It's Gen X vs. Baby Boomer in this Tune Tag for the ages (old and a little younger)! Can both be tragically hip, or, will one show he's up for the task, and bring the arcade fire?
Oh Sonny, what a song to start with! I absolutely loved the Hip when I was in Canada from 89 to 97 and “Blow at High Dough” was one of the I first songs I ever heard followed shortly thereafter by “New Orleans is Sinking”, another classic Hip jam.
Though their talent is undeniable, I’m just not a huge fan of Rush. Their music is all just a little too much for me.
For some reason that’s not too clear to me “I Just Died in your Arms” is probably one of my favorite songs of the 80s for me, nice to see it here.
Somewhat embarrassingly, I only really know of Jennifer Warned from the Dirty Dancing “Time of my Life” and her duet with Joe Cocker (“Up Where We Belong”) and I didn’t know that she started making music in the 60s. I’d always assumed she was just a 1980s flash in the pan. I might have to take a look at some of her music.
Thanks, Mark! As I mentioned to someone else here in the comments, Jennifer had quite a pleasant early-career output. And, as Sonny noted (news to me), she had become friends with Leonard Cohen in '71!
Most people, of course, only know of Jennifer from those two hits, but her career mirrors so many artists whose early promos I had and became familiar with, but their songs went largely unheard (no airplay), until they had hits later on! So, dig into her early stuff!
Where has Tragically Hip been all my life? Are they Canada's best kept secret? Loved this tune and have to explore them more.
Also loved the Jennifer Warnes cover, and the Cutting Crew song has always been a favorite. Rush is always a thumbs up. But classical, Brad, is that even allowed under the TT rules?! Can we get the ref to make a ruling?
Thanks, Ellen......Sonny was really fun to work with, and I'm glad he felt so comfortable to be himself! That's what we want in the Tune Tag Arena! Jennifer had quite an eclectic early-'70s career before her later Arista hits, late-'70s.
When I found that Kingsbury brother link from Arcade Fire to classical pianist, Brett, my jaw fell! That's why I wondered, in print, if Sonny could/would catch that! I looked it up! It sounds like he already knew it, but I knew as much about Arcade Fire as I did about the Tragically Hip...nada!
As for a ref's ruling...I had petitioned the Intergalactic Tune Tag Rules and Regulations Committee in Oslo, and gotten the "high sign" from the Board to go ahead with a classical drop! I'm afraid, though, that I got the 👎for Zimbabwean fertility and harvesting sonnets and reels for use on a TT I'm playing at the moment. So, there's that...............😥But, head down, and we muddle through to victory!😁👍
I didn't know Arcade Fire either but found the tune interesting.
Time to protest against the Intergalactic Committee. Why can't fertility and harvesting sonnets from Zimbabwe be tagged? That's not fair. Get out the protest signs!
Oh, I've been wrestling with the head of TTRRC for years....mostly to Noah Vail.😂Protest signs, I'm afraid, would be futile....we'd have to accompany them with protest songs, and they're not fans of those either!
In the '80s, I found a University of Zimbabwe sweatshirt in a catalog my mom had gotten in the mail. I was so taken by the utter randomness of it, I sent for it, and had a ball showing it off! They've sort of been a favorite little-known country of mine since then! Wish I still had it!
Just a quick note re: Arcade Fire. The song you heard isn't particularly indicative of their music as a whole. If you're interested in hearing more, I recommend starting with their album 'Reflektor' or 'The Suburbs' (which also includes 'Month of May').
This was so great. Most if not all of the tracks were new to me, so lots to dive into. I loved the connections you guys made: from geography through song themes to collaborations. A very "complete" Tune Tag, if you ask me!
My favourite track was the Cutting Crew one. That beat is irresistible! 😎
Thanks, Andy! Sonny's contributions were terrific, both in songs'n'artists, and with his insightful commentary! His picks gave me a lot to work with! Glad you found some new tunes, too!
Thanks, Mark! And, she was on it early, at least from the perspective of Jackson's recording career! His demo had been floating around, as the interview video reveals, and Nico was the first! It was a fun Tag, no doubt!
Oh man, what a great Tune Tag. Both of you were having fun, but I have to appreciate Sonny's snark.
