Song of the Day: Gypsy Woman

This is a great old song that I heard today on RadioIO 50's and 60's Rock channel.  Enjoy both versions!

The Impressions (1961)



Brian Hyland (1970)

My Review of Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (DVD)

Originally submitted at WB Shop

An endearing and quietly rhapsodic slice of Americana about a single year among the Norwegian immigrants in a Wisconsin farm town, Our Vines Have Tender Grapes enthralled 1945 audiences and critics with its timeless joys. Told from the viewpoint of little Selma (Margaret O’Brien), the film explores...

Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (DVD)

Against Type: Edward G. Robinson Shines!

By Dustin Blythe from Mishawaka, IN on 8/11/2010

 

4out of 5

Pros: Classic, Original, High Production Value, Wholesome

Best Uses: Adult Viewers, Younger Viewers

Describe Yourself: Movie Buff

Like some of his contemporaries (James Cagney,Humphrey Bogart) Edward G. Robinson was often pigeonholed as a tough guy or a hoodlum. However, once he had a chance to break out of those roles, he really ran with the chance.

"Our Vines Have Tender Grapes" was Robinson's chance. The story is set in a small Wisconsin farming community in the 1940's. Robinson plays Martinius Jacobson, a Norwegian farmer with a young daugher, Selma (played by Margaret O'Brien) and a wife (played by a young Agnes Moorehead, long before "Bewitched").

First time viewers will be struck by the relative lack of "plot" in this movie. Rather than an overarching plot, this movie is more of a slice of life, showing Martinius, his wife, Selma and a neighbor child and other people in the community as they live their lives in Benson Junction.

Perhaps the most striking feature of the film is the gentle, loving and, yes, tender relationship between Martinius and Selma. Selma's changing world, and the beginning of her growth from a small girl to a young woman, provides the viewer with a number of touching moments and memorable scenes.

I have always been struck by the Hollywood studios' apparent fearlessness in telling stories that would never make it past the front gate, for better or for worse, in today's studio culture. "Our Vines Have Tender Grapes" is one of those movies. A simple, sweet story to watch on a weekend afternoon.

Robinson, O'Brien and Moorehead

Tags: Production still

(legalese)

Song(stress) of the Day: Timi Yuro

In my previous post about the Brill Building Sound, I labored over what songs to highlight.  One of the hardest decisions was whether or not to include "What's A Matter, Baby?" by Timi Yuro, written by Clyde Otis and Joy Byers (Byers co-wrote a number of songs for Elvis Presley's musicals in the 60's).

Finally, I decided that Timi Yuro deserved her own showcase on my blog.  One of the most underrated and overlooked singers of the sixties, Yuro had a powerful, soulful style that belied her petite, demure appearance.  Once, while on tour with Frank Sinatra, he walked onstage during her performance and just looked at her.  She stopped the show and asked what he wanted.  He replied that he was just looking for the place where they plugged her in!

She was born Rosemary Timi Yuro in Chicago, Illinois in 1940.


Here are a few samples of Timi Yuro and her magnificent voice.

"What's A Matter Baby?"



"Hurt"  This is, by far, her biggest hit and the song that she is most known for, if anyone knows her at all.  This song, however, is probably best known as one of Elvis Presley's last hits in 1976.  Presley undoubtedly sang the song as a result of his admiration for Yuro.  Elvis would reserve a table for himself each time she performed in Las Vegas.



Here is Timi, live in Rotterdam the Netherlands in 1981 in front of an adoring audience.  Even twenty years after her initial success, her voice is still as powerful and emotive.
"You've Lost That Lovin Feeling/All Alone Am I"



Incredibly, Timi was diagnosed and treated for throat cancer two years before this peformance.  Sadly, she suffered a recurrence of cancer two years later and had to have her larynx removed, which effectively ended her singing career.  She died in 2004.

Bonus:

Among the singers Timi Yuro inspired, most notable was Elvis Presley.  Already a legend by the time her first records came out, Elvis was instantly impressed and moved by her performances.  Here are two that most clearly show her influence on his delivery of two songs, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" and "Hurt".  Elvis, in all likelihood, saw her perform these two songs live in Las Vegas shortly before his own engagements there in the early 70's.


"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin"



"Hurt".  This version, without the later overdubs of background singers, is from what were later called the "Jungle Room Sessions".  Elvis was increasingly reluctant to attend regular recording sessions by 1976.  RCA, in a desperate attempt for new recordings, sent a mobile studio to Graceland.  Elvis and the band set up in the "jungle room", not the best setup for audio quality but the best the engineers could do.

