Classical Music Faves – Part 1

Like most Americans of my generation my earliest exposure to classical music was through television cartoons (although to be fair I think my family also had a copy of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf in our record collection). Perhaps it’s my French, Irish, Russian, and German heritage but at a very young age I became enchanted with European folk tales- especially Peter and the Wolf- and even then I appreciated how the wisdom such stories impart to kids is not only universal but might just save your life one day (I think Peter and the Wolf is really about Russia and Germany, by the way).

Erik Satie

When I was a child my German grandmother seemed to nurture my Germanic pride by giving me German-themed gifts and after I begged my parents for a copy of Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries they bought it for me. I spent many happy hours lying on our living room floor playing with my action figures while listening to Wagner- or other classical music on the radio- and the otherworldly music served as the ideal soundtrack for the epic movies I was creating in my mind. In fact, much of my later interest in classical music came from movies. In college My Dinner with Andre inspired me to purchase Satie’s music which I would listen to while studying or woking late at night on my novel.

Giacomo Puccini

In the ‘90s my family’s growing love affair with Italian opera music began to affect me and to this day Puccini inspires me when I’m cooking (although my first visit to the opera a few years ago with my parents left me with lots of questions). For me, classical music is a lot like wine- I like most of it, and I want the good stuff- but I just don’t know where to begin. So, I keep my ears open and when I hear a piece of classical music I like- on the radio, in a film, on Spotify- I take note and then add it to my collection. Here are some of my favorite classical music songs (from the past 40 years or so). Enjoy!

Sergei Prokofiev

01. Puccini: “Turandot / Act 3: ‘Nessun dorma!’ (‘None shall sleep’)”
      – John Alldis Choir, Wandsworth School Boys Choir, Zubin Mehta, London Philharmonic
         Orchestra, Luciano Pavarotti (1973)
02. Smetana: “Ma vlast (My Fatherland): No. 2. Vltava (Moldau)”
      – Antoni Wit, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (1994)
03. Satie: “Gymnopédie No. 1”
      – Pascal Rogé (1984)
04. Prokofiev: “Peter and the Wolf, Op. 67: Peter in the meadow”
      – Ondrej Lenárd, Czechoslovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (1990)
05. Mozart: “Requiem in D Minor, K. 626: VIII Lacrimosa”
      – Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Concentus Musicus Wien, Vienna State Opera Chorus (2002)

06. Copland: “Variations on a Shaker Melody (‘Simple Gifts’)”
      – Richard Kapp, Philharmonia Virtuosi (1994)
07. Vaughan Williams: “Fantasia on Greensleeves”
      – James Judd, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (2003)
08. Debussy: “Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun)”
      – György Lehel , Budapest Symphony Orchestra (1988)
09. Britten: “Four Sea Interludes, Op. 33a: III. Moonlight”
      – André Previn, London Symphony Orchestra (1976)
10. Brahms: “Hungarian Dance No. 1”
      – Raymond Dessaints, Ensemble Amati (1995)

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Come and See – Trailer

The Flying Turtle

My Dinner with Andre – Trailer

Oldies: Pass the Fritos II

I grew up listening to oldies music and my first album purchase as a kid was a groovy compilation- The Monkees' Greatest Hits. But it wasn’t until I was a college senior that I purchased my first proper oldies album- The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds- which helped start my transition from pop punk and indie rock back into popular music. In the early 2000s I began purchasing online music and- for economic reasons- I usually chose to download songs instead of albums (many of these songs were oldies). 

The Turtles

Soon I had lots of great oldies tracks and started making and burning my own oldies compilation CDs. A few years later I purchased my first iPod- which made it easier to listen to music- and there was no more need for burning discs. The technology may change through the years but the oldies remain and much of it stills sounds good half a century later- even the sad songs give me a warm, happy feeling and serve to comfort and inspire me. Here are some of my favorite oldies songs. Enjoy!

