There's a lot of the traditional holiday stuff I don't do:
I don't buy, make or receive Christmas presents.
Therefore, I don't shop on Black Friday OR Cyber Monday.
I don't go caroling.
But I LOVE Christmas music. No, I will not tune into Sunny 95 for 24/7 boring Christmas music. I've got TSO loaded into the CD player. I have a special channel on Pandora that's nothing but blues-y Christmas music. And, I have a special playlist of songs that I MUST hear every holiday season:
Top 25 Songs for Holiday Parties
Monday, November 29, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Music for a night of passion...
Music and romance just seem to naturally go together. Why do you think so many hookups start in bars? OK, that's not romance but the music can lead to the bedroom...
We have music playing in the house most of the time. When we head to the kitchen for a marathon session, I turn up Pandora and it's almost impossible to walk back into the office once an hour to let Pandora know "I'm still listening!" Trans-Siberian Orchestra (all of them!) will go into the CD player on the day before Thanksgiving and won't be removed until after New Year's Day. I highly suggest trying it - TSO mixed with Bruce Springsteen, Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin...I have a 25-disc changer so I can get a pretty eclectic mix going on when the holiday baking and decorating begin.
A night of romance, a night of passion. Sometimes, just the right song will play and suddenly we're dancing in the kitchen and then...
Put this list of songs together on a CD in this order...I guarantee it will take you from dancing in the kitchen to dancing between the sheets...
Just a taste...
We have music playing in the house most of the time. When we head to the kitchen for a marathon session, I turn up Pandora and it's almost impossible to walk back into the office once an hour to let Pandora know "I'm still listening!" Trans-Siberian Orchestra (all of them!) will go into the CD player on the day before Thanksgiving and won't be removed until after New Year's Day. I highly suggest trying it - TSO mixed with Bruce Springsteen, Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin...I have a 25-disc changer so I can get a pretty eclectic mix going on when the holiday baking and decorating begin.
A night of romance, a night of passion. Sometimes, just the right song will play and suddenly we're dancing in the kitchen and then...
Put this list of songs together on a CD in this order...I guarantee it will take you from dancing in the kitchen to dancing between the sheets...
Just a taste...
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Back in Black - My Number ONE 80s album!
I grew up in a time that the only time I heard a lot of 70s hard rock was when I was with friends or at the pizza shop. "What is that shit???" was a common phrase from Mom & Dad, so I didn't really understand the magic of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath or Judas Priest until I was an adult. Well, actually until I got divorced because my ex-husband was a bit (?) of a control freak.
AND, I will admit to having a bit of a prejudice against Zeppelin for a different reason. At the time, my best friend in high school loved Led Zep AND had a huge drug problem. So, I blamed Zeppelin. He's cured, he's still one of my dearest friends AND I can thank Shawn & Bodak - and indirectly, Brad the psycho-freak manager for keeping us at Barley's until o'light-thirty on the weekends - for letting me develop an appreciation for Led Zeppelin.
But I digress. I still have one favorite album from the 80s - hell, it was released in 1980 and in my humble opinion, not a single album released in the decade to follow could measure up to what AC/DC did with "Back in Black". Brian Johnson showed the world that sadly, yes, Bon Scott was dead but AC/DC was still alive...and would never die.
All these years later - damn, has it been 30 years? - I still remember when I learned the "Have a Drink on Me" drinking game. It was the night of OJ Simpson's infamous slow-speed Bronco chase. I was at the bowling alley in Mount Vernon and a girl I didn't know but would eventually become friends with was sitting beside me at the bar and said "oh - do you want to play?"
I've seen AC/DC twice in concert. Once at Polaris in Columbus (RIP) while I was living in Chillicothe. I didn't miss a second of the show, but because I was alone I headed straight for my car as the closing notes of the encore were fading away and I made it back to my front door in barely over an hour. The second time was SARStock '03 in Toronto. Yeah, the Rolling Stones were the headliners but I will shout from the rooftops that AC/DC blew the Stones away in showmanship and power in their short one-hour set that night.
AC/DC ROCKS - and no one can ever take that away from them!
The Best Album of the Eighties
That's right...I know you want to dance!
OK, a two-fer: My absolute FAVORITE AC/DC song, even if it's a different album!
