November 26, 2008 Earworm

We approach the designated day of thanks and, unless you are a turkey or a totally self-absorbed meanie-head, surely you can find something for which to be grateful. If not, they may want to consider the idea that they're doing something wrong. Right?

The last Stax hit by Sam & Dave is an obvious choice for today so 1968's "I Thank You" it is. Now I want everybody to get off of your seat and get your arms together and your hands together...

If that doesn't work, flip the 45 and "Wrap It Up".

November 25, 2008 Earworm

Lacking liner notes that provide lyrics, I have tried to figure out all of the lyrics to Bernard Butler's "Not Alone" for about ten years. I'm still unclear of them all and today I realized why: I can't listen to it without getting lost in the beautiful noise.

It's a kiss-off to someone, and probably the boys of Suede, but it's really about the joy to be found in the noise, and thrill of realizing that the noise is coming from you. Joy and talent, not alone. Ever.

And speaking of not alone, I became a little less alone tonight when I picked up two puppies and my gaze was returned. My expression of joy was met with expressions that could only mean one thing: "What the fuck are you?!"

Priceless.

November 24, 2008 Earworm: we've some catching up to do

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.

November 18, 2008 Earworm

Our dog to human ratio skewed on Friday and even with Kmatt here for a visit, we're outnumbered. Granted, the five squeaking pups have enough to worry about just lifting their heads to eat, but their presence has dramatically altered the household, and they are in control. While we bi-peds still have the thumbs and the car keys, departures from the mothership are now carefully considered and even more carefully orchestrated, to the point that the thought of walking out the door is nerve racking.

On the other end of the spectrum, mother is holed up in a makeshift den, heat lamp and whelping box her primary surroundings, removed from any interaction with her own mother, Laney, and from her partner in crime, Mac: it's no longer the dog's life to which she's become accustomed but instinct and duty now rule her roost and she's admirable in commitment to the cause. Her brief breaks from her duties are only for necessities, augmented with a brief run through the house which appears to be an effort to confirm that the world in which she once lived still exists.

But the ones who have it the worst are Laney and Mac. Faced with a rare restriction, they stand outside the gate that guards the helpless and protector, they can only smell the air and strain to hear the cries of the strangers who have invaded their world. Realizing that they the focus has shifted to area which currently has no place for them, they act out in rude ways, demanding the attention that is normally only a palm away.

While preparing for a shower, I encountered Mac, rolling around on the spot I fill in the bed that is normally shared by all, co-mingling our scents, and alternately sighing and crying. Scooping up this 40 pound mound that usually consists of 90% canine bravado, 5% helpless puppy, and 5% indifference, I was rewarded with a rare kiss before he collapsed into fetal position, released a contented sigh, and drifted off to where ever he goes when receiving a heartfelt belly rub.

And that's why I've been singing Sinead O'Connor's "I Want Your (Hands On Me)" all morning.

November 12, 2008 Earworm

With all this Angels stuff going around my head, it was only a matter of time that Bobby Vee would rear his well-coiffed head via "Walkin' With My Angel". Bless his heart, he starts off trying to sound his butch best, even working up a nice little growl. But Bobby never was one for swinging pipe and within seconds he's strolling onto the set of some b-movie musical, waiting for an off-screen toss of a top hat and cane. As usual, the strings don't help his effort to walk like a big dog. But "Walkin' With My Angel" is an ace Goffin-King song and even it's being relegated to b-side of "Run To Him" couldn't keep it from charting at a respectable #53 in '61.

Four years later, Herman's Hermits would record "Walkin' With My Angel" for the b-side of their cover of "Silhouettes". It didn't chart but the boys managed to sound tougher than Bobby.

You know you got trouble when you've been out-butched by Peter Noone...

November 11, 2008 Earworm

Due to my recent relapse with Facebook, I find myself communicating with people I've not spoken with since the last dance at the Senior Prom. It's been fun to discover who I have absolutely nothing in common with now that the books are closed and surprising to find those with whom I had nothing in common aside from mutual friends who shared actually shared the same passions that we never got around to discussing.

The status of a friend of friend recently read that she was attending the Vocal Group Hall of Fame event. Surprised to find a potential kindred spirit and green with envy, I commented on her status, she commented back, and an instant message dialogue proved necessary. She was as surprised by my interest in the event as I had been with hers and a casual remark about being the step-daughter of one of The Angels briefly stopped my heart. I asked, "Is your step-mother Peggy?", and, after a brief moment, she replied, "Yup!".

I promptly became a slobbering fan, blabbering on about how much I love "Give Her Up (Baby)" and "Beggin'" and, when she had the chance, she replied, "Wow, you really know your stuff. Do you want some autographs from the event?" Needless to say, my answer was yes.

Since then, I've been constantly playing The Angels' follow up to "My Boyfriend's Back", the criminally overlooked "I Adore Him". How the country could resist this cheer leading for the dysfunctional relationship is beyond me, I can barely get through the thing with searching for a set of pom-poms. Peggy sounds as young as spring and maybe as horny. As always, there's something in that girl's delivery that suggests more than she says, that the love she gets when she's alone with him may be more than the hand holding variety that parents hoped for their daughters, and that it is flat out awesome.

Why else would she put up with this jerk?

November 07, 2008 Earworm

I don't know about the rest of you but I'm exhausted. Hours of rigidly hanging off the edge of my ashtray with one hand clinging to my facebook, and preparing to be the angriest voter in the world while hoping for the best takes a lot of a guy. Then, the celebration, followed by attempts at discretion - no need to be obnoxious about it, right - leading to clandestine hugs and jumping up and down... Oh, and then there's the day job.

What a week.

And now the weekend. The usual chores, friends' house for dinner, a possible reunion, and preparations for the arrival of Kmatt should keep me busy enough to lead me right back to exhausted. Life goes on during the holding pattern, so go we must.

To cap the weekend, I'm going with Tommy James & The Shondells' follow up to "Crimson And Clover", "Sweet Cherry Wine". One, because it's just groovy enough to match how I feel, yet not too pushy. Two, because Callie said, "When was the last time you heard "Sweet Cherry Wine", the other day and then seemed surprised when I replied, "Last weekend". This, in turn, surprised me because I thought every home had a copy of "The Best of"... even if it's on vinyl.

Anyway, have a great weekend.