*y vuelve a repicar ríquititi...*

So… I am a longtime fan of the old television show, I Love Lucy. I’ve considered it my favorite for around 20 years. I started watching it on Nick at Nite with my grandmother when I was quite young and by the time I was 12 or so, I was recording every episode off the television. I was completely obsessed with the show. I had t-shirts, pajamas, read a number of the books about the show and biographies of the actors, and even had a couple I Love Lucy themed games – (I wish I still had the trivia game. It got lost somewhere, but was a lot of fun). In fact, I can still recite the Vitameatavegamin spiel in its entirety – and have a number of the episodes more or less memorized. I suppose if you know that much about me, it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise to discover I own a Desi Arnaz CD compilation.

 

Obviously, Lucy was the star of the show and rightly so. She was beautiful, a capable business woman, and had impeccable comedic timing. But while Lucy tends to be in the limelight, Desi’s talent shouldn’t be overlooked. His facial expressions and reactions in I Love Lucy episodes were hilarious. But while he was a skilled actor and comedian, his musical talent is also noteworthy. I suppose the most well-known of his songs is “Babalu” because of its constant reference on the show. While it is a fine and energetic song, I think I prefer the song “El Cumbanchero” that is kind of in the same vein with its lively beat and call and answer chorus. “Cuban Cabby” was one of the first Desi performances I really took notice of – and I think I particularly enjoy the contrast of each section of the song.

 

Most of his songs have the sound of much of the popular music of the ‘40s and ‘50s, featuring a strong brass section, but also highlight woodwinds like the flute and clarinet – and always seem to have a solid Latin rhythm that often brings the percussion section into the spotlight. Songs like “In Santiago, Chile”, “Straw Hat Song”, “Guadalajara”, “You Can In Yucatan”, and his rendition of “The Lady In Red” all make me want to dance around the living room and tempt me into learning how to do a proper rumba.

 

Though, I think the most of his songs, fall into the “Latin Swing” genre, he sang quite a few lovely ballads that he sings quite sweetly. “Forever Darling” was the theme from the Lucy and Desi film of the same name and is very pretty, but I think my favorite of his ballads is “Made for Each Other (Tu Felicidad)”. I first heard it on the Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie about 15 years ago, but when I found it a few years back, I fell in love with it. It has fantastic piano interludes, a lovely harmonized flute intro, unobtrusive strings, a Latin beat that keeps it moving forward, and Desi’s sincere vocals. I think my favorite part is when he repeats the chorus in Spanish.

 

Of course, there are a few songs that I’ve only ever been able to find on the show including “Mexican Giveaway” and probably my favorite of all of Desi’s songs, “I’m Breaking My Back (Putting Up A Front For You)”. It’s a song that I think may have also been recorded by Ozzie Nelson, but I’ve not been able to find his version either. I love the sentiment of it – where he’s listing everything he’s been doing trying to impress a special girl – and I find the lyrics quite amusing… in an early 1950s innocence sort of way.

 

All in all, even if you don’t find Desi’s voice appealing, you should still be able to enjoy the lighthearted and entertaining quality that his songs possess.

 

 

 

*Here we come walkin' down the street...*

The Monkees have long been a part of my music collection, but until fairly recently, they have been strictly a “greatest hits” band to me – meaning, I never delved into their non-singles. As I believe I stated elsewhere, I got into The Monkees in my early teens and bought a greatest hits album. Unfortunately, I never really moved beyond those hit songs.

 

I feel like The Monkees kind of got a bad rap when they first came out in the mid-60s and it’s kind of stuck with them. The Pre-Fab Four. A manufactured band who didn’t write their own music and don’t play their own instruments. Never mind the fact that there are a number of groups from that time (and since) that don’t write music and use studio musicians on their albums – particularly the latter. The Beach Boys, The Mamas and The Papas, The Temptations were all basically vocalists in the studio. Even so, that wasn’t entirely true. Maybe they didn’t play or write much on their first album or two, but Mike and Peter were both decent musicians before they were cast as Monkees. And I think a certain amount of props has to be given to Micky – who initially only played guitar – for learning to play the drums so quickly. And they were expected to do an awful lot – not only acting in a television show, but recording albums and making personal appearances and doing live performances. All in all, I find what they were able to accomplish very impressive.