Songs of the Day: Brill Building Brilliance

A great, if rare and expensive, compilation is K-Tel's "Brill Building Sound", a mid 90's box set that looked back at the incredible blizzard of songs that came out of New York's Brill Building in the 1960's.  The roster of talent there was staggering: Neil Sedaka, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry, Neil Diamond, Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman, Leiber and Stoller, Gerry Goffin, Carole King, not to mention Phil Spector and the list goes on. 

These kids (many were not much older than the artists, or their fans for that matter) literally sat in the Brill Building in cubicle like offices and just cranked out the hits: "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do", "Teenager In Love", "Locomotion", "Stand By Me", "Will You Love Me Tomorrow".  Not only were these genuine pop hits, but many had somber undertones which, in many cases, reflected the real life struggles of the songwriters' own lives.

Here are a few of my faves.

"Magic Town" by the Vogues.  Written by Mann and Weil.


"Needles and Pins".  Before the Searchers came in the British Invasion, Jackie Deshannon recorded the first version of this song co-written by Sonny Bono.


"Hey Girl", a great ballad from the team of Goffin and King.  This is a great cover by Billy Joel.


"It Hurts To Be In Love" by Gene Pitney.  Pitney himself was a songwriter who wrote hits for a number of groups/artists in the early sixties, including "He's a Rebel" for the Crystals and "Hello Mary Lou" for Ricky Nelson.  "It Hurts To Be In Love" was co-written by another Brill Building veteran, Howard Greenfield, and was originally meant for Neil Sedaka.  Sedaka loved it, recorded it, but his record company refused to allow the recording to be released because the rights were owned by a rival.  The song was then given to Pitney.  Sedaka's recording was used, but his vocals were wiped out and Pitney sang over Sedaka's backing track.  The rest is history.


"I'm Into Something Good" by Earl Jean. Earl Jean was the lead singer of the girl group The Cookies when she was given this solo song by Goffin and King. Her version is most notable for inspiring the British Invasion act Herman's Hermits to cover it for their first U.S. hit. Still, this is an interesting glimpse into the song, done in the "girl group" style and very similar to a Cookies treatment.


Howard Greenfield co-wrote a number of hits ("Breaking Up Is Hard To Do", "Love Will Keep Us Together", "Where The Boys Are", "Calendar Girl", "Crying In The Rain", "Venus In Blue Jeans") as well as composing the themes for "Bewitched", "The Flying Nun" and "Hazel".  In his spare time, he also wrote a number of minor hits, including this one for Johnny Crawford of "The Rifleman", "Rumors", presented here as it was heard in 1962.

Songs of the Day: the Four Tops

Part of the original Motown sound, the Four Tops had a talent for great performances of diverse, eclectic material.

Along with their signature 60's hits ("I Can't Help Myself", "Reach Out I'll Be There", "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch", et al), the group had success with some unexpected covers, which I want to focus on.

In 1968 the Tops covered "Walk Away Renee", originally a very stylized baroque-sounding lament by the Left Banke.  Here it receives a great Motown soul treatment:

"Walk Away Renee"


1967's "If I Were A Carpenter". This was a song, much like "Little Green Apples" and "By The Time I Get To Phoenix", that almost every artist seemed almost contractually obligated to cover. Again, the Tops set themselves apart from the crowd.

"If I Were A Carpenter"



Showing their resilience through the years, in 1988 with the same line up the Tops had a top 40 hit with this song, "Indestructible".

"Indestructible"



Bonus:

From "Motown 25" in 1983, a recreation of the old "Battle of the Bands" contests they waged while on tour in the 60's.

Songs of the Weekend: Journey "Raised On Radio"

It was Steve Perry's (first) kiss of death in Journey.  It marked the end of an era.  It was Journey's last great album of the 80's.  1986's "Raised On Radio".

Steve Perry had just enjoyed a hit solo album and a hit single, "Oh Sherry".  Now he was ready to really take the reins of Journey.  He talked management, guitarist Neil Schon and keyboardist Jonathan Cain into firing their two longtime bandmates: bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith.  Then he brought in studio session players to fill in for them.  On tour he used session drummer Randy Baird and veteran Randy Jackson (yes, that Randy Jackson, dawg!).  The result was still Journey enough to rock, but definitely with Steve Perry's touch.  However, it did not hold together and Journey split soon afterward.

The album's singles were a staple of mid 80's MTV and are a reminder of some good times.

"Girl Can't Help It"


"I'll Be Alright Without You"


"Be Good To Yourself"



Great stuff, but what was Randy Jackson thinking when he got dressed?!?  I know it was the 80's, but come on.  Have some pride.

Song of the Day: Even Now

This is an often overlooked Bob Seger classic.  Turn it up and enjoy the sound of vinyl, courtesy of YouTube.

