GMVW # 94: "A New Moral Compass (the 80's)"

Gem Music Video of the Week # 94:  A New Moral Compass (the 80’s)

Song:  What’s the Matter Here by 10,000 Maniacs

Covered Here By: Natalie Merchant (principle songwriter) 

(Songwriters: Natalie Merchant and Robert Buck)

October 22, 2009

Back in the late 80’s, Nancy and I began subscribing to a then fairly new booklet released annually by the Council on Economic Priorities, titled “Shopping for a Better World”.  This reputable booklet contained a comprehensive grading of virtually every major company and product available on the market at the time, from gasoline stations to toothpastes; beers to peanut butters. This was not your traditional consumer advocating, however:  The CEP booklet’s focus was on an entirely different set of rules.  Ratings, which ranged from ‘Outstanding’ to ‘Poor performance’, were broken up into ten categories: 1) Giving to charity; 2) Women’s Advancement; 3) Minority Advancement; 4) Animal Testing; 5) Disclosure of Information; 6) Community Outreach; 7) South Africa (with whom business dealings at the time were considered by many as a no-no); 8) Environment; 9) Family Benefits; and 10) Workplace Issues.  There was also an ‘Alert’ column for additional information.  The research was thorough and dedicated to, among other things, changing the relationship between business and the environment.  I soon found myself using it for practically everything I purchased.

Although Nancy and I were trying to ‘do our part’, there were many who were getting into this new outside-the-box way-of-thinking at a much deeper level.  The 1980’s were an interesting transition period for the conscience-minded in the growing number of Rock and Roll generations, who were trying to counterbalance the ultimately prevalent ‘Me, Me, Me’ stamp on the decade.  Where during the 60’s and 70’s, the emphasis was to advance causes outside the system, a shift took place around this time to work within the system.  Altruistic undertakings were popping up all over the place, often advanced by musicians and supported by fans.  There was Live Aid, Farm Aid, and Band Aid, and other events such as “No Nukes” and “Human Rights Now!” (Amnesty International). Pleas were being made incessantly by musicians like Bob Geldof to help reverse the plight of peoples in places like Africa and Bangladesh.  Terms like “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”, “Earth Day”, and “Think Globally, Act Locally” were making their way into the mainstream vernacular. 

A fair percentage of  the 60’s counter culture who ‘dropped out’ in the 70’s (discussed for the last Gem) were coming out of their shells guided by a new moral compass (they were symbolized by John Lennon, who emerged from his multi-year Dakota Apartment hibernation to produce an album and reconnect with the general public just before his murder).  Where before, there was reaction to issues that directly affected them and their families, now these hippies of yore were focusing more on what affected other people and places, including neighbors they may have never met; poor, displaced and starving people in other countries; collapsing ecosystems on the other side of the planet; and endangered species. 

A world view was beginning to take shape in North America and Europe.  People were broadening their horizons as they worked their way out of their comfort zones.  This was certainly the case for me.  Between 1980, when I graduated from high school in the (then) small town of Franklin, and 1990, when I was engaged to be married, much had transpired.  There was college, including an eye-opening 1-year exchange program to Ottawa, Canada.  There were Europe trips I and II.  There was an oddball collection of job descriptions, finally and somehow, inextricably, leading to the US Geological Survey and a professional series position in lines with my degree.  There were multiple mailing addresses in diverse locales, ending in an equally inextricable home purchase with Fred. There were back-pack mountain hikes and multi-day canoe trips.  There were concerts, weddings and parties of all shapes and sizes. There were causes to walk, jog and run for and eco-centric conference booths to man on weekends.  There were a wide variety of new friendships.

And smack dab in the middle of the 80’s, (25 years ago next week to be exact), I met Nancy, who introduced me to terminology and ways of thinking that fit in rather nicely with the big picture of the time.  Her focus was on a new health paradigm.  Some words she used, like ‘holistic’, ‘organic’, ‘homeopathic’ and ‘immune system’ were new to me.  Others like ‘nutrition’, ‘balanced diet’, and ‘juicer’ would take on new meaning (a ‘juicer’, used to grind vegetables into liquid pulp to drink as a morning breakfast, would take on yet another meaning this past decade, with the help of Jose Canseco). Nancy also showed me the meaning of exercising for your health.  I’m still logging the miles. 

