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David Poindexter's avatar

Laundry list of Inspirational Fillips:

1. Best Bad Reviews (prev. noted by me): Essra Mohawk, Steve Miller’s Recall the Beginning, and the deathless pan of Stephen Sinclair’s “A+” (betcha can guess);

2. As to real A-plusses, my one huge quibble off your list is “Radio City.” Obligatory;

3. The more Christgau films there are I say bring em.

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Stephen Hinerman's avatar

There could be, I bet, a whole book on staged weddings (meaning "performance weddings" linked to concert/ticket buying). My own favorite is Hank Williams "second" marriage - both his marriage to Audrey and to Billie Jean were in fact not strictly legal - neither of them were officially divorced when Hank married them (he wasn't a man to wait) although a court later declared Audrey his common law wife so she could get part of the rights to the music ... The day after Billie Jean and Hank were married (or the same day, depending on how late it happened), Hank had to play two shows in Baton Rouge. The promoter decided to publicize the shows as including Hank's marriage. So Hank and Billie Jean were married twice more on stage in Baton Rogue. The promoter had furniture donated for the couple, and hired a minister (although the first one bailed once he found out the couple was already married). Hank was supposed to "marry" Billie Jean late in the first show, but Hank was probably drunk and barged out early, said something to the effect of "We're doing it now", called Billie Jean out, and so they did. After the shows, Hank, in no shape to travel on the honeymoon, and Billie celebrated closer to home. Hank of course was dead in a couple of months, but I'm sure folks loved it all and remembered it for the rest of their lives. More performance weddings, I say! (Yeah, I'm writing a book on Hank in case you couldn't tell...)

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Crixcyon's avatar

I saw the Hermits in 1980 as they were doing a tour and appeared at the Center Stage in Canton, Michigan. I still like many of their songs. "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter" is my favorite from them and always has been.

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Charlie Messing's avatar

Mine is "There's a Kind of Hush," co-written by Graham Stephens, from the "Winchester Cathedral" album. He also co-wrote that title hit, also "The Crying Game." Many hits - good writer. [The Hermits put a real Recording Studio in Manchester, for which many a bands were grateful. "Mrs. Brown" was unusual with the rhythm guitar volume on 1 or 2 - so scratchy music-hall sounding, I guess (like a banjo).

Rosetta Tharpe! I too wished to hear more guitar (same model as Ollie Halsall!) but I love her forever, not just for her talent but for teaching Little Richard how to sing "wooo!" which he later passed on to McCartney. [RIP - Little Richard and Sister Rosetta Tharpe]

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ASensibleMan's avatar

"They make you feel better about being a human being, which these days the entire anti-Trump cohort needs (and if you don’t belong to that cohort get out of here.)"

Lol! So inclusive of you! Well, you always were a contemptible little prick so I guess it's in keeping. Hope you're enjoying the new right-wing vibe! You know the kids today, Bobby, they're all MAGA.

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Ronald's avatar

I wondered whether you’d show up! It’s not like you to miss a mention of your glorious emperor without comment. I wondered whether something awful had happened to our favorite Nazi troll. Unfortunately not, I guess.

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ASensibleMan's avatar

Are you twelve years old?

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Jesse F's avatar

Being a critic involves having standards. You don’t meet them. So fuck off.

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ASensibleMan's avatar

Wah

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Wayne Brown's avatar

I've shared your David Allan Coe "Has never killed me."

countless times in conversation.

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