Sunday Morning Tuneage & Weekly TV(6/30/13)

Another strange week.  Going to be awhile before I get into some kind of pattern.  It was an ending and another beginning.  I'm done with Follett at UNT and I'm started as a B&N employee at UNT.  Getting to know my new cohorts and trying to keep up with everything else.  So, once again, this week the blog is pretty lackluster.  Not up to my relatively low standards.  I'll get better, promise.  The kids are all in a break of activities for a few weeks - so you are spared those updates.  Today, I'm headed out to the Rangers game for a hot afternoon at the Stadium.  Excited to see the boys.  So, I have to go get my workout in quickly and then off to the game.  Until then, catching up on the last of the 1st of the month bills and listening to some cool tuneage . . . 

SUNDAY MORNING TUNEAGE

WHAM! - THE EDGE OF HEAVEN.  The final Wham! single isn't their best.  But it was a good transition to the solo work of George Michael.  I've grown to like the song - just not completely familiar with it like the earlier hits.  The most remarkable thing that I take from this is the piano of Elton John on the song - kinda makes you wish they would have done more work together.

BRIA VALENTE - HERE EYE COME.  This is one of the better tracks off her debut album, "Elixer" that was part of the triple album set Lotusflower from Prince.  It's got a Janet Jackson meets funky Prince sound.  Really pretty mild R&B - not terrible, nothing I seek out.  I don't know what became of her - I'm pretty sure she isn't associated with Prince anymore.  In fact, until I see the name on iTunes, I'd be hard pressed to come up with her name. 

PAUL SIMON - ALLERGIES.  This single off of Paul's late 1983 release "Hearts and Bones" was probably the first single.  I remember it being pretty big around that Christmas.  It's a largely not remembered album that didn't produce a hit.  This song got airplay but you never hear it on the radio anymore.  Even as a deep cut.  The album has really grown on me - it has some interesting features in that Garfunkel works on some of the songs with him (this after their hugely successful concert in Central Park) and many of the songs are influenced by his ongoing relationship with Carrie Fisher at the time.  Fun little tune that brings back some good memories.

SOMETHING RANDOM . . . I hate PepsiMax but I love Dynamo - so, here's Dynamo . . . and is Instagram with video the end of Vine? Likely.

DEADLIGHTS OF 2013. . .  catching up for a couple weeks . . . Bobby Bland, the Hall of Fame, blues singer passed last week . . . the great writer Richard Matheson is known best for "Twilight Zone" episodes "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" and HELL HOUSE and the screenwriter of the Spielberg debut, DUEL . . . lots has been written about James Gandolfini - I'll mention to of my most favorites - TRUE ROMANCE and WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE . . . Kim Thompson was the underrated contributor to the world of comics as the publisher of the incredible Fantagraphics . . . that falsetto of Slim Whitman was a staple on my Grandpa Miller's record player, his death put some very vivid memories in my head. I can still hear "Indian Love Call" . . .  

QUICK LIST (a random, uninformed list off the top of Shawn's head)

BEST SUPERMAN STORIES OF ALL-TIME

10.  BRAINIAC (2009)  (Action Comics)  This Geoff Johns and Gary Frank story is one of the few "newer" stories that I've read and I love what they've done with Superman and one of my favorite villains.

9.  ON OUR SPECIAL DAY (2006)  (Superman)  It's part of a larger storyline but it stands alone and is written by the great Kurt Busiek.  It's a rare tender moment between Clark and Lois that isn't too cheesy romantic.

8.  THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN (1992) I think you had to be there when it happened.  Even when you knew what was happening - it was a week to week build up through all the books. Few stories in comics, in my lifetime had that kind of weekly must read tension.  A little hard to imagine for more ADD readers these days.  But great at the time.

7.  SUPERMAN: SPEEDING BULLETS (1993)  One of the best Elseworlds stories to come out of that line.  DeMatteis' story has Kal-El landing in Gotham City and being raised by the Wayne family instead of them having a son.  Until the Wayne family is murdered and young Kal-El develops amazing powers.  Fun, fun story.

6.  MAN OF STEEL (1986).  John Byrne told a good fun origin story that become the origin story that all other writers followed for decades afterwards.  Simple by todays standards but it hits all the high points that you know about Superman.

5.  WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE MAN OF TOMORROW? (1986)   Alan Moore writes essentially the Series Finale to the first decades of Superman right before the John Byrne revolution.  Curt Swan adds amazing art to a story that hits right to the bone as we find out Superman's last stand through the eyes of an older Lois.

4.  SUPERMAN: SECRET IDENTITY (2004)  Another Kurt Busiek take on superheroes - where they only exist in books.  But this ends up being a heartfelt love story about superheroes.  It's about a boy named Clark Kent who discovers he has powers that no one else believes exist.  The Stuart Immonen art is a perfect compliment.

3.  ALL-STAR SUPERMAN ( 2008)  Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely capture just about everything I love about Superman.  It's disjointed in places but I'm along for the ride like a little kid.

