Music to Warm those Cold Cockals
Summary: The two top picks were ``Santa's Song (Wasted On You)'' by The Morning Line, and ``X-Mas Song'' by Patrik Tanner. Additional songs were selected in specific genres.
Photo Credit: Jacob Windham
Mobile, AL
Shot taken on: 2004-12-18 17:12:57
It can't be December!
I was out with the good Mrs. Muddle the other day doing some Christmas shopping. We stopped in at the local Big & Nefarious Book Store, because Mrs. Muddle was in search of a cookbook for Unnamed Daughter. (Mrs. Muddle sought a cookbook of the highest refinement and discount, but her priorities were not necessarily in that order.)
Nigella Lawson
Good gravy, there was no way I could help Mrs. Muddle select a cookbook.
I'm not much of a cook, let alone cookbook reader. I watch Nigella Lawson's TV show for her social commentary. Besides, they say, if you've seen one photo of a bouillabaisse, you've seen a million. (Photo credit: Unknown.)
Max Shulman
I decided I should use my time at the Big & Nefarious usefully.
I thought to myself, ``What can I give Unnamed Daughter?"
I concluded it was long past due time for Unnamed Daughter to be introduced to the most influential writer in my life, Max Shulman. It was time for Unnamed Daughter to experience The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. (Perhaps the best known Max Shulman book, because of the TV series.)
I went to the Big & Nefarious information booth. I was met by a bookish-looking woman standing behind a computer. She appeared to be about thirty-something.
After exchanging pleasantries, I discovered she thought I was in search of a book about a seductive young woman named Debi Gillis, rather than a hip and glib guy named Dobie. (Suddenly, I felt 95 years old.)
"But I digress," Max Shulman.
"But I digress" was Max Shulman's famous segue and signature phrase. Trite? Perhaps, but, for a short while, he took ownership of the phrase, and it was functional. (Rare link [PDF] to one of Max Shulman's college newspaper columns. N.Y. Times obituary.)
In today's literary world, where short fiction writers are seeking medicinal advice to help recover from the sedative impact of John Updike, we all are long pass due for a Max Shulman revival. (I can proudly admit to never finishing any John Updike work, with the possible except of a Playboy interview.)
Shulman was politically incorrect; however, modern readers should remember he wrote in a day and age, when many, if not most, readers could distinguish the difference between odious writing and satire.
But I am not suggesting a Max Shulman revival, because the universe needs to re-read the content of his work. I am suggesting a Shulman revival, because (a) it's about time Max Shulman got the respect he is due, (b) one of the best ways for Johnny and Jane to learn competent writing, is to read Max Shulman (it's how I learned), and (c) I want to read/reread all his books, plays, columns, and scripts.
As an alternative to big and nefarious bookstores, you might consider IOBABooks.com. (For Max Shulman books, try this link.)
Remember December!
But I digress. This is supposed to be the write up about my current favorite songs for the 2007 Winter Holidays.
Christmas Carol Confusion!
No Christmas carols or religious songs in the list this year; however, that might change next year. Next year I am thinking of having a Mythology category, and letting all the religious songs duke it out amongst themselves.
Tim's Befuddled Universe welcomes nigh to everyone under a single big tent full of jolly, jovial, joyful folks full of fun and frivolity.
Directions: Take 378 North towards Bethlehem, PA. Go East on Saucon Valley Road. When you get to the Dead End, wait for the Befuddled Bus. The bus is old, and unreliable, so it may not run its route every day. Don't get discouraged, the bus will come eventually.
Tim's Befuddled Universe attempts to fit everyone in the universe under one jolly, jovial, joyful umbrella of fun and frivolity. (It's not an easy job. Fitting Mrs. Muddle, Unnamed Daughter, Peaches, Chewy, and all my multiple personalities into the Jeep can take the better part of twenty-two minutes, and three return visits to the potty.)
More Confusion!
