Shelter From the Norm

Tom Waits

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:23:33 -0400

Tom Waits

“Jersey Girl” by Tom Waits (Words/Music: Tom Waits, from Heart...

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:13:29 -0400

“Jersey Girl” by Tom Waits

(Words/Music: Tom Waits, from Heart Attack and Vine, Elektra 1980)

At some point it became tres chic to like Tom Waits. It could have been after Rod Stewart covered “Downtown Train”; it could have been after Sarah McLachlan covered “Ol’ 55”; it could have been when “The Heart of Saturday Night” started appearing in every romantic film (and The Perfect Storm); if could have been when fellow Jersey-ites Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi started covering “Jersey Girl” live; it could have been when Kevin Smith made a movie called “Jersey Girl”. While I’m not sure when, I am positive that Tom Waits’ music is now loved and adored my many more fans than it was 30 years ago. Although much of his acclaim came from his deep gravelly voice, the success of the cover songs suggests that he is also one of America’s finest songwriters and placing him alongside the likes of Bob Dylan would not be deemed inappropriate. His versatility as a musician (comfortable on both guitar and piano) and the seediness of his lyrics ensure that Tom Waits will also be looked at as an “underground” artist. That he is enjoying some mainstream success now, while long overdue, can be attributed not only to changes in taste but also the fact that his influences are now influential – they are determining what gets heard, when, and by whom. Somewhere Tom Waits is sitting in a smoky bar, playing to 15 people, smoking like a chimney and laughing, knowing that he has been providing Shelter From the Norm, and that the Norm has finally figured it out.

“Warm Beer and Cold Women”

“Heartattack and Vine”

“Ob-La-Di, Ob La Da” by The Beatles (Words/Music: John Lennon...

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 23:28:10 -0400

“Ob-La-Di, Ob La Da” by The Beatles

(Words/Music: John Lennon and Paul McCartney, from The Beatles aka The White Album, Apple 1968)

This song never ceases to put a smile on my face. It is bright, upbeat, and tells the story of the life of Desmond and Molly Jones, whose life works out wonderfully. They meet, flirt, fall in love, and raise a family. Nothing else seems present in their lives. Basically, no matter what problems they have they manage to overcome and “life goes on”. Watching The Beatles A-Z perform this song earlier was a delight because Tim Palmieri surprised me once again by putting down his guitar and playing saxophone on this song (Later, he played trumpet on a couple songs, also!). Overall, the series of shows in which they are playing every Beatles song in alphabetical order is going off with phenomenal precision and is simply a joy to watch.

if you watch the movie Jaws backwards, it's a movie about a shark that keeps throwing up people until they have to open a beach.

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 23:22:56 -0400

elizabethfury:

(via sparrowblue)

yourmercurymouth: loveiswaitingtimeisnot: restartmyheart: by...

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 23:15:33 -0400

yourmercurymouth:

loveiswaitingtimeisnot:

restartmyheart:

by 9 0 0 0

"You may not use [Yahoo Messenger] to operate nuclear facilities."

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 22:38:10 -0400

“You may not use [Yahoo Messenger] to operate nuclear facilities.”

- From the Yahoo Messenger License Agreement

Tom Waits

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 10:35:19 -0400

Tom Waits

“Heartattack and Vine” by Tom Waits (Words/Music: Tom Waits,...

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 10:34:14 -0400

“Heartattack and Vine” by Tom Waits

(Words/Music: Tom Waits, from Heartattack and Vine, Elektra 1980)

Favorite Lines:

’”Don’t you know there ain’t no devil,

That’s just God when he’s drunk”

Final thoughts on Tom Waits on Monday.

Tom Waits

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:54:37 -0400

Tom Waits

“Warm Beer and Cold Women” by Tom Waits (Words/Music: Tom Waits,...

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:48:55 -0400

“Warm Beer and Cold Women” by Tom Waits

(Words/Music: Tom Waits, from Nighthawks at the Diner, Elektra/Asylum 1975)

Favorite Lines:

“And now the moon’s rising, ain’t no time to lose

Time to get down to drinkin’, tell the band to play the blues

And the drinks are on me, I’ll back up another round

At the last ditch attempt saloon”

More Tom Waits coming soon…

"Stuck in the Middle With You" from Reservoir Dogs

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:18:58 -0400

"Stuck in the Middle With You" from Reservoir Dogs:

In addition to having an incredible encyclopedic knowledge of film and pop culture, he seems to always find just the right songs to use in his films. This is one of the songs which is most memorable and a song which, for me, has been eternally altered by its use in this film. There is absolutely no way I can ever hear this song again without thinking of this scene. Very few filmakers are able to achieve this. A few that immediately come to mind are Cameron Crowe’s use of Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” in Almost Famous and Stanley Kubrick’s use of “Singing in the Rain” in A Clockwork Orange. I think when it’s all said and done, Tarantino will be remembered for numerous contributions to the world of film and one them them will undoubtedly be his selection of music.