2.  KINGDOM COME (1996)  Mark Waid and Alex Ross rocked my world.  To the comic core.  This Elseworlds story isn't all about Superman but he's enough of the focus for me to include it here.  This darker tale of an older Justice League being brought together by Superman is a gift that still keeps on giving.  Read it for the first time.  Read it again.  Today.  

1.  SUPERMAN FOR ALL SEASONS (1992) Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale came right off "Batman: Long Halloween" and did this tribute to Big Blue.  It's like the Art Film take on Superman and it works perfectly.  A little too abstract and symbolic for some readers but mature readers will be rewarded for paying attention.  In my lifetime, there will be a worthy adaptation of this story and it will be the most wonderful thing ever.

Bunch of great stories left off this list.  Feel free to call me out - there are at least 10 other stories that could have been added.  But I don't see anything I'd take off the list.  I'm sure I could come up with some terrible Superman stories for the bottom ten but all that comes to mind right now is a terrible alternate history story about Hitler kidnapping Bruce Wayne.  I think it's "Superman: At Earth's End".

NETFLIX PLAY NOW OF THE WEEK . . . the best addition is THE AVENGERS, either if you've seen it or need to watch it again . . . did I mention earlier that ROB DELANEY: LIVE AT THE BOWERY BALLROOM is now on Instant - not for all ages!!! . . . KNUCKLEBALL is a great companion to the 60 Minutes story - this longer doc further examines the most baffling pitch in baseball.  It's a Physics nightmare to explain.

Shawn's fave movies according to FLICKCHART

#168  Mullholland Dr.

#702   Fast Times at Ridgemont High

#707  Spaceballs

RANDOM PROJECT UPDATE -   Next week I'll do some project.

SHAWN'S TOP ALBUMS OF ALL-TIME (a tribute to the art of the album)

#31  Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV  (more on this awesome album next week)

Previous Rankings

#32 - Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)

#33 - Parliament - Mothership Connection (1975)

#34 - Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique (1989

#35 - U2 - The Joshua Tree (1987)

#36 - Elton John - Captain Fantastic and Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975)

THIS WEEK IN TELEVISION

MONDAY
BIZARRE FOODS AMERICA (TRAVEL)  Hanging in LA with some yellow pig-head tamales.  I'd probably eat that.

GIDEON'S ARMY (HBO)  Always tune into HBO on Monday night's in the Summer for their docs.  This is the story of three young public defenders in the South - trying to balance good cases with paying off student loans.

TUESDAY
TABOO USA (NAT GEO)  Woman that collects zombie dolls to the extreme.  And the fact that she'll never find love???

EXTREME WEIGHT LOSS (ABC)  Married couple with twins.  He's 362lb and she's 290lb.  They start the weight loss journey together.

WEDNESDAY
THE SOUP (E!)  I forget to watch this but then when I come across it I remember how much it cracks me up.  Joel McHale is a funny, different personality on this show.

THROUGH THE WORMHOLE w/MORGAN FREEMAN (SCI)  Scientists are actually working on a way to hack into people's brains to read thoughts and memories.  I knew it.

THURSDAY
NATHAN'S FAMOUS 4th OF JULY INTL HOT DOG EATING CONTEST (ESPN)  My Joey fixation continues.  I'm predicting 68 dogs to tie the record.

ELEMENTARY (CBS)  A repeat but one of the better mysteries of the season.  The suspect in the murder has an alibi - she's in a coma.

FRIDAY
OUTRAGEOUS ACTS OF SCIENCE (SCI)  A marathon of the cool science for everyman show.

THE 400 BLOWS (TCM)  This Truffaut film belongs on your Movie Lover list.  And it's on tonight w/out commercials.

SATURDAY
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS (PBS)  Steve Miller Band plays the Blues.

KEY LARGO (TCM)  One of the best Bogart films - John Houston directs a pretty gritty drama.

SUNDAY
COPPER (BBC)  Haven't watched this season yet, but I'm so glad to see it there on Tivo.

PICNIC (TCM)  This is a Labor Day film on just after 4th of July.  But it's also one of my Top 200 Films.  A perfect way to chill on a Saturday night.

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR . . .  happier than a camel on Wednesday.  This guy is brilliant . . .

"I wanna wake you from your dream
I wanna know just who you're talking to
When you're singing in your sleep."  - Guster

Find out what it means.  Stay hard.

sb

Sunday Morning Tuneage & Weekly TV (6/23/13)

Quite a weird week.  It was the last week of business for the UNT Bookstore.  We'll be working on Monday and Tuesday to inventory and send out the rest of the stock.  But it was a week to see lots of former employees stop by - even though there will be a store there - it won't be the same Follett Family that we've had for the past ten years.  And then Caleb was at his grandparents for a camp and having a great time.  It afforded me time to get out and have some fun watching the Spurs-Heat games even if the wrong team won.  The week ahead will be some transitions too as the family leaves to head North and I have some work to get done.  Today is a fun surprise going away party for our beloved boss, Rodney.  I'm going to hit the gym before heading out.  The weird week has interrupted my sleep and creativity and this is a rather unfinished tuneage I'm working on.  Until then, I'm hydrating and watching the kids play games and listening to some tuneage . . . 

