I’ve been listening to a bit of country music lately. Trailer trash stuff like Gretchen Wilson and Kendal Carson singing about how they like big trucks and leave their christmas lights on the porch all year long.
I blame my dad. When I was in my teens he went through a bit of a country phase. He commandeered the stereo and played Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings at levels they should never be played at. If I’m pushed I can recite the lyrics to Luckenback, Texas. I quoted a line from it to a girl in a bar once. ’Baby it’s time we got back to the basics of love.’ It wasn’t appreciated in the manner I hoped it would be.
My mini-country period made me wonder what kind of effect my music is having on Daisy. Sally claims that a lot of stuff I listen to sounds like suicide music. Yet Daisy is a cheerful and chirpy little soul.
Her taste in music is changing though. When she was one she was partial to a bit of Pat Benatar. Under my watchful tutelage she’d shadowbox during Hit Me With Your Best Shot and play air guitar to All Fired Up. (IMHO, Ms Benatar’s best song.) Thankfully social services never found out and Daisy remained in our care.
Now Daisy is getting her own back. When I put music on she tells me to stop playing my songs and put hers on. I’m now au fait with the entire Hi-5 back catalogue – Ranger Kathleen is a personal favourite – and every Disney song ever written. Thankfully Daisy is a traditionalist and prefers Louis Armstrong singing Bibiddity Bobbity Boo rather than the new rubbish by Elton John et al.
The only song of mine that she’ll listen to now is a new Jens Lekman song. It’s called Friday Night at the Drive-In Bingo and the first time she heard it she danced in circles and flapped her arms. I’ve got to admit, it had the same effect on me.
Maybe that’s why she likes it.
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Peter, You just know that Daisy would love “The Cockroaches” – you gotta play her some!!
I made a decision early on that this would be a Wiggles-free household. There is something inherently wrong about middle-aged men in colourful skivvies. The Fatwa also covers their early work as The Cockroaches!
Daddy should get Daisy into some Wilco, Calexico, Neko Case… maybe a little early Emmylou Harris.
Go on. Make her a countrychild. You know you want to. Matching gingham!
Hi Peter,
Interested to read that blog – I have read your stuff for a couple of years now and from memory, you are the only person who downloads more music than I do !!!! [downside being some serious crap rising to the surface when in 'shuffle' !!!!].
Been going through a bit of a similar phase re country. You should seriously check out Bob Dylans ‘Modern Times’ for a bit of a crossover album – I am not the World’s biggest Dylanhead, but this is a really good listen from the lsat 12 months and contains 2 of the most relaxing [but still pacy] tracks I have ever heard. Download and refer back to me, Mr Moore !!!!!
Another really good listen is by Rodrigo Y Gabriela – have you heard ? Young Mexican couple, living in Dublin, very very fast acoustic album, covring some Metallica, Led Zep, etc., Again, really relaxing, but still with some zip. Think you would love it, it’s addictive stuff !
Haven’t heard the new Jens Lekman stuff yet – had some mixed reviews in the press, but at least he is getting the exposure he richly deserves. Who believes critics anyway ? Not an author like you, for sure !!!!!
Stay cool. and Hot.
Alex
[PS - agree re 'all fired up'.....great stuff].