A Funny Thing Happened While I Was Reading...

I'm reading a cheesy romance novel. You know the kind where the heroine is in her mid-twenties and still a virgin. Where love prevails even through the weirdest circumstance...

The book is called Hot Under The Collar.



The story is adorable. But what amused me the most were the songs and artists that got mentioned in the book, because the heroine is a late night DJ. It seems Sondra Lane likes to spin Diana Krall, particularly songs from the Love Scenes CD and in her collection she had some Moody Blues CDs.

It was hard not to read these references without smiling to myself. It's not often that I find mentions of my favorite recording artists in the books I read.

It's the little things in life that bring me joy.

Random 10

10 songs that sum up your weekend...or were on your weekend playlist...and one picture that relates back. (oh, and if you feel like it, tell us why you picked the songs you did)

I listened to a lot of different music this weekend, so my playlist is going to be very ecclectic. As always if you'd like any of the songs I post, just give a shout and I'll upload them for you.

Duran Duran - Skin Trade
Duran Duran - Perfect Day
Midge Ure - Answers To Nothing
Caroline Lavelle - Sheherazade
George Harrison - Pisces Fish
Elvis Costello - Playboy To Man
Andy Bell - Electric Blue
The Moody Blues - Lovely To See You
Justin Hayward - Shame
Michael Buble & Jane Monheit - I Won't Dance

All the songs except the Costello were tossed out by my winamp this weekend. The Costello is on a mix CD that doesn't seem to want to leave my car CD player.

As for the picture, I was in a very Duran Duran kinda mood this weekend.

Aging Gracefully

Marisa posed an interesting question to me today. The question of how I feel about Duran Duran performing now that they are older (and all the good and the bad stuff that goes with that)

Rock musicians are just like the rest of us, they age, some better than others. The Moody Blues are all nearing or in their early sixties. Perhaps they aren't as energetic as they once were, (Excuse me while I laugh...I made a funny...the Moody Blues energetic!) but they still perform just as well as they did 20, 30 or 40 years ago. I've only seen them in the last 4 years, but I can say they put on a decent show, albeit a short one.

Duran Duran is another kettle of fish altogether. They've been together only half as long and they are a very visual band. So, sure, how they aged might affect their popularity. I know one thing, age didn't affect their perfoming. I've seen them twice; once when they had their comeback in 1993 with the Wedding Album and again when Pop Trash was released in 2000. Both times I saw them, they were fantastic in concert.

Simon Lebon looks better up close (and I've seen him from the 3rd row) than any photograph can capture.

Personally, I think Simon looks pretty good now. His weight has gone up and down over the years, including the years when the band was exceedingly popular, so any change there goes unnoticed by me. As for the rest of the band, I have to say they still look pretty good too. John Taylor particularly is still hot as hell and Nick Rhodes is prettily platinum as always, though he's looking more manly in his aging. (That's a good thing in my book)

I don't think how a band looks should be the driving force in a band's popularity. It's the quality of the performance that counts and Duran Duran is still delivering. Which says to me that they are more than just a bunch of pretty faces.

With the Moody Blues things are a bit different. They came from a time when the music mattered more. In which case, I go to a show expecting a bit more than just seeing a few pretty faces. Mind you, in my book, I still see some pretty faces. Justin, John and yes, even Graeme look well for their ages, plus we have the added beauty of Paul Bliss and Gordon Marshall, who are resident stud buckets in my book.

The thing that determines how well a performer is aging is how you feel at a concert. Do you leave the show giddy with excitement or do you feel sorry for the band, because they seem to be embarrassing themselves on stage? In the case of the Moodies and Duran, both bands still put on rocking shows and as for the image part, I think they've settled into their ages well. Neither band is anywhere near the first blush of youth, but both bands still look good on stage. Plus with their added experience in the industry both bands know that looks don't always matter. Being labeled "pretty boys" can be quite a hinderence. (Almost as much as being called pompous and bombastic) Duran has moved away from that label while still looking fashionable and the Moodies look comfortable and downright sexy in their casual concert attire. But again, it's not what's on or not on their backs that matter, it's how they sound, and both bands still sound great.

Recalling Old Favorites

Another typical Sunday, reading, listening to music and going out for a quick dinner. So I decided to vary my playlist a bit today to be different. I admit I go through spurts in what I listen to. But I have to admit listening to all of one band is pretty damn boring no matter how much I love them.

