EDIT: If you saw the blog earlier, there were videos I had lovingly captioned for you, but I couldn't figure out why they were playing automatically. I'm sorry, I don't know what the problem was, so I took them off and put in the regular vids. I'm beyond bummed that you can't see the fun captions, but I couldn't have the vids annoying you. If I figure it out I'll put them back up.
I'm sure a few of y'all were wondering when I'd get around to Simple Minds. Please. Like there was a doubt I'd get to my boys from Scotland. Simple Minds are best known for their song "Don't You (Forget About Me)" from The Breakfast Club, but they have quite the history and music catalog. The guys started out as a punk band named Johnny and The Self-Abusers in 1977 before changing their name and putting out a rock album, then settling into the "New Romantic" side of New Wave. In 1985, The Breakfast Club launched Simple Minds into overnight American success and they had their only #1 U.S. hit. To capitalize on their new fame, the band released Once Upon a Time which included the hits "Alive and Kicking," "Sanctify Yourself," and my fave "All the Things She Said." I usually don't offer video commentary, but we have to talk about the videos today. I put actual work into this post, which you can't see now. "Sanctify Yourself" and "All the Things She Said" are so good I had to caption them myself. People, 80's videos get no better than "All the Things She Said." I forgot the degree of awesomeness it achieved and and actually said "shut the eff up" when I watched it earlier — yes, it's that good. Enjoy the videos.
tunes you need Tuesday: 10,000 Maniacs edition
First of all, let me tell you what a special kind of moron your favorite redheaded blogger is — I've been working on this post for two days and have saved it as a draft many, many times — I was writing a couple of hours ago, made sure the links work, proofread the post and thought I published it. Nope, I saved as draft again! For crying out loud, I cannot have a Tunes You Need Tuesday published on a freakin' Tuesday to save my life. I wouldn't blame you if you started reading The Bloggess instead. At least you'd get to laugh about Clown Porn. And nothing has made me laugh harder than the thought of that the past couple of days. No, I haven't been watching porn, it's just a column I read that's laugh out loud funny and when I told Megs I'd send it to her she said no, because she's afraid she'd get a virus. She probably thinks she'll get an iSTD from the computer. I'm afraid most of you are reading this going "what the hell? Clown Porn? Call the prayer chain, call the psych ward, somebody, she's finally lost it." I assure you I'm alright and probably better than I've been in a few weeks, so it's about time for some serious fun. And serious fun for me is good music, what else? Did you think I was going to say Clown Porn?
Okay, I know we covered Natalie Merchant two weeks ago, but the Maniacs deserve their own post, dammit. I can't write a Natalie post and just hope that you'll go out on your own and listen to the Maniacs or watch a couple of YouTube videos, I have to deliver. This is how dedicated to your Tuesday tunes edumacation I am. What? That's a word. Look it up in your dictionkerry.
The brief history of 10,000 Maniacs I gave you in the Natalie Merchant post won't suffice for today, so welcome to Maniacs 101. There will not be a quiz, so relax.
If I were to sum up 10,000 Maniacs, a couple words would come to mind,
but one of the most prevalent would be artsy. The band's sound and feel
is defined by Rob Buck's distinctive lead guitar, folksy
melodies, historical/political poetic lyricism, and just an all around unique and lovely sound. Many of their songs are about unsavory things and some are just reflections on various little aspects of everyday life, but the Maniacs never try to hide what they're doing. The songs speak for themselves. There isn't a song you'd hear and say, "wow, wonder what that could be about." It's all there.
There are basically three distinct periods in the band's timeline.
The first lasted from their formation in 1981 until 1986. At this point
the lineup was Steve Gustafson (bass), Robert Buck (lead guitar),
Dennis Drew (keyboards), Natalie Merchant
(vocals) and John Lombardo (guitar/vocals). They would find a permanent
drummer in 1983 in Jerome Augustyniak. The band started
out as being very eclectic, incorporating a multitude styles that
varied from reggae to punk to folk, but by the time of their major
label debut The Wishing Chair, they had become more of a concise artsy folk unit. This was powerful and original stuff. Natalie's
voice was youthful but soared with a vitality and energy that was unlike anything I've heard since those early albums. Rob's chiming guitar leads were just as up
front as Natalie's
vocals, and the combination still holds up as beautiful and invigorating. This
was John Lomabrdo's musical vision really coming together for the first
time, and The Wishing Chair is often referred to as "his baby."
