Middle Aged Dummies - Artist - Round 3 - #1's have been posted! (1 Viewer)

[simey]

I don’t think he pays too much attention to lyrics. I could be wrong though, and may need to consider the profanities in some though.

He's probably singing the last verse in "Public Domain" to his bunk mates at summer camp right now.

I sang in the Red River Valley
I've drank with the whores in Santa Fe
Yeah, I ran with the snuff queens in Dallas
Like I ran from Snow White in L.A.
Now I've broken all my vows to Demolay

 

[simey]

Campfire songs have changed over the years.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Yet another great playlist with the #25s!! Some random babbling:

A Quiet Mind was my favorite by Blue October so far. I like how his voice sounds here and prefer this over a couple of the more bitter and angry songs.
So many artists throwing a variety of music at us on these playlists. Beggar Man has some fantastic funk grooves. I got brief hint of Mayfield here.
Speaking of Set Me Free was great. There were hints of early Priest and Maiden here. (or is it vise versa?)
I really dug the psychedelic feel of The Great Unravel.
The transition to Ride My See-Saw was fantastic. I've lost track already, but probably my favorite tune of the Moody Blues. WTF is going on with that album cover?
I was reminded a lot of former MAD31 artist Ryan Adams on Final Fires. Great tune.
Probably because I've been listening to him too much lately, the stretch from 3:30-4:00 in Night Crawler really sounded like King Diamond.
I wasn't expecting so much 60s and 90s Dio on the playlist, and honestly didn't know he was making music in either era. Really dug Hollywood Black.

 

[Eephus]

Note for @Juxtatarot and anyone else interested.

The acoustic versions of The Cure's greatest hits will be available for the first time on streaming on Aug 9th. These were recorded and released as a companion disc to their 2001 greatest hits compilation. I remember them being quite good.

 

[Yambag]

25's Thoughts From Slambovia

Known: STP, DMB, Priest, Cure, Doors, EWF

New Favorites
Blue October: A Quiet Mind
Fanny: Beggar Man
Sweet: Set Me Free
Setzer: Real Wild Child
Kenny Chesney: One More Sunset (first time and shocking from someone who struggles with country big time)
Chvrches: Cry Little Sister

Honorable Mentions
Tea Party: The Master and Margarita
Oingo Boingo: Why'd We Come
Belle & Sebastian: I Want The World to Stop
Moody Blues: Ride My See-Saw
Iron and Wine: Free Until They Cut Me Down
April Wine: Ladies Man

 

[Eephus]

I heard a Fanny song on the radio today

 

[Mister CIA]

I heard a Fanny song on the radio today

Fat-bottomed girls?

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I heard a Fanny song on the radio today

Fat-bottomed girls?

I'm guessing that when they named themselves Fanny they knew they might be the butt of jokes.

 

[Eephus]

I heard a Fanny song on the radio today

Fat-bottomed girls?

I'm guessing that when they named themselves Fanny they knew they might be the butt of jokes.

not in Britain

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I heard a Fanny song on the radio today

Fat-bottomed girls?

I'm guessing that when they named themselves Fanny they knew they might be the butt of jokes.

I heard a Fanny song on the radio today

Fat-bottomed girls?

I'm guessing that when they named themselves Fanny they knew they might be the butt of jokes.

not in Britain

This was all covered in my 6-part introductory essay. DOES NO ONE READ MY EXCESSIVELY LONG POSTS????

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I heard a Fanny song on the radio today

The other day I heard the original version of a song that Fanny covered.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Heading to Cape Cod for 10 days, so I’ll probably get behind for a bit. I have prewritten my write ups up to #21.

The first song on our trip was Fox on the Run!

 

[-OZ-]

Heading to Cape Cod for 10 days, so I’ll probably get behind for a bit. I have prewritten my write ups up to #21.

The first song on our trip was Fox on the Run!

Have fun! That sounds much better than my trip to Maxwell Air Force base this week. I’ll be in class all day.

 

[Zegras11]

