Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 39)

 Time to dust this thing off for another batch of old stuff.

"Happy" by Pharrell Williams (2013)

One of the most un-ironically catchy songs I can think of and it was EVERYWHERE a decade ago (yikes). 

"Foot Stomping,  Pt. 1" by The Flares (1961)

The one hit by this surprisingly long-lived doo-wop group. 

"5 O'Clock in the Morning" by The Donnas (2002)

At my current age, this song is truly aspirational. 

"Just My Baby" by Rickie Lee Jones (1989)

A nice tune from an album produced by Walter Becker while Steely Dan was on its extended hiatus. 

"Gold" by Prince (1995)

It's great to re-hear such a good Prince song now and then to remind me just how much great music he cranked out over his too-short career. The B side for this single was called, "Rock 'N Roll Is Alive (And it Lives in Minneapolis!)". If you say so...

"Give Me More Time" by Whitesnake (1984)

A good "take me back" 1980s rocker.

"Say Goodbye" by Cheap Trick (1997)

A somewhat modern Beatles-esque song but it's just fine.

"A Taste of Honey" by The Beatles (1963)

And of course an actual Beatles song appears. This is a close, if well done, cover of what was a very popular tune from a Broadway play in the early 1960s. The song seems to have long outlived the show.

"Just a Little Lovin'" by Ray Charles (1962)

Speaking of covers, this is from Ray's fantastic album of Country AND Western songs. 

"Can We Still Be Friends" by Todd Rundgren (1978)

The song by the band, War, with a similar name is a lot more fun.

"A Taste of Honey" by Jackie Gleason (1967)

Just-a by accident, this OTHER cover of "Honey" popped up. And yes, it's the Jackie Gleason from "The Honeymooners" (he should have called the LP, "A Taste of The Honeymooners") and apparently he made a lot of easy listening albums in the 1950s-60s. 

The guy didn't read or write music so obviously others did most of the work but I'm sure they match Gleason's tastes. Others must have agreed since Capitol released 58 (!) albums between 1952 and 1972. 

This cut is obviously performed by studio pros with serious chops but it's very "White Bread Basie" in its arrangement. 

"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" by Michael Jackson (1979)

Now *this* is Peak Disco!

"Rox in the Box" by The Decemberists (2011)

An American alt-rock band has its UK Folk phase. I heard someone say recently that mono, as a format (as opposed to stereo) is dead but this is damned close to these ears. Dang hipsters and they're olde tyme monophonics!

"Talk to Me Baby" by Barry Mann (1964)

A choice lyric:  "Girls get mad at such little  things. How can a guy ever think of them all?"

"Little Sister" by Elvis Presley (1961)

I just love the sound of this track; it's just FAT. And that guy from the Jordanaires singing along with Elvis puts it over the top.

"Heathaze" by Genesis (1980)

A deep track from one of the band's earlier forays into pop that actually holds up pretty well. A song that seems to be about apathy and has some very good bass work by Mr. Rutherford.

"True" by Spandau Ballet (1983)

One of those songs they put into TV shows or movies set in the 1980s to create easy atmosphere. 

"Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell (1984)

A pretty funny song from a guy who's dad was Berry Gordy. Oh yeah, and some rando named Michael Jackson is here for some reason.

"Longview" by Green Day (1994)

A great 90s punk bass line. 

"Willing and Able" by Prince and the New Power Generation (1991)

A great classic R&B inspired tune with the usual Prince polish. 

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 38)

 Here ya go, kids!

"The Great Curve" (live version) by Talking Heads (1982)

Six+ minutes on one chord:  edgy!

"Black and Blue" by Van Halen (1982)

I guess this would be considered a "ballad" for this band.

"I'm Still in Love With You" by Al Green (1972)

In the same groove as, "Let's Stay Together" with that dry, boxy horn sound.

"Persuasion" by Santana (1969)

A cookin' second tier Santana song...still Santanic!

"Michael" by Franz Ferdinand (2004)

Another good example of 20-year old alternative rock and roll.

"Hey, Good Lookin'" by Hank Williams (1951)

I love the Ray Charles cover but the original version still gets the job done.

"Angel of the Morning" by Juice Newton (1981)

Despite its overuse in TV/movies, I had to laugh at how this was hilariously used in the opening of the movie, "Deadpool".

