Scott Valente worked the take-out window…he was several years older, and always patient. Even to annoying young teenage girls. Scott introduced me to Oingo Boingo and INXS, and I can never thank him enough.

I was 14 and would hang out in the kitchen and Scott’s take-out window when things were slow. (I can still smell the garlic from the pasta sauce, and feel the heat from the pizza oven.) Scott was always great to talk to, and one day we were talking about music—he knew so much about music I’d never heard of.

I don’t know why, but one day Scott came in and handed me two cassette tapes: INXS’s The Swing, and Oingo Boingo’s Dead Man’s Party. While both were awesome and have stayed with me, I found Dead Man’s Party to be fucking amazing. And while Weird Science is everyone’s sweetheart, it’s actually my least favorite song on the album.

It’s really hard to pick a favorite from this album, but if pressed, I’d say No One Lives Forever. Dark, yet joyful. It’s a clever ditty that I <3.

The Blue Hawaiians are a surf rock group from L.A, formed in 1994. I came across them in 1998 while downloading music from a little site called Napster, where I was looking for music to download and listen to on my computer while I worked.

Napster was a treasure trove of hard-to-find music, as well as regional music you’d never hear of otherwise. I have no idea what I was originally surfing for (pun absolutely intended) but I was intrigued by the name, so I downloaded the two songs that were listed, “Highlife” and “Flesh and Soul.” And I was hooked.

Eve said to God “why don’t you leave me alone,

I’ve been east of Eden and west of Rome.

Strange things can happen and so often they will.

The beauty of temptation’s only part of the thrill.”

Ahhhh, the Chris Isaak-esque vocals and smooth and tropical instrumentals meld together to evoke images and memories of places I’d never been, but surely dreamed about. While The Blue Hawaiians hail from L.A., their music is channeled directly from the Hawaiian Islands.

Savage Night introduced me to a completely new genre of music. They only made five albums, but you don’t have to be prolific to be amazing. Their music is in consistent rotation in my music and I give them full credit for helping me get to the top of the Makapu?u Point Lighthouse Trail this past March (30 minutes to complete, my ass!).

It’s so hard to pick just one track. There aren’t any videos except a few live, but while great, are mostly instrumentals of other people’s surf tunes. here’s one that’s just audio. I hope you enjoy.

I can’t remember her name. Lori, maybe? My mom wasn’t home a lot, but Lori certainly was, along with groups of 2–3 people on any given day. They would sit around, smoking pot and drinking beer, and listen to music. All kinds of music. My mom had a pretty nice turntable for a single parent, and Lori took advantage when mom was working. Not that I minded—it was nice hearing something other than Neil Diamond or Barry Manilow.

Before anyone gets their britches in a twist, I love these old guys as well, but a tween girl needs some other form of musical inspiration, not two sappy leftover dudes from the 70s—and Lori sure provided that, in the form of an amazing record I’d never heard before. Entering the house after school to the strains of Alison Moyet belting out the lyrics to “Don’t Go” was a turning point in my musical life.

Baby make your mind up give me what you got
Fix me with your lovin’ shut the door and turn the lock
Hey go get the doctor, doctor came too late
Another night I feel alright my love for you can’t wait

This album shook my musical foundation, and there was no going back—paving the way for musical influences that would come later (I was a late bloomer in many ways), Yaz’s “Upstairs at Eric’s” was the first step in breaking away from the music that I grew up with. And what a step it was!

It was also, apparently, my first step into larceny. Lori’s stay with us was short lived. Shocking, I know. She moved out a few short months after she moved in, and while I don’t think of her (I don’t even know if her name is really Lori), I do think of those few months fondly. She was a cool chick who was friendly and had an extensive music collection that she shared freely.

When she unpacked at her next rest stop, I wonder if she even noticed that “Upstair’s at Eric’s” was missing? I’d like to think that she did, and that she smiles fondly, knowing it was me and how much nerve it had to take to sneak into the basement on her last day with us and pinch that vinyl.

Remember the Seinfeld “sponge-worthy” episode? I’m into “vinyl-worthy.” I’m having a decidedly wonderful time scouting out the few local places that still sell vinyl, looking for albums based on a completely random and emotional criteria.

This means that I’m slowly buying every LP offered from some my most special artists, including (in correct alphabetical order):

• Jimmy Buffett
• Depeche Mode
• Neil Diamond
• Duran Duran
• Gordon Lightfoot
• Sting
• Jack White
• The White Stripes

And that’s just off the top of my head.

What I’ve discovered on my LP hunt are the wonderful gems you can only hear if you listen to the record. Revisiting Carol King’s “Tapestry” the other day, I was re-introduced to songs I hadn’t heard since I was probably 5 (the album actually came out the year I was born–like many great things).

