SOUNDTRACK: TOM TOM CLUB-Tiny Desk Concert #82 (October 6, 2010).
Tom Tom Club were a side project of the rhythm section of the Talking Heads. They had a hit with their song “Genius of Love” (you’d know the melody instantly). I’ll be honest–I thought they only had one album out, but I see they had quite a few out and had recently re-formed and put out new records.
This set contains three songs. “Wordy Rappington” which was on their debut, but which I’d never heard of. I am shocked to see that it was a double A side with “Genius of Love.” The song is a kind of amusing rap with a chorus of the children’s song “A Ram Sam Sam.” It is very kid friendly.
I will also be honest that I didn’t like The Tom Tom Club when they came out. So even though I know the melody of “Genius of Love” I don’t know the song very well. It’s kind of amusing though in that it name checks all kinds of musicians. At one point they repeat “James Brown” over and over and then climax with “hit me!”
The music is surprisingly spare: an acoustic guitar or two, some bongos and an accordion (which plays the “Genius of Love” melody).
“Only the Strong Survive” is a cover of song by zydeco band The Franks. Lead vocals and washboard are supplied by Mystic Bowie.
The band is having a ton of fun. Considering Talking Heads were always kind of serious it’s nice to see Chris and Tina being silly..
[READ: September 29, 2015] The Complete Peanuts 1959-1960
This book marks more or less the ten-year anniversary of the first Peanuts strip. Even though Patty (not Peppermint Patty) is on the cover, she gets very little time in the book.
The big news in this book is the arrival of Charlie’s little sister Sally! In May of 1959 Charlie’s mom goes to the hospital for a few days. And then Charlie is a proud big brother. For a time, Snoopy is jealous and acts like a “fuzzy baby.” However much Charlie talks about Sally, we don’t actually see her until August! On a random Sunday Charlie is seen pushing her in her stroller (and missing out on baseball because of it). There’s no really babyness for Sally. She has a bottle, but while we saw a lot of baby time for Linus, there’s hardly any for Sally. In fact, in October Snoopy gets her to dance. And much later she gives Schroeder a hard time when he won’t play a lullaby for her.
She doesn’t really come into the picture all that much. But by August of 1960, Sally thinks (still no speaking) that Linus is the cutest thing and has hearts floating around her when she sees him. Charlie even has to wonder what’s going on here. But Linus says, “I’m almost five years older than she.” (more…)
I Just Read About That... 