Walking On Thin Ice: Keith Haring at Brooklyn Museum

I went to see the Keith Haring 1978-1982 show at the Brooklyn Museum this past Saturday on day before it closed.  The show had some great highs and lows. It was a great late '70s to early '80s time capsule that captured the spirit of his early student work and the early influences that drove Keith to greatness and sadly to his unfortunate death.  I was glad I got to see and left a bit nostalgic for that era of experimentation in art, music, fashion and nightlife where art and commerce where still resisting each other.  I walked to the many galleries and heard Yoko Ono's emblematic and historical "Walking On Thin Ice" as part of an interactive montage of Haring's work and totally fell in love the song all over again.   Yoko and John Lennon concluded the recording of the song on December 8th, 1980. It was upon their return to the Dakota that John was murdered and was clutching a tape of the final mix of this song when he was shot.  The lead guitar played by John is said to be one his most fascinating and his sadly last creative endeavor. Here is my favorite version along with a very nice re-interpretation by the Pet Shop Boys that was released in 2003 as part of a maxi single CD.  Enjoy!

Walking On Thin Ice - Yoko Ono

Walking On Thin Ice (Pet Shop Boys Electro Mix)

From a subway advertizing

Self Portrait

  

America: Tin Man

Happy Birthday United States of America! To celebrate this county's birthday here is a song that I believe resonates well to what this country represents.   Even though it's not clear if that's the case here with such obscure lyrics from this aptly named '70s iconic rock group America.  I always think of the greatness of this country whenever I hear all of their songs.  This great song was released in 1974 and written by band member Dewey Bunnell and produced by George Martin, who also plays the piano on the recorded version. The song's title and some its lyrics refer to the Tin Woodman from The Wizard of Oz. I have to say that to me The Tin Man is America.  Enjoy the 4th of July holidays!

Tin Man 

World, You Need A Change Of Mind

Happy July! I have to say that it took me half way in the year to realize hands down the best album of 2012 so far is World, You Need A Change Of Mind by Kindness.  Every song in this LP is brilliant bliss.  Stylishly produced by French house guru Philippe Zdar of Cassius fame, this beautiful and airy LP deliver the goods with amazing vocals by Adam Bainbridge sounding very much like the late Arthur Russell.  The album has been widely received with mixed reviews and what I hear loudly is that this album is lacking in grit and ambition. Some critics are missing the point of here, are we so inmune to expect now days that every new release has to be in your face and loudly screaming hear me out?  Obviously this is not the case here and we have to change our minds about this nicely put together album with a nice blend of R&B, electro pop infused with '80s synth heaven that reminds me of the sound of mid '80s band The Blue Nile.  I'm struck by the genuine inventiveness of this offering and so far that is what I'm gravitating this year. So here is "House" which is one of my many favorite from Kindness. Enjoy!

House - Kindness

Disco Photography

It's NYC Gay Pride!

It's Gay Pride weekend in New York City and we are celebrating 43 years of the Stonewall Inn uprising which became a turning point and symbol for gay, lesbian, bi and transgender liberation.  I have celebrated many gay prides in different cities but nothing compares to the vitality we have here in our city.   Here are two songs that to me, captures the spirit and the wide spectrum to celebrate such occasion.  Although not explicitly with a gay message, we have "Elements", a song that was on heavy rotation at the Tunnel and then club Vinyl  during the later part of the '90s which brings back the glory days of big dance venues that sadly no longer exist due to the Internet and the commercialization of the city.  Produced by legendary DJ Danny Tenaglia and released December of 1997 and later on his debut LP Tourism, in his own voice, the song tells us a recipe or guidelines "elements" needed to make a great underground dance track.  If there is soundtrack to that era of communal dancing that began the movement of Tribal dance music during that period of New York club history, this one would be high on my list. The other song featured here is Al Tanner's "Doing Our Own Thang" from the amazing rare disco compilation release from last year:  The Best Of Disco Demand. This one brings back a '70s Fire Island vibe full of hedonism and camp with a throbbing bass and funk with the fabulous lyrics of freedom to do our own thing many times over.  So let's continue the fight to do our own thing without any judgement. It's our right! Happy Gay Pride and enjoy!

Doing Our Own Thang - Al Tanner

Elements - Danny Tenaglia

Jealousy And Lies

Here is a stunning 1988 house classic that I recently discovered while listening to a recent mix by German Dj and producer Chrisopher Rau on Beats In Space.  I was mesmerized by "Jealousy and Lies" by Julian Jonah and surprised that I've never heard of this amazing house song.  The song's visceral message combined with the understated orchestration and low key synth makes this a true classic.  There was something familiar about it also and through research I learned it was sampled by Electribe 101's down tempo classic "Talking With Myself" which is quite a gorgeous song and had to include in this posting as well.  There are fourteen versions of Talking With Myself! Here is the Canny Remix.  Also, the Instrumental and the Alternative Dance Mix version of "Jealousy" are also great to listen. Enjoy!

Jealousy And Lies -   Julian Jonah

Talking With Myself (Canny Remix) - Electribe 101

Disco Photography

Boy George, Andy Warhol, Marilyn and Cornelia Guest out clubbing in 1987.