thank you".

My Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament 

GK- Iker Casillas - Lifted his third successive major trophy as Spain captain, and has gone through the knockout rounds of all 3 tournaments without conceding, also became the first international player to win 100 matches.


RB - Joao Pereira - Having only made his international debut in 2010 at the age of 26, the Portugal full-back has only just started to live up to his full potential. Valencia were relieved to seal a move for Pereira before the tournament started as the right back starred with some excellent defensive and attacking perfomnaces.


CB - Mats Hummels - A Centre back with all round ability; pace, height and composure on the ball, Hummels has formed a solid partnership with Holger Badstuber which should be the heart of the German defence for years to come.


CB - Leonardo Bonucci - A partnership formed at club level with Giorgio Chiellini, Bonucci was the lesser known of the two but averaged more interceptions and clearances than his teammate.


LB - Jordi Alba - A fee of €14m looks like it could be one of the bargains of the year for Barcelona who add another creative fullback to their ranks. Alba finished with a goal, an assist and a pass completion percentage of 91%.

RM -  Vaclav Pilar - In a tournament devoid of any real breakthrough stars, the 'Czech Messi' perhaps created the biggest name for himself during the tournament. Guiding the Czech Republic to the quarter finals where he looked the only real threat against Portugal. Finished with 2 goals (50% of his team's) and sealed a £1m move to Wolfsburg to boot. 


CM - Xavi - Not surprisingly Xavi finished with the best passing percentage out of any player to have played at least 3 games (92%). Put in a masterful performance in the final with two sumptuous assists.


CM - Andrea Pirlo - At times Pirlo was a one man team for the Italians, a custodian in possession and a source of creativity, finished with 2 assists and 1 goal.


CM - Steven Gerrard - The England captain lead his team through the group stages, finishing with 3 assists (joint most in the tournament), again showing why he's been one of the worlds best midfielders in the past decade


LM - Andres Iniesta - Awarded official player of the tournament by UEFA, technical director Andy Roxborough said: "Picking Iniesta as the best player of Euro 2012 sends a message about creativity, incisive football and humility."
The midfielder was Spain's attacking focal point in a team that often played without a striker and warrants his place among the greats despite no goals and only one assist.


ST - Fernando Torres - A tournament without a real exceptional striker, Torres takes his place as golden boot winner with 3 goals and 1 assist in just 189 minutes of football.







Substitutes 


Gianluigi Buffon - Undisputedly the second best keeper in the World.


Joe Hart - Made the most saves in the tournament (22)



Theadore Gebre Selassie - Another attacking full back, another breakthrough star.


Phillip Lahm - Has anybody ever seen the German captain have a bad game?



Sergio Ramos - Full back turned attacking centre back, excelled in tackles, interceptions and passing.


Jakub Blaszczykowski - A goal and an assits in 3 games and also one of the most inspiring human stories.


Fabio Contreao - Finished 4th in most successful dribbles, one of the most exciting full backs in the game.



Mesut Ozil - 1 goal and 3 assists in 5 games.


Joao Moutinho - Portugal's Xavi, creative and excellent in possession.


Alan Dzaogev - Finished joint top scorer with 3 goals in 3 games.


Mario Mandzukic - 5 shots, 3 goals, sealed a move to Bayern Munich as a result.


David Silva - 2 goals and 3 assists, the only player with at least 2 of each. 





Goal of the Tournament


3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Scissor kick volley into the bottom corner.


2. Jakub Blaszczykowski - The roof lifted off in Warsaw when the Poland captain fired in a bullet.


1. Mario Gomez v Holland - The most exquisite piece of skill, turn and finish.





Wooden Spoon Award


Team - Holland - No-one expected the World Cup finalists to lose every game.


Player - Phillip Mexes - Awful in every France game, warrants the worst player award.

Summer Playlist!

Everywhere looks beautiful in the Sun - 50 Summer Songs

Did I miss any?


