If you can’t figure out what song I am going to do based on the picture, let me give you another hint. He looks exasperated because he is late for a pina colada date at Trader Vic’s. Yes, “Werewolves in London” performed by Warren Zevon on his 1978 album Excitable Boy features a hirstute gentlemen whose hair is always perfect. The song features Fleetwood Mac’s John McVie and Mick Fleetwood. While the lyrics are somewhat macabre they are hilarious and well-done.
Fun Fact (Thanks Wikipedia): “The Grateful Dead covered this song a number of times, often on Halloween, including a performance in London’s Wembley Stadium on Halloween 1990. The band also performed the song once as a rare encore on July 8, 1978 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.”
I just turned on my IPod to listen to some music while I put away my laundry (is there a better feeling then warm laundry?) A random song popped on. This is the gist of this new category. Occasionally I will just post up a song. It could be a song that I like or hate. It could be a song that is stuck in my head or a song that I have not listened to for a while. Basically, if a song is playing and I want to post…I am going to post it. How does that sound?
Well, it is now 1:32 a.m. and I should really go to sleep. But, I am a bit restless. My essay on the male dominated theocracy present in “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood is not treating me well. I just finished watching a documentary on North Korea called “Welcome to North Korea.” It is an interesting watch and it can be streamed for free on www.archive.org. And, it is only an hour. I am sure you can spare an hour to be socially and culturally stimulated.
I have to believe that before this still was taken the band was rocking side-to-side
Wait, this is a music blog. Right? Oh yeah! “Bits and Pieces” by The Dave Clark Five is a two minute song that hit #4 on U.S. charts in 1964. It is a quick and catchy tune. But, you must watch the video that I will embed. Watch it and attempt not to cock your head side to side. It is like The Dave Clark Five were traded for smiling robots with two functions: play music and move side-to-side. Oh, and they also stomp their feet. This is hilariously entertaining.
Do you love the Doors? Do you like Johnny Depp’s silvery voice? Combine them and what you have is an odd psychedelic dream. Oh, excuse me. I mean you have “When You’re Strange: A Film About the Doors,” a 90-minute documentary depicting the band the Doors up to the death of their famous lead singer Jim Morrison.
Johnny Depp narrates this premier Doors’ documentary that takes an inside look into the wildly chimerical mind of Jim Morrison and his loyal band mates Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore. The famous rock quartet may have only been around for seven years, but the footage and music gained from their run was spectacular. Now, finally, some rare and previously unreleased footage will be released to the public on Friday, April 9.
Depp is honored to have the opportunity to narrate a film about The Doors. He said in a press release, “”Watching the hypnotic, hitherto unreleased footage of Jim, John, Ray and Robby, I felt like I experienced it all through their eyes. As a rock ‘n’ roll documentary, or any kind of documentary for that matter, it simply doesn’t get any better than this. What an honour to have been involved. I am as proud of this as anything I have ever done.”
Wow. These are fighting words from Depp. Is he more proud of this then his acting in “Finding Neverland.” I thought that was a pretty awesome movie. By the way, did you know that Depp is 46 years old? Anyway, Depp also will be reading verses from 15 poems written by Jim Morrison for the soundtrack which will be released a few days before the movie comes out.
I am quite excited for the film. The Doors were a mysterious band that paired the disturbed and intelligent mind of Jim Morrison with an extraordinary blend of psychedelic rock. They were popular and they never conceded to the curse of mainstream music. They were lively and effervescent, but also spaced-out and somewhat austere during their shows. They were a beautiful mix of music and musician and the band will forever go down as one of the best to ever take any stage.
Sorry, I know I’ve been a really atrocious blogger…
Not to get too specific, but technology has been the bane of my existence for the past couple of months or so…
Anyhow something very exciting happened last night! E news, the authority on all things vital, premiered the latest Lady Gaga music video, Telephone. The vid is roughly 9 minutes long, and I’ve seen it three times already, sufficiently investing a half hour’s worth thus far in all things Gaga.
Telephone takes off where Gaga’s older single, Papparazzi, leaves off, except this time even trippier, and most likely, with a bigger Hollywood budget. She enters the bowels of an all women’s prison, celebrating her admittance with gritty scowling and too perfect to be unrehearsed choreography. She’s not there for long though, after she is bailed out byher trusty friend Beyonce. Can you imagine if Beyonce bailed you out of jail?
Hey Beyonce could you do me a solid? It's a funny story...
In addition to mega stars Beyonce and Lady Gaga, the video features another celebrity cameo. The…um…Wagon from Quinton Tarentino’s Kill Bill! The car was a great asset to the mini-movie. Afterall, Kill Bill is about the vengeance of a peeved off Uma Thurman, and from I’ve inferred, Telephone is pretty much about killing off dudes that are mean to ladies.
The costumes in Telephone act as a third character to Gaga and Beyonce’s starring roles. The level of visual excitement is so high you’re liable to blow out your retinas. Gaga dawns everything from sunglasses made of steaming cigarettes, a bodysuit made of caution tape, and a headdress made out of, you guessed it, a telephone. This music video follows within the footsteps of all great, somewhat lengthy productions (insert Michael Jackson reference here). Sure the plot maybe a little loopy and frenzied, but in the Haus of Gaga, what else would you expect? The one thing I didn’t appreciate were all the blatant product placements. Okay Virgin mobile and special Lady Gaga headphones, we get it! Nevertheless, witty one liners and hidden details (like the appearance of Lady Gaga’s actual self, Stefani Germanotta) make this video a must watch. Telephone is a product of art and entertainment, a manifestation of all things kitschy, wild and pop.
I anticipate many opinions on this particular poll. Out of the countless albums that have been released over the course of history – from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite released on 78-RPM phonograph disc record in 1909 to Plastic Beach the new Gorillaz album released on CD and Mp3 this past Tuesday – there have usually been creative names lining the album covers. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars by David Bowieis just one example of an awesome and absolutely abstruse album title. There are many. So, The Music Court is looking for the very best. Below is a list of the greatest (most creative, original, etc.) album titles of all time. If you have a different album title that you believe takes the cake, please choose other and write it in. My options are not set in stone at all (just based off of some research I have done this Friday morning). I am looking forward to a lot comments. And, keep in mind, the album does not have to be musically good. Heck, Chinese Democracy has a good ring to it and it is a pretty terrible album.
The Music Court 