Wednesday, August 29, 2007

885 Most Memorable Musical Moments: More Cowbell!

"I got a fever, and the only prescription ... is more cowbell!"

Well, who am I to disagree with The Bruce Dickinson? Although it wasn't as instantly popular as other lines that originated with Saturday Night Live, "more cowbell" has become one of the great catchphrases of the last few years. It all started on April 8, 2000, with a parody on SNL of VH-1's Behind The Music featuring 70s rockers Blue Oyster Cult. Famed record producer Bruce Dickinson (Christopher Walken) is determined to make the band's next song, "(Don't Fear) The Reaper," a hit, and the key to success would be the cowbell. The band's lineup includes a fictional cowbell player, Gene Frenkle (Will Ferrell). As Ferrell responds to Walken's demands for "more cowbell" with more frenetic (and annoying) cowbell playing, several takes are ruined; the band becomes more frustrated, and very nearly falls apart.

Here's the moment:



In real life, the cowbell was added as an overdub to "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" at the last minute; the cowbell player's identity is a matter of some dispute. And, while there is a record producer named Bruce Dickinson, he had nothing to do with the original Blue Oyster Cult record, Agents of Fortune.

Since the sketch first aired, "more cowbell" has become part of pop culture, appearing in song mash-ups, emblazoned on t-shirts, and inspiring a website which tracks songs using a cowbell. Christopher Walken is constantly asked about the sketch, and the song proudly remains a staple of Blue Oyster Cult's shows (cowbell included). Gene Frenkle, wherever he is, must be smiling.

UPDATE: Here's how the post looked:

Monday, August 27, 2007

Shame On The Post

I was a huge fan of Berkeley Breathed's "Bloom County" back in the '80s, but "Opus" has been pretty hit-and-miss. This week's strip made me laugh, but apparently, some people at the Washington Post weren't laughing. Well, maybe they did after the Post banned it from Sunday's edition.

According to various sources, the strip was shown ahead of time to Muslim staffers to gauge their reaction, and they responded "emotionally" to Lola being depicted in traditional Islamic clothing and espousing conservative Islamic views. For that reason, and because of the risque punchline, the Post & other papers did not run this yesterday. And, they won't run the follow-up strip on September 2, either.

Shame on them all.

Maybe in the future, they won't publish any stories on the practice of female circumcision. Or about the slavery of blacks in Arab North Africa. Or the oppression of women under the Taliban in Afghanistan. Or "honor" killings. After all, why offend someone's weak sensibilities?

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

885 Most Memorable Musical Moments: Earth's Greatest Hits: Voyager's Golden Record

It was, perhaps, the ultimate mixtape: a 90-minute selection of music, recorded on a gold-plated copper disk that was sent into space aboard the spacecraft Voyager 2, on August 20, 1977. Knowing that the path of Voyager would take it, and its twin, past the outer planets and out of the Solar System, NASA decided to create an ambitious message for them to carry along.

A committee headed by astronomer Carl Sagan selected the contents of the record, which also included photographs, natural sounds, and spoken word greetings to extraterrestrial civilizations in dozens of languages. The music is an eclectic selection from different cultures, nations, and eras. You may recognize "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry, "Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground" by Blind Willie Johnson, J.S. Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, but there are also works from Peru, Indonesia, Senegal, New Guinea, Azerbaijan, and the Solomons.

Mixtapes (or mix CDs) can say a lot about the person (or species) who compiles them. Although the two Voyagers won't pass near another star for 40,000 years, it was the hope of Sagan and his team that someone or something, finding them, would discover who we are, and like finding a message in a bottle, would maybe look us up someday. Hopefully, we'll still be around.

Here's Chuck Berry with "Johnny B. Goode"

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Another Illegal Immigration Outrage

If I could italicize and boldface the word "illegal" in the headline of this post, I would.

Today's latest not-so-fun story comes from Kansas, where an illegal migrant, Nicholas Martinez, had pled guilty to cocaine possession and endangering the welfare of a child after being caught in a police sting. His plea bargain was rejected by the judge in the case, because she noted that the probation recommendation (which means obeying all state and federal laws) was already moot since he was in the country illegally. She sentenced him to a year in jail.

Unfortunately, it didn't end there:
But on appeal, a three-judge panel threw out the sentence, based on an apparent contradiction in U.S. law. While it is illegal to enter the country without the proper documents and permissions, it is not necessarily illegal to be in the country.
What the ____ ?

Are you kidding me?

And so, the drift towards anarchy continues.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

885 Most Memorable Musical Moments: Bill Clinton On "Arsenio"

When you're running for office, one of the most important keys to victory is seizing the initiative, and building momentum from it. Bill Clinton, one of the great politicians of the last 30 years, knew this well. In 1992, trailing in a three-way presidential race, he took a gamble, and accepted an invitation to appear on "The Arsenio Hall Show".

Late night TV then was in a state of flux: Johnny Carson had just given way to Jay Leno, and David Letterman had switched to CBS. Arsenio Hall's syndicated program had been building a surprisingly large audience for a few years: it was hot, hip, and diverse. Its younger demographic seemed a natural fit for Clinton, whose campaign was trying to woo these voters back to the Democratic Party.

