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Yana Bostongirl's avatar

The Power of Love - Jennifer Rush version 👍

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Britta Pejic's avatar

Flo and Eddie!!!

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Brad Kyle's avatar

A Flo & Eddie sighting! Nice, Britta! F&E had a radio show (didja know?) in the '70s in L.A.--I think on Rodney Bingenheimer's employer, KROQ/Pasadena--"Flo & Eddie By the Fireside"! They did comedy schtick (imagine!), and interviewed rockers passing through, and were just terribly fascinating to listen to! My fave F&E song (a tie): "Rebecca" and "Let Me Make Love to You," both from their '75 "Illegal, Immoral and Fattening" album!

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Britta Pejic's avatar

I am embarking on a podcast project with a friend from Jakarta. It’s why I’ve been mining a lot of Flo and Eddie on YouTube for ideas.

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Brad Kyle's avatar

Cool! Well, if you haven't stumbled into this, here ya go. This was an RCA promo LP in '75 (Barry Mann was on the label at the time), and I used to have a copy. I was stunned to come across it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzX622NJJ6M

Enjoy!

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Inverted Pyramid's avatar

Flo & Eddie... they changed the environment of “background” vocals. Before you had the Jordanaires, the Ron Hicklin Singers , the Ray Charles Singers, et al and what they had in common was doing the same thing over and over while they copied each other. Don’t get me wrong, I liked all that but I leaned more towards the Southern approach with blue eyed soul (Delaney Bonnie and Friends)and downright soul with Raettes (Clydie King and Merry Clayton )... the Raettes also performed under different names due to recording contracts like the “Blackberries” which coincidentally is why Volman and Kaylan called themselves Flo&Eddie.

I love these guys and I am happy you brought them up!!!!!

Flo and Eddie made the records they sang in... totally unique, just listening to “TRex’ “Electric Warrior” and what Flo & Eddie did was pure musical perfection. Zappa used them to perfection instead of screwing up talent like he did with Andrew Belew and Lowell George.

I met Mark Volman in the early 90’s and it would be hard to find a humbler human being. He is gracious enough to take time away from the Blackjack table to discuss music... I’ll never forget that moment. I have their first two albums on the wall right next to King Crimson’s “In the Court of the Crimson King”... they are promotional copies.

What I truly enjoyed about them was their love for life and finding fun in almost everything they did while expressing frontiersman-ship in their music.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

A podcast using Flo & Eddie for inspiration? Tell me more!

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Both The Barstool Preachers and the Rumjacks blew the doors of Smalls in Hamtramck last week. Grade 2 ( from the Isle of Wight ) and Murphy's Law were fantastic too, but I had seen them live before.

I was so impressed with The Rumjacks and their Celtic style, tin whistle and squeezebox attack that I wrote a story inspired by their song " Goodnight, Make Ends." It's embedded in the story in the lyric clip. https://jimmydoom.substack.com/p/flange

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

You're a helluva wirter, Jimmy. Thank you for the link. The song rips too!

P.S. Murphys Law is still touring?!

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Thank you.

Jimmy G from Murphy's Law is never going to stop touring. The list of former band members is probably longer than this year's NYU graduating class and he keeps getting in the van with new musicians. Remembers all the fans' names, he's amazing.

Definitely my best friend of all the bands we ever played with. Their first show in Detroit after I got sober, they did an improv ska song in the middle of the set called " Jimmy Doom Don't Drink No More"

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Paul Boardman's avatar

Having watched The Creator last week, obsessed with Everything In Its Right Place by Radiohead.

Reading Fast Forward: Confessions of a Post-Punk Percussionist: Volume II by Stephen Morris, so early New Order.

New music(ish) from Jayda G and her brilliant album Guy.

Discovered Ann Wants To Dance by Papooz while enjoying a pint. Love a pub that plays vinyl rather than digital.

Enjoyed the latest 60 Songs That Explain The 90s podcast by Rob Harvilla, covering Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden. If you haven't listened to this podcast I highly recommend it.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

How far into the book are you? Thoughts so far? Have you read Peter Hook's "Substance?"

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Paul Boardman's avatar

Just started. I have Substance and Bernard’s book to read afterwards.

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Minor Fossil's avatar

Holly Humberstone's new album Paint My Bedroom Black.

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jasonelambeth's avatar

Friday was another big release day! Spent the weekend enjoying new ones from Blue Ocean, Lighthearted and Dancer.

Also, honored to be sitting next to Yo La on your playlist! 😻😻

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Kiley Larsen's avatar

+2 for Blue Ocean and Lightheaded. Slumberland does it again!

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jasonelambeth's avatar

They are one of the best out there!

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Slumberland absolutely cannot miss. It's wild.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Seemed like a great spot for it. :)

Love the video too, btw.

