Cheers Everyone!
Hope you had a rockin' New Years eve! Today, I scored a copy of this single from my local SPCA's thrift shop for $.25! This is, of course Kenny, who had a number 4 hit in the UK with Fancy Pants in 1975. Hard to believe that just one year later the Sex Pistols' Anarchy in the UK would chart at #38!
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Thursday, December 31, 2009
A Timely, Yet Oddly Still Early, Clue to the New Direction
From 2008, please enjoy the former Madonna Louise Ciccone and former boy band bimbo Justin Timberlake and their re-write of "The Song of the Volga Boatmen" extremely annoying hit single "4 Minutes."
Two quick thoughts on this one. First of all, if I was to be making a list of the three most butt-ugly records of recent years (admittedly, an odd way to spend one's time), this one would be on it, along with Rihanna's "Umbrella" and that "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" Beyoncé crap.
Also, as I think I've said here before, I find it really difficult to credit the recent Gen-Y embrace of Timberlake as some kind of cool all-around entertainer as anything other than a post-ironic joke that I'm not getting. Kind of like the earlier slacker crowd vogue for Tony Bennett .
In any case, as always a coveted PowerPop No-Prize will be awarded to the first reader who gleans the clip's relevance to theme of tomorrow's Weekend Listomania.
Two quick thoughts on this one. First of all, if I was to be making a list of the three most butt-ugly records of recent years (admittedly, an odd way to spend one's time), this one would be on it, along with Rihanna's "Umbrella" and that "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" Beyoncé crap.
Also, as I think I've said here before, I find it really difficult to credit the recent Gen-Y embrace of Timberlake as some kind of cool all-around entertainer as anything other than a post-ironic joke that I'm not getting. Kind of like the earlier slacker crowd vogue for Tony Bennett .
In any case, as always a coveted PowerPop No-Prize will be awarded to the first reader who gleans the clip's relevance to theme of tomorrow's Weekend Listomania.
Wanking in Our Time
Interesting and alarming news from the Sceptered Isle: Over at yesterday's Telegraph, Brit writer Neil McCormick has listed what he considers the top ten guitar solos in rock history.
His choices:
I'm not going to argue the individual choices (most of which strike me as somewhere between obvious and banal) but the fact that McCormick didn't include the Neil Innes solo that slices this song in half...
...or the Innes solo that serves the same function on this track...
...means I probably won't need to worry about any of his opinions on anything else in the future.
C'mon, dude -- these two were scientifically proven to be the heaviest fretboard workouts of all time fricking AGES ago.
[h/t Kerrin L. Griffith]
His choices:
1. Moonage Daydream - Mick Ronson
A sci-fi blowout: Ronson picks the song up and sends it spinning into outer space.
2. Voodoo Child - Jimi Hendrix
Evil blues from the greatest rock guitarist ever.
3. Since I’ve Been Loving You - Jimmy Page
Passionate, desperate lyricism.
4. Shine On You Crazy Diamond - David Gilmour
Moving, meditational, un-showy expression of melody and tone.
5. Like A Hurricane - Neil Young
Not technically adept, Young can play one note like a primal force.
6. Hotel California - Joe Walsh and Don Felder
Soaring, uplifting twin lead takes off into the ether.
7. Purple Rain - Prince
Wild, fluid and free as his soulful vocals.
8. While My Guitar Gently Weeps - Eric Clapton
Seamlessly integrated, Clapton weeps and wails all over George Harrison’s mournful melody.
9. Love Spreads - John Squire
Bluesy slide work out to a funky beat gives Britpop wings.
10. Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers - Jeff Beck
Heartfelt emotion on a Stevie Wonder cover from the most technically dazzling guitarist since Jimi.
I'm not going to argue the individual choices (most of which strike me as somewhere between obvious and banal) but the fact that McCormick didn't include the Neil Innes solo that slices this song in half...
...or the Innes solo that serves the same function on this track...
...means I probably won't need to worry about any of his opinions on anything else in the future.
C'mon, dude -- these two were scientifically proven to be the heaviest fretboard workouts of all time fricking AGES ago.