Eventually, Nancy brought her health-centric approach to our family life.  When fevers have spiked and coughs have persisted, she has worked methodically with our pediatrician, often shunning the quick fix of antibiotics (bacteria strains have rarely evolved under her watch) for the patience of alternative methods and medicines, some of which have been used in other cultures over hundreds of years. And every time her approach has paid off… every time!  Nancy’s mode of operandi has always been to prevent, but she is ready on a dime for ailments and accidents: Few of our adventures are complete without arnica and calendula creams being packed as part of a first aid kit.  Often a book or two on the subject of diagnosing and treating aches, pains, burns, and bruises is packed as well (which reminds me of the time John looked at our book shelf and through astute observation, quickly distinguished all of Nancy’s books from mine).  I’m not always the most holistic of patients, at times opting for self abuse I suppose.  But I think I get a passing grade.  The kids get higher marks.

Since it has been 25 years since we met, I figured the story of our initial chance encounter was worth telling, at least for those who have not heard it (or gotten it in dribs and drabs). 

If you have ever watched the half-baked comedy, “What’s up Doc?” starring Barbara Streisand, Ryan O’Neil, and multiple identical briefcases, you can connect with what initially comes to my mind when recalling how Nancy and I met.  College buddy Kurt had invited me to a Halloween Party in Winchester.  I decided last minute to go, but had no idea what to go as.  Mom came up with the idea of a Mad Scientist, and helped me put together a makeshift, elaborate costume.  It was great.  I packed the costume in a bag and tossed it in the back seat of my car for the one hour drive north though Boston.  Before leaving, Mom asked me to drop Pat off at the school down the road, where he would be helping to scare little kids in a Halloween maze.  Pat’s costume (a mask, yellow wig, and a sheet) was packed in a bag and tossed in the back seat next to my identical bag (you can guess where this is going?).  I drove down the road and dropped him off, handing him the bag on his way out of the car.

After arriving at the party, and going inside for a few pops, I said to Kurt, ‘Get a load of my costume’.  We headed back to my car and I opened the bag.  I was shocked.  There was nothing in it but a yellow wig, monster mask, and ripped sheet (until then, I was unaware of what Pat had in his bag).  I was high and dry and feeling bad, knowing how much effort Mom had put into that costume (I was also wondering what Pat did when he made the bag-switch discovery on his end). 

Now, I was never the most forthcoming of guys when it came to meeting ladies, but at that moment, all inhibitions were out the window.  I put the costume on and transformed into a yellow-wigged alter ego of myself. Nancy was the innocent victim, unaware she was sitting in my seat near the dance floor.  She was dressed up as an Indian girl, looking very pretty, and sitting with one of her best friends, Madeline (who, like Kurt, remains close to us to this day).  I walked up to her and quite out of character, insisted she dance with me.  We talked and danced the rest of the evening, yellow wig and all (Nancy did not know my true hair color until our first date the following weekend).  The rest is history. 

Although 80’s music suffered to some degree from the weight of following in the footsteps of what transpired the decades beforehand, it did manage to find its own niche, fed by the moral compass of the times discussed above.  One band that stepped to the fore was 10,000 Maniacs, fronted by Natalie Merchant, who carried a fantastic stage presence about her.  I could not find a quality Maniacs version of this week’s Gem, “What’s the Matter Here?”, but I did find a very worthwhile viewing of a Merchant solo performance of the song with a backing band.   The lyrics (which are listed below) are a perfect example of the conscience that was sweeping the Rock generation of the period.  The bridge near the end is one of the best bridges Rock music has to offer.

Immediately below is a list of ‘Great Band Names’.  Below that is the Gem video and a number of other videos from the 80’s.  Below these are the lyrics to ‘What’s the Matter Here?’. 

Next week: The 90’s and ‘Great Song Names’.  Input is welcome.

I will close with a favorite 80’s exhortation of Mac’s, who shared many-a-great times with me during the decade…..

Festival!

- Pete

Great Band Names

1. ‘The Butthole Surfers’ (My mind can only go so far with this image before it shuts down)

2. ‘The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band’ (Only a band with a name like this could pen a song titled ‘Death Cab for Cutie’)

3. Bare Naked Ladies (Did they think of the competition when typing this in on

You Tube?)

4. ‘The Dead Milkmen’ (This is what happens when punks perform cow tipping in milking pens)

5. ‘Hot Tuna’, ‘Meatloaf’, ‘Captain Beefheart’, ‘Flock of Seagulls’, ‘Dixie Chicks’, and ‘Trout Fishing in America’ (Six way tie.  What is it about naming your band after fish, poultry, and beef?)