24's PLAYLIST

		#24 -
Blue October	-OZ-	Ugly Side - YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. www.youtube.com
Fanny	Pip's Invitation	Knock on My Door Knock on My Door - Live Fanny · Song · 2024 open.spotify.com
The Tea Party	Scoresman	Coming Home Coming Home - Remastered The Tea Party · Song · 2015 open.spotify.com
Sweet	John Maddens ****ing Lunchbox	Burning - YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. m.youtube.com Burning Sweet · Song · 1974 open.spotify.com
Oingo Boingo	KarmaPolice	Dead Or Alive Dead Or Alive - 1988 Boingo Alive Version Oingo Boingo · Song · 1988 open.spotify.com
Belle and Sebastian	kupcho1	It Could Have Been a Briliiant Career It Could Have Been A Brilliant Career Belle and Sebastian · The Boy With The Arab Strap · Song · 1998 open.spotify.com
Mitski	Ilov80s	Star Star Mitski · Song · 2023 open.spotify.com
The Slambovian Circus of Dreams	Yambag	I Want You I Want You - Live The Slambovian Circus Of Dreams · The Circus Does Dylan · Song · 2010 open.spotify.com
The Moody Blues	Charlie Steiner	Legend of a Mind Legend Of A Mind The Moody Blues · Song · 1968 open.spotify.com
Stone Temple Pilots	Yo Mama	Creep - MTV Unplugged Creep - Live; MTV Unplugged, 11/17/93 Stone Temple Pilots · Song · 1992 open.spotify.com
Brian Setzer	Mrs. Rannous	This Cat's On A Hot Tin Roof This Cat's On A Hot Tin Roof Song · The Brian Setzer Orchestra · 1998 open.spotify.com
Curtis Mayfield	Don Quixote	Amen, by The Impressions - YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. youtu.be Amen The Impressions · Keep On Pushing · Song · 1964 open.spotify.com
Bryan Ferry/Roxy Music	BinkytheDoormat	The Right Stuff Bryan Ferry – The Right Stuff (Official HD Video) From Bryan Ferry's 1987 album 'Bete Noire'. Stream/download the album here - https://bryanferry.lnk.to/betenoireIDOfficial Website | http://www.bryanferry.co... www.youtube.com
Strand of Oaks	Eephus	Trap Door Trap Door Strand of Oaks · Song · 2012 open.spotify.com
Dave Matthews	Tau837	Don't Drink the Water - YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. www.youtube.com
Mazzy Star	landrys hat	I've Been Let Down I've Been Let Down Mazzy Star · Song · 1996 open.spotify.com
Kenny Chesney	MAC	Just Not Today - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. www.youtube.com
The Beach Boys	zamboni	"Please Let Me Wonder" Please Let Me Wonder - Remastered The Beach Boys · The Beach Boys Today! (Remastered) · Song · 1965 open.spotify.com
Susanna Hoffs	Zegras11	Run To Me Run To Me Song · Susanna Hoffs, Matthew Sweet · 2006 open.spotify.com
Judas Priest	Raging Weasel	The Sentinel The Sentinel Judas Priest · Song · 1984 open.spotify.com
The Cure	Juxtatarot	The Caterpillar The Caterpillar - 2006 Remaster The Cure · Song · 1984 open.spotify.com
Iron and Wine	Tuffnutt	Weary Memories Iron & Wine - Weary Memory "Weary Memory" from Iron & Wine's 7/24/02 release, 'The Creek Drank the Cradle'iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-creek-drank-the-cradle/id3274325... www.youtube.com
Jerry Jeff Walker	simey	No Roots In Ramblin' No Roots In Ramblin' Jerry Jeff Walker · Song · 1969 open.spotify.com
The Doors	jwb	The Soft Parade The Soft Parade - 2019 Remaster The Doors · The Soft Parade (50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) · Song · 2019 open.spotify.com
Chvrches	JML’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Secret Identity	Forever - YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. m.youtube.com Forever CHVRCHES · Song · 2018 open.spotify.com
Earth, Wind, & Fire	Uruk-Hai	Yearnin' Learnin' - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. www.youtube.com
Destroyer	The Dreaded Marco	English Music English Music Destroyer · Song · 2001 open.spotify.com
Andrew Bird	Mister CIA	Fitz and the Dizzyspells Fitz and the Dizzyspells Andrew Bird · Song · 2008 open.spotify.com
Steve Albini	Oliver Humanzee	Rx - Just Got Paid Rapeman - Just Got Paid Two Nuns and a Pack Mule youtu.be
Ronnie James Dio	Mt. Man	Straight Through the Heart Straight Through the Heart Dio · Song · 1983 open.spotify.com
April Wine	Falguy	Holly Would Holly Would Song · April Wine · 1977 open.spotify.com - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. www.youtube.com

 

[Yo Mama]

STP #24 - Creep (MTV Unplugged version)
Album - Core (1992)

No, I’m not including both versions of this song on my list. I always liked this version better with its more emotional vocals and rawer instrumentation, compared to the studio version which is a bit slow to me at times. This ranking probably suffers from hearing it so much on the radio over the years.

Per Scott W: "That's just the idea of being a young person somewhere, caught between still being a kid and becoming a young man. It's that youth apathy, that second-guessing yourself, not feeling like you fit in."

 

[Uruk-Hai]

#24 - "Yearnin' Learnin'"

This is about as gut-bucket funky as EWF ever got. After almost 50 years of listening, I still can't figure out half of the **** Maurice White is singing here. Doesn't matter, though, as the groove digs so deep.

Next up: EWF's first big radio hit.

