BRYAN FERRY - "DON'T STOP THE DANCE"

Don't Stop the Dance (Bryan Ferry) - 3:56 rating: **** stars

In college I got into a Roxy Music phase and ended up buying a bunch of Brian Ferry solo albums.  Unlike his work with Roxy, for some reason, Ferry's sophisticated, man-of-the-world solo sides just let me cold.  I tried hard to like those album, but just never could get the taste.  The albums just sounded cold, distant, and calculated.  They sat out there on my for-sale list for years and then a couple of weeks ago a Japanese collector bought them all at once.  While I was packing the albums up I decided to give a couple of them one last spin.  Imagine my shock when I discovered how appealing 'Don't Stop the Dance' was.  Yeah, it featured Ferry at his sleekest, but the song had a slinky groove that was simply stellar and it featured one of the coolest sax solos out there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjhTHQhJLxs

STING - "BRAND NEW DAY"

Brand New Day (Sting) - 3:59 rating: **** stars

In late August my wife and I say Sting at Wolftrap Farm Park.  I grew up on The Police and Sting so it was nice to hear so many of the hits and semi-hits.  At the same, time the highlight for me came in the form of 'Brand New Day'.  Maybe because the song hasn't suffered from the same overexposure as most of the hits; the clever wordplay, or the fact it's always reminded me of a Motown/Stevie Wonder song (Wonder played harmonica on the original studio version), it just kind of jumped out from the rest of the show.  In fact, I found myself humming it for days.

Here's a link to the original video, followed by a live take with Wonder guesting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA46ZNjrzeY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu9R4egeg_I

TAYLOR DAYNE - "I'LL WAIT"

I'll Wait (Shep Pettibine - Taylor Dayne - Tony Shimkin) - 4:44 rating: **** stars

Yeah, this one even surprises me ...  I can remember when the sound of Taylor Dayne's voice would see me quickly changing radio channels.  There was just something about her voice that I found shrill and irritating - her performances evoked a chalk-on-the-blackboard response to my ears.   At least on the surface 'I'll Wait' isn't all that different from her standard dance moves (which were at least better than the over-the-top ballads).  Mindless dance moves with the title repeated time after time after time ...  And yet this one's always struck a chord with me.  I've never counted the number of times the title is repeated, but the song's got a catchy beat and Dayne's normally nasal delivery didn't sound half bad here.  Go for the dance remix since it speeds up the arrangement. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvIWRoXBfnc

DAVID CROSBY AND GRAHAM NASH - "LAY ME DOWN"

Lay Me Down (James Raymond) - 3:41 rating: ***** stars

Interesting this is the second David Crosby tune I've added to this blog in the last year. In this case the song was actually written by Crosby's son - James Raymond.  Musically it's kind of your typical Crosby & Nash performance.  Slow, super pretty and surprisingly thought provoking,  Crosby has the lead and, as I've said before, for a guy in his 70s, he's never sounded as good.  Perhaps it has something to do with the fact he barely used his voice for a decade, or so.  

PREFAB SPROUT - "GOD WATCH OVER YOU" (IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH WHITE)

God Watch Over You (Paddy McAloon) - 4:34 rating: ***** stars

I'll be the first to admit that I've been very blessed in my life.  I frequently wonder why I've been given a wonderful family; a job I like, and a sense of comfort.  While I seldom understand the challenges, opportunities, or experiences I'm confronted with, I try to appreciate them all. Admittedly, some experiences are better than others, but they all seem to have some purpose - what those purposes may be is part of the mystery.  

It may have something to do with the fact that when you turn 60, you suddenly realize that there are only so many innings in the game and then it's over.  (By the way, that was a tribute to the late Joseph White - more about Mr White in a minute).  Admittedly there have been more than my share of missed opportunities and regrets.  And here's the story of one of those regrets.

It starts with me sitting on my deck reading a travel book, having a Blue Moon and listening to random songs on YouTube.   Out of the blue Prefab Sprout's 'God Watch Over You" came on the radio.  I like Paddy McAloon and Prefab Sprout, but I'd never heard this particular track.  That said, the soothing melody and unique lyrics grabbed me by the throat.  While his melodies are occasionally a bit on the sound-alike side, McAoon writes some of the most interesting lyrics I've ever heard (okay, 'King of Rock and Roll' may be an exception).  In this case Iinstantly put the book down and hit replay.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxvnoAR_AcA

And while I was sitting there soaking in McAloon's thoughtful lyrics I was struck by a huge wave of unexpected regret.  

