TTT #64: The Christmas Hearth

TTT #64 Playlist


I'm going to make this a super short one.  You should be spending the last few days of the Holiday season with loved ones, wishing those around you a good day or just soaking up the Spirit.

Ever since I started working at Walmart it seems that the Christmas season (even though they start it in October) just flies by.  My house currently doesn't feel "Christmas-y" at all.  No decorations.  No Tree.  Why you ask?

I love them.  I do, but I miss having a Christmas Tree.  It has been a while since it has truly felt like Christmas for me and I miss just sitting in the dark watching the lights on the tree twinkle.  This is actually the type of playlist I would love for just such an occasion.

So get near a fire place, pour a cup of tea, cider, cocoa or your preferred hot comforting beverage.  Put this playlist on and try and remember what Christmas felt like when you were a kid.  The magic, the anticipation.  No stress.  No shopping.  Just pure unadulterated Christmas Joy.

I miss that.

Have a Merry Christmas out there this year.  Enjoy it.

KKNY signing off.

BONUS CHRISTMAS STORY:

TTT #63: Songs You Forgot Existed

This week's list is going to be a good one I think.  I think this is an interesting list of songs that give you that "Holy shit, I haven't heard that in years" feeling.

Some of them have to be given the chance to get around to the chorus.  There were some pretty forgettable songs unfortunately.

On with it.


TTT #63 Playlist
Twitter for Spotify Playlist


What do I do right?

Do Right - Jimmie's Chicken Shack

This song is not by any means forgotten for me.  I have always liked this quasi reggae song and it still gets a fair amount of play for me even all these years later.

I think every guy has asked himself this question once or twice...




Amish Paradise?

Fantastic Voyage - Coolio

This song popped up on my Slacker Radio mix the other day.  It was a nice throw back so I decided to bring the early 90's rap scene to you fine folks.  I do think that it might be time for Coolio to let the hair thing go.  I know how attached folks can be to hair, trust me. 

But sometimes:

Just sayin.



No Vegans

New Age Girl - Deadeye Dick

I think everyone knows this song as either Mary Moon or "don't eat meat but she sho' like the bone".  I can't recall ever hearing any other song from this band.  I definitely remember thinking this song was awesome in that Benny & Joon-Wayne's World era.

butshesholikethebone




Not Allowed

Mama's Room - Under The Influence of Giants


Not too terribly old of a song.  As far as old songs go.  This little jam from 2006 has one of the simplest, yet completely sonically addictive, bass lines in all of music.  It has just that right amount of funk-disco that was getting so popular in the mid aughts.

Yeah, aughts.



Speaking of Addictive

Move Your Feet - Junior Senior

You may not recognize these guys on sight, I know I don't.  BUT you may remember the 8 bit video:

Classic.



Misery does, in fact, love company.

Misery - Soul Asylum

Soul Asylum was one of the mid 90's bands that I liked more than most people did.  It was an era of casse-ingles.  You only knew that one song.  This song always jammed for me.  I think I even like it more than Runaway Train.  You can still hear Runaway Train on the radio every now and then.  You will never hear Misery.

I'm taking it back.



Am I the One?

Tiny Meat - Ruby

I am not really sure what this song is about.  It's not one I want to delve any deeper into also.  It might warp the meaning for me, and I can't have that.

I think there couldn't be a more stereotypical 90's picture though.  At least in that MTV independent woman style.




Do You Even Know This Song?

Super Bon Bon - Soul Coughing

I never listened to Soul Coughing.  I had a friend that was obsessed with them though.  He thought they were the greatest band that had ever walked the Earth.  The only song I can remember is Super Bon Bon because it is the only song I can think of that uses the word mezzanine. 

That could actually be where I learned the word.  Huh.  How about that?  Not every day you remember where and when you learned a new word.



Let it get to the Chorus

Beds Are Burning - Midnight Oil

You know it.  Just let it get to the chorus. 

I know, but you do  know it.  You've heard it before. 


I promise.





That's it for this week folks.  Sorry for the shortness of this blog.  I am still quite sick and feeling bleck.  Need sleep...and food.  Sleep and food.  Food, then sleep.  Yeah. 

KKNY signing off.