In 1986, due to financial concerns and Elektra's pressuring the
band to go in a more commercial direction, Lombardo left 10,000 Maniacs.
He would later carry on The Wishing Chair sound in his duo with Mary Ramsey,
but 10,000 Maniacs continued on as a five-piece and their sound
shifted to an extent. This is what I would consider phase two. They acquired a more
pop-oriented feel, with Natalie's lyrics focusing on distinctive, often political topics. The albums In My Tribe (1987), Blind Man's Zoo (1989), Our Time In Eden (1992), and Unplugged (1994) were released during this stage while Natalie was lead singer.
Phase three began when Natalie Merchant left in 1993, and John Lombardo returned in 1994 bringing along Mary Ramsey to replace Natalie.
With John again the prime creative force in the Maniacs he of course
took up where he left off back in 1985. The band's sound became more
folkish again. There have been other personnel changes since with the death of Buck, Lombardo leaving once again, and Ramsey in and "on again, off again" state as of now. Oskar Saville sang with the Maniacs from 2002-07, but it looks like Ramsey is back — at least that what seems to be the case. Their website hasn't been updated in some time and I could find no news of their status lately.
So far two albums have been created with Ramsey, Love Among The Ruins and the independently released The Earth Pressed Flat. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that I am a Maniacs purist and a song without Natalie singing is just not a 10,000 Maniacs song. I remember driving my Corolla in Alpharetta, GA in 1997 when I first heard "More Than This," the first Natalieless Maniacs song on the radio and I yelled "that's not 10,000 Maniacs!" With all due respect to Ms. Ramsey, no one could replace Natalie's voice. And dear my mother the war — Oskar Saville singing the old songs — it's like nails on a chalkboard. I say that with love. And criticism and intollerance, mainly love.
Onto the songs. Let's have a little loveliness from each album, that seems the thing to do.
From The Wishing Chair, this is "My Mother the War," which is what I've always considered a very raw Maniacs song. It doesn't sound like what you're used to from the band and Natalie's voice is a young instrument.
http://kerryfaler.typepad.com/files/1-02-my-mother-the-war.m4a
From what is most of America's first 10,000 Maniacs experience, In My Tribe, I thought you might like "City of Angels," for its folksy sound, but as well as a song that's a good example of Natalie finding her voice. I love the song. In my Natalie Merchant post, you saw the video of the big single from this album, "Like the Weather," but there are other great songs on this album. Notably, the Cat Stephens cover of "Peace Train" and "What's the Matter Here" about child abuse. In My Tribe is full of socially aware songs, nearly each track has a message. And did I mention how much I heart the cover art? It's always been one of my faves. http://kerryfaler.typepad.com/files/10-city-of-angels.m4a
Blind Man's Zoo is the middle-ground of 10,000 Maniacs albums. It falls somewhere outside the folk band they started out as and the more pop sound of their last studio album. It's the only album I would consider "alternative" whatever that means, but nevertheless is what genre the band is called. I knew the video to "Happy Puppet" was one of the only videos that showed the whole band and thought it would be fun to see the rest of them, since they weren't Natalie's backing band, as you would think from all the other videos from that era. Plus, it's a damn good song.
http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:vh1.com:58361
Another song I love from that album is "Headstrong," which could SO be one of my theme songs. If you've know me for very long, you would probably agree. I hate that when they made the compilation album, Campf
ire Songs they left this gem off. It would really fit to shake it up a little. And I like a little angry song for a mood once in a while, don't you?
http://kerryfaler.typepad.com/files/06-headstrong.m4a
The last 10,000 Maniacs studio album with Natalie Merchant as lead singer and writing partner to Rob Buck was Our Time in Eden, and it is simply a gorgeous work. The instrumentation on it is just fabulous, with Buck using banjo, steel guitar, and sitar (which he hadn't used since In My Tribe), as well as the James Brown Horns, and Mary Ramsey on backing vocals. This album is fantastic. Everyone remembers "These Are Days" which ended up as a graduation theme song all over the country, but I loved "Candy Everybody Wants," a pop song about the crap in our media and how we eat it up! Man, it's genius. And the video features a stunning Natalie, so no wonder no one ever got it. I was sucked in, too. After seeing Natalie in her green off-the-shoulder dress, I had to have a green off-the-shoulder dress for prom. Here's the video.