With the new Tarantino film coming out this week, I thought I...

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:32:00 -0400

RD: The Famous Walk

RD: The Standoff

RD: The Torture

RD: Fruit Brute Cereal?

PF: Yes, Fruit Brute Cereal

PF: Operation and Life

PF: Hitmen

PF: Look at the Big Brain on Brad!

PF: Staying Alive in the 90s

PF: The Bandaid

With the new Tarantino film coming out this week, I thought I would reflect upon some of the iconic images of his early films. Most great films have one or two memorable scenes which everyone talks about long after the film is out of theaters, but QT’s films seem to have dozens. Here are a few.

yourmercurymouth: (via mydrybones) From the film Coffee and...

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:39:42 -0400

yourmercurymouth:

(via mydrybones)

From the film Coffee and Cigarettes. Brilliant!

"Sometimes It’s wise To know which way the gun is pointed Before You yell ‘I see the..."

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:37:42 -0400

““Sometimes
It’s wise
To know which way the gun is pointed
Before
You yell
‘I see the whites of their eyes’””

- “Salesmen, Cheats, and Liars” by Lowest of the Low, from Shakespeare…My Butt

“Subversives” by Lowest of the Low (Words/Music: Ron Hawkins,...

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:56:20 -0400

“Subversives” by Lowest of the Low

(Words/Music: Ron Hawkins, from Shakespeare…My Butt, Page Publications 1991)

Favorite Lines:

“And sometime when your resistance is low

Remember that I know

Who’s your favorite Pogue”

Shakespeare…My Butt remains one of my favorite albums. Granted, some people slam it for the poor production quality. Granted, most people outside of Canada and the Northern US haven’t heard of it. Granted, nothing they did after could even compare to it. But so what. This album, 18 years after its release, remains a solid examination of life in Toronto in the late 80s and early 90s as a struggling socialist musician. It also remains permanently installed in every jukebox in Buffalo, because one never knows when one may have to shout along with friends to “Henry Needs a New Pair of Shoes” or “Rosey and Grey”. Being placed in a bar seems perfectly appropriate since most of the songs on the album mention drinking at some point. (Now, I’ve never actually had the follow-through to sit down and check this out, but trust me.) It is also appropriate because two of the songs mention Ron Hawkins’ favorite bar in Toronto (presumably because it was within walking distance of his apartment at the time, and who wouldn’t love that?), “The Only”. The album is filled with witty lyrics and hummable/sing-alongable melodies that absolutely demand that the listener demonstrate their knowledge and love for whichever song is playing.

The songs themselves range from forays into history (“For the Hand of Magdelena”, “St. Brendan’s Way”, and “Letter From Bilbao”) to snapshots of everyday life and struggles (pretty much everything else). Like other artists from Toronto at the time (Barenaked Ladies, Moxy Fruvous) Ron Hawkins fills the lyric sheet with references to his hometown, ensuring ongoing love and admiration from his legions of fans. Inspired by the punk movement of the late 70s and underground folk-types like Billy Bragg, the music comes across as energetic and accessible. Immediately after the release of this album, I remember seeing numerous covers of songs at open-mic nights around Buffalo. So much so, that there was serious consideration given to putting a Wayne’s World-esque sign: No “Bleed a Little While Tonight” at an open mic I attended regularly.

With the second retirement of LOTL (This time apparently for good, at least until the 20^th anniversary of this album comes around) and focus on solo careers, LOTL fans are left to reminisce about the “I saw them when’s” and “I saw them with’s”. Personally, I saw them once at Nietschze’s in Buffalo with the opening act The Waltons (remember Lik My Tractor anyone?) The one show that gets talked about most is when Johnny Reznik of Goo Goo Dolls fame opened for LOTL by performing an acoustic set. I’ll give you a minute to ponder that one. But remember, it was the early 90s (pre-“Name”) and the Goos were struggling every bit as much as LOTL. Makes one wonder what could have become of LOTL if some DJ in LA had played one their songs on a whim.

As for the individual songs, “Bleed a Little While Tonight” is the all-time favorite of any LOTL fan, mainly because of its appeal live. You can easily imagine the fun singing along with the “Damn Damn the Circumstance” section and yelling “Alex never gets what she wants” (as evidenced on the live version from Nothing Short of a Bullet. This was also the first song I definitively remember from the album and the first song I think of when I think of LOTL.

I go through stages with LOTL songs. Sure, there are eternal faves like “Bleed”, “Henry”, and “Letter From Bilbao”, but sub-faves sneak in periodically. “Penendona’s Hand” (Live) (an imagining of the Spanish civil war) often occupies that spot, as do “So Long Bernie” (an odd rumination about serial killers), and “St. Brendan’s Way”. Currently, that spot is filled by “Just About ‘The Only’ Blues”, Ron Hawkins’ examination of a relationship while at his favorite bar, “The Only”. Mostly, I like the witty wordplay, the line about Chairman Mao, and the sing-alongability. Currently, you will find me repeating this song 5 times in a row when listening to the album (as I just did on my trip home from Buffalo).

