Tag Archives: The Police

Sounds Like Saturday or: Moonwalking

20 Saturday Jul 2019

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Salutations™!!

Well, today is the 50th anniversary of the moon landing and there were several ways I could have gone. I could have played the “Billie Jean” performance by Michael Jackson at Motown’s 25th Anni or I could have gone the Police route, which I did but, of course, it is a very clever cover. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, keep reaching for the moon!
Scorp out!

—
“Walking back from your house. Walking on the moon. Walking back from your house. Walking on the moon. Feet they hardly touch the ground. Walking on the moon. My feet don’t hardly make no sound. Walking on, walking on the moon.” – “Walking on the Moon” (Sting)

Sounds Like the Day Before or: Polease

02 Friday Nov 2018

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Salutations™!!

It’s late and I totally missed playing Outlandos d’Amour today as it was its 40th anniversary and it’s #428 on the RS list. So, instead, here’s a cover by the Polease. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I loved you since I knew ya. I wouldn’t talk down to ya. I have to tell you just how I feel, I won’t share you with another boy. I know my mind is made up. So put away your makeup. Told you once, I won’t tell you again it’s a bad way.” – “Roxanne” (Sting)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 10/28/17

29 Sunday Oct 2017

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Salutations™!!

The BCPF’s and my trip to Underdog Records was cool because we got to see Clay Howard and two of his girls. One really must see Clay Howard often. There were a plethora of cool things to find there. Here’s what we picked up:R-2246678-1288212272.jpeg

There was another album that wasn’t listed on Discogs. It’s about 55 years old and is surprising to me that it’s not there. That’s three that I have to put in, I guess. It’s just tedious work. But, yes, I noticed that Jonathan had a shload of turntables that he’s probably going to put up for sale. Now, before the holiday season is the time to get a jump on your vinyl collecting.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“When I wake up, well I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who wakes up next you. When I go out, yeah I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who goes along with you. If I get drunk, well I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you. And if I haver up, yeah I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who’s havering to you.” – “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” (Reid/Reid)

CBGB or: The Less Desirables Movie of the Week

18 Saturday Feb 2017

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Salutations™!!

a/perture cinema, the Official Movie Sponsor of The Less Desirables, presents The Less Desirables Movie of the Week, CBGB (2013), starring Alan Rickman, Malin Akerman, Justin Bartha.

Per IMDb: “A look at the New York City punk-rock scene and the venerable nightclub, CBGB.”

Hilly Kristal (Rickman) had a few businesses and marriage that failed, mostly because of

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his hedonistic lifestyle of thinking that money was secondary and happiness and doing good was enough. Doesn’t always work that way. He tried another “club,” this time in the Bowery of New York City. His closest friends, even his daughter, figured he’d fail, as he always had. He wanted this bar, again, in the Bowery of NYC, to be a place for country, blue grass and blues, so he renamed what was going to be called Hilly’s on the Bowery, CBGB to reflect his wishes for the establishment.

He hired an artist fella by the name of “Taxi” to run sound for his new club. He gave a junkie named “Idaho” a job cooking what looks like old toilet water, but they call it Hilly’s Chili. He enlists the help of some biker gangs to keep people off of his back, giving them free drinks in exchange for “protection,” whenever he needed it.

One day, a dude by the name of Terry Ork shows up saying he represents a band called Television and they want to audition to play the club. He doesn’t really dig it but he doesn’t really not. He gives them a gig. They become popular. Following that, a slew of punk icons, still in their early days, come rolling through. Acts like The Ramones, Blondie, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, The Dead Boys, Talking Heads and Patti Smith, just to name a few. CBGB became the birthplace of American punk. Speaking of which, the film also talks about the phenomenon that was Punk Magazine. The mag’s origin, the people that worked there, promoted there and counted on there to get their fix of the NYC punk scene.

