A Couple of Songs to Tide You Over

Hey rockers, I'm working on some substantive posts that are taking me a while to complete.  In the meantime, I'll give you some tunes to tide you over.  Sound like a deal?  Cool!

Let's get going.  How about we start with some ancient history, ok?  Sometimes it's only the old stuff that will satisfy that itch.  Here's a guy who came out of the British pub rocker scene with the band Ducks Deluxe.  He want on to be an influence on the entire Stiff Records crew.  He also played lead guitar with Graham Parker's band, the Rumour.  Oh, yeah, that was a clue and a half.  Anyway, it's Brinsley Schwartz and this track is called Surrender to the Rhythm:

That was a three-fer:  great song, creepy weirdo introducing Schwartz, and the incredible electric socket hairdo, too.  Gotta love it.

Do you remember the Pixies?  Of course you do because as a loyal BRP reader, you've read my live review of them a few years back.  Anyway, Black Francis or Frank Black (take your pick for whichever you like better as he uses both) was one of the band's leaders and later had a decent solo career.  I've always loved this track from the first time I heard it.  Here is Headache from the album Teenager of the Year - and who knew that the Maytag repairman knew how to sing!

I know you like Texas music.  Me, too.  It's not all created equal, but there is something about the Lone Star State that brings out the best in a number of musicians.  I don't think I've ever focused on this next artist, but that's an issue with me and not him.  Anyway, Delbert McClinton has been doing his thing for many, many years, and this track is a BRP favorite.  Enjoy!
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Have you ever been to San Angelo, Texas?  Hey, it's NOT TO BE MISSED.  Well, maybe that's not true and I'm just trying to mess with you so that you make the mistake of driving 4 hours from Dallas to see ... a dusty mess of a West Texas town.  Good Tex-Mex, but you don't have to drive all that way to eat, even in Texas.

Here's another oldie for you.  Remember Steve Forbert?  Little Stevie Orbit?  He's still kicking around.  Sometimes he shows up in Philly to play some little place.  It's got to be tough to be an aging troubadour who never really made it all that big.  But hey, he's got a Wiki!  Anyway, this song should have made the man a star, but alas, life ain't fair.  

Wait, wait, come back!  Yes, I know that last track makes it seem like BRP is going soft on you.  What's next, Leonard Cohen or something?  No, never!  Here's a redemption song, but sticking with the oldies theme.  Remember that guy Tom Petty?  You know, one of America's best songwriters ever?  Man, he had some great tunes that we all know and love, and he also had many that slipped under the radio wire but are still worth a listen.  Here's one of the latter, a great song from Wildflowers that we should all know:
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I'm watching the Super Bowl last night, and some lame promo for a "Peacock" show comes on.  But in the background is this tune, and I'm thinking "I know that song."  And then it struck me:  it's Ty Segall!  Ty is one prolific artist, and I might have already put you into his orbit, but if I did, well, it is an orbit and it's hard to break out of one of those.  Here's the song that I heard last night - it's been kicking around in my head all day!

One more oldie?  How about this:  Kelly Slater, at 50 years old, winning the Billabong Pipeline Master's contest!  Sure, Brady played until he was 44, and Jordan won 6 titles with the Bulls.  But for my money, the real GOAT is a guy still getting the biggest victory in surfing at 50!  And check out how deep in the barrel he goes here - that's scary as crap given that about 2 feet below him is a gnarly reef that eats surfers and boards with regularity.  Truly incredible stuff here.
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One more song, and then I'm gone, baby.  Have I ever linked to X, the LA punk band?  I did?  Well, I think they were the best of the LA punkers even if that's not the top of a huge pile of bands.  Nonetheless, this song has always been a great BRP rave-up favorite, and even features The Doors Ray Manzarek on keyboards.  Keyboards in a punk song?  Yup.  But also plenty of Billy Zoom's guitar, too.  If this song doesn't move your tush, then there is something SERIOUSLY wrong with you!

Don't you love it when your fearless blogger calls you out for a song that he loves but you might not?  Hey, I'm sorry about that!  If you didn't like that track by X, that's cool.  But if you didn't like it, and you didn't like the Steve Forbert song either, then I'm beginning to wonder about you.  Nonetheless, you still are welcome here at BRP.  We're not picky at all and we have a big tent that welcomes both of you!!

Anyway, always fun to hang out with the BRP locals.  Enjoy the day, and pray for summer.  Hang loose!