The Left Banke

01. Friend & Lover – “Reach Out of the Darkness” (1967)
02. The Beach Boys – “God Only Knows” (1966)
03. The Partridge Family – “I Woke Up in Love This Morning” (1971)
04. The Zombies – “This Will Be Our Year” (1968)
05. The Left Banke – “Pretty Ballerina” (1966)
06. Sonny & Cher – “I Got You Babe” (1965)
07. Bobby Sherman – “Julie, Do Ya Love Me” (1970)
08. The Left Banke – “She May Call You Up Tonight” (1967)
09. Nancy Sinatra – “You Only Live Twice (Main Title)” (1967)
10. The Turtles – “Lady-O” (1969)
11. The Turtles – “Is It Any Wonder” (1967)
12. The Left Banke – “Walk Away Renée” (1966)
13. The Turtles – “She’ll Come Back”  (1966)
14. The Mamas and the Papas – “Dancing in the Street” (1966)
15. The Zombies – “Brief Candles” (1968)
16. Gary Lewis & the Playboys – “Girls in Love” (1967)

17. Roy Orbison – “She’s a Mystery to Me” (1989)

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Hero’s Welcome

When I was a high school student I was really into political cartoons and this one- by Pia Guerra- is the best I’ve seen in a long time. It depicts assistant football coach (and former Long Islander) Aaron Feis who was reportedly killed while protecting students in the Parkland school shooting.

Recommended Links:

The Washington Post – This single cartoon about school shootings is breaking people's hearts

Alternative Grab Bag II

Today was an unseasonably warm and sunny day here in the Washington, D.C. area - it really felt like spring (though the New Yorker in me knows it’s only a false spring)- and now feels like the perfect time to do some musical spring-cleaning. Come join me, the Jean, as we dust off some of my favorites from indie/alternative, punk, Britpop, emo/hardcore, post-punk, and ska revival. Yep. It’s another alternative music grab bag. You know what to do. Enjoy- and stay safe!

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

01. Smashing Pumpkins – “Disarm” (1993)
02. Social Distortion – “Still Alive” (2011)
03. The Dead Milkmen – “The Thing That Only Eats Hippies” (1986)
04. The dB’s – “Big Brown Eyes” (1981)
05. Keane – “Somewhere Only We Know” (2004)
06. Fugazi – “Full Disclosure” (2001)
07. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – “Hope I Never Lose My Wallet” (1989)
08. The Go-Betweens –“Love Goes On!” (1988)
09. Madness – “It Must Be Love” (1981)
10. Dinosaur Jr. – “Watch the Corners” (2012)
11. Superchunk – “Digging for Something” (2010)
12. The Queers – “I Enjoy Being a Boy” (1998)
13. Superchunk – “What a Time to Be Alive” (2018)
14. Travis – “Closer” (2007)
15. Brandon Flowers – “Crossfire” (2010)
16. The Mountain Goats – “The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton” (2002)
17. Pulp – “Common People” (1995)
18. Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros – “Redemption Song” (2003)
19. The Clash – “London’s Burning (Live)” (1978)
20. Bad Religion – “You Are (The Government)” (1988)

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Stopping the Carnage

It’s been years since I’ve been motivated enough to write and send a letter to a newspaper. Here is my recent letter to the editor, which was published in today’s Washington Post:

Recommended Links:

Washington Post – “Stopping the Carnage”

Twinkie Force 101: Influences – Part 5

Growing up together in our small town, my friend Toast and I inspired and supported each other in good times and bad. We both believed in being creative, challenge authority, and not taking life too seriously and Twinkie Force was simply a reflection of that credo. In addition to the band, Toast and I also started a satirical fanzine Suffolk Suffocation which allowed local bands and kids to express themselves and keep tabs on the underground music scene (remember, this was before the Internet). Being in a band and writing and publishing our own zine allowed Toast and I to display confidence at a time in our lives when there wasn’t much for us to be confident about and I think that inspired other kids.

Ramones

Perhaps what I miss most about being in Twinkie Force is the whole punk attitude we employed to provoke, protest, and generally shake things up in our little corner of the world. Being rebels can be fun and if as a punk band you're not bothering some people then you're probably doing something wrong. TF definitely stood for the underdog but whether our actions inspired people or made enemies we didn't really care- we just did whatever we wanted to do and let the chips fall where they may. Whether it was the band, the zine, or school, Toast and I were for pushing the envelope, having fun, and making the best of our situation and I think I still live by those principle wherever I am.