[h/t Kerrin L. Griffith]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Compare and Contrast: Anyone Who Ever Had a Heart
From 1970 and Loaded (perhaps on balance their best album, although we can argue that another time) please enjoy the latter day Velvet Underground and the suave vocal stylings of Lou Reed on their unlikely but ubiquitous rock anthem "Sweet Jane."
And from 1988, and their equally unlikely indie-rock left field smash hit The Trinity Session, please enjoy Cowboy Junkies, featuring the languid vocal stylings of the lovely Margo Timmins, and an ineffably laid back cover of same.
BTW, the Velvet's track above is the uncut version, with the "heavenly wine and roses" bridge that was excised -- to Lou's ire -- from the original album version and as a result from just about everybody else's subsequent covers. I myself am of the opinion that the song plays stronger without it, and Lou has gone back and forth on that when he performs it himself. I forget whether he sang it on the Velvet's live reunion album from 1993, but I'm pretty sure he did at the concert for the opening of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in '95 (backed by Soul Asylum no less).
As for the Cowboy Junkies version, all I can say is that it makes me very, very sleepy, like most of their stuff. In their defense, however, it's a cover of the equally languid version on 1969: Velvet Underground Live, an album that I've always thought of as The Velvets in a Mellow Mood For Lovers Only. In any case, I've had a huge thing for Margo Timmins for the longest time, so my critical objectivity is by definition suspect.
As for the song itself, it's funny to think of it, but by now, "Sweet Jane" has probably been covered more times by more different people than "Johnny B. Goode."
Okay, maybe not more times, but close.
And from 1988, and their equally unlikely indie-rock left field smash hit The Trinity Session, please enjoy Cowboy Junkies, featuring the languid vocal stylings of the lovely Margo Timmins, and an ineffably laid back cover of same.
BTW, the Velvet's track above is the uncut version, with the "heavenly wine and roses" bridge that was excised -- to Lou's ire -- from the original album version and as a result from just about everybody else's subsequent covers. I myself am of the opinion that the song plays stronger without it, and Lou has gone back and forth on that when he performs it himself. I forget whether he sang it on the Velvet's live reunion album from 1993, but I'm pretty sure he did at the concert for the opening of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in '95 (backed by Soul Asylum no less).
As for the Cowboy Junkies version, all I can say is that it makes me very, very sleepy, like most of their stuff. In their defense, however, it's a cover of the equally languid version on 1969: Velvet Underground Live, an album that I've always thought of as The Velvets in a Mellow Mood For Lovers Only. In any case, I've had a huge thing for Margo Timmins for the longest time, so my critical objectivity is by definition suspect.
As for the song itself, it's funny to think of it, but by now, "Sweet Jane" has probably been covered more times by more different people than "Johnny B. Goode."
Okay, maybe not more times, but close.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Songs I've Just Realized I Can't Live Without (An Occasional Series)
From 1965 (and the only-in-America compilation album Kinkdom), please enjoy The Kinks, featuring Dave Davies on lead vocals, and the oh-so-sad-and-beautiful folk-rock ballad "Wait Till the Summer Comes Along."
I've adored that song (Dave's first writers credit on a Kinks record, if memory serves) since buying the LP above in a crappy reprocessed stereo version at Sam Goody in Paramus, New Jersey. But I hadn't listened to it in a while, and on revisiting it (and still finding it deeply touching, I hasten to add) I was immediately struck by a) how slapdash the Shel Talmy production is and b) what a wonderfully pretentious Sorrows of Young Werther kid's blues it is.
"I've been crying all the winter," Dave all but sobs in the song's opening line, and the clear implication is that his life has been nothing but endless heartache, self-lacerating guilt and tragedy, and frankly what's the point of going on?
Just to put things in perspective, its popstar composer was all of 17 when he wrote and recorded it.
I've adored that song (Dave's first writers credit on a Kinks record, if memory serves) since buying the LP above in a crappy reprocessed stereo version at Sam Goody in Paramus, New Jersey. But I hadn't listened to it in a while, and on revisiting it (and still finding it deeply touching, I hasten to add) I was immediately struck by a) how slapdash the Shel Talmy production is and b) what a wonderfully pretentious Sorrows of Young Werther kid's blues it is.
