Roger Green: a librarian's life, deconstructed.
1. Was the idea of Earl (My Name is Earl) and Joey (guess what?) both in classes of English as a Second Language as a major part of the plots this week just a coincidence, or was it plotted?
2. The former Secretary of State on the upcoming Gilmore Girls? How DID that happen? (I love it!)
3. How can people mess up identifying Beatle lyrics (A Day in the Life, Taxman, I Am the Walrus – all missed) so badly on JEOPARDY!
Once upon a time, blogger Kelly Brown asked the question, “Why is everybody in such a damn hurry?” She probably didn’t say “damn.” I can’t find the citation just now, and I’m in too much of a hurry to find out.
My theory? It’s technology, or rather the technological revolution gone amok.
(It’s not that I’m a Luddite. A technology such as the refrigerator is better than the old icebox, because it’s better at preventing spoilage.)
I remember reading a number of forecasts for the future, when I was growing up in the 1960s. They all sounded like this:
“Americans will be working fewer hours, giving us more time for leisure with our families. We’ll become so efficient that the 30- (or 25-) workweek will become commonplace.”
What happened instead is that the technology that made us more efficient meant that we could do more and more, so even more and more was expected. That may have been a business model that drove this trend once upon a time, but it appears that too many of us have bought into it, internalized it.
For instance, what is road rage but the manifestation that “I don’t have TIME for this!” Last month we were on the Interstate spur I-787 heading from Albany to Troy, when three lanes became one. The merge was in a half-mile, and it was working surprisingly well until some yahoos decided that their time was More Valuable than others and started passing everyone on the right, expecting to be able to get back into the line further up the road. This was in direct violation of one of Roger’s Rules: Respect the queue. Apparently, it was in other people’s rules, too, as the cars in the queue started moving farther and farther to the right, just DARING the people to pass them. Of course, when the merge happened, the yahoos did get back in, but not without a struggle that frankly left me white-knuckled. I was sure there was going to be an accident.
Vacation. It means to vacate. “Turn off your mind, relax and float downstream,” some guy once wrote. So how do you do that when you just HAVE to check your e-mails from wherever you are, be accessible by cell phone, pager and all sorts of technological harnesses? The technology that is supposed to be liberating has become a trap. When I used to have a cell phone, nobody except my wife knew the number. I wanted it in case of emergency or courtesy (“Honey, I’m stuck in traffic.”) I will admit to accessing my work e-mail from home on the last day or two of vacation, just so I am not inundated with 499 e-mails when I get back, 150 of them junk.
How did we get as a society where a town in New Jersey had to declare a family day? NO soccer practice, NO anything except staying home with the family, getting reacquainted by playing Scrabble.
Why ARE we in such a hurry? Where are we going? Are we afraid that we have to “fit in all in” so they’ll still talk about us when we’re gone? Kelly asked the question before. I’d value your observations, because I’d like to know, too.
That’s what a friend of mine calls him, just because.
Artist/Band: Tom Petty (b. 1953)
Are you male or female: American Girl; Mystery Man (obviously, having an identity crisis)
Describe yourself: Self-Made Man; Mystery Man
How do some people feel about you: A**hole; Refugee
How do you feel about yourself: You Tell Me; Hard on Me
Describe what you want to be: So You Want to Be a Rock and Roll Star
Describe how you live: It’ll All Work Out; To Find a Friend
Describe how you love: You and I Will Meet Again; Built to Last
Share a few words of wisdom: It’s Good to Be King
My oldest friend, Karen, has a WONDERFUL way of saying a**hole. “He SUCH an a**hole.” The “a” sound is somewhat nasal. It’s wonderfully cutting. It is my favorite curse word, usually in reference to operators of motor vehicles.
And the song, written by Beck, is a wonderful juxtaposition between melodic tune and cutting lyric:
“She’ll do anything to make you feel like an a**hole.” Then Petty sings it again, in HARMONY.
