Alby's Latest Posts
Song of the Day 7/2: Joan Osborne and the Funk Brothers, “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted”
Most remakes of Motown songs aren’t worth the electricity it takes to run the equipment, but there are exceptions. Like, what would happen if you reassembled the Funk Brothers — not just a band’s worth, all of them who were left as of 2002 — added a choir and an orchestra and put a soulful […]
Song of the Day 7/1: The Larks, “The Jerk”
No, it’s not about Trump, though it would be deserved given his privateering of the Lincoln Memorial for his July 4th celebration. It’s that nearly-lost kind of pop tune, the dance craze song. The early ’60s were full of them after after “The Twist” became an international phenomenon. The Larks, originally the Meadowlarks, were a […]
Song of the Day 6/30: Elton John and Taron Egerton, “Your Song”
“Rocketman,” the Elton John biopic/fantasy/jukebox musical, has generated only about one-tenth the box office, and even less of the buzz, of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” but it has exceeded analyst expectations and is already in the black. One of the selling points in the film’s marketing was that star Taron Egerton sang all his own vocals; here […]
Song of the Day 6/29: CeeLo Green and Daryl Hall, “Fuck You”
I think of this song every time Donald Trump opens his mouth. It’s been nine years since CeeLo Green (born Thomas DeCarlo Callaway), along with collaborators including Bruno Mars, wrote the ultimate male-centric breakup song. (Note to Mike Dinsmore: This is the song that led to my realization that women tend to sing heartbreak songs […]
Song of the Day 6/28: Martha and the Vandellas, “Heat Wave”
In meteorological terms, what we’re in just barely qualifies as a heat wave, but if you’re compiling a Global Warming soundtrack, this is the lead single. It worked magic for Motown in 1963, when it was one of Holland-Dozier-Holland’s first million-sellers and the first Top 10 record for Martha and the Vandellas, later billed as […]
Biden’s Staff Reportedly ‘Freaking Out’ Over His Performance
Olivia Nuzzi of New York magazine talked to a source close to the Biden campaign who told her Biden’s staff is “freaking out” over his poor performance. From her Twitter thread: The source said that internally, field staff says the campaign-organized debate watch parties in early voting states have been “awkward” and that Biden isn’t […]
Song of the Day 6/27: Jakob Dylan and Jade Castrinos, “Go Where You Wanna Go”
In case you hadn’t noticed, Laurel Canyon is having a moment, and it’s not just the new Springsteen album. Jakob Dylan has put together a documentary called “Echo in the Canyon” about the music scene in that part of Los Angeles in the late ’60s. The film has gotten mixed reviews — one big criticism […]
Song of the Day 6/26: John Prine, “Lake Marie”
This isn’t John Prine’s most famous song, but it’s the one that many of his fans — including Bob Dylan — consider his greatest. Unlike most of his story songs, this one has an inscrutable plot — each of the three verses seems unrelated to the others. The first is about how the Twin Lakes, […]
Song of the Day 6/25: George Harrison, “Wah Wah”
Here’s another song that, for reasons I can’t fathom, has never been employed for its obvious calling as a TV commercial. It’s Hoagiefest time at the region’s favorite convenience store, and though the chain has in the past used Beatles-esque music and Peter Max-style visuals, it has never made the no-brainer decision to use the […]
Song of the Day 6/24: Blue Swede, “Hooked on a Feeling”
“Hooked on a Feeling” had been a hit twice and been recorded by several artists before it hit No. 1 in America in 1974 with this version by a group of Swedes, who reached the top by doing a cover of a cover. The song was written by Mark James, best known for writing “Suspicious […]
Song of the Day 6/23: Russian Interior Ministry Choir, “Get Lucky”
Greetings, Americans! Do not get afraid! Just because Russia now own American government does not mean no more fun! Russians like big fun! Even Russian police love music and fun! You see so right here! Americans “got lucky” when Putin bought American government, so this video help celebrate!
Song of the Day 6/22: Death Cab for Cutie, “Cath…”
Huzzah! Tonight’s Firefly lineup actually includes a band whose name I recognize. After a string of successful albums in the ’00s, Death Cab seemed to peak in 2008 with its “Narrow Stairs” album, which included this melancholy retelling of “Wuthering Heights.” Songwriter Ben Gibbard, who started the band as a solo project, is known for […]
More News That’s Not About Trump
Against all evidence, events occur in the nation and world that have nothing to do with the tangerine tyro, or Americans’ obsession with him. To wit: Philadelphia refinery explosion visible from space: But only on infrared, thanks to our region’s new semi-permanent cloud cover. Vaping device explodes in teen’s mouth, shatters jaw: Now I can […]
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