I always love your poody pix, Michael! Is she a tortoise-shell? My limited cat knowledge tells me her fur doesn't appear to be clearly defined to make her a calico, but I've rarely seen such a fascinatingly "printed" kitty, with the half orange/half-gray face! One of the reasons I love watching cat videos...their incredible markings!
I enjoyed your Playlist....my experience with Gin Blossoms is oddly spotty, too, as it happens! They came out far after my "show biz" days, but an artist or two still caught my ear, and they were one....they always struck me as sort of a "thinking man's Cheap Trick": terribly tuneful, and can hold their own with the best power pop progenitors extant (but, they weren't prone to party, like CT's "C'mon C'mon," etc), but I don't think I ever owned any of their CDs.
I know I sang "Found Out About You" more often in karaoke than "Hey Jealousy"----partly because I liked it more, but also because the ones who also chose a GB song to sing, it was always "HJ." I don't recall if the data base had "Alison Road," which I liked but knew less well, and I've never heard "Until I Fall Away."
Your copyright discourse was interesting, and I've never, of course, had to travel in that arena (not being a songwriter or recording artist, just so your readers understand....I know you know!)...everytime I read your info about such things, I think of Stephen Michael Schwartz, who, of course, has had to work with/deal with copyrights, songs, rights protection orgs, etc for years! He's with BMI, I know, and he named his publishing company "Busy Body Music."
BTW, we'll be starting up our presenting of the "second half" of Stephen's career, shortly. In the early '80s is when he formed the children's music trio, Parachute Express; they recorded for Disney Records, and were active for a good couple decades! I think you and your readers will enjoy his telling of THAT story! Stay tuned! More poody pix!😺
Cat compliments always appreciated! She’s technically a “split face calico”because she has 3 colors - grey-black, white and orange(ish), just not in the more familiar rounded spots. “Tordies” only have 2 colors. At least according to her vet, but having looked it up, that seems to be correct. She’s a sassy, talkative kitty in any event.
All of the bands on that playlist take me back to a pretty good time in my life in family and career terms, mostly. Plus my daughter always finds the coolest niche/lesser known bands and keeps me advised.
On the copyright saga - I’m hopeful at least some of my readers will learn from my experiences if they go down that path - I’ve talked to many folks about poetry and songs they’ve written but are afraid or too self conscious to share. Our loss there.
Looking forward to reading more of Stephen’s journey!
Thanks for the reply, Michael! I just texted Stephen asking him how last night's sold-out show went...I told him I was thinking about him for the two hours (9-11 pm, CT) he was onstage (haven't heard back yet)! I'll try to get his setlist out of him, too!!
He was able (and generous) to give us a whole bunch of demos and photos from his '70s pop/rock days, but with his Parachute Express start in the early '80s, everything, by that time was not only digital, but videoed! We ought to have a boatload of material to accompany his story of the growth of PEx! Thanks for the extra cat info! I'm reminded of this oldie pulled out from Manhattan Transfer a few years ago: "A Gal in Calico"! https://open.spotify.com/track/6gCK7kPjoVWgWnvbuNldhL?si=517e8ce7a1ce437f
I've never heard that Rob Thomas song before. Fantastic! I think Thomas is an amazing lyricist that doesn't get enough credit - and way too much criticism. "Bright Lights" is one of my all-time favorite songs. And Danny Elfman is one of the greats. I'm a huge Oingo Boingo fan. One of the best (and weirdest) concerts I've ever been to.
Agree! Though it was written by pretty much all of them, my favorite Matchbox Twenty song to play is “How Far We’ve Come” - fast (very fast) chord changes, engaging melody and lyrics - a great warmup!
I always love your poody pix, Michael! Is she a tortoise-shell? My limited cat knowledge tells me her fur doesn't appear to be clearly defined to make her a calico, but I've rarely seen such a fascinatingly "printed" kitty, with the half orange/half-gray face! One of the reasons I love watching cat videos...their incredible markings!
I enjoyed your Playlist....my experience with Gin Blossoms is oddly spotty, too, as it happens! They came out far after my "show biz" days, but an artist or two still caught my ear, and they were one....they always struck me as sort of a "thinking man's Cheap Trick": terribly tuneful, and can hold their own with the best power pop progenitors extant (but, they weren't prone to party, like CT's "C'mon C'mon," etc), but I don't think I ever owned any of their CDs.
I know I sang "Found Out About You" more often in karaoke than "Hey Jealousy"----partly because I liked it more, but also because the ones who also chose a GB song to sing, it was always "HJ." I don't recall if the data base had "Alison Road," which I liked but knew less well, and I've never heard "Until I Fall Away."
Your copyright discourse was interesting, and I've never, of course, had to travel in that arena (not being a songwriter or recording artist, just so your readers understand....I know you know!)...everytime I read your info about such things, I think of Stephen Michael Schwartz, who, of course, has had to work with/deal with copyrights, songs, rights protection orgs, etc for years! He's with BMI, I know, and he named his publishing company "Busy Body Music."
BTW, we'll be starting up our presenting of the "second half" of Stephen's career, shortly. In the early '80s is when he formed the children's music trio, Parachute Express; they recorded for Disney Records, and were active for a good couple decades! I think you and your readers will enjoy his telling of THAT story! Stay tuned! More poody pix!😺
Cat compliments always appreciated! She’s technically a “split face calico”because she has 3 colors - grey-black, white and orange(ish), just not in the more familiar rounded spots. “Tordies” only have 2 colors. At least according to her vet, but having looked it up, that seems to be correct. She’s a sassy, talkative kitty in any event.
All of the bands on that playlist take me back to a pretty good time in my life in family and career terms, mostly. Plus my daughter always finds the coolest niche/lesser known bands and keeps me advised.
On the copyright saga - I’m hopeful at least some of my readers will learn from my experiences if they go down that path - I’ve talked to many folks about poetry and songs they’ve written but are afraid or too self conscious to share. Our loss there.
Looking forward to reading more of Stephen’s journey!
Thanks for the reply, Michael! I just texted Stephen asking him how last night's sold-out show went...I told him I was thinking about him for the two hours (9-11 pm, CT) he was onstage (haven't heard back yet)! I'll try to get his setlist out of him, too!!
He was able (and generous) to give us a whole bunch of demos and photos from his '70s pop/rock days, but with his Parachute Express start in the early '80s, everything, by that time was not only digital, but videoed! We ought to have a boatload of material to accompany his story of the growth of PEx! Thanks for the extra cat info! I'm reminded of this oldie pulled out from Manhattan Transfer a few years ago: "A Gal in Calico"! https://open.spotify.com/track/6gCK7kPjoVWgWnvbuNldhL?si=517e8ce7a1ce437f
I've never heard that Rob Thomas song before. Fantastic! I think Thomas is an amazing lyricist that doesn't get enough credit - and way too much criticism. "Bright Lights" is one of my all-time favorite songs. And Danny Elfman is one of the greats. I'm a huge Oingo Boingo fan. One of the best (and weirdest) concerts I've ever been to.
Agree! Though it was written by pretty much all of them, my favorite Matchbox Twenty song to play is “How Far We’ve Come” - fast (very fast) chord changes, engaging melody and lyrics - a great warmup!