Bits of Old Rope

November 15, 2005... For the most part, I've been too busy to explore the blogosphere lately, but a few bright lights have pierced the fog of work and looking for more work that is my so-called life.

First up is Route 1, a music blog done by a chap named Erik Hogstrom in Dubuque, Iowa. Erik, who is a journalist, family man and all-around decent fellow, writes about (mostly pop) music, but doesn't actually post mp3s. Could be that whole decent fellow thing... Anyway, it was from Route 1 that I learned that the harmonica on the 1964 hit "My Boy Lollipop" was played by Rod "The Pre-Mod" Stewart. He still totally sucks, though. In fact, I heard they pumped his stomach out after one gig ... and found his head in it.

On the subject of the Television Personalities’ song "Another Rainy Day in Manchester," Erik writes:

“This unreleased live gem from 1986 lampoons The Smiths and lead singer Morrissey in particular, with startling hilarious results. In The Smiths' "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now," Morrissey complains that "I was looking for a job and then I found a job/And heaven knows I'm miserable now." (Television Personalities’ leader Dan) Treacy sings "Once I had a job, then I found a job/And then I had two jobs" in a mournful, off-key croon just like Morrissey. I laugh every time.”

Not only are the TVPs one of the bands I’ve most enjoyed becoming acquainted with over the past year, but the Smiths are one of the bands I've most wished I could forget over the past two decades, so I'm really looking forward to hearing the song.

*****

Also stumbled across an excellent review of a new Beatles biography in a Riff Raff, a music blog (mp3s not included) created by Nick Sylvester and hosted by the Village Voice.

On the subject of “where we--as human beings--would be if the Beatles hadn't existed,” Sylvester writes: “Instead of people saying, “Hey, nice Beatles-style haircut,” they'd say, “Hey, you sort of look like an asshole."

Where he goes with the idea from there is interesting and unexpected.

*****

In keeping with the lighthearted tone of today’s post, and what else has been on my mind today, here’s a humourous song by Deep Purple. Yes, that Deep Purple—they of Ian Gillan’s ear-piercing shrieks and Ritchie Blackmore’s twenty-four minute guitar solos. It's not their only intentionally humourous song, by the way.

Deep Purple - Anyone's Daughter

Back next time with indignation and self-righteousness.

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