It was not quite the viral explosion of Ceiling Cat or The Colored Dress, but less that 24 hours after Friday's Joe Biden post it became the most viewed post in this blog's seven year history.
So thank you all for reading, sharing and clicking like. Please stick around.
When your new car gets a recall notice less than six months into ownership, it can be cause for concern. Took my Golf to the dealership on Saturday morning. Drove up to the service entrance and was directed into the garage. A batcave large, clean parking area. Gave them my keys and was directed to the lounge area, where I had average coffee, wifi and a muffin. Got to check out the sweet looking Alltrack. I was in and out in less than an hour. It was an impressive experience, no hassle service that I know is very rare in the business. So I'm going to take that and run with it for a few weeks until the first oil change.
The Golf makes a chiming noise and puts a snowflake next to the temperature when it's under 40 degrees. It also sounds a gentle alarm with a dashboard light when the car has less then 50 miles of range left. What it does not do, if inform the driver when there's no washer fluid left. Good to know.
Trying to catch some lightning with a poem a day challenge for the month. I've had mixed success with this stunt in the past, but this month is going ok so far. I am worried about keeping up when we go to Scotland next Monday.
What? Vacation is eight days away? Now that's something to look forward to!
Showing posts with label meme. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meme. Show all posts
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Friday, November 11, 2016
I will miss Joe Biden
While watching Scotland get beat by England today, I found a few Biden memes online, and decided to make a few of my own. I did not ask permission for the pictures, so if any of them are yours let me know. I'll take it down or give you credit and thanks. Do enjoy, we need a few laughs to keep us sane right now.
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| Biden: I switched all the toilet paper to one ply Obama: Fix it Joe! |
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| Biden: Why can't I siphon the gas from his limo? Obama: You know why. |
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| Biden: Yes, I put in lower wattage bulbs. Is there a problem? Obama: Joe... |
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| Biden: What if I set the thermostat so it's really hot when they come home? Obama: Shut the door Joe. |
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| Biden: I bribed the Secret Service to give you the door codes. Clinton: Just stop it, Joe |
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| Biden: HDMI cables are expensive, I'm not leaving them here. Obama: *eight years of this* |
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| Biden: I like the dog, can I keep him? Obama: The dog is mine, Joe. |
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| Biden: What if I put up electric sensors that would shock them if they messed with the wallpaper? Obama: Angela, can I call you back? |
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| Biden: I'm going to order them 50 pizzas a night, they can afford it. Obama: ...... Biden: How about 25? |
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| Biden/Clinton: We short sheeted the Lincoln Bedroom! Obama: Guys....guys... |
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| Biden: Feel how much silverware I got in here, go on... Obama: Uhhhhhh |
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| Biden: How am I going to get my packages from Amazon now? Obama: Don't worry, Jill will fill out the forwarding form for you. |
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| Biden: Can I bring my 'Vette by at 4AM to do donuts on the lawn? Obama: For the last time, no! |
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| Biden: Before we go can... Obama: Plane's about to take off, got to go! |
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| I better not see Pence eating ice cream once. I am the ice cream eating Vice President. |
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
The road less bitter
The mood I've been in recently has been less that cheerful. There's a lot of stress. I do know there is a light at the end of the tunnel but it may burn out when I'm in the middle of it.
Who can say?
So I've been vaguebooking and saying pithy things, then I paraphrased the title of a book my wife told my mister misery guts about, which I then posted to Facebook - then a friend made into a meme.
So thank you Jeanetta.
Who can say?
So I've been vaguebooking and saying pithy things, then I paraphrased the title of a book my wife told my mister misery guts about, which I then posted to Facebook - then a friend made into a meme.
So thank you Jeanetta.
Friday, December 31, 2010
The last day of this year
There is a choice of tunes in the car again. Bought one of those cassette adapters all the kids are using these days. The kids that have old vehicles with cassette decks in them that is. Took it out of the package right in the parking lot, popped it in the deck, plugged in the iPod and This Time Tomorrow by The Kinks started playing in the speakers. Nice.
Here's that year end meme that makes the round every year at this time.
1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Was the driver in a car accident.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Did I make any last year? Do I even want to look?
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
I was starting to know Jeff Abraxas.
5. What countries did you visit?
None!
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
More time to travel. A son who is verbal and toilet trained.
7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
December 15th, the accident. Could have been so much worse.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
30 poems about autism in 30 days. That was April. Changed a tire on a cold, November night without wanting to hit anything with a tire iron.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being able to pull my son into our world
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
A bit of vertigo
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A 1993 Subaru, iPod baby. Bedroom floor.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My Scottish Wife.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Those who vote against their own interest
14. Where did most of your money go?
The mortgage, freaking car repairs.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My son when he decides to poop in the toilet.
