Thanks!

I’m not exactly sure about the epiphany status–maybe things just started making sense:  I love him, he likes me a lot (I think), we fool around but never go too far (his doing), and he’s married, and I guess I’m supposed to accept that.

And people wonder why I’m not happy.

OK, so it’s not like I planned to become emotionally involved (more so than physically) with a married and unavailable man, it just happened. We were friends first, and then had an epiphany, so to speak, and realized we both liked each other…that way.

He did file for divorce and left his wife–briefly, for a month, about 18 months ago–then went back and withdrew the divorce petition. And since he hasn’t made any noises about leaving her, though he constantly vocalized his displeasure with his wife. I know, I’m supposed to be a courteous friend and let him vent, and I also know I have no idea what he’s going (and gone) through, but if he’s so miserable, why keep beating a dead horse? (Yeah, and I know leaving isn’t that simple either.)

I guess my main problem is not knowing how he feels. I’m a pro-honesty person, and I tell practically every guy I meet that I’ll put up with a lot, but if he lies to me or withholds things, then he’s SOL. It doesn’t matter if I’ve just met the guy, or he’s one of my oldest friends. You mess with me, you’re history.

And he does know how I feel–oh, does he! Two weeks ago, I really tied one on, and sent him one helluva gush bomb e-mail, and we haven’t talked since. We e-mailed a couple times while he was out of town, but nothing about that. And it doesn’t make sense either. We talk about everything all the time, so I guess I don’t understand why he’s avoiding the issue. I’m sure it’s uncomfortable for him, but how does he think I feel? I had to get blotto in order to say that stuff, and then I get the silent treatment. Really, he shouldn’t be concerned about breaking my heart. It was shattered three years ago by my dear ex, with whom I’m close friends (probably closer emotionally than when we were dating), and it probably hasn’t recovered. So, any rejection from him would be just another slice in the vein.

Hence, if he can’t give me what I need, then I’ll go elsewhere–as early as tomorrow. I just need to believe that it’s his loss, not mine.

This won’t be easy, but I think it’s what’s best…for someone.

Thanks for reading!
~Tal

10. Some Kind of Wonderful (1988) – The First Kiss Lasts Forever

While helping Keith (Eric Stoltz) prepare for his big date with Amanda Jones (Lea Thompson), Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson)–who is secretly in love with Keith–asks him if he thinks he can deliver a kiss that kills, and offers to work on it with him.  Of course, it turns into an amazing hot kiss, though it takes Keith the rest of the movie to realize that he has feelings for Watts.

9. American Beauty (1999) – (tie) “American Woman” and “Don’t Let It Bring You Down”

The “American Woman” scene is about liberation–Carolyn (Annette Bening) has just been nailed by Buddy the Real Estate King (Peter Gallagher), Jane (Thora Birch) breaks free of her normal routine with flaky friend Angela (Mena Suvari) for some one-on-one time with her admiring neighbor (Wes Bentley), and Lester (Kevin Spacey) quit his job, blackmailed his boss, and drives to Mr. Smiley’s smoking a blunt and singing at the top of his lungs.  Liberating indeed!

“Don’t Let It Bring You Down” is a pivotal scene, yet once with a MAJOR cringe-factor.  As viewers, we’ve traveled along with Lester, and we know he’s going to die at some point very soon, so over the course of the movie, he’s become a sympathetic character.  However, I’m sure I’m not the only one who was glad Lester didn’t deflower Angela on the couch.

8. National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978) – Disciplinary Hearing

Good versus evil.  Funny versus unfunny.  Cool versus uncool.  Perverts versus … (aw, heck!).  There were many battles fought in “Animal House,” and war was officially declared at the disciplinary hearing, following the Delta Tau Chi fraternity’s infamous toga party.  Though the Deltas may not have won this battle, since their charter was revoked and they were expelled, their comedy reigned supreme and made the Omegas and Dean Wormer (John Vernon) look like a bunch of pussies.

7. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) – “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head”

Though Etta (Katharine Ross) was Sundance’s (Robert Redford) girl, the scene with her and Butch (Paul Newman) on the bike is classic–sweet, funny, romantic, and atypical of most westerns.  And there have been none like it since.

6. Woodstock(1970) – “Soul Sacrifice”

OK, so Woodstock was not THE rockumentary of the 1960s, but it did have its moments.  Santana’s performance  wasn’t just phenomenal; they simply wiped the stage with everyone else.  ‘Nuff said!

5. Singin’ in the Rain (1952) – The Dueling Cavalier Premiere and “Good Mornin’”

Absolutely, positively, one of the best movie musicals ever made!  And these scenes contain some of the funniest moments, particularly Lina Lamont’s (Jean Hagan) “No! No! No!” “Yes! Yes! Yes!” dialogue flub, plus the movie’s best dancing sequence.  Another scene definitely worth mentioning is Cosmo Brown’s (Donald O’Connor) song-and-dance number “Make ‘em Laugh,” the only original song written for the film, though heavily borrowed from “Be a Clown” in The Pirate (1948).

4. Easy Rider (1969) – “The Weight”

Regardless who you are or whether you cared about the 1960s counterculture, the scenes that appear with The Band’s “The Weight” on the soundtrack are beautifully and amazingly shot–many instinctively by the film’s DP, the late Lazlo Kovacs.  Yeah, it may not be more than a montage, but who cares?  It balances out the turmoil that the characters face later.

3. The Shootist (1976) – Gillom avenges Books

J.B. Books (John Wayne) seeks out three enemies on his birthday for an early morning shootout in Carson City’s Metropole Saloon.  With both actor and character dying of cancer, the film is bittersweet at best.  Books spends his final days rooming with widow Bond Rogers (Lauren Bacall, Wayne’s Blood Alley (1956) co-star) and her son, Gillom (Ron Howard).  When the shootout concludes, Books is victorious, albeit a bit closer to death, when the bartender shoots him in the back.  Gillom takes Books’s pistol and shoots dead the bartender, before Books dies.  It’s a moment that forever changes him, much more so than simply knowing Books has.

