In which I click the shuffle icon on the increasingly frustrating iTunes app (no, Apple, I don't want to stream, I want to listen to my files) and listen to the first five songs that pop up from the years 1976-85.
- "Open City" by The Waitresses (1983, Polydor)
The group's second album, Bruiseology, isn't that great but this is one of the better tunes on said album. A good groove that's unmistakably Waitresses, the song switches gears about two minutes in to what sounds like a bridge, but turns out to be the tail end of the song. Doesn't make much sense and doesn't really work. - "White Hot Day" by Simple Minds (1984, A&M)
Powerful Simple Minds from the height of their powers. This is the sort of the song that marked the group's transition from ethereal, moody music to bombastic rock. I like both so no matter. I prefer side one of Sparkle in the Rain, but "White Hot Day" could be the highlight of side two. I really should give this album more of my attention as its been a while since we connected. - "I Don't Need Her" by The Outfield (1985, Columbia)
Wasn't chosen as a single from Play Deep, but it coulda been. Typical Outfield: high-flying vocals, close harmonies, drums way up in the mix and I dig it all. Perfect music for a flat, straight, open road. I was 19 years old in in 1985, so the lyrics were very timely - I was definitely the target audience for that kinda teenage relational stuff. - "Disco Tech" by Carole King (1978, Capitol)
I usually don't consider King a disco artist. For good reason, it turns out. - "I Can't Help It" by Grover Washington, Jr. (1980, Motown)
With help from some of my favorite studio jazzers (Eric Gale, Marcus Miller, Richard Tee, Ralph Mac Donald), Grover covers a Michael Jackson tune written by Stevie Wonder. With that pedigree, you know its gotta be good. And it is.
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