music Archives - Page 24 of 261 - Ramblin' with Roger

August rambling: maximum happiness

Unplugged

Our joyless quest for maximum happiness

The Unfathomable Mystery of Biracial Americans

Not All Racial and Ethnic Groups Are Aging At National Pace

AmStat article on Risks to Federal Statistical Data and a related speech by Adriana Kugler, a governor of the Federal Reserve

The West Bank: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Utah ban of 13 books in schools and libraries; out-bloody-rageous

Inside the Texas Crime Lab That’s Cracked Hundreds of Cold Cases

Teaching the Bible in Public Schools: Biblical and History Response

He Took His 68-Year-Old Secret to Court and Finally Confronted His Ghost

San Diego Comic-Con 2024: download a PDF copy of the free souvenir book.

Aaron Sorkin Says If He Made ‘The West Wing’ Today, People Wouldn’t Recognize “Reasonable” Republican Party

162 lies and distortions in a news conference. NPR fact-checks djt

‘Especially a Woman!’: Fox Host Furious Kamala Harris Loves to Cook

Scott Meyer, one of the founders of the Spectrum Theatre in Albany and the Third Street Cinema in Rensselaer before that, dies at 73

Gena Rowlands, a luminous leading lady of independent film, dies at 94

Baseball trailblazer Billy Bean, who dedicated his life to inclusion, dies at 60

Chi Chi Rodriguez, Hall of Fame golfer, dies at 88

Mitzi McCall, Comedian, Actress and Sitcom Writer, Dies at 93

Is English just badly pronounced French?

A Bisectional Rainbow at the SUNY Admin Building, where I used to work

A Simple Tech Issue, and Unplugged, which links to ME.

COVID

As I mentioned, COVID is not dead yet. From August 12, 2024, LA Times (paywall likely): “California’s strongest summer COVID wave in two years is still surging, fueled in part by the rise of a particularly hyperinfectious FLiRT subvariant known as KP.3.1.1.

“There are a number of possible culprits, experts say. Heat waves kept many Californians indoors, most adults are well removed from their last brush with the coronavirus, or their last vaccine dose, and changes in the virus have also widened the scope of the surge.”

There was COVID among the athletes at the Paris Olympics.

From the New York Times: “Doctors say that many people may want to wait for the updated vaccines, which have been retooled to better protect against the current dominant strains of the virus…

“An upcoming vaccine from the biotechnology company Novavax will target JN.1, a coronavirus variant that accounted for the bulk of cases in the United States this winter. The Pfizer and Moderna shots coming this fall will target KP.2, a newer offshoot of JN.1 that’s been circulating this summer. The variants responsible for the largest share of cases in the United States right now, KP.3 and KP.3.1.1, are closely related to KP.2 and JN.1.

“Health officials are expected to issue guidance on how long someone should wait between vaccines when the new shots become available… Because the variants spreading this summer are closely related to one another, a recent Covid infection will likely offer substantial protection against the most common strains circulating now.”

ITEM: A federal court finds an upstate New York eye doctor and his practice illegally fired an employee who reported a lack of COVID protections to state health officials.

Now I Know

The Weird Snack Chip Trick That May Get You Fired and A Spiteful (But Funny) Way to Deal With Telemarketers and Please Be Quiet, We Can’t Hear the Martians and What Cheaters Should Watch Out For and The eBay Fact I Can’t Verify and Why We Wake Up With Crusty Eyes and These Shoes Are Made for Talking and The Great Minnesota Goose Scandal of 2017 and There Is No “Eye” in “Art”

MUSIC

Hymne à l’amour -Edith Piaf

The Lawyer or the Conman – A Randy Rainbow Song Parody

Jungle Love – The Time

How Bizarre – OMC

Shepherds of the Nation – The Kinks

Suite from Close Encounters of the Third Kind by John Williams, with Zubin Mehta conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic

The American Ruse – MC5

Coverville 1497: The Supertramp Cover Story II

Good Vibrations – Peter Sprague featuring Leonard Patton

Untitled – R.E.M.

Monkey Gone To Heaven – Pixies

Escapade -Janet Jackson:

Cuba – Gibson Brothers

Blue – The Jayhawks

Destination Sunrise – MonaLisa Twins

Out Here On My Own – Irene Cara

Favorite Songs By Favorite Artists: Clutch

Ichi – Ptychka

Rainbow Perfection– A parody tribute to Randy Rainbow by Jonathan Jensen

Musician Joe Jackson is 70 (11 Aug)

“You gotta have no illusions.”

Musician Joe Jackson was considered one of those “angry young men” in the pop scene that straddled the 1970s and 1980s. I first heard his music on WQBK-FM, Q 104 in the Albany area, a station I listened to constantly for about a decade.