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Brad Carl's avatar

The Feelies - Some Kinda Love: Performing the Music of the Velvet Underground

These fellas play the music better live than the real band ever did.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

This definitely caught my attention. I'm off to play it here shortly!

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Stygi's avatar

"Ghosts" - Hania Rani's latests album 🇵🇱🎹🎶 https://open.spotify.com/album/2nxnCjbaiAEJ4yBDMnQhJ8?si=S5NiWWFURAysA5t5Bi7ptQ

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Stygi's avatar

PS I looove the 1st song from today's OR playlist. It's one of those timeless tunes that makes you all goosebumpy ✨

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

I'm glad you liked it! I kept moving it between 1st and 3rd before deciding it should kick things off. :)

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Sam Colt's avatar

Been listening to the Miles Davis albums included on VMP's Electric Years collection. Also Moses Sumney's "Aeromanticism" and "Græ." And I'm about to check out the new Sufjan Stevens album that everyone is raving about.

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Inverted Pyramid's avatar

One hour ago “Davis” was the answer on 34 down in crossword puzzle. All they needed to do was put Jazzman Miles _____. Ha. The man is more than good...

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Ha! Nice. Also good to see another crossword fan on here as well.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Good mix! I'm curious what you think of the Sufjan Stevens record.

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Sam Colt's avatar

First impression is very good. Idk if it’s on the same tier as Illinois, Michigan, or Carrie and Lowell, but definitely will give it another few listens this week.

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MK Piatkowski's avatar

Discovered there was a The Fixx album released last year, Every Five Seconds. I have been going back through their catalog: Ink, Walkabout, Want That Life and Elemental.

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Marcus Meeks's avatar

Reach the Beach was the fourth LP I ever purchased.

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Senor Fix's avatar

Needless to say given my last name, I'm a fan. Thanks for the tip I was unaware of new album.

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Steve Goldberg's avatar

it is quite possibly my favorite of their post-peak era albums. saw them in concert and everyone is in peak form still! Cy’s voice has held up better than most of the new wave era singers.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Wait, what? I'm glad you menitoned it here. I had no idea!

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Andrew Smith's avatar

All Misfits, all day.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Hell yeah.

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Marcus Meeks's avatar

New(ish): DC Band Flasher’s EP In My Myth (released in May); Onesie’s Liminal Hiss (after reading your interview). Wilco’s Cousin has been getting a spin at least once a week since it’s release.

Older: Recent LP purchases- Dream Syndicate’s Medicine Show and Tortoise’s TNT. Also revisited Minus 5’s Down With Wilco.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

I'm glad you're digging the Onesie record! It's always a good time for Dream Syndicate.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Gonna keep this one handy for my next writing session.

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Terry Barr's avatar

Charley Crockett, as you'll see in a bit!!!

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Indeed! It was a great read (as usual). For anyone scrolling the comments, you can check out Terry's article here: https://medium.com/p/5b11847c355b

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Glenn Cook's avatar

Well done, Terry! Loved the tie to Arthur...

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Jen Zug's avatar

Nice mix - I like the Guided By Voices track.

I have not veered far from The War On Drugs or Sufjan Stevens in the last few weeks. I’m digging the comfort of these familiar voices and sounds at the PNW gray sets in.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

I never thought I'd say htis, but I kinda miss the PNW gray (easy to say now that I don't live there, but still).

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Jen Zug's avatar

I always love it in October and hate it in February 😂.

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Senor Fix's avatar

Hooveriii's latest 'Pointe' is their best, complete album - made to listen to in one sitting. Same goes for Steve Lehman's new one 'Ex Machina' - wow!

Thanks for another great playlist sir. Had never heard of Midnight Faces; they remind me of War On Drugs and another artist whom I can't recall and it's driving meet bananas! He had a great track on last album called Believe... argh!

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Thank you! War On Drugs' influence tends to loom large, especially this time of year. Can't help with the album you're tying to think of; the only one that comes to mind is "Believe" by Justin Bieber.

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Senor Fix's avatar

I finally remembered what label the artist was on (Sacred Bones) and then thankfully found... Amen Dunes. Amen to that no longer tormenting my brain!

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Amen!

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Punit Thakkar's avatar

Stavroz is on repeat for me

https://spotify.link/GgJigE4FWDb

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Andres's avatar

Hi Kevin and fellow Substackers! This morning I listened to B.B. King’s “Singin’ The Blues” on vinyl before heading to work. Because one has to start the Monday on the right note 😎

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Lol. Yes!

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Songletter's avatar

We just found The Durutti Column

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Lucky you! You're in for a good time.

