Nov 162012
Sep 292012
Every song 49 cents or less!
After a recent excursion to our Ann Arbor campus for our annual brand planning meeting, we turn over a new format on tonight’s episode of Saturday Night Shut-In, something we like to call Cheap Cutz. Rather than our usual mix of obscuro collectors’ gems, German True Stereo recordings, and outtakes from expensive box sets, your newly budget-conscious Mr. Moderator spins nothing but tracks costing 49 cents or less. Stay tuned for an important announcement about our launch on satellite radio. Meanwhile, tell us what you think of the new format. We’ll be reading your best tweets on the air!
[audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/RTH-Saturday-Night-Shut-In-88.mp3|titles=RTH Saturday Night Shut-In, episode 88][Note: You can add Saturday Night Shut-In episodes to your iTunes by clicking here. The Rock Town Hall feed will enable you to easily download Saturday Night Shut-In episodes to your digital music player.]
Sep 042012
I had to spend 2 hours tonight sitting through a yearly league meeting for coaches in the youth soccer league in which I coach. As always, it was hell. As always, it was a 150-(mostly) man example of the fact that a good deal of kids don’t so much grow into adults rather than grow into oversized kids. One coach brought up the pettiest complaint of the night, saying that his club’s field does not have enough sideline room to allow the coaches to stay a minimum 6 feet from the playing field. He took the most pindick attitude I’ve witnessed in a good 35 years (“pindick” being a term I haven’t thought to utter in that same span), ending his whine by staring straight ahead, without blinking, and asking the league’s board of stressed-out volunteers, “So what are you gonna do?”
“Give you a wedgie,” I muttered from a few rows away, loud enough for my club’s fellow coaches to hear.
Yes, my newfound perspective on maturing is evident when I look in my own mirrors.
Thankfully I got home just in time to watch the one bit of the Democratic National Convention that I’d hoped to catch: Michelle Obama‘s speech. Without delving into my half-assed political views, I’ll simply say that Michelle blew me away. Has anyone ever spoke so freely about love from the podium of a party’s national convention? It was like Woodstock in there.
Musically, I got a charge out of hearing her walk out to Stevie Wonder‘s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” We’re a music blog. As we did for the Republicans, it’s important we keep a keen eye on the musical proceedings at the Democrats’ convention. What other musical moments did I miss? What’s coming in the next couple of days? I’m going to need your help, because there’s only so much of these pep rallies I can handle. Thanks.
Sep 012012
Sounds of the Hall in roughly 33 1/3 minutes!
On tonight’s episode of Saturday Night Shut-In Mr. Moderator mourns today’s death of lyricist Hal David, reflects on the instructional film Easy Rider, and calls for the arrest of Clint Eastwood. Should be a pleasant show.
[audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/RTH-Saturday-Night-Shut-In-87.mp3|titles=RTH Saturday Night Shut-In, episode 87][Note: You can add Saturday Night Shut-In episodes to your iTunes by clicking here. The Rock Town Hall feed will enable you to easily download Saturday Night Shut-In episodes to your digital music player.]
Aug 312012
I paid very little attention to the 2012 GOP Convention. I plan on paying about as little attention to the Democrats’ upcoming pep rally as well. In the little bit I’ve watched, however, I have been attuned to the event’s musical references.
The first night I only watched my adopted homeboy, New Jersey’s Chris Christie. He made a reference to The Boss within his opening sentence or two. Mad props—and respect—to the new Big Man for citing Darkness on the Edge of Town rather than a popular choice like either of the Born… albums. Man of the People and would-be popular guy Christie sure as hell wasn’t going to cite some loner critical darling like Nebraska. Good opening move by the Republicans, if you ask me: +8 points.
Tonight I watched Clint Eastwood make threats against our President. I didn’t notice any music associated with his speech. The Clint of Play Misty for Me seemed long gone: -2 points.
Next I watched way too much of Mitt Romney‘s speech. Politics aside, that guy bores me. It’s as if John Kerry came back to life a Republican. During the 40 minutes of fluff and 4th-rate SNL jokes I heard Mitt made some reference to his iPod playlist being better than running mate Paul Ryan‘s. Something tells me a comparison of their playlists would not be a Clash of the Titans, nor even include a lame Clash song like “Should I Stay (or Should I Go).” The whole “playlist” thing gets on my nerves too: -7 points.
I did hear Michael Jackson‘s “Man in the Mirror” playing while Mitt took the stage. I kind of like that song when the chorus kicks in, the way I kind of like “Kokomo.” I felt good for Michael. In the afterlife he has achieved acceptance as a white person: +4 points.
A friend on Facebook said that Romney also played James Brown‘s “Living in America.” Supposedly Al Sharpton was pissed about that. I’ve always thought Sharpton was an opportunistic fraud, and I always thought “Living in America” was an opportunistic, fraudulant JB record, so much so that it’s not worth worrying over: 0 points.
What did I miss (musically)? Please rate the GOP Convention’s musical moments on a +/-10-point scale. We will hold the Democrats to the same degree of scrutiny.
Aug 052012
Sounds of the Hall in roughly 33 1/3 minutes!
On tonight’s episode of Saturday Night Shut-In a slightly perturbed* Mr. Moderator returns from 2 glorious weeks visiting friends along the California coast. The hope is he will work through what ails him during the show. Blame it on his return to East Coast humidity? Why not. Nevertheless, the man carries on with some scratchy vinyl and a pocketful of insights.
As a special treat, tonight’s episode kicks off with a Mystery Date! The rules for play follow. The Townsperson who posts the best analysis of our Mystery Date within the constricts of the game will win a KISS Hanging T-Shirt Air Freshener! Contest runs through Wednesday, August 8. Check out how to play…after the jump!
[audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/RTH-Saturday-Night-Shut-In-86.mp3|titles=RTH Saturday Night Shut-In, episode 86][Note: You can add Saturday Night Shut-In episodes to your iTunes by clicking here. The Rock Town Hall feed will enable you to easily download Saturday Night Shut-In episodes to your digital music player.]
To enter our special Mystery Date competition, continue to the next page!
*I found the microphone. My wife was right. Again. My lifelong streak of unnecessarily worrying about misplaced things continues.
Jul 212012
Sounds of the Hall in roughly 33 1/3 minutes!
On tonight’s episode of Saturday Night Shut-In Mr. Moderator presents some of his favorites from a batch of Robert Pollard/Guided By Voices-related releases from 2011, courtesy of Pollard’s friend and GBV label colleague Kpdexter, our old friend and founding Townsman.
[audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/RTH-Saturday-Night-Shut-In-85.mp3|titles=RTH Saturday Night Shut-In, episode 85][Note: You can add Saturday Night Shut-In episodes to your iTunes by clicking here. The Rock Town Hall feed will enable you to easily download Saturday Night Shut-In episodes to your digital music player.]
