2014 - like we see it

Name	Artist	Contributor
Waitress Song	First Aid Kit	Debbie
Riptide	Vance Joy	Debbie
Inside Out	Spoon	Debbie
Wiggle	Jason Derulo (feat. Snoop Dogg)	Drayson
You Go Down Smooth	Lake Street Dive	Gina
Rather Be	Clean Bandit (feat. Jess Glynne)	Gina
King and Cross	Ásgeir	Gina
Says	Nils Frahm	Greg
Dance Slow Decades	Angel Olsen	Greg
Clearing	Grouper	Greg
You've Got a Way All Yours	Jim Lauderdale	Jim
I'm Not Gonna Miss You	Glen Campbell	Jim
Bless The Telephone	Kelis	Jim
JM	Strand of Oaks	Marcy
Feel	Ty Segall	Marcy
Betray My Heart	D'Angelo & The Vanguard	Marcy
Rough On Rats	David Johansen	Pat
(For A While) I Couldn't Play My Guitar Like a Man	Freeman	Pat
Dirty Sheets	The Orwells	Pat
Take Me to Church	Hozier	Politi
Rivers In Your Mouth	Ben Howard	Politi
Glory	Wye Oak	Politi

Marcy's Top 5 albums for 2014

#5: Spoon - "They Want My Soul"

#4 Strand of Oaks - "Heal"

#3 St. Vincent - "St. Vincent"

#2 The War on Drugs - "Lost in a Dream"

#1 D'Angelo - "Black Messiah"
I waited 14 years.  Enough said except I love you D'Angelo.  

WHO CAN GUESS WHAT ALBUM I AM LISTENING TO?

You have 1 guess.

Can I see a show of hands?

What's the best way to describe our music club in 28 characters or less?  Would it be our blog name "Stingless Music Club"?   Maybe "Music Club with a Hat"?    "Music Club Tastemakers at Work" is over 28 characters even though it describes us perfectly.  

Speak to me!

Sad State of Golden Statue Affairs

This might be the first year I don't watch (or maybe even care...) about the Grammy's. Perhaps I'm late to that game?  Is it my age (careful how you answer that!)?  Is the bar just lower because of the state of "popular" music?

Save for one artist in the Song of the Year category who is on my best of 2014, all I see is rubbish here... Discuss.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/music/grammys/grammy-awards-the-almost-complete-list-of-nominees/ar-BBgnQtR

MC w/No Actual M?!

So, a crazy idea came to me as I was rolling my eyes (correction, rolling my left eye... the right one isn't quite Bell's Palsy free yet) and feverishly working to change the radio station as the intro to 'Jack and Diane' burned my eardrums.

What about an MC where we go for brunch or drinks or dinner and just bring songs to the table that nobody needs to hear EVER again?  In other words, no actual music would be played at MC.  We just bring a list and discuss seein' as we don't need to hear this shit ever again?! 

No rush to make it a reality, just a thought. One that might admittedly be induced by Oxy so feel free to respectfully decline. 

xoxo
j. 

Gina's Grateful Playlist on Spotify

In the spirit of the holiday, you may thank me for either a) the gift of music, or b) the fact that you didn't have to listen to this all day on Thanksgiving!

Either way, I'm giving thanks for Music Club!

Grateful Playlist

The Best Ever, Eagerly Anticipated, Most Wonderful Club of the Year

It's time again for the "Best Of" club, highlighting our favorites from 2014. I'm looking forward to seeing you all as well as hearing everyone's thought on music from this year. Our furthest traveling member is in town so I suggest one of the following dates- 12/27 or 1/3. We missed both J and Jim at our last meeting, it's been some rough months my friends and it's my Christmas wish that we will all be able to get together and celebrate good music and most importantly good friends.

NEW FEATURE! MUSIC PUZZLE TIME!