 

The early songs were often composed by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart and are amazingly catchy – like “Last Train to Clarksville”, the fast-paced “Let’s Dance On”, the sweetly sung “I Wanna Be Free”, and rocking “I’m Not Your Steppin’ Stone” (which has always been a favorite of mine). Neil Diamond contributed a few tunes as well like “I’m A Believer” and “Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)”. Then of course, the exceptionally accomplished Gerry Goffin and Carole King wrote some great Monkees hits like “Pleasant Valley Sunday”. And yes, The Monkees themselves did write a number of their own tunes. Mike Nesmith wrote “Mary, Mary”, “Tapioca Tundra” , “Sweet Young Thing”, “The Girl I Knew Somewhere”, “Listen to the Band” (a personal favorite of mine) and a number of others. Peter Tork wrote the appealing “For Pete’s Sake” that was featured as the closing theme for the 2^nd season of the TV show. Micky, inspired by a party thrown for them by The Beatles, wrote the tune “Randy Scouse Git”. Davy even co-wrote a few songs like “Hard to Believe”. Oh, and if you want to check out a definite lyric challenge, look up the song, "Goin' Down", written by all four band members. Crazy fast lyrics!

 

As I’ve been checking out more Monkees albums, I’m finding that my favorite of their albums is the 1967 released Headquarters. It’s really an exciting album. It’s the first album made after producer, Don “The Man With The Golden Ear” Kirshner was dismissed and you can hear the amount of enjoyment, excitement, and energy the band put forth into making it. Upon its release, it raced up the charts to number one, only to be bumped firmly into the number two spot by The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper.

 

The album kicks off with the country-tinged rocker written by Mike, “You Told Me”, featuring some excellent banjo playing by Peter. Boyce and Hart’s “I’ll Spend My Life With You” is a lovely ballad sung by Micky and is followed by the catchy “Forget That Girl” with Davy providing the vocals. Mike takes the duty as lead singer on the fantastic song, “You Just May Be The One” – and Micky provides excellent harmonies. “Shades of Gray” is more of a grown-up song for the band, lyrics reflecting on the uncertainty of the mid-1960s – and features

superb vocals by Davy and Peter. “For Pete’s Sake” is a fantastic tune with an addictive guitar riff and very “Summer of Love” lyrics that I love. “Mr. Webster” is a slower song that tells the sad story of Mr. Webster and features a lot of tambourine by Davy. Another Nesmith penned song follows with “Sunny Girlfriend” and then a classic 1950s rock and roll inspired song, “No Time” (and there’s a Beatles reference in this song!). “Early Morning Blues and Greens” is another lovely Davy sung ballad. And the album ends with Micky’s excellent “Randy Scouse Git” – I love the piano part and the contrast between the verses and the chorus. Though, I think my favorite song (at least of the moment) is one of the bonus tracks, “All Of Your Toys”. That song is fantastic and very addictive. It’s a bit Beatle-esque, but I love that tune and the use of harpsichord and piano. Micky does a great job on the vocals and I also thoroughly enjoy the background vocals. It was written by Mike’s friend, Bill Martin and the tune was slated to be a single originally, but couldn’t be released due to copyright issues.

 

Like I mentioned, I never thoroughly explored the band’s full catalogue of songs – and while I still have a bit more to peruse, I think I’m beginning to fully appreciate how remarkable this band was. In fact, the more I’m getting to know them, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to pick a favorite member. It was originally Davy, because of his adorable face and British accent (I got to see him live in ’04!), but now… I don’t know. Maybe I’ll just go watch some more of them and I’ll be able to decide… Until then, I’ll leave you with this.

 

*I know with the dawn you will be gone...*

On a fairly recent episode of the ABC Family series, Bunheads, I caught a rendition of a familiar song that I’d somehow forgotten about. Of course, now that I’ve found it again, I’m finding myself rather addicted to it.

 

The tune is “Tonight You Belong To Me”. While this song has been featured in a number of commercials through the years and in a couple episodes of American Horror Story (which seems to be where many youtubers think it’s from), it has actually been around since the mid-1920s. It was written in 1926 by Billy Rose and Lee David, and since then, I believe there are dozens of renditions of it.

 

Gene Austin recorded it first in 1927 and it was later revived by Frankie Laine in 1952. In the mid-1950s, The Lennon Sisters recorded it with Lawrence Welk and his Orchestra and in 1956, possibly the most famous rendition was recorded by Patience and Prudence. Karen Chandler and Jimmy Walkley, Ann Shelton and The Duprees, George Maharis, The Honeys, Eddie Vedder, Fiona Apple, Zooey Deschanel, and even Alvin and the Chipmunks all have contributed their own interpretations of the song.