Bob Seger "Even Now"

Songs of the Weekend: early Queen

Lately I have been listening to, mainly, "Sheer Heart Attack", Queen's third album.  While it was a departure from their first two albums in that it was a more straightforward pop/rock album, it still contained some ethereal lyrics and some of the flourishes of it's predecessors.  As Brian May and Roger Taylor have said, the roots of "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "A Night At the Opera" lay within their first three albums.

Here are two live clips of Queen circa 1974, as they toured to promote "Sheer Heart Attack".  These clips are from their show at the Rainbow Theatre in London.

"White Queen" from "Queen II"


"In The Lap of the Gods" from "Sheer Heart Attack"



Bonus:
"Now I'm Here" is Brian May's tale of the experiences that filled his head during their first tour of the United States in 1974.

"Now I'm Here" from "Sheer Heart Attack"

Song of the Day: Jackson Browne

Jackson Browne has made some great music over the years, and he has a connection with two other artists that I have highlighted in the past: Dan Fogelberg and the Eagles.  Browne wrote, played and sang with both of them in the early 70's.

Today I want to touch on two songs.  First is "Running on Empty".  I ran across this version on YouTube.  Not fantastic sound quality, but worthwhile.

"Running On Empty"


Next is "For America", a song that would have fit in with the music his friend Kris Kristofferson was writing around the same time.

"For America"



Bonus:

For those of us who grew up in the age of classic MTV, this video will bring back memories of the days when it seemed to be in heavy rotation.

"Lawyers In Love"

Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away...

My god! I looked and I could not believe that it has been a month since I have updated my blog!  What can I say, sheer neglect! 

I have been busy with the local Primary.  The candidate I worked for, Rosemary Mandrici, won and won handily so all the hard work paid off.

Now I am back in the saddle for more music and memories.

Song of the Day: Toto

Here is an overlooked song from the group who brought us "Rosanna" and "Africa".  Released as the lead single from their follow up to "Toto IV", "Stranger In Town" won a few awards for it's cinematography and direction.  It stars Brad Dourif as "The Stranger"

"Stranger In Town"

Let My (white) People Go!

Step aside, African-Americans!  GLBT?  Just shut up!  These are the most persecuted people in the United States:

For some perspective on the T.E.A. Party protests, read this from Tom Tomorrow's blog.

Song of the Day: '39

One of my fave Queen songs, live and acoustic in Houston 1977:

"'39"

This Modern World

The newest cartoon by the brilliant Tom Tomorrow (click for the full size version).

Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death!

This is an interesting article from Alternet on ABC's latest reality flop, "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution".  Interesting because the show is dead (or dying) not necessarily because of low ratintgs, but because of something deeper.

How TV superchef Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution flunked out

Songs of the Weekend: Night Ranger

Good 80's stuff here.  Night Ranger was a staple of mid-late 80's MTV.  Melodic hard rock with great hooks.

"When You Close Your Eyes"


"Goodbye"


"Sentimental Street"


"Four In The Morning"



Bonus

Bass player Jack Blades went on to join short lived supergroup Damn Yankees (with Tommy Shaw of Styx and Ted Nugent).  Here is their biggest hit, "High Enough".

This Modern World

The newest comic from Tom Tomorrow.  So true.  (click on the image for a full sized version)

Songs of the Day: Jim Peterik, Survivor, Pt. 2

When Jim Peterik was not writing hits for Survivor, he was writing them for .38 Special.  Peterik's moonlighting for .38 Special is one of the more overlooked fun facts of the 80's.  Here is some of his work:

"Caught Up In You"


"Hold On Loosely"


"Fantasy Girl"

Happy Dyngus Day!

After spending the day at various Dyngus Day celebrations around St. Joseph County, I felt the need for one more polka song.  Enjoy!

Weird Al Yankovic, "Bohemian Polka"

Sign of the Times

As someone who does not (and will not) carry a cellphone, this scenario is all to familiar.  It will get worse, never better.

In search of a payphone CNN

Long gone, or soon to be, are the days when almost every block had a phone booth on the corner and every public building had a payphone.  Now if you do not have a cellphone, you are S.O.L. 

Songs of the Day: Survivor

Best known for their contributions to the soundtracks to the "Rocky" series, Chicago rockers Survivor were actually born from the ashes of another Chicago rock group, the Ides of March.

Ides of March leader Jim Peterik met guitarist Frankie Sullivan and singer Dave Bickle while working on a solo album.  They decided to form a band and, with a drummer and bassist, became "Survivor".  After hitting it big with "Eye of the Tiger" and touring almost non-stop, Bickle developed throat problems and dropped out of the band.  He later became the singer in the Bud Light "Real Men of Genius" commercials.

