In my trip to Ireland, I was impressed by how friendly they were, and how many creative options they have discovered for taking the Lord’s name in vain, and how much they love live music. Happy St. Patrick’s via a song with Spanish?
Horn Sections Make Rock Better: The Boys and the Babies
Instead of a Pogues song in time for St. Patrick’s Day, here’s a Chicago group from my college years. The Drovers started trad-ish and got weirder as time went on. The horns toward the end of this song (re-recorded for a movie soundtrack) give hints of what’s to come. Jen from Illinois, wherever you are: Thanks for sending me (in …
Horn Sections Make Rock Better: Have You Seen My Baby?
The great Randy Newman is allowed to add yet another pop song about cuckolded men and unfaithful women. The fact that three uncles were Golden Age film composers–including the composer of 20th Century Fox’s fanfare!–explains how he is able to incorporate horns so effectively.
Horn Sections Make Rock Better: I Want a New Drug
The first vinyl I ever owned were two 45s my parents bought me: Juice Newton’s “Queen of Hearts” and Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5.” I’m not sure what that says about me or my parents. But you can probably guess my age. The second pop acquisition: My friend’s older brother taped a Huey Lewis song off of Power 94½. You …
Are your employees punk?
Do you want employees with green mohawks and safety pins in their cheek? How about employees who understand their work, say what’s really going on, strive to strip away what’s not working, willingly suffer to point out problems and pursue joy in their work? This fascinating article details “principles of punk rock at work” that may resonate with you. If …
Horn Sections Make Rock Better: Never Young
Last week was jazzy … this week is funky. It is Mardi Gras soon, after all. I love Harry Connick Jr.’s jazz, but I appreciate him stepping into funk–especially this, his second album of the sort.
Horn Sections Make Rock Better: Good Enough for Grandad
Today I am cheating. This is not a rock song. The Zips transcend rock. And jazz. And klezmer and swing and everything else. One of my saddest moments is traveling with college friends, realizing we were a walk away from one of their gigs–arriving after it sold out. This song from their first album announces their intent, I’d say. It …
Horn Sections Make Rock Better: Get Up Offa that Thing
Come for the James Brown ’70s mustache and Wolfman Jack intro, stay for the James brown steps and uncomfortably rhythmic side dancers.
Horn Sections Make Rock Better: Popscene
I love Britpop, this album and this song. Blur–portrayed as a boy band in the British press, including a manufactured rivalry with Oasis–were really an art school band. Many of their songs are commentaries on modern life. This one fits right in, almost three decades later.
Horn Sections Make Rock Better: No One Knows My Plan
Like the Bunnymen and their Echo, They Might Be Giants originally performed and recorded with a drum machine. That includes all the way to their breakthrough album, Flood. Flood turned 30 last year, which is weird since I’m pretty sure it was just yesterday. The Giants have been churning out genius for decades now. I’ve always imagined John Henry, the …