Movies first, quickly.
The Greatest Showman — I like Hugh Jackman, but I also like movies where there's more than one song (or what sounds like one song) and more than one choreography for that (those) song(s). I also like dances where dancers move their feet. And CGI sets that are at least marginally believable. I can't imagine why this was a big hit.
The Favourite — Wonderful, start to finish.
Stan and Ollie — In a world where most young people don't know who Laurel and Hardy were (and for that matter, probably don't know anything about movies before 1980 except maybe Disney flicks), this is a sweet joy to watch. Sadly, most people won't watch it. The actors are spot on.
Then music. Here's the latest additions, or not, to the Tab Room playlist on Spotify.
Scotch and Soda, The Kingston Trio, eponymous album — There was a time when the Kingston Trio was all the rage, and I only threw this in for nostalgic reasons. I saw them perform live when I was a kid. Stuff like that sticks with you. I like others of their songs too, but one is enough in a rock playlist.
Grazing in the Grass, The Friends of Distinction, Grazin' — Another nostalgic goody from AM radio. Does anyone still listen to AM radio?
Cosmic Thing and Love Shack, The B-52s, Nude on the Moon — I want to like the B-52s more than I do, but most of the time their songs are sort of bland and go on way too long. Still, these are a couple of hits that it won't hurt to hear now and then.
10 Rocks, Shelby Lynne, Identity Crisis — Lynne can pretty much be said to defy category, but if you had to place her anywhere, it would be modern Country. She did win Best New Artist in that genre with something like her 100th album. Anyhow, she does get a good one off now and then that fits here. My favorite work of hers is her Dusty Springfield tribute album.
I Can See Clearly Now and You Can Get it if You Really Want, Jimmy Cliff, We All Are One – I guess you could call these MOR standards. But that doesn't make them bad.
Crumblin' Down, Authority Song and Lovin' Mother For Ya, John Mellancamp, Uh-HUH! — Still introducing myself to JCM, and enjoying it. From some vantage point he's the poor man's Springsteen, but, then again, so is Springsteen. He can rock, though, when the situation calls for it.
Come to the Sunshine, Harpers Bizarre, Feelin' Groovy — This is the version of the song that sticks in my mind. To be honest, I'm not familiar with the original (which I just added to a different list to give it a listen), but I am a Van Dyke Parks fan, and will champion the album "Orange Crate Art" until the day I die.
Don't Let Go, Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen, We've Got a Live One Here — I just had this song going through my head, and tracked down my favorite version of it. The Commander has more live albums than, as my mother used to say, Carter has little liver pills, and all of them seem to be the same songs in performances of varying success levels. I first saw him in the 70s at the Bottom Line. And then I saw him a couple of years ago in a local club with his East Coast Airmen. Hell of a show. And lots of fun.
Western Union, The Five Americans, Best of... — Another single from the AM era.
You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Not Fragile — A nice classic rock standard from a group I never paid any attention to. But I liked listening to this album.
Synchronicity I, Synchronicity II, and Every Breath You Take, The Police, Synchronicity — If you like the Police, you like these songs. I like the Police.
Maybelline, Foghat, eponymous — The name Foghat has always been familiar to me, but this is the first time I've given them a listen. They're quite good, and I look forward to listening to the rest of their albums. Very straightforward rock with lots of originality (although I seem to be refuting that by selecting a cover song).
Let the Wind Blow, Aren't You Glad and Wild Honey, The Beach Boys, 1967 Sunshine Tomorrow — I guess this is supposed to be the collector's version of the Wild Honey album. There's more outtakes and alternates than real music, which is true of way too many Beach Boys albums. I really don't need to crawl into Brian's mind and never come back, or into the group's mind without Brian; I can never keep track of when he's with the group and when he isn't. Still, a fan can always find a good cut on any of their albums.
Just Like Paradise, David Lee Roth, Skyscraper — No, I refuse to apologize for adding this one. So sue me.
I Can See for Miles, Heinz Baked Beans, Mary Anne With the Shaky Hand and Tattoo, The Who, The Who Sell Out — In my opinion, this is one of the very best of the group's albums, tied with "Who's Next." The first time I saw them Townsend was still, albeit perfunctorily, destroying his guitar. The next time I saw them they played for hours, first doing all their hits and then, after a break, doing "Tommy." Watching Keith Moon play the drums was exhausting. Keith Moon died in the same apartment as Mama Cass. The apartment belonged to Harry Nilsson. That is my favorite piece of rock trivia.
And the albums that didn't make the cut:
Lucinda Williams, Ramblin' — Great stuff, but not for this playlist.
New Riders of the Purple Sage, Powerglide — Ditto. Way too country.
Paul McCartney, Egypt Station — I already grabbed "Come On to Me" when it was a single. The rest? OK, not memorable.
George Harrison, 33 & 1/3 — Again, OK, not memorable. George always sounds just like George.
Golden Earring, On the Double — Dreadful stuff. How did this get on my list?
Franki Valli and the Four Seasons, Born to Wander — The boys go the Dion/Darrin folk route. Not a good direction for any of them.
David Bowie, Tonight — I keep listening to Bowie in order. I know he'll get good eventually—I love the "Let's Dance" album—but God knows when.
Neil Young, Tonight's the Night — Well, no it isn't. Whiny Neil, not rocky Neil.
Stray Cats, Blast Off — Better title would be Running Out of Steam.
No comments:
Post a Comment