When I first started "Not Enough Whiskey" I thought, "he's being too harsh; this is perfectly fine, if generic." But then, when I got to the line about, "not enough whiskey to make it all alright" I decided that he was right to call it “Not Enough Ideas” or “Not Enough Talent”.
A fun 80s flashback -- and the Tab reference is perfect.
"Tower Of Song" is fantastic. One thing to add to the Jennifer Warnes / Leonard Cohen connection. While Cohen is now, rightly, much beloved, my impression is that he had a long mid-career slump and that Warnes album covering Cohen ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Famous_Blue_Raincoat_(album) ) was a real boost for him, and helped introduce him to a different audience.
Thank you so much for the generous words! Can’t tell you how happy I am that you enjoyed the read!
I have to admit that I was a little worried about being too snarky, but I know Brad’s got an amazing sense of humor, so I figured I’d just go for it. If any of my writing works in this piece at all, it’s because Brad made me feel comfortable enough to be myself.
Thank you as well for your thoughts on Leonard Cohen. I completely agree that Jennifer Warnes gave his career a much-needed shot in the arm.
Loving your middle paragraph, Sonny! Many thanks....that's, ultimately, the goal....meeting people where their love of music meets their typewriter.....which is also why I love the notion of the guest picking the first song! It sets up a challenge for me to follow, as well as starting us off with the ole "just who IS this person?" I'm hoping future guests will follow your impressive example of a kick-off song and commentary!
Thanks, Keith! But, as Milli Vanilli (or someone like them) once croaked, "Blame It on the Rane"! The Tragically Hip track was Sonny's inspired choice to kick us off on this truly fun and fascinating TT! I had heard not one note from The Hip before Sonny's initial choice, so it was cool to get to know how and why he's dug the band for so long (and to learn about their lead singer)!
I was really impressed with Sonny's smart and insightful writing, too, on every track featured herein! Bravo!👏
Excellent Tune Tag boys! Loved the snark, also the word "Canadiana".
Oh Sonny, what a song to start with! I absolutely loved the Hip when I was in Canada from 89 to 97 and “Blow at High Dough” was one of the I first songs I ever heard followed shortly thereafter by “New Orleans is Sinking”, another classic Hip jam.
Though their talent is undeniable, I’m just not a huge fan of Rush. Their music is all just a little too much for me.
For some reason that’s not too clear to me “I Just Died in your Arms” is probably one of my favorite songs of the 80s for me, nice to see it here.
Somewhat embarrassingly, I only really know of Jennifer Warned from the Dirty Dancing “Time of my Life” and her duet with Joe Cocker (“Up Where We Belong”) and I didn’t know that she started making music in the 60s. I’d always assumed she was just a 1980s flash in the pan. I might have to take a look at some of her music.
Thanks, Mark! As I mentioned to someone else here in the comments, Jennifer had quite a pleasant early-career output. And, as Sonny noted (news to me), she had become friends with Leonard Cohen in '71!
Most people, of course, only know of Jennifer from those two hits, but her career mirrors so many artists whose early promos I had and became familiar with, but their songs went largely unheard (no airplay), until they had hits later on! So, dig into her early stuff!
Really enjoyed the humor of both of you guys.
Where has Tragically Hip been all my life? Are they Canada's best kept secret? Loved this tune and have to explore them more.
Also loved the Jennifer Warnes cover, and the Cutting Crew song has always been a favorite. Rush is always a thumbs up. But classical, Brad, is that even allowed under the TT rules?! Can we get the ref to make a ruling?
Thanks, Ellen......Sonny was really fun to work with, and I'm glad he felt so comfortable to be himself! That's what we want in the Tune Tag Arena! Jennifer had quite an eclectic early-'70s career before her later Arista hits, late-'70s.
When I found that Kingsbury brother link from Arcade Fire to classical pianist, Brett, my jaw fell! That's why I wondered, in print, if Sonny could/would catch that! I looked it up! It sounds like he already knew it, but I knew as much about Arcade Fire as I did about the Tragically Hip...nada!
As for a ref's ruling...I had petitioned the Intergalactic Tune Tag Rules and Regulations Committee in Oslo, and gotten the "high sign" from the Board to go ahead with a classical drop! I'm afraid, though, that I got the 👎for Zimbabwean fertility and harvesting sonnets and reels for use on a TT I'm playing at the moment. So, there's that...............😥But, head down, and we muddle through to victory!😁👍
I didn't know Arcade Fire either but found the tune interesting.
