New Monkees: Thoughts on Good Times

Soon the new Monkees album will be officially released. Already there are four tracks circulating from She Makes Me Laugh, You Bring Summer, Me and Magdelena, and recently Whatever's Right. This is exciting for fans, a BRAND NEW Monkees album coming out. 

Do you know have exciting this is?

Okay, yes I am a Monkees fan, and yes, I am looking forward to the new album. How did you guess?

Good Times! is the name of the new album releases May 27th. You can pre-order it on amazon and the mp3's are available on Amazon and iTunes.

Why, Dear Readers, should you consider this album then? Well, because if you are a Monkees fan it will feel like a Monkees album, but it will also be a unique collaboration of old and new. Truthfully, am not as familiar with the newer albums like Justus (You and I) and Pool It! (Every Step of the Way and Heart and Soul). I was introduced to just the hits from the 80's and 90's era, and of course the classics like Last Train to Clarkville and Daydream Believer. Good Times! is something reminiscent of their sound from the 60's. It is refreshing to hear Monkees song channeling the era whence they were spawned, and not trying to sound like there are modern or too from the 80's or 90's.
 
The Monkees who have been around for 50 years have recently resurfaced when the three surviving members joined up in 2012 for A Evening with the Monkees an intimate tour with wild Jimmy Choo. shoes on Mike and played all of the songs from Head (having a recording of Davy being accompianed by the band. I got to see them on that tour with four my closest friends. Twas a good time and I saw Peter dancing in leather pants to Your Auntie Grezelda. ~giggle~

(clip has Papa Gene's Blues and Your Auntie Grizelda and was where I saw them in concert)

Something exciting about Good Times! is that a few of the the songs were written by modern artists, Rivers Cuomo of Weezer fame wrote the first track to be released, She Makes Me Laugh. Other featured writers Ben Giddard (Death Cab for Cutie) on Me and Magdalena, Noel Gallaghar and Paul Weller (Oasis) on Birth of a Accidental Hipster, sung Mike and some Mickey, Andy Partridge (XTC) on You Bring The Summer, along with tracks from Boyce and Hart on Whatever's Right, and Goffen and King on Wasn't Born to Follow, sung by Peter Tork, the staple of Monkee songwriting in the 60's. It's a real throw back with these songs.

 "The most genuinely Monkee-sounding music they've made since they broke up, really. They're not trying to be an eighties band like with Pool It, or a grunge band like with Justus. The guys are working with a team of people who care about that vintage sound (writers from Weezer, Oasis, and Fountains of Wayne), and it shows."
~David A. Scott, creator of the Monkee Mash and the Literal Video Version of Daydream Believer

Of the tracks released on Amazon and iTunes my favourite is Me and Magdalena. A Mike Nesmith track, it feel like a Nez track, smooth and mellow. It's very Zen like. I have always love the way Mike's sings and gets lost in and I loved it after the first listen. I have become fond of Nez's soft and lilting vocals and I think it will continue to be a favourite. I cannot forget She Makes Me Laugh, its a Mickey track and Mickey is my favourite Monkee and I can almost picture it playing during an episode, or at the end. Better than Star Collector any day. Sorry, Star Collector isn't my favourite Monkee song, in fact it was over played during the show's run. I know its a regular on the show, but it was jarring and sync heavy. Anyway, that is NOT why we are here. The four tracks all have a charm, a resonance of the pure Monkees that hasn't been heard since Head (so folks say). I think its a fun album and cannot wait for next week's release.

 For a more detail review check out this REVIEW.

Top 20 songs I remember from my Childhood!

Okay, so I am taking it easy today. The plan is to write and do some much needed housework. And after an epic battle to download photos from my phone I now writing; a few hours later, but whose counting. Maybe me.

In the search for something to write about; am a bit tapped for ideas after writing dialogue for the yearly Christmas Show in Hammondsport, NY (Christmas in the Park). The yearly Christmas festival in the center on Hammondsport, NY where the Keuka Lake Player (KLP) put on a 45-50 minute Christmas show to the festival goers. It's great fun and the shows vary from year to year.  On my first full day of nothing to do, I was cleaning and found an incomplete script for a vlog I had wrote sometime last year, or maybe late 2011. Since, I am more comfortable writing blogs, I figured why not adapt it in a written piece for the blog. 

So, I give you: Cindy's top 20 favourite songs from the 50's through the 70's

I grew up on many of the classics from that time period. My parents actively listened to a wide variety of music including Elvis, The Beatles, Heart, The Monkees, and the like. Many of these song I listened to repeatedly and often singing quite loud. And usually if I am in a mood and want to be uplifting, then I will turn to many of these songs and/or artists. 

