When It’s Springtime In Alaska

Where have I been in the past week? My head was buried in the dirt for much of it, embarrassed for my Nittany Lions after talking them up so much.

And after another loss yesterday, what can you really say? Anthony Morelli has done all he can in the quarterback spot—it’s hard to criticize a college player because he’s not a professional athlete, he’s young, and he’s uncompensated for his performance on the field and whatever he shit he takes off the field. But I don’t think all of this is his fault—it’s his coaches. We’ve seen the Paterno Quarterback Club before—it is rare that one of them will rise up. Michael Robinson did this, and perhaps that’s why so many expected big things from Morelli. I shared some of these thoughts with PC—he said, “Yeah, but remember everyone said that two years ago and then you won the Orange Bowl.” That’s true. But Paterno hasn’t adjusted the game plans one bit this season—nothing exemplifies this more than out their play against Michigan. All we had to do was open up the offense and spread it out. And we sure didn’t do a damned thing. I love JoePa, he’s done incredible things for Penn State and its football program, and he’s a legend of the game. Hell, he’s one of my heroes. But I’m not going to be an apologist anymore—much of this is his fault. A quarterback’s confidence is based on how much confidence his coach has in him. Unfortunately, Joe plays to not lose. He hasn’t been playing to win. And that’s how Morelli has been playing. Those three interceptions in Illinois, I think, were his attempt to win, but he wasn’t able to step up, mainly because JoePa has never fully dropped the leash. And now, I fear that we’re in for a long season. Special thanks to PC for calling me and giving play-by-play throughout the last half of the game. Seems Comcast can't get The Big Ten Network and that both parties are assholes. But PC is getting it in Chicago, which is great. Also, I'd like to formally apologize for ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. He talked up Penn State before the Michigan game, ranked us at number five, and picked us to win the championship. We made Kirk Herbstreit look like an asshole the past two weeks. Kirk, thank you for believing in us, and I'm sorry. By the way, I had no idea that you are an avid Star Wars fan.

Coconut Grove – The Lovin’ Spoonful

Autumn Almanac – The Kinks

Rings – Cymarron

Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone – Nina Stern

Piece of My Heart – Erma Franklin

Saginaw, Michigan – Lefty Frizzell

When It’s Springtime in Alaska – Johnny Horton


Don’t Hang No Halos On Me – Connie Eaton

White Lightening – George Jones

Gather ‘Round – Love
Note on this song: discovered it at The Rising Storm. Check out that blog (it's linked on our side) for some amazing songs.

There’s a great essay in the New York Times today by Stephen King. I may not always love the man’s fiction, but his “Pop of King” column in Entertainment Weekly is first-rate and I always enjoy hearing his thoughts on writing. The essay laments the state of the short story—it seems Uncle Stevie thinks that most stories read as if they were written for teachers, writers, or would-be-writers. The stories don’t make you want to know what happens next—which, as I remember, is what made me first love the art form of storytelling so much. My grandmother knows this—it’s how she tells stories. There is suspense, humor, drama, and a beginning, middle, and end. But above all, her stories are entertaining. And that’s what writing should be—there’s an audience who just wants a good story. Of course that audience is shrinking by the day—as King rightfully points out, many people who read literary journals like Zoetrope of Ecotone are teachers, writers, or would-be-writers. And yet, many of these people, it seems, don’t consider the actual story of a story.

I could count on one hand how many times people told me to write a good story in graduate school—however, that story is much different for undergrad. Sure, there’s a place for lyricism, for a stunning poetic sentence, but if you can’t tell me a story, why should I listen or read what you’re offering? And more often than not, many can’t tell a story and their lyricism is hazy and abstruse—it’s like looking out a window while having cataracts on your eyes. King’s reference to Bob Dylan’s line about “the true meaning of a pear” was hilarious but strangely relevant. I wonder if either of these men have read lyric essays or literary criticism?

Here’s a bonus song:
I Am Drinking Again – Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy

Fuck

...the Pain Away

...the World

Don't Talk to Me. Don't Sing. Shut Up, Asswipe.

I'm tired, but I want to make a little post before bed. A little instrumental mix to send us off to dreamland.

Alice in Chains: Whale and Wasp

I love these guys and wish they were still making music. I think many people think of their musics as barrels of sludge, and while that is most often right, sometimes I think it's barrels of moss with a few wildflowers strewn about. Such a gorgeous tune off of the great "Jar of Flies." Hints of Metallica in this song. I think they toured together.

M Ward: Transfiguration No. 1

Off of "The Transfiguration of Vincent." M Ward is a wonderful guitar player and I wish he'd put out an album of instrumental numbers like this.

John Fahey: Bicycle built for Two

I'd be remiss not to put a track off of Fahey's "The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death." We post him a lot on here. For a reason. No need to discuss it further. Just listen.

Fleetwood Mac: Sunny Side of Heaven

Off of "Bare Trees," an album I recently bought and am currently in love with. It's nice.

John Fahey: On the Sunny Side of the Ocean

Ah, fuck it.

Lambchop: Being Tyler

I love Lambchop, I really do. But I don't listen to them enough. It's weird.

Neutral Milk Hotel: (Untitled)

Well, yeah.

The Frames: In the Deep Shade

Gorgeous like first ice in winter.

Night night. Go Bucks, Go Nittany Lions.

