Mer-Blog

Today is Coney Island's Mermaid Parade. Still contemplating going even though it's getting a little late for the extremely long train ride, never mind the super sweaty one back. Today's parade combined with this pic I snapped of somebody's spicy window decal made me think of this epic Jimi track. Better she have human boobs than fish boobs. Am I right? Sidenote, a Google Search for "Fish Boobs" creates more questions than it answers.

Song #196: Jimi Hendrix - 1983 (A Merman I Should Turn To Be)

2 Senses

This song has that little steam sounding hiss to it that really keeps you in the beat. It's much better than his other song that tackles the rest of the senses, Smell, Taste & Feel (just kidding).


Song #195: David Bowie - Sound and Vision

The Hippest (C)Hops

Rahsaan Roland Kirk Almost Invented Hip Hop

By Nat Avino-Towsen

Rahsaan Roland Kirk was two letters away from inventing Hip-Hop over a decade in advance. The closest anyone of his age came was "Hip Drop" by The Explosions.

What hip-chops actually means is playing the flute and the manzello at the same time, which is a pretty hip thing to do with your chops. He doesn't even mention how many instruments are in his nose or how hip his nose is.

"Who has the hippest chops in the world?" Rahsaan asks at the end of the recording.

You do, Rahsaan. You have the hippest chops in the world.

Song #194: Rahsaan Roland Kirk – Hip Chops (won't play? Click here)

Sly

Rarely seen Photo by Urve Kuusik.

Song #193: Sly and the Family Stone - If It Were Left Up To Me

Loneliest Man on the Planet

Before he was (what I consider to be) the loneliest man on the planet, it is a little known fact that Elliott Smith was the frontman of a 90's band called Heatmiser. They are decent (as far as 90's Bands go), but he does just as good a job playing all the instruments by himself and dubbing them over each other, as he does for almost every song he makes after this one. I do happen to enjoy this song which seems to have gotten a little bit of airplay on an extremely preliminary incarnation of MTV2.

Song #192: Heatmiser (Elliott Smith) - Plainclothes Man

Mama

Today is my wonderful Mom's birthday. She has always been a huge inspiration and influence on me and the fact I that I do this blog at all is because any ounce of work ethic I have, I inherited from her. Working at one of the most Historical Cultural Centers in the world has only spoiled me to seek the most interesting and authentic types of individuals and experiences in my life. This week we take a break from Rasta Mon-day to honor my mom with a serenade by a young poet by the name of Tupac Shakur. He sings about his mother (a woman I was lucky enough to hear speak in 2006 at college) like my mother is also a very strong and driven woman. HOWEVER, there are many differences between the two so all the dicey substance issues and the welfare stuff doesn't apply. But some parts still ring true...

all my childhood memories,
are full of all the sweet things she's done for me.
and even though I act crazy,
I gotta thank the lord that she made me.
you are appreciaited.

Song #191: Tupac - Dear Mama

Boricua

In honor of today's Puerto Rican Day Parade, the largest and most traffic-creating parade in New York City, we have their Native Son (in that he's from the Bronx) Big Pun with his tribute to his beautiful homeland (still talking about the Bronx). 

Puerto Rico!

Song #190: Big Pun - 100%

Budos Butt

Last night I was fortunate enough to receive a friend's extra ticket to the Rocks Off Budos Band Boat Cruise. I am not naturally a big fan of boats, but I am a big fan of live music, so I obliged and It was the best decision ever. The music was great but paled in comparison to a chance encounter I had with a Budos Band fan. It was so crazy I had to write a Craigslist Missed Encounter about it: 

You were the Blond wearing an orange dress and a Backpack at the Budos Band Cruise last night, but no underwear... Luckily they were selling "Budos Rising" boyshorts at the Merch Table (Large, Nice). I was already intrigued when I overheard you talking about your commando situation (an interesting choice for a night cruise) but then when you immediately put them on and asked the Merch Girl to take pictures of your butt, I knew I wanted to learn more. I heard the pics were for your boyfriend but I'm sure we can work something out. How about Dinner, then I can take you to Victoria's Secret? 

Yes it happened. Also at one point the coast guard almost pulled our boat over with their boat, then it turns out they were just messing with us.


Song #189: The Budos Band - Scorpion

Song of the Week

I know this site has enough "Reoccuring Segments" already, and this one is definitely not going to hang around and get it's own tag, but I must acknowledge the huge love affair I am having with the Violent Femmes right now. I bought the record off the street downtown somewhere knowing I was going to like it, but not knowing the depths this album, recorded in 1982 in Wisconsin was going to get to me. Man it's awesome. Maybe the best trio since James Gang. Gordon Gano writes such intense songs and the cross between the subdued brushed drums and the high-octane Bass playing just blows me away. Today's song has been on near repeat on my various music playing devices for the entire week. When you Add It Up It's kind of like a more Angsty, Emo, Midwestern version of the Talking Heads without the danceability.  Turns out that's a good thing. 

Song #188: The Violent Femmes - Add It Up

Pizza Party!!

Song #187: Louis Prima - Angelina and Zooma Zooma

Rained Out

Today started out nice, but ended up a complete washout. It puts me in the mood for the Drunken Horns of The Band. I even think this Album Cover was photographed in the rain. Oh, one more thing, those horns... arranged by the magical Allen Toussaint. You can catch him in Brooklyn on Saturday,  hopefully we'll have better some weather by then.

Song #186: The Band - Unfaithful Servant

Un-Armed

Definitely one of my favorite all-time guitar riffs. It'd be hard to play it without arms.

Song #185: Television - Venus

Root Hub

Last week at The Moon's Skitfest 2010 Exxxtravaganza, they had a great duet between Corn-Mo and Root Hub (Yes these are both things, people to be exact) of the song below. I believe Root Hub is from Hawai'i which explains his reggae influenced, island vibes. Check out his website at roothub.com.

Song #184: Root Hub - Barefoot Nightlife

New Binoculars

Song #183: Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - Searching