http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:vh1.com:58362
I mentioned the MTV Unplugged album, but it's worth a listen. Really, you should get it. It shows what a talented band 10,000 Maniacs were back in '93. Rob Buck was a great musician, probably never getting the accolades he deserved and he delivers on this album. Also, we're treated to some great songs on Unplugged. I really like this version of "Noah's Dove" and the duet with David Byrne, "Let the Mystery Be" is just great. This album is full of little surprises and is a nice send off, being that it was the last album with Natalie. Enjoy.
Sunday Rewind: Crowded House edition
It's been a long, hot weekend. The air conditioning is out at Casa Faler, so I'm blogging from a hotel while the kids are sleeping. I was planning a Tom Tom Club post for Sunday Rewind, but decided I'm in more of a Crowded House mood, partially because I do love me some CH, but also because I know you, dear reader, already know more about CH than Tom Tom Club and I don't need tell you any background — they're Austrailian, yadda yadda yadda. There is more to them than that, but I'll have to tell you another time, another post. I will tell you that is was more difficult than I thought to find the videos this week. Damn record companies and embedding-disabled videos, for realz, I searched for much too long for these three videos most because of my OCD for my blog, partly because I need something to keep my mind off of other things. Anyhouse, here are "Don't Dream It's Over," "Something so Strong," and "Better Be Home Soon." The last song features a line I love, "and I know I'm right for the first time in my life." Love that.
Edit: how freakin' cute is CH singer Neil Finn? If anyone needs me today, I'll be in 1986.
Edit # 2: shut the back door. I did no research for this post, since I'm a slacker and was trying to find the three vids for you — lo and behold, I discovered something just now that somehow got past me. ME! CH drummer Paul Hester was the Chef in the Wiggles "Fruit Salad" video. I few years ago, Molly was hooked on the Wiggles, so I've seen "Fruit Salad" many times and thought the chef looked familiar, but couldn't put my finger on it. This is nice news, since previous to this knowledge when I've thought of Hester, his 2005 suidide immediately comes to mind. I much prefer to think of his smiling face from the CH vids and his Chef appearance in the Wiggles. Okay, that's enough edits for one post. Sheesh.
http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-557300244268459624
tunes you need Tuesday: queen of soul edition
EDIT: I'm not sure what was going on with the audio clips, but I've fixed them. Sorry for the weird permission pop-ups some of you received, looks like the blog went crazy for a bit.
It's been a rough couple or three weeks for your favorite redheaded blogger. In times like these I turn to the woman I consider to be my sort-of fairy godmother of music, Aretha Franklin. Aretha has been with me through some tough times and she always has good advice through song (and no, it's not just because of "Dr. Feelgood"). Her voice is like a soothing salve to the heartbroken and hurt, and there is no emotion that she hasn't lent that amazing voice to. The Queen's discography reads like a best-of "That's What I Call Gospel/Rock/R&B!" album — which only exists on my iPod.
Unless you've just come from Amish country and my blog was your first stop on the Interwebs, you've at least heard Aretha on the radio. If you weren't fortunate enough to grow up with Aretha as your musical fairy godmother, here's an excerpt of her accomplishments from her Wikipedia entry:
Franklin is one of the most honored artists by the Grammy Awards, with 20 Grammys to date, which include the Living Legend Grammy and the Lifetime Achievement Grammy. She also sang at the presidential inauguration of 44th President of the United States Barack Obama. She has scored a total of 20 #1 singles on the Billboard R&B Singles Chart, two of which also became #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: "Respect" (1967) and "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (1987), a duet with George Michael. Since 1961, Franklin has scored a total of 45 "Top 40" hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In 1987, Franklin became the first female artist to be entered into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[3]
And my personal favorite, in what had to be the highlight of George W. Bush's presidency, he awarded Aretha the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. Yeah, that's awesome. Her voice was also declared a "natural resource" of her home state of Michigan. Not bad for a preacher's daughter from Detroit. And no, she wasn't on the Motown label. Her first single with Atlantic Records was 1967's "I Never Loved a Man (The Way That I Love You)" and I thought you might enjoy that performance from her "Lady Soul" television special from 1968. I remember watching the rebroadcast of the special several times starting at the age of 11 and memorizing the hand motions of Aretha's backup singers.
