If you read this blog at all, you know I have a slightly unhealthy (some would say) obsession with Marvin Gaye. Haters to the left. I also have these same feelings for George Harrison. I don't really know how to explain it. I guess I just feel really connected to George. His songs have always touched me. I've always loved him. Well, he would've been 66 today. On this day in 1943, George was born and started his work changing the world and MELTING MY HEART.
I love you, George. Good job at making countless people happy all over the world. I hope you are smiling somewhere and strumming your geetah and maybe you really are stuck inside a cloud in the most marvelous of ways. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
First of all, doesn't someone need to tell Art Garfunkel that those Ray-Bans are SO OVER? Kidding. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel make up the big hit-making team of the sixties known as Simon and Garfunkel. I have had a lot of really sad moments to their songs. Also, they are definitely one of my "red-light" bands aka me driving home at 3am when the traffic lights are flashing and I am trying to recall if I put my foot in my mouth during the course of that night (the answer is usually yes). The point is (and I do have one) that this group is perfect for those moments when you are feeling a bit reflective.
Paul and Art met when they were kids and formed a band called Tom and Jerry. How tight is that? They had some mild success with a debut album, but weren't truly the success we know today until they were featured big time on the soundtrack to The Graduate. PLASTICS. They were pretty much instantly famous after this. I have been known to whistle "Mrs. Robinson" like thirty times a day.
One of their biggest albums, Bridge Over Troubled Water, came out in 1970. It featured heavy hitters, also known as songs that make me well up on the spot. Songs such as "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "The Boxer" are special gems to me. However, I think my favorite S&G song of all time is the one I am sharing today. I challenge you to find a more beautiful song! I love it so much. I've listened to it while crying and stuffing Cheez-its in my mouth, while driving home alone and contemplating my life, and while sitting on my balcony watching a sunset. I hope you enjoyed that sap sandwich I just made you, but I'm being frrl right now. It's so pretty. Their voices are like butter. One of the best things Zach Braff ever did was include this song in his movie Garden State. Too bad the rest of the movie couldn't be saved. MOVIE CRITIC ALERT.
After this album, the old friends parted. However, we all know Paul Simon went on to have a pretty tight career making music videos with Chevy Chase. DOY: I know he did other stuff, too. Garfunkel made some sweet ass red-headed babies. And of course, they have patched things up and toured together again.
Enjoy this tune and listen with your eyes closed and your mind open!
My obsession with beards has reached a new height. Now I can have a beard myself, even when I can't meet a dude who can grow one. TIGHT. I love this hat. Too bad it will never get cold enough for a full-head hat such as this in Austin. However, the idea is super tight. It comes in a variety of colors AND you can change out the stache part with different styles for an additional five bucks each. I'm luvin it.
Tonight, the Oscars happen. I love watching for the red carpet. SORRY. But I'm a little pissed this year because nothing makes me want to tune in less than Hugh Jackman as host. I don't get that at all. Maybe he will be really tight and surprise me. But I've heard rumors he does some song and dance number with Zac Efron, and so I'm already skeptical.
Anyway, that's not why you called. In honor of this year's Academy Awards ceremony, I have found one of the very best acceptance speeches. Jack Palance is most known to us as Curly from City Slickers (which I used to watch A LOT btdubs). In 1992, he won Best Supporting Actor for that role. That same year, Billy Crystal was host of the Oscars, and also happened to be Jack's co-star in the film. Jack's acceptance speech is so tight because he pokes a little fun at Billy. He also shows how fit he still is at age 73. It brings the LOLs. Sorry I can't embed it. The Oscar people won't let it happen.
Happy Oscar Watching. I've only seen The Wrestler and Wall-E, so I have no room to judge anything. I'll be drinking medicine and crying.
Is this tight? We all remember the Snuggie, that magical-creepy-blanket-with-sleeves-that-makes-you-look-like-a-monk thing. Well, someone has topped the Snuggie with another great invention. The Snuggie was just too plain jane, y'all! Presenting the Gangsta Snuggie!
I'm almost positive this is just a sleeping bag, but who cares? We're still going with Gangsta Snuggie on this one. Everyone needs one of these!
SIDENOTE: Were you aware there is competition in the blanket with sleeves world? Snuggie vs. Slanket!
