Harvesting the Ephemeral
Wednesday February 22, 2006
Song of the Day ... in Music
While in custody of the Eastern Cape security police in Port Elizabeth, Stephen Bantu (Steve) Biko sustained a head injury during interrogation. Doctors examined him as he lay naked on a mat and manacled to a metal grille. Eventually he slipped into a continual, semi-conscious state. A transfer to hospital was recommended. Biko was transported, lying in the back of a Land Rover, to Pretoria – a 1,200 km to journey that took 12 hours.
On 12 September, Steve Biko died from brain damage. Alone and lying naked on a cell floor the Pretoria Central Prison.
"The Commission finds that the death in detention of Mr Stephen Bantu Biko on 12 September 1977 was a gross human rights violation. Magistrate Marthinus Prins found that the members of the SAP were not implicated in his death. The magistrate's finding contributed to the creation of a culture of impunity in the SAP. Despite the inquest finding no person responsible for his death, the Commission finds that, in view of the fact that Biko died in the custody of law enforcement officials, the probabilities are that he died as a result of injuries sustained during his detention."
Nelson Mandela said this during his address at 20th Anniversary of Steve Biko's Death:
"History called upon Steve Biko at a time when the political pulse of our people had been rendered faint by banning, imprisonment, exile, murder and banishment. Repression had swept the country clear of all visible organisation of the people. But at each turn of history, apartheid was bound to spawn resistance; it was destined to bring to life the forces that would guarantee its death."
The Song of the Day is, of course, Peter Gabriel's "Biko."
"September '77
Port Elizabeth weather fine
It was business as usual
In police room 619
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Yihla Moja, Yihla Moja
-The man is dead
When I try to sleep at night
I can only dream in red
The outside world is black and white
With only one colour dead
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Yihla Moja, Yihla Moja
-The man is dead
You can blow out a candle
But you can't blow out a fire
Once the flames begin to catch
The wind will blow it higher
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Yihla Moja, Yihla Moja
-The man is dead
And the eyes of the world are
watching now ..."
Additional info:
» Tags: Song of the day, Apartheid, iTunes
Tuesday February 21, 2006
Song of the Day ... in Music
Whenever I think of "The Bullet or the Ballot", the chorus of Rage Against the Machine's "Bulls on Parade" plays in my head ...
"Rally round tha family! With a pocket full of shells!"
Additional info:
» Tags: Song of the day, Music, iTunes
Tuesday February 14, 2006
Song of the Day ... in Music
"Trista Pena" by the Gipsy Kings. Turn down the lights, and light the candles. Put the song on, and ask your love to dance. Slow, cheek to cheek, with only thoughts of her. For a few precious minutes, put the world on pause and let your heart beat with untethered passion.
Yo se que un dia voluera
Triste pena
Yo la voy a guscar
Yo no me acuredo de ella
Amor amor amado
Amor bien agitando
Amor con mi querer
Hoy para vivir
Amor confundi
Y no sage llorar
Hoy para vivir
No sares confundir
Un amor de verdad
Pero ya lo siento ya
La que mas queria
Amor mas agitanado
Amor mas agitanado
Amor ya sin tu querer
Additional info:
» Tags: Song of the day, Love, iTunes, Valentine
Tuesday February 07, 2006
Song of the Day ... in Music
Back to the 8-track theme.
Chicago was a rocking band in the 70's. Unfortunately for them they were eventually hit by a bad case of sappy ballad syndrome courtesy of Peter Cetera. But let us not think about that right now. Let's focus on when they rocked, their full on brass section sound, and Terry Kath's guitar work. Let's pull out that old Chicago II album, and play "25 or 6 to 4." There ... much better!
What does the Chicago lyric "25 or 6 to 4" mean? You can check out the explanation over at the Straight Dope.