The only other song I can think of that has such a wonderful disconnect from lyric to music is “Dealer” by Traffic. That music reminds me of an exotic market in Marrakesh. The lyric: “And spinning ’round he’ll cut your throat” or “Leave your wife a weeping widow on the shore” Yow.
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The publication Variety is 100 years old. The Beatles and others are iconic.
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Still without a home computer. As they say in France, quelle drag.
Ya know, if I didn’t have the need to ANNOTATE these, I could have been done with this list DAYS ago.
Joni Mitchell-Court & Spark (1974). I saw Joni in August of 1974 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Someday, you’ll read about the discussion of that day. (Note: it wasn’t pleasant.) “Help me, I thinking I’m falling in love again.”
Van Morrison-His Band and the Street Choir (1970). Played in my dorm incessantly, and not just for the hits “Domino” and “Blue Money”.
Pointer Sisters-That’s a Plenty(1974). Jazz, soul, country, funk- no wonder no one knew where to put this album in the racks. Have only on vinyl.
Pretenders-Learning to Crawl (1984). I was very fond of the first two Pretenders albums. then two members died and figured that was that. But Chrissie Hynde and Martin Chambers found some guys to record “Back on the Chain Gang” and my favorite Pretenders song, “My City Was Gone”. And about a year later, with still other folks, the album came out.
Prince-Purple Rain (1984). O.K., so the film wasn’t great cinema. I listened to this album incessantly, fueled by MTV videos. I even got a 12″ of “Let’s Go Crazy,” and I did.
Bonnie Raitt-Give It Up (1972). I heard about this singer in 1971 from my HS buddy Steve. He was right. The use of the tuba as bass never fails to get me rolling.
Rascals-Groovin’ (1967). Features “A Girl Like You”, “How Can I Be Sure”, the it-should-have-been-on-the-previous-album “You Better Run” and the title track. But the best song is the last: “It’s Love”, featuring the flute of Hubert Laws. Sonically, a foretelling of the band when it left Atlantic for Columbia in 1971.
R.E.M.-Green (1988). O.K., what album by the group did you EXPECT me to pick. But why is the cover ORANGE?
The Rolling Stones-Let It Bleed (1969). From Merry Clayton on “Gimme Shelter” to “Country Honk” to one of my life themes, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”, I love the songs on this album. When I saw the movie The Big Chill, I started laughing during the funeral scene, much to the puzzlement of most. I had already picked up on the joke that the keyboardist was playing the last song on this album.
Linda Ronstadt-Hasten Down the Wind (1976). Karla Bonoff and other great songwriters on a bunch of mostly depressing songs.
Santana-Abraxas (1972). Just can’t listen to the single version of “Black Magic Woman” or much else on this album. It requires the designed flow.
Simon & Garfunkel-Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970). Like the Pretenders album, a big gap between the single (“The Boxer”/”Baby Driver”) and the album, this time due to personality clashes. Also, one song reminds me of an old girlfriend.
Paul Simon-Still Crazy After All These Years (1975). A breakup album, and I’m not talking “50 Ways”. Speaking of that song, though, someone had once suggested that
“Slip out the back, Jack” referred to Jack Kirby
“Make a new plan, Stan” referred to Stan Lee
“Don’t need to be coy, Roy” refereed to Roy Thomas, and
“Drop off the key, Lee” also referred to the former Stanley Leiber
Don’t know who Gus was on “hop on the bus, Gus”
Bruce Springsteen-Born to Run (1975): Mr. Cover-of-Time-AND-Newsweek-in-the-same-week. I never got tired of this album, which I can’t say about the Born in the U.S.A., for instance.
Ringo Starr-Ringo (1973). With participation by John, Paul, and especially George. The same held true for the follow-up, Goodnight Vienna, which I read described as an “ersatz Beatles album.”
Steely Dan-Royal Scam (1976). Always liked the way they sing “ro-YAL scam”.