 

[Yambag]

24's PLAYLIST

The Slambovian Circus of Dreams

Yambag

I Want You I Want You - Live The Slambovian Circus Of Dreams · The Circus Does Dylan · Song · 2010 open.spotify.com

Probably the biggest influence for Joziah and the band is Bob Dylan. Here Tink explains, "At age 12 Joziah was playing Dylan covers on street corners. He thought he was Bob Dylan. But he says he had room to think that because Bob Dylan thought he was Woody Guthrie! Joziah discovered his own “school of rock” playing with his father in their basement in Philadelphia. Neighbors came by and joined in a mix of classic country, vintage pop songs as well as the latest Beatles, Dylan and British Invasion."

The band has even released a cover album of 12 songs called The Circus Does Dylan and plays the annual Bob Dylan Tribute Festival in Warwick NY every summer.

 

[tuffnutt]

24,
Weary Memory- Iron and Wine
from The Creek That Drank the Cradle (2002)
Found a photo of you when we were married
Leaning back on a broken willow tree
That's one memory that I choose to carry
A weary memory I can always see

Even though Weary Memory is a simple song, it is a powerful one... the song is somber, melancholy and oozing with nostalgia. the lyrics are simple but the voicing of them is unique. the slide guitar adds to the feel. Upon re-listening, I probably have this ranked too low. Its a fantastic song.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

#24's I liked the best Jerry

Knock On My - Fanny
Burning - The Sweet
Creep - STP
The Right Stuff - Bryan Ferry
Please Let Me Wonder - The Beach Boys
The Sentinel - Judas Priest
Forever - Chvrches
Fitz and the Dizzyspells - Andrew Bird
Straight Through the - Dio
Holly Would - April Wine

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song​

Sweet​

#24 - Burning​

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

m.youtube.com

Producer - Phil Wainman
Writer - The Sweet
Chart Positions - B Side to Hell Raiser.
Album - Desolation Boulevard - 1997 Reissue UK Edition
Year - 1973
Lead Vocal - Brian Connolly
Steve Priest Vocal - Backing only

Notes - If you hear this song and dont think of a Led Zeppelin song, get you ears checked. Assuming you know Led Zeppelin. No idea what the thought process was or how much time they had to do a B Side to their latest hit single Hell Raiser. It rocks for sure, so its on the list.

Next Up - The only song from the post 1981 Andy Scott era of Sweet. It’s a cover too.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Chvrches​

#24 - Forever

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

m.youtube.com

Producer - Ice Mike31st Day
Writer - Chvrches
Album - Love is Dead
Year - 2018
Notes - The first track we have seen not produced by the band themselves. There will be less than 10 in this category. This was the last song to make my list. Why #24? Cause it was the last slot left. The #32 ranked song or this one would end up at #24.
Apparently this song was heavily featured in the Netflix Spanish language TV show Elite in Season 3.

Next Up - We go back to an earlier track that is pretty unique in sound. The second last song to be added.

 

[Tau837]

Dave Matthews

Tau837

Don't Drink the Water - YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. www.youtube.com

"Don't Drink the Water" is a song featured on DMB's third studio album, Before These Crowded Streets, released in 1998. The song is notable for its dark tone, powerful lyrics, and complex musical arrangement, making it one of the band's more politically charged and intense tracks.

The song addresses themes of colonization, displacement, and the destruction of indigenous peoples and their cultures. Dave wrote the song as a commentary on the history of oppression and violence inflicted upon Native Americans. The lyrics are direct and confrontational, depicting a narrative of displacement and violence. The refrain "Don't drink the water / There's blood in the water" serves as a stark warning and metaphor for the contaminated legacy of colonization. Dave sings from the perspective of a colonizer, adding a layer of irony and criticism. The lyrics evoke a sense of guilt and acknowledgment of historical atrocities.

The song blends rock, folk, and world music elements, creating a dramatic and intense atmosphere. It features acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, and prominent contributions from the violin and flute. The song also includes a guest appearance by Alanis Morissette, who provides backing vocals.

Here is a great live version: Live in Central Park 2003

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song​

Sweet​

#24 - Burning​

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

m.youtube.com

Producer - Phil Wainman
Writer - The Sweet
Chart Positions - B Side to Hell Raiser.
Album - Desolation Boulevard - 1997 Reissue UK Edition
Year - 1973
Lead Vocal - Brian Connolly
Steve Priest Vocal - Backing only

Notes - If you hear this song and dont think of a Led Zeppelin song, get you ears checked. Assuming you know Led Zeppelin. No idea what the thought process was or how much time they had to do a B Side to their latest hit single Hell Raiser. It rocks for sure, so its on the list.

Yeah other than the slightly Bill Nelson like lead guitar opening, that was definitely Zeppelin sounding.

 

[-OZ-]

Blue October	-OZ-	Ugly Side - YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. www.youtube.com
Blue October	-OZ-

The first Song on their third (and probably best) album, history for sale. This is the first song I ever heard from BO. a friend had the album and suggested I borrow it. The next day I went to Best Buy and bought my own copy.

