Good morning. Missed you all last week but I had a great time in Michigan seeing friends and family. Back again to work - trying to close up the store and figure out what my next moves are going to be - what is possible for me in my current situation. Today is going to be some work on resume and some online applications. Also trying to find time to get in my workout, go see some IRON MAN 3 and maybe even a dinner with Christian bringing his girlfriend to meet the family. Busy week ahead, hopefully some news of some kind by this time next week. Dee is done with school already and the boys finish up this week too. Taking a few minutes to pay some bills, talking to the pets and listening to some tuneage . . .
SUNDAY MORNING TUNEAGE
THE WHO - WHO ARE YOU? From the 1978 by the same name. Today I can recognize a Pete Townshend song from a Roger Daltrey tune. This is all Pete - lyrics and music. The album is remarkable for being released right around Keith Moon's death. I loved this song lots more before it became associated with "CSI". This was my first The Who album and this song still brings back great 11 year old Shawn memories. Great to hear the unedited swear version this morning.
LOVERBOY - QUEEN OF THE BROKEN HEARTS. This 1983 release is one of the better releases off the famous "Keep It Up" album. But I remember it mainly as one of the cooler MTV contests of the day where you could win a chance to be in their next video. It was a pretty big deal at the time and I can still recall the face of the woman who got to appear for like two seconds in this video. She was part of the women that looked like extras from MAD MAX.
BOB MARLEY - COULD YOU BE LOVED. I know this song dates from 1980 or 1981 but I didn't discover it until 1985 in college. It's one of the Marley tunes that seems to appeal across many genres. Listening again today - it probably wouldn't even fall under the reggae genre today. It's got much of that end of disco influence. I love the way he works the organ into that disco beat. And the lyrics are right on point - "The road of life is rocky / And you may stumble too." Perfect for this year.
THE WHO - WHO ARE YOU? From the 1978 by the same name. Today I can recognize a Pete Townshend song from a Roger Daltrey tune. This is all Pete - lyrics and music. The album is remarkable for being released right around Keith Moon's death. I loved this song lots more before it became associated with "CSI". This was my first The Who album and this song still brings back great 11 year old Shawn memories. Great to hear the unedited swear version this morning.
LOVERBOY - QUEEN OF THE BROKEN HEARTS. This 1983 release is one of the better releases off the famous "Keep It Up" album. But I remember it mainly as one of the cooler MTV contests of the day where you could win a chance to be in their next video. It was a pretty big deal at the time and I can still recall the face of the woman who got to appear for like two seconds in this video. She was part of the women that looked like extras from MAD MAX.
BOB MARLEY - COULD YOU BE LOVED. I know this song dates from 1980 or 1981 but I didn't discover it until 1985 in college. It's one of the Marley tunes that seems to appeal across many genres. Listening again today - it probably wouldn't even fall under the reggae genre today. It's got much of that end of disco influence. I love the way he works the organ into that disco beat. And the lyrics are right on point - "The road of life is rocky / And you may stumble too." Perfect for this year.
SOMETHING RANDOM . . . Yep. Didn't get around to getting those links up here.
QUICK LIST (a random, uninformed list off the top of Shawn's head)
FUNNIEST RAP SONGS OF ALL-TIME
10. RUN DMC - YOU BE ILLIN' (1986). In 1986, I knew lots of people who were illin'. I mean - who's going to KFC and ordering a Big Mac? People who are illin', that's who.
9. PUBLIC ENEMY - CAN'T DO NUTTIN' FOR YA MAN (1990). Every time that Chuck D seems to get on a roll - Flavor undercuts him with songs where laughing is acceptable in place of lyrics.
8. AFROMAN - BECAUSE I GOT HIGH (2000). I loved that this song sounded 15 years old when it first came out.
7. THE PHARCYDE - YA MAMA (1991). The song version of an Arsenio Hall routine.
6. DOUG E. FRESH & SLICK RICK - LA DI DA DI (1985) Two of the great voices of rap and a funny story between the two.
5. EMINEM - MY NAME IS (1999). So many of his songs have funny moments - clever fun lyrical twists. But this song bothers to tell a story that is like Marshall sitting around telling stories over a beer.
4. DIGITAL UNDERGROUND - HUMPTY DANCE (1990) Another group that had a musical and lyrical sense of humor. This song is super funky and light hearted. "I like my oatmeal lumpy."
3. THE SUGARHILL GANG - RAPPER'S DELIGHT (1979) Rap got started and right away it knew how to be funny. What other songs were talking about how bad their friend's mom's cooking was.?
