Here’s a fun lesson in history. This Brenda Lee song is a cover of a Ray Charles arrangement of a minstrel song written in 1851, and it’s also the state song of Florida. Minstrel shows were wildly popular in the 1800’s, and their appeal was … Continue reading Swanee River Rock
Earlier this summer I took a road trip to Memphis, to finally see Graceland. A visit to Elvis Presley’s beloved home, with all of its impeccably preserved a la 1970’s décor and memorabilia, is truly an American pilgrimage that everyone should take, regardless if they’re … Continue reading Surrender
Cheap Trick remains one of the most underrated of the 70’s rock bands, despite being in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (A meaningless distinction, I know.) Being unpretentious and fun doesn’t get you very far in terms of accolades, not in the decade … Continue reading Surrender
And then there were three. Or two, rather. The Rolling Stones are indestructible, they have proven it again and again by persevering against all odds for almost sixty years. They have already showed that not even a death in the family can make the steel … Continue reading Surprise, Surprise
I don’t understand the appeal of the Beach Boys. My hot take on it – and you can pry this opinion from my cold, dead mouth – is that they were never anything more than the world’s most glorified barbershop quartet. Their music was inane, … Continue reading Surfin’ U.S.A.
More along the series of 90’s music I don’t actually remember is Throwing Muses, an acclaimed alternative act whose accolades were never matched by their record sales. They did, however, give us the careers of Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly. I have no recollection of … Continue reading Surf Cowboy
2 June 1941 – 24 August 2021
Unless you went to a lot of European kink clubs in the 90’s, your hazy musical memories of 1998 probably don’t include anything by Lords of Acid. To say that this group made very specific music for a very specific audience is an understatement; they … Continue reading Superstar
If you were following celebrity news in 1998, the big story of the year was the makeover of Lauryn Hill. The rapper and vocalist, who had previously been known for performing in cargo pants, was taken under the wing of Giorgio Armani, and appeared on … Continue reading Superstar
In 1988 Terence Trent D’Arby was on the cover of Rolling Stone. “A legend in his own mind?” asked the cover line. His debut album drew comparisons to Prince and Jimi Hendrix. His good looks made him a pinup. A few years later he had … Continue reading Supermodel Sandwich
Lady Garfunkel's Song of the Day 