Shuffle-A-Rama

Natty Dread- Bob Marley and the Wailers
Really a great Bob song. I used to listen to reggae almost exclusively. Now when I listen to it, it brings back some good memories, which is also the name of a reggae mix tape that I made in the nineties. Precognition perhaps?

In the Flesh- Blondie
My sister got Debbie Harry’s autograph at an anti-NYU demonstration a few years ago. I wonder if she still has it? I enjoyed Blondie’s hits, but couldn’t say I was a big fan. Never took them seriously enough but I did appreciate their pop appeal.

He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother- Rufus Wainwright
From the Zoolander soundtrack. Decent soulful cover but not one of Rufus’ best and not one of my best copies since this one skips.

Everything She Does is Magic- The Police
Another band who’s hits I’ve enjoyed but never went to see them live though I had a few opportunities. Not a big fan. And they’re going to make money hand over fist on this tour but not from me! Ha!

5:45- Gang of Four
How I sit and eat my tea, with all that blood flowing from the television? A prescient comment on media from the late seventies. I really loved Gang of Four and saw them a year or so ago on their reunion tour. It was 2005 and every concert was what seemed to be an oldies tour.

Here My Dear- Marvin Gaye
The album Marvin was ordered by the court to make and all profits were to go at his ex-wife Anna. It wasn’t well received when it originally came out, but was reappraised with favor when it was reissued on cd a few years ago. It’s definitely interesting and worth a listen.

You Inspire Me- Nick Lowe
Actually hearing this for the first time. Very much a smoky jazz type ballad from Basher. I can easily hear a few different singers do this song. I’m impressed and disappointed that I never found this sooner. I merely borrowed Chaz’ box set of Nick Lowe and uploaded it, never giving it a thorough listening. It reminds me of Moody’s Mood for Love.

Dead Finks Don’t Talk- Brian Eno
Oh Cheeky Cheeky oh naughty sneaky/You’re so perceptive and yet I wonder how you knew. From Eno’s first solo album. Really a lot of fun, clever wordplay and twisted arrangements. Still makes me smile when I hear it. Must give Here Come the Warm Jets another listen to soon. Can’t forget about the noise fest at the end.

Life Begins At 40- John Lennon
From the four disk Anthology that Harpy burned for me years ago. Just uploaded this a few weeks ago. This twangy demo sounds like it was recorded at the Dakota with a click track for accompaniment. In light of what happened later that year to John it’s even more tragic.

Confusion- New Order
This is the dub from the second disc called Substance. This is an Arthur Baker production. I saw them do this originally at the Paradise Garage. I remember the next day, going to Bleecker Bob’s and talking to my brother’s friend Frank Ballesteri about the show the night before. He had an advance copy and played it in the store. It was cool then I think.

Salt of the Earth- Rolling Stones
Last song on Beggar’s Banquet and also the song that Mick and Keith sang at the 9/11 Benefit Concert at the Garden which was the first time I ever heard it.

Dance With Me- The Drifters
From the great Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974 boxed set. Somehow I bought this 75.00 collection for 20.00 through the BMG record club. I tried getting it through Arif Mardin’s office when I worked there, but I couldn’t.

Cry A While- Bob Dylan
From Love and Theft. I like this record best out of his last three. It’s the edgiest I think. Also when he started dressing like a riverboat gambler wearing John Water’s mustache.

Oh I so want to move to San Francisco. I just watched a segment about a book editor who is the thumb wrestling champion and he gives his winnings to 826 Valencia in San Francisco, an organization that helps children who need help with writing. Thats what I would like to do. What I actually will do is more than likely staying in Hoboken. San Francisco’s loss? Or mine? Time will tell and it wasn’t really in the plan. Just taken in by some quirky guy from San Francisco on the nightly news. It was a nice dream anyhow, wasn’t it?

Back to reality. It’s Friday, finally. Bill went right to sleep last night and I kept checking in to make sure he was breathing. I watched TV. The usual Thursday night thing. Ugly Betty, Scrubs and Andy Barker PI. No My Name is Earl and none of The Office. Betty was good, got me by surprise with Mark coming out of the closet to his mother and his mother walking away from him, totally rejecting his ‘choice of lifestyle’. The mother was a perfect bitch played by Patti LuPone. Don’t cry for her. I do like the show a lot and I am surprised at how much I like it.

Scrubs was really good too. I keep thinking it’s their last season, but no one knows anything and the show has been on or close to the chopping block so often that the producers seem to be able to do anything they want. The whole nothing to lose attitude is paying off nicely. I guess it’s up to Zach Braff and whether or not he wants to continue on television or move into movies. I don’t see why he can’t do both. And last nights episode ended in a cliffhanger with Laverne winding up in a coma.

Andy Barker PI was very funny again. I think some people (read: a lot of people) don’t get it or watch it since it’s up against Grey’s Abdomen or something like that. I do hope other people who are reading this watch the show. It’s worth a look. That Andy Richter is so lovable and it’s produced by Conan O’Brien so let that be your incentive. After that I watched ‘To Catch a Predator’ for a little while but that just not as entertaining as it usually is when I watch it with Bill and Juan.

Work was dullsville though I got an email from Renee who used to work at McMann and Tate. She was let go around the same time that I left. She’s a designer but stupid Todd Simmons didn’t know what to do with her except to string her along for a few months. I had two errands today which got me out of the office and that was fine by me. It was warmish and overcast but it was way better than sitting at the desk.

Today is my niece Meghan’s birthday. She’s 26. Happy Birthday Meghan.

Who am I kidding? She doesn’t read this.