2. Monterey Pop (1968) – (tie) “Ball and Chain,” “Section 43,” “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long,” and “Got a Feelin’”

Dude!  When she sang the first note of “Ball and Chain,” Janis announced her arrival, and music was never the same.

OK, so Country Joe’s an interesting guy to say the least–like, what was with the hard hats?  But there was nothing cooler than watching thousands of hippies wake up to the psychedelic strains of “Section 43,” particularly that reverse long shot of the band (with the peace, love, and flowers below the stage) that dissolves into a crane shot of the crowd.  Groovy!

Otis Redding made rhythm and blues cool for the love generation with his set at Monterey.  (See Shake! Otis at Monterey (1968).)  Unfortunately, he wouldn’t live to see the film’s release.  But his performances were truly one-of-a-kind, and contain an enviable energy that today’s acts will never be able to emulate.

On the commentary, filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker said that his inclusion of the Mamas and the Papas’ “Got a Feelin’” in Monterey Pop signified an end of the hippie era.  And that end is evident within the Mamas and the Papas as well.  Prior to their appearance at Monterey, relations within the group were highly strained.  Denny Doherty had been in the Virgin Islands. John and Michelle Phillips’ marriage was on the skids.  And the group’s professional relationship was also strained, as John, Denny, and Mama Cass Elliot had unsuccessfully attempted to kick Michelle out of the group.  In fact, their Monterey performance would be their second-to-last live performance.  The tension is most evident in their outtake performances, especially “Monday, Monday.”  But “Got a Feelin’” remains a hippie’s goodbye to a good thing–and John and Cass’s vocals make the yearning for days passed that much more bittersweet.

1. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) – “Merry Christmas, Bedford Falls!”

Nothing restores a man’s faith like a second chance, and George Bailey (James Stewart) lets the whole world know it.  (“Yeah!”)  That first yell he lets out when he arrives back in Bedford Falls is priceless, and sets the tone for one of the best movie endings in film history.

Honorable Mention (in no particular order):

Die Hard (1988) – “Shoot the glass!”

OK, if you’re a German terrorist, you shouldn’t have to be told in English, after being told in German, to shoot the glass. Oh, well, nobody’s perfect. And Hans’s (Alan Rickman) reaction is priceless.

10 (1980) – “An Ear for Love”

Songwriter George Webber (Dudley Moore) visits the Reverend (Max Showalter), the Reverend reveals that he, too, is a songwriter, and sings a song so outrageously bad that it’s funny.

Throw Momma From the Train (1987) – Cousin Paddy

Grab your cast-iron cookware!  I’m sure I’m not the only one who knows several people they’d like to try Owen’s (Danny DeVito) response on:

Mrs. Lift: You don’t have a Cousin Paddy.
Owen: You lied to me! (smacks Larry (Billy Crystal) across the face with the frying pan)

Anne of Avonlea (1986) – Anne’s Return

The Anne of Green Gables series–or at least the first two films–are quite possible the most engaging made-for-TV adaptations ever produced, especially considering they don’t contain any fancy special effects, and the second film is a combined adaptation of three books, and the third film is complete fiction.  But one of the best scenes of all the films–aside from Anne (Megan Follows) and Gilbert’s (Jonathan Crombie) first kiss–is when Anne returns to Green Gables after her year away teaching in New Brunswick.  Just looks of excitement on Anne and Marilla’s (Colleen Dewhearst) faces as they run to each other–dude!  There is no need for words.

Thanks for reading!
~Tal

When making mix tapes, one usually picks songs to inspire happy, upbeat, cheery moments. Well, four years ago, before I graduated from college, I burned three mix CDs that–for lack of better terminology–are rather depressing, and are even titled so. (Who knows what was going on with me at the time!)

No analysis this time; just take them at face value. (If you read between the lines, you can probably guess my state of mind at the time.) And, yes, I tend to reuse tracks, though not quite like I did then.

So, without further adieu, here are three playlists that long for better days:

#40 – Bitchy Mood Music

1. Limp Bizkit – Rearranged
2. Sheryl Crow – Over You
3. Human League – Don’t You Want Me Baby
4. No Doubt – Don’t Speak
5. Elvis Presley – Suspicious Minds
6. Carly Simon – You’re So Vain
7. Simon and Garfunkel – Overs
8. The Guess Who – The Answer
9. Mamas and the Papas – Look Through My Window
10. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Don’t Come Around Here No More
11. Rolling Stones – It’s All Over Now
12. Janis Joplin – Move Over
13. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Otherside
14. The Turtles – It Ain’t Me Babe
15. Bee Gees – To Love Somebody
16. Sheryl Crow – It’s Only Love
17. Simon and Garfunkel – Fakin’ It
18. The Beatles – Golden Slumbers
19. The Beatles – Carry That Weight
20. Janis Joplin – Kozmic Blues
21. Bob Dylan – Positively 4^th Street

#41 – Bitchy Mood Music No. 2

1. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Don’t Come Around Here No More
2. Johnny Mercer – Suicide is Painless
3. 10,000 Maniacs – Because the Night (unplugged)
4. Limp Bizkit – Rearranged
5. No Doubt – Don’t Speak
6. Elvis Presley – Suspicious Minds
7. Simon and Garfunkel – Fakin’ It
8. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Yer So Bad
9. Janis Joplin – Kozmic Blues
10. System of a Down – Aerials
11. Bee Gees – To Love Somebody
12. The Monkees – I’m Not Your Steppin’ Stone
13. Amy Studt – Just a Little Girl
14. Janis Joplin – Move Over
15. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Don’t Do Me Like That
16. Garbage – Stupid Girl
17. Big Brother and the Holding Company – Flower in the Sun
18. Ray Charles – Georgia on My Mind
19. Sheryl Crow – It’s Only Love
20. David Bowie – New Killer Star

