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Category Archives: Music

Jan 22 2022
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Adrastos, Diary, Film, Fog Of History, Law/Justice, Music, New Orleans, Odds & Sods, Television, Twitter

Saturday Odds & Sods: Burning Down The House

BERJAYA

Fire At Gronland, Oslo by Edvard Munch.

We’re in for an extended cold snap in New Orleans. I prefer my winter weather snappy. What can ya do?

I’ve been feeling fiery and feisty of late hence this week’s theme song. Besides, it’s fucking cold, so a little fire isn’t a bad thing. Just ask Edvard Munch. Why you’d ask a dead Norwegian artist is beyond me.

I bet it’s fucking cold in Gronland right now. The mere thought makes me gron out loud. I should apologize for that Nordic groaner, but I stand by my puns.

FYI, the Gronland in question is a neighborhood in Oslo, not the country the Impeached Insult Comedian wanted to buy. I wrote a 2019 post about the Greenland gambit that included a variation on the Drop Dead headline meme I used on Thursday:

BERJAYA

WHAM. He was a Fjord, not a Lincoln. BAM.

This week’s theme song was written by David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, and Tina Weymouth for Talking Heads 1983 album Speaking In Tongues. The album was the band’s commercial breakthrough. They went from a weird cult band to weird stars. Anything involving David Byrne is weird.

We have three versions of Burning Down The House for your listening pleasure: the Talking Heads original, Tom Jones with The Cardigans, and Bonnie Raitt.

Now that we’re feeling all fiery and shit, let’s jump to the break.

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Jan 21 2022
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Adrastos, Friday Cocktail Hour, Music

It’s Only A Paper Moon

BERJAYA

The featured image is from the late Peter Bogdanovich’s wonderful 1973 movie, Paper Moon. Tatum and Ryan O’Neal aren’t having cocktails, but it might have been Friday. You never can tell.

It’s Only A Paper Moon was composed in 1932 by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Billy Rose and Yip Harburg. The song’s original title was If You Believed In Me.

We begin with one of the earliest paper moony radio hits by the King Cole Trio. It’s a Natty version.

Has a Velvet Fog ever obscured a Paper Moon? Beats the hell outta me. Here’s Mel:

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Jan 21 2022
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Adrastos, Catblogging, Music

Friday Catblogging: The Forecast Calls For Claire

Claire Trevor is forecasting cold weather. It’s fine with her. She loves the space heater.

BERJAYA

The post title is a play on this Robert Cray song so that’s where we end.

Jan 19 2022
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Adrastos, Album Cover Art, Music, Television

Album Cover Art Wednesday: Telly Savalas

Maybe Cousin Telly parlayed his Kojak stardom into a record deal. The cover on the left is one of the wordiest I’ve ever seen.

The cover for Who Loves Ya Baby is so dark that it’s hard to make out the title, which is a pity because it was Telly’s catchphrase. Who among us doesn’t love a catchphrase, baby?

BERJAYA

Here’s the Who Loves Ya Baby album via the YouTube. It’s neither great not terrible but it’s all Telly:

Jan 16 2022
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Adrastos, Music, Sunday Morning Video

Sunday Morning Video: Lyle Lovett Live In 2007

Here’s Lyle and his crack band live at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Did I say crack? I meant Large.

Jan 15 2022
Adrastos, Diary, Film, Fog Of History, Malakatude, Music, Odds & Sods, Political Crack, R.I.P., Television, Twitter

Saturday Odds & Sods: Love The One You’re With

BERJAYA

Meditative Rose by Salvador Dali.

It’s been a cold and contentious week in New Orleans. We continue to debate the merits of holding Carnival amidst the Omicron wave. My position is clear but, Mayor Teedy seems dug in and she has the hammer. I have a nerf mallet at best. Do they make those? Beats the hell outta me.

The featured image is an uncharacteristically subdued painting by Salvador Dali. I picked it because of the “rose in a fisted glove” image used by Stephen Stills in Love The One You’re With.

This week’s theme song was written by Stephen Stills in 1970 for his eponymous debut album as a solo artist. I have mixed feelings about Love The One You’re With. It has a swell melody and a great groove but some of the lyrics are hippie dippy tripe. In the end, the groove triumphs over the lyrics.

We have four versions of Love The One You’re With for your listening pleasure: the Stills original followed by terrific covers by Luther Vandross. the Isley Brothers and my 13th Ward homies, the Neville Brothers.

I love how Luther takes the tune to church, which reminds me of this Lyle Lovett song:

Now that we’ve had some greens and good cornbread, let’s jump to the break.

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Jan 14 2022
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Adrastos, Friday Cocktail Hour, Music

On The Sunny Side Of The Street

BERJAYA

Things remain grim so another happy song is in order. There are worse things than dancing away your sorrows: “Just direct your feet to the sunny side of the street.”

On The Sunny Side Of The Street was written in 1930 by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields for the Broadway musical Lew Leslie’s International Revue. It’s a memorable tune from a long forgotten show.

