A quirky musical journey through the history of pop and rock music. The songs, the bands, the records they played on the radio...
Friday, 20 May 2011
In a gadda da vida, honey Don't you know that I'm lovin' you In a gadda da vida, baby Don't you know that I'll always be true
Songs Everyone Should Know
“In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”, Iron Butterfly (1968)
I was talking to my friend Gary the other day and I said, “What the hell is ‘In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida’ anyway? What does that mean?”
He said it means, “In the garden of Eden”. I don’t know whether I knew that and forgot, or never knew that. Getting old I guess. Anyway...thanks Gary! It makes a great idea for a blog too.
Thursday, 19 May 2011
We are vain and we are blind. I hate people when they’re not polite
Quick Hit
“Psycho Killer”, Talking Heads (1977)
Something like one out of a thousand of us is a psychopath1 and one out of a hundred are sociopaths2. Yet most people just cannot understand this tragic, twisted condition. Society’s fascination with psycho killers is mostly a very basal fear of the unknown. A fear of the appalling, bizarre and generally very sad circumstance in life that could create such a person. Most of us watch from a distance – this could never happen to us, we think. We could never be related to someone like this. Or could we?
Labels:
Taling Heads,
The Ramones
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Listen, Don't worry...
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
I used to think maybe you loved me now baby I'm sure and I just can't wait till the day when you knock on my door
Pick of the Week
“Walking on Sunshine”, Katrina and the Waves (1983/85)
One of the feel-good songs of all time, Katrina and the Waves were one of the forerunners of the new wave movement, but as a band, the rain came out and washed them away.
Katrina Leskanich and her boy friend at the time, Vince de la Cruz (seriously, real name? Perfect for a novel, or hey, a band!), were air force brats that cut their teeth playing ‘60s R&B, Motown and other such stuff on the military base circuit in the U.S. Their band they called “Mama’s Cookin’” toured England in 1979. There was a great love for this type of music in England still, although punk was seriously under way.
Labels:
Canada,
Katrina and the Waves,
U.K.
Monday, 16 May 2011
Dear Mister Fantasy play us a tune Something to make us all happy Do anything take us out of this gloom Sing a song, play guitar Make it snappy
Quick Hit
“Dear Mr. Fantasy”, Traffic (1967)
When he was eight years old, Steve Winwood was in the choir and already playing in bands. By the time he was in Jr. High school he played his electric organ to back such greats as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Chuck Berry and Bo Diddly on their U.K. tours.
Known for his tenor voice and his Hammond organ sound, he also plays many other instruments such as guitar, drums, mandolin, violin, and others. He really is an astounding guitar player, but is a bit modest about it.
Labels:
Blind Faith,
Bo Diddly,
Chich Berry,
Muddy Waters,
Steve Winwood,
Traffic
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Mother, mother There's too many of you crying Brother, brother, brother There's far too many of you dying
Quick Hit
“What’s Going On”, Marvin Gaye, 1971
I remember it being super hot in the car, back in the days with no air conditioning. I rolled down the window with the funky handles in the door of the “Country Squire” station wagon my Mom drove us to the park for the day in. You know the car – they had fake wood panels on the side. We had our towels for the pool and my Mom always packed a picnic basket with egg salad, or cucumber or macaroni loaf sandwiches, a few cans of soda, and maybe a plastic bag of “Old Dutch” potato chips if we were lucky. It was good - my Mom loved us. From the radio played Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”. I did not really get what the song was about at the time, but I knew I loved the beat, the sound, and the smooth singing.
Labels:
Marvin Gaye
Saturday, 14 May 2011
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