Every Picture Tells a Story 6/30/20

This image adorns a long-abandoned storefront on Chicago Avenue, but it never fails to make me smile--especially since the dog's coloration and attitude remind me so much of Mom's kitty, Lincoln (a.k.a. Bumpy).

Every Picture Tells a Story 6/29/20

Every Picture Tells a story 6/25/20

I recently wrote about King of Hearts, an album by the great Roy Orbison that was released four years after his untimely death at age 50 in 1988. 

At the time I wrote that piece, I thought that was his last album of original music--that King of Hearts was the last word on the voice behind "Crying," "Blue Bayou" and "Oh Pretty Woman."

Once again, I was wrong.

I discovered One of the Lonely Ones on Amazon while ordering King of Hearts from an Amazon Marketplace seller. I didn't know anything about the album--had never even heard of it. So I bopped on over to Wikipedia for the skinny on this "lost" Orbison album.

According to Wikipedia, here's what happened:

Apparently, Orbison recorded One of the Lonely ones in 1969 following the deaths of two of his sons in a house fire in September of the previous year. In July 1969, Orbison completed recording for the album, but his record company at the time, MGM, decided to shelve One of the Lonely Ones because of a contract dispute.

And there the album sat. For 40-plus years. 

It was even thought to be lost entirely, but Roy's sons found the master tapes and here I am, headphones on in Mom's living room, listening to "new" Roy Orbison songs for the first time and, as I always do when listening to his music, struggling not to shed a tear or two.

Thanks, Roy's Boys, for finding this truly hidden gem.

Every Picture Tells a Story 6/24/20

You might have thought that the deaths of half its members might prevent any band from continuing to produce music--especially a concert CD featuring performances from the remaining performers.

And, of course, you'd be wrong.

The Monkees Live: The Mike & Micky Show is, as the title implies, a live performance of the band's greatest hits by its two surviving members, Mike Nesmith and Micky Dolenz. (Davy Jones died in 2006, Peter Tork in 2017.)

Both are in fine voice, if a little rougher than they were 50 years ago (then again, who isn't?), and they tour briskly through their catalog, including most of their hits ("Last Train to Clarksville," "Mary, Mary," "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You," etc.) and a few lesser known numbers, like "Circle Sky" and "Goin' Down."

On a warm summer evening, in the cool of the living room air conditioner and spinning on my laptop's CD-ROM drive, The Mike & Micky Show went down as smooth as a margarita served on a sunny patio. (Note to self: Get to an appropriately socially distanced patio and have a margarita before summer ends.)

Every Picture Tells a Story 6/19/20

As previously noted, I've been slowly but surely rebuilding my CD collection, picking up old faves here and there--mostly at Village Discount Outlet and Reckless Records (pre-Pandemic, of course) and occasionally ordering from Amazon Marketplace.

One old fave I recently re-added to my collection? 1000 Fires by Traci Lords. 

Yes, I know what you're thinking: "You've got to be joking--an album by Traci Lords? THAT Traci Lords?

Yes. An album. By Traci Lords. THAT Traci Lords.

1000 Fires is the first (and, so far, only) album by the B-movie actress--and, yes, former underage porn star. 

You might not expect much. But? You might also be surprised.

From the techno beat of the opening track, "Control," Lords brings danceable tunes throughout this album, with a couple of notable exceptions (especially "Father's Field," an account of child molestation), and her voice is remarkably strong from song to song. 

I really love this little album. You might, too.

Every Picture Tells a Story 6/17/20

I was a huge fan of Roy Orbison's music long before I'd ever bought any of his albums. From songs like "Only the Lonely" to "Crying" to "It's Over" ("Your baby doesn't love you anymore..."), Roy's songs always seemed to cut deeper than most love-lost tunes, and his falsetto--hitting notes no human being should ever be able to hit--chilled me beyond the bone.

Like most music fans, I was deeply saddened when Roy, in the midst of a huge comeback, died suddenly on December 6, 1988--coincidentally, Mom's 50th birthday--and lamented loudly that I'd never heart Roy's voice again on a new record.

Of course, I was wrong.

Released in 1992--nearly four years after his death--King of Hearts was a collection of songs left in various stages of production. Some were completely finished; others were no more than demos. Each song got loving production from a number of industry veterans (including Robbie Robertson, who elevated "Love in Time" from a basic vocal track to something magical), and the collection was padded out with a previously released duet rendition of "Crying" with k.d. lang and the original demo for "Careless Heart" (from his previous record, Mystery Girl).

Didn't matter. I still loved it. And now that I have another copy of it via Amazon Marketplace? I still do.

Every Picture Tells a Story 6/16/20

Every Picture Tells a Story 6/15/20

Mimi wants to know what you think you're doing. 

(Yes, I know--I used this photo a few months ago. Running low on new photos--more when I'm able.)

Every Picture Tells a Story 6/12/20

Lincoln would still like to know what you think you're doing.

Every Picture Tells a Story 6/11/20

Full of bull...and peppermint tea.

Every Picture Tells a Story 6/10/20

The spider in the middle of this photo has long legs and a little web set up in our kitchen.

Every Picture Tells a Story 6/9/20

Lincoln doesn't care what you're doing--he just wants to sleep, 'kay?

Every Picture Tells a Story 6/8/20

Moose wants to know what you think you're doing.

Every Picture Tells a Story 6/5/20

Every Picture Tells a Story 6/4/20

Every Picture Tells a Story 6/3/20

In the Land of Plague

Hello, all.

Sorry I've been out of touch lately, but I've had a good reason: I've been in quarantine (along with the rest of Chicago) since mid-March, and I haven't had internet access for this whole time.

But now? I'm back.

Expect new posts in the coming days. I hope they make you laugh or smile for a little while. God knows we could use either now.