Friday, November 13, 2009

Another Lucky Friday the 13th Random Ten

I've always laughed at the "13" superstition. I remember back in 1985, at the late great punk bar "Over Easy" at 63rd and Pulaski, on a Friday the 13-- they set up a ladder you had to walk under to get in the place. Of course, six months later, the landlord refused to renew their lease and the place closed. But for me, 13 has been lucky. My son had #13 last year, which was his last year in little league, and ended up not only playing the position he'd always wanted-- pitcher-- but pitching in the league championship.

Had a great Friday the 13th--I had no work, no school today. My father and I both finally figured out how to use Skype and webcams and had a nice long video chat today. My wife, who was laid off her old job in June, is starting her new job on Monday. And to top it off, Netflix sent me "You Weren't There: A HIstory of Chicago Punk, 1977-1984" today. It had been listed as being on a "Long Wait." I watched the first ten minutes and saw a dozen people I knew in it, including my old drinking buddy Johnny Mo, who worked at Le Mere Vipere, Chicago's first punk club. Can't wait to watch it tonight.


1. Vicious- Lou Reed
2. Glass Onion- The Beatles
3. Gary's Got a Boner- The Replacements
4. Money Changes Everything- The Brains
5. For The Good Times- Jim Reeves
6. A Boy Named Sue- Johnny Cash
7. It's All Over Now- The Rolling Stones
8. Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)- Concrete Blonde
9. I've Been Working- Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
10. Birds of Paradise- The Pretenders

...and one more-- "Hell In a Bucket"- The Grateful Dead


Notes:
1. This one was actually on the jukebox at Over Easy, the bar I mentioned at the beginning of this post.
2. From the fabulous "White Album."
3. When I was in college, we used to annoy my friend Gary by playing this song.
4. Cyndi Lauper did a nice cover of this, but the original is still my favorite.
5. "We have both kinds of music here-- Country AND Western!"
6. A huge hit for Johnny Cash. Written by Shel Silverstein. One of my favorite childhood memories was walking my 3rd grade friend Cathy home and singing this song with her.
7. I love the Rolling Stones' cover, and recently discovered the Valentinos' original-- Bobby Womack and his brothers.
8. Concrete Blonde, as always, good for some angst.
9. I would argue that the "Live Bullet" album, which this is from, is the best live album ever. Just my opinion.
10. From The Pretenders' second album. One of their lesser-known songs, but one of my favorites. "This is the life they say/That dreams are made of..."

...one more-- "I may be going to hell in a bucket, but at least I'm enjoying the ride."

6 comments:

SkylersDad said...

I saw Bob Seeger in 1982 when he came through Denver, and he put on a 3 1/2 hour concert that was amazing!

He had a Sax player with him named Alto Reed... Yeah, really.

Johnny Yen said...

Seger is one of the last ones left on my "Have to see at least once in my lifetime" list. Also, Los Lobos and Tony Bennett.

Reed has been with him for a long time. I've always assumed it was a stage name.

Erik Donald France said...

"you hit me with a flower
you do it ever hour . . ."

good to go with "Queen Bitch" ;->

Churlita said...

I've heard that's a great movie. I always say I'm glad I was born when i was. I was at the right age for so many movements. I got to see the Clash live and Husker Du played in my friend's studio before they made it bigg'ish. I loved those years.

BeckEye said...

Ah, I love Concrete Blonde. And Bloodletting is always on my Halloween mixes.

Mnmom said...

Aahhh some Johnny Cash. My 22 cousins and I knew Boy Named Sue by heart. I think I just admitted to being a hillbilly.