TTT #62: It's New To Me This Week

This has been one hell of a week.  I have been sick (thanks Beebs), yesterday I had the worst migraine I have ever had in my life (thanks Brain), the coughing from said illness is causing rapid unannounced flash migraines AND I broke my girlfriend's car (then promptly had to fix it).  Erin is away in Lafayette training it up for her new job and I'm just sitting here alone with the cats wondering if you can overdose on Excedrin Migraine.  Since you can overdose on water, I'm assuming yes.  Just for the record that was me wondering, not the cats.  I thought about editing but meh.

Anyway, you didn't come here for my ailments, I was merely letting you know that I shall be brief.  Again.  =\

On with it.


TTT #62 Playlist
Twitter for Spotify Playlist


DubDubDub

The Wire - HAIM

This is by far my favorite new song/band this week.  I am really digging their quasi old school sound.  It definitely has a feel I can get behind.  Good catchy melodies and electronic-ness gets me every time.

Plus they do a pretty good cover (IMO) of Strong Enough by Sheryl Crow.



Walmart Radio

Wake Me Up - Avicii

This is one of those songs that plays at work that I hear three times a night.  It has spent the past week in my head.  It will not go away whether I like it or not.  There are a couple of songs on here that are ear worms brought on by not having my headphones in at work.

Forgetting headphones can be a horrible, horrible occurrence when it is the only thing that gets you through the day.




Are You Not Entertained?!

Glory & Gore - Lorde

This is my current favorite Lorde song.  Royals got overplayed by the radio in a hurry.  Tennis Court was quickly overplayed by yours truly.  I just have to give a month or so without hearing it so I can normal out.

Ya know?


The Walmart "Spark"

Safe & Sound - Capital Cities

I already knew the song Kangaroo Court by Capital Cities.  It was featured way back in Thuper Thong Thurthday #16:  Apartment Dancing!  Which is still something that I love doing btw.  A good apartment/house dance when no one is home is freeing.  Anyway, I was unaware this song was Capital Cities when I went hunting for it.

I only had Safe and Sound and that little horn break to go on.

That dude still has a bitchin' beard.



 Not Walmart

Midnight City - M83

I have no idea where I first heard this song.  I recognize the little electronic riff bit at the beginning, so I know I have heard a bunch of times.

I don't think it was Walmart.  At this point I really can't tell.  It's jamming little track though. *bobs head*



Kinda Creepy

Turkish Delight - Susanne Sundfor

This song is obviously about the tasty treat that nearly brought about the ruin of Narnia and had Edmund Pevensie eating out of the White Queen's hand.  If you have no idea what I'm talking about, it is from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.  Great book.   This song has a creepy lilt to it.  I can't tell if it makes me happy or sad.  It is definitely chilly either way.



Marketing

Say Something - A Great Big World & A Diva (But Not Here)


This is a very good song.  I don't think it would be even remotely popular if Christina Aguilera wasn't singing on it.  If you call Xtina you call her for the pipes, not the subdued background vocals.  Not that she does a bad job, or that I dislike Christina Aguilera.  Neither is true.  She is a great singer.  I just feel somewhere along the line she was tacked on to this track in order to make A Great Big World popular.

I am sure she likes the song, it's a good song.  I just smell PR all over this.  There is a version out there with some other chick that sang it just as well.  Might even have been her possible big break.  Christina is a front woman.  Not a background singer.  It's just fact.

Still love the song though.  It's just the business I don't like.



Weird

Gypsy (Live @ The AMPYA Moment) - Lady Gaga


Lady Gaga's look wavers from normal to hot to strange to terrifyingly creepy.  I will post the video for this.  It should be watched.  I will, however, warn you that she wears a mustache for the whole video.  It does detract from it.  But she has some pipes.

This is a great song (IMO as a fellow Gypsy) and she does an amazing job belting it out.  Especially the choruses.  She has an amazing amount of control and I like this version better than the album version.  She does lose me about 4 minutes in when she starts the I My My I My My stuff.  Not really my thing.  But hey, she's an artist, it's her bag.  Just thought I'd share because I really like this version.

Video (you have been warned about the mustache.)



That's it for this week folks.  Next week I'll be bringing back some long lost musical favorites that you probably haven't thought about in years.  Ooooo it's gonna be good.

See ya then.  KKNY signing off.

TTT #61: It's My Jams!

