Songs »Fresh

Fresh by Kool and the Gang In honor of Claydes Charles Smith, who died Friday, I pick my favorite Kool and the Gang song. What an anthem for new girls in town, makes you want to move and start over down the block from the gang (and Kool of course). The lyrics make me swoon:

“I've been thinking about the way you walk/
Baby I like the way you talk/
Tell you something I really can't hide/
Heaven must have sent you to be by my side/
Fresh and lovely like a dream come true/
I'll give anything to spend the night with you/
What a feeling and I can't stop it baby”

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Posted on June 26, 2006

Songs »Sex Dwarf

Sex DwarfI know “Tainted Love” is the perennial hit and favorite, but my heart belongs to this totally gay, totally clubbing, totally over the top sex orgy anthem. Rolls Royces, disco dollies, and of course the dumb chauffeur, this song tells of exploits that, to be honest, I would never want to be involved with, but we can dance to them with abandon.

Apparently the video was so raunchy it only got one showing in a halo of protests. Dirty, raunchy and too much fun, it will have you saying “Tainted Who?”

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Posted on June 19, 2006

Songs »I Could Be Happy With You

Twiggy in The Boy FriendsThis is a downright adorable and lovely song from the Sandy Wilson musical The Boy Friend of 1954, and if the phrases “adorable” and “from the musical” turn you off, I still plead you to take a listen.

Made into a movie by Ken Russell in 1971 starring Twiggy and featuring great costumes, The Boy Friend was a favorite of mine growing up. This romantic and simple song is the one that has stuck with me the most. A forgotten classic love song. I recommend the film version, it is far less theater-y.

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Posted on June 12, 2006

Songs »The Night Chicago Died

Paper LacePaper Lace was a one hit wonder (well two hit in the UK) and their reign at the top of the charts seems so inconsequential that allmusic.com's entry feels like a throw away forced upon a mopey intern. But they are still the most famous band to come out of Nottingham, so that must count for something.

“The Night” is a very odd song musically and lyrically – it is almost totally made up – which makes it even odder. It tells the tale of a cop's family coping with a Capone led riot in Chicago – that never really happened. Making the whole thing even odder are the outfits Paper Lace continually donned.

You start to get the feeling that the band was in fact made of aliens who came to earth with an old tape of Scarface just to see what it was like to be famous, decided they didn't like it and headed home. Who knows maybe they were the most famous band to come out of Tatooine too.

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Posted on June 5, 2006

Songs »Rip It Up

Orange Juice Rip It UpThis is one invigorating, pop, punk, new wave, one hit, fun song. Orange Juice was the biggest thing at the time in Scotland and no wonder. Wouldn't you love to party with baby face Edwyn Collins or goof off on the streets wearing crazy outfits like they do in their video?

Despite the clearly eighties vibe, Rip It Up actually sounds quite contemporary – were they ahead of their time or are new bands just mining the past?

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Posted on May 29, 2006

Songs »Riding on a Cloud

Riding on a CloudThis week, you will find is all about Amon Duul II. Last week I had never heard of them and now… well, let's say I'm a bit obsessed. This is my favorite song of theirs. What starts with an uncharacteristically Hendrix-like riff fades into a gothy folk song duet of the most theatrical and dramatic nature.

Really beautiful and elegiac, I pretty much go crazy for this song.

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Posted on May 22, 2006

Songs »Mary Jane

mary jane rick james Take a close look at this video. James is a very subtle man and after three or four viewings you will notice some subversive hand gesturing.

Not sure what it all means, but I am determined to find out. At least I am sure this song is not about Mary J Blige. honestly though I love this song.

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Posted on May 15, 2006

Songs »Jay-Z & Memphis Bleek – Hey Papi vs A-Ha – Take On Me

the rubThank you to Laura for the tip. These local boys host parties at Southpaw in Brooklyn. Their website has many mp3s to listen to of their music mash-ups – which is a new big thing (well, probably not that new to anyone other than me) which is also called bastard pop.

And apparently it is so real and has do much integrity that David Bowie is soiling the entire subculture.

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Posted on May 8, 2006

Songs »Sonata in D Minor

Sonata in D Minor Jim and I had the pleasure of experiencing Handel's Acis and Galatea at NYC Opera last week. The music was charming, soothing, and very beautiful. I downloaded some Handel when I got home and can't stop listening to this lovely sonata.

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Posted on May 1, 2006

Songs »I Woke Up In Love This Morning

I Woke Up In Love This Morning Even though dieters are upset about it, this upbeat and heartfelt love cry is a song that never fails to make me smile. Even better than the more famous I Think I Love You.

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Posted on April 24, 2006