I bought several of his earlier albums on vinyl and a few of the latter ones on CD. Here are some of his songs.

Down To London, from Blaze Of Glory, 1989. My friend Rocco and I saw him perform at the Palace Theatre in Albany in 1989. After sharing maybe one or two earlier songs, he announced that he would play the album’s first six songs. He threw in a few familiar songs and then launched into the last six songs of the album. Much of the audience just walked out of the auditorium. They didn’t leave the building but went to the concession stand or whatnot. Many didn’t return until he started playing songs they recognized. It’s a good album, which I purchased, but the performance ticked off the audience unnecessarily.

Captain Of Industry (Overture), from the Tucker soundtrack, 1988

A Slow Song, originally from Night and Day, 1982 – I had a buddy named Mary Margaret who loved this song. She particularly liked the live version from the 1980/86 album, which came out in 1988.

I’m The Man, from I’m The Man, 1979 – a frenetic song about a guy willing to sell you anything. I love the way he sings “yo-yo.”

One More Time, from Look Sharp!, 1979, has a running bass line that I love.

Sunday Papers, from Look Sharp! , 1979 speaks to the sensationalist media, which needs to get the story first, even if it’s wrong. I like that reggae beat.

Nineteen Forever, from Blaze Of Glory, 1989

A couple of title songs

Look Sharp, from Look Sharp!, 1979- “You gotta have no illusions. Just keep going your way, looking over your shoulder.”

Beat Crazy, from Beat Crazy, 1980 – I love the contrast between the Graham Maby melodic line and Jackson’s harder response.

Jumpin’ Jive, from Joe Jackson’s Jumpin’ Jive, 1981 – “on the Jersey side.” This is a Cab Calloway song. I loved this album and bought a copy for my mother for her birthday or Christmas one year, thinking she would enjoy it, with songs by Louis Jordan and others. She did not. It was one of those”fail” presents.

Stepping Out, from Night and Day, 1982 – a wonderful anticipatory song

Is She Really Going Out With Him, from Look Sharp!, 1979. This song appears thrice on his 1988 album Live 1980/86. One version was an a cappella dop wop.

Cancer, from Night and Day, 1982. Such a cheerful, danceable song

You Can’t Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want), from Body and Soul, 1984 – a Latin feel and a great slap bass

Fools In Love, from Look Sharp!, 1979. “Are there any creatures more pathetic?” I definitely could relate!

Joe Jackson turns 70 on August 11.

CHQ, Day 2: church and music

backgammon

CHQ is a designation of the Chautauqua Institution. My wife and I received little magnets with those letters at a meal early on at the Presbyterian House. One was a rainbow heart, the other like a bumper stick you might find on a car.

Incidentally, Presby House is the only religion-affiliated house serving three meals daily. There are several other places to get food on the ground, from food trucks to fancy restaurants, but we did not utilize any of them.

In some ways, CHQ is like a college campus with narrow streets. It has a center square where one can play games, go to the bookstore, mail items, get directions, and much more.

The key to being at Chautauqua is the realization that you simply can’t go to everything. Since it was our first time, we overdid it at least once. Each week, there’s a two-sided, roughly 22″ by 11″ (56cm by 28 cm) sheet with columns in six-font type. On Sundays, there are many different worship services at 9:30. After breakfast, the Presby House pastor for the week led a service in the chapel downstairs.

Then, there was a 10:45 service at the Amphitheater, also broadcast on the CHQ Assembly on the YouTube channel, led by the Rev. Kate Braestrup, a best-selling author and the chaplain for the Maine Warden Service, which is probably not what you might think it is.

I should admit that my wife went to far more religious services and lessons than I did. Part of it was that she was more theologically enamored with Rev. Braestrup than I was. Also, I had to finish the book I was reporting on the following week.

88 keys

After lunch, we attended a 2:30 “scintillating program of works for one and two pianos, with repertoire drawn from virtuoso works of the great classical composers and arrangements of popular and familiar tunes” by the Chautauqua School of Music.

I’m listing the pianists to say I saw them when one or more of them broke through nationally or internationally. The music links are not theirs.

(I’ll Build a) Stairway To Paradise, 1922 and Strike Up The Band, 1927 -George Gershwin (1898-1937) (arr Logan Skelton). Sean Yang and Eric Yu. I thought the first piece was by Scott Joplin because Gershwin borrowed from him.

