I recently wrote about my discovery of Regina Richards and Red Hot, a New York City band formed in the late 1970s led by someone who later became better-known as a one-hit wonder for her single "Baby Love." I've only become more enamored with the group's 1981 eponymous debut -- I sing along like I've had it since I was 14 -- but now I'm getting even more intrigued by the 40th anniversary bonus tracks, which were likely recorded for a sophomore album that never came to be. Today's song of the day reminds me a bit Blue Angel, Cyndi Lauper's pre-fame rockabilly-esque band that also got dropped by its label as a second album was coming about. Curious if the women knew each other and/or were influenced by each other's work. Have a listen and tell me if you hear it, too.
Poor Susan Saint James. She went from a mustachioed "husband" in 1970s San Francisco to living with a female "roommate" in 1980s West Village, yet never became a gay icon.
It probably won't surprise you to hear that I didn't realize until yesterday that the rapper on that Blondie comeback album was the same guy who sang that song from the Michelle Pfeiffer movie.
What a surprise to stumble upon Stevie Nicks's cover of "For What It's Worth," the 1966 Buffalo Springfield protest song. Nicks has apparently added the song to her setlist during her current tour, so decided to make it official.
This isn't the first gender flip of Stephen Stills's classic: Holly Beth Vincent released her version in 1982 as the first single from her confusingly titled solo album, "Holly and the Italians," which was also the name of her recently imploded band. Holly's was deeply experimental whereas Stevie sticks to the original arrangement. Have a listen below.
It's getting increasingly hard for me to argue that this was better than paying $9.99/month for access to *every* album in this store ... but in my heart I still swear it was! 😎❤️🎵
I have the most vivid recollection of Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert reviewing "Mike's Murder" on "At the Movies," their post-"Sneak Previews" show, back when I was in high school. I remember being strangely drawn to the Debra Winger vehicle, but never getting to see it as it exited from theaters almost as quickly as it arrived. Now I'm starting to realize why. If Mark Keyloun, who plays the titular crime victim, in his tennis get-up didn't already have me raring to go, wait'll you read what my pal Glenn Gaylord recently wrote about the film BELOW.
I'm pretty lazy about "going out" these days, between Covid and decrepitude. But when I heard Go-Go's bassist Kathy Valentine was bringing her Austin band to town -- and that Bangles guitarist Vicki Peterson was going to be their special guest -- you'd better believe I got my ass over to Arlene's Grocery right on time! (Note to self: That bar plays great music and the boys are super cute.) The Bonnets were on fire, dazzling the crowd with a selection from their three studio LPs -- and cribbing a few from the Delphines, Kathy and singer/bassist Dominique Davalos's previous band. Then Vicki joined them, which prompted a singalong version of the Faces' "Ooh La La" before launching into today's song of the day, a Vicki Peterson classic from the Bangles eponymous 1982 EP.
After the show, I asked Vicki where they’d came up with that unexpected gem and she said it was Kathy's idea -- and that the Bonnets learned it during the soundcheck, which might explain why I ended up providing many of the backing vocals!
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