The phone rings in the middle of the night My father yells what you gonna do with your life. Oh daddy dear you know you're still number one but girls they wanna have fun

‘80’s Pick of the Week

“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper (1983)

There ain’t no stoppin’ the whirling New York dervish called Cyndi Lauper. In 2010 at age 57 she had the number one selling blues album on Billboard called “Memphis Blues”. 

Seems like she came out of nowhere. Her contribution to ‘80’s styles is unquestionable. Was it her inextinguishable New York charm? Was it her little high pitched squeals interjected into songs? Was it her hair? Or does it really go deeper; like she really is an amazing singer with a innate feeling and understanding for the material, whether her own or the interpretation of others?

I get delirious whenever U're near. Lose all self-control, baby, just can't steer. Wheels get locked in place. Get a stupid look on my face

Pick of the Week

“Delirious” by Prince (1982)

So today we will look at a simple recipe. See if you can prepare some yourself. It is fast and easy!

Power Soul Stew: Minneapolis recipe

In one large pan, sear 4 Tbsps of pounded Jimmi Hendrix guitar riffs and ½ lb of James Brown’s funk. Then shred some Michael Jackson moves and vocal styles and stir in (3-4 Tbsp to taste), increasing the heat until a rolling boil; at least 120 beats per minute. Next, chop up some Chuck Berry riffs and stir in. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. While this is simmering, in a separate pan blanche some Joni Mitchell and some ‘Atlantic-era’ songs in the water of the Minneapolis sound. Combine all ingredients. Sprinkle with a bit of Miles Davis. Serve to cool people.

If I was only allowed to use one word to describe Prince it would be ‘prolific’. Boring you say?

I got a gal, named Daisy, She almost drives me crazy .... She knows how to love me

Songs Everybody Should Know

“Tutti Fruiti”, Little Richard, 1955

Who inspired James Brown, Michael Jackson, Prince, Elton John, David Bowie, Marc Bolan, the New York Dolls, Alice Cooper, even Elvis himself?  Who put the funk in the rhythm?

If there was a black Elvis, Little Richard was him. Probably as important to the birth of rock and roll was Richard Wayne Penniman, or ‘Little Richard’ as he called himself.

Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life (Prince, 1984)

Fun Fact of the Week

Besides being a bizillionaire, Prince is a very prolific song writer. Some of his shared successful efforts include – Manic Monday by The Bangles, Stand Back by Stevie Nicks, Pray by M.C. Hammer, Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O’Connor, When you Were Mine by Cyndi Lauper, and A Love Bizarre by Sheila E.