Song of the Day – “The Voice” – The Moody Blues

Who would have thought that the Moody Blues, who gave us “Nights in White Satin” on Days of Future Passed way back in ’67, would usher in the eighties with an album that defined that decade as well? This great song from 1981’s Long Distance Voyager has so many of the sounds that would be present in popular songs throughout the following decade.

Pay close attention to the fan-made video – I think they did a great job.

Song of the Day – “Love My Way” – The Psychedelic Furs

John Hughes brought us iconic ‘80s teen movies which were filled with the sounds of the times. The careers fo the bands who were on the soundtrack to these movies were helped immeasurably by being wedded to the characters and the films – Simple Minds, Oingo Boingo, the Thompson Twins.

Although the Psychedelic Furs had a hit with “Love My Way” before their association with Hughes, who but the brothers Butler could have told us that Molly Ringwald was “Pretty in Pink”?

iPhoneography Apps – Ripped from Reality

Last week I talked about an essential app, Image Blender. This week I have one that is somewhat less than essential, a little app that does one thing that you probably aren’t aware that you wanted to do: Ripped from Reality. It allows you to combine a photo and a sketch of that photo, ripping away a portion of one to reveal the other underneath.

This is the first app that I’ve covered which will show you screen captures from the iPhone version of the app rather than the iPad version. That’s because the developer has two versions, rather than a universal version that works on both devices. In my opinion, sonce the iPhone version works on the iPad, there is no compelling reason to make a separate purchase for the iPad for such a specialized app.

Song of the Day – “New Music” Wednesday – “Places to Go” – Leftover Cuties

This LA-based band supposedly formed after a ukulele jam session. I can certainly believe that when I hear the uke buried in the mix this title tune from their latest album – but I’m glad that they flesh it out some with larger instruments to take some of the “twee” out.

Song of the Day – “Name’s the Same” Tuesday – “You Don’t Know Me”

Then There Were Two

Fiona McBain and Mike Visceglia are Then There Were Two, and they do some beautiful versions of some classic songs. “You Don’t Know Me” was originally done by Eddy Arnold as a country tune, but this duo shows that it’s got the sound of a standard when it’s sung in a laid-back club version.

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Lisa Loeb

Lisa Loeb needs to make a new album. She hasn’t put out an album for adults since 2004’s The Way It Really Is, and she’s too talented a songwriter to hide for this long.

This song starts out with a harder edge to the guitars, then has an outbreak of Queen-like guitars at 2:30, which is followed by whistling and more fuzzed-out guitar, all overlaying Loeb’s poppy vocals. I like it.

Song of the Day – “I’m Not Always So Stupid” – The Wedding Present

Back in 1987, David Gedge and The Wedding Present released their first album, named after Irish footballer George Best. It was an incredible album; that’s proved by the fact that this song didn’t make it onto the original pressing. Many years later they reissued the album with all of the non-album singles and b-sides of that time included.

Somebody told me you went to work down south
As far away as you can from my big mouth
I bumped into Jane and she told me to drop dead
Oh she’s not to blame, I know exactly what I said

Song of the Day – “Netherlands” – Dan Fogelberg

I’ve seen the bottom
And I’ve been on top
But mostly I’ve lived in between

Haven’t we all? A nice fan video accompanies Fogelberg’s song about everyday decisions and how, once they are made, we need to let them go.

Once in a vision
I came on some woods
And stood at a fork in the road
My choices were clear
Yet I froze with the fear
Of not knowing which way to go
One road was simple acceptance of life
The other road offered sweet peace
When I made my decision
My vision became my release.

Song of the Day – “The Robots” – Kraftwerk

Now is the time on Sprockets when we dance!

I know, I make the same lame joke every time I play anything by Kraftwerk, but I can’t help myself.

I was a fan of Kraftwerk long before Mike Myers introduced his Dieter character on SNL, so I knew exactly where he was coming from with his stiff German host with his pet monkey. Just look at this video and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Song of the Day – “Black Friday” – Steely Dan

In the States, the Christmas season begins the day after Thanksgiving with a buying frenzy. It’s called “Black Friday” because sales on that day determine, for many businesses, whether they will be “in the black” for the year or not.

Steely Dan’s song from 1975’s Katy Lied riffs on an older meaning for Black Friday: The stock market crash of 1929.

Song of the Day – “Thanksgiving” – George Winston

Once again, it’s the traditional song for Thanksgiving. This is the fourth year in a row for George Winston’s evocative solo piano piece. Enjoy your day, your weekend, and your year! I’m thankful for everyone who reads and listens to this blog on a regular basis.