#38 – Mood Music

1. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Don’t Come Around Here No More
2. David Bowie and Queen – Under Pressure
3. Olivia Newton-John – A Little More Love
4. Rolling Stones – Saint of Me
5. The Police – Don’t Stand So Close to Me
6. The Carpenters – Hurting Each Other
7. Collective Soul – Why part 2
8. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Insider
9. System of a Down – Aerials
10. Madonna – Don’t Tell Me
11. Janis Joplin – One Night Stand (live)
12. Bob Dylan – It Ain’t Me Babe
13. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Otherside
14. Alanis Morissette – You Oughta Know
15. Linda Ronstadt – You’re No Good
16. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Yer So Bad
17. Rolling Stones – Miss You
18. Urge Overkill – Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon
19. Simon and Garfunkel – Fakin’ It
20. Amy Studt – Just a Little Girl

Thanks for reading!
~Tal

10. Rear Window (1954) – Looking for Evidence

When Lisa (Grace Kelly) and Stella (Thelma Ritter) decide to dig up the flowers and whether Mr. Thorwald (Raymond Burr) buried any part of his missing wife, Jeff (Jimmy Stewart) can only sit from his window and watch. Finding nothing, Lisa takes it upon her herself to infiltrate Thorwald’s apartment and search for evidence. When Thorwald returns suddenly and finds her there, Jeff and Stella can only watch while Lisa first tries to reason with Thorwald, then with the police. And the look on Thorwald’s face when he sees Lisa pointing to Mrs. Thorwald’s wedding ring on her finger is priceless, as is the suspense that follows.

9. The Pink Panther (1963) – Madame Clouseau’s liaisons

Simone Clouseau (Capucine) is married to Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers), who is crazy about her, clumsy as he is, and is unaware that his wife has the hots for Sir Charles Litton (David Niven), suspected to be The Phantom thief he is pursuing. Then, while in Cortina D’ampezzo, Charles’s nephew George (Robert Wagner) unexpectedly enters the scene, and subsequently develops feelings for Madame Clouseau. The triangle comes to a hilariously head as George sends Inspector Clouseau off to chase The Phantom in order to spend time with Simone, who happens to already be entertaining Sir Charles–-and then Inspector Clouseau returns unexpectedly, and laughs abound as Simone has to somehow juggle all three, without her husband figuring out what’s going on.

8. Conspiracy Theory (1997) – Gravy for the Brain

Torture scenes are not a personal favorite, but in Conspiracy Theory, one of Jerry Fletcher’s (Mel Gibson) theories turn out to be frightfully true–-versus suspected paranoia-–and he’s kidnaped, taped to a wheelchair, and subsequently drugged by Dr. Jonas (Patrick Stewart). Still, while Jonas is interrogating him, Jerry manages to take hold of Jonas’s tie and bite his nose. A later scene managed to make light of Fletcher’s bite:

Alice (Julia Roberts): He said a dog bit his nose.
Jerry: Arf!

7. Yours, Mine, and Ours (1967) – Cable Car Confessions

Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball’s comedic stars never shone brighter than they did in this film, about Fonda’s Frank and Ball’s Helen, each widowed with a large brood of children collectively adding up to 18. On their first date, both try to work up the courage to tell the other about their enormous families, and finally Helen spits it out, while their riding on a cable car. Then, Frank tells her about his family, and the POV shot momentarily flips upside down–-a simple technical effect that effectively supplemented a humorous moment.

6. Se7en (1997) – Envy and Wrath

Detectives Mills (Brad Pitt) and Somerset (Morgan Freeman) had finally found John Doe (Kevin Spacey), and with only two more of the seven deadly sins left, they set off to discover the identity of the final two victims. But the clincher, Doe’s satisfaction, came with Somerset’s grisly discovery of what was in the box and Mills playing right into the killer’s plan. Creepy yet highly effective.

5. Bullitt (1967) – Car Chase

In this film, Steve McQueen personified cool, and the car chase scene has clearly withstood the test of time to become one of the most memorable in film history. It may not be as flashy or full of amazing special effects as those shot today, but it had the adrenaline rush, POV shots from both cars, and the streets of San Francisco. Cool indeed!

4. Chinatown (1974) – Evelyn Mulwray’s Confession

From the instant Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson)–and the audience–meets Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway), there’s a feeling that something is not quite right with her. When Jake finally confronts her about the “other woman,” the truth is even more shocking than anyone could have anticipated. And the best part is, Jake didn’t need to hear the sordid details to believe her; her startling admission was enough. (Check out Robert McKee’s Story: Style, Structure, Substance, and Principles of Screenwriting for an analysis of the original scene in Robert Towne’s script.)

3. The Last Waltz (1978) – “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”

Directed by Martin Scorsese and recorded at Winterland on Thanksgiving Day 1976, “The Last Waltz” was The Band’s swan song, and marked the end of their 16-year journey. Written by guitarist Robbie Robertson following the birth of his daughter, this tune had originally ended up as a mellow tune of sorts–well, until “The Last Waltz.” Drummer Levon Helm’s vocals were anything but mellow; he just belted it out, and the results were nothing short of magnificant.

 2. Once Upon a Time in the West (1969) – Final Duel

Henry Fonda played a total bad-ass in this film (killing a kid, framing Jason Robards’s Cheyanne for murder, sexually assaulting Claudia Cardinale’s widow), but his Frank was no match for Charles Bronson’s Harmonica. Like with The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Sergio Leone set up the duel with anticipatory close-ups and long, wide-shots, which Gore Verbinski awesomely duped in the third Pirates of the Caribbean movie. And the anticipation of the Fonda versus Bronson duel made this one of the best western in film history, rivaling Leone’s other spaghetti westerns.

 1. The Good, The Bad and the Ugly (1967) – Cemetery Scenes

I’ve probably watched this film over 100 times, and I still get chills when Tuco (Eli Wallach) runs through the cemetery, desperate to find Arch Stanton’s grave, backed by Ennio Morricone’s haunting score. Then, the final duel between Tuco, Angel Eyes (Lee Van Cleef), and Blondie (Clint Eastwood)–the score, the camera angles, the expressions on all their faces. The scenes, including when Tuco is digging up the graves, are all about anticipation, and director Sergio Leone utilized every technical convention to exploit that not only in the characters but the audience as well. And no one has duplicated the effort as well since.