Survivor, uh, survived with a new singer, Jimi Jamison.  Jamison was one of those singers with naturally clear and powerful voice.  He could have sang the phone book and killed.  Although their material with Jamison became more and more like mainstream pop toward the end of the 80's, it is still some of their best stuff.  Peterik plays a few of them to this day in his live shows with the reconstituted Ides of March.

"Is This Love"


"I Can't Hold Back"


"High On You"


Bonus


Here are Jim Peterik (and friends) performing "Eye of the Tiger" live and acoustic in Valparaiso Indiana, 2007

Indiana Wants Me

You never know the ways the recession can touch you.  I read this interesting story today at USAToday.com

Speeding "cushion" may dwindle due to recession

As someone who relies on, and takes full advantage of, the idea that you have a five to ten MPH cushion before a policeman takes a second look, this is a scary idea. 

This Modern World

Tom Tomorrow's latest cartoon. These truly are the days of great sorrow (uh, forget the Bush years, the Patriot Act, Guantanamo, Abu Grahib, Katrina, etc...).  Click for the full size image.

Classic Country

I touched on the genre of classic country in my Valentine's Day post with a few choice cuts by Johnny Paycheck.

I was listening to RadioIO Classic Country today, and while I could list quite a few, today I will focus on Merle Haggard and Marty Robbins.

Marty Robbins was probably the most versatile country performer of his generation.  In his career, he experiemented with not only country, but rockabilly, pop, and even traditional Hawaiian music.  Of course, his biggest hit, "El Paso", was from his 1959 concept album "Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs".  The cover showed Robbins in a costume and pose reminiscent of Richard Boone as "Paladin" in "Have Gun Will Travel":

Here is Marty's 1961 hit, "Don't Worry".


Merle Haggard grew up in Bakersfield California with parents who moved there from Oklahoma, perhaps something of an inspiration for his best known song, "Okie From Muskogee".  Something else that helped Merle's feeling for honest to God country was the time he spent in Folsom Prison for robbery.  Later, after becoming a start in his own right, Merle Haggard met Johnny Cash.  Merle told Johnny, "I really enjoyed your show in Folsom Prison.  It helped me become a country singer".  Johnny replied, "I don't remember you being in that show Merle".  Merle replied, "I wasn't in the show, I was in the audience!". 

Here is Merle singing, "I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am"


This is a real treat. This is a clip of Marty Robbins and Merle Haggard together, live in front of an audience. Merle dons Marty's jacket and does a dead on impression of Robbins.

A Few Perspectives On Health Care

Now that the initial euphoria following the success of health care reform has passed, here are a few perspectives on it's passage:

What Atrios said from "This Modern World" by Tom Tomorrow

Republicans face drawbacks of united stand on health bill New York Times (excellent article!)

How the Senate will tackle healthcare reform Salon.com

More on those "neutralized" special interests by Glenn Greenwald

America, here are ten things you've just won with health care reform Alternet/Mother Jones

And a few from the "loyal opposition":

Gov. Mitch Daniels on healthcare reform from Jim Shella's Political Blog

The ten most outrageous right wing freakouts over the health care bill Alternet

13 (GOP) attorneys general file lawsuit against health reform Raw Story

Last, but not least:

March Madness

Sunday night, the biggest cheers were not for the NCAA basketball tournament, nor were all eyes on "Sportscenter".  They were on C-Span.

The Vote:

The Reaction:

Song of the Day: Same Old Lang Syne

I have mentioned before how Dan Fogelberg is a guilty pleasure of mine.  I heard this song twice today, so it must be a sign "syne".

Really a very good song with some lyrics that someone said were "sublime".  That is as good a description as I could come up with, although I would add "wistful" and "nostalgic".  The best part?  It's a true story.  Dan was visiting his parents in Illinois over the holidays one year.  He went to the local store for something on Christmas Eve and the rest is history. 

This is a great, original video for the song.  Not by Dan Fogelberg, but a couple of fans.

Dan Fogelberg, "Same Old Lang Syne"

Song of the Day: When In Rome

CLASSIC 80's music. 

When In Rome, "The Promise"

R.I.P. Alex Chilton

I just read that Alex Chilton died.  Strangely enough, most of the stories I have seen give short shrift to his time in the Box Tops, skipping ahead to his more critically acclaimed time in Big Star. 

Memphis music loses "Big Star"-Alex Chilton dead at 59

Here is one of my favorite Box Tops songs. 

"She Shot A Hole In My Soul"

Sweet Painted Ladies

Nursing home brothel?

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/03/16/vbs.house.setting.sun/index.html?hpt=Mid

This Modern World

Here is the new Tom Tomorrow cartoon (click on the image for the full size version):

I have to wonder: why are we going to the mat now?  Why not before?  Why not for single payer or, at the very least, public option?  God knows the Bush White House pushed through legislation that they felt was beneficial to the country.  And that was for the Patriot Act, etc... 

