Earworm CD: February 2008

GET HERE
01. Mystery Date
excerpt from vintage television commercial
02. Dream Baby - Cherilyn (Cher)
from 1964 single Imperial 66081
03. Snap Out Of It - Cher
excerpt from 1987 film, "Moonstruck"
04. He Was Really Sayin' Somethin' (mono single version) - The Velvelettes
from 1964 single V.I.P 25013
05. Give Him A Great Big Kiss (mono single version) - The Shangri-Las
from 1964 single Red Bird 10-018
06. Be My Baby (mono single version) - The Ronettes
from 1963 single Philles 116
07. Cherish (mono single version) - The Association
from 1966 single Valiant 747
08. Can't Trust The Waves - Kitchens Of Distinction
from the 1992 A&M/One Little Indian album, "The Death of Cool"
09. Help Me - Joni Mitchell
from the 1974 Asylum album, "Court and Spark"
10. Trouble Me - 10,000 Maniacs
from the 1989 Elektra album, "Blind Man's Zoo"
11. This Love Will Last - Chris Isaak
from the 1987 Reprise album, "Chris Isaak"
12. H.O.L.L.A.N.D. - The Bluebells
from 1984 UK single London LON45
13. Prettiest Eyes - The Beautiful South
from the 1994 Go Discs! album, "Miaow"
14. True Love Leaves No Traces - Leonard Cohen featuring Ronee Blakely
from the 1977 Warner Bros. album, "Death Of A Ladies Man"
15. Stick With Me Baby - Robert Plant and Allison Krauss
from the 2007 Rounder album, "Raising Sand"
16. Apiary (remix) - Yum Yum
from 1996 Atlantic/TAG promo single TAG 6752-2
17. What Is Life - George Harrison
from the 1970 Apple album, "All Things Must Pass"
18. Oh My God - Pink featuring Peaches
from the 2003 LaFace album, "Try This"
19. Kiss Me - Tin Tin
from 1983 Sire Records twelve inch single
20. Finally - Ce Ce Pennisiton
from the 1991 A&M album, "Finally"
21. Hold Me - Veronica Lake
excerpt from the 1941 film, "This Gun For Hire"
22. Careful Now - Copeland
from the 2006 Militia album, "Eat, Sleep, Repeat"
23. You Got The Dud - The Simpsons
excerpt from 1996 television episode "Summer on 4ft2"

from the sofa: Sarah Palin

Wait, wait...
Did they think that the only reason Hillary supporters worship the holy pantsuit is because she's a woman?
Oh, this ought to be good.

And she's anti-abortion and evangelical Christian...

Well, she does have five whole years more than Obama in holding an elected office. This must be the background to match John's claim that the VP should have the qualifications to immediately step into the Presidential role if needed.

Wait, wait...
Are we sure this is not Nora Dunn?

Is this a skit?

Needless to say, MoveOn.org has moved out the message:

Dear MoveOn member,

Yesterday was John McCain's 72nd birthday. If elected, he'd be the oldest president ever inaugurated. And after months of slamming Barack Obama for "inexperience," here's who John McCain has chosen to be one heartbeat away from the presidency: a right-wing religious conservative with no foreign policy experience, who until recently was mayor of a town of 9,000 people.

Huh?

Who is Sarah Palin? Here's some basic background:

* She was elected Alaska's governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience.1
* Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.2
* She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000. 3
* Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.4
* She's doesn't think humans are the cause of climate change.5
* She's solidly in line with John McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy. She's pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won't be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska.6
* How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president. Then he offered her the position.7

This is information the American people need to see. Please take a moment to forward this email to your friends and family.

So Governor Palin is a staunch anti-choice religious conservative. She's a global warming denier who shares John McCain's commitment to Big Oil. And she's dramatically inexperienced.

In picking Sarah Palin, John McCain has made the religious right very happy. And he's made a very dangerous decision for our country.

In the next few days, many Americans will be wondering what McCain's vice-presidential choice means. Please pass this information along to your friends and family.

Thanks for all you do.

