Hitting Random on the iTunes list . . .
Is it my fault that Eddie Vedder could be a bit mumbly? Or do you still think that this track from their monstrously popular album “Vs.” contains the line:
“Glorified version of a Pelican!”
You know, I went to a Catholic Middle School, and our basketball team was the Immaculate Conception Pelicans, so pelicans are near and dear to my heart, but even so, they are kind of a goofy animal.
So why would someone, or something, be a glorified version of a pelican? How could someone, or something, have their embellishment stripped away, only to be revealed to be a common pelican?
I pondered this question for years.
Then I figured out the title. “Glorified G.”
G, as in “Gangster,” of the street lingo the kids these days (these days being 1993, when this album came out) use.
What does a “G” carry? Well, a pelican would certainly be garish, in a 70s Pimp/Blaxploitation style, but no, a “G” carries a gun.
“Glorified version of a Pellet Gun!”
Makes much more sense. But is less hilarious.
Hear the whole original song and see the band perform it live, here
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Vic Chesnutt “Flirted With You All My Life”
Of the many musical passings that I’ve heard about over the years, for one reason or another, the ones that have struck me the most have been the ones I heard on the radio in the car.
Certainly, since about a third of my life is spent inside the walls of a radio station, my memories of getting the news of this person or that person dying, are closely tied to radio.
But the couple I really remember, have been in the car.
I was with my Mom and my sister Julie, coming home from Logan Airport after a trip to Disney World, when I learned about Stevie Ray Vaughn’s death. Hearing his music that day was really the beginning of my understanding of how important his guitar playing was.
I got the news of Bob Stinson death (who was the guitarist for my favorite band, the Replacements), as I was pulling away from the radio station that I worked at in Virginia, at midnight, just after my shift. I actually ran back inside from the parking lot, to confirm what I had heard on the ABC Newsbrief.
Is it something about the safety, the womb-ness of a car that makes radio news so indelible? I’m not sure. I just seems to be, for me.
This past weekend, on the radio, I got the news about Vic Chesnutt.
I was down in Newport, spending a couple of post-Holiday days with family, and I had been dispatched to the grocery store, to make sure we had breakfast food for the following morning. After several days of caroling to and fro, visiting all our relatives, engulfed in the madness of the season, this was the first moment of peace I’d had in a while. I was in the car, by myself, alone on the wet streets of Newport, in the post-Christmas quiet.
I was flipping the dial as I drove. I like to check out the local public radio stations whenever I’m on the road.
“We’re starting out the show with some sad news,” the announcer said.
They didn’t have a lot of information, only that he had been in a coma for a short time, and had died, due to an overdose. Intentional or not? They weren’t sure.
I wrote a little about Vic in an earlier post. Knowing that he had struggled with depression his whole life, I guess it’s not a shock that he left us this way.
But despite his physical and mental troubles, he was incredibly prolific. He’d put out two records just this Fall.
And strangely, one of those records had a song called “Flirted With You All My Life,” which he had called his break-up song with suicide. He sang like he was ready to start living.
There are many tributes and obits out there worth reading, if you’re not familiar with the man, his songs or his story, but this one has a wonderful Vic quote. And Vic Chesnutt was a highly quotable man. Check out his lyrics, but I’m glad he left me with this thought about his career, which I think can apply to all of us who live a creative life:
“I thought I had a calling. Anyway I just kept dialing.”
See him perform the song in concert, here
Certainly, since about a third of my life is spent inside the walls of a radio station, my memories of getting the news of this person or that person dying, are closely tied to radio.
But the couple I really remember, have been in the car.
I was with my Mom and my sister Julie, coming home from Logan Airport after a trip to Disney World, when I learned about Stevie Ray Vaughn’s death. Hearing his music that day was really the beginning of my understanding of how important his guitar playing was.
I got the news of Bob Stinson death (who was the guitarist for my favorite band, the Replacements), as I was pulling away from the radio station that I worked at in Virginia, at midnight, just after my shift. I actually ran back inside from the parking lot, to confirm what I had heard on the ABC Newsbrief.
Is it something about the safety, the womb-ness of a car that makes radio news so indelible? I’m not sure. I just seems to be, for me.
This past weekend, on the radio, I got the news about Vic Chesnutt.
I was down in Newport, spending a couple of post-Holiday days with family, and I had been dispatched to the grocery store, to make sure we had breakfast food for the following morning. After several days of caroling to and fro, visiting all our relatives, engulfed in the madness of the season, this was the first moment of peace I’d had in a while. I was in the car, by myself, alone on the wet streets of Newport, in the post-Christmas quiet.
