As the pandemic quarantine approaches the two month mark, and as many of us are confined to social distancing and social media, people are coping and adapting to whatever they are comfortable doing. As far as Facebook, there are essentially two groups: Those who post the political aspects of the handling of the pandemic, including side stories, opinions on how electic officials are handling it, etc; and those pretty much going back to basics, playing games.
Those game plays can range from anything like randomly drawing friends' names and putting them in various situations, to brain teasers, where someone will post a seemingly easy question, which turns out to be complex, and people have to try and figure out the answer. Many get that wrong, but those who are correct have to, in turn, re-post the question. I myself aced three of those. Maybe this sixty-three year old brain is still in good working order, after all!!!
Then there are the co-called "challenges". You post a picture of a pet, or a scenic shot, for example, each day for ten days or so, without any explanations, and then nominate a friend to do the same every day. Another variation, in which I've been oft-nominated, and actually did this once in a blog, which you can read HERE, are ten albums (twelve in its original incarnation) that greatly influenced you. Again, you're not supposed to explain your selection, but just post the album cover, and then nominate another person to do so.
Yes, it's the musical ones I enjoy. Another involved making a list of six (or ten) artists or bands that you have seen perform live, with one act in the list one that you haven't seen. Friends are supposed to guess which band/artist you haven't seen, mostly likely based on the kind of person you are and your music taste. I've done that one twice myself.
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| Grid for the first phase of the "30-day Song Challenge" |
But the one that I am really into these days is something called the "30 Day Song Challenge". Last month someone posted a "calendar" on my Facebook timeline where each day, you post a song from a certain category, then invite friends to do the same. While I had been busy posting my favorite songs from my top 100 list for each year, one of my friends, Camille Serrani Ostrow, who I knew from my days working at Prudential and IBM Global Services, started doing this.
For example, Day 1 invites you to post a song with a color in the title. Camille chose "Bluer Than Blue", a 1978 hit for Michael Johnson. Others chimed in with songs such as "Mr. Blue Sky", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", "Little Red Corvette", "Purple Haze", "Back in Black" among many other color songs. At the time, I wasn't aware of the game, so I didn't participate until something came up in my News Feed days later. When I was writing this blog, I did go back to her earlier posts and added a few to the comments sections of the posts
Subsequent categories were songs that made you feel happy, made you feel sad, one about drugs or alcohol ("Red Red Wine", "White Lines (Don't Do It)", "White Rabbit"," Margaritaville", etc), songs to drive to ("Life Is A Highway", "Truckin'", etc) and so forth. But it was Day 14, A song that you would love played at your wedding that attracted me to this.
I figured I'd jump into the pool on that one. Camille chose "Love of a Lifetime", a 1991 hit by Firehouse. Others chimed in with Etta James' "At Last" which is a very common wedding song, "Endless Love" (Diana Ross & Lionel Richie), "The One" (Elton John), and "Follow You, Follow Me" (Genesis). Normally, Camille will react to each with the heart icon. Of course, there's the dissenters: One of her friends posted "Love Stinks" by the J. Geils Band, which was awarded the "haha" reaction.
Anyway, my first comment to this was my wedding song, "A Moment Like This" by Kelly Clarkson. Now, I wasn't sure if that "haha" reaction to "Love Stinks" carried over into my comment, but that's exactly what Camille did!!! OK, I get that a current-era songstress like Clarkson would pale in comparison to the sixties-seventies-eighties base of her friends, but my wife loved the selection. After calling her on it, she said she meant the "heart" icon. Nice recovery, Camille! (ha ha)
Anyway, I continued following Camille's posts. Day 20 was a song from the year you were born, which for me, was 1956. Of course, with me, the music impresario, it enables me to figure out how old one person is. Camille chose "End of the World" by Skeeter Davis which was a hit in early 1963, in other words, she's seven years younger than me. I went with Doris Day's "Que Sera Sera". The youngest entry that I saw posted under that was Looking Glass' 1972 summer smash "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)".
Day 24 was next, by a band you wish was still together. This was the first category that I put my blog experiences to good use. While the responses were the usual songs by classic defunct bands such as Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Nirvana, and even newer outfits like Savage Garden, I went with "Screws Get Loose" by a band called Those Darlins, which was a #1 blog playlist song of mine from 2012. That band called it quits in 2016 and the post got no reactions; I'm sure it went over everyone's head....that I guess are the "cons" of following new music, even more, alternative and indie rock and pop!
Eventually Day 30 came and went. Some of Camille's friends wondered what we'd do now. Is it over? Well, the pandemic isn't, but luckily one of her friends saw a continuation of the challenge...one which would take you from Day 31 to Day 42. The categories become more interesting and I participated more frequently.