I feel a person's music choices is reflective of their personality. I love you learn want people like and what songs or artist are the ones they turn to often and of various reasons. I have certain artists that I listen to when I am sad (one of many mix tapes), angry (Meatloaf), frustrated (Dar Williams), or just in a jovial mood (Great Big Sea). Many of artists from the 50's through 70's are songs that I go to when I am extremely happy or want to rock out to music while cleaning (music help me cleaning, strange, I know).

These are the songs that I remember from my youth and the ones that stick in my mind the most. The songs I dance to, sang with, and just flat out enjoyed listening to.

20. Greased Lightin’ (1971) from the musical Grease: as sung by John Travolta and company. I know what your thinking, JOHN TRAVOLTA? Really? Well, I grew up watching the movie, A LOT! When CD’s came out (oh, dating myself a bit) that was one of the first CD that was purchased in our house (well one of the first, anyway). I spent many a weekend afternoon listening to the CD and/or watching the movie. I will admit that I did the dance as the guys sang. I was such a dork (still am though)! But I loved this song. It was just so catchy that you couldn’t help but sing along.

19. Frankenstein (1973) The Edgar Winter Group

The only instrumental to make the list that I know of! I not sure why I really got into this song, but my Dad was awfully fond of this classic rock number from the 70’s and it’s pumping guitar I could fight not enjoying it when he put it on. Says Winter: "When we were editing it in the studio, back in those days when you edited something, you physically had to cut the tape and splice it back together, so it was all over the control room, draped over the backs of chairs and the couch. We were making fun of it, trying to figure out how to put it back together, saying 'Here's the main body; the leg bone's connected to the thigh bone... ' Then Chuck Ruff, my drummer, says, 'Wow, man, it's like Frankenstein.' As soon as I heard that, I went, 'Wow, that's it!' The monster was born." I think I started to air guitar to this song, maybe.

High Noon

18. Purple People Eater (1958) Sheb Wooley (Website)

"The Purple People Eater" tells how a strange (alien) monster ("one-eyed, one-horned, flying, purple people eater") descends to Earth to be in a rock 'n' roll band. I bet you didn’t know that Sheb Wooley (born Shelby F. Wooley) was an actor too. He actually started out as a cowboy and rodeo performer growing up in Oklahoma [bursts into Oklahoma!] In 1945 Nashville, he sang on the radio station WLAC in Nashville, but later moved to Fort Worth, TX to further his music career. By 1949, he moved to California to get into television and movies Throughout the 1950’s he starred in a number of westerns from “Little Big Horn” (1951), “High Noon” (1952) with Gary Cooper, “Rio Bravo” (1959) with John Wayne and later was a regular on “Rawhide” as Pete Nolan for 6 seasons. Whoa, quite a history Shelby!

17. Age of Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (1969) 5^th Dimension

Never have I seen a production of Hair, but I still loved this song. Something about that enchanting groove at the beginning of the song just get to me. This is another that I just loved and still always sing along to.

16. Oh Pretty Woman!  (1964) Roy Orbison

Maybe I got this from the movie of the same name that delightful chippy love story with Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, or maybe my parents turned me onto this song, or both. The point is I love this song and Roy’s voice. His was not the most refined, but I love the rough sound of his voice.

15. The Rain, The Park, and Other Things (1967) The Cowsills

The Cowsills were the inspiration for the show The Partridge Family. Why did they not get to be the actual family for the show? Well, the actress [picture of Shirley Jones] to play the mother was already signed. They started with 4 brothers and over time grew to a band of 7 family members. This song always made me think of goods things, such as the items mentioned in the title. It was a fun, fresh, and simple song and made me feel good. Fun Fact: the Cowsills were spokes persons for the America Dairy Association.

14. Benny and the Jets (1973) Elton John

I will say this about Bennie, it is a fun song. I would play the CD of this song and sing along, ever though I barely understood what Elton was singing about. “…electric boots and a mohair suit…” you have no idea what I actually thought the words were (Electric Boobs?). How’s this for unique, the “Bennie” in the song is a futuristic “Sci-fi Rock Goddess”. Bernie Taupin said of the song in a issue of Esquire: 'Bennie And The Jets' was almost Orwellian - it was supposed to be futuristic. They were supposed to be a prototypical female rock 'n' roll band out of science fiction. Automatons."

13. Witch Doctor (1958) David Seville

Featured the voice of singer Ross Bagdasarian (yes, that’s his real name), Sr. as what would become Alvin of Alvin and the Chipmunks. He wrote and sang the song, Witch Doctor. Yup! Bagdasarian was born to Armenian immigrants in Fresno, CA in 1919. Did you know that Ross Sr’s son, Ross Jr. took over his work after this father passed away in 1979? I would mostly sing the chorus when I was a kid; over and over. “Ooo—Eee—Ooo—AhAh! Ting Tang Wadda Wadda Bing Bang! Ooo—Eee—Ooo—AhAh! Ting Tang Wadda Wadda Bing Bang!”  Somethings will never get old!

