Billy Joel the Piano Man again

Every August since some years ago I've returned to Billy Joel and his album Piano Man (made 1973). As the sun sets earlier but air's still warm, his adventours and reflections feels really cosy to listen to. Like coming home from a long horse ride in the desert I believe...?


Good music I think you should be able to listen to anytime - or otherwise make yourself able to. Well, this ideal doesn't prevent you from appreciate certain music even more during certain times. And this year it was almost too late to catch Piano Man, or Piano Woman, at last stop in Nevada, before they travel into the most beautiful autumn.





my Summer Album 13 : 19


most Amusing song: WORSE COME TO WORST

most Beautiful song: YOU'RE MY HOME

most Sexy song: STOP IN NEVADA

"He always found it hard to take her
She wouldn't listen to advice
And though he never tried to make her
She often thought it would be nice

Oh, and now she's headin' out to California
It's been a long time comin'
but she's feeling like a woman tonight
And she left a little letter said she's gonna make a stop in Nevada"


most Loving song: PIANO MAN

most Growing Strong song: AIN'T NO CRIME

most Smart song: THE BALLAD OF BILLY THE KID

most Mysterious song: CAPTAIN JACK

"Your sister's gone now, she's on a date
and you just sit at home and masturbate
Your phone is gonna ring soon, but you just can't wait...

So you're standing in the corner in your new english clothes
and you look so polished from your hair down to your toes
But still your finger's gonna pick your nose"




Overall Album

4 sound

7 melodies

5 accompaniment

3 rythms

5 singin' feeling

6 playin' dynamics

7 concept

4 variation

5 lyrics

3 titles

4 order of tracks

5 cover picture

6 historical importance

= 64


I now give 1 to 7 in thirteen cathegories
where 3 is good
and total possible 7 X 13 = 91 never exist(?)




Furthermore I've been surprised so many times over artists and bands I thought were american, but in fact is british. So even if you can tell from Joel's lyrics, I still find it a bit strange his music (cautiously cheeky and full of supple sympathy) wasn't made in Great Britain :-) But that Billy was born in Bronx of N.Y. and even is said to be mainly influenced by Broadway. Anyway, before Piano Man was released, Joel had moved to L.A. and made alot of bar club playing rounds cross the country (surely reflected in this record).




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Famous Last Words with SUPERTRAMP

1982 seems to be a point in music history where the fantastic bands and supergroups had finally died, leaving place for synth pop plus retro soul and reggae beats. SUPERTRAMP anyway were still going strong. Maybe because they were able to fit into the new as well as the old concepts.

The title of their "last masterpiece" at the same could have foreshadowed that even Supertramp must take a break from eternal craftmanship. Even if the record is no development from their 70's work, it's a magic skill to make such a record in such a time. I mean without having to neglect neither their heart nor the collective sphere.

This also can show that Supertramp were a bit before their time...? Bearing some golden 80's within them during the whole 70's. Or that their music is timeless, in the sense a theater play, cabaret or circus show contains something timeless.


Songs by Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson. After this Hodgson left the band, and the music got just half as good.

THE SPIRITUAL STORY OF LOGICAL SONG


similar sounding artists : Genesis, 10cc, Elton John, Alice Cooper, Mott The Hoople, Alan Parsons' Project, Jon Anderson, Ted Gärdestad





my Summer Album 13 : 18


most Amusing song: IT'S RAINING AGAIN

most Beautiful song: C'EST LE BON

most Sexy song: MY KIND OF LADY

most Loving song: DON'T LEAVE ME NOW

most Growing Strong song: WAITING SO LONG

most Smart song: CRAZY

most Mysterious song: KNOW WHO YOU ARE



Overall Album

7 sound

5 melodies

7 accompaniment

6 rythms

4 singin' feeling

6 playin' dynamics

4 concept

4 variation

3 lyrics

2 titles

5 order of tracks

6 cover picture

6 historical importance

= 65


I now give 1 to 7 in thirteen cathegories
where 3 is good
and total possible 7 X 13 = 91 never exist(?)