When I thought about what I would write about Aretha Franklin, her greatest hits ran through my head, but I thought it would be an injustice to simply give you clips of "Respect," "Chain of Fools," and "(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman." Although those are all some of the best songs in the history of ever, I suspect that some of my readers have never heard some of her other superfantastic songs. The B-side to "I Never Loved a Man" was "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man," and it is one of my favorites. Have a listen.
http://kerryfaler.typepad.com/files/09-do-right-woman—do-right-man.m4p
Was I right? How good is that? If you liked that song, go download "Dr. Feelgood" as well. The last line of the song is worth the 99 cents, trust me — I've been singing it in the car like a fool for years.
Before you think Aretha had all of her success in the 60's, must I remind you of her cameo in The Blues Brothers? Maybe this will refresh your memory.
http://www.trilulilu.ro/embed/flash.php?type=video&hash=336ce6c3eae6d6&userid=vilyaarda&src=hi5
I don't have to tell you that's my favorite scene in the movie. The 80's were good to Aretha and she gave us some good times. There were duets with Annie Lennox from the Eurythmics and the song that would top my duet list for karaoke — "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me" with George Michael.
http://d.yimg.com/m/up/fop/embedflv/swf/fop.swf
Now, if that isn't the fabulous 80's I don't know what is. Not only have I had my hair cut like Aretha's in that video, I believe I also had the doorknocker earrings and I covet her gold lame skirt. Seriously. And is George just delicious in that? Shut up, he was. The hair, the jacket, the jeans, the voice — love 80's George.
Back to Aretha. By now you know I love this woman and what she has contributed to music, but you should know that she is still influencing today's artists. Last year Fantasia recorded with Aretha and John Legend, but I chose her song "A Rose is Still a Rose" from 1998 with Lauryn Hill on back-up for you to listen to. This song went gold and echoes back to her earlier songs about heartache and relationships, something Aretha is clearly at home singing about. She's had this to say about her music, "If a song's about something I've experienced or that
could've happened to me it's good. But if it's alien to me, I couldn't
lend anything to it. Because that's what soul is all about." How true.
http://kerryfaler.typepad.com/files/01-a-rose-is-still-a-rose.m4p
So, that's what I love about Aretha Franklin. She is the best. And she also gave the world the best big girl quote ever, "I'm a big woman. I need big hair." I love that woman. Remember earlier in this post when I told you to get "Dr. Feelgood"? I can't think of a better way to end this post than with that song, 'cause good God-a-mighty the man sure makes me feel real good.
Sunday Rewind: Psychedelic Furs edition
Ah, one of my first loves, The Psychedelic Furs.
The Furs came out of post-punk England in the late '70s and had some success in the US with 1981's Talk Talk Talk and the songs "Dumbwaiters" and "Pretty in Pink," but it wasn't until the 1986 movie of the same name that the Furs were a household name. Well, the song was anyway. They are an easy band to love with songs like "Heaven," "Until She Comes," and "Heartbreak Beat" and Richard Butler's hoarse voice is just lovely.
Without further delay, here are the videos. Lots of videos today because the Furs make me happy and I love that voice. I'm giving you a the gift that is the original version of "Pretty in Pink," which is the stripped-down, moodier version. Also in today's line-up are "Heartbreak Beat," "Ghost in You," "Love My Way," and the 1991 Letterman show performance of "Until She Comes" — one of my faves, just for you because you're special. Do yourself a solid and go get their Greatest Hits, put it on and quote Iona from Pretty in Pink, "applause, applause, APPLAUSE." Now that I think of it, we may be due for an 80's movie review (as if I don't talk about PIP enough). Enjoy the Furs.