J! 
Each member of music club picked a song for you. Can you match the member with the song? 
 1. "La Vie en Rose" by Grace Jones                    
 2. "All About That Bass" by Meghan Trainor
 3. "Andromeda Heights" by Prefab Sprout
 4. "Nightswimming" by R.E.M.
 5. "Black Hole Sun" by Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gormé
 6. "Wish Fulfillment" by Vincent Gillioz

Booze-ic Club

Here we go. Out of the gate, we stumbled. Song: Day Drinking Artist: Little Big Town Contributor: Marcy The question asked by the group - "How would you have ever heard this song? Thumbs down. Next up. A hit. Song: Two Artist: Ryan Adams Contributor: Politi Everyone is happy now though a few were surprised Politi is a Ryan Adams fan. The next song made Debbie VERY happy. Song: Boat Drinks Artist: Jimmy Buffett Contributor: Greg Next up. Everyone loves the this song!!!!!!! It was Greg's favorite pick for the night. It reminded Pat of "Mad Men" and it made Debbie wistful that she doesn't hear songs like this while sipping craft cocktails more often. Song: Scotch And Soda Artist: The Kingston Trio Contributor: Jim OK, now what? You could tell it was a Jim pick. We all know each other's music tasted so well. Song: Thunderbird ESQ Artist: The Gories Contributor: Jim Everyone guessed the next pick was Marcy's selection though oddly, Pat didn't guess the artist correctly. He also feels this would be a horrible karaoke song. Song: Picasso's Last Words (Drink to Me) Artist: Paul McCartney & Wings Contributor: Marcy The next song had this big band thing going and we all had fun with it. Yeah, Pat. Song: What's The Use Of Getting Sober (When You're Gonna Get Drunk Artist: Joe Jackson Contributor: Pat Where are we at with the drinking right now? We are doing quite well with that. Everyone guesses the next song is a Greg pick and everyone is right and maybe a little smug. Song:Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound Artist: Hank Williams, Jr. Contributor: Greg The next pick is a HOME RUN! It's Pat's favorite pick of the night and we thank you J Politi for making this moment happen. Song: Happy Hour Artist: The Housemartins Contributor: Politi Next comes some more country music but it IS an alcohol theme, right? WILLIE! Song: Whiskey River Artist: Willie Nelson Contributor: Debbie Greg used to live both below and above the bass player for this band. WOW! Song: Alcohol Artist: The Murder City Devils Contributor: Jim Everyone loves the next pick and we all guess Pat correctly. Song: Swimming Pools (Drank) Artist: Kendrick Lamar Contributor: Pat Continuing Pat's hip hop vibe Song: Drinks (Escapism) Artist: Prince Paul Contributor: Pat Now we are getting serious with both our drinking and our drinking songs. Song:One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer Artist: John Lee Hooker Contributor: Debbie More Willie! This time teaming up with another drinker - double the drinking fun. Song: I Gotta Get Drunk Artist George Jones with Willie Nelson Contributor: Marcy Finally we get a Tom Waits song cuz what is an alcohol themed music club without this guy. Song: Warm Beer and Cold Women Artist: Tom Waits Contributor: Debbie The next song is reminder that booze can be sophisticated and dignified. Song: Moonlight Serenade Artist: Glenn Miller and His Orchestra Contributor: Politi We are at the last song people. What will it be? A hint. Pat is THRILLED. Song: Beercan Artist: Beck Contributor: Greg We missed our MC mates and will see everyone next month for the YEAR END club. Pat thinks this is a great year for music. Pat says this every year.

Tuesday November 11th at The Neptune.

I will never stop trying to convince you all of the exceptional live show these guys put on. Pat and I are going, I hope you can join us, lovely wives as well.

Drinking while listening to songs about drinking! How cool is that?

We talked about the first week in November? How about Friday, the 7th? As the hostess, I will be pouring MC's favorite spirit. More to come.

Don't cover me

Driving into work today KEXP was playing a cover of Walk on the Wild Side by Joseph Arthur and while it was a fine and worthy cover because I like the song so much I couldn't help but hear the original version in my head the whole time which made it an awkward listening experience.

So it struck me that maybe some songs don't need to be covered because the original just got it perfect the first time.

What are some other ones?

Who Am I?

5 foot 8.

Eyes of Hazel.

Visited the gallery yesterday.

Sent my money guy the next day to pay in cash.

When Jim's co-worker said “Hello” to me, I did not reply. She will not shut-up about it. Says it is a Downton Abbey kind of thing where you don’t speak to a Sir until you are spoken to, or something like that. She’s really upset. I looked in Jim's direction at least when he said “Hello”. I may have nodded my head, but I was limping so it could have been an accidental movement of the head.

Got Jim thinking about the commercial that either happened or didn’t but he still imagines it did. The one for Vidal Sassoon where I sings “Sassoon says so much.”

Who am I?

Hi.

I'm actually working on about three Music Club blog things that are all ready to go; but writers block is killin' me.

