wiggles

The last couple of weekends I have been dog-sitting for a neighbor's dog, but this is no ordinary dog, this is Wiggles. Actually we just call her Wiggles because, well you will see below. 

She's an adorably... um, jovial pup who has a special talent in the rear department. She is one of the few dogs who gets along with my rambunctious canine-companion. Every time we take care of her it makes me think of this song.

Song #223: 2 In a Room - Wiggle It

Taking Woodstock

Tonight I've been enjoying the recent film Taking Woodstock. It's a nice story, and not a bad debut for the hilarious Demetri Martin. It's a little fantastical but really a bunch of fun and has a great soundtrack. Input from Canned Heat, Arlo Guthrie, Janis Joplin, The Doors, Joan Baez and Richie Havens really puts it over the top. In the middle, Demetri's character has a crazy acid trip in a van with these two hippies to this far-out psych track by a group called Ultimate Spinach. As if there is any other kind of spinach...

Song #222: Ultimate Spinach

Sweet Melissa

Song #221: Melissa - The Allman Brothers Band

The French Connection

Portait of the Artist, France 2004

Happy Bastille Day From 
Chaque Jour, Une Autre Chanson.

Song 220: Jacques Dutronc - Et Moi, Et Moi, Et Moi

Watch Yo Step

Song #219: St. Vincent - Save Me From What I Want

Midnight Alton

A late night snack of Alton Ellis because its still Rasta Monday somewhere.


Song #218: Alton Ellis - What does it take

Biggie Flava

Last Tuesday, 92YTribeca's groundbreaking Rap-Lecture Series, Noisemakers featured none other than Puff Daddy, or Diddy as he's called these days. I went a little skeptical of Puffy's rap skills but within a moment I realized I was in the presence of one of the great entrepreneurs of my time. His drive and creativity turned Hip Hop into the empire it is today.


Song #217: Craig Mack, Biggie, Rampage, LL Cool J & Busta Rhymes - Flava In Ya Ear Remix

*main riff*

This is quite an interesting video. I've seen people who have filled in the lyrics before, but I've never seen someone actually try to make conversation.  This kid does a pretty good job of talking you through this fuzzed out prog gem, complete with Nirvana shout out and Jonas Brothers beef. In all fairness it's a 7 minute epic with an instrumental interlude in the middle so there's a lot of dead air.

Song #216: King Crimson - 21st Century Schizoid Man

Blondie

Song #216: Blondie - Heart of Glass

LeBronukah

Today is the day that the world's best basketball player chooses his next home. I'm hoping for a New York revival, but the chances are looking slim. The real question is, does LeBron James leave Cleveland (and it's eternal losing ways) for a new market, and if so which generation of young kids get to idolize him and which get to hate him. Also will Clevelanders burn their own city down if King James jumps ship. My bet is yes. Better look out.

Song #215: The Band - Look Out Cleveland

Heat Wave

Two record breaking days in a row here in the city. Two consecutive triple-digit days and maybe more on the way. We are officially in the middle of a Heat Wave.


Song #214: Martha Reeves and the Vandellas - Heat Wave

213

From Wikipedia:

North American area code 213 is a California telephone area code which was one of California's original three area codes created in October 1947. It has historically been associated with Southern California and Los Angeles.

For all intensive purposes, it could be better associated with three of the Best of the West Coast Rappers, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg (they are related, I'm not kidding) and Warren G.

Song #213: 213 - Groupie Luv

Mo Fro

A perfectly hot long weekend ends with a perfectly hot afro.


Song #212: Susan Cadogan - Hurt So Good

Independence Day

Song #211: Elliott Smith - Independence Day

BONUS LIVE VERSION: Just so you can see what playing this complex virtuosic guitar melody looks like,  here is a live version from 2000 at one of the classic music venues in the city, Town Hall.