Sunday Morning Tuneage & Weekly TV (5/5/13)

The week ahead is long at best - a full week of buyback, working late, three baseball games and two Graduations.  By the time we get back here next week I'll have a good 50-60 hours of work and very little sleep.  Today is the last day to "relax" .  By that I mean, time to workout, go see IRON MAN 3, eat some lunch and celebrate some Cinco De Mayo!!!  The week past was decent - Caleb lost a soccer game, won his baseball game yesterday with some good pitching and Christian is excited about the start of Spring Football Practice.  And the great thing about May is that I got to see Dee dance twice - at her school and for her dance studio.  As I get ready for the upcoming week, I'm sitting here trying to figure out the lunch options and listening to some tuneage . . .

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

DEADLIGHTS OF 2013. . . I left off George Jones last week because I was just getting my thoughts together when the week ended.  He's one of the major Country players - and another member of Country Music's Mt Rushmore is gone.  Stay hard, Willie.  I discovered George way late in life but then went on a binge of his music from the 60s and 70s.  Brilliant man that stuck to singing about what he knew - hard drinking and hard loving. . . Rick Camp was a pitcher for the Braves that I remember from my Summer days watching TBS all day and night . . . Mike Gray wrote some classic screen plays including THE CHINA SYNDROME and the TV show "Starman" . . . Chris "Mac Daddy" Kelly, a part of the Kris Kross duo, passed away from a drug overdose last week . . . I was amazed that Deanna Durbin had been alive when I heard she passed away last week.  This beauty starred in two great films - CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY and the excellent murder mystery, LADY ON A TRAIN . . . 

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

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

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)

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.

AMERICAN IDOL (FOX)  I've cruised through most of the episodes just out of curiosity.  But there's no one this season that I find amazing.  The final few ladies are all good but unremarkable.  Tonight we figure out who's going to be in our Final Two.

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.

sb

Sunday Morning Tuneage & Weekly TV (1/27/13)

Still more January.  Maybe things will look more February next week.   The extra days and longer nights of work should slow down quite a bit for the next few weeks.  So, it'll be time to catch up on reading and Tivo and get back with the kids activities.  Caleb had basketball yesterday and it was another win, 17-2 - we're up to 3-2 on the season finally.  Christian made the JV baseball team for the season and it's only a couple weeks from starting.  Today should be relatively relaxing - watch some TV, grab my workout, eat some lunch and maybe catch a movie tonight.  Until then, I'm scouring the listings for the week to make sure Tivo has all the bases covered and listening to some tuneage . . . 

SUNDAY MORNING TUNEAGE

DURAN DURAN - HOLD BACK THE RAIN (12" Remix).    From "Rio" - this was always a song that I thought would get more attention.  It was the B-side to the excellent "Save A Prayer".  And this is one of the multitude of remixes of the song that were floating around - all of which I'm sure I had on vinyl and then again on CD-single.  They lyrics by Simon are about John taking drugs and staying out late at night.  Not sure they accomplished anything. But it's a great song that still gets me going.  

"Sometimes you're needed badly / So please come back again" . . . 

MARTIN BRILEY - THE SALT IN MY TEARS.  This song certainly qualifies as a one-hit wonder from the Fall of 1983.  I can't tell you much about Martin Briley before or after this song came out.  But it's also one of those songs that proved I wasn't crazy.  I heard this song in the Spring of 1983 when I was in England.  I thought it was great while I was there but when I got back to Michigan, no one had heard of it.  It took 6 months to catch up to the US and then it got a little airplay - mainly on MTV.  Still makes me think of that trip to England and my Nana.

THE BEATLES - TICKET TO RIDE.  From the "Help" album, this is often mentioned as one the The Beatles best songs.  I like it but I don't think I'd put it in their Top 50.  I love that the song has lyrics that can be interpreted many ways.  It's about a girl waiting to escape her small town life, it's about getting an actual bus or train ticket and it can be about sex too.  And even later, The Carpenters interpreted it as a melancholy breakup song.  Yet, who can't resist a sing-a-long with it on a Sunday morning.

SOMETHING RANDOM . . .  

DEADLIGHTS OF 2013 . . . Michael Winner wasn't a director that many people who don't read this blog know too much about.  I hope that the few of you that make their way through the Tuneage known his films - THE SENTINEL and THE BIG SLEEP are two excellent, underrated films from 1977 and 1978 . . . 

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

BEST DOUBLE ALBUMS OF ALL-TIME

10.  GEORGE HARRISON - ALL THINGS MUST PASS.  Actually a triple album - but it makes the list for being one of my favorite George Harrison solo albums.  There's a certain healing factor to these songs.  I love "My Sweet Lord" and the wise "All Things Must Pass" - "Sunrise doesn't last all morning  . . . Sunset doesn't last all day."