It'll happen eventually.  Look forward to seeing you all tonight.

Pink Rabbits!

Apparently I love every cover of this song. Strand of Oaks, thank you!

Great Band Name Pulled From The News

U2 Removal Tool

All-Time Worst Songs?

Help!
My radio station is doing their annual pledge-drive countdown, and this year's theme is '885 All-Time Greatest and Worst Songs'.  You can send in your list of 10 Greatest, and 5 Worst, and then they play the list non-stop starting Oct. 20th.  (They're only playing 85 Worst Songs!)

You can see Random Greatest and Worst lists that have already been submitted here.

I'm not having too much trouble coming up with great songs, but what are some of you guys' worst? My tastes are so dorky, I sort like a lot of songs that other people hate...  but maybe you can help me brainstorm...

(This also reminds me of the AV Club's 'Hatesong' feature, which is pretty funny!)

Leaving Las Vegas, Viva Las Vegas, Waking Up in Vegas

My songs of place, because I don't think we are ever going to meet to discuss....  PSYCHE!!!  No more dilly dallying and let's do this thing.  First choice, Thursday September 11th; second choice Thursday September 18th.  A late summer evening in Pat and Deb's backyard, a fire to take the chill off, the thrilling thump of our our songs playing (wait, that might be my heartbeat thrilling at a much delayed Music Club meeting). Next up, the pathetic sight of Deb begging, please don't make me beg!

HEY!

Isn't it just about time for us to meet? 


I'll host!  Since I live in a dark bubble, it stays really cool.  

This Is Not My Beautiful Music Club. Not Really

The Date: July 7
The Time: 7:00? Something like that?
The Location: Pat's & Deb’s
The Theme: We can’t all make it. So this is a "roll your own” theme.
The Mood: I’d have to say Pretty Excited.

MUSIC CLUB OUTING ON THE EASTSIDE?

http://seattlesoundlive.com/press-releases/just-announced-beck-at-marymoor-park-on-august-20/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=just-announced-beck-at-marymoor-park-on-august-20

There Are No Words

Coming up on May 24th, at least that was what we decided at the last MC. Does that still work? Pat and I can host this time.

Music documentary recommendation

http://www.muscleshoalsthemovie.com


Rent it!

Unofficial Music Club Hall of Fame 3 & 4: Rock Gold From A Shit List

Like your favorite WWF Smackdown cage match set to a classic rock 4/4, 13 enter the ring as nominees and only 1 leaves as an inductee. Actually, scratch that. In a last minute vote before the results were announced, Music Club decided to admit 2 inductees this time around. The Katniss and Peeta of a musical hunger games. Please excuse the mixed metaphors.

Only The Good Die Young. Arcade Fire, then Elliot Smith, then The Replacements, then Pavement, then Wilco were each ejected by the other more seasoned veterans.  No one had them as #1 on their ballots, but instead in the lower reaches of most ballots, even in the ballots of the members that nominated them.

Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me. The first real heartbreak took place when the only solo female artist in the competition and the first artist who actually ranked #1 on one of the ballots were both thrown from the ring.  Steely Dan and Tina Turner tied for 6th place raining buckets of disappointment on their nominating member. Our condolences. Steely Dan had the unusual distinction of ranking not just a #1 vote, but also a #13. Curious.

Surrender. The last artist to not make the top 5 is a favorite to many, but obviously not favorite enough. Tom Waits shuffled quietly from the ring, bourbon and hat in hand. Satisfied in the knowledge he had 3 of his songs entered into the Dedications theme that night. 

Don’t Fear The Reaper. The Final 5 stood center ring. Johnny Cash was ranked #1 in one of the seven ballots cast. Led Zeppelin was, too. But that was not enough for them to come out on top. Johnny was here once before, losing last last time to Bruce Springsteen. This time he couldn't even make it into the top 3. They ended up tied for 4th place with the upper echelon of 3 officially consisting of The Beatles, James Brown, and Bob Dylan. I am embarrassed to say that they were my nominations. I have the ballots to prove that I did not tamper with results. Still... it's awkward. 

We Are The Champions. James Brown was the one artist in the top 5 to not be ranked #1 by a single member, but he had the benefit of being in the top 5 of five separate ballots. That went a long way to keeping him around almost to the end. In the end, though, it was Bob Dylan at #2, and The Beatles, in a pretty resounding victory, took the coveted #1 spot. The Fab 4 had ranked #1 on three different ballots, so it was kind of a done deal from the very beginning.