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Winter Winds - Mumford & Sons
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? Not much different, and that has to change
iii. richer or poorer? Um, richer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Getting in my son's face, writing
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Goofing off online
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my wife, saw Black Swan, then at Jim's watching Doctor Who
22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Stayed
23. Did your heart break in 2010?
Nah.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Men of a Certain Age
25. Where were you when 2010 began?
At home, I was at Scott's but left early
26. Who were you with?
My wife, who was recovering from dental work
27. Where will you be when 2010 ends?
At home, but at Dave's before that
28. Who will you be with when 2010 ends?
With my wife and (hopefully) sleeping son
29. What was the best book you read?
Room - Emma Donaghue
30. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Drew Grow and the Pastors Wives
31. What did you want and get?
My wife to find a good job
32. What did you want and not get?
Published. To get on a slam team
33. What was your favorite film of this year?
Saw so few new ones. Toy Story 3
34. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I think I stayed at home and whined about the heat
35. How many different states did you travel to in 2010?
Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania. Blech
36. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
me
37. What kept you sane?
My job, my son, Emma.
38. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Readers of this blog already know the answer to that question.
39. What political issue stirred you the most?
Manufactured outrage
40. How many concerts did you see in 2010?
Mumford and Sons, Roger Waters
41. Did you have a favorite concert in 2010?
Mumford and Sons
42. Who was the best new person you met?
I'm not sure if I've met anyone who I can say is the best, really have not been close to anyone new to rate them
43. Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
I do not think so
44. What was your most embarrassing moment of 2010?
Turning a two minute poem into one that went on for over three minutes
45. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
Changing a tire on a cold November night is not that difficult as long as there is some lighting
46. What are your plans for 2011?
Travel more, to Long Island and Scotland. Write more. Lose some freaking weight
47. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I want to write a message to you every day at ten o'clock in the evening - Belle & Sebastian
2010 was not a bad year. I'm very lucky.
Here's that year end meme that makes the round every year at this time.
1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Was the driver in a car accident.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Did I make any last year? Do I even want to look?
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
I was starting to know Jeff Abraxas.
5. What countries did you visit?
None!
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
More time to travel. A son who is verbal and toilet trained.
7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
December 15th, the accident. Could have been so much worse.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
30 poems about autism in 30 days. That was April. Changed a tire on a cold, November night without wanting to hit anything with a tire iron.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being able to pull my son into our world
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
A bit of vertigo
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A 1993 Subaru, iPod baby. Bedroom floor.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My Scottish Wife.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Those who vote against their own interest
14. Where did most of your money go?
The mortgage, freaking car repairs.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My son when he decides to poop in the toilet.
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Winter Winds - Mumford & Sons
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? Not much different, and that has to change
iii. richer or poorer? Um, richer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Getting in my son's face, writing
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Goofing off online
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my wife, saw Black Swan, then at Jim's watching Doctor Who
22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Stayed
23. Did your heart break in 2010?
Nah.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Men of a Certain Age
25. Where were you when 2010 began?
At home, I was at Scott's but left early
26. Who were you with?
My wife, who was recovering from dental work
27. Where will you be when 2010 ends?
At home, but at Dave's before that
28. Who will you be with when 2010 ends?
With my wife and (hopefully) sleeping son
29. What was the best book you read?
Room - Emma Donaghue
30. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Drew Grow and the Pastors Wives
31. What did you want and get?
My wife to find a good job
32. What did you want and not get?
Published. To get on a slam team
33. What was your favorite film of this year?
Saw so few new ones. Toy Story 3
34. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I think I stayed at home and whined about the heat
35. How many different states did you travel to in 2010?
Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania. Blech
36. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
me
37. What kept you sane?
My job, my son, Emma.
38. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Readers of this blog already know the answer to that question.
39. What political issue stirred you the most?
Manufactured outrage
40. How many concerts did you see in 2010?
Mumford and Sons, Roger Waters
41. Did you have a favorite concert in 2010?
Mumford and Sons
42. Who was the best new person you met?
I'm not sure if I've met anyone who I can say is the best, really have not been close to anyone new to rate them
43. Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
I do not think so
44. What was your most embarrassing moment of 2010?
Turning a two minute poem into one that went on for over three minutes
45. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
Changing a tire on a cold November night is not that difficult as long as there is some lighting
46. What are your plans for 2011?
Travel more, to Long Island and Scotland. Write more. Lose some freaking weight
47. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I want to write a message to you every day at ten o'clock in the evening - Belle & Sebastian
2010 was not a bad year. I'm very lucky.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Today's Viral Quote of the Day
"Chopping wood somewhere in Montana, Bill Buckner looks up and gasps as the weight of being the biggest disappointment in the history of Massachusetts suddenly lifts away."