It's Sophie's Choice to say which of these songs I like more.
The first is the original, composed by Stephen Stills and performed by Buffalo Springfield. It was released in 1967 and rose on the charts. Now, this song is super well known. It's even in Forrest Gump, for Chrissakes. It seems to represent and summarize many people's general agitation during the sixties. Doesn't it always seem like it's used for the sixties scene in any movie? Well, that's because it works well. What a tried and true song.
The Staple Singers decided to give it a go with a cover version. How badass is this? I love what they did with it. But Mavis Staples could pretty much sing me a Gawr song and I would somehow like it. I love the soul twist they add to this. All those beautiful lady voices saying "What a field day for the heat." I'm in love. The Staple Singers recorded this song on Epic, before they were signed with Stax and had their huge hit with "I'll Take You There." They were still a bit poppy during this time. Signing with Stax definitely led to the soul direction they are better known for.
The Band and the Staple Singers performing "The Weight." From The Last Waltz. Soul at its best. Rick Danko crazy arms at their best. Levon Helm monkey faces at their best. You really just can't go wrong when the Staples are involved. And that ending. Lawd.
I'm feeling emotional because I just watched the Keira Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice. Nothing can make me cry like a scene with Mr. Darcy coming out of his shell. I want someone to kiss my face and whisper "Mrs. Darcy." Except maybe not "Mrs. Darcy." More like "Mrs. Jonas." SIKE. Also, I'm going under the complete assumption that everyone reading this knows what I'm talking about here. GET WITH IT.
I love sushi. I know some people do not, and that is just fine with me. Raw fish does sound super gross. BUT NOT WHEN IT LOOKS LIKE BARACK OBAMA. This is so tight. How was this even made? I can't wrap my head around it. All I do know is that at my local HEB that shit would cost at least $8.99.
Happy Valentine's Day, puppets! First things first: who can make a pizza like that for me? I would shit twice and die! Next, last night I chose to celebrate Friday the 13th with a ton of Mama's medicine. Look, I know I talk about wine a lot but really I don't drink THAT much. But I should still probably change the name of this blog to "Is This 100 Proof?" and get it over with since it seems like I have a problem anyway.
Today is a day for love and friendship and happiness or MISERY IF YOU ARE SINGLE. I'm going to appreciate this day, though. It actually got a bit colder in Austin today so I like that. I like that people will open up and be sweet today, even though you really should be like that all the time, amiright? One thing about blogging on Valentine's Day is that I get to think of all my favorite love songs! So that's tight. The thing is, there are literally a million bajillion songs that are about love and romance and even the sadness of love. However, I have chosen a select few today that I just like. These aren't necessarily designed to get you in the mood, unless you want to be in the mood for DANCING AND SINGING AROUND THE ROOM.
No one is really cooler or tighter than Junior Walker. Fact. I have blogged about Junior before. Valentine's Day doesn't have to be about crying into your cornflakes if you don't have a s.o.! It can be about dancing and singing along at the top of your lungs to this great tune. I love this song so much! It's been covered a million different times in many ways, but this is one the best versions to me. I would like to come out as Mr. and Mrs. Joe Jonas at my wedding reception while this song plays. Kidding! I'll let you decide what part I am kidding about.
Ever heard of this guy? I'm such a jokester. Bob Dylan's 1966 album Blonde on Blonde is one of my favorites of his, and of all time. It's a gigantic double album and it's double the awesome. "I Want You" is fast-paced and yes, it has a bunch of lyrics that are a bit bananas, however the main theme works for Valentine's Day. This song always reminds me of my friend Caroline because we used to listen to it in her car in high school quite a bit. Shout out! This song is also really fantastic if you are trying to perfect your Bob Dylan impression to do at parties.
I'm going to end with a little Otis. You know how much I love this baller. I feel like no love mix would be complete without Otis on it. Otis equals love!! He will get you in the mood big time. This song is truly beautiful. The lyrics are so sweet and pure. Can you imagine having a song like this written about you? He's going to do anything for you just because he loves you. DANG. Anyway, this song was in a previous post but it's BACK and available for download, so get it while it's hot.
I'm making a brief foray into "is this tight" in order to post these tight photos, I want my picture taken like this...maybe that will be my next post somehow.
