Originally Poste 1/7/03
To start off the new year, I thought I'd take D's advice, and branch out from the pop/rock genres and provide a wider variety of music. In this case I thought I'd try to provide a work that appeals to D's long standing involvement in choral music and performance.
A few caveats...
First, I know jack-diddly-squat about classical music, so have little information to provide.
Second, I own very few classical, jazz, blues or other genre albums, so my selection is limited. I'd love to take suggestions about anything I could purchase and share with everyone. (No Kenny G! or other "light jazz!" You are on your own for that stuff.)
Third, without a more advanced MP3 program, which would allow the mixing of mp3 tracks, I've found it difficult to translate classical works to easily shared computer files. CDs write the individual tracks based on the individual movements of a piece, so, for example, to send the entire Concerto No. 2 in F Major by J.S. Back, it would require four separate files, each more than four minutes long. At best, to conserve space, I'll be sending single movements.
Anyway... back to today's piece. Again, the only choral work I know by ear... mostly because it's been used for dramatic soundtracks in dozen's of movies. Carmina Burana, by Carl Orff, is still a very stirring piece. I've only included the introduction, which should be instantly recognized by most.
Composed in 1936, I believe performed first in 1937, this cantata stands as one of THE essential 20th century choral works.
This is the 1989 recording for Naxos records, by the Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra. The Beauty of Naxos is that they recorded hundreds of classical works during the 80's and '90s, using Eastern European orchestras and performers... STARVING Eastern European orchestras and performers... who would work for food money and be happy about it. You get these incredible performances for like $6.98... because the recording royalties were so minimal.
Gotta love exploitive capitalism.
Anyway, enjoy "O Fortuna" the first movement of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana.
Monday, March 30, 2009
She Comes With Guns Underneath Her Dress
Originally posted 1/5/2003
(The same group of people who received the Tuesday Tune also formed a work bowling league, so this post took the form of a suggested team name... plus theme song!)
My first vote goes for "Where's Gumby?" That's simply a great name for a team.
My second vote goes for the following, as I can also offer a theme song to go along with the name.
Action Figure Party!
Name of our team... (Plus it's the name of the band, one guy really, and the album.)
(The same group of people who received the Tuesday Tune also formed a work bowling league, so this post took the form of a suggested team name... plus theme song!)
My first vote goes for "Where's Gumby?" That's simply a great name for a team.
My second vote goes for the following, as I can also offer a theme song to go along with the name.
Action Figure Party!
Name of our team... (Plus it's the name of the band, one guy really, and the album.)
I Forgot Cranberries Too!
Originally posted 12/24/02
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Despite the lack of any comment on my "Thanksgiving" selection ("Appetite" by Prefab Sprout), I thought I'd try to stick with the seasons and send out a Christmas song. Whether you celebrate the holiday or not... whether it is spiritual or secular... the sheer fact of Christmas is something that can't be ignored.
So here is a little pop ditty by The Waitresses called "Christmas Wrapping". Considered a "One Hit Wonder" group with their '82 hit "I Know What Boys Like" this post-punk, new wave band put out two albums before self destructing. (Plus they did the theme song for "Square Pegs" if you remember that show.) Unfortunately the lead singer, Patty Donahue, died in 1996, of cancer. Her vocal stylings are what sold the biting lyrics, and put the Waitresses on the map... at least for a little while.
Enjoy.
---
Despite the lack of any comment on my "Thanksgiving" selection ("Appetite" by Prefab Sprout), I thought I'd try to stick with the seasons and send out a Christmas song. Whether you celebrate the holiday or not... whether it is spiritual or secular... the sheer fact of Christmas is something that can't be ignored.
So here is a little pop ditty by The Waitresses called "Christmas Wrapping". Considered a "One Hit Wonder" group with their '82 hit "I Know What Boys Like" this post-punk, new wave band put out two albums before self destructing. (Plus they did the theme song for "Square Pegs" if you remember that show.) Unfortunately the lead singer, Patty Donahue, died in 1996, of cancer. Her vocal stylings are what sold the biting lyrics, and put the Waitresses on the map... at least for a little while.
Enjoy.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Take Me Away From This Big Bad World
Originally sent 12/10/02
---
Blur was the greatest British guitar band of the '90s. I'll take on anyone who claims that Oasis was better. The Gallagher brothers may have been bigger in the states, but they couldn't compare with Blur in terms of originality and all around talent. Oasis and all the other British guitar bands wouldn't have even been considered for major release if Blur hadn't paved the way with Parklife in '94.
Originally seen as part of the dying Madchester scene with their '91 debut Leisure, Blur, headed by Damon Albarn, took great pains to grow beyond that musical style and forge a unique sound that continued to change with the times.
My favorite song of their more recent releases is "Coffee and TV" from the album 13. Not only is this tune subtly charming but the video that goes along with it is an instant classic. Too bad this kind of thing doesn't make it on to MTV anymore.
(Note: If interested, Albarn recently has joined up with an eclectic group, including Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz of the Talking Heads, and comic creator Jamie Hewlett, to create a virtual/cartoon band, called Gorillaz. It is an Alt Rock/Rap group that pushes the envelope of what it means to be a band. Gorillaz is created, produced and even tours internationally as a group of animated characters (2-D, Murdoc, Russell and Noodles)... and the actual performers are very far behind the scenes. Their single "Clint Eastwood" was a huge hit in 2001, and the entire album is worth checking out.)
---
Blur was the greatest British guitar band of the '90s. I'll take on anyone who claims that Oasis was better. The Gallagher brothers may have been bigger in the states, but they couldn't compare with Blur in terms of originality and all around talent. Oasis and all the other British guitar bands wouldn't have even been considered for major release if Blur hadn't paved the way with Parklife in '94.
Originally seen as part of the dying Madchester scene with their '91 debut Leisure, Blur, headed by Damon Albarn, took great pains to grow beyond that musical style and forge a unique sound that continued to change with the times.
My favorite song of their more recent releases is "Coffee and TV" from the album 13. Not only is this tune subtly charming but the video that goes along with it is an instant classic. Too bad this kind of thing doesn't make it on to MTV anymore.
