Monday's Music Moves Me: Songs with Dance Moves!

It is that time again! Are you ready for Monday? Well hopefully these songs will help.



This week's theme Songs with Dance Moves! I'm putting my dance shoes on my two left shoes and getting ready to shake a tail feather. Watch out cat! Watch out furniture! Hope I don't hurt something.



What would Jimmy Buffett do? He'd tell you there are fins to the left, fins to the right..

If you on the dance train let's do the "Locomotion"

Nice little gem from Little Eva. Let's work it like we are at the "YMCA"

Are you ready to "Twist"..

Alright, time for a water break! I'm gonna go put on some James Brown or surf over and see what the other M4 participants have going on. (Check out the sidebar for links)

Thanks for visiting! Next week will be a Labor Day Special for Monday's Music Moves Me. So watch me work it!

R.I.P Thomas Meehan

Thomas Meehan is probably best known for writing Annie.  His career was so much more than that.

He wrote the books to Broadway Musicals. Thomas won Tony Awards writing the books to probably the three biggest musicals of my life time. If they weren't the biggest they were near the top. Annie, Hairspray and The Producers.

Above a clip from Hairspray below a clip from The Producers...

I was able to review a production of Hairspray at The Signature Theatre in Alexandria, Virginia  outside of Washington when I wrote for the Maryland Theatre Guide. You can revisit that review from 2011 here.

He also wrote the books for the musicals Rocky and Elf. He also wrote the book for one of my favorite movies when I was a kid Spaceballs. He was a successful writer who lived a long life. He will be missed.

R.I.P Jay Thomas

Jay Thomas is known mostly for his roles on "Cheers" and "Murphy Brown."

In those respective roes he was only in 9 episodes for each show. However he won two Emmy Awards for his role on "Murphy Brown."

His first role was on "Mork & Mindy" where he appeared in 20 shows over three seasons. He stayed active until 2013.

His first appearance on Letterman's show...

His "Lone Ranger Story"

He will be missed by his friends and family.

Giveaway or Book Exchange?

I have a duplicate of a book that I am reading. I was thinking about either doing a giveaway on my blog or starting a book exchange. It could grow into a somewhat regular thing.

I am just throwing ideas out about my blog. Am I behind the times and no one reads regular books anymore? If I did a giveaway what is the fairest and easiest way to run one? What do you think of the book exchange or book trade?

Please let me know what you think in the comments. Thanks for visiting and I will see you soon!

Monday's Music Moves Me: Songs with Male Names Part 2

Last week's theme was so much fun I decided to do it again. 

The music is on, I have 20 songs this go around.

Falco "Rock Me Amadeus"

                                                  The Who "Tommy Can You Hear Me?"
                                                     

Billy Joel "The Ballad of Billy the Kid"

Taylor Swift "Tim McGraw"

Elvis Costello with "Oliver's Army"

"Quinn the Eskimo" Bob Dylan

Doobie Brothers "Jesus is Just Alright"

"Careful with that Axe, Eugene"

Pink Floyd 

Waylon Jennings "Good Time Carlie Has the Blues"

Johnny Cash "A Boy Named Sue"

Grateful Dead "St. Stephen"

The Beatles "The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill"

"Vincent" by Don McLean

"Louie, Louie" by the Kingsman

                                                "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" R.E,M

                                                   Townes Van Zandt "Poncho and Lefty"

                                                             Dave Matthews "Jimi Thing"

Black Oak Arkansas "Jim Dandy"

                                                     Joni Mitchell "Michael from the Mountains"

"Jack Straw" from The Grateful Dead

                                             

R.I.P Jerry Lewis

To me Jerry Lewis will always be remembered for his telethons for the Muscular Dystrophy
Association. He gained fame well before my time teaming up with the great Dean Martin. They were in 17 films together from 1949 to 1956.

Here they sing "That's Amore"....

He also appeared in 40 some other films during a long career, Active until 2016. He passed away at the young age of 91.

Here is Jerry and Dean's reunion from 1976...

Here he is in a skit with Donnie and Marie Osmond..."Send in the Clowns"

Here he is in the Carol Burnett Show..

What is your favorite Jerry Lewis memory? Favorite movie or bit? Feel free to share in the comments. May he rest in peace.

Happy Birthday: Robert Plant

Today is Robert Plant's 69th birthday. When we celebrate a musician's birthday on my blog that means plenty of music and today will be no exception.

Last week Robert Plant gave us the presents by announcing an upcoming release and sharing the first single from that album. Here it is for your enjoyment..

                 "The May Queen" from Carry Fire which will be released October 13, 2017

               Working down his career here is "Rainbow" from his previous release..

