[Stay Awake] -- I have visited Walt Disney World five times in my life. But I had never been to Disneyland ... until this week. On Monday, February 18, we capped off our recent trip to L.A. with a tour of Disneyland. Well, maybe not a tour exactly, but we did have a Disney Cast Member as our guide and she could get us into special places and bypass lines. It was pretty much a V.I.P. day all the way, and it was arranged by a California couple (who are Club 33 members) we befriended over Twitter and a previous San Diego Comic-Con (Thank you, Andrew and Lisa!). During our visit to the park, we took a break in the 1901 Lounge. While in the Lounge, our guide told us about the music that was playing -- all jazz versions of Disney movie tunes arranged and performed by Bill Cantos. (Yes, I bought the CD, and it is wonderful). In response, I told her about Hall Willner's Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films (1988). Willner is an American music producer with several tribute albums and live events listed among his many credits, Stay Awake being his fourth tribute album. I was in college when it was first released, and I loved it because it made a somewhat adult soundtrack out of songs originally created for kids. More than 20 years later, I still love it for the milestone in my life that it represents. Turns out, our guide didn't know about Stay Awake, and I reckon the same can be said of many of my fellow 80s-philes. So, I figure this CD makes for a great Flashback. I've chosen three tunes from the 20+ songs represented on the album. You know the drill: Read and hear more after the break.
An 80s sci-fi image from OMNI Magazine (via Flyer Goodness)
[Sci-Fri] -- I am attending the Grand Slam Star Trek and Sci-Fi Summit in Burbank, CA, this weekend. Now, with the notable exception of Star Trek: The Next Generation, which premiered in 1987, most of the shows represented at this summit aired more recently. Still, I have it on good authority that science fiction ruled the 1980s. Sci-fi inspired tunes, therefore, seem to be a perfect choice for this week's Flashback. There are many options, from movies to TV shows to straight-up concept albums. If you would like to know what I selected, you can read and hear more after the break.
[What's in a Name (Redux)?] -- A little over a year ago, the Friday 80s Flashback looked at a trio of 80s artists who displayed an excess of creativity in branding their work. And by "excess of creativity," I mean they showed, perhaps, poor judgement in choosing a name. That 1/27/2012 flashback honored a few of these appellation-challenged acts. Whether confusing, silly, or just plain stupid-sounding, these bands ruled the charts -- or at least left an impression -- for a short time. So, if you're ready for a flashback to a Flashback, you can see what acts I singled out for their interesting monikers. Just read and hear more after the break.
[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.
[Things Change] -- I'm moving through some changes. No, really, I am. Of course, we are all moving through changes, aren't we? But I have a very specific change in mind: Late last week, the company I work with cut a substantial number of jobs as part of a comprehensive reorganization. Nearly a full week later, the fallout and uncertainty are ongoing. No, I don't think there will be more layoffs -- well, maybe not for a while -- but it seems that management is till tinkering with some of the details. And I seem to be one of those details because I still don't have a concrete answer as to where I end up in the new regime. But at least I still have a job. And a Flashback theme: This week, we look at songs about change. If you are ready to embrace change, you can read and hear more after the break.
[Bully for You] -- I was chatting with an old friend this week. I could almost go so far as to say this was an old school friend -- we've known each other since our elementary years. We naturally lost touch after high school graduation, but have been able to reconnect through the FaceTube ... er, MyFace ... um ... oh, yes, Facebook! Anyway, during our conversation, we each learned that the other had been bullied back in our dear old school days. And, of course, neither of us knew about the other's situation. Now, bullying wasn't a new ordeal for my generation. There is a fairly long history of bullying both in and out of school, with the first use of bullying in a literary work occurring in 1838 [xtimeline.com, "History of Bullying"]. However, instances of bullying are increasing rather than decreasing. Perhaps that is due to the addition of the new category of cyberbullying. And, even worse, we have cases of students are takingtheirownlives because of being bullied. So, this week, the Flashback features 80s songs that, in some way, reflect the realities and angst of a bullied victim. At the end of this Flashback, I'll share info about organizations dedicated to stopping bullying and helping victims.
[New Year, New Possibilities] -- Yes, I realize we are now several days past New Year's Day. But 2013 still has that new year smell, right. Right? Of course, I'm right! Now, in my last Flashback of 2011, I pointed out that there is no (formal) canon of great New Year's songs. However, I subscribe to the notion that New Year's songs, unlike songs about Easter or Christmas, are not about a particular event but are, instead, about an attitude. They are about letting go of errors and reaching out for renewal. They are about boldly striving forth and taking advantage of the proverbial potential that a fresh new year offers. And so, with that in mind, and with the hope that I can help a few people find motivation for their goals, I offer up three songs to power you into 2013. To find out what these motivational selections are, you just have to read and hear more after the break.
