From the 1993 album, of the same name, ex-Replacements, Tommy Stinson’s Friday Night (Is Killing Me) is a bit, um, melancholy for a Friday Song but, it is still a good rockin’ tune, much in the style of his old band. We hope you have a better day than Tommy. Happy Friday!
One of the most stunning performances ever captured live on TV from the late, lamented show Night Music (1988 – 1990). Maria McKee had just gone solo from her band Lone Justice when she appeared on the show and wowed everyone. We do not understand why isn’t she more famous.
For today’s Song of the Day we offer this strange, stuttering, rockabilly-ish riff rocker. It is from the James Gang‘s 3rd and most successful post Joe Walsh album, the tastefully named James Gang Bang. Tommy Bolin does a pretty fair job of replacing Walsh and the album itself is surprisingly solid. That being said it is a different James Gang, perhaps not quite as good but, still a better than average ’70’s hard rock album with Must Be Love being one of the highlights. Enjoy.
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One of the most beautiful songs ever recorded, Where Flamingos Fly is a real showcase for Trombonist Jimmy Knepper. It is from the fabulous and innovative 1961 album, Out of the Cool by composer, arranger Gil Evans (AKA the only white guy Miles Davis thought was cool) and his jazz orchestra. Let it take you away.
This tender, sweet love song was originally written by Don Van Vliet, better known as Captain Beefheart. It’s heartwarming message of affection must have deeply effected Howard Devoto, who was moved to record it with two of his bands, first with an early version of Buzzcocks and then a fuller more, touching version with his band Magazine. He was, apparently also moved to write more lyrics – a lot more lyrics. Beefheart’s version has barely one verse but, Devoto quadrupled the lyrics and also embellished the melody a bit (to fine effect). We like all these but, we do believe we prefer the final Magazine take as the fullest expression of the song’s deep, warm-hearted message. Please enjoy all three versions as a special triple-treat Song of the Day. Let us know which you prefer in the comments, and remember, dear Imaginary Readers, we love you, you Big Dummys! Awww.
Here is the Captain’s original from his 1970 album, Lick My Decals Off, Baby:
Buzzcocks recording of it appears on Time’s Up a compilation of early demos recorded in 1976.
And, finally the Magazine version from Scree: Rarities1978-1981.
The David Johnansen Group knocks this medley of tunes by the legendary Animals out of the park. Enjoy.
From Ex-New York Dolls leader David Johansen‘s fantastic 1978 solo debut comes today’s Song of the Day, Funky But, Chic! It’s more than a song, It’s a Rockin’ Anthem, a FUNKY lifestyle choice, a fabulous Way of Being, baby! So, yeah we really like this one and hope you do too. We think it’s just the thing to start your week off right, so, Happy Monday, Imaginary readers!. (And, stay tuned, we’ll have more Johansen later in the day.)
A lovely song about a Bluebird seems appropriate for a fine spring day (we hope). This rare longer version found only on the Buffalo Springfield double album collection has extra added guitars for your spring listening pleasure. Enjoy.
Holly Beth Vincent was the eponymous singer of the band Holly and the Italians. That group had a minor hit with a song called Tell that Girl to Shut Up, later a bigger hit for Transvision Vamp. The album our Song of the Day is from is called Holly & the Italians (1982) but, is, confusingly, Miss Vincent’s solo debut. It is a very fine New Wave-ish album that should have made Holly a star but, did not. Our favorite cut off the LP is called Samurai and Courtesan and is a smokey, slinky, cryptic puzzle of a song that has a refrain, that will “follow you everywhere”, in a good way. And, we know you can dig that.
