Monday, April 4, 2011: Carl Douglas - Kung Fu Fighting

Are you complaining about it being Monday? Really?

Do you think Bruce Lee complained about Mondays?

Hell, no! He was a fighter, and that cat was fast as lightning

So buck up, little trooper, and find yourself some expert timing

Take a bow and make a stand, start swaying with the hand

The sudden motion makes you skip now you're into a brand new trip

It's a new week. Kick it's ass.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

No blogging on a Sunday.

See you Monday!

Saturday, April 2, 2011: Pet Shop Boys - Always On My Mind

Ok, yes, I know I'm a couple of weeks past Covers Week but, well . . . . here we are

Here's to you, gentle reader. Please know that you, friend, are always on my mind.

And I hope this blast of pure disco glory will brighten up your Saturday, and the rest of your weekend.

Enjoy!

Friday, April 1, 2011: The Stone Roses - Love Spreads

No April Fools Day shenanigans here, gentle reader

We've got the full-on, full-bodied, full-throttle answer to all those who would prank and punk you today.

Let me put you in the picture: It's April. It's Friday. It's Spring.

Crank this up and go

Thursday, March 31, 2011: Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five - Heebie Jeebies

The Hot Five was trumpet player Louis Armstrong's first jazz recording band led under his own name. The Music of the Hot Five (and his later group, Hot Seven) is considered by most critics to be among the finest recordings in Jazz history.

And probably the most important jazz recordings of the 1920's.

Not only were these informal sessions breakthrough records, but they also managed to begin a whole new musical style - scat sining.

The story goes, Louis invented "scat", or vocal improvisation with wordless vocables and nonsense syllables, in November 1925 recording this tune, “Heebies Jeebies” with his Hot Five.

In “Jazz on a High Note,” published in Esquire in 1951 he wrote: “…the day we recorded “Heebie Jeebies,” I dropped the paper with the lyrics—right in the middle of the tune…And I did not want to stop and spoil the record which was moving along so wonderful…So when I dropped the paper, I immediately turned back into the horn and started to Scatting…Just as nothing had happened…When I finished the record I just knew the recording people would throw it out.. And to my surprise they all came running of the controlling booth and said—“ Leave That In”…

Thus, a whole new musical style is born.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011: Jimi Hendrix - Red House

Ok, so it's Wednesday.

Midway through the week.

It seems like a long way till Friday, and you've probably got the blues.

Well, I know a man who feels just the way you do.

So roll on over, and let Jimi take over. He'll make it all seem right.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011: DeVotchKa - The Last Beat Of My Heart

As you may (or may not) have noticed, most of the songs I post here on CSOTD are posted on the video sharing channel YouTube.

One of the great things about YouTube, other that the things I've previously talked about here on CSOTD, are the comments.

The comments posted range from very funny to moving to insightful to phenomenal trash talk. Almost every video has something in the comments section worth reading.

There are a couple of reasons why I do not include the comments from the posted videos. First, I want CSOTD to be about me, my thoughts and my writings. But, on a more practical level, I don't want to get locked in to showing only one posting of a song. If I've learned anything, it's that YouTube videos and come and go pretty fast.

With that said, I thought this comment by kabrina1977 about today's band DeVotchKa was pure genius:

"Strangely--selfishly--I like that Devotchka isn't more popular. It's like I have this amazing little secret, this unbelievable music that's made for me and me alone. And while I'm always happy when a band I love "makes it", I'm always sad that people who will never TRULY appreciate the band and their music will be listening to songs that have struck such a personal chord with me. It's like all the world is reading my diary."

Honestly, if you love music at all, you have felt this at one point in your life.

Now, understand me here, I genuinely dislike people who disown a band as soon as they become successful. Or people who brag that they were the first person who ever liked a certain band, or the first to have the bands first album.

I saw a great t-shirt recently which said, "I Listen to Bands That Don't Even Exist Yet." Brilliant.

But that isn't what the writer is saying here. They are not saying they are going to jump ship as soon as this Denver based four-piece become a hit.  No, they are talking about the emotional weight we put into music we love, and how those feelings get cheapened when people who are not as knowledgeable and passionate as us casually acquire a certain band as their own.

I could never really explain the feelings I had when a band I had followed for a long time made it big. Now, someone has.

Many thanks.

Although, after all that, I sincerely do hope DeVotchKa become more popular.

 God in Heaven, this is a great band.