–Ilyse, Noah, Justin, Karin and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Sarah Palin," Wikipedia, Accessed August 29, 2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin

2. "McCain Selects Anti-Choice Sarah Palin as Running Mate," NARAL Pro-Choice America, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17515&id=13661-5646997-pkkzJ5x&t=1

3. "Sarah Palin, Buchananite," The Nation, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17736&id=13661-5646997-pkkzJ5x&t=2

4. "'Creation science' enters the race," Anchorage Daily News, October 27, 2006
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17737&id=13661-5646997-pkkzJ5x&t=3

5. "Palin buys climate denial PR spin—ignores science," Huffington Post, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17517&id=13661-5646997-pkkzJ5x&t=4

6. "McCain VP Pick Completes Shift to Bush Energy Policy," Sierra Club, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17518&id=13661-5646997-pkkzJ5x&t=5

"Choice of Palin Promises Failed Energy Policies of the Past," League of Conservation Voters, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17519&id=13661-5646997-pkkzJ5x&t=6

"Protecting polar bears gets in way of drilling for oil, says governor," The Times of London, May 23, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17520&id=13661-5646997-pkkzJ5x&t=7

7 "McCain met Palin once before yesterday," MSNBC, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=21119&id=13661-5646997-pkkzJ5x&t=8

Earworm CD: January 2008

GOODBYE
01. Black Eyed Dog - Nick Drake
from 1974 Island album, "Time Of No Reply"
02. Reprieve - Heath Ledger
excerpt from the 2005 film, "Candy"
03. Life's What You Make It - Talk Talk
from the 1986 EMI album, "The Colour of Spring"
04. Crush Me - House of Love
from the 1992 Fontana album, "Babe Rainbow"
05. Fighting Fit - Gene
from the 1996 UK cd single Polydor cost9cd
06. Unreal World - The Godfathers
from 1991 Epic album, "Unreal World"
07. Big Hollow Man - Danielle Dax
from the 1986 Awesome Records album, "Inky Bloaters"
08. New Generation - Suede
from the 1995 UK cd single Nude 12cd1
09. Morning's Constitution - Lena Olin & Heath Ledger
excerpt from the 2006 film, "Casanova"
10. Gold - John Stewart
from the 1979 RSO album, "Bombs Away Dream Babies"
11. And The Ship Sails On - The Lilac Time
from the 1988 Fontana album, "The Lilac Time"
12. Good As Gold - The Beautiful South
from the 1994 Go Discs! album, "Miaow"
13. Hoola Hop - Idalia Boyd
from the 1962 single Dimension 1007,
14. WhamO
excerpt from vintage television commercial
15. Seen The Light - Supergrass
from the 2002 Parlophone album, "Life On Other Planets"
16. I Think We're Alone Now - Tommy James and The Shondells
from the 1967 single Roulette 4720
17. Sweet Pea - Tommy Roe
from the 1966 ABC album, "Sweet Pea"
18. What Is It - Heath Ledger
excerpt from 1999 film, "10 Things I Hate About You"
19. My Love Grows Deeper - Clydie King
from 1965 single Imperial 66139 single
20. Yes (edit) - McAlmont & Butler
from 1995 UK cd single Hut cd53
21. What's A Matter Baby (Is It Hurtin' You) - Timi Yuro
from 1962 Liberty album, "What's A Matter Baby"
22. Your Lies - Shelby Lynn
from 2000 Island album, "I Am Shelby Lynne"
23. Black Pearl - Sonny Charles & The Checkmates, Ltd.
from 1969 single A&M 1053
24. Nothing Takes The Place of You - Toussaint McCall
from 1967 single Ronn 3
25. This Is Your Life - The 5th Dimension
from 1970 Bell album, "Portrait"
26. Day Too Soon - Sia
from the 2008 Hear Music album, "Some People Have Real Problems"
27. I Gotta Go - Heath Ledger
excerpt from the 2005 film, "Brokeback Mountain"

August 29, 2008 Earworm

Poor old Johnnie Ray... He'd be a perfect fit for teen idol Friday but, as much as I enjoy his salacious and sad story, I can't stand the sound of his voice. So we'll give him a nod and take the 1986 cover of his biggest hit, "Cry", and appreciate the wonderful voice of Crystal Gayle and a beautiful arrangement by Bergen White.

If you're quick to dismiss the lady, as so many are, I point you toward the soundtrack to "One From The Heart" with Tom Waits and beg that you give "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" a fresh listen. If you still aren't convinced, you can always giggle at the thought of escalators licking their lips in anticipation as she sings, "So, let your hair down...".

Have a great weekend.

to thank:

Del Martin (left)
05/05/21 - 08/28/08

and to Phyllis Lyon, our thoughts are with you

August 28, 2008 Earworm

For those who despair over the notions of purity, Peggy Lee's rendition of "Fever" is an insult to both Little Willie John, the singer of the first version, and to songwriters Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell, the latter writing under the name of John Davenport. Of course, these are the very same people who bemoan Elvis' absconding with race music and making a fortune on the backs of those with a lesser audience. But no one has been able to offer proof of Cooley and Blackwells' indignation - particularly the latter who benefited greatly from the success of Miss Lee's record when Elvis took notice as well as the unwanted "Don't Be Cruel" for his next release - and I'm sure everyone cashed their royalty checks.

