Price Chick a Boom

I remembered some scenes in a really funny movie I saw and could picture the lead actress, but I couldn’t get the names right on either of them. Frustrating, but true. I kept landing on the name of actress Piper Perabo, but I was wrong. The hilarious actress is actually Parker Posey. You’ve probably seen Posey in other offbeat comedies like “Best in Show” and “Waiting for Guffman.” Posey plays an over-the-top new boss character in “Price Check” and turns the world of mild-mannered Pete Cozy (Eric Mabius) upside down and then some. The 2012 film was written and directed by Michael Walker and features the music of a band called Luna.

One thing the two seemingly opposite characters share is an affinity for Luna’s music. The backstory on the Pete character is he went to Dartmouth and used to work in the music business, but wound up in the mundane world of grocery store pricing. I think the contrast between a single guy working in the music business vs. his now married with a child existence is an interesting backdrop. It paints the work world as the ridiculous thing that it is — gossip, job security, inner office romances, etc. In one scene, a subordinate calls his boss (named Susan) “Suzy Q.” She responds by nicknaming him “Ass Face”.

You’ll see some other familiar faces like Amy Schumer, Edward Hermann, and Josh Pais. Pais plays a “numbers guy” who seems to track and analyze things most of don’t. I’m surprised this film’s 5.5 on a 10 scale isn’t higher because I loved it.

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Undies Under Lockdown?

Today I decided to head out to my local Target store to replenish my supply of a fairly personal item….what the Germans call “unterwäsche” and the Japanese call “shitagi.” That’s right, I’m talking about underwear. I normally purchase said items online, but I had my sight set on a certain brand/model if you will and I decided to run with it. I found the men’s department pretty quickly, but was taken aback when I came to find most of the men’s undies…were…locked in glass cabinets?? I think this is as close to an out of body experience that I’ve ever had. I could actually see myself standing there with a puzzled look on my face, scanning the store horizon for some sort of logical conclusion. Is this some sort of social experiment? I felt like a “rat in a cage” Thank you, Smashing Pumpkins. The song is actually called “Bullet with Butterfly Wings.”

I thought the Target marketing big wigs had to be watching on camera somewhere, right? After a few seconds of despair I came to the conclusion that underwear theft must be on the rise. It still left me feeling just a tad “Paranoid.” Thank you, Black Sabbath.

Here’s the worst part. If you actually wanted to make a purchase, you were supposed to hit the customer needs assistance button. I guess then a Target team member or perhaps an entire squad of them would descend upon you and the ultra valuable undies.

Squad Leader: Sir, I’m gonna need you to step away from the Hanes…slowly.

Author: Uhhhmmmm…..what??

No thank you. I’d rather just grab and go, but that’s me. Fortunately, there were a few unlocked undies in my size so I beat a hasty retreat. I have made many department store runs in my day, but this was a memorable one. Also, the self check out was closed so I had to share my selection with the cashier. Oh, the HUMANITY!

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

B… in the eye of the Beholder?

I seem to remember the term “B movie” was thrown around a lot in the 80s. As the name implies, we’re not talking about big Hollywood blockbusters…more their lower budget counterparts. I honestly don’t know if there are more or less of them these days. For me, the titles I clearly remember are ones like “The Toxic Avenger” and “Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-a-Rama.” I’m not making this up.

Recently, I noticed an actress named Sandahl Bergman in a few of these. She appeared in some popular sword and sandal (pun?) films like “Conan the Barbarian” and “Red Sonja”, but she also was in one called “Hell Comes to Frogtown” with wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper. Not only that, but the leggy blonde was also in the music video for “Heavy Metal Love” by Helix.

The video seems to follow suit with the whole “Physical” Olivia Newton-John thing. I think John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis got their leotards working in a sequel to “Saturday Night Fever” during the 80s as well. I have to admit I like the song. As for “Hell Comes to Frogtown”, I’m not so sure. It makes me think writer-director Donald G. Jackson got the idea from the cantina scene in “Star Wars.” Randall Frakes shares a co-writing credit.

I think some might also put heavy metal rockers Helix into the “B” category, but I think you have to give them credit. Whether you’re talking about them or Sandahl Bergman, they both achieved success in the entertainment industry, which is pretty hard to do.