"Waiting for the break of day
Searching for something to say
Flashing lights against the sky
Giving up I close my eyes
Sitting cross-legged on the floor
25 or 6 to 4
Staring blindly into space
Getting up to splash my face
Wanting just to stay awake
Wondering how much I can take
Should I try to do some more
25 or 6 to 4
Feeling like I ought to sleep
Spinning room is sinking deep
Searching for something to say
Waiting for the break of day
25 or 6 to 4"
Additional info:
» Tags: Song of the day, Music, iTunes, 8-track
Friday February 03, 2006
The Day The Music Died ... in Music
On February 3, 1959, a cold winter's night, a small private plane took off from Clear Lake, Iowa bound for Fargo, N.D. It never made its destination. When that plane crashed, it claimed the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. "Big Bopper" Richardson and the pilot, Roger Peterson. Three of Rock and Roll's most promising performers were gone. As Don McLean wrote in his classic music parable, "American Pie", it was "the day the music died." (from www.fiftiesweb.com) Wikipedia also has an entry "The Day the Music Died."
» Tags: Music
Song of the Day ... in Music
Pausing for a brief intermission from the 8-track theme ...
Yesterday I spent the day getting my butt kicked by a migraine. At first I put up a fight, but the migraine would have none of that and put a serious hurt on me.
So I did the prudent thing and gave up - I swallowed my pill and went to bed. I took a bow and bid farewell to Thursday, and told the world I would see it again on Friday.
"I Don't Care Anymore" by
Phil Collins is a bitter song to say the least. It's the quintessential break-up song. Phil does a great job of changing his voice with the lyrics - you can feel the heat of his anger emanating from the speakers. "Preach it Brother!" The drums are fantastic, increasing in volume and force as the song progresses. If you played the drums (like me), this is one of those songs that gives you a great workout.
And to tie it all together ... the pounding drums reminds me of the migraine. 
The song was featured on Big E's Episode 72.
Well you can tell ev'ryone I'm a down disgrace
Drag my name all over the place.
I don't care anymore.
You can tell ev'rybody 'bout the state I'm in
You won't catch me crying 'cos I just can't win.
I don't care anymore I don't care anymore
I don't care what you say
I don't play the same games you play.
'Cos I've been talking to the people that you call your friends
And it seems to me there's a means to an end.
They don't care anymore.
And as for me I can sit here and bide my time
I got nothing to lose if I speak my mind.
I don't care anymore I don't care no more
I don't care what you say
We never played by the same rules anyway.
I won't be there anymore
Get out of my way
Let me by
I got better things to do with my time
I don't care anymore ...
Well, I don't care now what you say
'Cos ev'ry day I'm feeling fine with myself
And I don't care now what you say
Hey I'll do alright by myself
'Cos I know.
'Cos I remember all the times I tried so hard
And you laughed in my face 'cos you held all the cards.
I don't care anymore.
And I really ain't bothered what you think of me
'Cos all I want of you is just a let me be.
I don't care anymore D'you hear? I don't care no more ...
You know I don't care no more!"
Additional info:
» Tags: Song of the day, Music, iTunes, 8-track
Tuesday January 31, 2006
Song of the Day ... in Music
I used to always confuse Bread with Blood, Sweat and Tears. I have no idea why - they have totally different sounds. Both of their tapes were highly played though during my 8-track period. I'm pretty sure we wore them out.
Today's selection for Song of the Day is "Baby I'm-A Want You" by Bread. A nice big serving of soft rock coming up ...
"Baby, I'm-a want you
Baby, I'm-a need you
You the only one I care enough to hurt about
Maybe I'm-a crazy
But I just can't live without...
Your lovin' and affection
Givin' me direction
Like a guiding light to help me through a darkest hour
Lately I'm a-prayin'
That you'll always be a-stayin' beside me
Used to be my life was just emotions passing by
Feeling all the while and never really knowing why...
Lately I'm a-prayin'
That you'll always be a-stayin' beside me ..."
Additional info:
» Tags: Song of the day, Music, iTunes, 8-track
Friday January 27, 2006
Song of the Day ... in Music
Continuing with the 8-track theme ...
I remember being dragged to a wedding as a kid, and of course I was bored. However, at the reception, they were playing pretty good music. Bachman-Turner Overdrive's "You Ain's Seen Nothing Yet" came on, and the next thing I knew I was on the dance floor dancing by myself. Which embarrassed my parents to no end. My father still talks about that moment ... When you gotta boogie, you gotta boogie!