2 Pieces for 6 Hands: Romance and Valse, 1890 -Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943). Even Cao, Ellen Li, and Letizia Palmieri

Brasileira from Scaramouche, 1937 -Darius Milhaud (1892-1974). Sebastian Castillo and Runyang Wong

From Jeux d’enfants, Op. 22 – Georges Bizet (1838-1875): Trompette et tambour  (Trumpet and drum), La toupie  (The spinning top), Petit mari, petite femme (Little husband, little wife), Le bal  (The ball). Karina Tseng and Vivian Yang

Ondine from Gaspard de la nuit, M. 55, 1908 – -Maurice Ravel (1875-1937). Seohee Yang. Based on this and a later performance, my wife and I felt she was the breakthrough artist.

Tarantella from Suite No. 2, Op.17 -Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943). Dongwon Shin and HaEun Yang

A classical steal

España, 1883 -Emmanuel Chabrier (1841-1894). Yujin Han, Cheonmi Park, Sean Yang, and Eric Yu. I thought I didn’t know the composer; wrong. From Wikipedia: “Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom)” is an American popular song written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning. The song is almost identical in melody and triple-time rhythm to a portion of Emmanuel Chabrier‘s 1883 composition, España. It was published in 1956. The song was recorded by Perry Como,” and went to #1 on the Billboard pop chart.

Danse Macabre, Op. 40 -Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921). Karmen Grubisic and Seohee Yang

Prelude in D-flat major, Op. 32 No. 13 – Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943). Alexei Aceto

A Scott Joplin Rag Rhapsody, 1997 – Kevin Olson (b. 1970). Yujin Han, April Lee, Yali Levy Schwartz, and Kyuree Kim. Ah, familiar Joplin themes.

Where ARE we?

Then, we attended a 4:00 orientation for new Chautauquans. By the time we finished dinner, I didn’t want to go anywhere.

Fortunately, at breakfast, the Presby House pastor had indicated an interest in playing backgammon. I hadn’t played a human in years, only on my phone. We were well-matched, as she beat me two games to one, even as we (mostly I) engaged in a running commentary to benefit a young man watching us who had read the game’s rules but had not played.

Then I played him a few games, even as we listened to the 8 pm Sacred Song Service in the nearby Amphitheater. This brought me joy.

One of the quirks, at least at Presby House, is that you don’t lock your doors when you go out. When my wife was in the room, even though she had opened and closed the door, she inadvertently locked me out. It took only a day or so to get used to it.

Security

By happenstance, the day we returned from Chautauqua, CBS reran the segment from 60 Minutes detailing when Salman Rushdie was stabbed on the Amphitheater stage. I had seen the piece before, but it was somehow more disturbing, having been in that place. In 2022, access to the stage appeared less secure.

I don’t know exactly what measures they had then—there are people I should ask—but there are now several folks responsible for security. The ones in the blue shirts appeared to be armed. While undoubtedly necessary, this made me a little sad.

Sunday stealing: creature feature

what winter?

The Sunday Stealing this week includes a creature feature.

1. How would your pet describe you

We only have one, Stormy, since Midnight died this summer. I’ve written a post about her that will show up soon. But let me tell let me tell you a related story. One morning this week, I was in my office and heard a rustling sound. Initially, I thought it was the fan blowing against the window treatment or a CD not playing correctly. Eventually, I leaned over to look into one of our garbage cans, and there was a bat. It was a live bat. I don’t mean a baseball or cricket bat, but a mammal. It could not get out. I took another garbage can, covered up the opening, and carried them out to the back part of our yard, where I released the creature.

I’m wondering whether the bat came into the house via the chimney or possibly the basement or attic. Perhaps Stormy saw the bat and attacked it and the bat flew into the garbage can and couldn’t get out. Or did Stormy place the bat into the garbage can? I do not know the answer to this question.

What’s the Story?

2.. Tell us a story

This week, I gave a book talk about The Undertow by Jeff Sharlet, a tome I will eventually review in this blog. Interestingly, when the conversation about the book ended, it launched into a very interesting discussion about the political process in the United States and what democracy is. As a political science major, it was very interesting to me. I posited that I HATE when people don’t vote.

3.. What do you pack in your beach/hiking bag

I have no such bag, but if I did, it would probably have something to read, probably some newspapers or magazines to read. A hat, sunscreen, and water.

4.. How do you like to spend great weather weekends

I’m not a guy who hangs out a lot outdoors. I don’t say, “Ohh, it’s nice out. I’m gonna hang up at the beach,” or “I’m gonna hang out at the pool.”

I can walk under ladders

5.. Describe a time when the circumstances fell in your favor

I’m sure I told this story before, but I will repeat it. I was in Corporate (frickin’) Woods, where I used to work. Most know I hated working there. I had to get to an appointment for some reason, but I just missed the bus and was very upset. It was cold and windy. I needed to walk up the hill to get out of the complex. I was wearing a red Santa Claus hat with a white ball, I had a beard, and I was heavy enough. Somebody who I did not know, a young woman, stopped to give me a ride to the next place where I could catch a bus, on the Northern Boulevard. She said she picked me up because she couldn’t stand to see Santa Claus walk.

