Reaching for the Stars, Vol. 5
Chart Week: March 8, 1986 Song: “Kyrie” – Mr. Mister Chart Position: #1, 12th week on the chart, second week at #1. One of my favorite things to do when I hear old music is consider artists who had really brief, but really amazing runs. “Did so-and-so have the best year ever?” I’ll ask myself when I hear a song…
Friday Playlist
Jack White’s new album arrived this morning. I’ve listened to it once so far and am not terribly enthused by it. So I won’t share any songs from it in today’s playlist but will offer this link to a fine piece by Steven Hyden about the album and a connection between White and another legendary musician. https://open.spotify.com/user/224aiwksicafjldlua6nnpo4y/playlist/3pT8vDTdhqGoGYDkjAsRWx?si=szeqx_ioS1yX6HaqNJ2BXA “What Are You…
Sunday Playlist
Apologies for missing Friday. I had the double-whammy of watching my 22-month nephew and having to head downtown to watch L march in the St. Patrick’s Day parade. And when I got home there were hoops to be watched. So there was no time for blogging activities. https://open.spotify.com/user/224aiwksicafjldlua6nnpo4y/playlist/30MrJNIXhqB4ZwjdlwzXDU?si=95dN84B1RcOqTd72-89H6Q “M.A.H.” – U.S. Girls. A political song with a twist. This track,…
Reaching for the Stars, Vol. 4
Chart Week: March 5, 1983 Song: “Allentown” – Billy Joel Chart Position: #17, 15th week on the chart. Peaked at #17 for six straight weeks from February through March. This week’s edition is the first that draws from SiriusXM’s VJ Big 40 show on its Eighties on 8 channel. For those not familiar, Eighties on 8 features three of the…
Friday Playlist
https://open.spotify.com/user/224aiwksicafjldlua6nnpo4y/playlist/4w9d7jftcCh3jDfSQvULtg?si=s41RmWvIR0CPKTWsJrhUGA “Espionage” – Preoccupations. Going back to their days performing as Viet Cong, this band has always mined the dark, post-punk sounds that came straight from Joy Division. I wasn’t crazy about this song at first, but it’s really grown on me in recent weeks. “Living” – EERA. Another dark and brooding song. I must be drawn to this stuff…
Friday Playlist
https://open.spotify.com/user/224aiwksicafjldlua6nnpo4y/playlist/72UrwKo1ed0jN4l4Wy1OU7?si=s-JhwcCITk6KebvsGXTCiA “Blue Rose” – Amen Dunes. Amen Dunes is the project of New Yorker Damon McMahon. I knew nothing about him before I heard this song. I love it’s trippy, atmospheric, nostalgic vibe. “6&5” – Jesse Marchant. I was so looking forward to Marchant’s Illusion of Love album after hearing the first two singles. Unfortunately the rest of the album…
Reaching For The Stars, Vol. 3
Chart Week: February 18, 1984 Song: “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” – Elton John Chart Position: #18, 17th week on the chart. Peaked at #4 the week of January 28, 1984. A countdown from 1984, my favorite musical year! So many fantastic songs to pick from. “Thriller” had just hit the top 10 in its second…
Friday Playlist
All of a sudden I have a glut of new music. Which is a good thing, of course. Sadly, it’s still all singles; no good album releases today, at least that I’ve seen so far. I did add two more exciting releases to April and May this week, so spring promises to be a beast. https://open.spotify.com/user/224aiwksicafjldlua6nnpo4y/playlist/5s9b1qLlJCV3Z97TmwZq3B?si=zIupfUN8RAGhtlB1N-F9tA “Always Ascending” – Franz…
Reaching For the Stars, Vol. 2
Chart Week: Feb. 7, 1981 Songs/Chart Positions: “Killin’ Time” – Fred Knoblock and Susan Anton, #28 “Smoky Mountain Rain” – Ronnie Millsap, #27 “I Made It Through the Rain” – Barry Manilow, #26 My normal Sunday routine is to get up sometime between 8:00 and 8:30, watch the local news long enough to check the weather, and then move into…
Friday Playlist
https://open.spotify.com/user/224aiwksicafjldlua6nnpo4y/playlist/2fYqQaHIn4jokFvXzBM8AG?si=zHd6YKbpRMOXMasmIP-vtg “Lovesick on a Hotel Wildfire” – Korey Dane. This is a song Spotify sent my way, and I’m glad it did. Apparently I’ve heard a couple of Dane’s songs before, although I did not recall his name. He’s been called a “stoner Springsteen,” and this song certainly fits that vibe. “Name For You – Flipped” – The Shins. A…