SUNDAY MORNING TUNEAGE
THE JACKSONS - SHAKE YOUR BODY (Down To The Ground). This and the previous Jacksons' single "Blame It On The Boogie" was the moment when I knew that Michael was going to be a huge star. This is one of the most infectious singles of that 1978 funk and disco era. This is the long 8:00 version that not enough people know. This is definitely a "keep the party going" jam. Great stuff for this morning.
ROMAN HOLIDAY - STAND BY. I swear that iTunes is on a Roman Holiday bender lately. I only have one of their albums and it seems to rotate through often. One of their tunes from 1983 also rotated through the Sunday Morning Tuneage recently. I like this song too. It's from late 1983 and a great mix of pop and a bit of what would be the Swing movement in the 90s. If you had the MTV back in 1983, I'm sure this song passed your brain a few times in that Fall.
MCGUINESS FLINT - MALT AND BARLEY BLUES. If I made a mix disc for you in the 2003 - 2010 timeframe that included songs from the Seventies then you probably got a dose of this group and their first single "When I'm Dead and Gone". This follow-up single isn't nearly as catchy but I do like it. I know the band is named after two guys named McGuinness and Flint who were in other bands previously. Can't tell you what became of them after this. But I've got two songs floating on my iTunes that are good for mixes.
SOMETHING RANDOM . . . World's first driving dogs??? What the heck is happening? My world is collapsing. You watch the video . . .
DEADLIGHTS OF 2013 . . . Bernard Horsfall wasn't a name I knew until I saw his picture. He was in ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE and appeared on a few early "Doctor Who" stories including the fun Lemuel Gulliver in "The Mind Robber" and a Time Lord in "The War Games". . . Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner was one of the lead singers and guitarist in the funky Ohio Players . . .
QUICK LIST (a random, uninformed list off the top of Shawn's head)
BEST COUNTRY SONGS OF THE 1950s
10. HANK SNOW - I'M MOVIN' ON. At the beginning of the decade - this song sat at #1 for a whopping 21 weeks. "I'm movin' on / I'll soon be gone."
9. LEFTY FRIZZELL - IF YOU'VE GOT THE MONEY, I'VE GOT THE TIME. I wanted to pick Lefty's "Saginaw, Michigan" song but this one really haunts me. I love this 50s sound and would have been a big fan of his. The Corsicana, Texas native has one the best voices on this list.
8. HANK THOMPSON - THE WILD SIDE OF LIFE and KITTY WELLS - IT WASN'T GOD WHO MADE HONKY TONK ANGELS. This tie is for the two linked 1952 songs - Hank's came first and Kitty's was the answer song. Kitty was the first solo female artist to have a number one song on Billboard of any genre. I remember going on a huge kick with this song just last year with Kitty passed away. But without Hank there wouldn't have been Kitty's answer.
7. HANK WILLIAMS - YOUR CHEATIN' HEART. So many have covered this song. But Hank's original from 1953 - released after his death is about the most poignant. Anyone who's ever been in a relationship that ended poorly can identify with this heartbreak.
6. JOHNNY HORTON - THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS. The 1959 release won a 1960 Grammy for Song Of The Year. There should be more historical songs.
5. DON GIBSON - OH LONESOME ME. This is a 1958 song that I seem to have just always known the words to. Can't remember not being familiar with it. I love this original but it's tied with the Neil Young cover of it.
4. JOHNNY CASH - I WALK THE LINE. When I conceived of this list moment ago, I naturally pencilled this in at #1. Until I thought of the other 3 ahead of it. This 1956 song is one of my go-to karaoke songs. But it's also one of the best love songs of the decade - "For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide."
3. MARTY ROBBINS - EL PASO. You know that a song is going to be epic if it comes from an album called "Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs". I love a good ballad and this tells such a fun story. I need to make sure to put this back on my juke box rotation - it always gets a good sing-a-long going.
2. PATSY CLINE - WALKIN' AFTER MIDNIGHT. It was hard to pick just one Patsy Cline song for the list but this is the one that I always pause over when it's on. This 1957 song has a timeless feel that not all of these songs can claim. Her voice is at its smoothest best here.
1. TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD - SIXTEEN TONS. We used to sing this song in music class in Elementary school. It's just so iconic of the 1950s for me. Who can't identify with the "another day older and deeper in debt." It's a simple song without much need for instruments. I can picture hobos riding the rails. And I can see miners. And just the everyday Joe getting off work at the factory with the song playing in the background. Best covers - Stevie Wonder and Jerry Reed.
The genre was really just starting to define itself in this period. And with Rock just coming into it's own - there are some songs that I debated and left off - mostly Elvis songs that debuted on Country charts like "Hound Dog", "Jailhouse Rock" and "All Shook Up". Songs that haven't aged so well? Most of the Jimmie Rodgers tunes don't hold my attention like they did - especially "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine". And none of the versions of "Goodnight, Irene" are going to make my lists.