By the way, Bergman also appeared in “Xanadu” with Olivia Newton-John. Maybe that’s where the whole physical fitness vibe started.

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Nothin’ Shakin’

Have you ever heard about a musician or actor “reinventing himself”? I can remember hearing that during various rock n roll documentaries. It seems to me some rock critic said David Bowie was the king of it or something like that. You know, he’s Ziggy Stardust, then the Thin White Duke, Major Tom, and then married to a supermodel, etc. He also had his whole Bing Crosby Christmas thing, too.

In any event, the specific case of reinvention I want to mention involves The Beatles. In 1994, “Live at the BBC” was released. I have no idea who was involved with the decision to release or compile these recordings from 1963, but it’s an interesting listen. There are plenty of cover songs on this album of, yes, live recordings at the BBC. I have always enjoyed “Nothin’ Shakin’  (But the Leaves on the Trees)” with George Harrison on lead vocals.

I think this is a fun sort of rockabilly, teenybopper song. You know, the whole gang is meeting at Rockin’ Joe’s place, etc. Some catchy guitar on it, too. Obviously The Beatles weren’t the ones reinventing themselves in 1994, but it was like another chapter in their big book of music.

The original recording of the tune was written and recorded by Eddie Fontaine.

Fontaine shares writing credits with Cirino Colacrai, Diane Lampert and John Gluck, Jr. By the way, another Liverpudlian rocker named Billy Fury also recorded the song. Then, in 1974, Billy “Crash” Craddock recorded his take on it.

According to Wikipedia, Craddock’s version went to Number One in Canada and “Live at the BBC” did as well. Here is my alternate blog graphic, which was inspired by the credits to “Barnaby Jones.”

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Bluebirds & Analogies

Did you have the pleasure of taking the ACT standardized test? I sure did. One section I remember is “Analogies.” You know stuff like, “Drip is to gush as dent is to destroy.” Once in a while I’ll encounter a song by an artist and think of it in those terms. Take The Beatles for example.

I may be way off base here, but I would see “I’ve Got a Feeling” as analogous to “Why Don’t We Do It in the Road?” They’re both repetitive, raucous, maybe even avant garde songs. Another example of this analogous thing would be Paul McCartney’s “Blackbird” from the White Album to his Paul McCartney & Wings tune “Bluebird” from Band on The Run.

Does Bluebird pick up where Blackbird left off? Musically they aren’t super similar. Maybe it’s just the extension of the musical bird motif. I think “Bluebird” is underrated. It’s kind of a jazzy, laid back, Seventies tune.

In an earlier blog, I referred to Corrine Bailey Rae as a jazzy songbird. Ironically, she recorded this song as well.

I prefer the Wings’ version to her cover, but it’s still great in its own right. Incidentally, I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to snap a photo of a bluebird, but those things move fast!

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Feelin’ Free & Freaky

I’m a big fan of Eric Clapton and started to blog about one of his more obscure solo compositions today, but veered into his song catalog with Sixties Power Trio Cream. The opening track of their first album Fresh Cream (the U.S. version) was actually written by lyrical collaborator Pete Brown and Cream Bassist Jack Bruce. The song is called “I Feel Free.”

There are plenty of elements to this song. The most memorable or lasting one to me is the a capella intro with Bruce and Clapton singing in a round. It sounds like there may be a backing singer or two on this one as well. It’s not my favorite Cream song, but it’s interesting.

One unique cover version I encountered years ago was one by former Go-Go’s lead singer Belinda Carlisle.

Whether you love it or hate it, you have to admit Carlisle has a unique voice. I know very little about her, but according to Wikipedia, Belinda was named after a 1948 film called “Johnny Belinda.” She was born in California — Hollywood if I’m not mistaken.

Getting back to my freakfest of freedom, I found a pretty wild version of “I Feel Free” by drummer Sandy Nelson. I always think of Nelson as the “Let There Be Drums” guy.

It’s a pretty groovy take on the song and even reminds me of some of the music they used to play during certain episodes of Scooby Doo. Zoinks! Nelson was also a California native. Maybe someone should petition the state to change “I Feel Free” to its official state song. I’d say more, but I have to go eat some Scooby Snacks.

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Bernard Jenkins?