AND, I will admit to having a bit of a prejudice against Zeppelin for a different reason. At the time, my best friend in high school loved Led Zep AND had a huge drug problem. So, I blamed Zeppelin. He's cured, he's still one of my dearest friends AND I can thank Shawn & Bodak - and indirectly, Brad the psycho-freak manager for keeping us at Barley's until o'light-thirty on the weekends - for letting me develop an appreciation for Led Zeppelin.
But I digress. I still have one favorite album from the 80s - hell, it was released in 1980 and in my humble opinion, not a single album released in the decade to follow could measure up to what AC/DC did with "Back in Black". Brian Johnson showed the world that sadly, yes, Bon Scott was dead but AC/DC was still alive...and would never die.
All these years later - damn, has it been 30 years? - I still remember when I learned the "Have a Drink on Me" drinking game. It was the night of OJ Simpson's infamous slow-speed Bronco chase. I was at the bowling alley in Mount Vernon and a girl I didn't know but would eventually become friends with was sitting beside me at the bar and said "oh - do you want to play?"
I've seen AC/DC twice in concert. Once at Polaris in Columbus (RIP) while I was living in Chillicothe. I didn't miss a second of the show, but because I was alone I headed straight for my car as the closing notes of the encore were fading away and I made it back to my front door in barely over an hour. The second time was SARStock '03 in Toronto. Yeah, the Rolling Stones were the headliners but I will shout from the rooftops that AC/DC blew the Stones away in showmanship and power in their short one-hour set that night.
AC/DC ROCKS - and no one can ever take that away from them!
The Best Album of the Eighties
That's right...I know you want to dance!
OK, a two-fer: My absolute FAVORITE AC/DC song, even if it's a different album!
Monday, October 18, 2010
The Rocky Horror Glee Show
I admit it: I'm a Gleek. I love this show! Could be because I was a band geek in high school, could be because I was never part of the "in" crowd. Could be because I always loved musical theater. I don't care why: I love Glee!
Like other Gleeks around the web, I'm excited about the October 26 Halloween show "The Rocky Horror Glee Show". Oh - did I mention that I used to go to Graceland Theater regularly for the midnight showings of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"? Did I mention I've had to pick rice out of my fishnet pantyhose? And other more uncomfortable places?
I've watched all of the teasers the Glee powers-that-be will allow - plus found a few other rumor mills to salivate over. Even though I know the actors are all over 18, it still feels kind of icky to look forward to an "abstastic" episode about high school kids. And, Matthew Morrison is too young for me, too! There's no teaser about John Stamos' abs, so the shirtless thing isn't doing it for me!
A lot of rumors are swirling about Columbia & Magenta - I'm not convinced that Quinn is Columbia. Even the photo of her in her pink wig doesn't convince me - she's dressed more like a Transylvanian Conventioneer than Columbia. I also haven't been able to pick out any of the cast members dressed as Magenta in a maid's outfit.
That said - I think I've figured out the "who plays who" for the most part. I'm still a little shocked that "Toucha-Toucha-Toucha-Touch Me" is included in the soundtrack, but after the "scissoring" comment between Santana & Brittany in "Duets" or "vocal masturbation" - CLASSIC! - I guess it's not so un-doable.
I've also included links to full studio versions of 4 of the soundtrack songs, available on EW.com -
"Rocky Horror Glee Show"
But - as much as I love Glee, nothing will ever compare to the ORIGINAL!
Like other Gleeks around the web, I'm excited about the October 26 Halloween show "The Rocky Horror Glee Show". Oh - did I mention that I used to go to Graceland Theater regularly for the midnight showings of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"? Did I mention I've had to pick rice out of my fishnet pantyhose? And other more uncomfortable places?
I've watched all of the teasers the Glee powers-that-be will allow - plus found a few other rumor mills to salivate over. Even though I know the actors are all over 18, it still feels kind of icky to look forward to an "abstastic" episode about high school kids. And, Matthew Morrison is too young for me, too! There's no teaser about John Stamos' abs, so the shirtless thing isn't doing it for me!
A lot of rumors are swirling about Columbia & Magenta - I'm not convinced that Quinn is Columbia. Even the photo of her in her pink wig doesn't convince me - she's dressed more like a Transylvanian Conventioneer than Columbia. I also haven't been able to pick out any of the cast members dressed as Magenta in a maid's outfit.
