...I have mixed feelings about this, to put it mildly.
Seriously, in case you missed the Letterman interview from the other day, this is pretty funny. The oh-so-polite-but-firm digs at Michael Jackson are particularly...interesting.
Let's just say I really doubt he's going to do "The Girl is Mine" tonight...
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Weekend Listomania (Special The Big Apple -- Don't Mind the Maggots! Video Edition)
Well, it's Friday and you know what that means. Yes, my Oriental lap snacker acount executive Fah Lo Suee and I are off to South Carolina for a little Appalachian Trail hiking, if you know what I mean and I'm sure you do.
In any case, posting by moi will necessarily be sporadic for a little while.
But in the meantime, here's another little project for you folks:
Best Post-Beatles Song or Record Referencing New York (City) -- and I Mean Specifically, With the Actual Words New York (City) -- in the Title or Lyrics
Yes, I did something similar to this last year, but as you can see from the above we're narrowing the parameters this time. Which means don't even try to sneak something like "Harlem Shuffle" past me or I'll come to your house and slap you silly. It's gotta say New York or New York City. Thank you.
Oh, and one really arbitrary rule. If you try to sneak "New York, New York" in here, don't even think about it unless it's some unbelievably sick, disgusting or ironic version that I'm unaware of. I dunno -- Nick Cave, maybe. Or GWAR. Other than that, watch it bub.
Also, I should probably mention that if you haven't already figured out how to do it, entries 3, 4 and 6 can all be downloaded simply by clicking on the divshare logo on the far right. You're welcome.
And with all that out of the way, my totally top of my head Top Six would be:
6. Tonio K -- American Love Affair
"Yes, and New York may be the New World, but she's still a filthy concrete bitch without a soul..."
Hey -- Tonio's from California, what can I tell you. I should also add that this song's from left field last line -- "It's an American underwear/it's in the washing machine" -- is one of the funniest things in the history of recorded sound.
5. The Rolling Stones -- She Was Hot
"New York was cold and damp" is one of my favorite opening lines, if truth be told, and this song is one of the best from Undercover, one of their several underrated 80s albums. The original video, of course, features the late paralytically sexy Broadway bombshell Anita Morris (woo hoo!), but the Stones seem to have gotten it pulled from YouTube, the bastards.
4. Willie Nile -- Streets of New York
"They come by the millions...the hipster, the prince and the clown..." From Willie's heart-as-big-as-all-outdoors album illoed above; if you haven't heard it -- including the flat out devastating "Cell Phones Ringing (In the Pockets of the Dead)" -- your life is the poorer for it.
3. The Ad-Libs -- The Boy From New York City
"And he's cute...in his mohair suit." That's poetry, folks.
2. The Strokes -- New York City Cops
If truth be told, again, I think these guys are the most overrated group of the last several years, but I will concede that if I was three decades younger and lived in the East Village they'd probably be my band. In any case, this is a perfectly acceptable ode to our Boys in Blue, so enjoy!!!!
And the numero uno song referencing the Humongous Mango, I think you already know this so let's not prolong the suspense unnecessarily, obviously is --
1. The Velvet Underground -- Rock and Roll
Lou: "Then one fine morning she puts on a New York station you know she don't believe what she heard at all...she started shakin' to that fine fine music you know her life was saved by rock and roll."
I think we all know the feeling...
Awrighty, then -- what would your choices be?
[Shameless Blogwhore: My parallel Cinema Listomania -- theme: most memorable version of an often-filmed story -- is now up over at Box Office. As always, I'd take it as a personal favor if you could see your way to go over there and leave a comment. Thanks!]
In any case, posting by moi will necessarily be sporadic for a little while.
But in the meantime, here's another little project for you folks:
Best Post-Beatles Song or Record Referencing New York (City) -- and I Mean Specifically, With the Actual Words New York (City) -- in the Title or Lyrics
Yes, I did something similar to this last year, but as you can see from the above we're narrowing the parameters this time. Which means don't even try to sneak something like "Harlem Shuffle" past me or I'll come to your house and slap you silly. It's gotta say New York or New York City. Thank you.