"White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane (1967)

A classic that became shorthand for drug trips, it's still a great hallucinogenic bolero of a song.

"Chimes of Freedom" by The Byrds (1965)

We stay in the land of the hippies with this Bob Dylan cover. I'm guessing the Dylan version is more well known today. 

"Fortress Around Your Heart" by Sting (1985)

The passage of time has reinforced the notion that Sting was smart to launch his solo career with an album featuring heavy-hitting jazz/session musicians which made his music sound familiar and yet distinct from his work with The Police.

"People Are Strange" by The Doors (1967)

I've become less fond of The Doors as I've gotten older but this song is still great. The 80s Echo and the Bunnymen cover is good, too but doesn't top old Jimbo's version.

"Revolution" (Esher demo version) by The Beatles (1968)

Like some, I grew up listening to the single/non-album version of this song find the slower version from "The White Album" the be inferior. This demo/acoustic version for me beats the LP version as it's a little peppier. The LP version seems to run out of steam.

"A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission)" by Simon and Garfunkel (1966)

The longest song title on this list!

"P.Y.T." by Michael Jackson (1982)

This was VERY Disco for 1982. 

"Knives Out" by Radiohead (2001)

Radiohead around this time had passed its peak (OK Computer, IMO) but this is still good.

"Smoke Rings" by k.d. lang (1997)

Lang's version of a very old song mostly seems to pay tribute to the Les Paul/Mary Ford version but has its own coolness to it. There's a "real Corinthian leather" feel here.

"Don't Mess With Doctor Dream" by Thompson Twins (1985)

I think I have managed to hit every TT song in my library.

"The Things We Do For Love" by 10cc (1976)

This is pretty heavy on the cheese but it's still a catchy pop song.

"Arthur's Theme" by Christopher Cross (1981)

Huh, so the core lineup from Toto is on this track and the song credits Burt Bacharach as a co-writer. Does this make Bacharach, Yacht Rock???

"Funkytown" by Lipps Inc. (1979)

I hear musicians around here (Minnesota) talk about how the people who were hired to play on this song, recorded in Minneapolis, were offered a flat fee or a percentage of the profits. Needless to say, the flat fee wasn't NEARLY enough. 

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 37)

 If this goes on much longer, this series might have to be renamed, "Songs I Was Too Lazy to Skip (Part 1,834)". 

"West of Hollywood" by Steely Dan (2000)

This closing track to SD's comeback LP kind of reminds me of the old single, "F.M." in that it's just okay but ends with this long-ass (but good!) tenor sax solo. Wait, there are actually two versions of FM and it's the "alternate" version (if you care enough to read about all the variations, the series of tubes can assist) that has the sax solo on the end. Never mind.  

"Born Again" by Badly Drawn Boy (2002)

Does this, a 20+ year old song, sound dated today? Not in the way that an old A-Ha song might but it does have that early-2000s alt-rock, post-90s (would you like a side of cliche' with that?) combo of sparse, synthesizer-less (but often piano) guitar rock that is still smoothly produced. Smooth Grunge? 

"The Diary of Horace Wimp" by Electric Light Orchestra (1979)

Think Beatles tribute band song with some crazy Vocoder going on. 

"We Are the People" by John Mellencamp (1987)

A vague, lumpy anthem for the working people. JM does it again.

"We Got the Beat" by the Go-Gos (1981)

I could have sworn this is later than 1981; it sounds more like mid-1980s. Great retro-surf song.

"23rd Chromosome" by The Honeydogs (2003)

A Minnesota band that broke through (briefly) twenty or so years ago. A nice, pseudo Bossa Nova song. 

"Help Me Make It Through the Night" by Willie Nelson (1980)

Willie does a good cover of this Kris Kristofferson original in that it does kind of sound like a Nelson song.

"La Bamba" by Los Lobos (1987)

Another cover!  This must have been the one song that got Los Lobos into the mainstream. This track is good although their original material is better.  I like the little coda on the end of the tune, something that almost certainly wasn't on the Ritchie Valens original. 

"I Appear Missing" by Queens of the Stone Age (2013)

Wait, what's a song from 2013 doing here?!  Nice to see Dave Grohl in something other than a Crown Royal ad. 