Steppenwolf-Steppenwolf (1968). Mr. Hembeck only likes the first two hits by the group, and Lefty doesn’t seem to be a fan, either. I contend the first Steppenwolf album was great. It included the Hoyt Axton “the Pusher” and the still-relevant “The Ostrich”.
Rod Stewart-Every Picture Tells A Story (1971). Rod used to be SO good. A dorm staple.
Sly and the Family Stone’s Greatest Hits (1971). The exception to the rule that banned greatest hits albums. After all this was the first appearance on album of “everybody is a Star”, “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”, and the religious experience that is “Hot Fun in the Summertime”. Probably on my top 12.
The Supremes Sing Holland-Dozier-Holland (1967). A bit of a misnomer, since most of their songs and virtually all of their hits up to that point were written and produced by Brian, Lamont and Eddie. Features “Remove This Doubt”, later covered by Elvis Costello.
Talking Heads-Speaking in Tongues (1983). I liked the group when I first heard them, probably in 1978. But after seeing them live at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in 1983 in support of this album, I LOVED them. One oddity about this collection: some of the songs on the CD are longer than they are on the LP, a way to get you to buy both or a way to show the wonderfulness of this new-fangled compact disc.
James Taylor-Sweet Baby James (1970). Almost a cliché in its ubiquitousness. I knew no one my age who didn’t own it at the time.
Temptations-Puzzle People (1969). After Dennis Edwards replaced David Ruffin, Norman Whitfield became the primary producer of the group, and he and Barrett Strong (the singer of the first Motown hit, “Money”) wrote the songs. This is the second one of those, after Cloud Nine, excluding those concert and TV albums (Live at the Copa, e.g.). It features the Sly Stone-inspired vocal sharing on “I Can’t Get Next to You”, “Don’t Let the Joneses Get You Down”, “Message from a Black Man”, and a great cover of “It’s Your Thing”.
Traffic-John Barleycorn (1970). After the acrimonious breakup of Traffic, Steve Winwood fled to Blind Faith, but that wasn’t the solution either. So he ended up putting together a solo album. He needed some help from his former mates (save for Dave Mason), and suddenly it was a re-formed Traffic.
U2-Joshua Tree (1987). In 1988,, I told someone in 1988 that this was one of my island records. He said, “You can’t pick a one-year old album to be on your island list! They need time to develop in your heart.” NOW may I put it on the list?
The Who-Who’s Next (1971). This album only went to #4? The very definition of the soundtrack to my college life.
Stevie Wonder-Innervisions (1973). I could have picked any of four albums that came out between 1972 and 1976, 3 of which were Album of the Year, including this one. One recollection of this album was hearing it in the house of one of my professors, which elevated him greatly in my mind at the time.
Neil Young-After the Gold Rush (1970). “When You Dance, I Can Really Love” starts off at one pace and gets faster; it was a song that defined a particular relationship of that time.
Other albums could have easily been on the list, depending on how recently I happen to have given them a listen. American Idiot by Green Day may make it next time I compile this list. You’ll note (if you’re that way) that there are actually 53 albums. Well, I was born in ’53, so it seems to have some cosmic resonance.
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And on the music theme, I recommend the Music Genome Project, which picks songs it thinks you’ll like.
I started (naturally) with the Beatles. It played “Girl”, then to Jim Croce’s “Operator”.
I started again with the Beatles, and this time, it played “Why Don’t We Do It In the Road”, followed by “Tower of Babel” by Elton John, “Badge” by Cream, “Set Me Free” by the Kinks, “Are You Happy Now” by Richard Shindell (an artist I did not know), “Father and Son” by Cat Stevens, “Cat Black” by T. Rex, “Morning Glory” by Tim Buckley, “Let It Be” by the Beatles, and “New Age” by the Velvet Underground. That list is neither here nor there. What was REALLY fun was reading WHY they picked the next song. They all share “mild rhythmic syncopation, a vocal-centric aesthetic, mixed acoustic and electric instruments, dynamic male vocals, and other similarities identified by the Music Genome Project.” Whatta hoot. And if you don’t like a song, you can choose to go in another direction. Knowing some of the people reading this, this could turn out to be a great time-waster.
