Arts and Entertainment
Song of the Day 5/7: The Rolling Stones, “Paint It, Black”
As both puck and El Somnambulo have noted, the Orange Offal in the Oval, in yet another fumbling attempt to change the subject from his staggering ineptitude, has decreed, apparently on official stationery with a Sharpie, that his mostly-imaginary border wall Shall Hereby Be Painted Black. Hence today’s song. Dotards and psychotics often obsess over […]
Song of the Day 5/6: Guns N’ Roses, “Live and Let Die”
Donald Trump visited a factory that makes medical-grade face masks yesterday. He got lots of scolding for not wearing a mask during his tour, but I thought the more noteworthy aspect was the fact that someone played this James Bond theme song while he strolled around. I couldn’t tell which version was playing on the […]
Song of the Day 5/5: War, “Low Rider”
In honor of Cinco de Mayo, a holiday more celebrated in El Norte than in Mejico, I give you War’s tribute to one of the symbols of California’s Mexican-American culture. From the band’s 1975 “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” album, it reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. Lots of covers exist, but only […]
Song of the Day 5/4: Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes, “Cantina Song”
It’s Star Wars day, so who better to deliver the song of the day than Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes — the band featured in the cantina scene in the original “Star Wars” film. Yes, the band had a name, and even a backstory. According to Wookieepedia, Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes was […]
Song of the Day 5/3: Harry Nilsson, “Coconut”
With Trump grasping at every coronavirus miracle cure that crosses his diseased mind, I think it’s time he looked into Dr. Nilsson’s remedy. I tend to think that adding a jigger of rum makes it better, but hey — maybe it works, maybe it doesn’t. What have you got to lose?
Song of the Day 5/2: Randy Newman, “Stay Away”
Randy Newman has written a special song for these days of social distancing. This was recorded almost a month ago, but he was prescient about selfish “reopen” protesters. “It’s hard for Americans, they don’t like being told what to do, at all,” he says at the end of the video. “But in this case, let’s […]
Song of the Day 5/1: Billy Bragg, “The Internationale”
May Day, though not celebrated in reactionary America, was declared International Workers’ Day in 1889 by the Second International organization of workers’ and socialist parties, which also adopted “The Internationale” as its official anthem. English songwriter and activist Billy Bragg has supported leftist causes since his early career, after being inspired by the Clash. “I […]
Song of the Day 4/30: Tom Rush, “No Regrets”
While the novel coronavirus has wreaked havoc on the music world, a few musicians have caught the bug and recovered. I didn’t even know folk icon Tom Rush had the disease until he announced this week that he has beaten it — no mean feat for a 79-year-old. He’s always been known as much for […]
‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes: April 2020
About as rich and diverse a month for new music that you could ever hope for. Might as well start with music from the Album Most Likely To Top Most Critics’ Polls, at least based on the initial reviews. Her lyrics are as good as any I’ve ever heard in rock/folk/roots/whatever music. The music can […]
Song of the Day 4/29: Founders Sing, “Lie-Lie-Lie-Lie Lysol”
Founders Sing entered the YouTube musical political satire genre, currently dominated by Randy Rainbow, in mid-February with a video called “The Day Democracy Died,” set to the tune of “American Pie.” Whoever’s behind it has released a video every couple of weeks since. This their latest, set to the tune of of the Kinks’ “Lola” […]
Song of the Day 4/28: Trey Anastasio, “Lonely Trip”
Trey Anastasio of Phish is keeping busy during quarantine by writing new songs and releasing them on his Instagram account. They don’t all sound like Phish’s jam-band excursions or their new record, which dabbles in prog-rock flourishes. This one is a gentle acoustic guitar ballad that fits the moment nicely. He released the song March […]
Song of the Day 4/27: Tommy Tucker, “Sitting Home Alone”
Today’s Coronavirus Quarantine Classic© comes from Tommy Tucker, an R&B artist of the ’50s and ’60s whose only brush with fame came with “Hi-Heel Sneakers,” which reached No. 11 on the Billboard chart in 1964. Born Robert Higginbotham in Springfield, Ohio, he performed in various bands in his home state before relocating to Newark, N.J. […]
Song of the Day 4/26: The Rolling Stones, “Living in a Ghost Town”
I’m impressed that the coronavirus has prompted so many musicians to write songs to address the new reality. The latest to drop is this one from the Rolling Stones, which soared to No. 1 on iTunes within a day of its release — the band’s first No. 1 song in 40 years. The tune predates […]
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