SUNDAY MORNING TUNEAGE

MR MISTER - BROKEN WINGS   This is one of two or three songs that bring me directly back to the start of Freshman year at Univ of Michigan.  What a weird tune to remind me of Fall in Ann Arbor but it does.  I loved the song at the time but now it's become quite kitschy.  It's been sampled and covered so many times that it's become partially a symbol of lite rock of the mid80s.  It's still nice to hear it today.

SPLIT ENZ - HISTORY NEVER REPEATS.  When you say you like Split Enz - this is one of about three songs that you can mention that people will be like ' "Oh yeah, that's what that band was called?"  It helps if they are in their 40s and spent their formative years in front of MTV.  I can't claim to have known this song in 1981 when it was released - it was probably early 1983 when I saw the video and then became quite a huge fan, especially of Neil Finn to this day.

JOHN CAFFERTY & THE BEAVER BROWN BAND - ON THE DARK SIDE.  It starts with that piano and then "Dark side's coming now nothing is real . . ." I think that almost any of us alive in 1983 can stop you right there and identify the song and the movie.  But I'd bet that a fair share of them would tell you that it's by "Eddie and the Cruisers" - the bar band they played in the same titled film.  Poor John Cafferty - years of playing bars in New England and one catchy tune from a movie that played 19,432 times on HBO and you lose your identity.  I still love this song and their "Wild Summer Nights" and would probably be one of the better bar bands to run into.

SOMETHING RANDOM . . . next week.

DEADLIGHTS OF 2013. . . I know there were a couple - I'll hit them up next week.

QUICK LIST (a random, uninformed list off the top of Shawn's head)

TOP TEN PAUL MCCARTNEY POST-BEATLES SONGS OF ALL-TIME

11.  LIVE AND LET DIE (1973)  I wrote this Top Ten quickly and realized that I left this essential song off the list.  And then I looked for one to knock off the list and couldn't come up with one.  This is an essential song that I love even more because of the attachment to my first Bond film.  But I have a hard time today putting it any higher on the list.

10.  JET (1973)  I don't even have to defend this being on the list, maybe just that it isn't higher.  One of his more rocking tunes and still one of the ones on this list that gets a crowd going more than just about any other.

9.  MOMMA MISS AMERICA (1970)  I wouldn't typically refer to Paul's music as "funky" but this tune could have been lifted from some of the instrumental Beastie Boys albums of the 1990s.  It's catchy and I like to play it on the jukebox if they go that deep.

8.  EAT AT HOME (1971)  Off "The Ram" album - it came to my attention when Lennon referred to it as one of his favorite McCartney solo songs.  It has a solo Harrison feel or even better, it has a Travelling Wilbury feel.  It's grown on me to the point that it's one of my favorites.

7.  ON THE WAY (1980)  Paul shows off some classic guitar licks.  I love this McCartney II album (as you'll see).  This song is a perfect blend of Blues and a little of that Hendrix lyrical work.

6.  COMING UP (1980)  Especially the live Glasgow version.  But this is Paul at his best - blending the excitement for new synthesizers, electronic sounds and just fun lyrics.  I think he's laughing through much of it.

5.  MONKBERRY MOON DELIGHT (1971)  The "Ram" album delivered some clever tunes and this one is delightful - it's got a catchy, banging piano and ridiculous lyrics.  But Paul at his best is like your stoned friend just going a little fun crazy - just genius.

4.  LET ME ROLL IT (1973)  I love this song off the "Band On The Run" disc because I easily could imagine it as a leftover song from "The White Album".  It's another of his solo album songs that I like to just crank up.  I'm always surprised to hear that people don't know this minor hit.

3.  UNCLE ALBERT / ADMIRAL HALSEY  (1971)  "The Ram" gave us some wacked out songs and the fact that this was a huge hit is a testament to the fact that good music can overcome really weird lyrics.  This was a hit - I had to say that again as I imagine the lyrics.  It's so much fun.

2.  MAYBE I'M AMAZED (1970)  Once again, I prefer the live version but this is probably the one song that most people associate with Paul's non-Beatles work.  As much as it's an ode to new love, I have always felt that it trails off in a way to suggest that even this love might be doomed to fail.  "Maybe I'm afraid of the way I love you."

1.  BAND ON THE RUN (1973)  It's like three songs in one and it's the song that tied me to his solo career for years.  I wore this single out about three times.  I like the flipside "Helen Wheels" but this was my tune almost every morning for years, even into High School.  It defines those early 70s and I can't imagine his career afterwards without it.

Paul's solo work represents my third favorite solo Beatle work after George and John.  But when you look at the body of work - there are some really, really excellent songs.  I had to leave off favorites like "Waterfalls", "My Love", "Helen Wheels" and "Take It Away".  The worst?  He's had some clunkers, I won't lie.  Trying to pick some of the older ones instead of picking on his later works - "Spies Like Us", "Too Many People" (from the usually excellent "The Ram" album) and while I don't hate it - I can see that the Classic Rock channel repetition of "Silly Love Songs" is silly and can make you hate the song.