(Note: If interested, Albarn recently has joined up with an eclectic group, including Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz of the Talking Heads, and comic creator Jamie Hewlett, to create a virtual/cartoon band, called Gorillaz. It is an Alt Rock/Rap group that pushes the envelope of what it means to be a band. Gorillaz is created, produced and even tours internationally as a group of animated characters (2-D, Murdoc, Russell and Noodles)... and the actual performers are very far behind the scenes. Their single "Clint Eastwood" was a huge hit in 2001, and the entire album is worth checking out.)
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Server Down - Gotta Love Technology
For some reason, my website via Comcast is completely down, which means the music I have stored there is not accessible via link. Very strange. As soon as I know more, I'll have things back up and runnning. It currently only shuts down the song "Everybody Loves Jill" so other than that... hmmm... guess we'll see.
The Best Part Of The Blame
Originally sent 11/26/02
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Happy Thanksgiving to you all. If this works, this e-mail should send on Tuesday, even though I'm not there. Hope you all have a good day (or more) off. Relax... eat... enjoy the moment.
For your holiday celebration (even if all you are celebrating is a day off) here is an appropriately titled song to go along with what seems to be our most favored past time, in this department... eating. Clearly the song is not about that kind of appetite, but it still fits.
The group is Prefab Sprout and the album Steve McQueen, or as it was released here in the states, Two Wheels Good. Relatively unknown over here, this group was huge in Britain in the 80's and early 90's. Probably one of the most under appreciated groups ever, in my opinion. The driving member of the group, Paddy McAloon, is a formidable song writer and lyricist. Lilting and satirical, I often get the sense that Paddy has his tongue planted firmly in cheek, but finds himself biting it a lot. No other group I've ever heard really compares here. Along with R.E.M., U2, the Replacements and others... I set Prefab Sprout up as defining Alternative Pop/Rock in all ways good.
Mostly out of print at this point, Epic/Legacy issued a Prefab Sprout collection in 2001 that should still be available. I highly recommend it.
This is "Appetite."
---
Happy Thanksgiving to you all. If this works, this e-mail should send on Tuesday, even though I'm not there. Hope you all have a good day (or more) off. Relax... eat... enjoy the moment.
For your holiday celebration (even if all you are celebrating is a day off) here is an appropriately titled song to go along with what seems to be our most favored past time, in this department... eating. Clearly the song is not about that kind of appetite, but it still fits.
The group is Prefab Sprout and the album Steve McQueen, or as it was released here in the states, Two Wheels Good. Relatively unknown over here, this group was huge in Britain in the 80's and early 90's. Probably one of the most under appreciated groups ever, in my opinion. The driving member of the group, Paddy McAloon, is a formidable song writer and lyricist. Lilting and satirical, I often get the sense that Paddy has his tongue planted firmly in cheek, but finds himself biting it a lot. No other group I've ever heard really compares here. Along with R.E.M., U2, the Replacements and others... I set Prefab Sprout up as defining Alternative Pop/Rock in all ways good.
Mostly out of print at this point, Epic/Legacy issued a Prefab Sprout collection in 2001 that should still be available. I highly recommend it.
This is "Appetite."
The Luckiest In Luckydom
Originally sent 11/19/02
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Since I've been so busy, I thought that this week, I'd let the computer choose today's selection. See, I have close to 500 mp3 files on my hard drive, and when I listen to them, I put the player on shuffle, and let the computer select them "randomly."
But they don't seem all that random. I have something like 50 some songs that have never been played by the computer... while at the same time, I have a couple songs that have been played 10 or 11 times. The bell curve is around 2 for the selections, but clearly my computer likes certain songs better than others.
True, it could be explained by statistics or chaos theory or a poorly designed algorhythm... but I prefer to anthropomorphize the circuit board.
It has a current taste in pop music. The two most listened to songs are Pete Yorn's "Life On A Chain" from musicforthemorningafter at 10 plays, and "Lucky One" by Michael Penn, from MP4. Both albums from the past year or so.
Here is "Lucky One" by the musical Penn brother and husband of Aimee Mann.
Personally, I'm kinda sick of this song. heh.
---
Since I've been so busy, I thought that this week, I'd let the computer choose today's selection. See, I have close to 500 mp3 files on my hard drive, and when I listen to them, I put the player on shuffle, and let the computer select them "randomly."
But they don't seem all that random. I have something like 50 some songs that have never been played by the computer... while at the same time, I have a couple songs that have been played 10 or 11 times. The bell curve is around 2 for the selections, but clearly my computer likes certain songs better than others.
True, it could be explained by statistics or chaos theory or a poorly designed algorhythm... but I prefer to anthropomorphize the circuit board.
It has a current taste in pop music. The two most listened to songs are Pete Yorn's "Life On A Chain" from musicforthemorningafter at 10 plays, and "Lucky One" by Michael Penn, from MP4. Both albums from the past year or so.
Here is "Lucky One" by the musical Penn brother and husband of Aimee Mann.
Personally, I'm kinda sick of this song. heh.
Should I Cry Like A Baby Or Die Like A Man?
Originally sent 11/12/02
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Just sending this to you five, as it is what I want to send out for Tuesday's Tune, but probably shouldn't.
I may be taking a bit of a risk here. I don't think this song is inappropriate, but my comments below just might be. No offense intended to anyone, but today's foreign policy climate inspires this choice.
Back in the '80s, while America flailed about under the rule of a doddering actor with delusions of grandeur, our English neighbors across the pond were in much more dire straights. Reagan may have been the village idiot made good, but Thatcher was pathological and dangerous. This was the woman who supported criminalization of poverty and rounding up AIDS victims into quarantine camps. The pop culture of Britain is replete with images of young people trying to find their way in a bleak and hostile environment. The punk movement grew out of this, and the post-punk, alt-rock genres continued the cry. If you want one album to encapsulate the Britain of the '80s, it has to be Infected by The The. (No that isn't a typo... the band is called The The) The The is really a solo project by Matt Johnson, who uses a variety of musicians and bands on this album (notably Neneh Cherry and Pop Will Eat Itself). As was the beauty of a lot of 80's pop, it combined new found electronics with dance beats and social commentary that was lost in the boom 90's and the Nexter's simple minded optimism. (Ooohhh... that sounded bitter, now didn't it?)
The song I've chosen is "Sweet Bird of Truth" and with one listen I think you'll understand why I feel it quite appropriate for our 21st century world.