Honorable Mentions:

Robin Hood (1973) – “Love”

It’s not easy to translate human emotions to cartoon characters, though the Walt Disney company has been trying since the late 1920s. But with Robin Hood, which uses animals as placeholders for their famous counterparts, the love scene between Robin and Marion is sweet and gets the point across in song, versus mushy dialogue.

Manhattan (1979) – Isaac’s Run to Tracy

When Isaac (Woody Allen) finally realizes that Tracy (Mariel Heminway) is the love of his live, he runs through the streets of Mahattan to her place, only to find her about to head off to London for acting school. While desperate for her to stay, she reassures him that she’ll only be gone six months, and that he’s gotta have faith in people–something Isaac clearly lacks, even in himself. Classic mismatched May to December romance that you end up longing for by the end of the film.

Stay tuned for Part Two!

Thanks for reading!
~Tal

1. Aftermath of the NIU shooting – This tragic event should not end up being about gun control, as the shooter’s weapons were legally purchased, as was his ammunition–though purchased from the same dealer who had sold ammo to the D.C. sniper, it was a legal, Internet sale.  More gun control laws would not have prevented this tragedy, nor will they prevent further tragedies from happening elsewhere.  [Stay tuned for a forthcoming, more indepth blog on this subject that will examine the history, facts, and issues surrounding such shootings.]

2. Waning parental skills – Hollywood-twentysomethings aside, what the f— is up with parents these days?  While out to dinner last weekend, a single mom at the next table was attempting to eat dinner with her son–about three years old, I’m guessing.  After a while, the kid started to act up and kick the wall.  The mother actually took her son outside and put him in the car, then went back inside and ate alone for about 10 minutes.

Is there something wrong with giving a kid a swat on the butt?  Besides, it’s against the law to leave kids under age 12 in the car unattended.  That mother should thank her lucky stars if no one calls CPS and reports her.  What she did could land her a criminal citation and jail time, much less lose her son.

3. Prefer-On – ‘Apply directly to your scars.’  First, cocoa butter.  Then Mederma.  Now, there’s Prefer-On–from the makers of Head-On–for use on scars.  Honestly, are scars really that horrible that people have to keep inventing new “cures” for them?  I’ve been living with scars for 15 years, and all that goes with them–including extremely rude stares and comments from those with lesser intelligence than my two fur-balls, who get off on licking each other’s butts clean.  If people can’t learn to accept scars as beauty marks, then they’re just as stupid as those Hollywood fakes.

Thanks for reading!
~Tal

10. The Eagles – Desperado.
From Desperado (1973).

Before they released their record-setting Greatest Hits 1971-1975 and became the California super group they are today, the Eagles were a lesser-known country rock quartet, formerly Linda Ronstadt’s backup group. But their sophomore release featured the first two Glenn Frey-Don Henley collaborations, “Tequila Sunrise” and “Desperado,” the latter having left its mark on rock ballad history as one of the best encores to ever end a concert.

9. Carole King – It’s Too Late.
From Tapestry (1971).

Carole King got started in the music biz as a songwriter–along with ex-husband, Gerry Goffin–and discovered Little Eva, her kids’ babysitter. But, following a divorce, she used her own tunes and released (at the time) the best-selling debut album for a female artist, raking in critical acclaim as well as much-deserved awards, including the Record of the Year grammy for this gut-wrenching relationship reality check.

8. Elvis Presley – Are You Lonesome Tonight (laughing version).

OK, so Elvis had an off-night. Luckily, he was able to take a potentially bad situation and just go with it. And fortunately, the audience saw the humor, too, and absolutely loved it.

7. The Band – The Weight.
From Music From Big Pink (1968).

The story of The Band has evolved into music legend. From their beginnings as Bob Dylan’s back-up group to their immortalized swan song in The Last Waltz to personal tragedies, their story is as important today as it was then. And thanks to the continued success of “The Weight” and The Last Waltz, that story will live on with future generations.

6. Bill Haley & the Comets – Rock Around the Clock.
From Blackboard Jungle Soundtrack (1956).

Not only did this song help birth rock and roll in this country, it introduced rock and roll into the movies, a very controversial event. A surge of teenybopper rock and roll movies–many the brain-children of and starring DJ and rock and roll’s number one advocate Alan Freed–would soon follow, but this was the song that officially started it all.

5. Janis Joplin – Kozmic Blues.
From I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again, Mama! (1969)

In 1969, Janis Joplin made a risky decision. She left the cushy confines of Big Brother and the Holding Company, formed her first solo group, the Kozmic Blues Band, and released her first solo effort later that year. While not as well-received as her previous work with Big Brother, she had developed her own sound–more bluesy and person–and put all of herself into her music. This song is no exception.

4. Paul Revere & the Raiders – Just Like Me.
From Just Like Us (1966).

This is just a good, rockin’ song–no complicated lyrics, a good beat, Mark Lindsay … need I go on?

3. The Sonics – The Witch.
From Here are the Sonics (1964).

For those outside the Pacific Northwest, the Sonics were a garage-rock band from Tacoma; this is no reference to any album released by the Seattle Supersonics basketball team. (The team has released albums; my parents have a Sonics Boom album from their 1979 championship–not to be confused with the Sonics’ sophomore album Boom, released in 1965. Confused yet?)

Anyway, the Sonics have influenced many groups–from Paul Revere & the Raiders to the Hives–and “The Witch” set the standard for raw, garage rock. They were ahead of their time, and nobody has matched their talent and potential.

2. The Guess Who – Glamour Boy.

Burton Cummings spun a fascinating tale about a stage persona that could have been a metaphor for himself or anybody else from that era, or even now. The blending of the live and studio tracks make it seem all that more real. And the song is doubly effective if you’re lucky to see it performed live. Beautiful, awesome, amazing, and the only live performance to ever send a chill down my spine. THAT is powerful music!