The Mr. T Experience

I recently contacted Toast and asked him to send me his list of songs that inspired Twinkie Force and even after 30 years our lists are very similar (Part 5 in particular has lots of songs from Toast’s list). Toast's favorite TF song was “Myth Bound to Be a Legend” which tells the story of the band and lays out our manifesto. The goal of Twinkie Force was to make people smile, laugh, and get some fun out of life and I am thankful to all the artists who inspired us. I hear our friend (and former TF drummer) Mike is currently making a Twinkie Force documentary. Can't wait to see it! Here are some (more) of the bands and songs that influenced Twinkie Force. Enjoy!

The Dead Milkmen

01. Ramones – “We’re a Happy Family” (1977)
02. Screeching Weasel – “Hanging Around (25th Anniversary Remix)” (1993)
03. Minor Threat – “Good Guys” (1985)
04. Bad Religion – “No Direction” (1992)
05. Circle Jerks – “Golden Shower of Hits (Jerks on 45)” (1983)
06. Fugazi – “Margin Walker” (1989)
07. Social Distortion – “Like an Outlaw for You” (1988)
08. X-Ray Spex – “Identity” (1978)
09. Operation Ivy – “Hoboken” (1988)
10. Circle Jerks – “Wasted” (1980)
11. Crimpshrine – “Summertime” (1988)
12. The Mr. T Experience – “Book of Revelation” (1992)
13. Jawbreaker – “Chesterfield King” (1992)
14. The Mr. T Experience – “So Long, Sucker” (1989)
15. Rites of Spring – “For Want Of” (1985)
16. Circle Jerks – “Another Broken Heart for Snake” (1985)
17. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones “Someday I Suppose” (1993)
18. Circle Jerks- “Group Sex” (1980)
19. Fugazi – “Repeater” (1990)
20. Angry Samoans – “Lights Out” (1980)
21. Green Day – “At the Library” (1990)
22. Minutemen – “History Lesson – Part II” (1984)
23. The Queers – “You’re Tripping” (1993)
24. The Dead Milkmen – “Guitar Song” (1988)
25. The Dead Milkmen – “Beach Party Vietnam” (1985)

Twinkie Force – Battle of the Bands 1992

TF album cover (the album we never made)

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Punk: Attitude

Twinkie Force - A Day in the Life

Twinkie Force 101: Influences – Part 4

In the summer of '92 Twinkie Force was on a roll and it was around this time we recorded what I felt was our greatest song- the psychedelic epic “Crack House Barbecue”. If we had had just a few more months together then I believe we could have recorded an amazing album of TF songs. But it was not to be. In the fall of '92, Rich, Toast, and I went off to college (Mike was still only 15 years old) and the future of the band was in doubt. After one miserable semester at college, I returned home to Long Island where I found the local music scene still active. Twinkie Force had never officially broken up but without Rich and Toast around I decided to start a new band. Hercules Was a Wimp (with Mike on drums) was great fun- and the kids really liked us- but I think my heart was still with TF.

Screeching Weasel

The final TF show (I think) was in June 1993 at Buttstock (a hometown backyard music festival with local bands) where I performed with both Hercules Was a Wimp and Twinkie Force. I guess it was fitting that TF finish where we had started- at a raucous backyard bash- and the crowd loved us. But after four years together in Twinkie Force- and even longer as friends- Toast and I were beginning to pursue separate interests. He was off at college making new friends and I was living at home, attending a local university, and delivering pizza. I carried on making music with Mike and other friends but nothing ever reached the fun and craziness of Twinkie Force. By the mid-‘90s, I was a man without a band.

Bad Religion

In spring 1997, Twinkie Force reunited to play a college house party in upstate New York where I was surprised to find we still had chemistry and the crowd still loved us. An impromptu TF reunion show at Rich’s house on Long Island in 2009 was good for a few laughs but I don’t think we will ever play together again. For me, that part of my life is over and the book is closed. But it sure was fun. Here are some (more) of the bands and songs that influenced Twinkie Force. Enjoy!

