UPDATE: Just wanted to wish everyone a very safe and Happy New Year! If you read this post earlier (or downloaded the ZIP file), please note there have been substantial changes throughout, including the addition of the actual demo version of "Into the Groove" that was used in the film but never released. Enjoy!!
While the story of a bored suburban New Jersey housewife getting knocked unconscious and waking up into the life of a new wave goddess in Lower Manhattan circa the mid-'80s was more than enough to land on my Top 10 all-time favorite movies list (and trust me when I say you would NOT want to watch this film with me -- I've seen it more than 100 times and I recite every line before it's said), the unsung hero of "Desperately Seeking Susan" was its eclectic soundtrack -- which, some 24 years later, has yet to see a proper release. When I completely gave up hope, my friend Jesse reminded me that it took more than a decade for the "Valley Girl" soundtrack to make it to CD, but getting a soundtrack that never really existed produced? I wasn't holding my breath.
Naturally, I was ecstatic when Thomas Newman's stellar score was finally released in 1987 ("New York City by Day" still gives me goosebumps -- the guy is a musical genius). It was packaged along with Chas Jankel's music for "Making Mr. Right," director Susan Seidelman's followup, and along with the Gershwin "Manhattan" soundtrack, is one of the few instrumental collections I play over and over again. As wonderful as it was, though, the film's complete soundtrack -- with its timeless lineup that included contemporary and classic tracks by Betty Everett, Junior Walker, Carly Simon, Iggy Pop, Aretha Franklin, Marshall Crenshaw, Run-DMC, Dee Dee Sharp, the Fixx, and, of course, Madonna's ultimate dance song, "Into the Groove" -- needed to be compiled in its entirety to be fully appreciated.
Finally in 2004 I decided I'd waited long enough. I was in the midst of converting all of my vinyl that never made it to disc with a DJ friend of mine when I got the idea to produce "The Definitive DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN Film Soundtrack." It wasn't easy. Junior Walker's R&B take on the Foreigner classic "Urgent" -- used to great effect in Madonna's opening scene where she's taking Polaroids of herself while waiting for the room service boy to deliver -- was seemingly nowhere to be found until I stumbled upon it as a bonus track on a Motown Legends compilation. (You'll recall that Junior plays the killer sax on the original Foreigner smash from '81.)
"Good going, stranger" ...
And the original "Into the Groove" -- with its iconic opening and without that inappropriate ragtime piano that was added to every version out there -- was culled from the import CD single of "Angel." sent to me TODAY by a reader in New York. It turns out all this time I thought the version that was on the b-side of my "Angel" 12-inch single was used in the film when in fact it was an unreleased demo recording that's now been added to my soundtrack. (A HUGE thank-you to Stefan for that!)
There were other challenges along the way, but in the end it was well worth the effort. You can judge for yourself with the links below, including a complete MP3 DOWNLOAD of the results.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Music Box: 'Desperately Seeking Susan'
Posted by Kenneth M. Walsh at 7:00 AM 14 comments
Labels:
1980s,
desperately seeking susan,
madonna,
movies,
Song of the Day
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Fake Jan Day

Fat Chance at Happiness

Paws to Give Thanks

Prince Harryless


Up in Smoke
There's only ONE THING I hate more than smoking -- it's talking about quitting smoking. Yes, I know, I know. It's HARD to quit. It's harder than quitting heroin. Got it. But isn't it enough to pollute your lungs, your loved ones' lungs, the streets, the rivers, the lakes, the oceans and the beaches? Must we also pollute our conversations and our newspaper inches talking about this? I'm not interested. This isn't news. This isn't new. This isn't anything the surgeon general hasn't been telling us for decades. And I don't want to HEAR the words "bum a cig" associated with the leader of my country -- EVER. If someone wants to smoke, then smoke and shut up about it -- and do your best not to walk in front of me blowing it in my face when I'm trying to enjoy some "fresh" air. If someone wants to quit smoking, then get your shit together and quit. And shut up about it. (And NO. It's not that I think I'm so perfect. But I also don't yammer on and on about my flaws to try to engender sympathy from people.)
Last fall when the whole world was jumping on the Barack Obama bandwagon one of the main reasons I wasn't willing to join in was because of his smoking. I'm fairly certain most people I told thought my saying I have issues with his being a SMOKER was a euphemism for his being BLACK, when in fact it sort of was -- I have issues with his having BLACK LUNGS.Here's the way I see it. When someone is a gym and health-food nut WHO SMOKES, it makes me question everything about their judgment. And it raises serious questions about their propensity for ADDICTIVE behaviors. (Bill Clinton was obviously a food ADDICT and we all know that other addictions lurked within.) For Barack Obama to religiously go to the gym (I've read that he didn't miss a single day for two years on the trail -- working out for something like 90 minutes a pop -- and finally took his first day off on Christmas) AND be a longtime smoker indicates to me that he's got some serious issues with making sound decisions (example to follow).
To me, Rick Warren at the Obama inauguration is the same thing as a gym bunny with a cigarette. Let's hope this isn't a two-pack-a-day habit with our new prez ...
Sen. Moon Unit Zappa (D-N.Y.)

Monday, December 29, 2008
'Desperate' Living






As some of you know, it was my teenage love affair with "Desperately Seeking Susan" that helped seal my fate for a life in New York. I was in high school working as an usher for AMC Theaters when Susan Seidelman's much-underrated indie classic was released in 1985, and while it opened at the Lakes theater in Tempe (where I saw it opening week), it quickly moved to the Fiesta Village in Mesa where I worked making it easy for me to see it on the big screen dozens of times in addition to sneaking into the theater to watch bits and pieces throughout my shifts. So taken by the film's star -- Manhattan -- it also led my friends Greg (a fellow Dobson High student) and Nina (a Detroit friend) and me to make our first pilgrimage to the city to retrace Susan and Roberta's footsteps in the winter of 1985. (My brother Terence joined us for part of the trip, too.)