12. Teddy Bear (1957) Elvis Presley

I don’t really know why this ended up on the list. It was on a tape that my mom had in her car. Of course she ALWAYS listened to that tape, thus etching Elvis’ hunka hunka burning vocals into my brain and my early years; that and Jailhouse Rock. I still prefer Teddy Bear though.  Fun Fact: A modified version of the song has often been used for Teddy Graham’s commercials in the 80’s.

11. Wake Up Little Susie (1957) The Everly Brothers

Another song for the aforementioned tape, Billboard’s top 10 of 1957. Hmmmm, see a pattern here? Fun Fact: Rockapella parodied this song in an episode in the kids game show, "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?",  "Look Out, Double Trouble"

10. My Boyfriend’s Back (1962) The Angels

As I said earlier, there are many songs on this list that come from my mom’s collection of Billboard tapes from the late 50’s and early 60’s. I always like singing to this one. I would get all sassy while singing; in my awkward thirteen and fourteen year of self. Too bad my mom never had a video camera.  Fun Fact: The rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s track "Guess Who's Back" borrows heavily from the structure and lyrics of "My Boyfriend's Back" .

9. It’s My Party (1963) Lesley Gore

Another favourite to sing along to and maybe this song is why I eventually got into acting. It’s quite the dramatic scene. Fun Fact: Because of the pop cultural obsession with the song and its tragic nature, Gore recorded a sequel titled "Judy's Turn to Cry". In this song, the teenage girl narrator gets her revenge on Judy after all the pain and humiliation she caused her. In the lyrics the narrator explicitly finds "foolish" how much she cried when she saw Johnny and Judy together, and seems determined to start anew. She kisses another guy in front of Johnny and Judy during another party, which causes a jealous Johnny to jump at and punch the other boy, then get back together with her. Though "Judy's Turn to Cry" was not quite as popular as "It's My Party", it did reach #5 on the Billboard charts in the summer of 1963.

8. Take Me Home, Country Roads (1971) John Denver

I got introduced to John Denver’s music when in elementary school (there were 4 clusters of six classrooms in my elementary school) during the morning 'Opening' of the day, as it was called (I think): the pledge, then one patriotic and one other song non-patriotic song was sung. Often these were folk songs and “Take me Home, Country Roads” was included in the rotation. Fun Fact: The song was used by NASA to wake up astronauts aboard space shuttle missions STS-5 and STS-41-G, both times on the last day of the mission before the crew returned to Earth.

7. Blue Bayou (1977) Linda Ronstadt originally done by Roy Orbison (1963)

Most people know that Roy Orbison did this song first, but I think more people recognize that Linda Ronstadt covered it. I fell in love with Linda’s vocal on this one. Every time I heard it, I would get transported away to that same bayou where she was. Her voice was and is one of the few voices that I can truly say is melodic and soothing down to the core. Fun Fact: she performed this on the Muppet Show.

6. Dreams (1977) Fleetwood Mac

Has to be my absolute favourite Fleetwood Mac song ever! Maybe it’s because of the wispy sound to the music and ready to go lyrics. I sang along to this one on more than one occasion. Even though I love the original, I have to say that I haven’t heard a bad cover of this song yet. This song, like “Go Your Own Way” from the “Rumors” is all about the breakups that where occurring within the band. “Dreams” is Stevie Nicks song to Lindsay Buckingham; while “Go Your Own Way” was Lindsay’s message to Stevie. Fun Fact: The Corrs (Irish band with the hit "Runaway" and "Breathless", covered this on their album, the remixed version of “Talk On Corners” and 1998-1999 and got to perform with Mick Fleetwood at their concert at the Royal Albert Hall on St. Patrick ’s Day 1998.

5. Puff the Magic Dragon (1963) Peter, Paul, and Mary

Not sure where I heard this first, probably on a cassette tape from the Barker Library back in Fredonia, NY. I know that it was everywhere, usually played on the local oldie station, or on countless children’s compilations of the tape and record variety. Everyone from The Cowsills, Dolly Parton, and Jason Mraz has covered Puff in some form. Even back then I was dragon crazy. I wanted to meet Puff so bad, still do! Puff was written by Pater Yarrow and Leonard Lipton, after seeing a friend’s poem about a dragon in his typewriter. Yarrow has even gone out of his way to give Lipton songwriting credit for Puff.

4. Happy Together (1967) The Turtles

“Happy Together” is a song that makes me Happy, even with the overly whiny lyrics. It’s not that it’s sad, but there is a sad quality to the song. It’s a good example of how beautiful longing and sorrow can be.

3. Band on the Run (1974) Paul McCartney (Wings)

This is such a weird song. Not even sure what to say. I mean, Paul McCartney’s “C-Moon” lyrics make eve less sense, but I just accept it as is, but as least it was so catchy that the words never got in the way. So, why then did I choose “Band on the Run”? Well, because musical it’s so damn catchy, that’s why! Fun Fact: Did you know that the Foo Fighters covered “Band on the Run” in 2007?! I didn’t until I did this list.

