Hello, partygoers! Come on into the Listening party rumpus room for another fun trawl through some mixtapes.
This week, we tackle side two of Bob Evans’ mix and hear some familiar Cancon, some angular rock, protest punk, emotionless new wave, dramatic power pop, and a couple of perfect little jewels of a song.
Come on into the Listening Party rumpus room. We have disinfected the cool plastic dome on our retro phonograph player so you can throw on a few records too if you’d like.
This episode we are spinning:
- Field Music – “Working to Work” – Tones of Town, 2007 – 19:49
- Elvis Costello and the Attractions – “New Amsterdam” – Get Happy!!, 1980 – 27:18
- The Ballroom – “Baby Please Don’t Go” – Magic Time, 2001 – 50:59
- The Friends of Distinction – “Great Day” – Whatever, 1970 – 1:09:33
- Jason Falkner – “Revelation” – Can You Still Feel?, 1999 – 1:21:32
- Sloan – “Snowsuit Sound” – Twice Removed, 1994 – 1:42:41
- Gene Clark – “With Tomorrow” – White Light (aka Gene Clark), 1971 – 1:57:14
- Greg Sage – “Straight Ahead” – Straight Ahead, 1985 – 2:09:54
- Lullaby Baxter – “What’s Wrong with You?” – Garden Cities of Tomorrow, 2006 – 2:32:07
- Belle and Sebastian – “Stay Loose” – Dear Catastrophe Waitress, 2003 – 2:43:47
Also on the old Victrola:
- Elvis Costello – “New Amsterdam (Alternate Version)” – Get Happy!! (Expanded Edition), 1980 – 39:53
- Them – “Baby, Please Don’t Go” – The Angry Young Them, 1964 – 47:34
- The Flying Lizards – “Money (It’s What I Want)” – The Flying Lizards, 1979 – 1:04:40
- The Friends of Distinction – “Grazing in the Grass” – Grazin’, 1969 – 1:14:39
- The Wipers – “So Young” – Over the Edge, 1983 – 2:26:53
Thanks for listening.
There’s a really great documentary about The Turtles that Rhino released in the 90s (we think) that is currently available on the YouTubes. We highly recommend you check it out:
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In a recent Facebook post, Ian commented on the clichéd use of the song “Hallelujah” in a trailer for Zack Snyder’s Justice League recut. (The song is so overused that I’ve sung it myself in four different concerts with four different choral groups.) I countered with another song that keeps popping up in soundtracks: “Sinnerman” which just this past week I’ve heard in the movie Harriet and on episodes of The Umbrella Academy and Lovecraft Country.
But now that you mention it, “Money (That’s What I Want)” is another song that’s been used a lot in film and TV, both the raucous Barrett Strong original and avant-garde The Flying Lizards cover. If you’re greedy and you know it…just use this song when your character makes an entrance! I don’t recall The Beatles’ version used that way. I wonder, is that because the rights to the song cost too much…MONEY??? Or because the other two works are superior?
A fun Mandarin and English cover of the Motown version by Malaysian-born Cheryl K was used in the opening scenes of Crazy Rich Asians (2018). It was a great way to set up the east vs. west vibe and its Pride and Prejudice-like themes of love vs. wealth and old vs. young. The reprise in the closing credits throws a rap by Awkwafina into the culture blender for some extra multigenerational, multinational appeal.
In all the times you’ve spoken about Belle and Sebastian I’ve never heard mention of The Life Pursuit, their most “produced” album at the height of their commercial popularity (at least in Australia they were). I just really like We Are The Sleepyheads because of the great ‘lectric guitar riff in it that reminds me of the upbeat music from the 80s Astro Boy cartoon. (Just like there’s that one Vampire Weekend song that has the Masters of the Universe theme in it briefly. Ah, nostalgia.)
Also, have you seen God Help The Girl, and is it any good? I saw Sunshine On Leith, the Proclaimers movie and quite liked it, so I wondered if I should seek this one out too.
Also, this may seem like it doesn’t have a point but it does, but we recently got our mortgage recommencement letter in the mail and they finished by saying our repayments would resume again soon BI-WEEKLY. Meaning every two weeks. You know. On an official letter from the bank. Just sayin’. 😉
Also, David, are you ALWAYS listening to music? Like, every spare moment? Are there any current artists you listen to or is your library big enough you feel you’ll never need to add to it?
Also, I like saying also. Thanks for the bi-weekly musical edutainment!
Yet another kaptivating show, folks. I’m following Mary’s lead, and forsaking the letter ‘c’ in all its unnessessary forms from now on. At first, I’ll admit I thought she was krazy, but now I’m konvinsed.
Some fab tunes this episode, as always. Field Musik was pretty kool – didn’t take to it at first, but the good old sekond listen test opened up its tsharms.
Mary also voised exaktly my opinion of Elvis Kostello. I’ve tried and tried to like him – lord, how I’ve tried. But there’s something about his vois – both the overall sound and the very affekted, mannered way he sings – that bugs me at a fundamental level. Also way too many songs about nasty women who done him wrong. New Amsterdam, however… yeah, it’s one of the good ones.
The Ballroom was really great, and Friends of Distinktion just fab. Like harpsikords and hand klaps, pretty mutsh any song that inkludes the word ‘groovy’ is likely to get my vote.
Jason Falkner’s song was great too. I’d have liked a simpler produktion though, which surprised me as I really admire Nigel Godritsh.
I always enjoy listening to Sloan with you two – on my own, I probably wouldn’t have appreshiated their qualities, but you’re winning me over.
Gene Klark – beautiful song, and lovely, stripped-bak arrangement with just vois and guitar.
Greg Sage sounded so ‘up himself’, as we say over here, I just had to laugh. Sure thing, dude, whatever you say…
Lullaby Baxter – okay, first, what a kool name! Hadn’t enkountered her before. Loved her vois and delivery. Another beautiful arrangement and produktion too, with the asidik lyrik nisely offsetting the sweetness of the melody. Highlight of the biweek for me.
Belle and Sebastian – I didn’t think I was going to like this at first, but it really pikked up after a fairly dull start. Nise kloser. Thanks again, guys!