Show 6 - Tweeners!

[Rick and Roll]

Tweeners is a term that has been coined for songs that are too cool to play on commercial radio (although I can't be held responsible for College radio but not progressive enough to be on the Moon. I am in no way pushing any of this for inclusion on the Moon. If anyone else does, I may chime in one way or another, but I do not endorse the cause.

Next week I am going to play mostly Moon cuts, another mixed bag show, before I get back to the themology.

There are a ton of these to select from. After perusing the set list, I've noticed a common theme - most of the songs are shorter, and are mostly basic in song structure. So turn off your progmeter and just enjoy the ride.........

1) Just Another Day - Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party

What a great tune. Production by Danny Elfman is superior.

2) You Can't Get What You Want (Til You Know What You Want)

Joe Jackson - Body And Soul

The live version on his 1980-86 Live CD is awesome, but I still haven't replaced the stolen CD. This will definitely do.

3) Darkness - Police - The Ghost In The Machine

Everybody likes some Police tunes, and many like most of them. Here's a simple little lush number.

4) I Zimbra - Talking Heads - Fear of Music

Talking Heads are the quintessinal Tweener band. Remain In Light is a candidate for the Moon IMO, but I thought I'd select a tune with Bob Fripp on it.

5) Cuts You Up - Peter Murphy - Deep

One of my favorite songs. Just love his voice.

6) That's Just What You Are - Aimee Mann - I'm With Stupid

With some help from Difford & Tilbrook, this one's a real gem.

7,8) Fall On Me, Pleadies - King's X - Gretchen Goes To Nebraska

These two are right next to each other on the CD, and illustrate perfectly the dichotomy of King's X.

9) Flying Sorcery - Al Stewart - Year of the Cat

A real toe-tapper by the master of mellow.

10) My Lovely Man - Red Hot Chili Peppers - BloodSugarSexMagik

A rare cut without the cussing off one of my favorite CD's.

11) Humdrum and Humble - Tears For Fears - Raoul and the Kings of Spain Another classic tweener band. Continues withe the grace of "Elemental".

12) The Seer - Big Country - The Seer

A little Irish spring for the show...with Kate Bush supplying the "Yay yay yo's"

13) Private Life - The Pretenders - The Pretenders

A very involved tune from a great debut record. great guitar work by the late James Honeyman Scott.

14) Greasy Jungle - The Tragically Hip - Day For Night

An underrated Canadian band. Aren't they all?

15) Pilgrimage - Suzanne Vega - Days of Open Hand

A hypnotic theme cascades throught this one.

16) Station To Station - David Bowie - Station to Station

Is he prog? Who cares? He was in his prime here.

17) Hitch A Ride - Boston - Boston

For the "World" Series winners, you may say...uuugghh, Boston! I think it's great song. And a winner of a guitar lead to close it out.

18) Mary Sunshine Rain - Dada - Puzzle

Any excuse to get this GREAT band in the mix is OK with me.

19) Whirlpool's End - Paul Weller - Stanley Road

He operates just out side the mainstream radar, and that's just fine. A great songwriter. This tune rocks.

20) River To River - Richard Barone - Primal Dream

Saw him as an opening act some 13 years ago. Don't own any others....a very song-oriented approach, but great melodies. Extensive use of the e-bow (ala Big Country).

21) Bye Bye Love - The Cars - The Cars

I've always liked this one.

22) Airscape - Robyn Hitchcock - Element of Light

One of my favorite songwriters, he can be quite quirky, but it all comes together on this song. Nice sound by a glass Harmonica!

XTC - Oranges And Lemons

The full length CD this week is a personal favorite (what a shock!)

After the mastery of "Skylarking", the band went for a more power pop approach. But you'll never hear more fuller sound than this CD. It's nothing short of BRILLIANT.

1) Garden of Earthly Delights
2) The Mayor of Simpleton
3) King For A Day
4) Here Comes President Kill Again
5) The Loving
6) Poor Skeleton Steps Out
7) One of the Millions
8) Scarecrow People
9) Merely A Man
10) Cynical Days
11) Across This Antheap
12) Hold Me My Daddy
13) Pink Thing
14) Miniature Sun
15) Chalkhills and Children

Track 1 has a really cool sound to it. Track 2 has lyrics reminiscent of Sam Cooke when he sings "Don't know much about history". Track 3 is a devestatingly great song. Track 8 has some scathing lyrical content about our excesses. Track 13, well... D'Ezerov says he's singing about his son...I say he's singing about some guy named Willie or Johnson....I've never looked at their website to inquire. Track 14 is very jazzy, and the last track just whisks you away with it's understated beauty. (as opposed to my overstated rants ).

Have fun!