The trip almost didn't happen as my mom was apprehensive about her young son traipsing off to New York ("Why would he want to go there? What's in New York?" she quizzed my older brother Bill). In her defense, she's of the generation that prides itself on NOT having to live in the city, so it escaped her why anyone would choose to go there on purpose -- never mind the world-famous art, theater and architecture. (FYI: upon arrival in New York on her first visit to see me here in 1998 she -- without missing a beat -- announced that she still doesn't "get it." ) Meanwhile, Greg didn't have enough money saved to cover his share, but then came through with an 11th hour job at Burger King, working there just long enough to save up enough and quit.


We had always been told that New Yorkers were "rude," yet everywhere we went we were greeted with smiles. (Looking back, I think we were so young and excited that even the most jaded New Yorker couldn't help but be swept up in our enthusiasm.) By the time the week was over I was 100 percent certain that New York was for me. Still, it took me nearly a decade to get back for a visit -- I moved to Los Angeles and then D.C.-- and 13 to finally finally call it home. But 10 years later and now a bonafide New Yorker, I must confess that I still get the same butterflies in my stomach I did back in '85 every time I return home and see the city skyline from the airplane window. I definitely "get it" ...

Posted by Kenneth M. Walsh at 11:00 AM 7 comments
Labels:
1980s,
desperately seeking susan,
personal
On the Rag, Vol. 18
I Think He Showed Great Restraint
Hopefully THIS will deter future inconsiderate assholes from talking during movies. My only qualm with this whole scenario is that he didn't kill the guy because you just know he'll be talking again next time he's at the show.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Sunday Worship: Matthew Morrison

Saturday, December 27, 2008
Quote of the Day
Knowing that she probably stands for most of the things her famous relatives did AND is in favor of same-sex marriage, I was warming to the idea of Caroline Kennedy as my new senator. But if she's already THIS cranky a week or two into the political process, something tells me this isn't going to be a smooth ride. And you thought Hillary got in hot water with her "staying home and baking cookies" comment. (Does this mean Ms. Kennedy wouldn't go on that "woman's show Oprah?")
Rambo: First Beard, Part I

Was digging through some old boxes of stuff for some fun pictures to post on Facebook last night and came across this self-Polaroid of the first time I grew a beard -- in 1988! The past 20 years have seen a variety of facial hair -- and clean -- offerings. But in the end this look devised by a 21-year-old me would (essentially) prevail.
And speaking of Polaroids, did you know they're going the way of the dinosaur?
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Playlist/212: A Very Kenny Christmas
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. In keeping with the holiday spirit, this week's playlist is comprised of songs I included on a "Christmas card" CD I mailed to all of my friends and family a couple years ago. (The disc had 23 but I was only able to upload a dozen.) It's one of those rare projects about which I have no regrets -- comprised of what I believe the best holiday-themed songs of all time. I hope you enjoy ...
You can listen to the whole mix below or in a new window HERE.
1. "Mistletoe and Holly" by Frank Sinatra
Forget about Andy Williams and Bing Crosby, Frank's is the best Christmas album of all time. This is will show you what I mean.
2. "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid
I'll never forget being a student at Dobson High when this song came out and what an eye-opener it was for this stupid middle-class kid that people are still starving elsewhere in the world. The Who's Who of the New Wave was such a thrill though, and I always thought (and still think) Boy George's vocals were by far the most moving. (And I'm still not completely convinced that's Jody Watley in there and not my beloved Sade!)
3. "Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)" by Darlene Love
There's no competing with the Phil Spector Christmas album. And even though I'm more of a Ronnie Spector fan, Darlene's instant classic is without question the album's highlight.
4. "Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl
Who'd have thunk a holiday song from the perspective of the downtrodden could be so compelling and wonderful? (Kirsty always could turn water into wine.)
5. "Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses
This has to be the only song that makes it seem all right to be single around the holidays. I sure miss ya, Patty. The reference to A&P always made me smile because it made me think of my stepfather's dad who was a truck driver for them when I was a kid.
6. "Hey Santa" by Carnie and Wendy Wilson
This should have been one of those new Christmas songs that became a holiday staple (a la Mariah's "All I Want for Christmas Is You"), but sadly it didn't happen. This song is adorable.
7. "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" by Annie Lennox and Al Green
A beautiful arrangement of a great song by two class acts.
8. "Frosty the Snowman" by The Ronettes
Ronnie's contributions to then-hubby Phil's Christmas album are pure delight. Michael and I try to see her Christmas show at B.B. King each year, but sadly this year our calendar was triple-booked that night. Luckily we'll always have the album to fall back on.
9. "Feels Like Christmas" by Cyndi Lauper
This might not really be a Christmas song, but Cyndi's simile is sure to sweep you off your feet, too.
10. "Christmas Day" by Beach Boys
I live for Brian Wilson's complicated arrangements and multipart harmonies. Yet it's the utter simplicity of this one that makes it so special.
11. "25th of December" by Everything but the Girl
Ben Watt wrote and sang this holiday gem, perhaps the only to examine father-son relationships and what it means to be "a man" in such a raw yet tender manner.
12. "I Was Born on Christmas Day" by Saint Etienne
This song makes me deliriously happy each time I hear it and has the word Christmas in its title, so that's good enough for me. (BTW: Is it just me, or does EVERYONE know a fistful of people who were born on Christmas Day? I know it's easier to remember than other people's birthdays, but it is kinda strange.)
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Deck the Halls!

Of course it wouldn't be the holidays without me getting a little sentimental, like seeing this ornament (from my sister) from my first Christmas with my guy in 2003:

