May 30, 2008 Earworm

The Sex and The City movie and Scott McClellan's book may be examples of the right idea at the wrong time and the camera in the Trinity United Church is probably the wrong idea at the right time and all of it is trying to be news. If just missing the mark is news worthy, I'll wait (sort of) patiently for Anderson Cooper to start discussing half of my life. The whole thing could probably be boiled down to fifteen minutes and that's exactly the amount of time that a pop culture maven once said was my entitlement.

"Blinded By The Stars" by The Pernice Brothers takes a third of the time to summarize the missed chances and is just as "interestingly" pretty as Anderson Cooper but a bit more open about itself. Without being as vulgar as the majority of these comets being paraded for our amusement/outrage, its full disclosure is ultimately satisfying .

To cherish: Harvey Korman

02-15-1927 - 05-29-2008

For those of a certain age, this man gave a the reason to stay in on Saturday nights or, in my case, feel less bitter about being too young to go anywhere. Thanks, Harvey. I miss you already.

May 29, 2008 Earworm

I can't begin to calculate the amount of time my head has spent between earphones listening to The Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" and even if I could, I'd not want one second of it back. That a record mixed to mono continues to provide sonic surprises after four decades is reason enough for its status as a masterpiece of modern music. But, as much as I find comfort in its aural sweep, it's lyrical content brings the heavenly sounds down to earth and into the home; where the heart is. Every song suggests being in the right place but just a moment or two too soon or too late - even "Sloop John B.", the track that Capitol insisted be added to up the commercial viability of a project that itself was too soon. "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" might have been a more precise title for the album, but instead, sits just left of the middle of side two.
If Brian had only sung the opening couplet, "I keep looking for a place to fit in, where I can speak my mind - And I've been trying hard to find the people that I won't leave behind...", and left the rest of the piece as instrumental the point would have been made as the alternately walking, stomping, marching, and creeping percussion fills in the rest of the scenario. Its outside perspective confirmed that it had no place with the masses, as did Capitol's burying the album by quickly releasing a "Hits" package on hot on its heals.

Besides, who wants to jump into the woodie when the driver is no longer focusing on fun, fun, fun.

May 28, 2008 Earworm

There's no doubt that Duffy has something, but what it is I've yet to decide. As her debut album slips into the US charts at #4 and "Mercy" climbs to #27 and provides the soundtrack to "American Gladiator" commercials, it appears that she's ready to pick up the crown that LaWinehouse left in the gutter amongst cigarette butts and little bits of tin foil. But she's no Winehouse, even with the magic fingers of Bernard Butler working the production desk. But if we only give her the time needed to find a skeevy boyfriend, a drug habit, and relentless paparazzi, perhaps the second album will fulfill that destiny.

For now, there is the title cut of her album, "Rockferry", and a few other key cuts that are thrilling while the remainder seems a bit lacking in a distinct personality and could be just about any other retro diva's. On "Rockferry", Butler waits until a minute before the train is leaving to step out from behind the station and unleash his Bernardian guitar, sending Duffy off with all the drama of a Dusty Springfield arm sweep - but one far more choreographed. Meanwhile, Lulu is looking anxious.

We'll see...

May 27, 2008 Earworm

Dean Parrish's 1966 flop,"I'm On Way", became the revered show closer at Wigan Casino All Nighter (ask your Northern Soul expert) and is now a classic track of the wide and varied genre. Dean Parrish, however, had no idea of this turn of events having reclaimed his birth name of Philip Anastasia and moved on to acting as well as session work with Jimi Hendrix, Santana, and Bob Marley. Finally hearing of his legendary UK status in 2001, he got in touch with Wigan's dj, Russ Winstanley, and put together his first concert in more than 25 years. He was welcomed with opened arms and dancing feet.
In 2006, he hooked up with Paul Weller's guitarist, Steve Craddock, who had been exploring the unreleased music from his Weller's past. Parrish, with Lord Large, put released "Left, Right and Center", a song Weller had written when he was fifteen and, from the sound of the finished product, seemingly in wait for the rediscovery of Dean Parrish and/or giving the explanation of why The Style Council had to happen.
The current US edition of Mojo has an excellent free compilation dedicated to the Modfather for his 50th birthday and includes "Left, Right & Center" for those of us who missed it the first time.

Happy Birthday: Paul Weller

My teenage hero is 50

To remember: Huntington Hartford II

04/18/1911 - 05/19/2008
As a child of the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company family, I would be remiss not to acknowledge the passing of all round zany heir, Huntington Hartford II. You were dashing, suave, dreamy, and a mess.

Rest in peace.