A Glorious Day - Embrace

A-Punk - Vampire Weekend

Ain't No Sunshine - Bill Withers

Are You Gonna Be My Girl - Jet

Beautiful Day - U2

Blame It On The Boogie - Jackson 5

Blue Skies - Jamiroquai

Curbside Prophet - Jason Mraz

Don't Look Back Into The Sun - The Libertines

Dove Grey Sands - Feeder

Good Day Sunshine - The Beatles

Hello - The Cat Empire

Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles

Hey Ya - Outkast

I Got Love - The King Blues

Jamming - Bob Marley

Lady Percy - King Charles

LDN - Lilly Allen

Lovely Day - Bill Withers

Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard - Paul Simon

Mr. Blue Sky - Electric Light Orchestra

Last Summer - Lost Prophets

Parklife - Blur

Put Your Records On - Corine Bailey Rae

Road Trippin' - The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Ring Of Fire - Johnny Cash

Seven Days In Sunny June - Jamiroquai

Sitting On The Dock Of  A Bay - Otis Redding

Slow Train - Bob Dylan

Soul Limbo - Booker T and the MG's

St. Andrews - Bedoiun Soundclash

Staple It Together - Jack Johnson

Strawberry Swing - Coldplay

Summer Days - Phoenix

Summertime - DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince

Sun Hits The Sky - Supergrass

Sunny Afternoon - The Kinks

Sunshine - Keane

Sunshine - Lupe Fiasco

Surfin' U.S.A - The Beach Boys

Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd 

These Are The Days - Jamie Cullum

Tive Razao - Seu Jorge

Twisting By The Pool - Dire Straits

Walking In The Sun - Travis

Wavin' Flag - K'naan

When The Night Feels My Song - Bedouin Soundclash

You Got The Style - Athlete

5 Years Time - Noah And The Whale

19-2000 (Soulchild Remix) - Gorillaz

My Premier League Team of The Season 2011/12

Team of the Season 

Joe Hart - Records the most clean sheets for any keeper with 17 in arguably the toughest defence in the league. Also made 98 saves, although only 10th in the league in this department.

Leighton Baines - His numbers; 9 clean sheets, 4 goals (the third highest scoring defender) and 2 assists don't seem too impressive but averaging 2 key passes per game added to a fantastic delivery make him the only real candidate for the left back spot.

Vincent Kompany - The Man City captain has shown great leadership and was the key to Man City's excellent defence, oversaw 15 clean sheets and averages 4 tackles and 6 clearances interceptions per game.

Fabricio Coloccini - Another on the field leader, the Newcastle skipper marshals the defence positionally, and is comfortable on the ball playing over 35 passes per game at an 83% success rate.

Kyle Walker - Recently named PFA Young Player of the Year, the Spurs fullback has shown great potential both offensively and defensively with 14 clean sheets and a number of key passes and crosses per game.

Antonio Valenica - 13 assists and 4 goals in 27 appearances (5 of them off the bench), as well as over 44 passes, 2 crosses and 85% pass completion per game, the Ecuadorian also contributes defensively with 2.4 tackles and an interception. 

Clint Dempsey - The focal point of almost every Fulham attacking move, the American has been directly involved in 47% (17 goals, 6 assists) in Fulham's 48 league goals this campaign. Will finish the campaign as the highest scoring midfielder in the league.

Scott Parker - Many have criticised Parker's offensive capabilities (no goals and 1 assist) but the defensive midfielder shields the defence allowing Modric and Van Der Vaart to create. Averages more tackles (3.7) and interceptions (3.1) than any defender and ranks 2nd and third in the league respectively in those departments, as well as a pass completion rate of 89%.

Gareth Bale - Was the talk of the league last year but has done even better this season with 3 more goals (10) and 11 more assists (14) than last campaign, is one of only 3 players along with van Persie and Adebayor to have double digits in goals and assists. Also 8th in the league in successful dribbles with 1.8 per game.

Robin van Perise - 30 goals and 11 assists, van Persie is the 5th most deadly striker in Europe this season with 0.78 goals per game, a deserved PFA Player of the Year and Golden Boot winner.

Sergio Aguero - 23 goals in his first season in the league, the Argentine is in ahead of Rooney by having 4 more assists and more dribbles, key passes and also takes less shots per goal. Also showed fantastic composure to fire home the goal that won City the title.

Bench 

Michael Vorm - Brendan Rogers brought in the unknown keeper from Utrecht, and he played an instrumental part in Swansea's solid defence finishing the season with 138 saves, second only to Wayne Hennessey.

Tim Krul - In his first season as number 1, Tim Krul instantly won over the fans with some spectacular shot stopping, as Newcastle held the best defensive record in all four divisions until December.

Alexander Song – Established himself as Arsenal's chief creator, with some incredible defence splitting balls for van Persie to latch onto. 12 assists for the Cameroonian.

Laurent Koscienly - A candidate for most improved player, the turnaround in form the seemingly lost Frenchman contributed to Arsenals 13 clean sheets and a 3^rd place finish.

Leon Britton - Finished the season with the 94% pass completion, the highest in Europe (ahead of any other Barcelona player) and so deserves a mention.