---
Just sending this to you five, as it is what I want to send out for Tuesday's Tune, but probably shouldn't.
I may be taking a bit of a risk here. I don't think this song is inappropriate, but my comments below just might be. No offense intended to anyone, but today's foreign policy climate inspires this choice.
Back in the '80s, while America flailed about under the rule of a doddering actor with delusions of grandeur, our English neighbors across the pond were in much more dire straights. Reagan may have been the village idiot made good, but Thatcher was pathological and dangerous. This was the woman who supported criminalization of poverty and rounding up AIDS victims into quarantine camps. The pop culture of Britain is replete with images of young people trying to find their way in a bleak and hostile environment. The punk movement grew out of this, and the post-punk, alt-rock genres continued the cry. If you want one album to encapsulate the Britain of the '80s, it has to be Infected by The The. (No that isn't a typo... the band is called The The) The The is really a solo project by Matt Johnson, who uses a variety of musicians and bands on this album (notably Neneh Cherry and Pop Will Eat Itself). As was the beauty of a lot of 80's pop, it combined new found electronics with dance beats and social commentary that was lost in the boom 90's and the Nexter's simple minded optimism. (Ooohhh... that sounded bitter, now didn't it?)
The song I've chosen is "Sweet Bird of Truth" and with one listen I think you'll understand why I feel it quite appropriate for our 21st century world.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Everybody Happy As The Dead Come Home
Originally posted 11/5/02
---
First: Haiku from last Saturday night...
Bouncing, all laughing
Often bruised and collapsing
Trampoline beckons
From my recent experience on the trampoline, I'm tempted to submit Lil Bow Wow's "Bounce With Me" as the song of the week. Then, I thought I'd look for something a little better.
Ok...next...
In honor of the recently arrived BFA, now known as Esme, I looked for any songs by that name. I found one..."Esme"... by a British Jazz/Pop artist named Andy Sheppard. His self titled album came out back in 1988, and seems to be out of print. I'm actually intrigued enough by this to try and track it down, but that could take a while. Not going to make it for this Tuesday.
Strike Two.
So... late for Halloween, I'm submitting Shriekback, "Nemesis" from their album Oil & Gold. I noticed that Carla had this on her list, and Andrea knew about this group as well. It is rare that I run into folks who know this band. An 80's New Wave, dance, alt-rock band... this song was a staple on the "alternative nights" I frequented at Graphitti's on Thursday's. (Unfortunately that bar is long gone.) Shriekback was one of the few bands successful at incorporating electronica with incredible bass lines from Dave Allen (formerly of XTC), adding haunting rock/dance arrangements without becoming synth-pop or goth.
Their greatest song is probably "Gunning For The Buddha" off of Big Night Music, but I couldn't resist exposing you all to the only song I know that effectively used the word "parthenogenesis" as a lyric.
---
First: Haiku from last Saturday night...
Bouncing, all laughing
Often bruised and collapsing
Trampoline beckons
From my recent experience on the trampoline, I'm tempted to submit Lil Bow Wow's "Bounce With Me" as the song of the week. Then, I thought I'd look for something a little better.
Ok...next...
In honor of the recently arrived BFA, now known as Esme, I looked for any songs by that name. I found one..."Esme"... by a British Jazz/Pop artist named Andy Sheppard. His self titled album came out back in 1988, and seems to be out of print. I'm actually intrigued enough by this to try and track it down, but that could take a while. Not going to make it for this Tuesday.
Strike Two.
So... late for Halloween, I'm submitting Shriekback, "Nemesis" from their album Oil & Gold. I noticed that Carla had this on her list, and Andrea knew about this group as well. It is rare that I run into folks who know this band. An 80's New Wave, dance, alt-rock band... this song was a staple on the "alternative nights" I frequented at Graphitti's on Thursday's. (Unfortunately that bar is long gone.) Shriekback was one of the few bands successful at incorporating electronica with incredible bass lines from Dave Allen (formerly of XTC), adding haunting rock/dance arrangements without becoming synth-pop or goth.
Their greatest song is probably "Gunning For The Buddha" off of Big Night Music, but I couldn't resist exposing you all to the only song I know that effectively used the word "parthenogenesis" as a lyric.
Tuesday Tune Talk
Originally from 10/28/02
The Tuesday Tune generated some musical discussion which culminated in some Top 10 lists that I thought I'd share.
---
From JFA:
I've been working on this list for weeks now and am frankly tired of having it sit next to my desktop so I thought I would send it out this morning. The baby has heard all of them so should be prepped once s/he decides to join us topside.
Following Steve, Cindy and Jamie's leads of several weeks ago, this is my list of.....
GREAT ALBUMS FROM THE EARLY 90'S AND BEFORE THAT I CAN'T PUT AWAY
1. Nevermind Nirvana
2. Joshua Tree U2
3. Synchronicity The Police
4. Graceland Paul Simon
5. Blonde on Blonde Dylan
6. Blood on the Tracks Dylan
7. Sticky Fingers The Stones
8. Exile on Main Street The Stones
9. Little Creatures Talking Heads
10. Legend Bob Marley
11. Any Beatles but mainly Sgt. Peppers and Revolver
Elvis Costello would be on this list but I can't decide which one since I didn't really become a fan until the mid 90s. At this moment, it would be This Year's Model.
Okay, as you can tell, this waiting for the baby to show up is kind of like those first 15 minutes of a party when you're waiting for the first guests to come. You do anything to keep yourself busy.
---
My Reply:
Looking back at an old, and unrevised list of Top 10 from the '80s... here is what I've found...
Top 10 Albums of the '80s (not just favorites, but influential works as well)
U2 - Joshua Tree
Peter Gabriel - So
R.E.M. - Life's Rich Pageant
Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense
Beastie Boys - License To Ill
Tears For Fears - Songs From The Big Chair
Sinead O'Connor - The Lion & The Cobra
The Cure - Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me
Living Colour - Vivid
Roxy Music - Avalon
(Other notables that wouldn't necessarily be on my personal list, but were great albums...
