Wow. It's been a busy few days and every time I started to post, something came up to distract me. Still, the music went on and on in my head so here are a few of the standouts...
With the arrival of a posse of puppies, I found the strains of Paul Anka's "Puppy Love" in and out of my mind and was thankful that it was not Donny Osmond's version. Still, I like everyone too much to go with that and besides, the higher powers sent in The Jazz Butcher (and his Conspiracy) to set things right with "Domestic Animal". "Just a vague feeling that he could have been important once" is one of my favorite lyrics of all time and I can't imagine a better explanation of the instinctual thoughts running through the minds of the creatures with whom we share our lives.
"The Crash of Angel Wings" is from The Waterboys' 2006 album, "Book of Lightning", and answers the question of what they would sound like in a sing-a-long with the Jesus and Mary Chain. Delving deeper into the album would offer hints to what that collaboration would be like with Tommy Keene fronting the whole mess but that's another story. Kmatt was always a Waterboys fan and it is through her that I came to appreciate them. I'm glad that I was able to turn her on to this album and to return the favor. Yet another tune that will forever tangle us together.
"I'll Be Your Mirror" is, of course, best known by The Velvet Underground but there is a lovely version of it from '89 by The Primitives. If memory serves me, it started out as a b-side to a UK single but was so well received that it was tacked on to the US release of their second album, "Pure". Having had the pleasure of being a part of the dramas that always lead up to any artistic endeavor like Thomas' Dozol's photography exhibit that borrows the song's title, it felt good to have an opportunity to expose everyone to The Primitives' version. And a big thanks to Kmatt for jumping into the fray and weaving edges back together.
Dannyboy got "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" by Elton John in his head and tried valiantly to remember the title, the words, and to communicate the melody to me but, sadly, I drew a blank. Google helped solve the mystery but the song is from "Honky Chateau" which is not one of my favorite Elton albums, therefore it was stored away in the deeper recesses of my mind. We did end up spending the day with the Rocket Man's catalog and I fell in love again with "Song For Guy" from 1979's "A Single Man". As a tune for a fallen friend - the bike messenger employed by Elton's Rocket Record label who was killed while on the road - it can't be bettered as it always reminded me of passing city streets and country side, even before I learned of its inspiration. I also reunited with a song I'd once adored but let fall by the wayside due to over familiarity: "Philadelphia Freedom" may have been written for Billie Jean King's tennis team but it is a love letter to Philly soul as well and is a perfect example of why Elton's "Thom Bell Sessions" E.P. had to happen and worked so well.
Elton's duet album - an uneven project at best - reminded me that "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing" is best left to Tammi and Marvin and that not even the voice of Marcella Detroit could save the arrangement she was forced to share with Elton. But, her voice did send me back to my first few weeks in Atlanta, when Shakespear's Sister was just getting started. "Dirty Mind" will always be remembered as one of the first records I bought in my new hometown but three years later, Shakespear's Sister would become forever the soundtrack to the summer of '92 when Viv and I were inseparable, each testing our own new boundaries, or lack there of, as well as new names. Without Viv, there would not have been a Pres in pres2go and, although he didn't actually stay, he would eventually, in a different way.
A random Facebook comment led me back to a 45 from my adolescent years, when my ears were still glued to a.m. radio. Although it always brings back memories of the time when Mommy was becoming Mom, it also has Ali B written all over it now thanks to a very nice rendition given during a wonderful weekend when much was consumed as well as exposed. And it wasn't tone deaf at all.
And now it's Monday and it's Rainy and I selfishly find the warmth in Karen Carpenter's voice as she shares my melancholy and I pass it on to a dear friend as another reminder that we have to find the best and the beautiful in the memories, no matter how much sadness surrounds them or us. "Rainy Days and Mondays" is still beauty and sadness after all these years, a jewel in the crown that is their self-titled album from 1971. It always makes me feel as if I'd just woken up from a nap in my mother's lap: safe, warm, and home. Like I imagine a newborn puppy feels as it dozes off with a full belly.
As we head into the holiday, I give thanks to, and for, all of you with whom I've had the pleasure of sharing a soundtrack and for letting me know that the earworm was missed during the brief hiatus. Thank you. Thank you very much.