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Sunny Old Cloudy Sound Machines (visiting Jönköping)

when Robin Hood became animated

Disney Classic # 21

Robin Hood movie released 1973
by Wolfgang Reitherman, Ken Anderson and more



First time I watch the whole film. Of course it has it's charms, but I'm missing a deeper development of the characters. Also find the humour a bit simplistic, even if jokes aren't meant to overshadow the warm tale itself.


my SnowBlack Movie # 1334



Happy role: FRIAR TUCK (badger)

Grumpy role: PRINCE JOHN (lion) in complete contrast to King Richard

Crazy role: LADY KLUCK (hen)

Shy role: ROBIN HOOD (fox)
while companion Little John (bear) I get less clear picture of here


Explosive role: SKIPPY (rabbit)

Exhausted role: SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM (wolf)

Wise role: SIR HISS (snake)


Beautiful role: MAID MARIAN (fox)



5 Characters
6 Scenery
6 Camerawork

2 Thrill
3 Conflict
3 Humour

2 Psychology
2 Philosophy
3 Fantasy

4 Composition
5 Music
6 Concept

= 47


I now give 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, where 3 is good
and total possible 7 X 12 = 84 never exist(?)




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Aliens in Dark Park getting some Sunny Samba while Running

As Bergman Became even more Grotesque and Artish

SAWDUST AND TINSEL
[GYCKLARNAS AFTON = in swedish "The Evening of The Jesters"]

by Ingmar Bergman
Sweden 1953




my SnowBlack Movie # 1330



Happy role: CIRCUS DIRECTOR ALBERT (Åke Grönberg)

Grumpy role: CIRCUS DIRECTOR ALBERT (Åke Grönberg)

Crazy role: ACTOR FRANS (Hasse Ekman)

Shy role: AGDA THE WIFE (Annika Tretow)


Explosive role: ACTOR FRANS (Hasse Ekman)

Exhausted role: CLOWN TEODOR FROST (Anders Ek)

Wise role: THEATRE DIRECTOR SJUBERG (Gunnar Björnstrand)


Beautiful role: ANNE THE HORSE PRINCESS (Harriet Andersson)



5 Characters
4 Scenery
6 Camerawork

5 Thrill
7 Conflict
3 Humour

6 Psychology
2 Philosophy
3 Fantasy

5 Composition
4 Music
4 Concept

= 54


I now give 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, where 3 is good
and total possible 7 X 12 = 84 never exist(?)






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The Age of Plastic with The Buggles

Buggles' material were created by Geoffrey Downes and Trevor Horn. They also made Drama for/as YES in the year after this 1979 record. Radio had not yet been killed by Video, as Buggles sang in the first MTVideo ever. The radio star's cousin Elstree has become my closest darling here.




my Summer Album 13 : 17


most Amusing song: VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR

most Beautiful song: ELSTREE (Remember me)

most Sexy song: JOHNNY ON THE MONORAIL

most Loving song: I LOVE YOU (MISS ROBOT)

most Growing Strong song: KID DYNAMO

most Smart song: THE LIVING IN THE PLASTIC AGE

most Mysterious song: ASTROBOY



Overall Album

7 sound

4 melodies

6 accompaniment
 
5 rythms

3 singin' feeling

2 playin' dynamics

7 concept

4 variation

4 lyrics

5 titles

4 order of tracks

6 cover picture

7 historical importance

= 64


I now give 1 to 7 in thirteen cathegories
where 3 is good
and total possible 7 X 13 = 91 never exist(?)






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Swedish Samba in Summer's Last Carnival

a Bunda have their own site:
http://www.abunda.se/galleri/bilder/#





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Jon Anderson sang in Gothenburg

Yes! Jon came to our swedish park Liseberg. But got a much more smaller scene than the big audience was adapted for. The intimacy of his solo guitar/ukulele performance may though have been strange on a bigger arena.


Jon's voice is still excellent (at least this very evening). So joyful, spiritual and varied!!! Ready to improvise a bit over his themes, or other's songs like most Beatles here and there...