"The Truck Song" by Lyle Lovett (2003)

Not your typical country song about a pickup.

"Out of Control" by The Rolling Stones (1997)

There's a pretty decent groove here for a 90s Stones song.

"Jump in the Line" by Harry Belafonte (1961)

RIP, Harry. One of his great songs:  "Somebody help me!"  

"Ain't That Asking For Trouble" by Stevie Wonder (1966)

Stevie in wiiiiide stereo!

"C'est le Vie" by Robbie Nevil (1986)

In the 1980s, there was a lot of synth bass and a lot of actual electric bass that *sounds* like synth bass (see also: drums). I think this is an actual bass that's been processed to sound like a synth but I'm not 100% sure. If it's from a keyboard, it's really good. Wikipedia does list a bassist for the album but who the hell knows (cares?). 

"Miserlou" by The Trashmen (1964)

A convincing cover/knockoff of this famous tune by everyone's favorite Minnesota surf rock band.

"Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix (1967)

Speaking of covers, I once heard a string quartet do a version of this song and it really works!

"Whatever Gets You Through the Night" by John Lennon (1974)

This is a classic song but man, I have a hard time with the intonation on this one. Lennon was probably fucking with us. 

"Hungry Like The Wolf" by Duran Duran (1982)

Keywords:  Deeply silly lyrics, 80s Disco, heavy breathing. Yeah, that's it.

"Diamonds Are Forever" by Shirley Bassey-Mantronik 007 Remix (1971/2000)

Not every track on this compilation of remixes is a winner but this one was fun and perhaps preferable to the original. 

"Another Day" by Paul and Linda McCartney (1971)

More interesting musically than lyrically with a cool middle/bridge section in 3/4 time.

Dad's Movies: "Hopscotch"

And now I get around to watching, Hopscotch (1980). 

This mid-late career Walter Matthau movie is a lot of fun. Matthau's near-retirement CIA agent character, who has would could be described as a Cold War Spy code of ethics, refuses to eliminate his Soviet counterpart in an operation which draws the ire of his bureaucratic political boss at the agency who decides to put the old goat out to pasture. 

Matthau, rather than wait out his years sitting in an office, decides to burn his bridges on the way to retirement by writing a "memoir" where he reveals the dirty secrets from his years as a spy. This doesn't go over well the boss, played with oily relish by Ned Beatty, who begins a hunt to take our guy out before he can embarrass them all too much. This begins a fun and clever chase around multiple countries where Matthau's spy always keeps one step ahead of his old co-workers with the help of his old lady friend.

Everyone is very good here and the plotting is clever and funny without going to stupid extremes. Some of the things Matthau's classical music-loving character does might be a stretch but it's all played so well that I didn't mind, really. Walter Matthau played in the same range most of the time but he doesn't do this in a cartoonish over-the-top way which prevents this from being, "The Odd Couple with spies". 

The supporting cast does well with Beatty handling the thankless boss role well. Glenda Jackson is great as the very capable friend who also fools the CIA people easily. Sam Waterston is fine though he doesn't get a ton to work with. I also enjoyed seeing Herbert Lom who is always good, no matter how silly the part. 

Dad no doubt enjoyed the use of classical music in this show and it doesn't hurt that this was directed by Ronald Neame, who did "Whisky Galore" which was a favorite of his.

Dad's Movies: "Mister 880"

 Today, we have Mister 880 (1950)

A somewhat early Burt Lancaster movie, written (based on a true story apparently) by frequent Frank Capra writer, Robert Riskin. The plot revolves around a kind old man who counterfeits dollar bills and the US Treasury agent who is trying to bust him. Riskin's sentimental style is evident here but the show plays a bit more on the subdued side than Capra would have done it. The film opens with what reads as a rouser for US Government agents who protect the nation but thankfully, this is dispensed with early on. 

Lancaster is his usual charming handsome self even if he lays the "tough G-Man" act on a bit much at times. Dorothy McGuire is fine as the friend Skipper, the counterfeiter, and love interest. McGuire's character even has a job at the UN; nice touch. This film must have been intended as a vehicle for Edmund Gwenn (Skipper) who became famous as Kris Kringle in the 1947 version of "Miracle on 34th Street" and he doesn't disappoint. Gwenn still does a similar act but with subtle differences. Skipper comes off as sweet but a little foggy in the mental department. The fun is noticing how Skipper is more sharp and aware of things than people think. Gwenn would go on to play a similar character (in tone, not a counterfeiter) in Hitchcock's 1955 "The Trouble With Harry" (he's perfect in this). Also kudos to Skipper's Benji-like shaggy dog.

