Today was a pretty good day. Nothing so worthy as to mention, but just a nice day.
They’ve been few and far between lately, the last being a couple weeks ago when beautiful woman wrote me and said, “I love you.”
No, she didn’t mean it that way. It was something better than lust. Although I have to admit that this woman has turned me on…
…to some very cool music. The lady in question is my friend Rachel, the genius singer/songwriter/musician/all-around arteeste from the band “switchyard.” Have I mention she is a genius? Anyway, her latest sonic gift to me was introducing me to the group Iron & Wine. So I checked out their CD from the library– along with some other stuff –to listen to while I write my book. Actually it’s all stuff to listen to while I sit and stare at a white page.
I am the King of a nation. It is called “Procrastination.”
So I fiddled around making a playlist for a “Soundtrack” to the book to listen to while I write; a simple bit of diversion using song that tie into the plot and/or characters. Now to further prolong my avoidance I am writing a blog about the playlist I put together. A shambling bit of diversion at that.
Well, here ’tis:
1) Welcome To The Working Week (1:25)- Elvis Costello
I think every mix-tape I make starts with this track or “What A Wonderful World” by Joey Ramone. Consistency is the hob-goblin of small minds, no?
2) It’s My Life (3:53)- Bon Jovi
This was suggested by my Muse for her character’s theme song. Originally I was going to use the “unplugged” version, but it broke me down every time. Hope you’re happy, Mr. Bon-friggin’-Jovi, making a grown man cry.
3) The Enemy Battle Hymn Of The Public (3:26)- Public Enemy
Yo! After the cheese we have something meaty to chew on. And I wish you could hear how the melody is verrry similar to the previous track. I’m a freakin’ genius! Or would be if I had actually planned it.
4) My Little Town (3:54)- Simon & Garfunkle
The other day the bus I was one was rolling through one of Las Vegas’s more rundown neighborhoods and this song became an earworm. I wanted to get a camera and film the Vegas most folks never see.
5) Boy With A Coin (4:07)- Iron & Wine
It’s the handclapping that sucks you in, but when you finally get spit out you end up scratching your head and saying, “I don’t remember Lindsey Buckingham writing this.” And the only song that sounds more Lindsey Buckingham-ish is…(see track 17)
6) No Place To Hide (4:24)- The Ruling Party
Another band I was turned on to, inadvertantly, by my friend Rachel. switchyard’s “Salt Of the Sea” was entered in the “Jazz” category in Ourstage.com’s ‘Battle of the Bands.’ The Ruling Party was entered in the “Rock” category and I was immediately gobsmacked by this song. I have said it before, and I’ll say it again: “If this song were a woman I’d be sucking its toes and making it breakfast in the morning.” The lead singer, Jen, is amazing, but the band rocks like the Rumour did when they backed Graham Parker; muscular and sensuous at the same time. Love this song.
7) Mystery Dance (1:39)- Elvis Costello
A good deal of my book takes place on the road. This is one of those perfect pedal-to-the-metal songs. Even though it is not a Metal song.
8 ) The Devil Never Sleeps (2:08)- Iron & Wine
“Everybody’s bitchin’ there’s nothing on the radio.” Encapsulates an entire plot point I take a chapter to explain–in less than 10 seconds. I’m useless.
9) Radiation Of A RADIOTVMOVIE Nation (1:12)- Public Enemy
I want to dispell the notion that I am exhibiting ‘range’ by putting a Public Enemy track on after Iron & Wine. I actually chose “Radiation” because “Harder Than It Looks” sounded too Iron & Wine-ish. Yo!
10) Swimming (4:31)- switchyard
Some of the road scenes in the book take place on the rails. So switchyard deserves a spot based on their name alone. The fact that this song has absolutely nothing to do with trains is countered by the fact that it is brilliant, having been written and performed by my good friend and musical genius, Rachel Bellinsky.
11) She’s Not There (4:11)- Santana
I looked for the Zombies version of the song at the library but couldn’t find it. But they had Santana’s ‘greatest hits’ there, and as I was grooving to the old Santana stuff I saw that “No One To Depend On” was co-written by Pete Escovedo– the brother of another artist on this playlist, Alejandro Escovedo. Sorry Zombies! Plus, Carlos’ guitar solo is still mind-blowing.
12) (Looking For The) Heart Of Saturday Night (3:53)- Tom Waits
I first heard this song performed by former teenage idol Dion, and it is amazing how he infused such a vibrant joy into such a melancholy tune. That is one of Dion’s gifts and I would love to hear Tom return the favor by covering something like “Yo Frankie.”
13) How You Sell Soul (Time Is God Refrain) (2:33)- Public Enemy
How you sell soul to a soulless people who sold their soul??? Tell us Chuck D, we need to know this– caused we are sold out as a people.
14) Last To Know (5:05)- Alejandro Escovedo
I stole the line “More miles than money” to use as a title for one of the chapters in my book. Well, I didn’t actually steal it. I’ll give it back when I’m done. I’ll also be picking up a copy of Alejandro’s new CD “Real Animal” as soon as it comes out. It is a semi-concept album about his career, going back to when he was in a punk band called The Nuns. They opened for the Sex Pistols the night the Pistols broke up back in ’78. No one to depend on, indeed.
15) Give ‘Em Hell (4:29)- Talib Kweli
The song features elements of “I’m Glad You’re Mine” by Al Green, so ’nuff said.
16) “America” (3:39)- Simon & Garfunkel
This song makes me want to run away from home and hitchhike across the country. Although I am too old to run away and to ugly to get a ride. Even when I hike my skirt up.
17) Awake (3:05)- MoonVine
Originally I had “Ol’ 55” by Tom Waits but bumped it for this song, written and sung by another of Rachel’s wonderful gifts to me: the music of her sister Justine. This is from her project “MoonVine.” Hold on, I’ll turn up the stereo so you can hear how achingly beautiful this song is…and since I have a little extra time now I’ll even toss in a bit of “Hovercraft” for the UFO arrival scene. Yes, I have li’l grey men in my book.
18) White Tooth Man (3:59)- Iron & Wine
…this one. And it leads into the next track perfectly.
19) Hey Geronimo (4:33)- Vinnie James
“I ki ci ze wa on kon he wa na he na la ye lo he” (“We were once warriors, but that time has long passed“). Did I ever tell you about that time that Bruce Babbit, Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, admitted his ‘organization’ had “missplaced” millions of dollars from tribal coffers? It was so funny I wanted to punch him in the neck.
20) More Or Less (4:42)- Talib Kweli, featuring Dion
Yeah, I thought it was the “Runaround Sue” Dion when I first saw the credits on Talib’s “Eardrum” CD. It’s not, but it would have been cool- Talib is a Brooklyn boy just like the “Wanderer.” This new Dion is pretty talented in his own right, and this song makes me sorry I wanted to punch Bruce Babbit in the neck.
21) Whistlin’ Past The Graveyard (3:18)- Tom Waits
Playfully menacing and menacingly playful.
22) Waiting For The End Of The World (3:26)- Elvis Costello
As much as I love “It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) by REM, that song has been use quite a bit previously in cinema. And Elvis is King, bay-buh.
So there you go: a tantilizing line-up of songs that thematically enhances the book that I am writing. I would suggest tracking all these songs and artists down yourself, they are well worth it. Especially http://www.myspace.com/switchyard and/or http://www.myspace.com/moonvine
Do’t just take my word for it, fall in love for yourself…
Prolix & Tautology 