Who are you living with? Is it working out? We hope so.
Feb 212007
Feb 202007
Townsman BigSteve reports from the heart of today’s Mardi Gras festivities.
Today is Mardi Gras. I have no grand thesis that warrants discussion, but here are some videos to help you celebrate the day. A brief video explaining the Mardi Gras Indians with photos, with the Wild Tchoupitoulas song “Meet de Boys on de Battlefront” as a soundtrack:
A TV show from a few years ago (Soundstage I think) with Professor
Longhair singing Tipitina backed by the Meters:
And here’s the big finale, Dr. John leading the band with Earl King
singing his composition Big Chief, a seasonal classic recorded by Fess, who is also featured on this number:
Enjoy! (Please note: You’ll have to fast for 40 days afterwards.)
Feb 202007
Monday, February 19, rock musicians Sting, Rod Stewart, and Bryan Adams were arraigned on several counts of Rock Crimes for their participation in the 1993 collaboration on a song and video for the soundtrack of The Three Muskateers. Sting and Stewart turned themselves into authorities on their own recognizance. Adams was arrested while causing a disturbance at an in-store appearance by alt-country rocker Ryan Adams.
Although formal charges have not yet been released, it has been reported that they include faux introductions and loitering on a video set; unexplained wardrobe changes; abuse of knowing glances, backslaps, and high-note lean-backs; impersonating an art-school girl in a skirt and leggings (Sting); impersonating a musician pretending to play an interesting bass part (Sting); and inappropriate contact with a lesser celebrity.
A trial date will be announced later this week. The trial will be conducted live on Rock Town Hall. Attorneys for the artists issued no comment other than a reminder of the upcoming tour dates by the reunited Police.
Feb 202007
“Paul is always welcome to join us for the reunion, but until then, we’ve got a tour and a new album to do!”
Weller’s best career move ever! Keep running, Buckler!
Feb 202007
All-Star Jam. Everything is fine.
Feb 192007
A beat-up guitar that Mr. Summers is playing isn’t the one that toured the world with him in the early 1980s; it’s an exact replica made by Fender, copying every nick, chip and scrape as well as the pickups (made by Fender’s rival, Gibson) and custom electronics inside. It’s part of a limited edition of 250 that sold out at $15,000 each…
Feb 192007
We got a new cable service while I was out of town, and I just started checking it out. For the first time we have VH1 Classics. The first video I caught was Eurythmics’ “Missionary Man”. Thankfully, our brains are wired to block out many of the associated sensations that accompany traumatic moments, associated sensations would otherwise kill our ability to pick up the pieces and move forward. Thankfully, I’d forgotten everything about both this song and the video.
I’ve enjoyed a relatively healthy and productive life since forgetting about “Missionary Man”, a video that probably has been removed from YouTube for fear of Rock Crimes by association. This morning, though, thanks to VH1 Classics I’m reminded of Lennox’s Soul on Ice routine and a reverse sex appeal that could flip the polarity of human sexuality (the power of which, I should add, had been unmatched since the appearance of Gwen Stefani). I’m reminded of Dave Stewart, rock’s only musician to follow in Jeff Lynne’s fashion footsteps. Stewart would combine that bad Look with a goofy self-aware svengali schtick that wasn’t too far from Rick Nielson. Ugh. I’m reminded of the use of canned “colored girls,” among the most hideous practices of British musicians from the ’80s.
Don’t think I’m incapable of appreciating the evil genius of Eurythmics, much like I can appreciate the evil genius of Gwen Stefani and the rhetorical skills of Nazi Germany. I’m afraid that watching too much of VH1 Classics will be like watching a Leni Reifenstahl film festival.
I will close by saying that VH1 Classics, which is still on in the background, just ran back-to-back ads for a KISS Greatest Hits album and an upcoming feature on Bob Seger. We reap what we sow.