The movie seems to use a fair amount of NYC locations which gives it a more substantial feel. While I wouldn't describe this show as a comedy, it's fairly light. If it wasn't for the charm of the cast, the show would feel a bit slow at times but this is one of those cases where just spending time with these folks is nice.

I don't know what Dad thought of this movie, which I'd never heard of before I found it in his collection, but I do know he was a fan of the '47 "Miracle" so perhaps that was the connection.

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 36)

There's still some musical gold in them thar old iTunes hills!

I started a new Spotify playlist for this installment here

"Missionary Man" by Eurythmics (1986)

A couple of things came to mind here. It's interesting to me how Lennox/Stewart pivoted from a synth/pop/whatever early-80s duo into more of a rock and roll band with guitars and drums (shoot, there's even a real electric bass on this track!). Also, they feature another vocalist doing backgrounds on this song;  interesting, given Annie Lennox's vocal chops. 

"A Slow Song" by Joe Jackson (1982)

The ending track from Jackson's very good "Night and Day" LP where he channels his inner old man. 

"Let's Go Crazy" by Prince (1984)

Another rippin' guitar solo from Mr. Genius. 

"When I Need You" by Leo Sayer (1977)

A pop ballad deserving of its popularity. "Fun" fact:  the film composer James Newton Howard played keyboards on this song. I also like how they use little rhythmic breaks in the chorus. Jeff Porcaro's drumming pushes this into real Yacht Rock territory. 

"Shiver" by Maroon 5" (2002)

One of the more rockin' songs from this now (gulp) 20+ year old album.

"You Know My Name (Look Up the Number) by The Beatles (1970)

I used to listen to this when I was a kid and found it just too goofy to resist, preferring it to "Let It Be", the A-side of the 45. An amusing toss-off.

"Still Fighting It" by Ben Folds (2001)

Yeah, yeah, pop singer becomes a parent and writes a song about the experience. This one is better than that. "It sucks to grow up". "You're so much like me. I'm sorry". 

"Too High" by Stevie Wonder (1973)

A really solid opening track to one of his best LPs.

"Sixteen Tons" by Tennessee Ernie Ford (1955)

There are some jazzy coal mining musicians hanging out there in the background. Seriously, this is still great.

"Someday, Someway" by Marshall Crenshaw (1982)

The year 1982 is strong with this list. 

"Houdini" by Kate Bush (1982)

Wow, it really is! A deep Kate track with another killer/odd Eberhard Webber double bass line.

"Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" by Billy Joel (1977)

This is pure, distilled,  Joel, complete with engine revving sounds at the end! One of his best.

"It's a Miracle" by Roger Waters (1992)

The line about Andrew Lloyd Weber still makes me laugh. 

"Dream Weaver" by Gary Wright (1975)

A camp classic from the 1970s that I somehow couldn't pass up this time around. 

"She Blinded Me With Science" by Thomas Dolby (1982)

1982 strikes again. There's nothing quite like this 80s classic.

"I Got the Feelin'" by James Brown (1968)

There's a lot going on, rhythmically, in this one. 

"Long Haired Lady" by Paul McCartney (1971)

The music on this song does well in hiding the fluffiness of the lyrics. Paul was certainly good at this.

"That'll Be the Day" by Linda Ronstadt (1976)

This has to be one of the best Buddy Holly covers ever made. 

"China Girl" by David Bowie (1983)

About halfway through the song, Bowie sounds kind of drunk. Brilliant. 

"Chrome Plated Heart" by Melissa Etheridge (1988)

This song really sounded *different* in 1988 when I first heard it on the radio. Bonus:  some good bass lines. 

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 35)

Perhaps this is getting silly but there are apparently more crusty old songs to not skip.

"Queen of Clubs" by KC and the Sunshine Band (1974)

An early KC single that falls much more on the R/B side than their later Disco hits. Nice.