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Got this from Lis
1. Where did you begin 2009?
By singing The Candy Man is Dave's basement. Ha! That was sick!
2. What was your status by Valentines Day?
Apart from Emma, waiting for a visa.
3. Were you in school anytime this year?
The only school I was in was my son's, to visit.
4. Did you have to go to the hospital?
No.
5. Did you have any encounters with the police?
None at all. I've been good.
6. Where did you go on vacation?
We went to Pittsburgh after the wedding for a couple of nights. Berkeley, but that was for IWPS and not really a vacation. The few hours we spent in San Francisco were fun.
7. What did you purchase that was over £100?
Various things from the Department of Homeland security. Trips to Pittsburgh and Berkeley.
8. Did you know anybody who got married?
Um, yes. Kym and J.J. too!
9. Did you know anybody who passed away?
An Aunt, parent of a friend.
10. Did you move anywhere?
Nope, trapped in this house
11. What sporting events did you attend?
Went to a couple of Blue Jackets games. One Clippers game. That has to change next year.
12. What concerts/shows did you go to?
Sadly, only two. Jonathan Richman and Camera Obscura. Again: that has to change.
13. Describe your birthday.
Pretty quiet, I think. Kym and J.J. got married the next day.
14. What is the ONE thing you thought you would not do, but did, in 2009?
Quit posting on live journal.
15. What have been your favourite moments?
May 30th. Seeing downtown Pittsburgh at night. Being blown away after winning the IWPS Grand Slam. Kanye-ing Tyrone. May 30th. Seeing my Father-in-Law served a Budweiser and getting a frosted glass. My son throwing things in the trash without our asking. My son swimming.
16. Any new additions to your family?
A wife.
17. What was your best month?
May was good.
18. Who has been your best drinking buddy?
My wife. Jim.
19. Made new friends?
Not sure.
20. Favourite Night out?
Any number of Writers' Block nights.
The photo of the year BTW.
21. Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
The work thing, Kafe Kerouac.
22. Have you lost any friends this year?
Yeah, politics, they suck.
23. Change your hairstyle?
Same as it ever was.
24. Have any car accidents?
No no no!
25. How old did you turn this year?
45.
26. Do you have a New Years resolution?
Nah, they just get broken by President's Day.
27. Do anything embarrassing?
Not really.
28. Buy anything from eBay?
No.
29. Get married or divorced?
Why yes.
30. Get hit on?
Me? No, I don't shine like that.
31. Been snowboarding?
No.
32. Did you get sick this year?
I get colds, eyestrain, an occasional migraine...
33. Are you happy to see 2009 go?
It's time to see another calendar.
34. Been naughty or nice?
Always nice.
35. What are you looking forward to most in 2010?
My son growing up. Staying married. Slam season.
Cheers to 2009. Bring on 2010
By singing The Candy Man is Dave's basement. Ha! That was sick!
2. What was your status by Valentines Day?
Apart from Emma, waiting for a visa.
3. Were you in school anytime this year?
The only school I was in was my son's, to visit.
4. Did you have to go to the hospital?
No.
5. Did you have any encounters with the police?
None at all. I've been good.
6. Where did you go on vacation?
We went to Pittsburgh after the wedding for a couple of nights. Berkeley, but that was for IWPS and not really a vacation. The few hours we spent in San Francisco were fun.
7. What did you purchase that was over £100?
Various things from the Department of Homeland security. Trips to Pittsburgh and Berkeley.
8. Did you know anybody who got married?
Um, yes. Kym and J.J. too!
9. Did you know anybody who passed away?
An Aunt, parent of a friend.
10. Did you move anywhere?
Nope, trapped in this house
11. What sporting events did you attend?
Went to a couple of Blue Jackets games. One Clippers game. That has to change next year.
12. What concerts/shows did you go to?
Sadly, only two. Jonathan Richman and Camera Obscura. Again: that has to change.
13. Describe your birthday.
Pretty quiet, I think. Kym and J.J. got married the next day.
14. What is the ONE thing you thought you would not do, but did, in 2009?
Quit posting on live journal.