PC

A Trip to the Shit House

Last year on our now defunct IDM blog, I made a pre-game post for the Michigan and Penn State match-up. A few hours later, I made another post simply titled “Fuck Michigan.” That pretty much speaks for itself. Michigan ruined Penn State’s 2005 season, with quarterback Chad Henne connecting a touchdown pass to Mario Manningham in the final seconds of the game, and thus winning the game. As recently as a year ago, I still dreamed about that game and woke with a ball of pain in my stomach. Out of all the sporting events I’ve watched in this my life, this was easily one of the worst moments, right up there with the Cub’s disastrous play-off run in 2004. With the game at Beaver Stadium in 2006, the game was supposed to be revenge for Penn State. Unfortunately, and there’s no better way to say this, Michigan man-handled us. We walked away bruised, battered, and embarrassed yet again.

But it’s a new year. Penn State is a better team. Michigan is, I hope, a worse team. And we’re going back to The Shit House to play them again tomorrow. It’s a huge rivalry and the game is going to be tough, even if Michigan did start out their season at 0-2. It’s Big Ten ball and anything can happen. If Michigan wins, then they’re back on track and could make a run for the Big Ten title. If Penn State wins, we’ll be the team that everyone else will try to knock us off.

I hope lots of Penn State fans make the trip to Michigan—and of course, don’t buy anything while in Michigan, a long-standing tradition PC’s Green Hornet Society has abided by. Never contribute to Michigan’s economy. My friend Nick made the trip in 2005 and felt his heart turn to cement in a matter of seconds. He’s making the trip again this year. He deserves a win against the Wolverines. We all do.

Do you know what wolverines are? They’re weasels. They prey upon animals that are injured. They’re strong and sneaky—they’ve been known to kill moose. Basically, they sound like real asshole animals to me. So I guess it’s no surprise that Lloyd Carr is the coach of the Michigan Wolverines. This man is the biggest whiner, sourpuss, and asshole in the Big Ten and all of college football—sorry Fupa Weis. The fact that he created two extra seconds in the 2005, which decided the outcome, makes him akin to the devil in my book.

But Carr and his Wolverines can’t escape the Nittany Lions this year. Mountain lions can kill prey seven times bigger than they are. All they need is a single bite at the base of the skull to break their prey’s neck, much like Dan Connor drives offensive players into their graves. Normally, lions like to snack on the larger animals (maybe Trojans?), but they will eat smaller pests, such as wolverines. And I think on Saturday afternoon in Ann Arbor, MI, the Penn State Nittany Lions are going to just pure fucking devour some pansy-ass Michigan Wolverines.

Here’s a little PSU vs. Michigan mix.

Heartbeats – Scala and Kolacny Brothers (The Knife cover)
This somber, piano-driver song reminds me of the heartbreak Penn State has suffered in the past eight years to Michigan. I like to reflect on those past losses—the sadness, strangely, motivates me.

Of Fortuna – Carl Orff
A classical music, sporting event staple. The soaring choir and the rocketing build-up are a prelude to battle.

This Will Be Our Year – The Zombies
Took a long time to come.

In the Air Tonight – Phil Collins
The drums are at the 3:41 mark, for those wondering. Oh Lord.

Welcome to the Jungle – Guns ‘n Roses
Nothing like some GNR to shred some strings and get you fired up.

Penn State Fight Song – The Penn State Blue Band

TNT – AC/DC
Oi! Oi! Oi!

20th Century Boy – T. Rex
Loud and full of glam.

Whipping – Pearl Jam
Don’t need a helmet, got a hard, hard head.

Search and Destroy – Iggy & The Stooges
The one who searches and destroys.

Seek and Destroy – Metallica
We’re looking for you to start up a fight.

Mama Said Knock You Out – LL Cool Jay
I still all the lyrics to this after fifteen years or so.
The Nittany Lion – The Penn State Blue Band

Numb (Encore) – Jay Z with Linkin Park
I don’t even like Linkin Park, but this song is great.

Right Now – Van Halen
Eight years losing? It’s time to turn this thing around, right now. This song also makes me want to drink a can of Crystal Pepsi.

Lose Yourself – Eminem
Listening to those opening lines—yeah, I know it’s about a rapper, but I like to think it’s about Anthony Morelli, ready to drop bombs.

B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad) – Outkast
Is this the best rap song ever recorded? It’s definitely in the top three. Don't pull the thang out, unless you plan to bang!

The Final Countdown – Europe
There’s no way I can hear this without thinking of Arrested Development. Look at banner, Michael!

Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
The epitome of 80’s cheese and sports cliché, but damned if I care. I love it.

Zombie Nation Remix – Kernkraft
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh.

The Nittany Lion’s Roar

Summer Is Over: Disc Two

Another week of pro and college football has passed. Both of our teams—PC’s Buckeyes and Browns, and my Nittany Lions and Steelers—came away with wins. Good weekend for sports. And the weather was perfect. Chilly fall days, crisp blue skies, and cool nights. Nothing better. PC criticized the title of my last post—yes, it wasn’t entirely accurate, but then again, since I’m a Penn State fan, I can’t exactly take up Ohio State’s cause. I just hope that anyone who plays Michigan ends up beating them.

As promised, here’s disc two of the annual fall mix. The first mix has expired, but if you have a request, I'm sure we can get a few back up.

Ghost Riders In the Sky – The Ramrods

A mix of surf instrumental and cowboy punk—I don’t know what you’d call it other than original and great.

Dreamer – Jenn Grant
Another original soung—Jenn Grant mixes up traditional folk, found sounds, and some good beats. She’s every bit as good as Feist but isn’t on an iPod commercial.

Monkberry Moon Delight – Paul McCartney
I consider this Sir Paul’s most underrated song off the largely forgotten album Ram. It sounds as if Paul, along with those back-up singers, snorted five pounds of coke before the producer hit the record button. He screams the lyrics and sounds like a maniac. But it’s loaded with energy, absurd lyrics, and a bass line that propels this thing into infinity.

