Reversing the Numbness

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Friday Music

It's Friday. I need music.

And so does Erin O'Brien, who's guest commenting this week! If you haven't checked out Erin's blog yet, head on over to the Erin O'Brien Owner's Manuel for Human Beings. It's chock full of hilarity and brilliance, including this YouTube video, which has garnered a more than impressive 1.4 million views. She also wrote Harvey and Eck, which I fully intend on reading after I finish a few books, including The Sparrow and Small Town Punk.

Anyway, Erin's in the hot seat. This week's topic: Mixes. You're making a mix -- what's the first song? (It's up to you what kind of mix it is, what mood it appeals to, etc.) And feel free to post more songs from the mix as well. As always, please try to post links.

50 comments:

Erin O'Brien said...

Hello. My name is Erin O'Brien.

I drive a Mini Cooper and I have big tits. Everything I say is right.

Welcome to the comment section of "Reversing the Numbness" on this day, Friday, March 6 in the Year of Our Lord 2008.

Now bring it on Mother Effers.

getto said...

Ummm, it isn't technically Friday yet. Just sayin'.

Erin O'Brien said...

Getto--

The man in the overcoat to your left should not be trusted (Evermore).

It is safe to eat the heavy fruit, but tell no one of the note in your pocket.

The beautiful young lady is dangerous.

Take care.

josh williams said...

Hello Erin, so we finally meet. I am sure we have much in common, however I do not drive a Mini Cooper nor do I have big tits...
I suggest a song titled Sweet Beer I think Lou Reed did it a few years ago.

getto said...

I'll bite:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll2z9HwTNQk

Anonymous said...

I just got back from seeing Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds--I don't think I've seen anyone command a stage and a room like that before. I'm putting together a mix for my drive up to Massachusetts this weekend, and the first song will be "Deanna".

Simon said...

Good to see you again Sleek, and hello to the lovely Madame O'Brien.

Madame O'Brien, please say the words "Mini Cooper" and "big tits" in your comment to me, just like you did at the top.

Damn, now I forgot every piece of music I ever knew.

Clash said...

Hi, Erin and kudos on the intro. I’m intrigued, curious, and a bit scared of you, but not so much your big tits.

I will have to put some more thought into the mixed dealio, but I watched Pulp Fiction tonight so I’ll start there.

Flowers on the Wall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s8nRL2bPCU

Urge Overkill: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwGLJk_bySc

Unknown said...

Here's a mix for a mixer: songs for a cocktail party, if you will. And may I compliment the hostess on her LBD; very busty.

Pink Martini: Sympathique - Edith Piaf for a new generation? And they're from Portland, to boot.

Astrud Gilberto: Summer Samba (So Nice) - Queen of the bossa nova.

Grace Jones: Slave To The Rhythm - Trevor Horn got the best out of Ms. Jones here.

Serge Gainsbourg: L'Anamour - He was filthy in such a very good way.

Suzanne Vega: Caramel - Sweet sounds from the perennial folk chanteuse.

SleekPelt said...

I'm making you a "Disco's Dead" mix, Erin. Here we go.

Elvis Costello
"Oliver's Army"

The Clash
"London Calling"

Blondie
"Sunday Girl"

Kurtis Blow
"The Breaks"

Hee Bee Gee Bees
"Meaningless Songs in Very High Voices"

SleekPelt said...

Oh, and ... Simon! Nice to see you, mate. I hope you're staying for a while.

Erin O'Brien said...

Mr. Williams: I am sad to report that I am unable to find any evidence of a song called "Sweet Beer" by Lou Reed on the Big Bad Internet. That does not, however, diminish my belief in Lou Reed's sweet beer.

If you find Mr. Reed and his sweet beer, Mr. Williams, please bring it here to Cleveland and I shall drive your around in my Mini Cooper while we consume said sweet beer by whatever means possible.

As far as the boobs are concerned, mine are on a permanent holding pattern called marriage.

Sorry.

Dear Getto: I was about halfway through "Vulva Driving Soccer Mom" when I realized it was actually titled "Volvo Driving Soccer Mom." I am unsure if the revelation improved the song or not. Whether or not all the porn stars become Volvo (vulva?) driving soccer moms as the young Everclear man contends is purely conjecture. I've never been either--I think.