Time to protest against the Intergalactic Committee. Why can't fertility and harvesting sonnets from Zimbabwe be tagged? That's not fair. Get out the protest signs!
Oh, I've been wrestling with the head of TTRRC for years....mostly to Noah Vail.😂Protest signs, I'm afraid, would be futile....we'd have to accompany them with protest songs, and they're not fans of those either!
In the '80s, I found a University of Zimbabwe sweatshirt in a catalog my mom had gotten in the mail. I was so taken by the utter randomness of it, I sent for it, and had a ball showing it off! They've sort of been a favorite little-known country of mine since then! Wish I still had it!
Noah Vail is a lost cause, for sure.
Great sweatshirt story!
Thanks for the kind words, Ellen!
Just a quick note re: Arcade Fire. The song you heard isn't particularly indicative of their music as a whole. If you're interested in hearing more, I recommend starting with their album 'Reflektor' or 'The Suburbs' (which also includes 'Month of May').
Thanks for that helpful AF roadmap, Sonny!🎵
Thanks for that, Sonny. I will check out music on those two albums as I actually liked Month of May.
This was so great. Most if not all of the tracks were new to me, so lots to dive into. I loved the connections you guys made: from geography through song themes to collaborations. A very "complete" Tune Tag, if you ask me!
My favourite track was the Cutting Crew one. That beat is irresistible! 😎
Thanks, Andy! Sonny's contributions were terrific, both in songs'n'artists, and with his insightful commentary! His picks gave me a lot to work with! Glad you found some new tunes, too!
I didn't know Jennifer Warnes covered "These Days". Good picks guys!
Thanks, Mark! And, she was on it early, at least from the perspective of Jackson's recording career! His demo had been floating around, as the interview video reveals, and Nico was the first! It was a fun Tag, no doubt!
Oh man, what a great Tune Tag. Both of you were having fun, but I have to appreciate Sonny's snark.
When I first started "Not Enough Whiskey" I thought, "he's being too harsh; this is perfectly fine, if generic." But then, when I got to the line about, "not enough whiskey to make it all alright" I decided that he was right to call it “Not Enough Ideas” or “Not Enough Talent”.
A fun 80s flashback -- and the Tab reference is perfect.
"Tower Of Song" is fantastic. One thing to add to the Jennifer Warnes / Leonard Cohen connection. While Cohen is now, rightly, much beloved, my impression is that he had a long mid-career slump and that Warnes album covering Cohen ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Famous_Blue_Raincoat_(album) ) was a real boost for him, and helped introduce him to a different audience.
Thanks, Nick! Glad you liked this one, and I appreciate your perspective, and the added Warnes/Cohen info. I had no idea she did an LC tribute album!
Thank you so much for the generous words! Can’t tell you how happy I am that you enjoyed the read!
I have to admit that I was a little worried about being too snarky, but I know Brad’s got an amazing sense of humor, so I figured I’d just go for it. If any of my writing works in this piece at all, it’s because Brad made me feel comfortable enough to be myself.
Thank you as well for your thoughts on Leonard Cohen. I completely agree that Jennifer Warnes gave his career a much-needed shot in the arm.
Loving your middle paragraph, Sonny! Many thanks....that's, ultimately, the goal....meeting people where their love of music meets their typewriter.....which is also why I love the notion of the guest picking the first song! It sets up a challenge for me to follow, as well as starting us off with the ole "just who IS this person?" I'm hoping future guests will follow your impressive example of a kick-off song and commentary!
Another great TT Brad - can't go wrong when you start out with The Hip ;)
Thanks, Keith! But, as Milli Vanilli (or someone like them) once croaked, "Blame It on the Rane"! The Tragically Hip track was Sonny's inspired choice to kick us off on this truly fun and fascinating TT! I had heard not one note from The Hip before Sonny's initial choice, so it was cool to get to know how and why he's dug the band for so long (and to learn about their lead singer)!
I was really impressed with Sonny's smart and insightful writing, too, on every track featured herein! Bravo!👏
You're far too kind, Brad. But I'll take it!