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Saturday, October 06, 2007

MUSIC AND MOVIES QUESTIONS

I'd appreciate your input in any or all:

1. What one to three CDs should I put on my Christmas wish list, and why?

2. Why are some people so fussy about folks applauding in movie theaters? People can laugh, cry, shriek; why not clap? After all, it's their $10 and $6 bucket of popcorn, and as long as they're not talking unnecessarily, I don't care.

The theory is that the film actors can't hear the applause; true enough. But neither can the performers hear when you cheer (or curse) your favorite baseball/football/basketball/soccer team whilst seated in front of your television set. Seems like snobbery to me.

3. Have you ever sung karaoke? If so, what are your favorite tunes to sing? If not, what would you sing?
I've never done it - though I have sung, with a live band, Disco Inferno (I'd deny it except there are too many witnesses). Probably Take Me To the River. Or maybe this song from the 1968 movie The Night They Raided Minsky's that apparently was also performed on The Muppet Show:
I have a secret recipe.
Concocted with much skill.
And once you've tried our special dish-
You'll never get your fill.
Take ten terrific girls, but only nine costumes,
And you're cooking up something grand.
Mix in some amber lights, and elegant scenery-
And stir in a fine jazz band.
Then add some funny men, and pepper with laughter.
It's tart and tasty I know.
Then serve it piping hot, and what have you got?
A burlesque show.

Or maybe not.

ROG
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5 comments:

Tom the Dog said...

1. I'm probably less aware of current music than you are, and as for any old albums I might recommend, you probably already have them. If you like Tom Petty, his last CD, Highway Companion, is fantastic. Bruce Springsteen's got a new album coming out this week, which will probably be on my wish list. And if you can dig some fun rock with a bit of a country western flavor, try Blue Rodeo's Casino, or The Refreshments' Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy.

2. I don't mind the applause, either after a really exciting moment, or at the end of a good film. I mind the idiots talking like they're in their own living room and everybody else is required to listen to their conversation instead of the film.

3. Very rarely, but yes. I've sung "Margaritaville," "Luck Be a Lady," "If I Had $1,000,000," and once, disastrously, "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling."

4:48 AM, October 07, 2007
Tosy And Cosh said...

1. Arcade Fire's Neon Bible is my new favorite, favorite, favorite album. Awesomely epic, violin, accordion, and curch organ-infused indie rock with a helthy dollop of U2 and David Bowie influence swirled in.

2. I think part of it is the notion that applause is mor edeliberate - we applaud more out of duty and on cue (at the end of a performance), whereas we laugh or cry without meaning to.

3. I once did a very bad duet of Unforgettable with my sister. Yuck. I have sang on stage in shows many, many times, though.

3:04 PM, October 08, 2007
Lefty said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
7:43 PM, October 09, 2007
Lefty said...

1. Ray Davies forthcoming disc (I forget the name), Neil Young's forthcoming disc Chrome Dreams II, and the limited edition Rhino box set Atlantic Blues, but you might to have someone act fast on that, because once they sell out of their pressing there will be no more.


2. The only time I like applause is at the end, where it doesn't interfere with trying to hear dialogue.

3. Although I haven't sung Karaoke in a long time, I LOVE singing it. There's a video game coming out called Rock Band, in which people can play guitar, bass, drums, and vocals online or in room co-op. I can't wait because I want to sing! (And to Who's Who's Next no less!)


=I deleted the other post because the link didn't work.

7:45 PM, October 09, 2007
EM said...

Going for number one:

Well, there's this new Emmylou Harris boxset that's at the top of my wish list. (Actually I'm hoping someone will get it for me for my birthday in November.)

If you don't have the Lucinda Williams and Patty Griffin CD's from earlier in the year, I'd definitely say put them on your list. I still think they're the two best releases of 2007.

Mary Gauthier's recent release "Between Daylight and Dark" belongs right up there too.

The new They Might Be Giants, "The Else" is a typical slab of TMBG fun. The closing cut "The Mesopotamians" is going to become another one of their classics.

Rilo Kiley's "Under the Blacklight" is pretty good--an interesting mix of indie rock and honky tonk weepers.

Kelly Willis' newest CD, "Translated from Love" is another one of the best of the year.

Finally, Lori McKenna's "Unglamorous" has some nice moments, but there are several spots that you have to overlook the heavy hand Tim McGraw used to produce the disc. He really blunted her edge too much in places.

9:24 AM, October 10, 2007

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