🏄Chris & I surf the new waves from L.A. to Osaka, Japan, and manage to catch some Jellyfish; we also meet a mysterious cowboy who was once an Unrighteous Brother after Eating Out. This should be fun!
Welcome Chris. Fun songs as always. I'd never noticed that the 'Wipe Out' band was spelt "Surfaris". Probably never saw it in writing before. Every kid could play a simplified version of that drum beat on the couch...
What couch?!? I've all but bloodied junior high fingers pounding that thing out!!!
Thanks, Paul.....that was a fun one, with mega-thanks to Chris! If you were thrown, Paul, by the Surfaris' spelling, know that the one-album band that eventually became Jellyfish in the late '80s was called Beatnik Beatch, as the lads had no problem mercilessly beating that bit of wordplay to death! I do believe you're next, Paul, on the TT couch, 2/27......fingers ready!!
Lots to explore here! I loved how vinyl-centric and geographically rich some of these sections were! And particularly liked both of your reasoning/trains of thought. Amazing work at connecting such a wide variety of tracks. Well done, guys!
I was impressed by Chris's selections, including one we hope to feature more on FR&B....in some form or other! I'd love to know how long Chris has been sitting on the always-interesting Orville Peck! Care to share, Chris? When? How? I was not at all aware of Orville, and then, as I started digging.......well, it's all here....the digging kept unearthing new and interesting factoids about his, now, two careers!!
I started listening to Peck in mid-2019--shortly after his debut LP, Pony. At that time no one did the detective work to find out who he really was, but the whole persona and the music piqued my interest. I mean, how cool is the frayed lone ranger mask coupled with the sartorial style of 70s-era country? Helps that the songs are great too.
Thanks for that, Chris! When I first started digging, I was stunned! Granted, I don't travel, particularly, in country circles, but I was still amazed I hadn't heard of a "gay country singer who wears masks!!!" That's noteworthy enough, but then to uncover his punk/skating career a decade ago!! He's got a shockingly vast array of musical influences, too!
I'm trying, now, to reach out to anyone who might want to collab on a full-on Peck story....this TT (as much as I tried to stuff into it!!!) was simply too small to hold all I wanted to put in it about Peck and what I was finding on him! Lemme know by e-mail if you want to add your story of how you found him, etc....beyond what you gave us above!
Since you mention both Ben Folds Five and Billy Joel, allow me to introduce you to Fluid Ounces., which takes much of its inspiration from both of these artists, along with (of course, but even more so than most) the Beatles. I would add Elvis Costello, though I don't recall if they ever named Costello as an influence.
Led by Seth Timbs, Fluid Ounces was a beloved -- even revered -- cult band among musicians and the other cool kids in Nashville in the late 1990s (they are not country, though). I had the privilege of getting to hang with Seth and the band a bit during my time there.
Influenced by Billy, Ben Folds and the Beatles, but as you'll hear, utterly unique. I've never heard anyone else sound like them and decades after their break up, I remain entranced. (Seth Timbs is still making some very fine music on his own, and you can find him on Spotify as well.)
Here's Fluid Ounces' debut album: (Record Stack, Milk Moustache and Tricky Fingers are standout tracks, imo, but the whole album is fab)
You are hearing an accordian. I think Seth plays accordian... because of course he does. They were melodic, lyrical and studio tricksters, just like the Fabs. (we shared a studio, so I got to see them in action a time or two)
How am I already behind on two episodes of Tune Tag?!? This was a fantastic episode. I’m a huge fan of Orville Peck. I came to his music through 2019’s Pony which made my top 50 that year. But it was his 2022 release Bronco which really blew me away, coming in at #4 on my AOTY list that year.
Woo-hoo! Thanks, Mark....as one prospector said to the other after striking gold: Glad you dug! Christopher was fun to play TT with, and I look forward to it again! BTW, Mark.....you were #8. You are well in line for your Part 2. Fire away when ready, OK?
