Who Loves The Sun- The Velvet Underground
September In The Rain- Dinah Washington
When The World Falls Down- Mick Ronson
My Sharona- The Knack
May I- Bill Deal & The Rhondells
Tongue Like A Knife- Squeeze
The Golden State- John Doe & Kathleen Edwards
Who Loves The Sun- The Velvet Underground
Catching up on my Mojos and Uncuts, I read a terrific cover story on the VU and of course, needed to soundtrack it with some music. I even made an attempt to listen to Nico's "The End," but that was aborted rather quickly.
September In The Rain- Dinah Washington
Still digging through that box of 45s I picked up and still finding some keepers, like this gem from Miss Dinah. Not so fun fact: Dinah Washington was married seven times before the age of 38.
When The World Falls Down- Mick Ronson
I was surprised to see a copy this album "Heaven & Hull" on vinyl while shopping a few weeks ago. I don't remember loving the record when it came out, but I couldn't resist picking it up. Surprise again, it's a great record! Maybe the cover of "Like A Rolling Stone" is a bit misguided, but Ronno did play with Dylan, so he's forgiven. But aside from that and a pretty boring track with Chrissie Hynde, I loved it all. Here's one that stuck right away.
My Sharona- The Knack
My friend Chris had a revelation while driving to work and hearing this on the radio. "What a great record! Why don't I hear records this good on the radio anymore?" All I can say is, "Huzzah!"
May I- BIll Deal & The Rhondells
I have a live Bruce Springsteen show from Virginia Beach, 2014 and he opens with this track, saying something like, "Alright, let's get started with a beach song!" Never thought of this as a "beach tune," but I'll be damned if I don't think it now. Fun Fact #2: On the E Street Band tour of 2014, he played a lot covers, more than usual and he usually opened with one by an artist who hailed from the city he was playing that night. Guess what? Bill Deal & The Rhondells were formed in Portsmouth, Virginia.
Tongue Like A Knife- Squeeze
One of my personal faves from Difford & Tilbrook. A gorgeous arrangement.
The Golden State- John Doe & Kathleen Edwards
I played this track to the point of obsession when it was first released. If a song could be perfectly tailored for one's wheelhouse, this was tailored for mine. From the sweet and sexy lyrics, to the giant chorus with those killer harmonies, "The Golden State" is perfect. Not a feel good tune. This is a feel great tune!
10 comments:
If Bruce says it's a beach song, break out the sun tan lotion and dance. It's all you can do.
Great set, thank you!
Thanks for this!
When 'Sharona' came out, I remember my oldest brother saying, "The first time I heard that, I knew it'd be a hit!". I still can't believe it was a hit, given its jagged arrangement and the popularity of disco and AOR on pop radio at the time. It has one of the best guitar solos committed to wax, the drumming is incredible, and it was a perfect calling card for one of the finest debut albums ever. LA was firing on all cylinders with the best hard rock band (Van Halen), best punk band (X), best roots bands (Blasters and Los Lobos), and best power poppers (the Knack and the Beat).
John Doe is one of the greats as a singer. There's an acoustic show or two he recorded in Denver some years ago floating around that is highly recommended; if memory serves, it/they were recorded in someone's living room. He does solo stuff, X, and covers of Merle and Johnny Cash.
C in California
Very Nice!
Stuff I know ... stuff I should know ... stuff I know now!
Thanks Sal
Love The Golden State, thanks for dredging it up from my depths of memory!
A little beach music...
https://youtu.be/YMBnU1bYsDc
Nice selection this week, Sal. My Sharona has gotten a bad rap over the years, but it really is a good song. Is was never too fond of the production on Sweets from a Stranger, but there are some prime Difford/Tilbrook songs on it.
Bill
Dinah Washington can sing ANYTHING. And in any style. I'm kind of bummed I never married here. What's one more husband when you change 'em every three years?
As for "My Sharona," I would only be shocked if it WASN'T a hit. You could release it in 1950 or 2050 and it's still a hit.
"Beach Music" of the Carolinas (U.S.) is a strange blue-eyed soul subgenre, a very specific selection of regional soul hits and local bands valiantly attempting to sound soulful as codified by fraternities at Southern colleges. And there was a dance, "The Gator", that you don't want to know about!
Thanks for the zippered SOTW. Cool (for cats and other similar felids) to have a Squeeze track, er, squeezed in the mix. Cheers!
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