Pure Pop for Tuna People
These two records have next to nothing in common. What they do share, however, is what is known as Pop Sensibility. Pop Sensibility is that thing that makes things sound good to just about everybody. Of course, some folks hate that which the majority adore and, so, reject the idea that one can actually quantify quality based on acceptance. In other words... Not all of what we refer to as Popular Music is, in fact, Popular.
Our first example is by G.E. Smith. George Edward Smith grew up in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, and played in the band behind Hall & Oates for most of the 80s. Many remember him as the ponytailed leader of the Saturday Night Live Band from 1985 to 1995. In the meantime he filled his empty moments playing with folks like Mick Jagger and David Bowie. There is a great biographical sketch of him here: http://www.greenmirror.com/gebio.html.
This is a solo effort from 1981. It's a Really, Really Great Record.
- Heart Frozen Up
- Real Love
- Rita
- The Blind Boy Rag
- Nuns with Guns
- Powerman
- Sad About Girls
- Fake o' the Land
- James Brown
- In the World
But... This record was Different! It was GOOD!!! And the Paley Brothers were members of the Boston Punk Underground!!! So it kind of freaked me out. The thing that convinced me was the fact that The Paley Brothers teamed with The Ramones to record a cover of Ritchie Valens' "Come On, Let's Go" for the Soundtrack of "Rock 'n' Roll High School."
You would do well to visit this site to find out more: http://www.punkblowfish.com/BlowfishPaley.htm.
- You're the Best
- Too Good to Be True
- I Hear the Bluebirds Sing
- Magic Power
- Turn the Tide
- Stick with Me Baby
- Tell Me Tonight
- Lovin' Eyes Can't Lie
- Come Out and Play
- Down the Line
1 comment:
Ooh, "Heart Frozen Up" is a really cool tune I haven't played in way too long. I think G.E.'s then-wife Gilda Radner sings backup vocals on there...
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