We begin with Louis Armstrong. On The Sunny Side Of The Street was long a staple of his live shows. This version comes from his time as a big band leader.

My favorite version comes from Frank Sinatra and Billy May:

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Jan 12 2022
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Adrastos, Album Cover Art, Music

Album Cover Art Wednesday: Think Tank

This cover for Blur’s 2003 album Think Tank is by the legendary street artist, Banksy. The original art work was taken to the Banksy and sold at auction 4 years later for 75K quid.

BERJAYA

Here’s the whole damn UK album via YouTube.

Jan 08 2022
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Adrastos, Diary, Film, Fog Of History, Music, Political Crack, Race, Sports, Television

Saturday Odds & Sods: When Push Comes To Shove

BERJAYA

Grand Jazz Band, New Orleans by Jean Dubuffet.

My insomnia is back so I’ll keep it short and snappy. We’re still experiencing Winter Weather Whiplash and I’m still dubious about Carnival 2021. If it happens, I may turn into a Carnival Scrooge for this year. Bah humbug.

This week’s theme song was written by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter for the Dead’s 1987 album, In The Dark. It’s my favorite Dead studio album and I’ve studiously listened to them all.

We have two versions of When Push Comes To Shove for your listening pleasure: the studio original and a live version from NYE 1987. Jerry was not in good voice that night, but Brent Mydland makes up for it with some pianistic perfection. The guitar player is pretty good too.

It’s time for a trip to Disambiguation City with a Van Halen tune with the same title.

Go ahead and jump to the break.

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Jan 07 2022
Adrastos, Friday Cocktail Hour, Music

I’m Beginning To See The Light

BERJAYA

It’s been a rough week for everyone, so I decided to kick off the first Friday Cocktail Hour of the year with a song of hope and redemption.

I’m Beginning To See The Light was composed in 1943 by a jazz all-star team: Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges, and Harry James. The lyrics are by Don George.

We begin with Duke and Louis. No last names necessary.

Ditto with Duke and Ella:

The ghost of Jilly Rizzo told me that Sinatra doesn’t like being placed after the jump. Never argue with Francis Albert’s ghostly sidekick.

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Jan 05 2022
Adrastos, Album Cover Art, Music

Album Cover Art Wednesday: Pussy Cats

This coked-out mess of an album was recorded in 1974 during John Lennon’s “lost weekend” period. Harry Nilsson was part of Lennon’s inner circle of party animals. They recorded this album together. It hurt Nilsson’s career more than Lennon’s.

The album is almost as bad as the cover:

BERJAYA

Here’s the Japanese version of the album:

Jan 02 2022
Adrastos, Music, Sunday Morning Video, Television

Sunday Morning Video: The Music Of Nilsson

This British teevee special aired on New Years Day in 1972. It’s not a full concert but Harry didn’t do those; this is as close as we’re likely to get.

Jan 01 2022
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Adrastos, COVID-19, Diary, Fog Of History, Music, New Orleans, Odds & Sods, Television

Saturday Odds & Sods: Sugar Magnolia

BERJAYA

T-shirt for the Closing of Winterland show 12/31/78.

I’m on the record as hating New Years Eve. It was spoiled for me by seeing the Grateful Dead many times on that date. Most memorably, the closing of Winterland in 1978-79. I don’t remember the t-shirt in the featured image. I wish I would have bought it. It wouldn’t fit me now. Oh well, what the hell.

The danger of New Years Eve used to lie in morons firing guns in the air and drunk drivers. In 2021, it includes unmasked unvaxxed morons spreading their germs. I’m uncomfortable with those who think Gamalian Normalcy has been restored based on anecdotal evidence. The best that can be said of Omicron is that it kills fewer people.

A note of sympathy for all the dog people out there. Dogs hate NYE because of fireworks. It’s usually a loud and smokey day in New Orleans. Orleans Parish pooches should stay off their porches. I hear that cowering under the bed is in fashion among the four-legged set.

I’m not going to fall into the trap of making resolutions or predicting that 2022 *has* to be better than 2021. We all expected 2021 to be better than 2020. It was not.

It’s shameless plug time: one good thing in 2021 was The Best Of Adrastos. It’s still out there. Tell Adrastos that Adrastos sent you. I hope that’s not too meta for you.

This week’s theme song was used by the Dead to bring in the New Year on many occasions. I’ve posted it here on past New Years Days. It’s a great rock song that’s better than the occasion I associate it with.

Sugar Magnolia was written by Bob Weir and Robert Hunter in 1970 for the American Beauty album and remains a staple in the live sets of the Dead’s many spinoffs. I get dizzy just thinking of them,

We have two versions for your listening pleasure: a live medley from NYE 1978-79 followed by the studio original.

Now that we’ve basked in the sunshine daydream, let’s jump to the break.

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Dec 31 2021
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Adrastos, Friday Cocktail Hour, Music

Trav’lin’ Light

BERJAYA

It’s New Years Day so it’s time for an early Friday Cocktail Hour. Let the day drinking begin.