This little girl is my new hero in life. She is the best thing to hit YouTube since that guy doing the Single Ladies dance all over the place. I have watched this literally six times in a row and laughed out loud each time. What really makes me laugh is that I did this kind of shit growing up, but we didn't have a camera to film EVERY THING THAT WENT ON IN MY LIFE. This little girl is lucky. She has the camera and now she will probably be famous for her smarts and humor.
Basically, it's a cool and super tight kid filming pages of a book that contains pictures of cats. She says what the kitties must be thinking and it's awesome. Nuff said. Now watch. "BRAINSTORM!"
I have to tell you guys about this crazy website. It's disturbing on a few levels. One of them is that this food is GROSS OUT CITY and I want to straight vom looking at some of it. I think about my fellow Americans ingesting this and I get the willies. However, the other disturbing thing is that some of it looks pretty good. SO SUE ME. I can't get over some of these food combinations. I'm tempted to make some of these and pass them off as real entrees at a dinner party someday.
A corn dog pizza. WUT. I love a good cheeze pizza. Corn dogs can't hurt it! But seriously, how do you even slice this thing? Get the Lysol ready because I will have serious mud butt all over the place after eating this.
This is a sandwich with a bunch of condiments and meats and shit, but the bread parts are POWDERED SUGAR FRENCH TOAST. Are we dead serious with this idea right now? I need to know why this person wanted a side of tots with this meal. Was that really necessary? And at least get some water! I'm about to hurl.
Go see these and many more and then let's talk about it.
I just poured a glass of medicine, got a mint Milano cookie, and let my magic iTunes go to work. All I need right now is the complete Freaks and Geeks series on DVD, some Kettle Chips, a Snuggie, another glass of medicine, and Stains the cupcake dog on a loop! I would be set.
By the way, I was enjoying this super fine evening with a delicious tune from a funk band known as L.T.D. Did you know that these letters really stand for Love, Togetherness, and Devotion? I am dead serious and I'm dead pumped. I would love to have a band where I just strung together three words to make the name. Cookie, House, and Lamp. Water, Lotion, and Flame. This is hard! But I also just looked around my room.
L.T.D. is a funk and R&B band formed in 1968. Their biggest hit was probably the song I am sharing with you today, which was released in 1977. Listen, no one has ever accused me of not getting UP at a dance party but I think this song will do the trick every time if you are a bit shy on the dance floor. I also like this song because it's true. I will pretty much fall in love with you if you say one funny thing. Especially if you do an impression of Stains the dog OR have watched Never Been Kissed at least 75 times.
For some reason, it reminds me of summer and barbecues, even though I have never listened to it while barbecuing. I just love songs that have horns, sweet beats, and areas where you could do some synchronized clapping! Holla. I love how he says, "Excuse me, I'm only human." Talk to the hand.
I'm just being real with you - how fast can this song turn into a conga line situation? Get to dancing!
My friend Linda posted this not too long ago, but I just watched it like five times in a row. I want to post it here because I can't think of any other sweet folks I would rather share it with THAN YOU ALLZ.
This is the greatest game of all time! Does anyone else remember it? I want to play this asap. The little kid is terrifying and unexplainable, but the leg kick action is amazing and incredible. Special appearance by Bubbles the chimp and be sure to watch until the very end, prettyplease.
I know my birthday is over, but I will be your Valentine if you buy a Sega and this game for me. AND THROW IN SOME CHOC COVERED STRAWBERRIES OKTHX.
Kittens, I have been wanting to do this post for a while now. You see, I have been wanting this album for so long. I tried Waterloo Records because I really like to buy things with my hands. However, they did not have it. Or any Carolyn Franklin music for that matter. I tried a few other places and finally tried Amazon, which is the greatest invention ever. You can get a Cuisinart and some pearl thongs and some Bobby Brown all in the same place! Total genius.
Anyway, Carolyn Franklin is a soul sister that makes me want to cry my eyes out immediately. She is the baby sister of a lesser known joke of a singer named Aretha Franklin. KIDDING x 1000000000000. Everything about Carolyn is so beautiful and pure. Maybe it's because I love Aretha so much that I just automatically love Carolyn. It's like how much I love Cheez-its therefore I immediately love Hill Country Fare Cheese Bites. Same?