 

I guess it’s no surprise so many people have chosen to cover it. It’s short, simple and not hard to sing, and while it borders on being almost too saccharine, it has very lovely harmonies and is damn catchy. My favorite version is probably the version featured in The Jerk, with Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters singing a slower version while walking along the beach, accompanied by just a ukulele. The performance is more wistful than some of the others and I think it may appeal to me for that reason. Also, I'm finding I have kind of a thing for the ukulele...

 

 

*But the feeling that you're under can really make you wonder...*

The White Stripes have been a part of my music collection for quite a while now, though, I think I first became aware of them because of an episode of Gilmore Girls. The first album I purchased was White Blood Cells because of the song loud, punk-like song, “Fell In Love With A Girl”. It wasn’t until a year later that I heard Get Behind Me Satan and quickly fell in love with the entire album – and it’s still my favorite of their albums.

 

But instead of going album by album today, I’m just gonna do a quick inventory of my favorite White Stripes tunes. “Truth Doesn’t Make A Noise” is fantastic for the amazing and addictive guitar riff and the piano’s response to the riff. “The Denial Twist” was my favorite for a very long time for the fun, dance-y, ‘60s feel. “I’m Bound To Pack It Up” is very reminiscent of Led Zeppelin to me – but I love the acoustic guitar and minimal percussion. “I Want To Be The Boy To Warm Your Mother’s Heart” is awesome because of the featured slide guitar (I do love slide guitar!). More recently, I’ve found myself entirely addicted to the noisy “There’s No Home For You Here”. I love the harmonies and the driving guitar, but my favorite part is the bridge – and of course, the guitar is pretty impressive as well. “Apple Blossom” is another song that sounds like it was ripped right out of the ‘60s and I love it. Of course, there are numerous songs of theirs I could include in this list, but I am a bit pressed for time today, so that will have to wait for a later date…

 

But the thing I really love about The White Stripes is how bare their recordings are. Those oddly rustic guitars, the boyish vocals, the simple drumming, it all sounds out of place in this era, as if Jack and Meg White stayed under a rock for a quarter century and then came out and started making music. I mean, it’s just what it is… it’s not over dressed, not over produced. It is just plain and simple rock and roll. Fabulous! Love the way Jack uses piano in so much of his music. And Meg? No, she’s not a great drummer, but what she adds is a raw quality, that any technically talented drummer would completely destroy.  Somehow, though, the band’s stripped-down sound and lo-fi production just works. Jack White combines his acoustic guitar strumming with lots of bluesy licks and riffs, and Meg's insistent drumming propels the songs forward effectively. The vocals are another high point, as Jack comes out sounding like Mick Jagger and at other times sounds boyishly innocent. Music made by two people, sounding like it was recorded in a garage, has no right to pack this much of a punch. But it does. The conviction the White Stripes bring to their music alone would be enough to give them a listen.

*Yes, and I ain't saying you ain't pretty...*

Just a brief ramble about my song of the moment...

The past week or so I've been listening to a lot of music from 1966 and 1967. During the course of this, I've stumbled back onto a song that has been a part of my music collection for many years, but somehow I've not paid a lot of attention to it, other than the fact that it's a pleasant song. Hearing it again this week, after not really listening to it for a while, I've found myself completely addicted.

The song is "Different Drum" by The Stone Poneys. I think I first became aware of this song when I was around 14 or so. It was played on a radio station called "Memories" (that has since become a country music station) quite often. I enjoyed the song and would always sing along with it, but it was several years later before I realized that the song was penned by Monkee, Michael Nesmith.

Coincidentally, I got into The Monkees around that same time (the TV show was on in the mornings before I had to go to school), but I'd never considered any of The Monkees songwriters at that time. Strangely enough, Mike Nesmith wrote some of my favorite songs The Monkees performed like "Tapioca Tundra", "Listen to the Band", and "The Girl I Knew Somewhere". But I'd honestly never heard Mike's version of "Different Drum" until this week. (How behind am I?!) His version has a lot more of a country flavor to it and features some cool guitar work, but I still think Linda Ronstadt's rendition is the definitive version. Her voice seems to resonate with a defiance that seems to be missing from other performances I've found of this song.

