Top Ten Posts of 2014

2014 is almost at an end. (You probably don’t need me to tell you that, though, huh?) Anyway, I thought it would be fun to post links to the most-read posts of my blog for 2014. Interesting mix of topics and content, at least to me. I’m glad folks are finding them.

Monday Morning Music – Hallowe’en Edition

Well, October is almost over. This is its last Monday, and I’ve only posted one spooky video in honor of Hallowe’en. That’s disappointing, at least to me. I’ll try to make up for it with a trio of videos today.

First up are the Brian Sisters, a singing trio successful in the 1930s and 1940s. Here they are in 1942 performing the tune “The Boogie Woogieman” with the Will Osborne Orchestra on a soundie called The Boogie Woogie Boogie Man (yeah, I don’t know with the titles)

Next up, another fun old clip: Louis Armstrong singing “Skeleton in the Closet.” This one’s from the 1936 Bing Crosby film Pennies from Heaven. I love Armstrong’s horn playing and the dancing skeleton.

And finally, something in color, although still kinda old. Let’s finish up with one from Siouxsie and the Banshees. Here’s “Spellbound” from 1981.

Happy Hallowe’en!

Monday Afternoon Music

And another Monday morning has zoomed by me. But it’s still Monday. And! It’s the first Monday of October, which means it’s time to start posting Hallowe’en videos!

Monday Morning Music-St. Patrick’s Day Edition

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone! If you’re into that. I’m not really, but it seemed like a good excuse for music videos today. 🙂

I’m also continuing the Women’s History Month celebration so that means… Irish women!

Blog Birthday Winner!

It’s time to announce the winner of my Blog Birthday Giveaway!

Happy Blog Birthday! Part 2!

My blog is two years old today! Happy Birthday to the blog!

Two years? Seriously?

Yes. Two years!

Isn’t that wild?

Monday Morning Music

Well, my apologies for not posting a video for you last week. Not sure why it didn’t happen. But I’m back today! And just in time for Xmas.

I’m not a fan of most Xmas songs, I must say. The ones I like, I’ve heard so many times, I don’t really need to anymore. And the songs I don’t like… Well, there are a lot more of them.

That said, Bad Religion‘s latest interview on NPR has me kind of psyched to get their new album. I love Bad Religion, you see. And they’ve put out a Xmas album. Yes, indeedy! From what snippets that were played during the interview, it sounds like a serious hoot.

Perhaps even a hootenanny.

Since I missed last week, I have two videos for you today. First up, Bad Religion’s performance of “O Come O Come Emmanuel.”

And, huh, I was going to post the video they put together for their version of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” but it’s been taken down. It was a fun speeded up video of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with BR’s version on top. I guess the MTC didn’t approve.

Instead, how about a little Erin McKeown? She came out with a fun anti-Xmas album a few years ago, partially in response to the absurd “War on Xmas” crap that’s still going on. Here’s “Christmas (Love It Or Leave It)” from McKeown’s Anti-Holiday Spectacular.

Happy Holidays to everyone, whatever you celebrate!

Monday Morning Music

It’s Monday one more time and Passover begins this evening. Happy Pesach, everyone who celebrates. Bob Marley seems like a good go-to for today, at least for me. I hope you like it, too. Back later with links, hopefully.

Weekly Linkroll

So, the last linkroll of 2012. Hard to believe it’s the end of the year already. Damned metabolism slowing me down and speeding up the rest of the world.

At least, that’s my theory.

“I don’t remember that…?”
One of several blog reviews (and the funniest) that allowed me to lose any feeling of obligation I might have had to see The Hobbit. Just not gonna. Yes, I’m one of those Tolkien fans. Thanks very much.

Joyous Christmahanukwanzeidstice to all, and to all a good night.
I’m a sucker for flow charts. What can I say?

Christmas on Mars
Diane Turnshek writes into the Whatever blog about her experience at the Mars Desert Research Station.  Very cool.

Christmas Pose-Off: Lights vs. Tights
Jim Hines and John Scalzi face off again in another pose for charity. Hines just knows how to do this.

Preditors and Editors Readers’ Poll
Critters / Critique.org is hosting their annual readers’ poll and Substitution Cipher has been nominated for best anthology! The website’s a challenge to navigate, but a lot of cool titles have been nominated in several categories. Check it out.

 

Monday Morning Music

It’s Xmas Eve! Another holiday is on its way, so it seems appropriate to play something seasonal. Well, except for the fact that I’m not that fond of a lot of seasonal music. Most of it’s dull as hell and has been done to death, you know? If I never hear sleigh bells again, I won’t feel disappointed. (Well, except for in the Kinks’ “Father Christmas;” they work there.)

Yeah, I’m a curmudgeon.

Who’s always in search of fun music. I got turned on to this duo thanks to a mix cd the music exchange group I belong to sent out this month. Shovels & Rope doing “O Be Joyful.” Hey, the title’s kinda seasonal. And you can dance to it! Enjoy!