SOUNDTRACK: KURSTIN x GROHL-“Rock n Roll” (The Hanukkah Sessions: Night Seventh” December 17, 2020).
Producer Greg Kurstin (who I have not heard of) and Dave Grohl (who I have) decided that, rather than releasing a Christmas song this year, they would record eight covers of songs by Jewish artists and release them one each night for Hanukkah.
“This project, which initially began as a silly idea, grew to represent something much more important to me. It showed me that the simple gesture of spreading joy and happiness goes a long way, and as we look forward, we should all make an effort to do so, no matter how many candles are left to light on the menorah. ”
The final night night is a classic from the Velvet Underground.
So, sing along one last time to “Rock and Roll” by The Velvet Underground, a song about music and hope, and let’s keep spreading the joy and happiness. It goes a long way…..
This surprise gift from Kurstin X Grohl has been a wonderful treat. Like many other people who have been watching these every night, I’m bummed that Hanukkah lasts only eight day, because I’d love to see more of these!
It comes as no surprise that they would play a Velvet Underground song (especially this one). The surprise might be just how good this one sounds.
Kurstin does double duty with a piano for his right hand and a keyboard on his lap for the bass notes. He also throws in some “it was alright”s.
During the keyboard solo, the video slides to the left showing all of the angles at once–like a middle school slide show.
Grohl plays drums and sings. He doesn’t deadpan like Lou Reed, he just sings in his quieter style and it works very well. IOt does sound like he’;s telling a story. Of course he falsettos on the “fine fine” musics.
The only mildly disappointing thing is that Kurstin doesn’t try to do the solo before the “it was all right” coda, but he jumps right in with the piano and the song bounces along.
The end of the video shows a couple of outtakes, but there’s goofy goodbye in the video.
[READ: December 18, 2020] “Happy Anniversary”
This year, S. ordered me The Short Story Advent Calendar. This is my fifth time reading the Calendar. I didn’t know about the first one until it was long out of print (sigh), but each year since has been very enjoyable. Here’s what they say this year
You know the drill by now. The 2020 Short Story Advent Calendar is a deluxe box set of individually bound short stories from some of the best writers in North America.
This year’s slipcase is a thing of beauty, too, with electric-yellow lining and spot-glossed lettering. It also comes wrapped in two rubber bands to keep those booklets snug in their beds.
As always, each story is a surprise, so you won’t know what you’re getting until you crack the seal every morning starting December 1. Once you’ve read that day’s story, check back here to read an exclusive interview with the author.
It’s December 18. Adam Sternbergh, author of The Blinds, can only get reception if he stands awkwardly on top of this table. [Click the link to the H&O extras for the story].
This is a two part story of a couple’s third anniversary.
The first part is told from her Daisy’s point of view.
It’s hard to take a woman named Daisy seriously. Trust her, she knows.
Daisy is a actor. A decent actor (she has won an Obie) but not a star (she was nominated for a Tony many years ago) but nothing since.
She thinks back to when she met her husband five years ago–the dark restaurant they ate at and the way they sat next to each other to eat the dessert together. (more…)