2. Daydream Believer (1967) The Monkees

Ah, The Monkees, this is a part of my childhood and watching re-runs of The Monkees on Nickelodeon. Their songs I grew up on and sang along to. This one and "Last Train to Clarksville" top the list of favourite Monkee Songs. I love discovering new cover to songs that are at the heart of my soul. Fun Fact: Shonen Knife did a really fun bubble gum pop version that is just plain fun.

And the number 1 song from my youth:

1. Let It Be (1970) The Beatles

I guess this shouldn’t be a surprise. Even before I met my husband, I loved The Beatles. I always connected with this song. Something about it rings very true. I also realized how much more I love this song after watching "Across the Universe" with their gospel version (video).

Hope you enjoyed my little trip down memory lane. I had a lot of fun looking up information and factoids about these songs. It was a good time to be a kid. When music was music, and you were free to listen and enjoy. There were a lot less preconceived notions about what kids could and couldn’t listen to. Of, course the music back then was A LOT tamer than some of the musical selections of today, and I think a bit more creative. That is why I still like these songs, and why I still listen to them.

Happy Birthday Peter Tork!

I was at work today. It was rather busy, as my boss was out sick, and the phone rang almost constantly. I didn't have too much extra time to think until towards the end of the day. Things that went to my head today: I might get closer to 40 hours this week; oh gosh, why did they play that sound right now, oh, I didn't take a lunch; is the day over; or it's Peter Tork's 71st birthday (from the radio)!

Yep, Peter Tork of the Monkees! The Tork-man is 71 today. He is still touring and making music, even  toured with the remaining Monkees last year. That made me smile. Peter was always know on the show as the dummy. There was a charm to the simpleness her portrayed, but when he sang "Shades of Grey" with Davy, I always melted. I guess I always wanted him to sing more. My friend, Amanda always joked about how Peter couldn't sing. I never thought that. Even with "Your Auntie Grizelda" (album version) which has to be one of the weirder songs out there, "Auntie's Municipal Court" (album version) takes first place (in my book). But, aside, there was something cute and catchy  about Grizelda. One can almost see an old bitty  while the song is being sung. It's definitely a guilty pleasure when it comes to the Monkees.

I have a number of favourite songs, ones that I play over and over. I am a Mickey girl all the way, but Peter holds a special place in my heart. When I got to see the Monkees in concert (Buffalo, NY), the little girl in me squeed so bad (that sounds like a bladder malfunction), "It's the Monkees and they are awesome!" Nothing could compare to seeing them play and sing live, from row C too!!! There was Mike singing "Papa Gene's Blues", "Sweet Young Thing", and "The Girl I Knew Somewhere", talk about epic.  There was Mickey wearing a tablecloth, a timpani,singing "Randy Souse Git". Oh, be still my beating heart or "I'm a Believer"! But, when Mr. Tork took the stage singing "Your Auntie Grizelda" I melted into a puddle of goo, warm and happy goo! He even dance and hammed it up during the number. It was great! He other big number(s) was "For Pete's Sake" and goes into "Early Morning Blues and Greens" (a Davy song).

Mr. Tork you are a marvel and thank you for your music...you made my day during that concert and made my day today (2/13/2013). Have a great birthday. Happy Birthday Peter! "I grow impatient...." ~pause~ "I grow daffodils..."

What Your Hear on the Radio...

This is a personal look at Christmas songs that I have heard and listen to every year. I wanted to share some of the less main stream music out there that I have come across that I feel is just as good. First we look at the “genres” of Christmas music out there (is that correct?), styles maybe, or types. Okay, types of Christmas music then!

There are several kinds of Christmas songs that play on the radio, and as I have the pleasure of having a radio at work, I get to hear them played ad nauseum since about two weeks ago. I admit that it not as bad as those that work retail They will often have to listen to this music from Halloween until after the 25th. It strikes me as odd that with the increase in the music out there, that the same old tired songs are played, some even multiple times during the day.

I am just a tad sick of the same old repetition. I propose a solution. This week’s blog will feature the worst Christmas songs to come out of the radio airwaves and possible alternatives to those same old tunes. Maybe a bit of history tossed into the mix too. You should learn something new every day!

Let’s see what type of songs we have first; there’s the standard Christmas carol, a traditional song that has been around since time began. These come in two kinds; first the religious songs/hymns, something like “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “O Holy Night”, or “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman” comes to mind. You hear them every year; most musical artists will cover one or more of these at anytime. Now, I am not going into the implications of these songs. My beliefs are NOT the focus here, but what we hear being played during the Christmas season. Most time when I listen to the radio these are the one in a constant rotation on the radio. But, I have found that I get less irritated with them, usually because there are hundreds of versions of these Christmas carols that are recorded and therefore you will get less repetitive with these. Although I am not vindicating them, there are guilty parties here too!