1. Bob Dylan – Like a Rolling Stone.
From Highway 61 Revisited (1965).

Dylan was amazingly popular, he’d just toured Europe, and D.A. Pennebaker’s Don’t Look Back looked to catapult him to folk-rock superstardom. So, Dylan had his (in)famous performance at the Newport Folk Festival and released his first “electric” album. Then, amidst backlash from fans still pissed about his going electric, he toured again (see Scorsese’s No Direction Home), and recorded again, and toured, and recorded, toured, recorded … Considering he’s one of rock’s most enduring singer/songwriters of all time, and the subject of the critically acclaimed hybrid exploration I’m Not There, the public’s obviously forgiven him. And unlike many songs from the 1960s, this not only captures the essence of its time, it not only speaks to other generations but will continue to influence rock music and fans as long as people can hear.

Thanks for reading!
~Tal

Hence, long playlists have resulted.  

In the beginning, when I first received my iPod, I made a bunch of short playlists, identical to album track listings I’d copied into iTunes. But after I’d begun copying mix CDs, the thought struck me to create a bunch of playlists from random tracks, either copied into iTunes or downloaded mp3s, and not be concerned about the length of the list or really what was included. 

Below is the latest, and likely the longest, of my iTunes playlists:  

1. Status Quo – Pictures of Matchstick Men
Growing up, my parents had a British Rock 8-track tape that got played often (nearly every stereo, including ones in the vehicles, had 8-track players). This was one of my favorites from that tape, having heard it repeatedly. I found it on the Daytrippers boxed set on my first trip to Amoeba. 

2. Justin Hayward & John Lodge – I Dreamed Last Night
This is classic Hayward—probably my favorite track from Blue Jays, next to “When You Wake Up.” 

3. KT Tunstall – Black Horse and the Cherry Tree
A fun one, especially when it involves stage dancing. 

4. Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass – This Guy’s in Love with You
This one is a cross-generational favorite in my family. I find it impressive that Herb could just put down the trumpet, pick up a mic, and sound just as smooth. 

5. Moody Blues – Going Nowhere
Some consider their 1983 release The Present—the follow-up to 1981’s chart-topping Long Distance Voyager—a commercial failure, if not a critical one. Well, those who think that way are stupid, and this song proves it. Ray’s lyrics have never been more heartfelt, and John’s harmonies and backing vocals are so powerful that they make me ache! (Dude!) 

6. The Band – Up On Cripple Creek
Granted, “The Weight” is their most popular—and best—tune, but this one is likely the most fun. The inflection in Levon Helm’s voice—especially in the ‘la la la-hoo’ part—is undeniable; it’s obvious that he’s having a blast singing the song, and the world was graced with a great track. 

7. Carole King – It’s Too Late
A successful songwriter of many 1960s hits (usually along with ex-husband Gerry Goffin), she released her first album Tapestry in 1971, knocking the socks off contemporaries and critics. This won the Record of the Year Grammy (one of King’s four that year, at the time unprecedented for a woman), and captures the angst of working Tin Pan Alley, emerging from a divorce, and evolving personally as well as professionally. 

8. The Sonics – Cinderella
The opening track from their sophomore release Boom, Tacoma’s most influential garage band follows up their rousing first releases “The Witch,” “Psycho,” and the snarky “Don’t Believe in Christmas” with this equally rousing ditty that will either inspire you to get up and dance or scream along with Gerry Roslie’s vocals. (Be sure to check out “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” and a rockin’ version of “Louie Louie” that makes The Kingsmen sound like wimps.) 

9. Moody Blues – Visions of Paradise
A lesser-known track from In Search of the Lost Chord, it’s Hayward’s lyrical poetry backed with flute and sitar melodies—British hippie music at its finest. 

10. Seals & Crofts – Summer Breeze
Yeah, it’s 1970s Top 40, overplayed countless times, but still a decent song. 

11. Led Zeppelin – Houses of the Holy
Page. Plant. Jones. Bonham. DUH! 

12. The Doors – Peace Frog
An interesting protest song—I say interesting because of its use in “The Waterboy”—but Morrison never sounded better, other than when he was warbling about lighting fires, being touched, and waiting for the sun. 

13. Tchaikovsky (composer) – Overture 1812
This is the greatest classical piece EVER!!! It was well-used in “V for Vendetta” and an episode of “Sledge Hammer!” However, I have to admit, the first clarinet part is difficult as ass, though I always wanted to play the cannon part; with my luck, I’d blow up a building. (But I digest….)  

14. David Bowie – New Killer Star
The opening track from his Reality album, I saw his performance of this on “The Tonight Show” and ended up getting the album for my birthday. I wasn’t worried about the rest of the album. I’d figured, hey, it’s Bowie. And I was not disappointed. 

15. Live – t.b.d.
From Throwing Copper, this song was nearly seductive, as it starts quiet and subtle and then takes over in the last half. I was 15 when I first heard it, and at the time, it was one of the greatest things I’d ever heard. 

16. Moody Blues – Highway
A previously unreleased outtake from the Keys of the Kingdom sessions, this was released on the Time Traveller box set as well as a few foreign bootleg compilations.  I consider it one of the group’s best songs, and think it’s a shame that fans had to wait three years to hear it. 

17. Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun
Although I’m from the Pacific Northwest, I didn’t latch on to the whole grunge scene till long after it was over. Though the video is a bit creepy, I think this is one of the best cuts from that time. 

18. The Beatles – Day Tripper
This one is just fun, particularly with the tambourine keeping time through most of the song. Though if you’d like to hear a trippy version of this song, check out Fever Tree’s “Day Tripper/We Can Work It Out.” 

19. Peter Frampton – Do You Feel Like I Do
Long before he appeared as Humble Pie’s road manager in “Almost Famous,” Frampton released a live double-album that, like, became one of the best-selling albums of all time, and included this 13-minute opus with the famous talk-box warbling that became a staple of the late 1970s. 