6.. Which summer sounds do you enjoy

it tends to be summer songs, especially Sly and the Family Stone’s Hot Fun In The Summertime and Summer In The City by the Lovin’ Spoonful.

7.. It’s not really summer until …

I turn on the air conditioner, which involves my wife and me placing it in the front window. Considering the number of times we have installed the behemoth, it seems like we’ve never done it before. Where does that piece of wood go? Is it level? Where should we put the padding? It’s always a drag.

8.. What music are you listening to these days

I always listen to lots of music, but currently, I’m listening to people whose birthdays are in August. That would include Elvis Costello, Tori Amos, Count Basie, The Clash (for Joe Strummer), Robert Plant, John Hiatt, Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, Tony Bennett, and Louis Armstrong.

In The Summertime

9.. How much has changed since last summer

The difference between last summer and this summer is that my wife didn’t take off any time last summer. She was working all the time, and we didn’t do a whole heck of a lot. She took off for eight weeks this summer, so we went to Chautauqua Institution. But we also worked on many household chores which had fallen by the wayside.

10. What are your favorite things to wear in summer

Hats, specifically caps, sunglasses, and, oddly enough, long-sleeved shirts, because I fear getting sunburned.

11. What do you miss about winter

Winter in Albany, NY, is wussy. We haven’t had a whole lot of snow or cold. It’s not very impressive. We had one very cold winter in the past decade. Our snowfall has been pathetic compared to our average norm of about 5 feet (1.5 m) for the season. People elsewhere tell me, “Oohh, it snows a lot up there.” Well, it did, but for the most part, it doesn’t, and of course, it’s largely a result of global warming.

Summertime

12. How would you spend summer vacation as an adult

I would travel a lot based on money, but I’ll probably want some downtime and my laptop ready to keep track of everything.

13. Describe your ideal get-together/party

We so seldom throw parties that it’s a hard question to answer. Lots of people are eating food and have a place to talk. I liked the party that one of our choir members held. It was on their back deck. Part of it was covered so I could stay out of the sun while others stood out on the outside deck.

14. What makes you feel like part of your community

Church. The library. Talking to my neighbors. I am looking out for things that are a little askew in my neighborhood and noting it to whoever might be able to do something about it.

15. How was your July 2024?

I’m overly busy and barely have time to write about it.

No 1964 Billboard Soul charts

Sam Cooke, the Impressions, Dionne Warwick

There were no 1964 Billboard Soul charts. Why is that? Per Joel Whitburn’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles, the magazine didn’t publish a chart from November 30, 1963, through January 23, 1965, because the magazine thought there was so much crossover between the pop and RB charts to create.

For the book, Top 50 In R&B Locations published by Cash Box, a national music trade magazine was used,

Three titles crossed over, hitting #1 on both charts. Unsurprisingly, all were from Motown. My Guy by Mary Wells (seven weeks RB, two weeks pop), Baby Love by the Supremes (four weeks pop, three weeks RB), and the group’s previous hit, Where Did Our Love Go (two weeks each).

Funny – Joe Hinton, four weeks at #1 RB. I always knew this Willie Nelson song as Funny How Time Slips Away. #13 pop.

What Kind Of Fool (Do You Think I Am) – The Tams, three weeks at #1 RB. #9 pop. From Atlanta.

The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss) – Betty Everett, three weeks at #1. #6 pop.

Walk On By – Dionne Warwick, three weeks at #1 RB. #6 pop. I watched Finding Your Roots. They misspelled her name on an earlier record. It should have been Warrick. She was initially furious, but her grandfather suggested that Warwick could be her stage name, and it was so.

Let It Be Me – Betty Everett and Jerry Butler, three weeks at #1 RB. #5 pop.

Let the people say…

Amen – The Impressions, three weeks at #1 RB, #7 pop. Featuring Curtis Mayfield

Hi-Heel Sneakers – Tommy Tucker, three weeks at #1 RB, #11 pop

Under The Boardwalk – The Drifters, three weeks at #1 RB, #4 pop

Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um – Major Lance, two weeks at #1 RB, #5 pop

Good Times – Sam Cooke, two weeks at #1 RB, #11 pop

Keep On Pushing – The Impressions, two weeks at #1 RB, #10 pop

Mercy, Mercy – Don Covay & The Goodtimers, two weeks at #1 RB, #35 pop. Co-written by Covay.

Reach Out For Me – Dionne Warwick – two weeks at #1 RB, #20 pop

Good News – Sam Cooke, one week at #1 RB, #11 pop. Composed by Cooke.

The Way You Do The Things You Do – The Temptations, one week at #1 RB, #11 pop