Corey Hart turns 46 today.
Who amongst us does not recall where we were when we first heard that song?
Seriously -- it occurs to me that there are actual living people whose nostalgia is Hart, Jack Wagner and Styx.
Sad, really.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Weekend Listomania (Special Carpe Diem! Video Edition)
Well, it's Friday and you know what that means. Yes, my Oriental flunky Hop-Sing and I are off to Georgetown, Texas, for the third and final session of our Writer's Seminar with the great Allen Butler, the literary genius behind Why I Stopped Writing For Helium.com. Could be a hot one -- especially if a certain banned-at-Atrios Swiss nuclear phycisist/runway model shows up with her beard. (That's an actual beard, BTW, not an escort).
In any case, as a result, posting by moi will necessarily be somewhat fitful for a few days.
But until then, as always, here's a fun project for you all to contemplate:
BEST POST-ELVIS POP/ROCK SONG OR RECORD WHOSE TITLE REFERENCES TIME -- THE 4th DIMENSION!!!!
Completely arbitrary rule: The word "season" is allowed. Also days of the week.
Okay, that said, here's my totally top of my head Top Ten.
10. Six O'Clock (The Lovin' Spoonful)
For my money, their best record -- a great song, stunning production, and the crack in Sebastian's voice is almost a metaphor for their good time vibe running headlong into the heart of darkness of the late 60s.
9. Time of the Season (The Zombies)
I know, I know, I've never posted this song before.
8. Quarter to Three (Gary US Bonds)
Some of our younger readers (by which I mean those born between the invention of the blowdryer and the premiere of the television series Manimal) may not believe this, but back in the day, my buddies and I killed hours playing the opening few seconds of this over and over again in a fruitless quest to discern the rumored dirty words. Think of that as a sort of hormonal adolescent version of the myth of Sisyphus.
7. Twelve-Thirty (The Mamas and Papas)
A great song, I think, but mostly because I'm just sick to death of the more obvious "Monday, Monday."
6. A tie:
Yesterday (The Beatles)
IIRC this is the world's most covered song. Incidentally -- anybody ever seen that clip before? I haven't, and I'm wondering where the string section was. Off-stage? Or maybe on tape? (Although synching Paul live to a taped backing would have been a fairly complex technical feat back in 1966).
and
Yesterday's Gone (Chad and Jeremy)
I only found out recently that Chad actually played the cool acoustic guitar stuff on their records. Hey -- it was a big deal for me!
5. Yesterday's Papers (The Rolling Stones)
From "Between the Buttons," still the Stones least understood great album.
4. Another tie:
In The Midnight Hour (Wilson Pickett)
Sheesh, I'll bet this has been covered only slightly fewer times than "Yesterday."
and
After Midnight (Eric Clapton)
That's the song's auteur, the wonderful J. J. Cale, trading licks with EC, in case you were wondering.
3. Time Has Come Today (Chambers Brothers)
More cowbell!!! True sad story: My skinny tie band had a sort of year-long residency at a club in the Village in the 80s. It was several weeks before I realized that the maître d' was the guy singing this song.
2. Business Time (Flight of the Conchords)
For NYMary, obviously, but also because I wanted something recorded in this decade. Plus it's a great song.
And the absolute coolest 4th dimensional ditty, it's so obvious why the frick are we even arguing about it, is --
1. She Don't Care About Time (The Byrds)
Genius songwriting by Gene Clark and Roger (nee Jim) McGuinn playing "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring" on the break. It doesn't get any better.
Awrighty then -- what would your choices be?
Shameless Blogwhore: My companion movie Listomania is now up over at Box Office. As always, every time you leave a comment over there, an angel gets its wings.
[h/t Brooklyn Girl]
In any case, as a result, posting by moi will necessarily be somewhat fitful for a few days.
But until then, as always, here's a fun project for you all to contemplate:
BEST POST-ELVIS POP/ROCK SONG OR RECORD WHOSE TITLE REFERENCES TIME -- THE 4th DIMENSION!!!!
Completely arbitrary rule: The word "season" is allowed. Also days of the week.
Okay, that said, here's my totally top of my head Top Ten.
10. Six O'Clock (The Lovin' Spoonful)
For my money, their best record -- a great song, stunning production, and the crack in Sebastian's voice is almost a metaphor for their good time vibe running headlong into the heart of darkness of the late 60s.
9. Time of the Season (The Zombies)
I know, I know, I've never posted this song before.