Oh, and one really arbitrary rule. If you try to sneak "New York, New York" in here, don't even think about it unless it's some unbelievably sick, disgusting or ironic version that I'm unaware of. I dunno -- Nick Cave, maybe. Or GWAR. Other than that, watch it bub.
Also, I should probably mention that if you haven't already figured out how to do it, entries 3, 4 and 6 can all be downloaded simply by clicking on the divshare logo on the far right. You're welcome.
And with all that out of the way, my totally top of my head Top Six would be:
6. Tonio K -- American Love Affair
"Yes, and New York may be the New World, but she's still a filthy concrete bitch without a soul..."
Hey -- Tonio's from California, what can I tell you. I should also add that this song's from left field last line -- "It's an American underwear/it's in the washing machine" -- is one of the funniest things in the history of recorded sound.
5. The Rolling Stones -- She Was Hot
"New York was cold and damp" is one of my favorite opening lines, if truth be told, and this song is one of the best from Undercover, one of their several underrated 80s albums. The original video, of course, features the late paralytically sexy Broadway bombshell Anita Morris (woo hoo!), but the Stones seem to have gotten it pulled from YouTube, the bastards.
4. Willie Nile -- Streets of New York
"They come by the millions...the hipster, the prince and the clown..." From Willie's heart-as-big-as-all-outdoors album illoed above; if you haven't heard it -- including the flat out devastating "Cell Phones Ringing (In the Pockets of the Dead)" -- your life is the poorer for it.
3. The Ad-Libs -- The Boy From New York City
"And he's cute...in his mohair suit." That's poetry, folks.
2. The Strokes -- New York City Cops
If truth be told, again, I think these guys are the most overrated group of the last several years, but I will concede that if I was three decades younger and lived in the East Village they'd probably be my band. In any case, this is a perfectly acceptable ode to our Boys in Blue, so enjoy!!!!
And the numero uno song referencing the Humongous Mango, I think you already know this so let's not prolong the suspense unnecessarily, obviously is --
1. The Velvet Underground -- Rock and Roll
Lou: "Then one fine morning she puts on a New York station you know she don't believe what she heard at all...she started shakin' to that fine fine music you know her life was saved by rock and roll."
I think we all know the feeling...
Awrighty, then -- what would your choices be?
[Shameless Blogwhore: My parallel Cinema Listomania -- theme: most memorable version of an often-filmed story -- is now up over at Box Office. As always, I'd take it as a personal favor if you could see your way to go over there and leave a comment. Thanks!]
Thursday, July 16, 2009
An Early Clue to the New Direction: Glam Guitar Hero Edition
From his 1974 solo album of the same name, please enjoy David Bowie's guitar foil and (apparently) all-around nice guy Mick Ronson and his post-Ventures instrumental take on Richard Rodgers' immortal "Slaughter on 10th Avenue."
As always, a coveted PowerPop No-Prize will be awarded the first reader who gleans the clip's relevance to the theme of tomorrow's Weekend Listomania.
As always, a coveted PowerPop No-Prize will be awarded the first reader who gleans the clip's relevance to the theme of tomorrow's Weekend Listomania.
I Know What It Means But...
I don't know if this cover of The Who's timeless powerpop classic "I Can't Explain" completely works. But I do know that I've been taken with it since I first stumbled across it on an otherwise crappy and ballad-laden album in the mid-70s, and that it features sensational guitar work by its composer, the redoubtable Pete Townshend.
In any case -- enjoy, and a Coveted PowerPop No-Prize will be awarded the first reader who guesses who's singing lead. No peeking!!!!
