A Music Thread [Joe Mannix]

Comedy music is an odd category. Done well, it's hilarious and done poorly it's intolerable. Some people dabble and some people make a career out of it. Most who try the latter will fail. There are of course some notable stand-outs like "Weird Al" Yankovic and Allan Sherman, along with less well-known examples like Tom Lehrer and Canada's The Arrogant Worms. Outside of those who do it for a living, there are a ton of funny songs by otherwise straight outfits.

Johnny Cash comes to immediately to mind, as he had several from the legendary "Boy Named Sue" and "One Piece at a Time" to his performance of "Jackson" with June Carter at Folsom. Then, of course, I'd be remiss if I failed to mention "You Never Even Called Me By My Name."

What do you think about funny music? Do you like it or hate it? Is there a track or performer that stands out?

Exceptional Live Performances
Rush's Neil Peart was one of the best drummers to ever play the game. Later on his career, during a 2004 performance in Frankfurt, Peart performed a 9-minute drum solo that showed off various styles, techniques, instruments and influences. It goes from simple to complex, analogue to electronic, rock to jazz, to blues to tribal, call-and-response, etc. across a variety of percussion instruments. It was a virtuoso performance that ended in a tribute to Buddy Rich. This takes a while to get through, though it never ceases to impress me.

Great Covers
Unchained Melody has been performed by scores of artists since its release in 1955 as a part of the movie named - fittingly - Unchained. Names big and small have done this song but none have done it so sensationally as the Righteous Brothers (well, specifically, Bobby Hatfield). It became a Righteous Brothers song as soon as they released it, and in my opinion nobody else has come close. In many ways I prefer the album cut, but this live performance from 1965 is iconic for a reason. Jump about a minute and a half into it if you want to skip the preamble.

Cool Music Videos
Although I'm not particularly enthusiastic about the song itself, this is an excellent music video. It's narrative and the editing, pacing, interleaving of scenes, sync with the music, characterizations, etc. are all very good. There is a ton going on in every shot, too, which in this case adds to it and makes it more interesting.

Arbitrary picks from my collection
In no particular order and no implications of quality, here are four songs I've heard recently. I noticed after putting this together that "love gone wrong" seems to be my library randomizer's theme this week.

Cowboy Junkies - Misguided Angel
The warning signs are there, but she goes for it anyway.

The Interrupters - She's Kersone
She's a disaster and he's getting the hell out.

Waylon Jennings - The Hunger
It's a rough lifestyle that will age you quickly and leave you empty.

Cracker - Mr. Wrong
In a song that's coincidentally on theme because it's funny, he might be a sleazebag and consorting with him would be a mistake, but he isn't pretending to be something he's not...

Have a great rest of your weekend!

posted by Open Blogger at 07:30 PM

| Access Comments