Arts and Entertainment
Song of the Day 1/3: R.E.M., “Radio Free Europe”
This year marks the 40th anniversary of alternative rock reaching the mainstream, via R.E.M.’s debut LP, “Murmur,” and this, its leadoff song, became the band’s first single — and the first to reach the Billboard charts. OK, so it only reached No. 78, but it indicated the growing audience for music that didn’t fit the […]
Song of the Day 1/1: Siedah Garrett, “Man in the Mirror”
The older you get, the less likely you are to make New Year’s resolutions, I’m guessing because we geezers realize how resistant we are to change. But almost 40% of US adults make them, and linking the holiday to the desire for self-improvement — the three most popular resolutions involve diet and exercise — appears […]
Song of the Day 12/31: The Spinners, “The Rubberband Man”
In his Dec. 25 Open Thread, El Somnambulo noted the death of composer/producer/arranger Thom Bell, who with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff comprised the Mighty Three of Philly Soul. The long list of hit records he wrote, usually with Linda Creed, and/or produced contains more than a few syrupy ballads, but he could funk it […]
‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes Of 2022: The Top Ten!!
First, a revisit to the rest of the Top 50. To be followed by a Spotify list including the Top 50, plus songs that were Top 50-worthy: ‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes Of 2022: #’s 50-41 ‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes Of 2022: #’s 40-31 ‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes Of 2022: #’s 30-21 ‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes Of 2022: #’s 20-11 […]
Song of the Day 12/28: The Specials, “Vote for Me”
Singer Terry Hall, frontman for three bands that reached the British charts in the 1980s, died last week at age 63 of pancreatic cancer. Best known as co-lead vocalist for British ska revivalists the Specials, he left in 1981. He formed a series of bands and guested on many artists’ albums before reforming the Specials […]
‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes Of 2022: #’s 30-21
30. 29. 28. Coming to Arden Gild Hall, Sat. Feb. 18, 2023: 27. 26. 25. 24. 23. 22. 21.
‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes Of 2022: #’s 40-31
40. 39. 38. 37. 36. 35. 34. 33. 32. 31. First time Emily Dickinson has made my Best Of The Year list:
Song of the Day 12/26: Fleet Foxes, “White Winter Hymnal”
Some songs are born to be played at Christmas. Others have Christmas thrust upon them. “Jingle Bells” and “Let It Snow” never name a holiday. The Pretenders’ “2000 Miles” does conclude each chorus with the word “Christmastime,” but it’s not about the season. “My Favorite Things” made the yuletide playlist just for mentioning brown paper […]
‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes Of 2022: #’s 50-41
Yes, my annual holiday gift to you–whether you want it or not. We’ll count down to #1. I will then add a Spotify list of my fave tunes. Since I had narrowed the list down to 63 before I ultimately chose the Fab Fifty, I’ll likely add some of those that just missed the cut […]
Song of the Day 12/25: Pet Shop Boys, “It Doesn’t Often Snow at Christmas”
People who hope for a white Christmas must be those fortunate souls who spend the day in their own homes. Personlly, I can remember too many Christmas Day drives to visit family where the snow was falling but it wasn’t as white as my knuckles on the steering wheel. Luckily, the Pet Shop Boys are […]
Song of the Day 12/24: Frankie Carle and His Orchestra, “Little Jack Frost Get Lost”
My car thermometer registered 5 degrees this morning, so it’s a good day for this revived swing-era tune that makes Christmas playlists every year despite making no mention of the holiday. The song was written by Al Stillman, whose “No Place Like Home for the Holidays” gets airplay every year, and pianist/vocalist Seger Ellis, who […]
Song of the Day 12/23: Cyrus Chestnut, “Linus and Lucy”
Vince Guaraldi’s soundtrack album for “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is only No. 10 on the list of best-selling holiday albums but — with no disrespect to Elvis Presley, who holds the top spot — it might be the most universally beloved. Billboard named it the No. 1 “Top 200” holiday album ever, in part because […]
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