With the birth of a new Mountbatten-Windsor, the world is all eyes and ears about the development of the latest in the line for the British throne. As we have heard from recent posts by HVB, shaping the musical tastes of an infant is important…and difficult. But considering that this boy could one day have the power to rock the musical interests of a large island’s youth, I think we need to lend a helping hand. If we were to send our own care package of love and excellent musical taste, which thematically relevant tracks or artists would we recommend for Baby Royal? Would we include something from Prince? How about Royal Trux? I’d like to send along Madness’s “The Prince.”
I am particularly interested in the selections of Rock Town Hall’s British and former commonwealth friends.
Last night, Mr. Royale and I went to one of those ’80s dance nights. I’m proud to say that I danced my f’ing ass off and even Mr. Royale was seen hoofing it to several classic ’80s Post-Punk tracks. This wasn’t your typical synth-pop, hair metal evening: David J was the guest DJ. As you can imagine, he filled the evening with darker, interesting British music from the early-to-mid -80s, most of it great to dance to and all of it enjoyable to hear.
This morning, the ’80s love-fest continued. While I was scanning my FB feed, another blog that I follow posted some videos from the Hacienda/Factory Records site. While I’ve been resting my weary feet, I’ve been watching these live clips from The Hacienda, circa 1982. Most of them are pretty interesting, and I’m guessing a few will get you up on your feet. The band line up is so good: I would call it my Summer of Love.
Hopefully, it’s rapidly approaching that time of the year when you will be able to sit down with a glass of something cool and refreshing, and open up a good book.
You may not choose Simon Reynold’s Retromania, but last week’s NY Times Summer Reading Book Review contained synopses of three possible contenders. Do any of these appeal to you?
The Stone Roses, War and Peace. By Simon Spence. Read the cautionary tale of the number one contender for the “Band Who Blew It”!
I Would Die 4 U, Why Prince Became an Icon. By Toure. Based on a series of lectures presented at Harvard, including “Prince’s Rosebud.”
Yes Is The Answer And Other Prog Rock Tales.Edited by Marc Weingarten and Tyson Cornell. A series of recollections by people in the know. Rick Moody shares that Carl Palmer “dabbled in funk,” and other interesting bits and pieces.
What will you be reading this summer? Any recommendations for fellow rockophiles?
At times of turmoil and change (or just a crappy work week), it can be good to know that there are some definitive answers to life’s musical questions. I would like to thank Roz Chast for proposing the first 3 in a recent New Yorker cartoon:
Nan McGillicuddy let the dogs out.
The flowers all went to Passaic.
We can’t do it in the road because it just got paved.
I did some research and consultation, and was able to determine 3 additional Final Answers:
No, I’ve never been mellow.
Peace, love and understanding aren’t funny at all.
I know you’ve been saving your celebrating until now. I feel embarrassed that it slipped my mind until NPR reminded me: Today is Shakespeare’s birthday!
In honor of Avonian Willie and his prolixity, let us celebrate with a Last Man Standing that features lyrics penned by The Bard.
Yes, Cliffs Notes are allowed, but no, you can not include broadcasts of Shakespeare productions, or movies and their soundtracks. Subtle paraphrasing is also permitted.
This post is about remembering something good. About the transcendence of music, even crappy music.
Last night, I attended and performed in this year’s Talent Show at the middle school where I work. Yes, we adult faculty were magnificent in our rendition of the Harlem Shake (I’m sure my Funky Chicken will be commented on for years to come). But the part of the afternoon that stood out for me was a student’s rendition of Kansas’s “Dust In The Wind.” I initially guffawed when I saw the song announced on the program. When when she started to play, it realized it was a lovely choice. I am not admitting that this song has some sentimental value as I’d seen Kansas in concert about 3 times when I was growing up. I will admit that it’s a horrible song. But to hear this student sing it in a heart-felt way was oddly transcendent.
It reminds me of that album, The Langley Schools Music Project, and the student renditions of some popular songs at the time. Many of those songs are objectively horrible (“Mandy,” by Barry Manilow!) but when performed by young students (even horribly), they somehow lose some of that dreadfullness and become…palatable? Beautiful? Acceptable? (There is a cringe-worthy but great version of “Good Vibrations” that has been used in some movie soundtracks.) One of my favorites from that album is “Desperado” by [The] Eagles:
I’ve often been cautious about attending student/young performer musical events: they seem to be more the stuff of family photo ops than “art.” I can still recall the dread, waiting for my turn to play in annual piano recitals, sitting next to my father and hearing him rapidly suck air in through his teeth when someone played a wrong note, and then worrying that I would make some laughable mistake.
So yesterday’s performance was just what I needed: the kids who love music and it how it shows, even if what they choose to play is garbage.
With all the recent threads about Mod’s hate/acceptance of ’80s music, we have neglected to fully discuss the style implications of Mod’s musical choices. (Haircut 100? With their short-on-the-sides-but-long-on-top hair, leg warmers, and prodigious use of artfully draped scarves, this is a band flaunting the styles which Mod has previously railed against.) However, I save that for another day…
What I can offer is this: a thread that I believe 99% of us can get behind. The link/post below provides an opportunity for us to
Learn a little about the incredibly stressful work of a graphic artist
Pat ourselves on the back about what would be our knowledgable and artistic visual choices
Recall some music from the past (if anyone has actually listened to any of these bands or albums, please speak up)