On June 3, 1992, he stood confidently on stage with Hall's house band. Wearing black shades and toting a saxophone, he ripped into "Heartbreak Hotel" (a trademark song of his idol, Elvis) and "God Bless The Child". He got generally good marks in the press for his playing. But, even better, the image that he projected, that of a young, likeable, charismatic guy, made an impact, and moved his poll numbers.

Of course, emotional appeal and image are only good for so much. Everyone remembers the saxaphone, but not what he said. In his interview with Arsenio, Clinton chatted about race relations and poverty, and his plans for the country. He won the White House with 43% of the popular vote that November.

The 2008 presidential primary campaign is now underway. All of the major party candidates are barnstorming the early states, debating, raising gobs of money, and trying to stand out from the pack. I don't know if any of them sing well or play an instrument (John Edwards on electric guitar? Mike Huckabee on keyboards?). But showing that might just help give them an early edge.

From a VH-1 special, some highlights of Bill Clinton's appearance:



UPDATE: This was the main Guest Blogger post on August 17:

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Princess Martha, Meet Dutch Daulton

Remember when angels were one of the hot cultural happenings a few years ago? There were books, calendars, City of Angels, and Touched By An Angel. Now, according to a story today, Norway's Princess Martha Louise, fourth in line for the crown, is being criticized for saying that courses offered by an institute have taught her how to communicate with angels (... and horses):

"Some feel them, others see them. Everyone experiences them from their own standpoint. For me, they are beings of light, like a feeling of a powerful presence, a strong sense of love," she said.

Coincidentally (or is it?), former All-Star Philadelphia Phillie Darren Daulton, in an appearance today on "Daily News Live" on Comcast Sportsnet, said that he communicates with lizards, and expects major world changes (and perhaps, The End) with the end of the current Mayan calendar in 2012. His book, comes out in September, wherein he lays out his beliefs. This interview, like his earlier comments, lead people to snicker at his beliefs. And while I don't share those beliefs, I wouldn't mock him.

There are quite a lot of people out there who are ... out there. They believe in angels, flying saucers, Edgar Cayce & Earth Changes, Atlantis, etc. And as long as they aren't hurting anyone, I don't seem the harm in their expression of those beliefs. There are so many other problems to deal with, last time I checked. Michael Vick, for one!

Monday, August 13, 2007

Another David Lynch Mystery

I've been a fan of David Lynch's work ever since I saw "Eraserhead" more than 20 years ago. OK, I never did figure out much of what it was about, or some of his other film & TV work over the years. Check out this anti-littering PSA (Public Service Ad) he did:



Love the creepy music!

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

885 Most Memorable Musical Moments: TSOP: The Sound Of The Phillies

It's a hot and steamy night at the stadium in South Philadelphia, and I'm watching the Phillies, and their MVP slugger, battling for playoff contention. Only the year isn't 2007, but 1980, and the song playing after another victory is McFadden & Whitehead's "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now". Throughout the run to the World Series that year, it was the unofficial anthem of the team. There were a lot of great players on the Phils then, but the team behind the song was pretty remarkable too.

Gene McFadden & John Whitehead sang together as the Epsilons and toured with Otis Redding, before going to work for Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff at Philadelphia International Records. In addition to producing, they wrote or co-wrote, such Philly soul classics as "Back Stabbers" by the O'Jays, "I'll Always Love My Mama," by the Intruders, "Wake Up Everybody", by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, and many others. When they decided to become performers as well, they reportedly said "ain't no stoppin' us now" as they headed to Sigma Sound Studios for their first record.

In 1979, "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" went platinum, going to #1 on the R&B chart and #13 on the pop chart. McFadden & Whitehead were native sons of Philadelphia, working for a Philadelphia-based record label known for the Sound of Philadelphia, in a city that seemed down on its luck. To long-suffering Phillies fans, the message was more than just in the groovin' music, it was in the positive lyrics: have hope, be strong, we're going to win:
But we won't let nothin' hold us back,
we're putting our selves together,
we're polishing up our act!
If you felt we've been held down before,
I know you'll refuse to be held down anymore!
With scrappy players like Larry Bowa, Pete Rose, Bake McBride, Tug McGraw, the Phillies gelled as a team, and won their first, and to date, only world championship.

A live version of "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now"



Fast forward to November 2001: my friend and co-worker, Ellen D., got me tickets to Me & Mrs. Jones, a musical based on the Billy Paul song, that was playing at Philadelphia's Prince Music Theatre. Starring Lou Rawls, Darlene Love, and 'Nita Whitaker, the show included over three dozen of Gamble & Huff's greatest songs, including "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now". Listening to all of this wonderful music again, now as an adult, with an orchestra backing up the terrific singers, did even more than give me great appreciation for the huge contributions of Gamble & Huff, and their fellow artists. It also took me right back to the Vet and that magical Phillies season.

Where are they now?

John Whitehead was shot dead on May 11, 2004 while working on his car outside his home in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia; his murder remains unsolved. His widow began the John Whitehead Foundation in his honor.

Gene McFadden died of lung and liver cancer on January 27, 2006.

Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff continue to work together. Their Sound of Philadelphia Souvenir Shop, which includes displays of their platinum records and their original mixing board, is located at 309A South Broad Street in Philadelphia.

UPDATE: This post is now up at the XPN MMMM site here:

Monday, August 06, 2007

"Union YES"? Are You Kidding?

The "liberal" blog DailyKos had its annual meeting over the weekend in Chicago. The major Democratic Party candidates paraded in front of the teeming multitudes of bloggers, who, as usual, denounced George W. Bush, conservatives, etc., etc. A colossal yawn in my book. But I did have to laugh when I read today that some of these people are actually trying to form a union:
I think people have just gotten to the point where people outside the blogosphere understand the value of what it is that we do on the progressive side," said Susie Madrak, the author of Suburban Guerilla blog, who is active in the union campaign. "And I think they feel a little more entitled to ask for something now.
I know of Ms. Madrak; she used to write for the News Of Delaware County, a weekly in the Philly suburbs, and has indeed made a name for herself as a blogger. But whether your name is Perz Hilton, or the Wonkette, or whatever, a trade union of bloggers is truly a strange idea.

There are so many questions that come to mind, but here's a big one: Who would they (or to be more exact, perhaps, we) be collectively bargaining against? I suppose there may be value in organizing people to get group health plan discounts, but beyond that? Please.

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Philadelphia Under Siege

Living near, and working in Philadelphia is getting to be a little tough for me. I've been here most of my life, and yet, I'm spending less time in the city, due to some livability changes over the past few years. Sure, there are areas of the city that are thriving, as everyone knows. But each day carries the news of more senseless violence: murders, shootings, stabbings, fear of retaliation for "snitching", as well as other crimes.

This week, Kia Gregory in Philadelphia Weekly reported on Sharon and Larry Boyd, a couple whose house on Lincoln Drive in the Mount Airy section of the city was hit by an SUV on Memorial Day weekend. The driver, Robin Anderson, was likely driving at near 90 m.p.h., far above the 25 m.p.h. speed limit. She caused $200,000 in damage to the house, and the city billed the Boyds for the cost of having the Blazer towed. This part really got my blood boiling:
A few days after the accident Anderson returned to the smashed SUV that was then parked outside the Boyds’ home, looking for her personal belongings. When Sharon asked her for a copy of her insurance card, Anderson was anything but apologetic. She just cursed and threatened Sharon
The article also notes that Anderson was uninsured, and what a surprise, has a long criminal record; she was probably celebrating her latest release with her friends by speeding on the dangerous road. This kind of thing just infuriates me. I have zero tolerance and absolutely no sympathy for people who commit crimes; there is no reason why good people like the Boyds and so many others have to suffer.

It may not be coincidental that the PW's cover story was about Philadelphians who also happen to be gun owners, who were profiled in a recent book by Philadelphia photographer Kyle Cassidy.
Armed America undermines the stereotype of the ’roid-raging, borderline neo-Nazi death fetishist. Instead you find a Buddhist, a left-wing Democratic blogger, a smattering of liberals, an anticolonialist, a socialist and two members of the Pink Pistols, Philadelphia’s gay gun owners’ club
Why do these law-abiding citizens own guns? They all have their reasons, but for many it seems to be about protecting their loved ones and themselves, if necessary. These days, in Philadelphia, it's easy to see their point.

885 Most Memorable Musical Moments: Elvis & "My Way"

My mom was a bit of an Elvis Presley fan in the 1950s, and like millions of others on August 16, 1977, was a little shaken after hearing of his death. Two months later, we sat down to watch the CBS broadcast of "Elvis In Concert". Comprised of performances taped from his last tour that summer, the special showed Elvis was not a well man: he was quite overweight, and appeared pale and sweaty. Still, he had some power left in his voice, especially in gospel songs like "How Great Thou Art". When he sang "My Way", however, it all became clear to Mom: Elvis knew he was going to die.

"My Way" was written in 1968 by Paul Anka, who based the melody on a French song, "Comme d'habitude". The lyrics are about a man, facing death, who looks back at his life's ups and downs, and is proud of being true to himself:
I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fails, my share of losing
And now as tears subside
I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way
Oh, no, no not me
I did it my way
It was a big hit for Frank Sinatra in the early 1970s, becoming one of his signature songs. And, Elvis had performed it for a couple of years, including his previous TV concert, the 1973 special, Aloha From Hawaii. But here, in the summer of 1977, he invests the song with additional poignancy: there is sadness in his eyes, as if he was sensing that his life really was ebbing away.

Elvis, 1977:


Over the years, "My Way" has become something of a cliche; it's a popular selection in karaoke bars as well as at funerals(!). Then there are the interesting interpretations:

"My Way" by Sid Vicious


"Your Way", a version of "My Way" by William Shatner, at a George Lucas tribute


EDIT: I almost forgot Nina Hagen's!

UPDATE: My post on the XPN site can be found here