I’m not going to bitch about the heat after taking a week off from Odds & Sods duty. Here’s why: Our highs, while still hot, are back to normal. It’s amazing how much hotter 95 feels than 90. Our AC copes well with the former and struggles with the latter.

Summer is far from over but it’s relenting. More importantly, the tropics remain tranquil and not renamed. Oops, I forgot about the Gulf, which nobody calls Gulf of America except the Insult Comedian and his lackeys, both corporate and political.

In Gret Stet news, The Clownfish isn’t speaking to New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno. One of her “offenses” is not thanking him and his dear leader for deploying the National Guard to the Quarter to help NOPD.

Landry, of course, didn’t need to ask Trump to deploy the Guard. As Governor, he’s commander of the Gret Stet Guard but he never misses a chance to suck up to the Kaiser of Chaos. The mayor feels no need to suck up to either Landry or Trump. That’s some petty and childish shit, y’all.

Parts of this post follows up on yesterday’s musical tribute to Dolly Parton. I’d also like to note the passing of Gloria Steinem at the age of 92. I’ve always been a feminist fellow traveler, in part because of G-L-O-R-I-A. She will be missed.

My Band bender has morphed into a Robbie Robertson binge. It’s another way to say Mais Oui Canada.

I’ve been revisiting Robbie’s solo albums, especially Storyville, some of which was recorded in New Orleans. I am unaware of any infrared pictures taken during the sessions.

This week’s theme song was written by Robbie Robertson in 1991 for the aforementioned Storyville album.

We have two versions of Shake This Town for your listening pleasure: the studio OG and Robbie live on Letterman.

I feel stirred, not shaken. Let’s see how The Cars and Howlin’ Wolf feel:

We begin our second act by linking to an interview with former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Gordon Brown At 75: Gordon Brown was a wildly successful Chancellor of the Exchequer. That’s what the Brits call their Treasury Secretary but it’s a bigger job. Chancellors often become party leaders and Prime Ministers. So it was with Gordon Brown.

His premiership was not as successful but esteem for him has risen since he lost the 2010 election and left parliament. Tony Blair won three elections as Labour leader but Brown is infinitely more popular in 2026. Why? Unlike Blair, he didn’t cash in or move to the right, that’s why. Gordon didn’t want to discuss his frenemy in the interview he gave to The Guardian’s Charlotte Edwards. On a lighter note, he admitted to being a Scotsman who dislikes kilts.

I’ll let The Cardigans sing us out of this segment:

Just imagine Gordon Ramsay catering a garden party for Gordon Brown. Talk about a gaggle of Gordons.

Josh Marshall On Tom Parker: TPM is my go-to political news site. It’s Josh’s baby. In a Backchannel blog post, he explores the mysteries of Elvis Presley’s manager Tom Parker who was a fake American and a fake colonel. It popped into Marshall’s mind because Parker tried to get a songwriting credit for Elvis in exchange for his recording I Will Always Love You. Dolly declined; a sagacious move as publishing is where the money is made in music.

The last word of our second act goes to Dolly Parton:

We begin our third act with our favorite stolen feature.

Separated At Birth: Dr. A and I are watching the fabulous crime series Furious starring Emmy Rossum. Playing her rat bastard ex-boyfriend is Jake Lacy who is paired below with disgraced former Congressman Eric Swalwell.

I’m likely to write about the series in this space. Consider this Throwing Muses tune a placeholder until then.

Your Basic Basie: Bill Basie was always rock-n-roll curious. He recorded this on theme Bill Haley hit with the great Joe Williams.

Have I told you lately how much I love Count Basie?

Classic Movie Trailer: The 9 to 5 theme song was this week’s Friday Cocktail Hour tune, so let’s pile on the Parton content with the movie trailer.

Grading Time: 9 to 5 is swell social commentary and funny, funny, funny. I give it 3 1/2 stars and an Adrastos grade of B+.

That calls for an encore of the theme song: Dolly live on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

Saturday GIF Horse: We have a 9 to 5 doubleheader this week.

Toon Time: I just can’t part with Dolly Parton content.  Bruce MacKinnon nails the contrast between her and the Insult Comedian. He had the chutzpah to try and glom on to Dolly’s glow after she passed.

Let’s close down this virtual honky tonk with some more music.

Saturday Closer: This video comes with a disclaimer. It may not last very long on the YouTube so, if like me, you’re fan of The Band watch it while it lasts. It’s the only time I’ve seen them open with Chest Fever, which was a frequent set closer.

I’m repeating myself with this closing bat meme but I can’t let go. The last word goes to Jane, Dabney, Lily, and Dolly.