I have held off this week's Thuper Thong Thurthday til Saturday for a very good reason.  It is both my mother and my girlfriend's birthday.  In honor of this auspicious occasion I have decided to make a playlist dedicated to this day.  As my mother probably doesn't read this blog, it's all for Erin, my grillfriend:  

That's her doing the morning-on-my-way-to-school-gotta-hit-up-Starbucks-because-I'll-pass-out-if-I-Don't thing.

This week's playlist is dedicated to her.  She came up with the title upon hearing the songs.

Happy Birthday Bebe. (and Mom!)


TTT #61 Playlist
Twitter for Spotify Playlist


I Might Die 4 You...Depends...

I Would Die 4 You - Prince

I would die for her in the right circumstances.  If there was a robbery, car crash, crazed gunman.  I would do that.  If she decided to do something I find completely irresponsible and foolish, such as dancing in the middle of the interstate because she's had too much wine to drink, then no.  She deserved that shit.  That's just crazy.

I'd try and keep her from doing it, of course.  But if an angel showed up and asked to me to change places, "I'm good.  She got her self into it, she can get herself out" would be my response.

Sorry dear.



Ain't Another Woman That Can Take Your Spot My...

My Love - Justin Timberlake

She would leave me for him.  I know this.  So I decided to buy her tickets to one of his shows...in order...to better...facilitate...our...brea...

I feel like I've been lied to...


Unhealthy Obsession With Hall AND Oates

You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates

Do you think in that picture Daryl Hall was just like "Dude...does rolling my sleeves up like this make my shoulder smell funny?" *sniffsniff* "Nah you're good bro" would be John's reply.  Then in that exact moment the photographer snapped the camera.  Giving us this slightly homoerotic, completely 80's,  pose, forever associated with their careers.

I wonder if that bothers them to this day?



Heh

Dancing With Myself - Billy Idol

Heh.  Dancing.  With "himself".  Know what that means?  All alone.  "Dancing".  By himself.

Eh? Eh, do ya?  Alone?  Dancing? Give ya hint, he makes that same face when "dances" with himself.  No?

It's masturbation.  I have thought about making a playlist dedicated to song that you probably didn't know were about masturbation.  Like Turning Japanese.  Think about it...it's racist and messed up.  But still...think about it...



J-I-M-B-O

The Jimbo Song - Reverend Horton Heat

We have seen The Rev a couple of times and they put on one hell of a show.  That's Jimbo all the way to the right on the upright bass.  He can play the hell out of that bass too.  If you like rockabilly in any way, shape or form, you should definitely go and check out one of their shows.  They are usually cheap and full of energy.

Go now. 



Hey...

Hey - The Pixies

I don't really listen to The Pixies.  I have nothing against them.  I just don't partake.  In all honesty.  I am not even sure if that is them in the picture.  I just Google Image'd 'The Pixies' and grabbed the first pic I liked. 

I hope that's them.  That would be embarrassing.



Yep...Him too...

Everlong - The Foo Fighters

Yep.  She'd leave me for him too.  That seems to be a trend in this list I am not sure that I like. 

I may need to have a "talk" with Erin.


Heh...baby Dave Grohl doesn't even have a real beard.  pft. *walks away slowly*



Our First Concert Together

In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3 - Coheed & Cambria

Erin and I have been to many concerts together.  We have seen everything from the big ones like Paul McCartney, Elton John, Rod Stewart, and U2 to the smaller ones like The Weepies, Manchester Orchestra, 311 and The All-American Rejects.  We have been to Ozzfest.  We have been to Warped Tour.  We've done John Mayer in the rain.  We done KISS with a broken ankle and a break down.

We have many concert adventures, Erin and I, but we have seen Coheed no less than seven times.  Possibly more.  I will always remember our first concert, albeit not as a couple, was Avenged Sevenfold *shudder* and Coheed.  Coheed was awesome.  Avenged Sevenfold; not a fan. Sorry guys.

When I hear this song I always think of my beebs.  So I added yet another  man she would leave me for.  But that's OK, cause I love her none the less. 

Happy Birthday Miss Evans, If You Please. 

I Love You =)

KKNY signing off.

TTT #60: Epic Sax Songs From The 70's & 80's

I have been milling over this playlist for a couple of months.  I think I have finally found a good mix of sweet sax-y music for your ear holes.

The 70's and 80's was a good time from a smooth sax solo meant to bring images of weird late night movies that children shouldn't watch.  There is also the ripping, burning, raunch of a good sax solo.  I have them all in this list.  Even a little of that smooth adult contemporary.