6. ‘Rage Against the Machine’ (And have these guys ever lived up to this name)

7. ‘Doobie Brothers’ (Gets the nod over Jethro Tull for refer reference)

8. ‘Limp Bizkit’ (inspired by a pet dog with a crooked step)

9. ‘Sly and the Family Stone’ (They put ‘cool’ back in ‘family’ during an invasion of Partridges)

10. ‘Blue Oyster Cult’ (I believe the name is half the reason why this is Stephen King’s favorite band)

11. ‘Social Distortion’ (This is what happens when amps are cranked up to ‘11’)

12. ‘Shonen Knife’ (‘Swiss Army Knife, the English equivalent, simply would not have held up)

13. ‘Big Brother and the Holding Company’ (An Orwellian double-double entendre)

14. ‘Rat Race Choir’, ‘Boomtown Rats’ and ‘Ratdog’ (3 way tie and I’m not sure why)

15. ‘Thunderclap Newman’ (There’s just ‘Something in the Air’ there)

16. ‘Psychedelic Furs’ (What the Exxon Valdez left in its wake)

Gem Video: Natalie Merchant “What’s the Matter Here?”

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47Wm_IAu_yM

Gem Video 94B (in case this weeks Gem Video cannot perform all its duties throughout the course of the week *although I doubt it*)

The Talking Heads ‘Wild, Wild Life’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6LO3LEk_bw

The Pretenders ‘My City was Gone’ (the ultimate anti-suburbia-sprawl song)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCK7oHHRQrE

Tom Petty ‘Jammin’ Me’ (I’ve always wondered if one of the names mentioned in the lyrics lead to Petty’s house going up in flames not long after the song’s release)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCxegqMU17A

Smithereens ‘Blood and Roses’ (A Nancy fav band)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqML7WbOun8

R.E.M ‘Orange Crush’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BvXBwtrs_k

UB40 ‘Red Red Wine’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYQ1lkP1j_g

Dire Straits ‘Industrial Disease’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlAPDQdHqCY

Blondie ‘Heart of Glass’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CmhqoB1lNE&feature=fvw

Lyrics to ‘What’s the Matter Here?’

That young boy without a name I'd know his face.

In this city the kid's my favorite.

I've seen him. I see him every day.

Seen him run outside looking for a place to hide from his father,

the kid half naked and said to myself "O, what's the matter here?"

I'm tired of the excuses everybody uses, he's their kid I stay out of it,

but who gave you the right to do this?

We live on

Morgan Street

;

just ten feet between and his mother, I never see her,

but her screams and cussing, I hear them every day.

Threats like: "If you don't mind I will beat on your behind,"

"Slap you, slap you silly."

made me say, "O, what's the matter here?"

I'm tired of the excuses everybody uses, he's your kid, do as you see fit,

but get this through that I don't approve of what you did to you own flesh and

blood.

"If you don't sit on this chair straight

I'll take this belt from around my waist and don't think that I won't use it!"

Answer me and take your time,

what could be the awful crime he could do at such young an age?

If I'm the only witness to your madness offer me some words to balance out what

I see and what I hear.

All these cold and rude things that you do I suppose you do because he belongs

to you

and instead of love, the feel of warmth you've given him these cuts and sores

won't heal with time or age.

I want to say "What's the Matter here?"

But I don't dare say.

About the Video: Natalie Merchant with a 5 or 6 piece band playing in an ‘unplugged’ like environment, perhaps around the mid 00’s.  A red-hair woman is playing the upright double bass (with rod) behind her.

Video Rating: 1

Best Feedback: Joe

Pete - great grabbing lunch today....I am still sweating from the sauce...I did a quick search on great band names...could not make it past A -

A Cat Born In An Oven Isn't A Cake

Above Average Weight Band

Abstract Penis Brigade

Admiral Poopy Pants and His Dancing Teeth

The Advil Monkey

Afghanistan Banana Stand

Aha, the Attack of the Green Slime Beast

The Al Roker Death Cult Wind Ensemble

Albino Toilet Boys

Alien Nymphos from Uranus

The Alien Puppets

Almighty Lumberjacks of Death

Amish Meth Lab

The Anally Devoted Husbands

An Emotional Fish

Angry Amputees

Are These My Pants?

Armed and Hammered

Armpit

The Arrogant Worms

Arthur Loves Plastic

Ashtray Boy

The Atomic Bitchwax

Avenging Lawnmowers of Justice

-------------------

And Madeline: Pete,

Thanks for reminding me of one of the best Halloween parties ever! Congrats to you and Nancy on the 25th anniversary of your meeting.  That flew by!

-----------------------

And Jen:

Fun recounting your chance meeting with Nanc. Funny story. And I really liked 10,000 then Natalie Merchant, back in her day. Have some of hers on my playlist, heard Festival just yesterday, running.