I don’t know how truthful most of this film is. It seems plausible but improbable most of the time. It is entertaining, though. It’s NYC in the 70s, what could be bad about that? The story is gritty and dingy, as is the scenery, as are the sets. I’ll admit that I don’t know a lot about the punk scene, American, British, or otherwise, but I really enjoyed getting a (probably) convoluted account of the rise and somewhat fall (Dead Boys) of some of these punk pioneers. I also, admit that I enjoyed the soundtrack immensely. Bands that I normally wouldn’t care for, I enjoyed, even the Ramones, if you can believe that. It made me want to go and find the real backstories of these real life bands.

I liked the many cameos and supporting actors and actresses that had parts. Rupert Grint as Cheetah Chrome, Taylor Hawkins as Iggy Pop, Johnny Galecki as Ork and many others. Again, I’m not thinking this film was supposed to knock anyone’s socks off and it certainly didn’t. Total US theater gross for this film was $40,400. That’s not a typo, forty thousand, four hunderd. Including the Home Distribution tallies, it has made about $526,514. Still, small change for the movie industry with a large release.

I don’t know that the filmmakers knew how to handle the true history and made it a bit cheesy, where the source material should have been portrayed a bit richer. I am huge fan of Alan Rickman and this was one of the last films he made before his death a little over a year ago, January 14, 2016. I don’t know that I especially enjoyed his portrayal of Hilly Kristal but I liked that he gave it a shot.

Rotten Tomatoes rates the film at a dismal 8% Rotten and the Audience Score, while significantly better is only a 42%. IMDb has it at 6.6 stars out of 10. That’s actually not too bad. I saw the film on Netflix. I am rating it 3.75 stars. That last .75 is from the soundtrack alone. Not a great film but decent if you want a bit of historical fiction and some great music. Have you seen it? What did you think? What would you like to hear/read me review?

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“I opened CBGB because I thought country music was gonna become the next big thing. And it did… in Nashville.” – Hilly Kristal

Looking at the Barrel of an Armalite or: Like I Am Home Again (RS part 18)

27 Monday Apr 2015

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Salutations™!!

So, the last segment had its share of misses among the few hits, for me.  Like I said in the last post, there will be a lot of questions I ask about why this or why that are making the list and why this far up.  Let’s move on with the next victims section, shall we?

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“Tonight’s the Night” by Neil Young

#330 – Tonight’s the Night by Neil Young. The title song mentions Bruce Berry and Mr. Berry was a roadie for Neil and he had overdosed. This was a tribute to him. I think I read, too that one of the members of his band, Crazy Horse had ODed before these songs were written.  Most of them, anyway.  “Come On Baby Let’s Go Downtown” was recorded live and features, Danny Whitten (the fallen “Horse”) on vocals. This album in whole shows some deep emotion for Mr. Young. I believe it to be difficult for him and there’s not really any joy on this disc.  “Mellow My Mind” seems a cry for help, and a desperate one at that. It’s almost like he’s crying the entire song, and that may be figurative or literal but it’s definitely there.  I hate the circumstances but the events did lead to a powerful and wonderful album. This one definitely belongs on the list. Dug.

#329 – In the Jungle Groove by James Brown. Compilation album. Nope.

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“Daydream Nation” by Sonic Youth

#328 – Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth. The BCPF loves Sonic Youth. I believe that I can see that to some extent, it is a bit up her alley.  Me, at least on this album, couldn’t figure out what in the wide world of sports was going on.  It sounded great through the studio monitor, rumbling but not too. But, what the heck was it?  Of the first six songs, FOUR of them were at seven minutes or more. The ones that weren’t…?  I don’t know.I was looking forward to hearing this because of my wife’s tales of admiration.  I didn’t get much out of this, I wonder if she did.  I’ll have to ask her about it. And after asking her about it, she said she was probably more into the idea of Sonic Youth more than their music. I haven’t peeked ahead but I’m wondering if John Cage will be on this list? If not, then that’s a rip off.  I’m not a fan of this, although I hoped I would be. Did not dig.

