Saturday, September 18, 2021
Hot Trax '71: Fanny, Coven, 5th Dimension and more!
New songs on the charts 50 years ago this week.
Listen to the updated Hot Trax '71 playlist on Spotify.
Fanny - Charity Ball
Coven - One Tin Soldier (The Legend of Billy Jack)
The 5th Dimension - Never My Love
Gayle McCormick - It's a Cryin' Shame
Nolan - I Like What You Give
Friday, September 17, 2021
Pop Diary: Reservation Dogs, Only Murders in the Building, Catenary Wires
What I'm hearing, reading, watching, drinking, etc.
Reservation Dogs (FX). This is my household's new favorite show and right now it feels like the Best Show Ever.
Created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi, and reflecting the gentle absurdity and fundamental kindness of Waititi's best work ("Boy," "Jojo Rabbit"), it focuses on four Native teens living in Oklahoma and the adults around them.
Getting out and going to California is the sole aim of the teens. They want to get away from poverty, away from rival "gangs" (actually, just other kids as mixed as they are), and away from the sadness of a friend's suicide. But with each episode, we see how California is just a phony dream. It's not as human, real and funny as where they are right now.
The mystical mixes with the mundane. A deer lady kills male chauvinists in their muscle cars. Kids steal a chip truck. A cowardly warriors materializes to offer advice. There's a paintball shootout and a creature in the woods with glowing eyes. A girl takes her drivers' test and winds up in a shootout accompanied by her former basketball coach. The world developed here and the characters that inhabit it are unlike any other we've seen on television and we want to see more and more. A beautiful, moving and hilarious show.
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu). Another one we're loving watch unfold. As a kid who grew up in the 70s and early 80s, I'm wired to love anything that has Steve Martin in it. Even more so with Martin Short included. But my high school-age daughter, who knows third key cast member Selena Gomez better than either of the Martins, is liking it, too. And why not? It's light. It's funny. It's charming and a bit unpredictable (I won't spoil an early superstar guest appearance).
Selena and the Martins are occupants of a luxurious but fading Manhattan apartment building called the Arconia who join forces to solve the murder of a fellow tenant. Each of the three is hooked on a true crime podcast, so they kinda know what they're doing, or so they think. Hi-jinks ensue, but they're witty more than silly, although there's some great physical comedy on display, too, proving that Steve still has his chops, as when he juggles a frozen cat that falls out of a neighbor's freezer. How can you not want to watch now?
Drinking:
Wilco's Jeff Tweedy covers the "Ted Lasso" theme
This week's ep of "Ted Lasso" features a different take of show's theme tune, provided by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy. Sample here:
The piano stylings of Brian Wilson spotlighted on new album from Beach Boys' songwriter
Brian Wilson's new album, out Nov. 18, is titled At My Piano, and features instrumental performances of solo and Beach Boys tunes.
Info:
The musical legend returns to his rich catalogue of hits and performs these historically popular songs in their purest form – just Brian, alone with his piano.
The lead single, Brian’s new soothing rendition of the classic "God Only Knows," is available to listen to now.
At My Piano is a deeply relaxing collection of memorable songs that include: "God Only Knows," "Wouldn’t it Be Nice," "California Girls," "Love and Mercy," "Good Vibrations" and many more, performed with the lucid clarity that a solo piano composition creates. A perfect album for sunsets and golden days.
“We had an upright piano in our living room and from the time I was 12 years old I played it each and every day. I never had a lesson, I was completely self-taught. I can’t express how much the piano has played such an important part in my life. It as bought me comfort, joy and security. It has fueled my creativity as well as my competitive nature.
I play it when I’m happy or feeling sad. I love playing for people and I love playing alone when no one is listening.
Honestly, the piano and the music I create on it has probably saved my life.”
– Brian Wilson
Track list:
1. God Only Knows
2. In My Room
3. Don't Worry Baby
4. California Girls
5. The Warmth of the Sun
6. Wouldn't it be Nice
7. You Still Believe in Me
8. I Just Wasn't Made for these Times
9. Sketches of Smile: Our Prayer/Heroes and Villains/Wonderful/Surfs Up
10. Surfs Up
11. Friends
12. Till I Die
13. Love and Mercy
14. Mt Vernon Farewell
15. Good Vibrations
New music out this week: Dylan, Great Pumpkin, Boots, Monster Mash and more!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)