In Your Veins – The Soundtrack of Our Lives
This Swedish band has been around for years and sound like the perfect throwback to the sixties. This melancholy tracks, with the strings, the delicate piano, and the haunting vocals are sublime.

No Moon – Iron & Wine
Nothing like some dusty, old-timey sounding music for the fall.

Place to Be – Nick Drake
Not there is anything to say here that hasn’t already been said.

Milk and Honey – Jackson C. Frank
Check out the history of this guy. Music this pretty only comes from someone this tortured—see above song.

King Harvest (Has Surely Come) – The Band
Scarecrow and a yellow moon,
and pretty soon a carnival on the edge of town,
King Harvest has surely come.

Friday Night at the Drive-In Bingo – Jens Lekman
This song just reminds of driving around with friends in high school, with nowhere to go, except somewhere we didn’t want to be.

Sunny Sunday Mill Valley Groove Day – Frank Black
I love this song, but damned if it isn’t hard to sing along with that chorus.

Forget Marie – Lee Hazelwood
Gonna go as far as fourteen dollars will take a fool like me…

These Dreams – Jim Croce
Another great artist who died way too young—seems there are too many on this mix. Croce had his own guitar playing style and voice. He’ll always remain one of my favorites.

Seasons – Chris Cornell
One of my favorites off the Singles soundtrack. Cornell’s voice, as always, is amazing. And the acoustic guitars. I love it.

House on the Lake – Rosanne Cash
This is my favorite song off her very good Black Cadillac, an elegy to the famous lake house Johnny and June shared.

Round the Bend – Beck
Sea Change makes my desert island list, the closest anyone has gotten to recording a Hank Williams album since Hank stopped doing it in 1953. The straight-forward lyrics, the finger-picking, the misery and heartache, the strings—this is his masterpiece and I don’t think he’ll ever top it.

California Dreamin’ – The Mamas and the Papas
All the leaves are brown. And the sky is gray.

Pretty Ballerina – The Left Banke
That off-key piano reminds me of leaves falling.

Laid a Highway – Tift Merritt
If country music still had any balls left, Tift Merritt would be a fucking star—sorry Faith Hill, but you suck. Tift is a great songwriter, singer, and has a great stage presence. I could listen to her all day.

Route 23 – Chatham County Line
A fine bluegrass band from North Carolina—saw them open for Tift Merritt during my former life. Another song about a road passing a town by. Reminds me of what recently happened in the area where I grew up.

I Saw the Light – Hank Williams
I’ve said this many times—Hank Williams is one of the best songwriters because he never wasted a word. This gospel song is poetic, beautiful, and tragic, considering the vices that eventually killed Williams. His voice is alive and strong in this, as it always will be.

All the Young Dudes – Mott the Hoople
Yes, maybe the only time Hank Sr. and glam rock have been juxtaposed with each other. The soaring chorus, the angst-soaked delivery of the lyrics—it was all written by David Bowie, who claims the song is about the apocalypse, not a trashing of the 60s as most thought.

Long May You Run – Neil Young
An elegy to his first car, but it could just as well be about anything.

We Don't Give Damn for the Whole State of Michigan

Columbus , OH (AP) - A seven-year old boy was at the center of a Franklin County courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child custody law and regulation requiring that family unity be maintained to the highest degree possible.

The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried and said that they also beat him.

After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him.

After two recesses to check legal references and confer with the Child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the University of Michigan Wolverines , whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.


Tick Tick Boom – The Hives

The “tick, tick” you hear? That’s the sound of Penn State’s Dan Conner running up behind you. The “boom” is him pummeling you eight inches into the ground. Once PSU gets through Buffalo this weekend, we're going to The Shit House and taking on those Wolverines for some long-deserved payback.

Be back Sunday for the second disc of my fall mix.

Deep in the Soil

Carnations

Pale blossoms, each balanced on a single jointed stem,

The leaves curled back in elaborate Corinthian scrolls;

And the air cool, as if drifting down from wet hemlocks,

Or rising out of ferns not far from water,

A crisp hyacinthine coolness,

Like that clear autumnal weather of eternity,

The windless perpetual morning above a September cloud.

--Theodore Roethke

Bobby Bare Jr.'s Young Criminals Starvation League:

The Heart Bionic

Back to Blue

Sticky Chemical

Uh Wuh Oh

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy:

One with the Birds

The Southside of the World

Mont de Sundua:

Space Beast

My Morning Jacket:

Golden

I think this is the best song written in the past 30 or so years... I need to think about this more before I get verbose, but I seriously think it's the best since...

Bob Dylan:

Tangled up in Blue

Have a good weekend. Santa called me the other day. He's sees every last one of you fuckers.
Go Bucks.
PC

Summer Is Over: Disc One

The second week of college football has passed—Penn State climbed to number twelve and their defense has yet to give up a touchdown in a game. PC’s OSU Buckeyes are ranked ten and will hopefully stay undefeated until Oct. 27, when PSU obliterates them at Beaver Stadium. The NFL caps off their first weekend with a Monday night double-header tonight. Yes, fall is in full swing in my mind, no matter the temperatures. It’s time for wood smoke to fog the air, time for leaves to fire over with the colors of autumn, time for baseball playoffs, and time for chilly evening breezes.

Continuing upon PC’s excellent fall-themed post from a few days ago, I’m presenting the first disc of a fall mix series. Two years ago, PC gave me a mix CD called “Longing for the Midwestern Autumn.” It remains one of my favorite mixes to this day and featured that great Kingsbury Manx song he posted. I’ve lifted a few off that mix, reused some from last year’s mix, and stole a few from others. No matter where I got them, let this mix be your soundtrack to fall.

