Ah, one of those days…one of those days when you’re being asked a series of questions. Take a crack at one, or answer them all. Then pass it on!
This weekend I listened to Imperial Bedroom for the first time in about a year. I was reminded of the day it was released and a friend and I bought the album, broke into the house of one of his friend’s parents (who weren’t home, of course), got high, and listened to the album from start to finish, flabbergasted at how good it sounded. I can’t say I feel quite the same way about it today, although I still dig the lyrics more than any other Costello record and love as the songs build through side 2. But here’s the question (it’s a 2-parter): 1) What’s your most memorable experience listening to a newly released album for the first time, and 2) Do you think you will ever have an experience listening to a newly released album for the first time that’s even half as memorable?
Explain to me why the following performance, although “great” on a few levels, makes me nauseous.
For those of you with kids who watch Nick: the music of Drake Bell or The Naked Brothers Band?
How did I miss the transition of Jewel from dance-pop diva to country artist? Has she abandoned the poetry career?
Name a great instrumental part in a song you otherwise can’t stand.
Name a great song with instrumental or production touches you otherwise can’t stand.
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hannah montanna
johnny ramone
love songs
blue sunshine’s the glove
a taste of honey
Punk guy with Fogerty Syndrome? That’s an easy one. Hands down -Paul Weller. Major creep.
Definitely has that chip on his shoulder for reasons known only to himself. The man also has a track record eerily like Fogerty’s: 1) Weller once had a damn good rhythm section that he ditched, probably because of that chip on his shoulder. 2) After he ditched the one thing that made his songs succeed, he went on to make a bunch of records that sucked, probably because of that chip on his shoulder, and 3) he’s never had a sense of humor, probably because of that chip on his shoulder.
I know I can’t speak for all of you, but I for one find it very difficult to listen to the Jam these days. Again, no humor whatsoever. The same cannot be said of Creedence. The records continue to provide goosebumps. I pulled out a scratchy 45 of “Lodi” recently and gave it a spin. Absolutely dynamightious. Fogerty, I think, succeeds where Weller fails because once in a blue moon, Fogerty is able to show weakness sincerely, and demonstrate the power of redemption. Again, he is slick enough to pull that off, even if he doesn’t give a fuck about those things. And all that’s fine with me. I don’t think about any of that when I listen to “Lodi”, “Who’ll Stop the Rain”, “Commotion” (yeah, I know that doesn’t belong there, but I always have to do something to make the Moderator chuckle), etc. Weller’s Jam catalog will remain a juvenile pleasure – respected and enjoyed by those who never quite got past first base, i.e, those creeps that never got properly laid, can’t find partners because they’re unwilling to make compromises, can’t seem to find their niche in life, etc. Forgerty’s Creedence output remains and will remain a pleasure to all because EVERYONE in some way or another can relate to it and find some sort of message in all that good stuff that makes life a little more understandable.
I apologize for going on and on about all this nonsense, but Paul Weller really gives me the creeps. Again, that last interview I read was downright embarrassing. What is he 78 years old now, and he’s still badmouthing Rick __________? ( for the life of me, I can’t remember the guy’s name and don’t fee like pressing keys to do the research). Finding a good drummer is always next to impossible, and the simple son of a bitch STILL hasn’t learned that lesson. Rick whatever his last name was wasn’t great, but he was certainly better than most. And that’s enough, especially when one is looking for a drummer.
Hope all of you are doing well and your lives continue to be productive.
E. Pluribus
Beautiful answer, E. Pluribus. I should note that it was this man who noted the Weller-Fogerty connection when we spoke on the phone a week or two ago. Thanks for explaining this in detail, and thanks for throwing me the “Commotion” bone!
Kilroy, Johnny Ramone is a great suggestion for a punk-era musician afflicted with Fogery Syndrome. I hadn’t considered him.
Johnny Ramone is indeed a great choice. The Ramones -now THERE’S a band that I can’t stand but love reading about. The same can be said of all those awful beat writers. Put all their drivel out on the curb, but give me all the biographical stuff. Time will show that their lives were much more important than their actual writing.
God bless you,
E. Pluribus
If someone would give you the ticket for free, what band would you most like to see play live solely for ironic reasons?
Bret Michaels/Poison. Any hair metal band would be equally amusing. The audience would be the show.
What musician who came out of the punk era most suffers from Fogerty Syndrome?
Mark E. Smith
In 225 words or less, please explain the long-running, massive appeal of Neil Diamond?
I don’t get it either. In the 60s Diamond wrote and recorded some great stuff, then he somehow turned into Johnny Mathis. His Robbie Robertson-produced album and his appearance in the Last Waltz are equally inexplicable.
Quick: When you think cut-out bins what’s the first album that comes to mind?
