It’s time for another rapid-fire round of hard-hitting questions, known in the Halls of Rock as Dugout Chatter! Remember, there are no right or wrong answers, only true ones. Let’s get it on!
Driving into work this morning I was listening to the one Paul Simon album I really like, Rhythm of the Saints. As I enjoyed the tunes I was reminded of his MOJO interview from a few years ago, in which he dismissed most of his Simon & Garfunkel works in the same terms I always have and declared his solo works as pretty much the only stuff he’s done that matters—pretty much what I’ve been saying for the last 25 years! How satisfying it was to read this interview and feel like Simon was backing me up after years of arguing with E. Pluribus Gergely and others over the merits of those S&G albums. So that’s a long-winded set up for my first question: What’s the most satisfying piece of self-analysis by an artist that you’ve ever read or seen in an interview (eg, print, documentary, liner notes)?
Earlier this week I was listening to my favorite XTC album, English Settlement. I tried really hard to avoid skipping songs, because I always feel there’s much to learn from that album, even the lesser songs. I couldn’t resist skipping “Fly Upon the Wall,” but I had no trouble sticking with the silly “Down in the Cockpit.” As awkward as I find that song, I feel it is loaded with “teaching moments.” What’s an awkward song (by any artist) you’ll usually let play through for its “teaching moments?”
I distinctly recall a day spent with the daughter of one of my Mom’s friends when the Gallery song “It’s So Nice to Be With You” began running through my head. I must have been 11 years old. What an innocent “first crush” song to recall, but that’s the truth. What’s the earliest song you identify with a youthful crush?
I’m a Gemini, but most likely I just happen to associate with the Talking Heads song “Air.” In astrological terms what element would best describe your musical tastes: air, water, fire, or earth?
I look forward to your answers.