I must have sneezed
On knees I freeze
I mean I just choked up
Somehow I slept
I dream, I mean
I dreamt of nothing
Able to breathe a sweet relief
Now that you're here for me
A northern degree
Dove into me
Now I'm recovering
I only want you to see
My favorite part of me,
And not my ugly side...
Not my ugly side.

I like my lyrics clearly understandable. Simply put it’s about the discomfort you get when you’re in a relationship but afraid to show all of yourself.

 

[krista4]

I forgot to post, not that this is an exciting post anyway, but I dived back into a playlist yesterday as I spent eight or so hours packing the house, again. I realized it's not great to try to listen to a playlist of new songs while doing this, because I realized I missed a lot or wasn't focused on the songs, so went back for a second helping of some.

Since this was 24+ hours ago and I'm freaking exhausted, I'll just post the ones that made my new-to-me playlist rather than giving any commentary. Sorry. But at least I wanted to give some shout-outs.

Mitski - Lonesome Love (she probably would be batting 1.000 if I'd listened to all the playlist, but I've missed a few)
The Slambovian Circus of Dreams - The Great Unravel (I've liked a lot of the selections I've heard but this was the first to make the playlist - loved it!)
Curtis Mayfield - P.S. I Love You (this was not a Beatles cover)
Roxy Music - All I Want Is You (this was not a U2 cover)
Strand of Oaks - Final Fire
Dave Matthews Band - Raven (with usual apologies to Hawks if he took this in a prior draft and I forgot)
Mazzy Star - Spoon
Iron & Wine - Free Until They Cut Me Down
Shellac - All the Surveyors

I also thought the Hoff/Sweet cover was great, but I don't like the original much. And of course I was grooving to the (already-known) EWF. Turns out that is a great song to pack to!

 

[Eephus]

Strand of Oaks #24 - "Trap Door" (2012)

Only two songs from the third Strand album Dark Shores made my countdown and both are in the low twenties. I never really bonded with the album's mostly folky sounds. "Trap Door" has more of an edge to it than the others which makes it one of the standout tracks.

I don't know how Sue feels about it but Tim has always been public about their marital issues in his songs and interviews. This song comes out of their mutual infidelities in 2012 which I believe is a separate incident from the one on his debut album. Fortunately the songs about the couple get more lovey dovey from here on out and they recently celebrated their 15th anniversary.

And when you give it all away again
Give a little bit back to me
When you give it all away again
Save just a little for me

Trap Door

Strand of Oaks · Song · 2012

open.spotify.com

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

The first Song on their third (and probably best) album, history for sale. This is the first song I ever heard from BO.

I really like this one.

Also the Tea Party song. It's very good.

And Oingo Boingo. What is happening here?

The last time I heard "Amen", Sidney Poitier was singing it with some nuns. Cool.

A thoughtful song from Kenny Chesney today.

Very interesting ZZ cover. Me likey.

At the end of this, I think I'd like an album recommendation for Mr Bird. And the whistling just kicked in. Yes!

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

When my Brian Setzer song finished, Spotify offered up the C.Q. Boogie by Katie Webster.

It's a good music day.

 

[kupcho1]

Belle and Sebastian

kupcho1

It Could Have Been a Briliiant Career It Could Have Been A Brilliant Career Belle and Sebastian · The Boy With The Arab Strap · Song · 1998 open.spotify.com

It Could Have Been a Brilliant Career is the first selection from Belle and Sebastian's 3rd full length release, 1998's The Boy With The Arab Strap.
One of the reasons I enjoy these exercises is that it forces (perhaps too strong a word) me to do some research. Looking at Pitchfork's review of the album, I learned something new and illuminating.

Stuart Murdoch spent the heart of his 20s suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, engaging his intellect with music, film, and literature while daydreaming about being in a band. Indoors and alone for seven years from the end of the ’80s into the early ’90s in his native Scotland, he found comfort in piano and guitar and began to shape delicate character studies and cultural references into song. By the time he recovered enough to re-engage with the world, he had amassed a cache of evocative songs, often set in childhood or schoolyard settings where he was found absent. This is Belle and Sebastian’s second-most-well-known origin story, but it’s the key to understanding why one of the most gifted songwriters of his generation decided that he wanted to be an ensemble player rather than a star.

This cache of songs comprised their first 2 albums as well as 3 EPs. With The Boy With The Arab Strap Belle and Sebastian "truly became a full band, kicking off what would be a tumultuous half-decade or so transforming from a vehicle for Murdoch’s voice to something more democratic and professional."

Regarding #24,

Fatalism and missed opportunities color the record, with Murdoch grappling with his quick ride from bedridden isolation to notoriety. Mortality even rears its head: “He had a stroke at the age of 24/It could have been a brilliant career,” Murdoch sings on the record’s opening line.