#327 – Exile in Guyville by Liz Phair. This is better. At the end of the last album I was about to put my head through a cement block wall. You hear that? Music. Singing. A relief. We’ve got a long way to go before we get to Exile on Main Street from the Rolling Stones but Phair has said this is a song-by-song response to that album. Main Street has 18 songs, Guyville has 18 songs (the original, anyway).  Supposedly this was meant to be on pace with M.S. even though I don’t think that it’s a direct response. Whatever floats her boat, I guess.  She doesn’t really hold back on this, either.  Girl Power comes through on songs like “6’1″,” “F*ck and Run,” “Girls! Girls! Girls!” and “Divorce Song.” She also lets you know what you’re going to get from her and how it’s gonna either be the best thing you’ve had or that it’s going to be a bit painful in the song “Flower.” And she lays her relationship frustrations out in complete honesty in the final song, “Strange Loop.” Phair is more than fair, I dig it.

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“Disintegration” by The Cure

#326 – Disintegration by The Cure. Ok, so I clarified and The BCPF said that this is one of her favorite albums of all time. Her words exactly were “yep. Top 10 definitely. Maybe even Top 5.” She then added, “You better like it!” I notice while looking at it that I see several songs I’m already familiar with and I like those.  Right off the bat I love the grandeur of “Plain Song” the opening cut. It’s massive in sound and poised, which is a great thing.  I think Robert Smith and company get lauded as goth way too much. There are moments in their stuff that he’s a bit dark and I can see why people say that, but for the most part there’s an elegance to his music, especially around this time.  Lots of ambiance in this record, too. My faves are everyone’s faves: “Pictures of You,” “Lovesong,” and “Lullaby.” I’m also a fan of “Disintegration” and “The Same Deep Water As You.” Dug, The BCPF… Dug.

#325 – Slowhand by Eric Clapton. I know I’ve publicly expressed my disinterest in Eric Clapton on many an occasion, and I’m not about to change my tune, necessarily but I will say, there are some good songs on this album.  “Cocaine” is a great tune (even if he didn’t write it). “Lay Down Sally” gives the listener a good bounce and it’s funny, at least to me, when the crazy overdubs come out of nowhere.  It’s a bit heavy on the country side than I expected from “Slowhands” but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.  I have to admit that I feel like gagging when I hear “Wonderful Tonight.” That’s such a sappy song in every way. There are times when I think he sounds like Kenny Rogers singing, too. Or heck, is that Leonard Nimoy? I’m sorry Mr. Spock, didn’t mean to offend you. Now, on “The Core,” I really enjoy Marcy Levy’s vocals in the duet with Clapton. That song rocks. Also, Yvonne Elliman is all over this album with backup vocals and harmonies.  Overall, I dug the album.

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“Station to Station” by David Bowie

#324 – Station to Station by David Bowie. It takes a while but the opening (title) song finally jumps in after a wall of sound effects.  Ten minutes. That’s a long tune, indeed. Bowie referred to himself as the Thin White Duke in the first lines of “Station to Station.” Even though he started using that character prior to the album, the album is where this really took off. “Golden Years” is a “hit” but it has never been one that I hang on, generally skipping over. I’m wondering if REM’s Michael Stipe took the “angel” part in “Golden Years” to use in “Crush with Eyeliner” from their Monster album? No, he doesn’t say ‘angel’ per se, but it is reminiscent of that.  “TVC15” reminds me of Talking Heads, at least in some parts. It heavies up and has some hints of the Soul genre. I love the ’70s almost-disco that plays here on “Stay.” Sounds like something from an action film in that same time period (’76 or so). I’ve always been hit-or-miss with Bowie, leaning more toward the hits both before and post this record. I know it will be odd, but the first thing I ever heard from Bowie was “Blue Jean” which didn’t come until almost 10 years later.  Where I’m from in WV didn’t play this kind of music on the radio and I just wasn’t exposed to it. I’m still hit-or-miss, but this was an alright album. Dug.

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“Ghost in the Machine” by The Police

#323 – Ghost in the Machine by The Police. Ah, The Police… how I love thee. Let me count the ways: “Spirits in the Material World,” “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic,” “Invisible Sun,” “Demolition Man,” “Too Much Information,” “One World (Not Three),” “Omegaman.” It’s Sting. It’s Stewart Copeland (who’s amazing). It’s Andy Summers, who I think is quite underrated. I didn’t listen to this one in order because I listen to the Message in a Box box set about once a quarter, so that’s the caveat of this rating.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE The Police. This is no exception.