Dear jeffK: In 1988, I was 23 years old and smoking with almost as much intent as Mr. Cave. It will please you to know that a college flame who found me after 20 years included no less than 3 tunes by Cave and the Bad Seeds on a Mix CD that has become one of my favorites. I dug those as I did "Deanna."

God we had shitty hair back then.

Dear Mr. Sterwin (big tits): I think you might enjoy (Mini Cooper) a song called "Son of a Preacher Man" (big tits) by Dusty Springfield (Mini Cooper). It is a song (big tits) I often include on mix tapes (Mini Cooper). I think of it as sort of an anthem (big tits) to the latent cougar in me (Mini Cooper), although I'm not entirely sure why (big tits).

Oh Clash: The Pulp Fiction soundtrack is one of my very-ery-ery faves. It is important to note, Oh Clash, that I did not read your comment before responding to Mr. Sterwin. I realize that might be hard to believe, but kismet requires a certain leap of faith, darling.

Do you know the way to San Jose?

Dear Electric Orchid Hunter: I did in fact send a mix CD to our gracious host just a few days ago that included "Song of the Black Lizard." I often fantasize about draping myself over a piano and purring out that ballad. Being only 5' 1" and having a figure that resembles a stack of flesh orbs precludes this activity. Oh well.

Your Astrud selection is superior, sir. Really fucking superior. Corvocado?

Grace vs. Erin

After listening to the Gainsbourg and Vega, all I can hope is that there's room in the Mini Cooper for you after I load up Mr. Williams and his beer.

Erin O'Brien said...

Dear Sleek: An interesting selection considering I just did a massive feature on a Studio 54 style disco club that was all the rage in Cleveland in the late 1970s--it's also where the previously referenced photo of Grace Jones came from.

Let me leave you with another few pix of Yours Truly and escort en route to an 80s party not so long ago. (I have since cut my hair and yes, the nametag said, "Miss December 1986")

I dig that Blow by the way. And the HeeBees need to tighten their pants a bit to ramp up the authenticity.

Erin O'Brien said...

This may or may not be relevant to this discussion: I do not believe sexual activity and music go well together.

Best to let the CD fade out after some necking and petting. When the serious stuff starts, you don't want to take any unnecessary risks courtesy of an off lyric, a reference to an ill-begotten name from the past, a bad memory, or the dreaded skipping disc.

You young folk best take heed of this sage advice.

Carry on.

Ken Houghton said...

SleekPelt - "London Calling" is all right, but "Hitsville U.K." would fit in better.

Erin O'Brien said...

OH SURE HOUGHTON!

Just show up and ignore me like I'm not Big Miss Guest Commenter and everything!

That said, your song did give me a tingly happy feeling like if I was a contestant on The Dating Game and got to say things like:

Bachelor Number Two--if you were a puppy, what would I name you?

Rob Zero said...

Are they Man... or Astroman????

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5qCa6n8vBc

Erin O'Brien said...

Mr. Zero: (That would be a great name for a Bond villian) I think they are actually the results of a Devo seed that was plucked from Akron, Ohio (which is a weird place where they keep the Blimp House--don't ask) and lovingly planted somewhere in the red earth of Georgia.

patrick said...

Erin - I'm from the red earth of Georgia, which spouted the world changing "Rock Lobster" and the equally mind blowing "Radio Free Europe" in back-to-back years. However, I'm gonna have to start my roadmaster tape off with the more prosaic (and characteristically Southern) "Dreams" by the ABB. But then I'll jump to some Billy Bragg without any segue. I'm thinking "Levi Stubb's Tears." That'll get me feeling all singer/songwritery, so "Visions of Johanna" (live 1966) and "If I Needed You" from Townes Van Zandt's Live at the Old Quarter. By then I'll need some beats, so I might put Massive Attack's "Angel" on there. After that, who knows? Something from Let it Bleed? Live at Leeds? The sky's the limit.

patrick said...

I meant to say "sprouted" not "spouted." When red earth starts spouting you need to run for cover.

*dalyn said...

hello erin, not sure what your likes and dislikes are but hopefully these choices won't hurt your ears too much!
i don't know why but i really enjoyed the movie Marie Antoinette. watched it way to many times. i think the soundtrack had alot to do with it. ive used all songs below in my various dinner party mix CDs... hope you like! *d

Gang of Four - Natural's Not In It

New Order - Ceremony

Siouxsie and the Banshees - Hong Kong Garden

Adam & The Ants - Kings Of The Wild Frontier

The Radio Dept. - Pulling Our Weight

Erin O'Brien said...

