If it’s Sunday, it must be part two of Pmac’s Big Adventure. I *should* apologize to Paul for the cheesy Peter Noone/Herman featured image but sometimes I cannot help myself. This is one of those times. Hopefully, it won’t lead … Continue reading Paul McMahon: Second Verse, Same As The First
The weather has been horrendous in New Orleans this week. We’ve had high winds, thunderstorms, and torrential rain. One day it looked as if we were having a tropical system out of season. I hate thunderstorms, they’re like heavy metal. I hate heavy metal.
It’s been so bad that we’ve had to work around the weather for fear of street flooding. Dr. A went to work preposterously early yesterday because she was administering an exam. I was so grateful that the garbage men closed the bin lid that I went on the porch and thanked them.
This week’s theme song was written by Francis Rossi for Status Quo’s 1968 album Picturesque Matchstickable Messages from the Status Quo. How’s that for a long ass title? It was to be the band’s only major hit single in the US&A.
The song was inspired by the paintings of Mancunian artist LS Lowry. He pretended to be an unsophisticated artist but had serious chops as a painter. Lowry also excelled at myth creation often telling wildly contradictory stories. His painting Main Press is this week’s featured image.
There’s some dispute as to whether Lowry should be called a Mancunian artist since he lived in nearby Salford. But I like saying Mancunian so I’m sticking with it. FYI, a Mancunian is someone who hails from Manchester, England, mate. Who the hell wants to be a Salfordian or is that Salfordite?
We have three versions of Pictures Of Matchstick Men for your listening pleasure: the studio original, Status Quo live, and a 1989 cover by Camper Van Beethoven, which was a hit in the US&A.
We’re not finished with matchstick men, here’s a 2018 song written and recorded by Mark Knopfler:
Now that we’ve pondered matchstick men in music and art, let’s strike quickly and jump to the break.
Continue reading “Saturday Odds & Sods: Pictures Of Matchstick Men”
The Friday Cocktail Hour began as a place for torch songs, the sadder the better. I’ve expanded that remit to bring a bit of joy into our lives as the pandemic slowly recedes. This week’s song is particularly joyful.
For the second consecutive week, we feature the work of Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler. They wrote it for the 1933 movie of the same name. That would be Let’s Fall In Love. It’s an old movie I’ve never seen. There has to be at least one, right?
We begin with the first version I ever heard. It comes from one of my all-time favorite albums recorded by two sweet and noble souls.
Anita O’Day brings some sultry Irish soul to a song written by two Jewish guys.
Chauvin Trial Update. Continue reading The Defense Rests
I don’t know about you dear reader, but I’ve always been a bit suspicious of the phrase “one size fit’s all”. Personally I’m not the kind of one size that would allow me to fit in anything that might be considered all. The number of people who fit well into one size fits all is pretty small. For most people it will be a little small or a little big or a bit tight or a bit loose. Most of us might fit into it, but few will actually be happy about it. Which brings us to the COVID vaccine(s). … Continue reading One Size Does Not Fit All
Finally some finality. Continue reading Finally
Boxing day comes early. Continue reading Pulp Fiction Thursday: Knock ‘Em Dead
Story time with Adrastos. Continue reading Small Town Cops
Gaetzgate Update. Continue reading Roll Over Josh Greenberg, Tell Matt Gaetz The News
Fly Jefferson Airplane, gets you there on time. Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: Bless Its Pointed Little Head
The prosecution in the Derek Chauvin case rested after 11 days. The streets in nearby Brooklyn Center, Minnesota are restless after another senseless shooting during a traffic stop. We’ll get to that wrinkle a bit later. The state’s prosecutors have … Continue reading The Prosecution Rests
April 13, 2022 It’s a warm sunny day here in Northern California, the kind of day when you sit out on the porch with a cool beverage in hand, some tunes on the phone, and just marvel at the wonders of nature. Hard to believe just two years ago we were hunkered down, fearful of going out into a public place, fearful of coming in contact with anyone else, fearful of even breathing without a mask on. Fearful, fearful, fearful. It was all about the fear. And making sure to wash your hands. Not that today we are without fear. … Continue reading A Postcard From the Other Side of the Pandemic
Oy, just oy. Continue reading The Trumpcine?
I said last week that (with the addition of Mike Pence) the Freeperati were out of Republicans that they considered turncoats, traitors, Derp State fiends, remember?