9. LEFTY FRIZZELL - IF YOU'VE GOT THE MONEY, I'VE GOT THE TIME. I wanted to pick Lefty's "Saginaw, Michigan" song but this one really haunts me. I love this 50s sound and would have been a big fan of his. The Corsicana, Texas native has one the best voices on this list.
8. HANK THOMPSON - THE WILD SIDE OF LIFE and KITTY WELLS - IT WASN'T GOD WHO MADE HONKY TONK ANGELS. This tie is for the two linked 1952 songs - Hank's came first and Kitty's was the answer song. Kitty was the first solo female artist to have a number one song on Billboard of any genre. I remember going on a huge kick with this song just last year with Kitty passed away. But without Hank there wouldn't have been Kitty's answer.
7. HANK WILLIAMS - YOUR CHEATIN' HEART. So many have covered this song. But Hank's original from 1953 - released after his death is about the most poignant. Anyone who's ever been in a relationship that ended poorly can identify with this heartbreak.
6. JOHNNY HORTON - THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS. The 1959 release won a 1960 Grammy for Song Of The Year. There should be more historical songs.
5. DON GIBSON - OH LONESOME ME. This is a 1958 song that I seem to have just always known the words to. Can't remember not being familiar with it. I love this original but it's tied with the Neil Young cover of it.
4. JOHNNY CASH - I WALK THE LINE. When I conceived of this list moment ago, I naturally pencilled this in at #1. Until I thought of the other 3 ahead of it. This 1956 song is one of my go-to karaoke songs. But it's also one of the best love songs of the decade - "For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide."
3. MARTY ROBBINS - EL PASO. You know that a song is going to be epic if it comes from an album called "Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs". I love a good ballad and this tells such a fun story. I need to make sure to put this back on my juke box rotation - it always gets a good sing-a-long going.
2. PATSY CLINE - WALKIN' AFTER MIDNIGHT. It was hard to pick just one Patsy Cline song for the list but this is the one that I always pause over when it's on. This 1957 song has a timeless feel that not all of these songs can claim. Her voice is at its smoothest best here.
1. TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD - SIXTEEN TONS. We used to sing this song in music class in Elementary school. It's just so iconic of the 1950s for me. Who can't identify with the "another day older and deeper in debt." It's a simple song without much need for instruments. I can picture hobos riding the rails. And I can see miners. And just the everyday Joe getting off work at the factory with the song playing in the background. Best covers - Stevie Wonder and Jerry Reed.
The genre was really just starting to define itself in this period. And with Rock just coming into it's own - there are some songs that I debated and left off - mostly Elvis songs that debuted on Country charts like "Hound Dog", "Jailhouse Rock" and "All Shook Up". Songs that haven't aged so well? Most of the Jimmie Rodgers tunes don't hold my attention like they did - especially "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine". And none of the versions of "Goodnight, Irene" are going to make my lists.
NETFLIX PLAY NOW OF THE WEEK . . . I'm always a sucker for a Monty Python story and doc. This week we get the interesting GRAHAM CHAPMAN: ANATOMY OF A LIAR. The late Python member was quite an enigma but very funny. Anxious to know more about him . . . JIM JEFFRIES: FULLY FUNCTIONAL is an interesting title because this comedian's stories seem to indicate a relatively dysfunctional life. But he can be quite funny at times. . . and as an antidote to all of that - please take some relaxing time to watch the great Audrey Hepburn in FUNNY FACE. It'll make you smile. I guarantee it.
Shawn's fave movies according to FLICKCHART
#14 - Citizen Kane
#396 - Get Shorty
#1045 - 101 Dalmations (live action)
#14 - Citizen Kane
#396 - Get Shorty
#1045 - 101 Dalmations (live action)
RANDOM PROJECT UPDATE - The HUNGER GAMES project. Over the Christmas break I watched the first film a couple times with Dee. I've yet to go through all the extras on the Blu-ray but that's still there to be finished before the 2nd film. And that spurred me to get back on "Mockingjay" finally. I started it last Fall - fell off and now I'm back and a good third of the way through the concluding book. Pretty similar to the Harry Potter series - I'm dragging my feet and reluctant to end a series that I love reading.
SHAWN'S TOP ALBUMS OF ALL-TIME (a tribute to the art of the album)
#50 - Funkadelic - One Nation Under A Groove (1978)
This funk and rock band was 10 albums into their work by the time 1978 rolled around. Disco would seem to be exerting lots of pressure on bands around the world. But not in Detroit. Funkadelic put out what is easily one of my favorite funk albums and contains one of the best and most important funk songs of all-time "One Nation Under A Groove". What a great concept of finding freedom through dance. I've been partial to Funkadelic over the years because of their rock based roots. In concert, their songs translate better. This is a seminal funk album that should be in everyone's collection. It's the perfect turning point as we head over the #50 hump and start cruising toward #1.
