Happy Independence Day
It was kind of a tough call deciding what would be an appropriate Fourth of July post. The most obvious call was the Beach Boys – why, I don’t know, but the Beach Boys always seem right. At some point last night I woke up and thought the Rolling Stones, but in the clear light of day I realized that was an obviously delusional idea.
While looking through music this morning, I found what seems to be perfect: Bob Dylan and Tom Petty playing a July 4 concert in New York. I mean, what’s more American than that? I suppose I could upload some hotdogs for you.
While this is a great show and I would have loved to see any stop on the True Confessions tour, the sound quality here is about a C-. That being the case, I'm posting only a handful of songs – just something to get your morning moving. Enjoy your Fourth.
Masters of War.mp3 ~
Bob Dylan with Tom Petty & The HeartbreakersBreakdown.mp3 ~
Tom Petty & The HeartbreakersA Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall.mp3 ~
Bob Dylan (acoustic)Ballad of a Thin Man.mp3 ~
Bob Dylan with Tom Petty & The HeartbreakersJohnny B. Goode.mp3 ~
Tom Petty & The HeartbreakersRefugee.mp3 ~ Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35.mp3 ~
Bob Dylan with Tom Petty & The HeartbreakersThis recording is from the July 4, 1986, show at Rich Stadium in Buffalo, N.Y. It may or may not show up as July 14 when downloaded. According to the
Gone Gator Website, there was no July 14 show on that tour, so I take that as a typo and assume this is the July 4 show.
Labels: acousticness, classic rock, holiday, live music
Armed Forces Day
I think it’s pretty cool that there’s a day set aside each year just to recognize what is arguably Elvis Costello’s greatest album.
Oh c’mon! I’m just kidding. I served my time in the U.S. military and I know what Armed Forces Day is. It’s probably too late in the day for most of you to run out and do anything to mark the occasion, but just take a sec this evening and appreciate the men and women who are serving in the Armed Forces.
Some background, in case you don’t know: On Aug. 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department – the Department of Defense.
“This is the day on which we have the welcome opportunity to pay special tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces ... to all the individuals who are in the service of their country all over the world,” wrote the
New York Times in a 1952 article. “Armed Forces Day won't be a matter of parades and receptions for a good many of them. They will all be in line of duty and some of them may give their lives in that duty.”
But I do have a song from Elvis Costello’s 1979
Armed Forces album. Or actually it’s a track that was originally included on a bonus 45 that came with the vinyl release, then added onto the CD re-release.
Watching the Detectives (live).mp3 Labels: holiday, live music, punk
Fighting Piranhas on Easter
Easter sort of snuck up on me this year, although I suppose it came the first Sunday in April just like every other year. Not that there are many traditions in Apt. 104, but at least I could have bought groceries last week in case my local market is closed today.
As far as today’s post, I went back and forth on what I could do. A couple of years ago I found some old, old blues songs that were somewhat religious in nature and thought those might make good Easter fare. I also thought about going tongue-in-cheek with the Cramps’
Songs the Lord Taught Us.
In the end, I went with this White Stripes song because of two lines: “It’s Easter morning, and there’s no one around / So I unroll the cement and walk into the town.” Like a lot of Jack White’s lyrics, it’s ambiguous, possibly meaning everything or nothing or a little of both. Either way, it’s an apt description of Easter morning around these parts.
This particular recording comes from the White Stripes’ July 14, 2007, show at the Savoy Theater in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia.
I Fought Piranhas (live).mp3 Labels: Detroit, garage rock, holiday, White Stripes
Sláinte!
I considered a fair number of songs for this St. Patrick’s Day post. Had I managed to get around to it earlier in the day, probably any one of them would have been apropos. But, seeing as it’s going to be after 9 p.m. (EST) by the time this post sees daylight, the Dropkick Murphy’s “Kiss Me I’m Shitfaced” seemed the most appropriate.
Here in Miami, St. Patrick’s isn’t the event it is in other cities. Sure, there’s green beer, and people wearing green, and bars with Irish names, but the spirit isn't here. In Miami, St. Patrick’s Day is just another beer company-sponsored night out. That, plus the fact I have to work tomorrow morning, has kept me indoors tonight, celebrating
Lá Fhéile Pádraig at home with a couple of bottles of Guinness.