Sunday Rewind: Howard Jones
1985 was a great year for music. Shut up, it was when Howard Jones broke on the scene with his second album Dream Into Action and hit "No One is to Blame." And that song was the jam, yo. The song was everywhere in '85 and so was Howard — huge tour, Live Aid, and it seemed like he was The Next Big Thing, but he never reached the level of success he had with that album and the songs "Things Can Only Get Better" and "Life in One Day." The video for the latter is pretty fun, Howard was mixing it up a little. The last video is "Everlasting Love" from 1989's Cross That Line and I thought I'd show you the video for the happy mummy couple in it as well as the lyric "back in the world of disposable emotion" — always thought that was a brilliant line. By the way, here's a little fact for you: Howard Jones' back-up singers were known as Afrodiziak (love that). Enjoy.
http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/k28o0A7PNX4kXu7hhZ&related=1
tunes you need Tuesday: Natalie Merchant edition
EDIT: yes, I know this is Wednesday, but I started this post on Tuesday, so Tunes You Need Tuesday it is. And it was only an hour into Wednesday when I finished it, so there. Thank you, Captains Obvious for emailing me and making me think I lost a day somewhere. xxxooo, Kerry
Have I been slacking on Tunes You Need Tuesday or what? No Tunes Tuesday since March 10th? And not one of my faithful readers called me on it either. You think you know people. Oh well. Maybe that has something to do with the comments on this blog not working (Kerry shakes angry fist at the Typepad gods), although Typepad has assured me the blog is fine and the comments should work. Alas, they do not, as many of you have emailed to tell me to tell me that very thing. I hear you, dear readers, I hear you. On with the post!
Last night, after talking to a friend about music and Natalie Merchant, it occurred to me that I had not written about my favorite woman in music (next to Aretha, that is). I honestly thought I had written a Tunes Tuesday post about Natalie, but after reviewing the blog, there was none — not even a 10,000 Maniacs edition. Either this is an unfortunate oversight or subconsciously I feared I wouldn't do her justice, I'm not sure. So, I've been listening to 10,000 Maniacs and Natalie's solo stuff all day while working at the computer (great music to work to, by the way) and I think it's high time we explored the fantabulous Natalie Merchant. Don't you agree? Oh good.
We can't discuss Natalie without first having a little background on her 12 years with 10,000 Maniacs. The Maniacs were formed in New York back in 1981 and didn't hit the mainstream Billboard charts until 1987's In My Tribe debuted and went to #37 in '88. They were an alternative folk-rock group in a sea of hair bands, Madonna, George Michael, and Michael Jackson, so this was unusual to say the least.
The song that made me a fan was "Like The Weather." Natalie Merchant unlike anyone on MTV at that time and her band was a breath of fresh air to me. I had discovered REM and a few other alternative bands a year or two before , but 10,000 Maniacs was different with their girl singer and her funky dresses, mary jane shoes, and quirky beauty. She was the main songwriter of the group and her voice was interesting and her lyrics were purposeful (again, unlike much of the music going on in 1987). Let's go back to '87 for a look, here's "Like The Weather."
http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:46180
So, that was my introduction to Natalie Merchant. I'm sure many of my old friends will recognize the influence her style had on my fashion sense back in the day and why I've never met a mary jane I didn't like. 10,000 Maniacs went onto moderate success with Blind Man's Zoo and Our Time in Eden, then Natalie left to start her solo career in 1993. In 2004 the Maniacs released Campfire Songs: The Popular, Obscure and Unknown Recordings, a wonderful compilation album every fan should own. You'll fall in love with the band all over again with the covers and alternate lyric demos of some of their songs on disc 2. Here's "I Hope That I Don't Fall in Love with You" from the second disc, it's simply lovely.
http://kerryfaler.typepad.com/files/2-09-i-hope-that-i-dont-fall-in-lov.m4a
1995's Tigerlily was Natalie's solo debut that gave her 3 hits, "Jealousy," "Wonder," and "Carnival." "Jealousy" is one of my favorite songs, but I thought I'd share a song you may not be familiar with, "Cowboy Romance." It has a little country flavor, hence the Cowboy part , I suppose. I think you just might love it.