2. BEASTIE BOYS - PAUL REVERE (1986). They had to make this list with all their clever unique lyrics. This was the first one that came to mind.
1. BIZ MARKIE - JUST A FRIEND (1989) There are a few Biz songs that qualify as funniest rap songs. But his attempt to get with his girl "blah blah blah" has the best sample and singing / rapping. This song set a new standard in the genre and still rocks a crowd today.
The genre essentially started out of making fun of other people. Boasting about yourself and putting down others. It's a genre that lends itself to stories. It's hard to list the least funny songs. But what didn't make the list? I've become annoyed over the years with the DJ JAZZY JEFF & THE FRESH PRINCE - PARENTS JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND. And while it seemed that I could find a NOTORIOUS B.I.G. or ICE CUBE song but none came to mind to make the list. And I'm not sure that either YOUNG MC or TONE LOC are ironic enough to be funny.
NETFLIX PLAY NOW OF THE WEEK . . . it's always good to see what gets added at the first of a month. June looks promising. DEAD MEN DON'T WEAR PLAID pays off for people who have seen lots of film noir. But it's still a funny Steve Martin film if you haven't. . . SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR is funny Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn film about a couple that meet one weekend a year for 25 years for a romantic encounter . . . and on a late night, you'll want to tune into THE SERPENT AND THE RAINBOW, one of Wes Craven's weirdest films with a good show from Bill Pullman.
Shawn's fave movies according to FLICKCHART
#394 - Chasing Amy
#432 - Zoolander
#849 - Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
#394 - Chasing Amy
#432 - Zoolander
#849 - Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
RANDOM PROJECT UPDATE - The YA GRAPHIC NOVEL project. I'm trying to read up on some graphic novels that my kids might like and to keep up with some of the more acclaimed and award winning graphic novels of the year. I finished the wonderful and informative MY FRIEND DAHMER. It was as engrossing a story as I've read in awhile and would make a wonderful miniseries or film. I'm on to ANNIE SULLIVAN AND THE TRIALS OF HELEN KELLER. So far, it's a little too close to the MIRACLE WORKER film. A wonderful film that I have great memories of watching but I was hoping for a little more insight here. Still, both are good Summer reading potential for the kids.
SHAWN'S TOP ALBUMS OF ALL-TIME (a tribute to the art of the album)
#34 Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique (1989)
The Beasties' second album was released in 1989 but for me it marked a huge change in Hip Hop that would influence a whole arm of the genre through the 1990s. I can see where people who expected a direct sequel to "Licensed To Ill" would be disappointed. But fans of hip hop and funk found something to be cherished. This is an album that I have never grown tired to hearing. The addition of the Dust Brothers was a brilliant move - it brought a depth to the samples and production that was missing before. Some of the songs like "Shadrach", "Hey Ladies" and "Shake Your Rump" are among the best work the group ever did. Need to know how good this album is? Miles Davis said he couldn't get enough of it. Nuff said.
Hey Ladies
Shadrach
The Sounds of Science
The Beasties' second album was released in 1989 but for me it marked a huge change in Hip Hop that would influence a whole arm of the genre through the 1990s. I can see where people who expected a direct sequel to "Licensed To Ill" would be disappointed. But fans of hip hop and funk found something to be cherished. This is an album that I have never grown tired to hearing. The addition of the Dust Brothers was a brilliant move - it brought a depth to the samples and production that was missing before. Some of the songs like "Shadrach", "Hey Ladies" and "Shake Your Rump" are among the best work the group ever did. Need to know how good this album is? Miles Davis said he couldn't get enough of it. Nuff said.
Hey Ladies
Shadrach
The Sounds of Science
Previous Rankings
#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)
#39 - Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982)
#39 - Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982)
THIS WEEK IN TELEVISION
MONDAY
TEEN WOLF (MTV) Watched 2nd season - didn't watch Season 1 - kinda need to start over before watching the 3rd season. Not sure if I even like it or not.
MAN FIRE FOOD (COOKING) Roger Mooking likes eating food cooked on fire!!! Saw part of it last season - this is the start of the 2nd season. Tonight it's a hog barbecue in South Carolina.
TUESDAY
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (FOX) This season is off to a hot start. It's amazing to see how hard it's going to be to just make the live shows. It's been a great start to the season - even more promising that last season. Tonight finishes the auditions and on to Vegas next week.
BANG GOES THE THEORY (BBC) The season starts with three episodes of this cool UK science show. They seem to make some really slick and cool shows about science and facts.
WEDNESDAY
THROUGH THE WORMHOLE w/MORGAN FREEMAN (SCI) Speaking of cool science shows . . . can't believe it's already Season 4. There's so much to talk about with the subject of space and physics but I'm surprised it lasted so far into a TV show.