Bruce Springsteen - Born In The USA
John Cougar Mellencamp - Pink Houses
Richard & Linda Thompson - Shoot Out The Lights
The Clash - London Calling (barely makes it, as it was released January of '80)
Public Enemy - It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Top 10 Favorite Albums (my choices, pure and simple)
Billy Bragg - Worker's Playtime
Peter Gabriel - So
Lloyd Cole & The Commotions - Rattlesnakes
Robbie Robertson - Robbie Robertson
Simple Minds - Sparkle In The Rain
The The - Infected
Shriekback - Oil & Gold
Chris Isaak - Heart Shaped World
R.E.M. - Document
Waterboys - Fisherman's Blues
(Almost rans...
Elvis Costello - Imperial Bedroom
Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden
Joe Jackson - Night & Day
Pete Townshend - White City
Big Audio Dynamite - No. 10 Upping Street
Prefab Sprout - Two Wheels Good
Guadalcanal Diary - Jamboree
Top 10 Favorite Singles of the '80s
The Church - "Under The Milky Way"
The The - "Uncertain Smile"
Pop Will Eat Itself - "Can U Dig It?"
Echo & The Bunnymen - "Lips Like Sugar"
R.E.M. - "It's The End Of The World As We Know It"
Psychadelic Furs - "Ghost In You"
Ministry - "Stigmata"
They Might Be Giants - "Don't Let's Start"
Jane's Addiction - "Jane Says"
Jerry Harrison - "Man With A Gun"
Some "Guilty Pleasure" albums from that period...
Suzanne Vega - Suzanne Vega
Underworld - Underneath The Radar
Jon Astley (no NOT Rick Astley) - Everyone Love's The Pilot (Except The Crew)
Hipsway - Hipsway
Love & Money - Strange Kind Of Love
Phil Collins - Face Value
---
From CW:
In no particular order, my albums that I can't seem to put away...(Most of which fall into the 90s)
U2 - Zooropa (really any U2 however, this one is always at the top of my list)
Shriekback - Oil & Gold
James - Laid
Live - Throwing Copper
Boingo - self titled
Indigo Girls - self titled
Pearl Jam - Ten
Jesus & The Mary Chain - Stoned & Dethroned
Pink Floyd - The Final Cut
---
I thought this was interesting, because I'd say my Top 10 has definitely changed in my reflection on the 80's, but I still love all this music.
The Tuesday Tune generated some musical discussion which culminated in some Top 10 lists that I thought I'd share.
---
From JFA:
I've been working on this list for weeks now and am frankly tired of having it sit next to my desktop so I thought I would send it out this morning. The baby has heard all of them so should be prepped once s/he decides to join us topside.
Following Steve, Cindy and Jamie's leads of several weeks ago, this is my list of.....
GREAT ALBUMS FROM THE EARLY 90'S AND BEFORE THAT I CAN'T PUT AWAY
1. Nevermind Nirvana
2. Joshua Tree U2
3. Synchronicity The Police
4. Graceland Paul Simon
5. Blonde on Blonde Dylan
6. Blood on the Tracks Dylan
7. Sticky Fingers The Stones
8. Exile on Main Street The Stones
9. Little Creatures Talking Heads
10. Legend Bob Marley
11. Any Beatles but mainly Sgt. Peppers and Revolver
Elvis Costello would be on this list but I can't decide which one since I didn't really become a fan until the mid 90s. At this moment, it would be This Year's Model.
Okay, as you can tell, this waiting for the baby to show up is kind of like those first 15 minutes of a party when you're waiting for the first guests to come. You do anything to keep yourself busy.
---
My Reply:
Looking back at an old, and unrevised list of Top 10 from the '80s... here is what I've found...
Top 10 Albums of the '80s (not just favorites, but influential works as well)
U2 - Joshua Tree
Peter Gabriel - So
R.E.M. - Life's Rich Pageant
Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense
Beastie Boys - License To Ill
Tears For Fears - Songs From The Big Chair
Sinead O'Connor - The Lion & The Cobra
The Cure - Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me
Living Colour - Vivid
Roxy Music - Avalon
(Other notables that wouldn't necessarily be on my personal list, but were great albums...
Bruce Springsteen - Born In The USA
John Cougar Mellencamp - Pink Houses
Richard & Linda Thompson - Shoot Out The Lights
The Clash - London Calling (barely makes it, as it was released January of '80)
Public Enemy - It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Top 10 Favorite Albums (my choices, pure and simple)
Billy Bragg - Worker's Playtime
Peter Gabriel - So
Lloyd Cole & The Commotions - Rattlesnakes
Robbie Robertson - Robbie Robertson
Simple Minds - Sparkle In The Rain
The The - Infected
Shriekback - Oil & Gold
Chris Isaak - Heart Shaped World
R.E.M. - Document
Waterboys - Fisherman's Blues
(Almost rans...
Elvis Costello - Imperial Bedroom
Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden
Joe Jackson - Night & Day
Pete Townshend - White City
Big Audio Dynamite - No. 10 Upping Street
Prefab Sprout - Two Wheels Good
Guadalcanal Diary - Jamboree
Top 10 Favorite Singles of the '80s
The Church - "Under The Milky Way"
The The - "Uncertain Smile"
Pop Will Eat Itself - "Can U Dig It?"
Echo & The Bunnymen - "Lips Like Sugar"
R.E.M. - "It's The End Of The World As We Know It"
Psychadelic Furs - "Ghost In You"
Ministry - "Stigmata"
They Might Be Giants - "Don't Let's Start"
Jane's Addiction - "Jane Says"
Jerry Harrison - "Man With A Gun"
Some "Guilty Pleasure" albums from that period...
Suzanne Vega - Suzanne Vega
Underworld - Underneath The Radar
Jon Astley (no NOT Rick Astley) - Everyone Love's The Pilot (Except The Crew)
Hipsway - Hipsway
Love & Money - Strange Kind Of Love
Phil Collins - Face Value
---
From CW:
In no particular order, my albums that I can't seem to put away...(Most of which fall into the 90s)
U2 - Zooropa (really any U2 however, this one is always at the top of my list)
Shriekback - Oil & Gold
James - Laid
Live - Throwing Copper
Boingo - self titled
Indigo Girls - self titled
Pearl Jam - Ten
Jesus & The Mary Chain - Stoned & Dethroned
Pink Floyd - The Final Cut
---
I thought this was interesting, because I'd say my Top 10 has definitely changed in my reflection on the 80's, but I still love all this music.