Dear Patrick: I knew you meant "sprouted," baby. Who do you think you're dealing wither here?

I love almonds, love the Allman Brothers, although a girlie friend of mine has a not-so-nice story about the band based on a "meeting" she had with them in the mid-80s in Athens, Ohio. Thanks for the Bragg. "Blonde on Blonde" was one of my brother John O'Brien's favorites. And wasn't it "Live at the Old Quarter" that had that hilarious joke about the guy who'd left his car at the end of his key?

"Let it Bleed" is bloody good (I'm a monkey), but "Torn and Frayed" is my #1 vintage Stones tune. As far as "Leeds" is concerned, is it really possible that Roger Daltry ended up doing an infomercial for the Time Life Legends Music Collection?

Tommy, can you hear me?

Yeah, yeah. Goodbye Sister Disco.

Dear *daly: Okay, you win. I'm going to rent this ASAP. I'm dying to see how these tunes weave into Marie's story. Save the New Order, it's all so punk and Londonish. Siouxsie was just so effing cool!

Erin O'Brien said...

BTW Dalyn, Thanks for chiming in. I was wondering where the other girls were!

Erin O'Brien said...

Okay people, by no means complete, but here's a few diddies I just LOOOOOOOVE to listen to:

"Wagon Wheel" Old Crow Medicine Show

"Fever" Peggy Lee

"Gentle on My Mind" Glenn Campbell

"Throw the R Away" The Proclaimers

"Tear Stained Eye" Son Volt

"Sensitive Artist" King Missile

"Mambo Italiano" Rosemary Clooney

"Desire" U2

"This Guy's in Love with You" Burt Bacharach (with Herb Alpert on vocals)

"Another Place in Time" Pleta Brown

"These Days" Nico

"Dance Away" Roxy Music

"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" Al Green

"1952 Vincent Black Lightning" Richard Thompson

"What Have They Done to my Song, Ma?" Melanie

"Graceland" by Willie Nelson

"Might Have to Cry" Boz Scaggs

"Time Will Tell" The Black Crowes

"Little Trip to Heaven" Tom Waits

Now if any of you assholes out there have something to say about it, burn me a disc of your faves and send it to:

Erin O'Brien
P. O. Box 470167
Broadview Hts. OH 44147

Include a return address and you just might get something in return.

Zee said...

Hi Erin. So...do you have any trouble squeezing the tits into the Mini? Sorry. I couldn't resist.

Chekc this out. RFTC is one of my all time favorite bands. I hope you enjoy it!

Erin O'Brien said...

Dear Zee: I generally do just fine muscling everything I need into the Mini as long as I've got a sturdy wrist.

patrick said...

It's "Live at McCabes" that has the joke you reference. At the expense of pimping, I have a kinda long post about that record here. I almost chose Pueblo Waltz off that one instead.

I lived in Macon for awhile where everyone has a Bros. story and every musician you play with claims to have done time with them. You get used to it.

I'm so glad you put that Willie Nelson cover of Graceland on your list. It just about takes the top of my head off.

Erin O'Brien said...

"done time" is an interesting way to put it, Patrick.

After reading your post, I am going to dig out that TVZ CD and give it a spin.

josh williams said...

Down on the Dirty Boulevard Lou Reed and Sweet Jane, not sweet beer. Does you Mini Cooper have a bumper hitch, we can pull lots of beer with a trailer.

SleekPelt said...

ken: Welcome! Agreed -- sloppy work on my part.

erin: I'd like to rescind my entire mix and replace it with a mix that consists of this song on constant repeat.

Erin O'Brien said...

Thank Christ you're finally back, Williams!

I don't have a trailer hitch, but I DO have a lot of duct tape and tons of wire clothes hangars. Will that work?

Sleek: Thank you for that groovy, groovy selection. So much to love, I hardly know where to begin .. the clothes! the shoes! the wicked dancing!

You might see this one featured in a future post over at the Owner's Manual.

Anonymous said...

Sleek - Caught a crazy show of the Avett Brothers in Huntington last Sunday night. Great club with about 150 people and it rocked. Clip of fav song right now:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzGl06thRG4

They will be back in June for the Appalachian Uprising Festival, which you should consider gracing with your presence. Incredible venue and great acts!


http://www.appalachianuprising.net/

josh williams said...