Here is a good perspective from Tom Tomorrow's blog:

http://www.thismodernworld.com/

Song of the Day: Information Society

This was a big hit in 1988, when I was a freshman in high school.  Good times!

The "Star Trek" samples make it.

Information Society, "What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy)"

Three Sides To Every Story

There is an old saying, "There are three sides to every story: yours, mine and the truth". 

Now there are three more sides: Andrew Young, Rielle Hunter and the truth.  Who do you believe? 

First John Edwards came out with his story.  Then Andrew Young wrote his book, "Politician".  Now Rielle Hunter has broken her silence with a Q&A in the latest issue of GQ.

Who to believe?  I read both the Young book and the Hunter interview.  I do not know.  I believe them both.  They may have fudged some details and misremembered some scenes, but I can see Young's side and, after reading the interview, I have a better grasp of who Rielle Hunter is. 

Update: The photos that accompany the GQ interview were the most unsettling part of the whole thing for me.  It seemed like a ready made Playboy "newsmaker" pictoral that Playboy had somehow passed on.  Now it seems that Hunter is unhappy with the pics.  Could it be due to the backlash the pictures have caused?  Like a PR campaign gone horribly awry?

Song of the Day: George Michael Unplugged

About ten years ago George Michael filmed a show for MTV's "Unplugged" series.  The set list was a mix of solo stuff, a few covers and, as he says, "one Wham track".  That Wham track was one of many highlights of the evening; reworked with a funky new arrangement.  Enjoy!

George Michael, "Everything She Wants"

Surfin' USA

Hey, dude!  Grab your board and let's go!

Waterboarding for dummies Salon.com

Can you believe this?  And we have people not only defending it (I'm looking at you, Liz Cheney), but claiming it isn't really torture. 

Song of the Day: "Outside"

I caught George Michael in concert on HDNet.  Great show with a very imaginative set.  Here is one of the songs featured in the show.

After his high profile arrest in a Los Angeles men's room, not only did George Michael appear on the Letterman show, he made this video.  What balls. 

George Michael, "Outside"

Song of the Day: Queen

I have returned, faithful reader, from a short break from posting.  Alas, I have returned with a short post about one of my favorite Queen songs, "Sail Away Sweet Sister", from their 1980 album "The Game".

One of but a handful of songs not sung by Freddie Mercury (save for a short few lines in the middle) this is sung by it's composer, guitarist Brian May.  Mercury does, however, play piano.  Brian May remarked a few years ago on his blog that he coaxed Freddie into playing piano on this because he wanted the sound of Freddie's great rhythmic piano playing on the backing track.

"The Game" signaled a change for Queen.  Gone were the ornate arrangements and theatrics of their 70's albums.  Instead "The Game" featured (for them) a more stripped down and basic rock style.  "Sail Away Sweet Sister" does feature one of Brian May's best orchestrated and layered guitar solos. 

Queen, "Sail Away Sweet Sister"

This Modern World

The new comic from Tom Tomorrow (click on the image for a full screen view):

Songs of the Day II: 70's Rock

I recently had a request from a reader for some 70's rock.  I can dig it.

Legend has it that when the Eagles were working on their last album "Long Road Out Of Eden", one of Glenn Frey's kids found an old video of them on YouTube performing on a Dutch tv show in 1973.  Frey had forgotten about the song they performed and reminded Don Henley of it.  The band reworked the song and it became the lead single from their new album.  Here is the original performance from 1973 of "How Long":



And the 2008 version:


Led Zeppelin, "Since I Been Loving You"


Bad Company, "Ready For Love". A little shaky on the audio side, but vintage:


Steve Miller Band, "Jet Airliner"


Doors, "L.A. Woman", directed by Ray Manzarek

Songs of the Day: 80's Anime

Here are a few of the better 80's songs with videos featuring animation, either as large or small portions of the video:

First, a small example: "All I Wanted" by Kansas, 1986


"Save Me" by Queen, 1980


One of the most famous examples, "Take On Me" by A-Ha, 1985  Damn good video, lo these many years later.



Bonus:
Although it was released in 1991, this is one of my faves and features some Disney animation, "These Are The Days Of Our Lives" by Queen.  Freddie Mercury's last video performance:

My Review of Search, The (DVD)

Originally submitted at WB Shop

In post-World War II Germany, a small boy who survived Auschwitz wanders alone – feral, mute and terrified. He finds a makeshift home with a big-hearted GI, while the mother he does not remember searches desperately for him. Starring a then-unknown Montgomery Clift in his movie debut, directed in a...