"Sundown" by Gordon Lightfoot (1974)

A 1974 double feature! This came through on the rotation before Lightfoot's death. The song might have been his most well known one if it hadn't been for a certain epic song about a boat. RIP, Gordo. 

"Women & Men" by They Might Be Giants (1990)

The album this, well...sea shanty...(?) came from was the first TMBG I was exposed to. Pop music extreme nerds, extraordinaire.

"Wichita Skyline" by Shawn Colvin (1996)

A song about running away from your problems that goes down smooth. 

"Iron Hand" by Dire Straits (1991)

Now this is one I hadn't heard in a long time. It turns out to be about a labor uprising. Sneaky. 

"Empty Heart" by The Rolling Stones (1964)

What can I say? Sometimes you have to let a Stones song, er, roll.

"(Nothing But) Flowers" by Talking Heads (1988)

A funny twist on retaking the land from urban sprawl. Will no one think of the Pizza Huts?

"The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac (1977)

One of the better tracks from this ultra/mega/uber pop LP. I'd linger on any of them except perhaps "Don't Stop..." as it still reminds me of the Bill Clinton campaign.

"The Ghost of Tom Joad" by Bruce Springsteen (1995)

You just couldn't resist actually quoting Mr. Joad, could you Bruce?

"Green Book" by Steely Dan (2003)

I don't think, in retrospect, that the material these guys wrote after the re-formed the band was as strong but it was just so damned good to have more of Becker/Fagan after years of drought. I'd even listen to the occasional Becker-sung track once in a while.

"Rio" by Duran Duran (1982)

This may be peak-Duran with its noodling synths and almost comprehensible lyrics.

"Every Time I Think of You" by The Babys (1979)

This might be what you'd get if Phil Spector and Meat Loaf collaborated. 

"Private Universe" by Crowded House (1994)

A good, perhaps second rung CH track that feels anything but, um, Crowded.

"Lovely Rita" by The Beatles (mono mix, 1966)

I don't think I've heard the newer stereo remix but the mono version of this song works better for me than the ultra-wide 1966 stereo version, even though I grew up listening to it. The mono holds together better BUT it's amusing to hear the old stereo version where the right channel is just Paul; his vocals and bass. He got the whole channel to himself!

"Heartbreaker" by Pat Benatar (1979)

This one, with its quiet vocal breaks in the chorus, still packs a punch.

"Drivin' With Your Eyes Closed" by Don Henley (1984)

Buried in the gated or synth drums is...a cowbell.

"Space Oddity" by David Bowie (1969)

Bowie missed out on a real marketing opportunity:  Major Tom's Protein Pills!

"Brilliant Disguise" by Bruce Springsteen (1987)

What's with all the Bruce on these lists? This song, and the other tracks from "Tunnel of Love", hold up better than I would have expected.

"Let's Go" by The Cars (1979)

You don't want to "break her crown"???

"Down With Disease" by Phish (1994)

This is probably an example of a song that people who aren't into Phish think is good. Well, it is and I am not. And no, I don't know what the hell the song is about. The most amusing thing on the album this song came from is the 30 second instrumental track, "Riker's Mailbox". Go look it up.

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 34)

Here we go with another batch tunes that seem to be mostly pop songs from my youth with (hopefully) a few oddities for good measure. Never mind, kids, just go out and play with your screens!

"Missing You" by John Waite (1984)

This is the epitome of mid-1980s pop songs. It's just good enough to stand up to a little scrutiny but goes down easy while cruising the aisles of your favorite big box store. 

"Birthday" by The Beatles (1968/2018 mix)

I'm sure I've said this on the blog somewhere before, but The White Album was the first Beatles LP I got to know well in my youth, with all its glory and weirdness; a lumpy masterpiece. This song was always such a solid opener of Side 3 on the original LP with its almost throwaway lyrics. However, the song just drives so hard and gets the job done in an economical two and a half minute length. The Giles Martin remix is very good and adds some clarity on the vocals, though I still like the old mono mix for its rock muddiness. 

"Maneater" by Hall & Oates (1982)

As usual for the duo, the song is really catchy with a Motown-esque bass line. Oates claims the song wasn't really about a woman but about life in the big city. Yeah, okay.

"Strange Pursuit" by Devo (1978)

A deep cut from the band's second album that has fun with the vocoder. I also dig the ending fade over the arpeggiated keyboard line.