But, see, it all seems a little anti-climactic. Doesn't it? No arguing like last time. No drunken denouncements of one artist in comparison to another. Nobody locking themselves in the bathroom and refusing to come out until everyone voted for Three Dog Night. This time it was all quiet voting in the privacy of our own homes. Boring. Where is the drama? Next time I insist we get drama. Not just the kind of drama where I get letters telling me the list of nominees is unacceptable. I want to see arm wrestling. I want to hear cries of anguish that someone would seriously consider Madonna in any way Merle Haggard's equal. That pang of disgust you just felt when you read that? I want more of that. And if you agreed with that statement, it's time you to make a stand. 

How should the next nomination process take place?  Feel free to send in your suggestions. Make it interesting. Make it count. You have time, because we're not doing this again for a long time.

Stil, congratulations go to The Beatles and Bob Dylan. It's time these two underdogs finally got the recognition they had been so rudely denied in the past.

Music Club meeting this Thursday!

Looking forward to seeing your bright, smiley faces this Thursday for music club unless it's raining cats and dogs again (I've restocked the bourbon just in case).

What year was your musical taste formed?

WXPN was revisiting 1975 this week - three songs from that year played in the 9:00am hour every day.  And every day, I screamed with delight and recognition.  Now, I scream with delight and recognition at a lot of things ("I read that book!", "Taco salads in the lunchroom!"), but five days in a row for one year?? That doesn't normally happen. So, I have concluded that, for better or for worse, my musical tastes were set in concrete in that year.  The songs are below.   Have we ever done that as a theme?  What years would you guys come up with?

PS:   Deb and J.: the band London Grammar?  Thoughts??

1975:
Earth Wind & Fire - Shining Star
The Eagles - One Of These Nights
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils - Jackie Blue
Steely Dan - Doctor Wu
David Bowie - Fame
Led Zeppelin - Ten Years Gone
Bob Dylan - Tangled Up In Blue*
Queen - Killer Queen
War - Low Rider
Brian Eno - St. Elmo's Fire**
Willie Nelson - Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain***
Janis Ian - At Seventeen
Phoebe Snow - Poetry Man
Labelle - Lady Marmalade

*Surprising, but true!  The only Dylan album I've ever owned.
**Okay, I'd never heard this song before.
***Scream? No. Deeply respect? Yes.

The Walking Dedications vs. The Grateful Dedications

Thursday, April 10th, correct? I will be there.

Where would we like to have it?Also, if you haven't submitted your Hall of Fame nominations, please try to send them in by Sunday, March 15th. We hope to have the ballots out sometime next week so they can be returned in time for the next entry to be announced at the Dedication meeting.

(Your Theme Here)

It was a pleasure...

& traffic sucked.

Happy Valentine's Day from De La Sol

http://entertainment.time.com/2014/02/14/de-la-soul-catalog-free/

And there is this bit of heaven

http://seatgeek.com/drive-by-truckers-with-shovels-rope-tickets/seattle-washington-showbox-sodo-2014-04-23-8-pm/concert/1953973/

HAPPY FRIDAY MC!

It's gloriously sunny outside!  As long as I don't look down (I do work in SODO y'll), it's a great view from my office window.  

When shall we meet?  Mid-Feb?  Back to our Thursday schedule, how bout the 20th?

The Next Nominee Could Be...

The last meeting was on an unusual day of the week, a couple hours earlier than usual, in a new venue, and what with the holidays and a broken printer, I didn’t properly prepare a nomination process for the next Unofficial Music Club Hall of Fame inductees. Elvis and Bruce are lonely at the top and are looking for a friend.

This time around there is no hat, no slips of paper and no luck of the draw.

Everyone choose three artists or bands to induct. They all have to have been selected at least once for a Music Club meeting, regardless of theme. Of your three choices, one of them should have not been brought to Music Club by you. The other two can have been, but don’t have to have been, brought by you. (What tenses did I just use? Were there better tenses? Could there have been?)

Please send your nominations to ruckusroboticus69@gmail.com.

I hope that all makes sense. To be perfectly honest I don’t have much of an idea what happens once the nominations are in, but I’m sure I’ll think of something. Maybe you have a suggestion you can send along with your nominations.

Viva La UMCHoF!