Search, The (DVD)

Clift Shines In Screen Debut

By Dustin Blythe from Mishawaka, IN on 2/26/2010

 

4out of 5

Pros: Entertaining, Engaging Characters, Great Cinematography

Best Uses: Younger Viewers, Adult Viewers

Describe Yourself: Movie Buff

Montgomery Clift was an acclaimed stage actor and a hot Hollywood prospect when "The Search" was released. Although his roles in "Red River" and "The Heiress" would get more attention, "The Search" shows him in one of his most natural, unaffected performances.

In Gabe Essoe's "Book of Move Lists" (1981), Clint Eastwood includes this in his five favorite films, and singles out Clift's performance.

The story has an air of authenticity about it as it was filmed shortly after WW2 and on location in Germany. One can imagine many such stories played out throughout post war Europe.

"The Search" is an overlooked classic and a wonderful glimpse at the early Montgomery Clift.

Montgomery Clift and Ivan Jandl in "The Search"

Tags: Production still

(legalese)

Boiler Down?

This sucks.  Purdue just lost Robbie Hummel for the season.

He's their leading scorer, hell, leading everything.  What looked like a potential Final Four appearance turns into a quest just to see the Sweet Sixteen. 

Dammit.

Song of the Day: 19

I heard this a few weeks ago on internet radio and got hooked.  The voice samples you hear are from a news documentary on the Vietnam war.  Tough stuff.

Paul Hardcastle, "19"


This is particularly timely since Joe Kernan, former South Bend Mayor, former Lieutenant Governor and Governor in his own right, and a former Vietnam POW, just made a return to Vietnam to visit the country for the first time since he was released.

Like rats in a maze

This article blew me away.  I already knew about the strategic geography of grocery stores, but restaurant menus?

How restaurant menus make you spend more by Francis Lam, Salon.com

 

Songs of the Day: High 80's Adventure

In the race to create a compelling music video, some groups and directors went the action/adventure route.  Here are a few prime examples:

Pat Benatar "Shadows of the Night"


Duran Duran "Hungry Like The Wolf (Night remix)"


Big Country "In A Big Country"

R.I.P. Alexander Haig

Former Secretary of State Alexander Haig, dead at 85.

I have always had a fascination with Richard Nixon and the Watergate saga.  One of the best books I have read on that period of history is Woodward and Bernstein's "The Final Days".

One of the central figures in that book is Gen. Alexander Haig, who had recently become White House Chief of Staff after the resignation of H.R. Haldeman.  Haig emerges as a man in the center of the storm, trying desperately to keep the ship afloat.  Nixon's mental state, vacillating between righteous indignation over the idea of impeachment and fatigued resignation (pardon the pun) to the idea, and the various external pressures, including the business of running the country and dealing with issues both foreign and domestic, are among the burdens Gen. Haig was forced to bear.  By the time I finished the book, I had a new respect for Alexander Haig.  Regardless of how you feel about the Nixon White House at that time, you have to respect Haig's dedication and perseverence.

When Gerald Ford asked Henry Kissinger who he should carry over from the Nixon administration, Kissinger replied, "Haig.  He has done yeoman duty for this country."  How true.

Unfortunately, most of the obituaries seem to be fixated on Haig's verbal blunders, a real shame.  While those episodes are noteworthy, they should not be etched on his tombstone. 

Going Viral

Here is a writer's tribute to a funny Super Bowl commercial that has "gone viral", or reached new heights of popularity on the internet: The new Old Spice ad campaign.

Funny, but I prefer the recent Dos Equis beer campaign:








Stay thirsty my friends...

Songs of the Day: Upbeat 80's Pop

Here are two examples of the pop candy that frequented the airwaves of MTV back in the day. Enjoy!

Hooters "And We Danced"



Dan Hartman "I Can Dream About You"


An interesting thing about this song.  There were actually two videos for this song, which was from the soundtrack for the film "Streets of Fire" (forgetable).  One featured the r&b group "The Sorels" from the movie, and this one which has the interesting concept of showing the composer as a bartender singing along with the first video.  Holy Elvis Presley, Batman, most people thought that "I Can Dream About You" was sung by a black man, and the "Streets of Fire" video only reinforced that notion. 

American Fool?

In the wake of Evan Bayh's retirement, a few wits are suggesting John Mellencamp as a possible replacement.  While I think the idea is far fetched and sheer fantasy, I think that Mellencamp, if he did decide to jump in, would soon end up like the populist boxer in the 1983 video "Authority Song", beaten down by the rich and powerful.

This Modern World

The new comic from Tom Tomorrow. Click on the comic for a larger size image.

Corporations are people, too!

The Center Does Not Hold, Or Does It?

Here is an interesting perspective on Evan Bayh's retirement announcement, and the circumstances surrounding his reasoning. 