But I digress. This post was prompted by an album that I just purchased for the unbelievable price of .99–which could make it possibly the best bargain I’ve every had, because Gordon Lightfoot’s album, “Summer Side of Life” is my favorite of his albums. Also released in 1971 (I told you a lot of great stuff came out that year), not only does it have my favorite childhood song, “Cotton Jenny,” it’s chock full of most of my favorite Gordon Lightfoot songs, period. Many of these songs you won’t hear if you limit your collection to “Gord’s Gold.” (Which is a great compilation, and if that’s all you have, well, at least you have some Gordon Lightfoot.)

Listening to this album tonight, for the first time in its entirety in probably 20 years, made me think back on some great childhood memories.

So I’ll leave you with a track you’ve probably not heard, off of “Summer Side of Life.” It was hard to pick just one.

[blockquote align=”right”]Imitation is at least 50 percent of the creative process.[/blockquote]

I’m often surprised by how much media gets remade. Movies, music, television—at some point everything old is new again. This isn’t always a bad thing, except in the case of Tupperware in those lovely shades of avocado green, washed-out tangerine orange, and baby diarrhea yellow. I don’t want those to be new again.

But I digress. One of the things I’ve noticed over the past year is the number or duplicate songs that come up when I do a search for something in my iTunes. I’m not talking duplicates in the sense of the same song by the same artist twice; I’m talking about the same song remade. I have a lot of these in my music library and every time I hear a remake it’s natural that I compare it to the original—or the one that is the most well known. Because let’s face it, there are a lot of songs out there that were remade and the original is not the one you know. Respect, by Aretha Franklin, is a perfect example. Otis Redding actually performed it first making Franklin’s female anthem the remake. 🙂

That brings us back to the point: the remix/remake. I’ve decided to make note of my duplicate songs when I think of them or see them in iTunes, for the sole purpose of sharing them with you. Along with my thoughts on which one is superior. What would be the point if there wasn’t a debate, eh?

So let’s get this party started. This version of remix/remake features the song Superstar. The first version that I’m aware of is by The Carpenters (1971). I’m a sappy gal, and I actually love The Carpenters. So does my mother which explains why I’m aware of this song in the first place. I have always liked this song and would consider it one of my favorite Carpenters’s singles. I’m actually listening to it right now for this post and have goosebumps. Karen Carpenter. Wow. Listen for yourself.

Moving, isn’t she?

Then along comes Juno. One of my all-time favorite movies. While getting really creeped out by Jason Bateman, I couldn’t help but be pulled into the scene where he shared with Juno a remake of Superstar done by Sonic Youth. I was totally taken aback by the intensity and the grittiness of the Sonic Youth version. This whispery, sing-song version doesn’t compare to The Carpenter’s soft and flowing version. The Sonic Youth version is naughty, creepy, and feral. And I love it. While Karen is singing about Lancelot, her night in shining armor, Sonic Youth is singing about his one night stand who made him feel dirty and took all his money. What do you think?

I can’t really pick a fave between the two of these. They are both rated 5 stars in my iTunes and I love both versions for different reasons. They are, naturally, in very different playlists.

So what do you think? Which one rocks you and why?

I’m a Woman (Peggy Lee)

I can wash out 44 pairs of socks and have ’em hangin out on the line
I can starch & iron 2 dozens shirts ‘fore you can count from 1 to 9
I can scoop up a great big dipper full of lard from the drippins can
Throw it in the skillet, go out & do my shopping, be back before it melts in the pan
‘Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N, I’ll say it again

I can rub & scrub this old house til it’s shinin like a dime
Feed the baby, grease the car, & powder my face at the same time
Get all dressed up, go out and swing til 4 a.m. and then
Lay down at 5, jump up at 6, and start all over again
‘Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N, I’ll say it again

If you come to me sickly you know I’m gonna make you well
If you come to me all hexed up you know I’m gonna break the spell
If you come to me hungry you know I’m gonna fill you full of grits
If it’s lovin you’re likin, I’ll kiss you and give you the shiverin’ fits
‘Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N, I’ll say it again

I can stretch! a green black dollar bill from here to kindom come!
I can play the numbers pay the bills and still end up with some!
I got a twenty-dollar gold piece says there ain’t nothing I can’t do
I can make a dress out of a feed bag and I can make a man out of you
‘Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N, I’ll say it again
‘Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N, and that’s all.

Think you’re bodacious enough for this? Check out The Diva who started it all and link up your own post.

Alas, dear readers. It has been too long. I apologize for the absence. Life, believe it or not, takes precedence over blogging. 😉

But it’s a nice Tuesday evening. The boys are in bed. Chris is off playing poker (and hopefully winning–baby needs a new pair of shoes!). So I’m taking a little time for some Random Tuesday Thoughts!

We watched Kung Fu Hustle over the weekend. It was fabulous and you should definitely check it out. ((Unless crap like Twilight is more your thing. In that case, don’t bother. You wouldn’t understand Kung Fu Hustle.)) I loved Landlady and wish I could kick ass like that in my housecoat and curlers.