15. What have been your favourite moments?
May 30th. Seeing downtown Pittsburgh at night. Being blown away after winning the IWPS Grand Slam. Kanye-ing Tyrone. May 30th. Seeing my Father-in-Law served a Budweiser and getting a frosted glass. My son throwing things in the trash without our asking. My son swimming.
16. Any new additions to your family?
A wife.
17. What was your best month?
May was good.
18. Who has been your best drinking buddy?
My wife. Jim.
19. Made new friends?
Not sure.
20. Favourite Night out?
Any number of Writers' Block nights.
The photo of the year BTW.
21. Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
The work thing, Kafe Kerouac.
22. Have you lost any friends this year?
Yeah, politics, they suck.
23. Change your hairstyle?
Same as it ever was.
24. Have any car accidents?
No no no!
25. How old did you turn this year?
45.
26. Do you have a New Years resolution?
Nah, they just get broken by President's Day.
27. Do anything embarrassing?
Not really.
28. Buy anything from eBay?
No.
29. Get married or divorced?
Why yes.
30. Get hit on?
Me? No, I don't shine like that.
31. Been snowboarding?
No.
32. Did you get sick this year?
I get colds, eyestrain, an occasional migraine...
33. Are you happy to see 2009 go?
It's time to see another calendar.
34. Been naughty or nice?
Always nice.
35. What are you looking forward to most in 2010?
My son growing up. Staying married. Slam season.
Cheers to 2009. Bring on 2010
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
An old Meme I liked
Most memorable movie going experiences. In a theater setting, watching at home, on video/dvd, or someone else's home does not count.
In no particular order. I know I'm forgetting more than a few.
1) Mr. Mike's Mondo Video - East Islip Theater - 1978. A drunken audience watching a very bad movie. Beer bottles were rolling down the aisle, then being thrown at the screen. The film was then stopped when someone suggested the rabbit that Mr. Mike was holding be shot. On came the second half of the double feature. Flesh Gordon.
2) Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom - NYC - 80s. Not that this was a great movie, but we saw it on a huge freaking screen with the most amazing sound I've heard in a theater.
3&4) The General and Trouble In Paradise - McEwan Hall, SUNY Fredonia 1984. Dr. Shokoff has these on 16mm and played them for us in a class on narrative film. Changed how I look at film.
5) On The Town - Ohio Theater, Columbus Ohio 1998. The Summer Movie Series that CAPA puts on is one of the pleasures of living in this landlocked city. I'd never seen this movie before. The first ten minutes, the opening number on the big screen left me gasping with joy.
6) Four Horsemen of The Apocolypse - Ohio Theater, Columbus, early 90's. Gaylord Carter played the mighty Morton Organ. 'Nuff said.
7) Jaws - Bay Shore Theater - 1975. That head popping out of the boat still scares the crap out of me.
8) Aliens - Cine - Fredonia, New York 1980s - The last 45 minutes of this movie had everyone sitting on the edges, or with their eyes shut praying for their mamas.
9) Fresh Horses - Cine - Fredonia - 1980s. What a dud of a movie. About a third in everyone was talking, and no one cared enough to shhh.
10) Sons of The Desert - Ohio Theater - 2004. The site of hundreds of Laurel and Hardy fanatics, dressed in costume, linking their arms and singing along was one of the most heartwarming things I've ever seen in my life. Bless them. It's all about the fun.
This one goes to 11. This is Spinal Tap, in my friend Gregg's basement. It was the first time I'd ever experienced a great DVD commentary before.
12) Day of Wrath - The Wexner Center. 2006. There is not one frame of this film that will not suck the life and happiness out of you. Every scene is designed to make you cringe in despair and face your truth. To say this film is a downer is to insult the downer. Find yourself a batch of liquor after viewing. The higher the alcohol content the better. I cannot recommend this film highly enough. It will destroy you and the act of putting yourself back together will deliver the redemption the after effects which Day of Wrath will bring to your memories. This film lingers. It will never, ever leave you because in your worst moments you will remember viewing this film and realizing you do not have it so bad after all.
In no particular order. I know I'm forgetting more than a few.
1) Mr. Mike's Mondo Video - East Islip Theater - 1978. A drunken audience watching a very bad movie. Beer bottles were rolling down the aisle, then being thrown at the screen. The film was then stopped when someone suggested the rabbit that Mr. Mike was holding be shot. On came the second half of the double feature. Flesh Gordon.
2) Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom - NYC - 80s. Not that this was a great movie, but we saw it on a huge freaking screen with the most amazing sound I've heard in a theater.