We'll Remember This All Of Our Lives
Originally posted 10/29/02
---
America may be the home of Rock & Roll, but pop music at it's best is from Britain. Britpop is a thriving, diverse and eclectic environment. They just seem to be a lot more experimentation going on over there. Maybe it's the legacy of the Beatles, I don't know, but UK artists seem to put a lot more heart and soul into what is essentially a disposable art form.
Like most musical genres, any close scrutiny reveals a fracturing of the perceived whole. Pop is so broad as to be meaningless, and carries hundreds of sub-categories under it's heading. Britpop often refers specifically to '90s bands that consciously aimed at the Beatles tradition, (and everything else since punk, new wave, glam, alt rock) AND was unambiguously commercial. Oasis and Suede are prime examples of Britpop bands.
Some of the more fun sub-genres that have developed over the years are "Madchester," "Twee Pop" and my favorites "Shoegazing" and "Sadcore" The last two are just what they sound like... music for depressed people, by depressed people, to listen to while staring at your feet.
Formed in 1998, coming strongly out of the Britpop scene, Cousteau is considered to be in the Sadcore realm. Their orchestrated songs are much deeper and richer than most pop music... but there is a mature melancholy here, rather than angst and despair. Their eponymous first album, released first in the UK, and then re-recorded for the states, is beautiful throughout and wonderful for intense listening, as well as more ambient background music. They released a second album this past summer, but I haven't picked it up, yet.
Their "almost hit" is below, called "The Last Good Day Of The Year." I think it was sampled for a Nissan commercial, recently.
---
America may be the home of Rock & Roll, but pop music at it's best is from Britain. Britpop is a thriving, diverse and eclectic environment. They just seem to be a lot more experimentation going on over there. Maybe it's the legacy of the Beatles, I don't know, but UK artists seem to put a lot more heart and soul into what is essentially a disposable art form.
Like most musical genres, any close scrutiny reveals a fracturing of the perceived whole. Pop is so broad as to be meaningless, and carries hundreds of sub-categories under it's heading. Britpop often refers specifically to '90s bands that consciously aimed at the Beatles tradition, (and everything else since punk, new wave, glam, alt rock) AND was unambiguously commercial. Oasis and Suede are prime examples of Britpop bands.
Some of the more fun sub-genres that have developed over the years are "Madchester," "Twee Pop" and my favorites "Shoegazing" and "Sadcore" The last two are just what they sound like... music for depressed people, by depressed people, to listen to while staring at your feet.
Formed in 1998, coming strongly out of the Britpop scene, Cousteau is considered to be in the Sadcore realm. Their orchestrated songs are much deeper and richer than most pop music... but there is a mature melancholy here, rather than angst and despair. Their eponymous first album, released first in the UK, and then re-recorded for the states, is beautiful throughout and wonderful for intense listening, as well as more ambient background music. They released a second album this past summer, but I haven't picked it up, yet.
Their "almost hit" is below, called "The Last Good Day Of The Year." I think it was sampled for a Nissan commercial, recently.
Sometimes You Just Gotta Dance
Originally posted 10/24/02
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Well... something came up, earlier in the week. Many of you would call it work... I simply called it HIGHLY inconvenient. Sheesh. When's a guy supposed to have a chance to goof off on the computer?
Anyway... Jane badgered me again and again about missing Tuesday's Tune. (Actually, she sent one, gently phrased question in an e-mail, but badgered sounds better.) But... because it was Wednesday... and Wednesday's Tune is without alliteration... I couldn't send it out yesterday. Without alliteration... what are we?
So, we have Thursday's Tune. (Technically, still without alliteration, but the first letters are the same and that will just have to do.) In my personal listening, I'm still stuck on Beck and Rachid Taha... alternating back and forth between these albums constantly. They get better every time I play them. I had to really step back and try to think of another artist to share with you all.
In the past I've tended to focus on some of the sad and nostalgic, angry and melancholy sounds, but there is some music that I listen to for fun. Some of the high energy electronica that developed throughout the 90's is what gets my foot tapping and the blood flowing. Bands like the Chemical Brothers made Big Beat and Club music much more mainstream and, of course, this made them reviled in some circles. I love this kind of music when it's done right and probably the best band to jump wholeheartedly into this scene is the Propellerheads. Two Brits, Alex Gifford and Will White, these guys mix drum & bass, hip hop, jazz, rock and spy movie themes to create some really fun music. This kind of stuff makes me feel young again.
I could select a number of songs off of their album Decksandrumsandrockandroll (including "Spybreak" which was used in the Matrix during the huge shootout scene in the elevator lobby) but my favorite song of theirs is below. Topping out at near 10 minutes long! Guaranteed to have you red lining your car if you listen while driving! Caution advised... dancing may ensue!
This is "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"
---
Well... something came up, earlier in the week. Many of you would call it work... I simply called it HIGHLY inconvenient. Sheesh. When's a guy supposed to have a chance to goof off on the computer?
Anyway... Jane badgered me again and again about missing Tuesday's Tune. (Actually, she sent one, gently phrased question in an e-mail, but badgered sounds better.) But... because it was Wednesday... and Wednesday's Tune is without alliteration... I couldn't send it out yesterday. Without alliteration... what are we?
So, we have Thursday's Tune. (Technically, still without alliteration, but the first letters are the same and that will just have to do.) In my personal listening, I'm still stuck on Beck and Rachid Taha... alternating back and forth between these albums constantly. They get better every time I play them. I had to really step back and try to think of another artist to share with you all.
In the past I've tended to focus on some of the sad and nostalgic, angry and melancholy sounds, but there is some music that I listen to for fun. Some of the high energy electronica that developed throughout the 90's is what gets my foot tapping and the blood flowing. Bands like the Chemical Brothers made Big Beat and Club music much more mainstream and, of course, this made them reviled in some circles. I love this kind of music when it's done right and probably the best band to jump wholeheartedly into this scene is the Propellerheads. Two Brits, Alex Gifford and Will White, these guys mix drum & bass, hip hop, jazz, rock and spy movie themes to create some really fun music. This kind of stuff makes me feel young again.
I could select a number of songs off of their album Decksandrumsandrockandroll (including "Spybreak" which was used in the Matrix during the huge shootout scene in the elevator lobby) but my favorite song of theirs is below. Topping out at near 10 minutes long! Guaranteed to have you red lining your car if you listen while driving! Caution advised... dancing may ensue!
