Chris Stroffolino: December 31, 2006

Mustard on a Lonely Highway

1. Fats Waller, “I Wish That I Were Twins”
2. Merle Haggard, “If We Make It Through December”

   Great Seasonal Music, accepting of the pressure and despair, yet also soothing in a way.

3. James Brown,James Brown and His Famous Flames Sing Christmas Songs

   My favorite Christmas album; I was playing it for some friends when I heard of his death.

4. James Brown,Hey America_

   His other Christmas album; many songs on both of these albums, along with some singles, are available on various compilations.

5. Adrienne Shelley

   Amazing actress/director who was murdered on November 1 at the age of 40. Perhaps most known for her work in the excellent Hal Hartley films Trust and The Unbelievable Truth. I met her through her off-Broadway work in Dave Rosenthal’s plays.

6. Buddy Holly, “Everyday”

   It sounds like a holiday song. How conscious wasSteve Malkmus of his song “Silent Kid,” having similarities?

7. The Wedding Present,”Take Me”

   Well, I’m ambivalent about this; I like his voice, but that long jam that is a tepid rip-off of the The Velvet Underground’s “What Goes On,” is an act of indulgence or maybe just a savvy move knowing that their audience may not know the original.

8. Howlin’ Wolf, “Coon on the Moon”
9. Eric Andersen, “Everything Ain’t Been Said”
   I wonder if Suzanne Baran would like this 1965 song. I bring it up because I heard “She’s The One I Call My Own” by Eric Bachmann, and it reminded me of Anderson.
10. Exene Cervenka and Jake Eichert

    Mr. Eichert conducts a great interview with Ms. Cervenka in the newly released _Enclycopedia, edited by T. Bryant, M. Mellis, and K. Schatz. Especially great is toward the end when Cervenka turns the tables and decides to ask Eichert some questions.