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And on a different front, someone I knew (and didn’t like) was indicted recently. Please help me if you can. What movie has dialogue that goes something like, “He’s guilty, I say. Guilty, guilty, guilty!” Not sure of the first part, but the repeated “guilty” is in it for sure.
Gordon asked Lefty for his island albums, but no one asked me. (Sob.) That doesn’t stop me from posting them anyway, of course. These are albums I’d listen to a lot. They may not be the best album the artist ever did, but that isn’t the question.
I’ll start with 50 or so, and italicize my Top Ten (of the moment, subject to change or whim.)
The self-imposed rule is that I couldn’t pick greatest hits albums; unfortunate, because it leaves out artists that I like such as Aretha, George Harrison, and Blondie (to pick three off the top of my head.) There is one exception. Also, I can pick only one album per artist; otherwise, we’d have a lot of Beatles. Finally, I didn’t pick any compilation albums, such as “The Big Easy” soundtrack (a GREAT soundtrack of a movie I wasn’t so hot on).
The list is alphabetical by artist.
Joan Armatrading-Walk Under Ladders (1981)- I love her deep voice, and she really rocks on this album. One of my two favorite albums of that year.
The Band-the Band (1969). This is the second album (the “brown album”) with “Rag Mama Rag” and other pieces of Americana, pretty cool for a group with four of its five members from Canada. In our high school yearbook, there was a section for the HS band, but one of the pictures was of this group. Played this album OFTEN in college as well.
The Beach Boys-Pet Sounds (1966). I know this is the quintessential BB album, but I came thisclose to picking Surf’s Up (“Feel Flow”, “Until I Die”, “Long Promised Road”, and the title track.)
The Beatles-Revolver(1966). For me, it’s always between this album and Rubber Soul. Think of the songs individually. The same group did “Yellow Sub”, “Eleanor Rigby”, and “Taxman”? Astonishing. When my parents weren’t home, I used to crank up the volume during “Got to Get You Into My Life” during the later horn section (“I was alone, I took a ride”). Then “Tomorrow Never Knows” came on and that was SO incredible.
David Bowie-Ziggy Stardust (1972). I played a mean air bass guitar to “Star”. Heard in the dorms incessantly.
Johnny Cash-Unchained (1996). This is a tough choice, because there are songs I like from all four of those American recordings from the last decade of his life. This is the second one. With Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers as the backing band, I thought it would become a bigger pop hit; it got all the way up to #170.
Judy Collins-Who Knows Where The Time Goes (1968). I received this album for my 16th birthday from my friend Lois, who said, “I hope you like it. It’s kinda country.” Well, yes, there’s some pedal steel, but also lovely tunes, including the murder ballad “Pretty Polly”, with Steve Stills on guitar. I JUST bought it on CD this summer.
Elvis Costello-Spike (1989). An island album, for me, can show lots of sides of an artist. He plays with Macca and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. He has rockers and lilting ballads. It may not be his best album, but its diversity will wear better on the beach.
Cream-Disraeli Gears (1967). It has “Sunshine of Your Love”, but a whole lot more. Probably wore the grooves off.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young-Deja Vu (1970). Played a LOT in my college dorm. Always liked the democratic nature of the album: 2 Crosby tunes, 2 Stills, 2 Nash, 2 Young, 1 Stills/Young, and 1 Joni Mitchell.
Donovan-Open Road (1970). Another dorm album, now hard to find cheaply. Vastly unrated disc.
The Doors-Waiting for the Sun (1968). The third album, it DOESN’T have the song “Waiting for the Sun” on it (that’s on Morrison Hotel), but does have a lot of great songs, the least of which is the hit “Hello, I Love You”.
