All posts by freealonzo

Friday Music Day

FMD – Fun times with Pandemic Music?

15 Comments

Any new musical discoveries during this pandemic/quarantine? Trying to discover new music or leaning on old standbys? Earlier this week I was working at home, all alone and it was pouring rain outside. So I listened to Elliot Smith's debut, Roman Candle. Perfect for an isolating raining day.

My love for Van Halen's first album is well known and I thought, since Eruption is such a great intro to You Really Got Me, what other songs would it be a great intro to. The cool thing with streaming music services, is that it's really easy to find out so I created a bunch of playlist pairing a song with Eruption.

I discovered, to no surprise, that Eruption before a quiet song just doesn't work. I thought perhaps the daring difference would be kind of cool, but nope, it's just too discordant. Also pairing Eruption with any other classic rock song works pretty good. Eruption leading into Welcome to the Jungle doesn't miss a beat.

It also works pretty well with some GBV songs, particularly Motor Away and I am a Tree. It really works with a song called Soul Barn, which is an amazing toss-off song buried on a demo release. In all cases, if the production were better, all these combo's would be really cool

Any way, long way to say so stay safe and listen to music, it can really be a balm in these trying times.

Drop 'em if you got 'em.

Friday Music Day

FMD — The Clash

5 Comments

So last week I was going to write up something on the 40th anniversary of the release of London Calling, arguably the Clash's greatest album and one of the greatest albums of all time. Unfortunately illness and busyness got in the way of writing something up proper. I'd still like to do something so maybe one FMD I'll really do the album justice. It's a great album that still holds up. Check it out.

Also for some reason today is International Clash Day. Not sure why February 7th is considered International Clash Day, but here you go. Apparently, "it began as a tribute to The Clash’s music and legacy [and now] has evolved into a banner celebration of the issues and message they stood for. The Clash were unapologetically confrontational and champions of the oppressed, always striving for the possibility of a better world."

The Clash was a great band, with great songs, and a great message. So go put on some Clash, raise your voice, fight for the oppressed, Lord knows we need some raised voices these days.

Drop 'em if you go 'em boyo.

Friday Music Day

FMD — Christmas Songs?

18 Comments

So I'm not a big fan of Christmas songs and I have noticed this year that I have pretty much avoided them. Not sure if I'm lucky or I've arranged my life to avoid them. I saw a tweet about Paul McCartney's Wonderful Christmas time that made me laugh. I can't find it now but I think I pretty much recreated it:

Wonderful Christmas Time sounds like a when you're involved in a pagan ritual and then the relatives walk in the room:

The Mood Is Right
The Spirits Up
We're Here Tonight
And, That's Enough
SIMPLY HAVING!
A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS TIME!

Drop 'em if you got 'em.

Friday Music Day

FMD — Karaoke

7 Comments

DK posted a video of Glen Campbell singing Rhinestone Cowboy over at the video section. As I commented, that song is one of my go to karaoke songs. The other one is Love Hurts. I in fact one "sang" Love Hurts at a lesbian bar in Nashville and the the cross-dressing host said afterward, thanks for bringing the mood down, now someone give this guy a blow job! (no one did).

So do you have a go to karaoke song? What works, what doesn't? I found that Born in the USA is just a bunch of shouting and really hard to maintain through the whole song. Gave me even a greater appreciation for the fact that Bruce does that for 3 freaking hours. I have a friend who's kind of nerdy and loves to do country party songs for karaoke. The "problem" is that's kind of awkward and his fist pumps and hip shaking are somewhat half-assed. It's very endearing and fun to watch.

Anyway favorite karaoke? Do you like it when someone just nails the song or when they are really bad but their heart is really into it?

Also drop 'em if you got 'em.

MLB

2019 World Series Game 1 — Washington Nationals at Houston Astros

29 Comments

Game 1 of the 2019 World Series, Washington Nationals versus the Houston Astros. This one promises to be a series of excellent starting pitching on both sides and will be fun to see how each dominant starter matches up. Tonight Max Scherzer (who’s given up 1 earned run in 15 playoff innings this year) v. Gerrit Cole (who’s given up 1 earned run in 22.2 playoff innings this year). Which team will get to the pitcher first?

First pitch slated at 7:08p from Houston.

Friday Music Day

Friday Music Day – Country Music

8 Comments

Anyone watch or watching the Ken Burns gig on Country Music? I just have the last episode to left. Very good. I like the focus on different artists and would love to have off-shoot mini Burns documentaries on some of the characters we were introduced to, some we know very well (Johnny Cash) some we don't (Jimmy Rodgers). One thing I learned is that the George Jones song He Stopped Loving Her Today was released in 1980! I would've bet $100 that it was from the early 60s.

And completely unrelated, Gord Downie died two years ago yesterday. Here he is singing one of my favorite Guided By Voices songs.

Drop your lists if you got 'em.