Be Thankful For What You Got - William DeVaughn Nutshell - Alice in Chains

 

"Diamond in the back, sunroof top

Diggin' the scene 

With a gansta lean, wooh-ooh-ohh"

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Hope most of you are able to have a day of rest with family, friends, or the wonderful company of yourself. Not much of a story with this first tune but if felt perfect for the day. I've always enjoyed the smoothness and message of this one. It's one of those roll down the windows, feel good Sunday afternoon drive songs. (Or Thursday afternoon for our purposes)

The second track takes me back to Thanksgiving 2007.(yes I realize this album came out in 1996) I had moved back to Charleston the year before to finish taking some classes. By the fall of 2007 I was done with school, had an apartment by myself in downtown Charleston and was single. Ryan Adams and The Cardinals had just put out an EP (Follow the Lights) with a cover of Alice in Chains' Down in a Hole. Great version if you haven't listened, but rehearing the song led me down the rabbit hole to discover the OG version performed on MTV Unplugged. To be honest, I didn't remember they did one of these. (Nirvana of course set the benchmark for the Unplugged series, and to this day remains my favorite album by them.) So I went to the local Best Buy on Black Friday and purchased the AIC Unplugged CD. The rest.... is Thanksgiving history. Let's go back to 2007 when I was living in my one bedroom apartment, single, and still buying CD's at the store.

I'm thankful for the beautiful colors mother nature put on display this year in Virginia. The pic was taken earlier this morning from our bedroom window. This was even more magnificent a couple days ago before a big rain storm. Still excited these colors lingered around a bit later this year.

Cheers to loved ones and the ones we'll miss talking too or seeing around the table this year. Happy Thanksgiving.

William DeVaughn - Be Thankful For What You Got

Alice In Chains - Nutshell (MTV Unplugged - HD Video)

Standing In The Shadows Of Love - Barry White

 "Now don't your conscience kind of bother you

How can you watch me cry after all I done for you"

As we get closer to Halloween let's dip into another fear of the human experience...loneliness. One of the things I love about music is that no matter what you're going through someone out there has witnessed or is going through the same thing as you. If Mr Barry White himself goes through heartbreak, well I guess we can't get too down in the dumps. This is one of many songs Barry covered and put his "Barry-ness" spin on. The original song was performed by The Four Tops in 1966 and had a runtime of 2:37. Mr. White's version clocks in at a whooping 8:06! This is mostly due to the epic buildup intro that opens the classic I've Got So Much To Give album. We don't even hear Mr. White speak till the 3 minute mark and even then it's just a primordial moaning like we just woke up a sex crazed bear from hibernation. Once that high hat starts chirping you know it's almost showtime! Great song, amazing title, and one of my favorite album covers of all time. As the kids say, this ones a slapper. Do kids still say that?

Another reason I picked this tune for the spooky season is that it features Mr. White playing the harpsichord. Chances are if a song features the harpsichord (whether it's China Doll by the Grateful Dead, anything from Bach, or Everyone by Van Morrison) I'm going to pay attention...don't even get me started on my love for the xylophone. While all of these feature talented players, my favorite harpsichord player of all time is Lurch from the Addams Family! I spent many an afternoon after school watching reruns of The Addams Family (The Munsters would get some love too) which helped shape my interest in horror at a young age (seeing Alice Cooper's Welcome to My Nightmare Video on MTV also had an effect) Hope you enjoy the tunes and the rest of the Halloween season. I'll try to squeeze in one more post before the big day. Cheers!

Todays horror recommendation is from 2015, titled Hell House LLC. I'm not a huge fan of the found footage flicks but this one hit all the sweet spots for me. It's just an unnerving movie. It has two sequels (maybe a 4th film is on the way?) and all of them are effective but if you're looking to cram in one more spooky movie this year I'd give this one a spin. A group of friends are setting up a haunted attracted at an old hotel with a storied past. As the days go by things don't go as planned and unsettling things start occurring. That's about all you need to know. Till next time.