This is "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Black Hawk Down
Originally posted 10/15/02
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Going in slightly a different direction this week, I've had this tune in mind for some time now, and was inspired by the World Beat session yesterday, to dip my toes into world music.
The following artist I discovered on the Black Hawk Down soundtrack. This song was not written for that movie, but I can understand why it was selected. It captures the volatile, hostile sense of the Mogadishu environs at the time (and probably still) in an aggressive but captivating fusion of American guitar sounds and Algerian rhythms.
The artist is Rachid Taha, an Algerian/French singer/songwriter who has been writing punk rock/Algerian African fusion of music for the past 20 years. He has been a social activist for most of his life... "lobbing musical molotovs at the latent and, as recent events have proved, not so latent racism of the French... whilst berating his fellow North Africans for lack of ambition, obsession with tradition, cabaret complacency and enslavement to rai."
(BBCi - www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/world/womad2002/biog_taha.shtml)
He sounds like my kind of guy. He picks on everyone, equally.
I don't speak Algerian, and only know that "barra" means bar (n) in Italian and bared (v) in French. Exactly what is specifically being said in the song, "Barra Barra" I can't say... but the music is driving, loud, and intoxicating, and I'm looking for his album work.
Enjoy... and play it LOUD.
---
Going in slightly a different direction this week, I've had this tune in mind for some time now, and was inspired by the World Beat session yesterday, to dip my toes into world music.
The following artist I discovered on the Black Hawk Down soundtrack. This song was not written for that movie, but I can understand why it was selected. It captures the volatile, hostile sense of the Mogadishu environs at the time (and probably still) in an aggressive but captivating fusion of American guitar sounds and Algerian rhythms.
The artist is Rachid Taha, an Algerian/French singer/songwriter who has been writing punk rock/Algerian African fusion of music for the past 20 years. He has been a social activist for most of his life... "lobbing musical molotovs at the latent and, as recent events have proved, not so latent racism of the French... whilst berating his fellow North Africans for lack of ambition, obsession with tradition, cabaret complacency and enslavement to rai."
(BBCi - www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/world/womad2002/biog_taha.shtml)
He sounds like my kind of guy. He picks on everyone, equally.
I don't speak Algerian, and only know that "barra" means bar (n) in Italian and bared (v) in French. Exactly what is specifically being said in the song, "Barra Barra" I can't say... but the music is driving, loud, and intoxicating, and I'm looking for his album work.
Enjoy... and play it LOUD.
It's A Treacherous Road
Originally posted 10/8/02
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Someone has ripped out Beck's heart and we are all the richer for it. His new album, Sea Change is flat out the greatest album I've heard in years. Forget Coldplay or Aimee Mann (sorry Aimee), this is the best album of 2002, and likely to make Top 10 of the decade.
From the opening song, "The Golden Age" Beck leads us down his latest musical path. A man who has given us such innovative works as Odelay and Mutations has finally opened up his personal side and turned his innovative genius to what music SHOULD be about... loss and pain and despair. Heavily country influenced, the album continues Beck's ability to avoid categorization. It is lush and absorbing. Real late night listening.
No single track can convey how amazing this album is. The sum is truly greater than the parts. Go buy it... now. Three thumbs up.
---
Someone has ripped out Beck's heart and we are all the richer for it. His new album, Sea Change is flat out the greatest album I've heard in years. Forget Coldplay or Aimee Mann (sorry Aimee), this is the best album of 2002, and likely to make Top 10 of the decade.
From the opening song, "The Golden Age" Beck leads us down his latest musical path. A man who has given us such innovative works as Odelay and Mutations has finally opened up his personal side and turned his innovative genius to what music SHOULD be about... loss and pain and despair. Heavily country influenced, the album continues Beck's ability to avoid categorization. It is lush and absorbing. Real late night listening.
No single track can convey how amazing this album is. The sum is truly greater than the parts. Go buy it... now. Three thumbs up.
Wish I Knew What You Were Searching For
Originally posted 10/1/02
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First day of October. Hope everyone is doing well.
This week's selection was influenced by the ongoing discussion of "Top 10" from last week. As I mentioned, I usually do my list making by decade... so I flipped through some of my old lists, and came across a song I had planned on sending out at some point. I figured this would be a good time.
The following is my selection for the #1 Single of the '80s. Clearly this is my bias more than some other measures like popularity, influence or originality, but likely more of you will have heard this song than some of the past selections.
As you probably notice from many of my choices, it is the emotional response of a song that makes it mean something to me. I'm not a musician and could only be called musically inclined if I leaned on my stereo, but I think that pop/rock music is the popular poetry of our generation. Schmaltzy or surreal, insipid or inspired, pop rock is the common language for coming of age in the last half a century. Past generations may have quoted Shakespeare or Shelly, we have Pete Townsend and Bono and Tracey Thorn...
... or in this case, we have The Church.
"Under The Milky Way" was playing during some of my most pivotal moments. In the soundtrack of my life, the distinctive jangle of the guitar would reprise throughout, and then the whole song would play when the credits roll.
From the amazing album Starfish... this is "Under The Milky Way"
---
First day of October. Hope everyone is doing well.
This week's selection was influenced by the ongoing discussion of "Top 10" from last week. As I mentioned, I usually do my list making by decade... so I flipped through some of my old lists, and came across a song I had planned on sending out at some point. I figured this would be a good time.
The following is my selection for the #1 Single of the '80s. Clearly this is my bias more than some other measures like popularity, influence or originality, but likely more of you will have heard this song than some of the past selections.
As you probably notice from many of my choices, it is the emotional response of a song that makes it mean something to me. I'm not a musician and could only be called musically inclined if I leaned on my stereo, but I think that pop/rock music is the popular poetry of our generation. Schmaltzy or surreal, insipid or inspired, pop rock is the common language for coming of age in the last half a century. Past generations may have quoted Shakespeare or Shelly, we have Pete Townsend and Bono and Tracey Thorn...
... or in this case, we have The Church.
"Under The Milky Way" was playing during some of my most pivotal moments. In the soundtrack of my life, the distinctive jangle of the guitar would reprise throughout, and then the whole song would play when the credits roll.