I was flipping the dial as I drove. I like to check out the local public radio stations whenever I’m on the road.
“We’re starting out the show with some sad news,” the announcer said.
They didn’t have a lot of information, only that he had been in a coma for a short time, and had died, due to an overdose. Intentional or not? They weren’t sure.
I wrote a little about Vic in an earlier post. Knowing that he had struggled with depression his whole life, I guess it’s not a shock that he left us this way.
But despite his physical and mental troubles, he was incredibly prolific. He’d put out two records just this Fall.
And strangely, one of those records had a song called “Flirted With You All My Life,” which he had called his break-up song with suicide. He sang like he was ready to start living.
There are many tributes and obits out there worth reading, if you’re not familiar with the man, his songs or his story, but this one has a wonderful Vic quote. And Vic Chesnutt was a highly quotable man. Check out his lyrics, but I’m glad he left me with this thought about his career, which I think can apply to all of us who live a creative life:
“I thought I had a calling. Anyway I just kept dialing.”
See him perform the song in concert, here
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Dala “Levi Blues”
Starting in the early Fall, record labels release albums from Big Name artists. Marquee names. Hoping to get the word out, so you’ll buy the record for Christmas.
By early November, they are releasing music from Brand Names---artists SO BIG, you don’t even need to hear the music, to consider buying it. Boxed Sets, Greatest Hits, Christmas albums and such.
Once December hits, the labels go into hibernation. With all the Holiday Hoo-hah, they realize that trying to get a new record started would just get lost in the shuffle.
So no new releases come out at this time.
But the radio station beast still needs to be fed. Songs we added weeks and months ago are burning out, and we want to replace them with fresh material.
I really enjoy this time of year, because it gives us a chance to reconsider records that we missed earlier in the year.
We met Dala at Newport this summer, and fell in love. They are charming, sweet, and super-strong in their singing. But we never added the record. It’s a little on the poppy side of mvyradio.
But in the light of no new releases, we are able to listen again, and be won over by these young Canadians.
Check out a sample of "Levi Blues."
Hear the girls live at Folk Festival 50 and in an interview from that day with Barbara Dacey.
See the video, here
By early November, they are releasing music from Brand Names---artists SO BIG, you don’t even need to hear the music, to consider buying it. Boxed Sets, Greatest Hits, Christmas albums and such.
Once December hits, the labels go into hibernation. With all the Holiday Hoo-hah, they realize that trying to get a new record started would just get lost in the shuffle.
So no new releases come out at this time.
But the radio station beast still needs to be fed. Songs we added weeks and months ago are burning out, and we want to replace them with fresh material.
I really enjoy this time of year, because it gives us a chance to reconsider records that we missed earlier in the year.
We met Dala at Newport this summer, and fell in love. They are charming, sweet, and super-strong in their singing. But we never added the record. It’s a little on the poppy side of mvyradio.
But in the light of no new releases, we are able to listen again, and be won over by these young Canadians.
Check out a sample of "Levi Blues."
Hear the girls live at Folk Festival 50 and in an interview from that day with Barbara Dacey.
See the video, here
Labels:
dala,
every day I write,
Folk Festival,
levi blues,
martha's vineyard,
MVY Radio,
mvyradio,
Newport,
PJ Finn,
WMVY
Monday, December 28, 2009
Magnapop “Open The Door”
Hitting Random on the iTunes list . . .
In my pre-mvyradio days, I hosted a Modern Rock specialty show on a great little independent radio station in Virginia.
I’d end each December with a big Friday night show, counting down the top Alternative songs of the year. And in that countdown, I had a few sub-categories and awards, including handing out what I called “The Magnapop Award.”
Music History is rife with stories of great bands that made great records, that no one heard, due to Record Label injustices. Some of my favorite artists are famous because of records that didn’t get released, or got released but didn’t get supported by the label. Big Star, Bettye Lavette, Delbert McClinton and Wilco all have stories to tell.
But I started the award after hearing about Magnapop.
They had enjoyed breakthrough success in the Modern Rock world in the mid-nineties, with the release of “Hot Boxing.” They had recording/producing support from Michael Stipe, and Bob Mould. They were opening for The Lemonheads and R.E.M.
The acclaim for their next record, “Rubbing Doesn’t Help,” was hugely positive, when they had the rug pulled out. Shortly after the release of the record, their label, Priority Records went out of business. With no label behind the record, it didn’t get distributed to stores properly (in the pre-MP3 age, if it wasn’t in your local record store, you couldn’t buy it), and it didn’t get proper support at radio.