While we’re on the topic of entertainment, I’m seriously pissed at my DVR. It keeps messing up all of my programs. I’m missing things I want to see. The Brighthouse box is a piece of crap.

And segue to American Idol. since I had to reset my DVR I forgot to set AI up to record. For the past three weeks. So I’ve missed all the Adam glory. Poop.

I guess this is turning out to be the all-entertainment version of Random Tuesday Thoughts.

So, who knew a bunch of geriatrics could sound so good. The Fleetwood Mac concert last night was awesome! Stevie Nicks sounded amazing and Mick Fleetwood looked like he was having the time of his life. Thanks Nicole, for going with me!

I can’t wait for the U2 concert in October. We’re taking Zachary ((We haven’t told him yet–we’re giving him his ticket on his 6th birthday.)) I’ve seen them twice–both shows were amazing. I really like the new album, even though some people are slamming it. Hey, not every album can be The Joshua Tree.

And on an I’m-my-own-entertainment note (for this entertainment post), I’m now off to check out Westgate Reservations–they have a Vegas resort (Westgate Flamingo Bay). Let’s see what deals they have for hubby and me. Vegas in June baby! 🙂

I was driving to meet some friends last night. As usual, my iPod was set to shuffle and it was treating me quite well. Then out of nowhere came a song that, better than any Back-to-the-Future DeLorean, sent me right back in time. I’m guessing that most of my readers have never even heard of him, but way back in the day he was the epitome of the Gentleman. Gentleman Jim.

I grew up listening to Jim Reeves, among others. That’s not to say that my mom liked country music. In fact, I think she actually dislikes it a great deal. Gentleman Jim, however, is an exception. One thing my mother likes is a good lyric. She’s the most sentimental, sappy, wussy person I know. Which is exactly where I get it from. Of all the things I did get from her, the love of a good song (lyric-wise, anyway) is one of those things. Most country music attempts a good story–most country music gets it wrong.

Of course, like Gentleman Jim, there are exceptions. Where am I going with this? I’m going to the Blue Side of Lonesome. A sappy, sad, brilliant play on love songs and the broken-hearted. That’s way Blue Side of Lonesome is the first in my own, new, blog category: Wednesday’s Words:

Blue Side of Lonesome

I’m Calling To Tell You It’s Over
Yes Darling You’re Now Free To Go
You’re Saying You’re Sorry You Hurt Me
But You Hurt Me Much More Than You Know

You’re Asking Me Where This Call Comes From
Oh I Hope That You Won’t End Up Here
If Your New Romance Turns Out A Failure
Here’s Where To Find Me My Dear

I’m Just On The Blue Side Of Lonesome
Right Next To The Heartbreak Hotel
In A Tavern That’s Known As Three Tear Drops
On A Bar Stool Not Doin’ So Well

The Floor Has A Carpet Of Sorrow
But No One Can Weep In The Aisle
And They Say Someone Broke The Bar Mirror
With Only The Ghost Of A Smile

The Hands On The Clock Never Alter
For Things Never Change In This Place
There’s No Present, No Past, No Future
We’re The Ones Who Have Lost In Love’s Race

I’m Just On The Blue Side Of Lonesome
Right Next To The Heartbreak Hotel
In A Tavern That’s Known As Three Tear Drops
On A Bar Stool Not Doin’ So Well

Sappy and sad, I know. Take a listen to the delivery. He was truly a Gentleman.

This post was generously brought to you by some pretty rings.

It won’t come as any surprise to anyone who knows me. The artist I’ve chosen is Sting. So read on, and see how I answer 15 questions, using 15 song titles, by 1 artist. ((It’s my blog, and I’ve decided that I can use Police songs too. 🙂 ))

1. Are you a male or female: La Belle Dame Sans Regrets
2. Describe yourself: All for Love
3. How do you feel about yourself: Every Little Thing She Does is Magic
4. Describe your ex boyfriend/girlfriend: (S)he’s Too Good For Me
5. Describe your current boy/girl situation: My One and Only Love
6. Describe your current location: So Lonely
7. Describe where you want to be: Walking on the Moon
8. Your best friend is: Inside
9. Your favorite color is: Desert Rose
10. You know that: History Will Teach Us Nothing
11. What’s the weather like: Heavy Cloud, No Rain
12. If your life was a television show what would it be called: The Book of My Life
13. What is life to you: Prelude to the End of the Game
14. What is the best advice you have to give: Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot
15. If you could change your name what would you change it to: Roxanne

Wow. Do we pick our favorite artists, or do our favorite artists pick us? 😉

For those of you interested in the songs above, check out the playlist:

This post was generously brought to you by Zero Halliburton. If I was a secret agent, I would definitely carry one of these around.