MYTHBUSTERS (DISC) Always wondered about this one . . . how to survive a jump from the window of a high rise hotel by making a parachute out of items in the room. I'm always in fear of the hotel fire. Just in time before Comic Con.
THURSDAY
IN THE FLESH (BBC) This zombie show from the UK looks more in the style of two of my favorite recent shows like "Rectify" and "Top of the Lake". Only three episodes over the next couple weeks for you to invest in. What could go wrong?
THE GREATEST EVENT IN TELEVISION HISTORY 2 (TOON) The first one was awesome, so why not do it again? That's the Toon theory right? If you haven't seen the Adam Scott take on "Simon & Simon" credits with Jon Hamm is worth a visit.
FRIDAY
MARON (IFC) I've been catching up with this show on their website. Hilarious show that is a lighter version of "Louis". Tonight, the very coolest, Danny Trejo guest stars.
THE MALTESE FALCON (TCM) This is the decent but rarely seen 1931 version with Ricardo Cortez.
SATURDAY
SAM & CAT (NICK) Sam from "iCarly" and Cat from "Victorious" start a babysitting business together. If you are a tween or teen I really don't need to say anything more.
BREATHLESS (TCM) This French New Wave film by Jean-Luc Godard is the definition of a must see if you love movies.
SUNDAY
GAME OF THRONES (HBO) Jaime Lannister is back in King's Landing. And the season sadly comes to an end. I hope that Forcey voters have taken note this season.
VEEP (HBO) The awesome show still has a little bit left in the tank this season. Guest star this week is the great Allison Janney. Selina is one of my favorite characters on TV right now.
MAN FIRE FOOD (COOKING) Roger Mooking likes eating food cooked on fire!!! Saw part of it last season - this is the start of the 2nd season. Tonight it's a hog barbecue in South Carolina.
TUESDAY
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (FOX) This season is off to a hot start. It's amazing to see how hard it's going to be to just make the live shows. It's been a great start to the season - even more promising that last season. Tonight finishes the auditions and on to Vegas next week.
BANG GOES THE THEORY (BBC) The season starts with three episodes of this cool UK science show. They seem to make some really slick and cool shows about science and facts.
WEDNESDAY
THROUGH THE WORMHOLE w/MORGAN FREEMAN (SCI) Speaking of cool science shows . . . can't believe it's already Season 4. There's so much to talk about with the subject of space and physics but I'm surprised it lasted so far into a TV show.
MYTHBUSTERS (DISC) Always wondered about this one . . . how to survive a jump from the window of a high rise hotel by making a parachute out of items in the room. I'm always in fear of the hotel fire. Just in time before Comic Con.
THURSDAY
IN THE FLESH (BBC) This zombie show from the UK looks more in the style of two of my favorite recent shows like "Rectify" and "Top of the Lake". Only three episodes over the next couple weeks for you to invest in. What could go wrong?
THE GREATEST EVENT IN TELEVISION HISTORY 2 (TOON) The first one was awesome, so why not do it again? That's the Toon theory right? If you haven't seen the Adam Scott take on "Simon & Simon" credits with Jon Hamm is worth a visit.
FRIDAY
MARON (IFC) I've been catching up with this show on their website. Hilarious show that is a lighter version of "Louis". Tonight, the very coolest, Danny Trejo guest stars.
THE MALTESE FALCON (TCM) This is the decent but rarely seen 1931 version with Ricardo Cortez.
SATURDAY
SAM & CAT (NICK) Sam from "iCarly" and Cat from "Victorious" start a babysitting business together. If you are a tween or teen I really don't need to say anything more.
BREATHLESS (TCM) This French New Wave film by Jean-Luc Godard is the definition of a must see if you love movies.
SUNDAY
GAME OF THRONES (HBO) Jaime Lannister is back in King's Landing. And the season sadly comes to an end. I hope that Forcey voters have taken note this season.
VEEP (HBO) The awesome show still has a little bit left in the tank this season. Guest star this week is the great Allison Janney. Selina is one of my favorite characters on TV right now.
AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR . . . I bricked. Get you again next week.
"Educated no, stupid yep
And when I say stupid I mean stupid fresh
I'm not James at 15 or Chachi in charge
I'm Adam and I'm adamant about livin' large." - Beastie Boys
And when I say stupid I mean stupid fresh
I'm not James at 15 or Chachi in charge
I'm Adam and I'm adamant about livin' large." - Beastie Boys
Get funky. Stay hard.
sb
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