http://kerryfaler.typepad.com/files/2-02-cowboy-romance.m4a
Natalie's next album, Ophelia, was release in 1998 to somewhat mixed reviews. The album is somewhat melancholy and elegantly dark with piano and strings, bust as a longtime fan, on a whole, it harkened back to less ambitious 10,000 Maniacs songs like "Verdi Cries" and "My How You've Grown." One can't deny Ophelia is decidely un-pop. "Kind and Generous" is the only song pop song on the album and if you're the type who doesn't listen to albums in their entirety, Ophelia may not be your cup of tea, but it's definitely worth a listen. I think it's pretty brilliant, but I'm a fan. Who else but Natalie would put a hymn from the 1880's on their album and make it beautiful? "When They Ring Them Golden Bells" is the hymn, and I hate that it wouldn't upload, so you'll have to get it on iTunes and have a listen for yourself.
Motherland was Natalie's third solo album and was more folky and eclectic musically than Ophelia. Some of the material is a bit heavy, lyrically. Natalie tends to write with a focus on political and social issues, always has — songs from the Maniacs days "Eat For Two" and "What's the Matter Here" come to mind from her earlier writing. This album was no different; what made it different was that the recording was finished two days before Sepetember 11tth, and that changed people's perceptions of her lyrics in post-9/11 America. Still, the album reached #30 on Billboard and the mother of folk rock, Joan Baez, covered the title track, which is a pretty neat thing. My favorite track on Motherland is "Not in This Life," a song Natalie has said she only put on the album because the rest of the songs were a little heavy, but I thought the song was rather introspective. Anyway, the best songs off Motherland (including my pick) can be found on Retrospective.
If you're a Natalie Merchant fan, do yourself a favor and get the Deluxe Edition of Retrospective: 1995-2000 and you'll love it. It includes "Cowboy Romance" as well as duets with Billy Bragg and Michael Stipe among other covers like The Smiths "Sally Ann." It's fantastic. Finally, what's Natalie Merchant up to now? She's recording, and that can only be good news for fans like me. I'm looking forward to an album due out this year. It's been eight years since her last album and I can't wait to hear what she's come up with for 2009. I'll let you know what I think of the yet un-named album when it comes out (there is no "drop" date yet, but I'm hopeful). 'til then, here's "Stockton Gala Days" which you can find on 10,000 Maniacs, Campfire Songs. It's one of my favorites to sing along to. The last lyrics get me every time I hear it.
http://kerryfaler.typepad.com/files/05-stockton-gala-days.m4a
You'll never, you'll never know.
You'll never know.
That summer fields grow high.
We had wildflower fever.
We had to lay down where they grow.
How I've learned to hide, how I've locked inside, you'd be surprised if shown.
But you'll never, you'll never know
And Just for fun, here's "Children, Go Where I Send Thee" from Retrospective. Hope y'all enjoyed this Tunes Tuesday, I sure did.
http://kerryfaler.typepad.com/files/2-03-children-go-where-i-send-thee.m4a
Sunday Rewind: Julian Lennon
It's Sunday and I thought we'd spend it with an old crush of mine, Julian Lennon, circa 1984. Did it get any better than Julian's "Much Too Late For Goodbyes?" No, it did not. I still love that song, it's such a fun, catchy song and Julian's voice is perfect. "Valotte" is just a wonderful song. I rediscovered it when I was in college when I picked up Volume 10 of the "Rock of the 80's" tape set in a discount bin (that tape also included "Something About You" by Level 42, "Breakout" by Swing Out Sister, and "Veronica" by the one and only Elvis Costello). After finding that diamond in the rough, I set out to collect all 15 tapes — and man, that was a quest that rivaled finding the Holy Grail (oh, yes, I found them all, by the way). Of course now it's available on Amazon, but I found a listing for you of all the tracks to build up your 80's iPod playlist. You do have an 80's playlist, right? Good. Oh, and shut up — Volume 7 features "Girl in Trouble (it's a temporary thing)" by Romeo Void, which is just about the best song title ever and I intend on stealing for the title of my yet to be written memoirs.