How blue can you get? That’s a question B.B. King once asked. Perhaps the question isn’t “how blue” necessarily, but whose blues do you like the most? I mean it comes down to personal preference. For me, I like electric blues and certain artists in particular like Elmore James, Muddy Waters, and Eric Clapton. Today I started thinking about one fairly obscure tune recorded by Clapton and John Mayall called “Bernard Jenkins.” (It reminds me of Freddie King’s “Hideaway” a little bit.)

One thing about this song I haven’t been able to find out is who in the world is/was Bernard Jenkins? There’s a Wikipedia entry about some British politician with that name, but I haven’t seen anything on the significance of it. Another Clapton-Mayall collaboration from the same time period is called “Lonely Years” and features Mayall’s distinct vocals.

What I find interesting about both of these electric blues tracks is neither one has bass and drums on it. The instrumentation of Clapton’s guitar along with Mayall’s harmonica and piano certainly works without them anyway.

I found both of these when the CD box set was all the rage and dubbed Clapton’s to cassette tape from the public library collection. I would say these are both pretty darn blue.

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

White Worm?

Have you ever watched a movie or read a book only based on its title? Some are definitely better than others. Back in the day, a VHS tape’s cover definitely was a factor when you were looking to rent some movies for entertainment. That brings me to a cult film called “Lair of the White Worm” (1988), which starred a British actress named Amanda Donohoe. She’s quite the pasty vamp in it. However, she might actually be a succubus. Anyway, instead of including any soundtrack songs, I’m including the bizarre bump and grind cover of The Beatles’ “Day Tripper” by Whitesnake — (White Worm, white snake, get it?)

Getting back to the film, the story is apparently based on one by Bram Stoker with the same title….and Stoker’s story is based on the legend of the Lampton Worm. The film has some freaky imagery in it and a fairly lame plot about some dude digging up the skull of dinosaur worm. I’m sure college students would enjoy drinking every time they see a white worm or snake in it. This is a prime example of something I’d like to read and research more, but I damn well know I won’t. Such is life.

What else can I say? Hugh Grant is also in the film and Donohoe apparently dated Adam Ant. Maybe they should do an Alien vs. Predator thing called “Ant vs. Worm.”

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Gator Huntin’

I’ve never felt any pressure or inclination to keep up with the times so I’m usually behind on them. The case in point is a reality TV show called “Swamp People” which originally aired on The History Channel in 2010. I’ve been watching reruns on a free streaming network and have to say I’m addicted at this point.

The show follows alligator hunters into the bayous of Louisiana. They purchase tags for the hunting season and set out with their bait, gator fishing lines, and shotguns to git ‘er done. The biggest thing I’ve learned from watching multiple episodes is there is a small soft spot where hunters have to aim to end things as quickly as possible. Easier said than done when you have an angry gator hooked to a line and fighting for its life.

I think the show works because viewers go to a place, and an activity, which are both out of the ordinary. Naturally the personalities of the hunters keep things interesting, too. One guy wears an American flag doo-rag with bib overalls. Another is an arm wrestling champ. Thick Cajun accents are the norm. One episode opened with a cover of “Born on the Bayou” by CCR.

I wonder why John Fogerty never did a Gator-Stock concert? Oh yeah, parking in the bayou might be an issue.

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

DST

It’s officially Daylight Savings Time…that whole “Spring forward, Fall back” thing. Since we’re springing forward I think of the first day as “Daylight Sucking Time.” I suppose if you live in a rural area it could be “Daylight Savins Time, Y’all.” For me, I woke up today at 7:09 am and had to hustle to get to church band practice at 8 o’clock. The whole thing is a fairly bizarre phenomenon that we just accept as is. It reminds me of “Alice in Wonderland.”

Here are a couple of other weird things. First, the battery on my living room clock ran out about a day or two ago — it’s almost like it KNEW it was coming. Another thing that jumps out at me is that not all states take part in DST. A close friend of mine moved to Indiana years ago and told me they don’t change the clocks there. Apparently they got with the program in 2006. However, Arizona and Hawaii still don’t participate in DST. It feels like a “Time Warp” situation.

I suppose time is all relative. It’s just bizarre to wake up at the same time you did yesterday, but it’s not the same time as yesterday. Oh well!

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!