Bob Dylan-Blood on the Tracks (1975). I came to Dylan late as a performer. I appreciated his songs, of course, when sung by others. I bought my girlfriend at the time Self Portrait, and even she had a hard time with it. But by 1975, I learned to appreciate the guy, and subsequently started collecting Dylan in both directions, forward and back.
Eurhythmics-Be Yourself Tonight (1985). I loved the “Would I Lie To You” video on MTV. A lot. But this album has other great songs, including “Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves,” featuring QoS. (QoS means Queen of Soul.)
Roberta Flack-Chapter Two (1970). It has a song about a preacher and sex (“Rev. Lee”), THE breakup song (“Gone Away”), and a scathing indictment of war (“Business Goes On as Usual”). The rest are good jazz covers of popular songs.
Peter Gabriel -Peter Gabriel (1980). (This is the third album, sometimes referred to as “Melt”.) I think Q-104, the late, great radio station in the Albany area played almost every track. One cut appears on a Halloween CD I just mixed. This album contains “Games without Frontiers” and the important anti-apartheid song “Biko”. I have this album on vinyl, in German; anyone know where I can get it on CD for a reasonable price?
Joe Jackson-Night and Day (1982) This is another Q-104 album, featuring “Steppin’ Out.”
Michael Jackson-Off the Wall (1979). I will contend that this album is better than Thriller. This is Michael, just turning 21, before the strangeness really begins. Includes “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”.
Elton John-Tumbleweed Connection (1971). Truth is, I could have picked the eponymous album, Madman Across the Water or Honky Chateau. I could even have picked an album I picked up at McDonald’s in 1994 which contains: “Take Me To The Pilot”, “Burn Down the Mission”, “friends”, “Saturday Night’s Alright”, “Madman”, “Tiny Dancer”, “Honky Cat”, “Croc Rock”, “Mona Lisas”, and “Levon”. But no, I couldn’t pick an album I bought for $3 with the purchase of a fish fillet, could I? In any case, Tumbleweed won out because the 1995 CD features an early version of “Madman”.
Janis Joplin-Pearl (1971). The first posthumously-released album I ever bought. “Buried Alive in the Blues” is an instrumental because Janis didn’t live to record the vocals. In 1972, I was working in a factory singing “Mercedes Benz”, and someone asked me if that was a Temptations song. For some reason, I bit my lip rather than laughing aloud.
Carole King-Tapestry (1971). I bought this and Sticky Fingers by the Rolling Stones (my second choice among Stones’ albums) at the same time; why I remember that, I have NO idea. Her version of “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” I always hear in my mind’s ear as an a cappella doo wop.
King Crimson-Discipline (1981). Another Q-104 album. “I repeat myself when under stress. I repeat myself when under stress. I repeat…”
Led Zeppelin-III (1970). The worst selling of the first six albums. “Immigrant Song” notwithstanding, I liked the softer side of Zep, including Leadbelly’s “Gallows Pole”; I have a Leadbelly version.
John Lennon-Imagine (1971). Plastic Ono Band is too angst ridden. This one’s bitter enough, with “How Do You Sleep”, the wicked evisceration of his former writing partner.
Curtis Mayfield-Superfly (1972). The 25th anniversary recording has alternative takes of several songs, a discussion of the music by Curtis, and ads by Curtis, telling us to stay away from the “Pusherman”. “Remember, ‘Freddy’s Dead’.” But it’s the solid tunes, and maybe it was just the right time, that captivated me. I’ve never seen the movie, BTW.
Paul McCartney-Band on the Run (1973). Sometimes, in addition to the music, I just love the backstory: Paul calls the band together to record, he’s abandoned by everyone except Denny Laine and the lovely Linda, they get mugged in Lagos, and they put out a great album, commercially and critically.
Well, will I still do this tomorrow?