------------

And Bob:

Hi Pete,

You have done an excellent job over the years in providing the glue to keep us all in touch.  The Gem Video was a great idea and I enjoyed reading your weekly mails.  Your writing skills as well improved to such an extent that I am really amazed at how well you articulate your thoughts.  You definitely have a lot of talent.......I think the perfect job for you to be writing free lance for the Rolling Stones mag.

Cheers

Bob

GMVW # 93: "Keeping the Faith (the 70's)"

Gem Music Video of the Week # 93:  Keeping the Faith (the 70’s)

Song:  Hollywood Nights by Bob Seger 

(Songwriter: Bob Seger)

October 15, 2009

After years of high-octane stimulation, a large contingent of paranoid hippies ‘dropped out’ and headed for the hills in the early 70’s, where, as Dennis Hopper once explained “at least you could see ‘them’ coming”.  But those who stayed put, particularly the minority who remained in touch and aware, had an opportunity to reap the benefits of what their era had sewn.  Where in the 60’s the music was simply another part of the scene, in the 70’s the music was the scene.  New Rock musicians and their fans had realized what had taken place the decade before, and although not part of it, had learned to appreciate it far more than those who were actually there.  The result was a mostly positive evolution of the music and the culture that surrounded it.  I was lucky to be a part of it.

Although I was the oldest in my family, I had several friends who were not.  This was particularly the case with good friend, Bruce Nicholson, who was the youngest of five.  Early on in our friendship, when visiting his rather large 3-floor home in the mid 70’s (which has since been converted to Dean Jr. College dorm rooms) it became clear to me that Bruce was growing up in a different world than I.  Bruce’s brother and sisters had moved on to university and beyond, leaving much of their memorabilia behind.  What they left in those bedrooms told a story. 

The 3rd floor was the cornerstone, with one very large room, another smaller, and attic space. As far as I could tell, the entire floor remained off limits (by design?) from Bruce’s parents (Mrs. Nicholson, in a heavy German accent, would try and yell above the music from the bottom of the stairs when announcing my arrival, often futilely).  There were psychedelic posters on the walls; beads for doors; lava lamps, pillows, incense, and ceiling carpets for décor; Rolling Stone Magazine(s) in piles on the floors; and ‘paraphernalia’ of all sorts in the drawers.  Let me put it this way: If the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame really wanted to do a showcase on 60’s Pop Culture, they would have extracted that 3rd story from the Nicholson home and placed it smack dab in the middle of the museum.  Along with all that memorabilia, Bruce’s siblings left behind a great stereo system with powerful speakers, and an amazing collection of records, including great albums by The Kinks, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and ELO:  An informal education to say the least.

One great thing about growing up in the 70’s was that our generation did not try to start from scratch.  We built on top of what came before us (mostly positive, some negative). In many ways, it was about keeping the faith. This is not always the best route to take for a generation, but in this case, it was.  The 60’s had taught us the meaning of Carpe Diem, and we did just that for the most part.  I still remember stepping out into the crisp autumn evening after dinner during my high school years.  Often the night moves ahead of me would hold mystery and wonder. The electricity in the air was palpable.  You could cut it with a knife.

The top-tier music of the 70’s was solid, much more so than it gets credit for, and this despite Wall Street being forevermore enticed by Rock not long after the decade rolled in (we can thank the enormity of Woodstock for that).  At the time, however, an appreciation for the music required a certain youthful innocence, which many in the prior 60’s generation had lost by then.  That appreciation has remained to this day, as for the most part we have remained the torch bearers.  Think about it: When you go to a Rock show today, the elder statesmen in the crowd are mostly children of the 70’s, not the 50’s or 60’s.  For many, the music remains a matter of life and death.

And so, during those formative years, we got to discover and enjoy not only the 60’s music, but our own new music as well, and have it all to ourselves for a time.  And with many in that prior generation continuing to make great music throughout the 70’s, we had quite a treasure chest to dig through: Too much for one lifetime.  Strangely, I’ve always been content with the fact that I’ve only scraped the surface, to know there’s something there for the taking whenever I so choose. 

Although not a full blown counter culture, the 70’s had its fair share of rebels.  Looking at a cross section of kids in my graduating class is enough to come to this conclusion.  The confines of Franklin were too stifling for many of them to handle, and a number, to use a Jeff Strause phrase, ‘got the hell out of Dodge’ as soon as they could, leaving any thought of college in the dust, at least for the time being.  I remember ‘California’ being a big buzz word, and numerous Mullaney’s, Lanagan’s, and Willard’s hit the highway for greener pastures.  Their free-spirit decisions impressed me as much as the classmates who were receiving full scholarships for academic achievement.  I sometimes wonder what became of them.