20. Big Brother & the Holding Company – Flower in the Sun
An outtake from the Cheap Thrills session, this was part of the Big Brother set list during the last few months before Janis Joplin left the group. While the live versions are lively and stand well enough on their own, the studio version is the definitive one. 

21. Supertramp – Goodbye Stranger
Album version, not the single version—and if the radio station DJs play the single version, then they’re idiots. 

22. Neil Diamond – Hey Louise
In The Jazz Singer, there are two scenes where Neil Diamond’s character has to prove himself as a singer—first, in the recording studio, to a snot-nosed recording artist who wants to record a shitty version of “Love on the Rocks—and the second one is when he opens for a major comedian. After a mellow opening number, he gets the crowd going with this upbeat number, just as his wife arrives and realizes she’s lost him to his music. 

23. Paul Revere & the Raiders – Him Or Me – What’s It Gonna Be
Ah, Mark. (Sigh!) OK, one of my most favorite Raiders tunes, featuring Mark and producer Terry Melcher (Doris Day’s son) on the backing vocals. 

24. Moody Blues – Isn’t Life Strange (Live at Red Rocks)
This performance debuted composer Larry Baird’s arrangement of this song, derived from the 1972 original and a 1980s Scotland performance. While the 2000 Hall of Fame performance has merit, this one is the best. It’s direct; it has punch; and John’s vocals have never been better.   

25. Guess Who – Palmyra
One of two outtakes from the Share the Land sessions, prior to Randy Bachman’s departure, this track stands up and rocks your world, with Randy’s guitar licks and Burton’s Lennon-esque vocals. 

26. Paul Revere & the Raiders – Just Like Me
More Mark! (Sigh!) This one is my absolute favorite of all the Raiders and Mark Lindsay tunes. It’s still not easy to say that because I like several so very much, but the only way I can tell is, when I hear this, a strong euphoria of sorts fills me up, and the other songs don’t produce quite an intense reaction. Dude! It’s a feeling that makes me ecstatic that I love music. 

27. Three Dog Night – Lady Samantha
One of my favorite of their tunes, though growing up I remember hearing a British version (on the 8-track, I’m sure), not sure by whom. 

28. Wild Cherry – Play That Funky Music
Just a fun song—and my parents have this on vinyl. 

29. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers – Yer So Bad
Great snarky lyrics and awesome strumming. Plus the video, as Teaya puts it, stars Tom as “Peeping Tom” Tom. 

30. Three Dog Night – Let Me Serenade You
My mom’s favorite Three Dog Night tune, from the Golden Biscuits album. (And she saw them live in Pullman in 1973.) 

31. Paul Revere & the Raiders – Hungry (banned lyrics)
Naughty Mark! (Purr!) One of my dad’s original Napster downloads, I’m not sure if this is technically released anywhere—it wasn’t on the Raiders double-set—but ooh, it gives “Hungry” a whole new meaning by eliminating any suggestions and just saying it. (Mel was right; naughty IS the new nice. Sweet!) 

32. Zero 7 – In the Waiting Line
Every time I hear this, I still picture Zach Braff tripping in “Garden State.” But it’s still a nice song. 33. ‘Til Tuesday – Voices Carry
My ex-boyfriend, Paul, introduced me to ‘Til Tuesday and Aimee Mann, but I sought out this one on my own, and actually discovered the video the song. 34. Rolling Stones – Not Fade Away
Mick and the guys pay tribute to Buddy Holly and put their own stamp on this early-era rock ditty, capturing Holly’s original energy and making it their own. 

35. Moody Blues – Legend of a Mind (Live at Red Rocks)
The full, complete version—versus the crudely short Hall of Fame version that rudely cut out most of Ray’s solo—is an auditory experience not unlike anything else. From the first note, it stands up, grabs you, and doesn’t let you go. Now, if it was only on video other than YouTube… 

36. Feist – One Evening
Paul’s favorite Feist tune—and the video on YouTube, including more of her quirky dancing, is a kick. 

37. Eric Clapton – Layla (unplugged version)
I have always had issues with Clapton, mostly growing up with the impression that he stole his best friend’s wife. Then, I read Patty Boyd’s book and realize she was treated callously by both George and Clapton, but especially Clapton. So, “Layla” has not been a stomachable tune for me, till I discovered this version, likely because it didn’t seem so in-your-face. 

38. Gerry Rafferty – Baker Street
Mark Lindsay had something to do with this one, too, as well as the album. The platinum records for the single and album are hanging in his rock & roll café.  

39. Christopher Cross – Arthur’s Theme
From a great Dudley Moore movie, and before Christopher Cross got too annoying. 

40. Nilsson – Without You
Paul prefers Badfinger’s version (their video is chilling), and Heart had a respectable version on the Magazine album. There’s just something in Harry Nilsson’s voice, a desperate longing, that escapes the other versions.  

41. Mott the Hoople – All the Young Dudes
An awesome Bowie cover. (And Bowie’s version is cool, too!) 

42. Toto – Africa
Smooth 1980s pop, though my mom would have chosen “Rosanna.” 

43. Journey – Separate ways (Worlds Apart)
Steve Perry might be taller than me, though not by much. At least my nose is smaller. 

44. Feist – 1234
Fun song. Funner video. Funnier dancing. All in good fun. 

45. The Pretenders – Lovers of Today
A tender moment on an in-your-face debut album that included “f— off,” open sexuality, and Space Invaders. Rarely has a song reached me on such a deep, emotional level, particularly with life around mid- to late 2005. 

46. Sheryl Crow – Maybe Angels
This set the tone for Crow’s self-titled sophomore release, and marked the end of the hippie-esque persona from her debut Tuesday Night Music Club. From the first note announcing her arrival, rock music from the gut was personified and has not been matched by another contemporary artist.  

