Sunday, January 14, 2007

Ringo Starr 'Choose Love'

I must admit something… I have some stupid little ritual involving how the CD’s in my collection become my chosen “CD of the Day”. Obsessive compulsive or just plain nuts, it has become something of a daily lottery for my personal enjoyment.

My last CD choice was Shakira’s ‘Oral Fixation, Vol. 2’ (Pink Floyd’s ‘Works’ was a cassette tape in a different wing of the collection). When that album was issued, it was given a catalog number by that manufacturer. Nowadays, it is also part of the UPC code and if it ends in “-2“, it’s a CD. If it ends with a “-4”, it’s a 4-track cassette tape. And in rare instances these days, you may be able to pick up a “-1”… A vinyl Long Playing record album.

I take the last two digits from her album’s catalog number. In this case, it’s eighty-five. Then I count off that many in alphabetical order and it becomes the next selection chosen for my listening pleasure. In case I run into something ending in “00”, I count that as “100”.

Whether I’m in the mood for it or not, it becomes the musical choice du jour. I may deem it unworthy of remaining in my collection and discard it. Or I may find out how great the CD is and the exact reason as to why it’s in my collection. It has always done right by me and it keeps the music flowing instead of stagnating the water.

When I was getting close to where Shakira’s “85” was going to end, I was getting a great sense of hearing a band in my collection that I absolutely love… Starz. Instead, I got today’s choice… A CD that caused me to physically wince when I pulled it from my Peaches CD crate. An album that took a bit of a critical beating when released, but it’s not a bad album. ‘Choose Love’ is peppered with many musical styles that bring enjoyment when you choose to embrace the melody and kind of leave your brain behind. The messages are simple and easy to understand. Ringo breaks no new ground. In fact, he’s asking you to come out, dance on his legacy, kick up a little dust, and stamp it back down in “party down” fashion.

Today’s musical choice isn’t that bad at all… I’d give it a “B-” because the album is misunderstood. And since Ringo’s catalog number ends in an “02”, Starz’s ‘Violation’ CD is NEXT, BABY!!!!

Growing up, I never totally understood The Beatles. ‘Helter Skelter’ was the first song that caused me to notice them. It was loud and obnoxious, it wasn’t like ‘Yesterday’ or ‘Let It Be’ that was all over my transistor radio. It was different. It got my attention, but it didn’t cause me to become a “Beatles freak”. I couldn’t care less and if asked, I would always come out on the “don’t care for The Beatles” side of the fence. I have always thought they were over-rated and I still think that ‘Pet Sounds’ from The Beach Boys is better than ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’.

I wonder what Charles Manson thought of Ringo’s CD. Is he still getting any messages? Would he find some deeper meaning buried in the lyrics of “Free Drinks”? Has he talked over the harmonic qualities of “Some People” with his guardian shower buddies with badges?

I’m sensing a new bumper sticker here… “WWCT… What Would Charlie Think?”

Who knows… Maybe Charlie has moved on to Hall & Oates


  1. Anonymous3:58 AM

    I was late to the Beatles.. really, really late. I do not think that before 2000 I could name 5 of their songs.. seriously. But I like their music and think they were pretty good at what they did, for whatever that's worth.

    The next cd I buy will be that Love cd of remixed songs for Cirque de Soleil. I have heard some of it, and I like it. Anytime you can mash the seperate greatnesses of "Helter Skelter" and "She's So Heavy" together and not make me want to break things warrants a purchase.

    Of course, I still do not think they are the greatest band of all times.. they can't be, as they have neither Jimmy Page nor Keith Moon. Well maybe they can tie with The Who for second. Man, I was born too late.

    Also, I have never heard this "Pet Sounds" of which everyone speaks. (This is where Sean would hit me with a "What?!") When I think Beach Boys, I think "Little Deuce Coupe", "Help Me Rhonda" and that type of stuff. Terrible. Then again, it used to be when I thought Beatles I thought "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "She Loves You"... so what do I know?

  2. Kim,

    Brian Wilson was a genius! I say "was" because I think all the shock treatment has cooked away the genius.

    If you were to purchase 'Pet Sounds', I'm sure you'd find it a valuable investment.

  3. Anonymous9:17 PM

    I've always heard about the genius of Pet Sounds, too. But the Beach Boys just don't do it for me. At all.

    Could be that my parents planned to name me "Barbara Ann", but the song came out while Mom was pregnant and they thankfully said "Uh... NO".

    I coulda been a "Babs" instead of a Bebo.

    My neighbors's son LOVES the song Barbara Ann. Sometimes they play the fucking song on repeat when we're over there. Or sometimes they just subject me to the BOXED SET that they have. *stabs ears with icepick*

    I swear, the next time they come over, I'm putting five Dwight Yoakam CDs in the changer and putting it on shuffle for revenge (they're not much into country, and don't appreciate the utter genius of Dwight).

