15 Comments

Thanks for linking to my Carole King post and exposing more people to Carole as an exemplar and role model for how to be a Creator. She's very inspiring and there's so much we can learn from her.

Appreciate the support!

I'll be back to read and comment once I have time to give this piece the attention it deserves.

Expand full comment
author

My pleasure to link, Ellen! I hope more of our FR&B subscribers discover you and your excellent POV and writing! Hurry back!😁👍

Expand full comment

Happy songs - mid summer - makes you feel good! Thanks

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Paul! I once made a 90-minute mix-tape in the mid-'80s (when I was back at college at 30)....no theme at all, just favorite rock'n'pop songs, current and not-so. I played it for my roomie, and asked for his reaction half-way thru. "They all sound so happy!" It's in my DNA, I reckon!🎶😄

Expand full comment

Yes, that's you!

Expand full comment
author

Remember how I was "musically born": At 8, watching The Beatles' on "Ed Sullivan"! BAM! There ya go!

Expand full comment
founding
Aug 18Liked by Brad Kyle

I love your creativity. How you come up with the funniest and craziest ideas, and how you remix your guest posts in the most creative of ways. And the "everybody and their granny seems to be creating playlists" had me in stitches! 🤣

I would have never thought you'd pay attention to Michael Buble, so this was a nice surprise. I haven't really followed him much, but I think at some point I had his first two albums. I hadn't listened to him in ages, and I don't think I knew this song. Very cool. You rock, Brad!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Andy! I had completely forgotten about my GROW BIGGER EARS lane! When Christopher invited me to guest post his Top 5 Playlist, it suddenly dawned on me to resurrect it! I'd have it tagged at the top of my site, but I've run out of room! But, I'll keep adding to that lane from time to time (If you have a unique theme for a Playlist, hollah, yo)!

The good news is you'll never see me even attempting a "Best this of that year" or "Best albums of the last 5 minutes" Playlist. At this point, everybody's grannies and THEIR grannies are doing those, so far be it from me to join that eternal yawn-fest! (You'll have to speak up....I can't hear you over the world's population all cheering at the same time)!

As for Buble, I've always loved the tone and timbre of his voice....so unique and pleasing. My struggle with his early output was that he was just doing Sinatra schtick, and OK, he was doing it well. But......uh, Frankly, I'd rather listen to Frank and other 20th century crooner types singing the Great American Songbook. That's why I'm so glad Buble starting branching out into original and less-Frank-reliant covers.

When I first heard this "Beautiful Day" song (which was probably when I first saw this video), I was stunned by its soooo Bradifully-wonderful melody and arrangement! 2 things after my first viewing: What was all that mess in the beginning? Why is Jamie Pressley being forced to kiss such a homely lad (and, really...is Hollywood suddenly bereft of kewt doods)? So, watching it again and hearing the lyrics...........Ohhhhh, I get it! But, again, such a uniquely celebratory song for breaking up with someone! And, with everything else, it was great to see Buble has/had a great sense of humor to embrace such a cynically sarcastic song! I've had break-ups where I wanted to erect a statue in the park and plan a parade...........or two!

The second thing I thought after first viewing was, "Is this all one take?" When thinking back on it, it seemed like it was all shot in one take, and what a logistical nightmare that would've been! Well, sure 'nuff, it's NOT one take....it's "just" immaculately edited (what a storyboard that had to have been fashioned to effect this shoot, though)!! Thanks again, and may your ears get ever bigger!👂👍

Expand full comment
founding
Aug 18Liked by Brad Kyle

Thank you, Brad! I can totally see how you appreciate Buble’s own material more than the covers of classics. I agree with you his voice and timbre are great. I also love his delivery. And he seems like a cool, funny, down-to-earth guy. His wife is Argentinian, did you know? They live in Vancouver, I believe.

For me, Buble was how I discovered some of these classics, so I’ll always thank him for that. Interesting how different generations get to the same place via different routes.

Completely agree with what you say about playlists. I am an album, LP-centred kind of guy, so playlists are not my forte at all. Still, I enjoy them from time to time, but it’s not something I see myself doing very often!

Expand full comment
author

I didn't know all that about Buble. I'm just happy, for his career, that he found a way to create his own musical niche. He came around when everybody (including Rod Stewart!) was doing Great American Songbook material....to the point where it was becoming a stale "hook" to fall back on, or a gimmick for many artists, including ones whose career had "sunset" a bit. So, good on Michael for finding his niche....and scratching that niche!

Expand full comment
founding
Aug 18Liked by Brad Kyle

Absolutely! It’s amazing to see how much he’s grown whilst remaining true to his style and essence. That kind of authenticity is rare these days.

Expand full comment

I'm now going to be calling you Brad "Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles" Kyle from now on. It's a little wordy, but fitting for the verbositude that you exude. I don't know if they have Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles in Texas but there's several in Cali, and they seem like they'd be a perfect place for you to pen your latest FR&BS missive. You know, when you get sick of Panera.

You already know I'm a huge Rubinoos fan, and have seen them several times as they are local yokels. And the rest of your cheery summery weekend tunes are just as well chosen.

My ears are hopefully not bigger, but I'm pretty sure the hair that sprouts from them is thicker and bushier.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Steve! If TX has a Roscoe's, I wouldn't know where, and I can't recall going to one. And, my L.A. years ran from 1980-'93, which may have pre-dated a Cali Roscoe's! I'm happy to breathe new life into the GBE line. I'll have to see how much more trouble I can get myself into! Stay tuned!

Expand full comment

Ah! This got me thinking more about a Top Five list to do...

Expand full comment
author

If I could post a pic or a gif on these reply things......well, just picture Snidely Whiplash, twirling his long mustache, looking gleefully evil (or evilly gleeful), and murmuring "Nya-ah-ah!"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snidely_Whiplash

That's what we're here for, Dan.......to x-ray and enlighten; oh, and if we can inspire just a bit, so much the better! Here's hoping your ears become enlarged, at least somewhat!😈

Expand full comment