Just heard the sad news about the passing of John Prine this evening from complications from Covid19. Prine was one of those artists that I knew of and appreciated the songs of his that I had heard, but I can’t say I knew more than a fraction of his work (that will change). I remember really liking his 1991 album The Missing Years. Here’s my favorite song from that album. All The Best.
Just heard the devastating news that Adam Schlesinger, co-founder of Fountains of Wayne, one of my favorite power pop bands, has died of COVID19 complications. While Stacy’s Mom was their biggest hit, this was my favorite song of theirs. Their brilliant combination of huge power pop riffs and witty lyrics will be sorely missed. Sending my thoughts to his family, friends and fans worldwide.
How many more will we lose?
HT to Aphoristical for the heads up.
Going back to my high school days for this one – just popped into my head yesterday which of course makes it a great entry for today. I remember hearing this on the radio back in 1979 and immediately loving the simple guitar riff that underlies the rest of the song. I always thought this was a Rainbow song (although admittedly its the only song by them I know) but the Internet tells me that it was originally done by Russ Ballard in 1976 and subsequently covered by a number of bands before and after Rainbow’s version.
I discovered this Dylan cover last year and decided it would be my new Christmas Eve blog tradition. Things have been very busy personally this past fall and so the blog has been on somewhat of a hiatus but we are hoping to change that in the new year.
I just just love this video with the party going on and Dylan popping up in a white wig and hat (what’s that about?) or Santa hat, ending up with Santa on the porch.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy holidays to everyone!
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing yesterday, here’s a demo version of Bowie doing Space Oddity with John “Hutch” Hutchinson that appears on the Mercury Demos (released this past June) and I believe was also on the Sound + Vision box set. Fascinating to hear this classic song in such an early form and to put yourself in the shoes of the people listening to the demo – must have blown them away. Also funny to hear Bowie say some of these songs might be single material – ah, I think so!
When I lived in Philadelphia in the early 90’s there was a great public radio station called WXPN (associated with the University of Pennsylvania). It was like a college radio station, but with a professional staff and production values. That station was a constant companion during my years there, and turned me on to alot of great music that I’m still listening to today. I remember first hearing this song on the drive in to work one morning, and I was hooked. The album by the same name was Matthew Sweet’s breakout out album, and was loaded with great guitar, great harmony vocals, and great power pop hooks in song after song. A perfect combination of power pop and rock and roll. He put out a string of similarly great albums in the years after, but this one remains my touchstone, and Girlfriend one of my favorites from it.
Heard this on a new music play list a few weeks back and its been on constant rotation on my phone and in my head since. I’m not sure what it is about Australian female singers, but it definitely seems I’ve got a thing for them, esp. when its a power pop earworm like this song. Driving guitar, huge chorus, and then it kicks to a high level with the soaring sax solo in the middle – completely unexpected! I could listen to this over and over (and I have!)
Check it out and see what I mean. God I love this song!
You take off at Cape Canaveral
And pick me up like Coach Bombay
You’re school captain every year
You’re Christmas without Boxing Day
You haven’t had a day off in weeks
Your voice is shaking when you speak
It might not be my place to help
But don’t but don’t but don’t be so hard on yourself