But whether you're at home yourself or you've ventured out, I hope you’ll raise a glass and join me in a little toast:
Here's to a long life and a merry one;
A quick death and an easy one;
A pretty girl and an honest one;
A cold pint – and another one.
Kiss Me I’m Shitfaced.mp3 Labels: holiday, punk
Happy Christmas
Happy Christmas to you and yours.
I’ve decided to finish off this Christmas song season with quality rather than quantity. These three songs are right up there with my all time favorites. I hope you enjoy them as well.
Like every year at Christmas, there’s been a slight uptick in visitors to my little blog, most of them searching for seasonal music. I hope at least a few of you come back. Once in a while I post some listenable stuff.
Little Drummer Boy (extended version).mp3 ~ Jimi Hendrix
Christmas (demo).mp3 ~ The Who
Winter Wonderland.mp3 ~ Dean Martin
Labels: demos, guitar heroes, holiday
Down the Holiday Trail, pt. V
Maybe it’s the colder weather but I’m feeling a little more Christmasy than a couple of days ago. I’d like to see this chill continue on through the weekend, but it doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen.
I was looking around the Internet a couple of days ago, trying to find out if the Stones had ever released any kind of a Christmas song. I know there’s Keith’s version of “Run Rudolph Run,” which I posted the other day, but beyond that, it doesn’t seem there are any Rolling Stones Christmas releases . Being the anti-Beatles they were, apparently Christmas music wasn’t their style. About the closest I found is “Winter” from the
Goats Head Soup album. I’m not a hundred percent sure what the song is about but it’s – no surprise – a winter sorta tune with the line “And I wish I'd been out in California / When the lights on all the Christmas trees went out.”
Actually, if you look at the lines around that line, the song seems to be about someone being exiled for sexual sins. And if that ain’t Christmas, I don’t know what is.
Winter.mp3 ~ Rolling Stones
Joy to the World.mp3 ~ Pure Defiance
Dead By Xmas.mp3 ~ Hanoi Rocks
Let Me Sleep (Christmas Time).mp3 ~ Pearl Jam
Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me.mp3 ~ Charlie Sexton
Labels: holiday, Pearl Jam, Rolling Stones
Down the Holiday Trail, pt. IV
It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas here in Mee-yami. For at least a couple of days anyway as temperatures plunged into the 40s last night. I suspect that by Christmas Day I’ll have the air conditioner back on, so I’m enjoying the seasonal weather while I can.
Today’s music consists mainly of classic rock classics, with a couple of exceptions: I posted the Fiona Apple version of “Frosty the Snowman” last year and I thought it was quirky / cool enough to pull out again this year. “Together in Our Holiday Sweaters” is a brand new track this year; it just recently showed up in my mailbox. I thought I’d share it, since I like Christmas songs with bad attitudes.
Frosty the Snowman.mp3 ~ Fiona Apple
Ave Maria.mp3 ~ Pacific Chorale
Father Christmas.mp3 ~ Kinks
Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home).mp3 ~ U2
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!.mp3 ~ Brian Setzer Orchestra
Together in Our Holiday Sweaters.mp3 ~ My First Earthquake
Labels: holiday, U2
Down the Holiday Trail, pt. III
My personal little slice of Christmas spirit and why I’d prefer to shop online: I went this morning to a big box retailer, looking for two specific items and an unspecific one. I couldn’t find the two specific items and decided not to get the third.
While at the store, I was subjected to crowds, rudeness, and a couple of people who apparently decided it was more important to shop than bathe. I also caught sight of an individual unironically wearing full
Ed Hardy gear, including a hat carefully cocked and tilted. That made me laugh, which made the whole trip worthwhile.
Enjoy today’s music.
Must Be Santa.mp3 ~ Bob Dylan
Jingle Bells.mp3 ~ Pearl Jam
Story of the Magi / Silent Night.mp3 ~ White Stripes
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.mp3 ~ Christina Aguilera
Santa Baby.mp3 ~ Madonna
Labels: holiday, Pearl Jam, White Stripes, Xtina
Down the Holiday Trail, pt. II
This picture is of a car I actually saw a few days ago here in Miami. I only wish I could have seen it at night: It seems like a truly glorious holiday spectacle.
