SUNDAY MORNING TUNEAGE
VAN MORRISON - WILD CHILDREN. This is from the wildly underrated "Hard Nose The Highway" album from 1973. And it's an awesome song on an album full of them - "Warm Love" and "Bein' Green" among them. It's a simple song about children going up in Post WWII in other countries and there's a list of American icons they would get their identity from. But like most Van songs - it's the melody and his voice that make the song. I have been too removed from Van this year - might be time for this album again.
BRYAN ADAMS - THIS TIME. This was a pretty decent hit in the Fall of 1983. I had just developed my Bryan Adams awareness with the arrival of MTV in my home in early 1983. I knew the other songs on this album like "Cuts Like a Knife" and "Straight From The Heart" but this song was one of my favorites at the time. I knew from these three songs that he would have a decent career. Always wanted to see him opening for either Supertramp or The Police (both of which he did in 1983 and 1984).
SPLIT ENZ - TAKE A WALK. This is a Split Enz song that shows up on my copy of their "Spellbound" greatest hits album. I don't know too much of the song and it certainly isn't one of their hits. Neil Finn lyrics are usually interesting but as far as I can tell this feels like a song about taking a walk in New Zealand and not much else.
SOMETHING RANDOM . . . 7th Graders have Anne Frank removed from reading list in Northville, Michigan . . . the headline tells it all - Twerking Youtube video leads to SD students' suspensions
QUICK LIST (a random, uninformed list off the top of Shawn's head)
BEST POP TARTS EVER
10. FROSTED BROWN SUGAR CINNAMON. Decent. But some people think it's the best.
9. BLUEBERRY UNFROSTED. Reminds me of my Nana Bourdo's house - always a pack in the cupboard.
8. FROSTED VANILLA. Around for a short period of time - I really miss them and should have stocked up.
7. FROSTED RASPBERRY. Always love a good raspberry flavor.
6. FROSTED APPLE CINNAMON. They have an Apple Strudel now. But this one was even better. And it one ups the Brown Sugar as a tasty dessert style pastry.
5. FROSTED STRAWBERRY. A classic flavor. One of the originals.
4. FROSTED CHERRY. I remember when this one came along - a welcome addition and i
3. COOKIES N CREME. I think it's just the chocolate pop tart with vanilla icing. But it looks great and tastes awesome.
2. FROSTED CHOCOLATE FUDGE. What better than chocolate frosting on chocolate pastry for breakfast? This is like a dessert. But good anytime of day.
1. FROSTED BLUEBERRY. Good cold but they move to #1 when toasted properly. There's something about that blueberry filling that stays molten hot for an hour after heating. It's the one that's been in my pantries since the 1970s and still rules.
This request came down from West Coast Strikeforce this week. I'm pretty okay with coming up with the best tasting toaster pastries. They've been a staple of my diet since my early years and quite the actual diet for me in college and now something I've passed down to my own children. Remember as you read the list - I'm an Old School Tart fan. Just off the list - S'Mores, Unfrosted Strawberry and Frosted Chocolate Chip. The worst flavors? Most of the recent additions are the worst - many I haven't even tried like . . . Hello Kitty Meow Berry and Songe Bob Wild Bubble Berry (what is that even?) . . .
NETFLIX PLAY NOW OF THE WEEK . . . with all the talk of movies that have left Netflix Streaming - there are some great ones that have been added including PULP FICTION (the favorite film of some people I know) . . . HOOSIERS is one of the best sports films of all-time, no lie . . . and if you're looking for the best of the Disaster Film genre - look no further than AIRPORT and AIRPORT '75 . . .
Shawn's fave movies according to FLICKCHART
#376 - Evil Dead II
#1402 - Rise Of The Planet of the Apes
#1609 - Stop Making Sense
#376 - Evil Dead II
#1402 - Rise Of The Planet of the Apes
#1609 - Stop Making Sense
RANDOM PROJECT UPDATE - The HUNGER GAMES project. Watched the first movie again recently (thank you Netflix, even though I have the Blu-ray), listened to the audio version of "Catching Fire" and I'm back again reading a few more chapters of "Mockingjay". I'm still widely enthusiastic about the series - anxious for the 2nd film. And like all my other series, I have an issue as I get towards the end of a trilogy of wanting to extend the end. What does that say about me? I'm afraid to even ask. Until then, I'm not ready to find out how this ends for Katniss just yet.
SHAWN'S TOP ALBUMS OF ALL-TIME (a tribute to the art of the album)
#37 Nirvana - Nevermind (1991)
There are very few times in my lifetime when an album has marked such a sea change in my musical landscape. Late in 1991, was one of those times. I had spent the better part of the previous 4 years fully involved in the Hip Hop movement, discovering Jazz and old Funk, and even revisiting some classic rock bands of the 1970s. But then I heard "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and it made me love rock all over again. It may have been called Grunge but it was more than a movement it was a throwback to music that had been ignored except in smaller city bars for years. I think I would rank this higher if I felt that the quality of all the songs lived up to the best songs - "Come As You Are". "In Bloom" and "Lithium". After "Polly" I can take a break for a few songs until I get to "On A Plain". I think if I had been a teenager at the time this came out, it would be in my Top Ten. Still I recognize how awesome this is as far as a game changer. A great album that everyone should know from top to bottom.