Today I'm taking a trip back to some of my 80's favorites.



Notorious was always one of my favorite Duran Duran discs. It's a little bit funky and a little bit poppy and Simon's voice is really at it's best. And from an eye candy perspective the guys looked great during this period too.

Let's face it, you can't talk about Duran Duran without mentioning image. For me they were one of the few bands with a career made almost entirely by the video medium that had the talent to back up the mania Mtv created.



I loved Ultravox so it's quite obvious that I'd be a fan of Midge Ure's solo work. Yesterday I was listening to a few of his CDs that I had ripped to my hard drive. Answers To Nothing was one of the albums I had on. I don't think there's a song on this CD that I don't like.

Midge has a distinctive voice as well as a writing style that allows you to think as well as enjoy a beautifully written song. Plus he's one half of the writing team of the classic song "Do They Know It's Christmas." It's a shame he doesn't get the credit he deserves for that one.

It's been a good walk down memory lane today. It's also been nice to have something different playing on my winamp player. All Moody Blues and Elvis Costello would make the Music Whore a dull girl, and we can't have that, can we?

CD Baby = No Money

I finally bought the CDs I had in my cart last weekend. I figured that since I've been sitting around doing mostly nothing for the last month or so, I deserve a treat or treat.

And while I was browsing the shop, I discovered another artist that I could really get into. The band is called Troublesome Blue and they are from South Jersey of all places. Grey Eye Glances are from that area too.

Hmm. Methinks I live on the wrong side of the state.

Anyway, this band recorded 2 CDs, both of which run about $10 bucks on CDBaby. The only problem is they don't seem to have a functioning website anymore. Which makes me wonder if I'm falling in love with 2 CDs rather than a band. I'd hate to think I had discovered a new band only to have them be broken up already.

Ah well, regardless this is another 20 bucks I've got to spend. It's funny, as I look at my list of CDs that I absolutely have to have, a good many of them are on this site. So the good people at CD Baby are going to be seeing a lot of my money this year.

Once Again It's Snowing

The weather is conspiring against me. There's a light coat of the white stuff on the ground outside and it's flippin' freezing as well.

All I want to do is leave the damn house for awhile, but the weather is out to get me.

This rant sounds like a broken record right now, I know, but I'm sick of the same four walls. It's either the four walls of my job or the four walls of my house. I've seen enough of both of them right now. I want to see something different.

I don't think I've ever had the winter blahs this badly before.

I mean my weekend excitement is going to consist of going to get my haircut, the grocery store, church and doing the laundry.

I need to escape this boredom soon or I'll go mad!

~apologies to everyone that commented on the post that was here before. Blogger ate the post when I edited another post! Grrr

Top 5 On Friday

From the ladies @ Music Memoirs.

Top 5 "Ecstasy Inspiring" Songs

The Moody Blues - Deep
Something about Justin Hayward singing that he wants to go deep that really gets the hormones charged up. Some people are embarrassed by this song. I personally think they are nuts. There's nothing wrong with sex and there's nothing wrong with a song about sex, either.

Elvis Costello - Inch By Inch
Usually when Elvis does this song, he makes it part of a medley with Fever. That's a thudworthy combination. But even without Fever, the studio version is enough to get me all bothered. Mind you, Elvis can get me bothered without saying a word.

Paul McCartney & Wings - Hi Hi Hi
I can't help but wonder if those sounds Paul makes at the end of this song are the same as the ones he makes in bed. THUD!

Cheap Trick - Take Me To The Top
Basically any Cheap Trick slow song will get to me. I've always been affected by this one though for some reason.

Oingo Boingo - Spider
OK, there are loads of Oingo Boingo songs that make me weak in the knees, but this one from their last album is a particular favorite. I guess Mr. Elfman is just one of those guys who has a voice that can make you melt, or at least make me melt.

I Hate Philadelphia

Apologies to anyone from Philly. It's not that I really hate Philly. OK, I do. I especially hate driving through the city, but my hatred is more from the fact that all the concerts I want to see are there and I'm about 5.5 hours away in Pittsburgh.

Grrr.

My hatred for Philly was renewed today because of this.

Grey Eye Glances are playing a gig at The World Cafe. AGAIN!