And so Christmas draws ever nearer. I watched “A Charlie Brown Christmas” the other night, so I suppose you could say my holidays are coming together nicely.
Once again, here are a few random, seasonally appropriate songs. Enjoy.
Winter Wonderland.mp3 ~ Ray Charles
The Christmas Spell.mp3 ~ Peggy Lee
Santa Claus and His Old Lady.mp3 ~ Cheech & Chong
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).mp3 ~ The Raveonettes
Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy.mp3 ~ Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Labels: comedy, holiday
Down the Holiday Trail, pt. I
Ten days before Christmas and 10 days since my last post seems like a good mid-point and a good place to jump up on the holiday song bandwagon.
I’m going to take it a little easier on myself this year than I did last year and post just a few random songs a day, every other day until Christmas Day. Then I’ll do a massive Christmas song dump – haha, just kidding.
I’ve picked up a couple of new things since last year, but for the most part, these are holiday standards we all know and love. From today’s post, one of the new things for me is the Flirtations’ “Christmastime is Here Again,” which I found when I was looking the other day for “Nothing But a Heartache.” A beautiful version by a woefully underappreciated 60’s “girl group.” The other song I just recently found is the Boss’ version of “Blue Christmas,” a live version that I think was recorded in December 2000.
So, settle down, put another log on the fire – or, if you’re in someplace like Miami, turn the air conditioning a little lower – and let’s all get in the holiday spirit.
Run Rudolph Run.mp3 ~ Keith Richards
Blue Christmas (live).mp3 ~ Bruce Springsteen
Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight).mp3 ~ Ramones
Christmas Time is Here Again.mp3 ~ The Flirtations
Silent Night / Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis.mp3 ~ Tom Waits
Labels: acousticness, holiday, live music, punk, Springsteen
Happy Thanksgiving
TV Dinners.mp3 ~ ZZ Top, from
EliminatorLabels: classic rock, holiday
Alice for All Hallows' Eve
Alright – here’s the deal. As you may or may not have noticed, posts have been few and far between these last few weeks. I’ll tell you the truth: I’ve kind of lost my excitement for blogging. I’ve been doing this for about three-and-a-half years. At first it was great fun and I was finding and sharing a lot of great music. Recently, though, I haven’t heard much that’s really excited me. When I feel half-arsed about the music, my lack of enthusiasm tends to come across in my posts, and as something I’m doing for fun, I don’t think I should have to fake anything.
I’ve paid for my host through June of next year, so I will continue to post until then, and continue to share new and old music that I enjoy. Once my host expires, I’ll make a decision as to whether I want to continue. Right now I’d have to say I probably won’t continue. But before you get all teary-eyed, remember that is still several months away.
With that said, Happy Halloween.
Ever since I’ve gotten too old for trick-or-treating I haven’t cared much for Halloween. Costume parties have never held an attraction for me – I usually get tired of the costume after a couple of hours and want to change. My last “costume” involved a mullet wig, which I might still have.
But since it is Halloween, I thought I could at least
post something appropriate. I dug through my CDs for one of my all-time favorite live albums,
The Alice Cooper Show.
Warner Records released
The Alice Cooper Show in December 1977, while Alice was in treatment for alcoholism. The album came from two shows recorded in August of that year at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas. It was during that tour (the “King of the Silver Screen” tour) that Alice was reported to have hit his alcoholic peak, downing as much as two cases of Budweiser and a bottle of whiskey a day. You can tell on the album that he sometimes sounds a little frayed around the edges.
Under My Wheels.mp3 Is It My Body.mp3 I Never Cry.mp3 Labels: classic rock, Detroit, holiday, live albums
'Last Rose of Summer'
I’ve been on a posting dry spell of late – struggling to find things that are interesting not only to me, but things that I think will be interesting to others. And then find an interesting way to present them. I’ve been at this a couple of years now and I’m wondering if maybe it’s not time for a short break. If I decide to do that, I’ll let all of you know – I promise I won’t just disappear. And I’m not saying I’m going to do it, I’m just thinking I need to recharge. We’ll see.
On that note, happy Labor Day. A friend of mine from outside the U.S. asked me the other day about Labor Day, and what it meant, etc. After I explained, she asked me about the tradition of not wearing white after Labor Day. As I sit here wearing a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, I can assure you I am no fashionista, but I hazarded a guess that it had something to do with east coast debutantes and upper class families and bore no relevance to my life, particularly since I rarely wear white anyway.