"I've been crying all the winter," Dave all but sobs in the song's opening line, and the clear implication is that his life has been nothing but endless heartache, self-lacerating guilt and tragedy, and frankly what's the point of going on?
Just to put things in perspective, its popstar composer was all of 17 when he wrote and recorded it.
Monday, December 28, 2009
In Search Of Eddie Riff: Bubblegum Edition
First, let's begin with bubblegum kings the 1910 Fruitgum Company's 1968 hit Goody, Goody Gumdrops which reached #37 on the U.S. charts in that year. The song contains perhaps one of the corniest couplets ever to grace an American rock song: "Look into her baby blue eyes, right down to her dainty shoe size." Cringeworthy stuff indeed.
Next, let's take a listen to Redd Kross's The Faith Healer which appeared on their 1990 LP Third Eye. When I first heard this, it bugged the hell out of me for weeks that I couldn't place the chorus. A few months later I was spinning a bubblegum comp and then it hit me: they copped it from Goody, Goody! I guess I should have known given the record had another tune on it called Bubblegum Factory. Extra points also for the cool Pet Sounds middle section.
Next, let's take a listen to Redd Kross's The Faith Healer which appeared on their 1990 LP Third Eye. When I first heard this, it bugged the hell out of me for weeks that I couldn't place the chorus. A few months later I was spinning a bubblegum comp and then it hit me: they copped it from Goody, Goody! I guess I should have known given the record had another tune on it called Bubblegum Factory. Extra points also for the cool Pet Sounds middle section.
Songs the Beatles Gave Away: An Occasional Series
From September, 1968 -- and one of the initial four single releases on the then fledgling Apple Records -- please enjoy Jackie Lomax and his rendition of the swell George Harrison tune "Sour Milk Sea."
Lomax was the very soulful frontman for Liverpool beat group The Undertakers, a bunch that never made much of an impression over here, but who as you can see dressed kind of interestingly. In any case, this is an absolutely kick-ass track, which is not particularly surprising when you consider who's in the superstar backing band. That's Paul McCartney on bass, Ringo Starr on drums, Nicky Hopkins on piano, and on guitars -- trading solos, no less -- both Eric Clapton and the song's composer. Frankly, I've never understood why this wasn't a hit.
Oh, and for the record, the other initial Apple singles were the Fabs' "Hey Jude/Revolution," Mary Hopkin's "Those Were the Days." and "Thingumybob" by The Black Dyke Mills Band.
Lomax was the very soulful frontman for Liverpool beat group The Undertakers, a bunch that never made much of an impression over here, but who as you can see dressed kind of interestingly. In any case, this is an absolutely kick-ass track, which is not particularly surprising when you consider who's in the superstar backing band. That's Paul McCartney on bass, Ringo Starr on drums, Nicky Hopkins on piano, and on guitars -- trading solos, no less -- both Eric Clapton and the song's composer. Frankly, I've never understood why this wasn't a hit.Oh, and for the record, the other initial Apple singles were the Fabs' "Hey Jude/Revolution," Mary Hopkin's "Those Were the Days." and "Thingumybob" by The Black Dyke Mills Band.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Saturday Glam Blogging...
Here's Roy Wood and Wizzard going all Phil Spector on our asses with their single I Wish it Could be Christmas Every Day which reached #4 in the UK charts in 1973.
Cheers, and Happy Boxing Day!
Cheers, and Happy Boxing Day!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Holiday Weekend Listomania (Special How Odd of God to Choose the Jews! Audio/Video Edition)
Well, it's Friday, and you know what that means. Yes, my Oriental Delta of Venus coiffeur Fah Lo Suee and I will be off to Wasilla, Alaska, for a Christmas party with former Gov. Sarah Palin and brood. I understand that former First Dude Todd Palin (Secessionist-Hell) will be carving the traditional Xmas moose while dressed as the beloved cartoon character Bullwinkle, which I think shows an interesting sense of irony on his part.
But in any case, further posting by moi will necessarily be sporadic for a day or two.