3&4) The General and Trouble In Paradise - McEwan Hall, SUNY Fredonia 1984. Dr. Shokoff has these on 16mm and played them for us in a class on narrative film. Changed how I look at film.
5) On The Town - Ohio Theater, Columbus Ohio 1998. The Summer Movie Series that CAPA puts on is one of the pleasures of living in this landlocked city. I'd never seen this movie before. The first ten minutes, the opening number on the big screen left me gasping with joy.
6) Four Horsemen of The Apocolypse - Ohio Theater, Columbus, early 90's. Gaylord Carter played the mighty Morton Organ. 'Nuff said.
7) Jaws - Bay Shore Theater - 1975. That head popping out of the boat still scares the crap out of me.
8) Aliens - Cine - Fredonia, New York 1980s - The last 45 minutes of this movie had everyone sitting on the edges, or with their eyes shut praying for their mamas.
9) Fresh Horses - Cine - Fredonia - 1980s. What a dud of a movie. About a third in everyone was talking, and no one cared enough to shhh.
10) Sons of The Desert - Ohio Theater - 2004. The site of hundreds of Laurel and Hardy fanatics, dressed in costume, linking their arms and singing along was one of the most heartwarming things I've ever seen in my life. Bless them. It's all about the fun.
This one goes to 11. This is Spinal Tap, in my friend Gregg's basement. It was the first time I'd ever experienced a great DVD commentary before.
12) Day of Wrath - The Wexner Center. 2006. There is not one frame of this film that will not suck the life and happiness out of you. Every scene is designed to make you cringe in despair and face your truth. To say this film is a downer is to insult the downer. Find yourself a batch of liquor after viewing. The higher the alcohol content the better. I cannot recommend this film highly enough. It will destroy you and the act of putting yourself back together will deliver the redemption the after effects which Day of Wrath will bring to your memories. This film lingers. It will never, ever leave you because in your worst moments you will remember viewing this film and realizing you do not have it so bad after all.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
A Trilogy of a Post
Still trying to figure out what I'm doing in this part of the blogosphere, and readership seems to be nil so I have a sand box to play in. Here's something I wrote a couple of years ago for the now defunct site complusivetruth.
When it comes to the now obsolete genre of alt-country one of the seminal bands of the movement was the 80's group Lone Justice. They were ahead of the curve in the movement along with the bands Rank and File, Jason and the Scorchers and many others. Naturally, these bands all sat at their speakers when they were growing up, soaking in the music of Gram Parsons, the Carter Family, and the Flying Burrito Brothers, with a healthy amount of gospel thrown in to keep it holy.
The force behind the band was the voice and stage presence of its lead singer. Maria McKee had a very powerful voice and an image of a punk rocker who wore vintage dresses. At seventeen, she wrote a song, A Good Heart, that Feargal Sharkey had a massive hit with in the U.K. in the 1983. McKee's half-brother is the late Bryan MacLean, who was guitarist in the band Love.
Lone Justice was signed by Geffen Records in 1985.
They had a promotional slush fund that could budget a small country. Still, all that cash could not get them arrested. McKee was at one point in her career managed by Jimmy Iovine, the svengali of Stevie Nicks, who had no clue what do do with her abilities, so he threw top name talent such as Steven Van Zandt to work with her. Nothing happened. The records did not sell.
Their first video, Ways to Be Wicked, was written by Tom Petty. The video's quality was of a silent film from the 20's in dire need of a restoration. You could not see the band, or McKee's looks because the video had a a scratchy, over antiquated look. Not a good beginning. The record, while receiving good praise, never sold well.
After the first record, bassist Marvin Etzoni, guitarist Ryan Hedgecock and drummer Don Heffington left the group. After that, the lineup was a revolving cast of session players from other bands including Benmont Tench and Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
McKee also had a style that was noticed by director Martin Scorcese as he cast her to appear with Robbie Robertson in his video Somewhere Down the Crazy River. A video in which McKee and Robertson were in a coital embrace for virtually the whole song.
There rarely seemed to be any consistency or patience with the sound of the group or image of the band. As frontswoman, the pressure was on McKee to deliver. It seemed as if she never had control over her product, but a posse of handlers and producers all willing to spend David Geffen's money seemed to control her releases.
She broke away from Lone Justice and a self titled solo record was released in 1990. Few noticed.
In the 1993 she released a fine record called You Gotta Sin To Get Saved. Once again, it featured top talent from The Jayhawks, The Heartbreakers and other prominent session musicians from the west coast. It is a very soulful record with a solid R&B and country vibe. It contains a great cover of Van Morrison's "The Way Young Lovers Do." Once again, it failed to get noticed.