Elysium Number Five – Sir Richard Bishop
If you’re not familiar with Richard Bishop, do yourself a favor and buy everything you can. His solo work is supposedly largely improvisational, all the more impressive considering that he’s one of the very best guitarists alive today.

The Summer Is Over – Gisela and the Spirits
I wish that I knew something about this late-60s track but unfortunately, I can’t find a thing on it. It’s a sublime little song about the loss of summer. The guitar work sounds foreboding to me—maybe because it reminds me of the classic Don Knotts movie The Ghost and Mr. Chicken.

The World Is Cold Without You – Nirvana (U.K.)
No, not that Nirvana, but the late-60s British progressive rock band. Their chamber pop definitely takes a page from The Zombies, but never received the attention they deserved. This song is a small masterpiece that should be a staple on every oldies station.

Honey Dove – Lee Fields and the Expressions
Maybe the best R&B song that wasn’t recorded in the 1960s? That grooving, slow burning guitar mixed with Fields’ passionate delivery sells this song. Throw in an organ and baby, you got yourself a stew!

I’ll Be Around – Bobby Bare Jr.
His dad’s a country legend, but Bobby Bare Jr. is a great artist in his own right. This comes from his 2002 album, but he’s got a new one and I hear that PC loves it—maybe he’ll give us a little sample?

A Little More Time – John Doe
I’ve been digging “A Year in the Wilderness” for about a month now. I’ve always loved John Doe—I’m not an X diehard, but once they went Americana on their later albums, I was hooked. This track features guest vocals but our next artist…

Summerlong – Kathleen Edwards
The voice, the lyrics, the music—Kathleen Edwards is pretty much perfect in my book. This is off “Back to Me,” surely one of my top three favorite albums released this decade. It’s a masterpiece straight through.

Downbound Train – Bruce Springsteen
This was originally going to be on “Nebraska”—I’d love to hear how Bruce stripped it down for that album. Instead, he jacked it up for “Born in the U.S.A.” and it retains its darkness—that desperate run through the front door at the end is one of my favorite Springsteen moments.

The End of the Summer – Dar Williams
My love for this song is unhealthy. I first heard it about a year ago and have listened to it at least once a week since. The imagery is poetic—that’s a cheesy description, but there’s no other way I can say it. There are lines in here that take my breath away: “I passed the farms that made it through the last days of the century.” Williams perfectly captures the loneliness and desperation of youth and America in just over four minutes in what is her finest song.

Flowers in December – Mazzy Star
Dream pop at its very best, Mazzy Star always stops me in my tracks, largely because of Hope Sandoval’s dusty, haunting vocals.

I’m On Nights – Richard Hawley
Here’s a guy who needs more attention. Hawley’s beautiful, acoustic songs are show-stoppers. “I’m On Nights” reminds me of that perfect fall evening, sitting on the porch, wearing a Covington.

I Wish I was the Moon – Neko Case
Oh Neko… Her voice can cure all that ails you.

Crazy as a Loon – John Prine
I was a late bloomer to John Prine—sure, I’d heard of him, but never really listened to him. This one is off his last album and it’s a doozey. He’s a master at the story song. By the time we up in the north woods at the end of the song, you’ll never want to be anywhere else. Relaxed and smooth—exactly how I hope your fall goes.

Committed to Parkview – Porter Wagoner
Another country legend, Wagoner has seen a spike this year with his album “Wagonmaster.” This song, supposedly based on real life experiences, is spare and haunting.

Lately I’ve Let Things Slide – Nick Lowe
Lowe doesn’t get enough respect as an artist. The guy can craft a perfect pop song but damned if no one listens. I love the laid-back shuffle to this song, perfect juxtaposition to a guy who’s watching his life slide away.

Let It Ride – Ryan Adams and the Cardinals
I’m going to see him on Friday and I’m hoping I get this song, among many others. This is a live version, taken from the Loft Sessions, and it’s slowed down from the album. Still, it remains on my favorite songs by him—there’s a restless, aimless draw to this narrative.

Make A Plan to Love Me – Bright Eyes
Yes, lots of people hate him—I’ve been trying to get PC to buy this album since it came out last spring. The strings, the background vocals—it’s like our girl group post all over again.

Hard Sun – Eddie Vedder with Corin Tucker
A cover off the upcoming “Into the Wild” soundtrack which Vedder contributes many songs to. The original, by Indio, is quite good, but a bit too lo-fi for my tastes. I love how big this song sounds—I can imagine it fitting well against shots of traveling America.

Kaleidoscope of Life – John Morgan
Turn it up—the rip’s a bit quiet. But for a seven minute song, it’s well worth it.

Be back later in the week for the second and final disc. Happy fall-ing!

Autumn Begins

Autumn Begins in Martins Ferry, Ohio
By James Wright

In the Shreve High football stadium,
I think of Polacks nursing long beers in Tiltonsville,
And gray faces of Negroes in the blast furnace at Benwood,
And the ruptured night watchman of Wheeling Steel,

Dreaming of heroes.

All the proud fathers are ashamed to go home.
Their women cluck like starved pullets,
Dying for love.

Therefore,
Their sons grow suicidally beautiful
At the beginning of October,
And gallop terribly against each other's bodies.

Falling up

Inspired by JV, I'm going to get in on the Fall mix... It's my favorite season, after all. I just wish it was here already! Here's to hoping. At least football is back.

The Kingsbury Manx: "Piss Diary"

One of my all time favorite songs by one of my all time favorite bands. They've yet to disappoint, album after album, line up change after line up change. Gorgeous tunes, great melodies, grace--they've been the soundtrack to so many moments of my life. Buy their work now! And see them live! Down to earth guys from NC doing what they love. This song is fall. Just listen. This whole album (Self-titled, their first) is like listening to the transition from fall to winter.