From the amazing album Starfish... this is "Under The Milky Way"
Tigers Waitin' To Be Tamed
Originally posted 9/24/02
---
This week's selection comes from the Fife-Adam clan, via my laptop in Houston. (If there is never another Tuesday's Tune, then Hurricane Isidore has been the end of me.) The e-mail below stemmed from my mention of the new Coldplay album A Rush Of Blood To The Head in last week's Tune. I really like this album a lot, but I don't know if I'd rate it as high as U2's Achtung Baby. If I'm listening to Rush of Blood... ten years from now, then maybe...
From Steve:
My favorite songs are "In My Place", "The Scientist" and "Clocks". Of the three, I'd probably choose "Clocks" as the one to send out, because it's not as anthemic as "In My Place" (don't want people bellowing along in their cubicles) and doesn't quote U2 as blatantly as "The Scientist". It also prominently features Chris Martin's piano, which is a signature characteristic of the band.
I think this album is better than Wilco's, and hundreds of orders of magnitude better than Coldplay's first album, which struck me as Radiohead-lite. The Vines have some songs that equal Coldplay's, but the whole falls short, so I guess Coldplay gets my vote so far as best album of the year. I haven't heard the new Aimee Mann other than the song you sent, but I've always mentally placed her at the level of "highly talented craftsperson," a la her husband or Neil Finn or Beth Orton, all of whom have had moments of knee-shattering genius, but none of whom have made an album as great as REM's Automatic For the People or U2's Achtung Baby or Radiohead's OK Computer, which is nearly the level Coldplay reaches on Rush of Blood... There's something visceral about the band dynamic when it's really working that I think a singer-songwriter has an extraordinarily hard time matching. Elvis Costello did it--but he had The Attractions. Elliott Smith is a one-man band, not a singer with a bunch of studio musicians. Same goes for Moby. Following along those lines, it seems to me Aimee Mann would have to have assembled a really top-notch band performing at the top of its game to match Coldplay on my list--the songs, as great as I'm sure they are, wouldn't be enough on their own.
---
This week's selection comes from the Fife-Adam clan, via my laptop in Houston. (If there is never another Tuesday's Tune, then Hurricane Isidore has been the end of me.) The e-mail below stemmed from my mention of the new Coldplay album A Rush Of Blood To The Head in last week's Tune. I really like this album a lot, but I don't know if I'd rate it as high as U2's Achtung Baby. If I'm listening to Rush of Blood... ten years from now, then maybe...
From Steve:
My favorite songs are "In My Place", "The Scientist" and "Clocks". Of the three, I'd probably choose "Clocks" as the one to send out, because it's not as anthemic as "In My Place" (don't want people bellowing along in their cubicles) and doesn't quote U2 as blatantly as "The Scientist". It also prominently features Chris Martin's piano, which is a signature characteristic of the band.
I think this album is better than Wilco's, and hundreds of orders of magnitude better than Coldplay's first album, which struck me as Radiohead-lite. The Vines have some songs that equal Coldplay's, but the whole falls short, so I guess Coldplay gets my vote so far as best album of the year. I haven't heard the new Aimee Mann other than the song you sent, but I've always mentally placed her at the level of "highly talented craftsperson," a la her husband or Neil Finn or Beth Orton, all of whom have had moments of knee-shattering genius, but none of whom have made an album as great as REM's Automatic For the People or U2's Achtung Baby or Radiohead's OK Computer, which is nearly the level Coldplay reaches on Rush of Blood... There's something visceral about the band dynamic when it's really working that I think a singer-songwriter has an extraordinarily hard time matching. Elvis Costello did it--but he had The Attractions. Elliott Smith is a one-man band, not a singer with a bunch of studio musicians. Same goes for Moby. Following along those lines, it seems to me Aimee Mann would have to have assembled a really top-notch band performing at the top of its game to match Coldplay on my list--the songs, as great as I'm sure they are, wouldn't be enough on their own.
Nothing Fuels A Good Flirtation
Originally posted 9/17/02
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A couple of weeks ago, I completed one of the most successful music shopping days I've ever had. New releases are on Tuesdays, so I often stop by 303 to see what has come out. That Tuesday was something special. Not only did I pick up some remastered The Who ("Tommy" and, for the first time "My Generation" finally in stereo, in a special edition double disk) but I also picked up Badly Drawn Boy, Coldplay... and best of all, the new Aimee Mann album.
I never paid much attention to 'Til Tuesday back in the '80s, but with Whatever in '93 she proved to be THE savior of Alt Rock in the '90s. I'm With Stupid... in '95 almost broke through big time... but her next album Bachelor No. 2 was held in limbo by her record label. They didn't think she was marketable. Only after a lengthy legal battle to win back the rights to her own music was she able to release this superb album.
Wrapped in inventive pop stylings, her lyrics are what deliver the killing blow. Always clever... always resigned and bitter... you'd think she was the ultimate relationship loser. She is actually in a long term, happy marriage to singer/songwriter Michael Penn, as far as I know. Lost In Space, her new album, is even darker and more biting than ever. Probably her best yet, it is still one that requires care if listening while driving. You may find yourself swerving toward steep cliffs and/or into oncoming traffic.
"The Moth" is my favorite song. Simple and true, with one of the best lyrics ever written, IMO.
---
A couple of weeks ago, I completed one of the most successful music shopping days I've ever had. New releases are on Tuesdays, so I often stop by 303 to see what has come out. That Tuesday was something special. Not only did I pick up some remastered The Who ("Tommy" and, for the first time "My Generation" finally in stereo, in a special edition double disk) but I also picked up Badly Drawn Boy, Coldplay... and best of all, the new Aimee Mann album.
I never paid much attention to 'Til Tuesday back in the '80s, but with Whatever in '93 she proved to be THE savior of Alt Rock in the '90s. I'm With Stupid... in '95 almost broke through big time... but her next album Bachelor No. 2 was held in limbo by her record label. They didn't think she was marketable. Only after a lengthy legal battle to win back the rights to her own music was she able to release this superb album.
Wrapped in inventive pop stylings, her lyrics are what deliver the killing blow. Always clever... always resigned and bitter... you'd think she was the ultimate relationship loser. She is actually in a long term, happy marriage to singer/songwriter Michael Penn, as far as I know. Lost In Space, her new album, is even darker and more biting than ever. Probably her best yet, it is still one that requires care if listening while driving. You may find yourself swerving toward steep cliffs and/or into oncoming traffic.