The other side is the traditional, but the secular Christmas songs, such as “Silver Bells”, “Here Comes Santa Claus”, or “Santa Baby”. These songs are not based on Jesus’ birth, but focus on the non-religious aspects of Christmas. Many of the songs in this category are the ones that I usually can’t stand, because, at least with the radio, they are the ones that get very repetitive when you listen longer then 30 minutes. Mind you, there are songs I like in this category, but after having subjected myself to the radio for the last few weeks, I have come to the conclusion that a number of songs from this category are just overdone, terrible, or both.

Then you have your story songs, these can be both secular and non-secular. Here the song tells a story. Plain and simple, right? Not so much. Songs of this nature are harder to do, because you have to either know a story already, or can make one up that sounds legit. Trying to write a story into a song isn’t always easy when you have to factor in meter and rhyme, although not all the time. (Oh geesh!) They can be quite touching and inspiring, or they can make you want to take a sledge hammer to the back of your hand. Over the last 10 years there have been a few Christmas story songs that have left a few nasty tastes in my mouth. I won’t lie, I loath “Christmas Shoes.” (I put the link for those who are actually interested in hearing this song) This song is the biggest reason that I could ever think of hating Christmas on the radio. It is over played and sorely over exposed. The premise doesn’t make sense. A child wants to buy shoes for a dying mom, so she can look pretty for Jesus. It just feels like the writer was trying too hard to find sad things to put in his song. It's cliche! That’s not how you write songs! I kid you not, “Christmas Shoes” is just a terrible song.

Then you have your silly Christmas songs like “Grandma Got Ran Over by A Reindeer” performed by Elmo and Patsy (a recording duo from California who had one other major hit, “The Doomsday Waltz”. Elmo was a veterinarian turned folk singer with his wife Patsy.), “The 12 Pains of Christmas” by Bob Rivers (The funniest way to deal with this Greek epic poem disguised as a Christmas carol other than the Muppet version), and the popular radio choice of “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” performed by Shirley Temple. These songs are certainly not meant to be taken seriously, but they lighten the mood of a somber time of year. I think Sesame Street’s take on this song is a tad better, “I Want a Snuffleupagus fro Christmas,” sung by Big Bird and Anne Hathaway. In many cases, these songs are a way to break up the monotony of some of the other deeply religious or sentimental songs. Some of these are good and some are not so good.

There are few other miscellaneous categories that I also thought of while writing this blog. There is the generic Christmas pop song about Christmas (usually involving love or a significant other), like “Mistletoe” by Justin Beiber, “Christmas through Your Eyes” by Gloria Estefan, or “My Only Wish (This Year)” by Britney Spears. These songs ooze a sentimentally that is over trite even before they sing the first notes I like a little variety in my Christmas songs, because as others have pointed out, Christmas music gets old fast: Todd in the Shadows: One Hit Wonderland - Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer.

There’s your Christmas charity songs and the covers of the said charities singles (BAND AID, LIVE AID, FARM AID), which aren’t much better. “Do They Know its Christmastime?” The purpose of the song, a valiant effort by musicians in 1984 to help the famine relief in Ethiopia. It has become a regular culprit to the  Christmas homicide on the ears of many, myself included. Barenaked Ladies did a cover of this song and it didn’t help the song. The song is a condescending tribute to how Africa won’t have snow for Christmas. “And the Christmas bells that ring there/ Are the clanging chimes of doom/ We'll, tonight, thank God, it's them/ Instead of you.” Don’t they realize that a good portion of Africa doesn’t celebrate Christmas? I mean, about half of the country is Muslim (45%), that logic doesn’t make sense, but what do I know?  Anyway, the song feels overly preachy about Christmas and the people in Africa.

Then there's Christmas songs from movies/TV specials that have just become that popular that they get their own air play, such as “Silver and Gold” or “Holly Jolly Christmas” by Burl Ives.

Also, there are the Christmas songs that are not really Christmas songs, but they fit with the feel of the season so they end up getting air play because somebody said so, “My Favourite Things”. There a number of Christmasey versions of this song. It actually fits with the feel of Christmas and winter, “Rain drops on roses, whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles, warm woolen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with strings…”

Right, I also forgot the songs in foreign languages category! Remember “Feliz Navidad”? Well, now you have that stuck in your head. Your welcome!

So, what does this mean to me? Well, I have come to uncover a number of artists that have released Christmas albums or single tracks that are just as good as many of the standards that you may already love and listen to or are part of the current crappy Christmas playlist on your local radio that clutter up the airways nowadays. I would like to bring to light some of these tracks to the forefront. After all some of you may agree that Song A or song B is a terrible Christmas song, or are sick of hearing it ALL THE TIME, and decide to try song C or D out. If not, that's fine. To each his own...

