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Tag: Musicians

October 21: Can’t pass up this opportunity, because…

Published by Betsy R. Marks on October 21, 2016

Well!

Someone’s been a busy, busy boy today. And look what we get because of it.

Thanks, “Weird Al!”

Presenting BAD HOMBRES, NASTY WOMEN (ft. “Weird Al” Yankovic), staring Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

If you haven’t already swallowed, put the drink on the other side of the room before hitting play.

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April 8: A day late… Queen ~ Under Pressure (Performed by Annie Lennox & David Bowie, and also by the cast of “Smash”)

Published by Betsy R. Marks on April 8, 2014

I know you folks have been waiting with baited breath (eww) for the next post in the series. I’m 20 days behind now, and I’ve decided that the better part of valor is to let those days go, and restart this week with the looser theme of “whatever makes me happy or think or smile” instead.

And on this day, seemingly random though it may be to most of you, I am picking from a different source. Queen’s song, with Bowie’s counterpoint, is a chilling reminder that there are people who find it hard to swim through the daily grind, who exist outside the bubble of happiness, or at least, can’t quite push themselves to one more day of the same. For whom joy and happiness remain permanently elusive.

I’m not inclined to drift that way because I quite firmly believe this is the place, and that there’s nothing on the other side to greet me if I cross over, but for some people, the pain of day to day living is simply unbearable.

We lost one of those people last night. The signs were there. Heck, some folks would say the signs have been there for a few weeks. But I missed the one key post, the warning. I sat up through a lot of last night, just feeling like I couldn’t go to sleep.

This morning, I knew what the signs were pointing to, too late to do anything but stare helplessly at the news.

Those cries for help? Take them seriously.

For my friends who are struggling every day, because the pain is so hard for them to bear.

I would post the original and leave it at that, but we don’t have rights to see it. Odds are excellent these will go away within the year, too.

and

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February 19: A tribute to Devo (RIP, Bob Casale, 1952-2014)

Published by Betsy R. Marks on February 19, 2014

Ordinarily, it’s Wednesday and I’d be featuring a video (or more) on the subject of dance. Not today. I almost — *almost* featured a trio of Devo songs for Twofer Tuesday, but I hesitated. Yesterday, I heard that Bob Casale, one of Devo’s founding members, died suddenly of heart failure.

This has already been a hard year, with losing Pete Seeger and Shirley Temple Black among others, but they were both in advanced years. 61 (Casale’s age) is no longer as hugely distant as it once was.

Devo’s music had a major influence on my life, from taste in music to the realization that being different isn’t a bad thing. We’re Through Being Cool could be considered an anthem for some of the counterculture who thought of Devo as inspirational music.

Their brand of nerd rock predated “Weird Al’s” career by a solid four years. He eventually featured their music styling in an original tribute, Dare to be Stupid.

How do these music videos qualify for Dancing Wednesday? Well, if you’d seen me while I was an undergrad at SUNY New Paltz, in the local New Wave club, you wouldn’t have to ask.

The group is probably best known for the song “Whip It” —

— but there are others that I consider to worth including in this list. They follow, in no particular order. If you’re just discovering their music for the first time, I hope you can appreciate the influence they brought to music, especially during New Wave, and beyond as well.

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December 28: Andy Williams ~ It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Published by Betsy R. Marks on December 28, 2013

Still in the countdown to Epiphany, so for a few more days, you’ll have to live with these. Fortunately, December is almost over, which is great because this has been one hell of a year. Not that I think 2014 will be better, because I don’t think comparing one year to another is actually beneficial, but at least it’s a chance at something new and different.

Andy Williams was one of my childhood staples, if you’ve been paying any attention at all to the selections I’ve made over time. So, while we’re still in the season, something optimistic. We lost Andy last year, but this is the 50th anniversary of the song, so it counts as appropriate for that reason alone.

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December 6 (19 Days to Go): Annie Lennox ~ God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Published by Betsy R. Marks on December 6, 2013

Oh, how I love this video.

First, because the song makes me happy. (There’s something about the key that hits me right where I live.)

Second, because of the art of the shoot. It’s a stunning presentation, very hip to the Steampunk movement. Just animation-ish enough to be

Third? Annie Lennox. In truth, I could really have just stopped with her. Been a fan since forever. (Eurythmics)

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November 28 (Thanksgiving): Arlo Guthrie ~ Alice’s Restaurant and WKRP in Cincinnati ~ “Turkeys Away”

Published by Betsy R. Marks on November 28, 2013

This tradition has been in my family for the last 17 years, and I’m not letting go of it now. In fact, it’s my duty as a good blogger to share it with you.

First, the original:

Then the updated version (from Arlo’s Alice’s Restaurant: The Massacre Revisited):

I had picked his concert at the Guthrie Center, July 2, 2005, but YouTube won’t let me embed the video.

But here’s the really REALLY cool thing, from Arlo himself (via Facebook):

“This is the current interior of Old Trinity Church, where once a long time ago, lived my dear friends, Alice & Ray Brock. A little over 20 years ago we purchased and reconsecrated the old building and created an Interfaith Church and Educational foundation.

As part of our commitment to “Feed Everyone” every year (in fact every week throughout the year), there will be many people coming to our tables. Our friends, neighbors and local businesses volunteer as always to provide the best food available to anyone and everyone (until we run out). We do lots of other great things too!

From our hearts to yours whoever and wherever you are – Happy Thanksgiving! And if you want to know more or maybe even help us out, check out our website: https://guthriecenter.org

All The Best, Arlo Guthrie“

No matter what, though, my Thanksgiving is not complete without at least one viewing of this absolutely classic gem from WKRP in Cincinnati. The original episode, viewable on IMDB/Hulu, originally aired on October 30, 1978. in my not so humble opinion, Turkeys Away remains one of the top five absolute all time best sitcom episodes ever.

Here’s the pertinent clip, leading to THE Thanksgiving quote of the (last) century, from Arthur Carlson, WKRP General Manager: “As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.”

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November 13: Woody and Arlo Guthrie ~ This Land Is Your Land

Published by Betsy R. Marks on November 13, 2013

Not only does this video highlight a grand-daddy of the Folk movement, it’s a who’s who of singers, including Arlo Guthrie, Judy Collins, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger and more.

Music from the last Great Depression brought to you by a member of a community built during that era, living in the current Great Recession (because they don’t have the guts to call it what it truly is, the Second Great Depression).

This land is your land, this land is my land.

Seeing Pete Seeger in performance as well as Judy Collins just about made my weekend at the Revival. I just wish more people would pay attention to these old songs. They still mean something, decades and decades later.

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August 1: “Weird Al” Yankovic ~ Another One Rides The Bus (Parody of “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen)

Published by Betsy R. Marks on August 1, 2013

I mentioned way back during “Weird Al” Week that I would eventually get back to how I found out about “Weird Al” in the first place. And here we are.

I no longer remember whether it was this or “My Bologna” that did it, but it no longer matters. The rest, as they say, is history.

Dr. Demento Week continues with this earworm-worthy take on Queen.

But wait! There’s more!

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May 17: “Weird Al” Yankovic ~ Eat It

Published by Betsy R. Marks on May 17, 2013

I was in high school when I started listening to Dr. Demento. Honestly, I can’t remember whether it was My Bologna first or Another One Rides the Bus, but that’s how I got my start with “Weird Al.” So you may well imagine the whooping and hollering when I saw this for the first time.

The Original: Michael Jackson ~ Beat It

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