#322 – Sail Away by Randy Newman. I’m really happy with the Randy Newman stuff I’ve gotten to hear in this list, so far. I’m sure this isn’t the end of it by any means. I’m trying to get if there’s irony, snark or sarcasm in the title track. It’s one of them and I’m thinking it’s sarcasm with bits of the others. I’m loving the Americana aspects, especially in “Lonely at the Top.”  It goes from the Dixie Jazz to a more gospelesque style with awesome orchestration.  I feel like I should be leaned against a light post on a dirty street corner with “Last Night I Had a Dream.” I love that dirty blues/jazz genre of stuff. Newman’s piano work is masterful, ragtime-laden, quaint and in your face all at the same time. “Political Science” is a bit of political satire telling the listener, “let’s drop the big one and see what happens.” How about we don’t? I love, too, “You Can Leave Your Hat On,” but I think I’m much fonder of the Joe Cocker version that played in 9 1/2 Weeks. But, it’s interesting to hear the original. It’s a sexy song. A darn good album, indeed. Dug!

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“Pink Moon” by Nick Drake

#321 – Pink Moon by Nick Drake. Two 1972 albums in a row. I know this is a favorite of The BCPF. She put the title track on a “mix tape” for me when we were just friends, when it was really ONLY “Friend” that the “F” stood for.  I love the title track, it’s so The BCPF, maybe that’s why I love it so. The songs are all so short I don’t have time to comment on them before they move on. But, that’s not a bad thing.  A graceful guitar and somewhat grim lyrics make for a full-sounding, beautifully written and performed album. The BCPF usually knows the good stuff with just a few misses, this is no such miss. This is amazing. I will say I love listening to it.

Not counting the James Brown comp, there’s only one true miss which was Sonic Youth. There are still some that make me wonder why they’re where they are, either up or down, on the overall list. Some great finds, Liz Phair, Randy Newman and definitely Nick Drake.  It’s been a mostly fun segment.  We’ll start on the next soon.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I saw it written and I saw it say
Pink moon is on its way
And none of you stand so tall
Pink moon gonna get you all” – “Pink Moon” by Nick Drake from Pink Moon

Silent Sunday or: Over the Hills and Far Away

19 Sunday Apr 2015

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Salutations™!!

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The BCPF and me at RiverRun Gala (Photo ©Sally Gupton)

RiverRun is in full swing. We went to the “opening” gala on Friday. We had a short conversation with Bill Pullman, watched Robert Townsend dance it like crazy with a lovely woman, watched the Winston-Salem Journal’s Michael Hewlett and Lynn Felder dance up a storm, too. We saw Camel City Dispatch’s Chad Nance with full-hair down with a corduroy blazer. Drank some Topo and wine.  Good times.  Before that, we had beer and dinner with Michael and Laura Slawter at The Porch. That’s such a great restaurant and now that they’ve gone full table service, it’s even better.

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Winston-Salem Symphony Pre Show

On Saturaday, The BCPF and I went to Underdog Records for National Record Store Day. She bought the new Belle & Sebastian and I bought the RSD reissue pressing of Springsteen’s Born in the USA on (YES EUG) 180 gram black vinyl, as well as a used copy of Zenyatta Mondatta from The Police. It’s always good to see Jonathan Hodges, the owner of Underdog Records. We then stopped by Twin City Hive to collect something for Second Harvest Food Bank’s “Empty Bowls” event’s silent auction. We then went to Black Mountain Chocolate to do the same.  Then it was home to watch some Keeping Up Appearances as we love Britcoms.

Then we went to see the Winston-Salem Symphony do Led Zeppelin with Jeans ‘n Classics. Always fun to watch J. Alexandra Johnson, cellist extraordinaire and 3B’s orchestra teacher, Fabrice Dharamraj do their thing and it was great with a live band as they played some Zeppelin tunes.  Good stuff.  We then came home and watched more Keeping Up Appearances.  I love me some Hyacinth Bucket.