I shouldn't gripe to much about Grey Eye Glances, because they are pretty much an indie band, and I'm probably the only person in the Pittsburgh area that's heard of them. But still I'd really like the chance to see this band without having to shell out money for the turnpike, a hotel room and a rental car.

Grrr.

Why is it that the mountain range that separates the eastern side of the state from the western side has to inspire fear in the hearts of all the bands I like? Actually I think it's just that all of my favorite bands hate Pittsburgh as much as I hate Philadelphia.

Thursday Thirteen

This week's topic:

13 places I want to go this year

1. Blackwater Falls: I discovered this place in my WV travel guide. My favorite things in life are pretty lights and water. This place has water, so it would definitely amuse me, plus I love waterfalls!

2. Atlantic City: I love the gambling capital of the east coast. Not only does it have pretty lights and the Atlantic Ocean, it also has some of the best food on the east coast. I can't fail to mention that the shopping on the Boardwalk is quite fun too.

3. Erie, PA: I haven't been to this city since I was in college. My brother used to live there and we'd visit him once a year during the summer. I miss the lake and all the surrounding parks.

4. Pymatuming State Park: If you haven't seen the carp that attack for bread, you haven't lived. I have, but I think my nephews need to see this while they can still have an appreciation for the silly.

5. Canton, OH: I promised my brother I'd come out and visit him one weekend this summer, for two reasons. 1) There's an IHOP in Canton and we have none in Pittsburgh. 2) There's a chocolate factory you can tour not very far from where he lives.

6. Cincinnati, OH: I want to go back and actually see the city this time, as opposed to seeing a hotel and a concert.

7. Kennywood Park: I went to Idlewild Park twice last year, I never made it to Kennywood. I need an amusement park with more life! Plus I need to take pictures of Kennywood!

8. Hershey, PA: If I get my membership at Phipp's Conservatory, I can visit Hershey Gardens for free. Oh and there's a big amusement park there too.

9. Charles Town, WV: There's another casino there, plus its near Harper's Ferry. Casinos and places to take pictures!

10. Somerset, PA: Ok, there are windmills along the turnpike in this area. Every time I've driven the pike it's been raining, so I don't have any good photos of the windfarm. I think that's as good a reason as any to go somewhere, right?

11. Bedford, PA: About an hour from Somerset. There's a lovely little town and a great state park where you can swim. I haven't been there in ages, plus I wouldn't mind going to Old Bedford Village again.

12. The Mountaineer: I haven't been to this WV casino, plus the world's largest teapot is nearby and that's a piece of quirkyness I must see.

13. Longwood Gardens: The conservatory is supposed to be finished. I don't think I've ever been there when you could walk through the entire conservatory. Mind you there are acres and acres of ground to walk through, but I'm concerned about one wing of a building I've seen a zillion times.

Other Thursday Thirteeners

Karen
Emily
Emily from "The Sassy Lime"
Lady Starlight
Rashbre

Feeling Jazzy

While hunting new music at BMG, after the disasterous purchase I made, I discovered Jane Monheit. Her most recent album is a Christmas CD which naturally made me grumble. I hate discovering Christmas music after the holiday. But rest assured, a song or two from this disc will likely appear on next years Christmas mix CD. (Yes, I'm thinking about it already)

Jane's definitely up there with the likes of Diana Krall. Had I known of her before the holiday, her disc The Season may have gotten more airplay on my playlist than Diana's. (Maybe..there's still a matter of Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep) The only thing that's keeping me from ordering the disc now is that it's on Sony and it's one of those son-of-a-bitching protected discs. Frankly I'm not amused by Sony's ploy to stop file sharing.

At least her other discs are on another label, so that makes me feel a bit better. I hate that big corporations are trying to make it so I can't listen to my music when and where I want to, particularly on my damn computer.

I can't believe that I've taken to this kind of music. Jazz was never really a favorite genre of mine, but then again, Diana and Jane are more jazz/pop than jazz. Perhaps it's age that's mellowing my taste in music. Who knows. I certainly can't make any sense of it.

All I know is that I've really got a desire to sip some wine in a smokey club and listen to S'wonderful. Who wants to join me?

Hump Day Hottie

Baby's got back.

Ok, no he doesn't, but that doesn't mean I can't admire the tushie that's barely there.