Let’s start with the Traditional Songs (both secular and non-secular). These are songs that I feel are basically better left on the shelf. It’s time to expand your horizons. ~cracks knuckles~ Now, I will point out that there are versions of these songs that I truly love. Some of these songs I prefer a certain artist’s rendition that is not main stream, while others are tried and true and played continuously on the radio. While others I just find are terrible songs, much to my chagrin.

What songs do I find terrible? Well, as I pointed out earlier many of the non-secular Christmas songs are fine. They are based on old traditional Christmas hymns. There is beauty in many of the lyrics to these songs. What bothers me is the badly produced versions of these songs. I really can’t stand any version of “O Holy Night” that doesn’t try to utilize a soprano or high tenor here. This song is so beautiful, so pure that you need a pure voice. Don’t give me Christina Aguilera or Mariah Carey! I want Celtic Woman or Jewel singing this. What about the secular songs? Well, “Santa Baby” is the prime culprit here. There is no version of this song that I can enjoy. It’s all selfish crappy materialism. Eartha Kitt, the original singer tried and failed. It’s the tone of the song I don't enjoy. Madonna ruined it. And every other version just makes it worse.

Now, what would I listen to, or recommend to others in this category? I have always been partial to versions that tweak the song while retaining the true meaning. Barenaked Ladies did a version of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman,” with Sarah McLachlan using “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman” and “We Three Kings”. It’s very touching and brings tears to my eyes; which is what I think Christmas songs are supposed to do, at least in part. There’s also “Silent Night” by John Denver and the Muppets, and most anything the Muppets touch is gold, there are exceptions though. On the secular front, I love the track Sean McCann of Great Big Sea recorded a few years back, “Merry Christmas Everyone”. It’s not currently available online unless you were lucky to download it free from Sean’s website, but recently Great Big Sea played a charity concert and performed this song with members of Moxy Fruvous, Barenaked Ladies to name a few. There is a CD available to purchase and it’s on iTunes. I would recommend getting the track at least. It’s a solid song. There’s also “Christmastime is Here” by Hannah-Rei, a soulful rendition of the classic Vince Guaraldi Trio version. Another one is “Ding Dong Ding Dong” by George Harrison.

That’s a lot to take in, but seriously, there are songs that are just begging to be on the air, but are not played because they are not main stream. There are songs that are on the radio that don’t hate. To be fair, “Christmastime is Here” by the Vince Guaraldi Trio is played regularly, but I cannot get enough of this song, “Silver Bells,” “It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas,” or “Jingle Bell Rock.”

Onto Story Songs, as I pointed out earlier, “Christmas Shoes” is not a favourite, and it’s played far too much on most radio stations, which is another reason that I am not a fan. Anytime a song is overplayed, I will be less likely to enjoy it. There are other story songs from the very common “Rudolph the Red Nosed” by Jewel, “Frosty the Snowman” Jimmy Durante or “Little Drummer Boy” by Bing Crosby. Some of these are of the common variety story songs, but they are classics nonetheless. “Huge of the Luge” a lesser known story based song by Moxy Fruvous is a story song about a luge lovin’ Grandpa. It’s Fun! There is another one I would like to mentioned, “A Spaceman Came Traveling,” by Celtic Woman, its a little known song originally done by Chris DeBurgh. It tells the story of the Nativity with the Angel being a Spaceman watching over the earth. It’s touching and beautiful. I have never heard of it until Celtic Woman covered it on the album “Believe.”

Now the miscellaneous categories; when you think of Christmas pop songs, you normally think of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee, which is one of my classic favourites, a light country rock song about dancing around the festive tree in jubilation or Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney (more synthey sounding), both very common and to some extent over played, but I enjoy them anyway. But for consideration in the pop category we have “Christmas Eve” by Blackmore’s Night, “The Christmas Song Song” by Rocky and Balls, or “The Christmas Waltz” by She and Him. Each has a different take on the Christmas song ranging from the sentimental to the silly.

There are the songs from movies/TV specials. I’ve already mentioned two of the biggies, from the Rankin Bass’ “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.” There are others that make made their way into my Christmas heart. Those have become staples in their own right. It would be cool if “Bah, Bug, and Hum” from “Olive the Other Reindeer” a jazzy little number about the pitfalls of being a postal worker during the holiday season or “Where the River Meets the Sea” form Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas was on the radio. Heck I would settle for a soundtrack from either of those specials.

Songs that are not Christmas, but get played at Christmas, I mentioned earlier, “My Favourite Things.” There’s not much else to say. It’s a good song. I have heard crappy renditions that are over produced, but when they get it right it a great song. And I want to point out that I am involved in a yearly Christmas show that goes up the first weekend in December where we write and perform a Christmas show in 2 weeks that often utilizes non Christmas songs in a Christmas-like manner, “I’ve Got Love to Keep Me Warm”, “I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends”, and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” So, anything can be a Christmas song, when in the right context.

