Arts and Entertainment
Song of the Day 1/6: Brian Wilson, “Love and Mercy”
Perhaps the most beautiful and poignant composition of Brian Wilson’s late period was the lead single to his self-titled 1988 album, recorded near the end of his relationship with disgraced therapist Eugene Landy, who originally received a since-rescinded writing credit on it. “It’s a personal message from me to people,” Wilson once explained, calling it […]
Song of the Day 1/5: Edwin Starr, “War”
Sorry for being so obvious, but back in the days of the draft most people didn’t need so much convincing that war was a racket. Of course, back then it was more obvious that the portion of the public that supported the Vietnam War (known at the time as the Conflict Overseas) was composed mainly […]
Song of the Day 1/4: The Beatles, “Rain”
For many years after its 1966 release, this song was one of the most difficult Beatles songs to find. Though recorded during the sessions for “Revolver,” it didn’t appear on that LP; it was available only as the B-side to “Paperback Writer.” If you didn’t buy the single, you had to wait until 1970’s compilation […]
Song of the Day 1/3: R. Crumb & His Cheap Suit Serenaders, “Alabama Jubilee”
The Mummers Parade is in trouble again, this time because two members of the Froggy Carr comic brigade wore blackface during their march. This has elicited, yet again, calls from minority groups for the city to stop funding the parade, which is in the awkward position of having to defend many of its beloved century-plus-old […]
Song of the Day 1/2: Neil Innes, “Protest Song”
The obituaries mostly said “Neil Innes of Monty Python” died Dec. 29, age 75, but that shortchanges one of the best comedy-music composers since Spike Jones. Before he worked with the Pythons, Innes was a member of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, a British comedic outfit that was a favorite of the Beatles. Though never […]
Song of the Day 1/1: 20/20, “Yellow Pills”
This track, which appeared on the band’s strong debut album, was one of the signature songs of the power pop/new wave boom of the late ’70s. Its title was borrowed by the genre’s top fanzine (how like-minded people stayed in touch pre-internet) as well as a series of discs compiling the early years of power […]
Song of the Day 12/31: Aqua String Band, “Auld Lang Syne”
As a poem, “Auld Lang Syne” dates to 1788, when Robert Burns sent it to the Scots Musical Museum with a note that read, “”The following song, an old song, of the olden times, and which has never been in print, nor even in manuscript until I took it down from an old man.” It […]
‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes Of The Decade: The Top Twenty!!
This time with a complete Spotify list of the whole megillah! But first, once again for you latecomers, all that has preceded the climax!: Bulo’s Fave Tunes OF THE DECADE 100-81! ‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes OF THE DECADE: #’s 80-61! ‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes OF THE DECADE: #’s 40-21! 20. (2017) I love the David Lynch vibe […]
Song of the Day 12/30: Kai Winding, “Time Is On My Side”
This one’s for Nancy Pelosi. Everybody recognizes this as a Rolling Stones song or, among soul music buffs, a track by Irma Thomas. But the first to record this tune by Jerry Ragovoy, the same guy who wrote “Piece of My Heart,” was jazz trombonist Kai Winding, in 1963. The title phrase and “you’ll come […]
‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes OF THE DECADE: #’s 40-21!
40. (2016) The other song that may, or may not, have made the list if not for the video. I’m more certain about this one, though: 39. (2016) 38. (2016) My youngest daughter turned me on to this Oregon-based band. They put on a great concert. And this song is an anthem: 37. (2014) 36. […]
Song of the Day 12/29: Jefferson Airplane, “Volunteers”
Some political scientists say the U.S. meets all the conditions for a country on the brink of a revolution. Much as I’d like to believe it, I’ve heard all that before. The last time the country was on the brink of a revolution was 50 years ago, when the peace movement realized that love was, […]
Song of the Day 12/28: The Clash, “Revolution Rock”
We’re creeping up on the 40th anniversary of the U.S. release of “London Calling,” the double album that validated punk as an essential rock genre while simultaneously transcending it by employing all the musical influences punk was supposed to scorn and supplant. Jamaican music was heavily represented, by both originals and a pair of covers, […]
‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes OF THE DECADE: #’s 60-41!
I’m having a ball doing this. Self-indulgent? Yes. But I just KNOW that you’re hearing some great tunes that you maybe never would have heard otherwise. Which has been my goal all along. 60. (2019) 59. (2015) ‘Jesus hates your high school dances.’ 58. (2017) Curtis Mayfield is on my Musical Mt. Rushmore. Sampha samples […]
Recent Comments