Fugazi

01. Social Distortion – “Let It Be Me” (1990)

02. Screeching Weasel – “The Science of Myth” (1991)
03. Screeching Weasel – “Teenage Freakshow” (1991)
04. All – “Scary Sad” (1989)
05. Rites of Spring – “Hidden Wheel” (1987)
06. Social Distortion – “Bad Luck” (1992)
07. Sick of It All – “My Life” (1989)
08. The Replacements – “Nowhere Is My Home” (1985)
09. Fugazi – “Merchandise” (1990)
10. The Doors – “People Are Strange” (1967)
11. The Mr. T Experience – “The Girl Who Still Lives at Home” (1990)
12. Bad Religion – “Change of Ideas” (1989)
13. Bad Religion – “Turn on the Light” (1990)
14. Gorilla Biscuits – “Cats and Dogs” (1989)
15. The Mr. T Experience – “Psycho Girl” (1990)
16. Operation Ivy – “Knowledge” (1989)
17. Youth of Today – “What Goes Around” (1988)
18. Angry Samoans – “Steak Knife” (1982 )
19. Operation Ivy – “Junkie’s Runnin’ Dry” (1988)
20. Fugazi – “Song # 1” (1989)
21. T.S.O.L. – “Wash Away” (1983)
22. Screeching Weasel – “Veronica Hates Me” (1991)
23. Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Knock Me Down” (1989)
24. The Replacements – “Shutup” (1981)
25. Beastie Boys – “Time for Livin’” (1992)

26. Billy Joel – “We Didn't Start the Fire” (1989)

Twinkie Force, some kid's backyard 1992

Mike with some TF fans

Twinkie Force, college house party 1997

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Billy Joel – “We Didn't Start the Fire”

Twinkie Force 101: Influences – Part 3

While I think it’s normal for young people to experiment, by the early ‘90s our little town seemed to be awash in risky teenage behavior: smoking, alcohol, drugs, sex, violence- and things were only getting riskier. The members of Twinkie Force had to deal with the same struggles and temptations as our peers but at least we had the band. Mike’s family's garage served as our rehearsal space– we shared it with the Tea Biscuits- but the garage also served as a refuge. Twinkie Force’s practice sessions were always open to other kids- or anyone- to come by, hang out, and watch us jam. There were no drugs or alcohol at our rehearsals but people were still having fun, dancing, singing, and making friends.

Minor Threat

During senior year, Joe left Twinkie Force to pursue more serious musical interests (blues fusion) so we recruited a guy named Rich to be our new bass player which was a bold move since Rich was from a rival town and many kids in our town hated him for that reason alone. But Toast and I didn’t care about gang wars anymore and I think having Rich join TF was our public statement to the world that the war was over and it was time to move on. Plus, Rich (formerly of Radiation Sickness) was an awesome bass player, liked the same music as us- and he even agreed to wear a devil costume on stage!

All

Twinkie Force played our high school’s Battle of the Bands in spring 1992- during the L.A. riots- and at that time my lyrics were becoming more political and philosophical (“Force America”, “I’m Not Rich”) but I was still throwing Twinkies at the audience (I think they expected it). Although we didn’t win Battle of the Bands (Joe’s band won) TF was definitely a crowd favorite (“New Goat in Town”, “Chicken Song”) and we had gathered enough momentum to play several more shows that spring and summer- including one in New York City. Here are some (more) of the bands and songs that influenced Twinkie Force. Enjoy!

Green Day

01. Descendents – “Bikeage” (1982)
02. Steppenwolf – “Born to Be Wild” (1968)
03. Ramones – “Let’s Dance” (1976)
04. Circle Jerks – “Mrs. Jones” (1985)
05. The Replacements – “Something to Dü” (1981)
06. The Monkees – “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone” (1966)
07. Operation Ivy – “Sound System” (1989)
08. New York Citizens – “Shut Up and Listen” (1990)
09. The Monkees – “Pleasant Valley Sunday” (1967)
10. The Saints – “(I'm) Stranded” (1976)
11. The Adverts – “Gary Gilmore’s Eyes” (1977)
12. Operation Ivy – “Officer” (1987)
13. Descendents – “Hope” (1983)
14. Descendents – “Cheer” (1986)
15. Green Day – “I Was There” (1990)
16. 7 Seconds – “Satyagraha” (1989)
17. D.I. – “Pervert Nurse” (1985)
18. Green Day – “Going to Pasalacqua” (1991)
19. Traveling Wilburys – “Handle with Care” (1988)
20. Social Distortion – “When She Begins” (1992)
21. Minor Threat – “In My Eyes” (1981)
22. Ramones –  “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School” (1980)
23. Angry Samoans – “Right Side of My Mind” (1980)
24. All – “She’s My Ex” (1989)

25. The Replacements – “Answering Machine” (1984)

Twinkie Force – Battle of the Bands 1992

Twinkie Force – Lion's Den, New York City 1992

Rich

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Twinkie Force 101: Influences – Part 2

We may have been living in the Long Island suburbs but- in the early days of the band- Twinkie Force experienced our share of danger. At night roving teenage gangs from rival towns would drive through our town looking for unsuspecting kids to jump and beat up. Walking the streets of our hometown became terrifying- especially late at night when we were trying to hurry home to make curfew. One of our friends even got shot. It all became TF song material (“Shitheads Prohibited”).