"The Moth" is my favorite song. Simple and true, with one of the best lyrics ever written, IMO.
Going Home With Someone Else
Originally sent 9/10/02
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I'd never heard of Jill Sobule, before last year. She has two albums out, and appears to be well respected in the music community, but I was ignorant of her charms until I caught her in concert. I went to Chicago to see Lloyd Cole (more on him later) with his new band, the Negatives, at Park West. (An excellent small venue if you ever have chance to see a show there.) Jill plays in the Negatives, and was the opening act, doing her own material. She was flat out hilarious, and extremely engaging with only herself and a guitar. Biting lyrics that are full of pathos and humor. I bought Pink Pearl on the spot, and was lucky enough to have Jill sign it.
"Mexican Wrestler" is a syrupy song of heart break, with the appropriate ironic metaphors for relationships that just crack me up. I wish I had a live version of this tune, as she really belted it out in an aggressive, angry manner in concert.
---
I'd never heard of Jill Sobule, before last year. She has two albums out, and appears to be well respected in the music community, but I was ignorant of her charms until I caught her in concert. I went to Chicago to see Lloyd Cole (more on him later) with his new band, the Negatives, at Park West. (An excellent small venue if you ever have chance to see a show there.) Jill plays in the Negatives, and was the opening act, doing her own material. She was flat out hilarious, and extremely engaging with only herself and a guitar. Biting lyrics that are full of pathos and humor. I bought Pink Pearl on the spot, and was lucky enough to have Jill sign it.
"Mexican Wrestler" is a syrupy song of heart break, with the appropriate ironic metaphors for relationships that just crack me up. I wish I had a live version of this tune, as she really belted it out in an aggressive, angry manner in concert.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Eating Red Cake With a Red Spoon
Originally sent 9/3/02
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Cowboy Mouth is simply a fun band. Hailing from New Orleans, this group is reputed to be the single best Live show you will ever see. After seeing The Who last week, I'd have to doubt that... but I've never seen Cowboy Mouth in concert... so who knows. Unfortunately, I'm a recent convert and their latest tour doesn't cross north of the Mason/Dixon line as far as I can tell... so it may be a while before I get a chance to see 'em.
They've released 8 albums and EPs, at least three of them live albums, since 1992. "Jenny Says" was their one break through single, from Are You With Me? in '96. Fronted by their drummer, Fred LeBlanc, their latest release from the studio, Easy, is raucous, simple and just a good time. I get a big kick out of this song.
---
Cowboy Mouth is simply a fun band. Hailing from New Orleans, this group is reputed to be the single best Live show you will ever see. After seeing The Who last week, I'd have to doubt that... but I've never seen Cowboy Mouth in concert... so who knows. Unfortunately, I'm a recent convert and their latest tour doesn't cross north of the Mason/Dixon line as far as I can tell... so it may be a while before I get a chance to see 'em.
They've released 8 albums and EPs, at least three of them live albums, since 1992. "Jenny Says" was their one break through single, from Are You With Me? in '96. Fronted by their drummer, Fred LeBlanc, their latest release from the studio, Easy, is raucous, simple and just a good time. I get a big kick out of this song.
Lay Me Down
Originally Sent: 8/27/02
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Back in the '80s, if there was an Alternative Rock Mecca (like Seattle became in the early '90s) it was Athens, GA. From this town hailed all time greats like R.E.M., the B-52s, and Guadalcanal Diary. Other bands got contracts just for being from the area. Dreams So Real is one of those. I don't think they ever released a second album, but Last Night In Jericho was a mainstay in our college apartment.
I'm feeling a bit melancholy this week. It's that time of year. "Bearing Witness" has always been an end of summer song for me. The dying colors of Autumn are fast closing. The sun is fading. We are forced to recognize all that is good shall pass.
Lay me down.
---
Back in the '80s, if there was an Alternative Rock Mecca (like Seattle became in the early '90s) it was Athens, GA. From this town hailed all time greats like R.E.M., the B-52s, and Guadalcanal Diary. Other bands got contracts just for being from the area. Dreams So Real is one of those. I don't think they ever released a second album, but Last Night In Jericho was a mainstay in our college apartment.
I'm feeling a bit melancholy this week. It's that time of year. "Bearing Witness" has always been an end of summer song for me. The dying colors of Autumn are fast closing. The sun is fading. We are forced to recognize all that is good shall pass.
Lay me down.
Monday, March 9, 2009
All That Is Old Is New Again
This blog is being created for a specific purpose... to house the Tuesday Tune.
The Tuesday Tune began as a weekly (mostly) e-mail I sent around at work where I shared an anecdote and some information about a band I liked, either current or past, and then I attached an MP3 or such of the song I most liked. I did this for nearly seven years at my job, until I was just laid off a couple of weeks ago.
It occurred to me that I could continue the tradition on a blog such as this... and then provide the link to those previously on the mailing list to see if they'd enjoy reading this.
I'm starting this blog by posting every song I'd sent out in the past 6 plus years, in chronological order, with the tune embeded. I have every e-mail I ever sent out but the first, so I'll copy them verbatim with the date they first appeared.
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The first song I ever sent out was by the Tragically Hip. I can't remember what I wrote about it at the time, other than it was the inaugural e-mail and I really liked (and still do) this song.
From their 1996 album (yes, I call them albums... deal with it) Trouble At The Henhouse this is the Tragically Hip with "Ahead By a Century."
The Tuesday Tune began as a weekly (mostly) e-mail I sent around at work where I shared an anecdote and some information about a band I liked, either current or past, and then I attached an MP3 or such of the song I most liked. I did this for nearly seven years at my job, until I was just laid off a couple of weeks ago.
It occurred to me that I could continue the tradition on a blog such as this... and then provide the link to those previously on the mailing list to see if they'd enjoy reading this.
I'm starting this blog by posting every song I'd sent out in the past 6 plus years, in chronological order, with the tune embeded. I have every e-mail I ever sent out but the first, so I'll copy them verbatim with the date they first appeared.
---
The first song I ever sent out was by the Tragically Hip. I can't remember what I wrote about it at the time, other than it was the inaugural e-mail and I really liked (and still do) this song.
From their 1996 album (yes, I call them albums... deal with it) Trouble At The Henhouse this is the Tragically Hip with "Ahead By a Century."
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