NETFLIX PLAY NOW OF THE WEEK . . . lazy.

Shawn's fave movies according to FLICKCHART

RANDOM PROJECT UPDATE -   no time.

SHAWN'S TOP ALBUMS OF ALL-TIME (a tribute to the art of the album)

#31  next week . . . 

Previous Rankings

#32 - Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)

#33 - Parliament - Mothership Connection (1975)

#34 - Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique (1989

#35 - U2 - The Joshua Tree (1987)

#36 - Elton John - Captain Fantastic and Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975)

THIS WEEK IN TELEVISION

MONDAY

DEON COLE'S BLACK BOX (TBS)  A former Conan writer does his take on Tosh.  There's room for multiple versions of the same show with viral videos on the television???

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW (PBS)  Call it an All-Star show as the crew reappraises (is that a word?) some famous finds from the past including some cool Disney art.

UNDER THE DOME (CBS)  Stephen King novel adapted to a 13 week event???  Yes, please.  I remember when this was going to be a Showtime series and I was really excited.  A little less so that it's on CBS - I kinda miss my King adaptations being on ABC.  But I'm still pretty jazzed for this.

TUESDAY

CATFISH (MTV)  The 2nd season starts and aren't people a little leery of this online dating stuff?  Manti Te'o anyone?  How does this show still work?

INSIDE AMY SCHUMER (COMEDY)  The ads make me feel like I'm missing out on a show that I'll wish I had watched.  Dave Attell guests tonight and Amy tries to get out of a charity event.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (FOX)  This is setting up to be the most awesome season in years.  Tonight the Top 20 dance and finally someone goes home.  My money on the Modern dancers and maybe the Tappers.

THE SHINING (IFC)  In case you didn't get enough Stephen King adaptations last night.  Kubrick hooks you up tonight.

WEDNESDAY
BIG BROTHER (CBS)  Season 15 starts.  I'm sorry.  I'm not even going to pretend I won't be watching.  I apologize for future posts on it now.

NATURE (PBS)  Black mamba snakes from Swaziland.

THE SONS OF KATIE ELDER (AMC)  The excellent 1965 film with Dean Martin and John Wayne.  I haven't seen it years - might have to tell Tivo for this.

THURSDAY
WILFRED (FX)  Wow, I love the ads for this show.  But does anyone actually like the show?  

PAWN STARS (HIST)  A first edition of Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea".  Yes!!!

FRIDAY
JOURNEY TO THE EDGE OF THE UNIVERSE (NAT GEO)  A look at the end of the Solar System and beyond with the world's largest telescope.  Always interested in Space.

AMERICAN PICKERS (HIST)  While in Texas, the guys find a building filled with coin-op games. Best of both worlds.

SATURDAY
DOCTOR WHO: THE DOCTORS REVISITED (BBC)  The 6th Doctor, Colin Baker, is one that I know little about.  But I'll watch 2 1/2 hours of him tonight.

DOCTOR WHO: THE COMPANIONS (BBC)  I love these little specials and I love companions.  Naturally.

AUNTIE MAME (TCM)  I love the bio of Mame and Rosalind Russel is beautiful and inspiring.

SUNDAY
DEXTER (SHOW)  The new season starts and I'm still only finishing Season One.  By the time this season ends the show I'll likely be one Season Two.  I know me.

RAY DONOVAN (SHOW)  I like Liev Scrieber.  Liev is starring in a new drama on Showtime as a "fixer" to the rich and powerful in Los Angeles.  I'm on it.

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR . . .  no sponsors.

You right me when I'm wrong.  Stay hard.

sb

Sunday Morning Tuneage & Weekly TV (6/16/13)

Happy Father's Day to the dads out there that find time to read this.  I'll be leaving for Waco just after lunch to go have dinner with my Dad and the family.  Caleb gets to go back home with Grandma and Grandpa for a week of "camp" and hanging out.  It's my last week as a Follett employee at the UNT Bookstore and it will be slightly bittersweet.  That means, lots of goodbye parties and getting out to watch the NBA Finals and some Stanley Cup games.  Christian has been hitting a few football camps and he has a couple more coming up this week.  Still need to get in my workout and get some laundry folded.  Until then, I'm making my schedule for the rest of the week and listening to some tuneage . . .

SUNDAY MORNING TUNEAGE

PAUL SIMON - A MOST PECULIAR MAN.  This is from the 1966 album "Sounds Of Silence".  It's part of a duo of underplayed and awesome songs by Simon & Garfunkel - "Richard Cory" and this song.  This version comes off "The Paul Simon Songbook" - technically his first solo album released the year before.  But I didn't know this version apart from the "Sounds Of Silence" version before getting his box set a decade or so ago.  It's not the happiest of songs - this one, like a couple others, about suicide.  A very interesting song that fits the day.