Carolyn (right) and Aretha kissing their daddy, Reverend CL Franklin.
Carolyn is the youngest of the three Franklin sisters. Erma is the other sistah. Carolyn grew up taking piano lessons which led to her amazing songwriting abilities. She wrote "Angel" for Aretha. When Aretha was signed to Columbia, Carolyn began singing back-up for her. However, she eventually was signed herself to the Double L Label out of NYC. Soon, she switched to RCA and she started recording soul singles in the late sixties as a solo artist. That's her debut album from 1969, Baby Dynamite, pictured at the top of the post. What a tight album title! During her recording career, she wrote many of her own songs.
Here's where it gets tragic. Get tissues ready. As Oprah would say, you might "cry your eyelashes off." Carolyn and Aretha got into somewhat of a tiff over recording the soundtrack for Curtis Mayfield's movie Sparkle. Aretha got the gig, and Carolyn made her last album instead. I should mention that she continued to record background vocals for Aretha, so I'm assuming they were fine during this period. In 1979, she moved to Detroit to care for her father, who was in a coma from a burglary! Damn. In 1987, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She worked for a BA in music from Marygrove College until she died. She was too sick to walk for her degree. She passed on in 1988. The end of her life was surely bananas!
Carolyn is another artist who could've continued to produce amazing music. She could be singing with Aretha and her magical bow hat today! But at least we have some superb soul recordings to remember her by. And at least we all know she's singing happily in the sky. Here's a vid of her song "I'd Rather Be Lonely" so you can get the tears going and get a drink out. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, my babies! Also, check the bass in the download!!
I hope Carolyn uplifts your day, even if it's just a little bit.
I don't know why I haven't posted this song sooner. This is one of the most incredible videos of this song available on the YouTubes. I know two things to be true:
1. KC is the biggest assclown. 2. KC had one of the greatest horn sections of the disco era.
So I just took a walk through downtown Austin. I passed some doodz in business suits, some nicely dressed ladies, some hobos, and some runners. Tight! Here's the thing: I also passed Leslie. I see him everywhere these days! I was listening to Bread on my iPod, too. Embarrassing? I don't care. But I didn't really want to get too close and have him hear it. And then smile. And then I would wonder if he heard me listening to Bread and that's why he was smiling. I'M TURNING INTO WOODY ALLEN WITH ALL THE ANXIETY. Anywayz, I passed him but I gave him a peace sign. Good gawd! Who do I think I am - Miley Cyrus?
I haven't flashed someone a peace sign since age 16 when I would drive with all the windows down and I thought I was awesome. But really I was just a huge asshat. Please tell me I'm still at least a little bit tight. I haven't lost your respect, have I?
So anyway, Leslie also had this crazy fanny pack on and it reminded me of this infomercial I see ALMOST EVERY NIGHT for the Buxton Over the Shoulder Organizer. This is the ugliest piece of shit I have ever seen. Who cares that it holds two water bottles? Shouldn't you be more concerned with looking like a total dork? I love how frustrated the woman is in the beginning when she can't find her celly. Newsflash: all pants come with pockets. Try putting it in there. Also, does anyone stuff his phone in a bag anymore anyway? I carry mine out all the time, mostly as a status symbol. Let's be real. I don't know why this is important or matters to anyone, but this damn bag really pisses me off. I also hate the way he says "GENUIIINE" leather. I'm going to straight vom.
edit: I embedded the video originally, which I thought was super tight. However, it wouldn't stop auto playing and no one needs that. Head the website to see it. SOWWY!
Look, I'm a day late on this. I chose to spend yesterday in reverence aka drinking medicine and talking with some ballers. DEAL WITH IT. But I thought about it. And I talked about it. So there.
As you should know, yesterday was the Day the Music Died. On February 3, 1959, a terrible plane crash claimed the lives of three amazing musicians: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P "The Big Bopper" Richardson.
The three were on tour traveling all over the Midwest. They were having tons of troubs with their tour bus, so Buddy suggested they charter a plane for the next gig. However, it was a tragic decision. The plane crashed early in the morning and all three died instantly, as well as the young pilot. I just think this is a super sad deal. Who knows what these guys could've done with their lives? In 1971, Don McLean wrote a song called "American Pie" (ever heard it? lolz) and coined this day "The Day The Music Died." Well, good thing it didn't really die out forever, but it definitely lost three tight dudes.
