Weekend Listomania (Special There's Gonna Be a Storm Video Edition)

Well, it's Friday and you know what that means.

Yes, my Oriental fille de nuit manual catharsis manager Fah Lo Suee and I will be travelling to...well, at this point, I was going to insert the traditional sort of lame topical political gag, in this case about the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, but to be honest the naked racism and misogyny being spewed by the Limbaugh wing of the Republican party in the last few days has been so utterly loathsome that my heart's just not in it. Sorry.

In any case, posting by moi will be sporadic for a few days.

So on a hopefully much lighter note, in my absence, here's a fun project for you all to contemplate:

Most Memorable Post Elvis Song or Record Referencing Atmospheric Phenomena, i.e. Weather -- In the Title or Otherwise!!!

Self-explanatory, I think, so no arbitrary rules this time.

Okay, here's my totally top of my head Top Seven:

7. The Beatles -- Rain



Depending on my mood, either this or "And Your Bird Can Sing" is my favorite of the bunch of guitar-driven, vaguely metallic pop gems that the Beatles recorded around this time in late 65-early 66. This one has Ringo's most inventive drum performance, of course.

6. Lou Christie -- Rhapsody in the Rain



"In this car, our love much too far..."

The followup to the equally apt "Lightning Strikes," this one got banned by most 1966 radio stations, for obvious reasons. Good thing nobody knew Lou was gay at the time.

5. Smashing Pumpkins -- Raindrops and Sunshowers



The representative from Billy Corgan's pretentious cueball noggin, reporting for duty.

4. The Cowsills -- The Rain, The Park and Other Things



More for the title, which is one of the greatest things of its kind coughed up in the 60s, than the record itself. Points added for Susan Cowsill, the ex-Mrs. Peter Holsapple, becoming genuinely cool in recent years (see: Continental Drifters).

3. Steeleye Span -- One Misty Moisty Morning



Probably the oldest song ever featured on a Weekend Listomania, i.e., this probably dates back to Shakespeare's day. The 1973 Span studio version of this is one of the most adorable things you'll ever hear, BTW; the word goddess is overused in some circles, but I think Maddy Prior's vocal on this live version qualifies her for consideration as one.

2. Chi Coltrane -- Thunder and Lightning



A huge hit in its day (1973) and as convincing a piece of white girl r&b as could be heard at the time. Odd that she could never really follow it up.

And the number one ill wind that blows nobody good song, it's so ridiculously apparent that I can't believe we're even having a discussion, obviously is ---

1. Terry Anderson -- Weather or Not





If truth be told, this entire Listomania proceeded from the fact that I have wanted to post the audio clip of this song -- to my mind, the absolute best Rolling Stones/Keith Richards-style guitar rocker that the Stones or Keith never did -- for what seems like ages, so please press the play button above and enjoy. In case you're wondering, Anderson comes out of the Georgia Satellites axis (he co-wrote that group's semi-hit "Battleship Chains") and this derives from the early 90s solo album seen above the link. Catchiest goddamn chorus in the world, n'est-ce pas?

Anyway, you can download it HERE; as always, if the authorization has expired by the time you get there, just e-mail me. I think you can download it from the divShare link above as well, and their authorizations don't expire, or so I'm told.

Awrighty then -- what would your faves be?

[Shameless blogwhore: My parallel Cinema Listomania -- theme: most egregious miscasting of an actor in a starring or supporting role -- is now up over at Box Office. As always, if you could see your way to going over there and leaving a comment, thus making me look good in the eyes of management, I'd be your best friend.]