She then took over her career completely with her final release on Geffen in 1996. She wrote all the songs by herself and played all of the guitars, to mixed results. Life is Sweet is a record of passion and autobiography. The first song, Scarlover, tells of an affair with a prominent musician. The rest of the songs were unlike any of the Cosmic American Music she had previously release. Distorted guitars and howling vocals were up front as McKee bared her soul. Again, sales were dismal. It was to be her last major label release.
The late nineties and new millenium found McKee in Dublin, recording and releasing material every couple of years. Her cult following noticed, but the masses yawned and ignored her.
With her new record, Late December, McKee shows she still has it. Her voice soars, contains drama and borders close enough to the histrionic to keep the sound spicy. It reminds me of her work on Life Is Sweet. She also officially released her version of "A Good Heart", a song she wrote at seventeen.
I wonder if writing a musical for the London stage is in her future. Perhaps a story of a hyped up musician who should have been a major star, but, inexplicably, was not. Or, just as a personal pipe dream, working with producer Jim Steinman (Meatloaf) for at least one song, just so I can hear what that collaboration would bring.
McKee is also one of my favorite musicians that I have not seen play live. She tours infrequently in the states. When she does play here, she sticks to the coasts. The closest I've been was seeing Marvin Etzoni open for Sam Phillips. Marvin was doing his mandolin act and played for 45 minutes straight, and I mean that. he didn't break stride. He did play a cover of "You Are the Light."
I also happened to catch Lone Justice's original drummer, Don Heffington, when he was in Lucinda Williams' band.
Maria McKee has always been one of rock music's unrecognized talents. In this day of corporate control of the mainstream it's unlikely she ever get noticed, unless one of her songs shows up on Greys Anatomy or another television show. Heck, not even satellite radio is playing her new record, and that's a shame. She keeps plugging away, and offers us hope in her song "Starving Pretty" in which she tells us, "And stay with me/Starving pretty and high/Back and forth/Celebrate at such refine/Lean on me, baby/We're going to make it/We're paper thin/We’re gonna win."
She has always had the voice, the presence and the ability to write songs of relevance and passion, and has been doing so, virtually unnoticed, for almost a quarter of a century.
Today the blogger known as Last Year's Girl asked this question, and I'm replying.
“The idea, is to jot down ten most bestest songs ever and find out what other people like so you can see if you like it yourself. Apparently this exercise builds understanding of other people."
It's hard to pick a top ten of anything. Let alone music. Moods shift. What is chosen today will not necessarily be the same an hour from now. But, here they are, in no particular order.
The Beatles - I'm Looking Through You
The Who - I'm One
The Kinks - Shangrila
The Ronettes - Be My Baby
Arcade Fire - Wake Up
Buddy Holly - Peggy Sue
Wilco - At My Window Sad and Lonely
Emmy Lou Harris - Wrecking Ball
Liz Phair - Shitloads of Money
George Harrison - Run of the Mill
So many are missing from that list. I can pick eight more tomorrow, and the day after.
Not going to talk about work here much but this book came across my desk today. Have not paid that much attention to a book at work since the Pink Box.
Here's a picture of Emmanuelle Beart that is work safe.
Forgive me, my girlfriend is 3,600 miles away
When it comes to the now obsolete genre of alt-country one of the seminal bands of the movement was the 80's group Lone Justice. They were ahead of the curve in the movement along with the bands Rank and File, Jason and the Scorchers and many others. Naturally, these bands all sat at their speakers when they were growing up, soaking in the music of Gram Parsons, the Carter Family, and the Flying Burrito Brothers, with a healthy amount of gospel thrown in to keep it holy.
The force behind the band was the voice and stage presence of its lead singer. Maria McKee had a very powerful voice and an image of a punk rocker who wore vintage dresses. At seventeen, she wrote a song, A Good Heart, that Feargal Sharkey had a massive hit with in the U.K. in the 1983. McKee's half-brother is the late Bryan MacLean, who was guitarist in the band Love.
Lone Justice was signed by Geffen Records in 1985.
They had a promotional slush fund that could budget a small country. Still, all that cash could not get them arrested. McKee was at one point in her career managed by Jimmy Iovine, the svengali of Stevie Nicks, who had no clue what do do with her abilities, so he threw top name talent such as Steven Van Zandt to work with her. Nothing happened. The records did not sell.