From the Band Joy..."The Only Sound that Matters"

Yes he was in another Band of Joy "For What it's Worth"

Robert Plant with Alison Krauss...

"Shine it all Around" from Mighty Rearranger"

"When the World Was Young" with Jimmy Page

From 1993 "Calling to You"

"Tie Dye on the Highway"

"Ship of Fools"

I could go on three more solo albums, The Honeydrippers before I even get to that Led Zeppelin Band. Well I hope you enjoy these and I will be back with a Monday Music Moves Me post.

40 Years Ago Elvis died

Above was footage from his funeral and fans. 40 years ago today August 16, 1977 "The King" passed away.


"I forgot to remember to forget" a number one hit from 1956..

He knew woman... "Hard Headed Woman"

 
 Don't worry that Hard Headed Woman wasn't you. "She's Not You"

I celebrated the passing of Elvis five years ago by finding a concert my parents went to which unlike me was a rare thing for them You can revisit that post here. Well I am being like Elvis and leaving the building.

Battle of the Bands: Goes Political

I heard it said somewhere "everything is political." I read all the comments on my blog. I don't reply back to most of them. However, I do quote some of them or give a shout out here and there. Sometimes they inspire my Battle of the Bands battles. I wing out the posts on my blog anyway so ideas are always welcomed.

A strange comment I received was "Unfortunately BOTB is all about politics, with is why it was no fun for me."

So in response my song this go around is "Apolitical Blues" by Little Feat...

Contestant One : Little Feat

Contestant Two: Van Halen

Contestant Three: Phish

Forget the rules! Vote for the one you like the best. You can vote for the original one. Wasn't my plan to have three but to keep it fair. I wanted to keep at least two studio versions. Phish was live, but it was the only fairly big name I could find.

So you have Little Feat, Van Halen and Phish. Enjoy and shake out who else is participating. The master list can be found here.

Monday's Music Moves Me: Songs with Male Names

Last week was so much fun! I'm back for more.



I'm stealing the above switch, because sometimes it is so true. Sometimes you just have to turn the switch on.

Today's theme is songs with male names. I'm not going to try to get them all. I will highlight a few and encourage you to visit the other participants for more.

"Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner" Warren Zevon

"Uncle John's Band" The Grateful Dead. So many from that band to use Tennessee Jed, Casey Jones, St. Stephen to name a few...

"Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" Paul McCartney and Wings

Led Zeppelin "Boogie with Stu"

Led Zeppelin "Poor Tom"

Jimi Hendrix "Hey Joe"

Lynyrd Skynyrd "The Ballad of Curtis Loew" 

 

Eight is enough.."Buddy Holly" Weezer

Stay tunes for tomorrow's Battle of the Bands post for more music!

Baseball lost a Slugger and a Catcher

Don Baylor passed away this week at the age of 68. He started his baseball playing career with the Baltimore Orioles and ended with the Oakland A's.

1987 World Series game 6 with the Minnesota Twins...

A 5-RBI game in the American League Championship Series in 1982..

338 home runs, an All-star, a World Series Champion, an MVP, inducted to the Angels Hall of Fame, and a National League Manager of the Year Award highlight his career. He provided memories for baseball  fans and will be missed.


Best known for his years playing with the Philadelphia Phillies Darren Daulton also passed away this week. He was only 55. He is on the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame, a three time All-Star and a World Series Champion with the Miami Marlins.

Here is a home run in the 1993 World Series with the Phillies...

Here is a homerun with the Florida Marlins in the 1997 World Series..

He will be remembered by Philadelphia fans for years to come.

R.I.P Glen Campbell

Above is reportedly Glen Campbell's last song. It was captured in 2014. He passed away at the age of 81.

Below is some vintage guitar fun...

Perhaps his biggest hit "Rhinestone Cowboy"..

Below he performs "Wichita Lineman"...

Another musical legend has passed away may he rest in peace.

Monday Music Moves Me: Hopping Aboard the Train (Freebie)

I'm new to this particular blog hop. I've joined one or two here and there so I get the idea. Still I am not exactly sure what I am doing or what I am getting into. However, that has never stopped me before.

I think I am suppose to share a series of songs sharing a common theme. This week being a freebie, I am assuming it could be anything. The host X-mas Dolly had a train theme going on the wording of her blog.

I am going to stick with a train theme, since I am just boarding this "Crazy Train"..

Ozzy Osbourne certainly  has this train rocking but "Casey Jones" is driving this train..

Another ode to Jerry Garcia in this time between his birthday and his death. 

Let's keep it rocking Southern style with this Blackfoot Classic "Train, Train"

                            Maybe this train I too Rocking, maybe I should have taken the "A Train" with Duke                              Ellington?