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| Scene from a classic Coke commercial from 1971 which was featuring on the final episode of Mad Man as well as the song based on it posted for music that came from a commercial. |
Day 31 was a song that started as a commercial jingle. As I had just finished the final episode of Mad Men on Netflix, I was disappointed that "I'd Like To Teach the World To Sing" (the Coke commercial) was already posted. Paul Anka's "Times of Your Life" (Kodak) was already taken as well, thus I went with two entries: "We're Together" by the Hillside Singers (the old McDonald's "You Deserve a Break Today" jingle, and "No Matter What Shape" by the T-Bones (from the classic Alka-Seltzer spot).
For Day 35, a song about young love, while Camille went with "My Eyes Adored You" by Frankie Valli, I went to "I Think We're Alone Now" by Tommy James & the Shondells, a song, which incidentally will be referred to at least a couple more times in this blog. "Jack and Diane", "Young Turks", "I Saw Her Standing There" (also to be referred to below), "Younger Girl" a person favorite by Union County band The Critters, originally by the Lovin' Spoonful.
The categories just keep getting better: Day 36, "songs about murder" netted "Goodbye Earl" (Dixie Chicks) by Camille, my response "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" (Vickie Lawrence), "I Shot the Sheriff" (Bob Marley), "The Killing of Georgie" (Rod Stewart), "Bohemian Rhapsody" (Queen) and I could go on.
In recent days we had songs that were B-sides (my choice, "Maggie May"), keeping a relationship together, ("Let's Hang On"); songs about karma (some good ones there), and Day 41, "covers that never should have happened", Camille going with "When A Man Loves a Woman" by Michael Bolton covering the Percy Sledge soul classic. I went with Tiffany's version of "I Saw Her Standing There". Some others included Limp Bizkit's "Faith", Madonna's "American Pie", The Fugees' "Killing Me Softly", Blue Swede's "Hooked on a Feeling", and the Grand Daddy of them all, William Shatner's take on "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds". Speaking of Tiffany, her other hit cover, her #1 "I Think We're Alone Now" (and I'm not done with that song yet), also was a late entry into the "covers that never should have happened" race.
As of this writing, we're at Day 44, "songs from a Broadway Play", and looking ahead, there are interesting categories such as "song you love by a band you detest" and the reverse situation the following day; songs that use the "F-word" (I have a few in mind there already). And still to come, morning songs, songs you sing in the shower and finally, guilty pleasures, which is Day 62.
Will it continue beyond that? We shall see. But regardless, many thanks to Camille for providing us with this daily escape from our current situation!!!
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| Rock and Roll Architect Little Richard passed away last week at the age of 87. |
PASSINGS: Let's face it, this is the new normal; musicians that we grew up with are no longer with us. In fact, four that I know of have passed recently, beginning with Little Richard. Born Richard Penniman he is known as one of the founding fathers of rock and roll, sharing that title with legends like Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and a few others. His flashy, often flamboyant style no doubt influenced many, especially in the glam rock era.. His hits include "Tutti Frutti", "Good Golly Miss Molly", "Long Tall Sally", and "Jenny Jenny", with the biggest being "Keep A-Knockin'", #8 in 1957. He scored several #1's on the R&B charts as well. He also became a minister and recorded religious albums along with the secular ones. While his success waned in the wake of the British Invasion, he still recorded albums through the 1980's and performed regularly. In the 1970's, he was a guest on many artist's albums, and scored on the Hot 100 via two songs by rock bands: "Rocking With the King" by Canned Heat went to #88 in 1971, and "Take It Like a Man" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive, featuring Richard on piano, hit #33 in 1976. Richard was among the first inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was 87. It leaves only Jerry Lee Lewis as a surviving "founding fathers of rock and roll.
Brian Howe, who successfully revived the band Bad Company, initially successful in the 1970's under Paul Rodgers, with more success in the late 1980's, also passed away at age 66 of a heart attack. The Howe-led version of the band scored three additional top 40 hits and numerous songs on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart as well. "If You Needed Somebody" was their biggest in that era, going to #18 in 1990. Howe fronted the band between 1986 and 1994. Previously, Howe had played with Ted Nugent.
Betty Wright was a legendary R&B singer, best known to pop audiences for her "Clean Up Woman" hit from late 1971/early 1972. She also passed at age 66, from cancer. Based in Florida, Wright rose thru the ranks from gospel to R&B and signed with the legendary TK records in the early 1970's. Her big hit, which rose to #6 on the Hot 100, was recorded when she was 17 years old. She made the R&B chart regularly through the 1970's and 80's, and recorded well into the new millennium. She also worked with many current hip-hop artists as well, including Sean Combs and Lil Wayne.