To see what they're up to, head over to their website: http://www.thekingsburymanx.com/

Jens Lekman: "Maple Leaves (EP Version)"

Sweden's own. Can't really remember how I discovered him, or if JV told me first or I told him, but we both fell for him at the same time. He has such a particular writing style. And his delivery, well, just listen.

Led Zeppelin: "The Rain Song"

A fall classic in my book. Reminds me of growing up. I think Zep does that for everyone. This one goes out to my buddy Ryan.

Mercury Rev: "Endlessly"

This song, of the album "Deserters Songs," is so wonderfully haunting. The whole album sounds like fall to me. Sadly, I'vd never seen this band perform.

The Zombies: "Care of Cell 44"

Off of the classic "Oddysey and Oracle." I bought this album in the fall and it will always remind me of the season. Such a great group. Still going at it too!

Neil Young: "One of these Days"

Anything off "Harvest Moon" would suffice, but I'll choose this. I'd like to sit down and write a long letter, too, most days.

The Band: "Rockin' Chair"

No fall post is complete without these guys. I think of JV now when I hear this... he's my 'Rag Time Willie"... We'll sit in a couple rockin chairs in October, when the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions clash...

Archer Prewitt: "O, KY"

Off of the great, underrecognized "Wilderness."

Yo La Tengo: "Autumn Sweater"

Duh.

That's it. Happy (soon to be) fall!

Go Buckeyes!

PC

100th Post and Site Redesign

You might notice a different appearance here at 77 Santas. During our late summer hiatus—we’ll return full-time on Saturday—we contacted Lemonade Designs to redo our page. Though we’re obviously biased, we think the new look is quite fetching. And what better time to update than our 100th post?

Our annual Christmas blow-out will start on November 1. And we’re already writing content, cataloguing songs, making a list and checking it twice, and so forth.

In the coming week or so, expect an annual fall music mix (something we started at the old site) along with some posts about college football. Lots and lots of posts about college football. September is one of my favorite months because it’s the start of college football season, which builds through the crisp fall evenings, and into December, which is of course our favorite month.

So, here’s a little preview of what’s coming—you can debate about whether this is a Christmas song or not. What’s not debatable is the fact that man on the right is the greatest football coach in history.

Hazy Shade of Winter – The Bangles

REPOST: 77 Santas

We received a special request yesterday about “77 Santas,” the song we’re named after. Naturally, we jump at any chance to post a Christmas tune, but we also strive to please our readers. Lorilei, I tried to find your profile and send this to you, but couldn’t get to your blog. So, I hope you stop back to read this post, originally posted last November.

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For the first post, it’s only fitting that I begin with our namesake. “77 Santas” by Gayla Peevey.Peevey is probably most famous for the novelty song “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” a 1953 regional hit in Oklahoma City. Peevey was only ten at the time. The exact origins of the song seem unclear. One version says that the Oklahoma City Zoo had no hippo at the time and that Peevey sang this song as a fundraiser. Another version, one claimed to have been corrected by Peevey. This comes from Wikipedia: “The record was released nationally by Columbia Records and because the Oklahoma City Zoo needed a hippo at the time, the song gave them the idea of putting together a major media blitz asking kids to send in nickels and dimes to raise money to buy Gayla a hippopotamus for Christmas. Matilda, a baby hippo, was presented to me, and I donated her to the zoo. In a roundabout way the song indeed helped the zoo acquire a hippopotamus, but the song was not recorded for that purpose.”Peevey recorded a few other hits, including “77 Santas.” This song probably dates to the mid-to-late 50s. She recorded several Christmas songs during this era—this is the only other song that I’ve heard. Her voice is distinct, precocious and childlike that captures that exuberance for all things Christmas that kids feel during December.Around 1960, Peevey recorded pop songs under a pseudonym but none achieved much success. Still, “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” remains popular on Christmas radio stations and collectors of novelty records. The last known fact about Peevey, at least according to one website, is that she lived in San Diego in 1999. We wish her well and would love to know the real story about these songs. So Gayla, if you happen to read this, let us know.

77 Santas – Gayla Peevey

Or, read the book!

Girls, Girls, Girls!

This week, the Sunday EP and Retro Friday overlap—so I’m posting them on Saturday. Thanks to PC for the kind words in the last post!

Say what you will, but I’ve been on a serious girl group kick the past few days. The following songs are primarily culled from two fantastic compilations—the single disc Girls! Girls! Girls! 25 All-Time Classics of the Girl Group Sound (Varese Vintage) and the box set One Kiss Can Lead to Another: Girl Group Sounds Lost and Found (Rhino). The first disc is a fantastic introduction for anyone just getting into this period, a broad perspective of the bands and their sounds, complete with a nice essay inside; the four-disc box set is one of the best box sets I’ve ever seen, complete with fantastic packaging and detailed liner notes.

Since I love this period so much, it was hard to whittle down my list to just a few songs—you’ll get a baker’s dozen instead.

Needle in a Haystack – The Velvettes
A great way to kick-off this set. The back-ground vocals, the handclaps, the horns, and bad-mouthing both boys and girls—yeah, this is a classic.

Nothing but a Heartache – The Flirtations
My mother always says that if a song has a good beat, she’ll like it. This song has one hell of a good beat that builds to an incredible crescendo down the stretch.

Give Him a Great Big Kiss – The Shangi-La’s
Bonus points to anyone who can name what seminal New York punk band pays tribute to the opening words of this song.