I'd probably have this song ranked higher if it weren't so damned depressing given the theme of missed opportunities and unrealized potential.

She had a stroke at the age of 24
It could have been a brilliant career
Getting clients to finance her strategies
She's filling time in on Safeways on Saturday

 

[kupcho1]

This Fanny is really starting to click. Knock on My Door - Live (in front of the quietest crowd ever) is very good.
I also liked Oingo Boingo's Dead or Alive which also denoted as a live recording, but sounds studio. What the heck is going on?
Great Dylan impersonation by the Circus on yet another "live" tune.

Does live mean something different than when I was a lad? Where's the crowd noise? Where's the guy yelling "All right Tokyo!"

OK, Stone Temple Pilots has restored my faith in live recordings. And just because it's the 3rd best song entitled "Creep" doesn't mean it isn't a very good song. (Shout out TLC!)

I think I need to start listening to these playlists on shuffle as my comments seem heavily weighted to the front, and then I lose steam.

 

[kupcho1]

Thats my own reference so i know which artists are in no particular order (*) or are chronological (**)

OK, I can quit harping on how the Andrew Bird songs are ordered.

 

[KarmaPolice]

This Fanny is really starting to click. Knock on My Door - Live (in front of the quietest crowd ever) is very good.
I also liked Oingo Boingo's Dead or Alive which also denoted as a live recording, but sounds studio. What the heck is going on?
Great Dylan impersonation by the Circus on yet another "live" tune.

Does live mean something different than when I was a lad? Where's the crowd noise? Where's the guy yelling "All right Tokyo!"

OK, Stone Temple Pilots has restored my faith in live recordings. And just because it's the 3rd best song entitled "Creep" doesn't mean it isn't a very good song. (Shout out TLC!)

I think I need to start listening to these playlists on shuffle as my comments seem heavily weighted to the front, and then I lose steam.

@kupcho1 - per wikipedia/Elfman:

According to the Los Angeles Times, as well as the album's sleeve sticker and promotional material, Boingo Alive was recorded live on a soundstage over nine nights in July 1988.[1] The sticker and ads also read, "Hear our greatest hits the way they were meant to be heard—live".

After Oingo Boingo migrated from A&M Records/I.R.S. Records to MCA Records in 1984, A&M had retained ownership of the band's previous recordings, but by 1988 the band became legally able to re-record their old material. Frontman Danny Elfman stated that Boingo Alive was a project the band had been planning for years, as they had been unhappy with the sound of their studio recordings, particularly with regards to the comparative lack of "energy". Elfman stated, "This is our 10th anniversary as a band and we wanted to present our songs in a way that our fans have grown accustomed to (when) seeing us."[1]

On the choice to eschew an audience, Elfman said at the time, "I hate the poor fidelity and the crowd noise from live albums. It made more sense this way. It's just us playing in a big room with a mobile truck outside—minus the 10,000 screaming teenagers."[1]

 

[KarmaPolice]

The first Song on their third (and probably best) album, history for sale. This is the first song I ever heard from BO.

I really like this one.

Also the Tea Party song. It's very good.

And Oingo Boingo. What is happening here?

The last time I heard "Amen", Sidney Poitier was singing it with some nuns. Cool.

A thoughtful song from Kenny Chesney today.

Very interesting ZZ cover. Me likey.

At the end of this, I think I'd like an album recommendation for Mr Bird. And the whistling just kicked in. Yes!

 

[KarmaPolice]

#24 Dead Or Alive

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I agree with Dany on a handful of the songs, this being one. My reasons have been the same - I feel the guitars are featured more and the songs have a bit more pop. This was also a song that was on the playlist and making the cut, but I just preferred this version more. Anybody wanting to can compare the album versions below:

- YouTube

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Dead Or Alive

Oingo Boingo · Good For Your Soul · Song · 1983

open.spotify.com

That said, as a whole I found the album uneven, and I did take note that it seems the 5 songs I liked were grouped together. I didn't dig further, but my guess was they were from the same shows and sounded similar? There are a couple b-side gems on there which is more the reason to listen to the album, IMO (we will encounter one much later in the countdown). I still overwhelmingly prefer the album versions available. They aren't a Pearl Jam or Radiohead type of a band where I tend to prefer their live versions of songs.

There is a traditional live album on Spotify, which is their farewell concert on Halloween '95. I listened to it a couple times, but 0 songs ended up on my playlist for a couple reasons. Main reason is if you look at my list vs. the playlist for the show you don't see many of my top songs on the set. Also, being in '95 vs '88 their sound had changed, and to my ears the guitars started to sound too grunge-y and it got away too much from the sound I really liked from them. Still well worth a listen to get an idea of their energy on stage.

This week we get songs from 2 albums we haven't hear from yet, with tomorrow's tune coming from their debut.