Evan Bayh's farewell by Joe Conason, Salon.com

I found the author's point interesting: while Bayh blamed both Republican and Democrat "extremists" for the gridlock in Washington, almost every policy and bill has been watered down and rewritten to include centrists and whatever Republicans would cross over to vote for it (none have). 

Bye Bye Bayh

Heard anything interesting lately?

Here in Indiana, Senator Evan Bayh's shocking retirement today hit us like a bomb.  This is a guy with an 85% approval rating (according to a Research 2000 poll released last week).  Plans were well underway to shoot a commercial in South Bend this week.  Local and state Democratic officials were preparing for the upcoming campaign.  Now this. 

Everyone is still trying to come to grips with the implications of this announcement.  Here are a few good stories which look at the long and short term angles:

Bayh's choice leaves state Party officials choosing replacement candidate  TPM

Bayh calls lack of primary "a good thing" in call with Dems TPM

Conservatives back D'Ippolito Politico

Bayh humbug! Alternet

Not his father's son Salon.com

Bayh decision not to run like Manning's fourth quarter interception Christian Science Monitor

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentines Day to one and all.

Here are a few perspectives on love and relationships:

Song of the Day: Don Johnson

 Don Johnson WAS the 80's!  The look, the pastels, Miami Vice, the "East of Eden" remake, he would not be denied.  He even tried his hand at singing.  To be honest, he did not have a bad voice, but he does have the distinction of the number one spot in MTV's "25 Lame" video countdown, hosted by Jon Stewart, Jeanene Garofolo, Denis Leary and Chris Kattan.  Who could blame them?  The black pajamas, Dweezil Zappa AND his green guitar, the backup singers who looked like the female "managers" from the WCW, the gestures.

Here it is, the video for "Heartbeat" by Don Johnson.



I love the moment at 2:37 when he tosses that kid over the wall.  Unintentionally funny. 

Here is his surprisingly effective duet with Barbara Streisand, "Till I Loved You".

Songs of the Day: 80's Robert Plant

Those of us who grew up on MTV probably knew more of Robert Plant from those early videos than from his days in Led Zeppelin.  Their only album of the 80's, "Coda", was a collection of outtakes released after John Bonham's death, so Robert Plant's solo material (and, later, Jimmy Page's stint with "The Firm") was many a young person's introduction to their talents.

Two videos in particular seemed to get a lot of airplay: "In The Mood" and "Big Log".  Each has it's own quirks and each is dated in it's own way, but both songs sound good even twenty six years later.





The drummer on both tracks is Phil Collins, most noticeably on "In The Mood".

I always thought the backing track for "Big Log" had a Morricone/Good, Bad and the Ugly feel to it, which added to the atmosphere of the video.

Bonus:

A few years later, Page and Plant would be reunited (albeit in secret) as members of "The Honeydrippers", a project that Page, Plant and Ahmet Ertegun of Atlantic Records wanted to produce.  Only one album was recorded, "Vol. 1", but evidently it satisfied their urge to record an anonymous album of 50's and 60's cover songs.  The biggest hit from that album, and another video that received quite a bit of airplay, was their cover of Phil Phillips 1959 hit "Sea of Love".   Great guitar solo by Jimmy Page.

Take It To 'Em!

Great article from Gene Lyons on Salon.com today.

Don't Give In To Media Inspired Fatalism

In many cases, Republican posturing produces straw men that can be blown down by a strong gust of the truth.

Fast Food...With A Conscience?

I love Chipotle, in moderation.  The burritos are massive, but I rationalize it by telling myself that it is a payday treat (every two weeks) and I am getting the vegetarian version: black beans, peppers, lettuce, rice, a smidge of sour cream and some guacamole.  I also like their commitment to better practices and higher quality food.

Here is an interesting story from Alternet about Chipotle and how one company, even in the act of doing right, finds itself in the wrong.  Don't hate the player, hate the game.

One company thinks it's created fast food with a conscience...are they right? 

Songs of the Day: 80's Soundtracks-Loverboy

Loverboy is a Canadian rock group led by their charismatic singer Mike Reno.  (Am I so old that I have to explain who Loverboy is/was?  Dear God)

While Loverboy made their name as a hard rock band with such hits as "Turn Me Loose", "Lovin' Every Minute Of It" and, of course, "Working for the Weekend", they soon showed a real talent for the power ballad.  Nowhere was this more evident, or successful, than their 80's soundtrack work.

The most famous example is actually a duet between Mike Reno and Ann Wilson of Heart, not a Loverboy performance.  It is "Almost Paradise" from the "Footloose" soundtrack.



The next song IS a Loverboy performance, "Heaven In Your Eyes" from the "Top Gun" soundtrack.