8. Quarter to Three (Gary US Bonds)
Some of our younger readers (by which I mean those born between the invention of the blowdryer and the premiere of the television series Manimal) may not believe this, but back in the day, my buddies and I killed hours playing the opening few seconds of this over and over again in a fruitless quest to discern the rumored dirty words. Think of that as a sort of hormonal adolescent version of the myth of Sisyphus.
7. Twelve-Thirty (The Mamas and Papas)
A great song, I think, but mostly because I'm just sick to death of the more obvious "Monday, Monday."
6. A tie:
Yesterday (The Beatles)
IIRC this is the world's most covered song. Incidentally -- anybody ever seen that clip before? I haven't, and I'm wondering where the string section was. Off-stage? Or maybe on tape? (Although synching Paul live to a taped backing would have been a fairly complex technical feat back in 1966).
and
Yesterday's Gone (Chad and Jeremy)
I only found out recently that Chad actually played the cool acoustic guitar stuff on their records. Hey -- it was a big deal for me!
5. Yesterday's Papers (The Rolling Stones)
From "Between the Buttons," still the Stones least understood great album.
4. Another tie:
In The Midnight Hour (Wilson Pickett)
Sheesh, I'll bet this has been covered only slightly fewer times than "Yesterday."
and
After Midnight (Eric Clapton)
That's the song's auteur, the wonderful J. J. Cale, trading licks with EC, in case you were wondering.
3. Time Has Come Today (Chambers Brothers)
More cowbell!!! True sad story: My skinny tie band had a sort of year-long residency at a club in the Village in the 80s. It was several weeks before I realized that the maître d' was the guy singing this song.
2. Business Time (Flight of the Conchords)
For NYMary, obviously, but also because I wanted something recorded in this decade. Plus it's a great song.
And the absolute coolest 4th dimensional ditty, it's so obvious why the frick are we even arguing about it, is --
1. She Don't Care About Time (The Byrds)
Genius songwriting by Gene Clark and Roger (nee Jim) McGuinn playing "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring" on the break. It doesn't get any better.
Awrighty then -- what would your choices be?
Shameless Blogwhore: My companion movie Listomania is now up over at Box Office. As always, every time you leave a comment over there, an angel gets its wings.
[h/t Brooklyn Girl]
Thursday, May 29, 2008
A Slightly Earlier Than Usual Clue to the New Direction
Off to Gomorrah on the Hudson for a mysterious assignation. In the meantime, from 1960, here's Dion and the Belmont's gorgeous doo-wop version of Rodgers and Hart's "Where or When."
As is customary, a coveted PowerPop No-Prize will be awarded to the first reader who divines the clip's relevance to Friday's Weekend Listomania.
As is customary, a coveted PowerPop No-Prize will be awarded to the first reader who divines the clip's relevance to Friday's Weekend Listomania.
The Present Day Kylie Minogue Refuses to Die
The NME says the Ting Tings are "the most exciting new band in the country." Presumably, they mean the United Kingdom.
I just listened to their album, and I'm unconvinced (if they'd said "the cutesiest new band in the country" -- maybe). But I think there's one thing we can all agree on -- Later is hands down the best music show ever on television and host Jools Holland is a treasure; if the Brits have any brains, they'll nationalize him.
I just listened to their album, and I'm unconvinced (if they'd said "the cutesiest new band in the country" -- maybe). But I think there's one thing we can all agree on -- Later is hands down the best music show ever on television and host Jools Holland is a treasure; if the Brits have any brains, they'll nationalize him.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
The Present Day Mod Refuses to Die
From 1965, the very first Who video (or promo film, as they were called back in the day).
And if that makes you feel decrepit, please remember that Paul Weller just turned 50 on Sunday.
I grow old...I grow old...
I shall wear the bottoms of my jumpsuit rolled...
And if that makes you feel decrepit, please remember that Paul Weller just turned 50 on Sunday.
I grow old...I grow old...
I shall wear the bottoms of my jumpsuit rolled...
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Reckless Country Soul
On a whim, I just downloaded a couple of Jason and the Scorchers songs from iTunes, including this astounding Dylan cover.
I hadn't heard this stuff in a while, and I must confess to being blown away all over again. Seriously, there are times I think these guys weren't just the best American band of the 80s (for their stage act alone) but that perhaps they were the Great American Band period.
I hadn't heard this stuff in a while, and I must confess to being blown away all over again. Seriously, there are times I think these guys weren't just the best American band of the 80s (for their stage act alone) but that perhaps they were the Great American Band period.
The Whiners Next Door
It has come to my attention that the kids dig the 3 Doors Down, who have a new album out.
