It’s Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, or at least the federal government’s recognition of his birthday, and because the government is involved, it’s a holiday and I have off which is quite nice. I haven’t done much of anything at all today. It’s cheaper to stay in and just watch TV and the weather is so lousy, who wants to go out in that anyhow? I haven’t been a shut in all day though. I did go out a few times and ran some errands. In fact I have to go out again to get some 2% milk.

I brought the iPod and this is what I heard.

Rio Grande- Brian Wilson
From Brian’s first solo record from 1988. The slimmer, trimmer Brian yet so obviously damaged. Executive Produced by his therapist, Eugene Landy who on top of psychiatric fees got a nice percentage of sales from his ‘production’ work as well. All that ended thanks to Brian’s brother Carl. It’s the last song on a good but uneven album, that I think was eventually disowned by Brian and his camp. It’s really a great song though.

Def Con One- Pop Will Eat Itself
I first this song on the jukebox at McSwells. I remember Maurice Menares dancing in front of the jukebox. They were a garage band that fully embraced samplers and whatnot in the eighties. Lot’s of bits and pieces float around in the background underneath a funky bass and propulsive beat with Rod Serling to boot. I was supposed to DJ when they were scheduled to play but due to minor criminal offences on their records they were unable to enter the country. Too bad, it would’ve been a good match.

April Fools- Rufus Wainwright
It’s one of the two or three songs I really like on Rufus’ first album. I know some people prefer the first but I prefer most everything after. Call me crazy. He played McSwells promoting this record and I didn’t go since I didn’t know who he was and McSwells really wasn’t my ‘scene’ at that time. Nor is it now. The video is good. It featured Rufus (natch), his sister Martha and Jane Adams, a cool actress as well as a few drag queens. I’m sure you can find it somewhere if you so desire. Maybe youtube.com

It’s Been a Long Time- Rakim
Rakim is one of the best rappers ever. Eric B and Rakim were a great duo, Eric B was on the cuts and Rakim rocked the mike. No one can rhyme so potently as Rakim, still to this day. Rakim. At 40 years old he is definitely one of the oldest rappers out there. He’s edgy but not violent. In fact about the only harm he raps about is to other rappers and MC’s, so unless you’re one of those I think you’d be ok.

How Could I Let You Get Away- The Spinners
Greatly underrated Philly soul from the seventies but quite a good run of hit singles both Pop and R&B. I used to see them all the time on the Mike Douglas Show which was based in Philadelphia. The five Spinners would be doing dance steps and dressed all the same. Nice and personable and a bit corny yet I have their greatest hits on my iPod so that’s respect. Huh.

Country Feedback- REM
From the Out of Time record. Made REM super duper big. They were everywhere except on the road. Lot’s of TV shows, including Mike Stipe dressed in a suit made out of FedEx materials. Like everyone else I played it a lot, especially during the summer after my mother’s passing so it has a bittersweet taste of memory.

Quiet Slave to the Rhythm- Grace Jones
Ah, back to soul, funk or Grace Jones who doesn’t fit into any of those categories. This is probably her last good album, coming after playing with the Compass Point All Stars and winding up with the Art of Noise crew with Trevor Horn at the helm. It’s good, if not a bit clinical. No, actually it’s great. The Slave to the Rhythm record was basically eight versions of the same song intersped with interviews with Paul Morley and narration by Ian McShane, he of the greasy black hair and moustache from Deadwood. All the songs have basically the same lyrics, yet different backing. A disco version, a pop version, a hard dance version. It’s different and I don’t think anyone has done anything like it since so kudos to her.