It turns out I may have been somewhat correct. The tradition might actually have started in the South, though, where it is said “Southern girls know bad manners when they see them,” and a clear sign of bad manners is wearing white shoes before Easter or after Labor Day. Others say it started as a way to teach societal rules to the
nouveau riche.
These days, I believe most agree it’s an obsolete tradition. One local newspaper columnist even wrote, “Here in Florida, where we wear flip-flops and shorts on Christmas Eve, avoiding white seems silly.”
All of this is apropos of nothing in regards to today’s post, which happens to be “Last Rose of Summer” from Judas Priest’s 1977
Sin After Sin album. I’ve just always thought “Last Rose” was a cool end-of-summer song, and since Labor Day is an end-of-summer holiday, it seemed to come together neatly.
Last Rose of Summer.mp3Labels: classic rock, holiday, metal
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Today seems like an appropriate day to pull out some Dropkick Murphys. And what better than a few songs from their 2002 live album,
Live on St. Patrick's Day from Boston, MA.
Live on St. Patrick's Day was recorded, obviously enough, during three shows at the Avalon Ballroom in Boston over the March 15-17 St. Patrick’s weekend. The album was released in September 2002.
The Boston St. Patrick’s shows are a long-standing DKM tradition. If you’re in the Boston area tonight, of course the Dropkick Murphys will be there, closing out a weeklong stand at the House of Blues.
If you – like me – are not in the Boston area, enjoy whatever it is you do and take care: there are going to be lots of amateur Irish out tonight.
Sláinte!
For Boston.mp3 Rocky Road to Dublin.mp3 Finnegan’s Wake.mp3 Spicy McHaggis Jig.mp3 Amazing Grace.mp3 Dirty Water.mp3 Labels: holiday, live albums, punk
“I Don’t Care What Any Casanova Thinks...”
Another magical Valentine’s Day.
How better to celebrate than to break out one of the true romantic classics, J. Geils’ 1980 album,
Love Stinks. Of course I’ve got the title track for today’s music. I’ve also included “Night Time,” because it’s a stompin’ rocker that reminds me I should spend Valentine’s Day in a bar. Yes friends, I’m romantical like that.
Love Stinks.mp3 Night Time.mp3 And just for lulz, click
here to see Adam Sandler sing “Love Stinks” in a great scene from The Wedding Singer.
Labels: classic rock, holiday
The 12 Days of Xmas (day 12)
On the twelfth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
12 Drummers Drumming
11 Pipers Piping
10 Lords a Leaping
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear TreeMerry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Froehliche Weihnachten, Happy Holidays, or whatever seems appropriate to you. I hope today is a day of happiness and joy, etc. If not, maybe next year will be better.
For the 12 Drummers Drumming, I managed to dig up 12 versions of “Little Drummer Boy.” No matter the type of music you like, you’ll find a version to suit your tastes: Copperhead has the country crowd covered, while Tortured Conscience offers up a death metal version of the venerable holiday classic. The Red Army Choir reminds us Communists celebrate Christmas, too. And Hendrix reminds us that tortured Stratocasters are the reason for the season.
Enjoy the rest of your holiday. I’m taking a few days off after today, but I’ll be back before the New Year.
Little Drummer Boy.mp3 ~ Copperhead
Little Drummer Boy.mp3 ~ The Fab Four
Little Drummer Boy.mp3 ~ dUg Pinnick, Simon Phillips, Billy Sheehan, and George Lynch
Little Drummer Boy.mp3 ~ Tortured Conscience
Little Drummer Boy.mp3 ~ William Hung
Little Drummer Boy.mp3 ~ Excepter
Little Drummer Boy.mp3 ~ Gary Hoey
Little Drummer Boy.mp3 ~ The Red Army Choir
Little Drummer Boy.mp3 ~ Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Little Drummer Boy.mp3 ~ The Lettermen
Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy.mp3 ~ Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Little Drummer Boy / Silent Night / Auld Lang Syne.mp3 ~ Jimi Hendrix
Labels: holiday
The 12 Days of Xmas (day 11)
On the eleventh day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Eleven Pipers Piping
Ten Lords a Leaping
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
Excellent – Christmas Eve....