"I met a devil woman,
She took my heart away,
She said, I had it comin' to me,
But I wanted it that way.
I think that any love is good lovin', and
So I took what I could get mmh,
Oooh, oooh she looked at me with big brown eyes
And said:
You ain't seen nothin' yet,
B-B-B-Baby, you just ain't seen nothin' yet,
Here's something that you never gonna forget,
B-B-B-Baby, you just ain't seen nothin' yet.
And now I'm feelin' better,
'Cause I found out for sure.
She took me to her doctor
And he told me of a cure.
He said that any love is good love
So I took what I could get mmh,
Oooh, oooh she looked at me with big brown eyes
And said:
You ain't seen nothin' yet,
B-B-B-Baby, you just ain't seen nothin' yet,
Here's something that you never gonna forget,
B-B-B-Baby, you just ain't seen nothin' yet. ..."
Additional info:
» Tags: Song of the day, Music, iTunes, 8-track
Wednesday January 25, 2006
Song of the Day ... in Music
The theme for the next few selections are from what I call my "8-track phase." Remember those? My parents had quite a collection, and I loved listening to them while lying on the living room floor. I also remember at being excited to finally be able to take one apart - only to be disappointed at how simple the layout was. "All that space for that ???"
According to Three Dog Night's website, nobody had more Top 10 hits, moved more records, or sold more concert tickets from 1969-1974. That's pretty impressive. I know they were one of my favorite 8-track bands. I loved belting out "Jeremiah was a bullfrog ...", even though I had no idea what that meant.
I'm going with "Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)" for today's Song of the Day. Written by Allen Toussaint, the song was recorded and released by Three Dog Night on September 28, 1974. It entered the Billboard Top 40 during the week of November 2, 1974 and stayed for 3 weeks, peaking at #33 the week of November 16, 1974.
"Well, I tried to run my game
She said Man, that's the same old thing I've heard before
And I'm too tired to go for your show (again and again)
And she started to explain
She said Man, I ain't sayin' what you're playin' just can't make it
But I just can't take it anymore
Play somethin' sweet, play somethin' mellow
Play somethin' I can sink my teeth in like Jello
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
Play somethin' sweet and make it funky
Just let me lay back and grin like a monkey
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
Well, I started to sweat
She said Don't get upset 'cause you just might break a string
And that won't do a thing for your show
So I said to myself
I said Self, do you see what is sailin' through my soul?
And I gotta have some more, don't ya know..."
Additional info:
» Tags: Song of the day, Music, iTunes, 8-track
Tuesday January 24, 2006
Song of the Day ... in Music
Kevin Godley and Lol Creme were half of the original group by 10cc along with Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart. In 1977 Kevin and Lol left 10cc at the peak of the group's popularity to start their own self-titled group. Even though their experimental music wasn't a commercial success, their videos sparked a creative revolution on MTV. Their video for "Cry" garnered several nominations in 1986 - unfortunately they were up against a-ha's "Take On Me" and Dire Strait's "Money For Nothing." Talk about a banner year for videos ...
"You don't know how to ease my pain
You don't know ...
You don't know how to ease my pain
You don't know what the sound is darlin'
It's the sound of my tears fallin'
Or is it the rain?
You don't know ...
You don't know how to play the game
You cheat
You lie
You make me wanna cry
You make me wanna cry
Cry...
You make me wanna cry
You don't know how to ease my pain
You don't know
You don't know how to ease my pain
Don't you hear any voices cryin'?
That's the sound of my love dyin'
Here comes the rain ..."
Additional info:
» Tags: Song of the day, Music
Monday January 23, 2006
Song of the Day ... in Music
All weekend long I was walking around the house singing "I'm Not in Love" by 10cc. I have no idea why - the song was just stuck in my head (which isn't a bad thing - I really like the song.) My wife laughed when she heard the song, most likely due to my horrendous singing voice. 
She pointed out to me that the song was before my generation - meaning I should have been too young to be listening to it (I was still in grade school.) But that matters little. Actually for the longest time I only knew the fragment "Be quiet, big boys don't cry" from the song "Mr. Jaws."