[Full Cold Moon] -- Our final Flashback of 2012 honors the December Full Cold Moon. It arrived at 5:21 EST this morning (did you see it?). This moon is named for the month in which winter fastens its grip and the nights become long and dark [according to the Farmer's Almanac]. That description, however, is a bit of a misnomer because the December full moon rarely occurs with the solstice, which is the longest night of the year and after which the nights become shorter. In fact, the concurrence of December full moon and Winter Solstice in recent memory occurred on December 21, 1980, December 22, 1999, and December 21, 2010. The next time we have a December full moon occur with the Solstice will be ... December 21, 2094! [Space.com]
If you want to know what lunar tunes I've selected for this week, you can read and hear more after the break.
We made it! Day 25, the final day in our musical Odyssey, is finally here! And I can think of no better song for today than Greg Lake's "I Believe in Father Christmas."
Greg Lake recorded this song as a solo single in 1974. A few years later, he recorded another, stripped down version with his band Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP). That version was included on the band's 1977 album Works Volume II. While the original release became something of a hit (#2 on the UK charts), and a Christmas standard, Lake's intention was far from that of having a hit holiday single. He wrote the song as a protest against crass commercialization of the holiday. Can you imagine what he might have to say about the holiday season today, almost 40 years later?
While there are some folks who find "I Believe in Father Christmas" to be irreverent, I find them to be an ode to a simpler time, the words of a man who mourns the loss of something more innocent. And the music video, shot in the Sinai desert and Qumran in the West Bank, includes images of violence from the Vietnam War, which seem to underline the central theme. All of that serves to make this song much more than it appears on first blush -- much like the holiday itself.
There have been several covers of "I Believe in Father Christmas," over a dozen of them, in fact. But for my money, the only band that has come close to capturing the essence of the original is U2, who recorded the song in 2008 as part of the Product Red campaign to fight AIDS in Africa.
So, for all who celebrate on Christmas Day, I leave you with the Greg Lake and U2 versions of today's song. And I leave you with this message: I, too, believe in Father Christmas.
Greg Lake's original version:
U2's 2008 recording for Product Red (video link updated 12/25/2020):
December 24 is a date observed by both Christians and non-Christians the world over as Christmas Eve. Not all of them observe this date, let alone Christmas Day, in quite the same way. But for just about anyone who observes Christmas, today's date marks a countdown: T-just-one-day until the big event. Food, shopping, wrapping, etc., it all has to be done today! (Note: For many families, Christmas Eve Day is the date for the big gift-giving event, so those folks had the crazy rundown yesterday).
Of course, as you've read here and other places, there are many parallels between Christianity and ancient Pagan religions. Still, a considerable percentage of the world's population looks to this season to celebrate the coming of light into the world -- some celebrate the return of the Sun, while others celebrate the birth of the Son (of God). And while we may disagree on the details, some of which may be rather important, we can all agree that this is a season of giving, of love, and of coming together. And it is in that spirit that I offer up today's holiday tune, "The Christians and the Pagans" by American singer-songwrite Dar Williams. This tune was the second single from Dar Williams' second studio album, Mortal City (1996). There was no music video associated with it, and it didn't chart, but it has become a concertfavorite. It tackles issues of both interfaith and sexual orientation: Amber, a lesbian and a Pagan, asks if she and her partner can spend the holiday with her devout Christian uncle and family. What ensues are a number of scenarios illustrating opposing cultural and political views, yet the family members try to get by on politeness as the "christians and the pagans sat together at the table." They all come to see that -- maybe, just maybe -- their differences do not need to keep them apart after all.
As I mentioned, there is no official music video for "The Christians and the Pagan," but I found a fan video with lyrics, and I've included them after the video, so that you can enjoy this holiday tale.
The Christians and the Pagans
Amber called her uncle, said ’we’re up here for the holiday,
Jane and I were having solstice, now we need a place to stay.’
And her christ-loving uncle watched his wife hang mary on a tree,
He watched his song hang candy canes all made with red dye number three.
He told his niece, ’its christmas eve, I know our life is not your style,’
She said, ’christmas is like solstice, and we miss you and it’s been awhile,’
So the christians and the pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,
And just before the meal was served, hands were held and prayers were said,
Sending hope for peace on earth to all their gods and goddesses.
The food was great, the tree plugged in, the meal had gone without a hitch,
Till timmy turned to amber and said, ’is it try that you’re a wtich? ’
His mom jumped up and said, ’the pies are burning,’ and she hit the kitchen,
And it was jane who spoke, she said, ’its true, your cousins not a christian,’
’but we love trees, we love the snow, the friends we have, the world we share,
And you find magic from your god, and we find magic everywhere,’
So the christians and the pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,
And where does magic come from? I think magics in the learning,
Cause now when christians sit with pagans only pumpkin pies are burning.
When amber tried to do the dishes, her aunt said, ’really, no, don’t bother.’
Ambers uncle saw how amber looked like tim and like her father.
He thought about his brother, how they hadnt spoken in a year,
He thought hed call him up and say, ’its christmas and your daughters here.’
He thought of fathers, sons and brothers, so his own son tug his sleeve, saying,
’can I be a pagan? ’ dad said, ’well discuss it when they leave.’
So the christians and the pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,
Lighting trees in darkness, learning new ways from the old, and
Making sense of history and drawing warmth out of the cold.