Anyway, great weekend. Talk to you tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Hey lady–you got the love I need
Maybe more than enough.
Oh Darling… walk a while with me
You’ve got so much…” – “Over the Hills and Far Away” by Led Zeppelin (Page, Plant) from Houses of the Holy

Sending an S.O.S to the World or: Caught Beneath the Landslide (RS part 13)

04 Wednesday Feb 2015

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Salutations™!!

The last leg of the countdown had some real duds for the Scorpster.  Here’s hoping that this leg is better, or at least slightly more pleasing.  We’ll see… Let’s hit it, running!

#380 – Funky Kingston by Toots and The Maytals. Reggae. Sigh… Reggae.  IF there is any consolation to having to listen to it it’s that there are a few songs that are closer to old Rhythm & Blues than to Reggae.  “Sailin’ On” would be an example of this.  Their version of “Louie Louie” is pretty okay, too.  But, for the most part, it’s reggae and definitely not my thing. Didn’t dig.

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“CrazySexyCool” by TLC

#379 – Crazysexycool by TLC. Don’t understand the “Intro-lude” but that’s ok.  It gets into the R&B that we’ve come to know and love from T-Boz, Left-Eye and Chilli.  “Creep” is the real lead song and it’s a groovy trip in hip-hopdom. “Waterfalls” is on this album and that’s a great listen.  “Red Light Special” is a damned sexy song, no doubt about it! As a matter of fact, this whole album is sexy. Left-Eye (RIP) was a drunk and whacky chick, for sure but it all worked for this album. All the way to the end with “Sumthin’ Wicked This Way Comes,” I dug it. D.U.G!

#378 – (What’s the Story) Morning Glory by Oasis. Although I have had this album for a long, long time, I’ve never listened from front to back.  I’m bad like that.  Another reason I need this list.  It’s the only way to keep me on task.  Otherwise, I skip to the hits or I wander aimlessly and nothing gets listened to.  “Hello” and hello to you! Great opener. Too bad these brothers couldn’t get their shite straight, there was real talent here.  I don’t know about Beatles level talent (as they claimed) but still darned good. “Wonderwall,” that ever present acoustic show staple is on this album.  It’s a great song, no doubt.  Did I mention that it was a shame they didn’t stay together?  “Morning Glory” is in your face and full on rocking it.  I liked that one a lot! There’s a lot of sound effects on this album, like the water that segues “She’s Electric” with “Champagne Supernova.”  Overall this is a fabulous disc and I’m glad I finally heard it 1 to 12. Dug!

#377 – The Ultimate Collection (1948-1990) by John Lee Hooker.  Anthology=collection or greatest hits.  Nope.

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“Post” by Bjork

#376 – Post by Björk. I don’t anything about Björk other than she’s Icelandic, former singer of Sugercubes and a bit “eclectic,” if you will.  The synth bass kicking arse at the beginning of “Army of Me” is fabulous and her voice is haunting. Somewhat seductive, although I don’t believe the song is supposed to be sexy.  It’s aggressive, but with more blue lyrics it would probably work, as well.  “Hyper-Ballad” is also bass intensive with brushwork percussion. That one is supposed to be sexy, I think.  “It’s Oh So Quiet” is very much a Broadway-esque jazz number with the dazzling Björk quirky treatment. This, so far is my favorite tune on the disc.  The music on this thing are all over the place and really I wouldn’t expect anything less from her.  “Isobel” is reminiscent of a James Bond theme with allure and intrigue and dissonant chord progressions. It is especially relative to the ’90s Bond pictures.  “Possibly Maybe” falls in this same mold, at least slightly.  She’s very jazzy and really, I dare say, she kicks butt! Her English is remarkable, by the way.  Love the conga solo in “I Miss You,” as well.  This album is great! DUG DUG DUG!!