PRINCE - RAINBOW CHILDREN.  Clocking in at over 10 minutes - this title track off the 2001 album of the same name wasn't one that caught me at the time of release.  But after 10 years or so, I finally got back into the album and it's brilliant.  It's typical later Prince concept album with a heavy jazz influence.  But it's more than that - this song has an early Funkadelic feel mixed with early 70s Miles Davis.  I'm sticking through the whole song and may have to go back through the whole album later today.

HUMAN LEAGUE - MIRROR MAN.  This is a fun 1983 song.  It's always been an interesting addition to Human League's song list.  It's quite different than the other synthpop they were releasing in this period.  It's very vocal heavy - the harmonies are Motown like at least in influence.  The confusing video has mainly Phillip Oakey staring into a mirror - I think he's dead but the band can see him??  Silly stuff.  And I don't really get the later rumors that this is about Adam Ant - I think that's wishful thinking.

SOMETHING RANDOM . . . Like I'm not going to read when I see that Loch Ness Monster is trending this week . . . and I'm a little weirded out by "eyeball licking trend" in Japan.

DEADLIGHTS OF 2013. . . unless I missed something in my news headline reading, there wasn't any death of note this week.  Could that be right?

QUICK LIST (a random, uninformed list off the top of Shawn's head)

BEST EGGS OF ALL-TIME

10.  EGG SALAD.  A very underrated sandwich item.  Great on two thick slices of bread.

9.  QUICHE.  It either reminds me of "Bone" or the B-52s song but it's actually quite tasty from time to time.

8.  SUNNY SIDE UP.  I think that only my Nana made these and they are great with just a piece of toast or with a side of fried potatoes.

7.  HARD BOILED EGGS.  Not really a big fan of them by themselves.  But make a salad and I'm going to start looking for some hard boiled eggs.  My other obsession with them?  Watching the way some people meticulously prepare them before eating.

6.  DEVILED EGGS.  Is this the only egg that uses curry powder?  It reminds me of the best parts of holidays.

5.  EGG DROP SOUP.  I didn't discover this egg soup until college.  Wonderful way to make an egg tasty.

4.  POACHED EGGS.  A great way to fix an egg but rarely done to perfection.  When done correctly on an English Muffin or with veggies or Hollandaise sauce, it can be a beautiful thing.

3.  SCRAMBLED EGGS.  The easiest way is usually the best.  But I need some bacon with them - preferably - or at least some bacon bits.  And pepper.  Always with the pepper, please.  Best use - the breakfast burrito.

2.  FRIED EGGS.  The most unhealthy of the eggs taste better the more fat you fry them in.  And throw in some bacon or sausage and it's almost perfect.  I don't make them very well and don't trust many others to make them like I like them so I rarely seem to have any.

1.  OMELET.  Fold up some eggs with some mushrooms and some salty meat.  Perfect.  With cheese or without.  It's perfect for a nice breakfast and it's perfect for a Sunday morning hangover.  

I don't eat them as much as I'd like.  I'm still stuck back in the days when they were terrible for your diet.  We ignored the protein and amino acid benefits.  But when I do - I love to see them prepared in interesting ways.  The worst preparations?  Boiled has never been a great method for me.  I know it's not much different than poaching or even in a soup, but there's something about boiled that leaves me cold.  Pickled eggs never seems safe or tasty.  I'm sure I'm leaving off something awesome but it's morning and I can smell the bacon just even talking about eggs.

NETFLIX PLAY NOW OF THE WEEK . . . TONIGHT YOU'RE MINE is a cleverly filmed and written film about a couple that are handcuffed together over five days at a music festival . . . HITLER'S CHILDREN is an interesting doc about the descendants of the most evil of the Nazis as they deal with their family history . . . THE GLADES is one of those shows that always tempted me and is available now.  It seemed like it's based on characters by Hiassen or Elmore Leonard.  Reminds me to keep begging Netflix to put JUSTIFIED up here to watch.

Shawn's fave movies according to FLICKCHART

#549 - Payback

#857 - Gattaca

#1389 - Pink Floyd The Wall

RANDOM PROJECT UPDATE -  The BATMAN project.  It seems like we abandoned this project for a long time.  But when most of our shows are over - it's been a good time to get back into the 1966 series.  We finished off a couple more Season One stories including the oft forgotten role by the beautiful Anne Baxter as Zelda the Great.  Then it was another solid Frank Gorshin run as the Riddler.  The 2nd episode includes the hilarious appearance of a fat, fake Batman in costume meeting up with Bruce Wayne.  And I heard the phrase "Holy atomic piles."   We're just starting up a rare Mad Hatter appearance next.

SHAWN'S TOP ALBUMS OF ALL-TIME (a tribute to the art of the album)

#32   Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)

This double album is in the sweet spot of 1972-1974 for most of my favorite artists.  The double album has song after song that belongs on his greatest hits even if they never got the airplay.  In total over the two albums, there are 17 tracks that all shine in their own way.  It's like hanging with a friend who's playing just for you - showing off their talents on different styles.  There are ballads and straight up rock songs.  The lyrics are about love and death and just plain silly at times.  The album was written in record time over a few weeks and I wonder if that fun doesn't just shine through.  It starts with the touching "Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding" and continues through to the heartfelt "Harmony" that ends it.  Most overlooked songs - "Sweet Painted Lady", "This Song Has No Title" and "Your Sister Can't Twist".