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Greg Layton's avatar

I pulled Alchemy: Dire Straits Live off the shelf and gave it a deep dive this weekend. While my favorite track of theirs, Romeo and Juliet, is probably a bit better in the studio, the rest of the album is served well by the longer time for jamming. Once Upon a Time in the West and Telegraph Road are great, but obviously the real monster here is Sultans of Swing. 11 minutes of pure joy. If you find the studio version a little dry, check this track out. I think you'll be toe-tapping by the end.

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Greg Layton's avatar

I typed all that out and then went over to Spotify only to find out that Alchemy isn't streamable. Sultans of Swing appears to be available on a compilation called "Best Live Music" but if you want the full release you're out of luck. Long live physical media!

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Long live physical media indeed! I found "Sultans of Swing" (and it's awesome), but it's one of only a couple of tracks available to play.

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Jaap van der Doelen's avatar

Bought two Mercedes Sosa albums on a recent trip to Valencia, Spain. They’re relatively rare in my native country but you can find her work for just a few bucks over there.

I’ve also been playing Armand Hammer’s amazing ‘We Buy Diabetic Test Strips’ a lot, finally nabbed a copy of Little Simz her last album ‘No Thank You’, and found a mint copy of Pete Rock’s first ‘Petestrumentals’ album for a surprisingly reasonable price.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Oh, that's a great find! Right on!

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Inverted Pyramid's avatar

Pulled out Chris Rea’s “Gods Great Banana Skin”.

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Dirk von der Horst's avatar

Reconnecting with Ani di Franco!

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Rocco Pendola's avatar

The Tragically Hip 🇨🇦

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Michael's avatar

Wow - great playlist - and fabulous comments as well - just what I needed to get last week’s TV themes out of my head. Also a clear reminder that I need to get to the record shop!

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

I'm happy you're liking it! Always happy to help people get to their local record shop as well. :)

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Violet Way's avatar

Asimilasyon by She Past Away has been on repeat all week. They're a post-punk Turkish band. I'm so excited to see them soon!!!

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

That's a new one for me. Getting ready to give them a spin here shortly!

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Separately: On your "vile writitng" article, please tell me the footnote was a Green Day reference, and I'm not just...old.

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Violet Way's avatar

Haha YES!!! We’re not old, we’re just cool.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

I'll take it! lol.

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Jeremy Shatan's avatar

Last Friday had a lot of cool stuff come out! I Killed Your Dog by L'Rain is an instant favorite with much depth to plumb, 1901 by Melody Fields is psych-rock heaven, I Can't All Be Winners by Eddie Dixon is off-kilter, smart indie rock, like Elvis Costello blended with Little Feat and Tom Waits, and then there was an actually GOOD new song by The Libertines, Run Run Run. The EP from Boygenius is very nice, too! Last Wednesday I saw Mutual Benefit during an in-store at Rough Trade and bought the album - so gorgeous...sigh. Yesterday, I hit up the WFMU Record Fair and found rare gems, including Almighty Fire by Aretha Franklin, Ever Ready by Johnny Taylor, both forgotten and both great, and Spectrum by Billy Cobham. Okay, the last one isn't that rare, but finding an OG copy in good condition for $10 is not an everyday occurrence!

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

That's a great find!

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Nat's avatar

Talk talk for the win! Hands down one of the best bands on the planet. A Mark Hollis bio was released in the last couple of years on Rocket 89 books. Certainly recommend it. RIP forever

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Nat's avatar

Sorry Rocket 88

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Nat's avatar

I’m still stuck on Leon Russell this week, but this morning while driving to work I listened to Aretha’s “Amazing Grace” album (if you haven’t seen the film, do so NOW!)

And I’m wearing a YES t shirt today so I’ll prob listen to them for the billionth time at some point today.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

We like what we like, right?

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Pete Riddle's avatar

This article led to a lot of weekend discussions:

Getting older, with — or without? — The National

https://www.weaa.org/2023-10-14/getting-older-with-or-without-the-national

As for actually *listening* to music, Eddie Vedder's Into the Wild soundtrack and his similar Ukulele Songs caught my ear this weekend.

The new double-single of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service covers by The Beths and Car Seat Headrest is great. Brand New Colony with Pickle Darling's banjo is give me serious Seedy Seeds vibes. I'll keep waiting for Appalachitronica to come back around.

Love the Sugar for Bob Mould's birthday 🤘🎂🤘

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

I grabbed a decent copy of Ukulele Songs recently, but haven;t plaayed it yet. Today seems like a good day to fix that. Also excited to check out both covers! Thanks for mentioning those.

As for Bob Mould, sometimes the timing just works out. He's coming here at the end of next week, and I'm hoping to catch the show.

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Andrew Paul Koole's avatar

Sufjan!

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The Vinyl Vagabond's avatar

Definitely been back into Joy Division and New Order. Hooks playing has gotten me into picking up the bass again!