#375 – Late for the Sky by Jackson Browne. The greatest thing about Jackson Browne is just that, Jackson Browne.  You always know what you’re going to get: solid songwriting and a great recital of such.  Has he ever written a bad song?  I never knew how much I did like him until recently.  But, that love (yeah, he just upgraded) is deeper than I knew as well.  It goes with the soundtrack of life, in a way.  Look at “Running on Empty.” Can any of you hear that and not see Forrest Gump running through the western US?  If you can, then you’ve not seen Forrest Gump.  But, that has nothing to do with this album.  That 1970s beyond-country-folk-yet-not-folk rock that he’s best known for is right here.  The title track starts the album and it’s fantastic; exactly what you’d expect. Browne always finds a way to make a chord change, in almost every song, that you don’t expect to happen.  Which, I guess in a way makes you expect it.  It could be a rise when you think it’s going to be a fall or vice versa. Nothing over the top, but right on spot. There are only 8 songs on the album but the shortest one is three minutes, eight seconds, including 2 six minute ones.  So even with less songs you’re still getting over 41 minutes of music which was about average for that time, I’d say.  While there aren’t any songs on this that I’d say that were greatly memorable, the album itself, as a collection is a pretty great listen.  I know there are other JB albums on this list, at least there should be. I look forward to them.  Highlights are “Fountain of Sorrow,” the title track, “Walking Slow” and “Farther On.”  Good stuff and I dug it.

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“Siren” by Roxy Music

#374 – Siren by Roxy Music. Now this is the Roxy Music that I know at least a little about.  “Love is the Drug” is one of my favorite Roxy songs.  Awesome bass work and that ’70s staccato guitar work. I love this song! “Sentimental Fool” is a six minute guitar and noise solo that I really don’t mind.  Normally that stuff gets away from me, but I dig it.  Bryan Ferry adds his vocal quirkiness to the song about 1/3 of the way in and he falsettos the stuffing out of it.  Again, I dig it. “She Sells” is in your face and fits that mold of the times.  Dance beats, jazzy-disco rhythms, British style and over exaggerated Ferry; a perfect mix and fit for this album. Isn’t that Mick Jagger’s ex on the cover? I dug it!

#373 – Volunteers by Jefferson Airplane. Jefferson Airplane is a band that I never really got into.  I think I had some weird hang up about them being “old people” music, although it wasn’t then and just because most of their fans are older, that’s not that old.  It’s hippie stuff, no doubt.  Some psychedelic shite, fo sho.  This is a little more laid back and I’ll admit that I’ve never done an illegal substance, ever, but this makes me think people would need to be high to truly appreciate it.  Not saying I don’t, just saying I think the experience would be even better.  There is an air about this album that reminds me of stuff that The BCPF would listen to, even today, so it’s stood (somewhat) the test of time.  Still anti-warish as was the time.  I think I will take Crosby, Stills and Nash’s version of “Wooden Ships,” though.  The song was written by Stills and Crosby and Jefferson Airplane’s Paul Kantner so it belonged to both, I just think CSN “owned” it. Dug, but nothing out of this world (they’re not a Starship, yet… bad joke, sorry).

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“Reggatta de Blanc” by The Police

#372 – Reggatta de Blanc by The Police. YES!!! I have professed my love for this band before and GOSHDARNIT! I have to repeat my love!!!  One of my favorite tunes, ever, “Message in a a Bottle” opens this bad boy.  One of the greatest guitar patterns ever; it sounds so full. I’m giddy just listening to it.  I can remember vividly the local super group, Vagabond Saints Society doing “Reggatta de Blanc” during their Police show; great job!  And “Walking on the Moon!?”  A simple song, but man, it has such a groove. I know some people discount it because of the ska/reggae aspect, but I think it’s awesome.  Oh, the woes of everything bad in “On Any Other Day.”  One of the best bass riffs, in my opinion, is from “The Bed’s Too Big Without You.”  The album is great. The album is awesome. There is nothing I can say bad about it. DUG

#371 – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not by Arctic Monkeys. Good Brit rock this, the debut album from AM. “The View from the Afternoon” and “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor” both, out of the gate, kick you in the teeth and groove you at the same time.  I think it’s funny that one of the most laid back songs on the album is called “Riot Van.”  This album is fun, it rocks, it grooves, it is worth listening to.  I’d revisit this one at another time.  That’s a good sign, right? Dug!