In the meantime, then, here's a hopefully fun little holiday project for us all:
Best or Worst Post-Elvis Pop/Rock Song or Album That's Written or Performed By (or Simply References) My Fellow Red Sea Pedestrians!!!
That's "Red Sea Pedestrians" as in Jews, in case you didn't catch the reference.
In other words, if it's by or sung by a Jew, or vaguely alludes to the whole Jewish thing, it's good to go.
And no arbitrary rules whatsoever that I can think of, except you can't eat dairy with meat. And shellfish is right out.
Oh, and nothing from Jesus Christ Superstar or Godspell. Seriously -- you try to slip some of that crap into the list and I will come to your house and rip your heart out of its chest cavity with a pair of pinking shears.
Okay, my top of my head Top Nine is:
9. The Blues Project -- I Can't Keep From Cryin' Sometimes
Messrs Kooper, Kulberg, Blumenfeld, Kalb and Katz; not for nothing did people call them "The Jewish Beatles." I saw them at one of their reunion shows in the early 90s, and they actually came onstage to a recording of the theme from Exodus. Heh.
8. Brandon Walker -- Chinese Food on Christmas
This is actually true, by the way.
7. Procol Harum -- Strong as Samson
'Nuff said. And that's even before the verse specifically referencing the Chosen People.
6. Cream -- Disraeli Gears
Named after the 19th century Brit novelist, prime minister and (feh) Conservative. Few things, then as now, annoy me more than a right-wing Jew. Benjy, Benjy, Benjy, remember where you came from, boychik.
5. Tom Lehrer -- I'm Spending Hanukkah in Santa Monica
A previously unreleased track from Rhino's terrific box-set retrospective The Remains of Tom Lehrer from 2000. It boggles my mind, but until I read the biographical essay with the set, it had never occurred to me that Lehrer was, in fact, Jewish. And with a punim like that...
4 The Beatles -- Rabbi Saul
From their brief and little known Orthodox Jewish period. Unreleased songs rumoured to exist in the EMI vaults include "Sexy Seder," "Mocky Raccoon," "P.S. I Owe You," "The Shul on the Hill," and "Your Mother Should Only Know."
3. Matisyahau -- King Without a Crown
Matisyahu: Oy gevalt, what will the goyim think? Seriously -- a Hasidic Jewish reggae musician has got, for want of a better word, issues. That said, I couldn't find a Killers song that fits this week's theme, and as you know I always like to include a tune recorded in the current century.
2. Marc Cohn -- Walking in Memphis
Okay, so a nice Jewish boy temporarily recants his faith. I still think the song is a masterpiece.
And the numero uno Jewbie Doobie Doo ditty of all time obviously, I can't believe you're even hocking me about this, has to be --
1. The J. Geils Band -- First I Look at the Purse
Yeah, Smokey Robinson wrote it (for The Contours, of "Do You Love Me?" fame), but it took five scrawny jewboys from Boston to do the definitive version of the definitively crass song about looking out for number one.
Alrighty, then -- what would your choices be?
[Shamless Blogwhore: My parallel Xmas Cinemania -- featuring a certain rodent trio remaking their signature in the company of a band that played at Woodstock -- is now up over at Box Office, courtesy of our bud Dave™©. It being the holiday and all, it would really get me in good with management if you could see your way to going over there and leaving some sort of snarky little seasonal comment. Thanks!]
But in any case, further posting by moi will necessarily be sporadic for a day or two.
In the meantime, then, here's a hopefully fun little holiday project for us all:
Best or Worst Post-Elvis Pop/Rock Song or Album That's Written or Performed By (or Simply References) My Fellow Red Sea Pedestrians!!!
That's "Red Sea Pedestrians" as in Jews, in case you didn't catch the reference.
In other words, if it's by or sung by a Jew, or vaguely alludes to the whole Jewish thing, it's good to go.
And no arbitrary rules whatsoever that I can think of, except you can't eat dairy with meat. And shellfish is right out.
Oh, and nothing from Jesus Christ Superstar or Godspell. Seriously -- you try to slip some of that crap into the list and I will come to your house and rip your heart out of its chest cavity with a pair of pinking shears.