As for the song itself... I love the lyrics, though I suppose they're a bit wordy - at least in comparison with a lot of what was going on in the Top 40 of the mid-'60s. I am finding that I have a thing for unusual rhymes, which this song has a few. I love the classical influence in the production, featuring a harpsichord and strings... and I love the unconventional structure to the song - not following the typical verse-bridge-verse configuration of many pop songs of the time. Also, as I think I've mentioned before, I dig the fact that it's quite clearly a break up song ("It's just that I am not in the market for a boy who wants to love only me") and it's set to a rather upbeat tune. Love the contrast of that.

Anyway, I suppose I've rambled enough for now, so I'll just leave you with the song.

Dancin' Through the Decades

So… this post isn’t going to be strictly about music, but I do think music and dance do go hand in hand a bit.

 

I’ve been thoroughly infatuated with popular dances of the past 100 years or so. To me, it’s fascinating to watch how dance has evolved throughout history, and it evolves just as the music evolves. You also can see influences from earlier dances in more recent dances. It’s crazy to think about the fact that during the 1910s, there was a craze of Animal Dances, like the Fox Trot, Kangaroo Hop, Duck Waddle, Chicken Scratch, Turkey Trot, or Grizzly Bear. From my research, they all seem to be fairly similar, one-step ballroom type dances. What’s also rather amusing to me is that when the Fox Trot first came on the scene, it was considered shocking

 

The 1920s is one of my favorite eras – especially in dance. It’s just so much about letting go and having a good time – and The Charleston is so much fun (and a pretty good cardio workout). There was also The Black Bottom, The Shimmy, and The Varsity Drag. As I’ve gotten better at these dances, I’m finding they’re all pretty easy to combine, but of course when you’re dancing in this style, it’s helpful to have 1920s jazz on. It makes it a lot more fun.  In the 1930s, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers style ballroom dancing was at the forefront of popular dance and as “jazz” merged into “swing” through the late 1930s and early 1940s, a number of swing dances became popular, like the Lindy Hop or the Jitterbug. There were also a number of Latin dances, like the Rumba, that caught on while on the dance floors. I thoroughly enjoy swing dancing, though, it’s really hard to properly swing dance without a partner!

 

As Rock ‘n’ Roll became popular, the Jive joined the Jitterbug on the dance floor – most of the rock ‘n’ roll dancing was a more wild version of swing dancing from decades before. Also, the Hand Jive and the Stroll made some appearances throughout the decade. A hybrid of the Rumba and Swing evolved as well, known as the Mambo. The ‘60s is one of my favorite decades of dance, because it’s so bouncy and fun – kind of like the style in the ‘20s. And you don’t need a partner – which is good for me because I can’t always find someone willing to dance with me! The Twist is probably the most famous of the 1960s dances, but there were a ton of jerky Mod dances – like The Pony, the Watusi, the Swim, the Monkey, the Jerk, the Freddy, and the Mashed Potato.  As the ‘60s rolled on, Psychedelic dances started – which are completely experimental and freeform and all about “feeling the music”. And of course in the 1970s, we’ve got the explosion of disco. I don’t know too many disco dances, but I think I’ve perfected The Hustle! I’ve yet to do too much research on dances of the 1980s and 1990s (though, I think I can remember the Macarena), and I don’t know if I could ever bring myself to do the Gangnam Style dance…

 

I think, however, my favorite dance from a previous decade at the moment wasn’t even really a popular dance craze. While I was doing my research on dances from the 1970s, I ran across the music video of Kate Bush’s song, “Wuthering Heights”. I love the song, but had never seen the video before. I think her style of dance would fit more in the freeform, psychedelic area, and while it may look a little silly as I dance with Kate in my living room, it’s a whole lot of fun!

 

*I was staring at the sky, just looking for a star...*

I’ve recently gotten myself a copy of Fiona Apple’s latest album, The Idler Wheel… It’s definitely a very interesting listen, and one I’d recommend. For those of you unfamiliar with Fiona Apple, her music is dark, dreary, occasionally uplifting, and always emotional. The songs have a structure more associated with pop music, but her deep voice shows that there is something more profound and disturbing under this facade. Her husky alto voice carries the songs with a rare intensity (and is a bit reminiscent of a torch singer from the '30s), backed with swelling strings and delicate piano melodies.

 

While Fiona has been in the music scene for more than 15 years, she has been a fairly recent addition to my music collection. I actually went and searched down some of her music a few years ago, after watching some VH1 show featuring the “Top Songs of the ‘90s”… The first song I heard of hers is probably her most famous, “Criminal”. After downloading a handful of songs from her first album, Tidal, I ran across “Paper Bag” and it quickly became a favorite of mine – and one I’ve often dubbed as my theme song.  The simple, grooving drumbeat, melodic piano and poetic lyrics hooked me. I listened to the song over and over, each time identifying with and finding a new appreciation in another layer of the song.