That said - I think I've figured out the "who plays who" for the most part. I'm still a little shocked that "Toucha-Toucha-Toucha-Touch Me" is included in the soundtrack, but after the "scissoring" comment between Santana & Brittany in "Duets" or "vocal masturbation" - CLASSIC! - I guess it's not so un-doable.
I've also included links to full studio versions of 4 of the soundtrack songs, available on EW.com -
"Rocky Horror Glee Show"
But - as much as I love Glee, nothing will ever compare to the ORIGINAL!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Sun Studio - The Birthplace of Rock & Roll
I embrace my music geekdom!
On my very first trip to Louisiana, my Mapquest had me driving through Memphis. Without a moment's hesitation, I told the boyfriend I was running away from that I wanted to leave a day early so I could stop at Graceland. I laughed at his "why?" - the simplest answer at the time was because I would be driving right by it and no self-respecting music fan could simply smile and wave as she passed the exit.
I learned on a lot on that visit to Memphis, but not enough. It wouldn't be until several years later that the man (THE man, not the boyfriend I ran away from) and I planned a stopover in Memphis on our road trip to New Orleans. Sure, we could have taken the much faster drive my son discovered, traveling through Alabama and cutting off at the pass, but this was to be a vacation.
And we specifically planned the trip to include a visit to Sun Studio. After I published this article about the trip, the man reminded me I had forgotten the story about Ike Turner's amp being lost on Highway 61. I did leave that tale out of my article. The legend, as related by the Sun Studio tour guide, was that the unique sounds that Ike Turner created weren't of his own doing, but that of the damaged amp that fell off of the car as the band was zooming up Highway 61 from Clarksdale, Mississippi to a gig in Memphis. They turned around and retrieved the amp and it worked "good enough".
The feelings are there - and if there is a Rock & Roll Heaven, it goes right through Sun Studio in Memphis.
Sun Studio Tours: The Birthplace of Rock & Roll
On my very first trip to Louisiana, my Mapquest had me driving through Memphis. Without a moment's hesitation, I told the boyfriend I was running away from that I wanted to leave a day early so I could stop at Graceland. I laughed at his "why?" - the simplest answer at the time was because I would be driving right by it and no self-respecting music fan could simply smile and wave as she passed the exit.
I learned on a lot on that visit to Memphis, but not enough. It wouldn't be until several years later that the man (THE man, not the boyfriend I ran away from) and I planned a stopover in Memphis on our road trip to New Orleans. Sure, we could have taken the much faster drive my son discovered, traveling through Alabama and cutting off at the pass, but this was to be a vacation.
And we specifically planned the trip to include a visit to Sun Studio. After I published this article about the trip, the man reminded me I had forgotten the story about Ike Turner's amp being lost on Highway 61. I did leave that tale out of my article. The legend, as related by the Sun Studio tour guide, was that the unique sounds that Ike Turner created weren't of his own doing, but that of the damaged amp that fell off of the car as the band was zooming up Highway 61 from Clarksdale, Mississippi to a gig in Memphis. They turned around and retrieved the amp and it worked "good enough".
The feelings are there - and if there is a Rock & Roll Heaven, it goes right through Sun Studio in Memphis.
Sun Studio Tours: The Birthplace of Rock & Roll
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Halloween Party Music...
Halloween!
Halloween parties are in the planning stages and along with the decorations and food, it's time to make your play-list of Halloween-themed music. Everyone can come up with a few off the top of their head - "Monster Mash" or anything from the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Think outside the box - there are several songs you hear on a regular basis that have a Halloween theme. The 70s and 80s were great for Halloween music and I've put together a list of songs for your Halloween party soundtrack.
Halloween Songs for Dancing
Did you ever try dancing to "Ghost Riders in the Sky"? Try this version! Oh - and Sam Elliot's voice doesn't hurt either.
Halloween parties are in the planning stages and along with the decorations and food, it's time to make your play-list of Halloween-themed music. Everyone can come up with a few off the top of their head - "Monster Mash" or anything from the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Think outside the box - there are several songs you hear on a regular basis that have a Halloween theme. The 70s and 80s were great for Halloween music and I've put together a list of songs for your Halloween party soundtrack.
Halloween Songs for Dancing
Did you ever try dancing to "Ghost Riders in the Sky"? Try this version! Oh - and Sam Elliot's voice doesn't hurt either.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Music and the outdoors...