That's the new single, for those who care, and while it's not as skull-crushingly annoying as their earlier National Guard recruitment anthem Citizen Soldier (the video of which looks alarmingly like something Leni Riefenstahl might have directed) I think that after hearing it we can all agree that emo, apart from being the stupidest name for a rock genre ever, is now indisputably the most irksome.
That's the new single, for those who care, and while it's not as skull-crushingly annoying as their earlier National Guard recruitment anthem Citizen Soldier (the video of which looks alarmingly like something Leni Riefenstahl might have directed) I think that after hearing it we can all agree that emo, apart from being the stupidest name for a rock genre ever, is now indisputably the most irksome.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Memorial Day 2008
The Zombies' "A Butchers Tale (Western Front 1914)." Still, for my money, the most powerful anti-war song of them all.
Actually, I remember where I was on this day in 1968. Vividly. And I can guarantee that if you had told me that, forty years later, the United States would be once again involved in another abominable, immoral war in a country on the other side of the world that had not attacked us, I would have assumed you were doing drugs far more potent than any I had yet encountered.
Actually, I remember where I was on this day in 1968. Vividly. And I can guarantee that if you had told me that, forty years later, the United States would be once again involved in another abominable, immoral war in a country on the other side of the world that had not attacked us, I would have assumed you were doing drugs far more potent than any I had yet encountered.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Weekend Listomania (Special Interstate Commerce Video Edition)
Well, it's Friday and you know what that means. Yes, my Oriental flunky Hop-Sing and I are off to the second weekend of our annual Writer's Retreat in Georgetown, Texas, hosted as always by the incomparable Allen Butler, author of such literary triumphs as A Review of Camel Signature Blends. Could be a hot one -- especially if a certain Swiss runway model shows up with her beard (that's an actual beard, by the way. Not a person.)
In any case, as a result, posting by moi will necessarily be somewhat fitful for a few days.
But until then, as always, here's a fun project for you all to contemplate:
BEST POST-ELVIS POP/ROCK SONG OR RECORD WHOSE TITLE REFERENCES A MODE OF TRANSPORTATION!!!!!
Totally arbitrary rule: No title with the words "road" or "street" need apply. Sorry.
Okay, that said, here's my totally top of my head Top Ten.
10. Highway to Hell (AC/DC)
Did I say 'highway"?
9. Little Deuce Coupe (The Beach Boys)
Pretty much my all time favorite car song, and I love this clip, from a closed-circuit theater concert presumed lost until it resurfaced a few years ago.
8. Last of the Steam Powered Trains (The Kinks)
From the epochal "Village Green" album. Somebody -- in MOJO maybe -- was bitching recently that nobody had ever covered this. If they haven't, they certainly should....
7. My White Bicycle (Tomorrow)
Brilliant Summer of Love psychedelic pop, even if the guitarist is the pre-Yes Steve Howe.
5. A tie:
Silver Machine (Hawkwind)
Lemmy! Goddamn -- it's fricking Lemmy!!!!!
and
The Aeroplane Flies High (Smashing Pumpkins)
Just because I wanted something recorded within the last ten years. Although I think it's time we all faced facts -- these guys may well have been the most pompous, pretentious gasbags in rock history.
4. Chestnut Mare (The Byrds)
Because "A Horse With No Name" is just too stupid for words, and I couldn't find a video for Procol Harum's "A Christmas Camel." Heheh.
3. Another tie:
Theme from Route 66 (Nelson Riddle)
George Maharis and Martin Milner come home -- all is forgiven.
and
Route 66 (Dr. Feelgood)
I can't think of another rock song that's inspired so many terrific covers in so many styles -- Depeche Mode, anybody? -- but I had never seen this Dr. Feelgood clip untill now. That's the great Wilko Johnson on guitar and spastic stagger, of course.
2. Rocket in My Pocket (Jimmy Lloyd)
That's Jimmy Lloyd a/k/a Jimmy Logsdon ("The Man Without a Subtitle" in Nick Tosches brilliant Unsung Heroes of Rock n Roll, still the best and funniest book about roots music ever) and what was for many years one of the rarest and in-demand rockabilly obscurities ever recorded. You might recall it from The Iron Giant soundtrack, of course.
And the number one transportation song, it's not even a contest so don't bug me is --
1. Trains and Boats and Planes (Dionne Warwick)
For obvious reasons, of course, not the least of which it's just so gorgeously mournful. I think it's the peak of the Bachrach/Warwick collaboration, actually.
Awrighty then -- what would your choices be?