But the real kick in the ass was this: due to the kind of contract only a Record Label could write, the band was contractually prevented from using the name Magnapop for 7 years.
Yes, the Label couldn’t provide for them, but wouldn’t let them provide for themselves.
Magnapop is still out there, making dynamic music, but it’s hard not to feel like the wind was taken out of their sails (and sales) at a crucial moment.
So every year, I would give “The Magnapop Award” to a band that had been screwed by their label, and deserved better. Go back and check out “Rubbing Doesn’t Help”
See the video, here
In my pre-mvyradio days, I hosted a Modern Rock specialty show on a great little independent radio station in Virginia.
I’d end each December with a big Friday night show, counting down the top Alternative songs of the year. And in that countdown, I had a few sub-categories and awards, including handing out what I called “The Magnapop Award.”
Music History is rife with stories of great bands that made great records, that no one heard, due to Record Label injustices. Some of my favorite artists are famous because of records that didn’t get released, or got released but didn’t get supported by the label. Big Star, Bettye Lavette, Delbert McClinton and Wilco all have stories to tell.
But I started the award after hearing about Magnapop.
They had enjoyed breakthrough success in the Modern Rock world in the mid-nineties, with the release of “Hot Boxing.” They had recording/producing support from Michael Stipe, and Bob Mould. They were opening for The Lemonheads and R.E.M.
The acclaim for their next record, “Rubbing Doesn’t Help,” was hugely positive, when they had the rug pulled out. Shortly after the release of the record, their label, Priority Records went out of business. With no label behind the record, it didn’t get distributed to stores properly (in the pre-MP3 age, if it wasn’t in your local record store, you couldn’t buy it), and it didn’t get proper support at radio.
But the real kick in the ass was this: due to the kind of contract only a Record Label could write, the band was contractually prevented from using the name Magnapop for 7 years.
Yes, the Label couldn’t provide for them, but wouldn’t let them provide for themselves.
Magnapop is still out there, making dynamic music, but it’s hard not to feel like the wind was taken out of their sails (and sales) at a crucial moment.
So every year, I would give “The Magnapop Award” to a band that had been screwed by their label, and deserved better. Go back and check out “Rubbing Doesn’t Help”
See the video, here
Friday, December 25, 2009
William Burroughs “A Junky’s Christmas”
5 Great Christmas Tunes That Aren’t Really In The Christmas Spirit
I have a couple of musical Christmas traditions that I like to enjoy alone.
One springs from my childhood, when I used to listen to WBCN in Boston. On Christmas Eve, Oedipus, the Program Director, would send the staff home, and do the evening and overnight programming by himself.
When I became the Program Director at mvy, I made that my tradition too. I’m the only voice you hear on mvy, as Christmas Eve becomes Christmas Morn.
The other thing I like to do, is listen to a short story. It’s not for everyone, but actually, of all this week’s posts, it is the song that is most in the holiday spirit.
It’s writer William Burroughs, reading his story story “A Junkie’s Christmas” with music by Michael Franti’s early band The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy.
It’s Burroughs’ story of Danny The Car Wipe, his search for drugs on Christmas, and the Christmas Miracle that befalls him, due to his generosity.
And while a junky’s search for drugs isn’t exactly wholesome, the moral of the story actually makes this tune, the most traditionally Christmas spirited, of all song entries this week.
See a video version, that doesn’t have the music, but does have Burroughs himself, plus an animated telling of the story.
I have a couple of musical Christmas traditions that I like to enjoy alone.
One springs from my childhood, when I used to listen to WBCN in Boston. On Christmas Eve, Oedipus, the Program Director, would send the staff home, and do the evening and overnight programming by himself.
When I became the Program Director at mvy, I made that my tradition too. I’m the only voice you hear on mvy, as Christmas Eve becomes Christmas Morn.
The other thing I like to do, is listen to a short story. It’s not for everyone, but actually, of all this week’s posts, it is the song that is most in the holiday spirit.
It’s writer William Burroughs, reading his story story “A Junkie’s Christmas” with music by Michael Franti’s early band The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy.
It’s Burroughs’ story of Danny The Car Wipe, his search for drugs on Christmas, and the Christmas Miracle that befalls him, due to his generosity.
And while a junky’s search for drugs isn’t exactly wholesome, the moral of the story actually makes this tune, the most traditionally Christmas spirited, of all song entries this week.
See a video version, that doesn’t have the music, but does have Burroughs himself, plus an animated telling of the story.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Jimmy Kimmel and Norah Jones "You Tube's 12 Days Of Christmas"
5 Great Christmas Tunes That Aren’t Really In The Christmas Spirit
Norah Jones was recently nominated for a Grammy for her duet with Willie Nelson, for the Christmas cover of "Oh Baby It's Cold Outside." No doubt, it made the Grammy cut, because it is a timeless cover of a timeless classic.