Bad Brains

Not only was there violence in our streets but there was also increasing violence at hardcore and punk shows (and growing schisms within the underground music scene) which was just one more reason for Twinkie Force to embrace fun and peace in our music and support bands who sang for peace and unity and against violence and racism. Cops were also a problem for us back then as they often broke up our beer drinking parties (with girls) and we’d have to hightail it through the woods and climb fences. We did a lot of running back then- from cops, from gangs- and usually with girls. It all became TF song material (“TF Groupies", “Lotus Lake”, “Stay Away Lover”, “Geraldo”).

Circle Jerks

Even in our small town there were at least a dozen or so other guys interested in punk and hardcore music (even one or two girls) and eventually we all found each other. There were even a couple of other  “punk” bands in town. After Rosen left Twinkie Force, our friend Mike- an incoming freshman who played bass for Social Tea Biscuits- agreed to be our drummer. Twinkie Force was once again complete and 1991-1992 (senior year for Joe, Toast, and me) was to be our most creative and productive period. Here are some (more) of the bands and songs that influenced Twinkie Force. Enjoy!

The Clash

01. Buzzcocks – “Boredom” (1977)
02. Operation Ivy – “Unity” (1989)
03. The Replacements – “If Only You Were Lonely” (1981)
04. Ramones – “I Wanna Be Sedated” (1978)
05. Screeching Weasel – “I Can See Clearly” (1991)
06. Lou Reed – “Walk on the Wild Side” (1972)
07. The Dead Milkmen – “Instant Club Hit (You’ll Dance to Anything)” (1987)
08. Screeching Weasel – “Making You Cry” (1991)
09. The Damned – “Love Song” (1979)
10. Beastie Boys – “Shake your Rump” (1989)
11. Fifteen – “The End” (1991)
12. Circle Jerks – “Deny Everything” (1980)
13. Fifteen – “Liberation” (1991)
14. Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Fortunate Son” (1969)
15. Circle Jerks – “Wonderful” (1985)
16. Circle Jerks – “When the Shit Hits the Fan” (1983)
17. Bad Brains – “Sailin’ On” (1983)
18. Fugazi – “Bad Mouth” (1988)
19. Bad Brains – “How Low Can a Punk Get” (1983)
20. The Clash – “I Fought the Law” (1979)
21. Bad Religion – “No Control” (1989)
22. Dead Kennedys – “Holiday in Cambodia” (1980)
23. Circle Jerks – “Coup d’Etat” (1983)
24. The 101ers – “Keys to Your Heart” (1976)
25. Bad Religion – “Modern Man” (1990)

Twinkie Force (Mike, the Jean, Joe, and Toast)

Mike

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Twinkie Force 101: Influences – Part 1

I came of age before the Internet when there wasn’t much for a precocious teenage boy to do in his small Long Island town- except look for trouble. It must have been summer 1989- just before we entered high school- when my best friend Toast and I decided to form a band: Twinkie Force. We had nothing to lose- except our boredom- and the only rule we had for the band was that it had to be fun. Inspired by the do-it-yourself ethos of our punk and hardcore musical heroes, Toast taught himself to play guitar- I was in charge of the lyrics- and soon we were singing and recording our humorous songs onto used cassette tapes. Our suburban teenage boredom was suddenly gone and we now had something to call our own: a band. The first song we recorded was “Butt Lint”- we called our music buttcore.

Beastie Boys

At that time our musical influences were mostly punk and hardcore or whatever we could acquire from friends or score in the few records shops that carried “underground” music and fanzines- but really Toast and I were open to whatever sounded good including stuff from the radio, MTV, or our parents’ record collections. Twinkie Force was not just another suburban cover band- we wrote and recorded all our own songs- and I think that was our secret weapon in gaining a loyal following. It took a couple of years (and playing drums on paint buckets) before we finally got a bass player (Joe) and a real drummer (Rosen) and by 1991 Twinkie Force was ready to take our little town by storm.

