Category: videos

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

this will not stand!

People, I can only take so much.  I am thisclose to what they used to call a nervous breakdown and I can't take much more.  Believe me, it won't be pretty when they commit me, because I'm sure my iPhone will be taken away and let's not even discuss life without my accessories.  Seriously.

As much as it hurts to type these words, I have to talk about it.  This is not news I would want you to hear from anyone else or even worse, on the street.  Twentieth Century Fox is remaking Girls Just Want to Have Fun, the 1985 classic starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt, and Shannen Doherty.  For the love of leg warmers, I don't think I can take it.  You do remember the movie, don't you? 

Janey (SJP) is the new girl in her Chicago Catholic school and her dream is to be on DanceTV, an 80's American Bandstand, if you will.  She becomes BFFs with Lynne (Helen Hunt) and they audtion for spots on the show.  Janey is paired with boy-from-the-wrong-side-of-the-tracks, Jeff, and they practice their dance at night when Janey sneaks out of her house.  When her Army dad finds out about her auditioning, he loses it and goes down to DanceTV to put his foot down.  Of course, when he sees Janey dance he realizes she is a star and Janey and Jeff win spots on the show.  But really, the description is nothing compared to the first-rate acting, costumes, Helen Hunt's accessories (come to think of it, this movie may have been my introduction to accessories), and –hello– a pre-teen Shannen Doherty!

Here's your refresher course:


Sweet mother of Ogilvie Home Perms, that is pure 80's.  It doesn't get more cheesetastic that that, my friends.  GJWTHF is a period piece.  It cannot be remade!  Please, as if that movie could be made in this decade.  It cannot be done.  And who, pray tell will play Janey?  So help me, if they cast Miley Cyrus I will go Crazy White Girl on Twentieth Century Fox.  I'm not kidding.  I would not kid about something like this.  I'm sure one of the Disney tweens or teens will be cast and no one can hold a candle to SJP or Helen Hunt's character, Lynne the class clown who breaks out with "Day-o" in the middle of choir practice.  I haven't even mentioned some of the best lines from an movie of the 80's. 

When Helen Hunt does and outfit quick-change, "Velcro. Next to the Walkman and Tab it is the coolest invention of the 20th century!" 

The DanceTV guy on the dance costumes, "Oh, I like this. Sort of Rebel Without a Cause meets Sound of Music… you're taking a fashion risk. I like that."

Anywalkman, I have little faith in the filmmakers attempting this remake.  No good can come of this.  I expect the new version to pimp out every Disney Channel kid wannabe in Hollywood to try to make GJWTHF into some High School Musical clone.  And I promise, if they cast Zac Efron as Jeff — no, I can't imagine it.  I don't have to tell you that makes me ill.  My other thought is that they might try to make it a serious film.  It's not a musical, it's not trying to be West Side Story, it's a fun movie for fun times.  Speaking of fun — here's the best fun scene of the movie, when the girls make copies of the rich girl's sweet sixteen party invitation and give invites to some trannies, punks, female body-builders, and hot messes in general.  Love that.  Sure, the Cyndi Lauper song is bastardized, but I forgive. 

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: 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

Howard Jones – NO ONE IS TO BLAME – Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

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!

Natalie-merchant 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

How I've learned to please, to doubt myself in need.
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…

http://www.goear.com/files/external.swf?file=14a558f

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. 



Sunday rewind: INXS

Ready to rewind?  As a girl who discovered music in the 80's, I'm always ready for the rewind.  That being said, I thought we'd take a look at a band I fell in love with back around 1985 and that love was cemented with their contribution to my favorite 80's movie, Pretty in Pink.

It's INXS.  As we do here on the Sunday rewind, we'll overdose on nostalgia and watch some primo videos from back in the day.  Today it's mainly from INXS' 1985 album, Listen Like Thieves, as this was my introduction to the band.   The album still holds up, it's great rock and roll fun and I think most of the songs could be released today to great fanfare.  And can I tell you how much I'm looking forward to the new album the band is recording as a tribute to their late lead singer, Michael Hutchence?  Brandon Flowers of The Killers is singing on one track.  I just hope they tackle some of their early stuff, it's just fab.

Anyway, here are a few great songs for your Sunday.  First up is "The One Thing," followed by "Shine Like it Does," and "Do Wot U Do" from Pretty in Pink.  You didn't think I would leave that one out, now did you?  Lastly is my favorite INXS song, "What You Need."  Enjoy. 




Sunday rewind: ABC

It's Sunday and time to rewind.  You know how it goes, I'll tell you a little about a band from the 80's playlist on my iPod and hopefully find the original videos from YouTube.

Today it's ABC!  I love me some ABC.  Martin Fry and company are still fab in my opinion.  They're another one of my British synth bands and yes, Martin has the floppy hair I love, even if he is blond (can't hold that against him).  Martin gave singing and dancing lessons to Hugh Grant for the film Music and Lyrics, and if you watch the videos you'll see why.  And my guy could rock a tux back in the day, y'all.  And the gold tux — shut up.  So fabulous. 

Here are "When Smokey Sings," "Poison Arrow," and "The Look of Love."  Enjoy.  Next week I'll dig up something equally amazing, although I doubt the band will be as well dressed as ABC.  ABC gets my Snazzy Dressers of the 80's Award that I just made up. 



Sunday rewind: The Thompson Twins

The Thompson Twins are an must-have on your 80's iPod playlist.  As I've told you, on Sunday's we'll be running down my 80's playlist for songs you need to have and it would be a travesty to omit Thompson Twins.  You know the Twins.  They were part of our life soundtrack, Molly Ringwald kissed Jake Ryan (I still heart Jake Ryan) to "If You Were Here" sitting on the dining room table over her birthday cake in Sixteen Candles and we all sighed.  I think I need a moment.  Let's all take a moment and watch the ending of Sixteen Candles when Jake is waiting outside the church for Sam.  And yes, this video is in Spanish because I couldn't find a You Tube video  in English.  Whatev.


Divine.  Even in Spanish.  Okay, so Thompson Twins were a great synth New Wave band who were neither comprised of members who were twins, nor had the surname Thompson.  Confused yet?  Anyway, they were a great band.  Here's a few more songs, this time just their videos, in English no less. 

The first is "King For a Day," and I'm going to get my hair done like the singer's. That's freakin' awesome 80's. And I want a robot like they have too.

Here is "Lay Your Hands on Me," which includes lyrics I still love,

This old life seemed much too long

With little point in going on

I couldn't think of what to say

Words just vanished in the haze

I was feeling cold and tired

Yeah kinda sad and uninspired

But when it almost seemed too much

I see your face

And sense the grace

And feel the magic in your touch


And lastly, "Hold Me Now." This song is pretty perfect. Not just as an 80's song, not just because the lead singer has the floppy hair I love, not just because the video features almost everything great about 80's videos (including cowbell) and bad dancing, it's just a good pop song. Britney and Xtina and Beyonce couldn't make a song as good and simple as this if they tried. Not even if they got mowhawks and cowbells. Plus, if you notice, no one's half-naked in their videos. Hmm, interesting. It's just music. How old-fashioned.