Two questions have plagued me since my youth.I wouldn't raise them at this point, except for the cost of therapy, and all. If I could finally resolve these issues, perhaps I could finally understand the new Dish Network software.
Here are two questions that greatly troubled me as a child.
- If a person has a cake, why shouldn't she or he be allowed to eat it, too?
- And why is it wrong to put the horse before the cart? If the cart is in front of the horse, the horse would have to push the cart, and that would hardly seem to work.
I have many other vexing questions. I have many vexations.
My annoyances will have to wait until another time, because I am long past due time to announce the selections for the 2007 Winter Holiday Songs.
Winter Holiday Songs:
Current Favorites
The Two Featured Songs for 2007
Maybe it was the crisp cold breeze, or the bright California sun, but two songs in the Pop/Rock category did a slam dunk on this year's selection of Winter Holiday Songs. Every single time I listened to the submitted songs, I came to the same conclusion, these two songs are my favorites this year. (I will list them in alphabetical order. In addition, songs are listed for specific genres. If a genre did not have a worthy entry, then the genre was not listed.)
Photo Credit: Unknown
THE MORNING LINE
``Santa's Song (Wasted On You)'' is the perfect song for a pre-Christmas break-up.
I know some devious girls prefer to get their gift, then dump some poor unsuspecting sucker; but, hey, all you guys out there should learn to beat `em to the punch. Put this song on a cassette, and wrap it up so it looks like an iPod. Exchange gifts with that no good gal, then head for the hills. (But don't tell Mrs. Muddle I wrote this.)
Essential information.
Title: ``Santa's Song (Wasted On You)''
Band: The Morning Line
Listen to stream: http://myspace.com/themorningline
Band website: http://themorningline.net
Song Composer: Stephen Smith
Photo Credit: Michelle Robb Tanner
PATRIK TANNER
``X-Mas Song'' is pure pop, and pure Patrik Tanner.
Michelle Tanner; that is, the photographer, Michelle Robb Tanner, told me that Patrik wrote it for her as a Christmas present a couple years ago.
The next time you have a long layover, or business meeting, in Minneapolis, take in one of his live concerts. He performs with his own and other bands.
Essential information.
Title: ``X-Mas Song''
Singer: Patrik Tanner
Listen to stream: http://www.sonicbids.com/patriktanner
Band website: http://www.myspace.com/patriktanner
Song Composer: Patrik Tanner
More Genres, John!
Wait! There's more!
We still have to eat our soda cracker pie, and drink our Folgers coffee. I brewed a fresh pot of Folgers™. (My local Safeway™ has been out of Folgers Singles™ for the last two weeks. Shame!)
Gran'ma Betty wouldn't think of you leaving, without you all eating some of her soda-cracker pie, and listening to some more good music; so settle on back with your pie, and a hot mug of fresh brewed coffee.
We only serve coffee hot and black! Yup, hot and black, just as God intended; so don't go lookin' for any sugar or cream on the table. And don't ask for any either, or Gran'daddy might escort you to the door swift and sweet.
Folk/Roots
Performer: Glenna Bell
Song Title: ``Will You Be My Valentine For Christmas''
Song composer: Glenna Bell
Listen to stream: http://www.myspace.com/glennabell
Other website: http://www.glennabell.com
Pop/Rock
Performer: Chris Doud
Song Title: ``Christmas Pirates''
Song composer: Chris Doud
Listen to stream: http://www.myspace.com/chrisdoud
Other website: http://www.heckabad.com/
Humor
Performers: The Fabric Indicators
Song Title: ``Huber's The Beer For Xmas''
Song composers: Charlie Cheney, Tim Gadzinski, & Eric Hetzler
Listen to stream:
http://www.charliecheney.com/mp3/CharlieCheney_HuberXmas.mp3
Other websites:
http://www.charliecheney.com
http://www.myspace.com/charliecheney
``Keep those cards and letters comin', folks
(Dean Martin)''.
MAILBOX
Technorati Tags: music, people, philosophy, literature, film, and video.