Descendents

Twinkie Force played our first official show in summer 1991 to a packed, raucous hometown keg party where I threw Twinkies at the audience- and audience members threw them back at us (along with other objects). I loved every minute of it! TF rocked it good and hard that night (we even did a Steppenwolf cover but rewrote the lyrics as “Born to Be Jewish” in honor of Rosen) and I remember hanging out with lots of girls after the show and feeling like a rock star (I guess the girls liked what they saw on stage). Meanwhile, Rosen was traumatized by the whole experience and quit the band (he left his drum kit behind at the party and just disappeared). Oh, no! Where was TF going to find a new drummer? Here are some of the bands and songs that influenced Twinkie Force. Enjoy!

Dedicated to Adam Yauch and Brian Rosen

Sex Pistols

01. Descendents – “Coolidge” (1987)
02. Descendents – “Clean Sheets” (1987)
03. Wire – “Ex Lion Tamer” (1977)
04. Green Day – “2000 Light Years Away” (1991)
05. The Replacements – “Within Your Reach” (1983)
06. The Dead Milkmen – “Dean’s Dream” (1985)
07. Social Distortion – “Ring of Fire” (1990)
08. Social Distortion- “Story of My Life” (1990)
09. Beastie Boys – “Egg Man” (1989)
10. The Replacements – “Androgynous” (1984)
11. Social Distortion – “Prison Bound” (1988)
12. Screeching Weasel – “My Brain Hurts” (1991)
13. Beastie Boys – “Hey Ladies” (1989)
14. Generation X – “Your Generation” (1977)
15. Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Good Time Boys” (1989)
16. Murphy’s Law – “Panty Raid” (1989)
17. The Vibrators – “Baby, Baby”  (1977)
18. Fugazi – “Suggestion” (1988)
19. Operation Ivy – “The Crowd” (1989)
20. Green Day – “No One Knows” (1991
21. Lou Reed – “Dirty Blvd.” (1989)
22. Ramones – “Rockaway Beach” (1977)
23. Sex Pistols – “Pretty Vacant” (1977)
24. The Replacements – “Color Me Impressed” (1983)
25. Screeching Weasel – “What We Hate” (1991)

The Jean

Toast

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Soul by the Dozen III

February is National African American History Month and so perhaps now is a good time for another soul music playlist. What is it about classic soul music that I’ve always found so comforting? Perhaps I’m drawn to soul’s warm, southern roots, its soulful, honest singing and seductive heartbeat rhythms. Actually, it doesn’t seem like such a complicated formula- a successful formula that's sold millions of records- so why then did classic soul music have to go away? And who is my generation’s Marvin Gaye? Is it Jay Z? Oh, brother. Here are some (more) of my favorite soul songs. Enjoy!

Dedicated to Marvin Gaye, Jackie Wilson, and Prince Rogers Nelson

Marvin Gaye

01. Marvin Gaye – “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” (1971)

02. Gladys Knight & the Pips – “Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me” (1973)

03. Aretha Franklin – “Until You Come Back to Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do)” (1973)

04. Gladys Knight & the Pips – “Tenderness Is His Way” (1974)

05. Prince – “Purple Rain” (1984)

06. Gladys Knight & the Pips – “Midnight Train to Georgia” (1973)

07. Mariah Carey – “I’ll Be There (Live)” (1992)

08. Al Green – “Let’s Stay Together” (1971)

09. Marvin Gaye – “Let’s Get It On” (1973)

10. The Commodores – “Nightshift” (1985)

11. Marvin Gaye – “God Is Love” (1971)

12. Stevie Wonder – “I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)” (1972)

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Motown Faves

I often recall a line from a movie where this old woman is giving advice to a young man and tells him life is like a football game- you have to reach out, take a chance, get hurt even. But play as well as you can. Otherwise, you got nothing to talk about in the locker room. I think for many people Motown music conjures up images of childhood, first loves, and weddings but for me Motown music means heartache. My favorite Motown songs have always been there for me when I was low and suffering from a broken heart and sometimes it can actually feel good to just hurt, cry, and let it all out. It was usually the sadder Motown songs which gave me the most comfort since I believed the men and women singing them had been there too and I was not alone in my confusion, disappointment, and pain.