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Sweet Painted Lady

I've Seen That Movie Too

Previous Rankings

#33 - Parliament - Mothership Connection (1975)

#34 - Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique (1989

#35 - U2 - The Joshua Tree (1987)

#36 - Elton John - Captain Fantastic and Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975)

#37 - Nirvana - Nevermind (1991)

THIS WEEK IN TELEVISION

MONDAY

LOVE, MARILYN (HBO)  Summer means more documentaries on TV.  I have had an extra crush on her lately.  Famous current actors read from her diaries.

PUSH GIRLS (SUNDANCE)  This reality series about four women in wheelchairs seemed like a good idea last Summer.  It took off way more than I thought it would.  And now I'm even almost curious about it at the start of Season Two.  

TUESDAY

SEX: HOW IT WORKS (NAT GEO)  Seriously.  How.  More science and computer graphics than probably most people are looking for on the subject.  But curiosity knows no bounds.

BLOOD AND OIL (DISC)  Will there be milkshake drinking?   Also there's something very BREAKING AWAY about the family being named Cutters.

NBA FINALS: GAME SIX (ABC)  If there is any justice, this will be the crowning of the Spurs as champions.  I hope to be on whiskey number four by the time this game winds down.

WEDNESDAY
GHOST HUNTERS (SYFY)  A family in LIttle Rock thinks their bungalow might be haunted.  There are so many things wrong with that statement.  But generally, yes, your bungalow is haunted.

FUTURAMA (COMEDY)  The final season starts and even if last season was a little off - I'm onboard for one last ride.

THURSDAY
NBA FINALS: GAME SEVEN (ABC)  If things didn't work out on Tuesday, then I'll be somewhere for this tonight.  Maybe to the scene of the last victory.

UNTAMED YOUTH and THE BEAT GENERATION (TCM)  They aren't the best movies you've ever seen but these two starring Mamie Van Doren are as kitschy as come for 1957 and 1959.

FRIDAY
DINERS, DRIVE-INSAND DIVES (FOOD)  I love the Friday night marathons.  Tonight includes Duck pastrami and fresh Dungeness crab.

NETWORK (SUNDANCE)  Not enough people know about this film anymore.  Faye Dunaway is a revelation.  And of course, Peter Finch.  You owe it to yourself to watch it someday.

SATURDAY
STANLEY CUP FINALS: GAME FOUR (NBC)  Generally I think I'm for the Bruins.  But I don't have a dog in this fight.  After that 1st game - I'm hoping for seven overtime games.  

THE SEARCHERS (TCM)  John Ford was pretty prolific.  But you forget how beautiful his pictures are until you see this one after a few years away from it.  Awesome story.  One of Wayne's best performances.  But I like to just look at it now.

SUNDAY
COPPER (BBC)  So excited to see the return of this show.  It was pretty terrific last season.  But less interested in Donal Logue joining the cast.  Not that he's bad but this show was awesome with unknown actors.

TRUE BLOOD (HBO)  The new season starts and I have to confess that I'm still a few episodes behind of last season.  Oops.

MAD MEN (AMC)  The season comes to an end - rumors of a death abound.  This show just didn't seem to have the Sunday night juice of "Game Of Thrones" or "Walking Dead" and it doesn't seem to get the Twitter love afterwards as "Breaking Bad".  Anyone care still?

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR . . .  Burger King word association.  I have this type of relationship with a few people myself . . .

I kept waiting for the fake logos to pop up on this Hands Free Whopper commercial.  But is it really produced by Burger King?  Do they actually have a sense of humor about themselves?

I know they are taking hell for it.  But I wouldn't mind eating some Carls Jr. with Kate's Uptons.

"You're a bluebird on the telegraph line

I hope you're happy now

Well if the wind of change comes down your way, girl

You'll make it back somehow."  - Elton John

Love lies bleeding.  Stay hard.

sb

Sunday Morning Tuneage & Weekly TV (6/9/13)

A couple weeks of work left and so we're really busy cleaning things up.  This will be the last really busy week of working and then lots of cleaning after that.  I'll work a bit today while Christian is at a football camp at UNT.  He's got a few camps over the next few days.  That means I have to get out of here soon to get in my workout.  The last week of school for the boys went smoothly and there just aren't many sports and activities yet.  Dee's dance camps start for the Summer on Monday - so it's back to driving to Dallas in the mornings.  Reading up on yesterday's Belmont Stakes and listening to some tuneage . . .

SUNDAY MORNING TUNEAGE

ROXY MUSIC - LOVE IS THE DRUG.  I know that this song is from 1975, and yet I always question myself.  I keep thinking this is an early 80s song.  It's got a sound that just was years ahead of its time for 1975.  Roxy Music has so many good songs - I'm fearful of calling it my favorite.  But it's the most influential of their works.  That bass line alone would launch a slew of Brit Pop groups in the next decade.  Leaves me with a buzz like a musical shot.

KLIQUE - STOP DOGGIN' ME AROUND.  This cover of the Jackie Wilson song came out in 1983.  It's a weird tune that has a nice soul beat that resembles other songs of the day but then the lead voice of this trio is so deep it almost doesn't make sense.  I'm only familiar with this song - can't tell you much else about the group - and I can't even recall how it ended up on my iTunes.  Odd song for an odd morning.

SOMETHING RANDOM . . .  I knew that Red Wedding would be popular but it's the most sociable episode ever on HBO . . . and this fight between news anchor and weather lady could happen in any office but they do it on TV.

DEADLIGHTS OF 2013. . . Deacon Jones had the awesome nickname of "Secretary of Defense" and he coined the name "sack".  I knew him as a LA Ram mainly when he played himself on shows like "The Brady Bunch" and "Wonder Woman" . . . Esther Williams was a Gold Medal swimmer in the 1940 Olympics but I remember her beauty from highlights of the aqua musicals of the 40s and 50s.  I believe MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID might be the only one I've seen from beginning to end but she's quite the looker . . . 

QUICK LIST (a random, uninformed list off the top of Shawn's head)

BEST MUSICALS OF 1950s and 1960s 

10.  A STAR IS BORN (1954)  George Cukor directs the Judy Garland version.  Cukor was a perfect person to do this film because of his attention to sets and directing technique.

9.  COURT JESTER (1956)  If this was just for comedy - it would be ranked higher.  The musical portion is okay.  The comedic part is brilliant.  There are a couple routines here that are as funny as any in film - "the pellet with the poison . . ."

8.  CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG (1968)  Based on an Ian Fleming story, produced by Bond man - Albert R. Broccoli and written by Roald Dahl.  It's one of the best kids movies of all-time.  Just entertainment - pure and simple.  More musicals need to get that it's about fun.

7.  WEST SIDE STORY (1961)  Romeo and Juliet as a musical - great idea.  Make them street gangs in New York - brilliant idea.  It's one of my go-to musicals and I never get enough time to share it with people who haven't seen it.

6.  MUSIC MAN (1962)  Robert Preston is good and Shirley Jones is amazing.  Amazing.  Of all the movies on here - it's got one of the best routines in "Ya Got Trouble".

5.  MY FAIR LADY (1964)  Once again, George Cukor helms a beautiful musical.  At different times, I might rank this as the #1 on this list.  It's hard because I have to separate my utter crush on Audrey Hepburn from the quality of the music and movie.  I think the only detracting item for me is Rex Harrison that just doesn't get me excited as Henry Higgins.

4.  SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (1952)  Sometimes you watch a musical because of the dancing more than the singing.  Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds are amazing.  I love the dancing in the film.  But don't discount an excellent plot too.

3.  FUNNY GIRL (1968)    When I started this list - I thought this had the potential to be my #1.  It's easily my favorite Barbara Streisand film.  She's so lovable here.  Her voice is the strongest here and it includes such wonderful tunes as "People" and "Don't Rain On My Parade".

2.  AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (1951)  Fun songs.  But you watch this film because Gene Kelly raises the bar for musicals and dance numbers.  I love "I Got Rhythm".  It's a film I recommend to lots of people and few have ever come back and told me they were disappointed.

1.  MARY POPPINS (1964)  Julie Andrews and Dick VanDyke make moviegoing fun for all ages.  As I talked about before - the reason to love musicals are because they are a great time.  It's a combination of great production numbers, super songs and and an entertaining story.  This movie is as good as it gets for me.  My favorite songs?  "A Spoonful of Sugar" and the best by far "Stay Awake".

This list covers the strength of my musical knowledge.  I'm rarely disappointed when I watch a musical from this era.  But I had to narrow it down just a little, so the first thing I left off was the Disney animated films that would have taken up spots like CINDERELLA, LADY & THE TRAMP and ALICE IN WONDERLAND.  I've also left off films that served as merely music videos for a musical act like the wonderful films HELP! and A HARD DAY'S NIGHT.  The worst?  I feel like I'm better equipped to talk about the most disappointing  film adaptations - SOUTH PACIFIC (1958), LIL ABNER (1959) and BRIGADOON (1953) were all lacking what they could have been on the big screen.  The most obvious omissions (and I'm fine with not putting them on the list) - SOUND OF MUSIC (1965), HELLO, DOLLY! (1969) and GUYS AND DOLLS (1955).

NETFLIX PLAY NOW OF THE WEEK . . . a few more gems with the start of a new month including the underrated MYSTERY MEN . . . there are some classic Disney animations - multiple versions of THE THREE LITTLE PIGS and the awesome MICKEY & THE BEANSTALK . . . and for something a bit more serious there's the documentary HOW TO DIE IN OREGON that follows the story of two people trying to figure out if they want to die legally in Oregon. . .

Shawn's fave movies according to FLICKCHART

#249  - Battle Royale

#1251 - Ghost

#1324 - Into the Wild

RANDOM PROJECT UPDATE -  The ELMORE LEONARD project.  After finishing one of the Westerns and starting a couple more, I realized that I had a book of his sitting on my shelf that I had never read.  Just started "The Big Bounce" this week - never having seen any of the film versions.  A few chapters in and I'm not sure that it's my favorite of his.  It seems more dated than even the early Westerns.  Maybe I'm distracted by the character of Mr Majestyk because of the Charles Bronson movie from a later Leonard book.  I do enjoy the Michigan set books and I'll follow through with this one this Summer.

SHAWN'S TOP ALBUMS OF ALL-TIME (a tribute to the art of the album)

#33  Parliament - Mothership Connection (1975)

It's 1975 and Funk is in the middle of a huge four year run and there's a slight shift.  Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley left James Brown and The JB's to join up with George Clinton and P-Funk.  This is Parliament's 4th album but it might be their best.  There are seven funky tracks and not one of them is a stinker.  This album takes the horn based funk and breakdowns of James Brown and infuses the drug induced fun of previous Clinton fixtures.  This album is known to people who have never heard it because of the huge amounts of sampling from these tunes in early Hip Hop tunes including about all of the Dr Dre hits.  Hitting up a jukebox?  Play "P-Funk", "Mothership Connection" and "Give Up The Funk" and you just turned the bar into a party.  It's the Parliament album I keep handy for any situation.  You have my word - this is about as good as it gets.

P-Funk (Wants to get Funked Up)

Mothership Connection

Give Up The Funk

Previous Rankings

#34 - Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique (1989

#35 - U2 - The Joshua Tree (1987)

#36 - Elton John - Captain Fantastic and Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975)

#37 - Nirvana - Nevermind (1991)

#38 - Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On (1973)

THIS WEEK IN TELEVISION

MONDAY

THE DOCTOR (NBA)  Ninety minutes on the great Dr. J - including lots of unknown stories from his days in the ABA.

THE DAILY SHOW w/JOHN STEWART (COMEDY)  The show's name will be incorrect for the Summer while John directs a film.  But I feel like turning it over to John Oliver will give the show a kick in the pants that it needs.  During this week we get guests such as Mavis Staples and Seth Rogen.

TUESDAY

PRETTY LITTLE LIARS (ABC FAM)  My little DeeDee caught up on the first two seasons of this show in the Spring.  She's waiting to catch the 3rd season while the start of this 4th season will fill up my Tivo.  I should probably be checking to see if this is appropriate for 15 year olds.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (FOX)  Excited for this season more than many previous ones. We're on to Vegas and now I can start sorting out my favorites for the rest of the Summer.

BABY FACE (TCM)  This 1933 film stars the outrageously beautiful Barbara Stanwyck.

WEDNESDAY

MYTHBUSTERS (DISC)  Can you survive getting T-boned by a truck if you're in between two big fat dudes?  It almost sounds like they are getting show ideas from those kids on the ATT commercials.

BEVERLY HILLS PAWN (REELZ)  Not in the habit of watching this channel.  And I don't watch many of the pawn shows.  But this might be worth a quick pass through to see the type of stuff that ends up in an LA pawn shop.

CASTLE (TNT)  This channel runs a marathon of the show every Wednesday night and I will sometimes stop down to remember some of my favorites - just for old times sake.  But tonight has a few of the better ones including the callback to a 1947 homicide.

THURSDAY
72 HOURS (TNT)  A curious show - I think I understand that teams get 72 hours to use a GPS device to get through terrible wilderness to find $100,000 in cash.  Probably not the best show of the Summer but I'm interested to see how it works.

PAWN STARS (HIST)  Like I said, I don't watch these much but tonight there is a pair of punching bags owned by Rocky Marciano.

BREWSTER'S MILLIONS (TCM)  This is the rarely seen 1945 original that is very close to the Richard Pryor remake.  Spending a million in 1945 was much harder.

FRIDAY
TREEHOUSE MASTERS (ANIMAL)  They are in Austin to build a treehouse with a spa!!!

VICE (HBO)  The documentary series ends and I feel like I need to go to HBO GO and watch them all now.  This episode is dedicated to Dennis Rodman's trip to North Korea.

SATURDAY
ZERO HOUR (ABC)  Not the DC Comics story.  But did you realize that there was a series on ABC with Anthony Edwards?  Well, it is cancelled but here are the remaining episodes.

AFI LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (TNT)  It's Mel Brooks - I should have to tell you anything more.

NHL STANLEY CUP (NBC)  Game One starts tonight.  No Red Wings.  So, I'm probably going Bruins (original Six, y'all).

SUNDAY
VEEP (HBO)  I love the rivalry between Governor Chung and VP Selina.  It heats up tonight.

FAMILY TREE (HBO)  Not many people will appreciate the wry humor of this show.  But I love it.  Now that Tom has arrived in America, it's getting better.

SMOKEY & THE BANDIT / TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (TCM)  Is this not the best double feature of all-time airing on this channel in prime time tonight?

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR . . .  Another week I didn't get around to this.

"Stupidly I forced a smile
My composure was secure
I wore a silly grin from ear to ear
A smile they saw right through."  - Parliament

You could feel so much better.  Stay hard.

sb