I couldn't leave you all for another whole day without something to entertain. Enjoy The Coathangers, with their appropriately jangly, fuzzed-out sound and their rather admiring take on Tonya Harding and her vindictive behavior.
Fireworks seems, on this Fourth of July holiday (in the US, at least), to be the perfect song. It's retro in the extreme, adding a taste of Dixieland jazz and great musicianship that recalls the heady days of straw hats and sleeve garters, when fireworks were not readily available at road-side tents and people gathered to watch skilled technologists blow things up while enjoying food and drink in a real celebration.
That reads a wee bit preachy, but Louis Armstrong and his band recall the Roaring Twenties and the sheer exuberance of that era in this track from the happily-rereleased "The Hot Fives & Sevens
" recordings. While I fire up the grill and mix the potato salad this hot and happy Fourth, I'm looking forward to getting together with neighbors and friends to say, "Happy Birthday!" to America and watching things explode into lovely colors. The title of Fireworks fits the song, as that exactly what the music is doing.
That reads a wee bit preachy, but Louis Armstrong and his band recall the Roaring Twenties and the sheer exuberance of that era in this track from the happily-rereleased "The Hot Fives & Sevens
" recordings. While I fire up the grill and mix the potato salad this hot and happy Fourth, I'm looking forward to getting together with neighbors and friends to say, "Happy Birthday!" to America and watching things explode into lovely colors. The title of Fireworks fits the song, as that exactly what the music is doing.In honor of my soon-to-occur shopping trip, I'd like to share the song that invades my head any time I find myself pulling into the parking lot of a local food store (or discussing zucchini) . You might have expected The Clash with Lost in the Supermarket, but that's only if you've never heard Nuclear Rabbit's hyperactive song, Supermarket. If you remember my Christmas song, Santa Claus Is Selling Crack, you may understand what's in store for you when you click on this link. Actually, this version, from the band's 1997 release, "Vicuna", covers a few musical styles and gives you a good taste of the variety of which Nuclear Rabbit was capable. They're rooted in a mutant sort of ska-punk, with a healthy dose of thrash metal and a dash of funk thrown in for good measure. Now I'm off to the grocery store.
I blame Java Jive for my life-long obsession with coffee. I've always loved this song, especially the Ink Spots original from 1940. I've gathered half a dozen cover versions, here, because, well, I'm in a caffeinated kind of mood. The Puppini Sisters slowed the song down to melancholy speed, Manhattan Transfer smoothed out the soul, and Richard Thompson included it in his ridiculously-ambitious "1,000 Years of Popular Music". Apparently Queen Latifah also recorded a version, but I haven't been able to lay my digital hands on it. You may remember the song from coffee commercials, although I don't remember, and couldn't uncover, which brand used the "a cup, a cup, a cup" line. Whatever your brand, pour yourself a cuppa and have a listen to this celebration of caffeine.
For this fine Canada Day, enjoy a funny, folky tune from Canada's funniest folkies, The Arrogant Worms. I first heard of these folks on an album of songs from Car Talk, with their great track Horizon. Every time I see one of those cars, I think of this song.
But that's not what I started this post to share. The Arrogant Worms are, after all, Canadians and thus may be celebrating Canada Day at this very moment. Whether they do so or not, they have left this proof of their enduring patriotism and wit. You'll get an education about the fine country, as a bonus. I couldn't find a video of the band that had decent sound quality, so you'll have to settle for this goofiness. Happy Birthday, Canada!
But that's not what I started this post to share. The Arrogant Worms are, after all, Canadians and thus may be celebrating Canada Day at this very moment. Whether they do so or not, they have left this proof of their enduring patriotism and wit. You'll get an education about the fine country, as a bonus. I couldn't find a video of the band that had decent sound quality, so you'll have to settle for this goofiness. Happy Birthday, Canada!