Orville: I was on Cloud 9 when I discovered him during the research and composition phases of that TT!! I thought I had discovered uranium when I uncovered his Pitout origin story and group! But, that excitement quickly withered the next day when I did what I usually do: Slap up TT on various social media sites. It slowly became apparent that current Peck fans ("Peckers"?) are loathe to have his previous iteration revealed.
So, plans for a follow-up article on him dissipated, as I couldn't, in good conscience, play his past up any more. What ended up in the TT was organic, and in real time, and I had no idea at the time that A) anyone on the planet KNEW of his past, and B) had no idea any current fans KNEW, and hated having anyone else know! The TT lives, currently, on a couple of Peck FB fan group pages, and a lynch mob has seen fit to avoid any contact with me, so there's that.
In fact, if Orville called (or wrote) and asked me to amend and take down those parts of the TT, I would. Respect for the artist, y'know. Don't know from that Bronski cover, so WILL check it out....thanks for the link! I find him infinitely fascinating, still, and will anxiously follow his career, inasmuch I had no idea he existed (in any form or iteration!) before 10 days ago!!
Listening to Arthur Rubinstein play Chopin's Nocturnes as I read through this, and not expecting to see Gershwin mentioned, while hitting on two pianists and a comment about the percussive nature of the piano (a comment that was also a discussion with a friend recently), plus starting off in Texas and ending (sort of) in Vancouver...dang, I gotta go walk this one off!
😂🤣I love that! Thanks, Jamie! There should be a warning, not unlike when deep-sea diving (or, as Ricky Ricardo used to say, "Dipsy diving")......."Beware of surfacing too quickly!" One dasn't want to get the bends!
As for the piano, I wonder how many earnest and studious drummers are turned away from their pursuit in college, simply due to that introduction of what, for many, is a new and unexpected challenge! "PIANO?! Listen, if I had wanted to tickle some ivories, I wouldn't have started pounding on these toms!"
I'm waiting for the Tune Tag where somebody discovers the new recording artist doing his thing on Jupiter or Venus, and somehow wrangles a streaming deal with Spotify.....then, the musical travels will really begin!!! Thanks again for that, Jamie!!
Wow, what an eclectic mix! From country to piano rock to surf music (via Cali and Osaka!). I must admit that when it comes to country, I enjoy more of the "cosmic country" variety than a lot of newer country pop. But, this was a very enjoyable TT and clearly, you both had a lot of fun bouncing songs back and forth!
Brad, I think you should do some of your expert sleuthing and try to find out Banksy's true identity! 😀
👀🔎🕵️♂️I'm on it! Thanks, Michael! Yes, this was a fun one! That is the curious thing about country, although I suppose it's not surprising.....outlaw, cosmic, Bakersfield, pop, urban, cosmopolitan....all these country sub-genres! During the late '70s Urban Cowboy scare, I know I discovered country's Manilow, Ronnie Milsap, and even some Eddie Rabbitt!
The Texas Gentlemen are one of those groups I tried to get into but it just never clicked for me. That being said, I do like their cover. And would really like to see them backing Ryan Bingham. They were close to Dallas last year, I think I couldn't go because I was seeing Shane Smith and the Saints that night instead.
Thanks, Cosmo! So much here is new to me, as I just wrote to Chris above! The Texas Gentlemen are yet another artist I was completely unaware of, and was happy to hear! Plus, as a Texas gentleman in Austin, 'tis high time I heard them! Now, I'll have to check up on Bingham and Smith, as they're two others about whom I know nothing! Thanks again!
Welcome Chris. Fun songs as always. I'd never noticed that the 'Wipe Out' band was spelt "Surfaris". Probably never saw it in writing before. Every kid could play a simplified version of that drum beat on the couch...
What couch?!? I've all but bloodied junior high fingers pounding that thing out!!!
Thanks, Paul.....that was a fun one, with mega-thanks to Chris! If you were thrown, Paul, by the Surfaris' spelling, know that the one-album band that eventually became Jellyfish in the late '80s was called Beatnik Beatch, as the lads had no problem mercilessly beating that bit of wordplay to death! I do believe you're next, Paul, on the TT couch, 2/27......fingers ready!!
Thanks, speelling, eh? Look forward to your next Tagged tuna...And, btw, what are you going to do with my fingers?
All will be revealed next week, Paul! We have a tension to build, y'know!
Lots to explore here! I loved how vinyl-centric and geographically rich some of these sections were! And particularly liked both of your reasoning/trains of thought. Amazing work at connecting such a wide variety of tracks. Well done, guys!
I was impressed by Chris's selections, including one we hope to feature more on FR&B....in some form or other! I'd love to know how long Chris has been sitting on the always-interesting Orville Peck! Care to share, Chris? When? How? I was not at all aware of Orville, and then, as I started digging.......well, it's all here....the digging kept unearthing new and interesting factoids about his, now, two careers!!
I started listening to Peck in mid-2019--shortly after his debut LP, Pony. At that time no one did the detective work to find out who he really was, but the whole persona and the music piqued my interest. I mean, how cool is the frayed lone ranger mask coupled with the sartorial style of 70s-era country? Helps that the songs are great too.
Thanks for that, Chris! When I first started digging, I was stunned! Granted, I don't travel, particularly, in country circles, but I was still amazed I hadn't heard of a "gay country singer who wears masks!!!" That's noteworthy enough, but then to uncover his punk/skating career a decade ago!! He's got a shockingly vast array of musical influences, too!
I'm trying, now, to reach out to anyone who might want to collab on a full-on Peck story....this TT (as much as I tried to stuff into it!!!) was simply too small to hold all I wanted to put in it about Peck and what I was finding on him! Lemme know by e-mail if you want to add your story of how you found him, etc....beyond what you gave us above!
And, thanks for introducing me to him!!!
Since you mention both Ben Folds Five and Billy Joel, allow me to introduce you to Fluid Ounces., which takes much of its inspiration from both of these artists, along with (of course, but even more so than most) the Beatles. I would add Elvis Costello, though I don't recall if they ever named Costello as an influence.
Led by Seth Timbs, Fluid Ounces was a beloved -- even revered -- cult band among musicians and the other cool kids in Nashville in the late 1990s (they are not country, though). I had the privilege of getting to hang with Seth and the band a bit during my time there.
Influenced by Billy, Ben Folds and the Beatles, but as you'll hear, utterly unique. I've never heard anyone else sound like them and decades after their break up, I remain entranced. (Seth Timbs is still making some very fine music on his own, and you can find him on Spotify as well.)
Here's Fluid Ounces' debut album: (Record Stack, Milk Moustache and Tricky Fingers are standout tracks, imo, but the whole album is fab)
https://open.spotify.com/album/10NBgJBpj1pwmYzORY6yyC?si=fKIHi701RaK57-daiPVJzA
Very cool.....got the album playing now! Thanks, Faith, for sharing Seth and F.O. with us!
I've been on a low key mission to keep their music alive for a long time now and probably always will be.
I like the way Seth and band unabashedly incorporate guitars throughout, as well....and, am I hearing an accordion ("Birdbrained")?!
You are hearing an accordian. I think Seth plays accordian... because of course he does. They were melodic, lyrical and studio tricksters, just like the Fabs. (we shared a studio, so I got to see them in action a time or two)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluid_Ounces
Thank you, Faith! I looked before and couldn't find them on Wiki!
If you go deep, I have their indie albums after they left the label that aren't on Spotify.
How am I already behind on two episodes of Tune Tag?!? This was a fantastic episode. I’m a huge fan of Orville Peck. I came to his music through 2019’s Pony which made my top 50 that year. But it was his 2022 release Bronco which really blew me away, coming in at #4 on my AOTY list that year.
I’d never heard of the Unrighteous Brothers. Love it. Peck also released a fantastic cover of Bronski Beat’s Smalltown Boy which I included in my Lovely Covers post. If you haven’t heard it, I highly recommend giving it a listen: https://open.spotify.com/track/2UyJBtpLTxB5D4M0Apvu7e?si=7B8UrUViTT2GtDZK2GRFDA&context=spotify%3Aplaylist%3A3QLMiFsnO96sVHl7dwTPpd
I was also a big fan of Ben Folds Five shortly after graduating from university so it was nice to see that here as well as the Billy Joel track.