KLP Christmas Show 2012  

KLP Christmas 2011

And finally, the Christmas songs in foreign languages, which run the gambit of languages used and usually focus on the birth of Christ, but “Feliz Navidad” is the most common, most used, and most irritating (in some opinions). It is fits more in the Christmas pop songs, a good nature tune about wishing you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in Spanish, “Feliz Navidad/ Feliz Navidad/ Feliz Navidad/ Prospero Año y Felicidad”. There not much to the song itself and that’s why many people find it annoying to listen to. After all it’s the same verse/chorus repeated for almost 3 minutes.  I don’t really hate this song, nor do I find it terrible, it’s more of an annoying song. I do sing long to it, but after 2006 (when I put it on a Christmas mix CD), I realized that I could take it or leave it. What would I recommend to replace it? Well, I wouldn’t take it completely out, as I still enjoy hearing it at Christmas, but I would consider additional foreign language tracks to add a bit of variety.

Here’s one for you, “Riu Riu Chiu”. Bet you haven’t heard of this song before? Well, if you are a Monkees fan, then you have.  In 1967 the Monkees performed this on a Christmas episode of their show. Done in acapella this little song appeared. Riu Riu Chiu is a villancico, musical poem style from the 15^th through the 18^th centuries in the Iberian region (Spain/Portugal) and Latin America. It’s a song about the Nativity, so it’s basically an older version of what became a Christmas carol, “Ríu, ríu, chíu, la guarda ribera Dios guardó del lobo a nuestra cordera (Ríu, ríu, chíu, the river guards her; God kept the wolf away from Our Lamb.” It’s a beautiful little song. Acapella is a wonderful way to go with this song and the Monkees have amazing harmonies that absolutely blend together. Other artists to cover this song have been Bruce Cockburn, Sixpence, None the Richer, and David Archeleta to name a few. You should check them out.

There is the “Panis Angelicus” made more famous by Celtic Woman’s Chloe Agnew. Panis Angelicus the first part of a hymn written by St. Thomas Aquinas an Italian Dominican Priest, a theologian philosopher and father of modern philosophy. “Panis angelicus/fit panis hominum;/Dat panis coelicus/figuris terminum (The angelic bread/becomes the bread of men;/The heavenly bread/ends all prefigurations). “Panis Angelicus” is the beginning of the Sacris Solemniis which is the hymn proper for the Feast of Corpus Christi. It’s a prayer, but something about the Latin and sung by a High Soprano or Tenor turns it into a beautiful song that I thoroughly enjoy listening to at Christmas. Other renditions to check out Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, and Placido Domingo with Yo-Yo Ma, each version has it amazing points.

I think this is why I prefer to utility my MP3 player and listen to the Holiday music of my choice. Then I can control what I listen to. That is the price one must pay if you listen to the radio, especially all day, everyday. There are good Christmas songs out there, not hard to look and play your own playlists, which I wholly endorse.

As a side note, there are also songs about the other holidays that fall in December; Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Yule/Solstice, and Festivus. I will feature a greater look at these holidays in a future blogs.

Monkees in Buffalo, 2012

11/24/12

I have not gone to many concerts in my life, and only after college did I start to see the bigger headlining acts. My very first concert was with Savage Garden during the “To the Moon and Back” tour about 1997 or 98. My best friend bought tickets for her, her cousin, and myself. It was at the Erie County fairgrounds, in Hamburg NY. The seats were pretty far back, but I was so happy to be able to see them live. I had such a crush on Darren Hayes!! That was the year that I had discovered Savage Garden, I was the ultimate fangirl. It was also the first time I saw a band live; it made an impact on my desire to see more concerts. Back then, I truly preferred to listen to the album and that was it, live was just a word back then. Since that concert, I have seen Meatloaf, Paul McCartney, Fleetwood Mac, Barenaked Ladies, Crowded House, Moxy Fruvous, Dady Brothers, Town Pants, and Great Big Sea live. Great Big Sea tops all others, having seen them a total of 6 (soon to be 7 in April 2013), but every concert I have seen it like a patch/medal/tattoo of honour).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGyLjg0TJEc 

The live experience is a unique one. While we (as a collective of people) tend to love the studio version of the songs and albums that make our lives special, there is something truly amazing about hearing our favourite artists sing live. Something else is equally important when attending a concert, which is the stage banter. Ever wonder what Meatloaf, Paul McCartney, or Neil Finn are thinking? I gather from the shows I have seen that the banter is a little window into the artist’s mind. They are saying, ‘Hey, how’s it goin’? Wanna hear a funny story?’ To me, that’s endearing.