Just a few weeks left to enjoy a crisp evening around a fire...
We listen to music more often than we watch TV. For a night around a campfire, a glass of wine - and of course, marshmallows! - I think I've created a great playlist of outdoors songs. Most of these weren't big hits, but I love them anyway...
10 Most Underrated Outdoors Songs
We listen to music more often than we watch TV. For a night around a campfire, a glass of wine - and of course, marshmallows! - I think I've created a great playlist of outdoors songs. Most of these weren't big hits, but I love them anyway...
10 Most Underrated Outdoors Songs
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Remember When Arena Rock Rocked?
Sure you do...everyone coming of age in the 70s and 80s. The guitars, the pyro, the lights...all creating a mind-blowing concert experience. Oh, and $20 was an expensive ticket.
Some of the biggest names in arena rock from the 70s and early 80s were REO Speedwagon, Foreigner and Heart.
And then - MTV happened.
When Arena Rock Sold Out
Shall we bow our heads for a moment and remember when Nancy Wilson kicked everyone's ass?
Some of the biggest names in arena rock from the 70s and early 80s were REO Speedwagon, Foreigner and Heart.
And then - MTV happened.
When Arena Rock Sold Out
Shall we bow our heads for a moment and remember when Nancy Wilson kicked everyone's ass?
Friday, August 27, 2010
Genre-Bending Music...
Cover songs don't always work. Sometimes a song is just "right" - there's not much that can be done to improve it. Then, an artist of a different genre will come along and make that song his or her own and give it to the world in a completely different way.
Best Genre-Crossing Songs Ever
I can say with almost 100% certainty that my Dad would never have willingly listened to a song written by Trent Reznor and enjoyed it...or would he?
Best Genre-Crossing Songs Ever
I can say with almost 100% certainty that my Dad would never have willingly listened to a song written by Trent Reznor and enjoyed it...or would he?
Thursday, August 12, 2010
For Dad's Birthday...
This is one of my Dad's favorite songs. I figure anyone who makes it to 71-years old can have one of his faves on his birthday!!
Eve of Destruction...
One night while the man and I were in the office, he was playing his I-tunes and "Eve of Destruction" came on. For whatever reason, instead keeping it in the background I became distracted by the song.
I really listened to the words of "Eve of Destruction" for the first time that night. I had to google the lyrics because I wanted to be sure I was hearing what I really thought I was hearing.
"Eve of Destruction" is still relevant (now) 45 years later...
Eve of Destruction Still Relevant
I really listened to the words of "Eve of Destruction" for the first time that night. I had to google the lyrics because I wanted to be sure I was hearing what I really thought I was hearing.
"Eve of Destruction" is still relevant (now) 45 years later...
Eve of Destruction Still Relevant
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
I love the Blues...
I've always had an appreciation for blues music. Leadbelly, Robert Johnson and Bessie Smith gave way to John Lee Hooker, Koko Taylor, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
While Memphis is considered the home of the blues, W.C. Handy didn't start his blues career in Tennessee. Look a little to the South to Clarksdale, Mississippi. A short trip down highway 61 brings you to the original home of the blues and the alleged site where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his incredible guitar chops.
Clarksdale, Mississippi - The Original Home of the Blues
While Memphis is considered the home of the blues, W.C. Handy didn't start his blues career in Tennessee. Look a little to the South to Clarksdale, Mississippi. A short trip down highway 61 brings you to the original home of the blues and the alleged site where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his incredible guitar chops.
Clarksdale, Mississippi - The Original Home of the Blues
Monday, August 9, 2010
On the Cover of the Rolling Stone...
Growing up through the 70s and early 80s, I was witness to the passing of the baton from AM Pop Radio to FM AOR (album-oriented radio). Many of my "take me back" songs were standard AM fare in the 70s and some of them find their way onto annual "best-ever" countdowns at FM AOR stations around the country.
Dr. Hook made that transformation...
Dr. Hook's 10 Greatest Hits
And in case you've missed this one along the way...another of Shel Silverstein's masterpieces!
Dr. Hook made that transformation...
Dr. Hook's 10 Greatest Hits
And in case you've missed this one along the way...another of Shel Silverstein's masterpieces!
Take Me Back, Trisha...
This is probably my favorite song about "going back". Trisha Yearwood's voice and delivery bring a tear - mostly happy - to my eye every time I hear it.
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