Standing In The Shadows Of Love

Alice Cooper - Welcome to my Nightmare

The Addams Family Intro

Hell House LLC Trailer

Don't Give Up on Me Now / One More Change - Ben Harper

 "You can wait your whole life

Not knowing what you're waiting for"

My favorite time of year has come around again. Cooler mornings, changing leaves, and that wonderful spookiness creeping through the air.

I had the pleasure of catching Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals last weekend here in Richmond, VA. His Live From Mars album was in heavy rotation on my 5 disc cd changer back in 2001. It was a challenging season for me so Ben was a faithful companion during that journey. (Specifically disc two, which was just Ben and his acoustic guitar) 

The whole band sounded amazing, but I was excited to witness a few solo Ben tracks live (to the left is a pic I shot with Ben and his lap steel guitar.) It was great hearing some of the throw back tunes, but as usual a new (to me) song grabbed me immediately. It helped that the guy in front of us was losing his mind once they went into the track. 

Since we're in the Halloween season I suppose we'll keep the theme of fright and fear songs. This tune addresses anxiety, depression, identity crisis, addiction, and questioning one's purpose in life. Those things are more terrifying to me than Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees! For this weeks post I'd like to feature two tunes from Mr. Harper. The first track from 2012 referenced above is someone trying to figure things out. Jump forward to Ben's 2023 release, and he's been able to spin his brain around and instead of landing on bankrupt, he's won a trip to Aruba! I love the way he can look at the same obstacles but put a more positive spin on defeating them. Something we can all strive for! Enjoy the tunes, and I hope to back on this site a few more times during the month as October always gets the creative juices flowing. 

Oh, so let's stick with the October horror movie suggestions. Todays pick is from 2009. Let's revisit Ti West's, House of the Devil. This is one of Ti's earlier films and he's of course gone on to direct bigger budget flicks like X and Pearl. This film also features a small part by today's "it" director, Greta Gerwig.  

This movie brought me back to being a horror fan. Growing up in the 80's I have a special place in my heart for the Slashers, but I also loved the 70's big budget/big star horror films and of course the OG Universal Monster Movies. The 90's hit and things got a little stale for me. Movies were too slick, featured someone from Dawson's Creek (no hate, I do love me some Dawson) and they all kind of seemed like Scream ripoffs. After that we had the whole torture porn genre (although I just watched Saw X and enjoyed it) and then Japanese movies remade in America. Not my favs. This film goes back to the basic campfire cautionary tale. Story of a woman taking a babysitting job at a spooky house, not sure what's behind that bedroom door and what's the deal with the people who hired her? The atmosphere and the tension of this move is just fun. If you dig this one, I'd check out his follow up film , The Innkeepers. Alright that's all I got. Thanks for reading.

Ben Harper Don't give up on me now.flv

Ben Harper - One More Change

The House of the Devil (2009) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

Cherish - Kool & The Gang

 

"The next life that we live in

Remains to be seen

Will you be by my side"

Happy Labor Day! Hopefully everyone found some joy and adventure over the summer. This was a busy one in our household. Thankfully no pandemics, broken air conditioning units, or other unexpected home improvement projects that plagued our past. Not to jinx myself, but happy to report everything ran relatively smooth over the past few months. For the first time in a few years this past summer was the season of amazing live music experiences. In case you haven't noticed, everybody is on the road and everyone is going. 

I unexpectedly had the fortune of bookending my summer with the Flaming Lips. First over the Memorial Day weekend in Washington DC at The Anthem (pic on the left from the balcony , above the masses and laser beams) and just last weekend in Bonner, Montana at the beautiful KettleHouse Amphitheater (on the ground a few yards back, among the masses and under the laser beams) Both shows were celebrating the 20th anniversary of Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots which was played front to back during the first set and after a short intermission we were treated with a potpourri of the Lips' catalogue for set 2. Much to my surprise, the second sets were quite different for these shows so it was nice to see the Lips weren't resting on a three month old setlist and keeping things fresh. Now I've seen the Lips four times and as usual an unfamiliar song gets under my skin and this last time was no exception. This time around the unexpected tune was Vein of Stars from the At War With the Mystics album. Listening to to it under the cool Montana sky on a clear night and a half moon on the Blackfoot River was somewhat otherworldly.