Little Willie's version is a delightfully lascivious treat that made the little girls who understood wiggle in their seat. But where his recording uses the tales of Romeo and Juliet and Capt. Smith and Pocahantas to provide examples of why they should give in to his seduction, the cool and calculated Miss Lee delivers the same information as a distraction from the directness of her opening statements, distancing herself as a lady would, and letting the tom toms do the hip swiveling for her. With Willie, you're left with no doubt as to what you're going to get where as with Peggy, you're left with only an idea and a lot of hope.

Oddly enough, in the end, everyone is satisfied.

August 27, 2008 Earworm

If you're going to be erroneously considered a one hit wonder, one could do much worse than to be remembered for "Hey, Girl", Freddie Scott's lush uptown ballad from 1963. Although he never managed another hit of that magnitude, it was not for a lack of trying as the cover of "I Got A Woman" and another Goffin-King composition, "Where Does Love Go", can attest. It took a couple of label switches - Colpix to Columbia to Shout - and the guiding hand of Bert Berns to bring Freddie back into the top 40 with "Are You Lonely For Me" at the very end of '66.

Bert keeps Freddie uptown on this record but it would be a safe bet that few people recognized the "Hey, Girl" guy amongst this gritty, but never dirty, arrangement that sounds like the city cousin of one or twenty Stax singles coming out around that time. Initial pressings of the single with Freddie's name mispelled, "Freddy", probably didn't help.

"Are You Lonely For Me" was an R&B #1 that topped out at #39 on the pop chart yet it still seems to be best known as part of a medley with The Rascals' "I've Been Lonely Too Long" on debut album by The Brooklyn Bridge, another act erroneously considered to be a one hit wonder and even that hit - "Worst That Could Happen" is now associated with another act - The 5th Dimension.

Go figure.

August 26, 2008 Earworm

You get what you want in the form you deserve seems fitting this morning as we look out on a back yard filled with puddles of long needed rain while the weather man cries of the sky falling and tornado activity brewing. Even the rain loving Mac refused to go out in it forcing Dannyboy and I to suit up and drag three Irish Terriers through the mud in the hope that the inevitable morning constitutions not take place in a shame filled dark corner of the house. And only yesterday I was dismissing the notion of buying a rain barrel...
A soggy morning calls for a soggy song and it's too late for "I Wish It Would Rain" so my mind drags up Peanut's "Thank Goodness For The Rain", a lovely little beat tune from 1965 working that familiar tears equal rain theme with a very earnest and very young Katherine Farthing singing as though her life depended upon her performance. Since it was her first solo outing, she very well may have thought that she was. For me, it's all about the low key arrangement and that delicious guitar which I'm sure comes courtesy of Mark Wirtz since he's credited for the production.
Katherine "Peanut" Farthing's solo career never really panned out although Pye valiantly put four singles out; amongst them is a cover of The Beach Boys' "I'm Waiting For The Day" which I hope to stumble upon some day. Her day in the spotlight would come in the early 70's as part of Mac and Katie, with her brother Jerry. She's still doing back up work, most recently on some Robbie Williams records and as part of Roger Waters' Dark Side of the Moon tour in 2007

August 25, 2008 Earworm

So much has been written about Patsy Cline that it seems pointless to add to the sea of type. She's a legend, a touchstone, and, at times, still a revelation. But one thing that she was not was a consistently charting music star. Considering the breadth of her recognition, I am surprised at just how little success she found on the big chart. Setting aside the iconic "Walkin' After Midnight" from '57 and the triumphant return in '61 that yielded "I Fall To Pieces" and "Crazy", "She's Got You" would be her only other top forty pop hit. Even more startling is that, despite her limited success on the pop chart, she still charted there three more times than she did on the country charts during her lifetime.

That "Leavin' On Your Mind" from 1963, just a few months before her death, could climb no higher than #83 pop while peaking at #8 country leaves me scratching my head considering that it's far more cosmopolitan than her bigger hits. Of course, it ceased to matter over forty five years ago when a plane ride once again placed her in the wrong place at the wrong time. And the lack of pop success achieved by "Leavin' On Your Mind" leaves it as a nice surprise when encountered, and as a reminder that there is always more to a legend than the familiar stories.

courage and grace and sport

Matthew Mitcham
Gold medal winner, 2008 Summer Olympics,Beijing - 10 metre platform dive
Score of 112.10, the highest single-dive score in Olympic history

Get it, Guy.

to emulate: