I wrote about as many songs as Ringo did when he was a Beatle and all of mine were worse than "Octopus' Garden." A few did manage to become Pep In The Cat staples, thanks to main songwriters Carl Mealha and Frank DeStefano. I was also afforded the token lead vocal from behind the kit. But first, a little about this P.I.T.C. original.
I scribbled out lyrics to "Settle For The Best" and handed them to Carl with the idea of creating a Motown-style dance number. I even went as far as suggesting "party sounds" on the studio demo, just like the Temps did on "I Can't Get Next To You" and "Psychedelic Shack." The band bought the idea and it was executed. Great demo, but we weren't the Funk Brothers, unless you count our mood swings.
This live version from the same show as yesterday's Prince cover, works much better to my ears. Kind of reminds me of Squeeze, which is a more realistic comparison. I think there is some nice playing by all.
I've also included, thanks to some encouragement from Frank, our cover of Marshall Crenshaw's "Favorite Waste Of Time," with me honking out the lead vocal.
Thanks for letting me indulge.
Settle For The Best
Favorite Waste Of Time
21 comments:
Sal, nice job. As far as that Ringo guy is concerned, you were a much better drummer and singer. It was always a pleasure to play with you. As far as I'm concerned, you're my favorite skin pounder.
Your voice reminds me of Kasim. Really enjoyed these.
Impressive drumming, man, but I still don't know which individual you are in that photo.
Izzy
sal, that was a really good job on a really good song.
The Crenshaw cover is better than Bette Midler's, and I mean that as praise.
Adorable!!!!
Hot dog daddy, that's a splendid take on one of my favorite M. Crenshaw tunes! Nice job navigating a tricky melody, Sal, and pounding out the beat all the while! Very nice!
Excellent song, singing and performance, Sal.
I really enjoyed that!
Thanks everyone. You're all very kind.
love the crenshaw tune can we cover your cover
Who's Ringo?
Seriously never knew you wrote the lyrics...well I might have then but forgot...dag....30 years later may I say...boffo!
Jeff,
Love that Kas compliment. It was a compliment, right?
curious... I've posted a couple of comments lately, including to this post, that didn't appear... I wonder if the less-than-normal responses lately are related to that?
@Walk IN The Woods.
Just checked and all comments received have been posted. Always happy to hear from you.
Love the original! (Not sure how I missed playing it yesterday ... must have been the heat.)
All it lacks is a rollicking piano track. If you ever decide to cut it again, I know a guy ...
A day late as usual but here goes.
I feel the same way about 'Settle for the Best'. I remember being so excited when we laid down the basic tracks but then the end product was a bit underwhelming. Maybe it was not having Mike's guitar at the time or maybe we needed a 'rollicking piano' track of which I was not capable. But the loive versions seem to have the energy and closer to the original idea than the studi version.
I agree with everyone else that this is a great version of 'Favorite Waste of Time'. It's not that the other versions where not as good because Frank was singing. I think he did a great job on those as well. But in this verison I think it was the extra voice on the harmonies (I don't believe you sang harmony when Frank sang lead) as well as the bank being really on that night.
Anyway, thanks for the memories.
Carl, I don't ever remember Frank singing lead on the Crenshaw tune. Was that after I left?
Thought he did. I'm hearing it in my head or it could be the dementia. Now I have to go look.
Well if it is the dementia, can you try to remember where you put the Eruption cassette?
I was hallucinating again but still no Eruption tape. Did you check your sock drawer?
Singing drummers are a rarity, Levon, of course, the guy from Edward Bear...... I can't think of anymore.
Now I can add Sal to the list.
Very impressive. I can totally hear Squeeze in Settle For The Best, and this is coming from a huge Squeeze fan.
Great take on the Crenshaw, I even hear shades of Marshall in your voice. If I heard this on his new EP Kickstarter project, I'd think it was an excellent live take. Where were these recorded???
hpunch
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