So this segment, like the last ended, started off on a low note, but all the ones that I reviewed (remember the anthology) after that, I really liked.  So I’d say 8 out of 10 is a success! I wish they could all be like that.  Upon glancing ahead I see a lot of stuff in the next segment that I really look forward to hearing.  It should be fun. This was fun.  I hope it is for you.  What are you thoughts on these albums? By all means, feel free to send me a note, reply to the post, email me, Facebook me, Tweet me, just let me know your thoughts.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“How many special people change
How many lives are living strange
Where were you when we were getting high?
Slowly walking down the hall
Faster than a cannon ball
Where were you while we were getting high?” – “Champagne Supernova” (Gallagher) from (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?

Girl Power or: No Danged Oxford Commas! (RS pt 8)

11 Tuesday Nov 2014

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Salutations™!!

One good thing about these RS lists is that it gives me fodder for the NaBloPoMo.  And it’s fun to do, so they go hand in hand.

Let’s move on to the next dealio…

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Vampire Weekend (self titled)

#430 – Vampire Weekend by Vampire Weekend.  I love the cool drum pop/Brit feel that I sense from this album.  Some cool vocal tricks and groovy rhythms make for a delicious aural experience; especially “Oxford Comma.” The BCPF, along with other grammar freakos, and myself have debated the Oxford Comma’s legitimacy and its negligibility.  And so you know, the Oxford Comma is that comma that comes in a list and is placed before the final conjunction.  Such as: one, two, three, and four.  That comma in front of “and” and after “three” is really unnecessary, yet, some “scholars” and grammarians think it should be there.  Wow, how did this become a whole entry about that silly comma?  Oh yeah, the song.  It’s a cool song.  It’s a cool album.  Dug!

#429 – Another Green World by Brian Eno.  Oh, Brian Eno.  It was but a few entries back (#432) that I got to know you and your weirdness.  This is still weird but more palatable to me.  It’s more instrumental than lyric-based.  Out of the 14 songs, only 4 have lyrics.  It’s groovy and I don’t mean in just some hip kind of way, I mean it’s got some groove.  Not funk groove mind you but some very interesting things.  “St. Elmo’s Fire” is one (many years before the movie).  It’s some great piano and keyboard work, too.  I dug it.

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“Outlandos d’Amour” by The Police

#428 – Outlandos d’Amour by The Police.  Okay, I know I’ve professed my love of The Police before.  Further, I think I have a man-crush on Sting and I’m not afraid to admit it.  So this was the one that broke it open; the debut.  Hit songs like “Roxanne,” “Next to You,” “So Lonely” and “Can’t Stand Losing You” are, of course the staples but there are other gems on here like “Born in the 50s,” “Hole in My Life” and “Truth Hits Everybody.”  The one thing that I find myself singing to The BCPF is the opening part of “Be My Girl/Sally.”  This whole album should be on everyone’s list to at least hear if not own.  I own it, well, I have Message in a Box which is all The Police albums in one collection, but I do “own” it.  DIG LOVE!!!!

#427 – Sleepless by Peter Wolf. The former singer of J. Giles Band comes on with some oldish boogie-woogie and country mash vibes.  Jangly and with some good musicians but overall, not something that I’d just sit and listen to.  “Run Silent, Run Deep” is kind of chilling. “Oh Marianne” has some Spanish overtones.  Still, most of Wolf’s singing is some amalgamation of talking and singing.  And, the album is from 2002.  It has an older sound, and it just seems it’s out of place.  I won’t say I don’t like it, but why is it on this list?  That’s been the biggest puzzler to me for the whole thing: why is that even here?  Meh, didn’t not dig it but didn’t knock me out. Again, meh.