Brinsley Schwartz’s Silver Pistol. Or was it Nervous on the Road? Finding those in the bin in 1976 changed the course of my musical history.
What’s your favorite pre-rock era cover by a rock band?
Dave Edmunds doing Richard Rodgers’ Where or When Phil Spector-style on his Get It album.
Glad to know you’re perplexed about Diamond as well, BigSteve. At least Johnny Mathis could sing. If we think Rod’s Rasp is one dimensional, what’s Diamond’s Delivery?
If someone would give you the ticket for free, what band would you most like to see play live solely for ironic reasons?
Elton John. I kind of hope no one ever offers, though.
What musician who came out of the punk era most suffers from Fogerty Syndrome?
First guy I thought of was Tom Verlaine. He always seems unhappy to me.
In 225 words or less, please explain the long-running, massive appeal of Neil Diamond?
All his albums are 100% Styx free and Dolphin safe!
Quick: When you think cut-out bins what’s the first album that comes to mind?
Deep Purple – Stormbringer. I won it at an elementary school fair, and I liked it, as I recall.
What’s your favorite pre-rock era cover by a rock band?
Love in Vain by The Stones.
Hi E. Plurb!
I’ll agree Weller is one bitter pill, but “Going Underground” is one of those songs that just makes me feel great every time I hear it. I think I know what you mean about a lot of the rest of their stuff, though.
If someone would give you the ticket for free, what band would you most like to see play live solely for ironic reasons?
Gwar
What musician who came out of the punk era most suffers from Fogerty Syndrome?
Graham Parker
In 225 words or less, please explain the long-running, massive appeal of Neil Diamond?
A combination of kitsch, melodrama, irony and big sing along choruses
Quick: When you think cut-out bins what’s the first album that comes to mind?
Peter Tosh – Equal Rights It’s the first cut out that I recall getting.
What’s your favorite pre-rock era cover by a rock band?
Train Kept a Rolling by the Rock and Roll Trio, the Yardbirds and Aerosmith.
1. If someone would give you the ticket for free, what band would you most like to see play live solely for ironic reasons?
Bon Jovi
2. What musician who came out of the punk era most suffers from Fogerty Syndrome?
I don’t know a whole lot of punk besides Wire and a bit of Gang of Four, so this a bit of a guess (and obvious target):
John Lydon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2CnwYPhcQk&feature=related
3. In 225 words or less, please explain the long-running, massive appeal of Neil Diamond?
At least for this generation, Will Farrell.
4. Quick: When you think cut-out bins what’s the first album that comes to mind?
The First Letter, Wir(e)
5. What’s your favorite pre-rock era cover by a rock band?
Daisy Bell, by Blur
1. The Machine (Pink Floyd tribute band)
2. John Lydon
3. His ’60s stuff appeals to rock nerds; everything else appeals to middle America. For some reason, I do not hate his Last Waltz song.
4. Yes, Big Generator
5. “Dancing with Tears in my Eyes,” X
If someone would give you the ticket for free, what band would you most like to see play live solely for ironic reasons?
I wanted to say the Jim Belushi/Dan Aykroyd Blues Brothers, but I’d never make it through that. KISS would be my real answer, if nobody had to know I went.
In 225 words or less, please explain the long-running, massive appeal of Neil Diamond?
Drunk people think singing Neil Diamond songs is hilarious. Also, “Porcupine Pie” is a true classic.
Quick: When you think cut-out bins what’s the first album that comes to mind?
Oranges & Lemons, because I pulled the CD out of a discount bin with a bunch of copies in there, so while it’s still my least favorite XTC album, I’m easier on it for having paid less from the start.
What’s your favorite pre-rock era cover by a rock band?
The Isleys doing “Lucky Old Sun”. If it counts, and it’s kind of a stretch for the rock band criteria, James Brown and a jazz orchestra doing “September Song” from Soul On Top.
What musician who came out of the punk era most suffers from Fogerty Syndrome?
No answer for this one, but I really liked the Fogerty comments above. It’s true, for a guy who never wrote love songs, Fogerty did have a way of working sentiment into what he wrote when he wanted to. All of the anger in the Fogerty Syndrome aspect of his performances could give way to a bit of nostalgia…“Hey Tonight” is another one that benefited from that kind of wistfulness. He’s a complex guy, that Fogerty.
I’ll play along…
Maybe Rush – or maybe better yet Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush!
Weller was the correct answer, although Johnny Ramone is also acceptable.
Do we need to celebrate an assimilated son or daughter from each racial/ethnic group? Is Neil Diamond the first All-American Jewish Boy in rock?
The Head East album that looks like a road sign.
Not sure, but “Dancing with Tears in My Eyes” by X is great. I would never think to like such a song if not for their version.