 

Since then, I’ve found myself listening to Fiona Apple on a fairly regular basis. She only has 4 albums, but all of them have noteworthy qualities and songs that I would urge anyone to take the time to listen. Tidal  is dark, murky, and soulful. As a songwriter, her songs are blunt, emotional, pensive, and self absorbed yet strangely relevant. This is a woman who knows she's screwed up, but isn't going to ground herself in her pretensions. She's world weary... Opening with "Sleep To Dream", a stalking theme of romantic collapse with biting lyrics and thundering piano taps. "Sullen Girl" is powerful. In fact, this whole album is commanding. "Slow Like Honey", "Never Is A Promise", "Shadowboxer", "Criminal", are all significant. It's hard to believe that a 17 year old girl wrote these melodies and words. Her vocals ache with disappointment, regret, and pain. And what’s even more interesting about hearing her first album, is to see how she evolves as a musician and songwriter.

 

Her next album, When The Pawn…,  is still probably my favorite album. While her first album could become a bit tedious, this album contains all of my favorite songs of hers. “Limp” is, musically, a wild ride of complex melody, jazzy interludes, and poetry. “Love Ridden” is a mellow discussion of the aftermath of a breakup. “Fast As You Can” is another amazing song. Opening with an unique drum fill before kicking in with a driving piano part and fast paced vocals, the tempo change in the middle makes for an interesting listen and stands out in contrast to the rest of the song. And “Get Gone”… The repeated piano riff through the verses is rather addictive and interesting and I find the lyrics and passion behind the performance quite liberating. Again, I love the contrast in this song – how the quiet verses transform to the strong chorus, where she defiantly sings, “I do know what’s good for me”. I love that. The album closes with the slow, subtle ballad that is an almost hopeful end to a somewhat cynical album.

 

After six years of waiting, Fiona released her third album in 2005, Extraordinary Machine. away, "Extraordinary Machine" grabs you, with its unexpected orchestrations--oboe and bells that delightfully enhance this downright catchy tune. The ironic pairing of such whimsy with lyrics about adaptability in a raucous relationship is delicious. “O’Sailor” may be my favorite on the album, with her trademark piano style and smoky yet yearning vocals. "Not About Love" describes the scene after a late-night fight or possibly break-up. "Get Him Back" narrates the vengeful plans of a jaded lover that eventually finds herself wanting back the one man who didn't disappoint her. Probably the most outwardly angry songs on the album is "Window" where she tells about how a "filthy pane of glass" was obstructing her view out a window while a lover is confessing to having an affair.

 

Which brings me to her latest album, The Idler Wheel… Upon my first listen or two, I knew this was different from previous releases. I listened to it often through the month of December and it really hit me that Fiona is pouring her emotions out like never before. She is really letting loose and her voice sounds better than ever. The writing and creativity is superb. While not all of the songs are instantly accessible, this is some of the most passionate, emotional work I have heard from her. "Every Single Night" starts out quietly, with a vibraphone/toy piano sound, joined by an acoustic base; she starts softly, soon becomes demanding: "That's when the pain comes in...Like a second skeleton/Trying to fit beneath the skin/I can't fit the feelings in/Every single night's alright with my brain." There are not words at my disposal to describe the emotional changes that this song brings you through, but it had my mouth open in disbelief, it was so powerful.

"Werewolf" is another standout track set to a chiming piano. This dichotomy, this my fault/your fault push and pull is something that she excels at, and this song is no exception, and it is developed into a description of an obsessive relationship, full of pain but full of fire. "If I'm butter, then he's a hot knife, He makes my heart a cinemascope..." she croons to an insistent tom tom beat on "Hot Knife" and soon a dark dancing piano figure comes in, and Fiona, tight and controlled begins harmonizing with her sister, twisting in and out of each other's melodies, forming a complex web of sound that is still focused and sharp. It is an astonishing achievement that she pulls off with incredible focus, and her sister's voice is not only an amazing counterpoint to her own, but is hauntingly similar. All in all, this is an incredibly intimate album.

 

Fiona brings a sultry mix of blues, pop, rock, and R&B to the table, along with edgy lyrics and fresh perspective. I look forward to hearing more from her, even if I have to wait another 7 years for a new album.