Irony of the Heart

While last night I pointed to the inopportune dovetail of Heart's Barracuda lyrics with Sarah Palin's ethics problems after the song was played during her appearance on stage at the RNC, Ann and Nancy Wilson (a.k.a., "Heart") responded today by asking the GOP to cease and desist and underscored their own sense of irony:

The song 'Barracuda' was written in the late 70s as a scathing rant against the soulless, corporate nature of the music business, particularly for women. (The 'barracuda' represented the business.) While Heart did not and would not authorize the use of their song at the RNC, there's irony in Republican strategists' choice to make use of it there."

Indeed, no business is soulless to Republicans, but doesn't their approved music library seem to shrink as time goes by?

Melissa Etheridge Brings It All to the DNC

Bigless Rich Commandeers the Memory and Music of Cash to Serve His Own Selfish Interests

Rosanne Cash gives John Rich his comeuppance for tasteless violation of the memory of her father. Maybe Rich should stick to doing what he seems to do best: imposing on his Love Circle neighbors and hanging with Kid Rock at local strip clubs.

McCain and Ohio Republicans Sued by Celebrity

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jackson Browne is suing John McCain and the Buckeye GOP for using his song "Running on Empty" in an ad without his permission and in a fashion that suggests that Browne, a former John Edwards' supporter, supports McCain.

Who's the Cat Who Won't Cop Out?

Funk icon and native Tennessean Isaac Hayes has passed (born in Covington, died in Memphis).

The "hot buttered soul" has gone on.

Beyond Blue Öyster Cult's Bell

Trying to recall all the songs beyond BÖC's (Don't Fear) the Reaper that have prominent cow bells.  Off the top of my head, I can recall these by LTD, Barry White, and Nazareth:

Dialogue Hits Middle Age

A classic 1972 promo for Chicago's Dialogue in an age when dissent and counterculture were part of music's accepted repertoire (WARNING: Some adult images not for the faint of heart. You and the kids have been warned.):

This Is the Point Where I Would Have Once Replied, "Does Metro Face a Tight Budget? Do All Billy Squier Songs Sound Like 'The Stroke'?"

Except that I just downloaded a recent bluesy accoustic version of 'The Stroke' to my Ipod (I like that Billy Squier), so I can't use that smart-ass rhetorical question anymore. But it is been self-evident for sometime that the budget is tight. Just imagine how many Metro services might have been helped last year if the Council had spent most of the discretionary funds on those services rather than on throwing money at non-profits.

Mellencamp's "Jena" Released Early

This might set off a Music City Blogger or two:

My One Original Thought Today (If I Have No Other)

At least I think it's original: the wood block is to the Brothers Johnson's Strawberry Letter 23 as the cowbell is to Blue Oyster Cult's The Reaper.

Has the Audio of One of My Videos Become the Official Score of Celebrate Nashville?

Check out the nashville.gov-squared audio after the jump and compare it to my YouTube video of jazz man Kirk Whalum recorded last October. Listen for the same audible responses from audience members in the two recordings. I'd say that if it's not the one I recorded (with the very beginning and very end cropped off), then whoever else taped it was standing very near me. They already had my video linked.

The Drumbeat Strains of the Night Remain

I can't think of a better way to chill after a heated election season than listening to Al Stewart. Incense and pachouli take the edge off.

We'll Never Find ...

... another love like his.

Lou Rawls, who raised hundreds of millions of dollars for the United Negro College Fund and who spanned musical genres to help change the face of pop music, died of cancer today. RIP, "Natural Man."