Breed
In Bloom
Something In The Way
There are very few times in my lifetime when an album has marked such a sea change in my musical landscape. Late in 1991, was one of those times. I had spent the better part of the previous 4 years fully involved in the Hip Hop movement, discovering Jazz and old Funk, and even revisiting some classic rock bands of the 1970s. But then I heard "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and it made me love rock all over again. It may have been called Grunge but it was more than a movement it was a throwback to music that had been ignored except in smaller city bars for years. I think I would rank this higher if I felt that the quality of all the songs lived up to the best songs - "Come As You Are". "In Bloom" and "Lithium". After "Polly" I can take a break for a few songs until I get to "On A Plain". I think if I had been a teenager at the time this came out, it would be in my Top Ten. Still I recognize how awesome this is as far as a game changer. A great album that everyone should know from top to bottom.
Breed
In Bloom
Something In The Way
Previous Rankings
#38 - Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On (1973)#39 - Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982)
#40 - Peter Gabriel - So (1986)
#41 - Beatles - Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
#42 - Prince - 1999 (1982)
#41 - Beatles - Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
#42 - Prince - 1999 (1982)
THIS WEEK IN TELEVISION
MONDAY
CASTLE (ABC) What a roller coaster ride. There were actually two good episodes (the Rear Window one and the jealous Castle one) and then the "clips" episode that was the worst they've ever thrown out there. Only two left - which way are we going to finish? Military drones are the subject of this one.
HAWAII FIVE-O (CBS) Never watched, sure I won't watch but I'm curious when I read that the guest star this week is Henry Rollins. Do they usually have guests like that?
TUESDAY
NEW GIRL (FOX) I'm bordering on dropping this show for next season. But then I see that Rob Reiner is back again this episode as Jess's dad. We need much more Meathead.
CONSTITUTION USA (PBS) Leave it up to PBS to break down the Constitution. I'm pretty sure that it isn't really like either party portrays it. Curious if there is any political leanings to be seen.
WEDNESDAY
ARROW (CW) Only two episodes left in this one too. I've mentioned in the past few weeks that I've grown to like this show after wanting to hate it so much. But now I can see that there is at least one more good season in this show. More John Barrowman please. They just have to be careful not to break the rule of too many superhero shows - that too many people know his identity.
DON'T SAY NO UNTIL I'M FINISHED TALKING (TCM) So many of the movies I loved in my youth had this one thing in common - produced by Richard D. Zanuck. This doc is about the man who produced JAWS, DRIVING MISS DAISY and THE SOUND OF MUSIC just for starters.
THURSDAY
HANNIBAL (NBC) Jeremy loves this show. I have such suspicion of any NBC show that I never started. But my crush, Gillian Anderson debuts tonight as Hannibal's therapist. Rethinking my doubts.
FRIDAY
GOOD EATS (COOKING) Until the new episodes come along - this marathon is a good way to spend a Friday night!
THE HORN BLOWS AT MIDNIGHT (TCM) Jack Benny isn't an actor - he's a musician - so he stars as himself. Well, he plays himself as an angel sent to mess up the Earth.
SATURDAY
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS (PBS) I've always enjoyed The Shins - they perform songs from their "Port of Morrow" album tonight.
HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY (TCM) A film I came into when in college - I didn't appreciate it then but it's grown on me as I age. Mostly the beauty of the Welsh countryside and the acting of Walter Pidgeon, Roddy McDowall and Maureen O'Hara.
SUNDAY
THE CLEVELAND SHOW (FOX) I meant to stop watching this show a few months ago. But as it looks, this will be the final episode of the series tonight, so I've kept up with it - only missing an episode or two maybe over the course of its run. Not a terrible show, I've actually had more laughs from it recently than "Family Guy". Sad to see it go because of the enjoyment I've had from its panels at Comic Con.
SURVIVOR (CBS) Another season comes to an end. This one certainly featured some of the craziest Tribal Councils I've ever seen. This is easily still one of the best three reality shows on TV and it's amazing that no one (except you Millers and Geises) talks about it anymore.
AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR . . . a classic Skittles ad that I love . . .
This Skittles ad with the walrus is disturbing on so many levels . . .
And more Trale please . . .
"Take you time, hurry up
The choice is yours, don't be late
Take a rest, as a friend, as an old memory." - Nirvana
Come as you are. Stay hard.
This Skittles ad with the walrus is disturbing on so many levels . . .
And more Trale please . . .
"Take you time, hurry up
The choice is yours, don't be late
Take a rest, as a friend, as an old memory." - Nirvana
Come as you are. Stay hard.
sb
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