Let's get on with it.  It's business time. Ooooo...


TTT #60 Playlist
Twitter For Spotify Playlist



Careful Screaming? Is that an opposite?

Careless Whisper - George Michael

I like starting my list off with a blatant I-know-that-will-be-on-the-list kind of song.  Hooks people it.  Careless whisper has the benefit of having that smooth saxiness with a hint of raunchy.  Look how raunchy George Michael is in that picture.  With his one earring.  Dangling there.  All...raunchy like.

Raunchy.  Raunchy.  Raunchy.

Now the word has lost its meaning.  RAHN-chee.  Ron-CHEE.  RoW-n-CHEE.  Moving on...

Raunch Incarnate


Another Classic...

Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty

I learned while doing this podcast that Gerry Rafferty was the lead singer for Stealer's Wheel, who had a hit with Stuck In The Middle With You.  Who knew?  I certainly didn't.

I tried desperately to try and find a video of an SNL skit that my girlfriend really loves that features this song.  I was completely unable to find it.  My GooleFu has failed me.  I can only assume that this isn't the song that I was thinking of.  Which is annoying.



Tom...Tom...

Who Can It Be Now - Men At Work

Little known fact, at least on the Internet.  When my girlfriend was just a young, tiny Erin she went on a cruise to yo ole El Carrib.  There they played the song Land Down Under enough times for it to cause her eye to twitch uncontrollably even here 10-15 later.  I wonder if her hatred of that song carries over to this one.  This song jams for me.  YeeeeeeAAAhh.

Colin Hay in that picture up there is kind of giving me the creeps though.  I realize that it is supposed to be a funny face but I think there is a fine, fine line between funny and just down right serial killer-y.



This is an Emergency.  Seriously.

Urgent - Foreigner

This is one of those ripping End-Credits-of-Saturday-Night-Live solos that I was talking about it.

SNL Ending Theme



I Ain't Nothin' But Tired (Story Of My Life)

Dancing In The Dark - Bruce Springsteen

In the song Dancing in the Dark, Bruce Springsteen dispensed fair bit of really useful advice.  Such as "You can't start a fire without a spark."  Completely true.  You can't start a fire without a spark.  That's just basic science.

He also said "You can't start a fire sitting around crying over a broken heart."  Also completely true.  There is no way that sitting around crying over a broken heart will start a fire.  Unless you were burning a bunch of candles and listening to James Blunt and right as the chorus of Goodbye My Lover hits you fall down in despair, accidentally knocking the candle down.  The argument could be made then that the fire started when you lit the candle.  So The Boss' advice stands.

He also said "You can't start a fire worrying about your little world falling apart."  This makes me believe that Bruce Springsteen might not actually know how a fire is started.  He may be just eliminating the things he has tried.  You could also start a fire if you're world is falling apart.  \

Think of how crazy this is:

I Don't Even Know What Pink Sidewinders ARE...

It's Still Rock & Roll To Me - Billy Joel


I would go see Billy Joel live in a heart beat.  I want just him and a microphone.  Just playin'.  Ya know?  Just...playin'.  

I really would go see him though.  Hope he goes on tour soon.   Of course if it was just him and his piano, sans sax, I wouldn't get this solo.  That is what this blog is about, I suppose.  Is this blog really ABOUT anything?  I doubt it.  Let's not delve too deep into that chasm.

Not good.



Swayze

Hungry Eyes - Eric Carmen

Ahh the classic from Dirty Dancing.  At least that is what always comes to mind when I hear this song.  The classic 80's movie about a mid 20's vagabond greaser/dancer who seduces a teenage daughter of one of the guests at the Catskills resort in which he works.  When her father doesn't approve of their courtship, as any sane father wouldn't,  ("What do you mean you love him?  We've only been here  for four days!!  Get in the damn car...") the vagabond greaser/dancer tells the father that at no time shall the teenage girl in question be sat in the 90 degree meeting of two walls.  Then proceeds to walk off with said teenager and dance in front of the entire resort.  Mid 20's.  Teenage girl. Everyone just accepts it.  Acceptance.  Pft.  Unacceptable.

Classic 80's.




So...Mellow...at first...

You Belong To The Night - Glenn Frey

Did you know that this guy was a founding member of The Eagles?  I didn't.