Finally, we lost Jorge Santana, the younger brother of Carlos. Jorge, as part of the band Malo, had a top 20 hit in 1972 with "Suavecito", and recorded four albums with Malo before the band disbanded. After a series of solo albums in the 1980's, he joined his brother in Santana for a couple of early 90's albums including Milagro (1992), and then formed Santana Brothers, a one shot trio with Carlos and a cousin in 1994. Jorge died at age 68 of natural causes.
CURRENTLY: The Outcrops remain at the top spot on my playlist, the SNS 100 by a comfortable margin as "Lost Days" spends a third week at the top, in a very competitive top 20. Caroline Rose, Gary Clark Jr, Paul Czekaj and Winnetka Bowling League round out the top five, and only one new top 20 entry, the umpteenth song in that area of the list, from The Black Keys, "Shine a Little Light" inches to #20.
An interesting batch of new songs were added to the playlist this week, as I slightly divert from my alt-rock base to add two Country faves, a couple of Jersey acts, and a remake by a front man of a key punk revival band, of a song I've mentioned twice already. But the Top Debut is by seasons alt/indie vets MGMT, with "In the Afternoon". This is a new song not yet on an album that was recorded last year. The band always sounded fresh and this is no exception, with a little guts and a little soul added to proceedings. The band has scored in the past with "Kids" and "Electric Feel"; their blog best was the #10 "Congratulations" in the blog's debut year of 2010. This one should get close.
Just behind is the second song from Jersey band Screen Age, "Blue Eyed Addiction"; their "Vague" reached my top 10 last fall, and the new one is similar (but different) to that song, and one worth listening to. Blog perennials Florence + the Machine are back with a new song, "Light of Love". While many say it's a throwback to Florence Welch's debut Lungs, for me this one is a more subdued take than much of the band's output, but definitely worth listening to; it should do better than the disappointing "Jenny of Oldstones" last year.
Blake Shelton is one of my favorite country artists, and he is coming off my top 20 with Trace Adkins, "Hell Right". His new one, already a country smash, is 'Nobody But You". His duet partner? None other than his girlfriend Gwen Stefani. Definitely a palatable sound and combination. Kjband, the project from New Jerseyan Ken Johnston, debuts with "Life Without Complications" from the outfit's latest album More Love Songs, released in late 2018. Kjband, which hit my top 10 four years ago with "Waves" usually assembles an array of musicians. It sounds like Ken sings this one himself as normally a female is on lead vocals. Not the strongest singer, but he does sound very good here, backed with harmonies. The outfit's best in some time.
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| Country artist Christina Taylors latest is a duet with Canadian artist Brett Kissel, "As Good as You Look" |
Back to country, Christina Taylor, the former Taylor Centers that was recommended to me by my Roselle Park friend Mary Anne Reed Nolan, with "As Good As You Look". It's the first song I've added by her in awhile. I don't believe she has charted on Billboard yet, but she has made strong inroads into the Country Scene, being a regular on Radio Disney. Duetting with her is Brett Kissel, who is one of the biggest Country stars in his native Canada, but like Taylor, nothing yet here in the States. This is a good listen and worthy of a break though.
That leave a couple songs that are associated in one way or another with Tiffany, even though she isn't involved with either. I mentioned "I Think We're Alone Now" twice earlier; well it's time for a third. The song, originally a hit for Tommy James & the Shondells, and a chart topper for Tiffany, is back in a hard rocking version by Billie Joe Armstrong, the front man for Green Day. While not getting any alt rock airplay (unlike Green Day's latest "Oh Yeah"), it is climbing the mainstream rock, and Adult Contemporary and Hot AC charts. It was recorded in Armstrong's own house, as a statement on the current pandemic. As such, it's pretty much a raw rocker and is actually quite good. I've avoided Green Day in recent years for various reasons, but the rendition of this song is just too good to pass up! The song has been through so many incarnations, from James' pop/bubblegum original, to The Rubinoo's new waveish take, to Tiffany's synth version. Both Tiffany and James re-recorded the song last year: Tiffany's is more of a rocking version, while James' take was slowed down and acoustic; his version hit my top 10 last summer (and an entry on the AC chart to boot).