I'll probably lean in a bit more on these and some of the other magical concerts I saw this summer, but I noticed a general theme during the "Big 3" summer of 2023 shows I attended. Wasn't sure how and why but dammit I got downright emotional and teared up during all three events. Was it that I'm comfortably in the middle age of my life, psychologically processing the past few batshit years on the planet, seeing these bands perform at the twilight of their careers, inhaling god knows what for four hours (I'm looking at you Dead and Co fans)? The answer is.....yes.

So the moments that got me this summer.....First up, Flaming Lips at the Anthem. I've heard the song a million times but Do You Realize? just hit me in a different way this time around. Our dog was having some issues in the days leading up to the show and we weren't sure if this was going to be the time we had to say goodbye. Three months's later I'm extremely grateful that's he's currently passed out drooling and snoring in the living room. But those days around the show were a bit dicey.

"Do you realize, that you have the most beautiful face" 

That line which is so simple hit me because images of our sweet Willie were front and center in my mind. In case you were wondering, he does have the most beautiful face.

Second adult cry came during Dead and Company at Wrigley Filed in Chicago. The show was an emotional rollercoaster for many reasons. Those guys know how to build a setlist. After some rockers and the drums/space section out from the smoke reentered the band and the opening chords of Stella Blue conjured from the speakers with Bobby Weir taking the vocals. 

"It all rolls into one, And nothing comes for free, There's nothing you can hold, For very Long, And when you hear that song, Come crying in the wind, It seems like all this life, Was just a dream"

I mean come on! Do you even have a soul if this doesn't affect you? 

Lastly, The Cure at the Wells Fargo Arena in Philly. Fortunately I wasn't alone in my sadness for this show. I mean it's kind of the whole theme of the Cure right? The tune that hit me at this show was one I'd never heard till that night. It's a song coming on their forthcoming album called, I Can Never Say Goodbye. Robert penned this song about losing his brother. Here we go again!

"From out the cool November night , Something wicked this way comes, To steal away my brothers life, Something wicked this way comes, I could never say goodbye"

That being said, these were single moments of these shows but the majority of the time I was singing along, dancing (well it that's what you want to call it) with a big grin on my face feeling grateful to be in the moment with the masses again. (well, most of the masses)

Speaking of emotions, one thing that does trigger melancholy in my bones is the sound of seagulls crying. Not sure what it is, but it always makes me feel my feelings. I must not be alone, because the "seagull sound" is used in some popular tunes from the 80's. The first one that comes to my mind is from the great Kool & The Gang. I remember hearing this song many times as a child, but listening as an adult I realized how deep Kool and his Gang get with their songwriting. This one deals with grief, being in the moment, and reincarnation?! A big jump from Jungle Boogie! (which I also love) The video is a  classic and as many times as I've been to the beach, I've yet to come upon a party quite like this. I'm thinking for a future birthday I may need to recreate this White Party soiree. I'll keep you posted. Also using the sad seagull theme is the former Eagle (Not Seagull) himself, Mr. Don Henley. His may be more of a guitar or keyboard effect to mimic the sound, but it still haunts me.

Thanks again for reading, hoping to not have such a lag in posts in the future. My favorite season is rapidly approaching so I'm sure some inspiration will hit again soon. Till next time, cheers.

Kool & The Gang - Cherish

Don Henley - The Boys Of Summer (Official Music Video)

The Flaming Lips-Vein Of Stars

Sometimes it Snows in April - Prince And the Revolution

"Always cry for love, never cry for pain"

Happy Friday! I had intentions of posting something else today, but before logging off work I saw that it was the 7th anniversary of Prince's death. I wrote a while back about the first and only time I was lucky enough to see the man in concert. Check that out here.