Finally, “Subversives” is the unique song, conveniently placed before “Bleed” on SMB that made me ask a fellow college student who we’re listening to. Those familiar with Billy Bragg will easily find his influence in this song: single ELECTRIC guitar, harmonica, and some clever/witty lines about relationships which get jumbled up with politics. Always a fan favorite, I was incredibly disappointed that this wasn’t included on the live album, but I have seen a remarkable number of covers of this song at open mics as well. Maybe it’s for the best that we don’t have another version because the song is damn near perfect as it is.

As is the album. Seriously, when I made a LOTL compilation CD for my trip to Buffalo, I started with this entire album and added a couple songs from Hallucinagenia and Nothing Short of a Bullet. Simple as that. The album is fun, has odd little pearls of wisdom, and holds buckets full of memories for everyone who discovered the band in their heyday. Unfortunately, all we can do now is wait until another reunion to see the band again. On the day when Brett Favre unretired to join the Vikings, I feel confident that Ron will “get the band back together” at least one more time to provide everyone a little more Shelter From the Norm.

“Just About ‘The Only’ Blues” by Lowest of the Low (Words/Music:...

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:00:22 -0400

“Just About ‘The Only’ Blues” by Lowest of the Low

(Words/Music: Ron Hawkins, from Shakespeare…My Butt, Page Publications 1991)

Favorite Lines:

“Let’s get a table by the window

Beneath the shot of Chairman Mao

I can tell you all my problems

And you can try to hold ‘em down

It seems a trivial pursuit now

But it’s the only game in town”

Final LOTL post tomorrow…

Tumblarity!!!

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 04:42:00 -0400

I am at 20 and still not in the top 50,000? Wtf?

18 Nitrous Oxide Tanks Seized @ CT Phish show

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 04:38:41 -0400

18 Nitrous Oxide Tanks Seized @ CT Phish show:

bwall05:

Shared by Brian
This is my state!

“Police arrested eight people and seized 18 nitrous oxide tanks and dozens of balloons used to inhale nitrous oxide, from patrons at a Phish concert at the…

Woohoo! We rock!

“In My Life” by The Beatles (Words/Music: John Lennon and Paul...

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 14:04:14 -0400

“In My Life” by The Beatles

(Words/Music: John Lennon and Paul McCartney, from Rubber Soul, Apple 1965)

Although I will be missing the Beatles A-Z show today, I thought I would post a song anyway. I find that this song is one which is most apropos because I am missing the show to attend my 20^th Year High School reunion out of town (in Buffalo). It reminds me of the line from Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman when Linda tells Willie that “Life is a casting off”. I have always felt that way and may explain why I only talk regularly with one person from HS and one person from college. Things naturally come into and out of our lives and trying to keep everything around and the same will only drive you mad. So…if I haven’t talked to you recently, now you know why!

“Bleed a Little While Tonight” by Lowest of the...

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 18:28:42 -0400

“Bleed a Little While Tonight” by Lowest of the Low

(Words/Music: Ron Hawkins, from Shakespeare…My Butt, Page Publications 1991)

Favorite Lines:

“Well, I don’t know much about you

Not more than a smile or two can say

And everything I learned about you

I learned through the pit of my stomach anyway.

And I’ll forget about you, if I could dare

Shelter From the Norm

Tom Waits

“Jersey Girl” by Tom Waits (Words/Music: Tom Waits, from Heart...

“Ob-La-Di, Ob La Da” by The Beatles (Words/Music: John Lennon...

if you watch the movie Jaws backwards, it's a movie about a shark that keeps throwing up people until they have to open a beach.

yourmercurymouth: loveiswaitingtimeisnot: restartmyheart: by...

"You may not use [Yahoo Messenger] to operate nuclear facilities."

Tom Waits

“Heartattack and Vine” by Tom Waits (Words/Music: Tom Waits,...

Tom Waits

“Warm Beer and Cold Women” by Tom Waits (Words/Music: Tom Waits,...

"Stuck in the Middle With You" from Reservoir Dogs

With the new Tarantino film coming out this week, I thought I...

yourmercurymouth: (via mydrybones) From the film Coffee and...

"Sometimes It’s wise To know which way the gun is pointed Before You yell ‘I see the..."

“Subversives” by Lowest of the Low (Words/Music: Ron Hawkins,...

“Just About ‘The Only’ Blues” by Lowest of the Low (Words/Music:...

Tumblarity!!!

18 Nitrous Oxide Tanks Seized @ CT Phish show

“In My Life” by The Beatles (Words/Music: John Lennon and Paul...

“In My Life” by The Beatles

“Bleed a Little While Tonight” by Lowest of the...

“Bleed a Little While Tonight” by Lowest of the Low

But I just want to make love to you in some dark, rainy street somewhere”