There’s an apocryphal story that Johnny Mercer wrote the lyrics to Trav’lin’ Light to bail Billie Holiday out of a jam. The more likely story is that Mercer added lyrics in the studio in his capacity as the co-founder of Capitol Records. That makes a helluva lot more sense but it isn’t as colorful. Oh well, what the hell.

Trav’lin’ Light was composed in 1942 by Trummy Young and Jimmy Mundy. I already discussed Johnny Mercer’s lyrics. It *was* written for Lady Day and became one of her signature numbers.

I thought Trav’lin’ Light was a good choice for New Years Eve because people travel for the holidays. Not me this year: I’m hunkered and hermitting.

We begin with the original version featuring the Paul Whiteman Orchestra with Billie Holiday.

Billie revisited the song in 1956:

Lady Day may have owned Trav’lin’ Light but she rented it to Ella Fitzgerald and Nelson Riddle with splendid results.

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Dec 29 2021
Adrastos, Album Cover Art, Music

Album Cover Art Wednesday: Victim To Villain

I had never heard of the band New Years Day until I consulted with Mr. Google. Their goth-metal music isn’t my cup of tea but I dig this cover:

BERJAYA

If you’re feeling victimized by such a short post, this song is for you:

Dec 26 2021
Music, Random Ruminations, Tommy T

Today in Tommy T’s Random Ruminations – “Powerhouse” edition

I promised last time that I was going to explain how Warner Brothers cartoon scorer Carl Stalling led me to discover composer Raymond Scott.

Stalling loved to lift bits of public domain music  – (“Tea for two”, “The Lady In Red”, “Oh You Beautiful Doll”, “California, Here I Come”, “Oh Suzanna” – all either publc domain, or owned by Warner Brothers music publishing).  He used most notably “Dance of the Comedians” from “The Bartered Bride” as the background music for the Road Runner tearing up the highway.

And then, he lifted a composition by an avant-garde composer Raymond Scott for scenes featuring assembly lines.  It’s the second movement of this piece at 1:25 by the Raymond Scott Quintet. See if this sounds familiar ;

Here’s the version you’re probably more familiar with :

Raymond Scott wasn’t just a pianist and composer. He was an inventor, as well.

He hung out with Bob Moog, and actually invented not the synthesizer, but the first sequencer – he called it the “Electronium”.

Here’s Mark Mothersbaugh giving it a look-see  :

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And here’s the man himself in his laboratory :

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And all this I discovered from some cartoons and books.

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Dec 24 2021
Adrastos, Diary, Friday Cocktail Hour, Music

The Christmas Song

BERJAYA

I’m not big on Christmas music but I love Mel Tormé. The Velvet Fog wrote my favorite Christmas standard. The “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” opening line makes me think of my mother’s chestnut laden stuffing. Growing up in the Bay Area, Jack Frost never nipped at my nose. Can’t imagine why.

The Christmas Song was written in the summer of 1945 by Mel and Robert Wells. It became such a success that Mel often referred to it as his “retirement account.”

We begin with the songwriter:

The first version of The Christmas Song was cut by the Nat King Cole Trio in 1946:

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Dec 24 2021
Adrastos, Catblogging, Music

Friday Throwback Catblogging: Oscar Gets Lit

Oscar was the only cat we’ve ever had who was good natured enough to put up with this:

BERJAYA

The last word goes to another Oscar:

Have I told you lately how much I love Oscar Peterson? That goes for Oscar the cat as well. RIP.

Dec 22 2021
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Adrastos, Album Cover Art, Music

Album Cover Art Wednesday: Twas The Night Before Christmas

It’s not the night before Christmas but it’s a popular album title. We have four covers for your holiday viewing pleasure.

We begin with two Santa-free covers:

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Here’s jolly old Saint Nick and his wee pal Jiminy Cricket:

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In lieu of Christmas music, The Beatles:

Dec 19 2021
2 Comments
Music, Random Ruminations, Tommy T

Today on Tommy T’s Obsession with Merrie Melodies – no more Stalling edition

The 50-piece Warner Brothers orchestra (no longer in existence, of course) was largely bored by their usual movie score assignments – either bland, or cliche-ridden.
But…
When Carl Stalling came in to do scores for Warners cartoons –
They sat up, put on their big boy shoes, and loved doing these pieces that challenged their considerable talents (Warner Brothers recruited and stole them from several major symphony orchestras).
It took them FOUR tries to get this one 8-second piece right :
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(the ticking sound at the beginning of each take was a metronome synched to the cartoons they were recording the scores for – set up by the animators so the  musical backing and stings would align perfectly with the already finished animation)
Harder than hell to play, even for the best classical orchestra musicians – and they loved it!
Hell – even the titles cracked the orchestra up.
Observe the first 15 seconds of this one :

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Next week – how Carl Stalling led me to discover Raymond Scott
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