"Rest Your Love on Me" by Bee Gees (1978)

Barry Gibb does it again. In 1978, at the peak of his band's disco power, Gibb does a Country song. You've got to respect that.

"A View to a Kill" by Duran Duran (1985)

One of the only Bond themes that overshadows its film, which isn't tough given the weakness of this particular 007 movie, but it IS one of the best themes with a good groove and the right amount of over-the-top in the John Barry arrangement. The lyrics are...oh never mind, just dance into the fire.

"Prove It All Night" by Bruce Springsteen (1978)

There's not much to say except it's Peak Bruce.

"Urgent" by Foreigner (1981)

A pretty good Foreigner song with some goofy synth programming by Thomas Dolby.

"Get Your Hands off My Woman" by The Darkness (2003)

A funny, retro-metal sounding cut with some Freddie Mercury inspired vocals. 

"Twist in My Sobriety" by Tanita Tikaram (1988)

An unusual and memorable debut from a 19 year old singer/songwriter that also features an oboe!

"Dancing with Myself" by Billy Idol (1981)

Idol, in his early retro rock and punk period before he discovered keyboards.

"(Love Is) Thicker Than Water by Andy Gibb (1977)

Yeah, it's sung by Barry's brother but it might as well be a Bee Gees single. You can't escape the OG BG!

"Sleep to Dream" by Fiona Apple (1997)

A rude awakening (ahem) or perhaps a palette cleanser after the previous song. Apple can be a bit on the pretentious side with the lyrics but she gets a pass since she's doing this as a singer-songwriter, age 19. The production has a real heft with the bass/drums matching the emotions of the song; subtle it ain't. I'll bet Apple has gone on to more mature material since then but this is outstanding for a debut.

"Mr. Roboto" by Styx (1983)

Mr. DeYoung was quite the prophet:  "...too much technology." Indeed. It's kind of a sad end of a run of huge albums for this band. This track and maybe the other single, "Don't Let It End" (hmm), are solid, and in the case of this track, FUN, but does anyone really remember or care about the rest of this LP? Styx seems to have forgotten its core strengths were the singles. Whatever concepts their earlier albums had didn't go much beyond the cover art.

"Think" by James Brown (1960)

A cover of an earlier R&B hit, but differently done with the funky JB grooves.

"Refugee" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1979)

We had some Peak Bruce, now some Peak Tom. One of his best, for sure.

"What Is Love?" by Howard Jones (1984)

This one just screams, "EIGHTIES",  however, it's one of Jones' best songs.

"I Know There's an Answer" by The Beach Boys (1966)

Classic, amazing album, etc, etc but this track has Glen Campell playing the banjo!

"Radar Love" by Golden Earring (1973)

A fun classic rock staple that has this great, extended instrumental break/bridge.

"Rose Darling" by Steely Dan (1975)

This could be considered second-string "Dan", if barely. The sweet sound of the song is underlined by some typically sour and sarcastic lyrics. This has to be one of the earliest appearances by Michael McDonald on a Steely Dan record. 

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 33)

 I keep thinking I'll run out of tunes from this playlist but so far I am not consciously listening to songs I previously skipped. 

"Girl from the North Country" by Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan (1969)

It's cool to have the two of them on a song but the singing here is...rough. Bob does better on the earlier solo version.

"Roll On" by The Living End (2000)

It's like if The Clash did a union anthem.

"Brothers in Arms" by Dire Straits (1985)

I somehow didn't know this was about the Falklands war.

"Super Freak" by Rick James (1981)

According to James, this was recorded so "white folks would have something to dance to". In retrospect, it seems like this song had slightly more reach than that.

"Lithium" by Nirvana (1992)

For a song in a genre called "grunge", this song (and the entire album) is awfully well and cleanly recorded.

"Oddfellows Local 151" by REM (1987)

A great name for a song which is (probably) about some bums and kind of catchy for an REM song.

"Straight for the Heart" by Toto (1988)

Oh yes, guys, a sex worker will often "walk the streets in the name of romance".

"25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago (1970)

Whether the song is about drugs or finishing the writing of a song in the wee hours, it has a killer guitar solo.

"Country Road" by James Taylor (1971)

JT's songs often sound alike at first but they're so damned easy to listen to...oh crap...EZ!