Okay, my top of my head Top Nine is:
9. The Blues Project -- I Can't Keep From Cryin' Sometimes
Messrs Kooper, Kulberg, Blumenfeld, Kalb and Katz; not for nothing did people call them "The Jewish Beatles." I saw them at one of their reunion shows in the early 90s, and they actually came onstage to a recording of the theme from Exodus. Heh.
8. Brandon Walker -- Chinese Food on Christmas
I eat Chinese food on Christmas
Go to the movie theater too
Cause there just ain't much else to do on Christmas
If you're a Jew.
This is actually true, by the way.
7. Procol Harum -- Strong as Samson
Psychiatrists and Lawyers destroying mankind
Drivin' 'em crazy...and stealing 'em blind
Bankers and Brokers ruling the world
Storing the silver and hoarding the gold
'Nuff said. And that's even before the verse specifically referencing the Chosen People.
6. Cream -- Disraeli Gears
Named after the 19th century Brit novelist, prime minister and (feh) Conservative. Few things, then as now, annoy me more than a right-wing Jew. Benjy, Benjy, Benjy, remember where you came from, boychik.
5. Tom Lehrer -- I'm Spending Hanukkah in Santa Monica
A previously unreleased track from Rhino's terrific box-set retrospective The Remains of Tom Lehrer from 2000. It boggles my mind, but until I read the biographical essay with the set, it had never occurred to me that Lehrer was, in fact, Jewish. And with a punim like that...
4 The Beatles -- Rabbi Saul
From their brief and little known Orthodox Jewish period. Unreleased songs rumoured to exist in the EMI vaults include "Sexy Seder," "Mocky Raccoon," "P.S. I Owe You," "The Shul on the Hill," and "Your Mother Should Only Know."
3. Matisyahau -- King Without a Crown
Matisyahu: Oy gevalt, what will the goyim think? Seriously -- a Hasidic Jewish reggae musician has got, for want of a better word, issues. That said, I couldn't find a Killers song that fits this week's theme, and as you know I always like to include a tune recorded in the current century.
2. Marc Cohn -- Walking in Memphis
Now Muriel plays piano
Every Friday at the Hollywood.
And they brought me down to see her
And they asked me if I would
Do a little number
And I sang with all my might.
She said "Tell me, are you a Christian, child?"
And I said "Ma'am I am tonight"
Okay, so a nice Jewish boy temporarily recants his faith. I still think the song is a masterpiece.
And the numero uno Jewbie Doobie Doo ditty of all time obviously, I can't believe you're even hocking me about this, has to be --
1. The J. Geils Band -- First I Look at the Purse
Yeah, Smokey Robinson wrote it (for The Contours, of "Do You Love Me?" fame), but it took five scrawny jewboys from Boston to do the definitive version of the definitively crass song about looking out for number one.
"A woman can be
As fine as can be.
With kisses sweet as honey.
But that don't mean a thing to me...
If she ain't got no money."
Alrighty, then -- what would your choices be?
[Shamless Blogwhore: My parallel Xmas Cinemania -- featuring a certain rodent trio remaking their signature in the company of a band that played at Woodstock -- is now up over at Box Office, courtesy of our bud Dave™©. It being the holiday and all, it would really get me in good with management if you could see your way to going over there and leaving some sort of snarky little seasonal comment. Thanks!]
Thursday, December 24, 2009
It's a Holly Jolly Xmas Early Clue to the New Direction!
From 1969, and their underrated Ballad of Easy Rider album -- featuring the late great Clarence White on lead guitar -- please enjoy the latter day Byrds and the original version of "Jesus is Just All Right."
Which is to say, before the Doobie Brothers got their greasy lank-haired mitts on the song and turned it into a sub-kitsch AM radio annoyance and bar band staple.
In any case, a coveted PowerPop No-Prize will be awarded to the first reader who gleans its relevance to the theme of tomorrow's holiday edition of Weekend Listomania.
Which is to say, before the Doobie Brothers got their greasy lank-haired mitts on the song and turned it into a sub-kitsch AM radio annoyance and bar band staple.
In any case, a coveted PowerPop No-Prize will be awarded to the first reader who gleans its relevance to the theme of tomorrow's holiday edition of Weekend Listomania.
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