I'm experimenting with an "Additional Info" section (see below after lyrics.) Let me know what you think.
"I'm not in love, so don't forget it
It's just a silly phase I'm going through
And just because I call you up
Don't get me wrong, don't think you've got it made
I'm not in love, no-no
(It's because...)
I like to see you, but then again
That doesn't mean you mean that much to me
So if I call you, don't make a fuss
Don't tell your friends about the two of us
I'm not in love, no-no
(It's because...)
Be quiet, big boys don't cry
Big boys don't cry ...
I keep your picture upon the wall
It hides a nasty stain that's lyin' there
So don't you ask me to give it back
I know you know it doesn't mean that much to me
I'm not in love, no-no
(It's because...)"
Additional info:
» Tags: Song of the day, Music
Friday January 20, 2006
Musical Podcasts ... in Music
Ok I'm pretty much a noob in the area of podcasts. And I just recently figured out how to subscribe to them in iTunes. Yeah yeah I know ... 
Anyways ... so Watt turned me on to Coverville. Great music, but the commentary can be a bit inane. (There's a great soundbite that fires off in my head - on a local radio station a dj was trying to interview John Lydon and Mr. Rotten kept telling him in a sneering tone "just shut up and play the music.") But he won the People's Choice Award for Best Music Podcast, so what do I know. 
I just discovered Big E's House. "A 30 minute podcast that is designed to bring about the death of corporate radio. Some bands you know, some you don't, but it's all rock and roll, baby." You gotta love that! I've listened to a few shows, and I'm really digging it. 
Any others that I should check out?
Thursday January 19, 2006
Song of the Day ... in Music
[Image is an acrylic painting by Ulrik Vorsaa Oldenburg titled "Under the Milky Way"]
I'm staying with my mellow streak. Last night I was mindlessly staring out the window at the moon as it peeked in and out of the storm clouds. Drifting thoughts ... a loveless fascination ... something shimmering and white. "Under the Milky Way" by The Church - "a hauntingly beautiful track". Enjoy.
"Sometimes when this place gets kind of empty,
Sound of their breath fades with the light.
I think about the loveless fascination,
Under the milky way tonight.
Lower the curtain down in memphis,
Lower the curtain down all right.
I got no time for private consultation,
Under the milky way tonight.
Wish I knew what you were looking for.
Might have known what you would find.
Wish I knew what you were looking for.
Might have known what you would find.
And it’s something quite peculiar,
Something that’s shimmering and white.
Leads you here despite your destination,
Under the milky way tonight ..."
Amazon.com info:
» Tags: Song of the day, Music
Wednesday January 18, 2006
Song of the Day ... in Music
"All I Need" is from Air's fantastic Moon Safari album. The song is ethereal, and Beth Hirsch's voice is soothing and refreshing - like morning sunshine after a night of rain.
"All I need is a little time,
To get behind this sun and cast my weight,
All I need is a peace of this mind,
Then I can celebrate.
All in all there's something to give,
All in all there's something to do,
All in all there's something to live,
With you ...
All I need is a little sign,
To get behind this sun and cast this weight of mine,
All I need is the place to find,
And there I'll celebrate"
» Tags: Song of the day, Music
Tuesday January 17, 2006
Song of the Day ... in Music
"Aurora" by the Foo Fighters is a great choice to start off the shortened week (well for me anyways.) A mellow, lovesick memory, tinged with sadness and regret.
"You believe there’s something else
To relieve your emptyness
And you dream about yourself
And you bleed and breath the air
And it’s on and on and on and on and on
I just kinda died for you
You just kinda stared at me
We will always have the chance
We can do this one more time
Hell yeah, I remember aurora
Hell yeah, I remember aurora
All this time
Hell yeah, I remember aurora
Take me now
You spin the sun around
And the stars will all come out
Then we turn and come back down
Turn and come back down
You believe there’s somewhere else
Where it’s easier than this
And you see outside yourself
And you buy the hole you’ll fill
And it’s on and on and on and on and on
On and on and on aurora
Wait for everyone
Wait till the last one’s done ...
On and on and on and on..."
» Tag: Song of the day