I was wrong.
Sarah Palin Reveals COVID Diagnosis and ‘Bizarre’ Symptoms, Urges Others to Continue Wearing Masks
People ^ | Mar 2021 | Benjamin VanHoose and Tim McGovernPosted on 3/31/2021, 11:26:58 PM by CondoleezzaProtege
Sarah Palin has tested positive for COVID-19, and she’s urging others to continue taking the pandemic seriously.
The former governor of Alaska and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee-turned-TV personality confirms in a statement to PEOPLE that she contracted the coronavirus as did some of her family members, including 12-year-old son Trig. Of her diagnosis, Palin explains that it began when “one of my daughters awoke to having lost her sense of taste and smell [and] immediately had a positive COVID test, then was quarantined in isolation.
“I then observed symptoms in my son Trig, who curiously is the most enthusiastic mask-wearer, and after our numerous negative tests over the year, he tested positive,” Palin says. “Children with special needs are vulnerable to COVID ramifications [Trig was born with Down syndrome], so with a high fever he was prescribed azithromycin, which really seemed to help, and I increased amounts of vitamins I put in his puréed food.”
Palin says she and her son “buckled down in isolated quarantine” and she “still tested negative.” However, “symptoms started overnight with a slight fever and sore muscles.”
She adds that she had some of the “bizarre” symptoms characteristic of the virus, like a loss of taste and smell, leading her to assume it was “unmistakable COVID caught me.”
Palin tells PEOPLE that COVID-19 can “really knock you down,” encouraging everyone to remain vigilant about public health amid the ongoing pandemic.
Palin, who announced in January that her mother, Sally, had died, says that dad Chuck Heath “just got” his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“I’m more concerned about him and his peers, and this beautiful older generation’s health and quality of life should be a national focus and priority,” she says.
“Through it all, I view wearing that cumbersome mask indoors in a crowd as not only allowing the newfound luxury of being incognito, but trust it’s better than doing nothing to slow the spread,” Palin says.
To: CondoleezzaProtege
To: FungiToo polite.
She can STFU.
5 posted on 3/31/2021, 11:35:06 PM by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the “concern troll” a/o 10/03/2018 /!i!! &@$%&*(@ -)
To: logi_cal869She can STFU.
To: CondoleezzaProtege
To: CondoleezzaProtege
To: KJC1The story has been picked up by Fox now and others.
20 posted on 4/1/2021, 12:10:48 AM by CondoleezzaProtege
To: AllI caught a bit of a fever looking at her picture, and had other bizarre symptoms we had better not discuss here.
Seriously, I have no doubt that anyone could in theory catch this and get either a bit run down or have a near death experience, it’s designed that way and as to the loss of taste, caribou steaks were never that great anyway, think of it as a win-win.
23 posted on 4/1/2021, 12:22:19 AM by Peter ODonnell (Pray for health, economic recovery, and justice.)
Continue reading “Today on Tommy T’s Obsession with the Freeperati – “Bailin on Palin” edition”
Smell This House I wrote this while I was waiting for my 1/2 duplex to sell, and watching that stupid “Sell This House” show every day : ************************************************************ Tanya: “Well, on this episode of Sell This House, we’re looking at Tommy’s duplex. It’s been on the market for 8 months, and there are only 12 other comparable properties on his block, so why won’t it smell…err, sell?. Let’s look at the videotape, Tommy! Voice on videotape: “Christ! Did a cow shit in here??” . Tanya: “Ok,- with two big dogs and three cats in a 1,190 square foot ½ duplex, … Continue reading Today on Tommy T’s Obsession with Random Ruminations – TV show mockery edition
On the road to Seville. Continue reading Guest Post: Pmac’s Big Adventure, Part 1
My second jab side effects were worse than the first but only lasted for 3 days then vanished. It was weird to walk like a drunk when stone cold sober, which is why I spent most of my time on the couch.
When did the furniture people start calling a couch a sofa? I can go either way, but sofa potato isn’t as evocative as couch potato. I wonder which one the man who couldn’t spell potatoes, J Danforth Quayle, uses. Ah, the small mysteries of life.
I’m still watching bits and bobs of the Chauvin trial. My dislike for defense lawyer, Eric Nelson grows daily. If I were devising a drinking game for the trial every time he says “right” “correct” “agree” you take a shot. A surefire way to get shit faced drunk, right?
