Thursday, September 30, 2021

Great Lost Singles of the '80s (An Occasional Series): Special "Wishin' and Hopin'" Edition

From his 1988 debut solo album Talk is Cheap, please enjoy Keith Richards (and his X-Pensive Winos) and the sublimely Stones-esque "How I Wish."

The song speaks for itself, obviously, but I feel obligated to mention that drummer Steve Jordan covers himself in glory on that track. Which is one of the reasons that I was somewhat annoyed last week when purist assholes were saying it was no longer the Stones now that Jordan has replaced the late great Charlie Watts in the band.

I mean gimme a break.

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Mel Brooks: Future Oscar Contender at age 95?

From the soon to be released documentary The Automat, please enjoy my all time hero, the aforementioned Mel Brooks, and his musical ode to one of my favorite restaurant chains of all time.

The Automat Song.

The actual video clip is at the link, obviously; sorry there's no YouTube yet, but trust me -- you've got to see this.

I should add that the flick itself recently premiered at the Telluride Festival; needless to say we'll keep you posted.

Monday, September 27, 2021

Friday, September 24, 2021

Your Friday Moment of Words Fail Me

And speaking of Ruthann Friedman, as we were yesterday, here's her version of the song she gave The Association.

Jeebus H. Christ on a piece of burnt challah toast, but that's fabulous, and I'm embarrassed to admit I'd never heard it until yesterday. Clearly, this woman will be a topic of further research at this here blog.

Have a great weekend, everybody!!!

Thursday, September 23, 2021

Thursday Photo Quiz

A coveted PowerPop No-Prize will be awarded to the first reader who identifies the nice Jewish girl to the left of Joni Mitchell and Stephen Stills.

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Closed For Monkey Business

Back on Thursday with cool new stuff. Sorry for the delay, but I've had a tough day or so.

Monday, September 20, 2021

Cette Chose Que Vous Faites!

From just a few weeks or so ago, please enjoy The Weeklings -- featuring Glen Burtnick, a guy with a great rock-and-roll resume as long as your arm -- and their video for a transplendent cover of the title song from the Tom Hanks movie classic That Thing You Do!

Let me add a couple of things at this juncture.

Number one: This is just fucking awesome, period.

Number two: I love that there's a photo of the song's composer (Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne) on the wall behind Burtnick.

And number three: Schlesinger was one of the early COVID deaths last year; I blame that completely on President Schmucko, and have no doubt that it alone will make him (Trump) rot in hell for all eternity.

Okay, now that I've got that off my chest, let me just add that you can (and should) purchase the Weeklings new album over at Amazon HERE.

I should also add that if you haven't seen the movie, get the Blu-Ray version (also at Amazon); it has about ten minutes of additional footage that was edited out of the theatrical and DVD versions, and which sheds some interesting light on the Hanks character.

Friday, September 17, 2021

Weekend Listomania: Special "Tonight the Bottle Did or Did Not Let Me Down" Edition

Well, it's Friday and you know what that means. Yes, my Asian erotic mixologist Fah Lo Suee and I will be...well, actually I'm not going to tell you where we're going. Nyah nyah nyah. Eat your hearts out.

But in the meantime, here's a fun little project for all of us:

Best or Worst Post-Elvis Pop/Rock/Soul Record Referencing Fermented Spirits in the Title or Lyrics!

No arbirtrary rules whatsoever, obviously, although it would be a good idea if your nominees were posted by you in the condition the songs suggest.

And my totally Top of My Head Top Ten would be:

10. Procol Harum -- Drunk Again

From their next to last album with more or less the original line-up. And written about their tragically flawed but brilliant drummer B.J. Wilson.

9. Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart -- I've Been Drinking

Words fail me over how brilliant that is. For Beck's guitar solo alone.

8. The Hounds -- I've Been Drinking

My mid-70s band covering the Beck/Stewart version; I'm doing the Beck solo, and not badly, I think.

7. George Thorogood and the Destroyers -- I Drink Alone

I mostly never cared for Thorogood, but this particular song and video is without question the funniest ode to alcoholic solipsism of all time.

6. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band -- Drunk Again

Pretty droll, and Butterfield -- besides being one of the best blues guys of the 60s -- knew from whereof he spoke. In the mid 70s/early 80s, when I was living in Greenwich Village, I used to see him at the end of the bar every Saturday afternoon at the old Bitter End, and he was shall we say well lubricated on every one of those occasions.

5. Procol Harum -- Whiskey Train

One of their absolute best songs, and once again written about their tragic alcoholic drummer B.J. Wilson.

4. The Rolling Stones -- Loving Cup

A random choice from too many others by those guys to even contemplate.

3. John Lee Hooker -- One Bourbon One Scotch One Beer

Pretty much self-explanatory.

2. The Champs -- Tequila

One of the great early rock 'n' roll instrumentals. I should add that for years I was under the impression that both Seals AND Crofts played on this record, but apparently that is, as they say, misleading. They were members of the Champs well after "Tequila" had been a hit. That said -- this clip is actually totally live, which is pretty remarkable for its day..

And the numero uno, most fabulous song/record about that stuff that gets you high is unquestionably....

1. Dr. Richard Seaman -- Sweet Seder Wine

Alrighty then -- what would YOUR choices be?

Have a great weekend, everybody!!!

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Closed for Monkey Business

Very busy with real life stuff; regular posting -- starting with a killer Weekend Listomania -- resumes on Friday.

Donald Trump: The Opera

From his utterly brilliant 1983 EP Trap Door, please enjoy T-Bone Burnett and his preternaturally prescient ode to Presidenct Schmucko "A Ridiculous Man."

I should add that the abovementioned EP is a masterpiece that also features T-Bone's beyond brilliant Lou Reed-esque cover of "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend."

Let's rock!!!

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Brian May Meets Brian May! Also, I Meet Me as Well!!!

From 1992, please enjoy the great Brian May, of Queen, hanging out with his contemporary self.

And, thanks to my genius photoshop expert girlfriend, here's the 1982 me getting down with the 2019 old guy version.

No accompanying music, alas, but the idea and the execution is still pretty cool.

Monday, September 13, 2021

Mañana Hasn't Got a Clue

From 1993, please enjoy Los Lobos -- aka one of the greatest American bands of the last several decades -- and their beyond fantastic live cover of The Beatles psychedlic classic studio masterpeice "Tomorrow Never Knows."

Ain't that the damndest thing?

Yes. Yes it is.

Friday, September 10, 2021

It Was Forty Years Ago Today

Holy crap -- ABBA is about to release their first album of new music in four decades.

And coincidentally, also four decades old -- here are the fabulous Floor Models (featuring a bassist whose name rhymes with Sleeve Nimels) covering ABBA's classic "S.O.S."

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Thursday, September 09, 2021

Like Father Like Daughter

Dave Grohl and his teenage daughter Violet do an absolutely killer version of Adele's "When We Were Young."

I've never much cared for Adele, but that's a great song.

In any case, the kid is right -- her dad is not the best singer in the family.

Words fucking fail me.

Wednesday, September 08, 2021

Closed for Monkey Business

It's Slacker Wednesday, kids, so no posting. We will return to work on Thursday, you're welcome very much.

Tuesday, September 07, 2021

Great Minds Think Alike (An Occasional Series)

And speaking, as we were last Friday, of Bob McFadden's classic 1959 novelty single The Mummy -- featuring Rod McKuen -- please enjoy its less celebrated B-side "The Beat Generation."

And then, from 1977, please compare and contrast it with ex-Television bass player and punk rock pioneer Richard Hell and his signature anthem "Blank Generation."

Nah, they're not the same song. And you'd be a fool or a Communist to suggest otherwise.

Seriously, it's really true -- there's nothing new under the lucky old sun.

[h/t Joe Lee Henderson]

Monday, September 06, 2021

Beach Boyz II Men

There was a very nice piece in last weekend's Arts and Leisure section of the New York Times on Feel Flows, the just released remixed and remastered collection of Beach Boys' Sunflower and Surf's Up stuff from 1969-1971.

But here's the bit that flipped me out.