Bobby’s Girl – Marcie Blaine
She’s not a kid anymore, and she has but one goal—to be Bobby’s girl.

Soldier Boy – The Shirelles
A 1962 number one hit, the minor chords are unapologetically saccharine, but damned if it doesn’t work perfectly. By the time the soaring chorus comes back at the end of the song, it gives me chills.

One Fine Day – The Chiffons
This song was co-written by Carole King, who was part of the girl group sound before branching out. The off-key piano could probably never be replicated to its glory.

I’m Into Somethin’ Good – Earl-Jean
Another Carole King songwriting credit, Earl-Jean sang this song in 1964, taking it to number 38. However, not long after, Herman’s Hermits remade it and the song went to number one.

You’re No Good – Dee Dee Warwick
Here’s original, though most probably know Linda Ronstadt’s 1975 version. The Warwick single came out over a full decade earlier. The overlapping vocals sound amazing.

Love’s Gone Bad – Chris Clark
A blue-eyed, platinum blonde on the Motown label—kind of unusual. Considered the U.S. answer to Dusty Springfield.

Yes I’m Ready – Barbara Mason
Not much info on Mason, but I do know that if you have La Toya Jackson’s Japanese single of this song, you’d have something that’ unbelievable valuable and also painful to listen to.

Popsicles and Icicles – The Murmaids
In 1963 this song climbed to number three. David Gates, the future lead-singer of Bread, wrote the song. The perfect light pop song for a hot summer day.

Make the Night A Little Longer – Palisades
The sweeping strings, the weepy melody, the pleas to make the night just a little longer—you can’t imagine how anyone would want to make the short.

Be My Baby – The Ronettes
For me, no list of girl group songs would be complete without The Ronettes. One of producer Phil Spector’s many masterpieces—anytime I hear this song, I stop and listen. Unfortunately, last year, that including a pharmaceutical commercial for hard-on medication, which was unfortunate for all involved.

Please allow me a moment

To congratulate my dear friend JV, whose memoir, tentatively titled "Burn", was recently bought by Algonquin Books. The book will come out in Spring '09, and I can't wait. While I've read it already in various forms, I'm still excited to get my copy and read it again. He's humble (thank god), so I know he probably won't announce this himself. So, his delays in posting songs are quite understandable as he's been dealing with this tremendous news. I wish I had such a good excuse.
Here's to ya JV!
PC

Make-Up Post

That’s right. This is a post where I make-up to you for not posting in several days. So, I’m sorry. But I’ve been busy, lots of people visiting, lots of stuff going on. Anyway, here’s Neko, Eddie, and lots of others worth checking out. This is a down-on-your-luck, kicking-an-old-soda-can, walking-with-your-head-hanging-low kind of mix.

The Mirror Speaks – James Blackshaw

The Dark End of the Street – James Carr

In California – Neko Case

Goddamn Lonely Love – Drive-By Truckers

Girl in the War – Josh Ritter

For the Widows in Paradise; For The Fatherless In Ypsilanti – Sufjan Stevens

Blue Moon with Heartache – Rosanne Cash

$1,000 Wedding – Gram Parsons

Crazy Mary – Pearl Jam

Retro Friday: Blowing Through the Jasmine in My Mind

These are the dog days. All week, the temperature in Central Virginia has licked one-hundred degrees—and of course that meant the heat index registered at around Hell’s Eternal Fire. In short—it’s been hot, and many of you are suffering just like me. So, for Retro Friday, a few cool songs about summer.

Summer Breeze – Seals and Croft

Jim Seals and Dash Croft released this song in 1972. It remains their seminal song and one of the quintessential songs about songs in my book.

Turn Down Day – The Cyrkle

This band was discovered by Brian Epstein, better known as manager of The Beatles. In fact, John Lennon provided the unique spelling of the band’s name. In 1966, they scored two nice hits—this one and their better known “Red Rubber Ball.” However, the band disbanded the next year. However, band member Tom Dawes wasn’t done with fame—he went on to pen the famous “plop plop fizz fizz” jingle for Alka-Seltzer.

Palisades Park – Freddy Cannon

Game-show host Chuck Barris wrote this song. Barris of course hosted “The Gong Show” and wrote the infamous “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,” in which he claimed to have been a CIA assassin. Check out George Clooney’s great film of the same name staring the supremely underrated Sam Rockwell as Barris. This song was originally a B-side for Freddy Cannon in 1962 but the song caught on in Flint, Michigan and took off from there.

California Sun – The Rivieras

No wonder The Rivieras dreamed of that warm California sun—they came from South Bend, Indiana. The band only released three albums before their split in 1966. However, they are most notable as being one of the last American rock acts to score a hit in 1964 before the British Invasion. When I was eight or so years old, my dad bought me a cassette of classic surf songs that included this song. I’ve loved it ever since.

I Live for the Sun – The Sunrays

This band was managed by Murray Wilson, father of Carl, Brian, and Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys. Though this hit was their biggest, reaching #51, it remains a little-know gem with fantastic lead vocals and harmonies. Check out this surprisingly comprehensive site on the band.

Remember (Walking In the Sand) – The Shangri-Las

Little known fact: Billy Joel played piano on the original demo of this song. This was the Shangri-Las first hit in 1964, before their “Leader of the Pack.” The over-wrought drama of the lyrics fits perfectly with the stunning vocals.

Will You Love Me Tomorrow? – The Shirelles

The Shirelles were the very first girl group to score a hit on the Billboard Hot 100. They scored a string of hits—many of them covered too many times to count—in the 1960s. Truly one of the powerhouse groups from the era who remain as indelible today. Rolling Stone named them #76 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All-Time and this song was named #125 on the magazines list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All-Time.

