Sunday, October 24, 2021

Songs Of The Week, 2021: 10/16-10/22


 

 

Scandinavian Design- Sparks
Here I Am- Michael Nesmith & The First National Band
Right There In Front Of Me- Marshall Crenshaw
You Are Leaving Now- The Gaylads
Love Me Madly Again- Bryan Ferry
In The Stone- Earth, Wind & Fire
Jamaican Hi-Lite Part 1- The Gaytones

zip

Scandinavian Design- Sparks
I spent two hours watching the bonus features on the recently released blu-ray of "The Sparks Brothers" documentary, which among other things included extended reunion footage of Ron, Russell and Rundgren. There is still a full length concert yet to be watched, but during the bonus interviews and music clips, I thought of a dozen or so songs I wanted to share. This one got the nod.

Here I Am- Michael Nesmith & The First National Band
This beauty can be found on "Nevada Fighter" as well as the b-side of the "Nevada Fighter" single.

Right There In Front Of Me- Marshall Crenshaw
The second in the long, pandemic delayed vinyl reissue series from M.C. finally got a release last week.
I don't recall loving "#447" when it was originally released, but playing it for the first time in years was pure joy. I believe I might have been expecting too much at the time, but since new Crenshaw music is rare these days, this felt new to me and it really hit the spot. The first time vinyl release for "#447." like "Miracle Of Science" before it, comes with a bonus 45 of two newly recorded tunes, as well.

You Are Leaving Now- The Gaylads
The Gaylads' "Soul Beat' record has been a holy grail of mine for years. If and when you see a copy it is either missing the cover, has a totally trashed record, has the wrong record in the right cover, has a different tracklist than the what the cover states, or has a perfect match for over $200. I finally found the perfect copy for under $100. It's a reggae, rock steady gem! The back cover shows each band member and lists their favorite things, like a 60's teen mag. Maurice Roberts lists "Lou Rawls & The Impressions" as his favorite artists, and so this track appropriates Rawls' "Love Is A Hurtin' Thing" in typical rock steady fashion.

Love Me Madly Again- Bryan Ferry
One of my favorite cuts from one of my favorite Ferry solo records.

In The Stone- Earth, Wind & Fire
Someone had posted about this track on Instagram and it brought back memories. The groove and drumming on this track was always a favorite and for a long time, I used it to warm up, playing along on pads and pillows. 

Jamaican Hi-Lite Part 1- The Gaytones
Yes, another reggae tune! And coincidentally, another "Gay" band. Sorry, but I find these instumental ska and rock steady tracks absolutely joyful and that's not a bad way to go out.


4 comments:

A Walk In The Woods said...

Man, this is crazy... I am a huge Marshall Crenshaw fan, follow his FB page, subscribe to MOJO and Rolling Stone and read the local Atlanta music publications, read blogs, and more, and I hadn't heard hide nor hair of the Marshall reissues you mentioned.

I will be scurrying to my local record shop to get them.

But on that note, the modern music industry constantly befuddles me. Even with Google and The Book knowing more about me than I do, and pushing me things to buy - no algorithm had figured out I needed to know about THIS more than I need to know about some random deoderant I clicked on by accident.

Sheesh. Thanks Sal.

JAYESSEMM said...

An excellent addition to this Sunday!

And I'm diggin' that Corrs cover :-)

Thanks Sal

FD13NYC said...

In The Stone is as strong and fresh as when we first heard it 42 years ago. As it moves excellently into the also great song I Can't Let Go.

dogbreath said...

Love the Sparks track even more than when the album first came out. And agreed about Ferry's tasty little number. Thanks for zipping along. Cheers!