2.12.13

On February 12th I listened to Stevie Wonder Songs In The Key Of Life, The Doors Strange Days, and Jack White Blunderbuss.

Here’s how big of a dope I am. I must have heard “Sir Duke,” a million times in my life. If you would have asked me what it was called yesterday I would have said, “I dunno, “You Can Feel It?"

I would say that happens to me like once or twice a year. I find out what the proper name of a song that I have been listening to for years is and I'm shocked! "That song is called what?!" 

Songs In The Key Of Life is a ginormous double album filled with a lot of good shit. It was really nice to hear Stevie’s “Pastime Paradise.” I can’t believe he let Coolio puke all over such brilliance.

“Isn’t She Lovely,” “I Wish,” and “Ordinary Pain,” are all the other standouts. I really loved when the chick starts singing on the second half of “Ordinary Pain.” I’m not gonna say this album didn’t get long winded at times, cause boy did it! But I’ll cut Mr. Wonder some slack.

I once saw Stevie play in Atlantic City and he did a 15 minute version of “Superstition!” The guy really knows what his audience wants to hear.

I can’t remember the last time I really enjoyed hearing “Love Me Two Times!” I did today! I’m really so happy I spent 15 years avoiding The Doors!

Lot of stuff on Strange Days, I didn’t know. “You’re Lost Little Girl,” “Unhappy Girl,” and “I Can’t See Your Face In My Mind.” I kinda liked “My Eyes Have Seen You,” and “Horses Latitude” really creeped the fuck outta me. Job well done.

I have a vague notion of engineering a phone interview with Ray Manzarek and he told the story of “Moonlight Drive.” But I think he tells that story to everybody. “Strange Days” was cool to hear, but I’m still indifferent to “People Are Strange.” The last radio station I worked for played the Echo And The Bunnymen version like twice a day.

Blunderbuss is probably the first thing Jack White has done since The White Stripes fell apart that I actually like. The Raccoons just didn't do it for me. I’m guessing if there was another White Stripes album this would have been it and it’s pretty solid all the way through!

I definitely see some parallels with White Blood Cells, in terms of mood and styles. Each song is approached with a respect for rootsy aesthetics, but without The White Stripes stripped down sound. On a song like “Blunderbuss,” you can hear where Jack’s spending the bucks on session players and how living in Nashville is rubbing off on the guy. 

“I’m Shakin’” is really a lot of fun, especially for Jack, cause he doesn't seem like he enjoys laughter too much. “Hip (Eponymous) Poor Boy” is my favorite!