Pick of the Week
'Money' by the Flying Lizards (1979).
I listened to this at my friend's house the other night - still one of my faves if I am in a zany mood.
It drips with distant disdain on the nothing less than stand-offish delivery of Deborah Evans-Sticklan The Flying Lizard create a unique ambiance with the Barrett Strong (of Motown fame) song. Although sounding clearly dated it is fun and full of life. It got covered by the Beatles in the '60s but it is not nearly as fun as this.
I wonder what Barrett would think of this?
Songs Everyone Should Know
"Hound Dog" by Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton (1952)
Arguably a precursor to rock - Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller penned this beauty later recorded by Elvis (you know who that is right?).
The emphasis she has on certain parts like "yoooooooooo ain't nooooooothin'" make this great. I also love her little dog yelp at one point. Although I have tried, I cannot replicate it.
She reputedly got next to nothing for recording this song that got scooped by the King and she died a poor, skinny, alcoholic - far from the robust and delightful woman who sang this song.
70's Pick of the Week
"Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty (1978)
What a cool song! I used to listen to the 45 rpm (revolutions per minute for those who do not know) over and over with the arm up. Old phonographs (record players) used to have this feature just for this purpose. You could play it all day if you liked.
Anyway, the reason I picked this song is because Gerry passed away recently and i was saddened.
Purportedly the original sax player did not have a cool enough name so they replaced him with lesser known
Raphael Ravenscrof and thank god they did! He soars! The song has an air of desperation and expresses it clearly though clever lyrics and delivery.
If you have not heard this song you must have been under the proverbial rock. It was staggeringly huge at the time!
Fun Fact of the Week
Eric Clapton's biological father was in the Canadian Air Force.
Have a good week!
'Money' by the Flying Lizards (1979).
I listened to this at my friend's house the other night - still one of my faves if I am in a zany mood.
It drips with distant disdain on the nothing less than stand-offish delivery of Deborah Evans-Sticklan The Flying Lizard create a unique ambiance with the Barrett Strong (of Motown fame) song. Although sounding clearly dated it is fun and full of life. It got covered by the Beatles in the '60s but it is not nearly as fun as this.
I wonder what Barrett would think of this?
Songs Everyone Should Know
"Hound Dog" by Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton (1952)
Arguably a precursor to rock - Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller penned this beauty later recorded by Elvis (you know who that is right?).
The emphasis she has on certain parts like "yoooooooooo ain't nooooooothin'" make this great. I also love her little dog yelp at one point. Although I have tried, I cannot replicate it.
She reputedly got next to nothing for recording this song that got scooped by the King and she died a poor, skinny, alcoholic - far from the robust and delightful woman who sang this song.
70's Pick of the Week
"Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty (1978)
What a cool song! I used to listen to the 45 rpm (revolutions per minute for those who do not know) over and over with the arm up. Old phonographs (record players) used to have this feature just for this purpose. You could play it all day if you liked.
Anyway, the reason I picked this song is because Gerry passed away recently and i was saddened.
Purportedly the original sax player did not have a cool enough name so they replaced him with lesser known
Raphael Ravenscrof and thank god they did! He soars! The song has an air of desperation and expresses it clearly though clever lyrics and delivery.
If you have not heard this song you must have been under the proverbial rock. It was staggeringly huge at the time!
Fun Fact of the Week
Eric Clapton's biological father was in the Canadian Air Force.
Have a good week!