Despite the album cover featured image, it’s Saturday, not Wednesday. I didn’t mean to confuse anyone; that was a lie, I take great joy in sowing confusion across the land instead of either sleeping like a log or working like a dog.
This week’s theme song was written by Lennon and McCartney in 1964 for the movie of the same title. It has always been one of my favorite Beatles tunes. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
We have four versions of A Hard Day’s Night for your listening pleasure: the Fab Four, Perez Prado, the Smithereens, and Miss Peggy Lee.
Peggy Lee? Yes, Norma Engstrom herself. Paul McCartney was a big fan and gave her a song to record after seeing her perform in London in 1974.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Since that’s my favorite Beatley quote, here’s the song it comes from; in German too.
Ja, ja, ja.
Let’s jump to the break. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
The featured image is of the Cab Calloway big band in its heyday. Cab was a larger-than-life character and performer who would have insisted that I mention him before moving on to the song itself.
I’ve Got The World On A String was written in 1932 by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the Cotton Club series. It was, of course, the legendary Harlem night spot at which Black performers played to all-white audiences. The Cotton Club was also the subject of an ill-fated 1984 movie by Francis Coppola.
It’s time to stop stringing you along and play some music. We begin (where else?) with the great Cab Calloway:
I’ve Got The World On A String was something of an underrecorded song until Sinatra pulled the string. Where Francis Albert led others were sure to follow.
That’s why they call it the Lost Cause. Continue reading Quote Of The Day: War Of The Rebellion Edition
Wonderful greetings. I wish upon you peace and happiness on this beautiful day. Please allow me to make my introduction. I am Great Honorable Leader Member of Glorious Senate Mitchell McConnell and I have a great and prosperous message for you please. Here in my country the Republican States of American (g-d be praised) we are under attack from hideous outside force called Demoncrats. They intend to prey on all the innocents unborn and otherwise with their Satanic thoughts and way of life. Their grandmaster the most dishonorable Joseph Hussein Biden wishes to undo all progress made toward our glorious … Continue reading A Plea From The Republican Party
The junior Senator from the Gret Stet of Louisiana is the man I love to hate. I considered two Sue Grafton inspired titles for this post, P Is For Phony or H Is For Hypocrite, before settling on this one. … Continue reading More Hick Schtick From John Neely Kennedy
(That’s my vaccination card. Yes, it’s hot pink. I’m not sure why, although I will say it’s a great prompt to keep me from inadvertently throwing it away.) When the pandemic began I was struck by the singularity of the moment. I studied history, after all, so while the United States was already in the middle of a historic catastrophe of a presidency, that event wasn’t immediately apparent to everyone. The pandemic declaration wasn’t as easy to discount and it made its mark on our national consciousness. Early on my family was on a group call that was part of … Continue reading Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
As you can see below, Dell Books had cool graphics back in the day. How about some moonlight music? Continue reading Pulp Fiction Thursday: The Man In The Moonlight
Pardon me boy, is that the Panhandle Pinhead? Continue reading Gaetzgate: Blankety Blank
A friend recently asked why I’d never featured a Moody Blues cover in this space. I didn’t have a particularly good answer. I’ve never connected with their music, but that’s true of many other artists whose covers I’ve posted. In Search Of The Lost Chord is one of the moodiest Moody Blues covers ever. The album was released in 1968 and has cover art by Philip Travers. Here’s the whole damn album via the YouTube: Continue reading Album Cover Art Wednesday: In Search Of The Lost Chord
I paid another extended visit to the Derek Chauvin trial yesterday. I wanted to see Minneapolis police Chief Medaria Arradondo’s testimony. I was not disappointed. The Chief’s demeanor goes against all the cop stereotypes. He’s a calm and soft-spoken man … Continue reading The Thinning Blue Line
In honor of the new Major League Baseball season having begun I thought I’d take my first shot at making a listicle. It melds two of my great passions in life, music and baseball. The Ten Best Songs About Baseball according to Shapiro his ownself. The song referenced above is not eligible as it stands in a category by itself. It oughta be the national anthem. 10) The D-O-D-G-E-R-S Song A perfect meeting of song, style, and performer. Danny Kaye specialized in the “patter” song and here he turns a Giants-Dodgers game into what has to be … Continue reading A Postcard From The Cheap Seats
Not all populism is bad. Continue reading Soak The Fat Boys & Spread It Out Thin