"Diamond Girl" by Seals and Crofts (1973)

I kind of dig the smooth-jazzy instrumental breaks on this one...bongos and flute!

"The Mayor of Simpleton" by XTC (1989)

This may be the "pop single" of this album but it's good and has a great bass line.

"Me and Sarah Jane" by Genesis (1981)

Wait, Genesis did a song about a Doctor Who character???

"Lonesome Loser" by The Little River Band (1979)

Another perfectly crafted '70s pop tune with tight, Australian vocals.

"Paper in Fire" by John Cougar Mellencamp (1987)

The critic Robert Christgau wrote (about the album this came from), "In which Mellencamp's confused conscience and self-serving defeatism become so single-minded they take on the force of truth." He gave the LP an "A-". 

"Murder Incorporated" by Bruce Springsteen (1995)

Speaking of pop singer populists, this one takes on the topic of guns. Go Bruce!

"State Trooper" by Bruce Springsteen (1982)

From "meh" Bruce to MasterBruce. This track is so great with its raw, desperation. 

"Imagine" by John Lennon (1971)

I've heard this one SO many times but it's still great. I wonder what Lennon would think of this song being embraced both by atheists and religious folks (I have literally played this in a church service)?

"Careless Whisper" by George Michael/Wham! (1984)

George may not have considered this his best work but it's pretty much a perfect 1980s ballad. The sax line, which took forever to get right, sells it right up front.

"O Valencia!" by The Decemberists (2006)

Wait, this is 17 years old?! Crap. It still sounds pretty fresh. 

"The Bertha Butt Boogie" by The Jimmy Castor Bunch (1975)

This is a hilariously EPIC funk track. How do I know? One of the characters is named, "Bathsheba Butt". No question.

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 32)

 I took a bit of a break from actively tracking my music listening and am now ready to resume this ill-considered journey of musical navel gazing. I started a new Spotify list here

"Season of the Witch" by Donovan 

Hmm, how many words can he find that rhyme with "witch"?

"Like the Weather" by 10,000 Maniacs (1987)

This track sounds way later than its year and looks ahead to the onslaught of college rock in the 90s.

"Portable Television" by Death Cab for Cutie (2011)

There may be some irony behind what passes for an upbeat song by this band.

"Action" by Freddy Cannon (1965)

Freddy really does want to take you places...and whoa there on the "whoo"!

"Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away" by Stevie Wonder (1974)

A lesser-known track from this classic SW album, it's still great and I love the vocals, though the instrumentation is a bit cluttered. 

"Couldn't Get It Right" by Climax Blues Band (1977)

This hit by an English rock band was on the radio a lot when I was growing up. Such a great groove with a good helping of cowbell. The song is supposedly about the band not being able to find a Holiday Inn while on the road. Deep stuff.

"Turn Your Lights Down Low" by Bob Marley & The Wailers (1977)

Now this is a sexy groove.

"It Makes No Difference" by Ray Charles (1962)

Another great cut from the LP of Ray covering country songs.

"Soul Suckin' Jerk" by Beck (1994)

A funny song that weaves in Beastie Boys, if I am hearing this right.

"Kings" by Steely Dan (1972)

I read that this song was about Nixon, but really, couldn't you say that about most things in '72?

"How Long" by Ace (1975)

A classic 70's FM radio hit with a killer chorus. 

"Lessons in Love" by Level 42 (1987)

This one manages to be more smothered in keyboards than usual and, from a review I read, "reeks of 1987". Yup. 

"Soul Man" by Sam & Dave (1967)

It's hard to pass on this classic, though I've probably heard the version from "The Blues Brothers" more often. Sad.

"Wilderness" by Archer Prewitt (2005)

Definitely some John Lennon influence with some tight bass playing weaved in.

"The Winner Takes it All" by Abba (1980)

One of the things I like to listen for in most Abba tracks is the bass playing by their usual bassist, Rutger Gunnarsson. There's a lot going on and he was part of the signature sound of the band, right up there with the vocals and the jangle pianos. This song, which someone dubbed, "divorce pop" has the right amount of overwrought metaphors that still sounds personal. Happy times.