Erin, the coat hangers, save more, I have a 3,000 ft spool of duct tape and have a line on more(gratis)...This plan is really coming together.
I listened to the Avett Brothers CD Emotionalism a number of times while driving back from the coast, great stuff I would love to see them live...Gotta go make myself some samichs.

getto said...

Sleek, One word-"DUDE!" You beat me to BC. I don't know how I ever missed the pink scarf. Man, you just made my day! Definite RtN highfive.

Erin O'Brien said...

Sleek, dude, tell Chud I totally dug his link. It's a total shame that I'm not closer to that totally down club he refered you to. Dude!

Williams: Dig the link in Chud dude's post above, dude. Also, will that duct tape sticky residue come off the Mini's bumper if I use nail polish remover?

Getto: Doood! I had no idea there was a whole Bobby Con fan club here!

Erin O'Brien said...

Incidentally, gentlemen, Bobby Con is hung like an anaconda.
Just sayin'

josh williams said...

Erin yes nail polish remover and duct tape have always battled one another and the nail polish remover always wins. I checked out Chuds vid I was inspired so I posted. Thanks you Erin,Sleek,Chud,Avetts and others.

Toby said...

Erin, I don't believe you have big tits. ;-)

SleekPelt said...

chud: I'm extremely disappointed that I missed that show, and I really hope the DM and I can make it down in June. It's been ages since we've seen you.

geto boy: I couldn't help myself.

erin: I've probably posted that video, oh, I dunno, maybe 10 times?

Erin O'Brien said...

Williams: We can use any leftover duct tape to remove unwanted hair from your bikini area.

Toby: Hello by darling baby. And here.

Sleek: nite nite.

Helen Mansfield said...

Greetings Sister Big-Titted-One! That is the Indian name I have given you, we of the Clan of Mini.

I made an 80s comp the other day I was sort of pleased with.

A sampling included some crusty favorites:

"Time" Culture Club
"Keep Your Hands to Yourself" Georgia Satellites
"Winds of Change" The Scorpions
"Let Me Tickle Your Fancy" by Germaine Jackson & Devo
"Forver and Ever, Amen," George Straitt
"Magic" Olivia Newton John
"Guilty" by Barbara Streisand & Barry Gibb

I could mention others, but I think I've embarrased myself enough for one evening. We'll save my love of Polish adult contemporary singer Basia for another day.

Clash said...

Erin is a great host for "Friday Music!" The joint is jumping!

Anonymous said...

Some mix suggestions from the Nick Cave family tree:

"Jennifer's Veil" - The Birthday Party

"White Wedding" - Rowland S. Howard (cover of Billy Idol song)

"Marry Me" - These Immortal Souls0

"Sex Shop" - Mick Harvey

"Come Into My Sleep" - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

"Rock of Gibralter" - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

"There Was A Time When I Used to Love You" - The Dirty Three

Erin O'Brien said...

Helen: I want to have "Sister Big Titted" printed on a snug tee-shirt, but that seems a bit redundant.

I don't dare sniff at your list. You're dealing with a woman who has the TV themes from Batman, I Dream of Jeannie, and Hawaii 5-0 on her iTunes. I love "Love Rollercoaster" by the Ohio Players and I know how to do the "Time Warp." I never press skip when random select lands me on "Night Fever" by the BeeGees or "I'm too Sexy" by Right Said Fred.

So I completely understand the magic of Barry and Babs, but time won't give me time to explain.

Clash: Welcome to the cool side of pillow, baby.

YAY HAL!

You know I adore "Sex Shop." If anyone can find a link to the lyrics for that song, it would be much appreciated. Each of your other songs stands stalwart on its own merit.

That said, Harold, I must asketh: Art thou--a youthful lad of years we shan't mention and ebullient bachelor of many talents--considering a walk down the holy aisle of matrimony? For the collecteth effect of thou's compiled list herein maketh me scratcheth my head!

josh williams said...

Duct tape bikini waxing is all the rage in California.

Erin O'Brien said...

Josh, could you go bikini duct tape that crescenet guy?

Thanks. I would do it myself, but I'm busy downloading adult photos of Bobby Con in a naughty policeman outfit.

SleekPelt said...

erin: It pleases me to no end that you've caught the Bobby Conn bug. I just knew you would understand.

Toby said...

WOW! I almost forgot. You got some big ole hooters, let them puppies breathe. ;-)

josh williams said...

Josh does not duct tape men.

Clash said...
This comment has been removed by the author.