What was I writing about before that ADHD moment? Julian Lennon. Rumor is he has finished an album, Everything Changes, to be released this year and his website is currently under construction, so maybe an older Julian will return to the music scene with some good stuff soon. I certainly hope so.
Here is the video for "Much Too Late For Goodbyes," with Julian sporting some bad hair and because YouTube doesn't have the "Valotte" video we'll have to make due with the mp3. How are y'all liking the Goear clips? I think the quality is nice and I'm impressed with the variety of music I've found there. On with the tunes…
cut here
Hello peeps. I've been working on ScrapFest! print materials, being Dizzy Miss Busy, but I thought I'd share a little gem I found tonight. If you've been reading for long y'all know I reference my boys The Cure from time to time and wrote about them on a Tunes You Need Tuesday, but I came across this acoustic version of "Cut Here," which I've never heard before. After searching Google and a few other sites, I can't find it available anywhere but Ebay. It's from the Greatest Hits album from 2001, whichI have, but the import has a bonus cd of 18 acoustic versions of the same 18 original songs from the first cd. Man, how cool is that? I love a good import. So, I just ordered it from Australia. Yippee, happy me. I just adore this song. "Cut Here" is an anagram of the band's name, by the way. I wondered what the title was about for years before I figured it out one day driving somewhere, then confirmed it not too long ago while reading something about the song. Anyway, here it is in the acoustic version, with the lyrics. I just love "until later…doesn't always come." How true.
http://www.goear.com/files/external.swf?file=c81f33f
"So we meet again!" and I offer my hand
All dry and English slow
And you look at me and I understand
Yeah it's a look I used to know
"Three long years… And your favourite man…
Is that any way to say hello?"
And you hold me…
Like you'll never let me go
Like you'll never let me go
"Oh c'mon and have a drink with me
Sit down and talk awhile… "
"Oh I wish I could… And I will!
But now I just don't have the time… "
And over my shoulder as I walk away
I see you give that look goodbye…
I still see that look in your eye…
So dizzy Mr Busy – too much rush to talk to Billy
All the silly frilly things have to first get done
In a minute – sometime soon – maybe next time – make it June
Until later… Doesn't always come
Until later… Doesn't always come
It's so hard to think
"It ends sometime
And this could be the last
I should really hear you sing again
And I should really watch you dance"
Because it's hard to think
"I'll never get another chance to hold you…
To hold you… "
But chilly Mr Dilly – too much rush to talk to Billy
All the tizzy fizzy idiot things must get done
In a second – just hang on – all in good time – won't be long
Until later…
I should've stopped to think – I should've made the time
I could've had that drink – I could've talked awhile
I would've done it right – I would've moved us on
But I didn't – now its all too late it's over
And you're gone
I miss you I miss you I miss you I miss you
I miss you I miss you so much
But how many times can I walk away
And wish "if only… "
How many times can I talk this way
And wish "if only… "
Keep on making the same mistake
Keep on aching the same heartbreak
I wish "if only… "
But "if only… "
Is a wish too late…
Okay. Love that. Here's an extra little happy for you. I found the acoustic "Just Like Heaven." Shut up. How great is that? The guitar on it is lovely, isn't it? Little things make me happy.
Happy Saturday with a little Cure.
Sunday Rewind: Squeeze
Now, y’all didn’t think I’d let Sunday go by without a little 80’s, did you?
Today (or tonight, since it’s 11 o’clock) it’s one of the great post-punk English bands, Squeeze. They’re still around, but Squeeze will always be the 80’s to me. I was the only one of my friends to have any of their albums back in the day (unless I had any closeted Squeeze fan friends), but I was used to being out on a limb with bands I liked back in the day. You know the song “Tempted,” and you’ve heard “893-5937” (which is oddly one number off from my home phone number, weird) but I thought I’d share a couple of my favorite Squeeze tunes. Here are “Black Coffee in Bed” and “Annie Get Your Gun.” Okay, and because it’s one of the best songs in the history of ever and was produced by the fab Elvis Costello, “Tempted.” It’s still on my list of best songs of all time. And I could so be a back-up singer in that video. Oh, and here’s a little useless Kerry Fact: singer Glenn Tilbrook is one of the only blonds I’ve ever crushed on. Ever. Come on, total cutie.
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