47. Redwood – Time to Get Alone
A previously unissued track from the Three Dog Night double-set Celebrate. If I had the liner notes, I could tell you which Three Dog members were involved as well as any other details, but… One of my mom’s faves. 

48. Paul McCartney & Wings – Listen to What the Man Said
The hit from Wings’ Venus and Mars album—my favorite, so long as the radio DJs remember to play the thing in its entirety. And, for the record, Venus and Mars are still alright tonight. 

49. Led Zeppelin – The Battle of Evermore
From Zepp’s über-popular fourth album—I like the hippie, earthy feel of it, though this often gives me visions of flower children prancing around a maypole.   

50. Sheryl Crow – It’s Only Love
C’mon C’mon, Crow’s fourth studio album, reads like a who’s who of collaborations. On this one, she gets some help in the harmony department from Gwyneth Paltrow—who may be able to carry tune, but is in no way a singer (but should definitely be looking forward to a future adolescent rebellion for naming her daughter Apple)—and the combination proves successful. 

51. Moody Blues – Land of Make Believe
A mellow tune from the group’s first number-one album Seventh Sojourn, which also generated the timely “Lost in a Lost World,” sentimental “New Horizons,” love-inspiring “For My Lady,” stoic “Isn’t Life Strange,” rousing “You and Me,” protest the imprisonment of the late Dr. Timothy Leary in “When You’re a Free Man,” and John’s ode to the stage, “I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock-n-Roll Band).”  I think this track may have been used in a montage for the 1984 or 1988 Olympics. 

52. Live – Lightning Crashes
Another track from Throwing Copper. This was the song that my best friend Stephie first played for me that turned me on to any music remotely recent, let alone popular. For a while, I think she even considered this her and Jason’s song. 

53. The Eagles – Journey of the Sorcerer
What’s so great about a six-and-a-half-minute instrumental on a rock album? Search me; I’m still trying to figure it out! All I know is, it’s a mellow instrumental on the One of These Nights album, it’s not out of place on the album, and it’s been haunting me since ninth grade. 

54. Moody Blues – After You Came
From Every Good Boy Deserves Favour—Graeme wrote, John sang it (mostly); and I still have no idea what the heck he’s singing—neither does Mom—but it’s one we always crank up and sing along to at the top of our lungs with glee, especially when we’re dodging tractors through the Willamette Valley. 

55. Chicago – 25 or 6 Two 4 (live)
I didn’t realize this was a live track till I copied my Daytrippers boxed set into iTunes. (Yeah, been a while since I’d listened to it.) But this version stands up quite well to the original, if not more so. 

56. Moody Blues – To Share Our Love
Written by John, sung by Mike—just good rockin’ and gritty vocals—from On the Threshold of a Dream. 

57. Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band – Turn the Page
One of those rare live gems that became a hit—sound absolutely awesome in a sparsely occupied saloon in Virginia City, Montana. 

58. Moody Blues – Gimme a Little Somethin’
Released as an afterthought along with a clump of other tracks on Caught Live + 5 and Prelude, this song has always seemed so beautiful. Written by John, the ambiance is peaceful and mellow, Justin’s vocals were right on, Ray’s flute never sound more clear, and John’s high-end harmonies were butter-melting. 

59. Donovan – Colours
On the heels of Dylan, Donovan helped paved the way for the singer/songwriter archetype. This was just one of his many noteworthy tracks—check out “Lalena,” “Sunshine Superman,” “Mellow Yellow,” “Atlantis,” “Jennifer Juniper,” and “Catch the Wind.” Oh, yeah, and his daughter is actress Ione Skye. 

60. The Eagles – Visions
The only track from One of These Nights that really gets up and rocks. Sadly, it’s also the only Eagles song ever that actually features former guitarist Don Felder on lead vocals. (Thanks for the egomania, Don H.!) 

61. Moody Blues – Magic
On the Keys of the Kingdom album, John’s contributions are the prime tracks—the tender “Lean On Me (Tonight),” the yearning “Shadows on the Wall,” and this celebratory track. Dude! That guy is sweet! 

62. Big Brother and the Holding Company -Turtle Blues
Janis’s bluesy contribution to Cheap Thrills, backed with an audio track from Barney’s Beanery to give it a live performance effect. 

63. The Beatles – Oh! Darling
Paul lets it all hang out—er, vocally, that is. 

64. Moody Blues – Steppin’ in a Slide Zone
OK, it’s a live performance overdubbed with the studio version, but go to YouTube and look up the video for this. Check out John’s hair blowin’ in the wind! 

65. Simon & Garfunkel – Fakin’ it
Bookends is one of the best albums ever, and if this song doesn’t reach you to your very core, then seek professional help—immediately! 

66. Moody Blues – Watching and Waiting
Hayward was at his zenith, both as a songwriter and a vocalist. It’s a shame the world wasn’t quite ready. 

67. Train – Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)
Lyrically, it’s not the most sophisticated, but it sums up what it’s all about. There are so few things in this world that have managed that. 

68. Sandie Shaw – Girl Don’t Come
Likely Mom’s favorite from the British Rock 8-track. 

69. Mark Lindsay – Arizona
(Sigh!) Do I really need to say it? 

Dude! I still miss the days of the original Napster. (Damn you, RIAA!) 

Thanks for reading!
~Talia 

Hi,  My name is Talia, and I’m interested in writing a reader blog for the Seattle P-I. 

Before I give you my writing credentials, let me tell you about myself: 

I am currently employed as a legal assistant for the Attorney General’s Office in Olympia, though my degree is in Journalism, and I originally started out in the Computer Science program (centering around programming games, unbeknownst to me when I enrolled) at Centralia College. I spent four years getting my AA, a year at the University of Oregon that got me $15,000 of student loan debt, and I officially graduated as Greener after only one year while commuting to Olympia from Winlock. Now, I am finalizing law school applications, though my greatest employment aspiration would be to attend film school and direct movies. 