9.  STEVIE WONDER - SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE.  In the era of disco - we got the greatness of "I Wish" and "Sir Duke" and "Love's In Need of Love Today".

8.  THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE - ELECTRIC LADYLAND.  This is the most interesting of the Hendrix albums - it shows off his huge range of influences.  "1983" and "All Along The Watchtower".

7.  JOHNNY CASH - SINGS THE BALLADS OF THE TRUE WEST.  Excellent 1965 album with some really classic Western songs.  "Mr Garfield" about the assassination of the President, "Streets of Laredo" and "The Ballad of Boot Hill".

6.  ELTON JOHN - GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD.   In 1973 it's like Elton and Taupin couldn't come up with an outlet for enough tunes.  So many double albums feel like a single album with lots of filler.  Not this one at all.  "Funeral For a Friend", "Bennie And The Jets" and the title tune are just the start.

5.  JAMES BROWN - THE PAYBACK.  I didn't know this 1973 album was a double album until I tried to pick it up on vinyl.  On CD it's 72 pure minutes of funk.  This album and the following double album "Hell" are JB at the height of his powers.  These themes of revenge would go on to fuel Hip Hop albums for the 80s and 90s.  I love this album to death.  Most songs are one album side long.  Perfect party fare.

4.  PINK FLOYD - THE WALL.  Is this the King of Concept albums?  I thought I understood this album better before seeing the film.  This album got me through many a long car drive in the late 80s.  Still one of the best presentations of a double album too.  Great stuff like "Hey You", "Run Like Hell" and "In The Flesh".

3.  PRINCE - SIGN O' THE TIMES.  This excellent double album shows off all of Prince's influences - funk, soul, pop and old fashioned soul.  This is still an album that requires listening from beginning to end every few months.  Great stuff here includes "Strange Relationship", "I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man" and the best slow jam of the decade in "Adore".

2.  THE CLASH - LONDON CALLING.   I could have gone for "Sandinista!" in this spot but I think that "London Calling" is the type of package that represents this band and what I want out of a double album the most.  Great cover - awesome collection of songs. Multiple musical influences to keep the album fresh too.  "London Calling", "Lost in the Supermarket" and the secret track of "Train In Vain".  

1.  THE BEATLES - THE WHITE ALBUM.  Sometimes the best double album isn't about concept or clever album cover or even unifying groups of songs.  This is the most random collection of Beatles songs ever.  It feels like songs just thrown together every which way and yet it works.  It works because all the songs are clever and there's a feeling of experimenting that you don't get on the average album.  There really isn't a song that I don't like here - it's my go-to album for a car trip.    "Dear Prudence", "Piggies", "Honey Pie" and "Don't Pass Me By" and many, many more.

I'm judging the double album a little differently than I just my top albums of all-time list.  I'm taking the double album as a whole project - the gatefold album, the quality of the songs, the story it tells or chooses not to tell.  It doesn't include Greatest Hits packages that are double albums.  I'm leaving off some because they are essentially two separate albums that are released together - Outkast - Speakerboxx/The Love Below are two solo albums that came out together - excellent both but not a true double album.  I also left off soundtracks or definitely would have put Saturday Night Fever on here, as would Star Wars.  I kinda went away from Live albums too - leaving off Allman Brothers and the essential live albums by Kiss and Peter Frampton.  The worst?  It's not the worst but The Rolling Stones - Exile On Main Street is overrated when people call it their best album.  And Dylan's Blonde on Blonde is also not his best album as sometimes identified.  

NETFLIX PLAY NOW OF THE WEEK . . .  BUTTER is one of those films that looked hilarious in previews - much like a BEST IN SHOW meets WAITRESS - but then got terrible reviews when it hit screens.  Perfect for Netflix Instant viewing . . . CHARIOTS OF THE GODS was one of the first documentaries that I was aware of - it's a crazy doc that links the Pyramids in Egypt to extraterrestrials.  Glad to see it reappear on Netflix . . .  and for those that just need a laugh in their life - PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES will become a fixture in my queue.

Shawn's fave movies according to FLICKCHART

#97  - The Simpsons Movie
#348 - National Lampoon's European Vacation
#1433 - What Have You Done To Solange

RANDOM PROJECT UPDATE -  The HARRY POTTER project.  This Summer will be the 6 year anniversary of the publication of the last book in the series - "Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows" back in 2007.  I had read the first 3 books in 2000.  And then book four in about 2003.  But then just before the release of the last book I picked up book four again and started to read through the last book.  But after seeing the films - I was stuck about halfway through the last book.  But 2013 is the year for unfinished business - so I'm tying up some loose ends by finishing some books and series that I started.  So, I'm back on Harry and cruising along.  Even after seeing the films - there's nothing like the books - I'm back again with an old friend.

