Category Archives: arts

A lie is a lie is a lie is a lie

Posted on May 6, 2012 by oddmanout215

Everybody knows if you are too careful you are so occupied in being careful that you are sure to stumble over something. ― Gertrude Stein How many of you English majors knew that Gertrude Stein took the side of Frenchmen … Continue reading →

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Remind me again

Posted on April 21, 2012 by oddmanout215

You got my attention Go ahead, speak What was it you wanted When you were kissin’ my cheek? The lyrics are from “What Was It You Wanted,” on Oh Mercy! (1989), produced by Daniel Lanoir, who arguably helped pull Bob … Continue reading →

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Levon Helm dead at 71

Posted on April 19, 2012 by oddmanout215

Levon Helm, second from left, in the cover photo for the Band’s second album. From the L.A. Times’ music blog: Levon Helm, the widely respected and influential singer and drummer with the Band, whose Arkansas drawl colored the group’s signature … Continue reading →

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An April Fools’ Day song

Posted on April 1, 2012 by oddmanout215

I’ve seen the bright lights of Memphis and the Commodore Hotel/And underneath a street lamp I met a Southern belle/ Well, she took me to the river where she cast her spell/And in that southern moonlight she sang the song … Continue reading →

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‘Across 110th Street’

Posted on March 30, 2012 by oddmanout215

Bobby Womack’s song, playing over the opening credits of Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown. And that’s Pam Grier, of course, not little surfer girl Bridget Fonda. You got to be strong if you wanna survive… Better start eating my spinach, it’s … Continue reading →

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Eat crackers and dream

Posted on March 24, 2012 by oddmanout215

“Too Much Time” sounds like a tribute to the Stax/Volt sound, straight out of 1960s Memphis. (Beefheart wouldn’t have liked the word “tribute.”) The song is from Clear Spot (1972), one of his more “accessible” albums. Should have been a … Continue reading →

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Emotional weather report for March

Posted on March 21, 2012 by oddmanout215

The sun is beginning to shine on me, But it’s not like the sun that used to be. – Bob Dylan, “Highlands” Overheard on South Street, outside the city’s worst supermarket: “Yeah, but most South Philly people, they’re really rude … Continue reading →

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‘Will Ye Go Lassie Go’

Posted on March 17, 2012 by oddmanout215

It’s a good day to listen to “Will Ye Go Lassie Go” by the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. It was also recorded by Joan Baez, and by the Byrds, as “Wild Mountain Thyme,” and has been sung for hundreds of years. … Continue reading →

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From the Gaelic for ‘water of life’

Posted on March 17, 2012 by oddmanout215

Leave it to the Irish to write a song in which the miracle of resurrection is achieved through spilled whiskey (from the Gaelic for “water of life”). This version of “Finnegan’s Wake,” by my deceased mother’s favorite band, brings back … Continue reading →

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Gabriel to Limbaugh: Lay off my tunes

Posted on March 8, 2012 by oddmanout215

It looks like Rush Limbaugh might have to stoop to using Ted Nugent’s music as soundtracks for his rants. I can’t think of any other rocker who might be a good fit. From USA Today: Peter Gabriel doesn’t want Rush … Continue reading →

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