In any case -- enjoy, and a Coveted PowerPop No-Prize will be awarded the first reader who guesses who's singing lead. No peeking!!!!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Great Lost Singles of the 80s (An Occasional Series)
From 1983, please enjoy Greenwich Village's finest, the fabulous Floor Models, and their tear-jerking rendition of the greatest country song ever written about Jewish guilt, the exquisite "Excuses Excuses."
As you've probably guessed by now, the bass player on the above is a guy whose name rhymes with Sleeve Nimels. The song itself -- which I believe, perhaps immodestly, is good enough that it should have become a pop/rock standard by now -- was written by my old chum Andy "Folk Rock" Pasternack, who's also playing the cool Rickenbacker 12-string stuff. Recorded on 24-track during a breathless weekend demo session where we probably tried to do too much at one time -- which accounts for the bare-bones quality of the production -- but I think this is a beautiful piece of work nonetheless.
As you've probably guessed by now, the bass player on the above is a guy whose name rhymes with Sleeve Nimels. The song itself -- which I believe, perhaps immodestly, is good enough that it should have become a pop/rock standard by now -- was written by my old chum Andy "Folk Rock" Pasternack, who's also playing the cool Rickenbacker 12-string stuff. Recorded on 24-track during a breathless weekend demo session where we probably tried to do too much at one time -- which accounts for the bare-bones quality of the production -- but I think this is a beautiful piece of work nonetheless.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
I Saw the Light
So last week when I posted a clip of Lisa Loeb as the clue to the weekend's Listomania, a number of people sensibly, if wrongly, guessed that the theme was "Songs About Eyeware."
Which struck me, actually, as a pretty funny, if limited idea. So here's one of my favorites (granted, I can't think of too many others).
From 1972, and The Night is Still Young (probably their only really good album featuring mostly original songs), please enjoy Sha Na Na and their haunting paean to the invention of corrective lenses, the Jeff Barry-produced "Glasses." Written, played and sung by nice Jewish boy Jon "Bowser" Bauman, a prince.
BTW, I interviewed Bauman not too long after this came out, and I asked him what Sha Na Na used to slick back their hair. His answer? K-Y Jelly, which despite being designed (or so I've heard) for other purposes makes perfect sense, when you think of it, as it's completely water soluble. To this day, I can't figure why the band never did commercials for the stuff.
Which struck me, actually, as a pretty funny, if limited idea. So here's one of my favorites (granted, I can't think of too many others).
From 1972, and The Night is Still Young (probably their only really good album featuring mostly original songs), please enjoy Sha Na Na and their haunting paean to the invention of corrective lenses, the Jeff Barry-produced "Glasses." Written, played and sung by nice Jewish boy Jon "Bowser" Bauman, a prince.
BTW, I interviewed Bauman not too long after this came out, and I asked him what Sha Na Na used to slick back their hair. His answer? K-Y Jelly, which despite being designed (or so I've heard) for other purposes makes perfect sense, when you think of it, as it's completely water soluble. To this day, I can't figure why the band never did commercials for the stuff.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Logrolling in Our Time
Apologies for the shameless blogwhore, but my thoughts on the greatest dramatic movie ever made about rock 'n' roll -- which has, criminally, never been available on home video, either tape or DVD -- are now up over at Box Office.
Complete with brief clip of the incomparable Screaming Jay Hawkins in full mau-mau regalia.
Complete with brief clip of the incomparable Screaming Jay Hawkins in full mau-mau regalia.
(Really) Great Lost Singles of the 70s: An Occasional Series
Okay, this one's a) a masterpiece, b) incredibly rare, and c) something I've been looking for a copy of for nearly twenty five years.
From 1973, please enjoy Stealer's Wheel and "Everyone's Agreed That Everything Will Turn Out Fine," their fabulous followup to that song in the Tarantino movie whose name now escapes me. The promo single version, in stereo.