Their first video, Ways to Be Wicked, was written by Tom Petty. The video's quality was of a silent film from the 20's in dire need of a restoration. You could not see the band, or McKee's looks because the video had a a scratchy, over antiquated look. Not a good beginning. The record, while receiving good praise, never sold well.
After the first record, bassist Marvin Etzoni, guitarist Ryan Hedgecock and drummer Don Heffington left the group. After that, the lineup was a revolving cast of session players from other bands including Benmont Tench and Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
McKee also had a style that was noticed by director Martin Scorcese as he cast her to appear with Robbie Robertson in his video Somewhere Down the Crazy River. A video in which McKee and Robertson were in a coital embrace for virtually the whole song.
There rarely seemed to be any consistency or patience with the sound of the group or image of the band. As frontswoman, the pressure was on McKee to deliver. It seemed as if she never had control over her product, but a posse of handlers and producers all willing to spend David Geffen's money seemed to control her releases.
She broke away from Lone Justice and a self titled solo record was released in 1990. Few noticed.
In the 1993 she released a fine record called You Gotta Sin To Get Saved. Once again, it featured top talent from The Jayhawks, The Heartbreakers and other prominent session musicians from the west coast. It is a very soulful record with a solid R&B and country vibe. It contains a great cover of Van Morrison's "The Way Young Lovers Do." Once again, it failed to get noticed.
She then took over her career completely with her final release on Geffen in 1996. She wrote all the songs by herself and played all of the guitars, to mixed results. Life is Sweet is a record of passion and autobiography. The first song, Scarlover, tells of an affair with a prominent musician. The rest of the songs were unlike any of the Cosmic American Music she had previously release. Distorted guitars and howling vocals were up front as McKee bared her soul. Again, sales were dismal. It was to be her last major label release.
The late nineties and new millenium found McKee in Dublin, recording and releasing material every couple of years. Her cult following noticed, but the masses yawned and ignored her.
With her new record, Late December, McKee shows she still has it. Her voice soars, contains drama and borders close enough to the histrionic to keep the sound spicy. It reminds me of her work on Life Is Sweet. She also officially released her version of "A Good Heart", a song she wrote at seventeen.
I wonder if writing a musical for the London stage is in her future. Perhaps a story of a hyped up musician who should have been a major star, but, inexplicably, was not. Or, just as a personal pipe dream, working with producer Jim Steinman (Meatloaf) for at least one song, just so I can hear what that collaboration would bring.
McKee is also one of my favorite musicians that I have not seen play live. She tours infrequently in the states. When she does play here, she sticks to the coasts. The closest I've been was seeing Marvin Etzoni open for Sam Phillips. Marvin was doing his mandolin act and played for 45 minutes straight, and I mean that. he didn't break stride. He did play a cover of "You Are the Light."
I also happened to catch Lone Justice's original drummer, Don Heffington, when he was in Lucinda Williams' band.
Maria McKee has always been one of rock music's unrecognized talents. In this day of corporate control of the mainstream it's unlikely she ever get noticed, unless one of her songs shows up on Greys Anatomy or another television show. Heck, not even satellite radio is playing her new record, and that's a shame. She keeps plugging away, and offers us hope in her song "Starving Pretty" in which she tells us, "And stay with me/Starving pretty and high/Back and forth/Celebrate at such refine/Lean on me, baby/We're going to make it/We're paper thin/We’re gonna win."
She has always had the voice, the presence and the ability to write songs of relevance and passion, and has been doing so, virtually unnoticed, for almost a quarter of a century.
Today the blogger known as Last Year's Girl asked this question, and I'm replying.
“The idea, is to jot down ten most bestest songs ever and find out what other people like so you can see if you like it yourself. Apparently this exercise builds understanding of other people."
It's hard to pick a top ten of anything. Let alone music. Moods shift. What is chosen today will not necessarily be the same an hour from now. But, here they are, in no particular order.
The Beatles - I'm Looking Through You
The Who - I'm One
The Kinks - Shangrila
The Ronettes - Be My Baby
Arcade Fire - Wake Up
Buddy Holly - Peggy Sue
Wilco - At My Window Sad and Lonely
Emmy Lou Harris - Wrecking Ball
Liz Phair - Shitloads of Money
George Harrison - Run of the Mill
So many are missing from that list. I can pick eight more tomorrow, and the day after.
Not going to talk about work here much but this book came across my desk today. Have not paid that much attention to a book at work since the Pink Box.
Here's a picture of Emmanuelle Beart that is work safe.
