Mr. Moderator

When not blogging Mr. Moderator enjoys baseball, cooking, and falconry.

I’m in the mood for…this?

Jan 042009

Yesterday was an especially bad day in the Mr. Moderator household. One of those end-of-the-holidays blues days, in which every family member was miserable and no house, not even Windsor Castle, would have been big enough for each of us to grumble in private. At one point I was in such a bad mood that I looked through my albums and pulled out an album Townsman Geo gave me a couple of years ago, the first Ry Cooder album.

Have you ever pulled out an album you typically don’t spin while in some extreme mood, whether high or low?
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Your Five Favorite Beach Boys Songs Following Pet Sounds and the “Good Vibrations” Single

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jan 022009

Among the many stimulating rock conversations that took place at our live Philadelphia chapter of RTH gathering earlier this week was the question of our five favorite Beach Boys songs following the release of Pet Sounds and the “Good Vibrations” single, also known as the period marking the end of Brian Wilson as the band’s leading light.

My top 5 in the post-Brian era was led by “Do It Again,” which E. Pluribus Gergely thought was a turd. “I Can Hear Music” was another one that quickly came to mind. Then, beside “Kokomo” (a given) I was stuck on clear song titles to round out my top 5. Maybe “Vegetables”… Others were quicker and more definitive in listing their top 5, and maybe those who were there will want to restate their selections here. As we wrap up 2008, I would encourage the rest of you to list your top 5 post-Functional Brian faves.

Note: Tracks recorded primarily during Brian’s reign and finished later will not be allowed for consideration. Things like the finally completed Smile, which were completed by people who aren’t even Beach Boys while Brian was propped up in a corner with an IV drip of B12 in his butt also do not count.

Which artist is most deserving of induction to the RTH Foyer of Fame’s Second Annual Partial Lifetime Achievement Award and Chili Cookoff?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jan 022009

In a recently posted poll I hoped to give you an opportunity to include write-in entries for this year’s upcoming RTH Foyer of Fame’s Second Annual Partial Lifetime Achievement Award and Chili Cookoff, but some genius spammer has apparently found a way to immediately load our polls with write-in responses that are, shall we say, off topic. The RTH Foyer of Fame is an important event, and we want to make sure that your voice is heard as the selection committee deliberates nominees.

As of this writing, nominees include John Mellencamp, J. Geils Band, Joan Jett, and the Doobie Brothers. We’re curious to know your thoughts on the mediocre merits of these nominees and see what other artists you might feel are worthy of the Foyer’s consideration.
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Rockin’ New Year’s Resolutions

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jan 012009

It’s time, Townspeople, to state your Rockin’ New Year’s Resolutions. Mine is to come to terms with the digital age yet continue to embrace my true love, vinyl. I got my first real iPod (a Nano), I’ve ordered digital recording/editing software, and our band’s next release may come out on vinyl with a coupon for digital download. How 2009 is that? I’ve gotta tell you, the struggles I’ve been having with the Apple Empire have put a strain on an otherwise excellent holiday season, but now it’s the New Year and I’m ready to turn over a new leaf.

What’s your Rockin’ New Year’s Resolution?

Covers Versions of Songs That Have No Business Being Longer Than 3 Minutes in Length

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Dec 302008

I’m not such a dogmatic old fart that I can’t occaisonally dig hearing a 3-minute rock ‘n roll chestnut elongated to an epic rock jam of some degree, but the era of Festival Rock coupled with excursions into The Power and Glory of Rock ‘n Roll kicked off a spate of these overblown, drawn-out cover jams. The bombast of The Who‘s version of “Summertime Blues” actually holds up over the course of its extended sections, but the Dead’s epic butchering of “Not Fade Away” and Quicksilver Messenger Service‘s similar drawing and quartering of “Who Do You Love” spring to mind when I think of cover versions of songs that have no business being longer than 3 minutes. The other night a Townsman dropped a jump drive’s worth of hairy rock obscurities on me. I’m just digging into these treats, and I’m trying to determine whether a 6:30 version of “You Can’t Judge a Book By the Cover” by Cactus has any business being committed to wax. It’s sure got the necessary bombast to even make it worth accepting!

While you’re thinking of covers that have no business being more than 3 minutes in length as well as those rare instances that justify the additional jamming, let me know what side of the ledger you place Creedence Clearwater Revival‘s version of “Suzy Q.”

Last Man Standing: Songus Interruptus

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Dec 272008

The Clash‘s “Wrong ’em Boyo,” from London Calling, begins as if the band is going to cover the chestnut “Stagger Lee.” Then the band breaks down and Joe Strummer instructs the band to “start all over again,” at which point, as we all know, the band breaks into another cover, “Wrong ’em Boyo,” by a Jamaican band, The Rulers.

The first time I spun London Calling this instance of songus interruptus was quite a thrill. In the following years it would be a gimmick I could usually do without. Little did I know until just now, however, that the original version by The Rulers had the same outbreak of songus interruptus!

So there’s a head start in this Last Man Standing, which I hope has more than the Motown song I have in mind. Well-known live television performances may also be considered, but live shows that only you may have seen among us, may not. Good luck!

I Have Joined a ROCK BAND

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Dec 272008

We got our boys ROCK BAND for Christmas. Friday, after setting the game up for the boys, I was asked to join their ROCK BAND. Our oldest son is the gamer among us. He’d had some experience playing this game and Guitar Hero with his friends, so he would clearly be the band’s leader.

Our younger son hasn’t shown much interest in video games, but he likes to rock and demonstrates the most potential for being a future frontman. His big brother is thrilled by the prospect of getting his little brother to join him in playing video games. I think this is a good thing.

I was brought into the band for my veteran wisdom and likelihood of mastering the drums, which I imagine would be pretty tricky for people (adults, at least) who’ve never messed around on a real drum kit with a real pedal. At least I’d like to think this is the case.

As we began our first warm-up session, my younger son couldn’t keep up with the lyrics of one of the songs. He’s in second grade and he’s not an advanced reader for his age. “You failed!” shouted my older son, over his guitar part. Our little guy threw his mic down on the couch and stormed off. I asked our guitarist why he had to use the term “failed” and tried to explain to him the hardships his brother faced 10 minutes into his ROCK BAND career. “I was just saying what it said on the screen,” he replied. It was cool. We went downstairs and convinced our singer to return to practice. We agreed we should switch instruments to see how it felt to be in each others’ shoes. I’d sing, to show our less-experienced bandmate how hard that job can be for even a veteran with better reading skills.

“Let’s make Daddy sing a song he hates!” my big boy said. Continue reading »

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