It's Out of Fashion, and a Trifle Uncool

Don't Be Sad, Good Times Are Had

They Know They're Beautiful, They're Having Fun

Feel Like Going Home

Heading to New Jersey, specifically New Providence (home of "South Street"). Herewith, a selection of mixed-emotion, home-goin' songs.



More after the cut.

I Felt Glad in My Own Suspicious Way

Clash City Rockers

Mick and Paul hold forth.

You Old Rascal: Bob Dylan's Birthday

This Is Elvis: Dear Mr. President

 

(Translation after the cut)

Guitarist of the Week

Joe Friday's Lament

Just try not to dance.

Star Trek: The Musical

In celebration of the current high holy days of the Trekkie tribe.



Nichelle Nichols, "Charlie's Our New Darling", Charlie X

More after the jump

Forever's Gone Away

One of the great film endings, featuring the original version of "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye" by G.C. Cameron: Cooley High (1975).

(Believe it or not, the dopey sitcom What's Happening! was adapted from this film.)

This clip cuts off before my favorite part, which is when Preacher runs from the gravesite to escape to Hollywood, and to freedom. The shot freezes, and "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" plays over the credits. It's a great moment, and it's what made me fall in love forever with that song, my favorite pop single of all time.

Happy People Like You: 10 Pop Stars on Sesame Street

10. Elvis Costello, "Monster Went and Ate My Red 2"

More after the jump

It's Not Too Hard to Cry

When I was waiting for your phone call
The one that never come
Like a man about to burst
I was dying of thirst

I Won't Telephone 'Cause You Might Say Hello

Happy Mother's Day - The Wish

(For my mom)

Dirty old street, all slushed up in the rain and snow

Little boy and his ma shiverin' outside a run-down music store window

That night on top of the Christmas tree shines one beautiful star

And lyin' underneath, a brand new Japanese guitar

I remember in the mornin' ma, hearin' your alarm clock ring

I'd lie in bed and listen to you gettin' ready for work

The sound of your makeup case on the sink

And the ladies at the office, all lipstick, perfume and rustlin' skirts

And how proud and happy you always looked, walkin' home from work

If pa's eyes were windows, into a world so deadly and true

You couldn't stop me from lookin', but you kept me from crawlin' through

Well if it's a funny old world ma,where a little boy's wishes come true

Well I got a few left in my pocket, and a special one just for you

It ain't no phone call on Sunday, flowers, or a Mother's Day card

It ain't no house on the hill, with a garden and a nice little yard

I got my hot rod down on Bond Street, I'm older but you'll know me in a glance

We'll find us a rock 'n roll bar, baby we'll go out and dance

Well it was me in my Beatle boots, you in pink curlers and matador pants

Pulling me up on the couch to do the twist for my uncles and aunts

Well I found a girl of my own now ma, I popped the question on your birthday

She stood waiting on the front porch while you were telling me to get out there

And say what it was that I had to say

Last night we all sat around laughin', at all those things that guitar brought us

And I laid awake thinkin' about the other things it's brought us

Well tonight I'm takin' requests here in the kitchen

This one's for you, Ma, let me come right out and say it (it's overdue)

But baby if you're lookin' for a sad song, well, I ain't gonna play it

Nobody Told Me

Someone Told Me

6 More Great Movie Music Montages (Reader Edition)

As usual, the groovy kids at Facebook came through. Down below are 6 more great movie montages. But first, another of my favorites. Frankly, I'm surprised no one else thought of it.



More below the jump.

Something Good: 5 (or more) Great Musical Movie (and TV) Montages

Ah, the art of the musical montage. So tempting for a director to use, so easy to botch. Herewith are some of my favorites from over the years. I'll bet you have some, too, so post them either here or (more likely) on the Facebook post I'll link this to.

The rules: the music has to be a fairly well-known song (any genre). The montage can be from any film or TV show. And the term "montage" does not mean you're limited to movies that show several shots in succession. It could be one continuous scene.  So get to it!

(Clips after the jump)

"The Ultimate UNAUTHORIZED Beatles Book!"

As I've posted before, I grew up living and breathing comic books, and I suppose if you could trace the convergence of my comics love with my rock 'n' roll awakening, it might very well be via this particular artifact:

(Continue reading)

It's A Curse of Mine to Be Sad at Night

Late at night he’ll come to me
And he’ll tell me I’m alone
Don’t you think I don’t already know?
All I see is road
No one takes me home,
Where, where can I go?

What A Wicked Game You Play

R.E.M. "Wicked Game"

"Get in Their Garage and Just Suck."

Courtesy of pal Roy. Click to make big.

The Blue Cowl Has Seen It All!

Some years ago, I "met" online this nifty fellow named Rick Hutchins, with whom I shared many interests but especially a shared love of old time radio. I kept saying "we should write and record our own original 1930s-style crime drama, complete with announcer, sponsor, the whole works" and every time, Rick readily agreed. As usual of course, this turned into one of those things I couldn't quite get around to, but Rick did get around to it, and how. This past February he completed the first episode of an original concept of his own, The Blue Cowl, entitled "The Nasty Soul". Then, instead of saying to me "ha ha suckface, I did the radio thing without your lazy ass", Rick most graciously invited me to participate. And not just in some small manner, which would have been fine, but in a most flattering display of kindness (or pity) he offered me the starring role! But don't let that deter you from listening, because the show features a topnotch cast and a first-rate script, and even features an original score by Rick himself. It's really a very well-done suspenseful treat, well worth your fifteen or so minutes. And if you do enjoy it, drop a comment on the YouTube link and let Rick feel appreciated, 'cause he sure deserves it.


Oh, and remember: "No man escapes justice. A life of crime leads to an early grave!"

There's So Many Things That I Have Come to Fear

Violent Femmes, "Good Feeling"

Rollergirl, She's Taking Chances

'Skateaway' Dire Straits

"Comments are disabled for this video." "Embedding disabled by request"

I have loved this song since the day it hit the Internet, a time when it sorta looked like the freedom-fries cultural bullies might actually get away with such childish bullshit artistry. Well ... sorta looked that way if you squinted really really hard and didn't actually read about how the War on Terra was being prosecuted.

Even by novelty [read: cash-in] song standards, The Right Brothers' classic anthem, "Bush Was Right" didn't just have an expiration date, it had a bullseye on its back from day one but it is endearing how many ideal outcomes for the country's future The Right Brothers present as firmly secure within W's big, fatherly hand. Plus, all guitarists wish they knew how to play "nyah nyah-nyah nyah nyah-nyaaaaah" on their axes. This song is perfectly realized -- also the best thing to place at the timecode in your party-mix tracklist when you're OK if people start trickling out.

Anyway, for some unfathomable reason, the original music video for the song doesn't allow comments or embedded sharing anymore. I can't imagine why, but luckily, a real American Hero has taken the song and made a new, embeddable video for us here:

 

Happy Mission Accomplished Day!

Yer Morning Sad Banjo Song: Tear-Stained Eye

Can you deny, there's nothing greater
Nothing more than the traveling hands of time?
Sainte Genevieve can hold back the water
But saints don't bother with a tear stained eye