The short version: As I said, this was the followup to "Stuck in the Middle," and it flopped, inexplicably. The band then re-recorded it, hideously, for their second album, and that's the only version that has ever appeared on LP or CD since. Why they re-recorded it I have no idea, as the original is as close to perfection as any record ever gets; as you've heard by now, if "Stuck in the Middle" was the band channeling Dylan, this one is them channeling Revolver and late 60s pop psych in general. Simply gorgeous.
Adding to the wonder of it all, I should add that the circuitous route I took to finally finding the track involved -- unbeknownst to me at the time -- the help of a lurker at Eschaton. Talk about a fricking small world.
In any case -- enjoy the damn thing.
[h/t Richard Pachter and Hans Vaarkamp]
From 1973, please enjoy Stealer's Wheel and "Everyone's Agreed That Everything Will Turn Out Fine," their fabulous followup to that song in the Tarantino movie whose name now escapes me. The promo single version, in stereo.
The short version: As I said, this was the followup to "Stuck in the Middle," and it flopped, inexplicably. The band then re-recorded it, hideously, for their second album, and that's the only version that has ever appeared on LP or CD since. Why they re-recorded it I have no idea, as the original is as close to perfection as any record ever gets; as you've heard by now, if "Stuck in the Middle" was the band channeling Dylan, this one is them channeling Revolver and late 60s pop psych in general. Simply gorgeous.
Adding to the wonder of it all, I should add that the circuitous route I took to finally finding the track involved -- unbeknownst to me at the time -- the help of a lurker at Eschaton. Talk about a fricking small world.
In any case -- enjoy the damn thing.
[h/t Richard Pachter and Hans Vaarkamp]
Friday, July 10, 2009
Weekend Listomania (Special Anywhere But Here! Video Edition)
Well, it's Friday and you know what that means. Yes, my Oriental manual catharsis engineer fille de whoopee Fah Lo Suee and I are off to Wasilla, Alaska, where we'll be joining soon to be former Governor Sarah Palin [R-Mother of the Year] in a ceremony proclaiming Space Moose Alaska's Official State Animal. And I should add at this juncture that if you already know who Space Moose is, you ought to be deeply ashamed of yourself.
In any case, posting by moi will necessarily be sporadic for a little while.
But in the meantime, here's another little project for you folks:
Best Post-Elvis Song or Record Referencing Going Somewhere (Anywhere!) in the Title or Lyric!!!
No arbitrary rules this time, you're welcome very much, and if this is a little too similar to a Listomania I may or may not have posted in the past, please forgive me -- I'm old and senile.
In any case, my totally top of my head Top Seven would be...
7. Dashboard Confessional -- As Lovers Go
Okay, I don't much care for these guys, and I know it's not really about going somewhere, but I wanted to have something recorded in this century for a change. So sue me.
6. Dionne Warwick -- Trains and Boats and Planes
Said this before, but I think on balance this is not only her best record but Bachrach and David's most beautiful song. Alas, Dionne's version isn't on YouTube, but I was absolutely staggered to find that the Box Tops cover (with the teenaged Alex Chilton) which I had no idea existed, is. Truly amazing....
5. The Smashing Pumpkins -- Bullet Train to Osaka
As in Billy Corgan's pretentious cue-ball noggin wants to get on board the titular vehicle enroute to the titular city. That voice you hear is saying "All aboard the bullet train to Osaka" in Japanese, obviously.
4. Bessie Banks -- Go Now
Much as I adore the Moody Blues version (with my fave piano solo of the Brit Invasion) I've come to appreciate the original even more.
3. Nils Lofgren -- Keith Don't Go (Ode to a Glimmer Twin)
That's Keith, as in Richards, and don't go, as in don't kill yourself. From 1975, when such a thing seemed eminently possible. Lofgren's a mensch, obviously. And a great guitarist (dig the "Satisfaction" quote).
2. Katrina and the Waves -- Going Down to Liverpool
The Bangles version is more famous, and it has that Leonard Nimoy video obviously. But the original, with composer (and once and future Soft Boy) Kimberly Rew on guitar is the great one, I think.