Did AT&T Censor Pearl Jam?

On Sunday night, like thousands of Pearl Jam fans unable to attend this year’s Lollapalooza where PJ headlined, I watched AT&T’s sponsored webcast of the event. The band played a perfect set for the crowd, delivering some of their most well-known hits, a rarity for the hardcore fans, and some tracks off the new album.

News broke yesterday that AT&T supposedly censored at least one of the songs. During “Daughter,” Ed tagged Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall.” During this, he sang the following:
“George Bush, leave this world alone." (He sang this line twice, apparently; the first time aired uncensored.)“George Bush find yourself another home."

Problem is—I didn’t hear these. In fact, unless you were actually at the event, no one heard these. Johnny Censorship over at AT&T decided to cut it out. We didn’t need to hear such strong words about this shit-for-nothing president.

PJ released a statement on their website.
Entertainment Weekly wrote a little article about it.
Even the Wall Street Journal picked it up.
You can read what fans think over at the Message Pit.

You can read the articles there and decide what you think—it’s probably obvious what I think. Even though I have AT&T as my cell company, if the corporation had anything to do with this, then they would be grade-A motherfuckers in my book. They’re already just plain ole motherfuckers for willingly giving the NSA phone numbers and other information without a warrant.

In the meantime, here are a few songs that would probably piss off the people like AT&T and George Bush.

Bu$hleaguer

Satan’s Bed

Do the Evolution

Remembering Lee Hazlewood

Lee Hazlewood: 1929 - 2007

It’s Nothing to Me – Lee Hazlewood

Pour Man – Lee Hazlewood

Been Down So Long – Lee Hazlewood & Nancy Sinatra

Some Velvet Morning – Lee Hazlewood & Nancy Sinatra

These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ – Nancy Sinatra

The Sunday EP: Neotraditionalist Country

Before we get to the mix, let me just urge anyone who hasn’t yet had the chance to see Once to run to their nearest independent theater and watch this beautiful film. It’s one of the best movies of the year (maybe the best?) that features an aching love story and some amazing music. Here’s a song from the film.

If You Want Me – Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

Now, what all you came here for—country music! Yes, yes, I know. But I think country has gotten a terrible name in recent years, mainly from horrible mainstream country radio stations. Disco country in the seventies didn’t sound as bad as today’s slickly produced schlock about “real” rednecks, faux-American patriotism, and beach bums. Not long ago, in the 80s and 90s, country music was actually about something. Most of my favorites from this movement could best be described as Neotraditionalist Country, a movement in country that harkened back on the musical and fashion stylings of the 1940s and 1950s.

In fact, for about six or so years of my adolescence, I only listened to country music. Believe me, it’s taken me a while to admit this (thanks Jake!). Over the past week, I’ve been working on an essay about this experience. Hopefully in a few months, you’ll be able to read it in a magazine. But until then, here’s a few of the songs I discuss in the article.

Seminole Wind – John Anderson

Before global warming and environmental concerns became a political issue (yes, there was a time when it was a human, not corporate, concern), John Anderson sang his ode preserve the Florida Everglades. The song was a smash, reaching #2 on the country charts in 1992. Anderson, who just released a great album of new material, possesses one of those voices you can never forget and impossible to describe. A plaintive piano opens the song before the drums and fiddles kick in. Ironically, in the novel I’m writing, one of the plots involves the main character joining a band that covers country songs from this period. One of the first songs they perform is Seminole Wind.

Ships That Don’t Come In – Joe Diffie

There was a time when country artists looked like country artists—Joe Diffie exemplifies this. With a beer-gut and a mullet, Diffie was the type of guy who knew how to sell a haunting ballad like this one or a rocker that you wanted to hear at a juke joint on Saturday night. In later years, he verged too much into novelty songs, but “Ships That Don’t Come In” remains one of his masterpieces.

Set ‘Em Up Joe – Vern Gosdin

A direct reference to Ernest Tubb’s “Walking the Floor Over You,” Gosdin loved the classics. Known as “The Voice,” Gosdin scored a huge hit with this song in 1988. (Check out the very good Some Velvet Blog, who coincidentally posted Tubb’s original today.)

Ain’t Nothing Wrong with the Radio – Aaron Tippin

Much of that essay I’m writing is about this song—at the time, my mother and I felt as if the radio was the only thing in our lives that actually worked. Tippin’s nasally drawl is distinctive and unique, propelling him through a string of hits in the 90s. How unfortunate that he chose to cash-in on the 9/11 music of his lesser, younger peers.

I’m No Stranger to the Rain – Keith Whitley

For me, Whitley’s voice the pinnacle of country music, just as Roy Orbison is one of the pinnacles of rock. Tragically, Whitley battled alcoholism for years. In 1989, he drank himself to death. This song was a number one hit that year, and is maybe the best country song of the 1980s. Sure, perhaps the lyrics are bit clichéd, but when delivered by Whitley’s aching vocals, it hardly matters.

Past the Point of Rescue – Hal Ketchum

Ketchum’s crisp vocals and that untypical electric guitar made this song reached number two on the charts in 1992.

Famous In a Small Town – Miranda Lambert

In the past few years, country has seen hope by way of Shooter Jennings (his album, Let’s Put the O Back In Country is dead-on about the genre’s current state), Hank Williams III, and Miranda Lambert, the only one of the three who really gets much radio airplay. Lambert, only 24, writes many of her songs and swerves all over the map, pulling from traditional country, rock, and folk. She’s got a distinctive voice and a point of view, something so many artists today lack.

See you back here next week. I’m willing to bet that this is the least viewed post ever. People just don’t like country anymore. But I’m not ashamed.

