The things you can learn listening to teen-age radio...
Back in the day when I was driving the kids to high school and would put on their radio station, most of it provided no relief to the rambling discussions coming from the backseat that I couldn't participate in (tried being cool a few times by interjecting some funny quips - insert crickets sound effect here), but there were a few songs songs that stood out for me: "What's My Age Again" by Blink-182, "Man In A Box" by Alice in Chains, and "Loser" by Beck.
Since I am posting a song by an artist I know nothing about, a look at his Wikipedia page was required and proved very interesting; seems "Loser" was his breakout hit that had record companies scrambling to sign him. I can see why: great lyrics just weird enough that your brain can digest them and still not be sure why you liked them, delivered in a rap style that feels more frustrated than angry, over a funk groove with samples. Extremely creative, and very cool.
The guilt is arguable: good music is supposed to span the generations, but is there anyway a 50 year old father can like his teenagers music without being creepy?
Have a great weekend, and don't forget to "get crazy with the cheese-whiz".
-KO
Friday, August 19, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
"Can't Get Used To Losing You" by Andy Williams
Andy Williams? Really?
Yes, really.
In an era of crooners in tuxedos that took their job as entertainers seriously, with a field of stars that included Frank, Dean, Sammy, Bobby Darin, and countless others, this guy held his own and, according to his Wikipedia page, had more nicknames than hits ("The Emperor of Easy" gets my vote!) and that's saying something!
The arrangement on this song is fantastic: the full Capital Records orchestra with those great rhythm pizzicato strings (imagine the song without them and you get a different tune, and hey, isn't that how you'd play it on a rock-and-roll guitar?), the doubled lead vocal that goes in and out of a blended harmony vocal (thank you, Les Paul), the rock-and-roll "teen beat" over the chorus, and no wonder you didn't mind hearing this song on your parents radio station (go ahead, admit it).
The guilt? Like I said; Andy Williams ('nuff said).
Sure, "Moon River" is his gold standard, and "Days of Wine and Roses" and "Hawaiian Wedding Song" are great recordings of his wonderful voice, but "Can't Get Used To Losing You" will always be the cross-generational hit that got lost under the radar.
Swoon away.
-KO
Yes, really.
In an era of crooners in tuxedos that took their job as entertainers seriously, with a field of stars that included Frank, Dean, Sammy, Bobby Darin, and countless others, this guy held his own and, according to his Wikipedia page, had more nicknames than hits ("The Emperor of Easy" gets my vote!) and that's saying something!
The arrangement on this song is fantastic: the full Capital Records orchestra with those great rhythm pizzicato strings (imagine the song without them and you get a different tune, and hey, isn't that how you'd play it on a rock-and-roll guitar?), the doubled lead vocal that goes in and out of a blended harmony vocal (thank you, Les Paul), the rock-and-roll "teen beat" over the chorus, and no wonder you didn't mind hearing this song on your parents radio station (go ahead, admit it).
The guilt? Like I said; Andy Williams ('nuff said).
Sure, "Moon River" is his gold standard, and "Days of Wine and Roses" and "Hawaiian Wedding Song" are great recordings of his wonderful voice, but "Can't Get Used To Losing You" will always be the cross-generational hit that got lost under the radar.
Swoon away.
-KO
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