 

[KarmaPolice]

One thing I didn't know and wasn't prepared for was how jacked Mr. Elfman is.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

This Fanny is really starting to click. Knock on My Door - Live (in front of the quietest crowd ever) is very good.
I also liked Oingo Boingo's Dead or Alive which also denoted as a live recording, but sounds studio. What the heck is going on?
Great Dylan impersonation by the Circus on yet another "live" tune.

Does live mean something different than when I was a lad? Where's the crowd noise? Where's the guy yelling "All right Tokyo!"

OK, Stone Temple Pilots has restored my faith in live recordings. And just because it's the 3rd best song entitled "Creep" doesn't mean it isn't a very good song. (Shout out TLC!)

I think I need to start listening to these playlists on shuffle as my comments seem heavily weighted to the front, and then I lose steam.

Beat-Club was filmed without an audience. As were some of Fanny’s other TV appearances, which make up most of the live performances of theirs that can be found on the internet.

The box set First Time in a Long Time does have 11 live tracks from “regular” concerts.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

This Fanny is really starting to click. Knock on My Door - Live (in front of the quietest crowd ever) is very good.
I also liked Oingo Boingo's Dead or Alive which also denoted as a live recording, but sounds studio. What the heck is going on?
Great Dylan impersonation by the Circus on yet another "live" tune.

Does live mean something different than when I was a lad? Where's the crowd noise? Where's the guy yelling "All right Tokyo!"

OK, Stone Temple Pilots has restored my faith in live recordings. And just because it's the 3rd best song entitled "Creep" doesn't mean it isn't a very good song. (Shout out TLC!)

I think I need to start listening to these playlists on shuffle as my comments seem heavily weighted to the front, and then I lose steam.

I’ve found my comments are weighted towards the back. I don’t know if that’s because of how I’m engaging with the artists, or if I’m paying more attention knowing the playlist is almost over, or something else.

 

[-OZ-]

I’ve found my comments are weighted towards the back. I don’t know if that’s because of how I’m engaging with the artists, or if I’m paying more attention knowing the playlist is almost over, or something else.

The box set First Time in a Long Time does have 11 live tracks from “regular” concerts.

I’m set on random shuffle, so

 

[Pip's Invitation]

24. Knock on My Door
Album: Fanny Hill (1972)
Writer: Nickey Barclay
Lead vocals: Jean Millington

Fanny Hill, Fanny's third album, was recorded at Apple Studios with Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick, so it's not surprising that elements of the Beatles crop up in the finished product. We'll get to the most obvious result later, but Knock on My Door is one song that owes a lot to the records the Fab Four were making with Emerick and George Martin in the mid and late '60s. The melody on the verses is a bit reminiscent of Eleanor Rigby, and the studio version makes use of strings, though leaves room for the band members to flex on their instruments as well, particularly Nickey Barclay on piano. And the Beatles wrote about infidelity, so why wouldn't Fanny as well? The song is told from the point of view of a woman who is having an affair with a married man and is head over heels for him and hoping he will leave his wife. The song was written by Barclay but sung by Jean Millington, probably because Barclay's voice is much more Stones than Beatles.

The song is not just a product of studio mastery, however. It made regular appearances in concert, including at one of the Beat-Club tapings, and that version, which is more than two minutes longer than the recorded version, is what I chose for the playlist. It is on this version where we can hear more prominently some Harrisonesque guitar work from June Millington and a piano interlude from Barclay that is absent from the studio version. And this version also has one of Fanny's patented awesome codas, with more soloing from June.

Studio version: https://open.spotify.com/track/47fcLomnmwMlJkUgxrazCm?si=c400535ef71443b2
Live version from Cleveland in 1972, which appears on the box set: https://open.spotify.com/track/6bKIqSOnGgTU9wFPxmBnL1?si=14f68c92fc8d48b5
Live on WSIU-TV (Carbondale, IL) in 1972: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDH6TSJDhxg

At #23, a Nickey Barclay song that appears to be influenced by her time spent with Leon Russell and Joe Cocker.

 

[Yambag]

24's Thoughts From Slambovia

Feel like I am settling in with some favorites...

Known: STP, DMB, Cure, Priest

New Favorites
Fanny: Knock on My Door
Tea Party: Coming Home (my favorite by them so far, an absolute banger!)
Brian Setzer: This Cat's on a Hot Tin Roof
Brian Ferry: The Right Stuff
Chvrches: Forever

Honorable Mentions
Oingo Boingo: Dead or Alive
Mitski: Star
Mazzy Star: I've Been Let Down
Iron and Wine: Weary Memory
April Wine: Holly Would

 

[Don Quixote]

Curtis Mayfield

Don Quixote

Amen, by The Impressions - YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. youtu.be Amen The Impressions · Keep On Pushing · Song · 1964 open.spotify.com

“Amen” is a traditional African-American spiritual. It appeared on The Impressions’ 1964 album Keep on Pushing. It became one of The Impression’s more recognizable and frequently performed songs. Todd Mayfield writes:

The album contained five top forty pop and R&B singles, including a version of a spiritual called “Amen,” which my father reimagined with Johnny Pate as a triumphant march. He’d decided to cover the song after he heard Sidney Poitier sing it in the 1963 film Lilies of the Field. Johnny came up with the idea to open with an allusion to the old Negro spiritual “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” and he also suggested the marching beat groove. The song hit number seven on the pop chart and provided Dad with his fourth number-one R&B hit within one year.