Bonus:

Although it is not a soundtrack cut, here is "This Could Be The Night", Loverboy's first power ballad.  True 80's.



What the hell, here's "Working for the Weekend", too.



Was that Will Ferrell on guitar?

Songs of the Day: Maria

These two songs, both involving a girl named Maria, seem to go together (at least in my mind).  Strangely enough, in neither case am I referring to the song from "West Side Story".

The first is "My Maria".  This song was later covered by Brooks and Dunn, but the version I prefer is the original by B.W. Stevenson, a top ten hit in 1973.




The next song is "Take a Letter Maria" by R.B. Greaves.  This song went all the way to #2 in 1969. If his voice sounds familiar, it probably because he is a nephew of Sam Cooke.

Fave Movies: "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers"

One of the movies I remember watching as a tween, before I could really understand and appreciate the nuances, is "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers" starrring Barbara Stanwyck, Van Heflin and introducing (in his first role) Kirk Douglas.

The film is a very noir-ish tale of three children: Martha Ivers, the child of one of Iverstown's leading families; Sam Masterson, the daring and adventurous boy/friend and Walter O'Neill, a weak boy with a scheming father.  

The story begins with Martha and Sam running away in the town train yard.  They plan to ride a boxcar out of town but are caught.  Martha is taken home to her domineering aunt, but Sam runs away.  Martha has a fight with her aunt and makes it clear that she intends to keep running away from her and her controlling ways.  Walter is brought to the house by his father, who intends to see that his boy gets as much credit as possible for tipping the police to Martha and Sam's whereabouts and their plans.  To his delight, Mrs. Ivers promises to reward the boy, but the reward turns out to be a piece of cake, with some ice cream added as an afterthought.

Walter and Martha go to her room while the adults talk in the parlor.  Sam shows up outside of Martha's window.  Martha wants to go away with Sam that night, but he tells her it is best if she stays.  Meanwhile Martha's kitten runs down the stairs.  She starts after it but Sam goes instead.  Hearing Martha stage whisper to Sam, her aunt starts upstairs to investigate.  Frightened by the kitten and enraged, she begins to beat at it with her cane.  Martha and Walter see this and Marta moves to stop her.  She takes the cane and hits her aunt, causing her to fall down the stairs.  Walter's father rushes to her and declares her dead.  

After calling the police, Walter's father coaches the children on what to tell the police.  Martha and Walter have already decided to say that a strange man entered the house and attacked her aunt.  That story becomes their secret.

Eighteen years later, Sam Masterson returns to Iverstown by chance.  He has travelled, fought overseas in the war and makes his living by gambling.  He is surprised to find that not only is little Walter O'Neill the District Attorney, his wife is none other than Martha Ivers.  Sam meets a girl, Toni Marachek, a girl with a secret of her own.  They form a bond and plan to leave town together the next day.  

Sam is awakened the next morning by two detectives.  They tell him that Toni was on parole and one of the stipulations was that she leave Iverstown the night before.  Since she did not, she was arrested.  Sam decides to look up his old friend the District Attorney and pull some strings.  Walter is shaken by the sudden appearance of Sam, but plays it cool.  Martha stops by the office and all three see each other for the first time in eighteen years.  Afterward Walter is convinced that Sam has come to town to blackmail them for all he can get, using the truth of Mrs. Ivers' death as leverage.  He decides to do a background check and, for good measure, he decides to use Toni to set Sam up.  Here is the scene where Sam is run out of town:

Sam returns to town, determined to get Walter. 

"The Strange Love of Martha Ivers" is a minor noir film, with some plot holes, but overall a very enjoyable movie.  It has a great atmosphere and a very good performance from Van Heflin as the world weary gambler.  There are a lot of great character actors who appear in it, particularly John Kellogg, who plays "Joe" the private detective who pretends to be Toni's husband.  Toni is played by Lizabeth Scott.

Scott was, at this time, being marketed as the poor man's Lauren Bacall.  A few years later she was involved in a scandal involving one of Hollywood's more notorious gossip magazines.  They featured her in a story and hinted at her "deviant sexual behavior", 40's code for being a lesbian.  This almost derailed her career, particularly since it was true.  She had a few more good roles, most notably as the wily promoter in Elvis Presley's "Loving You" in 1957. 

Van Heflin went on to have a solid career in Hollywood with his biggest roles being the farmer Starrett in "Shane", Major Huxley in "Battle Cry" and the reluctant deputy in the original "3:10 to Yuma".

Barbara Stanwyck was already an established star and of course Kirk Douglas went on to become one of the greatest stars of all time, really hitting his stride in the 50's with such roles as "Young Man with a Horn", "The Bad and the Beautiful", "Lust for Life", "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (with Burt Lancaster)", "Paths of Glory" and "Spartacus".