"So wide you can't get around it. So low you can't get under it. So high you can't get over it."
This funk and rock band was 10 albums into their work by the time 1978 rolled around. Disco would seem to be exerting lots of pressure on bands around the world. But not in Detroit. Funkadelic put out what is easily one of my favorite funk albums and contains one of the best and most important funk songs of all-time "One Nation Under A Groove". What a great concept of finding freedom through dance. I've been partial to Funkadelic over the years because of their rock based roots. In concert, their songs translate better. This is a seminal funk album that should be in everyone's collection. It's the perfect turning point as we head over the #50 hump and start cruising toward #1.
"So wide you can't get around it. So low you can't get under it. So high you can't get over it."
Previous Rankings
#51 - Steely Dan - Aja (1977)
#52 - Prince - Dirty Mind (1980)
#53 - The Stooges - The Stooges (1969)
#54 - Steely Dan - Can't Buy A Thrill (1972)
#55 - The Doors - The Doors (1967)
#53 - The Stooges - The Stooges (1969)
#54 - Steely Dan - Can't Buy A Thrill (1972)
#55 - The Doors - The Doors (1967)
#56 - Simon & Garfunkel - Bookends (1968)
THIS WEEK IN TELEVISION
MONDAY
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (CBS) Another season starts. I swear this show has been kicking around for over a decade and yet I've managed to avoid even an episode. And I don't know anyone who does watch. And it keeps showing up in listings somehow.MEA MAXIMA CULPA: SILENCE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD (HBO) They need to keep telling these stories but it's really hard to watch them. This is a doc on 200 deaf kids who were abed by priests at a Wisconsin Catholic school.
TUESDAY
SMASH (NBC) This series seemed to get off to a huge start last season. But then even my theater obsessed Dee gave up on it. The 2nd season starts tonight with very little hype as they hope to recapture some of that gusto.
TOSH.0 (COMEDY) I hope this guy thanks his lucky stars each week. This is the start of Season Five somehow. It's such a formula - I wonder now if computers generate the whole show and just give him the script. Or manatees?
WEDNESDAY
AMERICAN IDOL (FOX) After all these years, I'm still trying to find something to like this year. I like singing shows but this season is doing very little for me. It's partially the new judges and partially the same formula from previous years. Maybe a Survivor-style All-Stars of returning non-winners would be nice. It's Hollywood Week but I've paid very little attention so far - mainly as background while doing other work.
ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (TCM) This 1930 film is one of the best versions of what is easily a Top Ten favorite book of mine. It' a powerful book that I've read at least 5 times. This version has been restored and I'm anxious to see it again.
THURSDAY
COMMUNITY (NBC) After a few false start listings it's back and on the night it deserves. Season 4 gets it started with a HUNGER GAMES parody that probably would have been more timely when it was going to premiere in September.
KING OF THE NERDS (TBS) Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith are judges in tonight's superhero trivia. Wonder if I'll score a 100%.
FRIDAY
SHAKESPEARE UNCOVERED (PBS) David Tennant hosts a look at Hamlet through the ages.
TOUCH (FOX) Seeing the ads for this made me add "24" back to my Netflix queue. I love Kiefer but this show isn't nearly Jack Bauer.
SATURDAY
BE MY VALENTINE & CHARLIE BROWN VALENTINE (ABC) I can identify with Chuck on most holidays. It's a bit of confusion and some sadness - I'm with you Charlie, keep your head up.
VIVA ZAPATA! (TCM) The great combination of Elia Kazan directing and John Steinbeck writing covers the 1911 Mexican Revolution. Marlon Brando with one of his best performances.
SUNDAY
GRAMMY AWARDS (CBS) Not the best of the award shows. Not even the best musically. But it's the season and their not going to put anything else on for these three hours. You'll get at least 3-4 decent performances mixed in with some canned acts. Black Keys, Mumford and Sons should be highlights.
GIRLS (HBO) Watched the first few episodes of this season to get a feeling of what was happening. Still not sure it's as strong as the end of last season. There is lots of drama and more mainstream plot points influencing the show that seemed to work well when it stood still and just looked around. Felt the story of Lena breaking up with the guy because he's a Republican and the "I might be bisexual" roommate to seem forced. But I seem to still be following these annoying characters.
AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR . . Interesting peeks at the Super Bowl ads so far, too early to make final decisions on my favorites but Volkswagen is off to a good start, much like last year's "The Dog Strikes Back" ad . . .
Audi wins props for telling a heartwarming story with a little humor.
And I've grown tired of Axe ads but this one made me smile slightly. . .
If it's right, it's all right for me now, yo-ho
Any night you'll be uptight until you find
That the wrong and the right are within your mind." - Funkadelic
Into you, my people. Stay hard.
sb
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