Flashback: The Official Lenn Tapes—Japan Survival Series (Summer 1985)

A “Larger than life itself…”
Ringo Starr – “Oh My My” (Apple)
Rod Stewart – “Dock of the Bay” (from Motown Returns to the Apollo)
Go West – “Call Me” (Chrysalis)
The Human League – “Fascination (extended remix)” (A&M)
The Style Council – “The Lodgers (or She Was Only a Shopkeeper’s Daughter)” (Polydor)
Phil Collins – “Don’t Lose My Number” (Atlantic)
Donna Summer – “I Feel Love” (Casablanca)
Elton John – “Your Starter For…” (MCA)
Stevie Wonder & George Michael – “Love’s in Need of Love Today” (from Motown Returns to the Apollo)
Kajagoogoo – “Too Shy (Midnight mix)” (EMI)
Apollonia 6 – “Sex Shooter” (the only performance in Purple Rain that isn’t interrupted by dialogue or cutaways) (Warner Bros.)

B “A 2 x 4’ll do it…”
The Style Council – “Shout to the Top!” (Polydor)
Paul Young – “Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)” (CBS)
Band Aid – “Do They Know It’s Christmas? (12″ version)” (Columbia)
Thomas Dolby – “The Search for Truth” (the first 30 seconds or so of one of the “Dissidents” remixes played at 33-1/3 rpm instead of at 45) (EMI)
Go West – “Goodbye Girl” (Chrysalis)
The Jam – “Absolute Beginners” (Polydor)
Elton John – “Philadelphia Freedom” (from The Superior Sound of Elton John 1971-75) (DJM)
Spandau Ballet – “Lifeline” (Chrysalis)
Earth, Wind & Fire – “Touch” (Columbia)
John Lennon – “Ya Ya” (Apple)
The Style Council – “Council Meetin’” (Polydor)

“It’s a keeper…” Continue reading

Flashback: 1987 (Part 2)

The 24th Birthday State of Mind Tapes
March 16, 1987

Part 1:
A
David Sylvian – “Gone To Earth” (Virgin)
Kate Bush – “Running Up That Hill” (EMI)
The Style Council – “My Ever Changing Moods” (Polydor)
Joe Jackson – “The Verdict” (A&M)
Prince – “Sometimes it Snows in April” (Paisley Park)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – “Ballet Mécanique” (School/Midi)
Supertramp – “The Logical Song” (A&M)
Simply Red – “Holding Back the Years” (Elektra)
David Sylvian – “The Healing Place” (Virgin)
The Style Council – “Blue Café” (Polydor)

B
Robbie Nevil – “C’est La Vie” (EMI Manhattan)
The Style Council – “(When You) Call Me” (Polydor)
Boz Scaggs – “Hard Times” (Columbia)
Elvis Costello & The Attractions – “Tokyo Storm Warning” (Columbia)
Japan – “Oil On Canvas” (Virgin)
David Sylvian – “Nostalgia” (Virgin)
Jimmy Buffett – “Wonder Why We Ever Go Home” (live) (ABC)
Koji Ueno – “Adagietto (remix)” (¥EN)
Epo – “Harmony” (Dear Heart/Midi)
David Sylvian – “Upon This Earth” (Virgin)

Part 2:
A
Ike & Tina Turner – “Nutbush City Limits” (United Artists)
Rachel Sweet – “B-A-B-Y” (Stiff/Epic)
Rachel Sweet – “Who Does Lisa Like?” (Stiff/Epic)
Mick Karn – “Buoy” (featuring David Sylvian) (Virgin)
John Lennon – “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night” (Apple)
John Lennon – “Mind Games” (Apple)
John Lennon – “#9 Dream” (Apple)
Elton John – “Roy Rogers” (MCA)
Thomas Dolby – “Weightless” (EMI)
Plastics – “Diamond Head” (Island)
Joe Jackson – “You Can’t Get What You Want (Til You Know What You Want)” (A&M)
Nick Heyward – “Whistle Down the Wind” (Arista)

B
Elvis Costello – “Hoover Factory” (Columbia)
Wynton Marsalis – “Melancholia” (Coumbia)
Culture Club – “Time (Clock of the Heart)” (Virgin/Epic)
The Style Council – “It Didn’t Matter” (Polydor)
Sade – “Punch Drunk” (Epic)
Supertramp – “Just Another Nervous Wreck” (A&M)
Warren Zevon – “Ain’t That Pretty At All” (Asylum)
Japan – “Sometimes I Feel So Low” (Hansa)
The Art of Noise – “Love” (ZTT)
David Sylvian – “Silver Moon” (Virgin)
David Sylvian – “Where the Railroad Meets the Sea” (Virgin) Continue reading

50 things I have learned

I started this last month, shortly after my birthday—but then other stuff came up, and it kind of got pushed to the side.

But, now it’s done! So! Here is… Continue reading

Yes and No (another partial assessment)

NO (1000x NO!)
coloring
bleaching
cosmetics
waxing
electrolysis
shots
nips
tucks
lifts
unnecessary scars
contacts
pills
ointments
mutilation
caps
implants
shortcuts
restraints
restrictions
constrictions
self-denial
gratuitousness (except when it comes to comedy)

YES (Yeeeeeesssssss!)
touch
texture
caresses
taps
hugs
smooches
lingering
skin
natural beauty
movement
sweat
breathing
being
clarity
senses
revelation
revelry
immersion
reflection
reciprocity
acceptance
inclusion
care

(February 11, 2013. Updated February 12, 2013.)

Also turning 20 in 2011…

Much is being made of this year being the anniversary of Nirvana’s Nevermind album, with a 4-CD + DVD deluxe edition due for release in September.

It was already notable at the time of its original release, not least of all because it knocked Michael Jackson’s Dangerous album out of the no. 1 slot on the charts. (Of course, by that time, MJ was palling around with the Home Alone kid, so it’s not as though Nirvana had dethroned Thriller.)

However, there are some other fine albums that also celebrate the big 2-0 this year. I think somebody should acknowledge them, so that somebody is going to be me: Continue reading