Snow Was Falling, Drifts Were High

Stranded

Late at night.

The roads closed ahead.

People pulled over. Sleeping in cars. Engines still running because it was cold.

And one diner. Open all night.

Long since out of pie. Long since out of burgers.

They had coffee (which I don't drink). And some other stuff with caffeine.

And I sat in a booth for hours. Crammed with three others, people I didn't know.

They talked. I listened. A little.

They talked more. I stared out the window.

Watched the snow.

And wondered. Waited. Watched.

Around 4am a State Trooper came in. Said the rode was open. Or would be.

The men stumbled from booth to cash register.

I stayed behind. Still happy to be warm.

Not wanting to go out to the cold car yet.

Not wanting to clear the windshield. Or wait for the heater to kick in. Or wait behind the trucks and the cops for the road to open.

The waitress came over. Brought me some toast. It was the only thing the kitchen still had.

Tried to give me coffee. But I don't drink coffee.

She eyed me funny. Looked me up and down.

"Maybe you should wait until first light then."

So I did.

Rock & Roll Songs Stuck in my Brain

Yeah, I'm still listening to that great Frank Turner song...

Which got me to thinking about Rock & Roll songs about Rock & Roll.

So off of the top of my head, here's a few:

Lou Reed shows how the right radio station can save your life with Rock & Roll:




The Kinks realize there's still rock left even after everyone says it's dead:



And of course, all of Chuck's children are out there playing his licks (if you need a fix):

Come Together Mashup

Presented without comment:

Guitars and Drums and Desperate Poetry

Late to the party again

First things first: Go read Holly Hughes on Frank Turner.

She's right -- this is what it's all about. A call to arms for people who love music. And a call to the stage for those who want to make music.



Second, I know I'm late to this party... but at least I'm here.

Yes, Frank Turner sounds like Billy Bragg with a better voice.

Yes, his playful populism is infectious.

Yes, he sold out Wembley and yet I'd never heard of him.

Yes, maybe others invented the genre of "Atheist Gospel" before, but Frank Turner might just be the one who perfected it.



Go, check out his music. Listen, dance, enjoy, celebrate.

And feel renewed.

Into a Brand-New Car

All You Ever Do Is Run Away

She drinks.

You know this. But you can't do anything about it.

And she's moody.

Again, this is not in your control.

So when she does both....

And drives off...

Into the black night...

With no lights on.

You wonder if you should have stopped her.

Even though you know you could not have done so.

Maybe that's the real message. Maybe.

Or maybe her guardian angels work overtime those nights.

Keeping her safe. Until she realizes what she's doing.

And turns on her lights.

RIP Faye Hunter

This makes me sad on so many levels.

Apparently, Faye Hunter (bassist for Let's Active in their jangle-pop heyday) has died at the age of 59. One report says she committed suicide after years of being primary caregiver for her sick mother.

A bit more info here.



I always thought of Let's Active as a band from an alternate reality.

The didn't quite understand what most music was, but they had a slightly warped perspective that, with the right amount of energy and exuberance, could be shaped into something that was almost recognizable, always compelling, and always just slightly out of reach.

In a kinder, more just world, they would have been superstars. Instead of cult heroes.

And our society isn't well equipped to take care of cult heroes. Especially when their time in the sun is over.

Condolences to her friends, family, and music lovers everywhere.

Loving this New David Bowie Video

Which seems like it's almost a mid-70s Bowie track.

Now if only I could stop thinking he looks frighteningly like Ronald Reagan in this clip....