Oh, leather!



Baby's got wedgies!

Nothing like a cute, barely there tushie to get the blood flowing early in the morning.

Valentine's Day

Blech!

I'm neither married nor otherwise attached, so this holiday brings out the snark in me.

Why?

Because I've always been screwed over around the time this holiday came around. Somehow all relationships cease for me around this time or worse yet the presents I'm given pretty much tell me of whats to come.

I remember being given carnations one year for Valentine's Day.

Carnations?!?!

Not exactly the appropriate flower to give someone you love or even like for that matter.

By the time I was in my late twenties I gave up on the whole relationship game. Couples annoy me. The cutsey things that some families do scare me even more, but that's another rant all together.

Thankfully today is Tuesday, so I won't have to witness all the lovey doveyness anywhere that I go. Yay! Public displays of affection are high on my list of annoying things too. I think that has to do with the fact that I hate people invading my space.

But anyway...for those of you that feel the love today, Happy Valentine's Day! For those of you that don't, Bah! Humbug!

I Want My CD

I'm a regular customer at BMG. It's been my music club of choice since I was in high school. The selection isn't always as I'd like it, but I do get some good deals there from time to time. They can count on my to order a disc or two everytime they have a half off/free shipping sale.

I ordered the Leona Naess CD along with Lamb's What Sound disc on the last sale. At least that one was in the box when I opened it today.

In the place of the Leona Naess CD was some horrid rap CD that I most definitely didn't order. The invoice said Leona Naess. When I went to the website the order there said Leona Naess. In my box? No Leona Naess, that's for sure.



I just want the damn CD I ordered. Is it not bad enough it takes 2 weeks to get the CDs, now God only knows when I'll get this one.

Random 10

10 songs that sum up your weekend...or were on your weekend playlist...and one picture that relates back. (oh, and if you feel like it, tell us why you picked the songs you did)

I listened to a wide variety of odd tracks this weekend, mostly because I didn't go anywhere, because of the snowstorm that didn't happen.

Here's how the weekend playlist played out.

Oingo Boingo - We Close Our Eyes
The Moody Blues - Sitting At The Wheel (Remix)

Both of these songs are on my Muvo's playlist.

Holly Cole - Tempation
I like Diana Krall's version better, but Holly's is great as well

Grey Eye Glances - Oh No
Have I mentioned that this is one of my favorite bands?

Justin Hayward - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
There's a reason Eric Burton didn't hire him. He doesn't know the lyrics!

Herman's Hermit's - Nights In White Satin
Herman's Hermit's - Daydream Believer

Peter Noone was feeling snarky on the DVD I watched. Lordy, I laughed so hard when he mocked Justin and Graeme on Nights. Oh and I must add, Peter looks pretty darn cute in leather pants!

Elvis Costello - Put Away Forbidden Playthings
Elvis Costello - Satellite

I had EC on random yesterday

Laura Burhenn - Tatoo

This was one of the songs that I downloaded off her website this weekend.

Oh and I didn't buy a single CD this weekend. Though the list of discs I want expanded by at least 10.

And the photo? Elvis Costello, because he was the prominent artist on my list this weekend.

When In Doubt Clean

Yeah, my weekend has been full of the big nothing. The snow that we were all worried about failed to do much of anything, except keep me inside. So what did I do? I cleaned my entertainment/computer room.

Remind me not to do that ever again, please.

I got some CDs organized and moved them around, in an effort to dog proof my room. Why dog proof? Well, since my parents dogsit my sister's yappy little mutt during the day, there's a lot of territorial wizzing going on. Why it has to be done in my room, I don't know. I'm sure it has to do with the cats preferring that room, but I don't really know. I'm just sick of finding presents in my room.

I still don't have everything back in place.

Why?

Because I got lazy and I wanted to watch some of the DVDs I got in the mail a few days ago.

A DVD of Herman's Hermit's is much more fun to watch then cleaning up a big ole mess I made. And let me tell you, it's a big ole mess. (Because those are the only kinds of messes that I make)

Hopefully by tomorrow morning I can find my way into the room without killing myself.

A Cloud Of Words

Yes, if my friends jumped off a bridge, I'd probably go with them. That's why, when I saw that Moody Mistress succumbed to the "word cloud" post, I knew I might as well do it.

