“Walking on a Wire” – Richard and Linda Thompson (Live, 1982, Washington DC)

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Here is what could only be described as an extremely rare live performance by Richard and Linda Thompson performing the shattering “Walking on a Wire” during a live tour in 1982. From the classic album “Shoot out the Lights,” this is a very heavy song about a relationship on the ropes. Perversely, this was likely written during a time of trouble between the Thompsons, as they divorced soon after this album was released. Of course, the Thompsons have consistently denied any connection between “Shoot out the Lights” and the end of their marriage. Just like Woody Allen’s acidic 1992 film “Husbands and Wives” in NO way reflected Allen’s and Mia Farrow’s relationship issues.

In any case, a truly marvelous performance and watching Richard work that guitar during the stunning solo near the end of the song is always a jaw-dropping experience.

“Hang Around” – The Biters

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OK, this song is from 2010, but I just heard this tonight and it’s my favorite new song. Reminds me a lot of early Cheap Trick, with equal measures of “power” and “pop.” Without further ado, this is Atlanta, Georgia’s the Biters with “Hang Around.”

“Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” – Nina Simone

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Most people know this by the terrific pop cover the Animals did in 1965. However, this was originally composed for jazz vocalist Nina Simone by Bennie Benjamin, Gloria Caldwell and Sol Marcus and Simone’s version … which is slower, bluesier, and more tortured-sounding … is a marvel to behold if you’ve never heard it before. The accompanying video that someone made on YouTube showing pivotal scenes of the American Civil Rights struggle during the 1950s and 1960s is particularly powerful in the context of the lyrics.

John Waters’ Top 10 Films of 2013 (from Artforum)

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Dave's Strange World

http://www.indiewire.com/article/john-waters-top-films-of-2013-spring-breakers-is-1

Early December always brings cult filmmaker and raconteur John Waters’ immensely useful Top 10 film list for the year (published in Artforum). As always, he makes some very interesting choices and has some choice comments. Dave says check it out.

“When She Loved Me” – Sarah McLachlan / Randy Newman from “Toy Story 2” (1999)

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An incredibly moving and emotional scene from the Pixar animated film “Toy Story 2,” featuring one of Randy Newman’s best songs, sung by Sarah McLachlan. Yes, the characters are toys. Yes, I realize it’s some dire triumph of the Capitalist system to ascribe human feelings to otherwise inanimate objects. But I dare anyone not to watch this scene and not be moved. As I’ve said before, between 1995 and 2010 (15 years if you do the math), there has been no other creative entity that sustained a consistently high quality of films than Pixar did. Yes, they really showed their a– with “Cars 2.” But … here’s hoping they bounce back and start scoring classics again.

“Make You Feel My Love” – Bryan Ferry

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This song from Bob Dylan’s 1997’s album “Time out of Mind” has become a bit of a war horse, covered by by Billy Joel, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Kelly Clarkson and Adele among many others. However, this cover by Bryan Ferry from his 2007 album “Dylanesque” is my favorite. There’s just something about how Ferry’s world-weary voice delivers Dylan’s simple and sincere lyrics that’s really remarkable.