Great stuff all around gentlemen! Thanks for another wonderful installment of Tune Tag!!
Woo-hoo! Thanks, Mark....as one prospector said to the other after striking gold: Glad you dug! Christopher was fun to play TT with, and I look forward to it again! BTW, Mark.....you were #8. You are well in line for your Part 2. Fire away when ready, OK?
Orville: I was on Cloud 9 when I discovered him during the research and composition phases of that TT!! I thought I had discovered uranium when I uncovered his Pitout origin story and group! But, that excitement quickly withered the next day when I did what I usually do: Slap up TT on various social media sites. It slowly became apparent that current Peck fans ("Peckers"?) are loathe to have his previous iteration revealed.
So, plans for a follow-up article on him dissipated, as I couldn't, in good conscience, play his past up any more. What ended up in the TT was organic, and in real time, and I had no idea at the time that A) anyone on the planet KNEW of his past, and B) had no idea any current fans KNEW, and hated having anyone else know! The TT lives, currently, on a couple of Peck FB fan group pages, and a lynch mob has seen fit to avoid any contact with me, so there's that.
In fact, if Orville called (or wrote) and asked me to amend and take down those parts of the TT, I would. Respect for the artist, y'know. Don't know from that Bronski cover, so WILL check it out....thanks for the link! I find him infinitely fascinating, still, and will anxiously follow his career, inasmuch I had no idea he existed (in any form or iteration!) before 10 days ago!!
Listening to Arthur Rubinstein play Chopin's Nocturnes as I read through this, and not expecting to see Gershwin mentioned, while hitting on two pianists and a comment about the percussive nature of the piano (a comment that was also a discussion with a friend recently), plus starting off in Texas and ending (sort of) in Vancouver...dang, I gotta go walk this one off!
😂🤣I love that! Thanks, Jamie! There should be a warning, not unlike when deep-sea diving (or, as Ricky Ricardo used to say, "Dipsy diving")......."Beware of surfacing too quickly!" One dasn't want to get the bends!
As for the piano, I wonder how many earnest and studious drummers are turned away from their pursuit in college, simply due to that introduction of what, for many, is a new and unexpected challenge! "PIANO?! Listen, if I had wanted to tickle some ivories, I wouldn't have started pounding on these toms!"
I'm waiting for the Tune Tag where somebody discovers the new recording artist doing his thing on Jupiter or Venus, and somehow wrangles a streaming deal with Spotify.....then, the musical travels will really begin!!! Thanks again for that, Jamie!!
Wow, what an eclectic mix! From country to piano rock to surf music (via Cali and Osaka!). I must admit that when it comes to country, I enjoy more of the "cosmic country" variety than a lot of newer country pop. But, this was a very enjoyable TT and clearly, you both had a lot of fun bouncing songs back and forth!
Brad, I think you should do some of your expert sleuthing and try to find out Banksy's true identity! 😀
👀🔎🕵️♂️I'm on it! Thanks, Michael! Yes, this was a fun one! That is the curious thing about country, although I suppose it's not surprising.....outlaw, cosmic, Bakersfield, pop, urban, cosmopolitan....all these country sub-genres! During the late '70s Urban Cowboy scare, I know I discovered country's Manilow, Ronnie Milsap, and even some Eddie Rabbitt!
The Texas Gentlemen are one of those groups I tried to get into but it just never clicked for me. That being said, I do like their cover. And would really like to see them backing Ryan Bingham. They were close to Dallas last year, I think I couldn't go because I was seeing Shane Smith and the Saints that night instead.
Thanks, Cosmo! So much here is new to me, as I just wrote to Chris above! The Texas Gentlemen are yet another artist I was completely unaware of, and was happy to hear! Plus, as a Texas gentleman in Austin, 'tis high time I heard them! Now, I'll have to check up on Bingham and Smith, as they're two others about whom I know nothing! Thanks again!
You’re gonna love Bingham. I saw him at the now defunct Altar Bar in Pittsburgh 12! years ago.