The image to the left was a pic I took last summer in Chicago at the Prince Immersive Exhibit. This room is of course a depiction of the When Doves Cry video. The display featured various photos, outfits, guitars, a recreation of Prince's studio and the back alley of First Avenue with the famous purple motorcycle. While it was possibly a bit of a cash grab from the Prince estate (I can't imagine he would've approved this) it was still fun to check out because all things Prince are just fascinating. 

I can't recall but I'm sure with the timing of his death this song was played quite a bit, but I haven't heard it for awhile and perhaps neither have you. It's a beautiful track and a nice way to remember the man that was taken away from the world too soon.  One of my favorite lines from Prince during the show in Charleston was before he played his hit tune Cream. Prince stated, " I wrote this next song while looking at myself in the mirror." Classic. Have a great weekend. If you see me out in Richmond tonight, perhaps I'll be sporting the shirt Prince is wearing on the below album cover as a tribute...You're welcome.

Sometimes It Snows in April

Walk on By -Isaac Hayes

 

"Foolish pride

That's all that I have left

So let me hide

The tears and the sadness you gave me

When you said goodbye"

Wanted to give a shout out to the late great Burt Bacharach this week. Burt and his music partner Hal David composed some of the greatest love songs performed and covered by artists such as Aretha Franklin, The Carpenters and even Christopher Cross (If you get caught between the moon and New York City! (everybody sing!) Today's song was first performed by Dionne Warwick (one of many) but I'd like to focus on Mr. Hayes' version.

I remember hearing this song on the radio, perhaps when I was in middle school but had no idea what I was listening too. This deep voiced crooner was unlike anything I'd heard before and I just loved the funky-ness of the rhythm section and that crazy cool guitar tone. In middle school I also happened to be a big Slick Rick fan, and he even gives a shout out to the chorus on one of my favs from the Great Adventures of Slick Rick album. (see below video) I finally got a hold of this version when I purchased the Dead Presidents Soundtrack Volumes 1 and II. I thought the movie was interesting but the soundtracks blew my mind. James Brown, Al Green, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes to name a few. These albums led me down the rabbit hole to discovering the catalogues of so many amazing soul singers from the 60's and 70's. 

I never got to see Isaac live, but I did have the opportunity about 20 years ago to see Slick Rick and Doug E Fresh at the Music Farm in Charleston, SC. It was as cool as you would imagine. I remember at one point Slick had a beautiful lady come out mid show with all of his gold chains and rings on a satin pillow and placed then around Rick's neck and fingers. Now that's what I call entertainment.

RIP Burt Bacharach, thanks for the wonderful tunes. As far as the picture goes, I don't believe KISS ever covered any Bacharach songs. KISS is in the news again since they're embarking on their "final" 50 shows. Not sure if I'll make it to these but I've seen the spectacle four times at this point (I'll do a KISS post down the line) Those are actually coffee mugs I purchased back in 2010 or 11 at the KISS Coffeehouse in Myrtle Beach, SC.(They were sold out of Gene that day) Yes, if you were unaware KISS did have a coffeeshop. At the time it was open I wasn't even a coffee drinker but I may've stopped by four or five times during it's run. Sadly it's closed now. In case you were curious, they did sell women's underwear showcasing two of the bands hits. The front of the underwear, Lick it Up and the back, Rock Bottom. Amazing. Shocked they didn't have men's underwear with Love Gun, but I digress. 

Ok so we have Burt Bacharach, Slick Rick, and KISS themed panties. Welcome to my brain everyone. Thanks for reading.

