Archive | June, 2009

Song of the Day #7

2 Jun

Yesterday’s two posts both had to do with music in movies. “Shipping up to Boston” from The Departed and “Mrs. Robinson” from The Graduate. The coincidence inspired me and today we shall do it on purpose. When I pick my brain for famous moments one particular scene catches my memory. There is nothing better then an upbeat, unexpected song in a zombie movie. So, as a mock-zombie flick “Shaun of the Dead,” the hilarious horror/comedy/parody/ mocking every zombie movie convention ever, one could expect the perfect song to be used during the climactic zombie fight towards the end of the movie. Oh yes, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, as well a group of zombie fighting friends, fight charging zombies to the tune of “Don’t Stop me Now” by Queen.

Watch Out! Queen Zombies

Freddie Mercury zombie

And that is not the great part. The entire fight is in perfect rhythm with the song. A show of strobe lights distract the zombies. It’s like we entered into a Queen concert in the afterlife. Oh no look out Freddie Mercury zombie! But, in all seriousness, the 1979 hit single off the album Jazz, known as one of the rare songs Brian May, the usually faithful guitarist, did not like (I do not blame him) is playing in the background of a zombie fight until a zombie is thrown through the jukebox cutting the music immediately. Shaun of the Dead

Lyric of the Day #7

1 Jun

Are we ready to go back in time? How about to June 1, 1968 which, to the horror of my parents, was 41 years ago. 1968, a year before one of the most memorable years in United States history, and while a noticeably pressing time a fantastic time for films and music. This is where we travel today. The #1 song on this date 41 years ago. “Mrs. Robinson,” written by the great Paul Simon and performed by his duo “Simon and Garfunkel,” from Forest Hills in Queens, New York.

Mrs. Robinson The song is most recognizable not as the single or the full version on the album “Bookends,” which was released in 1968, but as the title track in the AFI ninth greatest film of all time “The Graduate,” where Mrs. Robinson has an affair with a young Dustin Hoffman. Mike Nichols, the director of the film, fell in such obsessive love with Simon and Garfunkel’s music that he practically begged for Paul Simon to write three songs for him. He only got one but it sure was a good one. The most famous lyrics of the song are most definitely the timeless, year-bending, American words:

 

 

“Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio
A nation turns its lonely eyes to you (Woo, woo, woo)
What’s that you say, Mrs. Robinson
Joltin’ Joe has left and gone away
(Hey, hey, hey…hey, hey, hey)”

                         – Simon and Garfunkel, “Mrs. Robinson,” off of their studio album “Bookends”

In 1999 soon after DiMaggio’s death, Paul Simon wrote an op-ed article in the times. In it he stated that the line was meant as a tribute to DiMaggio’s heroic stature in a time where popular culture distorts how we see our heroes. “In these days of Presidential transgressions and apologies and prime-time interviews about private sexual matters, we grieve for Joe DiMaggio and mourn the loss of his grace and dignity, his fierce sense of privacy, his fidelity to the memory of his wife and the power of his silence.”

Joltin’ Joe has left and gone away and he has brought with him a sense of dignity not only of society but, especially for the sport of baseball, that truly has been riddled by money and cheating. Unfortunate concepts and entities that ruin the natural past time and hurt the foundation of why people watch the sport and cheer for its players with such insane fervor.

Links of The Day

1 Jun

 

These are some nice links

These are some nice links

 

I have to point out something first. Right now on my itunes playlist I am listening to “You’re the Cocaine,” by Joshua James who, while being an extraodinary musician is in love with singing about cocaine. No big deal, except it is going to be followed by Eric Clapton’s “Cocaine.” This, of course, is a completely random list. I do not have a cocaine playlist, but is someone trying to tell me something?

 

 

This is just sugar right

This is just sugar right

Anyways, on from my stupidity to the links of the day and boy do I have two great ones today.

First, we get one coming from The Independent in London documenting a book coming out by a former Jimi Hendix roadie claiming that Jimi was actually killed by his manager who Jimi was going to fire. Manager Michael Jeffrey had recently put a 2 million dollar life insurance policy on Jimi with him as the benificiary. In a drunken guilt-ridden plea, the roadie, James “Tappy” Wright, apparently heard straight from Jeffrey’s mouth, “He was worth more to me dead then alive.” Read the article and possibly go and find the book (I know I will). Jeffrey is now dead (ironically died from a plane crash 2 years afterwards), but still this just adds another peg into rock and roll mysteries. Was it a forced overdose? I hope not but as much as you attempt to avoid being swayed it sounds oddly convincing.

  http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/hendrix-murdered-by-his-manager-says-former-aide-1693583.html

 

On the brighter side of life I have for you an incredible video. A guitar teacher, Brodie Cummings, from Santa Rosa performing 100 of the most famous rock riffs in a little under eight minutes. The list of the songs is off to the right so you can follow along. I especially like the awesome “Eruption” at the end. The guy is very good. Five Jimi songs also appear in this rock tribute.

http://www.brodiecumming.com/events.html

Enjoy!

Song of The Day #6

1 Jun

After discussing the song last night with friends I thought it would be a good time to document the journey of the city of Boston epic, “I’m Shipping Up To Boston.” It is rather funny that a song with five mere lines could make such an impact on nearly everyone who drops the r and draws out the a (and even those not from Boston). It is a surprise if you have not heard this song because it has been feautured at close to every Boston sporting event, the Oscar winning best picture “The Departed,” a Simpsons episode (so yes the Simpson’s did it), an episode of King of The Hill. Need I go on.

The lyrics:

“I’m a Sailor Peg, And I lost my leg, Climbing up the topsails, I lost my leg, I’m Shipping up to Boston (Woah oh oh).”

Dropkick Murphy's

Perfect album cover. "I'm Shipping up to Boston" appeared on the Dropkick Murphys 2005 album "The Warrior's Code"

All written by the original folk man himself, Woody Guthrie. These lyrics have virtually defined Boston for Bostonites. Broad, outdated, wierd, but who the hell cares this is Boston and their apparently shipping up to it. The music though was written and recorded by The Dropkick Murphys who everyone knows this song to be by. The Dropkick Murphys were formed in Quincy, Massachusetts (a part of Metropolitan Boston) and quickly became the favorite celtic punk band focusing on Irish roots and kicking every venue into a drunken frenzy.

But, that is really what this song is about isn’t it. The song is known by its absolutely incredible opening banjo line that merges well with two power chords and then a culmination of instruments playing the opening line. Of course, this is then followed by the lyrics that are, of course, screamed. The song is supposed to be a drunk, brawling, punk, angry and catchy piece of music and if it was any different it would lose its subtle charm. That’s right “I’m Shipping Up To Boston,” a song that makes you want to go crazy with rage has some charm. It is perfectly short and is a great listen. So, if you have not heard the song or simply want to watch the great video of the police chasing band members while they belt out the Boston lyrics click the link below and enjoy.

I have to go find my leg.

Check It Out: http://youtube.com/watch?v=x-64CaD8GXw

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