Finally, the last entry is another association with Tiffany: Her teen rival of the late 1980's, Debbie Gibson, scores an add with "Girls Night Out". I had always been a closet Debbie fan back in the day (and her "Foolish Beat" was my #1 song of 1988). She still performs, and actually toured with Tiffany a few years back, and does Broadway musicals. Apparently, the song is top 5 on the Dance/EDM chart, a genre which helped her break out back in 1987 with "Only In My Dreams". Since I've added EDM artists in the past, such as Zedd, Matthew Koma, Calvin Harris and Kungs, this is not really a surprise. Having said that, I added it as a novelty, but let's see how it does after a few listens.
FINALLY: I just wanted to thank all those who viewed and read my piece last week on Tom Corea...it scored one the most number of views in my blog history. To all, hang in there, and stay safe!
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
May 10, 2020
This
Week
|
Last Week
|
ARTIST-Title
|
Weeks on List
|
1
|
1
|
NUMBER ONE:
Album: Peace of Mind
(3 weeks at #1)
|
8
|
2
|
5
|
6
|
|
3
|
8
|
7
|
|
4
|
2
|
8
|
|
5
|
7
|
6
|
|
6
|
6
|
26
|
|
7
|
15
|
3
|
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
9
|
10
|
5
|
|
10
|
11
|
7
|
|
11
|
12
|
6
|
|
12
|
14
|
5
|
|
13
|
3
|
10
|
|
14
|
17
|
5
|
|
15
|
4
|
11
|
|
16
|
20
|
4
|
|
17
|
18
|
6
|
|
18
|
13
|
15
|
|
19
|
19
|
7
|
|
20
|
21
|
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:
Album: 'Let's Rock'
|
6
|
21
|
33
|
4
|
|
22
|
16
|
12
|
|
23
|
26
|
7
|
|
24
|
28
|
6
|
|
25
|
45
|
MOVER OF THE WEEK:
"Change"
Album: Local Motion
|
3
|
26
|
31
|
10
|
|
27
|
32
|
6
|
|
28
|
22
|
16
|
|
29
|
36
|
11
|
|
30
|
44
|
3
|
|
31
|
23
|
14
|
|
32
|
40
|
5
|
|
33
|
24
|
16
|
|
34
|
30
|
16
|
|
35
|
27
|
14
|
|
36
|
39
|
5
|
|
37
|
55
|
4
|
|
38
|
25
|
13
|
|
39
|
34
|
19
|
|
40
|
29
|
12
|
|
41
|
43
|
7
|
|
42
|
50
|
7
|
|
43
|
42
|
8
|
|
44
|
57
|
4
|
|
45
|
56
|
3
|
|
46
|
49
|
4
|
|
47
|
48
|
4
|
|
48
|
58
|
3
|
|
49
|
69
|
2
|
|
50
|
35
|
15
|
|
51
|
51
|
5
|
|
52
|
37
|
12
|
|
53
|
41
|
22
|
|
54
|
38
|
15
|
|
55
|
54
|
8
|
|
56
|
46
|
34
|
|
57
|
53
|
10
|
|
58
|
47
|
16
|
|
59
|
76
|
2
|
|
60
|
67
|
4
|
|
61
|
64
|
4
|
|
62
|
60
|
17
|
|
63
|
78
|
2
|
|
64
|
52
|
8
|
|
65
|
71
|
3
|
|
66
|
72
|
5
|
|
67
|
73
|
3
|
|
68
|
61
|
21
|
|
69
|
---
|
TOP DEBUT:
(Single Only)
|
1
|
70
|
59
|
19
|
|
71
|
---
|
1
|
|
72
|
---
|
1
|
|
73
|
81
|
2
|
|
74
|
----
|
1
|
|
75
|
75
|
3
|
|
76
|
77
|
3
|
|
77
|
86
|
2
|
|
78
|
89
|
2
|
|
79
|
80
|
4
|
|
80
|
90
|
2
|
|
81
|
62
|
14
|
|
82
|
65
|
8
|
|
83
|
---
|
1
|
|
84
|
63
|
11
|
|
85
|
66
|
7
|
|
86
|
---
|
1
|
|
87
|
68
|
15
|
|
88
|
---
|
1
|
|
89
|
70
|
27
|
|
90
|
93
|
2
|
|
91
|
79
|
5
|
|
92
|
82
|
16
|
|
93
|
---
|
1
|
|
94
|
74
|
18
|
|
95
|
92
|
13
|
|
96
|
94
|
8
|
|
97
|
85
|
6
|
|
98
|
88
|
29
|
|
99
|
84
|
18
|
|
100
|
91
|
19
|
Songs with the greatest increase in favorite points over the prior week. ● Songs with 25 or more plays on iTunes/iPods ▲ Songs with 50 or more plays.
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