 
                             Let Steve Goodman sing about the ride on "The City of New Orleans"

                            It's just a "Runaway Train: with Soul Asylum..

 

Dolly it's a "Love Train"

          

 I can't stop this Train..,The Train Kept A Rollin'

Well I hope you enjoyed the ride! I hope to be a regular commuter on this musical train. So stayed tuned. Please visit the others on this hop in the side bar!

R.I.P Daniel Licht

You might not recognize his name but if you watch movie, television, Showtime, or Netflix then you have probably heard Daniel Licht's music. He is best known for creating the score for the popular series "Dexter".

Here is an example of his work an extended version of Dexter's Blood Theme...

Live "Honor for All" from Dishonored video game..performed with his brother Jon..

a piece called "Hide Your Tears"..

"Dexter Suite" performed live..

Future movies and shows may not be complemented by his music. However he leaves behind a legacy found on soundtracks that enhanced the shows we watched.

Movie Review: Atomic Blonde

I will admit I do enjoy a majority of movies and shows created from comics and graphic novels. Some how I missed out on reading them, so the stories are fresh to me. I may need to add some to my reading list. Please feel free to leave me recommendations in the comments. This movie was based off Sam Hart and Antony Johnston's graphic novel The Coldest City.

I didn't know much about this movie before I went to see it. I caught a preview while watching another movie. It appealed to the I'm a guy part of me. Meaning it had me with an action thriller movie featuring an ass kicking blonde lead.

This movie had a lot of things that made James Bond and other spy films the hits they were. Car chases, difficult situations, a bit of humor, and even a signature drink. James Bond was always cool and in "Atomic Blonde" Lorraine Broughton matches the coolness.

While Bond flicks included violence. It was never this bloody nor graphic. James Bond had a way with woman and so does Lorraine. I can't imagine James Bond having a gay affair. It works in "Atomic Blonde" with the lesbian. I wonder why the male on male affair hasn't made it on a spy movie scene? That could be another blog post.

Another thing I enjoyed about this film was the soundtrack. The movie was set in the days right before the Berlin wall fell in Germany. They pull some great songs from that era that really fit with the film. David Bowie, Nena, Til Tuesday, George Michael, The Clash, Flock of Seaguls, and Siouxsie and the Banshees definitely highlight the album. There are some new songs and new takes as well.

The movie stars Charlize Theron and David Percival. The film is an action packed ride of car chases, violence, and double crosses. It is rated R for good reason, so if you are okay with that see the film if not stay home. The end result is a fun, summer spy movie.

Disclosure: I paid my own way for this movie, unbiased opinion.

R.I.P Robert Hardy

Opening my tribute post to actor Robert Hardy with a clip from "All Creatures Great and Small."

Robert Hardy passed away at the age of 91 earlier this week. He is best known for his role in the  Harry Potter movies and "All Creatures Great and Small." However he has appeared in over 30 movies, several television shows and many stage productions over his long career. A career highlighted by being appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

A clip from the Harry Potter series..

Here is a vintage clip of Robert Hardy performing in Shakespeare's Henry V on the BBC..

The entertainment world lost a great one. However, Robert Hardy left behind an amazing recorded legacy. May he Rest in Peace.

R.I.P Sam Shepard

Sam Shepard was an actor, author and playwright. He was a Pulitzer Price winning playwright. He won that award once and was nominated on two other occasions. He has been inducted in the American Theater Hall of Fame and won a Drama Desk Award.

A Simple Tribute..

A clip from "The Right Stuff"

A reading from Patti Smith...

The entertainment world lost another treasure. Creating plays to staring on the Silver Screen. He leaves behind quite a legacy.

75 Years of Jerry Garcia

Today is Jerry Garcia's birthday. It marks 75 years since he was born.  He passed away at 53 and something beautiful has been missing ever since.

I'm going to share songs from throughout his career. Music talks better.

If you want more, I suggest going t o the movies today. They are bringing a vintage concert to the big screen. You can catch Jerry and the Grateful Dead one more time. Information here.


Jerry Garcia with Merl Saunders "Road Runner"..

Yes he was a road runner touring solo and with the Grateful Dead.

A happy Jerry does his take on a Beatles classic..

Here is early Jerry Garcia from 1962 performing some bluegrass. Sleepy Hollow Hog Stompers is the group "Run Mountain" the song..

Here is Jerry Garcia performing with The Grateful Dead at the last show..

The Dead unplugged..Jerry Garcia with Bob Weir and Phil Lesh..

I could go on. Of course I will. I hope you enjoyed and come back soon!