May 12, 2008 Earworm

The answer record phenomenon is one part of pop music history in which I am generally disinterested. Craven cash ins at worst, dully executed sequels at best, the only real benefactor of these records seemed to be the copyright holder of the original song should it actually sell a few copies. With that in mind, I viewed Ace's recent compilation, "The Answer To Everything: Girl Answer Songs Of The Sixties", with a dubious eye below a cynically cocked eyebrow. Seeing the inclusion of Tracey Dey's first single, "Jerry (I'm Your Sherry)", however, made it a must have since that track has only been available in digital form on compilations of less than perfect pedigree.

"Jerry (I'm Your Sherry)", as clumsy as it is, has made me laugh for years because Tracey's list of reasons for being unable to come out suggests more of a sequel to Preston Sturges' "The Miracle of Morgan's Creek" than one to The Four Seasons' "Sherry". Hangovers, worn down shoes, and torn dresses suggest a night far wilder than anyone's mother would feel comfortable and, frankly, if I were Sherry's father I would meet Jerry at the door with a shotgun should he come calling again.

"The Answer To Everything..." would ultimately provide more than I could ever have hoped for because, dear readers, it contained a long sought out answer to the question, where in the world is Tracey Dey. What became of her, who she was, even her real name, has been the subject of interest for some time now in the world of people who care about such things and it appears that Rob Finnis has been holding out on us. Tracey Dey is Nora Ferrari of Yonkers, NY. And Nora Ferrari of Yonkers, NY, was one hot cookie as well as a girl with an amazing voice who could sing just about anything. She should have been huge but instead, has had to settle for die-hard worship from unknown strangers like me.

Having taken the liberty - and extreme pleasure - of fleshing out the wikipedia entry for Tracey Dey, I can now consider the mystery closed, hope for a good "tell-all" or, at least, "tell-some", and start looking for a second hand copy of last years film, "Reservation Road".

Happy Monday.

May 08, 2008 Earworm

Cable knit sweaters and sun kissed hair courtesy of Loreal always added a "but..." to any respect given to Haircut 100, and lead singer Nick Heyward was just too cute for words which only made it worse. After ditching his band he released "North Of A Miracle" which contained one of the prettiest examples of sophistipop, "Whistle Down The Wind", and then his career took the dive. His second album, "Postcards From Home" was left unread, and the next one, "I Love You Avenue", full of glossy and shockingly standard-issue late 80's pop was an unrequited dead end.

In 1993, "From Monday To Sunday" yielded a surprising US hit with the high flying "Kite" and many thought that Nick was finally going to be a star. The record company, however, wasn't so sure and failed to release the follow-up album, "Tangled", in the US even after it's lead off single "Rollerblade" became his first UK hit in twelve years.

"Tangled" toughened up Nick's sound for maximum brit-pop potential, roughing his edges and darkening his hue, but being Nick Heyward, even when standing in shadows, he couldn't hide the sun and one would have to be deaf not to hear the pet sounds of Brian Wilson's sandbox all over the album. It's most apparent in "Believe In Me" where his delivery of "I almost catch my breath" - and the drum fill that follows - are so Wilsonian that I always have to play it again to believe it.

May 07, 2008 Earworm

The decision to name his band "The Negro Problem" guaranteed Stew that it would remain an esoteric treasure and/or a confusing google return for Gunnar Myrdal fans. Often referred to as the modern Love, Stew's other negro problem may be the short sighted critics who have to reach all the way back to Arthur Lee for a comparison. For diversity of the catalog alone, I'd refer to Pat Fish and the various incarnations of The Jazz Butcher as the white The Negro Problem even if it makes no sense chronologically.

Whatever.

"Bleed", from the band's 2002 album "Joys and Concerns", is a show stopper looking for a show and details the albatross around the neck of dreamers and its toxic effect on a creative mind and the world around it in a frank conversational tone and with a chorus so simple and beautiful that one could almost forget that its designed to deflate; as is usually the case with such manipulations you don't even recognize it until it's gone. And even if you can see it for what it is, you probably still won't be aware of just how far the poison has spread until it is too late.

Meanwhile, my own private albatross has flown away to a new scavenging place where, hopefully, it will be quickly recognized for what really lies beneath the pretty plumage and, like Herodias, will spend the rest of its days in exile, wondering why it never soared as high as its hopes.

Free at last, free at last.

May 06, 2007 Earworm

As we've learned from Mafia flicks, you can take out the top dog but pups always grow up. Sadly, this is also true in politics - national or corporate - and while one bad apple rots on top, those below it will be soiled as well. With that in mind, we should all be careful when bobbing and remember that it's not always cream that rises; what we think we flushed away can always come back if the plumbing is not quite right.

Salome got a bum rap for asking for the head of John The Baptist, became the runner-up spokeschick for the evils of seduction - should Eve be unable to fulfill her duties - when really, she was just a victim of politics. A foolish child, enchanted with her brief moment of power, she allowed another's whims to soil her destiny with no chance of a comeback via a stint on "Dancing With The Stars".

Still, she got great press over the years and The Old 97's served her legend well with a beautiful ballad of regret and loss, bending alt country back just enough to expose The Replacements among its roots. The band never got the success many felt they deserved but their cult remains devoted. Salome, on the other hand, got what she wanted in the form that she deserved, and you can probably catch her on some expose of child stars exploited by their parents.

Watch your head.

May 5, 2008 Earworm

Another reason to love Irish boys and to keep looking to the stars is "Rocky Took A Lover" by Bell X1, finally getting some buzz traction in the states and out of the shadow of former band mate, Damien Rice.

In "Rocky Took A Lover", the pillow talk in the morning hours may be brutally honest but by no means less romantic and a well turned out retort can tenderly bring a high skipping heart back down to earth just eloquently as it can send it soaring again.

I love this song. I want to shine bright for it.

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