In fact, much of what Norah Jones does is timeless. Her songs often really sound like they could have been released any time between 1920 and 2011.
Maybe that's part of what makes her inclusion in this Jimmy Kimmel bit so funny. It is absolutely the least timeless piece of music Norah Jones has ever recorded.
When digital archeologists uncover the remains of 2009, and they find this clip, they will no doubt say "How quaint! The humans of 2009 viewed their viral videos through what they called a 'web site,' instead of their ocular-implanted microscreens! This 'YouTube' must've seemed very amazing to their puny 2009 brains."
It's unwieldy to sing this year, or any year in the future. But it should make you laugh today.
See the video, here
Norah Jones was recently nominated for a Grammy for her duet with Willie Nelson, for the Christmas cover of "Oh Baby It's Cold Outside." No doubt, it made the Grammy cut, because it is a timeless cover of a timeless classic.
In fact, much of what Norah Jones does is timeless. Her songs often really sound like they could have been released any time between 1920 and 2011.
Maybe that's part of what makes her inclusion in this Jimmy Kimmel bit so funny. It is absolutely the least timeless piece of music Norah Jones has ever recorded.
When digital archeologists uncover the remains of 2009, and they find this clip, they will no doubt say "How quaint! The humans of 2009 viewed their viral videos through what they called a 'web site,' instead of their ocular-implanted microscreens! This 'YouTube' must've seemed very amazing to their puny 2009 brains."
It's unwieldy to sing this year, or any year in the future. But it should make you laugh today.
See the video, here
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones “Xmastime (It Sure Don’t Feel Like)”
5 Great Christmas Tunes That Aren’t Really In The Christmas Spirit
One of the things we all love about music, is in the discovery. By discovering a great track, we feel like we own it somehow.
If it’s really a great track, then it might get popular, and sometimes it becomes less ours. Didn’t you always hate it, as a kid, when EVERYBODY starting liking the band that you liked first?
But certain songs will always allow you to retain ownership over it. Like “Dirty Water.” It doesn’t matter who loves that song, it’s always ours, because it’s about Boston.
And that’s how I feel about the Bosstones’ cover of “Xmastime.” Even though it’s a pretty bleak portrait of Christmas in the City, it’s OUR city. As cold as the song gets, I still have a warm place in my heart for its mentions of the college kids heading home, of Kenmore Square and Filene’s Basement.
Hear the whole song, here.
One of the things we all love about music, is in the discovery. By discovering a great track, we feel like we own it somehow.
If it’s really a great track, then it might get popular, and sometimes it becomes less ours. Didn’t you always hate it, as a kid, when EVERYBODY starting liking the band that you liked first?
But certain songs will always allow you to retain ownership over it. Like “Dirty Water.” It doesn’t matter who loves that song, it’s always ours, because it’s about Boston.
And that’s how I feel about the Bosstones’ cover of “Xmastime.” Even though it’s a pretty bleak portrait of Christmas in the City, it’s OUR city. As cold as the song gets, I still have a warm place in my heart for its mentions of the college kids heading home, of Kenmore Square and Filene’s Basement.
Hear the whole song, here.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
De La Soul “Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa”
5 Great Christmas Tunes That Aren’t Really In The Christmas Spirit
This song just has so many things going against it.
No one---absolutely no one---wants to hear a song about child molestation.
Sure, you can get tricked into it, with a catchy song featuring an interestingly named child (yes, I’m talking about “Luka”). But you’re not going out of your way to hear it.
Nor does anybody appreciate a holiday tune where someone gets violent with Santa. It’s just not in the Christmas spirit.
Just the title is going to make folks pass over this one: “Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa”
But if you can get past all that, this is a masterfully told narrative, telling the story of Millie’s abuse at the hands of her Foster parent, recounted through the eyes of the classmates who had been dismissive of her accusations.
One of the things rap music can do much easier that some other forms of music, is incorporate other voices, to give a story multiple narrators, and paint a more vivid, nuanced landscape. (You wish it were a device more often, and more effectively, employed)
Another one not for the kids, but not to be missed (just maybe save it for after the Holidays).
This song just has so many things going against it.
No one---absolutely no one---wants to hear a song about child molestation.
Sure, you can get tricked into it, with a catchy song featuring an interestingly named child (yes, I’m talking about “Luka”). But you’re not going out of your way to hear it.