Aside from working, I live with two faux-male cats—Sleater-Kinney, rescued from the I-5 median near the Sleater-Kinney overpass in Lacey, and Cosmo, whom I acquired outside the Lacey PetSmart and named after Donald O’Connor’s character in “Singin’ in the Rain.” Mostly, they get along, though they have days when they try to gnaw each other into cat food. Cosmo aspires to be destruct-o cat, since he seems to knock over, spill, and tear apart everything he touches. And, if it hit the right spot, I think the swing in Sleater’s tail would knock over a building. 

OK, so in what little free time I have left, I try to devote it to reading, writing, movies (once a film student, always a film student), music, pop culture, cooking, wacky apartment décor, hanging out with my ex-boyfriends, and being a computer geek. 

Writing Credentials: 

In my current job, I am responsible for drafting confidential memoranda, letters to the public, agendas, and meeting minutes.
In college, I worked as a reporter, copy editor, section coordinator, photographer, and literary magazine editor at varying times over six years.
In high school, I worked as a writer on the Annual Staff for one year.
In fifth grade, I tried to start a newspaper with a bunch of my friends, but it didn’t work out. (I still have the drafts.)
I wrote my first story at age six, first poem at age 14, and first feature article at 16, and first hard news piece at 18. 

Resume (attached, PDF format)
Writing Samples (stuff I wrote primarily my last year of college, and a few since):  http://www.geocities.com/tal-tal/Html/news_archive.html
Current  Blog:  http://tal17.wordpress.com/
(I have another blog on MySpace, which I’ve had longer, though I’m not sure that some of the content is public-viewable.) 

Thanks for reading!
~Talia 

I met a frickin’ rock star! How awesome is that?!

Even now, almost a week later, it seems like just a dream that I met Mark Lindsay–singer, songwriter, musician, most-televised lead singer of all time–the sexy-cool voice behind “Kicks,” “Hungry,” Indian Reservation,” “Arizona,” “Let Me,” “Silver Bird,” “Miss America,” “Mr. Sun, Mr. Moon,” and–my favorites–”Ups and Downs,” “Steppin’ Out,” “Louie Louie,” “Where the Action Is,” “Cinderella Sunshine,” “Sometimes,” “Melody for an Unknown Girl,” “Him or Me-What’s It Gonna Be,” and especially “Just Like Me.”

Luckily, it wasn’t a dream. (Sigh!)

My parents and I arrived at Mark Lindsay’s Rock-n-Roll Café–on the corner of 42^nd and Sandy in Portland’s Hollywood District–for our 8:30 dinner reservation. While rounding the corner of the building, we all stopped to get a look at Mark in the broadcast booth. He glanced our way for a moment.

(I think I was overly excited, because I have a vague memory about one of my parents asking me if I was going to pee my pants.)

I had brought along the album covers for the Raiders’ Midnight Ride and Greatest Hits, hoping to get them autographed. Our waitress said that Mark didn’t leave the booth till the end of his broadcast at 11:00, and it was unlikely to get anything autographed till then.

So, one burger, halibut fish and chips, a funky chicken, German chocolate cake, and two chocolate mousses later, the time had ticked much closer to 11:00. We gravitated to a table near the broadcasting booth and checked out the wall decor. Dad and I perused the memorabilia for sale, and I bought an autographed poster from Mark’s 2003 finale concert. While we were up and about, we were approached by an employee who asked if we had anything we wanted autographed. So, I handed over my album covers, and watched Mark sign them from my table vantage point.

I think I stared at the autographs for at least 10 minutes.

Once Mark was done broadcasting, we sat there and watched him walk upstairs, then back down, and past our table. After a few minutes, Dad piped up and said that he thought he saw Mark slip out the back door. Oh, well! Then, thinking it would save us a half-block walk back to the car, Dad suggested we leave out the back door. We all froze when we opened the door and saw Mark standing in the entryway, checking his phone messages. We were about to retreat, when he waved us in.

OK, I don’t remember much about the whole meeting, other than introducing myself, shaking his hand, and saying it was nice to meet him. I had to ask my dad if I actually thanked him for signing my album covers (he said I did). And I vaguely remember Dad talking his ear off. Then, he thanked us, we thanked him, and we left.

Dude! I MET MARK LINDSAY!!!

Granted, he wasn’t the first famous person I’d ever met, thought likely the most well-known. Being a writer (and, therefore, a reader), I had met several authors, either at school or writing conferences. I met late Northwest children’s author Willo Davis Roberts, author and mountain climber John Roskelley, Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix biographer Charles Cross, entrepreneur turned author Sunny Kobe Cook, investment banker turned Walla Walla author Sam Mcleod, and several authors at National Writer Workshop in 2004, 2005, and 2007. Oh, and I’ve met Washington’s Attorney General several times and other bigwigs in state government. And I went to college with Tay Zonday, the guy who graced the world (via YouTube) with “Chocolate Rain”–though in class, we knew him as Adam.

My parents have had a few more chance meetings with more well-known people. While employed by the Washington Supreme Court, my mom met former football player Lester Hayes. Dad met actress Mare Winningham and actor Christopher McDonald, when they were starring in a made-for-TV movie being filmed partially in Ilwaco while we were all staying there. Mom might have met them, too, but I was only 10 and more fascinated with the craft service trailer, which cooked us dinner that night. And during a 1996 campaign visit to Centralia, at which my aunt catered, my mom met some guy named Bill, his wife Hillary, their friends Al and Tipper, then-Governor Gary Locke, and national news reporter Sam Donaldson. Following that visit, my aunt’s Presidential (blackberry) Cobbler became one of her best sellers at her then-cafe.

Oh, heck, Mark Lindsay wasn’t the first “famous” person I’ve met and he probably won’t be the last, but it’s very likely that he’ll remain the most memorable. His music has certainly influenced my life, and his radio show continues to turn me on to more incredible music that, otherwise, I would never hear about. And it’s so great that he has made himself available to the public. Anyone can see him while he’s broadcasting. And he even has a MySpace page!

Why can’t more rock stars be just like him?

Thanks for reading!
~Tal