Forgive me, my girlfriend is 3,600 miles away
Monday, February 16, 2009
This one is not going viral
EARLIEST MOVIE-WATCHING MEMORY: I think my mother took me to see Dr. Dolittle. Not sure if it was at Radio City Music Hall or not. I remember the ornate theater lobby more than the film. They dropped us off one afternoon to see Ring of Bright Water. I remember otters swimming.
LAST DVD YOU BOUGHT: I found a copy of The Saddest Music in the World at Big Lots for three bucks.
IF YOU WERE A TCM GUEST PROGRAMMER, WHAT THREE MOVIES WOULD YOU CHOOSE: This is like what would you play for an hour on the radio. It would change depending on my mood. Let's start off by scaring the kids with Au Hasard Balthazar, go right into Day of Wrath and if anyone viewing is still alive I'll save them with Duck Soup.
FAVORITE MOVIE ENDING: You have to love the Christ-like donkey in Au Hasard Balthazar, or maybe the rolling down the hill followed by an off camera splash in Mouchette.
Ok, what's Bresson doing in my head today?
WHAT MOVIE ARE YOU ASHAMED TO SAY YOU HAVEN'T SEEN, AND WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE: Ashamed? It's a matter of not having time or the inclination. Maybe The Matrix or Fight Club.
PICK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FOUR MOVIES AND WRITE TWO SENTENCES ABOUT IT:
The Goodbye Girl
Working Girl - Joan Cusack is a better actress than Melanie Griffith will ever be. Ok that's one sentence, but it's the correct one.
Funny Girl
Jersey Girl
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WERE AT A DRIVE-IN, WHAT DID YOU SEE: We're talking many years ago. I think it was E.T.
FILM ERA OR GENRE YOU'RE A LITTLE OBSESSED WITH: I'm a buff of the pre code era. Racy dialogue, Norma Shearer, Barbara Stanwyck or Carole Lombard without undergarments, the last fifteen minutes of The Sign of the Cross. Pygmies on sticks! Who wants to go to hell with Madame Satan? I love that stuff. Will Hays was evil.
FILM CRITIC YOU TRUST THE MOST: wendersfan, except when it comes to Slumdog Millionaire.
FAVORITE BOOK ON THE SUBJECT OF FILM: The Parade's Gone By - Kevin Brownlow. 41 years later, it's still the book on the stars and crew members of the silent era.
DESCRIBE THE FREQUENCY OF YOUR FILM INTAKE: I try to watch one a week, some weeks it's difficult.
LAST DVD YOU BOUGHT: I found a copy of The Saddest Music in the World at Big Lots for three bucks.
IF YOU WERE A TCM GUEST PROGRAMMER, WHAT THREE MOVIES WOULD YOU CHOOSE: This is like what would you play for an hour on the radio. It would change depending on my mood. Let's start off by scaring the kids with Au Hasard Balthazar, go right into Day of Wrath and if anyone viewing is still alive I'll save them with Duck Soup.
FAVORITE MOVIE ENDING: You have to love the Christ-like donkey in Au Hasard Balthazar, or maybe the rolling down the hill followed by an off camera splash in Mouchette.
Ok, what's Bresson doing in my head today?
WHAT MOVIE ARE YOU ASHAMED TO SAY YOU HAVEN'T SEEN, AND WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE: Ashamed? It's a matter of not having time or the inclination. Maybe The Matrix or Fight Club.
PICK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FOUR MOVIES AND WRITE TWO SENTENCES ABOUT IT:
The Goodbye Girl
Working Girl - Joan Cusack is a better actress than Melanie Griffith will ever be. Ok that's one sentence, but it's the correct one.
Funny Girl
Jersey Girl
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WERE AT A DRIVE-IN, WHAT DID YOU SEE: We're talking many years ago. I think it was E.T.
FILM ERA OR GENRE YOU'RE A LITTLE OBSESSED WITH: I'm a buff of the pre code era. Racy dialogue, Norma Shearer, Barbara Stanwyck or Carole Lombard without undergarments, the last fifteen minutes of The Sign of the Cross. Pygmies on sticks! Who wants to go to hell with Madame Satan? I love that stuff. Will Hays was evil.
FILM CRITIC YOU TRUST THE MOST: wendersfan, except when it comes to Slumdog Millionaire.
FAVORITE BOOK ON THE SUBJECT OF FILM: The Parade's Gone By - Kevin Brownlow. 41 years later, it's still the book on the stars and crew members of the silent era.
DESCRIBE THE FREQUENCY OF YOUR FILM INTAKE: I try to watch one a week, some weeks it's difficult.
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