Make your own kind of magic!
Jun 092009
Jun 072009
My wife and I were listening to Neil Young‘s After the Gold Rush today, and when a particular line came up in the title track (ie, “…and I felt like getting high”), we both smiled and remarked at how great a crowd-pleasing line that is. Surely you’ve been at concerts where an artist sings a particular line that rings true for the entire crowd and causes an immediate, loud cheer from the crowd as the song continues. Excluding songs that give shout-outs to particular cities, which only get that reaction in the particular hometown city, I’ve thought of two other rock songs with similarly themed crowd-pleasing lines, but I’ll let you state them – and as many other themed crowd-pleasing lines as possible.
What’s the crowd-pleasing line that gets you to join in as part of the crowd’s collective raised fist? What’s the crowd-pleasing line that you must object to, that you stay seated for and shake your head in haughty disgust?
Jun 072009
Which songwriters come to mind when you think, Songwriters who frequently employ nonsense syllables to carry the melody? I think of two Pauls: Simon and Weller. It seems every third song by them includes a section that’s nothing more than melodic Las or Oohs. Are there other songwriters who stand out for using this device? No artists with a notable example only, please.
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Jun 072009
Exhausted?
It just occurred to me that I did not load a single track from Elvis Costello & The Attractions‘ Armed Forces onto my iPod. I love EC & The Attractions – everybody loves ’em – and Armed Forces is a strong record featuring some killer songs, but I rarely if ever feel the need to spin it. I’ve felt this way for most of the years that have followed the release of Get Happy!!, my all-time favorite album (period, not just among EC albums). I feel like I’ve got nothing to learn from Armed Forces. The arrangements lack mystery and unexplored nooks and crannies for me to stumble upon. The lyrics seem to have nothing more to reveal to me. I never found it to be a very emotional album, and what emotions I once felt for the album have long since passed from my daily routine (eg, “Party Girl”). It’s a closed book. A very good book, but closed for me.
Do you have an album or albums like I’ve described, albums you know you like by artists you definitely like yet that you have zero interest in playing?
Jun 072009
The wisdom of The Hall continues to amaze me. For as many knowledgeable individuals who dazzle with their rock knowledge, it is the collective wisdom of our participants that I find most dazzling.
It is in this spirit that I want to allow for further amazement—not only for the people but by the people.
As originally described, the concept is simple. This is a place to seek specific wisdom from the collective intelligence. These are not to be philosophical queries but rather to seek advice and wisdom on specific rock questions. It may be a place to seek listening and purchasing recommendations.
Today I have a simple request, for The Orockle, one that may spark lengthy conversation, or not, but will hopefully illicit some sage advice.
As always, when any of us consult The Orockle, the opportunity exists for folks to ask similar questions and receive similar advice. The topic shouldn’t necessarily focus just on my topic.
Here’s the question I would like to ask The Orockle:
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Jun 052009
I’m looking for songs that list the days of the week.
The lyrics don’t have to mention all of the days of the week (although that’s preferable), but they do have to list several days in succession. Lyrics that mention a few particular days as part of a narrative are not sufficient. I’ll also accept songs that list the months of the year.
I’ll start with “Friday On My Mind,” by The Easybeats.
Jun 052009
I’m fascinated by Alanis Morissette – and my fascination grows as the years pass and I continue to stumble across her latest televised performances. The people in the audience are either paid extras or people who are beginning to think of the ’90s as the best years of their lives, but who, beside me – ironically – is tuning into a live performance by Alanis Morissette these days? Just the other night I saw her on Palladia, a high-def, all-concert performance channel that’s part of the MTV/VH1 family.
I don’t know the vintage of this performance that I caught, but it must have been from the last couple of years. She had a different hairdo than I’ve been used to seeing, something almost like the shag worn by Carol Brady. It was kind of cute. She’s kind of cute in the way some woman in everyday life, maybe working down the hallway, is kind of cute. Some of you are bound to find fault with her prominent jawline or the lengths she goes to in strategically covering what seems to be a decent but probably flawed body, but have you ever taken a good look at yourself in the mirror?
