It’s been an intense week, no? Why don’t we bring things down a notch with a sober, mature discussion of our favorite late-period Van Morrison albums? By “late-period” I am referring only to releases post-1978’s Wavelength. It goes without saying that reissues of albums originally released from (or recorded prior to) 1978 or earlier do no count.
I look forward to your responses.
Sounds of the Hall in roughly 33 1/3 minutes!
In this week’s early edition of Saturday Night Shut-In Mr. Moderator takes to the virtual airwaves to testify, I guess you could say. It’s a long shot, but if what they’re saying comes true and the world begins crumbling around us, we may not have much time to enjoy this week’s episode. So strap in for a longer-than-usual journey, in which your host unloads with some loving and possibly final thoughts that he wants to make sure get out there while there’s time.
[audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/RTH-Saturday-Night-Shut-In-29.mp3|titles=RTH Saturday Night Shut-In, episode 29][Note: The Rock Town Hall feed will enable you to easily download Saturday Night Shut-In episodes to your digital music player. In fact, you can even set your iTunes to search for an automatic download of each week’s podcast.]
I would imagine we’ve all been on the receiving end of what I call Rock Schoolyard Bullying at some point or another in our musical development. Perhaps some Classic Rocker upper classman called you a “pussy” for liking punk rock or New Wave or Disco or whatever. Or maybe some asshole blogger once “outed” you for professing to like Bruce Springsteen‘s Nebraska while claiming you’re a cliche for professing to love that album while having long been too cool for school to admit liking any of The Boss’ popular works. Those rock bullies really get my goat!
I have, however, been guilty of acts of rock schoolyard bullying. I know this confession may shock you. To illustrate an experience I had on the giving end of this regrettable dynamic, here’s an excerpt from a longer piece I have in the works:
The rhythm of music has helped me better understand my own rhythm and the rhythm of others. “What makes that guy tick?” I’ve asked myself a few thousand times over the years. If he’s a music lover to any degree I may be able to quickly home in on his Inner Metronome and reach a level of intimacy that two dudes may not otherwise reach so easily. I have to tread with caution, though. Snap judgments and insults based on an artist he initially expresses as a favorite that I don’t like won’t help. I still regret walking into a party in my mid-20s, with a roomful of people I barely knew, being immediately cornered by a perfectly excited fellow music fan who wanted to make a connection, and then bluntly telling him his favorite local band of the moment “sucked.” It would have been better form had I simply shoved him against the wall and sucker punched him. Sorry, man.
Do you have a memorable moment of rock schoolyard bullying you feel needs sharing, be it on the giving or receiving end? I trust much healing will ensue.
Sounds of the Hall in roughly 33 1/3 minutes!
In this week’s edition of Saturday Night Shut-In Mr. Moderator attempts to make sense of his “loose cannon” nature and redirect his passion toward a more-evolved state, known as the Quiet Rage. Old staples of doom and rage will be spun. The theological implications of Addison DeWitt will be explored. Healing is optional. Godspeed, Mr. Mod.
[audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/RTH-Saturday-Night-Shut-In-27.mp3|titles=RTH Saturday Night Shut-In, episode 27][Note: The Rock Town Hall feed will enable you to easily download Saturday Night Shut-In episodes to your digital music player. In fact, you can even set your iTunes to search for an automatic download of each week’s podcast.]
Amazing insights in this clip from “Dr. Nic,” who played surrogate father, counselor, minister, and drug dealer, among other roles.
Sounds of the Hall in roughly 33 1/3 minutes!
In this week’s edition of Saturday Night Shut-In Mr. Moderator attempts to send some healing love vibrations toward a friend in need and a friend indeed, the Townsman who keeps the trains running on time, sammymaudlin. The Back Office misses his ready laugh in our staff planning sessions.
[audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/RTH-Saturday-Night-Shut-In-17.mp3|titles=RTH Saturday Night Shut-In, episode 17][Note: The Rock Town Hall feed will enable you to easily download Saturday Night Shut-In episodes to your digital music player. In fact, you can even set your iTunes to search for an automatic download of each week’s podcast.]
Hey, I just received word that a dear friend and Townsman is in the hospital today and can use our good vibrations. If Psychic TV can send them, you can too. Please use this space to share good vibrations with your fellow Townspeople! Post anecdotes, rock arcana, links, and what have you in the Comments for this thread with the aim of helping a Townsperson in need feel better.
Please continue to use the rest of this blog to cut up on otherwise-beloved artists and argue over stuff only people like us care to argue over.