And the numero uno This Must Not Be the Place tune, let's not even argue about this okay, obviously is --
1. Fairport Convention -- Si Tu Dois Partir
"If You Gotta Go," the Bob Dylan song, and in fricking French. Invitations to take a walk don't get any cooler.
Awrighty -- what would you choices be?
[Shameless Blogwhore: My parallel Cinema Listomania -- theme: movies with cool courtroom scenes -- is now up over at Box Office. As always, if you could see your way to going over there and leaving a coment, I'd be your best friend. And you can watch the complete courtroom scene from Woody Allen's Bananas, which is about as funny as it gets, so it'll be worth your while. Thanks!]
In any case, posting by moi will necessarily be sporadic for a little while.
But in the meantime, here's another little project for you folks:
Best Post-Elvis Song or Record Referencing Going Somewhere (Anywhere!) in the Title or Lyric!!!
No arbitrary rules this time, you're welcome very much, and if this is a little too similar to a Listomania I may or may not have posted in the past, please forgive me -- I'm old and senile.
In any case, my totally top of my head Top Seven would be...
7. Dashboard Confessional -- As Lovers Go
Okay, I don't much care for these guys, and I know it's not really about going somewhere, but I wanted to have something recorded in this century for a change. So sue me.
6. Dionne Warwick -- Trains and Boats and Planes
Said this before, but I think on balance this is not only her best record but Bachrach and David's most beautiful song. Alas, Dionne's version isn't on YouTube, but I was absolutely staggered to find that the Box Tops cover (with the teenaged Alex Chilton) which I had no idea existed, is. Truly amazing....
5. The Smashing Pumpkins -- Bullet Train to Osaka
As in Billy Corgan's pretentious cue-ball noggin wants to get on board the titular vehicle enroute to the titular city. That voice you hear is saying "All aboard the bullet train to Osaka" in Japanese, obviously.
4. Bessie Banks -- Go Now
Much as I adore the Moody Blues version (with my fave piano solo of the Brit Invasion) I've come to appreciate the original even more.
3. Nils Lofgren -- Keith Don't Go (Ode to a Glimmer Twin)
That's Keith, as in Richards, and don't go, as in don't kill yourself. From 1975, when such a thing seemed eminently possible. Lofgren's a mensch, obviously. And a great guitarist (dig the "Satisfaction" quote).
2. Katrina and the Waves -- Going Down to Liverpool
The Bangles version is more famous, and it has that Leonard Nimoy video obviously. But the original, with composer (and once and future Soft Boy) Kimberly Rew on guitar is the great one, I think.
And the numero uno This Must Not Be the Place tune, let's not even argue about this okay, obviously is --
1. Fairport Convention -- Si Tu Dois Partir
"If You Gotta Go," the Bob Dylan song, and in fricking French. Invitations to take a walk don't get any cooler.
Awrighty -- what would you choices be?
[Shameless Blogwhore: My parallel Cinema Listomania -- theme: movies with cool courtroom scenes -- is now up over at Box Office. As always, if you could see your way to going over there and leaving a coment, I'd be your best friend. And you can watch the complete courtroom scene from Woody Allen's Bananas, which is about as funny as it gets, so it'll be worth your while. Thanks!]
Thursday, July 09, 2009
An Early Clue to the New Direction: Special Bad Eyewear Edition
From 1994, please enjoy Ethan Hawke's next door neighbor Lisa Loeb and her plaintive alt-rock New Waif ode to romantic indecisiveness "Stay (I Missed You)."
As always, a coveted PowerPop No-Prize will be awarded the first reader to glean the clip's relevance to the theme of tomorrow's Weekend Listomania.
As always, a coveted PowerPop No-Prize will be awarded the first reader to glean the clip's relevance to the theme of tomorrow's Weekend Listomania.
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