Diana Ross

Broken hearts and disappointment are a part of life- and so is classic Motown music. Maybe listening to Motown music feels good because it reminds us we are not alone in our joy and our pain. After I went through a bad break up some years ago it was country music, Frank Sinatra, and Motown that helped nurse me back to life. The best of Motown music knows no gender, class, or race- it’s just good, human music and the best of it stands the test of time because the feelings the songs express are real and true. Here are some of my favorite Motown songs. Enjoy!

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

01. Jimmy Ruffin – “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” (1966)
02. Gladys Knight & the Pips – “Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)” (1972)
03. Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell – “You’re All I Need to Get By” (1968)
04. David Ruffin – “My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)” (1969)
05. Diana Ross – “Touch Me in the Morning” (1973)
06. Diana Ross – “Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)” (1975)
07. Gladys Knight & the Pips – “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (1967)
08. The Isley Brothers – “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)” (1966)
09. Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell – “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (1967)
10. The Temptations – “I Wish It Would Rain” (1967)
11. The Contours – “Do You Love Me” (1962)
12. The Jackson 5 – “I’ll Be There” (1970)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify... 

Recommended Links:

The Temptations – Trailer

Sir Walrus – Part 2

For years I carried a somewhat negative view of Paul McCartney and his music. To me McCartney came across in interviews as a phony and a windbag, many of his songs were saccharine, and he is the one who broke up the Beatles (I always blamed Paul, not Yoko). But I think I may have judged the Walrus too harshly and unfairly as there are a lot of good things to say about the man and his music. McCartney has brought the world a lot of happiness through his songs and even after his best friend Lennon's murder and his wife Linda’s death he’s kept going, talking about peace and love, and making music.

I remember when a “tell-all” book about John Lennon was published in 1988 depicting Lennon as a monster and a fraud and claiming Paul was the only real talent in the Beatles. McCartney called the book trash and told people not to buy it. McCartney is a vegetarian and for decades has championed animal rights- and that makes him all right in my book. As for his music, I recently read a Playboy interview with Paul and Linda McCartney from 1984 in which the interviewer asks Paul to discuss his post-Beatles music (with Linda) and I find McCartney’s thoughts on his Wings period to be honest, intelligent, and enlightening.

“Those are the songs that some people thought were not as good as my earlier stuff, or too commercial. I know people from time to time used to say that, but my attitude was, ‘Sorry, folks, it’s about the best I can do right now. Sorry! You know, this is me trying to do it. I’m trying to do it honestly and genuinely; if some of it’s not working to your taste, what can I say?’ But it helped us claw our way back.”

“I used to think that all my Wings stuff was second-rate stuff, but I began to meet younger kids, not kids from my Beatle generation, who would seriously say, ‘No, wait a minute; can't have you say that about your work. We really love this song or that song.’”

“There’ll be people who mention ‘My Love’ or ‘Band on the Run,’ and for us that’s a big thing. Or ‘Mull of Kintyre’ or ‘Ebony and Ivory.’ No matter what I may think about them... I can view them cynically, even ruthlessly... even I have to admit there definitely was something there with some of the Wings songs. In fact, the more I bother looking at it again, the more I discover what I was trying to do. I think there’ll be a lot of that Wings stuff sort of rediscovered in years to come.”

Here are some (more) of my favorite Paul McCartney songs. Enjoy!

01. Paul McCartney and Wings – “Silly Love Songs” (1976)
02. Paul McCartney – “Only Our Hearts” (2012)
03. Paul McCartney – “Put It There” (1989)
04. Paul McCartney – “The Song We Were Singing” (1997)
05. Paul McCartney – “I’ve Just Seen a Face (Live)” (1991)
06. Paul McCartney – “On My Way to Work” (2013)
07. Paul McCartney – “And I Love Her (Live)” (1991)
08. Paul McCartney – “Hope of Deliverance” (1993)
09. Paul McCartney – “Early Days” (2013)
10. Paul McCartney – “Ever Present Past” (2007)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify... 

Sir Walrus – Part 1

Like many people, I grew up listening to and enjoying the Beatles’ music but it wasn’t until I was much older that I began to learn the truth behind the dream. Although most of the Beatles’ songs said “Lennon-McCartney” John and Paul often wrote songs separately- but still shared the songwriter credit. Generally speaking, Paul’s songs tended to be more sugary and upbeat (“silly love songs”) while Lennon’s were wilder and more experimental (“the walrus was Paul”) but it was McCartney’s feel-good songs that paid the bills and kept the Fab Four rich.