Oh, man. The Big Bopper is so tight. He is probably most famous for his song "Chantilly Lace" which supposedly my nephew loves. At least the beginning, anyway. Can I get family confirmation on this? The Big Bopper was from Texas (baller) and actually began his career as a songwriter. He wrote "White Lightning," which became the first big country hit for George Jones. He was only 28 when he died. Too young! He left behind a wife and child, and his son was born two months after his death. Fortch, his son has carried on the traditions of the tightness that makes The Big Bopper.
The story of Ritchie Valens is extra sad to me. He was only 17 when he died in the crash. I mean, damn. He made a lasting impression in his super short recording career. His hit "La Bamba" is still popular today, especially for me while in the shower. Can you believe this guy recorded a song in Spanish and had people fumbling over the words/enjoying it and loving life? I love this. I also like his song "Donna." Ritchie probably could've done a lot for music. I'm happy to report that Lou Diamond Phillips exposed Ritchie even more to the masses with his role in the movie La Bamba. LOLZ.
I love this tight dweeb. I mean, srsly. Buddy Holly was the only person who could pull off those glasses and still be a giant baller. Although those glasses are back in style, I guess. In fact, I want some. Buddy is pretty widely recognized as being a huge ass influence on early rock n roll. Like the others, he had a super short career before dying in the plane crash but it was an intense one. Can you believe he was only 22 and had already recorded some of the songs he did? Makes me feel like I've done nothing with my life. I'm 25 and I can claim answering some questions right at Pluckers trivia night and going to a Canadian emergency room. Not as cool.
Buddy was from Lubbock and I am proud to say that I have seen his grave! Little known fact: Buddy played the Apollo Theater in New York and won over the crowd. How baller is that?! I love Buddy's crazy hiccup singing. I'm sharing a sweet love song he wrote. This could be a lullably for a baby or something you listen to while driving to the post office. YOU DECIDE. Or maybe you can share it with your sweetheart.
I hope these guys are having a great time making music in the sky. You know that's a tight party up there.
I had fun explaining this day to students. Too bad that little turd saw his shadow. You know what, I take it back. I feel bad for Phil. They man-handle him. Not cool. He's so cute!! But also probably a spawn of the devil. I don't really know what that means.
Also, I'm super frustrated because I had to Google his name but instead I'm just going to type Punxsatawny9kem2222 Phil. Who cares. Love u Phil. Off to watch the Bill Murray movie. TTYL!
MAN. The Chords. They are having so much fun in that picture. I don't want to tell them that they are going only to have one hit. However, the good news is: THE ONE HIT IS REALLY GOOD. The Chords recorded one of the very first doo-wop songs "Sh-Boom." I first listened to this song in my rock and roll history class at UT that I talk about constantly on this blog. Life changing, I'm telling you.
The Chords were five doodz who just wanted to make music. They formed a band and started peforming in a subway station in New York. They were discovered there and signed to Atlantic Records in the fifties. Can you imagine waiting for the train to work and these guys are totes singing in your face? My ear holes would start rejoicing. That would be the best. Fortch, someone else thought so, too.
Jerry Wexler (RIP) had the band record a single and threw on "Sh-Boom" as the B-Side. Good call, Wex. This song shot up both the R&B and pop charts. Super tight move for the time. Can you imagine how many white folks were exposed to this music? The Chords knew what was up BIG TIME. They might have been one-hit wonders, but not many one-hit wonders can claim the song importance they can.
One of the things I like about doo-wop music is the reaction kids have to it. I'm thinking about how kids would react to this song right now and I just know they would start jumping around and getting cray. Anything that can inspire that kind of happiness deserves to be out in the world. So I hope you enjoy this song and maybe it will strike a CHORD with you.
OH MY GOD. Check this out. Obama on a unicorn with a glass of Dom. Who wants to get this with me? I say we get together, start listening to some KRS-One and get real HYPED up and then go to the nearest tattoo parlor and get this inked on our backs. We risk potential ridicule from friends and/or passersby and almost definite ends to our jobs, but I really don't care. THIS IS FOR HUMANITY.
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