    Oh, and I dig the Beatles. Not my favorite band, but I do like them a lot.

  4. Anonymous3:02 AM

    My next door neighbor's name is Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbara Ann (well, without the first bits). Things must have sucked for her back in the day.

    So, I checked the track listing for "Pet Sounds" and I see I have only heard of two of the songs. ("Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "God Only Knows" The second only because it is the theme song for "Big Love.") I know it gets credit for being revolutionary and changing music.. but wouldn't that be lost on me as, since I was born a decade after it's release, music had already been revolutionized? Like, I would not listen to it and go "Oh! That changes everything I thought about music!"

    I never understood the tuna sub. I figure if I'm gonna be dealing with all of that bread, might as well go with a more "sub-like" choice, complete with lettuce and tomatoes. Either cold cut combo or grilled chicken. Mmmmmm... Subway!

  5. Okay... For you kids that don't understand....

    Back in the 60's, they didn't have the ability that musicians take for granted these days. Multi-track recording was a pain in the ass. They had to sync up 2-track and 4-track machines together to make multi-track recordings. The time, the effort, and aggravation were incredible. The Beatles made some great music under those conditions. The Rolling Stones made 'Their Satanic Majesty's Request'. And in my opinion, The Beach Boys made the better album.

    Yeah... I can see why you wouldn't know how revolutionary it was growing up after the fact. The 'Pet Sounds' complete box set is the only way to find out the true meaning of its greatness.

  6. Anonymous9:27 PM

    I have reserved a copy of Pet Sounds from the public library and promise to listen to it all the way through. If I can get through it. To me, the beach boys sound like they're whining about 3/4 of the time.

    I have a kid. I don't need to add more whining to my life.

    I totally dig the music at the public library!

  7. Anonymous3:25 AM

    Beach Boys from the library. That was my plan too! Sadly, it looks like the GPL is "Pet Sounds" free. Oh well, no Beach Boys for me. ::insert fake sadness here::

  8. Anonymous5:54 PM

    Kim -- Eugene has my e-mail address. Send me your snail mail addy and I'll burn a copy for you and share the pain. You can then take pleasure in smashing the CD (either before or after you listen to it).

  9. Listen you two! What you're doing is slightly illegal and I will have no part in it... But if you're going all the way, may I suggest the 'Pet Sounds' box set? It has all the bonus goodies that will give you an idea of how that intricate album was made. There are also some great alternate versions as well.

    As for the Beach Boys career retrospective box set... It's damn cool too! Their stuff from the 70's was stellar because they were trying to get away from their "beach" legacy. 'Sail On Sailor' was in the film The Departed. An excellent choice, in my humble opinion.

  10. Anonymous7:37 PM

    Eugene, one word for you: unclench

  11. Anonymous11:01 PM

    It's not like she'll listen to the damn thing but maybe, maybe just once to try and be an understanding and open-minded friend to you.

    And all those mix tapes that you and your buddies made... the difference would be????

    My friends have some heinous Beach Boys boxed set that they insist on playing a lot when I'm at their house (yeah, I know I said that already in another post up there). I have a key to their house and I've often dreamed of "losing" it for them sometime when they're out of town. Ugh.

  12. Anonymous1:55 AM

    Oh, Eugene, come to the dark side. It's way more fun over here.

    If only you could see my cd collection... The only thing keeping the movie collection from going the same route is that I don't have time for all the hassle and, unlike cds, I actually like the fancy dvd packaging.

  13. Bebo? Good gods, give me a break woman... I really appreciate the fact that you and Kim are giving 'Pet Sounds' a shot. I really do.

    Do I think the 2 of you are able to put aside your prejudices in order to hear the Beach Boys and what they accomplished?

    I don't really think either of you will be converted, but I will give you a standing ovation for giving it a shot.

    Lets face facts here... I can be a total geek when it comes to something I love. It doesn't matter if it's a woman or an album. I will stand up with great tenacity, proclaim my devotion, and try to make someone understand what I see even while pissing off my closest friends.

    Just ask Christine about my passion for Malcolm In The Middle. It almost makes her violent when I start on that subject.

    It's simply one of my many character flaws.

  14. Kim,

    I can't bring myself to illegally copy CD's. First and most importantly, burned copies will not last as long as pressed copies.

    Take for instance the first CD that I ever purchased... Judas Priest's 'Turbo'. I've had it over 20 years and the damn thing still sounds perfect.

    A burned (at a slow speed) CD that I made last year is already showing signs of degradation. It is littered with spots that "drop out".

    If I want it, I want it for good.

  15. Anonymous1:32 PM

    I promise that anytime someone burns a CD for me (which is rare), if I like it, I buy it.

    If it doesn't warrant a second listen, I've saved $15 to waste on booze. Everybody wins.