This second-to-last holiday post is pretty much just an unrelated clumping of things that I wanted to post but couldn’t fit in elsewhere.
Christmas Baby (Please Come Home).mp3 ~ The Raveonettes
iPod Xmas.mp3 ~ Hello Saferide
I’ll be Home for Christmas.mp3 ~ Twisted Sister (f. Lita Ford)
Happy Xmas (War is Over).mp3 ~ John Lennon
Snow.mp3 ~ Claudine Longet
Run Rudolph Run.mp3 ~ Chuck Berry
Merry Christmas Baby.mp3 ~ James Brown
O Holy Night.mp3 ~ Red Letter Agent
Santa Claus is Coming to Town.mp3 ~ Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
White Christmas.mp3 ~ Stiff Little Fingers
Santa Claus and His Old Lady.mp3 ~ Cheech & Chong
Labels: holiday, Springsteen
The 12 Days of Xmas (day 10)
On the tenth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Ten Lords a Leaping
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
Christmas Eve Eve. Are you done shopping yet? I used to have an uncle who would work until 5 p.m. every Christmas Eve,
then set out to do his shopping before coming over for dinner. He drove my mom nuts.
A fair mix of rock-oriented Xmas tunes tonight. I’m including “Danny Says” even though it’s not really a Christmas song. The line, “It’s not Christmas if there ain’t no snow,” just seems to really strike home as I sit here in 73 degree weather. You’ll note that this is Tom Waits’ version; oddly enough I have this but I don’t seem to have the Ramones’ original.
Run Rudolph Run.mp3 ~ Lemmy
Danny Says (Ramones cover).mp3 ~ Tom Waits
We Three Kings.mp3 ~ Reverend Horton Heat
Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight).mp3 ~ Ramones
Back Door Santa.mp3 ~ The Black Crowes
Hey Santa Claus.mp3 ~ The Chesterfield Kings
Jingle Bell Rock.mp3 ~ The Ventures
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!.mp3 ~ Brian Setzer Orchestra
Silent Night / A Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis.mp3 ~ Tom Waits
Story of the Magi / Silent Night.mp3 ~ The White Stripes
Labels: covers, holiday, White Stripes
The 12 Days of Xmas (day 9)
On the ninth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
I gotta try to inject some levity into the season. Everyone – including me – is all stressed about this holiday situation.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.mp3 ~ The Fab Four
The Lonely Jew on Christmas.mp3 ~ South Park
Santa’s Secret.mp3 ~ Savoy Christmas Blues
Bizarre Christmas Incident.mp3 ~ Ben Folds Five
Santa Ain’t Santa.mp3 ~ Woofing Cookies
Christmas on Boone’s Farm.mp3 ~ The Driveway Drinkers
Give da Jew Girl Toys.mp3 ~ Sarah Silverman (remixed by A plus D)
Let It Snow.mp3 ~ George Takai
Santa Claus has AIDS this Year.mp3 ~ Tiny Tim
Labels: comedy, holiday
The 12 Days of Xmas (day 8)
On the eighth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
We had our office holiday party last night. I think I got out of there without doing anything that will get me fired tomorrow. The events of the evening have left me a little, um, under the weather today and not really full of holiday spirit. With that in mind, here’s some not-so-traditional holiday music.
Christmas is Cancelled.mp3 ~ The Long Blondes
XXX-mas Sucks.mp3 ~ Push Rods
Fuck Christmas.mp3 ~ Fear
Christmas in Prison.mp3 ~ John Prine
Christmas in a Bodybag.mp3 ~ The Clap
Dead By Xmas.mp3 ~ Hanoi Rocks
I’m Getting Pissed for Christmas.mp3 ~ Peter And The Test Tube Babies
Merry Christmas, I Fucked Your Snowman.mp3 ~ Showcase Showdown
~~~~~~~~~~
Credit where credit is due dept: At least a couple of these songs came from Nazz Nomad’s fine site,
Bleedin’ Out.
Labels: glam, holiday, punk
While looking through music this morning, I found what seems to be perfect: Bob Dylan and Tom Petty playing a July 4 concert in New York. I mean, what’s more American than that? I suppose I could upload some hotdogs for you. 