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

#51 - Steely Dan - Aja

In 1977, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen released an album that sounds like it comes from some nether zone.  It's hard to go back and listen to this album and figure out if it came out last year or in the early 1970s.  It's got equal parts of jazz and rock with some classic pop sounds.  I had heard the hits before getting the album but once I hit my Steely Dan phase and got this album I was very impressed.  With just seven songs, the album doesn't have any clunkers.  It's a timeless album that will have appeal to people in their 20s who are discovering good music for years to come.

Previous Rankings

#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)

#56 - Simon & Garfunkel - Bookends (1968)

THIS WEEK IN TELEVISION

MONDAY
THE BIGGEST LOSER (NBC)  It's been a good season.  There aren't the total tragic stories from previous seasons.  But I like the dynamics and I like the way they are incorporating the kids.    I think I'll be quite invested with these characters by the end of the season.

THE FOLLOWING (FOX)  All the signs say that I should be really into this new show.  But there's something missing.  I don't find a soul to this show - and that's just judging from the ads.  Anyone enjoying this?

TUESDAY
NEW GIRL (FOX)  Impressed that Zooey lets another cutie guest star on the show - Brooklyn Decker is a woman that Nick and Schmidt both fall for.

AMERICAN EXPERIENCE:  HENRY FORD (PBS)  If you're from Michigan like me, you might feel like you could tell this story yourself.  But I'm curious to see the PBS take on him with all the interesting footage they come up with.

WEDNESDAY
SUPER BOWL'S GREATEST COMMERCIALS 2013 (CBS)  An annual tradition around here.  But after years of watching these and watching the commercials for weeks after the game - I'm not sure we get much from it other than a preview of some of the better upcoming commercials for Sunday.

THE AMERICANS (FX)    I've got a decent feeling about this new FX series.  The network has a pretty good track record lately.  And this Cold War FBI vs KGB drama set in 1981 looks like it is one I'm going to end up watching once it is a season in.  I like the cast - not huge names but actors who have had bit parts in other decent series is usually a good sign.

THURSDAY
ELEMENTARY (CBS)  The series got a lot more interesting with the introduction of "M" and knowing that we are still looking for Moriarty.  Overall a fun new series, I'm anxious to see how they finish out the season.  It initially seemed like a short lived series and now I can see where it is going for a few seasons.

30 ROCK (NBC)  It's the 60 minute series finale of the show that I've known I need to watch and have made it this far without seeing even half an episode.  Thanks, Netflix, for always reminding me that I'll like the show.

FRIDAY
HOUSE OF CARDS (NETFLIX)  If this was on regular TV I'd be recommending this Kevin Spacey series.  But you can watch it all at once starting today.  All 13 episodes of the 1st season debut today.  The first two episodes are directed by David Fincher.

PORTLANDIA (IFC)  I'm almost done with Season One and moving on to Season Two.  New episodes air on Friday nights and I'm anxious to get caught up.   It's funny in a way that isn't the funniest show around.  I like it but don't love it, if that makes sense.

SATURDAY
COLLEGE BASKETBALL (ESPN)  It's primetime for Michigan vs Indiana.  The two best teams in the Big Ten go at it in Bloomington.  I'm into this season more than I have since the Fab Five.

CASABLANCA and THE MALTESE FALCON (TCM)  A classic double feature tonight with Humphrey Bogart.  You could do worse than just hang on the sofa with a bottle of booze and these films.

SUNDAY
PUPPY BOWL IX (ANIMAL)  I just can't do it anymore.  But it is usually ten times better than the mess that's the actual Super Bowl halftime show.

SUPER BOWL XLVII (CBS)  The Harbaugh Bowl is probably going to end up being another 49ers victory.  Best thing about the game might be the Elementary episode that follows the game.

FIRST FIVE YEARS OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (NBC)  Usually there aren't any good shows opposite of the Super Bowl.  But this one is right up my alley.  Hello, Tivo, take care of this for me, please.

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR . .  this Fiat commercial goes on a little long but the "mom rap" is pretty clever as far as lyrics go.  And the delivery seems even better because of her English accent, I think . . . 

And I can't give up on Skittles commercials.  First the treadmill.  Is that Abe Lincoln? . . . 

And then the Liar, Liar one is still worth sharing . . . 

"And when you smile for a camera
I know I'll love you better."  - Steely Dan

It will come back to you.  Stay hard.

sb