CheapTrick_Live_atBudokan

“Cheap Trick at Budokan” by Cheap Trick

#426 – Cheap Trick at Budokan by Cheap Trick.  Return engagements.  That will become a theme here as we start digging into the list, I’m sure.  We’ve had my favorite Cheap Trick album, In Color on the list and now, a live album that I can actually get behind from that band.  I’ve never been a fan of live albums.  Yes, there’s the energy of the live shows and yes there’s dynamic, but I don’t really (or generally) care about that.  I am all about production.  I’d rather hear a producer’s vision and how they can convey that.  All that being said, this album kicks boot-ay!  I especially like the extended version, or “The Complete Concert” that showed up in 1998.  The impact that this disc had on live albums, to me, is comparable to KISS Alive!  It’s one that has stood the test of time, was well put together and doggone, people like it.  To do something different, my least favorite track on the album, “I Want You to Want Me.”  Not (only) because it was played out, but because I really like the studio version 10x more. If you only listen to one live album, in my opinion, it should be KISS Alive!, but if you listen to two, then the second one should be Cheap Trick at Budokan (both versions). DUG!

#425 – Grievous Angels by Gram Parsons. I didn’t know much about Gram Parsons, really anything.  I know he was in the Byrds and I know he was part of The Flying Burrito Brothers.  The album is nestled in one of the coolest named genres in popular music, “Cosmic American Music” (which is a term he coined), a combination of country (alt country?) and rock and roll.  And, I’ll admit it’s not really my thing, but he pulls it off beautifully.  One thing I’m not sure of is why they didn’t call it Grievous Angels by Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris.  There is only one song on the entire album that she isn’t prominent on, and on that she’s not on it at all.  Anywhat!  This album was released but a few months after Gram Parsons passed away from a mix of alcohol and morphine and I have to say: the album cover sucks.  It really, really sucks.  But, the contents are really good.  Some boogie rock with Tom T. Hall’s “I Can’t Dance” and some laid back ballad action in “$1000 Wedding” and my favorite line (“I’d even like to see her mean ol’ Mama.”).  But, to me, the highlight is the first track, “Return of Grievous Angel.”  It sets the pace as any opening track should and makes everything alright.  I could listen to that song over and over and truthfully, I could listen to most of it over and over, even though, as I stated, it’s not my thing.  I think it become, at least partially, “my thing.”  DUG!

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“The Rising” by Bruce Springsteen

#424 – The Rising by Bruce Springsteen.  More Bruce. Not only is that a statement, I think it’s a request, too.  I’ve not hidden my mixed feelings about Bruce, but as time goes on, I can’t help but admit that I’m liking it more and more.  Especially after I’ve seen him live.  The rest of the band was kind of boring but he was on fire.  Anywhat! I’m off track.  The power of this album is the honesty and emotion of a country recovering from its darkest day and most devastating blow, ever, September 11, 2001.  It’s hard to pick any particular part that stands out as the emotion is prevalent throughout.  My faves are the title track and “My City of Ruins.” DUG

#423 – Anthology by Diana Ross and the Supremes. Anthology, greatest hits, compilation = nope.

#422 – Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes featuring Veronica by The Ronettes. The debut album with some lovely, big haired ladies. Ronnie’s voice is one-of-a-kind and awesome.  Probably their biggest hit “Be My Baby” is on this disc and the rest of the album is laced with girl-power.  Phil Spector’s work is, well, Phil Spector.  Hard to beat that.  Doing some reading on it (admittedly on Wikipedia), it seems to have a decent list of guests including Sonny & Cher.  A pretty good album but don’t know that I’d listen to it again; at least not all the way through. It’s ok.

#421 – Best of Girl Groups by Various Artists.  Ok, I get girl groups. Girl singers and musicians in general, especially at this time in musical history, laid the road for pop divas, punk chicks and rock goddesses. No doubt they rocked when they did.  I did listen to the album, but I’m not reviewing any compilations.  In my opinion, they don’t belong on this list.

I really hate that we ended this section of the list with that bad vibe.  However, there’s good stuff coming.  Give these a listen and make your own reviews of the albums that I’ve talked about.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel at SOME blog time…
Scorp out!

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“Would you be my girl, would you be my girl, would you be my, be my, be my girl?” – The Police (Sting/Andy Summers) from Outlandos d’Amour