Shameless Blogwhore: My companion weekend movie Listomania is up over at Box Office. Remember -- if you can see your way to leaving a comment over there, I can convince management to up my freelance rate, thus helping me to afford that romantic week in Paris I've been invited to share with a certain shady dame.
In any case, as a result, posting by moi will necessarily be somewhat fitful for a few days.
But until then, as always, here's a fun project for you all to contemplate:
BEST POST-ELVIS POP/ROCK SONG OR RECORD WHOSE TITLE REFERENCES A MODE OF TRANSPORTATION!!!!!
Totally arbitrary rule: No title with the words "road" or "street" need apply. Sorry.
Okay, that said, here's my totally top of my head Top Ten.
10. Highway to Hell (AC/DC)
Did I say 'highway"?
9. Little Deuce Coupe (The Beach Boys)
Pretty much my all time favorite car song, and I love this clip, from a closed-circuit theater concert presumed lost until it resurfaced a few years ago.
8. Last of the Steam Powered Trains (The Kinks)
From the epochal "Village Green" album. Somebody -- in MOJO maybe -- was bitching recently that nobody had ever covered this. If they haven't, they certainly should....
7. My White Bicycle (Tomorrow)
Brilliant Summer of Love psychedelic pop, even if the guitarist is the pre-Yes Steve Howe.
5. A tie:
Silver Machine (Hawkwind)
Lemmy! Goddamn -- it's fricking Lemmy!!!!!
and
The Aeroplane Flies High (Smashing Pumpkins)
Just because I wanted something recorded within the last ten years. Although I think it's time we all faced facts -- these guys may well have been the most pompous, pretentious gasbags in rock history.
4. Chestnut Mare (The Byrds)
Because "A Horse With No Name" is just too stupid for words, and I couldn't find a video for Procol Harum's "A Christmas Camel." Heheh.
3. Another tie:
Theme from Route 66 (Nelson Riddle)
George Maharis and Martin Milner come home -- all is forgiven.
and
Route 66 (Dr. Feelgood)
I can't think of another rock song that's inspired so many terrific covers in so many styles -- Depeche Mode, anybody? -- but I had never seen this Dr. Feelgood clip untill now. That's the great Wilko Johnson on guitar and spastic stagger, of course.
2. Rocket in My Pocket (Jimmy Lloyd)
That's Jimmy Lloyd a/k/a Jimmy Logsdon ("The Man Without a Subtitle" in Nick Tosches brilliant Unsung Heroes of Rock n Roll, still the best and funniest book about roots music ever) and what was for many years one of the rarest and in-demand rockabilly obscurities ever recorded. You might recall it from The Iron Giant soundtrack, of course.
And the number one transportation song, it's not even a contest so don't bug me is --
1. Trains and Boats and Planes (Dionne Warwick)
For obvious reasons, of course, not the least of which it's just so gorgeously mournful. I think it's the peak of the Bachrach/Warwick collaboration, actually.
Awrighty then -- what would your choices be?
Shameless Blogwhore: My companion weekend movie Listomania is up over at Box Office. Remember -- if you can see your way to leaving a comment over there, I can convince management to up my freelance rate, thus helping me to afford that romantic week in Paris I've been invited to share with a certain shady dame.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
An Earlier Than Usual Clue to the New Direction
Okay, off to the city to have a drink with The Smirking Chimp.
No, not Bush. The actual guy who runs The Smirking Chimp website. Turns out he's a friend of a friend of a friend.
Meanwhile, from 1969, here's the classic opening sequence from the counter-cultural action show Then Came Bronson, starring brooding Brando-esque Michael Parks.
In any case, as is customary, a coveted PowerPop No-Prize will be awarded to the first reader who divines the clip's relevance to Friday's Weekend Listomania.
Shameless blogwhore: My latest Box Office musings -- featuring Secret Agent Patrick McGoohan as Iago(!) -- can be found here. As always, if you can leave a comment and help get me in good with management, it would be greatly appreciated.
No, not Bush. The actual guy who runs The Smirking Chimp website. Turns out he's a friend of a friend of a friend.
Meanwhile, from 1969, here's the classic opening sequence from the counter-cultural action show Then Came Bronson, starring brooding Brando-esque Michael Parks.
In any case, as is customary, a coveted PowerPop No-Prize will be awarded to the first reader who divines the clip's relevance to Friday's Weekend Listomania.
Shameless blogwhore: My latest Box Office musings -- featuring Secret Agent Patrick McGoohan as Iago(!) -- can be found here. As always, if you can leave a comment and help get me in good with management, it would be greatly appreciated.
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