Advertisements In which I sing the praises of a much-misconstrued genre The above image, whose painter I could not identify for the life of me (drop a comment if you can), does not depict the a cappella style we know, as there are instruments present. However, it does depict (again) that musical troublemaker St. Cecilia,Continue reading “A Brief History of A Cappella”
Category Archives: Music
Every Beatles Reference in “You’ll Be Back”
Advertisements In which I send a fully armed battalion to remind you that all you need is love Hamilton’s George III, our favorite mad king, steps out in the middle of Act I to the most fanfare since, well, Hamilton stepped out. He proceeds to introduce himself with a tune I can only describe asContinue reading “Every Beatles Reference in “You’ll Be Back””
Tribute
Advertisements John Winston Ono Lennon 9 October 1940–8 December 1980 (9 December in Europe) #40Years
Is “I’m a Believer” a Perfect Song?
Advertisements In which I pose a rhetorical question Today is the feast of St. Cecilia, patron of musicians (also poets, less relevant to the forthcoming discussion). On an unrelated-yet-related note, I listen to a podcast called Punch Up the Jam wherein the hosts and guests end each episode by offering an ‘unpunchable jam’—a song theyContinue reading “Is “I’m a Believer” a Perfect Song?”
Marie Before Marian
Advertisements In which I spotlight an entertainer who made (largely untold) history My preexisting plan for this week’s post is serendipitously harmonious given the impending arrival of a Black woman in the White House. Because on this date in 1878, the White House welcomed its first Black musical performer, Marie Selika Williams. Williams, née Smith,Continue reading “Marie Before Marian”
A Far-Too-Close Reading of “Your Song”
Advertisements In which I, well, never mind This week we arrive at something that has been on my mind all year: the half-century of the release of one of the most special songs in popular music. I’ll execute a smooth transition out of last week by introducing it as the song that prompted Lennon toContinue reading “A Far-Too-Close Reading of “Your Song””
80 Years
Advertisements In which I renew my vows I fell in love with John Lennon a few months after turning thirteen. This might not sound like much to people who grew up in an era when everyone and their cat classified themselves by their favorite Beatle, a question that echoes through subsequent generations. But it wasContinue reading “80 Years”
Any Tom, Dick, or Karen; Any Tom, Karen, or Dick
Advertisements In which I face the facts (i.e., the cold-hearted cynic I am inside) This title cleverly references not only a number from Cole Porter’s Kiss Me, Kate, but also the one-time husband of Karen Carpenter, Tom Burris. He serves no other purpose in this post. It came as absolute and very recent news toContinue reading “Any Tom, Dick, or Karen; Any Tom, Karen, or Dick”
Warren Beatty Reacts to “You’re So Vain” (A McSweeney’s Castoff)
Advertisements In which I house a homeless monologue Here follows a piece which was rejected by not one but TWO online humor mags, one being the illustrious McSweeney’s Internet Tendency of Boston. Given the double distinction, I felt it merited self-publication. It is, I think, no meaner than the song. • It was a yachtContinue reading “Warren Beatty Reacts to “You’re So Vain” (A McSweeney’s Castoff)”
Album Review: SONGS OF INNOCENCE
Advertisements In which I celebrate an uncelebrated curio Surprise! You thought you’d left this album in the dust, huh? Apple product users will remember it as the one that automatically streamed when U2 released it nearly six years ago. As an involuntary addition to millions of music libraries, it was largely unwelcome; people griped aboutContinue reading “Album Review: SONGS OF INNOCENCE”