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Fantastic! NO/JD are always in season.

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Justin Steiner's avatar

I spent the weekend listening to the September albums I wrote about on my latest Substack post.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

That's a great list! For anyone eanting to check it out, click here: https://open.substack.com/pub/shooflypie/p/september-new-music?r=3cbf2&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

I have some thoughts on Cousin coming out tomorrow. We'll see how our takes stack up.

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Justin Steiner's avatar

Thanks for the promotional push, Kevin. Excited to read your thoughts on Cousin.

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Owen Lessard's avatar

A Lasting Place ~ Loyle Carner

the whole album “hugo” is pure gold 👌🏻

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Senor Fix's avatar

Loyle is incredible! In case you haven't, be sure to check out Yesterday's Gone. I need to listen to Waving Not Downing.

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Owen Lessard's avatar

ooh i’ll definitely check out Yesterday’s Gone! i really enjoyed Not Waving, But Drowning

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Ian Paul Sharp's avatar

Listened to a great album today by Brian Protheroe - ‘Salisbury Boy’. He had a hit with ‘Pinball’ in the 70s and I didn’t realise he was still going.

This record is only 26 mins long and all the songs are tuneful, mostly telling lovely stories. They makes it sound bland and it definitely isn’t.

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Charlotte Pendragon's avatar

One of my favorites songs is Summertime from Porky and Bess. This morning I discovered a rendition by Paul McCarthy! https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Paul+mcarthy+summertime&sp=mAEA

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Marmi's avatar

Love the Talk Talk track, takes me back! Thanks for the rediscovery as always Kevbo!

Me, I watched the Taylor Swift movie yesterday with my cousin, Tita, and daughter. 10⭐!

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Tbh, I kinda want to go see it. Sounds like it's quite an event.

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Marmi's avatar

Please go see it and thank me later my friend! You might get a near empty theater like we did cuz the hardcore Swifties already saw it on Fri the 13th for $10.13 at AMC. So you can conduct yourself as much like a giddy preteen and hardly anyone will know!

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

That seals it! I'm going.

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Marmi's avatar

Let us know what you think!

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Will do!

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Bob Tooker's avatar

The day started out with the album from Riot, fired down under. From there i jumped into a mixture of Anvil, Grim Reaper, and Lizzie Borden. I jumped back into the mainstream with a little Metal Church, Medieval steel, and Armored saint.

And really just messing with my head, I finished the day with listening to the Spent Idols.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Metal Church! That's a name I haven't heard in a while.

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DoctorBuzzard's avatar

How about just the coolest “Girl Group” ever https://youtu.be/4gpNqB4dnT4?si=8luF5eT3E-8kOtaM

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Tina Mandy's avatar

The past several days, I’ve been listening to older stuff I haven’t listened to in years. Specifically, Stone Temple Pilots’ “Tiny Music....” and “Purple”. It made me reflect on my teenage and young adult years in Southern California.

I’m a happy joyful person most of the time. The past several days though, I’ve been feeling a sense of melancholy when I think of the loss of these great musicians from the 90s and beyond: Kurt, Chris, Layne, Scott, Shannon, and Chester. Scott Weiland’s loss hurts the most.

I returned from England (where I was born and raised till 13) last week. Whenever I return, there’s always a sense of displacement and reflection on my past, hence, listening to music from my past.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

I'm sorry you've been a bit down! Hopefully, things are a little better today. Definitely tough to think about all the people no longer here!

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Tina Mandy's avatar

Thank you Kevin. Yes, today was better.

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Phosphene's avatar

Late to the party here, but Sufjan's Javelin is absolutely stirring! It's his best effort since Carrie & Lowell.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Some of his best work, by most accounts!

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Binnie Klein's avatar

Sorry to be a little late to the party lately! Been working on prep for our album, "The Quiver" by In These Trees and Tartie. I think you and your readers might enjoy this interview

https://radiokingston.org/en/broadcast/first-voices-radio/episodes/with-guest-binnie-klein?fbclid=IwAR2il-TvAQXkNqsP9W30WzTrRcwQYXvinwsmPvWspWx4Xaxi15X_ZqbOOvg

(longest URL in the world)...Tiokasin Ghosthorse of First Voices Radio talk with me about our climate change anthem, "Ablaze," wildfires, the earth, you know, the whole catastrophe. Some things I've been listening to and featuring on my WPKN radio show: Rediscovering Glen Hansard - like his song, "Sure as the Rain," Jeremy Dutcher is a wild classical and experimental vocalist, Elisapie has an album of covers recorded in her native Inuktitut language (including Wild Horses), Samantha Crain who I heard while obsessively watching the series "Reservation Dogs" - she's so good.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

I love it, and thanks for the link!

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