Walk On By (Remastered)

Mona Lisa

Kiss - Lick It Up

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Skeleton Tree

 

"Fallen leaves thrown across the sky

A jittery TV

Glowing white like fire

Nothing is for free

I called out, I called out

Right across the sea"

Hope everyone is having a nice Saturday. Mine's a bit on the lazy side as it's currently cold and raining. Perfect weather for reflection and relaxation. The pic to the left is the current scene in our soggy backyard. Poor Saint Francis is getting soaked! 

I went to a funeral last week and as us humans tend to do, we start contemplating our own mortality. It's something that I don't dwell on much but every once in awhile events like that stop me in my tracks. I start to take inventory thinking about friends, family, current life status, goals, what's it all mean, etc, etc. It was a Catholic funeral which is the religion i was raised in. I remember as a kid learning that the afterword was everlasting. I couldn't comprehend infinity as a child (well I still can't) and I thought going on forever sounded kind of awful and terrifying. Normal anxiety of an elementary school kid? Well I guess it depends on what religion was first introduced to you. To quote the Jeff Tweedy song, Nobody Dies Anymore, "I love how every song ends." 

I would guess other than love, heartbreak and loss is the topic of most recorded music out there. For whatever reason I'm a sucker for those lost love, tear in my beer, heartbreakers. From Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks to Bruce Springsteen's Tunnel of Love to every Blues and Country album ever recorded,  some of the greatest work from creatives comes from a difficult place. Joining the ranks of those masterpieces is Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds 2016 album, Skeleton Tree. 

During the recording of the album one of Cave's sons tragically died in a hiking accident. While most of the album was complete, Cave would alter some lyrics to express his grief and loss. This album was on repeat for me quite a bit at the end of 2016/beginning of 2017. I recommend front to back but for today's pick, lets go with the title track.

Since it's a weekend it doesn't have to be all doom and gloom. While the rain can bring on less uplifting feelings it's also a great excuse for jazz. Here's a classic that sounds like a perfect rainstorm accompaniment to me. Mine as well throw in that Tweedy song too as it's relevant to the topic. As always, thanks for reading.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - 'Skeleton Tree' (Official Audio)

In A Sentimental Mood

Nobody Dies Anymore - Tweedy

Isolation - Spoon

 

"We're afraid to be alone

Everybody's got to get a home

Isolation"

Happy New Year! Like most people this past year was filled with ups and downs....Got covid for the first time, had to say goodbye to our 21 year old cat, had major construction on our house, spent an incredible week in Vermont, got back to Chicago and NYC,  had great hangs with friends and family, got to spend time in the Virginia mountains, and went to my first indoor concert since before all this covid mess. I'd say this year was a step in the right direction compared to the past two, but heres hoping that the positive overwhelmingly outweighs the negative for everyone in 2023. My first indoor show back was Spoon at The National here in ole Richmond in April. They were promoting their latest album, Lucifer on the Sofa which has topped several best of lists in 2022.

The picture above was not from that show. This was back in 2014 at the Forecastle Festival in Louisville, Kentucky (when my beard was a lot darker) I believe I was dancing with some Fear and Loathing , Hunter S Thompson related characters? (Looks like I had enjoyed a few cups from the onsite whiskey lounge experience) I don't go to too many festivals but this was a lineup I couldn't ignore (plus it was an excuse to visit Louisville for the first time) The lineup included Jack White, Beck, Outkast, The Replacements, Band of Horses, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and of course Spoon. (plus many more) This was the first time I got to see Spoon live, but had been a fan since a good friend of mine burned me a CDR of 2005's Gimme Fiction. I became an instant fan and have enjoyed the many releases that have come since.

Today's feature is a John Lennon cover which I heard for the first time back in April at the Richmond show. As a bonus, here's another tune from the They Want My Soul album since that was the record being promoted the first time I caught them back in 2014. Cheers everyone. Hoping a great year is on the horizon! Till next time...

Spoon Covers John Lennon’s "Isolation" Live in Howard Stern’s Studio

Austin City Limits Web Exclusive: Spoon "They Want My Soul"