Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

xkcd.com has posted a cool graphic that serves as a very quick and easy way to determine the time in different parts of the world:

Friday 80s Flashback for February 21, 2014

[Happy Smiths' Debut] -- February 20, 1984, thirty years ago yesterday, The Smiths dropped their eponymous debut album. In a decade populated with jangly acts, The Smiths pretty much defined a new genre of mopey, introspective music with a debut album that ran counter to just about every 80s pop cliche: Their songs were about a very un-poppy topic (child abuse); the production was dour, and maybe even uninspired; the cover photo was a still from the 1968 Andy Warhol film, Flesh; their lead singer warbled like a man in terminal frustration, if not pain. And you know what? It is all wonderful. The Smiths debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart, and "What Difference Does It Make?" peaked at #12 on the UK Singles Chart. The Guardian ranked The Smiths among their 100 Best Albums Ever list (1997), and Slant Magazine lists it among their Best Albums of the 1980s. Instead of three individual flashback tunes this week, I'm giving you three ways to enjoy this seminal album. You can check them out after the break.

Friday 80s Flashback for February 14, 2014

David, age 7, sledding on Jan. 25, 1985 (source: News-Tribune Attic)

[Frozen] -- In light of this week's snow storms, the Friday 80s Flashback features songs about snow and ice and, well, winter. (What? You expected Valentine's Day songs? You came to the wrong blogger). Right here in Bucks County, PA, we got around 13" of snow Wednesday into Thursday. However, we were spared a bit when the storm whipped around for a return engagement, and only netted an additional inch or so (along with a lovely sheet of ice). I hope all my fellow 80s-philes have fared well, and that you are cozied up and safe. What wintry tunes do I have for your snow day enjoyment? You can read and hear more after the break. 

Friday 80s Flashback for February 7, 2014

[Magic] -- As I am visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I figured magic -- or songs about magic -- was a good theme for this week's flashback. Now, as there was no Harry Potter back in the 80s, none of these songs are about him or his movie franchise. These songs either have magic in the title, or they refer to something as being magical. What made the sorcerous cut this week? You can read and hear more after the break. 

To My Old Brown Earth

Paul Winter is offering a free download of "To My Old Brown Earth," the last song on Pete Seeger's 1996 album, Pete. Seeger wrote the song for, and performed it at, the funeral of his friend, John McManus, co-editor of the radical newsweekly, The Guardian. The album, produced by Living Music, netted Seeger his first Grammy.

Friday 80s Flashback for January 24, 2014 (on a Saturday)

old skool cassette by ~EDIllo

Time for another flashback of a Flashback. I'm reaching into my archives and re-posting the Flashback from a year ago. I find it interesting that I was late posting that week just as I am today. 

[Atypical Qualities] -- I apologize for being late with this week's Flashback. Some things came up at work, so instead of wrapping up the post on Thursday evening, I found myself reviewing a slide deck in preparation for a Friday morning presentation. Believe me, I would have much preferred working on the Flashback.

Anyway...

This week's flashback started with a song by Robert Hazard. I cannot remember what made me think of it, but it stayed in my head. I figured that was a good indicator that the song had to be featured on the blog. I initially had some trouble building a theme around Hazard's song, but I finally settled on songs making something of an atypical description -- like "Chariots of Fire," but not that song (at least not this week). What songs did make it this week? Read and hear more after the break.

Forté Dramatic Productions Presents a Sondheim Review!

Some friends of mine are starting a theater company (Forté Dramatic Productions). Their first production is a night of Sondheim music! Details about Art Isn't Easy: A Sondheim Revue can be found at http://forte.brownpapertickets.com.

[Cross-posted at http://theaterlackey.blogspot.com/]

Friday 80s Flashback for January 17, 2014

Image from Tano Design's MLK Tribute Poster

[MLK] -- Civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) would have been 85 this week had he not been assassinated. Monday, January 20, is a day set aside to honor his legacy and his vision for America. The legislation for MLK Day was signed in 1983 and the federal holiday was first observed in 1986. Dr. King's life was one of service. Therefore, his birthday has since become the MLK Day of Service (set by the King Holiday and Service Act in 1994). Dr. King's messages of unity and peaceful resistance are as relevant today in our course, loud, and overly violent culture. You can read and hear more after the break, where we'll look back 30 or so years to find some songs that resonant with, or at least extol, Dr. King's life and work.

Image from grabnetworks.com

Friday 80s Flashback for January 10, 2014

[Happy 30th Birthday, "1984"] -- Can you believe it? 30 years ago this week -- on January 9, 1984, to be exact -- Van Halen released their sixth studio album, 1984. This is a seminal album for several reasons. For one, it was the first VH record that really pushed the use of synthesizers/keyboards. The band had been using synths since Women and Children First (1980). However, on those previous albums, the synths had been simply layered into the sound, adding texture. On 1984, the synths were pushed front and center, particularly on the first single. Second, this album generated the band's first and only #1 Billboard hit and it definitely fueled their crossover into pop (their next four albums all debuted at #1). And, third, this record marked the end of Van Halen's original lineup. Due to internal tensions -- particularly between guitarist/keyboardist Eddie Van Halen and vocalist David Lee Roth, and other issues depending on whom was asked -- Diamond Dave would split from the band after the tour and releasing his own solo album. Roth has rejoined Van Halen on three occasions, the most recent being in 2011 for A Different Kind of Truth (albeit with Eddie's son on bass rather than original bassist Michael Anthony).

This week, we'll revisit a few songs from 1984. If you are curious about a track-by-track review, check out Gary Graff's piece on Billboard. If you want to see what three tracks I picked, you can read and hear more after the break.

Final Leader Board for 25 Days of Winter Holiday Trivia

After carefully calculating and recalculating, going through each submitted answer more than once, I have the final results and can present the leader board -- and the winners -- for my 25 Days of Winter Holiday Trivia (2013).

The top three scorers are:

1. Colin G. / Stephen B. 
2. Purehero 
3. HeidiGolightly

I really had not anticipated a tie, at any level, so I will have to figure out how to work out the prizes. I'll be in touch with folks shortly.

Thanks to everyone for playing and therefore brightening my holidays (while also slightly lightening my wallet)! For your own reference, you can see the official trivia answers here and here.