Nothing was missing (from Jon's side) for a great, warm, humorous and beautiful concert experience. Still I would really have appreciated if he'd put in a keyboard to enrich some colours, during the 80 minutes.

Well, actually I now remember there was piano and only piano in a long intermezzo song. And a base drum in some others. (Stood in a place where I almost never saw the scene).


Here follows the seven songs I loved most his versions of now:



1. STATE OF INDEPENDENCE
[co-composed with Vangelis]


2. AMERICA
[cover of Simon & Garfunkel]


3. SWEET DREAMS


4. THE LIGHT OF LOVE ("YOU GOT THE LIGHT")
(in which audience sang Bom-Bom-Bom-Bom-Bom)


5. TONY AND ME (back in 1963)


6. TIME AND A WORD
[including parts of She Loves You
and What The World Needs Now is Love]


7. A DAY IN THE LIFE
[cover of Beatles]




The setlist seems not the first time Jon use. Can be found here in almost same order:

SETLIST FOR JON ANDERSON

Even if the videos indicates not as bright feeling as now in Liseberg's "Taube scene".






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BANANAS by Woody Allen

Bananas is one of Woody's very first comedies, made 1971,
which I've missed until now




Most funny and smart scenes
with my interpretations [spoiler warning] :


1

The beginning, in which the president of San Marcos is going to be killed, and the sports television already is in place, to give a good report on the whole scenario following... and finally tries to interview the murdered president.


2

When Woody/Fielding runs haunted through the street, and in a glimpse sees BOTH a procession of nuns AND someone fixing his car wheels. Woody so picks the screw tool, uses it at a cross held before his suddenly religious shape, blending perfectly into the procession. How often don't we miss possibilities to be such creative in real life?!


3

As Louise/Nancy tries to explain to Woody/Fielding (and to herself) what's missing from his side in their relationship, and he gets upset by every possibility except that which he still is too immature to figure out...


4

In court, as Woody/Fielding runs in and out of the examination box, acting like a judger to himself.


5

When Woody/Fielding pretends NOT to read/buy the porn, put open in the middle of the magazines' boutique, while everyone else is too busy with their own reading to mind (even if they would mind). But then he mentions in a bisentence his choice of magazines for the seller, who replies so loud that the whole boutique can observe the fact.


6

The treatment of the main characters' intercourse as a boxing game. While we only see their moving sheet cover, the reporter gives us an exciting portrait of what's happening. And afterwards they are interviewed a bit closer.


7

While Woodys/Fieldings parents are operating a patient, they start talking to their son about his plans to do smething else. The chat gets more and more emotionally intense, to the point the father craves his son to practise on the patient to aprove he's not completely dumb.


8

As the demonstration man of a new invention with sports equipment installed behind the working desk, turns out to be Woody/Fielding who's getting everything wrong (after a while).


9

A potentially poisoned dinner is held between the mighty fascists and Woody/Fielding, who gets the question whether he's nervous, answers no, but simultanously takes a bite of the wine glass.


10

When Woody/Fielding is convinced/forced to be the second new president of San Marcos, since the already new president shows too mad ideas (like people should wear underwear on the outside, to check it's clean) before he's even begun.


11

As Louise/Nancy finally feels really attracted to Woody/Fielding, it's because she believes he is the exotic president, even though he is masked by a stupid beard.


12

When a baby carriage comes rolling down the stairs, as a strange clip in the middle of an ordinary war, in order to flirt with the historical importance of the russian movie Potemkin, where same kind of scene gets a completely other weight, in that bigger Odessa steps.


13

When a woman with naked breasts, just got bitten by snake, comes shouting for help, and the soldiers recently have learned the important rule "Suck out the posison!".








And so one of the most humorous and clever dialogues:


-So, what do you think will happen if you show your face anyplace but here? He will cut your throat and bury you.

-Cut my throat? Do you realise what that will do to my gargling?

-It is war, my friend.

-Yeah, but I'm an American citizen!

-Sure, a dead one.

-Just how long will it be before I can go back to New York?

-After we win the revolution, we are free.

-And when is the revolution?

-Six months.

-Six months? I got a rented car!