Mrs. R mentioned the Poitier scene from Lilies of the Field. Link to that is here.

The marching beat groove helped to popularize the song. Part of it is now part of public consciousness. “The Winstons” were a road band for The Impressions, and Mayfield signed them to his Curtom Records label. They recorded an up-tempo version of “Amen” called “Amen, Brother,” based on a guitar riff by Mayfield, and which also included a drum break. That drum break is now known as the “Amen Break,” and has been sampled in thousands of songs, many in the hip-hop space (Wiki and the WhoSampled page).

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

The first Song on their third (and probably best) album, history for sale. This is the first song I ever heard from BO.

I really like this one.

Also the Tea Party song. It's very good.

And Oingo Boingo. What is happening here?

The last time I heard "Amen", Sidney Poitier was singing it with some nuns. Cool.

A thoughtful song from Kenny Chesney today.

Very interesting ZZ cover. Me likey.

At the end of this, I think I'd like an album recommendation for Mr Bird. And the whistling just kicked in. Yes!

You answered my question in the first post you made. I liked the song but was confused by the lack of screaming teenagers.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

Got back in town earlier than originally planned, so I've got some catching up to do, and I owe a write-up; but first, let's get to some fan mail...

A Mr. @KarmaPolice writes in: (Ride My See Saw is) probably my favorite tune of the Moody Blues. WTF is going on with that album cover?

Well, Mr. Police, we have an answer, and it goes like this...

Phil Travers was a graphic designer under contract with Decca Records as an album cover designer, and here's his version of what happened:

"I spent two years at Decca, working on album sleeves, then got a job in a design office down in Wimbledon. I was then contacted by someone I knew at Decca who said the Moody Blues manager liked an illustration of mine and wanted me to meet the band to discuss doing the sleeve for their new album. I met the Moodies in a London pub, and we worked out the details of the commission. The band wanted me primarily to illustrate the concept of meditation. This was not something that I had much personal experience of and so my initial thoughts about such an ethereal subject were, unfortunately, insubstantial. I wasn't producing any cohesive visual ideas, with this lack of ideas evident in my first rough designs. While I was listening to the music, the concept for the cover was actually given to me in some sort of subliminal way. The recording and mixing area of the studio where I was sitting was separated from the area where the band would play by a large glass window and in this glass I could see several images of myself – one above the other – almost as if I was ascending up into space. After that, everything just fell into place." He said, "I thought 'I've got to be more practical and logical in my approach.' Once I started thinking like this, things began to fall into place and I started to break the problem down into some sort of visual code. I remember on the final pencil rough I showed the band, instead of the skull I had a big padlock and chain which represented the physical ties we all have. They suggested the skull which I think said a similar thing but it was a better image."


We hope you enjoyed that little story. Now, on with the countdown.

#24. Legend of a Mind (In Search of the Lost Chord, 1968)

Even though The Beatles and other bands had beaten them to the charts with psychedelic-themed songs, the Moodies, who like other English musicians, had dabbled in the greater psychedelic experience, felt inspired to present a more focused exploration of the general subject, and thus they set about creating the songs for In Search of the Lost Chord. They absorbed the major literature associated with the 'movement', i.e., the Bhagavad Gita and the Tibetan Book of the Dead, allowing them to wash over them and tinge their musical writing. And drugs, of course (except for bassist John Lodge). Justin Hayward and Mike Pinder would later separately reflect back on that time as a sincere attempt to capture what was going on and that they weren't just pulling buzzwords and then creating songs around them. For that, I tip my cap to them; even though history doesn't associate them as strongly to that phenomenon in history, I don't believe that was their goal anyway, but rather their honest account of what it was like to be in it.

As for the song specifically, even though the boys would eventually meet and spend some time with Dr. Leary, the song was written before they met him. Flautist Ray Thomas claimed the song was very tongue-in-cheek as a response to the mania that Leary's following was creating as opposed to any kind of critique of Leary, claiming it was a "piss-take" about the Hippie movement.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Known and liked songs from #24 for me include the Moody Blues (yes, I would write lyrics from this in the margins of my tests just to mess with my teachers), STP, Impressions/Mayfield, DMB (one of my favorites of theirs), Beach Boys, Hoffs (again, because I listened to the Hoffs/Sweet covers albums during the covers countdown), Cure and EWF. The Soft Parade is my least favorite Doors album and the title track is too unhinged and disjointed for me. But the ending is cool.

