Tag Archive

“Keeping the Faith” was an illogical movie in the same way “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” was. Romance as justification for giving up one’s faith and world view is a tough sale. Having said that, the movie did one thing really well: It portrayed what it can look like for a couple to fall in love. Jenna Elfman’s reaction, walking …

We have a ska bias here at Horn Sections Make Rock Better. I know two things about the Mighty Mighty Bostones: The lead singer’s gravelly voice is due to him being knifed in a bar fight (probably not true since it’s not mentioned when you search for it online) They stopped playing during festivals when girls would raise their shirts, …

Some of the best use of saxophone in the history of rock.

Adam Ant doesn’t abuse substances. The paparazzi make guesses about his private life based on this. He makes a song about being a “Goody Two Shoes.” Which features him womanizing. The visual overrides the message, in my opinion. But man what a catchy song.

I love it when my worlds combine: KCRW’s online broadcasts of Morning Becomes Eclectic are the reasons I discovered Leonard Cohen, Ben Folds and Squirrel Nut Zippers in the 1990s. Sturgill Simpson is from a couple counties over from me. I know a few of his high school classmates. And, well, horns.

I give you the first rock single to go gold. The lyrics are cute, managing to work in Eve, Delilah and Jezebel. You can read about the songwriter here.

I’ve been pretty clear that funk is going to be a part of this ongoing series. In this live broadcast from 1977, you’ll hear the announcer mention that Tower of Power was opening for Santana. The fashions have certainly changed, but the music blasts right through those hairstyles and bellbottoms.

I’m unclear why I haven’t featured “Notorious” yet on this weekly reminder that horn sections make rock better. I love that song. Still, from the same album, I give you Duran Duran. Some DD members also had a side project with Chic in The Power Station–lots of horn there, too.

Incredibly sad news: John F. of They Might Be Giants is now the bedridden victim of a t-bone car crash. It happened on the way home from their Bowery Ballroom show–the start of their first tour since the pandemic. Doubly sad news: That means we won’t get a tour “with unplayed new songs in the works and rearrangements of older …

“It may be a bit on the nose, but what about Herb Alpert?” A suggestion from a client, Greg. On the nose and 100-percent right. This is 1960s pop music–the Beatles had their own cover of the song at about the same time. I was raised on both artists. Like many youngsters, Herb’s album featuring “A Taste of Honey,” Whipped …