Aging teenyboppers are beside themselves with grief today. Jones formed one-quarter of the Monkees, a group I had no respect for when I was a lad. I realized later that the Monkees had been making fun of all the things I loved to ridicule, and they were great vocalists to boot.
We are playing John Lennon every day of 2012 because some people claim that they world is going to end. OK then, if it is going to end, Lennon is going to have the last word.
Just to be fatherly, I have sat through more than one Twilight torture film. I mean, aside from Kristen Stewart's face, they are so boring. Every one of those films is crammed with scenes of beautiful but dark and dripping forests. Maybe I am not into grunge because it reminds me of the Pacific Northwest. Or perhaps it is the other way around, I can't be sure.
Anyway, I am glad I played this video, which has broken through my grunge-bone-chilling rain forest aversion. Well, actually it was Carrie Brownstein that did the breaking...
I don't recall ever having heard this version, which I see is the original recording. It's not bad. They don't make a meal of the vocals the way Nilsson and some of the others that have covered this did.
Here's a sad one for all you brokenhearted people tonight. KTWS time is five minutes to one in the AM on the East coast.
In case you're wondering why it's KTWS even though both Hector Diego and I live East of the Mississippi, it's because radio stations that start with K sound cooler.
Today is Shiva Ratri. Is am posting this rather late in the day, but my astrologer tells me that Shiva Ratri, in the Western Hemisphere, will last until about 5 am tomorrow morning.
My main man Sheamus introduced me to Sleater-Kinney some years back, and though I enjoy the band quite a bit, I only know their history and their catalog in a cursory manner. So it was no surprise that Sheamus took me to task for posting "You're No Rock N' Roll Fun." So, here is a song that Sheamus considers to be much more representative of SK's best work, "God is a Number". I think the man has a fine point.
I've been enjoying the British teen drama Skins. Not only is it a fantastic show, but it has proven to be a reliable window into the world of obscure, excellent British music. 6 Day Riot is one such band that has been featured on the show, though not this particular song.
The first single from Jack White's debut solo album has been fairly well received, but for White the expectations are so high that it's doubtful critics can get a clear view of what's been delivered until they have a while to process it.
While it's not the same as the initial blast of White Stripes, this is a very cool tune. The choice of featuring a clarinet, which bothered me at first, now feels monumentally innovative after several listens.
Certainly one of Lennon's most enduring, beautiful melodies.
I like this unreleased, acoustic version. I posted this earlier in the month, but hey--it's Valentine's Day! Do you remember when you gave every single kid in the class a Valentine's Day card?
This is a photo of a deceased friend that I am posting for a mutual friend that is not deceased (I think) but who does not do In-Your-Facebook. Sorry I couldn't make it bigger. I like to think that Rajiv is in a better place. It was difficult to choose appropriate music for this sort-of-obituary. I once observed Rajiv in a rare display of emotion while he was listening to Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time", so I dedicate that song to him.
Three days before he was assassinated, Lincoln related a recent dream that he had to some friends.
"About ten days ago, I retired very late. I had been up waiting for important dispatches from the front. I could not have been long in bed when I fell into a slumber, for I was weary. I soon began to dream. There seemed to be a death-like stillness about me. Then I heard subdued sobs, as if a number of people were weeping. I thought I left my bed and wandered downstairs. There the silence was broken by the same pitiful sobbing, but the mourners were invisible. I went from room to room; no living person was in sight, but the same mournful sounds of distress met me as I passed along. I saw light in all the rooms; every object was familiar to me; but where were all the people who were grieving as if their hearts would break? I was puzzled and alarmed. What could be the meaning of all this? Determined to find the cause of a state of things so mysterious and so shocking, I kept on until I arrived at the East Room, which I entered. There I met with a sickening surprise. Before me was a catafalque, on which rested a corpse wrapped in funeral vestments. Around it were stationed soldiers who were acting as guards; and there was a throng of people, gazing mournfully upon the corpse, whose face was covered, others weeping pitifully. 'Who is dead in the White House?' I demanded of one of the soldiers, 'The President,' was his answer; 'he was killed by an assassin.' Then came a loud burst of grief from the crowd, which woke me from my dream. I slept no more that night; and although it was only a dream, I have been strangely annoyed by it ever since."
I had told myself that I was done posting stuff on Lincoln, whose birthday is today. I couldn't, however, resist this one. Abe tells it like it is. If today's Republicans were anything like Lincoln, perhaps I would not be a Democrat. But in your hearts you know that if Lincoln were alive today, he would be a Democrat!
Recent critics have taken the shine out of our greatest President, and some of their observations are fair. But I am too sentimental to pay them any mind. For me, Abraham Lincoln is the giant of all American history.
According to the station's site, the new song "It's Just Life" has been redacted until March 20, when the new album drops. Nevertheless, it's a damn fine set.
The Station Agent says that there is no way Obama can favor legalization and still get reelected. That may be true, but at least he could say it is a matter for the states to decide. I do not believe that would cost him politically in the least. So why doesn't he say that? Here is a comment I lifted from an article by the Marijuana Policy Project. I'm still going to vote for Obama, but I know how this person feels.
"I’m have been so disappointed in President Obama’s stance in this matter. It was one of the reasons I voted for him in the last election. I felt from his views before the election he would have been more compassionate and understanding about legalizing marijuana. I’m not really sure I can give him my vote in the next election, and I really wanted to support Obama."
Goyte's monster hit "Somebody That I Used to Know" has spawned a cottage industry of covers, including a recent screamo take by Kapitan Korsakov. This one by Aaron Kaufman is a very clever mash-up cover that incorperates The Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love".
Nice cover of The Civil Wars's "Poison and Wine". It was recorded over the internet from their respective locations, with fantastic results. The idea of sharing the same performance space is yet one more boundary being eliminated before our eyes.
Daughter #3 claims that you cannot mix the Beatles with dubstep. I disagree. From what I know about Lennon's views, he would welcome the opportunity to introduce his work to a new generation. He would not claim any importance for his work, but he would assert the importance of the message. I also explained to my daughter that Lennon practically invented street theater on an international scale. What do you say, Station Agent?
This is from the Mountain Goats recent show at the Visulite Theatre in Charlotte, North Carolina. The entire show can be listened to and downloaded from The Internet Archive.
"Please keep me up to date on your future plans
but if I'm on your mind, then I'll slip through your hands..." Allied Radio by Face of the Earth on Grooveshark
A woman was sleeping with her child when the FBI raided her home looking for illegal drugs. She had none.
What else needs to happen before the whole country realizes that the war on drugs is idiotic and downright evil? Far worse than the drugs that are being "fought"?