-You have a chance to die for freedom.

-Freedom is wonderful.On the other hand, if you're dead, it's a tremedous drawback to your sex life.

-Are you such a snivelling dog?

-Depends on what you mean by "such". I mean I'm a good-sized snivelling dog.







Whole Banana

3 Characters
4 Scenery
2 Camerawork

5 Thrill
3 Conflict
7 Humour

5 Psychology
6 Philosophy
7 Fantasy

4 Composition
3 Music
6 Concept

= 55


I now give 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, where 3 is good
and total possible 7 X 12 = 84 never exist(?)






wWw

Back to Ape Monkey

13 + 13 Strong Songs from 2013

my favourites so far



13 especially Spiritual Songs
released in 2013



0

LOVE IS LOST
David Bowie


1

THE WATCHMAKER
Steven Wilson


2

LOVE IS A BOURGEOIS CONSTRUCT
Pet Shop Boys


3

TOUCH
Daft Punk


4

THE WALKER
Fitz & The Tantrums


5

DEPARTURE AND FAREWELL
Hem


6

HOLY GHOST
Mavis Staples


7

SUNSHINE
Court Yard Hounds


8

MORNING STAR
Grant Hart


9

FULL OF FIRE
The Knife


10

ZEITGEIST
Black Sabbath


11

GEMINI
Boards of Canada


12

VERY LARGE GREEN TRIANGLES
Matmos


13

VINCENT PRICE
Deep Purple







13 extra Sexy Songs
released in 2013



0

I'M OUT
Ciara (feat. Nicki Minaj)


1

ONE WAY TRIGGER
The Strokes


2

DIANE YOUNG
Vampire Weekend


3

SPARK
Fitz & The Tantrums


4

FLOURESCENT
Pet Shop Boys


5

ATTRACTING FLIES
AlunaGeorge


6

IF YOU CAN SEE ME
David Bowie


7

IT'S ALRIGHT, IT'S OK
Primal Scream


8

IT'S NOT ENOUGH
Medicine

9

YOU DON'T TURN DOWN
Marnie Stern


10

DOUBLES AND TREBLES
Wire


11

TENFOLD
Thundercat


12

STALKER
Fuck Buttons


13

SWIM AND SLEEP LIKE A SHARK
Unknown Mortal Orchestra









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Moose's Golden Crown

400 m Hurdles


Realise they try to take 13 steps between each hurdle:

EDWIN MOSES DOCUMENTARY

And now Moses runs for president of the World Anti-Doping Agency.







so mighty this moose is



like old Edwin Moses



steps over the gooses



so calm, no mad poses



each forest supposes



his strength never loses



the crown, takes all roses



in non-doping doses



no coke through their hoses



just knows where he goes is



before timeline closes












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Picturing The Pink Panther

very first short episodes
of Pink Panther (the animated one)

by DFE Films 1964-65



How spiritual I think every episode is
with points from 1-7 for each aspect = max 21




1st The Pink Phink

fun 3
fantasy 5
phantoms 2

= 10


2nd Pink Pajamas

fun 5
fantasy 6
phantoms 1

= 12


3rd We Give Pink Stamps

fun 5
fantasy 5
phantoms 3

= 13


4th Dial "P" for Pink

fun 1
fantasy 5
phantoms 2

= 8


5th Sink Pink

fun 2
fantasy 6
phantoms 4

= 12


6th Pickled Pink

fun 3
fantasy 5
phantoms 5

= 13


7th Pinkfinger

fun 1
fantasy 3
phantoms 2

= 6


8th Shocking Pink

fun 6
fantasy 4
phantoms 1

= 11


9th Pink Ice

fun 4
fantasy 2
phantoms 6

= 12


10th The Pink Tail Fly

fun 3
fantasy 3
phantoms 2

= 8


11th Pink Panzer

fun 1
fantasy 3
phantoms 1

= 5


12th An Ounce of Pink

fun 5
fantasy 5
phantoms 4

= 14


13th Reel Pink

fun 3
fantasy 2
phantoms 5

= 10






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Reflections of an ordinary ZOO