So, what’s all this hype? Well, last week I got to see the Monkees live in Buffalo with some friends. That’s what! It’s a pretty important concert for many reasons, not all the reason will be mentioned in this blog. The reason I mention it, simply, is that after all of my pre-conceived notions, this concert was one of the best to date. That is saying a lot. After all, it’s the Monkees, right? Well, yes, it’s the Monkees, but something else…

When David, (my husband) first heard about this concert it was after Davy Jones had passed away and the failed attempt to see the Beach Boys concert up at Darien Lake. David is THE Monkees fan, hands down, I am less so. This is not to say that I don’t like/love the Monkees, but he eats, sleeps, and breathes Monkees,-I eat, sleep, and breathe Great Big Sea (that’s another blog, for another time-this concert meant a lot to him on so many levels. I was more than happy to join him, I mean after all I grew up with the Monkees TV show, I knew a number of songs, I thought Mickey was the grooviest (yes, I said that), but I also wanted to support David’s passion. I love the chance to go to any concert, as I said before; I don’t go to concerts that often (something about this thing called money).

What were my expectations?

Well…I'm sure that before the concert, even before that weekend, I was thinking, ‘Yes! I am going to Buffalo to see, Laura (friend from college), and then to Monkees concert with some friends.’ It’s not that I wasn’t stoked to see the Monkees, but had you asked what I was looking forward to prior to that week, it would have been visiting Laura. As it goes, the closer the concert got, the more excited I become to see Mike, Mickey, and Peter. I mean, this was the first time in FOREVER that Michael Nesmith was PERFOMORMING as a MONKEE! 

Look! It's the Monkees!!!

While I am a Mickey girl, I have a soft spot for the Wool Hat. There are a number of songs that are Mike’ s that I can’t help but turn the volume up on, such as ‘Door into Summer’ or ‘Listen to the Band’.

 

I was hoping to hear ‘Last Train to Clarksville’ or ‘Shades of Grey’ at the concert, beyond that I was just excited to be at a concert with David, Sara, Marie (Sara’s mum), and Amanda. David had gotten third row seats, orchestra left! That’s the closest I have been to a stage since Barenaked Ladies in Houston, fifth row, orchestra left, again (of course when Sean McCann came to the Town Ballroom in Buffalo last year, and I got to meet him, Laura and I were right up to the stage, also orchestra left). Seems I am an orchestra left kind of gal! That was definitely an eye opener that I was going to see the Monkees, see the sweat on their brows.

The highlights:

Peter Tork’s rendition of ‘Your Auntie Grizelda’ and his little stage dance while he sung it. Probably the dorkiest Tork moment, but he was having so much fun on stage. You could see it on his face. I couldn’t help but enjoy this song, even more then I normally do. My friend, Amanda loathes this song normally; even she was even impressed by Peter’s live rendition of it. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4z4nqzmRDw    

(Thanks to rcornnell on youtube for the video)

Mickey singing ‘Randy Scouse Git’, that says it all. There is something truly AWESOME about a timpani drum on stage and a poncho wearing Dolenz. This song makes less sense than ‘Your Auntie Grizelda’ but it’s so catchy, I cannot help but love it. It also proves that Mickey has stage presence. There was A LOT of Mickey presence during this concert.

The audience sing-a-long with ‘Daydream Believer’ with Monkee back up. It was simply touching to see how the boys couldn’t sing a Davy song, but yet they couldn’t ignore the fact the ‘Daydream Believer’ exists. I could see that they enjoyed playing the song, but Mickey said it best, ‘we don’t own this song anymore, but you do…’ tears, my friend, tears…it was touching, nonetheless.

Hearing songs that have NEVER been performed LIVE. (sourced from David): ‘Daily Nightly’ and ‘Early morning Blues and Greens’. These two are songs that I am less familiar with, but I enjoyed watching Mickey sing the lyrics from a binder and Mike do his impersonation of a Moog Synthesizer. It was EPIC and a hoot!

Hearing Mike Nesmith sing and play with his old band mates. There were a number of Mike songs that were performed: ‘Listen to the Band’, ‘The Girl I Knew Somewhere’, ‘Tapioca Tundra’, ‘You Just May be the One’, and ‘My Sunny Girlfriend’. He actually looked like he was having fun onstage. I remember thinking that he was a poop for not enjoying the Monkees more, but I think time has mellowed him, and he may appreciate the Monkees for what they are now. He was cracking jokes about checking his email while waiting for Mickey or Peter, or seeing him dance a bit on stage. It made me smile.

Monkee Walking!

Post concert glee!!!

I couldn’t have asked for a better first experience seeing the Monkees live than this concert. I mean when you can Monkee walk into the venue with your friends, stand in line waiting to get in and crack jokes Monkee jokes-even knowing that each of us was in a different location in the audience-it was still AWESOME. Also, seeing my beloved husband thoroughly fanboy during the show made it that much more enjoyable. He even got to meet Andrew Sandoval, (Monkee historian/chronicler). It was a moment that I will never forget, even knowing that my left ear was getting the brunt of the sound from the giant megalith speakers. Oh, well! ‘Here we come/walking down the street….’

David and Andrew Sandoval :-)