Nor does anybody appreciate a holiday tune where someone gets violent with Santa. It’s just not in the Christmas spirit.
Just the title is going to make folks pass over this one: “Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa”
But if you can get past all that, this is a masterfully told narrative, telling the story of Millie’s abuse at the hands of her Foster parent, recounted through the eyes of the classmates who had been dismissive of her accusations.
One of the things rap music can do much easier that some other forms of music, is incorporate other voices, to give a story multiple narrators, and paint a more vivid, nuanced landscape. (You wish it were a device more often, and more effectively, employed)
Another one not for the kids, but not to be missed (just maybe save it for after the Holidays).
Monday, December 21, 2009
Spongebob Squarepants “Don’t Be A Jerk On Christmas”
5 Great Christmas Tunes That Aren’t Really In The Christmas Spirit . . .
I suppose what makes something a perfect tune for Christmas, is if it makes you feel good while decorating the tree. Does it add to the ambiance of opening presents? Does it make everyone want to sing along?
That’s a great song FOR Christmas, but what about a fully enjoyable song about Christmas that doesn’t fit that bill? What if listening to it depressed everyone? Or annoyed them? What if it didn’t really lend itself to singing along? Then it will wind up here on a list of Great Christmas Tunes That Aren't Really In The Christmas Spirit.
There’s an episode of the TV Show “30 Rock” where Kenneth has just seen Cable TV for the first time, and asks Jack:
“Is Spongebob supposed to be terrifying?”
The answer is Yes.
Here is a terrifying Christmas tune that you would prefer your kids did not sing over and over from the back seat.
I suppose what makes something a perfect tune for Christmas, is if it makes you feel good while decorating the tree. Does it add to the ambiance of opening presents? Does it make everyone want to sing along?
That’s a great song FOR Christmas, but what about a fully enjoyable song about Christmas that doesn’t fit that bill? What if listening to it depressed everyone? Or annoyed them? What if it didn’t really lend itself to singing along? Then it will wind up here on a list of Great Christmas Tunes That Aren't Really In The Christmas Spirit.
There’s an episode of the TV Show “30 Rock” where Kenneth has just seen Cable TV for the first time, and asks Jack:
“Is Spongebob supposed to be terrifying?”
The answer is Yes.
Here is a terrifying Christmas tune that you would prefer your kids did not sing over and over from the back seat.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Free Dar Williams, Stephen Kellogg, Brett Dennen and more
"HATS!!! FIVE DOLLARS!!! GET YOUR FIVE DOLLAR HATS, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!!! FIIIIIIVVVVVVVVEE DOLLASSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!"
We were headed into Baltimore's Camden Yards to see the Red Sox versus the Orioles.
Screaming at the top of his lungs, was a guy with a table full of Major League Baseball caps.
"GET YOUR FIVE DOLLAR HATS!!!"
My buddy Tom said, "Hold up, I'll get something for the kid."
"Give me a hat. How much?"
"TWELVE DOLLARS!"
The real story: He had a couple hats for $5, most were $12.
So let me say to you "FREE MUSIC! FREE MUSIC! CLICK BELOW FOR FREE MUSIC!!!"
Is it "Free?" Well, they want your email address, so they can put you on their mailing list. But the mailing lists are for the bands listed. So if you like the bands, you probably wouldn't mind some info on them from time to time, right?
Disclaimer: This offer is from Vanguard Records, a great independent label, dedicated to REAL artists. This offer comes from them, not me or mvyradio. If you don't like what the songs are, or what else comes in your mailbox, I can't help you. End of my Holiday Disclaimer Of Joy.
Enjoy the free-ish-ness!
We were headed into Baltimore's Camden Yards to see the Red Sox versus the Orioles.
Screaming at the top of his lungs, was a guy with a table full of Major League Baseball caps.
"GET YOUR FIVE DOLLAR HATS!!!"
My buddy Tom said, "Hold up, I'll get something for the kid."
"Give me a hat. How much?"
"TWELVE DOLLARS!"
The real story: He had a couple hats for $5, most were $12.
So let me say to you "FREE MUSIC! FREE MUSIC! CLICK BELOW FOR FREE MUSIC!!!"
Is it "Free?" Well, they want your email address, so they can put you on their mailing list. But the mailing lists are for the bands listed. So if you like the bands, you probably wouldn't mind some info on them from time to time, right?
Disclaimer: This offer is from Vanguard Records, a great independent label, dedicated to REAL artists. This offer comes from them, not me or mvyradio. If you don't like what the songs are, or what else comes in your mailbox, I can't help you. End of my Holiday Disclaimer Of Joy.
Enjoy the free-ish-ness!
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