By the time I reached college, I was still listening to the Beatles but was becoming less interested in Paul’s romantic melodies and more interested in John’s (and George’s) weirder stuff. When it comes to the Beatles’ solo material, I mostly stuck with John and George over the years but then, last summer, I started getting a bit more into McCartney’s solo period (first with his wife, Linda, then with Wings, and then on his own). Maybe it's because I’m older now but much of Paul McCartney's solo work sounds really good and original (while most of my John Lennon and George Harrison music now gathers dust).

Although at the time it was often maligned by critics and considered lightweight and lame after his work with the Beatles, I feel like Paul McCartney’s solo music- especially from the ‘70s and ‘80s- has recently started undergoing a reappreciation and renaissance and maybe the guy was just ahead of his time (or maybe a lot of today’s music just isn’t very good). Here are some of my favorites from Sir Paul. Enjoy!

01. Paul McCartney – “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” (1971)

02. Paul McCartney – “Waterfalls” (1980)
03. Paul McCartney and Wings – “Live and Let Die” (1973)
04. Paul McCartney – “Here Today (2015 Remix)” (1982)
05. Paul McCartney and Wings – “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five” (1973)
06. Paul McCartney – “Another Day” (1971)
07. Paul McCartney and Wings – “Band on the Run” (1973)
08. Paul McCartney and Wings – “My Love” (1973)
09. Paul McCartney – “Wanderlust (2015 Remix)” (1982)
10. Paul McCartney – “Too Many People” (1971)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify... 

 

Recommended Links:

Interview of Beatles, Why the Beatles Broke Up

Where's My Sandy Beach?

I’m not exactly sure how American Chrissie Hynde (from Akron, Ohio) ended up in ‘70s Great Britain where (with three Englishmen) she formed the Pretenders - but I’m glad she did. When I was a kid, Chrissie and the boys were a staple of radio and MTV and- along with the Clash and Elvis Costello- the Pretenders were supposed to be the kids who were going to save rock & roll. Unfortunately, two of the Pretenders’ founding members died within a year of each other (drugs) but Chrissie (and the drummer) soldiered on and both are still currently performing.

Forget all the clichés about Hynde being tough on the outside but soft on the inside- the Pretenders wrote and performed great rock songs with edge, realism, and to which every person can relate (many of their songs play like mini-movies and that’s hard to do). Like other great artists, the Pretenders grasp- and don’t shy away from- the human condition (we are finite beings with infinite desires) and the best of their songs help listeners reach lofty heights before returning to earth. With the exception of The Singles, I’ve never really had a favorite Pretenders album but the cream of their output is still some of the best music out there and deserves to be heard. Here are some of my favorites. Enjoy!

01. Pretenders – “Stop Your Sobbing” (1979)

02. Pretenders – “Human” (1999)

03. Pretenders – “Back on the Chain Gang” (1982)

04. Pretenders – “Message of Love” (1981)

05. Pretenders – “Watching the Clothes” (1984)

06. Pretenders – “I’ll Stand by You” (1994)

07. Pretenders – “Mystery Achievement” (1980)

08. Pretenders – “Brass in Pocket” (1979)

09. Pretenders – “Kid” (1979)

10. Pretenders – “Don’t Get Me Wrong” (1986)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify... 

... or check out the playlist on YouTube

(To open music in separate window, click title bar at top of video box)

Recommended Links:

Punk: Attitude

It Can't Happen Here

Based on real life political events in ‘60s Greece, Z is a French movie- filmed in Algeria- but the story takes place in a fictional unnamed country where the Attorney General has appointed a dogged special prosecutor to investigate whether or not right-wing government officials have colluded with street thugs in the suspicious death of a beloved opposition leader (Yves Montand). Will truth and justice prevail?

Z is funny, intelligent, and brilliantly illustrates the timeless and universal struggle between those who want to change the system- and those who do not- as well as the age-old tricks and tactics both sides employ (while the media just stirs the pot for its own benefit). In our current era of political cynicism, Z is a must see political thriller- especially for those who hunger for truth, justice, and sanity. And if you think your rights can’t disappear overnight- think again. Grade: A