In which I click the shuffle icon on the increasingly frustrating iTunes app and listen to the first five songs that pop up from the years 1976-85.
- "Art Decade" by David Bowie (1977, RCA)
A melancholy instrumental from the Low album that's probably more Eno than Bowie, but that doesn't matter because it's gorgeous. Seems strange hearing it out of context in a shuffle, though. - "Your Imagination" by Maxus (1981, Warner Bros.)
My buddy Herc hipped me to the West Coast goodness of Maxus a few years back and I'm glad he did cuz you know we love yacht rock around here. This is a quality deep cut from their first and only album, which didn't chart but certainly should have. I'm gonna blame Warner Bros. for not giving it the promotion it deserved. Underrated and unappreciated.
If you like Toto and such and haven't yet heard Maxus, go listen now: - "The Girls Want to Be With the Girls" by Talking Heads (1982, Sire)
Originally on the More Songs About Buildings and Food album, this 1978 live version from The Name of This Band is Talking Heads 2004 reissue has much more energy and life. Seems strange to admit, but Talking Heads were a better live band than studio band.Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Exhibit C - "Pass It On" by Yellowjackets (1983, Warner Bros.)
One of my high school band directors led me to the Mirage à Trois album just as I was discovering jazz music. I promptly dubbed a cassette and it got plenty of playing time in my car for the next few years. This is a nice ballad and one of the better tracks from that album. This early iteration of the group didn't have a saxophone player and it isn't missed at all. This track contains a tasty extended guitar solo by Robben Ford and lots of electric piano. - "Slit Skirts" by Pete Townshend (1982, ATCO)
Despite its mediocre verse melody, this the second best song on the so-so All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes (the best is "Face Dances Part Two", if you're curious), but that's not saying much.
No comments :
Post a Comment