‘Bulo’s Music for the Masses-Lost in the ’80’s, Vol. 2.
El Somnambulo’s favorite REM song, from back in the day when Michael Stipe had hair, and ’80’s hair at that:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4Ouyl7k_iU&feature=related[/youtube]
REM: ‘Harbor Coat’ from “Reckoning” (1984)
This aurally-gorgeous album (produced by Upper Darby’s Todd Rundgren) became even more gorgeous when artificial enhancements (such as ‘the things we did on grass’) upped the ante:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ozu8KGFH-CU[/youtube]
XTC: ‘Grass’ from “Skylarking” (1986)
The Beast Who Slumbers got your attention w/XTC? Good, b/c XTC had an alter ego, called the Dukes of Stratosphear. They often did homages/parodies of their favorite bands. But here’s the catch…they didn’t do covers, they did songs that sounded sometimes even better than the bands they were saluting. If you like the Beach Boys as much as ‘bulo does, or even don’t for that matter, you just have to listen to this:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRcXWGLummo&feature=related[/youtube]
The Dukes of Stratosphear: ‘Pale and Precious’ from “Psonic Psunspot” (1987)
As long as ‘bulo’s engaged in Saturday Morning Beautiful Harmony Immersion Therapy, he’s gonna cheat, just a little. While this song is from a seminal ’70’s album (if you like what you hear, buy the album, it’s a classic), this performance is from 1983. Since the harmonies and the song give him chills, he opts to share them with you:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e3sqtoRG-Y[/youtube]
The Roches: ‘Hammond Song’ from “The Roches” (1979)
We close out with a double shot of classic ’80’s soul. First, one of the great veteran soul men who deserves more than to just be remembered for “Across 110th Street”, although he certainly deserves to be remembered for that. Guys, tell ‘bulo if the guilt befalling the protagonist of this song has ever happened to you. Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr Bobby Womack:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovmS20sc2_U&feature=related[/youtube]
Bobby Womack: ‘I Wish He Wouldn’t Trust Me So Much’ from “So Many Rivers” (1985)
Finally, if this guy hadn’t, from the start, been a legend in his own mind, he truly could have been a superstar. This fleeting glimpse from his brief heyday (see if you remember this one) will show you what might have been, and will also show you the incipient narcissism that ultimately was his downfall:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmi_qbUGCKo&feature=related[/youtube]
Terence Trent D’Arby: ‘Sign Your Name’ from “Introducing the Hard Line According to…”
Barring hijackings, see ya next week. El Somnambulo’s finding so much cool stuff from the ’80’s that he’s just getting started…
You have to love the Roches and REM. They stake out the very extreme edges of the 1980’s “affectation meter”
For all my love of the 80’s – I never got into XTC. I knew I should be into them, but it never clicked for me.
I found the Roches’ first album by chance in among hundreds of albums in the library at Mayflower Hill Broadcasting — WMHB, the campus radio station at Colby College, in the early 1980s. Had no idea who they were, but dropped a needle into “Mr. Sellack” and fell in love. I fell for the sound of three perfectly blended voices, jazzy-folk melodies, and cleverly twisted lyrics. I’ve been a fan ever since.
Recently, I found Lucy Wainwright Roche, daughter of of Suzzy Roche and Loudon Wainwright, III. Like her half-siblings Martha and Rufus Wainwright, she’s started a recording career. Like her mother and aunts, she has a sound that I love.
Bobby Womack: ’I Wish He Wouldn’t Trust Me So Much’ from ”So Many Rivers” (1985)
Finally, if this guy hadn’t, from the start, been a legend in his own mind, he truly could have been a superstar. This fleeting glimpse from his brief heyday (see if you remember this one) will show you what might have been, and will also show you the incipient narcissism that ultimately was his downfall:
“Legend in his own mind” or not, Womack contributed a ton, beginning long before the great song noted here was released. His work with the Valentinos, his many superb ’70s singles — e.g., “I Can Understand It,” “Woman’s Gotta Have It,” “More Than I Can Stand” — and his best later work add up to a stellar career. Thanks for posting “I Wish He Didn’t Trust Me So Much.” Hadn’t heard it in a long time.
Listening now to the album version of Hammond song on Pandora. I’d forgotten that Robert Fripp produced that album and contributed a great solo. I think I must have grabbed the album at first because he’d produced it; I remember seeing the 80s version of King Crimson at about that time. The Roches have stayed in my musical life much longer.
Bonus: Pandora’s next song choice on my new “Roches” station? Crosby, Stills and Nash singing “Helplessly Hoping.”
Whoa, Mack! That comment was about Terence Trent D’Arby, not Mr. Womagic.
No way you can argue with Bobby’s 40-plus year career, and ‘bulo’s not about to. People should really check him out.
And Mike is so right about “The Roches” album. While Robert did contribute some minimal ‘fripperies’, he really was able to stay out of the way and showcase this brilliant trio. It’s one of those rare albums where, as soon as it’s over, you want to put it on again.
Sorry, El S.
I can see that now.
I’m a newcomer here.
Welcome, Mack. Take your shoes off. Set a spell.
The evil geniuses behind this blog try to make it fun for…almost everyone. BTW, did you know that many of them are currently on the Atkins Diet?
“almost” everyone?
The DL contributors are on the Atkins Diet?