13 ways of looking at heat exhuastion

Been away awhile, working my ass off, writing when I can, sweating, and growing grumpier with each long day of summer. I'm a fall person, so I can't wait. Gonna keep my blabbin' to a minimum and my songin' to a maximum.

Talked with Jay V about posting each original and then its cover off of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's "Greatest Palace Music" and while I'd like to do that, I don't have that kind of time. Plus, everyone should own all (or at least most) of his material from his many manifestations. Good ideas are as regular as shitting to him. Covering himself being only one of such instances. In addition to this, I want to throw up some other covers/originals. Also, some new (or older, but in heavy rotation) tunes that have been doing it for me. Consider this 3 EPs album by the PC Band.

For all of the covers, I will put the original first.

Palace Brothers: No More Workhorse Blues

BPB: No More Workhorse Blues

Palace Music: Ohio River Boat Song

BPB: Ohio River Boat Song

Palace Music: Gulf Shores

BPB: Gulf Shores

Palace Songs: Agnes, Queen of Sorrow

BPB: Agnes, Queen of Sorrow

Bonus Covers:

Grateful Dead: Brokedown Palace

BPB: Brokedown Bounce

Bonus Studio/Live Versions:

Palace Music: A Sucker's Evening

BPB: A Sucker's Evening (Live)

While it's impossible to cover a traditional tune, here's two versions of a great one. I just discovered Fern Jones. She's awesome. "She sounded like Saturday night on a Sunday morning." Her version, with the Gram Parsons blessed Byrds' version to follow.

Fern Jones: I am a Pilgrim and a Stranger

The Byrds: I am a Pilgrim

Bonus with ghost:

Fern Jones: I was There when it Happened

(I don't have the Johnny Cash version or it would be right here. Shame on me. Sam Phillips only let him put one gospel tune on his first album. This is the one he chose.)

And thus ends the covers version of our post. Let's move on to some tunes that I'm currently listening to, eh? Random rules here.

Got "Marry Me" by St. Vincent the other day, and I love it. Here's a few.

St. Vincent: Jesus Saves, I Spend

St. Vincent: Paris is Burning

St. Vincent: What Me Worry?

Astrud Gilberto's voice is so wonderful. Because of her (and her husband Joao, and Stan Getz) I've been a long time fan of Bossa Nova music. It's great in summer, even though summer sucks.

Astrud Gliberto: Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars)

I went to Jamaica in May for my brother's wedding, which only futhered my love of Reggae music. Here's some classics from Jimmy Cliff:

Jimmy Cliff: Wonderful World, Beautiful People

Jimmy Cliff: You Can Get it if You Really Want

Meg Baird (of Espers) put out a solo album on Drag City called "Dear Companion"... It's beautiful. Like swimming in a river very early in the morning. Here's the A Capella version of the title track.

Meg Baird: Dear Companion (A Capella)

I went of a slight Polvo kick last week. Their album "Exploded Drawing" fucking rocks. We used to listen to this at the end of our long shift at CD Alley (Wilmington branch) before retiring to The Blue Post. Ah, fuzzy memories.

Polvo: Fast Canoe

Polvo: Feather of Forgiveness

I'm usually a little leary of long solos in songs, but I love the guitar solo in this. The Allmans rule.
The Allman Brothers: Blue Sky

"Moments can be monuments to you/If your life is interesting and true/ It's just the same for a man or a girl/the meaning of the world lies outside the world" should be everyone's motto. Here's the tune from which these (and other equally brilliant) lyrics spring. Only from the mind of David Berman.

The Silver Jews: People

And that's where I want to end it. People. Good to be back. Hope to check in more often before the wonderful season of snow and cold is upon us. Of course we need to get to autumn first, the wonderful season in which everything turns beautiful and then dies and rots.

While posting and downloading songs is great, don't forget to go to your local Record store and spend some money.

PS: I took that picture on a ferris wheel, looking at a rival ferris wheel.

PC

Retro Friday: Fried Neck Bones and Some Homefries

Along with The Sunday EP, we’re introducing Retro Friday. PC—who is still out there, trust me; he’s just busy—and I both adore oldies. We have a venerable treasure trove of songs from the 60s and 70s, enough to start out own full-time radio station. But a cool radio station—so many oldies stations, the few that remain in this country, continually seem to play the some songs. Sure, some of them are classics and should still be heard, but there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of songs from the era that are just as amazing. Just as we like to do with our Christmas picks, we’re going to feature some songs you likely won’t hear anywhere else.

Fried Neck Bones and Some Homefries – Willie Bobo
The sly opening guitar chords seem to just chill your mood. By the time the horns kick in, you won’t even care what the lyrics are.

A Losing Game – James Carr
Classic R&B gem with a great groove.

Love Is a Losing Game – Amy Winehouse
Okay, we’re cheating—Obviously Amy Winehouse has done way more cocaine than any of these people. She’s also a current artist who strives for retro. But damned if don’t sound good!

Wine, Wine, Wine – The Renegades
A great long-forgotten garage band, the Renegades exploded with energy. And wine.

Scorpio Red – Holy Mackered
I know nothing about this band. A Google search pulls a band called Les Claypool and the Holy Mackered. No idea if that’s the correct band title or not.

Start All Over Again – Ida Sands
Oh, here’s a wonderful soul classic. Those background vocals, the horns, and of course Ms. Sands’ soaring and soothing voice.

And FYI about the page layout—we’re trying to find something that’s wide enough for our text yet also includes our map. Yes, we like to know where you’re at. At all times. Always. No, it just lightly strokes our ego to know someone in Russia reads the blog. So, from now until Sunday, the page might look different as we experiment.

Happy weekend. See you Sunday.