Ramires – No particular standout stats, but driving midfielder established himself as Chelsea’s key player with his all round defensive and offensive ability. Tireless running and constant running.

Stephane Sessegnon - Prolific under O'Neill as Sunderland put the woes of Steve Bruce behind them, finished with 7 goals and 12 assists.

Yaya Toure – 6 goals and 6 assists in 31 games, also a passing percentage of 90% and with nearly 2 tackles and third in dribbles for City only behind Silva and Aguero. A true box-to-box centre midfielder.

Pappiss Demba Cisse - Signing of the season? A near goal per game ratio (13/14) would suggest so, as well as a couple of goal of the year contenders.

Emmanuel Adebayor - Creator and goalscorer, the Togolese international took goalscoring responsibilities on his own shoulders and finished with 17 goals and 11 assists.

Wayne Rooney - 27 goals and 8 assists, has to be in the reckoning.

Manager of the Season 

Roberto Martinez - Orchestrated another miraculous Wigan survival, but this time arguably with much less firepower. Stuck to his footballing principles utilised his team's strengths. Alan Pardew a close second.

Goal of the Season 

5. Craig Gardner v Wigan - Incredible Freekick  against Wigan in the wind, unbelievable swerve. 

4. Peter Crouch v Man City - Touch and volley on the turn, straight from a goalkick. 

3. Luis Suarez v Norwich - 50 yard lob over the keeper. 

2. Pappis Cisse v Chelsea- Swerving half volley that sails straight over Petr Cech from the edge of the box.

1. Robin van Persie v Everton - Winner for technique and concentration alone, exquisite volley from a brilliant Alexander Song through ball.

Individual Leaders 

Clean Sheets - Joe Hart - 17 

Saves - Wayne Hennessey - 167

Clearances - Ryan Shawcross - 482

Tackles - Yohan Cabaye - 116

Passes - Luca Modric - 2534 (Average of 70 per game)

Interceptions - Stephen Warnock - 103

Successful Dribbles - Victor Moses - 95

Assists - David Silva - 15

Goals- Robin van Persie - 30

Own Goals - Chris Baird/Laurent Koscielny/Scott Dann - 2

Real Madrid 1-2 Barcelona FT

Eric Adibal scored a late winner for Barcelona against bitter rivals Real Madrid who take a one goal lead into the second leg of the Copa Del Rey quarter final next week.

Barcelona gained control of possession early on but struggled to break down the resolute Real Madrid backline which featured Ricardo Carvalho for the first time in 3 months.

Ronaldo opened the scoring 15 minutes in with a left footed drive between the legs of Barcelona backup keeper Pinto, after a lovely through ball from Karim Benzema.

And the game once more dissolved into a tempestuous affair before half-time and the theatrics of Madrid’s Pepe earned Gerard Pique a yellow card, while Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets lived up to reputation with a number of pathetic tumbles.

Barcelona equalised almost immediately after the restart, talismanic captain Carles Puyol firing home a bullet header from Xavi’s corner.

But with so much on the line, the match became a stop-start affair, Busquets and Pepe again showcased their gymnastic abilities, with a string of embarrassing dives, the Portuguese defender following up a poor display of sportsmanship with a blatant stamp on Messi.

But the Catalan side continued to dominate with the ball and exhibited a trademark passage of control and possession, infuriating the home crowd who were baying for blood.

And the winner came from an unlikely source as Barcelona took the lead on the 78^th minute, Messi fashioning a chance out of nothing with a lobbed through ball over the top, and Abidal slotted the ball calmly past Casillas, giving Barcelona a slender aggregate lead going into the second leg at the Camp Nou next week.

Word Count - 276

Real Madrid v Barcelona HT

A Cristiano Ronaldo strike separated the two sides at half-time in the first leg of the Copa Del Rey quarter final at the Bernabeau.

Barcelona gained control of possession early on but struggled to break down the resolute Real Madrid backline which featured Ricardo Carvalho for the first time in 3 months.

Ronaldo opened the scoring 15 minutes in with a left footed drive between the legs of Barcelona backup keeper Pinto, after a lovely through ball from Karim Benzema.

And the game once more dissolved into a tempestuous affair, the theatrics of  Pepe earned Gerard Pique a yellow card, while Sergio Busquets lived up to reputation with a number of dives.

Barcelona created two more chances with Lionel Messi’s shot saved by Casillas, before Iniesta then missed a great opportunity, his effort couldn’t find the target from close range after a clever move with Alexsis Sanchez.

Word Count - 148