I'm such a sheep!
BAA!



So who's going to be the next sheep? You can become the next sheep by clicking on this site and then start baa-ing.

CD Baby Will Be The Death Of Me

I went over to CD Baby to check on the prices of a few of the CDs on my list. Of course, I ended up browsing the online shop. Needless to say there are a few more artists on my "Need To Buy" list.

The first one is Laura Burhenn. There are some soundclips on the CD Baby page. If you go to her official site there are several downloads from the album Wanderlust. This lady has an incredible voice. I'm reminded of Jewel when I listen to her, but I think her lyrics are more mature than some of the things Jewel has done over the years. She's definitely an artist worth checking out and definitely and artist that I have put on my list. I'm particularly fond of the song Memory, which is one of the downloads available on her site. I had a few mp3s of hers before I found her on CD Baby. Thank God for CD Baby stocking all the best indie artists.

Dragana was one of the artists I discovered while perusing the $5 dollar discs. The secret to the $5 dollar deal is to buy 3 or more discs from the sale pages so you get the discount.

I have to say that I was intrigued by her name, so I clicked on her disc for more info. Check out the song Dance. It's quite pretty. I'm definitely getting this one. Again, if you're looking to compare her style to any popular artists, I'd say Diana Krall or Tierney Sutton.

Joshua Eden is the first male vocalist I've recommended in a good while. It only took a few songs to convince me that he was definitely someone I needed to hear more of. Check out the song, Something to Save. It's a George Michael cover and it's stunning. When I first played the clip I went nuts trying to figure out who did the song originally because I knew I heard it before.

So there you have it, 3 reasons why CD Baby is trying to suck all the money out of my bank account and three more discs for me to ponder, "to buy or not to buy."

To Buy Or Not To Buy

That's the question. I figure since I've not gone out much this month, except to have a bite at Redd Dawg's last night, I deserve a treat.

The problem is deciding which CD I want to buy.

The first one is Daughter Darling's Sweet Shadows.



I've wanted this one for a very long time. I've got a few tracks on my harddrive and it's a great disc.

Bridin Brennan - Eyes Of Innocence



A friend of mine uploaded this disc for me, so technically I have it already, but I really want copy of this one. Bridin is fantastic. Of course it was probably destined to be, since Enya and Maire (Moya) Brennan are her sisters.

Ah well, it looks like the third disc I was going to buy isn't to be. Keri Noble's Lullaby sold out and I'm not paying 55 dollars on Amazon for a copy. Crap! I guess making my choice this weekend has just gotten a bit easier, unless I end up at Half.com and then I can't guarantee I won't go crazy buying cheap stuff people are trying to get rid of.

Top 5 On Friday - Valentine's Day Edition

Top 5 " " Songs. (Heart songs, songs with heart in the title...or if ya like the band Heart songs)

Nick Lowe - Only A Fool Breaks His Own Heart

Elvis Costello & The Imposters - Heart Shaped Bruise

Olivia Newton John - Heart Attack

David Bowie - The Heart's Filthy Lesson

The Beatles - Devil In Her Heart

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen things that always make me smile

1. Discovering that one of my favorite new artists is likely going to be playing a concert in Pittsburgh in April! Squee! Keri Noble has a Pittsburgh date on her spring tour. It's tentative right now, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

2. Getting packages full of musical goodness. A friend of mine sent me a bunch of DVDs of a few of my favorite bands including a DVD of The Moody Blues concert from 6/29/05. So far I've watched one of the DVDs, it was an Olivia Newton-John concert from Japan.

3. Hearing songs that I haven't heard in ages but love.

4. Silly pictures of my favorite men.



5. My kitten, Oogie, who is always managing to do something bad, but he does it in such a cute way that I always have to smile.

6. Discovering that a CD that I've long wanted is actually available, when I thought it was out of print, and actually having the cash to purchase it!

7. Finding a few dollars in my coat pocket or in an old purse.

8. Getting coupons for Dots in my email, and actually getting to use them.

9. Hearing the Moody Blues when I'm out and about.

10. Waterfalls



12. Atlantic City! Just the mention of this place makes me grin.



13. Wheeling Island. I love the little casino that's about an hour away from me. I especially love the buffet. That makes me smile too.

Other Thursday Thirteens

Emily
Karen