As Time & The Semester Flies By

Mid-April already, Finals week is around the corner, graduation right after that, and then the "lazy, hazy, days (daze?) of Summer - this blog has been on a short hiatus due to the editor's busy life (if sloth can be categorized as  form of "busy"). Spring is here (sort of) and your humble editor's mind turns to pop music (or mush - you choose).

"I Want You Back" - Straight No Chaser with Sara Bareilles - Here's a delightful take on the Jackson 5's 1969 breakout Motown single. Straight No Chaser is one of the best contemporary a cappella groups and, when you add Sara Bareilles's splendid voice (what a range!) to this brilliant arrangement, magic happens.  This is the sort of song you play really loud with the windows open and sing along - well, I do and that scares the heck out of our neighbors and the cats. (RBK)

"The Winner Takes It All" - Abba - From 1974 - 1983, you could not escape the Swedish quartet Abba if you listened to AM radio. They had scads of hits. This choice comes from Thomas W and he writes "They’re all fun toons, but I tend to like ballads. Showing my soft side..."

"Society's Child" - Janis Ian - I heard her much nominated and autobiographical song “Society‘s Child “ recently. controversial at the time it tells the story of a white girl and her black boyfriend who have to break up because society will not accept the relationship. 
She also wrote “Seventeen “ another amazingly touching song.  Now also known as a science fiction writer she continues to perform in concerts.

(Daniele Dugre-Martin)

"Tossin' and Turnin' - Bobby Lewis - Now, one from my (misspent) youth. I spent many a night listening to the old tube radio my Grandfather bequeathed to me upon his passing. It sat on the shelf above my bed and gave off a soft light when it was on. I listened to radio stations from all up and down the East Coast and the Midwest. That's when I learned to love rhythm 'n' blues music, listening to songs that made me so happy to be alive. I had no idea what the lyrics were about (this song is rated "G" but Ray Charles's "What I Say" got me in trouble with the parents - my Mother said it was too suggestive for a young mind) but I loved how the song moved.  Still do.

(RBK)



You awake now?  Good!