"Hey You" by Pink Floyd (1979)

Speaking of happy, this track works well on its own and I am not sick to death of it like I am with "Another Brick". I always liked the bass playing on this one and then learned that Gilmour played it. Sorry ,Roger.

"Need You Tonight" by INXS (1987)

"...that makes me sweat."  Yeah, that's one of the classic all-time pickup lines.

"That's All" by Genesis (1983)

Another entry in the Phil Collins "Breakup Songbook".

"Love Ain't For Keeping" by The Who (1971)

Pretty much everything on "Who's Next" is great (okay, maybe not "My Wife") so this song, about getting down with your lover on...a picnic, gets the nod.

"Burn You Up, Burn You Down" by Peter Gabriel (2003)

A groovy second-string PG track. 

Dad's Movies: "Everybody Does it"

 Classic movies meet classical music in this installment:  Everybody Does It (1949).

One sure sign of how much more visible classical music used to be in American culture is the way it was sometimes made the subject of farce in Hollywood mainstream movies. This was apparently a remake of a very similar 1939 film made by the same studio so the idea must have had appeal. 

The whole setup is pretty silly and is yet another example of the old, "those ladies are better off staying home" idea of marital happiness. It's pretty eye-rolling but the whole thing is played for laughs and the cast manages to sell it well enough. Paul Douglas is funny and seems in on the joke but Linda Darnell has to be the straight woman who wants to make Douglas' character into a singing star. As Neil Young sang, "You were born to rock, you'll never be an opera star."

Dad likely saw this when it came out and was undoubtedly amused by the digs and references to classical music. 

Dad's Movies: Father Goose

 And now, it's Father Goose (1964)

I grew up in a pro-Cary Grant home so this movie was on rotation but I'd managed to avoid watching the whole thing until now. 

The whole thing is pretty light with cute interactions between Grant, Caron, and the kids but I wasn't sure I bought the romantic chemistry between Caron and Grant. Sure, there's a huge age difference but this IS Cary Grant we're talking about so if anyone can make that work, it's him. In this case it was kind of lukewarm. The situation (and this is kind of a situation comedy) is fun and I got a kick out of all the back-forth between Grant's character and Trevor Howard's Royal Navy commander. 

The show could have used some tightening up but it gets the job done. This was one of Grant's last films and while this one is fine, it's perhaps a bit of a shame he didn't do something more interesting.  

Dad's Movies: The Fallen Idol

 Today, I get into The Fallen Idol (1948)

One of three classics that Reed made with author Graham Greene at the time, the other two being The Third Man and Odd Man Out. This is the one of the three I hadn't gotten around to watching and while it doesn't loom as large as the others, it's really good.

"Idol" isn't much of a suspense story but more about telling a story about how a child learns about the adult world of secrets, lies, and murky morality. 

The production, dialogue, and cast are all great as I expected with Richardson giving a very nuanced performance. I'm generally of a mind that child actors are overall much better today than the old days but this kid is actually good here. The kid can be annoying, especially in the opening scenes, but he's also playing the part fairly realistically as he's supposed to be a spoiled entitled son of an ambassador. 

There are some future bigger names in British cinema who make appearances here like Jack Hawkins and future Bond director Guy Hamilton is in the credits (he was an assistant director in the industry for some time). 

The score is very good, if a bit on the busy side, and pretty appropriate for the era.

Dad's Movies: Von Ryan's Express

Today, I take on Von Ryan's Express (1965).

A popcorn movie from the 1960s that borrows a stack of entertaining WW2 movie cliche's from "The Great Escape", "Bridge on the River Kwai", and the far superior 1964 movie, "The Train". 

Trevor Howard has little to do but hang out and give a few speeches as it's really Sinatra's show. The rest of the cast does as well as it can with the cardboard characters. Sinatra seems a bit bored and, ahem, frankly too old for the part of an action hero (he was 50 at the time).  It's just assumed that his character inspires the men without the screenplay or acting doing the heavy lifting to bring the audience along for the ride (oops, sorry). 

The effects are decent and there is lots of good looking location work. The show improves once we get to the train heist part of the movie. The score isn't one of Goldsmith's best with a fair amount of jokey musical cues (slide whistles and trombones, anyone?) .

I'm guessing Dad saw this when it came out and got a kick out of it as WW2 entertainment fluff. Deep, it ain't, baby.