The boxed set...has some gorgeous extras, like an early version of [Mike] Love’s “Big Sur” that is very different from the one that later appeared on Holland. There are also oddities like “My Solution,” a monster-movie novelty recorded by Brian [Wilson] on Halloween 1970, and a 40-second quotation from The Beatles’ “You Never Give Me Your Money,” performed on electric piano — but by whom? The producers think it was [Bruce] Johnston, who said he has no idea.

And because I love you all more than food, here it is.

BTW, just about every song from the set seems to be available on YouTutube. Enjoy.

Friday, September 03, 2021

Weekend Listomania: Special "Can't You Take a Joke For Heaven's Sake?" Edition

[I originally posted a version of this in 2010, back when the world and this blog were young. To prove I'm not the lazy bastard you think I am, however, I've rewritten a lot of it and added three new entries. Enjoy! -- S.S.]

Well, it's Friday and you know what that means. Yes, my Asian manual catharsis assistant (who shall not be named) and I are off to Texas to get her an abortion at the same time I'm carrying a now-legal gun to blow away anybody who gives us some now illegal shit about it. HAH! The ironies abound, no?

But in the meantime, assuming we survive, here's a fun little project for us all:

Best or Worst Post-Elvis Novelty or (Obvious Goof) Record!!!

No arbitrary rules of any kind this time, you're welcome very much.

And my totally top of my head Top Ten is:

10. Bob McFadden and Dor -- I'm a Mummy

That's Rod McKuen -- yes him -- playing the part of the beatnik at the end, by the way. Even as a kid, I knew this record was lame.

9. Mickey Katz -- Duvid Crockett

This totally cracks me up. I should add that Katz's niece Jennifer Grey, of Dirty Dancing fame, did a killer version of this on the Conan O'Brien show, which you can find on YouTube.

8. The Benzedrine Monks of Santo Domonica -- Theme from The Monkees

Have I mentioned that I'm seeing Micky Dolenz and Mike Nesmith live for my birthday in October? God, I hope they do this one.

7. Mel Brooks -- The Hitler Rap

It's Mel Brooks. It's a rap. It's about Hitler. Jeebus, what more do you want?

6. The Beatles -- You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)

"Good evening and welcome to Slaggers." A throwaway joke by the Fabs, but all involved cover themselves in glory -- in particular, Paul McCartney as the unctuous crooner and special guest Rolling Stone Brian Jones on lounge saxophone.

5. The Police/Henry Mancini's Orchestra -- Peter Gunn/Every Breath You Take

One of those mashup records the kids seem to like so much, and committed for The Sopranos soundtrack album for no logical reason I can determine other than both songs are in the key of E. Or maybe there's some kind of irony I'm missing. In any case, it's obviously supposed to make you go "How clever!" but unfortunately it's just annoying.

4. Godfrey Daniel -- I Am Woman

A bunch of New York wiseacres doing to Helen Reddy what always needed to be done to Helen Reddy.

3. Buchanan and Goodman -- Flying Saucer the 2nd

One of the first break-in records, and still one of the funniest.

2. Albert Brooks -- Party in Outer Space

The first and still the only FAKE break-in record, and drop-dead hilarious.

And the number one most uproarious loud noise ever made is clearly...

1. Flipper -- Sex Bomb

The band that died for your fins, obviously.

One of the great punk/New Wave/alt-rock records that truly says -- "I don't know what."

Okay, and what would YOUR choices be?

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Thursday, September 02, 2021

You Go, Girls

From 1971, live on German TV, please enjoy pioneering female rockers Fanny and their kick-ass cover of my favorite obscure Beatles song "Hey Bulldog."

Attentive readers may recall that I wrote a somewhat condescending review of an album by those gals for CREEM magazine back in the day and I've been, shall we say, agnostic about a recent fan effort to get them into the Rock Hall of Fame.

However,, that video, which apparently has gone viral of late, has totally changed my mind. World class great, and induct them now.

Wednesday, September 01, 2021

Songs I'd Forgotten That I Loved (An Occasional Series)

From 1969, please enjoy the vastly underrated The Association and their should have been a much bigger hit "Dubuque Blues."

The eponymous album that's from is, if memory serves, also quite good. I'm gonna revisit it ASAP.