Thoughts about some of the others:

Ugly Side is another intense and intricate song from Blue October. Its lyrics are dark but not too difficult to handle.
Coming Home has a lot of the elements that I like about '90s music. My favorite from Tea Party so far.
The Sweet jawn really is Immigrant Song. Luckily for them they ripped off a band that was notorious for ripping off other acts and thus wasn't gonna sue.
Dead or Alive is very high-energy and infectious. I can see why the live version was chosen.
The Right Stuff is expertly crafted dance music.
I've Been Let Down is a nice alt-country type of thing. Yes, the harmonica makes it sound a little like Neil.
Weary Memory's arrangement sounds ... weary.
Similarly, Jerry Jeff's song evokes drifting in its music as well as its lyrics.
The breezy Fitz and the Dizzyspells boasts a strong melody.
Rx's take on Just Got Paid is pretty kickass.
Straight Through the Heart is the kind of stomper that made Dio what he is.
Holly Would is another winner from April Wine. It's where "boogie rock" meets AOR.

 

[Mt. Man]

Ronnie James Dio #24
Artist: Dio
Song: Straight Through The Heart (off Holy Diver, 1983)

(youtube version) Straight Through the Heart
(Live version) Dio - Straight Through The Heart Live In Holland 1983

Shout to the wind
How can you hurt me this way?
Oh, once it begins
It looks like it's coming to stay

We’re going to be seeing a lot of the Holy Diver album, though the next song from it isn't for a while. It’s a fascinatingly deep album in both music and lore. Did you know that the demonic figure on the cover of this album (and several others from Dio) is affectionately named Murray and has some backstory in the Dream Evil tour book? I don't think I did before doing research.

Anyway, the song itself has a pretty straightforward (ha?) theme. Heartbreak, and learning some harsh lessons a very hard way. Of course, with the powerful, catchy riffs, it’s a song that’s enjoyable even without the words. It’s just, you know, it’s a Dio countdown, so I kind of focus on the vocals and the lyrics. Though, to be fair, he shares writing credits with bassist Jimmy Bain on this one.

—
Next up on the countdown, when a geologist and a breadmaker love each other very much?

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

STP #24 - Creep (MTV Unplugged version)
Album - Core (1992)

No, I’m not including both versions of this song on my list. I always liked this version better with its more emotional vocals and rawer instrumentation, compared to the studio version which is a bit slow to me at times. This ranking probably suffers from hearing it so much on the radio over the years.

Per Scott W: "That's just the idea of being a young person somewhere, caught between still being a kid and becoming a young man. It's that youth apathy, that second-guessing yourself, not feeling like you fit in."

Prefer the live version of this as well (and for Plush as discussed upthread).

More of a general comment, but especially on the live tracks: Weiland's vocals aren't technically excellent, but he was a pretty damn good singer.

 

[falguy]

24s.

Still have to back up and cover the 25s but for now I finished the 24s this afternoon.

Found quite a few songs I liked but not too many that stood out as tunes to add to my saved pile. Maybe when I have time at the end I'll go back and revisit some of these.

Ugly Side - Blue October
Knock on My Door - Fanny
Don't Drink the Water- Dave Matthews Band - Didn't really expect to enjoy many of DMB, but have been pleasantly surprised.
Just Not Today - Kenny Chesney
Run To Me - Susanna Hoffs - Impossible to top the Bee Gee's but this was really well done
The Sentinel - Judas Priest - pretty sure this is my first JP song to be added to my list



As for my April Wine Tune - Holly Would - was yet another one I had not heard previously and I liked it immediately. Such a cool, groovy, organ and bass combo. With the guitar chiming in for effect. This was on the same album as Child's Garden and Mama Laye. Thought that was a really neat combination of songs. The next 5 songs are all songs I was very familiar with prior to starting this.

 

[falguy]

Just reviewed my list and I have 6 covers. All still to come with the first coming in at #21. Almost all of my remaining songs would be very well known up here in , but I suspect many will be knew to most of you.

 

[Yo Mama]

Wow, lots of great stuff on the #24 playlist.

I loved the Tea Party song. Listened to it multiple times.

Other favorites:
Blue October
Mitski
Moody Blues
Brian Setzer
Bryan Ferry
The Cure
Iron & Wine
April Wine

Plenty of other really good stuff not called out above too.

 

[krista4]

Today is Steve Albini's 62nd birthday. There's a push from his wife, in conjunction with his birthday and the event this weekend, to use the hashtag #thankyoustevealbini for remembrances today and during the weekend's festivities. So there are a ton of posts on your favorite social media sites today, including at least a couple from OH.

I was just scrolling through some of the Facebook ones and saw one from James McCartney. I didn't realize Steve had recorded an album for him several years ago.