Blew my mind.



We and They

Us And Them -Pink Floyd

I have never smoked Marijuana.  I had asthma as a kid.  It stinks.  I also know waaaay too many potheads and most of them, not all, but most, have burned a good portion of their thinking brain away.  Far, far away.  BUT if I did...if I did...I would definitely have Floyd playing in the background.

This is the perfect chill out song.  Which is what I'm told you do when you are really high.  Other than eat of course.  Sit.  Eat.  I can do that without smelling skunk and not being able to breathe.

Still...Floyd...



 The Quintessential Sax Song

Songbird - Kenny G

Look!  It's a young Kenny G and some random white guy that looks remarkably like Screech from Saved By The Bell!






Honorable Mention - doesn't really fit the theme but it is one of my favorite, albeit very simple, sax solos.  Great song.


Thanks for sticking around.  =)

KKNY signing off.

TTT #59: Goin' To The Roadhouse...

Did you know that Road House starring Patrick Swayze is the most re run movie on television?  If you watch a lot of TV and haven't seen this 80's masterpiece you are really handicapping yourself culturally.

It has all the best parts of an 80's "action" movie.  Over the top villain.  Over the top villain henchmen.  Over the top lead villain henchman with one earring.  A blind guy.  Boobs.  Love interest.  Colorful half-rememberable characters.  Big Foot.  Blood.  Tai Chi.  Boobs.  Cheesy, but still amazingly quotable lines.  "Be Nice, until it's time to not be nice."  and Boobs.  Only once, but worth mentioning.  I think it was required in 80's cinema.


TTT #59 Playlist
Twitter For Spotify Playlist


How Could This NOT Start It?!

Roadhouse Blues - The Doors

I like my Doors like I like my women, shut and with facial hair.



Poke Is Not Kosher

Poke Chop Sandwich - ZZ Top

This will be the first of two These-Guys-Look-Like-Baddasses-Then-Like-Doofi pictures on this list.

This is what ZZ Top looks like now.  Jammin beards.  The only guy in the band without a beard, Frank Beard.  Irony.  So awesome they can actually right a pretty sweet song about a pork chop sandwich.   Pork chop sandwich...sittin on a drum... *gasp* genius...



Both Kinds; Country AND Western

Sweet Home Chicago - The Blues Brothers

This is another movie you are seriously hurting your American Cultural identity by having not seen.  It is just fantastic.  They are on a mission from God.  If you aren't American, and want to be, first, don't, second, watch The Blues Brothers and Road House.  That's exactly what it's like here.

Seriously.



It's Called Rain Dumbass

The Sky Is Crying - Stevie Ray Vaughan

This is the second artist, first picture, of the These-Guys-Look-Like-Baddasses-Then-Like-Doofi pictures in this list.  SRV is probably the only person that could sport an Amish style hat with Native American belt medallions around it and not get his ass kicked.

The reason for this is because he could play guitar.  Really, really, really well.  Even behind his back.  As seen above.  Like I said, badass.  Shiny shirt and all.




No Lindsey Buckingham, You Can't Play With Us

Black Magic Woman - Fleetwood Mac

Yes this is Fleetwood Mac.  But not as you know them.  This was before Lindsey Buckingham and his girlfriend Stevie Nicks.  Peter Green was the original singer for this band.  Although I am glad this particular iteration of Fleetwood Mac didn't survive, when they go in to the shuffle at the end of this song, I lose it.

It is such a better version.  Shitty recording.  Better version.



Does it Flood In TX?

Texas Flood - Stevie Ray Vaughan

This is the way I like my SRV.  He feels  that shit.  Look. At.  His. Face.

Feelin'. That. Shit.

Everybody Played On This Damn Song

How Blue Can You Get - The Louisiana Gator Boys

This song is from The Blues Brothers 2000 movie.  You really just need to watch the clip.  Just about every famous blues artist is in this band. 

 My Favorite Blues Song

Blue Jean Blues - ZZ Top

Yep.  That Goofy bunch is ZZ Top from the early, early days.  That's all I can muster to comment about that.  It hurts my heart a little bit.

*tears*

Well that's all folks.  How you enjoyed the blues.  Although that would not make sense since they are blues.  I'm going to be really honest here,  writing "sense since" in that last sentence almost gave me a brain hemorrhage.  I'm leaving now.

KKNY signing off.