Music was almost a religion to many musicians during this period.  One of them was Bob Seger, and you can see it in his body language and his face during a viewing of this week’s Gem, ‘Hollywood Nights’.  In the mid-80’s Nancy and I were driving through the Hollywood hills on a beautiful afternoon, when this song came on the radio.  We turned the music way up, each of us taking in the bygone innocence of our younger days as we savored the coincidence of the moment.  Nancy had her class rebels too and we both could relate, since we, like many of our era, had a bit of it in us as well. 

How else can you seize the moment?

As promised, below is a top list of ‘Great Album Names’.  Below these is the Gem video and several other 70’s music clips.  Below those are the lyrics to ‘Hollywood Nights’.

Next up: The 80’s and ‘Great Band Names’.  Input is welcome.

Keep on Truckin

-              Pete

Great Album Titles

1 ‘Katy Lied’ (Putting to rest the ceaseless argument carried on over our heads during summer evenings)

2. ‘We’re only in It for the Money’ (Sometimes, a little cynicism helps raise the bar a few notches

3. ‘Never Mind the Bullocks’ (Repeat # 2 above)

4. ‘All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes’ (Clint Eastwood still tears up over this one)

5. ‘More Songs about Buildings and Food’ (I’m still searching for the prequel)

6. ‘Shaved Fish’ (A perfect title for a greatest hits album)

7. ‘Who Are You’ (This is not a question)

8. ‘Oops!...I did it again’ (And again, and again, and again….)

9. ‘Blood on the Tracks’ (An image that sticks throughout the listening)

10. ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ (Why did it take so long for someone to corner the market on this title?)

11. ‘Surrealistic Pillow’ (The 60’s summed up in two words)

12. ‘I’ve Got My Own Album to do’ (Going solo has rarely been declared quite as bluntly)

13. ‘Trout Mask Replica’ (Riddle me this)

14. ‘Everybody Knows This is Nowhere’ (Taken to heart by many-a graduating senior in the 70’s… read above)

Jack contribution:

‘Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only the Piano Player’ (But see that guy over there?  He’s our drummer)

Gem Music Video ‘Hollywood Nights’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK6ql7fKG0U

T-Rex ‘Get It On’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19IqwU3itFk&feature=related

Jackson Browne ‘Running on Empty’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bww2prhAWEA

Patti Smith ‘Because the Night’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0brHGJ6xqbk

Led Zeppelin ‘The Ocean’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbSugn0dB4c&feature=related

The Knack ‘My Sharona’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVdnqEyToqg

ELO ‘Mr. Blue Sky’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98P-gu_vMRc

Elvis Costello and the Attractions ‘Oliver’s Army’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD_wmYI32sM

Bruce Springsteen ‘Born to Run’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rGFfO5fUvE

Warren Zevon ‘Excitable Boy’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eUsSXXc8wU

‘Those Are People Who Died’ by Jim Carroll (who just recently passed away himself)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deGmSZxBpy0

‘Hollywood Nights’ lyrics

She stood there bright as the sun on that California coast

He was a midwestern boy on his own

She looked at him with those soft eyes,

so innocent and blue

He knew right then he was too far from home He was too far from home

HE WAS TOO FAR FROM HOME

She took his hand and she led him along that golden beach

They watched the waves tumble over the sand

They drove for miles and miles

up those twisting turning roads

Higher and higher and higher they climbed

And those Hollywood nights

In those Hollywood hills

She was looking so right

In her diamonds and frills

All those big city nights

In those high rolling hills

Above all the lights

She had all of the skills

He'd headed west 'cause he felt that a change

would do him good

See some old friends, good for the soul

She had been born with a face that would let her get HER WAY

He saw that face and he lost all control

He had lost all control

Night after night, day after day, it went on and on

Then came that morning he woke up alone

He spent all night staring down at the lights of LA

Wondering if he could ever go home

And those Hollywood nights

In those Hollywood hills

It was looking so right

It was giving him chills

In those big city nights

In those high rolling hills

Above all the lights

With a passion that kills

In those Hollywood nights

In those Hollywood hills

She was looking so right

In her diamonds and frills

All those big city nights

In those high rolling hills

Above all the lights

She had all of the skills

About the Video: Live Seger (in Boston, as he states at the beginning of the song), circa 1979 (perhaps?)

Video  Rating: 1

Best Feedback: Kippy

Good one Pete!  Love Bob Seger.  Have a great weekend.