Here's the back story.  My younger son is a Boy Scout and in the Summer of 2018 his Troop spent two weeks in Kandersteg, Switzerland.  The trip was largely arranged and coordinated by Joseph White.  Probably best known as a sportswriter for the Washington Post, White was a long-standing member of the Troop, having participated in dozens of the Troop's camping trips and other activities,  He'd also coordinate four or five previous Kandersteg trips for the Troop, but this was the first one we'd participated in. 

While I knew Mr. White from Troop meetings, I'll readily admit I didn't know him well. Over the years my son's been a member of this Troop, I've probably never had a conversation with Mr. White that last more than 20 minutes.   That said, he was sharp as a tack; had insights into all kinds of subjects (how many folks do you know that could teach a Troop of young Scouts and their parents how to play Cricket); he was quick to laugh; had a strong sense of right and wrong, seemed to have more friends than anyone I've ever met, and was great with the Scouts.  He was in fantastic physical shape (trying to keep up with him on training hikes for the Switzerland trip almost killed me).  He was also quirky.  Not quirky in a bad way; rather quirky in a cool, entertaining fashion.

While i won't lie and tell you I loved every minute of the Switzerland trip (two weeks in a crappy tent was challenging and for a picky eater the camp food was frequently lackluster to my tastes), there were plenty of amazing moments and seeing my younger son effortlessly cruise through all of the challenges and make friends with a host of foreign Scouts was worth all of my personal discomfort.  

In the wake of the trip I meant to send Mr. White a note thanking him for arranging the trip.  Summer faded into Winter and I meant to send him a Christmas card with my thanks.  Winter came and went.  Spring; Summer ...   In June I had to drive to Front Royal, Virginia (close to where Mr. White had settled and was operating a store), and while coming home I reminded myself to send him a note. Again, no note. Every time I thought about sending him a note, I'd put it off.

Only 56, Joseph White died August 10th, 2019.

Members of Troop 1018 Kandersteg August 2018 (Jim White head own studying schedule)

Mr. White - I wish I'd told you earlier - thank you for arranging the Switzerland trip.  I will hold the memories close to my heart until the day I pass.

PETER FRAMPTON - "SHADOW OF MY MIND"

Shadow of My Mind (Peter Frampton) - 3:52 rating: ***** stars

A couple of years back a friend convinced me to go see Peter Frampton at a small, local club (The Birchmere).  I hadn't seen Frampton since I was a junior in high school (yes, I saw the "Frampton Comes Alive" tour).   I hadn't bought a Frampton album, or listened to a Frampton song in decades.   And in spite of my initial reluctance, it turned into one of the best shows I've seen in years.  

Like all of us Frampton had aged (the golden locks were hone), but he'd done so with grace and a pleasing sense of humor.  He talked to the audience and played a mix of the hits and newer material and it was just a fun evening.  I was so pleased that on the way out I bought a copy of what was then his new album "Hummingbird In a Box: Songs for a Ballet".  And that album sat on my shelves for five years.  And out of the blue I heard this song and it the lyrics seemingly describing middle aged contentment just struck a chord with me (I celebrated another birthday on April 22nd).   Add to that, one of his prettiest melodies and some dazzling slide work ...  what's not too like?

Here's the YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty779xP5Wxk

XTC - "I'M THE MAN WHO MURDERED LOVE"

I'm the The Man Who Murdered Love - 3:49 rating: ***** stars

I'll readily admit to having totally overlooked XTC's 2000 "Wasp Star: Apple Venus Volume II" collection when it came out.  And I probably would never have discovered it had it not been for an XTC cover band I saw at a local venue.  The group played all of the XTC hits and near misses and out of the blue played this amazing slice of blue-eyed soul.  A month later I still can't get it out of my head.  Never would have thought that Andy Partridge and company could sound so soulful.

Here's the YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CSc4SAFWD4